Bred for life November 30, 2009
Posted by Amy in devotion.Tags: God's love, individuality, perceptions
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(c) 2009, Amy S. Lewis
I find it fascinating to observe the way breeders choose studs and mares they cross. They go to great lengths to get what they hope will be a favorable outcome. They’ll study blood lines, colorings, performance records, conformation, past foals, videos and health histories. They’ll travel the country or the world to see horses in person. And the costs involved – stud fees, mare care, vet bills. All to predict the somewhat unpredictable, to increase the chances for a known outcome. Fortunately, these efforts sometimes payoff. Other times, recessive genes rear their ugly head, resulting in undesirable markings, lack of speed or “cowiness,” or conformation or health issues. Sometimes a disappointing result has no explanation.
God has gone to great lengths in creating us as well. He has made each of us wonderfully complex, according to Psalm 139. And Genesis tells us that we are made in his image, which we know is incomprehensibly complex.
Genesis 1:27: “So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
Think what that means! Just like a horse breeder carefully chooses his crosses for a predictable outcome, the Lord has created each of us to take after him. He has shaped each of us as a potter shapes a clay pot; as a breeder calculates the odds of a desirable foal. In our case, there are no disappointing results – we are exactly as God designed us.
The complexity of each of our bodies, our spirits, our thoughts and emotions is a sign of God’s love for us. He certainly would not go to so much trouble if he didn’t love us, would he?
How does that make you feel? Honored? Do you sense a responsibility to become more Godly or to serve him because you’ve gained an understanding that we were created in His image? If you tend to have a critical self image how can this realization change your thinking about who you are physically, emotionally and spiritually?
Know and trust that you have been made exactly as God designed you.
Romans 9:20b: Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?”
Questions for reflection:
1. If you have bred a horse, how have you chosen the mare and stud crosses? What were the outcomes of those matches? What results were as you predicted?
2. How does it make you feel to know that you have been made by God and in His image?
3. In what ways do feel like you don’t measure up to your own or others’ expectations? Why? When do these emotions arise?
Stop Being So Emotional">Stop Being So Emotional
November 29, 2009
Posted by Amy in random thoughts.
Tags: balance, emotions, peace, perceptions
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It strikes me that our society can be void of positive emotions. (Maybe it’s a Midwest thing — all of us Scandinavians or Germans are so stoic.) We do our best not to express our feelings unless we’re feeling angry. Why?
I find it sad. Sad that we aren’t comfortable letting others see who we really are or how we’re feeling. Sad that we may hold back because we perceive others may see us as weak or overly emotional.
The thought first occurred to me at my grandma’s wake a few weeks ago. Family members did their best not to cry. I couldn’t look at my younger cousin because her grief triggered my tears. For Pete’s sake, if you can’t cry when someone dies, when can you? I find myself crying more openly at a sappy, fictitious chic flick than I did at my grandma’s graveside.
In Matthew 5, Jesus said “God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” That tells me it’s okay to mourn. It’s okay to cry. It’s natural.
Somewhere in our upbringing, however, we were conditioned not to show our emotions. Crying at work was a sign of weakness. Laughing too much may mean that you don’t take things seriously enough. You might be seen as “flakey.”
The exception is anger. People are all too quick to express their dissatisfaction and outrage. Crabbyness at the grocery store checkout lanes. Road rage. Impatience with children. Anger is all around us and yet smiles, laughter and even healthy sadness are squelched. Maybe we need to focus more on expressing joy and laughter than frustration and anger?
God created us with the full range of emotions. Stifling our emotions is as unnatural as repressing our need to eat. Either we express our emotions in a balanced way, or eat at regular intervals, or we end up bingeing on emotions or food until we are satisfied. Neither is healthy. Suppressing emotions leads to a lack of peace and contentment in life.
When was the last time you had a belly-aching laugh? Have you shed soul-cleansing tears lately? What holds you back from expressing your emotions? Why?
Psalm 30:5b: Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.
Psalm 94:19: When doubts filled my mind,your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.
Psalm 126:2 We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy.
James 1:20 Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.
Answered Prayers November 26, 2009
Posted by Amy in random thoughts.Tags: answered prayer
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Thanksgiving seems like the perfect time to look back at my prayer journal to see how God has answered my prayers this past year. I believe that God answers all prayers — by saying “yes,” “no,” or “not now.” He always has our best interests at heart, so if he doesn’t answer prayers as we request, it’s because it’s not right for us and he has something else in mind for us.
So here’s summary of some of the answered prayers this past year (private petitions omitted):
Healing of friend’s sister of pneumonia
Guidance for friend’s decision to go on mission trip (she went)
Raise up leaders for BSF (4 new leaders answered the call)
Dismissal of lawsuit brought against family member (dismissed in Sept.)
Healing of grandma’s pneumonia (eternal healing)
No glitches in cousin’s wedding in Indonesia
Countless petitions for safe travel
Motivation to post regularly to blog (hope the answer’s obvious)
Motivation to finish initial draft and editing of Teachings from the Trail book (finished in August)
Protection from injury while biking and horseback riding
Strength to give up caffeine and pop (success!)
Reconciliation of two marriages
Friend who was told she couldn’t have a baby 8 years ago gave birth to son
Smooth transition for friend’s cross-country move
Healing of friend with cancer (eternal healing)
Remission of cancer for three people
Reduction in size of cancerous tumors for two people
Full recovery for 7 year old who had heart surgery
Hope and provision for Alpha group member
Draw new (right) pastor to position at Hosanna (Ryan Alexander)
Smooth bypass surgery and full recovery for friend’s mom
Smooth heart surgery and complete recovery for relative
Provision for several self employed friends, family members and me (all continue to make ends meet)
Frequent help for me in leading meetings, small groups
Guidance in decisions about clients/new clients for my business
New jobs for four people (still praying for several others)
Peaceful rest for grandma amid her battle with pneumonia
Strength and comfort for those who said goodbye to loved ones this year
How can I think God is anything but faithful as I look over this partial list of answered prayers? It gives me hope for those petitions I continue to bring to him — for economic recovery and job growth, for a cure for cancer, for healing of friends undergoing cancer treatment, for peaceful relationships, for loved ones to come to faith, to bring him honor in all that I do.
Happy Thanksgiving! If you have a minute today, think about all the ways God has answered your prayers and blessed you.
I beg to differ November 25, 2009
Posted by Amy in random thoughts.Tags: agreement, individuality, opinions, perceptions
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I’ve been a peacekeeper my whole life – or at least try to be. That’s different than being a peacemaker. Peacekeepers avoid conflict; peacemakers understand that sometimes only conflict or confrontation brings resolution.
Being a peacekeeper causes me to shy away from people who have differing opinions, political views or religious views than me. I avoid confrontation. I won’t read books that may refute what I believe. Being a peacekeeper has caused me to be narrow minded, truthfully. I’m working on overcoming that.
Writing this blog puts my beliefs and opinions out in the open. Unlike a live conversation, I can’t sugar coat my views so that everyone may perceive my opinions to align with their own. As much as I want to be, it’s a little more difficult to be a peacekeeper on these “pages.”
Christ, our example in all things, wasn’t always a peacekeeper. He cleared the temple of merchants who had turned the house of God into a den of thieves and challenged the Pharisees (and popular opinion) on many occasions. He didn’t tell people what they wanted to hear but rather what they needed to hear (i.e., the rich young ruler).
As a blogger, leader and Christian, I won’t always be popular. My Biblical views often don’t agree with society’s views on issues. But I have to be true to Christ first and myself second while at the same time being understanding and loving toward those whose opinions differ from mine.
Michael Hyatt points out that as a leader (and, I might add, a blogger) we will always have critics. His post on how to differentiate and deal with friends, critics and trolls was helpful to me. Perhaps it will help you today, too.
1 Peter 3:8-9 (NLT): Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it.
Proverbs 28:23 (NLT): In the end, people appreciate honest criticism far more than flattery.
More Treats November 24, 2009
Posted by Amy in devotion.Tags: answered prayer, God's faithfulness, God's love, horses, prayer, thanksgiving
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(c) 2008, Amy S. Lewis
I have a bad habit – well, more than one. One in particular is that I enjoy giving my horse treats. Apples. Carrots. Oatmeal cinnamon treats. Peppermints. That’s not necessarily the problem. The problem is that he expects treats from me. He watches my hands intently to see if I’m holding something edible. He nuzzles my coat pockets searching out a treat. Of course, I’m a pushover and give in. Before he’s even swallowed, he’s begging for more. He’s constantly turning his head or nudging me asking for more when I’m trying to saddle him. It’s as if he’s forgotten I had just given him something good. He doesn’t appreciate what I’ve already given him.
How quickly and how often do we do the same with God? Do we remember His past goodness to us as we wait for an answer to prayer? Do we receive an answer to prayer and shortly thereafter question God’s faithfulness or wonder why he appears to be absent from another situation? I know I have.
Psalm 40:5 (NLT):
O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us…
If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds,
I would never come to the end of them.
In Matthew 15:33, Jesus implies that he and the disciples should feed 4,000 people in the middle of nowhere. The practical disciples ask Jesus where he expects them to buy food for 4,000 people. Seems logical until we remember that just a few days previously Jesus miraculously fed 5,000 with just five loaves of bread and two fish. How quickly the disciples forgot Jesus’ divine abilities.
We too need to remember His divinity and what he’s done for us in the past in order to trust him for the future. What prayer have you consistently prayed that has yet to be answered? What previous answered prayer do you recall that might help you rest in His faithfulness for your current prayer? What prayer will you bring to Him with renewed zeal as you remember what He has done? In this season of Thanksgiving, will you remember how He’s cared for you and answered your prayers, and then thank Him for all He has done, and will do?
Lamentations 3:23,25 (NLT):
Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning…
The Lord is good to those who depend on him,
to those who search for him.
Just like Ernie will continue seeking treats from me, knowing I’ve delivered in the past, we need to continue praying to God, trusting in His eternal faithfulness and thanking Him for all He has done. He has been so good to us.
Colossians 2:7 (NLT): Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
Questions for reflection:
1. What prayer have you consistently prayed that has yet to be answered? Can you see how God may be slowly working to answer your prayer?
2. What previous answered prayer do you recall that might help you rest in His faithfulness for your current prayer?
3. What prayer will you bring to Him with renewed zeal as you remember what He has done previously? For encouragement, see Luke 18:18.
Thanksgiving before Christmas November 23, 2009
Posted by Amy in random thoughts.Tags: advertising, christmas, materialism, thanksgiving
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It’s hard to tell sometimes that Thanksgiving is a few days away. Christmas has overtaken Thanksgiving in the stores, on radio stations, in our newspapers. Our materialistic society wants to skip right over Thanksgiving and get to Christmas. Retailers want us to start shopping early, especially in recessionary times, because we buy more and spend more.
I think there’s a reason Thanksgiving falls before Christmas. I believe that if we truly focus on the meaning of Thanksgiving — the acknowledgement of the blessings in our lives — we will be more satisfied with what we have in our lives and will spend less on Christmas. If we focus on being thankful for what we have, we will realize how full our lives already are. We will have a better sense of what we need versus what we want.
The line between need and want is easily blurred in our society. Advertising convinces us we need new clothes, a more economical vehicle, a “more practical” computer, or a winter getaway to somewhere warm. It causes us to be discontent with what we have. It’s designed to stir emotions within us to convince us that we need something rather than just want it.
Rather than letting society’s Christmas crowd out Thanksgiving, let’s allow Thanksgiving to crowd out society’s Christmas. Let’s focus on being thankful for what we have rather than desiring what we don’t. Let’s be thankful for Christ, the reason we celebrate Christmas.
Proverbs 10:22 (NLT): The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich,
and he adds no sorrow with it.
Colossians 3:5 (NIV): Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
Choosing Thankfulness November 21, 2009
Posted by Amy in random thoughts.Tags: gratitude, thankfulness, thanksgiving
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Thankfulness is a choice.
My family and I buried my grandmother yesterday. We can choose to say, “thank you, God, for the time with her,” or we can focus on our loss. I can thank God for grandma’s long life and her influence on my family and me, or I can be angry that death is even a part of life. In either case, I can be sad. Being thankful is the healthier choice.
This Thanksgiving when so many people are unemployed or facing foreclosure, and the headlines always seem to be discouraging, we need to choose to be thankful. Thankful for what we do have — family, warm weather and sunshine, good health, clean water to drink, freedom to say what you feel or read what you choose, etc. I don’t mean to make light of problems. There are always challenges. I believe, however, that focusing on our problems can lead to increased worry; remembering God’s provision in the past and his eternal faithfulness, we can trust him for today and tomorrow.
In every situation, there’s likely a positive aspect for which you can be thankful. If you’re frustrated at work, be thankful you have a job. If you’re wondering how you’ll afford Christmas this year, thank God for your family with whom you can share Christmas. If your schedule seems overwhelming, choose to be thankful for the friends, work commitments or family activities that are available to you.
This is my challenge to myself today and in this coming week. Be thankful for the car that I hate – because I have a car. Be thankful for my house that’s not a hobby farm – because I have a house. Be thankful for the family who often frustrates me – because I have a family with whom I can share Thanksgiving. Be thankful for the chilly fall weather – because it certainly could be worse for the end of November.
Of course, there are many reasons to be thankful this season that don’t require a positive “spin.” I am thankful for family, friends, my horse, food to eat every day, freedom to worship and read the Bible, etc.
If you’re not feeling so fortunate these days, think of our military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan. They are spending this Thanksgiving apart from their families. They don’t get to choose what to wear each day. They can’t drive down the road without facing potential danger. And they’ll eat their turkey dinner in a giant tent (guessing) with hundreds of other enlisted personnel dressed exactly as they are. Now can you choose to be thankful? If nothing else, be thankful for those military personnel who are serving our country, doing their jobs and protecting (in principle) our freedoms.
Psalm 136 (NLT)
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
4 Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles.
His faithful love endures forever.
5 Give thanks to him who made the heavens so skillfully.
His faithful love endures forever.
6 Give thanks to him who placed the earth among the waters.
His faithful love endures forever.
7 Give thanks to him who made the heavenly lights—
His faithful love endures forever.
8 the sun to rule the day,
His faithful love endures forever.
9 and the moon and stars to rule the night.
His faithful love endures forever.
Annual Twin Cities Alpha Celebration November 19, 2009
Posted by Amy in Coming events.Tags: Alpha, housholder
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I’m supporting Alpha Twin Cities. Why? Because I’ve seen how God uses Alpha to make a difference in people’s lives. I believe Alpha can be a tool to bring change in the Twin Cities and beyond. Have you taken it yet? Has it made a difference in your life? If it has, perhaps you want to join me at the 2009 Twin Cities Alpha Celebration event or in making a donation to support Alpha? Dinner details below. Donate here and specify your gift to the “Twin Cities/Northland.”
2009 Twin Cities Alpha Celebration
Friday evening, November 20, 2009
6:15 – 7:00 p.m. Social Hour with Appetizers and Beverages
7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Gourmet Dessert served and Celebration Program
Dave Housholder will be the keynote speaker (www.thornheart.com).
Select copies of Dave’s latest book, How to Light Your Church on Fire Without Burning it Down, will be available as door prizes.
This inspiring and hope-filled evening will include a Social Hour with appetizers, gourmet dessert and refreshments, Spirit-led worship with Jon Russell, engaging testimonies from Alpha guests, pastors and course leaders, a look back at the “Invite the Twin Cities to Dinner” campaign and a look ahead to 2010. In addition, guests will be given an opportunity to invest financially in Alpha for 2010.
Please feel free to invite a friend who may have a heart for Alpha and a passion to see people transformed by the power of Jesus Christ.
There is no cost to attend.
Host Church and address:
Calvary Lutheran Church
7520 Golden Valley Road
Golden Valley, MN 5542
(763) 545-5659
Please R.S.V.P. here.
Part of a herd November 18, 2009
Posted by Amy in devotion.Tags: accountability, community, God's love, herd, prayer
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© Amy S. Lewis 2009
Horses are herd animals. They are most comfortable around at least one other horse. Without a pal, they become frightened, panicked and anxious. They’ll pace, run, buck and snort if their pasture mates are taken away.
Horses in a herd look out for one another. They scratch each others’ backs; they stand close to one another swishing their tails to fend off flies, and they alert one another when danger may be near (sometimes needlessly so).
We, too, need help from others. We need help with projects too big for one person. We need someone to talk to when life doesn’t go our way. We want to celebrate good news with someone. Life is richer, fuller, when we’re in relationships.
Ecc. 4:9 (NLT): Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.
To our do-everything-for-ourselves society, it may seem to be a shortcoming to rely on others. We may think it unnecessary to be in relationships. We certainly can avoid conflict more readily if we go through life without other people in our lives. And yet, our greatest joy and fulfillment comes from interaction with others. Parents beam with pride at a child’s accomplishment. People realize great satisfaction when they help a neighbor, friend or coworker with a project that would be impossible alone.
Our Christian brothers and sisters are a special community to us. They pray for us and turn us toward God when we wander from God’s truth. They help us grow in our relationship with Christ. They help us understand how God may be working in our lives.
Do you have this kind of community? If you don’t, I encourage you to seek one out. Who can you turn to when trials come? Who can help you understand how God may be using a challenging situation in your life to refine your character? Who can “watch your back” for impending danger or make life a little more comfortable by fending off the “flies”? Horses aren’t truly at ease if they’re in a pasture alone either and neither are we.
In the Bible we see great friendships and nurturing relationships: Naomi and Ruth; Ester and Mordecai; Jesus and his disciples; Paul and Timothy; Moses and Aaron; David and Jonathan. The greatest example is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Even our Almighty Father models relationship and interdependency in His triune nature. He can’t live without relationships and neither can we.
Galatians 6:2-3 (NLT): Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
Questions for reflection:
1. Who is your primary community – the people you turn to for support? What do they add to your life? What would life be like without them?
2. How can you help others pursue a life of godliness? Who can you help along their path?
3. Who may be wandering lost that you could invite into your community? How will you reach out to them today?
—–
I realized this week the strength that can come from a community that surrounds us. My family has been brought closer as we mourn together. All the thoughts and prayers of my friends and Christian brothers and sisters have helped us sense God’s love, comfort and strength around us. Thank you for being my “pasture mates.”
Take 2 – Gratitude November 18, 2009
Posted by Amy in random thoughts.Tags: gratitude
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This is my second attempt at today’s post. The first was a horse devotional, because, after all, this blog is supposed to be related to horses periodically. But in light of the recent events in my life, the devotional seemed trite and not what is really on my heart.
What is on my heart? Gratitude.
Gratitude for the countless friends who have reached out to support my family and me right now. Thank you for your prayers and warm words. I take them to heart.
Gratitude for the five-day nursing-home vigil with my extended family. It gave us all a chance to say goodbye that we would not have had her death came suddenly. I connected and reconnected with my uncles, aunt and cousins in a truly meaningful way. We got caught up on each other’s lives. We shared our grief and concern for grandma. At the end, we hugged — something we don’t often do.
Gratitude for the memories of grandma that were shared during our marathon days and nights. She left her mark on each of our lives in unique ways.
Gratitude for grandma’s 92 years of life, her love and her influence on my life.
And gratitude for the reassurance that grandma is in a better place and that I will see her again someday.
1 Thessalonians 5:16 (NIV): Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
In case you’re curious, the original devotion will also post today.
