Author: Christine

Walking around our yard and neighborhood, I have been noticing many green pine cones falling from the trees. I asked my husband, “Is this ‘dropping’ season?” In many parts of the country, leaves will soon be changing color and “dropping” from the trees. Acorns are “dropping,” as well. Nature is preparing for the seasonal change. Are we paying attention?

What changes are happening in your life? Is God a part of your daily life or has there been a “dropping” season with God? Maybe you are reflecting and thinking it is time to get rid of some bad habits so it is “dropping” season for those habits. Maybe you have too much on your plate and it is time to re-prioritize and begin “dropping” some activities. Maybe you have started a new bible study at church, like my mom, and you have to “drop” that favorite television show in order to attend. Maybe you have built up a list of excuses as to why you cannot make it to church on Sundays. Is it time to “drop” the excuses and get back to worshipping God on Sunday?

We all need to take a moment, reflect, prioritize, clean up areas of our life and begin the “dropping” process. Let the season begin today.

Hebrews 12:1b-2: “Let us lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Life is busy. Life is hectic. Life is… The list could keep going. Life is a verb. It is action-packed. Sadly, this has kept me from my daily devotional and prayer time with God. I’ve seen the results of this shift. It’s not good. Mouth loosened. Focus off. Priorities on self. Time to get back in tune with God. Hitting the re-set button. Thankful we serve a God of second, third, tenth chances. Thankful we have a forgiving God who receives us back and restores us into fellowship with Him.

Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Psalm 25:4-5 “Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are my God and Savior and my hope is in you all day long.”

How many of us grew up going to church with our families on Sundays? How many of us participated in youth sponsored events at church? Bowling, movies, ice skating, Bingo, ice cream socials. How many of us want our own children to go to church and allow our neighbors, grandparents, and bus ministries to get them there?

I remember a conversation I had with a neighbor. She said, “You are the family we know that goes to church.” Basically, what she was saying was, “I like that your family goes to church. We don’t, but good for you.”

I am happy to be known as a church-going family. Friends, family, co-workers, neighbors will come to me asking for prayer, advice, counseling. I want to be prepared. I want to go to church to be taught by a bible teaching pastor. Church feeds my soul, lifts me up spiritually, refocuses me on God and off worldly pursuits. Church brings me into fellowship with other Christians.

We are created to worship our Creator God. If you don’t go to church anymore, who or what have you replaced God with? If you want to go to church but don’t know how, message me. Let’s have a conversation. God is present. Be present with Him, even at church.

Ephesians 3:20-21 ^” Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

Acts 2:42 “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.”

Words that fill the page that are not my own. Words that remind me of Who God is. Words that touch my heart. Words that bring comfort.

“Only God is outside the boat, sovereign, stable, and strong enough to calm the storms.” Jennifer Benson Schuldt

“Let them praise the Lord for His great love and for the wonderful things He has done for them. Let them exalt Him publicly before the congregation and before the leaders of the nation.” Psalm 107:31-32

“You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7

“When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness; but will have the light of life.'” John 8:12

We’ve done the work. We’ve made the preparations. We are staying on top of the latest hurricane updates. We are mindful of the power of a hurricane. This is not our first rodeo. We take it seriously yet we are not panicking.

Now… we wait. I’ve been sitting on the front porch, enjoying a refreshing, steady breeze. Not a common occurrence on Labor Day in Florida. Making the best of the time. Thinking about the creative hand of God, the protective hand of God, the redeeming hand of God. This keeps me centered. This brings me peace.

1 Chronicles 29:11-12: ” Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is Yours, O Lord, and this is Your kingdom. We adore You as the One who is over all things. Wealth and honor come from You alone; for you rule over everything. Power and might are in Your hand, and at Your discretion people are made great and given strength.”

I was recently invited out by a friend to try a new type of Yoga. I’ve only done Yoga a few times and I am not quite sure of all the moves. I politely declined, went home and started to make other plans. The other plans, it turns out, had fallen through, and I now found myself with free time. I quickly texted my friend and said yes to joining her at her Yoga class. It was a wonderful time of fellowship with her and a relaxing Yin Yoga, something I needed after a stressful week.

It is so easy to stay within our comfort zone, to say “no” to trying new things. It takes effort, it takes intentionality to say “yes.” Saying yes means opening up to new experiences, going new places, meeting new people. God didn’t design us to live in a bubble, to remain comfortable. He wants us, me, out there, trying new things, meeting new people. Sharing the gospel, speaking of my testimony, offering wisdom from a life of trials and mountain top experiences.

Let’s practice saying “Yes!” Yes to a friend. Yes to a spouse. Yes to a co-worker. “Yes, Lord, here I am, send me.” Isaiah 6:8

Growing up, when dinner was called, we all quickly washed our hands and gathered around the table. There were 8 of us and we had assigned seats. My parents at either end, the 3 older ones on one side, the 3 younger ones on the other. We didn’t mind, it was routine. Once at the table, we would pray, giving thanks for the bounty, the hands that prepared the meal for 8, and asked the Lord’s blessing on the meal and the nourishment it provided. Plates were passed, laughter was present, fellowship occurred. I sit at a table for 2 now, occasionally spilling over to 4, 6, 10 depending on the crowd. I get the same pleasure today as I did back then. Prayer, food, fellowship.

The food we eat provides nourishment and comfort, brings enjoyment. I am sitting at the dining table now, but rather than eating food, I am reading and studying God’s word. It is providing nourishment and comfort for my soul, gives me peace and joy. His word steadies my heart, fills my soul. I am taking time to dine with God. I pray, intake the food of His word, and fellowship with my Savior and Lord.

John 6:51 “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

I am blessed. I live in the country and am allowed time to listen to the sounds of nature: the birds, the roosters, the bees. As I sit and commune here, I am filled with wonder and awe that God has created all of this.

I have a niece who lives in the city. Bricks, cement, roads, cars, people are her sounds of the day. She commented this summer that she needed some green time… time spent away from the city, time spent inhaling the fragrances of the country, spending time in the green spaces our country has to offer. It gave her a new perspective and allowed her to relax, away from the hustle and bustle of her daily grind.

Even if it is just sitting on your porch, take the time to breathe in, breathe out. Praise God during your green time moments.

I need to do this, then this, then this, etc… You know the drill. The list keeps getting added on to, you begin to sink under its weight. You work, you hustle, you focus, you work early, stay late, ever running behind.

Sometimes we need to step back and re-prioritize. I haven’t written in 2 weeks. This is personal for me. I am disappointed that I have allowed work to consume me. I am correcting this path today. Making a commitment to spend time in God’s word, meditating on His truths, allowing my mind to be filled with Him, daily.

Psalm 100:1-5
“Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.”

This is the entire Psalm. 5 verses.
Shouting. Worshipping. Singing. Giving Thanks. Praising.
All of these active verbs are directed to God. The One who is worthy of shouting with joy. The One we worship. We praise His name for He and He alone is high and lifted up.
Let His words touch our heart, reach the depths of our soul as we give thanks to Him. 
Let’s start today by worshipping Him.