Sticks and Stones

I have a goal to get back into writing, whether on this blog or for publication or just to keep track of things happening.  Writing is therapeutic in many ways.  I do not claim that anything I write is profound or earth-shattering, but I hope maybe it can bring someone hope, peace, or encouragement.   
"Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one." Col 4:6

"Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!" James 3:5

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can damage a spirit."

In my study today, there was a focus on words and speech. We live in a world where everything seems transient - here today, gone tomorrow. Snapchat photos appear for a moment and then seemingly disappear. FB stories last 24 hours, and then they, too, seem to vanish. While those things do not ACTUALLY disappear, they are gone from our memory and sight quickly. Unless, of course, someone takes a screenshot or copies and pastes it or shares it or saves it. It is still stored somewhere in the cloud and can be retrieved at any moment if you just know how.

Words are similar. They pop out of someone's mouth, and then the sound of them seemingly disappears into thin air. The speaker may even forget that they were said. And yet, they often linger and their influence continues (good or bad) long after the last audible sound has dissipated. This is even more true if the "love language" of the person hearing them is words of affirmation. For these people (I am one!), authentically positive words can motivate them and push them to greater heights, kindling a fire of confidence and boldness as they go about living their lives for Christ. Likewise, negative, hateful, or accusatory words (ESPECIALLY when they are untrue or spiteful), can kindle a fire of anxiety, stress, doubt, and fear much like a single spark of flame can result in the devastation of an entire forest. Unfortunately, these destructive words often linger longer and consume anything positive that was said so that the person feels depleted, "scorched," laid bare, and desolate. Much like the screenshot from a FB post or Snapchat photo, those words are burned on their memory and get replayed over and over in their minds, poisoning their confidence and hindering their service in His kingdom.

Scripture warns against idle words in Matthew 12:36, and in today's world of "speaking your truth" and "making your voice known," I fear that we all (myself included) need to heed the advice of the kids' song: "O be careful little mouth what you say." We absolutely should be sharing truth in love, but before we speak something, we must consider whether it is, indeed, true, kind, or helpful. While how someone reacts to our words is not always our responsibility, may we never be the reason someone doubts their worth or value to the kingdom. May we all echo the psalmist in our desire to "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight."

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2Ronda Jo and 1 other

On the ever drifting sand?

Some build their hopes on the ever drifting sand,
Some on their fame, or their treasure, or their land...

Wow...this has been a crazy time!   Our country is experiencing a lot of uncertainty and upheaval as a result of the virus sweeping through the world at this time.   As a travel agent, all the venue closures and cancellations have rocked my professional world, and I have spent a lot of time counseling clients, making changes, cancelling reservations, etc.    Since travel agents only get paid after a client travels, IF they travel, all of these changes have affected our income as well.   Thankfully, we don't rely on my income, but some agents do have to rely on theirs.   That's scary!   I am thankful that I don't have to place my hope in my treasure. 

The news has been full of updates about celebrities who have contracted the virus. Similarly, professional and college athletes who have worked so hard to reach championship games, only to have their seasons interrupted or cut short.   I am thankful I don't have to place my hope in personal fame. 

Every time I see the news, there is conflicting information about this whole situation.   Today, reports might be that this virus will infect almost everyone and hospitals will be unable to care for the sick.  Another day, it seems as though everyone is overreacting.  It is hard to know who (or what) to believe.   Confusion and misinformation are running rampant.   We look to leaders and experts for information and reassurance, but with the rapidly changing information, they have little to offer us.  I am thankful that my confidence does not lie in the ever drifting sand.

We are being bombarded constantly with admonitions to wash our hands, disinfect our common areas, abstain from being in public as much as possible, etc. etc. etc.   Our grandparents in nursing home or retirement facilities are not being allowed visitors for their own protection.   Children are being sent home from school, corporations and colleges all over the country are sending people home to do all work and schooling online.   Parents whose kids are in public schools are suddenly finding themselves in a situation where they must "homeschool" these kids until school reopens in order to keep them from getting behind.  Homeschool co-ops are shutting down so that families aren't exposing each other to danger.   Members who may have been exposed or who have other health conditions are having to stay home from corporate worship.    We are encouraged to practice "social distancing," which can separate us from our support networks and leave us feeling more afraid and confused.   Fear is everywhere.   However, "The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"  Psalm 27:1

If you know much about me, I  despise uncertainty and change.  I am not comfortable with being out of control of a situation or having no idea what the outcome will be.   I love predictability and routine,  When I don't have these, it gives me anxiety and makes me feel uneasy.  This current situation has been a challenge for me to remember to not be anxious in all things. (Php. 4:6-7).

Thankfully, there stands a Rock, the Rock of my salvation! My hope is "on the Rock that forever will stand, Jesus, the Rock of Ages."   In this time of swift transition, I can "Hold to God's Unchanging Hand."   Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8), no matter what happens with the virus, or the travel industry, or fleeting fame, or any other worldly endeavor.  I can't imaging trying to navigate these changing times without that Rock to cling to, and my prayer is that anyone reading this who doesn't have that Rock will make the changes needed today.   If I can help you, I would love to. 

Word of the Year - 2020

If you are on social media at all, you have probably seen lots of posts about choosing your "word of the year" to focus on in 2020.   People choose all kinds of creative words that represent their goals for the upcoming year, or what they feel is needed in their lives.   My perfectionist self has always struggled with the idea of choosing a word to "define" me for the next 12 months.  What if I choose the wrong word?  What if I can't live up to my word?   What if my life goes in a completely different direction?   How do I put that word into action?  The questions tumble in my mind and my anxiety mounts with the pressure of choosing just the "right" word.  So, in the past, I have bucked the trend and simply continued setting specific, attainable goals for myself.   I don't usually call them "resolutions," because, again, my perfectionism gets in the way and I feel so defeated if attaining them does not go as planned or if life throws me a curve ball that interferes with my goal.   For instance, if I set an exercise goal and then come down with bronchitis and can't workout for a few weeks, I feel like a failure and have trouble giving myself grace in times of sickness.   If I lay out routines and organization plans and miss a day, I am tempted to just give up because "I can't do this."   Instead, I set small goals with reasonable expectations and celebrate when I achieve them.   

However, this year every time I read about someone's word of the year, all I could think about was that I needed to simplify my life.   The past year has been chaotic, stressful, and sometimes downright scary.   We have had various medical issues, a few scares, and my seasonal anxiety issues have really ramped up.   I have felt like I have been in survival mode for months, whereas I long to be in "thrive" mode.    Life has felt overwhelming and out of control and, quite frankly, like a big mess!   My brain has felt jumbled and stressed and unfocused.  I have forgotten things simply because there is too much to remember and no good system to remember with! 

So, I can feel my mind and my soul longing for simplicity.  Every time I think of that, the Scripture admonishing us to "Be still, and know that I am God" comes to mind as well.   I am rarely "still," and I get so caught up in all the urgent things that need to be done that sometimes I forget the most important things.   I allow stress and chaos to dictate my life instead of peace, stillness, and trust. 

Therefore, my word of 2020 is SIMPLIFY.    My goal is to simplify and streamline my daily life so that I am able to finally "be still" and take comfort in the One who promises rest to all who are weary and heavy-laden if we will only come to Him in faithful obedience.

I am hoping to extend this word to all areas of my life. 

SIMPLIFY the clutter in our home.   Our brains function better and we are happier when material things are not constantly in our face vying for our attention. 

SIMPLIFY routines and chores.  It doesn't have to be all or nothing.  It's okay to have a few routines in place to make the house run more smoothly and to give ourselves grace when we are exhausted and choose to leave dishes til the next morning in favor of sleep.   It is okay if we forget to switch a load of laundry and have to run it again.   It is not the end of the world if we forget to mop the kitchen this week. 

SIMPLIFY Bible study.   There is no need to feel obligated to be in all the studies going on around me and online.   There is no need to commit to an impossible amount of reading each day and to feel frustrated that I can't keep up.   So, I am focusing on one or two areas of study and doing them well instead of spreading myself so thin I can't even remember what I studied or grow from it. 

SIMPLIFY our schedule.   I am focusing on learning that it is okay to say no to something.  I don't owe anyone an explanation, and it is okay to simply say "I'm sorry.  My schedule doesn't allow for that."   I can't be everything to everyone and still be what I need for my family.   It's also okay to tell my children no, even to "good" activities if it keeps us rushing constantly and unable to enjoy each other.   Every day doesn't have to be an elaborate special occasion.  Some days we can just stay home and be still.

SIMPLIFY our finances.   We don't have to buy everything we see that looks interesting.  It's okay to set up autopay for recurring payments so that we don't forget.   

SIMPLIFY my prayer life.   It's easy to get caught up in feeling like prayer needs to sound a certain way or be a certain length.  God simply desires that I communicate with Him.  It doesn't have to be perfect or complicated. 

SIMPLIFY relationships.  Some relationships do not provide anything good, and it's okay to let those go.  It's okay to let someone move on without constantly trying to fix it and force a relationship.   It's okay to let people make bad choices without feeling like I have failed as a friend if I can't talk them out of it.  I'm not advocating ignoring friends in time of need, but sometimes you just have to accept that someone has chosen to go in a different direction.   It's okay to grieve a lost relationship and then move on.  At the same time, it's okay to take time to cultivate strong relationships, especially with those who share my desire to go to heaven.   

SIMPLIFY my health.  This, too, can be a tempting area to be all or nothing and to set myself up for failure.  So this year, instead of rigid goals and schedules and plans, I am going to simplify things to "making the best choices" and focusing on one thing at a time to make myself healthier. 

SIMPLIFY my brain's chaos.  It's okay to take time to rest, both physically and mentally.  It is okay to ask my husband if I can go to the library for an hour to just have quiet alone time.  It's okay to take time for myself to do something creative that I enjoy to re-energize myself.  It's okay if my life doesn't look like someone else's.   It's okay to simply "Be still, and know that I am God."

The Ripple Effect

It can be so tempting in this world of digital communication to feel like we are isolated or that our actions don't impact others.    As we scroll through Facebook or check out updates on Instagram, we can feel so disconnected, even from those we call "friends." We can feel overwhelmed by how everyone else seems to have their lives together while we flounder.  Text messages and emails don't quite convey our tone of voice correctly, and we can hurt each other without even realizing it.   When we reduce our lives to status updates and news feed stories, we lose so much of what gives life its color and depth.

Recently, I have been made aware of just how deeply our actions can affect those around us.  Sometimes we go through life and forget that every decision we make has a ripple effect.    Maybe we have plans to meet a friend but we just get too busy and don't show up.    Perhaps we think we will just skip worship this one time and no one will notice or be affected.  Perhaps we make an offhand comment that we think is funny, but is actually hurtful.    It's important for us to remember that every single thing we do affects someone. 

Recently, my family has suffered from the loss of a close friendship from someone who has ended almost all communication with us and our church family.  There have been many tears shed, prayers prayed, and messages sent to try to encourage her to return to the Lord.   She has made decisions that she believes only affect her, but they have rocked our world.  I have seen my daughter devastated by the loss of a friendship.   I have cried many tears over the situation and have felt somehow responsible for not being a better example and influence.   We have all struggled to make sense of the situation and it has colored every part of our lives for weeks.   It has made me sad for choices I have made in the past without considering who else might be affected.   It has also encouraged me to make sure that my actions in the future can have "good ripples" instead of bad.  At the same time, I have seen our church family respond in an amazing way, and their actions have also had a ripple effect that has been far-reaching. 

Earlier this week, our local schools started dealing with various threats of violence.   Police presence was increased, faculty and staff were on high alert, and tensions were palpable among students throughout our area.   On Wednesday, my husband's school was directly threatened.    As I sent him off to work that morning, we stopped and prayed for safety for him, for wisdom for the leaders of the school system and for my peace of mind as I let him go.  Throughout the day I texted him to check on him, and he kept responding that all was fine.   I started to feel a little silly for being worried, but I couldn't shake the feeling.  A little after lunch time, a friend sent me an update that the school was on lockdown.  A few minutes later, she called and told me that people at the school were texting and reporting that shots had been fired in the math pod...which is where my husband works.   My blood instantly ran cold, and I felt a strange buzzing in my ears as the store spun around me.  However, my 11 year old was with me at the checkout, and he was watching my every move.  I remember telling my friend thank you and that I was shopping with my son but to keep me posted.  I didn't want him to know what was happening.   I took a few deep breaths and started texting friends to pray urgently.   My son asked if something was wrong, and I didn't want to lie, so I just said, "maybe."  Within minutes friends were sending me photos of an alleged gunman in the school, teachers barricading their classroom doors, and texts reporting gunshots in the math pod.    I knew better than to call my husband in case this was true, so that I didn't give away his location if he was able to be hidden from the chaos.  So, I sent him a text and prayed.  A sweet Christian sister kept texting me calming messages and prayers, and posted an urgent request for other Christians to pray right then.   I felt like I couldn't breathe, and I struggled to keep my focus as we checked out at the store and loaded items into our car to take to the church pantry.   Finally, after what seemed like hours (but was only really minutes), my husband texted me that all was okay.   Nothing had happened.  Kids had fabricated the threat, the photos, the videos, etc.   There was no shooter, no danger, no immediate threat.   There HAD been a lock down because of some suspicious activity near the school, but all were safe.   I wish I could explain how I felt at that moment.   Of course, I felt great relief, and I struggled to keep my composure.  I also felt frustration that I had been afraid in the first place, after studying that morning on giving my fear over to God.   Under the surface, though, I felt a simmering anger.   How could someone think it would be funny or cool to spread these kinds of lies?  How could they start the social media melee of pictures and videos that were not even legitimate?   Somehow, I managed to keep my composure until my husband pulled into our garage that evening.  Then, as I ran out to greet him, I couldn't hold it in any longer.  I cried from relief and fear and frustration and anger until I had no tears left.   When he told me the students were being prosecuted, all I could think was that I wanted their punishment to be that they had to feel what I felt when my friend called and told me there was a shooter.  For one minute, I wanted their hearts to freeze within them.  I wanted them to feel the room spin and their blood run cold and their lungs struggle to fill with air.  I wanted them to understand how I felt when I thought I was going to have to tell my kids that Daddy had been shot.   I wanted their world to be rocked like mine had so they would understand that every action we take has a ripple effect that stretches beyond the obvious.      In those moments of anger, though, I thought about how God must feel when we do things we shouldn't.  When we sin against Him, I wonder if His anger at sin ever makes Him wish we could feel what He does.   Does He ever just want to shake us like I wanted to shake those students?    It made me want to do even better to follow Him so that I never make Him feel that way.   It made me really think about how my actions affect others.   It made me want my "ripples" to be good ones instead of tidal waves.   

While these have been negative examples, I have also become aware of good examples of the "ripple effect."   My son loves to lead singing at worship, and has encouraged other reluctant men of the congregation to take on greater roles in leading worship because they have seen someone so young with a heart to serve God.   My daughter has started babysitting for a church family and has chosen to read Bible stories to the little girl to encourage her and her parents.  They, in turn, have been a blessing to us as our friendship has deepened.   An older member of our congregation has really taken my son under her wing and made him feel special just by little actions that have "rippled" through his life and encouraged him.   A simple letter from a Christian sister brightened my day when I was struggling.   A faithful mother in our congregation has taught her children to be servants and encouragers, and they are constantly uplifting those around them.    Sometimes we think to do good we have to do "big" things.  In reality, though, we just have to be the single drop that starts the ripple effect, and before we know it, the lake is full of ripples working together to make waves.    May we always consider our words and actions so that "As we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those of the household of faith" (Galatians 6:10). 

Running the Race

Life has been crazy the past few months (okay, years).   Between homeschooling, my job as a travel agent, teaching Bible class, keeping house, and being a Christian, a wife, a mother, a daughter, and a friend, sometimes I get overwhelmed.   Add to that the hard things my kids face in this life and the obligations my husband has to his job, to camp, and as a deacon, and life can be stressful at times.   For years I have struggled with various health issues (physical and emotional at times), and this year I felt like something had to change.    I have been working on fueling my body with good foods, supplements, hydration, etc. for a long time.  Mentally, I have been steeling myself against anxiety with Bible study, projects that stretch my brain, and journaling.   I have strengthened some friendships and ended others that were toxic. 

Enter: running.   Keep in mind that by running I really mean jogging just fast enough that I'm not walking.   This girl isn't going to win any prizes for speed in her lifetime.   ;) 

A few months ago, I decided that I needed to set a reachable goal that would be challenging but doable.   In this life that sometimes feels so out of my control, I needed something tangible and measurable that I could accomplish simply by gritting my teeth and going for it.   Something that, when all was said and done, I could grab on to and say that I had done what I set out to do.  So, I boldly announced to my family that I was going to train for and run a 5K on Thanksgiving Day (the Turkey Trot).   I ambitiously set out the first day to see what my lack of fitness level was so that I could chart my progress and know my starting point.  I was on fire for my new goal! 

I started my very first jog with the intention of making it a mile.  I had been working out at the gym and doing things that I hoped would make a difference.  Immediately, I hit my first obstacle.  After only  2/10 of a mile my asthma flared and I was huffing and puffing.  My heart rate was through the roof, and I had only just started.  My goal of 3 miles felt so overwhelming and so impossible.  I felt like everyone else must be so much better at this than I was, and I was certain that even intense training would not help me reach the finish line.  As quickly as I had begun, I became overwhelmingly discouraged.   My inner voice was mocking me "What made you think YOU could be a runner?  You will fail at this like you have failed at so many other things in the past.  Just quit."   Thankfully, the voices of my husband and children chimed in just in time.  "Great job!   That's 2/10 farther than you had run before!   You got this and we will help you!"   Frustrated and tearful, I walked until my breathing was more normal.  Then, determined, I attempted jogging again for 1/10 of a mile.  Then I walked.  Then I jogged.  Repeat.   That first workout totaled two miles of mostly walking with a little "wogging" (jogging at the speed of a faster walk) thrown in.   But I did it, no matter how pathetic it was.   

A day or two later, I tried again.    This time my first attempt was 4/10 of a mile.   Better, but still definitely not what I wanted.   I got a little farther before the obstacles appeared, and this time I was better prepared to deal with it.   I knew from the previous time that my breathing WOULD slow down, my heart rate would stabilize, and I could tackle it again.  I was ready with positive self-talk.   I knew where to turn for encouragement. 

As time progressed, I worked my way up to a mile and a half at a snail's pace.  I started feeling confident that maybe I could reach my goal.  Instead of "if," I began saying "when."   I had a schedule, a plan, and a routine.  I began to look forward to the workout because it was a chance for me to succeed at something I put my mind to.  I began to share with others my goals and my improvements. 

And then...I came down with a nasty upper respiratory infection that turned into acute sinusitis, bronchitis, and possible pneumonia.   Walking down the hallway from my bedroom felt like running a marathon.  Climbing the stairs was impossible.   Going for a run was out of the question, and I had no idea when I would again be able to attempt it.   As I felt sicker and sicker, I didn't even WANT to run again.   My confidence waned and I felt like I had been set back more than I could ever overcome.  The obstacles seemed insurmountable and I resigned myself to, yet again, failing to meet a goal I had set for myself.   Towards the end of the illness I had a follow-up at the doctor and I shared my frustration with her.  "Any time I try to get a workout schedule going, I end up sick or hurt and can't continue it.  I'll never be in shape.  I'll never be a runner.  I just can't."  Immediately, she stopped me mid-sentence.   "Wait right there.   You can absolutely do this.   Everyone faces obstacles and difficulties.  Your biggest enemy right now is yourself.  Tell yourself you can do this and you can.  Trust me.  I've been there.  I was running a race one time and suffered a terrible illness/injury.  I just knew my race was over.  I allowed myself to heal and then started back from square one.  My body didn't let me down.   I was stronger than I gave myself credit for, and I made it.  You will, too." 

So, I "got back on the horse," so to speak.   As I slowly recovered my strength, I laced up my running shoes and started back to my workout routine.   The first few runs felt forced and unsteady.   I had lost some progress, but I persevered.   Slowly, I stretched my distance and my endurance, and within a few weeks I felt confident and determined to run the entire 5K distance.   I had my doubts, but I silenced them the best I could.   I also recruited my husband to run with me, even though his fitness level far exceeded mine.  We dropped the kids off at their tae kwon do lessons and got started.  The first mile was brutal.  I was ready to give up with each step, but I stubbornly pressed on.   At the one mile mark I had a burst of energy.  I was doing it!  I was running!   My husband kept a one-sided conversation going to distract me (I certainly couldn't talk AND breathe at the same time), and we had energetic music playing in the background to keep our pace.   The 2 mile mark came and went and I still felt good, but at the 2 1/4 mark I felt like I hit a brick wall.   I expressed my concern, and my husband cheered my progress, validated my fatigue, and kept pushing me forward.  "You can do this.  I am with you every step of the way.   We are doing this together."  So, I kept on.  I didn't want to let him down.   Step by step, we made our way down the trail.   Step by step, we inched closer to my goal.  Step by step, we put the obstacles behind us and kept our eyes on the goal.   As we passed the 3 mile mark, I could see our ending point ahead of me.    It was no longer an abstract place somewhere in the future.  It was there, just ahead of me, and I was going to make it!  I dug deep and put everything I had in to those last few yards and crossed the finish line.   Stunned, I felt my eyes well up with tears and I had a lump in my throat.  I slowed to a recovery walk and struggled to catch my breath from both the exertion and the excitement.    I had done it!   I had set a goal and reached it.   I had run the race I set out to finish.   I felt overwhelmed with thankfulness that my body was in a healthy enough state to make this trek.  I immediately breathed a prayer of appreciation for the blessing of a godly husband who encouraged me past an obstacle and helped me reach my goal. 

I know that, in the grand scheme of things, a race is so insignificant.  While it feels really big to me in this moment, it is temporary and has no eternal or spiritual significance.    However, as I have started this life as a "runner" (I am still SO slow), I have seen so many parallels to the Christian race. 

1.   I  started out on this journey on fire to follow this path and to run a 5K race.   I was motivated, prepared, and excited.  I couldn't wait to head to my first workout.  I had the right shoes, the right gear, and the right attitude.   I had read so many articles, talked to so many people who loved to run, and I felt like I knew what was required.   I was going to be a runner!   Aren't we that way when we first learn and obey the gospel?  We can't wait to tell everyone about it.  We can't wait to start this race.   We know the right things, we study the right things, we are armed with our Bibles and our motivation and our plans. 

2.   Obstacles happen.   Just like I started strong that first run and then hit the wall at 2/10 of a mile, we start strong as new Christians and, inevitably, obstacles happen.   Maybe we share our new life with a family member who discourages us from following this path.  Maybe friends ridicule us.  Maybe we become ill and have to miss services and time with our church family.  Maybe we try to serve and are criticized.  Obstacles look different for everyone, but they do happen.   Our adversary is like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.    (1 Pet 5:8).   He will put stumbling blocks and detours in our way.   It's not a matter of "if," it's a matter of "when."

3.  It can be overwhelming.   Just as I felt overwhelmed with the enormity of the task before me when I started running, I can remember being overwhelmed as a new Christian with how much I didn't know.  I remember talking to my now-husband and thinking that I would never have half the Bible knowledge that he did.   I felt like everyone was so far ahead of me on this race and that I could never catch up.  I felt slow and clumsy in Bible study, just as I did when I first started running.  I learned to take it in small chunks, improving slowly day by day.   Sometimes I got ahead by leaps and bounds, and other times it seemed like baby steps.   It wasn't until years later that I could look back and see that I was farther along the path than where I started.  Now, I can hold my own in spiritual discussions with my husband and can help encourage him the way he encourages me.

4.  You can't do it alone.   We need each other.  We need support.   We need encouragement.   Don't discount the importance of Christian friends to help you along this path. 

5.  We don't HAVE to do it alone.   When I finally ran a 5K distance for the first time, my husband assured me constantly that he would be with me every step of the way.   That was such an encouragement and so motivating to me.   On a much grander and more significant scale, God promises to be with us every step of the way as a Christian.  He will never leave us or forsake us.   My husband does his best to keep his promises to me, but sometimes he fails.  My God, however, keeps EVERY promise He makes.  Without fail.  Every time.

6.  Our inner voice doesn't always tell the truth.   My inner voice wants me to quit or take the day off all the time.  My aches and pains want me to sit on the couch.   Luckily, I am not defined by that inner voice.  The way that seems right to me won't get me where I need to be.  Likewise, there is a way that seems right to men, but the end thereof is death.    May we always focus on the voice of the Savior, the Shepherd who leads us.  His voice speaks only truth (John 17:17).  He will never mislead us.

6.  Keep your eyes on the finish line.   One thing I have discovered as I have trained is that, if I look down at my feet or a step or two in front of me, I get overwhelmed and anxious.   I feel like I am making no progress, I start to focus on my heart rate or my breathing, and I feel like I can't make it any farther.  I quit easier and struggle more.  However, when I keep my eyes on the finish line, I am able to cover ground easier and quicker.   Wasn't Peter the same way when stepping out to walk on the water towards Jesus?  When he focused on the Lord, he was able to do the unthinkable.   But, when he focused on the waves, he began to sink.    Keeping our eyes on eternity can help us stay on the right path.

While I am still very slow at running, I am constantly improving.   I am not giving up.    Step by step, I am plugging along toward my goal.  My speed doesn't matter.  My endurance does.  I AM a runner.  While I will never finish first in a race, I WILL cross that finish line victorious.

The same is true for my life as a Christian.   Sometimes, I feel like my growth and progress are so slow.   But growth is growth.    Some days I spend a lot of time with God's word.  Other days I feel like the time I spend is so minimal.  But, every minute in God's word is another minute of growing and learning.   Step by step, I am plugging along toward my goal.  My speed doesn't matter.  My endurance does.  I AM a runner with a goal of eternal life.   I press on toward that goal with my eyes on the prizes.  I am looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith, and I WILL cross that finish line victorious.

Why I love Digging Deep (and hope you will, too!)

Every August at Polishing the Pulpit, a new "Digging Deep" Bible study put together by Cindy Colley is released for Christian women.  The new study always begins on September 1st and runs a full 12 months (until the next one is released the following August).   Each year's study has a central theme or focus, such as "Sanctification," "Authority," "Shadows," or "Glory."    The study can be used as a stand-alone study (which is available in a bound edition or in a free download), or participants can take advantage of weekly audio podcasts, a monthly video podcast, and a Facebook group full of other "diggers" who offer accountability, study help, and encouragement. 

The "birth" of this study has a pretty amazing story all of its own, which you can hear about in Cindy's instructional video on her family's website. (If you want to watch it, I can provide the actual link).  Having now completed all 8 previous studies and having embarked on this 9th year's study, I can see so much evidence that God has blessed those involved in this study through the growth realized from being entrenched in His word and digging through Scriptures.   Do you have to do Digging Deep to be a good Christian?   NO.  Do you have to do Digging Deep to go to heaven?  NO.    Do we have to study His word and be about His business?   YES.  For me, this study has been a huge help in my personal Bible study and evangelistic efforts, so I wanted to share with you why I, personally, choose to follow along with this study (and a few reasons I "don't").

1.  First of all, I love Digging Deep because of its intense focus on the inerrant word of God.  While there are sometimes articles referenced about a particular topic of study, most of the content of the study is strictly based on Scripture.   We are challenged to read the text itself, straight from Scripture, and to apply what it says to our own lives so that we can be busy about the Father's business.   Each month of the study is saturated with verses, passages, chapters, and even whole books of the Bible to read, consider, and meditate on as we grow in the knowledge of the word. 

2.  It's difficult.   That might sound like an odd reason to love a Bible study, but I love that it pushes me beyond my comfort zone and challenges me to learn new methods of studying Scripture (like word studies).   It keeps me from getting in a rut with my Bible study, because I can't just read a passage, answer a question, and move on, checking off boxes as I go.  I have to really THINK about the Scripture to uncover the answers to the author's questions.   I can't get complacent, or I get behind quickly!  I have to keep Bible study in the forefront of my mind and as a daily focus.   

3.  It's "easy."   I know, I just said it was difficult, and now I'm saying it's easy.  By easy, I don't mean there is no challenge.  I simply mean that it is laid out in a structured fashion and builds on itself from one month to the next, so there is continuity.    It is divided into months and into questions, so it is easy to follow along with what comes next in the study.   I am easily distracted, and this keeps me focused.

4.   It's free, if you want it to be!  While Cindy offers a bound version of the study for purchase if you desire such, she always makes sure that the full study is available online as a free download.  This makes it so easy for me to invite others to study along with no monetary commitment on their part. 

5.   There is supplemental material.   The monthly video podcasts,  the weekly (ish) audio podcasts, and the Facebook support groups are so helpful in completing the study.   They supply an accountability factor that isn't present in a lot of other study materials.   Also, it's so encouraging to know that so many sisters are studying the same thing I am at the same time.    And, it's always nice to listen to or view the podcasts to make sure I got the "right" answers, because I don't often "think like" Cindy, so sometimes I'm not sure if I went in the right direction.

6.  It builds relationships.   Cindy encourages people to study this in group settings, as well as in personal Bible time.   In my congregation, we have a small group of ladies that gets together to discuss the material once a month.  The relationships we build through this are so special to me.    It can also build relationships within families.  When my 10-year daughter asked to join the study 3 years ago, I'll be honest...I didn't think she could/would stick with it.   3 completed studies later, she's still going strong!  She and I have bonded over the study in a way we wouldn't without this avenue.   Also, members of the Facebook groups often encourage one another.   Some of my "Digging Deep" sisters have become some of my closest friends as well.

7.  It leads souls to salvation.  Not because of the author, not because of the format, not because of any of the participants, but because it is a study of God's word, and God's word has the power to save souls.    A couple of years ago, a young lady reached out on the Digging Deep Facebook page searching for answers and for someone who could help her.   I "just happened" to see her post, and she lived nearby, so a friend and I met her for coffee and started studying the Bible with her.  2 years later, she and her husband have obeyed the gospel and are faithful members of the kingdom who are raising a young child to love and serve the Lord.   Just this week, her mother, who had fallen away, decided to obey the gospel and is our new sister in Christ!  God is SO good, all the time. 

8.  It helps us put our faith into action.  James says in no uncertain terms that faith without works is a dead faith.   The monthly "practically speaking" portions of this study give us real, tangible ways to put our faith into practice beyond the walls of our home.   It keeps us from having stagnant faith and forces us to be active.  My teenage daughter recently converted a friend because of the confidence she obtained from the study. 

9.   I can't make excuses.   There are "deadlines" for the study each month if you want to fully benefit from the podcasts.  There is a "deadline" for finishing the study if you want to be part of the "awards" ceremony at PTP.   Group discussions take place on scheduled dates, so if I want to be able to contribute to the discussion, I need to make sure I'm completing my study.   Also, I have several friends doing the study who hold me accountable, AND a teenage daughter who expects me to finish. 

10.  This is NOT why I do Digging Deep.  I DON'T do Digging Deep because I think the author of the study has all the answers. She is just a Christian like the rest of us.   The Author of the Textbook, however, does.     I DON'T do the study because I think I am a better Christian than someone else.  Quite the contrary...I do it because I know I have areas where I need to improve, and time spent in the study of God's word makes me a better Christian personally than I was before I spent time in study.   I DON'T do Digging Deep because we get a prize at PTP.   I don't like being the center of attention, and NO material prize or blessing can even compare to the spiritual blessings obtained through diligent Bible study.     I DON'T do the study because I just have all this free time.   I do the study because I need to remember to "redeem the time."   I DON'T do Digging Deep because I think it's the only study that will get you to heaven.  ANY study of God's word is profitable, as long as we are studying in some way.   I DON'T do Digging Deep because finishing the study is any kind of badge of honor.  I do it because I want to finish THE course and hear those words, "Well done, good and faithful servant." 

This has been lengthy, but if you have stuck with it this long, I hope that you are encouraged to do your own personal Bible study, no matter what form it takes!   If you choose Digging Deep, great!  I'd love to help you and be a study partner.  If you choose a different way to study, I'd love to hear about it and learn from your endeavors.  If you start Digging Deep and decide it's "not for you," find something else that is, but study! Remember, you don't have to "finish" any particular study to grow in the knowledge of His word, but you do have to be busy learning and growing from His word.   We are never finished in our study of His word. 

Juice Plus Review from a Skeptic

For a while now, I have been investigating Juice Plus as a possible addition to my health regimen.  My cousin has used JP for a long time, and we had talked about it throughout the years, but I was skeptical.    I have had so many chronic health issues and have tried so many different things to alleviate the symptoms and improve my health that I have become harder and harder to convince when new options present themselves.   However, this is the year that I turned 40, and I was finally so fed up with feeling sick and tired all the time that I knew something had to give.    Reluctantly, I agreed to have my family try JP for the required 4 month trial period.    Our family of 4 lives on a single teacher's income, so making room for anything like this took some heavy duty maneuvering of our budget and resources, but we were pleased to find out that our children could receive the product free with our adult purchases.    I signed up to be a "distributor" so that I could receive a little bit of monetary return on my investment while I tested the waters.

Once I placed the order, I couldn't wait for our capsules to arrive!   I had heard so many testimonials about how JP had changed peoples' lives for the better and had improved their health.   I doubted the effect was quite THAT remarkable, but still I felt a glimmer of hope as I waited.  Would this be the catalyst to better health that I had been striving desperately to find for years?   Could it finally help me combat some of my chronic pain?    Could my husband, who cannot eat a single fruit or vegetable except green beans finally absorb some of these critical nutrients?   Could I help my children avoid some of the health issues that have plagued my family?   While hesitant to hope for too much, I couldn't help but hope a little.

Our capsules arrived and we broke in to them eagerly.   We were so ready to try this!   We opened the first bottle and were shocked by the odor that met us.   I'll be honest...they stink!!   :)    However, we counted out our capsules, took a big drink of water, and went on with our days.   We did this faithfully for weeks and then months.   (I will add one caveat here.  My son had a reaction to the fruit capsules, so he currently is taking veggie only.  We hope to add the fruits back in once we get some other things sorted out).    For a while, it was difficult to know if anything was happening with these capsules.   Every time I would swallow one, I would stop for a minute and imagine that it was working its "magic" in my body.    Yes, I know it's not "magic," it's nutrition, but I was hopeful for some kind of change.   More than hopeful...desperate. 

As time went on, people would constantly ask me how I thought it was going and whether I noticed any differences.  At first, I had to say no.    Here we were taking these capsules and life seemed to go on as it always had. 

But then....    I noticed that we had gone through the entire spring without a major sickness.   Typically spring is our rough time for our family.  It is not unheard of for us to pass stomach bug through our family 2 - 3 times per spring.    Most spring seasons land me in bed with a serious case of bronchitis and asthma.   My husband, who is a school teacher, typically brings home at least one chest cold, and my son is always sick.   However, other than mild colds for both kiddos, we skated through spring the healthiest we have ever been during that time of year.  Was that because of Juice Plus?   I hadn't changed anything else in our routine.

I have IBS - severely.    Suddenly, my digestive issues were GONE.  Not just better, GONE! 

Fast forward a few weeks and I started getting all kinds of comments on how long my hair had grown.  I hadn't really noticed it, but it had!  For the first time in years my hair had grown LONG.  And, even better, I wasn't losing handfuls of hair each morning like I had been for the past 8-10 years.   My hair was staying put and was healthy and strong and long.   Was this because of Juice Plus?   It was the only change I had made.

I suffer from chronic pain issues daily.   Every. Single. Day.   Sometimes it has been so painful that just getting up and starting the day has brought tears to my eyes.   Gradually, I began to notice that the days I had severe pain were outnumbered by the days I didn't have pain.  For the first time EVER.   Juice Plus?   I have no other explanation!

Growing up, I played the piano and was never allowed to keep my fingernails long.  As an adult, I have always wanted my fingernails to grow out, but they have always been brittle and have broken easily.   In the past few months, I have found myself having to trim them often because they have been growing TOO long and not breaking.  Could it be the Juice Plus?   What else could it be?

I have struggled with blood sugar issues since I was a teenager.   Since starting Juice Plus, my blood sugar levels have stabilized quite a bit. 

When I visited my dentist last month, he was amazed that my gum recession and gingivitis was COMPLETELY gone.   Not just improved, GONE.

Last week I went to the eye dr complaining that my fairly new contacts (that I got just before starting JP) were not working well for me and things didn't seem clear.  She retested me, and my prescription had gotten BETTER in both eyes. 

My husband has had improved reflux and digestive issues since starting JP.    His vision prescription did not worsen this year, even though he, too, has passed the 40 mark.  His blood work at his last dr's visit was great. 

My daughter's skin has cleared up significantly.   She has more energy than before and her mood has improved.

My son has been able to eat some foods he couldn't previously, without the severe digestive issues he suffers from. 

I have been able to cut back on allergy medicines for myself. 

We are sleeping more soundly and waking more refreshed. 

Prior to starting JP, I had to have a nap EVERY single day just to function and make it through the day.  My energy level was subzero. My house was a disaster because I hurt too bad and was too tired to take care of it.   Currently, I can power through my week without needing that daily nap, and I still have energy at the end of the day to work out at the gym, to spend time with my husband, to work on projects that have been neglected too long, and to read, sew, or do something else I enjoy.   Add to that the fact that I have started jogging again (after putting it aside for 8 years because I couldn't muster the energy), and just this week I ran a mile and a half without stopping. 

My husband has dealt with a benign skin cyst for as long as I have known him, he has tried all kinds of things to get rid of it or at least shrink it.  Just last week, it finally cleared up "on its own" out of the blue.  I joked with him that "it must be the Juice Plus," and he agreed!  He is even more skeptical than I am, but we both have no doubt his body finally decided to detox itself from this foreign cyst and to heal his body from the inside out.   Put good in, get good out! 

Last week I participated in a JP-sponsored clean eating plan called Shred10, where we "shredded" bad habits in regards to food for 10 days.    My scale moved down for the first time in a long time, and my energy level rose.  I thought at the end of the 10 days I would be chomping at the bit to get back to my "old" food choices, but I plan to continue many of these habits for the long term.

People are still asking me if the Juice Plus is working.   I have to say yes!   I have fought with this and have tried to come up with some other possibility for why all these changes have happened, and there just isn't one.   I have been actively trying to improve my health and that of my family for years.  And not just the casual "oh, I'll skip ice cream today and do a couple sit ups," but the passionate, all-out, researching and trying everything kind of attempts.   Even our doctors are believers in it and want us to continue taking it.    We all feel so much better and have had a healthier spring and summer.   I can't explain these improvements in any other way.  Nothing else has changed in our daily regimen.   We just ordered our 2nd 4-month supply, and I'll update some more as we go along! :)

Do you have questions about Juice Plus that I can help answer?   I'm still learning, but I'd love to learn together!  Also, if you want to do your own 4-month trial period, I can help you with that, too!   Won't you join me and improve your health, too?