Encouraged to be Brave and Bold for Jesus

Galatians 6:9 reads, “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” And yet, that is usually just how I feel… tired of doing what is good; exhausted with trying to make the right choices; done with making the effort above and beyond. What’s the point? I wonder. Is it really worth it? Will it even matter? Does anyone even care?

It’s easy to get wrapped up in myself and want to quit. Quitting is standard these days anyway. People quit on just about everything… from their diet to their family. Why don’t I? It would be easier, wouldn’t it? “Let’s not get tired of doing what is good.” I repeat it to myself. Those words are uttered in attempt to encourage others but when we don’t see the “harvest of blessing” it just feels easier to give up.

That’s why I was thankful for my friend’s message to me the other day. It wasn’t necessary but it was needed. The reminder to persevere and the hope of blessings yet to come were evident. “Listen around minute 12” were his instructions to me referring to the attached MP3 file (11:43-13:15 to be exact). I listened to my friend’s name being referred to and recognized the reference to our friendship.

I met Mike during our freshman year in high school; in Mr. Lapicki’s Biology class to be exact. Mike was talking about a music group and I got excited. “I love DC Talk!” I responded. His look expressed his confusion and cluelessness as to my reference. I felt stupid and he continued his conversation with his friends about the group, ZZ Top.

When I think of our friendship, I remember feeling awkward about this initial meeting. I recall my dismay in the class we shared, when I raised my hand alone to state that I believed in creation. (Whether anyone else raised their hand or not, I don’t recall for certain. However, I vividly remember feeling alone.). There are memories of the way Mike admired my childhood friend, Janelle, from day one and the joy in seeing their strong marriage today. Rarely, (if ever) do I think about the impact my relationship with God played in my friend’s life.

As I listened to this brief audio clip, I was encouraged. For me, I simply invited a friend of mine to a place I enjoyed going. For him, he saw a girl being brave and bold for Jesus. It wasn’t the only encounter I had in high school that made me appear that way to others.

I’ll never forget the way a pothead stood up for me one Friday afternoon in another class. (He actually wore a baseball cap with an image of weed on it.) I had come to expect the weekly time that almost seemed set aside for “bash on Tristi and her religious beliefs” by my classmates and yes, even my teacher. This boy stood up and spoke on my behalf, “At least she stands up for what she believes in. Which is more than can be said for the rest of you.” While I don't even remember this boy's name, he encouraged me to stand strong in my beliefs.

Somewhere between high school and now, I lost my tenacity to live boldly for my God. Fear has made me shy in speaking of Jesus. What will others think of me? Will they think I'm too pushy? What if they no longer want to do life with me? As I sit back timidly shaking my head, the messages that are opposed to God's Word threaten to deafen His message of Truth. Hanging my head and holding my tongue is not what God called me to do.

"Be strong. Take courage. Don't be intimidated. Don't give them a second thought because GOD, your God, is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you. He won't let you down; he won't leave you." Deuteronomy 31:6 is one of my daughter’s favorite verses. I need it these days… I often feel alone. However, I’m not alone. God is right there with me.

My mind and my emotions are not a good place to locate truth. I may think I know what others think of me but I really don’t. Besides, it doesn’t matter what they think. In the end, I will stand before the only One whose opinion matters. “We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:4b

My friend, Mike, reminded me of why it’s worth it to live bold and courageous for our God. In the same way his wife encouraged me to live boldly for God in high school simply by doing it with me, his encouragement inspires me now. It’s my prayer for everyone I love: to experience a growing relationship with God. Life seems so empty without it. With God, however, life has purpose and hope.

We need to encourage each other to do the right thing. It’s easy to find the encouragement in today’s world to take the “easy way out”. Persevering through the trials to develop character is where we need help. Relationships are where we experience it. Live it out daily in gratitude, in love, in word and in action. “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”

Thanks, Mike, for encouraging me. Thank you, friends and family, for doing life with me… especially when the going gets tough. Thank you, God, for giving me hope and purpose and being right there with me through it all.

“See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.” – Hebrews 3:12-14

Third Thursday Thoughts: Favorite recipe

Today is this month’s Hearts at Home blog hop. On the third Thursday of every month, I have the opportunity to write on a specific topic and link up with other bloggers and Jill Savage. This Third Thursday’s Thoughts are prompted by the question, “What is your favorite homemade dish? Share your recipe!”

Lasagna, bread, sausage and all the heavy Italian foods are the delicacies served at gatherings with my mom’s side of the family. My husband came from a Swedish family where the foods don’t contain quite as much spice. While my husband didn’t complain about the pasta I served every night in the early years of our marriage, he did request that I at least use a meat sauce. It took some years to combine the meals we enjoyed.

When I served “skinny” pancakes for the first time, my husband was thrilled that I made a Swedish food. Unbeknownst to me, the pancakes that we rolled up log style, topped with syrup and powdered sugar, were a favorite of his as well. The exception was that his family always had lingonberries on hand. Needless to say, these pancakes (I was now educated originated with his ancestors) became a popular meal in our home.

Expectations of this comfort food come on Christmas Eve with my family, Saturday breakfast, Sunday lunch, or even a weeknight dinner. My children beg for the meal and I have heard no complaints about the alterations I gradually made to use whole wheat flour in the recipe. If you are looking for an easy meal that will be enjoyed by all, cook up a package of sausage or bacon and serve it with these pancakes and some fruit on the side to make it complete.



“SKINNY”/SWEDISH PANCAKES
3 eggs
¾ cup flour (I use whole wheat)
1 ¼ cup milk
1 Tablespoon sugar

Beat eggs until thick and yellow. Add milk. Then flour, sugar and salt. Cook over medium-high heat in continually buttered pan. (Melt a pat of butter each time before you add just shy of a ¼ cup of batter to the heated frying pan.) Serve with syrup and/or powdered sugar or with your favorite berries.

SYRUP
2 cups sugar
1 cup water
1 tsp mapeline
Bring water with sugar to a boil. Stir in mapeline and remove from heat.

(Note: I double the recipe for my family of 5 which usually leaves some leftovers)

Do you have a favorite recipe?

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On Rain and Rainbows

Check out my friend Kelly's blog today. She has some great insight on the rain and rainbows.

Defeating Soul Search to Victory

“If I’m honest, I’m feeling defeated lately. That’s if I’m being honest – which I usually don’t do. I’d much rather eat.” These were the words I typed to my friend the other day as she checked in to keep me accountable. She responded with “Can you pinpoint why?” I really couldn’t pinpoint the source of my feeling. It was just a pity place I’ve visited too often to wallow in.

Being faced with this question, I’ve had to do some soul searching. Romans 8 instructs that “...in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” If victory is my truth in Christ, defeat is nothing but a lie. Why, then, am I overwhelmed with a feeling of defeat?

Housework defeats me as I awaken every morning to the same mess I fell asleep in. My scale continues to defeat me after three years of half-hearted effort to overcome. All too often, I watch the backs of those I intentionally invested time and effort in as they walk away and I’m left defeated in relationships. Defeat is a ministry I am passionate about dwindling in numbers. It is the anger I display toward my husband and children when my desperate desire is to reflect my God. The lie I all too easily believe, is due to the everyday factors that I’m just not good enough while I play the comparison game to others.

Author Dee Brestin is doing a study of idolatry at her blog. Three common deep idols she refers to are: control/power, comfort/security, and approval/affirmation. I never really thought much about idolatry in these terms, despite my familiarity with them. My heart sank as I realized defeat is the result of idol worship.

All too easily, I give in to the desires of my flesh. When I’m hungry, I eat. I sleep when I’m tired. If I’m cold, I turn on the furnace. As the seasons grow warmer, I simply switch to the air conditioning. Comfort/security is most certainly, sadly, an idol in my life. Laziness, despite what others see, is my greatest declaration of allegiance.

My need for control/power is revealed daily through my anger. Defeat sets in because I have no control over others. Desperately, I want to make them share my desires in life. I think I know best how others should live and it frustrates me to watch them in opposition to my desires. My aspiration for control/power is revealed in my overbearing response.

While the idol of approval/affirmation is not as blatantly evident in my life, it still exists. I want my relationships and the ministry I am involved in to affirm my efforts. It is important to me that others think highly of me. Defeat is only possible because my efforts strive to please others instead of seeking God’s endorsement.

It is rather disheartening to realize I am giving my allegiance to idols outside of God. Even as I type the words, I struggle to admit that I am worshipping other gods. Each time I say “no” to God and “yes” to these other…gods, I will continue to experience defeat. Victory is found in God alone. Each “yes” I give in response to His requests of me bring me that much closer to my desired feeling of triumph.

“The usual solution is to attack the surface sin - perhaps a better budget, a better diet, or a better alarm clock - but because you have not addressed the deep idol of COMFORT/SECURITY, and allowed God to be your comfort, your security, that idol will cry out when restricted and win.” - Dee Brestin

“For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.” – 1 Corinthians 15:56-58 (NLT)

Focus

"Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don't get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil." - Proverbs 4:25-27