Lent Challenge Day 2: "GIVE"

Lent: Looking for the Cross Day 4

Photo:  Linda Bush Cannon

This is my coworker and friend Bob.  He commutes by train, and on the first morning of Lent he was met by a priest at the Princeton Junction train station from Trinity Church, where they have a program called "Ashes to Go".  The priest was administering ashes right at the station. 

The church reaching out to people - and proving that God doesn't need a fancy sanctuary for worship - it can be as simple as a train station platform!

Finding the Cross on the station platform... beautiful.

Lent

Lent... a time of reflection, a time of looking forward, a time of renewal and praise to our Lord Jesus Christ for His sacrifice for us that we might have eternal life through Him.  

It is only in the last few years I have honored this season and I am happy to see it receiving more recognition.  There are several wonderful options to take time for Lent this year, and here I will share some with you.

http://www.aholyexperience.com/ = Ann Voskamp's website where she is offering a free Family Lent and Easter Devotional.  You can create an Easter tree, read as a single, roomie, family, coworkers... invite others to join you!

Read the New Testament over the next 40 days - here is a video from National Community Church.  Here is the video.

I have decided to accept Laura Humphrey-Dohmann's Instagram Lent Challenge of taking a representative photograph a day and I will post each day here.  I have also invited several of my very talented photographer friends to join as well.  You can find Laura's challenge at:

http://instagram.com/p/lH7blCmQps/

So... I am planning on reading the New Testament over the next 40 days, select an item or activity from which to fast, and to take Lent photo challenge.  I pray the Lord will be honored and glorified by these offerings to Him as I seek His face and draw closer to Him.

Blessings as you prepare your heart for the Savior.

A Few Thoughts from a Single On Valentine's Day

Valentines Day. Ah yes, that hyped-up Cupid-infused Hallmark-created reminder to many that their left-hand ring finger is as empty as their bed.  That there are no card-giving, roses-toting, candlelit-dinner-taking romantic-words-whispering heartthrobs ringing their doorbells tonight. And if you're in the 50+ singles category you can add the icy-fingered despair that your shelf life is expiring with every passing minute and if God doesn't send "him" (cue sunbeams and the angelic chorus ) soon, there won't be much left to be swept away to happy ever after-ville!  Oh, where IS that bottle of wrinkle cream?!?!?

Yes I'll be the first in line to admit sometimes it stinks to be alone. But God's been working with me a lot on this very subject for awhile now. He has asked the hard question when I've cried and told Him I'm lonely and I didn't think I'd be where I am at this stage of the game, and  I have so much to offer and how come...

"Am I not enough?"

Whoa. 

"Am I not enough?"

It stopped me dead in my tracks. 

How do you answer that? "Well yeah-uh, but... Uh... Well..."

That question has haunted me ever since... And then I realized that, if I let Him be enough He could fill the emptiness.  He could calm my longing heart. He could help me get my eyes off what I didn't have and fill me with all I did have... And all I could give away. 

I can take this love and pour it out on others, just love on them and bless them and bring them joy. I can use this time and energy to spend with The Lord, cultivating our relationship and growing and maturing as a godly woman. Instead of whining I can be shining, radiating His love to others... 

So okay, it's still not having a flesh-and-blood someone to romance and hold and cuddle up next to all warm and sleepy in the middle of the night. 

But before me is my holy Bridegroom, the Lover of my soul. The One Who gave His life for me. The One Who loves me unconditionally in spite of my past and ugly heart and sinful selfish self. The One Who always has time to listen to me, Who will never hurt me or lie to me... or abandon me. He will never leave me - He has promised me that. And I believe Him and find comfort and contentment in that. 

Does it mean I'm never sad or lonely, or don't hope for a lifetime of love with that special "someone"? (Cue sunbeams and chorus again). Of course not. 

But... I have found me... in Christ. I am finally, fully myself in/with Him.  I have found joy and contentment in my singleness. I don't know what The Lord has in store for me. We talk about it, and He knows the desires of my heart. I place them all in His capable hands.  I surrender them to His will for my life. He will give me strength and wisdom to walk whatever journey is around the corner. I'm done worrying and fussing and fretting about it. I'm gonna live each day with everything I've got, every drop of love I can give --regardless of whether I'm a Ms. or Mrs.  Because at the end, whether it's been with someone I can call "the Hubs", or whether it's been with family, friends and others, I want to know I loved deeply and fully and completely in His name. 

"I’ve kept my feet on the ground, I’ve cultivated a quiet heart. Like a baby content in its mother’s arms, my soul is a baby content." Psalm 131:2

"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength."

Philippians 4:12-13

Terrors in the Night

"Tonight I will sleep securely on a bed of peace because I trust in You, You alone."

Ps 3:5

I wrestle awake, heart pounding out of my chest, mouth drought dry, practically gasping for breath. I fumble as trembling fingers flail for the safety of the lamplight on my nightstand. Struggling to sit up, the horrific video of the nightmare washes over me like an unwelcome sea wave. My body shakes as I try to convince it that what just happened was a dream, not reality... 

I have struggled with nightmares my whole life. Dreams that pierce my sanity in the darkness - so vivid and detailed I can tell you the patterns on the wallpaper, describe the scents, and recount each scene as if it were a recently watched movie. And here I am again, lights ablaze, fully awake to fight against the monsters not under my bed... but in my head. 

Once more, however, I find my refuge in God's Word. My sleeplessness finds solace in His truth, my rest in His reality. Like a loving Papa comforting his young child, He wraps His love around me and whispers tenderly, "Shhh... there now, rest securely, I'm here... I'm here.  You're safe in My arms."

My heartbeat and breathing rest. Terror subsides. Peace replaces panic.  My Father is here at my side and will not leave me. I snuggle down as I almost feel Him tucking me in. I cradle my Bible as a babe clings to a teddy. My heart calms as His lullabye of love blankets my sleep. 

Fear not, my soul, for He is with me. 

"The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will... rejoice over you with singing."  Zephaniah 3:17

"He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You wi not fear the terrors of night,,," Psalm 91:4-5

Day Star... Morning Star

2 Peter 1:19  We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 

I love stars, sparkling like diamonds in the velvety blackness of the night sky.  There is nothing like being out in nature on a clear night when the only light is that from above, the moon and stars.  I can breathe deeper, think clearer… gazing at the miracle of the twinkle, twinkle from a little star.  

When I read this verse in 2 Peter this morning I looked up the word star.  In the original Greek it is phosphorus, from which we get the word of the same name – phos meaning light, and phoros meaning bearer.  Phosphorus is in every cell of our bodies.  It is light-bearing, bringing and giving light.  White phosphorus glows in a darkened room when exposed to oxygen.  

Most importantly, when you find the phrase morning star or day star in the Scriptures, they are all a metaphor for Christ Himself.

Christ, the Star rising in my heart, setting the darkness aglow, brilliantly glittering and shimmering and flashing life-giving illumination to every corner.  Taking my breath away, restoring it again.  I inhale deeply as I think of Him in His majesty residing in me, this dark, worn vessel.  My hand reaches up to my chest as if to hold Him there, feel His energy, longing to experience His splendor.

I lift my face to the morning sky, to Him, the Morning Star… the Day Star… the Star that lights my world and my soul shadows.  A Star that shines more intensely vibrant than anything He has created.  A Light that shows the way to eternal life.  A luminescent Lover of my soul.  Encompass every cell in my being, my Star… radiate in me Your love, Your light that I might glow from within bearing witness to You. 

Meaty Reading

In a post from my Coach Linda Bush blog yesterday (click HERE) I mentioned I was reading Andrew Murray's devotional on John 15 regarding Christ's parable on the Vine and branches.  Well today a friend told me about this website: 

http://www.worldinvisible.com/library/bookcat.htm

where you can read FOR FREE many wonderful books by classic Christian authors including Murray, Hannah Whitall Smith, Karl Barth, E. M. Bounds and many others.

I am seeking to be "Frugal in '14" this year, but that doesn't mean just saving as much $$$ as possible.  I want to be very careful how I spend my time as well, which is priceless.  Let's face it, in time you might be able to earn millions of dollars, but millions of dollars won't buy you one second more!  Okay, maybe you can hire people to do all your work, but you get my meaning!!!  

As I think about how to achieve my Frugal in '14 goal, one thing I am being very mindful of is the use of my rare moments of down time, which I often use to catch up on my reading.  Instead of spending it on "fluff" (certain magazines, books, mindless internet surfing, TV, etc.) I want to make my time count, especially for eternal value.  This link above to literature that  I call "meaty reading" (as opposed to fluffy sugar-candy spun reading that isn't worth the paper it's written on, including a LOT of fiction so-called "Christian" books out there, but that's a whole 'nuther topic), will give me a lot of great and FREE reading this year.  Please understanding, I'm not saying I won't ever watch a TV program or pick up a magazine... but like choosing the most nutrient dense and healthy foods for my optimal physical health, I want to be sure to select solid food for my brain and spiritual health as well. Frankly, I also want to do everything I can to walk strong and close to Jesus, and something I ask myself often is "How would I feel if Jesus came back today and I was reading this? doing this? watching that?" It's a question that certainly convicts me to spend my time with more of a kingdom-focus!

May I encourage you to select at least six of the books offered, and take a month or two to read each one. I know you won't regret it!  And if you have any recommendations on books that you have found helped you get deeper into your Christian walk, please post your comments here or email me at westudyGodsword@gmail.com.  Just FYI, a current author that I enjoy and recommend is Mark Batterson, and my January book (which is also our book of the month here on this blog) is his newest, "All In".

Thanks and blessings for a day walking close to the Lord, filled with love and laughter! 

Free Beth Moore Book

Today I'd like to start off the new year by sharing with you THREE FREE Kindle edition books by Beth Moore's book, "When Godly People Do Ungodly Things:  Finding Authentic Restoration in the Age of Seduction", "To Live Is Christ", and "The Beloved Disciple".  Here's the links: 

 http://www.amazon.com/When-Godly-People-Ungodly-Things-ebook/dp/B003WEA50G/

http://www.amazon.com/To-Live-Christ-Beth-Moore-ebook/dp/B003WEA5C4/

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003WEA5BU/

Beth Moore is one of my favorite authors/speakers.  Over the years I have done many of her studies, watched her DVDs, and I highly recommend her! 

One of the things I'm doing this year is to keep a list of books that I want to complete (as I'm usually the one with the 6-7 books on the nightstand all about 1/3 read!), and I am not allowing myself to spend one red cent on any more books until I have completed reading the ones I already have in my hot little hands or on my Kindle!!!  So this was kind of a fun way to get THREE FREE BOOKS from an author I love!!!  Plus, I am going to replace three on my list with these instead, so I'm saving money and decluttering at the same time.  Ahhhh.... frugal and organized - today's baby step towards two of my 2014 goals.  Not too shabby - the first Monday of the month and I saved about $60 in freebies - woohoo!!!

For more info on organizing, you can go to my website at www.coachlindabush.com where this week I'm featuring blogs about organizing.

Enjoy these books, and I wish you every blessing and joy as you begin a new year in your journey with our Savior!

Okay, I'm putting it out there - this independent, strong and content and usually incredibly busy and happy woman...

This is the hardest time of the year for me to be single.  

It's the time when everyone wants the Norman Rockwell fantasy family.  And when you want someone to snuggle with on the couch while sipping a glass of wine or hot cocoa while staring dreamily at the lights on the Christmas tree.  

It's not about exchanging big fancy gifts... 

but sitting together in church and singing Christmas carols.  Holding hands and praying together as you celebrate the birth of your Savior.

It's about watching old Christmas movies, being with family and friends.. and sharing love and laughter.  

It's about falling asleep next to the one you love and feeling all warm and cozy just as you drift off to have sugarplums dance in your head.

But my couch is empty... and my bed is cold...

There's no special Christmas card, or eyes to gaze into... no one to corner under the mistletoe...

And while most of the time being single is fine and dandy and I don't equate marriage as the be-all end-all status to solve life's problems... and I know you can be just as lonely wearing a little gold band and having the houseful of kids and a dog and all the yada-yada that goes along with every two-hour sappy Christmas movie ever made...

it's especially hard this time of year.

Just sayin'...

Oh Come Let Us Adore Him

Matthew 2:11
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshipped Him:  and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

The wise men had been watching and waiting for Him.  They had been actively looking, scrutinizing the skies for signs, and when they saw the star they got up and pursued Him.  They travelled a specific path until they found Him they fell down and worshipped Him.  Only then did they open their treasures before Him and lay them at His feet.

On this third day of December, do you find your heart searching for Christ?  Or are you distracted with the tiring trimmings of hurried and harried holiday demands?  Is your mind and calendar already diverted from the path that seeks the Sacred?  Are you prematurely preoccupied with plans, pushed by people and poor from present purchases?  Already find yourself disenchanted, looking not so much for the Savior, but for the end of Christmas when all the madness will cease and you will be able to “get back to normal” (whatever that is)?

Weary one, drop everything now and fall down at the feet of Jesus.  Worship the Babe in the manger Who has come to give you life.  Let all else fade and focus on Him and Him alone.  Then, like the wise men, open your treasures to the Savior – your time, your talents, your day and all the intentions, arrangements and preparations therein.  Kneel and seek His face… seek His guidance… come to Him and He will give you rest as your priorities align with His will.  Seek first His kingdom, His righteousness… The well-worn phrase means so much more than just some seasonal saying on a bumper sticker in holiday gridlock – He really IS the reason for the season.  

Oh come, let us adore Him…refreshed and renewed and centered on the Savior.

Hydor... for a Parched and Dusty Soul

John 14:4:  "But whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.

Today as I was reading my devotional from The Daily Bread (one of my favorites), they highlighted John 14:4 and spoke of Jesus, and the Living Water He offers us… we, who pant with parched souls of longing (Psalm 42:1-2).

When I awoke this morning the desiccated air from the home heater made my face, hands and throat arid… tight and almost painful.  I literally doused myself with lotion and moisturizer to alleviate the dehydrated-old-kitchen-sponge-like layers of epidermis cells tightening around my bones.  I gazed out the window and watched as rains continued to pour down, having begun their watery dance last night, gently tapping out a pitter-pat window pane lullabye.

Here I stood inside a fortress of concrete and humidity-barren heat, surrounded by water… and dry as a bone. 

Far too often I must confess this scene has been a visual depiction of my spiritual life.  I am surrounded by Christ, Who offers me “hydor” – the Greek word for water in John 4:14.  Hydor, waters of the deluge, water out of and through which the world that was before the flood.  Hydor, from which is easily seen the root for the word hydrate.  My hard and crusty soul sits ready to crack from lack of the spiritual stream of Living Water right within my reach.  I can drink and bathe and soak in Christ, immersed in His word, swimming in His love if only I will seek Him and come to Him.  He beckons me to dive in and be utterly saturated.

But instead, I smile and wave and run past – “Oh sorry, Christ, slept late… too busy.. things to do.  I’ll pray to You in the car as I commute, okay?”  Or, “I’ll catch You at bedtime prayers (which are interrupted or circumvented by my dropping into bed, barely enough energy to turn out the light, let alone read and pray).”  I trudge along in my daily dusty desert, increasingly worn and soul-thirsty, wondering why I feel so dry inside. 

Today I stepped outside and allowed the rain to wash over me, droplets splashing over my welcoming upturned face.  Today I stopped everything, and allowed His Living Water to hydrate my being, until I was spirit-logged and soul-soaked.  I am softened… I am satisfied... I am quenched... by My Jesus.  

Good Morning Girls Thanksgiving Bible Study Online

The Thanksgiving holiday is just around the corner, and what better way to prepare our hearts for a sense fo Thanksgiving and gratitude than delving into God's word.  And the staff of Good Morning Girls has made this possible for us by offering a free online Bible Study!  It will begin this Monday, November 11th and run through Friday, November 22nd.  It includes a Bible reading plan, study guide and weekly videos - all free.  

Plus, if you have the YouVersion app on your smartphone, tablet or computer, the Thanksgiving study reading plan is there - how simple is that???


What a blessing that these wonderful women are providing this study free, for all of us as we enter into a time of focused thanksgiving on all we have in the Lord.  I'd like to encourage you to join me in the study as you cultivate your heart to be more thankful each day.  Click on the picture above or the link below to get the materials and get ready to be blessed in a big way!

Here's the link:  http://www.goodmorninggirls.org/2013/11/thanksgiving-study-focusing-hearts-gratitude/

How is a Christian Like a Pumpkin?

Walk in the Light

by Pam Manners copyright 2013

"But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have communion with Him in the midst of us, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin."  ~ 1 John 1:7

Today I'd like to share some photo artwork from my dear friend and fellow blogger, Pam Manners.  She has created this beautiful Scripture photo, and with her kind permission/blessing, I now present it to all of you!.  

Pam's blog is http://pam-intheshadowofhiswings.blogspot.com/.  

The Lord has gifted her with many talents, and photography is certainly one of them!!  Thanks Pam!

As you take yourself into this photo, I encourage you to imagine yourself walking along this path.  Feel the sun streaming warm on your face and body.  Take in the scent of the leaves, grass and moist earth.  Hear the songbirds as they sing praises to our God and Creator.  Close your eyes and be in communion with the Lord.  Take a moment to whisper a prayer of worship and thanks to Him for all His gifts... first and foremost the love and salvation given to us through Christ Jesus when we accept Him as our Lord and Savior.  

Breathe deep... and be blessed today.

From my pen and lens...

Clouds in a Tide Pool

John 15:1-9

John 15:1-9 Poetry by Linda Bush

Cemetery Mist by Linda Bush 

Wait Training

I am an instructor of Pilates, Pilates Reformer, and a personal trainer where I utilize various apparatus such as kettlebells, the TRX suspension training system, free and body weights, resistance bands and other implements of mass construction for strengthening, flexibility and endurance.  My goal is holistic optimal health and wellness for my clients that will impact and improve their journey day by day.

Weight training develops the strength and size of skeletal muscles, which are under control of the somatic nervous system, voluntarily controlled.  The produce almost all body movement, maintain posture, stabilize joints and generate heat to maintain your normal body temperature.  They cover your skeleton, giving your body its shape.

Personally, I am in a very specialized training program called “wait training.”  It is also designed for creating optimal strengthening, flexibility, endurance and growth… of my spiritual life.  Daily I am thrust into the gym of life and given workouts and practices that carry on for hours, sometimes days and weeks.  Often my Coach will set up an obstacle course where I can’t even see the goal line… there are times it is so dark that my Coach has to shine His light on the narrow path before me.  And if that isn’t difficult enough, I am frequently required to do it blindfolded, trusting only in His voice as He whispers His instructions to me along the way.  The course can be very rocky and leads uphill, steep and frightening.  But just when I think I can’t take one more step, He will lead me beside quiet waters along the paths of righteousness and give me His Bread of Life and Living Water from which I eat and drink deeply until I am nourished, refreshed and renewed.

There is no timetable for my wait training, although the most profitable of sessions have come either early in the morning at the break of dawn or late into the darkness of the midnight hours of my soul.  Sometimes I have a training partner, Percy Verance, and regularly Goodness and Mercy follow behind me, but usually it’s just Coach and me.

It is a most arduous of exercise, demanding everything of me.  There are times Coach has me sit on my hands for hours on end, doing nothing – most confusing and frustrating.  Other times He pushes and pushes until I think my heart will burst.  I complain.  I cry. I bleed.  I have scars – but they are from the times I have wandered impatiently off His course in search of my own training program.  Ahh… always I have wound up hurting myself.  He is demanding, asking my completely loyalty – He will allow no other coaches to take His place.  Yet there has never been a time when I have stumbled and fallen that Coach hasn’t lifted me up and carried me back to His path of training, wiped the sweat from my face and given me all His support, love and guidance. 

My spiritual muscles, like skeletal muscles, are voluntary.  It is always my choice to exercise them.  I can ignore them and let them get flabby, and if I don’t use them they could atrophy and become paralyzed.  When strong I am able to stand tall for my Coach, although the times of best conversations with Him have been when I am on my knees.  My spiritual muscles stabilize my spiritual walk, and maintain the fire in my spiritual core so I am never lukewarm.  Without toned and buff spiritual muscles, my soul would look like a massive puddle of nothingness – a pile of brokenness, which is how Coach found me.

My Coach has made something beautiful of me, and my wait training will continue until I take my last breath.  Only then will the glory of all this training be revealed, and I long for that day when He will say, “Well done!” 

I have to go now… it’s time to run with Percy Verance the race set before me – I see my Coach and must keep my eyes on Him.

Crushed and Brokenhearted - A Place of Birth?

Photography by Linda Bush © Copyright 2013

This morning in my quiet time I was led to read Psalm 34:18 – The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.  In the King James Version it reads "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."  

Nigh means near – of place, time, personal relationship.  Broken is shabar, a primitive root meaning to burst, but also to cause to break out, bring to the birth.  Saveth is yasha, be saved/delivered, liberated, give victory to.  I’m  no scholar but looked them up as best I could.  However, this is what I wrote next:

“In place/time/personal relationship – God is around me, surrounds me, unlimited/limitless.  He is not bound and wraps me up in that unbridled, boundless relationship with Him.  No beginning, no end – He is there with me always – I am never alone even when I feel I am in the blackest pit of despair and isolation/lonliness.  Is my broken heart about to give birth now to something unimaginably better and new?  Did He have to allow it to be broken in order to make it limitless and unbounded to bring forth, birth, something so amazing I can’t even begin to wrap my finite/bound mind around it?  He saves me, liberates me.  Isaiah 58:15 says “to revive the spirit… heart”.  Revive is chayah - primitive root to live, make alive, sustain, to cause to grow, quicken, nourish, be whole.  Has my heart been broken in order to be made whole by the Lord and for Him?  To grow it, make it even more alive than ever before?  This gives me hope, excites me, makes me look to the future expectantly, quickens my very being to see what God has planned for my heart’s purpose, for my life.  What beautiful and miraculous plans does He have in store for me?”

Perhaps for someone out there today, reading this will minister to you and be a balm that soothes your weary soul.  We know not what the future holds, but we know Him Who holds our future.

By the way, there is an interesting little story to this picture.  As I was walking one day, I looked down onto the concrete at the leaves that had fallen.  Here was this one leaf, battered and obviously run over and crushed by a car, just ground into the rough stones of the parking lot.  And yet, it was in this beautiful shape of a heart – even though it had gone through “leaf hell”, it stood its ground and remained true to its form, with a new beauty, completely transformed.  Had it been like all the other leaves I would not have noticed it, but now it is forever used in a manner honoring God.  Will He not do so much more with us?

My dear friend Marjory commented that "the picture looks like gold leaf - so precious that it can only be applied sparingly, looking almost like delicate and precious filigree.  God is the refiner, and if we let Him, He will blow away the dross and make our hearts pure and golden."  

Refine us, crush us and do whatever is needed, dearest God our Father/Abba, that we may be refined and used for a greater glory that we cannot see through eyes filled with self-directed tears.  Just hold us close as You promise here in Your everlasting arms... whisper Your love into our sobbing hearts so we will be quieted in You.  May our hopes and dreams and future be always entrusted to Your plan for us.