When Celebrations Become Painful Reminders

Click here to read this week's Cup of Grace that I'm sharing from my personal blog.

~Rebecca Phillips

Weeping in the Sowing

I planted some seeds about 15 years ago, seeds of encouragement and love in the life of a young girl that so desperately needed affirmation and attention. After a couple of years, life's paths took us in different directions and I lost touch. When we reconnected a few years later, it was evident that there had not been much watering and nurturing of this tender plant. She'd been tattered by life's storms and the disease of sin had left some pretty significant scars.
It's amazing how blooms are still possible in what seem the most dire of circumstances. She began a journey of transplanting and regrowth. It was a hard journey, one full of ups and downs, good choices and bad choices. Then she had a beautiful baby boy. I saw growth like never before. She began holding jobs for more than just a few months, making better choices about the people she would spend time with, and making a greater effort to surround herself with a community of believers.
But the weeds had never been removed. They have been so entangling for so long that she simply
cannot recognize them as weeds. The weeds have some attractive blooms in the form of happiness, security, escape, and the affirmation and attention she has desired since I've known her. Plucked from the ground and placed in a decorative vase, the arrangement is quite lovely. A man that dotes on her, the ability to have and do things financially, a fresh start in a new location far from the life in which she grew up, opportunities for her son. It's as beautiful as the flowers on my desk this morning.
But we all know what happens to even the most beautiful of cut flower arrangements. Even if we add the plant food for a week, the flowers will eventually wither and die.
Oh, if only we could be satisfied with the arrangement in which God has planted us. He is the source of our nourishment, health, and stability. We see the arrangements that are pulled together for others, the displays of color that bring joy and satisfaction...temporarily, and we want that. But we fail to realize that the most fulfilling place to be is rooted in the truth, whether we like it or not.
While I look at the areas of my own life where I've allowed the weeds of deceit to cause discontentment, I'm also grieving for my sweet friend, praying and waiting for the rejoicing that will come when she surrenders to God's best for her life.

Psalm 126:6
He who goes out weeping,
bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
bringing his sheaves with him.

~Rebecca Phillips

The Insanity of My Life!

Why did everyone planning a special event decide that the third week of April would be a good time to put that thing on the calendar?  I'm telling you, this week we have all kinds of choices! Deciding which fun things to take in will be the only problem.  At times like this, I begin to think maybe it would be better to be a hermit and never do anything--just eliminate the decision making.  But I know I'll have regrets if I do that---and I'll miss so much!

One thing that I don't want to miss this week is the beauty surrounding my life. Besides the richness of people and events, there is the physical beauty of the world. As I write this, I can see the sunset out my window. It is just stunning through the trees: a blanket of soft gray with the orange light of the setting sun showing through. And here's what that setting sun says to me day after day: God is faithful. I know it's a simple and oft-repeated sentiment, but it's one we shouldn't ignore.  God brings back the springtime every year. He keeps the world turning and the moon in place. He supervises the tides' coming in and going out. He can take care of you and me.

Last week I finished reading The Insanity of God by Nik Ripken. It's a remarkable account of God's faithfulness around the world, in places where serving him is a dangerous thing. As we were challenged to look for opportunities to witness this week, I thought of those believers across the globe who are faithful at the hazard of their lives. They can be this way because they have seen the faithfulness of God.

Here's what I Peter says: "Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you" (5: 8-10). 

In the midst of my own "insanity" this week, I want to remember the "insanely" and remarkably faithful God I serve. Will you pray that I do it?  I'll pray for you, too.

--Sherry Poff

Bring Them Home by Ruth Bell Graham

For all

who knew the shelter of The Fold,

its warmth and safety

and The Shepherd’s care,

and bolted;

choosing instead to fare

out into the cold,

the night;

revolted

by guardianship,

by Light;

lured

by the unknown;

eager to be out

and on their own;

freed

to water where they may,

feed

where they can,

live as they will:

till

they are cured,

let them be cold,

ill;

let them know terror,

feed

them with thistle,

weed,

and thorn;

who chose

the company of wolves,

let them taste

the companionship wolves give

to helpless strays;

but, oh! let them live—

wiser, though torn!

and wherever,

however far away

they roam,

follow

and

watch

and

keep

Your stupid, wayward, stubborn sheep,

and someday

bring them Home!

submitted by Faith Himes Lamb

Forgiven Forever

Before you committed your first sin
Sins were forgiven forever.
Before you confessed your sinful nature
Sins were forgiven forever.
Before you continued to struggle with sin in the flesh
Sins were forgiven forever.
You are a child of God, a perfected saint, because
Sins were forgiven forever.
You have a new covenant written on your heart, because
Sins were forgiven forever.
No offering or sacrifice is needed, because
Sins were forgiven forever.
Your sins are remembered no more, because
Sins were forgiven forever.
Two thousand years ago
Sins were forgiven forever.
~Rebecca Phillips


Hebrews 10:11-18
And every priest stands ministering daily and offering repeatedly the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God, from that time waiting till His enemies are made His footstool. For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before, “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,” then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin.

The Time of the Singing of Birds is Come

Spring is coming! 

Maylou Holladay

I absolutely loved the snow, but it is pleasant now to see the “greening” of the landscape around our house and city. Bright yellow daffodils and purple crocuses are stretching up through green leaves. Even a few blooms have popped out on our cherry tree. Fat robins are hopping around our yard, listening to my attempt to converse with them with my tweets.

God is “doing it again.” He reminds us of the glorious (one of my favorite words) creation He has made for our use and delight. Wake up! Be alert to His goodness. The eternal, powerful God… our loving Heavenly Father… has given so much to us to enjoy. Lift your “sacrifice of praise” to Him with thanksgiving this spring.

One of my favorite excerpts from Confessions of Four Friends (Zondervan) is this one by Gloria Gaither. Let’s not miss the “food for our souls” God gives us through His beautiful world.

WE’VE BEEN DRIVING THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS, LORD

Gloria Gaither

We’ve been driving through the mountains, Lord,

Winding our way in an air-conditioned car up the narrow road.

Cutting through the towering oaks and maples, pines and tulip trees,

The mountain laurel and sassafras sprouts are at eye level as we drive along.

And I know the fragrance is heavenly, mixed with the musky smells of mosses and rich earth.

Why was I so timid then, Lord, when I suggested we roll down all the windows?

Why was I so easily silenced when someone said

The wind would mess up our hair?

Now, I know we will return to the flat plains with our hair intact, but not our spirits.

The mountain trails were beautiful to behold,

But You gave us at least five senses as avenues

To transport food to our souls,

And we settled for using only sight.

We could have filled our nostrils with fresh mountain air

Fragrant with a hundred rare perfumes.

We could have heard the leathery rhythm band of colliding oak leaves

Accompanying the song of a thousand birds.

We could have felt the wind in our hair, caressing our faces.

We could have stopped and touched the shagbark hickories and the smooth beeches.

We could have pulled up a small sassafras seedling and

Nibbled on a sliver of root.

We could have peeked under tulip leaf to find

The lovely yellow and orange blossoms so rare to huge trees.

We might have stopped at one of the pull-off places and leaned over a cliff to see

The valley below and behold vistas that would have taken our breath away.

But at least, Lord, we didn’t sweat and our hair didn’t get messed up.

His Love Never Fails

It's a fact that change is a big stressor.  Even good change is an adjustment.  We've had a lot of it lately, and more is coming.  I'm not complaining; I'm acknowledging that we need to keep our eyes on the God who never changes.  Malachi records these words from God: "I am the LORD; I do not change" (3:6). James calls him "the Father of lights, with whom is no variation" (1:17).

This week in high school chapel, we sang this song.  The message is so encouraging. I knew at once that I should share it with you.

"One Thing Remains"
Jesus Culture

Higher than the mountains that I face
Stronger than the power of the grave
Constant through the trial and the change
One thing remains, yes, one thing remains

Your love never fails
It never gives up
It never runs out on me

Your love never fails
It never gives up
It never runs out on me

Your love never fails
It never gives up
It never runs out on me

Because on and on and on and on it goes
Before it overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never, ever, have to be afraid
One thing remains, yes, one thing remains

Let us rest in God's unchanging love.

--Sherry Poff