Priscilla Shirer's Blog, page 65

Sounds from Creation

Ok so, I am a huge lover of worship (musically speaking) and it's one of my greatest joys in life. To me, music has a way of expressing things that words can't even do justice to. 

This video is just a small glimpse of how incredibly awesome creation is and how HUGE God is. It's worth every single minute of watching! It's from 2011, but hopefully it will be new to some of you:

Can you imagine all the ways that this earth worships God and the sounds that it makes, simply proclaiming His goodness and brilliance? Gives me chills! 

The world automatically and so beautifully worships God. We ought to join it as well, don't you think? 

Let's worship Him today! He is good!

Linnae

Just Breathe

"There's a reason why God sometimes doesn't give you all the information up front, and that's because if He told you everything beforehand you wouldn't explore. If you don't explore then you can't discover, and it's what you discover that takes a hold of you, not the information you get beforehand."

My friend Dara sent this quote to me yesterday and it might just become one of my favorites. As we've been talking on here these past few weeks it seems like a lot of you are in a season of transition, and I couldn't help but think of you when I read this quote. I hope that it might be an encouragement for all of us today to pause and just breathe, and know that God is leading and guiding each of us. Whatever it is that you are facing or trying to work through, there is a beautiful process and journey that God has you on, and as you abide in Him, He is always Faithful! 

Blessings to each of you today. I'm praying that God breathes refreshment and encouragement into you this very moment! 

Linnae

Feeding...

I love walking into my home at night.  With 5 girls in a house, there is always a couch with a few roomies comfortable propped up on oversized pillows, munching homemade popcorn and sipping hot chocolate, sharing the details of their day.  Sometimes there are a few tears. But always, there is laughter....

And food.

And we LOVE it.  Problem is, all that popcorn has started to go to our hips.  And with the holiday edition of candy corn, well, we're downright rotound at our casa.  We've been feeding our flesh, quite literally in these parts.  So, all 5 of us have joined forces to declare war on those tires that have mysteriously blown up on our middle sections overnight.  A few of us are going old-fashioned and counting calories.  A few of us are just slimming it down to "eating in moderation".  And one of us has gone all out RAW, eating only raw fruits and vegetables, seeds and nuts.  Desserts have been flung off the counter into the trash; sodas and hot chocolate have been replaced with unsweetened ice tea and that oh-so-flavorful water.  

At first, all we could think about and talk about was the delicious popcorn we were missing out on...and the chocolate and sugar we desperately wanted (couldn't live without in our minds!).  Then, slowly but surely, our taste buds have all started to shift.  We come home craving water and conversations with each other...and a salad.  Weird.  The more I have fed my healthy taste buds, the more my body has desired healthy food.

I was thinking about this appetite shift with the spiritual realm this weekend.  I had watched an intense tv show before bed.  It was pretty clean, but not particularly godly.  I had awoken the next morning, having had nightmares and feeling like I was more worn out than before I went to bed!  It seems that the more I feed my flesh, the more my flesh grows, with it's anxiety, lusts and appetites for sin expanding with it.  

Because of that I decided to do a little test.  Just like my "diet" where I negated sugar and oils and all sorts of unhealthy stuff, I decided to eliminate things in my life that just weren't very healthy...I've a "tire" around my spiritual middle and desperately need to whittle it back.  So, out goes the excess tv shows that are simply fluff in the background while we are all hanging out.  Out go relationships that make me want to test unholy waters.  And I've even taken this to my thought life, taking every thought captive with the question:  does this glorify God?  Paul speaks about this in Galatians 5, 

"Now the works of the flesh are evident:  sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies and things like these.  I warn you, as I warned you before , that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulnesss, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live by the Spirit we keep in step with the Spirit."

More than "cutting out" the bad stuff, I've got to practice the good stuff.  I've got to practice keeping in step with His Holy Spirit, listening to Him, to what He likes.  I've got to make it a habit and help my spiritual taste buds to crave the fruit of the Holy Spirit.  

So...what are your thoughts?  Do you have a particular craving that is unhealthy?  Or what do you do to enhance the "good" spiritual cravings?

Hope this finds you well...you are loved today my friend...fiercely!!

 

annetta

Jewelry Box, November

There have been many times in my almost four years of working for Going Beyond, sitting under Priscilla's teachings that God has used the messages to speak to me, but this month's Jewelry Box might be one of my favorite writings of hers of all time. 

For whatever reason, I think this is such a timely word and something that is going to be such a blessing to you, if you haven't already had a chance to read. 

So, without further ado... I introduce you to such a beautiful writing by our friend, Priscilla. 

Click here

By the way, did you know that you can get these emailed to you when it is first published? You do that by clicking on the link above and scrolling to the bottom of the page and fill out the inforation where it says "Sign up here to have the Jewelry Box emailed to you monthly". 

I'd love to know if you enjoyed it just as much as I did! 

Praying for more of Him for each of us this month! 

Linnae

A Superstorm. A Super God.

America has been front and center on the world news as Sandy has slammed into the east coast this week.
I've been in New Zealand watching wide-eyed as 60 million of my fellow countrymen have buckled under the pressure of high winds, torrid rains and brutal tides sweeping in from the ocean. It has been unbelievably humbling to watch nature wreak havoc on some of our nation's most populated and powerful states. 
News reporters have called this a super storm. One commentator even said that it was a "perfect storm" - the exact combination of atmospheric elements to make this storm an act of nature that the world has never seen before.

I've called and texted my friends and family members who live in this area - encouraging them and praying for them from afar. I'm sure you have too.

Maybe we should pray for each other's loved ones. List the names of the folks who are on your prayer list and let's start a prayer chain for one another. 
The fact is, no matter how perfect the storm, we serve a perfect God.
He is still in control.

I'll start:
My grandparents in Baltimore
My uncle in Manhattan
My aunt and cousin in Bowie
The Jenkins Family in Bowie
The Pankey Family in Bowie
Jenise in New Jersey
Julie in Va. Beach
The Kelly's in Va. Beach

Priscilla

Eternal Perspective

Last week was a trying seven days for me. There were a few circumstances that peeked their heads at me that were totally unexpected and I was left with the decision of how I was going to act and respond to my feelings and emotions as a result of them. 

You know all too well what I'm talking about, I'm sure. Your good friend says something to you that hurts your feelings and you feel super mad and frustrated and feel the need to get some justice... You get in an argument with your coworker due to a lack of communication and then have to sit through the rest of the day in awkward silence... You notice your clothes are fitting a little bit tighter than they did two weeks ago and you are contemplating "fasting" for the following two weeks or lose control and start eating everything in sight. 

By Thursday morning I found myself pulled over on the side of the interstate for the 2nd time of the week because my car was overheating. Frustration, sadness and lack of hope snuck into my soul. I think for the first time in my life I FELT my singleness - I felt like a total girl and helpless, needing a man's perspective on what in the world to do with my 12 year old car. I'm quite the independent person, more than I would like to admit, and cars are my weakness. I know hardly anything about them much less how to fix them, and so on Thursday when it was no longer driveable and overheating, I was . . . sad. But I knew I had to make some decisions, and make them quickly.

So, before I endulged myself in my emtions, I called AAA to get my car towed, told Jerry I was going to be late to work, got all my belongings together and then waited for the tow truck to arrive. 

No more than 20 minutes later the tow truck man whizzed around the corner. My frustrated self in my emotional state hopped into the truck. This man didn't seem to notice that I did not want to talk and proceeded to ask me a ton of questions. Did he not know that I was in a crisis, panicking about money and the possibility of having to buy a new car?

Suddently, my gut told me to engage in conversation with "tow truck man" and get over myself.  I sensed that God wanted to speak to him and He wanted me to be a part of it if I wanted to join Him. 

UGH.

By the grace of God something shifted in my Spirit and I began to engage in conversation. By the time we arrived at the dealership, this man shared some hard things he was going through and I found myself asking if I could pray for him. Nothing glorious happened during the prayer - I just remember thinking to myself, God I hope you are speaking to this guy because I certainly don't know that he is appreciating this right now.

When he dropped me off, he got out of the car, gave me a big hug and with tears in His eyes said that He has never felt God like that before in his life!

WHAT!?! Can you believe it? How cool is that! 

My car breaking down wasn't a time for me to feel sorry for myself; it was an opportunity to tell someone that God loves them and has huge plans for their life! 

Earthly circumstances are so not meant for us to get all hung up on or throw us into an emotional rollercoaster. Many times God is orchestrating beautiful moments for us . . . if we could just get the eternal perspecitve rather than the earthly one. 

I'm trying to get better at it. I encourage you to do the same!

Go get it! God's ready to take you on an adventure!

A Good Deal?

I've never watched Survivor. Although it's one of the longest running reality shows on the air, I've never tuned in before. To be clear, I have been intrigued. The thought of humans deserted in a remote location with no food or shelter having to forge their own way against severe elements is worth watching.
But this season, I've had my DVR set to record every single episode.
There's a good reason.
One of my closest friends, Lisa, is on this season. 

Her tribe is Tandang and the stakes seem to get higher and higher in every episode. While her tribe has fared well - steering clear of tribal council and maintaining a fairly close knit group - it's clear that the severe conditions are starting to take their toll.
Emotional fuses are on edge.
Stomachs are growling loud.
Alliances are wearing thin.
Exhaustion is setting in.

On Wednesday night, Tandang and the opposing tribe, Kalabaw, took to a challenge that couldn't be completed. The two groups came to a nail-biting standstill that lasted 60 nerve-wracking and exhausting minutes. I wasn't even a part of the challenge and I felt completely spent as I watched them wrestle in the mud and cling to the opposing team member's extremities in an effort to hamper their progress.
The adrenalin was running high enough to peak on Mt. Everest and understandably so - there was a lot at stake - a full, delicious meal awaiting the winner. 
Now remember, none of these folks had eaten anything that would satisfy even the tiniest toddler in two weeks so the sound of a delicious, satisfying meal was a stake high enough to make a grown man cry.
So. . . in the heat of a battle-going-nowhere. . a deal was struck between the tribes.
Kalabaw agreed to forfeit if Tandang would agree to let them have the victory meal. In exchange, Kalabaw would give their bag of rice (the only food stable in their camp) to Tandang.
You could just see the tribe member's mouths watering as they silently prayed that Tandang's members would agree to the terms. 
In minutes, for better or worse, the deal was struck and Kalabaw headed off to enjoy a banquet feast of delicacies while Tandang, stomachs aching, went to claim their extra bag of rice.

Which tribe was better off?

In the heat of the moment, victory seemed sweet for Kalabaw. Every tantalizing bite of the sandwiches, soup and sweet desserts must have felt like finding gold at the end of the rainbow for this brow beaten group. But after they pushed back from the table and took their final bite, they became pensive and thoughtful. You could see concern write itself like a dismal poem across their foreheads.
What would happen when the digestive system did its job and their bodies were in need of more fuel? They had exchanged their long-term sustenance for short-term enjoyment.
Emotions ran high.
Worry crept in.
Anxiety took it's toll.

I think Tandang took the better side of the deal. Granted, the temporary satisfaction of that momentary win would have been sweet, but the cost would have been high.
How do I know, you ask?
Cause I've made this trade before - not on the remote island of reality tv, but on the pathway of my real life - and I know from experience that this kind of trade only satisfies for a little while. . . .
Every.
Single.
Time.

Long-term assurance is sweeter than short-term enjoyment.

What do you think?
Priscilla

"Boo" to Gluten, People-Pleasing and a Rebellious Heart!

I'm the girl that doesn't want special allowances made or to inconvenience ANYONE.  But it has become painfully obvious that I am gluten intolerant.  Our whole team laughed about this a few weeks ago while at the State Fair (BTW:  RIP Big Tex, we shall miss you!).  The GB crew went as a welcome break after the intense week of Gideon tapings.  And we loved it.  You saw all the healthy treats we ate when Priscilla posted about it here.  

Well, let's just say there's a little gluten in those delicious treats.  And let's also note that when I arrived to work the next morning, I had full evidence of one of my gluten side effects:  pimples covered my face as if I was back in junior high with raging hormones.  They were so numerous and I was so humored by their obvious starting place that I named them.  One was named corn dog.  One was named funnel cake.  One was named cinnamon roll...you get it.  And the only reason I HAD these blessed flashbacks of my youth was because I had ingested that used-to-not-effect-me poison others call enriched flour...albeit deep-fried in Texas oil vats.

Ok.  Enough said about the food.  The POINT is...I was sitting and wondering WHY does it bother me when I have to have a non-gluten product?  Why do I not want to allow someone to serve me in that way?  And I submit that it comes down to 2 core issues I have: fear of man and a rebellious heart that doesn't want to submit to God.

I fear what people think about me.  When I have to ask for something from someone, time off, a conflict-resolving convo, etc., I inwardly cringe and get really nervous   I love it when people are pleased with me.

It's not BAD to want to please people.  But when my body is saying it NEEDS one thing and I refuse to give it that one thing simply because it MIGHT inconvenience someone else, well, I'm allowing my choices to be ruled by how they think of me.  

At the end of the day, I know that God made my body.  And however I came to have this allergy, it's under His control.  He allowed me to be gluten-intolerant.  To deny that I have a weakness is to deny the way He made me.  And to continue to eat gluten (at this stage in my life) is to refuse to submit to how He wired this body.  It's refusing to submit to Him.  It's fearing people more than fearing God.  It's allowing my sinful nature to reign in my heart...it's just plain SIN.    

Interesting huh?  Does this shed light on any little sin-pocket areas YOU might have that are cleverly disguised as "funny little idiosyncrasies?"  Tell me!  Let's be convicted, repent and return to The Lord together...and live the healthiest He's given us understanding in how to live!

Love you fiercely friends!

 

annetta

Criticism and Complaint

My sons have a hard time celebrating each other. Often, when one has been succhessful in the classroom or on the court, the other might wince a bit as any affirmation or compliments he might give somehow get stuck behind his teeth on the tip of his toungue. Instead of congratulating and celebrating, they find it easier to point out something that could have been done better . . . or at least differently. 

"Well, that's the only A you've made on a vocabulary test this year."
"That shot would have been 'all net' if your arch had been better."
"You could have run a little bit faster when you scored that touchdown."
"You should have worked those math problems out in your head like I can instead of having to do them on paper."

What makes it so hard for human beings to celebrate and genuinely affirm the success of another?

As you guys know, I'm writing a Bible study on Gideon and I've now come to a very interesting part of his story. In Judges 8, Gideon and the 300's success over Midian has been spectacular. The air of victory is hanging over them like a banner of victory. They are amazed at what Yahweh has done on their behalf. 

And then. . . 

Ephraim - another tribe within their nation - hears of their success and instead of celebrating their kinsmen, they question their military strategy. Why hand't they been included in the defeat of the enemy, they wonder. Like rain storming down on the Macy's Day Parade, the critics quickly dampen the spirited and festive mood of the soldiers. 

The smiles fade.

The cheers of victory subside.

A feeling of discouragement settles in the place where excited has just been. 

How many times have I done that same thing to another who is celebrating a big win in their lives? How many times have you?

Is it our own insecurity that causes negative emotion to swell when another fairs well? Do we feel excluded somehow or like our own efforts are less than stellar because of their success?

Hmmmm. . I'll be interested to hear your thoghts on why you think this happens and what you are doing to curtail this habit in your own life. 

Priscilla

McDonald's and Birthing Pains!

The best things in life come to those who wait.  Or so they say.  

As a kid, I hated (and still do!) waiting for anything. t was twelve days before Christmas.  My little sister Mary was celebrating her fifth birthday, I was ten.  Somehow Mom and Dad must have had a little extra cash that year, or maybe they got it on sale.  But for Mary's fifth birthday present and for her Christmas present combined, they bought her the McDonald's kitchen play set.  It was red and yellow magic in a box.  I couldn't WAIT to put it together.  I looked through the manual for hours before they wrapped the gift.  And then I was virtually vibrating for the two days it sat wrapped and untouched under the Christmas tree.  The morning of Mary's birthday, I couldn't hold it in any longer.  She had to open it...NOW!  So at four in the morning, I drug Mary and Mom and the rest of the family out of bed to unwrap the present.  Dad and Mom went back to bed with the other sisters, Mary and I sat for hours setting up our McDonald's drive-thru window and putting detailed stickers on plastic french fry boxes and happy meal containers.  We were in heaven.  About 3 weeks later, the drive-thru sat untouched.  It sat this way for another six months before Mom and Dad decided it had collected enough dust and needed to be given to another family.  Looking back, I was more excited about Mary getting the playset that she was.  But once she got it, I was SO over it. 

I'm like that a lot in life.  I live in the future.  Makes for a frustrating go of it.  Think about it.  You live in today.  You'll never live in tomorrow no matter how much you try. I hate waiting.

I guess patience and waiting have never sounded fun to anyone.  I remember someone once telling me to never pray for patience.  They said this with a smirk.  I guess the whole thought was, pray for patience, get all sorts of events and crazy circumstances in life that'll make you have to be patient to make it through.  As we all have a decent sense of survival mode, we'll bear it long enough to learn at least part of the lesson of patience!  I hate that.

The ol' school Hebrews described patience:  "To turn in a circle, to whirl, to twist, to writhe, to be in labor, to be afraid, to reel, to wait, to hope, to rage, to be strong, to dance in a circle, to bear a child/produce, to cause to bring forth, to be terrified, to be grieved."  Wow.  Now THAT is a definition of patience that I can relate to.  Waiting for dreams to come true, I've had all of those feelings and actions.  I've been afraid, I've had hope, I've reeled in grief.  So weird.  Patience was nothing like I'd expected it to be.  Here I was thinking of a demure flaxen-haired child and Scripture was painting the picture of a red-faced middle-aged woman gruntin', sweatin' and screamin' in pain while birthing a child.  Huh.  I'm single and childless.  But, from the hours of girl-talk, I gather pregnancy is a painful, gut-wrenching, whole body experience.  You go through all the emotions of life when you're pregnant.  You're scared (I'd drop a child on it's head accidentally, I'm assured of it!), you're excited, you're emotions are all out of wack because you have this little spawn growing inside of you; you lose your sense of identity, and have to re-find it with a re-defined waistline. 

If patience is really like being in labor, well then, hands down, patience might be the worst virtue ever.  I think the Hebrews really had it going on in "getting" the essence of patience because the only thing I can relate to on that front is birthing a dream.  Working on music or waiting for Mr. Right, or whatever the dream, pushing through to the greater heights is an intense, severely painful experience.  I have to struggle through a whole rainbow of emotions when pursuing my dreams: frustration (dreams seem to never come and doors seem to never open) to excitement (that new boy I met was so cute!) to confusion (blindly forging ahead when the path is covered with a fog).  And I think the worst thing about the whole deal is it takes time.  When you're having fun time slips by like sand through your fingers.  But when you're working and waiting for a dream to transpire, well, seconds tick by like the last tablespoon of honey traveling down a gallon container towards your awaiting toast: infuriatingly slow-moving.  Dreams are inextricably attached to the need for patience.  It's either attain patience or go crazy in the waiting.  Dreams are the stuff our lives are composed of.  Waiting for them IS life's biggest journey.  And once you get them, it's on to the working out of them...another dream in and of itself.

Can y'all tell me how you wait?  What's your trick to staying "present" in these moments of infuriating wait-time?  

You are loved, 

annetta