Ruth O'Neil's Blog, page 5

Monday Meditations - Praise

Praise

An attitude of praise is one that can be difficult. People expect us to be happy all the time. They would rather we put on a brave face in times of difficulty instead of talking about them and looking for support from friends or family members. Yet it's in those times of distress that we can be a testimony to others as we give God the praise. Yes, even in the bad times. And, yes, it's hard.When my mom was battling cancer I certainly didn't feel the inkling to praise God. I didn't see anything for which to be thankful. However, I just wasn't looking hard enough. In the midst of my sorrow I found some complaints and also reasons to praise.
Complaints
•             I wanted my mom to be a grandmother to my kids•             she was way too young to die•             she was such a godly woman and made a difference in people's lives where there were so many others who were/are the opposite
Praises
•             I praised God I was born into a Christian home and raised by godly parents•             I praised God I was able to have my mom and my life for 21 years.•             I praised God for her example to me – (not that I've been successful in living up to the caliber of woman she was!)•             I praised God that she was able to see me get married•             I praised God for her influence in my writing
Since then I have taken to writing in what I call him my Blessings Book. It's a blank journal where I record God's blessings to me and I give Him praise. When I focus on praising God, the difficulties in life don't seem so overwhelming.
I challenge you to keep your own Blessings Book. Write down the littlest things that are a blessing to you. Did you avoid an accident? Did you save money at the grocery store? Did you receive a friendly note? Were your kids well behaved today? Once you start writing the blessings down you'll begin seeing a whole lot more.
I'd love to hear the ways in which God has blessed you. Leave a comment with your praise.

Perseverance Devotional Guest Post with Josh Phillips

https://devotableapp.com/perseverance/

God’s people need God’s people.
As a family of God in my small town we live in community. An open and honest family who shares struggles and brokenness and rest in the hope of Jesus. We live openly, our doors and our lives and we have all things in common.

Last year we “planted” a church with two other families who were seeking Jesus. Things have gone well and God is truly blessing His work. Many new families have come into covenant fellowship alongside of us and last year was beautiful. 
The first service of the new year God laid a word on my heart to share with the families in our body. The word was cut and dry and fell among good soil. This was the word, “Suffer Well.” Suffer well knowing we serve a God full of grace and truth Who loves us and gave Himself for us and is working for us an eternal weight of glory in our suffering. "So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:17-18 17)
At the end of January we received the wonderful news that our lead pastor and his wife were expecting! We were all excited and worshiped God for this gift. 
A month later we received the news, they lost their baby. Heartbroken and sorrowful we did only what we knew to do and that was to be there for them, to walk with them in this difficult time. A couple days after the bad news, my family took them dinner, planning to drop it off and leave to give them some space to wrestle through these things. They asked us to stay and my brother reminded me, “The message you spoke to us the first of the year, suffer well, I don’t know how we could do it without the body.” And he was right.
God didn’t create us to be lone rangers in the mission to make disciples of all nations. He blessed us with a family to walk with, in our weakest times and the most joyous times, family to encourage us and to rebuke us, to lift us up and to keep us grounded in reality. God’s people need God’s people.

Monday Meditations - Ready

Ready
Ready. That's a word that describes my personality. When big events come up, I have no need to panic or to be nervous because I am fully prepared. My husband thinks I plan too much and too far in advance. Spontaneity isn't an idea I'm always comfortable with.
People who are ready are prepared for whatever life throws at them for the most part. Doomsday preppers come to mind in the extreme. I knew someone who was sure the world would come to an end at Y2K (remember that?). He and his wife bought 5 gallon buckets of rice, beans, and other sundries in preparation for the event. They're probably still eating that food.
We prepare for weddings, school, new babies, holidays etc. We prepare for the inevitable by purchasing life insurance policies. The Bible warns us about being prepared versus worrying.
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:34).
This verse doesn't say we should never plan anything or never be prepared, but some people can go to extremes of readiness. Then there are others aren't prepared enough for some things. We are often slack when it comes to the things of the Lord.
1 Peter 3:15 tells us, "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."
I was once jealous of a friend who always seemed to have an opportunity to witness. I complained to God and asked why He didn't do the same for me. Then He did, and I failed miserably. I don't think well in the moment. I end up saying things that shouldn't be said. After that episode, I knew I needed to do some more prep work. I began praying that God would use me when and where He saw fit, without my even knowing it. Things work out much better that way. I know because comments have come back to me later on after an event or conversation.
Prayer is one way to prepare, but staying in the Scriptures is a must as well. We won't know how to respond if we don't know what God has to say. And we won't always have time to go and research the Bible.
This week put a little more effort into spiritual readiness.

Monday Meditations - Listening

Listening

If you don't know me very well, you may not know I'm in opinionated person. I like things done a certain way… My way. The only good thing I can say about it is that I realize it's a problem and I'm training myself to listen more. Other people can have good ideas too. In realizing my listening issues I sometimes have to force myself to listen to other people's ideas… All the way through… Without commenting… And then take those views and thoughts into consideration.

Believe it or not, I've even had the audacity to tell God how I think certain things should be done. He didn't answer the prayers (demands?) the way I told Him He should. I can't imagine why. Later on, after the fact, I see how I should have been seeking His will and not mine. He always wants what is best. I can see that in His answers to my requests (again, demands?).

I have a tendency to spew out of the mouth for my brain has a chance to process. The words that end up coming out are words I often regret.

I have a tendency to roll my eyes when I think someone's conversation is ridiculous. I can imagine God rolling His eyes at my ridiculousness. I must sound like a child whining to get my own way. I don't respond to children who whine to me, what makes me think God will respond to mine?

Whoever has ears, let them hear (Matthew 11:15).

So what can we whining, demanding, non-listeners do?

Stop. Just stop.

Stop talking.

Stop the me-me-me attitude.

Stop and take the time to think before speaking.

Stop and open the Bible to see what God wants you to know.

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry (James 1:19). 
You can usually tell a good listener by how much they talk, or rather don't talk. They don't talk because they're too busy listening.

New Perseverance Devotional - Lauren Sparks

I am proud to be a part of a new devotional coming soon. Each devotion is written by a different author, but they all have a common theme: Perseverance.



I wanted to introduce you to some of the other authors that contributed to the book. This devotional is all about persevering through life and the difficulties that come up on a daily basis. My first guest is Lauren Sparks.

Lauren Sparks is a wife and mom to two daughters – one with special needs – and one bonus son.  She lives, worships Jesus, and teaches yoga in the Dallas, Texas area. She shares her adventures, victories and flub-ups from her laptop at laurensparks.net.   "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."  James 1:2-4

My daughter Shelby is currently participating in a drug trial. At regularly scheduled intervals we must travel to the children's hospital and spend all day with doctor's appointments, EKG's, echocardiograms, tedious documentation and lab work. I also track her seizures and medicine doses daily in an electronic diary In addition to this drug, my husband and I administer 4 other drugs to her twice a day.  She hates them. And yet we still must watch her have debilitating seizures.  I find this tiresome, not joyful.  

Because my daughter is mentally disabled, she will never hold a job or be able to earn any kind of income. We are grateful that there are government programs in place to help provide for her. But I must be honest - every time I go down to the social security office or wait for an hour and fifteen minutes on the phone to speak with an agent, I want to pull my hair out. I find these experiences torturous, even adversarial at times. I don't find joy in them.  

At 18, Shelby still wears diapers and is completely dependent on the help of others to use the restroom. We must bathe and dress her as well. At her size, hygiene is difficult, sometimes painful on my aging joints, and other times embarrassing. She can never be left unattended, which means we never age out of the need for babysitters.  

Although in disposition my girl is a joy and a delight, there are many things - more than I have the space to write or you have the time and inclination to read - that are frustrating, painful and discouraging. But I'm not left without hope. And neither are you. The trials and suffering you encounter may be quite different than mine, but the book of James tells us that each one produces endurance in us. And the more we endure, clinging to faith in Jesus Christ, the more God is perfecting us. Every time we turn to Him in our hardships, He drives out the sins of doubt and self-reliance. He makes us more like Him. We may not understand the reason for our afflictions, and we certainly don't have to pretend we enjoy them, but we can find a little joy in knowing that we are being transformed more and more into the image of our savior. "Lacking nothing."  

Thanks for hanging out with us and sharing some of your story today, Lauren!
You can reach Lauren:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lauren.k.sparksTwitter - https://twitter.com/LaurenRSparksInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/sparksbefit/
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/sparksfit/

Monday Meditations - Mend

Mend
This is another one of my favorite words this year. My friend, Maureen, who suggested it, also gave some definition ides, and I plan on hitting every single one of them. I grew up around a sewing machine. My mom had a home based sewing business where she created Civil War clothes, from soldier's uniforms to beautiful ball gowns. I helped her whenever I could.

My parents in clothes my
mom made. My brother and me in
CW clothes of our own.My mom's talent never ceased to amaze me. She would sew clothes for us girls. She would fix the holes my brother would get in his clothes. Her talents at mending could make things seem almost new, or, one of the things she taught me well was to give a worn out item a brand new purpose. One year while making costumes for a Christmas play at our church, she took an old, holey tablecloth and made it into a perfect head covering for Mary.


To say the least, I know a bit about mending with a needle and thread.
There are other aspects of life where a little mending may be necessary. I can't help but think of relationships. How many of us have strained relationships that could use a little mending? Maybe we haven't been there for someone as much as we should. Maybe a snarky comment we made in jest was hurtful. Even if the snag wasn't our fault, maybe we need to be the bigger person and offer up an apology or forgiveness anyway. A little love and compassion can go a long way.
One of the most important aspects of mending can be of our own hearts. Life is full of hurts and disappointments that may have happened outside of our control. When a loved one dies, there's nothing we can do. It's painful and it can take a long time to heal. There are also times when people can cause us great pain. Some of those people are no longer in our lives for a variety of reasons, but the pain they caused still lingers. How can we deal with that? Look to the One who is the ultimate Healer of hearts. He is the Great Physician, a Healer of all kinds of hurts. He has words for us; we just have to open the Bible and study them. God can mend our broken hearts.
There are no pat answers for the circumstances and people that hurt us, but we can hand our hearts over to God when we need healing. He will hold us in the shelter of His wings until we are mended and ready to fly again.
"He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart" (Psalm 91:4).

Monday Meditations - Love

Love
Ahhhh…. Love. This is the week we all have love (or lack of love) on our hearts and minds. First Corinthians 13 is known as the love chapter.
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Back when we first
declared our love for
each other.That paints a picture of what love should be. Unfortunately, we often confuse love with infatuation. Young people have crushes on each other and think that love is all about euphoria. Those marriage vows say "for better or for worse," and we pretty much just focus on "better" until "worse" hits us in the face. The worst of times is when we show what love truly is.
When I think of love, I think of three things.

Monday Meditations - Joyful

Joyful
What do you think of when you hear the world "joyful"? The giggling of children? A smiling face? A happy surprise? These things can all bring joy, but I have found that being joyful is a choice, a state of mind.
When my father passed away a couple years ago, I posted this on my Facebook page:
Today I choose to rejoice, in spite of my sadness. I rejoice in the fact that my father is no longer sick or suffering. I rejoice in the fact that I was born to parents who loved me enough to show me The Way, The Truth, and The Life. I rejoice in the fact that my parents are together again after many years of being apart. I rejoice in the fact that I will see them both again someday. I rejoice that when I do see them, they will both be whole and healthy.
I know "rejoice" shows up a lot there, but you'll also notice the word "choose." That's part of being joyful in difficult times. We can be sad and still be joyful. We can be distraught and still find something to be joyful about.
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4)
The last picture taken of us kids with our dad.
Recently I was talking with someone about my Blessings Book. It's a blank journal where I jot down God's blessings to me. They can be a little thing, such as being up early enough to see an amazing sunrise. It can be a huge thing, such as my daughter announcing the coming of our first grandchild. By keeping my eyes open, I can see all the ways God blesses me. When I look back on His blessings, I have no excuse to not be joyful.
"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him" (Psalm 28:7)
If you are struggling with joyfulness, pray and ask God to reveal His blessings. Write them down and dwell on them instead of the negativity in this world today. 

Monday Meditations - Anew

Anew
Have you ever made a mistake? You don't have to answer; I already know you have. I have. Lots of them. I once stole a pack of gum from the grocery store. Let's just say I was so overridden with guilt it was obvious that the life of a criminal was not in my future. 
One of my mistakes - cleaning out the bathroom
cabinet with my trowel
When I was a child and made mistakes my parents were there to guide or punish or both, whatever fit the situation, but the older I got, the less parent involvement and more God involvement there was/is. When I do things now that are wrong, the Holy Spirit is there to prick my conscience.
"Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for the who have been trained by it" (Hebrews 12:10-11).
When I hear the word "anew" I think of a starting over. One of the things I am so thankful for in Christ is His forgiveness. Whenever I come before Him with a repentant heart, He is ready with open arms to correct and forgive.
"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13-14).
You may be thinking that you have gone too far in your sin to ever come back to God, but that's simply not true. No matter how many mistakes you've made or how horrible the choices were that you made, God is the One who can make your life anew.
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland" (Isaiah 43:18-19).

Monday Meditations - Kinchen

Kinchen


This is quickly becoming one of my favorite words this year. It was a word I actually had to look up the definition. It means "a child." It is such an appropriate word for me. I have found myself surrounded by children since I was a child. I had barely graduated from high school when Randy and I were asked to be middle school youth leaders. Since then, we have raised and homeschooled our own three children and worked together with children in various ministries within the church through the years. I have had a constant flow of babysitees through the house, teach at a homeschool co-op, and work in the nursery at church. One of my favorite kid-centered ministries is cooking three meals a day for a week over the summer for our church's youth camp. There is no better way to make friends with teenagers than by feeding them.
Doing one of my favorite things for kids with one of my favorite adults.
In all honesty, there have been days of working with kids that were harder than others, but there have been days of pure joy as well.
Although there is some debate about who actually said it first, there's a quote that said, "With great power comes great responsibility." While I have never lorded power over any of the kids in my care, there is a lot of truth that statement. I have power in how I treat them. I have power in what I teach them. I have power in the spiritual seeds I plant.
When I think about it, it's kind of scary. I wonder what kids have taken away from our relationship. Do they see more positives than negatives? Have I made a difference in their lives? Have they see Christ in me?
God has given me a ministry to children, and I must not take it lightly. Mark 10:14 tells us that when Jesus saw the disciples turning away children, He said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Jesus loved them, so I must love them as well.
One of the many things I have learned from kids over the years is that they just want to be loved and taken care of. They need to feel they can trust. They have faith in us; a childlike faith that is, at least so far, unhindered by the bad things of this world.
Even as adults, we can (need to) have a childlike faith when it comes to Christ. He is there to love us and take care of our needs. We can trust Him with everything, down to our deepest, darkest secrets. He never has any intentions to harm us, but to carry us when we are harmed by the world.I know I need to work on my childlike faith. How about you?