COMING SOON - Joy-Full Journeys

COMING SOON: Joy-Full Journeys

  Hi Everyone, in less than a month another new series will be starting here on AMH. On January 1st, 2019, I will be unveiling Joy-Full Journeys. This is a little project I've been working on for several years behind the scenes and wanted to launch sooner, but it just wasn't time yet. Now, however, I can finally share it with you.
  JFJ posts will be brief daily devotionals that focus on developing hope and faith in the life of the reader by cultivating, planting, maintaining or harvesting the specific fruits of the spirit listed in Galatians chapter 5. These fruits are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. In a world full of negativity it's easy to give attention to all of the things not going right instead of giving more attention to the things that give life.
  My heart desire has always been to re-calibrate myself and other believers to recognize that while our world may be unfairly crumbling around us, we can only find true joy by focusing our eyes and thoughts on the joy GIVER instead of the joy TAKER. We do this by actively changing how we respond to things around us on a mundane day to day basis. The victory isn't always won by one single glorious battle, but by many small skirmishes all along the way. How we fight our everyday battles matters more than we realize and has a lasting impact on the final result. One of my favorite quotes sums it up perfectly.

         Every soldier must know, before he goes into battle, how the little battle he is to fight fits into the larger picture, and how the success of his fighting will influence the battle as a whole. ~Bernard Law Montgomery

  So, before you rush out the door in the morning, or when you collapse from exhaustion onto the couch at the end of your day, let me have the honor of speaking just a little bit of encouragement over you. One soldier to another. 

Love,

Fran

Joy-All-Ways

P.S. For a Life Well Lived

  In a little less than an hour from my writing this, Ben and I will be heading to the wake of a young woman from our church. She was only 36 years old and had endured a lifetime of health issues. She had even faced death once before when she needed a double lung transplant and in the twelfth hour a donor was found. You would never know she dealt with so much though by talking to her or by being around her. She was radiant in every way and illness was not something you would associate with her unless you knew her story.
  When Ben and I met Jess and her mother close to fifteen years ago, one of the immediate first impressions we got was just a deep sweetness about her. She was genuinely kind, genuinely joyful, and genuinely hopeful. More evident than anything else however, was the fact that she genuinely loved God and sought to honor Him in everything she did. She was deeply loved and admired, and set an example of unshakeable faith in the face of adversity. Even those of us who weren't in her inner circle of friends, couldn't help but be permanently impacted by watching her faith walk.
  Hundreds of people joined together across the country and likely around the globe, in this last leg of her race and faithfully prayed for another twelfth hour miracle. We had seen it done once.... surely we would see it again. When I saw the post about her passing from her husband, just minutes after he wrote it, I couldn't help but cry. I know she's in heaven and healthy again and worshipping, but from a purely selfish standpoint...this world needs more Christians like Jess...our loss of her is truly Heaven's gain.

  As I sat processing the realization that she was gone, I had an intimate conversation with Holy Spirit and asked Him to speak to me through scripture and give me something in that moment of sadness. As always, He was faithful...and He brought me to a chapter of the Bible, in a very specific translation. He told me this was her P.S. to all of us....and as I read it, I understood why. As a creative writer, I removed the verse numbers and I want you to read this imagining two distinct voices, the voices of those here left behind, and her voice as she steps into eternity.

  I encourage you to think of your loved ones who you've lost that you know you will get to see again when you get to heaven, and think of this as the P.S. at the end of their life's letter as well....and be encouraged by it like I was.

Isaiah 12 

The Voice translation (VOICE)

US: In the face of such grace that day, you will thank God.

JESS: Thank you, thank you, thank you, Eternal One,

God of our people, of our promise

For establishing an end to our punishment,

for taking me back with kindness, and comforting me.

See, God has come to rescue me;

I will trust in Him and not be afraid,

For the Eternal, indeed, the Eternal is my strength and my song.

My very own God has rescued me.

US: With joy in each step, you will drink deeply from the springs of salvation.
You’ll want to sing out that day,

JESS: Give thanks to the Eternal; call on His name.

Spread the news throughout the world of what He has done

and how great is His name!

Sing praises to the Eternal!

Everyone, everywhere should know that God acts in amazing ways.

You who live in this God-blessed place, this Zion, shout out and sing for joy!

For God is great, and God is here—with us and around us—the Holy One of Israel.

Love,

Fran

Joy All Ways

Faith Fully Furnished - The Camera

I love antique/vintage cameras....actually, I love pretty much all antiques...but cameras are my absolute favorite. I have many in my collection, but until I find the perfect place to display them all in the new house, I only have one out. That one is out because it has a purpose, it's one of my memory verse reminders. 

A cameras purpose is to capture a moment in time...a memory. So I use mine to remind me to be thankful for all the amazing people and things I've been blessed with.   

 Philippians 1:3 The Voice 

Whenever you cross my mind, I thank my God for you and for the gift of knowing you.

Love,
Fran
~Joy ALL Ways~

Throw Back Thursday - Year in Review

  This will be the last TBT from the old b+ blog days. Life got in the way and while my friends and co-authors continued writing there, I faded off into the sunset that year. It was interesting to me though as I re-read this last post that the things I remember being so overwhelmed by that year, seem so distant now. I remember the events, but perspective has long faded the stress and other emotions attached to the memories. My friends on the blog and I were members of a web community back then called 43 Things. It was a goal posting and tracking community where we would cheer each other on while making some great long term friends as we all "did life".

  Every year the 43 creators (a.k.a. Robots) of the community would post stats to show us our progress from year to year. It was a great tool for future planning as well as a great reminder to not get sidelined by the things you hadn't yet accomplished by remembering what you had. On the original blog entry I had posted a screen shot of my year in review...but with the end of the original web community long gone, that image was lost and with it any ability to find it again. Some of the things I recall going through that year though, were...we bought a house, that turned out to be a cursed money pit, our car died and had to be replaced, I became violently ill and almost died, we went from 0 debt to living on credit cards just to make it from week to week. Surviving at times with no heat in the house and almost no food for weeks and months on end....and that wasn't the worst either. It was a rough year that caused a lot of emotional, mental, physical and even relational stress in our lives. I recall many times wanting to just walk away from everything and start over. However, I also recall being faced with the decision to either be crushed by my circumstances or to daily fight to choose joy....no matter how seemingly miniscule it may be.

  In the almost 13 years since I originally posted this entry below, Ben and I have survived many other difficulties including job losses, deaths, betrayals, homelessness and now cancer. However, through it all.....God has ALWAYS been faithful, He's always been good, and He's always come to our rescue and sent provisions and encouragement. Yes...in the moments of crisis we can get knocked down...and even have pity parties...but it is STILL TRUE TODAY.....that in spite of all the bad....the good STILL far outweighs the bad if you look for it instead of simply dwelling on the bad.

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 The Voice 

We are cracked and chipped from our afflictions on all sides, but we are not crushed by them. We are bewildered at times, but we do not give in to despair. We are persecuted, but we have not been abandoned. We have been knocked down, but we are not destroyed.

Love,
Fran
~Joy ALL Ways~

Sunday, December 18, 2005

My year in review

Interesting. To see the robots post stats like this and help me see things in a new light is very interesting. To be honest….this has been by far the hardest year of my life. It seemed like no matter what I did at every corner was some kind of trial. I’m even going through one now as I write this. I have had to battle my way through so much this year….even to live,after almost dying this past April.
I guess this website has really helped me put things in perspective and has helped keep me focused on the positive and the good things instead of all of the bad. The bad things….though very bad…were STILL far outweighed by the good….....and that definitely is something to be thankful for. So maybe…maybe 2005 wasn’t the worst year of my life after all…..maybe it was the best because it taught me that even in the face of adversity life is worth living.

Holding Your Ground Isn't Losing the Battle

Ephesians 6:13 The Voice 

And this is why you need to be head-to-toe in the full armor of God: so you can resist during these evil days and be fully prepared to hold your ground.

Sometimes the battles we're in can be overwhelming. Actually, let me correct that. MOST of the time the battles we're in can be overwhelming. Being overwhelmed isn't actually a bad thing though. Being overwhelmed is a great reminder that this is exactly why we need a savior. See, if we could handle everything on our own, with our own skills, talents, abilities, authority, resources, etc.....why would we need God? This basic concept of faith is very hard for us humans because we love to control our own destinies....which REALLY means....we love to be our own god.

So what exactly is our role as Christians then in this battlefield of life? Are we just spectators sitting on the sidelines watching a select few duke it out while we munch on sanctified spiritual popcorn being fed to us by great teachers with relevant object lessons? Are we supposed to be defeatist sacrificial lambs sent to the slaughter ahead of the "real" warriors, gently singing Kumbaya and It is Well as the enemy wipes the floor with us? Or are we supposed to be fully trained, fully armed, fully ready warriors attentively engaged and waiting for the next set of instructions from HQ telling us what we're supposed to do next.....while simply standing at the ready in between tasks while God and his heavenly armies do their work. 

If you haven't guessed already....it's the third one. 

Our job is to be armed and ready....at all times.....BUT as God takes the lead and fights on our behalf, there are times when we are simply supposed to do nothing more than STAND, hold the fort....and ride out the storm. Trusting that God will take care of business and let us know if He wants us to do something along the way can be hard. We think simply holding our ground means we're bad Christians or lazy, because surely we have to be moving non stop.....go go go go go. However, once the enemy territory has already been taken back (which it was.....that happened at the cross)….KEEPING the territory is just as important. Holding our ground isn't losing the battle...it IS the battle...and it's a battle that requires our rest and our trust and our relinquishing control. 

One day at a time....one moment at a time....one thought at a time....we may feel overwhelmed and surrounded, but God and His heavenly armies are surrounding us too....and his army is bigger. So breathe....we can do this....God can do this...just hold your ground.

Love,

Fran

~Joy ALL Ways~

Faith Fully Furnished - The Dog

Purposefully displayed on the highest shelf in the living room, I keep a small but regal looking statue of a dalmation. 

When I see that dog, it's an immediate reminder to be humble instead of pridefully putting myself, my accomplishments, my abilities, my wants, my desires, etc.... up high above everybody else. To also keep my actions in check, and stop foolishly going back to bad habits and selfish destructive behaviors. (BTW...ALL bad habits and destructive behaviors are selfish...that's why we like them..they make us feel good.) Instead, I need to change and no longer allow myself to be spotted by the behaviors of my past. Just because God is loving and merciful doesn't mean I get a free pass to keep messing up. His mercy EXPECTS and REQUIRES me to take responsibility for my actions and CHANGE.

Here are the scriptures that go along with my dog, just click on the links.

1) A dog, a fool, and pride......

2) Pride comes before a humiliating fall

3) We're expected to be different

4) Mercy REQUIRES change

5) Jesus expected us to change too...that didn't stop with Him

Love,
Fran
~Joy ALL Ways~

Faith Fully Furnished - The Menorah

In light of the horrific and heart breaking shooting at the Pittsburgh synagogue yesterday, I decided to change my first photo in this series to this one instead.

I always keep my menorah on display to remind me of the Bible verses that instruct me to always love, protect, honor and pray for the peace of Jerusalem and to also humbly remember that as a born again Christian I have been adopted into the Jewish lineage and therefore all Jews are my family.
Since there are soooooo many verses that speak to this.....click on the two links below for the supporting Bible verses.

1) We've been grafted into the JEWISH vine..... not the other way around.

2) We're supposed to love, honor, respect and PROTECT Israel and the Jews because God loves them.

Love,
Fran
~Joy ALL Ways~

COMING SOON

I decided to start something a little practical and hopefully a little fun. Over the years I've always struggled to memorize scripture. I have no idea why...but I've just never been one of those people that can easily memorize the book, chapter and full verse and recite it back word for word. I wish I was, but so far...I'm not. When my best friend and I were kids and would get the weekly Bible verse to memorize for the following week....she could easily memorize it by the end of the day. I on the other hand, would still be repeating it over and over off of a piece of paper the morning it was due and if all went well, just barely be able to stumble through it in class....soon to be forgotten by the next period. Memorizing scripture to have in your arsenal is REALLY important though so that when we get hit with difficult things in life we can fight back and not get easily buried by the enemy. I know there are others out there who have the same issues...because you've told me so. It's easy to get frustrated and give up and just resort to googling what you need when you need it. I know the embarrassment of suddenly being put on the spot to rattle off a verse reference and you're like a deer in headlights....not because you're stupid...but because your mind just went blank and now you feel like the worst Christian EVER....which is not true. by the way.

I have good news though, remember how Jesus responded to satan when He was being tempted in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-13)? When Jesus threw back the counteracting scriptures....he didn't need to include the scripture reference because quite frankly...satan knows them already...he just counts on US not knowing them to keep up his game. So while it's GREAT to know WHERE in the Bible a verse is located (and to make sure it actually IS in the Bible and not Shakespeare....don't even get me started...), sometimes it's easier to start by focusing on content, because content is the weapon we actually need....remembering the location can come later.

Deuteronomy 11:18-20 The Voice

"So let what I’m saying sink deeply into your hearts and souls. Do whatever it takes to remember what I’m telling you: tie a reminder on your hand or put a reminder on your forehead where you’ll see it all the time, and on the doorpost where you cross the threshold or on the city gate. Teach these things to your children. Talk about them when you’re sitting together in your home and when you’re walking together down the road. Make them the last thing you talk about before you go to bed and the first thing you talk about the next morning."

So in the context of doing whatever it takes to fill up my scripture arsenal, for years I've used something a little different than the norm. I L-O-V-E decorating my spaces...and it comes pretty naturally to me. So I've LITERALLY surrounded myself with decor at home and at work that triggers scripture to me. Little things that sometimes may seem like meaningless dust collectors to visitors....to me have a hidden faith based meaning to keep The Word constantly on my mind. So whenever I feel like it, in ~very brief~ little posts, I'm going to start sharing photos of actual things in our home or at my office and the scriptures they represent. I'm hoping it will inspire others who struggle with memorization so that they can use this method too and fill your spaces with scripture. 

So keep an eye out this weekend for the first installment of

"Faith Fully Furnished" 

Love,

Fran

~Joy ALL Ways~

Throwback Thursday - The Wrong Number....That Wasn't

 I wasn't planning to do a Throwback Thursday, but I found this old draft of a blog post from several years ago where I had transcribed an actual text conversation I had with a complete stranger that morning. I was going to delete it, but then thought, you know what....I remember that day and that conversation VERY well....and even though it was more than 5 years ago...the point I was going to make then is still valid today. Soooo.....here goes.....Throwback Thursday.

*Draft from March of 2013*

Text transcription

Did you leave your house yet? Was going to ask you to bring in a large pitcher if you could. I have an object lesson for group today and I got rid of mine when we moved.

I think you have the wrong number

Oh.......sorry. Was trying to reach Sherri.

This is Sheri. Who's this? Your text didn't make sense to me.

It's Fran. I was hoping to catch you before you left home. I wanted to borrow a pitcher for a lesson I wanted to teach at Bible study today. Sorry to confuse you.

Fran who works at Rivera? I don't work there...plus I'm still home sick today.

LOL......no, Fran from S*.....I guess I do have the wrong number afterall.....sorry. I hope you have a great day.....and I'll pray you feel better. :)

Thanks. Weird, my name is Sherri too...hope you get to borrow your pitcher. I would have brought it if I worked with you...lol.

LOL....that IS weird. Wow.....God REALLY loves you because I guess He wanted you to have a complete stranger pray for you to feel better. :) The number I saved in my phone is my boss' cell number and the pitcher was for a Bible study we have here at work. God works in mysterious ways. :) Well....feel free to keep my number if you ever have a prayer request you want to send over. :)

Thanks...I need a prayer for more hours at work or another job. Only working part time. You are more than welcome to borrow a pitcher. God works in mysterious ways!! Have a great day!!

You got it! I will have my entire team pray for you. Be blessed Sheri! I'm Fran. :)

 So on that day I was trying to text my boss, Sherri, something that I did all the time. Now this was not a normal misdial.....I had my boss Sherri's cell number saved to my contacts and I always texted her by just tapping her speed dial on my phone. That morning I did the EXACT same thing....I tapped on her photo and sent the text......but somehow it went to a completely different number....not even close to the same digits.....to a random woman who was also named Sheri. Coincidence? Nah.....I think everything happens for a reason. That day, I was able to briefly encourage a total stranger by letting her know God loves her and that there were complete strangers praying for her. Kind of a virtual hug from God that she needed at that exact moment. Meanwhile, to my Bible study group of almost all new Christians, that I needed that pitcher for....I was able to show one of the ways God will unexpectedly use random circumstances to get His message across to us.

  A couple of weeks ago I got to be on the receiving end of another random God hug. It was right after we had gotten the diagnosis for Ben and I was still in shell shock and trying to get my spiritual feet under me. So I was quietly sitting at my desk, nose to the grindstone, desperately trying to avoid people in an attempt to hold myself together as I prayed and processed. Suddenly one of my favorite co-workers came over to ask me a question. I thought I was faking it pretty well, but I honestly don't have a good poker face. After a moment, he just looked at me and said, "you look like you need a hug...." and he walked over and hugged me. Of course....I silently lost it....I know in that moment it was my co-worker hugging me...but I also know that even though he had no idea at that time what was going on, it was God who had prompted him to come and do that. To use my co-worker/friend to let me know everything was going to be ok and....well....kind of a God hug via him.

 Sometimes God will send us virtual hugs through actual things like a co-worker, or an impossibly random wrong number, or maybe a billboard, a song, etc......I have so many stories of times in my life that God sent me a "hug" to let me know He was there....and rooting for me, or encouraging me, etc. We just have to make sure to pay attention. People think God only speaks to us through an audible voice....but that's not true....He will speak to us in any way needed to get His message across. So.....antennas up people...God might just be sending you a hug and you didn't even realize it. How can you not hug someone you love so much.... and believe me, He L-O-V-E-S you....sooooo much!

Love,
Fran
~Joy ALL Ways~

Cloud Shadows Cannot Hide a Good God

Psalm 34:8 The Voice 

Taste of His goodness; see how wonderful the Eternal truly is. Anyone who puts trust in Him will be blessed and comforted.

I love Autumn. It's so beautiful here in New England...although....it's usually far too brief as we jump from sweltering heat and oppressive humidity right into bone chilling wind and cold. It seems like just as the trees are finally all starting to look beautiful together...whoosh....super winds and rain pull them all off and we have months of bare, dull shades of gray and brown. Today I stood looking out my office window, to a cluster of trees on the other side of the parking lot. The sky was a vivid bright blue with clusters of fluffy white clouds mixed with clusters of fluffy dark gray clouds. Some of the trees were completely bare, some were covered in leaves of bright red or bright yellow, while others were still fully bright green and lush. It was windy too and I watched trees, bushes and tall grasses moving back and forth in the same direction the clouds were moving across the sky. Even though the sun wasn't visible, beyond the cloud shadows it made it's presence known with golden white light that rested on random things here and there.

A popular little thing that us Christians say sometimes is one person or group will burst out with, "God is good all the time....."  then another person or group will respond back with, ".....and all the time God is good." It's an encouraging rallying cry, that can find the Christians in a room full of people faster than a light switch can be flipped. People smile and get excited...think of it kind of like a spiritual fist bump.
The very thing we need as a rallying cry as we go through difficult seasons seems to be absent most of the time....at least for us Western Christians. Maybe that's one of the differences between us and our persecuted brothers and sisters throughout history and around the globe....we have an addiction to comfort.
Paul sang in prison, Stephen prayed for those stoning him, 40 martyrs of Sevaste willingly chose to freeze, bare naked in the middle of a lake rather than take the easy way out, Germanicus, Polycarp, Bonhoeffer, Elliot....and many more endured horrible things in their lives....far beyond just the normal crummy life circumstances we deal with. The ones I mentioned actually died for their faith....horribly cruel deaths...yet every one of them believed God was good ALL the time. In one of my favorite documentaries by Darren Wilson there is one sweet spirited man, that I just adore, who shows the scars of cigarette burns on his torso from being tortured for his faith. Yet he still cries tears of joy from the passionate affection he feels for how good God is....ALL the time.

God is good all the time.....ALL the time.....there is no hiatus...there is no vacation....there is no stalemate....there is no busy signal....and there is no failure to launch....God is good A-L-L the time....even when life is overshadowed by clouds of trouble....even when winds of change and harshness blow....even when seasons go from lush to stark.....even when warmth turns to cold.....just like the sun was still shining behind those clouds today as I looked outside...God is still good no matter what we face in life....and if we look for Him...we will be able to see His bright golden white light resting on things as we move along...reminding us that He has never left us alone and soon the clouds will pass.

Love,
Fran
~Joy All Ways~

I CHOOSE JOY....and why you should too!

I've always believed that joy is a choice and I still do. In my opinion, joy and happiness aren't the same thing and you can definitely have one without the other. Happiness doesn't exist in a bad moment....but joy actually can.
Happiness is a state of being..or in other terms...the natural flowing side effect of a good experience. Sooooo.......what determines if the experience is good or not? Well, that comes from each individual persons own definition of what they like or dislike. For example, I dislike snakes, but my husband likes them and can and will pick them up and enjoy holding and looking at them as if he's holding and looking at say.....a kitten. In that moment he's unbelievably happy....me.....not so much. Similarly, I really like the experience of shopping and can literally spend hours wandering through racks and aisles looking for bargains. In that moment I'm euphorically happy....Ben....not even close..he's in chest gripping dread thinking of what I could be spending or even considering spending.
Consider the photo of a person in a bright yellow bathing suit smiling at an under water camera with bubbles coming from their nose for someone that may trigger great memories of a tropical vacation and lots of laughter and adventure......good experience = happiness. For the person sitting next to them however, that exact same photo may trigger horrible memories where they couldn't breathe under water...or fear of the unclear water behind them that could be hiding dangerous things.....bad experience = unhappiness. How about the public announcement of a pregnancy or an engagement? For some those things are wonderful and happy because they've had good experiences, while for others those things can cause deep sadness, feelings of inadequacy, and even depression because they long for things that have yet to be fulfilled. A photo of a loving couple sitting in a romantically lit restaurant staring into each others eyes longingly may make one person's heart go pitter patter with feelings of romance.....while another feels disgust as they look for wedding rings and wonder if they are having an affair. Happiness is not an across the board given....it's subjectively based on our experiences or perceptions.

 Joy, however, well...it's more than an event...it goes deeper than that....it's a little more abstract....it's an essence....an essence of being one way in spite of things being another way....and it usually requires our cooperation.....it's a purposefully made choice. How though do we choose joy? How do we envelope that essence? It starts with us deciding WHERE our joy comes from.....what is our source. I mean dissecting the raw REAL source we draw our definition of joy from. Does our joy come from the fleeting and completely imperfect things this life and other humans have to offer...or does it come from something else? If our definition of joy is based on life circumstances and people....then we've unintentionally and unknowingly tied our definition of joy in with our definition of happiness. If that happens....our joy will always fall short and we will always be on a roller coaster ride based on how our day or our life is going. I don't know about you, but I don't like emotional whiplash.

For us Christians, our definition of joy cannot be tied to our definition of happiness. Instead, it MUST be based on the character traits of who we know and are learning the triune God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) to be.  

I cannot stress that last comment enough....so I'm going to repeat myself in a slightly different way...

.....our definition of joy MUST ONLY be based on THE CHARACTER TRAITS of GOD.......NOT on a person, circumstance, event, or situation and certainly NOT on a feeling.....not even on how we perceive God SHOULD perform....but on His character traits. 

 Like it or not, there are some things we Jesus folk really need to understand....and we just HAVE to grasp this because it's literally causing way too many Christians to sink in their faith walk because they are walking around miserable, hopeless, bitter and just plain dried out. Weary is one thing....we ALL get battle weary....but to be spiritually mummified is a whole other issue. We're supposed to bring salt and light to the world....not Jesus jerky. I know that may sound funny...but seriously....pay attention here...

1) Humans have free will, which means we and those around us can make horrible choices that are cruel and selfish and downright evil and can affect....well....almost everything. (Free will explained) (i.e. a) people we work with can be jerks b) spouses can lie or say cruel things c) drivers can cut us off d) people can commit heinous crimes etc. etc. etc. )

2) Since the fall of man....we live in a "fallen nature" (imperfect) world that is, ALSO like it or not, subject to the natural laws of science and nature instead of God's perfect laws. ( i.e. a) gravity pulls things down b) germs and lack of sleep can cause us to get sick c) weather patterns can wreak disastrous havoc d) lemon bars, potato chips and fettuccine alfredo make us fat etc. etc. etc.)

To choose to be joyful in the face of adversity and cruelty and trauma is hard....sometimes it feels impossible...but I promise you...it's not. I've been through some really hard things, some traumatic things, some potentially embittering things....many at the hands of people that I loved and trusted....and even now there is a battle that my husband and I are fighting together that could easily be cause to steal our joy. However, through EVERYTHING....even when I'm too wounded or weary to actually talk to God....I go to His Word and let Him speak to me and I feel my joy...my essence of being, restored in the midst of whatever hell I'm tearfully fighting through.
The cooperation portion of the essence is I have to ALLOW myself to BELIEVE that there is hope. I have to ALLOW myself to BELIEVE that God is actually who He says He is. I have to ALLOW myself to BELIEVE that God actually really does love me and doesn't want to hurt me and let me down the way humans have hurt me and let me down. Don't fool yourself either...we all SAY we believe that...and sing the songs and run around like joy filled Polly Pockets when life is grand....but the reality is...when life is horrible we do not function in joy...we function in fear, anger, CONTROL, bitterness, rejection, etc, etc, etc. Choosing to cooperate with joy takes effort....God knows and has always known that. That's why in the Bible He makes a big deal of telling the Israelites to set up stones of remembrance to REMIND themselves of God's character through what He's done for them. He protected them, rescued them, defended them, repeatedly forgave them and gave them another chance, provided for them, rallied them.....SAVED them. In Hebrews 13:8 we are told flat out that Jesus (part of the triune God- Father, Son, Holy Spirit) is the SAME...yesterday, today and FOREVER....so guess what. That means God will STILL protect us, rescue us, defend us, repeatedly forgive us and give us another chance, provide for us, rally us, and has already saved us. So to get the essence of joy? KNOW GOD'S CHARACTER.....His character proves that we are safe in His care...no matter what hell we are currently in....no matter if we understand or not...we don't NEED to understand....we just need to patiently endure.

Hebrews 10:35-36(NLT) So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

Psalm 40:1-3(NLT) I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair,out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed.They will put their trust in the Lord.

Here are some links to verses to help you learn the character of God and some to help you get that essence of joy going in the face of adversity. ( Click on each reference to read the verse.)

Romans 12:12

Psalm 94:19

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Daniel 3:16-30

Psalm 9:2

Isaiah 61:10

Daniel 6:16-28

2 Kings 6:15-17

Proverbs 17:22

Psalm 34:1-19

Habakkuk 3:17-19

Genesis 22:1-19

Philippians 4:4-9

Psalm 119:111

Malachi 4:2

Isaiah 43:1-7

Isaiah 43:10-21

Romans 5:3-4

Psalm 35:10

1 Peter 1:8-9

Psalm 16:11

1 Timothy 6:7-8

Psalm 119:114

Isaiah 41:8-13

2 Corinthians 12:8-10

Psalm 46:1-3

Jeremiah 29:11

Psalm 34:4

Nehemiah 8:10

Psalm 91

Psalm 116

Romans 12:1-3

Love,
Fran
~JOY ALL WAYS~

Throwback Thursday - Hibernation

Time yet again for another Throwback Thursday to the old b+ days. 

Be encouraged,

Fran

Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Hibernation

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.
Anne Bradstreet,

Well.......it has certainly been an interesting progression into the winter months. from unseasonably warm Autumn days to sudden drops into frigid temperatures and mountains of snow. I was listening to someone discuss animals the other day and how they hibernate. That sort of thing always interests me because I do love little furry things. I found it quite interesting how some animals sleep for a while then wake up to eat and go back to sleep. Others sleep non stop. While still others sleep only when needed and come back at just the right time when food is available again. Interesting how that works.
I thought about that the more I thought of how cold it is and how nice it would be to sleep through the cold months and wake up when it's beautiful and warm again. However I also remembered that in the Summer when it was relentlessly hot and humid I looked forward to the snow and the cold. Funny how when we are in the midst of something we always look forward to when it's different and never really take time to enjoy the diversity of the moment. If it was Warm and like Summer all the time we wouldn't appreciate the beauty of it as much and likewise if it was cold all the time. There is a benefit to the changing seasons....it makes us appreciate the next thing more. So it is in our lives too.
While we are in the miserable heat of turmoil all we can think of is how wonderful it will be to be in the cool daily routine again. when we're in that daily routine all we can think about is how boring it is and that some activity would be glorious. Each season in life has it's joy and it's moments of praying for the next thing. It's human nature. Instead of anxiously looking forward and missing the benefits of the present season let's slow down and soak up all that God has for us in this season and then when it's time to change to the next it will be a glorious and exciting transition.

Throwback Thursday - When Fear Cripples

Oh look.....it's time for another b+ TBT! Be encouraged!

Monday, October 10, 2005

When Fear Cripples

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, " I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along ." . . . You must do the thing you think you cannot do.- Eleanor Roosevelt

About eight years ago I had a particularly bad series of events involving car accidents. Within a year and a half I was in three accidents...all of them almost 6 months to the day of each other. One accident is bad enough....but three.......it was bad.
The first was during a snow storm. My brother's birthday was the next day so I rushed out to the store to pick up the item I had been waiting till th last minute to get. While I was in the store it began to snow. Normally that wouldn't be a problem, living in New England you learn quickly how to drive in bad weather. The store I was at however as at the top of a very steep hill and surrounded by busy streets. I had an old Volvo with semi-bad tires and the snow was still fresh....so sand on the road, no plow had been by yet.
As I crept over the top of the hill on the long four lane driveway and edged my way down the slippery pavement I suddenly saw my worst fear. A car had spun out and sat sideways completely blocking my lane. The driver had shut off his car, gotten out and was looking at his front tires. In the lane to my direct left was another car and in each of the two lanes coming up the hill was a car. I couldn't possibly swerve into another lane without causing another accident. My only out was to turn hard to the right and try to jump the curb and go down another steep hill into a parking lot about 30 feet below. So as I picked up speed sliding faster and faster towards the other car I did just that. To my surprise though the curb was too high and instead of removing myself from the potential accident I in fact spun out sideways and slid down even faster to hit the stopped car lengthwise.
**SIGH**
Six months later I was on my way to work one morning. I had a cold and was continually having to blow my nose so I kept a tiny box of kleenex within easy reach. I was an assistant manager of a pet store at that time so I was in a hurry to get to work and open up for the day. In front of me for almost the entire drive was a particularly elderly gentleman in a mini van who was very careful to remain within the exact speed limit. Every block or so he would brake to slow back down to 35mph. I kept a good two car distance between us just because he made me nervous and the last thing I wanted was another accident. As we kept our slow and steady pace I cranked up my radio in an attempt to destress myself. Suddenly I needed a kleenex. I reached down to where I kept them but couldn't find the box. I felt around some more...still nothing. Finally in desparation I looked down and grabbed one. In that instant the man in front braked yet again and in the micro seconds that I started to look back up, I hit him full force. Totalling my car, sending me to the hospital and putting me out of work for a couple of weeks.
Double **SIGH**
Fast forward yet another six months. My then boyfriend and I were taking some people home after church. A young teenager from the church youth group and my friend. I had organized us by who would be getting out first. So the teenager was in the front seat and my friend and I were in the backseat of his tiny hatchback. As we all laughed and talked we came to the street of the first drop off. Suddenly from behind a car full of teenagers careened into us at full speed miraculously stopping just short of encasing my friend and I into the back seat.
Triple **SIGH**
After those accidents I didn't drive for two years. I was too afraid to. I didn't even like getting into a car with others. When I did get in a car it was with much apprehension and constant fear of every little thing. I changed jobs to a store that was on a direct bus route and avoided going out with people other than my boyfriend as much as possible, and walked as many places as I could. I was living in a prison of fear. It was understandable of course....those things were traumatic experiences for me so when I told people I didn't drive and explained why they understood and sympathized. One woman I worked with was even in the same place and stopped driving years earlier because her sister had been killed tragically in a car.
Over time however I began to miss the degree of freedom I had once had. I missed being able to just pick up and go for a drive in the country or not having to wait in two feet of snow for an extra 45 minutes because the bus was running behind. I saw the woman I worked with through new eyes. She was about 30 years older than me and she had become completely dependent on others because of her fear and I didn't want to end up like that. I had come to the point that I realized....it was time. I had to face my fear head on with no looking back.
It was terrifying at first....and I drove like a 95 year old for a while....but each time I got behind that wheel it got easier. Eventually I reached the point that the fear was totally gone.

Fear comes in many shapes and sizes.....but whatever it is that you fear, I pray you get to the point that you can face it head on and say, "I have lived through this terror, I can take the next thing that comes along."

Peace,
FG

Throwback Thursday - Unexpected Sparks

It's that time again, another throwback to my old entries at the b+ blog. Hope you enjoy.

Sunday, September 18, 2005

Unexpected Sparks

"Our brightest blazes of gladness are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks."
~Samuel Johnson

Have you ever had something fly out at you from left field and completely take you off guard? Of course you have....we ALL have....it's part of life. Some of those things that surprise us are good.........others aren't. The water main that broke in my house this week and ruined all of my furniture and donations for the homeless, wasn't a good thing. It was totally unexpected, unprepared for, and most definitely, unwanted.

SSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhhhhh.........POW!!! Curveball...left field.

Some of the things that hit us unexpectedly are FAR more tragic though......far more deep and earth shattering for us. Things that scar us and drag us to the depths of grief and agony. Hurricane Katrina is a good example. It wasn't a good thing, it was somewhat expected...but not to the cataclysmic level of devastation that it caused...and it is VERY safe to say that it was unwanted by ALL.

PPPFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFfffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffttttttttttt..........**BOOM**!!!!! Cannon hit.........from behind.

What happens when we get hit out of the blue like that? Well....there are a few emotional and understandable possibilities.
Panic.......when everything goes into a slow motion dream state and you feel like you're watching a movie, because this couldn't possibly be happening. 
Shock........when you step back for a moment, survey your surroundings or what's left of them, you realize it is happening and you're helpless to do anything to stop it.
Devestation.......when your mind and heart begin to tally the depth of the loss that sends you into a tailspin.
Hopelessness.......the process of being in that tailspin, as you see the ground rapidly approaching your face.
Anger.......the justifiable rage at HOW could this have happened, WHO is to blame, and WHO will make it right.
Peace...........what?!?! PEACE?!?!?!? That doesn't fit in here.....WHAT peace?? We're talking tragedy and loss here.....they don't go hand in hand in this discussion......................................or do they? Foreign concept, ISN'T it?
However, somewhere.....buried within each unexpected hit....no matter how tragic..how devastating...how much it brings you to the depths of agony that you never even knew could be felt by a human......SOMEWHERE....there is a scarlet chord of hope and purpose that will, IN TIME......give birth to peace.

For me, the peace this week was in knowing that despite all the loss in my home our insurance will help us rebuild and replace the material things that were destroyed.
For others it goes deeper. I'm sure you're thinking to yourself...how selfish of her...how callous and unfeeling to use Katrina as a comparison because, there is no good that's come out of it...NO peace. I beg to differ though.
Just this week I saw a story about a family who went through Katrina and have reached and anchored into their peace.
They are a loving, poor African American family who were already experiencing the pangs of desperation before they lost everything...well.....not everything. You see...for them, they will never mourn the losses of their home, their car, their jobs, their possessions, their pets or whatever else they lost.....in fact....they will look back at Katrina as a miraculous answer to prayer. How on earth could that be possible....we've all seen and heard the stories of tragedy on TV. Well........it's very simple.
Their son who was lying in the hospital dying, because he was in desparate need of a heart transplant, is now alive even though they were told there was no hope for him. How? Well....they were poor and had no money to pay for all the special things he needed to sustain him until a donor could be found. So they sat at his bedside on a death watch......waiting for the moment he would take his last breath.
Suddenly however, a miracle came their way in the form of hurricane Katrina. The hospital was evacuated and they along with their son were transported to a children's hospital in Texas, a hospital that specializes in heart transplants for children. Suddenly....in realizing that this family had lost everything, the government paid for a special flight to Germany, for the hospital staff to pick up and PAY for the very expensive device that was needed to save his life, and flew it back to Texas and inserted it into his body so he could live. Now, this family, who would have not only lost their beloved son, but all they had worked for in their lives...has been handed a scarlet chord of hope and PEACE. They will never regret the loss of their home....or their possessions....and they will never curse hurricane Katrina....hard as that is to believe....because out of the ash heap, they have been handed something beautiful....the life of their dear son.

We are all victims of unexpected circumstances at some point in our lives....some worse than others....but somewhere....buried deep within....there can be found peace.
What do I wish for you? What do I pray for you? I pray that whatever hits you....no matter how devastating....you find and grasp onto your scarlet chord of peace and let it lead you to the brightest blazes of gladness that lie somewhere beyond the tragedy of the moment.

Peace,
~FG (I went by the pseudonym of FrannieGirl at the time, hence the FG)

Throw Back Thursday - The Impact of Silence

Welcome to this month's TBT from my old b+ blogging days !  Hope it encourages you.

Monday, October 03, 2005

The Impact of Silence

"It's good to shut up sometimes."

-Marcel Marceau

A rather interesting quote from a man who was made famous because of his silence, don't you think? Makes me wonder about the lessons he must have learned from being so silent and just watching and listening. As I read it I was reminded of an experience we had at our street ministry a little over a year ago. Two of our regular volunteers are a sweet, newly married couple who have great hearts of service and desparately want to serve their God with all that they have. However, at times I have seen pride cause them to struggle with an intense aversion towards a lot of the very people we minister to. I am always asking God to break through that pride and other mental or emotional garbage with them and show them how He sees these poor and homeless people. After all, these people that are so different than what we're used to, are in fact, the entire reason we are out there. They need someone, anyone, to show them love and acceptance in a wounded lonely life where they have had none.

I always love the fact that God is so gentle with us and even has a sense of humor. We tend to lash out and correct or judge harshly making a scene and leaving wounds in the hearts of others all in the name of justice. God is so opposite though. Like any loving father, He tends to discipline in creative ways that He knows will get our attention, and make the lesson stick. This was definitely one of those lessons.

On this particular Saturday, I was behind the table serving soup and the husband of this couple was standing next to me serving the drinks which consist of water and in warm weather iced tea. This was a beautiful warm day so the water was especially in demand. As I waited for the next person in line to reach me, I glanced over to see one of our regular ladies approaching the drinks. She is only about 35, about the same age as this newly married couple, and has a very sweet and childlike spirit due to severe mental illness.

Additionally, heavy medication tends to make her talk to herself a lot....and loudly. Usually though, the things she says keep us all laughing because they are the things a 5 year old would say, blunt and yet, innocent.

She has very curly hair, which she usually lets go fuzzy. She wears every piece of jewelry she has ever owned and odd clothing combinations as well as about five layers of nail polish, all of which are chipped and peeling. She's always so bubbly though that you can't help but smile at her when she comes by. I watched as she approached the table quietly muttering to herself, and then I suddenly felt a twinge in my stomach because I knew who would be handing her the water. I quickly looked at him just in time to see him scanning her up and down and curling his lip at her current state. I was so hurt inside I wanted to lash out at him and tell him to get off the serving line if he couldn't treat her with respect. However, inside my heart I heard God tell me to keep quiet and watch what would happen next.

Just then as I saw her reach for a cup and he pulled his hand away, her muttering became audible for all of us to hear. I watched in amazement as she looked him square in the eye and quoted him the Bible verse, "..And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." Just then she took a sip and walked away and was gone for the day.

I wanted to start crying as I watched his eyes get big and follow her as she disappeared into the crowd. God is sooooooooo GOOD, and He always gets His point across far better than we ever could. Had I lashed out at him, I would have set a bad example for all the people around me, both behind and in front of the table. I wouldn't have gained anything, but instead, would have lost the trust and respect of so many who need us to be gentle with them, and learn from our example. I also wouldn't have made the point to this young man as well as God was able to, through the gentle ramblings of the very one who should have been offended by his actions the most.

Sometimes it truly is good to shut up and wait and to let God fight our battles for us. A misplaced word can illicit the effect of a bowling ball on a glass top table…sending shards of glass everywhere that can never be fixed or replaced…and some never even to be found. I'm glad I kept my mouth shut that day, and avoided those shards. I'm not always so successful however, but at least now I know if I can learn the art of well placed silence, I can avoid many regrets for years to come. Besides, God really does handle those situations so much better than we would.

Peace,
FG

Throw Back Thursday - Leap of Faith

Throw Back Thursday: 

I recently came across some old blog posts that I had written when I used to be a collaborative writer for a blog titled  b+ (Be Positive). So I thought it might be fun to dust them off and send them out again by sharing them here. So once a month I'll post one of them as a Throwback Thursday fun memory. Here was the very first one, enjoy.

Friday, September 02, 2005

Leap of faith

Come to the edge, He said.

They said: We are afraid.
Come to the edge, He said.
They came,He pushed them,...........and they flew.
~Guillaume Apollinaire

How many times in life have we felt like we are standing on the edge of a frightening and deadly precipice with no way out? I don't know about you....but I have felt that way many times. Each time however I have felt the gentle nudging of my God to trust Him and take a blind leap of faith. When I let go of my fears and my insecurities,my anger and my doubt I can jump......and each time He has caught me.
Much easier said than done though, right? Of course it is. The circumstances we are in dictate those fears and insecurities, anger and doubt. The key however is to come to the realization that as you stand on the edge of that precipice there is no turning back.....only forward. Those things are done and gone, they can not be undone unfortunately,they can not be taken back. So what are your choices from here? You can crumble and give up because things didn't go the way they were supposed to. You can become bitter and hard because things didn't go the way they were supposed to. Or, you can stand up,take a deep and possibly painful breath and somehow go on because for some reason things just didn't go the way they were supposed to. No matter what you can't change the fact that things didn't go the way they were supposed to, but you CAN change how you react to it.
When you feel you're at that edge, with a wasteland behind you.......take that frightening leap........He will never let you fall from His grasp.