No Other

There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God. 

-1 Samuel 2:2

He is...

Fire and A Hammer.

Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? (Jeremiah 23:29, ESV)

Light and A Lamp.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (Psalm 199:105)

And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. (Revelation 22:5)

A Double-edged Sword.

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength. (Revelation 1:16)

A Mirror.

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. (James 1:23-25)

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:12) 

Just a Note...

A big thank you to all my readers this year! I loved each of your comments, and I am grateful if you found encouragement through my posts. I don't know what next year will hold, but I am not planning on regular posts each week. I intend to keep up the quotes postings, but the devotional posts will be more infrequent, I think. Look out for the last quotes post of 2016 next Friday. May you find blessing and joy during the remaining days of this year.

Break Time!

Taking a break for the next two weeks! Will be back again on the 23rd of September. Check out my book review blog for some great reads this month! God bless.

Reminders to Live By

It's not often that we pull out the book of Ecclesiastes and quote from it, yet it carries some deep wisdom from a man who desired and gained it early in life, but maybe should have applied it (a little) more to himself.

What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again, there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one can say, "Look! This is something new"? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time (Eccl. 1:9-10, NIV).

Here is stated the theme of Ecclesiastes and the heart-cry of the author, King Solomon. Perhaps many of us could relate to the same thoughts today. There truly is nothing new, whether good or bad, that has not already existed beforehand. Our lives are just a dash on the timeline of eternity, so there is no way we would end up seeing something new that has not already been. Whether a heinous sin or the mountain-top joy, mankind and God have seen it already. Do not be surprised at God's greatest blessings, for He gave them to others long before you. Don't be shocked by the revelation of the depth of man's depravity. God's mercy began in the Garden and has been forgiving ever since.

There is a time for everything... (Eccl.3:1)

There really is, you know. Each event is appointed by God, and in some ways regardless of your integrity or folly, His events will unfold until the end of time. Not all good follows one another, and neither does the bad. But it is interspersed throughout our life as He sees fit to grow us. We wonder how the blessings could get any better, or we wonder when the darkness ends, but both do, each in their own time.

I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil--this is the gift of God (Eccl.3:12-13).

Nothing better. Those are strong words. But do balance them out with the rest of Scripture, too. ;) The principle remains. God desires us to find pleasure and happiness and good in our work. In fact, that's His blessing--His gift to us. He desires that our prospering should lead to happiness and the doing of good, and personal satisfaction. Yet that personal satisfaction is based on the God who gave it, so the glory is His.

If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Eccl.4:10, 12).

Companionship is necessary for thriving as a Christian. To survive as a Christian, friendship is not necessary, but God did not mean for us to survive. We were made to thrive, and we imitate the Trinity when we desire friendship. The help, defense, and loyalty of a friend cannot quickly be repaid. How easy it is to be loyal to one's own flesh and blood, but the real test comes when we stand not just with those who are our own flesh, but also with those who are washed in the blood of the Lamb.

I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all (Eccl.9:11).

Your swiftness, strength, resources, wisdom, or intelligence do not guarantee success or good outcomes. God is sovereign, and life has it's own rewards and consequences, so do not think that just because you are wise that you will be prosperous. Life does not always happen that way.

God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil (Eccl.12:14). 

Death is promised to all who are here before the Lord returns. It is certain and no man can reverse it, regardless of how they try. The Lord commands the souls of men, and He takes them when He will. For believers, their works will be tried by fire, but their is no judgment to their souls. That has been paid by Christ. For those outside of Him, they will suffer the second death. Solomon ends his book with a warning, but with a hope, as well. Fear God and reverence His word. So no matter which direction life takes you, you have God by your side.

Psalm 88

No words today, except those from Scripture. Here's a Psalm to read; it's not one most people post anywhere, but it's Scripture regardless. It'll make you think about life and about God. Blessings to you all!

Psalm 88

O Lord, the God of my salvation,

I have cried out by day and in the night before You.

Let my prayer come before You;

Incline Your ear to my cry!

For my soul has had enough troubles,

And my life has drawn near to Sheol.

I am reckoned among those who go down to the pit;

I have become like a man without strength,

Forsaken among the dead,

Like the slain who lie in the grave,

Whom You remember no more,

And they are cut off from Your hand.

You have put me in the lowest pit,

In dark places, in the depths.

Your wrath has rested upon me,

And You have afflicted me with all Your waves. Selah.

You have removed my acquaintances far from me;

You have made me an object of loathing to them;

I am shut up and cannot go out.

My eye has wasted away because of affliction;

I have called upon You every day, O Lord;

I have spread out my hands to You.

Will You perform wonders for the dead?

Will the departed spirits rise and praise You? Selah.

Will Your lovingkindness be declared in the grave,

Your faithfulness in Abaddon?

Will Your wonders be made known in the darkness?

And Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

But I, O Lord, have cried out to You for help,

And in the morning my prayer comes before You.

O Lord, why do You reject my soul?

Why do You hide Your face from me?

I was afflicted and about to die from my youth on;

I suffer Your terrors; I am overcome.

Your burning anger has passed over me;

Your terrors have destroyed me.

They have surrounded me like water all day long;

They have encompassed me altogether.

You have removed lover and friend far from me;

My acquaintances are in darkness.

Blogging Break

Due to illness and the busyness of life, there won't be a devotional today. I'll be back next week with the second part
of Ephesians 2:10, Lord willing! Stay strong in Him. :)

The Reading Habits Tag

Well, there's an extra Friday this month, so I thought I'd pick up a book/reading tag from Lady B's blog. I don't write much about myself here anymore, but perhaps this will give my readers a little inside look at the author of all the Facing the Waves devotionals. I'm not just a writer. I'm a reader.

Random Facts about Me (and My Books)
Last year, I bought the lifetime version of LibraryThing.com and began cataloguing all my books. It was a long process at first, but now it's much easier, as I just add them in as I get them. Currently, I'm at 963 books. The scary thing is that I should be able to make it to 1000 books by the end of the year. Without any trouble.

I have nine individual shelves of books. Seven of which are in my room. I have two shelves of the books I used to read as a kid. One shelf holds counseling/coaching/life type books and my special fiction books. Another shelf has my favorite non-fiction books. The shelf above my bed has all the books I've never read (easily accessible ;), and the remaining two shelves holds fiction and non-fiction books that I don't read much.

I have the Kindle app on my laptop and I have several hundred books in there, I think. I'm trying to do better at reading them, because sometimes I forget they exist. I like my "real" books better. ;) I also have a Pinterest board of book quotes and book shelves and pictures and book house ideas. Maybe someday the hidden rooms or stairs or windowseats made out of books will be come a reality. 

I don't throw away books. Perhaps that's a fault of mine, but unless a book is completely bad with no hope of redemption, then I don't throw them away. I might not recommend them to people or display them where people can see them, but they're still there somewhere. 

I love series of books, and I attempt to collect them when I can. There are some amazing Christian fiction and allegory-type books coming out by young authors, and I'm hoping to find more series as I find good ones. The covers of books in the last 3-4 years...oh my. They've been amazing. I wish I could say that the content is always as good, but as I haven't read all the new books, I can't. However, the authors and illustrators and publishers are doing an amazing job of cover details. 

My family tells me I have book radar. There are few book stores or book sales that I can go by and not stop at. I also don't miss the signs leading up to them. I always take a book with me wherever I go. You know. Just In Case. I sign up for all the websites that offer free books, and I enter the giveaways for books (never won any, of course). And I'm starting to try to help out authors and buyers by posting short reviews--haven't created a habit of that, yet, but I hope to!

I don't like reading a series as it's published. I'd rather wait until the whole series is complete and then just read straight through it all. And I'm not one of those people who loves the books better than the movie necessarily. In some cases there are extreme differences, but somehow I can love the books and movies as they are and for what they show individually. 

So...all that because those are extra details you probably won't find in the answers to the tag questions. ;) 

1. Do you have a certain place at home for reading?
My bed or my desk(s). It really doesn't matter actually. I can read anywhere in any place. I like to read at my desk if it's a Kindle book or I read in my bed before I go to sleep. I remember when I was younger I cleaned out under my desk and created a little hideout by covering the desk with a blanket. Then I'd just sit under my desk and read there. It wasn't very comfortable, though, so it didn't last long. I think I liked the idea better than the reality of it. Couches are great for reading, too. 

2. Bookmark or random piece of paper?
Both. I use bookmarks primarily, but if I don't have one accessable, then I use paper, money, kleenex, tissue paper, grocery lists, receipts, bobby pins, another book, earbuds, or whatever happens to be lying around. I don't like lying the book face open, though. That's just horrible. I always stick something in it rather than splitting the spin by lying it down open. But I try to carry bookmarks around with me. I have a container next to my bed with all my special bookmarks in it.

3. Can you just stop reading or do you have to stop after a chapter/ a certain amount of pages?
Non-fiction books I can stop anywhere, though I always try to finish the chapter. When reading fiction, I try to end the scene, wherever that might be. But when all else fails, I just stop--fiction or non-fiction. I can usually pick it up just fine later on, so I don't think about it too much. 

4. Do you eat or drink while reading?
Yes, I have done and do both. Sometimes I'll avoid it if it's a really special book or if it's brand new, but I'm pretty good at not damaging books while I read. Comes with practice I guess...and from being homeschooled and doing online college. :P

5. Multitasking: Music or TV while reading?
Well, we've never had a TV, but I can read with movies and music. Sometimes I listen to music on purpose while reading. I don't typically read while watching a movie, but I have been tempted to sometimes. I can read through most noise and distraction, which I think is nice. It has it's pros and cons. ;) I can do many things while reading: listen to lectures for school (which isn't the best idea ever, actually), texting, music, listening to conversations, walking around the house, eating. And audio books are great when driving. I'm just finding that out recently!

6. One book at a time or several at once?
Several at once. I like finishing a book on a fairly regular basis, and that doesn't happen if it's a slower-going book. I have about four on the go right now. I tend to read fiction very quickly, so it's good to throw one of those in now and then to balance out the non-fiction that sometimes takes longer. I read several non-fiction at once to give me variety in topics and to connect mentally with another topic if one book is just not working. 

7. Reading at home or everywhere?
Everywhere! In doctors' offices, airplanes, cars, libraries, parks, beaches, malls, bedrooms, dentists', backyards, barns, lofts, alone, with friends. Anywhere, basically. When it's not rude. ;) And read late at night or early in the morning. 

8. Reading out loud or silently in your head?
In my head. I can read fine out loud, but I read much quicker in my head so it keeps me mentally alert, rather than forcing my brain to slow down to verbalizing each word. I understand things quicker and better when I read in my head, than when I read out loud. Though, when things are hard to understand (like for school or exams), I have been known to say the sentence or paragraph aloud to try to understand it better. I like reading in my head, because the imagination creates the voices and scenes which can be shattered if someone reads it aloud. 

9. Do you read ahead or even skip pages?
I read ahead. Particularly the endings. Especially if I'm suspicious of the author's plot and I want to make sure some character makes it to the end. In reading non-fiction, sometimes I'll skip ahead to a topic that I need or that is more relevant. However, I don't read ahead often, and if I do, I read it again when I come around to it a second time. I never skip pages not to read them. I just return to them later on. I once attempted to read ahead on a short story someone was writing for me. *cough* It didn't work very well despite my pleas and arguments. But they can't say I didn't try..and it was most fun in the process. :D 

10. Breaking the spine or keeping it like new?
I like to keep it new. Breaking the spine does eventually happen, but I try to keep my books in as good condition as they came (or better, if they were bought second-hand). I don't mind getting books in rough shape. I like to think they get a better home with me, but on the other hand, I love the new-new of books straight from the bookstore. 

11. Do you write in your books? 
The first thing I do when I get a book is write my name and the date in it. I didn't always do that, so I'm guessing that many of my books are missing that, but I've been doing it for several years now, and I intend to keep up the practice. I don't write in my books, but I will underline sentences or bracket paragraphs if I find them meaningful. I didn't used to do that, but college courses cause me to mark things so I wouldn't spend hours trying to find that one paragraph. I highlight in my Kindle books when I remember to do so. Other than that I don't typically write in my books. But I do write messages on the first available page when I'm giving books to friends. That's a special part of giving and receiving books. 

There you have it. A little more about me and my books. I read to learn...to educate myself, but also to find people, places, and characters who have lived life and come out victorious on the other side. I read to find hope. But the best place to receive wisdom, education, and hope is from the Bible. All other stories and authors are only tiny replicas of The Greatest Story ever written. And they are replicas in and of themselves, because, regardless of the content (and yes, sometimes it can be very bad content), people are made in the image of God and they have eternity set in their hearts. So whatever we do (though we can use it for good or bad due to our human nature) stems from an internal knowledge of a Creator, and is a tiny copy, a mirror, an imitation of the Best Author. 

So, yes...

What about you? 

A Fortress and A Strong Tower

I memorized Psalm 46 a few nights ago, and since they have been recurring verses in my mind recently, I thought I'd use some of them in my post for this week. 

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. (Psalm 46:1-3)

We don't often experience the physical and geographical aspects of these last two verses where I live. We haven't suffered any major earthquakes, the mountains are still in the same place, and we haven't seen any tsunamis or the like. But in a metaphorical sense, sometimes it does seem like the earth has given way, and that that normally steadfast mountains have crumbled around us. Even in those trials and challenges, Psalm 46 offers the security of a Savior and the fortress of the God of Jacob as our refuge.

Proverbs 18:10 says, "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe." I was thinking of that verse when I got to Psalm 46:7 and 11 which says, "The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress." The fortress or the strong tower is pictured as a place of safety in the midst of danger. The battle-weary soldier who is defeated on all sides runs to that tower, and finds safety from attack inside those walls.

So often we don't like the limitations and rules or restrictions around us. We'd rather have freedom to do as we please, but when it comes to danger and hardship, we long for those walls, that place of retreat where we can find safety. When we face trials, we ought to run to the place of safety, a place of boundaries amidst the turmoil. And that place is found in the LORD--Yahweh. The leader of His children and the defender of those who call on His name. His name is our fortress, and those who take shelter under His wings will find a security that no outside force can pierce.

Remember Whom to run to the next moment you're facing temptation or heartbreak. Seek the walls of a Fortress...the fortress which is built on the Cornerstone. 

"For it stands in Scripture: 'Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.'" (1 Peter 2:6) 

Despite the collapsing mountains and roaring waters and shattering earth, we stand on a Rock who is unshakable. 

"Be to me a rock of refuge, to which I may continually come; you have given the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress." (Psalm 71:3) 

Ask Him to lead you to that Higher Rock when your heart is weary. 

"Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy." (Psalm 61:1-3) 

His Word is a refuge and strong tower. 

"For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken." (Psalm 62:1-2) 

In that fortress, you'll find the necessary silence to be still, and know that He is God. (Psalm 46:11)

Guest Post: Schuyler McConkey

Joining me today on Facing the Waves is another special friend of mine, Schuyler. Sharing the joys and trials of life for about 3 years now, as well as studying Scripture in the same online Bible study group has grown our friendship. Hope you are blessed by what she shares today!

Thank you, Schuyler. :)

I remember that chilly November night, walking into a church gym with a crockpot of soup in both hands, and a Bible study lesson balanced on top. I had heard things for years about Bible Study Fellowship. Friends sang its praises, wanting me to come with them to share in the experience. I wasn’t sure I wanted to devote a whole night every week to another Bible study. I already attended an online Bible study and taught one for teen girls. It didn’t seem like one more was really necessary.

Then something in my heart changed.

It was ultimately my mom that made the final suggestion to clinch my interest. “I think you should try it out. It would give you a chance to be spiritually fed yourself and get some face-to-face encouragement on a weekly basis.”

Community.

Something hungry in me reached out to the idea. I wanted community. So I cleared my schedule and gave it a try.

I don’t remember what I thought the first night. Comforted. Convicted. Nervous about fitting into a small group, eager to join the discussion once I did. By the first month I walked up to one of the group leaders to tell her that her message had met me in just the right place, and she spoke words of blessing that warmed my heart. By the end of the year, our small group was meshed so well together, and we had amazing, eye-opening discussions about God and his people as we worked through the books about Moses. By the last month, I started dreading the time when BSF would end for the season. Mostly because the fellowship I had known for six months was almost over, and it would be a whole summer before it started up again.

I had no idea that in finding community with believers, my fellowship with God would be turned upside-down; that in finding this group of loving Christians, I would finally come to grips with the fellowship a loving God desires with me.

There are few events in my life that have profoundly changed me so much as my time in Bible Study Fellowship. These lessons, simple, yet so necessary for a perfection-bound introvert, are ones I hope to carry with me all my life long. Some are small. Some are large. All are vital to a healthy spiritual life.

1. God wants me to be whole, because He wants me to be like Him.
The first month of BSF was an emotionally hard one. When you’ve fallen into years of tight-bound perfectionism, it’s hard to uncover some of those places where you’ve lied to yourself, and go back and confront sin. Hearing the Word of God in a fresh way each week, and then hearing how it should be walked out, hit me in blind spots and rough areas. But over and over again, in between the commands to walk in God’s ways, was the refrain “God wants you to be whole. That’s what holiness is. He loves your obedience, and He loves you so much He wants you to be consumed with Himself.” Holiness quit being so scary, so burdensome, so unreachable—it became a walk of patient trust, knowing that God is doing the work step by step. He will help me keep growing. And He very intentionally allows it to take time, so I can walk alongside Him.

2. It’s OK to share your broken places with others.
BSF is designed to be a place where you share the struggles. The personal prayer requests. The ways God is growing you, or challenging you, or things you didn’t understand. It was a place where I could walk up to someone and get a hug and cry a little bit if I needed to. Many times I felt the love of God wash over me through the healing, comforting touch of one of His children. After the first time sharing my heart with someone, something just came alive in me, and a perfect reputation didn’t matter anymore. Are there hard times after sharing? Oh, yes. Sometimes the memory of being vulnerable is painful. But the love I always received weighed so much more than the need to look like I had it all together. God’s love doesn’t hide things. It gives mercy and healing through honest confession of our sin and our need. It reminded me of the verse in James where God says “confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.”

3. Outside accountability gives you freedom and motivation.
One night I sat next to one of my small group friends after lecture and she asked how she could pray for me. “I need to ask forgiveness from someone,” I said, “and I want to talk to them by the time I come to BSF next Monday.” The knowledge that she would ask me about it later gave me the push I needed to get some things cleared up. When you reach out to others for their input and accountability, you don’t need the mental trash of “I messed up again. I’m sinful. I’m too scared to make this right.” Instead of being YOU focused, it changes you to being GOD focused. “God wants me to be whole, and to honor Him, I need to take care of this wrong. Will you join me in prayer that I could overcome?”

4. Sometimes you accept God’s truth best when it’s spoken by someone else.
Everyone, no matter how idyllic their life, has some amount of personal baggage. When I first attended, I had several wrapped-up hurts, old ghosts, and more than likely a hidden dose of bitterness. Some of it was so ingrained, I wasn’t aware it existed. I didn’t even come expecting to have those things addressed. And then as our group leaders taught, the Holy Spirit used their lectures one by one to expose lies I had been believing. To help me forgive past wrongs. To release the power of old hurts, both self-inflicted and others-inflicted. Every week, I was confronted with a deeper picture of Jesus’ love and grace and truth that I could extend to myself and others. It brought freedom.

5. God’s Word meets you in every single circumstance you are facing.
If you want to know God’s Word is powerful, try studying Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. Not much in all those Old Testament laws to apply to modern day, is there? Actually, there is. The themes of Be Free. Be Holy. Be Equipped. Be Ready. Christians in all ages are called to holiness. Christians in all ages struggle with bondage to idols and character flaws. Christians in all ages need to be equipped to fulfill God’s calling. God’s Holy Spirit moved powerfully in our group of over 100 young adults through these books. Lives and hearts were changed, weekly. I had never experienced that before—connecting with God’s Word on a weekly basis. I’d always read it every day, for years—but connecting on a heart level, not just with occasional wow moments, but with weekly God-is-amazing moments, was a new time of wonder. We wanted the hard work that comes with holiness, simply because, how could we choose any other life in the face of a God like that?

6. Fellowship with God is sweeter than anything else I have ever experienced.
If I walked away with one last empty spot, it was the fear that my fellowship with God would be different during the summer, when I was out of BSF. I should have known better. God did a healing, changing work in my life, and He didn’t need weekly meetings to keep it up. I’m just as blessed by this next year of BSF. It’s just as needed. But I walked through a beautiful summer with God equally as good while BSF was out of session. It showed me that ultimately it wasn’t just about the group, which was merely a tool in His hands. It was all about praising Him for what He was doing. This God of the Bible is so powerful. So beautiful. So willing and available to have community with His people. So relentless about calling us to pursue holiness. He’s truthful with the way He uses His Word to wound us, and then gentle with the way He uses that same Word to bind up our wounds. I don’t know how to explain it, other than I met Him in a way I had never met Him before, because I saw Him through His Body. And now, not only is He my holy Savior, but we are simply best of friends. It’s incredibly joyful to wake up every day and face the day, whatever it holds, talking to Him through most of it.

I love BSF for being the hands and words and love of Jesus. It was something I never expected—that in the grace of this particular Christian community, I would find a beyond-imagination communion with the God I had loved since a young age. I always knew He loved me. But He used this group to help me know in a much more secure, heartfelt way.

I am His, and He is mine.

And no matter what happens, that is always enough.

Schuyler McConkey is a novelist and Bright Lights ministry leader living with her parents and two siblings. She authors a blog, My Lady Bibliophile, where she writes book reviews and articles evaluating classic literature. In her spare time, she enjoys listening to Irish love songs, learning Gaelic, and reading too many Dickens novels.

You can find her on Facebook, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Twitter.

**You can find out more about Bible Study Fellowship HERE.

I am...the Life

My devotions this week covered a lot of ground. Reading from Psalm 109 to Isaiah 13, but one of the familiar themes of Proverbs caught my attention again. It tied in well with one of the daily devotionals I read on Wednesday, as well.

The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied. (Proverbs 19:23)

The fear of the Lord gives wisdom. The fear of the Lord gives knowledge. The fear of the Lord gives understanding. But here it says the fear of the Lord leads to life. God gives us physical life, but He also promises that those who seek Him will find Him, and the only way we will live eternally is to know the Son of God.

Paul opens his second letter to Timothy in this manner: "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus." We, who are spiritually dead, are made alive in Christ's life by His work on the cross. We're given a new life, a renewed mind, and a new mission as a Christian. We won't find eternal life in anyone or anything else, for Christ is the source and giver of Life. He is Life Himself. Jesus came that we "may have life and have it abundantly". (John 17:3)

We live in the flesh, but it's only temporary, and it's purpose serves to sanctify us and bring glory to God. The contrast of Christ's life in us is magnified all the more when we see the depraved nature of ourselves. "Always carrying in teh body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies." (2 Corinthians 4:10)

The fear of the Lord, a reverence and respect for His name, leads us to life, and it's by this life that we live eternally. "And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." When we become a child of God, we are forever secure in His presence and protection, and nothing can separate us from His love. We are no more secure anywhere here on earth than the angels are in heaven. And when we are finished this physical life on earth, we will have life eternal in heaven.

This life in Christ, in return, should also increase our fear of the Lord, for we should be growing day by day in the Word and in communion with Him. Resting in the Lord for assurance of salvation, sanctification, and security is what will satisfy our hearts. By fear of the Lord we live with the promise of eternal life, and with the physical life He grants us now, we must learn to walk in the fear of the Lord all the days of our life. It is the Living God who grants us life, physically and spiritually. Our time here on earth is for a purpose, and we are immortal until we fulfill it.

"As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God." (Psalm 42:1-2a)

"Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." (1 Timothy 6:12)

Coaching Goals and Obstacles

The single best way to develop leaders 

is to take people out of their safe environments 

and away from the people they know, 

and throw them into a new arena they know little about. 

Way over their head, preferably.

In fact, the more demanding their challenges,

the more pressure and risk they face,

the more likely a dynamic leader will emerge.

-Bruce Wilkinson

My Introduction to Life Coaching course finishes tomorrow. It was a good course, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I am taking a break from regular studying now until I prepare for and take my grade nine harp exam in January, but I will post my other two assignments here in the future. I think my biggest takeaway was the lecture and readings I did about trust. Establishing trust in a coach-client relationship is absolutely vital, but so is it also in the rest of life's relationships. Trust affects every area of life. It takes a long time to build, but a short time to lose. Trust must be at a higher level than the relationship itself: that's when the relationship will grow. If the relationship is above the level of trust, then there will be serious consequences; either it will not grow or one person will let the other down and disappointment and mistrust will set in. Trust is the oxygen of relationships. It has no cost (except for living a disciplined lifestyle), but if you don't have it, it will cost you everything. Trust begins with you, and it never ends. Either it grows or it does not. Trust is so valuable that you must guard it with your life. It's the most valuable thing you'll have (in terms of character qualities): A good name is to be desired more than great riches. 

But this particular writing assignment wasn't about trust. :) It was about obstacles--something that we all face, and something that is sure to occur in a coaching setting. And it was about goals--guidelines that must be in place if we're to overcome the obstacles. 

The writing prompt given me was this: Explain the importance of goal setting in Life Coaching. Describe how a life coach works with a person to implementing a plan to achieve goals. What are some obstacles that the life coach and the client could run in to, and what are some ways to overcome these obstacles? 

*****

Goals are vital in taking a client from where he is to where he wants to be. Sometimes people need accountability and guidance from another person in order for the change to last (Collins, 2009). A Christian coach will be able to provide godly advice and direction, so that a person can set long-term and short-term goals that enable a person to glorify God in his life choices (Collins, 2009).

A coach will help his client implement goals by asking questions that define the client’s passion, vision, and mission, helping the client clarify the end results and create a plan for moving forward (Collins, 2009). Together the coach and client will brainstorm ideas and ensure the goals are SMART goals: specific, measureable, attainable, realistic, and within a certain time frame (Collins, 2009). SMART goals create motivation and action toward the client’s desired end by providing either short-term or long-term goals. Short-term goals are goals that are to be met within a few months’ or weeks’ time. Numerous short-term goals could be created in order to reach the ultimate goal. Long-term goals usually span a year or several years, are much more detailed, and take longer to achieve.

By asking questions and providing food for thought, the coach directs the client to define where he is right now, where he wants to go, and how he needs to get there (Collins, 2009). Goals provide motivation and action, and SMART goals provide specific direction and inner peace with a step-by-step plan (Collins, 2009).

A coach and his client will most certainly face obstacles; therefore, it is important for the client to have the accountability of and trust in a coach who will walk alongside him and direct him through the obstacles. (Collins, 2009) Accountability comes through writing out SMART goals and discussing how the coach will hold the client responsible for his actions—whether it’s by the coach emailing a reminder or waiting for a follow up phone call from the client. A client who knows that a coach is holding him accountable will be much more likely to work toward his own goals since they have previously discussed how to face obstacles. Obstacles can be external or internal. 

External barriers could include distracting life events, criticism from others, or energy drainers, whereas internal obstacles include fears, insecurity, negative mind-sets, impatience, and resistance to change. A coach should direct his client to use these barriers to motivate him closer toward the end goal, by showing him how to face his fears or remove distracting events from his daily schedule. 

Goals are vital to establish a path and routine, but they should also be flexible, in order to allow time to work through obstacles (Collins, 2009). In addition, careful thought and prayer should be given to the way God is leading the client. Sometimes the Lord’s will is not the way a coach and client may have planned their goals. “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps” (Proverbs 16:9, KJV).

Collins, G.R. (2009) Christian coaching: Helping others turn potential into reality. (2nd ed.). Colorado Springs, CO: NAV Press. 

*****

Coaches quickly discover that their efforts will not succeed until self-sabotaging mind-sets are recognized, challenged repeatedly, and replaced with healthier perspectives.

~Gary Collins

Nine Week Puppies!

"Purple Ribbon"

 Blue.

"Red Boy"

Sheena.

"Runty"

Sophie.

"Pooh Bear"

These are the puppies who haven't gone to their respective homes, yet. Only the first one doesn't have a home; the others are just waiting for their owners to pick them up. The last one (in the set of pictures) is going home in a couple hours, hopefully. I know I will miss them all, but they all have great homes, and perhaps I'll get to see some of them again someday. Sarah's puppy, Jaeryn, is learning to live in the house, now. She's quite active compared to some of the others, but she's a quick learner.

Hopefully my next couple puppy updates will include pictures of the puppies who are in their new homes!

**The names in quotes are only my nicknames for them. Those without quotes are the names their owners have picked.

A Day in the Life of Me

6:15 I hear Dad’s truck start and him opening and closing the gate as he leaves for work.

6:28am My alarm rings and I shut it off and “sleep” until 6:55. I get dressed and feed Kijah and Bella. I check the fridge and kitchen to see if anything good to eat has “appeared”. I get on my computer and check emails, read devotionals, get my Swagbuck for the day, and review my weekly assignments for college.

7:30 I go out to the barn and feed the puppies, trying to clean up the outside run before they hear me and start barking and scratching at the door. I let them out and they go ballistic outside: growling and eating, digging and chasing each other. I clean up inside the barn from last night, and let Kijah outside. Dad emails me from work and tells me about the sun being a weird color, so I go outside to try and get a picture, but it’s hidden behind too many trees.

8:30 Mom gives me a piece of toast for breakfast, and I run through my collection of harp music, making a list of songs that Hannah I will play for an event tomorrow…while fending off my toast from Kijah’s eager nose.

9:00 I send emails to puppy customers and text a friend. Sarah and I run outside quickly to take the puppies 9-week photos. They sure are getting wiggly now! It’s harder to take good pictures of puppies than you think. But finally we finish. Mom drives Hannah to babysitting, and Sarah goes next door to babysit. I trim all the puppies’ nails (128 of them!). I clean up last week’s Sunday school material, and mentally prepare for this next Sunday—could be a full church as we have Pastor Todd Sivinksty coming to preach for four evenings. 

10:00 I take a call from someone interested in a puppy and send puppy pictures to customers. I scroll through personal social networking reading posts and saving chats, and realize how tired I am again. :P I read blog posts and find the inspiration to write this one, so I turn on music and write for a while, pausing more than once to rescue Kijah’s toy from her vicious attempts to shred it.

11:15 Responsibilities remind me to prepare for Sunday School, but first I go to put laundry outside and tidy my bathroom and bedroom. I do my devotions, reading from Isaiah for my 90-day plan, and from Psalms by choice. I talk with a puppy customer. Sarah returns home, and then Hannah.

12:30 I go outside to feed the puppies and make sure they have water. I continue preparing my Sunday School lesson—finding a new memory verse, deciding how I will present the story, and printing review worksheets.

2:00 I realize I’m hungry, so I go make myself some lunch. I continue to search for a memory verse for my Sunday school class. I text another friend, read blog posts for “study breaks”, and research college details for another friend.

3:30 I go outside to bring in some apples that a friend dropped off, and then I go check on the puppies again. Then I return to my sporadic Sunday school planning. :P

5:30 Dad arrives home and we all eat dinner together. Then I return to studying listening to “Oh the Deep Deep Love of Jesus” interspersed with texting friends.

6:30 My concentration wanes as my mind chases a thousand and one ideas, and I switch playlists to help me focus better.

7:20 I phone a puppy customer to arrange visits for tomorrow. Then I clean the kitchen.

9:47 I finish my lesson plan for Sunday school, and mentally review my schedule for the next few days. Then I find or create the review worksheets for my Sunday school class.

10:12 I finish things up completely. Then I go out to the barn to put the puppies in for the night. Then I will shower, maybe read and/or write, and then go to bed sometime before midnight.

A typical day, yet not so typical. I have college assignments on school days, but I set aside one day of the week, usually Friday or Saturday, to prepare for Sunday school. It’s a break from school for me, and I do enjoy it. My routines vary daily, though the activities are fairly consistent. :) 

Thus ends the 22^nd of August. Another day where the Lord supplied for our needs. His mercies are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness. 

Happy 20th birthday, Anna!

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:

The Lord make his face to shine upon thee,

and be gracious unto thee:

The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, 

and give thee peace. 

Numbers 6:24-26

Dear Anna,

Yes, I know it is your turn to post, but I am taking the liberty to write something for you on your birthdate. I don’t remember the exact date when I first met you, but I know it was late in 2011. It feels like so much has happened since then as the days and months have flown by. And, of course, I learned more about you as the time progressed. ;)

I saw several specific character qualities in you as the days passed, and they are ones that I admire greatly. First of all, you have a heart for the Lord. You desire Him to lead you in everything you do, and you are constantly evaluating your actions to see whether they are right or wrong. I have seen you stand strong even when your morals were being tested. Also, your care, concern, and sensitivity for others is exemplary. You are always quick to send an e-card, question how someone’s doing, or express your sorrow or excitement when others talk with you. Another thing I appreciate is your teasing (yes, I really said that). You always try to make me laugh whether or not I already am, but of course, I must return the favor back to you. I always love seeing your smile and hearing you laugh.

Thank you for your friendship, sis. It has truly been a blessing, and I trust that it will only deepen over the span of time. I pray that your 20^th year will be one of spiritual growth and increase hope in our Savior. May you continually ask God for wisdom (James 1:5) as you seek to be filled with the hope of Christ (Romans 15:13). As you are constantly sanctified (1Thessalonians 4:3), I pray that you know the faithfulness (Deuteronomy 31:8), mercy (Lamentations 3:22-23), and love (Romans 8:35-39) of God more fully this year; remembering that He it is who gives you His strength (Philippians 4:13) to complete His plan for your life (Jeremiah 29:11; Philippians 1:6).

I know it won’t be easy. I never said it would;

But My grace will always be there;

My plans for you are good.

Remember that your weaknesses are perfect in My sight.

Only when you yield them to Me

Can I turn them into Might!

And I will be your Shield when the battle rages on.

And I will be your light when the way ahead is dark.

I will be your Strong Tower and guide you every hour,

Just place your life completely in My hands.

~Rachel Wissmann (song: I am Your Shield)

Love you, sis. <3 I hope your day is a very special one. :) 

In Him,

Kaleigh

2013-The New Year

John 12:26 "If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor."

Well, here we are. Starting a new year all over again and it might feel kind of weird. I've found that the older I get, the faster time goes. I mean, it's the 16th of January already and it's hard to believe. However, it's a new year to grow closer to Christ and walk with Him closer than the last. It's a year to set new goals. Which is something I'd like to touch base on for this first blog post of 2013.

Being January, we tend to think of "New Year's Resolutions", but they tend to be quite a controversial topic. There are very few people who follow through, but if you are one that goes all the way with your new year plans, good for you! I, however, am not very good with continuing with my new year goals. I may set some, but after a few weeks, it becomes something that just "drags me down". Not exactly what New Year's Resolutions are supposed to do. However, this year, I decided to try something different.

Every day of this year, I'm giving one thing up. It can be as simple as avoiding sugary foods or something harder like staying off of Youtube or Facebook. You might ask, "Why?" and I'm going to tell you in a little bit. :)  But first, I'd like to say, that it's been going well for me. This year, I think I can actually stick with it, because it changes every day. It's not the same old thing like: "write more" or "eat less", because it gets old really fast. Probably the biggest reason that people give up on their new pursuit. But the plan that I came up with has one goal: to give up something that is important to me for 24 hours and replace it with something more worthwhile.

You might be asking, "But Youtube or social networking?". But it's because those things have become "routine" with me. I want to break away from things that don't matter and maybe read my Bible more that day or listen to a sermon on the radio. Things I can't do if I'm busy with social networking. The "take-aways"-as I call them-can vary and doesn't take long to plan. I usually decide the night before what I'm going to "take off" my list for the next day and what I'll "add to" that list.  I'm not saying that this will work for you; I'm just saying that it's my way of being more motivated to stick to a goal. Adds variety. And I admit, giving up YT was so hard for me. But the next day, I only listened to a little bit of music. I plan to avoid it on many other days this year. I don't want to make it so important to me that I can't live without it. Before, I didn't think it was possible to live without music; but I did it, and I'm glad I made that decision.

I'm not advocating New Year's Resolutions or trying to force you into thinking you should do what I'm doing. Not at all, as some things work for some people, but it may not work for others. It varies as we are all very different. :)

But my challenge to you this year is to continue to use your gifts to the glory of God; to be His hands and His feet; to persevere; to be the salt and light of the earth; and to live for Him and Him alone.

May God be with you this new year of 2013 and always.

Blessings,
Anna

James 1:17
   

ICBF blog and Life

I'm having a challenging time finding something relevant to write about at the moment, so I'll just update you on some of my weekly activities. :)

I wanted to let you know about the other blog that I'm co-authoring, though. This blog was recently launched in order to keep record of our Bible study group's notes. Several students got together about a year ago to study Scripture, and though there have been many changes over the past year our group has, in some ways, expanded and is still a time and place for friendship and study. You can find the International Christian Bible Fellowship blog HERE and you are more than welcome to follow it. We still meet on a Google+ hangout each week, and they are something I always look forward to--especially in the middle of a busy (and sometimes tiring) week. :)

After passing Western Civilizations 1, Introduction to Computing, and English Literature in October to increase my credit count to 18, I began studying College Math and Biology in November. They are both going well. I'm thankful for the good background in math and science that the BJU curriculum gave me through high school. People often have asked me how different studying college at home is from attending a traditional campus. It is not much different from the 12+ years of homeschooling that I recently completed. However, I do most, if not all, my studying on a computer. CP is very flexible, although I do schedule out my study plans. Sometimes, I get stuck studying and forget to "just live" (as Pollyanna would say), but I am grateful that I am still at home with my family, church, and friends. I will have my Degree Consultation on Wednesday, Lord willing, and my current plan is to earn a bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies.

I still babysit with Hannah (my sister) about 6-8 hours a week. Kids often don't "connect" to me as quickly as they will with Hannah, but I still love taking care of them. Being in charge of children is a great responsibility, but it is something that I am used to now. I have watched children of all ages, and have been blessed with valuable experience in that area.

I have a few more weeks of harp lessons left for this semester. I am currently preparing for the harp festival in February, as well as for a duet audition in January (possibly). Playing with my group as well as just on my own is something I have always enjoyed. On Thursday, I will be playing background music for a seniors' home. There is something more rewarding playing as background music than there is just performing, in my opinion. People can still socialize and enjoy the music without having to "pay attention". Of course, there is less pressure on the performer, too. ;)

Other than day-to-day activities, there have been other events over the past month. Some good, some bad. Yet, in all God has been faithful, as He always has and always will be. One of my life verses has stuck with me through it all: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Seeking Him,
Kaleigh

Be Ready

Well, I’m sure everyone’s wondering where the next blog post is; so I thought I’d better get going on it tonight. Instead of the regular blog post that I tend to write, I thought that I might take this time to let you all know what I’ve been up to lately and what God’s been doing in my life. Well, here it goes.

First of all, I have news that is even shocking myself at the moment.  I am selling my truck.  Why is that?  Well, I need something a bit more “heavy duty”.  I found exactly what I need: a dual exhaust Chevy Silverado.  Only problem is is that I need to sell my current vehicle in order to pay for this one. With this, one lesson that I’m trying to put into practice is: patience.  I tend to get “ahead of God” and “leave Him in the dust” with the decisions I make.  “I have to make it now”.  Well, this time, I wanted things to be different.  I’m completely leaving the details in His hands and forgetting that “this is exactly what I need!”.  I’m definitely trying to put Philippians 3:14 to good use here: “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength”.  Even patience.

Work has been less of a burden lately and I’m understanding some of the guidelines better.  I’ve had some issues that I won’t go into here, but God has been faithful and again-been patient with me.  What a patient God! And though I may have my “up and down”, merry-go-round days, He’s there to take me by the hand and simply tells me to just “chill”.  Through my job with QualityTrack, I’ve been learning that whatever I do-whether I want to or not-I need to do it for Him and forget about how miserable I am.  It’s the right thing to do and in the end, it was the only way I could go.  Does that mean that I have learned my lesson well and am not in need of practice anymore? Certainly not.  I’m here as a prime example of how great God’s patience is.  But if I can overcome my feelings of despair and get over those “mole hills” that I’ve made into mountains, I finally can do my work with a cheerful heart and do it all for His glory, and not my own.

School has been going fairly well.  As this was the second part as to why I went on my social networking break, I’ve been trying to concentrate heavily upon it.  Problems have arisen with a few of the sites that I have been working on, but both my coach and I are happy to see that I’m making steady progress.  At the moment, I’m working on the section in the LearningNetwork that I consider to be “repulsive”; but it’s a part of Psychology that will be on the actual test, so I must endure the terms and ideology of those early, secular theorists from the past.  As I continue, I would just like to ask for prayer that I will not sink into these thoughts and ponder on them.  God has blessed us Christians with a conscience and we are to use it.  And studying those sections puts nothing positive in our minds.  This is why we learn from our parents at an early age to guard our hearts, our minds, and our ears as to what the world has to say about such things.  We must use discretion and compare what we cannot avoid hearing or watching with what God says in His Word.  

Last week, a friend of mine wrote me an e-mail to tell me that I had been elected as a Board of Directors (BOD) member of the River Valley Welsh Pony Association (RVWPA).  There are only three seats available, so I felt honored to have been chosen to fill one.  With this honor though, there comes more responsibility with decision making, financial advising, and so on.  I was also volunteered to help co-write a monthly newsletter for the group and to help start a webpage.  This is a totally exciting new step for me and will also be an excellent addition to my resume. :)  I have committed myself and will do my best to represent the club well.  As ideas rush through my head and the thought of extra work does flip flops inside my brain, I realize that God has a plan through all of this and will help me make the right decisions.

Just like He does with my future.  I have no idea what lies ahead, except my dreams and a plethora of anticipations.  But only God determines what happens a couple miles down the road.  I can’t see that far.  Just like I can’t see over that next hill.  I have two choices as to what I can do about it; which makes it easier to decide. I can either A. run and hide; or B. continue to pursue God’s will for my life and better myself, so that I can be ready for hard times and trials.  I hate to say it, but there will be those times ahead.  And not just for certain people.  But for all of us.  Whether we have faced many in our past, are facing them in the present, or haven’t faced them yet but will in the future,  we need to be prepared to take on the challenge.  To put on the full armor of God.  Not just the helmet.  Not just the breastplate.  Not just the boots.  For if we are without one, the enemy will point his arrows there and wound us, as we were not prepared.

As a closing thought, I’d like to challenge you today.  But not just today, but instead, for your entire lifetime.  Be ready.  Be on guard.  Never let it down; no matter if it’s only for a minute.  For Satan doesn’t need an hour to wound you.  He only needs a second.

God bless you as you continue to walk with Him.

Blessings,
Anna