I recently got a copy of Loving my Lot for my birthday! Yay! In the section titled, "Eating to Honor God" something really got me so I thought I'd share a peek from my journal. Make sure, in eating, that avoiding certain foods is not out of fear of disease, but motivated to do all for the glory of God. I confess I have been motivated by fear, self-shamed when I failed, and self-willed to try harder (depending more on myself) the next time. This is idolatry. Forgive me, Lord. I have taken documentaries, books written by intelligent people, and made a new set of laws for myself. But these laws are serving the kingdom of fear and enslaving me to impossible standards. I can't always eat grass-fed. I am not able to not ever eat wheat... or food from a box. Does it mean I quit? No. I can take what I've learned about what encourages optimal health and do my best - not his best, not her best, but my best. I can take steps in the right direction without penalizing myself with fear of disease. My soul is secure. My eternal destiny is set and sealed. My life, regardless of my choices, is held by my Sovereign God because of the grace of Jesus. So I'm glad not to be in charge or in control. The results are not left up to me. This is a relief. With a little help from Philippians 3 and 4... In all things I rejoice. I press on to the upward call of God in Christ Jesus, holding on to what I've attained remembering my citizenship is not here. It's in heaven, and He will transform this lowly body to be like His glorious body by the same power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself. Therefore {this is why} I stand firm, rejoicing always, letting my reasonableness be known to all, with my heart and mind guarded by the peace of God because I submit all my requests to Him with thanksgiving. So whether you're gluten-free dependent, a Whole30 faithful, or a Plexus fanatic, check your motivations and your thought life around your decisions. Are you motivated by fear? Are you guilting yourself instead of enjoying the occasional special occasion? Aim to do all for His glory and live without fear. You can read Jeanne Harrison's blog here (She's the author of Loving My Lot).
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With all that's gone on in our world the last few weeks, it seems like everyone is getting crazier and crazier. Or maybe we just have more news and the word travels faster? I don't know. But in this 24/7 news culture, it seems that the loudest voices aren't the ones speaking hope. I just thought with all our sharing and retweeting, as Christians, as the supposed majority, we should do our part in sharing a little more hope. "'Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death.' At this they exclaimed, 'Now we know that you are demon possessed! Abraham died and so did the prophets, yet you say that whoever obeys your word will never taste death. Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?'" (John 8) Important to note:
Tasting Hope The taste of sweat in your mouth on a long run. Unmistakeable. And kind of gross. The taste of salty ocean when an unexpected wave crashes into you, buoying you into the reality of its power and your smallness. The sweet taste of wedding cake being crammed into your mouth by your beloved. Hey, that's all that most of us get! We all understand it - it's one of the five senses we learned about in grade school. But the other day while reading The Story the phrase "will never taste death" stood out to me. I hope it's a reminder to you if you're a believer in Christ of the hope that you have. The hope we are commanded to share. Let's spread the taste of hope, because of the infinite mercy and wonderful mystery of the One who tasted death on our behalf. But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. He is greater than Abraham. Jesus is Messiah. There is hope."We never know where God has hidden streams. We see a large stone and have no idea that it covers the source of a spring. We see a rocky area and never imagine that it is hiding a fountain. God leads me into hard and difficult places, and it is there I realize I am where eternal streams abide." -Streams in the Desert What comes to mind when you think of a well? Here are a few of my random journal scribbles. They provide water. They bring life. Even in drought. Sometimes you have to dig deep to get to that water. They bring water from the ground of all places. What was unseen is revealed. You need a bucket or something to bring the water up. Water is there, but you have do expend effort to bring it to the surface. If the well is good, the water lasts for years and years. You get to use well water even when city water is regulated. People "go to the wishing well." I think of Jesus and the woman at the well, or Jacob meeting Rachel for the first time. I think of him rolling away the stone that covered the well, Rachel watching in awe of his strength, of him giving her a kiss! I consider myself one of the lucky ones. I'm the one who thinks of blog posts when I lay my head down on the pillow. After the fog of post-vacation laundry, grocery shopping, and making 7-layer-dip and calling it "supper" has passed. And I can't sleep until I get up and get it out. I wish for ways to encourage you - wherever you're at. Job hunting, nursing a new baby, praying for a baby, aching for Mr. Right, caring for sick family members ... underneath the stack of bills, awaiting test results, or heavy with a sense of dread - I pray you can find encouragement in this verse. FEAR NOT, LITTLE FLOCK; for it is YOUR FATHER'S GOOD PLEASURE to GIVE you the KINGDOM. Luke 12:32 You've been handed the keys to something special. God is not worried that you're going to wreck it. He hasn't installed GPS to watch your every turn, or judge your every maneuver. He already knows the future. He's not surprised when you don't quite have enough strength on your own. In the midst of Jesus' command to not worry about clothes or food, but to "Instead, seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you" (Luke 12:31), He gives this assurance. He is a GOOD FATHER. He shepherds His FLOCK of children. And it's His GOOD PLEASURE to give his Kingdom ...The Greek word used for good pleasure is eudokeō: "It seems good to one, is one's good pleasure; to think it good, choose, determine, decide; to do willingly; to be ready to, to prefer to, choose rather; to be well pleased with, take pleasure in, to be favorably inclined towards one." Not only did Jesus leave His heavenly Kingdom to pay the price for sinners on the cross, He gives the Kingdom itself. No one is twisting His arm. Our attempts at good works do not indebt Him. He does it willingly. Because He wants to. Because it makes Him happy. During our recent trip to California, we went to The Getty Center, one of my favorite parts being the Robert Irwin Central Garden. While we strolled around snapping pictures and admiring the pattern of succulents and the bright flowers, I realized we're all, in some way, always trying to get back to the original Garden. Across history and cultures, we've built and admired gardens. Why are we so drawn to them? I think to be reunited with our Maker. He likes to be good to you. He is not acting out of character when He does good things to you. He is not always angry looking for a reason to punish. In some way, echoes of the Garden remind us of He is heart toward us. He is good. He wants to be with us. That He has paid the price for fellowship with Him. Will we accept His gift? Daily press in. Daily seek His Kingdom first. Fear not. Here's a message from John Piper on Luke 12:32. It's worth a listen. Love, Kennan I count being a media minister's wife as one of my biggest blessings. For starters, I get to see some of the behind-the-scenes work that goes into church media life that many don't even know about. The creative process is both energizing and tiring. There are failed attempts at new strategies to bring change, as well as big dreams that come to life and point people to the Lord in meaningful, powerful ways. Sometimes I'm one of the first people to see a testimony video and weep as it moves my heart and brings me to tears. Other times I get texted a photo of the new stage design or the mock-up for an upcoming publication. All the while, I'm proud of the man who put his heart and talent into making it appear effortless. The best church media is media that doesn't draw attention to itself. I'm also the one of the first to share my husband. Sunday mornings in a groggy haze I whisper, "I love you, too" as he kisses me goodbye around 5:30 a.m. I get up a couple hours later, make biscuits for two, and take him a few when I get to service - somehow always a few minutes late - my new "on time" as a mom. Thursday nights I keep the oven on warm with the remnants of dinner awaiting his late-night return after band rehearsal. And beyond the "normal" church events, there's also weddings, birthday parties, funerals, youth discipleship weekends... And sometimes, on weekends like this one, there are women's retreats. I missed last year's feeling too pregnant to be in a car that long. And for the first time, I'm by myself overnight with our 10-month-old son. Being a media minister's wife is a challenge, and it's a gift. I also believe it's a calling. Sometimes I have to say "no" to things. Other times, I get to say "yes," and learn the joy of little bursts of spontaneity. Like taking Jaxson to a small weeknight concert because Marcus is working. Or meeting him for lunch on a random day at a steakhouse (we never go to steakhouses!) because we're still carefully spending a gift card he got as a "thank you" from one of his weddings. So here's to my best friend who's kicking it with over a hundred Grand Parkway ladies in the Piney Woods tonight. I'm proud of you. I'm so glad to get to do life with you. We're cheering for you. I'm pushed to greater dependence on the Lord on these solo nights - as my strength isn't strong enough. My good attitude quickly runs out when there's pee in the tub, crumbs on the kitchen floor, and chewed up toilet paper rolls in the bathroom. He is sufficient. His joy isn't circumstantial. PRAISE. Married ladies, in whatever ways you support your man, whatever his profession may be, remember that what you are doing on the homefront is irreplaceable and valuable and important. Single ladies, whether you're raising littles on your own or living alone, press in to the Lord's friendship. Take your burdens to Him. Eleanor Roosevelt said that "Women are like teabags, we don't know our true strength until we're in hot water." So with that, I'll fill a glass with sweet tea, flip the baby monitor on, and run a hot bubble bath. I know Saturday night's coming and my Piney Woods camper will be home soon. I love love stories. That's part of the reason I wanted to share several Real Love Stories with you on the blog in February. But after church on Sunday and meeting with our Grand Parkway community group later that night, I realized the incompleteness of sharing just part of the picture. The effortless way our love stories begin doesn't indicate the manor in which they will last. Marriage is hard. Being a wife is not usually love notes and spontaneous date nights. Sometimes it's piles of laundry and schedule disagreements. Here are a few observations from women who are in the thick of it. Committed. But in the thickness of day-to-day marriage. 1. Sometimes you are called to speak knowing you won't be heard. Moses was commanded to speak but told he wouldn't be heard. How's that for encouragement? Go, get 'em Moses. You tell Pharaoh what he's got coming if he doesn't let My people go. Sometimes our soft, gentle obedience to speak the truth in love might mean we're not heard the first time. (And just if I was about to forget, I spotted this pic above on Instagram this morning.) 2. Sometimes you will need submit to leadership you don't agree with, knowing it's ultimately God you are submitting to. I was cleaning our office closet earlier today, something I've been putting off since before Jaxson was even born, and I found this note I'd saved from a Bible study a few semesters ago. 3. Sometimes it will feel like you are doing everything around the house. I mean. Everything. You can't count. It will always feel like you're "losing." It's likely to never feel 50/50 in marriage, so you've got to find a way to ask for help when you need it, let things go when they are not absolutely necessary, and be OK with a little more "mess." Marriage is wonderful and beautiful and worth it! But we're missing the big picture if we miss the fact that it represents God's covenant with His bride, the Church. We will quickly lose motivation to do what's right in marriage when we lose Christ and His bride as our frame of reference. Then it becomes "I'll do this, if you'll do that," or "You get your way here, and I'll get mine over here." If you've got a few minutes, check out the message from Neil on Sunday. “The Christians idea of marriage is based on Christ’s words that a man and wife are to be regarded as a single organism...The male and the female were made to be combined together in pairs, not simply on a sexual level, but totally combined. I'll leave you with a few questions Neil asked during the sermon: What is malnourished in your relationship? What has grown cold? And one more C.S. Lewis quote....
He also says in Mere Christianity: "Being in love is a good thing, but it is not the best thing. There are many things below it, but there are also things above it. You cannot make it the basis of a whole life. It is a noble feeling, but it is still a feeling. Now no feeling can be relied on to last in its full intensity, or even to last at all. Knowledge can last, principles can last, habits can last; but feelings come and go. And in fact, whatever people say, the state called ‘being in love’ usually does not last. If the old fairy-tale ending ‘They lived happily ever after’ is taken to mean ‘They felt for the next fifty years exactly as they felt the day before they were married,’ then it says what probably never was nor ever would be true, and would be highly undesirable if it were. Who could bear to live in that excitement for even five years? What would become of your work, your appetite, your sleep, your friendships? But, of course, ceasing to be ‘in love’ need not mean ceasing to love. Love in this second sense-love as distinct from ‘being in love’-is not merely a feeling. It is a deep unity, maintained by the will and deliberately strengthened by habit; reinforced by (in Christian marriages) the grace which both partners ask, and receive, from God. They can have this love for each other even at those moments when they do not like each other; as you love yourself even when you do not like yourself. They can retain this love even when each would easily, if they allowed themselves, be ‘in love’ with someone else. ‘Being in love’ first moved them to promise fidelity: this quieter love enables them to keep the promise. It is on this love that the engine of marriage is run: being in love was the explosion that started it." If you're looking for encouragement in your marriage, check out these great resources: Revive Our Hearts Focus on the Family FamilyLife I have loved you, but you ask "How have You loved us?" (Malachi 1:2), as the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. The Father loves Me and has given all things into my hand (John 3:35). The Father and I are one (John 10:30).
I invite you to abide {accept or act in accordance with; continue without fading or being lost} in my love (John 15:9). If you keep my commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love (John 15:10). You did not choose Me, but I chose you. I chose you so that you should go and bear fruit, fruit that should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father for in My name, He will give it to you (John 15:16). And if the Father did not spare Me, but gave Me up for you all, how will He not also with Me graciously give you all things? (Romans 8:32) I have not forgotten you. Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands (Isaiah 49:15-16). I will not forget you for my great name's sake, because it pleased me to make you mine (1 Samuel 12:22). I will not abandon you (Psalm 16:10). I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you - this is why I ask you to make sure your character is free from the love of money, and that you are content with what you have - ME (Hebrews 13:5). I loved you first (1 John 4:19). I want to make my dwelling {place of residence} with you, and walk among you (Leviticus 26:11-12). Nothing can separate you from My love - not death, not rulers, not the past, not the future - nothing (Romans 8:38-39). This is my commandment, that you love others as I have loved you. (John 15:12) Because if anyone has the world's goods and sees someone in need, yet closes their heart toward them, how does God's love abide in him? (1 John 3:17) By this you will know that you abide in Me, and Me in you, because I have given you my Spirit (1 John 4:13). I am waiting for you. I long {yearning desire} to be gracious to you and to show you compassion (Isaiah 30:18). When I ate my last supper on earth, I said, "I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine {wine} until that day when I drink it new with you in the Father's kingdom (Matthew 26:29). Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy {meet the expectations, needs, and desires; to fulfill}? Listen to me, eat what is good and delight yourselves in rich food (Isaiah 55:2). I am the Bread of Life, whoever comes to me will not hunger, and whoever believes in me will not thirst (John 6:35). The bread I will give for the life of the world is my flesh (John 6:51). The cross was me saying, this is my body, broken for you (I Corinthians 11:24). So if you are thirsty, come to Me and drink (John 7:37). My steadfast {firm, unwavering} love endures {suffers patiently, remains} forever (Psalm 89:28). Trust in Him with all your heart... Sometimes we act like the matters of the heart are not in our control. We say things, like follow your heart and the heart wants what it wants... But the command to trust Him using all my heart points to the truth. I am in control of who and what my heart trusts. Maybe that’s why David so often talked to his heart, telling his soul to remember the Lord, to remember His provision of the past, to remind himself of God’s promises. It seems to lend itself to say, I might be trusting Him with only part of my heart. But God wants it all. No emergency brakes. No backup plan. No self-preservation. All of my heart. All of it. That means the not so pretty parts, too. In my moments of anger. Trust Him. In my frazzled, power-through-it, work hard and you’ll win state. Trust Him. When I feel like all is well, but I analyze possible future circumstances to no end. Trust Him. When I feel inadequate to the tasks I’ve been given. Trust Him. If life feels boring and monotonous in the repetition of dishes, laundry, meals, diapers, nursing, dishes, laundry, meals, diapers, nursing... Trust Him. In anger. I choose to let go of my rights. He will both judge and redeem. Trust Him. In stress. I choose to accept I’m responsible for only what I can do. He will make all things work together for my good. Trust Him. In my thoughts. I choose to enjoy the present. It’s the only place I am. Trust Him. In my humanness. I choose to accept opportunities for growth knowing He will equip me for whatever He calls me to. Trust Him. In my day to day. I choose to accept my calling and use the gifts He has given to serve my family well. To Him this is no small thing. Trust Him. Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. "In exercising faith — trusting fully in the Lord and not leaning on our own understanding — we’re not setting aside our intellect. We’re resting our intellect upon the intellect of God. Nothing is wiser or saner. To do so is to allow Him to direct our paths, which not only lead to ultimate joy, but also make the journey itself, even when laden with sorrow, joyful (2 Corinthians 6:10). And it preserves for us all the pleasures God provides us in the world. To not do this is the height of foolishness and the path to misery. So let us choose joy today by not leaning on our own understanding but in sweet, childlike trust on the sure foundation of our loving Creator’s omniscience." -Jon Bloom It's our first Christmas as a family of three, and while Marcus and I have had five Christmas seasons as a married couple, there's just something new and exciting about experiencing it the first time with Jaxson. We bought him a couple small gifts this year, knowing #1 he doesn't have a clue what's going on, and #2 we're sure family will more than take care of spoiling him! But the other day I found myself so tempted to run to the closet and open the gifts we got so that he could play with them. I just wanted to see his reaction! He doesn't even know what he is missing. He's not really missing anything. His needs are met. But that's the good we as parents wish upon our kiddos. I'll exercise some self-control, patiently waiting for the right timing. Waiting for Christmas morning. As I lay in bed that night I thought of God. He has that heart towards you. God has gifts that He has picked out just for you. He knows your needs are met, but He wants to give you more to enjoy. To point to His goodness. An expression of His love. He is ready to go to His storehouse and give you the gift He has just so He can see your face. You don't even know what you're missing. You're not really missing anything. Your needs are met. But that's the good He, as your heavenly Daddy, wishes on you, His kiddo. He is patiently waiting for the right timing. Friends, the Great Keeper of the gifts is not the Withholder of them. His heart all along has been for your redemption. Your Christmas morning is coming. "This is a comprehensive promise, and is such an assurance of the present comfort of the saints that, whatever they desire, and think they need, they may be sure that either Infinite Wisdom sees it is not good for them or Infinite Goodness will give it to them in due time. Let it be our care to walk uprightly, and then let us trust God to give us every thing that is good for us." -Matthew Henry “Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This is not a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your little boy asks for a serving of fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? If your little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her with a spider? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing—you’re at least decent to your own children. And don’t you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit when you ask him?" Luke 11:10-13, The Message Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory... Ephesians 3:20-21, English Standard Version For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in You! Psalm 84:11-12, English Standard Version I’ll give you my full attention: I’ll make sure you prosper, make sure you grow in numbers, and keep my covenant with you in good working order. You’ll still be eating from last year’s harvest when you have to clean out the barns to make room for the new crops. “I’ll set up my residence in your neighborhood; I won’t avoid or shun you; I’ll stroll through your streets. I’ll be your God; you’ll be my people. I am God, your personal God who rescued you from Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians. I ripped off the harness of your slavery so that you can move about freely. Leviticus 26:9-13, The Message Babies have a strange way of making you more popular with the locals. Yes, there have been a few unwanted closeups at the grocery store. But a few more times than those close encounters with strangers, I've seen how quickly baby J can break the ice in a room and open the door for dialogue. During a recent Post Office visit where two employees were saying things to each other like: "I don't do it like that." "I didn't click that." "Why didn't it work?" Baby J kept the growing line of waiting non-hazardous packages and important envelopes waiting patiently. One woman spoke to him kindly, and he flashed her a grin. She swayed her purse back and forth and spun it around - watching his gaze match its every movement. Cheaply entertained. (Him or us?) Another smiled at his sweet disposition. "Enjoy it while it lasts," she said from their own motherly experience. "It won't be long before he's getting into everything. Touching everything. And putting everything in his mouth." Before baby, I probably would have waited in line without talking to anyone. I'd ignore the comments from others about how long it was taking and about how nice lower humidity was. Now, with an open door everywhere I am with baby J, I hope to share more often. His name is Jaxson which means God has been gracious. He's been gracious with giving me such a precious gift. He's been gracious for changing my heart to see that children are His greatest gift. That they are wealth. He's giving me daily (and nightly) opportunities to put someone else's needs ahead of my own. It's trying. It's refining. I'm learning more than I did in all my years of life before baby J about pause, about small things, about love. So to you married peeps who are on the fence about starting a family. (For what it's worth.) Do it. Go for it. You won't regret it. But I know not everyone is on the fence about when to have kids. I know of several sweet sweet friends of ours who wish they were on the other side of that fence, who are trying to conceive (TTC), trying to adopt (TTA), or trying to foster (TTF). Please know that you are on my heart and in my prayers every single day. If you or someone you know is in this season, would you consider putting their names or initials along with TTC, TTA, or TTF in the comments? I would love to be praying for them as well. |
PodcastListen to devotionals shared at FBCSA MOPS on Kennan's Podbean Podcast channel here.
Marken Media Co.Marcus & Kennan own Marken Media Co. serving the multimedia needs of small businesses. Known by the #devinecolorwall, we strive to foster a space for the community to CREATE • COLLABORATE • CELEBRATE.
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KennanI'm a lover of words. Sometimes I edit, cook, craft, or sing. I'm also a wife and mom. Categories
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