New Mercies

It is good to be back in the City!  It was wonderful to be back at my church among such amazing people.  The scripture focus on Sunday was Lamentations 3:22-24.  It is fairly well known and beloved - especially by me.

The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His mercies never fail. 
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I have hope in Him.”

Remembering 9/11 is so heart wrenching.  Anyone that was at least of school age can probably picture exactly where they were when they heard of the attack and first saw the coverage.  I remember just being in disbelief.  We just had not seen anything like it.  I imagine it was similar to those who witnessed the Pearl Harbor attack.  It just defied logic.  It simply seemed unreal.

There is no denying that there is evil in this world.  No one country or people group owns it.  It crosses all lines.  It can be very discouraging and frightening if we allow it.  

I choose today to look toward my God and rely on Him.  I choose to remember that this is not all there is and that one day, He will make all things right.

I choose to honor those who lost their lives that day and those who continue to grieve that loss.  It was a dark day and at the same time, an amazing show of heroism.  

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.

Never.

His faithfulness is evident in my life.

He is my portion.

My hope is in Him - not in this world.

My hope is in Him - not is a tenious peace among the nations.

My hope is in HIM.

His love never ceases.  His mercies are new EVERY morning.

His love is

     never blocked

                   never taken down to even a trickle.

His love is sure

               He is always faithful.

Nothing that happens in this world can touch what is true in the next one.

My hope is in HIM.

Great is Thy Faithfulness is a great old hymn.  I think the words are very appropriate for today.

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father
There is no shadow of turning with Thee
Thou changes not, Thy compassions they fail not
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed, Thy hands hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine with ten thousands beside

May His enduring love, 

peace, 

faithfulness and 

mercies 

encourage your heart today.

                                   

Summer Reflections

Well - I have arrived back in Chicago and haven't sat still since!  Nothing like diving back into the deep end!!  Of course, I wouldn't have it any other way.  Before life moves ahead at a rapid pace, I wanted to pause and reflect on the summer. 

*June began with a week long visit from Ashley.  What got to spend some great time together and do some painting to bless another family. 

*South Carolina Vacation.  I already wrote about that - but it was a fantastic week of fun and family.

*Colorado - Take 1.  We drove out and enjoyed several weeks together in the mountains.  During that time we had two gatherings with your neighbors, a few days in Crested Butte with Alan's parents and a visit from my parents. 

*Two weeks in Texas to go to a wedding, see dear friends, travel to see my aunts, uncle and grandmother, hang out with my parents and spend time with my kids. 

*Colorado - Take 2.  Visits from the Caubles, Cofields, Thornes, Peoples, Cunnighams and the Ramseyers.  Some random meetings and new friendships.  Lots of hiking my favorite trail and just gazing out at the mountains.  I took hundreds of pictures of rocks, water, trees and sky.

*I got to spend time in Bible study and fellowship with the Lord.  It was such a sweet summer of hearing from the Lord and just soaking up His Word.  It is all about relationship and I loved every minute of it.

*We drove the long haul back to Chicago.  Summer is wrapping up and bits of fall are already showing themselves.  A new season is coming in the weather and in life. 

I love these transitions. 

I love knowing that the Lord is right in the middle of the unknown.

I love anticipating what He will do as new small groups come together.

I love that wherever I am - He is at work in my life and 

in the lives of those around me.

I love that there are surprises awaiting me that I can not even anticipate!

What are you anticipating this fall?

Are you assured that the Lord 
has good things in store?

If not, I want you to know that you can be.  Even if your circumstances are difficult and your heart is aching - He is there and He is at work.

He will never abandon you.

Let's embrace these transitions in life and step ahead confidently with the Lord right by our side.

Full steam ahead . . .

Tuesday's Thoughts ~ Dream

I have been going through a study this summer called, Chase, by Jennie Allen.  I am going to be going through it with a group of women this fall and I am already SO EXCITED!  I know that the Lord will draw the exact women that need this particular word and I absolutely LOVE that I get to be a part of it.  I am almost finished with it (that always makes me a bit sad) but it has been so good. Yesterday, I was going through one part of a chapter entitled - dreams about heaven.

I have to tell you, by the time I got finished journaling on this page, I had tears of JOY leaking out of my eyes.  It was as if the Lord just scooped up my heart and filled it with expectation.  Here were the questions.

What will you see?  Wow - what will I see in heaven.  Jesus came to mind immediately because I am so excited to see Him face to face. 

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.  1st Corinthians 13:11-13

Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.  1st John 3:2

Oh my goodness, my heart feels like it will explode!  

I also thought about beloved family and friends that have already gone to be with Jesus.  Then I began to imagine a place with sinless perfection, incredible beauty, God's glory illuminating everything, true JOY, complete satisfaction and perfect rest.  

Yeah -- I got excited.

Who will be there?  Everyone who called on the Name of Jesus for their salvation.  I love meeting new people, so I'll love seeing familiar faces as well as so many new ones from all across time.  Can you imagine?  How about a chat with one of your heroes of the faith?  Whoo Hoo!!!

What will you be doing?  Interesting question!  I have read some amazing books on heaven as well as a lot of scripture.  I have a lot of ideas - but in summation, I believe that I will be doing everything that I love - those very things that God created me to do.  I will have the freedom to pursue all that the Lord has for me and I will be able to use all my giftings, perfectly.  I will be able to sit at my Father's feet and praise and worship Him eternally.  I really want to sit in His lap.  Does God have a lap?  I think He must.

Where will you live?  I believe that I will live in a place that the Lord has specifically prepared for me.  I am also pretty sure that I won't even care about where I live because I am going to be so excited to be there!  I'm pretty sure it will be perfectly suited for me.

In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.  John 14:2

What do you imagine God will be like? When I got to this question, I sat back and really thought about it.  The more I thought, the more emotional I got.  My heart seemed as though it would burst and my eyes filled with tears as I tried to imagine what God will be like - 

My Perfect Father

My Glorious King

The Lamb that was Slain

My Friend

My Brother

My Mighty God

I can not even begin to describe what God will be like, but I am truly excited to know that as I enter into His presence.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.  And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.  And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”  Revelation 21:1-4

I love my life.  It is amazing and full of JOY - no matter what the circumstances.  I am also beyond expectant as I think about all that will be.  A time when all wrongs will be made right.  A time when there is true justice.  A time when the true greatness of God is known and experienced in full.

What happens 

when you 

dream of 

heaven?

  

Thankful Thursday ~ Unexpected Dinner Guest

Do you love one of those 

REALLY

THAT'S CRAZY

NO WAY

HOW FUN

ONLY GOD

kind of stories?

Well, hold on.  I have a really fun one!  I had 5 days by myself this past week.  I am a people person - but I like some time alone also.  I went on several hikes.  One hike was up to Middle Mountain.  An incredible display of God's splendor all around me.

While I was on this hike with my faithful companion, Quincy . . .

 

I came across another woman, hiking with her big black Labradoodle, named Licorice.

We talked for a little while and she told me a bit about her life.  She was on vacation from Arizona.  She said she noticed that I was from Illinois when she parked her car next to mine.  It was a brief encounter.  I went back to the car and journeyed on.

On Sunday, as I was coming back from town and I noticed that I was actually behind that car from Arizona.  Hmmm . . .

I went up to my favorite hiking spot on Monday, Vallecito Creek.  I spent some time by the water and the Lord saw fit to bring two Christian women across my path.  I had some really great conversation and felt so blessed and encouraged.  It was a sweet morning.  As I headed back to the house, I noticed that same car with the Arizona plate in front of a little cabin by the road.

Really?

Hmmm . . .

The Lord was speaking to me over and over, "You need to ask that women to dinner."

Really?

I didn't even know her name.  I had only had one conversation with her.  I will look like some kind of psycho or stalker.  She will think I'm crazy.  No way.

"You need to ask her to dinner."

That would be ridiculous.  I'm tired.  I just need to go on home.

Oh, wait.  I'm pretty sure I am always telling others that when the Lord speaks to you, you must be obedient.  

So - I turned around.

I parked in front of that little cabin and I left my car running (just in case).  I knocked on the door and a voice said, "Come in."  She looked at me kind of funny and I said, "I don't know if you remember me - but we met on Saturday on Middle Mountain."  She continued to look at me with a rather puzzled look on her face and then she said,"Oh - Quincy's mom!"  

Yep

So I asked her if she would like to come to dinner at my house that night.  

She said . . .

Yes!  Thank you for inviting me!  By the way, my name is Emilie.

HA

I went home and thought to myself - Chrisann - you just invited a complete stranger to your house for dinner.

Yep

She brought the chicken and I made the sides.  We talked and laughed for over 3 hours.  I heard all about her life and I got to share all about mine.  I had many opportunities to tell my faith story and all the amazing ways that the Lord had shown up in my big and small moments.  

She has had a difficult life with some major disappointments.  Faith had been put on the back burner for quite some time.

I'm not sure what all the Lord was up to with this encounter, but I do know that Emilie left my house with a lighter step and a happier heart.  

I closed the door and thanked the Lord for such a faith building night.

When He asks - I always want to answer YES.

Even if it seems crazy . . .

Even if I'm afraid I will look stupid . . .

Yes

No matter what.

It is always worth it.

Monday Musings ~ Things are not always what they seem.

I have been camped out in the Psalms quite a bit lately.  I was reading through them anyway and then I started doing a study that looks at the life of David, using 2nd Samuel and the Psalms.  If you are going to camp out somewhere - the Psalms are a good place!  Go head - pitch your tent.

As I was camping out in Psalm 37, I couldn't get past verse 1. 

"Do not fret because of evil doers.  Be not envious toward wrongdoers."

It is easy to look around and wonder why those who do not seek after the Lord seem to be doing so well.

What's the point?

I remember sitting across from one of my favorite high school students at youth camp one year when he asked that very same question.  He told me that following Jesus just wasn't getting him anywhere.  His partying friends who didn't know Jesus seemed like they had the good life.  As he struggled to be obedient, he did not see the good in his own life.  It paled in comparison and he was tired of being on the outs with those other guys.

Our hearts are deceitful.  We focus on the outward life of others - their facebook, twitter, people magazine, entertainment tonight, instagram exciting life.  It looks good.  It looks fun.  It appears to be problem free.

We compare our inner life with someones outer life.  We focus on the seen rather than the unseen.

This Psalm goes on to assure us that this apparent good and success of those who don't follow God is temporary - tenuous at best.

We are told to trust in the Lord.

To dwell with Him (pitch your tent!)

To cultivate faithfulness (plant it, water it, feed it, reap a harvest!)

To delight in Him (He will give you the desires of your heart.)

Commit your ways to Him (even when it is hard) 

Trust in Him and He will do it!

He will bring forth the righteousness and judgment (His job - not mine!)

We are told to rest in the Lord

To wait patiently

To cease from anger, wrath and fretting (It will only take us in the wrong direction!)

The Lord's good is coming . . .

The humble will inherit the land

The Lord sustains the righteous and they are blessed.

Verses 23 and 24 are some of my favorites.

The steps of a man are established by the Lord 

and He delights in His way.  

When he falls (not if, when) he will not be hurled headlong 

because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.

During hikes these last few weeks, I have held the hand of more than one person as they tried to get down a steep slope or cross a creek.  Even if they slipped, they could not go far because I was holding their hand from a stable position.  That is exactly what the Lord does for us.  

Verse 26 speaks of the Lord's graciousness.  Verse 28 reminds us that the Lord loves justice.  In the end, He will make it all right.

Verse 39 tells me that God is my ever present strength in times of trouble.

We are told in Scripture to set our minds on the unseen rather than the seen.  Our faith is in our invisible, yet very real, God.

Do not be distracted by the things around you.  Focus on what the Lord wants to do in and through your life as He reaches out to those that need Him most.

Rest in your very Good God.  Be assured of His great love for you.  Know that He is always about your good - even when it doesn't appear so.

"Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord."  Psalm 31:24

Thankful Thursday ~ Full House

What a wonderful two weeks I have had!  I love a full house and I have had one.  Nothing brings me greater joy than having a house full of people to cook for and love on.  It is my favorite!

The first week was the Cauble/Cofield bunch.  It was noisy, a bit chaotic, fun, fabulous and absolutely wonderful!  I love these families so much and they bless my life tremendously.

 

Meet Justin, Annie, Jana and Jackson

They are an amazing family who lives out their faith in a remarkable way.

They are making a tremendous difference in the lives of others.

Their faith is real and they are learning what that means in the every day.

 They love Jesus and it shows.

Meet Ashley and Aaron - two of my favorites!

We have been friends for almost 15 years and we have 

shared some amazing experiences together.

They are navigating life and ministry in Chicago.

They are having a baby in November.

They love Jesus and it shows.

Chad, Alyssa, Ashley, James, Erika and JP

Four of these folks are family - but all six of them feel like family!

They are all living out their faith in different ways, making a 

difference where the Lord has placed them.

I'm a proud momma and my heart if so full of JOY.

They love Jesus and it shows.

I have so much to be thankful for and my gratitude to the Lord is immense.  I wish there was some way to truly express how much I love Him and appreciate all that He has done for me.  I am thankful for my salvation and the full life that the Lord has given me.  I want to live out that attitude of gratitude in everything I do.

Wednesday Wanderings . . .

Hello!  I've been on a blog hiatus.  Why - do you ask?

I've been driving all over the state of TX and to CO - and I spent a week with my parents which meant I reverted back to a 10 year old who could not possibly write a blog entry.

It was awesome.

I loved my two weeks in TX - all the friends and family I was able to see and the fun that I had.

I am now back in my beloved mountains.  We have friends here for the better part of the next month and I am loving that!  I like my house full.

In the midst of all the busyness, I haven't slowed down to write down a thought.  I wanted to share with you some things that the Lord is impressing on my heart right now.

WAITING

Psalm 25 says:

Make me know Your ways, O Lord

Teach me Your paths

Lead me in Your truth and teach me

For You are the God of my salvation

For You I wait all the day

Waiting . . . 

It take all kinds of different shapes and forms.

We wait in line, 

on the phone, 

in the doctor's office,

for the movie to start, 

for our food to come 

and for the weekend.

Sometimes, we are waiting for "the ax to fall."  I would call that a dreaded waiting.  We know it is coming, but we just aren't sure when.

Sometimes, we wait with excitement for something that is coming.  I would call that anticipatory waiting.  It is that "sitting on the edge of your seat" kind of waiting.  It is agonizing and wonderful all at the same time.

Sometimes, we wait for something that we are longing for,

hoping for and dreaming of . . . 

a yearning kind of waiting.

Perhaps that kind of waiting is the hardest of all.

It is also the most transformational kind of waiting.

It is the kind of waiting that builds trust.

It is the kind of waiting that builds character.

It is the kind of waiting that give us freedom.

Freedom?

Yes, freedom.  Because in the waiting, we discover that the Giver of All Good Gifts 

is the Gift.

We discover that He is indeed the answer to our deepest longing.

We discover that He is indeed Sufficient.

In the waiting comes a peace and contentment that defies logic.

What are you waiting for?

Do not despair. 

He knows. 

He is at work. 

He will fill your deepest longings.  

He will meet your need, your desire and your dreams 

in ways that you can not even imagine.

He is using your waiting to encourage another.

He is ever present in each waiting moment.

He is making you like Jesus as you wait.

As I wait, Lord, please make me know you more deeply.  Please lead me in Your truth and teach me Your ways.  You are the God of my salvation.  You are the Giver of Life.  

On You, I will wait all day.