Deborah Spooner
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I want to tell you a little of this particular piece's background.  The day I wrote it my family was leaving for a Thanksgiving vacation with relatives.  Unfortunately though, I had just gotten sick.  The night before I wrote the poem, I was awake on and off all night and ended up leaving my bed in favor of sleeping in my bedroom chair simply because this way, I could breathe slightly easier.  I am sure that you know how getting sick goes; you are exhausted and can't breathe through your nose yet breathing through your mouth makes it burn like crazy among other things.  Recently, it seems that I am getting sinus infections so frequently that I barely get back to functioning normally when I get sick yet again.  And frankly, I was sick of it! :)  After a crazy situation of not getting sinus infection medicine from the urgent care doctor on top of a thirteen hour car ride and time with relatives all when I was supposed to be having fun, I was left with the one thought of not again, God and put my feelings to words.  When rereading what I had written that day, I found that it reaches far beyond physical sickness and captures our heart cry during trials of any kind.  I hope that it will reach your heart in a special way today.

Exhale.
The agony of reality is pressing down and surrounding me in a clammy cloud.
Not again.
Feeling the symptoms and asking why again? why me? why now?
Knowing in the gut I am being called upon to endure . . . yes, again.
Knowing I have come to the cliff's edge again and seeing that the path of escape has crumbled from behind me yet again.
Being stranded here with just one thought:
Not again.
The winds are lashing my face raw.  The rain is soaking me through.  The hail is pelting me and leaving pinpricks of searing, icy pain all over my feeble body.  I am standing here, unable.
Once again.
I close my eyes because I know that the only way I can be tortured is if I choose to give in instead of standing firm.  From the depths of my heart I look to You.  My soul longs for You.  Your grace is what I need.  Your grace is all I need.  I draw close; I gaze upon Your face, Your glory, Your beauty, Your majesty.  The sickness within me lurches, but to You LORD I cry out.  To You I grasp with all that is in me through the gritted teeth and agonizing pain.
Because Your will is supreme over mine.
Once again.
Lashed raw, soaked cold, pelted relentlessly, I cling to my Saviour and say:
"Yes Lord, once again."


 © 2012 Deborah Hope Shining



Breathe.
Thoughts are racing, darting, invading.
The day is waning and
fear
the icy cold, gripping sensation
is making its nightly visit.
I am worn,
feeling the day squandered
amidst thoughts of beauty, popularity, and future.
Me focused.

But I should not blind my eyes
And further weary my wrung out heart.

I desire to cast out, hurdle the syndrome of
artificial.
Everything worried, frightened, wild, unrealistic.
I desire to be
consumed.
Not with selfish ambitions
but
with God infused hope.


Reality  is knocking and
I am granted the peace of God
Because of will surrendering choice.

Thank You.



 © 2012 Deborah Hope Shining



We, realizing it or not,  are all performing a routine like a gymnast.
It's called day to day life.
No one does it the same.  Our routines each have a unique style formed by the varied elements that make up us and our life.  We have different strengths and weaknesses, and different natural tendencies.
We can't control everything.
But we can control some things.




Fight.
Do you have the bold, blasting strength to push through when you're at your lowest?

Determination.
Do you grip on hard, lock in, and pull through till completion?

Discipline.
Can you say no to tempting hindrances that tamper with your goals and yes to the stretching challenges that shape you , forcing your will into obedience despite opposing feelings?

Hard work.
Come on, get to it because your working for God and not men.

Focus.
Can you snap to concentration despite the weighty pressure?




Because the lights are on, the floor is ready, and you are up.



You are performing fueled. 
Everyone runs on something; something fuels and fills you so that its product overflows and permeates all of your routine.  The product of this fuel, whether captivating or ugly, is visible throughout your entire routine.  Feeding the very depths of us, this fuel has power, power to shape the very way we are while being the why we are.


What are you running on?
What is it producing in you?
Is it granting you what you need when it all comes on the line -



Peace.
Does it steady your heart?

Balance.
Does it keep you at the acute level you need through every step?


Because when it comes down to the line, this fuel is all we have left; yet, from the beginning, it is all we've ever had.




 It's all going to spin out of control, and you're going to be frazzled.  


Channel.
Do you have the mental stamina to pull every element together and produce a dazzling, unforgettable performance?


For, day by day, we are living out this routine for all to see.
What do they see?  How are they benefiting?  What message are you sending them throughout your compiled performance?



Inspiration.
Setting a relentless fire in people's hearts.

Hope.
Showing the power of those who overcome.

Courage.
Because if our God is for us, then who can be against us?



As you dance, leap, and fly, what lasting imprint, what lingering essence, are you leaving behind?
    For this is your one shot, your one performance,
a performance judged by God.


"Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep His commandments,
for this is the duty of all mankind.
For God will bring every deed into judgement,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil."
Ecclesiastes 12:13-24




 © 2012 Deborah Hope Shining

The backpack feels like a boulder pressing down more hard and forceful against her back with every passing second.  She gasps desperately as she crumples to the ground, too weak to stand and too weak to utter another wretched cry.  She roles over and searches to sky for stars, celestial orbs that she had heard of yet never seen.  She cringes.  If I could only see a star ... then I could hope ... then I would know that progress is possible.  Her instruction book had told her that seeing stars means your personal vision has improved; a layer of your personal darkness, layers which encompass every person to varying degrees, has been lifted from your sight.  This vision improvement means that you are coming closer in relationship with the person the book calls the Maker of the Stars and in understanding of your personal everlasting purpose.  Perfect fellowship with this Maker of the Stars was said to be the goal of all; a vision state of pure light is when this goal is said to be reached.

Yet, her world is surrounded in blackness - deep, dark, and oppressing.

With a final, desperate inward plea for help, Raef falls into a fitful sleep.


Stomping feet wake Raef.  She groans, wishing that her sight was light enough so that she could at least see who it is.  She hears more footsteps and mumbled words uttered by desperate humans fumbling along in blackness, searching for they know not what.  Raef stands up, grimacing, as she is reminded of her ever-present burden upon her shoulders: the hindering objects filling her backpack.  She lets out a cry from the depths within her.  I will get this off me.  The thought of bearing the weight another day sends a wave of desperation through her veins.  Her instruction book had said that the way to get the pack off is to surrender her burdening objects to the Maker of the Stars.  In doing this, she would find everlasting purpose.  Can this life really have everlasting purpose?  She takes a step forward.  How I am supposed to fulfill this duty of "surrendering" my burdens in my pack to find it?  She takes another step forward.  And if the Maker of the Stars truly is real and powerful, why won't he just remove these burdening objects Himself without my supposed surrender simply out of pity for my miserable state?  She stops walking, lost in thought.  Why do all my efforts of ridding the contents of this backpack always fail anyway?  She pushes her foot forward, slips, and falls.  

Why am I stuck in this darkness? 
A tear falls silently and unnoticed down her cheek.

Raef sits up so that her backpack's bottom is resting on the ground.  She tires again, fruitlessly, to remove the objects.  Frustrated at her failure, she twists around and manages to unzip the backpack's top.  Although this awkward motion stretches her side painfully and makes her muscles below her shoulder blade crunch up, this is the only way to see into her backpack.  It is cramped full of objects from top to bottom, containing many items that she hasn't even seen.

Yet on the top of the pack rests 4 very familiar objects that she sees every time it's opened.  The first is wispy white and small; it is her clouding doubt that blocks her mental clearity.  Then next object is a fiery red lump burning to the touch; it is her raging anger.  The third object is a large, heavy black rock that absorbs all light and reflects none; this is her discouragement that constantly sucks at her joy.  The final visible object is shiny and metal with sharp, jagged edges; this is her worry that frequently pierces her side.

She sighs and pounds her fist as a tear of hoplesness slides down her cheek.  She fumbles to regain her composure.  I have to do something! I cannot keep living like this.  She searches her mind for any glimmer of hope.  Her mind runs over all the things she had tried in attempt to rid her backpack's contents, hoping to in turn find abundant life.  How many times have I failed?  I need truth.  She searches her mind again for something that claims it leads to a true way of life, a life of answers, full and free of her hindering objects.  She latches on to what her instruction book had told her.  The Maker of the Stars promises to guide and lead to abundant life if only I will trust and surrender ... I must learn ... learn what it means to surrender this horrid pack ... learn who the Maker of the Stars is ... learn my everlasting purpose ...


find what it means to truly live.


She takes a deep breath.  What have I got to lose?  Her mind feels too muddled to send a silent prayer to the Maker, so she clears her throat and prepares to speak, knowing that her voice will give her something, at least, to focus on.  "Maker of the Stars, this is Raef.  I am terrified right now... I am also more than discouraged.  I need these objects in my backpack to leave me, or I am going to break.  Your book says ..." her gaze drifts, and her mind fogs over as the doubt in her pack clouds over her thoughts.  She grimaces and continues as best she can, "Your book says that through my trusting faith as I give you these objects in my backpack, that You will bear my burden, and I can start seeing things as they are.  Your book also says that once I have surrendered my backpack's contents, then I will know my everlasting purpose."  Her mind again clouds over,  and she loses her train of thought.  Refocusing, she tightens her determination and continues.   "Maker of the Stars, my faith is small.  I  don't know if I've ever truly trusted in my life.  Plus I hardly know who You are.  But I do know that I don't want to stay as I am now and that You are said to help the weak.  I know deep down within me somewhere that I really need You.  I cannot and will never be able to get rid of the things in my backpack of my own strength.  I can not even lift the things out of it.  So Maker of the Stars, I come to You with what little trusting faith I have and surrender my backpack's objects to You as best I can.  Please, take them so I can know You and serve You; so that I can live."

She looks around, hoping vehemently for some rapid change, and waits, but nothing seems to happen.  Familiar discouragement barges into her mind.  She is alarmed at its presence so quickly after her prayer.  I don't think I have the strength to fight it.  Her mental exhaustion and attempts to maintain her fading fast hope are draining her out.  I need to do something.  It is time for a walk.

Walking on, she battles with discouragement.  Unlike usual, she does not let it penetrate any deeper into her mind than it has already gone.  This time, she fights not only to defend, but to gain back for truth ground that she has surrendered to it.  The draw on her strength as she does this starts to become unbareable.  Maker of the Stars, I need Your strength to revive me.  She takes a deep breath as she decides to add the next part.  I trust that You are faithful as Your book says and that You will help me as I am doing what Your book commands.  Her battle letting up some, she looks up, realizing that she temporarily had forgotten about her surrounding and her pervious worries.  Where am I?  She scans the around her and starts with surprise.


I think ... I think layers have been lifted! 

She hears a voice distinctly and looks up.  She sees a shape.  I am seeing a shape!  Aghast, she keeps walking, staring bewildered at her surroundings.  Little by little, she witnesses darkness being lifted and things becoming clear.  She can see trees, waterfalls, grass, and hints of color.  And although her world is still blanketed in a mist, she can actually see people's forms.  She can, in addition, hear what they are saying much more clearly than previously.

But she hears one voice so powerful and majestic that she can not mistake it, for it is the Maker of the Star's voice.

"Well done, my good and faithful servant.  Even though you were incapable of removing your burdens, have trusted me with what's in you.  You have, to the best of your abilities, surrendered to me your life and waited on me to do the rest.  Now come, and see life more abundantly and find what it means to live."  Here the voice trails off and is heard no more, leaving Raef standing alone by a stream.

Raef was so awed by the glory of the voice that it takes a couple of seconds to regain her conscious awareness.  Then she laughs out of jubilation and starts to run.  I heard Him; He is real and true.  He has lifted my darkness! He will show me what it means to live.  Then she stops as a realization strikes her and lets out a cry of delight.  I just ran!  Raef had not run for years because the burden on her back had become too large and weighty.  My burdening objects, they've been eliminated.  The thought shocked her.  Could this possibly be true?  Hurriedly, she sits down and twists around to see inside her backpack.

Instead of her hindering burdens, she sees instead 4 beautiful objects: the first object, a crisp, bright, and hardened drop of water, rests at the very top; this is her clarity of mind spreading wisdom wherever it goes.  Next, her patience, a cool, green leaf soothing to the touch, sits leaving gentleness in its wake.  Besides that, a yellow orb giving glimmering light, her hope ever kindling inside of her, resides.  Finally, a smooth, round white stone, her trusting peace, lies stabilizing her existence.

Joy bubbles through her veins.
He is real.  

He does care; He indeed does love.  He will do what He claims and really will be my strength.  She looks around at her newly brightened world.  I can not believe how gracious His gifts are; I did nothing to deserve them.  In fact, He is the one who got rid of my old burdens in the first place.  And now I have such wonderful treasures in place of them!  She smiles at the thought of what her backpack is now filled with.  But I still have a question unanswered: what now is my everlasting purpose?  She gets up and lightly walks over to a rock.  Puzzled at not receiving another message from the Maker of the Stars already, she looks looking around.  Soon, she spots this message:  He who is guiding will never fail; His love endures forever.  He is just and faithful; He will knock at a heart's door until it's opened or until He is forever rejected.  His servants listen to His voice and obey, showing His love and the Way to all.


Raef rocks on her heels.  Showing His love and the Way ... How can I, for I chose this day to be His servant, do that?  She sits pondering then hears footsteps and groaned out words.  "No rest, no peace, no happiness."  She feels chilled as the voice continues.  "None to comfort or to help.  None to care."  The voice keeps rattling on, bemoaning its wretched state till Raef becomes frustrated with the voice's underlying self pity.  Why won't he do something about his state!  The answers are all right there in the instruction book.  All he must do is pick up and read it ... Raef starts at her own thoughts.  How quick I am to judge when I myself just came through what that man is now going though.  I am no better than him.  She smiles as she remembers what she just read: showing His love and the Way.  

A cool breeze ruffles her hair as she inhales and exhales, filled with a new sense of purpose.

Quietly, she walks over to a nearby cottage and finds what she expected the Maker of the Stars to have provided.  She grabs a fresh copy of the instruction book and a blanket and starts walking towards the man.


She looks up and sees glimmering celestial beings, stars.

This is the life.  



 © 2012 Deborah Hope Shining

This is a story that I wrote for a school assignment that was to "Christianize" a Greek myth.  The myth that I chose was "Pandora's Box."   So, without further ado, here is my version!


God watched.  One of his few faithful village servants was running at full speed up to his door.  “El Roi! Master!  The choice … the instructions … they have almost done it.  They are threatening to do it!  The box . . .”
            God, the king, sighed deeply as He surveyed the sylvan scene: the mountains clothed in majesty, the lake glimmering, and the tiny village in the midst of the enshrouding forest.  He inhaled and then pondered the box, his gift to the villagers.  By giving it to them, he granted them the freedom of choice.  They could leave the box shut and enjoy a life of peace, or they could open it and face whatever consequences the box might contain.  He shifted his weight from one foot to the other.  “I am afraid you speak the truth.  No one from the village has visited me recently and sought my counsel.  The people who continually prohibit themselves from seeing the grandeur I created around them by focusing only on the temporary, daily things in their lives have given up their contentment.  They’ve started to wonder if there is more to life.  That is a slippery road to embark upon.”
            The king’s faithful servant kicked a nearby stone and watched it tumble off the mountainside.  He crossed his arms and began to pace.  “Those narrow minded, short sighted, stubborn people! They deny your goodness and refuse to realize your true character, daring to look for that something more in life while never looking to the right place, to you . . . But you still gave them the box.  Tell me, you must have had a reason.”
            “My action was just and necessary because I refuse to control them.  What is the point of having a friend if you force him into the relationship?  If he does not return your feelings of his own free will, you are only playing a game that fools yourself.”
            “Yet the people are irrational and childish craving all types of satisfaction.  They will do anything to achieve this new notion of happiness even if that means disobeying you, the only one who purely wants the best for them.”
            The only response the king’s faithful servant received was a saddened smile.  Understanding His master’s thoughtful change of mood, the servant left.  God cast his gaze over His chosen people.  They’d better be careful what they wish for . . .   
The king’s faithful servant journeyed down the mountainside to the village below.  The racket of chatter and bustle was audible from a mile off.  Once entering the village, he walked down the main lane in the village’s center.  He surveyed the houses and their many inhabitants.  Women were gathering herbs in a basket, men were fixing a roof, young women were planting seeds, and children were running pell-mell through the street.  Then his gaze was cast over the grandest house in the village, sturdy Epimetheus and curious Pandora’s house.  He grimaced as his thoughts raced back to the box, for they were the safe-guarders of that precious gift.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
            Epimetheus was standing in the doorway when he saw the king’s faithful servant pass by.  He studied the faithful servant’s movements as he passed the doorway and then sighed as he pondered his own life.  His thoughts drifted from his wealth, to his work, to his wife - a very gift from the king himself – to the box inside.  Whatever am I going to do with that!  It won’t be long till the villagers come here insisting it be opened.  Their idea that happiness is to be had in things the king has hidden from us sounds so true; however, do we villagers really know what true good is for ourselves to such a precise degree that we will directly disobey the king’s orders?   Ever pondering, Epimetheus decided to take a walk through the village and get a closer perspective of the villagers to gauge their shifting feelings.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pandora stretched her muscles and leaned back in her chair after she watched Epimetheus walk out the door.  What a perfectly dreary day, no one to talk to and nothing to do.  Dejectedly, she got up from her chair and walked to another room.  She surveyed its contents.  A basket full of yarn for her weaving, a chair big enough for two, a crumpled blanket, and a messy pile of clothes were all visible.  Still unsatisfied, she was about to leave when she noticed a dusty edge of something half hidden in a corner.  Curiously, she walked over to it and blew the dust off, uncovering a box.  I’m afraid it’s rather an ugly, small box.  She sighed. Again, here is yet another thing with absolutely no interesting qualities.  Ahh well . . . Pandora suddenly stood upright as she remembered the giver of this box, the king.  This box was a gift with specific instructions, instructions not to open it under any circumstances.  Any circumstances, meaning none whatsoever?  Pandora set the box down and went to sit in the chair.  Her mind filled with thoughts of it, the box.  The gifted and entrusted box.  The mysterious box.  The box with seemingly no purpose, but at the same time, the box with instructions.  Yet what a small and harmless box it was, sitting all alone, forgotten in a dusty corner.  The box should have a purpose, a duty in life.  Surely, by its weight, it wasn’t empty!  It must be filled to the brim with wonderfully new and good things bringing new dimensions of happiness and telling of its divine purpose, for it was from God.  And that king does want everything to be used for its grand purpose, nothing at all should be left idle and be wasted.  The box must be opened.
            Pandora returned to the box and inspected it even more carefully than before.  Just a crack is all I need.  Then, its purpose will be revealed, and I will do good by assigning it a duty.  Furthermore, think of the happiness I will unlock!   Pandora placed her hand on top of the lid and felt for the latch.  She curled her fingers around it and moved her arm upward.  The lid opened a crack, and she pulled it open the rest of the way.
            Instantly, Pandora felt a chilling, lifeless gust of air blow onto her face.  She screamed as she heard a hissing noise.  A whirlwind quickly surrounded her, and she felt within that what encircled her was not good, pure, and lovely.  It was something she had never known before.  It was evil.  Pain, worry, envy, jealousy, greed, pride, hate, fear, selfishness, impatience, depression, restlessness, cruelty, wickedness, betrayal, and many other sensations unfelt before welled inside Pandora.  She staggered and collapsed upon the floor.  She gasped for breath and almost fainted.  With newly-found panic, she tried to gather her thoughts from among this surplus of sensations.  What have I done?
            The whirlwind was leaving her and floating to a window.  It hissed and passed through the window into the street.  Then, it split apart into many segments and each new segment slid through the streets and entered the houses.  Cries of anguish were heard in its wake.  Pandora tried to swallow and tried to move but found that she could not. 
            Then, she heard a fluttering.  A glowing, pink creature emerged from the very bottom of the box.  It was a butterfly.  It was not noticeable before because its beauty was smothered by the evil on top.  It came and landed on Pandora’s shoulder.  A gushing wave of relief from the previous sensations flooded over Pandora as soon as the butterfly landed.  Tears gushed in her eyes and inexpressible thankfulness was in her heart.  Inscribed on the butterfly’s left wing, barely visible, she noticed a word: Hope.  The butterfly flew to the window and started its journey throughout the village. 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Epimetheus’ body contorted with the impact of the whirlwind.  His mind staggered with the new sensations’ force.  Then, suddenly, Epimetheus was relieved.  He lifted his head in bewilderment, wondering who had relieved him, but the only thing he saw was a bright butterfly gliding away.  Epimetheus thought nothing of the butterfly because only one thought could penetrate his shock.  The box.  He knew that it had been opened.  Wisdom told him that these sensations were the result of disobedience to the king.  How foolishly I have been thinking.  Who should ever dare to rebel against the Almighty King?  He is the only one who truly knows our best.  Yet, wasn’t the King the one who gave only good gifts?  What about the relief he felt?  Pondering, he stood for a few moments.  How can this fit into His plan?   Determined anew, Epimetheus walked out of the village and started up the mountain.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
God exhaled.  It is done.  They have done it.  If only they would have chosen to trust and walk down the path of obedience and not to entertain rebellious thoughts.  If only they would have embraced my love and not searched for happiness elsewhere.  If only they could know how much I still love them even now.  Oh, that they might know the great, wonderful plans of redemption I have planned for them on this new path they must now walk down, hand in hand with me. 
            God wept.          



 © 2012 Deborah Hope Shining


"For if you will be careful to do all this commandment that I command you to do, loving the Lord your God, walking in all His ways, and holding fast to Him, then the Lord will drive out all these nations before you, and you will dispossess nations mightier and greater than yourselves."
Deuteronomy 11:22-23
Dear Sisters in Christ,
The final element of this verse is holding fast to God.  Learning to do this takes strength and faithfulness.

What does it take to hold fast to God?
First, in order to hold fast, we must let go.
At first thought this statement might seem like an oxymoron!  You might think, "Wait a second.  Holding on to something is grasping it as tightly as you can.  Letting go has nothing to do with it!"  But, in reality, letting go has everything to do with holding on because in order to grab on and hold tight to something, you must let go of whatever is already in your hands.  For example, if I am reading a book and want to write a letter, I must first let go of the book in order to grab my pen and write.  This principle also rings true in our spiritual lives.  All of us, dependent human beings, are holding onto something.  Maybe it's our reputation, beauty, being loved, being admired, friendships, media, and so on that we are clinging so tightly to.  Often times we think these things are all that matters and that they give such happy satisfaction.  We feel that if we must let go of them, we will lose our purpose and even who we are.  But in reality these things are the very "idols" that are keeping us from grasping the only One in the world that can fill us up, God.  Consequently, if we want to live a life close to God knowing His heart, we must say "okay God.  I choose to let go of my "idols" that are truly only hurting me and chose instead to hold on to You, my healer, alone."

Secondly, holding fast takes determination amid distraction not to let go.
Once you have let go of your "idols," the next step is being determined not to let go of God.  Everyday, we live bombarded.  We cannot make it through a single day without being tempted and tried because deceptive (but appealing!) lies are on our every side!  But, in order not to slip, you must make choosing to hold on to God with everything in you a priority.  You must decide and stand firm in your decision to grasp God's hand alone.  When temptation comes you must not relent in your dedication to God; no matter what you feel, you must have your "mind over matter" and force your will to say yes to God.  It's extremely exhausting and difficult at times, but God is faithful in providing strength and encouragement.  After all, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!

Finally, while you are holding fast, do not let your focus waver.
While you are holding fast to God resisting temptation, you might lose your correct focus and attach it onto worthless things.  In my opinion, there are only two options on where focus can be put: on God  -or-  on worldly things.  You can be holding fast to God continually thanking Him and rejoicing in Him in for all that He is and all that He has done; let me tell you, doing this gives you a spring in your step and a smile on your face!  Or, even though you have made this decision to hold on to God and let go of the world, you can turn your face away from God's goodness and miserably watch the worldly things going on that you have chosen not to participate in.  Let me also tell you, this makes you drag your feet and rapidly sucks away your joy.  What you are looking at determines your attitude which determines how your days are lived.  Where are you looking?

Never stop holding fast to your Strength and Song!

Tidbits for thought:


  • Have you let go of your "idols" and grabbed hold of God?
  • If so, are you standing firm with determination in your decision to hold fast to God amid bombarding temptations?
  • Is your focus on all that  you have in God or on worldly things?  Consequently, how is your joy level because of your current choice?

Hold fast to the One and only Satisfier,
Deborah



 © 2012 Deborah Hope Shining
"For if you will be careful to do all this commandment that I command you to do, loving the Lord your God, walking in all His ways, and holding fast to Him, then the Lord will drive out all these nations before you, and you will dispossess nations mightier and greater than yourselves."
Deuteronomy 11:22-23
Dear Sisters in Christ,
In part one, we learned what it means to truly love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and might. Today, in part two, we are going to learn what it look like when we walk.


What does it mean to walk in all God's ways?
Walking inherently implies some characteristics that often aren't thought about.


Walking: is it really that important?
I have to admit, in and of itself, walking seems very ordinary, almost thoughtless. But, we do this "unimportant" task quite a bit! Walking is one, if not the, main way that humans naturally go places. In order for me to leave this computer screen to go get a drink of water, I must stand up and walk the entire way to the refrigerator. In fact, every single time I stand up, I am faced with a choice: to walk and actually go somewhere, or to stay rooted in the same spot and not accomplish anything! Similarly, in our spiritual journey, we all are faced with a choice every morning we wake up. We can either a) choose to walk in obedience to God's will and to grab hold of His promises -or- b) choose to stubbornly stand, refusing to surrender our heart and day to God's will. Each choice has natural consequences and benefits, and the choice is solely up to us. . .

Walking is also a slow and steady process.
Let's face it, although we walk a ton, it is not running! Walking a mile takes much more time than running a mile and can seem very tedious and boring. (Who has ever heard of the world's fastest mile walked??) But, I believe that the sometimes the slowness of walking can represent our faithful commitment to God.  It represents our following Him every day, even in the seemingly small things, the things that don't seem to make flashy, huge differences. Even if it takes all day to walk that mile, we can choose to faithfully do it, following every word He says. Looking back, each step of that journey made a big difference because all of those small, slow steps added up to create the journey!  And, if we wouldn't have walked steadily all throughout that mile, we wouldn't have completed it. If the first time we became tired or became more interested in something else, we stopped and just stood simply because we felt like it, we wouldn't have made it through the mile that God willed for us to walk that day. Every step that we take beyond our comfort zone is a reminder that we are the humble servant and He is the Almighty Master. Our deliberate, committed walking (despite the pace!) is an expression of our founded trust in Him over our own convoluted desires.

While you are walking, never lose sight of your destination.
Never losing sight of the destination is twofold and has a warning. Our twofold aim consists of our daily goals and our eternal home. Each day, God has a plan, His will, for our day. This will always includes us putting our hand in His and listening for His whisper through the shouts of the world. His whisper will reassure us of His promises and will direct our footsteps throughout our day, telling us who to talk to and where to offer the helping hand. But always, even on the days when our walking seems extra slow and painful, we must never forget your bigger destination, our eternal home. Knowing that we are daughters of the Most High King grants us assurance even on the hardest days. Yet, while we are walking listening to Him and remembering our destination, we must be careful so that we don't stray from our target. When we know what God has asked us to do through His word and direct speech, we must not stop walking a stubbornly stand, for it is our duty to obey.

Finally, while you are walking, never forget who is with you.
We are not alone! During each slow, steady step that we take in order to reach our destination, the Lord goes before us and is with us. Again, He is there, holding us up and granting us strength to take each step through faith in Him. No matter how long the path looks in front of us, we have no need to fear for our ever present help in times of trouble is with us.

In conclusion, walking in all God's ways is more complex that initial thought might render.  But we are never alone in this faithful journey with Him because He is with us and goes before us!

Tidbits for thought:
  • Are you choosing to walk in obedience to God's will and to grab hold of His promises, or are you stubbornly standing, refusing to surrender our heart and day to God's will?
  • Are you steadily following God all the way through the slow process of your mile?
  • Are you listening for God's whisper through the shouts of the world and choosing to keep your eyes on your goals: daily and eternal?
  • Are you forgetting who goes before you and is with you?
Next time, in the conclusion of this series, we will learn what it means to honestly hold fast to God.
Keep walking,
Deborah



 © 2012 Deborah Hope Shining

"For if you will be careful to do all this commandment that I command you to do, loving the Lord your God, walking in all His ways, and holding fast to Him, then the Lord will drive out all these nations before you, and you will dispossess nations mightier and greater than yourselves."
Deuteronomy 11:22-23

Dear sisters in Christ, 
The Lord Almighty yearns to set you free.  He longs for you to experience Him.  He longs for you to understand His plan and will for your life and live life to its full.  He desires for you to know how precious and beloved you, His daughter, are to Him.  He wants to drive out all your fears and guide you through the problems that you feel are mightier and bigger than yourself.  He is willing and fully able to overcome all obstacles you face.
But He does not want to do this for you as if you are a robot who is incapable of communicating with Him.  No, He wants more than that; He wants a relationship where He's involved in every aspect of your life - from day to day existence to monumental experiences.  He wants your cooperation so that you can learn and get the most out of your life.  He wants this relationship to flourish and wants to expand your heart and mind so that you might taste and see how good He is.

In this relationship we enter into, we need to obey our Master.  In Deuteronomy, the LORD told the Israelites some things to do so that He would drive out the nations before them.  Even though God gave these commands long ago, they are still important today because they still are expressions of God's heart.  The commands He gave are this: to love the Lord your God,  to walk in all His ways, and to hold fast to Him.

What does it mean to love the Lord our God?
In Deuteronomy 6:5 the LORD commands His people to "... love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might."  I am currently taking a Becoming Women of Excellence class where we talked about what loving God with these means.  

First, loving God with all our heart means loving Him with all our emotions.  
Considering the roller coaster our emotions frequently seem to be on, you might think that sounds quite difficult.  But, loving God with our emotions isn't about feeling like we love Him.  Love is not a feeling, it's a choice.  When we choose to love God with our emotions, we are choosing to surrender to God every emotion: the good, the bad, and the ugly.  Instead of dwelling on our sinful, negative emotions, we surrender them and have all aligned with His truth.  Continually choosing to love God by surrendering all of our emotions to Him brings us into deeper fellowship with Him.  In addition, loving God with all your heart means that choosing to put His will above yours.  This means that your dreams, plans, goals, and agenda all become secondary to His will.  You trust Him enough to let Him control each step you take, thereby letting Him control the path of your life.  Loving God with all your heart means that each day, out of loving surrender, you give Him your emotions and put His will above yours.

Next,we need to love the LORD our God with all our soul.  
My Becoming Women of Excellence teacher defined our soul as our personality.  So, we must love God with who we are, our personalities.  He maybe gave you the personality trait of a sweet spirit, natural people skills, or thoughtfulness.  We must use these God created qualities for His glory by unconditionally obeying Him.  No matter what your fleshly desires and selfish ambitions tells you, you must do what God calls you to do.  He may urge you to use your friendliness to reach out to the girl all alone at youth group.  Through your obedience of going and talking to her, you will be showing Him you love Him by using your personality in this way.  Doing this requires you to trust and surrender to God and use all that God created in you not for your glory, but to be a shining example of Christ.

Finally, this verse commands us to love the LORD with all our might.  
An ESV Study Bible note defines might as indicating energy and ability.  In everything that we do with our God given ability and energy, we must honor Him by doing it simply because we love Him.  For Colossians 3:23 tells us: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters ..."  We shouldn't do things to get praise for ourselves but only for our Savior.  Basically, loving God with our might means that all we do must stem from our devoted love of God.  

In conclusion, loving God is an exciting learning experience that is much more than a feeling.  It means surrendering our emotions and aligning them with truth, putting God's will above ours, being faithful to use how God created us for His glory, and doing all out of love for Him.

Tidbits for thought:
  • What emotions do you need to continually surrender to God and have aligned by truth?
  • Are you daily putting His will above your own?
  • Do you each day, out of loving surrender, you give Him your hopes and fears and let His love fill your given-to-Him heart?
  • Are you following God's instructions?
  • Are you doing all out of devoted love to your Savior?
Part 2 will go further into the verse and discuss what it means to walk in all God's ways.
Love Him with your all,
Deborah


 © 2012 Deborah Hope Shining

Today.
I commit today to seeking His face alone.
The face that smiles, welcoming me to come.
The hands that are outstretched, daring me to run to them and to see where He will take me.
The heart that loves with every pulse emanating from it.
The eyes that see the depth of my soul and still cherish me beyond compare.
The feet that quicken at my every heartache to lead me in the paths of righteousness.
Today, I commit to seeking His face alone.

Today.
I am stranded in the desert.
My mind is heavy laden with thick, clinging, groggy emotions that leave me blinded, separated from the light.
My head is pounding to the force of each doubt creeping into my thoughts like a shady mist that encircles the trunk of a tree.
My heart aches.
Tears pour freely as I break from the hard, pushing pressure laid upon the walls of my mind, will, and strength.
I crumble to the ground overwhelmed.
Today, I am stranded in the desert.

Today.
I hear His whisper.
Through the thick, heavy fog I see a light.
I see His light.
He comes to me like a burst of air so crisp and refreshing everything else fades to empty worthlessness.
He lifts me up and wipes away my fragile tears.
His presence ceases all my doubts; it stops my darkened hopelessness.
I look into His eyes and see never failing, never ceasing, ever enduring compassion that has caught me in the midst of my fall.
“I am with You. You are my lamb that I am holding in my arms, carrying close to my heart. You are my treasured possession. Why do you doubt my faithfulness?”
I cannot help but smile as He lays aside my heavy, jagged, and encompassing worries as I place them into His hands.
Today, I hear His whisper.

Today.
I am learning.
I am continuing my journey with the Hope that never leaves or forsakes.
I am running with the lightness of peace that surpasses understanding.
I am learning what it feels like to jump into His arms and experience His presence.
I am learning to accept His stretching challenges that test my determination.
I am learning to laugh.
I am learning to love.
I am learning to trust.
I am learning to live.
                                                               


 © 2012 Deborah Hope Shining

Dear Sisters in Christ,
Foundational knowledge.  We all have it whether we realize it or not.  Foundational knowledge is the facts about life that we believe to be utterly true; consequently, we always fall back on them.  These facts are the things that compel all our actions.  They shape who we are and the way we live.  Sometimes, this life basis is filled with truth and righteousness, such as that you are a daughter of the King and nothing can separate you from His love.  Yet, foundational knowledge is often cramped full of unnecessary, filthy baggage.  Maybe your's is an underlying belief that everyone is better than you and you need to be beautiful to be accepted.  Some might not clearly know what their foundational knowledge consists of because they've never taken time to dig deeper into their heart.  I don't know what kind of foundational knowledge you are living off of, but I have written below some foundational truths drawn straight from the Bible that I hope will help you.

I am currently taking a class on "becoming a woman of excellence."  During one of the class periods, we talked about some things that I believe can be classified as foundational knowledge.  From the notes of what the teacher said during class, I reiterated the some of the information below.

Christians aim to know God.  To get to know God, we can study His Word and find out about His character.  Well, when we truly acknowledge the grandness and magnitude of His character, we will be swept off our feet by His faithfulness, grace, promises, love, power etc. (honestly, this list could go on forever!).  Because of these truths about Him, it seems that the next, most obvious thing to do is to trust Him with all that we are and to continually surrender our will for His.  He loves us oh so personally and wants us to experience Him in every aspect of our lives.  So why are we holding back?!  Let's declare our allegiance with Him and devote ourselves to giving Him praise always!  Chose to make your foundational knowledge the truths of the Bible including the reality of Jesus, His love, and His promises.  This choice will shake your world.

Solid, foundational truth about . . .


Yourself:


1. God created you.  You are made in His image (Genesis 1:27)
Being created by the marvelous God gives you all the self-worth you'll ever need!  Knowing that God Himself gave you the physical appearance and personality traits you have, you should feel confident and blessed!  The need to compare yourself should seem meaningless since you know that God, the author of the universe, creates masterpieces.  And the fact is, He created you.  Praise Him!


2.  You have two natures, and a choice
If you are a born again Christian, God's Spirit dwells within you.  Unfortunately, although you have the Holy Spirit in you, you still have your old selfish desires.  Because of this, you have a choice of how to live.  You can  a) choose to walk in the Spirit by following where God leads  -  or -  b) gratify the desires of your flesh.  This choice is why we are constantly in a spiritual battle.  What you choose will effect everything you do, everyone you talk to, and every decision you make.  But remember, your only responsibility is to choose God's way; then, He will provide the strength from there.

God:

For right now just remember this one thing: He loves you.  No matter how many times you mess it up, He still loves you.  Next time you are tempted to be consumed with depression or self-hatred and misery because of continual failure, stop and say out loud "But He love me."  Let that reality sink deep into your heart as you embrace the truth.  When you are repeatedly tempted to be overwhelmed, say that for a week and see how it impacts your mood and your life.  Frankly, the fact is His love will never, ever change.


Oh that was so very brief!!  But, it provided some foundational, practical truths that you should know first thing from this blog's start.  As time progresses, I will go into these topics (and many, many more!) in adequate depth.

For now, start thinking, praying, and journaling about what your foundational knowledge consists of and what in it might need to change.

Never lose hope in the Lord.


 © 2012 Deborah Hope Shining
Run 
with the perseverance that the race has marked out for you. 
Throw off 
all that hinders and 
fix 
your eyes on Jesus! 
He is your strength and song. 
Rely 
on Him alone and expect to do nothing in your own strength,
For in all things we are 
more than conquerors.


 © 2012 Deborah Hope Shining
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Deborah Spooner is an analytical creative enamored by ideas and addicted to dripping words in candor. Serving as a Marketing Strategist for LifeWay’s Adults Ministry, she loves all things big-dreaming, difference-making, and Jesus-pointing. A pastor’s daughter with a background in communications and theology, you can find her at her local church with her students (and probably way too excited about the color yellow) as she seeks to know Christ more and make Him known.

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