I Take Joy

A Time For Action and for Prayer!

"But the people who know their God will display strength and take action." Daniel 11:32

Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven and said, "Let the name of God be blessed for ever and ever. For wisdom and power belong to Him, and it is he who changes time and epochs, He removes kings and establishes kings; He gives wisdom to wise men." Daniel 4: 34-35

Dear Sweet Moms,
I rarely address political issues as I know that many of you who read my blog are going to vote for different people. Yet, this season, I have felt that I cannot stay silent on at least a couple of issues. My daughter, Joy, is  participating in a class that a colleague of mine is teaching. They are reading the book, "The Hiding Place" about the life of Corrie Ten Boom during World War II. In the midst of reading the book and giving reports on the times and context of the war, Joy was sharing with me what they were learning about Hitler.

During the time of his rise as a star in Germany, the country was having great financial crisis during the 1930's. Hitler promised to take them out of their financial troubles and to restore a steady economy. This seemed very appealing to the people who, like us, have to figure out how to pay bills, buy food and provide for their families. He was already committed to the reality of  killing those who had downs syndrome  and sterilizing those who had any defects of any kind (even those who were left-handed!!!?)--especially for those babies who were not perfect. He also believed in Euthanasia--the mercy killing of older people who were ill and ready to die and of no evident value to culture. Yet, those issues were not at the forefront of his promises--the saving of the economy was.

History repeats itself. From the Bible to  cultures in all times, people who do not bow their knees before the one true God, will end up failing in life and manifesting great wickedness. We have also, as a nation, turned away from God and consequently the devastating consequences have come upon us. We are no different than those people who were living in Germany in the times of Hitler. We need, though, to see that as God's people, the stewardship of the messages of God and the redemption of Christ needs to be an  active part of our lives to bring  His ways to bear in every area of our lives. We cannot sit back and be passive and live our lives for our own pleasure.  Evil is never passive and never takes a vacation. The future our our children's lives depends on us being strong and active in life today.

Even when I was in London, the headlines the first day we were there, decried the success of a woman who had been very ill, and had successfully died at the hands of a doctor who aided her in mercy killing--to help her commit suicide so that she wouldn't have to keep on living in pain. Then the article told of 300 such cases recently completed. I missed some of the details of the story, but saw it repeatedly in the headlines in subways where we traveled and on a news show as I was eating breakfast in a hotel, trying to keep Joy away from the article, which was very upsetting.

Such philosophy is also taught at Harvard University in our own country. The killing of human beings, be they babies or the aged, is Biblically wrong--no matter how civilized a people we pretend to be. We are no better than the cultures who sacrificed their children to gods in the Old Testament or than Hitler who chose who should live or who should die. Yet, it seems we are much like those who in the pre-war times of World War II, whose concerns were just for themselves and not for the concerns of the whole body of people.

We are a nation in great rebellion to God, who is always an advocate of life and protecting life, nurturing life and caring for the lives of people who are infirm. But let us also consider this. When we are living in a time where  a  person can casually say, "If one of my daughters got pregnant, I wouldn't want to have  her to have to accept the burden of having a baby," and our hearts are so deceived that we can think this is acceptable and not feel deeply grieved about this, then we are in trouble.

I want to make a point that I have many friends and women who I have counseled who have had many scars in their lives from having the sadness of having abortions, or other very difficult issues and I love them and the Lord loves them. There is a grace for all women and men who come into a  relationship with the Lord and give their lives to Him==there is forgiveness and grace for all of us, whatever our past. Yet,  when I read scripture and know how very seriously the Lord looks at the value of children and the abuse of children--even unborn babies, I have to take a serious stand and say that  it is an evil in out time about which we cannot be neutral. For the sake of the Lord, we must take a stand.

Getting to this point in history where homosexuality, immorality of every kind, divorce, materialism of every kind which we can indeed equate to idolatry, child abuse, the lack of commitment of mothers and fathers to take responsibility of their children's futures, greediness, self-serving, lack of love and compassion for the poor and so many other obvious sins, is, in my thinking, to a great degree, because Christians have not lived in a holy way.

I have to ponder what the role of motherhood has had in these issues. When mothers are the gatekeepers, making their homes a place of excellence, cultivating love for each other, a reverence and worship of God,
spending personal time teaching and discipling their children, keeping their children from worshiping the idol of television and instead serving her children with training and nurture, and giving up of her own time, there will e hope.  Then a civilization will be born where the whole culture will be populated with adults who have great souls, a call to the Kingdom of God, a passion to do what is right, a desire to protect the weak, an honest moral character that is the foundation of decisions made in politics, medicine, government, media and the arts.  Yes, it requires great personal sacrifice--but in the battle between evil   and good, the allegiance between our commitment to our God or our bowing to Satan has always required sacrifice. Evil is never passive and never takes a break--and neither can God's chosen ones cease to work tirelessly to be about His business.

When mothers have abandoned this great and important responsibility, then children have grown into the kind of adults --a generation of adults--who can be self-centered and self-serving and can overlook unrighteousness without any pang of conscience because it has not been developed. The kind of adults who  can passively let others take responsibility for our government and country-to accept and validate those who would promise the moon even though the moon isn't available in reality. When a person has no convictions he cannot operate his life in God's strength. It is moms who help to develop foundations of righteousness in their children's souls. Fathers, of course, are an amazing part of God's plan, but my ministry is to the precious moms who are indeed making a difference every day. I continue to pile up testimonies of great men and women who say that it was the training and prayers and relationship with godly moms who helped them to  become great people who accomplished great tasks in their generation.

(Hudson Taylor, Napoleon,   Augustine, Thomas Edison,  and so many more.)

Moms, today, the way you invest your life will indeed have great impact on history. We need to buck up, strengthen the areas that are weak, decide to accept the work load of small children with joy as would please our heavenly Father. The cultivating and raising of great souls is of the utmost importance.  Your life is making a difference. Take time in the word, take time to read those books which call you to excellence, spend time praying with friends of like mind--but don't give up!

I have been reading about the Kings of Israel as well as in Isaiah and Jeremiah. When leader after leader compromised the standards of God, the kingdom was thrown into corruption and spiritual disarray and wickedness.

I have also been reading Daniel. He was indeed a godly, righteous leader. He stood for God in a godless culture in Babylon. But he was also an incredible model for prayer. In Daniel 9: 3-19, he shows such an understanding of leaders taking responsibility for their people. Daniel cries out to God with a humble heart, confessing the sins of his people, even though he had not sinned, and asks for God's mercy on behalf of all the people.

He ends with this, "So now, our God, listen to the prayer of Thy servant and to his supplications, and for thy sake, let thy face shine on this desolate sanctuary. O my God, incline Thine ear and hear! Open Thine eyes and see our desolations,..., for we are not presenting our supplications before Thee on account of any merits of our own, but on account of thy great compassion. Oh Lord, hear. Oh, Lord forgive! Oh Lord, listen and take action! For thy sake, O my God, do not delay , ..., because of thy people who are called by thy name."

If God has allowed us to be alive during this time, then he will equip us with the strength to bear up under these times. Our hope has never been in men but in God. Yet the decisions and behavior of men do have consequences. We need to understand that we have lived in a time when our leaders have rejected the reality and supremacy of God. (I believe there are godly people and wicked people in each party, but God intends for believers to be those who would take responsibility to see that righteousness is in the land and that we actively seek how we might promote His kingdom, His salvation and His life every day. May He restore the church to a passion and love for Him.)

We need to, as Daniel did, acknowledge that God is our help. God is our deliverer. He will be faithful to us, his  believers, even if we have to bear the consequences of being led by ungodly people. We need to bow our knees before God and acknowledge our need for him as individuals, families and as a nation.

Next Monday morning, we are inviting friends to come to our home to pray with us as Daniel prayed.  We will, of course be praying for the election. But more than that, we will be praying for God's forgiveness, for his mercy, for His direction and for His provision. It would be great if there could be families all over the  world who will join us in prayer. If we could ask Him, corporately, so to speak for His renewal of our hearts, for repentance in our lands, for strength to do his will, for a spiritual revival sweeping the nations, and for it to start with our own hearts. It will be Monday morning at different times all over the world, so we will be a chorus before the throne of heaven. And of course if that is an inconvenient time, then do it any time on Monday.)

May God give each of you strength today and vision to know that even in the small details of your life today, the kingdom of righteousness is growing or diminishing. May you be strong in His grace and spirit to manifest His reality in your home. God bless.

Sally

PS I will have Clay help me put together some scripture and prayer suggestions if that would help you! We will also be praying for you!

London!

What fun we had in London! I love traveling with my children for many reasons and I will write a post about it later, but I could see their minds growing and taking in. It is easy for us to think of God as an American but traveling and getting into other people's arenas up close broadens our souls.

We just happened on the parliament as we were walking to Westminster Abbey. It is like the congress of the US. Joy had so much fun sneaking quick snapshots of the men in their wigs and high heeled shoes and purple neck rings and black robes. Why do they still wear those, Mom? Can you imagine McCain or Obama wearing those? 

  And here we are at the Thames river where so many mysteries and stories have been told about the River--even many of Dicken's stories! (with the Parliament in the background--a little older and grander than our own Congressional Hall!)

 

 

And how about Trafalgar Square--right in the center of downtown London with a very wonderful monument built to celebrate Lord Nelson who led the English navy to defeat Napoleon--lots of historical stories to relate! The same day we saw 10 Downing Street where the Prime minister was housed--where there was a demonstration against the war--with several wearing George Bush masks with signs that said, "GB--the supreme terrorist." Also saw Covent Gardens, the market area where wares were sold and bought and vegetables, fruit and flowers could be purchased--where Eliza Doolittle was selling her flowers in My Fair Lady. Well, I am off to teach a class and must off.

Have a great day!

Sally

 

Stories that touch your heart!

On my banner is a picture of the great home of William Wordsworth, who was a favorite poet, and Joel had taken this picture when he and Sarah were working at Cambridge in England a couple of summers ago. A friend said, "Since you use it on your blog, you should take a picture of you in front of it while you are on your trip to England. So this is me, with my Itakejoy stance--the choice I want to make every day of the rest of my life.Several people thought it was my house--no but maybe in another life!"

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All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful, yet , to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness." Hebrews 12:11

   

Yesterday morning found Joy and me cuddled up in our jammies sipping tea on our living room couches  and crying together as we read a very touching chapter in our book "Rilla of Ingleside" by Lucy Maude Montgomery.
    Now neither of us cries very easily, but sometimes when you sink your  heart into a book and you feel like the characters in the story are your personal friends, then when life leads them into grief, you are right there with them. I had already read this to my older kids when they were studying World History, but it had been long enough that I enjoyed the story all over again and remembered as we were in the throes of the last third of the book why I liked it before. It is just one of several we are reading right now, but the most fun fiction of our books. Perhaps it is also relevant because Joy, at 13 is so much like the heroine who starts out the book at 15, so there are a lot of parallels. 

(I think I have mentioned before that I have a history group that meets every couple of weeks and that we are doing history from 1900 through World War II this year. Every time I read a new book and have the kids do reports, I remember all over again why I so love the literature-discipleship based approach to education. I fairly see the brains of the kids growing. I see understanding of ideas, philosophy, world view, life choices, choices always having consequences, the importance of integrity, the meaning of relationships in every aspect of work and life; the love of God determining the foundations of a person's overall life--and so much more.)

    But I just had to share a paragraph with you from the book because the author, one of my favorite, Lucy Maude Montgomery, put her finger on my very feelings about hardship. Just to give you background to this paragraph, I will give you enough details to understand this paragraph without giving away the book.
Rilla was the youngest child of the famed Anne of Green Gables. She was fifteen when the book began and had a carefree, fun, dreamy, romantic life. The book starts out with her first dance she attended with her brothers and sisters. The very night of the dance, the beginning of what grows into World War I was announced at the dance by someone who heard that war had erupted in Europe.
   

Over the next two years, Rilla's whole life must change. She has to take in an abandoned war baby and raise it as her own, her brothers and most of her childhood friends enlist in the army and go off to fight in France and Italy, and she is confronted with life and worry and joys and the waiting that always accompanies families who have loved ones engaged in war. The story shows the progress of a young, inexperienced girl growing into a lovely, strong, dependable, deep and patient young woman.

   

At this point of the story, she is reflecting that it was just two years ago that she attended the dance and what hard years they have been. A friend then engages her and asks her if she would go back and change the years if she could. This is the context of this quotation.

"Two years ago this morning, I woke wondering what delightful gift the day would give me. These are the two years I thought would be filled with fun."

"Would you exchange them-now- for two years filled with fun?" her friend asked.

"No," Rilla said slowly, "I wouldn't. It's strange, isn't it? They have been two terrible years, and yet I have a queer feeling of thankfulness for them--as if they had brought me something precious with all their pain. I wouldn't want to go back and be the girl I was two years ago, not even if I could--but I'm not quite the selfish, frivolous little doll I was then. I suppose I had a soul then, but I didn't know it. I know it now and that is worth a great deal--worth two years of suffering. And still, now, I find that I don't want to suffer any more--not even for the sake of more soul growth--even though at the end of two years, I would probably look back and be thankful again for what they would have brought me, but I don't want it now."

"We never do want difficulty," said her friend, "That is why we are not left to choose our own means and measure of development, I suppose. No matter how much we value the lessons we have been taught, we don't want to go on with the bitter schooling."

This put the finger on my heart. I feel validated when I see that others share some of the feelings of my heart as in this story. We can still be spiritual and godly  even if we find in our heart a feeling of dread of having to face difficulties. We were made for rejoicing and joy. If we rightly understand that trials cause us to suffer and we find that we don't want to suffer, we are also feeling what Jesus felt. "who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame."
    It helped me so much to realize that Jesus despised the shame, but because he knew he would redeem mankind and he would be seated with the Father, he went to the cross. Feelings are neutral--they are God given. However, what we do with our feelings will determine our obedience and faith. We can acknowledge feelings of sadness or dread or anger. But then we have to give our feelings into His hands and say, "You know what is best. I will trust you with whatever you do."

    I am so thankful for the ways our wonderful Lord has chosen to deepen my love for Him, my more eternal perspective on life, my understanding of sacrifice and being a servant leader,  the rarity of integrity and righteousness in this world, but the need to pursue it with all my heart ;the loneliness that comes from holding to ideals in a compromising world, giving unconditional love to those who would not love me back, staying true when it seems prayers go unanswered, -- and yet almost all these lessons came  through trials. I wouldn't exchange the years in which he gave me eternal gifts, but I don't necessarily want to ask for more hard years. I still find my little girl heart enjoying the easier, happier times. And yet, I have learned that He is my father who is responsible for my personal development and character and heart, so I can leave the days and years ahead in His hand. Peace today!

Do not fear, for I am with you!

In front of Wordsworth's house

"You whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, And called from the remotest parts,
And said to you, "You are my servant, I have chosen you and not rejected you,
Do not fear for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you,
Surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
For I am the Lord you God who upholds your right hand, who says to you, Do not fear, I will help you."
Isaiah 41: 9-10, 13

Hi, My friends,

I am back from my trip to England and had such a wonderful time of making memories with my girls. I didn't take a computer or do anything except just dote on them. This is unusual for me as our ministry keeps us quite busy all the time. But I am especially thankful we had the opportunity to do this as life seems to swirling into changes so much with the bad economy that I may be grounded for a while.

As we were riding the subways, we noted the headlines on all of the newspapers--"France requests 300 billion dollar rescue fund for Europe." "English Market falls 15%" "Land prices rushing downward." so we knew that things continued to happen as we traveled. It made us all the more careful to enjoy each other and each moment.

As I have been praying about all of this trouble, I know from experience that my first reaction could be fear or panic. A close friend called and said her husband lost his job. Joel, our wonderful 22 year old, finally received a letter from the Berklee School of music, (which he had auditioned for last April--thanks for all of you who prayed for him) and to his great joy, he was accepted as a student. But now, we found out there will not be scholarships and there is question as to whether he will be able to get a student loan. (If any of you have an knowledge or ideas in these areas, I would appreciate it!) With 3 in college at this time, we wonder how it will all turn out. And then there are our conferences. Our whole staff and ministry depends on having women attend our mom's conferences as we have to make pretty significant commitments to the hotels which could put us under  as a ministry if we don't reach our quotas. So, we have our own issues and so do so many of you. And so, after hearing from so many, I know there are countless ways to be affected by the economy failures.

Yet, in all generations, when human beings turn their heart away from God and do not build godly character and act with integrity,  when foundations are corrupted to begin with and leaders are materialistic and grasping, there have always been chaotic consequences for nations and in regards to the history of the whole world.  We have had a string of godless leaders and authorities who have authority to make decisions that will affect us. We could and probably should have all known that it was coming. Joy and I have been reading Rilla of Ingleside about World War I and it is so interesting to see the sequence of events from the beginning of the book where the heroine, Rilla, has a youthful, immature, carefree life and through the progression of the war, must grow up, accept difficulties and choose mature and responsible character in order to play her part in the War and in her family. It is a sweet story, reflective of difficult times and how it effects families.

As I was praying about all of this, I remembered one of the first times I felt "panic" about the difficult circumstances of my life. I was a young missionary living in Poland illegally and there had been lots of tension between the Polish workers and the Russians who controlled the country. People had begun to riot and rebel and the Russian tanks began to roll into Warsaw where we lived. Many of the streets were lined with soldiers and the threat of war was in the paper and on the news every day. My colleagues and I gathered around a small radio attempting to get the Voice of America which if we were careful to turn the knob just right, would bring us news from the free countries so that we could find out if war was immanent or not, as all we could get on our tv's and radio was propaganda.

I remembered thinking, "What am I doing over here in a time of war? I am not sure if I am ready to die in this conflict just now." We had been ministering in Hungry and touched the bullet holes in apartment buildings of people we had worked with where a similar revolt had caused the loss of hundreds of lives.

It was one of the first times, I remember coming across this passage in Isaiah. "You are my servant, do not fear for I am with you. Do not be anxious for I am your God. Surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." I camped on that verse. I pondered it. I prayed it. I resolved that I would stand on it emotionally and spiritually. And the Lord was faithful and we came through the conflict with Him holding our hand.

There have been so many other times and seasons. Yet, I have a pattern of remembrance now. He has been faithful through all the seasons and hard times. Some of our best memories as a family were made during the hard times. It built our character. We learned not to depend as much on circumstances and things to bring security and happiness. Our children learned the value of work and prayer.

God is still with us. He still loves us. He will still be abundantly faithful. Yet, there is more. I think that women are especially designed and equipped by God to dig down deep and bring beauty, faith, peace and hope to nations. A woman is at her best when she is creating life from the richness of her soul. I think that Moms will be the true heroes who will be the lighters of light when shadows threaten to overtake. They weave peace and love in homes where burdens are weighing on the shoulders of our husbands. They sing songs of faith in the midst of life's calamity. They can model a child-like faith and rest in God when they live in the Sabbath rest of His provision even when physical provision is scant.

I was talking with a friend who was experiencing a great deal of difficulty. Her 4th of 5 children was experiencing severe health issues that required travel to another state for consultation. Her mother was struggling with her Father's new onset Alzheimer's, and her husband had not been able to make payroll for his employees for his small company. I asked her how she was holding up. Her reply stuck with me. "I have realized that I am the determining factor in how we go through these trials. I am the anchor to keep our ship from drifting. I understand my role as a mom so clearly now--that how I walk with God and how I respond and how I choose to live will to a great degree determine everyone else's ability to cope well. So, I am choosing to be strong."

It was a beautiful picture of the role of a woman-- a helpmeet, a civilizer, a life-giver, a lover, a teacher.

As the girls and I drove from Nashville home a couple of days ago, I decided to make some resolutions for this time. For me a resolution is a determined commitment as an act of my will to decide how I will behave and how I will obey the Lord. It doesn't mean that my resolve won't be tested, but it does give me a plan for how I will live and it helps me to address, ahead of time, those areas that could be problematic. It also helps me fight against Satan's desire to tempt me to despair or to not believe in God's goodness.

I resolved that I would not allow my heart or mind to go down the road of fear--that I would reject any thoughts of fear by choosing to worship and focus on God's wonderful faithfulness and trustworthy character.

I resolved that I would be a strong pillar of faith for Clay in the midst of so much that he has to hold together. Not to whine or complain or falter unnecessarily in the midst of his hard work and his commitment to figure out how to keep supporting our family. He needs me to "smile at the future--because of who is in control of my future."

I resolved that I would make this time a blessed time of great memories---warm soups, candlelight, great stories of other heroes in other times, cards of encouragement to friends who needed it; phone calls and phone prayers with my boys who need support and encouragement in the midst of their financial difficulties; email Bible studies and life-giving words to all who the Lord brings to mind; simple times spent in eternal areas that will minister to the hearts or my precious family and friends.

I resolved to think of new ways that Sarah and Joy and I may serve others in the midst of these days. As we plan to be God's hands and voice and words, it gives us a way to be about God's business and to perceive the strategic role Christians can play in the lives of others during this time.

By allowing God to define my vision for the trials ahead, I have a road-map to walk with to guide my steps, to guard my attitudes and to inform my decision of will--as I walk in the power of His Spirit and investing in the word and seeking to make time to pray, I have been energized  and excited to know that I have something I can do to help. I have ways to give hope and opportunities to bring life. The Lord has renewed me in my heart and made me excited to start living according to some of my plans. I already know that these years will be my opportunity to show what my heart is really like--that I really do love and believe that God will hold my hand and show me His ways. That I have this day to invest in eternity by living it for Him.

May He grant each of you grace in the midst of it all. I will be praying for you.

I think that you sweet moms can also be the determining factor in our country, to bring courage to bear as we wait on God and follow His ways. Many blessings and lots of love coming from His heart to all of you sweet women!

Sally@wholeheart.org

Last year I studied the first part of Isaiah. The nation found themselves in the midst of chaos after a string of bad and ungodly kings and as a result were being humbled as they were attacked by Babylon. In Isaiah 40-45, I found very encouraging words which so underlined God's presence, redemption, goodness, love, strength and so on. Maybe it will encourage you. The nougat is that we who wait on Him will be blessed.