Cindy Finley

What do you hope to gain over these days of Lent?

2012-02-22T16:32:00.001-05:00

Lent is about ...

Transformation

through prayer and fasting and giving.

It's intentionally cleansing our lives

of that which distracts,

of those lesser things we chase to slake our thirst

of the false gods we worship, intentionally or unintentionally.

Lent is about ...

Preparation

of your heart, your mind, your soul to celebrate the greatest day in all of history. The day that Jesus rose from the dead. The day he claimed resurrection for our souls.

It's not only about giving up time for more prayer, sweets for food that really matters, resources to help the poor.

It's also about gain. Gaining more of Jesus

More of His passion

More of His humility

More of His heart

Lent is about

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, the One who endured the cross scorning its shame, the One is right now seated at the right hand of the Father.
Hebrews 12:2

I'd like to invite you to join me as I intentionally fix my eyes on Jesus over these days of Lent. My Bible reading plan is below. Jesus takes center stage every single day. Giving up is too small. I want gain. Join me?

Lenten Bible Reading Plan

Date	Story	Text
February 22 - Ash Wed.	Jesus in the Temple	Luke 2:40-52
February 23	John Prepares the Way	Matthew 3:1-12; Mark 1:3-8; Luke 3:1-20; John 1:15-28
February 24	John Baptizes Jesus	Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22; John 1:29-34
February 25	Jesus is Tempted	Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-14
February 26 - Sunday	Jesus Calls Five Disciples	John 1:35-51
February 27	Jesus at Cana	John 2:1-11
February 28	Jesus Keeps the Passover	John 2:13-25
February 29	Nicodemus Comes to Jesus	John 3:1-21
March 1	Jesus and the Samaritan Woman	John 4:1-43
March 2	Jesus Heals the Nobleman’s Son	John 4:45-54
March 3	Jesus is Rejected in Nazareth	Luke 4:16-32
March 4 - Sunday	Jesus Calls the Fisherman	Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-38
March 5	Jesus Calls Matthew	Matthew 9:9-13; Mark 2:14-17; Luke 5:27-32
March 6	Jesus Heals the Man by the Pool	John 5:1-18
March 7	Jesus Prays and Chooses the Twelve	Matthew 10:1-4; Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-16
March 8	Jesus Preaches on the Mountain	Matthew 5-7; Luke 6:17-49
March 9	Jesus Heals A Leper	Matthew 8:1-4; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:12-16
March 10	Jesus Heals the Centurion’s Servant	Matthew 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10
March 11 - Sunday	Jesus Heals the Paralytic	Matthew 9:2-8; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:18-26
March 12	Jesus Brings a Young Man Back to Life	Luke 7:11-17
March 13	A Woman Anoints Jesus’ Feet	Luke 7:36-50
March 14	Jesus Calms the Storm	Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25
March 15	Jesus Heals the Demon-Possessed Man	Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-30
March 16	Jesus Feeds 5000	Matthew 14:13-23; Mark 6:30-46; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-15
March 17	Jesus Walks on Water	Matthew 14:23-36; Mark 6:47-56; John 6:16-29
March 18 - Sunday	Jesus is Transfigured	Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36
March 19	Jesus Heals a Boy With Seizures	Matthew 17:14-21; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 9:37-43
March 20	Jesus Heals Ten Lepers	Luke 17:11-19
March 21	Jesus Protects and Forgives the Woman Caught in Adultery	John 8:1-11
March 22	Jesus is the “I AM”	John 8:12-59
March 23	Jesus Welcomes Children	Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16
March 24	Jesus Answers the Rich Young Ruler	Matthew 19:16-30; Mark 10:17-31
March 25 - Sunday	Jesus Sends out Seventy Disciples	Luke 10:1-24
March 26	Jesus Raises Lazarus	John 11:1-54
March 27	Jesus Heals A Sick Man on the Sabbath	Luke 14:1-6
March 28	Jesus Warns Disciples	Matthew 20:17-28; Mark 10:32-45; Luke 18:31-34
March 29	Jesus Heals Bartimaeus	Matthew 20:29-34; mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43
March 30	Jesus Changes Zaccheus’ Heart	Luke 19:1-10
March 31	Jesus is Anointed by Mary	Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-11
April 1 - Palm Sunday	Jesus Rides Into Jerusalem as King	Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:29-40; John 12:12-19
April 2	Jesus Teaches in the Temple	Matthew 21:12-27; Mark 11:12-33; Luke 19:41-20:17
April 3	Jesus’ Last Hours in the Temple	Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4; John 12:20-36
April 4	Jesus’ Last Passover Supper	Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-26; Luke 22:3-39; John 13
April 5 - Passover	Jesus is Arrested	Matthew 26:14-16, 36-75; Mark 14:10-11, 32-72; Luke 22:1-6, 39-71; John 18:1-27
April 6 - Good Friday	Jesus is Crucified	Matthew 27:1-54; Mark 15:1-39; luke 23:1-47; John 18:28-19:30
April 7	Jesus is Buried	Matthew 27:55-66; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:31-42
April 8 - Easter Sunday	Jesus is ALIVE!	Matthew 28:1-15; Mark 16:1-11; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-18

I'd love to hear how you and your family celebrate Lent. What are you giving up? What are you hoping to gain? And, if you'd like me to send you this Lenten Bible Reading Plan, just email me at cynthiafin@gmail.com.

Why Should You Take the Time to Explore Your Personality?

2012-02-21T17:05:00.001-05:00

A quick search on the internet reveals thousands of tests to help you determine your personality. Are you a lion, an otter, a beaver, or a golden retriever? Gary Smalley can help you out. Is your temperament choleric, melancholy, sanquine, or phlegmatic? Tim Lahaye can answer this question. And, you can even discover how your blood type is reflected in your personality.

With my current favorite online quiz, you can discover which Downton Abbey personality you most resemble.

Other than getting a charge by being able to relate to one of the Crawley sisters, why should you take the time to explore your personality? Isn't it really self-serving to examine your own personality?

I don't think so. You are a unique individual, a masterpiece, created in the image of God. The Creator of the universe made you, knit you together, body, heart, mind, soul. He instilled in you a personality that fits perfectly with His Kingdom purposes for you.

Knowing your personality will make you more effective for the Kingdom of God.

When you know your personality you will be able to:

1. Recognize your limits

Contrary to what you may have heard growing up, you can't be anything or do anything you want to be, but this is good. Your limits will actually help you to find and fulfill God's purpose for your life.

2. Rely on others

Knowing your personality, and its limits, help you to truly depend on others. You see your weak spots and ask others to fill in your gaps. You can stop being everything for everybody else.

3. Relate with others

As you understand yourself better, you'll be able to understand others better as well. You'll be able to appreciate the beautiful diversity of the people in your life and encourage them to be just the person that God made them to be.

So, how do you get to know yourself better? How do you identify your personality?

Eric Rees, in his book S.H.A.P.E.: Finding and Fulfilling Your Unique Purpose for Life has you consider your personality along two strands:

How you relate to others.

Outgoing or Reserved?
Self-expressive or Self-controlled?
Cooperative or Competitive?

How you respond to opportunities.

High Risk or Low Risk?
People or Projects?
Follow or Lead?
Team or Solo?
Routine or Variety?

While Rees questions are helpful and will give you a better understanding of yourself, I think that the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator will provide you with the most comprehensive understanding of your personality.

The MBTI has helped me to understand why one Christmas party energizes me, but by January 1st, I desperately need some time by myself. It's helped know that I need to rely on others to formulate concrete steps to advance vision. It's helped me understand that the person who provides me with objective feedback isn't being insensitive to my feelings, she's simply using the strength of her personality to help me grow. It's helped me understand why I'm comfortable moving into action, even without a clear action plan and why this frustrates some people. Understanding my Myers-Briggs type has helped me in marriage, motherhood, ministry, and in the marketplace. I think it can help you too.

Although the best way to take the MBTI is with a certified professional, you can also take it online. The cost of taking the MBTI online is $59.99, but I think it's money well-spent. Along with simply getting the results, you get a personal profile and interpretation of your results. If you cannot bring yourself to pay $59.99, then Personality Pathways can get you started.

Why should you take time, energy, and perhaps money to explore your personality? One reason: knowing your personality will make you more effective for the Kingdom of God enabling you to recognize your limits, rely on others, and relate better with others.

What do you think? How does knowing your personality help you to serve God more effectively? BTW, I'm a pretty solid ENFP with some "I" leanings. What about you?

This post is part of a Virtual Book Club in which we read and discuss the book S.H.A.P.E.: Finding and Fulfilling Your Unique Purpose in Life, by Eric Rees. In addition to my own study and experience, much of the material and many of the insights originate in this book. I invite you to join me and my friends over the next few months as we work together to find and fulfill our unique purpose for life. It proves to be an exciting journey!

How "The 5 Love Languages" Helped Us Celebrate Valentine's Day

2012-02-15T11:59:00.000-05:00

Yesterday morning several of the kids had dentist appointments which meant I got to have a fabulous conversation with our dentist's wife who runs the front office. Kelly is just a step ahead of me in life with most of her children beyond high school. I love hearing about her family, her marriage, what she's reading, etc. So, I asked her, "Will you do anything special for Valentine's?

Kelly shared that for every Valentine's Day of their entire marriage, her husband, David, has fixed the exact same dinner - lobster tails and steak. Every year!

While I LOVE this, keeping the same menu for every Valentine's Day is not our style. I mix it up, depending on what's going on in our life. Anticipating Valentine's Day, the kids reminded me that last year I truly was the Grinch Who Stole Valentine's Day.

With Bill out of work, the kids spread between six different schools, and me running an afterschool program every afternoon, apparently I didn't have the motivation to cut out Valentines, make cookies, prepare a gourmet dinner, light candles, or anything. So, I didn't.

This year, however, was a bit different. With Bill in a job that is a great fit, the kids mostly home schooling, and me working part-time from my kitchen table, the idea of planning a Valentine's Date didn't overwhelm me.

As I thought about what I could do that would be fun, romantic, and not break the bank, Gary Chapman's Five Love Languages came to mind.

Bill and I read this book years ago, and it profoundly impacted us. We've applied the principles to our marriage, to our parenting, and to other relationships in our life.

Bill's top love languages are Physical Touch and Words of Affirmation. Mine are Acts of Service and Quality Time. Receiving Gifts is pretty low on both of our lists. Clearly, we could easily miss each other. Here's what "missing it" looks like for us:

Conversation #1:

Bill: Honey, you are the most amazing wife. I am totally blown away that God gave you to me. You are beautiful, kind, passionate, smart, and an incredible mother. Can we go to the bedroom?

Cindy: Well ... tell me about your day and I'll tell you about mine. I'll bring some clothes to fold while we talk, and you can help out.

Conversation #2:

Cindy: Honey, I haven't been able to get anything done around here today. With appointments, lessons, and meetings, the house is a disaster. I'm exhausted and I have a headache.

Bill: That's okay. No big deal. Just leave it for tomorrow. I'll get you a couple of Advil and let's go to the bedroom.

Conversation #3:

Bill: Honey, how do you think I'm doing as a husband and a father?

Cindy: You're doing fine, but when can I get some real time with you?

Conversation #4:

Cindy: Honey, if you really want get up close and personal, then cleaning up the kitchen is the absolute best foreplay ever.

Bill: Foreplay? I'll get right on it.

Can you relate?

So, for Valentine's Day, I thought I'd really try to love my husband across all five love languages. Here's what I did:

1. Words of Affirmation

This one is probably my weakest, but I bought a card, which I NEVER do, and wrote a short specific note including the word "respect" and indicating that I was thinking about him in more than just a friendly way. On my way to the dentist appointment, I dropped the card with a small bag of truffles on the front porch of the church for him to find when he arrived at work.

2. Acts of Service

He values an orderly environment whereas I can live with a bit of chaos. Too often, our bedroom is the last area of the house to get my attention. So, I corralled the dirty clothes, vacuumed the floor, and straightened our bathroom.

3. Quality Time

I knew we'd have dinner together, but I also arranged a tour of a Boylan Bridge Brewpub complete with tastings. He likes specialty beers. While I'd rather have a glass of crisp chardonnay or smooth merlot, I enjoyed the tour, learning the science of beer-making, creating a memory, and just being with Bill. After our tour, we had a lovely leisurely dinner at Battistella's and talked and talked and talked.

4. Receiving Gifts

Although gift-giving is not huge for either of us and I did give him the tour, I also bought him a book that matches with his interest in U.S. history. The book itself certainly isn't romantic, but valuing something that is interesting to him is.

5. Physical Touch

I won't go into any detail at all on this one. Let's just say that we had a delightful evening of hand-holding.

Intentionally thinking about these five love languages helps me to better love my husband. I might not be able to hit all five every day, but I can regularly focus on the two that really make him feel loved. And then when he's pulling me close and telling me how wonderful I am, rather than handing him a broom, I can receive the love he's offering, and say, "The kitchen can wait."

Oh, and just in case you think I've forgotten the kids in this love fest, Friday nights are Family Nights around here. This Friday night will be our Family Night Valentine's Celebration with cut-out hearts, chocolate, something yummy for dinner and a fabulous dessert.

How was your Valentine's Day? Were you the Grinch Who Stole Valentine's Day? Or did you knock his socks off? Or, was it somewhere in between for you? What do you think about Five Love Languages? I'd love to hear from you!

See Your Natural Abilities Transformed To Spiritual Gifts

2012-02-13T08:00:00.000-05:00

Without a doubt, the world lost a woman with an amazing natural ability this weekend.

Whitney Houston had beauty. But she wasn't just a beautiful woman. Whitney Houston had a voice like none other. I cannot even begin to tell you how many Seafarer songs and skits had Whitney singing back-up to suntanned and pony-tailed counselors. I Wanna Sail with Somebody must have been on "repeat" for three summers running.

I'm missing Whitney.

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding her death, there is no doubt about this one. Whitney Houston loved singing, and she did it exceptionally well. Whitney Houston had a natural ability. And so do you. Probably many of them.

Identifying your natural abilities can help you find your sweet spot. And when these natural abilities are offered up to God, other people will be blessed, and God will be glorified.

Natural abilities sound an awful lot like spiritual gifts, right?

Well, yes, but not necessarily. Everyone has natural abilities. Every single human being has natural abilities. But it takes a relationship with Jesus Christ to get spiritual gifts. As John Piper says,

Many unbelievers have great abilities in teaching and in administration, for example. And these abilities are God-given, whether the people recognize this or not. But these would not be called "spiritual gifts" of teaching or administration because they are not expressions of faith and they are not aiming to strengthen faith. Our faith in the promises of God is the channel through which the Spirit flows on his way to strengthening the faith of others (Galatians 3:5). Therefore, no matter what abilities we have, if we are not relying on God and not aiming to help others rely on him, then our ability is not a "spiritual gift." It is not "spiritual" because the Holy Spirit is not flowing through it from faith to faith.

Conversely, I believe, our natural abilities become spiritual gifts when the Holy Spirit is flowing through them.

The person who is a good leader meets the Lord and their leadership becomes Spirit-empowered, God-glorifying, and body-edifying as they surrender their natural ability to God. Their natural ability to lead becomes a spiritual gift of leadership.

I don't know about you, but I want to see ALL of my natural abilities become spiritual gifts. I want to offer up every talent, every skill, every ability I have as an expression of faith aimed at strengthening faith.

So, how can you and I see our natural abilities become spiritual gifts?

1. Identify your natural abilities.

Now please don't make this more complicated than it needs to be. Just answer this question. What do you love doing?

What are the things that when you do them people say, "Wow! That was great!" Is it baking? Throwing a party? Decorating? Acting? Writing? Singing? Dancing? Leading a meeting? Scrapbooking? Organizing? Listening to a friend? Meeting new people? Playing an instrument? Solving calculus problems? Managing finances? Teaching a child to read?

What do you love doing?

Some of you are saying, "Really? But that's nothing."

It's nothing to you, but it's not nothing to other people. It's not even that it's so easy for you. You may have to work hard at it. And I would say you should work hard at it, and you should try to get better at it. But at the end of the day, you love doing it and you're good at it.

And when you do it, like Eric Liddell, you feel God's pleasure.

Right now I want you to write down at least five things that you love doing. Nothing, and I mean nothing is too insignificant. And, if you're bold enough, I want you to type those five things in the comment box. If you're not quite that bold, email me, cynthiafin@gmail.com, and tell me what they are.

So, that's the first step to seeing all of your natural abilities become spiritual gifts. Identify them.

2. Offer your abilities to God.

It's as simple as praying something like this:

God, I love dancing. And you made me a good dancer. I want to dance for you. I want to dance in a way that brings you glory and others joy. I want my dancing to build up the body of Christ. Lord, from this moment forward my dancing belongs to you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Now, write down your prayer. Offer your abilities to God. And if you're bold, add your prayer to that comment or that email you're sending to me. I would SO love to be praying for you in this.

Offer your abilities to God. And keep offering them.

3. Look for opportunities to us your abilities.

Open your eyes. Watch for opportunities in the spheres of your life to use your abilities, which are now really spiritual gifts, for purposes which will glorify God and build up the body. Get in the habit of praying before you teach, or bake, or decorate, and expect the Spirit to flow through you. You will have so much fun!

And keep my email handy because I want to hear from you when you see your natural abilities transformed to spiritual gifts.

I don't know where Whitney stood with Jesus. I do hope she's with him now, freed of addictions, blinders fully removed, wounds healed. And, if she is, I'm guessing she's right at his feet, hair spilled out, perfume filling the air, singing this song.

This post is part of a Virtual Book Club in which we read and discuss the book S.H.A.P.E.: Finding and Fulfilling Your Unique Purpose in Life, by Eric Rees. In addition to my own study and experience, much of the material and many of the insights originate in this book. I invite you to join me and my friends over the next few months as we work together to find and fulfill our unique purpose for life. It proves to be an exciting journey!

A Settled Heart in the Midst of Transitions

2012-02-10T07:57:00.000-05:00

I first met Elizabeth at a marketplace prayer conference in Richmond, VA. The sister of one of the young men in our church and a friend to many of the gals I discipled, I was struck by her graciousness, her hunger for God, and her desire to be used by Him. I was thrilled when Elizabeth agreed to be interviewed. She's been through quite a bit of transition in the fast few years, transitions that are completely normal for many 20-somethings - graduating from college, moving, marriage. And although transitions are part of the package of moving into adulthood, they are challenging. If you're dealing with transition in your own life, I think you'll find this interview with Elizabeth to be particularly valuable.

Elizabeth, you've moved a lot, but recently have settled in Charlottesville, VA. What brings you to Charlottesville?

In our three years of marriage, we have bounced around to four homes and three cities. For the next two years, we've settled into Charlottesville while my husband gets his MBA at Darden. Two years in one place feels like a small eternity to us, and we're grateful for the chance to actually settle down somewhere for a bit. As a UVA grad, I was elated at the chance to come back to Charlottesville and it's been a treat to connect with old and new friends. We have no idea where we'll be after Darden, but for now, we're enjoying each minute that we're planted in Charlottesville.

With marriage and moving, you have faced plenty of transition over the past few years. What are several challenges you've faced in the transitions?

Ahhh...yes, there have been quite a few transitions over the past few years. The biggest challenge I faced was longing to have a settled heart amidst so many unsettling and unknown circumstances. I like to be in control and it's been hard feeling like there is so much out of my control. Yet through all of the transitions, the biggest thing that I have learned is that even though our circumstances may be in flux, there is One who is steady and constant. One who takes us by the hand, and says, "do not fear, I will help you."

Along the same lines, I have wrestled with embracing my current season/city/home/lack of window treatments, and longing for what's to come rather than what is. Over the past few years, God has taught me so much about dwelling where He has planted me and embracing my current situation, rather than eagerly looking forward to what might be next. One verse that has been a lifeline for me recently is Psalm 37:3 from the NKJV:

“Trust in the Lord, and do good; DWELL in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.”
I just love the image of dwelling in the land and feeding on the faithfulness of God. And I've seen that as I've worked towards dwelling where God has planted me, God has been incredibly and abundantly faithful.

Elizabeth, clearly God has used your circumstances to teach you to be settled in Him, and He's comforted you and given you guidance through His Word. Practically speaking, during the times of transition, what did it look like for you to have time in your Bible and for prayer?

Well, practically speaking, sometimes, it meant that I lay in my bed with my Bible opened and lying across my face. I'll be honest, there were a few times when things just weren't working out the way we had planned, and I was so desperate to know what God's next steps for us were, that I would fall asleep with the Bible on my face, somehow hoping that it would help give me some kind of osmosis and help to open my eyes to see God's path for us. I was desperate.

Most days, I was so hungry for answers and direction that praying and reading my Bible came much more easily to me than it does when I feel like my life is just coasting along. I was in the Bible and praying throughout the day because I was hungry, desperate, and just longing to hear what and where God was calling us to.

Practically, for me, it meant lots of journaling, being still and listening, and reading through the Psalms.

Transitions are a scary place to be, so it also meant a lot of talking to God about my fears, anxiety, and worry over the future and the unknowns and then pausing and listening to God reassure me over and over again that He was there, I had nothing to fear, and He would help me.

I love the image of you falling asleep with the Bible resting across your face hoping for supernatural osmosis. Seriously, it sounds like you knew just where you needed to be as you sought God's direction. Elizabeth, it's been great hearing from you. Is there one thing that you'd like to leave with women today to encourage them in their own transitions?

Thanks so much for this opportunity, Cindy! The one thing I'd like to encourage other women in the midst of their own transitions is this: change and the unknown is pretty much a guarantee in life. Even when we think we have everything totally figured out, our plans can change in an instant. But when it turns out things aren't going they way we planned them, we need to remember that God. Is. Faithful. He is constant in the midst of each and every transition, and while the path may be unknown to us, God knows our way, and when we trust Him, we can be confident that His way is ALWAYS the best way!

Elizabeth is a twenty-something girl who loves God, bargain shopping, power walking, popcorn, chick flicks, reality TV, and pretty much all things fancy. In her professional life, she works for an innovative early education initiative that seeks to raise awareness on the importance of the early years and ensure all children arrive at kindergarten ready to learn. In her spare time, you can find her blogging at Long To Love, or coordinating logistics for Changing Seasons, a group that seeks to provide women with a sense of purpose and belonging, and equipping them to live lives marked by love and joy and grace.

5 Passion Principles for A Dangerous Life (Part 2)

2012-02-08T15:48:00.004-05:00

Yesterday we left Esther poised to partner with God as His agent for the deliverance of His people. Mordecai's words stirred her heart lifting her out of her fear and motivating her to action. The same passion principles that inspired Esther to step out of the relative safety of the the king's harem can inspire us to lay aside our fears, our comfort and partner with God for causes that are a perfect match for our gifts, our abilities, our personality, and our life experiences.

1. Know what drives you.

When Esther heard of the threat against her people, the Jews, she was driven by fear to keep silent. But through her uncle's stirring call, she discovered a deeper drive, a stronger drive that would compel her to rise up as a leader, call people to pray and fast, and consider her own life forfeit if necessary. What drove Esther to set aside fear-motivated paralysis? A deeper passion to have her story intermingled with a larger story, a grander story, to have a purpose "For such a time as this." What drives you?

2. Know who you care about.

Esther cared about her people, the Jews. Although she could have continued a life of safety, of luxury, she risked not only silk and satin, but her life for her people. Who are you drawn to? Who do you find yourself praying for? Thinking about? Reading about? Who is God nudging you to help?

3. Know the needs you will meet.

Esther had focus. She couldn't possibly meet all the needs of her people. She couldn't even be concerned that her people could be sold as slaves. She had a single-minded concern for their lives. (Esther 7:3-4) What concerns you most in the lives of those you care about? Spiritual needs? Physical needs? Relational needs? Emotional needs? Educational needs? Vocational needs? What types of needs do you love meeting in the lives of the people you care about?

4. Know the cause you will help conquer.

The words of Mordecai crystalized Esther's cause. She was born "for such a time as this," to pray, fast, speak, and act boldly risking her own life to bring relief and deliverance for the Jews. She had a cause. She had focus. What cause stirs your heart? Often God uses pain from our past to mobilize us for His purposes in the present. God deeply cares for the needy, the oppressed, the sick, the imprisoned, the widow, the orphan, the homeless .... and He desires for us to partner with Him in advancing His mercy and justice in the world. What cause will you help conquer?

5. Know your ultimate dream for God's kingdom.

Esther saw her enemy hanged and her uncle positioned in the king's cabinet. She saw her people saved from calamity and empowered to rise up against the anti-Semitism that threatened. She saw their sorrow turn to gladness and their days of mourning turn to holiday (Esther 9:20-22). While her role in "such a time as this," was limited to the reign of Ahaseurus, her dream was part of a bigger dream, God's dream, to see His people return to the land He had established for them. Like Esther, we are limited. We're limited by time, space, energy, resources. But with an eye toward a bigger vision, a bigger dream, we can do our part in "such a time as this." What is the bigger vision, the ultimate dream in which you can participate?

Passion is a dangerous thing. Led by God, your passion may drive you to tackle issues, meet needs, and even lay down your life for causes that are close to the heart of God. Esther embraced these five passion principles and saw the pain of her life transformed to purpose. Will you?

What do you think about these five passion principles? What cause is stirring in your heart? What needs can you see yourself meeting? What bigger dream helps you keep your passion even in your limitations? Tell me about it! Leave a comment or email me at cynthiafin@gmail.com.

This post is part of a Virtual Book Club in which we read and discuss the book S.H.A.P.E.: Finding and Fulfilling Your Unique Purpose in Life, by Eric Rees. In addition to my own study and experience, much of the material and many of the insights originate in this book. I invite you to join me and my friends over the next few months as we work together to find and fulfill our unique purpose for life. It proves to be an exciting journey!

5 Passion Principles for a Dangerous Life (Part 1)

2012-02-07T17:39:00.000-05:00

Passion is a dangerous thing. God-driven passion leads people to do crazy things.

Things like leave behind the familiar to care for orphans on another continent.
Or eat rice and beans for a month to identify with the hungry.
Or give up Saturdays to build homes for the homeless.

Passion can drive you to lay aside your earnings, your comfort, your retirement, your health, even your life.

Passion is a dangerous thing. The very safest path is to leave passion out of your life, to simply do what you do on a day-in, day-out basis without heart, without desire. But that would be a very dull existence.

Not only would it be a dull existence, but a passionless life would be so much less than what God has planned for you.

In Chapter 3 of S.H.A.P.E., Eric Rees identifies "five passion principles that can inspire us to dream big and think beyond our fears."

1. Know what drives you.

2. Know who you care about.

3. Know the needs you will meet.

4. Know the cause you will help conquer.

5. Know your ultimate dream for God's kingdom.

Consider Esther. Ripped from her home and taken to a royal brothel, the king lifted this young Jewish girl out of his harem and placed a crown on her head. Banquets were given in her honor. The king repealed taxes and gave gifts because he was pleased with his new queen. Yet she knew that her position was tenuous. She was a Jew in an anti-Semitic land.

Initiated by one of the king's own cabinet leaders, hatred against the Jews festered and spread. Yet Esther was safe, or at least she thought so. Considering her personal history, you can certainly understand her fear, her reluctance to step up to the plate. Esther refused to enter the king's court. With her own safety driving her, she refused to plead with the king on behalf of her people.

Upon hearing of her reluctance, Mordecai writes to his niece stirring a passion deeper than self-preservation,

"If you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this."

"For such a time as this." Esther's heart swelled at these words. Somehow concern for her own welfare seemed a puny passion compared the hope that she could be an agent of deliverance for her people.

Passion is a dangerous thing, as Esther is about to discover. Fear nearly kept her from being God's agent of relief and deliverance for His people. Fear is often the factor that keeps us from a life of God-led passion, from stepping out to partner with God in advancing His purposes in the world. Join me tomorrow for Part 2 of 5 Passion Principles for A Dangerous Life to see how Esther lives out these passion principles and how you can too.

Can you identify with Esther? Is fear paralyzing you? Do you have a "Mordecai" in your life stirring you to be fueled by God-led passion? Tell me about it! Leave a comment or email me at cynthiafin@gmail.com.

This post is part of a Virtual Book Club in which we read and discuss the book S.H.A.P.E.: Finding and Fulfilling Your Unique Purpose in Life, by Eric Rees. In addition to my own study and experience, much of the material and many of the insights originate in this book. I invite you to join me and my friends over the next few months as we work together to find and fulfill our unique purpose for life. It proves to be an exciting journey!

Four Spiritual Traps and How to Avoid Them

2012-01-31T10:00:00.000-05:00

In our Virtual Book Club, we've been chatting about spiritual gifts:

Today we're wrapping up our discussion on spiritual gifts by talking about spiritual traps...

... and how to avoid them.

1. Comparison Trap

We look at other people's gifts and wish they were our own. We devalue our own gifts and fail to use them because they seem insignificant when held up beside someone else's gifts. Rather than viewing ourselves as integral parts of a whole, we languish in jealousy and hinder the body of Christ from operating properly. (1 Corinthians 12:21-22).

Avoid the spiritual trap of comparison by being accepting what God says about you. You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), God's workmanship created for good works in Christ (Ephesians 2:10), and known by God before the foundation of the earth was laid (Jeremiah 1:5).

Root your identity in who Jesus says you are, not in the way that you measure up to your girlfriends.

2. Projection Trap

We expect that everyone has the same spiritual gifts that we do and we judge them when they don't. We project our gifts onto other people and get frustrated when they don't serve God in the same way that we do. Administrators get so frustrated with less-than-administrative types because we simply are not as organized as they are. People with the gift of discernment get frustrated with the encouragers because they think they avoid conflict. Givers may judge those with the gift of hospitality for using financial resources to provide a beautiful setting for a special event. Do you see how this can work?

At the root of the projection trap is pride. Avoid the projection trap by recognizing how much you need your brothers and sisters whose gifts are different from yours (1 Corinthians 12) and express your thankfulness for them. As a teacher and leader, I need the administrators to handle the details so that I can serve my role in the body of Christ. I am SO thankful to be in a church where I have support around me - someone to handle sound, someone to make copies, someone to set the tables up and organize snacks. When people express to me how thankful they are for my teaching, I'm able to say, "You are so welcome. And I am so thankful for the whole team who makes this happen each week."

Don't expect everyone to have the same gifts that you do. And appreciate people whose gifts are different from yours.

3. Rejection Trap

We reject God's gifts when we have a million excuses why we can't use our gifts. The most common one is that we lack a title that we think we must have if we are going to use our gift. We think we have to have the title of "Pastor" before we can shepherd others. We think we have to be the "Event Coordinator" before we can exercise our gift of hospitality. We, particularly women, worry about stepping on someone else's toes if we venture into "their domain."

Avoid the rejection trap by first being honest. If you're worried about stepping on someone's toes, talk to that person. I'm guessing that she (or he) would be happy to have your help. If you think you need a title to use your spiritual gift, just start using your spiritual gift right where you are. Be faithful in the small things, and God will increase your sphere of influence (Matthew 25:14-30).

Whether it's because you don't have a title or because you are worried about stepping on someone's toes, don't reject God's gifts. Be honest and be faithful.

4. Deception Trap

Satan is not creative, he's crafty. He has come to steal, to kill, and to destroy (John 10:10). As the father of lies (John 8:44), his strategies always involve deception. If he can convince you that you have one gift, but God has really given you a different gift, he has immobilized you. You are not advancing God's kingdom, and actually are hurting the body of Christ when you believe the lies of Satan and insist that you have a gift that you don't have. If he can take your gifts and cause you to use them for selfish purposes, then Satan has scored a victory.

The deception trap can work in another way as well. Every spiritual gift has an underside. If you have the gift of mercy, then the underside of that gift might be that you say "Yes" to every request that comes your way. As a result, you are wearied, on the edge of burn-out, and can't serve God with joy. If you have the gift of discernment, then the underside of this gift might be a judgmental and critical spirit. If you have the gift of apostleship, then the underside might be that you risk new ventures on your own strength rather than under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

Avoid the deception trap by asking a more mature leader, preferably someone with the gift of discernment, for their counsel. Humble yourself by sharing what you think is your spiritual gift(s) and ask for their insight. Beware of pride rising up if they are not able to affirm what you have identified as your spiritual gift and ask for their help in identifying your spiritual gifts. Once you know your spiritual gifts, take time to identify the underside and be on your guard for how this manifests itself in your life.

Don't insist that you have a gift when others don't affirm it, and watch out for the underside of your spiritual gifts.

Probably one or two of these traps are particularly dangerous for you. You may have even found yourself wincing a bit as you read through the descriptions. That's okay. The first step to avoiding spiritual traps is to recognize them as a tool of the enemy. You've taken that first step today.

Question: Which spiritual trap is particularly dangerous for you? Have you been successful in avoiding these traps? What strategies work for you to enable you to avoid these spiritual traps?

And, if you'd like to email me directly, I'd love to hear from you! cynthiafin@gmail.com

Join me on Wednesday for our discussion of Chapter 3: Heart.

This post is part of a Virtual Book Club in which we read and discuss the book S.H.A.P.E.: Finding and Fulfilling Your Unique Purpose in Life, by Eric Rees. In addition to my own study and experience, much of the material and many of the insights originate in this book. I invite you to join me and my friends over the next few months as we work together to find and fulfill our unique purpose for life. It proves to be an exciting journey!

How To Simply Identify Your Spiritual Gifts

2012-01-30T06:42:00.000-05:00

If you want to effectively advance God's kingdom in your sphere of influence, you need to know and use your spiritual gifts.

As ridiculous as this is, many people don't know their spiritual gifts because they have over-spiritualized what should be a simple process. It's just not that complicated. I'm with Jeff Larsen.

"Gifts most often are the self evident abilities, talents, and passions that define who they are."

So, here are three simple steps to enable you to identify your spiritual gifts.

1. Take your best guess

Seriously. Prayerfully think about yourself and what you love to do, how you most love to serve people. This, most likely, indicates your top spiritual gift.

But, if you need a little bit of help, download a S.H.A.P.E. inventory. What I love about this inventory is that it is simple, straightforward, short, and has scripture to go with each question.

2. Test drive

Now that you've begun to get a sense of your spiritual gifts, it's time to start test driving. The first place to look for an opportunity is in your church. Did you identify that you have a teaching gift? See if you can apprentice as a Sunday school teacher for three months. Did you identify that you have the gift of hospitality? Look at the church calendar and see if there's an event that you can help host. Perhaps you have the gift of administration. Call the church office and find out if there is a project you can help organize.

First look to your church to see if there are ministries in which you can serve for a short period of time to test drive what you have identified as your spiritual gifts. If your church doesn't have a place for your to test drive your spiritual gifts, look to your community.

3. As you serve, ask yourself three questions:

Are other people being blessed? If you are using your spiritual gifts to serve, others will be built up and encourage. 1 Corinthians 12:7, 1 Peter 4:10, Ephesians 4:11-12

Is God being honored? When you serve in God's strength, people may be thankful for what you are doing, but God gets glorified. 1 Peter 4:10-11

Am I having fun? Serving the Lord with gladness doesn't just make serving God fun. It's a command. Psalm 100:2, Deuteronomy 28:47-48

Identifying your spiritual gifts is key to effectively serving God, but it is not a mystical process. Don't make it more complicated than it needs to be.

Questions: Does identifying your spiritual gifts seem like a mystical process? Why or why not? Why do you think people struggle with finding their spiritual gifts? What has helped you to identify and use your spiritual gifts?

Join me tomorrow for "Four Spiritual Traps and How to Avoid Them"

This post is part of a Virtual Book Club in which we read and discuss the book S.H.A.P.E.: Finding and Fulfilling Your Unique Purpose in Life, by Eric Rees. In addition to my own study and experience, much of the material and many of the insights originate in this book. I invite you to join me and my friends over the next few months as we work together to find and fulfill our unique purpose for life. It proves to be an exciting journey!

Clumsiness is Not a Spiritual Gift

2012-01-25T13:38:00.001-05:00

"I have the spiritual gift of clumsiness," that ten-year old bike rider could have said. As her mother will testify, her childhood and adolescence was filled with examples of running into things. Whether two-wheeling through the backyard on her super-speedy bike,

walking across her high school campus with a book in hand, or unfortunately, backing out of the high school parking lot the very day she got her license, trees, poles, and other vehicles didn't stand a chance.

But, there is no spiritual gift of clumsiness.

This topic of spiritual gifts has mystified, polarized, and even divided, the body of Christ over the centuries when people ask questions like:

What are spiritual gifts?
Are all the spiritual gifts for today?
Are there more spiritual gifts than the ones listed in the Bible?
Does everyone have a spiritual gift?
Can you have more than one spiritual gift?
Are there certain gifts for men, and certain gifts for women?

While I will fill you in on my views of all these questions at the end of this post, the only one I'm really going to hit is the first one.

What are spiritual gifts?

I love John Piper’s definition.

"Spiritual gifts are expressions of faith, to strengthen faith ... They are any ability the Spirit gives you to express your faith in order to strengthen another person."

Paul gives us several lists of spiritual gifts, and Peter gives us one as well. Check out these passages:

Romans 12:6-8

1 Corinthians 12:8-10

1 Corinthians 12:28

Ephesians 4:11

Peter 4:9-10

In these verses you can see lists of spiritual gifts, but you also see that the gifts are:

given by God,

empowered by the Spirit, and

specifically appointed for each believer.

Spiritual gifts may be natural abilities, talents, or even personality traits that preexist in a person, but when that person comes to Christ, those gifts are empowered by the Holy Spirit and take on a supernatural quality. Instead of being used to advance our own cause, we use them to glorify God and bless others, and we get overflowing joy.

Now about those other questions. I’m going to share my views with you, but they are my views. You check out the scriptures and come to your conclusions. In my opinion, these are important issues for each believer to wrestle with, but they are not worth dividing over.

Are all the spiritual gifts for today?

My view is yes, all the gifts are for today. From my Bible study, I don’t see a division between the supernatural gifts and the less supernatural ones. Honestly, I think they are all supernatural. Administration, hospitality, service empowered by the Holy Spirit is supernatural. However, it’s a gray area and not one worth dividing over.

Are there more spiritual gifts than the ones listed in the Bible?

Possibly. I don’t see Paul or Peter saying that these are all the gifts. I come back to John Piper’s definition.

Spiritual gifts are ... any ability the Spirit gives you to express your faith and strengthen another person.

Does every Christian have a spiritual gift?

Yes, yes, YES!

Can you have more than one spiritual gift?

What I’ve found is that each person has one really strong gift and a couple of supporting gifts.

Are there certain gifts for men, and certain gifts for women?

I don’t think so. I do ascribe to the view of men holding the office of elder in the local church, but this doesn’t limit women from expressing their gifts of leadership, pastoring, teaching, administration, discernment, etc. in ways that honor God, bless others, and bring them joy.

Now, it's time to hear from you.

Although I could have claimed the spiritual gift of clumsiness as a child and adolescent (and adult?), clumsiness, or criticism, or car-wrecking have no place on anyone's list of spiritual gifts. What self-deprecating labels do you need to throw off? What have you found helpful in this discussion of spiritual gifts? Now that I've shared "my views," I'd love to hear yours!

Let's get the discussion going.

This post is part 3B of a 13-part series, a Virtual Book Club in which we read and discuss the book S.H.A.P.E.: Finding and Fulfilling Your Unique Purpose in Life, by Eric Rees. In addition to my own study and experience, much of the material and many of the insights originate in this book. If you'd like to join us for the VBC, you can find more information in the following posts.

Welcome to S.H.A.P.E. You Are a Masterpiece with a Special Commission

You Are a Masterpiece with a Special Commission

"Watch Me Ride!" God's Delight in Giving Us Gifts

I invite you to join me and my friends over the next few months as we work together to find and fulfill our unique purpose for life. It proves to be an exciting journey!

Over the next few days, join me back here for the following:

Why are Spiritual Gifts Important?
What are YOUR Spiritual Gifts?
Using Your Spiritual Gifts
Shoring Up Your Spiritual Gifts

"Watch me ride!" God's Delight in Giving Us Gifts

2012-01-23T22:08:00.004-05:00

Christmas 1976. I was ten years old.

My parents had separated the year before and the divorce had recently become finalized. My younger sister and I had settled into a routine, familiar to thousands of school-age children, spending one weekend with mom and one weekend with dad. It had been a hard year.

Our family met down at my grandfather's river cottage for Christmas. After all the gifts had been opened, my mother asked me to get something out of the trunk of the car for her. As I slid the key into the lock, my sister, my uncle, and my mom gathered around me. A bit too excited, I thought. But as the trunk popped open, I understood. Lying there was a brand-new red and white ten-speed bicycle.

Even this ten-year old girl knew that her schoolteacher single mom must have had to give up plenty in order to fulfill her daughter's dream of trading in the banana bike for a ten-speed. What do you think I did next?

Did I stand back and admire the bike?

Did I close the trunk and say, "I'm not worthy of such a gift?"

Did I reach into the pocket of my jeans and say, "How much do I owe you for the bike?"

Did I shut the eyes and say, "That bike would be too much fun. Why didn't you give me a broom and dustpan for Christmas?"

Of course not. I squealed, jumped up and down, hugged my mom, and with the help of my "Uncle Wiggly," I pulled the bike out of the trunk and gave it a whirl. Up and down the dirt road, helmetless, and long hair flying, along the Neuse River, I rode and rode and rode. And my mother smiled. And smiled. And smiled.

Many of us tentatively open our Father's trunk, his storehouse, filled with "every spiritual blessing." We look at the beautiful gift he has offered us, and we say:

"That sure is a nice gift. Too nice for me to use, actually."

"For me? That gift can't be for me. I am too messed up. I will never be good enough for that gift."

"Wow! What a fantastic gift! If you let me have that gift, I'll pay you back for it. I promise."

"I would love that gift, but I would enjoy it too much. Doing your will, Father, has to be miserable work. If I'm ever going to serve you, I have to really hate what I'm doing. "

It seems ridiculous, but I'm guessing that many, many of us respond to the blessings, the gifts our Father offers us and respond in one of these ways. We are uninformed, even ignorant, about spiritual gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:1) We think that they can't be for us. We don't deserve them. That somehow we have to earn the gifts God offers to us. Or most commonly, if we served God, and actually enjoyed serving God, we would really be serving ourselves.

In reality God is a joyful Father who delights to give his children good gifts (Matthew 7:11), spiritual gifts for His glory, to bless others, and to bring us deep happiness.

This post is part 3 of a 13-part series, a Virtual Book Club in which we read and discuss the book S.H.A.P.E.: Finding and Fulfilling Your Unique Purpose in Life, by Eric Rees. In addition to my own study and experience, much of the material and many of the insights originate in this book. If you'd like to join us for the VBC, you can find more information in the following posts.

Welcome to S.H.A.P.E. You Are a Masterpiece with a Special Commission

You Are a Masterpiece with a Special Commission

I invite you to join me and my friends over the next few months as we work together to find and fulfill our unique purpose for life. It proves to be an exciting journey!

Over the next few days, join me back here for the following:

What are spiritual gifts?
Why does God give spiritual gifts?
What are YOUR spiritual gifts?
Using Your Spiritual Gifts
Strengthening Your Spiritual Gifts

Now, it's time to hear from you.

I'd love to hear your thoughts, get your impressions. Could you identify with that ten-year old girl? What keeps you from accepting the good gifts God gives you?

Let's get the discussion going.

What You Can Do To Combat Trafficking (Part 3)

2012-01-17T20:06:00.000-05:00

This post is part of a three part series, What You Can Do To Combat Human Trafficking. I invite you to read Part 1 and Part 2, and then join me here for ACTION STEPS you can take today.

Take ACTION

As beneficial as these books and movies are to help us connect our heart with the issue and enable us to educate ourselves, we still need help knowing what we can do. Here are some suggestions.

Pay a little more for Fair Trade products, particularly coffee. Not only are people bought and sold for sex trafficking, but they are also enslaved for labor. Often people lump "fair trade" and "organic" together. You may see products, particularly coffee, that sport both labels, but they are not the same. Fair trade describes a system of commerce that promotes a sustainable environment, labor rights, a good wage, and healthy working conditions for laborers and their families.

Investigate what is happening in your state and your city related to trafficking. If you are in NC and want to know more, please email me at cynthiafin@gmail.com. I'll be glad to share what I know about what is happening in the Tar Heel State.

Volunteer with an organization that is working to end modern-day slavery. For two years, I felt virtually helpless to be able to do anything about the trafficking issue since I saw the problem as primarily an international one. Through a God-orchestrated dinner, I became aware that there are over 300 street children in Raleigh, NC alone. This fact mobilized me to take local action. Since then, I've begun to connect with people in our community who are actively combatting trafficking as well as an organization based in Washington, D.C. that works internationally. I can't do everything. But, I can do something.

Keep your eyes open in your community. Here are some key indicators of trafficking, perhaps right in your neighborhood:

Excessive garbage and trash for the size of the house
Unusual and irregular hours of entry and exit
Poorly maintained property, uncut grass, appearance of abandonment
Unusual large number of residents for the size of the house or apartment
Unrecognized, abandoned, or large numbers of vehicles parked around the dwelling

Watch for victims in your community. Key places are at nail salons, housecleaning services, truck stops, and then the obvious, strip clubs. When you travel, be particularly watchful at hotels, on airplanes and in airports. Here's what to look for:

Injuries, signs of physical abuse or torture
Unkempt appearance with signs of malnutrition
Unwillingness to have eye contact
Paranoid and/or overly vigilant behavior by the caregiver Source: PATH -NC

Report information to the authorities. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911. But if the problem is not so urgent, call the National Human Trafficking Tip Line at 1-888-373-7888. If you are traveling by airplane carefully alert the flight attendant.

Talk about the issue with friends, with your pastor, at your children's schools, and particularly with the teens in your life. Within 48 hours of hitting the streets, 1/3 of all runaways are lured into pornography or prostitution. Not only this, but due to our overly sexual culture and a propensity for dangerous activity, teens may be attracted to a trafficker rather than pay attention to the danger.

Blog about trafficking. Feel free to use this post and others on your blog if you'd like. Just let me know, if you do. Post this link, or any others that you find particularly helpful, on your Facebook account. Use whatever influence you have to get the word out.

Ask your local librarian to stock the books I have mentioned, but others as well. Once you begin to research, you will find many other books and DVDs that should be easily available to the public.

Give to organizations that are working to end modern-day slavery. These are just a few of my favorites:

International Justice Mission brings rescue to victims of slavery, sexual exploitation, and other forms of oppression.

Stella's Voice visits and ministers to orphans in Moldova and operates several houses for "graduates" to provide them with a safe place to grow, mature in Christ, and develop skills to help them succeed.

The Hope House provides a place of seclusion, restoration, and healing for victims of sex trafficking.

Stop Trafficking Now funds efforts that target the demand side of child sex slavery.

Innocents at Risk fights human trafficking by raising awareness and educating internationally and domestically in the corporate sector, in public schools and universities and among the general public. They also train flight attendants to recognize trafficking situations and how to respond.

Not for Sale equips and mobilizes smart activities to end modern-day slavery.

Pray that the Lord would show you your role in combatting human trafficking, and then take action.

I know I've only touched on the tip of the iceberg to raise awareness and inspire action. I'd love to hear from you. What actions are you taking? Which of the actions I've suggested are ones you can see yourself, well, acting upon? Leave me a comment or email me at cynthiafin@gmail.com.

You are a Masterpiece with a Special Commission

2012-01-16T13:05:00.000-05:00

Welcome to our S.H.A.P.E. Virtual Book Club!

We are just starting out and would love for you to join us! You can go right to this post to see the schedule, how to order the book, S.H.A.P.E.: Finding and Fulfilling Your Unique Purpose for Life, and get started reading Chapter 1: Masterpiece, which is what we're discussing today. So, get a cup of tea or coffee and join me for our VBC.

When Piper, one of my younger daughters, was little, I'd ask her, "Piper, what do you want for lunch? Would you like a PB & J, or a grilled cheese sandwich?"

She'd look up at me and say, "I don't matter, Mommy."

I'd ask her, "What would you like to wear today? You pink polka-dotted dress, or your purple one with green stripes?"

Shrugging her shoulders, she'd reply, "I don't matter, Mommy."

"What story would you like for me to read tonight, Piper?"

"I don't matter, Mommy."

Every time this cutie-patootie would tell me "I don't matter, Mommy," I'd say, "Oh, Piper, you DO matter. You matter much more than you could ever imagine." And, without too much detail over the complexities of the English language and imprecise pronouns, I'd explain that what she really wanted to say was, "It doesn't matter."

For many of us, we stay stuck in the emerging linguistics of my daughter. We say to ourselves, to our family, to the world, and to God, "I don't matter."

When in reality, we do matter. We matter very much. God views us as masterpieces, His workmanship, clay in the loving hands of the Master Potter.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works.

My soul knows it very well.

Psalm 139:13-14

Have you ever praised God for the way He made you? Have you praised him for the way He crafted your body? Have you considered yourself, your personality, your talents, your laugh, and thanked God for making you? Do you know, deep down in your heart, how very wonderfully you were made?

And not only were you created wonderfully, but you were created for wonderful purposes, for Kingdom purposes.

For we are His workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus for good works,

which God prepared beforehand

that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10

You were created for good works, for Kingdom purposes, planned by God before you were even born. But what is a Kingdom purpose?

"Your Kingdom purpose is ... a special commissioning from God to make a significant difference on this earth. It is the banner of your life that you carry and wave for God's glory." (Rees, S.H.A.P.E, p. 22)

A special commissioning from God to make a significant difference on the earth.

I want that. Don't you?

Now, I'd love to hear from you and I've got some questions below to kick off our discussion. Choose one or more to answer, or just let me know your thoughts in the comments section. Over the next week. I'll keep checking back, reply and moderate. If you have something you'd personally like to "talk" about with me, feel free to email me at cynthiafin@gmail.com.

So here are some questions:

1. How often do you find yourself saying with Piper, "I don't matter?" How does this impact the way you view yourself, relate to friends and family, and relate in circle of acquaintances?

2. How does it make you feel to hear that God views you as a masterpiece? Reflect on events from your past that hinder you from seeing yourself as God's masterpiece and name them. You may share here, email me privately, or talk to a friend or spouse. But don't skip over this. Give yourself time to thoughtfully consider what is keeping you from saying with the psalmist, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made....My soul knows it full well."

3. If you have your S.H.A.P.E. book, did you take the survey on page 28-29. What category do you currently fall in? Why do you think that is?

4. Perhaps you have a sense of your Kingdom purpose, your special commission. Please share it with us!

Lord Jesus, you have created each of us fearfully and wonderfully. You have created us for Kingdom purposes that will glorify You and bring us joy. God, we need to have a perspective shift, to see ourselves as Your masterpieces so that we can step more confidently into the plans You have for us. Help us, Lord, so we can join in with the psalmist saying, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made ... my soul knows it full well." In Jesus' name, amen.

What can you do to combat trafficking? (Part 2 of 3)

2012-01-13T09:00:00.002-05:00

Get AWARE

By reading books and watching movies, our hearts get connected with the issue. Here are some of my favorites. Do be aware that the content, by nature, is often graphic and violent.

Priceless, Tom Davis
Set in Russia, this book connects the trafficking industry with corruption in the Orthodox Church and the plight of orphans.

The Natashas: Inside the New Global Sex Trade, Victor Malarek Focusing on the Eastern bloc, this factual expose brings light to the crime "which offers high profits with little risk of interference."

A Walk Across the Sun, Corban Addison Two girls, orphaned in the tsunami, are abducted and subsequently trafficked. Powerful, insightful, tragic, and yet hopeful, this book will tear at your heart, but leave you with hope.

Trade Adriana, a 13-year old girl from Mexico City, is kidnapped and trafficked across the border. Her only friend is Veronica, a Polish woman who is tricked into the trade with offers of a better life.

Taken Liam Neeson stars as a CIA agent, Bryan Mills, whose estranged daughter is abducted by an Albanian gang and sold into prostitution while traveling in Paris. Bryan has on 96 hours to save her.

Human Trafficking This Hallmark mini-series starring Donald Sutherland and Mira Sorvino, covers the story of three trafficking victims from Prague, Kiev, and a 12-year old American tourist in the Philippines who is abducted in front of her parents.

Nefarious: Merchant of Souls is only being shown in select cities at this time. The first of a three-part documentary series, Nefarious exposes the trends of modern sex slavery and offers hope for its abolition.

Becoming aware of the problem doesn't have a whole lot of value unless you take action. Meet me here next Wednesday for actions that you can begin to take right now.

There are many more books out there related to this topic. What are you reading or movies are you watching to raise your own awareness of the issue of sex trafficking? Leave me a comment telling me your recommendations or giving me your review.

What can you do to combat human trafficking? (Part 1 of 3)

2012-01-12T13:03:00.000-05:00

Human trafficking is one of those problems that seems so overwhelming, so impossible, so evil that many of us turn away and simply pretend it doesn't exist. But it does. Human trafficking is real, and it's pervasive.

Human trafficking is the Ukrainian orphan who "graduates" at 15, is put on the streets with a small sack of belongings, and is picked up by a trafficker offering her a good job and shelter only to be drugged, beaten, and raped until she is ready to be of service.

Human trafficking is the destitute Albanian woman who answers an ad offering her a dream job waitressing at a chic restaurant in Greece, on the Aegean. Handing over her passport, she is hauled over land and sea as her dreams disintegrate and she is bought and sold as property.

Human trafficking is the young Moldovan woman who was beaten by her father and ran to the streets. Picked up by traffickers offering her a hope, a future, she readily goes with them to Poland where she is forced to beg on streets, or face the consequences.

Human trafficking originates most severely from Thailand, China, Nigeria, Albania, Bulgaria, Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine. But, the United States is one of the hottest destination countries.

The problem is not just an "over there" problem; it's in our backyard.

And the problem is huge, SO big that you can't do everything. But as I learned from Albina, you can't do nothing. So, what can you do? Regardless, of your resources, your time, the season of life you are in, you can do something.

Dont' worry. I'm not going to leave you hanging. Meet me here tomorrow for Part 2, and on Wednesday for Part 3 to find out what you can do to combat human trafficking.

What experiences do you have with human trafficking or is the issue a new one for you? Are you as surprised and horrified as I was when I first began to hear these statistics and read the stories? Leave me a comment to let me know your thoughts on the issue.

Welcome to S.H.A.P.E. VBC!

2012-01-09T11:05:00.002-05:00

This week kicks off our S.H.A.P.E. Virtual Book Club! Welcome!

If you haven't ordered your book, you can order it from Amazon and even start reading the first chapter while you're waiting for your book to arrive.

Here's the plan. Each week you'll read one chapter from S.H.A.P.E. Each Monday, I'll post and invite discussion on that chapter. The more discussion we have, the more fun it will be! So, this week is simply an introduction. By next Monday, January 16, you should read Chapter 1: Masterpiece. Make sense?

Here's the schedule:

S.H.A.P.E. - Finding and Fulfilling Your Unique Purpose For Life Virtual Book Club
January 9	Welcome and Introduction
	Uncovering Your S.H.A.P.E
January 16	Chapter 1: Masterpiece
January 23	Chapter 2: Spiritual Gifts
January 30	Chapter 3: Heart
February 6	Chapter 4: Abilities
February 13	Chapter 5: Personality
February 20	Chapter 6: Experiences
	Unlocking Your LIfe
February 20	Chapter 7: Letting Go
February 27	Chapter 8: Other- Centered
March 5	Chapter 9: Better Together
	Unleashing Your S.H.A.P.E. For Life
March 12	Chapter 10: Kingdom Purpose
March 19	Chapter 11: Pass It On
March 26	Chapter 12: Full Potential
April 2	Conclusion

For today, I'd like you to imagine that we're gathered in my den. There's a fire in the fireplace and we each have a cup of coffee, hot tea, or other beverage of choice. One of you lovely ladies has brought a plateful of cranberry orange scones that are available on the coffee table in the middle of our comfy chairs. If you have children, they are being happily covered by your husband who even sent you out the door a little early so that you could have a bit of time to yourself before you came over. Sounds delightful, right?

So, let's get to know each other a little bit. Let's introduce ourselves and share how you came to be part of this S.H.A.P.E. VBC.

I'm Cindy, and I'm convinced that as we get to know ourselves better and get to know God better we'll discover God's purpose for our lives. I LOVE to mobilize women for impact and think this book has tremendous potential for helping us get moving in God's direction for our lives.

What's the one thing you want God to do in your life as a result of this study?

Through this study, I'm asking God to position me for His Kingdom purposes. There are several things I'm interested in pursuing, but want clear direction before I move forward in any direction.

How would you define a life purpose, or a life contribution?

This one I'm not going to answer yet, because I want to hear from you.

So, leave me a comment, introduce yourself, let me know the one thing you want God to do in your life through this study, and tell me how you would define life purpose. This is going to be fun!

Should You Read Your Bible in a Year?

2012-01-02T08:54:00.000-05:00

Yes. And no.

The great thing about reading your Bible in a year is that you are reading large sections of Scripture every day.

The not-so-great thing about reading your Bible in a year is that you are, well, reading large sections of Scripture every day.

Seriously.

While it's great to read that much Bible, moving along at a clipped pace doesn't allow you to pause, meditate, linger. Not only that, but life gets in the way sometimes.

And, then, the biggie. If you're a perfectionist, when you miss a day you feel like all is lost and you just give up.

So, what I'm going to suggest is choosing a reading plan and using the schedule to guide your Bible reading, not dictate it.

Let me say that again.

Use the schedule to guide your Bible reading, not dictate it.

Here's how:

Decide on a READING PLAN. My favorite is the chronological plan, but there are many others you can choose.
Print out your plan and tape it into the back of your Bible.
No matter what day of the year it is, start on January 1st. If you're using the chronological plan, that's Genesis 1-3. Read as much as you would like, as your schedule allows, or until you hit something that you want to linger over. Then you stop.
If you read all the way through that day's reading, put a little checkmark beside Gen 1-3 in the plan you have taped in the back of your Bible. If you didn't read all the way through Genesis 3, don't put a checkmark. Tomorrow, pick your Bible reading back up wherever you stopped.

Use the schedule to guide your Bible reading, not dictate it.

For some of you this is freaking you out.

You cannot believe that I am telling you on January 2nd to start a reading plan that is clearly intended to start on January 1st. And, I'm telling you that you don't even have to read all of that day's assigned reading. Believe it.

The goal is to read the Bible every day.

Here's why this plan works:

1. It is systematic. You never wake up and think, "I don't know where I should read today," spend 15 minutes flipping through your Bible waiting for a verse to jump out at you and inspire you for your day, and then set your Bible down in frustration. You flip to the back of your Bible, see where you left off, and pick up there.

2. It allows for life. Some days you may have hours for reading the Bible, but other days you only have 15 minutes. This plan allows you to read your Bible for the amount of time your life will allow.

3. It allows for a pause. Some of you are involved in organized Bible studies in your community or in your church. Or, you may be following my Basic, Simple, Straightforward Quiet Time plan with a book of your choosing or with my guide through Philippians. With this plan, you can put a pause on the plan for days when you are working on your Bible study, but then have the plan for your go-to when you are not doing your Bible study.

4. It allows for lingering. As you read your Bible, you may want to linger, pray over passages, memorize a verse, journal. With this plan, you can do that.

Use the schedule to guide your Bible reading, not dictate it.

So, should you read your Bible in a year? Yes. And no.

Leave me a comment and let me know how Bible reading schedules have worked for you in the past. What do you like about this plan? What freaks you out about it?

Want to find Your Life's Purpose?

2011-12-27T18:25:00.001-05:00

And then learn how to fulfill it?

In Chariots of Fire, Olympic runner Eric Liddell faces criticism from his sister, Jennie. Jennie sees in Eric the potential he has for serving God in China. After Eric misses a prayer meeting, Jennie accuses him of not caring for God. To her delight, Eric tell Jennie that he intends to return to China, however,

"I've got a lot of running to do first. Jennie, you've got to understand.

I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast.

And when I run, I feel His pleasure."

God made Eric Liddell for a purpose. Eric's purpose was not only serve God in China, but also to serve Him by running, and running fast.

"When I run, I feel His pleasure."

Like Eric, God made you to feel His pleasure. His purpose for you is weighted with pleasure. His purpose for you is dripping with JOY, real joy.

Are you experiencing the joy of God's pleasure over you as you live out His purposes?

If your answer is a definite "No," or even an "I'm not sure," I'd love to invite you to join me for a 12-week Virtual Book Club beginning January 9th discussing Eric Rees' book,

In the first six weeks, you'll find your purpose by uncovering your SHAPE

Spiritual Gifts
Heart
Abilities
Personality
Experiences

In the second six weeks you'll explore how to fulfill your purpose by unlocking your life and unleashing your SHAPE for God's glory and your joy.

Sound exciting? I think so! To participate, here's what you need to do:

Email me at cynthiafin@gmail.com to sign up and get more information from me on how the Virtual Book Club will work.
Order S.H.A.P.E.: Finding and Fulfillig Your Unique Purpose for Life.
Pass this information on to other women who you think would like to find their SHAPE.
And then mark your calendar for January 9th to begin your journey to find and fulfill your unique purpose for life.

Finding and fulfilling your life's purpose. I can't wait to start this journey with you!

New Light to a Familiar Story

2011-12-23T17:15:00.001-05:00

Christmas cards, pictures, and letters, I love them. I love getting a family picture taken. I love picking out a card. I love writing a Christmas letter. I love sending them out.

The cards and letters we receive go in a basket for the family to read and admire. The pictures go onto a magnetic white board and stay there all year long.

Each year, we do get a few favorites. I'm sure you do too. Some are hilarious, some are touching, and some are just unbelievable. My favorite this year didn't come in the mailbox, but was written by Susan Drake and sent to me through cyberspace. I think you'll enjoy it too.

Merry Christmas Everyone,

Well, it’s that time of year for our family sharing with all of our wonderful friends and loved ones.

It’s been a tough year, to say the least. To start off the year, we had some very sad news. Our daughter, we found out, was pregnant. Yes, our 14 year old was on her way to motherhood. As you can imagine, this was a terrible embarrassment for the whole family. We, as parents, couldn’t figure out where we went wrong. We went to church every Sunday. We celebrated all the religious holidays in honor to God. We taught our children the right path according to the Bible. But, as we all know, kids have their own paths they sometimes must follow.

Of course our first inclination was to find this boy, with shotgun in hand, string him up and ask questions later. Then sanity took over and we realized we would not be free for long if we hurt him. So, we tried another approach. We would REASON with our daughter, convince her to tell us who this young man was and WHAT WAS SHE THINKING. I’m afraid we did not come across as the most caring and sensitive parents at that point. She of course, did not wish to disclose this information right away. I wanted nothing more than to have a sit-down with him, his parents and our daughter and ask him, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING. It became obvious to us, this was not going to happen.
Our next thought was, how are we going to tell everyone. We felt such shame and humiliation. After all, don’t we want our children to be perfect, to emulate us, to be mature and self-controlled at ALL times, just like we? Well, that little fairy-tale just blew up in our faces. Honestly? We just wanted the whole thing to go away.

We went through ALL the thoughts. Abortion, adoption, maybe she’ll miscarry, maybe the test was WRONG. Everything swept through our mind like a crazy whirlwind. It took us a while to “be still, and know that I am God”. Where WAS God in all this? He had deserted us. How could He disappear in such a storm as this? Her dad and I had lain awakened many hours for many nights. What was going to happen to our little girl? She was too young to be a mother. Would her body even bear the physical changes that wouldtake place inside and out? What would we do with the child after it was born? She would lose a child and we would lose a grandchild. Not my dream for me or my daughter. I thought of the stigma attached to a girl pregnant out of wedlock, although that stigma is not as strong as it once was. Still, I looked ahead to some day when she would marry and what would her future husband think? Would he be hurt by the decisions and choices she made at such a young age? Would he refuse to marry her when he found out? All these questions and.......no answers.

One day, about 3 months into the pregnancy, a young man showed up at our door. She was with him. They came into our home and sat us both down. They talked of love, (had to be childish infatuation-after all, she’s only 14) and their desire to marry some day. Some day, I thought, what about now? What was my little girl to do now, today? She was going to be quitting school soon and going to one of those private schools for pregnant girls. She was going to have a BABY. What was marrying her SOME DAY going to do for any of us NOW?

As you can see, my frustration was coming out loud and clear. I don’t think anybody cared about what I thought or what I was going through. It’s hard for a parent to see their child have to suffer through such adult things. But, there was one thing I kept missing. I kept forgetting to TALK to my daughter. What was SHE thinking, what was SHE feeling about all this? She said very little most of the time.

One night, in the dark, she crept into our room. Once again, we were awake, contemplating our situation and trying to figure out some answers to some very scary questions. She slipped in as she had so many times as a small child, scared and whimpering as though there was a bad storm outside. This time, the storm was inside. It was rising up in her. She was afraid. She was afraid of us, she was afraid of what was to come, she was afraid of what others would think of her, she was afraid she would not be a good mother....she was afraid. She crawled into bed between us and quietly wept as we held her in our arms.

The next morning, hoping that all this had just been a bad dream and now it was time to wake up, there we were, all three in bed still in our same circumstance. Our daughter made a declaration that morning. This was really the first time she talked openly about her situation. She had made a decision during the night. She was going to go through with it. Not only was she going to HAVE the baby, she was going to keep it and raise it and marry that young man she had brought over to meet us.

As you can imagine, we were stunned and probably for the first time, speechless. When we picked our chins up from the floor, we began our dissertation about ALL the reasons why she was wrong and would be sorry and how it would ruin her life. How would she finish school? Without a high school education, what would her future look like? What about college-our dream for all our children? What about success in life? How would they live? On what would they live? Where would they live? Our immediate thought-you’re not freeloading here!; then quickly grabbed those words back as we thought of our grandchild out in the cold somewhere with two jobless parents and no roof over their heads. Oh the agony. What was this going to do to US? Not, what would this do to them or their child.

I realized that I was taking this personally. Why had she done this to ME? Why had she let herself get into this dilemma? Why was she punishing ME? Did she dislike her family that much?

And then I thought about what a good daughter she had ALWAYS been. Honest, faithful, true. Never shy about her love for us and her family. Something just wasn’t right. Something in this story wasn’t fitting. I decided to have a sit down talk with the young man who supposedly was the father. He was very shy at first. Quiet, yet calm. He had warm eyes and an endearing smile. He told me of his love for our daughter. How he knew the minute he saw her that she was the one for him. I thought, c’mon, she’s only 14. What could you possibly see that would intrigue you? It was very hard for me to control my thoughts. My first reaction was to think “child molester”, but my spirit would not let me go there. There was just something about this boy....this man. Then it hit me like a huge, gigantic boulder. This guy was not the baby’s father. He was placing himself in that role, but he was not the one. Then who???? Who had been the “child molester”? Who had abused our daughter?

That night, l lay awake once again, trying to make sense of it all. We had asked our daughter over and over, who was the father. She had never really given us an answer. What was she afraid of? Had she truly been abused by some stranger? Had she been raped? Should we have aborted this baby after all? Had a crime been committed? Did we need to seek legal advice? What were we to do?

We never did get the WHOLE story. Just to appease us, she made up some tale that was truly not believable. We decided that maybe she needed some “help”. What kind of help was yet to be determined. Was she just desperate for attention? Going through some rebellious stage? Lord knows, we gave her all the attention she needed.

After the many months of questions and frustration and agony over our daughters situation, she finally delivered her baby. What a beautiful baby boy. His eyes are not like any I have ever seen before. There is warmth and compassion in them. How can that be? He is such a small baby. Our grandson. Oh, how we love him. And how we can feel his love for us. What were we thinking those many months ago? Now, we would never have it any other way. They are right, what they say about being a grandparent, there’s nothing like it. And our daughter has blossomed. She is a perfect mother. She was not being rebellious or trying to hurt her family. She was simply being obedient.

She and Joseph will be getting married this month. We’d like to invite you all to the wedding...And you can meet our grandson and her son....Jesus.

Love to you all.....

I have to say, I hadn't thought much about what Mary's mother had to go through, but only about what Mary had to face. What have you read, seen, or done this Christmas season that has brought new light to a very familiar story? I'd love to hear from you!

Have a wonderful Christmas!

Enjoy!

2011-12-21T07:49:00.002-05:00

Have a wonderful day!

Prairie Corn Chowder

2011-12-19T16:08:00.000-05:00

Several folks have emailed to ask, so here's the recipe for this yummy soup. Shared with me by my long-time friend, Susan, at Pure Joy, it's a favorite in our household!

Prairie Corn Chowder

4 skinless boneless breast halves

1 can cream of chicken soup

2 tsp. of chicken base OR 2 bouillon cubes

1 cup diced carrots

1 onion, diced

3 cups of frozen corn

½ cup uncooked rice

3 potatoes, peeled and diced

½ - 2 tsp. red pepper flakes (depending on how much heat you like)

2 Tbs. dried parsley

Salt and pepper to taste

2 cups heavy cream (you HAVE to use heavy cream – do NOT skimp! )

Cook and dice chicken breasts – drain and set aside.
Add water to cream of chicken soup to make 8 cups of liquid.
Bring to a boil and add bouillon.
Add carrots, onion, corn, rice, potatoes, red pepper flakes, and parsley. Let simmer for ~ 30 minutes.
Add salt, pepper to taste.
Add heavy cream and chicken and heat ~ 15 minutes – do not boil. Enjoy!

And, if you haven't visited Long to Love yet to read Home By Another Way, make your grocery list for Prairie Corn Chowder, cue the James Taylor, and head on over. And, if you're visiting from Long to Love, please say,"Hello!" and let me know you're here.

Home By Another Way

2011-12-19T11:04:00.003-05:00

Prairie Corn Chowder is bubbling on the stove and the house is buzzing. My oldest three are on their way back from Virginia. And, in less than an hour, or so, my mom and dear step-father, Phil, will pull in the driveway. I have family coming home for Christmas.

But it wasn't too many years ago that I was the one going home for Christmas. At Long to Love, I tell the story of a Christmas twenty-one years ago when I began to learn how to go "Home By Another Way."

Pulling into the driveway, I glanced at the handsome man behind the wheel. He smiled at me, and I smiled back, but my stomach flip-flopped and my heart pounded in my chest. As the car rolled to a stop, the front door, wreathed in Christmas greenery, opened and out came my family.

“Bill, I’d like for you to meet my family. Mom, Phil, I’d like for you to meet Bill.”

Head on over to Long to Love to read how my first Christmas home with Bill worked out and get some recommendations for how you can go Home By Another Way. But, I'll warn you. You're going to want linger for a while. Elizabeth is a beautiful writer AND has great craft ideas as well.

If you're visiting here from Long to Love, welcome! And check back later and I'll post that recipe for Prairie Corn Chowder. It's one of our favorites.

Techno-Chick Skips Town

2011-12-16T13:29:00.001-05:00

Adelyn, my family photographer, fashionista, and techno-chick, skipped town this weekend with her sister, Grace, to visit friends in Charlottesville. What this means is:

1. I don't have the resource I promised you in a download. Rather's it's in a page along the top of the blog. You can copy and paste it into a document. Or, you can email me at cynthiafin@gmail.com and I'll send it to you as an attachment.

2. I don't have a picture to show you of my new-and-improved Duct Tape Bible. Looking at the pictures from Monday, I realized some repairs were needed.

It was one of those moments when you look at a picture of yourself and realization hits.

You need your roots touched up.
You need to throw away that comfy sweater and leggings.
Or, worst of all, you really do need to lose 10 pounds.

You're sort of looking at the picture thinking, "Maybe it's not so bad," when a good friend, a really good friend tells you, "It really is that bad."

That happened to me on Tuesday. My sweet friend, Carolyn, suggested a Duct Tape Renewal Process for my Bible. Off to Michael's I went. Instead of doing laundry or fixing dinner, I fixed my Bible. Now it is beautiful, feels great, and won't fall apart when you pick it up.

Next week, when my techno-chick, fashionista, photographer is back home, I'll show you a picture.

3. Over the weekend, I'll be working on content for the site, primarily pages. Pages like About Me, Speaking, Our Family, Caring for Orphans, and Resources. Any other pages you'd like to see? I'd like get the "Followers" thingy to really reflect the number of "Followers" that show up on my dashboard. Honestly, I'd like to get rid of the "Followers" thingy. But, I might have to wait until Techno-Chick returns.

Now, since my Photographer-Fashionista-Techno-Chick skipped town, I think I'll slide back into that comfy sweater and leggings and curl up with Unshaken.

So email me at cynthiafin@gmail.com if you'd like Basic, Simple, Straightforward Quiet Times - Philippians sent to you as an attachment, or just have a question for me that you don't want to post here. I'd love to hear what you think about Basic, Simple, Straightforward Quiet Times. And, if you want to step in as my Techno-Chick and help me out with the "Followers" thing, that would be great.

Quiet Time: Basic, Simple, Straightforward

2011-12-14T10:21:00.003-05:00

On Monday, I told you that if you want to grow as a Christian you have got to read your Bible. There is just no substitute. As wonderful as Ann Voskamp, Sarah Young, or even Oswald Chambers are, you will grow the most if you personally are reading your Bible, praying through it, reflecting on what you've read, and then applying it to your life.

So, do you have your quiet time supplies? Do you have fifteen minutes? That's right. I said fifteen minutes. Now, if you're thinking, "It takes more than fifteen minutes to have a quiet time." Just stick with me. If you've got your Bible, a pen, a journal, and fifteen minutes, I'm going to teach you how to have a meaningful quiet time that will, over time, transform your life. Basic. Simple. Straightforward. Let's go!

Choose

The Bible is not a Magic 8-Ball.

Do not sit down with your Bible, flip it open, start reading, and expect that God will magically give you direction for your life. Don't turn to the index in the back, skim until you find a word that looks interesting, and start looking up verses.

Rather, choose a book of the Bible and stick with it, over the course of days, weeks or months, until you have read the whole book. Any book of the Bible is fine. They are all God's Word. They will all speak to you. But, my recommendation would be to start with the book of John or Philippians.

The book of John is a great choice because it is clearly all about Jesus. It is my hands-down "go-to." In the book of John, you come to know Jesus intimately, as a man, as Savior. He is tender. He is kind. He prays for you and for me. In the book of John, you can truly fix your eyes on Jesus, behold Him, and gaze upon His beauty. But, if you choose the book of John, you will be in it for a long time which, of course, is absolutely fabulous. You just need to be prepared to stick with it.

Philippians is another great choice. Written by Paul to believers in Philippi, it is full of encouragement for our daily lives. You'll get such treasures as "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain," the incarnation passage of Chapter 2, Paul's passionate declaration of the supreme value of knowing Jesus in Chapter 3, and the key to life long contentment in Chapter 4. Following my method, you will be in Philippians for 4 weeks. And, if you choose Philippians, you will be able to download a resource that I will be offering on Friday.

For the sake of teaching you this method, join me in Philippians.

Pray

Open your Bible to Philippians 1 and pray something as simple as,

"God, open my heart to your voice. Please speak to me as I read the Bible."

This is not a long extended time of prayer for the nations, the presidential election, or all the very real needs in your circle of friends, family, co-workers, etc. You simply are asking God to speak to you and enable you to hear His voice.

Read

Each day, you'll read two, three, or four verses, to wherever there is a natural break. For today, read with me in Philippians 1.

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Stop right there. That's two verses. Not much, right?

Write

Now, here's where your journal and pen comes in. In your journal, write today's date and then copy these two verses in your journal. Copying the verses slows you down, helps you to think, and hits on a different part of your brain than reading. I like to write it in a somewhat artistic structured manner.

Paul and Timothy,

servants of Christ Jesus,

To all the saints in Christ Jesus

who are at Philipi

with the overseers and deacons

Grace to you and peace

from God our Father

and the Lord Jesus Christ

Writing it like this helps me to get what it's saying. These two verses aren't too difficult, but when you get to passages with lots of clauses, antecedents, prepositional phrases, etc., writing it in a somewhat structured way helps you to better see what is being said. Plus, it looks pretty in your journal. :)

Reflect

Now, look back at what you wrote and think about it. Pray as you're thinking. Below where you wrote the verses, write your reflections, and possibly your prayers. Just so that you can see what I'm talking about, here's what I wrote in my journal:

Paul and Timothy identified themselves as servants, really as slaves of Jesus. Jesus, I want my identity to be first and foremost as Your servant. Their greeting to the church in Philippi is "Grace" and "Peace." Grace. How thankful I am for Your grace toward me, Jesus. Peace. Being with you brings me peace, even in the most anxiety-producing, stressful situations in my life. Help me to choose to be Your servant. I want to experience both your grace and peace today. And Jesus, help me be like Paul and Timothy and be a messenger of your grace and peace today.

You'll write in your words and in your way. And when you do this, you're taking God's Word into your heart, your mind, your life. You're reading it, writing it, praying it. By actively engaging in what you're reading, you'll be much more likely to actually apply it to your life.

Pray

You're fifteen minutes is almost done. Most likely you've prayed as you were writing, so this is really just a prayer to close out your quiet time. Again, it can be as simple as,

Lord, thank you for your Word. Thank you for speaking to me. Help me to remember your Word through the day and live it out.

This method of Bible study and quiet time is basic, simple, and straightforward. Of course there is MUCH more that you can do. You can follow a "Read the Bible in a Year" plan, or even a "Read the Bible in Thirty Days" plan. You can set aside thirty minutes a day to pray, recording requests and answers in a prayer journal sectioned for the nations, government leaders, your church, your extended family, your friends, your immediate family. You can research historical context, look up cross-references, do word studies, examine maps, read concordances.

All of this deep study is wonderful and I love it. And, if this is what you're doing, I applaud you and say, "Keep it up!" But, the demands of my life don't always allow me to have long, intense, consistent periods of prayer and study. So, I enjoy the long, intense hours in study and prayer when I'm able to get them, but even when I can't, I enjoy a daily basic, simple, straightforward quiet time.

If you log 15 minutes of Bible study a day, every day for a whole year, you will have logged 91.25 hours of Bible reading, prayer, and reflection. 91 hours and 15 minutes in your Bible. Pretty fantastic.

Basic. Simple. Straightforward.

Fifteen minutes a day.

Every day.

This will transform your life.

And, pop back on Friday, if you want to download that resource I mentioned that will guide you through the book of Philippians in four weeks.

Does having a basic, simple, straightforward quiet time make sense to you? Is this something you could see yourself doing consistently? Leave me a message and let me know what you think.

My Quiet Time Supplies: Duct Tape Bible, Jetstream Uniball, Journal from Target

2011-12-12T13:51:00.003-05:00

If you really want to grow as a Christian, you have got to read your Bible. You've got to have a quiet time. Not just on Sunday when the pastor preaches. Not just on Saturday morning when you don't have go to work or rush the kids out the door. But regularly, consistently, and preferably every day.

The problem is, most Christian women know that having a regular quiet time is important, but they don't know how to do it. And, they think they should know how to have a quiet time, so they don't ask anyone. That would be too embarrassing. Or they are procrastinating perfectionists and live with the illusion that to have any quiet time at all, everything has to be absolutely perfect - early morning before anyone is up, candle lit, soft music playing ... Of course that rarely happens, so they never have regular quiet times.

Over my years of following Jesus, I've learned how to have regular, consistent, and nearly every day quiet times. This week I'd like to share my method with you. Step 1: Gather Supplies.

First, you'll need a Bible, a pen, and a journal. Here are my preferences:

Bible - My preference is a hardcover ESV Study Bible. I like the ESV. I've used both the NASB and the NIV, but my preference is for the ESV. The maps, charts, notes, cross references, book introductions in the ESV Study Bible are fantastic. I like a hardcover better than leather cover because the pages are thicker in the hardcover allowing you to write in your Bible with a pen. However, with use, the hardcover does begin to fall apart, but that's okay because then you can bind it yourself with duct tape.

I need to do a few repairs. :)

Pen - Of course you can use any type of writing utensil you like. But, here's my favorite.

The Jetstream Finepoint Retractable Rollerball Pen. I like them because I can't lose the top, they write smoothly, and they feel great in my hand. My family knows that these are "my pens" and that if they are ever at a loss as to what to buy me for Christmas (hint-hint) this is a great option. They write thinly enough and precisely enough to allow you to underline and take notes in your Bible. See?

Journal - My favorite journal is this one from Target.

I like the size, the feel, the ribbon marker, and the elastic closure. The lines are perfectly spaced for the size of my handwriting. And they're not too expensive. I fill up about four of these each year.

If you already have your supplies, then you are all set. If not, go shopping and meet me back here on Wednesday for The "How Tos of a Quiet Time." I'll have my Duct Tape Bible, Jetstream Uniball, and Journal from Target.

Meanwhile, I'd love to hear from you. What are the challenges you have for having regular consistent quiet times? What victories have you had? What questions about quiet times would you like to see me address? And most importantly, what are your quiet time supplies?