Tag: jeannie waters

Three Ways to Navigate Difficult Days

Jeannie Waters41 Comments on Three Ways to Navigate Difficult Days

                                                                                                            

My leg muscles screamed in protest as I gasped for breath and pulled myself upward to the next rest bench on the mountain trail. I promised myself, “Girlfriend, you WILL be in better shape next year!” Can you identify?

For several years, our family of four participated in a volksmarch, a German term for people’s walk. Beginning at the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail near Helen, Georgia, we walked only five kilometers, but with steep inclines, the distance seemed much further. At the finish line, with relief and perspiration, we accepted our medals as family tradition mementos.

Do you have days that feel like an arduous walk up a mountain while others resemble a leisurely stroll? I do. On those troublesome days, challenges can feel like rocks in our backpack, slowing progress and discouraging us.  

The verb walk in the Bible describes the daily life and behavior of one who has surrendered her life to Christ.

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him.

Colossians 2:6 ESV

                 Paul prayed believers would “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10 ESV). How can we navigate life’s challenging times as believers and continue to bear fruit? Consider the following:   

Three Ways to Navigate Difficult Days

1. Look for markers in the Bible.

On the Appalachian Trail, arrowed signs pointed the way and prevented error when undergrowth obscured forks in the trail. The Bible is like a collection of markers, guiding us in God’s way. Bible study steadies and steers us and prepares us to face the trials of mountain trail days. Writing and decorating a verse may help you commit it to memory.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 119:105 ESV

2. Lean on the Lord in prayer.

My walking stick worked like a lever to push me up the mountain when weak muscles faltered. Communication with God in prayer strengthens us when we meet roadblocks and encounter difficulties. Having an ongoing prayer conversation with God throughout the day helps us enjoy His presence and yields His peace and wisdom to bolster us to the next level on the journey. He knows the future, and we can trust Him with today and tomorrow.      

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Philippians 4:6 ESV

3. Listen to trustworthy Christ followers.

Although I read the signs and used a walking stick, I also needed my family’s encouragement, and at some points, a literal push over the next ridge. Truth. Asking for help can be humbling, yet other Christians can remind us of biblical truth and the fact that God is always with us, even on hard days.

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

1Thessalonians 5:11 ESV

            How is your walk today? Perhaps printing the verses above on cards or typing them into a phone app will help in troublesome times. When a day’s journey feels like a steep mountain hike, turn the day into an adventure with God by searching for His direction in the Bible and in prayer as you seek encouragement from fellow hikers.

Now it’s your turn

What helps you on trying days?  

What’s the Most Important Preparation Step for a Peaceful Christmas?

Jeannie Waters34 Comments on What’s the Most Important Preparation Step for a Peaceful Christmas?

After my panic-mode Christmas prep drained my husband and me for years, I learned the most important preparation step for a peaceful Christmas. Simple is best for me. I’ve included an easy but delicious dessert recipe at the end of the post. Enjoy!

Clean and Christmas go together, don’t they?

  • We clean so that we can decorate. Then we put away containers.  
  • We clean off counters, bake, and cook delicious meals. Then we wash the pots and pans until our fingertips look like raisins.
  • We clean before company comes and then vacuum and straighten the house when they leave.

So much cleaning!  Our homes should be diamond-sparkly this time of year.

Although our homes where people and pets live are rarely—if ever—spotless, we do like tidiness at holiday time. Before we decorate, cook, or entertain, we prefer cleanliness and order as a backdrop for our celebration, and we want our time with family and friends to be the best possible.

What makes Christmas time “the best possible?” An immaculate house with gourmet meals and beautifully wrapped gifts? Attendance at every party and function? All the favorite cookies and cakes baked and ready to serve? Nope, nope, and nope.

I learned this lesson the hard way. After years of worrying about every detail and racing around in panic mode to have our home “ready,” I realized my husband and I dreaded the endless to-do list. We spent too much time on preparation and too little time on celebration.

Had the luminaries on the driveway become more important to me than the light of Jesus shining from my heart?

This year we won’t have luminaries, and we didn’t finish the outside lights. I’ll help prepare Christmas dinner with family, but guess what I served friends this week. Chili, salad, and a special but easy dessert. (See the recipe below.) What blessed fellowship we enjoyed, and I wasn’t too exhausted to enjoy it.

My new motto is “Easy is better because fellowship matters more than fancy.”

Perfection is not an ingredient in the recipe for Christmas joy. In fact, perfectionism mixed with holiday prep can yield frustration, short tempers, and fatigue.

The most important ingredient for Christmas joy is a clean heart focused on Immanuel, God with us.

Unforgiveness, self-pity, selfishness, a critical attitude, and other sins clutter our hearts and occupy space God designed for the peace and joy of Jesus. I’m thankful He forgives us when we confess our sin.

Perfection is not an ingredient in the recipe for Christmas joy. In fact, perfectionism mixed with holiday prep can yield frustration, short tempers, and fatigue.The most important ingredient for Christmas joy is a clean heart… Share on X

At our house, we still work hard to clean, decorate, and cook, but we’re enjoying the time more and reducing excessive planning in favor of focusing on the true meaning of Christmas, family, and friendship.

As we clean and prepare our homes, let’s ask God to create a clean heart in us that we may celebrate His coming and the abundant life He offers to those who surrender to Him as Savior and Lord. Undesirable circumstances and difficult relationships may not change, but a clean heart promotes the celebration of His birth and and permeates homes at Christmas.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

Psalm 51:10 ESV

                                                                                                                                                    

May the peace and joy of Jesus fill our hearts and homes as we prepare room for Him.

How do you prepare for Christmas? Please share your hints.

Here’s a simple, but delicious dessert recipe from a book my mom gave me. Merry Christmas!

Toffee Crunch Ice Cream Bowls

2 cups coffee ice cream

3 (1.4-ounce) English toffee-flavored candy bars, crushed (Note: I used a bag of crushed toffee bits, Heath brand.)

4 waffle cone bowls

Scoop ice cream into 4 balls; freeze until firm.

Roll ice cream balls in crushed toffee bars; freeze until firm.

To serve, place ice cream balls in waffle bowls. Drizzle topping over ice cream. Yield: 4 servings

(Note: I use caramel or chocolate.)

Source: Brennan, Rebecca & Pickering, Whitney Wheeler, editors. Christmas with Southern Living 1999. Birmingham, Alabama: Oxmoor House, Inc., 1999.

How to Beat Time Gobblers and Enjoy Peaceful Holidays God’s Way

Jeannie Waters27 Comments on How to Beat Time Gobblers and Enjoy Peaceful Holidays God’s Way

Have you noticed how time gobblers strut into our homes during the holidays? If we’re not careful, they’ll roost in the corners and take up residence for the new year. I don’t mean Thanksgiving turkeys. I’m referring to those mischievous time robbers, the ones we need to avoid so we can use time as God intends.

These pests flash neon signs to distract me. Did you know they wear costumes? Yes, they camouflage themselves and blend into my agenda.

Time gobblers often dress in communication garb with accessories like text messages and phone calls. Some of them masquerade as computer or cell notifications. Others disguise themselves as alluring store flyers with “SALE ENDS FRIDAY” and nest in my mailbox.

When I walk through my house, more of these nuisances demand attention. A wilting plant, a stained shirt, a crooked lampshade, three more oatmeal cookies and three chapters of a good novel. As the king in the musical The King and I said, “Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.” The items on this list may be worthy of our attention, but they can devour precious moments and sabotage our goals for the day.

I start each day with intentions of productivity, but some days, as soon as I gain momentum, “Gobble, gobble, gobble.” The time-chomping pests attack, and I’m off-task.

Sometimes human need intervenes, and we must decide if the request for our time is one that requires attention right away, later, or if it should be a matter of prayer instead of action. “Interruptions” could be God-appointed and result in blessings for another person or for us. 

“Interruptions” could be God-appointed and result in blessings for another person or for us. Share on X

Please give us wisdom, Lord.

What do your time gobblers look and sound like? How do you stay on track and focus on what’s most important?

Sometimes when I’m bombarded with distractions and numerous options for time use, I struggle to distinguish between good choices and the best choice. I’m asking God to help me use my time for His glory as He reveals His will. I want to choose wisely.

In Tyranny of the Urgent, Charles E. Hummel differentiates between the urgent and the important. He warns seemingly urgent tasks may rob us of the opportunity to meet an important goal. 1 Sometimes the most valuable activities, like exercising or building relationships, are postponed indefinitely because they aren’t urgent.

Mr. Hummel poses a question that captured my attention. “What was the secret of Jesus’ ministry?”

I considered how Jesus took time to speak with the woman at the well, to visit with Zacchaeus in his home, to heal the lame, and to feed the crowd. However, as the author pointed out, Jesus did not instantly meet the needs of all who clamored for His attention (Mark 1:35-39, John 11:1-6) but instead remained focused on the Father’s will.

Near the end of His earthly ministry, Jesus said to His Father,

I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.

John 17:4 ESV

I long to accomplish the work God gives me to do, to have my plans aligned with His. To use every bit of skill, talent, time, and opportunity He gives me this side of heaven. Isn’t that your desire as well? Let’s ask ourselves these questions:

  • What gifts did God give me for His glory?
  • How is He equipping me?
  • How can I use each twenty-four-hour period to honor Him?
  • Am I caring for my physical, emotional, and spiritual health?
  • Am I wasting time or using it to honor Christ daily as I balance rest and activity?
  • How can I know God’s will for me?

The following verse demonstrates one practice Jesus followed in His mission:

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.

Mark 1:35 ESV

Jesus prayed at various times of day. For us, reading God’s Word and praying as early as possible are advantageous when we’re seeking daily guidance. Would you like some encouragement on this topic? Here’s a promise:

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

Psalm 32:8 ESV

As the holidays approach, let’s consider how His will might differ from ours. How can we use time for His glory, including times of rest and celebration? Perhaps a lonely neighbor would enjoy a visit. Although not urgent, the visit may be the most important use of our time.

Instead of filling our days with as many activities as we can cram in, I’m asking God to show you and me how to honor Him with our time and how to pray and rest well. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to approach the Christmas season and the new year filled with the peace of Christ as we seek His will and use time wisely?

Please share the ways you plan your days or tell us about a time when God’s plans differed from yours. Until we meet again, watch out for those time gobblers.

I’m thankful for you reader friend, and I look forward to your comments.

1Hummel, Charles E. Tyranny of the Urgent. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1994.

Remember to Pray

Jeannie Waters28 Comments on Remember to Pray

What an honor to share my site today with my friend and author, Carla G. Pollard. I know her story and wise words about remembering prayer requests will brighten your day and encourage you. You’ll find her photo, bio, and links to her website and social media below. Please check out the beautiful writing on her site.

Here’s Carla.

She had a joyful expression as she navigated towards me through the crowded foyer of our church. As women’s ministry leader, I had a responsibility to learn the needs of others, and I had spent time with Jenny discussing hers.

“I want to thank you for praying for my husband,” Jenny expressed as she reached out to shake my hand. “He finally found a job last week. He starts first thing in the morning.”

I strained a smile and nodded as she turned and headed out the door.

Conviction pierced my heart as the memory of her plea for prayers came flooding back. I had forgotten her need. I didn’t pray for her husband. Until she thanked me, I hadn’t even remembered her request.

Dear Lord, please forgive me. I did not hesitate one moment to send up an earnest cry.

Please help me remember the needs of those around me, especially if they ask for my prayers. Please forgive me for letting Jenny believe I had prayed as she had asked. Help me fix this.

It had happened before, forgetting prayer requests. Guilt settled over my heart like a dark cloud.

Just leave it with God and try harder next time.

But I found little solace in my uninspired advice. I knew I would not find relief from this burden until I spoke to Jenny again.

Over the next week, as I sought wisdom on approaching Jenny with my failure, the Holy Spirit reminded me of Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane the evening before He faced death on the cross. Jesus agonized for us. His burdens were so great His sweat poured out as great drops of blood. During this prayer vigil, He sought the help of His disciples, but they proved weak in their flesh. I had been like those disciples, weak in the flesh by forgetting her need.

At the next week’s service, I swallowed my pride and faced my failure.

“Jenny,” I found her sitting off to the right of the sanctuary, “I must confess something to you; I forgot you asked me to pray for your husband’s employment. I don’t deserve any thanks. I want to ask you to forgive me.”

She responded with grace and gratefulness. She was happy her prayers were answered regardless.  We hugged as we acknowledged God knows what we need and meets our needs.

God taught me a valuable lesson through my experience with Jenny. I know how much I depend on the prayers of others and how much others depend on mine. Bringing the needs of family and friends to God in prayer is a privilege that brings greater love and understanding in our relationships with one another.

Bringing the needs of family and friends to God in prayer is a privilege that brings greater love and understanding in our relationships with one another. Share on X

Sometimes, our busy lives squeeze out the memory of spoken prayer requests only to fill us later with conviction and guilt when we realize our omission. A friend once said to her teenage son who justified his lack of responsibility with his failing memory, “But you didn’t do anything to help you not forget.” From my encounter with Jenny, I realized I needed a strategy to help me remember. The Lord gave me PRAY.

Have there been times when you have forgotten prayer requests? If so, remember PRAY. These four steps will help you not forget when you are asked to PRAY:

P: Remember what a Privilege it is to pray for others.

R: Pray Right then with the person, if appropriate.

A: Access your App and set a reminder or make a note in your cell phone or on a note pad to pray.

Y: Then, when you pray, Yield your spirit to God’s and Yoke your heart with His.

I sense God’s presence with me when I use these four steps each time I am asked to pray. Through my heartfelt petitions for others, I find renewed strength to face my own problems with hope and purpose. I know you will too when you PRAY for others.

 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Acts 2:42 ESV

Please share with us how you remember the prayer requests of others or how the prayers of family and friends have blessed you.

Carla G. Pollard

Carla G. Pollard is an author and teacher. She loves people and desires to see them reach their full potential through a vibrant relationship with Jesus. She is active in her community and is a shoulder-to-shoulder leader who ministers to the homeless, the imprisoned, the abused, the elderly, and infirm. Her works have appeared in Prayer Connect, CBN Online Devotions, P31 Woman, Power for Living, The Bible Advocate and Together with God. She is a contributing author in Unimaginable: Finding Love through Pain and Sustaining Life’s Victories. Her inspiring messages resonate strength and happiness birthed through pain and sorrow. Carla’s motto is: Be faithful to Jesus; He’s faithful to you.

Carla invites you to connect with her through her blog at www.carlagpollard.com and on Facebook, and Twitter.

Here’s another post about remembering prayer requests.

Eight-Strategies-for-Remembering-Prayer-Requests-

Finding and Sharing Fall Cheer

Jeannie Waters34 Comments on Finding and Sharing Fall Cheer

Do you sometimes abandon efficiency and choose the scenic route? I do. While running errands, I drive out of my way to visit my favorite fall site—a street in our town lined with gingko trees.

When the temperature cools, the green fan-shaped gingko leaves transform into bright splashes of yellow. When the leaves fall, the sidewalk looks like sunshine pooled on the earth, and it makes me happy.

Think about the color palette God chooses for fall decorating. Red maple leaves, orange pumpkins, golden chrysanthemums, brown chestnuts, and more. They’re all pretty, but gingko tree yellow is my favorite.

Some homeowners add yellow accessories to brighten living spaces throughout the year. Touches of this pretty color add a feeling of warmth and welcome. Wouldn’t you agree yellow is cheery? And who doesn’t need a bit of cheer in their lives?

Rather than simply a merry feeling when life is smooth, we need a well of cheer deep within our hearts. We could substitute gladness, joy, delight, comfort, or encouragement. 1 The colors of autumn leaves offer a measure of happiness, but, as the Bible teaches, our hearts need the deep cheer, joy, and peace a relationship with Jesus offers. 

The colors of autumn leaves offer a measure of happiness, but, as the Bible teaches, our hearts need the deep cheer, joy, and peace a relationship with Jesus offers. Share on X

Even while imprisoned, the Apostle Paul demonstrated the importance of cheering the hearts of other people. With concern for worried friends, he sent Tychicus to encourage them (Ephesians 6:21-22, Colossians 4:7-8).

So too, Jesus wanted His disciples, and us, to have courage, comfort, and cheer in difficult situations. Three of the four gospels—Matthew, Mark, and John—record how Jesus calmed the fears of His disciples during a storm at sea. When water began to fill the boat, they cried out to Him for help. He calmed the storm and comforted the frightened men.

Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.

Matthew 14:27 NKJV

The same words He spoke on the Sea of Galilee comfort and encourage us today. When we’re fearful, lonely, confused, or discouraged, His presence and His words offer us deep-seated joy and peace. In whatever situation we find ourselves, He says, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

Some Bible translations use the phrase “take courage” rather than “be of good cheer,” but we know that Jesus provides peace and encouragement to troubled souls.

When preparing followers for His death and resurrection, Jesus said,

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

John 16:33 NKJV

What a promise! A well of cheer deep within our hearts.

As gingko trees bring a touch of sunshine to the surrounding area, we can share cheer with others from the well of joy and comfort we find in our relationship with Jesus. When He fills our heart, we have plenty to share. Here are some suggestions for spreading cheer this fall.  

Sharing Fall Cheer

Encouraging Words

  • Write short Bible verses on a small pumpkin and give it to a friend.
  • Choose bookmarks with Bible verses to share with freshly baked oatmeal cookies (homemade or bakery version). Tie the bag with a fall-colored ribbon.
  • Offer to pray with someone who shares a concern.
  • Make a greeting card with a pretty fall picture and add encouraging words.
  • Take time to visit someone who needs a listening ear or fellowship. (Weather changes make good conversation starters.)

Acts of Kindness

  • Take an elderly person who can’t drive for a ride to view autumn’s beauty. Stop for a cup of hot apple cider.
  • Purchase a Thanksgiving meal for someone by contacting a local ministry.
  • Rake a neighbor’s yard as a surprise blessing.
  • Offer to help a widow winter proof her home.
  • Invite neighbors to watch a Saturday football game and attend church with you on Sunday if they don’t have a church of their own. Fire up the grill or serve chili dogs.

Meaningful Gifts

  • Donate warm socks to a homeless shelter.
  • Purchase a gift card for a pumpkin latte or cup of cocoa as a “thinking of you” gift.
  • Bake small loaves of apple or pumpkin bread to share.
  • Take a pot of mums to someone recovering from surgery. 
  • Share a basket of delicious fall apples or place an apple on each co-worker’s desk. Add a card with the following verse:

Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
Hide me under the shadow of Your wings.

Psalm 17:8 NKJV

Let’s brighten someone’s fall day by sharing a little cheer, shall we?

I hope you’ll contribute an idea to the comment section below to add to our “share a little fall cheer” lists. OR perhaps you’ll share a verse that cheers your heart.

1 https://www.thesaurus.com/

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