Do you need your wipers?

The other night I was driving down the road when it started to rain. As I turned my wipers on, a memory came to mind. Instantly, I was 14 and in Driver's Ed again. I clearly remember the first time I drove with our instructor...to say I was nervous would be an understatement. I was focused on the road with my hands on 2 and 10 and it started to rain. I kept driving with eyes looking ahead and hands gripping the wheel when eventually my teacher said, "You can turn the wipers on."

I reflected on that story and instantly a new illustration came to mind. Friend, sometimes we can walk through life in a similar way. Our vision is blurred, our focus distracts and our actions aren't safe. We know using our wipers makes driving safe when our view is unclear, but have you ever wondered if your view as a Christian is out of focus?

My long drive in the rain gave me plenty of time to think. As we walk through life, storms come and fog settles in. Our view isn't always clear. It's not always the physical elements that blur our sight  either. Sometimes our thoughts get in the way and wrong motives of our flesh or lies from the enemy distort our view. Others it's simply the busyness of our daily life or even our numbness to the sin our culture embraces.

In the same I way I couldn't see the road all those years ago, we can struggle to see God. Now, we're not going to literally see God, our Father, but we can see Him at work, in creation and in His Word. If our focus is elsewhere or our vision is blurred, we won't. And when we don't see Him, we tend to drift from Him.

Think for a minute to when you've driven in the fog or with a broken wiper blade - crossing the centerline is easy to do and drifting onto the shoulder happens quite quickly. The same is true in a spiritual sense.

Matthew 5:8 says, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." These are words Jesus spoke to the disciples and all who gathered to hear the sermon on the mount.

Personally, the word that catches my attention is PURE. The Greek word for this is katharos, which means clean, pure and unstained. If we dig a bit deeper, we find a pure heart is one that is unmixed (without undesirable elements) and it is free from the contaminating influence of sin. 

I no longer need a reminder to turn my wipers on when the rain starts to fall, but I think sometimes I need to remember to purify my heart in a spiritual sense. How about you?

We can't do this by flipping a switch or pushing a button, we need to humble ourselves before God, spend time in His Word and allow Him to convict us. Once that happens, we must confess and repent. Though that can be hard, God forgives and our view gets better!

It's dangerous to drive when our vision is blurred and friend, it's just as risky and unsafe to walk the road of faith with distorted vision and a polluted heart. I pray we each take some time to turn on the wipers of our heart!

Dear Heavenly Father, Lord thank you for this simple picture. Wise, experienced drivers know there are times we need to turn our wipers on. I ask you to help me be a wise, mature follower of you so that I allow you to purify my heart. Lord, I want to see you, but know my vision is often blurred and my heart can be impure. Humble my heart, open my eyes to sin and help me repent. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

Can you watch the gate?

Today I did something I haven't done in awhile...watch the gate as my husband fed cattle. I've done this plenty of times before, but lately it's one of our kids who does the job. They were all doing their own thing when Job texted and asked, "Can you watch the gate?"

I could and I'm glad I did. As I stood there with half grown calves looking at me, God gave me a picture. There was nothing keeping these larger than me animals in their pen once I swung open the red gate and waited for my husband to drive through. As I stood there hoping I wouldn't let any out, memories flooded my mind.

I recalled my days on the farm as a child and the countless times I feared getting run over by a cow, pig or sheep while doing the very same job. I was also afraid of upsetting my parents if I didn't do the job and created more work. But, what really came to mind was memories from this past weekend.

I attended and helped organize the ReNEWed Life Women's Event where we were blessed with the teaching of Stephanie Shott. She showed us the power and relevance of God's Word. She challenged me as a believer and as a mom. She encouraged and equipped me too.

This morning as I watched the cattle gate I thought about two different gates. First of all, the gate of my heart and mind. Friend, all day long there's potential for things to enter our heart and mind. Some of these things are good and beneficial; others, not so much. Some are truth and bring life, others are lies and lead to death.

As I purposely stood and intently watched our cattle gate, I wondered - "Do I do this with my heart and mind?" The honest answer is: not always. If I had not watched the gate, we might still be chasing cattle and when I don't watch the gate in a spiritual sense there are consequences as well. Think with me for a minute...as we watch the gate of our mind, what should we keep out? 

A few answers that quickly come to my mind...lies from the enemy, worries and anxious thoughts, and false teaching. We must remember failing to watch our farm gate results in cattle getting out, neglecting my spiritual gate leads to bad things getting in!

Being a mom, I thought about the spiritual gates in my children's hearts and minds. They need watching too! As their mom, I need to be mindful and aware of what they are exposed to and consuming. And just like we did on the farm, we need to teach them how to watch the gate. As they grow and mature, they need to learn and be given opportunities to filter what goes into their heart and mind.

They won't know this simply by turning a certain age and even as an adult I need assistance too. Time spent in God's Word will encourage and equip me to do the job I was reminded I needed to do.

Proverbs 4:23a tells us - "Above all else, guard your heart..."

1 Corinthians 16:13 says, "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong."

Friend, we can clearly see that we need to guard our heart. We need to guard it from the things of this world, from the ways of our culture and from our enemy Satan, who is constantly on the attack.

2 Timothy 1:14 instructs us with something else we need to guard. Here Paul says, "Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you-guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us."

God has given us His Word and as we read and study it, we get wisdom and understanding. We can hide truth in our hearts, but we must guard it. It takes more intentionality to watch our spiritual gate than my cattle gate. We must be discerning and take in sound teaching and then we must be wise and guard it! Thankfully, we have the Holy Spirit to help us!!

Friend, I'm going to ask you the same question my husband asked me - "Can you watch the gate?"

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for being an ever working, always teaching Father. Help me watch my spiritual gate. Sometimes the job is hard and scary, but it's so important. On the farm we don't want to let the cattle out and when it comes to my faith, I don't want to let lies and half-truths in. Oh Lord, give me wisdom and diligence. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

Growth takes time...

Have you ever found yourself thinking much about growth? As a mom to 5 and a farmer's wife, it seems growth happens all around me. My children are getting taller and our corn is too. This is a good thing. It's what kids and crops are supposed to do!

Lately I've found myself thinking about a different type of growth, the kind we don't necessarily see with our eyes, but the development that should take place for every believer - spiritual growth.

The 7th annual ReNEWed Life Women's Event is quickly approaching and I'm again blessed to be a part of it. As I work with our team and connect with our speaker, my excitement builds. I know God has good things in store for us yet again, but at the same time I'm a little bit sad. I've told the team, I'll be stepping down after this event.

I trust God is leading me to make this move, but as I've said before, "Sometimes stepping away is just as hard as stepping out." That very thought leads me to reflect and makes me remember the days of stepping out. I'm not the same person I am today as I was back in 2012 when this all began. Praise the Lord for that!

Back then I'd been married for 11 years and a mom to a 9, 7, 5, 2 and 1 year old. I was extremely nervous and felt quite unqualified to talk with our speaker as we planned. I struggled to share my ideas with the team because I wrestled with doubts and feelings of insecurity. I worried about what others would think when I spoke from the stage and battled perfection as I prepped prayer cards for all the attendees.

Six years have passed and we just celebrated our 17th anniversary, I now have a 15, 13, 11, 8 and 7 year old. We just finished a softball season and are gearing up for high school football and junior high cross country. Life is busy and I still get overwhelmed, but thankfully I've learned what to do and where to go when stress hits and chaos comes.

As I prepare for the 7th, and for now my final, ReNEWed Life, I'm grateful. God has changed me. I too have grown. As I share a bit about this growth, I'm going to share some pictures of my 2nd born, my daughter Joy. You will see her "grow up" in the pics and I pray as you reflect on your own life over the last 6 years, God gives you pictures as well.

When ReNEWed Life began, Joy was only 7, but she already had a desire to be a part of it all. She sat through each session and made friends with the speaker. To this day she still remembers Lisa Whittle's words to her - "Live up to your name." God has helped her do this and He also changed me with that line as well. Friend, you and I have probably answered to different names through our years, but the one we must live out is: Child of God. A huge part of my growth has come from knowing God more, which helped me understand who I am as His beloved daughter.

After year one, Joy was hooked and in 2013 she was able to hang out with Wendy Blight. The Holy Spirit truly connects hearts and He did that Joy and Wendy. My daughter and I have both grown spiritually because of Wendy's prayers and her teaching. Children need food and rest to grow, crops need sun and rain and friend, we need something as disciples. Romans 10:17 comes to mind. It says, "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ." If we want our faith to grow, we must spend time in the Word. It is what has the power to transform and as God changes us from the inside out, we will grow.

Year three brought Teske Drake to Cresco and Joy not only attended, but she started to serve. She helped decorate the day before and made an apron for our speaker. Teske spoke of the faithfulness of God and as we grow we see it more and more. Maturing in our faith deepens our roots, which leads to fruit. Galatians 5:22-23 becomes more alive in our lives and we experience "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Others are blessed by it as well! As we embark the teenage years, I pray Joy and I both continue to grow in the fruit of the Spirit!

ReNEWed Life 2015 was truly the most difficult event for my girl and me. Not even a month prior, Joy's 1st cousin, Grace, was killed in a car accident. As the older sister she never had and a niece I dearly loved, we both experienced deep grief, yet God led us forward. Our theme for the year was, "From Broken to Beautiful" and through Mary DeMuth God met us in our pain. Many there were grieving and broken, but she encouraged us to cry out to our Lord and Savior. God knows our pain and hears our cries. Friend, growth isn't always easy...children can experience growing pains and Christians can too. God truly uses our trials to deepen our faith and strengthen our relationship with Him. This growth isn't fun, but it is so productive. Keep seeking.

2016 brought Micca Campbell to Iowa and Joy's younger sister, Jaylyn, to her first ReNEWed Life. Together my girls were so excited and honestly, I was a bit exhausted by their enthusiasm as we prepped and decorated. There was a moment I clearly remember questioning why I brought them along, but as I reflect I'm reminded growth is a process. Micca talked much that day about surrender and it's a huge part of growth. Friend, you and I ultimately are not in control of growth. We can pray, read the Bible and worship, but God changes our, and our kids, hearts. He determines how tall we are and the depth of our faith. Just like the corn we plant, there are seasons in our walk of faith. We must be patient and trust Him with the process and then thank Him when the plant starts to sprout and the harvest begins to happen.

Last year, Joy was thrilled to have Luann Prater join us and she did something she had never done. She joined me on stage and helped introduce her faraway friend. In 5 short years I went from wondering if my little girl could sit still all day to watching her address an audience of 100. Clearly, growth takes time, but when we invest in the crop and trust the Creator it happens. As we grow, God leads us to do new things, helps us overcome our fears and bless others in the process.

Friend, I don't know what journey God has had you on over the past few years, but I trust He's been at work. I encourage you to pause for a moment and think about the growth that has taken place. I look back at the pictures of my girl and clearly see she has grown...she's not a little girl anymore, but she clearly has a better understanding of who she is as God's girl. Can the same be said about you?

I may no longer be planning a women's ministry event, but I pray my walk with God continues to change me from the inside out. As I look back at the past 6 years, I find myself looking ahead to 2024. Lord willing 3 of my children will have graduated and they will all have grown and changed. Physically, I'm pretty sure that will happen and I'm praying spiritually it will happen too!

Dear Heavenly Father, Lord thank you for the reminder that growth takes time, but it does happen. You work in amazing ways. I pray you continue to change me from the inside out. Renew me. Restore me. Make me more like you. As my physical body changes, help me not lose heart because I know internally you are renewing me day day. Thank you Lord for your faithfulness in the past help me see it and praise you for it in the future. In Jesus' Name, Amen

After you plant...

We're way past planting season here in Iowa, but last week I found myself thinking about the seeds we put in the ground. If you've never found yourself living on the land, chances are you haven't thought much about the time between planting and harvesting and that's OK! But there just might be a lesson for you, so please read on!

A lot of work goes into preparing the soil before we plant and the process of planting takes time and effort too, but there's more to it than that. We've picked rocks, my husband's been cultivating and now it's time for us to walk beans. My brother-in-law will be spraying and maybe even foiler feeding. The other night as we walked up and down the rows pulling weeds my mind went to work.

The day before I was blessed to be part of a faith-building sports camp held in memory of my niece. Testimonies were shared, truth was proclaimed and fun was had. Young people shared from their heart and asked questions that were deep...it was a good day. Seeds were planted and we pray fruit will grow.

These prayers are vital, but my night in the field reminded me the work is not yet done. When we put corn and bean seed in the ground we don't just leave it til fall; friend, something similar could be said about the spiritual seed we plant.

Clearly, they're will be no harvest without seeds planted, but our crop is better when we do the hard work of soil tilling, rock removal and weed pulling. This takes time and effort, but it's work God rewards. He will do the same in the spiritual fields.

Stop with me for a minute and think about these questions - What seeds do you plant? How do you follow up your efforts? Are there rocks you could pick or weeds you could pull? Is there cultivating to do?

Friend, our situations may be different, but some of our answers could be similar. The biggest thing we can do after we plant, is what we probably did before - PRAY. I've been a part of different ministry events and have heard it said, "Pray more than you prepare." This is great advice and I think we could add to it - "Pray as you reflect and rejoice."

It's easy to walk away from an event where we've sensed God's presence and be grateful for all God's done. This is a good thing to do, but my time in the field reminded me it's not the last thing we should do. A farmer never plants a field, leaves it and returns with a combine months later. Believe me, farmers like to check on their crops and spiritually, I pray we have a similar desire to follow up on the seeds we've planted.

This isn't possible in every situation, but in the instances it is, we should be diligent to pray, invest in relationships, til soil, share Truth and water the seed.

Ultimately, the words Paul shared in 1 Corinthians 3:6 are true. He says, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth." Only God can cause something that is dead to grow, only He can take what is small and produce a harvest that is large and only God can know the timing it all takes. But as farmers of spiritual fields, there are things we can do after we plant. I encourage you to be mindful and prayerful of the process. Ask God to show you what work you can do to nourish the crop He is growing. Look for ways to remove the rocks of temptation and weeds of sin.

The hearts we plant into are a bit different than the soil a farmer works with...a bean plant doesn't look at another plant, but friend, people are watching you and me. The life we live and words we use set an example. Is it one that will help the seed grow?

As you prepare to plant and wait for seeds to grow, I pray these words encourage and take root -

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

"He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, 

shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him." 

Psalm 126:6

"Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains." 

James 5:7

Get your hope up!

Get your hope up!

Have you ever heard this before? If not, no worries, I hadn't either until the other day. We've been walking through grief here and our hearts are hurting. In moments of pain and seasons of trial, it can be easy to lose hope. We can be discouraged and depressed, heartbroken and hopeless, afraid and anxious. Our minds drift and thoughts wonder. One minute we're emotional and the next numb. 

In times like this, it would be beneficial to tell ourselves this new line, but more important than hearing these words, we need to understand them. To do so, let's think about a few questions.

What is hope? Biblically, hope is an indication of certainty and means a strong and confident expectation. 

Where do we find hope? Psalm 39:7 says, "And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you." While Romans 15:13 says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."

What's the result of hope? Let's look to Scripture for some answers...

 "The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love." Psalm 147:11

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life." Proverbs 13:12

"More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." Romans 5:3-5

"But they who hope in the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

"For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." Romans 8:24-25

Friend, hope is a big part of Christianity. Because of Jesus' death and resurrection we can have complete confidence in God's promises. Scripture tells us what to expect; trials are on the list. Those moments of pain and seasons of suffering don't surprise our heavenly Father and don't compare to the pain endured by our Lord and Savior. 

If life has you feeling hopeless, may these truths and promises encourage you to "Get your hope up!" It's not an easy task and one we must do again and again, but it's worthwhile. The world may tell us, "Don't get your hopes up!", but as believers we must remember who our hope is in! God will never let us down and He will fulfill all His promises. May we rest in that today. 

Heavenly Father, when life is hard, tears fall and answers don't come, remind me of the hope I have in you. I pray for the one who feels alone and the other who has questions, meet them in their struggle and help them with the pain. Show them who you are and what you have done. When the storms rage and understanding fades, help us all hold onto hope. In the midst of the battle may we cling to You. Father God, you are a promise keeper, may we remember that always. We praise you and thank you for the hope you provide. Lord, be the shield around me, lift our heads, comfort our souls and heal our broken hearts. In Jesus' precious and powerful name, Amen.

Hope for when you hurt...

Welcome to my friends visiting from the Encouragement Cafe! I pray my devotional, "She's Getting What I Want" spoke to your heart today. I know it spoke to mine. If you'd like to read it, click HERE.

The experience I shared in that post happened years ago, but it was a lesson for today.

Just yesterday morning, I shared these words on my Facebook page - 

Today, I woke with a heart that was heavy and a plate that was full. My list seems long and motivation gone. Grief has a way of flooding us while sadness tries to overwhelm us. Questions tend to multiply while answers seem extinct.

Friend, I don't know what your life looks like, but can I encourage you with the words the Lord put on my heart, the verse He brought to mind and song that is running through my head? If you're in a hard place, I pray they encourage you too.

"Don't quit. Do the next right thing. Pray."

"I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14

From Chris Tomlin's, "Lord, I Need You" - "When I cannot stand, I'll fall on you." 

We, our family, our extended church family and our community are walking through grief. A young man gone too early. Hurting hearts, unanswered questions, pain that can't be described. 

It's a pain that could cause a person to push a way. To distance themselves from God. To think and maybe even scream, "It's not fair!" Because you know, that's how it feels. 

But like Jake's sister said, "My heart is broken, but God's ways and plans are higher and far better than ours even when we don't understand. He's had him from the beginning and He has him now." And his brother, "I know God is here today as He was yesterday."

Friend, their world has been rocked and perhaps your's has too. It happens, eventually it seems to all of us - situations change, relationships break, jobs end, illness comes, death happens. The things we thought weren't fair as a child dim in comparison. 

Life is hard, but God is God. He doesn't change. Hebrews 13:8 tells us God is "the same yesterday, today and tomorrow." He was loving, graceful and forgiving last week, the same is true today and will be forever. He's had a plan since the beginning of time and though our plans change, His remains. 

I've thought, prayed and cried much over the last couple of days. I don't understand and I don't have words, but I have hope. Honestly, there are moments it appears to be a flicker, but the light of Christ is shining. The Holy Spirit is at work reminding me when I don't have words, I need to go to the Word. I'm thankful for that advice. God's Word equips, brings comfort, reminds me I'm not alone and puts things into an eternal perspective. 

When I don't understand, Proverbs 3:5 eventually comes to mind - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart lean not on your own understanding." Death is just one thing in life we don't understand...instead of letting that lead to frustration, I pray it encourages you to trust. Psalm 147:5 says, "Great is our Lord and abundant in strength; His understanding is infinite."

Friend, in these moments we don't understand, the trials that come and the days that are hard, we have an opportunity. We can cry out to God, He knows our hearts and wants to hear from His people. He sees our pain and can handle our questions. Like Peter, we too can ask God questions. I pray we're willing to obey His response - "You must follow me."

Let's pray...

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your presence and your Spirit. We ask you to intercede and to provide. We thank you for peace that passes all understanding. We ask you for that for all who are hurting and grieving. Lord, help us trust and remember who you are. May we rest in your promises today. In Jesus' precious and powerful name, Amen.

The Process of Planting

It's been a long planting season here on the farm. A week ago, I found myself doing a job I'd never done and I thought about this process to a depth I never really had before. As I went back and forth across the field cutting cover crop in front of the digger, many thoughts crossed my mind. There are many parts that make up this process...

Planning...My husband doesn't just plant our fields on the spur of the moment. Last winter, he spent time looking at seed, soil samples and other things to get ready for the work we did this spring.

Preparation...Along with planning, planting requires preparation. There's more than simply buying seeds. We have to work the soil and sometimes plant cover crops.

People...We can't do anything alone. It's true, only my husband operates the planter, but others are involved in the process. Even I have had to step out of my comfort zone, take some risks and learn new skills in my years as a farmer's wife.

Patience & Perseverance...When it comes to farming, timing is key. We have to wait for the soil to be ready and then for the crop to grow. It also requires perseverance, the work is rarely easy and the process can be long and drawn out. Farmers must stay focused when there's seed to put in the ground.

Purpose & Perspective...In the long days of planting, when time is short and pressure is on, it's important to keep things in perspective and remember your purpose.

Power...It takes power to plant seeds. We need horse power to pull equipment, but we need God's power to produce a crop.

Prayer...The biggest part of this process is prayer. It helps us be patient, reminds us who has power and keeps things in perspective. This summer we had a lot of rain, which kept delaying our planting. This could have led to worry, but prayer brought peace and reminded us who was in control.

Friend, I don't know if you've ever driven a tractor across the field or relied on a crop to feed your family, but I do know, if you are a Christian this process is for you. Luke 8:11b says, "The seed is the word of God." 

As believers, we have seeds to plant...in our own hearts and in the hearts of others. The process truly is no different. We can plan and prepare. There is work to do before we plant; we must build relationships and ask God to till the hearts' soil. Hosea 10:12 says, "Sow righteousness for yourselves, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers his righteousness on you."

While we plant, we must be patient and be willing to persevere. Planting spiritual seeds is a process and it too takes time. We must wait on God and trust His timing. We must also remember that people are involved, only God knows our role and the fruit our seeds will produce. May we never forget He has the power! 1 Corinthians 3:6 instructs us, "I (Paul) planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth."

Friend, today I encourage you to take part in the process of planting! The crop you produce will do more than feed your family, it will impact others for eternity!!

Dear Heavenly Father, Lord, thank you for the process of planting and the lessons you teach on the farm. May we take spiritual planting even more serious than the work we do in the fields. Help us plan and prepare. May we be patient and willing to work. Help us keep it all in perspective and trust in your power. Lord, we know timing is important, so give us wisdom as when to plant. Thank you for the opportunity to work for you, we praise you for the harvest that is yet to come! In Jesus' Name we pray, Amen.

Then he said to his disciples, 

“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 

therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest 

to send out laborers into his harvest.” 

Matthew 9:37-38