Author Archives: Kris McGarvey

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About Kris McGarvey

It's not what I do that matters...it's who I am through the eyes of Jesus.

Need Some Encouragement?

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sunshine-heartThe sun is shining in Cedar Rapids! After a long, cold, snowy, cold winter, I’m anticipating the arrival of spring a little more enthusiastically today.

Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya, tomorrow! (sing along with me!)

The sunshine encourages me. I work in an office with a lot of windows and that beautiful sun shines in and lifts my spirits. But the opposite is true as well. On those dark, cloudy, gray days, I have to work very hard to stay upbeat and positive. As you can tell, I allow my circumstances to control my mood. And that is not healthy living.

Romans_15_13Every day I’m thankful for the Word of God that is filled with encouragement…verses that lift me up, show me where my confidence should be, promises God will always fulfill. When I read my Bible, I get a large dose of sunshine (even on a cloudy day). Other believers also boost my spirits. I have a very dear friend who regularly puts positive, uplifting, encouraging posts on Facebook. When I see them, I smile. I can’t help it. Encouragement is contagious.

So if you need a little boost – read the promises of God. The YouVersion app is a wonderful tool to put the Word literally at your fingertips. If you are sufficiently “boosted,” won’t you spread a little cheer to someone else today? It’ll feed your own soul too!

Praying isn’t Doing Nothing

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Nebraska_flooding_AHave you been following the tragic stories coming out of Nebraska? For the last week, horrible flooding has devastated at least 53 of the 93 counties, swallowing up family farms, swamping towns, destroying roads and bridges. It is heartbreaking to see the pictures being posted on social media. What a helpless feeling.

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Stamats offices – June 2008

When Cedar Rapids flooded in 2008, our offices were destroyed by river water going to heights never seen before. Ten blocks on both sides of the Cedar River were under water. Families were evacuated, many never returned to their homes. Volunteers sandbagged the one last water pump on the city’s northwest side to save it from flooding. Citizens came together as one to save what could be saved, help their neighbors salvage or muck out their homes after the waters receded and provide whatever support or supplies they could. But it was a terribly helpless feeling as we watched the waters go up, and up, and up.

There isn’t much I can physically do to help our neighbors to the west. I can’t go over there, I can’t provide enough food or water to matter…but I can give and I can pray. Some of you think that’s a cop out. Like praying doesn’t matter. But I know who  laid the world’s foundation, who marked off its dimensions and set its cornerstone. I have access to the One gives orders to the morning, has journeyed to the springs of the sea, entered the storehouses of snow and hail, and controls rivers in the wasteland. 

If I can speak to the Creator of the universe, you bet I’ll be pleading for the waters to recede and families to be rescued…for livestock to miraculously survive and homes to set up on islands…for money to be freed up quickly to help those in need…for communities to come together to rebuild without acrimony or bitterness.

FaithJoin me?

 

 

 

Being Built Up

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Shameless blog post today. I just returned home from church where I heard another great sermon…a sermon that encouraged me and left me with practical steps I can use in my every day life. I’m blessed to be able to hear these great sermons every week…and soon you will be able to watch and listen also. Soon these sermons will be online and available to anyone with an internet connection. Many of you know that my favorite preacher is my own husband, Don McGarvey, pastor at Troy Mills Christian Church.

Don’s finished up a three-part sermon series on Being the Church. Just as a little tease for what is to come I’m going to offer some of my notes from the outline of today’s sermon: Being Built Up.

Living_Stones“Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:4-5

Jesus Christ is the foundation, the Chief Cornerstone of the Church. Each one of us are “living stones,” designed to build up the Church wherever we are. We are all a part of the Body of Christ. No one person is more important than another. With Jesus Christ as the head of the Church, each member is free to be who God has purposed for us to be. I won’t include every aspect of the sermon but Don included a list of what we, as believers, should bring to the church each week:

(1) Love

We are called to love each other, not judge, not gossip. Love.

Love_1_John_4_12

(2) Encourage

Building up someone is one of the most important tasks any one of us can do for another believer.

 “but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:13

(3) “Spur”

We could use the word “prod” or “incite.”

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,” Hebrews 10:24

(4) Serve

SOF_Galatians-5-13No longer do we care only about ourselves, but as members of God’s Church, we need to serve one another selflessly.

“For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13

(5) Honor 

Putting someone above yourself – give deference to others.

“Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;” Romans 12:10

(6) Instruct

We can all learn from one another. What has God been speaking to you about from His Word? Sharing the insights of the Word with each other grows the Body of Christ!

“Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.” Romans 15:14

(7) Kind and compassionate – Ephesians 5:32

Ephesians_5_32And do all this with kindness and compassion. Our world needs to see the love, kindness and compassion of the Body of Christ. Not judgment or self-righteousness.

Can’t wait until you have opportunity to see these sermons for yourself. If you are a believer in Jesus, you are a member of the Church…let’s build it up!

 

Looking Down

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This spring thaw has caused major damage and destruction across the Midwest. Complete towns devastated, roads and bridges destroyed by ice jams and raging flood waters. Would you take a moment to pray for all those affected by this tragedy?

In my little corner of the world it was pleasant enough to take a short walk this afternoon. I purposely kept my eyes to the ground. So often looking down can communicate depression but in this case, I wanted to see the world awakening in small ways.

My poor daffodils tried to come up out of the warming ground a couple of weeks early. After being buried under snow for a while they are pretty pale and wrinkled. Here’s hoping some significant sunshine will set things right.

The hope of spring feels real when I see the little green shoots of my narcissus next to my front door. That little bit of green is so welcome in my brown world.

I also noticed a beautiful ice bubble in one of the last snow packs in our yard. This area was underwater earlier this week but most of the water is gone and the rest froze again in today’s cooler temps. See that little bubble? It’s a tiny magnifying glass – so fragile – so perfect.

I like to think God delights over us much as I delighted in these little signs of spring. Excited to see how we’ll surface from the cold, lifeless journey of sin into the warmth of His love and care. Persevere, little one. Reach up to the Son. Bloom as He intends for you. You are filled with all you need to be beautiful!

Fun Friday Taste Test

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Taking a break from serious stuff to embrace some fun today.

I bought three bags of the new M&M flavors: English Toffee, Mexican Jalapeño, and Thai Coconut.

Did a little informal taste test with my colleagues with some surprising (to me) responses.

By the way, today we also had our annual “Eat More Greens” potluck. Plenty of salad with fixings, guacamole with green tortilla chips and spinach dip with cucumber slices. I brought green grapes. I was motivated by “easy.”

Back to the M&Ms…

All the options were peanut but each flavor had a different color scheme. I tried not to tell people what the flavors were ahead of their tasting – just wanted them to pick a favorite.

Surprisingly many already knew there was a jalapeño option and wouldn’t even try it. Not even one little one. Others passed up the whole thing because they didn’t want to be caught off guard. I think my coworkers have trust issues. Or need to try new things occasionally. Most took this challenge very seriously – taking a moment between each flavor to “cleanse their palette” and give each one a careful consideration.

Results? The winner was English Toffee by 2 votes over Thai Coconut. Jalapeño came in third but those who voted it their favorite were adamant and enthusiastic. And when I suggested that flavor may be even better with dark chocolate, eyes lit up. Some of us take our chocolate very seriously.

One person said “none of the above.” Really.

Stop by your local HyVee Drugstore to pick up a bag (or three) to try them yourself.

He’s in the Small Stuff Too

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It’s not the big crisis that floors me, it’s those little nagging issues that set me back. For instance, a number of years ago God brought us through a very trying and stressful time where we absolutely depended on the goodness and favor of God for our daily bread. And not just bread, but gas, clothes, credit card bills, toiletries, medications…you get it. He provided everything we needed. We were never late with a payment, never went hungry, never appeared destitute.

I depended on a continual stream of prayer – talking and listening to God – all day, every day – to get me through that time. Some days He was quieter than others. Sometimes I prayed: “God, just give us a sign today that You’re there.” And He always did. Every . Time.

So today – when we are facing a much lesser issue (water in our basement) – why do I stew and fret and stress? Somehow I think I don’t need to bother God with this “little stuff.” We’ve called our wonderful handyman friend. We can rent a carpet vacuum for the clean water. We can do a lot in our own strength.

Praise_the_Lord (1)But He cares about every little detail. Every little “small stuff” in my life – and yours too. An earlier blog details how He loves to answer prayers that reveal His love for us. So – when I finish this – I’ll be praying for the water to stop seeping in, for the window repairs to be minor and easy to fix, for the sun to come out and dry out all the wetness everywhere.

Maybe you’re facing a little thing today – something you can “handle” on your own, but it’s causing some anxiety anyway. Can anyone say “taxes” or “rising flood waters” or “crazy schedule?” Whatever is causing you to stress is taking your mind off your Father God who desires to help you through whatever you are facing today. Praise Him and ask for help. He’s ready and willing.

Chill Out!

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Golly, it’s so easy to get bent out of shape about stuff, isn’t it?

The line is too long at Walmart but you don’t want to use the self-check because those machines are just taking somebody’s job. Can you believe that mom with all those kids? Can’t she make them behave? I only have 3 items…how long will this take?

The traffic is crazy, people passing you right and left on the interstate, flying by at 80 mph…but really, lady, you have to go the speed limit? You’re holding up the rest of us. You know, it’s the ones going slow that cause the accidents.

Really? No coffee made again? I think I’ve made the last 5 pots of coffee and every time I come to get a cup, we’re out. Doesn’t anyone have some courtesy around here?

I hope you’ve noticed the sarcasm. What gets us bent sideways is usually whatever someone else is doing that irritates us. Someone going faster than we are? Evil. Someone going slower than us? Stupid. Someone didn’t fit into our box for “appropriate behavior?” Have you noticed that rarely do we see ourselves at fault…it’s always someone else. THEY did or didn’t do something I thought they should.

My Wednesday wisdom for you (and oh so much for me!) – take a chill pill. Take a breath – relax – try to see a bigger picture. God is in control. Try to see Him at work in your life’s circumstances. Long lines? Pray for the person in front of you or better yet, that poor cashier. Traffic crazy? Pray for safety for those on the road. Coffee not made? Be thankful you work in a place that provides free coffee. Rest in the knowledge that all of this is God’s plan to move you into who He wants you to be…stay mindful of His working in every detail of your life.

My own motto today:

KRIS, IT ISN’T ALL ABOUT YOU!

Be_Still

Resources to Grow Your Faith

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Sometimes I make the assumption that everyone has access to the same resources that I do. But that is not necessarily accurate. Yes – most people now have access to the internet and can google just about anything. But not everyone knows how to search online and not everyone has the time or inclination. And that World Wide Web is a super humongous place…easy to get lost and discouraged. So, today’s blog will highlight a few online devotional sites that continue to create wonderful content for us to enjoy.

Dayspring began as a greeting card company in California by four Christian men. They have grown into more than cards with inventory including gifts, home decor, books and Bibles. They also provide a daily devotional delivered right to your email every morning. Some are very short, such as this morning’s offering. Others a bit longer. All are excerpts from books published by Dayspring. If you’d like a quick devotion, easily read in a couple of minutes, this may be the right fit for you.

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An offshoot of Dayspring is another wonderful resource: (in)courage. Female writers from across the country are regular contributors, designed to encourage and enrich your life with real life, relevant material. The devotions are a little longer (probably will take 5-10 minutes each) but you’ll want to shout “Amen!” when you’ve finished. The authors are engaging, humorous, vulnerable and wise. By the time you’ve read a few, you’ll feel as though you’ve made new friends. They’ve recently published a CSB (in)courage devotional Bible. If I needed another Bible, I would certainly have this one. Sign up here to receive these wonderful daily blogs/devotions.

I’ve just recently come across the writings of Rachel Wojo…Her last name is so long and with so many consonants that she’s shortened it on every thing she publishes…and she publishes A LOT!. I first saw (and use every day) her monthly Bible reading plans. Then I looked through her website and saw so much wonderful, Biblical material. She says she started the website to keep herself accountable to God’s Word and to “help others enjoy fresh faith on a daily basis.” She has so much free material including free Bible study videos. Her testimony is amazing and inspiring. I couldn’t even begin to describe her life’s journey. Please, if you do nothing else today, take a peek at Rachel’s website.

That’s enough to get you started. Happy reading! May the Word of God sink deep into your hearts as you lean into Him more and more every day. I pray these resources will help guide you toward the Source of all Truth…Jesus.

Monday, Monday…So Good to Me

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Ever have a song stuck in your head? Or just a few phrases of a song? This one is in my head every Monday morning. The song is from 1966, sung by The Mamas and the Papas, and is so catchy that you can’t help but sing along…for a while. It’s a sad song, if you really pay attention to the lyrics, but it’s just so addictive.

Just try not to sing as you read these lyrics:

Monday, Monday, so good to me
Monday mornin´, it was all I hoped it would be
Oh Monday mornin´, Monday mornin´ couldn’t guarantee
That Monday evenin´ you would still be here with me
Monday, Monday, can´t trust that day
Monday, Monday, sometimes it just turns out that way
Oh Monday mornin´ you gave me no warnin´ of what was to be
Oh Monday, Monday, how could you leave and not take me
Every other day, every other day
Every other day of the week is fine, yeah
But whenever Monday comes, but whenever Monday comes
And-you can find me cryin´ all of the time

 

Did you find yourself crying this Monday morning? That Daylight Saving Time thing may have done a number on you. Maybe your weekend didn’t live up to your expectations. Maybe you’re facing a long week of hard work, or no work.

No matter what your Monday is looking like, there is hope. God loves you. He thinks you’re delightful. And you matter to Him.

Monday is just one day – don’t let it eat your lunch. Tell yourself the truth – you are fearfully and wonderfully made – you are created in the image of God – God is always your fortress, your refuge, your strong tower, who will never abandon you. Tell Monday to chill –  you and God have got this.

Gods_Got_It

P.S. Mondays aren’t nearly as difficult since I read my friend Jennifer Dukes Lee’s book “It’s All Under Control.” Some wonderful insights for control freaks, or if you think you have to be in control to be successful. You can purchase it at any of your favorite book places. One of my Top 10 books ever!

That Lost Hour

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Daylight Saving time is tough on several groups of people:

  • Children, specifically those between birth and 13…tired, hungry and grumpy at awkward times. This is true every day for teenagers so I’m not including them.
  • Moms and Dads, because of the children mentioned above.
  • Old people, for much the same reasons as children. This age group has come to depend on a routine and losing/gaining an hour throws that out the window. The term “grumpy old man” refers to a guy the Monday after Daylight Saving Time.
  • Church attendees, and more specifically church workers, those who have to be at church at least an hour earlier than everyone else. DST always occurs in the early morning hours of Sunday which results in at least one person walking into service an hour late. And the kids’ church workers stumbling around trying to corral those children I mentioned in the first bullet point.

So my couch is calling. I’m in at least two of the above categories. Had a wonderful morning at church, worshiping, celebrating, praying, listening, eating, laughing but now I’m “verbed” out. I think the only ones left for me are napping and snuggling.

Happy Daylight Saving Day! May your naps be long and your children be merry.