Category Archives: Devotional Life

The Day After Super-Something Tuesday

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17.-Encourage-sunset

Yes, I’m discouraged. Yes, I’m a trifle concerned about our country. Yes, I’m going to keep spreading my opinion about certain presidential candidates. But, no – it is not the end of the world. Because I know Someone who is bigger, stronger and tougher than The Donald. Someone who knows the beginning from the end, Someone who holds the affairs of all nations in the palm of His hand, Someone who isn’t concerned, worried or upset about Super Tuesday. A King who remains on the throne no matter the election results.

Today look away from the talk news channels, steer clear of newspapers touting fear and panic, avoid conversation streams on social media designed to raise your blood pressure.

Turn instead to a few favorite passages in God’s Word:

Romans 15:4 and 5 – For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had.

2 Corinthians 13:11 – Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 and 14 – Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing….And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and distruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

Philemon 1:7 – Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.

So today – when you feel low about yesterday’s political results (and most of you who read my stuff feel the same way I do) – turn to the One who knows how it’ll all turn out. Our job is not to worry or fret but to encourage and refresh each other. And pray. That’d be good.

 

 

An Extra Day

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february29

For those of you who whine about “never having enough time” or “there are just not enough hours in the day,” this particular Monday is just for you. An extra day. A day to get something done that you had at the bottom of your “to-do” list…or a day to have fun and do something you’ve put off, because you knew you’d be too guilty to indulge when so many other things and people are screaming for your attention.

I don’t understand space, and time, and planetary rotations so this Leap Day thing is way over my head. I’m not even interested in “googling” it. But I do know that, if given an extra day, I want to live it fully. So take a moment (not right now – read the rest of this first) and write down three things you’re going to do with your extra day.

Maybe you want to call someone from your past who you haven’t heard from in a while…an aunt or uncle who would love to chat with you, or a friend from high school is isn’t on Facebook. How about learning how to make yeast bread (I’ll taste test, if you need someone) or pancakes  from scratch (Side note: we bought this wonderful raspberry syrup from Aldi last week and now I think I want to make chocolate pancakes. Doesn’t that sound decadent and delicious? Yeah, I thought so too).

Maybe on this extra day, you want to pamper yourself and do a spa day or get a pedicure. Spring is right around the corner and that means open-toe sandals and flip flops. How about a massage? Yes. Please.

Maybe this would be a great day to get off-line (wait! Read the rest of this first!) – and go tech-free for 24 hours. It can be done. I remember as a child (when Abe Lincoln was president, I think) when we didn’t worry about who was saying what or being seen with who in any given moment. CNN, Facebook, Instagram, and Google weren’t even a twinkle in anyone’s eye. This extra day could be spent powering down with the electronics and powering up with mental and emotional energy.

How about spending today in the presence of God – take a walk outside, read completely through a shorter book of the Bible, study a characteristic of God, listen to some new worship music…The Lord loves to meet with you (no matter what day it is) and I promise, it will be the BEST extra day of your life!

Those are just a few spontaneous ideas about how to spend your extra 24 hours – I’d love to hear more from you!

What I Know About Fasting

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Nothing.

I should probably just stop right there. That would be the shortest blog ever.

Simply put, fasting is to abstain from food, usually for a certain period of time or for a certain purpose.

The discipline of fasting is not unique to Christians. In fact, many religions are required to fast, including Muslims who fast from dawn to sunset for the month of Ramadan. During Lent, Catholics are asked to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, and to abstain from eating meat on Fridays (hence those awesome fish fry dinners at every American Legion hall in America).

Though the Bible is full of references to fasting, from my observation, the practice is not a consistent discipline in an average  Christian’s life. Mine included. So yesterday, because I had a friend who desperately needs healing, I fasted and prayed all day. Well – most of the day. Well – from dawn until sunset…less than 12 hours. And I actually thought I deserved a medal or something.

This is my confession. I’m proud and arrogant when it comes to Christian disciplines and I have no will power when it comes to food. If I hadn’t left my normal lunch at home (and thankfully no one brought anything good to work yesterday), I probably would have caved by 10 in the morning. Why is it I think I’m starving after only one hour without food? Pathetic.

So – that’s my newest addition. I’d like to study the discipline of fasting, maybe read a book or two, and get into what the Scriptures say about this “doing without food” thing. I don’t anticipate any 40-day fast in my future…let’s be honest. It’s like telling me when I first started running that I would do a marathon that same year. Not going to happen.

But if the practice of fasting was a normal part of the people of the Word, it should be a normal part of my life as well. Thanks for reading – now, you can go back to your snacks.

Isaiah 58:6 – “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke.”

Fasting-black-and-white

 

Music Monday

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music-notes

Tonight is the annual Grammy Awards. In case you live under a rock, it is the award show highlighting the “best” music of the past year. I put the word best in quotation marks because I believe “best” is always an opinion, and I rarely agree with the music awarded a Grammy. But I do love music. Today I’m going to add to my Lenten 40-day journey by listening to more music.

I have a lot of favorite artists. Through the years I’ve spent money on music ranging from Alabama to ZZ Top, from Kenny Rogers to Kenny G, from Beatles to Wings to just plain Paul McCartney. I listen to praise & worship, jazz, pop, alternative rock, country (ish) and movie show tunes.  I love Bethel worship and Jason Upton (especially his latest album “A Table Full of Strangers”), but I also love pop stuff, like Ben Rector (I’ll be singing along with his latest tunes when he’s in Des Moines in March). Most of you know I’ve basically been a concert stalker for NEEDTOBREATHE (I think I’ve been to 6 concerts in 5 different states in 3 years). But at those concerts, I’ve fallen for the music of a couple of their opening bands, like Colony House and Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors. We like Drew’s music so much that I’m working on a way to see him while he’s in Des Moines in April.

The old stuff, from my teens and 20s, still have a hold of me. I recently purchased James Taylor’s latest album, Before This World, because he’s James Taylor. I don’t need any other reason. And it’s good. Really good.

Music is such a powerful influence in our lives. It can move us emotionally from the highest highs to depressing lows. I do try to avoid those types of songs. I’m not really into being depressed. The music and lyrics stay with us for most of our lives…I have no problem remembering the hymns I learned in my home town Methodist church when I was a child. I can sing the words to all the ABBA songs being played during my Curves workout.

Take some time today to fill your heart with good music…music to lift your soul, spur you to feeling good about yourself and others, music that helps you remember happy times.David was a lowly shepherd boy, who penned songs while watching over his sheep. He sang and played a variety of instruments. Music and worship became his training ground before being crowned king of Israel and called a friend of God.

By the way,  I do have a very favorite group- who do you think?

Psalm 18[a]

For the director of music. Of David the servant of the Lord. He sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said:

1 I love you, Lord, my strength.

2 The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
    my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
    my shield[b] and the horn[c] of my salvation, my stronghold.

Your Nose Knows

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Nose

I have a cold. It isn’t horrible but my nose is either running or stopped up. It takes quite a strong aroma to break that barrier. Like Vicks Vapo-Rub – remember that stuff? Every time I smell it, I’m taken back to my childhood…when my mom would spread that goopy gel over my chest and on the bottoms of my feet. I don’t know if it helped, but the aroma was pervasive and brings back all those feelings of love and comfort from my mom’s nurturing care.

That’s the great thing about our sense of smell – the trigger of good memories whenever certain aromas hit our nose. I love the smell of freshly-roasted coffee beans and freshly-brewed coffee (taste too!). There’s nothing like the smell of warm cinnamon rolls, baking bread, peppermint ice cream, fresh cut wood, pungent orange peels, fresh cut grass, newly-turned earth, incoming spring rains, strawberry shampoo, freshly-bathed babies, and a first time you crack open a new book. This list is only a few of my favorite smells. Each one brings up a bucketful of great memories and good feelings.

For instance, every time I smell pine I’m reminded of a family vacation we took when I was 16. There were five of us, headed to Arkansas, in a pick up truck with a topper and no air conditioning. We had put an old mattress in the back so we could take turns sleeping, sitting or driving. My mom and I were driving through the night with the windows open, along the highway lined with majestic fir trees. The bracing aroma of pine filled the truck cab. I don’t remember our conversation but the smell of pine still gives me poignant memories of a happy time in my childhood.

Do you have similar smells that trigger memories? Sure, sometimes smells remind us of sad times too, but as the movie “Inside Out” illustrates, sadness isn’t bad…it’s an emotion we need to feel and embrace as much as joy or anger.

It’s kind of cool that we, as children of God, are to Him the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing…the fragrance of life to one group, the smell of death to the other. Through us, He spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him. So we are the trigger of the Holy Spirit in the lives of others. Hope you smell good!

Take a deep breath! Learn to use all your senses to unleash feel good moments. Even better – start making aromatic memories for the future. If you need it, they still sell Vicks Vapo-Rub.

Write Right Now!

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Journaling

I don’t remember a time that I didn’t like writing. In first grade I loved writing my whole name across the top of my paper: Kristine Gail McCullough. I loved that my name was long so I had to use all the space across from left to right to fit it all in. And I had the best letters! More capital letters than anyone else in my class. Then my teacher told me I didn’t need to write the whole thing. It was taking too long and my hand was cramping by the end of the day. I think I was grasping those big fat pencils too tightly.

So I shortened my name to “Kris” (but I still have an awesome amount of capital letters thanks to marrying my own Mr. McGarvey). But my love of writing continues.My 40-day Lenten addition today is putting words on paper, everyday, in some form. I have a lovely old-style composition book (see picture above – don’t you just love a brand new notebook!) and the desire to write, whatever comes into my head.

Today I wrote some Scripture and took off on the theme of fearing the Lord. But tomorrow may be a recipe, or a prayer, or a story, or a memory. The important thing for me is the discipline of putting thoughts on lined paper. It’s a lost art, really. We think spewing stuff in that “What’s On Your Mind?” box at the top of our Facebook newsfeed is sufficient. Most of the time I write something there in response to someone else’s spewing and if I’m wise, I delete it before posting. The beauty of my little comp book is the privacy I have to say whatever I want, because only my eyes will ever see it. Oh yes – God will see it too. But I’m not afraid to be angry, or defiant, or sad…God isn’t afraid of my thoughts. Be honest – He knows us better than we know ourselves. And maybe, just maybe, He has a few words for me to write down as well.

So get yourself a brand, spanking new notebook and start writing…right now!

 

Reflecting on Reflection

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Flower_reflectionMy 40-day journey of addition begins today. And I wanted to start with something which will help me all the way through this adventure.

Reflection. So many definitions. One involves a mirror. Yuck.

Some of us use the mirror as a tool to pluck a stray hair, check for green stuff in our teeth, or make sure that eyeliner went on straight. Others  use it as a tool to beat ourselves over the head…”too fat,” “too pale,” “big nose,” “big butt,” “big ears,”…the voice in my head can depress me more than any Donald Trump sound bite. My self-esteem can take a big hit if I saw myself the way that mirror says I am.

But there’s another mirror…a magic mirror…I can use every day, at any moment, if I choose it. This mirror reflects the real me…the me that God says is valued, loved, cherished. The mirror of God’s Word is the only true reflection of who I really am.

Another definition of reflection has to do with  meditation or consideration.

I think about stuff. Don’t you? I spend a lot of time in my head, constantly talking myself into and out of things. So today, I’m committing to spending more time in reflection. Intentionally considering my life, my schedule, my choices, my God. I’m looking forward to listening to the Holy Spirit as I try to reflect who I am because of who He is in me.

That’s another reflection to consider. How do I reflect the love of Christ into this world I live in? I’m a pretty flawed human being but Jesus lives in me and I want His love, His words, His character reflected in my words and actions.

Paul wrote a letter to the Corinthian church and in it he included a section we like to refer to as “the love chapter” – 1 Corinthians 13. It’s very beautiful (if you take time to REFLECT on all of it). There’s a long list of what love is and isn’t (love is patient, kind, not envious…). But one of my favorite parts of the section, toward the end, of what it will be like when we see Jesus.

“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”

When we see Jesus, we won’t wonder if we are too fat or too thin, accepted or not accepted, loved or not loved. I will know all things as He knows. A reflection is good for now, but I can’t wait until I see Him face-to-face.

 

Life + Choices = Adventure

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Today is Ash Wednesday, the traditional beginning of the Lenten season in many Christian churches. Lent is a period of 40 days of fasting and repentance leading up to Easter (actually, they only count Monday through Saturday as “fasting” days, with Sunday as a “feasting” day, and therefore not counted in the 40-days). There’s your history lesson for today.

Last year I wrote a short blog for each day of Lent, which was a lot of writing and probably more than any one person should, especially any one just plain ordinary person. But it was a great discipline for me, even if no one read anything. I took the theme of fasting and chose a different topic each day to “give up.” I tackled giving up unworthiness, apathy, guilt, failure and a lot of other stuff. This year I think I’ll flip things around. This year I’m going to choose those things I need to add to my life.

Let me be honest. My schedule is very full. I work full time, tutor once or twice a week, lead a small youth group on Wednesday nights, attend a prayer and teaching session at least once a week at our WFM Missions Base in Robins and serve with my husband as he pastors Troy Mills Christian Church each Sunday. I also spend time volunteering, working out at least three times a week, cleaning my house (mostly fail this one) and giving time and attention to my kids and husband. In between all those things, I read my Bible, do the laundry, cook a few meals, walk a few miles, read a few books, keep up with the family finances, talk to my boys, go out with friends and live my life as joyously as I can. On top of all that, my youngest will soon graduate from college and my oldest son and his beautiful fiancee are getting married in May.

So, why do I think I need to add anything else?

Especially because I’m so busy, there are quite a few areas in which I need plenty of work. I need to add things like margin, compassion, patience, joy, adventure….You get my drift. Starting tomorrow, my blog will be short (promise!) advice to myself. My goal is to add those essential elements I’ve missed while sprinting through each day. The actual definition of “addition” is the uniting of two or more numbers into one sum. I’ll be uniting what is great about my present with what is necessary to make life even better.  I’m going to set my face toward the end of this journey, trusting God to show me ways to add richness to each day. You can join me if you want.

mission addition

 

The Comparison Trap

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kids-comparing-heightThrough the years, I’ve compared myself to women who I thought were better wives, better mothers, better speakers, more beautiful, thinner, and more accomplished. But I kind of grew out of that phase a few years ago.

Now I find that I compare myself to my own expectations of who I should be by now. As I get older, and the number of years behind me are more numerous than the ones ahead of me, I’m a little disappointed that I haven’t reached the goals I subconsciously set for myself back in my 20s.

Sports broadcaster – no…

World traveler – no…

Big name speaker – no…

Author – no…

Fitness model – well, I never really aimed for that one.

Yes, I get caught in the comparison trap every once in a while. But, then I remember I’m only supposed to be who God wants me to be – He has my future and my hope secure. I can only achieve, and only want to achieve, what’s best for me through His grace and strength. When I look in the mirror I see the woman of God who desires His best and seeks His face and walks intimately with the Lover of my soul. So I’m done with comparing (for today anyway).

Dust It Off

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dusty-bible-read-me

I started another challenge at the beginning of June. Reading through the whole Bible in 90 days. It’s hard. It probably takes me between 30-45 minutes a day to get through each large section of Scripture. So far I’ve galloped through Genesis, escaped with the Jews in Exodus, learned the Law in Leviticus, counted and re-counted in Numbers, dashed through Deuteronomy, defeated the enemies in Joshua and Judges, and lived the romance of Ruth. All in 19 days.

I hope you read the Word each day. You don’t have to take on this kind of challenge but I hope you take the time to listen to what God is saying from Genesis to Revelation. Oh – I can hear you now…all kinds of excuses. I know this because I’ve used them too…

I just don’t have time.

Yes you do. We all make time for what we value. It isn’t unspiritual to actually make an appointment with God. Makes perfect sense to me. We all keep appointments with doctors, teachers, accountants, friends, church activities…why can’t you schedule a time to read God’s story every day? I know many of you have young kids who take up boatloads of your time. Get them involved in your Bible reading. There is no better lesson they can see than Mom and Dad reading Scripture every day. They will understand the importance of Bible reading when YOU place it as a priority. Read with them – read it out loud to them (as always, use wisdom when reading certain portions to young children. “But Mom, God said to wipe them off the face of the earth,” says Billy as he straddles Susie in the backyard).

Yes – you may need to skip your daily dose of Facebook (at least 30 minutes of it), or pass on Dr. Phil or Judge Judy. Take a Bible audio app with you on a long walk. Multi-task with steps and Scripture. Now that’s how to get fit!

I just don’t understand it.

Then find a way. Use a different version. There are literally hundreds of versions to choose from. Go to a Bible website and browse. Try a new one every day, just as a test run. Maybe you learn better through the spoken word. Try an audio version. Maybe you like to see the Word come to life. There are DVDs which use the New International Version to “act out” Scripture – word for word. Don’t believe the lie that says “I’m just too dumb” to understand this stuff. There are all kinds of study helps available online. The Holy Spirit inspired the writers of each book and He can give you understanding too. Ask for it. He wants to speak to you. He wants you to know Him and the only way you can is if you read what He’s written.

I’ve already read it once.

My husband is a really smart man. He knows the Word of God better than anyone else I know. He teaches it, lives it and breathes it. I don’t know how many times he’s read through the Bible but probably more than you have. Yet – he still does it. He still reads it every. single. day. You know why? Because he knows God still has a lot to say to him and he always finds out new things about God every time he reads it. Once is not enough. Twice is not enough. Keep at it. Don’t stop. Change it up if you want. Read a different version. The Message is kind of fun for a change of pace. Listen to it instead of read it. Watch it on video.

It’s boring.

If you haven’t noticed by now, the excuses are just that. Excuses. Once again – what you value you will pursue. If you find God’s Word boring (another word for “I just don’t get it”), then find a way to make it exciting. Read it with a friend. Challenge each other with a reading plan or a memorization plan. Read up on the backgrounds of the various authors. Determine to find something you can take away from each day’s reading. Recently I read through Leviticus. Before I started I determined I would find some practical lesson I could use. Quite a few people skip Leviticus. It’s a hard book to wade through. Lots of details. And I mean lots. But God was faithful. I found lessons on salt, blood, value, atonement, festivals & celebrations, grace, consuming fire, unauthorized fire, the holiness of God and how to approach & who can approach God. And finally, I learned God is in the details. He cares about everything. If He cares about skins sores and moldy houses, I’m pretty sure He cares about the details of my life too. See – Leviticus speaks to us today. Don’t skip it!

Find an accountability partner. Print off a paper Bible reading guide. Pray for the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit who will teach you the deep things of God as you read His Word. I promise you – you will not be disappointed. The value of Scripture – the richness of His Word will saturate your Spirit and refresh your soul. A little side benefit – when you’re tired and worn down, only the Word that you’ve placed into your heart will revive and restore. When the battles rage around you, only His voice, speaking His Word, will keep you fighting. It isn’t called the Sword of the Spirit for nothing.

 

Dust it off and get started. No excuses. No regrets.