Alive With Thanksgiving

November 24, 2015 By: Angela Parlin

Image By Angela Parlin

Sometimes I’ve had a not-so-fun day at home with my kids. When my husband walks in and asks about our day, I let it all roll out. And what rolls out is a list of complaints, how everything went horribly for me. “I had to deal with ____ and take care of ____ and then they ____ and so I had to ____.”

As I recount the day’s battles, I sink deeper and deeper into my desire to just call it a day and go to bed, in hopes that I’ll wake tomorrow, having forgotten it all. In hopes that tomorrow, everything will be different.

When things are hard, I’m far more aware of my hardships than my treasures.

My hard days are not the whole story of my life, but I start to feel like they are. And I sink lower, because of my awful perspective.

“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” ~Thornton Wilder

What I really need is to count my blessings–which is mostly a shift in perspective. More than likely, you need the same.

In the middle of any given day, we can either focus on all the treasures which surround us, or we can look long at all the things that are not as they should be. In the middle of any given day, we find both, don’t we, both treasures and difficulties?

Where will you focus?

Which will you recount?

Some believe that with our conscious thoughts, we’re choosing between being truly alive, or half dead. Do you agree, that we’re only really alive when conscious of our treasures?

The Bible commands us repeatedly, in both the Old and New Testaments, to give thanks to God for a variety of blessings. We should thank Him for everything–His mercy toward us, salvation, every spiritual blessing in Christ, the ways He provides for us daily, answered prayers, the people He places in our lives, faith, hope, material blessings–everything.

Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

When you read these familiar scriptures, do you feel a little discouraged? Because when I read words like ALWAYS, for everything, in whatever you do, in every situation, I know I fall really short of them. But God’s will is not for us to feel discouraged. Instead, He wants us to bring it to Him in prayer–with thanksgiving.

Look at that, another opportunity to give thanks, this time in the middle of our shortcomings.

So maybe instead of getting tripped up on words like always, we start making a habit of giving thanks to God in this situation–and we continue until it’s a habit to give thanks in whatever we do.

Maybe it’s just that simple. Not always easy, but simple.

Today, we count our blessings and thank the Lord for every good gift He bestows.

Conscious of our treasures, may we come ALIVE with thanksgiving.

*And now, it’s LINKUP time! Welcome, #RaRaLinkup friends! I’m looking forward to reading your words this week!

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Letting Go of Imaginary Worries

November 19, 2015 By: Angela Parlin

Image By Angela Parlin

I used to think I didn’t struggle much with worry.

And then I became a Mom a decade ago. Suddenly there were so many what ifs to contend with. My imagination easily ran off to terrifying places, thinking two steps ahead of them, often fearing the worst.

Sometimes still, I get caught up in a whirlwind of worry, even though I know I don’t get to control things. Even though my trust in God has grown.

Shakespeare said cowards die a thousand deaths, and the brave die only one. I’ve heard a variation of his quote, which rings true for me:

“Some people die a thousand deaths before they die one.”

(Author Unknown)

I know the truth of my thoughts and my imaginations. I don’t tend toward bravery, but fear. How many deaths have I died in my head, or how many deaths have I feared for my loved ones?

What about you? Do you get trapped in worry? Have you grieved for those you haven’t even lost? Do you try to figure out the future, even though you have no power there?

When I’m stuck in worry, my best response is to turn each concern into a prayer, and to listen.

I am God, He says.

I am a good God, He says.

Trust me, He says.

He calls me to hand over all of my concerns to Him, each time they find their way back into my mind.

He calls me to bring my life before Him, to bring my loved ones’ lives before Him, day after day, and to place them in His hands.

He calls me to come to Him in prayer, to lay out the pieces of my life, to entrust it all to Him.

He calls you to all of the same.

When worry takes over, what we need most is to find our way back to the quiet, to fix our eyes upon Jesus once more. There, He speaks kindly to us, transforming and renewing our minds.

There, peace takes over, and worry morphs into trust.

We stop trying to carry our hurts, our struggles, our pain on our own.

We stop trying to bear our burdens–both our real ones and our imaginary ones–apart from the God who holds the whole world in His hands.

And when the worries return, as they often do, the Lord invites us to trust Him again, because He is God and He is good.

Some people die a thousand deaths before they die one, and I don’t want to be that person anymore. Lord, help us to live in peace instead of worry, to trust you with all the pieces of our lives.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:15

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you; I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid. John 14:27

READ this post also at PurposefulFaith.com!

When Cities Go Dark

November 17, 2015 By: Angela Parlin

My alarm sings, and I swipe to shut it off. CNN flashes a list of alerts again this morning, and I groan. But I cannot look away. I both want to know, and I don’t.

There’s been another earthquake while we slept; this time, Greece.

The Russian jet that crashed over Egypt two weeks back? It was definitely a bomb, an act of terror, of which ISIS claims responsibility.

They’re recapping the details of the Paris attacks, and if we listen to the warnings, the terrorists say they’re coming for Washington, D.C. next.

I fell asleep, thinking about these things, wondering what’s coming next.

But every time I start thinking about these things, I end up at Jesus.

There is nowhere else to end up, at least for someone like me, because He is the only hope we have when people go dark, when whole cities go dark.

Jesus is the only hope we have. He’s not a last resort, or an insufficient hope.

Jesus is our only hope, our only real hope.

Our terror trial might become “contained” by governments, but it’s not going to be fixed by anyone other than God Himself. In this world we were promised troubles. We have an enemy, and he’s on the prowl. We’re in a battle, whether we’re aware of it or not.

In a world where it’s easy to get lost in the details, the difficulties, and the drama–what’s needed is to fix our thoughts on Jesus.

Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. Hebrews 3:1

We’ve been making our way through the book of Hebrews on Tuesdays, and it’s fitting today to begin chapter 3. To begin with, Fix your thoughts on Jesus.

It’s what I need on all the days, but especially days like these.

The writer of Hebrews speaks to Holy Brothers & Sisters, who share in the heavenly calling. In other words, believers, people who fear God and believe in Jesus who He sent.

In my post, Brothers & Sisters, Jesus proudly calls us His siblings. His Holy Siblings. And now, people who share in the heavenly calling. Do you see yourself in that light today?

We have to start believing we are who He says we are.

The word “Therefore” points us backward, to the previous chapter, where we see Jesus as Son of God, who became lower than the angels for a while, fully human in order to break the power of death over us and atone for our sins. Because of all that–all He’s done for us–we should fix our thoughts on Jesus, who is both our apostle and High Priest. As apostle, meaning “one who is sent,” Jesus was sent into the world by the Father, as He often claimed.

To understand Jesus as our High Priest, it’s important to know that in Israel, only the supreme priest, the High Priest, could enter into the presence of God, the Most Holy Place in the temple, to make atonement for the sins of the people.

But now, Jesus is our High Priest, who ushers us into the Presence of God, inviting us into the heavenly calling, so that now, we enjoy the presence of God, at all times, in every place.

May we fix our thoughts on Jesus, the One who makes us holy, who makes us family, who calls us heavenward, who invites us in.

“My hope is built on nothing less
than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

On Christ the solid rock I stand,
all other ground is sinking sand;
all other ground is sinking sand.”

(My Hope Is Built, by Edward Mote, hymnsite.com)

Jesus, You’re my hope and stay.

* I’d love to have you along for this journey…Subscribe in the box to the right. Thank you!

Chasing Wind

November 12, 2015 By: Angela Parlin

I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

Ecclesiastes 1:14

I’ve always loved the book of Ecclesiastes, since I first read it through as a teenager. Maybe it was the season I was in when I first met these words. Of course it was; I was a teenage girl. We all remember those days, right?

Solomon’s honesty appealed to me, and in my deepest melancholy, I guess I was drawn to his hopelessness. Everything is meaningless, he began, and he continued this theme until the end.

I nodded my head in agreement. I resonated with his search for more, for meaning and significance and God and all that matters.

I loved that it was okay to have questions. Deep and life-shattering questions. It was even okay if there was no good reason you should be the one searching for more. Because come on, this man was king with every possible indulgence at his fingertips!

Even in those shoes, he searched far and wide for true and lasting happiness.

Even in those shoes, life felt pointless. Boring. Wearisome. Monotonous.

Even in those shoes, the king declared there was nothing new under the sun.

The more things change, the more they stay the same, the proverb says (and Bon Jovi sings). But before this gets filed under Most Depressing Post in the history of blogging, let’s get to the real point.

The point of Ecclesiastes is that without God, life is futile.

Without an eternal perspective, life is meaningless. By the time you get to the end of the book, you’re nearly depressed and ready for the king’s conclusion—

The only way to live under the sun is to Fear God and keep His commands.

Because the truth?

Our lives do not only exist under the sun.

For those who believe in Jesus Christ, our lives are now hidden with Christ in God.

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3

Anyone who is in Christ, is also made into a new creation and given a new way to live.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17

We were once without hope, but now we are seated with King Jesus in heavenly places.

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6

We don’t need to chase after the wind.

Because our lives do not only exist under the sun.

Our God is making all things new.

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then He said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:5

*Today’s post is also featured at LifePassionately.com, home of the beautiful My Life Day Planner…check out the artwork on this daily planner for the modern Christian woman who needs to stay organized and grounded in God’s word through her hectic life. I think you’ll love it!

**I’d love to have you along for the journey…Subscribe in the box to the right!

Brothers & Sisters

November 3, 2015 By: Angela Parlin

I remember driving down an old dirt road in Genesee County, Michigan, with Dad behind the wheel, Mom up front next to him, and three of us girls sitting in the back.

Probably not even in seatbelts, because that’s how we rolled before the whole “Buckle Up” campaign spoiled our in-car freedom.

We were headed to some gathering, I’m not even sure what, and Dad was giving us his “Remember Who You Are” speech.

Let’s not go in there kids and act like hoodlums.

He didn’t actually say it that way, but the point was, you’re part of this family, you’re a Lenhart, you belong here, and you represent us.

That speech didn’t always produce the desired results for our parents, but it instilled in us a sense of belonging. We were proud to be part of our family, at least until certain seasons of adolescence. 🙂

I was proud to call my sisters mine—except maybe when they did something really embarrassing.

But we have a Brother who sits at the right hand of God in heaven, and He is not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters.

He is the Word who spoke us into being and now sits at God’s right hand in heaven, God who became fully human in order to restore us to holiness.

Both the One who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. Hebrews 2:11

Jesus calls us brothers and sisters, and He’s not ashamed of us.

Isn’t that amazing? Because you guys, He already knew.

He knew the lies we’d tell and the pride we’d hold onto and the sin we’d excuse away because everybody’s doing it. He knew we’d struggle to fully believe and we’d cling to fears rather than clinging to Him. He knew the hurtful words we’d say, how we’d spend our time and money, and how wrapped up in our own selves we’d be.

Still, Jesus identified with us as humans, and He calls us His family, His sisters.

How does that make you feel? Does it change your outlook today? Maybe we should meditate on it, because it will take some time to sink in.

Jesus is not ashamed to call you sister. He calls us holy, even though we are still being made holy.

Hebrews 2 goes on to quote Jesus in three instances. Jesus declares God to his brothers and sisters and they praise Him together, He calls believers the “children God has given Him”, and He says, “I will put my trust in the Lord.” (v. 13)

Jesus gave us a beautiful example of dependence on God–which is the way each of us who are God’s children are meant to live.

When I read through the gospels, I’m always struck by how often Jesus goes off on his own, to a quiet place, even in the middle of His important ministry years, in order to hear from God. He shows us what it looks like to trust in the Lord.

I haven’t mastered this kind of dependence on God, but I press on. I look to Him. I get alone with Him. I wait for Him to give me direction.

May our days be marked by trust, sisters of Jesus.

I will wait for the Lord…I will put my trust in Him. Here am I, and the children the Lord has given me… Isaiah 8:17-18

I would love to have you along for this journey with me! Subscribe in the box to the right…thank you!

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When things are hard, I’m far more aware of my hardships than my treasures.

“We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.” ~Thornton Wilder

Where will you focus?

Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

So maybe instead of getting tripped up on words like always, we start making a habit of giving thanks to God in this situation–and we continue until it’s a habit to give thanks in whatever we do.

*And now, it’s LINKUP time! Welcome, #RaRaLinkup friends! I’m looking forward to reading your words this week!

Share this:

Like this:

I used to think I didn’t struggle much with worry.

“Some people die a thousand deaths before they die one.”

When I’m stuck in worry, my best response is to turn each concern into a prayer, and to listen.

There, peace takes over, and worry morphs into trust.

Share this:

Like this:

But every time I start thinking about these things, I end up at Jesus.

Jesus is our only hope, our only real hope.

Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. Hebrews 3:1

We have to start believing we are who He says we are.

But now, Jesus is our High Priest, who ushers us into the Presence of God, inviting us into the heavenly calling, so that now, we enjoy the presence of God, at all times, in every place.

* I’d love to have you along for this journey…Subscribe in the box to the right. Thank you!

Share this:

Like this:

I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.

The point of Ecclesiastes is that without God, life is futile.

The only way to live under the sun is to Fear God and keep His commands.

Our lives do not only exist under the sun.

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then He said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:5

**I’d love to have you along for the journey…Subscribe in the box to the right!

Share this:

Like this:

I remember driving down an old dirt road in Genesee County, Michigan, with Dad behind the wheel, Mom up front next to him, and three of us girls sitting in the back.

But we have a Brother who sits at the right hand of God in heaven, and He is not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters.

Both the One who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. Hebrews 2:11

Still, Jesus identified with us as humans, and He calls us His family, His sisters.

Jesus is not ashamed to call you sister. He calls us holy, even though we are still being made holy.

May our days be marked by trust, sisters of Jesus.

I would love to have you along for this journey with me! Subscribe in the box to the right…thank you!

Share this:

Like this:

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