Wednesday, November 21, 2012

I am thankful...

Thanksgiving is less than 24 hours away. Turkeys and cranberry sauce being prepared across the United States. Just two of the traditional foods that have managed to stay on the menu since that first dinner in 1621. In a peaceful gathering, the Wampanoag tribe and the pilgrims gathered and shared a meal but things wouldn't remain peaceful.

As  a Native American, this is not a day that has always been viewed as something to celebrate but also something to remember, to mourn, and to learn from. As greed from material possessions took over, war began. Many Native Americans were killed, raped and infected. When William Trent saw ,in 1763, that he may be losing the war, he commissioned the handing out of blankets from a hospital infected with smallpox. They were distributed among tribes that had no medicine or access to medicine, wiping out Native American men, women and children. As the settlers took over, more of our people were moved West and you know the stories of the trail of tears.

So what about Thanksgiving? Many tribes, especially those close to plymouth actually fast on this day. While many elsewhere celebrate, they acutally mourn.

We must never forget the lessons that can be learned from such tragedy. We must also not let it harden our hearts. My family and I celebrate a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. We sit down, enjoy a peaceful meal and we remeber to give thanks. We are thankful for a heritage that reminds us to be kind, to be helpful. There is no question as to what was done to Native Americans and how wrong it was. There is also no question as to what the Native Americans did and how right it was. They helped a people, on the verge of starvation. They showed them how to survive, they fed them, and they welcomed them. In return, they were hurt by the very people they tried to help. This is unfortunately how the world still works in many ways. Just as the pilgrims turned around and caused harm to the very people that helped them, we often find ourselves doing that today. It's our sinful nature to hurt one another, intentional or not.

The greatest lesson, don't stop helping. We have to keep moving forward. We have to be of service and help one another, always giving back and living for the greater good. When we stop helping and start blaming, we find a breakdown in common humanity and if you don't believe me, look around.You can't miss the fighting, the wars, the judging one another, the battles, and the ones left behind. Those things are all too common.

We have to go back to peaceful, to thankful, to grateful, not just posting 24 days of something good on facebook, but practicing 365 days a year through our actions. To love one another, it is part of the greatest commandment. This isn't about letting go of what happened in 1621, but learning from it.

This Thanksgiving, are you ready to be truly grateful and thankful? Are you so thankful and grateful that you are willing to give some back? Are you ready to leave fingerprints?

A Grateful Believer in Jesus Christ
~Johnna

Friday, November 16, 2012

Gaining Victory over Fear

Fear, it showed up as soon as the first sin was committed. With knowledge, Adam and Eve were afraid and hid from God.

“ And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where are thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself” Genesis 3:9-10 (KJV)

Fear becomes a reality as a result of learning. We cope with what we perceive as a threat with the emotion of fear. There is no way to  rid our world of fear, it is a part of who we are, it comes from inside. The victory over fear comes from our reaction. There are two possible reactions from a Christian perspective. Fear can cause us to run to God, or hide from God. The secular world will call this fight or flight response.

Just as knowledge brings fear, knowledge can bring the correct response to  gain victory.  Victory over fear comes from knowing God, from fearing God.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding” Proverbs 9:10 (KJV)

There is a lot going on in the world. Every day as more things come to light, more fear is born. There is more violence, more threats, more plagues, and more things that we all would just love to run from. We can’t flee from these things, we are surrounded. So that leave us the choice to fight, to gain victory.

We are in a time where it is crucial, more than ever , for Christians to stand together. As we face a scary world that could consume us with fear if we let it, we have to fight back as we remember the promises of God.

1 But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. 3 For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place. 4 Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, And people for your life. 5 Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, And gather you from the west; 6 I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' And to the south, 'Do not keep them back!' Bring My sons from afar, And My daughters from the ends of the earth-- 7 Everyone who is called by My name, Whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him." Isaiah 43:1-7

Whether you are scared of something in this world that is going on or if something more personal is causing fear, know that fear is a normal response with the opportunity to react in a way that will strengthen you as a Christian. Then, to God's glory, you will have gained victory over fear.Victory because something that satan brought to weaken you, the Lord has used to make you strong.

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed ; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help the; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.“ Isaiah 41:10 (KJV)

A Grateful Believer in Jesus Christ
~Johnna 






Thursday, November 8, 2012

Base, you can't get me!!!

I take our kids to the park quite often. They have really developed a group of friends that are also regulars. This last week, we had something unexpected come up so while we were waiting, we made an impromptu trip to the park. There were more than the average number of children there this day. It wasn’t but a few minute in, a huge game of “tag your it” began. There were close to a dozen kids involved.

I sat on the bench and watched. All of the children were so happy and full of laughter,  I was almost nostalgic about my childhood. As one of the children ran across the park closer to where I was at, she grabbed one of the big yellow bucket swings and yelled, “BASE, You can’t get me!”. Immediately, other children began running to the swing and yelling base. My first thought, “I wish my life had a base so people couldn’t get to me.”

Of course, these ideas began growing with comparisons. It’s how my thought process works. You know, I do have a base. It’s God and he provides us several bases while we are in this world. I use my bases too!

I find myself frustrated at times, hurt by other people, just plain out of energy or motivation and I need a break. I have said this before but my favorite way to be still when time(err children) allows, is to retreat to my room with my bible. You can’t read the bible without coming out refreshed and renewed. The bible reminds me, if my faith is in God, this world can’t hurt me. The bible is one of my “bases”.

Another one of my bases is prayer. A quick breath prayer can instantly restore calm. It's like holding on to “base” to catch our breath while no one can touch us,  prayer does that too. It allows us to catch our breath and hit the ground running again.

One of the most important aspects of “base” is our friends there with us. Just like all of the children quickly caught on that they would be safe if they grabbed base, the lost catch on from us. They see us holding on to Jesus for strength and hope and they want to hold on to. They find their way to salvation by our example.

When we look around, we see other Christians holding on to the same “base” that we are. This is the protective base known as our “spiritual family”.

Imagine it this way. The child that is “it”, running after everyone, trying to get them. If  most of the other children are safely on “base”,  the child that is “it”  stands there OR goes after the kids not on base. It’s easier to grab one than to jump into a group that considers themselves protected.  The world works this way too. We are safer when supported by and supporting our spiritual family.

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)

So now we can see our earthly bases clearly. We can take heed from a game I am sure all of us played in childhood. We can remember our one solid base and we can find comfort knowing we are protected.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ...  Ephesians 6:10-18 (ESV)


Do you feel safe? Do you know where your bases are and do you use them? Do you take the time share your bases with others?

A Grateful Believer in Jesus Christ
~Johnna




Saturday, November 3, 2012

I can do all things....

I think one of the biggest lessons I have had to learn is how much my life requires that I just don't have. With a super busy schedule, 6 beautiful children and an amazing husband, I am not enough. At one point in my life, I sunk into a depression and pretty much just gave up. I would sleep my days away, with too much on my plate, I completely buckled under the pressure. That was a couple of years ago. Today, I do more than I ever imagined possible.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Phillipians 4:13 (KJV) 

I still have a tendency to run myself too close to empty. I have to stop myself a few steps short of exhaustion and refill. My favorite way to refill is to bury myself in God's word. I love the bible, it is the living word and applies 2000 years later to my life. That alone makes me realize how amazing God is that he has provisioned that source of strength for us. My other favorite refill is a good sermon. I have several favorite people I will listen to, mostly those types that have a contagious energy and passion for God and fullfilling His purpose.

His purpose, that is the next part to staying strong. When I ran on self-will trying to fullfil the goals I had for my life, I was worn out and drained. Walking in confidence in the light of God's purpose for my life, I have renewed hope and strength. Of course so many things I do are way bigger than I am, it's because they aren't about me and they aren't for me and they aren't planned by me. It's God's plans and He has already made the way for those plans to be carried out. I don't have to find strength, it's already been found, in Christ and there is plenty of strength to go around. 

Yesterday was a busy day, today I just floated through. I  took care of responsibilities but mostly spent today reflecting, being still, and refilling. I am excited for tomorrow and for rest and for time change that will give me an extra hour of rest, but mostly excited for worship with my family. 

As we enter this busy time of year with holidays and all that follows, I wanted to remind everyone, you have exactly the amount of strength required to do whatever has been put in front of you. Instead of looking at all that may be on your plate, take a minute to look up, take a deep breath, say a prayer, and draw your strength from the one source that will never fail you. 

Are you ready to call on God for strength? Are you ready to leave fingerprints? 

A Grateful Believer In Jesus Christ
~Johnna