Take Root and Write

Waving the White Flag of Surrender

2011-09-21T07:06:00-04:00

In American culture and in our humanness, we believe we will be the winner. It could be a simple discussion with someone who has an opposite view, cheering our child’s soccer team, or leaving a stop light. Ultimately, we know there will be a winner and a looser, and we will not lose.

My walk with God is like that. He shows me a place of necessary growth. Instantly, my pride begins to argue that I really don’t need to change. A tussle with the Lord begins . . . until I get tired of struggling and I wave my white flag of surrender.

I lost the scuffle. I am the loser, I think. Yet, the reality is that when God wins, I win. My white flag waving isn’t the beginning of a prison sentence; it’s the beginning of my freedom in Christ.

Throughout history, waving some type of white flag has represented surrender. Raised empty hands above one’s head, paper adhered to the front of a helmet, a torn t-shirt or handkerchief tied to a stick, or a sheet attached to a pole are all examples of white flag symbols of surrender.

Whether it is a full war or a small disagreement, the white flag allows the weaker side to yield to negotiation and expect protection as seen in the ancient rules of war in the Old Testament, (Deuteronomy 20:19-20) through the modern days of The Hague and Geneva Conventions.

Surrendering can be a single act or a process.

By definition, waving of the white flag is a noun - a single one time event resulting in acknowledgement of defeat. As a verb, surrender is a continuous yielding.

Trusting God is a lifetime process. In Psalms, David’s voice is an unremitting sound of internal struggle to the One he knows will defend and protect him. For David, this is not a one time event of waving the white flag of surrender but a continual choosing to yield his faith to his God.

In this process, David is not a defeated prisoner, but a man who can walk in the freedom of God’s protection and rescue.

“Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this” (Psalm 37: 3-5)

“He will do this” becomes clear as the psalm continues, telling David and countless generations how God is going to protect and defend against our enemies as we trust him, delight ourselves in him, and commit our ways to him.

Each week, a man in my church waves a white hankie during worship service. Hand raised high, he waves that hankie with the fervency of a cheerleader at a playoff game.

When I asked someone about why he waved the hankie, they answered that it was joyful gratitude for his grandpa giving his life to Christ. His grandpa had been an alcoholic, but when he gave his life to Christ, his grandpa was healed of that deadly disease. He now lives his life in Christ.

Every day, I have opportunities to wave the white flag, rejoicing in all the Lord has done for me. Yet, sometimes instead of rejoicing, I wrestle with the Lord, wrestle against new opportunities for growth.

I forget that God wants to protect me from harm, defend me from enemies, and free me from the situations that will defeat me.

As a reminder, I stuck a white hankie in my Bible. When I struggle to trust the Lord, I pull it out, and wave my white flag as an act of surrender.

Donna Helzer’s greatest joy is sharing the journey of discovery and trusting God’s wisdom in the midst of life’s challenges. Whether over coffee, in a note, or blogging, scripture applied to life keeps Donna going.

3 Tips on How to Balance a New Business and Family

2011-09-19T11:39:25-04:00

Are you a parent who is wondering if you can also run a home-based business successfully without neglecting the kids? Preparation is needed to do both roles effectively.

Both parenting and entrepreneurship take a lot of care and attention. That raises the question: can one person handle both? Through careful planning and evaluation, yes, both can be handled. Here are 3 tips to help successfully balance a new business and family.

Time Management

In order to successful launch your new business without neglecting the time commitment needs of your kids, take inventory of how you currently spend your time. Create a time study, recording what you do over a week's time. Next, evaluate the results, looking for time waste that can be allocated for your business start-up. Then try to find 5 to 10 hours per week to carve out of your schedule.

Time Management also takes into consideration away-from-home time. While, not an issue in a home-based business, it might require doing home parties at other locations. Does your work time over-lap your kids dinner time? Bed time? Extra-curricular time? Will your work schedule be conducive to your family-time needs?

It is also important to take some time for you and your spouse. Keeping your marriage strong is key to a happier family and business. You want your spouse’s support, so you need to be careful not to neglect time with them.

Through successful time management, you can ensure that both family and business get attention to thrive.

Money Management

Kids cost money! They need clothes, school supplies, plus outside activities that all come with a price tag. Family expenses need to be considered while building a business. Building a business includes start-up costs, in addition to the time it takes to build a steady income.

Create a study of current family expenditures. Take a good hard look at where money is currently spent. Do you go out to eat or get take out each week (or multiple times per week)? Do you spend money on a hobby? What are the places to tighten your belt?

As you evaluate your financial start-up needs, consider supplementing your income with a part-time job in the beginning until more consistent money comes in. Telecommuting is a stay-at-home option. Working from home for an employer would allow more flexibility than working an outside job, plus you would save money on gas and child-care, including commuting and away from home time.

Space Management

You have a choice: renting office space or creating a home office space. Is there home space, either a separate room, or a corner of a room, to allocate to your business? Productivity suffers with interruptions, so creating a distraction-free area to conduct business is import to the success of your business.

Rental space, while reducing distraction, is a more costly option that takes you away from the convenience of working from your home.

Comparing home space and rental options will help decide which is best for you and your family.

As your business begins to bring in some profit, think about outsourcing some of your activities or projects. Eventually, you could even hire some others to assist you, which will minimize time, financial and space issues.

Entrepreneurship can be an awesome journey! Three tips - analyzing time, finance, and space challenges help you plan ahead, and avoid potential conflicts between parenting responsibilities and business start-up will be minimized. Enjoy the adventure!

Laurie Newman teaches others how to make their journey of working from home an easier one. Laurie has worked from home for over five years and savors the freedom and flexibility, plus the purpose it has added to her life.

Come Unto Me

2011-09-16T02:00:00-04:00

Sometimes it feels like I’m carrying the world on my shoulders. And no matter how hard I try, I just can’t seem to unload the heaviness of my heart. Sometimes all I know to do is just rest in his arms.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)

Jesus is my strength. When I don't know what to say - I just don't say a thing. That's what is so wonderful about my relationship with Him. He will always take me just as I am. He will always be here for me - Always.

The life that God has blessed me with is precious. I don't always see it that way but I know in my heart that I am truly blessed. It has been many years since I surrendered my whole heart to God. I have grown closer to Christ and will continue to grow in Him till the day I die. I wish with all my heart that my husband would join me - but that's not my call. That is not my territory - it's God.

Stand Up

From our knees to the facing of a new day we do not stand alone. I don't want to stand alone. Without the knowledge of Him in our lives we would be defeated with the spirit of lonliness. And let me tell you that the enemy brings on the battle of lonliness to my door every day and every night. The stronger my desire for my spouse to take on the Spiritual leadership in my home the harder Satan pushes emptiness in my heart. I don't know where you are on the battle field but I am in the middle of it and I can't aford to go into battle without my sword - through prayer - through the reading and hearing of the Word.

Come Unto Me

My daughter was upset not too long ago and she was very sad and distrought. It was one of those moments when she didn't want to be approached and no words could be of any comfort. Her heart was sad and heavy. I didn't know what to say. I didn't try to say anything special. I sat down next to her. Gently took her hand and simply said "It's going to be alright"

My friend, you may be going through a rough time or you may be on the mountain top - but I want you to know that through your personal relationship with Jesus - it's going to be alright.

Rest in him and fill your heart with His words. Share His love in your home and share it outside of your home. Let God do what He has planned for you and trust Him through this journey.

Look for what God has for you each day and seek His face. Starting your day with Jesus and being mindful of His presence with you through your day - not only will you be blessed but those around will be blessed too.

"The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26

Karen Lynn Evans has a passion to reach out to those who serve God when their spouses don’t. She encourages Christians that they can have the victory even if they are the only one living for Christ in their home.

Biblical Principles of Economics & Government

2011-09-13T00:30:00-04:00

Is God a Republican or Democrat? Is he a Free-Market Economist or a Closet-Socialist? The Lord has strong ideals and commands about how government and the economy should function. We cannot push Him into our boxes, but must submit our plans and beliefs to the authoritive Word of God. His Truth is more important than all of our ideas.

We are going to look at 7 Biblical Principles that apply to both government and economics in the next few columns. I realize that this will take several months, but I think this time will be valuable. I want to talk about government too because in our times, the governnment affects and directs the economy in numerous ways.

I would ask you to examine your heart in this area. Are you loyal to a party or to human wisdom. Ask the Lord to renew your mind with His Truth. Once you know what our Heavenly Father has to say, I challenge you to vote according to His principles. Please use your money and run your business according to biblical principles also.

We tend to think in terms of money and power, but God uses terms like wealth and authority. Authority is given to us to fulfill responsibility!

The bilbical view of God is that He is faithful, loving and holy. He is our provider. All authority belongs to Him. Everything and every person in the world belongs to Him. He delegates His authority and His property to people and institutions.

The biblical view of mankind is that people are created in the image of God and capable of accomplishing great things, but they are also conceived in sin and capable of great evil. We need protection because of this very evil.

Here are the biblical principles we will examine in the months ahead.

Biblical Principle of Stewardship
Biblical Principle of Law
Biblical Principle of Localized Authority/Government
Biblical Princple of Justice & Integrity
Biblical Principle of Profit & Surplus
Biblical Principle of Charity
Biblical Principle of National Judgment & Revival

All of these prinpcles apply to both economics and government. These principles will transform our personal government (self-control) and personal money management and we will experience personal success. Even nations can apply these principles and experience God's blessing. Churches, businesses, and families will all benefit by putting these principles into practice.

Our Heavenly Father created mankind. He knit us together in our mother's womb. We are precious to Him. And if we want wisdom and blessing, then learn and apply biblical principles to all of our life.

I long for the day when nations rise up and obey God, walking in His ways and famlies line up their lives with the Word of God. How awesome it is when businesses put these truths into practice!

Until next, time, keep your eyes on Jesus and learn all that you can learn from His Word about every area of life.

Reflections on 9/11: Moving Forward

2011-09-11T23:50:00-04:00

On two poignant occasions, I have come to remember that no matter what happens, life continues to move forward. That even in the midst of my grief, the world still turned and somehow did not stop for me. These experiences were when I was en route to the cemetery for the burial of my grandmother and my mother, respectively, several years apart. How on Earth could those children be playing in their yard so happily like that? How could that couple be holding hands and strolling along? How could all of those cars drive to and fro, going about their business as though nothing had happened? It was a very strange sensation each time. Something felt as though it was coming directly from the universe – perhaps simply coming from the way that God has created things.

There is a time designated for everything – to mourn, to rejoice, to live, to die. But the beauty rests in that ultimately, life moves forward.

During this 10^th anniversary year of September 11^th, it has become apparent to me, that from my perspective, the world as we knew it before that fateful, terrible day, was forever changed – however, with varying degrees of firm definition. We remain in the midst of struggles regarding troops in Afghanistan and have a terror threat alert system, but few people know what to do with it. We, as Americans, live knowing, in the backs of our minds – that a terror attack can certainly occur here on our own soil and not just thousands of miles away, on television. Some first responders to the disaster on 9/11 seem to have to struggle for medical care for ailments stemming from their heroic acts. And perhaps the greatest overt change of all - air travel security. These, in addition to many other ways things have changed.

Having lived and worked in the New York City area for the past seven years, and often heading back to visit the Midwest, where I’m originally from, I have sensed this limbo, of sorts. Of course, things have progressed, but now – more than ever – it seems that while people want to remember, they still want to continue moving forward. On 9/11, we as a nation were traumatized in an entirely new way and for me personally, especially from a perspective of faith, this can make it difficult to understand exactly what to take away from such atrocity. My hope is that from this point forward, with so many images, stories and memorials in the spotlight, honoring the heroes who lost their lives on 9/11/01, as many as possible who have not yet done so, will find some type of closure. Perhaps others, if they have not already done so, will find at least one thing they can take and learn – and with which they can look to a brighter future. As the famous Gandhi quote says, “You must be the change you want to see in the world.”

Keeping in mind the changes thrust upon us, outside of our will on that day, I feel that the important question has become, “How can you tangibly take a “gospel step” and be active in loving others and in living a brave life which in its own way, wars against the hatred that bred 9/11?”

I’ll leave you with the verse that I consider my “life verse.” It is a glimmer of hope and light, buried deep within the book of Lamentations.

I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. - Lamentations 3:19-23 (NIV)

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Sharing her heart with others and opening positive communication through writing is a strong passion of Yolanda F. Johnson.

Yolanda currently resides in New York, where she is an opera singer and arts administrator. She has many things to share about Christianity, as related to current events and arts/culture.

Recently, Yolanda was appointed as the Foundation for Post Conflict Development's Representative to the United Nations.