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Christmas and the Kitchen

lynnettemcowell@yahoo.com (Lynn Cowell) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:50:00 +0000

Getting a head start on my family's favorite Christmas Eve treats, I prepared the jalapenos to hold the cream cheese, trying to keep the juice from burning my eyes. "Mom, are you bored right now or are you just trying to get things ready early?" My twelve-year-old asked. Moms and boredom. That seems like an oxymoron!

I began to share with Madi my memories of my mother at Christmas time. I come from a LARGE family; I'm number seven of eight. So Christmas for me meant a houseful of older siblings, in-laws and baby nieces and nephews. Christmas for my mom meant preparation; to me it seemed like weeks ahead of time! One of my favorite parts as one of the kids still living at home, was the making of the Christmas goodies. Now, I never helped make these goodies (which just occur ed to me for the first time!), but I loved to eat them, especially when no one knew!

You see, I grew up in Iowa where December is cold! We had this tiny room between our front door and our living room that was freezing...and the perfect place to store the said goodies. It was also the perfect place to quietly shut the door, grab a couple of my favorites (probably what we called Mounds bars) and slip back out again.

As I thought of the selflessness of my mother all those years, I thought about life and how we respond to it. You see, now it is my turn to have mom and a few of those "little" nieces who are now in their twenties to my house. It is my turn to make the goodies and prepare to great them all warmly to my home. Hopefully, I will do it will the same servant attitude as mom.

My time with Jesus today took me to Philippians 2:5-11:

"You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges. He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross.

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." NLT

As I begin this last day to put on the finishing touches, I see His shining example and I am given the command to have the same attitude. The attitude of serving rather than to be served. The attitude to obey Father, no matter what that looks like and even if it appears to not be for my best. The attitude that no matter what is going on around me, my purpose is to point to the Father and the Son and see that they are glorified in their reflection in me.

Yesterday....well, I didn't do so good. Had a "moment" with the child in this devo. But today is a new day. All are still sleeping and I have this opportunity to lay down my rights and pick up His glory. It is a much bigger and better purpose than living for my own.

Not The Most Wonderful Time of the Year for all...

lynnettemcowell@yahoo.com (Lynn Cowell) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:41:00 +0000

I woke up this morning with a heavy heart. A dear friend's teen daughter is in a six hour back surgery as I write. Another dear friend has a breast biopsy next week. Still another was given news last Thursday that her husband lost his job. Other friends are alone, have children on drugs or feel rejection from family. For some, it is just not the most wonderful time of the year.

As I sat with Jesus this morning, reading His note to me, I was reminded of what I am to do when my heart feels heavy:

1. Be filled with the Spirit
2. Sing Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among ourselves
3. Make music to the Lord in my heart
4. Give thanks for everything in God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ
(Ephesians 5:18 - 20)

This life here is so very far from perfect. This morning, I begged Him to come soon. Come and take us to be with Him. But until He does, we can turn to Him. That is what each of these four things are; turning to Him, the source of Life itself.

Jesus, Sometimes there just seems like there is not much I can do when it comes to controlling things in this life, but I can turn to You! Fill me with your Spirit, now. Before my kids wake up. Before I do my grocery shopping. Before I head to piano lessons. Before my family makes peanut butter chocolate balls :). Jesus, I will sings songs of praise to you (maybe at the top of my lungs and wake those said kids who are still sleeping). I will not only make music with my mouth, but I will make it in my heart and though I feel heavy, I will thank You. I will bless You. I will say once again, that you are my everything. Thank you that you are so good. Amen"

As I am praying through out my day today, can I pray for you? I would love to! Just click on "comments" below and let me know what you need from Him today!

A Sermon to Ourselves

lynnettemcowell@yahoo.com (Lynn Cowell) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 12:34:00 +0000

If you are joining us here today because of my devotion with Proverbs 31, I'm so glad that you are here! If you are a "regular" blogging friend and would like to read the devotion, just click here!

I have been challenged. Challenged by my pastor, Steven Furtick, who often begins his sermon each week with a passage from the Bible, that he is often saying from memory. Sometimes these are some pretty long passages! It is a true example of filling your heart and mind with God's Words.

Several months ago, that passage was Psalm 103. After this particular sermon, I started reading David's speech to himself each day, as a way to get my heart in the right place. After reading it so many times, I discovered, I knew a lot of it! I have now moved on to trying to memorize the whole thing. So far, I'm up to verse 10. I'd love to share this sermon to ourselves with you.

Psalm 103

Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
(David is giving himself a command here - PRAISE THE LORD. He isn't giving himself an out. Praise the Lord on the days when life is good. Praise the Lord when He does things the way that I want. No, it pretty much looks to me like we are to just flat out praise Him...regardless. To me, this is kind of like the fight for joy that John Piper talks about).

Praise the Lord, O my soul, (in case you didn't get it the first time, heart, I'm going to instruct you to do it again) and forget not all his benefits-
(let's go ahead and name a few - forgiveness, mercy, grace, patience, hope, unfailing love, healing, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, this could go on for a very long time if we were going to truly remember ALL of His benefits!)

who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit (pretty much that is happening daily) and crowns you with love and compassion, (Let me degress here a second. One way that I help myself memorize this, is by having pictures in my head. On this verse, I picture myself being pulled out of a murky, muddy hole, like a deep well. Pulled out to the light above!)

who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's (there is absolutely no comparison to the "good" things of the world we are living in and the good things of the King of the Universe. I'll take His good any time, that is as long as I can keep my heart off of what the world keeps saying is good! I've seen it; I've experienced it. I just have to keep reminding myself that it is true; His way ALWAYS leads to life!)

The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel. (Make them known to me, too, Lord!)

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; He does not treat us as our sins deserve nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those for fear him."

So, that is as far as I have gotten. Some mornings, I will preach this sermon to myself before I get out of bed. Some nights, I will say these powerful words to myself before I sleep. Either way, it is one more way that I am teaching myself the truth.

Do you try to replace your thoughts with His thoughts? If so, please share with us what works for you so we can try it to! Just click on comments below. We can't wait to hear!

Great Fun!

lynnettemcowell@yahoo.com (Lynn Cowell) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 21:15:00 +0000

This afternoon, I got to do my favorite thing...spend time with young girls! Shari Braendel and I had the opportunity to go and speak with a group of fabulous college age girls in a program called Safe Journey. This program comes along side teen mothers and walk beside them giving them parenting and life skills as well as assisting them in getting an education.

Safe Journey is a part of Communities In Schools (CIS) and is the nation’s largest and most effective dropout prevention network, helping young people stay in school, graduate, and prepare for life.

The subject I was given was healthy relationships. I figured today's celebrities are a great resource on how not to have a healthy relationship, so that were I started. We decided that:
Healthy relationships have boundaries.
Healthy relationships are built on trust.
Healthy relationships need to come to a slow boil.
Healthy relationships have no fear.
Healthy relationships give each other space.

Thank you ladies for letting me come and join you today! I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!

Don't Keep The Change

lynnettemcowell@yahoo.com (Lynn Cowell) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:30:00 +0000

by Sharon Hawkins

Matthew 25:40--"Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

A friend of mine told me just the other day that, even though she doesn't have a lot to give this Christmas Season, she has found a way to still make a difference. On the way into a store each time she Christmas shops this year, she plans to empty her change purse into a donation kettle. Then whatever change she gets from her Christmas shopping purchases inside the store, she is going to give on her trip back to the car as she again passes the kettle. On a recent trip back past the kettle, she had $.12 change to give. While that doesn't seem like much, just imagine if every American gave $.12--that'd be nearly $3.7 million dollars. What a difference that would make to those in need!

When I look at all the blessings the Lord has given me, I realize that they're so much more than I deserve, and in so many cases much more than enough to meet my needs. He gives His children extra and it's not by mistake. It's on purpose, for His purpose. So, what am I going to do with the change from the extra He's given me? Am I going to keep the change or will I give it away? 1 Peter 4:10 says, "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms."
But what can I give?

Time...Anyone can take a few minutes to call or write someone and share an encouraging word, to listen to a hurting friend or to say a prayer on behalf of a brother or sister in need. James 5:16 reminds us, "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

Talent...Talents come in many forms. We can use whatever talents God has given us to bless others. Romans 12:5-10 describes some of them, "So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another..."

Treasure...It's simple really, we are called to help the poor. Deuteronomy 15:11 says, "For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land."

Compassion International is a great place to give a gift that keeps on giving all year long! By giving a little each month, you can completely change the life of a child. A gift of a lifetime!

After all, God taught us all about giving when He sent His Son to save us some 2,000 years ago. We celebrate His precious gift described in John 3:16 at Christmas time. "For God so loved the World that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Yes, Jesus, was the greatest gift of love ever given to those with the greatest need of all...uh, yes, that would be all of us. You see, the greatest need that anyone can ever have is the need for a Savior. We needed saving from death because our sin separates us from God. When Jesus gave, He gave it ALL. He died on a cross for each one of us personally to remove the sin that separates us from God. He gave His life for ours because He would rather die for us than live without us. He shared His love with the World and has changed it forever! In fact, He's still changing lives today!

Jesus came to Earth equipped with so much more than any mortal man. He alone had the ability to save us and He had unconditional grace, unimaginable mercy and sacrificial love. I'm so glad that 'HE DIDN'T KEEP THE CHANGE'!!! He gave it ALL for you and for me!

John 15:13--Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

1 John 4:21--And this commandment have we from Him, that he who loveth God love his brother also.

Luke 6:38--Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

Sharon Hawkins is a graduate of Proverb 31's She Speaks program. She is the leader of Grace In The Wilderness Ministries. Find out more about Sharon and Grace in the Wildersness at www.wildernessgrace.org and(864) 380-2358.

Challenged!

lynnettemcowell@yahoo.com (Lynn Cowell) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:12:00 +0000

Wow did God put out a big 'ole challenge to me recently!

"Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable." Romans 11:17 NLT

Everyone? My kids? My husband? The person who cuts in front of me in the monstrous line at Wal-mart? The telemarketer who won't let me off the line unless I hang up on them?

EVERYONE!

Honorable? If I need to be that, then what exactly does that entail?

Honor: honesty, fairness, or integrity; the privilege of being associated with or receiving a favor from a respected person (SUCH AS GOD)(Lynn's addition), group, organization, etc.: in one's beliefs and actions

So every action, every word, needs to reflect the incredible privilege I have of being associated (as in, being the daughter of) God Himself.

As I awoke this morning, I realized that if this is in fact going to happen, I have to start being honorable before my feet hit the ground. So today, I prayed as soon as my eyes opened. Prayed before I had a chance to mess it up right off the bat:

Lord, that is a tall order and definitely one I cannot possibly do without you. So, I won't look too far ahead. For today, (for today is as much as I can handle), empower me Holy Spirit, to be honorable and in doing so, bring honor to You! Amen

Will you pray this prayer with me? Maybe the day is half over and you haven't been too honorable. Maybe you are heading to bed and today you were not honorable. With Jesus, every day, every minute can be a new start; a new beginning. He says that He throws our sins as far as the east is from the west when we ask. It doesn't have to be anything fancy or have all the right words:

Jesus - I messed up...again! I need you! You are perfect. You forgive and I need it. Make me your woman, your man for today. Jesus, only you! Amen

Hope for the Lost

lynnettemcowell@yahoo.com (Lynn Cowell) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:48:00 +0000

Some days, out of the middle of no where, my emotions get chareened with sadness. I could be cleaning, working out or getting ready for my day, when my throat choakes up, my eyes puddle and a dark cloud comes over my soul. My heart breaks for some I love.

Do you have someone you love who seems to have lost their way? They were on the right path once and then one step at a time they just seemed to walk away?

It's times like these that I am so thankful. Thankful for God's Word in my life. His faithfulness never ceases to amaze me. When I read His Word, it builds my faith to believe. Believe for those who want to run from Him. Believe for those who have taken a wrong path. Believe for those who are no longer believing for themselves.

"I was found by people who were not looking for me. I showed myself to those who were not asking for me." Romans 10:20 NLT He did it before; He can do it again. Romans 11:23 says "...for God has the power to graft them back into the tree." and later in verse 29 "For God's gifts and his call can never be withdrawn." That is encouraging, my friend!

One source of encouragement for me is the stories of others, many of them my own brothers and sisters (since I have 7, there is plenty of opportunities for stories!). Stories of those who were far from God but were brought near. These stories remind me of the power of prayer and the power of a God who loves them so much more than I.

Father, I praise You and thank You before hand that You are in the process of being found by those who are not even looking for You; that You are showing Yourself to those who are not asking for You. Intervene Lord. Show up, God. Divine appointments we ask for today, our Jesus, and please grow that tiny seed of faith we carry into a tree that shows your glory in a very powerful way. In the only name that matters - Yours, Amen

Capturing God

lynnettemcowell@yahoo.com (Lynn Cowell) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:40:00 +0000

I always thought I was just a bit weirder than other people. When I was in the mountains, sometimes tears would just fall from my face. Seeing the beauty. All that He made choked me up every time. He just got me!

Walking in the forest and spying a group of ferns nestled in the woods or moss collecting on a fallen tree whispered to me. God...creating all of it just to make me smile. Fascinating!

Yesterday, the gals at P31 and I watched a teaching DVD over our lunch hour by John Piper. It is called "When I Don't Desire God". John said that God has written two books: Nature and the Bible. As soon as he said that I thought, "I am not strange! God is speaking through nature!". My heart was so happy.

After volunteering, I came home and began the ritual of meal time. While the green peppers and onions for Italian subs simmered, I sat down at my island and looked out my kitchen window. AMAZING! INCREDIBLE! No words could describe the show God was putting on in my backyard! I ran up the stairs yelling, "Girls, hurry! Come down and see what God is doing in the back yard!" Tearing down the stairs, they gazed out the window and just said "WOW!".

The sun was setting and as it did, the last remaining leaves of the trees were reflecting it's light. Yellow leaves reflecting the yellow sun. It was as if they were shimmering; made of gold! The sky was an amazing hue of pinks and purples. I truly had NEVER seen anything like it.

"Mom, hand me your camera. Quick!" Mariah starting scurrying about. She ran out the door, trying to capture God.

It was as if He was confirming to me, "Yes...I do speak and will continue to speak to you through my creation."

I didn't want to leave the window. Didn't want my encounter with the Supernatural to end. Trying to hang on a little bit longer, I popped the chip with the photos into my computer to see this glorious thing we had captured.

I was so disappointed! He wasn't captured at all. It was as if God wasn't going to be put in a box where we could pull Him out when we wanted. Instead, He'll wait and one day, when I need to know once again that HE is Lord of all, I'll see the dancing leaves and shimmering sunshine again!

Have you ever been just completely blown away by His work? Share with us what has been the most beautiful thing you have ever seen of His creation. (I'd like to plan my next vacation there!)

Just click on "comments" below to share :)

Open or Shut?

lynnettemcowell@yahoo.com (Lynn Cowell) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:22:00 +0000

It was causing problems. A repairman would come in to start a project and then get locked out. I would go for a walk, come home and find that I couldn't get back in! The front door had a mind of it's own! Sometimes it would self lock and sometimes it wouldn't. Sometimes the key would work, sometimes it wouldn't. For over two years my husband asked me to please investigate getting a new door. I just didn't want to! Didn't want to invest the time to find the right one. Didn't want to spend the money to get one that worked. Didn't want to do what it took!

Finally, one day I saw that what I was doing was disobedience to God. I was not respecting Greg. By not doing what he had asked me to, I was calling the shots...and that's not my job!

So, two months ago, I got busy. I looked on line. I interviewed door sales people. I went to show rooms. Finally, after feeling like we had the best possible door at the best possible price, we ordered the door.

Last week, the door was installed and I thought, "Why did I wait so long?". It is such a drastic improvement both inside and outside!

My old door was wooden; it could have easily been broken into at any time. It was solid; letting in no light or scenery from my front lawn. If someone came to the door, I couldn't see through it. Worst of all, it opened when it wanted or shut me out of safety when it wanted. I had no control.

Awww...the new door.

My new door is iron; NO ONE can get in without the key that I hold. It has large double pane windows; letting in the light and keeping out the elements. In fact, when I come down my stairs in the morning, I feel like I am in the mountains...so much light and sight of trees come pouring in! If someone comes to the door, I can open up the window and speak to them without ever opening the door - what safety it affords! Best of all, it has a strong, sturdy lock that I control with the key that I hold. Oh WHY did I wait so long? I didn't want to invest the time and money to make the change.

My mind is much like my front door. Romans 8:6 tells us "Letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace." NLT

My sinful nature is alot like my old door. When I let it be in control, it will open at will and shut me out of safety from my Lord. When my sinful nature is in control, I have no control over who I open the door of my heart to and who I do not; I cannot see clearly when it is in control. When my sinful nature controls my mind, it is dark. It allows no light to pour through. Yet too often, I am comfortable with my old door, my sinful nature. It requires nothing of me. I don't have to invest any time, money or energy; it seems natural to just let it be.

But oh the joys when I instead let the Spirit control my mind! As the Word says, it leads to life and peace. Just like my new door, light pours into my life. When the Spirit is in control of my mind, enemies are kept out. I can even speak to them and command them to leave without ever opening the door. Though it requires time to learn what the Word of God says, though it requires an invest of laying down what is natural to me, though it requires energy to put away thoughts of my flesh, the benefits of LIFE and PEACE pay great dividends.

What door is on the hinges of your mind today? Do you hear the enemy knocking with negative thoughts...."If only he would______________, then I would _______________!" "Will my child ever come around and go the right way?" "I am going to be stuck in this exhausting job forever!" Are you opening the door to strangers by the way of entertaining these thoughts or are you commanding them to leave?

This is a battle I fight daily friend. I don't think it is only a battle for the new believer. I believe it is a battle for every age at every stage. Join me in making the investment; get a new door of walking in the Spirit and just see the life and peace that follows!

Christmas...a Time for Memory Making!

lynnettemcowell@yahoo.com (Lynn Cowell) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:37:00 +0000

Does your family have special things you do every Christmas season? I asked my family "What are your favorite Christmas traditions?" "We don't have any." WHAT?!

Then I re-phrased the question, "What are your favorite things we do every Christmas?" Now I was getting somewhere!

I'd love to share some of our's and hear some of your's too! We're doing just that. Hop on over to Karen Ehman's site where I get to be the guest for the day! We're giving away a free gift too!

See you there!

A Part of Himself

lynnettemcowell@yahoo.com (Lynn Cowell) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:17:00 +0000

Christmas and newlyweds. What a wonderful time! Greg and I were both working full time; trying our best to be wise with what we had and get ourselves off to the right start before we started a family.

Requiring him to travel every day, Greg's work was demanding and brought him home late at night. The times we did have together were cherished.

As Christmas day grew closer, we made our plans for when we would leave our place in Greenville, South Carolina and make our thousand mile trek back home to Iowa. But first, we wanted to celebrate Christmas - just the two of us. Greg's idea was for us to meet for dinner after work one evening and then go home to open our presents. I quickly agreed; eating out was a special treat for us!

Finally, the long awaited evening rolled around. Work had sped by that day with anticipation of our time that night. As we ate dinner, Greg seemed to be on a schedule of sorts. He glanced at his watch, ready to leave the restaurant by a certain time. Unaware of his scheme, I complied.

We pulled into our quiet little drive-way; the house was all dark from its day alone. Then, Greg pulled out a bandana. "I'm going to blind fold you." he said. Blind fold? That meant a surprise! I love surprises!

He carefully guided me through our front door; leading me to sit down in our family room. All was still and quiet.

Suddenly....bong, bong, bong....There was the sound of chimes right there in my very simple home. Greg removed the cover on my eyes, revealing his big surprise. A grandfather clock. A beautiful, six foot, cherry wood grandfather clock! I was speakless.

How did he do it? He was such a busy man; every day hundreds of miles from home. Yet he had found the time. He had made a way to give me the best gift of all - his thoughtfulness, his heart to plan ahead. I felt so loved that night, not because of the size of the gift, but because I felt like he had given me a part of himself.

Our Father has done the same; only SO much more!

Romans 5:5 "And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." NLT

We know He loves us because of what He has given us...He has given us a part of Himself, the Holy Spirit. It is that Spirit within us that reassures us of His great love for us. That is what will fill our hearts this Christmas season!

Black Friday is Almost Here!

lynnettemcowell@yahoo.com (Lynn Cowell) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0000

"Mom, I want to do Black Friday this year! I want to wake up with the family EARLY and go!" my fifteen year old daughter announced to me this week. "I just love to get the paper on Thursday night and look at all the ads with everyone!"

Several thoughts crossed my mind:

#1) That is MY crazy family; we are spending Thanksgiving with Greg's this year :)
#2) Is that Mariah's memories of Thanksgiving? Sitting around looking at all the crazy deals that start at 4:30 a.m. the next day!

When I read this passage, I couldn't help but think just how up-to-date the Bible is:

1 Corinthians 7:29 - 31 "...The time that remains is very short...Those who weep or rejoice or who buy things should not be absorbed by their weeping or their joy or their possessions. Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will so pass away." (NLT)

We are heading into the "crazy" season. The season when we loose our heads trying to be sure that we do not create any weeping and we do create joy all based on the giving or not giving of the right thing.

I have to admit, about the time that my oldest started middle school, I began to struggle with being a Scrooge. It seemed that no longer was the goal of gift giving to show my kids that they were loved and thought of on this special day; it was slowly turning into the avoidance of disappointment. I didn't find any joy in trying to keep up with their ideas of what was the perfect gift and then trapezing around Charlotte in order to find it.

So, this weekend, I told my daughter, "I am making a commitment to enjoy this Christmas". What does that mean for me? Focusing each and every day...possibly hour by hour...on Him. When my heart gets flustered and I don't want to keep up with the demands of the season, I will choose to run to Him and ask for His grace so that I don't become mean!

Paul tells us in verse 32 of that same chapter what we should be: "I want you to be FREE from the concerns of this life." AWWWW....FREEDOM! Why does the Lord not want us to get wrapped up in the trappings of this spinning of the season? vs. 35 gives the answer "I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible." Even the good things can be distractions.

Father, Detach me! Detach me from this world. Detach me from the desires that I have that appear to be good but really are just distractions from You. Attach me to you. More of You. More of Your kingdom. More of Your ways. Attach me to things of eternal value; even when that means sacrifice (oh how I have a hard time with that one, Lord!) Continue to direct. Continue to confirm. Continue to strengthen my resolve to walk in Your Spirit and store up treasures in heaven. Only in You, Amen

Happy Thanksgiving! I'll be taking Friday off and will be writing again on Monday, the 30th!

Why Wait?

lynnettemcowell@yahoo.com (Lynn Cowell) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:48:00 +0000

“Mom, you know I hate to wait!” I had just delivered some disappointing news to my daughter and she didn’t like what she had heard. The fact was, I didn't like what I said! I don't like to wait either; especially on things you really want?

How do you best communicate with a twelve year-old that sometimes God does amazing things when we wait? We shared some tears as I tried to think of just how I could give her faith and hope.

I made the story of Abraham and Sarah my starting point. God promised them that HE would bring them a son. But...they didn’t wait for God to do that. They questioned Him and His timing. The mess they created was a surrogate son named Ishmael. Going negative with my daughter seemed to have had little to no impact on her. The consequences they suffered didn’t have the punch that I was looking for.

As we continued on our journey to school, I began to reflect on my own history with God. Driving through the neighborhood reminded me of the many times when I have made a conscience choice to let the Lord do the “driving” instead of me. Maybe getting more personal, even vulnerable with her would work. I started sharing with her my own stories of waiting with God.

Wanting desperately to go to college, I heard my first real "wait" at 18. The Lord showed me His path was for me to go to Bible school, which laid the most amazing foundation for a life-long love relationship with Him. I could have never known how He would blow me away with the new revelation of His unconditional and perfect love for me at that school. I wouldn’t trade those precious months for any college degree.

That story led to waiting when I thought the right man had come along to marry. He was a Christian. Seemed to have a heart for ministry, just like me. But instead God said “Wait, Lynn, now is not the time.” Months later He completely blew me away with His choice for the man of my heart and leader of my home; giving me the desires of my heart.

As I told that story, I remembered when my husband and I were offered a promotion to a BIG city with more money, a bigger house…more of everything. But as we lingered over dinner, we asked ourselves what we should do. We sensed we were to wait. Just a few short months later, Greg was offered a promotion to a city we had always loved; a city that my parents had moved to and where my father was dying of cancer. What an incredible gift from the Lord to be able to spend the last four years of Dad’s life on this earth just a few short miles away.

Wait is what I heard when I filled out an application to be on a speaker team located over a thousand miles from my home. Having no idea why He could possibly not want me to be a part of such a wonderful group, I put the application away. A year later, He allowed me to partner with Provers 31, only three miles from my home.

As I began to tell my daughter my story with God and His goodness that I have seen over and over and over again, I found myself giggling; walking in His blessing is just so exciting and adventurous! Rehearsing my history of being blessed by God when I listened and obeyed, filled up with heart with anticipation of just what He would have in store in several areas of my waiting now. Just because we grow older, it doesn’t change the fact that sometimes His answer is simply, “Not now”.

The next day, my emotions were different (that isn't much of a surprise, is it?) I cried and cried and then cried some more. Some times, many times, the road of waiting gets long. It is hard to not grow discouraged; beginning to think that He just isn't going to give us our hearts desire. Like Abraham and Sarah, we're tempted to take things into our own hands. "If I just..." Others who love us may in fact be encouraging us to take another route. Though it hurts, though our hearts break; we continue to wait on God. Isaiah 30:18 "Blessed are all who wait for Him!" (NIV)

Father, When it comes to waiting, sometimes I feel much like a little kid in a candy store. The things I want, I want now! I want to cry, throw a temper tantrum and beg. Yet I know you are a Father who is all about the best and often that best comes on the heels of waiting. Please help me to wait and watch; knowing that you are always at work on my behalf and most of all to glorify Jesus! Amen

Do you have a story of waiting and finding the waiting worth it all? Please share with us and we will all encourage each other! Just click on "comments" below.

It's A Wonderful (Imperfect) Life Blog Tour!

lynnettemcowell@yahoo.com (Lynn Cowell) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:00:00 +0000

Today, I am hosting Joan Webb and her new book "It's A Wonderful (Imperfect) Life! Today's devotion is called:
Joy-filled Honesty

Joy belongs to those who are honest. -Psalm 97:11, NCV

When my daughter was about twenty years old she and I drove to my parents' home in the Midwest. During our visit, Dad asked me to look through my things in storage. As I rummaged through the keepsakes, my eyes fell on a small green book. "Oh, my! I can’t believe it!" I exclaimed. "It’s my junior high diary!"

Inside the front cover were the words SECRET! STAY OUT PLEASE!!!!! Tiny lettering at the bottom of the page read, "I beg. Ask what it says inside. I'll tell you."

Scanning the messy pages, I cringed. This girl was immature and boy crazy! I thought. Upon our return home, I invited my daughter to read it. Several hours later, a surprised young woman walked into my room. "Thanks a lot, Mom, for letting me read your diary. I've always had the feeling you never went through what I did. Like somehow I didn't measure up to what you were in junior high. But you were just like me. Flighty and boy crazy!"

We hugged and laughed. "Actually it's rather embarrassing," I admitted.

"Well, thanks for allowing me to see a glimpse of that part of your life," she said. “It’s like you’ve validated who I am as a young woman. I feel a sense of relief. I’m grateful and my heart feels lighter.” Joy floods our relationships when we interact with openness and loving sincerity.

Lord, help me be open and honest; even before my family.

Make It Personal: In what light-hearted way can and will you share honestly with a loved one during this week?

Like what you've read? You can order Joan's book at http://www.amazon.com/Its-Wonderful-Imperfect-Life-Encouragement/dp/0830748016

Joan C. Webb, a recovering workaholic and perfectionist, communicates a message of freedom and renewal. As a personal life coach, lifeplan facilitator, and speaker/Bible communicator she longs to help others gain clarity and move past their obstacles. Joan, author or co-author of eleven books including The Intentional Woman, The Relief of Imperfection, and It's a Wonderful (Imperfect) Life, wrote study notes for the Women of Faith Study Bible. Her husband, Richard, and she live in Chandler, Arizona, near their two married children and seven grandchildren. http://www.joancwebb.com/

If you would like to continue to follow the tour, Joan's devotion will be at www.wordykaren.blogspot.com/"> on November 30th!

My Passion

lynnettemcowell@yahoo.com (Lynn Cowell) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:16:00 +0000

For those of you joining us today from the Proverbs 31 devotion today, welcome!

Jesus. Some days just thinking of how perfectly this Man loves me completely blows me away! I just don't grow tired of rehearsing in my mind and heart that the Creator of this incredible earth is in love with me! Simple 'ole me! Nothing extraordinary. Nothing that those of this world would think is amazing, yet Psalm 45:11 says "The King is wild for you...." The Message. He says that He is mine and I am His. (Song of Solomon 2:16a) He says that He rejoices over me with singing (Zephaniah 3:17) He says that I am altogether beautiful and He sees no blemish in me. (Song 4:7) To know that Perfection loves Imperfect completely stuns me!

Does any of this have anything to do with me? Obsolutely not! I once thought it did. I once was messed up in the head and heart and thought that what I did influenced how He saw me. But now I know, His unconditional love is just one more thing that makes Him beautiful to me.

Do you know, in the deepest part of your heart, that He feels that exact same way about you? Do you know that when you mess up, He looks down with compassion and not anger? Do you know that His heart for you is that you would be filled to the fullness measure of His perfect love so that you never, ever need to feel alone, rejected or discarded again? The King over all is in love with you; that, my friend, is truly life changing.

With news like this, who can keep quiet? Galatians 6:14 says, "As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." (NLT) Oh, that is my heart! To boast, brag, go on and on and on about Him.

We glorify what we are passionate about, says John Piper. Friend, what are you glorifying? Does the thing that has your heart deserve that much attention? Is He your passion or do you struggle with other things that clamor for your heart and your affection? He truly is the only thing that deserves your all.

I'd love to have you brag a bit about Him here! Just click on "comments" below and share just why He is worth bragging about to you!

Calling All Fiction Lovers

lynnettemcowell@yahoo.com (Lynn Cowell) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0000

See that really cool button over there to the right? (For those who receive this by email...go to my blog to see the really cool new button!)

Click on it! It will take you to Proverbs 31 newest ministry She Reads. She Reads is a perfect place to connect for those who love fiction and want to get updates on the newest and best Christian fiction as it comes out.

Today is a perfect day to check this out! Not only are they giving away 5 free novels, but they are also giving away an IPOD Nano already full of great music! Just head over and join the group of those already reading the best fiction books available!

Fruits of a Different Sort

lynnettemcowell@yahoo.com (Lynn Cowell) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:24:00 +0000

Picture Greg and I and fifty little kids singing at the top of our lungs: "The fruit of the Spirit is not a coconut. The fruit of the Spirit is not a coconut. The fruit of the Spirit is not a coconut. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Yes...I think we were acting like coconuts too in this children's church!But, it worked! To this day, I can still remember the fruit of the Spirit.

Today, as I read the passage of Galatians 5:15-26 I was reminded by Paul of fruit of a different sort: the fruits of the flesh. As I read the list, I careful checked out my heart, mind and actions looking for evidence of it's presence:

* sexual immorality
* impurity
* lustful pleasures
* idolatry
* sorcery
* dissension
* division
* envy
* drunkeness
* wild parties
* and other sins like these. (covers a bunch of stuff!)

Obviously, some of these sins are BOLDER than others, but the source of them all is the same: following the leading of our flesh rather than His Spirit.

Recently, I had a great talk with my friend Amy about women of character. Amy has a godly woman who is now gray haired and full of wisdom. Amy has so much respect for this woman, so she asked her "How do you end up one day being an older godly woman so full of the Lord as you are now?" Her answer: Be that woman today!

Be that woman today.

Lord, I want to be that kind of woman. I struggle with some of the stuff on that list. I sometimes cause division in my family. I sometimes see you bless others and struggle. I sometimes have outbursts of anger toward my kids. Today, not tomorrow or when I am 80, but for the next 24 hours, strengthen me to walk in the power of Your Holy Spirit, putting me further down that path of becoming a godly woman! I'll look only to today. Only through you, Lord. Amen

Freedom and Peace

lynnettemcowell@yahoo.com (Lynn Cowell) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:34:00 +0000

Freedom. That is one of the great benefits to following Christ. Peace and Freedom.

Galatians 1:10 "Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant." NLT

When I read this verse this morning, my heart said "Oh, thank you my precious Jesus."

It is not hard for me to remember the Lynn I used to be; constantly torn up by what I thought others thought...of me. I worried about my family, my friends, my husband, my kids...not one was excluded. I wanted to be the perfect friend, neighbor, wife, mom, daughter, worker; never wanted anyone to be disappointed, mad, frustrated or let down in any way by me. My mind would tortue me, "You are not a good__________ (you can fill in the blank with any of my above titles). You need to be a better ___________." This thinking just fed that performance monster in my heart more and more (it is NEVER satisfied).

But God...

God stepped in and brought me freedom and peace. Freedom from myself and my constant badgering thoughts; some true, some not so true.

I began by recognizing that these thoughts were not from Him. Even if I was a less than perfect wife, daughter or mom, He still would not condemn me, only my enemy would do that. As I began to recognize these wayward thoughts, I began to replace them with the truth. "Whom the Son has set free is free indeed!!!"

So now when I take a walk in my neighborhood and I hear the thougths, "You are a rotten neighbor, you should be more friendly." I ask myself real questions: Is there something specific that the Lord wants me to do? Then do it! By all means, obey. But if these are just negative thoughts with the purpose to cause me to gang up on myself, than I give them to Jesus and ask Him to take them away.

No. Not perfect. Far, far from it. But I am at peace and I am free!

Listen to Three

lynnettemcowell@yahoo.com (Lynn Cowell) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:11:00 +0000

Growing up, my mother tried to teach me early on to be sensitive to hearing God speak. Read His Word, obey what is says and listen for a still, small voice. She also used to say to listen to groups of three. If you hear the same verses three times, hear a similar sermon three times...you get the picture. She said that is one of the ways that He confirms what He is trying to say.

I never really asked why, but I began to look for and see in my life God confirm things over and over. When I was making a decision about what to do after high school; three ways He spoke to me to go to Last Days Ministries. I read a magazine article about serving. The next day I heard a sermon on serving. A couple of days later I read a page in a magazine that said "Come and serve at Last Days Ministries". Now, I am NOT saying that every time you read something like that, that it is God. I am saying that if you are in a place where you are asking God for direction, open your eyes and ears and be ready to hear.

Today, I saw the "three" in scripture. In Acts 11: 1 - 18, Peter is up on the roof top praying and while he is, he has a vision. In this vision, God lowers a sheet with all sorts of tame and wild animals, reptiles, and birds. The Lord said, "Get up, Peter; kill and eat them." Now, this probably freaked Peter out a bit. You see all of these creatures were just the sort of creatures that God had forbidden the people to eat before the time of Jesus. But God is trying to tell Peter,"You're praying; I'm talking. It is time for a new thing."

Peter's first response is "No, Lord. I have never eaten anything that our Jewish laws have declared impure or unclean." But the Lord replied, "Do not call something unclean if God has made it clean." Then this happened THREE TIMES before the sheet and all it contained was pulled back up to heaven.

Could the Lord possibly have something new He wants to do in you; through you? Maybe you have thought the idea weird or absurd. Ask Him for three. Three confirmations that He is in fact speaking to you. Once you do, keep your eyes and ears open. He just might show you something amazing!

All Believers Together

lynnettemcowell@yahoo.com (Lynn Cowell) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 13:25:00 +0000

Friday I had the wonderful priviledge to meet with the women of Northbrook UMC in Roswell, Georgia. On the way to the church from my hotel, Jacinda asked me a simple question, "What is your background?". If only she knew! I was born into a Catholic family. When I was still in elementary school, my parents made the decision to start attending a Pentecostal church. For junior high, I asked my parents if I could attend a Baptist school. The foundation for my faith was really laid during that time and in high school in a Wesleyan church. Greg and I got married in an Assembly of God church. After we were married, we attend a prosperity church in Greenville, South Carolina. Moving back to Iowa, we helped to plant a Vineyard church and now in Charlotte attend a rocking church called Elevation - an amazing move of God that has grown to 5,000 people in three years. Check it out at www.Elevationchurch.org.

Now to many of you, that background may sound very confusing! When I look it, I see the hand of God bringing me to a place where I can see the church of Jesus as one big family. In Acts 2:44 it says "And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had." ALL the believers. They were not divided by differing beliefs. My husband Greg often says we should not major on the minors. In other words, if we all are in agreement that Jesus is the Son of God and came in order to forgive us for our sins and bring us back to the Father, than we are brothers and sisters in Him. THAT is what matters.

As we tear down walls of difference, we will be amazed at what we can learn from each other and even more amazed at what the Lord can do in and through us as we truly share who He is with those who are around us.

Be intentional. Look for another believer that might believe a little different than you. Hang out together. You can learn from her and she can learn from you. Together let's truly show the world that we are different. Jesus said it best, "They will know that we are Christians by our love!"

A Cool God Thing

lynnettemcowell@yahoo.com (Lynn Cowell) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:50:00 +0000

Never put anything past God! Today, He spoke to me in the tire store. Yes...the tire store.

It was time to get new tires and I had a sense that I had better get them on before I head out for Georgia tomorrow. I was a bit nerveous; Greg and Zach put some very cool rims on my Scion XB, but unfortunately they are a weird size. I was SO hoping the ordered tires would come in before my road trip. They did in fact arrive today!Thankful that once again He was taking care of me, I settled down in the waiting room couch with my Bible for what I assumed would be a long hour.

A gorgeous young girl came in shortly after me and pulled out her thick college book. "Biology?" I asked. "No, anatomy." From here, Morgan and I had a great conversation about school, God and life at nineteen. As Morgan talked, I could totally see what God had set up, especially when she said, "Everyone wants to be wanted. Girls need to know that they matter and hard choices today will lead to better things later." For a moment, I had this crazy feeling that she had read my notes for my talk tomorrow! That line...everyone wants to be wanted is part of my "He is That Into You: Finding Perfect Love in The Heart of God. As I listened to her talk, it was as if the Lord was encouraging me, "Keep speaking what you're speaking, Lynn. I want others to know I want them".

It is conversations like these that encourage me to continue sharing God's heart; that He really and truly is flipped-out, madly in love with us! That the desire of His heart is for each one of His creations to not only know that, to not only receive that, to not only live in that, but to be completely and utterly changed by His amazing love.

He's Saying "I Love You"

lynnettemcowell@yahoo.com (Lynn Cowell) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:46:00 +0000

Congratulations to DCandlady@aol.com! You are the winner of the Susie Mag subsciption. Can you please email me your name and address to: Lynn@proverbs31.org.

Have you ever just thought for a minute of all the ways that God says "I love you". I like to have my ears and heart open to hear whenever I can...I just can't get enough.

My favorite way is through His creation. Ralph Waldo Emerson said that we are closer to God in His creation than in any cathedral made with human hands. I just couldn't agree more. Just look at this:

When I saw Linville Falls in the mountains of western North Carolina last week, I just thought, "That is the type of thing you made just because...."

Sometimes it is through those you love and love you:

Sometimes it is in ways maybe we don't want to hear...the answer "no" when we want desperately to hear "yes".

No matter how He is saying it, He is saying "I love you". How do you best hear Him speak these words? Just click on "comment" below. You might just open the eyes of another to see God in an entirely different way!

Friday Give Away!

lynnettemcowell@yahoo.com (Lynn Cowell) — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:00:00 +0000

An exciting new thing is on the horizon! Proverbs 31 Ministries is looking to update and revamp their ministry to teen girls. In order to do this right, we want to hear from teen girls! Could you help us to find out what girls need and how we can help them in their walk with Christ?

Below are some questions that we believe will do just that. Could you ask a teen you know to stop by and give us their thoughts or if you receive my blog via email, would you forward this to a friend? For helping us out, I will be giving one of our friends a subscription to Susie Mag.

~What are your top 3 needs right now in your life?
~What are the top 3 issues you face on a daily basis?
~What things/people/sources do you seek when making a major life decision?
~What qualities make up the kind of relationships you are the most drawn to?
~What is your current view of God? (see Him as a Father, friend, good person, no opinion or tie to Him at all)
~What kind of person do you respect? Why?
~Do you believe in living with a purpose? Do you have one? Why or why not?
~What is your current view of church/church people?
~Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
~What do you want the most out of life?

Susie Mag is the newest magazine created by Susie Shellenberger. Susie is the creator of Focus On the Family’s Brio magazine. Susie Mag is packed with all the features Christian teen girls have counted on for years from Susie Shellenberger and her team. But Susie magazine aims to go beyond what they established in Brio by covering deeper, even more relevant, hard-hitting topics in addition to the regular features, topics that make a difference, that are life-changing, that help girls survive in the rugged world we are living in. I am very excited about being a contributing author for Susie in both the upcoming December and January issues.

So...here are the questions. You can either post them here...just click on 'comments' below or you can email them to me at Lynn@proverbs31.org. On Monday, I will post our winner!

Have an amazing weekend! I'm hoping to see some amazing fall colors in the mountains :)

Lynn

Perfect = Complete

lynnettemcowell@yahoo.com (Lynn Cowell) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:00:00 +0000

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! It was beautiful here in Charlotte. I cut down all my summer flowers, vines and bushes...barefoot!

I picked up a new book last week by Susie Shellenberger called "Raising a Spiritually Strong Daughter: Guiding Her Toward a Faith That Lasts". Susie shed some light on a passage I had read before, but possible never truly understood.

"Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:48 Perfect - great! One more thing for us to try to be; try to do. But Susie shared that in the Greek, "this word is not perfect as in determined by behavior. He isn't saying we are to be perfect humans, which is impossible. He's describing the word perfect as in being whole with our heavenly Father. God wants to perfect your heart. He wants to make you complete. He wants your wholeness to be found in Him."

My whole heart just said "awwwwww". Reading that brought so much peace! What He wants of me and for me is wholeness and that wholeness is found in Him.

Thank you Jesus, that instead of laying a heavy burden on me, once again You are giving something TO me! You are always SO good!

If there are any of my friends near the Atlanta area, I will be speaking next week, November 6th in Roswell, Georgia at Northbrook United Methodist Church. For more information, contact Laura at lauramh@bellsouth.net. We are going to have a great time!

All That I Have

lynnettemcowell@yahoo.com (Lynn Cowell) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:10:00 +0000

“He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.”
Luke 5:3 (NIV)

I was uncomfortable. I was young, my house was small and these were grown successful adults! My church had asked my husband and I to lead a small group in our church. Lead a small group; why, some of these people were in their forties! What did we have to offer them? We had a sense that we were just a couple of warm bodies that were needed to fill a spot. We didn’t think that we were actually “called” or anything like that. We were simply being available.

The Lord used that “yes” early in our lives to teach us many things. To give what we had no matter how humble it was. To give what we had even if we felt our gift or even ourselves were inadequate. To give what we had even if we thought it wouldn’t make a difference.

Talking to scores of people near a lake shore, the crowd was getting so heavy it literally pushed him into the water. Thinking quickly on his feet, Jesus hopped into the nearest fishing boat and asked the owner to push off just a bit. Then, He began his message to the crowd. What did Simeon think, “I’ve been up all night fishing. I am really ready to head home and call it a day. I can’t believe he is using my boat without asking!” or he could have been thinking, “What an amazing opportunity! I have heard of this Jesus and now here He is in my very own boat teaching! What a great day!” We don’t really know; the Bible doesn’t let us in on Simeon thoughts at this point. We do know that later on that day, Simeon gives up his lively hood of fishing for slimy, stinking cold-blooded, aquatic vertebrates to fishing for the souls of men. During that day, something transpired in the heart of Simeon. Could it have something to do with what he gave?

Giving to the Lord can be a gateway to new things; including new blessings in our lives. It may be giving of our time to His word and prayer. It may be giving of our finances to see more of His kingdom work being done. It may be a giving up part of ourselves; our comfort, our rights, our desires. Like Simeon, when we choose to give up – to give what we have to the Messiah – we will be transformed. Our lives will never be the same.

Is there something God has been putting his finger on in your life that He would like to use? That He would like to have? What is your “fishing boat”? Could it be that the Lord not only wants to transform you, but wants to take your offering and bless you as well?

As we head down from verse 3 in Luke 5, we see that when Jesus was done speaking, he said to Simeon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” As if Jesus didn’t already know that, Simeon informs him that they had already worked all night and caught nothing. Then he adds, “but because you say so, I will let down the nets.” Simeon seems to be struggling with doubt; yet he doesn’t allow that doubt to hold him back from obeying. The result: such a large number of fish that their nets began to break!

Friend, what is the Fisher of Men asking of you? Will you let Him “use your boat” and then see both blessing and transformation come into your life as a result? We would we like to hear what your boat is. Sharing your heart might just help someone to give over their boat as well! Just click on "comments" below.

Have an incredible weekend!
Lynn

PS If you have a teen girl, have them stop by RadRevolution . We're having a great give away today! (Wish I could win!)