Living with Passion and Love

Seasons

2012-02-22T20:44:00.000-05:00

I've inhabited our third rock from the sun for nearly 40 years.

This winter has been long and ugly. With no snow, save the surprise blizzard in October, to coat the earth with a gorgeous blanket of white, the cold, brown days have made me both long for spring and wish I could start winter over again. Give me warmth and new green if I'm not going to get the chill and excitement of snow and ice! Although there's always the possibility of it, I'll probably have to wait another year for the type of snow I seek.

I've learned that life comes in seasons too. Every week I hang out and laugh with energized teenaged girls and twenty-something young women who have hopes, dreams of the way things should be and a full life ahead of them. Daily, I watch my 75 year old mother-in-love patter about the house, misplacing memories of the full life she has led; desperately missing the man she lived them with. Those in my charge keep me keenly aware of the seasons in my humanity.

I am firmly sandwiched between life and death. I remember the aspirations and joy that awaited when my hair was still chestnut brown - I see it now in my own sons who are almost grown men. With salt and pepper tresses and a forward eye on the next 20 years, I see the outline of a path that will no doubt bring great joy and bitter weeping in their seasons.

I'm sure the last 40 days of Christ's life on Earth were filled with both the warming excitement that can only come from God fulfilling his promises, and yet, the harsh reality that would be the coldness of The Cross. Despite how cold of our days may feel, we need to be reminded that we live in the warmth of The Cross.

The Afterglow.

We are daily bathed in grace that only flows from the sunshine of the throne room of God. With seasons spent in cold loneliness and those of joy filled fullness, I can still say that the resurrected Christ is real, alive and ever present. He breathes warmth into my life today the same way he smiled on me in the summer sunshine 30-odd years ago. And so it should be.

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: time to be born, and a time to die... Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

1000 Gifts Winners

2011-12-10T10:26:00.000-05:00

Our Facebook winner is: Natalie Franklin

Our Twitter winner is: @serenasweet

Congratulations to both of you!

Please comment with your address and I'll get those books to you!

Rescuing Courtship

2011-11-08T10:00:00.004-05:00

Now that I have teenagers getting ready to fly the nest, the thought of finding godly wives for my sons can leave me feeling a little like Mrs. Bennett from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Mrs. B is a little bit meddlesome; downright obnoxious by turns; and quite a bit desperate to have her daughters marry well. Anyway you read it, it ain't pretty.

After spending many years discussing the "ideal" way to find a spouse and going round and round about the pros and cons of courtship, dating and marriage with Liz, I don't feel as naive, idealistic or overwhelmed at the prospect of singleness for my children as I might otherwise have been. If nothing else, the experience has provided us with a lot of good discussion points.

Quite by accident I stumbled on an old article by Mary Pride, of homeschool fame. Apparently she helped fan the early flames of Josh Harris' crusade for courtship. I thought her article, years later, entitled “I Kissed Marriage Goodbye” – Rescuing the Frozen People was most interesting. This quote is especially telling:

When my daughter Sarah was a student at Patrick Henry College, [Josh Harris' view of courtship] definitely was the mainstream view. In practice, it led to the female students endlessly agonizing over whether young men they liked returned their interest – as there was literally no way to know! A girl couldn’t ask a guy if he liked her without seeming forward. Relationships were either totally casual (in a brother-sister sense) or verging on total commitment, with no range in between.

If there is one thing I've learned the hard way over the years, it is this: extremes are bad. While Jesus encourages us to be either hot or cold about the Gospel, there is a huge difference between hot, scalding and "burn flesh off your body with a single drop." And there is a difference between The Gospel and matters of interpretation or personal preference.

While I still think that courtship, in principle, is one of the better ways to find a spouse, it's not the only way. Just as Jesus healed nine blind man differently, every married couple has their own "how we got together" story to tell. Not all of them courted or dated, but the uniting of each Christian couple is a testament to God working in their life. I encourage you to visit the World Magazine articles Mary Pride wrote about. I thought they were good as well.

No matter what subject we run into, we need to examine it with an eye into Scripture, love and grace. Decision and discernment come with Christian maturity and wisdom, which are sometimes handed out in painful doses.The best perspective is a well rounded one, provided by examining an issue from as many angles as possible.

31... um... 15! Days of Passion and Love

2011-11-04T08:08:00.000-05:00

As always, for better or worse, family comes before publishing the CWP. That means my best intentions got a God detour. Again.

After an early winter illness tore through our family, including me, the first October blizzard I've ever seen wiped out power and communications over half of New England. We still have spotty internet and phone a week later. (I'm hoping this will post because it wouldn't the first time!)

But fear not, the new issue is waiting in the wings. In light of all the unexpected over the last 10 days, I'm extending our contest another couple weeks, so please share it with your family and friends!

Until I write again, may you continue to Hold on to Hope.

Grace and Passion - Day 26

2011-10-26T10:00:00.002-05:00

Being passionate about an issue, such as only reading twaddle free literature or modesty or homeschooling or discipleship, is a good thing. We need people with a burning fire to pick up the torch and keep the rest of us in forward motion! As we stir people, we need to be sure we aren't offending them in the process.

Are we offering grace with our passion?

40 is not 20 - Day 25

2011-10-25T10:00:00.003-05:00

Needing a break from the trials of life, I picked up two of my favorite childhood classics to escape for a few hours. Louisa May Alcott's Eight Cousins and its sequel, Rose in Bloom, are charming Victorian era novels about orphan Rose Campbell and her seven rowdy boy cousins as they grow into adults at the turn of the 20th century. As I finished, I was reminded, again, that fiction can speak louder than truth.

As I snuggled down and became engrossed in the story for the second time in my life, I was struck by the enormous contrast between this genteel coming of age story and that of the last ones I read a couple years ago. Bella and Edward have nothing on Rose and her beau. Not even close.

Yup, your read right. To fulfill a promise I made to a dear young lady in my life, I read all 90 gazillion pages of the four Twilight books. While I'm not worse for wear, they provided me with a pulse on today's youth culture. There's no surprise today's culture is radically different from that of 100 years ago.

Uncle Alec "paused a moment, then added with an anxious glance at the book, over which [Rose] was still bending, 'Finish it if you choose only remember, my girl, that one may read at forty what is unsafe at twenty, and we never can be too careful what food we give that precious yet perilous thing called imagination.'" Rose in Bloom

Wise words.

Testimony - Day 20

2011-10-20T10:00:00.007-05:00

In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.

Psalm 119:88

His Time Table - Day 19

2011-10-19T10:00:00.001-05:00

Sometimes the most passionate thing we can do is wait on God.

When everyone gives up hope, we can believe.

When circumstances look bleak, we have the hope of fulfilled prophecy.

When all looks lost, we can bank on His promises.

To stand firm when the waves coming in with the tide are huge, is passion. Pure and simple.

Passionate Love is Thankful - Day 11

2011-10-11T10:00:00.005-05:00

God has refined me over the years. My nature is much like the Apostle Peter's: act first, think later, mourn forever. But I take encouragement that it was Peter whom Christ used to grown the church (Acts 2:14-47). It gives me hope that it will all be good. Eventually.

For years I thought passion was the fiery way in which we tackled life, ministry and work. If we can't be passionate about something, don't show up. As much as that can be true, God has shown me that sometimes, passionate love is quiet thankfulness.

I've read Ann Voskamp off and on for years. I can't take too much of her in one dose because her writing moves my soul and leaves me a weepy mess. I've said it before.

In the months I've pondered grace, thanksgiving and joy, and been reminded that “eucharisteo – thanksgiving – always precedes the miracle” my views of passion and love have changed. Sometimes the deepest passionate expression of love is a quiet moment of thanksgiving. Without a sound to be heard. Heart songs. Could it be? I think so.

What do you think are some of the most passionate expression of love?

Steadfast Love - Day 9

2011-10-09T10:00:00.006-05:00

O my Strength, I will watch for you,
for you, O God, are my fortress.

My God in his steadfast love will meet me;
God will let me look in triumph on my enemies.

Psalm 59:9-10

God is Our Rock - Day 8

2011-10-08T10:00:00.007-05:00

For you are my rock and my fortress;
and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me;

you take me out of the net they have hidden for me,
for you are my refuge.

Into your hand I commit my spirit;
you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.

Psalm 31:3-5

The Return - Day 7

2011-10-07T10:00:00.031-05:00

Life happens. One day we are raving about the goodness of God; the next we are wallowing in despair. The good news is that while we are human with fallible emotions and desires, God is not. His love for us is steady, sturdy and ever passionate. His plan for us has never changed and is always right on schedule; even if we can't see or feel it unfold.

Several times during the many, many previous months, I have tried to return to publishing new issues of the CWP. Every time something has come up to keep me from it. Some might blame it on the devil, but I think otherwise. From the very beginning, back in 1998, God and I have always had a dance with the CWP: I publish on His timing and He always makes it known when that is to be.

After giving up earlier this year with yet another failed blogging attempt as a spring board to publishing, I heaved a deep sigh, told God I apparently missed His last publishing memo, asked Him to keep me posted and walked away. I haven't thought about it since... Until last week.

Amongst the chaos in our busy household, I had a quiet moment. In that quiet, I heard the whisper that I haven't heard in several years: It's time to publish the CWP again. "Really? Ok, but You know the reason I stopped is because I can't proofread and see the typos anymore. But I'll work on getting an issue together." I think I sensed angels smiling. Kind of startled, kind of excited, I took a deep breath, figured God will get me there if it's really His call, and then dove back into the usual chaos without much of a second thought. What happened next took my breath away.

Later that afternoon I was talking with some moms who wanted to know more about my brain injury. As I described my symptoms, I casually mentioned it was the reason I stopped publishing my magazine. "You publish a magazine?" she asked. That's when God showed up and handed me a copy editor. There are few words to describe the feeling when you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you've had a Divine Appointment with Providence.

Yes, I had heard Him in the quiet stillness - and He grabbed my heart before I had time to forget. God is faithful to complete a work in and through you even if you think He's taken a sabbatical.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. Isaiah 55:8

Be watching November 1st. We'll be Holding on to Hope.

Monday, I have a giveaway to share!

With Christ's Incredible Love,
I remain,

Janel Messenger
Editor and Publisher of The Christian Woman's Page

Waiting on Fulfillment - Day 6

2011-10-06T10:00:00.002-05:00

Then the king turned around and blessed all the assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel stood. And he said, "Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who with his hand has fulfilled what he promised with his mouth to David my father..."

1 Kings 8:14-15

Waiting on God - Day 5

2011-10-05T10:00:00.027-05:00

Wait upon the Lord.

Good things come to those who wait.

Patience is a virtue.

There are many passages in Scripture that tell us that someone is waiting or is to wait upon the Lord. In others it tells us that we are to wait upon Him. Often waiting can seem like torture. But what we often don't see or forget is that that waiting is one of the highest forms of passion and love.

Standing firm to wait on the Lord - no matter how long it takes for Him to reveal Himself - is a quiet form of passion. It takes a fervent passion and loving trust to wait until He does the thing He said He will do.

The longer we walk with God and see Him fulfill His promises, the more we can live passionately and lovingly for Him.

Waiting is Passion - Day 4

2011-10-04T10:00:00.016-05:00

Love the LORD, all you his saints!

The LORD preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.

Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!

Psalm 31:23-24

Love is Simple - Day 3

2011-10-03T10:00:00.001-05:00

When I talk about "living with passion and love for Jesus Christ," it can conjure up images of selling everything and moving to a third world country to be missionaries or moving to the inner city to work with gangs. While that can be wonderful if God has called us to it, more than likely, He has simpler things in mind.

Everyday we are faced with needy people and small challenges where we can make a major difference. But often we make passionate living more complicated than it should be or really is. Listening to the nudging of the Holy Spirit produces the greatest love imaginable. Sometimes all you need is a hairbrush, like Beth Moore.

In Word & Deed - Day 2

2011-10-02T10:00:00.001-05:00

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17

31 Days of Living with Passion and Love

2011-10-01T10:00:00.009-05:00

There is so much life to live.

We're going to join Nester's 31 day party. More details to follow.

Feeling Invisible Lately?

2011-07-20T13:51:00.002-05:00

Tea Anyone?

2011-03-10T09:57:00.000-05:00

It's spring and I'm thinking ahead to outdoor entertaining. I think Little Miss might enjoy a birthday tea party with her friends. Did you know we have recipes and thoughts on tea? We do!

Have a fabulous week!

Simple Doesn't Have to Be a Bad Thing

2011-03-02T09:00:00.001-05:00

A featured article from the CWP Archives:

Have you ever felt exceptionally ordinary? Whether your position at work or in the community is one of stature, have you ever caught yourself feeling down right simple?

Hope for the Simple People
by Monica Cane

The Joy of Birth

2011-02-28T14:10:00.003-05:00

There is something special about a child's birthday, birth day and New Birth Day.

Sweet little bundles all wrinkled and new are Heaven's precious gift. The tiny cries and loving snuggles can burst a mama's heart. There isn't much in the world like them.

As a child grows, they go through a million and two changes. There are some days when you can see a visible change from the time they get up to the time their weary heads hit the pillow. After watching it several times, it still always amazes me.

And then, there is The Day of New Birth. A holy and sacred day where the angels in Heaven rejoice that a lost sinner comes home. It is the best day.

Birth days are celebrated in...

51. ribbon and wrapping paper
52. secrets that delight
53. lighted birthday cakes
54. rousing songs of joy
55. food that soothes the soul
56. family laughing around the table
57. helping God grant heart's desires
58. whispers and mysterious smiles between two or three bowed head
59. baby power
60. the smell of clean receiving blankets just out of the dryer

May we notice 1000 more gifts everyday.

Blessings!
Janel

Weekly Inspiration - 2.26.2011

2011-02-26T09:00:00.013-05:00

I'll pass on only one thought to savor this week:

Andrea asks if we are too busy and fast to care. Are we letting God interrupt us for his service? Or are we forging ahead, making our own paths?

I hope you have a blessed week!
Janel

Willingness

2011-02-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

A featured article from the CWP Archives:

"Much-Afraid looked at him and then said something she had never been willing to say before. ‘I don’t think I mind so very much if you do; only have your will and way in me, Shepherd. Nothing else matters."

Nothing Else Matters
by Elizabeth Fabiani

Passion and Love Reloaded

2011-02-21T09:00:00.019-05:00

For me, living with passion and love for Jesus means that you start consciously choosing to do what Christ would have you do. No matter how hard, gut wrenching or easy, you put your heart into your best effort to do what is biblically correct as you understand it at the time. Now that doesn't mean just because you want to you're immediately going to succeed. And it doesn't mean you're going to be right either, but it means you have done, to the best of your ability, what you thought God was calling you to do. Original Post - April 20, 2006

The last couple weeks of digging through the archives of my 12+ years of writing has surprised me on so many levels. Mostly because I wonder if I really wrote all of it. I mean, I know I did, but the overwhelmed, disconnected, looking-at-my-life-right-now Me wonders where the Janel that wrote it went.

The last several years have been hard, faith shaking, gripping, questioning, doubting and yet believing, hoping, breathing sighs of relief that, yes indeed my faith is solid because God is real and his promises are still kept. It's encouraging. Strengthening. Rekindling the passion for Christ that I've had in the past.

When I wrote years and years ago that life was messy, I really had no clue what mess is. Now that I have been embroiled in what feels like a vat of toxic waste (I'm just waiting for my super powers a'la Sky High), I understand messy on a totally new level. It's funny how our perspectives change.

While it's nice to write things to "Myself 10 Years Younger", I wonder what my 10 years younger self would share with me now. Maybe something like...

But despite it all, I'm glad God chose to give us seasons - hot, cold and somewhere in between. As they come and go year after year, we're reminded again that HE is still keeping his promises and bringing us a new day to enjoy.

No, sometimes we don't enjoy the days because of sorrow or pain. This too shall pass and something else will take it's place. It's the way life seems to work. God provides us with enough grace to see us through and hopefully enough hope to keep us moving in the right direction. In the Air - October 7, 2006

Sometimes passion fizzles and love runs dry, well, our human love. God's love is everlasting. We get exhausted, weary and nothing feels like sparking or igniting. We might want to spark some ZZZZs for a nice cozy nap, but beyond that, the passion is gone. Or is it?

Real faith, built on the truths, promises and teachings of Scripture, does not fade away. It grows deep roots into the heart of God. We may have seasons where we wander and become blind from pain, but God will grow us until we can see him as he would have us to see him.

May we learn to enjoy each day. Each moment. Each gift from the hand of God.

41. sleep for a weary soul
42. the way my hair curls after a fresh hair cut
43. the different shades of blue in my children's eyes
44. the way those eyes twinkle when they are happy
45. open Bibles on the dining room table
46. warm soup
47. the joy of new dress
48. satisfaction in finally completely a long, long project
49. the "just right" feel of red plaid pajama pants
50. music that stirs the soul

May we notice 1000 more gifts everyday.

Blessings!
Janel