Julie Gillies - Just a Woman Who Believed God

An Invitation

grammyblogspot7@yahoo.com (Julie Gillies) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:50:00 +0000

Stop reading blogs today, and just be with Me.

Love,

Jesus

Staying in the Hard Spot

grammyblogspot7@yahoo.com (Julie Gillies) — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 19:00:00 +0000

One sultry evening I pounded the pavement in my neighborhood on what turned out to be a tear-filled prayer walk. I sweated while thoughts of a devastating situation bombarded my mind; things had plunged from miserable to unbearable, and my weary heart cried out for relief. I felt fed-up and drained, and everything in me wanted to run away.

In a culture that demands ease, we are practically trained to disdain hardship of any kind. We shouldn't have to put up with certain people and situations, right? But what if we're in a hard spot, one we could escape, and God gently asks us to stay?

If you think God would never ask a person to remain in difficult circumstances, think again. God isn't as interested in rescuing us out of our circumstances as He is in allowing those circumstances to propel us more deeply into His arms...and change us into His image.

Whether we're enduring a hard marriage, a hard job, hard times with our kids, or a hard season in our finances, we will do well to remember:

God asks us to attempt the seemingly impossible to erase every illusion that we can do it ourselves. If we're wise, this causes us to move in close to God and lean entirely on Him. It's only through His strength that we can remain when we'd rather run.

Tough seasons cause us to grow in character--His character. What makes us think we can become Christ-like without suffering? Jesus was ridiculed, betrayed, rejected, and ultimately gave His life. "Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory." - Romans 8:17

God uses hard spots to train us in perseverance. The prize doesn't go to the most talented, but to the one who hangs in there the longest. We're prone to quitting, but "Better is the end of the thing than the beginning of it." - Ecclesiastes 7:8a

God is present and at work in our most painful moments. I love that God counts my tears. That means He is with me every time I hurt, understanding and loving me. And ultimately, He works out every situation for our good (See Romans 8:28).

The good news is God eventually intervened in my situation...in His timing and in His way. And things turned out far better than I ever dreamed.

The next time you're tempted to run away, remember that God can work in your situation in ways you never imagined. If you trust God and hang in there, you will come out on the other side strengthened, filled with wisdom and faith, and reflecting Him.

Fade to Gray

grammyblogspot7@yahoo.com (Julie Gillies) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 19:00:00 +0000

This is number two in an occasional series on what I'm learning as I go gray. My first post, "Why I Decided to Stop" can be found here .

Going gray has turned out to be one of the scariest decisions I've ever made. There's no promise on how things will turn out--I could wind up looking like Jamie Lee Curtis (in my dreams) or (cough) like someone's great grandma. At only 48, I don't exactly qualify as elderly, yet I can't help but wonder if that's how I'll be perceived soon...all because I stopped buying Loreal.

Now that gray hair is taking up a shocking 1/3 of my head, it feels like I'm walking around with a silent announcement: Hi. I've been fooling everyone all along, and this is how I really look. I think to a degree we can all relate to this. Think about the last time you rushed out to the grocery store without makeup, then inevitably ran into three (fantastic looking, pulled together) friends. That's sort of how I feel most the time.

I keep reminding myself that it's just a temporary, awkward phase.

As I endure the slow process of growing out my gray hair, I'm relieved that it's taking time. In an odd way, it's sort of like becoming pregnant. At first, you don't see anything at all. Eventually, there's no hiding it. And there's plenty of time to get used to the idea.

God works in our lives much the same way. He changes us gradually. Much of His work is hidden at first. Of course, miracles still occur, and when they do, I rejoice. But the miraculous aside, He is a God of the process. And the next time life feels awkward and uncomfortable, or I'm frustrated because I'm not sure how things are going to turn out, I'll try to remember that.

All You Need is Love

grammyblogspot7@yahoo.com (Julie Gillies) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 18:05:00 +0000

It's funny how God gets my attention sometimes.

There are occasional days that I struggle with a bad attitude. I catch myself being snippy with my kids, or I get really worked up about traffic or something equally aggravating, but not necessarily important in the grand scheme of life.

I realize that something is out of whack, yet the struggle continues, because it's an inner issue, deep in my heart. Nobody on the outside would ever realize the epic battle within. (Well, except for the child to whom I'm snippy.) But for me it can feel intense, not to mention frustrating.

Then, suddenly, I'll notice myself humming a particular song. The Holy Spirit simply places a song in my head, and out it comes. So I've learned to pay attention to what I'm singing. When I actually listen to what is coming out of my mouth, it never fails to astonish me...it's precisely what I need to hear.

Like the song above. It's an old Beatles song, from the year 19-who knows when. And God uses it to tell me that I'm running low on love. HIS love.

Once this realization hits, I hit my knees. I continue singing. And I thank God for speaking to my heart through a song. Then I ask Him to fill me and flood me with love.

His love.

And He does exactly that. Which makes me grateful--and a lot less snippy.

God is love. And really, love is all you need.

"He who does not love has not become acquainted with God - does not and never did know Him; for God is love." 1 John 4:8

This is a previously published post.

What I Learned on a 21-Day Daniel Fast

grammyblogspot7@yahoo.com (Julie Gillies) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 19:00:00 +0000

I recently participated in a church-wide fast. Typically my church engages in a 3-day full fast (no food at all for those who wish to participate and are medically able) every year in January. But this year the leadership felt we needed to change things up.

A Daniel Fast restricts you to eating only fruits, vegetables and (for some people) whole grains. No meat, no dairy or animal products, no sweeteners (although some people use honey, maple syrup or stevia, I felt led to abstain), and no baked goods. Did I mention no chocolate? It's based on the book of Daniel, chapter 10, if you're curious.

Although I have fasted often throughout the years, it remains difficult for me, because fasting always stirs up deep memories of painful hunger from my childhood. In that respect, this time was easier because I could eat as many fruits and veggies as I wanted. I particularly liked the longevity of this fast. It wasn't a simple 3-day thing. It was a persevering thing. It was a learning to deny myself thing. It was a get in God's face thing.

On this fast, I learned:

1. I reach out for food far more than I reach out for Jesus. This revelation floored me. Yes, God designed us to require food, but I noticed how often I absentmindedly reached for some morsel just to have something in my mouth. I'm amazed at the number of times I think about food. Good grief. God, help me desire you more than any earthly thing...even things that I truly need!

2. I can pray far more often. I profess to be a woman of prayer, but this fast taught me to pray even more. Every time I craved chocolate (or any forbidden food), I'd pray instead, and let me just say, I prayed constantly. If only my prayers were as continual as my cravings. Lord, help me to pray without ceasing!

3. A fast is warfare. I encountered an incredible amount of opposition from the enemy, particularly in my emotions. At times it felt like I was walking blindly forward in a raging blizzard, with a frozen, tear-stained scarf stuck to my cheeks. God tries our emotions (Psalm 7:9, "for You, Who try the hearts and emotions and thinking powers, are a righteous God.") Healing is a process, so I cry out, God, continue to heal my heart and emotions!

4. A fast is powerful. I've already begun seeing breakthrough in specific areas for which I prayed. But I'm expecting much more throughout 2010.

5. To stop complaining--even in my thoughts. Let's face it, America has more food than most of the world. I felt chastised for even allowing myself to inwardly grumble about yet more veggies when so many others have so much less. We are incredibly blessed, and although I always thank God for my food, I felt a deeper sense of appreciation--and a reluctance to complain about eating beans for dinner again. Help me to cultivate a grateful heart, Lord!

6. The amount of sin still in my own heart. Fasting opens our eyes about ourselves like nothing else. Our hearts become tender and more acutely aware of God's still, small voice. That's a good thing. It's layer by layer that He reveals the truth to us, and it's truth we need to face, confess, and be free of. It's the truth that makes us free. (John 8:32) Thank you, Lord, for ever increasing freedom.

7. A fast is about trading the temporal for the eternal. When we willingly give up something we desire (lasagna and chocolate lava cake) for something we yearn to desire far more (Jesus), I believe it grabs God's attention. Yes, I gave up my favorite foods for three weeks. But in return, I touched God's heart in a powerful way--and He touched mine.

I'm still processing everything I experienced in this fast, but I believe God accomplished great things, and I'm excited about what He has in store for me and my family.

How about you? Have you ever participated in a fast? What did you learn from it?

How Do We Pray at All Times?

grammyblogspot7@yahoo.com (Julie Gillies) — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 19:00:00 +0000

If your life is anything like mine, you don't exactly lounge around in satin, leopard-print pajamas and feathery high-heel slippers while savoring gourmet chocolates all day long. Not that you wouldn't like to, occasionally. But face it, our lives are not foofy like that. (I just made up the word foofy, and think it fits here perfectly.)

Instead, you probably juggle husband and family situtations, run lots of errands, prepare a gazillion meals, squeeze in the laundry and vanquish dog-hair tumbleweeds lurking in the hallway, just like I do. But when it comes to praying, it probably doesn't happen nearly as often as it should, let alone at all times.

I think the reason most of us neglect to pray at all times, as Ephesians 6:18 tells us, is that we picture prayer as something done only on our knees, at a specific hour of the day. Or, we think prayer must happen while we're alone in our bedroom, with the door shut so we can actually have five minutes without being interrupted. And don't get me wrong, there are times we need to get alone with God and pray down heaven. I hope we do this more often than not.

But waiting for the perfect time to pray is like waiting for our lives to be perfect before we decide we're ready to have kids. If we did that, well, we'd all be lounging around in leopard-print pajamas....no, no, no. If we wait for everything to be perfect, prayer (and babies) will not happen.

The number one way to pray at all times is to pray the moment you think of it--even if you're doing something else. If while bathing your baby you suddenly begin thinking about all of the orphans in Haiti, whisper a prayer--right then and there.

If your daughter starts flashing attitude on the drive to school one morning, pray right then, while she's rolling those eyes. If you are chopping vegetables for dinner and your mind drifts off to an uncle that you haven't seen in ages, take the hint: pray for him while you cook. When you finish talking with an old friend and hang up the phone with a heavy heart, pray immediately--even if you go back to sweeping the floor.

These are all examples of promptings of the Holy Spirit, and they happen all day long. Praying at all times is simply a matter of paying attention to these promptings, then obeying. Remember: our prayers truly make an eternal difference...wherever and whenever they are prayed.

"Pray at all times, on every occasion, in every season, in the Spirit, with all manner of prayer and entreaty." Ephesians 6:18

Don't. Give. Up.

grammyblogspot7@yahoo.com (Julie Gillies) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:53:00 +0000

My steering wheel shimmered with tears. Hunched over in the front seat of my car, I told God I couldn't do it any more. I was done. The misery and heartache I regularly experienced in my marriage stole my joy, my appetite, and my confidence. I begged God not to make me go back.

But instead of dancing off into the sunset without a wedding ring, I went back. Though it cost me, I went back. Through tears, I went back. Because God told me to.

Have you been there? Are you there right now? Are you doing what God has told you to do (it may have nothing to do with your marriage), yet things have deteriorated to the point that you seriously doubt you can go on--and keep your sanity?

This morning I read Exodus 5:22-23. Although Moses did exactly what the Lord commanded him to do, things got much worse. It seemed like God didn't care. "Then Moses went back to the Lord and protested, (sound familiar?) Why have you brought all this trouble on your own people, Lord? Why did you send me? Ever since I came to Pharaoh as Your spokesman (to do what you told me!), he has been even more brutal to your people. And you have done nothing to rescue them!" Italics mine.

Does it seem like God is doing nothing to rescue you?

According to Exodus 6:9, when things got harder, the people of Israel refused to listen to Moses any more. "They had become too discouraged by the brutality of their slavery."

It's tempting to give up and stop listening to God when things become too hard and it seems He is not answering our prayers. But that's where faith comes in--and knowing God's character becomes critical. John 11:42 says, "I know You always hear and listen to me." God heard me all those years, and He hears you, too.

Sometimes things get worse before they get better. Do we really think the enemy will roll out a red carpet and allow us to freely move toward our destiny? He's determined to fight and discourage us, just like he fought and discouraged the people of Israel.

We must make a conscious effort to resist discouragement. How? By drawing closer to God through reading His Word, through prayer, and through worship. And by becoming familiar with God's character.

That day in the car many years ago, my heart heard the faint whisper of a promise. And through years of heartache, God's promise to me became louder and louder until I could actually hear it more clearly than my unsaved husband's harsh, mocking words. Because I didn't give up back then, I've savored the pleasure of watching that whisper of a promise unfold before my eyes.

Whatever you're walking through right now, don't give up. With a willing heart and a God who is on your side, nothing is impossible.

Photo taken by my daughter, Emily.

Why I Decided to Stop

grammyblogspot7@yahoo.com (Julie Gillies) — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 19:00:00 +0000

The gray hair couldn't have surprised me more if it had tiptoed into my kitchen and tapped me on the shoulder. At the carefree age of 24, I stood in front of a mirror in the restroom at work and tried to breathe. There it waved, taunting me--a lone gray hair on the right side of my part.

Stunned, I wondered if my DNA had somehow gotten mixed up in a weird blood transfusion, but then I remembered I'd never had a blood transfusion.

Unwilling to surrender, I pinched the gray hair defiantly, snapped it out of my head, then marched over to the trash can and watched it float down onto a pile of used paper towels.

A decade later, I climbed up a stairway behind my pastor. He turned around to say something, took one look at the top of my head and with a note of surprise in his voice said, "Well, you're certainly getting some gray hair there, aren't you?"

I nearly choked.

That very weekend I high tailed it to the hair salon and begged Teresa, my hairdresser, to pluck every last gray hair she saw--or color it, if the plucking would leave me mostly bald. Teresa wisely chose the latter, and after passing the hair color initiation, I began the coloring-your-hair-at-home adventure.

And suddenly, fourteen years passed. The silver I tried so hard to cover began rudely shining through just eight days after each coloring. I wrestled with the reason I colored my hair now. What started out as a desire to look my age somehow morphed into something I had to do to "look beautiful".

But who defines beauty?

I started to think that I had imprisoned myself in our culture's relentless and unrealstic beauty ideals. And while I'm all about being healthy and taking good care of myself, coloring my hair began to feel like pressure to be who I wasn't. Besides, I grew weary of handing Loreal hush money every three weeks.

Finally, I broke free. I made the bold decision to stop coloring my hair this past September. While I wish with all my heart that I still had beautiful brown hair with auburn highlights, the reality is I don't. And if I desire to embrace authenticity, I need to accept reality.

At this point I've outgrown the awkward stage where I felt compelled to announce the obvious to everyone right away. "I'm growing out my gray," I'd tell people I hadn't seen in a while. I guess I'm growing comfortable with the transition.

Now, when I glance in the mirror, it's always a surprise. While I can't claim to love the gray that's taking up a quarter of my head, it feels oddly liberating, like I'm allowing a more authentic me to emerge. And though I won't say I'm best friends with my gray hair yet, I can honestly say I don't resent it any longer. And I think that's a good start.

How about you? Is there something you're resisting that you just need to accept? Is there a new level of authenticity you'd like to embrace?

Check back for occasional posts on what I'm learning as I go gray.

On Goals and a New Direction

grammyblogspot7@yahoo.com (Julie Gillies) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 19:00:00 +0000

Early last fall God allowed several writing doors to close for me. Looking back I can see that He was giving me a much needed break from writing deadlines. Our daughter had been hospitalized and then in serious recovery mode for many months. While she recuperated our son had surgery that involved 5 weeks of wearing a wound-vac and home health-care visits. And, my husband and I both succumbed to various illnesses in the midst of it all.

When life interrupts, it's tempting to think that our goals will never get accomplished. And maybe they won't. Sometimes the things God accomplishes in us trump the goals we thought we had to meet.

And sometimes, God asks us to change direction.

Last November, I began to pray about writing goals for 2010. I once heard that we are guaranteed to miss a target we don't have, and I agree with that. But I always want my goals to be established by God. "Roll your works upon the Lord--commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and so shall your plans be established and succeed." (Proverbs 16:3, Amplified Bible)

As I prayed, I felt nudged toward a scary direction--a place I had no desire to go--and reluctance set in. While I didn't cross my arms and dig in my heels, I couldn't fathom going that way. So I simply didn't think about it. Much.

An interior wrestling match commenced. I ignored the nudges, God gently coaxed.

I said, "It'll be ugly. And painful."

God said, "My grace is sufficient."

"But I don't want to re-live it," I whispered.

"I'll be re-living it with you," He whispered back.

Slowly, God persuaded me.

Aligning my writing goals with God's unexpected plans for me this year felt daring, like stopping abruptly on a major interstate highway, walking across the median, and climbing into a new car headed in the opposite direction. Without a GPS.

And so, my writing goal for 2010 is established: 1,000 words a day, 5 days a week, until the rough draft of my memoir is finished. My goal is ambitious, and can only be accomplished through discipline, God's grace, and with the help of my prayer partners. It's definitely not not what I had planned. But it's absolutely what I'm supposed to do.

How about you? What are your goals for 2010? Can you share a time that God completely changed your direction?

The Best Gift Ever

grammyblogspot7@yahoo.com (Julie Gillies) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 20:15:00 +0000

My favorite Christmas gift this year wasn't even for me. Yes, it was beautifully gift-wrapped. Yes, my name was on the gift-tag. And yes, it was at the top of my wish list.

This year I decided to write out a What I'd Love for Christmas list, because I'm nothing if not practical. Due to a limited budget and a family with an affinity for purchasing oddly patterned cardigans and Items I Never Knew I Wanted, the existence of such a list decreased the margin of error.

My list included simple things, like a plethora of books on writing from which to choose. Dark chocolate. The One-Year Chronological Bible. Lotion. But the item that made it to the #1 slot of my list was something I could hardly fathom, and I wasn't at all sure it was within our budget.

So, when my daughter's gift landed in my lap on Christmas morning, I had no idea that she'd read the list I handed to her daddy. I had no idea that she had withdrawn money from her small savings account-money she'd earned working as a foreground extra in a movie (and for which she was paid minimum wage).

Opening the box, I shifted white tissue to find a home-made card containing cash. It read simply: Amount: $75. Purpose: To free one child from bondage. From Emily. Merry Christmas!

And just like that, a child's life was about to change. My heart swelled. My eyes watered. I hugged my precious daughter, then looked her in the eyes. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Yes, mom. I'm sure," she grinned.

Somewhere, a child in this world weeps. Frightened, hopeless, and alone, they are enslaved, their bodies used by unscrupulous men void of pity and the fear of God. Some young boys are forced to serve as soldiers. Many young children work unthinkable jobs for no pay.

My heart grieves for these precious kids devoid of even the slighest hope. Everything in me wants to swoop in to rescue and protect them. Thanks to my sweet daughter, one child will experience the gift of freedom, love, and hope.

To learn more, visit Samaritan's Purse Gift Catalog. Please know I am not affiliated with Samaritan's Purse and have not been asked to endorse them. I'm just a mom and a grammy who wants to make a difference.

I'm thinking you might be, too.

Oh Holy Night

grammyblogspot7@yahoo.com (Julie Gillies) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 19:00:00 +0000

May the essence of Christmas permeate your home. May the reason for Christmas penetrate your heart. May His willingness to leave heaven (just for you) exhilarate your soul. May the wonder of the Christ child bring you to your knees. May the love of Christ propel you into His holy presence, this Christmas...and always.

Merry Christmas!

Photo taken by my husband at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville.

Christmas Give-Away Winner!

grammyblogspot7@yahoo.com (Julie Gillies) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 15:00:00 +0000

We have a winner!

Kelligirl over at Aweseome God...Ordinary Girl is my Christmas Give-Away winner, and will receive the gripping novel Scared, along with my home made Christmas goodies. Send me your mailing address, Kelli, and your box will be out in the mail on Monday, December 21st!

I enjoyed reading all of your fun, sweet, and poignant Christmas memory comments. Thank you all for sharing your wonderful memories; may God bless us with many more.

Merry Christmas!

Photo taken at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville.

A Christmas Give-Away!

grammyblogspot7@yahoo.com (Julie Gillies) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 21:17:00 +0000

For me, Christmas means giving gifts to those I care about. And I care a lot about the fabulous people who read my blog. In honor of you, I'm giving away an irresistable combo.

What could be better than delicious, home made Christmas goodies?

How about the goodies and a can't-put-it-down novel?

Tom Davis' compelling novel, Scared, was my favorite book in 2009. Curious? Read my 5-star book review. Tom is CEO of Children's Hope Chest, an organization that feeds orphans and rescues young victims of the sex-trade industry. He is making a radical difference in the lives of innocent children, and I applaud his efforts.

If you'd like a chance to win my family's yummy home-made Chex Mix and our delicious Savory Oyster Cracker Snacks, along with the outstanding novel Scared, leave a comment telling me your all-time favorite Christmas gift.

A winner will be randomly chosen by me on Saturday, December 19th at 10am Eastern time. The goodies will ship on Monday, December 21st (assuming you send me your mailing address on time, so don't forget to check back on Saturday). Who knows? With a stiff tail wind, you might get your package before Christmas.

In the meantime, thank you for sharing part of my life by reading this blog. I consider you, my bloggy friends, one of the best gifts I've received this year.

Surprised by Joy

grammyblogspot7@yahoo.com (Julie Gillies) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:33:00 +0000

When our glittering, 10-foot Christmas tree crashed to the floor late last night, I hardly knew what to do first. Should I grab a towel for our now sodden carpet? Pick up the shattered ornaments before a sliver punctured someone's foot? Or grab the vacuum cleaner and get busy on the 14,000 Frasier fir needles now flung across our living room?

Delegator extraordinaire, I ordered my daughter to grab towels and our son to get the vacuum cleaner. I gingerly lifted shards of silver and blue glass out of the carpet. My husband took on the Herculean effort of raising our hefty, frazzled tree.

When the mess was finally lifted up, sopped up, picked up, and vacuumed up, I stared at the array of ornaments scattered across our sofa and felt my shoulders droop. Each one needed to be hung on our half-empty Christmas tree. Again. Exhausted from a hectic weekend, I groaned.

That's when our 14 year old daughter clapped her hands and jumped up and down. "We get to decorate our Christmas tree again!"

Her beaming face challenged my scrooge-like heart.

What if the circumstances we're currently facing are really opportunities to find joy in an unlikely place?

What if, instead of expecting everything to be perfect, we looked for the remarkable in life's imperfections?

And what if, instead of waiting for joy to find us, we set out on a journey to seek it?

I think that's what Christmas is all about. It's a journey whose destination is the One through whom all joy ultimately flows.

Over two thousand years ago, wise men and kings traveled to find the Source of joy, disguised as an infant. Flies buzzed and fresh piles of manure steamed in the frigid night air. But when earthly kings knelt in the mud and straw, they received remarkable joy in the most unlikely place.

And when I knelt on damp carpet to re-decorate our Christmas tree last night, so did I.

The Benefits of Dashing To and Fro

grammyblogspot7@yahoo.com (Julie Gillies) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:00:00 +0000

I can zip my pants. This may not sound like earth-shattering news. However, given the number of Christmas goodies I’ve already consumed this season, it is no small feat.

In fact, this may even qualify as a Christmas miracle, given that all my spare time has been sucked into the Holiday Vortex, along with my usual daily two-mile walks. I lamented my lack of exercise until it dawned on me: I am busy--and busy burns calories!

So, in the spirit of holiday giving, I joyfully offer my gift to you: The Holiday Equivalents Chart. By my calculations, and according to this Official Chart, I can indulge in the many flavors of Christmas without loosening my belt even a tiny bit. And so, my friends, can you.

The Official Holiday Calorie Equivalents Chart

* Lugging holiday boxes from basement/attic/garage = 3 Powdered Pecan Balls

* Screaming/jumping wildly from creepy crawlies in box = 2 Sugar Cookies

* Beating creepy crawlies w/ broom & scraping up the mess = 1 Handful Spiced Pecans

* Driving across town to three Christmas tree lots in search of perfect tree = 1 Mug of Hot Cocoa

* Untangling aggravating Christmas lights = Cheese ball and ½ Box of Triscuits

* Tossing tangled Christmas lights and driving to store for new lights = 2 Candy Canes

* Taking out a second mortgage to pay for Christmas tree =3 Pieces of Home Made Fudge

* Keeping up with the laundry in the midst of it all = Chips & Dip on Festive Tray

* Toting kid(s) hither and yon to choir practice and holiday parties = 4 Mini Pigs-in-a-Blanket

* Constructing and decorating Gingerbread house = 25 Red & Green Peanut M&M's

* Chasing wayward cat away from partially eaten Gingerbread house = 2 Homemade Chocolate-Almond Biscotti

* Attending 142 (or 9) Christmas play rehearsals = 9 Peanut Butter Kisses

* Brainstorming stocking stuffers for entire family = Cheese ball and the other 1/2 box of Triscuits

* Composing witty yet meaningful Christmas letter = 1 Slice of Pumpkin Roll

* Posing for annual holiday picture without blood or tears = 3 Christmas Oreos

* Shopping, shopping, shopping = 2 1/2 cups Home made Chex Mix

* Waiting in long lines without turning into the Grinch = Handful of Pistachios

* Baking umpteen thousand Christmas cookies = 4 Snickerdoodles

* Ranting at teen son (and friends) for snarfing most of cookies = 1 Piece Fudge

* Wrapping Christmas presents until your back spasms =1 Dinner Out--OR ELSE

This concludes the annual milking of the system. With cookies, of course.

The Hope Chest - Part 2

grammyblogspot7@yahoo.com (Julie Gillies) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:00:00 +0000

What are you walking through? Is the current economic situation placing a strangle-hold on your family's budget? Are you facing a terminal illness? Have your kids been sucked into the vortex of a shameless, entitlement-driven, immoral culture? Is your marriage on the brink of collapse?

I know people in every one of these situations.

Satan uses the negative circumstances in our lives to steal our hope. When things look really, really bad for us, we would do well to remember Abraham. Romans 4:18 says, “For Abraham, human reason for hope being gone, hoped on in faith…” Abraham was an old man. Verse 19 goes on to tell us that his body was as good as dead.

Amazingly, Abraham faced the facts but refused to give up his hope. In fact, his faith to father a child actually increased, in spite of the fact that his own body was useless. Romans 4:20 goes on to say, “No unbelief or distrust made him waver or doubtingly question concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God. (vv.21)…He was fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His word and to do what He had promised.”

When we’re bombarded by doubt, we mustn’t allow mere facts to dilute our hope.

How do we accomplish this? Instead of being imprisoned by hopelessness, God desires for us to become a different type of prisoner. Zechariah 9:12 says, “Turn you to the stronghold of security and prosperity, you prisoners of hope…” A prisoner of hope is captured by the Lord and dwells in the impenetrable stronghold of His hope.

Whatever you're walking through, know this: God wants you to hold on to hope. His hand is not too short. He is at work in spite of how awful things might look. So take courage; stand firm and hold fast. Dare to dream the dreams and hope for the things that He has tenderly placed inside your hope chest.

The Hope Chest

grammyblogspot7@yahoo.com (Julie Gillies) — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:30:00 +0000

Though I’ve never owned a hope chest, God used one to speak a profound spiritual truth to me at a time when I needed it desperately.

A hope chest traditionally holds the contents of a bride-to-be's future home. Whether simple or ornate, nestled inside each hope chest are treasures such as new linens, fine china and silverware, along with something intangible--the dreams and hopes of a woman's heart.

Eleven years. It's a long time to pray a specific prayer without an answer. It's a long time to maintain faith that the One who hears all prayers has heard yours. It's a long time to hold on to hope. And frankly, hopelessness had begun to bombard my heart.

So, God spoke to me through a dream:

A beautiful wooden hope chest rested at the foot of my bed. In the middle of the night, a thief broke in through my bedroom window, tiptoed to my hope chest, and silently lifted the lid. He stolel everything inside, leaving it completely empty.

When I awoke, the Spirit of the Lord told me that Satan was stealing my hope; in this particular situation, the enemy wanted to leave me hopeless. John 10:10 says, “The thief comes only in order that he may steal and may kill and may destroy.”

After this dream, I realized that hope is something that we need to make a diligent effort to hold on to. Hope is a provision from the Lord that will keep us going when our circumstances tempt us to feel hopeless. Hope keeps our dreams alive. Hebrews 6:19 calls hope “an anchor of the soul”. It prevents us from drifting into the sea of hopelessness.

Proverbs 29:18 tells us “Where there is no vision the people perish.” Hopeless people have no vision for the future. People who commit suicide do so because they have lost all hope.

Are you looking at a situation that seems absolutely hopeless? Does it seem as though your hopes are as good as dead?

I’m convinced God doesn’t mind when we look at our situations and realize that the facts seem hopeless. We cannot pretend away our circumstances. However, we mustn’t allow the situation to sway us concerning God’s ability. We can magnify the power and the ability of the Lord to do that which is seemingly impossible in our situation. We can face the facts, yet refuse to give up our hope!

Next week: Part two.

Because of our family is in travel mode this month, I decided to re-run this previously published post, along with part two the following week. I hope to get back to the real blogging world the first week of December. Thank you!

The Adventure Continues

grammyblogspot7@yahoo.com (Julie Gillies) — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:00:00 +0000

Don't you love it when God hammers home a specific theme in your life over and over? Truth be known, I vacillate between feeling special and somewhat clueless. Special because all that hammering is evidence He considers me worth the effort. Clueless because otherwise I'd get the point the first time--or two.

This year God is teaching me to trust Him even when it feels like I'm walking through a cornfield with a tornado on my heels. It's easy to say we trust God when our air conditioner works fine, there's food in the pantry and nobody is barfing. But how about when we make five trips to the emergency room in one weekend, or we suffer undiagnosed chest pain for five weeks or our child has surgery and lives on a wound-vac for a month and a half? How about when we're bombarded from every side and see no end in sight? Then do we trust Him?

And what does that sort of trust look like?

For my birthday this past July a good friend made me a beautiful journal. Across the top is my name, and across the bottom is the word TRUST. And through all of the above incidents (yes, they all really happened in my family, and then some) I made a decision to trust God in the situation. Not some happy-go-lucky I'm sure it will all work out song and dance, but taking one trembling, feeble step after another, tears streaming down my face, saying "God, this hurts, this stinks, and I do not understand, but I am trusting You to work it out for my good. I trust that You are in control. I trust that you will take what the enemy meant for my harm, and use it for my good."

And then I get up and do it all over again the next day, even when I don't feel like it.

This week my daughter and I are up in Michigan on yet another movie adventure. She's cast as a foreground extra in a film directed by David Schwimmer (remember Ross from the sitcom "Friends"?). She's got big dreams and a calling, so we are walking through this open door. Of course, the title of the movie is Trust. Can you hear the hammer banging?

My adventure continues. I don't know what Michigan has in store, but I'm trusting God to work out all the details. Tell me, what trust adventure is God escorting you through? And/or what does trusting God look like to you?

An Uphill Climb to Normal

grammyblogspot7@yahoo.com (Julie Gillies) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:00:00 +0000

The screams roared down the hall and swept under the door of the tiny bedroom I shared with my four year old sister. My belly quivered. Not again.

I slid off the top bunk, opened the door and crept down the hall, my bare feet silent against the hardwood floors. Twisting the hem of my pink nightgown in my fist, I peered around the corner into my parent’s bedroom. Red velvet curtains shouted a warning from their vantage point high above the fracas.

I watched my parents’ shadows pantomime on the bedroom floor as they argued inside their bathroom. My ten year old body shuddered as something crashed against the wall. Suddenly my mom and dad stormed out of the bathroom. Just two steps inside their battle zone, I froze.

Chaos erupted. Behind me, all four of my younger siblings now stood in the doorway, wakened by the frightening noises we all dreaded. Their terrified sobs bombarded the room like a tragic symphony.

My parents never noticed.

Husband and wife shoved each other, angry words fiercely spewing like a faulty car radiator that was about to blow. Then, we all watched our parents begin a fist fight.

Someone needs to do something. I jumped between my parents, holding out my hands until one palm touched each of them. "Please stop fighting! You're scaring everybody! Please!"

That's when she did it.

My mom ran toward her nightstand and grabbed our heavy, black telephone. My jaw dropped as I watched her yank the cord right out of the wall. She’s breaking our telephone? Lifting the phone behind her head as though heaving a football, she threw it toward my dad with all her might. The phone plunged into the top of his head with an eerie thud. Blood dripped down my dad's face in a crazy, zigzag design. His hand flew up to the wound and he raced back to the bathroom, large circles of blood dotting the hardwood floor behind him.

The symphony grew to a frenzied hysteria.

Freaked out and terrified, all five of us kids followed our enraged mom as she ran into our living room--heading directly toward my dad's prized possession--his beautiful wood and glass gun case. With her defiant kick the glass enclosure was utterly shattered.

So were our hearts.

Sometimes it’s an uphill climb to normal. For me, normal always seemed far away, like a mystical dream that I knew existed, but would probably never find. Oh, I inhaled the scent of normal on occasion. Like when I visited of my grandparents’ house in Detroit for the weekend, where sheets graced every bed, Johnny Carson performed in their calm living room nightly, and my Gram cooked clockwork meals. Or the time I lived with my aunt and uncle in Arkansas for a year and learned a house could be pert near spotless, ketchup on crock pot pinto beans tastes extraordinary, and the true meaning of family.

My journey to normal started when I met Jesus, almost 20 years ago. It felt like I slowly started to wake up the day I entwined my fingers with His, and the mystical dream slowly shimmered into real life as we walked together. It hasn’t always been easy. But the cool thing about Jesus is He takes every step with you.

He knows our past, He knows our hurts, but I think what I like best about Jesus is He knows our hearts. And somehow, while we walk together, He gathers the shattered fragments and fuses them back together. It might sound improbable, but the girl who lived the scene above and the woman I’ve now become now barely recognize each other. And that’s close enough to normal for me.

All You Need is Love

grammyblogspot7@yahoo.com (Julie Gillies) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 18:00:00 +0000

It's funny how God gets my attention sometimes.

There are occasional days that I seriously struggle with my attitude. I catch myself being snippy with my kids, or I get really worked up about traffic or something equally aggravating, but not necessarily important in the grand scheme of life.

I realize that something is out of whack, yet the struggle continues, because it's an inner issue, deep in my heart. Nobody on the outside would ever realize the epic battle within. (Well, except for the child to whom I'm snippy.) But for me it can be intense, not to mention frustrating.

Then, suddenly, I'll notice myself humming a particular song. The Holy Spirit simply places a song in my head, and out it comes. So I've learned to pay attention to what I'm singing. When I actually listen to what is coming out of my mouth, it never fails to astonish me...it's precisely what I need to hear.

Like the song above. It's an old Beatles song, from the year 19-who knows when. And God uses it to tell me that I'm running low on love. HIS love.

Once this realization hits, I laugh. I continue singing. And I thank God for speaking to my heart through a song. Then I ask Him to fill me and flood me with love.

His love.

And He does exactly that. Which makes me grateful--and a lot less snippy.

God is love. And really, love is all you need.

"He who does not love has not become acquainted with God - does not and never did know Him; for God is love." 1 John 4:8

A Tough Road

grammyblogspot7@yahoo.com (Julie Gillies) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 23:24:00 +0000

A boulder-filled road slammed with massive craters, huge tree trunks, and abandoned cars stretches before me. I bring my car to a stop because there’s no way it can go any further. From here on, I’ll be walking. I step out, my feet landing on thick brown dirt with ridges as hard as granite.

My trendy shoes are no match for this jagged terrain. I struggle forward, carefully navigating each tricky step. Within minutes I’m perspiring from the exertion, yet I’ve only moved a few yards. A few other people are here on this wreck of a road with me, looking as dazed and overwhelmed as I’m beginning to feel.

I wonder how anyone can consistently move forward here, but I have no choice. It’s impossibly hard, yet nothing in me wants to turn around and go back to my comfortable car. This isn’t the road I started out on, but somehow I understand this road will take me where I need to be.

Do you ever feel like the road you’re on is so impossibly hard that you’ll never be able to move forward? The scene above is from a dream God gave me. It could also be a scene from my life right now. God is allowing my family to undergo many intense medical issues. Yet in spite of how much I dislike it, I firmly believe that God is in it.

I hear Him whispering to me, “Will you follow me if I lead you the hard way? Will you trust Me even when I take you the way you don’t want to go? Will you allow me to strengthen you in the midst of the journey?”

And the kicker: “Will you worship me in the midst of your suffering?”

I think that when we choose to worship God in the middle of our hard road, it’s as close to worshipping Him in Spirit and in Truth as we can get. God is honored when we worship him in spite of difficult circumstances.

"God is a Spirit (a spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (reality). John 4:24 (Amplified Bible)

How about you? Will you trust God even when He takes you the way you don't want to go? Are you willing to worship God in the midst of your difficult road?

Are You a Dream Chaser?

grammyblogspot7@yahoo.com (Julie Gillies) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 17:00:00 +0000

Certain seasons in our lives are as easy and uncomplicated as a hammock ride. Other times require the stamina of a world-class rock climber.

Like when we're chasing a dream.

A dream is easy to envision. Fun, even. But often as we pursue our dream reality sets in, the thrill fades, and we find ourselves struggling, fighting, and overwhelmed. Ecclesiastes 5:3 says “For a dream comes with much business and painful effort.” No dream becomes a reality without a price.

As we strive toward our dreams, the enemy's strategy is to impede us so we won’t fight for what is rightfully ours. Giants of Intimidation, Insecurity, and Fear taunt us, just like Goliath taunted to Israel.

1 Samuel 17 shows the Israelites frozen with fear when confronted with Goliath, the Philistine giant from Gath. Standing nearly 10 feet tall, Goliath wore custom armor that made him appear even more intimidating. No one dared stand up to him, until a young shepherd boy heard his mocking words and decided enough was enough. David clearly heard the taunts of the enemy, but refused to believe his words. David’s relationship with the Lord was so real, so strong, that the enemy’s boast meant nothing to him. A mere adolescent, he triumphed over the giant.

Are you a dream chaser? When we run after our dreams, we will have to battle a few giants. But if we are serious, we will persevere. Our success in slaying the giants in our lives is determined by:

Our willingness to confront the enemy. In verse 48, we see that David ran quickly to meet Goliath. No hesitation. No fear. Boldly. And with utter confidence.
Our past successes with God. In verses 34-37 David explains to Saul that he has already slain a lion and a bear. When we are intimidated by the enemy, we can remember past triumphs, reminding ourselves of our God-given abilities and God's faithfulness.

Knowing the Lord intimately. David spent his days worshiping and conversing with God while he tended his father’s flock.When we remain close to and intimate with the Lord, the enemy's taunts will never sway us.

A confidence and understanding that the battle is the Lord’s. This doesn’t excuse us from action and doing our part, but rather, reveals a deep knowing within us that God is our ultimate source and strength.

Dream chasers are characterized by a willingness to pursue their God-given goals in spite of the giants opposing them. They run forward, expecting to triumph.

Tell me about the dream you are chasing, and what giant you might be facing.

How to Follow Through When You Say You'll Pray

grammyblogspot7@yahoo.com (Julie Gillies) — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 18:00:00 +0000

Have you ever promised to pray for someone--and then completely forgotten about it? I have. I'm not only frustrated by my failure to pray, I'm embarrassed--especially when I run into my friend later.

The truth is, we need each other's prayers. Yet most of us juggle multiple responsibilities. From the moment we wake up until we drop into bed at day's end, we're busy. So, how do we make good on the promise to pray for someone? Here are some strategies I've developed to help me back up my words with action.

Write it down. If you don't have a prayer list, make one. Then place it where you'll see it regularly--like inside your Bible, next to your bed, or, if necessary, tape it to your bathroom mirror.
Ask God to remind you. He will. Expect to be reminded while you're busy doing something else. Determine to pray on the spot for your friend, just as soon as you receive the prompting. If you must, excuse yourself to the restroom for a few minutes.
Schedule it in your planner/Blackberry/Daytimer. As in: Monday, 9:30 - pray for Angela.
Stay in touch with your friend. E-mail her or drop her a pretty note card reminding her that you're praying. Ask how things are going so you can pray specifically. This not only encourages your friend, it keeps you accountable while you pray her through.
Remember, it's okay to pray for someone for a limited time. You can tell your friend, "I'll pray for you this week." I regularly modify my prayer list, crossing off one person and adding another as God leads and situations change. This way I don't have an unrealistic, never-ending prayer list.
If you don't feel like you can manage to pray regularly for her right now, don't make the offer. You can always pray with her just once on the phone, over lunch, or whenever else you get together. Better one sincere prayer together than a promise you probably won't keep.

The prayers of a righteous man are powerful and effective (see James 5:16), but only if we actually pray them. With these simple strategies and God's help, we can follow through on our prayer commitments.

And we'll have the blessing of knowing we're partnering with God in other's lives.

This Old House

grammyblogspot7@yahoo.com (Julie Gillies) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 18:00:00 +0000

If you've ever lived through a remodeling project, you probably have a serious appreciation of the hard work involved in taking an old, dilapidated house and transforming it into better-than-new.

The way I see it, anyone can move into a brand new house. But remodeling takes a willing investor with a keen eye for potential...someone prepared to put a lot of hard work into a house nobody else wants. Done right, the results are a gorgeous old house with character, yet filled with all the new stuff you wouldn't want to live without. The before and after photos are amazing, and no one who visits your house can believe that it ever looked like that before.

It's truly a labor of love.

My husband and I were crazy enough to take on such an endeavor back when we were young and willing to invest some serious elbow grease. We had purchased a tiny 2 bedroom, 1 bath, stinky, old, sorry-excuse-for-a-house--because it only cost us $55,000.

It needed a new roof, new windows, a garage, new carpet, lots of paint, and oh--we had to move the hot water heater out of the kitchen. Did I mention I was pregnant when we began?

We ended up knocking down walls and adding some extra rooms, almost a total do-over. For seven months, we stressed, sweated, painted, worked far too hard and slept far too little. We watched in amazement as our old shack finally began to turn into the house of our dreams. Yes, it took longer than we thought, and cost more than we planned. But in the end, it was worth it.

It occurred to me a few weeks ago as I stood before the congregation at my church giving my testimony for the first time, that God does this very thing. He sees our inherent value, even though we are broken, stinky people in serious need of restoration. He deems us worthy of His time and investment, even when others aren't willing to make the effort.

Though it's a long, arduous process, Jesus, with His keen eye, restores us to better to better than new. We wind up beautiful, yet functional and filled with His character. When we share our amazing before and after stories, no one can believe that we ever lived like that before, because our hearts are all sparkly and fresh and new.

It's truly a labor of love.

I'm so glad for all the improvements God has made in me, and that He continues to lovingly restore this work in progress.

I Know I Should Pray More, But...

grammyblogspot7@yahoo.com (Julie Gillies) — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 18:00:00 +0000

Let’s face it: life is sometimes a vortex of chaos. Attempting to schedule regular prayer time into an already overloaded day can be a recipe for frustration. Instead of feeling guilty about not praying enough, (can we ever pray enough?) or trying in vain to remember who or what I’m supposed to pray for, I've learned how to make prayer a priority by incorporating it into my crazy, never-quite-normal, everyday life in creative ways.

I think of prayer as an ongoing dialogue between God and me, not a one-time event relegated to a particular time of day. Though I maintain a morning prayer time, my prayers don't cease for the day when I say Amen and head out the door.

A lifestyle of prayer isn’t as difficult as it might sound. The following sure-fire strategies are guaranteed to help you experience more prayer power.

Fill mindless activities with prayer. For instance, I always pray while I vacuum and when I’m in the shower. It’s simply become habit for me. There are always opportunities for prayer sprinkled within our day. Other possible times to fit prayer into the day include:

· Any time you’re in the car
· While folding the laundry
· In line at the grocery store, the bank, etc.
· In the doctor’s waiting room
· Waiting for your dog to do their business (ahem)
· Waiting for your kids in the car pool line
· While scrubbing the bathroom
· While mopping or dusting
· When you wake up in the middle of the night and can’t get back to sleep

Consider using your daily walks, bike-riding, jogging or other exercise time as a prayer boost. It's a powerfully effective stress-busting combination.

Ask God to show you who to pray for. You might be surprised who He puts on your mind. I have two friends with late-stage breast cancer. The least I can do is pray for them, and God never fails to remind me.

Pray immediately when you become aware of a need. Don't tell yourself you'll pray later, because if you’re like me, chances are you won't remember. Tell yourself to stop, drop and pray right away when you hear of an urgent matter.

Don't just moan about all the horrible stuff on Headline News. Take a minute to pray about it. Yes, it's perfectly acceptable to pray in your recliner. However, when the ironing pile stacks up, I haul out the ironing board, turn on either local or national news, and pray while I iron.

Be willing to pray for someone on the spot. When a friend or neighbor tells you the awful situation they're in, don't just tell them you'll be praying for them and walk away. Ask if you can pray for them right there, and watch God move.

If you're forgetful, use a notepad to jot down the things you want covered in prayer. When things heat up at my house, I always start a prayer list. Keep the list in your Bible, on your nightstand, or taped to your bathroom mirror. Also, keep a small notepad in your car.

Remember, when we pray, we’re not only talking to God, we’re inviting Him to speak to us as well. We can expect God to respond and help us fit more prayer into our sometimes crazy lives.

Happy praying!