Calm My Anxious Heart ~ Chapter 7

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mrstrishch	Calm My Anxious Heart ~ Chapter 7	Lead	[-]
Posts: 4148 (02/19/03 13:13:43) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Tags : None A FAULTY FOCUS In this chapter we read about what it means to have a faulty focus, and how to bring our lives and purpose into focus. The author gives many practical tips and some wonderful examples of women who have succeeded. This is so inspiring! The world tells us we should be doing so many things, and our friends, family, churches, all pull us in so many different directions. Healthy people may at least have the appearance of pulling it all off, but we dont even have that option. So, where would God have us focus? What is His purpose for our lives? If you have the book, read through the chapter and then share your thoughts with us. If you dont have the book, wed love to hear your experiences in finding Gods purpose in your life, or ways youve learned to focus on whats important. What scriptures have helped you? How have you dealt with people who dont understand? I'm so glad you've joined us! Love in Christ, Trish ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Trish - Daughter of the King, wife of Paul for almost 18 years, mother of Aaron ( 17 ), Jared ( 15 ), & Trevor ( 9 ), 6th yr homeschooling, SI dysfunction ('89), FMS ('91), TMJ ('02) My prayer and sustaining hope: Morning by morning He wakens me and opens my understanding to His will. Isaiah 50:4 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
mariejd	Re: Calm My Anxious Heart ~ Chapter 7	#1	[-]
Posts: 323 (02/20/03 20:33:00) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	From my teen years on, I was very geared up for full-time ministry. My husband and I wanted very badly to go to the mission field, and we had 2 summers of missions training, but did not know how to go about raising support. When we left college and got married, we saw the need for James to get a job. He had majored in Intercultural Studies, our college missions program, but had almost a minor in math and computers, so he got a job in computer programming, which he still loves. My disabilities and illness grew to fast for us to get to the mission field. And in no time, we had child care issues to deal with, and we did not feel comfortable with long-term childcare for our baby sons. For Joshua's first year, I felt very frustrated with the pull between my desire for outside ministry and his high level of needs. He was gifted and difficult- full of mischief and energy, and needed a great deal of my time, plus Justin was born 11 months later. I prayed a lot about it, and the Lord got through to me that the only way to not build a negative relationship like my parents had done with me was to come to the understanding that my children were my ministry, and spend full time with them, traiing their young hearts for Jesus in a positive, constructive way. Once I came to full acceptance of this understanding, our relationship became very positive. I found that I really loved this kind of ministry. It filled my heart with joy and love for my little sons. (Judah joined the family 2o months after Justin). We spent huge amounts of time together, doing the chores together, checking out lots of library books for me to read aloud to them, taking noisy pull-toy walks together, building with legos, singing hymns and learning Bible verses. I was also able to have an intercessory prayer ministry without ever leaving my boys' sides for a minute. THey just prayed with me. Our relationship grew very deep and very strong, and is the most precious thing in the whole world to me now! Looking back, I feel so grateful that God led me in this direction. I gave Josh and Justin pre-school Bible from ages 3 to 6, before we began officially home schooling. OUr relationship now is as precious as I could possibly imagine a mother-son or mother-daughter relationship could be. Now that the kids are all in their teens but one, our kids are all involved with us in a family ministry. It is such a rich blessing! I feel so blessed :[/b] Joy Marie married 20 years to James, with 5 kids: teenagers Josh, Justin, Judah, and Jennaya, and 10-year-old Jonathan. RA and FM Back smashed up in river-rafting accident--confined to bed most of the time--hurts to sit up long--live with lots of pain. 2 Cor 12:9,10 "I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me...for when I am weak, then I am strong." 1 Cor 1:27,28 "God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong...that no man should boast before God."
Lebenshaus	Re: Calm My Anxious Heart ~ Chapter 7	#2	[-]
Posts: 3369 (02/23/03 21:13:53) Gold Member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Before God touched my body by taking away good health, I was athletic, gardener, loved to be out in the sun, taught ladies' classes, helped my husband in church, had people to our home regularly, in one home had a prophets chamber for visiting preachers, took on challenges, and on and on and on. I was a doer and a shaker. Everyone knew that to get a job done, call Debby, cause she was ready, willing and able. Probably, down deep inside, I thought I had to work at "working out my salvation". As time went on and it became noticable that my body was becoming weaker, I still pushed ahead to do as much as I could, especially when it came to church activities. Then, POW. God showed me He was in control, and He didn't want me DOING all this STUFF for Him. He didn't need me doing, but rather, he wanted me to rest in Him and learn from Him. His goal is for me to become more like His Son, Jesus. He brought a sweetheart of a lady into my life who has suffered with MS since she was a young teen. She was living life from a wheelchair and now lives life from her bed. She taught me the truth of being content no matter what my circumstance in health or otherwise. She challenged me to begin reading my Bible from Genesis and said if she could read it three times a year (which she has done for years) then I could read it at least once. That's when God used His Word to sink deep into my heart and being. That's when my faulty focus became God focused. That's when God taught me that He is the One Who has control of my husband and my sons. He taught me that I'm not in control of anything. He is. He taught me not to take credit for the way my sons are turning out. Sure, my attitude and my love for God have a huge impact, but God controls the hearts. That's so evident in Scripture. When I read Jonathan Edwards words on page 103, I thought, Hey, that's what I've said in my heart! Just didn't know Jonathan wrote it. Then to read the verses in Isaiah 61 that Ney claimed, those are verses I claimed years ago. Have I reached?? NO WAY! On my time line, my growth began in 1995 when God rendered me helpless. I was dependent on being fed and even carried to the bathroom. In time (1996), God, again, showed His control and brought me out of bed. I was like a dry sponge sopping up all the water I could to learn more about God. So, were am I now? Eight years later, I'm still learning. I miss all the things I used to be able to do, but I know what I am able to do. I can encourage and praise. My heart is fixed on my Saviour. I'm on a journey to become more like Him, and know that one day, I'll see Him face to face and be just like Him. In the meantime, my job is to love my husband and be his helpmate here at home. When he comes home from school, he knows I'm hear to listen and cheer him on. For Geoffrey, I oversee his school work, listen to him and laugh with him. He's taught me that I don't need to give him an answer just because he comes to me with a problem. To Steven, I'm his #1 fan, and I'm the prayer warrior for all my guys. Where do I want to be in 10 years? I want to be so much closer to my LORD. I want to have a smile on my face no matter what's going on in my body or life. I want people to look at me and know I've been with Jesus. Is it possible? I know it is. It is for my friend, Pat, and it was for Mattie. I want my life focus to be Christ. Debby "God's mercy and love are chasing you whether you feel it or not. We can rest in that. Join me in rejoicing in His mercy, His lovingkindness, and His commitment that pursues us in every circumstance. We are so blessed!" Ross Robinson
Laura B	I'm back	#3	[-]
Posts: 65 (02/24/03 11:28:00) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Hello everyone -- I've been away from this study and this board for about five months, and was afraid that you might have finished. I am so grateful that you're still here and working on this marvelous book. I hope no one minds me stepping back in at this late date? It's been a tough time for me spiritually, and I've been hiding again, I guess, but I've felt the call to return, so here I am. I just finished reading Chp 3, am working my way through the reflections at the back of the book, and will be reading all of your responses, chapter by chapter, as I catch up (hopefully.) I don't have anything to add to the Chp. 7 discussion at this point...just wanted to say hello again. I hope I haven't been gone so long that no one remembers me. Peace, Laura B.
Lebenshaus	Re: I'm back	#4	[-]
Posts: 3369 (02/24/03 13:58:51) Gold Member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Hi, Laura! We haven't met yet, but welcome back! It's not too late to jump in anytime. Debby "God's mercy and love are chasing you whether you feel it or not. We can rest in that. Join me in rejoicing in His mercy, His lovingkindness, and His commitment that pursues us in every circumstance. We are so blessed!" Ross Robinson
mrstrishch	Re: Calm My Anxious Heart ~ Chapter 7	#5	[-]
Posts: 4148 (02/25/03 09:51:32) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	First let me say: WELCOME BACK, ((((((LAURA))))))!!!!! Yes, I do remember you (it's a bit foggy due to my poor brain being generally foggy, but I DO remember you, dear sister!). I'm so glad you've come back and are joining us again in the book study. I often feel like hiding, too... but how I pray that you'll find refuge here and in the Lord! On to the study... Joy Marie, I've found so much of what you've said to be true in my own life as well. "to come to the understanding that my children were my ministry, and spend full time with them, training their young hearts for Jesus in a positive, constructive way." Amen! After crying out wanting to be out there serving Him myself, God really impressed on my heart that the way I'd reach others and serve Him best was through my children. They'd be the ones out there... I'd be the one giving them the tools they needed. It's already happening. Aaron and Jared teach 5-days clubs in the summer, take turns teaching children's church, and teach Wednesday night youth clubs. They both have a positive impact on other young people their own ages, always challenging those in their own youth group to walk closer with God. Aaron will be 18 this year and is already contemplating what his place will be as an adult in the church. They would not be as well grounded had God not put me where He has. And I must retain that focus or things start falling apart. The world tells us being at home with our children isn't enough... but I've learned if it's God's calling, then it's the highest calling there is!! And like Debby said, "That's when my faulty focus became God focused. That's when God taught me that He is the One Who has control of my husband and my sons. He taught me that I'm not in control of anything. He is. He taught me not to take credit for the way my sons are turning out. Sure, my attitude and my love for God have a huge impact, but God controls the hearts. That's so evident in Scripture." We may be God's vehicles, but it's still Him doing the work in their hearts. PTL!! \o/ Debby, what a testimony - thank you! I tell people that what my illness has done was to make me focus. It helped me to understand that I can't do it all and shouldn't even try. As you said - "Then, POW. God showed me He was in control, and He didn't want me DOING all this STUFF for Him. He didn't need me doing, but rather, he wanted me to rest in Him and learn from Him. His goal is for me to become more like His Son, Jesus." In the study guide in the back of the book, it is suggested to memorize Ephesians 5:15-17: See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. What a powerful passage! If we are commanded to understand what the will of the Lord is, then it must be an attainable thing. We can all know. And then we are to walk in it! The author also suggests that we each contemplate writing a life purpose statement. How did you feel when you read the life purpose statements included in this chapter? Motivated? Ready to write your own? Or did you feel discouraged? If you have written a life statement, would you share it with us? What verses have been influential in defining your life purpose statement? Do you have a life verse?
EIMomOf7	Re: Calm My Anxious Heart ~ Chapter 7	#6	[-]
Posts: 804 (02/25/03 14:17:54) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Trish, when you asked the question "What is His purpose for our lives?",the verse that came to my mind was Phil. 3:10 : "That I may KNOW him, and the POWER of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his SUFFERINGS...." We each have a special "calling" because of our illness, and Piper's words ring so true: "The purpose for suffering is the INTIMACY FACTOR! When you go through suffering with Christ, you come out on the other side (whether on this earth or in heaven) more united; more intimate, more warm, more deep, more authentic, more personal, more real with Christ. You get to know Him better when you suffer with Him!" The purpose for my life is to KNOW HIM...and to know His POWER...and to be truly SATISFIED in Him! This comes through suffering and meditation/prayer. I am finding that Psalm 1:2 gives the "secret" to happiness and life...the "secret" to knowing Him and His power...the "secret" to life purpose and what's important - MEDITATION! Happiness comes not just in reading the Word, but in meditating upon it...not just in meditating upon it, but in DELIGHTING in it! The man who DELIGHTS is the one who is truly blessed! This chapter of the book has been such a blessing, especially as I've worked on writing a "life purpose statement". I encourage everyone to do this and to share their "life purpose" with us all. That would be such a blessing! Phyllis' satement most mirrors my thoughts, but I also summed it all up with a simple "life purpose statement" and a few verses that have "burned in my heart" for a long time, especially for my family. Here it is: "My purpose for living is to SUFFER with Him and to KNOW Him through His Word in MEDITATION so that I might have His POWER to share and to be a "light"...first to my family and then reaching out beyond....that His glory might be known and His joy might be experienced... and spread... for the joy of all peoples." The Lord keeps telling me that I must be a "watchman" in prayer as well, and these two passages have been very special to me: "I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence, and give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth." (Is. 62:6-7) "For Zion's sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth." (Is. 62:1) Amen! Love in Christ, Sherry
Lebenshaus	Re: Calm My Anxious Heart ~ Chapter 7	#7	[-]
Posts: 3369 (02/27/03 20:59:55) Gold Member Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	When I read the life purposes in the book, I did and do feel motivated to write my own... but, I want to ask Sherry, can I copy yours?? Debby "God's mercy and love are chasing you whether you feel it or not. We can rest in that. Join me in rejoicing in His mercy, His lovingkindness, and His commitment that pursues us in every circumstance. We are so blessed!" Ross Robinson
mariejd	Re: Calm My Anxious Heart ~ Chapter 7	#8	[-]
Posts: 323 (03/01/03 01:19:45) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	My life purpose is to share the truth with my life and words. The truth is all that is contained in Gods Word, with the balance that is put there, especially in the word so Jesus, who said that the whole Law and the Prophets are summed up in the commands to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves. To begin with, I wanted to go into missions, and share Gods truth in the 3rd world. (Im actually not sure now but what it is needed just as much here, humanism has so darkened the way, where light used to be in this country.) But anyway, God closed that door for me, and called me instead to pass on His truth effectively to my children. To me, passing on the truth just not just mean teaching people John 3:16. Gods truth cannot be adequately understood without getting into His whole Word. And I wanted my childrens whole lives to be permeated with Gods truth. I wanted their minds steeped in it, so my life purpose has involved motivating my kids to memorize Scriptures, have daily Bible readings in the New and Old testaments, discuss what the Bible teaches in context with the news and daily living, bring it into our home schooling, and even understand Genesis better with creation science (books, tapes, and videos.) Now that my childrens thinking is permeated with Gods Word, and most of them are thinking for themselves, with Gods Word as their home base, my life purpose has expanded to outside the family (which is what I originally had envisioned- only it was not time yet then). God has blessed us with a ministry to 3rd world pastors through our magazines, but our main ministry is U.S. based, passing on Gods truths through our magazines, both to inspire kids to make Gods Word (and not the culture) their basis of truth, and also to help enable Christian parents (mostly home schoolers) to pass on Gods truth to their children in a thorough way, rather than just superficially (ie. not stopping at the Ten Commandments and John 3:16, but taking it all in, with eagerness.) God has also recently given us a way to share His truths in song, both Christmas carols (our last CD), the old hymns, which are so rich in their words, teaching and inspiration (the one we are working on now) and through song writing as well. Not everyone can do this. But please dont be jealous of me- this is Gods small compensation for a hard life that must be lived in bed nearly 24 hours a day, and mostly in a lot of pain. Every life has its compensations- you have many that I do not have. I think the important thing for us all to remember is that our whole lives are a message. Are our lives speaking forth the truth of Gods Word, or are they speaking forth an abberation of His teaching? This is something we all have to think about daily. How faithful am I being to the life message He wants to get across through me? Gods truth is so precious. It is worth devoting our lives to. That is my life purpose. Joy Marie married 20 years to James, with 5 kids: teenagers Josh, Justin, Judah, and Jennaya, and 10-year-old Jonathan. RA and FM Back smashed up in river-rafting accident--confined to bed most of the time--hurts to sit up long--live with lots of pain. 2 Cor 12:9,10 "I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me...for when I am weak, then I am strong." 1 Cor 1:27,28 "God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong...that no man should boast before God."
mariejd	WHat do you want to be remembered for at your funeral?	#9	[-]
Posts: 323 (03/02/03 16:01:28) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	There is just one thing I want to be remembered for on my funeral- that I loved my family and they really felt that love and saw it lived out. I really do love them with all my heart, and they are affected by that even during those times when all I can do is be in bed and love them, and even when I can't live out that love physically with cooking and cleaning and laundry or things like that (which is a great loss to me, but was lost long enough ago that I have gotten used to it). I just hope I will be faithful enough that my tombstone will say, "SHe loved us." Joy Marie married 20 years to James, with 5 kids: teenagers Josh, Justin, Judah, and Jennaya, and 10-year-old Jonathan. RA and FM Back smashed up in river-rafting accident--confined to bed most of the time--hurts to sit up long--live with lots of pain. 2 Cor 12:9,10 "I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me...for when I am weak, then I am strong." 1 Cor 1:27,28 "God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong...that no man should boast before God."
mrstrishch	Re: Calm My Anxious Heart ~ Chapter 7	#10	[-]
Posts: 4148 (03/03/03 05:16:28) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Wow, ladies - how wonderful it's been to read all your thoughts here!! I don't really have anything to add, just wanted to thank you all for being so open, and for encouraging us with your experiences and insights!

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Calm My Anxious Heart ~ Chapter 7

Calm My Anxious Heart ~ Chapter 7

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