Hope and Healing for Moms

Friday, February 2, 2018 Reflections on Celebration of Discipline—The Discipline of Guidance, Part 4 of 4: The Limits of Corporate Guidance Scripture: Excerpt: As we all know, dangers exist in corporate guidance as well as in individual guidance. Perhaps the most menacing danger is manipulation and control by leaders. If corporate guidance is not handled within the larger context of an all-pervasive grace, it degenerates into an effective way to straighten out deviant behavior. There is also danger in the opposite direction. It is possible for a hard-hearted and stiff-necked people to hinder Spirit-inspired leaders. While leaders need the counsel and discernment of the believing community, they also need the freedom to lead. If God has called them to lead, they should not have to bring every detail of life to the community. Another danger is that corporate guidance will become divorced from biblical norms. Scripture must pervade and penetrate all our thinkin...

Tuesday, January 30, 2018               Reflections on Celebration of Discipline—The Discipline of Guidance, Part 2: Corporate Guidance Modeled Scripture: Excerpt: Having once understood the radical implications of being a people under the direct administration of the Holy Spirit, one of the most destructive things we can do is to say, “Sounds wonderful. Beginning tomorrow I’ll live that way!” Such zealotry only succeeds in making life miserable for ourselves and everyone around us. So, rather than sally off to conquer the world of the Spirit, most of us need to begin with more modest steps. One of the best ways we learn is from models of people who have struggled corporately to hear the voice from on high. (Foster, Richard J.. Celebration of Discipline: The Path To Spiritual Growth (pp. 179-180). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.) Devotional: Some wonderful examples of believers who have chosen to...

  Monday, January 29, 2018 Reflections on Celebration of Discipline—The Discipline of Guidance, Part 1 Excerpt: Perhaps the preoccupation with private guidance in Western cultures is the product of their emphasis upon individualism. The people of God have not always been so. God led the children of Israel out of bondage as a people. Everyone saw the cloud and fiery pillar. They were not a gathering of individuals who happened to be going in the same direction; they were a people under the theocratic rule of God. His brooding presence covered them with an amazing immediacy. Patiently God prepared a people and in the fullness of time Jesus came. And with him dawned a new day. Once again a people were gathered who lived under the immediate, theocratic rule of the Spirit. With quiet persistence Jesus showed them what it meant to live in response to the voice of the Father. He taught them that they, too, could hear the heaven-sent voice and most clearly when together. “...

Friday, January 26, 2018 Reflections on Celebration of Discipline—The Discipline of Worship, Part 8 of 8: The Fruits of Worship Scripture: Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as you teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Excerpt: Just as worship begins in holy expectancy, it ends in holy obedience. If worship does not propel us into greater obedience, it has not been worship. To stand before the Holy One of eternity is to change. In worship an increased power steals its way into the heart sanctuary, an increased compassion grows in the soul. To worship is to change. (Foster, Richard J.. Celebration of Discipline: The Path To Spiritual Growth (p. 173). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.) Devotional: To worship is to change. Boy, is that true. If there is one thing that I have pursued over the years it has been to be changed by God...

Thursday, January 25, 2018 Reflections on Celebration of Discipline—The Discipline of Worship, Part 7 of 8: Steps into Worship Devotional: This time in Celebration of Discipline offers practical and important steps that help us as we examine our hearts and attitudes toward worship and seek to understand what it really is. I confess, I have believed over the years, though actually erroneously, that worship was “my” time with God. On the contrary, in fact, worship is the time to glorify Him. The shift He has taught me to make has truly changed me, and in truth it has been in this shift that I have also become more blessed. Pastor Foster outlines practices and attitudes that will help us to reframe our worship time: -           Practice the presence of God. Pray without ceasing. Consecrate a private time with the Lord to prime your spirit for times of corporate worship. -         ...

Good morning, all. Again, our apologies for the gaps at times. I was finishing this devotional yesterday in a hotel room where we brought our children for a short vacation that we had postponed for my grandmothers' funeral when we discovered that our 6-year-old nonverbal son had escaped the room due to our tragic negligence to lock the top bolt on the door. The door was not visible from where we were relaxing, and the children's bunkbeds were inside a cute enclosure--which was where we thought he was. He was mercifully found playing in the game room at the water park hotel, but needless to say we didn't do much else for that morning!! It is always a joy to meet with you here, and for my readers who walk out the parenting of a child with autism, may I just say, I am praying for you (and for all of you!) . Love and blessings!! Wednesday, January 24, 2018 Reflections on Celebration of Discipline—The Discipline of Worship, Part 6 of 8: Avenues into Worship Scripture: ...

Good morning! I am so happy to join together in prayer with you today! Thursday, January 11, 2018 Reflections on Celebration of Discipline—The Discipline of Worship, Part 4 of 8: Preparation for Worship Scripture: Matthew 18:20: For where two or three gather in my name, I am with them. Excerpt: When we are truly gathered into worship, things occur that could never occur alone. There is the psychology of the group to be sure, and yet it is so much more; it is divine interpenetration. There is what the biblical writers called koinonia, deep inward fellowship in the power of the Spirit. This experience far transcends esprit de corps. It is not in the least dependent upon homogeneous units or even knowing information about one another’s lives. There comes a divine melting of our separateness. In the power of the one Spirit we become “wrapped in a sense of unity and of Presence such as quiets all words and enfolds [us] within an unspeakable calm and interknittedness within a v...

Tuesday, January 9, 2018 Reflections on Celebration of Discipline—The Discipline of Worship, Part 2 of 8: The Object of our Worship: The nature of God, leading to confession Scripture: Matthew 4:10 “‘You shall worship the Lord your God     and him only shall you serve.’” Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Daniel 2:20-22 20  Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,     to whom belong wisdom and might. 21  He changes times and seasons;     he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise     and knowledge to those who have understanding; 22  he reveals deep and hidden things;     he knows what is in the darkness,   ...

Good morning! I am so glad you have joined me today. Be blessed as we enter in to the study of the discipline of worship!! Monday, January 8, 2018 Reflections on Celebration of Discipline—The Discipline of Worship, Part 1 of 8: What Worship Is Scripture: Psalm 42:7 Deep calls to deep     at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves     have gone over me. John 4:23 But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. Galatians 4:6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” John 12:32 “…And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” Matthew 4:10 “‘You shall worship the Lord your God     and him only shall you serve.’” Excerpt: “To worship is to quicken the conscience by the holiness of God, to feed the mind with the truth of G...

Saturday, January 6, 2018 I woke this morning with a song in my heart. It is a decades-old praise song from HIllsong, You Have Turned My Mourning Into Dancing. While I was planning on a quiet day of reflection, I just can’t help but study the Word and share. I pray the Word will bless you today as it is blessing me! Scripture: Psalm 30 Joy Comes with the Morning 1 I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up     and have not let my foes rejoice over me. 2  O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,     and you have healed me. 3  O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;     you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit. 4  Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,     and give thanks to his holy name. 5  For his anger is but for a moment,     and...

Friday, January 5, 2018 Reflections on Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster The Discipline of Confession Part 4: A Pastor’s Wisdom on How To Receive a Confession Excerpt: “The Discipline of confession brings an end to pretense. God is calling into being a Church that can openly confess its frail humanity and know the forgiving and empowering graces of Christ. Honesty leads to confession, and confession leads to change. May God give grace to the Church once again to recover the Discipline of confession. (Foster, Richard J.. Celebration of Discipline: The Path To Spiritual Growth (p. 156-157). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.)” Devotional: As always, I am so enriched by reading Richard J. Foster’s wisdom on the spiritual disciplines. He is such a blessing to me and to the body of Christ. Today, he gently outlines the method for receiving confession from other believers. A short synopsis for those desiring to be available to others for this vulnerable rela...

Thursday, January 4, 2018 Reflections on Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster The Discipline of Confession Part 3: The Posture and Persons of Confession Scripture: Hosea 11:4 I led them with cords of kindness, [ a ]     with the bands of love, and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws,     and I bent down to them and fed them. 1 John 4:19 We love because he first loved us. Romans 2:4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? Excerpt: “For a good confession three things are necessary: an examination of conscience, sorrow, and a determination to avoid sin.” – St. Alphonsus Liguori (Foster, Richard J.. Celebration of Discipline: The Path To Spiritual Growth (p. 151). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition.) Devotional: I loved the passages today outlining ...

Wednesday, January 3, 2018 Good morning! And may I just share that today is my mother’s birthday! Happy Birthday, Mom! I love You and pray a special blessing over you! Friends, I am so excited to share from Celebration of Discipline today. I pray you are able to also feel excited about what the Lord has ministered about confession. May your day be crowned with peace, joy and love as you study His truth and His Word, and pray for our children together. God bless you today! Reflections on Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster The Discipline of Confession Part 2: The Authority of the Believer to Forgive Scripture: John 20:23 “…   If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” Isaiah 61:6 But you will be called the priests of the LORD; You will be spoken of as ministers of our God You will eat the wealth of nations, And in their riches you will boast. Revelation 1:6 …and He has m...