No place like home…

I am home on California ground. It is sunny and beautiful and makes me think of the saying “there is no place like home.” But, it also makes me think of all the beautiful women in others places in the world, who Jesus loves. Women like those I had the privilege to meet and be with in Eastbourne, England… the past few days. Women, like myself, who want to know Jesus more, and want to please Him in all they do. And, just like me, they struggle with making Him first, seeing past their own wounding, and moving in step with His Spirit’s life within them.

Yes, we are all so much the same. We may have different ways to say things and different locations to live in…but in the end, we are made in the image of God for Him alone.

Today’s Truth: 1 Corinthians 7: 19b, 23, Galatians 1:10

“Keeping God’s commands is what counts. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.”

“Am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

No matter where we live, women are quite adapt at living to please each other and other people. We are caretakers, as mothers, wives, daughters and friends. We grew up taking care of our dolls and pets, then our friends and families….we care, that is good. When care goes bad is when we care so much that our care giving gets out of balance by people becoming more important to us, then what God has for us.

This is a hard learned lesson, isn’t it? The art of saying “no”, when “no” means following God’s lead, is not comfortable or easy. But, if we say “yes” when God’s leading is “no”, we are living to make people happy and comfortable with us. I thought of this long and hard on my flight home from the UK.

I thought of the many things I do because it’s expected of me. I reflected on how some of those things really might not be by God’s leading, but by routine and expectation. I was saddened to think that I often really do get led around on a leash…by people’s desires of me. This is no one’s responsibility but my own, and as I reflect on the ONE I belong to this morning, I am encouraging you to do the same.

Paul made some very key points for us to ponder:

1. Following God is what counts. Following His way, His truth,  His commands.

2. My life is not my own. I was created for God’s purposes.

3. When I live to please people, I cease living for the purpose I was created for.

I would like to add to this the reminder that though we don’t live to “please others” we have also been created for relationship with one another, and community, body of Christ, living. This connecting to one another is all planned by God. Each of us has a part, a place and a way to honor and follow God in relationship with others.

My part, being up front, or being in the public through the written word, does not make me a more special part of the body. I am just one of the body parts. Those of you who faithfully prayed for me as I went to England, were doing YOUR part as part of God’s work, body of Christ work. I thank you. Without each other, we are just off on our own, doing our own thing. God planned for us to all work together like this.

Thank you for your support and prayers. Some of you know I got sick before leaving and started medication for bronchitis. I am amazed that God sustained me through the marathon of travel across the world, speaking and sleeping in places unfamiliar to me. I am not completely well, but getting there. God held me up in England, seriously, those women had no idea I was sick! Amazing grace and answers to your prayer.

And, as always, thanks to the women who often travel with me…this trip, Alison Contois…served God as she came with me, watching out for me, and being a companion to me in a foreign country. She also made sure to remind me to take my medicine, and even brought some home remedies for me to do…which helped fantastically.

I thought you might like to see a response from a British woman that I already received this morning. It is testimony like this, that can make you certain that God answered your prayers!

Debbie,

You spoke so sensitively about your experiences and really made me feel like someone understood my pain. I have been a Christian since I was little and have been busy doing everything that I should but, like you shared, when my whole world fell apart a year ago, there wasn’t much left. I knew everything in my head but it wasn’t real in my heart. I’ve been on the verge of depression for the last year and I’m not really sure how I have got through. I think it is only through the care and support I have had from a few good friends that have never stopped loving me. But when you spoke on Saturday, you really spoke to my heart. It was such an encouragement, and by God’s grace I will get through this and be a stronger person for it.

You have really encouraged me to look at my Bible as if I’ve never read it before! I’ve started with Psalm 139.

So my dear friend, part of me in Christ, I thank you for your support and I thank you for your prayers. Together today let’s be reminded that it is God whom we serve, God whom we must follow, God whom we must please…not people. Look Up to Him today. Ask Him what serving Him this one single day, looks like in your own little corner of the world, in your own God given life, and in the quiet places of your own heart and mind.

I love you in Christ!

Debbie

Just for Fun: Here are some British phrases as compared to ours…

• Mum=Mom
• Scruncheled= Crumpled
• Pound=Dollar
• Flick Over=Turn over
• Boot=trunk of a car
• Bonnet= hood of a car
• Lets have a go= want to try?
• biscuit=cookie
• lets have a cuddle= hug
• knickers= women’s underwear
• panties= women’s  lingerie type of underwear ( racier)

You can imagine their surprise when I said we needed to put on our “big girl panties” and move on! 🙂

And they had just as many Starbucks as we do in America!

One of my favorite things was getting to worship under Lou Fellingham. I have had her album for a year now, love her worship music and she is an amazing worship leader. Here is a photo of us!

Today’s Prayer

Father, I thank you for making us part of one another. I am so grateful for your grace, your love and the fact that as women who belong to you, we can learn a different way to live. Make us wildly in love with you Jesus.