As many of you know from our recent blogs, this has been a season of trials for both Sherry and myself. During such times for all of us, we find ourselves seeking rest for our souls to be replenished and restored. As my husband and I have walked through the end of our journey as worship pastor and choir directors at our church this weekend my heart is so full. Full of remembrances, treasured memories, beautiful friendships and  relationships and, of course, a deep sense of loss. Yet as I wrote two weeks ago, I am trusting in God's faithfulness as we face a new and different future in ministry. As this weekend of blessing and sorrow comes to a close I truly find it hard to find words to adequately express what is in my heart. We have been overwhelmed at the outpouring of love, kindness and generosity by members of our choir family and the body of Christ. Truly the love and grace of the Father has poured over our lives throughout these thirty years of ministry. Tonight as we laughed and ate together in our home with our choir, the joy that filled the room and the relationships that spanned the years were an incredible blessing to take in. As we closed our evening together in songs of worship we wept together and lifted our voices in songs of praise with these dear friends whom we have partnered with in ministry for so long. These dear ones have been the fragrance of the sweet aroma of Christ in my life. Through them we have experienced the lavish love of Jesus. I thought my heart would burst as I took in the love in the room for Jesus and one another. Since I was a little girl the Lord has always ministered to my heart and spirit through His songs. Our lives will look very different in the days and months ahead. I'm sure that I will turn to songs of worship often to carry me through and keep my heart focused on the truth and love of Christ as we face this difficult season of change and transition. I began looking for a song to share with you as I realized that I really had few words for a blog.  

       When your spirit is heavy with sorrow at loss it is Jesus alone who can sing over you with words of comfort and hope.  My greatest need in this season is to pause and gaze upon the beauty, the wonder, and the power of Jesus and to rest there. Joy comes when we let the truth of who Jesus is capture our hearts. Then we are left standing in awe and bowing in worship. When we choose to pause and ponder the vast sea of God's greatness, His beauty fills our weary souls and we emerge amazed at His power to transform the brokenness in our lives. When our lives are facing change and trials it is the faithfulness and pure, changeless love of Jesus that sustains us. He alone is the One who can supply our deepest needs.

       Years ago I recorded the hymn "Jesus, I am Resting, Resting" for a CD to go with the Bible Study I had written called "Living Water". Sometimes a song expresses your heart more than words. My prayer as you listen today is that the Lord will use this music to draw you into His water of life. May His truth set you free and reveal the Father's character and loving heart for you. May you draw near to Him and experience the comfort and rest that only His healing presence can bring no matter what you may be facing in your life today. Worship and praise and soaking in God's truth will always sustain us in the difficult seasons of life. And as we marvel at the wonder and mystery of who He is, may our hearts respond in worship of the One alone who is worthy of all the honor, glory and praise. 

Jesus, I am resting, resting
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.


Ever lift Thy face upon me,
As I work and wait for Thee;
Resting 'neath Thy smile, Lord Jesus,
Earth's dark shadows flee.
Brightness of my Father's glory,
Sunshine of my Father's face,
Keep me ever trusting, resting;
Fill me with Thy grace.

Jesus, I am resting, resting
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.




by David B. Hampton, Jean Sophia Pigott

Hear the words of the Lord: 

My precious child, I want you to know that my grace is sufficient and that I truly will provide for your every need…your need to feel sufficient, acceptable, and used.  I see your heart.  I know your desires.  My ways are higher and I see the bigger picture.  Trust me!  Continue running.  Continue upholding my chosen and your beloved friends in prayer…encouraging them.  Be the faithful steward of their gifts and yours, for in due time, when you are truly ready, I will show you yet another path.  The journey I have planned is full of moments that can only come from me.  I am the lover of your soul.  Trust me!  Hold fast!  Be faithful in the call that I have on your life right now – be faithful to do all that I have asked of you.  This includes resting and abiding at my feet.  I desire great things for you.  See, I am doing something good even now!  I do all things well.  I have made you for such a time as this.  It is my plan from before the time you were even born.  I have chosen you for my Kingdom purpose.  I place my desires in your heart!  Wait – Trust in me!

        Each day we are all faced with the choice to trust in God's promises and rest in His faithfulness. God is faithful! 
I know that. Sometimes we have to live it out in ways we would never choose ourselves.
       This week has been one of the most difficult times in my life. My husband and I resigned from our position in worship arts ministry at our church where we have served for 30 years. As leadership made decisions to move in a different direction and vision for worship, the Lord made it clear that the time had come for us to step out in faith. Now we must seek what the Father has for us in our future as we trust that He wants to use the greatest gifting and passions in which He has created us. When I wrote the blog just two weeks ago about "Stepping Out in Faith" in regard to Restore, I only had a glimpse of what was coming in other areas of my life. As we have prayed in recent months, it has become clear that the Lord is calling us to a season of rest and healing and to something new, although He has not yet revealed His plan. As we shared our decision with the body of Christ, we have been so blessed by the encouragement and prayers of those who have journeyed with us for so long. I'm so grateful for the love that has poured over us. He is calling us to trust in His faithfulness, to rest in His character, and to totally depend on His provision of all our needs. We have sensed His leading, but trusting when the cost is so great can be difficult.  As I sought wisdom for our decision I began to look back on my life, even read through some of the older Restore blogs and came across many journals of times when I had to learn to trust in God's faithfulness. Lessons learned through my husbands very serious illness, disappointments and shattered dreams, illnesses and deaths of family members. Through it all He has shown Himself to be faithful. Through it all the Father has drawn me into a more intimate understanding of the depth of HIs love and plans for me.

       Yet, there have been times in my life when trusting has been difficult. I wonder if you are struggling today. 
If we are really honest, sometimes there are times of confusion and even disappointment when we wrestle 
with the faithfulness of God.

Questions come.....
                 Does He really love me? 
                                 He seems so distant.
                                              Is He really in control? 
                                                         How could He let this happen?
                                                                        
  When our lives seem shattered and we are clinging to the pieces and His promises,  
                     will we choose to believe that He is faithful and true? 

 Will we trust Him to meet us in the darkness,
                             the trials, the sorrow, the loneliness, 
                                                        the confusion, the silence...... 

       This I know. God meets the brokenhearted. He will give us enough to make it through each day.                       
God’s Word is true even when we don’t understand it, even when our personal experience doesn’t make sense.  
When I was reading through some of the archives of the "Monday Musings" I came across this "My Beloved" letter that I had written during a very difficult season with my mom's illness. The Lord used it to minister to my heart for these days that my family now faces in our future. I began writing these letters in 2003. They are simply Scriptures that I personalize -  like a love letter written to me from Jesus. That really is what God's Word is for us. I pray that these truths and promises will encourage you in your own faith journey today.

Please take a moment to listen to this beautiful song by Sara Groves and be reminded of God's faithfulness in your life. I am clinging to the truths in these lyrics as I face each day. 

Great is thy faithfulness, 
Lord, unto me
Morning by morning
 I wake up to find,
The power and comfort
of God's hand in mine.

I can't remember a trial or a pain
He did not recycle to bring me gain.
I can't remember one single regret
In serving God only, and trusting His hand.
All I have need of, His hand will provide.
He's always been faithful to me.

I pray that you will trust and rest in God's faithfulness in the days ahead and experience the depths of why He is called "Faithful and True".

       Sometimes we simply must choose walk through the doors He has opened, step into the beauty of the unknown, trust, wait, and rest in the wonder and mystery of who He is. Jesus sees and holds the future and 
He offers a loving hand to lead and guide us along the way. These are truths that I to am clinging to in these days of stepping out in faith.

 This I know…..
All I have need of His hand will provide. 
He’s always been faithful to me.

Resting and Trusting in His Faithfulness,
Kathy




Resources: partially from the archives, blog 4/28/13 
Pinterest photos

As I look around, I realize that it isn’t only the dust bunnies that annoy me, but also the clutter cats!  Don’t be surprised!  They live at your house too! Most people that come into my home wonder how I keep it looking presentable…well, it’s all in ones perspective!  Now, this is not a blog about keeping a clean house, but it is one about creating an environment conducive to peace, tranquility, open communication, and growth.  Your home is your haven.  Is it really?  Or is it more of a whirlwind hotel?

My sweet husband has been under a lot of stress lately with his job, more so than normal.  The other day, I was convicted by the Holy Spirit about the environment of my home.  Was it really a place for him….for me….to unwind, chillax and enjoy peace, tranquility, and rest?  Ouch!  With my busy schedule and his unpredictable hours, our home is often a place of chaos scattered with a binder for this, a tote for that, a folder for this, a stack for these, a pile of papers on the stairs to take up to the office, this project on the table, that project in the studio, and the extra bedroom (a place to stash everything out of sight in a moments notice) ……you understand!  Come on, confess, you’ve been there too! 

It’s been a few weeks since I wrote to you about my table and how I like a pretty table that is inviting and ready to dine.  Well, that just went out of the window this month!  Instead, my table has been full of papers that need attention.  Demands from everybody, everywhere, throughout everyday, (and my phone doesn’t stop either)…for my time, my money, to give gifts, to make decisions, and to pick my brain about all sorts of things!  Now, I do like a good brainstorm session, and like to help people out, but that’s not what I’m talking about.  It’s the drain of constant bombardment of things that really, in the course of eternity, don’t really matter!  I’m not ranting, though it may seem that way.  But our lives have become entangled with the seemingly “urgent” to the point that we all respond or react instead of being proactive and intentional.  My home, like yours I’m sure, has been negatively invaded.  What happened to the peace, rest, and tranquility?  It has no longer become a stress-free zone.  It is a battleground for sanity and calmness.  I can’t even sleep at night for the stressful things running through my mind.  

Many times we feel like we are about to snap!  Is this what God has in mind for the home or our lives?  I think not!

We need to realize that our family, our home, our friendships, our livelihood, and our emotional and spiritual state are all under attack.  I believe more now than ever because the days are drawing nigh until Jesus’ return.

Your home should be a haven, a place where you shed the stressors of the day and kick back and relax, enjoy one another, grow your relationship with the Lord, and provide refuge for friends and family.  Along with foul bombardments and stresses, the sensory experiences in your home impact your mood, your stress level and how you feel. 
                                                   What should we do?      
                                    The answer is simple but the solution is not as easy.  

I would love to have this sign on the front of my house!

            BUT......

                  How does one begin to create a stress-free zone? 
                                       I’m not an expert, but this is what I have found to be true.

• Eliminate Clutter – one of my biggest sources of stress!  When things are out of sorts, I feel like I’m being closed in.  I find it difficult to function being distracted by all the things that need attention.  Sensory overload causes me to be irritable, snappy, angry, and not a very pleasant person to be around.  A simple thing like clearing away the counter or table and filing some papers helps me get back on track.  Picking up and clearing out, I take one room at a time…I start with the easiest because I see quick progress and become more encouraged to press on to the next.  The things that God does are done decently and in order…thus, we should strive to be like him.  

         God is not a God of disorder but of peace...I Corinthians 14:33  He is not a God of confusion either, but of peace.

• Add some “Light” -  Not only should we let in natural sunlight, we should add more “Sonlight” to our day.  Adding light provides a happier and healthier environment.  Living in darkness changes our mood and often brings about forms of depression.  The light of the sun enables our environment to feel larger, airy, and brighter.  Soaking in Sonlight, Jesus, the Light of the world, on a daily basis will shed light on the dark corner’s of our heart.  "For God, who said, "Light shall shine out of darkness," is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ." 2 Corin. 4:6

• Bring in Nature – There’s just something about fresh flowers, living plants, and the soft sounds of nature - Whether it is birds singing outside, the trickle of flowing water, or a loving pet snoring in the corner of the room!  Kinda reminds me of Adam and Eve’s first home.  A garden!  And it was good!

• Aroma – The power of smell is amazing!  It affects your mood.  The area of the brain that processes smell is very close to the part that registers emotion, thus, aromatherapy!  Even the smell of baking bread, or a home-cooked meal can bring on sweet memories and a sense of “home!”  Lavender and fresh linen are two fragrances that I use to help promote a stress-free environment.  My dear friend Dot use to tell me that every home needed fresh flowers, soft lights, and burning candles.  That was all that was especially needed when friends come to visit because if makes them feel loved and special.  I have found her words to be true!   There are a number of verses that deal with the sweet aroma of Christ.  Not only should our homes smell good, but we should be the fragrance of Christ to others.  I find it interesting that it is smell that most often gets my attention, not what I see or hear!  “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place.  For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life… “ 2 Corinthians 2: 14-16.

When my home is more of a stress-free zone, a haven, I find it easier to hear from the Lord.  It becomes a place that is inviting, warm, and people notice it!  In the late 80’s, the message of Mary Crowley, Christian owner and CEO of Home Interior & Gifts, Inc., sank deep within my heart, which led me to open my own business, Cottage Collectibles.  Her message was simply:  A Christian woman’s responsibility is to make a house a haven for all of those who enter it.  Create an environment that reflects Christ and provides warmth and love. 

                                   “She carefully watches everything in her household…” Proverbs 31: 27

Not only should we as women watch over everything (physically) in our home, I think this also pertains to the environment of it.  Please note that I am preaching to myself here!  Even though I know the importance of creating such a space, I find it difficult to keep up the daily routine with the demands and pace of my life.  This huge elephant must be eaten one bite at a time… and sometimes I need a little help!  Brian is so good to help me out!  Men, if you are reading this and you are married, she will be so appreciative if you pitch in and tell her how much you appreciate her efforts to keep the home front a happy place to dwell.

Our homes are an important sacred place!  When I begin to feel like it is simply a whirlwind hotel, that’s when I have to step back and remind myself of the stresses I’m adding to my life and home environment and how that rolls off and plays out on those who enter my home or Brian who lives here too!  Tension dominates and my little home becomes a pit of chaos.  I find myself not even wanting to go there and the pit just gets bigger and deeper.  Not good!

                                                       What has your home become to you? 

 If you are already aware of the battles and fight to protect it, I commend you.  Keep fighting because every day is a battle for it!  If you are struggling to “get it together” or feel like it is neither a stress-free zone nor place of tranquility, I encourage you to turn it over to the Lord and ask for help.  The few suggestions I have written above will also give you a good boost.  I might add that when I seek God first, all of the other stresses fall away.  There’s just a certain peace that He provides; after all, He IS the Prince of Peace!  Invite Him to move in with you while you are here on this earth, to help you with the struggles of daily living.  He says He will abide with us.

Let me also encourage you with this little reminder…Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us!  It’s the ultimate stress-free zone and full of boundless beauty and peace.  No dust bunnies!  We will reign there with Him forever one day!  He also says that we will abide with Him!  

If you need a jump start to restoring order in your home, it first begins with yourself.  How can you possibly take care of others and your home when you are depleted, weary, and worn?  I encourage you to consider taking time away from the stresses of life and join us for a time of restoration, refreshment, and put a little joy back into your life!  Sign up today for the next Restore Retreat, October 10th - 12th.  Remember that change first begins within your own heart.  Click here for more information.

Working toward a Stree-free zone with the Father's help,
Sherry

        

        As many of you know, Sherry and I made a decision in late Spring to step out in faith with Restore Ministries and pursue becoming a non-profit ministry out from under the umbrella of our church. We felt the Lord was moving us to expand the territory of Restore, to be available to minister in other churches and communities where the Lord might choose to open doors. It was a great step of faith for us and it has been an amazing journey so far. 

         As I was praying last night, I was reminded of the story in Joshua 3 about the priests carrying the ark of the covenant. The ark of the covenant represented the very presence, person and promise of God. As the people of Israel set out to cross the Jordan, invade, and possess the land, they could not do it in their own strength. It was God Himself who would go before them as their source of victory. Use your imagination and try to place yourself in that scene. 
 
"And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord---the Lord of all the earth---set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap. So it came about when the people set out from their tents to cross the Jordan with the priests carrying the ark of the covenant before the people, and when those who carried the ark came into the Jordan, and the feet of the priests carrying the ark were dipped in the edge of the water for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the days of harvest, that the waters which were flowing down from above stood and rose up in one heap, a great distance away at Adam, the city that is beside Zarethan; and those which were flowing down toward the sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. So the people crossed opposite Jericho. And the priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan while all Israel crossed on dry ground, until all the nation had finished crossing the Jordan. Joshua 3:13-17

        I remember in 1997 when I went to Israel and visited the river Jordan. At the river on a beautiful day I watched my husband baptize believers in its waters. I can only imagine how the Levite priests must have felt as they came to the overflowing banks of the river carrying the ark on poles on their shoulders. They had to trust to take the step into the water that was covering their feet. Then they saw the Jordan waters part and they had to trust to take the next step. They had to trust that God would provide what they needed to cross into the territory where He was leading them. They came to the edge of the impassable river and had to step into it. God miraculously parted the waters and suddenly the ground became dry. They had to stand still on the dry ground while all the people of Israel crossed. They had to obey, trust and wait in faith. 

      
       Sometimes God calls us to step out in faith, to carry His presence and promises into the territory where He has called us to go. It takes courage. You have to face your fears, you have to take the next step, you have to stand firm on His faithfulness, and you have wait for Him to move. We have seen God provide in amazing ways over the last few months. One of the most daunting things about establishing a ministry is the finances involved. As we have taken the steps toward non-profit, we have been astonished at the governmental and professional fees required and wondered how we could possibly meet that need. But we serve a God of miracles and faithfulness. 

      The Lord has provided for every step along the way with incredible generosity and encouragement from others! 

       The Scriptures are full of people who faced challenges of faith, but chose to step out in obedience and trust in the faithfulness and strength of God.

Consider the words of Paul as he faced the challenges and trials
 of ministry. 

Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that
 we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves,
 but our competence comes from God. 2 Corinthians 3:4-5

Paul cries out, “Who is adequate for these things,” but then 
answers his own question. It is God and God alone.

Our assurance is always in our God.

        We all face formidable obstacles and challenges in our faith
journeys. Perhaps you have prayed and feel the Lord is directing 
you in a different direction. Or maybe you just need to know 
the presence and power of God in a difficult situation that 
you are facing today. Maybe you are wrestling with taking that next
step of faith. God alone can give us the courage to step 
into unpredictable waters, to step into the future that the Father
has planned for us. We can trust that His presence will go 
before us, move within us and press in behind us. We can trust 
that His plans for us are good. Sometimes we just have to take the first terrifying step into the water.

Trusting Him for the next step of faith,
Kathy

We invite you to come and pull away for a weekend of restoration and renewal as you spend time in the richness of God’s Word, prayer, worship and the beauty of His creation. This retreat weekend is designed to help you explore and experience the heart of Jesus found in John 13-15 as we study His last hours with the disciples. When Jesus was about to leave the disciples for heaven, He invited them to join Him in an intimate and powerful union with the words “Abide in Me.” He offers the same life to you. Join us as we open the treasures and gifts waiting for those who choose to answer His invitation. Come, join us and discover the blessedness of a life connected to the Vine, our Savior.
 Click the link below for more details on the website!