Blog Archives

We'll be back Oct. 9th

9/25/2017

Monday Musings Devotional Blog will return Monday, October 9, 2017.

We are taking a break this week to make final preparations for our weekend retreat, Awaken to the Pursuit of the Bridegroom, and the following week to recoup as we are just getting back the night before!

Prayers for the women attending, and Kathy and I, would certainly be appreciated as we seek to enter into the presence of our Beloved Bridegroom.

It appears that this retreat theme has become one of popularity. We are sorry if you tried to register and found that you could not. Registration is closed. We are now full!

Please consider joining us March 10, 2018 for our next retreat with the same theme but geared toward Mother/Daughter (in-law, aunt, etc...) type get away! Don't wait until the last moment to register! We have already opened up registration for that date in March! Space is limited!! We hope you will join us.
For His Glory,
Sherry & Kathy

Click for March 10, 2018 Registration

0 Comments

Patiently Waiting

9/17/2017

0 Comments

I am amazed at how God always seems to pull through, even at the last hour! His timing is always perfect!

It has been a full week and the upcoming weeks even more full with our retreat approaching. Please continue to pray for Kathy and I as we prepare our heart and mind for teaching, worship, and fellowship. If you haven't registered and are planning to attend, TODAY, Monday, Sept. 18th is the deadline. There is a link at the end of the blog to register!

The verse in Isaiah is so pertinent for me right now. It seems I'm always scratching my head, wondering when He will intervene. I (We) must have patience!

Judy Ingle has written this weeks Monday Musing with such authenticity. It is my prayer that you will be blessed as you wait patiently on the Lord to fulfill your need and desires. ~ Sherry

WAIT
in
QUIET
PATIENCE!

Wait in quiet patience!

Recently, in many different ways, this imperative keeps commanding my attention to wait patiently in expectation of what God is going to do. Have you ever found yourself in a place where you do not know what you are supposed to be doing, wondering where you are in your spiritual journey? This seems to be the place I am in right now. I'm believing I have a heart that is desiring and willing to serve the Lord, yet I am in a quandary, not knowing what my "role" is or what "role" I'm supposed to play. This kind of thinking may be more common than I suspect but I keep asking myself: "Where do I go from here?" I seem to stay so perplexed by this nonsensical thought process; then, without realizing what’s happening I have the tendency to retreat or sink into despair. Could it be that I am experiencing fear as I anticipate or hesitate in moving forward or am I being reluctant to leave my comfort zone?

"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed;
we are perplexed, but not forsaken;
cast down, but not destroyed."
2 Corinthians 4:8

I must admit my comfort zone is not the happiest or safest place to be in. Only in the center of God's will is there safety, security, real happiness and perfect peace. I know this! So what is the problem?! How am I missing the obvious? Oh how I (we) need wisdom. In the midst of so many uncertain circumstances, wisdom from on high can heighten our awareness of present or impending distress. At these times we are most vulnerable and we can only glean this Wisdom from God.

"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure,
then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated,
full of mercy and good fruits,
without partiality, and without hypocrisy." James 3:17

Our Heavenly Father knew the struggles we would have with our thoughts and emotions and that is why the scriptures are so vital to our lives. He knew how difficult it would be for us to be the " ideal us." Our inner voice that so readily and constantly speaks to us must align with God's word for our behavior to then line up with actions that make us into the masterpiece that God designed. So... after much introspection and welcomed instruction from God's word, I confess that the problem lies within me!

"For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh [my human nature, my worldliness -my sinful capacity.] For the willingness [to do good] is present in me, but the doing of good is not." Romans 7:18 Amplified

It is not deliberate acts but those "little foxes" that so easily creep into life. Like failing to wait patiently and quietly for God's voice and His direction, and then waiting in faith and praying for God to reveal His truth because He promises to guide us into all truth. Then, we can wait quietly expecting His intervention. I read a statement that caused me to pause, "Untrusting and unfaithful waiting is an insult to our Lord."

I am so realizing that my life with all it complexities is to be spread out before the feet of Jesus. I use the words spread out instead of lay out purposefully because surrendering to Him dictates my spreading it all out with nothing hidden and no selfish agenda. I have come to the end of myself! Thank the Lord!

Matthew Henry writes: "When God is coming towards us with His favors we must go forth to meet Him with our praise."
His gracious favors have absolutely been bestowed on me! How naturally, lovingly, and with unstaggering confidence in Him should I go forth to meet Him with praise.

"Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart; wait, I say, on the Lord.” Psalm 27:14

I am going to proceed with resolution of heart in the strength of this verse! To be of good courage is not to despair and as I make a personal effort to be strong and my lips filled with praise, He will be strengthening my heart as He promised. Why have I allowed myself to be so complacent and not recognize it sooner? It is only because of sin. Sin will always separate us from God.

In my heart I will sing: "My heart is fixed, O God my heart is fixed: I will sing and give you praise." Psalm 57:7

As I was writing this blog, even before the final draft, God intervened through a godly person to move me ever so gently from my comfort zone. To experience God's hand reaching down even as I was writing filled me with amazement and a heart full of thankfulness. God's amazing grace heard the cry of my heart! The Lord used a preacher/friend to nudge me forward in a most unexpected way. Was it difficult? Yes! Was I a failure? Somewhat! Embarrassed? Definitely! Do I know why I botched it? Not Yet! Will I give up? No! Will I try again? Only through the Grace of God upholding me!
Philippians 4:13 tells me: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

As I resign to do God's will, often in waiting, I will be asking Him to remind me if I neglect to acknowledge His presence and my daily walk with Him. I am, of all people, indebted to the goodness of God.

So...
"Our (my) eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until He has mercy upon us (me)." Psalm 123:2

"I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, and out of the miry clay,
and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God."
Psalm 40; 1-3

Have I got this? I know I have Him! I am clinging to the only hope I have, Jesus Christ. My grandmother and my mother have so often said how the devil knew he could not get their soul but worked hard to get their mind. I’m finding it so vital to hold every thought captive.

"Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5

As I continue on this journey of life, I will ask the Father to banish from my recollection everything that is untrue, unhealthy, or of no value and ask that He not allow me to try and wiggle my way out of His unrelenting watchful eye over me. May He settle truth in my heart, clarity to my muddled thinking and peace to my disconcerted heart.

We are called to be a light but how can we shine if we allow "stuff" to dim our glow? I read once that we have no oil well springing up from inside us; even in happy times we cannot give the light of the Lord unless we are given the "fresh oil of grace" from Him. The" oil of grace" which is joy, truth, love, holiness and knowledge. These qualities are all beams of His Holy Light and we can never obscure the darkness until we-personally- in private, receive the oil from the Holy Spirit.

In closing, I must say that I (we) need to be daily aware of the fact that a frizzy of emotions will greet me (us) each morning and recognize that my (our) heart is vulnerable to all kinds of extremes and my (our) only defense is a prepared heart! As the demands of the day hover I (we) must be reminded to early reverence our Heavenly Father, acknowledge His presence, listen for His voice and desire the "Oil of Grace" to fill our thirsty souls so we can carry His light.

"The external world is always in flux-under the curse of death and decay.
But there is a gold mine of peace deep with in you, waiting to be tapped." ~ Sarah Young

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight,
O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer." Psalm 19:14

May I wait in quiet patience and expectation and allow the Lord to fill-up my idle moments with thanksgiving and praise to Him. He is worthy!!!

In His love,
Judy Ingle

The deadline for the Restore Retreat for women is Monday, September 18, 2017. If you are considering coming, today is it! There are one or two more rooms available. Click here to register!

You can sign up for Restore's Monday Musings Blog to come directly to your inbox!

Just enter your email in the subscriber box and then reply to the invitation email you will receive. Please follow all directions to completion until it says Congratulations! You are subscribed! We need to know that you are not a robot and want to protect your email address.

Feel free to share on your social media!

0 Comments

Promises of Hope in our Suffering

9/10/2017

0 Comments

Recently, I read a blog that encouraged the reader to stop and write a list of the things you learned this summer before moving into the next season. I thought that was a great idea and so I began to try to write my list and got quite overwhelmed at the season of loss that this summer has been. I’m still processing what I’ve learned, but I do think it would help me to really live intentionally and look for lessons in my journey along the way. In the past there have been years when I am just so grateful to survive through December that I simply move on to goals for the new year without taking the time to pause, reflect and acknowledge the new things I have learned.

For me, this summer has been more about faith lessons lived. It has not been so much about learning new things, but living out what my journey has taught me in the hard trials of life. It has been about trying to love well and looking for some purpose in the suffering. During the summer, I have written several times about the death of my dear friend Melissa from cancer.

A few weeks ago a friend who ministered with us in our church and whose children I teach was found robbed and murdered. He was a faithful, godly husband and father with a servant's heart. The suffering and grief at such a violent crime against people you love stunned us all. We can become numb to the violence on the nightly news, but when it touches those in your circle of friends, the pain pierces your heart...breaks your heart. I found myself wrestling with what to say and how to respond to a pain so deep.

There are no words. I’ll never forget going to their home after the news and the daughter whom I had taught this summer just holding on to me...I thought she would never let go. She just needed to be held. No words were necessary. She simply needed to be loved.

Then just this week I received a phone call from another dear friend. She had news and it wasn’t good. Breast cancer. I was so shocked. We had sat and prayed and cried together over our friend this summer. And now the battle was hers to fight with the strength of the Lord. Again, I found myself searching for words. I just cried with her and listened and prayed.

I’m certain that everyone reading this blog has been touched in someway with the pain of suffering. If not personally for you this summer, we have all witnessed the horrific flooding of hurricane Harvey in Texas and now Irma bringing such devastation in it's path. Watching the tragedy of these storms grips our hearts and we long to respond in a way that makes a difference.

Here are some of the lessons lived out for me personally this summer and as I have tried to minister to those I love.

Suffering and pain knows no boundaries. It breaks the heart and takes time to heal.
People grieve differently. Don’t put your own experience and expectations onto others.
Reach out - not just with hugs and words of love and comfort which are so important, but also with real physical help. A meal, an errand, a gift basket filled with love and goodies, an offer to help with funeral arrangements, financial assistance, housing for out of town family, an invitation to your home for a meal.
We need the body of Christ when crisis comes. Being involved in a community of believers offers you a way to serve. The same community may support you as well in your own time of need. I have seen it function so beautifully this summer.
God loves to display His glory through the church.
There’s power in prayer.
God uses the wounded and broken.
Our suffering can bring glory to God...that is its ultimate purpose.

My summer has led me to read a wonderful book given to me by my friend Dale a while back. It’s entitled “Why a Suffering World makes Sense” by Chris Tiegreen. In it he writes, “God’s glory doesn’t fade. It’s eternal. The honor we bring to him in the crucible of life will stand as a trophy forever. The character he reveals to us in our deepest trials will give us glimpses of the unfathomable Almighty that many earthbound creatures will perhaps never see. Though the pain of this world is agonizing and devastating, the costs of experiencing it still can never outweigh the benefits of the glory he reveals about himself or the glory of the character he develops in us.”

So I find I am emerging from summer in the deep reality of some of the lessons of God’s glory and the character he is developing in me. When I reflect on my life, not just this summer, I find that it is in the seasons of deep pain, loss and suffering that I have come to know and love the character of my God. He is the great comforter and healer. Had I not known pain, I would not have understood the depth of His tender mercy and grace. I would not have known that He truly will carry and sustain me in the storms of life. In my weakness, I have experienced His power and strength.

His promises are true.

Had I not known suffering, I would not have experienced the wonder of being held by the One who sees my desperate need. In the suffering, He is carving and molding His character of mercy, love, and compassion within me. When I have experienced it, lived it, and learned the lessons He has laid out for me, then I can offer them in faith to others when they are ready to receive it.

In the mystery of God's grace, there have also been rich blessings along this path of pain.

~ Friendships deepen when you walk together and share in the struggles of life.
~ It is an honor and privilege to bear one another's burdens.
~ The process stirs up beautiful memories in your heart and helps you turn your focus to the blessings in life. We often take relationships for granted. It's good to remember how they have molded us and changed us for good.
~ Family comes together in times of suffering. That is a treasure to cherish!
~ Babies seem to always show up to bring smiles, laughter and joy! They have been such good medicine for my soul in this season.
~ The suffering and wounds can shape us more into the image of Christ, if we will choose to surrender to the work of His hands.

It helps to turn our focus from the pain to God’s purpose in it. Our questions of why those we love have suffered such pain may never find answers. But, healing can come when we ask God to show us His purpose in the suffering.

God's goodness goes deeper than our pain.

There is hope in His promises.
There is hope in eternal blessing beyond the pain.
There is hope in eternal glory.

When the suffering seems relentless, we have to relentlessly trust that Jesus, who bore the deepest sorrow,
will reveal Himself to us in it.

Sometimes it may feel like we are simply hanging on, trying to survive. That's ok. It helps to hang on to His promises and trust that we will see the tender, loving hand of God guide us through the pain to the other side. Placing our hope in the character of Jesus leads us to that place of learning to trust, even in the darkness, even when the storms of life overwhelm us. Jesus is faithful. Childlike trust is our gift to God.

Had I not experienced brokenness in my past, I would not have known the beauty found in the restoring work of my loving Father God.

I thought that I had ended the blog series of My Beloved Letters. They are paraphrases of Scripture, personalized that the Lord has used to minister to my spirit. As I have found myself meditating on the Word this week, He has written a new one on my heart. These are Scriptures of promise, hope and eternal blessing.

It is my prayer that they will encourage you in your own season of brokenness and suffering whenever you face it. Carry these truths in your heart. He offers His presence and His promises to sustain us.
There is power in His Word.
We are faced with the choice to let it shape us or not.

My Beloved

Come, My child, let Me lavish My great love on you. I have committed Myself to you forever,
in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion and in faithfulness.
Because of your love for Me you can know that I will work all things for your good.
I will heal your broken heart and bind up your wounds.

Do you need rest, My beloved? It is found in Me alone.
Your hope comes from Me. Put your hope in my unfailing love.
My delight is in you. Pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened
so that you may know the hope to which Jesus has called you,
the riches of Jesus’ glorious inheritance in the saints.

When you place your hope in Me, I will renew your strength.
You will soar on wings like eagles, you will run and not grow weary, you will walk and not be faint.
I am the God of hope. Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Trust in Me and I will fill you with all joy and peace so that you may overflow with hope
by the power of My Holy Spirit.

I know the plans I have for you; plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you a hope and a future. Hope will not disappoint you,
because I have poured out My love into your heart by the Holy Spirit whom you have been given.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer,
I am the God of all grace who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ.
After you have suffered a little while I will restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

There will be a joyous reunion. The redeemed of the Lord will return
with singing and be filled with everlasting joy and gladness.
My beloved, hold unswervingly to the hope that you profess, for I have promised and I am faithful.
One day I will wipe every tear from your eyes. There will be no more death or mourning
or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
Behold, I am making all things new...These words are faithful and true.”

1 John 3:1, Hosea 2:19-20, Romans 8:28, 35, 37-39, Plsalm 147:3 Isaiah 43:1, 1 Corinthians 2::9, 10, Psalm 62:5; Ephesians 1:18,
Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 13; 7:11; 40:31, Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 15;13, 5:5; 12:12,1 Peter 5:10, Isaiah 51:11, Hebrews 10:23, Rev. 21:4-5

Resting in hope and the promises of Jesus,
Kathy

Resources: Chris Tiegreen, Why a Suffering World makes Sense, Photos Pinterest, Emily Freeman

One of the greatest promises of hope that we have is found the message of Jesus as our heavenly Bridegroom.
He pursues us, loves us, gives us purpose and one day will bring us home to celebrate the Marriage Feast of the Lamb and spend eternity with Him.

We invite you to join us for a weekend of rest, time in the Word, worship and hope as we seek to discover the rich promises we enjoy as the Bride of Christ.

There are still spots left for our September 30- Oct. 1 Retreat!
Sign up today. Deadline is September 18.
You'll come away encouraged, restored and full of hope!

Click to Register for September 30th Retreat

Click for more Retreat Details!

0 Comments

Incase You Haven't Heard!

9/3/2017

0 Comments

Friends, today's Monday Musing is posted especially for you, "Incase you haven't heard!"
Not all of our subscribers are on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram and the only information they see comes into their email inbox. So please be patient as we share once again information about the "Awaken to the Pursuit of the Bridegroom" retreat that is quickly coming up! There are also other aspects of the ministry in which you may not be aware. Please continue reading!

Notice that we have 2 retreats scheduled. September 30th is open to all women and the registration has been extended until September 19th. We are praying that you will consider joining us as we learn more about the Jewish customs and how they relate to Jesus, our soon coming Bridegroom. We, as the church, are His Beloved Bride. During this retreat, we will learn about our position in Christ, divine passion for Him and from Him, as well as His purpose for our lives. This will be a retreat that you won't want to miss! This past year we offered this theme as a "day away" event. We found that the material was so rich and abundant that we needed to spread it out over two days! AND...you have been asking for another overnight retreat. So here it is! Come join us Saturday, Sept. 30 - Oct. 1. We have a few rooms still available!

Click to Register for Sept. 30th Retreat

Also...Coming March 10, 2018 is another retreat that we have dedicated as a Mother/Daughter overnight retreat. Bring your daughter or daughter in-law. Or bring your mom! If that can't happen for you, bring your niece or aunt! Perhaps you have a special woman in your life whom you love as a daughter or consider your 2nd mom! We don't want to leave you out. It is advised that younger ladies at least be 15 years or older! Registration for the March retreat is NOW OPEN. Talk of this retreat has been very popular and we expect the spots to go fast. That's why we have opened the registration date so early. Space is limited, so if you are interested, don't wait until you have spent all of your money for Christmas! Go ahead and register! We'd love to see you. We have space for only 15 couples!

Click here to Register for March 10th Retreat

Many of you have also asked about another Restore Tea Party. We have heard you and it's on our agenda for fall 2018. As we pray and seek God's desire for Restore Ministries, we will keep you posted. We also ask that you continue to join us in prayer as we continue to minister to the hearts and souls of women through our retreats, every day ministry, and our blogs. Our desire for you as we design retreats for the heart from the heart:

Bathe yourself in His Word, worship, prayer, friends and laughter!
Embrace the Word through creative Biblical teaching.
Soak in spiritual truths and let the Holy Spirit minister to your soul.
Engage in authentic worship as you are "washed over" with a Tapestry of Praise.

The mission of Restore Ministries is to provide a ministry that offers opportunities to awaken our passion and restore our deepest yearning to know Christ more intimately. We seek to minister creatively to the heart and spirit through retreats, Biblical teaching, and the arts. We encourage believers and seekers to experience the depth of God’s Word, to draw close to the Lord in quiet, prayer, intimate worship and to explore what it means to be restored into the masterpiece that God designed for your life. We believe that the Lord wants to restore and redeem the brokenness, the wounds, and the weariness of our souls, as we find our wholeness in Him. It is our desire to provide a ministry permeated with the love and grace of Jesus Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, equipping believers in the transforming work of God in our lives.

If you are unable to attend any of these retreats and want to partner with us in ministry, please know that there are many ways to help.

Help spread the word about Restore Ministries. Share or Like us on your social media. This is our only avenue of advertising. It is our desire to reach women beyond our familiar circles. We are available to lead retreats for other churches in any area, speak at conferences, or workshops. We can tailor-make retreats! All retreats are designed to be an oasis for women to pull away and soak in the Word, God’s beauty, glorious music and worship and extended seasons of prayer for the glory of God. See Book Us! in the menu bar or click on this link! www.restore-ministries.net/book-us.html
Pray for us. Blogging can be a daunting task and we only want to write what God wants to speak! It takes many hours for us to create blogs because our blogging is different from other types of blogs! We call ours a devotional blog because it is designed to turn your focus and devotion toward God. You can also pray for us as we create events/retreats, study, and remain faithful followers of Christ. Pray for us in our "secular jobs." The nature of our work (since we are both musicians & educators) is full of performance based activity and calls for much energy, time, and creative energy. Pray for our families, relationship with husbands, and involvement with our church. We also ask prayer for our partnership in ministry. We have worked together for over 25 years are are STILL friends! LOL! We both count this as God's blessing as He has truly woven our lives together for His Glory!
Contribute so that other ladies may be able to attend. We have set up the Melissa Memorial Fund (www.restore-ministries.net/melissas-memorial-fund.html) to help offer partial scholarships for women who are in financial hardships. If you have need and feel God leading you to participate in one of our retreats, please contact us. If you are in a position to help others, please know that we are a 501c3 Not for Profit Organization and your donations are tax deductible. Also, if you'd like to contribute to the ministry directly, we have a special link for you. See below:

Melissa's Memorial Fund

Ministry Donation Here

Get inspired!
Visit the tabs under "Retreats" in the menu bar to see photos of past events! Or click the Photo Gallery button to get a glimpse. Come, Join us! Bask in worship, prayer, fellowship, and the study of God's Word!

Photo Gallery

Renew your heart of worship ~ Transform your mind with the Word ~ Rest your body and soul!

As always, it is with much gratitude to God and with humble hearts that we offer ourselves to the work of the Lord and His ministry. We are appreciative and grateful for your prayers, support, and participation!

As our beloved former pastor, Donald Tabb says, "God's ministry done in God's way will not lack for God's supply!"
We believe this to be true! God has ALWAYS been faithful to us personally and with Restore Ministries.

For His Glory,
Sherry & Kathy

0 Comments

We'll be back Oct. 9th

Patiently Waiting

Promises of Hope in our Suffering

Incase You Haven't Heard!

Archives

Categories