Dear Friends,
We are inviting you to participate in our upcoming events:
WOMEN'S NIGHT OF WORSHIP
and
A FEAST FOR YOUR SOUL HOME BIBLE STUDY SERIES
(space limited for the study)

Below you will find our Informational YouTube Video so that you will know what to expect and all of the particulars!
Here is the link incase you are unable to access it from your device:  https://youtu.be/Z27jfluWy3Y

ONE TIME REGISTRATION FOR WOMEN'S NIGHT OF WORSHIP
and/or
A FEAST FOR YOUR SOUL HOME BIBLE STUDY SERIES

Greetings Everyone!

We just wanted to let you know to be watching for some things that are upcoming!
Here is a glimpse of a new event that will take place each month (except Dec.). Beginning September 7, 2018,  we will gather women from across the body of Christ on one Friday night each month to come together for a feast. A literal feast of food, but also a feasting on the living Word, Jesus Christ!

Restore has always been a ministry in which women from many different churches have participated together through our retreats, nights of worship and teas. We would like to offer an opportunity to experience this amazing community of women more often. Meeting only once a month allows you time to participate in studies at your local church, but also gather with women from across the community and the body of Christ. We have much to learn from one another in the work the Father is doing within us. We will come together to share our hopes, our dreams, our struggles, our questions, and seek God's truth as we delight in the words of Jesus. ​We also will explore and study some of the feasts in the New Testament in which Jesus participated and the lessons He taught us at those feasts.

Registration is not yet open, but keep watching, waiting, and praying for us as we continue this summer to prepare for our time together!  We ask you to SAVE THE DATE for our Women's Night of Worship kick-off for the study.

Restore has always been a ministry in which women from many different churches have participated together through our retreats, nights of worship and teas. We would like to offer an opportunity to experience this amazing community of women more often. Meeting only once a month allows you time to participate in studies at your local church, but also gather with women from across the community and the body of Christ. We have much to learn from one another in the work the Father is doing within us. We will come together to share our hopes, our dreams, our struggles, our questions, and seek God's truth as we delight in the words of Jesus. ​

So we invite you to join us!
Come to the Feast and savor God’s Word as we listen to the stories of Jesus
when He lived and walked among us. Each month we will gather at His Table
 for study, worship, communion, prayer, and feasting as we
celebrate God's abundance in community.​

Sherry and I will be spending the summer months writing this new Feast for Your Soul Bible Study. We will explore and study some of the feasts in the New Testament in which Jesus participated and the lessons He taught us at those feasts. Therefore, we will be taking a summer break from the Monday Musings Blog to prepare. We would be so grateful for your prayers as we seek the heart of the Father for this new Restore Ministries Study.

Are you a regular blog reader? We encourage you to explore the blog archives found on the right side of your screen on the website. Our Restore Ministry blogs began in 2013! There are many inspiring and encouraging blogs for you to enjoy this summer and throughout the year. And we would love to hear from you about your favorites!

Maybe you're thinking, "What about the Restore Retreat? I was planning to attend one this year."  We had a spring retreat in March and we are sorry you missed it.  It is our desire to continue to retreat with you; however, our plans for the fall have shifted.  Restore retreats are the heart of this ministry!  And although we are not planning one, we would love to bring a Restore Retreat to your group or church!  Go to the "Book Us" section found on the website menu
to see all of the different retreat themes that are available and contact us. We would love to hear from you! 

More details and dates will follow in the coming months about our Feast for Your Soul Bible Study...and we are cooking up some surprises, too!  So keep looking for Restore posts!

Feasting on Jesus,
Kathy and Sherry

In the last few weeks my mind has been flooded with thoughts of our years of ministry together. Donald was like a spiritual father to me. My own father died suddenly of a heart attack so young and I remember looking outside my kitchen window that day we came home from the hospital and up drove Donald in his truck. I just collapsed into his arms. How did he even know? But he was there. Through the years he was always there to counsel and guide me.
He even baptized me and our children.

Donald loved the Savior like no one I’ve ever met. His driving passion was to lead others to make the wonderful discovery of knowing Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. He had the heart of an evangelist to save the lost. He preached the Word faithfully and powerfully, but always bathed His message in the love and grace of His Lord. I’ve never known anyone else who could quote Scripture like Donald. The Word just poured out of Him. He was our pastor, preacher, advocate, counselor, teacher, friend, leader, advisor and mentor through all those years. He loved our music, but he also supported me in other pursuits such as teaching and writing. 

Donald loved the choir and always encouraged us to bring excellence to the Lord as we sought to lead the hundreds of children, youth and adults whose lives became a part of ours through the years because of the “yes” we said that day. There were lots of fun times and laughter and many feasts through the years too, because Donald was a great cook. He especially loved to cook all that fish he caught for the staff and made delicious homemade biscuits.

As you can imagine, working together in ministry for so long wasn’t always easy. Sometimes we disagreed as we made plans for the services and ministry endeavors. We served through the difficult years of transition and change in worship for the evangelical church in the 80’s and 90’s. Ministry can be hard, and you just have to learn to press through. Donald was there to nurture the faith of a young, strong willed woman, wife and mom trying to find her way and offer grace in this life with Jesus and ministry in the church.

Along with the times of joy, there were also many tears and some long, hard discussions and he was usually right.
But when he wasn’t, there were always the words that came, “Please forgive me. You know I love you.”
​That was one thing I always knew about this man of God. He loved me and I loved him.

Donald retired years before we made the decision to leave the Chapel after thirty one years of ministry. We felt so uncertain of our future at that time. Once again, Donald was there to love and encourage us. The last time I saw Donald was Easter Sunday morning. He had come to worship and hear the choir at the wonderful Community Bible Church where we now serve. I remember looking at Donald's beaming face listening to the choir and singing the beautiful hymn that he had taught me. My last vision of him is singing...

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, all fear is gone.
Because I know, He holds the future.
And life is worth the living, just because He lives.
​
And then, a month later Donald went home to be with Jesus. We closed out his memorial service with that hymn.

I wish I knew how many funerals and weddings we had the privilege of doing together through the years.  Donald preaching the gospel, me singing, and Ken at the keyboard leading worship. 

Donald always told me that he wanted me to sing “It is Well with My Soul” at his funeral. When the time came, I wasn’t sure how I would make it through the emotions that I felt.
I loved him and his dear family so much.

 I asked so many to pray and the Lord by His grace carried me. As I looked out over the huge gathering of 1600-1800 people, my heart soared with love for the Savior and for those who had gathered for the love of this man, and I was able to sing the glorious truths in this beloved hymn.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, 
when sorrows like sea billows roll; 
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, 
It is well, it is well with my soul. 

It is well with my soul, 
it is well, it is well with my soul. 

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! 
My sin, not in part but the whole, 
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, 
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! 

And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, 
the clouds be rolled back as a scroll; 
the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, 
even so, it is well with my soul.

One day…. We will all be together again! 
​
For the service, we gathered a choir together of about eighty people who had sung with us through the years.
They came from all over and we sang....

“To God be the Glory, for the things He has done.
With His blood He has saved me, with His power He has raised me…
To God be the Glory, for the things He has done.”

That same week we had two other funerals and a wedding. It was quite a week! I think there’s a movie with a similar title… Our week could have been titled 3 funerals and  a wedding - and Ken's piano students' recital! 

It is such a privilege to be a part of so many people's lives during their times of great joy and sorrow. I just missed doing the services this past week with our beloved Donald. As we ministered at each service in recent days, I realized that our lives had become interwoven with these people because of the impact of the gospel that has forever changed us  through the love of Donald and the gift of our music ministry. I’m so glad we said “yes.” Of course, it really all began when Donald said "yes" over sixty years ago to the Savior and then to his calling as evangelist and pastor. That decision has changed the lives of thousands through the years, including our own. 

Ultimately, the path of our lives comes down to a choice that we have all been given. Jesus chose to die on the cross for your sin and mine. Saying "yes" to Jesus and the gift of salvation He offers will change your life forever. He has a beautiful plan for your life as well....a life of hope, love, promise, and purpose. 
Have you put your faith and trust in Jesus as your Savior?

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, 
​that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

We live in a world where the focus of our culture is “self” and learning to say “no”. And it’s true that we need to learn to discern when to say “yes” and when to say “no”.  We can easily over commit to things that are not God’s best for us.
But we need to be careful that we don’t miss saying “yes” to the Savior, to what God is calling us to do and whom He is calling us to be.
​ 
That one word can enrich your life in ways you would have never dreamed or imagined!

I’m so grateful that I brought Jesus my brokenness and said “yes” thirty five years ago. 
All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife, 
But He made something beautiful of my life!

​To God be the Glory,
It is well with my soul.
Kathy

If you would like to see Donald Tabb Celebration and Remembrance Service you can visit it below.
​
The service is full of wonderful testimonies about the life of ministry of Donald and just a sampling of the thousands of lives he touched and saved with the love of Jesus. It will inspire you to say “yes.” 
 If you would like to hear the songs by the choir and myself, they are found at 15:42 (To God be the Glory - choir)  and 52:40  (It is Well with My Soul). 

Resources: Oh How He Loves You and Me, Kurt Kaiser; Something Beautiful, Bill Gaither; My Tribute(To God Be the Glory), Andrae Crouch, It is Well With My Soul, Horatio Spafford; Because He Lives, Bill Gaither

We are so blessed to have Margaret Kemp to share with us her musings.  Her words are thought provoking as she challenges us to live up to our full potential and put our abilities and talents to Kingdom use.  Kingdom ventures are often scary and risky business, but with God at the helm, we can rest assure that His grace is sufficient and where we are weak, He is strong!  Be encouraged today as Margaret shares Kingdom Ventures!​

​Play it safe or take a risk----what does God expect His followers to do? Do we use our small, imperfect abilities, or do we leave the kingdom work to those who are REALLY talented?

​In Matthew 25:14-30 Jesus told a story about a company owner who was going on a business trip.  Before he left, the owner gave three employees a significant amount of capital to invest.  He gave his high-performer five talents -- an amount considerably more that a lifetime’s worth of wages.  The second rising star in the company got two talents.  The third man hadn’t yet proven his abilities, but the boss still gave him one talent. A regular worker would have to labor 16 1/2 years to earn that much money, so the third guy still had a tremendous opportunity.

When the boss returned, the first man had doubled the capital. He got more responsibility, and probably a promotion, a bonus, a raise, and a party.  He was invited to “enter the joy of his lord.” (v. 23) With shrewd investments and trading, the second man also doubled the amount he was given.  Kudos from the boss. Another promotion. Another party.
But the third man returned his talent. He’d dug a hole and buried the money in the backyard.  He hadn’t even put it in the bank where it could earn interest.  

Maybe his reluctance is understandable. He might have been thinking,” What if I botch this up? What do I know about this investing stuff? Better to just make sure this one talent here is safe.”
​
But if we look closely, we’ll notice three things about the third employee, whom the boss calls “wicked and lazy.”

The underlying principle in this parable is that Jesus values faithfulness. Dr. Thomas Constable(*) defines faithfulness as “using what God has entrusted to one to advance His interests in the world. It involves making a spiritual profit with the deposit God has entrusted to each disciple.” 

God gives each of us talents, abilities, spiritual gifts and resources to invest for His kingdom. So, what keeps us from using our talents?
​
Do we, like the unfaithful servant, have a flawed image of Our Lord? Do we imagine Him as a harsh taskmaster who gives us a job then sits back to watch us fail?  Do we forget that He’ll give us the power to accomplish what He assigns?

Maybe deep down, we’re not on board with our mission to “make disciples of all men.” Maybe we’ve secretly bought into the world’s philosophy that it’s impolite—or offensive—to share our faith. 

My problem is fear. I fear rejection and ridicule as I make tentative efforts to use my meager abilities. I suspect this is where many of you struggle, also. 

I listen to the voice in my head that says, “You’re not good enough.” (I can guess whose voice that is.)
​
But what if that nagging, clamoring voice in my head is causing such a ruckus that I can’t hear the voice of the Master? What if Jesus is saying, “Hey, about those talents I gave you? What have you done with them? How are you using them for My kingdom?”

​And what if, instead, I heeded the voice of God’s Word? 

​It’s never too late to begin. I think of my own sweet “mother-in-love,” Carol Sawyer, who has been a mentor to me in my walk with the Lord. She began playing the cello at the age of 60. She’s in her 80’s now and still plays in orchestras and ensembles. Her cello’s deep, heart-stirring tones have resonated in churches and concert halls, weddings and nursing homes. She’s poured into the lives of other musicians. She’s invested her talents for God’s kingdom. 

​So now, I’m using my small ability to encourage you today: Don’t bury your gifts! God wants you to use them!
What gifts and abilities has God given you? Have you been making excuses instead of making investments in the kingdom? What can you do today to develop and use your gift? 

Maybe that involves stepping out of your comfort zone, but consider this: 

If we refuse the risk, we’ll never reap the rewards. 
We miss out on hearing, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your lord.”

Let’s dig up that rusty, buried talent and invest it in the kingdom, then trust God for the results!

For His Kingdom Purpose,
​Margaret Kemp

*Resource: Dr. Thomas Constable - Founder of Dallas Seminary's Field Education Department and the Center for Biblical Studies and former faculty member.  He is Senior Professor Emeritus of Bible Exposition, Adjunct Professor in Bible Exposition and has written commentaries on each book of the Bible.

​But where the mind and heart is willing, the body is weak!  I’ve set my alarm for earlier than usual.  How easy it is to change it to 30 minutes later…and then again when it goes off, for an additional 20!  It has been an exhausting week and one filled with many emotions, demanding decisions, and physical labor.  

School is coming to an end, and with that, the last of my many productions.  Only 2 more this week alone!  Then I’m done!  
 
Decision fatigue is at an all time high for me and honestly; I’m conflicted about many things and what to write is currently at the top of the list. 

I made a promise to the Lord when we began this blogging venture that I would never blog just to blog!  I wanted to share words of hope, of life, of truth, of challenge and encouragement. And I intend to keep my promise.

​​I have begun this write this blog several times and my words just never felt right.  That’s a red flag for me!  And if you are a subscriber to our blog, you’ve probably noticed that it didn’t come into your inbox this past Monday.  Sorry, I missed the deadline! ​

Although my words are very few today, (you may be happy about that!) I would like to share with you two very different words of wisdom.  As I’ve struggled with writing you this week, I really wanted to share a podcast from a gal that I follow…but then I felt guilty and like it was the “cheap way out” and that I was shirking my responsibility.  But the longer I’ve battled with whether or not to post it, I’ve reached the conclusion that the words she shares are really the same as my own, and I believe it will resonate with some of you reading this today! 

So, I’m getting over myself and my guilt and sharing it here with you now.  She is Emily Freeman; author of Simply Tuesday and A Million Little Things and her platform is about “Finding a Place for Your Soul to Breathe.”  (This is not an endorsement but I have enjoyed her writings and podcast – As with anyone’s content, be wise, discerning, and mature enough to chew up the meat and spit out the bones! Be familiar with Truth.)

Listen Here - it's just over 12 minutes long
Episode 32:  Stop Collecting Gurus 

​The other word of wisdom comes from a man that has been dear to my heart since 1990.  Wow, that’s been 28 years!  His name is Donald Tabb, founding member and pastor of The Chapel on the Campus 1972 – 2002, if my memory serves me.  He left this world this week and was launched to glory! Here are his words to which Kathy and I hold strongly concerning this ministry:

And as I have found it difficult to bring words to this blank 8 ½ X 11 space, I am reminded again that God’s work…no matter what it is…big or small… blogging, teaching, mentoring, ministering…done in His way, will never fall short of His hand of provision. 
 
Be encouraged friend. If you are facing areas in your life where decisions are tough, unclear, and downright scary, remember that little sentence.  If it’s truly God’s work and led by Him, it’s done in His way - by the Spirits promptings and clearly from truths in His word, it will prosper.  Decision fatigue ended!
 
God has even supplied a blog post for this week!  I trust that you found words of hope, life, and truth.  
May you be encouraged and/or challenged to live out your days tending to: 
                                               “the good work He has planned for you long ago.” Eph. 2:10
Blessings,
Sherry

This past week I experienced Christ presence in unique and amazing ways as we celebrated with family my granddaughter‘s birthdays, and the art show of my oldest daughter Maggie. Many of the words I listed above describe my week.

The morning after we arrived Evelyn had an art party for her fourth birthday with fifteen little girls. Maggie had planned a precious party for her. They painted canvases with their initials, had lots of art themed treats, made crowns and played games. I was so proud of my daughter and the wonderful, creative party she had planned and worked so hard to give her little girl. I saw wonder in their eyes as  imaginations took off and they created their masterpieces.

​When they had finished all the food, games, art and presents the parents weren’t coming for 45 more minutes! So Auntie M. (my daughter Mary Elizabeth) came to the rescue and entertained them with her gift of contagious joy and love for children. She was like the pied piper as they followed her every move dancing and singing until the parents showed up. Everyone had so much fun! Especially little Evelyn.

​

During our week there we also suffered some trials along with the joys and celebrations of life.
The next day, in the middle of the night on the day Mary Elizabeth was to fly back to New York City she became violently ill. By late afternoon we took her to urgent care and they sent us immediately to the hospital. She had lost all body fluids, her heart rate and fever were dangerously high with intense abdominal pain. They were drawing lots of blood, giving her meds and fluids through an IV and feared she possibly had appendicitis. Scans were ordered and we held on to the promises of the Healer, the Comforter, the Prince of Peace. We held on to Jesus and He held on to us.
And we waited…and we prayed, and we surrendered to His plan.

Hours later, all the tests came back that she had a severe gastric intestinal virus…no appendicitis, not septic as they had suspected, no need for surgery and they were not sure if it was viral or bacterial. We finally arrived back home after midnight with medications to try and calm her body down and keep down fluids. The family went into nursing mode. She was set up, basically under quarantine, in the attic room where Audrey and Evelyn were sleeping and the girls moved downstairs with us. Six of us in two small bedrooms. But family sacrifices and rises to meet the need because that’s what love does. And we prayed, and family and friends prayed. It was so hard to watch her suffer in so much pain, eating almost nothing for days and barely able to move.
​
It was a long, exhausting week with Maggie's art show coming in the middle of it all on Thursday night. Fortunately, Mary Elizabeth was well enough on the day of the art show so that we were able to attend and see her beautiful work. I remember my little girl painting as a small child, as a teenager, and then going off to college to study art. Such promise, such a beautiful gift. And we were so grateful that we could be there to celebrate with her and share in the beauty she had captured on canvas. Her aunts and uncles came to share in the joy, too! What a blessing to get to experience your children’s dreams coming true. ​

The next morning, Saturday, we started the long drive home and arrived back into Baton Rouge about 8 pm. On our way in we picked up our favorite Lebanese salad, unloaded the car and ate a bite before I went upstairs to take a long, hot bath. We unlocked the doors to our home, unloaded the car and immediately the routine of our lives took over. My precious Ken went to the piano to prepare to lead worship for Sunday’s service the next morning. Weary after the long drive, his heart is always faithful to serve and bring excellence in music with life giving words of truth. I sang along upstairs praising the Father for his traveling mercies, for his love and faithfulness in our lives and our family stories.
​ 
I heard him singing the beautiful old hymn “I Love to Tell the Story.”
 I love to tell the story, Because I know 'tis true. It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do. I love to tell the story, ‘twill be my theme in glory, to tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love.”

I remember singing that hymn with my mom and sister at the piano growing up and in church. I thought of my Meemaw playing those old hymns for me as we gathered around her piano. I learned Words of life and faith in the lyrics that we sang together as a family throughout the generations. 

Then Ken moved into the beautiful chorus - “Hosanna in the Highest” 
The words of the last verse - I see a generation, rising up to take their place, with selfless faith ...
​
​Family gathered together last week and shared love
      and the faith passed down through the generations has risen up. 

And I thought of my mom - how she would have loved these celebrations if she could have been there.
And my father- in heaven almost 30 years now- a man of few words, but he would have loved seeing his grand daughters and the great grandchildren he never knew. I had a vision from my childhood of him watching his daughters sing around the piano as I listened to Ken sing and play.

​The “Hosanna” song continued...

There it was!  A giant sign hanging above their heads, staring me right in the face, as they sang anthems of fun, encouragement, and praise to God!  It wasn't until during the Baton Rouge Homeschool Choir Concert that I took full notice of it!  

That's me conducting!

I had just spent the day before working hard in the sanctuary setting up the staging, sound equipment, instruments, and spent time on my knees making sure that every cable was gaff taped to the floor so no one would trip.  I was flying solo with only a couple of young boys to help with the heavy lifting.  My husband, Brian had to attend a family funeral and felt really bad to leave me to deal with this huge, demanding task alone.

​But, death is a respecter of no one!

It was on his side of the family and I confidently told him I could handle the set up!  I do it all the time for school.  The boys and I worked together and time was ticking!  The dress rehearsal was in a few hours and wouldn't you know it...where was the "Y" that I needed to connect two choir microphones into one input???!!!! I only had 4 channels and needed 5 (that's why I needed the Y) [Perhaps I should call it an adaptor for you non-techie types] it began to seem that everything was beginning to go badly. The countdown was on and I still needed to take the boys home to get dressed for the rehearsal and then pull myself together, shower, fix my hair and make myself presentable....calm....cool....and collected!  OH NO!  I forgot the plants to put in front of the stage to cover up the messy tape and cords!  After spending over an hour problem solving, running back to the storage building, and deciding to use the bigger soundboard (which I do not know how to run), and finally making a phone call and locating my "Y"... which had to be driven to me because it was borrowed and not returned, we finally finished the set up!  After much trial and error, I actually DID figure out the soundboard and got some pretty good sound.  Whew!  "Don't touch a thing," I demanded to the boys!

As it turns out, I didn't have time to take them home so I took them home with me.  Their mom would bring what they needed to get changed at the church.  I had 10 minutes to swing into Albertson's and pick up a few ferns!  We raced to the church.  You know, as the director, you've got to be there ahead of everyone else for MANY reasons!  Unlocking. Double-checking to make sure you're prepared. Greet and instruct.  Air conditioner set to reasonable temperature. Yada, yada, yada...

Sound like a whirlwind?  Sound stressful to you?  Imagine if it WERE you!  Yes, it was a whirlwind and yes, it was stressful!  But then again, that's pretty much the way every production goes for me. As a matter of fact, life in general is typically one rat race after another.  You know it's true for you too!  We are all racing around, running the roads and if you live in BR, the traffic is enough to raise your blood pressure!  The demands of life call our name using a giant megaphone...through our job, care for our parents or children, group text messages, a disgruntled employee or boss, urgent emails, and wrong numbers in the middle of the night!  It's a raging river of continuous pressure and volume that will surely cause you to sink beneath the quick rush and knock the breath out of you!  

​Interestingly, we need to be reminded to breathe!  Take that deep, reach to the toes inhale, and release it with all the tension that now resides in your shoulders, neck and lower back!  Enough of reliving that moment!  Let's move on.
​
I've had to be reminded time and time again to breathe!  It's one simple task which is actually an involuntary bodily function.  Yet, I find myself holding my breath.  Even the last two weeks as I've struggled with many things, I catch myself reminding myself to breathe!  Take everything that comes my way, one moment at a time.  And I take that enormous inhale.   It's a lesson that I keep having to re-learn! I'm sure you can relate.  You know, the same ole, same ole...Slow down!  Don't overcommit. Rest. Try to focus on the one thing and do it well.  Live in the moment, not multitasking your way through life and running yourself down.  I know!  I'm the queen of it!  Silly that we have to be reminded to do such basic life skills!  Quite honestly, It's embarrassing. 

​Back to the sign above their heads...
​
So this week, (ok, lately) I've been craving for new.  A new purpose.  A new passion.  A new way of living.  A new way of fashioning my days.  New people in my life.  New depths of relating with special friends and relationships in my life.  New plans.  New goals.  New challenges.  New adventures.  New habits.  I've even cooked new recipes!  The mundane is not for me!  I've felt like I've needed a RENEWAL on everything.  So I take it up with the Lord.  Then I'm reminded of Ann Voskamp's book and stories of The Broken Way. Yep! I've been dried up and broken just like the crushed wheat.  But out of broken comes new! It's hard to conclude that you are broken.  But when you realize that miracles happen in the breaking, you can carry on in hope.

So I take full notice of that giant sign!  And then my kids sing, Stayed on Jesus.  It's a choir anthem that my college friend wrote and I love the simple reminder to wake up each morning with your mind stayed on Jesus.  You know, morning brings a NEW day!  When we keep our focus on Jesus, doesn't it make life more simplistic?  Organized? Happy?!  

Here's another quote from The Broken Way and the scripture it quotes is one of my favorites:

I want to share with you the glorious music that once again helped to renew my soul. I'm so proud of my kids.  And God used them and that crazy big sign to draw me unto Himself!

We are happy once again to have Margaret Kemp share with us her inspirational insights.  During these great temperatures and beautiful colors, the beauty that spring plants exhibit seems to make everyone want to do a little gardening!  The nurseries are full of beautiful plants and long lines of people waiting to share in the beautifying of their yards.  I just hope that if you are one of these "master gardeners," you don't forget one of your most precious tools in maintaining the garden of your heart!  You will enjoy Margaret's story - read it outside if you can!  Enjoy the beauty, grab a cup of coffee, and rest yourself of all worries.  Please welcome Margaret to Monday Musings! 

I remember another glorious season of new beginnings when I first learned to delight in the Lord. I was a freshman in college, a new Christian exploring the riches of Scripture for the first time. Verses seemed to burst off the page as if they were written just for me. My newfound faith grew as I witnessed God answering even my most trivial prayers.
​
But it didn’t take long for the weeds of worry to choke out my joy. My roommates were moving into their sorority houses. (How could they leave me?) My history professor didn’t think I deserved an A in his course. (Imagine that!) I received an unexpected summons to the office of the Dean of Women. (Never a good omen!) My heart became like the thorny soil in Jesus’ parable.

I forgot that the God of the Universe-- whospokeand splattered a gazillion stars across the universe—who put on a human body to save me—who keeps track of tiny details like the number of hairs on my head— is for me.
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As a new Christian, I had to learn that when we worry, we’re not trusting God. 

First, I’ve got to recognize worry when it first appears. I’ve got to capture every unsettling thought and examine it. If I’m dealing with a problem, I may wonderwhat the future holds. I may give that problem a great deal of thought as I workon a solution. But when nervousness, anxiety, and pessimism begin to creep in, it’s an indication that, instead of wonderingand working ona solution, I’m worrying.
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Then, I’ve got to go back to Philippians 4:6-7: praying about my problems, thanking God in advance for what He will do, then trusting Him for the solutions.
 
But the battle with worry doesn’t end with Philippians 4:6-7. Philippians 4:8 tells us that after we pray about our problems, we’ve got to stop thinking about what’s wrong,and dwell on what’s right.

God has brought me through some scary situations. 

You’d think I’d have learned to rest in Him, but worry still creeps in, threatening to take root and preventing me from delighting in the Lord. Recently, I found myself fretting over travel arrangements for an upcoming conference. I had to remind myself that God had been a “very present help” in major crises in the past, and He can certainly handle todays little difficulties.

Maybe you’re like me, discouraged because you still fight the same old battle with worry. Remember that, like weeds, worries will continue to sprout up. There’s no permanent fix. The trick is to remove them as soon as we notice them. 

Here are some “garden tools” I use when worries creep in:
S – Supplication (asking God for what I need)
P – Prayer (talking to Him about my troubles)
A – Appreciation (for what He’s done and what He’s going to do)
D -Dependence on Him (to take care of me today as He has done in the past)
E – Exchanging worry for worship (thinking about what’s right instead of what’s wrong)
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What worries do you need to bring to the Lord? 
                           How has God delivered you in the past?
                                              What are the true and right and pure and lovely things you need to meditate on today? 
 If we want to delight in the garden with the Lord, we’ve got to keep up with the yard work. 

In Him,
​Margaret Kemp