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It is a joy to welcome Margaret Kemp once more as our guest writer to Restore's Monday Musing Blog. Her beautiful writing always touches my heart in deep places of need. It is so easy to get caught up in thinking that if we just have that One Thing, our lives will be more significant. Often, Jesus has a different, better answer for our lives. What is it that we really need? As you read today consider what Jesus might be offering you? Blessings, Kathy John 5:2-8 ESV “Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lane, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been an invalid for 38 years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew he had already been there a long time, He said to him, ‘Do you want to be healed?’ The sick man answered Him, ‘Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going, another steps down before me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Get up, take up your bed, and walk.’”  He was so close. He was on the brink of attaining the one thing that would bring him wellness, or so he thought. But someone else always got there first. Day after day, the paralyzed man dragged himself to the edge of the pool, for legend had it when the waters were “stirred up” in the Pool of Bethesda, the first person in the water would be healed from whatever affliction tormented him. But only the first. So day after day, the man, an invalid who had suffered for 38 years, dragged himself to the pool and watched. Hopeful, he waited, poised to make his move. But someone else always got there first. His heart’s cry was to have a friend who would put him in the water…give him his big break…usher him into wholeness and happiness. So many times I’ve been like that man, desperately wanting that One Thing that promised to bring me significance, security, wholeness and happiness. My Pool of Bethesda has taken on different forms, but the cry of my heart has been the same: If only I could have this One Thing. My first “Pool of Bethesda” was the stage of the auditorium in my elementary school. On that stage knelt a pint-sized pair, Mary and Joseph, bending over a baby doll in a wooden manger. Behind them stood angels in white robes made from bedsheets, their tinsel halos slightly askew. Above them towered the most prominent angel of all, Gabriel, portrayed by a tall, long-haired sixth grade girl. (Yes, the part of Gabriel went to a girl.) I wanted to be on that stage, proudly flaunting wire-framed chiffon wings, delivering Gabriel’s all important lines. Instead, there I was on the sidelines, sitting in a metal folding chair on the auditorium floor, singing in the choir with every other sixth grader who didn’t get a part on stage. My infirmity was my feeling of worthlessness. I’d auditioned for the part of Gabriel to show my teacher and classmates that this shy, plain, chubby eleven-year-old was worthy. A role in the play was the One Thing I needed to bring me the feeling of significance I craved. But the part went to someone else. As a teen, my If-Onlys looked a little different. If only my parents would let me date… If only I could be popular… Have you ever felt like that? If only you could attain that one goal, you’d be complete. Your troubles would be over. If only could get married… If only I could be a mother… If only my child would win the award, the place on the team, the scholarship… If only I could get the job, the promotion, the raise… If only I could quit my job… If only I could be financially secure… So we pray our hearts out for the One Thing we think we need. And sometimes we get it, yet it leaves us feeling strangely empty, unfulfilled, wanting something else. And sometimes we plead with God, but He says no. Jesus didn’t help the paralyzed man into the waters. Instead He said, “Get up and walk.” We often go to the wrong pools searching for answers to our problems. But if listen for His voice, we’ll find that He offers us a Better Thing. Jesus offers to lift us up—not into the waters but onto our feet, so we can stand on the solid ground of His love for us.  In our insecurity, He offers us a new identity: child of God. In our anxiety He offers us the peace that passes understanding. (Philippians 4:7) In every frustrating situation, He helps us to find contentment. Whether we’re well off financially or struggling to make ends meet, he gives us the strength to adapt to our circumstances. (Philippians 4:12-13) It’s time for us to reconsider. If God hasn’t given us what we want, might He be offering a Better Thing? Might He be showing us the One Thing we really need is Him? And in His strength, we can rise up and walk. In Christ, Margaret Kemp   If you are reading this blog through social media we would suggest that you sign up to recieve the blog each week in your email inbox. It will come directly to you to read at your leisure.
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Two straight nights I’ve dreamed about sharing this blog with you. It seems to be the way my creative brain operates! Any time I prepare to teach or write, I’ve already done it multiple times while sleeping. I know, it’s a strange thing you may think; but it’s comforting to me to know that even while sleeping, God does a great work in my heart. Interestingly, the twice-over, midnight title for the blog seemed to suggest a quest for finding something hidden deep within. Finding Intimacy! October was my month to teach the ‘One Thing’ Home Bible Study, and though it was about the blindman in John 9, intimacy with God resonated strongly with me. The experience of really knowing and being known by another person is what we call intimacy. An intimate friend is someone we feel very close to; they know us at a deep level. We desire to know and be known. It’s a two-way avenue. Trust is at the heart of intimacy. The more we trust someone, the closer we let them get to us. Trust is a precious gift…one to be given and one to be received! It takes a heart of courage and vulnerability.
The location of those conversations has occurred in the front seat of my car, on my sofa, standing by the car in a parking lot, sitting under a tree, on my porch and side by side on the piano bench, to name just a few. They were all sacred places! A time and place specifically carved out by Creator God and purposed for building deep relationships. Sacred places…It’s were intimacy is found. It's a moment to be fully yourself!
I have discovered, particularly this past weekend, that those sacred moments and places that continuously show up in my life are blessed gifts. They are little love gifts given by God just for me! My mountain excursion was one such gift, as I breathed in the cool air and looked over mountain views on this little family get-away, I felt the presence of God intimately speaking to my heart, “soak it in.” Literally, I did soak it all in! Our first full day was a rainy one. I was up early enough though to enjoy coffee on the giant porch before the down pour began. The release of my tightly held shoulders slipped away as I heard the birds sing and the quiet of the morning begin to awaken the mountainside. It was a sweet time with the Lord, just me and Him…not really discussing much, but Him offering me a much-needed time of solitude in the mountains that I love so much. The colors placed in sight were just beginning to turn their vivid hues of deep red and gold on a blanket of deep forest green. The midst on the mountain reflected a hint of a rainbow that floated above the valley. Yes, a reminder once again of God’s faithfulness in and through all things.  See the faint rainbow just right of center? This was my view from the porch! Sacred places are where God shows up and gently reminds me of Himself, of His provisions, His care, and His heart for my life. Sacred places become evident when I intentionally take notice. I’m sure there have been many times in my life when He has offered those spaces and I haven’t taken time to stop and soak it in! Often, He has to intervene and get me to slow down or stop, just so He can pour more of Himself into me. I’m guilty of depleting quickly and running my tank low. The source of His life-giving fuel never runs dry and is readily available to those who will stop and fill up! I’ve come to realize that it’s not just about stopping to refill…but also, it’s about stopping to take notice, and soak in the many sacred places where He longs to meet us. Remember, trust is at the heart of intimacy. Whatever circumstance you find yourself in today, stop and soak in God’s trustworthy heart for you. Take notice and see past the obvious, for therein lies intimacy that is Holy. And what is the meaning of holy? Set apart – Separated. We need to remember to take those moments, for if we don’t…they will certainly find us! Other benefits that come from an intimate heart toward God is faith, courage and bravery! As I thought about this concept this morning, the Heroes of the Faith flashed before me. During hairy situations and seemingly impossible tasks, these heroes accomplished great things but only because of their faith in God. They were chosen by God and were intimately close with Him. Their lives were amazing and you can read about them in Hebrews chapter 11. I wonder what their personal diary or journal might have written in it? I would assume, probably a lot like David’s with cries of frustration, shouts of praise, questions of uncertain outcomes, and reflections of God’s faithful past and hopeful thoughts of the future. Yep, some things never change! Isn’t that what we do whether we write them down or not? It’s all a part of trusting His heart for our lives. Intimacy. Allowing Him to do His good pleasure in and through us. Him drawing us closer to Himself so that we may know and be known…the sacred place where He longs to meet with us. So again, I challenge you to stop and soak in God’s trustworthy heart for you, whatever situation you find yourself in today. Take notice and see past the obvious, for therein lies intimacy that is Holy, and the Spirit of God will fill you with courage and bravery. Pause to reflect on God's goodness and faithfulness...you'll find yourself learning to live by faith. Hebrews 10: 32-38 32 But recall the former days when, after you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings, 33 sometimes being publicly exposed to reproach and affliction, and sometimes being partners with those so treated. 34 For you had compassion on those in prison, and you joyfully accepted the plundering of your property, since you knew that you yourselves had a better possession and an abiding one. 35 Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. 37 For,“Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; 38 but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” Spend some time reflecting and write down the moments that you consider sacred and a gift from God. Do those times show up as randoms moments when the patterns of your life call for special attention? Do you often take notice in the time and places and relish them as love gifts from heaven? Take a moment now to whisper a prayer thanking Him for those sacred places. Perhaps today you need a courageous heart to help you face the next hard moment. Don't throw away your confidence. Here's the thing, we have need of endurance and our Father is right there, cheering us on! He provides the Holy Spirit to guide us to do His will and to comfort us when life is tough. He knows us well and desires Himself to be known because of His great love for us. It's a perfect love, with perfect trust, for faithful hearts. It's a Sacred Place. Be Encouraged, Sherry
When life throws us a curve ball, often fear begins to ease its way in. It's a tactic that the enemy uses to gain a stronghold in our life. We need to remember that in every situation, God is ever present! He allows nothing to slip through His fingers that He hasn't already planned. When our path is darkened by unfamiliar and daunting circumstance, we must remember that God goes before us and also has our back! Today we welcome Margaret Kemp to share one of her traveling experiences that turned her eyes of fear into eyes and heart that trusts God. He is our refuge and our strength; an ever present help in time of trouble.  When darkness descends and you feel unsafe, who’s got your back? That’s what I wondered when I found myself walking down unfamiliar streets late at night. The sidewalk was almost deserted as my husband and I traveled in the darkness towards our hotel. Earlier, we’d brushed shoulders with others strolling the banks of the river: couples walking hand in hand, groups of boisterous young people returning from the bars and cafes, sidewalk bouquinistes locking up their books and art prints inside the green painted boxes. Tourists as we were, we’d stopped to admire the city’s illuminations and to photograph the glimmers of light on the water. But we’d lingered too long, and once we reached the metro station, we discovered a metal gate blocking our access. We’d missed the last train. So…we walked. By that time the city was quieter, except for the clack, clack, clack of my heels on the pavement and the infrequent whoosh and roar of passing cars on the street. I glared suspiciously at the occasional passerby smoking a cigarette. Why was he out so late? (Why were we out so late?) And the pair of men deep in conversation in an unfamiliar language…what were they conspiring? Did the pickpockets work this late at night? I clutched my purse tighter. Why did I wear heels? Was it dangerous to walk the streets at this hour? I was a visitor in town; I didn’t know.
 On the map, our hotel seemed only a short distance away. We marched on, putting one sore foot in front of the other. With each advancing step, the sidewalk seemed to grow longer, as if it were one long rope of playdoh, stretching, stretching… I wondered how far my little legs could carry me. Just as I began to doubt I had the physical stamina to reach our destination, God provided a way home. A young man on a bicycle taxi stopped to ask if we wanted a ride. We gladly hired him to carry us home. When I couldn’t go any further on my own power, God provided a way. It’s been like that throughout my life. God has walked beside me through uncertain times. And when I couldn’t walk another step, He carried me.  But sometimes I forget God’s faithfulness, and I forget my all-powerful Heavenly Father has unseen forces at His disposal. I focus instead on the dangers--real or imaginary--around me. Fear fences us in, but faith frees us to delight in the Lord. As a young child, I was taught that the world is a dangerous place. I needed to be wary, to take precautions. As an adult, I continued to expand my catalog of Things to Fear, and in the course of my life I encountered Frightening Things I hadn’t even thought to include in the catalog. Fear is still a real opponent I battle. How many potentially delightful days have been spoiled because we allow fears to fence us in? Fear still tries to bully me, but I’m getting better at confronting it. When I feel Fear closing in, I stop and take a deep breath before responding. I ask myself a few questions: Is the threat real or imagined? If the threat is imagined, I need to look Fear in the eye and call its bluff. If the danger is real, before I do anything else, I stop and pray, trusting that the God of Angel Armies has my back. I talk to God about my problem, asking if there are any steps I need to take to deal with the problem. Get more information? Make an appointment? Ask for help from friends or experts? Devise a plan? If Fear still attacks, I recite Scripture. The Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, is a powerful weapon. (Eph. 6:17) And I remind myself the God of Angel Armies goes before me. He walks beside me. He’s got my back. Psalm 46 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah. There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. The Lord of host is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah Come. Behold the works of the Lord, Who has made desolations in the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts (angel armies) is with us: The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah
You may have been wondering where the Restore Monday Musings blog has been recently. At this point we are listening for HIs voice and are not certain of an exact scheduling for future blogs, but our heart is to write as the Lord leads us. Restore Ministries is on a deep journey into God’s Word this year seeking to become a people whose greatest desire is to set our gaze on Jesus as our One Thing, to dwell in HIs presence, and to honor Him as our Light and salvation by the way we live. To seek Jesus as your greatest delight, as your One Thing takes intentionality. It means going against the culture and choosing to behold Christ. David says in Psalm 27:4 that his greatest desire - the One Thing - is to behold the beauty of the Lord. How does God reveal His beauty to us? How do we set our gaze to behold it? The Lord has impressed on me a phrase that I am carrying with me in these days - We become what we behold. I must set a rhythm in my life that brings order out of the chaos and shows me the way toward a simpler, more purposeful life. Simplicity can ultimately only come from fixing my eyes, my heart, and my mind on Christ. These are great goals for our lives, but how do we actually make them a reality? I’ve been on that journey for over thirty years and I have found that I do best when I don’t lock myself into a formula of how I seek Jesus, but instead, intentionally make time and space for my soul to listen to Him to order my days. For me, it has looked different in the different seasons of my life. When my children were small I would try to get up early when the house was quiet and spend time in prayer and the Word. Some days it worked, some days it didn’t. I learned to give myself grace in those times, but realized that I couldn’t put my spiritual journey on hold until my girls were grown and life seemed less complex. The truth is that life is just complicated, regardless of the season in which I find myself . In those days as now, my family needs me, my job demands lots of energy and I want to display the heart of Christ in my everyday moments. And so I began to set a daily rhythm of devotional time with Jesus, seeking to meet Him in the morning hours to gain His perspective, strength and wisdom for the day. It doesn’t always happen the way I would like and what that time has looked like does vary from time to time, even day to day.  One thing I know is that I have to be constantly reminded of the character of God when I face the struggles of my life. Last week I found myself sitting in the emergency room with my sister all night with our 90 year old mom who doesn’t know who she is or who I am. She had fallen yet again. I've lost track of all the falls and trips to the ER. In this fall she has busted her head open and is delusional and terrified of everything, including us. Convinced that we and the doctors and nurses were trying to kill her, I heard her cry out, "My God!" In this moment I need to know my God is enough. When my sister and I enter into our thirteenth year of trying to care for her in her Alzheimer’s disease, I need to know and trust in the character of God to sustain me. The only way I can trust in the goodness of God is if I have spent time in HIs presence and in His Word and learned to find my rest in Him. After spending over 8 hours in the emergency room throughout the night last week, mom was released and amazingly is recovering. When I finally made it home and tried to sleep, my sweet husband knew what we needed most. He sent out the call for prayer, for mom, for us as caregivers and those prayers once again carried us. When I woke, I was so grateful to see the calls and texts from friends covering us once again. Oh, how we need a community of believers to help us bear the load and come before the throne when we are too weak and burdened to do it alone. Sometimes we do just need physical rest to survive the demands of our lives. When I got home from the hospital, I crawled into bed about 7am and slept till noon, grateful that I didn’t have to teach that day. Above all though, through the years, I have discovered that I need to learn how to come before the Lord and enter into the rest of God. Being still in His presence and learning how to enter into that deep soul rest is a place I can depend on when life is just hard and difficult to understand. In that place I find peace and hope.  Matthew 11:28-29 (NIV) “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. This is a Scripture I have clung to throughout the years. It is true for you too, whatever pain or fear, or circumstance you face. Our God is always enough. Ultimately, we need the strength of His presence to face the days and the deep needs of our souls. I’ve often been asked what devotional time looks like for me. I share this today, not to give you a formula, because you must find your own way of making Jesus your One Thing. It is really about the priority of our lives. These days, I usually sit in my chair in the living room. It is where I come to meet with Jesus. I most often begin with a cup of coffee or two and then move to tea. I have a kettle next to my chair. (I’m not a morning person!) I usually play worship music in the background, mostly instrumental. I light a candle - a sign of seeking the light of God’s presence for my day, a signal for my family that I am meeting with Jesus. I love the scent and the light. It’s a routine, a habit that reminds me of the value of setting my gaze on the beauty of the Lord and my intention to seek Jesus as a part of the rhythm of my everyday life. The scent lingers when I leave my chair to go about the routine of the day and I am reminded of the lessons He has taught me as I pass through the room. I carry His presence with me. 
Because we become what we behold and our world, our families, our friends, our neighbors and strangers need to behold Christ in us. As I am writing this I have music playing and an arrangement of Just as I am - I Come broken by Travis Cottrell plays on my Spotify. The Lord always has a sweet way of encouraging me with songs of worship. I had to stop and listen and make it my prayer. Perhaps the lyric is a picture of where are you are today. In HIs music He ministers to the longings of our hearts. I pray it will bless and minister to your spirit and encourage you in these days to come to the Father and make seeking and beholding Jesus a daily rhythm of your life. I come broken to be mended I come wounded to be healed I come desperate to be rescued I come empty to be filled I come guilty to be pardoned By the blood of Christ the Lamb And I'm welcomed with open arms Praise God, just as I am Just as I am Choosing to “come” just as you are with your wounds and brokenness and learning to rest in God's presence will take intention. When you choose to make it the rhythm of your life you will find that He will sustain you through your days, even the hard ones. It ultimately comes down to what the priorities are in our lives and how we choose to spend our time. I’ve never regretted the choice to come and seek Jesus as my greatest delight. Neither will you. Here is the youtube link to the beautiful old hymn Just As I Am with the new chorus I Come Broken. I invite you to take a moment and listen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGXDfxWM2r0&list=RDTGXDfxWM2r0&start_radio=1 This song and others that I use to encourage me in my own journey of faith can be found in my One Thing Spotify playlist under marykathryndrake. Here is the link if you would like to follow and listen. I also have a playlist of beautiful instrumental hymns if you prefer. Grateful for time in His presence, Kathy Resources: Photo Pinterest e685cba0943b96bb15760589cfa9e904.jpg The best way to be sure that you receive a Monday Musing to encourage your faith journey as the Lord leads us to write is to sign up to receive it in your email inbox. It's simple. Just follow the instructions below.  Just enter your email in the subscriber box on the right at the top of this blog page on the website, then REPLY to the invitation email you will receive in your personal inbox. Your email address is safe with us! Follow ALL directions to completion! Feel free to share our blogs on your social media or email them to a friend. Just follow the directions carefully. Wow! Can you believe it is already September? I hope that you are enjoying a day of fun and rest this Labor Day before the full routine of fall sets in. I love fall! I love all things pumpkin, and the rich colors and cooler temperatures that honestly in the South we won't experience for quite awhile. I would imagine that some of you are excited about getting back into a routine and others are dreading the seemingly never ending list of things to do. As I approach fall, my prayer is that I will choose to live out my days in a way that is life-giving to all that the Lord brings across my path. I want the beauty of the season to be reflected in my life. How do we do that? How many times do you go up to someone and ask how they are doing and they’ll say, “I just feel stressed” or “I feel so overwhelmed.” Or maybe you are the one who feels overwhelmed by your multi-tasking life? Do we just buy into that chaotic life? Or is there a different way to live? It can be hard to focus on what’s really important when it seems like everybody and everything wants a piece of you. As I get older I’m constantly amazed and wonder where the time goes. We are suddenly in another season, another year has passed. It makes you want to make your days really count. Don’t you long to make a difference, or maybe to make your life look different? I believe the Lord has some answers for us. There are truths for us in His Word that will help us navigate the sea of things, people, social media and beliefs that bombard our minds and crowd our lives. He understands the cry of our hearts to simplify our lives. Seeking those answers has led Sherry and I to launch a study entitled “The One Thing.” One of my favorite verses has always been Psalm 27:4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. This Psalm and other “one thing” Scriptures hold rich lessons that can help guide and equip us, but we have to choose to seek those answers and then we have to choose to walk them out in obedience in the way we live out our daily lives. We live in the kingdom of God and we are part of that kingdom building that the Lord is doing within us and through us right now. How do we keep our eyes focused on Jesus and what really matters? How do we cultivate intimacy with Jesus? What are some practical ways to help us find our purpose, our rest and be a reflection of the love and beauty that only Christ can offer to such a desperate world. This year we will focus on five “One Thing” Scriptures that address these questions -
If you can’t join us we will be sharing some of the lessons in our blog and possibly some podcasts throughout the year. So here are the dates: Friday, September 13 Friday, October 11 Friday, November 8 Restore Winter Gathering February 7-8 But you need to register below so that we can prepare for you! Last night I was reading The Pursuit of God by one of my favorite authors A.W. Tozer. He closes each chapter in the book with a beautiful, heartfelt prayer. My heart resonates with this one as we enter this new season. “O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need of further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Show me Thy Glory, I pray Thee, that so I may know Thee indeed. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, “Rise up my love, my fair one and come away. “ Then give me grace to rise and follow Thee up from the misty lowland where I have wandered so long. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.” May this be a year when we hunger and thirst for the Savior and then choose to rise up and follow Him because He is our ‘One Thing!” Seeking Jesus, Kathy
Below is a video Sherry and I made that gives you a window into our hearts for The One Thing study. We hope you will take a little time to view it and choose to join us in two weeks! Are you looking for some music to encourage and inspire you as you seek the One Thing?
I have put together a Spotify list for you! Enjoy! https://open.spotify.com/user/marykathryndrake/playlist/1WEg7mdAphtuRmh1OC4gYp?si=Herx6rnnT1eBP4BwrUYuxw Dear friends, Watch our one minute YouTube promo below and be sure to share with your friends. We hope that you can find time in your busy schedule to join us ONLY three times this fall! It happens on the second Friday night of September, October, and November. Then, we'll have a Restore Gathering of Women February 7,8, 2020! View the YouTube Here ( https://youtu.be/_X3CRnAdPP0 ) or below: I've caught myself so many times over the last few weeks quoting this saying, "the one thing!" Each time I catch myself, I am reminded that there is only one significant meaning to this phrase as it relates to our spiritual journey. It's interesting to me how God moves within us, (me and Kathy) teaching truths about Himself before we step into a season of teaching other women! He is preparing us and we are praying that He is calling you to join us as we seek this ONE THING! I hope that you had a chance to watch our personal message about the study last week. If you didn't get to see it, check it out HERE. (https://youtu.be/hmSL9Z-TdQk) Don't forget that space is limited to 50 women. This study is attracting the attention of so many of you and registration is well underway! Please don't wait to register, we'd hate for you to miss out. Feel free to share this blog post on your Social Media or with family and friends. We are anxiously awaiting those registration forms to see who will be joining us! If you have further questions or just want to chat about it, don't hesitate to contact us. There's a Contact tab in the menu of our website. We'd love to hear from you. Blessings, Sherry
Do you ever feel overwhelmed, stressed, too busy and longing for something to bring order out of the chaos of your life? Do you ever wish that there was just one thing to focus on in our multi-tasking lives? It’s no wonder words like simplify and declutter are all over social media! It is the cry of our hearts. But how? Is it crazy to think we could actually experience peace, hope and rest in the world in which we live? Interestingly, Jesus uses the phrase “one thing” several times in Scripture and we also see the phrase used in Psalm 27 written by David. In fact, it is found in many Scriptures. Choosing to seek the “One Thing” is a call to intimacy with Jesus. It’s a call to know and be known.  This year in Restore Ministry we will be exploring the “One Thing” phrases found in five main Scriptures to answer some of these questions. What is….
Our prayer is that the answers found in God's Word will lead us to fix our eyes on the one thing our souls truly long for; Jesus Himself! So please join us for three Fall Bible study Friday nights and a Restore Gathering in February! Mark your calendar with these dates and register on the website. We invite you to share this information and bring a friend! Feel free to share it on your social media, too! September 13 October 11 November 8 February 7 & 8 - Restore Gathering - One Thing Please take a few minutes to view the video for more details! Here is the YouTube Link or watch it below: https://youtu.be/hmSL9Z-TdQk
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Just enter your email in the subscriber box on the right at the top of this blog page on the website, then REPLY to the invitation email you will receive in your personal inbox. Your email address is safe with us! Follow ALL directions to completion! Feel free to share our blogs on your social media or email them to a friend. Just follow the directions carefully. As the summer months begin to close down and the routine for fall months moves in, we hope that you have taken some time these couple of months to reflect on the rest and beauty found in Christ. Often when we take a break from routine, we create space in our soul, heart and mind for God to begin nurturing the seeds (maybe of a different sort that) He has planted in our heart long ago. It has been a delightful process to watch how our friend Margaret Kemp has stepped out in faith and bravery to begin working on her love of writing. This is a seed gift that God planted within her heart long ago. I remember sitting on my sofa with her one summer as she shared her desire to write and our conversation ended with, "you just have to begin!" A little encouragement can go a long way when you take the time to listen, challenge, and pray together God's will! Margaret has been at work writing and sharing her heart with us as a guest writer now with several blogs. Just recently, she took the plunge and submitted a blog with Proverbs 31 Ministries writing a daily devotional and won a spot! It was published last month! Because of copyright laws, we are unable to publish it here, but we can share the link (see below). She has written several more for us here at Restore Ministries and today is it is my pleasure to share another of her creative writings, "The Happiest Place!" I love her thoughts and how she shares the practice joy and of a delighted heart!  When my children were young, we made several trips to the “Happiest Place on Earth.” You know the place…mouse ears, castles, rides. I remember the twinge of excitement that would bubble up once we began seeing orange groves and billboards along the Highway. And when we entered the gates, it seemed magical…well, sort of magical, as long as you could disregard the throngs of people wearing shorts and taking pictures. It was a happy place…that is, until mid-afternoon when at least one of the kids became grouchy and had an “episode.” (Your family may call it a meltdown or tantrum.) We’d fix that problem and go along our merry way-- until it rained, or someone got sick, or the lines were too long, or we couldn’t agree on a plan of action. Suddenly our delight evaporated. It seems like people are always searching for something to “make us happy.” We crave the temporary euphoria we experience when our team wins the game. We search for that perfect job, home, relationship, or hobby. Earthly happiness dangles like a carrot in front of our nose. It’s elusive, fleeting, unsatisfying. Yet the Bible says, “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 God wants to give us things to enjoy. He wants to place holy desires in our hearts and then fill those desires. We begin by delighting in Him. Delight is a form of happiness that’s wide-eyed with wonder and bubbling with enthusiasm. The Hebrew word used in this verse is “anag,” and connotes something soft, delicate, and alluring.
David went about his day CONSCIOUS OF GOD’S PRESENCE. He talked to God all day long. “I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” Ps. 16:2 He recognized that every good thing is his life was, one way or another, connected to God. And his delight was multiplied when he joined with other believers. When he worshiped with his peeps, he was bursting with excitement. He was even known to dance for joy. (II Samuel 6:14) “As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.” Ps. 16:3 NKJV David was CONTENT WITH THE LIFE GOD GAVE HIM. There’s nothing wrong with having ambitions and aspirations. But in our striving for “something better”, let’s not miss out on the good we already have. Delighting in the Lord means counting our blessings, and marveling at the goodness all around us. “Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places, surely I have a delightful inheritance.” Ps. 16: 5-6 NKJV  David was CONFIDENT OF GOD’S CARE. “I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; my heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.” Ps. 16: 7-8 NKJV A delighted attitude is a peace-filled mindset, free from worry and insecurity. David rested in the assurance that God would give him wisdom for every decision. David was an eager student, even if it meant going to “night school.” He learned his lessons in dark, uncertain circumstances. Because he trusted God, David confidently declared, “I shall not be moved.”
Here is our hope: our troubles will not last forever. God will remove them all, if not in this world, then in the next. But in the meantime, He walks with us along the rough roads, and He’s a delightful companion. A delighted heart experiences a joyful present and expects a pleasant future. A delighted heart refuses to become tangled in a net of negativity. A delighted heart lives in the awareness of God’s presence, walks in contentment and confidence, and rests in fullness of joy. And that, my friend, is the Happiest Place on Earth. In Christ, Margaret Here is a link to Margaret's devotional with Proverbs 31 Ministry : When Vicious Words Offend Us Kathy and I ask that you please continue to be in prayer for Restore Ministries and for us as we meet to pray, seek direction, discuss, and make plans for the fall semester...AND continue to rest ourselves! It's been a very busy summer for us both! It is our heart and the mission of Restore Ministries to offer opportunities to awaken a passion and restore the deepest yearning to know Christ more intimately. We seek to minister creatively to the heart and spirit through retreats, Biblical teaching, and the arts. 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 as He restores our soul and guides us in paths of righteousness for His name sake. Keep praying with us! Watch for upcoming dates and gatherings! Blessings, Sherry
For those of us living in the south, summer is in full swing. For those of you living on the east coast, school is just letting out and your summer is just beginning. Regardless, my prayer for you is that this will be a summer full of celebration wherever you live. Below are some suggestions to help you make this a summer that is rich in God's purpose for you and one full of treasured memories. Perhaps you would like to try out a few ideas each month and add your own. In fact, we’d love to hear your thoughts on how you celebrate summer in the comments below or on the social media page where you are reading. Rest. I spoke to a young mom today and she talked about how busy summer was for her with all the kids activities. We long for the lazy days of summer when we were children. Be sure to take time to rest this summer so that you can actually enjoy the days. Some of us simply need to give ourselves permission to slow down. Take a nap! Read through a book of Scripture, or spend the summer in the Psalms or Proverbs. When you get out of your routine it can be easy to lose your focused time in the Word. Consider using a different translation than you normally read to keep things fresh. Or choose an attribute of God’s character to focus on this season such as God’s faithfulness, holiness or grace or one of the names of God such as Shepherd or Creator. Spend time reading and meditating on Scriptures that teach about the attribute or name you choose. What could be better than spending your summer deepening your understanding of Christ and His Word? Expand your mind. We live in a world that bombards us with information in all forms of media that invades our minds constantly. Be sure that you are giving spiritual truth a priority. I like to spend some of my summer days in quiet time reading a good sacred book. My current summer reads are The Next Right Thing by Emily Freeman and just published, The Heel Catcher by my pastor Steve Foster. I also like to read the classics in sacred literature. Recently, I pulled out Abide in Christ by Andrew Murray. What a treasure! Engage in some of local culture. There are typically lots of wonderful free events in the summer such as music concerts and festivals. Visit a local museum, an art gallery, or go see a play. Check out your community calendars for ideas to get out and have some fun!  Pack a picnic and enjoy a lazy lunch outside. We are picnic people! Through the years, we’ve gone to parks nearby, or just had a picnic in the backyard. For years with our girls and with our friends on vacation we would always ride our bikes to our favorite point for a picnic with our children. It has become our tradition on vacations to search for the perfect picnic spot. Sometimes, I fix an elaborate picnic spread and other times we just pick up a sandwich or fried chicken. The point is to enjoy nature and each other! Recently on our vacation in the Canadian Rockies, we found some pretty special places to eat a sandwich! I spotted this beautiful point at Horsehoe Lake and so we made the climb for one of the most spectacular picnic spots ever!  Beautiful Horsehoe Lake in Jasper National Park. I just packed that backpack cooler in my suitcase headed for Canada. A visit to the local bakery for a loaf of bread, cheese and meat and we were off and ready for an inexpensive lunch on the road with a view no restaurant could match! Make something creative. Explore your artistic side with a handmade card, paint a little canvas for fun, create a piece of jewelry, press some flowers. Just have fun and play at something new. Let go of perfection. Maybe buy a summer herb plant, paint a flower pot and plant your herb to grow in the windowsill. Then you can snip the fresh herbs for summer roasted veggies or salads. Keep a gratitude journal. Look for three things that you are thankful for each day. Jot them down in a journal before you go to sleep as a reminder to be grateful. You’ll be amazed at how this simple practice can change your perspective to one full of gratitude and joy. Clear out some clutter. Breathe in the space. My tendency here is to over plan too many projects and then I end up feeling disappointed when I don’t complete my list. This year I’m starting simple. Clean out a drawer, a closet, a shelf and celebrate the little progress I am making toward decluttering and simplifying my home. Visit your local farmers market and buy something to support your community. Try out a new recipe. Cook something new with the fresh ingredients you found at the farmers market. Put some fresh flowers in your home. Buy some fresh flowers or cut them from your garden. Something as simple as a vase of flowers adds a little color and cheer to your home. Consider bringing a simple mason jar of fresh flowers to someone else or drop them off anonymously on your neighbors doorstep. Invite some friends over for dinner this summer. Practice Hospitality. Keep it simple with something like a charcuterie board or a summer salad. The point is to connect and enjoy an evening together with life giving conversation. Put on some fun music, laugh and savor friendships that can easily get lost in the busyness of our lives. Make choices that keep you engaged in relationships. Look at that calendar with a careful eye. Is it too busy? Have you allowed time for the important relationships in your life? Are you making an effort to engage in a new relationship? Consider a media fast for a period of time this summer. For a day, a week, even part of a day - turn off the phone, the tv, the computer, and let your mind rest. Turn off all those notifications that distract and interrupt your train of thought. Journal how you felt after your fast. Were you more able to fully engage with others? What did you learn about yourself? Put on some of your favorite music and dance! Make a Care Basket for someone who needs a special touch of love. I like to collect things for care baskets all year long and keep them in my gift closet so that I have things ready to gather when the need arises. Then I add things to it that I know would mean something special to the recipient. Here are some of the things I typically include - an encouragement card, a candle, tea and usually a pretty tea cup, something homemade like a loaf of pumpkin bread, homemade granola or cookies for example. I usually include some wonderful body lotion or bath salts, or a pretty journal. I always include a few pieces of dark chocolate (because chocolate just makes everything better) and fresh flowers or a pretty blooming plant. I collect pretty tea towels when I see them on sale and line the care basket with one and tie the goodies up with a pretty ribbon. I often include Scripture cards or quotes of encouragement. There are so many wonderful and different ways to make a special care basket. It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money to be special. You’ll end up being the one blessed! Watch the sunset or wake up early and catch the sunrise. Soak in God's presence! Take in the vastness of the night sky. Drive somewhere away from the city lights, bring a blanket and lay out and look at the stars. Listen to the quiet. Be amazed! Psalm 148:2-4 “Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his armies! Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars. Praise him, you heaven of heavens, and you waters above the heavens.” Psalm 147:3-5 “He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. He counts the stars and calls them all by name. How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension!” Psalm 8:3-4 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Plan an adventure far away or close to home. This year my husband Ken and I began our summer with an adventure that had been on our wish list for almost thirty years. We made a trip to the Canadian Rockies - Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper -to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary! It was all we dreamed it would be and more. The splendor of God’s glory on display was unlike anything I have ever experienced. We spent time out in nature, in the beauty of the snow capped mountains, and crashing waterfalls, hiked through canyons and saw wildlife in abundance. The sights along the Icelandic Parkway, which is considered one of the top drives in the world, filled our eyes and hearts with awe. Each turn seemed to bring another wonder to behold. We reconnected as we pulled away together, celebrated and remembered the hand of God and His faithfulness and grace in our marriage and ministry through the years. We ate delicious food - found amazing new picnic spots - and stretched ourselves beyond what we thought we could do physically as we hiked into canyons seeking out glimpses of God’s glory. Amazingly, at each of the three hikes to waterfalls, God gave us a rainbow! Along the way we saw some of God’s magnificent creatures, (bears, elk, and big horn sheep, mountain goats, beavers, beautiful birds, and even a porcupine!) We came home blessed beyond measure! It was the trip of a lifetime, one we had saved and dreamed of making for so many years.  Beautiful Lake Louise in Banff National Park  The water of Maligne Canyon in Jasper National Park carving its path through the mountain and rock. I encourage you to dream and plan an adventure of your own. You may have to wait like we did, but don’t let that stop you. In the meantime, consider taking in some of the sights and beauty waiting for you a little closer to home. Oh, how we need to get out of our routine, our offices and computers and let nature restore us! The Scriptures are filled with visual images of water, mountains and valleys. They can so beautifully depict our faith journey. It’s good to get out into nature and soak in the beauty. It gives our souls space to breathe. As we traversed through the deep canyons in Canada and made our way up and up in search of the promised reward at the top, a glorious waterfall, I thought about how that path mirrors the journey of our souls. There were deep crevices that the water had carved through the rock as the force made its way down from the mountain peaks. We began our hike at the base, in the valley and the path was full of challenges, much like life that often twists and turns and is sometimes hard like the rocks in those canyons. But the living water of Jesus brings life in those hard places. The trees clung to the rocks and beautiful green mosses covered the ground, nourished by the splashing water. The pressing onward is always worth the effort. Along the way, in addition to incredible beauty, God gave us a special bonus. We met people from all over the world - Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Europe, India. We came from different cultures and faiths and yet deep within us God has placed that yearning for beauty, for adventure, for something beyond ourselves, for we are created in the image of the God who created the universe!  Johnston Canyon and Falls in Banff National Park. When we reached the top the gushing, abundance of water was such a beautiful metaphor of the sustaining life-giving power of Jesus. Nature knows to yield to the waters force and let it have its way. We even saw one canyon where the water had completely changed its course. Sometimes, God does that in our lives. I’m so glad that Ken and I have learned to yield to His way within us even though there has often been pain in the process. The Lord has lovingly etched out the path He wanted us to take in our lives and ministry. His goal is always the carving and molding of our lives so that we will be a display of His glory. As we drove through the valley, the snow capped mountain peaks surrounded us. It was to me a picture of God’s glory, strength and presence - always there - majestic, beautiful, and powerful. Nestled in the mountains were the most beautiful glacier lakes. They were colors of deep turquoise and green like I had never before seen. We have such a creative God! He is the Master Artist, painting His wonders for us to behold and enjoy. Truly His glory was on display in the Canadian Rockies for us to celebrate and savor! The extravagant beauty of them will always remain in my mind.  Glorious Moraine Lake in Banff National Park still thawing out! The day after we returned, from our wonderful trip I found myself in a deep valley of physical illness that lasted for over a week including four days of high fever. The shock of it stunned and exhausted me physically. I was forced to yield and rest. In the mountain top experiences of our lives we feel overwhelmed by the goodness and majesty of our great God and in the valleys we often feel vulnerable and shaken. I began my summer with both of those experiences. Here is the truth that remains - Our great Lord is with us through them all, sustaining us with His power and love every step of the journey. Psalm 121 A song of ascents. I lift up my eyes to the mountains-- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip-- he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you-- the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm-- he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. I’ll close out today's Musing with a slide show of some of the wonders we saw in the Canadian Rockies. If you only knew how hard it was to choose from all the photos! Even if you can’t make a vacation trip this summer, take a moment to enjoy some of His beauty where you live and dream about future adventures to celebrate summer! So what about you - what are some thoughts you have about how to celebrate summer? Please share them on social media where you are reading this or on the website in the comment section below. We would love to hear from you! Grateful and blessed to be celebrating summer! Kathy  If you are reading this blog through social media we would suggest that you sign up to recieve the blog each week in your email inbox. It will come directly to you to read at your leisure.
Just enter your email in the subscriber box on the right at the top of this blog page on the website, then REPLY to the invitation email you will receive in your personal inbox. Your email address is safe with us! Follow ALL directions to completion! Feel free to share our blogs on your social media or email them to a friend. Just follow the directions carefully. It is a joy to welcome back Margaret Kemp as a guest writer to Restore's Monday Musing Blog. Margaret writing always touches your heart in a place of deep need. As we move into the new season of summer, we are often faced with new struggles and often great expectations that sometimes bring disappointments. There is One who understands. I know you'll be encouraged by her words. Kathy Knees bent, arms raised, racket held high, I waited. Eyes fixed on the net, ears tuning out the clatter of other games in the field house, I got ready. Swat. Too late. Moving side to side, anticipating the swoosh of the shuttlecock as it met the racket, I prepared again. Swat. Missed again. How could anyone fail at badminton? Badminton! I thought badminton would be an easy class to fulfill the PE requirement for my Special Education degree. I was taking it Pass-Fail—not even for a letter grade. In the three years I’d been in college, I’d never dropped a course. Though I certainly wasn’t winning any medals for my athletic ability, I’d never struggled academically. Now, despite my best efforts, I was in danger of failing, and withdrawal seemed the best option. My instructor encouraged me to stick with it, so I agreed to give it one more week. My badminton partner patiently served the birdie again and again. And my roommate, a Kinesiology major, helped me practice by throwing wads of paper across the dorm room. I thought, Lord, why am I having such a hard time with this? As I poured out my complaints to the Lord, He spoke to me in the quietness of my spirit. If you want to teach special needs children, you need to experience what they experience----the challenge of accomplishing skills that come easily to others. You need to learn empathy. When we’ve experienced firsthand what someone else is going through, we are able to understand and share in their struggle. We can offer empathy. Jesus is the Master of empathy. He knows exactly how we feel---not just in an intellectual sense, but in a Been-There-Done-That kind of way. The Creator of the universe put on human skin. He felt the sun beating down on His head, the gritty desert sand scorching His feet, the lightning bolts of pain shooting through His body as nails were driven through His feet and hands. He experienced the same temptations we do. In Matthew 4:1-11, we read about Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness. Jesus felt the clawing in his stomach and the temptation to satisfy that hunger in the wrong way. Jesus knows what it’s like to see all the splendid things the world has to offer, and to know He could have them all without blood, sweat, and tears---if only He’d make a deal with the devil. He knows the taunting of the enemy, and He’s been faced with the same kind of choices we must make: Gratify the flesh or glorify the Father. “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15 NKJV  Have you been mocked? Jesus know what that feels like. Betrayed? He’s been there, too. Are you weeping over lost loved ones or wayward children? Jesus wept over those things, too. Have you felt like no one understands, like even God has turned His back on you? Guess what…Jesus has firsthand experience with that, too. He knows the battles we face as well as the victory of overcoming temptation. He tenderly reaches out to us and says, “I know it’s hard. Here, let me help you.” He took the penalty for our sins, but He didn’t stop there. Jesus didn’t leave us alone to swing aimlessly at the enticements the enemy serves into our court. Jesus sent His Spirit to intercede for us and empower us. “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” I Corinthians 10:13 NKJV “Yet in all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Romans 8:37  I finally learned to hit the shuttlecock and even grew to enjoy playing badminton. But the badminton dilemma was just the introductory course in God’s School of Empathy. Since then, I’ve proceeded to graduate level courses---like divorce and serious illness. Each lesson has rendered me a little less judgmental, a little more compassionate. And in these life-lessons, I’m learning to lean on the One who loves me. Do you know someone who needs a little extra patience and understanding today? Or maybe you’re the one who’s struggling---wrestling with temptation, grappling with pain and heartbreak, straining to do things that are just plain hard. Maybe it feels like no one understands. Turn to Jesus. He knows exactly how you feel, and He has the power to help. In our frailty, Jesus offers friendship. In our struggle, He offers strength. He’s the Master of Empathy. Lord Jesus, in our struggles, let us rest in your love and rely on your leading. In our temptations, guide us to that way of escape. Help us show empathy to our fellow strugglers.  “O, Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my paths and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.” Psalm 139: 1-3
Resting in Jesus, Margaret |
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