Finding Peace in a Shaky World

Posted on May 5, 2013 by 4Seasons2013

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit”—Romans 15:13 (NIV).

A ringing phone after midnight jolted me from a deep sleep. Expecting to hear one of my sons on the other end, I jumped into action when I heard the recorded voice telling me to take cover immediately. At the same time, I heard the tornado sirens blaring. Grabbing my glasses, my dog and my bed comforter, I headed for the safest place in my house—a long hallway.

My heart raced as adrenaline kicked into survival mode. Lying in the hallway, I could hear the strong wind and blaring sirens as my dog and I huddled under the comforter. For what seemed like an eternity, I lay there praying. After the sirens and wind ceased, I headed back to bed, but could not sleep. Turning on the television, I listened for updates as the storm moved across northeastern Oklahoma. Communication with the outside world via Facebook and texting on my cell phone kept me connected with friends and family who were still in the path of the storm.

Storms of all kinds can keep us from finding peace in a shaky world. Two recent national incidents not only destroyed lives but also rattled our peace. With the Boston Marathon bombing and the explosion of a Texas fertilizer plant, people across the nation have heavy hearts.

It’s hard to comprehend the hideous act in Boston but within hours of the bombing, Internet chatter claimed that a “dark-skinned male” was in custody. The 22-year-old Saudi Arabian student was recovering from the blasts in a Boston hospital while police raided his apartment. Other media followed, raising the alarm and suspicions that the perpetrators were “brown-skinned.”

Premature reports like these led to incidences of insults and beatings heaped on “dark-skinned” foreigners who had no connection to the event. A Palestinian woman in Boston was assaulted by a man who said, “You are terrorists! I hate you! You are involved in the Boston explosions!”

The rush for indictment and revenge is not the answer, nor does it bring peace in a world so desperate for understanding. For some, a prayer vigil or service was a way to gather with others to spiritually support the bombing victims, the city of Boston, and even pray for the perpetrators. For others, it was a way to seek answers—or peace, in the face of unsettling evil.

America has suffered much at the hands of both foreign and domestic terrorists. We have become suspicious and fearful. Being fearful, however, robs us of our peace, a peace only found when we are grounded in our faith through spiritual practices like reading scripture, prayer and being part of a faith family. Our faith should lead us to reach out to the hurting, to the disenfranchised, to the lost, to the poor.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Peace cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding.”

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Powerful Two-Word Tranquilizer Can Change Your Life

Posted on April 29, 2013 by 4Seasons2013

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid”—John 14:27 (RSV).

Did you know April is National Stress Awareness Month? I didn’t. Members of the health care community and other experts have been providing encouragement this month so that Americans might reduce their stress levels, be better able to manage multiple responsibilities and find the time to take care of themselves as well as their loved ones.

Sometimes, that’s easier said than done. Life is challenging. Assorted responsibilities, negative news from the media, outside pressures to fit in, job loss, a death in the family and a multitude of demands on our time can lead to stress. When we don’t deal with stress in a positive way, it can lead to health problems. Stress, according to a Carnegie Mellon University study, can lead to a weakened immune system, which in turn, can cause heart disease, cancer, lung ailments, accidents, cirrhosis of the liver and even suicide.

Some people cope with stress by turning to drugs—legal and illegal, alcohol and other unhealthy substances.

Obesity rates are also linked to stress-filled lives, causing many to seek comfort foods. Many of today’s families are also so busy with extra-curricular activities that eating fast food has become the norm.  Unhealthy eating habits leave us less able to cope with stress-filled days of packed schedules.

Recently, I came across author Ron Hutchcraft’s article called “The Two-Word Tranquilizer.” Citing James 4:13-15, Hutchcraft says, “Now listen,you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.  Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will,we will live and do this or that.’”

Hutchcraft says he was turned off for years by people who said, “Lord willing,” every other sentence. However, he now confesses he is beginning to understand the peace-giving power of those two words, “Lord willing.”

In our rush to fill every hour of the day with activities, we forget Psalm 90:12. “Lord, teach us to number our days aright so we may apply our hearts to wisdom.”

“In our wall-to-wall schedules,” says Hutchcraft, “we rule out God’s right to re-schedule our day, to interrupt, to slow us down, to cancel, and He often does.

“I began to realize how much of my own stress I create by not saying, ‘Lord, here’s my list, here’s my goal, here’s my plan, here’s my schedule,’” he adds. “I can avoid so much frustration if I allow the God of heaven to be the Lord of my almighty, untouchable schedule. And, I do that with two words, ‘Lord Willing.’”

Those two words can bring peace when we give our schedules and lists to Him. As Hutchcraft says, “It’s a powerful two-word tranquilizer.”

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As Seasons Change, So Do Our Lives

Posted on April 22, 2013 by 4Seasons2013

“But God was always there doing the good things that prove He is real. He gives you rain from heaven and good harvests at the right times. He gives you plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy”— Acts 14:17(ERV).

 Across the nation, winter has clung tenaciously, refusing to give in to spring, which officially announced its presence on man’s calendar last month. However, that hasn’t stopped early-blooming flowers, like Phlox and Hyacinths, from revealing their faces. These two plants, growing in my flowerbeds, withstood recent cold snaps, including some light snow several weeks ago.

However, these early spring flowers do not last long. My Hyacinths are already fading. but the Phlox hasn’t yet reached its peak. Other perennial flowers in my beds will begin to reveal their beauty soon and as I add colorful annuals, the blooms of both will provide a harvest of splendor and joy. They also provide nutrition for bees, butterflies and birds, gracing my life with their presence.

Although I appreciate each season, working in my flowerbeds in the spring and summer bring a peace that only those who love getting their hands dirty in God’s good earth can understand. We are the ones who eagerly anticipate the delivery of new flowers, shrubs and trees to local nurseries and home improvement stores. We listen to the weatherman, praying that his forecast will announce the end of winter weather, even if the calendar claims the arrival of spring.

Just as the seasons change in nature, the seasons of our lives change as well. Our marital status may change. Our children will grow up and leave home (hopefully). We’re hired for a job but then laid-off.  Our parents will pass away. We move to a different house or community because of status changes, including job moves, downsizing or divorce. We face critical health issues or lose a loved one unexpectedly. We look in the mirror each morning and see new wrinkles and grey hair, if we still have hair.

Recently, a friend and I were discussing the upcoming move of neighbors with an elementary-aged son who is not looking forward to leaving his friends. We both agreed that it is probably easier on younger students to adjust in a new school system than for older ones. However, I can recall being uprooted at age 16 to move almost 600 miles to a rural area where my mother had been raised. My sister and I adjusted well, even though we had to leave childhood friends behind.

In any aspect of our lives, we will move from a place of security into the unknown. Embracing those changes in our lives can be difficult. However, if we see these changes as opportunities for growth, anticipating what God will do next in our lives, we can adjust, with His help. He will provide whatever we need in any season of life, just as He provides whatever nature needs to flourish.

Find a way to embrace the beauty of each new season of your life. Know that nothing stays the same forever, except our Heavenly Father.

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Weathering the Storms of Life

Posted on April 16, 2013 by 4Seasons2013

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble”— Psalm 46:1(NIV).

For my first 16 years, I lived in Louisiana where preparing for a hurricane meant boarding up windows, stockpiling fresh water and non-perishable goods, checking the first-aid kit and having other necessities on hand. Residents were urged to have an evacuation route before the storm hit.

After moving to Oklahoma, it became necessary to prepare for another type of storm—a tornado. With a tornado, the window of opportunity to prepare is not as wide as it is with a hurricane. Therefore, a different plan of action is required. While an emergency kit and a family communications plan are encouraged, one must be constantly alert to changing weather conditions. Tornadoes can spawn rapidly so advance warning is crucial.

While it’s important to be prepared and to know what to do in case of an emergency, unexpected catastrophic events can occur without warning. We think our lives are running smoothly when an unpredictable storm leaves a path of destruction and suffering behind.  Life’s storms can come in the form of a cancer diagnosis, job loss after years of being a faithful employee or unexpectedly losing a loved one in an automobile accident. Living with someone who has a drug or alcohol addiction, the death of an elderly parent, having a child diagnosed with an incurable disease or experiencing the death of a spouse can shake up our world, leaving us grasping for hope.

We have a checklist to prepare for natural disasters. But what about a life storm? Are you spiritually prepared to weather the storms that come your way? Being spiritually grounded means we can face calamity with a peace passing rational understanding. Even in the midst of pain and suffering, having the right resources to guide us through the storm will result in calm.

How do we spiritually prepare? By spending time in conversation with God each day, listening for His voice, we will naturally turn to Him in prayer in the midst of any emergency. Prayer brings comfort and peace, sustaining us when we need it the most.

Second, having knowledge of scripture helps bring solace in times of trouble and can be an important tool during times of darkness in our lives. My favorite is the 23rd Psalm. Another is Romans 8:38-39: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Finally, to be spiritually prepared for the storms of life, we need to participate actively in a community of faith. By worshipping on a regular basis and investing in the church with our financial gifts, time and talents, we have a family of faith to support us in times of trouble.

When we are spiritually prepared, we can say confidently, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

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Socks and a Pair of Size 12 Boots

Posted on December 16, 2012 by 4Seasons2013

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,and to give his life as a ransom for many”—Mark 10:45 (NIV).

Socks and a pair of size 12 boots is all it took to put an ear-to-ear smile on the face of a homeless man. As a “Tulsa World” editorial said, “What a story!”

If you missed the heartwarming story that has become an online hit, the details might just inspire your giving this season. If a tourist had not snapped the photo of a New York City police officer putting the new socks and boots onto the feet of the homeless man, none of us would probably have learned of his generosity and kindness. (AP Photo)

On a frigid night last month in Times Square, 25-year-old Officer Larry DePrimo spotted the barefoot man sitting on a sidewalk. Homeless, the man was begging for change. DePrimo, according to reports, didn’t hesitate but immediately walked to a nearby shoe store to purchase a pair of the store’s best all-weather boots and thermal socks. The storeowner offered a discount when he learned why DePrimo was making the purchase. However, the total purchase price was more than $75, a large amount of what he earns for a day’s wages as a three-year NYC police veteran.

An Arizona woman, who was visiting New York with her boyfriend, witnessed the act of kindness. According to Jennifer Foster, who shot the photo with her cell phone, “The officer did not know I was watching but this man’s face lit up like it was Christmas. . . like he had just been given, literally, a million dollars.”

DePrimo also was unaware that Foster, who is a sheriff’s office dispatch manager, had posted the photo on the NYPD Facebook page, along with the following commentary: “His presentation of human kindness has not been lost on myself or any of the Arizona law enforcement officials with whom this story has been shared.” Foster didn’t even know the NYC police officer’s name when she made this comment.

When the photo drew thousands of comments, reporters asked DePrimo why he had bought the socks and boots. “I was just doing my job,” he said. Referring to using his own money, he added, “You just don’t think about things like that.”

Family members have said that giving comes naturally for this young officer. According to an uncle, Deprimo “learned his kindness from a grandfather who died in June.”

Upon learning of the selfless act, a neighbor said, “The whole family is very respectful, very nice people. I hope my kids grow up to be like that.”

What if we all learned a lesson from this young man’s example? Although it’s the season of giving, I have a feeling that Officer DePrimo is in the habit of helping the less-fortunate throughout the year.

As holiday cheer motivates us to be more giving, let us remember the generosity of Jesus, who came, not to be served, but to serve

Carol’s new book, “by FAITH alone” is now available at amazon.com.
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What do you lack?

Posted on November 19, 2012 by 4Seasons2013

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name”—Psalm 100:4 (NIV).

One of the things I like about technology is being able to stay connected with others. While I sometimes groan about our fast-paced world, I love keeping up with like-minded individuals through Facebook. On November 1, I noticed a 40-Day “thanks”-giving challenge. Each day in November, people began to post those things and people for which they are grateful. I joined the challenge and began posting daily.

During November, we celebrate a national day of thanksgiving, always the last Thursday of the month. This American holiday is a time to remember and give thanks for all of our blessings. For many, however, it’s the only day of the year they feel led to express their gratitude.

Did you know that one of humanity’s most powerful positive emotions is gratitude? Several years ago, psychologists started studying the science of giving thanks. What they discovered might surprise you. When you count your blessings, it makes you happier, even during difficult times.

Psychology professor Michael McCullough has studied people who were asked to be thankful on a regular basis. “When you stop to count your blessings, you are sort of hijacking your emotional system.”

Research by McCullough and others has revealed that giving thanks is a powerful emotion, feeding on itself. McCullough says, “Psychologists used to underestimate the strength of simple gratitude. It does make people happier. It’s an incredible feeling.”

Another psychologist, Maryann Troiana, has her clients keep a gratitude journal. By listing daily what they are thankful for, it changes their attitude and outlook on life. Agreeing, psychology professor Robert Emmons says, “It is important to focus more on the people for whom you are grateful. By concentrating on what life would be like without the good things, especially people like our spouses, you begin to realize just how grateful you are.”

Grateful people “feel more alert, alive, interested and enthusiastic,” Emmons says. “They also feel more connected to others.” Emmons, who has written two books on the science of gratitude, often studies the effects of using a gratitude journal.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Paul writes, “Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.”

Thank God no matter what happens? Surely, Paul was joking. What if we lived each day in gratitude for what we do have? What if we recalled the ways He has taken care of us in the past? Instead of complaining about those things we lack, what if we began to take an inventory of our simple treasures and conveniences like family, friends, food, shelter, electricity, a vehicle, our health and more. The list is endless.

While we can be blindsided by life’s unexpected burdens, we can choose to give thanks in all circumstances. Each day should be a day of thanksgiving to God and a lifestyle among God’s people. What are you thankful for today?

Coming soon: Carol’s new book, “Sola Fide: by FAITH alone.”

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Broken Wings

Posted on November 16, 2012 by 4Seasons2013

I’d like to share the following post by author & motivational speaker, Terry Lynn. Terri is an expert at choosing happiness and using the Divine navigation system. As a sales manager she motivated and inspired others and became known as Fortune Cookie. She lives in Newtown Square, Pa. with her son Dan. Her intention is to show the benefits of putting happiness first. Her book, Journey to My Soul: Following Divine Navigation can be purchased at Balboa Press.

Growing up in an Irish Catholic home I learned about God early on. One day I searched my whole world looking for God until I gained the awareness that God was within me. So at a very young age I learned that I am not alone and began a friendship with God.

Married at a young age I fulfilled my lifelong dream of being a mother. When my marriage began to fall apart only nine months after my second son was born I was devastated. During my divorce I prayed for the best choice for my sons. My prayer was clearly answered and I walked away with nothing to give my sons a better life.

Four years later that decision had consequences that horrified me. My young sons moved hours away with their dad. Broken and unable to face the pain, I prayed for death. I felt that because God lead me to this pain that God would fix it.  But I soon learned that death was not going to save me. God revealed to me that I was to live. This is where my fight to be happy began. I needed to find a positive focus if I were to survive and I knew I needed God’s strength to get me through.  I surrendered. This poem best describes my feelings.

Broken Wings

With broken wings

My new life begins

Becoming aware

That life is not fair

Starting over again

My broken heart on mend

With hope in mind

Recalls, love is kind

The sadness surrounds me

But an optimist I must be

For every choice is mine

And my life is on the line

A broken spirit without wings

A task too difficult to begin

Strength, delivered from above

Shows as borrowed wings from the Dove

  As I look back on the past thirty years of my life I see the magic and miracles that followed my path. I see how I was directed, carried even, through those dark days. I decided to be happy, no matter what. My children grew up with a happy mom and when they were old enough to come with me I had a great life to share with them. I am so grateful for those borrowed wings that helped me fly high with happiness. Live happy!

You can connect with Terry Lynn at
Blog: http://thinkhappyandbehappy.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/thinkandbehappy
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Think-Happy-Be-Happy/160266974028163?ref=hl

 

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Are You Hungry for More?

Posted on September 24, 2012 by 4Seasons2013

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh”–Ezekiel 36:26(NIV)

If you go to bed each night with your belly full, then you are blessed. According to a recent article, “Hungry in America,” the long U.S. economic down cycle and high unemployment rates have impoverished millions of families in our country. I was astonished when I read the following facts in the article about hunger in this nation: Of the 25 richest industrialized nations, the U.S. has the highest childhood poverty rate second only to Mexico. In our country, 39.5 million people live in poverty, a number equal to Canada’s entire population.

Almost 15 percent of U.S. households or 17.4 million American families are now “food insecure,” an almost 30 percent increase since 2006. This means that during any given month, they will be out of money and food, and will be forced to miss meals or seek assistance to feed themselves, according to a 2010 report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

 The report also cited the three most common reasons people fall into situational poverty:  illness, divorce and job loss. Maybe you fall into one or more of these categories or maybe you know someone who has. If you haven’t, maybe you’ve heard the expression, “There but for the grace of God go I.”

 While we can blame others for the state of our economy, including our political system, each one of us must examine our hearts and take responsibility for our choices. Our first choice is to seek God. Pride can keep us from admitting our part in the failure of society to recognize human needs.

 Recently, I saw the following posted on Facebook: “People were created to be loved. Things were created to be used. The reason the world is in chaos is because things are being loved and people are being used.”

Whoever wrote this has it right. I call it spiritual poverty. According to authors Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend, “Whether or not we have problems or struggles in life, we still need God and we need to know we are in the process of finding him. The Bible teaches that all of us (not just some of us) are in this state. Every person needs God’ s grace and mercy. By our very nature, we are broken people with no hope except for God.”

In a fallen world, we often forget God’s grace. We allow the media, political rhetoric and a lack of faith to harden our hearts. Ezekiel 36:26 tells us that God will give us a new heart and put a new spirit in us. He will remove our hearts of stone and give us a heart of flesh.

Physical hunger in our country is a problem; however, the greatest need is a hunger for more of God. When we seek to fill our hearts and spirit with Him, we will be moved to help provide for the physical needs of others.

 Email your comments to the author at carolaround@yahoo.com.

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No One Likes to Suffer

Posted on September 3, 2012 by 4Seasons2013

“Christ suffered for you. He left you an example. He expects you to follow in his steps. You too were chosen to suffer”—1 Peter 2:21(NIRV).

Shoes of every color, style and size were piled on top of each other at the front of the sanctuary. I added three pair to the jumble of men’s, women’s and children’s shoes destined for Haiti. Some members of our church contributed many more.

Conversation ensued among our congregation about how many pair of shoes could be found in our respective closets. We all agreed on one thing—we had too many shoes. However, that day, known as Barefoot Sunday, not only made us aware of how blessed we are, it gave us an opportunity to be a blessing to others, specifically the Haitians.

A mission team from our church will deliver the shoes this fall when they travel to Haiti to continue helping with reconstruction after the 2010 earthquake. Haiti, slightly smaller than the state of Maryland, is also the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Throughout its history, political violence has occurred regularly, leading to government instability. The island also has had a history of destructive earthquakes, including a 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck on January 12, 2010 and devastated Port-au-Prince. While the highest reliable death count was estimated at 220,000, the Haitian government’s estimates were higher.

Although it will soon be three years since the earthquake hit, hands are still needed to help rebuild the countless homes, businesses and government structures that were destroyed, leaving hundreds of thousands homeless. We, who live in such a blessed nation, cannot fathom the destruction of a country that was already unstable.

Shane Claiborne, author of “The Irresistible Revolution,” once spent time serving alongside Mother Teresa in Calcutta. Shane explains it was customary for everyone to remove his or her shoes when entering the church. During these times, Shane noticed Mother Teresa’s feet were deformed, so deformed he thought it was due to leprosy. However, he didn’t want to ask.

One day, Shane had the opportunity to ask another nun about Mother Teresa’s feet. The Sister explained that a limited number of shoe donations were received each year. Usually there were only enough for each person to get one pair. When the shipments arrived, Mother Teresa would sort through all the footwear, looking for the worst-for-wear pair, and then she would claim them for herself, even if they didn’t quite fit. Doesn’t that give new light to being the hands and feet of Jesus?

Most Americans are spoiled. Even the poorest in America are better off than those in Haiti or Calcutta. We make selfish choices all the time and our closets are overflowing with shoes and clothing, making it difficult for some of us to decide what to wear on any given morning. I’m guilty too.

However, what about the innocent man, Jesus, the Son of God, whose choice led to suffering and death? No one likes to suffer. However, He expects us to follow in His footsteps. Are you following His example?

If you haven’t taken the challenge, you still have time. Download “The 40-Day Challenge,” a free ebook until September 9. Click on the tab above.

 

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Climbing Out of the Pit

Posted on July 15, 2012 by 4Seasons2013

“Do not fear, for I am with you;
Do not anxiously look about you,
for I am your God.
I will strengthen you…
I will uphold you”—Isaiah 41:10 (NASB).

 

Depression affects about 19 million people in the United States every year. In the past, depression was a taboo subject. People didn’t talk about it because of the stigma associated with the word. If someone had a “nervous breakdown,” the family hid the truth from the prying eyes of the community.

Thankfully, today, depression is out in the open. Many of us have felt sad or alone at some point. However, when the sadness becomes overwhelming or lingers for a long time, it may be a sign of depression. Depression symptoms can include insomnia, anxiety, dismal mood, panic, thoughts of suicide, loss of energy/weight/joy/libido/love for life. It may conjure up images of people staring through a window at a drizzly day.

Depressive illness, which is a medical condition, isn’t like that Monday-morning I-hate-to-go- back- to-work feeling. It’s not the down-in-the-dumps feeling you have when your return from a vacation to find your house in disarray because your hot water pipes burst. Depression is a medical fact, like breaking a leg, only the broken part is in the chemical circuitry of your brain. Depression can affect people’s ability to work, study, interact with others or take care of themselves. It can be caused by imbalances in brain chemistry but can also be triggered by stress, poor nutrition, physical illness, and personal loss as well as school or relationship difficulties. Healing doesn’t happen overnight.

In my early 40s, I was diagnosed with depression, triggered by marital problems. My mother fought it most of her adult life. If you have a family history, an event can activate the depressive state. For me, healing required counseling and medication. However, one of the greatest tools to healing has been my prayer journal.

Writing down my thoughts in a letter to God has helped me to see how valuable I am. My self-worth took a nosedive in my 40s when my husband (at the time) wanted a divorce because he was attracted to another woman. The fact that the woman was 20 years his junior didn’t help my self-esteem either.

I sought self-worth in other things, including an extreme weight loss and rigid exercise routine, shopping for new clothes because I’d lost 55 pounds, a complete makeover which included a new hair color and seeking approval from others.

Through prayer journaling, I have been able to unravel the reasons my marriage failed. I have also come to realize that God loves me for who I am. I don’t have to prove anything to Him. As I have overcome my depression, He has replaced it with joy.  Psalm 30:11 says, “You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.”

The opposite of joy is sadness. However, it’s hard to remain sad when your joy is found in the Lord.  Nehemiah 8:10 says, “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

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