Abundance: Getting Rid Of The Chaff

During harvest there are days around here it looks like an alien winter has arrived. Blowing bits of red fluffy chaff swirls around the barn, buildings and the house. The boys come in at night with it in their hair, ears, pockets...and socks. It's a part of farm life and it comes with this season of life.

CHAFF.

and we have piles of it.

It's been my observation that other than a mosquito -there is nothing more useless than chaff. In order to bring in our harvest though-we have to deal with it. Like it or not. Chaff yields no benefit to the farming operation other than it just sits there in piles accumulating. It gets in way-makes the landscaping look bad and on occasion gets in your eyes and makes for a bad hair day.

..and so it is spiritually with us.

Our calendars and lives are loaded with chaff

and the evidence of a fruitful harvest is virtually non-existent.

We feel useless-pointless and fruitless

because we are slaves to the chaff and lose focus on the harvest.

We spend our minutes and use them to put out fires rather than pouring into others.

We take our days and and spend them

idly instead of intentionally.

We spend our lives on ourselves rather than

sacrificially living.

Chaff.

...and we have piles of it.

" For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Ephesians 2:10 

So let's take a look at the big picture! Here are 3 ways to walk toward abundant living and leave the chaff behind.

1. Ask God to show you what He has specifically called you to BE.

It's all about priorities and God knows the order that He wants your life to take. Ask Him to show you 2 primary callings that need attention. What are they? If today was your last day-what would sum up your life? What would be said about you? Would you be known for your compassionate, generous heart and kind words who took time to care about the little things?--or would people remember an angry, frazzled and stressed out mom who spent more time on Facebook than in The Book? What counts? 

I would encourage you to start at the very beginning. Is it your family that needs to experience seeing you as a Christ centered woman of God?

Are you married with kiddos? That is your calling!!! It starts at home.  That relationship is the highest representation of Christ and the Church. So many women search for fulfillment and meaning outside of the primary relationships that God has called us to. What good is having a huge ministry if your husband and kids get the left-overs of a wife and mommy that is frazzled? Living in the gray areas always costs something--it just depends on who gets to pay.

Single? God has given you the gift singleness so that your time can be focused on His purpose and plans. The mission field He has called you to needs your full attention. Is your light shining with your co-workers? Do they even know you are a Believer? Are you taking time to share Jesus with your friends? What good is climbing the corporate ladder or being the "employee of the month" if your light isn't shining brightly for Jesus.

2. Let go of everything that doesn't line up with that calling.

     Once you have narrowed down to the 2 primary callings that God has gifted you with it is time to check off the chaff in your calendar! Learning to say "No" to people and activities that put a drain on you is a freeing thing. What are the essentials in your life? Narrow the scope of your involvement in things--maybe choose ONE church position that is your passion rather than doing 3 things that stress you out. Your "no" leaves room for someone else to say "yes"! 

Involved in lots of outside church activities and children's events? Narrow it down. Try one sport per child per year...one outside activity that builds up your family and doesn't take away from your spiritual walk. I hear you groan and say that is is impossible to do. I hear you. I know. But if sports replaces church--and your activities draw you away from your family you can bet your bottom dollar that the enemy has fertile soil to sow seeds...and believe me-that harvest is painful. You have an enemy that is using your crammed calendar to wreak havoc and the harvest won't be seen until it is too late.

Social media? Get serious about getting rid of time wasting activities. Complaining of not having enough time with the family or being behind at work and yet spending hours surfing the net or staring at the TV is a bit ...well... ridiculously obvious. You are spending time watching others lives rather than living our own. ouch. Try a media fast for 1 week and see how your stress level decreases and your free time increases. Unplugging actually recharges you!

3.Radically consume Christ.

Time spent in the Word helps you sort the chaff out pretty quick. Scripture gives you vision,empowers you to fulfill your calling and is an outlet for every burden and care that weighs you down. Let's face it-if you clean up the calendar and discipline your time you will automatically have more time to spend in prayer, study and reflection. It cultivates a grateful heart and a produces eternal fruit. You can begin to see the difference between the chaff and real fruit and it becomes easier to say "no" to opportunities that can drag you away from joy and contentment.

As you learn to chase God with abandon the breath of the Holy Spirit blows the chaff away. Only God can set you free from the slavery to chaff in your heart, home and life. Somehow when God gets bigger in your life-you begin to see the chaff for what it really is. Jesus becomes real and you trade being a slave to chaff for being a daughter in Christ. All made possible by Grace Incarnate. Grace.

So, what is God talking to you about today? Can you hear God singing over you with His unmerited, daily sufficient Grace? Grace that knows about your slavery to chaff and has made provisions to replace it with abundant harvest. Grace that gives you the strength to let go and Grace that holds on to you while the Holy Spirit breathes life back into these weary and worn out places. GRACE!!! The offer of a harvest is free for the taking when our hands open. Sweet release. Sweet rest.

Father, help me to open my hands. Help me to realize that you will reward only what you have done through me and pardon that which I have done in my own strength. You know my chaff and that I am powerless to see it in myself. God show me where there is no fruit, where I need your Grace to set me free. Help me to let go of the things that rob me of your joy-of the things that plug my ears to the music of your living Spirit. Lord, let the breath of your Holy Spirit so invade my inner spaces so that the chaff is driven away by your sweet songs of deliverance. Your Word says love casts out all fear. Give me the confidence and assurance to boldly take the next step to freedom so I can extend grace to others-for my good and your glory. Amen. 

The Power Living In You

"...so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him." 

~ Ephesians 3:10-12

Christ IN You.

You are IN Christ

Powerful.

Power living IN you.

Power in you to live rightly.

Power in you to make known in the spiritual realm who is King of Kings

and Lord of Lords.

Did you know the prophets LONGED to see Jesus?

They diligently searched, sacrificed and served their God--not for themselves

...but for YOU.

They wanted to see the revelation of Christ IN us and the glory that would be

seen through that revelation.

It wasn't about them--it was about YOU.

It was about Christ IN you--that is what they longed for.

The angels even waited in anticipation of salvation's plan.

Did you know that the angels marvel at the thought of Christ IN us?!

They marvel at Christ IN us!   WOW.

" As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. It was revealed to them they they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through  those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven--things into which the angels long to look." ~1 Peter 1:10-13

The unsearchable riches of Christ!!!!!

...the power of Christ living in us...salvation.

Angels can't know what it feels like to be saved.

God's manifold wisdom of salvation is made known through YOU to the ANGELS.

S.P.E.EC.H.L.E.S.S.

..and all of heaven rejoices when one sinner is saved.

I can't imagine the thunder of angel wings...

the songs of the saints in glory...

the praises of heaven

over one sinner who repents.

Angels marvel at the power living in us.

Do you?

Do you know you have victory?

Do you know the power living in you?!

Do you know Him?

What is your position?

IN CHRIST.

...and all of heaven marvels.

And you, O daughter of God, can raise your head and your hands and walk in victory today because we never walk alone.

Is Christ Your Cornerstone?

"Therefore you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone."

Ephesians 2:19-20

I did a bit of research on cornerstones...good stuff! So, what is a cornerstone?

It is a stone placed at the corner of a building that was used as the foundation and standard upon which a building was constructed. Once in place, the rest of the building would conform to the angles and size of that cornerstone. From that one stone, the entire building would be measured.  It was critical in ancient times that the cornerstone was strong-square-and perfectly shaped or the building would not remain sound. In modern times-a cornerstone is typically for decorative or commemorative uses.

..so I started thinking...

buildings used to need a cornerstone to stand...in modern times it is decoration...

...so I started thinking about my foundation

...and the foundation of our country

...the foundations of the modern church movements

...and wondered if there is any correlation between 

where we came from

--where we are

--and where we are headed.

Cornerstones.

Construction Zones.

What are we building on, folks?!

I think it is about time we take a serious look at our lives.

Is Christ truly The Cornerstone of your life? 

...or is He just a decorative add on to make the outside look good?

Is Christ the basis for your decision making?

...or do you rationalize your choices based on what others will think?

Is Christ the center of your home?

...or do you attend church when it fits your schedule?

Is Christ the focus of your day?

...or do you Facebook or surf rather than getting your face in The Book?

Is Christ the basis of your relationships?

...or do you sink into shallow living so you fit in with the crowd?

Is Christ the center of your mind?

...or do your thoughts wander to places and ideas that  are offensive to God?

Is Christ the reason for what you do?

...or are you motivated by money, advancement, social status?

Is Christ your EVERYTHING?

...or is He just one more thing that you add on to your life...like fire insurance.

Tough Questions...

even tougher answers...

Sometimes the tough questions bring feelings of conviction...

Sometimes the answers reveal the need for repentance...

BUT OUR JESUS NEVER CONDEMNS THOSE WHO ARE IN CHRIST.

So, do you have some areas under construction??

--praise God He is showing you that!

repent-believe-and trust you are being built into

His dwelling place.

Look up sweet sister-you aren't alone.

All of us are in the same boat in need of the same saving Grace.

We are all under construction and thank God we have the Master Builder

that sees our finished product.

"Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A precious cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed. I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line." 

Isaiah 28:16-17

What a precious crimson flow, that sealed you IN CHRIST.

JESUS -THE ONE WHO JUSTIFIES YOU AND GIVES

YOU A RIGHT STANDING BEFORE GOD.

Jesus-the cornerstone to which everything is measured by.

What a precious Rock that we can cling to.

AND THAT MY DEAR FRIEND--IS WORTH CLAIMING HIM AS

YOUR CORNERSTONE.

Check out 1 Peter 2: 4-10. In that passage you will find that you are a living stone because you are IN CHRIST and you are being built up as a spiritual house that God will use. It is a precious thing for those who believe...but for those who don't believe, they will stumble over the very Rock that you are holding on to.

So the ultimate question of the day... IS CHRIST YOUR CORNERSTONE?

Oh, sweet sister-run the race! Dig into knowing who you are IN Christ and what HE wants your building to look like. There is SO much life to live out there beyond what this world offers.

 "...work out your salvation with fear and trembling for it is GOD WHO IS AT WORK IN YOU both to will and to work for His good pleasure." ~Philippians 2:12

PRESS ON!

Christ In Me

"...and you were dead in your trespasses and sins..." Ephesians 2:1

d.e.a.d.

That is where I am was.

d.e.a.d.

Yup. Somehow before I met Jesus I thought I was really living. I am sure you did too. I had no idea that I was walking around dead.... Thinking I was really winning the race when in reality I was nailed in a coffin the whole time.  God sure sees things so differently than we do.  

Meeting Jesus changes everything. Knowing you are IN CHRIST rocks your world. Looking back at your past and seeing where God has brought you from produces A HEART OF GRATITUDE. A HEART OF WORSHIP.

" But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us live together with Christ..." Ephesians 2:4-5

That is your Jesus...so rich in love...so kind in His mercy to you! Rescuing you before you ever knew you needed help... 

Jesus-

The One who enters into your muck and mire.

Pulls you out of the pit.

Washes you off.

Gives you a robe of righteousness.

Plants your feet on The Rock

...and gives you the strength to 

point the way to freedom for others.

THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE HERE FOR.

Close your eyes sit back and listen to God singing over you today.Praise God that you know who you are IN CHRIST...then go, sister!!!
Share the Good News with someone who desperately needs to meet your
Jesus.

Lessons from a cat...

What do you get when you cross a dumpster at the Aeschliman farm...a wild Tom cat...and empty peanut butter jar?

Yes. This is a real-and this cat really did this to himself. This poor Tom cat apparently crawled into our dumpster and found some choice dining. Crazy. While sporting his new attire-he crashed into buildings--flopped--flipped--rolled--jumped in a futile attempt to rid himself of his newly found identity. (...it was actually pretty funny!!) And folks-the jar wasn't coming off no matter what that cat tried. Tommy needed some outside help if he was going to ever catch the next meal. It took 3 attempts by Keri to get this face mask off of this furry feline. I am proud to say--he appears normal and probably is busy re-populating our neighborhood. (sorry.) And yes-he still is snacking in our dumpster--hopefully a bit more wisely.

God has a way of giving me some fairly crazy visual aides to help me in my walk...I guess he knows what works with me. Apparently a dumpster diving cat with a craving for Peter Pan extra creamy helped me to understand Ephesians 1: 1-6. (...check that passage out!) 

Identity. We all chase something that will define us...make us unique...always wanting to be different than everyone else. WE want to matter. A passion. A mission. A calling. A testimony. You name it. We chase it whether it is good or bad.

" We try to control our image, since what is inside feels impossible to fix." 

~Jennie Allen (Chase) 

That is true--and...most of the time we end up looking just as ridiculous as my dumpster diving cat. 

We dig around in the worldly dumpsters hoping for a morsel to satisfy.
We get a taste of something...something yummy...and then we are stuck. 
We can't move like we are meant to move.
A wrong identity gives us a dangerous world view. 
Our vision is blocked-we are on a collision course...and if we keep it up long enough...it could kill us.
Unless we have outside Help.

Maybe if we could grasp what transpired at the cross--we wouldn't be so inspired to chase the wind.

Transformation only happens when I begin to grasp the depth that Love had to go to save this sinner.


"For those of us who know Christ, we stand on the unchanging reality that we have been so loved by our God that He purchased us with the blood of His Son. See, we have worth, but it doesn't come from within us--it comes to us from the One who made us." ~Jennie Allen (Chase)

I walked away from Tommy with a profound thought.

I can just be me. 

I don't need to be someone else.

I look pretty stupid when I chase after things that are a temporary fix.

I don't define me. God does.

Ephesians 1:1-6 says that I am 

adopted.

loved.

accepted.

holy.

 blessed.

All because of what Jesus did for me.

Jesus died for the real you...not some future version of you that is new and improved...not some superwoman who has it all together. Jesus died for the real you...the messy you...the broken you. God has abundant grace to pick you up and give you a new identity.

God is for you.

He is not against you.

I CAN'T GET THIS SONG OUT OF MY HEAD...AND THE PICTURE OF THAT CRAZY CAT...and how much I want to know my worth in Christ-believe it with my whole heart--and then live like it.

AND I AM ON FIRE!
I AM CHASING MY GOD!
I AM CHASING HIS IDENTITY FOR ME!
AND BOY IS IT A BEAUTIFUL SOUND...CAN YOU HEAR HIM CALLING YOU TODAY?

Drops in the Ocean by Hawk Nelson

Crank up the tunes and praise

Him for who He is!

Feel free to check out my other posts on the same topics!

  Identity Crisis

Chaff

When the Hurt and the Healer Collide

Little Places

Dirt and the Farm Wife

Confidence in...who? 

Calmer of the Storm

Trusting Without Borders

I've been thinking about what God is wanting from for me in 2015. 

then I read this blog post this morning...

TRUST WITHOUT BORDERS...

and I realized that (once again) ...it isn't about me... OH-imagine that?!

"It isn't that we have a TRUTH problem; it's that we have a TRUST problem. We don't really TRUST what we know to be TRUE." ~Arabah Joy

SO WHAT'S THE PROBLEM, HERE?! 

anxiety that chokes...

fear that smothers...

pasts that don't let go...

and futures that look bleak.

depression that hangs on...

failure that keeps us down...

uncertainty that weights us down...

unhealthy life choices.

grief that overwhelms.

pain that stabs.

guilt that covers.

shame that hides us...

patterns of sin

truth.trust.

i can fill my head with all the truth...
i can stuff scriptures in my brain all day...
read all self-help articles...
chat with others about issues...
but it really boils down to one thing.

DO. I. TRUST. GOD. AT. HIS. WORD.

Do I really know it to be true in my life?

That God DOES really have things under control...

That my future is secure...

That He loves me enough that He won't let me go...

That my eternal security doesn't depend on my performance--but on Christ alone.

DO. I. TRUST. IT.

DOES. MY. LIFE. REFLECT. IT.

So-I dug out a bracelet that my kids made for me a LONG time ago...

and I'm taking the 40 day challenge. 

For the next 40 days I am going to learn how to TRUST WITHOUT BORDERS... And I am trusting that I will loose myself and find that Jesus will always be enough.

Feel free to click 

Arabah Joy's 40 promises 

read the post

print off the scripture list

and see what God is doing!

The God Question

I don't know if you read the headlines-but this week a comet made news. Scientists were able to discover sound from a comet...wow...and it was beautiful!

Birds sing.

Cattle bellow.

Cats meow.

Dogs bark.

Bugs...make bug noises...

Wolves howl.

Leaves rustle.

Brooks bubble.

Rain patters.

Lightning.

Thunder.

Wind whistles.

Waves crash.

All of the sounds in nature sing.

They sing about the One that created them.

I wonder if we had ears to hear...what would they be saying?

NOWHERE ON GOD'S PLANET IS THERE

A PLACE WHERE GOD'S VOICE

IS NOT HEARD.

HIS CREATION SHOUTS HIS PRAISES

AND GOD 
THE CREATOR 
OF THIS VAST UNIVERSE 
DESERVES OUR WORSHIP.

****

******

" The heavens declare the glory of God' and the firmament sheweth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard."  ~Psalm 19:1-3

Fear

do? you? trust? God?

do. you. believe. it?

Oh-we seek him alright...

Oh-we know he hears...

but one thing nags on us.

...it's the delivery part.

Is God strong enough to deliver us

from our fears.

Is He?!

We like our fears.

They keep us safe.

Our fears are our idols.

Just gonna throw out a thought to you all...

Sometimes I think what we fear as Christian women the most is

knowing that God is Sovereign.

The idea of a Sovereign God is scary.

Because if He is Sovereign.

Then I am not in control.

And not being in control.

creates fear.

I think we all struggle with Sovereignty.

If we had that topic figured out

...we wouldn't worry so much

now would we?

Face it-we know we aren't in control.

can't control our eating

can't control our spending

can't control our children or their choices

can't control our husbands

can't control our health

can't control our emotions

can't control our job

can't control friendships

can't control our drives

can't control our heart

can't control death

can't control our church

can't control our thoughts

can't control our tongues

can't control the world

...and we can't control God

and we live scared to death of truly living.

So we sit and

spin.

We freak out because we can't control our lives and we are terrified that somehow

God might not come through for us.

Laying awake at night in dread

and wasting our day in anxiety.

JOY vaporizes.

Idols do that, don't they?

You were never meant to control the path of your lives or the lives of others-for crying out loud!

that. is. God's. job.

You were never created to carry that kind of burden.

Jesus. carried. it. for. you.

You were meant to be under the control of the

Holy Spirit.

You were meant for so much more than wasting your life in fear.

FREEDOM FROM FEAR!!!!

There is beauty in trusting in a

SOVEREIGN GOD.

There is rest. sweet. release.JOY

OH TO SEE OUR GOD FOR WHO HE IS!!!

s.o.v.e.r.e.i.g.n.

>totally. in. control.

>totally aware of what it is going to take to deal with my stuff.

>totally able to deliver me from my trial 

or 

carry me through

 >totally ever present in every situation

Oh, for a heart to know The Sovereign.

 I don't have to let my fears dictate my identity.

Jesus died

to give me the faith

to believe

that He is strong

enough to hold me

no matter what comes my way.

So today-I run into his arms.

Unashamed and free to shed my fears

and a few tears...

and pick up faith.

If You Struggle With Fear-You Should Read This is an excellent post.

Surrender

The summer flew by and the amount of canning/cooking and general chaos that occurs in our kitchen can be a tad much on some days. Typically, I wash my windows ever couple of months or so...but canning season just gets me behind....I am sure that they were cleaned sometime this spring... er...um...wait...it is now October?!?  

So-one morning this week I woke up after a long night of canning and stumbled out into the kitchen...and the light hit the window just right...just enough for me to get grossed out. 

Seriously?! 

If you have been in my house as a guest you can assume that I am a neat freak...if you have been in my house on a normal day--you would see a different spectacle.

So-to impress ya....

Ah, I will have a candle burning!!!! (to mask the smell from the ridiculously stinky chore jeans that are fermenting somewhere...)

The floors will be swept!!!  (to pick up the trails of cow pies, crud and general farm dirt from 3 farm boys & 2 farm girls and the 50 toes that wear dirty socks...not to mention our dear puppy Louise.)

The dust is off of the furniture!!! (it's actually NOT normal suburban dust-- but rather a protective covering of barn bedding that wafted in--because I left the windows open when they hauled manure from the barn...um...yeah.)

The dishes are done!!! (actually-they just got stuffed into the dishwasher 5 minutes before you arrived-and everything was dried on cause it sat on the counter overnight...or longer.)

The bathroom is spotless!!! (um...3 boys and a hired guy...enough said.)

I'm not joking--the struggle is real.

So it is with each one of us--the storefront looks pretty good. I am sure yours does too.

But when it comes right down to the nitty gritty--there is not a whole lot that is desirable if you look close enough.

We all do it.

We have Facebook to polish and protect an image. 

But underneath all of the smiles-all of the laughter--candles, caked on make-up and cleaning spray--all of the Sunday morning formalities-lays a broken and wounded soul that is in desperate need of 

GRACE.

GRACE. FOR. OTHERS.

GRACE. FROM. OTHERS.

GRACE. FOR. SELF.

GRACE. FROM. GOD.

My window looked fine until the morning light hit it just right...

poof. no more pretending.

...and when His light hits our hearts just right...well...poof. no. more. pretending.

What would life look like if we began the journey of

AUTHENTICITY?

Living a REAL life.

really broken--really forgiven

Clean up jobs. 

broken.

being. really. broken.

being. real. with. ourselves.

being. real. with. others.

God is working to show us where we fix our eyes on ourselves and not on HIM. Grace is a bloody yet beautiful thing.

"In Christ's death I found grace. Grace to be a sinner. Grace to not measure up. Grace for people around me to disappoint me. Grace for my kids and my husband to be human. It is important we understand the reason why we can be imperfect. We don't have to try to measure up or pretend because God rescued us from that impossible pursuit through the blood of Christ. Those of us who have been rescued by God have nothing to prove. We can call sin what it is because our sin has been paid for, cared for. We rest in who we are and what God has accomplished for us...Grace frees me from having to measure up to the impossible standard, while at the same time, grace motivates me to run from sin and obey God." 

~ Stuck by Jennie Allen (pg.25)

So where do we go from here.

I know I am broke.

I know I can't fix myself.

No matter how clean my kitchen window can get-tomorrow it will get dirty again.

No matter how many times you try to keep it together it will fall apart.

So-where do we go from here?

We embrace our brokenness--surrender it to the healing power of Jesus Christ--and watch how 

GRACE. SWEET GRACE. transforms.

WE GO TO THE CROSS...COMPLETELY.

Instead of striving for perfection in our lives..

ah-resting in HIS perfection in my place.

Instead of pursuing the illusive golden key to happiness...

ah-be filled with HIS JOY.

Instead of complaining about my circumstances...

ah-praise HIM for my blessings

Instead of striving for the good life...

ah-sweet surrender to the One who gives eternal life.

Living a wounded life is no life at all.

Surrendering produces 

 rest- peace- joy-

FREEDOM

that you have needed

for oh-so-long

--the shame 

--the depression

--the hurt

--the anger

--the relationships

--the pride

--the fear

--the loneliness

--the discontentment

--the loss

--the sadness

--the future

lay them down

for something far better.

Grace.

Grace is a Person.

Jesus.

In surrendering-you will find that Jesus Christ is more than enough to heal the wounds.

Somehow surrender works a lot like Windex. I washed my kitchen window...and today-I can see more clearly. I get a bigger picture...and I get changed. 

May God fill you with HIS GRACE as you come before Him with your broken places...completely.