Take the Time

by Terri Webster

Sometimes you need to be alone. All alone. With Jesus.

I used to think I didn't have the time. I believed the misconception that being alone with Him was a luxury; a misuse of my time. Unproductive.

I would feel guilty if I drove to a nearby park to enjoy a walk or just sit in the quiet of my car and pray. 

Not anymore. 

When I need to be refreshed from within or I'm seeking direction about something, I can't afford NOT to take the time to be alone with Jesus. He's ready to provide the refreshment my soul longs for and guidance along the right path for me to take. 

What about you? Do you need a fresh touch? Are you wondering what path to take? I encourage you to take 10 minutes, 20 or more to be alone with Him. He will refresh your soul and guide you along the path that you should go, as promised in Psalm 23:3.

He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for His name's sake.

This is how I stay the course, 

Terri

Green Space

by Terri Webster

Are you busy? Is this a good time to talk?

How many times have we asked a friend or family member either of those two questions?

What I’ve thought a lot about lately, though, is how I would respond if God asked me, “Hey, are you busy? Is this a good time for us to talk?”

I used to always be too busy.

It hurts my heart to think of all the times I’ve given Him my leftovers.

Today, I want to encourage you to take a little time out of your busyness and let the Lord give you what the world can’t.  

Pull off the main road on your way to work or on the way home, and sit in your car a few minutes. Or take a short walk somewhere. 

Shift your focus. Look up, instead of around. Sit with Him, talk to Him, give Him your cares.

Then think of one thing you can be thankful for. It could very well chart the course of your day. 

Stay the course with me,

Terri

Swept Away by Emotions

by Terri Webster

I can't always trust my emotions.

I have positive emotions and negative ones. Sometimes my emotions plunge me into a pool of tears, only to yank me out into a dry place where I feel nothing. They change as quickly as circumstances can change. 

Emotion is a natural, instinctive state of mind deriving from one’s circumstances, mood, or relationships with others (Google online dictionary).

The other morning distant thunder roused me from sleep. My husband had left at pre-dawn for a white-water rafting trip, and I’d fallen back asleep.

The thunder was oddly constant, without the usual breaks and pauses.

I thought Doc, our 85-pound dog, will be freaking out and “pawing” the window to come in. I threw off the covers, slid into my flip flops and brushed my teeth, all while constant, rolling thunder grew louder.

When I opened the front door and walked out on the porch, ominous clouds swirled above, illuminated with lightning. I was awed enough to quickly snap a picture with my phone. Then a burst of wind and a clap of thunder caused Doc and me to hurry inside and close the door.

Heavy rain poured down in straight sheets, then was blown sideways. The wind howled around the house, while thunder constantly rolled. The electricity flashed off and on in unison with lightning.

Finally, after two hours, the rain let up and wind quit blowing. The lightning and thunder lingered, until finally it all stopped. 

And just like that, it was calm and serene. The clouds were pushed aside by a calm breeze, revealing blue sky.

Isn’t this how our emotions are at times? They sweep over us with barely a warning, then abruptly change with our circumstances.

In the past I've allowed my feelings and emotions to be a determining factor in decision making.

Not smart!

The tiniest thing can flip on my emotional switch. If I'm not careful, before I know it, I’m swept out of control down a river of emotions.

Why does your heart carry you away allowing you to 

be controlled by emotion? And why do your eyes flash 

in anger or contempt? Job 15:12

Why do we gauge the truth with our emotions and feelings?  

Why did God create us with such a powerful character trait?

Why can’t I trust something that’s largely a part of who I am?

To answer these questions, the only reliable and unchanging source is God’s word; alive, active, and powerful.

It’s only when I move the situation under the light of God’s word that I find the real truth. Then I feel silly for feeling the way I did and allowing my emotions to carry me away.

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

When I find myself in a negative emotional whirlwind, I realize I can’t solely rely on them to reveal truth. 

Here are three reminders I use to avoid being swept away by changing emotions and feelings, that I hope will encourage and help you too.

• Realize we’re made in God’s image. All throughout scripture we see that God has emotions and feels deeply. He was so moved with compassion that He gave His very son, so we could have an eternal, intimate relationship with Him, through Jesus’ atoning blood. All emotions aren't bad, but it's always safe to shine His truths on them.

• Negative emotions are based on past hurts and mistakes. Where God has already brought emotional healing and forgiveness, the devil’s scheme is to stir up our past to derail us and get us off course.

• Remember, it’s not all about you and me. If someone doesn’t respond the way we expect or want, stop and think that they have circumstances you’re unaware of. When we take ourselves out of the center and put Christ there, our perspective changes quickly. 

• Lastly, sometimes it's just plain 'ol hormones and exhaustion that plays a part in changing emotions and feelings. Make sure you consistently nourish your body and soul so these times won't be as severe. 

Finally, may you always enjoy God's peace in any storm as promised here in Philippians 4:6-7:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, 

by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Staying the course,

Terri

Is All Abuse Unacceptable?

by Terri Webster

I recently read an article by Jenny Rapson, author at For Every Mom (foreverymom.com), titled, Beth Moore to Christian Leaders: Wives Do NOT Submit to Abuse. EVER.

I encourage you to read the article. Then I invite you to come back here and share your thoughts and concerns in the comments area below.

For Every Mom

I appreciate her (Jenny) boldness on the subject of husbands physically abusing their wives. She quotes a leader of the Southern Baptist Convention, who believes wives should stay in their marriage, except in extreme, dangerous conditions. Leaving the marriage would be wrong; it would depend on the level of abuse.

At what level is any type of abuse unacceptable? At what level are the conditions considered dangerous?

While the article addressed physical abuse, which at any level is wrong, I want to also address verbal and emotional abuse. There are no visible signs. No cuts, black eyes, broken bones or bruises. Yet, it can be equally damaging. And at some point, as in my case, eventually dangerous.

The internal damage doesn’t require immediate medical attention. If left untreated though, I believe it manifests later with illnesses, diseases, forms of arthritis, depression, PTSD and suicide.

Like Beth Moore and Jenny Rapson, I’m so pro-marriage, that I “stayed” with my husband while he continued an affair with my best friend. And other women. We eventually separated, but divorce wasn’t on my radar yet.

The abuse escalated after he moved out, so I didn’t have to live with it 24/7. Yet, I did.

We had children together. For 19 years I endured many forms and levels of emotional and verbal abuse. He used threats and bullying to instill fear and silence me into a corner. I just thought I was keeping the peace. I thought, as a Christian woman, that I was doing what I was supposed to do.

I was young. I didn’t know what his words and threats were doing to me as a woman and mother. And I didn’t realize what it was doing to our children. All I could think back then was, if I’d only done this or that or prayed harder. Or did a better job at keeping the peace.

For a year I “stayed”. I prayed and believed God would eventually bring us back together. As I’ve no doubt that He desired to restore and heal our family, God will never intervene where He isn’t welcomed. At the time, my husband saw no wrong done. He let me know that I was the problem and I believed it.

After we divorced, I was counseled by a pastor of a big denominational church that I was bound to my ex till death do us part. Through tears, I looked at him and asked, "Even if he’s with other women?" He answered me with indifference…”Yes.” 

In Beth Moore’s words, “…when we as a church culture demonize divorce as the worst possible outcome-the sin of all sins-we truly have no clue on this ever loving earth what some people are enduring.”

Thank you, Beth Moore!

Years later I discovered that pastor left his wife for another. I wondered how long had she suffered in silence, was backed into a corner, her voice taken away?

I’m not a victim anymore, but a victor, thanks to Jesus Christ and His healing power. However, the repercussions linger and sometimes seep into my 10-year marriage with a wonderful man.

I’m thankful this is being brought to light among Christian leaders, teachers and writers like Beth Moore, Jenny Rapson and Thom Rainer, President of LifeWay Christian Resources.

I will never protect an abuser, or minimize any form of abuse, like I did in my own life.  

There is hope and healing for any who ask God; for the abuser and the abused. Man or woman. A powerful part of healing includes forgiveness.

But forgiving doesn’t mean you submit to physical, emotional and verbal abuse of any kind.

Dear friend, if you are currently or ever have experienced any form of abuse from your husband or boyfriend, there is help. I strongly encourage you to tell someone you trust. Feel free to email me using the form on the right of the page if you prefer.

The Celebrate Recovery program is also a great place to start. This is a program for those with any hurt, hang up, habit or addiction. And it’s free. No judgement. It’s a safe place to tell and heal, with others who have walked similar roads. Celebrate Recovery

The first step is telling. You do have a voice!

Staying the course,

Terri

Photo courtesy of Pixabay.com

Do What you Love: 5 Steps to Finding Your Passion

by Terri Webster

Hi Friends! Welcome. 

Thanks for stopping by. Today I'm sharing what's become a personal pursuit of mine and I believe will resonate with a lot of you.

Research shows that if you discover what it is you truly enjoy doing, and do that, you’re more fulfilled, have better health and less depression. Source: Why Finding Your Passion is Essential

In this post, I’m referring mostly to pursuing a vocation doing what you love while making a living at it. However, as a Christ follower, there’s a vital part to add, which is using your God-given, spiritual gifts and talents.

Combining the two can be exciting and fulfilling as you walk in the works God has prepared for you, (Ephesians 2:10).

What do you daydream about from your office cubicle or while sitting in rush-hour traffic? What are you most passionate about?

For some of you, trying to answer this question, only leaves a question mark sitting on top of your head.

Do you love dogs? Start a dog-sitting/walking business. Do you love to cook/bake? Then start a catering business, own a restaurant or become a chef.

If you’re like me, you’ve felt you haven’t had time to explore those things which tug your heart and draw you like a magnet. Responsibilities and circumstances may have driven you down a path, not necessarily of your choosing.

Divorce, death of a spouse, health problems, or any number of things, will decide for you what path to take. As a single mom, I just needed a job to keep a roof over me and my kids. It felt frivolous to fanaticize about having a job I loved, and to love what I was doing. 

Can we really make our passion become our livelihood and be excited about going to work every day?  

No one can answer that question for you, but yourself. I’ve known people who pursued their passion, using their gifts and talents as their life’s work and never regretted it. It might mean less money, but this kind of fulfillment doesn’t have a price tag.

I think sometimes we mistakenly believe that what we truly desire to do with our life will lead us down a selfish path; that God’s path means doing something less enjoyable.

We feel that to pursue a passion God gives us talents and abilities for, must sit on the back burner, while we fulfill daily obligations, which often leave us exhausted, with little time for anything else. I believe the term for this is “The Daily Grind” or better known as the “rat race.”

I wonder if this is what causes depression for so many?

As I’ve spent more time lately thinking and praying about this, I’ve found hope and direction from God’s word that I want to share with you. I’ve come up with five simple steps you can take now, to help get you unstuck and moving forward and closer to doing what you love.

Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Take baby steps.

1. Take a skills/personality assessment. These are tests that compile your likes, dislikes, morals, values, among other traits and talents to help you determine the jobs or ministries you’d be best suited for. This is one I took and recommend, but you can search for others: Free Shape Test
2. After completing an assessment, focus on the areas you’re strongest in. Determine if you need to sharpen any skills through more training, practice and experience.
3. Connect with others who share the same interests and passions. Example: I want to become a better writer, so I joined Word Weavers, an international online writing critique group with local chapters.
4. Be patient. While reality is the bills must be paid, you can block off as little as 15 minutes a day to work toward your goal.
5. Pray and trust God to open doors. He wired you in specific ways. There will never be another you who can do what God has planned for you to do. Check your motives and desires under the light of His word.

Taking these steps are a great start to get out of a rut and moving forward. I'm doing these steps too, and must say, I'm getting excited as I've become unstuck and now ready for God's best.

I invite you to share your thoughts and any advice you might have in the comments area below.

Until next time, follow Him and stay the course,

Terri

Photos courtesy of Pixabay.com

From Do, Do, Do, to Be, Be, Be

by Terri Webster

Welcome and Happy New Year to you!

The holidays are behind us. Christmas decorations are down and packed away. Parties and get-togethers we had to cook for have come and gone.

This is where we can now breathe in…breathe out. 
S-l-o-w-l-y.

I laughed at myself this morning, during my quiet time with God. This time last year, I gathered all my colored highlighters, sharpies, magazine cut-outs, tape and white poster board.

I commenced to creating my first ever, vision board. Full of good and wonderful goals. 

I was going to grow my side business exponentially by means of various do, do, do’s.

I was going to become the next pushing-60, poster girl, who combats chronic pain through daily exercise, yoga and strength training.

Then there was the nonprofit ministry I’m responsible for. I had many do, do, do plans for that.

Writing goals.

Women’s ministry goals.

Goals to cultivate all my relationships and learn to love better, since LOVE was my theme word representing my daily time alone with God.

Then there’s of course, my part-time job. And also taking care of my precious granddaughters 2 days a week. (I’m down to one day now).

I stood back and admired my completed 2017, first-ever vision board. I was inspired!

I won’t waste time telling you which goals were reached and those still hanging around waiting for my attention.

By March, life happened, the unexpected, in addition to the everyday expectations I showered on myself. All with good intentions. There’s nothing wrong with setting goals. Vision boards are a great tool.

For me, personally, as I’ve shared before, I struggle with over-commitment and saying yes too much. 

My vision board became burdensome. I’d look at it throughout the year and feel a failure. Again.

What about you? Do you start off each new-year with big plans and goals? Maybe you’re the type of person who thrives when setting big goals.

Or do you struggle with over-planning and over-commitment? Do you develop lists and plans, only to wind up frenzied and disappointed?

Turns out the 20 pounds I need to lose (still a goal), God wasn’t as concerned about it as I was.

While God is extremely concerned with my health and daily pain management struggles, He has a greater concern, a bigger plan. 

God promises us successes, as we commit our work to Him. He wants us to succeed. But His successes and our successes sometimes, if not mostly, are different.

He’s more concerned about what flows in and out of our heart. He’s more interested in what thoughts rattle through our mind, causing distress.

When I ended up in a grieving, frenzied state by May, His plan and words to me were to stop and be still.

Be. Still.

So I did.

He accomplished more in me last year than I could ever have expected or planned. Not through me, or because of me, but in me. It has nothing to do with what I do.

But has everything to do with being with Him. Not do, do, do, but just be.

The process continues.

We women are prone to society’s pressure that the busier we are, the more productive we are. We’re led to believe that to be respected by our peers, requires full, hectic schedules. We feel guilty if we aren't busy.

I’m here to tell you, that is a lie.

Whether you have small children at home, are married or single, or like me, an emptynester, we somehow manage to fill up our plates with busy stuff.

I used to think there wasn’t anything I could give up. God is showing me that I’ve only just begun to clean off my plate.

Maybe it’s my age and I’m feeling it a little. 

If you’re much younger than me, take it from an older person. Trimming your busy schedules, deleting items from your do lists, and making more time for Jesus, will prove the most productive thing you’ve ever done.

Imagine this: The Great Creator of your heart’s desires, the One who called you first, unto Him, He who relentlessly pursues you 24/7, the Originator of your very existence, waits for you.

“Just stop a minute,” He says. “Come unto Me; learn from Me,” He says.

Instead of rushing past Him, to the next thing to do, be with Him. It won't be a waste of time. 

This is how we stay the course.

May you have joy and rest in knowing Him deeper still, this year!

Be-ing,

Terri

Quiet Entrance

by Terri Webster

What king has ever left the comforts of his throne for the good of humankind?

What god has ever so fully and richly satisfied that which we can’t, than what the One True Almighty God has?

There’s no denying we humans are incapable of being good enough to satisfy our deepest need for life on earth and then life eternally.

No one is. Ever.

The moment when Jesus stood up, removed His royal splendor, then stepped into our world, everything changed. He became God's gift to us to satisfy our deepest need for salvation.

The heavenly realms loudly proclaimed gloriously, while hell quaked and shook, as He quietly stepped down. 

Planted in a virgin’s womb.

Growing for months. Then passing through the birth canal, His own hands created.

Entering our world just like you and me.

Surrounded only by a handful of people, in a smelly barn with animals.

Even I was born in a nicer facility than my Savior.

No one had room for Him. This wasn’t how the expected, fore-told Messiah, King of all kings was expected to make His entrance.

While spiritual and political leaders expected a different entry; loud, commanding, powerful, and in full view for all to see…

…they missed Him.

In the loud, busy, in-full-view celebratory events we enjoy as we celebrate Christmas, let’s not miss Him.

Him, our long-awaited Messiah, God’s gift to mankind. Jesus Christ is the ultimate gift; free for anyone who will accept, open and make yours for life, now, and forevermore.

To all, from my heart and finger tips, to yours, may you receive and enjoy the greatest Gift ever given, while celebrating Him with your friends and family.

Have a bright and merry Christmas, 

Terri

 (photos courtesy of www.pixabay.com)