Romans 12:2 : Transform. Renew. Discern.
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
This age.
This high speed age.
This drive-thru mentality.
Instant access.
Bigger.
Better.
More, more, more...
It's easy to become discontented in a world that tells you that's what's expected.
Everywhere we look, there's something encouraging us to be discontented. We may not be told this in so many words, but the message is clear.
It's never enough.
So we believe it. We buy into the lies.
After all, how can we be happy and content in a world full of such sorrow?
In Romans, though, we are told to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.
Renewing our minds means going against the expected in this society... not conforming to this world...
We renew our minds by seeking Him first and choosing happy.
This is a daily process.
Daily, we must renew our minds to be transformed, through Christ's power in us.
A renewal where we ask Him to empower us to think like Him. See like Him. Forgive like Him. Love like Him.
And when we renew our minds and become transformed, we are able to become more content in where we are, because we start seeing it in light of eternity.
We start perceiving it as He would perceive it.
Renewing our minds helps us discern what is the good, perfect, and pleasing will of God.
Helps us discern our purpose.
When we discern, or understand this, we can become content because we know that even in the bad, we are right smack in the middle of where God wants us to be.
Content to know that even though we can't always see it, He's working good.
And content that even when we aren't sufficient, His grace always is.
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Harden Not Your Heart...
"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."
I have a cover photo that I use frequently on facebook. I'm probably hinging on copyright infringement, because I totally stole it off of google images (if you created it, thank you! I'll give you credit!)
And y'all.
This is what I want to do.
I want to choose happy.
I want to learn to be content, just as Paul says.
So this is my quest for contentment. Day 2 I woke up thinking I hated my life... and I know that's no coincidence, because anything we do for God's glory we've got an enemy trying to convince us it's impossible.
But that verse I quoted above?
The rest of the chapter... just one verse over, actually, says that I can do all things through Christ.
Christ in me is powerful enough to allow me to do what otherwise would be impossible.
Without Christ, though, my flesh is pretty powerful... when I allow it to be.
It can be pretty bossy.
That's why seeking His kingdom first is so important.
What goes in comes out, so the more I have God's Word in me, the more I see His Work around me, and the more I'm able to just be...
not striving.
Not making my own mess.
Just content.
It's a choice, really, what we focus on...
So if I know this, why does it seem so hard? Why is it a lesson I have to learn time and time again?
Why can't I just be satisfied with things the way they are?
Because we were meant for more...
Not more stuff.
Not more accolades...
Not more prestige or clothing or books or fame.
Nope... we were made for more glory. He's continually working within us, to make us more like Christ.
But that process of becoming more like Christ is full of sacrifices. Putting others before us. Loving when we don't feel like loving. Giving when we are scared to give.
And it takes away a lot of our control... and we humans tend to have some control issues.
(Well, most of us. If you don't, well, kudos to you!)
So, in our endless effort to maintain control and try to find satisfaction without completely surrendering, we make a big mess a lot of the time...
Which just leaves us ending up more discontent.
And the more discontent we are, the more we allow our hearts to harden.
Hardened against our neighbors, our friends, our loved ones...
and yes.
Hardened against God.
The word hardened in the New Testament comes from the Greek word poroo, which means "to become calloused, covered with a thick skin, to lose the power to understand."
How interesting that one of the definitions of content (as a noun) is "that which may be perceived as something."
Being able to perceive means to be able to discern or understand...
So, when we allow our hearts to be hardened, we lose the ability to perceive or understand...
We become focused on all of the bad and lose sight of all of the good...
an endless cycle of discontentment.
And really, the hardening of our heart is a choice.
It's choosing to look at all we don't have rather than considering all we do.
It's holding that grudge.
It's nursing that wound.
To be content, I must allow my heart to soften. That's scary. That means I'm vulnerable...
but it'll be worth it.
Join me this month as I write on what the Word is telling me about finding contentment. You can find all my posts here.
I have a cover photo that I use frequently on facebook. I'm probably hinging on copyright infringement, because I totally stole it off of google images (if you created it, thank you! I'll give you credit!)
This is what I want to do.
I want to choose happy.
I want to learn to be content, just as Paul says.
So this is my quest for contentment. Day 2 I woke up thinking I hated my life... and I know that's no coincidence, because anything we do for God's glory we've got an enemy trying to convince us it's impossible.
But that verse I quoted above?
The rest of the chapter... just one verse over, actually, says that I can do all things through Christ.
Christ in me is powerful enough to allow me to do what otherwise would be impossible.
Without Christ, though, my flesh is pretty powerful... when I allow it to be.
It can be pretty bossy.
That's why seeking His kingdom first is so important.
What goes in comes out, so the more I have God's Word in me, the more I see His Work around me, and the more I'm able to just be...
not striving.
Not making my own mess.
Just content.
It's a choice, really, what we focus on...
So if I know this, why does it seem so hard? Why is it a lesson I have to learn time and time again?
Why can't I just be satisfied with things the way they are?
Because we were meant for more...
Not more stuff.
Not more accolades...
Not more prestige or clothing or books or fame.
Nope... we were made for more glory. He's continually working within us, to make us more like Christ.
But that process of becoming more like Christ is full of sacrifices. Putting others before us. Loving when we don't feel like loving. Giving when we are scared to give.
And it takes away a lot of our control... and we humans tend to have some control issues.
(Well, most of us. If you don't, well, kudos to you!)
So, in our endless effort to maintain control and try to find satisfaction without completely surrendering, we make a big mess a lot of the time...
Which just leaves us ending up more discontent.
And the more discontent we are, the more we allow our hearts to harden.
Hardened against our neighbors, our friends, our loved ones...
and yes.
Hardened against God.
The word hardened in the New Testament comes from the Greek word poroo, which means "to become calloused, covered with a thick skin, to lose the power to understand."
How interesting that one of the definitions of content (as a noun) is "that which may be perceived as something."
Being able to perceive means to be able to discern or understand...
So, when we allow our hearts to be hardened, we lose the ability to perceive or understand...
We become focused on all of the bad and lose sight of all of the good...
an endless cycle of discontentment.
And really, the hardening of our heart is a choice.
It's choosing to look at all we don't have rather than considering all we do.
It's holding that grudge.
It's nursing that wound.
To be content, I must allow my heart to soften. That's scary. That means I'm vulnerable...
but it'll be worth it.
Join me this month as I write on what the Word is telling me about finding contentment. You can find all my posts here.
Monday, October 3, 2016
Seek First
A song keeps running through my head.
It's an oldie but goodie...
A lot of times I feel like that.
I try and I try and I try...
but I can't get satisfied.
I find it funny that the definition for the noun form of content is about stuff. "The contents of a drawer" or "the contents of a file". Content is the substance behind something...
yet how often do I have all kinds of content but am never content?
Last night this verse came to me:
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."
So, I can't help but think that the first step to finding contentment is to seek Him first... and I go about this completely backwards.
Even though I KNOW my day goes better when I read my Bible, I tend to be distracted by the 15 other things that seem to be important to do, and then the whole day goes by and I've not even cracked it open.
Contentment means feeling satisfied.
Too often I try to satisfy myself with books, or people, or exercise (because I dislike it so... I have to feel good if I actually make myself do it, right?) Or tv shows, or even sleep...
but it's never enough.
So many authors that I have read refer to it as a God-shaped hole...
and only He can fill it.
"I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."
He satisfies.
And it isn't a satisfaction that lasts for a little while...
He fills every space and permeates the entire body so that it's enough... for always.
IF we continue to seek Him.
Lately I've been feeling out of sorts. Grumpy. Negative. Sarcastic.
Empty.
So maybe the first thing I need to do to get my happy back is to pause.
Pick up His Word, and allow Him to fill me.
Because He is enough, all -sufficient, and will satisfy and give contentment, if I'm just willing to seek it.
(This month I'm writing on contentment. Find my page with the links to all of this month's writing here. Or you can click on the contentment image on my side bar).
Are you content? If not, are you seeking Him first? I'd love to hear your thoughts on how we can be content in this crazy world. Thanks for stopping by!
Sunday, October 2, 2016
I Hate My Life... Except I Don't
I don't think it is a coincidence that yesterday morning I woke up and thought, "I hate my life."
Let me just go ahead and make a disclaimer.
I don't hate my life.
I used to be Negative Nancy, but have really tried in recent years to look at things from the glass half-full perspective.
Really, the glass almost-full perspective.
But it's just sometimes I get tired.
Maybe that's why the verse in Matthew talking about coming to Jesus sounds so good to me... because I think we're all a little weary.
Weary of our circumstances and weary of this election and weary of all of the negativity and all of the hurt and all of the pain...
So yesterday morning I didn't just jump out of bed with a smile on my face, and was a little melodramatic, because, well, drama queen, sometimes, maybe?
Yes.
Anyhow, at the beginning of 2016 I purposed to live a life of purpose, to live intentionally, in the moment, and for the most part I have.
To say 2016 has been rough would be an understatement, but as I mentioned before, I try not to wallow in the muck and mire...
Except sometimes when I'm weary, I wallow.
A lot.
And so as I pondered what to write on for the next 31 days, one word came to me.
Still living purposefully...
but seeking contentment.
According to dictionary.com, content as an adjective means "satisfied with what one is or has; not wanting more or anything else."
Being content means recognizing that even in the bad, you've not got it that bad.
And in my head, I know this...
but in my heart I'm often not content.
So, this month, I'm going to try to learn how to become more content.
Paul said in Philippians 4 that he had "learned to be content", which tells me it's something I can learn.
After reading 1,000 Gifts by Ann Voskamp, I really tried to look for the small things, to cultivate gratitude in my life... but I've fallen away from that.
When I'm grateful, I'm more content. When I'm focused on the good things, like Kelsey's breakfast buffet and Will holding my hand leaving church and Melody's picture in the pumpkin patch and Caleb just being Caleb, I have a fullness in my heart, one that is left empty when I allow myself to start focusing on all that is wrong with my world.
Y'all, I want to be satisfied... even when I wake up thinking I hate my life.
Because He is enough.
And His grace is sufficient. noun
Saturday, October 1, 2016
Write 31 Days
2016- It's all about purpose.
Yet I find myself being called to something.
Still focusing on my purpose.
Still focusing on being purposeful.
In this world of negativity, though, I find myself being called to something higher.
Something that challenges me.
Something that changes my persepctive.
Gratitude and contentment.
I'll be writing about it all October.
Because I need to be more purposeful...
Join me on this journey?
Each day I'll be linking my post here on this page, so you can follow me throughout the month in my journey to contentment.
October 1-This post =)
October2-I Hate My Life...
October 3-Seek First
October 4-Harden Not Your Heart
October 5-Discernment for Contentment
October 6- A Book Review for The Bedwarmer's Son (I had already committed for this day before I planned my series on contentment. Next post on contentment will be on October 7th.)
October 7-The Good from the Bad
October 8- Oops- grace, please. Had a late night at the UK game =)
October 9- Joy is Our Strength
October 10- Grace, again... Breast Cancer Awareness Volleyball game
October 11- A book review over How to Make Victoria Sponge (I had already committed for this day before I planned this series).
October 12
October13
October 14
October 15
October 16
October 17
October 18
October 19
October 20
October21
October 22
October 23
October 24
October 25
October 26
October 27
October 28
October 29
October 30
October31
Yet I find myself being called to something.
Still focusing on my purpose.
Still focusing on being purposeful.
In this world of negativity, though, I find myself being called to something higher.
Something that challenges me.
Something that changes my persepctive.
Gratitude and contentment.
I'll be writing about it all October.
Because I need to be more purposeful...
Join me on this journey?
Each day I'll be linking my post here on this page, so you can follow me throughout the month in my journey to contentment.
October 1-This post =)
October2-I Hate My Life...
October 3-Seek First
October 4-Harden Not Your Heart
October 5-Discernment for Contentment
October 6- A Book Review for The Bedwarmer's Son (I had already committed for this day before I planned my series on contentment. Next post on contentment will be on October 7th.)
October 7-The Good from the Bad
October 8- Oops- grace, please. Had a late night at the UK game =)
October 9- Joy is Our Strength
October 10- Grace, again... Breast Cancer Awareness Volleyball game
October 11- A book review over How to Make Victoria Sponge (I had already committed for this day before I planned this series).
October 12
October13
October 14
October 15
October 16
October 17
October 18
October 19
October 20
October21
October 22
October 23
October 24
October 25
October 26
October 27
October 28
October 29
October 30
October31
Monday, September 26, 2016
The Wedding Shop: A Review and A Giveaway!
My Review:
This is the third book in Hauck's Wedding Celebration series, and I can honestly say all three are worth the read. The books are stand-alone reads, but I highly recommend picking up all three books.
In this book, Haley returns to Heart's Bend to open an abandoned wedding shop. Much like the shop, she has faced disappointments in life, and this is an opportunity for her to find herself. The story follows the original owner of the store and is written over a nearly 100 year time span, covering the shop in its glory and Haley's drive to see it returned to that position.
Like all of Hauck's books, the storyline offers hope and focuses on God's purpose for our lives. Without preaching to her readers, Hauck lets the Gospel shine through her words. Her characters are well-developed and likeable, and you long for things to work out for them.
I did receive a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review for Celebration Lit. I'd give this book 5 stars. A fun, lighthearted read that offers hope!
About the Book
Two women separated by decades. Both set out to help others find their dreams when their own have crumbled.
It’s the early 1930s, but Cora Scott is walking in stride as a career woman after having inherited her great aunt’s wedding shop in Heart’s Bend, Tennessee, where brides come from as far away as Birmingham to experience her famed bridal treatment. Meanwhile, Cora is counting down the days until her own true love returns from the river to make her his bride. But days turn into months and months to years. All the while, Birch Good continues to woo Cora and try to show her that while he is solid and dependable, he can sweep her off her feet.
More than eighty years later, former Air Force Captain Haley Morgan has returned home to Heart’s Bend after finishing her commitment to military service. After the devastating death of her best friend, Tammy, and discovering the truth about the man she loved, Haley is searching for her place in life.
When Haley decides to reopen the romantic but abandoned wedding shop where she and Tammy played and dreamed as children, she begins a journey of courage, mystery, and love.
As Cora’s and Haley’s stories intertwine through time in the shadow of the beloved wedding shop, they both discover the power of their own dreams and the magic of everyday love.
About the Author
Rachel Hauck is a USA Today Bestselling author. Her book, The Wedding Dress, was named Inspirational Novel of the Year by Romantic Times and was a RITA finalist. Her book Once Upon A Prince was a Christy Award finalist.
Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband and two pets and writes from her ivory tower. Visit her online at rachelhauck.com, Facebook: rachelhauck, and Twitter: @RachelHauck
Guest Post from Rachel Hauck
Hey everyone! I’m so excited to share The Wedding Shop with you. This book is one of my favorites.
While all books are my “babies,” this one found a special place in my heart.
This standalone novel is part of the Wedding Collection – The Wedding Dress and The Wedding Chapel – and it came to life when I discovered the story of Cora Scott, a 1930s wedding shop owner.
At 30, she’s an old maid, but the best “bride’s maid” in fictional Heart’s Bend, Tennessee. But she’s in love with a charismatic, charming river boat captain.
The contemporary heroine, Haley Morgan, is a retired Air Force captain returning to Heart’s Bend to restart her life. She’s recovering from a broken heart. The handsome, dynamic, charming man she loved was nothing but trouble.
Returning home, Haley is set on keeping a childhood promise she made with her best friend—to open the old wedding shop.
The shop is legend in Heart’s Bend. Haley grew up with stories of Miss Cora and the shop, hearing the town’s mothers, grandmothers, and great grandmothers reminiscing about their “day in the shop,” walking down the grand staircase in their wedding gown.
But in 2016, the shop is dilapidated, neglected and in need of more money than Haley possesses.
While writing this story, I had to ask a lot of questions. Why reopen the old shop? Why not just open a new one?
Haley was a combat veteran, deployed to Afghanistan twice, why would she want to open a wedding shop?
I also investigate the meaning of the shop to the town? To Cora? To Haley?
As I developed the backstory for the characters, the shop and the town, Cora’s came to life. She fascinated me. I admired this fictional woman. She exuded ingenuity, courage, and deep, deep devotion.
On the other hand, Haley was a bit of a mystery but from the start, she saw value in something no one else did.
What if we all saw value in people or places others wanted to reject?
Isn’t that what Jesus does for us?
The heroes of the book, Birch and Cole, are just stellar guys. Princes among men. I love writing about slightly wounded but strong and tender men.
The theme of family and community populates the story. Also, how misconceptions and preconceived ideas often ruin relationships.
Booklist gave The Wedding Shop a Starred Review and called it, “Spellbinding.”
There’s a lot of fun drama in this book! I hope you enjoy spending time with Cora and Haley, the men they love and the shop they bring to life.
I’d love to hear your thoughts! Connect with me at www.rachelhauck.com.
Blog Stops
September 13: History, Mystery & Faith
September 13: A Holland Reads
September 14: Giveaway Lady
September 14: Daysong Reflections
September 15: Book Bites, Bee Stings, and Butterfly Kisses
September 15: Bibliophile Reviews
September 16: Bigreadersite
September 16: The Scribbler
September 17: Books,Dreams,Life
September 17: ASC Book Reviews
September 18: Book Babble
September 18: D’S QUILTS & BOOKS
September 19: Pause for Tales
September 19: Book by Book
September 20: The Power of Words
September 20: Lighthouse Academy
September 21: Proverbial Reads
September 21: Splashes of Joy
September 22: Faithfully Bookish
September 22: Singing Librarian Books
September 23: Tell Tale Book Reviews
September 23: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations
September 24: Quiet Quilter
September 24: Reading Is My SuperPower
September 25: For The Love of Books
September 26: His Grace Is Sufficient
September 26: Chas Ray’s Book Nerd Corner
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Rachel is giving away her Wedding Collection Series! Click here to enter: https://promosimple.com/ps/a366
Sunday, September 25, 2016
#NoticeTheNecessary
This post was inspired by the new book: Listen, Love, Repeat by Karen Ehman which releases November 15th! You can purchase a copy at http://listenloverepeatbook.com
I just finished reading in Chapter 4, which talks about about "necessary people."
I immediately thought of my Mom, because she is more than necessary to me and so many other people around us.
But I've been thinking of other necessary people, and I want to give a shoutout to some of them...
Like the M&O department at the college where I work. They are forever unlocking doors for me, or packing books for me, or setting up the gym for displays for me. They are a great group of guys (and gal- Thanks, Sherri!) and I couldn't do what I do without them!
And Shannon and Kena in academics. They are forever answering questions for me, e-scanning documents for me, helping me with scheduling, and allowing me to gripe when my day gets too hard. And Brad and our IT guys, who keep this technologically challenged teacher able to minimally function. Pinky and Lesa and Ann and Bryan who help me when I'm not sure about advising and Leanna and Leanne in the business office who let me use their microwave and make sure I know how to complete forms.
Necessary people like the cashier at Walmart whose name I don't know but who always has a smile on her face as she scans my items, even when I have forgotten something and have to run to the back of the store to pick up toilet paper.
And the staff at McDonalds- Sarah and Miranda and Katelyn and Taylor and all of the others who I don't know personally. These guys make sure Caleb's chicken nuggets are cooked to perfection and call me beautiful when I go through the drive-thru and also exchange my drink for a Diet Coke when I may or may not have said Dr. Pepper accidentally.
Necessary people like teachers who go to work early and stay late and grade papers sitting in front of their TVs at night, but loan kids whose Moms never go to the ATM quarters for lunch.
People like my mailman, who just happens to be my cousin, who knew we were going on vacation and arranged for our mail to be stopped without us going into the post office.
Necessary people like the manager at Wendy's the other night, who kept bringing out chicken sandwiches and cheeseburgers and chicken nuggets even though I'm pretty sure he brought out more than what we paid for. He kept a smile on his face and was courteous to a dining room of stinky football players.
And necessary people like Baretta, who works Caleb in at the last minute to get his hair cut, even though it's after football practice (and that can't be pleasant).
The lady who cleans the church and the man who mows the grass...
Cooks and janitors and bus drivers...
See, whatever it is you do, you have an eternal impact. Your job matters and you are necessary to somebody, even if you don't think so. Often, you're one of the only people with that skill set, and we need you!
So, thank you for whatever it is you do for this world... keep on doing it!
And know His grace is sufficient even when you feel like it's too hard and no one cares.
I see you... and so does He!
I just finished reading in Chapter 4, which talks about about "necessary people."
I immediately thought of my Mom, because she is more than necessary to me and so many other people around us.
But I've been thinking of other necessary people, and I want to give a shoutout to some of them...
Like the M&O department at the college where I work. They are forever unlocking doors for me, or packing books for me, or setting up the gym for displays for me. They are a great group of guys (and gal- Thanks, Sherri!) and I couldn't do what I do without them!
And Shannon and Kena in academics. They are forever answering questions for me, e-scanning documents for me, helping me with scheduling, and allowing me to gripe when my day gets too hard. And Brad and our IT guys, who keep this technologically challenged teacher able to minimally function. Pinky and Lesa and Ann and Bryan who help me when I'm not sure about advising and Leanna and Leanne in the business office who let me use their microwave and make sure I know how to complete forms.
Necessary people like the cashier at Walmart whose name I don't know but who always has a smile on her face as she scans my items, even when I have forgotten something and have to run to the back of the store to pick up toilet paper.
And the staff at McDonalds- Sarah and Miranda and Katelyn and Taylor and all of the others who I don't know personally. These guys make sure Caleb's chicken nuggets are cooked to perfection and call me beautiful when I go through the drive-thru and also exchange my drink for a Diet Coke when I may or may not have said Dr. Pepper accidentally.
Necessary people like teachers who go to work early and stay late and grade papers sitting in front of their TVs at night, but loan kids whose Moms never go to the ATM quarters for lunch.
People like my mailman, who just happens to be my cousin, who knew we were going on vacation and arranged for our mail to be stopped without us going into the post office.
Necessary people like the manager at Wendy's the other night, who kept bringing out chicken sandwiches and cheeseburgers and chicken nuggets even though I'm pretty sure he brought out more than what we paid for. He kept a smile on his face and was courteous to a dining room of stinky football players.
And necessary people like Baretta, who works Caleb in at the last minute to get his hair cut, even though it's after football practice (and that can't be pleasant).
The lady who cleans the church and the man who mows the grass...
Cooks and janitors and bus drivers...
See, whatever it is you do, you have an eternal impact. Your job matters and you are necessary to somebody, even if you don't think so. Often, you're one of the only people with that skill set, and we need you!
So, thank you for whatever it is you do for this world... keep on doing it!
And know His grace is sufficient even when you feel like it's too hard and no one cares.
I see you... and so does He!
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