Today I've got a devotion running on Proverbs 31 and Crosswalk, called "But Will He Conquer My Death?" If you're joining me today after reading this, I bid you a special welcome. If you are a regular reader of my blog, I'm so glad you're here today.
I think a lot of us are facing what feels like the "death" of something. It could be the loss of a job, a house, or a business venture. Some face the loss of a dream due to wrong choices, or limited opportunities due to the economy. The death of a relationship carries physical pain some times.
And it's sometimes very hard to admit the depth of the pain when you compare yourself to others who are facing significantly worse tragedies. What I want to say today is there's nothing wrong with honest grief. Especially when you've lost something dear.
There is something unhealthy about denying that pain. You see, when we deny the reality of the pain we feel, we keep God at arm's length. Being honest invites God into our real world. And that is where God loves to be, and where He does His best healing work.
If you are facing a "death" today, it's okay to admit it. You've come to the right place, because we are gong to God's Word for some hope. I hope these passages minister to you as they have to me:
"Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:55-57
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33
" ... he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The LORD has spoken. In that day they will say, 'Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation.'” Isaiah 25:7-9
"Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him." Romans 6:8-9
"I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. " Revelations 1:18
"I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. " Isaiah 42:16
"For I am the LORD your God, who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar— the LORD Almighty is his name. I have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand— I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth, and who say to Zion, ‘You are my people.’" Isaiah 51:16.
"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 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." Romans 8:37-39
What scripture has spoken life into your "death"? It could be one of these or one that you've read before. Please post a comment and share it with all of us. Or post a comment and share what feels like "death" to you. I've got a gift pack to give away, including a book, note pad and Starbucks gift card. I'll select a winner from those who post before Thursday night, and announce it Friday morning. Please make sure you leave a way for me to contact you, or check back on Friday.
Is it too early to say, "He is Risen!"?
I think not.
HE IS RISEN!!
Glynnis
Showing posts with label victory. Show all posts
Showing posts with label victory. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
Please keep reading for the winner of the basket of books giveaway. But first, I wanted to share something that happened on Thursday.
It's been a week of incredible highs and lows in my son Dylan's life. And, as a mother - my life as well.
Dylan is a senior. I'm getting a bit emotional as we face the "lasts" of everything in his high school career. This last week was particularly challenging as he finished his last wrestling season ever with a trip to the state finals.
He almost didn't make it to state, but if you've read my blog in the past, you'll know he was prayed for by a coach and received miraculous healing to finish the season. And he finished brilliantly - taking first place in one of the last tournaments and qualifying for state.
What I haven't written about is how much sacrifice it took on his part to get to this point. He's very hard working when it comes to training. Besides that, he also has cut a lot of weight. I will spare you the details, but suffice it to say that it's involved a lot of personal discipline and sacrifice. As a result, his season was very successful with only a few losses.
Thursday was the first day of the state finals, and sadly he lost his first match. He was disappointed but not crushed. He knew the competition was a step above what he'd faced throughout the season. He won his second match, but in the middle of the match something happened. The other boy tripped Dylan, and Dylan fell twisting his knee. The same knee that had been injured earlier in the season.
Dylan couldn't get up. He lay face down on the mat for a few seconds, causing his coaches and trainer to run to his side. After a few more seconds, Dylan managed to pull himself up. He nodded his head at the coaches and ref, saying he was okay to finish. On pure adrenalin, Dylan finished the match and won. But not without injury.
He limped off the mat, and one of his coaches almost carried him into the stands. The trainer wrapped his knee in ice, and Dylan's face reflected the searing pain. Thankfully there was a break, and the team went back to the hotel. Dylan got carried. During the break, the coaches cared for Dylan, and I know he received prayer again.
But when they got back to the arena, Dylan was still in excruciating pain. It is at this point that most people would have recommended Dylan not wrestle. He could barely stand. But I've learned something over the past years of parenting this young man. He doesn't do what most people do. So his grandmother, dad and I sat in the stands white knuckled. I was just sick watching him limp onto the mat. As much as Dylan tried to hide the pain, it was obvious. I saw his face, and knew his opponent did too. There would be no mercy.
The next six minutes were some of the hardest of my life. My son was determined to not get pinned, and wrestled with all his heart. He couldn't stand, but with tears he couldn't stop streaming down his face, he did the best he could. But, although he lost the match, he didn't get pinned. The crowd erupted in cheers for Dylan. It was obvious to everyone that he finished that match like a champion.
By that point, I was sobbing. And I wasn't the only one. I don't think there was a member of his team that didn't get choked up, some didn't hide their tears. They knew it was Dylan's last match, and they knew how hard he had worked. It was heartbreaking. One of the coaches picked my 6' son up like a baby and carried him to his team who surrounded him with love. People he didn't know came up to him, commenting on his heart and fortitude.
I know Dylan doesn't feel like a champion today. But I couldn't be prouder of him. Facing a sure loss, he fought with everything he had left. There was nothing else he could have done. And it made me realize that a champion isn't defined by a medal, or award, or promotion, or contract, or anything else. It's courage, determination and sacrifice that makes a champion. And on Valentine's day, I'm recognizing how far one's heart can take them.
In our family we've got our champion. His name is Dylan. And I couldn't be prouder if he had won first place.
There's also another winner to announce. That's the winner of last week's book giveaway. Based on a random number, "Everyday Blessings" has won. I've sent a personal email, but just in case it didn't arrive, please email me personally at editor@proverbs31.org.
Thanks to everyone who entered. I'm blessed that you took the time to read my blog, and share your favorite books. I loved reading all your comments.
In His Love,
Glynnis
It's been a week of incredible highs and lows in my son Dylan's life. And, as a mother - my life as well.
Dylan is a senior. I'm getting a bit emotional as we face the "lasts" of everything in his high school career. This last week was particularly challenging as he finished his last wrestling season ever with a trip to the state finals.
He almost didn't make it to state, but if you've read my blog in the past, you'll know he was prayed for by a coach and received miraculous healing to finish the season. And he finished brilliantly - taking first place in one of the last tournaments and qualifying for state.
What I haven't written about is how much sacrifice it took on his part to get to this point. He's very hard working when it comes to training. Besides that, he also has cut a lot of weight. I will spare you the details, but suffice it to say that it's involved a lot of personal discipline and sacrifice. As a result, his season was very successful with only a few losses.
Thursday was the first day of the state finals, and sadly he lost his first match. He was disappointed but not crushed. He knew the competition was a step above what he'd faced throughout the season. He won his second match, but in the middle of the match something happened. The other boy tripped Dylan, and Dylan fell twisting his knee. The same knee that had been injured earlier in the season.
Dylan couldn't get up. He lay face down on the mat for a few seconds, causing his coaches and trainer to run to his side. After a few more seconds, Dylan managed to pull himself up. He nodded his head at the coaches and ref, saying he was okay to finish. On pure adrenalin, Dylan finished the match and won. But not without injury.
He limped off the mat, and one of his coaches almost carried him into the stands. The trainer wrapped his knee in ice, and Dylan's face reflected the searing pain. Thankfully there was a break, and the team went back to the hotel. Dylan got carried. During the break, the coaches cared for Dylan, and I know he received prayer again.
But when they got back to the arena, Dylan was still in excruciating pain. It is at this point that most people would have recommended Dylan not wrestle. He could barely stand. But I've learned something over the past years of parenting this young man. He doesn't do what most people do. So his grandmother, dad and I sat in the stands white knuckled. I was just sick watching him limp onto the mat. As much as Dylan tried to hide the pain, it was obvious. I saw his face, and knew his opponent did too. There would be no mercy.
The next six minutes were some of the hardest of my life. My son was determined to not get pinned, and wrestled with all his heart. He couldn't stand, but with tears he couldn't stop streaming down his face, he did the best he could. But, although he lost the match, he didn't get pinned. The crowd erupted in cheers for Dylan. It was obvious to everyone that he finished that match like a champion.
By that point, I was sobbing. And I wasn't the only one. I don't think there was a member of his team that didn't get choked up, some didn't hide their tears. They knew it was Dylan's last match, and they knew how hard he had worked. It was heartbreaking. One of the coaches picked my 6' son up like a baby and carried him to his team who surrounded him with love. People he didn't know came up to him, commenting on his heart and fortitude.
I know Dylan doesn't feel like a champion today. But I couldn't be prouder of him. Facing a sure loss, he fought with everything he had left. There was nothing else he could have done. And it made me realize that a champion isn't defined by a medal, or award, or promotion, or contract, or anything else. It's courage, determination and sacrifice that makes a champion. And on Valentine's day, I'm recognizing how far one's heart can take them.
In our family we've got our champion. His name is Dylan. And I couldn't be prouder if he had won first place.
 |
| This is Dylan the morning after the match. He's enjoying a 4-layer Rice Crispy treat sandwich. |
There's also another winner to announce. That's the winner of last week's book giveaway. Based on a random number, "Everyday Blessings" has won. I've sent a personal email, but just in case it didn't arrive, please email me personally at editor@proverbs31.org.
Thanks to everyone who entered. I'm blessed that you took the time to read my blog, and share your favorite books. I loved reading all your comments.
In His Love,
Glynnis
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Every morning I drive my sons Dylan and Robbie to high school at the same time on the same roads. For over two years, we've seen a young man walking on one stretch of that same trail. He's tall and thin, with long straight hair.
Two years ago, I noticed he tilted his head to the left as he walked, so that his long bangs would fall out of his face. Every day I grinned and often said to my boys, "One day his head is going to be permanently tilted to the left because of that habit!"
Kind of like when my mom would tell me I better change my sassy face before a cold freeze came through and it was permanently frozen in whatever pouting or disagreeable position it was in. Since I grew up in Phoenix, even as a child I was pretty sure that wasn't going to happen.
My mom also had another saying, "It won't be noticed on a galloping horse!" Never missing a beat, I would declare: "But I won't be on a galloping horse!" My poor mom. She was a saint.
This morning, driving my sons to school, I saw that same young man. It had been a few months since we'd seen him. Maybe as a junior, he's driving. Interestingly, he doesn't have bangs any more. And yet ...
His head is still tilted to the left!
I nearly shouted at poor Robbie sitting next to me when I saw it!
Of course there was the motherly satisfaction of being right (unless that poor boy has a neck condition, and if so, I'll feel horrible), but God also showed me a spiritual lesson. Sometimes, even when we've received healing for past emotional wounds and even when we know the truth - about ourselves and God - old habits still hang on.
Do you ever get frustrated with yourself? I do. Old patterns of thought or behavior still pop up in many of us like ...
... they must be rejecting me if they disagree ...
... I won't be considered for the position, so why even apply ...
... they don't really want me to come, they're lying ...
... I'll never be a good enough __________ (fill in the blank ... mine would be writer, singer, exerciser)
... I'll never lose this weight, so I'll just eat that brownie ...
Some of these patterns are just habits. They aren't a sign of spiritual weakness, or God's inability to heal. They are just bad habits. It would be nice if we could just immediately jump to a lovely, wise thought instead of a negative one, but changing a bad habit takes two steps: stopping the bad, then starting the good.
Years ago I had a planter's wart on the bottom of my foot. Based on its location, it couldn't be surgically removed because the healing and resulting scar would be just as problematic. So the doctor treated it slowly. For months I limped. Finally, after multiple doctor's appointments over the course of about four months, it went away. Do you know that I still limped?
I would catch myself limping, and make myself stop. Then I had to intentionally step fully on my foot. It took another few months to walk normally, even though the pain was gone.
Bad habits are hard to break. I know. This morning I'm reminded that God has healed me from many things, and I need to intentionally walk with confidence, not fear that it's going to hurt.
My question this morning is, does your head still tilt to the left? Has Jesus healed you but there is still a bad habit keeping you from walking in confidence?
I'd like to pray for you today.
In His Love,
Glynnis
Two years ago, I noticed he tilted his head to the left as he walked, so that his long bangs would fall out of his face. Every day I grinned and often said to my boys, "One day his head is going to be permanently tilted to the left because of that habit!"
Kind of like when my mom would tell me I better change my sassy face before a cold freeze came through and it was permanently frozen in whatever pouting or disagreeable position it was in. Since I grew up in Phoenix, even as a child I was pretty sure that wasn't going to happen.
My mom also had another saying, "It won't be noticed on a galloping horse!" Never missing a beat, I would declare: "But I won't be on a galloping horse!" My poor mom. She was a saint.
This morning, driving my sons to school, I saw that same young man. It had been a few months since we'd seen him. Maybe as a junior, he's driving. Interestingly, he doesn't have bangs any more. And yet ...
His head is still tilted to the left!
I nearly shouted at poor Robbie sitting next to me when I saw it!
Of course there was the motherly satisfaction of being right (unless that poor boy has a neck condition, and if so, I'll feel horrible), but God also showed me a spiritual lesson. Sometimes, even when we've received healing for past emotional wounds and even when we know the truth - about ourselves and God - old habits still hang on.
Do you ever get frustrated with yourself? I do. Old patterns of thought or behavior still pop up in many of us like ...
... they must be rejecting me if they disagree ...
... I won't be considered for the position, so why even apply ...
... they don't really want me to come, they're lying ...
... I'll never be a good enough __________ (fill in the blank ... mine would be writer, singer, exerciser)
... I'll never lose this weight, so I'll just eat that brownie ...
Some of these patterns are just habits. They aren't a sign of spiritual weakness, or God's inability to heal. They are just bad habits. It would be nice if we could just immediately jump to a lovely, wise thought instead of a negative one, but changing a bad habit takes two steps: stopping the bad, then starting the good.
Years ago I had a planter's wart on the bottom of my foot. Based on its location, it couldn't be surgically removed because the healing and resulting scar would be just as problematic. So the doctor treated it slowly. For months I limped. Finally, after multiple doctor's appointments over the course of about four months, it went away. Do you know that I still limped?
I would catch myself limping, and make myself stop. Then I had to intentionally step fully on my foot. It took another few months to walk normally, even though the pain was gone.
Bad habits are hard to break. I know. This morning I'm reminded that God has healed me from many things, and I need to intentionally walk with confidence, not fear that it's going to hurt.
My question this morning is, does your head still tilt to the left? Has Jesus healed you but there is still a bad habit keeping you from walking in confidence?
I'd like to pray for you today.
In His Love,
Glynnis
Monday, October 11, 2010
Yesterday I walked in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. It was my first time doing anything for breast cancer research, treatments and cures. And it was an amazing experience.
In spite of the sadness that lurks behind every pink shirt, and "In memory of" sign, there was infectious joy. Perhaps it was a fresh embracement of life, a celebration of family and a resurgence of hope. But really, there is comfort in know we are all in this together.
We share fallen less-than-perfect bodies, we share grief, we share fear. And together those devastating emotional experiences have less power over us.
So yesterday, I walked in honor of my sister Helen Ann, who just finished her breast cancer treatment a few weeks ago, and my friends Candy and Jackie - two younger women who are survivors. Plus, I walked in memory of my sweet cousin Monnie, who lost her fight with breast cancer a few years ago.
I also walked in celebration of God's deliverance of my fear over breast cancer. As a young women in my 20s I had two breast biopsies for benign lumps. Since then, I've been vigilant, and fearful of any of the fibrocystic changes in my own breasts. Plus, I dreaded October - knowing breast cancer awareness was going to be everywhere.
Eight years ago, an unusual lump sent me into a tailspin, which was a culmination of years of fear. For two weeks, until testing revealed it was nothing, I was a mess. I couldn't eat; I couldn't sleep. It was an unnatural oppression of fear. And all my mature-Christian thinking couldn't get me out of it.
I told my friends I was having tests, and I asked for prayers. Plus, I prayed non-stop. But I got no relief from the fear.
Finally, through my husband's wisdom, God showed me that He gave me the answer in a dream just the previous month. In the dream, I was standing in my kitchen with all my cabinets in a mess, doors broken off and contents strewn all over. Even the wall had been knocked out. I walked to where the wall once stood and looked out at black storm clouds coming my way. I knew I had to get out of there, and I got on my hands and knees and crawled through a cage, until I entered someone else's house and was safe.
I had that dream weeks before the breast cancer scare, and couldn't understand its meaning. But in an instant, God revealed it: In order to escape the storm, I had to humble myself.
But Lord, I said. I have humbled myself before You! I've confessed all my fear.
He answered me: Now confess it to others. Humble yourself before others.
God gave me James 5:16 as the healing for my fear:
The healing was truly miraculous. And I have never been the same. I have never been held captive by fear again over my heath.
So I did my own little victory walk yesterday. And it felt really good. Praise God!
In His Love,
Glynis
In spite of the sadness that lurks behind every pink shirt, and "In memory of" sign, there was infectious joy. Perhaps it was a fresh embracement of life, a celebration of family and a resurgence of hope. But really, there is comfort in know we are all in this together.
We share fallen less-than-perfect bodies, we share grief, we share fear. And together those devastating emotional experiences have less power over us.
So yesterday, I walked in honor of my sister Helen Ann, who just finished her breast cancer treatment a few weeks ago, and my friends Candy and Jackie - two younger women who are survivors. Plus, I walked in memory of my sweet cousin Monnie, who lost her fight with breast cancer a few years ago.
 |
| Some members of my small group. Jackie, in pink, is a survivor! Candy wasn't there, but her husband John (tall guy in back) and daughter Brianna (middle) walked. |
Eight years ago, an unusual lump sent me into a tailspin, which was a culmination of years of fear. For two weeks, until testing revealed it was nothing, I was a mess. I couldn't eat; I couldn't sleep. It was an unnatural oppression of fear. And all my mature-Christian thinking couldn't get me out of it.
I told my friends I was having tests, and I asked for prayers. Plus, I prayed non-stop. But I got no relief from the fear.
 |
| My, my niece Victoria and my little sister Liz |
I had that dream weeks before the breast cancer scare, and couldn't understand its meaning. But in an instant, God revealed it: In order to escape the storm, I had to humble myself.
But Lord, I said. I have humbled myself before You! I've confessed all my fear.
He answered me: Now confess it to others. Humble yourself before others.
God gave me James 5:16 as the healing for my fear:
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16 NIV
 |
| Finish line! |
Was the fear my sin? No. Fear wasn't my sin. Not being honest about the depth of my fear was my sin. I immediately called a few people and in between sobs, confessed how afraid I was.
So I did my own little victory walk yesterday. And it felt really good. Praise God!
In His Love,
Glynis
Friday, April 2, 2010
On this holy day in our faith - Good Friday - I wish you warmest blessings.
Today I've got a devotion running on Proverbs 31 and Crosswalk. If you haven't read it, I invite you to do so.
The title is "Victory on the Other Side of Failure." I originally wrote it for a chapter on helping kids deal with failure in my book "When Your Child is Hurting." It is frustrating to me to see so many people living life far below their potential. And I realized that much of that attitude of defeat started when we were children.
Someone, somewhere, at some time, told us we couldn't do something. Or told us we would never amount to anything. Or said we were only a "C" student. Or told us to sit on the bench, keep our mouths shut, stay out of the way.
Maybe they never said anything, but we were passed over for opportunities ... repeatedly.
So we learn to accept mediocrity ... work below our potential ... never risk ... and accept "failure" as the end. As the end of a dream, the end of our hopes, the door slamming shut in our faces.
Only it isn't the end.
If nothing else in history teaches us that "failure" isn't always what it seems, the death of resurrection of Jesus Christ shouts that message loud and clear.
With God, there is always hope.
With God, there is always a new chance.
With God, you always have potential.
With God, victory is on the other side of failure!
We are never to old to learn this lesson and apply it to our lives. And the lives of our children.
Are you out of work today? Victory is on the other side.
Have you been betrayed? Victory is on the other side!
Are you sick? Victory is on the other side!
Are you lonely? Victory is on the other side!
Do you struggle with addiction? Victory is on the other side!
On that Friday, thousands of years ago, the disciples of Jesus saw defeat with their eyes. They saw their precious friend and Lord die on a cross.
It looked like failure. Only it wasn't.
Can you imagine those agonizing hours before Sunday morning? Maybe you can, because you feel like that too. You are experiencing your own loss and wondering if God can conquer your "death."
I believe with everything in me that Christ can conquer death. In whatever form it takes. We just need to look at life with new eyes. And trust God. Don't give up. Victory is coming.
"For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?'" (1 Corinthians 15:53-55, NIV)
"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith." (1 John 5:4, NAS)
He is Risen!
Glynnis
Today I've got a devotion running on Proverbs 31 and Crosswalk. If you haven't read it, I invite you to do so.
The title is "Victory on the Other Side of Failure." I originally wrote it for a chapter on helping kids deal with failure in my book "When Your Child is Hurting." It is frustrating to me to see so many people living life far below their potential. And I realized that much of that attitude of defeat started when we were children.
Someone, somewhere, at some time, told us we couldn't do something. Or told us we would never amount to anything. Or said we were only a "C" student. Or told us to sit on the bench, keep our mouths shut, stay out of the way.
Maybe they never said anything, but we were passed over for opportunities ... repeatedly.
So we learn to accept mediocrity ... work below our potential ... never risk ... and accept "failure" as the end. As the end of a dream, the end of our hopes, the door slamming shut in our faces.
Only it isn't the end.
If nothing else in history teaches us that "failure" isn't always what it seems, the death of resurrection of Jesus Christ shouts that message loud and clear.
With God, there is always hope.
With God, there is always a new chance.
With God, you always have potential.
With God, victory is on the other side of failure!
We are never to old to learn this lesson and apply it to our lives. And the lives of our children.
Are you out of work today? Victory is on the other side.
Have you been betrayed? Victory is on the other side!
Are you sick? Victory is on the other side!
Are you lonely? Victory is on the other side!
Do you struggle with addiction? Victory is on the other side!
On that Friday, thousands of years ago, the disciples of Jesus saw defeat with their eyes. They saw their precious friend and Lord die on a cross.
It looked like failure. Only it wasn't.
Can you imagine those agonizing hours before Sunday morning? Maybe you can, because you feel like that too. You are experiencing your own loss and wondering if God can conquer your "death."
I believe with everything in me that Christ can conquer death. In whatever form it takes. We just need to look at life with new eyes. And trust God. Don't give up. Victory is coming.
"For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?'" (1 Corinthians 15:53-55, NIV)
"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith." (1 John 5:4, NAS)
He is Risen!
Glynnis
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