Revisiting a message on waiting...

I wrote this message a couple of years ago and I stumbled upon it this morning. Interesting how I quote Angela Thomas in this message...and was reading one of her books back then...and just happened to pick up that book last weekend and reread the entire book. Well I don't believe in coincidences...clearly this message was to be revisited...updated and shared ....again. And maybe that is what we are suppose to do throughout our journeys...revisit the messages God has for us. Am I in the same place as I was in 2007 when I wrote this message....spiritually...not even close ( mission trips will grow ya that is for sure!!!)....financially...actually better....physically....seriously I am a woman in my 40's...so leave that alone. But even though I have grown and the years have past....I too see that revisiting God's word, His encouragement...and even my own words and encouragement is vital and important. The battles may be new, the desert we walk in may be a different one than the last time, but...God's word is for EVERY DAY, for every battle and every desert dweller. His word IS THE LIVING WATER. His word IS THE PROTECTION.
So I post this message on waiting....and standing and hoping and trusting in Christ Jesus who is our deliverer!!!
Thanks,
Lorrie





For many of us...we are in a waiting period. We have great desires and are waiting on the Lord to bring them forth. Many of us are waiting for answers to some very deep things in our hearts. The waiting and wondering really takes a toll on us. Many of us reach the point where we begin to become heartsick. Some days it is all we can to to hold on to hope...some days it takes all the strength in the world to stand through the storms of war raging in our lives. And I want so much to send a message of hope to all of us...Angela Thomas writes..."Maybe today you don't know what else to do. You are tired and can't go forward. You have considered just getting out of line and abandoning the wait. Can I ask you something? If you are able in this moment, stand up. Physically stand and pray:God, I cannot see You. I have no idea what to do next. But as an act of my complete trust, I will stand and keep standing until You show me what to do. Amen.

One of my favorite stories in Scripture is the book of 2 Chronicles. Jehoshaphat is a man of God. He sought the Lord for direction. He led as he believed God had instructed. But after all those things, Jehoshaphat and his people found themselves under attack from a vast army.
The Bible says that when they saw the army coming with no power to protect themselves, Jehoshaphat cried out to the Lord,"We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you. 2 Chron. 20:12 The scripture says that then:"all the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the Lord." vs.13 What great courage comes to us through their vulnerability and act of obedience. When the people of Judah did not know what to do, they kept their eyes on God and stood. This story just gets better, and you have to hear what happens after the people stood before their Lord. God began to speak through a man named Jahaziel. He told them:
Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you:"Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's...You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you." Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem feel down in worship before the Lord. vs.15, 17-18
There are many opposing armies in the life of a woman. Lies we believe. Difficult relationships. Financial hardship. What ever battle you face this day, it cannot have you. You belong to God. After you have done everything you can do, then stand and wait to see the glory of the Lord. Wait on the Lord. Until it's your turn. I want you to become aware of God's intimate presence in your waiting. He is not far away. He is here. Holding you. I want you to know His pleasure. He is perfecting all those things that concern you. God can give you a righteous confidence in your waiting. And when it's finally your turn and He says, "Next," what a thrill it will be to yell, "Hey, that's me!!!! I'm ready to dance!!"
Well I know that was pretty long...but I really believe that every word of the excerpt was so important. Not long ago I wrote an email message titled"No Matter what." And I know I have written messages about hope. Always those messages are as much for me as they are for anyone else. God calls us to stand together. Not as one individual. United together before Him no matter what. When we have those in our lives who are hurting, who are crying, we don't have to have the quick fix, the answer, the solution to the problem. We just need to stand with them in faith. We don't have to know the how, but just believe in the Who. When don't have to know the why or the when, only that He knows how it will end and we must keep our hope in Him. It is hard for some of us not to have all the answers....but if we always have all the answers....when do we trust and hope in God? If you know someone who is hurting, as we all are at one time or another, God doesn't call us to fix them, only to stand with them before Him, trusting in Him alone. Believe me, we all have times of hurt and pain. We all have times when the blackness sweeps in and over takes us. It is in those times we reach out to our loved ones and friends and ask them to stand with us. Jehoshaphat didn't stand alone, all of Judah stood with him before the Lord.
Much Love and God bless!
Lorrie Durbin

Younger, Cuter, Skinnier

Younger, Cuter, Skinnier
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Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at 11:47am
Wow...haven't we all done this in some way or another? We can be the worst to ourselves. Often we are more harsh to ourselves because of all the lies the world tells us. I struggled for most of my life believing I was ugly....and now I know I am beautiful. I may not be beautiful under the definition you have as beautiful...but I am under the definition God has given me. But I struggle with some of the things that Melanie Chitwood brings up. Just being transparent and real here. I won't be fake or put on that I have it all together...so just thought this was a good message and something to think on. Good reminder to me as a woman...and as a mom (for I am the role model Linds has for being a woman) and as a daughter, sister, friend or co worker. I hope to be an example of a real woman who knows she has real struggles and flaws but knows she has a Redeemer who loves her. I don't have to fit into the "perfection box" that the media and the world tell women they should fit in to. This is just a little encouragement to help in that battle.
Lorrie


Younger, Cuter, Skinnier
October 7, 2009
Melanie Chitwood


For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) While I waited in the carpool line to pick up my 10-year-old son Tyler, I watched the other moms coming and going with their kids. When Tyler got in the car, we talked about his day. Abruptly changing subjects, I asked, "Tyler, do I look 46?" He quickly answered, "No, mom, you look … 37." I smiled, wondering how he came up with that number, but liking that it was much lower than my actual age. I said, "Good answer!" "Except for those wrinkles," he added as he studied my face. "What?!" "And …" "Okay, we are finished with this conversation!" As we drove back home, I wondered what prompted me to blurt out that question. Instantly, I knew the answer. While watching the other moms, I had started comparing myself. My comparison led me to think that the other moms were younger, cuter and skinnier.
Can you relate to these thoughts? We can fall into the comparison trap in an instant. For example, we flip through the pages of a magazine and compare our bodies to the images of skinny models. We go to a new Bible study and hesitate to speak up because we're sure the other women know more than we do. Comparison usually leads us down a dangerous path of feeling insecure and "not enough," or else prideful and "better than." Neither path of thinking is one God wants us to take. God's Word tells us exactly what to do with faulty comparison thinking in 2 Corinthians 10:5, "We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (NIV).
What does this mean in practice? First, we have to become aware of our t houghts. Next, we clarify if our thoughts are God's truth or the enemy's lies. We can be sure that any condemning or prideful thoughts are not from God. Finally, when we recognize a thought which is a lie, we need to replace the lie with God's truth. The verse I memorized to combat the lies resulting from comparison is a personalized version of today's key verse in Ephesians 2:10: "For I am God's beautiful masterpiece. He has created me anew in Christ Jesus, so I can do the good things He planned for me long ago."
Take time today to ask God to reveal to you any lies you believe about yourself. Confess pride or insecurity, and ask God to fill you with His truthful perspective. And don't ask your child how old you look!
Dear Lord, keep my mind centered on the truth of who You say I am. Don't let my thoughts be tossed all over the place by the lies of the enemy. I know I am not defined by my circumstances, what I see in the mirror, or even what other people say about me. Let me rest in Your confidence as I acknowledge who You say I am, a masterpiece, fearfully and wonderfully made. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Read similar encouragement at Everyday Life! A Woman Who Fears the Lord (Proverbs 31:30) T-Shirt What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood Beautiful in God's Eyes by Elizabeth George
Chat more with Melanie on her blog – What Matters Most
Application Steps: Memorize a verse, such as Ephesians 2:10, to fill your mind with God's truth.
Have an honest discussion with a close friend about any tendencies you have to compare yourself to others. How can you encourage one another and hold each other accountable to "whatever is true" (Philippians 4:8)? Reflections: In what areas of my life – appearance, weight, work, motherhood, marriage – do I feel inadequate?
In what areas of my life am I prideful? Consider the answers to these questions, and ask for God's true perspective on these areas of your life.
Power Verses: Philippians 4:8, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." (NIV)
Isaiah 26:3, "The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You." (NASB) 2 Corinthians 10:5, "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (NIV) © 2009 by Melanie Chitwood. All rights reserved.

Aunt Robin

My Aunt Robin died at 1207 AM November 5th after a very noble and courageous battle against brain cancer. Her memorial service was Nov 8th. I really love my Aunt Robin. My Uncle Dan, sister Chantel and I sang this song for her several times before she died. It was one of her favorites. My Uncle Dan sang it for her at the memorial service. Dan's Song Soft minstrel music flows through me Like water to a thristy bird I arise and follow your melody Like a leaf swaying gentle in a summer breeze. Could be there's a lifetime to be shared Mystery becoming loud and clear Until the time He tells us we must part I'm thankful to my God you found my heart. Oh love, oh love, my love Oh love, oh love, my love Sometimes your loving reaches into me So strong I have to turn my eyes away I'm afraid to let my feelings show Cause I want you more than I dare to let you know. I never imaged such a place Were love could be no more night and day Were love is the only reality And the fruits of love are the only things you see. Oh love, oh love, My love Oh love, oh love, My love Oh love, My love Oh love, oh love, My love.


The Jensens...Josie, Cameron (little boy) Uncle Dan, Aunt Robin (in green) Thea and her fiance.

Updating

So...today is January 25, 2010. I never anticipated stepping away from blogging for so long! Wow...the last time I blogged was in April of 2009. Lots has happened in this time. I have posted much on Facebook during that time.
Tonight I felt that I should revisit this outlet. So I want to take some time tonight to repost some of the messages that I have posted on Facebook here.
Thanks!
Lorrie