God and all things organic.

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Healthy is trendy these days.

You don’t have to look far to validate this.

Our instagrams and facebook pages are clogged with juices, essential oils, gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, organic blah, blah, blah. (Mine too)  

And for the most part I love it.  We try to eat clean, exercise, and make good health choices.  I clean with mostly homemade products.  Some smelling better than others.  My old roommates hated it when I cleaned with vinegar.  My roommate these days is much less fussy/opinionated about these matters. 🙂

But there is a part of this whole trend that I think we really have to guard our hearts toward.

Much of this field is motivated by fear… That’s potentially the best marketing approach ever.

I read this scripture this morning and it sunk deep into me, bringing comfort and squashing fears.

“Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”  2 Peter 1:4 (NIV)

“For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of thedivine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.” 2 Peter 1:4 (NASB)

NASB version says lust rather than evil desires.  There is so much lust in our culture.  That lust leads industries to genetically modify products, regardless of how that affects society.  It also can lead “healthy” companies to lie about their products or market things to mothers of small children in a fear inducing you are a terrible mother if you don’t buy this product manipulative way.

I think we have to be discerning as people to make sure we are making our “health” decisions based on convictions rather than fears.

I love how this verse is basically saying we serve a God who is bigger than the evil and corrupt ways of this temporary world!

I am 100% for taking care of our earthly bodies, being in this for the long haul, and doing all that we Mahers can to release His kingdom on this earth.  We like everyone else want to make great life giving choices.

I just want to make sure that He and His kingdom are my 1st priority.  I want to make sure that I am more aware of His overcoming power than of the evils in this world.  I want my decisions to be rooted in faith rather than fear.

I pray that we will be clothed with His wisdom in the choice that we make.  I pray the His perfect love will cast out any fear.  I pray that we will be motivated by a healthy perspective of stewardship rather than fear as we make choices regarding health.  Above all, I pray that we will be so aware today of how good and big our God is!

 

 

 

He’s got the itty bitty babies…

in His hands.

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Sometimes I forget.

He is BIG.  And I am small.

There’s something deeply therapeutic in holding a newborn.  I think part of that is that they are so fresh out of heaven and there is a deep peace that penetrates as the rhythms of their soft breaths sink their tiny bodies up and down.

I was thinking about tiny babies this morning in church, and how helpless they are, yet there is so much delight in caring for them.

And it reminds me of God.

Maybe everyone doesn’t need the reminder, but I often do.

He likes to take care of us.  He delights in us, even when we sleep.

His love is pure, based on who we are, and not just what we do or don’t do.

He’s not stressed by our needs, or even our wants and desire.  He finds joy when we recognize our need for Him.

It’s His good pleasure to take care of us, to give us what we need, and even what we want.

It’s good for the ever so responsible, strategic, achiever in me to be reminded of this.

As we grow, we learn what it means to co-labor with him.  We wake from the slumber of our infant days, and we take His hand and venture out into the grand world to be a part of something bigger.  This is good.  This is healthy.  This is growth.

Yet I never want to forget the simplicity of His love for me.

That just as people love to hold a newborn, He longs to hold us.  That even when we do nothing, He can do everything.  We find joy in the process of building with our Father, and we should.

I don’t want to forget that this is His kingdom we are building.

He is BIG, and I am small.

I find great comfort in that.

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1. He´s got the whole world in His hands,
He´s got the whole world in His hands,
He´s got the whole world in His hands.

2. He´s got the wind and the rain in His hands,
He´s got the wind and the rain in His hands,
He´s got the whole world in His hands.

3. He´s got the the tiny little baby in His hands,
He´s got the the tiny little baby in His hands,
He´s got the whole world in His hands.

4. He´s got you and me, brother, in His hands,
He´s got you and me, brother, in His hands,
He´s got the whole world in His hands.

5. He’s got ev’rybody here in His hands.
He’s got ev’rybody here in His hands.
He’s got the whole world in His hands.

1. He´s got the whole world in His hands,
He´s got the whole world in His hands,
He´s got the whole world in His hands.
He’s got the earth and sky in his hands;
He’s got the night and day in his hands;
He’s got the sun and moon in his hands;
He´s got the whole world in His hands.

2. He´s got the whole world in His hands,
He´s got the whole world in His hands,
He´s got the whole world in His hands.
He’s got the land and sea in his hands;
He’s got the wind and rain in his hands;
He’s got the spring and fall in his hands;
He´s got the whole world in His hands.

3. He´s got the whole world in His hands,

He´s got the whole world in His hands,

He´s got the whole world in His hands.
He’s got the young and old in his hands;
He’s got the rich and poor in his hands;
Yes, he’s got ev’ry one in his hands;
He´s got the whole world in His hands.

He´s got the whole world in His hands,
He´s got the whole world in His hands,
He´s got the whole world in His hands.

retirement

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I’ve been drawn to this verse the last few days.

“These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.”

Colossians 2:17

It’s surrounded by verses about human regulations.  Paul is revolutionizing the way they think, behave, and receive.  Because Christ “having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross”. (Col 2:14)

All of this was a foreign concept to a society governed by following rules, making sacrifices, and trying to measure up.

He is giving them {and us!} permission to retire from this way of thinking.  He is defining freedom in the person of Christ, rather than behavior.

“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.”  (Colossians 2:9-10)

One translation says you have been “given fullness in Christ”.  The new covenant is more about receiving what He’s already done for us than about following a set of rules.

These verses are a reality check for me.

Am I more concerned about rules, regulations, and behaviors, or am I aware that the fullness has already been given to me?

Is my attention more on my disciplines than what He already accomplished on the cross?

The real zinger is in verse 23-

“Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.”

As I retire from the old mindsets based on works and performance, my focus should be-

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:1-2)

He came to set us free and that we might have life and life abundantly.  Let’s not get entangled by human regulations.  May it be said of us that, whatever we do, whether in word or deed, has been done in the name of Christ. (Colossians 3:17)

Let’s retire these old mindsets, and walk into the promised land that the cross has already purchased.

 

laughing at the days to come…

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she smiles at the future… (nasb)

she laughs without fear of the future… (nlt)

she can laugh at the days to come… (niv)

she shall rejoice in time to come… (nkjv)

and she always faces tomorrow with a smile… (message)

Proverbs 31:25b

Don’t you want people to say this about you?!

It’s a new year, a new day, a new season.  God wants you to have an emotional reaction to your future{and that doesn’t have to be fear!}.  He is a good Father with good gifts, who withholds no good thing.  He takes us from glory to glory.

This is one of my favorite verses.  This is God’s heart for us.  He is a Father who longs to place identity in us that beams with strength and dignity.  He longs for us to embrace a hope {confident expectation that good is coming} that brings us to the point of joyous, loud, until your stomach hurts laughter when we look to the future.

I pray that today you are “clothed in strength and dignity”  and that you can smile, laugh, and rejoice in what tomorrow will bring.

Facing fears today about the future?

Give those fears to Him.  He loves you so much.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Give up your right to understand.  He is bigger.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21

Now that we’ve let go of the fears of the unknown, we are free to embrace the mystery and the adventure that our Good Father in heaven has for us!

Go ahead… LAUGH, SMILE, REJOICE!

simply JESUS.

Choosing Jesus in a land where google is god.

More than any other time in history, we are surrounded by information.  We are just one click away from the next solution to our ever mounting problems.  Unfortunately the search for solutions often leads to more diagnosis’s.

I was talking with a friend one day who is a doctor.  He said he had every disease imaginable while in medical school.  He would read about a disease and immediately fight the thoughts of “I have that”.

And thus the downfall of information…

Last week while in the candlelight service on Christmas Eve, I made a decision.

My new years resolution- JESUS.

Pure and simple.

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

He is sufficient.  He is the answer.

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'” (John 14:6)

His mission is clear.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)

He calms the storms.

“Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm.” (Matthew 8:26)

He has authority over anything that comes my way.

“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.” -Jesus (John 16:33)

simply JESUS.

welcome 2014!

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may you be a year of simplicity, breakthrough, joy, growth, extravagant peace, life to the fullest, desires fulfilled, trees of life, opportunities, solutions, and hope.

He withholds no good thing (Psalm 84:11)

I found this sweet song yesterday while reading another blog.

I think it’s a good follow-up to yesterday’s post about “when God says no”.

So be still for a moment and let the words of this song of surrender go deep.

What a sweet Savior we have. He loves you deeply. He left all that heaven holds, so that you can experience an abundant life.

May our hearts be filled with love and gratitude towards Him as Christmas quickly approaches.

when God says no.

{reblog}

This one is a repost, but a good reminder on any day.

Happy Friday. 🙂

seasonsofgrace's avatarmrsannamaher.com

I was probably eleven or twelve.  I was the queen of babysitting.  I had built up quite a cliental within biking distance, and often had to turn down jobs because I was already booked.  I loved it, and often only remembered I got paid for it when they handed me a wad of cash at the end of the night.

One friday night a family from across town called and asked if I could babysit, and stay the night with them.  I asked my mom, and she said no.  Honestly this wasn’t the norm for my mom.  I am the youngest of four and have always been on the responsible side of things so it wasn’t often that I wasn’t permitted to do something I desired.

Hmm… that’s weird I thought.  I had nothing to do and an opportunity came up and she said no.  So, I threw chairs, screamed…

View original post 299 more words

schedule, rhythm, and values.

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“there are very few ‘normal’ weeks, maybe 2 per year.” – steve backlund

my career began in a maternity home.  sure we had a schedule for all of the staff that worked in the house.  some days it even said 9-5.  it worked most some of the time.  pregnant woman can be kinda rude and especially the teenage ones seem to enjoy interrupting sleep.  i often got calls at 2am to take a girl to the hospital.  when i lived in the house, there were many middle of the night knocks on the door.  (don’t tell, but i kept tylenol pm close by for those who were far enough along to take it.) don’t judge me until you have lived in a house with 12 pregnant girls for at least a year.  then you have full permission to judge.

after over 2 years there, i moved across the country to washington dc to be a part of a house of prayer.  for a good portion of the year, my hours there were actually 9-5, only it was 9pm to 5am.

now, my husband and i travel an average of 10-20 days a month.  we are blessed to spend our days together pouring into something so much bigger than us.  on the road, sometimes our hours look more like 5-11pm.  sometimes the alarm clock goes of at 3:30am, so we can catch the 6am flight. then at home, our schedules are more relaxed, scattered with meetings/responsibilities at our local church, and one on ones with friends and people we are mentoring. and rest, that beautiful glorious thing called rest.

although predictability, schedules, and rhythms are nice.  i’ve found another way to not only survive but to thrive as the life of ministry ebs and flows.

i choose to live from my core values rather than waiting for a normal week.  they are all to rare.  i can’t watch  life slip from my hands until everything is nicely predictable in my day planner.

a couple years ago, i sat down and wrote out what my core values are.  that is what dictates my schedule.  my schedule does not dictate me.  i want to be known for living a life of purpose and passion, not for how full my schedule was or wasn’t.

These are my core values…

1. Intimacy/Prayer- I cannot thrive without a strong emphasis on intercession and the secret place.

2. Purity- I long to represent my Love and Savior well through what I do and say. I am passionate about walking in purity in my thoughts, actions, and relationships.

3. Rest- I desire that all of the ministry in my life stems from abiding intimately with my heavenly Father, my Savior, the Holy Spirit. I have a high value of living from the place of the finished work of the cross. I don’t want to work to pay for things that have already been purchased.

4. Home- I have a strong need and love for creating home wherever I am. I have a high value for safety and creating atmospheres where others feel free to be who they are.

5. Communication- I have a high value for good, honest, and honoring communication.

6. Family- It all begins and ends with family. Therefore it is vitally important how the years between birth and death affect those closest to me. I long to be a blessing to my family and led them closer to the heavenly Father.

7. Joy/ thankfulness- I see thankfulness as a huge asset to joy and contentment. I want my lips to be constantly thanking God for his goodness and therefore ushering in His Presence. I want my laugh to be a familiar sound to those who know me.

8. Beauty and Creativity- It brings me life to make things beautiful. I want to see people and things thriving in their best form.

9. Health- I have a high value for pursuing healthy ways of living, and to be consistently improving in this area.

10. Connection- I have a strong need for healthy, thriving connections with others.

11. Intentionality- I will live my life with intention and purpose, passionately pursuing the things and people that God calls me to.

Do you have core values?

What are they?

History with God

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Barefoot, I slipped out of the condo door to do a little exploring. Coffee in hand, I listened to the familiar sound of Hawaiian birds chirping in the trees around. I love Hawaii for all the obvious reasons, but for me it has been a real place of connecting to God.

When I was 19, I hugged my family goodbye and got on a plane heading to the big island for six months of missionary training (Insert here your suffering for Jesus jokes). This was huge for me.  I was, and still am believe it or not, a homebody. My parents were my best friends in high school. I was a major daddy’s girl and told my mom about everything.

There were ups and downs during my 6 month adventure to the islands, but most importantly there was connection to God. I learned and leaned in a way like never before.

As I sit here now with waves crashing as my soundtrack, I am so thankful that God chooses to create history with me.

People often ask our pastor to pray for them and give them the Elijah/Elisha anointing to which he responds, “I can pray for you, but what I can’t give you is my history with God”.

Beautiful.

More than the works of these hands, my heart longs to partner with Him. I want to know Him and be known by Him. We love seeing God move, but more than any of that we love Him.

And history tells a pretty good story of His love for me, His commitment to me, and His ability to work all things together for my good.

What I am not saying is that all is peachy all of the time when you run with God. No, there are continually new hurdles, new lessons, and new obstacles as we run the race. There are many opportunities for the peace that passes all understanding. But, He promises to give us everything we need for the journey. He is committed to us and to building something in us that’s bigger than we know.

This is exactly why our history with Him is so important. It reminds us that we win in the end. It reminds us that we are no longer slaves to fear. It reminds us that He makes all things beautiful in His time (which has often NOT coordinated with the timing I think is appropriate!).

It just reminds me of the, “seek ye first” principle. As I give my life over to Him and His service again and again, “all these things” are added. Maybe not in the way or the time that I thought, but definitely over and beyond what my mind could comprehend.

I hope you are enjoying your Saturday and that you have some time to reflect on your history with Him.

“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen”. (Ephesians 3:20, 21 NASB)