Be My Valentine

by Kathy Stanford

John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.”

On Sunday, February 14, 1965 I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. On that day He became my one true love, forever. Yes, I have a wonderful husband whom I love dearly, but Jesus is my greatest love. Perhaps that is why I view 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, a little differently. It is a beautiful passage defining love, often read at weddings and 50th anniversaries. But 1John 4:8 tells us that God is love. So for me, these verses describe God, Himself, and how He loves me. Read them with me, hearing only our Lord speaking them to you as the lover of your soul. To help, I’ve written it in a 1st person format.

“I will treat you with patience and kindness, never hemming you in with jealousy. I won’t be arrogant or boastful, acting in ways that embarrass or shame you. I will always put you first and not take offense or keep score when you fail me. I will never make fun of your mistakes, but will always celebrate your choices made in truth. I will help you bear all your burdens and believe the best in you. I will encourage you to not lose hope and will support you to endure all that life brings. I will never fail you.”

Doesn’t it thrill your heart to think of Him speaking these words of love to you? I have not always loved Him so well. Sometimes I have been unfaithful, distracted by the shiny lures of this world. Sometimes I have acted spoiled and sulked, angry because I didn’t get my way. But He has always been faithful to me. He always patiently woos my heart to return to Him, as my first love. There is no arrogance, no brow beating, no angry retaliation. There is no score keeping. There is only a passionate, steadfast love that waits for me to return His love with equal passion. And while He waits, He loves me well. He endures my betrayal while desiring only my best, never losing hope, always believing in me. He never fails me.

As we approach Valentine’s Day this week, I am hoping you will spend some time meditating on these verses, rejoicing in the perfect love of Jesus. And if you are really motivated, memorize them!

“Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.Love never fails” 1Corinthians 13:4-8a.

“Thank you Lord for your endless, unconditional love. Please help me to love you and others the same way.”

If you don’t know Jesus as Lord, or are unsure, click on the tab at the top of the page for more information.

Good, Better or Best

Jan19

by Kathy Stanford

In recent months I have been motivated to reduce the clutter of my life. I have “stuff” and I have emotional baggage. Both hinder my focus on Jesus and the ability to serve Him in complete freedom. It’s not always easy to know what to let go and what to “hang on to”. Some choices are obvious – throw away the worn out shoes, keep the picture of the grandkids. Some choices however, are more subtle – the pants are one size small but I plan to lose weight; the betrayal was years ago and I’ve forgiven, but still cling to that familiar pain like an old friend. You know what I’m talking about.

I am finding guidance in Hebrews 12:1 which encourages us to “lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us” so that we may “run with endurance the race that is set before us”. Webster defines encumber as 1. to hold back the motion or action of; hinder; 2. to burden; load down. We often hear the adage of “good, better and best” when struggling with choices but, based on this definition, I’m beginning to think any choice other than “best” becomes an encumbrance.

So how do I recognize “best”? The place to start is with God’s word. If you joined Rita in her scripture memory challenge you are well on your way to understanding the best choices. Last week Colossians 3:1-2 told us to set our minds on things above, not on things of the earth. Matthew 5:16 told us to let our good works shine so that God would be glorified and this week’s verse(Ephesians 4:32) encourages us to remember what God has done for us and treat others in a like manner. The more I line up my choices with the guidelines of God’s Word the easier it is to make the “best” choice.

When I’m not focused on following Jesus and make those less than best choices, my life becomes a cluttered mess. I might even become a George like Rita described! I encourage you to join me as I work to unclutter my life. Together we’ll get rid of those encumbrances that are keeping us from having God’s “best” life.

“Thank you Jesus for your patience with me. Please give me wisdom and courage to make those best choices.”

If you don’t know Jesus or are unsure, click on the tab at the top of the page for more information.

Hope in the New Year

Jan3

by Kathy Stanford

2016 – a New Year! What is it about a new year that fills us with hope and optimism for better things to come? It’s really just another day on the calendar, another bend in that flowing river of life. But turning the page to January 1 fills us with more hope and anticipation than turning to any other new month. Another thing that goes with a new year is lists. We have resolutions – things we hope to change, and we have goals – things we hope to achieve. Some of these are practical, like “I will exercise and eat more healthy foods”. Some are broad dreams, such as “I will find my true love”. All are valid, because they represent our hope for a better future. And if you have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus, you know the only source of true hope is found in Him.* (1Tim 4:10; Ps 71:5)

And then there are those lists you find everywhere at the end of a year. You know the ones – “Ten best (or worst)……”, “100 most (or least)…..”, etc. Usually I am focused on looking forward, but for some reason I enjoy reading these lists. Maybe it’s a way to let go of last year’s mistakes and disappointments. Every year of life brings both good and bad days. We must live each one, processing it into our life story. I believe the healthiest way to do this is to hang on to the lessons learned and let go of the pain. I’m not saying it’s easy because we all know it’s hard and we have to really work at it. But Philippians 3:13-14 gives us the formula. We focus on Jesus, pressing on “for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” And when the days get tough, remember the promise of Romans 5:3-5, “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Even in the trials of life we know God is at work in us, through the Holy Spirit, building our character and strengthening our hope.

Rita challenged us to join her in memorizing scripture this year. I plan to take up the challenge and encourage you to do the same. It will be an excellent way to focus on Jesus and hold tight to the hope we have in Him. 2016 may be a little bumpy, but it can be a great year of growing closer to God.

“Thank you Jesus, for the hope we we have in You.”

*If you don’t know Jesus or are unsure, click on the tab at the top of the page for more information.

Give Thanks?

Nov24

by Kathy Stanford

Do you ever feel like you just aren’t ready to “give thanks”? Have you approached the official day with a feeling of dread and wished you could just put it off for a month/forever? I have. But that is when I need to give thanks the most. You may already be familiar with the concepts of sacrificial praise and thanksgiving. However, did you know that the old testament sacrifice of thanksgiving was a part of the peace offering? (see Leviticus 7:11-13) OH! Of course! There is not going to be any peace for a heart that is unable to give thanks to our loving, gracious, all mighty, creator God – “from whom all blessings flow”.

This has been a month of mess ups for me. I really, really, really need a 30 day do over. No details-just trust me in this. And while we don’t offer sacrifices of animals today, it can be a real sacrifice of spirit to offer thanks in some circumstances, even though 1 Thessalonians 5:18 clearly tells us to give thanks in all circumstances. Sometimes, I would really like to erase that little word all. However, in my own experience I have found that when I determine to give thanks in all circumstances, I stay more focused on Him. And my focus on Him leads me to thoughts of praise and worship. Psalm 50:23 says “He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me”. When we choose to give thanks we can’t not honor Him. The more I focus on Him, the less I think about the “bad Stuff”. Thinking less about the “bad stuff” leads to – you guessed it- peace. No, my life is not miraculously fixed. But perhaps I have a better perspective on it. And I am truly thankful for a God that I know is bigger than my mistakes.

So, no matter your circumstances, I sincerely wish you a very “thanks filled” Thanksgiving Day and pray the next few weeks will be a season of thanks and celebration for all that God has done and continues to do.

Hidden Beauty

Oct17

by Kathy Stanford

I always find a measure of healing peace when basking in the beauty of God’s creation. We have been traveling for a few days, and one can’t help but notice the fall foliage that is just starting to reveal itself. What a wonderful gift God has given us in this colorful world of changing seasons and exotic beauty. He could have given us a bland, monochromatic place of mere existence. Instead, He gave us a wonderful dwelling place filled with sensory stimulation. And then He created us with the ability to enjoy and appreciate it!

While enjoying the new colors, I was thinking about how those colors are always present in the leaves but we can’t see them because the chlorophyll produced in the summer’s light over powers them. It takes the fading light of shorter days and the approaching death of winter for their beauty to be seen. This lead me to think about the work of God in my life. His word tells us that we are “created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”(Ephesians 2:10) I began my journey as a Christian with all the wide-eyed enthusiasm of most new believers; short on wisdom and life experience but full of dreams and highly energized to “Make Things Happen” and to “Change the World”. I was like an awkward puppy rushing to investigate and get in the middle of every new thing. God had a purpose and plan for me, but the bright light of my eagerness was keeping me from seeing the real beauty of His design for my life. It wasn’t until I learned to be still (Psalm 46:10) and listen for His voice that I began to grow up and understand that God’s first concern is who I am in my relationship with Him (John 15:4-5). As this relationship grows stronger and more focused it blocks the light of other influences/distractions, revealing more clearly the hidden beauty of God’s design for my life.

Are you struggling today? Is the light of this world hiding the beauty of God’s unique design for your own life? Spend as much time in prayer and reading God’s word as you can. As you gain a closer relationship with God, He will reveal the beautiful design He has just for your life.

Strong and Courageous

Sep24

by Kathy Stanford

Welcome to Wet Feet. It is my prayer that this will be a place of honesty and truth, based on God’s word, where readers will be encouraged in their faith and daily life. It’s been a two year journey to the posting of this first blog entry and as I pondered a name for this blog, God led me to the story of the Israelite’s crossing into the promised land, in Joshua chapters 1-4.

Moses had just died and Joshua had been handed the leadership of Israel. While the scripture doesn’t come right out and say it, I think we can infer that he was a little apprehensive about his new responsibility. Three times in God’s first instructions to Joshua, He tells him to be strong and courageous. (Josh 1:6,7,9) But just in case he still had doubts, God used Joshua’s military leaders to speak the same words to him in Josh 1:18, confirming one more time, His call to Joshua.

Like Joshua, I needed to hear the words several times. I WANTED to be strong and courageous, but a million fears and doubts kept shouting over that quiet voice of truth. Thankfully God is faithful, even when we are not, and He finally drowned out the confusion and fear that plagued my faithless heart. He even used a dear friend’s unexpected note and gift of a journal to confirm “one more time” His call to me.

I want to share some of my personal insights from Joshua chapters 3 & 4, where I found several parallels to my own journey. But I sincerely hope you will find the time to read the scriptures for yourself and hear what God is saying to you.

Josh 3:13 tells us that first they had to get their feet wet. Obedience isn’t passive. No matter how much I wanted to be obedient, I wasn’t – until I took action. However, acting in obedience doesn’t mean it will be easy. We see in Josh 3:15 that the Jordan was at flood stage. Often when God leads us to do something, it feels impossible and over whelming. I knew nothing about how to begin a blog and felt certain I had nothing of any worth to offer.

On the other hand, when He asks us to do something, God is always at work in the background to make it happen. In Josh 3:16 we read that God piled the waters in a heap, a great distance away, out of sight from the Israelites. Even as I began exploring the idea of doing a blog, I was given the opportunity to help an organization with their publicity email for an annual event. This helped me begin to feel comfortable with on-line publishing.

In Josh 4:1-5, twelve men had to go back and get stones. Sometimes God has more planned than we expected. I thought this was something He just asked me to do. But I find He is leading in a different direction and there will be at least two of us writing posts.

In Josh 4:6-9 we learn that not only were these stones used to build a memorial of what God had done that day, but Joshua went back and set up twelve stones at the place where the priests were standing. God wants us to remember what He’s done and share our story. And he wants us to tell others of His faithfulness in our life, even as we stand in the middle of a trial.

Josh 4:10-11 tells us the priests were the last to step out of the riverbed. They had to stand there until the whole nation hurried past them. Then everyone watched as they came across. Sometimes God asks us to be the first one to do something, to lead in a new direction. Sometimes He just asks us to do something new to us. And it may seem like we have to stand in the riverbed for a very long time, while people are hurrying past and watching, maybe even waiting for us to fail.

According to Josh 4:18, when the priests stepped out onto the bank the river returned to flood. There was no going back. Once we begin a journey of obedience, we need to keep going forward. We’re not to be looking back and thinking of quitting.

Perhaps God is asking you to do something new that seems overwhelmingly hard. It may be to try a new direction in ministry; or to let go of something from the past, forgiving someone for a great hurt they’ve done to you; or to humble yourself and apologize for a wrong you’ve done someone else. Perhaps you’re facing an unplanned pregnancy-alone; or your aging parents need more and more of your time and energy; or maybe you are facing life as a single person for the first time in many years. The list is endless.

Whatever He is asking, I hope you will ask God to help you be strong and courageous – to have the faith to get your feet wet – and trust God to hold the water back.