if you take the bible in it’s complete context though you just can’t escape that sometimes suffering is a part of life in a “fallen world’.  now i didn’t say you needed to “love seasons of suffering”.  i’m certainly not saying you shouldn’t take time to ENJOY the small things and look for the bright side.  but, we’ve got to face the facts that even God fearing God honoring people suffer on occasions.

i know that message doesn’t necessarily sell books, CD’s, DVD’s - and this title for a conference doesn’t pack out large stadiums.  but it’s still true.  suffering is a part of the believer’s life.

Thank God for seasons of joy, laughter, brightness in relationships.  but it’s like everything else we take the good and the bad.  Jesus Himself said the student is not better than the teacher.  there if Jesus (our ultimate) teacher suffered on this earth - so will we.  the good news is we don’t just suffer to suffer or be miserable.

there is a blessing in our suffering (provided we are not suffering for wrong doing).  the Word makes it clear if we suffer because we break the law - there is no blessing in that (yes, we can learn from that and repent and go on to be blessed).  but the point is we are not to break the law - then suffer and say hey i’m suffering for being a christian.  no, in those cases we are suffering for breaking the law.

we are blessed in our suffering - when we do what’s right.  let’s say for example you do your best in a relationship (business or personal).  let’s say you are honest, forthright, loving, forgiving and the relationship falls apart.  then let’s say you are falsely accused, or you’re talked about in a negative way.  the Word makes it clear if you don’t return insult with insult but rather with a blessing you will receive a blessing.

we all wonder why things go awry. sometimes it’s a relationship, a business partnership, a church membership - maybe even a family reunion.  there is NO guarantee that things will always be favorable. there is however a reward for all those who endure wrongdoing, suffering with the right heart and attitude.

i’m sharing the message of the christian life and suffering to help us grow in our faith with God in our relationships with one another.   you can watch that message on WHTN on Monday at 9:30 AM and 6:30 PM you can also watch it online at www.ctntv.org.  If you’ve got DirecTV or Dish you can watch Tuesday evening at 8 PM EST on Christian Television Network.  There is also a free study guide available - you can call WHTN at 615 754 0039 to receive it.

let’s face it, suffering isn’t our favorite part of life.  but God can do incredible things in us and through us when we can suffer and learn the ways of God.  when you’re insulted and tempted to “speak your mind” - practice restraint. sure you can say what you need to say - but speak with GRACE and go ahead and bless the person.  God sees everything.  He will reward us. He is NOT mocked.

if you’re in a season of suffering -take heart. no season lasts forever.  praise and trust God.  look for pockets of hope.  laugh when and where you can.  He will make all GRACE abound to us.  you can count on that.

shalom,

monica

i spoke on Image.  we’ve all the experience of walking past a mirror and feeling like UGH.  but the image we were talking about is how we are made in God’s image.  God says His Word is like a MIRROR that shows us who we really are.  more than that His Word not only shows us who we are - but what needs to change - and then He gives us the power to change.

there are also other Mirrors that try to tell us about our image.  just the “world’s system” for example.  we’re told by the media, family members, friends, co-workers whether we are too tall, too short - think about really the world’s got a standard from everything from our height, to our weight and even our hairstyle.  images are constantly touted before us as what we need to be and what we need to achieve.

sometimes looking at our image is like looking into one of those “distorted” mirrors at the carnival.  you know the ones that make us look 7 feet tall and then 2 feet tall.  then we’re 100 pounds and then uh oh we are over 400 pounds.  we laugh as we look in those mirrors because the image is so ridiculous.  we know we don’t really look like that.

the truth is the more we look into God’s Word as our mirror the more our reflection looks like Him.  as we look intently into His Word as our mirror we can start laughing at what the world (and even others) say we need to be.  when others say “hey you’ll never be able to achieve that”….or “you’ll have be a day late and dollar short”…we can gaze into God’s Word and say “no that’s not right.  God says He’ll provide all of my needs”.  if someone says “that just runs in our family”….you can say “but God says by the stripes of Christ I am healed”.  you get the idea.  we can replace the distorted images with God’s Word that tells us the truth.  as we spend time in His Word and look intently our image (distorted though it may be) will be transformed into His image.

i had a great time with some of the women from GRACE place.  great bunch of women who love God and each other.  it was wonderful to talk and laugh with them.  it was wonderful to look into His mirror with my sisters and pray earnestly to exchange our image for His image.

His Mirror tells us the truth…..and gives us the power to live out that truth.

shalom,

monica

at some point we’ve all decided to go the distance.  we’ve taken the word QUIT out of our vocabulary and worked with everything we have to ensure our success.  if we look at our good friend the apostle peter we see a man determined.  he vowed before Jesus that even if everybody deserted Him - he would remain faithful.  almost immediately peter’s declaring of faith and commitment were challenged.  peter failed and abandoned Jesus.  but after failing Jesus miserably peter got back up and got in the race.

the truth is for all of us whether we are on a diet, going back to school, or striving to eliminate all the negativity out of our vocabulary we have goals.  we have huge moments of clarity and determination.  then the phone rings, an unexpected bill arrives, we lose our job or we see a candy bar too good to resist in the checkout lane…and we question our ability to go the distance. 

sometimes it’s the i have been on the road so long are we there yet syndrome?  if you’ve ever been on a road trip with a small child you’ve heard it before.  it’s a 10 hour trip and 30 minutes into it you hear “are we there yet?”.  it’s a question we’ve all posed.

it’s a question that can sometimes get us into trouble.  we start praying for someone for example.  then a few weeks later we find ourselves thinking how come they haven’t changed yet?  God why haven’t you answered yet?  in other words i have been at this for awhile now are we there yet …..can this trial be over?

i wish we could pick our “trial over date”.  there are times i have prayed and it seems like FOREVER before there is even a trickle of HOPE.  but our christian life is not a sprint, it’s more like a marathon.  we may wonder if we are there yet but we must be committed to go the distance.

the distance may be filled with detours, roadblocks and choices but we can overcome.  sure there is the temptation to stop short.  and even if we fail miserably at some point like peter did we can always get back up and get in the race.

after all peter denied Jesus.  but he didn’t stop there.  he got back up and admitted and repented for his failure.  he got back up and remembered what was important to him - Jesus and he committed again to go the distance.

we are confronted with some of the same challenges from time to time.  at this time we can remind ourselves that despite obstacles, detours and even derailments we can get back up again and Go the Distance!  peter did and we can too.

shalom,

monica       

Go the Distance……

you can read about her story by visiting www.friendsofgaile.com.

i talked at length with one of gaile’s attorneys, kelley henry.  ms. henry and another attorney are appealing for clemency for ms. owens.  as you read ms owens story you see that she pled guilty from the start.  she plead guilty in exchange for having the death penalty removed from her sentence.  to make a long story short - she ended up with the death penalty anyway.

amazingly gaile owen’s son stephen reconciled with her a few months ago.  yes, amazingly, miraculously her son came to a place of forgiveness for his mom.  her son is a victim himself.  after all, he lost his father due to gaile’s actions - you can imagine his pain at losing a father - and having a mother who ended up in prison.  his life forever altered by this crime.

yet stephen owens came to a place of forgiveness for his mother.  you can even see him via video on the website above pleading before the Governor of TN to commute his mom’s sentence.  he says “forgiveness on this level is hard to understand”.  and yes, it is hard to comprehend.  yet forgiveness has a supernatural element to it.  when we open ourselves up to the love of God - all things are possible.  stephen goes on to say to the Governor “please don’t let the legacy of my family end in a death sentence”.

after all this is how God forgives us.  He forgives us out of His love.  it’s true that Love NEVER fails.  Love overcomes all things.  just read 1 Corinthians 13 where true love is described.

as i consider the gaile owens story.  i see a woman very remorseful for her actions.  i see a young man who came to the place of forgiveness for his mom.  i see great tragedy.  i also see a life change and hope for the future.  forgiveness brings us to a place of renewed hope.

in our individual lives the forgiveness of Christ gives us new life and renewed hope in this age and the age to come.  in our relationships with one another forgiveness brings our relationships into proper perspective.  betrayal can come to a place of hope where there is forgiveness.

some will tell you that forgiveness is a choice.  some will tell you that forgiveness is NOT possible.  the Word of God say that with God ALL things are possible.  certainly, forgiveness begins with a choice to obey God’s Word.  bu there is also a supernatural element where the power of God works in our heart to make forgiveness possible.

that’s what happened in stephen owen’s life.  God took his hurting broken hurt and filled it with His love.  God worked in stephen’s heart through His love to allow him to forgive his mom - to be reconciled to her and to be so filled with love for her that he will ask the Governor for clemency for his mom.

this story of supernatural forgivness touches my heart deeply.  it is confirmation of God’s goodness.  God will make is possible for you to forgive those who have wronged you.  yes, it begins with your choice - but God will work in you supernaturally also to make it possible.  just ask Him.  He will answer.

join with stephen owens now and hear his cries for his mom’s life.  please go to the www.friendsofgaile.comwebsite and sign the petition.  God has already done so many miracles in gaile’s life.  let’s join together and see one more miracle for the owen’s family.  they have all suffered enough.

shalom,

monica

ps i just received the good news today that:

Governor Bredesen announced Wednesday, July 14, that he has commuted Gaile’s death penalty sentence to life in prison. Gaile will be eligible for parole in late 2011. The Friends of Gaile committee would like to thank everyone who signed the petition, wrote the Governor and helped spread the word about Gaile’s case. We are so grateful for your support. Thank you.

every last one of us at one point or another have stood in the place of needing forgiveness. we have also been at the place where we need to forgive.  if you’re a believe in Christ you’ve probably heard about how God requires us to forgive if we want to be forgiven.  and that’s true.  you’ve also probably heard how forgiveness is a choice and that’s also true.

we must also realize though that forgiveness is supernatural.  it is God that gives us the GRACE and ability to forgive those that wrong us.  now, i am not saying that so that you hold onto your anger, bitterness, etc and just say God when you supernaturally enable me - then i will forgive.

we must do our part. we must honor scripture - we must make the choice - but we also must depend on God to make us able to do what we cannot do on our own. i encourage you to watch forgiveness matters this week on bridges.  check out www.ctntv.org for complete program listings and air schedules.  on DirecTV you can watch Bridges on channel # 376 at 11:30 Sundays EST and 9 PM on Tuesdays EST.

i watched a news story this week of a young man whose father was murdered when he was a child.  his mother hired the man who actually killed his dad.  his mom now faces execution and is on death row.  it took him some years but he came to the place of forgiving his mom.  he even visited her in prison.  he even pleads with the Governor of the State of TN to have mercy on his mother.  he says “please do not allow the death penalty to be the legacy of my family”. read more about this story and the miraculous gift of forgiveness at www.friendsofgaile.com  he further explains i know forgiveness on this level can be hard to understand.  yes, it is hard to understand with our natural minds.

but God and only God can and will give you the ability to forgive if you ask Him.  scripture requires us to forgive.  we must decide or make the choice to forgive.  but God makes us able.  He takes even deep hurts and places of betrayal and will give us the willingness to forgive.  He will give us hearts so filled with His love which make us able to forgive.

you can contact me via this site if you’d like a study guide on forgiveness matters.

shalom,

monica

of course it’s that way with just about everything.  how to make meals quicker - clean my house better with less time and so my wish list goes on and on.  over the last several years i have paid special attention to doing more with less and all with special attention to “saving time”.

i use phrases like working smarter, increased efficiency etc. frequently.  this is all probably good in some way or another.  i mean who wants an 8 hour job to take 10 hours?  and why reinvent the wheel when the wheel is already out there in retail, wholesale and on clearance somewhere?

but for today, i am content to rest and relax.  these are not my usual words - or frequent plans.  but oh my goodness it feels wonderful.  okay, so i’ve done some laundry, i wiped off the kitchen counter, and took out the garbage.  other than that i have been sitting pretty still and drinking hot tea.

i took some time to  pray - to worship and to meditate on the Word.  for today, i am content to focus and revel in the goodness of God.  i am thinking to myself how He promised when we are weary and overburdened that He will give us rest.  today, i am resting in Him.  i am being STILL and recognizing that He is God.

this rest of course won’t win me any awards or honorable mentions.  i probably won’t (at least not today) come up with any new invention, reorganize my kitchen cupboards, plan the family vacation,  or even come up with plans to streamline ministry operations at the studio.

yes, i am concerned with the state of our world, the state of our nation - my family - people in general - the lost the hurting and getting the good news out.  but today, i am resting, praying, meditating.

the needs in me and around me are HUGE and pressing so i am resting, waiting, and enjoying the goodness of God.  by resting today - i am investing in my life and showing my faith in Him.  my total confidence that even though I don’t understand some of my personal and professional situations and how in the world they will ever work out - that i am trusting in Him and believing that He will work all things out for my good.

He promises us rest.  we need to take Him up on His offer.  rest is good for us and shows Him that we believe Him.  after all, we’ve all been trying to do more with less, improve, save time, save money, work smarter, and the list goes on for YEARS…..and it’s done some good.  sure there is more to do (and we will do it) right after we follow His plan by taking a necessary REST.  it’s good for us and it honors Him.  so send a really QUICK text to all your friends…let them know you are resting today and suggest to them that they take a much needed rest too.

shalom,

monica

that being said most of us aren’t comfortable talking about death.  and most of us aren’t comfortable with grief.  some feel we shouldn’t cry at funerals - others feel it’s good to “let it all out”.  some funerals are filled with sadness - others are looked at as “homegoing celebrations”.  whatever our take - we can’t avoid the fact that death is a part of living in a fallen world.

Jesus has taken the “sting” out of death by conquering it….yet on this side of eternity we still experience sadness, grief, and loss.  these human emotions don’t mean that we are not “spiritual” or sincere in our faith.  these human emotions simply point to the fact that we have loved and also lost.  we also if we are honest do not have the answers to all questions pertaining to the death (or anything for that matter).

sometimes, it’s best when talking to someone in grief or at a funeral to simply offer our condolences and/or a hug.  it isn’t necessary to say “this is for the best” or this “is what God wanted”.  it’s best to refrain from those “christian cliches” and simply express our respect and love.  it’s okay not to “explain it away” or offer “seeming answers” to others pain.

i talked to a lady some months ago who had lost her 5 year old daughter in a tragic accident. over 37 years ago.  at the funeral home she heard everything from “this is God’s will”…to “God will bring good from this”.  she said the thing that stood out the most was her good friend who showed up and simply hugged her and sobbed with her.  no words were exchanged.  no plausible explanations were offered… no cliches….just two human hearts entrenched in grief.  they both felt the weight of the pain - tear stained faces and a love that goes beyond words. the lady said that after 37 years she still remembers the comfort her friend brought her and she spoke not a single word.

when people are grieving and/or have suffered a loss we can’t always fix things.  we can’t even necessarily make things better.  what we can do is be there.  what we can do is show up.  we can show our respect, human understanding and love.  sometimes when it’s hard to know what to say it’s best to say nothing.  in those cases we show up - we extend our hands and hearts - we show our love and support.  knowing that of all things Love is the greatest and Love never fails.

shalom,

monica

today i interviewed jennifer scharfenstein.  we talked about the difficult subject of grieving.  jennifer and her husband jody children are not strangers to tragedy and grieving.  they lost their beautiful daughter, savannah in 2006 in what would be described as a tragic and freak accident.  after church the scharfenstein’s and their children participated in a local community parade to promote upward basketball.  as their 9 year old daughter savannah tried to get on the float (which was traveling very slow about 2 miles per hour) her foot got caught.  she ended up being run over and died at the hospital later that day.

jennifer shared with me her story.  the grief that engulfed her - her husband their other children.  she talked openly about their process of finding solace in God while having more questions than answers.  christians are of course not exempt from tragedy or grief.  sometimes our well intended friends and family members make it seem like if we just “pray” everything will be okay.  but the truth is that grieving is a process.  it doesn’t take one prayer - one reading of scripture and then EVERYTHING STOPS hurting.  God does help and He does comfort us but grieving takes time.  our faith is tested in grief.  jennifer even shared that everything she believed was tested at one point or another….yet her faith remained and God was faithful.

the scharfenstein family is sharing their experience with the prayer that their journey will help others.  that while others are in the thick of grieving and feeling like “i just don’t want to live anymore” that they can hear the scharfenstein’s story and see that we can grieve with HOPE and that even though it’s really hard we can experience joy in life after losing someone we love so very much.  they even put a CD together to share their story.  i believe the CD grieving with hope is a God directed project.  it’s like healing balm that reaches out with music to people that are hurting so much they couldn’t even sit still to read a book.

there are no easy answer when you lose a child - or anyone for that matter.  there is not a QUICK FIX of faith.  but there is healing in your grieving and hope for tomorrow.  the stories and music and grieving will HOPE will help you have just enough faith and courage to believe again.

again, there are no easy answers.  there is NO theological explanation that is going to make losing a loved one OKAY.  it is not enough to say “everything happens for a reason”.  there is no truth or hope in those kind of comments.

but we do serve a God big enough and compassionate enough to walk us through the TOUGH stuff.  we can grieve….and God will be with us.  He’s big enough to help us HOPE again even when we are not sure we even want to try.

the scharfenstein’s will always miss savannah.  but God helps them on a daily basis.  they share their grief with you and the comfort that God has given them.  if you’d like to learn more about this project - i know it will help you.  it is like balm for the grieving and the broken hearted.  check out the site below.

www.savannah-smiles.org/project.php

shalom,

monica

it was a wonderful celebration.  MANY souls came into the kingdom and many people gave to CTN.  the entire telethon was a celebration of God’s faithfulness.  He has kept CTN strong and on the air for 30 years.  He has made a way time again for WHTN and the other station to remain vibrant and strong.  millions of people have heard the gospel via CTN - and we’ll never know till heaven how many lives have been changed as a result of Christian Television Network..

i had a full weekend of ministry as well.  my husband and i headed to the TN Prison for weekend this past weekend.  we had a wonderful time there ministering at freedom chapel.  during the sunday AM service several women gave their hearts to the Lord.  certainly, i was tired from traveling but just seeing a life changed meant so much.  even the bible says the angels Rejoice when a life comes to Christ.  so there was much rejoicing in heaven on Sunday AM over the women at TPW.

after the telethon and that service i can honestly say i felt way too tired.  as i thought about the missed sleep, the flight, the packing and unpacking i felt more and more worn out.  then, i chose to renew my mind in the goodness of God’s Word.  certainly, i was still tired.  i had worked hard and traveled a lot  of miles.  but as i read God’s Word my mind took on a new perspective.

it’s that way for all of us.  the hectic schedule of daily life takes its toll.  our careers - school studies, home life, children and family members all require attention.  we can become like martha “concerned with MANY things.  but in the midst of many things only one thing is really needful.  that one thing is just “time at Jesus feet”.

we can all round around all day long.  too much to do and not enough time.  even where ministry is concerned.  the needs are always there and they are always PRESSING.  we must make the choice to be like mary and choose what is most important.

as we make the most important choice somehow God miraculously renews our minds and hearts.  He multiplies our effectiveness.  the next time you’ve got a grocery list a mile long and errands to run and screaming kids make the choice to take just a moment to sit at Jesus feet.  it sounds crazy i know but His way is best.

when we honor Him - He makes us effective and fruitful.  i enjoyed my travel - i enjoyed the ministry at TPW.  i am thrilled to have seen so many people come to Christ.  i am also thrilled to sit at the feet of Jesus.  i am thrilled to prove His Word and show that His way is best.  i am thrilled to give Him the opportunity to bless my life.

instead of thinking i need to pray more - read my bible more and sit at HIs feet more……start thinking about how thrilled you are to show that you trust Him.  how thrilled you are to give Him an opportunity to confirm His Word.

just sit at His feet.  your duties will still be there (i promise) but you’ll approach those duties with a new sense of purpose once you’ve spent some time at His feet.

i know you’ve got too much to do….so do i….but since we have so much to do it’s wise to sit at His feet and ask for the strength and direction to do what needs to be done.

He promises to help and the one thing He can’t do - is break His promise.

He’s good.

shalom,

monica

truly, for the ctn network it’s been 30 years of miracles.  each night at the telethon we’ve celebrated God’s faithfulness.  Christian Television Network broadcasts hope, love and truth in the midst of a dark world.  clearly, God’s hand has been on CTN since the very beginning.

it’s been one story after another of God’s miraculous provision - and one story after another of salvation for countless numbers.  last night after the salvation plea - the phone lines were very BUSY.  when it came time the pray the generational blessing - once again the phone lines jammed.  when it came to people giving we ran out of time to read the pledges.

yes, i know how dark the world is today.  i’m aware of the economic downtown - the job losses and hardships of people all over our country.  at the same time i am overwhelmed at the faithfulness and generosity of God’s people.

last night on the telethon we recounted the stories of people in need and how God stepped in to minister GRACE and provision.  one very pregnant lady and her family for example were out of work and living in their car.  while the woman was asking for money to buy diapers for her young child she met a CTN employee.  through that meeting her need was presented to our community Love Basket.  due to our faithful viewers the CTN love basket was able to step in and help meet their need for food and supplies.

today as i look around i’ve taken special notice of God’s goodness.  His goodness is all around us.  just as He’s seen CTN through 30 years of Christian broadcasting He is with us - our families - and our situations.

whether we are crying out in the middle of “crisis pregnancy”, loss of employment, or a relational issue.  God is Here with us.  He promises as we Seek Him we will Find Him.

i pray that today you’ll see the hand of God in your life.  join us the CTN telethon this evening.  you’ll be blessed in ways you cannot imagine.  you can watch online at www.ctntv.org or watch via DirecTV #372 or on WHTN.   you can also visit the www.ctnonline.com website for most broadcast information.

just as God has seen CTN through - He will see you through.   He is good and faithful.  HIs plans for you are good.  so take a break from the hustle and bustle and take a deep breath.  God’s got you covered and it’s better than you might have imagined.

shalom,

monica