Simply Gathering Grace - Page 2 of 5 -

MEMORIES OF AN OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS

December 13, 2015 By Mikki Jo 21 Comments

I’ve heard of a ghost from Christmas past but this is a post from Christmas past. Past Christmases have been on my mind more this year than any other, which led me to create an old fashioned Christmas tree. I wanted to share it with my children and grandchildren.

The magic of Christmas through a child’s eyes, in a child’s heart, on a child’s face, is peaceful and chaotic all at the same time.

I remember Grandma’s Christmas tree, an oddly shaped cedar tree with sprawling branches reaching clumsily in every direction. It would be all lit up with big gaudy bright lights, red and green and blue and yellow and orange. The tree would glisten with silver icicle tinsel and hanging from each branch was the old “Shiny Brite” glass balls.

In Grandma’s window were candles with orange bulbs. As Daddy and Mom and my brother and I would head home on Sunday evenings I would watch through the back car window until we were over the second hill, and the candle lights would finally fade away into the night. I always felt a sense of sadness when this happened and I don’t know why. Even now, it brings tears to my eyes and I still have no idea why.

Growing up, the magic of Christmas was important in my family. Mom and Dad always made it special. Traditions have been passed down from my grandparents to my parents, then to me and my children and grandchildren.

Always pass those beautiful memories and traditions down to your children. And encourage them to make their own traditions as well.

Along with the magic of Christmas my Grandma taught us about Jesus. My Grandma and Mom prayed us all right into His arms, never ceasing to pray for us. And I know a few of us gave them a run for their money.

Mom and Grandma have their own stories. Through the years they shared of the goodness of the Lord and what He done in their lives. And we remember these stories and speak of them often and we thank Him for His wonderful grace.

It’s good to remember the days of long ago and have a HALLELUJAH party! Psalm 134:3 (NIV) Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; His greatness no one can fathom. 4 One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.

As I remember the Christmases past, I also remember the goodness of God. Both yesterday and today. I look back and see the blessings from my childhood and how they have molded me into who I am today. And I’m thankful. I’m thankful for God fearing Parents and Grandparents. And I’m thankful for an old fashioned Christmas that reminded me of so much love. Psalm 100:5 For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.

EVEN IN TRAGEDY THERE IS COMFORT

November 30, 2015 By Mikki Jo 7 Comments

The phone rang, it was one of those calls. The one to tell you that someone you love has passed away. I was sure I heard the name wrong, this can’t be true. He was too young, it’s impossible. You ask again, saying the name out loud, to make sure you heard them correctly.

Yes.

It was him, he’s gone.

At first I sat there in shock, then I cried, then I got angry. I cried again. Then I began to pray for his family.

I never questioned God, because I know His plan is perfect. I know His ways are higher than my ways, His thoughts are greater than my thoughts. He wants even better than I do for those I love. Because you see, He loves them even more than I do. Isaiah 55:9 (NIV) As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

How do we make it through such a tragic loss?

1 By trusting in Him. Psalm 9:10 (NIV) Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

2 By holding tightly to Him. Psalm 63:8 (NIV) I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.

3 By allowing Him to comfort us. Matthew 5:4 (NIV) Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Remind ourselves of the beautiful hope for the future. Revelation 21:4 (NIV) He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

We can’t allow ourselves to refuse the comfort of God. Let’s run to Him with our broken hearts and He will be waiting. When our pain is too much to bear He will rescue us. Psalm 34:18 (NIV) The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

HOW TO GUARD YOUR HEART AND MIND

November 24, 2015 By Mikki Jo 7 Comments

The kitchen had five women busily moving about preparing Thanksgiving dinner. Each one creating and tasting and measuring and pouring. Working together like a well oiled machine…

…until…

…chaos ensued.

Mom asked, “Did anyone salt the mashed potatoes?”

“Yeah, I did.”

“Uhm, yeah I did.”

“Hm, so did I.”

“Ugh, me too.”

“And so did I,” said Mom.

They were the saltiest mashed potatoes I’ve ever tasted.

“The rolls!” Mom yelled. She opens the oven door and smoke began pouring out. The scent of well scorched rolls filled the room, the kitchen door was opened up. The crisp November air was welcomed in as the thick smoke was rolling out.

When what to my wondering eyes did appear, a HUGE dog leaped in with a bound. Sniffing and licking and wagging and drooling, all over the kitchen. More yelling from all five women, “A DOG!” “Whose dog is that?!” “Get that dog out!” “Where’d that dog come from!” “Oh my!”

Thanksgiving day lesson: KEEP A GUARD AT YOUR KITCHEN DOOR! And, don’t salt the mashed potatoes five times.

During the month of November we’ve talked about lies, fear, and negative thoughts. These are all strongholds that satan uses to defeat us. He is out to steal, kill, and destroy. John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

KEEP A GUARD AT YOUR HEART’S DOOR

We need to safeguard against spiritual strongholds by being aware of what we think, what we hear, what we see, and what we speak. Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Let the peace of God guard our hearts and minds. Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Today let’s commit to accepting God’s word, believing God’s word, confessing God’s word, and living God’s word.

TRADE NEGATIVE THOUGHTS FOR THE ASSURANCE OF GOD

November 19, 2015 By Mikki Jo 10 Comments

The glass is always half empty. She always sees the difficulty instead of the opportunity. She always fears the storm instead of looking for the rainbow.

Yeah that’s me. How do you see your glass?

Only days ago, I explained how this is natural. It’s human nature. It’s survival. It’s how we protect our hearts and minds from pain and disappointment. Pessimism is okay, as long as you use it to protect yourself and those you love.

What a lie I’ve been telling myself all these years! I’m thankful to have found this out. While listening to a message from my Pastor this past weekend, I realized negative thoughts can lead to a “critical” spirit. All these years I have been discouraging myself, not protecting myself. I had thrown a wet blanket on the fire of the Holy Spirit, and stifled my HOPE in God. A pessimistic spirit had somehow set up residence in my life and kept me discouraged and expecting the worst in every situation.

There is no way we can have hope if we continually speak discouragement or see the glass half empty or fail to consider God’s purpose in the midst of difficulty. With no hope is distrust. Let me tell you, we need not think we will journey any distance with the Lord if we don’t trust Him.

So, after walking in a circle of my own creation I am soooo excited to step out and shed this cloak of discouragement, this spirit of pessimism. A stronghold that has remained safely hidden for many years calling itself protection.

Not only do we shut out the hope of God when we respond to circumstances with discouragement instead of encouragement, but we teach it to our children without even realizing it. Teaching them to always expect the worst instead of the best. “Don’t get your hopes up, in case things don’t work out. That way it won’t hurt as bad.” I’m just shaking my head at myself right now. Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.

Pessimism is born out of fear, fear of the unknown. This is not what God wants for us. He desires to deliver us from fear. Psalm 34:4 I sought the Lord and he answered me, He delivered me from all my fears.

In our life bad things will happen. Don’t be afraid to expect good things. Don’t be afraid to hope for good things. Trust in God to calm the storms of life. Psalm 107:28 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress. 29 He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.

There’s hope in every situation with the Lord. Always, hope. Psalm 130:7 Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with Him is full redemption.

Psalm 42:5 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.

The hope we have in Jesus swallows up discouragement.

HOPE

A LOVE SONG

November 10, 2015 By Mikki Jo 10 Comments

I’ve heard my loved ones speak of how they are homesick for heaven. When I was younger I never understood that, I thought they had simply lost their minds. But as pieces of my heart have gone home over the years, I look forward more and more to meet them in heaven. I understand, yes, now I understand.

Holding close to my heart

the warmth of by gone days

Only letting go awhile

to glimpse Heaven’s Gates.

Taking in the fragrant breeze

that dances with the oak

Sun upon my face so warm

I wander down the road.

Home is where my heart is

I long no more to roam

Only life’s breath holds me

‘Til God shall call me home.

Songbirds sing to me

a love song sweet

Telling me to rise

“Rise, to your feet!”.

“Eternity awaits you friend”

the melody sang loud

“Come home my child,

I’m waiting for you now.”

A MOTHER’S LOVE

November 7, 2015 By Mikki Jo 9 Comments

Today I attended my niece’s wedding. It was beautiful. As I looked at her beautiful face and I saw the strand of pearls she wore that belonged to my precious Mom I smiled. They were perfect. They were a special Christmas gift to my Mom from me and my siblings. She asked that we keep them before she passed away so all the girls could wear them on their wedding day. I missed her today. But her love was felt by all of us. Grandma is proud Cassidy Jo.

A Mother’s love is draped over her child as a covering of protection and strength. Tucked in tightly here and there to leave nothing exposed. The mind, to safeguard against ungodly things. The feet, to strengthen the long journey ahead. The hands, to prepare for a life’s work. The heart, to soften for the acceptance of love.

The covering of love has been anointed by the Holy Spirit. It’s been given the wisdom of God. It knows when to un-tuck a corner, and when to tuck another corner in even more tightly. A Mother’s love is not perfect. But it’s pure and loyal and beautiful.

The day comes when that Mother shall take her last breath. She is gone now. Where is the covering of love? Is it also gone? Oh no, it will never leave. This is when the mantle of love reaches it’s maturity. It comes full circle now. That love shall cradle the child, bringing strength and comfort. A Mother’s love spans all generations, and death has no hold on it. A Mother’s love, it is miraculous. It’s passed from generation to generation.

WHEN THE LIES MAKE YOU WANT TO QUIT

November 5, 2015 By Mikki Jo 21 Comments

It was picture day and I sent my child to school in a shirt that perfectly matched the pale blue background he sat in front of. When the cameraman said, “Say cheese,” I’m shocked he never said, “Where’d you go kid?”

The garbage man drove by. I’m sure he shook his head, again, as he saw the 12 bags of trash sitting on my porch that never made it to the dumpster.

I never made it to Grandparent’s Day at school, I was having an “I don’t like old people” day. But how do you explain depression and anxiety issues to a 6 year old?

These are a few things that cause me to hear that voice that says…

You’re not good enough, you’ll never be good enough.

Give up, you’re never going to change.

God has no use for people like you.

You’re a loser with a capital L.

Okay, so I’m not perfect. Actually I’m far from perfect. Those first 3 paragraphs are only a short list of my best messups! I may list a few of my worst ones later on down the road, but that’s for another time.

What I’ve learned is, we don’t have to be perfect for God to use us. We don’t have to be Mom of the Year to be able to encourage someone. We don’t have to be happy happy happy, to offer someone a smile. We just need to strive to be more like Jesus.

I struggle with depression and anxiety, I’m forgetful, I’m impatient, please don’t make me go on. How about you? Does the enemy fill your head with lies? In yesterday’s post we talked about fear. When the enemy corrupts our thinking with lies, like fear, this too is a stronghold. Saying you’re not good enough, is satan’s favorite bluff.

Know who you are in Christ. Reject anything that goes against the Word of God. Don’t be bound by lies but bind the lies with God’s truth! When he calls us “loser”, remember he is the accuser. Revelation 12:10b For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.

And he is the father of lies. John 8:44c When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

The thing is, I have learned that lies from satan are just that. Lies. When we have accepted Christ as our personal Lord and Savior who does God say that we are?

1 A child of God

John 1:12 Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God —

2 I am His friend

John 15:14 You are my friends if you do what I command.

3 I am blessed

Ephesians 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

4 I am forgiven

Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.

5 I am a citizen of heaven

Philippians 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

6 He chose me

1 Thessalonians 1:4 For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that He has chosen you,

When we have those bad days, and we will have those bad days, run to Jesus and pray like your hair is on fire, for yourself and each other. The bible calls it, “praying fervently.” Now that we know who we are in Christ, let’s grow together and encourage one another in our “not so perfect” lives. Praying one for another. James 5:16 (KJV) Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

DO YOU TRUST FEAR MORE THAN GOD?

November 3, 2015 By Mikki Jo 11 Comments

Has fear consumed your life? Does it captivate your every thought and even cause you to live your life based on that fear? I have lived like this, and it’s miserable. You are a prisoner.

Fear is a stronghold that satan uses to paralyze our walk with God, stunt our spiritual growth, and eventually lead us to TRUST our FEAR more than we trust the PROMISES of GOD.

If we don’t trust Him, we can’t possibly have faith in Him. Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

No amount of fear will keep a loved one safe, or bring them to the foot of the cross, or keep us from becoming sick or keep us from losing a job.

Fear cripples, faith walks. Fear hides, faith shines. Fear falls, faith stands. Fear gives up, faith takes down. Faith takes down the strongholds in our lives.

The enemy attacks us and uses fear to control our thoughts and actions. Faith is the gift of God to strengthen our thoughts and actions. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

This don’t mean we will never experience fear. But we can’t allow fear to rule our lives. Psalm 56:3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

Pray, read and study the Word of God. Romans 10:17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

Allow the Lord to grow our faith by studying His word and praying. 2 Corinthians 10:4 The weapons we fight with are not weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

In Ephesians 6:11-18 We learn about the armor of God and how important it is in our battle against satan. So remember, trust in the Lord, not in your fear!

BETTER THAN PASTEL SKIES AND APPLE PIE

October 22, 2015 By Mikki Jo 8 Comments

The last dish is put away and I join the rest of the family on the porch. There’s a slight chill in the air on this fall evening and the conversation is, “That apple pie was delicious!” And everyone is in agreement.

I smile.

Everyone has a full belly and just enjoying each others company. Family, food, love. Peace and contentment fills the atmosphere as we watch the lazy pastel sky. Cotton candy sky is what my sister Jenni calls it. A beautiful sunset, family, and apple pie. Ahhh, what could be better than this?

I wish I could take this sweet time of contentment and can it like apple pie filling and put it on a shelf, so I can pull it back down when I need it. Life can become so crazy and overwhelming. Chaos always seems to plop down right in the middle of my tenderest moments.

I don’t like chaos. I don’t like change. I don’t like surprises, sometimes I don’t even like good surprises.

I like unchanging, same, stable, settled.

I equate insecurity with change, fear with surprise, irritation with interruption.

As long as we live there will be seasons of change, and surprises. Life is as ever-changing as the pastel skies. God wants us to seek His plan during change. We tend to make plans and forget to consider His plans. Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a persons heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.

We see interruptions as an inconvenience and sometimes even blame it on satan. (Yes the s in satan is supposed to be capitalized, but I have always refused to give him a capital s.) The truth is, the best of plans maybe edited by God for any number of reasons. It may be for our protection, for our spiritual growth or a need for ourselves or someone else.

Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. There’s that word TRUST again, I spoke of trust in the last devotion. Keep our mind upon Him and trust Him, and He will keep us in perfect peace. I love that! In the middle of the CHAOS that got plopped down in my lap I can have perfect peace? Yessss, that’s what I want! Perfect peace IS contentment.

Let a contented spirit be the contentment we seek. This world will never give us the contentment our heart hungers for. Jesus Christ is the only one who can fill that void. Prayer and daily reading of His word will help us to walk closer with Him. 1 Timothy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

We can remain content no matter our circumstances when we cling to the fact that Jesus never changes. Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

How about you, don’t you want that? I think we all do. Let’s choose to trust Him with our life, our changes, our chaos and our fears. Lord keep our minds steadfast, that we may learn to trust you more and live in the perfect peace that you speak of. Perfect peace and contentment, nothing is better than that.

WHEN BROKENNESS TURNS TO HOPEFULNESS

October 21, 2015 By Mikki Jo 8 Comments

Have you ever been accused of being drunk? In the Bible Hannah was. She was in such anguish she poured her heart out to God and Eli the priest assumed she was drunk. She wanted a son and prayed for years for the Lord to give her one.

Her husband’s other wife made fun of her because she was childless and she herself had many children. I’ve met some catty women in my day. It’s hard enough being heartbroken and then to have someone rub salt in the wound hurts even more. (Catty women need prayer too.)

God saw Hannah’s brokenness, and He answered her prayer and gave her a son. She named him Samuel. What a beautiful story of God’s love and mercy in 1 Samuel Chapters 1 and 2.

Whatever our situation is, for whatever reason we are distressed and broken, God has the answer.

A broken heart that comes to God with complete trust will be healed. If we trust Him with our eternity we can definitely trust Him with our heart. Sometimes we have to be broken before we learn to fully trust Him. Sometimes we have to be broken for Him to use us to minister to others that are broken.

One of my favorite things, (did I just sound like Oprah?) is an old sugar bowl that belonged to my Grandma. Once while I was in Kentucky me and my sister and Mom stopped at an old flea market. I looked on a shelf up high and there was a teacup that matched my Grandma’s sugar bowl. It was cracked, and had a huge chip out of the rim. But I didn’t care, I took that little teacup home with me.

I love my cup with it’s big crack and huge chip, and I don’t even notice them. I enjoy drinking my tea from this cup. I’m surprised it don’t leak with such a huge crack. But as I said, I love my sweet cup and I think it’s beautiful.

I know with every fiber of my being that God loves us, with all of our brokenness and cracks and chips. He loves us. He wants to mend our broken hearts.

In Him we have hope, eternal hope is the anchor of our soul. Hebrews 6:19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, 20a Where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf

Is your heart broken, is your spirit crushed? The only one with the answer is Jesus. He brings us victory in our distress. Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

He tends to our wounded heart. He heals us. Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

In all of our brokenness we can come to Him. If we are willing He is more than able. He’s waiting now. Pour out your heart to Him like Hannah did. Don’t let your circumstances allow you to remain broken, place your hope in Jesus.

Give it to God; all of it. And let Him heal you and make you whole.

p.s. I wrote a short poem about my little teacup. You can click on the highlighted word to go there now.