Fountains of Life

Better Than Normal

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There’s something about the phrase “new normal” I just don’t like. I’m not sure why, but I just don’t. Maybe it’s because I’m not willing to accept things as they are now as “normal” or what. Personally I want something better — something better than normal.

When I think of “normal” I think of consistent, regular, common, routine, usual stuff — nothing un-usual. Yet, when I read about Jesus, He wasn’t exactly what we could classify as normal. He multiplied fishes and loaves to feed thousands with only a prayer; he healed all kinds of diseases in all kinds of people by all kinds of different ways; he had extraordinary wisdom to confound the
learned religious leaders, and even called for a dead man wrapped in grave clothes to walk out of his tomb! That’s not exactly what I think of as “normal” or “usual!”

However…I’d like to.

I’d like to think that we, as the church representing Jesus here on earth, could be regularly working these same miracles. I’d like to believe that we, endued with the same Spirit as Jesus, could walk in the same power and authority as He did. (Rom. 8:11)  I’d like to see us, the church, become better in the coming days than in our old normal way of life.

Maybe we’ve been brought to this place so we won’t go back to our normal way of life. As it was in the case of 9/11, the world has changed because of Covid -19 and it’s for sure things aren’t the same as they were anymore. 

Yet, there is part of me that wants to get complacent again. I liked my routines. I liked things the way they were. I was comfortable. It’s much easier to live in what I know than to change and move into something I don’t know. The unknown can be scary. But God’s been nudging me to “move forward” and I’ve been dragging my feet. 

He’s calling me to get out of the boat; you know — to walk upon the water, take risks. People are hurting. People are afraid. People are anxious, depressed, and insecure. They need Jesus. They need the Jesus in me. (Gal. 2:20; Col.1:27)

I hear the phrase “new normal” and cringe. First because I’m rebelling against it, secondly because I feel the Lord pulling me by it. I really do want something better than normal. I want the church to be living and breathing – alive – in this world! I want to be walking in the Spirit, daily, being sensitive to everyone around me, listening for Jesus’ voice and direction, moving in miracles, signs and wonders! (Heb. 2:4) Yet, I know it will require sacrifices and risks on my part.

Nevertheless, here we are. So as I step out and risk moving forward, I’m confident His love will keep me safe. (Rom. 8:31) I can’t fail in Father’s eyes.

And I believe it’s gonna get better, my friend. Much better. Better than normal. 

 

(By Cyndi)

Going Through

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For some reason the other day, from the far reaches of my mind came an old little clapping/story we used to do in my Girl Scout days. It’s called, “Let’s Go on a Bear Hunt,” and the part that kept coming to my mind was, “Can’t go over it…can’t go under it…can’t go around it…gotta go through it.”

And as much as I want to go over, under, or around my challenges, it seems that God keeps saying repeatedly to me in this little ditty, “Let’s go through it!”

I believe we’re all “going through” something these days.

There is no doubt in my mind that God is always good, however, the situations and circumstances I’m in the midst of may not be. Yet, I know He’s working them for good. (Rom. 8:28) And here lies a key word — working. 

Paul reminds us in Phil. 2:12 to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” Me? Me do the work? I thought that’s why I had a savior, so Jesus could save me from all that work! 

If we look into the Word, salvation is a free gift. (Rom. 6:23) However, sanctification, or the maturing process, takes work. A lot of it. In the first few verses of James chapter one we’re shown what it takes to mature: trials of many kinds, the testing of our faith, and perseverance. Then he tells us to count it all joy when all these things happen. 

What? I just want to go over, under, or around everything hard and somehow become mature. I don’t want to go through! (Just being honest here, dear reader.) If I want to loose weight, it’s hard to work at it. If I loose my job or need finances, I have to work to find a provision. If I’m in the middle of a divorce, or lost a loved one, or facing serious health issues, I have to deal with these issues, (though I prefer stuffing the emotions down or totally ignoring them, which is actually denial). It really is hard work to process life — to go through these things.

But we have a choice. We can choose to process our issues and play a part in our own life — which leads to growth and maturity, or just allow life to happen to us — which causes us to play the victim and have childish pity parties for ourselves.

The good news is that God is with us through everything. E-ver-y-thing!! When painful or challenging things occur, sometimes God may take us over, under, or around them. But if we have to go through them, we’re never alone. We may need counseling, we may need help from others, we may have difficult decisions to make, but we can make it through with His grace.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did. Daniel did. David did. The Israelites did. Mary and Joseph did. Paul did. Look at all the diverse issues these people got through. And so will you!

Is The Grass Always Greener?

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Most of us have heard this expression countless times: “The grass is always greener on the other side,” with the meaning that the situation somewhere else always seems better than where we are. Usually it’s an assumption that a different set of circumstances — job, family, location, weight, friends, spouse — would make us happier.

There’s also a thought-provoking counter expression: “The grass is always greener where you water it.” Or another way to phrase it — “fertilize the side you’re on.”

Sometimes it’s hard to be content on our own side. The Apostle Paul encourages us in Phil. 4:11-13 that there’s a secret to living content: be strengthened by God. Having been through shipwrecks, beatings, imprisonment, and even a snake bite, I think he probably has a clue about this contentment thing.

As for today, during this time of pandemic, there have been more rules and regulations placed upon us than ever before. Some regions require masks to be worn at all times, some areas have curfews in effect, some situations order a quarantine when traveling from certain areas, some schools are opening while others are not. All of these conditions have brought up quite a bit of conflict and discontentment. To be honest, they have for me. That’s why Father God brought me to these words from brother Paul. 

Instead of wishing I could do “this,” or complaining because I can’t do “that,” what if I chose to water the grass I’m standing on instead of looking for greener grass? 

  • I could choose to be thankful and focus on the opportunities and privileges I do have rather than what I don’t. 
  • I could choose to be at rest and trust God for the uncertainties that lie before me, rather than be anxious and worry about the future. 

If I have the ability to change my situation, I can take action — I don’t have to play a victim. If circumstances are beyond my control, then I need to rely on God’s promises and rest in His unfailing love. He’s a good Father.  

In these verses, Paul states that he has “learned” to be content. I don’t think we’re born with contentment or else we’d see small children happy with whatever toy we give them and willing to share. No, this doesn’t usually happen. We have to learn to be satisfied with our present set of circumstances. 

Learning is a process. There are lessons. Think of life as a class you’re going through, a journey of explorations. Be involved in it, don’t just let it happen to you. 

So as much as we presume the other side has greener grass, let’s take a lesson from Paul and ask the Lord to give us strength to be content right where we are. 

We may find out it’s actually better. 

 

(By Cyndi)

What a Difference a Day Makes

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By Cyndi

As I walked out the path to check the surf, everyone I passed said the same thing: What a difference a day makes.

Yesterday was awesome! There were clean waves from a swell, clear green water, only a slight wind, and I had so much fun surfing! Today the wind is howling from a Nor’easter, the waves are chopped up into whitecaps, and it doesn’t look like fun at all. The drift alone frightened me just to look at it.

But that’s how life is sometimes. No matter how much we check the swell predictions, look at the tides, and review the Windy app, it can all change overnight. A couple of months ago life was going on as normal when all of a sudden a pandemic hits us, schools close, and we are asked to stay at home to work. 

What a difference a day makes.

Many have lost jobs and money, classes are only being taught online, and children are being birthed in hospitals without a family around them. Treatments stopped, weddings were canceled — things changed. Funny (not funny), now it’s actually the bank tellers that are wearing the masks, not robbers! So what is our part? How are we supposed to be responding to all of this?

God tells us in Ecclesiastes 3:1 that there’s a season for everything. This whole chapter is an interesting read particularly for this season we’re in now, especially dwelling on verse 11: “He has made everything beautiful in His time.” Just wait.

Things change. It’s part of life. We move forward. 

Moving forward is the goal. Growing, developing, maturing in God’s love. As much as I’d love to go back to being a 12-year-old and begin learning to surf at that age instead of someone in their 50s trying to, I can’t. Life moves on. We can’t go back; don’t regress — pro-gress!

Prov. 3:5 reminds us not lean to our own understanding but to trust in the Lord, and to trust with all our might. In other words, we’re not going to figure this out, so just ride the wave and trust in our Father’s love. 

What a difference a day makes.

Keep moving forward, my friend. Take time to mourn, to grieve, to laugh, to play. We don’t know what our next day is going to look like or where we’ll be, but we do know that God has promised to take care of us (Luke 12: 24-32). 

There is a season for everything. Trust Him, fellow sheep. It is His good pleasure to give us the kingdom. It’s our choice what to do with it. Life can change fast. Breathe deeply. Take it day by day. And who knows? Maybe they’ll be better waves tomorrow. 

Refocus

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By Cyndi

I remember when this year began many people were speaking words like, “This is gonna be a year of vision,” or “This will be a year where our vision gets clearer.” And, yes, having the numerical date of 2020, that all seemed to be apropos.

And then March Madness came. No, not the basketball playoffs, the madness that cancelled those playoffs — COVID-19. Who’d-a-thunk-it? Where did this come from? All of a sudden the whole world seemed blindsided by this virus. Blinded, shut down, not seeing clearly, foggy, confused, no 2020 vision.

Or were we really blinded?

Well, maybe at first. But as time marches on in this state of flux, I find myself truly refocusing and actually seeing clearer. Things I valued and deemed important in my life beforehand have become more obvious now.

I think we could all say indisputably that our family and our health are near the top of our most valued assets. Being able to spend so much time with our kids, the positive and negative of it, is something we may never have again in our lifetime — at least not like this. This containment scenario is making many memories and may one day be viewed as a blessing, though it’s a bit trying for the time being. My son is older and, not only out of the house, but quarantined in Chicago. For me, I wish I had more time with him. Kids grow up fast. 

And our health can change fast over time too. During this “stay-at-home” order Robert and I have been refocusing on eating well and exercising better, because we want to live active and prosperous lives for many years. Plus with all the stress of the situation, it’s also a good time for prayer ministry and noticing how we’re dealing with the pressures. Our emotional health and personal growth are important too. 

At the top of our values most of us would put “faith in God.” Perhaps this priority in our lives is being tested these days. We may be questioning: “What is God up to?” “Did He cause this?” “How will He fix this?” “Why is He allowing this to happen?” 

My only answer is — I don’t know.

I don’t know any of the “why’s” or “how’s,” but I do know we have to focus on Him and not the circumstances. This is where the 2020 vision does come in. Recently reflecting on Jesus dying on the cross and Easter — things weren’t what they appeared to be in this story. Today I have to look beyond my natural eyesight and what I think I see. This is walking by faith, not by sight. (2 Cor.5:7) If ever there was a time to understand this verse, it’s now.

So how do I do this? I relax and trust that Father God loves me and that His love is always good. I rest in not having to know everything and instead simply know that He’s here with me, in the middle of it all. 

I, too, can’t wait to see my friends in church again, to surf at the beach, to go out to dinner, and to be with all of my extended family. But for now I’m trying to refocus back solely on Him and I’m seeing much clearer than I have in a while. After all, it is the year 2020.