Clogged Hearts, Cold Hearts

Dear Friends,                                                                    
As I reread the Bible Study by Beth Moore entitled Loving Well I've had a heart check with the Lord-The Great Physician. You see my heart, like many of yours, has spiritual blockage. I've allowed my own sin and struggles with life to collect around my heart. Coronary Artery Disease can be deadly, and so can spiritually clogged hearts.

In her study Beth says, "The closer we come to Christ's return, the more our world will be characterized by two very scary things: The love of many will grow cold, and people will be characterized by self-love. It is imperative that we keep reminding ourselves as the people of God that we're called to love." (Matthew 24:12). 


Clogged hearts lead to cold hearts. Cold hearts are hearts that are desensitized by the cruel realities we are exposed to everyday in life such as death, violence, disease, sexual immorality, and perverseness. Cold hearts love self above others. We attempt to protect ourselves by "binding up our hearts" so that we will not be hurt. The problem with that is we cannot love like Christ loves and we cannot truly be loved by others. Most importantly, how can Christ clean up our spiritual blockage if we do not let Him come in and do the procedures necessary to free us?

As I researched remedies for Coronary Artery Disease (blockage) such as angioplasty, stents, diet, exercise, medicine etc., I discovered that there is no cure for it. How ironic, that the only cure for our spiritual blockage is the Lord Jesus Christ. Can we allow Him to do the painful, but necessary, procedure of cleaning out our hearts? Can we allow him to warm up our cold hearts? We cannot truly "love others well" like we are commanded to until we give Him access to heal us from the inside out. (Moore, 2007)

Can we go to the Lord together and allow Him to do His work so that we can be filled with His perfect love? Because, I certainly do not want to be characterized by a clogged and cold heart!

Is It Well With My Soul?

“Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, Let this blessed assurance control, That Christ has regarded my helpless estate, And hath shed His own blood for my soul.” How poignantly Haratio Spafford penned it, one who knows the searing pain of losing children. 

In rural Missouri on New Year’s Day in 2010 three families share that bitter pain of the unimaginable and one year later I find myself, as a sister in Christ, in a place of brokenness over their tremendous loss. A house fire claimed the lives of five people-three of those children. One of the victims was one of my son’s best friends. 

It was a cold winter morning and the chill of the air seemed to mirror the cold ache in many hearts as we left the church and headed toward the cemetery. Two boys age 11; one (my son) rode in the front of the hearse, trying to be strong next to his dad who presided over the funerals. The other boy rode in the back, wearing his favorite Christmas shirt that he had just received days earlier, in the casket on his last ride. One of three hearses that day. As I watched from afar, I couldn’t help but ask the question “Why?” 

In my anger I scream, “But New Years is supposed to be a fresh start a time of renewal. Not a time of tragedy. It just doesn’t seem fair!” God opened my eyes on the one year anniversary as I shared a short, but God ordained conversation with my friend-the one who had every reason to cry out to God. You see, my friend was not only the mother of the little boy in the back of the hearse, but she was also mother to her 24 year old daughter who died that day which was also the day of her birth, adopted mother to her future son-in-law who died along with her daughter, his fiancé, and grandmother to her first grandchild, a beautiful dark, curly-headed four month old baby girl who left this earth in the arms of her mother, and friend to the other 11 year old boy who died alongside her son, his friend.

Amazingly enough the one who could have been angry at God after she lost four members of her household that day, was at peace when I spoke to her on the one year anniversary of their deaths. She wanted to know how my son was doing. She sent us a Christmas card when I didn’t even take the time to get any out. She did the greatest thing that a parent could do for her children she brought them to Christ. After we all pass away, our Christian legacy will remain. What a humbling example she gave to me.

This new year as some of us struggle with the trials of life, may we remember this family who suffered so greatly, but has turned to the Lord for strength with each passing day. May the rest of us no longer complain about the everyday annoyances with life, but be thankful for all the blessings that God has given us-new life in Christ, and our families.

As Horatio sung…”And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll; The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, Even so, it is well with my soul.” This new year may we all ask ourselves one question, “It is well with my soul?” If it is not, go to the only one who can provide joy and peace despite any circumstances…the Lord Jesus Christ. For those of us who are His, one glorious day there will be no more suffering and no more tears.

Where's The Nativity?

A large home, instead of a stable. A Christmas tree, not a cross. A Santa hat, for the crown of thorns. Where's the nativity?

A hundred presents, instead of three. Heavy with grief, instead of glee. Worshiping self, not the King of Kings.  Where's the nativity?

By Stephanie Turner

Where's your heart this Christmas? We've got up the tree, the lights, the decorations. We've made the cookies and bought all of the gifts. Ironically, as I slowed down recently... I realized, "Where's the nativity?" Literally, we had missed getting it out.  Isn't it humbling when sometimes we have to admit that our minds aren't focused on the birth and resurrection of the One we claim to be our Lord, but on everything else that will perish and fade away? Is your family talking more about their Christmas gift lists than about the gift of baby Jesus? There is nothing wrong with many of the traditions that we have during the Christmas season. What makes them wrong is if we put them above worshiping our Lord. Don't let your "nativity set" get lost this Christmas.

Dear Lord, remind me often how precious your gift was, is, and will be. "Immanuel, God with us." May I never ask again, "Where's the nativity?"

When God Answers A Prayer

A few months ago my husband and I left a church that we ministered in for 7 years. For the last 3 months we have been embraced by a loving congregation in Greenwood, MO (as lay people). They have given us a home to stay in (their old parsonage) and we are truly thankful for them. During this interim time we've been praying for the Lord to teach us and to guide us in what His will is for our lives. We are thankful for the tremendous experience we were given in that rural town that we called home. Honestly, I understand that we should "not worry about tomorrow, for each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matt 6:34) , but it is only human to desire stability. I smile as I can hear God saying, "Who is your stability"? Like Paul says in Phil 4:11-13 that we should be content no matter what situation we are in..."I can do all things through Him who gives me strength". I know these passages, but I battle with whether or not I truly believe them sometimes.
God could have waited a year or more, to answer our prayers, but amazingly enough we did not have to wait long. Praise be to God for His mysterious ways. My husband was just recently hired at Lenexa Baptist Church in Kansas as a Business Administrator! My prayer is that He will use us even in our weaknesses. We have so much to learn about life and godliness. A verse that has been laid on my heart for several weeks now is from Psalms 37:4-6.

"Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun."

Dearest Lord, may You be glorified, not ourselves, as we venture into a new ministry that is different than anything we have ever known. Give us servants hearts as we love on your people in the great state of Kansas. How ironic that their state motto is "Ad astra per aspera" - To the stars through difficulties.       

Top Ten Reasons To Homeschool

I've been accused by some of my family members (lovingly of course) that I need to post some more "lighthearted" blogs that aren't so deep and sentimental. I know that homeschooling, and parenting in general, has provided me with much "material" that some may find funny. My fellow homeschoolers, may even feel a little bit better about their own experiences educating their children as they read my "Top Ten Reasons To Homeschool". Please understand, that these are all intended to concentrate on the humorous side of homeschooling...there is a time to look at the more serious and eternal values as well.

1. You can have a puppy as a class pet. They leave behind such wonderful "presents" during the day. 
2. The principal can use corporal punishment without parental permission as often as he or she deems necessary.
3. All your students will be number 1 in their class.
4. No one can hide their "bad grades" from you anymore.
5. The teacher can skip class and not be fired (or take a mental vacation without it affecting his/her pay).
6. The teacher can bathe during recess.
7. Everyday can be a p.j. day!
8. Late start days-sleeping in, early release days-frustrated, days off-had enough, field trips-suffering from cabin fever...etc.
9. The school's budget is benefited because the teacher is also the custodian, cook, librarian, gym teacher, art teacher, music teacher, counselor, secretary...except she doesn't get a substitute teacher and often needs an on-site psychiatrist.
10. All of your children can get into fights (verbal or physical) on more than one occasion and they can't get expelled.

Please see my recommended cartoon books for homeschoolers. They are hilarious!

My baby's 5th birthday was today. I dedicate this blog to my Clare. Her outgoing and independent personality gives us so much joy in the classroom. Mom loves you.

Thanksgiving at the Parsonage

Several weeks ago the baton was passed to the younger generation as the Turner's hosted their first Thanksgiving at the parsonage. The pressure was on because my aunts and my grandma had it down to a science and quite frankly I didn't want to blow it. What if the 20 lb. turkey didn't cook all the way? What if it was too dry? What if it didn't have the succulent, juicy flavor that I was accustomed to? What if I didn't have enough food? What if the house was a dump and the kids misbehaved? What if I didn't get a chance to take a shower and put on my makeup? Ahhhhh!!!!!! God took care of all the what ifs in my mind.  It is so funny that all those insignificant details in the grand scheme of things just worked themselves out. Ultimately, God knew that the desire of my heart was for our guests to feel welcomed and to enjoy fellowship with one another. It was such a sweet time. The house was full and the women in our family brought in food and really helped out! Busy children were buzzing around the house and the men sat back like "ticks about to pop" enjoying their football. Laughter (and maybe an occasional shout) filled the air, and the sounds and smell of a crackling fireplace proclaimed that the season was upon us. My "adopted" aunt Eve took the words right out of my mouth when she asked me (with tears welling up in her eyes)..."Do you know what the best part of the meal was today"? My pride wanted her to say "your turkey", but better yet she said "the love".  God's love is unconditional and it reminded me that I needed to have my mind set on eternal things, not temporal ones, because "the greatest of these is love". Thanks for another lesson Lord.

Speaking Your Child's Love Language

My first born daughter, Cori and I braved the heavily marketed "Black Friday". Yes, I admit I do not like to shop, but I do enjoy giving. Hopefully, I haven't lost any friends for this can be a controversial topic among women. LOL! Cori is a shopping professional, but Mom on the other hand was like a deer in the headlights and did not know which way was up. In my defense, it was also below freezing and 4 o'clock in the morning. What God taught me in those few hours is that it is so easy to lose focus of Christ in Christmas (and to go off your budget). Sometimes we find ourselves so wrapped up in wanting to get just the right gifts for everyone on our list and beating the other guy to the "good deals" that we get caught up in the same commercialism and materialism that we as Christians are trying to avoid. The "American dream" sometimes seems to contradict what the Bible says should be most important. My sweet Cori; however, loves a thoughtful gift and enjoys seeing her loved ones open presents that she has carefully considered months before they are even purchased.
Please see the link to Gary Chapman's book The Five Love Languages of Children because it really gives you insight into how each child is unique in how they give and receive love. I love you Cori!

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