Rest. It’s a fact of life that all God’s creatures and all living things need a time of rest, a chance to replenish. It’s what the winter season is all about. The animals slow their pace, and many hibernate. Plants die back to the ground to give their roots time to strengthen and spread. Trees drop their leaves until spring warmth stirs the sap to rise from their roots again and encourages fresh growth.

I need rest as well, but I don’t feel that I need to be cold to become rested. Quite the contrary, my wrinkled body and frazzled brain could use a good, healthy dose of the tropics right about now. Since that isn’t going to happen anytime soon, I find it helpful to take a lead from Pastor Dennis’ sermon last Sunday and make an “attitude adjustment.” And isn’t it appropriate that all last week, my life included continuous reminders that attitudes often need to be redirected. It’s certainly not the first time that Pastor Dennis and I have been on the same page when preparing our messages. Even though our approaches differ, we’re both all about correct attitude alignment this week.

God wants us to be content in the place he has planted us. He wants us to grow and to flourish, but sometimes we just want to be somewhere else, so we begin wandering that lonely road to nowhere. There’s an old saying, “Wishing won’t make it so,” and I’m here to tell you, no truer statement was ever made. Instead of wishing for a warmer climate, I need to redirect my focus toward cold-weather projects to keep myself occupied until warmer temperatures return. If our meteorologists are correct, things may be looking up this week.

It’s still too early for plants to creep above the earth’s surface or for tender green leaves to sprout, but maybe a little exploring around the

 yard can uncover signs of life right on the cusp of making an appearance. My Lenten rose keeps leaves all winter, as do the coral bells, though they aren’t as lively looking as they will be soon. I’m curious to see how they’ll look as their blanket of snow melts away. That blanket may well have protected them from the extreme cold we’ve recently experienced. It’s pretty amazing how roots can survive under the protection of the earth and even spread. I’ve often been amazed when I’ve planted what appear to be completely dry roots, just sent from a nursery, and then watch them come to life with the right soil, temperature, and water.

They will thrive like watered grass, like willows on a riverbank. Isaiah 44:4

I’m a lot like those plants by the time winter is nearly over, and spring is nipping at its heels. My mind and body long for warm sunshine and new growth. I’m more than ready to start on new outdoor projects, and I’ve acquired several interesting ones over recent weeks. I can’t wait to see how they will turn out.

Until that happens, however, perhaps I should turn my thoughts toward strengthening my own dry roots. They could certainly use a shot of food and water. I’ll start with extra devotional reading during Lent….that’s not far away, you know. And I can always add some extra prayer time. Maybe someone in the neighborhood would appreciate a phone call or a text just to be sure they’ve made it through our bitter cold all right. Maybe I could write a few letters to reconnect with friends and family. I can also read a good book, work on a puzzle, or spend some time on a current pen and ink drawing. It seems I’m blessed with quite a few great ideas to fill my winter days in my warm, comfy house, my fortress when the wind howls and the snow flies, as it surely will again before winter gives way to spring. In my newly acquired frame of mind, I can face the remainder of winter knowing I am truly blessed.

When we find ourselves wishing to be somewhere else and in another time, just like I’m wishing to be in a warmer climate right now, we need to remember God really does want us to be content and thrive where He has placed us. We didn’t get where we are all on our own…

He placed us just where He wants us for a very specific reason. Maybe that reason will become apparent today if we just refocus our attitude and open our minds to the unending possibilities God offers us! We don’t have to live life in the fast lane all the time….sometimes we just need to stop and rest in order to thrive.

….and may the people thrive like grass in a field. Psalm 72:16c

By: Marcy Barthelette

Water is the essence of life in all living things. Most resources suggest about sixty-four ounces a day for the average adult human.  Unfortunately, many of us drink alternative beverages that don’t provide the natural hydration of water. Additives can also pollute our bodies in ways beyond just wasted calories. Carbonation, caffeine, and sugar are the ones I can pronounce, but others are there for preservation, color, and taste.

Once upon a time, Ken and I drank quite a bit of soda. I learned quickly that I couldn’t deal with the sugar, then aspartame became my enemy, and Ken’s doctor told him to avoid carbonation and caffeine because they weaken bone structure. We both are blessed with osteoporosis, so all our favorite drinks were removed from our menu. We’ve been drinking water almost exclusively for nearly three decades. Our insulated cups follow us just about everywhere. We can always refresh ourselves with a nice long drink. And you know what? We’ve saved a lot of money at grocery stores and restaurants in addition to feeling better.

Speaking of thirst-quenching water, I’m reminded of the story in John about a Samaritan woman coming to Jacob’s well to draw water at midday and finding a Jewish man resting beside the well. He still had a long walk ahead of him, and he asked her for a drink of water to refresh his weary body. Now, bear in mind, this was a rather coarse woman, one whose reputation suffered greatly because of her life choices, thus her foray to the well under the hot midday sun while the other women of the community were at home going about their housekeeping chores.

She found the man’s request for water incredulous, as he was a Jew and it was well known that Jews and Samaritans were not friendly toward one another. She responded rather brashly, questioning why he would speak to her at all. And when he told her that he could offer her water that would never run dry, she asked just how he was going to accomplish that feat when he didn’t even have a bucket or a rope.

Jesus answered simply, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again.” John 4:13a

The conversation continued regarding her lifestyle choices, and she eventually realized this man was not referring to physical water, but rather a spiritual refreshment that would last a lifetime. She recognized Jesus as the prophesied Messiah, and she chose to receive the Living Water he offered. She became one of Jesus’ devoted followers.

Most of us have not lived the lifestyle of the Samaritan woman, and most of us will not encounter Jesus in the same way that she did. But we’ve all made our share of mistakes, and we’ll be vulnerable to more of them as long as we live on this side of heaven. But we can always draw near to the “Well” and find welcome rest there. Whenever our spiritual well runs dry, he rescues us from our thirst.

The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land….you will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters will never fail. Isaiah 58:11

In the year 1953, Pastor Richard Blanchard was waiting for a group of parishioners to arrive when he wrote the hymn, Fill My Cup, Lord. He is said to have taken only twenty-six minutes to create one of the most beloved hymns of the Christian faith. It was inspired by the story of the woman at the well. I have included one verse and the chorus. You can find several versions on YouTube.

Fill My Cup, Lord

Like the woman at the well, I was seeking for things that could not satisfy.

And then I heard my Savior speaking—“Draw from my well that never shall run dry.”

Fill my cup, Lord; I lift it up Lord.

Come and quench this thirsting of my soul.

Bread of Heaven, feed me til I want no more.

Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole.

….for the Lord your God, goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6

It is Sunday evening as I attempt to write something coherent. This morning, as we climbed into our cold car to turn on the seat warmers and leave for church, our battery was completely dead. We quickly switched everything over to our equally cold truck, no warmers there, and made our way from Clever to Nixa and arrived just as the last service was beginning.

Once there, we enjoyed the music shared by our very gifted praise band and relaxed a bit, even though we were still pretty cold. The Spirit of the Lord quickly warmed us inside as we joined in the singing. Following the service, we visited with a few people and headed back home to deal with the very dead battery.

In years past, Ken could take an engine apart and reassemble it, but he doesn’t even recognize the engine parts in today’s complicated vehicles. Add to that the fact that we have a Prius hybrid, and the picture becomes even more complicated. The first order of business was to locate the battery, the one that powers the combustion part of the engine. The owner’s manual gave him good directions. The next step was to make some calls to hopefully locate an available battery. On the second call, Ken found a battery and also learned that the parts dealer would install it.

That turned out to be a bit misleading, as the young man assigned to the task had never changed a battery in a Prius. Good thing Ken had read that manual, so as he provided instructions, the younger man provided the muscle. And before too long, Ken and the car were back home, and it was running well. We’ll have to reserve judgment as to whether or not all the electronic systems are in proper sync.

But our car wasn’t the only thing not working properly. While Ken was gone, I suffered a little meltdown of my own. The dead car battery was just the last straw in a long list of worries and misgivings that had been piling up on my heart. I turned my tearstained face to Jesus and told Him that my spiritual well was as empty as the cells in that battery. I couldn’t find myself in the chaos of these challenging times we live in. It seemed as if the battles were just too hard. Worst of all, I couldn’t find words to write, I couldn’t even find words for Him. Words are my God-given gift, and I was bereft of them. Empty. My spiritual well was dry.

If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny who he is. II Timothy 2:13

In my moment of need, the Holy Spirit stepped in, and as Jesus began to soothe my jangled nerves and remind me that He is always right beside me, I began to feel His sweet peace flow through me, and I realized that having no words gave me something to write about. I guess this has been a somewhat different kind of message, but it certainly comes from the heart. We all have times when our well runs dry, but thankfully, we have a Friend who helps us to get our act together and find hope in the little things, like the saga of a dead component in a car that found new life with a simple battery replacement.

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you (and me) will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6

Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything [with] the One who makes me who I am. Philippians 4:13 MSG

What do you fear? If you’re anything like me, fear of heights would surely make the list. Or maybe for you it’s snakes or spiders. Perhaps you shy away from meeting new people or avoid public speaking. (That one appeared on just about every list I found.) Maybe your nemesis is violent storms or being trapped in a situation with no visible means of escape. Another “favorite” of mine is being in enclosed spaces or in large crowds. Whatever your specific fear or fears may be, we all have them, and we can probably agree that we would like to be rid of them. We can either travel through life in a cocoon that doesn’t allow us to experience living as we were intended, or we can find a way to overcome our personal fears. Now, I am no expert in this field of endeavor, but I do know that if I can’t completely overcome my fears, at least I need to learn how to manage them.

Whatever your fear, find a way to face it. Fear taunts and tries to intimidate us.

But when our hearts are established in the freedom God had given us,

we can laugh at the fear of the future.

Sadie Robertson Huff, Live On Purpose

I recall a young girl who wanted to swim but whose parents didn’t have the resources for lessons. All my friends could swim, but I was always left on the side of the pool alone. One day, I became so frustrated at being left out that I made the decision to do something about it. My method may not have been the best choice, but I reasoned that if I jumped into the deep end of the pool, I’d either sink or find my way back to safety. Worst-case scenario, the lifeguard would haul me out and give me mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. Bear in mind, he was pretty easy on the eyes. So, I took a deep breath and jumped. I resurfaced and swung my arms about rather wildly, kicked my feet, and made it to the ladder without having to be rescued. As it turned out, my body floats very well, and I’ve been able to enjoy many hours in very deep water without fear of going under. My swim strokes will never get me to the Olympics, and I’m not graceful in the water, but I can get just about anywhere I want to go.

I don’t suggest that everyone try to learn to swim by my method, but I think the metaphor of not waiting for fear to subside, but instead to jump right in, can serve us well in many situations. We don’t know whether we will succeed or fail at any new thing we try, but we do know that we won’t find out unless we take the first step. Since that day, the twelve-year-old me jumped into the pool, I’ve accomplished a few other feats that have taught me not to give up because of fear. I’ve climbed a couple of very tall lighthouses, walked across the bridge at Royal Gorge, and hiked many trails where snakes and other hazards might have been present. And I still have a healthy respect for heights and snakes and closed-in rooms, but with the help of the faith I have that Jesus will walk with me through those scary places, I’ve enjoyed a lot of adventures that otherwise would never have been possible. And I still believe that a prudent amount of fear can keep us on the right track in life choices as well.

Fear should not paralyze us, but it should act as our conscience when tricky decisions must be made or when temptations come calling. Jesus will always lead us on the right path if we let him.

Don’t let fear have the final say in your life. Don’t even give it a vote!

Sadie Robertson Huff, Live On Purpose

And, by the way, we should not allow our fears, whatever they may be, to interfere with the plan God has for our lives. If that trail leads us beyond our comfort zone, it’s time to place our faith and confidence in the one true light who will always set us on the right path and help us to reach the finish line.

Being free from fear doesn’t mean that we will never experience it or be confronted by it. It means that we are committed to not allowing it to rule our lives, and when necessary, we will do what we need to do, even if we have to do it afraid.

Joyce Meyer, Quiet Times with God

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. Luke 1:38 NLT

I wonder what it would have been like to be in Mary’s sandals when the angel came to her with news that she would soon be pregnant and not with just any ordinary baby…Oh no. She would bear the Son of God! How would I have responded to such an impossible proclamation, or how would you?

It is important to remember that Mary was only a girl herself, little more than a child. Of course, in those days, it was not uncommon for young girls, by our standards, to become promised in marriage. Also important to consider is that the betrothal was as binding to them as marriage is to us. And so, when she became pregnant, it was assumed that she had either been unfaithful or the betrothed couple had gotten carried away. To further complicate matters, Joseph knew that this child was not his, which left only one alternative in his mind—until, of course, the angel visited him as well.

Here they were, a young couple who only days or weeks before had become publicly betrothed, enjoying the well-wishes of family and friends along with much celebration. Suddenly, they are thrust into a drama of epic proportions. Not only is there a supposedly illegitimate baby on the way, but unbeknownst to all their friends and family, that baby was the Messiah, the Promised One, the Holy Son of God. How do you wrap your mind around something so seemingly impossible and keep it a secret?

Yet, once they accepted their roles, it appears that neither ever looked back. This was the purpose for which they had been created, and, being faithful followers, they accepted the honor that had been offered them.

Just for a moment, imagine if Mary had said to the angel, “No way, I’m not falling for that story. Immaculate conception! No, you’ll have to find someone else to help you with this crazy plan.” (In today’s world, that kind of reaction would be entirely possible.) Mary’s world, however, was solidly based in tradition, prophecies, and mysteries beyond human understanding. We, educated people of the twenty-first century that we are, might try to rationalize the honor being bestowed through the voice of an angel and find it lacking credibility. Truth be told, many would be terrified. But not Mary. Even if she felt a bit of fear or uncertainty, her faith did not waver.

Or, what if Joseph had followed the acceptable behavior of the day and had Mary stoned for her transgression? That form of punishment was legal and favored in situations like Mary’s. But Joseph had a tender spot in his heart for Mary, and maybe somewhere deep inside himself, he knew that something about this story was special.

Whatever doubts either of them may have felt were put to rest by the words of the angel sent from God. And they went about their days just doing what most expectant parents do until the decree went out regarding a census, one that would lead them on a journey back to the town where Joseph’s family found its roots. And there she birthed the Christ Child with no fanfare, just a humble stable, a few scruffy animals, some smelly shepherds, and a host of angels. The Lord of heaven came to earth in human skin to dwell among us, not ruling over us, but living in the midst of our daily lives. He came to fulfill a plan that was formed before human time began, a plan that would rescue us and provide hope for something precious after this life ends. And then He offered us a choice…to believe or not believe!

Happy is she who believed that the Lord would fulfill the promises he made to her. Luke 1:45 CEB

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. John 1:10-11 NKJV

Today, it’s sometimes hard to relate to one who is physically unseen, but we can’t encapsulate Jesus in the cocoon of Biblical times. We have to allow ourselves to remove the robes and sandals visually; dress him in jeans, a tee shirt and sneakers. He can keep a scruffy beard and longish hair. They fit right into our society. We have to recognize him as someone we can relate to. He wants to be invited into our homes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. He wants to travel with us on the road to wherever we need to go for the day. He wants to be a part of our business meetings, our shopping trips, our school days, our week-ends and vacations. Invite him to the backyard barbecue or on a hike in the woods. Most importantly, open your heart and talk with him. He wants us to bring him all our thoughts and dreams, aches and pains… he doesn’t censor what we tell him…he hears. He may not always agree, but he always hears.

Most of the people of Jesus’ time on earth didn’t recognize him because they expected a king, a royal personality. Jesus was anything but royal. In fact, he was considered common, and he was challenged and criticized nearly everywhere he went. If they, who saw him in the flesh, couldn’t recognize him and accept him for who he was, how can we, when we can’t even see him?

And that’s where faith steps into the equation.

The woman at the well challenged him until he promised her Living Water if she would trust in him. Zacchaeus watched him from a tree branch, but when Jesus called him down and invited himself to dinner, the tax collector knew his greedy days were over. And Peter, whose tongue got him into more trouble than mine ever has, and that’s saying a lot, became one of the best known and most devoted of Jesus’ disciples.

Maybe you’re not the woman at the well, trying to avoid your neighbors just so you don’t have to watch them whispering behind your back? Or maybe you’re not in a profession similar to the detested tax collector. But many of us are overly eager to please, often saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. We’d like to control those words that roll off our tongues, but we just can’t do it alone. Or perhaps we’re just ordinary people living ordinary lives, but not taking time to really think about where we came from or where we’re going.

God can unravel any ball of twine we hand him, no matter how snarled and knotted it may be. Dan Walsh, What Follows After

There’s good news for us! Jesus can take all our burdens from our weary shoulders. He will meet us wherever we are…did you see that, Jesus will meet us wherever we are. And the best news is that He won’t leave us there. It’s an often-used phrase, but always bears repeating;

JESUS WILL MEET US WHERE WE ARE…BUT HE WON’T LEAVE US THERE!

It’s during the tough times that our true character sees the light of day. These are the days when life leads us down countless rabbit holes and tempts us with glitz and glamour. That’s when we need him most. That’s when it’s time for a little talk…or maybe a long and very deep conversation. And there’s no better time than at Christmas to start afresh! Get to know this man named Jesus, spend time with Him, and learn to recognize Him in today’s world. Give him the opportunity, and he’ll change your world.

I found that when I began including Jesus in [all] my thoughts, my relationship with Him naturally grew deeper and sweeter over time. My inner monologue turned into a conversation with my best friend. Emily E Ryan, Mornings with Jesus 202