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Posted on February 16, 2022 by beverlyeash

The lemons pictured above are perfect. Bright yellow, firm skin, perfect shape. I would reach for them if I were in the grocery store looking for lemons. Would I be satisfied with them?

A few years ago, someone gave me lemons from the tree in their yard. They didn’t look like the ones pictured above. They were more round than oval, the skin wasn’t bright yellow. Rather it was kind of a dirty brownish color similar to a banana that is getting ripe. Would I be satisfied with these?

It all depends on what I am hoping for in a lemon. The ones pictured above make a beautiful display on the table. Bright yellow, perfect shape — yes! They provide a burst of color and eye appeal. Too often, though, these seemingly perfect lemons provide very little in the way of juice when squeezed into my glass.

The other ones grown in someone’s backyard, however, provided the best juice I could imagine. Not only was it abundant, it was delicious to taste. The outside appearance of the lemons was nothing to get excited about and might not even win a place at the tablescape. But what they offered in the way of useable product was amazing.

In Paul’s letter to Philippi, he was concerned they knew what was really important. It’s easy to get sidetracked with appearances but is that what really matters?

9I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. 11May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

Philippians 1:9-11

What is it that really matters? Living a pure and blameless life that reflects Jesus.

Why does this matter? Because this brings praise and glory to God.

How will this be achieved? It is the work of God in me. And he will not stop until it is finished!

6And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

Philippians 1:6

It is his work, not ours. He is far more interested in seeing us grow and develop into the image of Christ than we can possibly know. No matter what your day looks like or the circumstances you encounter, it is all working together to form you into the likeness of Jesus.

Remember, we need one another! Stand fast. Stay dependent on Jesus. It’s what inside that really matters.

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Posted on February 15, 2022 by beverlyeash

Today I celebrate the hard work of writing 1000 posts. I do an excellent job minimizing the difficulty of my accomplishments so today I notice and applaud the time and effort it takes to write this blog.

Reflecting on what motivates me to pick up the computer every day to pen a few words intended to lighten someone’s load, I realize my greatest motivator is people I cannot see and do not know. It is the notes I receive along the way that encourage me to press in. So thank you for reading, responding and being a part of my story.

Recently I noticed that many people, including me, started living with purpose out of a place of pain or difficulty. As I look back, I see that my passion for helping others recognize and step out of the chaos of life began decades ago. Little flashes here, dissatisfaction there, determination to live not under the circumstances but in spite of the circumstances.

Chaos comes in many ways, but primarily settles in one of two ways — internal and external. Internal chaos is the battle of our own thoughts and processing information. It is the place Paul speaks about in Romans 12:2 when he says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” My internal chaos is transformed when I allow truth to inform what I think about myself, God and others. When I recognize the places where distortions and dysfunction have intruded and deformed my thinking, I can apply truth and the chaos quiets.

External chaos is the pressure of society and culture to accomplish and do rather than BE. Recently, I heard someone say we should work from rest rather than rest from work. That simple statement resonates so much with me and informs how I strive to organize my life.

Years ago, our pastor talked about living with margins. He used the illustration of a dinner plate. Imagine a 10 inch dinner plate with a 1 inch border around the edge. That leaves an 8 inch circle in the center of the plate. The center is where the food should be. Too often, our plates are full and overflow the center circle and then we pour gravy over everything and soon the plate cannot contain all we put on it.

Life lived in this way is chaotic. Commitments keep us exhausted and stressed out, threatening our health spiritually, emotionally and physically. Too many of us run on empty and suffer because of it. Not only in our bodies and minds, but in relationships with God and people. There is another way.

I like to keep the image of a dinner plate in my mind. On the plate is a moderate amount of colorful food contained within the 8 inch center circle. The food comes from all the colors of the rainbow and between each item on the plate there is space. Not only does this represent how I want to eat, but how I want to live.

I want to live with margin. I say no to things that make me busy but don’t give me life. I say yes to the things that feed my spirit yet allow me the margin I need to remain healthy physically, emotionally and spiritually. I have a long way to go but I am pointed in the right direction.

There is one thing about which I am especially passionate — emotional health. It is my experience that emotionally healthy people are more likely to be spiritually and physically healthy. It is kind of a chicken and egg discussion. Which comes first? Emotional health or spiritual health? Physical health or emotional health? On this we can agree to disagree, but my personal experience says that my emotional health directly impacts my ability to heal spiritually and physically.

My heart breaks for those who live with deep emotional pain and don’t even know it. Or perhaps they do know it, but have no idea what to do to relieve the pain. If they do know what to do, the effort required to bring the pain to the forefront is so overwhelming it keeps them immoblized and stuck. There is another way and I am so proud of those who undertake the hard work of soul healing.

In the last year, I developed three avenues to assist others in the process of soul work. First, my husband and I renovated our 14 x 20 log cabin from a rustic structure with no modern amenities to a deliberately designed space with all the modern amenities necessary for a personal retreat. Our desire was to provide a space that exceeded the expectations of a potential guest. I believe we accomplished that with high end finishes and surprising comfort in a small space. We look forward to finishing the outside in the spring by adding landscaping, a stone firepit area and an outdoor shower. You can check it out at Cabinoff39.com. The intention is to provide a space for one or two people to retreat from the chaos of life to be renewed and refreshed in the shelter and presence of the Lord.

The second avenue I offer is providing guided retreat material for a person who wants to take a spiritually refreshing retreat but isn’t sure what to do. I custom write the material according to stated goals and the life situation of the retreatant. The material can be written for any length of time, but not less than three days.

The third avenue I offer is spiritual direction. In the strictest sense of the term, spiritual direction is an ongoing relationship with once a month meetings between director and directee. While an ongoing relationship is a possibility, I also offer to meet only during a retreatant’s time at The Cabin to help see where God is already at work in her life and to help guide her to a greater awareness of God in every day experiences. Sometimes a person just needs someone to listen and help point her in the right direction. It’s kind of like asking directions when you are on a road trip. Often the general direction is right, a person just needs a little affirmation they are on the right path.

Both guided retreats and spiritual direction are explained in more detail on my website at Cabinoff39.com. Check it out and plan for your personal time away soon!

Thanks to everyone who has been with me from the beginning of this journey. I really appreciate your faithfulness and encouragement. If you read this through FaceBook, would you do me a favor and share this post to your feed? If you get the post to your inbox, thanks for reading! I would love to hear where you are reading from so comment below and let me know!

Here’s to one thousand more. Or maybe I will write a book. Who knows what the Lord has up his sleeve!

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Posted on February 14, 2022 by beverlyeash

Valentine’s Day. While the origin of this holiday is murky and can be explored here, some embrace it with excitement and joy and others view it with trepidation and fear. Fear he won’t get it right again. Fear her expectations won’t be met. Fear there will be no expression of love in the mailbox again.

I remember Valentine parties at school. They were my least favorite school celebration. Every card was scrutinized to find the underlying message. Was I loved and chosen by someone? Would anyone declare devotion to me? Many times — most times — I went home crushed because the message I set myself up to need wasn’t received.

Today I want to share a Valentine message – a message of love – with you that can always be counted on. It is beyond our wildest imaginations and does not depend on me or my cleverness. It is love that is undeserved and yet so completely filling.

16“For this is how God loved the world: He gave  his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 

John 3:16

9God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. 10This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.

`1 John 4:9-10

19We love each other because he loved us first.

1 John 4:19

You are deeply loved by God, the Creator of the universe. He sent his Son, Jesus, to take away our sins, making a way for us to be in relationship with the Father.

You are deeply loved, no matter what you do or do not receive today by way of Hallmark Valentine cards, red roses or boxes of chocolates. All of those things are temporary and will be gone in just a few days. God’s love is unending and never runs dry.

You might be thinking I’m crazy. How can a God I can’t see love me? When I need a physical, tangible expression of love, how does God do that?

Let me share an experience of mine from just two days ago. Saturday, Dave and I were with friends for a good part of the day at the beach. Arriving home around 3 p.m., we had a couple of hours before dinner. I took an hour or so to work on a quilt I am quilting in my garage. Sitting in the quiet with my needle and thread for company, I deliberately calmed my mind and mental processes through music and meditation. As I quilted, I prayed and listened. Specifically, I prayed about what I to write for this post. As the Lord brought ideas to my mind, I began to meditate on God’s love for me. I realized that it’s possible to miss God’s love – his Valentine’s – for me. I asked him to open my eyes to his expressions of love for me.

My mind wandered to other parts of my life. I allowed the thoughts to float across the landscape of my mind without holding too tightly to any of them. One thought that presented itself is a commitment I made to my son and daughter-in-law to watch my grandchildren on Thursday. I wondered about switching my day to earlier in the week to free the day to be involved in ministry opportunities. I briefly considered asking them but then let it float on through.

Fifteen minutes later while I am getting ready for dinner, I hear my phone alert me to a text message. I read this from my daughter-in-law:

“Thinking about switching my work days from Monday/Thursday to Monday/Tuesday. What are your thoughts?”

What are my thoughts about that? My thoughts are WOW!! Remember, I prayed for God to open my eyes to his love for me. Boom! He answered more prayers with that one text message than I can begin to count!

I don’t know what God has in mind for my Thursdays, but I know he loves me. I am blown away by his goodness to me. There is no human message of love, Valentine card or box of chocolates that could possibly fill me with the affirmation I am loved, chosen and set apart like that one text message.

I dare you to give it a try. With no parameters, no boundaries — ask God to open your eyes to the ways he loves you EVERY SINGLE DAY! Because you are also deeply loved, chosen, set apart, adopted with a rich inheritance. When the world’s expressions of love leave you longing for more, turn to the One who loves you so much!

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Posted on February 11, 2022 by beverlyeash

Mornings are hard for me. I am not the person who jumps out of bed full of enthusiasm and spunk. It takes me a long time to get going; I rarely make appointments before noon; I have a routine and I am eventually ready to greet the world. But it’s a process.

Once in a while, I shower, brush my teeth and get dressed immediately upon getting out of bed. It prepares me for an earlier start to the day and, it could be argued, would be an excellent start every day. Most days I am just not there.

Another excellent routine to begin the day is to intentionally put on the armor of God to protect against the schemes and plans of the enemy. I would be prepared for whatever might come my way.

We established there is an enemy — the powers and authorities in the heavenly realms that we cannot see. So every day, we are invited to put on our armor so we are ready for battle.

13Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. 

Ephesians 6:13-18

How does one put on the armor of God? I know of some who go through a daily routine of “putting on” the helmet, breastplate, belt, etc mentioned above. That is a great tactile way of putting this truth into practice.

Another way might be to read or recite scripture (belt of truth) directly affirming our right standing with God because we believe Jesus is God’s son and died for us (Good News). Doing this affirms your faith (shield) and salvation (helmet) by lifting up your sword (word of God). This is the beginning of unending prayer. It might sound like this:

God loves me and chose me in Christ to be without fault in his eyes. I am in right standing with him because of Jesus Christ. He purchased my freedom with his blood and forgave my sins. I am a child of God, filled with His Spirit and a full heir in the family.

What does your morning routine look like? Would you benefit from putting on the armor, maybe while you’re brushing your teeth?

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Posted on February 10, 2022 by beverlyeash

A couple days ago, I read something that filled my mind with anxious, fearful thoughts. I know I am not the only one who comes up against this because two days later a friend told me she had the same experience.

As I pondered what I read, I turned to the Lord in prayer. In this age of immediate information relay, I find it exceptionally difficult to know what is reliable and what is not. As I prayed about it, I sensed the Holy Spirit showing me the enemy wanted me to be disrupted. He doesn’t care what I believe as long as I am anxious and unnerved. That pissed me off.

I remembered that the enemy tells me anything to spoil my peace of mind. I remembered that he wants to steal, kill and destroy my life. I remembered that he is already defeated; he is a headless chicken flapping wildly until his final judgment. I remembered Paul’s words to the believers in Ephesus.

10A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:10-12

It is important what I say. My words have power. It is important I think. My thoughts have power. It is important who influences my life. One wants to give me abundant life; one wants to ruin me.

Today, in all you do, remember who the real enemy is. It isn’t the person sitting across from you or the one who votes differently, or worships differently, or thinks differently. It is the powers and principalities you cannot see!

Let’s stop hating and blaming one another and put the hatred where it belongs.

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Posted on February 9, 2022 by beverlyeash

Years ago I was asked to take a position that some considered unsuited for a woman. In order to minimize negative feedback, I took the position and performed all the responsibilities but without the title. The second year, I continued in the position with the appropriate title.

During the first year, I found it very easy to slip into a negative mindset that didn’t benefit me or anyone else around me, especially not those I wanted to serve. I’m grateful for a close friend who challenged me when I said, “I have been set up to fail!” Yes, I felt that way but allowing that to become the mindset from which I lived threatened to devastate my effectiveness.

Recently, I talked with a friend who felt rebuffed by someone close to her. In the conversation, she said that when “Mary came into the room, I was thrown into the trash.” I immediately challenged her wording. Being as she wanted to continue in a life giving relationship with her friend, it wouldn’t be helpful to accept the self-designation “trash.” Even if that’s how she felt in the interaction, it doesn’t line up with what God says about her or what scripture reveals about her identity.

Things happen that challenge us as we strive to keep our minds focused on what is true. When we verbalize negativity as an identity statement (“I will fail,” “I am trash,”) it eventually becomes reality. Words have power.

It is the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts the psalmist asked God to protect. Next time you feel the nudge of negativity threatening your peace of mind, say this instead:

1I love you, Lord; you are my strength. 2The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. 3I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies.

Psalm 18:1-3

Happy Hump Day!

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Posted on February 8, 2022 by beverlyeash

I love this date because it is the day I was born. For the last few years, I was able to spend this day with my mother even though we live thousands of miles apart. I consider that to be a true blessing. Tonight we will celebrate by eating my favorite genre of food — Italian!

As I often do around my birthday, I celebrate the person I am and who I am becoming. Often this means taking time to do a few “me” things like getting a massage or facial, going shopping, taking a bubble bath, enjoying time with friends, reading a book just for fun or watching a movie. Saturday evening I sat down and watched the latest Disney princess movie, Encanto!

Folks, if you haven’t seen this movie, you need to. It is profoundly deep and yet entertaining; encouraging and challenging; for the young and the young at heart. It is for anyone who needs to be reminded that she is more than what she does; he is more than his gift.

If, on this day, you are wondering if you are enough — watch Encanto!

If, on this day, you need a reminder that you are more than what you can do — watch Encanto!

If, on this day, you are wondering if you have a place in the family — watch Encanto!

Do it for me, for my birthday, if you can’t make space to do it for yourself!

If you are wondering if you really belong, if what you have to offer is worthwhile, I encourage you to read all of 1 Corinthians 12. But here is a short reminder of what Paul said!

7A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. . . 11It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.

1 Corinthians 12:7-11

You are enough. You are valuable in the family. You are more than what you can do. Walk in that today!

Picture credit goes to the folks at this great site!

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Posted on February 7, 2022 by beverlyeash

14May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

Last week I hosted out of town guests. We had a great time together but as the day approached for my guests to return to their homes, some anxiety surfaced.

You see, the weather had turned a bit nasty across the country. In my hometown, there was a foot of new snow. Other places were getting ice, wind and rain. Flights were cancelled going to various parts of the country and since my guests were going four different directions, we watched the updates carefully.

One of my guests was particularly concerned about how much turbulence the weather might create. I noticed she was looking at her weather app and the colors splayed across the area her flight would take her. Then I noticed she was not only looking at the area between where we were and her destination, but she was looking at the entire world. She showed us the weather over South America. I knew I needed to say something.

I gently reminded her that she was filling her mind with information that she was unable to process because she didn’t have the knowledge to make sense of it. While I can see what the weather man says might happen on the ground, I don’t have the ability to take that information and know how it impacts the air streams at 34,000 feet. I encouraged her to keep her mind fixed on what she knows to be true rather allowing her imagination to paint a worst case scenario.

Later that day I read a reminder that if you can worry, you can meditate. Worry is focusing, ruminating on the worst case scenario and often on what the enemy wants me to believe. And we know that he wants to steal, kill and destroy. He uses whatever methods possible so even telling us that we have knowledge we don’t, like how air streams impact flight paths of airliners.

When I dropped my guest off at the airport, my last words to her were, “Keep your mind fixed on what is true. You are nestled in the hands of God and he is carrying you. He will provide for you no matter what your flight is like!” She reported later that she slept most of the way home.

I don’t know what you are fixating on today. Likely, it isn’t safety while flying. It might be your finances, sickness, children, marriage, loneliness, isolation — whatever is tapping on the door of your mind. Remember, your thoughts follow your words. The psalmist asked that the Lord would make the words of his mouth AND the meditation of his heart pleasing!

If your thoughts are troubling to you, listen to the words coming out of your mouth. Are your words expressing truth and trust in the Father? If not, change that first.

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Posted on February 4, 2022 by beverlyeash

It’s Friday. How are you doing? Tired? Ready for a break in the routine? Looking forward to the weekend? Did the snow pile up in your yard and on the road the last few days? Were you one of those who enjoyed sunshine and warm weather?

Wherever you are and whatever you experienced the last few days, let these words be an encouragement to you. They are taken from one of Job’s defenses to his three friends.

25“But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. 26And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! 27I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!

Job 19:25-27

Regardless of what Job’s friends told him, he never lost sight of the reality of a future in the presence of his Redeemer.

Tonight my body is tired, my heart is full and I am overwhelmed at the thought that there is a day when my eyes will see God. I will see him with my own eyes; I will know him as he knows me!

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Posted on February 3, 2022 by beverlyeash

Paul’s directive to change the way I live can be accomplished in one way — change the way I think. I cannot continue thinking in old ways if I want to develop new habits.

It is so easy to get stuck in old patterns of thinking. When the friend I call doesn’t answer, it’s easy to think she is avoiding my call. Giving someone the benefit of the doubt, thinking the very best, is the new way of thinking. How is that done?

23Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

Ephesians 4:23-24

It is a work of the Holy Spirit. He changes, renews our thoughts and attitudes. He creates in me the desire to be in right relationship with others and to be holy. Practically, what does that look like? Paul gives examples too!

25So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. 26And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27for anger gives a foothold to the devil. 28If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. 29Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

Ephesians 4:25-29

I make it so difficult. I want what I want. The beginning point for me is often to ask the Holy Spirit to give me the “want to.” The want to change. The want to be transformed. The want to be made new.

Join me in asking for the “want to.”

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