Always the Same

Hi friends and a warm spring like welcome to those of you popping over from the Proverbs 31 devo.

If you've spent anytime on my blog in the last six months you will know that my "always the same" has been something different about every few weeks. While all the changes have certainly kept me on my toes and not lacking for excitement, can I just say that I'm really craving some of my ordinary "always the same"?

Who knew cooking meals, keeping the house tidy, and doing regular chores in addition to working in an office would be such an attractive life? Well friends, I'm here to tell you that I can hardly wait for the day to arrive, when my "always the same" life returns.

The latest installment of "always the same" has consisted of a house full of workman, mountains of wallboard dust, banging hammers and whirring blades of skill saws.

Friend, are you longing for a change to your "always the same"? If so, I hope you relate to the these thoughts from my devo.

It’s so important for us to remember that our heavenly Father has ordained our days, even our “always the same” days for our good and His glory. While we might see them as mundane, boring, frustrating or even miserable, the Lord can use the circumstances of these days to transform us into a clear reflection of Him.

In the midst of our circumstances we might long for change, but we can rest in the One who never changes. Hebrews 13:8 tells us “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (NIV). This verse is an encouragement to celebrate each day by persevering and staying the course because Jesus “ever lives, and is ever the same…merciful, powerful, and all-sufficient” (Matthew Henry).

The One who knows us best and loves us most is present to provide everything we need to continue on until He changes our circumstances.

Will you join me today, taking a closer look at our “always the same days” and begin to see them as opportunities to trust the One who never changes. The One who holds our time and our lives in His hands.

I hope you will share your story with us here, I'm confident your words will be an encouragement to everyone.

Don't forget that every post will be entered into the drawing for my latest give away:

Made to Crave DVD

Later this week, I'm going to begin talking about the Cycle of Change.

I hope you'll continue to partner with me on our journey to change.

When Things Don't Fit

Well, I'm happy to report that most of the kitchen cabinet boxes have been installed and after 5 hours, the granite is almost back in its place atop my new cabinet box frames. These granite installers do fabulous work despite all the heady fumes of adhesive (that are giving me a headache) and custom made base cabinets that are not the correct size. Huh?

I thought all those fumes had gotten to everyone when I heard them say,

"Uh, Mam?" "We have a slight problem." "Your custom made, done been measured ten times cabinets don't fit the existing granite."

Say what? Yep, that's right, sometimes even custom made, done been measured ten times cabinets don't fit. So what's a girl to do? I called in the master carpenter cabinet maker himself and he arrived with tools in hand to cut, push, shove, and cajole his masterpieces until they fit our existing granite pieces.

Now for those of you thinking that I'm Mrs. Got Rocks over here because I can afford custom made, done been measured ten times kitchen cabinets, let me assure you that these cabinets were cheaper than the ones at the local big box home improvement store. Remember we are working off the tiniest of budgets afforded us by the insurance company.

Enough for the disclaimer, let's get back to the theme of this post.

For those of you on this journey of change with me I have to ask you:

Are you finding things in your former life that just don't fit any more?

Has all of this life change required some cutting, pushing, shoving and cajoling?

Have you called in the Master Carpenter Jesus and the Professional Installer the Holy Spirit to help you in this endeavor?

I do hope you will encourage us with your thoughts.

What's hiding behind...

Well, I would say it's great to be back in our house, but I'll admit I'm tired of "roughing it".

You can see from the latest pictures that our kitchen is less than usable.

I can't tell you how many times I've tried to wash out my plastic cup or paper plate, just to remember I don't have a sink much less running water in my kitchen.

You won't believe what I discovered behind our old cabinets!

Nails, screws, pieces of dry wall and insulation and enough dust bunnies to take over the world! Good grief, what a disgusting mess!

I spent 5 hours on Friday, cleaning up what was left behind.

Hmmm... What a great word picture; Cleaning up what was left behind.

As we continue on in our pursuit of change, I have to ask this question.

Is there some cleaning up you need to do regarding the things you've left behind?

Inheritance

‎I saw this Tweet today from Anne Graham Lotz and it was such a sweet reminder to me

"I am your portion and your inheritance" Numbers 18:20b.

We don't just inherit the King's inheritance- we inherit the king!!

As we continue to persevere in our pursuit of change,

I thought this quote was a wonderful way to change my thought pattern.

I should be focused on the king, not His inheritance.

What about you friend? Are you more focused on the area of change in your life, or are you focused on worshiping the King who enables you to change?

Rip Out and Restore

Talk about change! This topic discussion of change has had so many faces and facets.

We've been talking about lots of areas of change and if you'll give me grace I'll turn the conversation back to our September fire.

Things have been on hold since November and now we are moving forward again!

The restoration guys are back today and they will be ripping out all the walls in the garage (where the fire started and was contained).

Next week the Kitchen cabinets and back wall will be ripped out, and they will "FOG" every inch, nook and cranny of our house from the garage to the attic. Evidently, the "FOG" will seek out, consume and destroy all the lingering smoke smell caught in those hidden nook and crannies throughout out house.

In an effort to apply this to those life changes we all committed to on January 1...

I have to ask the following question...

Are there nooks and crannies in your life that need to be sought out, consumed and destroyed in the name of life change?

I know I've taken a good long look at the life changes I'm trying to make and I did find a few of those nooks and crannies that still need some work.

Are you willing to share your story with us to encourage us?

Joy's Whirlwind

Hi friends, Thanks for your comments on my latest kitchen question.

We've had practice eating out day and day and week after week when we lived in a hotel right after the fire. I'll talk more about the opportunity to do that again later...

In the meantime, I wanted to share part of an amazing post from my sweetest friend Joy.

If you're facing a whirlwind of your own, I hope you will be encouraged by some of Joy's words and wisdom.

MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 2011

Whirlwind

“Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind” Job 40:6

This was the first verse in my daily reading the other morning, and quite honestly I didn’t need to read any further. God had spoken.

I have been unable to write here for quite some time. Some of you know the “whirlwind” that has attacked. Some of the ‘damages’ are visual, some hidden, but all have left me confused and unable to focus. Reading and writing have both become a challenge. Thoughts swirl and I’m unable to catch them and string them together with any clarity or coherence. I am in that whirlwind.

A whirlwind is defined as a weather phenomenon in which a vertically, rotating column of air forms due to instabilities and turbulence created by heating and current gradients. Whirlwinds occur all over the world and in any season. They are described as being a violent or destructive force, impetuous and speedy.

Whirlwinds can occur anywhere at any time. I am caught in that rotating column of air that is threatening to spin my life out of control. The weather in my "season" is unsettled. BUT...God can answer me from the whirlwind. FROM the whirlwind. Do you know what that means? Can you grasp the reality of what that is saying? He's in there with me. I am not alone. That brings a sense of calm and peace to the swirling currents already. He's in there....with me...and so until He speaks, I am going to reach over for His Hand and hold tight, because He is IN THIS current phenomenon.

And…what is a phenomenon? Why, it’s a remarkable development. It is extremely unusual and extraordinary. In its original Greek it means, that which appears or is seen. God allows whirlwind experiences because He desires to do something marvellous and significant in our lives so that others will see Him. He desires to make my life phenomenal and He wants me, and others watching, to see Him in the whirlwind. A whirlwind makes God visible.

It surprises me the singularity of the definition of a whirlwind. It’s “a” current, “a” column, “a” force. Does it not often seem like a whirlwind is multiple storms? Maybe it’s because of all the debris it acquires when we allow it to gain momentum in our hearts. Our minds race ahead and accumulate worthless what if’s, worry and urgency. Trust me, I’ve been there.

Has an unstable disturbance rocked your world recently? Is your life currently characterized by disjointed thoughts, sleeplessness, change in appetite, anxiety, concern, back aches, racing heart and agitation? You too are in a whirlwind, but you are not alone. God came to Job not only with an answer, but AS the answer. Insert your name in the verse above, “Then the LORD answered Joy from the whirlwind”.

Today I will be listening for God to speak to me from the whirlwind.

Okay friends, now it your turn. What whirlwind are you facing today and what are you hearing God say from your whirlwind?

One New Kitchen on the way...

I'm going to take quick detour of sort from our discussion on change.

If you've been following my bog you will know we had a fire in our garage last September and to date, our house still smells like smoke (especially our kitchen) and all of my base cabinets smell like smoke and cherry bubble gum cleaner.

Well... I just got word today that my kitchen is about to ripped out to the studs and then rebuilt beginning next Monday. Wooooo Hoooooooo!

Just think.. take out 3 meals a day for 10 days...

Do you think that sounds great? Sound like a vacation to you?

Let me know what you think.

I have a few ideas of my own...

I'm a Recovering Drama Queen!

Hi, my name is Zoe Elmore and I'm a recovering "Drama Queen". There, I said it!

If you know me at all, you will know how grateful I am that God blessed Tom and me with two sons and one AMAZING daughter-in-law (who is the farthest thing from a drama queen. I don't even think she knows what that is). Boys and spiritually mature women are so easy and they have taught me so much about the reasons why I don't want to be a "Drama Queen" anymore.

Because I'm a recovering "Drama Queen" I can easily recognize and have little tolerance for "Drama Queen" behavior these days.

Sadly, it has taken a lifetime, but thankfully, I have outgrown the need for a "Me" centered universe. Instead, I have tried to become a Jesus girl who is kind, compassionate, considerate, low-maintenance, thick skinned and drama free. Yes, I do meltdown from time to time, and even step back into the "drama zone" but I don't want the story of my life to be about me! I want it to be about Jesus and how HE has changed my life, redeemed my life and empowered my life.

That's why I'm saddened and shocked when I see and hear adult women fussing, fuming, whispering about one another and throwing temper tantrums.

Friends, life on this side of heaven is too short and the world is too lost for beautiful and blessed Jesus girls to act like 4th graders.

As believers in Christ we must choose how we live our lives.

If you recognize yourself in any of these behaviors, I would encourage you to take a breath, confess your sin of "self idolatry", then kneel before the ONE who gave HIS life so that you and I could testify to HIS amazing grace in our lives.

Are you guilty of:

1. Whining

2. Discontent - Always wanting "What she has"

3. Refusing to grow up and get over it

4 Being Catty and making snide remarks

5. A Critical attitude, but can't take constructive criticism.

6. Being a Snob

7. Jealousy

8. Manipulating Others to get what you want

9. Gossiping

10. Breaking confidences

11. Constant neediness and demand for attention

12. Being Easily offended

13. Forcing others to walk on eggshells

14. Moodiness (other than the monthly hormonal ritual)

15. Being Dishonest

16. Refusing to listen more than you speak

If you answered yes to any of these I would encourage you to step away from your former sinful life and call on Jesus. When we do that, through the power of the Holy Spirit HE enables us to live a life that builds up others, spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically, leaving the drama far behind us.

I'm encouraging you to get over yourself and rise above your former self in order to let your life testify to the redeeming and transforming power of Jesus Christ. I'm encouraging you to live your life above yourself and for Jesus.

To encourage you, remember that you are NOT alone in this. Jesus and His most trusted disciple friends had to work through some drama of their own. Peter had a very short fuse. James and John grew up with a mother who was pushy and insisted on having her own way. Thomas had a negative outlook and Matthew had a past. Not one of Jesus' beloved friends could stay awake when Jesus needed them most. But in the end, they invited and allowed the power of the Holy Spirit to change them from the inside out and they changed the world forever.

If that's not an encouragement to put away the drama.....Maybe it should be.

Now it's your turn.

This is Who I Am

Last week I listed a few truths about who we are as a believer in Christ.

A friend posted this on her facebook page and I thought it was a great punctuation to that.

I hope you will be encouraged.

I am a princess of the King of kings and Lord of lords.

I am highly valued as his daughter.

I am worth more than rubies and diamonds for I have been purchased by Jesus blood.

In the beginning God created the heavens , the earth and all that is in it.

He say that it was good.

God created me therefore I am good, not perfect I just am in love with the One who is.

I am a woman of purpose which is laid before me by my God.

I have a mission not possible for through Christ I can do all things.

In Him I will devote myself to the ministry He has placed me in.

I am rooted deep so that I may stand firm in all the seasons of my life.

During which I will carry out the principles God planned for me.

I pray that I will love my Jesus with all my heart and all my soul and all my strength today, tomorrow all the days of my life shining light around the darkness that surrounds me.

That's who I am, now who are you?