A Little Thought

Psalm 18:35

You give me your shield of victory,
and your right hand sustains me;
you stoop down to make me great.

Yesterday I was studying and came across this part of Psalm 18, verse 35. ..."you stoop down to make me great." This verse is talking of Jesus (especially if you read leading up to it). I thought about how amazing it was that in the context of Jesus, he did stoop down to make me great. I was nothing until I accepted the sacrifice he made so that I could have new life, eternal life.

And then it got me thinking about me and how I am day to day. Because of our life as a pastor and pastor's wife, my days are usually full of preparing for something...a Bible study, a women's group, a men's group, dinner guests, church preparation, sunday school prep, a meal for someone, etc. I always include the girls in all I do but I haven't put much thought into the fact that most of the time when we're getting ready that I am standing and they are far below me, looking up to me. I thought, if Jesus would stoop down to make me great, why can't I stoop down for our girls more to make them great? I'm not saying that I don't ever go down to their level, I am just saying that I need to more often.

As I awoke this morning I prayed and thanked the Lord for stooping down to make me great and I prayed he would make me mindful of this teaching throughout our day today. Many times, I have knelt down next to the girls and I can't tell how how much their faces have shown pure joy as we're eye to eye.

I also prayed for the holy spirit to fill me to overflowing today. And honestly, I am teary as I'm typing. My sister in law is going through a very rough time and even though my heart is breaking for her, and many others around me who are hurting or weak, I am truly full of joy today. I can't explain it. All I can say is that I am praising God today for teaching me even in simple lessons and humbling me constantly. I am no where's near being a perfect Mom (nor will I ever be) and I am just thankful that he can mother through me. I say bring it on God! Thank you Lord for today, for joy through suffering and for stooping down to make me great. :-)

Love,
Cammie

VU VI VO

I came across this verse when I was reading and it reminded me of the mission of Hillside. To live Vision Up, Vision In and Vision Out:

Psalm 42:8

By day the LORD directs his love,
at night his song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life.
 "By day the Lord directs his love"...vision out. If I surrender myself to the Lord, each morning when I awake, he will direct his love through me. Whether it's love to our husbands, our wives, our children, our co-workers, our friends, our families or complete strangers. "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35 Praying the Lord directs his love through each of you throughout your days.

"at night his song is with me--"...vision in. Almost every night I pray that my thoughts would be his thoughts and that the Lord would fill my mind and heart while we sleep. Our God can minister to us even while we are asleep. Praying that our vision in would be found to be full of the holy spirit's fruit. Hmmm...if his song is with us while we sleep and rest, how much bolder would our love be directed throughout our days?

"a prayer to the God of my life"...vision up. God in my waking, God in my sleeping, God in my waiting, God in my resting, God in my hurting, God in my healing... These things will remain true as we worship and adore our one true living God. The alpha and omega, perfector of our faith.

Hillside,

This last Sunday as church was beginning, I sat in the back row and looked around at everyone. My heart was overflowing with love for each of you and an extreme measure of gratitude for my family at Hillside. I truly love and care for you. And my prayer is that each of us would continue to live with vision up, vision in and vision out. Let us not forget or grow weary. If you are tired, worn out, distracted, scared, hurting, sick, lonely, frustrated, worried or weak...please take your cares directly to the God who gives you life. He will fill you.

Jesus says, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 28-30

Praying for each of you tonight that we may be a mighty army living VU, VI and VO!

Love,
Cammie

Why Wait?...

You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasure of living with you forever. " ~ Psalm 16:11

Living with God starts now or the minute we accept Jesus into our lives, changing who we are forever. Why wait to live eternally when we are in heaven, but instead accept His presence and let Him show you the pleasures of living with Him for eternity now. Of course this world isn't perfect and we are all going to struggle with something, but His way is perfect. It is how we look at the things of this world, do we look at it through the eyes of our old self, with fear and doubt, or do we look through the eyes as an eternal being in the presence of God, whose strength and truth we can rely on? I have been there, I have let that fear of living in a non eternal world take hold in my life when thinking of trying to conceive after loosing our baby last fall. I didn't want to go through that kind of heart ache and pain ever again. Who would? However, seeking God's continual presence (being in the word, praying, and worshiping) and allowing myself the reassurance that he never left my presence in the first place (letting faith take over), I could allow Him to show me the way of life, granting me the joy of his presence, and the prelasure of living with him forever, which is having no fear. The 18th Psalm was presented to me at the time which opened my eyes to the fact that it wouldn't be me alone going through that pain again if it so happened. I wouldn't have to rely on my own strength to get through this imperfect life. In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall. (~ Psalm 18:29) I knew at that moment I could make it through another miscarriage (even though I have no desire to do so) and I didn't have to be afraid of trying to have another baby. Living eternally here on earth doesn't make life any easier, but it allows us to see this life in a whole different way, allowing God to lead us and be there for us. The benefits of eternal living are so much better. :-)

Love Steph

Honeymoon Phase...

Less daunting as team

You, unlikely king by my side

And me, so much better for trusting you

My hand over your heart

While you keep hindrances at bay

Color me surprised by how our union saves the day

Over the weekend, I watched my new favorite movie, "The Prince Of Persia," where I heard these words to the song that Allanis Morisett wrote called "I Remain". This song, along with going to a wedding shower this last weekend and having to write advice to the new bride, made me think of Psalm 45 again (I read it all the time. :-)) and marriages.

I am sure you have all heard or been told, "enjoy the honeymoon phase while it lasts." Why do people say that to young couples? (Drives me crazy) Who is to say the honeymoon phase can't last all the days of your life together? It can and if you allow it, the honeymoon phase will last forever. That is my advice to young couples, live your marriage out like a constant honeymoon, cherishing your love for each other, treasure the gift God has given you, and keep God as the center of your lives. Speaking to the ladies, as Zach taught let your husband be the hero (play the roll of Jesus) in the epic movie of your life and you be the love of his life (playing the role of the church). "For your royal husband delights in your beauty; honor him, for he is your Lord." Psalm 45:11

I feel so blessed to not only be married to the most amazing man, but to also be surrounded by wonderful women who feel the same way about their own husbands. I pray that never ceases. I pray for this to grow in others beyond those around us. Let us, let the world know and teach by our actions of honoring our husbands and living the honeymoon forever. Let the honeymoon phase be our whole life here on earth with our wonderful husbands, our Kings whom we trust. Who knows what God has planned for each of us, but like the lyrics of the song say, together with God, your union might one day save the day.

Love Steph