Category Archives: God Stuff

April 9, 2008 · 7:00 am

So you had a bad day.


Let me be candid with you.  Sometimes I worry (as already established) that someone will blow my cover and everyone will know that I have days where I fall short, and I’m a far cry from a Christ-follower.  The cat will be out of the bag when you find out that sometimes I say the right things….you know, the faith things; then, I go home only to find that I’m trying to make myself believe those things.  I have days where I let stress affect me as a mom.   I have days where I struggle to “keep on the sunny side of life.”  Yesterday was one of those days.  Let’s run through the list of my thoughts and struggles yesterday.

·         My youngins know my buttons, and they pushed them.

·         I was disappointed….really disappointed. (Not with any person – but with circumstances.)

·         You know the whole “one with the spouse” thing? I was bearing some of my husband’s burdens.

·         The steps I have most recently taken have been ordered by the Lord….and I questioned them.

Pray.  Well, I did already.  I just didn’t pray with the usual fervor and faith with which I usually pray. 

So, I had a bad day.

Then, it happened.  I got into my car and one of my favorite songs was playing.  Suddenly I remembered the times in my life that were dark and He gave them light.  And, the disappointments began to fade.  Why? Because, I was reminded that no matter what – and as I have said before – no matter how messy life gets, God is good.  He is. 

So, I thought maybe these lyrics may minister to you….in case you have a bad day. 

How Can I Keep From Singing by Chris Tomlin

There is an endless song
Echoes in my soul
I hear the music ring

And though the storms may come
I am holding on
To the rock I cling

How can I keep from singing Your praise
How can I ever say enough
How amazing is Your love
How can I keep from shouting Your name
I know I am loved by the King
And it makes my heart want to sing

I will lift my eyes
In the darkest night
For I know my Savior lives

And I will walk with You
Knowing You’ll see me through
And sing the songs You give

I can sing in the troubled times
Sing when I win
I can sing when I lose my step
And fall down again
I can sing ’cause You pick me up
Sing ’cause You’re there
I can sing ’cause You hear me, Lord
When I call to You in prayer
I can sing with my last breath
Sing for I know
That I’ll sing with the angels
And the saints around the throne

So, at the end of the day, how can I keep from singing?

Jesus said, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

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April 7, 2008 · 7:00 am

What’s got you so worried?


My blogging friend, Cindy Beall, once wrote “worry is a four-letter word.”  This couldn’t ring more true for me.  I wish, oh how I wish, I could just cease all worry once and for all.  It doesn’t work that way for me.   Pastor Craig Groeschel of Lifechurch.tv once illustrated that we have two boxes:  the “God box” and the “Me box”.  Those things we have control over go into the “Me box”.  Everything else….those things we cannot control…..go into the “God box”.  Here’s the kicker:  the “God box” should be much larger than the “Me box”.  As a matter of fact, it should reach heights of biblical proportions.  Get it?  Biblical proportions?  Anyway, back to worry.

 I am really good at putting my “stuff” in the God box only to take it out when He chooses to keep me waiting.  Oh, please tell me I’m not the only one.  My worry has caused me do some really drastic things….and also reach some pretty ridiculous conclusions.  I thought I’d share a few.  WebMd.  Been there?  Don’t go.  I’ve turned headaches into brain tumors with only 2 weeks left to live.  Oh, and that pain in my chest?  Well, we all know where I must have taken that one.  Then, there are my children.  I do not go to bed most nights without checking in on my youngins just one more time.  And, I actually look to see that their little tummies are pumping up and down.  Can any other moms out there admit to similar obsessions?  Yes, yes, I see that hand.  Thank you, Sharon.  Let’s not stop here.  It would be wrong to omit the time that I called the emergency flight services to track my husband while he was flying home….then I had our local control tower contact Kris upon his approach into our home airport.  The message the controller gave him?  “Mr. Takle, you better call your wife as soon as you land.  You’re in trouble, Captain.”  For real.  Okay, so he wasn’t in trouble.  But, when I could no longer track his flight on our flight tracker system (as I always do), I, well, you know……I worried.  Drastic times call for drastic measures.  Can I get an Amen?

Matthew 6:34 says “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today”.  I have to be honest.  This doesn’t make me feel any better.  But this does:  6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 4:6-7)  Here, Paul is prescribing prayer, good thoughts, and gratitude as the cure for worry.  You see, when we pray and count our blessings, it puts our worries into perspective.  If you can do something about it, get busy.  If not, go to the God of peace in prayer.

What’s got you worried? 

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