Gift

This is the perfect time of year to be thinking about gift giving. There are so many opportunities or obligations depending on how you look at it: Toy drives, food drives, clothes drives, work/church/friends Christmas parties. December is a month where we give, and receive, to the point of excess. If we are also honest with ourselves there is also that feeling like you have to reciprocate if someone buys you a gift you didn’t expect.  

I’m going to be the first to admit that I get weary of all the giving. I dread Christmas parties because it can take a toll on the finances and it can be hard to know what to buy for. At this moment, I know of at least 3 gift giving obligations in the next 3 weeks and honestly, I’m not all that excited about receiving the gifts. I do look forward to the looks on the faces who receive my gifts and hope that they are excited. But what I really look forward to is being with friends and having the time to sit down and hang out. If it’s with a mug of coffee/tea/hot cocoa and a blanket all the better! 

But you know what is wonderful about this time of year? It’s a time when we can reflect on the biggest gift that was ever given and cannot be repaid. In Romans 6:23 it says, 

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.” 

Last week Mary Swafford discussed the birth of Christ and how He came to die for our sins. But there is more to it. He came to both die for our sins and bring us eternal life with him and the Father.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
Isaiah 9:6-7

How do you repay two gifts like that? I know that the gift of forgiveness and life are items I can never hold or pay. And God will never ask us to pay him back. God only asks us to receive the gifts He has freely offered. 

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6

Have you given a thought to the gift God has freely offered? God has given you a gift that can be accepted all year long, whether it’s Christmas or not. His gift did not come wrapped in sparkling paper or bows, it didn’t come from the store or the re-gift closet. As you bustle about this Christmas season mull over the concept of the only truly free gift that counts. It came in the form of a baby boy born 2,000 years ago in the springtime in a town called Bethlehem. His name was and is still: Jesus. 

Bethany Thomas is the Publicity Coordinator and a contributing writer for Shaken & Stirred. She is a daughter of God, a wife, and a dog mom. When not writing for the blog, you are most likely to find her reading a fantasy novel or crafting at her home in Sapulpa, OK.

Photo by Erica Marsland Huynh on Unsplash

Modeling Forgiveness // Heather Dillingham

Asking for forgiveness is hard! Like really hard. Which is funny when you think about it. As children, one of the first things we learn is to ask for forgiveness.

But as adults, we push against the idea of becoming vulnerable, sometimes leaning on the preface of fear, but often stuck in our own pride.

This has never been more clear to me than it is now that I have a toddler who not only says what I say but does what I do.

If I yell at the dogs, she yells at the dogs. If I say a word I shouldn’t or respond poorly, she says a bad word, and the next time she is in a similar situation she responds exactly as I did.

It’s a constant reminder that I am incredibly flawed and that the way I show forgiveness affects more than just me. We are called as Christians to not only model forgiveness but to be willing to ask for it when we have messed up.

In these moments, it’s up to me as a mom and a Christian to apologize for the words and to ask for forgiveness for my actions. But in this flawed game of monkey-see-monkey-do, I am so thankful that God has given us the perfect model of forgiveness.

“Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”
Luke 23:34

At this moment, Jesus was literally being put to death. His clothes were picked apart like quality antiques at a garage sale. He was in pain, hurting, tired, and broken. And yet, He didn’t get angry or lose His cool. Instead, He requested that God forgive them.

This action gives me hope (and sometimes conviction) that this is the example I am supposed to be for my daughter and my family. That no matter how tired or hurt I feel, I can either choose to bless or curse my family with the way I respond.

God never said forgiveness was easy. In fact, He showed us a perfect example of how forgiving is NOT easy. But never-the-less, forgiveness is what He has called us each to do. Not only by forgiving others but by being willing to let go of the fear and pride in our hearts and ask for it when needed.

So how are you modeling forgiveness? Is there someone you need to forgive or do you need to ask for forgiveness? How has Christ’s example impacted how you may respond?

Heather is a contributing writer for Shaken & Stirred. She is a believer, a wife, and a mother to a wonderful (and sometimes crazy) toddler. She enjoys reading, playing video games, and listening to podcasts. She can usually be taking care of the home and playing on the floor with her daughter.

Photo by Paul Green on Unsplash

Pray Through Psalms

For the month of August, my inspiration for the blog was that we need to pray through the Psalms. I believe there are many of you that are familiar with this concept and that is perfect.  But for those that aren’t I just wanted to share why I love doing this:

1.      Focuses Prayer

2.      Allows God to speak

3.      Easily repeated

My ultimate prayer is that by going through the next 5 weeks you will be inspired to do this in your own quite time.

…

Psalm 119:129-136

Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.

Lord thank you for your Word. Thank you for giving us reminder after reminder of your faithfulness and love. Your words create light where darkness lived previously. God, I pray that you help us to not only remember your words but to help us to understand them. We thank you for the insight that we’ve received already in reading your word and wait anxiously for more.  

I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments. Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name.

God, I pray that you give us an insatiable craving for you and your presence. Father, help us to understand that we only need you. When we search and search for peace, it can only be found in your arms. Make your presence known in both the purposeful times and in the busy moments.   

Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. Redeem me from man’s oppression, that I may keep your precepts.

Lord, please just guide us in these troublesome times. Keep us safe from the enemy as he prowls around looking for openings in our lives. Set your angels around us and guard our minds from the lies of the deceiver. Jesus thank you for your sacrifice in dying for our sins and redeeming those who choose you, the Father, and the Holy Spirit.

Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes. My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law.

Father, please allow us to feel your presence. God help us to be like David and give us a longing to share your love with the people around us. Soften our hearts for those that are suffering and give us the courage and nudging to help.

Bethany Thomas is the Publicity Coordinator and a contributing writer for Shaken & Stirred. She is a daughter of God, a wife, and a dog mom. When not writing for the blog, you are most likely to find her reading a fantasy novel or crafting at her home in Sapulpa, OK.

 Photo by Jasmin Ne on Unsplash

Daring to Hope

My spare bedroom is a cluttered mess. Mostly because it has no purpose at the moment. When we first moved into our house it held unpacked boxes along with a spare queen size bed.  

Rachel, my little sister, moved in and out a couple of different times. The last time she ended up moving to California and we decided to get rid of the Queen bed. We had big plans to make the room into a “hangout” spot and bought a futon (because it can “become” a bed). We hooked up our Nintendo 64 and VCR to the TV and hung out in there for a couple of weeks. 

In 2020, around Easter, we kept 4 baby chicks in a storage tote, on a coffee table, in the spare room. It was very a dusty mess after that let me tell you (do not keep chickens in your house, just don’t. It took us a few months until they were big enough to move out and another month for me to clean that room up.  

There’s one item in that room that I haven’t even entertained the notion of changing. A white, three drawer, dresser. The kind with the little scalloped boarder on the sides and back, so you can put things on top without them falling off.  

We received this dresser from my sister-in-law in 2015 after Charles and I were married. She was done with it because her house was getting cluttered and she wanted to update the kids furniture. I thought it would make a great changing table. All you have to do is buy the little changing pad and set it on top… 

This year will mark our 7-year anniversary and the 5th year of our infertility journey.  

And to be truthful, we are starting to lose hope. There are many times that I’ve prayed for God to take away the yearning I feel whenever I see or hold a baby. To help me be content with my life as it is. And yet, I still dream about being a mom. And the wonderful gift there is in being called “mom”.  

I originally didn’t want to share this testimony because of the topic: “Daring to Hope”.  

Psalm 42:5-8NIV says,  

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? 
Why so disturbed within me?  
Put your hope in God,  
For I will yet praise him,  
My Savior and my God. 

My soul is downcast within me; 
Therefore I will remember you  
From the land of the Jordan,  
The heights of Hermon—from mount Mizar. 
Deep calls to deep  
In the roar of your waterfalls; 
All your waves and breakers 
Have swept over me. 

By day the Lord directs his love, 
at night his song is with me-- 
a prayer to the God of my life.” 

Like the Psalmist, we are in constant prayer and seeking God in our situation.  

We have wonderful friends and family who pray and have words of encouragement from God for us. But it is so painful to hope.    

To actively hope, is it put aside fears and disappointments. At the start of every new cycle I pray that this will be the time. I count out the months and imagine what it would be like to share good news with friends and family. I imagine what color I will paint the spare room and how weird it would be to not have it has a “shove it in and close the door” room. But then the day comes when I start my period: some months I can carry on just fine and others I'm a wreck.   

I personally feel that I must tell you all that I don’t have a profound revelation today for keeping grip of the hopes you all have. Since I’m still in my struggle the only advice I have today is “put your hope in God”. 

In Romans 5:3-5 it says,  

“…we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, Character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” 

Hope comes from God, which can only mean to me that I should continue to hold onto it. And gain comfort from what the word says even when the world says we should give up.  

I’m not the woman who buys the kids clothes in the hopes that a little snuggly body will soon wear them. I haven’t painted the spare room or picked out a rocking chair. I’m the woman who has three drawers with odds and ends in them because it represents a hope that one day my prayers will be answered, and I can fill those drawers with baby things that will be used. 

But when it’s hard to hope on your own, be daring, and place your hope with God. 

Bethany Thomas is the Publicity Coordinator and a contributing writer for Shaken & Stirred. She is a daughter of God, a wife, and a dog mom. When not writing for the blog, you are most likely to find her reading a fantasy novel or crafting at her home in Sapulpa, OK.

Photo by Tiago Bandeira on Unsplash

If I Perish // Sheila Dorris

“It all started when the royal officials at the king’s gate knelt down and paid honor to Haman, for the king had commanded this concerning him. But Mordecai would not kneel down or pay him honor.”
Esther 3:2

Esther’s Uncle Mordecai would not bow to Haman (a King’s official) and this infuriated the man. How dare anyone, let alone a Jew, snub him in such a way. Haman devised a plan to have all of the Jews be killed because of Mordecai’s slight.   

When Mordecai learned of this he reached out to Esther urging her to talk to the King to save the Jews.  Esther reminded Mordecai, the only way to speak to the King was to be called upon. If you were to even approach the King without being called upon it was certain death.   

Mordecai reminded Esther this position may be exactly why she was made to be Queen. Not to turn her back on her family, her people.

Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 

“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”
Esther 4:15-‬16 NIV

Esther was DARING in this action. For she had not been called on by the King in 30 days. Even if the King had seen her, he had to point his golden scepter toward her in order to speak. The odds were against her. But if she did not try her people would be slaughtered. Through her uncle Mordecai she called her people to FAST. To get right with God, to be granted favor, to pray that the King would be receptive since she, Esther, was obedient.

She was willing to risk her life for her people, and the only preparation she had was not eating or drinking for 3 days and praying. And yet nowhere do we see God replying to Esther’s prayer. The FAITH that it took to be able to risk everything, relying only on the promises of God passed down through the generations. That is truly amazing. 

Do you feel like Esther at times? Like your prayers have gone out into a void but you don’t know if they have been heard or will be answered? I bet you can think of many examples, but I bet if you look back on your prayers you will see where God was guiding you. Like Esther, we have to have a faith that we are willing to die for. 

As Christians we have one advantage that Esther did not. We have the honor of having the Holy Spirit live within us and helping to guide us in the direction that God wants us to go. I encourage you all, to start pursuing what has been put on your heart, start pursuing what you have fasted and prayed over and listen to the Holy Spirit’s nudges. Have a DARING faith like Esther. 

Sheila Dorris is the adoptive mother of three (now) adult children and is now enjoying being an empty nester. Sheila shares co-ownership of Mojo Merchandise, in downtown Sand Springs, with her best friend. Sheila has served and continues to serve in many areas at Church that Matters. Including: House Church, KTM, Access, Guest Services, and on the production team as a Live Stream Host. Sheila is famous for her sermon notes, taken each week as a guide for others on Facebook. This often starts conversations between those who may have questions about church or may just need to hear the sermon. She loves being silly and making people smile. If you see her, stop her and say "Hello".

Photo by Fa Barboza on Unsplash