No Condemnation

Posted on September 28, 2012 by dyuhas48

Image by Diane Yuhas

The Verse: ”There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1-2).

The Song: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus will set you free, from the law of sin and death. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

The Video: Video by Don Moen

The Life: I can’t live by my feelings, but I must live by the truth. There is no condemnation for me because I am in Christ Jesus. There is no condemnation for you if you are in Christ Jesus. Are you in?

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Memo: What’s Your Jig?

Posted on September 22, 2012 by dyuhas48

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MEMO

To: God

From: Me

Re: Those not-very-scary scary movies I’ve been watching; the ones I’ve seen a million times and are like old friends to me.

Are they really so bad, Lord? I would like some peace about this.

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REPLY TO MEMO

To: Diane

From: God

Re: Those not-very-scary scary movies you’ve watched so many times that you’ve become desensitized to the horror.

Let me answer you in a dream.

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MEMO

To: All Of You Out There With Ears To Hear

From: Diane

Re: The dream

I saw myself trying to clean up an enormous mess of maggots and filth under the floorboards of my house. No matter how well I swept or mopped, I only succeeded in spreading the muck and death around.

Conclusion: The jig is up. Yes, they are that bad and I must exchange death for life.

What’s your jig?

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you” (Philippians 4:8-9).

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Simple. Beautiful. Useful.

Posted on September 12, 2012 by dyuhas48

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“Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” – William Morris.

Simple. Beautiful. Useful.

A mantra for the home, but even more so for our lives.

I’ve been ruthlessly de-cluttering my home over the past month, ending the season with a priced-to-go garage sale. And I’m still not done. I’ve cleaned out the garage, mudroom and spare room, and now, as summer turns to fall, I’m knee-deep in sweaters as I decide what to hang and what to thrift.

We can de-clutter our lives as well as our homes. What takes up too much space in your life? Multiple commitments? Habitual busyness? TV or the internet? Get rid of the excess and stick to the essentials. Keep to the mantra. The result is freeing. With less junk in our lives, we hear and see more of God. What began with your home goes on to become a kind of spiritual cleansing.

“Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?
Who may stand in his holy place?
The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not trust in an idol
or swear by a false god” (Psalm 24:3-4).

Simple. Beautiful. Useful. Lord, let us be so. Amen.

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The Pith Of 50 Years

Posted on August 27, 2012 by dyuhas48

I turned fifty this year. Half a century old. I’ve learnt a few things on the way. Enjoy the pith.

Love God with your whole being; show it by loving others as you love yourself.
Stop talking about yourself all the time. It’s boring.
The best gift you can give anyone- child, elder, friend, or colleague- is your time and attention.
Train up your children in the way they should go, not in the way you wished you went.
Develop the habit of positivity; nobody wants to listen to you grumble and complain all day.
The key to success is to find what you love to do and do it. If you can’t make a living from it, then get a job that pays the bills while still affording time to do what you love.
The key to the good life isn’t working longer and harder to make more money; the key is to downsize your lifestyle.
It really does take two to tango. Apply this to your relationships.
Goals are good, but they’re not your whole life. Live fully where you’re at now.
Maturity takes a lifetime; perfection is defined by God.
As far as it depends on you, get rid of the stress in your life. Really.
Drive the speed limit; it is so much less stressful and certainly far less dangerous. Do you really want to live the rest of your life knowing you killed somebody’s kid because you couldn’t be bothered to follow traffic laws?
Very few people are really excellent drivers; it is highly unlikely that you’re one of them. Drive more carefully.
There are no limits in forgiveness. Just do it, again and again, as often as needs be.
There is only one person you can change and that is you. There is only one person who can effect this change and that is God.
Your entire life and, indeed, your very being, was designed to worship God. Don’t waste yourself on anything less.
Life does not begin with getting married and having kids. Don’t make an idol out of it.
Develop contentment by choosing to ‘bloom where you’re planted’.
Even when all else actually does fail, God is still there.
People are in your life but for a season; enjoy them, but hold on loosely.
Live your life according to what will mean the most to you on your deathbed. Hint: It won’t be a clean house or a sports car.

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Know What The Lord Requires

Posted on August 18, 2012 by dyuhas48

Photo by Diane Yuhas (dyuhas62)

God: ”I have listened attentively, but they do not say what is right. None of them repent of their wickedness, saying, “What have I done?” Each pursues their own course like a horse charging into battle. Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons, and the dove, the swift and the thrush observe the time of their migration. But my people do not know the requirements of the Lord” (Jeremiah 8:6-7).

Jeremiah: ”You who are my Comforter in sorrow, my heart is faint within me. Listen to the cry of my people from a land far away: ’Is the Lord not in Zion? Is her King no longer there?’”

God: “Why have they aroused my anger with their images, with their worthless foreign idols?”

Jeremiah:“The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved. Since my people are crushed, I am crushed; I mourn, and horror grips me. Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people?” (Jeremiah 8:18-22).

God: ”This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it” (Isaiah 30:15). ”He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).

Photo by Diane Yuhas (dyuhas62)

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Thy Will Be Done

Posted on July 30, 2012 by dyuhas48

Sunflowers. Photo by Diane Yuhas.

Got dreams?

Something wonderful and good and godly? You’ve longed for its fulfillment as far back as you can remember. Maybe it’s a family, a marriage partner or a child of your own? Perhaps you dream of health and healing, deliverance, or the power and opportunity to change a piece of the world?

You pray about your dream again and again, yet your prayers seem to fall on deaf ears. You’ve journaled about it, cried about it, given it up to God and taken it back again. You’ve tried to bargain with God, but He’s not buying. You persevere in prayer, yet He remains maddeningly silent. You’re frustrated, angry, and despairing. You feel like you’ve done your part, so why won’t He do his?

“With God, all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

You know God is able. But there are no magic words that will force His hand to do your will.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Do you believe that? I mean, really believe that He works ALL THINGS for our good? Even when He seemingly denies your heart’s desire? There are those things He gives you and those He does not.

“Your will be done” (Matthew 6:10).

Can you pray that with contentment? What if He leaves your dream in the dustbin and never brings it to pass? Or, what if He does, but takes it away again a short time later? Can you proclaim the following with your whole heart?

“Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15).

THIS is the stuff of faith. God requires that we trust and obey no matter what. Do not cling to any dream or desire, but cling to Christ alone. A life of surrender may or may not include the stuff of our dreams. You must be willing to live without it. Trust God to give you what you need. Persevere in prayer, but be willing to hear Him say no. Then get up and go live, fully live, the life He gives you.

Father, create in us a clean heart that desires Christ above all else. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

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The Confession Of Amy Carmichael

Posted on July 28, 2012 by dyuhas48

Photo by Diane Yuhas, http://dianeyuhas.com

“My vow. Whatsoever Thou sayest unto me, by Thy grace I will do it.

‘My constraint. Thy love, O Christ, my Lord.

‘My confidence. Thou art able to keep that which I have committed unto Thee.

‘My joy. To do Thy will, O God.

‘My discipline. That which I would not choose, but which Thy love appoints.

‘My prayer. Conform my will to Thine.

‘My Motto. Love to live, live to love.

‘My Portion. The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance.

‘Teach us, good Lord, to serve Thee as Thou deservest; to give and not to count the cost; to fight and not to heed the wounds; to toil and not to seek for rest; to labor and not to ask for any reward save that of knowing that we do Thy will, O Lord our God.’”

-Amy Carmichael, Confession of the Sisters of the Common Life. India, circa 1916. Source for this quotation: A Chance to Die: The Life And Legacy Of Amy Carmichael by Elisabeth Elliot. 1987:Revell, Grand Rapids, Michigan, pp 239-242 (ch. 30).

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12 Ways To Move From Regret To Rejoicing

Posted on July 24, 2012 by dyuhas48

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I know you regret some of the choices you’ve made in life. Haven’t we all?

We sin and are embarrassed by it. Not wanting our sin to be exposed, we try to dig a hole deep enough to hide it. Sometimes we manage to secret it away for lifetime, yet God’s Word says, “you may be sure that your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23b). Whether we have sinned secretly or in full view of the public eye, peace eludes us; regret happens.

Let it not be the epitaph on our graves, “She chose poorly.”

Instead, Let us be like David who, when confronted with his monstrous sin, chose well and moved from regret to rejoicing. His response is found in Psalm 51.

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My online friend, Sharon Rose Gibson wrote about Psalm 51 for an online Bible study of which we are both participants. You may also read about it here.

Psalm 51:
“When David was confronted with the way he handled the situation, he could no longer deny his sin. He gives us an amazing model to follow on how to handle our shortcomings, mistakes and sins.

12 Ways David demonstrates to move from regret and to making better choices.

1. He prayed. He immediately went to God to talk about what happened.

2. He asked for mercy. He threw Himself fully on the mercy of God. He called on the unfailing love and compassion of God. He reached out for those qualities in God.

3. He asked for his transgressions to be blotted out and to be washed away, cleansed. He wanted to be rid of the things in him which caused him to hurt others and himself because of his sin.

4. He took responsibility. He admitted that he sinned against God and had done evil. He grieves as he declares, “Against you alone have I sinned.” He knew He had broken God’s law of love, consideration and respect of the rights of another human being.

5. He recognized that God was right in His verdict and has the right to judge. God alone has the right to judge, not a culture, society or a belief system.

6. He acknowledged his inherent tendency to do wrong from birth, that he inherited a sin nature. This is an acknowledgement that he could not save himself and a recognition that he needed help.

7. David knew that God wanted him to know truth in his inner being and asked for God to give him wisdom in his inmost being. He knew as Proverbs says that wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men.

8. He entreated God to create in him, a pure and a clean heart. He recognized that He could not do this on his own but that God could. He recognized that God had the ability clean his heart of wrongdoing and David asked for it. He recognizes that God is the only one who can cleanse Him from his guilt of blood shed. Jesus Christ is the one who took the punishment for our sins by shedding His blood on the cross.

9. He acknowledges that he cannot make sacrifices which will make up for his sin. There is nothing he can do to perform or make up for it. David’s sacrifice is his brokenness and a contrite humble, spirit. He knows that is pleasing to God and He will not despise it. Psalm 34 says He is close to the broken hearted.

10. David asked to be restored to joy and gladness. Sin robs you of joy. David asked for the joy of his salvation to be restored and for God to give him a willing spirit. A willing spirit replaces the rebellious spirit which caused him to sin.

11. David commits to not only be cleansed himself but then to also teach other transgressors God’s ways. He recognized that his salvation, forgiveness and cleansing from God is not only for himself but so he can help others as well.

12. Then David declares he will sing of God’s righteousness and that he will praise Him.

When we follow this pattern and we move from stuck in regret to victory and a restored relationship with God . Not only that we will have the opportunity to redeem our mistakes and sins by helping others find their way.” -Sharon Rose Gibson

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How will you respond to the undisclosed sin in your life? Will you regret or rejoice?

Father, teach us your ways that we may run in the path of your commands. Amen.

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Posted Fields

Posted on July 1, 2012 by dyuhas48

I sing for joy on these sunny, summer days.

In sweet breeze, green grass, and blue sky without haze.

By fields, fresh with flowers, weeds to a few,

My heart praises God, and I long to walk through.

Alas, posted fields! Woe is me; life is hard.

Seems I’ll have to stay in my own sweet backyard.

Photo Credit: Diane Yuhas

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A Heart Of Flesh For A Heart Of Stone

Posted on June 21, 2012 by dyuhas48

Ma’s old, handmade apron

I used to wonder what good God could possibly make of my mom’s Alzheimer’s. With her mind in a constant fog, she can do nothing. In the world’s eyes, she is useless, a burden, and a weak link in the chain of humanity. People like her are costly, in time, money and lives. Caregivers burn out, nursing homes overflow, and families are left bankrupt by the expense. Where is the good in that?

In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28, emphasis mine).

According to this verse, God works for our good during healthy, happy times as well as the poor, sick, and painful and every time in between. In all things He works for our good. Do I believe this? Absolutely. Do you?

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1).

I don’t always see the good God is working, yet I trust Him. Even though he does not explain all things to us, God is good (all the time). In fact, his goodness is often best revealed during times of suffering. As for me and my mom, God is currently working good within the burden of dementia. While I cannot speak for my mom, I know that In my case, had I not returned home to care for her I would not have recognized the degree of selfishness and pride harbored within me.

For most of my adult life, I’ve lived alone. There isn’t much need for personal sacrifice when one has sole control of the remote. I did what I wanted when I wanted and if I didn’t feel like it, it didn’t get done. Except at work, I needed to consider no one’s feelings but my own. It was very easy to get used to life being all about me, but this preoccupation with myself bred tremendous selfishness and a certain pride of independence. I sat on the throne of my heart and didn’t even know it; there was no one to challenge me. Except God. And God had other plans for my cold, selfish heart.

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26).

It seemed logical that in coming home to care for my mom, I should be in charge. After all, my brain works better than hers. She shouldn’t fight me because I know what’s best, right? She should simply do as I say. Yet here I am working hard to take good care of her and all she does is argue with me again and again. If I say something is black, she insists it’s white and says I’m lying. She takes credit for the work I do and then implies that I don’t know what I’m doing. Grrr. For all her dementia, she sure knows how to push my buttons!

But love “does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs” (1 Corinthians 13:5). In my anger I must not sin (Ephesians 4:25). Instead, I must “get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice (Ephesians 4:31). As the one with the working brain, it is my responsibility to set the tone of our home and life together. I must be the one to stop fighting.

Relationships have a way of revealing the nature of the ~~beast~~ heart. Were it not for this new heart of flesh, I would not have noticed that old, hard heart of stone and its desire to dominate and demand homage.

But I can do nothing of lasting change. Jesus said, “Apart from me, you can do nothing” (John 15:5). I can’t just make up my mind to stop arguing. That wouldn’t last until dinnertime. Sinful habits like incessant bickering, grumbling, and complaining must be replaced with new and better habits. This requires a consistent, daily dependence on God in which I choose, moment by moment, to not only restrain my tongue, but instead use it for praise and giving grateful thanks for my mom, because God is using her to help me just as surely he is using me to help her.

I must “fix [my] eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of [my] faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). It is through faith and obedience that this new heart of flesh progressively realizes the profound grace and mercy of God.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters…” (Romans 8:28-29).

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