Lessons Learned in the Pond By Cheryl Laurenza

I don’t mean to say I am perfect. I haven’t learned all I should even yet, but I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ saved me for and wants me to be.

13 No, dear brothers, I am still not all I should be, but I am bringing all my energies to bear on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God is calling us up to heaven because of what Christ Jesus did for us.

Philippians 3:12-14 TLB

Hey Ladies. I hope you are enjoying Spring time. Here in NH it is gorgeous after such a harsh and loooonnngg Winter. I want to share some thoughts I've had as I kayak around the pond.

I love kayaking, the serenity, the fresh air, me and the dog, time with God and his creation. We have a couple of Beavers that I watch from time to time. When something or someone breaks up the dam and water starts to leak out, these amazing creatures jump into action - actually, they don't jump, they seem to remain calm and  just continue on diligently fixing the leaks.

Here's how it works :

*Leak detected

*Investigate situation, assess damage and what needs to happen
*Gather help, and sticks, lots of sticks, and mud
*Together repair the spot making sure it is water tight, leaving no room for danger
*Go back to work cutting down trees, monitoring home, continuing to do what they are created to do, steadfast

For us, it would be a good take away to remember not only the steps, but the overall position of the beaver. They may become alert to a serious threat, be concerned, yet they don't freak out, remain calm, trusting their friends, being diligent in doing what they were created to do, and moving forward. They are responsible, hard working, and vigilant.

In Christ, we are equipped to do the same.

Blessings

Cheryl Laurenza, LPC, LCMHC
For more information on aloneness in marriage or otherwise, check out Center For Relational Care out of Austin, TX or contact me via email.
calaurenza@comcast.net
www.refugecounselingcenter.org

True Freedom is Spent on Others by Cheryl Laurenza

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

Galatians 5:13-15

True Freedom is Spent on Others

Been thinking about this recently, what does it mean to be truly "free"? Being from Massachusetts originally, and now living back in New Hampshire after a long stay in the Southeast, it comes to mind often. This is the land of Patriots (not the football team, though go Pats!"), Minutemen, Paul Revere, Concord and Lexington, and many battles for Independence.  In Christ, the battle has been won, yet we must walk in the position he purchased for us, not for our own benefits, though there are many, but to bring the greatest of gifts to others.  These brave souls back more than 300 years ago didn't just fight for their own benefit, as many never realized them, but their blood paid the price for what we now enjoy. We have to be mindful and watchful so as not to lose so great a heritage that others paid the highest price for. How much more shall we also give our lives for others in the context of what God has done for them?

I've spent a good portion of my life working with the brokenness of others, seeking and collaborating with them, God and others for their release from the bondage of many things, and I believe we are called to this, and yet it is not the highest goal. Dr. Larry Crabb often writes on this as "First and Second Things." As I look forward I want to continue the work he has for me as far as being a counselor, yet I want to be more focused on their need, your need to accept Christ's amazing gift that cost his life, not on the lesser things that we all chase after thinking that this will be what finally makes me .....I am not saying your present struggles don't matter, beloved they do matter to me, to God, yet he desires your heart to seek him only, for us to serve him to bring others, to have that type of camaraderie within the ranks that this will be a sign to others, our love for one another, and pointing to him.

Walk in the freedom and the strength of our patriots and move out and take ground, and defend that which we have inherited!!! It's not just about us

 

Cheryl Laurenza, LCMHC, LPC, NCC

The Refuge Counseling Center, LLC

155 Main Street

Salem, NH 03079

678-693-2281

www.refugecounselingcenter.org

Part 1 of 2. Expectations vs True Needs

Habakkuk 3:17-19 Though the fig tree should not blossom,

nor fruit be on the vines,

the produce of the olive fail

and the fields yield no food,

the flock be cut off from the fold

and there be no herd in the stalls,

yet I will rejoice in the Lord;

I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

God, the Lord, is my strength;

he makes my feet like the deer's;

he makes me tread on my high places.

This sounds a lot like 

Job 13:15New American Standard Bible (NASB)

15 “Though He slay me,
I will hope in Him.
Nevertheless I will argue my ways [a]before Him.

I know this is not a typical Christmas Eve type of post, it will be in 2 parts, today and the 26th. Yet given the state of our nation, what we see in consumerism all around us, and in the media urging us to buy this or that, stand in lines for hours, or fight with others to obtain a treasure we believe we cannot live without, it does seem timely.

There is nothing wrong with celebrating, giving gifts, or enjoying the season. It seems though as Christians, we may have lost our focus a bit. I am all about grace and freedom in Christ, but I find it hard to understand what passes for devotion at this most blessed time of year. Folks, if He had not given the ultimate gift, where would we be? What possible hope for the future could we have? It would make sense then to indulge and run around trying to fill ourselves up externally if this life was all there was. It may be my age, or life experiences, yet I believe we only give a perfunctory glance at the Manger in our lives. 

What if our lives our not working out? We thought we would be in a better place by now? What if there is divorce, unemployment, loss, pain and suffering? Are we to give up and conclude God has abandoned us or despair and assume He is only a myth? 

Friends I know what all of these feel like. Life can be hard, the  pain all too real, yet we are not alone, God made sure of that. So as the above verses say, we of course feel the pain and loss, we struggle and process, it's ok to feel it all, yet we must, by faith agree with the writers and praise Him, trust when we cannot see, and cling tightly to His hand because He never let's go and He sees us and loves us.

So of course give gifts and enjoy the celebration of life, after  all it is His birthday. Be ready to share this most precious and costly gift with your family and friends. We have been given so much and so we give much. 

God came to Earth as a helpless baby, born of NO station, and lived his life among us so that He might know us intimately, and show us the way, and give us the best hope ever.  Check out One Passion, One Devotion by Kim Walker Smith from Jesus Culture, it will bless you.

Merry and Blessed Christmas,  🎄

Cheryl Laurenza, LPC, LCMHC
For more information on aloneness in marriage or otherwise, check out Center For Relational Care out of Austin, TX or contact me via email.
calaurenza@comcast.net
www.refugecounselingcenter.org