"What Do You Want?" By Debra Courtney

Photo Courtesy: havencaraliers.com

“She was quick: “You’re right Master, but beggar dogs do get scraps from the master’s table”. Matt. 15:27.” MSG

A surplus of leftovers was stacked in the fridge. So precariously, in fact, my thoughts of unpacking the milk for morning tea caused me to settle for yogurt and granola. I had no time to risk the probable avalanche, nor the energy to rearrange before my first cup of tea kicked in.

Like last year as I pushed back from a Christmas Buffet laden with ham, turkey and all the trimmings, etc… I vowed never to eat again. Yet, before the dawn’s early light had broken and with only the light of the refrigerator piercing the morning, my bleary-eyed glimpse of sliced turkey and some persimmon pudding caused me to eagerly anticipate my next meal.

Leftovers are rarely considered choice fare. But, for the Canaanite woman, seen only as a “dog” and deemed unworthy of anything more, even leftovers were desirable.

Desperation regarding her daughter’s illness seized her soul as she pushed past the self-righteous glares of the crowd and fell humbly at the feet of the Master.

Jesus sat silent. (Reading this to myself I am thinking that Jesus is saying to himself, hum; I’ll see what she “says” first before I make a comment.)   

A sense of smugness must have engulfed the disciples as Jesus’ initial reaction appeared to validate their deeply embedded beliefs of superiority. Little did they know, a few “incisive words” from Jesus would quickly extract their shallow roots.

Undaunted by Jesus’ alleged indifference, the Canaanite women voiced her unwavering hope.

Jesus gave in. “Oh woman, your faith is something else. What you want is what you get!” Right then her daughter became well. Vs 28.MSG

Jesus came to save the pharisaical community; yet most blindly looked on in self-righteous indignation. In contrast, the outcast woman believed even a single word or touch from the Master would be enough to restore her daughter’s life.

This morning, as I munch on my yogurt and granola with an abundance of food piled high in my fridge, I question if I take for granted all I have while feeling entitled to more. Do I humbly receive whatever God desires to give me, knowing that even the scraps from his hand will bring more healing to my body than the surplus of leftovers stacked in my fridge?

It is not what we receive, but the spirit with which we receive that brings the results we desire, and the surplus sounds of Thanksgiving our Master longs to hear.

This New Year, give God thanks and share from your place of abundance with those around you.

Debra’s life goal is to inspire and motivate women globally to become all they have been created and designed to be by using the guiding principles of their Creator’s word in gaining wisdom, understanding their designed-given personality identities & create their purpose!  You can contact Debra at dwcscc@yahoo.com.

What breaks your heart? - by @ShelleyHendrix

Another new year is upon us and folks are making (and breaking) their resolutions, choosing their "one word" focus for the year (what's yours?), getting sore from working out for the first time in a while,  and trying to remember to write 2016 instead of 2015. (I'll probably get this one write sometime in April.)

As we all enter into this new year, and new season of our lives, I wanted to share a little something I wrote a few months back, but one that bears repeating.

Andy Stanley, in his teaching series entitled "Re:Solution" asked a powerful question when he asked, "What breaks your heart?"

The point of the question is this: You were designed by your Heavenly Father who has given you unique gifts, talents, experiences, etc. and when He did, He also designed you for the purpose He placed you here at this time in history to fulfill. (Sounds kind of like this book, On Purpose For a Purpose which you may have heard of. #ShamelessPlug)

What breaks your heart is tied directly to your calling.

Does human trafficking and slavery break your heart the most?

Does social injustice break your heart the most?

Does seeing children struggling in poverty break your heart the most?

Does the decline of healthy marriages and families break your heart the most?

Does domestic violence break your heart the most?

Does lack of medical care to those most in need break your heart?

Obviously, these are all tough, tough issues in our world today, and our hearts break with each one. We know that none of us can do everything. We also know that all of us can do something. So, what is it that breaks your heart the most? Perhaps it is something not even listed above.

As Andy asked this question, and as I considered the past decade of my life in full-time ministry, it became so clear to me that what breaks my heart the most is ...

Seeing people remain in shackles that keep them from the abundant life Jesus came to offer. This enslavement shows up in the the following ways:

People striving so hard to experience freedom through their self effort to please God..

Husbands and wives trying so hard to make marriage work in their own power...

Parents living with shame and guilt over what their children choose...

Children grasping to find acceptance from parents who never can never be pleased...

Family members estranged from one another over past offenses...

Pastors or other Christian leaders using shame and guilt to motivate change from those sitting in their services, reading their books, or attending their conferences...

Men, women, adolescents and even children in bondage to addictive behaviors, substances or acts.

When it all comes down to it, I realize what breaks my heart the most is seeing people live with the heavy shackles of legalism disguised as "Sold-Out" New Testament Christianity. That's what breaks my heart.

But what gives me HOPE in the heartbreak is the awareness that through Christ in Shelley, I can be a carrier of light and life into the world. I can be a voice of grace and truth to my generation. I can be a teachable student on a journey who invites others to join me.

Being self-aware enough to know what breaks our hearts can help us when we're trying to determine our next step, our next move, our next project, or perhaps the next blog post. 

Becoming aware of what truly breaks our hearts can also lead us to the hope we can offer others whose hearts are broken as they live through the experiences that break yours. 

I encourage you to take some time to reflect on this question and articulate what breaks your heart the most, but don't stop there! Once you've written these down, consider the hope you can now offer through your life - vocationally and relationally - to those who need you and are waiting for you to show up in their lives.

This post is also featured here and is used in both places with permission.

A New Thing by @emilylaney

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. – Isaiah 43:19

Happy (almost) new year Church 4 Chicks sisters! 2014 is drawing to a close, and it’s time to usher in a new year, a new season, a fresh start. Change can be a very good thing. It can also be a bit stretching and painful.

I find that the closing of a year is an excellent time to reflect. I find myself thinking back on the previous twelve months, remembering the good times and pondering the significance of the difficult moments. When I look back on the moments of difficulty I see tremendous growth. For example, this year I was given a three month assignment at work that seemed nearly impossible. But I knew that God had placed that assignment in my life for a season and for a purpose, so I dove in and did the best I could. It was exhausting and difficult, but I made it through, and four months later I’m still seeing the fruits of that season, and I’m still learning different ways God used the many moments of stress in my life.

There were many amazing moments of 2014 as well. I’ve recently been reflecting on the blessings of God. There are areas of my life that aren’t exactly what I thought they’d be at this age (I’m almost 30, gulp!). But even when we find ourselves in a place we didn’t expect, God is still working, and there is still so much going on behind the scenes we can’t even comprehend. 

It reminds me of Habakuk 1:5: “Look upon the nations watch, and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” We just have to sit back and watch, and act in obedience when God calls us to new things.

So in this new year, this new upcoming season, I’m going to take some time to sit, reflect, and ponder what God has done, and what He’s going to do. I’d encourage you to join me. Just as the closing of the year is a time to reflect, the coming of a new year is a time to refocus. 

I’m not really talking about new years resolutions, but spiritual renewal. It’s an amazing time to reflect on blessings and refocus our attention to the Lord. It’s an opportunity to list the amazing things God has done and pray that we’d be open to opportunities to do big things for Him in the coming year. And it’s an opportunity to remember the painful moments and look ahead towards opportunities for us to use those moments of growth to pour into others. Our stories, our personal experiences, God wants to use all of those to further His kingdom and His purposes.

God is doing a new thing! I’m praying we can discern and be aware of how He wants to use each of us in this new year.

Emily Laney is a social worker, educator, and justice seeker.  She has worked with vulnerable populations in the United States and abroad and loves to help startup nonprofits reach their goals.  She is a Passion City Church door holder and leads a team of abolitionists at Not for Sale Georgia.   She loves her husband Brent and their rescue pup Biscuit. Sunsets and Sushi make her happy.

You can connect with Emily on twitter @emilylaney or on her blog www.emilylaney.com