Wading in Lukewarm Waters

I find myself in a cross roads.  A place where I am seeking to hear God.  But there is silence.  I hear nothing.  I pray.  I read.  I worship.  I quiet my life. And yet, I hear nothing.  It is in these times that I struggle.  I am seeking, truly.  I’m at a now what stage?  I find myself in more personal conflict, as I focus my living on Christlikeness.  Likely because I know the difference and can feel the convictions, where as before my intentional living; I was ignorant or passive.  But why, when I am seeking God so intensely; does He not answer my cries.  As I discovered through reading; I am a lukewarm Christian.  A term very applicable to me and I’m sure other may feel the same way.  I can seek God, as intentionally as I like; but if I’m only offering Him lukewarm – lukewarm response it what I will get in return.  I read a very interesting point regarding lukewarm Christian living and I have realized that I am living too comfortably.  Too complacent.  I’m afraid of radical.  I’m afraid of solely, wholeheartedly putting my faith and trust in God to provide.  I contribute to retirement savings.  We have an emergency fund. We work hard to pay off our mortgage.  We tithe.  We donate.  But, I have not trusted God in His holiness to truly provide for my every need.  I am trusting myself.  And this lukewarm living is not allowing God to speak to me.  I don’t know what this radical Christian life I desire to live looks like.  Quite honestly it excites and frightens me all at the same time.  I want to live a life full of joy and giving.  Full of love for others and touching their lives.  A life, where my children know God and his glory.  A life where we truly know we are blessed.  A life where I NEED God and know that without Him I am empty.  I pray for that guidance from the Holy Spirit.

“Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord.  And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.  The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.”  

Mark 12:29-31

What a reminder this is for me.  I seek God; but am I really loving God with ALL my heart and ALL my soul and ALL my mind and All my strength.  What does this look like?  Do you feel this same way?  Do you search and pursue God and come up feeling distance and ignored.  Do you feel abandoned?

I pray for a radical change in direction for my life. I pray for a radical change in yours.  I want so badly to walk hand in hand with God, but I need to commit to Him and be willing to give Him everything.

Blessings, Michelle

rustic. Quiet. soulfuel.

It’s amazing how fueled your soul becomes when you unplug, disconnect from the everyday and spend some time in nature.  The beauty of it all.  The breeze.  The sunshine on your face.  The rustling of branches.  The crisp smell.  The sunset.  The cool air as it kisses your cheeks and nose.  The peace.  The stillness.  The crackle of the fire.  The scent of burning timber.  The warmth of wood heat.  The pitter-patter of little feet.  





As I sat, eyes closed, with the sun, breeze, crisp air and peacefulness surrounding me; I was reminded of how happy I am on this journey.  This journey with God.  How I can hear Him more during intentional quieting of life.  That it’s so rewarding.  I’ve been reading so much lately about growing in Christ and about the joy of solitude and silence.  About listening more and speaking less.  

I’m so very thankful to have our rustic, little cabin to escape to, to refuel our souls, quiet ourselves with God and teach our children the need for these experiences in our life.

Blessings, Michelle 



~ The Blaze of an Untamed Tongue ~

As women we find comfort in having a few very dear friends, with whom we find encouraging to confide in and discuss troubles, hurts and pain.  This is my struggle.  My conviction.  The very fine line between discussion for advice and gossip is paper thin.  As I’ve noticed in my own life, I have been hurt very deeply by words, assumptions and gossip.  But God has recently opened my eyes and shown me that my reaction to this pain; confiding in my very close girlfriends to process these hurts; it exactly the same behavior that created resentment and distrust in my heart.  Our words, once spoken, cannot be withdrawn.  And the fury of the fire of words once spoken cannot be contained.  Even though our intention is support or advice, when the words we speak are not kind.  Or not necessary.  Or not uplifting someone else.  It is gossip.  There are so many elements to proper Christlike speech, we have to ask ourselves despite our need for consult; can we just simply give these hurts to God.  The untamed tongue speaks gossip, cursing, bragging, lies, flattery, discouraging words to others, and manipulation.  It may feel like simple conversation, but is it necessary?  Imagine a conversation that did not include words of an untamed tongue, how uplifting and positive that would be.  From my experience the distance I feel between God and I, when I indulge my untamed tongue, is very obviously.  I have not given my hurts to God and am not trusting Him to mend my broken spirit.  Buried resentment and hurt creates a void in your relationship with God.  Are you experiencing this yourself?

“The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” Proverbs 19:21

I’ve noticed that with motherhood; especially, there is so much comparison and judging.  As mothers, as women, we should be encouraging and positive.  We should be honest and truthful.  We should be loving and helpful.  Be shouldn’t be criticizing one another.  We are doing the best we can.  We all have the best of intentions with our children.  Our homes. Our husbands.  Ourselves.  Our Christian walk.  Yet we resort to discouraging words.  Why? Satan.  When our speech is motivated by Satan our words are those of jealousy, selfishness, pride, personal ambition, hurtful thoughts and worldly desires.  We need God’s help to speak words of peace, love, patience, genuineness, and truthfulness.

“Gentle words are the tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit” Proverbs 15:4

It is difficult to gain absolute, perfect control of our tongues, but with the help of the Holy Spirit in our lives we can learn self-control.  The Holy Spirit will remind us in times when we are hurt or offended, that God’s love for us can heal those hurts and help us to practice self-control and not lash out with unkind words.

I pray for you.  I pray for peace and gentleness in your thoughts and words.  I pray that God will help me practice self-control with my words and reactions.  I pray that we would all find our strength in God and allow the Holy Spirit to work in us to speak words of encouragement.  To speak loving words, kinds words.

“If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself; and your religion is worthless.” James 1:26