Letting Go - The story of Caryn and Lindsay

Today my dear friend, Caryn, said her final goodbyes to her older sister, Lindsay.  Lindsay went to be with Jesus this last Friday after a strenuous battle with stomach and ovarian cancer. 

I first met Caryn in the summer of 2000 at Bradford Woods in Indiana.  Caryn has a heart of gold that is overflowing with love.  You couldn't help, but fall in love with her right away.  Bradford Woods is a camp for individuals with disabilities.  Caryn knew her way around that as her sister Lindsay had a mild form of mental retardation after a battle with brain cancer as a child.

Caryn and I have been close friends basically ever since (I have to thank Facebook for reconnecting us).  I never had the chance to meet Lindsay, but the way Caryn would talk about her I know we would have been great friends.  Caryn, loved talking to me about Lindsay;  how smart she was, what she liked to do, how funny she could be, how talented she was, and more.  It was a long time before I learned that Lindsay had a disability.  

These sweet sisters seemed to always be doing something over these past years and I know they loved every minute of it.  Caryn will surely cherish those moments and silly pictures.

I can't imagine the loss that Caryn feels.  I've cried for her and prayed for her and know that Jesus is with her and her family through all of this.  Lindsay found out about all the cancer at the end of March, she was put on hospice Friday morning and died Friday night around 11:45PM.  

One thing I know is that Lindsay was a blessing and her love will continue.  And this was only a temporary goodbye, as one day Jesus will call Caryn home and she will be reunited with her precious sister.

Thanks to all who sent encouraging and loving cards to Lindsay!  It was greatly appreciated!

OMG.....really?

Hi Everyone!

I must send out to all of you that is driving me crazy.  We see it via Facebook and Twitter; we hear it on television and in the movies; we even read it in the newspaper and magazines; but the worst situation I am aware of is Christians using OMG (aka. Oh My God) on a daily basis.

Some people have changed this statement into OMGosh, OMGracious, and OMGoodness.  I will admit to doing this myself.  I know people are really thinking I am saying OMG, when I am not.

Question 1: Is it g?
      *if you are saying "god," you are referring to a false god.  Here's what God says about this..."You shall have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20:3, ESV)

Question 2: Or is it G?
      *if you are saying "God," you are referring to the real, true God.  This is the God of your salvation.  When you say "OMG," here is what God says about this... "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain." (Exodus 20:7)

Folks the problem of saying OMG is out of context. 
  
Example No: "OMG Jill did you hear that Danny is taking Sarah to Prom.  Kat is going to blow up."









Example Yes: praying on your knees (if medically possible), this is privately humbling ourselves before God.  When you humble yourself in prayer it is safe to cry out to Jesus, with an "Oh My God," "Oh My Jesus"



So Folks just saying "OMG...blah, blah,blah" is against God's name!  But humbling yourself in prayer it is an Honor to Jesus to call out "Oh My God....please hear my cry."

Worry Want or Worry Not?

Do you cringe when you hear the word "worry?"  How about getting a sick feeling that your going to lose your lunch?  What about that boss that comes in on Friday afternoon with a stack of files a half foot tall and he tells you that everything must be completed by 5PM for his 8AM conference on Monday in Japan?  Are you worried now?  I would be!

We live in a worried world.  Everything has to be done immediately.  You may have been guaranteed an 8AM - 5PM job, but you work through lunch and most days you don't leave the office until 10PM or later. If you are married, when do you find time for your spouse?  If you have kids, when do you play with them or even change a dirty diaper?  If you're single, when do you have time to date and seek out a spouse?  This leads to unwanted worry, stress, and potentially diagnoses of depression and an anxiety disorder.  This is something to worry about.

The truth is, we don't need to carry our worry around.  Someone has taken ALL of our worry away.

"...do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  - Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)

Is your heart "worry-focused" or "God-focused?"

If we get caught up in our worries, stresses, and trials our brain functions in a negative whelm.  We sulk, shoulders droop, shuffle our feet, fail to maintain hygiene, eat whatever we can find....we have become a worry wort, therefore, we are miserable.  BUT, when the worries start, yes they will still come, and we humble ourselves on our knees (if possible) and cry out to our Lord Jesus, He hears us and takes those worries off our shoulders.

How is that possible?  Jesus died for us so we wouldn't live in sin, worry, and anxiety.  Jesus carried the cross, weighed down with the sins of the world, up to Mount Calvary.  He was nailed to the cross on both wrists and through both feet.  A crown of thorns was put on He head, a sword pierced His side, and He was mocked "as King of the Jews."  He died, buried and then rose three days later.  He gave us FREEDOM!  FREEDOM from WORRY!  

It's just our individual choice to decide if we want to be a "Worry Want" or a "Worry Not."

Your Sacrifice

Is your sacrifice what Jesus desires from you?  God has given us spiritual gifts and we need to give back what God has given us.  Financial gifts or offerings are usually the gift people associate with tithing, though much needed, Jesus calls us to sacrificially give of our time and service. 

God only commanded the people of Israel to tithe, which means they were asked to give up 1/10 of everything they had to the LORD our GOD.  For example, "Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the LORD'S; it is holy to the LORD." (Lev 27:30)  

A few weeks ago in my Sunday School class we were talking about tithing and our sacrificial giving.  One of our classmates brought up that tithing (a tenth...aka 1/10) our time would be 5.2 weeks out of our year.  The question is do we give up that much time specifically for God?

52 weeks a year x 1/10 = 5.2 weeks

5.2 weeks x 7 days a week = 36.4 days

36.4 days x 24 hours a day = 873.6 hours

873.6 hours x 60 minutes = 52416 minutes

52416 minutes x 60 seconds = 3144960 seconds

In a single year if you attend Sunday School and Church (approx. 2 hours) every Sunday is a total of 104 hours a year.  So we still have 769.6 hours to devote to sacrifice for God.  Do you think you're meeting this goal?  I can honestly say I don't know if I am.  There are many activities I've participated in over the years such as Prayer, Bible study, Choir, Teaching, Missions, Building Committee, Praise Team, Youth Leadership, and more.  Some years I have been closer to tithing the hours above, but I'm certain I have never been remotely close to that sacrificial ten percent.  In order to meet the sacrificial tithe you would need to spend 2.4 hours every day for 365 days a year.  That doesn't sound so bad, but in the world of media and technology, we are super busy.  We complain about fitting just about anything into our schedules.  Do we really have two and a half hours to give up daily?


The gospel of Jesus Christ does not commanded a tithe.  Prior to giving anything to the Lord, we must give Him our hearts, for giving which is void of a personal relationship with Jesus does not please God.  Once we have that personal relationship with Jesus we should desire to be a sacrificial giver.  For example, "Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins.  And he said, 'Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them.  For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.'" (Luke 21:1-4)

As you spend time in prayer consider asking God what your sacrificial gifts of service are and then how much time you are to put into them.  God's timing is perfection and He will guide you accordingly.  He may not call you to serve two and a half hours everyday, but then again, He may ask for more.  We simply need to trust in the Lord for His direction.  Trust me, He won't steer you wrong. 

Love, Sydni

Changing My Man

Have you ever wanted to change something about your man....friend, boyfriend, husband, father, brother, etc.? I don't mean his nose, the hair loss, bushy eyebrows, but something about his personality, his attitudes, or his beliefs.  I have!

In the past I have spent hours pondering how I could get my men to love Jesus.  I have a dear and long time friend who is an Atheist.  I love this man so very much.  We have grown to accept that we each have different beliefs and we feel safe communicating them with each other.  But, I have such heartache over this relationship.  Time and time again I have tried to share my faith coming from all different directions, only to fail each time.  My friend just isn't interested.  He comes from a Catholic upbringing so he knows the Word of God, probably even better than I do, but he only finds fault in it.  I truly believe that God has called me to give my friend the Words God wants him to hear, so I allow God to use my voice as His own.  I have felt like a failure when my friend says no, but I have to remember God called me to share His Word, He didn't call me to make my friend have a relationship with Jesus.  Only my friend and Jesus can do that.  I know Jesus is knocking and will continue to knock on the heart's door of my friend until his life on earth is no more.  I hope and pray that my dear friend will chose to change his ways and accept Jesus into his heart, but when it comes to changing his life, well, it's up to him.  As much as I wish I could, I can't change his mind or his heart.

Not long after I was born in July 1977, my Dad converted from Catholic to Southern Baptist (I am not saying salvation doesn't exist in the Catholic church.  I'm just saying this is where God called my Dad.).  Prior to that conversion he realized that He didn't have that personal relationship with Jesus that my Mom would talk about.  My Dad decided he needed a spiritual change.  One that would be grounded in the love of the Father.  So when Mom decided to walk the aisle to join a new church (after moving from Kentucky to Michigan), Dad followed her not because she was joining the church, but because He wanted to give a public profession of faith in Jesus.  Soon he followed up with Baptism by full immersion.  To this day my Dad continues to grow in his personal relationship with God.  He is the spiritual head of the household.  He has filed many positions throughout the church over the last 34 1/2 years.

My husband and I continue to struggle with what church we will serve.  I enjoy and have been called to service within the church.  Jeff has not.  He serves through his work and other outside activities as a Christian leader.  I would and have tried just about everything to "change" my husband into being a "church" man.  Jeff often takes me to church, but doesn't stay with me.  Yes, folks, it hurts and I have been very fearful for his salvation.  When we talk directly about salvation he claims that he has that saving relationship with Jesus.  I have to believe him.  I know he knows and loves Christ, but he doesn't display it in the way God led me too.  God gave Jeff and I very different spiritual gifts.  I have tried to "Change My Man" so many times I've run out of fingers and toes to count on.  But, I have to give this burden over to God and trust that He is working in Jeff's life.  The ONLY ones that can change Jeff, is Jeff and Jesus.  The relationship between them is up to them.  Sure, I can and do encourage Jeff by sharing new things I have learned, but any and all change is from the direction of Christ and then Jeff's acceptance.  

Ladies, all we can do is LOVE our Men as God LOVES the church!  Share with them as they are willing to listen.  And PRAY with and for them and especially their relationship with Christ.  Never stop praying because God can and will move mountains.  He can and will heal. He can and will change hearts, but all of this is according to His plan and His will shall be done according to His perfect timing.

So, if you want to see a change in your man, look at your life and see if you need some change in yourself.

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.  The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." - Revelation 3:20-22 (ESV, spoken by Jesus)

Love,

Sydni    

Have you ever found yourself in a slump?  Just down in the dumps?  Maybe a trauma has occurred.  Or maybe you have been hurt by a person's words.  I think it is safe to say "we've all been there."  But what keeps us there?  Are we making a choice?

This maybe hard to hear, but we do make a choice on our daily outlook.  No one is perfect, but that sunny disposition on your co-worker's face didn't just land there.  She may not have yelled out her bedroom window, "Hello World!  I'm so happy to see you!", but her attitude, choosing to be positive makes all the difference.

For example, I suffer from Chronic Lyme's Disease (sydnilyme.blogspot.com) and spend most of my time in pain or feeling exhausted.  I have lost my ability to drive, so I am fully dependent on others.  I can no longer do daily household chores that involve any lifting, pushing, pulling, or last more than about five to ten minutes.  In addition, I have Depression and Anxiety Disorder.  I know what it feels like to be in the slumps, dumps, and pits of life.  Sometimes it is just so easy to allow myself to stay there.  But to get out of the mud and mire it takes work.  Hard work!

The biggest step is to humble one's self before the Lord.  Whew, that can be hard, but when you do, your life starts changing.  You have to thank God for being Him, thank Him for His Son, thank Him for something He has done for you, and the pray for a change.  Ask Him to lift you from the slump, ask Him for direction, and then follow it!  This is a continued process, at minimum a daily process.  

Then you need to work on the change.  Instead of having a negative outlook on life, try to find at least one positive in your day and thank God for it.  Choose to have a positive attitude...aka. look on the sunny side of life!

Recently my mother cut off two of her fingers while using a table saw.  She took all safety precautions just as her Daddy had taught her.  It was what some call a fluke thing.  Her biggest concern is for people to pity her.  That is the last thing she wants.  Instead she deeply desires that people will praise God that she didn't lose her hand or even her life.  Her attitude is one of a child touched by God's Grace.

We are also touched by God's Grace when we humble ourselves to Him.  When He reaches down into the mud and pulls us out and places our feet on solid ground, we are receiving a gift of His Mercy and Grace.  Don't ignore that, but thank Him for it! 

Presently a friend of mine is battling breast cancer.  She has undergone chemo-therapy, a double mastectomy, removal of various lymph nodes, and reconstructive surgery.  She is facing possible additional surgery and radiation treatments.  Through it all she has never wavered in her faith.  She humbles herself before the Lord and doesn't say "why me?", but "yes Lord," and takes each day in a special light.  

Both of these ladies have every right to be angry at God, to sit in the mud, and turn their faith away from God, but instead they each made a choice to trust in Jesus and know that He will heal them in His time and according to His plan.  

So you have a choice....depression or freedom?  It's not easy and the evil one will try everything he can to turn you away from God, but no matter what, God is always there.  He is a fair God.  He doesn't give us our pain and sorrow, but He can surely take it away.  I challenge you to be strong in the Lord.  Spend time with Him every day.  Let Him be your Heavenly Father and love on you!  Just trust Him!

"For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds." - Jeremiah 30:17

In God's love, Sydni