Learn to Let the Stars Lead

~~ Isaiah 40:26 (NIV84) ~~  Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these?  He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name.  Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.

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by Carley Cooper

Photo by Carley Cooper.  All Rights Reserved.

Since my last post Learn to Read Your Stars, have you looked up?  Did you find any hidden blessings in the midst of your dark times?  Finding the bright points is often like looking for the smallest star in the sky.  Sometimes when you can’t see the stars in your night sky it’s because it’s overcast; the sky is hidden from us.  Other times we are just not looking hard enough, even on a clear night.  Yet, other occasions it’s because the enemy is distracting us.  Look a little harder, up a little higher; I assure you, the lights are there. 

Look, at Those Stars Twinkle!

God even gives us some patterns within the stars.  Did you know that?  There’s the Big Dipper, the Small Dipper, planets to be seen, and thousands of other fascinating consolations and tidbits.  Other than those few things I don’t know many other details about the starts because I’m not an astronomer.  In my family, that would be my Dad.  He has a telescope that’s bigger than me. 

There’s a lot we can learn from that great expanse we call the sky.  God is a God of order.  Everything in this world, and out; has detail, pattern, and a reason.  It’s one of the ways that He reveals Himself to us.  We can only see the star at night, in the darkness; just like we can only learn our greatest lessons by going through struggles.  Without the pain, we would not have any comparison to know what is good. 

God Will Clear the Sky

I’ve been asking God for months to give me  a break.  I needed a vacation, time off, space between me and my problems.  The noise it is creating has been blocking God’s voice from my heart, and I don’t like that feeling.  Among other things, I’ve asked Him to show me how to prioritize better; gain some time management skills.  There was always something standing in my way; a reason why I couldn’t accomplish these things myself, now without His help. 

Last week, I got a call from a friend I haven’t seen in a long time.  She was going on vacation to her trailer at nearby ToJo’s Christian Campground.  I know the place well, as do most Christians in Simcoe County and beyond.  My parents have a trailer there, and it’s where I first met my friend years ago.  She wanted some company on her time off.   Suddenly my schedule was clear.  Things that was normally on my agenda were not this week.  I decided that I would go with her and stay at my parents trailer, so I could have some quiet time alone with God, and still be close by to socialize with my friend and others in the park.  I asked God to help me hear His voice again, and to give me answers to the things I struggle with.        

God Will Show You the Leading Star

Many have said that as they drive through ToJo’s gates they can feel peace lay upon them like it is a warm blanket on a cold night.  “There’s something different about this place once you cross the gate boundary.  You can just feel it here”, they’ve said.  I agree.  I was  here less than two days and I could see my sky clearing.  I am able to feel the calm fill me.  The noise is lessening.  His voice is slowly becoming clear again. 

Without going into long-winded details, I can tell you that in such a short time, He has shown me that one of the biggest distractions in prioritizing my time is the internet.  I spend time online like the average family watches TV.  I’m not a big telly watcher in the past ten years.  It seems I’ve replaced with the internet.  I spend too much time answering and reading emails, on social networking sites, and trying to keep other people happy before God or myself.  He’s also reassured me, again; that Happy Endings do indeed happen.  My concerns about relationship, career, health, church family; are all in His hands.  He loves me.  I love Him.  He has blessings in store for me, which will go into effect according to His schedule; not mine.

Granted all is not completely silent here, but the distractions are not leading me away from God.  The distractions here remind me of Him.  I can hear children laughing and playing just up the narrow park-road in the manmade pond, others at the other end of the park in the pool.  There’s a couple of dogs barking, that remind me of the happy memories of my own babies.  There’s a couple of chipmunks that never seem to run out of energy.  They’re pretty brave at times, and come close to me.  As I try concentrating on my writing, I’m forced to keep stopping for photo opps; because Blue-jays and Chickadee’s are landing in the trees around me and in my Mother’s nearby bird bath.  My own little Chicklet is loving some, very rare, outdoor time as I set his cage on the patio table next to me.  It’s wonderful to see him react to the sounds he hears.  Then there’s the sounds of my Mom’s wind chimes.  There must be a dozen.  Dings, dongs, cling, clang, and even clicks from one made of bamboo.  Oh yea, and the other blessing is that I get to sit outside in the wonderful sunshine with my computer and do what I love most; write!

What Stars are You Following?

Whatever it is that you are going through right now, God wants you to look up to Him.  He wants you to see the stars in your dark sky.  They are beautiful blessings that He has in store for you.  Look to Jesus, the  brightest Leading Star.  He is waiting to twinkle the night lights in a show that will  bless you and leave you in awe. 

Let’s Pray

 ~~ Dear God ~~  Thank You for blessing me with every single night time.  Without it, I would never know the beauty of the stars .  One of my favorite things to do is lay on the grass at night time looking up at the stars.  I can’t help but feel the extreme magnitude of space, which helps me feel like I have some concept of how big and how amazing You really are.  Your works are fascinating.  Every star is perfectly positioned, named, and counted.  I love the feeling of knowing that as big as the universe is, You love me.  I have a place, a position, and a purpose in Your great plan.  Thank You for that Lord.  In Jesus name, AMEN.

Worship Melodies Photo Sharing

Check out our Facebook photo albums on Worship Melodies Facebook Page.  ‘Like’ us, and click on the album ‘Vacation at ToJo’s – Summer 2012’. 

Now It’s Your Turn

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Job Qualifications

~~ Ephesians 2:10 (NASB) ~~  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

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by Carley Cooper

Microsoft Office Copyright Free Images

I went to a small business college, and I graduated with a diploma that, at the time, qualified me to be a Computer Programmer and an entry level Accountant; topped off with some business courses.  After I graduated I had a very hard time finding a job.  For a very long time I heard the same old thing from every potential employer “Sorry, but you don’t have experience.  Come back when you’ve have some experience.”  Not one of them, though, told me how I was supposed to get experience without being hired somewhere  

So, what job did I finally get?!  I’m glad you asked.  I ended up working at a job that I was over qualified for; Mary Brown’s Fried Chicken, in St.John’s, Newfoundland, as a kitchen / counter worker.  I don’t even know if the job actually had a title.  It was not at all what I had dreamed about, but it helped pay the rent on my first apartment.  A few years later, I finally did get a great office job that I loved; after I moved to Barrie, Ontario.  It happened to be with The Salvation Army; a Christian charitable organization, so I felt that I had an even bigger purpose than just enjoying the work.  I loved it so much that a big chuck of my time there were extra hours as a volunteer, and it didn’t even occur to me to mind that I didn’t get paid for so many extra hours. 

Then, life took a big unexpected turn.  I was in a nasty car accident that turned my life upside down and left me in physiotherapy for two years.  It was a six-car pileup on an icy Ontario highway.  My injuries lead to other health issues, and eventually, I had to leave my job.  Around that same time my marriage ended.  My health issues got worse; and the end result is that I’ve only had work-at-home jobs since (either helping to run a business, or doing something creative).  I’ve technically been out of the workforce for a long time now.  Though, I still have health issues, I would love to get back into it.  I don’t want to sacrifice my writing for it, but the problem is that now I feel under qualified for anything and everything.  I did get some further education in more recent years, but even still, my education is way out of date, and I don’t have recent experience.  That is, outside of a volunteer job that I do one day per week at the church office.  I figure that no one in any industry that I would want to work for would take me seriously, let alone take a chance on hiring me.

It is the same feeling that I get when I think about being called to work for God.  I don’t feel qualified.  I don’t even feel like I’m taken seriously by those around me let alone hope to get a ministry; or a position, where I could lead someone to Christ or to discipleship.   I’ve made so many mistakes in life; committed so many bad sins.  Most of the time I don’t even feel qualified for an entry level position, let alone to be have a dream career! 

The other day someone left a comment that said “Carley, As usual another AWESOME Blog.  It seems as though you have become my Spiritual Life Coach.  What would I ever do without you?  Blessings my friend.”. 

Another person left a comment on one of my other blog sites that said “Carley... You are the best blogger ever!!  You are smart and funny!  I just found your blogs and can't wait to read the rest... Thank you.”

I replied with a thank you and telling the people how much it meant to me and how honored I was to receive such compliments.  It humbled me more than I can say.  I know that in God’s eyes, humility like that is a very good thing.  However, it makes me feel a little confused as well.  Sometimes even a little dishonest.  That’s because the truth is, that most days I feel like I’m treading water and sinking fast.  How could I coach anyone when I don’t know what I’m doing myself?  I can’t imagine that I am the ‘best ever’ anything.  Well, except the best Carley; but that could potentially lead me to a whole series of other thoughts and questions, which I’ll leave for another blog.  There are those that have way more education, experience, intelligence; and a better relationship with God than I do who aren’t the best ever.  I have no clue where I’m supposed to be in life, or what direction I’m supposed to go in.  I feel like I’m probably the only one who’s still so lost at this late date in my life.  Most people I know seemed to have figured out so much at an early age.  Why haven’t I?  Where did I get lost?  The only things I know about myself with much certainty are that I have some sort of a gift in written words, that my heart desperately aches every day for a relationship, and that I do feel vastly different from the rest of the planet (which traces back to my Social Anxiety and Bipolar Disorders).

Each and every one of us is called to the job of spreading the gospel (Mark 16:15 NIV84), and to create disciples for Jesus (Matthew 28:19 NIV1984).  As unsure I am of my own qualifications; I know that God doesn’t see me as being incapable.  I love Him, and I want more than anything for my heart to be like Jesus; the way God wants it to be.  I’m willing to let Him change me; even though it’s hard.  The bible is filled with characters that were inexperienced, sinful, and even willingly ran from their calling.  However, God chose them to do the job anyway.  He loved them nevertheless.  We don’t need prior experience, or knowledge; before He is willing to hire us.  You see, He not only has already planned and prepared our jobs for us, but He provides us with on the job training.  I really want this job.  How about you?  The benefit package is out of this world!  

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~~ Dear God ~~  Thank You so much for creating a job position especially for me.  Please let me feel Your peace within me with each and every day of doing Your work that goes by.  Give me confidence in my abilities, and help me to have stronger faith in Your leading.  Please keep me in humility, and let me feel joyous in every duty that I fulfill.  In Jesus name, AMEN.

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Bubbles and Peace

~~ Romans 15:13 (NIV84) ~~  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

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by Carley Cooper

Microsoft Office Copyright Free Images

There’s a married couple that I know that has a great story of how he led her to Christ.  As they tell it, when they started dating he was already a Christian who was totally in love with Jesus.  She saw a happiness and peace inside him, and decided almost right away “I want what he has”.  I’ve often thought about that since I first heard them tell that story.  It reminds me of days gone by in my own history.  There was a time when I felt happy and at peace.  I dated several guys during that time and they all told me the same thing; that they fell in love with me because I was “bubbly”.  It fascinated me that each one used that same word, not knowing what the others had said.  Over the years I’ve often wondered where that bubbly young spirit disappeared to?  Somewhere along the line, the bubbles were popped. 

What is it that you want others to see in you?  Have you ever really thought about it?  When it comes to other people, I think what I want most is for someone to see that bubbly nature, but I also want them to see the peace of the Holy Spirit.  Since I have come to understand and feel that I have a relationship with Jesus, I have come to know that peace.  I have a 2012 calendar on my wall and the page for March quotes John 14: 27 “My peace I give to you.”  It also says “Inner Peace – Nothing can disturb the calm peace of my soul.”  I know that feeling of peace, and I know that others have seen it in me.  Last year, despite a few rough patches, was a great year for me in regards to feeling God’s peace within me.  It was the first time in many years that I felt that calm.  I knew God was telling me that my bubbly character was emerging because I had a couple of people mention it to me.  Again, they used that word, bubbly, not knowing what others before them had said.  Only this time it was even better because I’m ‘bubbly’ for the Lord.  Another time, one of the pastors at church said to me one day that I had a certain peace about me that he liked.  As I walked into church one Sunday morning, about to take my seat, a woman said to me “Wow, look at you.  You’re radiant!”  Now that’s an awesome word, 'radiant!'  God was confirming to me that I am changing.  My heart is being molded by Him slowly.  My true nature is coming back.    

In recent weeks I have been in the midst of a struggle.  Of course we know that these struggles are vital if we are to get closer to God.  Hopefully it is one that I am learning from; that is helping me get closer to Him.  Part of me feels like my bubbles have burst again.  That calm has been upset.  It has left me, at times, with the most uncomfortable feeling of coldness.  After knowing the warmth and peace of the Holy Spirit, to go through an emotional experience where God feels far away has left me with an overwhelming feeling of emptiness.  I know, that God is not actually far away because He never leaves us.  Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV84) says “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”  This struggle has taught me that if I’m feeling far from God it’s because I’m not letting Him in.  In my quiet times with Him, He’s been telling me to “lay it at the cross”.  I have a sun catcher that hangs in my window that says “Let God & Let God”.  I have to do that.  Without it, the peace is impossible. 

Truthfully, I miss that bubbly spirit so very much.  I often look in the mirror and long for her to look back at me again.  There’s one big difference though between that bubbly young girl of my youth, and the woman I am now.  That is, Jesus.  I didn’t know Him then.  I knew OF Him, but I didn’t have a relationship with Him.  For that matter, I didn’t know I could.  As much as I want to be that bubbly person again, I don’t want it if it means being without Jesus, like I was so long ago.  The cold, empty feeling that I’ve had because of my tail spin is something I don’t like.  It is the most painful feeling in the world to me now.  It is worse than the rejection by others ever was or could be.  Things are getting better on a daily basis.  All through the month of March, every day I would look at my calendar and be reminded that I have God’s assurance of peace within me and no one can break it or take it away from me.  It was an incredible comfort to me.  I am learning from this experience, and I am growing.  Some days that’s easier to see than other days, but God has given me a stubborn nature to never give up.  In this case, it has been a blessing because it assures me that I will bounce back.  I always do.  

What do I want others to see in me?  Bubbles and peace for certain, which can be summed up in one word; Jesus!

         

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~~ Dear God ~~  The journey You take us on to get closer to You, and to become more like Jesus is filled with struggles.  Thank You Lord, for these struggles.  Without them I would not be growing stronger and closer to You each day.  Without them I would not be learning the value in knowing Your peace in my life.  Please help me to grow to be that bubbly personality filled with the peace of the Holy Spirit that allows people to say “I want what she has”.  In Jesus name, AMEN.

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How the Grinch Stole Christmas

~~ John 14:27 (NIV84)~~ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

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by Carley Cooper

Carley - Christmas 2011
Photo by M. Cooper

The new year is here Worshipers.  Have you made any resolutions?  Are you sticking to them?  Have you cheated on that diet, skipped a workout, or watched just one more episode of that TV show for old times’ sake?  I’ve been sticking to mine so far, but I’m pretty stubborn most of the time.  When I really set my mind to something I tend to hold on to it like a dog with a bone.  The fact that I made any resolutions is probably a step forward.  The only resolution I ever made before was that I would never make any resolutions!  I try to think of it more as ‘Goals’ instead of ‘Resolutions’.  It seems a little more solid somehow. 

Don’t you just hate it when you try so hard to hold on to something, only to get so weak because of the fight that you have no choice  but to let go; only to come to the realization “Wow, I really wish I didn’t hold on so long!”  Sometimes it’s even hard to remember why you were holding on so long in the first place.  It feels a little like someone told you that you’re wrong, or having to admit you were wrong.  Just based on that alone, I feel like I should hold on longer.  Now that Christmas is over that’s how I’ve been thinking... wishing that I hadn’t held on for so long.  If you read my last blog “Sliding on the Ice”, you’ll know that holidays are always very difficult for me; with Christmas being the worst.  It’s been almost two decades since I had a truly happy Christmas.  That is, until this year.  I was telling my doctor about this the other day.  He said “so what was different about this Christmas”.  Honestly, I had to say, “nothing”.  It was the same Christmas that my family has had every year since... well, always. 

Tigger Christmas-Tree
(The topper was accidentally cut off
in the shot... it was an angel Tigger)
Photo by Carley

We carted all our Christmas gifts and stockings to my brothers house.  After we piled them all around their Tigger Christmas-Tree, we practically filled up his living room.  Yea... the tree.  Well, my nephew, who’s 26 now (the baby of the family) has collected Tigger’s his whole life, so they decided to do a whole tree dedicated to Tigger and put all his little stuffed Tigger’s on the tree as the ornaments.  Well, except for a 6 foot inflatable one wearing a Santa hat, which had to sit outside the front door.  It’s a very happy tree actually.  I mean, have you ever seen a sad Tigger?  Anyway, I’m getting side tracked.  We have Christmas at my brother’s house because he has the biggest place.  His home can actually fit us all, along with all the stuff.  Well, I went to church on Christmas morning and had a wonderful time with my Church Family.  Then, I went to spend the rest of the day with my ‘other’ family at my brothers house.  By the time we got around to starting our gift-opening it was noon.  It’s a good thing we don’t have any little kids anymore... ‘cause it took us four hours to get them all open!  My first thought after it was done was “Wow, we really are in a society with way too much stuff”.  Anyway, we finally got around to eating my Mom’s Christmas Quiche for breakfast in the middle of the afternoon.  It was really yummy!  Then we finished off the feast with an awesome turkey dinner, a glass of wine, and way too many treats.  Also, really yummy!  I gained 10 lbs through December because of Christmas baking and Christmas eating (refer back to the resolutions section!)  The family spent the day laughing together, loving the family-time, listening to Christmas music, and watching a fake fireplace burning on my brothers big screen TV (which sits on top of the real fireplace).  Oh, yea, I almost forgot.  We also spent some time watching the 3 doggies learn to use their new little staircase that my dad built so they could get up on the bed by themselves!  Some Chihuahua’s are fast learners; others, not so much.  Anyway, I was on top of the world all day, and I couldn’t stop thinking about the fact that we were celebrating Jesus’ birthday.  I had a truly happy Christmas.

So why was this year so different, when the past 18 years were so overwhelmingly painful?  Well, in a “nut shell”, the difference was that this year I let God join me for Christmas.  The very slightly longer version is this... I prayed for God’s peace to be with me for Christmas; then, there was a very timely sermon about God’s peace by Pastor Jenn, and I topped it off with a talk with Pastor Henry about it.  All this helped me learn to be open to the idea of having a good Christmas.  I allowed my heart to be open to let the Holy Spirit do His work within me. Boy, that was a long time to learn that lesson!

But wait, my lesson wasn’t over yet!  In the lobby of my apartment building there is an awesome Nativity set as part of the seasonal decorations.  I have one of my own that I sit on top of my fireplace and it’s very charming, but I love looking at the one in the lobby because it really is an incredible scene.  It makes me feel good when I look at it and think about the awesome gift that God gave us in Jesus.  Sometime during Christmas week, following Christmas Day, some Grinch stole the baby Jesus figurine from our lobby Nativity set.  Since then, I’ve thought about that fact many times.  I think, it’s obvious that someone wanted to show some sort of symbolization that Jesus doesn’t belong to Christmas.  The only thing that I can get out of my brain about the idea of this Grinch attempting to steal Christmas is “sad”.  That is, it’s just so very sad that someone could steal the baby Jesus.  Over and over this kept running through my mind. 

Then, it hit me.  That’s exactly what I did to my own Christmas’ for such a long time.  I wouldn’t let go of the misery that I needed in order to keep the focus on myself instead of Jesus.  I stole my own happiness, and refused to let God give me His peace.  So who’s the bigger Grinch?  Now, I just have to think “Wow, I really wish I didn’t hold on so long!”

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~~ Dear God ~~    Thank You for the awesome Christmas celebration of Jesus’ birthday.  Thank You, also; for the gifts, family time, fun, food and laughter.  Mostly Thank You for the most incredible gift of all when You gave us Your Son so that we may be saved from ourselves.  Please don’t ever let me hold on to any more pain that will steal Your peace from my heart on any holiday; or any day of the year.  Father, please let the person who stole the baby Jesus figuring also be open to seeing and receiving Your peace.  Please make them an awesome servant for Jesus.  Oh, and Lord; Thank You also for Tiggers and Chihuahuas.  In Jesus name, AMEN.

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