Tag: Jacqui Stoner

WHITE KNUCKLE FEAR

“Don’t worry” is not Jesus’ polite little suggestion for Christian wannabes. 

Who over the past few years has not gone through periods of speculation? A situation approaches (whether something scheduled in the next day’s events or an item that slithers into your heart as a vague possibility). Maybe it is that upcoming meeting with the boss or that memorable TV newsflash on how many people have been diagnosed with serious flu in the adjoining town?

FEAR THAT WAKES YOU UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT

These are large fears, not my little fears wondering whether people will notice that I’m wearing two different colors of shoes (one being navy and the other being black). This is white knuckle fear. It wakes you up in the middle of the night and robs you of being able to breathe deeply. All joy runs away. Faith goes up in flames. However, in reality, the actual event has yet to happen.

Just want you to know, you are not alone.

ROBBED OF RESILIENCE

The pandemic and the resulting changes in our world robbed us of resilience. We lost the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties. Situations once not considered formidable clobbered us. Speculation has gained a great deal of dangerous power, all at our own personal expense. The faith ship sinks. 

BIG CHANGES AT WORK

I have a friend who went through turmoil at work.  Her boss kept telling the employees that “big changes are going to happen imminently”. However, the “imminent” drug into weeks.  At work, usually “big changes” mean big sacrifices at the employees’ expense.  So, fears among her co-workers amped up into hyper mode. Speculation ran amuck.  My friend is a believer. A few years back she had the reserves to take a “wait and see” attitude.  The problem is that she has lost her capacity to put speculation on the back burner. 

THE SPECULATION BAN

Did you know that Jesus banned speculation?  So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. (Matthew 6:34) This “don’t worry” is not Jesus’ polite little suggestion for Christian wannabes.  It is a command. Jesus is saying, “Look, if you trust me enough to take care of you for eternity, will you trust me enough to take care of those events that have not even happened yet?”  We need resilience.

HOW TO BUILD RESILIENCE

John Eldredge writes:  “You can start building mental resilience right here, by roping in speculation. Every time you find yourself speculating, tell yourself to stop it! Bring your thoughts back under control: I’m not indulging in speculation. It’s godless. Turn your thoughts immediately to God: You are good, Father. You are with me. You are still in control.”

This is not a quick and easy fix, it is a discipline which can only be learned by letting the Holy Spirit take charge of how we view life, even as it is only today.  Jesus says, “Deal with the present, not with speculating over the future.” He wants to rid us of white-knuckle fear over what has not happened. Will you let Him? 

Click to read what the Bible has to say about anxiety

IS IT A WONDERFUL LIFE?

George’s darkness is totally understandable. It is easy to remember failures.

“It’s A Wonderful Life” is not the most theologically correct movie, but it is one of my favorites. George Pratt, the central character, is so distraught that he contemplates suicide as the only solution. He stands ready to jump off a bridge on Christmas Eve when he hears the voice of a gentle stranger. George tells the man that he wishes he had never been born. George is at the end of his rope.

For years, George had tried to do the right thing. He sacrificed his dreams of college and a future for the sake of taking care of his family. George takes over his father’s credit union and saves it from bankruptcy by donating all his savings to keep the business afloat. You gotta love George, he is steadfast. However, his archenemy gains the upper hand. Everything goes down the drain. The bank auditor makes an appearance on the day that they discover $8,000 is missing from the credit union. George is angry, crushed, and disillusioned. He only sees darkness. George finally cries out to God.

GEORGE’S WISH OF NEVER BEING BORN

The stranger on the bridge tells George his wish has been granted and that George has never been born. The movie then gives George a glimpse of all the lives he has tirelessly helped through the years. George also sees what would have happened if he had not entered their stories: the town would have gone down the drain. George influenced countless lives, but never sees it until he cries out to God.

IT IS EAST TO REMEMBER FAILURES

As I write this, it is almost New Years, one of my favorite holidays of the year. I always think about new beginnings, especially if it has been a difficult year. It is easy to remember the people I tried to help, but to no avail. I visualize all the situations in which I failed and plain messed up. George’s darkness is totally understandable. It is easy to remember failures.

TIME TO TURN THE PAGE

Maybe it is time to turn the page. This is a wonderful time to catch up on anything that needs to be confessed and make right with God and others. A great next step is getting a pen to start writing a list of people whose lives you have impacted for the God during 2024. Maybe you received no fanfare or plaudits for your actions, but you know you obeyed God, even when it was hard. If the list is miniscule, do you need to expand your list of those you serve?

WHAT IS YOUR GIFT?

How about making this your aim and attitude for 2025: God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! (I Peter 4:10-11)

IT CAN BE A WONDERFUL LIFE

Don’t be George, waiting to jump off the bridge. God has a unique purpose for you. It may not be what you had planned, but in God’s eyes it is important. Just make sure that everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. It’s a wonderful life. Get off the bridge!

https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/steve-richardson

WHEN CHAOS COMES TO TOWN

How is a believer to manage life when one’s mind is racing, and the future appears bleak?

Read: I Peter 5:6-11

I worked in a small office consisting of five employees (counting myself). Four of them were on anti-anxiety meds. They would regularly compare how their meds were working and the dosage required.

I pondered how 80% of my fellow employees were 24/7 on anti-anxiety meds. So, what was up with that? Something in the drinking water or something in the air?

AS AN ADVERSITY MAGNET…

As the only one who was not medicated, please note that I’m not a strong person and make no claims to being so. My life can be a circus. At times I feel like an adversity magnet. The past few months have especially appeared so. Circumstances and people stampede through my living room, heart, and soul. How is a believer to manage life when one’s mind is racing, and the future appears bleak?

DECISION TIME

Those moments are decision time. Who/what am I battling? It is not the people or situations I’m facing; it’s the enemy who would like me to renounce Jesus. That may sound melodramatic to you, but it’s true. Satan’s chief goal is to make believers flake out, run away, forsake the faith. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour. Yes, your scariest human adversaries may wish for your demise, but they are not the ones pulling the strings. Satan is.

WHAT TO DO WHEN FACING CONFLICT

What does God tell us to do in such a conflict? Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. In other words, choose to allow the Holy Spirit to reign in your mind. Don’t impulsively blurt out the first words that come to mind. Refuse to send out a nastygram text, zone out on TV, or punch a hole in the wall.  Afterall, you are not alone in this battle. None of our current struggles are new to believers. We have a universal family of fellow combatants. Christians around the globe join us in this battle.

STANDING FIRM WHEN THE LION ROARS

God’s Word tells us to take a stand when the lion roars. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. Exactly how is this to play out? Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God [set aside self-righteous pride], so that He may exalt you [to a place of honor in His service] at the appropriate time, casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].

MY DECISION

When that crazy destructive circus of circumstances and individuals desire to capsize my life, I kneel before the feet of God. I choose to fill my mind with the promises of God and proclaim directly that I’m taking God at His Word. There is a decision involved. I disregard how dire the circumstances appear, run to the Father and completely believe His Word. God is my anti-anxiety medicine, even when chaos comes to town.

Listen to the story of Aimee Huber

JOY TO THE WORLD!

I wrote this piece well before my health deterioration, yet what I said then, is still true.

Over the past year I endured a number of traumatic health emergencies. Weeks and weeks of hospitalizations and rehab have been involved. I wrote this piece well before my health deterioration, yet what I said then, is still true. Yes, learning to walk again, talk clearly, and to organize my thoughts is exhausting. Some days I would much rather just stay in bed and never have to get up again. Still at this time, God keeps me here on this earth and it is for a purpose.

CAN GOD RESTORE MY JOY?

I have a habit of over analyzing my life’s circumstances. While whining and complaining about my situation, in reality I only make myself feel worse. I forget to ask God why I am upset and grumpy today and if He can restore my joy.

Jesus said, “So with you. Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” (John 16:22)

JOY IS ROOTED IN WHO GOD IS

Joy is rooted in Who God is. It is not fleeting or based on our circumstances, worldly possessions, or accomplishments. God’s plan from the beginning–the Word made flesh to dwell among us – is rock solid. It allows us to navigate difficult situations in the absence of happiness. It can sustain our joy.

WHERE JOY COMES FROM

The Bible tells us that joy is a feeling of good pleasure and happiness, which is dependent on Who Jesus is, rather than on who we are or what is happening around us. Joy comes from the Holy Spirit, abiding in God’s presence, and from hope in His word.

HOW TO ASK GOD FOR JOY

Know that our loving Heavenly Father is doing something specific in your life. He does what is best for us to help us respond with genuine joy. Life’s trials are certainly not fun, but we can react to painful situations with joy if we understand that God demonstrates His love for us through those circumstances. Ask God to replace grouchiness with joy, giving you a river of deep settled confidence.

Joy is a choice! Only the Lord is the originator of true joy.

Joy to the word! The Lord is come, Let earth receive her King! Let every heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven, and heaven and nature sing.

THE NIGHT THAT WAS NOT SO SILENT

We knew this was serious. It wasn’t long before the question was not if he would be deployed, but rather when.

“Silent Night, Holy Night, All is calm, All is bright,” and so, the beloved carol begins. But all was not calm in December of 1990. Four months earlier, Iraq had invaded Kuwait, setting off a chain of events that we feared could lead to war. As the world watched the situation unfold with unease, for me and my husband, the impending threat of war hit closer to home. Mike was a soldier in the Army National Guard. We knew this was serious. It wasn’t long before the question was not if he would be deployed, but rather when.

CHOOSING BETWEEN TRUST AND FEAR

In the midst of the uncertainty, our first child was born in mid-October. We were thrilled at our son’s birth and worked hard to stay focused on enjoying each moment. Even though I had an extended maternity leave to settle into the joys, and sleepless nights, of motherhood, it was a daily struggle. I had to choose between my trust in God’s providence and a real fear of what was to come.

THE REALITY OF SEPARATION

In November, Mike received his orders. He would train for a few weeks at Ft. Indiantown Gap and then set off for the Middle East. We were blessed to find out that he would be home for Christmas, but our joy at the coming celebration of Christ’s birth was greatly overshadowed by the reality of separation that lay ahead.

At the Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, words of kindness and love poured over us as we chatted with those in our congregation. I treasured the sincere promises of prayers for our family. But I could not shake the heavy weight of sadness in my heart. Would this be our last Christmas together? How was I going to make it through the separation?

MARY FACED AN UNPREDICTABLE FUTURE

Is this what Mary felt as she held her babe in her arms that night? She also faced an unpredictable future. The uncertainty was overwhelming. As we began to sing Silent Night and light the candles, my outward calm veneer cracked and the tears that I had been fighting began pouring out. Holding our son in my arms, Mike and I wept silently together.

WE WERE NOT ALONE

In that moment I felt God’s almighty presence. I knew that we were not alone. God would see us through whatever was to come. Psalm 46:1 promises us, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

It has been almost 34 years since that Christmas Eve, and yet every time I sing Silent Night and light a candle to celebrate Jesus’ birth, the memory of that night brings tears to my eyes. I remember God’s faithfulness in that situation and in all the years afterward. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be silent, and know that I am God.” In the silence of the little town of Bethlehem, Jesus was born. And as we rest silently in the Lord, we are assured of His presence and care over us.

Silent night, holy night, all is calm, all is bright.  Round yon virgin mother and child;  Holy Infant so tender and mild. Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night, shepherds quake at the sight. Glories stream from heaven afar; heavenly hosts sing halleluiah! Christ the Savior is born. Christ the Savior is born!

Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love’s pure light. Radiant beams from Thy holy face; with the dawn of redeeming grace. Jesus Lord at Thy birth. Jesus Lord at Thy birth!

LET ALL MORTAL FLESH KEEP SILENT

1,747 years of our repeatedly being told to be quiet, hushed before God

The lyrics to this hymn date back at least to 275 AD. Do the math, that’s 1, 747 years of our repeatedly being told to be quiet, hushed, and to be so in awe that we are left speechless. That is a huge quantity of silence.

WE CAN’T ADD TO GOD’S GIFT

What are we to be in awe about? When we realize that there is nothing, absolutely nothing, we can do to add to God’s gift; nothing that we can do to make it better. In astonishment, we are to fall on our faces in full worship mode, witnessing to all creation that He alone is due full honor and respect.

THE ANGELS UNDERSTOOD THE PRICE TO BE PAID

The angels understood the sacrifice when Christ came to this earth to be born as a man. In horror, they knew in vivid detail what our world was like. Can you imagine the expression on their faces when they looked down at our earth? They understood the price required to finally and totally wipe out the debt for our sin. The price paid by Christ to make us His own.

THE MYSTERY AND THE WONDER IN “GOD WITH US”

Do you think a holy hush went through heaven when the gift was given, when heaven heard that newborn’s cry in the stable? The angels comprehended the undeserved blessing that had been given to mankind.  They could not fathom God’s love for us. There are no words that can adequately describe the mystery, the wonder, and the homage due to the Christ becoming Emmanuel, God with us. Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand. Be quiet, hushed and so in awe that you are left speechless.

Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and with fear and trembling stand; Ponder nothing earthly-minded, for with blessing in His hand, Christ our God to earth descendeth, our full homage to demand.

O COME, O COME EMMANUEL

God said, “I shall be with you tomorrow”. This is not a casual, “See ‘ya later, alligator!”

Who would have thought that the original text for this Latin chant contained a reverse acrostic (called an “ere cras”). Translated: “I shall be with you tomorrow”. This is not a casual, “See ‘ya later, alligator!” This was a promise made by the Eternal God of His presence. That’s why God gave His Son the name Emmanuel which literally means “God with us”.

GROWING IN CONFIDENT HOPE

The lyrics of this chant were written around the 8th century and meant to be sung antiphonally which would entail alternate singing by two choirs, often on opposite sides of the sanctuary. The first choir would sing O come, O come, Emmanuel and while the sound waves still resonated across the expanse, the 2nd choir would begin singing And ransom captive Israel. And so, they would alternately sing line after line, ever growing in confidant hope, as the building reverberated with the glorious sounds.

FROM MOURNING TO REJOICING

Their words commemorated a people who had literally been mourning in lonely exile from God. Then all heaven broke loose singing the Son of God appears! Rejoice! Rejoice! Break out in rapture, exuberant song, cheering jubilation! This is not the half-hearted clapping for someone receiving a participation award. This is the full throttle universal stamping of feet because God has won! The highway leading to eternal separation from God now offered an off-ramp leading to eternal community, companionship, and peace with God.

GOD WITH US

For all of you longing, hungering for God, His promise has been fulfilled. O Lord, make safe the way that leads to Thee and close the path to misery. God is with us!

O come, O come, Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel. That mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appears. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, oh Israel” O come, Thou Key of David, come and open wide our heavenly home. Make safe the way that leads to thee and close the path to misery. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, oh Israel

WHAT CHILD IS THIS?

As a teenager, I stood out on my back porch and wondered if I had any personal connection to God.

As a teenager, I stood out on my back porch and wondered if I had any personal connection to God. Earlier that night at youth group, the leader asked us individually to pray out loud during the meeting. I realized I didn’t know who I was praying to.

WHAT DID MARY’S QUESTION MEAN?

Mary had her own questions, “What child is this who lay to rest on Mary’s lap is sleeping” This was first asked by Mary. From the very beginning Mary knew that this child was going to be incredibly special, but what did that exactly mean?

THE AUTHOR OF THIS CAROL

William Chatterton Dix wrote this carol in 1865. He worked for an insurance company until afflicted by a life-threatening illness. His illness caused him to go into a severe depression, wanting to give up on life. But God had other plans.

Dix discovered a Bible during this time and began to read it. Writing this hymn and combining it with the truths of scripture were able to bring Dix to a fuller understanding about the question, “What child is this.” This is the same question Mary had from the very beginning; the same question the shepherds had; the same question I asked on my back porch. Over the centuries countless individuals have pondered this.

THE ANSWER TO ALL QUESTIONS

And then the writer gives the only answer he can: This, this is Christ the King, whom shepherds guard and angels sing, haste, haste, to bring him laud, the babe, the Son of Mary.

THE SOURCE OF ALL WISDOM

Make this a special Christmas; don’t just sing the song that asks: What child is this? But for the first time admit that He is Christ the King. Discover when you are depressed and lost, the King is the only One that can help. Realize that when you have questions about life and family and personal struggles, the King is ready to give answers through His Word, the Bible. He helped Mary and William Dix. And He helped me standing on my back porch to become a child of God.

What Child is this who, laid to rest on Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom Angels greet with anthems sweet, While shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing; Haste, haste, to bring Him laud, the Babe, the Son of Mary.

EMMANUEL

The holy invitation to His presence may not look like we imagine but when we are lost in our journey, we are not alone.

It wasn’t until my teen years that my family began to not have to constantly struggle financially, and my mom would go all out with decorating our house for Christmas, finding ways to make the season special. Twinkling lights, beautiful ornaments, special music, family gatherings, and traditions had an almost magical effect that brought a reprieve from the constant struggle and worry which usually hung over our household. I loved Christmas.

THE CHRISTMAS I WAS FIFTEEN

I discovered I was pregnant three weeks before Christmas the year I was 15. No twinkling lights, traditions, or special music could offer relief from the struggle, worry, and fear that resided in my heart. I was lost. Alone. Over the next few months, that struggle intensified until Jesus met me where I was. I surrendered my all to Him.

Christmas the next year was a beautiful experience. I matured knowing the One celebrated and understood the reality of His coming in a way I never had before. He was with me every moment, even when I felt abandoned and betrayed by others.

GOD MET ME IN THE MOMENT

As a teen mom, I worked hard to raise my daughter well. I completed school and honored God with my life. Then my father suddenly died a week after I graduated. Another significant relationship ended abruptly only two months after that. I had no desire to celebrate anything that year. I felt lost in life, very much alone, desolate. Each day I forced myself to go through the motions. Even though my sister and her family were stationed in CA, they walked through the front door on Christmas morning of that year. It surprised us all! God met me in that moment, using her physical presence as a balm to my spirit. Christ knew my needs and deepest desires and was with me, even in my heartbreak.

SORROW AND JOY

Once I got married, I experienced Christmas joy for several years, with my husband, Frank, and our two children, Hannah and Anthony. We didn’t have much but I enjoyed doing all I could to make the holiday special, just as my mom had done. Then arrived the year, two weeks before Christmas, when we experienced a miscarriage. I hated Christmas. The joy-filled people, decorations, and carols were vinegar on my wounds. My heart was heavy for a long time. However, by the next Christmas, we were expecting the birth of our third child, Veronica. 

I learned enough to know that a holiday itself cannot hold the promise of complete joy. Years passed, and then came the time I was really looking forward to: celebrating Christmas with our family which now including a son-in-law, two grandchildren, and a daughter-in-law. 

THEN CAME JUNE

But that June my son experienced a medical emergency. As the EMTs were working on him in the house, my daughter-in-law and I waited together in my car, praying. From the depths of my soul, I begged for the presence of God to be with us no matter what the day ahead held. Immediately, I was aware that Christ’s name is Emmanuel. Literally, “God with us”.

THE DARKNESS OF SORROW

A tangible peace filled that space as I begged God for Anthony’s life, recited back to God what His Word says about who He is, what He can do, and declared our faith. No matter what, we would stand on the truth of God and His word – as long as He remained with us. Anthony met Jesus face to face that morning. Devastation and heartbreak like I have never known descended on me that day. 

EMMANUEL IS HERE

God’s presence doesn’t always look like I think it will. My heart is the heaviest it has ever been with this enormous, gaping Anthony-sized hole. I often feel shattered. This grief would utterly consume were it not for Emmanuel. God with me. Emmanuel has been exhibited through the practical love and care provided by His people. Emmanuel has been there as I weep with my husband and family. I may feel alone, but I am not consumed. He is there as I learn to live each day without my son’s physical presence.

HE MEETS YOU WHERE YOU ARE AND HOLDS YOUR HEAVY HEART

The holy invitation to His presence may not look like we imagine but when we are helpless, heartbroken, lost in our journey, we are not alone. His invitation is open to you, too. He will meet you where you are and hold your heavy heart. So often, we imagine and sing of God coming to save us in the most triumphant display of power and authority. And sometimes in this life, He does. Someday He most definitely will. But this Christmas season, and until that glorious day of Christ’s return, no matter what is happening in your life, I invite you to experience with me that He is Emmanuel. God with us.

Emmanuel, He meets you where you are, He holds your heavy heart, Our God is with us all

MY OFFERING

How did I have miss including Jesus’s name on my gift list for so many years?

Our family likes to use an app to create our own personalized wish list so we can shop for each other. Giving someone what they really want guarantees to bring a smile, right? One year before shopping, I looked down my gift giving list: our parents, the kids, grandparents, and friends. I realized Jesus’ name was not on the list.

HOW DID I MISS JESUS’ NAME ON THE GIFT LIST?

For the past 35 Christmas’s our family has gathered around a decorated birthday cake for Jesus. We sing “Happy Birthday” to Jesus.  How did I have miss including Jesus’s name on my gift list for so many years? Since Christmas is Jesus’ world-wide birthday party, giving Him a gift should be a no-brainer for me.   Since I cannot simply send Jesus an invite to join our family wish-list on the app, I began asking Him what He would like from me for His birthday. 

WHAT IS ON CHRIST’S WISH LIST?

I pray, “Lord, what is on your wish-list?  What meaningful gift can I possibly give You, the Creator of everything known to man? Oh, yeah, You have been asking me to give You my eating habits, and my daily quiet time with You could use some specific improvements. There is that attitude or habit I have that is not exactly Christ-like. Words that come out of my mouth could use Your touch.  I say I trust you, but then I allow myself to worry. And what about my tithing?”  There are many things to choose from on His wish list.

Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart; Test me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way (Psalm 139:23-24).

The wish-list Jesus has for each of us is different. What has He been working to (or wishing to) transform in your life? After giving it some thought and prayer, consider getting out a piece of paper and envelope and writing a letter to Jesus telling him what your gift(s) to Him this year are.  Put it under the tree for Him and only Him. This action guarantees to make Him smile. Happy birthday Jesus!

Holy Spirit, guide us each as we look for parts of ourselves we can give (surrender) to You this Christmas. We do not need to be afraid to ask, Your conviction is gentle, full of grace, mercy and love. Transform and purify us You shape us to look more and more like Your Son, Jesus. Amen.

Over the skies of Bethlehem appeared a star while angels sang to lowly shepherds.
Three wise men seeking truth, they traveled from afar, hoping to find the child from heaven.
And falling on their knees they bow before the humble Prince of Peace. We bring an offering of worship to our King. No one on earth deserves the praises that we sing.
Jesus, may you receive the honor that you’re due.
O Lord, I bring an offering to you, the sun cannot compare to the glory of your love.
There is no shadow in your presence, no mortal man would dare to stand before your throne.
Before the Holy One of heaven.
It’s only by Your blood, it’s only through Your mercy Lord, I come I bring an offering of worship to my King, no one on earth deserves the praises that I sing.
Jesus, may you receive the honor that you’re due.