Since several of you have asked, and were unable to attend the Bible Study when I shared, I have written my thoughts here for you. This is a step of faith for us, and we would appreciate your prayers.
Freedom in Suffering
Picture trying to hold all of your pain, suffering and sorrow in your arms, and it's so heavy that you try to throw it upward to God. That's what many of us try to do, myself included, when we suffer. We often forget that what we should do instead, is turn, and embrace our Savior and Friend who is here with us, beside us. When we do this, we let go of the pain and suffering and sorrow and hold tightly to Him--the only one who can help us through.
Suffering can paralyze us, and often does initially, but when we get up and stand, it will make us stronger.
James 1:2-4 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
James 1:12a (NLT) God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation.
As gold is heated, impurities float to the top and can be skimmed off. Steel is tempered, strengthened, by heating it in the fire. Silver is made stronger as it is work-hardened through sanding, pounding, and hammering. All are made more pure, more perfect, and more beautiful by this process. Likewise, our trials, struggles, and persecutions refine and strengthen our faith, making us more like Christ.
We suffer for many reasons: our own sin, circumstances such as illness or tragedy. The suffering God brings into our lives often exposes sun. *I am not saying that each illness or tragedy is the direct result of sin in our lives, but that as God uses suffering to purify us, sin is often exposed. At times we suffer because of a desire that is unfulfilled.
If we value comfort more than character, then trials will upset us.
If we value the material and physical more than the spiritual, then we will not be able to consider trouble 'an opportunity for great joy'.
If we live only for the present and not for the future, then trials will make us bitter, not better.
If we respond well, however, testing works FOR us.
God's testing is His approval. God's approval of our faith is precious because it assures us that our faith is genuine and maturing.
In testing, we are commanded to endure, persevere. In the Bible, endurance is not a passive acceptance of circumstances. It is a courageous perseverance in the face of suffering and difficulty. Endurance is obtained by going through the difficulties of life, trusting God, and obeying Him. The result is character.
Knowing this, we can face trials joyfully. We know what trials will do in us and for us, and we know that the end result will bring glory to God.
Here's our story:
Jose & I were married in April 2007. We decided to start our family a year later in April 2008. It is soon coming up on April 2010 and we continue in this journey. Now the trial of infertility. It has been two years of the testing of our faith. And by God's grace we continue to persevere, to hold on to Him and each other, as we realize that whether God chooses to give us children biologically or not, He loves us deeply. He is giving us His best for us for this time.
I can say this to you now with confidence, though we are still struggling through this trial. There are the hopes each month that maybe this will be it. But after 23 months, it can seem like cruel heartbreak. There are the tests, the medicines, the procedures, and the days waiting. The results come, sometimes bringing hope, sometimes bringing despair. And once again, we pour out our hearts, emotions raw and faith weak, before the Giver of Life. And again and again, He brings comfort. Joy, even, as He lifts the load we bear. This is the thorn in our side that God is using to bring about greater things than just the one thing we desire. He is developing our faith. Exposing sin and pride. Setting us free from bondage and bringing healing. And while the physical healing still has not come, there is healing for our spirits as we are made more in Christ's likeness. And we trust Him, also, for the ability to endure until He does bring about physical healing through the adding of children to our family.
God loves us not in the way we want to be loved, but in the way we need to be loved.
He allows us to go through trials so that the heat is turned up in our lives and the worst in us rises to the top so that He can skim it off. That's freedom.
And we can take joy in knowing that we are not living for this world, but for eternity. Therefore, these trials are temporary.
1 Peter 1:6-7 (NIV) In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
May God be praised, glorified, and honored in us and in our lives.
Life as we know it.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Thoughts on 2010.
2010. I remember dreaming of that far off year while in high school. In fact, one of our English teachers had us write a letter to ourselves saying what we would be doing in 2010. Funny thing is, I'm sure none of us would have been able to predict all that has happened from then to now, and for those of us who believe in Jesus, He is the one who writes our letter of what our lives will be like.
We just recently got back from the URBANA '09 missions conference in St. Louis, MO, which was held in the Ram's Dome. It was an incredible experience, worshipping with 24,000 others who are interested in or committed to missions. Wow! We were sent off with practical ways to reach out to those who are our neighbors here and now instead of "waiting" until we begin missions.
As believers, we have a command that is for all who believe, not just those who feel specifically called. We are commanded by Jesus Christ, Himself to go to all nations and make disciples. For some, it's a matter of reaching out to those at work, school, or in the neighborhood. For others it may mean moving where God is leading, whether across town or state or to another country. For my husband and I, it is the later, moving to another country. However, in which ever way we feel God leading us, one thing is clear. We are not exempt from His commission at any point, whether we are in process of going "there" or staying where He has placed us. The body of Christ, His Bride, the Church, has the purpose of lifting up Jesus. SO many times we get caught up in our Christian world, in our own churches and ministries, (which are all good things), but if we are not intentional about reaching out and moving beyond those who know Jesus, we are missing the point.
I know for me, I have a few specific things I will be doing differently this year in order to better be in obedience to Jesus' mandate. If all things are His to begin with, including us as He made us, and then bought us by the blood of Jesus, then who are we to say whether we will go or stay? I'm looking for Him to lead in my life in greater ways than before.
What about you?
We just recently got back from the URBANA '09 missions conference in St. Louis, MO, which was held in the Ram's Dome. It was an incredible experience, worshipping with 24,000 others who are interested in or committed to missions. Wow! We were sent off with practical ways to reach out to those who are our neighbors here and now instead of "waiting" until we begin missions.
As believers, we have a command that is for all who believe, not just those who feel specifically called. We are commanded by Jesus Christ, Himself to go to all nations and make disciples. For some, it's a matter of reaching out to those at work, school, or in the neighborhood. For others it may mean moving where God is leading, whether across town or state or to another country. For my husband and I, it is the later, moving to another country. However, in which ever way we feel God leading us, one thing is clear. We are not exempt from His commission at any point, whether we are in process of going "there" or staying where He has placed us. The body of Christ, His Bride, the Church, has the purpose of lifting up Jesus. SO many times we get caught up in our Christian world, in our own churches and ministries, (which are all good things), but if we are not intentional about reaching out and moving beyond those who know Jesus, we are missing the point.
I know for me, I have a few specific things I will be doing differently this year in order to better be in obedience to Jesus' mandate. If all things are His to begin with, including us as He made us, and then bought us by the blood of Jesus, then who are we to say whether we will go or stay? I'm looking for Him to lead in my life in greater ways than before.
What about you?
Friday, November 6, 2009
Life Lessons from a Laptop
Well, this last week my computer hit an all time low. It was being upgraded (much needed!!) and well that meant storing pictures and files and music on an external hard drive to make room. Too much stuff. That was my computer analyst's diagnosis (my brother). He told me I had to get rid of the junk and store it somewhere else. Then in the midst of it all, another friend offered to take a look at it and see what could be done. It ended up needing to be defragmented. And after that, I needed to delete programs that were taking up space but not being used. (Bear with me if you're lost in the computer jargon. I don't get much of it myself!)
SO I was thinking. A lot like life right? Just when things get busy, sometimes our inner lives hit an all time low, unable to process all the details and circumstances because there's so much junk clogging up the "memory". And usually it ends up coming out in a "computer crash" style where we blow up or have a good cry. But it really doesn't have to be that way if we take time to do regular updates and maintenance.
If we take the time to deal with the junk in our lives (unforgiveness mainly, and also give the stresses of life to God who never meant for us to try and live through them alone), then there is room in the memory. Then we can be "de-fragmented". The Holy Spirit can shine through the cracks of our fragmented lives and we are made whole by the Father God. Pretty amazing.
And deleting the programs. I have been convicted lately that many of us have too many "programs" jamming up our lives. I mean really! So many things that we just "have to do". I think most of us are addicted to stress or at least the adrenaline of activity. I am trying more and more to be less of this kind of a person. I really want to take time to consider what things I add to my schedule and life (programs) and then let them run and really really enjoy them fully. I would consider myself a "recovering workaholic" trying to find a healthy balance that is pleasing to God. So, in the midst of illness and several circumstances God in His grace and wisdom "slowed me down" so I would be forced to take the time to pray and thoughtfully consider the possibilities before jumping in with both feet! With this year soon ending and a new one beginning quickly, I find myself reflecting and once more reconsidering my "programs" thinking through which ones should be deleted and which ones God would have me continue.
Guess I really missed my laptop. And I'm thankful by the way that it's got some life left still. I almost destroyed it with too many files and programs, but things seem to have improved greatly. I could say the same about life. I'm thankful for these lessons God has brought me through, though at many times painful. I almost burnt out with too many programs and activities (all good things I might add). Things seem to have improved greatly. But only by God's grace. With all the frantic activity, I really missed knowing Him. I mean really knowing Him (not just an on-the-go Bible reading and prayer). When there's more room on the hard drive of my life, there's plenty of space for this priority. And while it requires regular maintenance, it's well worth the time!
Thanks for reading. May God encourage you where you are.
SO I was thinking. A lot like life right? Just when things get busy, sometimes our inner lives hit an all time low, unable to process all the details and circumstances because there's so much junk clogging up the "memory". And usually it ends up coming out in a "computer crash" style where we blow up or have a good cry. But it really doesn't have to be that way if we take time to do regular updates and maintenance.
If we take the time to deal with the junk in our lives (unforgiveness mainly, and also give the stresses of life to God who never meant for us to try and live through them alone), then there is room in the memory. Then we can be "de-fragmented". The Holy Spirit can shine through the cracks of our fragmented lives and we are made whole by the Father God. Pretty amazing.
And deleting the programs. I have been convicted lately that many of us have too many "programs" jamming up our lives. I mean really! So many things that we just "have to do". I think most of us are addicted to stress or at least the adrenaline of activity. I am trying more and more to be less of this kind of a person. I really want to take time to consider what things I add to my schedule and life (programs) and then let them run and really really enjoy them fully. I would consider myself a "recovering workaholic" trying to find a healthy balance that is pleasing to God. So, in the midst of illness and several circumstances God in His grace and wisdom "slowed me down" so I would be forced to take the time to pray and thoughtfully consider the possibilities before jumping in with both feet! With this year soon ending and a new one beginning quickly, I find myself reflecting and once more reconsidering my "programs" thinking through which ones should be deleted and which ones God would have me continue.
Guess I really missed my laptop. And I'm thankful by the way that it's got some life left still. I almost destroyed it with too many files and programs, but things seem to have improved greatly. I could say the same about life. I'm thankful for these lessons God has brought me through, though at many times painful. I almost burnt out with too many programs and activities (all good things I might add). Things seem to have improved greatly. But only by God's grace. With all the frantic activity, I really missed knowing Him. I mean really knowing Him (not just an on-the-go Bible reading and prayer). When there's more room on the hard drive of my life, there's plenty of space for this priority. And while it requires regular maintenance, it's well worth the time!
Thanks for reading. May God encourage you where you are.
Friday, October 30, 2009
It's time-- a little color
Well, it's been a little while since I've posted. (Partly because we've had computer issues.) But it is time again to do a Thankful post.
So, I'm SOOOO thankful we have finished painting the entrance, hallway and living room in our house. The new color is wonderful and it makes the room seem sunny all the time. We're very pleased with it and also it is nice to know you've completed a project which turned out even better than expected. (Makes it worthwhile.)
I'm thankful for my Tuesday morning study, I'm continually learning along with the ladies and loving the time we spend together in the Word.
I'm thankful for the nice weather we've been having (warmer temps and sunny days)! I just think of the snow and clouds we had last year this time.
I'm thankful for my Spanish students who are excited about learning Spanish and who are advancing very quickly!
And I'm also very grateful for those who have ordered jewelry from my new business. It excites and encourages me to know that others enjoy things that I've made. (And since I love doing it so much, that's a really good thing!)
So, I'm SOOOO thankful we have finished painting the entrance, hallway and living room in our house. The new color is wonderful and it makes the room seem sunny all the time. We're very pleased with it and also it is nice to know you've completed a project which turned out even better than expected. (Makes it worthwhile.)
I'm thankful for my Tuesday morning study, I'm continually learning along with the ladies and loving the time we spend together in the Word.
I'm thankful for the nice weather we've been having (warmer temps and sunny days)! I just think of the snow and clouds we had last year this time.
I'm thankful for my Spanish students who are excited about learning Spanish and who are advancing very quickly!
And I'm also very grateful for those who have ordered jewelry from my new business. It excites and encourages me to know that others enjoy things that I've made. (And since I love doing it so much, that's a really good thing!)
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Amado Mío for some friends
Here is the latest. This is a custom order for a good friend and her husband. It is the same design as my necklace (see earlier posts), but with different swarovski birthstone colors and initials. The larger round disc is sterling silver 1" in diameter with the words "amado mío" hand stamped and darkened around the bottom border. The smaller discs are also sterling silver, but are 1/2" in diameter with the initials centered on the piece. They are embellished with two swarovski crystals and hung on an 18" sterling silver ball chain. If you are interested in your custom order, or a gift for someone else, feel free to comment below or go to my ETSY shop. Enjoy your necklace A!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Fall Update
Hello! Well, we're well into the swing of things here. Pretty incredible how the absence of a "schedule" during the summer months really takes its toll in September and October getting back into it! We're starting the Tutoring/Mentoring Program this week (TUESDAY!!) and have added several other things to our schedules as well.
I think now that the weather is cooler and I've finally gotten many things around the house organized (or re-organized), I am finally enjoying the Fall-ness of drinking hot cider (or cold) and soups. Fall seemed to come really soon this year, or maybe it was that Summer never got that hot. But at the same time, it's a little sad to realize that it will be darker for another 6 month stretch and colder. Still, we're finishing up a few things on our "to-do" list to help with that this year (including a warmer,lighter, & brighter paint job for our living room, hallway and entryway). I'll have to post pics of the finished product.
I keep thinking about how God is so good to us. How even though we have our struggles, and pain and trials, He has placed us in these circumstances so that our character can become more like His and our hearts softer towards others. Perhaps having to be indoors more has brought about deeper reflection these days, but it is good. Funny how so many times we see our struggles as bad, negative things, when in God's economy, they're really good. It all depends on perspective. I'm not saying that I WANT to go through some of the things we're facing, but I do want to have a good perspective knowing that God, who is good, is giving me (us) the privilege of walking through these things with Him. And that ultimately, He uses all things for the good of those who love Him and keep His commands. Now, that's some good news!
I think now that the weather is cooler and I've finally gotten many things around the house organized (or re-organized), I am finally enjoying the Fall-ness of drinking hot cider (or cold) and soups. Fall seemed to come really soon this year, or maybe it was that Summer never got that hot. But at the same time, it's a little sad to realize that it will be darker for another 6 month stretch and colder. Still, we're finishing up a few things on our "to-do" list to help with that this year (including a warmer,lighter, & brighter paint job for our living room, hallway and entryway). I'll have to post pics of the finished product.
I keep thinking about how God is so good to us. How even though we have our struggles, and pain and trials, He has placed us in these circumstances so that our character can become more like His and our hearts softer towards others. Perhaps having to be indoors more has brought about deeper reflection these days, but it is good. Funny how so many times we see our struggles as bad, negative things, when in God's economy, they're really good. It all depends on perspective. I'm not saying that I WANT to go through some of the things we're facing, but I do want to have a good perspective knowing that God, who is good, is giving me (us) the privilege of walking through these things with Him. And that ultimately, He uses all things for the good of those who love Him and keep His commands. Now, that's some good news!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Thankful Thursday - What's new?
Well, we find ourselves in full swing mid-September here in north-east Ohio (which also means the weather has quickly cooled off as well!). José and I were able to make a quick trip to visit Asheville, NC, to see family, friends and our church family there. We had a wonderful time! In addition to beginning Fall Ministries at church (including Backpacks of Hope, Tutoring, Choir, Youth Group, TLC-Ladies' Bible Study, and Small Group to name a few), I have also officially started my new business "Something Beautiful Studio". I had been looking for a way to do what I love while bringing in a little additional income and this is it! I make hand stamped jewelry and am excited to see where it goes. Who would have thought?
We're thankful for a safe trip to NC after a rough start with car trouble. For a wonderful time with Family, with Friends, with the Youth we previously worked with and for everyone at Cornerstone! We would have liked to stay longer as with any vacation. :)
We're thankful for the schedule that Fall brings. We're excited to begin new things and re-start some we were involved in last year as well.
We're thankful for YOU as well! We truly are grateful for people who love and support us on this journey. We'd love to hear from you! (You can leave a comment below if you'd like.)
Thanks for reading and journeying with us!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
The name
Well, as you know, I've been contemplating putting my jewelry on Etsy and have finally decided to take the plunge. It's a little daunting, the uncertainty of many details still to be hammered down (pun intended), but I feel it's a good opportunity to share my talent and passion. The name I have decided upon is: Something Beautiful . You can find my Etsy under: MelChinchillaDesigns .
About the name. I was reading and reflecting today on how the Lord often takes the ashes of our lives and transforms them into something of beauty. He has done that over and over in my life, and recently in a powerful way. I was reminded that He takes us through hard things, through things that agonize our souls in order that He may be beauty in our lives. Often the beauty He brings is something new made out of something old in our lives, but created and crafted in such a way that it is redeemed, healed, and amazingly breathtaking. Something He alone can do. Yes, I suppose I am speaking in parables, riddles, and bursts of thought, but I don't know that I have the words to explain it as deeply as I know it in my heart.
What will it look like? Well, Something Beautiful Studio is my outlet for creativity. It will be as unique as the one who wears the jewelry creations. I am currently hoping to focus mainly on sterling silver hand-stamped jewelry and still offer a few beaded creations. The diversity of stamping is that I can virtually create any number of pieces using phrases, words, names, dates, or portions of Scriptures which will be wearable art.
It's a big leap that is characteristic of this time in my life, and I'm excited to venture out. Feel free to give feedback. I am looking forward to what this new venture becomes.
So, it will take a while still to get things made and uploaded, but it's a challenge I'm looking forward to! (Check out previous blogs for ideas of what is to come!)
About the name. I was reading and reflecting today on how the Lord often takes the ashes of our lives and transforms them into something of beauty. He has done that over and over in my life, and recently in a powerful way. I was reminded that He takes us through hard things, through things that agonize our souls in order that He may be beauty in our lives. Often the beauty He brings is something new made out of something old in our lives, but created and crafted in such a way that it is redeemed, healed, and amazingly breathtaking. Something He alone can do. Yes, I suppose I am speaking in parables, riddles, and bursts of thought, but I don't know that I have the words to explain it as deeply as I know it in my heart.
What will it look like? Well, Something Beautiful Studio is my outlet for creativity. It will be as unique as the one who wears the jewelry creations. I am currently hoping to focus mainly on sterling silver hand-stamped jewelry and still offer a few beaded creations. The diversity of stamping is that I can virtually create any number of pieces using phrases, words, names, dates, or portions of Scriptures which will be wearable art.
It's a big leap that is characteristic of this time in my life, and I'm excited to venture out. Feel free to give feedback. I am looking forward to what this new venture becomes.
So, it will take a while still to get things made and uploaded, but it's a challenge I'm looking forward to! (Check out previous blogs for ideas of what is to come!)
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