Henriet's Blog

Not perfect? There's hope for us!

"So when Satan reminds you that you failed,
you remind him that I have paid for it all." ~ Jesus

This morning I was listening to an Encounter podcast called, "Faith in Walking Well." The question posed by the narrator was: "What feelings do you have when you fall down?" I pondered the suggested feelings of embarrassment or frustration, but those didn't quite resonate with me. Anger, that's what I feel. When I fall or bang my shin, which happened not too long ago, I feel angry with myself. Then I realized I feel angry with myself whenever I mess up or fail. Immediately, several recent goof-ups paraded across my memory. 

Why do I feel angry when I fail?

The temptation is to let the enemy use my minor (or major) stumblings to place my focus back on myself and my inability to walk perfectly. Lies! I don't have to accept or give into the lie that I have to be perfect to receive Jesus' and Father God's approval. 

Photo by Holger Link on Unsplash

The truth is I am whole and righteous because Jesus paid it all. I heard, "So when Satan reminds you that you failed, you remind him that I have paid for it all." ~Jesus

A different response

As I thanked Jesus for His truth, a memory of me falling down when I was a teenager popped in my mind. I distinctly remember laughing when it happened. I wasn't taking myself too seriously (yet?). I asked Jesus, "How do I laugh at failures instead of getting angry?" 

The answer came quickly. Jesus showed me a picture of me following Him up a hill and stumbling before landing in the dirt. I laughed. He laughed, squatted down, dusted me off while laughing with me and smiling kindly. He lovingly and jokingly said, "Let's go silly." I got up smiling and we went on.

Yes! That's how I want to live! Jesus already paid for it all. Why am I holding onto incidents of failing or focussing on what's not right? I'm choosing to walk with the faith to walk well…regardless of tumbles in the dirt. Want to join me?

Off to follow Jesus...

75th Anniversary of D-Day: I am free!

June 6, 2019: The 75th Anniversary of D-Day

June 6, 1944, changed the course of history. The courage and bravery of the Allied Forces began the liberation of Europe. Appropriately, the anniversary of this momentous day was celebrated by dignitaries and veterans from across the world. 97-year old veteran, Tom Rice, parachuted into Normandy again, as he had 75 years ago—then as a paratrooper with the U.S. Army's 101^st Airborne Division. 

D-Day set me free!

Why does D-Day matter to so much to me? I was set free, albeit indirectly as I was born almost two decades after the end of World War II. My country of origin, the Netherlands, was liberated by the Allied Forces. It's free! My parents were set free. I live because brave men and women were willing to risk their lives. And, now I live in the United States. I am so grateful! I can't look at pictures of D-Day or a military cemetery without getting all choked up. Thank you Allied Forces for your sacrifice!

While we still lived in the Netherlands, my family camped in Normandy several times. We visited the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer. Wow, what a tremendously emotional experience. It still brings tears to my eyes. Rows and rows of crosses (and some stars) perfectly straight in every direction. 9,388 people are buried there! It's a beautiful site commemorating the huge sacrifices made. During the D-Day invasion, over 4,000 allied troops died, most under the age of 20! They died so I can be free. How can I not be wrecked by this?

Let's make sure we value our freedom and honor those who died to set us free. Let's guard this freedom and work together to keep our liberty.

Visual demonstration of spiritual reality

D-Day and military cemeteries always remind me of another freedom. They provide me a tangible visual for a spiritual reality—the reality that I've also been set free spiritually and eternally. This freedom also required the ultimate sacrifice of death. God's own Son, Jesus, died so I can be free. This freedom is available to all of us! If we had a celebration it would be about the 2000th Anniversary of that liberation. Thank you Jesus! 

Let's value the opportunity to be eternally and spiritually free. Let's honor it and choose to live free. "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." John 8:36

What about you? Are you celebrating your freedom? Are you free? Do you know the real Jesus?

 

Billy Graham Memorial Publicly and Personally

Thank you Billy Graham…

remembering a life well-lived

 

 

 

 
 

A legacy in my life: From Amsterdam to San Jose, CA to Redmond, WA

Billy Graham has had a profound impact on my life. It started with my father just after World War II in the Netherlands. My dad had found Jesus through the Salvation Army during the war but needed assurance of faith. He attended the 1954 Billy Graham Crusade in Amsterdam. Billy Graham changed my father's life. 

As the Netherlands became post-Christian church attendance and faith changed. Luckily for me, both my parents believed and imparted their faith to my sister and me. My mother read the Children's Bible to us and we believed from an early age. We didn't attend church weekly but would periodically go as a family. Sometimes my father took me to church when I was between 5 & 8 years old—just be the two of us. Billy Graham arriving in Amsterdam 1954

Such special memories…celebrating the life of Billy Graham.

In 1979, my family (my dad, mom, sister and I) moved to the San Jose, CA from the Netherlands. A huge move. It's where I met my husband Fred who was instrumental in taking us to church, Peninsula Bible Church in Palo Alto. We attended weekly, starting an intentional Christian life as we were taught by Pastor Ray Stedman. Growing up in the Netherlands I was not sure about trusting in Jesus for my salvation. I believed but didn't know that I could know and believe that I was saved and would go to heaven. Billy Graham fixed all that.

In 1981, my husband, my mom and I attended the October 4, 1981, Billy Graham Crusade in San Jose, CA. Though saved, we all went forward. As "Just as I am" was sung (My mom sang in the choir!), we all left our seats. We recommitted to Christ as our Lord and Savior. We believed, really believed! We knew we would go to heaven. This means when I die I will not only see Jesus but I will see Billy Graham. The one who preached to my dad in 1954 and to the rest of us in 1981. A man I have admired for years and whom I've written about on this blog in years past (A Humble Man of God. Happy 97th Birthday, and Billy Graham: Fruit Grows in Valleys). Wow what a day that will be!

The legacy continues

Thanks to Billy Graham's influence and Christ's life in us, my husband, adult son and I now serve Jesus every day and every week. Just this January, we launched a church (together with 5 other families) for families of drug addicts, the addicts and their loved ones. We call ourselves True Hope Community Church and meet in Issaquah, WA. We offer hope and healing through Jesus Christ. We preach the Gospel. We are continuing the work started in us so many years ago by the Reverend Billy Graham.

Thank you Jesus! Thank you Pastor Billy Graham. 

If want to follow the memorial events, check out the Billy Graham Memorial Schedule:

Memorial Live Stream Event Schedule on memorial.billygraham.org

Lie in Repose, Charlotte
Monday, Feb. 26 & Tuesday, Feb. 27
10:00 a.m.
Public Visitation Guide

 

Funeral Service
Friday, March 2
10:00 a.m.

#rev #billygraham

Fear the Lord Your God Only. Fear Not.

Seventh in the series on Fear Not in an age of fear and anxiety.

You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him.

                                                          Deuteronomy 13:4, New King James Version (NKJV)

Fear Not because of God

Everyone feels fear. For most fear and anxiety occur periodically or occasionally. Over 18% of adults in the U.S. deal with anxiety disorders. In the Bible, God tells us to "Fear Not." As we look at fear and God's admonition to "fear not," it's important to realize the only antidote is God Himself. God is not telling us to not feel fear or to stop being afraid based on our own strength, ability or merit. He knows the only way is through trust in Him and His Presence. In Isaiah 41:10, God tells us to "fear not for I am with you."

Fear God only

God encourages only one fear and the Bible tells us in numerous places to practice this fear. What is this fear? Fear God! (Not fear of God). We're told in Deuteronomy 13:4, "You shall walk after (follow) the Lord your God and fear Him." God invites us to worship Him, be in awe of Him, and realize He is Sovereign over all. That's what fearing God means after all. It makes sense to fear the one who can do all things. Nothing is too hard for Him. So, if you're going to fear something, fear the God who is all powerful. Truly fearing God removes all other fear for He is Sovereign. Fear God only. Everything else, Fear Not!

#FearNot

Fear Not. Enjoy the Rewards of His Presence

Sixth in the series on Fear Not in an age of fear and anxiety.

After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”

                                                                                                              Genesis 15:1, NKJV  

You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. 

                                                                                                Psalm 16:11, NKJV

Experiencing God's Presence: Is it possible?

The short answer: Yes! God desires for everyone to come to Him and experience Him. How do we know?

• He walked and talked with Adam in the Garden of Eden. That was the original design. God instructed Adam. He made humans in His own image, male and female. He made us to have a relationship with Him. The Fall changed the relationship but not God's intent.
• He appeared to Abram, later named Abraham. See Genesis 12:7, 15:1, 17:1, for examples.
• He "spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend." Exodus 33:11, NKJV
• Jesus came to earth to rescue us and restore the relationship with God. One of Jesus' Names is Immanuel: God with us. If God didn't want us to experience Him and His Presence, why would He send Jesus personally, call Him Immanuel, and have Him live among regular people? If it was just to save us, God didn't need to do this in a personal way. He's God. He could have created a different solution if His desire wasn't to be a personal God to be experienced by us. 

How Can We Experience God?

Though I believe God can reveal Himself to anyone, a true experience with God requires a relationship with Him. (Starting the relationship means accepting and inviting Jesus into your life. One way is following these Steps to Peace with God.) Romans 10: 9, 10 NKJV tells us:

"If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

Believing is the first step. Experiencing God's Presence requires a journey of spending time with God, listening to Him, praying, reading the Bible, worship, being in a community of believers, learning from others who have experienced God. One resource for the journey might be "Experiencing God" by Henry Blackaby. There are many other resources. Sometimes it requires getting our heart healed. I've been blessed by the ministry and classes of Aurora Worldwide and Elizabeth RoBless-Johnson. Sometimes working with a good Spiritual Director can help us experience God's Presence (ask me if you're interested and I'll send you some names.) 

The key to starting to experiencing His Presence is spending time in His Presence. When we show up faithfully and intentionally God will grow us and show us. God is our shield. He and His Presence is our exceedingly great reward. As God told Abram:

    “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” 

 #FearNot

Without God Fear Grows. With Him, "Fear Not!"

Fifth in the series on Fear Not in an age of fear and anxiety.

After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”

Genesis 15:1, NKJV

Too Tired to Spend Time with God?   

So often I listen to the lie in my head that I need more sleep and then fall in the trap of not spending time with God. How many years of following Jesus? Almost four decades. I know better. I do. And I fully intend to spend time with Jesus first thing… At night I pray and commit to God I'll spend time with Him in the morning. (He loves me regardless and keeps no scorecard but I know (I mean I KNOW) life is better when I sit with Jesus before rushing into my day). Back to my night prayer. I'll set my alarm and then tell God, "Wake me up earlier if you want me to spend more time with you." Satisfied with my prayer, I feel good and sleep well. Of course He wakes me early... and the negotiations start. What time is it? 5:30 am! I really need sleep. Is this God waking me? "God, do you really want me to get up now or do you want me to sleep more?" I hear "sleep" and decide I'll just pray in bed first. Zzzzzzzz

Then the alarm startles me into consciousness and I immediately know: This was a mistake. I missed out! Argh. I can't go back and undo this stupid decision. Now I only have a few minutes to be with Jesus. Why did I do this again? Surely Satan wouldn't wake me early to spend time with the LORD. Of course it was God. Duh! Then I recommit: Tomorrow I'll take the extra time, no excuses! 

With the decision to choose sleep over Jesus my anxiety and fears increase. My fear of not getting enough sleep resulted in less peace and more fear. Sometimes this pattern happens multiple times a week I end up feeling increasingly more tired and anxious (not more rested and calm!). 

Disobedience to God increases fear

My friend Ardis, a fellow blogger, sent me a link to Rick Warren's devotional on fear increasing when we refuse to obey God. Timely! Pastor Rick writes, "Fear grows every time you refuse to do what God wants you to do. Eventually, you'll feel cornered. And when fear grows, your life shrinks."

Who needs more fear? Not me. And, I've experienced when I give in to fear, it grows. Then I work to avoid fear, giving fear greater power. Fearing fear leads to greater fear. Not a good cycle!

Disobedience to God's revealed will increases fear. Why? Two reasons occur to me (there could be many more reasons than these): 

1. When we disobey God we agree with the enemy of our soul, Satan. He wants us to disobey. He wants us away from God's protective power. He seeks to isolate us so he can trap us and destroy us.
2. When we disobey God He pursues us. The Lord loves us enough to make us uncomfortable. This Holy Spirit discomfort may feel like fear but actually may be His convicting Presence to lead us back to God, obedience and blessing.

With God, "Fear Not!"

To live in peace and without the tyranny of fear, we need God. Every day. So often I surrender to the temptation to sleep more and then rush into my day on my own. The inevitable outcome includes frustration, stress and disappointment. 

The only antidote to a life of fear is a life with God. As He promised Abram (this is before God gave him his new name Abraham), "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” God Himself is our reward. His Presence is the antidote to fear. Not work. Not His blessings. Not a ritual. Not adhering to religious rules. Just God: Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit. Time in His Presence.

What about you? Do you choose sleep over life change with God? Have you found God's Presence to be the answer to, well, everything? Do you know how to be in His Presence?

More on time with God next post.

#FearNot

Choosing Trust Not Fear

Fourth in the series on Fear Not in an age of fear and anxiety.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 
In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:5,6 New King James Version (NKJV)

Sharing an older but meaningful blog post on Choosing Trust, Not Fear: Choosing Trust and Not Fear. I wrote it when we struggled to survive our complicated situation as a family of a drug addict. Life often seemed hopeless and we were afraid. I was afraid. During the darkest nights, when the current circumstances looked so real, fear was a constant companion, threatening to derail and paralyze us. We chose to reach out to friends and loved ones for prayer. We chose to keep trusting God, believing He would deliver our dear one out of drugs and into freedom. Today we celebrate this freedom but our path involved Choosing Trust and Not Fear Today and every day. We still choose to trust God as He continues His restoration and reconciliation in our life and circumstances.

What's your story? How are you trusting God in your trials?

#FearNot

FEAR: False Evidence Appearing Real. Fear Not!

Third in the series on Fear Not in an age of fear and anxiety.

FEAR: False Evidence Appearing Real

A few years ago, someone shared this acronym: FEAR False Evidence Appearing Real. 

How true! When we feel afraid our fear is all we see and feel. Fear can be all consuming. However, usually our dread is not based on truth but rather a lie. Crazily, the lie seems true because we believe what we can see, hear, think and imagine. Our observations can feed our trepidations. We keep proving our fears.

The antidote to fearing false evidence

Psalm 56 records what King David did when he was afraid after being captured by the Philistines. He trusted in God instead of his circumstances. He chose to believe God and His Word rather than what he could observe and understand.

Whenever I am afraid,
I will trust in You.
In God (I will praise His word),
In God I have put my trust;
I will not fear.
What can flesh do to me?

Psalm 56: 3-4, New King James Version (NKJV)

I need to do as David did by focusing on God instead of on my fears. "Lord, help me to trust in you and not look at my circumstances. Help me to know that you are sovereign over all. Help me to praise you and not fear. In Jesus' Name, Amen."

How about you?

What are you fearing? What false evidence is masquerading as reality in your life? 

#FearNot

Halloween: Fear for Fun? Fear Not

Second in the series on Fear Not in an age of fear and anxiety.

 

You drew near on the day I called on You, And said, “Do not fear!"

Lamentations 3:57, New King James Version

Fear for fun?

 

Fear and Halloween seem to go together. For many it's the opportunity to watch horror movies, decorate with ghoulish flair, don a costume, or prowl nervously through a haunted house. Seeking fear for the enjoyment and scariness of it all. 

 

As someone who struggles with fear, I strive to avoid opportunities to feel more fear. I'm not a fan of Halloween other than the cute kids' costumes and excited faces of those proffering a plastic pumpkin while exclaiming, "Trick-or-Treat." Handing out treats is fun! Fear is not…at least not for me.

Fear Not.

God tells us, "Fear Not" a lot! It's a frequent refrain in the verses of the Bible. When God or angels he sends to talk to people proclaim, "Fear not," it often carries the sense of "stop being afraid." (Good because if you're already afraid saying, "Don't be afraid" is of little help.) Stop being afraid sounds great to me! "Yes Lord, take away this fear." 

 

In Lamentations, the Prophet Jeremiah, talks about suffering, hardships and fear. When we catch up with him in Chapter 3, he has been recounting the struggles of his country, his people as well as his own. In Lamentations 3:53, jailed and in despair he cries out, "They silenced my life in the pit and threw stones at me." In His anguish he cries out to the LORD who answers him. Often in our deepest fear, there is no-one to reach out to except Jesus!

 

They silenced my life in the pit

And threw stones at me. The waters flowed over my head;

I said, “I am cut off!” I called on Your name, O LORD
From the lowest pit. You have heard my voice: 

"Do not hide Your ear from my sighing, from my cry for help.”

You drew near on the day I called on You,

And said, “Do not fear!”

O Lord, You have pleaded the case for my soul;

You have redeemed my life. 

Lamentations 3: 53 - 58, NKJV

Are you afraid? Dealing with fear? God has an answer, "Stop being afraid (Fear not)." How can we stop being afraid? It takes calling out to Him and realizing He is with you! Right there. With you! Nothing is bigger than God. He can handle your fear and everything that causes it. You might still feel afraid but you don't have to BE afraid.

 

#FearNot

Age of Anxiety: Are We Doomed to Fear?

The first of a series dealing with fear. My goal is to write devotional posts to combat fear and choose "Fear Not" instead.

Why is Anxiety so Prevalent in 2017?

Fear and anxiety are common conditions. Over 18% of the US population age 18 and older are affected by anxiety disorders.* That's almost 1 in 5 adults. My son is one of those who struggles with an anxiety disorder. Anxiety makes life tough or at least a lot tougher.

These statistics (and those below) tell only part of the picture. In addition to those with disorders, many more people struggle with occasional anxiety and "regular" fear. I have that occasional anxiety and find myself being afraid of various things. Often randomly. This became worse during the 10 years of being the family member of a drug addict—that was a very anxious decade!

According to the ADAA (Anxiety and Depression Association of America)*:

• Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older, or 18.1% of the population every year.
• Anxiety disorders are highly treatable, yet only 36.9% of those suffering receive treatment.
• Anxiety disorders develop from a complex set of risk factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events.

Facts on Anxiety**

• General Anxiety Disorder or GAD affects 6.8 million adults, or 3.1% of the U.S. population, yet only 43.2% are receiving treatment. Women are twice as likely to be affected as men.
• Panic Disorder or PD affects 6 million adults, or 2.7% of the U.S. population. Women are twice as likely to be affected as men.
• Social Anxiety Disorder or SAD affects 15 million adults, or 6.8% of the U.S. population. SAD is equally common among men and women and typically begins around age 13. According to a 2007 ADAA survey, 36% of people with social anxiety disorder report experiencing symptoms for 10 or more years before seeking help.
• Specific phobias affect 19 million adults, or 8.7% of the U.S. population. Women are twice as likely to be affected as men. Symptoms typically begin in childhood; the average age-of-onset is 7 years old.
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder or OCD affects 2.2 million adults, or 1.0% of the U.S. population. OCD is equally common among men and women. The average age of onset is 19, with 25 percent of cases occurring by age 14. One-third of affected adults first experienced symptoms in childhood.
• Post Traumatic Stress or PTSD affects 7.7 million adults, or 3.5% of the U.S. population. Women are more likely to be affected than men. Rape is the most likely trigger of PTSD: 65% of men and 45.9% of women who are raped will develop the disorder. Childhood sexual abuse is a strong predictor of lifetime likelihood for developing PTSD.

Is there hope or are we doomed to fear?

"Without Jesus, I would not be standing," continues to be my standard answer when people ask me how I made it through the tough times. During the worst of it, I would find myself sobbing, face down on my hardwood floor, uttering out loud, "Jesus, please help me." Over and over. Sometimes for more than an hour. And He always did; He always helped. He would calm me when I was terrified about the situation. He would flood me with peace when my fears made me freak out. He would strengthen me so I could make it one more day. 

There is hope! His name is Jesus. In my journey, I've found there is no fear bigger than Jesus' love. I would cling to Bible verses to help me through. God's promises served as anchors in the raging storm with gale force winds. One of my favorite verses is from Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV):

Make it your verse in your storm. Jesus will help you when you trust in Him.

Please leave a question or comment. Tell me what you'd like to see discussed in this series on "Fear Not." And, stay tuned for the next blog on "Fear Not."

#FearNot 

Sources:
*https://adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics
**National Institute of Mental Health