We Are Survivors

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Posted by Pat Elsberry, October 11

Back in the 70s, when Disco was all the rage, a popular song became every woman's mantra – I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor. Take just a moment, close your eyes, and think back. Can you see yourself dressed in flowered bell-bottom pants or a bright-colored mini skirt with a psychedelic top and platform shoes, shouting the famous words with a fist bump high in the air? Yes, I can see it now!

Haven't we all had our share of heartbreak, grieving over a lost love, and how they did you wrong? As we reflect on those days when we belted out the words, "Oh, no, not I, I will survive," can't you just feel yourself sitting up a little taller, stronger, and hopeful?

Life can toss many things our way, usually when we least expect it. Loss is one of those things, and it comes in many different forms: the demise of a relationship, job loss, debilitating health, a prodigal child, and, yes, the death of a loved one.

We tend to lean more toward the negative when we think of sorrow. After all, if you're suffering, then obviously there is loss, and what does that usually bring? Intense sadness, anxiety, depression, fear, and even anger. But hold on. If we take a moment to look closely at a person walking the grief journey, we will see something else.

We would see someone who perseveres, is courageous, strong, and highly compassionate. Even when we are down, we will not give up. Grievers are survivors!

There may be days when you may not feel like you're much of a survivor of anything, but I encourage you to be kind and gentle with yourself. Give yourself all the time you need. We need help to walk this road.

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4

One day, you'll wake up, and that overwhelming heaviness you once felt will be slightly lighter. In the days when you had no hope and only saw darkness, light will begin to seep through the cracks. You're a survivor, and these are just a few key attributes of those who are:

• You keep getting back up every time life knocks you down.

• You do what needs to be done no matter how you feel.

• You are the kind of person who would get up in the middle of the night to help a friend.

• You see what needs to be done, and you do it.

• You go above and beyond what is expected.

• You are resourceful and creative because you've had to be.

Gloria Gaynor may have thought she cornered the market on words to inspire women, but here's a guy with something lasting and inspirational to share with us: "But the one who endures to the end will be saved." Matthew 24:13.

It’s our hope and belief in Jesus that helps us to not only survive but eventually, thrive.

On the days when you feel more like a dishrag than a survivor, hand it all over to God. He's the one who can calm the uneasiness and unrest in your heart. When this mama's heart is wrestling with some of life's twists and turns, He reminds me this isn't our home. One day, "he will wipe every tear from our eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away, and He will make all things new.

Pat Elsberry is an author, speaker, blogger, and a passionate advocate for parents dealing with grief after the loss of a child. Pat created multiple social media groups focused on providing hope to others who are walking the same path, including her blog, Hope During Loss. Pat facilitates an in-person grief share for women who have experienced child loss, and is also a moderator for Team Sharing, a nationwide peer-led support group for parents who have lost children to substance use disorder. Pat is the author of Beautifully Broken: Finding Hope During Loss, and will soon release her first devotional, Comforted by God. Pat and her husband, Fred live outside Atlanta and have a blended family of 7 children and 5 grandchildren. Her favorite things include traveling, cooking, gardening, dark chocolate, and worship music. You can find Pat on her blog, www.hopeduringloss.com, and on Facebook and Instagram @HopeDuringLoss.

Rituals & Rhythms

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Posted by Kim Stanley, October 3

I grew up in a church that celebrated liturgy and ritual. It was comforting, even as a young girl, to go to church every Sunday and know what to expect. I loved the songs we sang, and before I was old enough to participate myself, I was enamored with the Eucharist and Holy Communion.

Call it a holy curiosity, but I secretly studied everyone from my seat as they went up to receive the tiny little wafer and then reverently walked back to their pews, where they kneeled in silence. It was both mysterious and fascinating at the same time, and I couldn’t wait until I was old enough to be a part of it. When I finally became part of the church and officially could receive Communion myself, it was celebrated with my classmates at church, a new white dress, and a party with my family.

Fast forward to college years, and the mystery became monotony; the liturgy seemed lethargic.

My heart was unmoved by anything “religious.” I longed for a real experience with God, but church tasted flat.

It wasn’t until I was in my mid-20s, married with one child and one on the way, that I understood by a revelation from the Holy Spirit, that I needed a heart transplant. Literally! God’s grace brought me to new life in Jesus, and my spirit came alive in Christ.

That holy curiosity now moves me to learn more about Jesus through His Word and more about His Kingdom through the Body of Christ. There is a time and place for ritual and liturgy. They are much more meaningful when our hearts are alive to the Spirit of the Living God.

We can lose our way sometimes when the ritual becomes routine and stale. When meeting together, or opening our Bibles, or singing, or praying becomes a checklist to make ourselves feel better, our faith can become lifeless instead of lifegiving.

The Holy Spirit waits to be invited into the mundane, the sameness, and longs to make our way full of Life, full of Himself.

The rituals can become rhythms of grace.

As we abide in His Presence, Jesus leads us to a beautiful table of fellowship with Himself and with each other.

The Table of Remembrance is where we experience true Communion with our Bridegroom and with the family of God. As we remember his broken body and shed blood for us, as we partake of it ourselves, we are re-membered to Him and to one another. We proclaim together, “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again!”

The table is set for you and me, friend. Our servant King is the host.

If you’ve lost the wonder, if you’re hungry for real bread, if you are longing for true communion with Christ and the church, there’s a seat for you here. His sufficient sacrifice and resurrection have provided for your place and mine at the table.

Let the rhythms of grace move us into greater intimacy with our Savior.

“As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then, he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, ‘Take this and eat it, for this is my body.’ And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, ‘Each of you drink from it, for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.’ (Matthew 26:26-27) NLT

Kim Stanley is a worship leader, speaker, writer, and is the worship leader for Touching Hearts Ministries. She and her husband Joe have been in itinerant worship ministry for over 30 years. She is the founder and director of One Thing Worship, a retreat ministry for women that provides sacred time and space to be still and hear the voice of God. She also co-hosts a podcast called “A Burst Of Hope” with Martha Wilson. She and Joe have been married for 40 years; they have 4 grown children, one in heaven, and 6 grandchildren. They live in the south metro Atlanta area. You can connect with Kim on her website, www.joeandkimstanley.com, and on Facebook and Instagram @onethingworship.

War Room

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Posted by Martha Wilson, September 27

"The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

James 5:16b

While cleaning out my home office this week, I stumbled across some old writings. I really don’t remember writing this one, but oh, how I needed the personal challenge. It shook me in a good way, and I trust that someone else might need this word.

We designated one of the little rooms as a prayer room in our previous ministry location. The beautiful hand-crafted wooden sign was carefully posted over the door heralding “War Room.” Within was an inviting space to spend time with the Father. It included lamps and candles, floor pillows, and a desk. A journal for sharing prayer requests, inspiring paintings, and scripture. It was set apart as a holy place to meet with God.

Individuals and small groups gathered there and prayed for God to move among us. Together we sought His will and how we could join Him in His mighty work.

Sadly, as we began to outgrow our space for weekly gatherings little by little, the prayer room became a storage room. I remember the day while giving a few guests a tour of our space, the sick feeling filled my heart as we came to the “War Room.”

The ladies were charmed by the beautiful sign over the doorway, but I quickly began explaining the dark, cluttered room as I opened the closed door. Chairs were stacked high, and other furnishings and “stuff” completely filled the room. The War Room had become a Storage Room!

As I spoke the words, I was saddened, and even as I type these words today, tears fill my eyes.

It was later that night as I pondered the experience of the day, that I sensed the Lord’s grief. He showed me this was a serious problem with our ministry and our lives. The Christian movie, “War Room” made the words on the doorway sign very popular, but was it true? We wanted to be warriors, but the sign and well-intentioned decorated room did not make it so. No warring was going on in that room. It was dark, cluttered, and closed to prayer.

The sign had become a decoration instead of a declaration.

Are our lives in the same condition?

Are our hearts stacked high with clutter, worry, fear, and things of the world?

Have we exchanged the peace that comes in prayer for more stuff?

We acknowledge that we have a desire and need to pray, but are we praying?

We read and study about prayer, but are we interceding and warring for heaven on earth? We talk about being prayer warriors, but are we dressed for battle?

It is not talking about prayer that changes anything; it is prayer.

The day after the tour, I asked that the sign be removed and put over the main entrance of our worship room. It beckoned us to be women of worship and prayer, warring for His kingdom to come. We must become a house of prayer. Our world, state, city, churches, and families need someone to take the call to pray seriously.

I say “YES” Lord! Make me a true Prayer Warrior.

Prayer is the highest and most holy privilege and responsibility that Jesus left us with. We join Him in His ever-eternal intercession at the right hand of the throne of God. Prayer is so powerful. The enemy knows it, so he tricks us into piling our lives high with stuff. He draws us into deeper darkness until we eventually close the door to prayer. The enemy deceives us into believing we have a powerful room called prayer, but when hard times strike, do we war or retreat behind a closed door of despair?

Oh, my sisters and brothers, let us be deceived no longer! Be encouraged by Paul’s words of encouragement:

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, continuing steadfastly in prayer. (Romans 12:12)

Lord, give us your heart that we might pray in power!

That we might become “War Rooms” for your Kingdom.

Martha Wilson is a writer, speaker, blogger and co-host of “A Burst of Hope” weekly podcast. She is the founder and director of Touching Hearts Ministries for women. She has led women to pursue an intimate relationship with Jesus for most of her adult life. She is bold, tender, and transparent as she teaches women to embrace powerful Biblical truths. Martha and her husband, Ed, live in Fayetteville, Georgia, and enjoy their blended family of five children, eight grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. You can connect with Martha at: Facebook and Instagram @TouchingHeartsMinistries or listen to the A Burst of Hope Podcast.