tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68290388879956307462024-03-27T16:54:11.651-07:00Y Start Up^Cara Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18175275238744795093noreply@blogger.comBlogger518125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6829038887995630746.post-2912070361605116612024-03-25T07:14:00.000-07:002024-03-25T07:14:46.168-07:00Bracket Buster<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">My bracket was busted in less than a day in the men’s NCAA basketball tournament. My bracket is put together on a wing, with no prayer, and a little knowledge about college basketball. I know the names of a few good teams. But that’s it. I didn’t count on shockers like Oakland defeating three-seeded Kentucky.</span></p><div class="m_-160951735374308492e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">Some interesting facts: I read from Forbes that over 22 million March Madness bracket submissions were busted on ESPN’s platform last Thursday. I’m in good company. Then, I also heard on our local radio station that the odds of a perfect 63-game bracket can be as high as 1 in 9.2 quintillion. Well, there you have it. No perfect bracket.<br /><br />Just as I have no perfect bracket, I have no perfect life. I have sinned. I sin daily. I will keep on sinning as much as I try not to. Sin is my reality. Sin is your reality. I am not nor will I ever be perfect.<br /><br />I think deep down we all know we’re not perfect. It’s so easy to hide our cracks, mistakes, and goof-ups, hoping no one sees them. We have a natural proclivity to hide our sins. Yet, we can’t hide from God. The big problem with humankind is found in Romans 3:12 <em>“No one does good, not even one.” </em>None of us are good enough for God because His standard is perfection.<br /><br />Because God loved us so much, He had a solution for this. God came to the rescue by sending Jesus to the earth in human flesh. Authorities in his time plotted to kill him. He was arrested, falsely accused, and condemned to death on a cross. He was mocked, rejected, betrayed, and left on a cross to die. <br /><br />Jesus became the willing substitute for our sins. He hung on the cross for three days and before He died, declared “It is finished.” (John 19:30) Jesus knew and said He would be killed and on the third day He would rise again. This next Sunday, we celebrate what happened on that first Easter: <em>Jesus’ resurrection!</em><br /><br />God does expect you and me to be perfect. But because there’s no possible way for us to be perfect, He sent Jesus. Because of Christ’s sacrifice, He sees believers as perfect. (Hebrews 10:14) If we know Jesus, he has imputed his holiness to each child of God. He has left us with His Holy Spirit to work within us to bring Him glory.<br /><br />I pray that You comprehend the beauty of the Easter message and celebrate well because there is much to celebrate.<br /><br /><em>‘For by one sacrifice, he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”</em> Hebrews 10:14<br /><br /><strong>This week</strong>: As you begin Holy Week, take time to read the passages of the Easter story in the Gospels: Matthew 26-28, Mark 15-16, Luke 22-24, and John 17-20. May God use these passages to help prepare your heart for Good Friday and ultimately, Easter.</div><div class="m_-160951735374308492e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">Take a moment to listen to this beautiful song by Andrew Peterson: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DOIahc83Kvp4&source=gmail&ust=1711459053339000&usg=AOvVaw3g6lLN9iMRSRZ2WXWQxHqm" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OIahc83Kvp4" style="color: #333333;" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.<wbr></wbr>com/watch?v=OIahc83Kvp4</a> <br /><br /><em>Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.</em></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6829038887995630746.post-7475977006895947952024-03-18T04:59:00.000-07:002024-03-18T04:59:49.401-07:00The Transformation of Peter<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">In our day, Peter in the Bible would be considered a red-necked Bass fisherman. Do you go to Bass Pro Shop for spiritual counsel and guidance? I doubt it. But perhaps my husband does because he loves to fish. Would anyone trust a fisherman to know anything about spiritual matters?</span></p><div class="m_-2865120009373795175e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">Peter’s original name was Simon and he was one of Jesus’s twelve disciples. While fishing with his brother Andrew, Jesus called him, and the brothers followed. He was with Jesus until he went to his death. He was impulsive, ambitious, bold, passionate, inconsistent, and zealous as a leader. He had an eagerness that was beautiful but often landed him in trouble as Jesus tried to redirect him. He quickly committed to something without understanding whether he could follow through. He often spoke before thinking and even tried to tell Jesus what to do! Peter was Peter, a red-necked Bass fisherman turned disciple.<br /><br />And we can’t forget Peter denying Jesus. (John 18:15-18, 25-27) After Jesus was arrested, Peter initially denied him two times. He didn’t bat an eye in denying Jesus. but after the third denial, he heard the rooster crow and remembered Jesus predicting this would happen as Jesus looked at him. Peter sobbed in sorrow! Yet now we see that Peter’s failure was not final.<br /><br />We find it so easy to judge people for just about anything! Just as Peter had plenty of character traits that could cause people to be judgy towards him, so do you and I. As much as we’d like to say, <em>“How in the world could Peter deny Jesus, not one or two, but THREE times?”</em> we too, could commit so many sins against Jesus. We're often too busy judging others.<br /><br />Do we look at people with the love of Jesus and believe in them? Do we believe that people can change?<br /><br />Peter changed over time. The reality is that we all have made mistakes. Not one of us is perfect. We’ve all sinned. Time with Jesus will transform us and that’s what happened with Peter. We see in Acts 4:13 a different Peter “<em>Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.”</em><br /><br />When Jesus called Peter initially, his name was Simon. Yet, Jesus changed His name to Peter, which means rock. (John 1:42) “For three years, Jesus called him ‘Rock’” At the time Peter was NOT like a rock! Jesus saw what Peter could be and transformed Peter into that.<br /><br />Greg Laurie writes<em> “We see a Simon. God sees a Peter. We see the past. God sees the future. We see a mess. God sees a message. God sees us for who we are in Christ, not what we were in sin. God does not see us in our sins; He sees us in His Son. God can change everything in your story- if you’ll let Him.”</em></div><div class="m_-2865120009373795175e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;"><em>Take a listen: Graves into Gardens (Elevation worship) <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DgF-2CQjC7PM&source=gmail&ust=1710849507685000&usg=AOvVaw3G2LYLAO3xLiNsLU9W7sdJ" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF-2CQjC7PM" style="color: #333333;" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.<wbr></wbr>com/watch?v=gF-2CQjC7PM</a></em><br /><br /><em>Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Santonio.</em></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6829038887995630746.post-51649771079440155052024-03-11T08:45:00.000-07:002024-03-11T08:45:50.107-07:00Everybody's Going Through Something<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Everybody’s going through something. What I find sad is that we often hide what we’re going through because there’s an unwritten rule we must appear together. We laugh it off. We try to minimize. We don’t want others to know our weaknesses.</span></p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">I was just with a group of women this past week and I believe almost everyone in the group was going through something hard. It was sweet because as we opened up and shared our struggles, we allowed others in with them. We took time to pray together and give our burdens to God. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Everybody’s going through something. We don’t need to go through it alone. We need our God to walk with us and a few trusted people as well.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Beth Moore tweeted recently </span><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">“I don’t say these words tritely but with much thought over recent years. The best counsel I have for any of us walking through something we basically feel we cannot bear is to walk through it with the Lord. I mean really. Deliberately. Daily. Let his inaudible voice whisper to your spirit, come with me and I’ll walk with you through it."</em><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Beth goes on to write </span><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">“I’m telling you the truth here. How have I made it and how am I making it and how will I make it? And I will! Despite anything and everything, I surely will. I have one answer and only one and it is the truest thing to which I could ever testify: THE LORD.”</em><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">What’s your something? Loneliness. Betrayal. Marital or relational strife. Job issues. Fear. PTSD. Confusion. Lack of peaceful sleep. Suicidal thoughts. Heavy grief. Depression. A child who is struggling. Anxiety. Growing older. Medical issues. Crazy thinking. The suffering of someone you love. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Whether we’ve just gone through something, we’re going through something now or we’re about to go through something, there is always SOMETHING. And it’s important what we do with our “somethings.”</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">We can turn to all sorts of things to deal with our somethings. The latest cool podcast. A drink or two or three. Some kind of habit or addiction. Hide from them. Reading the latest self-help book. Scroll through Facebook or Twitter to take your mind off it. And to be honest, many people just try to live with their somethings.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">I believe Beth Moore’s words hit true for me. Jesus has walked with me through my somethings. I can't imagine life without Him! I find Matthew 11:28-30 (The Message) truly is what I do to get me through. It says: </span><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me-watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” </em><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">I run to Jesus just as this verse speaks about. Jesus’ presence has sustained through through some of the darkest of days.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">So, when you wonder how you're going to get through your something, I invite you to consider Jesus in your life. He longs to have a personal relationship with You. Whatever you’re walking through, it may be incredibly hard, but going through it with Jesus is way better.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"><br />Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.</em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6829038887995630746.post-13201972309242445272024-03-04T17:48:00.000-08:002024-03-04T17:48:57.507-08:00Greater<p><span style="background-color: white;">T</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">his morning, Ben and I were up super early for our spin class at the YMCA. Good music makes for good spinning. When I feel the music, I get into it. This morning was no exception. The song “Greater” by</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"> </span><em style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Mercy Me</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">came on:</span></p><div class="m_-8535694869772343698e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="font-size: 12px;"><em>Bring your tired<br />And bring your shame<br />Bring your guilt<br />And bring your pain<br />Don’t you know that’s not your name<br />You will always be much more to me<br /></em><em><br />Every day I wrestle with the voices<br />That keep telling me I’m not right<br />But that’s alright<br /></em><em><br />‘Cause I hear a voice and He calls me redeemed<br />When others say I’ll never be enough<br />And greater is the One living inside of me<br />Than he who is living in the world…..<br /></em><em><br />Bring your doubts<br />And bring your fears <br />Bring your hurt<br />And bring your tears<br />There’ll be no condemnation here<br />You are holy, righteous, and redeemed.<br /></em><em><br />Every time I fall<br />There’ll be those who will call me<br />A mistake<br />Well that’s okay…..<br /></em><em><br />‘Cause I hear a voice and He calls me redeemed<br />When others say I’ll never be enough<br />And greater is the One living inside of me<br />Than he who is living in the world….. (continues)</em></span><br /><br />I know what it’s like to wrestle with the voices. Maybe you do too. The voices that can compete for my attention. The voices that can put me down. The voices that say I’ll never be enough. The voices can be in our heads or real life. It’s hard to switch it off when it’s in our minds.<br /><br /><em>And no one knows we struggle. The voices continue and we think this is just life.<br /></em><em><br />No! It doesn’t have to be this way!</em><br /><br />I’ve known Jesus a long time, but I still need discipline and strength to hear God’s voice over all the other voices. I know I need God’s written word, the Bible to help me hear His voice. It’s God’s truth that enables us to recognize what does not come from God. The more I read God’s Word, the more I recognize God’s truth about who I am. When we are focused on ourselves and what we’re going through, we may miss God’s voice.<br /><br />What if we lived like God was greater? What if we knew that knowing Christ gives us freedom from guilt and shame? What if we knew that we could invite God to help us with the voices that haunt us? What if we knew we didn’t have to live with doubt and fear?<br /><br /><em>Cause I hear a voice and he calls me redeemed.<br />When others say I’ll never be enough.</em></div><div class="m_-8535694869772343698e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;"><em>Take a listen: Greater by Mercy Me: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DGXI0B4iMLuU&source=gmail&ust=1709689522924000&usg=AOvVaw2dCDMI5BLunwnKplzcg5k7" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXI0B4iMLuU" style="color: #333333;" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/<wbr></wbr>watch?v=GXI0B4iMLuU</a></em><br /><em><br />Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.</em></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6829038887995630746.post-6491847002229091982024-02-12T08:48:00.000-08:002024-02-12T11:59:07.540-08:00Fast Car<p><span face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15px;">Like so many, I was so moved by Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs performing "Fast Car" at the Grammy's last week. I must admit, I pressed play over and over. It just touched me to the core. Her radiant smile and beauty. The way they sang together. The way Combs honored Chapman and recognized he was with greatness.</span></p><div class="m_4549450930839873758e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">Why did it touch us so much? Was it the nostalgia of it all? Was it because of the story of loving and caring for people and not being a victim? Was it the feeling of belonging and driving to a new life? Was it the reality that you cannot change somebody even if they need help? Or maybe a song of compassion and hope, which we all need?<br /></div><div class="m_4549450930839873758e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">Do any of these phrases connect with you?....</div><div class="m_4549450930839873758e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;"><em>I know things’ll get better<br />You’ll find work and I’ll get promoted<br />And we’ll move out of the shelter<br />Buy a better house and live in the suburbs<br />Somebody’s gotta take care of him/So I quit school and that’s what I did<br />And I, had a feeling that I belonged<br />I, I had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone.</em><br /><br />I had a feeling that I belonged. Yeah, that hit me. I’ve always struggled with feeling different. And so that word hit me hard. Belonging. We all want to belong, don’t we? Maybe you’ve asked these questions at one point or another.<br /><br />Who will accept me for who I really am? How can I experience meaningful belonging? How many people know me well? Do I fit in and what does that look like?<br /><br />Genesis 16 tells the story of three characters, Abram, Sarai, and Hagar. Abram and Sarai were to care for Hagar, who was an outsider. Instead of helping her belong, Hagar was abused and mistreated. Hagar then fled from them, trying to find her way, only to have the angel of the Lord find her and ask: <em>“Where have you come from and where are you going?"</em> (Genesis 16:8) This is our God! I’m so grateful that Hagar was pursued by God! Hagar wasn’t even looking for God. But God was looking for her.<br /><br />God finds those who are destitute and don’t feel they belong and brings them back to Himself. Whether you feel that you are alone or isolated, you have a God who is personal and sees you.<br /><br />Where are you seeking to belong? Are you listening to the enemy's lies that say,<em> “You’re all alone.” “You don’t belong.” </em> Do you feel that God has abandoned you? Please know that God loves you so much and pursues you wholeheartedly.<br /><br />Tim Keller wrote “<em>To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial. To be known and not loved is our greatest fear. But to be fully known and truly loved is a lot like being loved by God.”</em><br /><br />Let’s just take one more listen and enjoy:<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://twitter.com/mrajchan/status/1754752564539850888&source=gmail&ust=1707842042367000&usg=AOvVaw2PGuXjTVd55wT5tsxtCOzv" href="https://twitter.com/mrajchan/status/1754752564539850888" style="color: #333333;" target="_blank">https://twitter.com/<wbr></wbr>mrajchan/status/<wbr></wbr>1754752564539850888</a><br /><br />Hope is not just in hoping things get better. Hope is in Christ, where we can have a firm foundation: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3Dtc8l2u4uRVM&source=gmail&ust=1707842042367000&usg=AOvVaw00vBkuZfCJOa_7LnxrkTwh" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8l2u4uRVM" style="color: #333333;" target="_blank">https://www.<wbr></wbr>youtube.com/watch?v=<wbr></wbr>tc8l2u4uRVM</a><br /><em><br />Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio</em>.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6829038887995630746.post-80756482817260179882024-01-29T06:51:00.000-08:002024-01-29T06:51:30.656-08:00Conversations with God<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Day in and day out we have conversations with people. I read online that one study out of Britain revealed that the average person has 27 conversations every day, lasting an average of 10 minutes each.</span></p><div class="m_-6848054241774527545e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">Do you ever think about how much you talk? How much do you listen to those you’re in conversation with? What do you learn as you visit with people?<br /><br />Every day we have conversations with those we work, live, and play with. These conversations can be as simple as <em>“How are you doing?.... Fine!”</em> But often, those conversations are way more complex:<br /><br /><em>Giving and receiving negative feedback<br />Relational challenge between a spouse, workmate, or friend<br />Talking about your pay at work<br />Struggling to understand a decision<br />Talking politics with those with a different opinion</em><br /><br />In my life and work, I think one of the most important things I’ve learned is that conversations with people go way better if I have regular conversations with God. As I’ve grown older, I have a more desperate need for God. That need has drawn me to having an ongoing dialogue with Him throughout my day.<br /><br /><strong>Helplessness</strong>- I go back to the great work of O. Hallesby called “Prayer.” Hallesby calls helplessness the surest indication of a praying heart. It is the last resort of the helpless. We try everything before we finally resort to prayer. But what if helplessness is your best prayer? When we go to God with our helplessness, we are constantly appealing to His Father's heart. It’s the prayer of dependence, openness, trust, and listening love. Helplessness is quite powerful. Realizing that we are human, and God is God helps us see our place in this life. We need Him! And get this! God longs for us to come to Him and enjoy constant conversation with Him in our helplessness.<br /><br /><strong>Talking to God</strong>- I find that many people have a hard time praying. They listen to other “professional” pray-ers and assume they can’t possibly pray like that! So, they don’t. Prayer is scary. Yet, if you fear prayer, you are missing one of the most amazing gifts of communing with God! How does one talk to God? You talk to God! He always listens, not like humans at times. Prayer begins with us seeing that we can talk to our heavenly Father and He listens and answers! We come to Him in our helplessness. We come to Him in our joys. We come to Him with our desires. We share what’s on our minds. That’s prayer.<br /><br /><strong>Listening to God</strong>- Often, we try to gain control with our words. By listening, when done well, we give power away. We wait. We pause. We invite God to speak. We bend our ears so we can’t miss one word! I love the promise of God in Isaiah: “Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24 ) Humility is critical when we listen to God. We come to grips that He is God and we are not. What if we approached our relationship with God as a listener? Keep in mind, that He longs to speak to You. <br /><br />Today, consider your relationship with God. Do you enjoy ongoing conversations with your heavenly Father? Do you take time to listen? What would it look like to develop your prayer life in 2024?<br /><br /><em>“Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.”</em> 1 Samuel 3:9<br /><br /><em> “Morning by morning he wakens-wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught.”</em> Isaiah 50:4</div><div class="m_-6848054241774527545e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;"><br /></div><div class="m_-6848054241774527545e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">Take a listen to learn how to listen: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DuC1xT3idGqs&source=gmail&ust=1706624810940000&usg=AOvVaw1LvXeEDWsZ8Vk_ooKBNLuo" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uC1xT3idGqs" style="color: #333333;" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.<wbr></wbr>com/watch?v=uC1xT3idGqs</a><br /><br /><em> Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.</em></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6829038887995630746.post-82440214191039824252024-01-22T06:24:00.000-08:002024-01-22T06:24:10.413-08:00Learning in the Ups and Downs<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">It was an exciting weekend of NFL football, but sadly the Dallas Cowboys were NOT involved. I thought this year would be different and the Cowboys would make it to the Super Bowl. But sadly, they lost their playoff game. Again.</span></p><div class="m_-1823344160392592935e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">Then there are the San Antonio Spurs. I was thinking that once Victor Wembanyama joined the team, things would be different. But alas, they have one of the worst records in the NBA. I had high hopes for the Spurs this season. <em>What happened?</em><br /><br />There is certainly more to life than our favorite sports teams winning their games! I get that. As I started thinking about my disappointment, I came across a portion of an interview with Coach Popovich after a recent Spurs game.<br /><br />The interviewer asked: <em>“How do you see the light at the end of the tunnel? In your situation, where do you find the hope and belief that there are better days ahead?”</em><br /><br />Coach Popovich answered: <em>“You have a choice. You either believe that or the other. Or you become a defeatist. We all have ups and downs. We all know the comment that you don’t know who you are until you’ve been knocked in the teeth. It’s true. You hope the players have the character to understand it’s a process. It’s not instantaneous. You have to have the patience and know it’s a teaching situation…."</em><br /><br />I love Pop’s comments. We DO have a choice. Far beyond sports, we have a choice in the ups and downs of life as to how WE respond. It’s during those challenging times that we build character and recognize patient endurance is possible with God at our side.<br /><br />I think one of our responses during hard times is “<em>Why is this happening to me? Why am I having such a difficult time? When will things change?” </em> For me, I get to the point in my difficult situation that I can’t control the outcome that I want. Things aren’t going my way. Then I realized that life is not about “my” way.<br /><br />It’s during these ups and downs of life, that God gets our attention. I certainly would welcome life to be one “up” after another. But, it’s during suffering, pain, and losses that we can grow in our faith and become more like Jesus. The Bible speaks to building character during our struggles. Romans 5:3-4 says <em>“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.” </em>This progression in endurance, strength of character, and hope is one to seek!<br /><br />The reality that we encounter adversity and loss in life is not nearly as important as how we choose to deal with it. When those hard times happen, we all have a choice of how we’re going to handle it.<br /><br />God will use our losses. God will use our setbacks. God will use our trials. God will use our hurts. Trust Him. Run to Him. He is near.</div><div class="m_-1823344160392592935e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">Our God is a God of the Hills and Valleys! Take a listen: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3Dp4rRCjrAyCs&source=gmail&ust=1706019785282000&usg=AOvVaw2U3_rBbrApYZF8fIEzcPhS" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4rRCjrAyCs" style="color: #333333;" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.<wbr></wbr>com/watch?v=p4rRCjrAyCs</a><br /><br /><em>Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.</em></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6829038887995630746.post-67546432413134477702024-01-08T06:50:00.000-08:002024-01-08T06:50:25.838-08:00How 'Bout Them Cowboys?<p><span style="background-color: white;">I</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">’ve been a Dallas Cowboys fan since I was a little kid. In my youthful mind, I figured the team to support should have something to do with horses, so I chose the Cowboys. I eventually moved to Dallas so I could be close to them. Crazy, but true.</span></p><div class="m_-1920775151645540066e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">So, last weekend was pretty special. It finally happened. Jerry Jones inducted Jimmy Johnson into the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor during Dallas’ home game against Detroit. As you might know, it was during Johnson’s coaching era that the Cowboys went from 1-15 season, to make the playoffs and win back-to-back Super Bowls. It was quite a special time with the other Ring of Honor greats, like Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, and Emmit Smith. So many fun memories from living in Dallas back in those special days!<br /><br />At the end of his phenomenal speech, Jimmy Johnson said “<em>Thank you, thank you, thank you and I just got one thing left to say “How ‘bout them Cowboys?” </em> That. Was. So. Cool. You don't want to know how many times I replayed that.<br /><br />Jimmy Johnson waited 30 years for this day to happen. Supposedly there was a reason for the wait, a demise in the partnership between Jones and Johnson. I don’t know all the details of the split, but thankfully, things have changed, and Jimmy Johnson now has his name alongside the Cowboys’ most legendary figures, even if he had to wait 30 years.<br /><br />Who in the world wants to wait for something 30 years? Honestly, I’d like to be so bold to say I hate waiting for a long traffic light….30 seconds! It’s hard to wait!<br /><br /><strong>As you and I look toward 2024, what do you want to see happen that hasn’t happened yet?</strong> It’s especially hard to wait when we watch others get what WE may have been waiting for. I imagine Jimmy Johnson felt that way when others got into the Ring of Honor before him. Since he’s 80 years old, he probably wondered if he’d see it in this lifetime!<br /><br />I have some things I’m waiting for. You do too. They’re things I’ve been praying for and care about deeply. While I wait, I realize that God’s got this. He does. Psalm 130:5 says, <em>“I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.” </em>My hope is in Him.<br /><br />And while I wait, I don’t have to worry, stress out, doubt, or make a hissy fit. I practice patiently waiting on the Lord. My hope isn’t in another person coming through for me. My hope is in the Lord. I don’t have any idea of a timeline of things happening, but I can trust in God and His promises. I’m trusting that God is moving on my behalf and He is at work, even though I don’t see it.<br /><br />There was one thing I noticed about that grand celebration for Jimmy Johnson. There was incredible joy and celebration for him. It was his day! It finally happened! And the whole stadium and those of us on TV celebrated!<br /><br />What are you waiting for? Bearing a child? Your child to thrive? Finances to improve? Getting married? Physical healing? A promotion? A relationship to change? Are you wondering if or when God will send an answer? God hears our prayers and He’s working out the answers even though we don’t see it. Will you trust God in your waiting?</div><div class="m_-1920775151645540066e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">Even though we don't see it, He's still working...will you trust Him? Take a listen to Leeland and Waymaker: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DiJCV_2H9xD0&source=gmail&ust=1704811322163000&usg=AOvVaw16kDs9aHia0PMuax5SuN2C" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJCV_2H9xD0" style="color: #333333;" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.<wbr></wbr>com/watch?v=iJCV_2H9xD0</a><br /><em><br />Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio</em>.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6829038887995630746.post-4802450237701283672024-01-02T09:02:00.000-08:002024-01-02T09:02:46.459-08:00Growing as a Human Being<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">As you start this new year, how might you grow? What if you and I took the time to look at our shortcomings and ask the solid question: How might I become a more fully developed human being in 2024?</span></p><div class="m_-319998260158176237e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">David Brooks, in his excellent book “How to Know a Person,” writes: <em>“People need social skills. We talk about the importance of “relationships,” “community,” “friendship,” “social connection,” but these words are too abstract. The real act of, say, building a friendship or creating a community involves performing a series of small, concrete social actions well: disagreeing without poisoning the relationship; revealing vulnerability at the appropriate pace; being a good listener; knowing how to end a conversation gracefully; knowing how to ask for and offer forgiveness; knowing how to let someone down without breaking their heart; knowing how to sit with someone who is suffering; knowing how to host a gathering where everyone feels embraced; knowing how to see things from another’s point of view.”</em><br /><br />Brooks goes on to write <em>“And a life spent on social media is not exactly helping people learn these skills. On social media, you can have the illusion of social contact without having to perform the gestures that actually build trust, care, and affection. On social media, stimulation replaces intimacy. There is judgment everywhere and understanding nowhere.”</em><br /><br />So what do we do? How do we humans navigate relationships when there can be so much cruelty, judgment, grudges, mistrust, and indifference? Brooks writes <em>“No crueler punishment can be devised than to not see someone, to render them unimportant or invisible.”</em> It’s saying to someone: <em>You don’t matter.</em><br /><br />Brook’s book has been so insightful and motivating for me to grow more as a fully developed human being in 2024. Is there a point in our lives where we don’t feel we need to learn something new? God forbid! I’ve enjoyed taking the time to be a student of Brook’s book. But I also need God's help in growing in these ways of relating to people.<br /><br />When I stay close and remain in Christ, He teaches me so much! John 15:5 says <em>“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”</em> Ok, I know it’s so easy to mess up in the relational department. But the message of this verse is clear. Our most fruitful, most satisfying life can only come from remaining (or abiding) in God. God can enable us to do what we cannot do in our own strength. He truly is our Helper!<br /><br />So, it’s God who can help me learn the skills that go into seeing and understanding others and making other people feel special, respected, and valued. It’s God that can help me judge less and give grace more. It’s God who can help me have a humble posture of asking and inquiring of others, rather than talking at them. It’s God that can help me see great potential in other people. It’s God that can help me see the world through another’s eyes. It’s God that can help me be an Illuminator, not a Diminisher in relationships.<br /><br />What does it take to humble ourselves and see that we have much to learn in this area? May God help us become people who see others in 2024 the way He sees them. <br /><br /><em>“They say there is no such thing as an ordinary person. When you’re beholding someone, you’re seeing the richness of this particular human consciousness, the full symphony- how they perceive and create their life.” </em>David Brooks, How to Know a Person</div><div class="m_-319998260158176237e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">Take a listen: "Help is on the Way" by TobyMac: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DaVgetIvEIAs&source=gmail&ust=1704300635348000&usg=AOvVaw17uu7VlW8nNp3bYl-AYb_i" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVgetIvEIAs" style="color: #333333;" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.<wbr></wbr>com/watch?v=aVgetIvEIAs</a><br /><br /><em>Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.</em></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6829038887995630746.post-45499905296080474922023-12-25T07:11:00.000-08:002023-12-25T07:11:06.274-08:00What Do You Want for Christmas?<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">This day is full of a lot of emotions. The joy of being with family. The excitement of baby’s first Christmas. The anticipation of being with those you love. The loss of a family member or friend this past year. The loneliness of what’s missing. The relational strife that still exists.</span></p><div class="m_5008047974551848425e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">What do you want for Christmas? Is it the gift you’ve been waiting for all year? Is it good health? Is it a partner to do life with? Is it peace in your heart? Is it having the perfect house, perfect location, perfect job, or perfect family?<br /><br />When it comes to Christmas, I’ve felt some of these same feelings. Joy. Sadness. Anticipation. Loneliness. Strife. Yet, with all these things we humanly “hope” for, none meet the satisfaction, hope, and peace that Jesus brings.<br /><br />To the one who spends one more Christmas alone without a partner, God says <em>“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel.” (</em>which means ‘God with us.’) Matthew 1:23<br /><br />To the one who can’t seem to find peace, God says <em>“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”</em> Isaiah 26:3<br /><br />To the one who needs guidance and help, God says <em>“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go, I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.</em>” Psalm 32:8<br /><br />To the one who grieves, Jesus says “<em>I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”</em> John 16:33<br /><br />To the one who struggles with relational strife at the holidays, Jesus says <em>“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”</em> Psalm 34:18<br /><br />To the one who questions how God would allow such pain and suffering in this world, God says “<em>But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.”</em> Isaiah 40:31<br /><br />To the one who just needs a huge dose of encouragement and help, Jesus says <em>“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”</em> Matthew 11:28-29<br /><br />To the one who wonders if he’ll ever get life together, God says <em>“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fail, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”</em> Psalm 37:23-24<br /><br />To the one who feels abandoned or rejected, God says <em>“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”</em> Deuteronomy 31:8<br /><br />This Jesus, who was born this day, wants us desperately and loves us like crazy! He satisfies our deepest needs and is the best gift ever. All I want for Christmas is a God like this. Merry Christmas!<br /><br />One of my favorite songs at Christmas..All is well with Michael W. Smith and Carrie Underwood: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DcG6fQmh9F_Q&source=gmail&ust=1703588715908000&usg=AOvVaw2JtcM5rmQNP5f5oQk24c3p" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cG6fQmh9F_Q" style="color: #333333;" target="_blank">https://www.<wbr></wbr>youtube.com/watch?v=cG6fQmh9F_<wbr></wbr>Q</a></div><div class="m_5008047974551848425e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;"><br /><em>Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.</em></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6829038887995630746.post-68750661435362291932023-12-18T08:30:00.000-08:002023-12-18T08:30:51.302-08:00White Elephant Fun<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">White Elephant gift exchanges bring out the best and worst in me. I become quite animated throughout the exchange, scheming as much as possible to get the best gift ever. I love stealing. I love taking the best gift from a poor soul who loved the gift immensely. It’s totally fun to go against my character and play the stealth villain at these gatherings. I usually come away with something pretty fun and exciting because I know how to play these things.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">We have two parties coming up this week and I’m ready. I’ve done due diligence to get fun, creative white elephant gifts that people would like, but extremely funny at the same time.</span></p><div class="m_-5787299383107555754e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">As I was preparing for these parties, I realized I knew nothing about the origins of this fantastic Christmas activity. I looked up where this ‘White Elephant idea’ came from. According to legend, it was a king of Siam (now Thailand) who came up with the brilliant scheme of giving actual white elephants to his most annoying, obnoxious courtiers as revenge. It was the perfect good-news/bad-news gift. Nowadays, the guiding principle in the exchange is that you give an impractical gift, maybe wanted, maybe unwanted, and often humorous. My going-in strategy: Don’t come to a White Elephant exchange looking to gain something valuable but do everything you can to GET something valuable!<br /><br />As much as I love these White Elephant gatherings, there’s a reality that is true for all gift exchanges. A gift is only as valuable as it is important to the person who receives it. I know I’ve gotten some gifts that I have no interest in and they eventually ended up at Goodwill.<br /><br />Not true with God and his gift-giving! No one can ever give another person the BEST gift. The PERFECT gift. The most VALUABLE gift. That gift is God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Each of us must decide whether we will unwrap and receive that gift. This gift has more value than we’ll ever imagine! <br /><br />God knew that mankind could never be good enough or righteous enough on their own to be joined to Himself. So, He sent His Son, as the perfect gift, given to everyone who believes in Him. When you receive this gift, you get it FOREVER. You never earn or pay for it. You never get it stolen. You never have to turn it back in. The gift of God was the most sacrificial thing He could give.<br /><br />Even though I love, love, love the White Elephant parties, they're not the most important thing to me. I get home and toss my new White Elephant treasure somewhere, soon to be forgotten. Often, I use it as my White Elephant gift for the<em> next </em>party.<br /><br />The older I get, the more I realize that stuff doesn’t matter. All this stuff will pass away. Life is about knowing God and receiving Jesus, the greatest gift ever. Don’t pass on this gift.<br /><br /><em>“Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”</em> 2 Corinthians 9:15<br /><br /><em>“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.”</em> Ephesians 2:8</div><div class="m_-5787299383107555754e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">Take a listen to this beautiful song by Shawner Belt Edwards: He is the Gift: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DjqzpEJuNIBk&source=gmail&ust=1703003385881000&usg=AOvVaw34cIXOCgiRTDFOVVDb7dUq" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqzpEJuNIBk" style="color: #333333;" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/<wbr></wbr>watch?v=jqzpEJuNIBk</a><br /><br /><em>Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.</em></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6829038887995630746.post-89500445393049634572023-12-11T09:01:00.000-08:002023-12-11T09:01:43.847-08:00God's Favor<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">I think there’s something human and very natural in us that longs to be wanted, accepted, and loved. Who doesn’t want to be wanted? Who doesn’t want a deeper connection with people? Who doesn’t want to be validated by a spouse, children, co-workers, boss, someone we’re dating, our parents, or even our adult kids?</span></p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">We invest a lot of our mental capacities in looking for favor. The favor of people, as good as it can sometimes feel, will never be enough. How many of us have learned that simple truth?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">In the Christmas story in the Bible, we see another type of favor. God’s favor. Luke 2:13-14, says “</span><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom God’s favor rests.”</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"> The announcement was given </span><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">“Peace to those on whom God’s favor rests.”</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">In the attached song “Blessings”, there is a line that says, </span><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">“May His favor be upon you.”</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"> Let’s consider the word “favor”. In the Bible, we can define favor as “gaining approval, acceptance, or special benefits.” It can be described as God’s divine kindness….an act of true compassion on the part of God Himself toward needy and undeserving recipients. (What is God’s Favor? Christianity.com)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">God, sending Jesus to this earth in human form was God’s greatest act of favor, the gift of eternal life. It is only by accepting Jesus that we can receive His grace and live for the Lord in this dark world. This is clearly explained in Ephesians 2:8-9 </span><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">So, here’s what I know to be true. I am someone upon whom God’s favor permanently rests. Why? It’s not because I’m “good enough” or “wanted enough” or “special enough.” I’m not. I have a fairly good idea of what it means not to be wanted.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">It is simply because years ago, as a senior in high school, I visited a church on a Sunday night hoping to meet up with a guy. Instead, I heard the gospel message and met up with Jesus. I realized I was a sinner and in need of a Savior. It’s because of that decision long ago, that I know that I know that I know I have God’s favor. It has nothing to do with being a “semi-good” person as some might think, but everything to do with Christ in my life.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Maybe it’s time to let go of trying to be all things to everyone in our relationships. What if we didn’t care one little ounce what people said or thought about us on social media or in "real” life? What if we stopped investing so much energy hoping to be seen and known and appreciated? The favor of people will never be enough, but the favor of God will be more than enough.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">As you consider God’s favor, take a moment to meditate and worship to the song, The Blessing, by Cody Carnes, Elevation Worship, and Kari Jobe: </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DZp6aygmvzM4&source=gmail&ust=1702378852325000&usg=AOvVaw2o6Y6fm---p8hFtWeU8S0R" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zp6aygmvzM4" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/<wbr></wbr>watch?v=Zp6aygmvzM4</a><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;" /><em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.</em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6829038887995630746.post-42045855911115354232023-12-04T06:46:00.000-08:002023-12-04T06:46:44.420-08:00The Uncomfortable of Christmas<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Every December, we come face to face with the reality that Christmas is coming. For some, that sets off immediate alarms that “</span><em style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">I have so much to do before Christmas!”</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">For others, the reality of Christmas reminds us of what we lack, albeit singleness, the loss of a loved one, or sadness that it’s not the way it’s supposed to be this year. For some, we’re wondering how to mingle joy with the sorrows and atrocities we see in the world today. I also think some have a</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"> </span><em style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">“Bah humbug!”</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">attitude either because they’re not into “religion” or they just don’t like dealing with all the talk of Christmas.</span></p><div class="m_3533063511746496841e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">I sense our current or past circumstances can cloud the reality of Christmas. We can avoid Christ in Christmas because we are simply not comfortable with Christ. Long ago or more recently, we decided He’s not for us. We’ve made up our mind and there’s no swaying us. For others, the challenging circumstances of sickness, loss, loneliness, financial woes, or other lack have made the true meaning of Christmas a blur. All we see is our circumstances in front of us.<br /><br />In Isaiah 9:6-7, the prophet Isaiah broadens our view of the Messiah: <em>“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace, there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness, from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”</em><br /><br />Consider the key words <em>“to us a child is born, to us a son is given.” </em>Even though these events took place thousands of years ago (in Isaiah and the gospels) when a person or nation comes in contact with the Lord, that person is the recipient for the first time of a wonderful gift. A Son is given. It’s real. It’s not fake. It’s not far out. He is <em>“God with us”</em> and able to strengthen us, help us, guide us, meet our needs, and do day-to-day life with us. He shows us secrets about ourselves and counsels and guides us in our heartaches and struggles. He is all-powerful and Mighty and able to do what we can’t even comprehend. He is Prince of Peace, and able to give us supernatural peace in times of uncertainty and trials.<br /><br />This is Immanuel,<em> “God with us.” </em>Isaiah’s Christmas prophecy promises hope through the promise of a child to be born. God chose to come into the world uniquely and humbly. Jesus was not what people anticipated. Many questioned Him. Many whispered about Him. Many rejected Him. Many turned their backs on Him.<br /><br />Jesus didn’t fit the picture of who people thought He would be. Because of that people rejected Him. People still reject Him today. When God doesn’t do what we think He <em>should </em>do OR when He didn’t do what we thought He <em>should </em>have done, we reject Him too. <br /><br />Will you let go of the way you want Jesus to be? Will you ponder these words in Isaiah 9:6-7 and ask God to reveal Himself to You in a new way? Will you let go of your expectations and demands of God? Will you invite God into your Christmas this year and ask Him to be real to You?<br /></div><div class="m_3533063511746496841e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">Take a listen: Emmanuel God With Us (Chris Tomlin) <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3Dmt_xfOutfSQ&source=gmail&ust=1701787208228000&usg=AOvVaw22uQz7gV5CoYYZLsnsdx6P" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mt_xfOutfSQ" style="color: #333333;" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.<wbr></wbr>com/watch?v=mt_xfOutfSQ</a></div><div class="m_3533063511746496841e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;"><br /><em>Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.</em></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6829038887995630746.post-87688630175668096792023-11-27T06:07:00.000-08:002023-11-27T06:07:09.890-08:00What's in Your Christmas?<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">In college, quite a few of my roommates decided it’d be fun to get a job at a disco. Dixie Electric Company, the famous Ohio disco at the time, was a ton of fun to work at. During that era, the amazing song, Stayin' Alive came out. Whenever it came on, we’d go crazy and find a way to get on the dance floor.</span></p><div class="m_-6215929941107802608e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">A few years later, John Travolta created famous dance moves to Stayin' Alive in the movie, Saturday Night Fever. Who didn’t try to mimic his dance moves? It was years later, on a bicycle ride up the coast of California, where I got to meet Mr. Travolta in person in a Carmel restaurant. A moment for this disco-loving gal.<br /><br />Now, Travolta is back with another rendition of Stayin Alive for Christmas. He’s “older” now, but he hides his hair color too. He’s a disco-dancing Santa in Capital One’s Holiday commercial. It’s cute, it’s fun and it has several memorable moments of the classic film.<br /><br />In the commercial, wherever Travolta Claus goes, he spreads cheer, with help from a can of “glitter paint” and his Capitol One Quicksilver card. The big question at the end of the commercial is Travolta Claus asking, <em>“What’s in your wallet?”</em><br /><br />Gosh, I love that commercial because of the music that brings back fantastic memories. In terms of getting me ready for Christmas, not so much. Maybe the question I would have is <em>“What’s in your Christmas?”</em><br /><br />What’s in your Christmas this year? In just a few days, it will be December 1. Have you thoughtfully considered how you’d like to approach the Christmas holiday? Here are some questions that I ponder: How will I try to keep the main thing (Christ) the main thing this holiday season? How can I encourage, support, and pray for those who might struggle this Christmas? How can I maintain a spirit of peace amidst the busyness of the season? What hopes and dreams might Jesus (The Wonderful Counselor) have for me? What might my response be this Christmas to the baby in the manger? <br /><br />I find it helpful to ponder, reflect, and consider why I celebrate Christmas. It’s so easy to avoid the real reason for the season, Jesus. Will you take the time to do so this season? <em>What’s in your Christmas?</em></div><div class="m_-6215929941107802608e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;"><em>"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end." </em>Isaiah 9:6-7<br /></div><div class="m_-6215929941107802608e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">Take a listen as you prepare for this Christmas season: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3D2FvUTXcRwvo&source=gmail&ust=1701180141241000&usg=AOvVaw012NoLwyogHB6baZHuP1Z7" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FvUTXcRwvo" style="color: #333333;" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.<wbr></wbr>com/watch?v=2FvUTXcRwvo</a></div><div class="m_-6215929941107802608e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;"><br /><em>Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.</em></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6829038887995630746.post-41596377953911948632023-11-20T07:54:00.000-08:002023-11-20T07:54:33.999-08:00Thanksgiving Love<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Thanksgiving stirs up all kinds of emotions. For the widower, it’s a holiday without the one they love. For the single person, it’s joining in with another family. For the family with relational strife, it’s coming together wishing they weren’t together. For others, it's a beautiful gathering with those in our lives we love.</span></p><div class="m_8286153577853115570e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">I’m convinced that our God can help us with all the “feels” and “fears’ that the holidays conjure up. I believe God truly helps us give “love” even though we may not feel it in return. God would not command us to do what we are incapable of doing. John 15:12-13 says <em>“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”</em> Loving others pleases our God. Loving others is intentional.<br /><br />As you approach Thanksgiving this week, maybe consider a few things:<br /><br /><strong>Pray about the holiday gathering:</strong> Pray for those that you will be with on Thanksgiving. Ask God to show you ways that you can intentionally love them. Pray for each person coming that THEY would have a joy-filled holiday. Pray for all the preparations and that we’d be more focused on the people than the perfection of the table or food. Pray for opportunities to encourage others. Everyone has their issues and holidays tend to magnify those issues. Don’t allow your opinions, albeit politics or anything else, to take over. We need God’s help to love like He loves.<br /><br /><strong>Love is intentional:</strong> I’ve been to Thanksgiving meals where I’m not sure I “felt” like I had much to give. Thankfully, God enables us to love even when we may not feel like loving. There is not one of us that are great at loving in our human nature. We all botch it. But love comes from the Holy Spirit when we walk with God. God can help us love even when we don’t feel like loving. Who is that EGR (Extra Grace Required) person that you need God’s help in loving?<br /><br /><strong>Model Jesus’ love-</strong> This verse resonates with what I desire for not just Thanksgiving, but a way of life. Romans 12:10, 18 says <em>“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves…. if it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”</em> Have you ever been at a gathering where everyone is just talking about themselves and talking over everyone else? It’s sure is common for us to want to focus on ourselves, isn’t it? Jesus models the love found in Romans 12:10, 18 and requires conscious choices, conscious actions, and even sacrifices in our relationships. How might God be calling you to model Jesus’ love during the holidays?<br /><br /><strong>A Gospel Mindset-</strong> We were born spiritually dead, through the failure of the first Adam. But because of Christ, we can be made alive and live in Jesus’ forgiveness and righteousness. In my flesh, I am a mess. But, because of my relationship with God and the Holy Spirit in me, He can help me be more others-centered, loving, and caring through my union with Christ. Nothing will ever separate me from his love. (Romans 8:31-35) Having a gospel mindset helps me when I’m in challenging situations. God is near. He is present and He gives me all I need to walk with love and peace.<br /><br />I have a feeling every one of us can give more love this Thanksgiving, no matter what our circumstances are. I pray that all of us can walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 4:30-5:2) Happy Thanksgiving!</div><div class="m_8286153577853115570e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">Check out this song, Love One Another, by Newsboys! What a great challenge for us! <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DVAFMGRMhFsM&source=gmail&ust=1700581904096000&usg=AOvVaw3QUHJ3OQK7sRHampvV_xhF" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAFMGRMhFsM" style="color: #333333;" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/<wbr></wbr>watch?v=VAFMGRMhFsM</a><br /><br /><em>Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio</em>.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6829038887995630746.post-38397963969563395292023-11-13T07:45:00.000-08:002023-11-13T07:45:51.946-08:00Satisfied<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">I don’t like it when God’s not doing His job. You know, fixing the problems of this world. Keeping cancer away from precious people. Helping cure anxious hearts. Dealing with the burdens we carry.</span></p><div class="m_3590019749573439667e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">You and I have probably eyed a few job descriptions throughout our lives. We get what we’re supposed to do in our jobs because it’s laid out for us. But have you ever thought about God’s job description? Maybe we’re not so acquainted with what God’s work is every day.<br /><br />Check out a story in the Bible where people could have wondered whether Jesus would show up. It’s found in John 6:1-14. Jesus was on a mountainside and looked up to see a great crowd coming to him. Jesus’ first question was to Philip <em>“Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?”</em> (vs. 5) Interesting, right, because Jesus already had in mind a plan! Philip complained that eight months' wages wouldn’t buy enough bread for each one to have a bite. Andrew gave his input and showed Jesus a boy who had 5 small barley loaves and two small fish, while at the same time questioning how far that would go. Everyone had their solution to dealing with the problem.<br /><br />Then Jesus took over. He had the people sit down, all five thousand of them. He then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were seated. They ate as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. When everyone had enough to eat, he asked the disciples to gather the leftovers. They filled 12 baskets with the pieces of leftovers!<br /><br />The feeding of the 5000 is more than just a story. It speaks to the rule of God over time, history, and every event in the world today. Even in this story, the crowd, after seeing Jesus’ miracle, wanted to make Jesus King. They wanted a king on THEIR terms that would satisfy THEIR needs and desires. I would venture to see that we do this too! We make up our job description for God, which is basically to come through for us when we need Him to.<br /><br />God is sovereign over this whole world, which means that He alone controls everything. When I study the sovereignty of God, it calms my fears. I realize I don’t have to try to control so much of my life! He controls and guides everything for His glory and good. I don’t have to figure things out or maneuver outcomes. Instead, I go to Jesus in prayer and ask for His help in all the things that concern me and those I care for. I can find true “rest” in His sovereignty, even when I don’t understand or like the outcome.<br /><br />The people in this story needed food, and Jesus provided it in abundance. What is your greatest need? God invites us to slow down, read His Word, and look to Jesus. He is the one to calm our fears and forgive our sins. Jesus can be trusted completely with all our needs. He alone satisfies. </div><div class="m_3590019749573439667e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">The bottom line is that we need God! (Same God by Elevation Worship, Take a listen: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DLawxIZE9ePE&source=gmail&ust=1699976687462000&usg=AOvVaw3ul8TFOPeU02dnsEwo3ZWZ" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LawxIZE9ePE" style="color: #333333;" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.<wbr></wbr>com/watch?v=LawxIZE9ePE</a><br /><br /><em>Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio</em>.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6829038887995630746.post-43128324685950860572023-11-06T08:18:00.005-08:002023-11-06T08:18:33.458-08:00Interruptions<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">My husband is a Texas Tech grad, although it’s his wife who keeps him informed on Texas Tech sports. This week, Tech played TCU and they won, but the real story is who showed up at the game. Not someone famous or even a former quarterback Patrick Mahomes. It was a POSSUM who showed up and ran across the field, interrupting the play of the game.</span></p><div class="m_-3429379762985081926e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">The fans got involved too! It was between the first and second quarter of the game, that the possum came running across the field on the 10-yard line. The fans cheered the possum on! Finally, someone who appeared to be from animal control caught it with a snare pole. Viral videos of the possum show him being dragged off the field near the sideline.<br /><br />Check it the possum of the week: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.foxsports.com/watch/fmc-njk964vi1y8kz10o&source=gmail&ust=1699373456279000&usg=AOvVaw1vRXtGtZ96XnQIPbvjQs5D" href="https://www.foxsports.com/watch/fmc-njk964vi1y8kz10o" style="color: #333333;" target="_blank">https://www.foxsports.<wbr></wbr>com/watch/fmc-njk964vi1y8kz10o</a><wbr></wbr> <br /><br />Funny how something so small as a possum can interrupt a college football game and make the news. Yet, how do we respond when silly little things disrupt our plans? Even this week, we weren’t prepared for getting stuck in traffic due to a train or coming down with the respiratory flu. We’re never quite ready for them. How we respond to them matters.<br /><br /><strong>Expect interruptions:</strong> I assume that Texas Tech football must have been prepared for something like this to happen since they caught the possum quickly. As adults, we know that these disruptions happen. We have a choice in not throwing a tantrum or pity party. What I’ve learned is that God uses these types of interruptions to help me rely on God and become more like Christ. When I’m sitting in traffic trying to make a dinner reservation, can I be okay? God’s in control of all the details of my life, can I trust Him with this? Yes.<br /><br /><strong>Gain perspective: </strong> I loved how all the fans just joined in with the fun and started cheering the possum on! What a great way to turn a disruption into a bit of fun! If you walk with God, do You believe that His grace is sufficient to get us through each day? Do you believe that He is in control? Can you, in the moment, believe that Christ is enough to satisfy all your needs, even when things don’t go your way?<br /><br /><strong>Life with God: </strong>I’m reminded daily that I can’t do life without God. I just can’t. Interruptions remind me that no matter how much I plan and try to control things, I’m not in charge. God is! I don’t have life figured out and just when I’m not expecting it, things can go south. It’s these challenges, that keep me running back to Jesus. I’m so thankful for his grace and forgiveness when I fail to respond to life’s frustrating events calmly.<br /><br />How about you? How do you handle the interruptions that come your way? We all have them. May the Lord help us and guide us to walk through them with grace and peace.</div><div class="m_-3429379762985081926e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">This is one of my favorite worship songs...a contestant reminder of how I need Him to make room for God in those challenging interruptions: (Make Room, Community Music) <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DwrQuKK6jz-4&source=gmail&ust=1699373456279000&usg=AOvVaw04_ClaN15mBh3a1NS9nl6Z" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrQuKK6jz-4" style="color: #333333;" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?<wbr></wbr>v=wrQuKK6jz-4</a><br /><em><br />Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.</em></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6829038887995630746.post-19155263396759586122023-10-30T11:42:00.005-07:002023-10-30T11:42:56.092-07:00Uncertainties<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">I don’t like it when I don’t know what’s going to happen. I want those that I know with cancer or some other issue to be healed. I want to know that things will get better in the Middle East. I want to know that everything going on is going to be alright.</span></p><div class="m_5315905441050470886e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">We want to know it will all be ok even when it’s not ok. The uncertainty of our times is deafening. How do we live with peace even when everything around us is uncertain?<br /><br />Gosh darn, I want this life to be certain, but it’s not. But what I do know is that God has been and is always in control. Although you and I struggle in the face of uncertainty, God does not.<br /><br />But how do we handle all the “what ifs?” What do we do when the worst happens? How do we have peace when the “bad situation” doesn’t change?<br /><br />I find such great comfort in a familiar verse in Philippians 4:6: <em>“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” </em>This is a familiar verse to me, but I often find it hard to do. When we are anxious, our problems get bigger, and our God gets smaller. We fail to see God’s power and sovereignty over all amid what’s making us anxious.<br /><br />Let’s put it in perspective…. Paul was in prison when he wrote the book of Philippians. He loved the people in Philippi and wrote to them at a time when he was suffering greatly. Paul’s goal in his letter was to encourage them to live out their faith in joy and unity. Paul knew that true joy came through his faith in Jesus Christ, not his circumstances. He had no clue what the future held but knew the One who held the future.<br /><br />Paul gives us specific guidance in handling the uncertainties of life: 1. Don’t be anxious about anything. 2. Instead, pray about everything. 3. With thanksgiving, presents with God. As we choose to pray and tell God our needs and be thankful, our anxieties leave us, and peace enters. Here’s the deal: We can have peace EVEN when we face uncertainties and circumstances out of our control. Check out Philippians 4:7, the results of living this verse out: <em>“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”</em><br />And who doesn't want the peace of God to transcend our hearts?</div><div class="m_5315905441050470886e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;"><br />Can you trust God with those things we cannot control? Can you believe that God is sovereign, even if chaos is all around us? Can you trust that God’s ways are good and has a plan, even if it’s not what we would desire?</div><div class="m_5315905441050470886e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">Take a listen: Firm Foundation (He Won't) by Maverick City Music. <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DuOP4s8fOEm0&source=gmail&ust=1698775700193000&usg=AOvVaw0YNtiEO9nYtW02LW1_mGVL" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOP4s8fOEm0" style="color: #333333;" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.<wbr></wbr>com/watch?v=uOP4s8fOEm0</a></div><div class="m_5315905441050470886e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;"><br /><em>Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.</em></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6829038887995630746.post-53765159172561398952023-10-23T07:41:00.000-07:002023-10-23T07:41:01.363-07:00Giants<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Steph Curry, with the Golden State Warriors, is considered the greatest shooter in NBA history. But, when it comes to winning a jump ball against Victor Wembanyama, of the San Antonio Spurs, it’s just not going to happen. Curry, 6 foot 3 inches, amazingly showed up at the line, ready to square off against 7 foot, 4-inch Wembanyama, in a recent game. It was comical at best.</span></p><div class="m_-928591497397713550e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;"><br />The funny thing was that Steph Curry squatted for his jump like he actually had a chance to get the ball. Comments on Twitter: “<em>Why did Steph even try?” “That’s funny.” “He tried!” “I love Steph’s competitive spirit!”</em><br /><br />We all can have our own giants. They aren’t usually tall, but they have a big impact on us and rob us of our peace and joy. Have you ever considered those things that tower over your mind and really affect you? Maybe fear. Fear of what’s going to happen. Fear of what’s going on in our world. Also, doubt can be crippling, making us think we can’t do what we can do! Self-doubt affects our work, our relationships, and our abilities, paralyzing our self-esteem and self-worth. What other giants do we face? Discouragement, loneliness, temptation, hopelessness, a significant problem, jealousy, resentment, pressures, and failures, to name a few. <br /><br />Most of us have heard of the story in the Bible of David and Goliath. The story is about Goliath, a Philistine giant who was defeated by young David in a single combat. David was a young shepherd boy standing among a weak Israelite army. I can’t imagine what David must have thought when he saw how tall Goliath was! However, David didn’t seem so concerned about this “giant.” David had a sling and 5 smooth stones. He had complete trust in his God that He would help him overcome Goliath.<br /><br />David told Goliath <em>“This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!”</em> (1 Samuel 17:47) Perhaps, we struggle with our giants and allow them to defeat us repeatedly. Do we face them in our own strength? David’s words ring true today…. Our giants are the Lord’s battle, not ours.<br /><br />I think it’s important to name and deal with the giants in our lives. Would you take a moment and write down what those giants are for you? Would you pray that God will help you confront your giant and see them in a different light? When I write these things on paper and name my giants, I then give them to the Lord. God gives me perspective as I pray about each one. Often, he shows me that it’s not so much the “giant” that is the problem, but how I’ve turned my situation into a giant.<br /><br />I might note in the story of David and Goliath, that David’s confidence was not in his own ability. He knew he was no match for Goliath. David’s confidence was in God. David placed his confidence in a God who had carried him through the past and would carry him into the future. David was able to live with no doubt in his mind and no fear in his heart.<br /><br />Just as David conquered his giant, we can too! Will we choose to trust and depend on the Lord in every situation we face? God is greater than any giant we will ever face.</div><div class="m_-928591497397713550e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">Video of the jump ball between Curry and Wembanyama: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3Dh2egRf5GhA4&source=gmail&ust=1698158396605000&usg=AOvVaw1s5rj9BJNIZoNFeXWJkHds" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2egRf5GhA4" style="color: #333333;" target="_blank">https://www.<wbr></wbr>youtube.com/watch?v=<wbr></wbr>h2egRf5GhA4</a></div><div class="m_-928591497397713550e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">Take a listen: Courageous by Casting Crowns, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DpkM-gDcmJeM&source=gmail&ust=1698158396605000&usg=AOvVaw2FvdEPAl7mO3LkgWY2f2kx" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkM-gDcmJeM" style="color: #333333;" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?<wbr></wbr>v=pkM-gDcmJeM</a><br /><br /><em>Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.</em></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6829038887995630746.post-78439690733422557922023-10-16T07:56:00.001-07:002023-10-16T07:56:26.942-07:00Not Oblivious<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">My dog, Chara and I are sitting on the back porch, enjoying a Texas fall-ish day. She’s poised and ready to make a dash outside and lunge at the fence at the dog next door. Just the other cool day, my horse, Daisy, was running and bucking and frolicking around in her fenced area as if to say,</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"> </span><em style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">“This is just the BEST day ever!”</em></p><div class="m_2538963091353026867e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">Animals are oblivious to what took place this last week in Israel. In some ways, it would be nice to be oblivious to the horrific suffering, pain, and agony that we’ve seen displayed on social media and TV. But we’re not oblivious. We see and understand what’s going on and it leaves us sobered, saddened, and helpless.<br /><br />We see the faces of war. So many stories. So many pictures.<br /><br />A teenager named Matan battled Hamas with fellow soldiers when terrorists threw a grenade into their armored vehicle. Matan jumped on the grenade and saved the lives of all his friends but lost his. His last words “<em>I tried to do everything to save the people of Israel.” </em>Matan is a hero.<br /><br />The Kutz family of five. On Saturday, they planned to fly kites in a kite festival their father Aviv organizes every year near the Gaza fence as a message of peace to their neighbors. Their charred bodies were found in the safe room of their burned-down home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, with Aviv’s body wrapped over his family.<br /><br />A video of Shani Louk, a 30-year-old German national, dancing and enjoying the Israeli techno music festival. Moments later, she was a victim of abduction during the shocking attack by Hamas militants.<br /><br />I like you am heartbroken for all of the innocent lives lost in Israel and Gaza this past week. I don’t know what to do as I watch it all unfold. At the oddest times, a tear will fall on my face out of sheer sadness. But, what I do know to do, is to pray. Sometimes, all that comes out is: “<em>Help, Lord.”</em> I’m glad He hears our cries. When we have no words, the Spirit takes our groans before His throne and prays what we ought. (Romans 8:26) For that, I am grateful. Other times, I just cry out “<em>Lord, have mercy.” </em><br /><br />One of the most powerful things we can do is to pray. Our prayers don’t just go up to this unknown lofty cloud in the sky but make it to the throne room of God. God hears our prayers; however simple they are! He longs for us to cry out to Him from our hearts! It is powerful to pray to God who sees the things we can’t see. Even when we wonder <em>"Where is God in all this?"</em> please be assured that God will judge unrighteousness and evil and injustice one day. God hears the prayers of his people.<br /><br />If you have no words like I do, perhaps try praying the words of Psalm 121 over all the innocent people on both sides as well as those who are living in fear or overwhelmed with grief:<br /><br /><em>"I lift up my eyes to the mountains where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip- he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will never slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you- the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm-he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going.”</em> Psalm 121</div><div class="m_2538963091353026867e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">Take a listen: "It is Well With My Soul (Audrey Assad) <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DzY5o9mP22V0&source=gmail&ust=1697553324412000&usg=AOvVaw2vPiZtIGbGQxH3Xj_7fwDp" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY5o9mP22V0" style="color: #333333;" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.<wbr></wbr>com/watch?v=zY5o9mP22V0</a><br /><br /><em>Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.</em></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6829038887995630746.post-32408361883173564052023-10-09T09:16:00.005-07:002023-10-09T09:16:27.208-07:00Groceries MIA<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">This week, I had a grocery faux pas. I didn’t even realize my faux pas until 3 days later. I looked everywhere for three items from my recent shop. Missing in action were my HEB chicken fajitas, asparagus, and garlic. I inspected the back of my car and the refrigerator with no sightings of the items.</span></p><div class="m_-3738585035403206712e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">Finally, I called HEB and talked to a young man named Damian. He asked me what items I was missing, and I told him. Guess what? He said, <em>“I was there that day and remember seeing those exact items in a bag. So, of course, you can either get a refund or pick up those items and we’ll compensate you.”</em><br /><br />I go to HEB Plus, which means this store is super big with lots of people, lots of registers, and lots of staff. I called on a Friday night and got a man who knew exactly what I had gotten and couldn’t wait to make it right and provide for me.<br /><br />I got off the phone and wanted to tell the whole world how great HEB is! That was such a positive experience!<br /><br />I’m reminded of how attentive our God is to all our needs. In 2 Chronicles 16:9 it says “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.” Can you believe that God sees everything you’re going through and not just you, but EVERY person on the face of this earth? He is all-knowing. He is constantly present. He is aware of every detail of our lives. In addition, God is looking to strengthen people whose hearts are wholeheartedly trusting Him.<br /><br />Did you know that God cares about <em>everything</em>? (even chicken fajitas, asparagus and garlic) God loves to take care of us even when we may not have even asked for help! 1 Peter 5:7 says <em>“Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.”</em> He cares for you. Do you know that? He cares about what you care about. I think we sometimes think…..”<em>God is too busy for me. He couldn’t possibly care about this tiny little thing I care about. I can’t ask Him for help!”</em> He WANTS us to cast all our anxieties on Him. Why? Because He cares. For you. He cares about your needs. He cares about your job. He cares about your relationships. He cares about everything.<br /><br />There is nothing too insignificant to bring to God. There is nothing too small to involve God. God wants to walk with You and me and share in the little and big things of your life. You matter to God. </div><div class="m_-3738585035403206712e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">Take a listen: Every Hour, by David Leonard, Josh Baldwin <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DP0IFkkECkqY&source=gmail&ust=1696948930645000&usg=AOvVaw3K4aHd9UkmQmcEQ-h3H8O8" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0IFkkECkqY" style="color: #333333;" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.<wbr></wbr>com/watch?v=P0IFkkECkqY</a><br /><br /><em>Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio</em></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6829038887995630746.post-42442674718601393882023-10-02T08:00:00.007-07:002023-10-02T08:03:01.771-07:00Never Changes<p><span style="background-color: white;">T</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">his past weekend, while traveling to a wedding, we stopped at Southfork Ranch. You may know that this ranch was made famous by the Ewing Family in the television series </span><em style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Dallas</em><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">. I wasn’t a big fan of the TV show, but I was a fan of the young man living next door. You see, my husband, Ben, grew up in the smaller house next to Southfork Ranch. We went to get a look at his old house.</span></p><div class="m_6965233434865678040e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;"><br />Things have changed a lot since the days that Ben lived next door. The driveway is now made from concrete instead of gravel. The entrance is gated instead of a chain. The fifty Live Oak trees that Ben planted down the driveway are no longer saplings. Gone are the Southfork Ranch gawkers who would turn around in his driveway. <br /><br />Some people are quite nostalgic for a visit down memory lane. Some aren’t so much, like Ben.<br /><br /><em>For many of us, though, accepting change is hard.</em><br /><br />There is so much change going on around us. Maybe you, like me, appreciate what’s normal and predictable. I’ve had quite a big change in my life and can't say I liked it at all. <br /><br />Things are constantly changing all around us. COVID brought change to all of us. Businesses change; some even close. Family changes. Technology is constantly changing. Friendships change. Circumstances change. The prices we pay for goods and services. People’s emotions and feelings change. Seasons change. Fashion changes. Highways change. Careers change. Finances change. Trends change. Our bodies change. We can’t look at change as being negative. Change is just a reality of the world we live in.<br /><br />When things are changing all around us, we can always, always, always trust in Jesus, who never changes. Hebrews 13:8 says <em>“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”</em> What does this verse mean? First, God doesn’t change over the ages, and neither does Jesus, who is God. He was in the past the exact same as He is in the present and will always be. <em>“The Greek word for the “same” emphatically states that Jesus is unchangeable! What good news this is in a world where things are changing at lightning speed! Jesus Christ is the one Person who can depend on to be the same, regardless of the time or the spirit of the age.” </em>(Renner.org, July 9)<br /><br />I sense that the more we grow in our relationship with Jesus, the more we can see and accept change in our lives. Knowing Jesus means that there will come a day where because of his life, death, and resurrection, everything will make sense and be the way it’s supposed to be. <br /><br />Yes, change IS hard, but when we know Jesus, we can count on the fact that He will NEVER change. We can trust Him without any reservations. That gives me perspective.</div><div class="m_6965233434865678040e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">Take a listen: Only Jesus, By Casting Crowns: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3D_eQd3K2Fxp4&source=gmail&ust=1696345147915000&usg=AOvVaw0GEdVVLh07pOpd0tWouGfu" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eQd3K2Fxp4" style="color: #333333;" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.<wbr></wbr>com/watch?v=_eQd3K2Fxp4</a><br /><em><br />Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.</em></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6829038887995630746.post-64352793807302150592023-09-18T08:33:00.002-07:002023-09-18T08:33:30.287-07:00Get a Grip on Fear<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">How can fear have such a grip on our lives? How do the “what ifs?” and “what about?” take precedence in our minds? Fear of not being enough. Fear of losing face. Fear of losing control. Fear of not being enough. Fear of rejection. Fear of what may happen. Fear of not getting married. Fear of not having enough. Fear of adult children's choices. Fear of failure.</span></p><div class="m_-4218901702559669667e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">How much of your day is spent in your mind fearing something? When we’re afraid of what might happen tomorrow, or even in a few hours, we miss having joy in the moment. Can God be in those moments of future fears? God is here with us here and right now. He’s a very personal God and we’re called to take refuge in God when the future comes, but also right this very moment when the fear looms in our minds. Fear disconnects me from God. I can’t focus on my worries and God too!<br /><br />What would happen in our minds if we stayed in the present? Not the future and not the past. Present thinking. I have found when I focus on living in God’s presence, in the here and now, it tends to wipe away my fears of the future. Sure, I have deadlines. Absolutely, I have things that need to get done. You bet I have a list of things to accomplish each day. Here’s the thing… living in God’s presence allows me to focus on His presence and appreciate His power. As I begin my day with prayer, I pray for those things that tend to cause me fear. I bring them up to the Lord one by one. This verse really helps give guidance for where our minds are focused:<br /><br /><em>“I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.” </em>Psalm 16:7-8<br /><br />Gosh, the truth is my mind is NOT capable of solving all the things that often fly through it. How does your mind spin around? Work problem? Relational struggle? Unresolved issue? Parenting challenge? When we’re focused on blessing the Lord, we can’t be struggling with fear. Instead, we listen to his counsel. We invite him to help us with our problems and fears. Bring the Lord to mind! Picture yourself setting the Lord before You. He is right there. In his presence, there is no fear. There is peace.<br /><br />When we’re in Jesus’ presence, nothing else matters. I get it. We still live. We still have our “lists.” We still have our concerns in life. Instead, over and over and over, we give Him our concerns. We ask Him for help. We just don’t have to do life on our own! <br /><br />Is it possible to live in God’s presence, being fully present with Him in the moment? I believe it is. Let’s pray that God will give us more of a taste of this type of living.</div><div class="m_-4218901702559669667e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">Take a listen to "These Are the Days" Lauren Daigle. Such a reminder to leave your worries behind! <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DRA8Lrtei90o&source=gmail&ust=1695137433546000&usg=AOvVaw3lpycQBEGg1OnM5pRYMEzL" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RA8Lrtei90o" style="color: #333333;" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.<wbr></wbr>com/watch?v=RA8Lrtei90o</a><br /><br /><em>Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.</em> <br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6829038887995630746.post-8182839907930513932023-09-11T07:33:00.002-07:002023-09-11T07:33:15.181-07:00Bandwagoner<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">I hit the jackpot last Saturday when I sat down to watch college football. I just happened to turn on the TCU and Colorado game. It did not disappoint. As you may know, Coach Prime (Deion Sanders) led the Colorado Buffaloes to upset 17th-ranked TCU. The game had me glued to my seat, as the lead went back and forth throughout the game. By the 4th quarter, I was shouting like crazy, cheering my new team on to victory. Yes, I was one of the new official bandwagon fans. I’ll stay on board until further notice, even though I will always cheer for my Buckeyes.</span></p><div class="m_-9176853001963412735e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">But Coach Prime. My goodness. I watched his opening introduction when he first arrived in Colorado, notoriously known as “<em>We’re coming.”</em> Well, Coach Prime and his team did come and beat an impressive TCU team. His character, attitude, passion, and faith are beautiful qualities that inspire for sure. He believes in his kids. He loves his kids.<br /><br />Check out Coach Prime’s halftime words at full volume in the locker room:<br /><br /><em>We’re not going to beat ourselves. We’re not going to beat ourselves. We’re going to beat them. You’re apprehensive. You didn’t really believe. But now you should. Everything we need is right in this locker room. You need to make up your mind as to how you want this story to be written. Let’s go out and be dominant. We’re going to beat them, but we’re going to do it with class and dignity. Look at the person next to you and say “I believe.” I BELIEVE!</em><br /><br />Coach Prime has faced his challenges. In 2022, he experienced a health scare, suffering from blood clots that forced the doctors to remove two of his toes. He admitted it was one of the most trying times of his life, but He trusted God so much. Coach Prime said <em>“My faith was sustained. How can you even measure your faith if you’re not challenged?”</em><br /><br />Even as he stepped down from his coaching position at Jackson State, he was met with much criticism. Yet, he ignored his critics. <em>“You have to understand the people that are criticizing you. I never listen to my critics because my critics have critics.”</em><br /><br />Perhaps, you and I need a bit of the passion and zeal of Coach Prime. Maybe we need to really BELIEVE that with God, all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26) Maybe when bad things happen, we need to ask God to increase our faith. Maybe we need to tell those near and dear to us <em>“I believe in you!" </em>Just maybe, when criticized, you can find God’s unfailing love and approval.<br /><br />Coach Prime isn’t perfect, but he is surely motivating. We have a heavenly Father that is perfect. He loves us and desires a relationship with us. He believes in us, even when we don’t believe in ourselves. He went the distance for us by allowing His Son to die so that we could experience everlasting life. Do you believe? </div><div class="m_-9176853001963412735e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">Take a listen: Stand in Faith with Danny Gokey <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3D0BL7mN4jV8w&source=gmail&ust=1694528989007000&usg=AOvVaw3XPWD5GLRVTyjHXyU9HGVI" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BL7mN4jV8w" style="color: #333333;" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/<wbr></wbr>watch?v=0BL7mN4jV8w</a><br /><br /><em>Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.</em></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6829038887995630746.post-76788872909803362452023-09-04T09:07:00.004-07:002023-09-04T09:07:21.242-07:00Labor Day Thoughts<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Who doesn’t like a day off work every year when Labor Day rolls around? It feels like the last hurrah at the pool before temperatures dip below 95 here in Texas.</span></p><div class="m_8530689059537639305e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">This week, I was incredibly busy. I needed rest but couldn’t seem to fit the time for it! I found my mind racing with worry about how I was going to get everything done on my list. So much left undone.<br /><br />As I start this busy fall season, I need to remind myself of things that help me truly rest this Labor Day:<br /><br /><strong>Mind my Mind-</strong> When my mind goes to all my worries or thoughts of the future, I can’t truly embrace Christ in those moments. He’s not in the future; He’s present right now. Philippians 4:8 says “<em>Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”</em><br /><br />What do I focus on in my thought life? Do those thoughts keep me anxious? Worried? Resentful? Angry? Or peaceful? When we are fully at rest, we are anchoring our minds upon Jesus.<br /><br /><strong>Come to Jesus -</strong> Today, my mind was spinning in all sorts of directions. What kind of existing desires were making me in such a frenzy? I had to ask God. Jesus invites “all who are weary” to come to Him for rest. (Matthew 11:28) Jesus was asking me to come to Him. He would calm my spinning mind. He would give me the rest I was longing for. And He did!<br /><br /><strong>Acknowledge your Need for God’s Help</strong>- Do you acknowledge your immense need for God’s help? Or do you just live life the best you can on your own? Problems arise when we try to go our own way and live in our own strength. Where have you been living life in your own strength? Nothing reminds me more of my connection and need for God, but these verses in John 15:5, 9 <em>“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing…. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.”</em><br /><br />I’m not going to say that abiding in Jesus is easy. But today, I practiced over and over keeping Him at the forefront of my mind. Abiding in Him is possible! You see, I know my true state. I’m helpless without Him. It’s in this place of great need that He meets me where I’m at, with His presence, grace, and unfailing love.<br /><br /><strong>Cease Striving-</strong> In Marva Dawn’s book, <em>Keeping the Sabbath Wholly,</em> she describes what people find when they surrender completely to God <em>“When we cease striving to be God, we learn a whole new kind of contentment, the delight of the presence of God in our present circumstances. When we give up our silly rebellion against God’s purposes, we discover that he provides the security for which we were searching.” </em> Let God be God. We are not God. Stop trying to be! Allow Him to take the weight of all you’ve been working toward. He can handle it.<br /><br />I’m writing this message for me today. Hopefully, some of the rest of you need it as well.<br /><em><br />“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me- watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”</em> Matthew 11:28-30, The Message</div><div class="m_8530689059537639305e2ma-p-div" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 10px;">Take a moment to rest and worship with Kari Jobe: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DWhoEktYO5w8&source=gmail&ust=1693929963751000&usg=AOvVaw2YP0RDErggaM3BAMb4uuvu" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhoEktYO5w8" style="color: #333333;" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/<wbr></wbr>watch?v=WhoEktYO5w8</a><br /><em><br />Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.</em></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0