Blog: Glimmers in the Fog by Kim Stiver

Gratitude, the Great Antidote

11/27/2019

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Gratitude the Great Antidote for the Heart

Glimmers in the Fog will be taking the month of December off in celebration of the holiday season!

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“Thank you.” Two short, simple words. Yet, often so profoundly hard to say from the heart. Even more difficult to utter when we are in the midst of struggle, anger, or frustration. If most of us were really honest with ourselves, we’d admit that saying it doesn’t come naturally. Why else would parents have to so diligently instruct and prompt small children to get in the habit of responding with appreciation? Even now, so many decades later, I can still recall the sound of my mom’s voice. “What do you say,” she would ask after the bank teller handed me a lollipop, or my neighbor would return a toy left in their yard. I would like to think that I would’ve come up with some nice gesture of gratitude on my own, unprompted by a parent. A hug, perhaps? Or at least a smile. But as cute as they are, kids are born with the instinct to look out for number one, and I think I was no different.

As we grow up, most of us become reasonably competent at expressing thanks when anyone shows us special consideration or offers a gift. Of course, some never seem to acknowledge kindness, which spoils the beauty and purity of many kind deeds or gifts. But on the whole, most people learn to respond with at least a nod of appreciation automatically. So, why then, do we struggle so much to offer heartfelt gratitude to God regularly? Is it that we don’t remember Him? Perhaps it’s because we don’t recognize the constant blessings being poured out on us daily. Maybe all the hardships and disappointments obscure His goodness. I guess the list of reasons for our lack of continual thankfulness could be as endless as the flood of blessings themselves.

The Thanksgiving holiday seems to function as an annual parental reminder to pause, acknowledge our blessings, and say thank you to those we cherish and hopefully to God as well. And I’m not saying that’s a bad thing at all. But I am curious what would happen if more followers of Jesus would spend time expressing heartfelt gratitude to God every single day of the year, not just once a day, but throughout the day, for all things. Yes, not just the obviously good things, but also the difficulties and disappointments because every single one of them will work together for the glory of God… at some point. Maybe we won't see it happen any time soon. Or perhaps not ever. But if we say we believe in God, and if we truly trust Him, then that’s what’s required of us. We must believe that He loves us beyond what we can fathom, and while we may not understand what His plan is, we rejoice in the unseen, unknowable blessings that are to come inevitably.

This kind of gratitude is not naturally within us, but it’s what our souls are longing for as new creations in Christ. And the more we get in the habit of soul-deep appreciation, the more automatic it becomes… the more blessings we will recognize around us… and the more joy will overflow from our hearts. Simply put — Gratitude. Changes. Everything. It is an effective weapon against almost every ailment of the heart, including worry, anger, bitterness, frustration, unhappiness, greed, selfishness, and pride, just to name a few. Like an immediate antidote for poisonous thoughts, sincere appreciation lifted in praise to Jesus works quickly to lift our spirits and shift our perspectives. And this amazing heavenly cure can be applied to almost any situation in every area of our lives, from relationships and careers, to finances and parenting.

It’s a prescription that the Apostle Paul applied to almost every kind of emotional or spiritual ailment. And if his life is any indication of hardship and suffering, then he was a great test case. If it weren’t for his incessant practice of praising God in everything, it would’ve been impossible for him to continue championing the Gospel of Jesus around the world, much less exude infectious joy in the process of doing so. He sang in prison. He joyously declared the Gospel in the face of persecution. He rebounded from great injury only to return to his mission without taking a vacation. He patiently listened to opponents in almost every culture. He laughed contentedly in the pit of poverty and hunger. He followed his own advice from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

One of Billy Graham’s last written messages, “How to Be Thankful in All Things,” was published for Thanksgiving 2017. He passed away just a few months later. It was no secret that Billy was ready to be with Jesus in eternity. He often talked of seeing his beloved wife Ruth again, and said many times that he was excited about the day of his earthly departure. “I’m looking forward to it — I really am. I’ll be happy the day the Lord says, ‘Come on. I’ve got something better planned.’” And so, I think his words about thanksgiving are particularly poignant and wise for those of us a tad bit younger than his 99 years.

“Nothing turns us into bitter, selfish, dissatisfied people more quickly than an ungrateful heart. And nothing will do more to restore contentment and the joy of our salvation than a true spirit of thankfulness,” he wrote. “I don’t know what trials you may be facing right now, but God does, and He loves you and is with you by His Holy Spirit. Cultivate a spirit of thankfulness even during trials and heartaches.” Billy then goes on to tell stories of both ungrateful and thankful people alike, all of whom he’d met or had received letters from through the years. He comes to the conclusion that those who are richest, most joyful, have the best relationships, and enjoy the most rewarding lives, are those who are thankful in every circumstance and throughout each day.

As we prepare to launch into another holiday season, it’s so easy to get crazy busy and put off any thought of adding anything else to our to-do lists. We want nothing else that will add any measure of effort or thinking to the merry-go-round in our brains. “Ugh,” you might be thinking right now, “I don’t have time to add another spiritual discipline to my day.” If that’s you, I totally get it. But perhaps you are not aware of the surprising power of expressing gratitude to God for anything and everything throughout the day. And if you practice it regularly, in just a few short weeks it will become second nature for you. It has some incredible and almost immediate byproducts that will actually help slow the spinning of your mind and give you a greater sense of calm, primarily through the hectic days ahead. While there are many positive changes people experience when cultivating a thankful heart, here are five things that came to my mind when I contemplated my own walk with Jesus.

A greater sense of security and peace in God - Philippians 4:6-7, James 1:2-4
A more joyful demeanor - Psalm 28:7; Psalm 118:15
A greater level of patience with yourself and others - Galatians 5:22-23, 2 Corinthians 4:14-15
A more generous and contented spirit - 2 Corinthians 9:10-15
A humbler, more gentle heart - Romans 1:21, James 1:14-17

Perhaps you noticed something else about the five effects of cultivating frequent thankfulness and praises to God? All of them will make life better for those around you, as well. And when people feel better about being around you, your relationships will improve, you’ll have more support during times of need, and your reasons to be grateful will increase all the more. If complaining and worry lead to a vicious downward spiral, then being grateful leads to an upward one. You can’t be grouchy, sullen, hopeless, or self-centered when you’re in the habit of being grateful. Taking the first step is always the hardest, of course, because human nature is naturally inclined toward inertia. But if the Holy Spirit is speaking to you right now, don’t pretend you don’t hear Him or think that it’s just your own mind talking. Instead, take the opportunity to praise God for His presence, and then take a leap of faith into His arms with an outburst of gratitude. If you want to radiate the love of Jesus, thanking Him in absolutely everything is a foolproof way to do it. You’ll be glad you did, and so will everyone around you.
Happy Holidays! Glimmers in the Fog will be taking a break throughout December.

Five-Day Devotional Guide For Further Reflection and Daily Spiritual Journaling
These readings from today’s message can be used for a single-day study or your daily quiet time throughout the week. Before you begin reading the passage for each day, spend some time asking God to open your heart to His truth and hearing His voice.
Following each reading, spend time journaling about what you think God might be saying to you through the Scriptures.
Day 1 - When we praise God and give thanks to Him, we will receive a greater sense of security and peace. Read Philippians 4:6-7 and James 1:2-4.
Day 2 - When we praise God and give thanks to Him, we will experience a change in our perspective to have a more joyful demeanor. Read Psalm 28:7 and Psalm 118:15.
Day 3 - When we praise God and give thanks to Him, the Holy Spirit will inhabit our praise and produce spiritual fruit, such as greater patience with yourself and others. Read Galatians 5:22-23 and 2 Corinthians 4:14-15.
Day 4 - When we praise God and give thanks to Him, over time we will find ourselves becoming more generous and content with what we have and the circumstances we are in. Read 2 Corinthians 9:10-15.
Day 5 - When we praise God and give thanks to Him, the Holy Spirit will create in us a humbler and more gentle heart. Read Romans 1:21 and James 1:14-17.

What do you think of today's message? Comment and share your thoughts on this post! And if God brought someone to mind as you read or listened, please encourage them by sharing this post today!

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Broken Made Beautiful

11/6/2019

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Brokenness is Made Beautiful in the Hands of God

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It seemed like the day would never come, but on Friday, I finally unpacked the last moving box. Okay, so there are a few boxes that I’m not ever going to unpack. You know the ones… they’re loaded down with cheesy grammar school photos and homespun mementos of summer camping trips. But when it comes to the boxes that should be unpacked, I’m all done. I even emptied a few that I had marked for “deep storage,” which made me feel especially proud of myself. And just as I was reveling in the thought of being completely settled and patting myself on the back for small victories, it hit me how much I had forgotten by storing away dozens of years of my life in the attic.

Pawing through all the layers of memories, I was amazed at how quickly and easily my mind returned to another time. I could see vivid details of my old neighborhood streets and could almost smell the pungent boughs of a Christmas tree framed in the early morning light. Most of the stories that resurfaced were good ones, but a few made me wish I hadn’t opened a particular box. And it was then that I suddenly felt washed in a blanket of mercy. Thank goodness God allows us — and I think sometimes He makes us — forget certain things or experiences until we’re ready… until He’s prepared us… to unpack them again. In His endless mercy and wisdom, He knows that some stories can’t bear to be retold until the road stretches far enough behind us for wounds to be healed, and our hindsight is clear enough to bring appreciation and understanding.

One of my favorite Bible verses is Ecclesiastes 3:11, which begins with, “He makes everything beautiful in its time.” It’s a surprisingly hopeful statement for a book that is largely a downer comparatively speaking to the rest of Scripture. And although I have this verse written on a chalkboard in my office, I had never really thought to apply it to my past. Instead, I’ve been using it as a reminder to be patient while I wait on the Lord to open doors. The verse reassures me that waiting on God without grumbling or jumping the gun is rewarded because our Father never does anything half-heartedly or at the wrong time.

Yet, as I sat there surrounded by mostly silly junk and some 80s photos with my hair teased high enough to reach a ceiling fan, the Holy Spirit brought this Scripture to me in a fresh way, along with the rest of the verse, which concludes with, “Also, He has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that He cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.” So true to the rest of the theme of Ecclesiastes, one of the most beautiful lines is followed by a frustrating letdown. It makes me smile because it’s like Solomon, the author, is giving the reader this cheeky grin and saying with great sarcasm, “Have faith, cause everything God does is amazing. Even the stuff you think is the most horrible or difficult. He’ll make it all come out in the wash and adorn you in the finest garment you can imagine. You’re going to look fabulous — simply radiant and whole — in His presence. But… before you get too excited… just know that between now and then, you’re not going to have a clue what He’s doing or why He’s doing it.” And for the remainder of that passage, Solomon reminds us that God is going to do what He’s going to do. He then goes on to advise us to accept the Lord’s sovereignty and just move on with life.

And while Solomon’s words ring true as only a pessimistic statement can, we know that God doesn’t leave us comfortless in our seasons of waiting, questioning, hurting, and emptiness. While we may not be able to discern why He is doing something or why He allowed a bad story to be written in the first place, He does pour out new mercies for us each morning of our lives. That means every day of our lives. Not just the days you feel hopeful, happy, or whole. Lamentations 3:22-23 is also one of my favorite passages, and as I pair it up with the verse from Ecclesiastes, the picture of God’s love is complete… extravagant even. Most versions of the Lamentations passage include the phrase, “His mercies are new every morning.” But The Message translation fits with Ecclesiastes 3:11 like two beautiful puzzle pieces, so snugly aligned that it is hard to separate them. It reads, “God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, His merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning! How great is your faithfulness! I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over). He’s all I’ve got left.”

So in the two different verses, we hear from people who are at the end of their ropes — Solomon and his father David. They’re miserable. They both endured great hardship, but they also had seasons of great luxury, completely saturated with every pleasure the world has to offer. They both reaffirm their conviction that God is in control of everything, and He loves His people enough to take care of everything in His way and in His time. Both authors assure us that during the “dry” times, it may seem or feel as though He’s left, but His faithfulness will prove itself over and over.

As I traced the outline of faded photos and the edges of old diaries, I recalled how many situations seemed so tragic, so unredeemable at the time. From that vantage point and with only the experiences of a kid or young adult, the roots of my faith were not as strong as they are today. Of course, I’m not planning to decorate our house with tacky childhood artwork and faded trinkets, and I surely don’t want to spend time re-reading those diaries adorned with glitter hearts and pink butterflies. But I have found a new appreciation for the stories I had intentionally banished to the dark corners of our previous home’s attic. That’s because, from where I sit now, I can see God’s hand in almost every one of them. He did use them. He did redeem them. He did make me whole again.

One relic from my childhood is extra special. It has made it to a prominent position in our home and is on permanent display. However, it is not the original item’s significance or even its physical appearance that makes it worthy to come out of deep storage. I cherish it because of its brokenness. Originally it was a simple, average commemorative baby plate with my name and birthday painted on it. But almost 20 years ago, it was accidentally dropped and shattered in about a dozen pieces. The person who broke it had hurt me in so many other ways, that I seemed to transpose much of my disappointment and pain onto those shattered pieces. They were symbolic of my suffering, some of which I had brought on myself after a few years of very bad decisions. Looking at those small blue and white china pieces was almost like looking at my own heart and soul. At that time, I wasn’t walking close to Jesus. Despite all of that, I couldn’t bring myself to throw the broken plate away. There was some pull inside of me… perhaps just poetic romanticism… or maybe something deeper and spiritual in nature… that made me believe it could somehow be fixed. I wanted my life to be fixed, too, but I had no idea how God could ever bring healing at that point.

Fast forward a decade later, and God has made everything beautiful in His time. My husband’s sweet grandmother had a talent for creating mosaics from broken ceramics and old china pieces. Before she passed away, she lovingly made something completely new out of my broken treasure. With her help, it became whole again and far more resilient than ever before. And with true poetic romanticism, it sits in a place of honor it never would’ve had if it hadn’t been broken in the first place. I’m sure you know where this analogy is going, don’t you? Like the plate commemorating my birth into this world, Jesus had also lovingly brought rebirth to my heart and soul. Just as Grandma Ann gave new life and value to a cheap souvenir, God redeemed my life and restored hope to my wounded heart.

Since the plate broke and Grandma turned the meaningless pieces into a new work of art more than 10 years ago, I never realized until this week that such a beautiful story was sitting on my bedroom dresser. I’ve had a lot of readers and listeners ask me how I come up with ideas and stories for Glimmers in the Fog, and I think today’s message is a perfect example to share. So here’s how the idea came to me. For some strange reason, a few days ago, I found myself staring at the plate while putting on my earrings. And I was reminded of what a precious treasure it is because of who put it back together. That thought lingered for the rest of the day, making me smile when other things weren’t going smoothly. And then yesterday at lunchtime, I was outside squeezing in a much-needed power walk and asking God what He wanted me to write about this week. And as I struggled to tune my ears to Him and not my endless to-do list, I suddenly had a thought. Some stories shouldn’t be unpacked too soon. They need time to mature and mellow before they are opened up and experienced again. Just as a fine wine needs many years on a shelf before it can be appreciated, so God sometimes intentionally keeps things obscured from us until we’re prepared to see them properly. We just have to trust Him and not our own logic or assumptions.

Even more amazing, today is the anniversary of Grandma’s passing, which wasn’t even on the forefront of my mind while I marveled at her handiwork. My husband texted me this morning to remind me when I told him what I was writing about. I know that some people would say it’s merely a coincidence, but because I believe God is the source of all things beautiful, all creativity, and He does love a good story, there’s no doubt in my mind that He authored this poetic ending on purpose. It is the same truth expressed in Hebrews 11:1, which says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” God loves us more than we can fathom or imagine, no matter what our perceptions and senses tell us. And He does make all things beautiful in His time. What an incredible reminder that no story God authors ever ends in brokenness. And the good news? All of our stories can be turned over to the greatest Editor of all time.

Five-Day Devotional Guide For Further Reflection and Daily Spiritual Journaling
These readings from today’s message can be used for a single-day study or your daily quiet time throughout the week. Before you begin reading the passage for each day, spend some time asking God to open your heart to His truth and hearing His voice.
Day 1 - Read Psalm 147:3 to focus your mind and eliminate your distractions. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you and open your ears to His whisper. Then spend some time in quiet reflection at the feet of Jesus. Don’t say a word in your head or from your lips for at least five minutes. If it helps, you can listen to soft instrumental hymns. Then ask God this question: Father, what brokenness is within me that I haven’t released to you for healing? Write down the thoughts that come to your mind.
Day 2 - Sometimes, God allows difficulties and hardship to come our way specifically to lead us to a place of brokenness. Read Psalm 51:17 and spend time writing down anything that comes to your mind as a benefit of being broken in some way? What kinds of brokenness have you experienced? Are there any sins, rebellious ways, stubbornness, or pride that needs to be released or has been overcome in your life through brokenness?
Day 3 - It can be very hard to thank God for allowing us to be broken-hearted, rejected, and wounded. Yet the Word makes it clear that we are to thank Him in all things. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 and James 1:2-4.
Day 4 - After we thank God for all things, the Word tells us to give Him praise. Lifting your heart to God when you’re grieving over difficult things, rejection, or losses takes great effort, but when you do, your heart will be lifted, and your soul will experience real joy. Read Psalm 147:1, Zephaniah 3:17 and Psalm 34:1-3, then spend time lifting your voice to Him — yes, out loud — through words of adoration and songs of praise.
Day 5 - No matter what suffering, pain, loss, or rejection comes our way, Jesus promises that He has already overcome. You can live with hope each day and believe that God will be with you. Read Lamentations 3:22-23, Jeremiah 29:11, and John 16:33 Spend a few moments asking God to give you a glimpse of hope, healing, and strength for whatever you are facing now or any “bad” stories you are trying to forget. Allow the Holy Spirit to unearth things in your heart that need His touch and then write down any themes of hope or encouragement that you hear from Him in the Scriptures or in prayer time.

What do you think of today's message? Comment and share your thoughts on this post! And if God brought someone to mind as you read or listened, please encourage them by sharing this post today!

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Is Jesus Trying to Empty Your Net?

10/23/2019

Glimmers in the Fog

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