The Art of Surrender

Part A: Let’s Understand True Surrender

Do not be anxious about anything, but with prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Philippians 4:6

Anxious - wanting something very much, typically with a feeling of unease

We can want something that God desires for us - which is good - but if we are a swinging pendulum about the topic (ie: feeling like it’s something we need one moment, then feeling like it’s something that’s completely unattainable the next, coupled by feeling it’s something we don’t even deserve) we become anxious.

Any feeling of anxiety should be met with petitioned prayer and thanksgiving.

A prayerful response in prayer should consist of:

Release and surrender - taking it out of our own hands and giving it up to God

Petition - praying constantly until you have truly surrendered and released it. 

When there is true surrender and release, there is peace like a river - so regardless of how intense an area of life can be, there is complete trust that God will deliver us to where He sees best. This leads onto... 

Thanksgiving - know that God has heard and will reply justly 

What better way to anything then to give the Father praise for what he does and will do. Praise God he has the perfect solution to all our problems - even more so, praise Him that He absolutely loves to be in relationship with us, delighting in every detail of our lives. 

Part B: Talking Practically

Let’s get real. I wish I could have this verse down completely practically, but I don’t. Let’s be even more real, if you’re reading this, you’re probably right along side me desiring change for your prayer life in one way or another. 

I know that I’m tired of being the pendulum gone crazy. I can’t count how many times I’ve asked God for a specific thing and said I was going to stand firm with my prayer, when the next moment I:

1. found myself changing my prayer because of a situational circumstance
2. didn’t think that my prayer would be answered, generally speaking
3. thought my prayer was too specific to be answered

The truth is, like I said earlier, that God loves to be in relationship with us. He wants to hear our prayers - all of them, no matter how big or small. He wants us to work things out with him - so if that means we keep going back about the same thing, it’s okay, because it’s so good that we get to go to Him for all our needs. He will root us with truth when our circumstances try to convince us to think otherwise. Let’s just say that Father knows best. 

So with that knowledge, how could we not go to Him and trust Him completely? How could we not surrender so we can focus on our relationship with Him and others? How dare we want control. God is begging us to have a richer (prayer) life through casting out anxiety because He cares for us. 

As for me, I choose to no longer be a swaying pendulum with my prayers. I choose to be rooted in holiness. I choose to trust what the Word of the Lord says. My choices are being spun into action: my difficult prayers are being kept in common eyesight so I will stay encouraged.

Will you join me in having a radical prayer life?

Part C: Musically Speaking

This song couldn’t be any more perfect to complete my post and to compliment my heart.

Anberlin "Breathe"

A Heart at Peace

A heart at peace gives life to the body,

but envy rots the bones.

Proverbs 14:30

I'm in an awkward season of a life. A season where "everyone" is progressing into that next, new, exciting time and I'm "stuck" in last year's fashion, so to speak.

Through all of this, God is rather hilarious. I surrender an area of life, right? You think that would be enough. But no. Next moment, the Lord wants to see how much I really surrendered. It's as if God is saying, "Okay Jenn, you gave me this, now what's your response going to be if several of your friends within your close community get what you long for?" Boom. Oh, my heart's need to be at peace always. Peace like a river. Not some little bubbly brook, but a raging river with both high class rapids and calm waters.

Oh Lord, transform me to have a heart at peace - a heart not shaken by treacherous waters, but a heart that responds to your loving commands while passing through the rapids.

A heart at peace - my heart's cry.

Reflections from the Urban Plunge

This morning, I spent time to reflect what the Lord taught me during the Urban Plunge. I was reminded that I was there to serve Jesus, not necessarily the community. I was given another reminder and push to step out of my comfort zone. But the most grand lesson I obtained from the past four days was that when I think I need to fill up, I really need to pour out.

One of our inductive Bible studies we did was based out of John 4, where Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well. In verse 6, there is a detail that lets us know that Jesus was tired. Relatable, right? But then he goes on in that chapter to minister to a woman. What a radical concept that Jesus went and cared for people even when he was tired. I know that when I'm tired, I'm so focused on how I can be restored and refreshed, and not at all about caring for the needs of others. Well, leave it up to Jesus to push me out of that bubble that I have been struggling with for some time.

Monday evening, I was rather tired and frustrated. I went off to have some quiet time with the Lord. Later on, as I went into the sanctuary to wait for worship to begin, I drew this image, reflecting what I was desperately needing from the Lord - to have my heart filled up by Him. I was feeling so distant from my Love.

I put my drawing away once worship began. A couple of songs into the night, I noticed one of my friends in need of comfort and help. Without a second thought, I go to care for her and end up missing the rest of worship as well as the message. To be honest, there were a few moments that I wished I was inside praising God through song and hearing the message. Ultimately, however, God fulfilled my heart's desire to be filled - I was obedient to care for a friend who needed love and His love was poured out unto us. Funny how that works. It's in the inconvenient moments that we grow. It's when we pour out to others and worry less about our own needs and desires that God fills, quenches, and satisfies.


Slow down, be still
Let go, we will
Be here, be now
Slow down, be still
Breathe in, refill
Be here, be now

If you choose to love
To know that the call
Is to give all you are
To give love away, away

Rise, rise, people of love rise
People of love rise, give yourself away
Rise, rise, people of love rise
People of love rise, give yourself away
Give yourself away, give yourself away

Slow down, just breathe
Be still, believe
Be here, be now
Slow down and see
It’s all you need
Be loved and free

And to hear the call, is to give your love away
And to hear the call, is to give your love away
And to hear the call, is to give your life away
Is to give your life away

We’re not safe, we’re not safe
But we will rise

"Rise" Robbie Seay Band

Two birds with one stone...

I have two big ideas I want to get across. They could easily go in separate blogs, but they fit so well together. Please take the time to read both.

Part A: Spiritual Gifts

This evening at the Upper Room, it was brought up that each of us should share what our spiritual gift is. After being a Christian for such a long time, you would think this question would be easy for me to answer - especially since I have answered it before. However, when it came to my turn, a huge sense of doubt and uncertainty came over to me. I wanted to share what I felt God telling me my gift was, and yet for some reason I was overcome with a fear that someone would tell me that it wasn't. How silly. Yet I continued to kept my mouth shut.

Fast forward a few minutes to small prayer groups, and God completely encourages me to share what He has gifted me with through our discussion.

Wisdom.

A beautiful gift and yet it's so frustrating to have at the same time. Amanda reminded me of the parable of the sower that makes the perfect parallel.

“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.

“This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop."

Luke 8:5-8, 11-15

The seed is wisdom. For some people, what I say goes in one ear and out the other. For others, they hear what I have to say, start to change, yet go back to their old habits the moment life stops being good. While others hear, long to change, and yet make no effort whatsoever. (I've encountered so much of this, and it really breaks my heart). However, there are the ones who take what I say, fight for having life change, and continue to have a fruitful life.

I'm not here to brag about my gift. I am far from perfect. But I am grateful to have a Savior who is full of grace and who directs the words that come out of my mouth. I pray that more and more wisdom would come from me producing an abundance of fruit in those whom God has placed in my life.


Part B: What you post on Facebook...

Disclaimer: Believe me when I say that I am not singling any specific person out with this portion of the blog. My hope and prayer is that people will read this and seek change in how they handle attacks from the enemy.


I'm so fat.
Why can't I do anything right?
No one cares about me. 
Why am I the only one not getting married?


The list could go on and on and on regarding negative status updates that I have seen posted recently from several people. It breaks my heart that people that I know are so broken that they feel they need to post their deepest hurt in order for someone to take notice. Well, it ends there. Here's truth that you need to know:

Do you know that you are loved far more than you can even begin to fathom? (John 3:16)

Do you know that you are a child of God and you are uniquely crafted to be able to reflect the amazing character of Christ? (Ephesians 5:1-2)



Do you know that there is no one else like you for a reason? (Psalm 139:13-14)

Do you know that God's grace is bigger than anything you've ever done?  (Romans 5:1-8)

Do you know that all these negative things you post about yourself are false? Those thoughts and emotions are attacks of the enemy trying to snatch you away for the One who loves you with an everlasting love. Acknowledge the Lord, surrender to Him your pain - for He will deliver. (Psalm 91:14-16)


If you're someone posting these hurtful things about yourself, I challenge you to turn to Christ for your identity, and not the world, and to also seek the counsel of someone who loves and fears the Lord. Giving an open forum to anyone who has access to comment on your Facebook page is simply asking for more trouble or for temporary/false security.


I pray that you don't allow this to go in one ear and out the other, or begin to change and crumble the moment something hurtful happens, or say you want to change but do nothing about it. The love of Christ can guide you through any hurt you're dealing with. Hold His hand along the path. He will never leave you and He will always speak truth into your life. Just listen.




In His Love. <3

The Office

I, Jennifer Salone, am giving up watching The Office. Yes, you've read correctly. I'm "breaking up" with my absolute favorite show.

No more PB&J.
No more, "Dunder Mifflin, this is Pam."
No more crazy Michael and Dwight antics.
No more Nard Dog sing-a-longs.
No more.

Why?

The Spirit convicted my on Friday while I was watching the latest episode. What I was viewing was not of any benefit to me. So much of it was disgusting.

Yet, at that moment, I tried to argue my way out of it. "God, are you sure? Maybe the next episode won't be so bad..."

Of course the Lord brought this to my attention again on Sunday while at the Breakfast Club. The Lord kept telling me during the discussion, "Jenn, you need to stop watching The Office," over and over again. After a while, I knew I needed to listen to Him. Waiting for a third time would be ridiculous. So, I surrendered.

Right now I know it's going to be easier said then done. But this show doesn't rule over me. I get to take these 30 "extra" minutes a week and spend them with my King, instead of on Hulu.

The Lord is in control of it all. If He says I can watch The Office again later then I will do so with caution. But now, it's time to not worry so much about a fictional paper company, but to focus in on the reality of the love my Redeemer has for me.

Surrender. It's my Valentine's gift to my Maker, Savior, Friend...my True Love.



And yes, you can still call me Beasley.

Love me, that's all I ask of you...

If you know your musicals, you know the title of this post is from The Phantom of the Opera, but that play is not what this post is about. (I must pause to mention that at first, I typed "Oprah" instead of "Opera"...)

Anyways, to get some setting, I was walking into the gym the other day, asking God to speak to me during my workout. So, I go on the elliptical and start listening to the Julie Andrews station on Pandora (yes, I would...) and the song "All I Ask of You" from The Phantom of the Opera began to play. Now, when most people think of The Phantom of the Opera, the last thing they think of is God...but when the lyrics, "Love me, that's all I ask of you," were sung over and over again, I couldn't help but think of the Lord.

I saw those specific lyrics as God's heart toward me (and us). He's crying out, "Beloved! Love Me...with all you are! I already love you with an everlasting love. Now love Me with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength." A.K.A. the first commandment.

So often, we get caught up in the second commandment - loving others, serving, fellowship, etc. - that we forget the first. I know I've done so. But praise God for grace and His continual out pouring of love unto us, so we can grow in loving and adoring Him more, then take that love so we can also love others.


I think one of the most beautiful ways of loving God is simply being still and knowing that He is who he says He is. How lovely a thing to dwell in.



PS: Praise God for reminders such as these tucked into Broadway musicals. =)

Obligatory New Years Blog

The key to life change is not the act of the will but the loves of the heart.
St. Augustine 

So many people look to the new year as a time to have a clean slate and to achieve that goal they never did last year...then two months later they forget about those resolutions. Why? Our own wills are weak. I, admittedly, have fallen into this many times. If we ever want to do something that will last, then it must be done through a heart transformed by Christ. There's no other way. It takes commitment, patience, and surrender - each difficult on their own level. 


This all leads to the life change that I want to see happen...


"....All of my fellow townsmen know that you are a woman of noble character."
Ruth 3:11b (NIV)

I've been reading through Ruth the past few days. I could go on an on about the various words that come to mind when I think of this book (comforter, protector, loving, loyal, pursued)...but there's one that struck me this morning: noble. Ruth was known as a woman of noble character. How beautiful. I want to be known like that. Clearly this type of transformation cannot be done through my own will...it can only happen through the grace of God. I simply pray that I'm so smitten by the Lord that all can happen is my character reflecting more and more His love, beauty, and grace.


Happy New Year.