Is God Working on Your "Stinky Fish"?

I'm writing from sweltering Singapore having spent the last week in rainy Hong Kong.  In case you're wondering what "stinky fish" means, let me tell you.

 "Stinky Fish" are those dry, hard, and stinky places in our spiritual journey that we'd often rather forget--but, given into the hands of Jesus to bless and use, can become life-giving sustenance for others.

Last Saturday I gave a talk at a Women's Leadership Seminar in Hong Kong.  The passage I spoke from is a familiar one, Matthew 14:13-21, which describes the feeding of the 5,000.  It  has some great points about how God shapes our character so His power can flow through us and meet the spiritual hunger and needs of others.  Check these out:

• Jesus, the One we follow, sees needs and has compassion--Here's a character check: are you seen as a compassionate person?
• Jesus invites and challenges us to meet the needs around us--Being honest, would you describe yourself as more sensitive or more indifferent to those needs? 
• Jesus takes what we offer Him, ourselves, inadequate as it is for the needs around us--Are we available to be used by Him or do we look at our inadequacies and hold back?
• Jesus gives thanks to the Father for what WE bring to Him, so HE can bless and make us sufficient--Is offering yourself to Him for His purposes a regular part of your spiritual journey?
• Jesus takes the few loaves of bread, what we offer Him from who we are, and feeds others.
• Jesus takes the "stinky fish," those places of our failure, weaknesses, dryness and transforms them into life-sustaining food and hope for those who feel their own spiritual weakness.
• Jesus doesn't waste anything from our lives when we offer it to Him--in fact, there is an abundance left over for feeding the hungry people God brings across your path.

I'll share some more on the character God wants to develop in us in my next blog.  Until then, read through this list again and ask God, "What areas of my heart and life need your transforming touch?  Speak, Lord, because I want to grow and have my life bless others."

Secret To A Life God Uses!

Last Thursday I spent an hour being interviewed by Linda Goldfarb, the host of CLASS Radio, Communicating with Power on the topic of Leadership.  Specifically,we talked about the creation, calling, and character of a leader.

We began by discussing how God shapes the person He uses to lead others, whether through their position (such as Moses, a pastor, or a team leader) or through being an influencer.  I was never influenced by someone with a "title", but I have been profoundly helped by several older women who had never heard the word 'mentor' or saw themselves in this light.

Leaders or spiritual influencers don't just arrive, they have been prepared by God over the years through much inner soul work.  God uses situations He allows to reveal who we are--and then calls us to become who we can be in Christ.  Paul cried out, "What a wretched man I am!  Who will rescue me from this body of death?" (Rom.7:24).  But he also knew the secret of spiritual transformation: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." (Gal.2:20)

I shared during the interview (which you can listen to by clicking on the Facebook link on my Home webpage) that my first halting steps towards leadership came through being jealous and annoyed with another woman!  It was only after the Holy Spirit convicted me of my wretched attitude, and I acknowledged it in repentence, that the door opened to becoming a discussion leader in Bible Study Fellowship.  It was also through that incident that I realized the desire God had implanted to lead other women into a closer relationship with Him.

If  you're thinking this doesn't apply to you because you're not a leader, yes it does!  God's shaping of a leader is no different than His shaping of any one of His children.  He wants to refine and reshape your inner stuff just as He does in me.  Why?  So we can reflect Him in our homes, workplace, with relatives, neighbors, or fellow believers who drive us crazy, as well as in our spending habits, thought-life, and moral choices.

Think about your journey so far: 

• How has God shaped who you are at this time? 
• Have you been moldable and responsive to what He has said? 

I've needed so much 'hands-on' work by the Holy Spirit and it isn't over yet!  I feel shock and awe when I think of His patience, perseverance, and power to shape a strong-willed woman's heart (and mouth!) and turn her in the direction He planned.  But this is the secret to a life God uses.

How about you?  How is God shaping you right now?  I'd love to get a glimpse into your life by getting a comment back--even if you don't leave a name!

So what's the character He's trying to produce in us?  Sign up to get an email notice when I post the next blog and I'll answer that question in a few days.

Blessings,
Poppy
http://www.poppysmith.com/

Email: poppy@poppysmith.com

Haiti Horrors--Email from a Survivor

I just received an email from a friend whose cousin and other family members live and work in Haiti. Her cousin wrote that they were in their home with two friends when the house started rocking. She said it felt like being shaken in one of those glass snow toys. She and her husband braced themselves in doorways with their guests but when the back wall of their house collapsed they quickly got outside. They survived with just their passports--everything else lies under their pancaked house.

In my book, I'm Too Human to be Like Jesus: Spiritual Growth for the Not-So-Perfect Woman, I probe the issue of What Matters Most?  Watching the images coming from devastated Haiti reinforces the importance of that question. 

• What does matter most to us?
• What do we want to accomplish while we can?
• Who do we want to be and how do we want others to remember us?
• Is knowing God and living a life that honors Him our priority? 
• How are we doing that?

Sobering questions for a sobering time--but thinking about them, and praying and listening to God's response, will yield a life that has purpose, direction, and the fulfillment He intends.

After taking care of your family and pets, what else matters most to you?  I'd love to know!

How Has God's Power Changed You?

I just spent a fascinating day with my husband driving up to the top of the volcano which is the island of Maui. The view from 10,000' was spectacular, the wind wild, and the results of the eruption that formed this beautiful island, awe inspiring.

Seeing God's power to create in the physical world, I couldn't help but think of the human equivalent--God's power at work in us. Like the volcano that rose thousands of feet from the hidden ocean floor, God's power was at work in bringing us forth. Ps.139:15 says, "My frame was not hid from you when I was created in the secret place."

But in addition to our physical creation, God's power continues to work in us to bring forth the beauty of being like Christ. This applies to how we respond, think, evaluate and act in our relationships and responsibilities.

Through believing and receiving Christ's offering of Himself for our sins, the journey to inner transformation begins. We are made new creations in Christ--something I love to cling to. I am not the old Poppy I used to be. I am not alienated from God. My sins are no longer a barrier to being His daughter, His loved child! God's power has done the humanly impossible.

God's power is available to every believer. We can become the person He has in mind. It takes time. It doesn't happen quickly. Nor does it happen without our willing cooperation! BUT--we can become someone we would never be without Him.

Here's some examples of the kind of inner transformation only God produces. I'd love to know what you would add from your own experience with the Lord.

• Instead of being fearful, we can grow in trust and courage
• Instead of being negative toward ourselves, we can thank God He is at work in us
• Instead of comparing or complaining, we can celebrate what He has done in and through us
• Instead of being selfish, we can become generous, caring, sensitive and supportive

As 2010 begins, let me challenge you to think about God's power. How have you experienced it this past year in your walk with Him? Can you name some situations? As you think about the year to come, where do you long to see evidence of God's power at work in and through you?

Blessings on your journey towards spiritual and personal growth.

Poppy

Why Celebrate New Year?

I'm not crazy about watching the ball fall in Times Square--I'm usually tired and my pragmatic side takes over saying, "go to bed!" But, I do plan to celebrate God's care in 2009 and think about His promises for 2010.

Did you know that being filled with joy, having fun, and celebrating special events is God's idea? Back in the Old Testament, God told the Israelites to celebrate on a regular basis. He wants us to be joyful because He knows that "the joy of the Lord is your strength." We're made to enjoy (see that joy word?) the good things in life: family, friends, good food, fun and relaxation. These things, and many more, are God's gifts given to bless and encourage us as we go through life.

There is a deeper source of joy, however. It's the joy the Lord gives us when we remember that He cares, He knows our exact situation right now, the struggles we have, or fears about 2010. Joy comes when we cherish the fact that we matter to God, we have worth, we belong to Him, we have a purpose, and we have capabilities that He has given to us to discover and use in the days ahead.

Why do you celebrate the New Year? How do you do it? I'd love to know.

I celebrate it because I know that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever and His faithfulness and blessings are going to be there in the coming year. Being confident of this, I'm planning to "Rejoice in the Lord and be glad" when that ball falls at midnight on New Year's eve!

Poppy Smith: www.poppysmith.com email: poppy@poppysmith.com

Sabbath-keeping: Should it be practiced today? Why?

Did you grow up in a Christian home? How was Sunday observed? Was it just like any other day, apart from going to church? How was it different?

God set the pattern of taking one day of rest out of seven: He rested from creation and He told the Israelites to observe the Sabbath (a word that means to cease or desist).

Have you ever thought about WHY He commanded that the Sabbath be observed? Apart from resting physically, what other benefits might God have intended for you--perhaps, time to relate to your family, relax mentally, socialize with friends, enjoy the outdoors, listen to music or read a good book?

Although we are not under the law (Galatians 2:15-21), are we missing some blessings that would strengthen us spiritually, physically, and relationally which we miss when we race through life seven days a week without an intentional break?

Far from being a boring obligation, God invites us in the midst of our crazy lives, to cease from work and the driving need to be productive or accomplish the next task.

In order to experience God's intended blessings, what do you think you might cease, or desist from, this coming Sunday (or whatever day you dedicate to being God-focused rather than task-focused) ? What could you do to make that day renewing and spiritually refreshing? I'd love to hear your comments and suggestions.

Poppy

Alcoholic Finds God Can Transform

Sometimes you receive a letter that inspires and humbles you--a letter that tells of God's incredible goodness and power to transform a life. I want to share this kind of letter with you. It came today and I will be careful not to divulge personal details. May it bless and encourage you!

"Dear Poppy,

Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I have just finished reading your book, I'm Too Young to be This Old. Wonderfully written. I have learned a lot from your book. I must say that I have a lot more learning to do.

I will let you know a little about myself: I have been an alcoholic for many years. And untill two and a half months ago, I just couldn't put the cap back on the bottle. After I became a Christian I don't have the urge whatsoever to even take another mouthful.

Yes, I realize that I've wasted quite a few number of years (not to mention $) on alcohol. But thank you Heavenly Father for your mercy! When I called upon Him, He answered in more than one way.

He took the urge to drink away and placed peace in my heart and mind. Now in the morning when I arise, I thank Him for another day and ask Him for guidance. I've been reading the Bible daily and also praying! The Bible is so interesting.

After I read your book, I felt I should write to you and let you know how much your book has helped me look at myself. Thank you very much for writing the book. So Poppy, continue what you're doing. God bless you."

(The writer found a copy of my book in a little general story in Saskachewan. Isn't God good to send what she needed to a tiny town in Canada!)

I'll get back soon to blogging on what I've been teaching. This week the focus is on Sabbath-keeping. What is it? Is there something for today that God wants us to understand?