study

November 27, 2012 by Tricia Goyer 3 Comments

When You Don’t Know What to Do . . .

When you don’t know what to do . . . what you do speaks volumes.

Do you call others for advice?
Do you Google the question, looking for answers?
Do you see input from a professional?
Do you share your problem, hoping to gain sympathy?
Or do you ask for prayer?

And when you ask for prayer, do you spill out every detail (hoping for advice as a bonus)? Or do you ask simply, knowing God already knows the issue?
Do you pay attention to the messages God sends to you? (They seem to pop up in books, in conversations, in memories.)

Do you contemplate where God has been leading you up to this point?

Do you read His Word?
Do you listen to His still, small voice?
Do you weigh the thoughts that enter your mind, putting them on a scale and deciphering lies from truth?

Do you let worries lead you do every dark path?
Do you talk through your concerns with those who have a stake in your decision, seeking advice?
Do you listen? Really listen to the concerns of others?

Do you worry about your comfort, your image, or your pride?
Or do you ask God to push you out of your comfort zone so He can be glorified?

Do you step back, so God can show up?
Do you get on your knees and open up your heart to Him?

When you don’t know what to do . . .
You can do something.
You can worry and wait.

Or you can wait and seek.
You can seek . . . and wait for the peace of God to come.

God’s direction may lead to complete dependance on Him. (It most likely will.)
God’s plan will be foolish to many. (Because of their own worries and concerns about how your decision impacts them . . . or compassionate worries for your welfare.)
God’s plan is rooted in love—for your family, for your community, for your world, and, yes, for you. [< — Click to tweet!]
God’s peace will make your roots go deep, into Him, as He guides your decision.
God’s love will be displayed, as your walk of faith is watched.
God’s joy will come in unexpected times and in unexpected ways.

When you don’t know what to do . . .
Turn to the One who has the right answer.
Turn to the One who is the right answer.

If what you do speaks volumes, what He does fills the expanse of the sky.

God’s way is the one you’d choose if you know everything (and love completely) as He does. [< — Click to tweet!]

I promise.

*Photo credit: Image courtesy of Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

November 19, 2012 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

Spilled Light in Dark Places

Why does life have to be so hard? We may never know the answer to the question, but we do know that when people hurt—really hurt—the world pays attention. Maybe it’s part of being human. We fear that hard stuff will come to us next. We watch to see how others cope, so we can prepare.

Recently a couple who are friends of mine had their 2-year-old adopted son returned to his birth father. (Long, painful story…) You better believe that EVERYONE they knew was checking this couples’ Facebook status’ 10 times a day, wanting to know how they were handling it. They couldn’t have children of their own, and God gave them a beautiful son. The worst of the worst happened. The child they loved with all of their hearts was taken away.

My own heart broke, and I wondered, How are they going to deal with this?

To read the answer to that question, click here to find the rest of this post.

*Photo credit: Image courtesy of FrameAngel / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

November 16, 2012 by Tricia Goyer 2 Comments

Seven Things ANYONE Can Do to be Happier

Want to be happy? Really happy? I know how you can be. Guaranteed.

1. Stick with God.

Day and night I’ll stick with God; I’ve got a good thing going, and I’m not letting go. I’m happy from the inside out, and from the outside in, I’m firmly formed. You canceled my ticket to hell—that’s not my destination! (Psalm 16:9-10)

2. Do what’s right. Stick up for what is right.

You’re one happy man when you do what’s right, one happy woman when you form the habit of justice. (Psalm 106:3)

3. Teach your children the truth of God’s word, where wisdom is birthed.

Dear child, if you become wise, I’ll be one happy parent. My heart will dance and sing to the tuneful truth you’ll speak. (Proverbs 23:13)

4. Get over yourself. Rejoice and cry with others. Make friends with enemies and with people you usually back away from or overlook.

Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody. (Romans 12:14-16)

5. Be content with what you have.

Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full, or hands empty. (Philippians 4:11-12)

6. Praise God with your voice and your life. See what He is doing around you . . . you’ll be amazed!

Hallelujah! Thank GOD! Pray to him by name! Tell everyone you meet what he has done! Sing him songs, belt out hymns, translate his wonders into music! Honor his holy name with Hallelujahs, you who seek GOD. Live a happy life! Keep your eyes open for GOD, watch for his works; be alert for signs of his presence.

7. Read God’s Word. Follow it.

By your words I can see where I’m going; they throw a beam of light on my dark path. I’ve committed myself and I’ll never turn back from living by your righteous order. Everything’s falling apart on me, GOD; put me together again with your Word. Festoon me with your finest sayings, GOD; teach me your holy rules. My life is as close as my own hands, but I don’t forget what you have revealed. The wicked do their best to throw me off track, but I don’t swerve an inch from your course. I inherited your book on living; it’s mine forever—what a gift! And how happy it makes me! I concentrate on doing exactly what you say—I always have and always will. (Psalm 119:105-112)

*All verses from The Message
*Photo credit: Image courtesy of Tanatat / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

November 15, 2012 by Tricia Goyer 2 Comments

Top Three Tips for Sharing Your Personal Story

You have an amazing story. You feel your message of God’s work in you can help others, but where do you start?

1. Consider the best way to share your story. Could you write it as a magazine article, highlighting different points? Could you start a blog and connect directly with an audience? Should it be a book? Maybe it’ll be all three, but it’s easier to start small and allow your message to grow into something bigger.

2. Think of the reader. How do you picture her? What does she need to hear? What issues does she need to overcome? What hope from God can you share with her? Not everyone is an audience for every book. Who do you want to reach with your message? Finally, what will the reader take away from your story in personal application? It’s your job to use your story to help the reader find hope and healing for hers. [< -- Click to tweet!]

3. Share your story with transparency and grace. Give equal time to where you were and how God brought you out. (It can be our tendency to spend more time on all the bad stuff!) Pray and ask God to show you what to share. Focus more on YOUR story and not on others’ deeds. Share how your life changed throughout time. (There is rarely a quick fix.) Share the hope you still have today and highlight God’s work.

I do encourage you to get your story down in a way that will impact lives. Reality TV shares drama without hope. But you can use the drama in your story to share hope! [< -- Click to tweet!]

November 13, 2012 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

Jesus WILL Come Today . . . If You Let Him In

In my BSF class, we’ve been studying Noah. Before the big flood folks were eating, drinking, marrying. God’s Word says people will be doing the same on His return at the end of time.

“So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return,” Jesus says in Matthew 25:13.

We all should be confident we’ve accepted Jesus’ sacrifice, and we are ready for His return. But shouldn’t this apply to a practical, daily “readiness,” too? For me, this means being ready to meet with Jesus morning or night. It’s having a Bible on the side of my bed and a nightlight charged up in case I sense Jesus whispering to my heart.

For you, it may mean having a Bible open on your kitchen counter. It also could mean having worship CDs or your walking shoes by the front door in case He calls you to join Him for a prayer-walk.

It also means taking note of the light continually burning inside us. To the Israelites, the tent of meeting was the actual dwelling place of God in their midst. For us, God dwells continually in our hearts. Emmanuel, God-with-us.

For me this happens in different ways throughout the day. Sometimes it means offering up quick prayers, asking Him to order my daily activities. Other times, it’s acknowledging that stirring in my heart telling me to “pause and listen,” or “act now” concerning anything dealing with kids, ministry, or community.

No matter what this looks like in your life, it’s important to keep the flame of Jesus’ presence flickering. It’s about realizing that like oil in the lamps at the temple, our time, our focus, and our energy is precious and costly, yet it is necessary for communion with our Lord.

Here are some ways for you to connect with God:

Place a Bible and nightlight beside your bed. Keep a Bible by your computer and in your living room.
Give up what’s most costly. Time, energy, even sleep. Whenever your thoughts turn to Jesus—whether it be day or night—take time away from the busyness to worship Him, pray, and relinquish your day.
Strive to feed the burning flame throughout the day. Pick up a copy of The Divine Hours by Phyllis Tickle or The Book of Common Prayer. Both include prayers and Scriptures for morning, noon, and night. Each “reading” takes about five minutes, but it’s a wonderful habit to follow—taking time to walk away from my daily activities to meet with God and fan the flame of His presence.

What else? What is ONE THING that helps you “prepare for the Son of man to come”?

*Photo credit: Image courtesy of Arvind Balaraman / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

October 20, 2012 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

Podcast for Living Inspired: Julia Ziglar and Yvette Maher | PLUS a Q&A with Julia

Be sure to head over to the show’s landing page to see if you won one of this week’s prizes!

Download Julia Ziglar and Yvette Maher’s interview here.

Check out this Q&A with Julie, too!

1. Tell me about this important event in your life, and how did it affect you?

The most important event happened when a friend of mine told me that she’d had a dream and God made it clear to her that she was to tell me that He couldn’t use me fully until I’d done the thing I’d been asked to do. I knew immediately what she was talking about, and though I didn’t tell her what it was about and it was the last thing I wanted to do, I was obedient and signed up for the post-abortion Bible study my sister had invited me to earlier that week.

2. What was the saddest moment?

The saddest moment was when I finally allowed myself to own the responsibility, feel the totality and finality of what I’d done and repent for killing my own babies. In that moment I was set free to grieve for them with a mother’s heart, and though I was afraid I’d never stop crying, I was relieved to feel my love for them . . . denying that love had been hurting all along . . . allowing it to surface was the beginning of God healing my heart.

3. What was the happiest moment?

When I realized that my children were alive in my heart and that I had a mental picture of what they look like . . . and over the years the image has changed . . . I can see them growing up in my mind. I think of them as my children; I grieve the loss of them as if they had been born and I lost them. I can’t wait to get to heaven to see them and hold them. It took me accepting the forgiveness that God had long ago given me. I had to study His Word, come to know His promises and His character before I could grasp how He is able to forgive me for killing my children

The moment that has resulted in my most constant joy came to pass on November 13, 2007, when I realized my life was none of my business and I surrendered it fully to live for Jesus Christ. I’d been saved a long time, but I had never lived for Him fully until that moment. There was serenity in that moment that I’d never had before. God was in control, and I finally knew and understood it. I would not be doing what I’m doing now if both of these things hadn’t happened. I’m glad God can finally use me for His glory.

4. Or what was the most difficult decision you have ever had to make? Why? How did you make it and what happened?

The decision to separate from my husband of eleven years—we were both Christians, but we’d gotten together when we were both drinking alcoholically and we’d never learned how to communicate after we got sober about two and a half years into the marriage. We hardly spoke by the time our last child left home—that’s when he got involved with Internet chat rooms/pictures/etc. That discovery was the final straw for me. We’d had counseling, sought help, etc., but it only helped for a little while. I was tired and wanted out. Fortunately our new church family and pastor got behind us to help us make it work. It was the first time a church fellowship had done that.

We were apart, working on the relationship more than a year, but when God restored us to each other, we had the kind of marriage He’d always wanted us to have and we’ve been happy ever since.

5. How did you experience God during this event?

I had a peace when I moved into a separate house. I knew the time apart was to be spent getting my relationship with Christ right. If I could do that, then I’d become the wife God intended my husband to have. My husband and I decided we’d continue to go to church together every week, but our counseling sessions with our associate pastor, a certified marriage counselor, were done individually for the first six months. When we learned how to communicate, God removed our resentments and even the majority of our memories about how we’d wronged one another.

6. What hope or encouragement do you have for others who may be facing the same situation?

Women can be healed from the pain, grief, shame, and regret of abortion if they will let God and those He has to help them help them through it—and it is possible to save a marriage that is as dead as Lazarus and make it amazing!

October 19, 2012 by Tricia Goyer 2 Comments

“No Vacancy” Sign

I used to fight sin with all that was in me. I’d make goals for overcoming it. I’d pray and ask for strength. I’d talk about my struggles with my friends and seek their support. It was a very tiring business, but I knew that as a child of God I had to live a different way than I had before. I was a new creation.

While we should all do what we can to live righteous lives, I’ve found a better way.

The best way to avoid sin is to fill yourself up so completely with Jesus that when sin crouches at your door, there is a “No Vacancy” Sign.

Welcome Him.
Seek Him.
Enjoy Him.
Praise Him.
Read His Word.
Share His transforming power.
Ask Him to fill you from head to toe.
Take every thought captive and turn it over to Him.
Ask Him to shoulder Your burdens.
Follow His path.

Ask Him to fight your battles.
Trust Him to calm your fears.
Fill your soul with His presence.
Empower Him to guard your heart against sin.

Soon sin will have no room to abide because Jesus fills every crevice and corner of your life, mind, and heart.

October 9, 2012 by Tricia Goyer 9 Comments

Steps to Transparency

My abortion was my biggest shame and only my husband, my mother (and my ex-boyfriend of course) knew about it. I can remember sitting in Bible study and the women talking about abortion. I thought I was going to be sick. I was sure everyone saw the pain and shame on my face–and these were my closest friends. I knew that if I told them they’d hate me. I hated me.

Then, about ten years after my abortion, I was at church and heard a woman talk about a Bible Study for women who’d had abortions. I was shocked she exposed her darkest sin. I knew I needed the freedom she had. The hardest thing I ever did was go to that Bible Study.

Satan can only keep us captive if we’re silent. If we shrink back from the sin. If we try to “handle it” ourselves.

Jesus is truth. Jesus brought us into a body of believers to depend on each other. When we share the truth, Satan no longer has a hold on us.

Your “secret” is different than mine, but the enemy of our souls would like nothing more than for you to keep your struggle to yourself. To keep silent. We need transparency.

To start taking steps toward transparency, see if there is a Bible study or some type of support group. Then confess to others who have the same issue. Care for each other. Pray for each other. Confession brings freedom; your burden will be lighter when you share it. I remember after I went to my first Bible study class, I started confessing other issues I had. I sought forgiveness from those I’d hurt, and the shackles fell from my heart.

Seek God and write out your prayers to Him. Know that your struggle is not hidden from His view. He knows your issues and still LOVES YOU COMPLETELY. Read Psalm 139. His thoughts of you are greater than the sand on the seashore.

Then, when the time is right, God will lead you to sharing your story with others. God will transform your trials into your testimony. He’ll also help you in your struggle. Turn to Him. Led Him guide Your steps. Jesus will lead you into freedom—trust that.

You can read more about my abortion story here.

September 17, 2012 by Tricia Goyer Leave a Comment

Creation Around and Within

Have you ever had one of those weeks when it seems as if every topic you read about in the Bible or in books or magazines is on the same topic? Then you turn on the radio (guess what?), and there it is again.

That’s been this week for me. God’s been speaking to my heart about creation. About everything coming from nothing. About nothing being here that He didn’t create. About me being allowed to be part of the creative process. About understanding every that word I write comes from Him.

I mean, I *knew* this . . . but God is reminding me. He’s whispering Truth, and I feel like the most blessed girl in the world to be asking to be part of this creative journey with Him.

First stop. Rejoicing in His creation. The awe of God’s creative process hit me hard on my trip to the Czech Republic. As I hiked the sun-kissed, wild-flower-speckled, rolling hills of the Czech countryside, my soul rejoiced over the beauty and the fact it was God who directed me (by asking me to go on the trip and share His good news) to those green grassy hills.

More than once I wanted to stretch out my arms and twirl with abandon. “The hills are alive with the Sound of Music. . . .”

As rambunctious teens kicked around a red rubber ball and two toddlers chased bubbles, I felt a cloak of honor wrap around my shoulders. Who am I to be given such a gift of this place? These people? I wondered.

And as I’ve been thinking about this over the last couple of days, my jaw has dropped to my chest more than once, considering what my year has held:

Alaska

Drifting by a mountainous, blue and white glacier with the sounds of seals splitting the air.

Watching a black bear catch hefty salmon while I stood on a boardwalk five feet away.

Walking through a coastal rainforest so thick with moss and ferns that it appeared spray-painted lime green (and even more spectacular was the bounce of my feet on the cushy ground).

Pennsylvania and Ohio

The clomping sound of a horse’s hooves on pavement

The golden light spreading over harvested fields of stubble

Trees where only the strongest yellow and orange leaves still clung to branches

Hills that rose and fell with quaint farmhouses dotting their expanse

Montana

Cupping snowballs in my hand and sharing them with my toddler daughter

Gazing up at pines trimmed in lacy ice patterns

The crunch and squeak of my boots over the snow

Add in: the Czech Republic, Miami, Jamaica, Grand Cayman Islands, Branson, St. Louis, Philadelphia, Oklahoma City, Memphis, Pittsburg, Ireland (only to change planes), London (only to change planes and have a spot of tea), Tyler, Texas, Naples, Florida, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and a dozen other states between Arkansas and Montana as we DROVE to see our family.

The joy of witnessing God’s creation was a gift to me. And the truth is, the glory of His creation is around me every time I step out my door.

Second stop. Allowing Him to do His creative work in me. Creating is scary. It risks rejection. It risks our “works” not living up to the ideal in our head. Yet when we create, we use the gift God offered to man alone. When we create, we display God’s image, and we allow His breath (inspiration) to fill us.

“Our creativity comes from within a context, the context of our life as a creation of God, who is the Author and Perfecter, the Artist. From within that context we can unearth what we have to offer, and we can learn to be available to the creative offerings around us.” ~Alice Bass, The Creative Life

What is creation? As a noun it’s an exhibit of God’s glory. As a verb it’s an exhibit of God’s glory. How amazing is that?

Today, no matter where you are, ask God to turn your heart toward His creation.

Today, no matter who you are, seek to allow God’s creative breath to flow through you. To do so is to affirm that you realize your part in God’s plan of displaying His glory.

August 31, 2012 by Tricia Goyer 7 Comments

The Truth about Memorizing Scripture | It’s Easy to Become Lazy (But Don’t)

One of my favorite things growing up in church was the memory verse treasure box. You know what I’m talking about, don’t you? Every Sunday I looked forward to going to children’s church. While all the kids got settled in their seats, one of the youth helpers would listen to those of us who’d worked to memorize verses:

For God so loved the world . . .

Seek ye first . . .

Beloved, let us love one another . . .

I worked hard memorizing verses as a kid, and the reason I did it was for the prize. Yep, that’s the truth. Gum balls, plastic rings, stickers. Those things are long gone, but the words . . . the WORD remains.

During our homeschooling years, memorizing Scripture verses was part of my kids’ curriculum. Throughout the years, they memorized Psalm 100, Genesis 1, and numerous other verses. We’d practice most mornings, and as my children worked on their memory verses I was blessed to learn alongside them.

Recently, I wrote about memorizing Scripture on a guest blog post, and I was surprised by Christian parents who commented that knowing about Scripture is good enough. They don’t spend time working with their kids to memorize verses. Isn’t there enough to do in life without adding another thing?

Yes, life is busy. And, yes, it is important for children to understand the Bible as a whole. They do need to understand what the Bible is about and the message of Christ’s redemptive plan that runs throughout. We don’t want kids memorizing the Bible just for memorization sake . . . or do we?

Even though I memorized verses as a child just for the prizes, something amazing happened inside of me. God’s Word was hidden in my heart. (I think that’s what my children’s church teacher had up her sleeve all along.)

Those words have be there as a lifeline through the years.

There were times I was really worried, and the words came back to me:

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:24

There were moments I wondered if God had a plan for my life, and then I remembered:

All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:16

OK, the truth is that at forty years old, I don’t always remember the verses word-for-word, but I do remember most of the words . . . and the message. I also know where to look (in general) to find the verse again.

So how can we sum this up?

Your kids might learn Scripture verses to earn candy bars and camping trips. These rewards won’t last long, but the reward of knowing God’s Word will last forever.

The older you are the harder it is to memorize, so start young with your kids! Learn alongside them.

Even if you are “older” (like me!) you can still memorize verses. It takes longer, but it does work. I write out verses I want to work on and keep them around the house. One great place to keep them is in my bathroom. I review the verses while I blow dry my hair.

Finally, remember that time spent in God’s Word is NEVER a waste. As Isaiah 55:10–11 says:

“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”

Hey, those are great verses. I think I might try to memorize them. 🙂

August 21, 2012 by Tricia Goyer 1 Comment

Cobblestones and River Paths

Have you ever had one of those moments when all seems right in the world? More than that, when life seems to be a series of steppingstones that has led you to one specific place and time?

I felt like that our last night in Olomouc, Czech Republic. We’d just had some great pizza and ice cream, and our mission team was walking back to the Bible college where we were staying. Laughter echoed off the centuries-old buildings and cobblestone streets. The setting sun cast a warm glow over the ancient city and peace settled in my heart.

Earlier that day we’d gotten back from youth camp. Thirty Czech teenagers had given up five days of their summer vacation to hang out with Americans and improve their English. Many, many of them also heard about a relationship with Jesus for the very first time.

As we walked, Lucie’s words rang in my heart. “I’d seen a few people who believed in God on television, but I’d never met real people who believed. And now I’ve heard stories from so many of them.”

Every night at English camp we shared our testimonies. One by one, eight of us got up and shared our pasts, our pain, and our decisions to follow Jesus Christ.

Another young woman I talked to, Jana, told me, “My mind is so full. There is so much to think about—things I’ve never thought of before.”

Both of these young women spoke to me through translators. They didn’t speak English well enough to share their hearts in a second language, but even without the translator I saw a difference on their faces. A new hope sparkled in their eyes. And these young women—along with more than a dozen others—lined up to get a Bible of their own when offered one.

Amazing. Exciting! God’s Word given to eager hearts.

It’s crazy when I think about the series of events that led to this. The first steppingstone was my trip to the Czech Republic in 2000 with my author friends Cindy Martinusen Coloma and Anne de Graaf. I can’t explain why I fell in love with Prague and the Czech Republic, but I did—so much so that I traveled there again in 2002 to research for my novel Night Song. I chose the location so I could go back to Prague. A good writer always does through research, you know.

Listening to God’s voice then led the Goyers to go on two family mission trips in 2008 and 2009. My daughter, Leslie, fell in love with the country, too, and she’s visited every year since 2008. This summer she spent two months there, falling even more in love with the country, falling even more in love with the people.

Vacation, research trips, mission trips, (a Czech exchange student, too), and extended visits. A special peace comes when you return to a place and realize it’s exactly where you’re supposed to be.

And that’s how I felt the last night as we walked back to the Bible college: like I was standing on a stone in a river. I could clearly see the path behind me, leading me—us—to this place. I could also sense that the stones continued . . . to places I couldn’t yet see. But one step by one step, we were following God’s purpose for us to be spots of light—sharing the truth of Jesus with the Czech people.

I’m unsure where those steps will lead, or who God will ask to join in the journey. Our daughter Leslie is praying about making the Czech Republic her forever home. If that is God’s plan—or something else—it’s good to know that our family has followed God’s leading, and we’ve tasted the joy of having our hearts connected to a beautiful country with beautiful people on the other side of the world.

As for Lucie, Jana, and the others . . . their stories are still in the works. I’m not sure what God is going to do with their lives, but I know He has a plan. He always has a plan. Sometimes it just takes a while to realize how those seemingly random steps lead to something greater. Something beyond yourself. Something similar to laughter bouncing on cobblestone under a golden Czech sunset.