Crisis Management

Cry.

Momentarily immobilized.

Pray.

Brood. 

Fret. 

Worry. 

Talk, talk, talk ...........then talk some more.

Pray some more, crying out to God for help.   

 That's usually the pattern when I have a crisis to deal with. Eventually I get to the point where I can look at a crisis objectively, see exactly what the problem is and come up with a game plan to deal with it.  Usually after spending a lot of time praying for guidance, the steps become clear.  Sometimes the steps take  a very long time to complete, other times they can be completed quickly, with the crisis resolved; it all depends on the crisis. 

For example, I've dealt with some crises that did not lend themselves to quick resolutions.  They were big issues - a wayward child, a broken marriage.  Those kinds of crises require incremental steps.  Do this.  Now do this.  Then on to the next thing.  They often take years to resolve.  Those crises are taxing.  They take a toll on emotions, physical health, and can take a spiritual toll as well.   But it is in the middle of those crises that God reveals Himself and His character. Those are the times when the most spiritual growth occurs. 

I see God working the most when I am at my lowest. When the crises seem overwhelming, those are the times I cling to Him more than ever.  I think of Jeremiah, the weeping prophet.  He was dealing with a huge crisis,  the rejection of Yahweh by the nation of Israel, the fall of Jerusalem, captivity of the people.  The Jewish people were facing the consequences of their sin, which often is the reason most crises come.  This wasn't a crisis that was going to be resolved in a few short weeks/months/years. In fact, it has YET to be resolved.  But in the midst of his lament over God's judgment, he pens one of the most memorable passages in the Bible,  Lamentations 3:19-25 (NASB)

Remember my affliction and my wandering, the wormwood and bitterness.

Surely my soul remembers

And is bowed down within me.

This I recall to my mind,

Therefore I have hope.

The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,

For His compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness.

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,

“Therefore I have hope in Him.”

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,

To the person who seeks Him.

This is what I need to remember when dealing with a crisis.  The Lord is faithful, and his mercies are new every morning.  He will triumph over any crisis. 

Explain Love

My journal prompt today was a challenge.  How do you explain love to someone who has never experienced it?  Everyone has experienced love.  I would have once said that this is a true statement, but think immediately I think of children who have suffered abuse at the hands of those who should love them the most - their parents.  I'm not sure how I would describe love to them, it would have to be shown in real, tangible ways.  They need to know that they are cared for; spiritually, emotionally and physically.   They need to feel all three of those.  Emotional love  is shown by positive affirmation, even when they are doing something wrong.  They need to know they have worth even when they make mistakes or even intentionally disobey and sin.  Words of affirmation, along with a hug are so important. 

Physically they need to feel safe and have all their physical needs met - food, clothing and shelter.  Not exceeded, but basic needs met.  This doesn't mean they HAVE to have all the latest doo-dads; even the poorest child in the most poverty stricken nation feels love when their basic needs are met, combined emotional love.

Spiritually - they need to know that they have a heavenly Father who really, really does love them, so much that He sent His only son to die in his place.  Sometimes communicating this is difficult, especially if they are missing the other two.  And as long as I've been a Christian, I'm not sure I communicate this very well at all.  When they feel the Lord drawing them and the seed has been planted, they will understand this love. 


Wow, this part is a lot tougher.  How DO you explain the love of the Heavenly Father to someone who has never experienced it?  You can't use "christianese", they don't get it.  You can't just tell them God loves them, they don't see or understand it. You can't tell them all the stories in the Bible, they don't want to listen or have an argument for each and every one of them.  You have to live it.  It is through encounters with us, believers, that they experience the love of the Father.  A rather sobering thought to start today.  

Wow - three in one day - a new record for me :)  But I wanted to go ahead and put the recipe for chicken paprikash on here, since I mentioned it and several people have asked. So without further adieu:

Ingredients:

3 eggs, beaten 1/2 cup water 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons salt   1/4 cup butter 1 1/2 pounds bone-in chicken pieces, with skin

1 medium onion, chopped 1 1/2 cups water 1 tablespoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 cup sour cream

Directions:

1.	Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil over high heat. In a large bowl, mix together the eggs, 2 teaspoons of salt, and 1/2 cup of water. Gradually stir in 2 1/2 cups of flour to make a stiff batter. Using two spoons, scoop out some batter with one spoon and use the second to scrap off the spoonful of batter into the boiling water. Repeat until several dumplings are cooking. Cook dumplings for 10 minutes or until they float to the top; then lift from the water and drain in a colander or sieve. Rinse with warm water.
2.	In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter and add chicken; cook until lightly browned, turning once. Add onion to skillet and cook 5 to 8 minutes more. Pour in 1 1/2 cups of water, and season with paprika, salt, and pepper; cook 10 minutes more, or until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear. Remove chicken from skillet and keep warm.
3.	Stir 2 tablespoons of flour into sour cream; then slowly stir into the onion mixture remaining in the skillet. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly, and cook until thickened.
4.	To serve, add dumplings to the sour cream/onion mixture, then spoon onto dinner plates adding a piece of chicken.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2014 Allrecipes.com

Printed from Allrecipes.com 10/4/2014

My variation is to use boneless, skinless breasts and add chicken bullion to the broth for more flavor.  For the dumplings, make them pretty small and they will turn out much better. This is a great freezer meal, and it's even better the second time! Oh, and if you can get hot paprika, go for it, but be careful unless you really want it HOT! ;) 

An error :(

I realized while reading the blog over that I made it sound like the other people in my office do not care how they dress. That is absolutely not true. Without putting my foot even further into my mouth, suffice it to say I'm sorry, I did not intend for the statement to read like it does.  I enjoy finally having a job where I can dress in something nicer than shleppy clothes. So if you read my other blog, please read this one as well and know that blogging still has a learning curve for me!  I usually write, walk away and come back to re-read, then post. Today I didn't and I regret it.  So my apologies!

Random! Clothing, food, and the ministry of John the Baptist

Since this blog is about totally random stuff, today's blog will have three totally random, unrelated topics!

First, I'm posting the frivolous blogs. The more serious one will be last. :)

I'm using two different books as blog prompts,  365 Days of Writing Prompts, published by Word Press and 412 Journaling Exercises and Prompts, part of a bundle by Meredith Lane.  Some of them are quite silly, but a lot of them prompt some heavy thinking.  Both of the prompts today did inspire blogs :)

First one asked the question: How important are clothes to you? Describe your style, if you have one, and tell us how appearance impacts how you feel about yourself.

Interesting that this should be a blog prompt.  I've been thinking about my style lately, now that I'm working almost full time, in an office where I believe image counts and Dick does desire that I dress appropriately, even if others in the office don't.  What is my style?  I think it's developed into a more business casual, classic look.  I usually wear dress pants, a t-shirt, necklace and shrug or tunic length sweater.  While my current foot ware is still Birkenstocks, I'm looking at shoes that are a little dressier, but because of my foot issues, I want them to be comfortable as well, so I'm on the hunt for a pair that doesn't cost an arm and a leg!

I have found since starting this job that I do feel much better about myself when I'm dressed up.  I have much more confidence than when I'm dressed like a shlub.  I have grown weary of jeans and a t-shirt, no makeup, sloppy hair.  Now that I'm working I have a reason to dress nicer, be better groomed all the time.  It does make a difference in how I feel. I'm more confident, and considering the extra weight I'm carrying around, looking nicer certainly helps me feel better about myself, and has given me some incentive to work harder at getting rid of the weight!

The second prompt was to describe your favorite home-cooked meal.

I'm having one of those today for Amanda's going away!  When we were kids, one of our favorite dishes was Chicken Paprikash.  Even today, if I post on Facebook that I'm making it, I'll have comments from my aunt, cousin, sister, nieces and nephew!  I finally found a recipe that I can make without goofing the dumplings and turning them into a mass of dough.  Since Amanda loves it, even though its too warm for it, I'll make it tonight to accommodate her :)   (You can find the version I like at allrecipes.com. It's the one by Erin Webster. The link is http://tinyurl.com/l6rw8n5) 

Finally, the serious one.  I'm reading through the Bible chronologically, and today's reading was chapter 3 of Matthew and Luke, and Mark, chapter 1.  All three of the chapters are chronicling the ministry of John the Baptist in the months before Jesus revealed himself.  He was preaching a message of repentance and baptizing people in preparation for what they thought was the coming judgment.  He was preparing the people for the coming Savior, although they didn't necessarily understand it at that point.

Some of those who came were the Sadducees and Pharisees.  John asked them who had warned them of the coming wrath, who told them they needed to be baptized?  My suspicions (not based on any scripture, just my gut feeling) is that while a number of them were truly repentant and wanting to repent and walk in closer fellowship with God, some  were merely going through the motions, in an effort to show others how holy they were.    John pointed out that going through the motions would not save them from wrath - they had to show real repentance.

The same is true for us today. We can't just go through the motions of church membership, the motions of baptism and communion, but our lives need to reflect the heart change that has occurred. If our faith is not revealed in our actions, then there is legitimate reason to doubt our salvation. Not only for us to doubt it, but what about others?  No one, except God,  can judge the heart, but they certainly can see a changed life. What are others seeing when they look at me?

*The credits - because, you know, it's right to give credit where it's due:

 

The Editors, WordPress.com. 365 Days of Writing Prompts (Kindle Locations 698-699). 

Lane, Meredith (2014-04-05). The Personal Growth Bundle: Featuring Personal Growth and Healing through Journaling, 412 Journaling Exercises and Prompts, and Healing Your Inner Child through Affirmations (Kindle Locations 1225-1226). Kindle Edition.

Chapters 3 and 4 of Overcoming Sin

    Well, blogging is proving much more difficult now that I'm working 28 hours a week.  I have to guard my time much more, and two nights a week I'm not at home at all.  I have been reading the book by John Owen, Overcoming Sin and Temptation,  as I explained in my first blog on this subject, and while I'm behind on writing, I am keeping up with the reading.  I am praying that I adjust soon and can get back to blogging more regularly. 
   
    Chapters 3 and 4 were about the role of the Holy Spirit in mortifying sin.  So often as believers we feel that we have to do everything under our own power, totally forgetting that we do nothing, especially with regard to escaping sin, without the empowering of the Holy Spirit.  Chapter 3 reminded me of that.  John Owen points out that it is the Holy Spirit who enables us to resist sin.  As we mature as believers, growing in the Spirit, we exhibit the fruit of the Holy Spirit  - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control - those character traits that are evidence to others that we belong to Christ.   This working of the Holy Spirit is what allows us to mortify sin.  The Spirit convicts us when we do sin, sometimes allowing real, physical pain to come.
   
    I've see this convicting power of the Holy Spirit in action in the life of my daughter. She was knowingly walking in complete disobedience, and suffering several medically unexplainable physical issues.  Visit after visit to the doctor provided no relief.  Finally, the day came when we talked about yet another doctor visit, and I pointed out that maybe there really wasn't anything physically wrong, but maybe, just maybe, God was trying to get her attention.  She pondered it for a few months, and when she finally repented, her symptoms all but disappeared.  Now this young woman is venturing out in obedience to God by leaving in a few short days for full time missions training.  Her faith and trust in God has increased and the turn around is nothing short of amazing.  God certainly is working in her life.  She learned the result of letting the Holy Spirit work in her life to mortify sin.