Kitties and the Sovereignty of God

Me holding baby kitty named Rewind

A Devotional by Margot Cioccio

“Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you. Jeremiah 32:17

Yesterday we had to take my aunts little dog to the vet to be put down. She was getting very old and was having trouble walking down the stairs with out falling. Her lack bladder control was becoming and increasing problem. So calls had gone out to my sister who is a veterinarian. She felt it was time to put the dog down. So we made an appointment a weeks ago for after the 4th of July holiday. 

My mom and I were concerned about my aunt not having a little companion animal. We felt a cat would be easier for her to take care of than another dog. So we looked on line for Siamese kittens. 

We found them in Seattle and in California but nothing in our immediate area. The ones we did find were in the $200+ range. So we kind of put the idea on the back burner. 

My story really does go along with today's verse, I'm not just giving you a personal update. 

Euthanizing a pet is emotionally difficult and I have not ever had a pet that needed to be put down. 

My aunt held together pretty well through the experience, holding her little dog, Sally while the vet injected first a sedative, and then several other injections before the final one that stopped her heart.

The whole process only took a few minutes and was painless and little Sally was very peaceful through it. When we had walked into the room to wait for our appointment with the vet, we had passed a kennel that had four Siamese kittens and I pointed it out to my mom as I went in to be with my aunt through the Euthanizing. 

My mom stayed out in the waiting room enquiring about the kittens. When we came out she was in the process of purchased brother and sister kittens. So our verse today asks the question, is anything to hard for God? I had prayed for the day to go smoothly. My aunt struggles with a bit of dementia and at times can be a difficult to deal with. I had prayed about my concern for her being with out a companion animal. Neither being knock down, drag out, pound the heavens kind of prayers. Just little concerns that I had thought about and lifted to the Lord. 

One of the owners of that vet office breeds two of her cats every couple of years. Here's whats interesting. We had to decide between several offices for the Euthanasia procedure. The one closest to us was very old school and did not feel sedating the animal was necessary. So we decided against them. My sister recommend several others and my mom had called asked them about the procedure and felt this one would do it the way my sister felt it should be done. My sister lives six hours away on the other side of the state of Washington but went to vet school here in the area. 

God went before us in this whole process, before we even realized we would want kittens, He had a sovereign plan already in place for us. My mother and aunt are not believers and little things like my burned finger suddenly stopping hurting, when they expected I would likely have several days of discomfort, really speaks to them. I have given up trying to talk them into Jesus and have long since simply lived my faith openly before them. Actually with most people I have gone with simply being a living bible, and loving them til they ask why. I figure when people are ready, they will start asking questions because they see something in you that is different. They will taste the fruit of your life and know that something is different about you. I realize that people are always watching how I live and how I handle the difficulties of life. When they see me be able to walk through difficulties with the peace of God, when they know they would be a wreck in the same situations, it speaks loudly. My mom has said to me on occasion - "things always work out for you Margot" 

It is true - Romans 8:28 is in effect in my life. 

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." 

People toss it around pretty liberally like a bandaid that can be put on every problem people face. It is however a verse with a few conditions. This verse is for those who love him. Which means that John 14:23 is also in effect in your life. Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Granted we all fall short but for the most part, your heart needs to be set on doing things according to the teachings of Jesus.  There is a second condition to Romans 8:29 it say "who have been called according to his purpose." Are you living your life asking God to go along with your plans or is your life about following Him and fitting in to His plans? Do you even know what God's purposes are? They are spelled out pretty clearly in His Word. I know in my own life that I do my best to meet the conditions of Romans 8:28 so I can be confident that it is a promise that is in effect for me in my life. It does not mean that I don't have troubles and face hardships because I do - we all do. 

I tend to look at life's troubles as blessings in disguise. James 1:2-4  Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Well I see lots of rabbit trails I could go off on to make this post dreadfully long but I will save them for other days and trust that something I've said today will connect with you and help or encourage you in some way. 

Oh I forgot to tell you the kitty's names. (Ron Ferlito you will laugh cause you came up with these names as a joke years ago). Their names are Pause (Paws) and Rewind. 

Prayer

I pray the Lord will go before you and make a way for you where there does not seem to be one. That you will see his Sovereignty as He sets up the answers to your prayers long before you even pray them.  

 

  

On to Completion

A Devotional by Margot Cioccio

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry

 it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6 NIV

Tea Set From The Perkins Home

As part of our Washington history summer project, we visited the historic Perkins homes in Colfax Wa. The family started out in a small one room cabin. Mr Perkins did alright for him self. He started a saw mill and then sold it and later became the town banker. They later built a very large, very fancy two story home. The cabin and the big house are on the same piece of property and they contrast between them is pretty significant. Mr. Perkins was one of the founders of the little town of Colfax where my mother and aunt live. We are here visiting for 10 days.

After

Before 

Today besides creating yummy low carb baked goods and avocado chicken salad, we worked on organizing my moms cooking supplies. We added a shelf to help make it easier to find items when she needs them. My mom's kitchen has counter space but not a lot of places to put things so things that are used frequently all land on the counter.  Anyway we were both pleased with how it all turned out.

Our lives can become kind of like the cluttered counter. We add in new activities and projects and don't really have space for them. We can exist in a jumble moving one thing aside to make room for the next. When we did our organization project today we realized that there were a lot of things that were no longer needed. There were multiples of some things and stuff we did not realize was there that was great to find. We removed all of the items from the counter and brought in the shelf. Then we began putting back the things that were actually needed. Which in the end left a bunch of things on the dining room table that needed to be stored elsewhere or given away. 

When I look at my own life. I realize that I will soon be starting Massage Therapy School in the Fall. I had a some things that ended earlier but I was not sure what was next, so it made it difficult to decide what things needed to be kept and what thing I needed to let go of. I'm glad I have the rest of the summer knowing the direction I'm heading to work on organizing and streamlining. I think periodically we need to allow Jesus to come in and help us clean out the clutter. 'Look here's an old way of looking at things, that you no longer need. You don't even use it any more. Let's let that thing go.' We don't want to be horders saving every last things because you never know if you will later need it. I'm here to tell you that Jesus is able to supply what you need to do what He is calling you to do. Some of you are living on old moldy stale bread. You need to dig into the word for yourself and allow the Lord to serve you up a fresh meal. Are you living off the crumbs of revelation from someone else's meal with the Lord. He has fresh and wonderful things just for you. 

I like our verse today, because the Holy Spirit is continually work in our lives. None of us has arrived at perfection yet. We all have areas that we could use some work or some refinement. Our verse today reminds us that if Jesus has begun a good work in you. He will be faithful to complete the work He has begun. You may be off track at this moment due to the busyness of daily life and you may be in a place of spiritual deficiency. It might be time to clean out some spiritual closets. I know in my own life I had a lot of stuff that I had hidden away in mine. Moving forward meant I needed to deal with the closets to make room for the new things that the Lord has for me. The good news is that He is ever gracious to go through things with us. I'm not saying you need to be ultra focused on the past, living in the land of regrets. Nor am I saying to live in the land of future dreams. They are good to give us a destination we are shooting for. Where we need to live is in the present. This is the day that the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it. Are you living today fully alive or are you just existing and hoping for someday when you hope things will be better. The truth is someday won't be better unless you take action today to do the things that God has set forth for you to do now in this day and in this season of your life. Some of you are spending way too much time using the past as an excuse. Allowing past pains to define you. You have bought in to a victim mentality and are busy serving salty tea and soggy cookies at your pity party. While others of you have been so busy dreaming of someday that you have allowed the present to be lost.
Either way the present is lost because our focus is in the past or in the future rather than in today.

Check in with Jesus, he knows what He has planned for you. He can help you to sort our what is important for today and what is stuff that is old news or future that your worrying will not bring about any sooner. Live today, live fully. Find things in the present to be thankful for. Look for things you can do to make a difference in the lives of the people who presently grace your days.
Yes some of them are frustrating to deal with. Even so, each brings to you the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Perhaps God is calling you to pray for them rather than gripe.

One of the things I love about coaching is that it is about moving forward. "I believe that God is already active in the lives of others, and that they can take responsibility and solve their own problems much better than I can. They most need me to believe in them and to provide support, encouragement and accountability as they act on what they know." ~Tony Stoltzfus
You know the stuff that you need to work on in your own life. You know what closets need cleaned out. You know what projects you could work on that will make your life better.  Quite often what we need is not someone to tell us what to do but someone to hold us accountable to do the things we want to do and know we need to adress.  I would certainly be honored to be that person for you, if you have a life project that you are ready to tackle. I do have some openings for coaching clients in my schedule. I do phone and e-coaching with people anywhere in the country. Add a bit of accountability, encouragement and belief and you will be amazed what a difference coaching can make in accomplishing your goals. E-mail me if you want more info about coaching. Princessmargot@hotmail.com

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you have begun a good work in each of us. Thank you that you will carry it on to completion. Help us to do a little summer organization with you of our spiritual closets. Help us make room in our lives for the new things you plan for us in the coming season.

More than we Think or Imagine

A Devotional by Margot Cioccio

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, 

for ever and ever! Amen. 

Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV

So this post is going to be really short. I burned my finger this afternoon. I will be fine - but it still hurts and I have about 20 seconds that I can take it off the ice pack before it starts to throb. I am thankful that I did not burn more than one finger. You would not think a burn smaller than a dime would be so painful. 

I'm at my moms this week and we have been having a lot of fun cooking. 

 Everything is low carb with no white flours or sugar. I burned my finger on the waffle type iron that makes the shells for these stuffed Cannoli on the left, a wonderful Italian treat. The cake below is made with coconut flour. My kids said it was good enough to serve company.

Anyway, I am going to quit trying to do this in 20 second bursts or with one hand. 

My son Cai and I went bike riding yesterday down a gravel road and saw these tepee's. There was no one there and it was in the middle of a lot wild land. It almost felt like we were transported back in time. I have a pretty vivid imagination.  We road about 3 miles down a gravel road. We saw deer bounding over the tall grasses when we spooked them. It was a beautiful ride. I'm thankful for my bike and how well it rides on paved streets and gravel. 

Actually this is pretty cool, I have not been able to take my finger off the ice pack for 3 or 4 hours and I started working on this post and it hurt at first and I'd put my finger back on the ice and wait a minute and then type some more  and got to this point and it just stopped hurting. I kind of expected it might hurt for a day or so. At this point the big blister has dried up and I can put pressure on it with out it hurting. So this was immeasurably more than what I imagined. I would tend to say that when we move forward to do the things that God has called us to do even when we face obstacles, that God sees our faith and obedience and meets us at the point of our need.  I needed my finger to stop throbbing so I could type. When I started this post it was painful and not ok and at this point it feels pretty darn good. I will chalk it up to yet another little miracle of grace.  

So I would end this at this point but I feel like there is someone who's reading that is allowing the obstacles that are before you, to keeping you from moving forward with something God has put on your heart to do.  Start moving in God's direction and watch those obstacles fade away to very small things that you will wonder why you ever even worried about them. 

There were 12 spies sent to check out the promised land. Ten came back with amazing reports of what they had seen but looked at the giants and saw them to be a problem that God could not handle. Two guys came back and tried to encourage the people to trust God. Sadly Israel allowed the fear of the giants to be greater than their trust in God. In the end all the folks from that generation died off in the desert wandering over the next 40 years. Only two of that original bunch crossed over into the promised land and they were the 2 guys who trusted God in spite of the obstacles.    

Numbers 13:33

We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.”

I trust that God is at work in your life, doing immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. 

Maybe some of you will post in the comments and share how God is working in your life. 

Blessings, Margot 

Bold with Strength of Soul

A Devotional by Margot Cioccio 

Psalm 138:1-3(NKJV)
I will praise You with my whole heart;
Before the gods I will sing praises to You.
2 I will worship toward Your holy temple,
And praise Your name
For Your lovingkindness and Your truth;
For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.
3 In the day when I cried out, You answered me,
And made me bold with strength in my soul.

We are looking at the verse of the day from Bible Gateway. Today it happens to be from Psalm 138. They actually only used verse 2 but I wanted to see it in context so I pulled verses 1 and 3 as well. 

I will praise You with my whole heart. This Psalm is attributed to David who has written a considerable number of Psalms. He says in Psalm 86:11"Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name."  

Actually in Ezekiel 11:19 God promises to give His people and undivided heart. 

"I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them aheart of flesh."

David made an effort put his whole heart into the worship and praise of God. I think he also tried very hard to put his whole life in alignment with God's ways. 

He goes on to say that before the gods I will sing praises to you. Who might the gods be? Are their gods in our life before whom we like David could model a life of devotion and praise? According to the Reformation Study Bible, "The Hebrew word ’elohim (“gods”) is used of human judges in Ex. 21:6; 22:8, 9"  In David's case it might have been neighboring kings or the high leaders of the land. Who are the movers and shakers in and around your life. Who are the people who make things happen? It is before those people we must acknowledge the work of God's hand in our lives. David sang and thanked God publicly not just in his private chambers. Daniel prayed openly even though an edict had been issued outlawing praying to any other god than the king. He still prayed three times a day with his window open. It did get him thrown into the lions den. In his case God shut the mouths of the lions and king and kingdom were moved to acknowledge God. His buddies Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego made a similar stand. I love what they tell the king in Daniel 3:18 " If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

There are things that I believe that God is able to do in my life but even if he doesn't I still choose to believe and follow Him with my whole heart. I am grateful for the people he has put around me and the blessings they each bring into my life. When I pray asking God to provide it generally does not come with a poof with a pile of gold or a money tree in the back yard. His answers come with inspiration and with ideas, and with strength of spirit and courage to take steps of faith, and often the sacrifice, kindness and generosity of others who help us along the way. I in turn must be the hands and feet that bring God's provision also to others as I see them taking positive steps of faith. I believe the law of reciprocity or sowing and reaping is happening all around us all the time. The things we plant will grow up. So it is important to make sure we are planting good things. If I sow good things into the lives of others, others will sow good things into my life. I must be planting good things in my own life as well. 

I noticed in verse 2 that is says I will worship towards your holy temple. I think we can get the mistaken notion that we must be in the church to worship. When our entire life should be an offering of worship. God is not a building, or temple made of human hands. John 4:24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” When we decide to acknowledge the work of God in our lives and to live lives of gratitude and to be those who impart His grace and kindness. Our life becomes one of continual praise and worship before Him. We do not need a building because the spiritual house He is building is made up of living stones. Each person who chooses to follow Him becomes one of those living stones in a house that is alive with possibility as we work together to magnify His kingdom principles.  

I like this last part because I have seen it happen again recently in my own life. "In the day when I cried out, You answered me, And made me bold with strength in my soul."

I have been seeking the Lord for a new dream and new vision, for the direction of my life. Sometimes we hold so tightly to old dreams that we can't receive the new one that God has for us. God has done a work of healing in my life allowing me to put to rest some old dreams that had long ago died but that I was knowingly and unknowingly still hanging on to. 

In letting go there is a feeling of being a drift, and out of control. In that place I have put my trust in the Lord to help me sort out my possible options. One day He helped me see an idea and gave me the strength of soul to begin to pursue it. As I have shared this idea, I have found favor in that people around me have affirmed it. "Yes, Margot that sounds like a right path for you." I have been blessed by those who would stand with me and help me. I am tremendously grateful for their kindness and sacrifice to help move me towards creating that new dream and making it a reality.  I realize that there is a long journey before me to get from the idea to the reality. You lay the rails in the direction you want to go and then let gravity take over and move you along the path of least resistance toward your desired destination. Right now I'm busy preparing for laying the rails. I've learned to apply the process of how I create works of art to my own life. It always starts with a glimmer of an idea. I think that is the spark that comes from God. From there we must work out the details to make it become something that others can also experience. Along the way, I'm not just doing it alone but I am in close communication with the Lord every step of the way. I have developed a life set apart unto Him and that life spills out into everything that I am and everything that I set my hand to do. 

Prayer:

I pray with in it you will find the little nugget that you need, the glimmer or the spark that God intends for you to move you along on your own journey. That you will look around and find gratitude in your heart and a song of praise for God's goodness in your life, even if there is work yet to do. I pray that God will answer your prayers and make you bold and give you strength of soul. 

 

And In That Day...

A Devotional by Margot Cioccio


And in that day you will say: “Praise the Lord, call upon His name; Declare His deeds among the peoples, Make mention that His name is exalted. Isaiah 12:4


I'm using the Bible Gateway verse of the day for today's post. My first thought upon looking at this verse was "What day?" So I pulled up the whole verse. It was just more of the same, good stuff that will happen "In That Day". So I went back a chapter where I found the answer.


"There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse,
And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.
2 The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him,
The Spirit of wisdom and understanding,
The Spirit of counsel and might,
The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord." Isaiah 11:1-2


You may still be feeling lost if you have not spent much time reading the Old Testament stories. I happen to love them, believing from cover to cover the Bible tells the story of Jesus. So who is this Jesse guy, you may be wondering.  He is the father of king David. So David is the Rod from the stem of Jesse, but he's not who all the "In that day" verses are talking about. Our verse today goes on to say "a Branch shall grow out of his root." You might be thinking it must be his son Solomon. He was a great king. He was the wisest of the wise. You would be wrong. He got off track with his foreign wives and worshiped their gods. While God did not directly curse Solomon he did curse his son king Jehoiachin.
It is interesting to note that Jesus did not come through Solomon's family line. God cursed Solomon's descendant, King Jehoiachin, saying that none of his descendants would inherit the throne (Jeremiah 22:30) Maybe the note from that section from the Reformation Study Bible, will help open it up for you.

"Though Jehoiachin had children (1 Chr. 3:17, 18), none of them would reign as king over Judah. Promises of future Davidic kingship (e.g., 23:5, 6) were fulfilled beyond the scope of the historical Israelite and Judean kingdoms—in Christ the Son of Man (Dan. 7:13 and note), and the greater son of David (Matt. 22:41–46). Even the promise to Zerubbabel (Hag. 2:23), Jehoiachin’s grandson (1 Chr. 3:19), finds fulfillment in Christ, since Zerubbabel never reigned as king. Israel was abandoned until Christ came (Mic. 5:3)."


Isaiah 4:2
In that day the Branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious; And the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and appealing For those of Israel who have escaped.  Jesus is beautiful and glorious. We who are bearing fruit in him are His appealing to Israel and to all who are lost with out Him.


Jeremiah 23:5 “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, 

“That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; 

A King shall reign and prosper, And execute judgment and righteousness in the earth. 

 Notice that it is a branch of righteousness.


Zechariah 3:8
‘Hear, O Joshua, the high priest, You and your companions who sit before you, For they are a wondrous sign; For behold, I am bringing forth My Servant the BRANCH.  

Jesus came as a servant, he is the BRANCH.


Zechariah 6:12
Then speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, saying: “Behold, the Man whose name is the BRANCH! From His place He shall branch out, And He shall build the temple of the Lord; 

Look at how far Christianity has come from Jesus and 12 guys who followed him. He has built His temple and it is not built with brick and mortar. We believers are a temple built of living stones. 1 Peter 2:5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.


John 15:5
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.


So I gave you the quick version, but you could certainly spend more time studying. In a nut shell Mary's family line came through David's son Nathan. It was a line of David that did not fall under the curse on Solomon's family line. There are a lot of hidden things to find if you spend time searching and studying your Bible. This one I think is pretty amazing. God always finds a way to fullfil His word and his promises. A remnant always remains that God works through.


Here's something you might not realize. We live "In That Day". Jesus has given you authority to be His agents in the earth. 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;


Our verse today is a reminder to us that we, the people of THAT DAY are to "Praise the Lord, call upon His name; Declare His deeds among the peoples, Make mention that His name is exalted."


• We praise Him
• We can call upon His name
• We declare his deeds among the peoples
• We mention that His name is exalted.


In Luke there is a story of Jesus going to the synagogue and being asked to read the Holy Scriptures from (Isaiah 61). Luke 4: 16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. 17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:

18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,

Because He has anointed Me

To preach the gospel to the poor;

He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to the captives

And recovery of sight to the blind,

To set at liberty those who are oppressed;

19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”

20 Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Jesus is the long awaited Messiah and He is the branch spoken of in our verse today. We His people are called to continue doing His work in the earth. Because He has sent us his Holy Spirit and he has anointed us to bring the good news to the poor. To heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives. To help the blind to see, to bring liberty to the oppressed. We proclaim His love, favor, acceptance, and truths to the world.  

Prayer: Lord help each one reading to catch a deeper glimpse of your plan and purpose for their lives. I pray that you give them boldness and fill them to overflowing with your Holy Spirit. That your Spirit will lead them to deeper and fuller understanding of your word. That they will move beyond knowing the Word to knowing You, the author of the Word.    

Things I Realized During My Blog Vacation

A Devotional by Margot Cioccio 


I wrote most of the following post about mid way through the month of June. At this point I was still feeling pretty much adrift and was waiting for direction to become clearer. You can see that I was pushing myself to answer deep questions about who God had created me to be. A few days later on the 19th I was having my quiet time and for some reason I got distracted and went to search Massage Schools on the computer. I notice that one had an open house that week on Saturday. That motivated me to call the other schools and arrange appointements to try and determine if this might be the right direction for me. 
You might say it was a coincidence, but quite often I think my little distractions are actually the Holy Spirit nudging me. 

It is day 17 of my month off - and I realize I miss writing this blog. I actually realized it earlier but was not sure if that was just the habit of writing speaking. I think I am past that at this point. 

I have been reading The Path by Laurie Beth Jones - the questions in it often make me want to throw the book at the wall. I don't have an answer, I don't like my answer.... Is that my answer because I'm in a good or a bad mood. I have had to put it down, walk a way, and come back to many of the questions later after I have had time to consider them. Actually the book that has been the most stirring and helpful has been another by the same author called the Power of Positive Prophecy. Heres what I wrote in that blank front page when I had finished reading it. " This book has breathed life into me and helped me redefine my calling. I have made it my aim to be available to the Lords work no matter how trivial. I believe He is calling me to be less available for busy work and more available to see the vision that others can't see. My life is His art work. He shows me things as I see Him and spend time at His feet."

The other book I have been reading was sent to me by my dad. Its called "What Should I Do with My Life?  It is filled with stories of real people who decided to do something different. I'm just about done with that one but I think I will go back and highlight the questions or the revelation in each chapter and make more of an effort to answer them on the second pass.  I have a handful of other books and devotionals that I am reading a bit here and a bit there.  I think some things are a bit clearer. For example I know I want to get back to writing this blog. It somehow helps stabilize me and helps me process and to stay positive.  I don't think at this point I'm closer to answering the question What should I do with my life. I'm not convinced that being available to the Lord is the wrong way to approach life. I think I just need to balance it with having defined those things that are uniquely me because each of us only has so much energy to give to things. To do this thing, may mean I can't do that thing. Both may be good things to do, but I need to choose the one that is in line with who God has specifically created me to be. 

Ephesians 2:10

"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do goodworks, 

which God prepared in advance for us to do."  

So the trick is to be able to look at the things that are there to do and be able to determine which ones are truly mine and which one's I need to get out of the way so that the people who need to do them can rise up and fulfill their calling. So my job in the church office that ended, it's not that I did a bad job, it is more that there are better things for me to do with my gift mix than to answer phones and create bulletins. By getting out of the way some people have risen up to help and have taken steps of faith to serve in ways that are stretching and growing them.  What I will now do with my gift mix is still as of now undetermined. I do know that I love creating the prayer lofts and praying for people on Sundays. I see that there is plenty in the area of prayer and intercession that I could do to encourage others to a deeper growth in their prayer lives. 

So perhaps thats the next step. For the most part I am limiting my church involvement to Sundays because it is too easy for me to be busy with "church" all the time. 

Some other things that I have realized is that I want to spend more quality time with my children. So I am looking for ways to connect with each of them. I'm riding bikes with my youngest, doing computer design and various games with my oldest. We plan to do some sight seeing around the area towards a Washington State History class. We had a fun, family game night last night. 

I realize that I really enjoy teaching guitar, particularly to young beginners. So I am working on a book of songs and lessons for young children with small hands.  I've had fun playing with one of my students in several coffee house settings. 

I realize that I value the flexibility of my life and that I was not all that far off track in the things I was doing. I need to be better at marketing or promoting the things I love to do. So things like coaching, and creating art, and teaching lesons do work for me but I can't be so consumed with church that I let them drift. If the farmer does not til the ground and plant new seeds he does not have a crop later down the road. So I need to be more intentional about finding ways to let people know about the things that I do to make a living. 

So what does that mean for you blog readers. It means that I will continue to write these posts. I want you to know that I am available for e-mail and phone coaching so if something I write about stirs you up and you want to work on that area I would love to help coach you. The thing about coaching is that we work on the things you want to work on. You set the pace. I provide the accountability and the encouragement and the belief that you can with the Lord's help figure out your own life. That you can work on the problem areas and you can over time make them better. That you can add more of the things you love to do to your life. Sometimes you just need to remember what those things are. I may or may not be an expert in your particular change goal but I am an expert in the process of getting from here to there. Change is a whole lot easier if you have someone who will encourage you, and help you process by listening and being a sounding board. Most of the time we know what we want but we lack the courage to take the step because we fight our own feelings of self doubt. The other thing about having a couch, rather than a family member or close friend is that as much as they are rooting for you - your changes also effect them. They may not be able to be neutral and objective in helping you find the best answers for yourself. 

So back to the present. I've just finished working on Washington History with my boys. We read about how glaciers and volcanos and floods impacted this region. Washington really is a pretty cool place to live. I'm looking forward to some of the little field trips we will be doing as part of this Washington History class. If you are new to my blog we are a homeschooling family. My children do three days of work at home and two as part of an enrichment cooperative through the Spokane Schools. We have a wonderful advisor that we work with who helps keep us on track for graduation requirements. Some how we missed Washington History and we thought it would be kind of fun to tackle it this summer, giving us an excuse to go see some interesting things around the area. 

I am trying to complete my blog writing a day in advance of when they are to post. 
I find I have moved to writing later in the day rather than in my morning quiet time. Its not a hard and fast rule, it just seems to be what is working for me presently. 

I'm looking forward to visiting my mom from the 4th through the 13th. We will be doing a lot of low carb cooking together. Its always more fun to cook together. We have been talking daily about the recipes we want to try. Gathering ingredients and pans. I probably won't post on the 4th of July, because you and I will probably be busy with family celebrations. 

Prayer: Lord I lift up these readers. Some are heading to a weekend of family activities. For some that is joyous for other it is stressful. For some it is lonely. I pray that you would be present with each reader and meet them at the point of their need in this moment. If they are joyous, help them be sensitive to others who may be struggling. If they are stressed help them to know your peace. If they are lonely I pray that you would be their all and all. Maybe even surprise them with an unexpected blessing of some sort. 
Lord we do come to you and humble ourselves. We pray that you would bring hope and healing to our land as you transform each of us to be more and more like you. 

   

This is the way; walk in it

A Devotional by Margot Cioccio

Isaiah 30:21

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, 

your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

So my job at the church ended at the end of May. Even good change is always uncomfortable and takes adjusting to get used to. I love my church family and will simply be doing other things that better fit my spiritual gifts. I got to let go of the office busy work and most of the tech stuff at this point and am focusing on creating a team of prayer warriors and creative people who will help with future prayer lofts and various service elements.

What it did mean was that I needed to re-think my job possibilities and where I was spending time and energy that might be better used. I needed to discover who exactly God has created me to be. I have done a lot of things, and gained a lot of skills just because things needed done. I have approached ministry from a stand point of being available to do what ever God needed done. So after years and years of doing things that way- you can't just take a spiritual gifts test to figure it out  - because you've become good at a lot of things.  I did feel pretty strongly that God was calling me to something out side of the church.

Much of the month I felt like I was just drifting with no clue where I might be headed next. I thought about lots of different occupations. Honestly most of the time it felt like there was a big wheel with a spinner  - pick a job any job. Butcher, Baker and Candlestick maker are not in really in demand these days. I thought about nursing and counseling and art therapy all of which would mean a lot of school. At age almost 52 the thought of a lot of school, even with grants and scholarships I'd be looking at loans to then pay off for a career that I might not even be able to begin working in for four maybe even six years.

So I have spent the month reading books like the Path, Jesus Career Counselor, and The Power of Positive Prophecy all by one of my favorite writer coaches, Laurie Beth Jones. My dad sent me a wonderful book called What Should I do with My Life by Po Bronson that was filled with short stories of people who had decided it was time to follow their dreams or do something completely different with their lives. Actually my favorite quote came from that book. "Here's my point" all we get is a glimmer. A story we read or someone we briefly met. A curiosity, a meek voice inside, whispering. Its up to us to hammer out the rest." So I have spent the month thinking about the common threads, the glimmers and the things I locked away because at various points because I just couldn't deal with them. One day I felt like the Lord said to me "Margot go back and visit your granola bar roots." So in my young pre Christian life I was into alternative everything. I had a lot of new age ideas, and a lot of interest in all things wellness. The problem was that when I became a Christian, I was not able to sort out what was good and what was junk from my old life so I pretty much left it behind. Not to mention there was some heart break that I didn't want to think about so I locked it away and just kept moving forward. I was a new creature in Christ after all so I found new things to do. Music and art never got completely locked up but I rarely sang old pre-Christian songs, and my art ventured into more of the graphic design side of things or production work. I really didn't paint much anymore. So parts were locked up and left behind and some things found their way into my new life as a believer.

A few years ago all that locked up stuff started to rattle their chains. I really did not even know what all was there anymore. I had come across some verses that talked about the secret place. I had always read those verses and  thought that God had secret places where He wanted to meet us. One day I looked at them from another angle. What if I had secret places and the Lord wanted me to invite Him into them. Thus began a very long journey of uncovering layers and layers of painful stuff. I had spent much of my life avoiding anything painful.  I found out that as I invited the Lord into some of those dark, broken, wounded, damaged places that He did not condem me or shake His almighty finger at me and say "I told you, that was a bad choice..." He met me with compassion and understanding. He took the time to clean my wounds and allowed me to see where I needed to repent and where I needed to forgive. Sometimes he would want to deal with an area and I would tell Him I will, but I can't do it yet. He was wonderfully patient. I would think I had gotten through everything and He would give me a season of rest. Then we would start again and I would find out that there was more stuff I had not even looked at. Honestly even now I am still sorting somethings out.

Anyway about half way through the month of June, I started to notice a glimmer. As I have thought about my strongest spiritual gift it has to do with intercession and prayer and laying hands on people. I can't always explain it but when I lay hands on people to pray for them God shows me stuff. Over the years I have learned to go with those nudges from the Holy Spirit, little words of wisdom or knowledge. Most of the time it ends with the person crying and saying how did you know. Or I pray for them and they would say after wards that was exactly what I was struggling with - how did you know. So I started to follow the bread crumbs and little clues along the path that the Lord seemed to be dropping for me. I knew the next step was something outside of the church. How could I use my gifts in a way that would not freak people out, in a secular setting? Where might I use pastoring gifts and encouragement outside of the church. Coaching makes sense so I will continue to build on that but I knew there was more. I started to think about the possibility of Massage Therapy - now there's a way to lay hands on people.

I have visited several schools and found one that I really like. I have talked to some of the people closest to me to to see if they felt I was moving in the right direction. All have been very positive and felt it would be a good fit for me.  Then I have kind of let it sit and rest. There is the initial excitement over a new idea and I have kind of wanted to let it rest and wear the idea for a bit. I've been reading books and visiting various websites. At this point I am working through how to pay for it so I can start in September. I am working on picking up new guitar students, and coaching clients during the times I won't have classes or need to be studying and I have family who has offered to help once I figure out what I want to do, that I still need to talk to. So little by little I keep taking  steps of faith. I had asked the Lord to give me a new dream and I am starting to see one along with a direction move in to get there.

The journey toward your Big Dream changes you. In fact, the journey itself is what prepares you to succeed at what you were born to do.
And until you decide to pursue your Dream, you are never going to love life the way you were meant to.     ~ Bruce Wilkinson

So to sum this all up I've had to sift through a lot of stuff, believing that the Lord would lead me and help me to figure out and answer the question, What Should I Do With My Life? I'm sure there is still a lot of refining and greater understanding that I will gain as I go along. For now I have this glimmer and I am working to hammer out the details.

Prayer: I pray that the Lord will help you to uncover what needs to be uncovered in your own life. That you will find that glimmer of hope to move towards. That you will hear His voice behind you saying "this is the way, walk in it." I pray you will have the courage to let go of things you no longer need, and even good things so that you can reach for His best for you.