Hope in the Aftermath

I have a new favorite song.

It is on the recently released album by Hillsong United.

Aftermath is the name of the album and also the song that spoke to my heart.

Here is a link to the song: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/aftermath/id413410016?i=413410253

I hope you’ll listen to this snippet of the song – or even better – buy the entire album. I love it.

Here is a link to the album: http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/aftermath-deluxe-edition/id413400156

As I’ve shared in a number of posts, I’ve been working on my memoir for almost ten years. Geesh!

My book has morphed and changed and grown up right along with me as I learn to seek and trust God in the aftermath of life’s challenges.

Recently I was brainstorming ideas for a new title of my book. I’ve never been settled on the title Hope in Hard Times.

Guess what? One of the names I had come up with was:

Hope in the Aftermath – Stories of Encouragement in Difficult Times.

Then I found the album and the song! What a God STOP for me. :-)

This line from the song tells much about my story…

And in that moment of glorious surrender was the moment you broke the chains in me

Lifted out of the ashes I am found in the AFTERMATH

My chains have been broken and in the process of rewriting my book, God met me on each tear-stained page.

I’ve grown and changed and I hope to help you do the same.

Over the next several months I’m going to share bits and pieces of the book as we finalize it for publication later this summer.

Oh! I can’t wait to share it with you….and bring you the same hope.

God Bless Your Heart with Hope in the Aftermath

Gigi Murfitt

www.GigiMurfitt.com

Job 11:17-19 (New Living Translation)
17 Your life will be brighter than the noonday. Even darkness will be as bright as morning.
18 Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety.
19 You will lie down unafraid, and many will look to you for help.

Day 77 Your Resolutions

Call to me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3

Before the Lord there is none other. I've learned to trust Him in everything. I know help is available all the time.

"The difficult way is nearly over, but you have learned in it lessons you could learn in no other way." P 88 in God Calling.

In the struggles of life, the treasures of God's Kingdom come by simple trust and persistent prayer and wrestling it out with the Lord. Many life lessons are learned along the way.

I'm asking God for all these things and more -- Joy, Peace, Assurance, Security, Health, Happiness and Laughter.  I can't wait to receive these wonderful things that are coming my way. This is my resolution and my hope.

I have such a longing in my heart to pass this hope on to others. I want to help set the captives free.

I want to bless those children of God, young and old, who have lived in sorrow and lack because they have walked a broken road.

God longs in His heart to give me these desires of my heart and more. He wants to bless me abundantly and bring me peace as He walks alongside me to fulfill the resolutions set before Him.

Think big. Nothing is too big for God.

God bless your heart,

Gigi Murfitt

The idea for this blog post was taken from the March 18 God Calling devotional entry. This book was edited by A.J. Russell and published by Barbour Publishing.

Day 12 Thanks for Trials

"In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Today I'm thankful for trials because they have made me more flexible. Flexibility is important in our mind as well as our body. I've never been very flexible in my body and often have back pain because I don't stretch my muscles after exercise. Stretching indeed makes me more flexible and it is good for me.

God has used the trials in my life to stretch my faith. We all go through trials and sometimes they really hurt. If you haven't faced a trial you just might be dead. Life is full of trials. Our parents will age and die. A sibling might get sick. Relationships often go wrong. Divorce happens at breakneck speed. Jobs are lost. Financial difficulties arise. Children are born with disabilities. Marriage is not easy. Family members make poor choices. I could fill up this blog with a list of trials.

When things are hard I reach for God's hand rather than trying to do it on my own. For me, these trials have been fertile ground for God's seed to grow. In the midst of tough times I learn from the Bible, pray with friends and fellowship with other believers who can lift me up when I'm weary. I never have to go through it alone.

Lately it seems my prayer journal is loaded with prayers requests from people who are going through tough times. The enemy of our souls is in a full blown attack on our marriages and our children. Several of my friends are dealing with difficult issues involving their children's life choices. Parenting is definitely not for wimps. It is full of trials. But God is asking us to give thanks even in the middle of these struggles.

When I pray with my friends I give thanks for the things I believe God will do in the lives of these families. I don't dwell on the trial but I believe for the victory. I am reminded of the incredible power of Jesus which helps us triumph over every issue in our life. While giving thanks, the focus shifts and hope arises.

What trial are you thankful for today? Do you need me to pray with you for something going on in your life? I hope you'll share it so we can thank God together and believe in hope that God will work it out for good.

God Bless Your Heart,

Gigi Murfitt

www.GigiMurfitt.com

The idea for this blog came from the "God Calling" book by A. J. Russell published by Barbour Publishing.

Day 8 Love Bangs the Door

"They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever." Psalm 125:1

I thought the title of this devotional was rather strange. Love Bangs the Door. But what it said to me was that sometimes when the door bangs shut on something in my life, it is the love of God closing it so He can open a different way for me. Paul learned the lesson of the closed door when he said "our light affliction, which but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory." (P18 God Calling) Sometimes the trials we face are nothing compared to the plan God has in store for using it for His glory.

"Life with God is not immunity from difficulties, but peace in difficulties." When I read today's message I immediately thought of my mom. In the midst of some harsh difficulties she had peace. Most of the time. As she got older her peace turned to anxiousness. What caused the change?

After many conversations with her I believe at some point she stopped trusting that God promised to work it all out for good. Fear crept in. She lost her joy when she focused on what was wrong rather than what was right.

Focusing on the negative gets us in trouble every time. I'm not saying we should ignore the challenges as if they don't exist. But I believe when we trust the acceptance of God's will for us we have peace and joy and we will not be moved.

In my own life I've had seasons where I started to lose hope. Just recently I received word that an agent chose not to represent me. Sure I was disappointed but it's not the end of the world. I will not lose heart. By faith I choose to trust that God is for me and not against me. God will make a way where there seems to be no way. Over and again I believe that all things work together for good (Romans 8:28) I ask every day what my next move will be. I listen quietly for the next door to open as I continue to write with hope.

God Bless your heart. Have a great weekend!

Gigi Murfitt

www.GigiMurfitt.com

Day 5 Journal the Journey: Hoard Nothing

"Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass." Psalm 37:5

Holy Spirit Come. I commit this day unto You. Let me rest in your presence which brings me peace. This flowing river of prayer during my morning quiet times cleanses all the irritants of my day away. I'm trying not to listen to my negative voice which sometimes distracts me. I want to rest in God's power. Thank you, Lord, for blessing this day.

Whenever I read something that seems like a "coincidence" of God it reminds me that He is near me and He understands everything going on in my life. It feels like a kiss on the cheek from God through the Holy Spirit. I felt a sweet kiss today as I read this devotional from the "God Calling" book. It is a rather scattered devotional message covering many different topics but there were a few things that touched my heart and made it to my journal.

One thing that jumped out at me was the command to "hope all the time". I like that idea of hope--all the time. One of the books I am writing is titled "Hope in Hard Times". It encourages the same thing. No matter what is going on in your life hope will see you through. In this book I share how my family held on to hope during some difficult seasons of life.

I share about hope for my mom when she was left a widow with ten young children. Hope carried mom through her crippling accident that happened in her senior year of high school. You'll read how hope helped me and Steve after our son Gabe was born with severe congenital birth defects. I hung on to hope for dear life when I found I had taken a detour down the wrong path on the road of life. When my circumstances were disappointing I still found hope.

While I continue to work on the chapters of this book it is exciting to go back through my journals and find hope written all over the stories of my life. My prayer is that God will use it to bring hope to my reader too.

This morning I also wrote in my journal about a few other things from today's devotional. The two listeners who wrote this book are encouraging us not to worry about poverty. Growing up in a family of ten kids with a single mom taught me much about poverty. The main thing I learned was that God always provided. And even though we didn't have much money, mom always fed a few extra kids at the table. She was a very giving person. Even during lean times, giving to others was her way of life. I want to live like that too.

This devotional reminded us that when we do have money we are not to hoard it – but to pass it on. God is asking us to let our gifts, talents and money flow out. He's asking us to pass it on. I am committed to giving. I love it. And God has blessed me because I enjoy giving. It is the law of discipleship.

This season of my writing I plan to continue giving of this talent God has granted me as I pass it on in this blog and in my articles and books that get published. I'm committing my writing to the Lord and asking Him to help me pass it on.

I challenge you today – if you are holding on to any gifts, talents or money please give some of it away today. Let me know what happens when you do.

God Bless your heart!

Gigi

http://www.gigimurfitt.com/

The idea for this blog post came from the devotional for January 5th in the book titled "God Calling" compiled by A.J. Russell and published by Barbour Publishing.

Choose LIFE

I have been enjoying my morning quiet time using the One Year Book of HOPE by Nancy Guthrie. I discovered this devotional after reading Nancy's incredible book titled: "Holding on to HOPE - A pathway through suffering to the heart of God." This book tells the story of Nancy's journey of suffering as she loved and cared for her daughter Hope and her son Gabriel who were both born with a rare birth defect allowing them to live only about six months.

I was overwhelmed by the names Nancy chose for her babies since our nonprofit organization is Gabriel's Foundation of HOPE. I read the book with tears as I related to some of the struggles Nancy and her husband David and older son Matt went through as they walked the path of suffering.
When I finished the book I immediately picked up The One Year Book of HOPE devotional. I have loved it and although I may not complete a devotional every day, my journal is filling up fast!

I relate so much to each daily devotional and it sets me on a journey into Scripture that starts my day with a refreshing spirit of peace. I've been amazed at the providence of God for the timing of the particular daily study compared to what I am going through at the time.

This week I've been overwhelmed by the goodness of God in how he meets me right where I need Him to be. He gives me tools to keep me going on the path He designed for my life. Oh believe me, I've strayed from that path too many times to count and sometimes the result is disastrous. I get up out of the ditch with scars to show from my detour and God always gets me back on the path headed in the right direction.
Today's devotional reminded me to choose life. Guthrie states "Every life is valuable because God gives life and breath to everything. God is also the source of satisfaction and meaning in life."

I love this scripture referenced in the devotion for the subject of LIFE.

24 “He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, 25 and human hands can’t serve his needs—for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need.

27 “His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. 28 For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’


Here is another Scripture I'm chewing on today:
19 “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! 20 You can make this choice by loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the LORD, you will live long in the land the LORD swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

Oh that those I love would CHOOSE life! Oh that our nation would choose GOD! That is my prayer today as I venture out into the world.
May the God of HOPE fill you with all Joy and Peace as you trust in Him!

Hope in Hard Times!

I don't know about you, but I need hope in these hard times. All of us are going through our own definition of hard times. In my current season of transition it's been hard. But I'm not going to lose hope!

I'm finalizing a book proposal entitled Hope in Hard Times. I am excited to share my stories with you as I help you build the foundation of hope in your life.

Today I had to follow my own advice. I needed some hope. So I remembered that the foundation of hope in my life is strong. God has been faithful. He has put his fingerprints on every story in my life and brought me hope.

He's even brought me hope when I've been in despair. In the times when I've really messed up and acted against His will for my life, He still gives me hope for tomorrow. God is a hope-giver. I needed to remember that today. I pray you'll hang on to God's hope too.

Some days I wonder if I am I really called to write life changing books. Yes! I'm sure. For so many years I've sensed that call from the Lord. But doubt crept into my heart today as I edited the chapters of this book. Am I good enough? Will anyone want to read my book? Will I change lives? Yes! and Amen! Because God will be at my side.

I have hope in my heart that God will really make a way for the things I desire to happen in my life. He has been faithful in my past. He will be faithful in my future.

So tonight I'm hanging on to the hope in hard times. I'm excited to get this proposal sent off to an agent who requested it. Please pray with me that we'll be able to find a publisher to help me change the lives of my readers.

God Bless Your Heart. Stay cool in our 100 degree Seattle weather! HOT! I'd better go get my writing done!

Summer Fun

Today is July 11th. I can't believe it. Someone told me that if you walk in to a 7-11 Store at 7-11 on July 11th you get a free Slurpee. I don't really like Slurpee so I'm not even sure I care. But maybe you could try it?

Kanale and Megan Rhoden will remember this day for the rest of their lives. They got married today in a beautiful ceremony at St. Catherine's Church in Seattle. Megan looked beautiful in her beaded flowing gown. Her hair was pulled up behind a crown with a veil tucked under her curls. The beautiful red roses in her bouquet created a nice contrast. Kana wore a black tux and looked very handsome. Liam was adorable in his little vest. Congratulations Kana and Megan!

It was nice to see Zane and Kelsey today. They zipped in for the wedding. They are spending the evening sailing with Tom and Dana and then they'll leave early tomorrow morning. They have been married one month tomorrow. This summer is flying by already!

Our 4th of July was lots of fun at Georgetown Lake where we participated in the annual 4th of July parade. This year my family created a theme "You can take the kid out of Anaconda but you'll never take Anaconda out of the kid". My sister Kathy and brother-in-law Denny created a big stack and had it smoking by using dry ice. Kathy dressed as Sister "Can't StandYa". Denny came as Bill Hill - former Parks and Rec director. Denny was the hit of the parade. Judy came as The Kennedy Commons. Marilyn was an Anaconda bar fly.

Since my family headed to Montana as a last minute decision, we were not prepared for the parade so Steve and I wore signs that read. "P-burg guy looking for Anaconda girl." Mine of course read "Anaconda girl looking for P-burg guy." Our son Gabe wore a sign on his wheelchair that read "P-burg guy found Anaconda girl." Not very creative but it worked.

The full moon over Georgetown Lake was amazing as dark clouds hid it for awhile during our fireworks show. Then it slowly poked out and sent light across the water. The rockets red glare of the fireworks sparkled in the sky. As the smoke cleared the big dipper was shining brightly above our heads. Everyone was snuggled around the camp fire because the Montana summer evening air was cool. I love Montana in the summer!

This will be a very busy summer. I hope to get much writing done. In early August Gabe and I will be in Santa Rosa California at Canine Companions to pick up his guide dog. We are very excited. We are looking for a new van for the trip. I'm still in sticker shock as we contemplate the cost of this vehicle. Why does wheelchair accessible equipment have to cost so much? And it isn't covered by insurance! We're looking at over $130,000 if Gabe wants to be able to drive this van. We'll have to wait for that. In the mean time we'll get the standard wheelchair access van and that alone will cost over $50,000. Yikers. Donations anyone?

I know God will provide. I trust it will all work out. It always has. We are blessed. We are privileged to live in America where they make vans like this so we can easily transport Gabe's chair. We are blessed to be able to provide him with a wheelchair. So many are not so fortunate.

This is why we started Gabriel's Foundation of HOPE. Check out our website at http://www.gabeshope.org/ We are not able to use these funds to buy Gabe a van because he is our son, but the donations we receive are used to by OTHERS what they need because of their disability. You can donate on line so that we can help others. I think it's a great cause.

Enough said on this 7-11 day. Have a fun summer.

Disrupted Plans-Interrupted by God

Sometimes our life is disrupted by an event that creates confusion. The Crucifixion was such an event for the followers of Jesus.

Can you imagine what kind of disruption the disciples of Jesus felt as they watched the Messiah beaten, bleeding and hanging on a cross? This was definitely not expected. They had a very different plan. They thought they would be a part of Jesus' rule as King of Israel. Instead they watched him die a violent death. He was buried in a tomb. God interrupted their man-made plan to rule and reign with Jesus so they ran away and hid.

As Easter Sunday draws near, I'm more aware of the disruption that the Cross has had on my life. Today is Good Friday. It is the day we remember the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It's a day when we try to imagine what it must have been like for the followers of Jesus to have their whole world turned upside down. It is a time when we remember that dark day two-thousand years ago when the future was so uncertain for those who loved Jesus. When the Savior of the world died.

I had my own dark Friday nineteen years ago on April 13th. It was Good Friday. I spent the morning walking with my husband Steve tracking my labor pains as my body prepared to give birth to our second baby. It was a chilly spring day here in Washington state. For several hours I experienced incredible pain but I was excited to see this baby I had carried and loved for nine months.

I'm sure my pain was nothing compared to what Jesus experienced as flesh was ripped from his bones during his scourging. How could I ever compare my own pain to the searing agony when nails were driven into His hands and feet as bones crunched with each blow of the hammer. My pain was nothing like the ache in His body as they lifted the cross in the air. I can't even imagine the pain of his broken heart as he took on all the sins of the world. There is no comparison. Yet Jesus understands my pain.

On that Good Friday in 1990 I experienced some very dark hours as my entire life was disrupted. My best laid plans were about to take a major detour. God had a different idea for where my life was headed.

Our precious son Gabe was born in the early evening. We had no idea about his severe congenital birth defects. Our world tilted when we saw his short arms and crooked legs. Everything about our future changed and we were bombarded with medical terms we had never heard of. We were afraid. We wanted to run and hide.

For the disciples whose lives were disrupted that Good Friday long ago, Easter Sunday came. Light shined on their future. Jesus was alive! It was Resurrection Sunday.

Two days after Gabe was born we found out that his birth defects were not life threatening. His heart and lungs were healthy. We still had concerns about his blood platelet but we knew he was going to be okay. We took him home Easter Sunday morning.

Gabe turns nineteen on Monday, April 13, 2009. The past nineteen years have been a wonderful walk with Jesus through the trials of parenting a child with a disability. Although our lives were disrupted, we are better for the interruption.

Easter Sunday always shines a new light in my heart. I'm so very thankful for what Jesus did on the Cross. And His Resurrection gives us hope for eternity! He is Risen INDEED!

Happy Easter.

My question to you: What does Good Friday and Easter Sunday mean to you?

The idea for this message came to me recently after reading a great story written by Margaret Manning on the Ravi Zacharias International Ministries "A Slice of Infinity" newsletter. You can sign up for this email at http://www.rzim.org/slice/slice.php I want to give her credit for the idea that came to me after reading her article.

Copyright(c)2008
Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM)
Reprinted with permission
A Slice of Infinity is a ministry of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries
Ravi Zacharias International Ministries may withdraw or modify this grant of permission at any time http://www.rzim.org/