How Sweet Is It?

February 13, 2021 Cathleen Zahradnik

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1:21‬ ‭NIV‬‬
“For to me, to live is Christ [He is my source of joy, my reason to live] and to die is gain [for I will be with Him in eternity].” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1:21‬ ‭AMP‬‬

What’s your favorite sweet taste? I love anything that is cinnamony. And my favorite sweet combination: Peanut butter and chocolate. Yum! Our American palates have been trained toward sweet more than we realize, but the truth is our penchant for sweetness has dulled our ability to really taste food. More on that in a moment.

Do you ever take time for fasting and prayer? I know, I know. It can be intimidating to even think about, but it is one of the most challenging and beneficial disciplines that you can undertake for your spiritual growth. I encourage you to take the leap! God may show you something like He did for me recently.

What’s The Fruit?

February 6, 2021 Cathleen Zahradnik

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1:9-11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Have you ever received one of those flower-arrangement style fruit baskets? If you like fruit they are really cool! Already peeled, cut and arranged for easy snacking. Sweet and juicy! Colorful and appealing. Yum! I don’t know about you, but cutting a pineapple or melon sometimes delays my desire to enjoy those lovely, luscious gifts. The outside puts me off, but the inside is worth it. I am grateful when someone else does the hard work for me, aren’t you?

I’ll bet you have heard it said that, “Fruit is natures candy”, right? God has made our palates to be drawn to sweet tastes. Eating something sweet, natural or otherwise, seems to lift us up. Do you ever crave chocolate or cookies or ice cream on a hard day? It’s possible that the food isn’t really what you are looking for. We often look for sweet tastes to make us feel better. Do you have a favorite sweet taste?

What’s Your Opinion? The Foundation of What Really Matters

January 30, 2021 Cathleen Zahradnik

“So this is my prayer: that your love will flourish and that you will not only love much but well. Learn to love appropriately. You need to use your head and test your feelings so that your love is sincere and intelligent, not sentimental gush. Live a lover’s life, circumspect and exemplary, a life Jesus will be proud of: bountiful in fruits from the soul, making Jesus Christ attractive to all, getting everyone involved in the glory and praise of God.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1:9-11‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Four-letter words. Four-letter words are often the kinds of words that a follower of Jesus should avoid, right? But there is a four-letter word that I have been paying a lot of attention to lately: NEWS. When I pay attention to TV news I try to only watch the evening news because that report tells me what is happening, not what someone thinks about what is happening. 24-hour news is the worst thing that ever happened to broadcast journalism because in order to fill all that time, the networks bring on “experts” to talk about events. So, instead of 24-hours of news we end up with a half hour of actual news reports and 23 and a 1/2 hours of opinions. And everybody has got an opinion about what is happening, don’t they?

Do opinions matter? Of course! Opinions indicate the condition of our hearts. In some ways, our opinions reveal what we are founding our lives on. What’s your foundation, my friend? Have you considered that? What do your opinions about all that is happening in our world reveal about you?

What Really Matters

January 23, 2021 Cathleen Zahradnik

“I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ —for this will bring much glory and praise to God.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1: 9-11‬ ‭NLT

Pop quiz! What is your morning routine? You may have never really analyzed it, but you have one. Yes, you do! What do you do first? Do you grab your phone and check social media? New headlines? Email? Text messages? I don’t know about you, but my brain is pretty scattered first thing. I need a few minutes before I focus. But when I start to focus, what I focus on first reveals that state of my heart, what matters most to me. The same is true for you. What does your pop quiz reveal? What is the state of your heart? What matters most to you?

My usual practice has been to wake up, get my coffee, sit in my usual quiet time chair, quickly check weather and my calendar and then open my Bible. News, email and anything else waits until after I have had my time with God. Well, that had been my practice, but recently I have found myself wanting to check the news first. I am not really sure what I am looking for, but I suppose I am looking for a security that I won’t find in “good” news. My pop quiz grade: FAIL!

This time of transition, turbulence and trauma has us all on edge, right? It is so easy to get caught up in it all. But I am going to have to break the news-first habit. Why? Because what I focus on first feeds the rest of my day. I want my days to be spent living for what really matters and the truth is, all those news headlines are here today, but will be gone tomorrow. In order to live for what matters I need to focus on what matters. So, what really matters?

Near the beginning of a letter to his friends in Phillipi the apostle Paul prays that His friends would grow in love (v.9) so that they would understand what really matters. Then he goes on to describe what their lives would look like as they began to live in the light of that understanding

How To Silence The Soundtrack of Chaos

January 16, 2021 Cathleen Zahradnik

“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 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 ‭1:4-6‬ ‭NIV‬‬

2021 has just gotten started and already so much has happened! The trials that began in 2020 have carried over into the new year. A new year always renews hope for the future, but the reality is that some things have followed us. The pandemic along with national and global unrest continue. What do we do with what is, especially when we wish it were not? How do we turn down the volume of the chaos that is the background music of our lives right now?

One thing God has helped me to realize is that, whether I am aware of it or not, the current world and national chaos is always playing in the back of my mind. Whether I am conscious of it or not, it is taking an emotional, mental, physical and spiritual toll. There is an undercurrent of tension as I wait for events to play out on the world and national level, as well as in my personal life. It’s taking a toll on you as well, Dear Friend. Do you recognize the effects?

Whatever Happens

January 9, 2021 Cathleen Zahradnik

Whatever happens conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ. Philippians 1:27

Recent events have made it clearer than ever that the world we live in is chaotic and uncertain. It is impossible for us to know from one day to the next what a day will bring forth. Whatever we thought was “normal” can no longer be depended on. The path forward is unclear for all of us. Maybe you are asking, “What will the future hold and how can I prepare to respond in the midst of so much upheaval and loss? What is my part in the drama that is playing out in the world around me?”

It can be overwhelming to think about everything that is happening. Or perhaps you choose to avoid looking at the news headlines completely and to just go on with life as “normal” for as long as you possibly can. Regardless of what your coping strategy is, I want to encourage you that you have a clear and high call in the midst of the turmoil swirling around you. God’s Word has clearly spoken about how to respond in any and every circumstance. We have an unchanging and steady guide in the midst of upheaval. Are you ready to take a look?

One Word That Brings Focus

January 2, 2021 Cathleen Zahradnik

2020 was a rough year and you may feel like you have accomplished nothing, but really, you have come so much farther than you think! Are you wondering how to plan for 2021 in the midst of so much uncertainty? Are you looking for something that will help you focus? A way to live for what matters and let go of what doesn’t? Read on!

In the past I had made it a practice to create a list of goals at the beginning of every new year. I found it helpful and focusing. Maybe you have too. By the end of the year, some of the goals were completed while others were still hanging out there and got transferred to the goal list for the next year. It wasn’t a perfect system, but it helped me to start the year purposefully. Having the goals written down on an index card used as a bookmark in my journal kept them before me throughout the year and helped me to refocus when necessary. I appreciated being able to review the card at the end of the year and see some progress.

A few years ago I came across a reading plan in the YouVersion Bible app that challenged readers to choose one word to focus on rather than create a list of goals. The idea intrigued me, so I downloaded the guide and began the prayerful process of choosing one word to focus on. The objective was to allow God to show me an area I needed to grow in and focus on that through my one word.

My one word for that year was “value.” I had struggled with feeling valued and valuing my own thoughts, opinions and contributions. So, along with the verses I had picked up in our church New Year’s service, I took an index card wrote VALUE at the top, my New Year’s Scripture references below that, and crafted some goals built around the word VALUE. Some examples: I will value relationships. I will value my own voice. You get the idea? As before, I kept that index card as a bookmark in my journal. My phone’s reminder feature was also a great way to keep the word “value” in front of my eyes on a daily basis.

At the end of the year, I could look back and see tangible growth in this area of my life. Growing in VALUE had helped me grow in stepping forward in God’s plan for me. I accomplished tasks. No doubt about that. But the inner growth was much more satisfying and precious. I have continued this practice in the years since. I have been encouraged and challenged by the focus and have seen growth as a result. This yearly practice has really helped me. I hope it helps you, too! My one word for 2020 was FARTHER and in spite of lockdown and limits, as I have reviewed the goals I wrote last January, I can see where God has brought me FARTHER.

Sound like something you’d like to try? Let me give you some suggestions to get you started. Here’s a snippet of Scripture full of words that might be worth your focus for the year:

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:12-14

Do you need to focus on an identity statement? How about “chosen” or “holy” or “loved”? That’s who these verse say you are. Struggling with a relationship at home or work or church? You could focus on “compassion”,”kindness”, “humility”, “gentleness” or “patience.” Maybe your word is “forgiveness” or “forgiven” or “love” or “unity.”

Whatever word you choose, go through the process with God. Let Him guide you to your word. Your ultimate goal is to let Him do His work IN you as well as through you. A one-word goal is more about growth than accomplishment, so, no matter what 2021 holds, you can be sure you will make progress.

What do you think? Will you pick up the challenge? Let me know! Send me an email here. And by the way, if you’d like to receive my weekly blog post by email, just signup here.

Blessings, Dear Friend. I look forward to sharing 2021 together. Let’s focus. Let’s live for what matters and let go of what doesn’t!

Key thought: God wants to do His work IN us not just through us.

A Scripture to consider: Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility,gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3: 12-14

A YES challenge: Choose one word to focus on for 2021 and see what God does in your life. If you focused on one word for 2020 take some time to look back and review your year. What has God done in you as a result of your one-word focus? Take some time to journal and be sure to share what you discover with a trusted friend.

Prayer: Lord, You know me inside and out. You know where I most need to grow and what I need to focus on for this year. Task goals have some merit, but I want a deeper goal. I want to grow in my character. I want to grow more like You and to become all that You planned for me. I give this year to You. Do Your work in me not just through me. Amen.

Some resources:

YouVersion (Bible.com) https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/809

Lots more info than I used at http://getoneword.com/

Ending 2020! You’ve Come Farther Than You Realize

December 26, 2020 Cathleen Zahradnik

“Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭107:8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

2020 is almost over! Perhaps you are already beginning to look ahead and celebrate that this unusual, difficult year is coming to a close. Whatever is coming in 2021, it’s got to be better than this, right? But what if looking ahead too fast caused you to miss something significant? In a year like 2020 it can be easy to lose track of what God has been doing in your life. But, even in 2020, God is writing your story...and it is an amazing one! Think about it: What is your story? Where were you this time a year ago? 5 years ago? Ten years ago?

One of the traps people have always fallen into is forgetting where they have come from. Read the Old Testament and you'll see it over and over again. When God's people were going through hard times they forgot what God had already done for them and missed the chance to celebrate it.

As Long As There’s Christmas, There’s Hope

December 19, 2020 Cathleen Zahradnik

Merry Christmas, Friends! This post from 2018 seems even more appropriate for 2020. Please read it and be encouraged!

Don’t you think that the Christmas season inspires more creativity than any other season of the year? There are multitudes of songs, stories, poems and plays. There are also a myriad of movies and TV specials. In an attempt to make money off of a movie’s popularity, film companies will often create a special Christmas offering. Notice that I didn’t say that all that creativity is actually “inspired.” Many of these works are admittedly forgettable. But there is one presentation you might not know about that always touches my heart.

One of my favorite movies is the 1991 Disney film, Beauty and the Beast. It was the first full length animated film to be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar. Not only was it popular, it really is an excellent film. Disney made lots of money in spinoff projects, one of which was Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas.

The action is set in the middle of the original storyline during the winter while the Beast and Belle are becoming firiends and starting to fall in love before the enchantment is broken. Belle wants to celebrate Christmas which the Beast has forbidden. Her efforts are brought to a halt by the Beast but, of course, in the end he comes around and a joyful Christmas is celebrated on their journey toward an ultimate happy ending.

Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas is a musical offering and there is one song that so captures the spiritual essence of the holiday that I find it often in my head. The lyric that says it all is this:

“As long as there’s Christmas I truly believe that hope is the greatest of the gifts we’ll receive.”

Joy? Now? YES!

December 12, 2020 Cathleen Zahradnik

“For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:17-18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

So, here we are. December 2020. The holiday season is in full force, but what a season it is! COVID Christmas 2020. What’s your Christmas going to look like?

No doubt we are all going to try to maintain as many traditions as we can, but, for many of us Christmas will continue to highlight a year of disappointments and discouragement. Depending on where you live, family visits may be inhibited by travel restrictions. States are doing their best to discourage travel by requiring quarantines and COVID tests. So, we won’t see most of our family in person this year, but we will still connect virtually. I know what you’re saying. It isn’t the same! But it is better than nothing, right!?

You may be asking: Is there a reason for joy in this COVID Christmas season? Lost jobs. Travel limits. Maybe sick family members. Or family members lost, to the pandemic or to other causes. Being stuck at home so much, or separated so much, may have highlighted tensions in your relationships. Where is the joy in a year that has been clouded by controversy and coronavirus?

If you are a believer in Christ then you have a reason for joy, regardless of what else you are experiencing. You have a joy that, although covered by clouds, still shines. You have a joy that is unquenchable, even when its a little harder to reach.