One Word For A New Beginning

January 1, 2022 Cathleen Zahradnik

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

So, here it is again! A new year! What is the big difference between today and yesterday? Yesterday represents an ending, closure, putting away the old. Today represents a fresh start, an opening of possibility, putting on something new. Today, January 1, 2022 represents a blank page that you get to write a new story on. What do you want to write?

Every story starts with one word, right? I want to encourage you to choose one word to focus on for your 2022 story. It's something I have been doing for several years now and I have found it a great practice to help me focus on what God wants to accomplish in me each year. Let me explain.

Christmas Greetings!

December 25, 2021 Cathleen Zahradnik

Dear Friend, as you celebrate this holiday with those you love,

I pray that the HOPE of Christ would overtake you,

that the JOY of Christ would overflow you

that the PEACE of Christ would overcome you,

and that the LOVE of Christ would overwhelm you.

Here is our greatest gift:

"God so loved the world that He gave His only Son..."

Enjoy your gift!

I love and appreciate you.

Thanks for being here and I will see you in 2022!

Merry Christmas!

The Key To Contentment

December 18, 2021 Cathleen Zahradnik

“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” ‭Philippians‬ ‭4:11-13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It's holiday time again! The familiar songs of the season have become the background music of daily life. Crazy traffic. Crowded stores. Kids constantly dreaming of piles of presents under the Christmas tree. There are centuries of expectations built up about what a beautiful family Christmas should be like. Whether it's the songs and poems or paintings and prints, you and I have been pounded with pressures to live up to the perfect Christmas. Whether it is to make a perfect Christmas for our families or to experience the perfect Christmas with our friends, we all have expectations. Those expectations can often lead to overwhelm and disappointment. You might be disappointed in a gift you received or how a gift from you was received. A relational disconnect made the holiday empty and dissatisfying. A meal that didn't turn out well. The weather kept you at home. The truth is that all that build up makes the holidays a disappointment waiting to happen. There is just no way for every aspect of the holiday to be perfect every minute every year.

So, how do you prepare for the letdown? Some aspect of your holiday this year will not meet your expectations. It's not too hard to set yourself up for success. In fact, the Apostle Paul left behind his secret of being content in every circumstance. Here are a few things I have learned from him.

I have everything I really need. Advertisements are assailing your senses every day. Even if you don't watch TV or read a magazine, there are ads on social media, billboards, the sides of trucks. They are everywhere. What is the goal of an advertiser? To convince you that you need their product. But the problem for you and me is that we don't really need any of it. Nada. When you think about the upcoming holiday, ask yourself what you and your family really need. Do you really need all the stuff?

What is the point of the Christmas holiday anyway? Quick religious answer: To celebrate the birth of the Savior. Yes, but what do you need in order to do that? What does your family need in order to remember Jesus? I'll bet that it will cost you nothing.

Beyond the spiritual emphasis, what is your goal for the holiday? I prayed over this question recently. All my grown-up kids and their significant others were going to be with us at Thanksgiving, but being together at Christmas was doubtful. So, we decided to celebrate Christmas while we were all together on the day after Thanksgiving. ( For those of you imagining us doing all that prep work, I don't cook for Thanksgiving. We go to my parents house!) My prayers focused on having reasonable expectations and clarifying the purpose of celebrating then. The conclusion I came to was that the goal was simply to celebrate together and enjoy being together. Knowing that helped me to narrow down what was really necessary to prepare or purchase. We didn't need everything, just enough.

We had a lovely time and built a beautiful family memory that included all our traditions, the basic things we would do as part of our Christmas celebration. Part of what made it so beautiful was the simplicity. The most important thing was being together and connecting with each other. The gifts and food were simply connecting points, not the star of the show. We had everything we really needed.

More is not always better. Lean times can often redirect us to what is most important. As a young mom learning how to do Christmas with my family, it was easy to feel the pressure of purchasing a bigger, better, budget-busting gift for my kids. Our financial situation was always tight, so I had to learn to readjust my expectations. But that process helped me to better focus on what was most important.

One year it seemed like we were going to have to be really sparing with the gifts and I began to pray and think about creative ways to make the holiday special. I am not a crafty person in the least! I have made things that look pretty okay, but it is definitely not an area where I thrive. Yet, that year God gave me an idea to make each of my family a personalized ornament with cardboard, gift wrap, glitter and glue. I made one for each of my kids and my husband with a single word on it to encourage them. Words like "GRACE" or "JOY". But the one thing I made that year that has become a part of our family tradition was a gift-wrapped shoe box, top and bottom wrapped separately. The gift tag reads "To Everyone." Inside is a rectangle of cardboard covered in gift wrap. Written on it in glued-on glitter are the words "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son..." It is the first gift that goes under our tree every year and the first gift we open as a family. It was the first gift we opened on our Thanksgiving Christmas after we sang "O, Come All Ye Faithful" at our creche, another family tradition. Simple and special.

When I have Christ, I have everything. I have learned from experience that what I need most is His strength in me. If I have that, I can face anything. I can live through anything. I can face the difficult times with confidence. I have hope when the day is darkest. With Christ I am reminded that there is more to this life than this life. With Christ I have access to the infinite. Isn't that amazing?! With Christ I have a relationship with the Eternal, Everlasting Father. With Christ I remember that this time on earth is temporary. I'm just passing through. So whether I have a lot or a little. Whether I have joy or pain. Whether this future looks bright or dismal. None of that is as important as knowing that I am found in Him and that when this life is over I will begin a new glorious heavenly life. That's EVERYTHING!

His presence in me gives me the resources I need to do whatever I need to. I have found that to be true in some of my darkest moments. I have found it to be true personally, when we have faced unexpected and overwhelming struggles. But I have also found it to be true as a minister.

Sometimes this calling brings me into other people's overwhelming pain and loss. Sometimes pastors have to walk with people through the unthinkable. As I enter into a situation like that, I simply know that I am not enough. I do not have what this person needs. Yet, I know that Christ does, and that He is in me. I am not enough, but He is. I have found Christ in me bringing out what the other needs. I have found it to be true: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Dear Friend, as your Christmas preparations head into these final days, let me encourage you to remember that you really do have everything you need because more is not always better and because when you have Christ, you have everything. To prepare for possible letdown, remember this: Contentment doesn't just happen, you have to choose it. Do you have Christ in you? Then, Friend, you have all you need to have a beautiful holiday as you choose contentment in Christ. May this be the simplest and most satisfying holiday you have ever experienced.

Key Thought: When I have Christ, I have everything I really need.

A Scripture to Consider:“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” ‭Philippians‬ ‭4:11-13‬ ‭NLT‬‬

A YES Challenge: As you consider your holiday preparations, prayerfully ask yourself what your goal is for the holiday. Once you have clarified your goal, prayerfully consider what you can adjust in your expectations for the holiday and let that guide you as you approach your tasks.

Prayer: Dear Father, forgive me for the ways that I sometimes get caught up in the Christmas frenzy that advertisers promote. I want to maintain family traditions that help me and my family to connect with You and with each other. Help me to eliminate the unnecessary aspects of my holiday preparations, even if what I most need to eliminate is the pressure I put on myself. Help me to enjoy this holiday with You and with those I am celebrating with. Amen.

Practice Makes Peace

December 11, 2021 Cathleen Zahradnik

“Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.” ‭‭Philippians ‭4:9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I love to learn. That may not be your story, but it is mine. I don’t necessarily love taking tests or doing projects, but I loved school. My heart gets excited when I learn something new. Okay, so I'm a nerd that way!

But learning facts and information isn't really enough, is it? The real key to learning is to apply what I’ve learned. My head might retain the knowledge, but if my heart doesn’t absorb truth, then it doesn’t do me much good, does it?

Unfortunately, this is something that I have had to address in my spiritual life. Even from the beginning of my walk with Jesus I would delight in reading Scripture, books and articles that talked about Jesus and how to live for Him. I could tell you what I read and what wonderful truths I had “learned.” But, it was obvious in my response to what was happening around me that those truths had not yet become a part of me. To others, of course, but not to me.

Over the years, I have had to learn to slow down, think about what I have learned and reflect on how to put those truths into practice. As I have done that I have found great peace. How does following Jesus give me peace? When I slow down to ponder and apply what I have learned, I am aware of a deeper connection with God and my heart floods with the peace of His presence.

Could you use some of that, my friend? Is it possible that you aren’t putting into practice what you have learned? Here are a few things you can do to let knowledge connect you with God and the peace of His presence.

How To Control Your Thoughts

December 4, 2021 Cathleen Zahradnik

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Have you ever thought about how one small piece of equipment can direct a huge vehicle? Whether it's a semi-truck or a sailing ship, the steering wheel sets the course for the rest of the vehicle. Tom and I have had the opportunity to travel on several cruise ships and the honest truth is that when we are on the ship, we don't pay attention to the steering, even when weather has made our travels bumpy. We trust that the captain and his crew are making the best decisions for our safety as well as our enjoyment.

Have you ever considered how your thoughts “steer the ship” of your life? Do you pay attention to how your thoughts guide your emotions? What do you find yourself thinking about? Does faith or fear steer your thoughts? Do you find yourself anxious and uncertain? Do you find yourself trying to manage the worst-case scenario that is playing out in your imagination? You know, that thing that hasn’t actually happened, but because you have spent so much time dwelling in thought about it, you are sure that it actually will. How do you feel as that plays out in your mind? I would guess that your body and emotions are responding to that situation as if it were actually happening...but it isn't! You may find yourself responding in a real way to an imagined interaction. Who needs that?! Wouldn't you rather spend your energy on something more positive and real?

If you struggle with negative thoughts, you are not alone! My mind always used to go down the worst road. I found myself anxious and unhappy. But I realized that how I thought was up to me. I realized that I could take control of the direction of my thoughts, and that when I did that, it changed my perspective on everything that was happening in my life.

It takes a choice and some diligence and discipline. But you can control your thoughts. Where do you want your thoughts to go? How do you want to feel? What part do you want faith to have in your life? You can choose where to focus your thoughts rather than let them control you!
So, let’s get started!

The Key To Peace

November 27, 2021 Cathleen Zahradnik

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:6-7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

You and I are living in a time that is full of questions, aren't we? When will all the variants settle down? When will the supply chain get re-connected? How will all the conflicts in our nation and in our world resolve? Those big questions underscore all our personal questions. Will I have enough money to meet my needs? Will my family be okay? What am I supposed to do with my life? In the midst of so much happening in our world, it is easy to become anxious. We wonder what the future holds. We wonder how events will unfold in our world, our nation, our community, our own lives.

How do you handle that? Maybe you try to plan everything. Something about planning makes us feel more in control, doesn’t it? I always like to have a general idea of what is going to happen and how I fit in, but sometimes that isn't possible, right? How do you handle it when your plans don’t work out? Does it make you stressed? I can say that I am less stressed now than I was in my younger days, but it is something I continue to work on.

Stress is not what any of us want, right? If we don't want stress, what do we want? We want peace. Isn't that what most people say they are looking for in this world? So, what is the key to peace? How about this? The key to peace is to pray and be thankful. Can it really be that simple?

Are You An Example Worth Following?

November 20, 2021 Cathleen Zahradnik

“Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

"I want to be like you when I grow up." Those are some of the most gratifying and terrifying words that you and I might ever hear! Whether you are a parent or simply an important person in the life of a child, those words can lift you up and horrify you at the same time. You are encouraged that this little one sees something in you that they want to emulate, but you are suddenly aware of every bad decision, every wrong choice, every way that your example is not...well...exemplary. You start to question if being like you would be a good thing. You ask yourself, "Am I an example worth following?"

In a letter to his friends living in Phillipi, the apostle Paul has given them examples to follow. He starts with Jesus, our ultimate example, and moves on to some other people they know, but later on in the letter he appeals to their love for him and uses himself as an example. What a bold move! He believes that they will find the joy, peace, clarity and contentment they need as they let his priorities be a pattern for them. Can you imagine that?!

Take a moment to consider: Who in your life needs a godly example? Could you be the example they need? What would it take for you to be as bold as Paul and invite them to follow you? What do you need to do in order to be ready to make that invitation?

Let's start here.

What To Do When You Feel Stuck: Press On

November 13, 2021 Cathleen Zahradnik

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:12-14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

"Does God really even care?" I wondered as I walked. Nothing had turned out as I had expected. I was disappointed and tired. I had gotten to a point in my relationship with God where I just felt stuck. I felt numb every day. Did I even want to follow God anymore? But where else would I go?

I was at a women’s retreat taking place at a camp. The setting was beautiful and woodsy. The sun peaked through the green leaves on the trees as the dry ones on the ground crunched beneath my feet. I had decided to take a walk and had found a path in the woods. I was somehow aware of the Holy Spirit leading me as I reached for a walking stick and headed up a hill.

Almost at the top of the steep incline I felt theHoly Spirit tell me to stop. It was an awkward position to to be in and it was difficult to keep my balance. As I struggled to stand still I realized that I had a choice to make, not just on the hill, but in my life. Standing still was not an option because sooner or later I would fall. I had to turn back or press forward. That was the only way to find balance again. Turning around would have been easy. Moving forward was not. Which way?

It took more energy and effort than I thought I had in me, but I used the walking stick to help pull me as I swung my leg forward. After a few difficult steps I found myself at the crest of the hill. Whew! That was a relief. I continued following the path with a renewed wonder. What would I find next? What else did the Holy Spirit want to speak to me? I followed the path around a bend and discovered a beautiful, sun-sparkling pond. Such an idyllic setting that no one else had discovered. A totally unexpected vista! I was so grateful as I made my way back to the main house. I knew that what I had experienced was more than just a walk. It had been a prophetic encounter with God. I was leaving that path unstuck and ready to move forward in God’s purpose for me.

What about you, Dear Friend? Have you ever felt stuck? Do you feel stuck right now? That walk up the hill was God’s tool to teach me that perseverance, pressing on when it isn’t easy and doesn’t make sense, is often God’s tool to lead us to the next beautiful place in our life. What did I learn about perseverance from that walk in the woods?

How To Rest In His Righteousness

November 6, 2021 Cathleen Zahradnik

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 'Philippians 3: 8-9

If you have ever seen the musical My Fair Lady you might identify with Eliza Doolittle. In defense of herself in her uncertainty and confusion as Professor Higgins begins concocting his plan to take the flower girl and turn her into a lady, she declares in her low-brow Cockney accent, “I’m a good girl, I am!” She isn’t sure what he is proposing, so she makes it clear that she isn’t going to compromise her understanding of what is good morality to participate in whatever he is planning. Being a good girl was a part of her identity that she wasn’t willing to give up for a more refined way of speaking.

As a young woman, my inner being would often be declaring, “I’m a good girl, I am!” Being a good girl was a part of my identity that I wasn’t willing to compromise. I had attended religious education classes in my denomination. I believed that there was a God and I had an deep desire to avoid getting in trouble. I didn’t like getting yelled at! So, being a “good girl” wasn’t about loving God or loving what is good. It was about avoiding conflict with authority figures, like my parents or school officials, or God. Being a good girl meant that I could fly under the radar and basically do what pleased me as long as it didn’t get me in trouble. I did have convictions about what was wrong, but they weren’t solid because they weren’t built on a foundation that was solid. My idea of what was right and wrong was shaped by my religious education, but really built on my own desire to protect myself from shame. My foundation for righteousness was built on ME.

When I came to Christ, He began to reshape my idea of what it means to be a “good girl”. He began to renovate my motivation toward righteousness. I started out trying to avoid conflict with God. Yes, I wanted to please Him, but internally the fear of being shamed was still unknowingly my primary motivation. I tried very hard to do the right thing and to spiritually declare, “I’m a good girl, I am!” But God’s desire for me was, and is, to be more than a “good girl.” He wants me to know that I am a loved girl, and to rest from striving to be good. He wants me to know that what Jesus did was enough to make me good enough for the God who is abundantly more than enough.

So, how do I learn to rest in His righteousness?

How To Cut Through The Clutter

October 30, 2021 Cathleen Zahradnik

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 'Philippians 3: 8-9

Almost every day when I go to my mailbox there is a new piece of mail for a girl named Abigail. I don’t know how my address got attached to her name, but I do know that Abigail is most likely a high school senior because the mail she gets is from colleges inviting her to attend their campus. Multiple invitations have arrived, and that is just at the wrong address! I can’t imagine how much mail she gets at her own address. So many options! Abigail has a huge choice to make. How will she decide?

Like Abigail, every day you and I are bombarded with a myriad of options. A multitude of choices clamor for our attention and energy. From the food we eat to the money we spend, to the tasks on our calendar, we have decisions to make. All those choices create clutter, don’t they? School responsibilities, keeping up the home, the job, family obligations. So much demanding your attention and mine. In the midst of all that clamors for my attention, how do I know what the most important thing is? As I complete the tasks that take up my brain space how do I know that I am doing what matters most? How do I cut through the clutter?

Cutting through the clutter begins with clarifying your goal. What is the thing you want most? If we aren’t intentional, our goal becomes obscured by the chaos of everyday choices. We chose the urgent over the important. We chose what is right in front of us rather than the thing we long to move toward. I know that has been my experience. What about you?