I’ve been pondering a lot of things in my heart lately. It’s one of those times when I know God is speaking but it still feels like a work in progress rather than a conclusion “tied up neatly in a bow.”

I was deeply challenged at M25 last week, on Tuesday in particular. Dr. Carla Sunberg spoke in the morning and she shared how she and her husband like to study past revivals. She spoke of one that happened in the Hebrides Islands outside of Scotland that began in 1949.

After World War II, young people in the small populations were disillusioned and walking away from God and the church. There was a call to the church for prayer, two sisters took it very seriously. At ages 81 and 84, they began to pray consistently for revival every Friday night from 10 p.m. until 2 or 3 a.m. They told no one for a couple of months. After being given a vision of churches crowded with young people, the called their minister. He agreed to call the men to pray on Friday nights and the sisters began to have other women join them.

The men began to pray in a barn. For weeks, nothing seemed to happen, but one night a man spoke Psalm 24:3-5 Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior.

When they began to pray for clean hands and pure hearts – to be rightly related to God themselves, God’s power began to be loosed. The church scheduled a special speaker and revival indeed broke with hundreds of people filling churches crying out to God to change their lives. If you’d like to read more of the story, I found it at https://revival-library.org/histories/1949-1953-hebrides-revival/ .

I too that morning was convicted to pray to have clean hands and a pure heart. I confessed that I have not always fully done what God has called me, that at times I have been lazy about prayer. I confessed that I need to quiet or ignore other voices (social media, etc.) if I truly want to hear God’s voice above all others. I humbly ask that you forgive me these transgressions as well.

Honestly, it didn’t feel like some big “aha” moment…but maybe it’s not always supposed to. I’m still asking God and working out what it looks like to live more wholeheartedly for Him. Somedays I feel like I’m failing more than I’m “getting it right.” But our God never fails. One of the verses he encouraged me with this week is Psalm 94:19, When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. Praise be to God for His love, grace and mercy!

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Cindy

Are you stumbling your way through January? There have been several recent research studies that show the majority of us give up on our resolutions by January 19^th – dubbing it “Quitter’s Day.” For whatever reason/s, it’s difficult for many to change, even when inspired by a fresh new year.

I’m no expert at keeping resolutions, but I would like to remind us all that we can start again…anytime we like. Women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt, who was known for her self-discipline, had her players pound their chest two times and say “Rebound!” anytime they made a mistake. So, I think if you start your day or week poorly, declare a rebound.

Perspective and attitude are crucial to making positive changes. Some of us “bite off more than we can chew” when we make resolutions or goals. Instead we should consider the mantra that “Little by little adds up.” We can start by doing something for as little as five minutes and build from there.

Most psychologists say that it is not what we do once in a while that makes us, rather it is what we do every day. So, rebound – if you need to, and find a new rhythm. If it’s getting up earlier, drinking more water, reading your Bible. Whatever change you need to make is between you and God. Ask Him, and then start small with realistic expectations and watch yourself grow.

Author Ann Voskamp wrote, “You’re not under any obligation to prove your worth … You don’t have to work to become someone better to get to be loved – you’re already loved, so you get to become the someone you were always made to be. You get to do hard and holy things because they are the next thing – to get to the most fulfilling things.” * Whatever changes you might choose to make, I pray that you remember we are all on a journey of grace! And if you’re wondering what inspired this post, well…I’m preaching to the mirror! 

Grace and Peace,
Pastor Cindy

* https://annvoskamp.com/2025/01/savethis-about-resolutions-when-its-hard-to-keep-going

Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash

We began our Advent messages last week learning about hope from David in Psalm 25. This week we will study Zachariah’s Song in Luke 1. We’ll see the hope that he demonstrated as he reminded the Israelites that God kept his promises because of his love for them.

As far as we know, Zachariah and his wife Elizabeth were a typical, and probably traditional Jewish couple. Except they had been unable to have children. They surely hoped and waited for a very long time. But at their age, (Scripture’s words, not mine.) they no longer held much hope for having a family.

But then, an angel showed up and his message from God changed everything! There was a prophecy, a pregnancy, and a mute husband! Luke 1:26 begins, “In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy…” Liz Curtis Higgs, author of The Women of Christmas this sentence is proof that God values women because he uses a woman’s pregnancy to mark time.

I think this time of year often makes us reminiscence. Todd and I were talking this week about how it makes us a bit sad that our family traditions have changed. I miss baking cookies and fudge with my Mama and aunts. He misses nearly the entire Olson family gathering for Christmas Day at Grandma and Grandpa’s house.

But just as God changed the timing and the traditions for Zachariah and Elizabeth, sometimes he changes them for us as well. It is OK for us to miss our loved ones who are gone. It is OK to honor the past. At the same time, it is also good to be joyful about the present and the future. God’s love held us then and it will hold us now.

P.S. – A note to help us slow down as we mark the time of Advent. I encourage you to choose your favorite Christmas carol or song and memorize more than the first verse. Then you can sing it to yourself as you mull over the meaning.

Let’s be Changed in our Waiting,
Pastor Cindy

Photo by Mario Losereit on Unsplash