Just Jump!

Sometimes my life reminds me of the time I got stuck on the high dive at the pool when I was in my tweens.  I climbed up there because I wanted to conquer the challenge.  I had a goal.  I had an audience too.  I got out to the end of the diving board and I stared down at the water.  I kept trying to convince myself to take the leap, but the longer I stood there the more nervous I got.  People started yelling at me.  Much of this was because there was a line behind me of people who weren't afraid and wanted their turn.  In the end I hung my head and climbed back down the ladder.  I don't want to live like that.  In the swimming pool of life it is time for me to hold my breath and jump, trusting that by the grace of God I will float and maybe even swim.

In the book of Matthew (14:22-33) Peter doesn't climb a high dive, instead he steps out of the boat on a windy night.  He has a purpose!  He is going to meet Jesus out on the water.  The waves are crashing around him, the other disciples are watching him, they may have even been yelling at him.  Peter probably looked at the water; NIV says he "saw the wind."  He started to sink.  Jesus rescued Peter from drowning that day, and he taught us an important lesson.  When our focus is on Jesus, and we look to him for our strength, every plan that God has given us will succeed.  When we become distracted by circumstances, spectators, hecklers or even cheerleaders, we fail to exercise the power available to us.  Focusing on our weakness, or our ability, rather than on Christ's strength is a tried and true recipe for defeat.

I'd been standing on the proverbial diving board for a long time waiting for someone to push me off.  I guess I'd rather be pushed because then, if I sink, there is someone else to blame.  I've been standing at the side of the boat looking out and asking, "do You really want me to do this, or is this just some crazy thing I have concocted?"  I recently took a long awaited plunge.  Storms raged around and in me while I hesitated, but finally the conviction became so strong that there was no turning back.  I've already had moments where I felt like I was sinking, but Jesus is always there and when I focus on him I rise.  Life is full of opportunities to take a leap of faith.  It's not meant to be a spectator's sport, and if we won't get wet we find ourselves watching it pass us by.  We receive so much blessing from doing the things God has called us to, but the glory is His alone.  If you've been standing on the edge, make sure your eyes are on Jesus then go for it, but remember to stay focused on Him.  I need to stay focused on Him!

Hebrews 12:2  Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising it's shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Going

Water swirling, waves are crashing;

There is somewhere I must go.

Boat won't take me.  Faith will only.

Now my Savior's will I know.

Wind is blowing, boat is rocking;

I must step beyond it's bow.

Water's cold now, clothes are heavy,

But my end He won't allow.

Feet are walking.  Jesus calling!

Now my eyes are fixed on Him.

Arms that catch me. His face I see.

He's the Light that never dims.

J.M. Huyett  (March 13, 2013)

Chasing My Tail

Don't worry!  It's just for dramatic effect.

I felt like I had been slapped in the face when a friend said, "now, if you could just stop worrying."  I had asked her to pray about a situation, and this was not what I had expected to hear.  In my mind the fact that I was asking for prayer meant that I was admitting that I needed God's strength and wisdom, and to me that seemed like stepping away from worry.  I meant to trust; I was asking for help.  With this one little phrase I catapulted into a frenzied worry about being worried.  Could things get any more ironic?  So, what is the difference between being worried about something, and knowing you need help?  Is there a healthy amount of humble concern we should have?  Can we be carefree and still care?

It's not that I'm claiming I don't worry.  I certainly do. I worry about being misunderstood; what people will think of me.  I often anticipate conflict and then agonize about how to handle it.  Sometimes I end up angry over imaginary conversations in my head.  That's not good fruit.  I worry over others mistaking my motives which causes me to question myself. I wonder, when I share positive experiences, whether friends will think I am bragging, and then I have to ask myself if indeed I am.  If I share my struggles will I sound like a complainer, or will someone else be encouraged to know that they are not the only one with those issues?   For the most part this is out of my control.  All I can do is walk in the Spirit and act and speak as I am led in accordance with God's word.  I have to surrender my desire for everyone to like me or agree with me, and respond with love, patience and kindness when they don't. 

You are reading the ramblings of a confused child, but a child who desires to do the will of her Lord.  I fight a battle "to put off [my] old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of [my] mind; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."  (Ephesians 4:22-24)  It's a battle I am going to have to keep fighting, but I can trust that "He who began a good work in [me] will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippian1:6)  Trust and worry just don't mix.  I am going to have to learn to fight my battle bravely without anxiety, and yet retain concern and compassion for others.  I must focus more on others and less on self.  Finally this contemplation has come to the point.  I've got to let go of me.  I have to care about others for their sake alone.  In the here and now I may indeed face all of the things I've fretted over, but in eternity they won't matter.  Actually, there will be rewards for them. (Matthew 5:11-12)  Just stay focused on Jesus, and do what He would do.  He would use His gifts to bless others, and He was often misunderstood.  Why should I expect to be universally accepted and loved when He was rejected?  (John 15:18-20)

I asked my friend to pray for me because I knew God would answer.  The idea was to pray instead of worrying, and trust in God rather than in my ability or lack there of.  I never thought that one simple prayer request would launch me into this type of self analysis, but why shouldn't it?  I am an over analytical type of person; one who would worry about being worried in fact.  I am sure my friend never meant to initiate this type of reflection either, she was just trying to tell me to relax a little.  I guess I could start the whole cycle over again at this point, but I am just going to embrace the personality God gave me, and use it for good wherever He leads me.  

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 

Sunshine and Rain Clouds

You can change the world around you with a smile or a frown, a kind word or an insult.  I was recently struck by the power one negative attitude can have over a whole group of people.  Once the rain clouds start rolling in it's difficult to see the sunshine.  Our demeanor can be contagious.  If we insist on being a negative influence, why would we expect the people around us to be anything but negative?  The good news is that a positive attitude can be contagious as well.  If we have the strength to shine we can cut through the gloom.  I know that on my own I don't have the strength, but "all things are possible through Christ who strengthens me."  Philippians 4:13  

To often the negative attitude is my own.  I desperately want someone to shine a light strong enough to chase away my storm, but I have to find my strength and joy in Christ.  I can't depend on other people to meet my needs.  Sometimes I just seem to want to wallow in misery, but that is letting the enemy have a foothold.  I have to repent and turn to my Savior.  Personally, when I am tired I have a terrible time seeing things in a positive light.  Sometimes I just need to admit that I am weak and take a nap.  Things often look different after a rest, and that rest is a gift from God.  Jesus knows that we must rest.  He slept in a boat during a storm.  In Mark 6:31 he urged his disciples to “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while,” and he invites us in Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."  God provides what we need to be the people he has called us to be, but we have to lay down our pride and admit our need. 

Having so often struggled with discouragement, and having been so recently affected by contagious attitudes, I don't want to forget the lesson I have learned about how quickly enthusiasm can be extinguished by the negativity that surrounds it.  I pray for the strength to shine on those who need encouragement instead of smothering the flame; the stamina to fuel the excitement and watch it spread. We can find the positive and encourage each other with it, or we can dwell on the negative and bring others down.  It's easy to yield to discouragement, but life is so much better when we refuse to give in to it.  My prayer is that you and I will each make a conscious effort to be the cheerleader, not the heckler; the one who lifts up, not the one who puts down; the one who finds a way, not the one who gives up.  Though the influences around us are strong, we can shine through the clouds even when others rain on our parade.  I know I can't do it in my own strength, but I am thankful that I have Christ to give me strength.

Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

As always, if you have not yet received Christ as your Savior it would be my privilege to talk with you about starting that relationship.  Even if you do know Jesus, and you have something you'd like to talk about, just send me a message and I will be in touch.   ~Juanita (jmhuyett@verizon.net)

Spiritual PJs

This thought began with a Sunday School discussion on some verses from Colossians chapter 3...  "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."   One friend pointed out that Paul does not assume that we are already dressed in these things, but he tells us to actively put them on.  During this discussion I realized that some days I wake up so weary from the previous day's battle that I lounge around in my spiritual pajamas.  Some days I am so sore from the fight that the very act of dressing myself for the day hurts, so rather than going out in my armor I hide in "comfortable misery."

Ephesians 6:14-17 says, " Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,  and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  

We have a lot of gear to carry, but it's there to aid us and to make us effective witnesses.   Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, peace, forgiveness and love are our clothing.  Truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, and salvation are our armor.  We are given everything we need, but we must make the effort to put it on.  Just because you have a winter coat doesn't mean you will be warm, you have to wear it, and a coat of mail will not protect you unless it is fastened in place.  That is not to say that God will not protect us in our weakness, but we have a responsibility to be active participants in the fight.  

If you have never trusted Christ as your Savior, the truth is you lack even spiritual pajamas; you're naked.  Don't let yourself shiver to death!  Put on the gift of God!  Romans 6:23 explains that "the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal Life in Christ Jesus our Lord,"  and 1 Corinthians 15:3-5 reveals how the gift was purchased.  "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures..."  Just ask Him to save you (Romans 10:13)  I have received this gift, and I want to pass it on to you so that we can both get dressed to meet the day.

Uncommon Comfort

Last night while preparing for corporate worship I turned to Psalm 23, because one of the songs for this morning's service was based on the passage.  

The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
² He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
³ He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.

⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cup runs over.
⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.

I began to jot it down on paper as if I were talking to someone about God instead of talking to God as it is written.  While going through this process the end of verse 4 caught my attention.  It struck me that a rod and staff would be used for correction, and that on the surface doesn't seem very comforting.  I would think that lying down in green pastures and being lead by still waters would be comforting.  It would seem that being held close, or given a pat on the back would be comforting.  How do a rod and staff bring comfort?  As I thought about it I realized that it is comforting to know that God disciplines us as a parent who wants what is best for His children, so I decided to find out a little more about a shepherd's rod and staff.  

A shepherd's rod was indeed used for discipline.  If a sheep was wondering away, the shepherd would throw the rod to startle the animal back to the flock.  I was also used for protection and was carried at all times as an extension of the shepherd's own arm.  In addition to discipline and protection, the rod was used in examining the sheep to make sure they were healthy and had not developed a skin infection under their wool, and it was the instrument used for marking the sheep to indicate ownership.  A look at the shepherd's good intentions for the sheep in using the rod does bring comfort.  Knowing that: He won't let us wander too far away, He will protect us from enemies, He searches out our sickness so he can heal us, and He marks us as His own, is reassuring.  

A shepherd's staff was a separate tool that had other functions.  It typically would have a crook that could be use for pulling sheep out of the awkward situations they are prone to getting stuck in.  With his staff a shepherd could reach a sheep that had fallen into a precarious spot or gotten caught in a thicket.  It was also used for guiding a sheep onto the right path.  The shepherd would gently lay his staff on the sheep's side, and apply pressure to guide the animal the direction it should go.  We all find ourselves in awkward situations that we can't get ourselves out of.  The Bible is very clear that all have sinned (Romans 3:23), but God reached into the brambles and rescued us when He sent His Son to pay our debt on the cross.  The pressures of life are uncomfortable, but our Shepherd is using them to guide us to the path we must take.  It is comforting to know that He will guide us; and that when we fail to follow, consequently finding ourselves in a tight spot, He will pull us out.

In our Sunday School class this morning we were lead to Titus 3:3-7 which reads:  "At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.  But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,  whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,  so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life."  That is what our good and merciful Shepherd has done for us! 

Information on the shepherd's rod and staff is from http://www.antipas.org/commentaries/articles/shepherd_psa23/shepherd_07.html

Aunt Mary Etta, and The Martin Guitar

I remember going to visit her when I was little.  I remember a Christmas at her brother's house when she had a special gift for each niece and nephew.  She really couldn't afford it.  It must have taken time, careful planning, and sacrifice.  She had no children of her own, and lived with her husband Harry.  She was one of twelve children:  seven sisters and five brothers, and my mom is one of her sisters. 

Aunt Mary Etta, with some of her brothers and sisters and their spouses.

Music, I think, was one of her passions.  Aunt Mary Etta loved to go to bluegrass shows and festivals, and was friends with many of the performers.  She enjoyed the picnic lunches we would have with these friends at Sunset Park.  She had difficulty carrying a tune when she sang, but she was able to play the harmonica, and she truly enjoyed listing to her brother Chris, and her sisters Lois, Edie (my mom) and Reba sing in their quartet. Her participation was in her appreciation of the gifts and talents that God had give those she loved, and in her encouragement of them to use those gifts. 

Aunt Mary Etta and Uncle Harry moved to a little house that was very near to her sister Ruth.  Aunt Ruth and my mom opened a sewing shop in the apartment building between the two houses, and when I was a senior in high school I began four years of employment with them.  In that time I had many opportunities to visit with Aunt Mary Etta.  Uncle Harry passed away during those years, and being unable to get out easily because of a disability, she always appreciated the company. One of the things that really stood out to me was how important each person was to her.  She kept records of everyone's birthday, and would send out cards regularly. 

Heaven becomes more dear every time a loved one goes to be with Jesus, and Aunt Mary Etta is in his presence now.  She's been there almost five years by our time, but in eternity I am certain that perspective is quite different.  There was never any doubt that her nieces and nephews were special to her, but when we received notification that she had divided her estate among us all, it was certainly confirmed.  My Aunt Mary Etta didn't have much in this world as far as money and possessions go, but she was rich in relationships.  Through the sale of her property she was able to bless each one of us more than she ever knew.

Aunt Mary Etta's gifts have been significant to my life.  God has used her generosity to lead me, and even to call me into a sphere of ministry I only dreamed of.  About a year after she died my husband, Eric, and I found out about the check that we were to receive.  Eric encouraged me to think of something I could buy and keep in remembrance of her.  One day, around Easter time, I was out walking and praying and the Lord spoke to me about using me in a leading role in the worship ministry, and buying a guitar with my inheritance from Aunt Mary Etta that would be part of that process.  

I had tried to learn to play the guitar on several occasions, and had given up in frustration every time, so to spend this amount of money on a guitar was a bit shocking.  There was enough doubt that I made a commitment to play the guitar Eric's Uncle Rod had loaned us every day for six months before I would buy my own.  If I made enough progress in that time I would proceed.  After a few months my sister, Loni Kirklin, loaned me one of her guitars to practice on.  It was more like the one I was hoping to buy, and it was easier to play.  It was about a year after making the initial commitment that I finally bought my Martin Guitar.  I had looked a couple of times, but when my mom and Loni were here that spring we went shopping and it became clear exactly which instrument I should buy.  It's my "Aunt Mary Etta Guitar," and it's a blessing from God.

It took a long time before I began to actually play it in the worship service at our church.  I would take it to practices and play along when I was scheduled to sing.  My friend who leads worship would ask me to bring it along at different times and he would just play with me a little and try to help me along.  I took it along to Uncle Rod's bedside the last time we were able to visit him.  I didn't know what to say, so I played and sang a few hymns instead.  He passed away a few days later, and I was asked to play with my kids and their cousin who sang at his memorial service.  

I soon went to have electronics installed in my guitar which was a step of faith, and a few months after that I asked if I could play an offertory in church. Since then I have been playing with the worship team.  I still fumble a lot, but this whole process has taught me so much.  Not only have I been learning more about music, but I have been learning about trusting God's plan.  He has brought me to a place in this ministry that had long been in my heart and seemed more like a dream.  It was not just a dream, it was a vision. I am amazed and grateful.  Sharing my passion with others is such a blessing.

Sometimes it is hard to know if I am really hearing God, or if I am hearing what I want to hear.  I think I usually know, but I am so prone to doubt.  I think that I am just making it up to suit my own desires, but Psalm 37:4 says "Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart."  Why should I assume God is going to ask me to do things that seem like a burden instead of the ones that are a delight?  If I can stay focused on delighting myself in the Lord there should be no reason to question motives.  When I look back at how it all worked out, I know that only God could have done it, and I am thankful that He chose to use my Aunt Mary Etta to lead me here. 

The writing on my guitar case reads,
"In loving memory of Uncle Harry and Aunt Mary Etta Hoover.
Dedicated to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!"

2012 Greetings From The Huyett Family

New Year's Day

We hope this letter finds you well and joyfully preparing for the Holiday Season. As 2011 drew to a close our family participated in the New Year's Eve Resolution Run in State College. It was a fun family event that many from our church attended together. Training for a 5K was a rewarding experience for me, and I have since begun to build my endurance for greater distances. I hope to be able to participate in at least a half marathon sometime in 2013. One of the greatest things about trying something that you never expected to do is that it can inspire others to step out of their comfort zone and strive for new goals. I thank God for using me in this way, and using others to help keep me motivated.

Disc Golf

Eric had to do some traveling for work again this year and spent some time in Australia as well as Denver. He continues to play softball and volleyball as the seasons change. Eric is serving as a deacon at our church now, and he also volunteers as the treasurer for the Employee Benefit Organization at work as well as the Music Booster Club at the Middle School/High School. When he has free time he enjoys going out to play a round or two of disc golf, and periodically will still lead the family to a geocache or two. The children have become so busy with activities that it is difficult to plan as many family outings as we used to take.

 

Can You Find Cody and Austin?

Austin and Heather both participated in the drama club this year, and Cody and Austin each participated in their first year of Track and Field. Cody threw discus and shot put, and Austin was in the high jump, triple jump, 4x400 meter relay and the 4x100 meter relay. The two boys also marched in the Independence Day Parade in Washington, D.C. The rest of us took a charter bus down for the day to watch them. For all but Eric it was our first visit to Our Nation's Capitol.

First Day of School

Heather joined the marching band this summer and all three of the older children marched in the field show at our high school football games this fall. Cody played trumpet, Austin played the sousaphone, and Heather played saxophone. We have a neat story about Cody's instrument that you can read about in my blog post called The Silver Trumpet. Darren started playing trumpet now that he is in fourth grade. Austin will put away his sousaphone for the season and concentrate on trombone, and all four students will participate in concert bands for the remainder of the school year. Cody is now in tenth grade, Austin is in eighth, and Heather is in seventh.

Kinzua Bridge State Park

The kids were all involved in soccer again this year. Cody played defense on the High School JV team, Austin played keeper for the Boys Jr. High team, Heather played defense on the girls Jr. High team, and Darren played a variety of positions on Bald Eagle Youth Soccer's team TNT. I volunteered as registrar for the youth soccer program. With all of the kid's fall activities Eric and I spent a lot of our time in concession stands and on bleachers. We also had the opportunity once again to work at a Penn State concession stand with a group from our church. Now that the fall activities have wound down we are thankful for a bit of a break as we look forward to the holiday. 

Mother's Day

For me it's been a year of growth and blessing, but it hasn't been an easy one. I struggled with emotional issues for the first half of the year, but I am sure that God was working all things together for my good every step of the way. I am thankful that He brought me through that time and is helping me move forward in His plan for my life. 

Our 16th Anniver

Addressing our cards this year was a prayerful time for me as I remembered each recipient. Signing each card together as a family was also a very special event. May you find that 2013 is filled with more blessings than you can count, and may each one cause you to turn your heart to God in praise and thanksgiving. Jesus gave His life for us, let us live our lives for Him.

 ♥JMH♥