Cindy Finley

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Archives for November 2013

November 30, 2013 By cindyfinley

What opportunities is the Lord opening to you?

While Paul sat under guard in house prison in Rome, God stirred the hearts of believers more than 800 miles away.  Ten years had passed since Paul and Timothy met Lydia and her friends riverside. 
Gathered for worship and prayer, the women welcomed Paul into their midst.  He told them about Jesus. And God opened Lydia’s heart to pay attention to every single word he said.
Ten years ago, Lydia said, “Yes!” and went into the waters of baptism giving the world an outward picture of an inward reality.  Family, friends, and servants in her household followed her example and went down into the river.  Ten years ago, a church was born.

Ten years ago, Lydia’s home became a place of welcome for Paul and Timothy, and a place of worship, prayer, study, fellowship for the growing number of believers.  When Paul, in annoyance, freed a slave girl from demonic oppression and was throne in prison, people gathered in Lydia’s home for prayer. 
Ten years ago, when Paul and Timothy’s prayers rose to heaven and mingled with those rising from Lydia’s home, God unlocked their chains and brought a jailer and his household to faith. And before Paul and Timothy left town, they visited Lydia and encouraged her in her newborn faith.    
It’s been ten years.  And now God has opened the opportunity for this still-young church to revive their concern for Paul.  

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me.
You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.
Not that I am speaking of being in need,
for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.
In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret 
of facing plenty and hunger,
abundance and need.
I can do all things through him who strengthens me. 

Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.
And you Philippians yourselves now that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia,
no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.
Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.
Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.
I have received full payment, and more.
I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent,
a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his reaches in glory in Christ Jesus.
To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Greet every saint in Christ Jesus.  
The brothers who are with me greet you.
All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. 
Philippians 4:10-23
God stirred the hearts of this still-young church.  And even though they had their outward threats and inward struggles, they collected an offering, an over-and-above gift to care for their brother, friend, and pastor.  God opened an opportunity for the church of Philippi.
What opportunities is the Lord opening to you?  
Because the church of Philippi came together to send a financial gift to Paul, we have the book of Philippians.  Paul received their gift and sat down to write them a thank-you letter.  But it became so much more than a thank-you letter.  
Paul’s thank-you letter was exhortation and encouragement to this growing church to live out their faith with passion and perseverance.  
When we recognize and respond to the opportunities God opens to us, we can be sure that 

~people will be blessed,
~the Kingdom will advance, and
~God will take care of us.  

What opportunities is the Lord opening to you?  
We’ve been gathering riverside for fourteen weeks.  We’ve gone passage-by-passage, sometimes verse-by-verse through the book of Philippians.  It’s been a journey of joy and I’ve been blessed.  Thank you for joining me!  
Tomorrow, we’ll begin Promise.  Our goal is simple — to prepare our hearts to welcome the promised  Christ child.  Would you do me a favor and subscribe?  All you have to do is put your name in the little box up-and-to-the-right.  This way every post will land right in your inbox.  And if you like what you’ve been reading here, would you share cindyfinley.com  with your friends?  As always, I love to hear from  you.  You can comment right her, connect with me on Facebook, or email me at cynthiafin@gmail.com.  

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November 29, 2013 By cindyfinley

Can we welcome one another in Christ Jesus? What do you think?

Frost settled heavy along the Western Front.  It was Christmas Eve, 1914.  Triggered nearly five months before by the assassination of the Austrian Archduke Ferdinand, the Great War was five months old. Most had thought the war would be a quick and relatively painless affair.  But in just a few short months, more than a million were dead.  And the end was not in sight.

Near the French village of La Chapelle d’Armentieres, the Second Queens Regiment heard an unusual commotion in the German trenches.

Carefully Private Albert Moren peered across No Man’s Land.  What he saw puzzled him.  It looked like trees, Christmas trees, lining the edge of the trenches.  Candlelight twinkled on the branches.  And from behind enemy lines, German voices rose,

Stille Nacht, heilige Nacht,

Alles schläft; einsam wacht

Nur das traute hochheilige Paar.

Holder Knabe im lockigen Haar,

Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!

Schlaf in himmlischer Ruh!


Up and down the Western Front, hearts of opposing soldiers rose together.  Back and forth they sang carols that crossed enemy lines.  “O Come All Ye Faithful” mingled with “Adeste Fidelis”

Come and behold him
Born the King of Angels
O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him,
O come let us adore him,
Christ the Lord.

Captain Josef Sewald of Germany’s 17th Bavarian Regiment shouted out calling for a Christmas truce. At first there was silence.  But then the British shouted, “No shooting.” Two soldiers emerged from their respective side and met in the middle and shook hands.

Goodwill spread down the front. Clusters of German, British, and Scottish soldiers met in small clusters exchanging plum pudding, cigarettes, and kicking around soccer balls.

As the morning dawned, the wonder of this Christmas Day continued.  Germans and Brits helped one another bury their dead who had, by necessity, been left frozen in No Man’s Land.  Enemy soldiers came together for an impromptu service.  Heads were bared and psalms were read in English and in German.

Enemy soldiers declaring a truce for the sake of goodwill.  And yet, we, who supposedly are citizens of heaven, daughters and sons of the King, members of a royal priesthood struggle to shake hands.

Greet every saint in Christ Jesus.
The brothers who are with me greet you.
All the saints greet you, especially those of Casesar’s household.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Philippians 4:21-23

The believers in Philippi had their differences.  Battered by legalists and wearied by arguing women, Lydia and her brothers and sisters had reason to divide.  Yet they came together over a gift.

Together they pooled together their finances to support their brother, their friend, their spiritual father.  They gave sacrificially and joined hands and hearts.  They called a truce for the sake of goodwill, for the sake of a greater cause.  

Can we do the same? 

Paul understood that

  • putting aside differences and choosing humility,
  • suffering for the sake of Christ, 
  • holding fast to the word of life,
  • rejecting religious legalism and choosing love, 
  • counting all things loss to know Jesus, 
  • forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
  • agreeing in the Lord when you hold opposing views

is hard.

He understood that divisions, and factions, and arguing are part of the sad human condition, even for those in the household of faith.  And yet, As Paul closes out his letter, he encourages them and us …

Welcome one another in Christ Jesus.  

You and I, we may disagree over some pretty significant things.  But, if we are in Christ Jesus, we can welcome one another.  We can come together over the silent night, and behold Jesus, and adore him together.  Greet every saint in Christ Jesus.  

Welcome one another in Christ Jesus.  

The ones who are with us, in our very own household.  The ones who hold our views, who are easy to be with.  The ones who speak our language, worship our way, live our way.  The brothers who are with me greet you.  

Welcome one another in Christ Jesus.

The ones in enemy camp, Caesar’s household.  The ones who have different experiences, different expressions.  Whose choices challenge our understanding of the Kingdom. All the saints greet you, especially those in Caesar’s household.  

Welcome one another in Christ Jesus.

The Christmas Truce ended at 8:30 on the morning of December 26, 1914.  Capt. Charles Stockwell of the Second Royal Welch Fusiliers fired three shots and put up a flag.  “Merry Christmas” it said.  The German captain lifted a sheet saying, “Thank you” and appeared on the parapet.  Both captains bowed and saluted.  The German captain descended back into the trench, fired two shots.  And the war was on, once again.

For us, we can stop the war.  We can recognize that even with our diverse opinions and strong convictions, we can join hands and hearts for a greater cause.  We can agree to disagree, and choose love.  We can welcome one another in Christ Jesus.

Let’s get a bit personal.  Is there someone in your life who you have refused to welcome?  Is today the day to pickup the phone can call your own Christmas truce?  Is there someone that you need to welcome today?  

I’d love to hear your thoughts.  Do you think it’s possible to agree to disagree and choose love?  To welcome one another in Christ Jesus?  Or am I just being naive?  What do you think?  

Tomorrow is the last day of Riverside.  We have been gathering here since late August journeying slowly through the book of Philippians.  If you’ve been here all the way through, or are just joining us today, I’d love your feedback.  Please leave a comment, or email me at cynthiafin@gmail.com.  

On Sunday, I will begin Promise.  I’ll be posting every day with the singular goal of preparing you and me to welcome the promised Christ child.  Join me?

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November 27, 2013 By cindyfinley

4 Blessings You Can Expect When You Trust God with 100% of Your Money

“Welcome! I”m so glad you’re here!”  Lydia speaks to each person who comes into her home.  She’s excited about the evening.  She’s looking forward to sharing dinner with friends.  But she is even more excited to share with them an idea she has.   

A simple meal of bread, figs, and cheese is spread.  Several of her friends add wine and olives.  


As they sit down together, Lydia can hardly wait to tell them what she is thinking.  “You all remember Paul, right?”  

“Of course we do, Lydia.”  The burly man passes an olive to his wife and she smiles back at him.  

Lydia grins and thinks back to the night that this jailer met Paul and Silas.  He had been on guard the night that they landed in prison.  He pushed them down the stairs into to the inner jail.  He fastened their feet in stocks.  And he sat guard at the top of the stone steps, listening as Silas and Paul prayed and sang and prayed and sang. 

“Who are these men?” he thought as he did the unthinkable …  and drifted off to sleep.  

Suddenly, the floor began to shake and the foundation began to shift beneath the stone prison.  The doors of the cells flew open. And the shackles binding the prisoners clicked open as if keys had been simultaneously inserted in the locks of each and every one.  

The jailer jerked awake to the chaos of an earthquake in progress.  As the foundation buckled beneath his feet, his eyes landed on the open doors to Paul and Silas’ cell. 



His mind flew threw the possibilities and settled on his only option.  He thought of the wife and children he would leave, but as he drew his sword from its sheath, he knew he had no choice.  Before he could send the blade through his heart, Paul called out, “Don’t kill yourself.  We are all here!”

The sword clattered to the ground.  In disbelieve the jailer called, “Torch! I need a torch!” And when he peered down into the inner prison he saw that this prisoner, Paul, told the truth.  



He had heard their singing.  He had heard their praying.  And now he saw with his eyes that something was different about these men.  Somehow Paul and Silas had been given the opportunity to escape, but they didn’t.  They stayed right there. Whatever they had, he wanted.

Of course he remembered Paul.  

Lydia smiled at her dear friend. “Well, I was praying last night, and God kept bringing Paul to my mind.  You all know he’s in Rome now and in house prison. I believe God wants us to send a gift to him just like we did when he left us to go to Macedonia. Just like we did when he was in Thessalonica.”  

Epaphroditus jumped up. “Yes! And I’ll take it to him!”

Over the course of a few days, Epaphroditus prepared himself and a team to travel the long road to Rome.   

Throughout the city, people began to talk about the early days of the church in Jerusalem when believers sold their possessions and used the proceeds to care for those in their midst.  They prayed, and talked, and sold their possessions, and laughed as they brought the money to Lydia.  

With tears and joy, she finally had to say, “Enough, my friends. We have enough.” 

The next day, believers met at Lydia’s house.  They gathered around Epaphroditus and his team.  They laid hands on them and prayed for their safety, and health, and for Paul.  They prayed God would use their sacrifice to advance his Kingdom and bless Paul.  

But the blessing isn’t only for Paul.  The blessing is also for the Philippians.  

Not that I seek the gift,
but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.
I have received full payment, and more.
I am well supplied, 
having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent,
a fragrant offering,
a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.
And my God will supply every need of yours
according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Philippians 4:17-20
Lydia and the believers in Philippi trusted God with their finances.  Just like the early church, they gave sacrificially to support a brother.  They gave sacrificially to support a cause they believed in.  They gave sacrificially to see God’s Kingdom advance in the world.  And they were blessed.  
When we open our fist and trust God with 100% of our money, we can expect blessing.  Here are 4 blessings you can expect when you trust God with 100% of your money.  

1. Interest

Your earthly treasures aren’t bad.  They just don’t bring the return that they will if you invest them in the causes that are on God’s heart.  Lydia and her friends knew this.  When you invest in eternity, you are making an investment that truly will last, and will actually increase in value. You get interest.  

2. Partnership

When you financially support organizations that match your passions, you are partnering with them to advance causes that you believe in.  You get to join in their work and become a co-laborer.  You get partnership.  

3. Worship

When we release our treasure for God to use for his purpose, he views that as worship.  When Jesus died on the cross, his death was a fragrant offering.  Our financial support of the causes that are on his heart brings God pleasure. Giving becomes a spiritual act of worship.  You get worship. 

4. Provision

Honestly, when we choose to give sacrificially, we won’t be able to buy as much stuff.  But God promises that he will make sure that we have what we really need.  Not want, but need.  And honestly, what we need most of all is the provision of Christ in us and with us all the time.  You get provision.  

When we open our fists and trust God with our 100% of our money, we can expect that God will bless us.  What causes is God inviting you to join him in advancing?  What organizations or individuals is he asking you to financially support?

Leave a comment and tell me know an organization or two that you love to financially support.  Be sure and leave a link too so that we can check them out.  

I’m so glad you’ve joined us Riverside!  Welcome!  Lydia’s heart was opened to the gospel when Paul met her and her friends by the riverside.  He told them about Jesus and Lydia said, “I’m in!”  From this little gathering of praying and worshipping women, a church was born.  My desire is to see women gather, just like Lydia and her friends to learn about Jesus and declare “I’m in!”  If you’d like to tell me a bit about your journey, I’d love to hear from you.  Just write me at cynthiafin@gmail.com.

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November 26, 2013 By cindyfinley

Let’s Stop Rejoicing in the Asbestos

As I washed dishes at the sink of our rented home in Crozet, VA, a friend came in through the kitchen door.

“Cindy, it’s good to see you in a house like this.”

As I dried my hands on the dish towel, I smiled a little, because it was the polite thing to do.  But I didn’t feel like smiling.

The house like this was a paradise for the kids with its secret spaces and turret tower. But it had problems.  And this friend knew it.  Asbestos peaked through the linoleum in the kitchen.  No air conditioning meant the summer was brutal.  Poor plumbing meant sewage backed up in the basement.  Lack of insulation meant the crawl space above our daughters’ room was home to yellow jackets.

I asked my friend why she thought a house like this was good.

“Well, you know, being in ministry, it’s good for people to see that you can live like this.”

God used that house
     ~to teach me about contentment,
     ~to teach me that provision doesn’t always mean bigger and better,
     ~to teach me that I really can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

But he also taught me about kindness through the friends who welcomed our family of eight into their home for a week when the heat got to be too much, and the ones who prayed for a different home for our family, and the ones who cheered when God did provide.

***

Paul was okay, when he faced loss of reputation, financial hardship, and physical deprivation.  He was okay because he had learned the secret of contentment in the classroom of suffering.  He was okay because he could do all things through Christ.

Paul was okay, and we were too in that house in Crozet.  Yet the kindness of friends who shared in our trouble showed me more about the love of Christ than the one who rejoiced in asbestos, and sewage, and yellow jackets.  

Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.
And you Philippians yourselves know 
that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia , 
no church entered into partnership with me 
in giving and receiving, except you only.
Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.
Philippians 4:14-16
When we are kind enough to practically come alongside a friend in her concern, we are showing her the love of Christ.  Instead of celebrating the challenges, celebrate that God is with her in the challenges.  And then consider how you can be an answer to her prayers. Stop rejoicing in the asbestos and start sharing in each other’s trouble.  
Show her kindness

That person in your life who’s experiencing something hard … she needs your kindness.  In the midst of her trouble, she doesn’t need you to tell her how much shes learning, that all things work together, or even that this will pass.  She needs your kind words.  Show her kindness.    

Share her trouble

If you can help bear the financial burden, do it.  Show your confidence in Christ’s provision for your own needs by helping her out.  Bear one another’s burdens.  Share her trouble.  

Shine the light

Your help may be just what she needs to see the light of Christ.  When trouble dims our vision, sometimes it’s hard to lift our eyes.  Do what you can to shine the light of Christ into her life.  

Here’s the deal.  Christ did give us everything we needed to deal with the challenges of living in that house in Crozet.  He taught us that we can do all things through him.  But he also used the kindness of friends to help us bear the burden and experience his love.  Maybe he wants to use you to bear someone else’s burden, to experience his love.  Let’s stop rejoicing in the asbestos and start sharing in each other’s trouble.
Is there someone in your life who needs you to show her the love of Christ today?  

You’re Riverside!  Welcome! Just like Lydia gathered with her girlfriends by the river in Philippi, we’re gathering here.  And I’m so thankful for this growing community of women.  I’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment or email me at cynthiafin@gmail.com.  

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November 25, 2013 By cindyfinley

The Secret Learned in the Classroom of Suffering

Would you like to learn the secret of contentment?  

Paul grew up in the lap of luxury.  He had the best schools, the grandest home.  He had the promise of power, position, and prestige as he grew into manhood.  He was living the dream.

Then on the road to Damascus, he met Jesus. Everything changed.  Everything.

For three days Paul sat with scaled eyes in the house of a man named Judas.  He didn’t eat.  He didn’t drink.  For three days, he sat in darkness until, at the hand of a disciple named Ananias, Paul experienced his personal resurrection.

“Brother, the Lord Jesus has sent me to you  so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

The stone rolled away, the scales fell from his eyes, and Paul emerged from his personal tomb into new life.

What Ananias knew and what Paul would learn is that he must suffer greatly for the sake of Jesus.  (Acts 9:1-19)

And he did suffer.

  • Beaten with fists, beaten with whips, beaten with rods. 
  • Stoned, shipwrecked, adrift at sea.
  • In danger from rivers, robbers, Jews, Gentiles. 
  • Danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers. 
  • Toil, hardship, sleeplessness, hunger, thirst, cold, exposure.
  • And not to mention … concern about all the churches he established.  (2 Corinthians 11:23-28)

But somehow suffering didn’t make Paul bitter.  Instead, suffering became his classroom for learning the secret of contentment.  

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly
that now at length you have revived your concern for me.
You were indeed concerned for me,
but you had no opportunity.
Not that I am speaking of being in need,
for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
I know how to be brought low,
and I know how to abound.
In any and every circumstance,
I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:10-13
I love that Paul says he learned the secret of contentment. It didn’t come naturally.  He learned the secret of contentment by trusting in Jesus in each and every situation he faced.  He learned the secret of contentment in the classroom of suffering.  



And most likely, in the classroom of suffering  is where you and I will learn the secret of contentment.  

You and I … we can do all things through Christ.  

When we face the loss of reputation because we are committed to pleasing God rather than pleasing me, we are learning the secret of contentment.

When we face financial hardship because we are supporting God’s Kingdom rather than building our own, we are learning the secret of contentment.

When we face hunger because we are choosing to identify with our brothers and sisters around the world who have no choice but to be hungry, and thirsty, and homeless, we are learning the secret of contentment.

Will you choose learn the secret of contentment in the classroom of suffering?




When we learn the secret of contentment in the classroom of suffering, we’re able to handle even times of plenty through Christ.   

And then when our Thanksgiving table is overflowing with bounty … we receive the blessing from the hand of God.  All things through Christ.

When the bonus comes through … we turn to Christ and thank him for his provision.  All things through Christ.

When the masses are singing our praises …  we receive the accolades with grace and point to the one who gives the gifts. All things through Christ.  

Will you choose to embrace the secret of contentment even in times of plenty?

In the classroom of suffering, we learn that our contentment doesn’t depend upon our circumstances.  Contentment becomes deeper than situational.  And we have a secret that enables us to be content regardless of plenty, regardless of want.

The secret learned in the classroom of suffering?  You and I … we can do all things through Christ.  

What secrets have you learned in the classroom of suffering?  How has suffering enabled you to be content in plenty and in want?  What are you learning to do through Christ who gives you strength?

Thank you for joining us Riverside!  Since the end of August, we have been walking verse-by-verse through the book of Philippians.  I’m so glad you’re here!  To make sure that you don’t miss a post, subscribe by putting your name in the little box up-and-to-the-right.  Thanks so much!      

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November 22, 2013 By cindyfinley

What You Can Expect When You Press On, Put Behind, and Pull Together

I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord.
Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women,
who have labored side by side with me in the gospel
together with Clement and the rest of my follow workers,
whose names are in the book of life.
Rejoice in the Lord always;
again I will say, Rejoice.
Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.
The Lord is at hand;
do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally brothers,
whatever is true, whatever is honorable whatever is just,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable,
if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise,
think about these things.
What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me–
practice these things,
and the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:2-9
Joining hands and hearts to partner together to advance the gospel requires the laying aside of differences.  And when this happens there is cause for rejoicing.  Because choosing to set aside real things, for the sake of that which is more real, is always a miracle.  Would you choose?
God is near.  So near.  In the hard, hard now … God is near.  Trust him.  Run to him.  Rely on him.  In everything.  Everything.  And he will bring the peace that is beyond the best that this world has to offer.  
Would you trust?
So many needs clamor for your attention.  And the biggest lie of all is that you can fix them.  When your mind gets blinded by this savior-lie, you can’t see straight.  You rush past the true, the honorable to  what is demanding most loudly.  Would you pause?
What you have learned and received and heard and seen … live out.  And as you  press on, put behind, and pull together… God will be with you.  The God of peace will be with you.  He will. Would you live?  

Would you leave a comment and share what has been particularly meaningful to you in Riverside this week?  

I am so grateful for your prayers for me and our family.  I am praying for Jennifer, Natasha, Beth, Alecia and her family, Elizabeth, Lynne and her family.  Would you join me in praying for all the women who gather Riverside?  That together we would choose, and trust, and pause and live out all that the Lord is teaching us as we sit at his feet?  I love being here with you.  And if you’d like to get in touch with me directly, here’s my email address — cynthiafin@gmail.com. 
Next week is Thanksgiving week and our last week Riverside in Philippians.  I am so thankful for you and for all the Lord has taught me as we have gathered here together.  
Beginning December 1, we will turn our attention to welcoming Jesus, this one who we have learned left behind his rightful place and took on the form of a babe.  Last year I provided a Jesse Tree scripture guide and offered a template for the ornaments.  I will make that available again, but I’m adding in a devotional right here, each day for you and your household.  If you’d like the template for the ornaments, email me and I’ll send it out to you.  

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November 21, 2013 By cindyfinley

How to Stop Surrendering to the Father of Lies

We surrender far too easily.  The thoughts come, folks, and we just let them come.  The Father of Lies whispers, and we listen.  We set the rewind button and play that same old destructive tape again and again and again.  We wave the white flag and give up without a fight.

But we don’t have to.  We don’t have to surrender to the Father of Lies.  

Finally brothers,
whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, 
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, 
if there is any excellence, if there is anything praiseworthy, 
think about these things.
What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me —
practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:8-9

When the Father of Lies whispers in your ear, don’t surrender.  Here’s how … Take the thoughts captive to the foot of the cross…
 … and replace them with thoughts that meet these 8 criteria:  

1. True

What you’re thinking about … Is it true? Jesus and his word are true.  The enemy is the father of lies.  A deceiver.  Consider what you’re thinking about.  Consider the self-talk.  Is it true?  

2. Honorable

Who are you thinking about?  Not just passing a passing thought, but thinking about it a way that you want to emulate.  Is she honorable?  Does he carry the presence of God into his world?  Who are you thinking about?  

3. Just

What activities do you think about?  Do you think about work that advances God’s passion for the oppressed, for the widow, for the orphan?  Consider engaging in causes that magnify God’s heart for justice.  Does the activity you’re considering reflect God’s passion?  

4. Pure

Is your thought life pure?  With so much media stimulation, this is so hard. Protect your eyes. Get  protection on your computer, and every computer in your household.  Look away from the magazines in the checkout line.  And teach the boys in your home to look at girls’ faces.  Are your thoughts pure?  

5. Lovely

Are you thoughts winsome?  Lovely thoughts are more than just beautiful thoughts.  They are thoughts that call forth love in others.  When you think about the people in your life, think about the qualities that you find amazing, and wonderful, and dear.  Choose to think gracious thoughts, generous thoughts, kind thoughts. Do your thoughts call forth love?

6. Commendable

If you speak your thoughts about someone, would it add to their good reputation?  Choose to see the positive, think the positive, and consider the positive that you could publicly say about the people in your life.  Be specific.  Do you think about people in a way that would add to their good reputation?

7. Excellence

When you see excellence in this world, do you take time to think about it?  Are you able to appreciate excellence, or does seeing excellence in someone else stir up jealousy? Choose to recognize and value virtue, a job done well, a person fulfilling their purpose.  Do you pause to appreciate excellence? 

8. Praiseworthy

Do you celebrate the everyday accomplishments that God says is good?  Pause and notice life-giving activities of the people in your life.  The cup of water offered.  The door held open.  The kind word spoken.  Notice, think, and express the beauty of these moment.  Do you think about the praiseworthy in the everyday?  

What would your life be like
  • if you would stop surrendering to the Father of Lies? 
  • if you would stop waving the white flag and deliver the lies to the foot of the cross?
  • if you would replace the lies with thoughts truth and honor and justice and purity and loveliness
  • If you would appreciate excellence and affirm the good?

Let’s do it.  Let’s stop surrendering to the Father of Lies.  Are you with me?  

You’ve joined us Riverside!  Welcome!  We’ve been going verse-by-verse through Philippians since the end of August.  We only have one more week left and then we’ll launch into and Advent series.  If you haven’t subscribed please put your email address in the little box up-and-to-the-left. That way every post will land right in your inbox.  Thanks so much!  

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November 20, 2013 By cindyfinley

What do you do with the 8%?

What would it be like if you kept track of everything that you worried about?

One woman did this and here’s what she found:

  • 40% of the things she worried about were things that would never happen.
  • 30% of the things she worried about were things that already had happened.
  • 12% of the things she worried about were other peoples’ opinions.
  • 10% of the things she worried about were baseless health concerns.
  • 8% of the things she worried about were legitimate since life does have some real concerns to face.  

Life does have some real concerns.  That’s what I’m talking about.  The 8%.  The real concerns.  Not what will never happen, what has already happened, what someone else thinks, or the health issues you’re dreaming up.

In our family, we’ve got some 8% right now.  Real stuff.  Jobs, housing, schooling.  Real stuff.  I’m sure you do too.

So, what do we do with the 8%?  

Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7

Pray

Replace the worry with prayer.  Every time the worry creeps in, use it as a trigger to pray.  Prayer is simply talking with God.  God knows your needs. But when you talk to him about it, you are opening the way for him to give you his perspective.  Talk to God about your 8%.  

What 8% worry do you need to replace with prayer?  Pray.  

Petition

Prayer’s not a “one and done.”  With the 8% we’re going to need to come back to God again and again and again.  The 8% issues are often big deals that don’t get fixed overnight.  And, in all honesty, they don’t always get fixed the way we’d like.  Every time we start to worry, we need to go to God with it. 

Is there an 8% something you have stopped praying about? Petition.

Thank God

You always have something to be thankful for. Even in the midst of the 8%.  I’m not saying to thank him for death, or disease, or disaster.  But find the grace in the midst, seek his presence in the midst, and thank him. If the idea of thanking God in the midst of really, really hard stuff is too painful, let me recommend Ann Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts.  

In the midst of today’s 8%, what can you be thankful for?  Thank God.  

When you stop worrying about the 8% and start praying about the 8%, several things will probably happen:  

  • You’ll get God’s peace even when it doesn’t make sense. 
  • You’ll gain God’s perspective on your needs and your wants.  
  • You’ll set aside your pride and let other people know about your needs.  
  • You’ll see the body of Christ rise up and partner with God to help you with your needs.  
  • You’ll shine a picture of God’s love to the world as you show him as the one who faithfully cares for his children. 

What 92% do you need to set aside today?  What is the 8% that you need to pray about?

Would you share an 8% concern in the comments? And when you add a prayer request, please pray for the person above you.  If it’s something so tender, please email me at cynthiafin@gmail.com, and I’ll pray for you.  I’m going to start us out.  

Monday – Friday we gather here at the Riverside.  Just like Lydia and her friends met together, we’re meeting together.  From that little gathering, a community was formed.  My hope is that as we gather Riverside, we’ll go deeper in our faith and begin to live out community in our world.  Join us?

Linking up at Woman2Woman and Imperfect Prose today.  Pop on over and add your blog to the party!

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November 19, 2013 By cindyfinley

Fruit Comes from Roots Sent Deep

God brings the same truth to me again and again.  I know it deeply.  I feel it deeply.  And I need it so deeply.

When roots go down deep into streams of living water,
faith will come, hope will come, love will come, joy will come.

Fruit comes from roots sent deep.    


Rejoice in the Lord always;
again I will say, Rejoice.
Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.
The Lord is at hand. 

Philippians 4:4-5


In the Lord.  He is the only source of real joy.  Real joy, even through tears, is possible in the Lord.  

~When women argue and bicker,
~When cancer riddles our bodies and we can only think of the Day when all this will be done,
~When people who seemed so holy get shown for what they truly are,
~When what’s behind threatens to catch up with us and shame us and break our hearts again,
~When people who should know better exchange relationship with Christ for religion…


It is possible to rejoice in the Lord.  And writing the same thing to you again, and again, and again is no trouble for me.

In the Lord.

In the quiet place, the quiet space, the quiet time that you may be able to find only behind the locked door of your bathroom … choose to send your roots deep.

When diagnosis, division, disaster, divorce, death hits, there is no rejoicing in these.

But there can be, as impossible as it sounds, rejoicing in the Lord.

He is near.  So close.  At hand.  There is no separation, condemnation.  There is only closeness.  The veil has been torn and the way is opened.  He is near.  Send your roots deep.  

“Abide in me,” Jesus said.  Make your home in me.  Dwell in me.  Live in me.  Cultivate intimacy with me.  Know me. And when you do …  authentic, genuine, reasonable fruit will come from your life.  Fruit comes from roots sent deep.  

Don’t worry so much about rejoicing.  Don’t worry so much about producing.  You will wear yourself out with that.  Choose to send your roots down deep.  Joy will come.  Authentic faith will come.   Fruit comes from roots sent deep.  

Fruit comes from roots sent deep.  

Thoughts? Questions? Comments?  I’d love to hear from you!  And if you’re wondering how to send your roots deep, here’s a good place to start.  

This is Riverside.  Just like Lydia gathered with women by the river, that’s what we’re doing.  I’m so glad you’ve found us.  If you put your email address in the little SUBSCRIBE box up-and-to-the-right, these posts will come right to your inbox.  Pretty nifty, right?  And, if you’d like to get directly in touch with me, feel free to email me at cynthiafin@gmail.com.  I look forward to hearing from you!

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November 18, 2013 By cindyfinley

We’ve got to stop slashing each other to pieces.

Gideon has 300 men with him.  The battle ahead looks impossible.  



Down in the valley, several hundred thousand Midianites sleep. Gideon and his few sneak around the lip of the gorge with their hands full.  In one hand every soldier balances his torch covered by a ja of clay.  In the other they each carry a trumpet.  It’s dark out and they can barely see.  But what they do see is that this is a crazy battle plan.

3:00 am.  Time for the guard to change.  As the last watch settled into place, Gideon raised his trumpet to his lips and blasted the alarm. Immediately 300 trumpets answered back.
Men bolted upright in the camp.  As the trumpet call echoed through the canyon, they heard 300 jars smash, saw 300 torches blaze, and heard the battle cry strong and clear, “A sword for the Lord and a sword for Gideon!”

Knowing the Hebrew battle ways, every Midianite knew that each blazing torch represented 100 soldiers.  What they saw with their eyes told them that they were surrounded by 300,000 troops.  Only they weren’t.

This assumption sparked panic. And rather than pausing to assess the situation, identify the enemy, and work together in the fight, they screamed, grabbed their swords, and started slashing one another to pieces.   

Isn’t this what we do?

I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche
to agree in the Lord.
Yes, I ask that you also, true companion,
help these women,
who have labored side by side with me in the gospel
together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers,
whose names are in the book of life.
Philippians 4:2-3


Euodia and Syntyche were slashing each other to pieces.  Something came between these two women. Something that shouldn’t  divide.  Rather than standing shoulder-to-shoulder to battle the real enemy they were slashing each other to pieces.  
Have you ever been in this situation?  You have a falling out with a friend.  She says something that hurts your feelings.  Or you hear from someone else that she’s said something.  Rather than pausing to assess the situation, you jump to a conclusion, and the slashing begins.  
It’s unnecessary.  It’s harmful.  It hurts you.  It hurts people you really love.  It hurts your community. It dishonors God.  We’ve got to stop slashing each other to pieces.  Here’s how:
Agree in the Lord

Get Jesus at the center.  Agree that he is Lord.  Agree that you love him.  Agree that above all else, you will love him together.  Agree in the Lord. 

Get help

You need Jesus.  But you probably need someone else too.  Our kids have it right, don’t they? They come to us shouting, “Mom, he took my train.”  They know they need help to work out their issues.  Get help.  

Remember who you are

Stop acting like an idiot. Seriously.  Most likely what has got you so irritated is not that important.  Remember your history together, how you have worked together to advance the gospel in your corner of the world.  Remember who you are.  

Remember your destiny

Get perspective.  You are going to be with Jesus forever and forever.  Your names, both of your names, are written in the book of life.  You have an eternal future together.  Remember your destiny.

The argument you have with your friend … is it really that important? 
The division you are experiencing with your brother or sister in the Lord … is it worth it?  
The wall you’re erecting between you and your partner in the gospel … is it necessary?  
When we slash each other to pieces, the enemy wins.  
Can you be the first to extend the olive branch and agree in the Lord?  Even if you have to agree to disagree.  Even if you have to part ways  …   agree in the Lord and stop slashing each other to pieces.  
Do you know someone or several someones who need to read this?  Maybe you can get a conversation rolling by linking this post on your FB page.  And if you have thought or comment, I’d love to hear from you!
You’ve joined us Riverside!  Welcome!  We’re going verse-by-verse through the book of Philippians and I’m so glad you’ve joined us.  If you subscribe by putting your email address in the little box up-and-to-the-right, you won’t miss a post.  If you’d like to email me directly, I’d love to hear from you.  My email address is cynthiafin@gmail.com.  

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