You’re Just Like Your Father 

Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth 
Malachi 3:3 “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver” (NIV).

Friend To Friend
The story is told of a group of women who met each week to study the Bible, hoping to learn more about the nature and character of God and how He works in our life. The women were puzzled and even a little troubled by the description of God they found in Malachi 3:3, “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” One of the women offered to do a little research on the subject and report back to the group at their next meeting. The woman found a local silversmith and made an appointment to observe him at work, explaining that she was particularly interested in the process of refining silver. She watched as the craftsman carefully selected a piece of silver for his demonstration. She thought the piece of silver was already beautiful but evidently the silversmith saw something that she could not see. As he held the silver over the furnace, the craftsman explained that in refining silver, the silver had to be placed in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest so all of the impurities would be burned away.

The woman was silent for a moment as her thoughts drifted to the fiery trials she was facing in her own life. Honestly, she did not get it. Why would a loving God allow His children to suffer when He could so easily deliver them? In fact, why does God even allow bad things to happen to people who are seeking Him and really trying to live for Him?

The woman asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. “Oh, yes!” he replied. “I cannot take my eyes off the silver. If it is left in the furnace even a moment too long, it will be destroyed.” The woman suddenly understood the beauty and comfort of Malachi 3:3, “He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.”

Yes, there are times when it seems as if we will be swallowed whole by the fires of Hell itself. The pain seems too hard to bear. The fear is paralyzing. The doubt is overwhelming and questions flood our heart and mind.

Is God really who He says He is?

Will He really do what He says He will do?

Will He really keep His promises?

Our trials are not random persecutions. Heaven is not in a panic and where we are and what we are going through is no surprise to God. We may be knocked down and kicked around by life, but if we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we will not be destroyed.

Our lives are filled with excess baggage and waste - a cherished sin we refuse to relinquish or an addiction to which we are enslaved. What about the emotional garbage that weighs us down or our unforgiving spirit that holds us prisoner? Fiery trials come to burn away the guilt of sin and then purify our heart. From those ashes of freedom, the Father then creates a work of beauty.

I believe the words I just wrote. I know and accept the truth that trials and hard times make me stronger and strengthen my faith, but there are times when I want it all to stop. I find myself asking, “How much is enough, Lord? How many trials do I have to endure? When will the pain and trouble end?”

“How do you know when the silver is fully refined?” the woman asked. The silversmith smiled and answered, “Oh, that’s easy. The refining process is complete when I can see my image reflected in the silver.”

God is not committed to our comfort. He is committed to our character. Only God can exchange the ashes of our sin for the beauty of His forgiveness and grace. God alone can replace our despair with His peace that passes all understanding. Hope can only be found in Him. Our purpose in life is to know and become more like Jesus … and act just like our Father.  

Let’s Pray 
Father, I want to be more like You. Give me the strength to withstand the trials in my life. Help me love the people who are hard to love and forgive the people who have hurt and even abused me. Burn away the sin in my life and empower me to live for You. Create a clean heart in me, Lord, and teach me how to live for You.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn 
Journaling is a powerful spiritual discipline and habit that I encourage you to cultivate this year. A journal can be a spiral notebook or leather bound book. You may write in your journal every day or once a week. Your entry can fill an entire page or one line. How you journal is not nearly as important as the fact that you journal.

Record new truths and insights God gives you as you read and study the Bible. Write your prayers and thoughts. Create a section in your journal where you can record the promises God gives you. Below are a few entries from my journal.

God will direct my steps. Isaiah 48:10 “See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction” (NIV).

God will never leave me. Isaiah 43:2 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze” (NIV).  

God will always make a way for me. 1 Corinthians 10:13 ^“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be temptedbeyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (NIV).

I told you so. 

You don’t think.

It is your fault.

What is wrong with you?

I can’t do anything right to please you.

All you care about is yourself.

You never listen to me.

I don’t know why I put up with you.

What do you want now?

How many times do I have to tell you?

Words that should be said: 

I have been thinking about you all day.

What can I do for you today?

How can I pray for you today?

The best part of my day is when you _________.

You are one of God’s most precious gifts to me.

You are so wonderful.

You look handsome/beautiful today.

I don’t feel complete without you.

I will always love you.

I trust your decisions.

Be aware of the words you say. 

Lord, help me to use my words to build up rather than tear down. And Lord, when I am rejected, may I be still and quiet and not react but be slow to speak. Lord, being rejected - just a little bit reminds me of how I rejected you and it keeps me humble.  Your will Lord, be done. 

Praise You Lord! 

Thanks to S. Jaynes and her Girlfriends in God devotional. 

Scripture: 

Prov. 31.10  A good wife is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds.

Amen.

Michelle,  I just want you to know that you are a beautiful bride and I adore you more than you can imagine.  Michelle,  as you rest now, know that you are in the shadow of My wings, you are in My arms and I continually watch over you in every moment.  I have bestowed on you a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mouring, and a garmet of praise instead of a spirit of despair.  Michelle, you will be called an Oak of Righteousness . . a planting of MY splendor.

REST in that, YOU are deeply loved. 

God

PS — IF you are reading this — this applies to you as well- God feels the SAME way about you.  Repost this and put your name in this! 

PPS — Thank you Carla Marie and Karen — bless you. 

what a goof!   

The original St. Valentine - -was killed I believe for writing love poems to someone, I forget the tale;however, it was a sad one.

Why do some of our most ‘fun’ traditions start off as ‘sad’ things.  Hallmark?  Commericialism?    Money?   Not sure.  Random thoughts. 

Tomorrow is Valentines Day.  The one who did create this ‘hard’ concept of love was our true Father, our true Love, and our true HERO - God.

Lord, thank you for making the ultimate sacrifice of sending your son - that expression of love is something that astounds me.

I can’t even think about it at times — it hurts.

You created many types of ‘love’ - eros,  phillo,  agape . .and the one that Dr. Stanley spoke about last night on his show — ‘tengy’?   I am unsure, did I get that word right?  It does not matter - what matters is this —

No one can really truly love -unless they love you first.  Really.  I mean, kids love and we have puppy love - but it has to be YOUR love that binds and holds and YOUR love lasts. 

Lord,  I pray for my love and I pray for YOUR love to bind him. I know where I stand.  I am unsure about him.  Lord, I pray for our kids, that they will truly see and understand what YOU have done for them, and I pray they will receive a hunger for YOU like never before.  Lord, there are so many hurting people around me that I would not trade with  - sorry to say - but I am standing here, praying for each and every need, every want, and every heart - from the most ‘little’ need to the ‘biggest and life threatening one’.  Lord, for them - I lay all those requests at YOUR feet.  Lord, it is YOUR will that needs to be done and help me to see and be joyful in that… Until we all get ‘home’.  Lord, for today - for this step I believe I am now taking cause I want to - I love you Lord. Bless me today. I know this past week I have asked you several times - why and why and why - but, I know YOU are God.  I know YOU keep your promises and YOU are always Good. Thank you for the Many, no hundreds of blessings these past few days again - Watch every step. I have not fear - I have faith in YOU.  I believe in Miracles.  I know impossible is not a word, it is just a reason for someone not to try.  I love you Lord,  the enemy will never be able to make me doubt that. 

My Valentine a year ago - is the same one — I have heard YOU and I pray you will hold my heart tomorrow, I will already praise YOU for that.  I remember this life is temperal - it is.  I remember the day he taught us that illustration.  Thank you for that, thank you for working on him and I see tidbits .  or I think I do.  Thank you Lord.

Lord, one more thing — let me be used today.  Give me the words with P & A . thanks,  amen. 

Lord,  today is another day.  I am thankful for it. 

Lord, the prayer I typed yesterday — you made the stars — you named them and you know of the ‘new’ gray on my head today — each one of them is numbered and known by you.  That is just too hard to understand at times when it seems like it is so ‘dark’ here. 

But Lord, I will believe.  I will trust.  Lord, there are so many others  — so many who need to run to you and be healed - may that do that today —

Lord, it is an honor — to call you Daddy - and Hero — I love you - be with all of them who read and look at these posts,  may they be blessed. 

I love you Lord, - amen.

Lord,  blessed are the weak.  Lord, I pray for those hurting right now — you know whom they are.  For the one dealing with his cancer and his family is worried.  For the one who is dealing with her cancer and there is a new wrinkle in the treamtment.  For the one trying to seek YOUR will and be a wonderful wife but still work and follow Your path when her husband hasn’t and Lord for the one who is being attacked these past few weeks — they are all precious to me and I ask for each of them - help them.  Heal them.  Soothe them.  Lord, their families - comfort them.  May they see tremendous progress and healing — very soon.  Lord,  deliver me out of times of trouble.  Today I learned that trouble makes me appreciate everything more. Oh Lord, that my childrren would hunger for you and appreciate things more with out this trouble.  For him right now — that his ears would open.  That he would see and hear YOUr word and it would not return void.  REmove the scales — Lord I ask.  Lord,  for his parents who are hurting.  Lord, protect me — for the ones I have mentioned.  Lord, you are good all the time and in these times of ‘hurt’ and suffering it is hard to know that or see the ‘good’ in it — yet, that is a promise a character of You - you are good all the time.  You are.  You are.  Lord,  in your Psalm it says,  protect him and preserve his life, Lord, bless him in the land and not surrendaer him to the desire of his foes.  Lord, that goes for my man - I don’t want him to falter, to fall away, to run from you.  Lord, for my dear pals that need healing - don’t let them falter to the cancer that has attacked their bodies.  Lord, in Psalm 41 it says,  ‘have mercy on me, heal me  for I have sinned’.  Lord, for most of my ‘people’ whom I have requested prayer, I believe their hearts are in line with yours.  I believe they have sought you for forgiveness, but if they haven’t - Lord I pray they will.  If there is any sin, or unknown sin in my life- show me, so my prayers will be heard.  Lord,  it feels like our enemy is attacking in new and different ways - Lord, you know , we trust you and won’t listen to lies.  Lord, help us to be strong to not listen and to believe in You at all cost - at all times and for each situation.  Lord, in verse 11 of Psalm 41 it says,  I know that you are pleased with me - as my enemy is not going to triumph over me, what a beautiful promise, and I know the enemy won’t prevail.  IN the meantime, don’t let self pity and unbelief bring me or any of the ones I am praying for - - -however,  let your warring angels go ahead and attack what needs to be attacked as many of us are fighting a war in the heavenlies.  Lord, show mercy,  end this suffering soon.  Lord, but not my will - buy Yours be done.  Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting- amen

Lord, I thank you so much for the privledge to come to you and pray - I am trusting and I know you will hear and answer. 

Lord, — for Mary Ellen - for Amy — For RaeAnn’s DAd . for my man, for my kids- and for Ashley today — Lord,  for them I am most greatful. Bless them in a special way.  Again, thank you for hearing my plea. 

Amen. 

I love you Lord — always. 

Your daughter. 

20 years ago right now, I was sitting in a hospital bed, the doctor had taken a ‘hook’ and broke the bag of waters and I could hardly wait — as I had in my head that by lunch time, a baby  would be born. 

I have told this story often, I wanted a girl  but figured God would bless me with a boy.  So, as to not get my hopes up, I would always just sort of refer to the baby as a boy.  Anyway,  I had already been to the doctor the day before — to try and soften that cervix and I was two weeks overdue.  So,  today was the day.  February 6th, 1991.  The morning was spent hooked up to machines and getting pitosin.  The contractions began and continued and about every 30 min, a nurse would come in to check — ‘no’ is all I heard.  One finger dialated   maybe 1 and 1/2 .  .then a new person would come in and say “2fingers” and the doctor would come over and say - “no”.  By 5pm the doctor had sent Brendan for supper and we talked.  He stated he would let me go until 7pm.  (later he would tell me that he knew I would be having a c-secion)  Anyway,  7 game, the pain was awful and I was so so so so tired.  The decision was made to get me to the O.R.  She was born at 9:06 I believe  or maybe 8:56 . . the baby book is too far away to check and I am ‘old’. . Anyway,  they put her on my chest — and those cheeks were the softest thing I had ever felt.  Wow —it was a girl.  And after the ‘hard’ way of getting her out — I was able to pick the name.  I wanted a Taylor - Brendan wanted McKenzie, but I won out. 

Can you imagine her with any other name? 

She was a treasure to begin with and she still is. 

This beautiful young woman is sold on Jesus, will tell you like it is, and she has the most outstanding personality.  And she is just plain - perfect. 

I love her so, and as each day passes I hear her heart, I see her spirit and I can’t wait to see what God will bring for her in this season of her ‘20’s’ - - -

As a parent, you want so much more for your children, all I want for this girl, is the Lord’s blessing.  I want her to have the freedom to know how loved she is, I want her to see God’s handiwork all around her, and I want her to do HIS will day in and day out. 

I believe she has a calling upon her life and I can see the pieces of the puzzle begin to be placed  .. . she is truly a blessing. 

And, I can honestly begin to say, she is a dear friend of mine, besides being my daughter.  I love her so.

Lord,  she gave me this verse some time ago - Exodus 14.14, The Lord fights for me, I need only be still.  I see how you have guided and blessed this life, I pray a continued blessing upon her. May she be a mighty prayer warrior for her friends, her co-workers and her family.  May she be blessed with all the desires of her heart - and she has a list Lord.  Ha!  And Lord,  keep her in the shadow of YOUR wings. 

Lord, thank you for the ‘hard’ labor some 20 years ago - it was ALL worth it. 

Taylor, I love you - tremendously.  Always.

Your mom,  michelle

aka “ma”

Lord, today I realized something. You already know my revelation but I want to share it again and place it on this blog . .for my kids to read.  I am careful to choose my words wisely but I know that this is not me typing — but the H/S speaking through this vessel.

I realized that You love me as much as You loved Job.  That was revelation to me.  I mean, I have stated I know you love me and I believed it and I knew it or I know it but I never FELT in the ‘same league’ as Job or as David or as Ruth or Ester … but today, I realized I am . I am loved!!!  Wow.

Now, please don’t take my entire family, that is my flesh speaking, or allow me to suffer as Job did, but I feel like the enemy is up there asking You how much can I throw at her? I feel like I am being tested, being tried. I ‘ve had people send me the story of the refiner of silver and how he sits and watches the fire and pulls out the piece of silver at the right time, and at ‘perfection’ it is pulled out of the fire.  Too much or too less would not get the desired effect.  … . Lord, I am tired of being tried or fired but each day I draw closer to you and I learn more about you and I realize more of Your will, Your character, and of YOU  . . and I am very thankful for that.  Most thankful.

So, I have stated this for about a month now, and I can say it is true .  …I am thankful for the revelation of my earthquake that shook my life, shook my faith, shook and hurt my family, but mostly, I am thankful to be at this moment in time and know that I am in the CENTER of Your will.  To be in the middle of Your will may be hurtful or painful but there is joy here, peace here, and freedom.  True Freedom to know . …     .. so again, I am thankful. 

BTW this is my flesh, that earthquake shook us, but as we fight through this I want to see a house still standing just re-adjusted with a few cracks that will remind us often of YOUR love …please, I do not wish to find nothing left in the rubble. Hear my hearts cry.

Yesterday I went to see the empty shell of a body of a young man who 10 years ago was just a bubbly kid of faith — a kid at youth — my dear friend’s son. He was dancing and goofing around, and now he is with You.  Of course seeing him and his family brought forth many memories.  It certainly made me reflect and meditate on Your word.  I am so sorry for the loss of his life and now his parents and family will muddle through the coming days — how we did the same when Blake went home.  But they both are in YOUR house now.  .

Yesterday, for a brief moment, I wanted to ‘trade’ with him.  I wanted to by-pass my earthly life and be ‘home’ as right now, we are in this season of HARD.  Right now, I am in a valley but I know according to YOUR word that we must go through the valley to stand upon the mountain with You .. .that is a song. . right?  :)

 I don’t really want to check out early, but if my last day is or was today, I can honestly say, no regrets.  I do regret several choices that brough forth consequences that I am living with now and I do regret I never wanted to love you - like I do now - but YOU now have me clean and made new.  I am a new creation in your son Christ Jesus.  I am a new person.  This has been one of the greatest revelations because of this earthquake.  How I am different and made new.

As a child, I never felt loved and taken care of.  I established a fear of my dad, a fear of who was in authority and I see now as an adult that I was fearful of disappointing my teachers so I became a perfectionist.  I was fearful of my classmates and switched off best friends weekly as I seemed to be tossed back and forth.  And jealousy so played into so many things.   I was fearful of relatives, neighbors, and peope and therefore acted as I felt they WANTED me to be . . I was pleasing them and it was all about appearances. I never felt good enough.  When the cutest boy (in my opinion) noticed me, I really could not believe it.  And that fear eventually transferred over to him.  I began t do, think, and perform according to what I believed he wanted.  What I believed ‘they’ wanted.  What I believed I was suppose to do. Chelly - got lost.  Early in our marriage, that was not a  big deal — as we got busy, had the kids, and did what we were suppose to do.  But as our kids grew, as we grew and got older, it gave the enemy a spot to step in.  The enemy got a foothold into our lives.  We did not protect it.  And I say - we.  We did not.  I recognized that now.  I can only speak for myself and I won’t blame another .  … but, we lost a covering and our home became open for attack.  I believe that. 

I can now see, I had to have ‘this’ type of earthquake and this DEEP of a hurt.  This hurt had to be so severe to sever that love, it had to destroy a unhealthy love that I had and it allowed me to rethink  and reconstruct and know that I loved and still loved my husband but with a new understanding and with a deep and unconditional love. 

 The love I now have for him is different, but before I fell back in love with him, I had to really understand and believe that I loved my Lord more.  In the past few years, time and time again I had examples of when my  man and the people around me failed and time and time again, God clearly showed me — YOU —clearly showed me, that YOU had to be my hero. 

 You never failed me. 

You were my soul mate.  It took a bit.  (As I believe now that is why it was so easy to forgive him, because YOU had already set the groundwork.) I know it took longer to realize and know that I loved YOu Lord because I had listened to so many lies over the years and felt so unworthly and the  (God) father I had known, I was fearful of too.  I believe I was fearful of You.  So when YOU began to change my thinkiing, or I finally opened my eyes, I really knew that I knew I loved my Lord  - YOU - and HE  - YOU -loved me.  Therefore, I could now love a man who couldn’t return it.  I could honor a marriage where I could tell,  was falling apart.  And I could forgive and really fall back in love with a man I know YOU really gave to me.  You did that.  I know I did all that because I an a knew creation in YOU.  And I believe YOU want the same revelation for him as well.   It is God - YOU - in me that forgave him.  It is YOU in me, that daily holds me, loves me, protects, me and sustains me.  And it is my belilef in YOU and YOUR word that has given me peace in this valley.  It is YOU Lord.

‘for greater is he who is in Christ Jesus, than he who is in the world’ ..

You are in me.  I truly believe that when you really don’t love God -  how can you feel or say your love yourself,  and  then how do you really know who to love …yourself or anyone else? 

I am a different person.

I know I am dearly loved.

I know I am beautiful and esteemed in HIS sight.

I know I am blessed, chosen, accepted, adopted, forgiven and redeemed.

This earthquake has brought me closer to You.

Now I cry out, do what needs to be done so that my husband can experience this true freedom as well.

I am willing.

I know your will.

I am waiting on You.

Exodus 14.14 — My Lord fights for me, I need only to be still.

To my kids - Taylor and Hunter - you have a heritage of faith — I pray you can hear my faith in between the lines and I know that you both are deeply loved but more importantly — HE has you. 

amen

If I never write another post or post a facebook status, this morning I felt that THIS was the biggest lesson I needed to learn — that HE loves me, as much as each historical figure in the bible.  As much as he loves him, her, our children, and he loves all of the people and ‘freaks’ around me.  He loves and will do whatever it takes that — NONE shall perish. 

Oh Lord,  I am fighting here via prayer and faith that I will believe in what is unseen.  From the beginning, YOU have impressed upon me to ‘love him where he is at’ and I will continue to do that.  There is no panic session in heaven and YOU have been here all along.  Jesus has been interceeding for me - since before I was born and no matter how much I ‘try’ . . I now know - it is ONLY yOu.  That is revelation.  You are strength in my weakness and You are everything to me. 

Please, the gates of hell have been stormed on our behalf, we have claimed victory and many continue to hold us in prayer — Psm 16 and 17 .. .are my pleas these days.  You are the refuge I seek, may he seek YOU - today.  Today Lord,  remove the scales and let us begin the rest of our lives. 

Before I was always so concerned of what others thought - what he thought — now- it is only YOU, I want you glorified, this FREAK - wants to hear, ‘well, done my good and faithful daughter’ . 

 Bless him Lord by removing the scales, if not today — then soon.  But I will believe, I will believe and I won’t give up. I am believing enough for the both of us.

That is my testimony. That is a part of the ‘why’ . . thank you for explaining and showing that to me Lord, YOU answer all prayers. 

me

Hey Lord . . thank you .  Thank you seems LIKE JUST  a plain word or maybe even not the right words .. to really express how much — just how much I am grateful to you.  Lord,  thanks. 

If I could say it in every language .. or have a billboard out on 441 . I would do that  . over and over.  Lord, just thanks.

Over the past few weeks Lord, I have watched or ‘learned’ how you are really cementing into my brain certain things.  So, again  - I am humbled.

I know that I Know I am in the Lamb’s book of life.

I know that I know I am loved.

I know that I know . .this too shall pass.

I know that I know I am blessed, choosen, accepted, adopted, redeemed, forgiven and dearly loved. . Lord, your word states it and I feel it.

I know that I know my prayer and fasting for a particular event tomorrow is something that has proved to me — fruitful . already .. again I stand, by the power of the holy spirit in me and by the strength of the name of jesus .. .and rebuke the enemy’s attack of late on my loved one and I pray for a  real openness and breakthrough tomorrow.  Wrestle Lord . .and push and shove if you need to and win.  Remove the scales. 

But . first — fix in me, change in me what needs to be changed . .so I am ready and showing your glory.

I thank you for Sunday, Monday night  and those prayer warriors.  I also thank you for this eve . . your word and 1 Peter 5.  Lord, for the sharing . .the battle on behalf of me and my loved one  and for my kids. .

Lord, thanks . .

Lord, each day is a new day. Each day you bring wonders in all areas . I want to be used by you and do your work .. . I want to have more ‘gold’ stars  . cause I planted a seed or I was faithful or I did what you wanted . .but again — it is all because of you and only you. . Praise your name —

thank you lord, me