Decluttering My Heart

Posted on By Tina "Richele" Ballinger No Comments on Decluttering My Heart
Blog Post

It seems there are times when the overwhelming sense of how quickly time is passing grips my heart and I find it hard to get my bearings. Each moment of each day seems to be full tilt ahead with little to no time to enjoy the journey or to sort through the events that are happening all around me. Over the past few weeks I have had the opportunity to join a wonderful group of women in a journey toward decluttering our lives and embrace a renewed relationship with Christ. As many are accomplishing great things around their homes bringing a sense of renewed peace to their spaces, I have found myself looking inward. I have spent time examining my heart inwardly. In my time of reflection I have discovered that I have allowed the changes, the difficulties, and the trauma associated with recent life events to overcrowd my heart with feelings that desperately needed to be “decluttered”. My thoughts, my actions, and my attitudes have been in such a swirl due to all of the clutter that I have allowed to pile up within my heart both spiritually and emotionally. As a result of this clutter, not only was I suffering mentally, spiritually, and emotionally, my physical well-being was suffering as well. There simply was no place within my heart for God and the Word that He was trying to speak to my soul due to the clutter that I kept sealed away within my heart. As a result, I was left feeling empty, alone, and afraid.

In turning to God’s Word, I discovered verses that have helped guide me through the process of “decluttering my heart” so that I could once again search for Him with my whole heart. A heart uncluttered with overwhelming feelings, struggles, and emotions from my past.

“Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”. Philippians 4: 6-7

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will harken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all of your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13

“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18-19

God wants me to let go of the past and move on toward what He has for me in each moment of each new day with a heart that is free from clutter; free from a cluttered heart that keeps me from being able to search for Him with an open heart !! He has plans for me, I no longer feel empty, I no longer feel alone, and I am no longer afraid. I know that there will be times that I will need to return to the feet of Jesus and declutter my heart, but for now I am resting in His promises that He will always be there to help guide me through that process.

Success from God’s Perspective

Posted on By Tina "Richele" Ballinger 1 Comment on Success from God’s Perspective
Blog Post

Have you ever looked back over the chapters of your life with feelings of inadequacy, failure, or disappointment in what you view as a lack of success? Has the life you once imagined for yourself somehow evaded you though you pushed forward in faith through each and every day? I have certainly had those moments of self-doubt, wondering what I had to show for the 57 years of my life, wondering how my life became so different from what I once dreamed it would be; but, this morning God brought it to my attention that His perspective of success is not the same as mine.

Today, success is measured by our accomplishments, but in God’s eyes it is measured by our obedience to do His will. Sometimes within the act of obedience we still feel as if we are not accomplishing what He sent us to do, consider Jeremiah. He proclaimed the word of God for 40 years to Judah and not one of them ever listened to him. And then there was Noah, he worked to build the ark just as God instructed him warning them of the coming flood; however, regardless of his words the only ones that safely entered the ark were his family. How discouraging this must have been for him, it would seem that his life was not very successful. But, God say it differently, just as He sees each of us differently. He has given each of us a special task to accomplish, this task is for us alone and the doing of the task is where the success lies not in how others may or may not respond to the fulfillment of that task or what we may see as a visible accomplishment.

“And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, to keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statues, which I command thee this day for thy good?” Deuteronomy 10: 12-13

Success in our life from God’s perspective is simply following Him each day, listening to His voice and following what He asks us to do. That is true success!!!!

The Work of His Hands

Posted on By Tina "Richele" Ballinger 1 Comment on The Work of His Hands
Blog Post

As a little girl I longed to feel special, to be the little lady my mother longed for me to be, but that wasn’t always the case. Regardless of how many time she cautioned me to be careful and not pull a snag in my new leggings, I somehow found a way to ruin them almost every time. The neatly pressed dress she had labored to make for me so often ended the day in quite the crumpled mess. Now some years later, I find that I often get in the way of the work that my Heavenly Father is trying to do in my life. He cautions me through His word, giving me clear instructions of how to stay focused on the straight path ahead, yet I so often find myself veering off the main course to find myself frazzled and worn by the end of the day. How thankful I am though to know that He is the potter, I am the clay within His hands, and in His deep love for me He patiently continues the work within me of setting me back on the right track with the break of each new day.

“But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.” Isaiah 64:8

“It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is they faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

No Resolutions, No Goals, No Pre-planned Ideas

Posted on By Tina "Richele" Ballinger No Comments on No Resolutions, No Goals, No Pre-planned Ideas
Blog Post

This might sound completely foreign to those of us who are resolution makers, goal setters and over achievers with well thought out plans dating all the way back to 19 72. But looking back, what exactly did those resolutions, goals, and plans do for us? How far did we make it into the year before we through them all out the window and hoped for better results in the next year. I have found many more times than I care to admit, that I barely made it through the first week before I realized I had already gotten off track and felt the urge to just give up. This year as I approached the new year I thought long and hard about the way I have always done things, fully remembering the old cliche “doing things the same way over and over again and expecting different results is insanity”. Yes, looking back “insanity” could describe the way I met each new year. As I reflected it came to me that the reason that each year came and went with very little success in keeping my resolutions, achieving my yearly goals, or accomplishing my well laid out plans had to do with “me”. Each of those resolutions, goals, and plans were ones that I felt were best for me to have a “successful” year. Not only were these things that I felt were best, but I also thought I would accomplish each and everyone of them in and of my own effort. There in lines the problem, the insanity of thinking that I could establish my own plans, carry out those plans on my own, and still make it through the year to even January 15th without failing miserably. This is where the insanity part occurs.

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11

This year rather than identify any new year resolutions, or identify any specific new year goals, or make any new plans I will rather wait and see what his thoughts are for me, because I know that his thoughts will bring peace, his thoughts will result in progress. So, rather than do the same thing I have always done expecting different results I am choosing a word from him. His work for me in 2025 is the word “ABIDE”.

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except you abide in me.” John 15:4-5

To Abide means to remain, to stay, or to dwell in a place. In 2025 I want to remain in Christ, I want to stay with Christ, I want to dwell in Christ and I fully expect that I will find at the end of 2025 the thoughts that He had for me will be accomplished toward the expected end just as He intended. So no resolutions, no goals, and no pre-planned ideas for 2025. I will simply ABIDE !

A Time to be Thankful

Posted on By Tina "Richele" Ballinger 1 Comment on A Time to be Thankful
A Time to be Thankful
Blog Post

One of my favorite times of year comes with the brilliant color of the changing leaves, the quiet that settles in the air, the crispness of the air, and the scents of autumn that stir in my kitchen. It seems there is a time of reflective thankfulness that comes with the initial falling of the leaves. Moments seem to slow a bit as the air grows crisp and cool. During this season I take the time to look more closely at all of the things I am thankful for, with special consideration of just how many blessings God has allowed me to have in my life. But today it occurred to me, and I pause to question … why do I wait for these special times of the year to seek a time to slow down and be thankful? Not meaning to take away from the uniqueness of this time of year, but why do I not live my life daily as a “time to be thankful”? I ask myself these questions, why does the new year leave behind the inner sense of thankfulness and spur us toward filling our lives with “things to do”. How do we get caught up in our goals and new year resolutions, losing sight of the calm sense of thankfulness we felt during the holiday season. It brings me to consider that just maybe this year with the dong of the midnight hour on December 31st, I will add to the top of my “to do list” to have as my phrase for the year “A Time to be Thankful”.

“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.” Psalms 100:4

When Thy Name is Near

Posted on By Tina "Richele" Ballinger 1 Comment on When Thy Name is Near
Blog Post

“Unto Thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto Thee do we give thanks: for that Thy name is near Thy wondrous works declare.” Psalm 75:1

Have you ever taken a moment in the first hours of morning to stand still and sense the Lord? The early morning breeze upon your face or the sunlight coming through the trees. God tells us to “Be still, and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10. To truly experience Him we must stand still in His presence. David asks, “Cause me to hear Thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in Thee do I trust; cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul into Thee.” Psalm 143:8

Psalms 34:3-3 “O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”

Stand still and feel His presence, listen in the quiet of the morning when His name is near.

Each Season

Posted on By Tina "Richele" Ballinger 1 Comment on Each Season
Blog Post

Seasons come and go rather quickly these days, changes have become the new constant. A year begins and it’s almost June already. The first blossoms of spring are almost a memory and the heat of summer will soon be the daily norm. With the rapid change of daily routines I find myself greeting each new day with a mixture of excitement and apprehension.

I look out the window as I listen to the birds full of cheer, bringing a sense of hope for the beautiful wonders of a new day. Yet in the back of my head I hear the little voice that asks the questions, what might change by the end of the day?, will it be painful or frightening?, will I know the answers?

Each new season brings both adventure and challenge. Each new season closes a door and opens a door. Each new season results in letting go and receiving new. But no matter the season, no matter the change, I serve a God who is always constant and true. Nothing I face, nothing that comes my way takes Him by surprise. I can trust in the assurance that He has already made a path before me to bring me safely through each and every moment of each and every new season.

Proverbs 3:5-5 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

In the Hard

Posted on By Tina "Richele" Ballinger 1 Comment on In the Hard
Blog Post

We each come to moments that catch us by surprise, hard moments from which we cannot see anything but brokenness on the other side. In the hard we can become strangled by fear or self pity, but in the hard there is hope if we simply readjust the focus of the lens through which we look.

It’s in the hard moments that God reveals Himself as He can in no other. It’s in the hard moments that we can see more clearly. As our view zones in on the sharpness of the pain we are experiencing all that exists outside fades and the hard clearly reveals God’s presence. It’s like looking through the keyhole and seeing what’s inside.

Over the past several months I’ve experienced some of the hardest moments of my life, but God has remained faithful and true. “Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations.” Deuteronomy 7:9

“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Deuteronomy 31:6

In the hard I find God faithful, in the hard I find Him true to His promises. If not for the hard I would never have known His presence as deeply as I do now. In the hard I see Him so clearly.

“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” Psalm 34:18

How is it that I Forget

Posted on By Tina "Richele" Ballinger No Comments on How is it that I Forget
Blog Post

In the quiet moments of heartache that come in the middle of the night, those moments when sleep seems so difficult to embrace how often have I forgotten that I am not alone. In inner turmoil I cry and I hold on to the darkness that covers me with its cold blanket of fear. Yet, sitting one whisper away is the voice of the most high God, waiting for me to lift my cry to Him. Within me waiting for me to call out, the Holy Spirit sits quietly longing for me to remember. The Son of God waits in the throne of glory eager for me to look up so that he might make intercession for me. Lovingly they sit in the quiet stillness of my fear, one whisper, one upward glance away. So, how is it that I forget? How is it though numerous times before I have found them to hold true to the very promise of God’s Word, how is it that I forget?

1 Chronicles 16:12
“Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;”

Psalm 63:6-7
“When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.”

Psalm 143:5
“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.”

Diligently Seek

Posted on By Tina "Richele" Ballinger No Comments on Diligently Seek
Blog Post

Have you ever lost something that you spent hours looking for with everything within you? Did you feel that sense of urgency that grew causing you to become even more focused on finding what you had lost? You knew it had to be there and with every minute that passed the value of what you sought became even greater.

Often in the chaos of life we lose our focus on the Lord. How often have we diligently sought the Lord? How often have we felt the urgency of seeking Him with a feeling of ever increasing urgency?

“Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it ?” Luke 15:8

Oh that I might seek the Lord just as diligently, that I might long for Him with as much fervent desire as the woman who sought for the lost coin. He promises that when I diligently seek Him I will find Him. It’s all a matter of my heart. “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

In the light of morning or the darkest of nights, there I will find Him when I seek His face. “Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.” Proverbs 7:15 KJV

When I turn my focus to Him, believing in who He is as I seek to draw closer to Him, seeking to learn of Him and all that He is, then I will find Him. I will find Him eagerly waiting for me. Oh that I might seek Him early before the onset of night knowing that in Him I find all that I seek.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him : for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6