Author: StephanieBBlake

I love to help others focus on the one thing that's most important in life through my ministry, teaching and writing. As Vice President of Xtend Ministries International - www.xtendinternational.com, I travel extensively with my husband. I maintain two websites: www.onefocusministries.com and stretchmoney.wordpress.com. On the One Focus site, you can find free Bible studies, devotionals and information about my first book, "The Prayer Driven Life". My book, "Money: How to Be Rich Without It and How to Stretch It Using Ten Hints from the Past and the Technology of Today" was the inspiration for stretchmoney.wordpress.com. Money saving hints are contained throughout the book and this site was created to continue to give helpful hints on stretching money or having the proper view toward money.
One Focus Blog

Dormant Damage

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A few years ago, we purchased a beautiful antique dining table in Germany. It had been obtained from a farmer in southern Germany, transported to northern Germany where it was completely disassembled and refinished. I had never seen a more beautiful dining table and chairs. It was immediately put in a container headed for the states as we were moving belongings back to America from a lengthy stay in Germany.

Photo on 2012-09-03 at 17.34Several years later, I noticed dustings under some of the chairs. I shrugged it off as we had just had all the family – including grandchildren – in our house and thought what I was seeing were crumbs from the table. Upon closer inspection when I was polishing the chairs, however, I discovered holes throughout the wood on several of the chairs. What we had was an infestation of wood bores which had lain dormant all that time and now were making their way through that lovely wood.

After much labor (and cost, I might add), we finally got the problem licked. However, much to my dismay after quite a bit more time passed, I found the remaining chairs with those telltale holes. We are going to have to go through this procedure all over again. What I thought had been resolved now has to be dealt with once more – what a shame.

Irritations, guilt, bitterness and other stress causing situations in our lives can have some very similar effects. Like wood bores, some things eat at our insides for years without our even realizing it. They may go unrecognized, but they are just as real as my wood bores. By the time they surface, often the damage is done. I suppose the only remedy is to stay on top of our feelings and give them over to God right at the beginning of the uncomfortable event. God tells us to put away those things that are hurtful. We will certainly deal with them at some point. It is better to deal with them early on than to wait until damage is done and repairs have to be made.

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice (Ephesians 4:30-31). Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation (1 Peter 2:1-2).

One Focus Blog

Traffic Tension

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I have spent a lot of time on American interstates as well as autobahns in Europe. All of these public highways have something in common – there is a possibility for congestion and danger. Caution should be observed at all times.

120px-Beijing_traffic_jamDriving on any road demands full attention, but especially in heavy traffic on major highways. Seldom do you find yourself on a highway by yourself. Sometimes you are completely surrounded. You must be aware of the speed and position of cars around you. If any of them makes a sudden unexpected move, you must be prepared. There is literally danger on every side.

Vigilance is the key. Everyone knows accidents are most likely when you are sleepy or otherwise impaired because your concentration level is not at its optimum.

The question we need to ask ourselves in heavy traffic is what can I do to get out of a dangerous situation if it presents itself? Driving is no time to relax and become preoccupied with other things. I once ran off the road because I was placing a blanket on my child in the seat next to me (that was before children’s car seats were required to be placed in the back). I did not have an accident, but taking my mind off my driving posed a danger to all of us.

Staying in the lane provided for you is a must. I am often tempted to keep my eyes fixed on the car in front of me but have often been surprised by the movement of a car on either side or behind. Using the rear view mirror and the side mirrors should become a habit.

Our spiritual life is a lot like highway driving. As soon as we allow ourselves to become distracted from the path God has set us on, danger lurks all around us. Satan is actually watching for those times when we have relaxed our guard. He knows that if we veer off our path, his job is much easier. God, however, has given us all we need to stay where we need to be.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105). But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh (Galatians 5:16).

One Focus Blog

Yeast Really Does Permeate

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I love to bake, but I seldom have to buy yeast. For years, I have made white bread, wheat bread, biscuits, pancakes, cakes, cinnamon rolls, pizza dough and other variations of breads from two different sourdough starters obtained years ago. One I have had for over thirty years, the other for over twenty.

Although I have recipes for and a mix for sourdough starter, I have never made one up. I have kept mine around for so long that if my friends and family let theirs go bad, they know they can come back to me for more.

I didn’t make the starters, but someone had to. The recipe I have for what some people call Herman or Amish friendship bread calls for flour, water and yeast. To keep it alive, you must add milk, flour and sugar. The other starter I have is maintained with potato flakes, sugar and water. At some point in the past those starters were made with yeast.

771px-SourdoughbreadcrumbI have often thought of the lasting quality of the yeast that began this somewhat magical process. As long as I continue to feed these sourdough starters every week or so, they will probably last as long as I do. The yeast that helped birth these products still permeates the dough that I mix up so that I can continue to enjoy baking with them. That is amazing to me.

Just as amazing, or really more so, is the realization that the kingdom of heaven will never be destroyed. I know that is true because God created it for His glory and for our enjoyment. What He did so long ago will last forever. His presence permeates all creation. He invites us to join Him in His kingdom by accepting His gift of grace through His Son, Jesus Christ.

He spoke another parable to them, “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three pecks of flour until it was all leavened” (Matthew 13:33). Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst….I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh” (John 6:35, 51).

Reflective Focus

Trusting God Completely

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Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Children trust loving fathers, not because they understand everything they say, but because they are sure of their father’s love. However, some children with loving dads accept their love, but reject their control. Raising such a child can literally be a tug of war. 

As children of God, we might say we trust our heavenly Father, but when we reject His control, we show that our trust is not complete. Many Christians have no problem trusting God in some areas of their lives while in others they doubt His love and sovereignty.

As a result of the loss of his son, Rabbi Kushner wrote When Bad Things Happen to Good People. One chapter is entitled “God can’t do everything, but He can do some important things.” His conclusion is that God is good, but He is limited by what He can do. The fact that it was a bestseller is evidence that people are interested in this subject. Some who reviewed the book said it made them feel better about God. Some would rather believe that since life is not fair, God is not in control.

Limiting God in any way limits the areas in which you believe you can trust Him. There will always be circumstances in your life when you won’t understand what God is doing. You can’t and I can’t understand because God has a totally different and perfect perspective. He sees what we do not see and He knows what we do not know.

Trusting God Even When Life Hurts by Jerry Bridges helps give the proper perspective. Just like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, we should trust Him no matter what happens.

Trusting God is Literally the Center of His Word

It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man (Psalm 118:8 – located in the center of the Bible).

If we really believe that God is our Heavenly Father whom we can trust, then we know that whatever He allows in our lives is ultimately for our good.

Trust is a Choice 

Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You (Psalm 56:3).

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You (Isaiah 26:3).

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him (Nahum 1:7).

As a child of God, trust in your heavenly Father should be a predetermined choice.  He is trustworthy.

“I rather like the small boy’s version of the hymn Trust and Obey when he said that at Sunday school they had been singing “Trust and O. K.” Good! Everything must be O. K. if the life has been committed to His precious keeping. There is no other way.” – Expositor

© Stephanie B. Blake

September 2012

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One Focus Blog

My Bad Fig Tree

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I love figs. My dad used to make the best fig preserves. I always looked forward to going to his house because I was sure there would be toast and fig preserves for breakfast. His preserves were the kind with big chunks in them – sometimes whole figs. He got his figs from a tree that grew without much tending behind his garage – hidden from view from everything else but with a bountiful crop.

I especially like to pick figs off the tree myself. When we lived in California, we had a wonderful fig tree in our back yard. I dried those figs and they were plentiful – so plentiful that when our son’s dachshund got on his hind legs to reach the branches and shake more figs down for himself, I just laughed. There were plenty of figs for all of us.

You can imagine my joy when we bought the house we are in now. There is a beautiful fig tree in our backyard. However, much to my dismay, I have not eaten one fig from that tree. The figs start to form, get hard, and drop to the ground. We have pampered that tree – watering it, fertilizing it, pruning it, clearing out the leaves underneath it – nothing works. I have often commented that I think it is related to the fig tree Jesus cursed.

Photo on 2012-08-31 at 09.22 #2What has been so confusing to me is how normal my fig tree looks. There is no difference between the appearance of this tree and other fig trees that have brought me such joy. My only conclusion is – there must be some problem on the inside. Something inherently bad in that tree produces bad fruit.

Many times Jesus compared us to things in nature that produce fruit such as trees and vines. He made the point that what we produce indicates who we are inside. We are saved by grace and not through any effort of our own. The evidence of grace accepted, however, is fruit produced. Ultimately, only God is the judge of anyone’s productivity. He does, however, tell us to be watchful.

Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit….by their fruit you will recognize them (Matthew 7:17-20 NIV).

One Focus Blog

Precious in the Sight of God

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This is a very personal post. As a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother and a grandmother, God has truly blessed me with a family that has enriched me, taught me, molded me, supported me and loved me. What more could anyone ask for?

Two of the women in my family I did ask for – directly and for years. Shortly after my two sons were born, I started praying for the wives God had planned for them. I believe that Paul was led to write Ephesians 3:20 to describe how my prayer was answered – in a way that was far more abundantly beyond all that I could ask or think.

My first daughter was given to us as a toddler. We knew her, loved her and were thrilled when our son married her shortly after graduating from college. She is everything a woman could want in a daughter and more. She is the perfect mate for our oldest son and an incredible mother to three of my grandchildren.

We had to wait a little for our second daughter as our son did not meet her until he was already in the Air Force. As soon as we met her, though, we knew that the wait was over. She is not only perfectly matched for my son and an amazing mother to my grandson, but she has my taste in decorating and my love for dishes!

My girls are beautiful, inside and out. I am not aware of any other Christian women who are stronger in their faith than they are, nor any daughters who make a mother as proud as I am.

As one of them is celebrating an anniversary today, I just wanted to publicly thank God for these women who are so precious in my sight.DSC05038

but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God (1 Peter 3:4).

One Focus Blog

Can You Multitask and Smell the Roses?

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I am grateful for time saving devices. I love my laptop. I remember the days of typewriters, messy corrections and copies and typewriter keys getting stuck in midair. My fingers could not fly on that old typewriter like they can on my laptop. What takes minutes now used to occupy hours.

Before cell phones, you had to be in the house in order to get an expected call. Sometimes that meant staying at home when you really needed to be somewhere else. Now that is not a problem. However, it also means that you are accessible everywhere at any time. Some people are unable to turn their phones off or leave them behind – just in case.

Some restaurants are now rewarding customers with a discount on their meal if they will check their cellphones at the door. It may be that all the time, effort and money the owners have spent to create a certain ambiance for their clients was going to waste because many of their customers never noticed.
The wonders of modern technology were supposed to make our lives easier and in many ways, they did. However, even though we are more efficient in many ways, the workload has not decreased. It seems that we are now all in a mad race to accomplish more – and more – and more.

Most of us try to do several things at once. Certainly, there are times when that can be successfully accomplished. What comes to my mind, however, is my attempt to carry groceries in from the car while talking on the telephone at the same time. What was supposed to be a time saver became just the opposite when I dropped a grocery bag full of jams and oils. I not only had to clean up a huge mess, but also lost the products and money in the process – not quite what I had in mind.

“Jack of all trades and master of none” in a positive sense describes someone who was competent in many areas, but not expert in any particular skill. It now seems that expression can be used of practically all of us. We are doing too many things to do any of them well. That was the finding of a 2009 Stanford University study on multitasking. The results showed that heavy multitaskers actually lost their mental edge. Trying to do too many things at once had the effect of their being good at nothing. The study’s author said, “We kept looking for what they’re better at, and we didn’t find it.”
Thinking back on my use of the old manual typewriter, I remember there were fewer distractions. I was never interrupted by email, SKYPE, or Facebook. There has been a renewed interest in old manual typewriters for this very reason. It is one way to turn off the background noise of our busy worlds and just write.

I have also noticed another trend. There are several blogs with “stop and smell the roses” as a417px-An_elegant_lady_smelling_roses_by_Hendrik_Jacobus_Scholten_(1824-1907) theme. In reading through these blogs, I discovered that many of the bloggers were forced to slow down and discover the beauty of what was around them.
Balance is the key. We need to be productive, work and accomplish the tasks assigned us. However, juggling work, home, church, exercise, meals and everything else can lead to frustration, leaving no time for fun or rest. In the process, if we miss out on the beauty of God’s world, what have we really accomplished? In our rush, we may trip over some of our greatest blessings.

How can we stop and smell the roses if we rush right past them?

God…who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17).

 

One Focus Blog

The Unsung Heroes of the Olympics

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I always look forward to the Olympics. While they are televised, I stay glued to the television set. When they are over, I am disappointed. Many television programs are a waste of time, but not the Olympics. What these young people achieve is amazing.

For a few days every four years, the world comes together. Politics and differences are largely set aside. A showcase of human endurance, the Olympic games give us something refreshing and inspiring. Everyone admires the dedication and accomplishments of the Olympic contestants.

Concentration usually centers on the top performers – those who carry home the gold, silver or bronze medals. However, every contestant has sacrificed time, money, and discipline for the opportunity to compete in hopes that they will bring honor to their country. More often than not, their families also sacrifice greatly. Many of the athletes have high hopes of receiving a medal, but all of them are aware that most contestants go home without one.

With few exceptions – those who are disqualified for one reason or another or are unable to compete because of injuries – the athletes run their race, swim in their meet, or participate with their team knowing that part of the reward is having made it to the Olympics in the first place. The best of the best of each country compete with the best of the best of other countries – all who have toiled, some for a lifetime, for the honor of the competition.

There should be no shame for those who walk away without a medal. Having become part of an elite group setting an example for the rest of us, all of these contestants should be proud that they were part of history. The fact that they finished their race is worthy of honor.

195773_206796702694102_6269155_nThe Olympic story that sticks in my mind more than any other is not of a gold medal winner – or even a silver or bronze medal winner. I have heard it many times, often from someone giving a message of inspiration. In fact, it has been called “the greatest last place finish ever.”

In the 1968 summer games, John Stephen Akhwari of Tanzania secured his place in history, not because he won his marathon, but because he finished it. The race had been won over an hour before. Spectators were leaving the stadium. Those remaining were astonished as he made his way on the track for the last lap. Although he had fallen and been injured during the race and his leg was bandaged and bleeding, he did not let that stop him. When he reached the finish line, those left in the stadium rose and applauded. Asked why he had not quit, he said, “My country did not send me to start the race; they sent me to finish the race.”

Honestly, I had to research to discover that Mamo Wolde of Ethiopia was the one who won that race. It was John Akwari’s story that made the impression on me. What courage it must have taken for him to continue to run through injury and pain. His finish – and his attitude – spoke louder than most sermons. Don’t give up. Finish the race.

“I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

One Focus Blog

Olympic Prizes: Gold, Silver and Bronze

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Psychologists and researchers have discovered an interesting fact about Olympic medal winners. Gold medal winners are obviously thrilled. However, the reactions of the remaining medalists are a surprise.

Men's and Women's Olympic Swimming. National Aquatics CenterSilver medal winners are sometimes ashamed and disappointed. Instead of being proud that they have accomplished the incredible feat of being better than everyone else in the world with one exception, they feel they came up short. It appears that because their goal was the gold medal, winning the silver is a let down.

On the other hand, bronze medal winners are often very excited, expressing through comments and facial expressions a sense of accomplishment. At the 2012 London Olympics, American Brendan Hansen, the winner of the bronze medal for the 100 meter men’s breaststroke finals, said, “It worked out, you know. It’s just awesome that I get to go on the podium tonight. Honestly, I’m really proud of myself… This is the shiniest bronze medal that you will ever see. Ever!”

All the medal winners accomplished something remarkable; however, their level of satisfaction has to do with their comparison with others. The gold medal winners reached their goal, becoming the best in their field. Silver winners may or may not be happy, depending on how they compared themselves to others or even the gold medal winner. Bronze medal winners have reason to be proud. They are part of a trio who came out on top.

Although gold, silver and bronze medals are awarded to the three top performers in any given sport represented in the Olympics, this is a modern development. The ancient Olympic games gave only one prize – an olive wreath – to the best performer.

As a child of God, I am confident there is no second or third place for any of us. The crown of righteousness the apostle Paul described to Timothy is awarded to every true believer in Christ. We are all first place winners because Christ, our substitute, has won the victory for us.

In Heaven, there will be no disappointment of having placed second in life or surprise that we even made it to the podium. Any shame that we might have for not measuring up has been covered by the blood of Jesus. Any pride that we might have of our own accomplishments is put into proper perspective because we are all sinners and need redemption.

We will not be comparing ourselves to each other for we all receive the prize obtained by our Lord Jesus Christ. All of the energy we need to run the race He has provided through His Spirit, who lives and works within us. The victory He has won over sin and death has been shared with us.

I am looking to the day when I will come face to face with Him to personally thank Him. I will not be standing on the podium. He will. Like the twenty-four elders, I will lay my crown at His feet and worship Him.

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 3:14 NAS). Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable (1 Corinthians 9:24-25).

Reflective Focus

A Story of Grace and Peace

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A Story of Grace and Peace*

Prayer is the exercise of drawing on the grace of God. ~ Oswald Chambers

This is a story about twin girls born into a royal family. Grace was born first, but right on her heels, Peace came into the world. They were always together: thinking the same thoughts, singing the same songs, and radiating love from themselves to others. Grace was definitely the outgoing one: running here and there, laughing, and bringing such joy to everyone she met. Although Peace had more of a quiet nature, her calm assurance seemed to balance the exuberance of her sister. Inseparable, they completed each other.

Grace and Peace had as their hero Agape, their older brother, who was their Father’s firstborn child and only Son. Agape really was the image of His Father. Agape lived His life to show the people of the world what the love of their Father was really all about. Agape watched over His sisters and guided them gently through each day. Every day, as they wandered through the land of the living, they shared with others the love they had for each other, as well as the love they had received from their Father.

The sisters had been given a very special assignment by their Father. They were to tell others that, if they accepted the Father’s love that Agape showed them, they would be adopted into their Father’s royal family.

As Agape wandered through the land with His sisters, He often talked to His Father about those who were glad to hear their special message of love and adoption. Some people received their message with great joy and gratitude. Others were jealous and blinded by an evil presence from seeing the truth of Agape’s message of the Father’s love. Nothing that happened to Grace and Peace could distract them from continuing to spread their message of joy, but the blindness seemed to spread faster than they could communicate the good news of adoption.

However, their family did continue to grow one by one. Each one who believed in their message began to understand the meaning of the special names given to the twin girls. The Father gave to each adopted one the attributes of Grace so that, when the ones who were blinded tried to taunt and ridicule them, they were able to handle the jeers of the crowd. Agape showed them by His own example how that was possible.

The ridiculers often were confused by the ability of Agape, Grace, and Peace to continue to love them no matter how badly they were treated. The blind ones really could not understand Peace. Even though they tried their best to rid her of her sense of security and joy, she was never moved to do anything but continue to give them the Father’s message of love and tell them how that love was evidenced in the life of her brother Agape. The adopted ones were blessed with the same sense of belonging and security that Peace had. The stability of the love of their Father kept them all secure and filled with an indescribable joy.

As time went on, the blinded ones became so jealous of the growth of the royal family that they were determined to stop it. They thought that, if they murdered Agape, the Father’s one and only Son, the growth of the Father’s family would be halted. The blinded ones eventually were successful in bringing about the death of the Son. Before His cruel murder, Agape talked to the Father about the adopted ones who would be left behind. He asked Him to protect them, to unify them, and to grant them the character of His dear sisters Grace and Peace.

The death of Agape did indeed greatly discourage the adopted ones. His death could have destroyed them if Grace and Peace had not stayed by their sides with the truth that Agape had just gone home to be with their Father and prepare a place for each of them. The Spirit of Agape continued to live in their hearts and enabled them to walk daily with Grace and Peace

One of the leaders of the blinded ones attacked the Father’s adopted family even more fervently after Agape went home to His Father’s house. However, the Father’s plan was that this Persecutor would be used more than any other adopted child to spread His message of love.

Agape delivered His invitation personally to the Persecutor. As the evil one had blinded his heart, the Father blinded his eyes in order to make him listen to Agape. When his eyes were blinded, his heart began to see for the first time.

When the Persecutor understood and accepted the truth of Agape’s message, he was himself adopted into the family. The Father then gave him the ability to communicate that message, so the royal family grew even more as time went by.

Since the Persecutor had been so strongly blinded by the evil one, he understood the strategies of the attack upon the royal family. He realized the necessity of Grace and Peace in their lives. The Father gave him the assignment of strengthening the faith of the family. Just as Agape had talked to His Father about the adopted ones, the Persecutor continually discussed the needs of the royal family with their Father, interceding on their behalf.

~~~~~

         This allegory sets the stage for the prayer driven life of the apostle Paul, the Persecutor. After meeting Agape – Jesus – and being adopted into the royal family, he warned other adopted ones about the treachery of the “god of this age” who blinds the minds of those who do not believe (2 Corinthians 4:4). The ministries of “Grace” and “Peace” continue to be gifts from the Father to those in His family.

© Stephanie B. Blake

August 2012

* an excerpt from The Prayer Driven Life

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