Why We Need Our Own Relationship With God

On March 9, 2025January 28, 2025 By JCIn Miscellaneous, Wounded Butterflies BlogLeave a comment

There are many wonderful spiritual leaders in the world. If we are blessed, we have amazing Pastors, mentors, husbands, Deacons, Elders and others in our lives. Regardless of how wonderful and smart and close to God those around us are, we must have our own personal relationship with God. We must pray to Him daily and read His Word daily. We cannot and should not solely rely on the spiritual leaders or people in our life to guide us in the same way that God would. I was reading a very familiar set of verses that highlighted this topic for me.

“As Pharaoh approached, the people of Israel looked up and panicked when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them. They cried out to the Lord, and they said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt? Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!’” But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground.” Exodus‬ ‭14‬:‭10‬-‭16‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In the last few verses, Moses tells the people to stand still. But then God tells the people to get moving. While there are many ways we can look at these verses, the point to focus on is that Moses had an incredibly close relationship with God. Yet, perhaps he told the people his opinion or he was just wrong – this is why we need to have our own personal relationship with God. We cannot and should not rely on anyone to have a relationship with God for us, we need to be in daily contact with God. Reading His word, praying to Him, and learning Him to know what He would and would not want us to do as His children.

Let’s pray. Lord, thank You for those in our life that lead us, please give them wisdom and discernment. Help us to not rely on their relationship with You but to build our own relationship with You. Help us to hear You, see You and feel You as we seek You in our daily walk. In Jesus’ precious name, we pray, amen.

The Ultimate Sacrifice

On March 2, 2025January 28, 2025 By JCIn Miscellaneous, Wounded Butterflies BlogLeave a comment

As believers in Jesus Christ, we know that the ultimate sacrifice of all of history is the act of Jesus dying on the cross. Jesus chose to lay down His life so that we may be forgiven by His precious blood and able to live with Him in heaven forever. One may wonder as we walk this earth, what is an ultimate scarifice that we can offer to Jesus?

When you lose a loved one, it hurts. I have discovered that somehow it hurts deeper when the loved one is younger or the death is unexpected, tragic. During those times of hurt and pain, may we remember that God is the Comforter. 2 Corinthians 1:3 – 4 says, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, ⁴who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”

What if somehow, in those moments of pain, we pray over God’s Word as a source of strength. In Matthew 5:4 Jesus promises, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” May we be able to say to God, I understand that I am going through this pain and You will comfort me so that I can comfort others.

At some point in the future, we will find a new way to move through life without our loved one. This may mean that we are never the same again or that we feel like we are missing a vital organ as we continue our journey on earth. But, we keep going. As we keep going, there will come a time when we will know someone that experiences the unspeakable hurt of losing a loved one. In that moment as we move to comfort another who is grieving, may we be able to put our pain on the altar of sacrifice. Isaiah 40:1 says, “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.”

I believe that an example of an ultimate sacrifice that we can offer is fruit for others from our pain. If you are in the midst of pain, know that Jesus will bring you comfort so that you will reach the point of being able to walk with someone else who is in pain.

Let’s pray. May we see that You comfort us so that we can then be a comforter to someone else. Please let us see that our pain has a purpose Lord. Please let our suffering become fruit for someone else and an offering to You. Help us to trust You in the midst of pain and suffering. Bring us comfort so that we may then comfort others. Help us to see Your plan to use our pain. In Jesus’ precious name, we pray, amen.

Hospice – What You Should Know

On February 23, 2025January 28, 2025 By JCIn Miscellaneous, Wounded Butterflies BlogLeave a comment

Hospice is a term that means a person has reached a point in their health journey when the medical world focuses on making the patient comfortable versus trying to heal the person’s body. The goal of hospice is to manage the person’s pain and to make their end of life period as dignified as possible. I worked in hospice for years, and learned some things about death and life in that environment.

From a practical perspective, the patient’s toes and fingers may start to turn blue or gray as they near the end of their life. They may also see loved ones who have died and start talking to them or about them. This is the beginning of their transition from the earthly realm to the spiritual realm. This can be upsetting to some families as they hear the names of deceased loves ones being called out, just know that the patient is not hallucinating. Families should not tell the patient they do not see the person that has already passed away. No one can possibly know what the dying person sees and does not see. This transition between the earth and eternity has occurred at almost every single death I have witnessed. It is as if the patient’s loved ones who have passed away are coming to comfort the one leaving earth behind.

There may come a time during the patient’s end of life journey when their breathing becomes labored or delayed, feeling very spaced out between breaths. Some medical folks call this the ‘death rattle’. Once a patient enters this labored breathing phase, there is not too much time left. If you have not already said everything that you want to say to the patient, time grows short.

One of the most difficult things for someone to say to a loved one who is departing this life is the following, “It is ok to let go, I will be ok.” These words are incredibly painful to say to someone that you actually do not want to let go. But, out of deep love for them and to give them peace as they transition to eternity, try to tell them it is ok to let go and that you or whomever they are concerned about are going to be ok. I have had to say those words to someone that I love deeply. It felt like my heart was being ripped out. But I knew she was fighting to stay because she was worried about me and that I would not be ok without her. I knew there was no path to recovery and I knew that she was in terrible pain. Within 15 minutes of me telling her it was ok to let go and I would be fine and that I loved her and would see her again one day, she drew her last breath. I held her hand as she slipped into eternity and I prayed out loud for Jesus to come take her home.

While death is a very difficult topic, the opportunity to choose where you will spend eternity is now, during life. For my loved one, she knew Jesus as her Lord, so it was easy for me to tell her that I would see her again. It was easy for me to ask Jesus to come gather her into His arms and take her home because that is how believers transition from earthly life to eternity – Jesus holds us in His loving arms. But the choice must be made now, this is in Scriptures. John 5:24 says, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” And Romans 5:10, “For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” Of course, a more familiar verse is John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Choose life. And help your loved one choose eternal life with Jesus if they have not already made the choice. When a loved one is dying, that is not the time to be embarrassed or ashamed – that is THE time to talk about Jesus.

Let’s pray. Lord, I lift up all of those who have loved ones that are in hospice. Please be with them and strengthen them for the season they are in. Please touch the situation with Your peace, light and love. Please bring those that do not know You to You. For we know that precious in Your sight is the death of Your saint as You bring us home (Psalm 116:15). Thank You for the promise of eternity with You. In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

Caregiver Encouragement – 3

On February 16, 2025January 5, 2025 By JCIn Miscellaneous, Wounded Butterflies BlogLeave a comment

Being a caregiver is an incredibly difficult situation to be in. Whether you are caring for an aging or injured loved one or someone that will always need some level of care, caregiving is an equalizer in humanity. It is an experience that can occur in your life at any age, at any time, to anyone. Caregivers are from every race, every nation, every level of education and every language spoken in the world.

I have learned as a caregiver, it is critical to not lose who you are. Do not forget that you have a life and a purpose. Being a caregiver is a role you have right now, it is not all that you will always be. You have an identity that is bigger than being a caregiver. 2 Timothy 1:9 says. “He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace.” God created each of us for His purpose, being a caregiver is what you do, it is not who you are.

You are seen, God sees you. He sees every tear, He hears every sigh, He knows you and loves you exactly as you are. You matter. “Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid;” Luke 12:7.

Let us pray. Father in heaven, thank You for the love You have for us. Help us to remember the purpose that You created us each for – to bring glory to Your name. Help us to know how to love You, worship You and glorify You as we provide care to loved ones. Fill all caregivers with patience, peace, love, joy and strength. In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

Caregiver Encouragement – 2

On February 9, 2025January 5, 2025 By JCIn Miscellaneous, Wounded Butterflies BlogLeave a comment

I have learned as a caregiver, you must take time for yourself. This is easy to say and many times we know that it is the right thing to do for everyone involved. The more we are able to refresh ourselves, the better we will be to take care of someone. Even if this means five minutes of rest while your loved one is taking a nap. Look for those opportunities to rest your mind and your body. Let the dishes stay dirty or the clothes stay dirty a few minutes longer or whatever other chore you can work on instead of just resting.

What about those situations when there is no path to take time for ourselves. Ask for help. This is a tough thing to do sometimes – what if something happens while I am gone. What if during the hour I go for a walk, there is a need that the temporary caregiver does not know how to fulfill. We tell ourselves that it is easier to not have someone come in for a bit to help. Sometimes when we return from our break, there is more stress than before we left because things were not done quite right or the way we would have done it. There will be times when we have to adjust our expectations of others or even let go of some things being done a certain way. It is critical for you to take a break. This does not make you a bad person, an unloving caregiver or any other guilt trip that the enemy may try to put on you. 2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” Take those thoughts from the enemy captive, dismiss them, they are not of God.

Let us pray. Father in heaven, thank You for Your love and Your wisdom found in Scriptures. Help us to take every thought captive that is not of You or from You. Sometimes, we get so weary, it is hard to resist the enemy, please fill us with Your strength and wisdom. Bless the caregivers and those being cared for. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Caregiver Encouragement – 1

On February 2, 2025January 26, 2025 By JCIn Miscellaneous, Wounded Butterflies BlogLeave a comment

Being a caregiver is an incredibly difficult situation to be in. Whether you are caring for an aging person, an injured loved one or someone that will always need some level of care, caregiving is an equalizer in humanity. It is an experience that can occur in your life at any age, at any time, to anyone. Caregivers are from every race, every nation, every level of education and every economic circumstance in the world.

I have learned as a caregiver, there are times when you feel exhausted, under-appreciated, exasperated, drained, scared, hopeful, joyful, relieved, grieving, and every other emotion that exists. Being a caregiver is an emotional rollercoaster. Do not ride it alone.

Have someone to talk to. Caregivers need someone that they can openly express emotions to without fear of judgment or retribution. Find that someone if you do not already have such a person in your life. This can be a neighbor, a church member, an online friend, a therapist, in a forum, or with a chatbot. It is very helpful to join a community of others who are caregivers, whether online or in person. No matter what form this channel takes for you, have a way to express yourself freely that is outside of the person you are taking care of. And most importantly, talk to Jesus – daily and always.

Talking to Jesus is your lifeline. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says to pray continually. This can be focused prayer time or just talking to Him as you go about your day. However, wherever and whenever you communicate, He hears you.

Let us pray. Father in heaven, thank You for caregivers and the loved ones being cared for. We ask that You would provide strength, patience, faith, love, peace, joy, wisdom and hope to all caregivers. Bless those reading these words and fill them with comfort. In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.

“The Bible is Irrelevant”

On January 26, 2025December 14, 2024 By JCIn Miscellaneous, Wounded Butterflies BlogLeave a comment

I work with people from many different backgrounds, to include religious belief systems. There is one person who is 32 years old and has said to me that “the Bible is irrelevant”. He has also said that the Bible was “written thousands of years ago, so of course it is irrelevant to today”.

While the Bible was written a very long time ago, humanity does not change. If you read the Bible, it is filled with sex, murder, greed, rape, liars, drunks, cheaters, hate, wars, famines and disease. Last time I watched the news, all of this was still going on. The Bible tells us how to treat each other and ourselves, with love and respect. Clearly, we do not follow this, if we all did, the news would have less tragedies and crimes to report about.

Maybe the Bible is irrelevant because we make it irrelevant, we ignore it or dismiss it. The irony is that every human being craves peace, calm, or love. The way to get these is in the Bible. It is all in there, the Bible is the roadmap to life. The very thing people dismiss or ignore is the exact answer they need.

The Bible promises that we will have trouble in life, how is that irrelevant? We are surrounded by trouble each day to varying degrees. The Bible tells us how to handle trouble when it comes our way. It tells us how to have a happy marriage, handle money, raise kids, take care of parents, be successful at a job, and so on. Who doesn’t want the answers to life….I guess those who think that the Bible is irrelevant.

Let’s pray. Father in heaven, thank You for the Bible. Thank You for telling us exactly what to do and not do so we can be filled with peace, love and joy. Thank You that You did not keep secret the way to live a life full of calm. We thank You and praise You. In Jesus’ precious name we pray, amen.