Introducing the Walking on Water Podcast!

 

New Podcast!

I recently released my new podcast! You can find The Walking on Water Podcast on Spotify, Apple and other platforms.

Let's get started!

Season 1, Episode 1

I’m excited to begin this journey of sharing hope, humor and encouragement here on Walking on Water.

I chose the name Walking on water because it is a phrase I have loved for a long time.  I even named this, my blog, after it years ago. 

It came about through some dark seasons in my life where I felt like I was drowning in a sea of fear, hurt and the demands of life..  Jesus kept reminding me of the story in Matthew 14 where He invited Peter to walk with Him on water.

I want to read the story to you.  We’ll start in verse 22.

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

29 “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Isn’t that an amazing story?   

If you’re like me and grew up hearing Bible stories - sometimes we lose the awe of the miracle we can find inside the story.  But let’s break this down and look a little deeper.

If you go back and read earlier in this chapter, it tells how Jesus’ cousin and friend, John the Baptist, had just been beheaded.  It’s easy to read this and not stop to consider how this news must have affected Jesus. 

This is His cousin.. His friend.  The other one who was born under miraculous circumstances.  

The two men would have grown up with a unique bond due to the miracles surrounding their births.  And they both knew they had a huge calling on their lives.

Now John’s life had ended…  Think about the emotions that Jesus must have been feeling that day.  The grief, the pain.  I know that personally, I would have wanted to be alone with my thoughts.. But though He tried to take time away, the crowds followed Him.

And even in His grief, Jesus had compassion on them and healed them.  

This gives me comfort to know the heart of Jesus.. That His love and compassion for the brokenness of humanity drove Him to put His own desires aside in order to care for the hurting.

I feel moms everywhere know how He felt in those moments!  When we JUST WANT A MOMENT TO CATCH OUR BREATH… and the crowds of children and people and things press in wanting more of our time and attention.

Jesus put His own needs aside.. But only for a time.. And then He tried again.. This time successfully.  There’s a lesson in that for us.  Take a moment.  Take time for yourself - especially when dealing with hard things.

Jesus didn’t get angry at the people for needing Him.  He wasn’t feeling sorry for Himself and slamming doors and stomping around as He cared for those in need.  He did what needed to be done and then sent them away.

BOUNDARIES ARE OK!  

What does “sending them away” look like for you?

A few months ago, I went away.. I took a week to spend time away from everything and focus on healing and my relationship with the Lord.  I hope to tell more about that at a later date.. But that experience showed me how important it is to set clear boundaries.  To have intentional time to be alone.  Silent.  Shut off the phone… listen.. Write what the Lord speaks over me..  If Jesus needed it, then you and I both know we need it too!

It’s hard to perform the day to day tasks when we are swimming in a sea of pain and grief.

This part of the story can actually be an encouragement to us when we see Jesus having to deal with the hard things we can look and see what He did about it and use that as an example for our own lives.

If Jesus needed to be purposeful and intentional about time alone with the Father, how much more do you and I?

So next - after Jesus has had time alone to pray, He sees the disciples struggling on the lake.  Restored and refreshed from His time alone with the Father, Jesus goes to His disciples -  by walking out across the water.  

Peter sees Him and is freaked out - rightfully so!  

Imagine the chaos - the rocking boat on the stormy waters.. The darkness.. The fear.. And the uncertainty of what they were seeing moving across the waters towards them!

Jesus calls out to them and says, “Don’t be afraid! It’s Me!”

I can just see Peter rubbing at His eyes in disbelief.. But then there in the chaos of the churning waters and darkness and fear, something unexpected wells up inside of Peter.. Unexpected courage causes him to cry out to Jesus.. Peter said, “Jesus, if it’s you, invite me to come to You.”

Can that be the same cry of our hearts today?  

Jesus!!  Invite me to come to You!!

Because, He will!  He’s inviting us daily to come to Him. 

But He didn’t do it alone - no, He invited Peter to join Him.

And He invites us to do the same in our lives today.  

He knows the hurt from yesterday, the demands from today and the fears for tomorrow.. And He invites us to climb out of our place of comfort and assumed safety and join Him above the crashing waves.

He reminds us to keep our eyes on Him and when we intentionally lift our eyes off of our situations, and shift our focus back to Him, it is then where we can experience peace in our heart once again.

It’s like that old song, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus”?  I used to sing that song over my kids when they were babies and the truth of those words took root in my heart and in my mind.

It says

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim 

In the light of His glory and grace

Such simple but profound words.

And what power we have access to - to be able to rise above our hurts, our challenges, our fears… by shifting our attention to Jesus.  To tell Him what we’re facing and receive His perspective on each situation.

It’s something that’s easier said than done.  Even as I am preparing to share this, I’m dealing with a frustrating injustice that has me wanting to go on a rant to anyone who will listen!  You know those moments?  When you find yourself typing and deleting over and over and over again because Holy Spirit says you’re not allowed to say what you REALLY want to say?  

And then you find peace.. Life goes on and SUDDENLY BAM - there it is again.. And if you don’t choose to take your thoughts captive and TELL YOUR MIND WHAT IT’S ALLOWED TO THINK ABOUT, you suddenly find yourself right back in that cycle of stinking thinking..

This too is like Peter. He took His eyes off of Jesus and suddenly he goes from walking by faith and experiencing the supernatural to returning to the common way of living - taking stock of our situations in life and then comparing them to our own abilities, resources and strength.  Which ALMOST ALWAYS comes up short and it leaves us feeling angry, overwhelmed and weak.  

Jesus didn’t leave Peter there in his moment of weakness.  No… this is when Jesus came even closer..  

Isn’t that comforting..

To know that when Peter was being swallowed up there in the chaotic darkness that was his life, Jesus reached out and pulled him back up to safety.

So what does that look like for us today?

The simple answer is to do what Peter did - cried out to Jesus.. Master!  Save me!

Jesus is the end all be all answer that I have found when life is pulling me down into that pit of despair.

At the same time, Jesus has also taught me ways to stay on course.. To train my brain to keep my thoughts centered on Him.

I want to look at that and many other subjects here in this space.

So click that subscribe button and invite a friend to join us as well.

In the coming weeks and months, I hope to encourage women, moms, wives and teens here on Walking on Water.  

You have a purpose.  Your life has value.

And one thing I know - God did not create you to  live a life of fear, depression, anxiety, anger and bitterness..  That is not the life you are called to!

Jesus said, in John 10:10 The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy.  I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly.

Other versions say Life to the full!

This is the life you’re called to.

What does that look like?  A full life?

For each of us, it’s different, but at the heart of it all, we can find supernatural strength, peace and joy when we turn our eyes upon Jesus for each and every moment we face.

Get Offended

 I talk a lot about not getting offended, but is it ever good to be offended?

The answer hit me square in the face one morning last week… and I haven’t been able to simply set it down and walk away.

Part of our family’s breakfast routine includes my husband, Tim, playing a chapter from the Bible on his phone.  After the chapter is read, each person talks about what stood out to them.  It’s a simple routine but one that has garnered many interesting conversations through the years.

This particular morning, we were listening to the story of Lot.  It’s found in the Old Testament book of Genesis - chapter 19.  

Now, if you’re familiar with this story, you know that it makes for some awkward side glances among any teenagers sitting around the table. And on this day, even I was cringing, wishing I could wash the dishes for a while… while wearing headphones…and singing loudly.

There’s no two ways about it.  The story is just plain weird.   

The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were about to be destroyed by God because of the abundance of immorality and an unwillingness to clean up their act.  Lot is the only believer in the city and the chapter begins with two angels arriving at Lot’s house.  Now picture hosting two angels as overnight guests… that thought alone is intimidating - but imagine what happens next!  

There’s a knock at the door.  Outside is a group of men shouting for Lot to send his visitors out so they can… um… have their way with them.

My kids looked up while pouring their cereal and I was more convinced than ever that the pile of dishes in the sink was calling my name..

“Yes.  You heard that right.  Do you need the milk?”

The story continued. 

Lot says, “no…you can’t take my guests..  but you can have my virgin daughters..”

Wait.

What??!?

Now I’m wanting to change the laundry, mow the yard, wallpaper the family room and maybe even clean the gutters.  And throw something.  What kind of father…?

“More cereal anyone?”

The story intensifies with the men attempting to break into the house but the angels intervened and struck them with blindness.  The next morning, the angels tell Lot to gather his family and run far away to the mountains.  

And here is where my jaw literally drops ev. er. y time.

After the terror of the night before… the horror… the fear… the danger.. with the memory of men breaking down his door wanting to rape both his guests and daughters still fresh in his memory, Lot begs to be allowed to simply take his family to a nearby village.

Is he out of his mind?  The mother instinct in me bristles at the thought!  What parent would want to stay close to such.. such.. such filth?!?

The angels finally agree and Lot and his family are soon on their way.  

It’s all there - you can read the story..   You’ll see how in the end, Lot loses his wife and ends up so drunk he impregnates his daughters.  They both have sons by their father who go on to father nations who would become two of Israel’s greatest enemies - the Ammonites and Moabites.

Crazy story, right?  I mean, I’ve had some crazy houseguests, but that one takes the cake.

Human tendency is to shake our heads with shock at Lot’s choices, knowing we would never make such foolish decisions.  But think about it - what might have happened if Lot had been so offended by the immorality around him that he would willingly do anything -anything- God asked him to do?

Like Lot, parents today are raising their kids in an immoral society.  Filth knocks at the door of our homes on a daily basis and too often rather than slamming the door and barring it shut, we bargain with it.  Even to the point of offering up our children as a sacrifice.

“Mom, can I watch this movie?”

“Can I get this game?”

The music, the movies, the games, the websites, the friendships, the phones… it’s all there.  All knocking at our doors, begging to be allowed access.

Not every one of these is bad - but as guardians of the door, it. is. our. job. to. know.  We cannot afford to haggle with sin.  We cannot lose our ability, courage and willingness to say ‘yes’ when we need to say yes, and ‘no’ when we need to say no.

The longer Lot allowed the immorality to creep closer to his home, the less he was offended by it.  So much so that he finds himself begging angels to allow him to keep his family near its epicenter - even as he watched the fires of destruction fall from heaven destroying the lives of his community.

It’s dramatic, yes.  Shocking, even.  But maybe it needs to shock us a little to get us to take a moment to consider what areas of sin do we cater to in our own lives.  And how will it affect our children?  And their children?  And their children’s children?

Today’s apathy is a breeding ground for tomorrow’s regret.

We are surrounded by offense.  It’s everywhere and it’s easy to take on offenses on a daily basis.  But if you want to be offended about something, ask God to offend your heart with the things that offend His.

And then do something about it.

September Time Out for Moms - Unoffended

Recently, the Lord has been pointing out to me how easily I can get offended.

Ever been there?  

In our day and age, offense seems to be hiding around every corner.  If we aren't offended, we've likely offended someone else.

So for the month of September, I am inviting you to join me in looking into the matter of offense and consider if it has taken up too much real estate in our lives.

Below is a reading plan - one you are welcome to print out and keep with your Bible.  Go to my story highlights on Instagram for a screenshot version under Reading Plan that you can easily use with your smart phone.

Connect with others by sharing what God speaks to you through this and sharing it on Facebook or Instagram with #timeoutunoffended and tag me @lynette_carpenter_

I hope this will encourage and challenge you along with myself as we call ourselves up to a higher standard of living and lay down the things that unnecessarily trip us up. 

The Privilege of Serving

What does your day hold?  What duties lie before you?

As a mother, I see endless need-to-dos overshadowing my want-to-dos… but somewhere inside all the demands, my attitude changes when I recognize the high calling - the honor - the privilege I've been given in being called to serve my family – and those around me.

To SERVE isn't something our society promotes.  It isn't something most dream of growing up to be – ‘one who serves’.  It isn't even something we think of in connection with the concept of parenting...or marriage (ouch).

It's backwards thinking...to lower oneself... to seek to serve...’more of you, less of me’.

It’s counter-cultural.

But then so was Jesus.

And I find that when I yield myself to Him, He changes my perspective.  And suddenly, the thankless, endless and unnoticed become my calling…my joy… and my privilege.

You see, Satan wants me to give up.  He tells me all my efforts are in vain – not just with mothering… but in relationships…in ministry…in everything. 

But my Abba tells me not to listen to the lies.  He calls out – telling me to hang in there – that I have no idea what each small seed will produce…and that while it may not seem this way today, someday I’ll look back and recognize the privilege that is mine in being invited to SERVE the ones before me.

Motherhood

I was twenty-two, the day love was laid in my arms. 

He was 8 pounds 3 ounces – or was it 4?  I don’t remember – but what I never shall forget is an awakening in my soul.   A person I had never known was born that day – and it wasn’t my firstborn – for as my son entered the world, a new version of me arrived with him.

There’s just something about motherhood. 

It unmasks our souls and reveals our vulnerabilities.  Yet at the same time, it unveils courage, boldness and a love that is altogether fierce, reckless and unbreakable.

It has the unexplainable ability to duplicate that intense devotion time and time again - no matter how many children a mother brings into this world.

For me, it was four.

Four souls who forever altered mine.

I have known the pain of tears on the second Sunday in May – days with empty arms and empty prayers.

And I have known the tears of exhaustion – when prayers were realized and arms were full and patience short and demands unmet and endless work and...and… and then the years when guilt plagued my mind – knowing all I really wanted for Mother’s Day was to be alone for a few hours.

As a mother, I have learned patience and I have not.

I have been fearless and I have been afraid.

I have known success and I have known failure.

I have laughed, cried, questioned and learned as a mother more than in any other relationship I’ve known.

And in it I’ve seen the heart of God – a God who loves His children with a fierce and uncontainable passion.  A love that cannot be earned…cannot be stopped… cannot be broken nor can it be demanded. 

It just is.

And in it I’ve discovered His grace – for though I am imperfect, He allows me the gift of knowing what His love for me feels like – both given and received.

And I am changed. 

Can a mother forget her nursing child?

    Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?

But even if that were possible,

    I (God) would not forget you!

16 

See, I have written your name on the palms of My hands.

Isaiah 49