Linda Newton: Home

SUMMER BUTTERFLIES~
This summer when you see butterflies floating through the air displaying their exquisite beauty note this awesome lesson we get from Romans 12:1-2,"Therefore, I urge you, brothers (and sisters), in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
      The word for transformed here doesn’t just mean change like, “I’ve changed from Colgate to Crest or I’ve switched to Geico!”. The word for change here is the word metamorphoo from which we get our English word metamorphosis used to describe the life cycle that transforms and unsightly caterpillar into a magnificent butterfly.
     Have you ever looked at a caterpillar? Sticking out of its head are long hairs that look like horns. It has strong jaws with other mouth parts on the underside of its head. It has antenna on either side of its mouth to help feel its way as it crawls along on its many undulating legs. A short structure called a spinneret sticks out below the mouth.  The caterpillar squeezes a thin stream of liquid through the spinneret that hardens to create a foothold wherever the creature goes. On each side of its head just above its mouth are six small eyes that form a curved line.
     I must admit, sometimes I feel like that caterpillar as I wander through life bug-eyed, buck-toothed, and drooling! Thank goodness God is in the transformation business! With His amazing power, He turns that unsightly caterpillar into a magnificent winged beauty—the beautiful butterfly that poets call Winged Flowers or Flying Gems. That’s what he does for us when we allow Him to transform our weak will, our shallow commitment, our fragile faith through the process of prayer and meditating on His Word.
I have had the blessing of watching the metamorphosis personally when I was teaching fourth graders. Every elementary school teacher gets this experience when some child brings a caterpillar into the classroom, and we all get to watch it spin a chrysalis around itself. Then after the proper time, it has to shed that cocoon it has woven so tightly around itself.  As the butterfly is struggling to emerge, it strains and pushes trying to break free.  Inevitably one of the students anxiously suggests that we make things easier on the poor creature.  “She’s struggling. We need to help her,” suggests a sensitive girl in ringlets and ruffles.
      But as the creature fights it’s way out of the sticky shell it’s legs and wings are strengthened for flight. If we intervened and “helped” the creature, we would cripple it for the very purpose for which it was created.
There are times when we rail at God because we don’t see him intervening in our struggles in the way we think He should. When all the while he knows that the faith we are growing is building strength in us to be the beautiful, strong creatures He intends us to be.
Now I recite Romans 12:1-2 every time I see a caterpillar creeping along, and my goal is to trust God more as I witness His power evidenced in every butterfly floating by.

My new devotional book is out~Sapphires from Psalms: 31 Gems of Comfort for a Woman Seeking God. Start each day of the month with scripture from Psalms to instruct you, and a story illustrating that scripture to encourage and inspire you.  It will be available on Amazon.com in the next few days, but you can get a discount now by emailing me at lindanewtonspeaks@gmail.com. Let me know you saw this on my website, and get a copy for $12 plus $1 shipping.

REFLECTIONS ON FATHER'S DAY~

ABBA FATHER, “DADDY”

When I read in Proverbs 14:26, “Those who fear the Lord are secure; he will be a place of refuge for their children,” I was troubled with the idea that we were supposed to fear the Lord. My mind conjured up pictures of a divine Dirty Harry in the sky, hovering over the smite button on His cosmic computer just waiting for me to mess up so I could make His eternity!  (Isn’t one day like an eternity to God?)
     The word for fear in this verse does not mean to cower in terror or anxiety.  There are other words used in the Old Testament that depict this kind of emotion.  But the word used in Proverbs 14:26 is the Hebrew word “yirah.”  It means to reverence or to treat with deep devotion and respect.  Vine’s Bible Dictionary explains it as a “reverential fear of God, as a controlling motive of life, in matters spiritual and moral.  It is not a mere fear of His power and righteous retribution but a wholesome concern for displeasing Him.”  Ironically, it is this kind of fear or awe that banishes the fear or terror that causes us to shrink from His presence.
     The Apostle Paul further explains this in Romans 8:15-16: For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship (and daughtership).  And by him we cry Abba Father.  The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.  He tells us not to be debilitated by fear but to embrace God’s love like that of a father—more specifically “Abba” is translated as “Daddy”.     
     With this new understanding of who God is, I now crawl up into His lap, let Him comfort me, and tell me that Daddy’s going to make it all better.  Now that’s a day-maker!
    Here is a story from my book, Better Than Jewels that I think demonstrates the devotion our Heavenly Father has for His kids.

                                                        ASK YOUR DADDY
     It was one of those rare summer days in central California when the sky darkened and the air smelled like rain.  Ashley Rose, my five-year-old daughter, was playing outside with the little neighbor girl, Jessie.  Those two would occupy themselves for hours getting into all kinds of mischief and loving every minute of it.  But with the clouds coming up, I worried lightning might soon follow so I decided I had better call the girls inside.  
     As I approached the front door, their conversation caught me off guard. They spoke in slow, hushed tones in deep, meaningful discussion, uncharacteristic of the kindergarten girls who filled the hours with playful chatter.  Choking back tears, Jessie shared, “I have to have surgery on my foot. And I’m scared!”  
     I watched as Ashley wrapped her arm around her playmate and patted her back, knowing all too well what Jessie had to fear.  Ashley Rose had already survived two heart surgeries and was awaiting a serious open-heart surgery in just a few months.
      Ever since talk of this next heart surgery started, Ashley made it a ritual to squirm her scrawny frame into our bed every evening.   Needing a lot of reassurance, she would cuddle up between her dad and me and pose question after question.  “Is it going to hurt like it did the last time?” she asked with her big blue eyes open wide.  “Can Sissy and Jake come and see me?” she questioned, referring to her brother and sister.  “Will they let me keep Bobo with me?” she wondered about her favorite teddy bear.  
     As I lay next to her, all I could do was pray for fear that if I spoke, my words would belie my own fear and dread.  Yet, as she voiced her endless stream of concerns, her daddy patiently answered her questions even as the doubts she shared became more personal.  “Why am I like this and Jake and Sarah aren’t?  Will I always be this small?  Am I going to die?” However long it took to send Ashley off to sleep in peace, is the time her Daddy devoted to his special child.
     That’s why it came as no surprise to me that, as she sat with her arm around her frightened friend, Jessie, she shared with all the assurance in the world, “You don’t have to worry.  You just have to talk to your daddy.” Ashley had first-hand knowledge that her Daddy would be there to help her and offer her comfort and peace.  Our Abba-Father, our Daddy, longs to do the same thing for us if we’ll let Him.
     How long has it been since you curled up next to Him in the wee hours of the evening to let Him know your doubts and fears?  He’s waiting and He’s got all the time in the universe for you.


ENJOY THIS TRIBUTE TO MOMS EVERYWHERE~

MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME…
1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE: "If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."
2. My mother taught me RELIGION: "You better pray that will come out of the carpet."
3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL: "If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"
4. My mother taught me LOGIC: " Because I said so, that's why."
5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC: "If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."
6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT: "Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."
7. My mother taught me IRONY: "Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."
8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS: "Shut your mouth and eat your supper."
9. My mother taught me about STAMINA: "You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."
10. My mother taught me about WEATHER: "This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."
11. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY: "If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"
12. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE: "I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."
 13. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION: "Just wait until we get home."
14. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE: "If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way."
15. My mother taught me ESP: "Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"
16. My mother taught me HUMOR: "When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."
17. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT: "If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."
18. My mother taught me WISDOM: "When you get to be my age, you'll understand."
And my favorite:
19. My mother taught me about JUSTICE: "One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you!"

HOPE FOR THE HURTING PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE
A Template for Dealing with Life’s Challenges

What do you do when God brings people into your life who need more than just a listening ear? What do you do when that hurting person is YOU? Try these time-tested-tools to turn your trials into triumphs.

PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR PACE, PITCH, AND TONE, Proverbs 15:1
When you share with the hurting person in a soft, slow pace, there is a better chance they will match your pace, pitch and tone and calm down long enough to form a reasonable response to the stressful situation.

PITCH A POSITIVE PERSPECTIVE, 1 Thess.5: 18
They may be facing some challenging pain, and the only way to get through it is to look for what’s going right. If they continue to fixate on what’s going wrong, they will be circling the drain by dinnertime! Without minimizing the hurting person’s pain, suggest she make a Blessed List & read it often during these trying times.

PROTECT YOURSELF, Galatians 6:2-5
Be careful not to do for the hurting person what they need to do for themselves. It’s easy to feel bad for a person in pain, but we have to remember: Empower, don’t enable! Encourage every step of courage, so the helpee can lean on God not on you.

HELP THE HURTING PERSON FIND:

POWER IN GOD’S WORD, Psalm 119:105
Employ the FREEING THREE. Select 3 Scripture verses that address your need. Read them 3x a day for 3 weeks. Place them in 3 easy-to-see places like the mirror, screen saver, refrigerator. Jesus said, “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” God’s Word is that truth about who you are in Him.

PRAYER: THE DAILY DIALOGUE, 1 Thess. 5:17
Once God’s Word builds a case for how much He loves us and wants to take care of us, we are able to connect with Him. That happens when we stay on-line with the Lord in prayer all day long. We don’t say Amen! We don’t click off the cosmic computer or hang up the hot-line to God. Instead we remain intentional about keeping the communication lines open throughout the day.

PATIENCE WITH GOD’S PLAN, Joel 2:27
Joel 2:27 reads, “The Lord will restore the years the locust hath eaten.” KJV. It takes time and patience for that to happen. Story below:)

PARDON: FINDING FORGIVENESS, Ephesians 4:32
Forgiveness doesn’t make your offender right, it just makes you free! Choosing not to forgive allows that person to continue to harm us as we endlessly relive their offense. Many times we are held back in our growth because we can’t let go of our pain. Let go of the offense, and free yourself from the pain.

PURPOSE: WHAT REALLY MATTERS, Ephesians 2:10
Many times a hurting person’s best therapy is to do something for someone less fortunate. It gets our mind off our problems and helps us count our blessings as we  realize we don’t have it so bad!

Adapted from 12 Ways to Turn Your Pain Into Praise: Biblical Steps to Wholeness in Christ.
Click on “STORE” to purchase or amazon.com.

Here are 3 verses for your Freeing Three to use depending on your need. Print them off, read them 3x a day for 3 weeks, and put them in 3 places where you will see them regularly. Focus on the Word not your worries!

COMFORT
2 Thessalonians 2:16, “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.”
Isaiah 51:3, “The LORD will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing.”
Psalm 91:1, “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

PEACE    
Isaiah 26:3, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, whose thoughts are fixed on you!” NLT
2 Thessalonians 3:16, “Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!”
John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”

HOPE
Joel 2:25, “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten.” NKJV
Jeremiah 29:11, “‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.’”
Romans 15:13, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

FEAR
Isaiah 41:10, “So Don’t panic. I’m with you. There’s no need to fear for I’m your God.
I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you. I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you” The Message.
 2Tim. 1:7, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
Isaiah 51:12 , “I’m the One comforting you. What are you afraid of—or who? Some man or woman who’ll soon be dead? Some poor wretch destined for dust?” The Message.

PROVISION
Philippians 4:19, “And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
Psalm 121:3, “He will not let your foot slip — he who watches over you will not slumber.”
Hebrews 6:18, “God cannot tell lies! And so his promises and vows are two things that can never be changed. We have run to God for safety. Now his promises should greatly encourage us to take hold of the hope that is right in front of us” CEV.

SECURITY
Psalm 125:1, “Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.”
Nahum 1:7, “The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him.”
Psalm 62:1-2, “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.  2 He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”

STRENGTH
Isaiah 40:28-31, “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint”.
Psalm 37:23-25, "The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.
 24 Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. 25 Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned nor their children begging for bread,” NLT.
Isaiah 43:1-3, “But now, this is what the LORD says—he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
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.
3 For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior”
Isaiah 12:2, “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation."

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE
Psalm 103: 8-12, “The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.”
Isaiah 40:11, “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries
them close to his heart”
Psalm 40:1-3,” I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry.2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.
Zephaniah 3:17,”The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love he will rejoice over you with singing."

REST
Matthew 11:28-30,”Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
Isaiah 30:15, “This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength,”
Psalm 46:10,”Be still an know that I am God.”