Articles by Deborah Subetto

More Than Enough

When I feed Jethro and the goats in the morning, I also toss extra feed out on the ground for the chickens and ducks. My birds get an extra handful of their favorites each morning. THIS morning, Poppy wasn’t in the mood to share. She postured and chased and hissed at the chickens to keep them away from the food. And while she was busy with the chickens, Alpha, Bravo and Charlie gobbled up the treats.There was more than enough for everyone, but Poppy was so busy trying to protect “hers”, that she never got any.

Poppy’s behavior was based on her attitude of a limited supply. She doesn’t understand that I never let my feed containers get “empty”. I restock and refill feed bins so that I am days ahead of ever being out of feed. She protected the extra handful of treats as though there wouldn’t be any more. 

God gives us more than enough. His supply of love, grace, wisdom, comfort, hope…is limitless. There is no “empty” in God’s supply for us. We can never use up His patience, His guidance, His presence or His mercy. He is always available and always good. He knows exactly what we need and when we need it. AND – everything He gives to us is meant to be shared with others. Working with His Spirit, we multiply the supply!

He expects us to give away what he pours into us. That’s how His Kingdom plan works. God’s gifts are given to be shared. There isn’t a limited supply – and the tighter our grip on what we think is “ours”, the less we will have in the end. Is there something in your death grip today – something you are afraid to lose or share or give up? Look at it again. Ask the Holy Spirit for heaven’s perspective. Are you holding on so tightly that you miss out on the opportunity to share it with others, as God intends? 

OR, are you comparing what you have with what someone else has and burying your gift because you think it’s not good enough? (Social media is destructive to our spirits and ministries in this way! Guard your heart from the lies that paralyze.) Someone, who God loves deeply, is missing out on His blessing when you hold your gift too tightly, when you stuff it, protect it, and make it unavailable. Your gifts, talents, passions, abilities are exactly what God intends you to share with others. And it is exactly, perfectly, good enough – because He says so!

“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need you will abound in every good work.” (2 Cor. 9:8) Yes, really!!!

 

  

 

Keep Moving

My goats are sweet, spoiled, beloved and – overweight. They have easy access to hay and fresh pasture grasses. The problem isn’t what they are eating. The problem is that they are not moving. In places outside of the United States, goats are guided along by a shepherd from one feeding area to the next. They take a few bites then a few steps. They are always moving. 

Not my girls. I have actually seen them nibbling hay from the feeder while laying on the ground underneath it. They don’t need to walk from one valley to another or from one water source to another. They have everything they need in their living space. They hardly need to move.

I learned, very recently, that I do not need to keep their hay feeders full, as I have been in the habit of doing. In fact, to encourage my plump pals to drop a few pounds, the feeders can remain empty so they have no choice but to walk into the pasture and graze for their food.

The book of Proverbs is full of verses (a few: 13:4, 18:9, 19:15, 21:25) about laziness and the consequences of our laziness, but I think we are already aware of that scenario-  AND I’m not suggesting that you and I are lazy! I think the more challenging issue for most of us today is our complacency. My goats stopped grazing because they lacked motivation to search for food. They were blissfully unaware of the consequences of their lifestyle of overabundance. Recognizing that we live in a culture of luxury and excess is an important step in opening our spiritual eyes, seeing what God sees, and developing our spiritual maturity.

Psalm 23 verse 1 says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I have all that I need.” Generally we have much, much, more than what we need. We are so accustomed to this lifestyle, that we don’t notice that we have wandered far from a sense of yearning. Our sense of urgency is lost in the comfort of excess.

A sense of urgency moves us to action. We make plans. We set goals. Our enthusiasm is a brilliant fire that ignites passion and excitement in those around us. We live “make every effort” lives and choose wisely. We are eager to reach our potential and desperately reach out to others to join us! Our entire perspective changes when we live with a sense of urgency, motivation, a sold-out commitment to God and the people He loves.

This is the attitude I find in the gospels and in Paul’s letters: “Stay awake…be ready (!)…” (Matt. 24:42-44), “…the time is short…this world is passing away.” (1 Cor. 7:29-31), “the hour has come…salvation is near” (Rom 13:11), “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet…we shall be changed.” (1 Cor. 15:52) 

Two thousand years is a long time to wait. What if we decided to live like the wait was over? What would you do differently today?

“As God’s fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says, ‘In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’ I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:1-2 

 

 

Open the Doors

This is a long one. I couldn’t find a way to shorten the message. Grab a cup of coffee, get comfy!

Our German-style Bank Barn was built circa 1880. The copula adornments on the tin roof and the cement poured on the ground floor were added later, probably about 1910. It stands today as a majestic reminder of the choices we make over time – the stories within the stories, and the consequences of our decisions that influence generations. That’s what I see when I look at my old barn – because I know some of the story… 

This sturdy barn was built to last through the ages with enormous hand-hewn summer beams bearing the unmistakable marks of the carpenter’s ax. Traditional mortise and tenon joints and wooden pegs join the thick Red Oak timbers. A modest grain crib was built into the west side of the barn to store wheat and/or corn.The hay trolley and wooden pulley system used to lift and move heavy hay bales remains intact and mounted to the ceiling. These details provide historical evidence of a strong and busy place, a place where people labored with purpose and fruitfulness.

While I can easily imagine the barn in it’s original state, the smell of the fresh cut hay, the voices of the workers, the squeak of the pulley wheel, the flurry of activity…that is not what we found when we purchased the property. At some point between it’s beginnings and our acquisition in 2011, the barn ceased being a productive, valued, thriving place. It sat idle for decades. Rain beat through the original tin roof and found it’s way to the proud timbers beneath. Water and insects ate away at the smartly engineered structure until parts of it gave way. The barn was used as storage and eventually a place to dump trash. Most people who looked at it, thought it should be torn down. It was no longer useful for anything more than it’s appearance as a huge “shabby chic” lawn ornament.

My husband and I used the last 8 years to rehab the barn, starting with digging out the layers of dirt and rot from the ground floor. The roof has been replaced. The entire east wall was removed and rebuilt. Rotten beams were replaced and reinforced. The main access doors for the barn were removed and new tracks and doors installed. This Fall we will add electricity to the barn – a modern convenience that will make animal management easier (for heated water buckets, lights and fans) on the lower level. It will also enable me to use the upper level for social events and for teaching. 

These barn doors will be opened wide for His glory. The barn is being resurrected for new life and new purpose. It is going to be a place of labor, love and fruitfulness once again. Oh, I cannot WAIT for the new stories to unfold under this roof! 

Jesus tells a parable of the “rich fool” in Luke 12:16-21. The farmer in this story was blessed with a bountiful crop so he decided that he needed a bigger barn to store his blessings. He decided that he would tear down his barns and build bigger ones so he could enjoy his life and good fortune. But God called him a “fool” because the man would be dead in the morning, never having the opportunity to enjoy (or share) his wealth. 

YOU have  “barn” doors to open wide! You have blessings to share. You have skills and assets and talents and time to give away. Re-gift your gifts. Share what you know, what you have, and what you love so that others see Jesus in you. Let the Holy Spirit in you, touch the lives of those around you so they too can know the love and grace of our Amazing God.

“Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted.” Isaiah 12:4

Opportunities to BLESS

Poppy, Alpha, Bravo and Charlie gather around the “water cooler” several times a day. Their chatter is loud and proud. I am not sure what news they are sharing – but it always sounds good. “Your feathers look amazing today; That shade of tan and white makes your eyes shine; Your egg was enormous this morning, way to go girl!” Maybe? It could be.

We have opportunities throughout our day to lift up, to encourage, to inspire someone else, on purpose. If you gather around water coolers at work, lunch rooms, or conference tables at work – if you gather with other parents/families for play dates and library time – if you wander out to restaurants and shops – LOOK for someone to bless with a word of kindness, a gesture of love, a fresh vote of confidence in their effort. Make this your mission today, bless someone with authentic kindness that flows from a heart the loves the Lord.

Not only do you lift their spirit, you shine the HOLY spirit into their lives. What a simple yet beautiful way to share God with another human being. Even the smallest light makes an impact in darkness. Whether your current capacity is to be a gentle candlelight, or a luminous flood light – BE THE LIGHT today, FOR HIS GLORY, because you can. 

“You are the light of the world – like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. no one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead a lamp, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” Matt. 5:14-16.

 

 

Reflections

 

The goats have memories. The remember me. They remember their ranking in the herd. They remember meal time and friendly visitors. They remember and learn from their past mistakes. They remember that bees stings, duck water tastes terrible, toads are harmless and the dog does not like to be jumped on. They alter their behavior based on their experiences. They use their past experiences to make better decisions in their present. They don’t wallow in their poor choices or bad behaviors; they apply the learning and keep moving forward.

I’ve made more mistakes in my life than I like to admit. There was a time when I allowed shame and guilt over those mistakes to dictate my direction and even my identity. I’ve learned through the decades however, that giving those negative emotions the throne in my life, not only steals MY joy – it steals God’s joy. Our Lord grieves when His creation is silenced and paralyzed. This is how the enemy wins his battles. He can’t win our soul, but he can undermine our potential and sabotage our ministries by destroying our confidence and rendering us ineffective for Christ.

What God is showing me today, is how He has been with me, directing my steps all along, to bring me to this stage of readiness, for this present call. I can look back on so many life experiences over 5 decades – even from my childhood and even some horrendous missteps along the way, that slowly but surely equipped me for meaningful, effective service in His name today. Thank you Lord that you never leave us or abandon us (Heb 13:5) as we stumble through this life, growing stronger, deeper, bolder with every step we take toward you – with our eyes ever on the prize!

“Looking back” can INHIBIT you and squash your dreams – OR or it can INSPIRE you as you rocket forward with courage and resolve. Be brave dear friend (Joshua 1:9). God is equipping you to do something wonderful for him. It’s all for His glory, always – always and forever. 

“You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasure of living with you forever.” Psalm 16:11 (NLT)

Saturated

The swollen ground yields to my weight as I walk to the pasture. I sink into the earth with each step and I hear the squish of moisture released from the dirt – like water from a sponge. The grass is tall because we have not been able to keep up with mowing between the rains. Mildew and mushrooms grow over the weeds. Mold clings like Rorschach inkblots on the wooden walls of the shelters. When it isn’t raining, the humidity is still 70 – 90%. Even my bleach spray just can’t keep up. We are saturated.

The soft, wet, earth brings and the worms to the surface. Bugs of all sorts have multiplied in this water-logged condition. The ducks have enjoyed a smorgasbord of grand proportions. Even Poppy is completely satiated. She isn’t interested in our worm hunts because her belly is already full. I call for her and she just sits, her belly too full for even one more bite. How I miss her eager anticipation to meet me for our hunting adventures together. 

Saturated. Soaked. Sopping. Full. Stuffed. Satiated.

The non-stop demands, pressures and distractions of our daily routines are not much different than the incessant rains at the farm. The phones in our pockets and the notifications from our i-watches buzz and beep with the rhythm of “look here”. The constant bombardment of social media images, work and personal expectations beat on our time and attention like a hard rain. We are SO FULL of the swirling distractions and in our competitive environments that there is little room left in our spirit for our God. 

That’s not a good place for a Christ-follower to be. There is too much available in our modern age to balance it all. It’s not about aligning the fulcrum on the teeter-totter anymore so that you can “have it all” – because the “all” is overwhelming, overweight, over-rated and over done. It’s time to let go and it’s time to prioritize. If you want a thriving, healthy, spiritual life – an authentic, vibrant, loving relationship with our LORD, then it’s time to “minimize” and “prioritize”. Ask the Spirit to help you to identify and unload some of the “little g” gods that are taking up your precious and limited time.

He wants our attention. This is what he asks for consistently in the OT and NT. He is a jealous God who wants our focus on Him. He wants us seeking him first and always BECAUSE He loves us that much. He wants to guide our steps, He wants to be with us while we plan our day, our lives, our time.

I am imagining Him right now crossing things off my To-Do list and giving me the eyebrow for trying to add, “just one more thing”!  Thank you Lord for keeping me straight!

“You must not have any god but me.” Exodus 20:3 (NLT)

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously,and He will give you everything you need .” Matt. 6:33 (NLT)

 

Road Closed

The river is flooded and the are creeks overflowing their banks. The road leading up to my house has been closed for days because of the flooding. I KNOW it is closed, but out of habit, I still leave my home and drive toward the river – only to have to stop and turn around when I see the “Road Closed” sign. Nothing like a big ol’ sign blocking my path to make sure I get the message!

God may close roads and block paths that He doesn’t want us to follow. Sometimes we receive an obvious “sign” where options are removed and we are left with limited or no choices – and sometimes the Spirit is more subtle – tugging at our heart or whispering in our ear, leaving us to discern between good and best – or better and worse.

What is my purpose in life? What is God calling me to do with my time, talent and resources? Those are the biggest questions of all. Those are the kinds of questions for which we beg God to provide a “sign” – or a GPS heading us in the best direction. And we are impatient for answers. We have deadlines after all, we can’t just sit on this job offer for a week or this investment opportunity for a night…

The Spirit has been consistently leading me to seek the face of God. He is making it clear to me that I need to look for Him and expect to find Him. He reminds me that His ways are perfect and His agenda has not changed: He wants me to love Him and to love people. We can fulfill those God-given purposes any where that we live, any place that we work, with any time that we have, and in any season of life. The big neon “sign” from God says, “LOVE ME and LOVE OTHERS”. 

All the other questions fade away as we are seeking and serving Him. God usually makes things pretty clear. We are the ones who make it confusing. Part of the problem is that there are too many other road signs in our way – and we are reading them all. Stop. Turn around. Read HIS sign, and start again. 

“I instruct you in the ways of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.” Proverbs 4:11-13

 

 

All In, Out and Up!

Oh this rain! I know that I am supposed to be thankful for everything but if I am honest, I am am very extra tired of the rain. I do not recall a rainier summer season – ever. We are moving into Fall now with the same marvelous abundance of precipitation that we have experienced the past several months – and now there is a monster hurricane aiming for the South East coast that is sure to bring all of our summer storms to their knees by comparison. 

Since much of my farm work and daily chores have to be done outside, the weather is part of my day. Caring for the animals, cleaning out gutters and digging swales to divert the deluge has to be done in the rain, because of the rain, or regardless of the rain. 

Our God is All-Mighty. He is All-Powerful and He can stop the storms (Matt. 8:23-27) with a single command. Yet, more often than not, He allows them. So we face storms and challenges of all sizes. The persistent, annoying drizzle or the category 5 hurricane – leave fingerprints on our hearts and souls and character as God holds us securely through it all.  

He uses obstacles and difficulties and even heart breaking situations to remind us that HE is our source of Hope, Comfort and Grace. Each and every challenge is another opportunity to lean on Him, to build our trust and deepen our faith. When we fix our eyes on Him instead of the problem and instead of the pain, His Spirit overwhelms us with peace and understanding that He is all that we need. He is our ALL.

ALL. “You, Lord, are all I have, and you give me all I need; my future is in your hands.” (Psalm 16:5, GNT)

IN. In the storm: He is there. When the winds are whipping at our faith and the rain threatens to wash away our foundation, we can stand firm in our God who promises to carry us through. And when we are too broken to stand, we can collapse in His arms knowing that He grieves for our own grieving heart. “The Lord is near the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18) “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.” (Nahum 1:7)

OUT. There is always something good that comes out of the storm. Don’t waste the pain, don’t linger in the hurt. Ask God to show you His goodness and grace as He meets you in – and then pulls you out of the pit. Look for the good, and you will find it. Carry compassion out of the catastrophe. Take truth and tenderness out of the turmoil. “You are good and what you do is good; teach me your decrees.” (Psalm 119:68) “The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.” (Psalm 145:9)

UP: The goal is always His glory. We honor Him when we come out of the storms with hearts and hands pointing “up”. Whether in thanksgiving for His protection, or in acceptance for an answered prayer that was His will, but not our desire – we give Him praise. It is His glory that shines for generations as a testimony to His power, perfection and love. “Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is the King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle.” (Psalm 24:7-8)

Praying for you today. May you find peace and encouragement in His presence.  

Staying Close

My Runner Ducks generally move together. They hunt together and bathe together and rest together. They travel in a line (all my ducks in a row), unless they are chasing butterflies or crickets!

They stick together until I come into the pasture. When I open the gate and step inside, I have Poppy’s attention. She quacks loudly and it’s not really a simple “hello” kind of tone, it’s more like a “Yahooo!” Poppy breaks off from her group of friends and comes to meet me. I’m the “food lady”. the “worm hunter”, the “treat giver” – and she doesn’t want to miss out.

Poppy stands and waits her turn while I fill food bowls in the morning. She will quack a few times if I’m moving too slowly, but she doesn’t leave her post. Poppy gets the first meal and the best treats because she is at my feet. The other girls eventually waddle over and pick up the leftovers.

Is anyone else thinking of Mary and Martha yet? That’s the story that God brought to my mind while I served Poppy her breakfast. This story is so well known and yet, it only takes up 4 verses in the gospel of Luke (Luke 10:38-42).

I re-read it after morning chores. Poor Martha gets judged by the whole world for not putting Jesus first, our best choice. We are all “Martha” at some point. We all get busy and distracted and overwhelmed. But look at what Martha did when she was feeling stressed – she went straight to Jesus. “Lord, don’t you care?!” (vs. 40). In her cry for help, Martha reveals her honesty, her vulnerability and for her tender and close relationship with Jesus.

Mary had her priorities right and was sitting at the feet of Jesus. But Martha got it right too. When she was upset, she took her problems to Jesus, who put quickly pointed out what the real problem was.

I often wondered how Martha received Jesus’s words because it felt like a “scolding” to me when I heard it as a child. But this is the Martha of the family of Mary, Martha and Lazarus; a family who was dearly loved and often with Jesus. So I imagine that Martha accepted the words and the message with love and was not only able to incorporate that teaching into her life, but THANKFUL for it.

So just one more thing that I noticed about this story: Martha cried out to Jesus to make the situation “fair” – but she did not get the answer that she wanted. His answer may have disappointed Martha at first – but was OH SO important to the bigger picture of developing our faith – and not just for Martha, but for the billions of believers who have read the story since.

Lord, thank you for your Word, that teaches and guides us daily, even thousands of years after the events were recorded. Thank you for knowing that we would still need those words and your perfect perspective in order to grow closer to you – and closer to who you want us to be!

“Seek first his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matt. 6:33

Praise in All Seasons

It is early September and another hot, humid morning. I am watching my beautiful “Runners” dunk and play with exuberance during their morning bath. Runner ducks do not take long swims in a pond or float down a river…but they DO enjoy a good splash party around a fresh tub of water! I watch them take turns hopping into the tub and then out again to flap their wings and preen their feathers.

Runner Ducks have eyes on the sides of their heads so when they want to look up or down, they have to tilt their heads. This posture makes it look as though they are asking a question. What would they ask me: “Do you want to play? Do you have any snacks?  Why do your “feathers” change every single day?!” I don’t know what a duck thinks…but I still love to imagine!

I imagine/see that my ducks are praising the Lord while they are splashing and playing around the tub. “Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord!” (Psalm 150) They are just so happy to BE. They live in moments of joy and express it honestly and with thanksgiving, as God intended. They do it every day. Every season. No matter what.

If my ducks express joy no matter the season or situation (now I am imagining my duck tilting her head), “Why shouldn’t I?” It’s so automatic to praise in response to an answered prayer or something exciting or worth celebrating. Praise and glory and honor to the One from whom all blessings flow!

But can we do the same when the seasons change and we are not celebrating? Can we still praise Him when we are disappointed, confused, hurting and in pain?

If our praise depends on our circumstances, then our faith is situational. I don’t want situational faith. I want real, deep, comforting, solid faith. I want faith that depends on the goodness of my God, not the goodness of my situation.

The only way I know how to experience praise through pain is to keep my eyes on the cross, literally. Jesus took ALL our pain so that we could live. Then I will live for Him, no matter what.

I do not for one moment want to minimize how badly it feels to suffer and grieve. But I do want to help you move forward through it. He wants more for you. You won’t stay “stuck” and in pain when you look for His love and grace and mercy and hope. It is there. Always.

Grab hold of Him and give Him praise! When you can honor and praise Him through your struggles, your praise is a sacrifice to Him. It is a discipline that He recognizes and rewards by strengthening your faith. You will find peace in a faith that gets you through, no matter what.

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that openly profess his name.” Heb. 13:15

“I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.” Psalm 34:1