There are quite a few exciting things that are happening in the Sinclair family and I am going to tell you about them! First, my sister Danica and her family are moving back to Madrid! I cannot express to you through words how excited we are about this. Every year when they visit for Christmas, they look at a few houses just to keep their eyes open and aware of all that’s available in the St. Lawrence area. This last holiday (2009), they happened upon a house that is everything they are looking for and is right down the road from us (Mom and Dad Sinclair)! Danica and her two boys are already back in Madrid and the movers will be here in a week or so with their belongings and Ryan will be here in mid March. Things are moving quickly in the buying process and it won’t be long before they are all settled in at their new home.

Second, Julia is going on tour! Unfortunately, it’s not a solo tour but it’s still very incredible. She will be playing the guitar, cello and singing for a solo artist. They will be meeting up with Ingrid Michaelson and Mat Kearney somewhere along the way and finishing the tour with them. God is starting to put the pieces in the puzzle of her career together.

Third, my brother Jamie and brother-in-law Rick both have jobs. Jamie is interning at church and helping take some of the load off of Dad and the other pastors. Rick is working in Canton at a computer software company. As a family we’d been praying for this for quite some time and God was faithful to provide.

Four, Brietta’s first born, Gabriel, turned seven today. While this may not be as exciting as someone moving back and someone moving forward in their career, it’s quite unbelievable. Seven years of being aunts, uncles and grandparents. Seven years of a new season in life that will last us a long time. It’s wonderful to see the next generation in our family being raised to love the Lord with all their hearts. What an indescribable testament to what God has done in and through our parents.

We have discovered some key qualities about this great woman from Shunem. She is perceptive, persistent, devoted, and willing. She is ready to receive the man of God at any time. And now he is here, in her home, in her midst. What does he do? He responds to her willing service by offering to do something in return.

God notices our service. He also knows our hearts. Did God need to ask her what her need was? No. So why did He not just tell the prophet? God allows a simple question to reveal her pure motive. This was her chance to cash in on God, to get what she wanted. Her response? In essence, she said she needed nothing. You see, her desire had been fulfilled simply by the prophet’s presence in her life. His staying in the extra room was all she wanted. That was more than enough.Our deepest desire can and should be filled simply by His presence in our lives. He is enough. Let me say that again. He is enough.

So he said, “What then is to be done for her?” And Gehazi answered, “Actually, she has no son, and her husband is old.” v.14

So, she has a need — a deep, painful, personal need. Why did she not voice this? Isn’t this her chance? Perhaps she had unbelief. Or maybe this need didn’t occur to her. (I wouldn’t ask another man for a son!) Or could it be that she just wasn’t looking for anything? Whatever the reason, this observation by the servant Gehazi points out a glaring need — she was barren.

Am I saying today that we should never ask God for something? Is it wrong to petition God with our requests? No. The scripture teaches us to come to God with every need, expecting His care, trusting in His goodness. But we should take care to inspect our hearts. What is our motive?

You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. James 4.3

This woman’s heart held no ulterior motives. One simple question revealed that. If we wondered what her pressing desire might have been for getting this prophet in her home, we can now see that she was not looking for fame, influence, money, or a child. She had a heart that wanted God.

We can be like this woman. Invite Him in, serve Him gladly, be fulfilled with His presence. We can seek His will above our own, submit to His hand in our lives, accept His way with faith, and desire His purpose. When we pray and ask according to these things, He is glorified in us and through us. His presence is readily seen in us. Let us be great women who seek Him and His presence in our lives.

Next week we will explore how God fills barrenness. He is a wonder-working God!

the whole world. the world that doesn’t make sense. the one that doesn’t function the way we think it should. a world that’s perverse and fallen and broken. my world — the one that’s not been spinning correctly. your world and whatever you have that feels off, imbalanced, not quite right. yup, that one.

He’s got the wind and the rain in His hands.

we were told on Sunday that storms can be expected, floods promised to come, and rain sure to fall. i knew that, but sometimes it’s hard to admit when you’re in the midst of a storm. it never seems very faith-filled to look around and say, “yup, the rain sure be pourin’ somethin’ mighty out there.”

but what i’m realizing is that faith is when you can look at the rain, the floods, and the windy storms that come into our lives and somehow see more than just the torrential downpour. it’s when you’re able to lift your eyes off the doom and gloom of the moment your experiencing and see something Greater. it’s when you see a Son behind the clouds that have dulled your everything. that’s faith.

it’s been pouring in my life. it’s been windy and flooding and raining in the lives of those in my family. the end of summer marked a start of heaviness, of whiplash after whiplash, and more and more rain, leaving us wondering if there’s any sign of it ending soon. our heads are dizzy, our hearts fragile, but it’s taught us the lesson from Job — He gives and takes away, but in it all, blessed be His name.

He’s got the tiny little baby in His hands.

they had her for three months. three whole months to call her their own. they loved on her, changed their daily schedule for her, decorated a room for her, brought her to doctors appointments, purchased outfits and toys for her, and suddenly, they had to let go. they were saying goodbye. her father of three months kissed her neck and she, with her goofy wonderful scrunched up smile, giggled over and over. her mother of three months held her tightly while feeding her the last time. “i love you, baby,” they whispered over and over. it broke their hearts. it broke our hearts.

and it was time. time to pile into vehicles, drive over to an office, and hand her back to the biological mother. she wanted her baby back and the court ruled that she would get her. we filed past that beautiful little girl one more time saying our goodbyes and i found it ironic how similar it felt to a wake of a deceased love one. it felt like she was dead.

but she’s not. i’m more and more aware of the blessing of her life as this nightmare continues. she should be dead. she should have died months ago due to the atrocities of abortion. but she didn’t. she’s living because one person was faithful to share God’s truth. this child was given to be part of our family these three months because others continued to be faithful to share God’s truth. and i can only pray that someday, this very child who has seen the protection of God from the very beginning, will one day stand and also declare God’s truth.

and although right now it feels like our world is out of control, that the storms are trying their best to knock us down, that we just lost a child/niece/grandchild/happiest baby in the world, we can rest in His Hands.

because really, He’s got it. the mad world. the rains that seem unfair. and the baby girl. He’s got it all.

Now it happened one day that Elisha went to Shunem, where there was a notable woman, and she persuaded him to eat some food. So it was, as often as he passed by, he would turn in there to eat some food. And she said to her husband, “Look now, I know that this is a holy man of God, who passes by us regularly. Please, let us make a small upper room on the wall; and let us put a bed for him there, and a table and a chair and a lampstand; so it will be, whenever he comes to us, he can turn in there.” And it happened one day that he came there, and he turned in to the upper room and lay down there. 2 Kings 4.8-11

PAY DAY!!!

She desired his presence. She created a place for him. She watched and waited. And he came!!

We desire the Lord. We want to know Him. So we make a place. We watch and wait. And He makes Himself known to us.

Jesus himself said, “Abide in me and I will abide in you. You are my friends; no longer do I call you servants.” He will reward us with His presence and friendship.

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11.6

He will come to us.

And it happened one day that he came there, and he turned in to the upper room and lay down there. Then he said to Gehazi his servant, “Call this Shunammite woman.” When he had called her, she stood before him. 2 Kings 4.11, 12

The man of God called for the Shunammite woman. She came, without hesitation.

When the Spirit calls do we come? How often do I ask for something from God, such as more opportunity to be hospitable, or a greater level of knowing Him, or the ability to minister healing, or more of His presence in my life — but when it comes, is it ever convenient and easy? Hardly ever. There usually seems to be sacrifice accompanying growth in God.

Here we are. Jesus has now made us friends of God. As friends who long to know the Lord, we must be ready to hear and listen at any time.

“When he called her, she stood before him.” This is a waiting, receptive position. Like this great woman of Shunem, we must learn to quiet our heart. Stop saying what we think and just listen.

We’ve gained much understanding thus far from this great woman of the Bible. We’ve discovered the need to create a place for God in our lives. We know to watch patiently for His presence, waiting for Him. Now — when He comes, let’s be ready to hear and receive. Let’s learn from this great woman of Shunem!

Now it happened one day that Elisha went to Shunem, where there was a notable woman, and she persuaded him to eat some food. So it was, as often as he passed by, he would turn in there to eat some food.
And she said to her husband, “Look now, I know that this is a holy man of God, who passes by us regularly.
Please, let us make a small upper room on the wall; and let us put a bed for him there, and a table and a chair and a lampstand; so it will be, whenever he comes to us, he can turn in there.” 2 Kings 4.8-10

We learn here that she was a great woman, a notable woman — worthy of notice, in other words. There are few references by God to “great”women or men. Let’s pay attention and see what we can learn.

Was she already notable, or did this interaction which was about to unfold characterize her as such? I am not able to say. Any Hebrew scholars in the audience that would care to weigh in on that? For our study, let’s just assume that the story conveyed is worthy of notice, because she herself is in it! How’s that for simplicity!

1. The first thing I note about her is her determination and her persuasiveness. KJV says she “constrained” Elisha to come and eat. She prevailed upon him. She was one determined gal. Maybe even a bit aggressive. Perhaps she stopped him outside her home, and with persistent beckoning drew him to the table. “Come have something to eat. Of course you must. You are hungry. Just a little something. I’ve made it just today. It’s no trouble, please, just sit down and eat.”

But why? Was this about her gourmet food, her Martha Stewart like table setting? What was this motivation? Maybe the text provides a clue.

“Look now, I know that this is a holy man of God…”

2. Second thing to note: she was perceptive and confident of her perception; she trusted that God-desire within her heart. She saw God in Elisha. He was the real deal and she longed for His presence in her life. This man was her ticket in. Don’t forget, God’s people did not know the fullness of salvation with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. God’s word came through His chosen vessels, His prophets. This woman was on to something. She was desirous of God’s Word in her life, perceptive of His work, and determined to find His presence. These are qualities of greatness.

Your words were found, and I ate them; and your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart: for I am called by thy name, O Lord God of hosts. Jer.15.16
I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the Words of His moth more than my necessary food. Job 23.12

3. Here is the third thing to note. She was not only seeking God, but was prepared to invest time, energy, and finances into her quest. “Let us make a small upper room…” This would cost time, energy, and money, but that was no matter. She wanted him in her house!

We, too, must build a meeting place. True, our hearts are His throne, our body His temple. The place is established. He will meet us within — always and whenever. But we must keep our part of the bargain, follow through on appointed meeting times, clear the heart and quiet the soul. What does that require of you personally?

Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God. Therefore arise and build the sanctuary of the Lord. 1 Chron. 22.19

Our woman was ready so that “whenever he comes to us, he can turn in there.” How much more privileged are we, His children, with ready access whenever! How glad our great woman would have been for such opportunity!

Jesus has promised great things to His people. For those of us remaining here, one of the best promises is His abiding presence with us.

“…and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matt. 28.20

Let’s make a plan for greatness! It’s not all together unattainable. In fact, He has made it quite attainable! What do you need to do in order to meet with Him and experience His presence? How do you need to rearrange your life, your schedule, your surroundings so that you can take in His Word? Make a plan. Start now to build and strategize.

We can be great. We can desire His Word, pursue His presence, and perceive His will for our lives, right here, right now. Today!

Born November 1, 2009
1:19am
8lbs, 14oz ~ 20-1/2″

Another precious little baby is now in the Paladin family!
We are so glad she is here — and we LOVE her tons!

With it, though, have come hardships within extended family and the church family. As always life is not easy but this season has been particularly hard. Nonetheless, the Lord is in charge and everything is in His hands.

Wonderful things have also happened in my family. My sister, Brietta, will be having her 5th child any day now and the excitement of that is wonderful. Carina is in the process of adoption. Although the adoption is not finalized, I know God is using this part of her life to do wonderful things in her life, her husbands and the baby. God is working in our family so much. It’s been a blessing to witness and to continue witnessing the younger Sinclair clan growing up in the church and to grow into who God has made them to be.

We continue to have extras around the 1942 house. As the holiday season approaches, I have thought about how some of these extras will be here for two Thanksgivings or Christmases. I know our family is large but to be able to have more people involved in what God has started in our family is so amazing. I often think about how many people my parents and my siblings have been able to affect just through having them over to our house for a dinner or a movie. Our house isn’t just a home but a ministry as well. To someone as young as I, it’s a marvelous opportunity to be involved in the local church without burdening my parents traveling load.

Soon, I hope, posting and updating will become regular and I apologize for the absence of posting. Life has been a little more crazy than usual. =)

I was thrilled to find a 100% whole wheat muffin recipe sweetened with honey that actually was soft and delicious. In fact, they were still soft the next day! (Not bad for whole wheat!)

Here’s my version of the recipe:

Whole Wheat Blueberry Muffins
makes 12

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 1 1/4 cup buttermilk*
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil**
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 [generous!] cup blueberries, fresh or frozen

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Grease muffin tins, or line with papers
3. Whisk together dry ingredients.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, oil, and honey until creamy.
5. Toss blueberries into dry ingredients to quickly coat.
6. Pour wet into dry, folding with a rubber spatula just until the batter is moist (but still lumpy.)
7. Spoon into muffin tin and bake 20-30 minutes. ***

*For cheater buttermilk: pour 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar unto 1 cup measure; fill with milk and let sit until it’s a bit curdled. Ta-da!