Unto us a child is born, Unto to us a son is given,
and the government will be on His shoulders.
He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace Isaiah 9:6
A Child who is also The Wonderful Counselor;
A Son who is also Our Mighty, Everlasting God;
A Savior, who told us not to worry about our world; ultimately
all government rests on The Shoulders of The Prince of Peace.
There are 2 realms at work on Planet Earth...one seen, one unseen.
Some choose to believe only in what we can be measured and quantified. Some intellectuals and visionaries tell us to ‘think outside the box;' yet, their minds won't open to the possibility of an unseen God, Sovereign over us. Creation declares that there is a Supernatural Hand at work; but God chose to do more than create the intricate beauty that surrounds us and speaks His Name.... He chose to make Himself visible. Heaven came to Earth. God, in flesh and blood, through Jesus.
It is hard for the human mind to imagine how God's Son could leave the royal robes of heaven behind to come to us as a helpless baby, who needed to have his diapers changed and felt hunger, cold… and rejection. It is a blessed mystery, but deep in our souls we know that it is TRUE. Jesus coming to Earth as a baby, was Heaven’s Way...the Way of Love, Humility, and Service. How hard it is for us to love without condition; to lay down our pride, and to refrain from justifying our every action! Jesus was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and the Perfect Lamb of God, did not open his mouth to defend Himself…. Every moment of His Earthly Life, had already proven who He was. He fulfilled every prophesy; then willingly, Our Good Shepherd, laid down His LIfe for His Sheep.
Take the time to read what He said; study His Words in the Gospels and He will unveil Himself to you. If you desperately seek Him, He will show you Who He Is.
How wonderful it is to be a "BELIEVER" at Christmastime!
The story of Santa Claus delivering presents and The Grinch returning presents; flying reindeer and toy-making elves are sweet images, ingrained in our Christmas culture now. But, Lord restore to us the REASON FOR THIS SEASON, help us to BELIEVE IN YOU, and trust You more, as we think about all that You left behind when You came here to save us. This is the truly wonder-filled story. Let the true story of Your coming to Earth as a tiny baby, sink into our souls and fill us with AWE.
Lord, this world is not our home, just as it was not Yours; but while we are here, make us worthy of the upward calling to press on in Your Name, The Name above all Names: Baby Jesus, Teacher Jesus, Sacrificial Lamb Jesus, Savior Jesus, Risen Jesus, Intercessor Jesus, in all things The Lord Jesus Christ. Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Good Shepherd, Ruler of all that is seen & unseen.
Unto us 'An Indescribable Gift' was given,
A Savior who brought Heaven to Earth.
O come let us adore Him, Christ The King!
12/18/08
12/15/08
Pressing Onward & Upward
But ONE THING I do:
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
I PRESS ON toward the GOAL to win the prize for which God has
called me UPWARD, toward Heaven, in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:13b, 14
In my last blog I wrote about “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” and I received some interesting feedback. Apparently, some people think that The Grinch is symbolic of The Devil… I don’t think so. I think The Grinch is symbolic of US, human beings whose small, selfish, coveting hearts can grow BIG, transformed by the love of God.
I think the central theme of The Grinch Story is REPENTENCE.
The Bible tells us that we are all sinners, ALL have fallen short of God’s Glory (Rom 3:34) but, we have been given a Savior, One who stood in for us, took our punishment for sin, and redeemed us (see Gal 3:13-14) And, He has left His Spirit here to fill the hearts of men; if, by faith, we open the free gift of grace that he presents to us (see Rom 5:5)
We can turn from self-centered living and press onward and upward toward Jesus. This is the choice, THE ONE THING, that defines each person’s destiny.
In the story of The Grinch, he literally turns his sleigh around as he sees the townspeople join hands and begin singing….despite the fact that all their stuff has been stolen! Their actions are so topsy-turvy to what he'd anticipated…. he stands awestruck for a moment. Then, he makes a decision to ditch the way he has been living, and go after what they apparently have found: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. These gifts cannot be mustered up, they come into our hearts by the power of God's Holy Spirit, when we agree with Him that He is God and we are not; and that we need HIM.
The Grinch is like The Prodigal Son who thought he wanted the world, but almost lost his soul in the process. In the end, he repents, re-turns home, seeks and receives acceptance. A great feast is held and repentant thieves (Prodigals & Grinches), become the guests of honor. I believe that great celebrations are held in heaven as well, when people find their way back to God.
I decided to ‘Google’ Dr. Seuss, and see what his intention was, with his character of The Grinch, please enjoy the wisdom of Theodor 'Seuss' Geisel:
"Despite the widespread appeal of the Grinch Story, not everyone was pleased. Dr. Seuss once received a letter from brothers David and Bob Grinch of Ridgefield, N.J., asking if he would change the Grinch's name. Friends were teasing them mercilessly.
Seuss responded, "I disagree with your friends who 'harass' you. Can't they understand that the Grinch is the HERO of Christmas? Sure... he starts out as a villain, but it's not how you start out that counts. It's what you are at the finish!"
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
I PRESS ON toward the GOAL to win the prize for which God has
called me UPWARD, toward Heaven, in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:13b, 14
In my last blog I wrote about “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” and I received some interesting feedback. Apparently, some people think that The Grinch is symbolic of The Devil… I don’t think so. I think The Grinch is symbolic of US, human beings whose small, selfish, coveting hearts can grow BIG, transformed by the love of God.
I think the central theme of The Grinch Story is REPENTENCE.
The Bible tells us that we are all sinners, ALL have fallen short of God’s Glory (Rom 3:34) but, we have been given a Savior, One who stood in for us, took our punishment for sin, and redeemed us (see Gal 3:13-14) And, He has left His Spirit here to fill the hearts of men; if, by faith, we open the free gift of grace that he presents to us (see Rom 5:5)
We can turn from self-centered living and press onward and upward toward Jesus. This is the choice, THE ONE THING, that defines each person’s destiny.
In the story of The Grinch, he literally turns his sleigh around as he sees the townspeople join hands and begin singing….despite the fact that all their stuff has been stolen! Their actions are so topsy-turvy to what he'd anticipated…. he stands awestruck for a moment. Then, he makes a decision to ditch the way he has been living, and go after what they apparently have found: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. These gifts cannot be mustered up, they come into our hearts by the power of God's Holy Spirit, when we agree with Him that He is God and we are not; and that we need HIM.
The Grinch is like The Prodigal Son who thought he wanted the world, but almost lost his soul in the process. In the end, he repents, re-turns home, seeks and receives acceptance. A great feast is held and repentant thieves (Prodigals & Grinches), become the guests of honor. I believe that great celebrations are held in heaven as well, when people find their way back to God.
I decided to ‘Google’ Dr. Seuss, and see what his intention was, with his character of The Grinch, please enjoy the wisdom of Theodor 'Seuss' Geisel:
"Despite the widespread appeal of the Grinch Story, not everyone was pleased. Dr. Seuss once received a letter from brothers David and Bob Grinch of Ridgefield, N.J., asking if he would change the Grinch's name. Friends were teasing them mercilessly.
Seuss responded, "I disagree with your friends who 'harass' you. Can't they understand that the Grinch is the HERO of Christmas? Sure... he starts out as a villain, but it's not how you start out that counts. It's what you are at the finish!"
12/11/08
Make Me One WHO Loves!
The Grinch HATED Christmas,
the Whole Christmas Season; no one really knows the reason.
It could be his head wasn't screwed on just right.
It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight.
But, I think that the most likely reason of ALL,
May have been that HIS HEART WAS 2 SIZES... 2 SMALL!!!
-------------------------------------------------------
I LOVE The Grinch. He mesmerizes me with that crocked smile and those long fingers as they tap his cheek, or pluck stockings from the WHO's unsuspecting mantels. I've watched the show countless times and I know every word; so, no one will sit and watch with me, (even when I try to be quiet, my lips move involuntarily.) The other night I was home alone, so I seized the opportunity to savor yet another year's Grinch-ly ritual. This time it was The WHO's who mesmerized me.
A Poem for Grinch Transformation,
Lord, Turn Us Into WHOs, Enlarge Our Hearts:
One of my favorite things, as winter evenings grow cold,
Is to put on my plaid pj's. . . now worn, torn and old,
(A little tight these days too, if truth, truely, be told;
But, my furry red slippers. . . close toes in ' just right'
and bring icy cold feet downright 'toe-sty' delight!)
Brew some peppermint tea; now turn off every LIGHT,
'Till all you can see is that STAR shining... BRIGHT
Perched precariously there, a-top of my TREE ...
Then I tiptoe on over, and brimming with GLEE,
I insert that most favorite, of all DVDs
and The Grinch Who Stole Christmas comes on my TV!
I love that Green Grouch and his little Mutt Max
I love Cindy Loo’s face, as her presents he sacks
I love when he grabs that last crumb, (too small for a mouse)
I love when he slithers: slink, slank, slunk through the house.
But, what I look forward to most is the part
Where The Grinch hears The WHO’s singing…
and this OPENS HIS HEART,
Every year, without fail, it moves me to see,
his coronary expansion, (not just 1 size...but 3!)
As WHO’s sing & sway… despite AD-VERS-ITY !!!
Their roast beast has been stolen, no more gifts or decore
No wreaths are attached to a single WHO door,
But those wonder-filled WHO'S, they not only endure,
they lift glad voices to God for their treasures… galore!
The Who’s are not hypocrites, their Faith was tested ... fer sure!
But they came forth as gold, with clean hands & hearts pure.
No whining or complaining; No blaming, nor keeping of score,
They know the sacred secret: J-O-Y can’t be bought in a store.
The Joy’s tucked inside, Priceless Pearl... found.. then hidden away,
Joy springs from big hearts, filled with JESUS, on Christmas Day!
the Whole Christmas Season; no one really knows the reason.
It could be his head wasn't screwed on just right.
It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight.
But, I think that the most likely reason of ALL,
May have been that HIS HEART WAS 2 SIZES... 2 SMALL!!!
-------------------------------------------------------
I LOVE The Grinch. He mesmerizes me with that crocked smile and those long fingers as they tap his cheek, or pluck stockings from the WHO's unsuspecting mantels. I've watched the show countless times and I know every word; so, no one will sit and watch with me, (even when I try to be quiet, my lips move involuntarily.) The other night I was home alone, so I seized the opportunity to savor yet another year's Grinch-ly ritual. This time it was The WHO's who mesmerized me.
A Poem for Grinch Transformation,
Lord, Turn Us Into WHOs, Enlarge Our Hearts:
One of my favorite things, as winter evenings grow cold,
Is to put on my plaid pj's. . . now worn, torn and old,
(A little tight these days too, if truth, truely, be told;
But, my furry red slippers. . . close toes in ' just right'
and bring icy cold feet downright 'toe-sty' delight!)
Brew some peppermint tea; now turn off every LIGHT,
'Till all you can see is that STAR shining... BRIGHT
Perched precariously there, a-top of my TREE ...
Then I tiptoe on over, and brimming with GLEE,
I insert that most favorite, of all DVDs
and The Grinch Who Stole Christmas comes on my TV!
I love that Green Grouch and his little Mutt Max
I love Cindy Loo’s face, as her presents he sacks
I love when he grabs that last crumb, (too small for a mouse)
I love when he slithers: slink, slank, slunk through the house.
But, what I look forward to most is the part
Where The Grinch hears The WHO’s singing…
and this OPENS HIS HEART,
Every year, without fail, it moves me to see,
his coronary expansion, (not just 1 size...but 3!)
As WHO’s sing & sway… despite AD-VERS-ITY !!!
Their roast beast has been stolen, no more gifts or decore
No wreaths are attached to a single WHO door,
But those wonder-filled WHO'S, they not only endure,
they lift glad voices to God for their treasures… galore!
The Who’s are not hypocrites, their Faith was tested ... fer sure!
But they came forth as gold, with clean hands & hearts pure.
No whining or complaining; No blaming, nor keeping of score,
They know the sacred secret: J-O-Y can’t be bought in a store.
The Joy’s tucked inside, Priceless Pearl... found.. then hidden away,
Joy springs from big hearts, filled with JESUS, on Christmas Day!
11/27/08
A Tale of Two Sisters
"Only one thing is needed" Luke 10:42b (Jesus' Words to Martha)
During the holidays our lists expand and time with God often shrinks, as we hit the ground running. The whole 'reason for the season' is to have a time of reflection, remembrance, genuine thanks for all the blessings that The Lord has brought to us. Our minds understand this; but, soon our hearts are racing again, as we get caught up in the details & decorations. Often we wind up distressed, distracted & depressed. Guests will be arriving and we want everything go be perfect.
Most of us long for a simpler life. We daydream about everyone seated around the table, smiling, white picket fence rimming the home's perimeter. We want our lives to be like Norman Rockwell’s paintings of 2OthC Americana. But, guess what… family life was never that uncomplicated. This is a fantasy that we keep falling for! We compare our lives to one-dimensional paintings, romance novels, and happy-ending movies that do not depict real life. Then, we feel sad, like we were left holding the short end of life's stick. We struggle with questions like, "Why am I sick again, or divorced, or out of work...what gives?"
A surefire way to bring ourselves down, down, down.. is to imagine that everyone is living the perfect American Dream, except for us. Wake up! The truth is that life is complicated and filled with trials and roadblocks! Even if Dad went to work and Mom stayed home to raise the kids there were stresses that were never discussed, bills that piled up, and dreams that went unfilled. We all struggle, families struggled in the 1900's and they continue to struggle today.
Instead of focusing on the past, or on others, or on what you do not have, take a quick inventory of what you do have. Remember that you have been given the gift of life, that God created you uniquely, and with purpose, and He loves YOU. That's a good place to start! If you truly know that to be True, then nothing else really matters. You've found the secret, center your thoughts there. Joy springs from sitting with God's Word, (not Martha's or Oprah's or what some glossy magazine tells us that our homes should be like.) The Apostle Paul said the peace that passes all understanding is found in Christ, Alone. "Thanks be to God for His Indescribable Gift!" 2 Cor 9:15
QUESTION: Do you think that it's just modern, fast-paced living that causes us to loose perspective and overook God? What would you do if JESUS was coming for dinner?
Go with me 2000 years ago, to the home of 2 sisters, Mary & Martha, (Luke 10:38-41): “As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what He said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to Him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Prayer for The Busy Woman:
Lord, teach us to be more focused on loving You and loving others; and less focused on having the perfect "Martha" table. Hospitality is wonderful and it is good to want things to be special for our family & friends. But, keep us focused on what is "better" as You said. Help us to sit at your feet and GIVE THANKS for the indescribable gift of You! Center our hearts on You. Do not let "the preparations" cause us to miss "the purpose" of our celebration.
http://www.atthewell.com/thanks/ Hymn of Thanks
11/17/08
Give Me Your Eyes
For God so loved the world that He sent His One & Only Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but TO SAVE THE WORLD THROUGH HIM. John 3:16-17
Question: What does God’s Son love? Answer: People.
Question: What’s hard for God's people to love? Answer: People.
Prayer for Spiritual Lasic, Adjust Our Vision, LORD:
O Lord help us SEE people THROUGH Your Eyes. ALL the people of the world, Lord, we all hurt, we all need You...the poor (and the rich), the broken (and the beautiful,) the victimized (and the incarcerated), give us Your Eyes of Mercy. Lord help us see the need in those closest to us; those who live across the street; AND those on the other side of the world. Lord, bring SPIRITUAL LASIC to Your people, revive us, refocus us, remove our cataracts. Shake the scales from our eyes as You did with the Apostle Paul. Help us see people & love them, with the same amazing love that You have lavished upon us.
Got 3 minutes to see what Jesus sees?Turn up your sound it takes a moment to cuehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KWjiS5X-98&feature=related
Lyrics to Brandon Heath's song GIVE ME YOUR EYES:
Look down from a broken sky, Traced out by the city lights, My World from a mile high; Best seat in the house tonight. Touch down on the cold black top, Hold on for a sudden stop, Breathe in the familiar shock of confusion, chaos. All those people going somewhere... Why have I never cared?
Give me Your eyes for just one second. Give me Your eyes so I can see, every thing that I keep missing. Give me Your love for humanity. Give me Your arms for the broken-hearted, the ones that are far beyond my reach. Give me Your Heart for the ones forgotten, Give me Your Eyes so I can SEE!
Step out on a busy street, see a girl and our eyes meet, does her best to smile at me, to hide what's underneath. There's a man just to her right, black suit & a bright red tie, too ashamed to tell his wife he's out of work, he's buying time. All those people going somewhere... Why have I never cared?
I've been here a million times, a couple of million eyes, just move and pass me by, I swear I never thought that I was wrong! I want a 2nd glance; give me a 2nd chance to see the way You've SEEN the people all along … JESUS GIVE US YOUR EYES!
11/14/08
Christian Limbo
Moses bowed down to the ground at once, worshiped God, and prayed:
"Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our wickedness and our sin, and take us as Your Inheritance." Exodus 34:8, 9b
As I moved from my teens to my 20’s, to my 30’s I remember feeling more accomplished and more self confident with each passing year. I graduated from college in my early 20’s, became a wife in my late 20’s and had a baby at 30. I did well in corporate sales, had lots of friends, and many interests. In my mid-30’s we moved to a larger house in a nicer neighborhood. But, by age 40 a sense of angst was beginning to grow. I took an inventory of my life and what should have added up to j-o-y, feel short somehow. I had a widening hole in my heart and I just could not figure out how to fill it. AND, to make matters worse, I had begun to feel guilty about it. I began stuffing more and more stuff into my life. If there was a committee I wanted to be on it...a worthy cause, then let me be part of it.
Hurrying from one commitment to the next with a jam-packed dayplanner made me feel important and in control....That’s the American Dream, right?
Adding on….more & more stuff….I even got active in church in an effort to increase the stuff of my spirituality! If there's many, many rooms in heaven, then, what would it take to get that penthouse suite? How many good deeds would be needed to eclipse the bad ones? I approached the Christian life in the same way that I did corporate life. Rediculous, but true, I wanted to be 'a perfect Christian.'
Our lives are so fastpaced, we are rushing so much that we even try to RUN to heaven! Unless we ask the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to the Truth we will never even see that we are living upside down, and contrary to how God intended us to live... It is about laying down, being still... listening... not running.... letting go of control.
I had the wrong operating system in place for the first 40-some years of my life. How could I change that? The answer is: I could not. I realized that it was about allowing the LORD to change me and work through me. Jesus layed down His LIFE; and He was calling me to lay down my pride and my busy-ness for Him. Christ was asking me to YIELD, to acknowldege that He was in control and let Him lead. I knew that only His Agenda would bring the peace I so desperately sought; yet, the process of laying down my will continues to be a daily event, sometimes a minute by minute choice.
Following Christ is not an upward quest, like climbing the corporate ladder; but a descending one. A call to go low, serve others, just as our C.E.O., Jesus, did when He was earthbound. "Christian Limbo," Webster defines LIMBO as "an acrobatic contest, requiring bending backwards, passing under a horizontal pole, which is lowered slightly for each successive pass of the participants."
Jesus, teach us to go low. Humble us gently, as You lower the pole and ask us to bend our stiff-necks. Transform us into people who desire to serve You and not exalt ourselves. Conform our will to Yours. Teach us see the world as You see it, Your Will be done.
"Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our wickedness and our sin, and take us as Your Inheritance." Exodus 34:8, 9b
As I moved from my teens to my 20’s, to my 30’s I remember feeling more accomplished and more self confident with each passing year. I graduated from college in my early 20’s, became a wife in my late 20’s and had a baby at 30. I did well in corporate sales, had lots of friends, and many interests. In my mid-30’s we moved to a larger house in a nicer neighborhood. But, by age 40 a sense of angst was beginning to grow. I took an inventory of my life and what should have added up to j-o-y, feel short somehow. I had a widening hole in my heart and I just could not figure out how to fill it. AND, to make matters worse, I had begun to feel guilty about it. I began stuffing more and more stuff into my life. If there was a committee I wanted to be on it...a worthy cause, then let me be part of it.
Hurrying from one commitment to the next with a jam-packed dayplanner made me feel important and in control....That’s the American Dream, right?
Adding on….more & more stuff….I even got active in church in an effort to increase the stuff of my spirituality! If there's many, many rooms in heaven, then, what would it take to get that penthouse suite? How many good deeds would be needed to eclipse the bad ones? I approached the Christian life in the same way that I did corporate life. Rediculous, but true, I wanted to be 'a perfect Christian.'
Our lives are so fastpaced, we are rushing so much that we even try to RUN to heaven! Unless we ask the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to the Truth we will never even see that we are living upside down, and contrary to how God intended us to live... It is about laying down, being still... listening... not running.... letting go of control.
I had the wrong operating system in place for the first 40-some years of my life. How could I change that? The answer is: I could not. I realized that it was about allowing the LORD to change me and work through me. Jesus layed down His LIFE; and He was calling me to lay down my pride and my busy-ness for Him. Christ was asking me to YIELD, to acknowldege that He was in control and let Him lead. I knew that only His Agenda would bring the peace I so desperately sought; yet, the process of laying down my will continues to be a daily event, sometimes a minute by minute choice.
Following Christ is not an upward quest, like climbing the corporate ladder; but a descending one. A call to go low, serve others, just as our C.E.O., Jesus, did when He was earthbound. "Christian Limbo," Webster defines LIMBO as "an acrobatic contest, requiring bending backwards, passing under a horizontal pole, which is lowered slightly for each successive pass of the participants."
Jesus, teach us to go low. Humble us gently, as You lower the pole and ask us to bend our stiff-necks. Transform us into people who desire to serve You and not exalt ourselves. Conform our will to Yours. Teach us see the world as You see it, Your Will be done.
11/11/08
Glorious Riches from Our Master
And my God will meet all your needs according to His Glorious Riches in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19
We have a 3-year old, 55-pound, chocolate lab, named Jackson Brown. His coat is a shiny auburn color, his bright green eyes sparkle. He has a bubble-gum pink tongue, perfect white teeth and a sweet disposition. I'm sure part of the reason for his award-winning appearance is the “caviar” dog food that my husband purchases at the feed store in our town. Jackson loves his food, it is the perfect daily nutrition for him; BUT, just like the Israelites he has become dissatisfied of late. He does not realize that I am onto him...but, I am beginning to glimpse his true nature…. and it is a lot like mine.
Every morning I get his “manna” down from the cupboard and watch him devour it with intensity. Then, he always comes over, licks my hand to thank me, and appears satisfied…. but I see now that this is 'just an act.’ Lately, as I prepare my breakfast, he lurks, in another room, listening for a crumb to drop on the floor, then he comes rushing in, outta nowhere, swoops up the food and takes off running. EVERYONE tells me that “chocolates” begin to mellow out by about 3 years old, their curiosity wanes a bit, and they become the best dogs in the whole wide world…. not this one…he is unveiling a dark side.
My beloved Jacks, ate a turkey this past weekend… a raw 12-pound turkey! We figure he got up on the counter, lifted the defrosting thing up out of the sink, dropped it onto the floor, dragged it out back and feasted on uncooked poultry & gizzards for hours.
The naked carcass was finally discovered this morning, buried behind the backyard fountain and the plastic Willy-bird wrapper was tangled between thorns in the rosebush. The whole incident strikes me as such a betrayal. Just when I thought he was maturing and could be left alone without stealing, chewing, peeing or biting anything, he has managed to do all of the above. He is showing little sign of remorse. It just breaks my heart.
In the past he has eaten a pie, a birthday cake, several baguettes, shoes, sox, underwear, sticks of butter, a whole bottle of B vitamins, and half a bag of Hershey’s kisses. He is quick; he is sneaky; and he is not to be trusted. When questioned about his evil deeds, he adopts a “who me, head cocked to the side, look of innocence.”
How can he be so rebellious, when we are providing him with the best of everything? I got to thinking this morning about how much Jacks and I are alike. We are both people-oriented and lovable; yet capable of unspeakable things if push comes to shove. Are there things you do when no one is looking? Are there things that waste your time, or get you onto a downward spiral, or potentially hurt others? Are there behaviors that distance you from God?
I think, "Lord, what is wrong with this stupid dog?" and then I find myself eating out of a Ben & Jerry’s container in front of late night TV or finishing off a bottle of wine, or not returning phone calls. Lord, wake us up! You gifted us with brains that have the ability to know You and ask for help. We fall into bad habits so easily. Teach us to drop our pride, stop acting like we have it together, and admit our need. We need a Savior; thankfully we have The Ultimate Master, Jesus Christ, who always knows what’s best for us.
Lord, help us ingest more of Your Words of Life and less garbage. Thank you for loving us perfectly! Jehovah Jirah, Great Provider, humble us, remind us that every good thing comes from Your nail-pierced Hands, from the glorious riches found only in YOU.
We have a 3-year old, 55-pound, chocolate lab, named Jackson Brown. His coat is a shiny auburn color, his bright green eyes sparkle. He has a bubble-gum pink tongue, perfect white teeth and a sweet disposition. I'm sure part of the reason for his award-winning appearance is the “caviar” dog food that my husband purchases at the feed store in our town. Jackson loves his food, it is the perfect daily nutrition for him; BUT, just like the Israelites he has become dissatisfied of late. He does not realize that I am onto him...but, I am beginning to glimpse his true nature…. and it is a lot like mine.
Every morning I get his “manna” down from the cupboard and watch him devour it with intensity. Then, he always comes over, licks my hand to thank me, and appears satisfied…. but I see now that this is 'just an act.’ Lately, as I prepare my breakfast, he lurks, in another room, listening for a crumb to drop on the floor, then he comes rushing in, outta nowhere, swoops up the food and takes off running. EVERYONE tells me that “chocolates” begin to mellow out by about 3 years old, their curiosity wanes a bit, and they become the best dogs in the whole wide world…. not this one…he is unveiling a dark side.
My beloved Jacks, ate a turkey this past weekend… a raw 12-pound turkey! We figure he got up on the counter, lifted the defrosting thing up out of the sink, dropped it onto the floor, dragged it out back and feasted on uncooked poultry & gizzards for hours.
The naked carcass was finally discovered this morning, buried behind the backyard fountain and the plastic Willy-bird wrapper was tangled between thorns in the rosebush. The whole incident strikes me as such a betrayal. Just when I thought he was maturing and could be left alone without stealing, chewing, peeing or biting anything, he has managed to do all of the above. He is showing little sign of remorse. It just breaks my heart.
In the past he has eaten a pie, a birthday cake, several baguettes, shoes, sox, underwear, sticks of butter, a whole bottle of B vitamins, and half a bag of Hershey’s kisses. He is quick; he is sneaky; and he is not to be trusted. When questioned about his evil deeds, he adopts a “who me, head cocked to the side, look of innocence.”
How can he be so rebellious, when we are providing him with the best of everything? I got to thinking this morning about how much Jacks and I are alike. We are both people-oriented and lovable; yet capable of unspeakable things if push comes to shove. Are there things you do when no one is looking? Are there things that waste your time, or get you onto a downward spiral, or potentially hurt others? Are there behaviors that distance you from God?
I think, "Lord, what is wrong with this stupid dog?" and then I find myself eating out of a Ben & Jerry’s container in front of late night TV or finishing off a bottle of wine, or not returning phone calls. Lord, wake us up! You gifted us with brains that have the ability to know You and ask for help. We fall into bad habits so easily. Teach us to drop our pride, stop acting like we have it together, and admit our need. We need a Savior; thankfully we have The Ultimate Master, Jesus Christ, who always knows what’s best for us.
Lord, help us ingest more of Your Words of Life and less garbage. Thank you for loving us perfectly! Jehovah Jirah, Great Provider, humble us, remind us that every good thing comes from Your nail-pierced Hands, from the glorious riches found only in YOU.
11/7/08
Shining as Stars
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you SHINE LIKE STARS in the universe as you hold out the Word of Life. Phil 2: 14-16a
My friend Rosie forwarded this to me today:
"The Spirit's quiet whisper bids me bow before Your Throne,
'Til my heart's deepest yearnings are the echo of Your Own."
"Be still and know that I AM God" Psalm 46:10
(excerpt from Live A Praying Life, by Jennifer Kennedy Dean)
Sometimes a word of encouragement makes all the difference! As God encourages us through His Word, we can then encourage others: sprinkling our communications with His message of hope.
The choice is yours, you can light a room, or dim it with your presence . . choose to be a light and hold out the Word of Life to others. Shine for Jesus, aim to bring the sweet aroma of Christ into every conversation.
My friend Rosie forwarded this to me today:
"The Spirit's quiet whisper bids me bow before Your Throne,
'Til my heart's deepest yearnings are the echo of Your Own."
"Be still and know that I AM God" Psalm 46:10
(excerpt from Live A Praying Life, by Jennifer Kennedy Dean)
Sometimes a word of encouragement makes all the difference! As God encourages us through His Word, we can then encourage others: sprinkling our communications with His message of hope.
The choice is yours, you can light a room, or dim it with your presence . . choose to be a light and hold out the Word of Life to others. Shine for Jesus, aim to bring the sweet aroma of Christ into every conversation.
11/5/08
Sure & Certain FAITH
Now FAITH is being SURE of what we hope for, and CERTAIN of what we do not see. Hebrews 1:11
The above definition of FAITH does not seem like a definition for faith, does it? What are the words "sure of" and "certain of" doing in there? How can we have "certainty" in the unseen?
The world tends to think of faith as a feeling, a fantasy, something you can never be SURE OF. The world says, as long as we believe in SOMETHING; and, as long as it doesn't hurt ANYBODY, then great! Right?
What do you think? Are you sure of what you believe? Do you have certain faith in God? Do you look to God's Unchanging Word for answers to today's problems? Don't you want everyone to know the True & Living God? (me too)
I have a friend who often says to me, "I can NOT believe, that you believe, what you believe!" Recently, in the middle of an unrelated conversation, she blurted, "now you don't believe that Bible Story about the guy who spent 3 days in the belly of a whale and lived to tell about it, do you?" To which I replied, "Who Jonah, yep, I sure do, there is a whole book of the Bible written about him! And, 3 years ago on a trip to Israel we visited the town of Joppa (now called Jappa),where he was spit out onto the beach. There is a huge statue of a whale in this sea cost town and they say that Jonah's skin turned milky-white till the day he died, as a result of the digestive juices in the whale's stomach. God is always purposeful. When middle-eastern people saw Jonah, he looked like an albino after the cleansing and conforming to God's Will that took place inside the whale. His unique appearance stopped folks in their tracks! They listened to his message of repentance and they believed God because of him!"
I do believe because I trust that ALL SCRIPTURE IS GOD-BREATHED (2 Tim 3:16, NIV.) It is not up to me to decide which part I like and which part I don't like. It is an awe-inspiring, ALL-inspired, completely accurate account .... or else it's nothing but a fairy tale.
The places mentioned in The Bible are real. You can visit many of them today and you can study the surrounding historical events and find that they sync with the Bible events. They are not make-believe people, places and things; but, that is not WHY I believe. As God whittles away our pride and reveals more of Who He Is, we begin to see that He is Sovereign and His Words are faithful and true... all of them.
God rewards a little faith in Him with more faith, till we know, sure & certain, that it is HIM we hope for... even though He is not seen.
This same questioning friend told me "she believes Jesus, every red-letter word He said; but, none of the Old Testament." She says the Garden, the Flood, and the Whale are all allegories. She thinks that Jonah's Whale is less credible than the Easter Bunny. (Thankfully, she has yet to read about the talking donkey and Balaam, (see Numbers 22:21-33!) The Holy Spirit is the One who opens eyes, and hearts, and donkey's mouths to speak, if He chooses to. God controls all things and all creation is subject to Him.
I am praying for my friend and thrilled that she is seeking Truth and on the road to discovering Real Life. The Bible assures us that if we seek wholeheartedly we will find Truth. If she digs in, she will learn that you can't separate the Old Testament from the New. Much of what Jesus said is directly from the Old Testament. When the devil tempted HIm, He replied with Words from Deuteronomy. The Word does not change, it was a weapon against evil then, and it remains so today.
And, if you believe that every red-letter word that Jesus said is True, then you should believe in Jonah too, because Jesus compares Himself to Jonah. See Luke 11:29-32 & Mat 12:40-41 "For as Jonah was 3 days & 3 nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be 3 days & 3 nights in the heart of the earth."
ALL-inspired by God, EVERY WORD... sure & certain.
The above definition of FAITH does not seem like a definition for faith, does it? What are the words "sure of" and "certain of" doing in there? How can we have "certainty" in the unseen?
The world tends to think of faith as a feeling, a fantasy, something you can never be SURE OF. The world says, as long as we believe in SOMETHING; and, as long as it doesn't hurt ANYBODY, then great! Right?
What do you think? Are you sure of what you believe? Do you have certain faith in God? Do you look to God's Unchanging Word for answers to today's problems? Don't you want everyone to know the True & Living God? (me too)
I have a friend who often says to me, "I can NOT believe, that you believe, what you believe!" Recently, in the middle of an unrelated conversation, she blurted, "now you don't believe that Bible Story about the guy who spent 3 days in the belly of a whale and lived to tell about it, do you?" To which I replied, "Who Jonah, yep, I sure do, there is a whole book of the Bible written about him! And, 3 years ago on a trip to Israel we visited the town of Joppa (now called Jappa),where he was spit out onto the beach. There is a huge statue of a whale in this sea cost town and they say that Jonah's skin turned milky-white till the day he died, as a result of the digestive juices in the whale's stomach. God is always purposeful. When middle-eastern people saw Jonah, he looked like an albino after the cleansing and conforming to God's Will that took place inside the whale. His unique appearance stopped folks in their tracks! They listened to his message of repentance and they believed God because of him!"
I do believe because I trust that ALL SCRIPTURE IS GOD-BREATHED (2 Tim 3:16, NIV.) It is not up to me to decide which part I like and which part I don't like. It is an awe-inspiring, ALL-inspired, completely accurate account .... or else it's nothing but a fairy tale.
The places mentioned in The Bible are real. You can visit many of them today and you can study the surrounding historical events and find that they sync with the Bible events. They are not make-believe people, places and things; but, that is not WHY I believe. As God whittles away our pride and reveals more of Who He Is, we begin to see that He is Sovereign and His Words are faithful and true... all of them.
God rewards a little faith in Him with more faith, till we know, sure & certain, that it is HIM we hope for... even though He is not seen.
This same questioning friend told me "she believes Jesus, every red-letter word He said; but, none of the Old Testament." She says the Garden, the Flood, and the Whale are all allegories. She thinks that Jonah's Whale is less credible than the Easter Bunny. (Thankfully, she has yet to read about the talking donkey and Balaam, (see Numbers 22:21-33!) The Holy Spirit is the One who opens eyes, and hearts, and donkey's mouths to speak, if He chooses to. God controls all things and all creation is subject to Him.
I am praying for my friend and thrilled that she is seeking Truth and on the road to discovering Real Life. The Bible assures us that if we seek wholeheartedly we will find Truth. If she digs in, she will learn that you can't separate the Old Testament from the New. Much of what Jesus said is directly from the Old Testament. When the devil tempted HIm, He replied with Words from Deuteronomy. The Word does not change, it was a weapon against evil then, and it remains so today.
And, if you believe that every red-letter word that Jesus said is True, then you should believe in Jonah too, because Jesus compares Himself to Jonah. See Luke 11:29-32 & Mat 12:40-41 "For as Jonah was 3 days & 3 nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be 3 days & 3 nights in the heart of the earth."
ALL-inspired by God, EVERY WORD... sure & certain.
11/4/08
Made Perfect through Suffering
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Romans 8:18
Last weekend I attended a funeral for a little baby who died at 7 months gestation. His name was Maxwell and even though he never took a breathe of earthly air, he touched a lot of lives. The baby never had to suffer; but, was delivered out of this world and into heaven, absent from the body, present with the Lord. The parents had their son's perfect little footprints on display, along with what would have been his first outfit. When our friend, Tom, the Grandpa got up to speak, he said that often his daughter would call him to come over and fix something; but this one he could not fix.
The young parents attributed all their strength to The Lord for getting them through this time. Their love for each other and for God was amazing to obseve. Tremendous pain, but a purpose, you could already see, visibly see & hear God's Love, as they tenderly spoke to each other. This tragedy was bringing them closer, increasing their love and respect for each other. They stood together as a unit, united in pain, united in faith, united in hope, it brings me to tears as I remember it right now.
Just like Tom, the Grandpa, I wanted to say something, do something, anything to ease their suffering somehow. But God is not short-sighted, He is long-sighted. He sees past, present and future and He was a great plan for their lives. I believe that everyone grieved with this beautiful couple; but, also rejoiced to see that God was at work, and He was glorified.
(excerpt Made Perfect Through Suffering, by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman:)
"Our Father's love is too true to be weak. Because He loves His children, He chastises them that they may be partakers of His holiness. With this glorious end in view, He spares not for their crying. Made perfect through sufferings, as the Elder Brother, Jesus, was; the sons of God are trained up to obedience and brought to glory through much tribulation."
Last weekend I attended a funeral for a little baby who died at 7 months gestation. His name was Maxwell and even though he never took a breathe of earthly air, he touched a lot of lives. The baby never had to suffer; but, was delivered out of this world and into heaven, absent from the body, present with the Lord. The parents had their son's perfect little footprints on display, along with what would have been his first outfit. When our friend, Tom, the Grandpa got up to speak, he said that often his daughter would call him to come over and fix something; but this one he could not fix.
The young parents attributed all their strength to The Lord for getting them through this time. Their love for each other and for God was amazing to obseve. Tremendous pain, but a purpose, you could already see, visibly see & hear God's Love, as they tenderly spoke to each other. This tragedy was bringing them closer, increasing their love and respect for each other. They stood together as a unit, united in pain, united in faith, united in hope, it brings me to tears as I remember it right now.
Just like Tom, the Grandpa, I wanted to say something, do something, anything to ease their suffering somehow. But God is not short-sighted, He is long-sighted. He sees past, present and future and He was a great plan for their lives. I believe that everyone grieved with this beautiful couple; but, also rejoiced to see that God was at work, and He was glorified.
(excerpt Made Perfect Through Suffering, by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman:)
"Our Father's love is too true to be weak. Because He loves His children, He chastises them that they may be partakers of His holiness. With this glorious end in view, He spares not for their crying. Made perfect through sufferings, as the Elder Brother, Jesus, was; the sons of God are trained up to obedience and brought to glory through much tribulation."
10/31/08
A Wife's Prayer
Let us live up to what we have already attained. Phil 3:16
My Mom . . . the best Mom, Grandmom, Friend and Role Model for what Wives should look like, sent me this prayer. I thought it was beautiful and convicting. I am going to include the first and last paragraph here. If you would like to have the whole prayer (it is 1-page long) then please send me an e-mail himary@sbcglobal.net and I will forward it to you.
Lord teach us to love like you do, and to live UP to what we have already attained because of Your sacrifice.
A WIFE'S PRAYER
Lord, help me to be a good wife. I fully realize that I don’t have what it takes to be one without Your help. Take my selfishness, impatience, and irritability and turn them into kindness, long-suffering, and the willingness to bear all things. Take my old emotional habits, mindsets, automatic reactions, rude assumptions, and self-protective stance, and make me patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. Take the hardness of my heart and break down the walls with Your battering ram of revelation. Give me a new heart and work in me Your love, joy and peace (Galatians 5:22-23) I am not able to rise above who I am at this moment. Only You can transform me.
Make me a new person, Lord. Give me a fresh perspective, a positive outlook, and a renewed relationship with the man You have given me. Help me see my husband with new eyes, new appreciation, new love, new compassion, and new acceptance.
Give my husband a new wife . . . and let it be me! Amen.
My Mom . . . the best Mom, Grandmom, Friend and Role Model for what Wives should look like, sent me this prayer. I thought it was beautiful and convicting. I am going to include the first and last paragraph here. If you would like to have the whole prayer (it is 1-page long) then please send me an e-mail himary@sbcglobal.net and I will forward it to you.
Lord teach us to love like you do, and to live UP to what we have already attained because of Your sacrifice.
A WIFE'S PRAYER
Lord, help me to be a good wife. I fully realize that I don’t have what it takes to be one without Your help. Take my selfishness, impatience, and irritability and turn them into kindness, long-suffering, and the willingness to bear all things. Take my old emotional habits, mindsets, automatic reactions, rude assumptions, and self-protective stance, and make me patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. Take the hardness of my heart and break down the walls with Your battering ram of revelation. Give me a new heart and work in me Your love, joy and peace (Galatians 5:22-23) I am not able to rise above who I am at this moment. Only You can transform me.
Make me a new person, Lord. Give me a fresh perspective, a positive outlook, and a renewed relationship with the man You have given me. Help me see my husband with new eyes, new appreciation, new love, new compassion, and new acceptance.
Give my husband a new wife . . . and let it be me! Amen.
10/30/08
Stand on The Rock or in Quicksand
When you are feeling down, where do you go for inspiration?
What renews your zest for living, and lifts you up and gets you going?
Do you have a friend who makes you laugh, brings out the best in you?
Does nature inspire you? Do you have a favorite hobby or activity?
Does a sweaty endorphin release at the gym pump you up?
All these things are good...friends, physical activities, sunshine, personal accomplishment.. how wonderful it is to be joyful and engaged in life!
Some days though are just plain hard. Some seasons are loaded with glitch, after unexpected glitch, and you start to feel like SchlepRock from The Flintstones. Do you remember him? Whatever he walked past crumbled around him as he mumbled garbled curses under his breath? Or, maybe PigPen from the Charlie Brown cartoon with that cloud of odor, causing folks to keep their distance.
On days when my I feel that I'm crumbling and I know that my attitude stinks, it is easy to wallow in self-pity. At first, it feels good to wallow, like stepping into a spa bath, the warm water swirls, the bubbles tickle your nose and the aroma is sweet; but, then you suddenly realize this is quicksand you are in, and you are about to get yanked under!
This is how sin works in our life.
If it wasn't fun at first you wouldn't dabble, and before you realize it you've gone from enticement, to engagement, to imprisonment and you never saw it coming.
Guard your heart, the Bible warns. Keep looking UP to Jesus, The Author & Finisher of Faith. Don't allow yourself to be dragged away by a barely perceptible undertow. When you are in the eye of the hurricane, you can't see clearly anyway, so keep asking for His vision and He will increase your faith through your trials.
What helps you get back to Bedrock when you realize that you're in sinking sand? You may think you're in too deep, and that there is no way out. That is a lie. Jesus told us that He is The Way, remember? He said He is the Truth, the Life, and a solid Rock on which to stand.
Cling to Jesus, His Promises are a lifeline for sinking souls:
Jesus said, I will never leave you or forsake you.
He said He loves us with an everlasting love.
He warned, do not worry about your life.
He said that every thing in heaven & earth is under in His control.
and, His Word says that ALL things do work together for the good.
In these uncertain times our troubles seem heavy and feel neverending. But, we cannot rely on fleeting feelings to guide us; The Lord calls us to anchor our hope in His unchanging promises. That is where the real reality lies: in the Truth of His Word. When dark days seem as if they will never cease, remember that is a lie. We are citizens of heaven, our future is secure, so keep looking UP, not around. The Bible says our earthy troubles are light and momentary, compared to the glorious riches in store for those who choose to HURRY UP to HIM AND WAIT for HIM:
Therefore, we do not loose heart!
Though OUTWARDLY we are wasting away; yet,
INWARDLY we are being renewed (by His LOVE) day by day
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us
an ETERNAL GLORY that far outweighs them all
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen,
but on what is UNSEEN (that's FAITH)
For what is seen is temporary,
but what is unseen is ETERNAL!" (that's HOPE) 2 Cor 4:16-18
What renews your zest for living, and lifts you up and gets you going?
Do you have a friend who makes you laugh, brings out the best in you?
Does nature inspire you? Do you have a favorite hobby or activity?
Does a sweaty endorphin release at the gym pump you up?
All these things are good...friends, physical activities, sunshine, personal accomplishment.. how wonderful it is to be joyful and engaged in life!
Some days though are just plain hard. Some seasons are loaded with glitch, after unexpected glitch, and you start to feel like SchlepRock from The Flintstones. Do you remember him? Whatever he walked past crumbled around him as he mumbled garbled curses under his breath? Or, maybe PigPen from the Charlie Brown cartoon with that cloud of odor, causing folks to keep their distance.
On days when my I feel that I'm crumbling and I know that my attitude stinks, it is easy to wallow in self-pity. At first, it feels good to wallow, like stepping into a spa bath, the warm water swirls, the bubbles tickle your nose and the aroma is sweet; but, then you suddenly realize this is quicksand you are in, and you are about to get yanked under!
This is how sin works in our life.
If it wasn't fun at first you wouldn't dabble, and before you realize it you've gone from enticement, to engagement, to imprisonment and you never saw it coming.
Guard your heart, the Bible warns. Keep looking UP to Jesus, The Author & Finisher of Faith. Don't allow yourself to be dragged away by a barely perceptible undertow. When you are in the eye of the hurricane, you can't see clearly anyway, so keep asking for His vision and He will increase your faith through your trials.
What helps you get back to Bedrock when you realize that you're in sinking sand? You may think you're in too deep, and that there is no way out. That is a lie. Jesus told us that He is The Way, remember? He said He is the Truth, the Life, and a solid Rock on which to stand.
Cling to Jesus, His Promises are a lifeline for sinking souls:
Jesus said, I will never leave you or forsake you.
He said He loves us with an everlasting love.
He warned, do not worry about your life.
He said that every thing in heaven & earth is under in His control.
and, His Word says that ALL things do work together for the good.
In these uncertain times our troubles seem heavy and feel neverending. But, we cannot rely on fleeting feelings to guide us; The Lord calls us to anchor our hope in His unchanging promises. That is where the real reality lies: in the Truth of His Word. When dark days seem as if they will never cease, remember that is a lie. We are citizens of heaven, our future is secure, so keep looking UP, not around. The Bible says our earthy troubles are light and momentary, compared to the glorious riches in store for those who choose to HURRY UP to HIM AND WAIT for HIM:
Therefore, we do not loose heart!
Though OUTWARDLY we are wasting away; yet,
INWARDLY we are being renewed (by His LOVE) day by day
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us
an ETERNAL GLORY that far outweighs them all
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen,
but on what is UNSEEN (that's FAITH)
For what is seen is temporary,
but what is unseen is ETERNAL!" (that's HOPE) 2 Cor 4:16-18
10/29/08
The Bible- Instruction & A Love Story
In yesterday' blog, I used the analogy of The B I B L E as "a rule book for right living," Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth. But, as I sat with the words of Jesus this morning, and re-read the Sermon on the Mount, (Mat., Chapter 5), I was compelled to add that the Bible is so much more than instructions or rules for winning the game of life . . . so very much more!
Jesus told us He IS Life: The Way, The Truth, The Life are found IN Him.
When you read the Bible, meditate on His Words, and allow them to permeate your soul, you find that you WANT to be different. You want your life to look more life HIS LIFE, not because of fear; but because of love. The "be causes" become different; because of Him.
The 10 Commandments, given from God to Moses, are still valid. Murder, stealing, cheating, are still grievous sins; but now it is not so much punishment; or fear of getting caught, that drives your thinking. It's not even about going to heaven or hell anymore. For me, when I think about Jesus, I just want to be like Him. I want to see the world through His Eyes, and treat people like He did.
Just after speaking the beautiful words of The Beatitudes, Jesus explains that He did not come "to abolish the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them." (Mat 5:17). Jesus does not negate the Old Testament... He takes it further... He fulfills it! Jesus told his followers that if they could follow 2 rules: Love God; and Love others, then all the other rules would automatically be adhered to. And, He has equipped us and given us the gift of The Holy Spirit to guide us. His love lives inside of believers, we can access His Supernatural Strength when we are tempted, rather than simply trying to adhere to a list of rules.
How often we wander off, how continually His love pulls us back.
It's not rules that bring us back, it is the love of Jesus displayed as He willingly stretched out his hands, one to the right, one to the left, and allowed them to be nailed to a cross for us, so that daily we could look up in our mind's eye and see His Love displayed for us.
Yes, the be causes are different now... because He fulfilled the law, paid for us with His Blood. He signed, sealed, and delivered us, now we are His.
This rule book for Christ-followers, the B I B LE, is more than a set of "do's & don'ts." It is actually a love story, a Chronology of the love between Holy God and fallen man. A way that we can find TRUTH in the unchanging God-breathed Words of Scripture.
Jesus told us He IS Life: The Way, The Truth, The Life are found IN Him.
When you read the Bible, meditate on His Words, and allow them to permeate your soul, you find that you WANT to be different. You want your life to look more life HIS LIFE, not because of fear; but because of love. The "be causes" become different; because of Him.
The 10 Commandments, given from God to Moses, are still valid. Murder, stealing, cheating, are still grievous sins; but now it is not so much punishment; or fear of getting caught, that drives your thinking. It's not even about going to heaven or hell anymore. For me, when I think about Jesus, I just want to be like Him. I want to see the world through His Eyes, and treat people like He did.
Just after speaking the beautiful words of The Beatitudes, Jesus explains that He did not come "to abolish the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them." (Mat 5:17). Jesus does not negate the Old Testament... He takes it further... He fulfills it! Jesus told his followers that if they could follow 2 rules: Love God; and Love others, then all the other rules would automatically be adhered to. And, He has equipped us and given us the gift of The Holy Spirit to guide us. His love lives inside of believers, we can access His Supernatural Strength when we are tempted, rather than simply trying to adhere to a list of rules.
How often we wander off, how continually His love pulls us back.
It's not rules that bring us back, it is the love of Jesus displayed as He willingly stretched out his hands, one to the right, one to the left, and allowed them to be nailed to a cross for us, so that daily we could look up in our mind's eye and see His Love displayed for us.
Yes, the be causes are different now... because He fulfilled the law, paid for us with His Blood. He signed, sealed, and delivered us, now we are His.
This rule book for Christ-followers, the B I B LE, is more than a set of "do's & don'ts." It is actually a love story, a Chronology of the love between Holy God and fallen man. A way that we can find TRUTH in the unchanging God-breathed Words of Scripture.
10/28/08
Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God King James Version 2 Tim 3:16a
When you get together with friends and family what do you like to do? We are “a board game type of family”… everything from Monopoly, Risk, Life, Clue, Scrabble, to the ever-favorite Rumicube. Have you found that some people do not play by the same rules that your family does? Some people play that you have to have a discard tile in order to win the game of Rumicube. This is never good news to discover at the end of the game. You stand there cheering in victory, and suddenly everyone asks “where is your discard tile?” Yiikes.
Does your family leave the game instructions in the box for future reference, for times when clarification is needed? I think its a good idea. It is always smart to review a few of the basic rules before starting into anything, just to make sure that everyone is on the same page.
What guidelines do you have for living your life?
Did you come up with them yourself? Are they your family’s set of rules?
Where did you get them, how do you know that they are true?
Are they based on feelings and following your heart?
I remember the first time I heard the B.I.B.L.E. explained as Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth, a reference manual for living, anything you may have a question about, is addressed in The Bible. All the answers, God's answers are there. I was stunned when I heard this, stunned that people believed this; but I have found it to be totally True. God did not leave us clueless, we have His Inspired Word for direction, instruction and right living. In my Catholic upbringing we did not read the Bible, that is changing thankfully, because it is tough to succeed when you don’t know what is expected. Someday Jesus Himself will stand before us and ask us about these lives we lived in the body here on Earth.
I want to know what HE SAID in His Book.
I want to know what to discard and what to hold on to.
For correct word-spelling you go to Webster’s Dictionary.
For correct truth-seeking you go to The Bible.
Your sources of reference must be correct.
If you’ve got the wrong book in your hand you will not succeed.
But we are in such a hurry and we think that we already know how to play…the world around us shouts… come on, let’s just play, we’ll figure it out as we go, hurry up, put that Bible down and get in the game. Yiikes.
When you get together with friends and family what do you like to do? We are “a board game type of family”… everything from Monopoly, Risk, Life, Clue, Scrabble, to the ever-favorite Rumicube. Have you found that some people do not play by the same rules that your family does? Some people play that you have to have a discard tile in order to win the game of Rumicube. This is never good news to discover at the end of the game. You stand there cheering in victory, and suddenly everyone asks “where is your discard tile?” Yiikes.
Does your family leave the game instructions in the box for future reference, for times when clarification is needed? I think its a good idea. It is always smart to review a few of the basic rules before starting into anything, just to make sure that everyone is on the same page.
What guidelines do you have for living your life?
Did you come up with them yourself? Are they your family’s set of rules?
Where did you get them, how do you know that they are true?
Are they based on feelings and following your heart?
I remember the first time I heard the B.I.B.L.E. explained as Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth, a reference manual for living, anything you may have a question about, is addressed in The Bible. All the answers, God's answers are there. I was stunned when I heard this, stunned that people believed this; but I have found it to be totally True. God did not leave us clueless, we have His Inspired Word for direction, instruction and right living. In my Catholic upbringing we did not read the Bible, that is changing thankfully, because it is tough to succeed when you don’t know what is expected. Someday Jesus Himself will stand before us and ask us about these lives we lived in the body here on Earth.
I want to know what HE SAID in His Book.
I want to know what to discard and what to hold on to.
For correct word-spelling you go to Webster’s Dictionary.
For correct truth-seeking you go to The Bible.
Your sources of reference must be correct.
If you’ve got the wrong book in your hand you will not succeed.
But we are in such a hurry and we think that we already know how to play…the world around us shouts… come on, let’s just play, we’ll figure it out as we go, hurry up, put that Bible down and get in the game. Yiikes.
10/27/08
Hungry Hearts
Receive and experience the amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, deep, deep within yourselves. Phil 4:23 The Message
I'm just returning from a 7-day cruise, 8 days away with my husband's family. My mother-in-law will soon celebrate her 80th birthday and the trip was something she booked a year ago.
My side of the family, (true to our Irish Catholic heritage), is loaded with aunts, uncles, second-cousins and third-cousins-once-removed ... some of whom I've never even met. In contrast, my husband, Jeff's side of the family consists of:
1-Jeff, 2-his mom, 3-his brother, 4-our son David. That's it. The personalities in this group are very different; our size, shapes and styles are all different. When you see the 5 of us together, there is little family resemblance and very few shared interests. So, I had some anxiety over spending a week at sea together in close quarters. I am happy to report that we all survived, and all got along well.
The only casualty so far appears to be my waistline, it will be a long time before the words "midnight buffet" bring a smile to my lips.
It is amazing what you can learn about yourself when you get out of your normal environment for a few days. I consider myself a disciplined person; a creature of habit, actually. I brought along my alarm clock, work out wear, vitamins, flax seed oil, and travel Bible. Unfortunately, each of these items remained securley zipped up in the front pocket of my suitcase ... hardly touched, but sorely needed.
Oh, at first, it was delightful to sleep in; to eat and drink non-stop; to bask in the sun, people-watch at the pool, and eavesdrop on all kinds of crazy conversations. As evening approached you'd wonder, should we go to the comedy show, the talent competition, or the casino? Does the Asian-Fusion restaurant on Deck 6 sound more appealing than the Steakhouse on Deck 8; am I in a jasmine rice or baked potato & butter state of mind? The daily choices abound and you think, "wow, I could get used to being served, pampered, and spa'd like this for the rest of my life!"
But, by about Day 4 or 5, the foo-foo drinks start to taste too sugar-y, and the thought of limiting your un-limited portions, crosses your mind. Suddenly, you are counting out slices of bacon rather than that shovel-full you've been consuming at the previous buffets. As you put on your bathing suit you see that your "abs" now resemble that hunk of blueberry cheesecake you just consumed. Your legs are getting tan, so you go from the #45 sunblock down to the #15; but, soon your son comments that your back looks like that lobster shell you were dining out of last night. The "Good Life" is not really good for us at all!
The Bible warns that the wages of sin is death; suddenly see where all this self-indulgence is leading, as the waistband on your shorts threatens to cut off your air supply. YIIKES! There will be a day of reckoning, but you go with the flow, because afterall you are on vacation, and you don't want to ruin eveyone else's fun. Secretly you begin to yearn for a Pilates class, a protein shake, and a long letter from the Apostle Paul, (instead of the Self Magazine you're holding in your hand!) We naturally gravitate to what hurts us in the long run. The short run is so appealing, when it's right there in front of us... and it's free!
No matter how much we say we love Jesus, we must admit that we are prone to wander... prone to put self and stomach first. We must actively, daily choose again and again to follow Jesus, accepting Him into our hearts is not a one-time event.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I got up early this morning, eager to get back to my Bible and quiet time with The Lord.
First, I thanked Him for the love of family and for the unity that He brought to us on the trip. Then, I asked Him to help me to make better choices, and to please keep His Face in front of me. I asked His Holy Spirit to give me that extra pause as I consider what I am eating, drinking, and thinking today. Lord, take me off of auto pilot now, and get me back on track. Help me to remember that many things promise to fill us, but they only fatten us up; leave us empty.
It's not all the stuff 'out there,' its His Still, Small Voice deep WITHIN US that satisfies a hungry heart. Experience the amazing grace of The Master, Jesus Christ, deep within, that is where The Good Life...Our REAL Life... is found, in Christ Alone.
I'm just returning from a 7-day cruise, 8 days away with my husband's family. My mother-in-law will soon celebrate her 80th birthday and the trip was something she booked a year ago.
My side of the family, (true to our Irish Catholic heritage), is loaded with aunts, uncles, second-cousins and third-cousins-once-removed ... some of whom I've never even met. In contrast, my husband, Jeff's side of the family consists of:
1-Jeff, 2-his mom, 3-his brother, 4-our son David. That's it. The personalities in this group are very different; our size, shapes and styles are all different. When you see the 5 of us together, there is little family resemblance and very few shared interests. So, I had some anxiety over spending a week at sea together in close quarters. I am happy to report that we all survived, and all got along well.
The only casualty so far appears to be my waistline, it will be a long time before the words "midnight buffet" bring a smile to my lips.
It is amazing what you can learn about yourself when you get out of your normal environment for a few days. I consider myself a disciplined person; a creature of habit, actually. I brought along my alarm clock, work out wear, vitamins, flax seed oil, and travel Bible. Unfortunately, each of these items remained securley zipped up in the front pocket of my suitcase ... hardly touched, but sorely needed.
Oh, at first, it was delightful to sleep in; to eat and drink non-stop; to bask in the sun, people-watch at the pool, and eavesdrop on all kinds of crazy conversations. As evening approached you'd wonder, should we go to the comedy show, the talent competition, or the casino? Does the Asian-Fusion restaurant on Deck 6 sound more appealing than the Steakhouse on Deck 8; am I in a jasmine rice or baked potato & butter state of mind? The daily choices abound and you think, "wow, I could get used to being served, pampered, and spa'd like this for the rest of my life!"
But, by about Day 4 or 5, the foo-foo drinks start to taste too sugar-y, and the thought of limiting your un-limited portions, crosses your mind. Suddenly, you are counting out slices of bacon rather than that shovel-full you've been consuming at the previous buffets. As you put on your bathing suit you see that your "abs" now resemble that hunk of blueberry cheesecake you just consumed. Your legs are getting tan, so you go from the #45 sunblock down to the #15; but, soon your son comments that your back looks like that lobster shell you were dining out of last night. The "Good Life" is not really good for us at all!
The Bible warns that the wages of sin is death; suddenly see where all this self-indulgence is leading, as the waistband on your shorts threatens to cut off your air supply. YIIKES! There will be a day of reckoning, but you go with the flow, because afterall you are on vacation, and you don't want to ruin eveyone else's fun. Secretly you begin to yearn for a Pilates class, a protein shake, and a long letter from the Apostle Paul, (instead of the Self Magazine you're holding in your hand!) We naturally gravitate to what hurts us in the long run. The short run is so appealing, when it's right there in front of us... and it's free!
No matter how much we say we love Jesus, we must admit that we are prone to wander... prone to put self and stomach first. We must actively, daily choose again and again to follow Jesus, accepting Him into our hearts is not a one-time event.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I got up early this morning, eager to get back to my Bible and quiet time with The Lord.
First, I thanked Him for the love of family and for the unity that He brought to us on the trip. Then, I asked Him to help me to make better choices, and to please keep His Face in front of me. I asked His Holy Spirit to give me that extra pause as I consider what I am eating, drinking, and thinking today. Lord, take me off of auto pilot now, and get me back on track. Help me to remember that many things promise to fill us, but they only fatten us up; leave us empty.
It's not all the stuff 'out there,' its His Still, Small Voice deep WITHIN US that satisfies a hungry heart. Experience the amazing grace of The Master, Jesus Christ, deep within, that is where The Good Life...Our REAL Life... is found, in Christ Alone.
10/12/08
Hearers & Doers - Your Room is Ready
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with The Spirit, in any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. NIV Phil 2:1-4
In these blogs we talk about hurrying to one place only, UP to God for his direction; and then listening, praying, waiting for Him… Then what?
Do we act with prompt obedience when He clearly answers us?
OR,
Do we put things off ... second guess what God is telling us … look for a more ‘logical’ answer than the one God is giving? Do we continue to wait when He clearly said "GO?" Do we go when He said "WAIT!"
We show God that we love Him by doing EXACTLY what He tells us to do, no matter how humbling. Many times I don’t like His Answers, many times they don’t make sense, and many times they take me off the path I had mapped out for myself. People say they don’t hear from God, maybe that’s because their own voice is STILL speaking and drowning out His Still, Small Voice. Jesus was a gentle-man, but also God. He is often a 'direction-changer,' and a 'side-tracker.' He can ask a 'natural born leader' to take a back seat and let someone 'less talented' go first. His Word instructs us to consider others as better than ourselves. How are you doing with that one? The trials in our lives show us how we are doing. If we are honest, we will admit that we NEED humbling, we tend to want the driver's seat not the back of the bus.
BUT, you know what, at times when I have put self aside and done what God asked, it has always resulted in JOY. The thing I have found about God is that His Will is hard; good & hard; but, there really is no other way. AND, we can reflect on the trials of our lives and see purpose. If God uses a tough trial to chip away more of my vain conceit and selfish ambition, then that is a very good thing! God is always at work changing us, growing us, teaching us to love others more, and encouraging us to draw life from Him.
There is protection under His umbrella even as torrential rains pour down around us. If we stay under His umbrella we find peace despite the storm.
Today, our pastor talked about being HEAR-ERS and DO-ERS of The Word. HEAR & DO. We observe Jesus hearing from God in The Gospels. He often goes off by Himself to pray; He asks His followers to pray with Him; and He prays for hurting people all around him. Then, we observe Him doing, acting on behalf of others: healing sick people, teaching about The Heart of The Father, stopping to hear the heart of one outcast woman at a well, multiplying loaves and fishes so that crowds of hungry people could eat. Jesus saw the need and filled it. He provided for everyone He encountered.
Can we say the same thing? Do we look to the interests of others or, do we hurry on by? Are we willing to be interrupted, inconvenienced, side-tracked as the Good Samaritan was? Or, do we think that our agenda is more important than those around us?
If our highest daily goal is:
to stay in Step with The Spirit, and lean on Jesus through suffering, loss, uncertainty… then, our lives will bear fruit! Our light and momentary troubles, our dark days here, will pass and God will lift us up into His Eternal Light. HEAR & DO, then, Jesus will be able to say, Well done! Come, ENTER INTO MY FATHER’S HOUSE, LOOK YOUR ROOM IS READY!
In these blogs we talk about hurrying to one place only, UP to God for his direction; and then listening, praying, waiting for Him… Then what?
Do we act with prompt obedience when He clearly answers us?
OR,
Do we put things off ... second guess what God is telling us … look for a more ‘logical’ answer than the one God is giving? Do we continue to wait when He clearly said "GO?" Do we go when He said "WAIT!"
We show God that we love Him by doing EXACTLY what He tells us to do, no matter how humbling. Many times I don’t like His Answers, many times they don’t make sense, and many times they take me off the path I had mapped out for myself. People say they don’t hear from God, maybe that’s because their own voice is STILL speaking and drowning out His Still, Small Voice. Jesus was a gentle-man, but also God. He is often a 'direction-changer,' and a 'side-tracker.' He can ask a 'natural born leader' to take a back seat and let someone 'less talented' go first. His Word instructs us to consider others as better than ourselves. How are you doing with that one? The trials in our lives show us how we are doing. If we are honest, we will admit that we NEED humbling, we tend to want the driver's seat not the back of the bus.
BUT, you know what, at times when I have put self aside and done what God asked, it has always resulted in JOY. The thing I have found about God is that His Will is hard; good & hard; but, there really is no other way. AND, we can reflect on the trials of our lives and see purpose. If God uses a tough trial to chip away more of my vain conceit and selfish ambition, then that is a very good thing! God is always at work changing us, growing us, teaching us to love others more, and encouraging us to draw life from Him.
There is protection under His umbrella even as torrential rains pour down around us. If we stay under His umbrella we find peace despite the storm.
Today, our pastor talked about being HEAR-ERS and DO-ERS of The Word. HEAR & DO. We observe Jesus hearing from God in The Gospels. He often goes off by Himself to pray; He asks His followers to pray with Him; and He prays for hurting people all around him. Then, we observe Him doing, acting on behalf of others: healing sick people, teaching about The Heart of The Father, stopping to hear the heart of one outcast woman at a well, multiplying loaves and fishes so that crowds of hungry people could eat. Jesus saw the need and filled it. He provided for everyone He encountered.
Can we say the same thing? Do we look to the interests of others or, do we hurry on by? Are we willing to be interrupted, inconvenienced, side-tracked as the Good Samaritan was? Or, do we think that our agenda is more important than those around us?
If our highest daily goal is:
to stay in Step with The Spirit, and lean on Jesus through suffering, loss, uncertainty… then, our lives will bear fruit! Our light and momentary troubles, our dark days here, will pass and God will lift us up into His Eternal Light. HEAR & DO, then, Jesus will be able to say, Well done! Come, ENTER INTO MY FATHER’S HOUSE, LOOK YOUR ROOM IS READY!
10/9/08
JOY- Jesus Over You!
I can do everything THROUGH HIM who gives me strength. Phil 4:13
Have you ever experienced the flatout JOY that comes from knowing you are in the right place, at the right time, doing exactly what God created you to do? I wonder how many Christians can say, along with the Apostle Paul, "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."
Paul wrote those amazing words from prison. Paul's life was NOT EASY but it was JOY-FILLED. He learned to delight himself in The Lord, no matter what was going externally. Paul did not look around, he looked UP, He centered His thoughts on Jesus and eternal life in heaven, he found contentment there, no matter what was going on down here.
Americans are some of the most optimistic folks on the planet. Compared to nations whose residents struggle to get by on a dollar a day, we have it pretty good. We have hobbies, outlets, dreams and plans for our future.
Many Africans, Haitians, and Afghans wake up with one concern: will I survive the day.
Many Americans are struggling right now for the first time in our freedom-filled lives.
Many of us are uncertain about the upcoming Presidential election, our finances are a mess, our kids are being tempted in every way possible, and all of us know someone who has cancer or a life-threatening illness of some sort. What is going on here? When did this happen? How did this happen so quickly? As I write these words I find myself unemployed, my position as Marketing Director was recently eliminated. My husband is a realtor, my son wants to go away next semester to college, can I afford to keep buying this expensive food for the dog, should I skip my next hair appointment... that's a big concern for me.
But, despite what seems to be happening, I know one thing FOR SURE, I know that there is a God in Heaven, and He is still on His Throne, and He is good and He loves me and He wants only what is best for me. I know that despite circumstances, He brings a peace that surpasses my understanding. I know that when I read His Word and sit with thoughts of Him, thoughts of worry dissipate. He dispels anxiety, He is the banner over my life.
J- Jesus
O- Over
Y- You
When I feel anxious, I know Who to HURRY toward. Joy surfaces when we imagine Jesus Up & Over us. He sees what's going on, He has promised to never leave us or forsake us. He will make a way and we can rest in His Promises, as we WAIT in JOYFUL HOPE for Him.
Have you ever experienced the flatout JOY that comes from knowing you are in the right place, at the right time, doing exactly what God created you to do? I wonder how many Christians can say, along with the Apostle Paul, "I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."
Paul wrote those amazing words from prison. Paul's life was NOT EASY but it was JOY-FILLED. He learned to delight himself in The Lord, no matter what was going externally. Paul did not look around, he looked UP, He centered His thoughts on Jesus and eternal life in heaven, he found contentment there, no matter what was going on down here.
Americans are some of the most optimistic folks on the planet. Compared to nations whose residents struggle to get by on a dollar a day, we have it pretty good. We have hobbies, outlets, dreams and plans for our future.
Many Africans, Haitians, and Afghans wake up with one concern: will I survive the day.
Many Americans are struggling right now for the first time in our freedom-filled lives.
Many of us are uncertain about the upcoming Presidential election, our finances are a mess, our kids are being tempted in every way possible, and all of us know someone who has cancer or a life-threatening illness of some sort. What is going on here? When did this happen? How did this happen so quickly? As I write these words I find myself unemployed, my position as Marketing Director was recently eliminated. My husband is a realtor, my son wants to go away next semester to college, can I afford to keep buying this expensive food for the dog, should I skip my next hair appointment... that's a big concern for me.
But, despite what seems to be happening, I know one thing FOR SURE, I know that there is a God in Heaven, and He is still on His Throne, and He is good and He loves me and He wants only what is best for me. I know that despite circumstances, He brings a peace that surpasses my understanding. I know that when I read His Word and sit with thoughts of Him, thoughts of worry dissipate. He dispels anxiety, He is the banner over my life.
J- Jesus
O- Over
Y- You
When I feel anxious, I know Who to HURRY toward. Joy surfaces when we imagine Jesus Up & Over us. He sees what's going on, He has promised to never leave us or forsake us. He will make a way and we can rest in His Promises, as we WAIT in JOYFUL HOPE for Him.
10/7/08
Time to WAKE UP
In yesterday's blog The 23rd Psalm was referenced. King David's words speak of the peace that God brings to the soul. The 23rd Psalm is often read at funerals or Celebration of Life Services as we now like to call them. Many of us are driving ourselves to an early "celebration" with stress-filled living and jam-packed schedules. Maybe its time to wake up before it is our own wake they're rushing us off to!
Does your schedule keep you so heads down... that there's no time to look up?
Have you ever heard it said, "if the devil can't make you sin, he'll make you busy?" Has busy-ness caused you to "forget" God?
Here's a Wake-up call for you:
THE PSALM 23 ANTITHESIS, by Marcia Hornok
(originally published in Discipleship Journal, 11/90)
"The clock is my dictator, I shall not rest.
It makes me lie down only when I am exhausted.
It leads me to deep depression, it hounds my soul.
It leads me in circles of frenzy, for activity’s sake.
Even though I run frantically from task to task,
I will never get it all done, for my “ideal” is with always with me.
Deadlines and my need for approval, they drive me.
They demand performance from me, beyond the limits of my schedule.
They anoint my head with migraines, my in-basket overfloweth.
Surely fatigue and time pressure shall follow me all the days of my life,
And, I will dwell in the bonds of frustration forever!"
We can all smile as we read this, because we can all empathize. But honestly, who wants to “dwell in frustration forever?” And, yet, this is how most of us live today. This can’t be what God had in mind for his beloved creation… for any generation…even a crazy, technologically advanced society like ours.
"The truth is we experience guilt when we waste time; and a sense of delight when we spend time well. What does spending time 'well' mean? We were designed for something more than efficient productivity, prioritization, task-management, right? Perhaps a better question is: What does it mean to LIVE well? Is there something more fulfilling, enriching and exciting than task-completion? Our hearts are crying out for that missing element…. For a freedom found only in Christ!" (Excerpt from "Time Traps" by Todd Duncan)
Lord, help us realize that you hold us in the palm of Your Magnificent Hand. Remind us that there’s no need to rush, over-commit, hurt ourselves, and cause our hearts to race. Teach us what it means to REST IN YOU. Bring us YOUR PEACE that surpasses our understanding. Quiet our minds Jesus. Slow us down till we hear the whisper of Your Still Small Voice, its right there, like the coo of a morning dove, trapped under the roar of traffic, tick-tocking clocks, and ever-expanding to-do lists. WAKE US UP LORD, Teach us to live for Your Glory and not our own. You have a good plan for us, we yield to You today, help us keep looking UP to You.
Does your schedule keep you so heads down... that there's no time to look up?
Have you ever heard it said, "if the devil can't make you sin, he'll make you busy?" Has busy-ness caused you to "forget" God?
Here's a Wake-up call for you:
THE PSALM 23 ANTITHESIS, by Marcia Hornok
(originally published in Discipleship Journal, 11/90)
"The clock is my dictator, I shall not rest.
It makes me lie down only when I am exhausted.
It leads me to deep depression, it hounds my soul.
It leads me in circles of frenzy, for activity’s sake.
Even though I run frantically from task to task,
I will never get it all done, for my “ideal” is with always with me.
Deadlines and my need for approval, they drive me.
They demand performance from me, beyond the limits of my schedule.
They anoint my head with migraines, my in-basket overfloweth.
Surely fatigue and time pressure shall follow me all the days of my life,
And, I will dwell in the bonds of frustration forever!"
We can all smile as we read this, because we can all empathize. But honestly, who wants to “dwell in frustration forever?” And, yet, this is how most of us live today. This can’t be what God had in mind for his beloved creation… for any generation…even a crazy, technologically advanced society like ours.
"The truth is we experience guilt when we waste time; and a sense of delight when we spend time well. What does spending time 'well' mean? We were designed for something more than efficient productivity, prioritization, task-management, right? Perhaps a better question is: What does it mean to LIVE well? Is there something more fulfilling, enriching and exciting than task-completion? Our hearts are crying out for that missing element…. For a freedom found only in Christ!" (Excerpt from "Time Traps" by Todd Duncan)
Lord, help us realize that you hold us in the palm of Your Magnificent Hand. Remind us that there’s no need to rush, over-commit, hurt ourselves, and cause our hearts to race. Teach us what it means to REST IN YOU. Bring us YOUR PEACE that surpasses our understanding. Quiet our minds Jesus. Slow us down till we hear the whisper of Your Still Small Voice, its right there, like the coo of a morning dove, trapped under the roar of traffic, tick-tocking clocks, and ever-expanding to-do lists. WAKE US UP LORD, Teach us to live for Your Glory and not our own. You have a good plan for us, we yield to You today, help us keep looking UP to You.
10/6/08
Purpose-Filled Waiting
His Compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your Faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The LORD is my portion; therefore I will WAIT FOR HIM.’ Lam 3:22-25
Have you ever found yourself in God’s waiting room? Ever knocked, and knocked again on His Door, but still no response… only a quiet knowingness that He is doing this deliberately, asking you to learn to wait on Him.
John Darby writes “It is God’s way to set people aside after their first start, so that self-confidence may die down. Thus, Moses had to wait 40 years. And, Paul 3 years, after his 1st testimony. Not that God did not approve his 1st earnest testimony. But, we must get to know ourselves and discover that we have no strength. Thus we learn; and then, leaning on the Lord, we can with more maturity and experience, deal with souls.”
I was sharing with a Christian friend that all of God’s Old Testament leaders had times of waiting on Him before he raised them up. A God-given call was placed on their lives and then, always l-o-n-g & l-o-n-e-l-y waits ensued. “No! Not King Saul” she replied, “he dug right in ….but, look what happened! You didn't see God do that again soon!"
Yes, she was correct, impatient Saul acted in his own strength, and disobeyed God’s instruction. In contrast, His successor, King David had learned to wait. He lifted his eyes to the hills and knew exactly where his help came from.
Saul’s pride made him an ineffective leader; but, David’s habit of waiting on God instilled a character of gentle humility. David was a strong leader because he learned to access God's supernatural strength.
In the 23rd Psalm, David says, “He MAKES me lie down in green pastures.” You get the idea that David would still like to ‘get up and go,’ but he acquiesces. David's trials taught him that The Father knows best. He allows God to lead him; restore him; guide him in paths of righteousness. AND, because David learned to yield to God’s Will, He received a very special title, even more prestigious than King of Israel... God calls David “a man after His Own Heart.”
Have you ever found yourself in God’s waiting room? Ever knocked, and knocked again on His Door, but still no response… only a quiet knowingness that He is doing this deliberately, asking you to learn to wait on Him.
John Darby writes “It is God’s way to set people aside after their first start, so that self-confidence may die down. Thus, Moses had to wait 40 years. And, Paul 3 years, after his 1st testimony. Not that God did not approve his 1st earnest testimony. But, we must get to know ourselves and discover that we have no strength. Thus we learn; and then, leaning on the Lord, we can with more maturity and experience, deal with souls.”
I was sharing with a Christian friend that all of God’s Old Testament leaders had times of waiting on Him before he raised them up. A God-given call was placed on their lives and then, always l-o-n-g & l-o-n-e-l-y waits ensued. “No! Not King Saul” she replied, “he dug right in ….but, look what happened! You didn't see God do that again soon!"
Yes, she was correct, impatient Saul acted in his own strength, and disobeyed God’s instruction. In contrast, His successor, King David had learned to wait. He lifted his eyes to the hills and knew exactly where his help came from.
Saul’s pride made him an ineffective leader; but, David’s habit of waiting on God instilled a character of gentle humility. David was a strong leader because he learned to access God's supernatural strength.
In the 23rd Psalm, David says, “He MAKES me lie down in green pastures.” You get the idea that David would still like to ‘get up and go,’ but he acquiesces. David's trials taught him that The Father knows best. He allows God to lead him; restore him; guide him in paths of righteousness. AND, because David learned to yield to God’s Will, He received a very special title, even more prestigious than King of Israel... God calls David “a man after His Own Heart.”
10/4/08
God Sets The Pace
Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Phil 1:6
“It seems that most believers have difficulty facing the fact that God does not hurry in His Development of our Christian life. He is working FROM and FOR Eternity! Many Christians feel they are not making progress unless they are swiftly, constantly forging ahead; but, God Himself modifies the pace.”
"A.H. Strong illustrates this point, ‘A student asked the President of his school whether he could take a shorter course than the one prescribed. ‘Oh yes’ replied the President, ‘but then, it depends upon what you want to be. When God wants to make an oak, He takes 100 years, but when He wants to make a squash, He takes 6 months. And, remember growth is not a uniform thing in the tree or the Christian. In some single months there is more growth than in all the year besides. During the rest of the year, however, there is SOLIDIFICATION, without which the green timber would be useless.”
(Excerpts from “Green Letters” by Miles J. Stanford)
Wow, such wise words!
I clearly get the point, but patience can be an elusive fruit. I like to see progress in areas where I invest my time and focus. If I skip that molten mound of brownie with vanilla ice cream oozing down the side… then, I expect to see a smaller number shining back at me on the scale tomorrow. If I do not buy those hot leather boots with the silver buckle, and instead clean up last’s year’s model and wear those; then, there will be a higher number in my checking account at the end of this month. Results! Yes, glorious, tangible measurable results! We are result-oriented creatures and whether we like to admit it or not, we tend to have an unspoken timetable connected to most things in life.
Why does God make us wait for answers? Why can’t He just tell us what He wants us to do, right now, and clearly (and hopefully exactly as I want it all to unfold!)
Wow, such foolish words!
There was a lot of “self” in that last sentence, wasn’t there? I say I want my life to be exactly the way that God wants it to be, but sometimes Sinatra’s “I Did It My Way” drowns out the Lincoln Brewster’s “Everlasting God” and the chorus of “strength will rise as we wait upon The Lord” echoes in my head at too slow a tempo. Argh! Remind me LORD that YOU complete the work you started in me. If I rush; take shortcuts; hurry ahead of others, that only slows my Christian walk. In God’s Economy slow is fast; and I don’t want to miss any God-given opportunities because I was in a hurry….looking around me, instead of UP.
When the Apostle Paul recorded the promise that Jesus would complete His good work in us, Paul was in prison chains. But instead of asking God, “What am I doing in here when there’s a whole wide world out there to save!” What did Paul do? Do you know? Read Philippians, Chapter 1. In his confinement Paul spoke to his guards about Christ and as a result, the Holy Roman Empire was infiltrated with its first converts. Wherever he was planted, Paul planted seeds; and, because he was attuned to God’s Timing, the seeds blossomed. The Word spread with SOLIDIFICATION, in perfect step with The Holy Spirit’s vantage point of Eternity.
“It seems that most believers have difficulty facing the fact that God does not hurry in His Development of our Christian life. He is working FROM and FOR Eternity! Many Christians feel they are not making progress unless they are swiftly, constantly forging ahead; but, God Himself modifies the pace.”
"A.H. Strong illustrates this point, ‘A student asked the President of his school whether he could take a shorter course than the one prescribed. ‘Oh yes’ replied the President, ‘but then, it depends upon what you want to be. When God wants to make an oak, He takes 100 years, but when He wants to make a squash, He takes 6 months. And, remember growth is not a uniform thing in the tree or the Christian. In some single months there is more growth than in all the year besides. During the rest of the year, however, there is SOLIDIFICATION, without which the green timber would be useless.”
(Excerpts from “Green Letters” by Miles J. Stanford)
Wow, such wise words!
I clearly get the point, but patience can be an elusive fruit. I like to see progress in areas where I invest my time and focus. If I skip that molten mound of brownie with vanilla ice cream oozing down the side… then, I expect to see a smaller number shining back at me on the scale tomorrow. If I do not buy those hot leather boots with the silver buckle, and instead clean up last’s year’s model and wear those; then, there will be a higher number in my checking account at the end of this month. Results! Yes, glorious, tangible measurable results! We are result-oriented creatures and whether we like to admit it or not, we tend to have an unspoken timetable connected to most things in life.
Why does God make us wait for answers? Why can’t He just tell us what He wants us to do, right now, and clearly (and hopefully exactly as I want it all to unfold!)
Wow, such foolish words!
There was a lot of “self” in that last sentence, wasn’t there? I say I want my life to be exactly the way that God wants it to be, but sometimes Sinatra’s “I Did It My Way” drowns out the Lincoln Brewster’s “Everlasting God” and the chorus of “strength will rise as we wait upon The Lord” echoes in my head at too slow a tempo. Argh! Remind me LORD that YOU complete the work you started in me. If I rush; take shortcuts; hurry ahead of others, that only slows my Christian walk. In God’s Economy slow is fast; and I don’t want to miss any God-given opportunities because I was in a hurry….looking around me, instead of UP.
When the Apostle Paul recorded the promise that Jesus would complete His good work in us, Paul was in prison chains. But instead of asking God, “What am I doing in here when there’s a whole wide world out there to save!” What did Paul do? Do you know? Read Philippians, Chapter 1. In his confinement Paul spoke to his guards about Christ and as a result, the Holy Roman Empire was infiltrated with its first converts. Wherever he was planted, Paul planted seeds; and, because he was attuned to God’s Timing, the seeds blossomed. The Word spread with SOLIDIFICATION, in perfect step with The Holy Spirit’s vantage point of Eternity.
10/2/08
Names He Calls Us - Will He Find Faith?
Let the BELOVED of the LORD rest secure in Him Dt 33:12a
Yesterday’s blog discussed recording Names of God & His Attributes. I was moved by the verse that says He quiets us with His love and He SINGS over us (Zep 3:17.) I added Serenader to my list of God's Names. Charles Spurgeon wrote that he envisioned Jesus smoothing the pillows of those who cry themselves to sleep at night. Jesus, Our Good Shepherd, would leave a flock of 99 to go find 1 missing sheep. How intimately our God knows us, how tender is His Love for every soul.
As I was walking the dog today I turned off the music on my I-pod and just imagined Jesus singing over me. No, I did not hear a voice come thundering out of the clouds; BUT, I did hear birds singing, and a tea kettle’s whistle, and children laughing. And, I thanked God, who created all things and determined the noises they would make. Let everything that has breath Praise the Lord!
I thought about some of the names that God calls us in His Word: Atoned, Blessed, Cherished, Daughter, Enabled, Foreknown, Glorious, Heard (2 Ch 7:14 "I will HEAR them from heaven")
I am going to add a "Names God Calls Us" section to my "Names of God" binder.
And, on days when I want to call myself "a Looser" or "not good enough," I will remember that GOD SAYS I AM PRECIOUS TO HIM, NO MATTER HOW I MAY BE FEELING. He calls me His Own, His Bride, His Beloved. He went to the cross for us because we were His Passion. He wanted to show us our true worth, not lies we may be believing about ourselves.
My self-esteem is NOT dependent on what I do it comes from what He did, His finished work upon the cross and "Nothing in all creation can separate me from the love of Christ"(Rom 8:39.) "He has loved us with an everlasting love" (Jer 31:3) One of His Names is TRUTH, and we are called The Faithful. Pray that we will be found faith-filled when He comes for us. Lord, help us look to You Alone for Truth and keep our Faith anchored in You in these uncertain times in which we live.
Yesterday’s blog discussed recording Names of God & His Attributes. I was moved by the verse that says He quiets us with His love and He SINGS over us (Zep 3:17.) I added Serenader to my list of God's Names. Charles Spurgeon wrote that he envisioned Jesus smoothing the pillows of those who cry themselves to sleep at night. Jesus, Our Good Shepherd, would leave a flock of 99 to go find 1 missing sheep. How intimately our God knows us, how tender is His Love for every soul.
As I was walking the dog today I turned off the music on my I-pod and just imagined Jesus singing over me. No, I did not hear a voice come thundering out of the clouds; BUT, I did hear birds singing, and a tea kettle’s whistle, and children laughing. And, I thanked God, who created all things and determined the noises they would make. Let everything that has breath Praise the Lord!
I thought about some of the names that God calls us in His Word: Atoned, Blessed, Cherished, Daughter, Enabled, Foreknown, Glorious, Heard (2 Ch 7:14 "I will HEAR them from heaven")
I am going to add a "Names God Calls Us" section to my "Names of God" binder.
And, on days when I want to call myself "a Looser" or "not good enough," I will remember that GOD SAYS I AM PRECIOUS TO HIM, NO MATTER HOW I MAY BE FEELING. He calls me His Own, His Bride, His Beloved. He went to the cross for us because we were His Passion. He wanted to show us our true worth, not lies we may be believing about ourselves.
My self-esteem is NOT dependent on what I do it comes from what He did, His finished work upon the cross and "Nothing in all creation can separate me from the love of Christ"(Rom 8:39.) "He has loved us with an everlasting love" (Jer 31:3) One of His Names is TRUTH, and we are called The Faithful. Pray that we will be found faith-filled when He comes for us. Lord, help us look to You Alone for Truth and keep our Faith anchored in You in these uncertain times in which we live.
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