"Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall." (1 Corinthians 10:12 ESV)
Can I just say to you that when God is at work on a particular area of your life, He doesn't let go until you "get it"! More about that tomorrow.
This verse from 1 Corinthians was part of our morning devotional reading this morning. Al and I have been reading from a devotional book called Into His Presence by Dr. Charles Stanley. In this morning's reading, Dr. Stanley quoted from another devotional book, one by Joni Eareckson Tada called Diamonds in the Dust. This is what Joni had to say:
"You'll never catch me doing that!" one might say..........Just when you think you know yourself, you do or say something that seems so out of character. But it's not. Don't be surprised. Just be careful that you, too, don't fall."
Joni gives some examples. Righteous Noah who ended up drunk. Brave David who defeated Goliath but then pretended madness because he was afraid of his enemies. Elijah, whom we consider to be a brave man, but who ended up in suicidal despair because of the threat of one woman (Jezebel).
Perhaps you could come up with some other examples from Scripture. Or from your own life.
That's the sticky part, isn't it? It's easy for us to point to a fault in someone else; it's much less easy for us to acknowledge our own faults.
Our faults may not be obvious to the rest of the world. But we still have them. God knows what they are. Likely we know, too, even if we don't want to admit it.
Do you remember that Pharisee from Luke 18:11......"God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even this tax collector."
We may pat ourselves on the back because we're "not as bad as" someone else, but that really isn't the point, is it? Living the Christian life is not about being "better than" someone else. It's about becoming more like Christ.
Something to think about.
"For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not think more highly of himself than he ought to think......" (Romans 12:3 NASB)
"Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus......." (Philippians 2:5 NASB)
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Wednesday Worship
It's a quiet morning. Al is out of town and Molly has gone back to bed. As I sit here enjoying the quiet (and another cup of coffee!), it's a good time for reflection. For being still and getting refocused.
Here on this peaceful mountaintop this morning, I'm enjoying the quiet. Watching the birds. The blue sky. The beautiful view.
There's a bit of a nip in the air this morning. There's a cool breeze blowing. The calendar says July, but this weather is very un-July-like! I've been told all my life that changes in weather and not being able to recognize the seasons are a sign of the return of Christ. I'm not sure if that's actually true, since I haven't been able to find a Scripture passage which specifically says that. If you know chapter and verse to prove that point, I'd love for you to share with me!
With all the turmoil that is going on in the world right now, it's really good to sit here and enjoy the quiet. To reflect on all the ways my life is so blessed.
As I do that, I'm feeling grateful. Giving thanks to the One who created the beauty in the world around me. Giving thanks for my family. For my friends. For my church.
And I'm thinking about God. About all He has done. About who He is. Thinking about His character and His ways. Just being still and knowing that He is God (Psalm 46:10).
Worshiping.
"Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised." (Psalm 48:1 ESV)
Here on this peaceful mountaintop this morning, I'm enjoying the quiet. Watching the birds. The blue sky. The beautiful view.
There's a bit of a nip in the air this morning. There's a cool breeze blowing. The calendar says July, but this weather is very un-July-like! I've been told all my life that changes in weather and not being able to recognize the seasons are a sign of the return of Christ. I'm not sure if that's actually true, since I haven't been able to find a Scripture passage which specifically says that. If you know chapter and verse to prove that point, I'd love for you to share with me!
With all the turmoil that is going on in the world right now, it's really good to sit here and enjoy the quiet. To reflect on all the ways my life is so blessed.
As I do that, I'm feeling grateful. Giving thanks to the One who created the beauty in the world around me. Giving thanks for my family. For my friends. For my church.
And I'm thinking about God. About all He has done. About who He is. Thinking about His character and His ways. Just being still and knowing that He is God (Psalm 46:10).
Worshiping.
"Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised." (Psalm 48:1 ESV)
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
A Creature of Habit. A Few Thoughts About Being Intentional.
Anyone who knows me well will attest to the fact that I am a creature of habit. And those who know me best will go so far as to say that I'm just a wee bit (or perhaps more!) obsessive about my habits! While that may or may not be true (see me smile), I do confess that I like my routines.
My schedule for today included an appointment to get my nails done. Today's appointment was scheduled for 1:00 this afternoon, the time I typically schedule my nail and hair appointments. It's my habit to go at that time. But Caroline called this morning to say that all her morning appointments had cancelled and to ask if I would like to come on in this morning. And that's what I did. Which just proves to all the doubters out there that I can make a change!
Having a morning nail appointment meant some changes to my routine. The things I had planned to do this morning, like getting this blog posted, had to wait until afternoon. And it meant that what I had originally planned to write about today morphed into this post. And that's OK. It's good to change up the routine every now and then.
While I admit to being a creature of habit, and we joke a lot about how I obsess over my routines, I have found that having routines is a good thing. I have found, for example, that I'm more productive when I have a plan and stick to it.
That probably is true for most of us. You might find, as I have, that having a regular routine for housework means that the house stays cleaner. It's a lot easier to do just a little every day than to wait until the entire house is a disaster zone and then try to deal with it.
These routines, or habits, are helpful in all sorts of areas. It's good to have a plan. For keeping the house clean. For getting the laundry done. For managing the money. For healthy eating.
I've found it especially helpful to have a plan when it comes to spiritual disciplines like Bible reading and Bible study. Having a plan is part of being intentional about our spiritual growth. Without a plan, and without sticking to that plan, things tend not to happen. That's true for housework. It's true for all our good intentions about healthy eating and exercise. And it's true for our spiritual lives as well.
Over the years my routine has changed. The plan I follow now, in my empty nest season of life, is different than the plan I followed when my children were preschoolers. I'm not insisting, or even recommending, that everyone follow the exact same routines as I do. But I am strongly urging you to develop a plan and become a creature of habit in the area of Bible reading and Bible study. Just as it has for me, I believe following a plan in these areas will make such a difference in your life.
My daily routine begins with my coffee and a time of Bible reading. I use a Bible reading plan that takes me through the entire Bible in a year. You might want to find a similar plan, or read just the New Testament, or focus only on the Psalms or on the Gospels.
I'm also intentional about setting aside time for Bible study, and I encourage you to be as well. Because I live in such an isolated setting, it isn't possible for me to be part of a group Bible study during the week. But that doesn't prevent me from studying on my own. Whether you're part of a small group study, or you study on your own, having a plan for study, and making that a habit of life, is something you will find of great benefit!
Habits don't just happen. We don't wake up one morning and have a habit. Habits come from being intentional, from repeating a behavior over and over.
Having a habit doesn't mean we never have any flexibility in our routine. My nail appointments are always, always, always at 1:00. Today I went at 10:30. Being a little flexible doesn't mean giving up my habits; it just means my schedule is rearranged a little bit. Everything on my daily list is still getting done today, just in a different order than normal, because I'm intentional about getting it all done.
Being intentional is a good thing. It's taking all the I need to or I should have or I wish statements of our lives and turning them into I did.
It's about being a creature of habit.
"Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." (1 Timothy 4:7b-8 NASB)
My schedule for today included an appointment to get my nails done. Today's appointment was scheduled for 1:00 this afternoon, the time I typically schedule my nail and hair appointments. It's my habit to go at that time. But Caroline called this morning to say that all her morning appointments had cancelled and to ask if I would like to come on in this morning. And that's what I did. Which just proves to all the doubters out there that I can make a change!
Having a morning nail appointment meant some changes to my routine. The things I had planned to do this morning, like getting this blog posted, had to wait until afternoon. And it meant that what I had originally planned to write about today morphed into this post. And that's OK. It's good to change up the routine every now and then.
While I admit to being a creature of habit, and we joke a lot about how I obsess over my routines, I have found that having routines is a good thing. I have found, for example, that I'm more productive when I have a plan and stick to it.
That probably is true for most of us. You might find, as I have, that having a regular routine for housework means that the house stays cleaner. It's a lot easier to do just a little every day than to wait until the entire house is a disaster zone and then try to deal with it.
These routines, or habits, are helpful in all sorts of areas. It's good to have a plan. For keeping the house clean. For getting the laundry done. For managing the money. For healthy eating.
I've found it especially helpful to have a plan when it comes to spiritual disciplines like Bible reading and Bible study. Having a plan is part of being intentional about our spiritual growth. Without a plan, and without sticking to that plan, things tend not to happen. That's true for housework. It's true for all our good intentions about healthy eating and exercise. And it's true for our spiritual lives as well.
Over the years my routine has changed. The plan I follow now, in my empty nest season of life, is different than the plan I followed when my children were preschoolers. I'm not insisting, or even recommending, that everyone follow the exact same routines as I do. But I am strongly urging you to develop a plan and become a creature of habit in the area of Bible reading and Bible study. Just as it has for me, I believe following a plan in these areas will make such a difference in your life.
My daily routine begins with my coffee and a time of Bible reading. I use a Bible reading plan that takes me through the entire Bible in a year. You might want to find a similar plan, or read just the New Testament, or focus only on the Psalms or on the Gospels.
I'm also intentional about setting aside time for Bible study, and I encourage you to be as well. Because I live in such an isolated setting, it isn't possible for me to be part of a group Bible study during the week. But that doesn't prevent me from studying on my own. Whether you're part of a small group study, or you study on your own, having a plan for study, and making that a habit of life, is something you will find of great benefit!
Habits don't just happen. We don't wake up one morning and have a habit. Habits come from being intentional, from repeating a behavior over and over.
Having a habit doesn't mean we never have any flexibility in our routine. My nail appointments are always, always, always at 1:00. Today I went at 10:30. Being a little flexible doesn't mean giving up my habits; it just means my schedule is rearranged a little bit. Everything on my daily list is still getting done today, just in a different order than normal, because I'm intentional about getting it all done.
Being intentional is a good thing. It's taking all the I need to or I should have or I wish statements of our lives and turning them into I did.
It's about being a creature of habit.
"Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." (1 Timothy 4:7b-8 NASB)
Monday, July 28, 2014
What If?
We have all asked that question from time to time. Truth be told, there are some of us who can't seem to let go of that question!
What if I get sick?
What if we don't have enough money?
What if my child gets hurt?
What if I lose my job?
What if I get cancer?
What if we have a storm?
What if.......
You can complete the question with your own "what if".
A number of years ago, when my husband was working as building and grounds manager for a large insurance company headquartered in our city, he often had to answer that question. Several times a week he would be called into the office of the person to whom he reported, and he would have to answer the question "what are the three worst things that will happen if we do this?"
That became a standing joke around our house! We asked that question about everything. And I do mean everything!
What are the three worst things that will happen if we buy this car? What are the three worst things that will happen if we go to Disney World? What are the three worst things that will happen if we go to the mall? What are the three worst things that will happen if we eat chicken for dinner?
You get the idea. It bordered on ridiculous.
But if you think about it, don't we do the same - border on ridiculous - when we obsess over the "what ifs"? We worry far too much about things that probably won't even happen. But even if some of our "what ifs" actually do become reality, what good does it do us to worry and fret?
A far better approach to the "what ifs" of our lives is to remember that God has it all under control. To remember that whatever happens to us, even if all our "what ifs" become reality, God knows and understands. And He is working it all together for our good and for His glory.
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son." (Romans 8:28-29a ESV)
There is one "what if" we should keep in mind. The hymn writer Lelia N. Morris put it this way:
"Jesus is coming to earth again; What if it were today?"
Jesus is coming again. Are you ready?
"Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." (Matthew 24:44 ESV)
Friday, July 25, 2014
What Time Is It?
7:39
7:34
7:36
7:50
8:02
Every clock in this house showed a different time this morning! What's going on? And what time is it anyway?
We've had a few episodes of power flickering on and off this week, so I suppose that could account for all these differences in time. Except perhaps for 7:50 and 8:02. Those probably just need new batteries.
I checked my phone, and 7:32 was the actual time.
Recent world events have many questioning what time it is on the world calendar. We can't know that for certain. But we can know this:
"You know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed." (Romans 13:11 ESV)
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Then and Now - a Throwback Thursday Post
It's Thursday. The day to throwback. And so, in honor of that tradition, I'm taking a look back over the decades, beginning back in the 1970s, the decade Al and I began our journey together.
A lot has changed in the years since we began our journey together. Certainly the world has changed. Back in the 1970s we didn't have internet. Or cell phones. Or Facebook. Or Twitter. Or blogging. We didn't even have a remote control for our television when we first married. Gasp!
We have changed as well. Different hair styles. Different hair color. Some extra pounds. Sons and grandsons. Wrinkles and age spots. Many different addresses since that first little house in West Columbia.
Some things have not changed. There remains constant a deep and abiding love for each other, a love which grows stronger as the years pass.
There is also the Constant that holds it all together, the deep and abiding faith that is the anchor of our relationship. A deep, and ever-deepening, faith and trust in our Heavenly Father and in His Son Jesus Christ.
Through all the changes over all these years, this has never changed!
And the journey continues.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken." (Psalm 37:25 ESV)
We began married life in a little house on 17th Street in
West Columbia, South Carolina. That was the 70s.
Then came the 80s.
And the 90s.
And a new millennium.
This was 2003.
And this was 2010.
We have changed as well. Different hair styles. Different hair color. Some extra pounds. Sons and grandsons. Wrinkles and age spots. Many different addresses since that first little house in West Columbia.
Some things have not changed. There remains constant a deep and abiding love for each other, a love which grows stronger as the years pass.
There is also the Constant that holds it all together, the deep and abiding faith that is the anchor of our relationship. A deep, and ever-deepening, faith and trust in our Heavenly Father and in His Son Jesus Christ.
Through all the changes over all these years, this has never changed!
And the journey continues.
"I have been young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken." (Psalm 37:25 ESV)
Perception vs. Reality
We're fogged in this morning. It's almost as though we are cut off from the rest of the world. When I look out the front windows, or when I stand on the front porch, visibility is very limited. All I see is fog, shades of black and white and gray.
I know there's a world out there. I can't see it but I know it's there, and I can communicate with that world via technology.
Our devotional reading yesterday morning included the story of Joseph Scriven. I was not familiar with Scriven's story, but I haven't been able to get it out of my mind since. Joseph Scriven was an Irish poet whose fiancée drowned the night before they were to be married. Grieving deeply, he decided to move to Canada and begin a new life there. Out of this experience and several others, he penned these words:
What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer.
What's the common thread here? What ties these somewhat disparate things together?
Communication. And perception. What it feels like isn't always reality. Feelings aren't always reliable.
Today it feels like I'm cut off from the world. But I'm not.
Yesterday it felt like I could communicate with anyone. But I couldn't.
Joseph Scriven felt deep despair. Yet in spite of that he learned deep truths about God and about prayer. Truths which he shared with us by writing these words we have come to know as the hymn What a Friend We Have in Jesus.
The reality is that, no matter the circumstances and no matter how I may feel, I can always communicate with my heavenly Father. On the clear days. On the foggy days. When the internet works. When it doesn't. In the happy times. In the sad times. And in all the in between times. In all circumstances. About everything. About anything.
The fog reminds me of that this morning. There's the illusion that I'm completely cut off from the world today, completely isolated and alone.
But it's only an illusion. Perception isn't reality.
The reality is that I am not alone. And the reality is that I can communicate, through prayer, with the One who knows me best and loves me most. What a privilege!
"Draw near to God and he will draw near to you." (James 4:8 ESV)
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Some Encouragment from the Calendar
This calendar in my kitchen window is a great source of encouragement to me. Every morning, I flip the page to the new day and a new passage of Scripture. It's as much a part of my morning routine as my coffee!
The calendar lets me know what day it is. That in itself is not particularly encouraging. Except for today, which is Brandon and Stephanie's 14th wedding anniversary. That's a good thing.
Otherwise, this calendar tells me that time is passing by very quickly. We're in mid-July. Or so the calendar says! Since our temperatures haven't been any higher than mid-sixties for several days, it's hard to realize it's July.
The days are passing quickly. Which means that fall and winter are not far away. And that is not at all encouraging!
The Scripture references on the calendar are what I find so encouraging. As I read each day's passage, and as I pray those verses back to the Lord, I receive a blessing and encouragement for the day ahead, no matter what is going on in my life or in the world around me.
Consider these examples from the last few days:
"With Your very own hands You formed me; now breathe Your wisdom over me so I can understand You." (Psalm 119:173 The Message)
"The Lord God is a sun and shield.....no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless." (Psalm 84:11 NIV)
"Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountain! For the Lord comforts His people and will have compassion on His afflicted ones." (Isaiah 49:13 NIV)
Father, thank You that You formed me with Your very own hands. Thank You that I can understand You as You breathe Your wisdom over me. I praise You that You are my sun and my shield, and I thank You that You provide all I need, withholding nothing that is good for me. May my walk be blameless before You. I join with the heavens and the earth in shouting for joy before You. I thank You and praise You for Your comfort and compassion. Amen
It's a wonderful way to start the day! You should try it. These perpetual calendars are readily available. If you don't already have one, get one and put it in your kitchen window or on your desk or your bathroom vanity. Wherever you can see it as you start your day. I promise you'll be glad you did! Especially when you read a verse like this one.....
[And God said] "See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands." (Isaiah 49:16 NASB)
Monday, July 21, 2014
No Matter What
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1 NASB)
I've written about this verse before. When there was a bombing. Or a school shooting. Or some other act of violence.
It seems an appropriate verse to focus on today. As we begin a new week. After a week like last week. War in the Middle East, which continues on. A plane shot out of the sky. Bombing in Baghdad. Tsunami in China.
When these events happen, it's easy to be overcome by them. To feel overwhelmed. It's easy to let grief or fear or anger consume us. I began this post with the first verse of one of my favorite Psalms, Psalm 46. It is a profound truth that "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
The next word of that Psalm is a very important word. Therefore. Because it is true that "God is our refuge and strength", how are we to respond?
"Therefore, we will not fear." That's our response. We will not fear. No matter what happens. No matter how many bombs go off, or how many shootings there are, or how many terrorist attacks. No matter what happens. Because God is our strength, our very present help, we will not fear. That's our "therefore". That's our response. We know the truth......that no matter what man does, God is still God. God is in control. Even when we don't understand and no matter what comes our way, that truth remains. No matter what.
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea." (Psalm 46:1-2 NASB)
I've written about this verse before. When there was a bombing. Or a school shooting. Or some other act of violence.
It seems an appropriate verse to focus on today. As we begin a new week. After a week like last week. War in the Middle East, which continues on. A plane shot out of the sky. Bombing in Baghdad. Tsunami in China.
When these events happen, it's easy to be overcome by them. To feel overwhelmed. It's easy to let grief or fear or anger consume us. I began this post with the first verse of one of my favorite Psalms, Psalm 46. It is a profound truth that "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
The next word of that Psalm is a very important word. Therefore. Because it is true that "God is our refuge and strength", how are we to respond?
"Therefore, we will not fear." That's our response. We will not fear. No matter what happens. No matter how many bombs go off, or how many shootings there are, or how many terrorist attacks. No matter what happens. Because God is our strength, our very present help, we will not fear. That's our "therefore". That's our response. We know the truth......that no matter what man does, God is still God. God is in control. Even when we don't understand and no matter what comes our way, that truth remains. No matter what.
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea." (Psalm 46:1-2 NASB)
Friday, July 18, 2014
Let It Go
Yesterday I had a much-needed haircut. Because of vacation schedules and other appointments, I was off my regular schedule for haircuts and the trim was overdue. Those of you with shorter hairstyles like mine can probably relate when I say that, particularly for short hair, missing a regular trim and having extra hair to deal with can be a real problem. It was a relief to get back on schedule yesterday. To get a good trim. To let go of all that extra hair!
Lately I've been cleaning out drawers and closets in anticipation of our move to Spartanburg. In the process, I have discovered all sorts of unnecessary, no-longer-needed things. And much like the relief I felt after having a much needed haircut, getting rid of all those things I no longer need or use has also been a great relief.
Letting it go. What a relief. No longer burdened by all this stuff I don't need, don't want to pack, and don't even really have a place for! Just put it in a box and donate it, or put it in the garbage. It really is therapeutic.
If only it were as easy to let go of the few pounds I've managed to gain this summer. But that's a subject for another day.
We're often bogged down by stuff. Our drawers and closets get cluttered up by all the clothes and kitchen gadgets and knick-knacks we have acquired and can't quite let go of. Our hair is weighted down because we haven't trimmed off the excess. We are slowed down by the extra pounds we carry around. It's much like setting out on a vacation with twice the amount of luggage we need. If we had to carry our own luggage everywhere we went, we would take less of it, wouldn't we?
This is the picture the writer of Hebrews gives us.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and the sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1 NASB)
Can you imagine running a race while carrying all your luggage with you? I'm not a runner, but I have notice that runners don't carry any baggage with them. They wear lightweight shoes and clothing. They aren't bogged down with any extras. That's the message to us here. Let it go.
We may not be eligible for an episode of "Hoarders", but if we're honest with ourselves, we will admit that we all have accumulated far more than we need. Beyond that, many of us are weighted down with far greater burdens. Worry. Fear. Grief. Betrayal. Insecurity. We've been hurt. We've been abandoned. We carry hurts and scars that no one sees, but they are there.
No matter what weighs us down, there's One who is ready to help. Ready for us to let it go. Ready to take our burdens and our baggage. Because He cares.
So let it go.
"Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7 NASB)
Lately I've been cleaning out drawers and closets in anticipation of our move to Spartanburg. In the process, I have discovered all sorts of unnecessary, no-longer-needed things. And much like the relief I felt after having a much needed haircut, getting rid of all those things I no longer need or use has also been a great relief.
Letting it go. What a relief. No longer burdened by all this stuff I don't need, don't want to pack, and don't even really have a place for! Just put it in a box and donate it, or put it in the garbage. It really is therapeutic.
If only it were as easy to let go of the few pounds I've managed to gain this summer. But that's a subject for another day.
We're often bogged down by stuff. Our drawers and closets get cluttered up by all the clothes and kitchen gadgets and knick-knacks we have acquired and can't quite let go of. Our hair is weighted down because we haven't trimmed off the excess. We are slowed down by the extra pounds we carry around. It's much like setting out on a vacation with twice the amount of luggage we need. If we had to carry our own luggage everywhere we went, we would take less of it, wouldn't we?
This is the picture the writer of Hebrews gives us.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and the sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1 NASB)
Can you imagine running a race while carrying all your luggage with you? I'm not a runner, but I have notice that runners don't carry any baggage with them. They wear lightweight shoes and clothing. They aren't bogged down with any extras. That's the message to us here. Let it go.
We may not be eligible for an episode of "Hoarders", but if we're honest with ourselves, we will admit that we all have accumulated far more than we need. Beyond that, many of us are weighted down with far greater burdens. Worry. Fear. Grief. Betrayal. Insecurity. We've been hurt. We've been abandoned. We carry hurts and scars that no one sees, but they are there.
No matter what weighs us down, there's One who is ready to help. Ready for us to let it go. Ready to take our burdens and our baggage. Because He cares.
So let it go.
"Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7 NASB)
Thursday, July 17, 2014
A Good Choice
After several busier-than-normal days, I gave myself the day off yesterday! My day was off to a very slow start yesterday anyway, and as I eased into the day, I made a decision to just take it easy for the rest of the day. Sort of like a mini-staycation in the middle of the week.
It was a very quiet day here on my mountaintop. The only sounds were birds singing and the occasional tinkling of the wind chime. The phone didn't even ring until late in the day. Al was out of town so there was no one to talk to, and Molly didn't bark at anything all day. It was a very quiet, peaceful day.
We need those from time to time, don't we? The world we live in is full of noise and chaos. Full of busyness. Full of do this and go there.
What our world doesn't have a lot of is quiet. Our busyness doesn't allow for a lot of down time. Our hectic lifestyles don't allow much time for rest. But rest is necessary. For our bodies. And for our minds and our souls.
Yesterday I gave myself permission to rest. That is not to say that I spent an entire day doing nothing. I did a little laundry. I did a little decluttering. But I didn't rush to get it done so I could rush on to the next thing.
It was a slow, peaceful day. I finished one book and began another. I sat on the porch and enjoyed the cooler-than-normal temperatures. I had no agenda. I relaxed. I rested.
Here in the middle of summer, I gave myself permission to rest. To enjoy the quiet. To be still. To "cease striving and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10 NASB)
That was the very best part of the day. Being still. Knowing that He is God. Spending time with Him. In His Word. In prayer. It was a precious time.
I'm glad I gave myself permission to rest yesterday. It was a good choice.
"Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him." (Psalm 37:7a NASB)
It was a very quiet day here on my mountaintop. The only sounds were birds singing and the occasional tinkling of the wind chime. The phone didn't even ring until late in the day. Al was out of town so there was no one to talk to, and Molly didn't bark at anything all day. It was a very quiet, peaceful day.
We need those from time to time, don't we? The world we live in is full of noise and chaos. Full of busyness. Full of do this and go there.
What our world doesn't have a lot of is quiet. Our busyness doesn't allow for a lot of down time. Our hectic lifestyles don't allow much time for rest. But rest is necessary. For our bodies. And for our minds and our souls.
Yesterday I gave myself permission to rest. That is not to say that I spent an entire day doing nothing. I did a little laundry. I did a little decluttering. But I didn't rush to get it done so I could rush on to the next thing.
It was a slow, peaceful day. I finished one book and began another. I sat on the porch and enjoyed the cooler-than-normal temperatures. I had no agenda. I relaxed. I rested.
Here in the middle of summer, I gave myself permission to rest. To enjoy the quiet. To be still. To "cease striving and know that I am God." (Psalm 46:10 NASB)
That was the very best part of the day. Being still. Knowing that He is God. Spending time with Him. In His Word. In prayer. It was a precious time.
I'm glad I gave myself permission to rest yesterday. It was a good choice.
"Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him." (Psalm 37:7a NASB)
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Some Days
Some days it's hard to get going.
Some days it's hard to wake up.
Some days it's hard to get out of bed.
Some days I just don't want to.
Some mornings are just hard.
Today is one of those days.
But I did it anyway.
I got up. I let the dog out. I put the bird feeders out.
I really didn't want to do any of that. But I did it anyway.
I sat down with my coffee. Even that didn't help much. But I drank it anyway.
I opened my Bible. I read these words:
"The LORD is my strength and my shield, in him my heart trusts, and I am helped." (Psalm 28:7 ESV)
And I was encouraged.
I'm still moving pretty slowly this morning. But things are getting better. Because I was encouraged by the Scriptures. Because I am helped!
Thank you, Lord, for another day. Thank you that even on these days when I'm off to a very slow start - perhaps especially on these days - You are my help, my strength and my shield. My heart trusts in You. Amen.
"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life." (Psalm 143:8 NIV)
Some days it's hard to wake up.
Some days it's hard to get out of bed.
Some days I just don't want to.
Some mornings are just hard.
Today is one of those days.
But I did it anyway.
I got up. I let the dog out. I put the bird feeders out.
I really didn't want to do any of that. But I did it anyway.
I sat down with my coffee. Even that didn't help much. But I drank it anyway.
I opened my Bible. I read these words:
"The LORD is my strength and my shield, in him my heart trusts, and I am helped." (Psalm 28:7 ESV)
And I was encouraged.
I'm still moving pretty slowly this morning. But things are getting better. Because I was encouraged by the Scriptures. Because I am helped!
Thank you, Lord, for another day. Thank you that even on these days when I'm off to a very slow start - perhaps especially on these days - You are my help, my strength and my shield. My heart trusts in You. Amen.
"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life." (Psalm 143:8 NIV)
Monday, July 14, 2014
Some Thoughts About Waiting
“Waiting on God isn’t about the suspension of meaning and purpose. It’s part of the meaning and purpose that God has brought into my life. Waiting on God isn’t to be viewed as an obstruction in the way of the plan. Waiting is an essential part of the plan. For the child of God, waiting isn’t simply about what I’ll receive at the end of my wait. No, waiting is much more purposeful, efficient, and practical than that. Waiting is fundamentally about what I’ll become as I wait. God is using the wait to do in and through me exactly what He’s promised. Through the wait He’s changing me. By means of the wait He’s altering the fabric of my thoughts and desires. Through the wait He’s causing me to see and experience new things about Him and His kingdom. And all of this sharpens me, enabling me to be a more useful tool in His redemptive hands.” (Paul Tripp)
I originally came across this quote several years ago as I was reading a blog post from "Women Living Well", and it really grabbed my attention. In fact, I blogged about it at the time. Maybe this quote speaks to you just as it does to me. I feel certain that I'm not the only one experiencing a season of waiting. Because waiting is a fact of life.
I don't know about you, but I don't really enjoy waiting. But life is filled with "waiting opportunities", isn't it? Waiting in the doctor's office; waiting in line at the grocery store or the post office; waiting for that red light to turn green; waiting for the check to come in the mail; waiting for ............... You can fill in your own blank.
In our society these days there are a lot of people waiting. Waiting for a job. Waiting for a house to sell. Waiting for some good news about a health diagnosis. Again, the list could be very long.
I feel like I have been in a waiting mode for a long time. Although our house has only been on the market for a few months, it feels like much longer. Those of you who are trying to sell a house in this economy can probably relate! No matter what we're waiting for, waiting isn't easy. But as the quote from Paul Tripp reminds us, it has a purpose.
The waiting is as much a part of the plan as is the result. Some days (most days!) I need to be reminded of that. Waiting is part of the process. Waiting is about lessons to be learned. And even though we don't like waiting for anything, it's something we must learn to do!
I'm not sure I have learned all the lessons I needed to learn through this latest period of waiting. I'm not at all sure I have been a very good student! But somehow I'm beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel! I can't explain it. It just "feels like" something is about to change. I hope I'm right about that!
But no matter what, whether this waiting period is nearing an end or it continues on, I'm holding on to the truth that God is at work. That waiting is about "what I become AS I WAIT." That God is at work in my life even when it doesn't feel like it and I can't understand. That life is all about Him and not about me. And that "He who began a good work in (me) will be faithful to complete it." (Philippians 1:6)
I originally came across this quote several years ago as I was reading a blog post from "Women Living Well", and it really grabbed my attention. In fact, I blogged about it at the time. Maybe this quote speaks to you just as it does to me. I feel certain that I'm not the only one experiencing a season of waiting. Because waiting is a fact of life.
I don't know about you, but I don't really enjoy waiting. But life is filled with "waiting opportunities", isn't it? Waiting in the doctor's office; waiting in line at the grocery store or the post office; waiting for that red light to turn green; waiting for the check to come in the mail; waiting for ............... You can fill in your own blank.
In our society these days there are a lot of people waiting. Waiting for a job. Waiting for a house to sell. Waiting for some good news about a health diagnosis. Again, the list could be very long.
I feel like I have been in a waiting mode for a long time. Although our house has only been on the market for a few months, it feels like much longer. Those of you who are trying to sell a house in this economy can probably relate! No matter what we're waiting for, waiting isn't easy. But as the quote from Paul Tripp reminds us, it has a purpose.
The waiting is as much a part of the plan as is the result. Some days (most days!) I need to be reminded of that. Waiting is part of the process. Waiting is about lessons to be learned. And even though we don't like waiting for anything, it's something we must learn to do!
I'm not sure I have learned all the lessons I needed to learn through this latest period of waiting. I'm not at all sure I have been a very good student! But somehow I'm beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel! I can't explain it. It just "feels like" something is about to change. I hope I'm right about that!
But no matter what, whether this waiting period is nearing an end or it continues on, I'm holding on to the truth that God is at work. That waiting is about "what I become AS I WAIT." That God is at work in my life even when it doesn't feel like it and I can't understand. That life is all about Him and not about me. And that "He who began a good work in (me) will be faithful to complete it." (Philippians 1:6)
Friday, July 11, 2014
What Are You Looking At?
The view from the front porch changes every day. Sometimes several times a day!
This was Wednesday.
This was Wednesday.
And this was yesterday.
Today looks like this.
Life is a lot like that. Some days are clear. Some days, not so much. And some days are just completely fogged in.
What do we do? How do we handle it when we can't see clearly? Decisions. Relationships. Circumstances. It's all hard to deal with when our view is clouded.
Whether on a clear day or when we're clouded in, the answer to all life's issues is found in this simple phrase: "looking to Jesus." (Hebrews 12:2 ESV)
That gives clarity in every situation of life!
"Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2 NASB)
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Anniversaries, Parenting, and Empty Nests - an encore post
This is an update of a post that originally appeared here in 2013.
This is a month of anniversaries in our family.
Today Brian and Emily celebrate 10 years of marriage.
In a couple of weeks, Brandon and Stephanie will celebrate their 14th wedding anniversary.
Where has the time gone??!!
Anniversaries are wonderful times of celebration. They are also time to reflect. To remember. To remember why you loved each other in the first place. To remember why you wanted to marry that person. To remember what's really important in your relationship. In the busyness and stress that is life, it's important to take time to remember those things. To reconnect.
In part, that's what our years of parenting were about.......modeling for these now-adult, now-married children what marriage and love and commitment are all about.
Several years ago one of our boys (and I forget which one!) said to Al, "You and mom seem to have more fun now that we're married." Al's response was something like this: "Well, of course we do. The pressure's off."
That was a light-hearted response, but a true one. The pressure is off! Our job as their parents was to get them ready for life in the real world. To prepare them to leave the nest, to "fly" on their own. And whether any of us wants to admit it or not, there's some pressure there!
Our boys have left the nest. They have nests of their own where they are doing quite well. Now the responsibility, the pressure that comes with parenting, is on their shoulders, theirs and their wives'.
As parents, we did the best we knew how to do. To love them unconditionally. To teach them responsibility. To teach them about Jesus. To teach them to love God, His Word and His ways. To prepare them for life. Did we always get everything right? Of course not. But we did our best.
And now our job is done. Or is it? We are no longer responsible for them in the same way we were when they were younger. As adults, they are each now responsible for the choices they make and must live with the consequences of those choices, whatever they may be. But our job is really never done. Now that they are adults, now that they are the parents, we still have the responsibility and the privilege of praying for them, encouraging them, being available to them. Parenting really never stops!
I'm not sure I'm a big fan of the term "empty nest". But, like the term or not, our nest is empty. Just us old folks here. And a dog, but she's getting old too!
Our nest is empty. Our boys and their families live pretty far away, so we are very seldom all in the same place at the same time. On those rare occasions when that does happen, what joy it is to this mother's heart! How I look forward to those occasions!
The nest may be empty in a physical sense, yet at the same time it's still full. It's full of love for those sons, for the daughters they brought into our lives, and for those precious grandsons who light up our world. It's full of joy and memories.
And there's always room in the nest for them to come home. To visit.
"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord." (Psalm 127:3 ESV)
This is a month of anniversaries in our family.
Today Brian and Emily celebrate 10 years of marriage.
Anniversaries are wonderful times of celebration. They are also time to reflect. To remember. To remember why you loved each other in the first place. To remember why you wanted to marry that person. To remember what's really important in your relationship. In the busyness and stress that is life, it's important to take time to remember those things. To reconnect.
In part, that's what our years of parenting were about.......modeling for these now-adult, now-married children what marriage and love and commitment are all about.
Several years ago one of our boys (and I forget which one!) said to Al, "You and mom seem to have more fun now that we're married." Al's response was something like this: "Well, of course we do. The pressure's off."
That was a light-hearted response, but a true one. The pressure is off! Our job as their parents was to get them ready for life in the real world. To prepare them to leave the nest, to "fly" on their own. And whether any of us wants to admit it or not, there's some pressure there!
Our boys have left the nest. They have nests of their own where they are doing quite well. Now the responsibility, the pressure that comes with parenting, is on their shoulders, theirs and their wives'.
As parents, we did the best we knew how to do. To love them unconditionally. To teach them responsibility. To teach them about Jesus. To teach them to love God, His Word and His ways. To prepare them for life. Did we always get everything right? Of course not. But we did our best.
And now our job is done. Or is it? We are no longer responsible for them in the same way we were when they were younger. As adults, they are each now responsible for the choices they make and must live with the consequences of those choices, whatever they may be. But our job is really never done. Now that they are adults, now that they are the parents, we still have the responsibility and the privilege of praying for them, encouraging them, being available to them. Parenting really never stops!
I'm not sure I'm a big fan of the term "empty nest". But, like the term or not, our nest is empty. Just us old folks here. And a dog, but she's getting old too!
Our nest is empty. Our boys and their families live pretty far away, so we are very seldom all in the same place at the same time. On those rare occasions when that does happen, what joy it is to this mother's heart! How I look forward to those occasions!
The nest may be empty in a physical sense, yet at the same time it's still full. It's full of love for those sons, for the daughters they brought into our lives, and for those precious grandsons who light up our world. It's full of joy and memories.
And there's always room in the nest for them to come home. To visit.
"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord." (Psalm 127:3 ESV)
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Sometimes There Are No Words
Sometimes we find ourselves with no words. Speechless. When we see a photograph like this one, taken a couple of years ago behind our house as the sun was coming up over the mountain. Or when I saw that actual scene before the photograph was taken.
Speechless.
I frequently experienced an inability to find words as we traveled through Israel. As I walked where Jesus had walked. There were no words. I was speechless.
There are other occasions when I find myself without words. Times in prayer when I don't even know what or how to pray. At such times I recall these words:
"Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." (Romans 8:26 ESV)
"Consequently, he [Jesus] is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them." (Hebrews 7:25 ESV)
The Holy Spirit intercedes for me.
Jesus lives to make intercession for me.
When I have no words, Jesus Himself is praying for me.
And that leaves me speechless!
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Because It's the Right Thing to Do
Reading the Scriptures can have a powerful, convicting effect.
Consider these verses from 1 Timothy:
"First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all people, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:1-4 NASB)
God has really been using these verses to speak to my heart this week.
Prayers. For all people. For kings and all who are in authority.
There's nothing in this verse that lets us off the hook when we don't agree with those in authority. Or when they are from a different political party. Or when we didn't vote for them. Or even when we just plain don't like them!
Paul wrote this letter to Timothy when Nero was the emperor of Rome. The letter to Timothy was intended to be shared with other Christians. Therefore, not just Timothy but all Christians were being instructed to pray for those in authority over them. In other words, in that particular time period, to pray for Nero, well-known as a persecutor of Christians!
Fast forward to the twenty-first century in America. The instruction still applies.
It isn't an instruction to pray for our favorite people. Or our family. Or our neighbors. Although praying for all those is an important thing, a good thing, to do.
The instruction from this particular passage is to pray for those in authority over us. The context is praying for those in governmental positions of authority.
Not because we like them. Or because we voted for them. Or because we agree with them. Or because we are from the same political party or share the same political opinions.
We pray for them because we are instructed to do so. Because it is "good and acceptable in the sight of God." And because it benefits us to do so: "that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity."
It may not be an easy thing to do. But it's the right thing to do.
And no one ever said doing the right thing would be easy!
Consider these verses from 1 Timothy:
"First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all people, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:1-4 NASB)
God has really been using these verses to speak to my heart this week.
Prayers. For all people. For kings and all who are in authority.
There's nothing in this verse that lets us off the hook when we don't agree with those in authority. Or when they are from a different political party. Or when we didn't vote for them. Or even when we just plain don't like them!
Paul wrote this letter to Timothy when Nero was the emperor of Rome. The letter to Timothy was intended to be shared with other Christians. Therefore, not just Timothy but all Christians were being instructed to pray for those in authority over them. In other words, in that particular time period, to pray for Nero, well-known as a persecutor of Christians!
Fast forward to the twenty-first century in America. The instruction still applies.
It isn't an instruction to pray for our favorite people. Or our family. Or our neighbors. Although praying for all those is an important thing, a good thing, to do.
The instruction from this particular passage is to pray for those in authority over us. The context is praying for those in governmental positions of authority.
Not because we like them. Or because we voted for them. Or because we agree with them. Or because we are from the same political party or share the same political opinions.
We pray for them because we are instructed to do so. Because it is "good and acceptable in the sight of God." And because it benefits us to do so: "that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity."
It may not be an easy thing to do. But it's the right thing to do.
And no one ever said doing the right thing would be easy!
Monday, July 7, 2014
Saying Yes
Yes is a radical word. So says Patsy Clairmont in her latest book Twirl, which I read while we were at the
beach. Since we returned home, I’ve
begun re-reading the book, this time taking one chapter at a time over several
days to really ponder the truths she writes about. This morning I began chapter 2, entitled
simply Yes.
Patsy
describes yes as a radical word. (You should just read the book to see what I
mean!) But yes is also a positive
word, isn’t it? I began my day today with that kind of yes attitude, looking forward to the day
ahead, planning out my very long list of to-dos. But the yes-ness
took a hit early on when I discovered the internet was down (again!).
Isn’t it
amazing how an interruption to our routine can affect our attitude!
Yes is a positive word, but my focus today is on yes as a radical word. As in, what
would it mean if we really said yes to God? If we really
said yes to all that He calls us to
do and to be? How different would our
lives be? How different would our world
look?
I’ve been
thinking about that specifically as it relates to our Life Group lesson
yesterday morning in Ezekiel.
“So you, son of man, I have made a
watchman.” (Ezekiel 33:7 ESV)
What does a
watchman do? What is a watchman’s job?
A watchman,
in Ezekiel’s day, stood on the walls of the city, alert for danger. When he became aware of a threat, he blew a
trumpet and sounded an alarm.
Ezekiel was
called to be a watchman. And I believe
you and I are called to be the same. To
blow the trumpet. To sound the alarm.
Our nation
is in serious trouble. We have lost our
moral compass, and as a result, we have lost our way.
The solution
to our problems is neither republican nor democrat. It is not libertarian or tea party. The solution is not about politics at
all. God did not call Ezekiel to
politics; He called Ezekiel to warn people of the judgment to come.
I believe He
is calling us to do the same. He is
calling us to be watchmen. He is calling
us to stand up for Him. For such a time
as this.
Will you say
yes?
“If My people, who are
called by My name, humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from
their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and
heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14
ESV)
“Blow a trumpet……sound
an alarm……for the day of the LORD is coming; it is near.” (Joel 2:2 ESV)
“The hour has come for
you to wake from sleep. For salvation is
nearer to us now than when we first believed.”
(Romans 13:11 ESV)
Friday, July 4, 2014
Proclaim Liberty
"Proclaim liberty throughout all the Land unto all the inhabitants thereof."
Those words from Leviticus 25 are inscribed on a bell we have come to know as the Liberty Bell, originally cast in the Whitechapel Foundry in East London, England, and now housed at Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
Today we celebrate our nation's independence. July 4, 1776 was the date of the signing of our Declaration of Independence and we celebrate that day every year.
But our independence, our freedom, is about more than a one-day-a-year celebration. It's about more than picnics and parades. It's about more than fireworks and flag-waving and funnel cakes. No matter how you choose to celebrate today, keep in mind the reason for the celebration!
We celebrate today because a group of men gathered together on this date in 1776 to sign a document proclaiming our independence. We celebrate because there were men willing to risk all they had to fight for that independence. We celebrate because, in that year and in all the years since, men and women have worn the uniform of the United States of America and have dedicated themselves to protecting our freedom. We celebrate because we are a free people, with rights and privileges only dreamed of by many around the world.
Our freedom as Americans is something to celebrate every day of the year, not just on one day in the middle of summer. It's something to be cherished and protected. It's something we must never take for granted, but continually be thankful for.
Our freedom as Americans is a precious thing that must be guarded and defended. And just the verse on the Liberty Bell reminds us, we must "proclaim liberty throughout the land"!
If that is true of our freedom as Americans, how much more is all that true of our freedom in Christ!
Freedom in Christ isn't something just to be celebrated once a week on Sundays, but to be celebrated and cherished and treasured and proclaimed every day! Because "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!" (John 8:36 ESV)
"For freedom Christ has set us free." (Galatians 5:1 ESV)
"For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:2 ESV)
[Jesus said] "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32 ESV)
Free indeed! Free in Christ Jesus! Our freedom in Christ is not dependent on political parties or political correctness or political whim. That freedom is all and only in and through Christ Jesus! Free indeed!
Proclaim that freedom "throughout the land and to all the inhabitants thereof"!
What will you do today to proclaim liberty? To let freedom ring?
"Let Freedom Ring" - The Gaither Vocal Band: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVVbSXz7jaU
Those words from Leviticus 25 are inscribed on a bell we have come to know as the Liberty Bell, originally cast in the Whitechapel Foundry in East London, England, and now housed at Independence Hall in Philadelphia.
Today we celebrate our nation's independence. July 4, 1776 was the date of the signing of our Declaration of Independence and we celebrate that day every year.
But our independence, our freedom, is about more than a one-day-a-year celebration. It's about more than picnics and parades. It's about more than fireworks and flag-waving and funnel cakes. No matter how you choose to celebrate today, keep in mind the reason for the celebration!
We celebrate today because a group of men gathered together on this date in 1776 to sign a document proclaiming our independence. We celebrate because there were men willing to risk all they had to fight for that independence. We celebrate because, in that year and in all the years since, men and women have worn the uniform of the United States of America and have dedicated themselves to protecting our freedom. We celebrate because we are a free people, with rights and privileges only dreamed of by many around the world.
Our freedom as Americans is something to celebrate every day of the year, not just on one day in the middle of summer. It's something to be cherished and protected. It's something we must never take for granted, but continually be thankful for.
Our freedom as Americans is a precious thing that must be guarded and defended. And just the verse on the Liberty Bell reminds us, we must "proclaim liberty throughout the land"!
If that is true of our freedom as Americans, how much more is all that true of our freedom in Christ!
Freedom in Christ isn't something just to be celebrated once a week on Sundays, but to be celebrated and cherished and treasured and proclaimed every day! Because "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed!" (John 8:36 ESV)
"For freedom Christ has set us free." (Galatians 5:1 ESV)
"For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." (Romans 8:2 ESV)
[Jesus said] "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:32 ESV)
Free indeed! Free in Christ Jesus! Our freedom in Christ is not dependent on political parties or political correctness or political whim. That freedom is all and only in and through Christ Jesus! Free indeed!
Proclaim that freedom "throughout the land and to all the inhabitants thereof"!
What will you do today to proclaim liberty? To let freedom ring?
"Let Freedom Ring" - The Gaither Vocal Band: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVVbSXz7jaU
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Get Your Shine On
I heard it at the car wash.
Get your shine on.
On Friday, the day before we left the beach, Al and I took his car to the car wash in an effort to leave most of the beach sand at the beach. While we were waiting for the car to be washed, I heard this song playing in the background.
In actuality, it was a little loud to be considered background music, in my humble opinion! But I digress.
I don't know who was singing. I don't know the title of the song. I don't even really know what the song was about. I rarely listen to the radio unless I'm in Al's car, and his radio is typically tuned to either Fox News or a southern gospel station. I suppose I could have googled the song, but I didn't. Because it wasn't the song that grabbed my attention. It was that phrase.
Get your shine on.
When I heard that phrase, I wasn't thinking about the song or the singer. I was reminded of the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.
"Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16 ESV)
And I wondered......do I have my shine on?
Do you?
Am I, are you, radiating Jesus?
When others see me, does the glory go to me, or does the glory go to my Father in heaven?
Something to think about.
Get your shine on.
On Friday, the day before we left the beach, Al and I took his car to the car wash in an effort to leave most of the beach sand at the beach. While we were waiting for the car to be washed, I heard this song playing in the background.
In actuality, it was a little loud to be considered background music, in my humble opinion! But I digress.
I don't know who was singing. I don't know the title of the song. I don't even really know what the song was about. I rarely listen to the radio unless I'm in Al's car, and his radio is typically tuned to either Fox News or a southern gospel station. I suppose I could have googled the song, but I didn't. Because it wasn't the song that grabbed my attention. It was that phrase.
Get your shine on.
When I heard that phrase, I wasn't thinking about the song or the singer. I was reminded of the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount.
"Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16 ESV)
And I wondered......do I have my shine on?
Do you?
Am I, are you, radiating Jesus?
When others see me, does the glory go to me, or does the glory go to my Father in heaven?
Something to think about.
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
There Are Very Few Emergencies
Reading on the beach with my toes in the sand. One of my favorite things about vacation.
One of the books I read last week was The Homeschool Experiment: a Novel by Charity Hawkins. The book recounts the author's experiences as a beginning homeschooling mother of three small children. Charity (not her real name) shares the challenges of trying to choose curriculum, of being overwhelmed by all the choices, of all the conflicting advice she received from family, friends, and other homeschooling families. In that sense, this is not so much a story about homeschooling as it is the universal story of all parents who are constantly being bombarded with opinions about how they should be parenting their children.
It was amusing to read the various anecdotes about her children (first grade, kindergarten, and baby). I likely would have been less amused if I were still in that season of my life, but now that I am far removed from dealing with small children on a daily basis, it was good entertainment.
The book was an easy read. Schooling choices. Sippy cups. Temper tantrums. Field trips. The daily challenge of trying to keep life on an even keel in a world of crayons and diapers and strollers and board books.
While I laughed my way through much of the book, there were some serious lessons learned along the way. One of the most important was summed up in this quote: there are very few emergencies.
The context of the quote is a conversation between the main character and her mother about the stress in her life, specifically the stress of trying to be the perfect homeschooling mom to three young children. But the truth applies much more broadly than that, doesn't it?
There are no perfect parents. No perfect children. Not even you and yours. Gasp!
We take ourselves much too seriously. We stress over things that aren't worth stressing over. Like some spilled milk. Or a dropped ice cream cone. Or a tired child in the supermarket.
We stress when the neighbor's child plays a video game we don't allow our child to play. When our coworker gushes about a TV show or movie we think is garbage. When family members or friends or fellow church members don't have exactly the same priorities about exactly the same everything as we do!
We just stress too much. We make emergencies where there are none.
Let it go! Not everything is an emergency!
Life will go much more smoothly if we give ourselves permission to relax. Even more, it will go much more smoothly when we stop making emergencies out of every little thing.
We need to learn what's really important. We need to learn to keep our focus on God and on obeying Him. And we need to focus a lot less on all the other stuff.
"Obey God, and leave all the consequences to Him." - Charles Stanley
One of the books I read last week was The Homeschool Experiment: a Novel by Charity Hawkins. The book recounts the author's experiences as a beginning homeschooling mother of three small children. Charity (not her real name) shares the challenges of trying to choose curriculum, of being overwhelmed by all the choices, of all the conflicting advice she received from family, friends, and other homeschooling families. In that sense, this is not so much a story about homeschooling as it is the universal story of all parents who are constantly being bombarded with opinions about how they should be parenting their children.
It was amusing to read the various anecdotes about her children (first grade, kindergarten, and baby). I likely would have been less amused if I were still in that season of my life, but now that I am far removed from dealing with small children on a daily basis, it was good entertainment.
The book was an easy read. Schooling choices. Sippy cups. Temper tantrums. Field trips. The daily challenge of trying to keep life on an even keel in a world of crayons and diapers and strollers and board books.
While I laughed my way through much of the book, there were some serious lessons learned along the way. One of the most important was summed up in this quote: there are very few emergencies.
The context of the quote is a conversation between the main character and her mother about the stress in her life, specifically the stress of trying to be the perfect homeschooling mom to three young children. But the truth applies much more broadly than that, doesn't it?
There are no perfect parents. No perfect children. Not even you and yours. Gasp!
We take ourselves much too seriously. We stress over things that aren't worth stressing over. Like some spilled milk. Or a dropped ice cream cone. Or a tired child in the supermarket.
We stress when the neighbor's child plays a video game we don't allow our child to play. When our coworker gushes about a TV show or movie we think is garbage. When family members or friends or fellow church members don't have exactly the same priorities about exactly the same everything as we do!
We just stress too much. We make emergencies where there are none.
Let it go! Not everything is an emergency!
Life will go much more smoothly if we give ourselves permission to relax. Even more, it will go much more smoothly when we stop making emergencies out of every little thing.
We need to learn what's really important. We need to learn to keep our focus on God and on obeying Him. And we need to focus a lot less on all the other stuff.
"Obey God, and leave all the consequences to Him." - Charles Stanley
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Sorting It All Out
Vacation is over. As I said yesterday, that means back to reality. Luggage to unpack. Things to put away. Laundry to sort.
But that isn't all the sorting. There's that bucket full of mail from the post office that has to be sorted. Some of it is obviously bills. And some is obviously junk. The magazines are obvious. But there are a number of envelopes in that mail bucket that aren't so obvious. And each of them must be carefully examined to see which pile it belongs in. Is it something that needs attention? Or is it just more junk?
Life is a lot like that bucket of mail. There's a lot of sorting to be done. Some things are obviously good. And some are obviously bad.
It's the in-between that gets us in some trouble. We have no difficulty identifying murder or stealing or pornography as bad. We can readily identify Bible reading as good. But we're bombarded daily with all kinds of stuff - from the TV or the radio, in the newspaper, on the internet, from our Facebook and Twitter feeds, in conversation. And the list could go on.
It all has to be sorted. How do we determine what to believe and what not to believe? How do we know what is true and what isn't? We need a plumb line. You know, one of those things, sometimes also called a plumb bob, used in building or surveying to ensure that a vertical line is, in fact, vertical. We need a standard for vertical if we are going to correctly sort through all the information bombarding us every day.
Our plumb line is the Word of God. Everything we see, everything we read, everything we hear, everything we say, needs to be held up against that standard.
It's the only way we can sort it all out. Because just because something is on the internet doesn't make it true!
"Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Philippians 4:8 ESV)
But that isn't all the sorting. There's that bucket full of mail from the post office that has to be sorted. Some of it is obviously bills. And some is obviously junk. The magazines are obvious. But there are a number of envelopes in that mail bucket that aren't so obvious. And each of them must be carefully examined to see which pile it belongs in. Is it something that needs attention? Or is it just more junk?
Life is a lot like that bucket of mail. There's a lot of sorting to be done. Some things are obviously good. And some are obviously bad.
It's the in-between that gets us in some trouble. We have no difficulty identifying murder or stealing or pornography as bad. We can readily identify Bible reading as good. But we're bombarded daily with all kinds of stuff - from the TV or the radio, in the newspaper, on the internet, from our Facebook and Twitter feeds, in conversation. And the list could go on.
It all has to be sorted. How do we determine what to believe and what not to believe? How do we know what is true and what isn't? We need a plumb line. You know, one of those things, sometimes also called a plumb bob, used in building or surveying to ensure that a vertical line is, in fact, vertical. We need a standard for vertical if we are going to correctly sort through all the information bombarding us every day.
Our plumb line is the Word of God. Everything we see, everything we read, everything we hear, everything we say, needs to be held up against that standard.
It's the only way we can sort it all out. Because just because something is on the internet doesn't make it true!
"Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Philippians 4:8 ESV)
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