It’s Worth It

Almost a week has passed since we ended our fabulous trip around the Baltic Sea and began the long journey home. The trip home was long and tiring, but the jet lag is worth it for all that we saw and experienced.

Just one week ago, we were touring the Aland Islands off the coast of Finland. The next day we were in Stockholm, Sweden, with views like this one:

On this trip we visited places I had never seen, and some I had never even heard of before. This remains one of my favorite photos of the trip:

This was taken from our ship as we were docked in the village of Eidfjord, Norway. The fjords are stunning, with their crystal clear water reflecting the mountains and sky above.

We had a fabulous trip. And now we are in re-entry mode. Dealing with jet lag. And mountains of laundry. Trying to figure out what time it is. Getting back into normal routines. It’s hard work. But it’s worth it.

That’s true of so many things in life, isn’t it? Being a parent is hard work, but it’s worth it. Mastering a skill like playing the piano or learning how to throw a good curve ball is hard work. But it’s worth it. Achieving a fitness goal or a health goal or any other goal is hard work. But it’s worth.

The same can be said about living the Christian life. Maintaining the disciplines of the Christian life - prayer, Bible reading, worship, faithful church attendance, among others - might be considered to be hard things. They require commitment. Discipline. Focus. Determination. 

But it’s worth it!

“Therefore, since we have so great a could of witnesses surrounding us [so many examples of faithful men and women who have lived the Christian life], 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 perfected 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, emphasis mine)

Compromise

What comes to mind when you hear the word compromise? Does this word hold a positive or a negative connotation for you?

One definition says that compromise is the settlement of differences by mutual concessions, or an agreement reached by adjusting conflicting or opposing opinions.

That sounds positive, doesn’t it? If we don’t make some compromises, how do we ever get things done? For example, if one party wants blue carpet and the other wants red carpet, unless there is some sort of compromise, there will be no carpet! That’s a silly example, but you get the point.

We make compromises every day. You go to the grocery store intending to buy steak. But the steak is too expensive, so you choose ground beef instead. That’s a compromise. You go to your favorite dress shop, intending to buy the perfect LBD (little black dress), but they don’t have the one you want in your size. Instead, you make a different choice. That’s a compromise. These compromises are perfectly innocent and acceptable and necessary.

We often hear about compromise in the political arena. Each political party has strongly held opinions. In order for the work of government to move forward, these politicians must find common ground, the points on which they can agree, with each being willing to give a little on points of disagreement. That’s compromise. Unfortunately, in the current political climate, each side just digs its heels in and refuses to budge an inch. That wasn’t always the case. In the not so distant past, politicians would work together to find solutions, points of agreement, that would lead to a compromise that would benefit the nation. History books are filled with these compromises (the Missouri Compromise of 1820, for example) where compromise was a good thing.

However, there’s another definition for the word compromise: an endangering, especially of reputation; exposure to danger, suspicion, etc.

This is the negative side of compromise. We use the word compromise in this way to refer to the compromise of a person’s integrity, or we often here it in a medical sense, such as when a person’s immune system is compromised. I have recently been more aware of compromise in this sense than I ever wanted to be, as I recently became aware that one of my social media accounts had been compromised. The result was that an unknown person took over my account and posted things, in my name, that I never would have considered posting. My account was compromised, and I feel violated.

We must be alert for compromise. We must be on guard for the negative compromises. And we must be willing to make compromises in our personal and family relationships. (How else will we decide where to go to dinner?)

But there are some areas where we must never compromise. We must guard our integrity. And we must never compromise when it comes to God’s Word. No matter what the world or social media or political whim may say, the Bible is our authority. The Bible is our plumb line. 

How do we avoid compromise in this area? We must read the Scripture. Study it. Memorize it. This is our safeguard against compromising our spiritual integrity.

“I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” (Psalm 119:11 ESV)

The Bucket List

Do you have a bucket list? Most people do, even if they may not refer to it in those terms. We all have a list of things we would like to accomplish or places we would like to go. 

One of the things on my bucket list was to visit all 50 states. Thanks in great part to having lived in many parts of the country, and having traveled a lot with my husband for his work, I was able to check that off a few years ago. Another thing on my list is to visit all the National Parks. I’m not sure that is actually within reach, so I have another goal in mind - visiting all the State Parks in my state.

My husband and I just returned from a fabulous cruise around the Baltic Sea. While I had never had that on my bucket list, I’m so glad we decided on that region for our 50th wedding anniversary celebration. We saw stunning scenery and visited places that I not only had never dreamed of visiting. We went to some places I had never even heard of! Eidfjord, Norway. The Aland Islands, Finland. Alborg, Denmark. 

Because I’m a list maker, I think I will add this “Viking Homelands Adventure” to my bucket list just so I can mark it off! The beauty of that part of the world is breathtaking and had me often calling Psalm 19 to mind: “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.” 

Bucket lists are often focused on places we want to go. Things we want to accomplish. But have you ever considered having a spiritual bucket list? For some help making that list, turn to Psalm 37 and look at the verbs.

Fret not.

“Fret not because of evil doers….” Have you ever found yourself fretting over the evil in the world? Being distressed by what you see around you? It’s easy for us to be overwhelmed by the craziness in our world. To be discouraged and frustrated. That’s why this imperative - don’t fret - is a good item for the bucket list.

This is an imperative, which means we have a choice to obey or disobey/ignore this instruction. We are able to “fret not” as an act of the will. Not by our emotions, but by deliberate choice. It doesn’t come easily or naturally to us, so we must accompany this choice with prayer. Lord, Your word tells me not to fret, not to worry, but I’m finding myself overwhelmed. I need Your help. Help me to remember that you are my refuge and strength. (See Psalm 46.)

Trust in the Lord.

Trust in the Lord. Not in your feelings. Not in the news media or in social media or in any other person or thing. Trust in the Lord. It seems so simple, yet sometimes is so hard to do. But it’s a very basic discipline of the Christian life. Trust in the Lord. Period. 

Delight yourself in the Lord.

Again, this seems so obvious, doesn’t it. And we think to ourselves, well, of course I’m delighting in the Lord. 

But are you? Really? What brings you the most joy? How do you spend your time? Is the way you spend your time, your energy, your money, a reflection of your delight in the Lord? If not, then why not? This item on the list leads to some time in prayer and reflection, perhaps to some repentance and recommitment. It leads to the question, are my eyes “fixed on Jesus?” (See Hebrews 12:1-2)

And the list goes on…..

Commit your way to the Lord.

Be still before the Lord.

Refrain from anger.

Forsake anger.

Fret not. There it is again. At least two more times, depending on the translation you are using. Since it’s repeated, it must be important. Really important. So, as you’re working on your spiritual bucket list, this might be a good place to start. 

This is a repeated instruction throughout Scripture. It isn’t limited to this Psalm. It sometimes is phrased a little differently.

Fear not. Be strong. Don’t be afraid.

It all leads us to the same place. Don’t worry. Trust God.

Because God is in control. Of all things. And He can be trusted. So there’s no need to fret.

Sound the Alarm

Facebook is very good about reminding me what I was doing on this same day last year or three years ago or ten years ago. Unfortunately, they are not very good at helping me remember what I was doing yesterday! Even so, it's interesting to get these reminders.

A few weeks ago, I was reminded of an event from our road trip in 2015. That was an interesting trip. Three months all around the country. Al was working, doing training on a new product, and I tagged along. For moral support. And just because.

Anyway, my Facebook memory reminded me of a night in Billings, Montana, where we were sleeping very soundly until being rudely awakened from our sleep by the blaring of the fire alarm. Fortunately, it was a false alarm.

A couple of weeks later, we were in the Chicago suburbs on the day for routine testing of all the smoke detectors and the alarm system in our hotel. As a result, all morning long, alarms were sounding.

That evening, Al and I were both startled by the sound of an alarm coming from our phones. It was a severe weather alert, warning of the possibility of flash flooding due to severe storms in the Chicago area.

If you live in an area prone to tornadoes or other storms, you likely are familiar with the sound of the storm alarm as well, particularly at this time of year.

Alarms are important. An alarm is defined as any sound, outcry, or information intended to warn of approaching danger.  

Paul Revere sounded an alarm to warn that the British were coming. The fire alarm warns of impending danger from fire. The storm alarm alerts us to danger from a coming hurricane or tornado or severe thunderstorm.

The Old Testament prophet Joel had something to say about alarms.

"The day of the LORD is near, and it will come as destruction from the Almighty. Blow a trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm on My holy mountain! For the day of the LORD is coming; surely it is near."  (Joel 1:15; 2:1 NASB)

Blow a trumpet. Sound an alarm. The day of the Lord is near.

If it was near in the prophet Joel's day, how much nearer is it now!

It is time for us to be sounding the alarm. It is time for us to wake up and pay attention. It is time that we who name the Name of Jesus are about the business of sharing Him with others. It is time for us to wake up! It is time for us to be sounding the alarm!  

The day of the Lord is near, much nearer than ever before. And we live in a world where we are surrounded by people who need to know Jesus!

People need the Lord. People need to know Jesus in a personal way, not just to know about Him. And people need to know that Jesus is coming again, that the day of the Lord is near.

It's time to sound the alarm!

 

"People, get ready.  Jesus is coming." (lyrics by Crystal Lewis)

 

 



"Knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we first believed."  (Romans 13:11 NASB)

Some Thoughts About Getting Older

Over the weekend I celebrated another birthday. I love a good celebration! Since my stroke in November 2016, birthdays have become more special, and every day is a reason to celebrate! These months since the stroke have given me a new appreciation for life. A new awareness that each day is a precious gift not to be taken for granted. And every birthday celebration has become an even greater reason to celebrate.

Birthdays bring inevitable thoughts about getting older. I can remember when, once upon a time, I thought anyone who had passed their 60th birthday was really old. Having passed that milestone several years ago, I no longer think of it in quite the same way. Because the truth is, I really don't think of myself as old. I don't feel old. At least, not on most days. Of course there are the inevitable aches and pains and wrinkles that come with this season, but I really don't feel "old".

Birthdays also bring me to thoughts of Jonathan Edwards, that great American preacher of days gone by. I remember reading several years ago that Edwards had seventy resolutions for his life, all of which he wrote while in his early twenties, and which he read every week for the rest of his life. I'm particularly drawn to his Resolution 52:

"I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again. Resolved, that I will live as I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age."

As I am celebrating another birthday, Johnathan Edwards' resolution continues to be my resolution, for the coming year and for however many years lie ahead:  to live as I shall wish I had done.

A Fesh Start

When I began thinking about this post, I planned to say "Welcome to August". But since we're already a week into the month, that probably wouldn't be the best way to start. Since it took me longer than expected to get my brain wrapped around this topic, instead of thinking about a new month, I'll focus on a fresh start. That's what August gave us with this new month. A fresh start. A clean page on the calendar.

When I turned the page on the "official" family calendar on the side of the refrigerator, I smiled. It's my birthday month. We will be continuing our anniversary celebration with a cruise later in the month. And it's one month closer to fall and cooler temperatures!

We often think of a new month as a clean slate. A time to start over. But if your calendar looks anything like mine, it isn't exactly a blank page. There are a number of activities already listed. August is shaping up to be another busy month.

Even so, there's something refreshing about turning the calendar page. A new month means new opportunities. New adventures. New challenges to be faced.  

Turning that calendar page also means moving on. Leaving the previous month behind. Letting go of all the less-than-we-might-have-liked-them-to-be moments. The new month is time to let all that go, and time to move forward. 

Every day is a fresh start. An opportunity to move forward. Whether it's a new job. Or no job. Or a weight loss plan that has gone off track. Or frustration about a relationship or a health issue. Or time for school to start. Every day is the gift of a fresh start. An opportunity to try again. To move forward. 

A couple of years ago, as we moved into August, I was completing a writing project. Beginning a new month moved me into a new season, from writing to editing. Editing can be a tedious process: checking spelling; replacing one word with another; rearranging sentences; formatting; doing it all again; and then doing it all again; and again. Editing gave me an opportunity for a fresh start. To look at what I had written with fresh eyes.

Editing is not just for books or magazine articles. Sometimes our lives need some editing as well, and a new month is an ideal time to stop and consider what might need to be edited in our lives.  

Editing some things out of my life is an area where the Lord has been really dealing with me. As in, what things in my life need some correction. What additions need to be made? What things in my life need some fine-tuning. What things in my life need to be deleted.  You may find that to be true in your life as well.

Here are a few questions to help you get started in your editing process.

What foods need to be deleted from my life? What foods need to be added?

What habits need to be deleted from my life? What habits need to be added?

What corrections need to be made in my speech?

What needs to be deleted?  In my activities. In my recreation. In my reading. In my TV watching. In the way I spend my money.

What needs to be added?  In my activities. In my recreation. In my reading. In my TV watching. In the way I spend my money.

 Life is a process. And all those processes need some editing from time to time.

What better time than today to take some time to consider what changes might need to be made. There's no time like the present to do a little editing and make a fresh start.


"But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord."  (Philippians 3:7 NASB) 

Learning to Rest

"Rest is a necessary part of useful action. It is not something to be overlooked, neglected, or denied." - Alistair Begg 

I came across this quote some time ago and it really struck a chord with me. This idea of rest is one I've been pondering for a while. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that I have been pondering the lack of rest, or resting or restfulness, that characterizes life in 21st century America. Certainly since my stroke I have done a lot more resting than I ever did before. But taking time for rest is the exception rather than the rule in our culture. 

Rest:  (noun) the refreshing quiet or repose of sleep; refreshing ease or inactivity; relief or freedom, especially from anything that wearies, troubles, or disturbs; mental or spiritual calm, tranquility.
(verb) to refresh oneself, as by sleeping or relaxing; to relieve weariness by cessation of exertion; to be at ease; to be quiet or still. (definitions taken from Dictionary.com)

Would anyone dispute that people are very busy these days? Over-worked. Over-tired. Stressed. Always in a hurry. In need of some rest and relaxation.

Unfortunately, people don't seem to know how to rest any more. And somehow we have come to equate being busy with being productive. Which is not necessarily the case. As a culture, we're always on the go. Always busy. Always in a hurry. Always have too much to do. And if we aren't busy and in a hurry and on the go, we seem to think there's a problem. That something is wrong with us or wrong in our lives because we aren't busy enough. We complain about being too busy and we complain when we aren't busy. When we don't have every minute of every day filled with some activity, we complain that we are bored. And somehow we have convinced ourselves that if we take time to rest, there is something wrong with us. That we must be deficient in some way if we admit a need for rest and relaxation. That we must be terribly lazy if we choose some down-time.

None of that is actually true. But we have convinced ourselves that it is. And so the result is that we don't rest. We don't allow ourselves time to rest. Maybe we don't even know how to rest.

But our bodies were designed to need rest. And not getting enough rest has consequences. Among these consequences, according to webmd.com are illness, including serious illnesses like heart disease and stroke; forgetfulness; depression; weight gain; aging skin; and a host of other things. So it would seem that this might be something we should pay more attention to!

We need to learn how to rest. I'm not just talking about getting a certain number of hours sleep each night. I'm talking about resting. Relaxing. Building some leisure into our schedules. Being intentional about resting and relaxing. Taking some time to do nothing. To take a nap. Or read a book. Or daydream. Time to rest.

We need rest in more than just a physical sense. We need to learn to rest spiritually as well.

"Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him."  (Psalm 37:7 NASB)

The word that is translated rest in this verse means to be silent, to be still, to stand still. It depicts the state of being motionless. It indicates the absence of emotional distress and the ability to be quiet and relax.

That kind of rest comes from knowing who God is, by having confidence in His character, by not only believing in God, but by believing God. By trusting Him. It comes from a settled assurance that God is who He says He is, that He has done everything He says He has done, and that He will do everything He says He will do.

Rest. We need it. Both physically and spiritually. But it doesn't always come naturally to us. We have to be intentional about resting.  

We have to learn how to rest. The first step is to be still.  

"Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."  (Psalm 46:10 ESV)