For the past several years (except last year), we have spent New Year’s Day with friends of ours. I remember about four or five years ago, we stood in a circle, prayed, and then went around and said something about the previous year as well as what we were looking forward to in the new year. Well, I remembered going through a few things during the last few months of the previous year, and I felt compelled to share with everyone that I felt as though God wanted to teach me about humility, obedience, and perseverance. The thing about it is that I remember saying it as if God would give me a few situations in which to “practice” those things, graduate me, if you will, by December 31 of that year, and then move me on to something else I needed to learn. As if all I needed to know about humility, obedience, and perseverance or “HOP” in life would be wrapped up in a year’s time. What was I thinking??
Well, what I think was that I was hoping that was how things would be. After all, the New Year often symbolizes a new beginning, a chance to reflect on the previous year and re-focus on what is truly important in the New Year, or repair things in the New Year that were “broken” in the year before. The New Year was a new beginning for my church, for example. After seventeen years of leading our church, our Pastor left and on January 1, began a new job. As we seek a new Pastor and begin a New Year, the leadership team has sought to help us all re-focus by doing a sermon series based on our church’s purpose or mission statement (which, of course, is rooted in God’s Word). The first sermon of the series focused on the first part of the statement which is to follow Christ. This led me to ask, “Am I following Christ?” Are you following Christ? Had this question been posed four or five years ago, my answer would have been, “Yes. I read and study my Bible. I pray regularly, and I go to church every Sunday. I strive to give to those in need and to raise my children in the fear of the Lord.”
Well, the Transitional Senior Pastor dished out some pretty heavy Scriptures to make me re-think my answer. The one that made the biggest impact on me was Luke 14:33. It reads (NKJV):
So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.
A disciple is a follower of Christ. After I read the same verse in my King James Study Bible, I immediately dropped down to the doctrinal footnotes at the bottom of the page. It simply said this:
Forsaketh means literally “renounce” or give up. Disciples must live in constant readiness to put their means at the disposal of the Lord’s ends.
Wow!! Today, I ran into a quote that I wrote down from Anne Graham Lotz’s latest book, “The Magnificent Obsession”. The book talks about how to live a God-filled life and is based upon the life of Abraham (see Genesis 12-25). This is what she said about him:
“Abraham had made the choice and left everything behind, kept the commitment and let everything go, satisfied the criteria and trusted everything completely, accepted the challenge and pursued everything patiently, resolved the conflict and cast everything out, and effectively communicated and lifted everything up, and he paid the cost and laid everything down. . .to embrace God”
I don’t know about you, but that’s pretty deep to me. All of this has caused me to re-examine my life as a professed follower of Christ. Have I really desired to know Him more or have I just wanted Him to do more for me? Have I really given up all I am and all I have? Have I renounced everything, or laid everything down for Him? Or, has it just been the “problem areas” of my life in which I have asked Him to interfere? To be quite honest, my answer is no, I have not surrendered everything to Him or for Him. So, in this New Year, January 2010, four or five years after making that initial statement, my journey toward true discipleship (which includes true humility, consistent obedience, and undying perseverance) continues. But. . .being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you (and me) will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6 NKJV).
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Out of the Mouth of Babes
I am thinking seriously about homeschooling my children. So, yesterday, while enjoying lunch with my 6-year old, I asked her, "What do you think about having school at home next year? We could do 1st grade here at home." And the conversation went like this:
"What about my teacher?" she asked.
" I would be your teacher."
"But, you're my mom."
"But, can't I be your mom and teacher?"
"Well. . .you can be a teacher when you grow up."
"So, what do you want to be when you grow up?"
"Well, Mommy, instead of being President, I want to be a karate teacher. . .in China."
" In China??"
"Yes, I want to teach karate. . .at the center. . .in China"
"Okay. Well, what does God want you to be?"
"God, what do you want me to be? (short pause) He says He wants me to be a karate teacher in China (with a big smile on her face)."
"Well, okay then." (chuckling).
I couldn't help but grin and wonder where on earth the idea of teaching karate came from. I think back to when I was her age and I never thought about being President of anything or going to another country! As children, it seemed as if our choices were limited to doctor, nurse, policeman/policewoman, and in my case, gymnast. My mom used to always tell my brothers and me, "Don't limit yourselves!". My husband and I have always tried to pass that concept along to our kids by encouraging them to think globally and to think big. It was a bring spot in my day to see that all of our work has not been in vain.
As the day went on, I thought more of our conversation and became more amazed at how my God, the God of the Universe, speaks to us. One way is by placing little nuggets of wisdom in our children without them even knowing it. Here are a few nuggets He dished out to me through my 6-year old:
Nugget #1: We are never too old to go to work for God
I am a 38-year old whose head is (literally) lined with silver, yet my 6-year old suggested I could be a teacher after "I'm done" being her mom, and let me not forget. . .when I grow up. At ages 100 and 90, respectively, God made Abraham and Sarah to be parents to Issac, after a "lifetime" of barren-ness (see Genesis 18:1-15, 21:1-7). Is God trying to use you in a particular area but you insist that you're too old? Remember, God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20)!
Nugget #2: Think outside the box. God does.
My 6-year old is an African-American girl. While our current President, Barack Obama, is African-American, to date, we have not had an African-American female presidential candidate (from a major political party). So, to decide that she wanted to be President, at one time, was huge! Now, she wants to be a karate teacher in China. For the same reasons, I think that certainly qualifies as thinking outside the box!
In order to take possession of Jericho, a city enclosed by a wall where no one entered or left, Joshua and the children of Israel were not told to declare war and storm the city of Jericho. Instead, they were instructed, by God, to march around the city once a day for six days while the priests blew their trumpets. Then, on the seventh day, God told them to march around the city seven times while the priests blew their trumpets and then the priests were to make a long blast with their trumpets while all the people shouted. When they did as God commanded, the walls of Jericho fell (see Joshua 6). Who would have thought that a city could be destroyed by walking around it, blowing horns, and yelling??
Nugget #3: Since God created us, then we are His. Therefore, we should ask Him what He wants us to do with our lives, then obey.
When I asked my daughter what God wanted her to be, she immediately asked Him. She said He wants her to be a karate teacher in China. Maybe so or maybe not. . .time will tell, but what is important is that she is ready and willing to ask and do what he says. Are you? I must admit, I have not always been that way and even now, if what He tells me to do something that seems to be a little weird or a bit frightening, I often question Him and/or hesitate in obeying Him. But we all are to have the attitude of Mary when she found out that she was carrying the Son of God in her womb: "Let it be to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38).
God is always speaking to us: through His Word (The Holy Bible), through our peers, and even through our children. Let's be sure to listen closely for Him and do what He says!
"What about my teacher?" she asked.
" I would be your teacher."
"But, you're my mom."
"But, can't I be your mom and teacher?"
"Well. . .you can be a teacher when you grow up."
"So, what do you want to be when you grow up?"
"Well, Mommy, instead of being President, I want to be a karate teacher. . .in China."
" In China??"
"Yes, I want to teach karate. . .at the center. . .in China"
"Okay. Well, what does God want you to be?"
"God, what do you want me to be? (short pause) He says He wants me to be a karate teacher in China (with a big smile on her face)."
"Well, okay then." (chuckling).
I couldn't help but grin and wonder where on earth the idea of teaching karate came from. I think back to when I was her age and I never thought about being President of anything or going to another country! As children, it seemed as if our choices were limited to doctor, nurse, policeman/policewoman, and in my case, gymnast. My mom used to always tell my brothers and me, "Don't limit yourselves!". My husband and I have always tried to pass that concept along to our kids by encouraging them to think globally and to think big. It was a bring spot in my day to see that all of our work has not been in vain.
As the day went on, I thought more of our conversation and became more amazed at how my God, the God of the Universe, speaks to us. One way is by placing little nuggets of wisdom in our children without them even knowing it. Here are a few nuggets He dished out to me through my 6-year old:
Nugget #1: We are never too old to go to work for God
I am a 38-year old whose head is (literally) lined with silver, yet my 6-year old suggested I could be a teacher after "I'm done" being her mom, and let me not forget. . .when I grow up. At ages 100 and 90, respectively, God made Abraham and Sarah to be parents to Issac, after a "lifetime" of barren-ness (see Genesis 18:1-15, 21:1-7). Is God trying to use you in a particular area but you insist that you're too old? Remember, God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20)!
Nugget #2: Think outside the box. God does.
My 6-year old is an African-American girl. While our current President, Barack Obama, is African-American, to date, we have not had an African-American female presidential candidate (from a major political party). So, to decide that she wanted to be President, at one time, was huge! Now, she wants to be a karate teacher in China. For the same reasons, I think that certainly qualifies as thinking outside the box!
In order to take possession of Jericho, a city enclosed by a wall where no one entered or left, Joshua and the children of Israel were not told to declare war and storm the city of Jericho. Instead, they were instructed, by God, to march around the city once a day for six days while the priests blew their trumpets. Then, on the seventh day, God told them to march around the city seven times while the priests blew their trumpets and then the priests were to make a long blast with their trumpets while all the people shouted. When they did as God commanded, the walls of Jericho fell (see Joshua 6). Who would have thought that a city could be destroyed by walking around it, blowing horns, and yelling??
Nugget #3: Since God created us, then we are His. Therefore, we should ask Him what He wants us to do with our lives, then obey.
When I asked my daughter what God wanted her to be, she immediately asked Him. She said He wants her to be a karate teacher in China. Maybe so or maybe not. . .time will tell, but what is important is that she is ready and willing to ask and do what he says. Are you? I must admit, I have not always been that way and even now, if what He tells me to do something that seems to be a little weird or a bit frightening, I often question Him and/or hesitate in obeying Him. But we all are to have the attitude of Mary when she found out that she was carrying the Son of God in her womb: "Let it be to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38).
God is always speaking to us: through His Word (The Holy Bible), through our peers, and even through our children. Let's be sure to listen closely for Him and do what He says!
Monday, June 8, 2009
A "New" Reality. . .
A little over three months ago, I accidentally hit the top of my right hand on the corner of the chest of drawers in my bedroom. Besides a little soreness and mild cases of the "tinglies" most mornings, my hand was fine. . .or so I thought. Well, two and a half weeks after that incident, I woke up to find my right hand completely swollen! With some ice, most of the swelling went down, except a small portion between my forefinger and thumb. Thank goodness, I had a doctor's appointment (by the way, I was 27 weeks pregnant at the time) that morning. The doctor thought the swelling to be unusual and ordered an X-ray, thinking that the swelling was caused by a hairline fracture. Negative. No fracture, but still swelling. When asked how to proceed, I was told to continue icing the area, although the ice did nothing but make my hand cold (and bring a back a few memories of me sitting in the cold whirlpool during my IU Track & Field days). The next evening, I realized there was swelling a bit further up my arm. Knowing that something was not right, I proceeded to the emergency room where I found out that I have a blood clot in my right arm and I would need to be admitted to the hospital. Wow!! I have had very few health challenges in my life thus far, but I knew enough to know that blood clots are dangerous and if they travel to the wrong places like the heart or lungs, the situation can be fatal. Everyone I talked to, including the various medical professionals, said something like, "Oh my goodness, it is such a good thing that you came in when you did!" Well, I credit the Holy Spirit with that!
I cannot possibly put into words all of the things that went on in my head for the next 48 hours, but I think it is safe to say that my thoughts were lined with fear. Basically, I thought I was going to die at any moment. The next week, after I was released from the hospital, I realized that there was swelling further up my arm which meant the clot had moved. The medicine that I was given was supposed to prevent that. Now, at that point, I was freakin' out!! But, because I was already on an aggressive treatment regimen, the doctors advised against increasing my dosage of meds as it could cause some real problems. At that point, I realized that I had come to the end of myself and the end of my doctors, all I had to rely on was God. But, when you think about it, isn't that all we ever have to rely on, really?
What I have learned (and man, has it been a lesson to learn) is that I actually could die at any moment. . .any of us could. Not one of us is guaranteed tomorrow or the next moment in fact. We tend to think that if we're young, active, physically fit, non-smokers, and productive ( I could go on with the adjectives, but I won't) that we will long lives. Where did we get that from?! That is simply not true. The truth of the matter is that death is God's business. In the words of Bill Cosby (and countless other parents), He created us and brought us into this world and He will take us out. . .when He is ready for us. We have absolutely no control over when we die. We get to see another day because of His grace, not because of something we have done. Along the same lines, we forget that God has created us for His purposes. Meaning that out of love for us, we get the opportunity to participate in God's plans for the world. He doesn't need us. He is God. . .but He chooses us. Likewise, He uses things like medicine (for the sake of my example), made by men, to help in the healing process. But so many times, we forget Who is behind the healing and instead, we put our trust in the medicine when in reality, our trust should always be in the LORD God.
As a Christian, one would think that that thought process would be automatic for me, but I am sad to say, it wasn't. As a matter of fact, it has taken me awhile to adjust to this "new reality" (and to be quite honest, I'm still adjusting-note the present tense). It has really taken me out of my comfort zone, but in a good way. Instead of living life with a false sense of reality, I am learning to truly put my trust in God . . .as I have been singing about (in church) and reading about (in my Bible) for years. It is all about Him and so not about me. . .or us. I hope you will look on my experience and take on this new reality in your life.
May God richly bless you in the name of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ!
I cannot possibly put into words all of the things that went on in my head for the next 48 hours, but I think it is safe to say that my thoughts were lined with fear. Basically, I thought I was going to die at any moment. The next week, after I was released from the hospital, I realized that there was swelling further up my arm which meant the clot had moved. The medicine that I was given was supposed to prevent that. Now, at that point, I was freakin' out!! But, because I was already on an aggressive treatment regimen, the doctors advised against increasing my dosage of meds as it could cause some real problems. At that point, I realized that I had come to the end of myself and the end of my doctors, all I had to rely on was God. But, when you think about it, isn't that all we ever have to rely on, really?
What I have learned (and man, has it been a lesson to learn) is that I actually could die at any moment. . .any of us could. Not one of us is guaranteed tomorrow or the next moment in fact. We tend to think that if we're young, active, physically fit, non-smokers, and productive ( I could go on with the adjectives, but I won't) that we will long lives. Where did we get that from?! That is simply not true. The truth of the matter is that death is God's business. In the words of Bill Cosby (and countless other parents), He created us and brought us into this world and He will take us out. . .when He is ready for us. We have absolutely no control over when we die. We get to see another day because of His grace, not because of something we have done. Along the same lines, we forget that God has created us for His purposes. Meaning that out of love for us, we get the opportunity to participate in God's plans for the world. He doesn't need us. He is God. . .but He chooses us. Likewise, He uses things like medicine (for the sake of my example), made by men, to help in the healing process. But so many times, we forget Who is behind the healing and instead, we put our trust in the medicine when in reality, our trust should always be in the LORD God.
As a Christian, one would think that that thought process would be automatic for me, but I am sad to say, it wasn't. As a matter of fact, it has taken me awhile to adjust to this "new reality" (and to be quite honest, I'm still adjusting-note the present tense). It has really taken me out of my comfort zone, but in a good way. Instead of living life with a false sense of reality, I am learning to truly put my trust in God . . .as I have been singing about (in church) and reading about (in my Bible) for years. It is all about Him and so not about me. . .or us. I hope you will look on my experience and take on this new reality in your life.
May God richly bless you in the name of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Mixed Emotions
As I have mentioned before, I live in a small college town of 27,000 in the Pacific Northwest. A little over a year ago, my family and I relocated from a Midwestern thriving metropolis. It is interesting to compare the differences between the two places. Due to the size (and downright craziness of some of the people that live there) of the Midwestern city, there is quite a bit of crime and homelessness. Please do not get me wrong, I know that there are millions of other factors, including the economy, that attribute to these things, but I do know that size is a major factor. Anyway, in my quaint little Pacific Northwestern town, there are no homeless people. . .well, there weren't any until now.
Recently, a 28-year old convicted rapist, who is homeless, has moved to our town. It is unbelieveable. . .all local university employees were notified of this sex offender's presence by e-mai; there was a blurb in the newspapers; and posters up at various establishments. Wow! That's pretty cool. In the Midwest, we were surrounded by approximately 20 registered sex offenders and for the longest, we didn't have a clue! I really appreciate the community making its residents aware of potential danger as I certainly do not want my children in the presence of a convicted rapist.
On the other hand, is that really "pretty cool"? I'm not sure how long he has been in town, but already, just about everyone knows of his existence and his status. Consider this man for a moment. . . He is a registered sex offender and so probably as a result, he is homeless, he is probably having difficulty finding a job. Perhaps, he just wanted to move someplace else and start over, has anyone even considered that? Probably not. . .we just hear "convicted rapist" or "registered sex offender" and the person is automatically shunned. I know this is controversial and I am not at all excusing his actions. But, I did a little investigation into his case. As it turns out, this man did not comb the streets looking for his next victim. Rather, this was an acquaitence-rape situation. It did not appear as though the woman was under-age, but that this was a question of whether there was consent or not. He said yes. She said no. By no means am I down-playing the seriousness of the crime. . ."no" means "no"!!
I guess what I am saying is I have mixed emotions about this whole thing. I have kids. I want them to be safe. But, I am also reminded of the story of the Samaritan woman in John 4 of the Holy Bible, that by the way, I just recently read to my kids. Jesus, a Jew, goes to a well in the city of Samaria, and asks a lady for a drink of water. She was stunned because back then, Jews had no dealings with Samaritans. He goes on to converse with her and tells her that He can offer her Living Water for He is the Messiah that she believed that was coming (my paraphrase). This woman was not only rejected by Jews because she was a Samaritan, but most likely she was ostracized by other Samaritans, as well, because of her lifestyle. She had had five husbands and the man with which she was living, at the time, was not her husband. Yet, Jesus spoke to her in love, kindness, gentleness, and I think it is safe to say. . .with forgiveness.
Hmmmm. . . . .how can we apply this? I know there are people who will struggle with this post. As evident in the title, I obviously do. But as Christians-followers of Christ-aren't we supposed to do what Jesus would do? Romans 12:2 says, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God". So, what does that look like?
Just a little somethin' to get you thinkin'. . .
Recently, a 28-year old convicted rapist, who is homeless, has moved to our town. It is unbelieveable. . .all local university employees were notified of this sex offender's presence by e-mai; there was a blurb in the newspapers; and posters up at various establishments. Wow! That's pretty cool. In the Midwest, we were surrounded by approximately 20 registered sex offenders and for the longest, we didn't have a clue! I really appreciate the community making its residents aware of potential danger as I certainly do not want my children in the presence of a convicted rapist.
On the other hand, is that really "pretty cool"? I'm not sure how long he has been in town, but already, just about everyone knows of his existence and his status. Consider this man for a moment. . . He is a registered sex offender and so probably as a result, he is homeless, he is probably having difficulty finding a job. Perhaps, he just wanted to move someplace else and start over, has anyone even considered that? Probably not. . .we just hear "convicted rapist" or "registered sex offender" and the person is automatically shunned. I know this is controversial and I am not at all excusing his actions. But, I did a little investigation into his case. As it turns out, this man did not comb the streets looking for his next victim. Rather, this was an acquaitence-rape situation. It did not appear as though the woman was under-age, but that this was a question of whether there was consent or not. He said yes. She said no. By no means am I down-playing the seriousness of the crime. . ."no" means "no"!!
I guess what I am saying is I have mixed emotions about this whole thing. I have kids. I want them to be safe. But, I am also reminded of the story of the Samaritan woman in John 4 of the Holy Bible, that by the way, I just recently read to my kids. Jesus, a Jew, goes to a well in the city of Samaria, and asks a lady for a drink of water. She was stunned because back then, Jews had no dealings with Samaritans. He goes on to converse with her and tells her that He can offer her Living Water for He is the Messiah that she believed that was coming (my paraphrase). This woman was not only rejected by Jews because she was a Samaritan, but most likely she was ostracized by other Samaritans, as well, because of her lifestyle. She had had five husbands and the man with which she was living, at the time, was not her husband. Yet, Jesus spoke to her in love, kindness, gentleness, and I think it is safe to say. . .with forgiveness.
Hmmmm. . . . .how can we apply this? I know there are people who will struggle with this post. As evident in the title, I obviously do. But as Christians-followers of Christ-aren't we supposed to do what Jesus would do? Romans 12:2 says, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God". So, what does that look like?
Just a little somethin' to get you thinkin'. . .
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Foundations
I live on a college campus and during the last school year, I worked out quite a bit at the outdoor track. The outdoor track is located just east of the football stadium and south of the fieldhouse. There is a space where all of those facilities meet that used to be a small parking lot. Okay, so much for that visual. . .trying to describe it is getting confusing even for me.
Anyway, shortly after the school year ended, the space was blocked off and suddenly, a really deep hole or pit appeared. There is some construction going on at the neighboring stadium, so it looked as though the workers were connecting some pipes or something. Like I said, the space in which they were working was really deep and they worked in that pit forever, it seemed like. Well, today, I went up to the track for the first time in several weeks and as it turns out, it looks like they have built a new restroom facility. My first impression was, "They went through all of that for another set of restrooms?" But then I saw it from a different perspective. How many of us are willing to do the really hard work or go through the tough times to insure that our foundations are solid?
The first example that comes to mind is rearing children. It can be tough trying to raise our children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, or as Proverbs 22:6 says, " Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Quite frankly, on some days, it wears me out! But, I have another example. . .
Lately, I have found myself getting a bit frustrated with God. I feel as though God has put all of these ministry/career ideas in my mind and on my heart, but I feel as though things are moving at the speed of molasses! I'm like, "Let's go, God! Let's get on with it (while snapping my fingers)". But I am reminded of Matthew 7:24, where Jesus says, "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock; and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on the house, and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock." Like the restroom facility that has a solid foundation, I must be deeply rooted in Jesus and in the Word of God for any ministry/career idea to be really successful. And it is important to note that success is not and should not always be measured in terms of money.
I am also reminded of 1 Peter 5:6,7: Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your cares upon Him for He cares for you. God loves me and He wants what is best for me, always. So, perhaps my roots are not deep enough. I know I can always dig deeper in the Word. One thing I know He has urged me to do is read the Bible in its entirety, something in all my years as a Christian I have not done (shame on me). Perhaps He is waiting for me to stop tryin' to run things and simply trust Him. I could go on, but I won't. One thing is for sure, in His timing, when my foundation is solid, completely rooted in Him, He will use me in ways I could not have imagined.
So, how is your "foundation" holding up? Is your "foundation" built on The Rock or is it built on the external and fleeting (i.e. money, good career, good looks, material possessions, etc.)? Is your reason for living to live for Christ by loving, serving and giving to others? Or, are you living to simply eat, drink, and be merry? Or, is there a struggle going on? Perhaps once upon a time, pleasing God was all you wanted to do, but slowly the pressures of the world have diverted your attention, causing "cracks" in your foundation. Remember, Jesus is here and if you're still here, it's not too late to call on Him.
Until next time, may you be encouraged!
Anyway, shortly after the school year ended, the space was blocked off and suddenly, a really deep hole or pit appeared. There is some construction going on at the neighboring stadium, so it looked as though the workers were connecting some pipes or something. Like I said, the space in which they were working was really deep and they worked in that pit forever, it seemed like. Well, today, I went up to the track for the first time in several weeks and as it turns out, it looks like they have built a new restroom facility. My first impression was, "They went through all of that for another set of restrooms?" But then I saw it from a different perspective. How many of us are willing to do the really hard work or go through the tough times to insure that our foundations are solid?
The first example that comes to mind is rearing children. It can be tough trying to raise our children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, or as Proverbs 22:6 says, " Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Quite frankly, on some days, it wears me out! But, I have another example. . .
Lately, I have found myself getting a bit frustrated with God. I feel as though God has put all of these ministry/career ideas in my mind and on my heart, but I feel as though things are moving at the speed of molasses! I'm like, "Let's go, God! Let's get on with it (while snapping my fingers)". But I am reminded of Matthew 7:24, where Jesus says, "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock; and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on the house, and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock." Like the restroom facility that has a solid foundation, I must be deeply rooted in Jesus and in the Word of God for any ministry/career idea to be really successful. And it is important to note that success is not and should not always be measured in terms of money.
I am also reminded of 1 Peter 5:6,7: Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your cares upon Him for He cares for you. God loves me and He wants what is best for me, always. So, perhaps my roots are not deep enough. I know I can always dig deeper in the Word. One thing I know He has urged me to do is read the Bible in its entirety, something in all my years as a Christian I have not done (shame on me). Perhaps He is waiting for me to stop tryin' to run things and simply trust Him. I could go on, but I won't. One thing is for sure, in His timing, when my foundation is solid, completely rooted in Him, He will use me in ways I could not have imagined.
So, how is your "foundation" holding up? Is your "foundation" built on The Rock or is it built on the external and fleeting (i.e. money, good career, good looks, material possessions, etc.)? Is your reason for living to live for Christ by loving, serving and giving to others? Or, are you living to simply eat, drink, and be merry? Or, is there a struggle going on? Perhaps once upon a time, pleasing God was all you wanted to do, but slowly the pressures of the world have diverted your attention, causing "cracks" in your foundation. Remember, Jesus is here and if you're still here, it's not too late to call on Him.
Until next time, may you be encouraged!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Are You Ready?
Recently, I received an email notifying me that a fellow college alumnus had died. His name sounded familiar to me, so I looked up his obituary. I realized that while we also graduated from the same high school, he was a bit older than me and so our paths never crossed. From reading the obituary and the brief news article, he was a young man; he seemed to have a rewarding career; and he appeared to be loved by many. According to the newspaper, he was traveling on a motorcycle (and wearing a helmet) at about 30 mph when he came to a sudden stop. His rear tire went up and ejected him from the bike. It does not appear as though there were any another vehicles involved. He seemed to be doing everything right. He took the necessary safety precautions by wearing a helmet and not speeding. But, while he survived the accident, he died later at the hospital. My question is: was he ready to go and meet his Creator? I am not suggesting that he was not, I am just wondering if he was? So often I think we get in our heads, "I'm young", "I have a family", or "I'm this or that. God surely would not end my life now." I have certainly been guilty of that way of thinking. But the fact is tomorrow is not promised for any of us, so we need to make an important choice on this side of eternity. Are you ready to meet Him? Have you trusted Jesus for your salvation? If not, what are you waiting for?
Friday, June 27, 2008
This is not my home. . .
I lived in the Midwest for over three decades. . .until last summer when my family and I moved to the Pacific Northwest so my husband could attend graduate school. What an adventure! What a leap of faith!!
It has been a wonderful experience. I had never been to this state, so I was pleasantly surprised to see the beautiful rolling hills, the mountains, and just the lush-ness of the region. On a sunny spring day, it is not uncommon to think to oneself, "Ahh, indeed, this is God's country ". That didn't take much getting used to at all, however, the inches-upon-inches of snow, this past winter, did. But more than that, there is something that I'm still wrestling with. . .and that is the transience of the town in which I live. For someone who lived in the same city all of her life, except during the college years (yes, I was on the 5-year plan), I was not prepared for this. I live in a small college town on campus, so I expected student families to come and go. Or, so I thought. I guess I figured that everyone we met would be here for the same length of time as us. Uhhh. . . no, that is not the case. We have not been here a full year yet and we know of nine families who have moved or will be moving soon. Four of those are non-student families. One family is even moving to another country! And these are people that I have gotten to know and appreciate. I'm not the most outgoing person, so it is rather difficult for me to make friends. The friendships I have (from the Midwest) took years to cultivate into what they are now. So, what's a girl to do? While I do love it here, I'm almost afraid to lay down any roots, because we plan to move again once my husband graduates and I'll just have to cut them (the roots). . .yet again. Well, I had to take this situation to the Lord in prayer, because, believe it or not, this kind of thing can be rather traumatic.
Through His Word and various sermons, I felt the Lord reminding me that this is not my home. Not the Pacific Northwest. Not the Midwest, either. This earth is not my home. Heaven is. So, any roots I lay down anywhere on this earth will be cut or plucked up when I leave it, and only He knows when that will be. Yet, we were created to be in community with one another. . .to encourage one another, to support one another, even if only for a season. So my "solution" is really not a solution. Instead, I am reminded to continue in God's work; to trust Him in the areas in which I am being "stretched", knowing that He will be there for me when "it" is hard, or when "it" gets to be too much to take, or I'm just sad when He moves another person/family to take on another "assignment" somewhere else. Now, that's not really what I wanted to hear, but I'll take it. . .because I know that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
My point is that it is so easy to get caught up into the things of this world, good and bad, but it is imperative to keep in mind that this is all temporary. Don't stop what you're doing, unless it is not pleasing to God, but rather do what you're doing as unto the Lord and do what you're doing in light of eternity.
It has been a wonderful experience. I had never been to this state, so I was pleasantly surprised to see the beautiful rolling hills, the mountains, and just the lush-ness of the region. On a sunny spring day, it is not uncommon to think to oneself, "Ahh, indeed, this is God's country ". That didn't take much getting used to at all, however, the inches-upon-inches of snow, this past winter, did. But more than that, there is something that I'm still wrestling with. . .and that is the transience of the town in which I live. For someone who lived in the same city all of her life, except during the college years (yes, I was on the 5-year plan), I was not prepared for this. I live in a small college town on campus, so I expected student families to come and go. Or, so I thought. I guess I figured that everyone we met would be here for the same length of time as us. Uhhh. . . no, that is not the case. We have not been here a full year yet and we know of nine families who have moved or will be moving soon. Four of those are non-student families. One family is even moving to another country! And these are people that I have gotten to know and appreciate. I'm not the most outgoing person, so it is rather difficult for me to make friends. The friendships I have (from the Midwest) took years to cultivate into what they are now. So, what's a girl to do? While I do love it here, I'm almost afraid to lay down any roots, because we plan to move again once my husband graduates and I'll just have to cut them (the roots). . .yet again. Well, I had to take this situation to the Lord in prayer, because, believe it or not, this kind of thing can be rather traumatic.
Through His Word and various sermons, I felt the Lord reminding me that this is not my home. Not the Pacific Northwest. Not the Midwest, either. This earth is not my home. Heaven is. So, any roots I lay down anywhere on this earth will be cut or plucked up when I leave it, and only He knows when that will be. Yet, we were created to be in community with one another. . .to encourage one another, to support one another, even if only for a season. So my "solution" is really not a solution. Instead, I am reminded to continue in God's work; to trust Him in the areas in which I am being "stretched", knowing that He will be there for me when "it" is hard, or when "it" gets to be too much to take, or I'm just sad when He moves another person/family to take on another "assignment" somewhere else. Now, that's not really what I wanted to hear, but I'll take it. . .because I know that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
My point is that it is so easy to get caught up into the things of this world, good and bad, but it is imperative to keep in mind that this is all temporary. Don't stop what you're doing, unless it is not pleasing to God, but rather do what you're doing as unto the Lord and do what you're doing in light of eternity.
Suggestion: Take a look and a listen to the lyrics of "Not Home Yet" by Stephen Curtis Chapman.
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