Perhaps some of you have been reading my blog and have thought I have become a bit "too preachy" or I have turned into this "religious nut job", or maybe some of you think, "'Bout time. . .she's finally got a clue!". Whatever the case, it's okay . . . I just can't keep it in any longer. What am I talking about? I am talking about God and His goodness. He has been so good to me and I so don't deserve it! For years, he has protected me, provided for me, tolerated my ridiculousness (just to name a few things), and I have just taken Him for granted. My life has been all about me, but no longer. . .I am ready to live wholeheartedly for Him. Why now?? He has shown me how awesome He is and how undeserving I am of His awesome-ness.
If you look back at my blog post from June 8, 2009, you will find a story about how I learned of a blood clot in my right arm during the last few months of my pregnancy. Even as of that date, things could have played out any number of ways, but just seven days later, my baby was born healthy with NO complications! Praise God!! Before I left the hospital to go home, I had another ultrasound of my right arm which showed that the blood clot was still there. It had not moved or changed in any way.
Fast forward to the end of July, I went for my post-partum visit at the doctor's office where (suddenly) I had some kind of near-fainting episode and was experiencing some pain in that right arm again. So, I was told to go the ER. Not sure what the near-fainting thing was about, but the ultrasound of my arm showed that the blood clot was still in my arm. . .unchanged.
About a month later, I go to see a Hematologist. Since I had been told (initially) by my OB to stay on my anti-coagulant medication until 3 months post-partum (September 15), the Hematologist recommended that we wait to do another ultrasound of my arm closer to that date. My ultrasound was set for Friday, September 11. As the that date quickly approached, I began praying earnestly that the clot would go away (the body is supposed to dissolve blood clots, the medicine is supposed to keep the clot from moving to other parts of the body). I was watching The 700 Club at the beginning of the week. This was Labor Day week and the folks at CBN have a concentrated time of prayer during that week of every year. They pray and fast for their ministry, and the needs of other people. They also do it in remembrance of when they first came on the air and just a few hours before, they did not have enough money to come on the air. As a matter of fact, they had missed their original air time due to lack of money. After some intense prayer and fasting, someone made a hefty donation and they were able to air their first show. I know many people are not fans of Pat Robertson, but one has to admit that is a pretty amazing story.
I was moved by that story and decided to pray and fast for healing of the blood clot in my right arm. September 10 was my day to pray and fast. So, these were the Scriptures that I used to pray "back" to the Lord, if you will:
James 5:16b-The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
Matthew 17:20, 21- "So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you ahve faith as a mustard see, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there', and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."
John 14:13, 14-And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name I will do it.
Ephesians 3:20-Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations , forever and ever. Amen.
During that time, I wondered what if God did not remove the clot. After all, there are many people that I have prayed for who have had cancer, for example, and they died. . .what about that? God does not always do what we ask. Then, what am I trusting Him for? I realized that unlike what many are preaching today, we are trusting God to do what is best for us. I mean, He is the God of the Universe and He created us, so He probably has a really good idea as to what is best for us. See, God's primary desire for us is not necessarily that we get our dream home, get the perfect job, make a six-figure salary, have the perfect marriage with the perfect kids, or be in perfect health. God's primary desire for us is that we become like Christ, His Son. Let me repeat, at the top of God's list for us is for our character to develop into that which is like Christ's. Philippians 2:5 says "Let this mind be in your which was also in Christ Jesus".
The next day, September 11, I went to have the ultrasound of my right arm and the ultrasound tech said that the clot was still there. She went on to say that at that point, it would probably be considered "chronic". It would take a while for it to dissolve if at all. I must admit, I was really disappointed but I praised God anyway. I had prayed and fasted and had others to pray, so I know He heard. I concluded that although I disagreed, He knew this was what was best for me. So, what had I learned? The presence of the clot taught me to number my days, to be appreciative of everything, everyday!! And so none of this was in vain.
The next week,Thursday, September 17, I was laying on my bed. I had just finished feeding my daughter and dozed off. I did too and suddenly, I was startled by not being able to breathe. I could not get any air. . .I was suffocating ( I couldn't even cough)!! And as suddenly as it came on, it went away and I could breathe again. That was incredibly strange, to say the very least. Then, later that evening, I wondered if I should get another ultrasound, but decided I would wait.
Fast forward to Tuesday, November 17, I called the doctor because I had (again) been experience some pain in my right arm, but this time for about four days straight. I even asked for prayer from my Sunday School class two days before. The doctor told me to go to the hospital to get yet another ultrasound of my right arm. This was another ultrasound tech and I asked her if she could see the clot because I was having trouble seeing it. She said, " I don't see anything. . .but we still have some more veins to go". When she was done, she said, "All of your veins are open. . .there is no clot there. " Oh my goodness, I was amazed. . .to say the very least! I shared the news with my husband, my mom, and one of my brothers, and a couple of friends, but I was really waiting on the "official" report from the Radiologist. Two days later, I got confirmation. The clot was GONE! I don't know about you, but I KNOW God healed me of that clot. Perhaps you think it just dissolved, but let me ask you this: what is the likelihood of that clot dissolving in two months when I had had ultrasounds every month since I was diagnosed with it in March and each showed that the clot had been unchanged? Well, I'll tell you. . .it didn't dissolve. God allowed the blood clot that was in the brachial vein of my right arm to pass into my lungs (causing me to suffocate) and then away WITHOUT killing me. I went to see my doctor for a follow-up appointment on December 1 and she checked my lungs (the clot was not there). She told me that I could discontinue using the medication. If the clot were in any other part of my body, it would certainly cause more problems, but I am fine. God has healed me and I didn't deserve it!! But then, I've never deserved anything that He has ever done for me. Understanding that, I realize that my life is not my own. . .I am here to do whatever God created me to do. While I don't know everything He has for me to do, but I do know that whatever I do, it is to bring glory to Him. . .'cause He does deserve it. So, my hope is that this story (and this entire blog, for that matter) will encourage you, draw you near to Him and most of all, bring Him glory!!
May God shower His glorious blessings upon you all!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
New Beginnings for Some, But On-going Pursuits for Others. . .Like Me
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).
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).
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?
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