I missed my quiet time this morning. I flew in yesterday from a business trip, got to bed later than I would have liked, slept too late this morning and just missed it, period. I slept right through my precious alone time, got up in a hurry, carried around a cup of coffee that eventually got cold as I got ready for work, frantically remembered to grab Jake's soccer bag, ran the kids to school, and shot off to work.
Wednesday, October 27, in the year of our Lord 2010 has been forever shaped by my lack of quiet time, my alone time with God.
To say that my plate is full at work is an understatement. I have been given a disposable dessert plate at a big game buffet and am expected to balance everything, including a big glass of iced tea that's full to the brim, while I walk a tight rope after I've been blindfolded. (Okay, it's a bit extreme but hopefully you get the picture here.) Add to this the fact that today has been rainy and that rain will likely affect traffic which means my husband will probably arrive home later than normal and may be rushed. Wwe have adult studies at church, which I love, but I have to stop now and ensure that the harried nature of the beginning of my day doesn't affect the people whose company I enjoy each week. Finally, my family will get home tonight, all of at the end of a long day, and I have to work carefully to make sure that I don't act harshly to people that I treasure so much.
Would the circumstances change if I had actually had my quiet time today? No.
Would I be better able to face them? Without a doubt.
I'm just keepin' it real for you here (well, for me, too). My quiet time is not an option. It's not something that I can do if "it doesn't crowd my schedule" or "if I feel like it". It's what keeps me going through the day. It's what makes me a good wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend.
Looks like I won't be hitting snooze on the alarm tomorrow. I'm looking forward to my date with my Father and a good cup of coffee.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Death Crawl
I watched Facing the Giants over the weekend and I have to tell you that I love that movie; it never gets old to me! The message is fantastic and I usually dust it off and watch it when I am feeling down and defeated.
One of my favorite scenes is the death crawl scene. I never played football or had brothers so the death crawl was new to me but it's brutal. A player gets on hands and feet (no knees on the ground) with another player on his back and "crawls" for a specified period of time.
In the scene from the movie the team leader, Brock, is called to do the death crawl to the 50 yard line. The catch is that the coach blindfolds him. So, with another player on his back, a slightly cocky Brock takes off with no visibility to his goal, down the field.
His initial motions going forward are easy and his arrogance carries him. As he continues, though, the going gets very touch. He cannot see what lies ahead. He thinks he is close but he doesn't know. The load on his back which was, at the beginning, known to him and familiar, becomes heavy and hard to bear. He is frustrated and weak and wants to stop.
By his side is Coach Taylor, down on the ground, screaming encouragement in his ear. He keeps yelling to Brock, "Don't quit! Don't quit!" Brock asks if he has yet reached the 50 and Coach Taylor responds, "Don't worry about the 50! Keep going! Don't quit! Don't quit!"
When an exhausted Brock finally is allowed to fall to the ground, with no strength left, he removes the blindfold and Coach Taylor says, "Look up, Brock, you're in the end zone."
This is often how our life is as Christians. We move forward in the dark, seemingly headed to nowhere. Our load becomes heavy; we want to quit; we wonder how much further God is going to require us to go.
Like Brock, however, God, as our coach, is guiding is so much further than we ever aimed to go. He takes us beyond the 50 yard line, into the end zone, and when we finally look up and see where He has brought us we are overwhelmed, amazed, and grateful for the journey.
Keep going, even if you are weary and cannot see the end. You can trust your Heavenly Coach. He has great things planned for you.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Ticked Off & Proud Of It
When I was younger I didn't have an opinion about the things of God. As I got a little older I thought that God's word was "right" but I still applauded those who had the backbone, the chutzpah, to stand for what they thought was right whether it agreed with God's word or not. Now, as I finally start to mature, I see much God's word much more in black or white. God's word is right; going against it is the wrong thing to do.
Why do I write this? Because it has been my prayer that God would break my heart for what breaks His and the more that this change takes place in me, I find that sin makes sick. It ticks me off! I can no longer look at a pastor who announces to his conversation that he is gay because made him that way or that he had an affair and condone his behavior. I get nauseous! Seeing children being treated as nothing more than an afterthought by parents who are consumed with their own selfish and sinful desires makes me angry! Watching greed in our lives (in my own life!) take precedence over helping those in need burns me up.
I hope my tirade in this blog doesn't offend you but rather that it spurs us all to action. God wants us to be like Him and when we allow sin to take first place in our lives over God there is no way that we can do this. When we condone sin in our society because we believe that certain things are the "norm", we are not acting like the church.
It is not our place to condemn people. It is, however, our place to stand for our beliefs and not be apologetic for God or His word. It is our place to love those around us but we do not have to tolerate the sin that permeates our world.
I'm ticked off and proud of it. I hope you are, too.
Why do I write this? Because it has been my prayer that God would break my heart for what breaks His and the more that this change takes place in me, I find that sin makes sick. It ticks me off! I can no longer look at a pastor who announces to his conversation that he is gay because made him that way or that he had an affair and condone his behavior. I get nauseous! Seeing children being treated as nothing more than an afterthought by parents who are consumed with their own selfish and sinful desires makes me angry! Watching greed in our lives (in my own life!) take precedence over helping those in need burns me up.
I hope my tirade in this blog doesn't offend you but rather that it spurs us all to action. God wants us to be like Him and when we allow sin to take first place in our lives over God there is no way that we can do this. When we condone sin in our society because we believe that certain things are the "norm", we are not acting like the church.
It is not our place to condemn people. It is, however, our place to stand for our beliefs and not be apologetic for God or His word. It is our place to love those around us but we do not have to tolerate the sin that permeates our world.
I'm ticked off and proud of it. I hope you are, too.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Serving the Right Purpose
I can't pass up household disasters, no matter how small or great, when they have the potential to be great blog material. To my unnamed son: thanks for the idea!
Tupperware is a great product. I love it! I will admit that I have other brands of the same type of product but I <3 Tupperware. This stuff comes in all sizes, shapes, and functional uses. You can always tell the era of Tupperware by the color; it's lasts forever so I have some 20+ year old country blue lids and I think my mama still has some that reflect the 70s in the yellows and browns and oranges that were popular then.
Tupperware is awesome! However, there are some things you just can't do with it, like put it in the toaster oven. No matter how much I love Tupperware or how durable it is to be used for endless reheating of leftovers in the microwave, it's just not meant for certain things. This picture, for your viewing pleasure, indicates just that.
We're like Tupperware. We are made to serve a purpose and to honor God with our lives. When we do what we were created to do, we stay in tact. Like a plate in the microwave, we may go round in crazy circles or get a little hotter than we like, but we're okay because we're doing what we are supposed to do. At the correct time the plate comes out of the microwave and food is heated to "just right". In serving our purpose we have been used to make something else better and to help it have it's own purpose through our discomfort and efforts. God uses all things to our good, remember? (Romans 8:28)
When we get outside of our purpose, however, say not living our lives to honor God, that's when things get messy. The heat becomes too much, the activities too overwhelming, the crowd that we're with too influential. This is when we start to run and melt, just like my poor plate. And the thing (food) that we were supposed to be helping along is also ruined because it gets caught in our mess (note the fate of the unfortunate waffles in the picture above - they're stuck in Tuppergunk)
Today as you make choices about how to live your life, remember my poor plate. Hopefully it will help you to remember that when we live outside of our purpose that lots of people, including us, end up getting caught in our own mess.
Tupperware is a great product. I love it! I will admit that I have other brands of the same type of product but I <3 Tupperware. This stuff comes in all sizes, shapes, and functional uses. You can always tell the era of Tupperware by the color; it's lasts forever so I have some 20+ year old country blue lids and I think my mama still has some that reflect the 70s in the yellows and browns and oranges that were popular then.
We're like Tupperware. We are made to serve a purpose and to honor God with our lives. When we do what we were created to do, we stay in tact. Like a plate in the microwave, we may go round in crazy circles or get a little hotter than we like, but we're okay because we're doing what we are supposed to do. At the correct time the plate comes out of the microwave and food is heated to "just right". In serving our purpose we have been used to make something else better and to help it have it's own purpose through our discomfort and efforts. God uses all things to our good, remember? (Romans 8:28)
When we get outside of our purpose, however, say not living our lives to honor God, that's when things get messy. The heat becomes too much, the activities too overwhelming, the crowd that we're with too influential. This is when we start to run and melt, just like my poor plate. And the thing (food) that we were supposed to be helping along is also ruined because it gets caught in our mess (note the fate of the unfortunate waffles in the picture above - they're stuck in Tuppergunk)
Today as you make choices about how to live your life, remember my poor plate. Hopefully it will help you to remember that when we live outside of our purpose that lots of people, including us, end up getting caught in our own mess.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Boring & Stink Free
I love all animals. We currently have three cats and three dogs in our abode. I have had two parrots, too many snakes to remember, mice as pets after the snakes decided that they were not hungry, hamsters, a guinea pig, and a Savannah Monitor. When I was much younger we actually had 17 cats at one time (nine of them were kittens!) I have rescued countless birds because I decided that, if they were not going to live, they at least need to die with dignity. I actually saved a squirrel from the clutches of death (at the paws of my horrible huntress and her brother) much to the horror (and secret delight) of my family. I simply can't see my life without animals. Poor Mark! He probably harbors the secret fear that one day he'll come home to a Noah's Ark scenario.
There are some "things" about animals, though, opportunities if you will allow me to use this word. You have to learn how to take care of them. Care of a parrot is much different than care of a monitor. The environment to be created for a water snake is completely different than that of one required by a reptile who lives in an arid climate. Dogs and cats speak for themselves; they are entirely different from one another.
Another opportunity with animals is that, well, they sometimes leave a mess. Occasionally the mess might smell. Nothing reeks of "I love you" like a wet, muddy dog hopping on the bed. House training a new puppy is always an adventure. Rodents just smell. Period. (Sorry if you disagree - my experience has been that they stink). Kitties have their own way of letting you know they're around. Even snakes are a little smelly and they don't even do much.
If you wonder where I am going with this, I don't blame you. To recap, I love animals but not everything about them is pain free or always pleasant. Sometimes I have to learn something I didn't know,put forth effort when I don't feel like it (change the sheets late at night after the muddy dog jump), share them with others (a tough one for me!), or just trust them to be who they are.
Here's the point: life without animals has great potential to be stink free. But for me it would be boring. I would be lost without the ongoing adventure of my silly critters, looking to see if the Beast has tucked herself away on a shelf or in a closet waiting to pounce. What would coming home from work be like without little Dweezil dancing at my feet, terrorizing my toes? Or Jack taking a minute to actually acknowledge me from his vantage point as kind of the jungle? And what if Baby wasn't there to talk back to me? or Milo to cuddle up, sleep, and keep me warm? What if I turned on the bathroom light and Ferris wasn't sitting in the sink impatiently waiting for the water to be turned on for him? Life would just be blah.
I like the adventure of having pets in my life. I think that this adventure parallels to being a Christian. It's not always fun, easy, convenient, or what I'm ready for, but it is so worth the investment that Jesus asks me to make. He never asks anything of me that is greater than His sacrifice on the cross.
Today as I face the trials and tribulations of my daily routine, no matter how small or large, I'm going to smile and remind myself that although my life may be a little stinky at times, it is not boring, and there is great reward to be gained through tenacity in my walk with Jesus.
There are some "things" about animals, though, opportunities if you will allow me to use this word. You have to learn how to take care of them. Care of a parrot is much different than care of a monitor. The environment to be created for a water snake is completely different than that of one required by a reptile who lives in an arid climate. Dogs and cats speak for themselves; they are entirely different from one another.
Another opportunity with animals is that, well, they sometimes leave a mess. Occasionally the mess might smell. Nothing reeks of "I love you" like a wet, muddy dog hopping on the bed. House training a new puppy is always an adventure. Rodents just smell. Period. (Sorry if you disagree - my experience has been that they stink). Kitties have their own way of letting you know they're around. Even snakes are a little smelly and they don't even do much.
If you wonder where I am going with this, I don't blame you. To recap, I love animals but not everything about them is pain free or always pleasant. Sometimes I have to learn something I didn't know,put forth effort when I don't feel like it (change the sheets late at night after the muddy dog jump), share them with others (a tough one for me!), or just trust them to be who they are.
Here's the point: life without animals has great potential to be stink free. But for me it would be boring. I would be lost without the ongoing adventure of my silly critters, looking to see if the Beast has tucked herself away on a shelf or in a closet waiting to pounce. What would coming home from work be like without little Dweezil dancing at my feet, terrorizing my toes? Or Jack taking a minute to actually acknowledge me from his vantage point as kind of the jungle? And what if Baby wasn't there to talk back to me? or Milo to cuddle up, sleep, and keep me warm? What if I turned on the bathroom light and Ferris wasn't sitting in the sink impatiently waiting for the water to be turned on for him? Life would just be blah.
I like the adventure of having pets in my life. I think that this adventure parallels to being a Christian. It's not always fun, easy, convenient, or what I'm ready for, but it is so worth the investment that Jesus asks me to make. He never asks anything of me that is greater than His sacrifice on the cross.
Today as I face the trials and tribulations of my daily routine, no matter how small or large, I'm going to smile and remind myself that although my life may be a little stinky at times, it is not boring, and there is great reward to be gained through tenacity in my walk with Jesus.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Just Goodbye for Now
Today we suffered a horrible loss as the family of Christ. Our friend and sister, Christa, went to be with Jesus. I hope that I do her some justice in this blog but I am not sure I will or even can. I am stunned and shocked. My heart breaks for Andy and their children as they mourn someone who can never be replaced in their lives.
Christa and I were friends, not BFF as they say, just friends. We laughed together. We cried together. We prayed together. I know that she loved Jesus, her husband, and her babies. Well, all babies; yeah, think she loved all babies. She was born to be a Mama.
Christa lived a life worth living. She lived a life of faith even in the dark times. She was an example of joy and hope and radiance. The power of prayer in this awful time that has united people who don't know each other but know our risen Lord reflects the kind of person that she was. That God will be glorified in this tragedy that makes no sense to me somehow seems to reflect her beliefs in Him.
Christa celebrates now with her Lord, and she is reunited with those gone before her. I think she is holding her babies that she never got to meet before now and I think she just might be snuggling with little Caleb Emmons, too, and holding him tight until his mama and daddy gets there to do it themselves.
Today is not goodbye forever, just goodbye for now. Christa waits for us on the other side of eternity. We will see her again when we, the imperfect, put on the perfection of Christ. Death has been swallowed in victory (1 Corinthians 15:54) This is not the end, just a really crappy "now".
We will continue to pray for Andy and the family. We will mourn. And pray some more. And grieve. And pray again. And we will somehow find strength to rejoice (Philippians 4:4)
Christa and I were friends, not BFF as they say, just friends. We laughed together. We cried together. We prayed together. I know that she loved Jesus, her husband, and her babies. Well, all babies; yeah, think she loved all babies. She was born to be a Mama.
Christa lived a life worth living. She lived a life of faith even in the dark times. She was an example of joy and hope and radiance. The power of prayer in this awful time that has united people who don't know each other but know our risen Lord reflects the kind of person that she was. That God will be glorified in this tragedy that makes no sense to me somehow seems to reflect her beliefs in Him.
Christa celebrates now with her Lord, and she is reunited with those gone before her. I think she is holding her babies that she never got to meet before now and I think she just might be snuggling with little Caleb Emmons, too, and holding him tight until his mama and daddy gets there to do it themselves.
Today is not goodbye forever, just goodbye for now. Christa waits for us on the other side of eternity. We will see her again when we, the imperfect, put on the perfection of Christ. Death has been swallowed in victory (1 Corinthians 15:54) This is not the end, just a really crappy "now".
We will continue to pray for Andy and the family. We will mourn. And pray some more. And grieve. And pray again. And we will somehow find strength to rejoice (Philippians 4:4)
Radical Joy
(For friends unnamed but you know who you are)
Yesterday Pastor Jeff preached on Racial Joy and he used Romans 8 as his main reference. In case you missed the message, let me recap our reasons to have radical joy. (I'm using the New Living Translation)
• There is NO condemnation for those who belong to Christ (v. 1) No, none, finito! Condemnation is gone – hallelujah!
• I have eternal life (v. 11) Don't let this one slide past you. You and I were DEAD (deprived of life, no longer alive – www.m-w.com) until Jesus came along and shed His blood to make us alive. We will live forever with Him. This is reason for joy!!!!
• God works all things together for my good when I love Him (v. 28) This is HUGE to me because I have done some really stupid things in my life and I still continue to be faced with circumstances that I find unpleasant and undesirable. However, God takes the foolishness of my past and the yuckiness of my present and stirs them together to make something beautiful (if you were present yesterday just think about the "Hot Donuts" sign flashing in the window at Krispy Kreme).
• God is for me (v. 31) I have always known that God is with me and I have heard that God is for me. My friends at Merriam Webster define with as used as a function word to indicate a participant in an action, transaction, or arrangement whereas for is defined as on behalf of, representing, in favor of (www.m-w.com) The difference in these two is massive! I hope you see it as clearly as I am seeing it, perhaps for the first time. God is not just a participant in action or transaction for me but he is IN FAVOR OF ME, He represents me.
As I left church today I had newfound thoughts about the ideas of joy. I realized that I have been a whiner a lot of the time and that, in light of the above, I don't really have much to complain about and I truly have no reason not to be joyful. As a wonderful preacher said at the youth service last night, "Joy is a fundamental part of being a Christian." This is what sets us apart from the world, what makes us shine as a light in the darkness.
Get your joy on today. It suits you well!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Microwave Idol
We are definitely a society of instant. We have microwave popcorn, instant coffee, instant grits (which I happen to actually enjoy although it betrays my true southern-ness), instant money access through online banking, instant weight loss pills, movies on demand - the list is seemingly endless.
I was a bit shocked when God said to me tonight (on the drive home from church), "What about instant idols?"
I have never thought of idols as instant. I always thought that idols were something that built up over time, something that pulled your heart away from God a little more each day if you didn't guard yourself. I think those things are true of idols but tonight God pointed out something new to me: the microwave idol.
You know the microwave idol; it's that thing that you wake up with on your mind: the office gossip that is too good to pass up. The bill that is due that you can't pay until Friday but somehow worrying today makes it all better. It's the drama you can't control but must discuss. It's the future that you say you trust God to handle but you are trying to figure out today how you can change it.
The microwave idol. The instant god. The immediate deity. Call it what you will - they hit you like a ton of bricks and, if you are not careful, they take over your thoughts and your mind. They can stay with you for days. Like the sudden onset of the flu the split-second onset of the lord of the now takes you over before you can blink.
What do we do? How do we combat this subtle and swift tool of the devil?
We resist the devil and he will flee from us (James 4:7)
We take every though captive to the knowledge of Jesus (2 Corinthians 10:5)
We repent of our sin so we can walk in salvation (2 Corinthians 7:10)
We walk in the newness of Christ (Romans 6:4)
Be aware of the long-suffering idol. He is there. He is waiting for you to let your guard down. But today, beware of the microwave idol. Look for him in the snack machine or the nearest drive thru for fast food. He is just waiting for 9 seconds of your time to grow into something big.
I was a bit shocked when God said to me tonight (on the drive home from church), "What about instant idols?"
I have never thought of idols as instant. I always thought that idols were something that built up over time, something that pulled your heart away from God a little more each day if you didn't guard yourself. I think those things are true of idols but tonight God pointed out something new to me: the microwave idol.
You know the microwave idol; it's that thing that you wake up with on your mind: the office gossip that is too good to pass up. The bill that is due that you can't pay until Friday but somehow worrying today makes it all better. It's the drama you can't control but must discuss. It's the future that you say you trust God to handle but you are trying to figure out today how you can change it.
The microwave idol. The instant god. The immediate deity. Call it what you will - they hit you like a ton of bricks and, if you are not careful, they take over your thoughts and your mind. They can stay with you for days. Like the sudden onset of the flu the split-second onset of the lord of the now takes you over before you can blink.
What do we do? How do we combat this subtle and swift tool of the devil?
We resist the devil and he will flee from us (James 4:7)
We take every though captive to the knowledge of Jesus (2 Corinthians 10:5)
We repent of our sin so we can walk in salvation (2 Corinthians 7:10)
We walk in the newness of Christ (Romans 6:4)
Be aware of the long-suffering idol. He is there. He is waiting for you to let your guard down. But today, beware of the microwave idol. Look for him in the snack machine or the nearest drive thru for fast food. He is just waiting for 9 seconds of your time to grow into something big.
Lessons from Stone Mountan
I recently climbed Stone Mountain. Wow! Spiritual lessons abounded as I traversed the face of a 300,000,000 year old piece of granite. I'd like to share some of these with you.
I find that I have much in common with weather rock that comprises the mountain. As time passes the rock has been exposed to more elements parts of the rock have become fragile and break easily. Only the parts of the rock that are firmly attached don't break off. This is much like my relationship with God: when I am deeply rooted in Him it is not easy to break away because I am securely planted in Him and His word.
The trees grow crazily on the side of Stone Mountain! Trees that I judged, at a glance as dead, are not dead. They are quite alive. They just don't grow in the manner that I am used to seeing or that I think they should grow. Some of these trees are growing in L or J shapes but they are alive. How many times do I judge those around me because they don't look like I think they should look?
The hardest lesson I learned was that I am out of shape. Period. I knew in my head that I was out of shape and I only look or give the appearance of being somewhat out of shape but putting my physical abilities to the test of the mountain proved otherwise. Wow!!! How is this like my spiritual life? I give the perception of being spiritually in shape but when the storm comes my responses and my perseverance reveal the true nature of my spiritual health.
The best lesson that I learned from the mountain is this: stick it out. We struggled, sweated, and climbed our way to the top of the mountain. The hardest part was immediately before we crested the last rise; this section required more effort and concentration than the lower parts of the mountain. When we came around the last corner, however, the view was phenomenal. Standing high above birds and cities and being able to see for miles was amazing. This lesson? Walking with Jesus is worth all of the sweat, effort, sacrifice, and more that He requires of us. There is nothing that will ever be better than when we come to the end of our journey and see what He has had in store for us all along.
Thank God for Stone Mountain. Thank Him for lessons learned. I hope that these help you in your walk today.
I find that I have much in common with weather rock that comprises the mountain. As time passes the rock has been exposed to more elements parts of the rock have become fragile and break easily. Only the parts of the rock that are firmly attached don't break off. This is much like my relationship with God: when I am deeply rooted in Him it is not easy to break away because I am securely planted in Him and His word.
The trees grow crazily on the side of Stone Mountain! Trees that I judged, at a glance as dead, are not dead. They are quite alive. They just don't grow in the manner that I am used to seeing or that I think they should grow. Some of these trees are growing in L or J shapes but they are alive. How many times do I judge those around me because they don't look like I think they should look?
The hardest lesson I learned was that I am out of shape. Period. I knew in my head that I was out of shape and I only look or give the appearance of being somewhat out of shape but putting my physical abilities to the test of the mountain proved otherwise. Wow!!! How is this like my spiritual life? I give the perception of being spiritually in shape but when the storm comes my responses and my perseverance reveal the true nature of my spiritual health.
The best lesson that I learned from the mountain is this: stick it out. We struggled, sweated, and climbed our way to the top of the mountain. The hardest part was immediately before we crested the last rise; this section required more effort and concentration than the lower parts of the mountain. When we came around the last corner, however, the view was phenomenal. Standing high above birds and cities and being able to see for miles was amazing. This lesson? Walking with Jesus is worth all of the sweat, effort, sacrifice, and more that He requires of us. There is nothing that will ever be better than when we come to the end of our journey and see what He has had in store for us all along.
Thank God for Stone Mountain. Thank Him for lessons learned. I hope that these help you in your walk today.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Spiritual BiFocals
As I mature as a Christian I thought that my vision for things that are spiritual would get sharper, that I would see things a little more clearly and understand a little better. What I wasn't ready for was the fact that God is going to help me see more clearly, i.e. I have been given a prescription for spiritual bifocals. b i f o c a l s Glasses that have two lenses in one and are required by the aging (I wasn't ready to include myself in that group). Formerly the lenses were clearly separated by a heavy line in the middle but current technology now seamlessly blends the two panes into one lens. Bifocals have two parts: one part that corrects for near vision and one for distant vision (www.m-w.com/bifocal) These are required when my eyes can't see everything on their own the way that they should.
Spiritual bifocals. Who knew???
The reason that I find I need spiritual bifocals is that I have trouble sometime focusing on the short term and the long term aspects of Christianity. I tend to either say, "I know I will get my reward in heaven" and forget that God actually wants to provide blessing to me in this world, too, or I look through a blurred perspective and think, "I don't care about the long-term gain; this short term hurts too much" and then I decide that I don't want any part of it.
I need spiritually corrective lenses to help me see both of elements of Christianity. For instance, I need these glasses to remind me that turning the other cheek today doesn't mean that I am loser (which feel like sometimes when I turn the other cheek) because God's word tells me that I am victorious in Him (Romans 8:37).
I'm interested to see what other aids God is going to provide me as I age in Him. I would guess that there is a hearing device and as well as some sort of filter for brain-to-speech functionality in my future. Possibly even a heavenly Rascal for when I am too tired to move and God is going to carry me for a while. I know this much: because they come from my heavenly Father, I welcome them.
Bring on the miracle ear!
Spiritual bifocals. Who knew???
The reason that I find I need spiritual bifocals is that I have trouble sometime focusing on the short term and the long term aspects of Christianity. I tend to either say, "I know I will get my reward in heaven" and forget that God actually wants to provide blessing to me in this world, too, or I look through a blurred perspective and think, "I don't care about the long-term gain; this short term hurts too much" and then I decide that I don't want any part of it.
I'm interested to see what other aids God is going to provide me as I age in Him. I would guess that there is a hearing device and as well as some sort of filter for brain-to-speech functionality in my future. Possibly even a heavenly Rascal for when I am too tired to move and God is going to carry me for a while. I know this much: because they come from my heavenly Father, I welcome them.
Bring on the miracle ear!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Coming Up Roses
How is the intentional gratitude going this week? Are you doing well? Have you been purposefully showing gratitude and kindness to the people around you?
The idea of gratitude brought to my mind the phrase "coming up roses". I'm sure you may be asking yourself what this has to do with gratitude. Let me share my thoughts.
I love roses. They're beautiful. The smell of fresh roses is something that cannot be replicated. The sight of a bunch of living roses bring a smile to the face, a pleasant memory, happiness to someone who may need cheering up. Nothing compares to a rose; it does, after all, smell as sweet even if it is called by another name.
Have you ever smelled roses that have been cut from the bush? Seen them? They smell and look beautiful for a brief while. The "look" like live roses. But after a day or two they start to turn and the smell becomes sickening. The beauty quickly turns to rotten ugliness.
This week I have realized that gratitude is like roses. When we are truly grateful in the name of our Lord and in an effort to bring glory to Him, we can bring a smile to a stranger's face. We can make the lives of those we love a little brighter when we offer acts of unexpected kindness. When we offer false gratitude or extend half-hearted that kindnesses we start to stink, like rotting roses. We "look" like we're grateful but when we've been detached from the vine there is no true life left in us.
Is gratitude really is coming up roses? I think so. The question for you today is: do you bring life or rottenness? The choice is yours: choose your roses wisely.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
The idea of gratitude brought to my mind the phrase "coming up roses". I'm sure you may be asking yourself what this has to do with gratitude. Let me share my thoughts.
I love roses. They're beautiful. The smell of fresh roses is something that cannot be replicated. The sight of a bunch of living roses bring a smile to the face, a pleasant memory, happiness to someone who may need cheering up. Nothing compares to a rose; it does, after all, smell as sweet even if it is called by another name.
Have you ever smelled roses that have been cut from the bush? Seen them? They smell and look beautiful for a brief while. The "look" like live roses. But after a day or two they start to turn and the smell becomes sickening. The beauty quickly turns to rotten ugliness.
This week I have realized that gratitude is like roses. When we are truly grateful in the name of our Lord and in an effort to bring glory to Him, we can bring a smile to a stranger's face. We can make the lives of those we love a little brighter when we offer acts of unexpected kindness. When we offer false gratitude or extend half-hearted that kindnesses we start to stink, like rotting roses. We "look" like we're grateful but when we've been detached from the vine there is no true life left in us.
Is gratitude really is coming up roses? I think so. The question for you today is: do you bring life or rottenness? The choice is yours: choose your roses wisely.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Here Is Our King
Allow yourself to travel with me for a moment:
You are in a crowded room with thousands of people; you all wait anxiously for the moment when everything will begin. Suddenly a voice surrounds you and those around you; you hear thundering commands:
"Come, everyone! Clap your hands!"
This sounds like the opening of something big, an introduction to a celebration or a revelation of something long anticipated. More imperatives follow:
"Shout! Sing!"
Descriptive words and phrases are also proclaimed loudly and with great confidence: "Awesome . . . Bravo! Bravissimo! . . . highly honored . . . King of the mountain"
Where are you? Are you at a rock concert? A celebration for someone great? A victory party? I'm not sure where you went on this brief adventure but what I have described are words from Psalm 47 (New Living & Message translations). This Psalm is nothing but good, old fashioned praise to God.
What's got you down today? What is weighing on your shoulders like the weight of the world? Put it down. You cannot clap your hands and praise our God when they are full of sorrow and burden. He will carry it for you (Matthew 11:29-30).
Take a minute to praise our King. When we focus on Him it changes our perspective on everything. Just to get you started, I've included a link to one of my favorite David Crowder tunes: Here Is Our King
(Chorus:)
Here is our King
Here is our Love
Here is our God who's come to bring us back to him
He is the one,
He is Jesus
Praise Him today.
You are in a crowded room with thousands of people; you all wait anxiously for the moment when everything will begin. Suddenly a voice surrounds you and those around you; you hear thundering commands:
"Come, everyone! Clap your hands!"
This sounds like the opening of something big, an introduction to a celebration or a revelation of something long anticipated. More imperatives follow:
"Shout! Sing!"
Descriptive words and phrases are also proclaimed loudly and with great confidence: "Awesome . . . Bravo! Bravissimo! . . . highly honored . . . King of the mountain"
Where are you? Are you at a rock concert? A celebration for someone great? A victory party? I'm not sure where you went on this brief adventure but what I have described are words from Psalm 47 (New Living & Message translations). This Psalm is nothing but good, old fashioned praise to God.
What's got you down today? What is weighing on your shoulders like the weight of the world? Put it down. You cannot clap your hands and praise our God when they are full of sorrow and burden. He will carry it for you (Matthew 11:29-30).
Take a minute to praise our King. When we focus on Him it changes our perspective on everything. Just to get you started, I've included a link to one of my favorite David Crowder tunes: Here Is Our King
(Chorus:)
Here is our King
Here is our Love
Here is our God who's come to bring us back to him
He is the one,
He is Jesus
Praise Him today.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
I'm Already Radical, Right?
We have officially begun our Fall Campaign, Radicalis, and it's going to be great. Actually, it already is great; the kick off last week about our radical vision and future followed by this week's sermon plus God's amazing grace have set the scene for serious momentum.
I have to tell you, however, that I kind of thought I was already radical. I go to church, right, even when other people don't? I do things that people don't know about (inside or outside of church, location is irrelevant). I hold my tongue sometimes when I really want to scream because I feel like injustice is getting the upper hand. I'll spare you more of my "agony" but know that my list of sacrifices (perceived or otherwise) is lengthy. (By the way at times, do you feel that way or am I alone on this?)
This morning, Pastor Jeff preached on gratitude and it got my attention. I walked in the door in a foul mood (I was so grumpy that I scared myself) and a large part of the reason was my attitude. A couple of things didn't go as I expected them to so I got frustrated. The trifecta of attitude, God's message to me (through the sermon), and His grace were lethal for my bad disposition. I had but two choices: run screaming out of the sanctuary or face the fact that I might not be as radical as I had decided that I am.
Ouch.
I write this blog to you with a new found (and well-earned, may I add) humbleness. I realize that gratitude in all things (not to be confused with gratitude for all things) is what God desires from me. As Pastor Jeff reminded me on Sunday, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (I Thessalonians 5:18)
I began practicing radical gratitude as quickly as I could after the sermon. I plan to practice it tomorrow, and the next day, and the next, and well, you get the picture. Join me in being radical through gratitude that the world finds a little crazy. I bet you'll find, like me, that it will set you free!
I have to tell you, however, that I kind of thought I was already radical. I go to church, right, even when other people don't? I do things that people don't know about (inside or outside of church, location is irrelevant). I hold my tongue sometimes when I really want to scream because I feel like injustice is getting the upper hand. I'll spare you more of my "agony" but know that my list of sacrifices (perceived or otherwise) is lengthy. (By the way at times, do you feel that way or am I alone on this?)
This morning, Pastor Jeff preached on gratitude and it got my attention. I walked in the door in a foul mood (I was so grumpy that I scared myself) and a large part of the reason was my attitude. A couple of things didn't go as I expected them to so I got frustrated. The trifecta of attitude, God's message to me (through the sermon), and His grace were lethal for my bad disposition. I had but two choices: run screaming out of the sanctuary or face the fact that I might not be as radical as I had decided that I am.
Ouch.
I write this blog to you with a new found (and well-earned, may I add) humbleness. I realize that gratitude in all things (not to be confused with gratitude for all things) is what God desires from me. As Pastor Jeff reminded me on Sunday, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (I Thessalonians 5:18)
I began practicing radical gratitude as quickly as I could after the sermon. I plan to practice it tomorrow, and the next day, and the next, and well, you get the picture. Join me in being radical through gratitude that the world finds a little crazy. I bet you'll find, like me, that it will set you free!
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