A Decision for the New Year

     One of my favorite things to do is to get up early and sit in the quiet of the house before anyone else is awake.  I love to read God's Word or a good devotional book.  I like to pray and think about different topics.  I also find this is my best time to write a new post on my blog.  I love the absence of the television or other noise that starts after other family members begin to wake.  During the Advent and Christmas seasons I also love to sit and think beside our beautifully decorated tree. Each tiny light shines through the dark and reminds me of the light that Jesus brought when he was born.  So today, on the last day of this year, I am sitting in my place near the tree contemplating the things that have happened over the course of the last twelve months.  In the still of this morning I am also wondering with great anticipation what the new year will bring.  

     

     There is something about a new start that fills us with hope.  The whole slate-wiped-clean idea really appeals to most of us.  It is kind of like my love of opening a brand new box of crayons.  All the tips are perfect.  The paper that wraps them is clean and crisp.  They are all uniform in their size as they sit there in their beautiful box with no tatters or rough edges.  There is still a lid to open and close.  The bottom is not covered with tape to keep the brilliant colors from slipping through.  The potential of what these crayons can do is limitless!  But, as we all know the crayons do not stay this way if they are part of the bigger picture.  They get dirty and broken.  They are stepped on.  The lid of the box gets torn off and the rest starts to lose its shape.  Some of the crayons are lost when the bottom of the box falls open.  The broken pieces won't fit together in the ratty box anymore so it gets thrown away and the crayons are tossed together into another type of container.  Pieces of crayon without their outside covers begin to bump against each other.  They leave part of their color on other ones so sometimes the original hues are full of streaks.  They are changed.

     I often think about a year filled with only pleasant things and no hurts- a year in which everyone is happy and content. However, I would say if we took a look none of us would be able to find a year in our lives that didn't contain both the good and the bad.  That is the truth of this life here on earth.  The truth of a fallen world is that it cannot be good all the time.  Well.. that's enough to make you want to crawl back into bed and not come out again!  You might be done reading because you are thinking you already have enough negative and doom and gloom on your daily news! But wait!  Listen to what God wants you to hear!

Number 1-God wants a relationship with you! 

     This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only son into the world that we might live through him. This is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.                                     1 John 4:9-10

God loves you, even if you have not loved him!  No matter where you have been in life or where you are now he wants you!  No matter what you have done or have not done he still wants to share in your life.  The thing is he already knows everything about you and he still wants to form a relationship with you that will change your life. 

 

Number 2- He makes everything new! Including you!

     This is what the LORD says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."                                                                       Isaiah 43:16, 17-18

     Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:  The old has gone, the new is here!

                                                                                           2 Corinthians 5:17

The Bible repeatedly uses the example of God being a potter and making us into a vessel that he can use.  He has fashioned you already and will continue to make a beautiful thing out of you!  If only you let him, you will be amazed at the things he can do in your life.

Number 3- There will be good times in your life.  There will be bad times in your life.  He will stand by you through it all!

     So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 

                                                                                              Isaiah 41:10

     The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.

                                                                                              Zephaniah 3:17

God's love for you is unconditional.  He will not give you every desire of your heart or what the world considers to be important.  He will give you exactly what you need when you need it.  He will never leave you or forsake you.

  

Number 4-God has given you everlasting life!

     For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, in Christ Jesus our Lord.

                                                                                               Romans 6:23

   That if you confess with your mouth "Jesus is Lord"and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

                                                                                                Romans 10:9

Friends,on this last day of the year I pray that you will carve out some quiet time and think about these things.  I pray that God will move you to believe the things you have read.  If you already have a relationship with our Lord, then today at the dawning of the new year I pray he will bring you to a new commitment to that relationship.  I cannot tell you what will happen in your coming days but I can tell you that making a choice for God will never be a decision you regret.  Happy New Year!!  

     

     

Christmas Hope

     When the terrible tragedy of Sandy Hook Elementary first reached my ears I was sitting in a classroom of five and six year olds.  The first reports told of the unimaginable happening.  The deaths of young children in a school shooting.  My eyes traveled around the classroom taking in the children I had come to know and love. The thought of one of them.....  my brain had to shut that thought off instantly.  It was too painful.  If there is one thing that I have learned in this era of instant news, Facebook, Twitter, blogging and all the other social media/technology out there it is to wait. Wait until the emotional roller coaster has started to wind down.  For you see, if I don't there will be things that I write or say that I might regret later. Still on this day, one day before Christmas, my heart breaks for those who have buried their family or friends.

      Today I am not writing in support of new or different gun control laws.  I will not throw in my two cents worth on the need for better mental health care.  I won't speak on the many tirades and ideas that have flown around since that day occurred.  What I will do, though, is write about what God has put in my heart at this time about grief.  Mere words of mine can't describe the thoughts and feelings of those affected by this tragedy.  But I will borrow some from the famous writer C.S. Lewis, who lost his wife to cancer over fifty years ago.

     No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear. I am not afraid, but the sensation is like being afraid. The same fluttering in the stomach, the same restlessness, the yawning. I keep on swallowing. At other times it feels like being mildly drunk, or concussed. There is a sort of invisible blanket between the world and me. I find it hard to take in what anyone says. Or perhaps, hard to want to take it in. It is so uninteresting. Yet I want the others to be about me. I dread the moments when the house is empty. If only they would talk to one another and not to me . . .   
     An odd by-product of my loss is that I’m afraid of being an embarrassment to everyone I meet. At work, at the club, in the street, I see people, as they approach me, trying to make up their minds whether they’ll say something about 'it’ or not. I hate it if they do, and if they don’t . . .    
    And grief still feels like fear. Perhaps more strictly, like suspense. Or like waiting; just hanging about waiting for something to happen. It gives life a permanently provisional feeling. It doesn't seem worth starting anything. I can’t settle down. I yawn, I fidget, I smoke too much. Up till this I always had too little time. Now there is nothing but time. Almost pure time, empty successiveness . . .  

                                                                                                 A Grief Observed (1961)

     I have felt this grief that Lewis talks about but there is good news!  Christmas is all about hope.  When the Son of God, Jesus Christ, was born it gave hope to the world!  He would grow up to fulfill a plan so amazing that humans still have trouble believing!  When Jesus took on the sins of the world and died for us he gave us the hope of eternal life.  We are no longer separated from God but can live with him forever.  Grief is never easy.  But I have seen grief without hope and it seems unbearable and never ending.  The words describing God's hope are found in scripture.

     And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,"Look! Now God's dwelling place is among the people and he will dwell with them.  They will be his people and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, or mourning, or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."         Revelation 21:3-4

     It is inevitable that all of us will grieve at some point in our lives. My prayer is that you will be able through God's grace and mercy to be able to grieve with this comfort.  May you see this Christmas as a plan of hope fulfilled for all!

     Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, he is the Messiah, the Lord.
                                                                                             Luke 2:11

Untangled

  I don't know about you, but I am not a super organizer.  Our house would be a big hit on a new reality series-"Clutter Busters"!  It will never appear in those beautiful photography shoots in Better Homes and Gardens but it is home. I have long ago given up the idea that my skills would ever earn me the best housekeeper award but I am okay with that because it is not big on my priority list.  As you can imagine, when I put away our Christmas decorations for the year I don't have any lights that are wrapped neatly and stored in their original boxes.  So each year I have to go through the process of untangling the sets of lights.  The other day as I was doing this task I was thinking about how our lives can be just like that tangled mess.  

  I don't know if you've realized this but life is complicated.  Even when we are enjoying what we consider to be a good life there are bumps and twists and knots along the way.  I feel extremely blessed in my life right now but here is an example of how just a small hour of time can go awry. My teenage daughter wakes up late and realizes how little time she has to get ready.  The toast almost burns while putting a dog outside. After trying to find something to bring for lunch I am resigned to having to eat a school lunch not knowing what is being served. I put out dog number two and let dog number one in.  I try to finish getting ready as dog number two is barking to come in and dog number three is whining to go out.  I slap on some makeup and put out dog number three and wonder why they can't all go out at the same time.  I yell upstairs that it's time to go and hear that my daughter is not ready.  Trying to remain patient I put all three dogs in kennels. I run out to get yesterdays forgotten mail and come back in to hear my daughter screaming to turn on the breaker that has been knocked off by her hair dryer.  I go flip the switch and go to the car and try to breathe normally while the kid is rushing around the house trying to find everything she didn't pack up last night.  We leave ten minutes late and I listen to a very unhappy girl describe to me all the way to her school why it is my fault that this has happened.  As I drop her off I slump in exhaustion thinking about the work day looming ahead of me and how I'm going to get through it!

  Could you tell a similar story?  In the past a less patient, less wise self might have spewed hateful words at my young daughter.  Unfortunately my oldest daughter and husband could tell you about some of those times when I handled some tangled messes of life in a bad way.  Instead of trying to untangle them carefully like I have to with my strings of lights I would try to bull my way through not caring who got knotted up, squeezed or crushed in the meantime.  Over the years,though, God has shown me better ways to handle these jumbled situations with many nuggets of wisdom in his Word.  These are just an example of some of those.

      But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.      Galatians 5:22

     A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.     Proverbs 15:1

    The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.    

                                                                                                                        Proverbs 12:18

     "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"  Jesus replied, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it. Love your neighbor as yourself."  Matthew 22:36-37

     Love is patient, love is kind.  It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil,but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.                                                                                     1 Corinthians 13:4-7

  This transformation of being able to handle life's stresses and demands and to act in a more Christ-like way did not happen over night.  God, like a potter molding his clay, has molded me.  Through prayer, faith and thanksgiving I have become a kinder, wiser and more gentle person.  I have learned to look at the race marked out for me and the prize--eternal life-that I will receive. Life's mangled paths become easier with the help of God, his Son and the Holy Spirit.  Every one of us can experience this life through Him.  So give him a chance and join me to get Untangled.    

What Christmas is All About

     When I was young one of my favorite holiday specials on television was "A Charlie Brown Christmas". This special first aired in 1965-the year I was born.  In the special, Charlie Brown is fed up with the commercialization of Christmas and sets out to find its real meaning.  I wonder what Charlie would think about the holiday season in 2012?  His anger over pink aluminum Christmas trees drove him to pick out the tiny real tree that nobody else could love.  Would he be disgusted by the air-powered blow-up Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer standing twelve feet tall?  Would he say "Good Grief!!" when he saw the thousands of lights blinking in unison to a sexy version of "Santa Baby"?  Would Linus still be able to stand on the stage and tell everyone what Christmas is really about or would he be filling out his list of the top five electronic devices available on Black Friday--woops! I mean the Black Friday Eve super sales on Thanksgiving night?!    

     Here are some questions you need to start asking yourself.  What does your holiday season look like?  Do you find yourself stressing about if you have enough money to buy what the kids want?  Is your To Do list going to do you in?  Do you find yourself being grouchy and yelling at others in the spirit of Christmas?  Does the inside and outside of your house look like an explosion of Pinterest decorating ideas gone bad?  Are you finding yourself kicking plastic reindeer across the yard when they don't light up?  Are you and your spouse looking up counselor names and phone numbers after you put up the Christmas tree?  Would you be willing to run over the back of someone's foot in Walmart just to get that $5 video while the store's intercom is playing "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas"?  If you can answer yes to any of these questions or others you personally can come up with I would advise you to yell at the top of your lungs "Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?!"

     And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy,  which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
                                                                                               Luke 2:8-14
                                                                                               (recited by Linus)

     God's son in the form of a baby.  A baby that would fulfill scripture and forever change the world.  A baby that would one day do the will of his Father and take on the sins of all people.  A baby that would one day be crucified and conquer death three days later.  The one who would bridge the gap between a fallen world and God.  The one that can give us everlasting life if only we believe. 

     So, this year as we head into the holiday season I have a prayer for all of us.  A prayer that each one of us will slow down and remember those words recited by Linus to his good friend Charlie Brown.  And that is what Christmas is all about, my friends.



  

Looking for Light in the Darkness

     If you would ask my kids they would tell you that I don't use my I-Phone to its potential.  I don't talk much on it and compared to the three of them my texting is almost nonexistent.  I occasionally add and use apps on it but I probably really don't need all the bells and whistles that this phone has. But there is one thing I love about my phone. When I push that button at the bottom of it there is instant light!  I love that it does that because I have to be honest here...  I really don't like the dark. In the darkness, all of my worries and troubles seem to build like a thunderstorm on a humid, spring day. In the darkness, a night of sickness seems to tick by second by second at the pace of a snail. In the darkness, my body craves light like a plant that turns itself towards the warmth of the afternoon sun. In the darkness, hope seems to slip away from me.  So if I find myself in the dark I find myself pushing that button. It's not a huge amount of light but it comforts me.  It can also guide me to a place where I can find more light.

     Of course the kind of light I am talking about in the previous paragraph has to do with what physicists call   "electromagnetic radiation to which the organs of sight react".  Whoa! that's a mouthful!  Today, though, I want to focus on another way we can talk about light and darkness. When Adam and Eve lived in the garden of Eden with God they were told not to eat of the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  But the serpent deceived them and made them doubt and they made a bad choice.  Their choice separated all of us from God. We are in darkness because of our sin. I heard an excellent example of this the other night at church from one of our pastors so I am going borrow his example and put it into my own imagery and words.  Imagine that this separation is like you and God standing on opposite sides of the Grand Canyon.  You can try to build a bridge back to God with good things that you do or the way you treat others but you will never be able to get to that other side because we are all sinners.  No matter what we do we can never mend that separation.  God's word says "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)  So no matter how hard you are out there working on that bridge it will never make it all the way across that wide canyon.  But, God had a plan.  Even in our wildest dreams we could not have imagined a fix like this one.  When Jesus died on the cross it was like God used that cross as a mega-bridge. The vertical portion became a strong girder into the canyon and the horizontal section became the span of a bridge across that large canyon back to God.  We can now cross from darkness into the light.  Jesus has said, "I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (John 8:11-13)  When you hear this story of light and darkness you have to decide what to do with it.  Are you going to take this gift of light and salvation and accept what Jesus did for you or are you going to run the opposite way back into the darkness? 

     Now, let me tell you, there is a lot of darkness out there in this fallen world and you don't have to look very far to find it.  It is creeping around you this very moment!  Immorality and addiction run the streets.  Hopelessness and despair curl up in the dark corners of rooms.  Fear and disillusion crowd the hearts of many.  The pain and suffering of sin blots out the life of those who choose not to believe.  "For the wages of sin is death -separation from God from all time, "but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23)  This is good news for those of us who don't like the dark!  If you feel like the darkness has already swallowed you up and there is no way out, let me tell you that is a lie!  That is a lie perpetuated by Satan himself just like he did in the garden with Adam and Eve.  There is nothing that you can do that will separate you from Jesus' love if you believe in what he did for you. "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)

     Does this mean that our lives will become a cakewalk?  Does it mean we won't ever meet with trouble?  Will all our problems disappear?  Of course not.  But what the light does is give us hope.  It challenges us to rise up to fight the lies perpetuated by Satan in so many ways here on earth.  God gives us the tools to defeat the darkness. "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of  God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the power of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when that day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests."  (Ephesians 6:10-18a).

     So here it is--your chance to get out of the darkness!  Start moving toward the light now!!


If you are looking to get out of darkness click on any of the buttons above for more information on how to find the light!  Plus here is a great song from Sanctus Real about God's light and what he has done for you!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOvX0aADP0M

Content In All Things

  The child on the video held the shoe box as though he had just been handed the world.  One would think that the greatest treasure of all was in the box he held.  But in reality the box had some simple toys- a Matchbox car and a rubber ball.  Nothing that ran on batteries or electricity!  Also in it were toiletry items such as a wash cloth, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste.  The remaining contents were school supplies like paper, colored pencils and a pencil sharpener. The box the boy held was a Christmas gift given to him through a program called Operation Christmas Child.  This program started by the ministry,Samaritan's Purse, has given nearly 1 million Christmas boxes to children since its inception in 1993.  I thought about how different this scene was from the ones that would occur around the world every Christmas season.  Crowds of pushing, rude people running to get the "best" sales on Black Friday, expensive toys with all the newest bells and whistles, ungrateful family members rushing back the day after to exchange a gift they just can't stand were scenes that ran through my mind.  How different from this small boy whose face beamed as he held his small treasures!

  Over the past couple of weeks God has been continually bringing the word contentment to my devotional time and to my thoughts throughout the day.  Being content in this world can be very difficult and I struggle with this concept.  I am sure that many of you have struggles with this, too.  It's hard not to buy into the world's ideas on what should make us content.  We are bombarded with messages that tell us what the best things in life are.  Greed and want seem to crowd out clear thinking while millions go into deep debt.  We are led to believe that lots of money and a big house will get us there.  We are shown how the newest piece of technology can make our lives so much easier.  Athletes, actors and actresses are splashed across the television and in magazines showing us the "good life".  If only we had more, more, more or different, different, different then we would have contentment.  Many of us spend so much time in our lives trying to find, buy or work our way there that we never have time to actually think about what it is to be content.  Here is what God says about these things.

     But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.  But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.     1 Timothy 6:6-11

  The more we pursue a godly life these other things fall away as unimportant and the more content we can become.  We can see the blessings in our lives more clearly and be happy with who we are than what things we have.  Timothy specifically says "godliness with contentment" will give us great gain.

   I have looked deeper into what God wants for us in the area of contentment and this is what I have found. After receiving gifts from the people in Phillipi the Apostle Paul sent this message, 

     I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.  I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength.     Philippians 4:10-13

Sometimes when I read this passage I think how amazing it is.  Paul was in prison at this time for sharing the story of Jesus.  I am sure this was not a place of comfort but yet Paul says that he has learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  But I want you to focus on the last line in this passage.  He gives God the glory for helping him to be content.  Once again we see that gaining full contentment is only possible with the help of God.

  I think emotions can play a big part in this.  For example, the past couple of weeks I had a few rough days at home and at school.  I was tired and feeling a little blue.  My emotions told me that what I had in life was not good  enough.  My brain started to think in a negative pattern.  Instead of being content I started to complain to anyone who would listen.  If only I had....,  If only my husband would....,  If only I could...., If only my children realized....  But then in my quiet time with God he spoke to me through a devotional book I had been reading.  These were the exact words, "You have been on a long, uphill journey and your energy is almost spent,  Though you have faltered at times, you have not let go of My hand.  I am pleased with your desire to stay close to Me.  There is one thing, however, that displeases Me, your tendency to complain."  (Jesus Calling, Sarah Young)  Talk about being stopped right in my tracks! God knew exactly what I had been doing! Letting your emotions rule is dangerous.

  So during this ongoing journey to discover more about contentment I have learned a few things.  I need to focus on what God has given me already and what he has done for me in the past.  It's even helpful to write down all your blessings and pull that list out from time to time to remind you of what you do have!  Being truly content does not come from the world but from God.  If I am not content I need to talk to God about it not just complain to others around me.  They cannot fix my situation.  If we allow God to help us pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness then we can learn to be content in all things, too.  Then, just like that small boy with the Christmas shoe box, we will be beaming with contentment, too!



If you are interested in taking part in Operation Christmas Child this year click on this link: http://www.samaritanspurse.org/index.php/OCC/ .You will never regret the decision to send a gift to one of these children!

    

Out of Focus

I have been noticing something over the past year that makes me a little irritated.  When I look at a book I find myself having to hold it further away so I can actually see the letters.  Trying to read information on medicine bottles has become very difficult.  Then one day I was trying to read some numbers on an insurance card that was surely written in the smallest type size ever!  I get frustrated in these situations when I can't get my eyes to focus.  Unfortunately, my vision has never been good.  Being horribly near-sighted has always kept me in glasses or contacts.  But now the optometrist has started to talk about bifocals.  UUGGHH!  I resist getting them.  Surely, I'm not old enough for those?!?!

When I think about this I am reminded that there are ways we get out of focus in our spiritual lives, too.  I will be the first to admit that I have been feeling this way lately.  Over the past three weeks I have struggled with this feeling. I have not been at church for three weeks and my devotional time has been lukewarm.  I have found it hard to concentrate and my last blog post was three weeks ago.  I have been feeling out of focus.  It's an uncomfortable feeling and it leaves me a little irritable just like the issue with my eyes!  This is when I know it is time to put myself at arms length just like my books and take a look at myself in a focused way.  This is what I have discovered and some "prescriptions" to help you get back in focus.

It is very easy to fall into keeping yourself "busy" with all kinds of things the world has to offer.  As I looked over the past three weeks trying to figure out why I was feeling this way I was appalled at the amount of time I had spent on the computer doing things like watching shows on Netflix, reading posts on Facebook, checking e-mail, pinning on Pinterest, and just surfing the Net.  I don't consider any of these to be horrible activities but what I found is that I had gone overboard with the amount of time spent there.  Plus, while doing these things I was not having a lot of interaction with my family and friends.  That is a problem.  We learn from Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians that some are confused about what they can and cannot do in certain situations in the early church.  This is what he said, “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.  (1 Corinthians 10:23)  We have to think carefully about the activities we do each day.

I believe very strongly that going to church every Sunday is not the key to getting into heaven or the thing that makes you have a strong relationship with God.  I know people who are in church every week but never live their life outside those walls in a Christian manner.  I find, though, that when I attend worship services regularly it builds me up for real life out in the trenches.  I feel a fellowship with those around me when I am there.  I get to sing praises to the one who redeemed me and I can be reminded of what God says to us in his Word.  Some days I am comforted and some days I am challenged.  It's easy to get caught up in "I'll just go next week..." and then find that several weeks have passed and soon not going becomes a hard habit to break. Sometimes I long for the days of the early Christians who met together daily.  We are lucky in this day and age to have options to help us out when we do miss a day of church though.  I like to listen to   Christian radio.  I also like going to the website of Proverbs 31 ministries and reading the articles and information they have there.  Some people enjoy watching television ministries.  God offers us lots of ways to hear his Word if we choose to do it.  I do think that face to face relationships are the best, though.  As my husband says, "The best days to go to church are the days we really don't feel like going!"

 Another thing that I have allowed to take my focus is worry.  When we are using our energy on the "what ifs" we have none left for what is important.  This is one of the passages I prescribe for those who are dealing with this issue.
     Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear.  For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them.  And how much more valuable you are than birds!   Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?  Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?  Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.   If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith!    And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.   For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them.  But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.  Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.  Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."   
Luke 12:22-34

Worry seems to have a constant companion.  That companion is the devil.  The father of lies lurks around us waiting to gain a foothold.  He twists God's words and makes us doubt.  He brings up our past failures and tells us we are not good enough.  He encourages us to be unhappy with what we have and long for things we don't have.  He makes us unsatisfied and unfocused. He wants to bring death.  But the great news is that Jesus has conquered death.
    Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.     Hebrews 2:14-15

If you have been feeling out of sorts lately I suggest you take some time to stop and look at what has been happening in your life.  Like me I am sure you will find areas that you need to think about and adjust.  Let God help you get back into focus!

Glory to God

I was angry!  When I was younger temper tantrums came easy to me.  I loved to cry, scream, kick things and my favorite-slam doors!  Over the years my temper has been reigned in but this past week I had myself a big old-fashioned one!  The news had not been good.  My sister's follow-up MRI from her pancreatic surgery earlier in the year showed a spot on her liver had grown quite a bit larger. Cancer-again.  That same kicked-in-the-stomach feeling had been handed to my family once more.  I was angry at the disease, angry that my sister would be going through chemo, angry that we had to feel this fear again and yes, I will admit it... I was angry at God.  I felt somewhat better after my sobbing had diminished.  I wanted to be mad at God still but I couldn't.  This is the reason why. When you spend time in God's Word it starts to sink into your brain.  Bits of it become remembered and even memorized.  You can't keep it from coming to the surface and getting in the way of those emotions you are having.  In fact, within seconds of hearing the news while I was at work I started humming a song called "Glorious".  Here is a stanza from that song.

 

     No one else above Him

     None as strong to save

     He alone has conquered

     The power of the grave.     (Glorious, Paul Bloche)

I wanted to let my emotions reign but after my tantrum had finished I kept coming back to truth I have learned and cannot ignore.  I wanted to compare my family's issues to a man named Job.  It seemed like we were constantly plagued with trouble.  But as I remembered the story it was obvious Job's life had been much worse.  Job had lost everything important to him in his life.  Not only did his health suffer but he had lost his income, his family, his friends, his servants.  He lost everything. But he also stayed firm in his faith of God.  When I take my eyes off myself and my family I see many others in this world suffering more than us. 

Another message that kept coming to me were the words of Jesus in the gospel of John.  He was telling the disciples about some of the things that would be happening before and after his resurrection.  These words are so valuable for us in this day and age.  

     I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world.                       John 16:33

God never promises us that life as a believer will be easy.  In fact he tells us the opposite!  But what we do have is the power of Jesus in us to help us get through these troubles.  I can make it through anything because in my weakness God's power becomes evident.  Over the years many people have asked how I have gotten through these days of cancer in my family.  My answer is always the same.  "My faith in God."

In this post I give glory to God for all he does for us and ask him to be with my sister as she starts her treatment this week.  I ask for strength and peace for her, her husband, the kids and the rest of her family and friends who are in this fight with her.  Please friends join me in continued prayers for her.  To my sister, Tammy, I give you these words to keep close to your heart!

I look up to the hills,
    but where will my help really come from?
My help will come from the Lord,
    the Creator of heaven and earth.
He will not let you fall.
    Your Protector will not fall asleep.
Israel’s Protector does not get tired.
    He never sleeps.
The Lord is your Protector.
    The Lord stands by your side, shading and protecting you.
The sun cannot harm you during the day,
    and the moon cannot harm you at night.
The Lord will protect you from every danger.
    He will protect your soul.
The Lord will protect you as you come and go,
    both now and forever!       Psalm 121

  

     

     

     

Beautiful

I was having a discussion with my youngest daughter about some things that people do on Facebook that we really don't like.  One of her biggest pet peeves was a "friend" who constantly posts negative comments about herself.  I have seen other people do this same thing on my own page.  We agreed that these people are just trying to get others to pay attention to them and post something nice about them.  I think all of us do this from time to time.  My husband calls it "fishing for a compliment".  We all like to hear good things about ourselves and I suppose a little "fishing" from time to time on Facebook or in real life is not that big of a deal but I wonder about those who do it so frequently. I am amazed sometimes about the things that people will "tweet", "post" or "text" to others. (Like I tell my oldest daughter-you don't have to write and send every thought in your head!  But that could be a whole other topic on which to blog!)  With all this stuff out there in public, though, I have started to see something that really breaks my heart.  There are a lot of people who really don't feel loved or see themselves as important.

There are many reasons we can feel this way.  The world has a way of making us bitter, angry, and hurtful towards others.  Many of us are guilty of lashing out, saying things we don't mean or becoming angry at situations that don't call for such emotion.  We erect walls and stop talking to family or friends.  Others are frustrated by the lot life has given them. We feel disappointed and negative.  All of this leads to people feeling unloved and unimportant.  But listen.  If you are relying on family, friends, job, etc., etc. to make you feel loved and important let me tell you something.  It will never happen.  There is only one who can make us complete and that is God-the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Some of you may be rolling your eyes right now and saying "Whatever!" and I can tell you there was a time in my life that I would have been doing exactly the same thing.  I went to the pits of despair in my life with depression.  Counseling and medication helped me but there was still something missing.  It was God who filled that hole in me and made me feel truly loved and important.  There is no one who knows us better than he does. 

     For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.  How precious to me are your thoughts, God!  How vast is the sum of them.  Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand —when I awake, I am still with you.     Psalm 139:13-18

One of God's greatest acts of love was sending his son, Jesus, to die for us.  The story of Jesus is so amazing that sometimes it is hard for me to wrap my mind around.  But that is my human thinking trying to make sense of it.  Several weeks ago my pastor said something that has stuck in my mind.  The story of Jesus is simple.  As people we complicate everything.  We study his story.  We argue over small, insignificant matters.  We form different denominations.  We write books to argue that our opinion is correct.  But here is the simple statement about God's love for us in probably the most famous piece of scripture in the Bible.  

     For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.     John 3:16

He died for you.  If you believe that, you get to live forever with God. Simple. My friends, we are all treasured by Him.  He loves us more than anyone can ever love us.  No matter who we are and no matter what we have done, we are beautiful to him.

Check out these two great songs by Mercy Me and Big Daddy Weave and hear more about how you are loved.

Beautiful by Mercy Me:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6pS5HCkgPI

Redeemed by Big Daddy Weave:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSyLqbP8Z4I

    

Teach and Reteach

It was nearing the end of a second full day of school for the twenty-one kindergarten students when the teacher asked the kids to put their heads down on their table and to get quiet before recess.  That's when we heard it loud and clear.  The sound of a forehead bumping the table and a quick loud "OW!"  We both turned to see a few students laying their head down on their crossed over arms but lots of quizzical faces without their heads down and one poor little five year old rubbing her forehead.  Without missing a beat the teacher said, "Oh, putting your head down on your table means doing this!" Then she quickly modeled how to do it.  I was able to stifle my giggle but not my smile throughout this entire episode.

This year I have a new job.  I am not a regular classroom teacher but am a paraeducator who goes from class to class to help students.  This past week was my first real amount of time working in the primary grades for many years.  It all came back to me very quickly, though!  For all you non-teachers or school workers out there, I'll let you in on a little secret.  There has been and will be LOTS of time spent over the next month teaching students expectations, procedures, rules and consequences.  And I mean A LOT!  You would be amazed at the number of things that seem so simple and that you take for granted that have to be taught over and over again.  Things like: how to hold a pair of scissors, getting in a line without smashing your friends' toes, drinking out of the water fountain, how to sharpen a pencil, when you can talk and when you can't, and my favorite: the difference between a story and question!  Now, here's another bit of amazing information!  Each year the students come back you have to start all over again!  Usually you have to reteach and then there's all the new stuff to add.  Oh, and then there's all the real stuff you are supposed to teach them!  

So while all you non-educators out there are letting that sink in and all you educators are nodding your heads in agreement while chuckling, let me get on to the thought I had today about all this teaching and reteaching.  I wonder if God ever looks at us and thinks "Really?!  I have to teach you that lesson again?  Aren't we past that?  Do we have to go down that road again?"  Let's face it.  All of us have those issues that we need to work on, are working on and will probably still be learning about in the future.  One great thing is God is a patient teacher.  But just like in school you have to be willing to be an active learner.  The Bible is filled with stories of people that had struggles just like you and me.  When we read or hear those stories and think about them we are given examples of how we can handle situations better, overcome addictions, work through problems in relationships, and tackle many other problems that we all face in life.  But being an active learner means that you have to pick up the book and actually read it!  And don't tell me that you don't have time in your life.  I have used that excuse too many times in my life and have discovered that it is a lie.  Stop enrolling your kids in every activity, shut off the television reality show, forget Facebook, make sandwiches for dinner, stop Pinning every quotation that speaks to your heart and spend some time learning from the Savior.  It will make a huge difference in your life. If you are thirsting for help in the struggles of  life think about these words.
     "Listen, you heavens, and I will speak; hear you earth; the words of my mouth. Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants."     Deuteronomy 32:1-2

The other thing that is so great about our God is that he is willing to give us those second and beyond chances.  When we are learning, he is like the kindergarten teacher, who calmly modeled for the kids and allowed them to try again.  In dealing with the issues of life all of us fall short.  In our humanity we sin.  But our God is the God of Second Chances.  If we turn away from that sin he forgives us.  But we have to be willing to turn away.
     "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."   
1 John 1:8-9
         
The reason God is able to do this is because his love for us is special.  It is known as agape love.  This kind of love is unconditional or sacrificial in nature. The Psalms are filled with references to this type of love God has for us.  For example, read this description.
     The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love.  He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.  For as high as the heavens are above earth, so great is his love for those who fear him, as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."  Psalm 103:7-12     

God's love for us has no bounds!  Whatever mistakes we make and no matter how great they may seem to us, he will always be there.  He will not turn away from you as he chooses to teach and reteach you what you need to learn for your life.  Be an active learner and grasp on to what he is giving out.  You won't ever regret that you did!


   

Where Does the Time Go?

  Where does the time go?  This was one of those phrases that always seemed odd to me when I was younger.  It seems when you are young that time seems to stretch out in front of you with enormity.  Days drag as you wait for that moment to open Christmas or birthday presents.  Minutes seem like hours when you are sitting in your least favorite class.  Then there is that time when summer vacation seems as close as crossing the Mojave Desert!  But then something seems to happen as you get older.  Of course there are some of those days, now, when time seems to just stand still.  However, I find this phrase slipping out of my own mouth more often as I get older.  For example, my goal this summer was to try to write an entry for this blog at least once a week.  But today when I logged in I couldn't believe it!  My last entry was in June!  I wanted to meet a goal of writing here every week.  Just where did July go?  

  

  Fortunately, my month has been filled with some amazing things.  My family got to spend some time viewing God's handiwork in northern Minnesota and along the shore of Lake Superior.  There were moments of laughter and silliness along with a few moments of "I've been in this car much too long with you!" It was a much needed vacation and one that was thoroughly enjoyed! 

 Another wonderful thing I participated in was Vacation Bible School  at our church.  I am always amazed by the way God's word can be presented to children in such inventive ways.  It reminds me of the words in Isaiah.  "As the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return from me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. We may not always see the results of our work that week but the seeds have been sown.

Another change we have had at our house was the addition of our oldest daughter living with us again. It has been a time of change and adjustment for all of us but it also has been a precious time of good conversations!  I also love the fact that she is an excellent cook and I enjoy eating what she prepares!  I am reminded that God's plan is not always our plan but his plan is for the best!

  Last but not least God answered a prayer that I have had since last December.  The day I made my decision to resign my previous teaching position I stepped out in faith trusting that God would supply our needs with a job that was for this season of my life.  On July 31st I was offered a job as a para-educator in the local school system.  This job will allow me to work with students still but without the stress and work of a regular classroom teacher.  I will have time for my blog throughout the year but also have plans to start the book God has been encouraging me to write for the past two years.  Over these past months I have continually returned to these words. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  Are you not much more valuable than they?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?  “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?  So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:25-34)  God knows exactly what we need when we need it!!

  So in answer to the question, "Where does the time go?" I would say the answer is wrapped up in the millions of tiny details that God sees and is a part of.  We may not always stop and think about what they are or how they are carried out but he is there every step of the way! 

  

Persevere

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."  James 1:2-4


  My husband is one of those people who can get things done.  When he has a task at hand he is able to dig down deep and work hard to the end.  Me? Not so much.  I am more of a "get it started and finish it some time in the future" kind of gal.  I'm really good at taking on plenty of things but my interest wanes quickly.  I'm sure if you'd ask my husband he could tell you stories about the many projects or tasks I've started but never finished.  Or the times I've asked him to finish it for me!  What I lack is perseverance.  Don't get me wrong-I'm not saying that I never finish anything because I do.  It's just hard for me.  I try not to think about this little flaw of mine.  Let me let you in on a little secret though-God knows.  He whispers to my heart that perseverance is important to think about. 


  Do I think God is worried that I can't seem to get all the boxes in my house unpacked from a move that was two months ago?  Do I think God cares that the dishes sit in the sink while I read a book?  Does He bring this problem to my attention because I never finished a craft project that I was so excited to try?  Probably not.  But here is the problem--this lack of perseverance starts to bleed over into my relationship with Him.  I begin a bible study with delight but my attendance begins to wane.  My quiet time with Him goes almost non-existent for several months.  Troubles begin to rack up and my "get-out-of-the-boat-and-walk-faith" starts sinking faster than it started.  My intent not to worry about getting a job and paying the bills starts to fade as I get closer to my last paycheck from my previous job.  My good Christian parent modeling goes out the window along with the expletive I let loose on the driver who just cut me off.  I begin to question the truth of God's love for humanity when I see horrible things happening in the world all around me.  


  I begin to wonder what the true lack of perseverance could mean for me in my faith life.  Will it trip me up and cause me to doubt the reality of my Savior?  Will I stop believing that his death on the cross and resurrection were true?  When push comes to shove will I deny knowing him as Peter did?  Thanks be to God that he knows my every thought and fault.  Thanks be to God that he gives gentle reminders and sometimes not-so-gentle reminders that I should seek wisdom in this issue.  For, without him, I might just start the race he's set for me but never finish it.  My prayer for today is that you might see the importance of this perseverance, too.  Ask God to give you the wisdom to persevere in the race he has marked out for each and every one of us.


"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the authorand perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."  Hebrews 12:1-3
    


  

Something Beautiful

  Yesterday was my 47th birthday.  Most women cringe to announce their age as they get older.  Some of them even go as far as claiming to be 29 again!  Not true for me.  I have learned over the years to appreciate each and every birthday and to be so thankful to God for allowing me to celebrate once again.  Being thankful does not seem to come naturally for most of us, though.  We would rather groan and complain and fuss about what has gone wrong.  Or we'd rather lament about all those things that we don't have but wish we did.  Then there are some who fill their days with negative thoughts or feelings and seem to enjoy it.  I would love to say that I am one of those positive people who constantly see the good in everything and thank God for his part in it.  But, alas, I am not one of those people.  Every day I struggle falling into the trap of negativity and to be honest it is not me but God's power that brings me up out of the muck of life.

  Near our new home there is a wetland area that we drive by to get to a major shopping area of town.  Now that the Kansas heat and humidity of the summer have risen to really uncomfortable levels the largest water area of the wetlands has turned green with algae. One day I was driving past with the air conditioner blasting on high to cool down after just walking from house to car.  I was hot, grouchy and in a complaining mood when I looked at this area and thought YUCK!- that looks absolutely disgusting!  I wondered why on earth the city would keep this area protected when it was such an eyesore.  Then I saw it.  Standing in this muck on stilt legs was a bird of the most beautiful blue color I had ever seen.  I was amazed.  Then I was thankful for that bird.

  For you see, friends, that bird made me think.  Our lives on this Earth are filled with muck.  The muck of loneliness and despair.  Of hatred and murder.  Of jealousy and rage.  Of disease and war.  Of self absorption and loathing.  Of coveting and theft.  Of cynicism and unbelief.  Of fuss and complaint.  Of Sin.  We struggle in this muck of what looks disgusting and it threatens to bring us down.  But there is One who looks beyond the mess of life and has made us the beautiful blue bird.  What he did for us makes us clean and beautiful.  His death on the cross made us new.  He takes us up out of the quagmire and offers us new life.  


 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come." 
2 Corinthians 5:17


So, my friends, be thankful each day!  Celebrate each birthday with joy!  For God works every day to make you something beautiful.


Suggestions:
Feeling less than beautiful in this bog of life?  Listen to "Beautiful Things" by Gungor to be reminded that you are!