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!