Time to Plow

Just outside our neighborhood, there is a huge field.   Being new to the area, it took some fact finding research to discover what the crop even was.  Turns out it is a crop of sugar beets. I will tell you a little secret, because I am a curious soul, one time when we were out walking I plucked a plant to see if I could tell what it was --  I couldn't,  I just got roots.  (My apologies little plant!)   Last week, when we were out walking the dogs, we were surprised to find that finally, the farmer was plowing the field and gathering up his crop of sugar beets.  All spring and all summer we watched the sugar beet plants grow from tiny little shoots to huge bush type plants.  The field was a blanket of solid deep dark rich green.  When the summer was winding down in August, we couldn't understand why the field had not yet been harvested.  When September hit, we thought for sure the farmer would begin harvesting.  Nope!  October came and with it, chillier weather, surely now the farmer will harvest.  Nope!  It wasn't until the 3rd week in October that the farmer finally revved up his tractor and called in the big trucks to harvest his crop.  Day and night for 3 solid days he and his crew worked.   The machines they used looked ferocious - shiny wheels of sharp steel churning and turning - loosening the soil and pulling up the sugar beets.  The smooth flow of their system was like a well choreographed dance.  The giant tractor digger (I didn't know what it was really called, I just made that up.) moved slowly along the field digging up and spitting out the sugar beets into the tummy of its partner the sleek white dump truck that was waltzing along by the tractors side.  Once its tummy was full the dump truck sped off to unload and a new fresh dump truck took its place with precision and exact timing. Absolutely fascinating.  We watched for over 45 minutes so entranced were we in the Farmers Beet Harvest Dance.

Upon further research we learned that the timing for harvesting sugar beets must be perfect.   The farmer has to pay attention to the weather and to the temperature and the conditions in order to know when exactly it is time to harvest his beets.   He has to be prepared to go at it at the first sign of readiness.   Harvesting sugar beets begins with the first frost.  The day of the first frost that farmer must be prepared to harvest or all is lost.  And once harvested the sugar beets must be protected to prevent them from deteriorating before they can be delivered to the factory.  Such an amazing process and it is all centered on timing.   (By the way - I also learned that the "giant tractor digger" is actually called a beet harvester.)

I tell you this story of the Sugar Beets because it made me think of how precise and exact God's timing is as well as  how precise our timing must be in order that we do not miss a blessing.

In Hosea 10:12 God's Word declares, "Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until He comes and showers righteousness on you."

It is time to sow the things of God in our lives and the lives of others.
It is time to reap the fruit of His unfailing love.
It is time to plow through the things that prevent us from being and doing all God has planned for us.
It is time to seek the Lord with all our heart.
It is time to be prepared...
Until - in His time - He comes and showers righteousness on us.
Until - in His time - we receive His blessing.
Until - in His time - He comes again!

   

Gather, Scatter, Matter

Gather, Scatter, Matter.  3 little words that define life.

I first heard these words put together at a church meeting.  Leadership was sharing and encouraging the folks that come to the church to commit to partnering with the church by gathering regularly, scattering by engaging in the community inside and outside of the church and making a difference (mattering) by using our God-given time, treasure and talents through service, generosity and finances - again inside and outside of the church. This is a scriptural concept and not something that is new.  I had just never heard it summed up in this way and wrapped up in a nice neat package. Thank You, church!
              Gather: Hebrews 10:23-25     Scatter: Acts 2:42-47     Matter: Ephesians 4:1-16

As I thought about the concept of Gather, Scatter, Matter I saw so much more than just how this can apply to church life.  This concept applies to our daily lives as well.  Think about it...family life is all about Gather, Scatter, Matter.  As parents we gather our kids around the dinner table or we pile them all in the car to go on vacation.  Then when they are grown they scatter - going off to college, getting married, getting jobs and hopefully if we have done our job as a parent right, we have made a positive impact on their life and what we have done as a parent mattered.  And we see each child in turn gather, scatter and matter in their personal life, at their workplace and in the scope of their own little family as well as wherever they attend church.

In our home, when our children were growing up, we sat at the dinner table every evening.  This was a time of regrouping and reconnecting, touching base with each child.  This was our gathering time. It wasn't always pretty...there was spilt milk, and lap chops (that is our term for when a child cuts his or her meat and it lands in his or her lap - I use no names to protect the not so innocent!) and there were disagreements - "Mo-om he's looking at me!!!"  "Mo-om she is sitting too close!!!"  Sigh!!!  But I wouldn't exchange a moment of it for all the coffee at Dutch Bros. because there was also laughter and sweet times.  We would hear about how one brother stuck up for another brother.  Or how our boys were watching out for their little sister. We would hear about field trips and what they learned. We would hear about who likes who and all that the boy/girl drama.  We would hear about what happened when our children sang at the old folks home or served meals to the needy with the boy scouts.  We saw them scattering and making a difference (mattering) in the lives of each other and the lives of people outside our family.

In Matthew 13: 4-9, Jesus told a parable of a farmer who scattered seeds. The farmer first has to gather his seeds, then he can scatter them.  But once scattered, only some of the seeds landed on good soil - only some of the seeds mattered.  In verses 18 - 23 of that same chapter, Jesus explains the parable. What I see is that if the farmer never gathered or scattered, none of the seeds would have mattered.

Gather, Scatter, Matter are intertwined.  But it starts with Gathering.  Whether you gather at the dinner table, gather via Face time, gather with a group of friends or gather in the church, that's where it starts.

For once you Gather, seeds of life and love will be Scattered and it will Matter.


"The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God's Word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!" Matthew 13: 23

The Weight of the World

Did you ever have one of those days where you feel like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders?  Nothing seems right in your home, in your family, in the world and there is simply nothing you can do about it.  Those kind of days it is hard to power through when all you really want to do is climb back in bed and sleep... thinking maybe when you wake up things will be different.

I had one of those days recently.  I learned that a dear friend lost her husband to a massive heart attack.  I knew her husband, and I know that my friend is hurting and I am not there to love, comfort and support her.  But God is.  If I am honest, even though God is with her, I am still sad.

A little later on the same day, I spoke with my son who has been job hunting for a really long time. He finally had a good job locked in, he had a start date, things were good to go and then there was a hiccup in his paperwork, and with his cell phone - he missed an important call and the company terminated the hiring process and hired someone else.  Heartbreaking news.  When he and I spoke on the phone we decided God is in this and there is a reason.   Acknowledging that God is in control of this situation doesn't make it any less painful.  I am still sad for my son and his family because this didn't work out for them.

Does this mean that I don't trust God?  Does it mean that I have no faith?  No.  It means I have a heart.  A heart that hurts for the people I care about.  A heart that feels what they are feeling.  I like that!

So I did what I always do with my sad heart, I took it to the Savior.  I told Him what I was feeling and you know what He said?  He said, "I know.  I understand.  Be still, child, and know that I am God.  I am in control and I have a plan."  In other words - rest in me - I am with you (and your friend and your son) - I have you (and your friend and your son) securely in the palm of my hand - climb on my lap and feel my embrace."  And so, I did.  I climbed up onto his lap, and taking a deep breath and releasing it with a sigh, I laid the weight of my world at His feet.

Today is a new day.  I woke up with the same left over sadness but today I was granted a new perspective.  I laid in bed looking out the window to see the leaves on the colorful trees blowing gently in the wind.  I saw the glorious sun and felt such gratitude it was overwhelming.  I wondered, can sadness and gratitude fill a heart at the same time?  I suppose it depends on the capacity of the heart.  I believe God has given me much heart capacity because I feel so many different things - sometimes all at the same time - so deeply and so passionately - though probably people would never know that.  I know many people with this same huge heart capacity - and I love that I am surrounded by them. They are a gift as I hope I am a gift to them.

The weight of the world is not mine to bear.  Yes, I will be affected by it - I will feel sadness, I will get disgusted, I will feel pain and sorrow but I have a Savior that knows, that understands, that cares.

The weight of the world is not yours to bear either.  Do you know my Savior?
Let me introduce you...His name is Jesus.  He knows.  He understands.  He cares.  Rest in Him. Climb into His lap and feel His embrace.  Pour yourself out to Him.  Lay the weight of your world at His feet.
He invites you to do just that!

"Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." 
Matthew 11:28   

    

A Little Faith, A Little Trust and it will all work out!

Remember our story of Jesus yesterday and the 5000+ people gathered to see and hear Him?  He was tired. He was hungry.  But He had compassion on them even after a long, long day, and He started teaching them, just like you would expect Jesus to do.  He ranks on the top of the list for self-sacrifice, wouldn't you agree?  Well to continue that story from the book of Mark -- it got to be late in the afternoon...now if you recall, even Jesus' disciples had not had a moments rest and they had not had a chance to eat.  All those hungry men...I can just imagine they were starting to get a bit ornery - hunger does that to folks.  So the disciples approach Jesus and suggest that He send all the people away so they (the people) can go to the town to buy something to eat.   But Jesus, has other plans..."Oh noooo," He says, "You feed them!"    Whaaaaat!?!?!?!  Right away the disciples start in with all the reasons they can't do that...we don't have enough money, where would we find enough food for all these people? "C'mon, Jesus, get real,"  they must have been thinking.  Jesus, the problem solver said something like this, "You are right this is a lot of people to feed, but how much bread do we have here among the people?  Go find out."  First of all, He hears what they are saying and then He tells them - don't assume you can't do this, go check...do your research.  So they do.  They come back and report that all they can find among the people are five loaves of bread and two fish.  In their minds, I imagine they are thinking - like this is going to be any help in feeding 5000+ people.  I am sure they were skeptical to say the least.  (Paraphrased by me from Mark 6:35-38)

I know there have been many times I was skeptical that God was going to do a work.  Take our move to Idaho for example.  We had prayed and felt certain we had God's blessing to move to Idaho.  We had our kids blessing to move.  Everything was perfect.  We worked night and day to get our home in California ready to sell.  We had help from friends and family.  Everything was blipping along exactly as we thought it was going to because we had confirmation from God that we were doing the right thing - doing what He wanted us to.  The real estate folks thought our home was gorgeous and would sell above market value and so we went with it.  Finally the day came and the sign went up - For Sale!  And then the house sat - For Sale!  No prospects for the first two weeks.  The 3rd week we had people come and see it - many thought it was perfect for them but we had no offers.  So we reduced the price.  Still it sat - For Sale!  1 month, 2 months...This is when the skepticism came in.  I prayed, "Lord isn't this what you wanted?  I don't understand."  He answered with the verses, "Be still and know that I am God."  Psalm 46:10 and "Call to me and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things which you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3  "Ok, Lord," I said, "I will keep trusting, I will keep waiting for the great and mighty things that I don't know about." But it was hard when everything was taking so long.  In looking back in my journal from that period of time, I prayed over and over that He would be glorified through whatever happened with our home.  In my journal I wrote, "Father do your thing - so that it is undeniably Your hand at work, Your will, Your desire for us, Your miracle."   And finally, at the 11th hour, He did.  We had made the decision that we were leaving town on March 30th whether the house was sold or not. This we felt was also ordained and directed by God.  So we went with it. Who are we to argue with God? Right?  On March 7th, we got an offer on the house - all cash - uh oh, I am getting goose bumps again...this is so amazing...all cash, nothing to fix, no added expenses, an 'as is' purchase to close on March 30th!!!  God's timing is always PERFECT!!!  And when everything was said and done, we walked away with more than we had even hoped for.  More than we could ever ask or imagine as the verse says.  "Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we could ask or imagine." Ephesians 3:20  In my Bible next to that verse I have written, 'Go to Him with positive expectations.'  Truly, He has never failed to keep His promises to me or my family.

Now, back to our Bible story: Just like in my families story, in this Bible story, Jesus does an amazing work...a miracle.  I am thinking He had this planned all along, just like with our house.  First He tells the disciples to have everyone sit down in groups of 50 or 100.  (He is so organized!!) Then Jesus takes the five loaves and two fish, and looks up to heaven and blesses them.  He then starts breaking the bread and handing it to the disciples so they could pass it to the people.  He does the same with the fish.  Everyone - all 5000+ people - shared the five loaves and two fish.  They all ate and ate and ate until they were full - kind of like a person feels after Thanksgiving dinner.  And afterward the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftover bread and fish.  TWELVE! They ended up with way more than they even needed.  (Paraphrased by me from Mark 6: 39 - 44) Way more than they could have asked for or imagined. (Ephesians 3:20 again)

When God is involved, and we know that He is guiding and directing, that He is in charge, why do we doubt, even for a moment?  Why did the disciples doubt that Jesus could feed all those people with what little food they had available?  They knew Jesus. They had first hand knowledge of His power.  Why did I doubt for a second that our house was going to be sold?  I think sometimes, when we doubt it is because we can't see the possibilities.   We are blinded by our human limitations.  I think this was true in the case of the disciples.  They were too busy thinking about why the people couldn't be fed.  Other times we doubt because we get impatient.  We don't see things happening as fast as we hoped or even see anything at all happening.  This was true in the case of me and our house.  Whatever the reasoning for your doubt, the important thing is to get past it. God understands. Talk to Him about it. Own up to it and let it go - release "it" to Him - what ever "it" is.  He has it covered - He is handling "it".

With a little faith and a little trust it will all work out!  I know from experience.


"Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Have faith in God.  I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, 'May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and it will happen.  But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart."  Mark 11:22-23  

    

Just Like Jesus

Imagine a day that has been so tiring, so jam packed with activity that all you want to do at the end of the day is collapse in exhaustion on the couch or in your bed.  Here is an example of one of those days...You cart the kids to school in the morning, go to church to volunteer for a couple hours, stop at the post office, the grocery store and to get gas, pick the kids up from school, stop at home long enough for a quick snack for the kids and for them to change their clothes for their activities. You turn right around and head out the door for your daughters soft ball practice which is immediately followed by the boys baseball practices all done with a toddler in tow.   By the time you get home it is dinner time,  which you prepare.  By this time hubby is home and he helps clean up after dinner.  Way to go, hubby!!! But it is now bath time. As you go to gather up your little one for his bath, you find him sitting very content in his room drawing on the new dresser - and himself - with Sharpies. (Sigh!!!)  Good thing it is bath time.  Little one is now bathed and what we call in our house "Jammified" which means he has his pajamas on.  Now it is time to start encouraging the three older ones that it is time to shower.  "I don't need a shower!"  "Yes, you do, you are sweaty, " you say.  "No, I'm not...not any more."  Calmly (or maybe not so calmly) you reply, "Please, just go take a shower and I suggest you not say another word.  I am the mom and I say go take a shower so go - take -  a -  shower."  (Does this interchange sound in any way familiar?) They understand this tone of voice means we better go take a shower and so they go take their showers.  After teeth are brushed and everyone is all set, you head up the stars for good nights and call out, "Time for bed!" "I'm not tired!" is the reply. Needless to say, at this point "It" whatever "It" is, could easily hit the fan!!!   But instead, you climb the stairs and give your children an extra 10 minutes to stay up while you check on little one who is already sound asleep looking like a sweet angel.  You clean up the bathroom and gather a load of laundry before going to kiss your beautiful children good night.
I know you have had days like this.  Everyone has.  Whether it is at home or at the office we all have them.
And so did Jesus.

The apostles had been out doing ministry and they came to find Jesus to tell Him about all the things they had done and what they had taught the people. Jesus listened.  Jesus sensed that the apostles were tired and He knew what His day had been like and that none of them had time to rest or even eat. There had been so many people coming and going, so many people to talk to, so many people asking questions, so many people to heal.  So Jesus suggested they find a quiet spot off by themselves in order to rest a bit and perhaps grab a bite to eat.  This sounded like a great idea to all of them so Jesus and His followers climbed in a boat and left for a quiet place where they could be alone.   But wait.......the people - people from many towns - saw them leaving and they came running along the shore of the lake to meet them on the other side.  I could hear all those people saying to each other - "Let's head them off at the pass!" This was a huge crowd of people - like 5000 people!  

Jesus had already had a full day.  He had not eaten. He had not rested.  Nor had his apostles.  But, what does Jesus do?  He looks out at all 5000 of those people as He is stepping out of the boat and He has compassion on them.  He was hungry, He was tired.  But, He is thinking to himself, these people are like lost sheep, they have no shepherd.  And so, He begins teaching them many things.             (Paraphrased by me from Mark 6: 30-34)

So often, in our day to day lives we experience days like I described above.  It just seems like it is one thing after another and there is no time to rest and no time to eat and then our children push us to the limit.  And yet...from somewhere deep within us, we find strength to keep going; we find patience not to lose our temper; we find compassion to give an extra 10 minutes, just like Jesus.

And when we are just like Jesus, I like to think God our Father smiles and says "That's my girl!" or "That's my boy!"  "She/he is just like Jesus!"  And isn't that the goal?


Philippians 2: 4,5 "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus."

Mark 6: 30-34 "The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to Him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, He said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things."   

Grace Abounds

Grace and peace to you my friends!

Grace allows me to be who I really am, warts and all!  God's grace accepts me exactly as I am.  I don't have to pretend.  I don't have to fake it!  And this knowledge is freeing.  It's hard work to pretend I am something I am not.  It goes against a person's natural inclinations.  I can relax.  "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect..."   1 Corinthians 15:10
Grace - amazing grace! What is it?

Webster's New World Dictionary College Edition provides a theological definition of grace: "The unmerited love and favor of God toward man; divine influence acting in man to make him pure and morally strong; the condition of a person thus influenced."  There is nothing I can do or ever have done to earn God's grace.  It is a gift that God freely gives.  Grace prompted God to give - to send His Son.  This is God's love in action and it is transforming.

Louis Berkhof in his Systematic Theology refers to grace as a covenant between God and man.  He says it like this:  "The covenant of grace may be defined as that gracious agreement between the offended God and the offending but elect sinner, in which God promises salvation through faith in Christ, and the sinner accepts this believingly, promising a life of faith and obedience."  (Section 111 Nature of the Covenant of Grace, B. Par. 4)  Grace is God's love expressed to those who deserve it the least.  It is an offer of eternal life with Him through Jesus.  And those elect that have accepted the gift make a promise to be faithful and obedient.   Thus a covenant is made between God and man.

Keeping in mind that God is a Triune God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit - the manifestation of grace would involve interaction with all three persons of the Trinity.  Grace is the gift of God - Ephesians 2:8, offered through the action of God's Son, Jesus - Ephesians 2:7 and worked in us through the Holy Spirit - 1 Peter 1:2.   In his article What Is Grace, John MacArthur states "Grace is not a dormant or abstract quality, but a dynamic, active, working principle: "The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation...and instructing us" (Titus 2: 11-12).  It is not some ethereal blessing that lies idle until we appropriate it. Grace is God's sovereign initiative to sinners. (Ephesians 1:5-6)".

In the covenant of grace, God takes the first step by offering it as a gift.  Once we accept that gift, it is our duty to wholeheartedly jump in as faithful, loyal, all-in followers of Christ.  I think of Billy Graham who had been preaching for 73 years and Chuck Swindoll who has been preaching for 53 years.  These are men like you and I that are sinners saved by grace and they are all-in followers of Christ.  Will you or I be a Billy Graham or Chuck Swindoll, probably not, but can we be all-in followers that serve regularly in our local churches and communities? Absolutely! Because you and I have the same grace bestowed on us that Billy and Chuck have.  Think about that.

We have looked at what grace is. For a moment let's look at what grace is not. Grace is not, a "Free Pass" to do as we choose.  Often as Christians, we fail to see that God's grace calls us to be better people - "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind..." Romans 12: 2a    About grace, the Bible says "It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age."  Titus 2: 12  One foot in the world and one foot on God's playing field just doesn't cut it with God.  Revelations 3:15 & 16 are words to heed, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold- I am about to spit you out of my mouth."  One foot in and one foot out is being lukewarm.  God knows that in our humanness - in our weakness - we often have trouble making commitments.  It is hard for us to make a commitment to the people we see every day.  This covenant is a commitment to be faithful and obedient to God whom we can not see.  But God, in His grace, promises to help us with this.  He tells us, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12: 9 God's promise is that He will make us strong and able to say "No" to the world and "Yes" to being all-in.

There is a very old song that I taught my Sunday School kids years ago.  I haven't heard it sung in a church setting in quite a while - unless of course it was my own Sunday School class - I love the old Bible songs... It is not sung in the more contemporary church settings because the tune isn't upbeat or catchy.  But the words speak volumes about being all-in for God. 

I Have Decided to Follow Jesus

I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus
No turning back, no turning Back

The cross before me - the world behind me, The cross before me - the world behind me, The cross before me the world behind me
No turning back, no turning back

Though none go with me I still will follow, Though none go with me I still will follow, Though none go with me I still will follow
No turning back, no turning back

God's grace abounds.  It is plentiful and unconditional - given freely to all who accept it.  Those who accept, are then filled with grace and able to give grace to others through works and words and love. "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9: 8

Yes, grace...amazing grace!  How sweet it is! Grace abounds!

Signed,
A sinner saved by grace



References:
Webster's New World Dictionary College Edition 1966
Berkhof, Louis, (1938). Systematic Theology. https://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/berkhof/systematic_theology.html. Section 111, Nature of the Covenant of Grace, B, Par. 4. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
What is Grace. MacArthur, John. http://www.oneplace.com/ministries/grace-to-you/read/articles/what-is-grace-10339.html.  Par. 13. Retrieved 5 September 2016.              

  

How He Loves Us

God looks for us - He searches us out and calls us by name.  He leaves the 99 to find the lost 1. He waits eagerly for us to come to Him.

He loves us in spite of our faults, in spite of our sin, in our brokenness.

God delights in us in spite of all of these things.

He understands.  He cares.  He grants mercy.  He forgives. He loves fully and completely.

He knows us inside and out because He created us - He thought us up and then spoke us into being.

Because He knows us so well He can love us perfectly.

He loves unconditionally as only He can.

He loves personally.

The only thing He wants in return – is fellowship - that we love Him back.  That we talk with Him and get to know Him. That we believe.

What do you do with a love like God’s?

You accept it. You bask in it. It's a gift.
You truly realize just how great His affection is for you - how He loves you so!

And then you share it. 

"We love because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19 

That's it...simple.

Click below to listen:

Oh How He Loves

In the Desert But Not Alone

Are there ever times when you wonder if God is listening to you?  Are there times when you wonder if God really cares about you or if He has perhaps forgotten about you? 

Matthew 3:16, 17; 4:1

Picture this…Jesus has just been baptized.  A holy dove descends on Him to proclaim Him as the Son of God.  Folks are in awe of what just happened.  They are stunned, amazed.  The Messiah they have been waiting for has been announced.  Jesus is ready to begin his ministry.

But wait – what does God do?  God just said, “This is my Son whom I love.  With Him I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17  And then…He sends Jesus into the wilderness to undergo, loneliness, hunger, hardship and to top it off, temptation.  Don’t you find it interesting that the way the Father chose to show love to His Son at the beginning of His ministry was to put him in the desert?  Why did He do that? I think it was so that at the critical beginning of this most important time in history, Jesus would learn to depend on the Father; the Father alone.  And I don't believe for a moment that God was not there with His Son the whole time.

Perhaps one of the reasons God places each of us into a desert of some kind now and then is so that we will learn to depend on Him in new ways.  So that we will learn to depend on Him and Him only. So that we will turn to Him for answers, guidance, comfort or strength because we have no place else to turn.

Deserts come in different forms - sadness, loneliness, depression, financial...an on and on.   

When you are in the desert, and we all are there sometimes, be assured, God is there too.  He is listening.  He has not forgotten you.  He does care about you, for He says, “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.”  Isaiah 49:16  Jesus nail pierced hands are symbolized here.  Jesus and what He did at the cross is proof of God's love and care.  I heard somewhere that God says “I will be with you” 365 times in the Bible.  I don't know this for a fact, but if it's true, isn’t it so like God that He would speak those words one time for each day of the year.

Here’s one - no two -  for this day found in Isaiah 43: 1-5a.

"But now, this is what the Lord says - He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel; "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.  When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.  For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. Since you are precious and honored in My sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for your life.  Do not be afraid, for I am with you;..."

Here's an idea to help you remember that even when you are in the desert you are engraved in the palm of His holy hands and you are not alone.  This idea may sound silly, (you can do it when no one is around) but oftentimes a visual reminder goes a long way toward making something unforgettable.  Here's all you need - just 3 easy things:

1. A piece of paper - any kind 

2. A writing implement - any kind 

3. Scissors 

Here's what you are going to do: Trace your hand on the piece of paper, cut out your hand shape, then write your name in the palm of the hand cut out.  Keep that hand in a spot where you see it often. 

You can write the references on it too, if you want - Isaiah 49:16 and Isaiah 43: 1 - 5a.

When you look at the hand you can know that this is a promise of God's to us His chosen people -His loved ones - 

   "in the desert - I will be with you."   

When I had a preschool class, every year we did a Kissing Hand project based on the book titled The Kissing Hand written by Audrey Penn.  I would have the parents trace and cut out their hand and send it in to me with a handwritten note to their child and a family photo.  I laminated all the sheets and made a Kissing Hand book.  When a child was having a particularly hard day missing mom or dad, I would pull out the book, read the parents note to the child while they placed their hand on top of mom or dad's paper hand.  Some days students kept their hand there for a very long time, but it never failed to help them through the day. 

Children have deserts too - scary dreams, monsters in the closet, fears of all kinds.  This idea can help a struggling child as well.  After talking through the idea behind the hand cut out and actually making the project with your child, tuck that hand under his or her pillow at night.  They can tuck their own hand under the pillow as well and perhaps they will feel better resting their hand in God's hand.

Everyone - big people and little people - spend some time in the desert now and then.  It's good to know we are not there alone.  

Tom - "The Father-in-Law"

Families are made up of so many different personalities.  God made us all different - which is a good thing - and sometimes we favor one relative over another because they are funnier or because they understand us the most.  For whatever reason, we are partial to them and find a closeness - a bond - if you will, that makes that person dear to our heart.

My father-in-law was that person for me.  He passed away several years ago, but his memory lingers on in my heart.  I treasure the paintings he left behind because they are a piece of him.  He saw beauty though he rarely spoke of it.  He felt deep feelings though he didn't show it.  I don't know if anyone else in the family saw it, but I did.

When I think of my father-in-law a couple stories come to mind immediately.

My  husband and I got married when we were very young…very young…naïve, unworldly and… young.  Our first apartment was in the heart of the south side of Chicago as was our second apartment.  I like to think that Tom and Helen really didn’t want their new baby grandson raised in that kind of environment so they helped us buy our first home in Oak Forest, Illinois.  The house had character to say the least.   It was originally a barn and someone turned it into a residence. We made it a home.  I made simple yellow curtains for the kitchen windows, we had second hand furnishings and a barber chair.   Tom and his young son, my husband, spent a day or more reworking the pipes in the little mini basement.  When we bought the house the pipes looked like a game of mousetrap with all the twists and turns and elbow pipes all mushed into one little area near the water heater.  Little did we know that “mousetrap” was soon to be a key word in this little house of ours.  One sunny morning I walked into the kitchen to find a couple mice crawling along the counter, I stopped dead in my tracks, just then a few more appeared on the floor then more on the counter, now I am trying to shoo them away and they start crawling up the yellow curtains, I am shaking the curtains to try and get them off – and shouting “Go away!!”  What do I do – there are mice everywhere…of course I do what any young, naïve, girl would do - I crawl up on the kitchen table and call my father-in-law.  I can just imagine him rolling his eyes at the call – “Help me we are being over run with mice!!” “I’ve got a baby!!”  I cry into the phone.  Calmly he says – “I’ll be right there.”  I’ll just bet he laughed all the way out to Oak Forest.  By the time he arrived most of the mice were gone – probably running for cover from the crazy lady.  He set out mousetraps, which I heard going off all day and each time I heard the 'snap' I felt bad that I called in the “big guns” – the “Father-In-Law”. 

Not only was the “father-in-law” the mouse-hero, but he was also on at least one occasion the bearer of news that needed to be delivered with a tender calm understanding touch.  Same house – same young girl – another sunny morning. The phone rings.  I answer in a cheery voice – “Hello”.  It’s Tom. “Rox, Steve’s been in a car accident.”  “He was turning onto 159^th street and was hit.”  In shock and with a million scenarios running through my mind, I ask, “How bad is the car?”   Not “is Steve okay?”  In my twisted way of thinking if the car wasn’t too bad, then Steve was fine.  Tom obviously understands “my twisted way of thinking” and he replies “Steve is a little banged up but okay. “  My father-in-law says everything is OK, so I'm good.  

I always had the impression that Tom was not raised in a family that did a lot of hugging - he just didn't seem like the huggy type.  My family hugs.  For years I wavered - to hug or not to hug - that is the question!  It took quite a while for me to feel comfortable enough to give hugs to my father-in-law.  Finally, one time after a holiday gathering, I just dove in and did it!  I hugged my father-in-law.  To my delight he accepted the hug and even reciprocated.  After many such hugging experiences, I began whispering in his ear “I love you” as we hugged.  Each time, he would smile his big toothy smile, I would see a very special twinkle in his eye and he’d say, “Aw, Rox.”   I can hear that “Aw, Rox” in my head each time I think of it.  It is a fond remembrance of something special shared between father-in-law and daughter-in-law.  That “Aw, Rox” said so much more than just those two little words.  It said, “I love you, too!”  And I knew he did.

Family is a funny thing!  We don't get to pick our family, but I think God does a really great job of matching people up in families. He places family members in our lives to help us and encourage us, to challenge us and support us.  Our family, is our family.  We git who we git and there's no point in throwing a fit!  as my preschoolers were taught.  I have been blessed with an amazing family - immediate and extended.  They have all influenced my life in many ways but Tom - my Father-In-Law, was special.  We had a different kind of relationship - subtle, sweet and endearing.

"Aw, Tom"  I loved you then. I love you still!


To my family:  "I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers."  Philemon :4

   



  

Perfect Peace

A conversation with Jesus:

"Good Morning, Jesus," I say to Him, "You, Jesus, are peace.  I can imagine You walking through the streets talking to people.  Not rushed and truly interested.  You are the same today.  I can imagine You sitting across from me on the couch, right now, attentive to my concerns.  Your soft loving eyes looking into my very soul with complete understanding.  And I feel at peace.  At peace knowing You are on my side, You care, You are for me. I am safe with You."  And then He calls me child --

"Child," He says, "Do not be afraid. Trust Me fully. I will never let you down.  You are mine and I will never leave you."

And I believe Him.

The sense of peace that overtakes me cannot be described adequately.  Perfect Peace that can only come from focusing on the Savior.  Trusting that all my cares are in the most capable of hands - His. Knowing that my life is built on the Rock of Jehovah - solid and strong.

"Yes, child," He says to me, "I am for you. I am your solid Rock, your Safe Harbor.  I am your Perfect Peace."

Ever so quietly, almost in a whisper, I reply, "Yes, Jesus, You are my Perfect Peace. Help me stay focused on You instead of the storms, instead of the troubles, instead of the pain.  Focusing on You brings Perfect Peace."

"My Jesus, I love You." I tell Him.

"And I love you, child."  He says.


"You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.  Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord is the Rock eternal."  Isaiah 26: 3 & 4 

Bunco Night

Having moved into a new state, without the comforts and security of all my old friends, I was feeling rather lonely.  I wracked my brain to figure out how to meet some folks in our new neighborhood and after praying about it, suddenly it hit me like a 2 by 4 up side my head.  Why not start a Bunco Group?!  I figured if I was feeling a little lonely, perhaps other women in the neighborhood or that had just moved here might be too.  And boy, was I right!!  As I went to talk to each of my neighbors about Bunco and mentioned it to some friends and new acquaintances, everyone was getting excited about it.  I mean really, what's not to like about a group of women getting together to play a dice game, laugh, talk and eat - sometimes all at the same time.  I love sharing my home, I love being around other people, by jove, I think I found the answer.  And so it began.  The planning, the organization, the contacts, the cancellations, finding more players and all of it was a blast!!

I played Bunco with a group of women in our previous location and it was so much fun.  That group was made up mostly of people that were related in one way or another or had been friends for ions.  I was kind of the odd man out, but it was still fun.  It made me remember that as a little girl living in Chicago, my grandmother used to take me to her friends homes to play Bunco - usually in the basement of the home.  (I didn't get to play, but I sure enjoyed watching.) These older women had been friends forever and some were even my Grandmother's sisters.  They had all played Bunco together for too many years to count.  I remember the prizes in Grandma's Bunco group were homemade.  Things like crocheted napkins or table doilies.  I wonder if anyone even knows what a table doily is any more???  Anyway, sometimes someone would bring a baked good as a prize or a needlepoint kleenex box cover.  Each item was special and each item was given the proper amount of Oooohs! and Ahhhhhs! from all the ladies in the group.  There was much laughter, much talk, much eating and lots of hootin' and hollerin' when someone got a Bunco.  And I loved it.

When I first started talking about starting a Bunco group, my husband had this quizzical look on his face.  "Bunco - what the heck is Bunco??", he asked.  He had never heard of it.  I couldn't believe it. Obviously Bunco is a girl thing!  And then... he experienced it.  We had our first Bunco Night and he was amazed at all the laughter, the talk, the fun and excitement and just like Grandma's group - tons of hootin' and hollerin' that went on for hours.  And when the prizes were awarded, it was over the top...truly he had never witnessed anything quite like it.

What happens on a Bunco Night has not changed and neither have women who just like to get together and have a good time.  Whether those women are family, old friends, or new friends, women have not changed.  And neither has what happens when women get together. You see, women work hard - whether it is in the home or outside the home. They need some time to unwind and just kick back and relax with other women.  Proverbs 31 describes a Woman of Noble Character - vs. 13-24 & 27 paraphrased by me - she gets up before dawn (or so) to prepare breakfast for her household, she plants, she is a hard worker, she makes sure her dealings are profitable, her lamp burns late into the night, her hands are busy, she helps the poor and needy, she makes sure her family has warm clothes, she sews, she takes care of herself, she makes things to sell, she carefully watches over everything in her household and she is never lazy.  This is a busy woman.  And that is how most women are.  They are busy doing the work that needs to be done to care for their family, others and to serve the Lord.  So a Bunco Night is a welcome reprieve from all those responsibilities.  A couple hours to just be who she is - not a mom, not a wife - just herself!  It is indeed good medicine.  Proverbs 17:22a "A cheerful heart is good medicine."  Scripture says, "She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future."  Proverbs 31:25  A woman's laughter at Bunco or most any place is 100% genuine release of pure joy.  There is nothing like a group of women getting together to just have fun.  The laughter just happens, and I believe God loves to hear women laugh!!  Proverbs 15:15b "...for the happy heart, life is a continual feast."  

If you are looking for a way to meet some new people or like me, meet the people in your new neighborhood, starting a Bunco Night might be an answer for you, too!  I see God's blessing in this group of women - we have been blessed with each other.  Paying that blessing forward, I am happy to share my Bunco organizational plans and forms.  Just enter a comment with your email address at thatslifemissroxanne.blogspot.com and let me know you'd like the information.

Let the good times roll!

Checking Account

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." Eccl 3:1

There is a time for everything - but, is there time for everything?  No one ever seems to have enough time to accomplish all they want to do in a day, a week, a month, yet we have all the time there is in each day, week and month.  The amount of time we have is what it is.  We can't extend it.  We can't carry it over.  We can't multiply it.  This looks like math...and that is sort of what time is.

Each day, we are gifted 24 hours - no more - no less.  It is as if those 24 hours were deposited into our checking account.  As we use the time allotted us each day it is as if we are writing a check against that 24 hours.  The one difference is that at the end of the day, whatever has not been used is lost. Our days are a use it or lose it proposition.  Which brings me to the next thought...doesn't that make HOW we use our time all that much more important?

The other night, I went upstairs to turn off my computer.  I sat down and feeling not really tired enough to go to bed decided to check email, my social media and the latest recommended pins for me for "just a quick minute".  I know you know where this is going.  I also know that you have probably done this same thing.  Before I knew it, I looked at the clock and it was 2:00 a.m.  Seriously!!  What a waste of time.  Now don't get me wrong, I love keeping up with what is going on in my friends lives. But I shouldn't be doing it at 2:00 in the morning.  That's just not good for my body and if truth be told, if I am going to be up till 2:00 in the morning, I would much rather it have been doing something creative, like sewing or writing or even reading a good book.

Since retiring, with only a few weekly commitments, I have my days free for the most part.  The Holy Spirit has really convicted me that I should be using this time much more wisely.  God deposits 24 hours into my time checking account every day as a gift.  Each check I write against it needs to be intentional and purposeful.  Wasting that gift is being ungrateful.  The Bible speaks to us about this in Ephesians 5: 15 & 16 when Paul writes: "Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."  I think perhaps we could use the word moment in place of the word opportunity to fully grasp what God is admonishing us to do here.  If we fail to make the most of every moment our days will be wasted, i.e. evil. Yikes!! That's pretty serious.

Is there time for everything?  I think the answer to that depends on how we write checks against our Time Checking Account. I am going to be a much better financial steward of my time.
How about you?


Benjamin Franklin said, "Doust thou love life?  Then do not squander time; for that's the stuff life is made of.  Lost time is never found again."

Willy Wonka on time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvOO1Whi_Gc

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Woman to Woman

Beauty is only skin deep.  What does that mean anyway?  I know there are several ways to look at this phrase but the way I read it is definitely not a compliment.  What makes a woman beautiful? Yes, make up covers skin imperfections but do cosmetics make a woman beautiful?  Do fancy clothes or expensive jewelry make a woman beautiful? I think not.

Let's imagine for a moment a woman named Daisy.  One look at her and you feel inadequate.  She obviously has it all.  Daisy has perfect skin.  Her body is shaped perfectly with a flat tummy and no saddle bags.  She has long, thick blonde - no, golden - hair with just a slight wave in it.  She has long thick lashes and perfectly shaped nails that are always polished to perfection.  Her clothing is always ironed, neat and tidy with matching shoes to go with each outfit.  She looks beautiful.  And then she speaks.  With all that outer beauty the assumption is that her words will be as flowing and sweet as milk and honey, as kind as Mary Poppins and as inspirational as Mother Teresa.  But that is not the case.  Her words are full of anger and bitterness as is her heart.

You see, beauty is not about the outward appearance of a person.  Beauty is about what's inside.  Kahlil Gibran said, "Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart."  How soft a woman's heart is toward others.  How warm and tenderly she looks at her children, her friends, her family, strangers.  Beauty is seen in how she willingly helps and serves others.  A woman's true beauty is found in how she makes others feel.  Real beauty is in authenticity and genuineness.  These are the inner qualities that make a woman beautiful.

Beauty is inside, true, but does that mean we don't have to take care of our outer selves?  Absolutely not.  I heard Chuck Swindoll speak one time about women taking care of themselves. He was encouraging them to make the most of how God created them and to respect their body by taking care of it and always being presentable.  My husband tells this story of his mom often.  When she was getting ready to go out, anywhere, she would always take time to "put on her face."  She could not/would not go out until she was presentable.  It was a matter of self-respect.  How you present your outer self says something about how you feel about yourself as a whole.

In Chuck Swindoll's speech, there was one little line that spoke volumes.  He said, "Teeth, have them!".  I still crack up every time I think of that line.  But there is some truth in it.  We do need to make the most of what God has given us by making sure we do what we can - by using make up sparingly to enhance our features.  By wearing cloths that flatter our shape.  By eating healthy, exercising and getting plenty of rest.  The Bible proves to us that God cares about our bodies in Philippians 3:21 and so should we. We must keep it in shape, tend to it's needs; it is the only body we will have here on earth. In addition, we read in the Bible about the sacredness of our bodies.  Think about that!   "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price.  Therefore honor God with your body."  1 Corinthians 6:19 & 20   When I think of my body as housing the Holy Spirit, it makes me want to take care of it.

I don't know who said this, it is listed as an unknown author but this about sums it all up:

 "Beauty is being the best possible version of yourself on the inside and out."

I think that is what God wants from us when He instructs us to honor Him with our bodies --

 Be the best possible version of yourself, on the inside and out!

   

      

We Forget Sometimes

As a preschool teacher, I always felt it was important to share how a child's day was with their parents.  I also liked to capture things the children said.   I would ask the children a leading question and then jot down their answers and at the end of the year, I would provide the parents with what I called a Dictation Book.  After one particularly hard behavior day -  lots of tattling and bickering going on - that's what 4 and 5-year-olds do, right??  - anyway, I thought we needed to take a breather so I had everyone sit criss-cross applesauce on the floor - (in old-school terms that would be Indian style).  I turned out the lights and we sat in silence for about 3 minutes.  To them, that was an eternity and by the end of the 3 minutes someone started giggling and it, of course, had a ripple effect. Once the hilarity died down we were ready to have a TALK and I asked a leading question.

"Ok", I said, "we have had a hard time getting along today.  Really, guys, how should we be?"  That's all I said.  Micah's hand shot up - I should be good and loving.  Brayden chimed in - I should be nice. Laura was more specific - I should be nice to people.  Andrew piped up - I should be a sharer.  And so it went, I should be:  a listener of God, noble,  kind and not listen to the devil, be myself and be good to God's creatures, good to my friends oh and kind, forgiving and on and on.  These kids had it right. They just forgot for a moment.  They were all caught up in doing what preschoolers do and they forgot how they should be.

As adults, sometimes we forget how we should be.  We get all caught up in the excitement of a kids baseball game and we forget.  We get caught up in a heated political discussion and we forget. We get caught in the middle of a neighborhood dispute and we forget. When we feel ourselves being some way other than how we should be, it is time to stop and take a breather.

Looking at how God is - His character - serves as a reminder and gives us a plumb line to hold ourselves up against.   We are filled with God's love -- not dotted, not sprinkled, but filled -  it should ooze out of us like the jelly when you bite into a jelly filled donut.  "...for we know how dearly God loves us because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love." Romans 5:5  God is good.  Even Jesus proclaimed God as good. "Why do you call me good?" Jesus asked. "Only God is truly good." Mark 10:18  Being good isn't just about being obedient, it isn't just for children.  Oh no, being good can mean so much more - honest, virtuous, having integrity, and noble - as my little Ian said.

The Bible is very clear on how we should be.
"But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also.  If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don't try to get them back. Do to others as you would like them to do to you."  "Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for He is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate."  Luke 6: 27-31, 35-36   

Kids sometimes forget how they should be. Adults sometimes forget how they should be.  It is just a fact.  I think God's expectation of us is that we always aim to be the best person we can be.   Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "Finally, brothers, good-by. Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you."  2 Corinthians 13:11  And Mark instructs, "But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect."  Mark 5: 48
Perfection is a pretty high bar.  We won't truly be perfect until we get to heaven, but we can aim for it now.  Aim to be more Christ-like.  Look inside yourself and see what area God might like to see you work on.  I know what area He has pointed out to me.

As you peer deep inside, go into it with an open heart and mind and a can-do attitude claiming the verse: "For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13.   Let's take it from the mouths of the babes and be how we should be.  How much more beautiful our homes, our blocks, our towns, our cities, the world would be if everyone was how they should be.
It could happen. But it has to start somewhere - let it be with me! I invite you to join me.

Whisper His Name

How many times have you put your child to bed only to hear in an ever so quiet voice, just as soon as you sit down, "Mom."  You know your child needs one more hug or one more reassurance that there are no monsters under the bed, so you pull your tired body off the couch and go into your child's room and deliver what they need at that moment.  In our house, when the kids were young, this might happen several times on any given night and each time, I heard, "Mom" I would get up and go into the room to reassure, deliver a drink of water or just stand in the doorway and allow them to see that Mom is still home.  My children knew, I was just a "Mom" away.  They could whisper my name and I would come.  That's what mom's do!

That is how the Lord is - He is just a whisper away.  He hears when we call out to Him for help or reassurance or to fill our cup with His love.  "The  Lord hears His people when they call to Him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles." Psalm 34: 17 Why does He do this?  Because as a parent - Our Father - He promises to be there for us.  He gives us little (and sometimes big) glimpses of Himself so that we know He is still there, just as He promised.  (Heb.13:5)  That's what a parent does!

The reality of it is that God actually calls us to call upon Him.  Psalm 27:8 says "My heart has heard you say, "Come and talk with me." And my heart responds, "Lord, I am coming."  God is saying here, call out to me, whisper my name and I will come running to your aid.  This makes me think of the song of long ago written by Carole King and  sung by James Taylor, "You've Got a Friend".  The lyrics go something like this...

When you're down and troubled and you need a helping hand
And nothing, nothing is going right
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there, to brighten up even your darkest night
You just call out my name and you know wherever I am, I'll come running to see you again
Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there, You've got a friend.

God is that friend - He is there at the whisper of His name.  Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall all we have to do is call.

A very long time ago, we lived in Chicago.  One extremely harsh winter day I experienced this very thing. Driving to work in the car, we hit an ice patch and our car started sliding sideways. All I could see was the oncoming traffic heading straight toward us.  At that moment I merely whispered - "Jesus, help us."  The next thing I knew, our car was up on top of a concrete island in the middle of the roadway.  When the tow truck arrived, the driver asked how we got up on top of the island without so much as a bent wheel or axle.  All I could say was, "Jesus did it!"  I know without a doubt that Jesus heard my whispered cry for help and He helped.  He was just a "Jesus" away.  

While this is an extreme example of God showing up to save the day, we can count on Him for all things.  He is just a whisper away when we need patience.  He is just a whisper away when we are tempted to gossip.  We can whisper His name when we need to refocus our day or when we would much rather speak a sarcastic remark than be still.  We have a tendency to forget that God is available to us 24/7 for all things.  

"Search for the Lord and for His strength; continually seek Him."  Psalm 105: 4

The beauty in this is that He wants to be available to us 24/7.  "The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives."  Psalm 37: 23  He wants to be of help.  He wants to be the friend we call on.  He wants to give us that drink of water or whatever it is we need at the moment.  "Praise the Lord; praise God our Savior! For each day He carries us in His arms." Psalm 68:19  He wants us to whisper His name so He can pick us up and carry us through the storm, through the muck, through the daily stuff that so often we struggle with.

Whisper His name and He'll come.  That's what He does!

"How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of Your wings.  You feed them from the abundance of Your own house, letting them drink from Your river of delights.  For You are the fountain of life, the light by which we see."  Psalm 36: 7 -9


And if you don't know my friend, Jesus, just whisper His name.  
Whisper His name and He'll come into your life to be your friend 24/7.

Whisper His Name and see!

      



 

A Purpose-filled Life

Most people struggle at some time or another with wanting to know their purpose. This oftentimes happens during a particularly frustrating time of life or when hardships seem to abound and sometimes, at the beginning of a brand new year.  We begin to doubt ourselves and wonder, "Why on earth am I here?"

Imagine a young girl taken from her home to a king's palace.  For twelve months she is given beauty treatments with oil and special perfumes.  Sweet!   She got to choose fancy clothing and exquisite jewelry to wear.  Every girl's dream!  She was ultimately crowned as the Queen.  Is this a fairy tale? Sounds like one to me.  But, oh no, it is not.  This is a real story.  The young girls' name is Esther. I can only assume the entire time Esther was being pampered and trained she was wondering to herself, "Why me?  What on earth am I doing here?"  Esther discovered some time later her purpose for being chosen to go to the palace and being made queen.  The King had a powerful official in his kingdom by the name of Haman.  Haman was enraged by Esther's uncle, a Jew, so Haman determined to destroy all the Jewish people in the empire. The plot thickens...Wicked Haman spent the next year devising a scheme to do just that and then bribed the King. The King gave in and told Haman he could do what he wanted.  And so, the fate of the Jews in that empire was sealed.  Until....Esther's uncle, Mordecai, learned of the scheme and told Esther.  Esther sprang into action...giving instructions for the Jews to pray and fast and then devising her own little scheme to have a banquet for the King and Haman where she would reveal Haman's plot to kill the Jews.  In the end, Haman gets what he deserves, Mordecai is rewarded with fine robes and a position of authority in the palace, the Jews were filled with joy for being saved and they were honored everywhere, and Esther realized her purpose.  Mordecai says it best, "Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for such a time as this?"  Esther 4: 14  I believe she was.

While this is a very brief synopsis of the story of Esther, it very clearly shows that she did not know what God had planned down the road.  Usually, we don't either.  One thing we can be assured of from this story -- God does have a plan.  He always has a plan and a purpose for each person just as there was a plan and purpose for each person in the story of Esther.  Just as Esther's purpose was hers alone, your purpose is individual to you.  No one else has exactly the same reason for being on earth.  No one else has exactly the same reason for being wherever they are or with whomever they are with.  "This is what the Lord says -- your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: "I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow."  Isaiah 48: 17  This verse is written to you as an individual.  It is written to each of us as individuals.  I think that is why Jesus is called our personal Savior.

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  In those days when you pray, I will listen.  If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me."  Jeremiah 29:11-13  God created you to seek Him, to know Him, to have a relationship with Him and to bring Him glory.  "Bring all who claim me as their God, for I have made them for my glory.  It was I who created them."  Isaiah 43:7 

If bringing glory to God is one of our main purposes, how can we do that in our daily lives?  What that looks like for each of us may be very different.  For some just walking into a room glorifies God. These are people who bring with them joy wherever they go.  People are naturally attracted to them because of their uplifting nature.  For others glorifying God is much more subtle - perhaps behind the scenes service.  For yet others, it might be the use of a gift or talent for God's glory, singing, for example.  "God has given each of you a gift from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it will all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ.  All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. "  1 Peter 4: 10&11   God gives each person that knows Him, a gift.  Using that gift brings glory to God.  There is a children's song called This Little Light of Mine.  The words go like this: "This little light of mine, I'm going to let it shine"....next verse..."Hide it under a bushel - NO - I'm going to let it shine"...next verse..."Shine all over the neighborhood...let it shine, let it shine, let it shine."  God wants us to let our little lights shine - by using our gifts and talents for Him - to bring Him glory - to let the light shine on Him, so that all men will see Him.  That is how we bring Him glory in our daily lives.  That is ultimately our purpose.

Ok, you say, I can't sing and I am not necessarily the life of a party, but I can cut hair.  How can I use that talent to glorify God?  You can bring glory to God by being the best hair stylist you can be.  You can glorify God by being a good listener - women in the hairdresser's seat want to talk - they need someone to listen.  You can glorify God by just smiling at your client.  Do you see what I mean?   Whatever you are good at doing, look at it from the perspective of God - why did He give YOU that talent?   What does He want to do with it through you?   That, my friend, is your purpose and fulfills His plan.

Can all of us be an Esther and save a nation?  No. But can each of us do our part in bringing glory to God?  Absolutely!  That is your purpose and that is my purpose!  "He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love."  Ephesians 4:16

I have found as I get older that knowing that I am a part of God's plan and that He has a very specific purpose for my life has been empowering.  I didn't always know - I had to ask.  You won't have to guess, you won't have to figure it out for yourself.  As His child, you can ask Him to reveal to you how He wants to use you.  You can ask Him: "Father, Why on earth am I here?  What is my purpose?"   If you listen and are prepared to obey, He will tell you.  He may tell you through scripture.  He may tell you through another person.  He may tell you through an event.  But He will reveal it to you.  Rest assured!  You have to be paying attention in order to know which direction He wants to lead you!

He has promised that if we trust Him, He will point us in the right direction. So, this new year, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."  Proverbs 3:5 & 6

You don't know that God may need another Esther (or another Mordecai) for such a time as this!

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Meditation

Today I read the little book of Micah in the Bible.  I have to confess that as I was reading it, I was having a hard time following it and figuring out what it might mean to me and how I might apply those words to my life.  As always when I don't understand what I am reading, I picked up my handy dandy Nelson's Commentary by Warren W. Wiersbe.  I can usually find some help in clearing up what I clearly do not understand.  It did give me the answers I needed and "so much more".  The "so much more" is the topic of today's blog.

In Chapter 7, Micah is completely miserable because the folks he is preaching to are not "upright" (vs. 2) they are "evil doers" and "unethical" (vs. 3) they are all "untrustworthy" (vs. 5 & 6).  But Micah, takes a stand..."But as for me..." (vs. 7) - here comes the so much more -  "...I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me." (vs. 7)  Can you just see Micah standing on top of a hill with his arm ramrod straight and his index finger pointed to the sky and to the God of His salvation.  "As for me", Micah says,  "I will watch, I will wait and I will pray!!!" for Micah knows "God to be faithful".  Micah knows "God to be righteous". (vs. 9)  Micah knows "God to be forgiving". (vs. 18)  (Nelson, pg. 597)  Micah knows God to be merciful. (vs. 18)  Micah knows God to be compassionate. (vs. 19)  Micah knows God to keep his promises. (vs. 20)  Micah had probably spent a lot of time listening to God and thinking about who God is, for him to know, how God is.

After reading the Commentary and rereading these verses, I had to ask myself, "Do I know God the way Micah knew God?"  This is where meditation came in.  Faithful, righteous, forgiving, merciful, compassionate and trustworthy - these are all attributes of the Lord of Lords - the Almighty God.
Meditation simply stated is thinking, long and hard about something; pondering it, contemplating it. Really allowing it to sink in and flood your being - filling you full with the immense-ness of it.  This morning, after reading the book of Micah and the commentary, I sat quietly in my little sanctuary - the room upstairs that I call mine - and thought long and hard about God's faithfulness to me and my family all throughout our years. About each time He met a need, caused something to happen or swept in to save the day.  I thought about God's righteousness and the times He dealt with me justly.  I thought about how God forgave me when I was unforgivable and how He calls me His child now and forgives me when I make wrong choices.  I thought about the mercy God showed me when He sent His Son to die on the cross for a sinner such as I.  I thought about the compassion God has shown me when I have come to him with a hurt heart and He allows me to climb upon his lap and just rest in Him, receiving His comfort.  And I thought about all the promises God has given me through scripture and how He has kept every one.  And as I meditated on these things, I wept.  I was full to overflowing with the immense-ness of God and who He is and what He means to me.  And then I had a time of rejoicing - for I get to call my God - Father.  And He calls me - child.

Meditating on the things of God is a practice that ultimately brings us in a closer relationship with Him.  We get to know Him better the more we think about Him.  We get to know ourselves better as well.  King David declared, "Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long."  Psalm 119:97 The truth of the matter is, I believe it pleases God when we think about Him and His Word all the time, not just when we are in our quiet time or just when we are at church.  For what we think about becomes part of us.  Meditate on that for a moment.  What we think about becomes part of us!

The apostle Paul in speaking to the people of Philippi encouraged them to settle disagreements, to be joyful, not to worry about anything, tell God what they need and thank Him for His provision so that they would experience God's peace and, he told them, that peace will guard their hearts and minds as they follow Christ. (Phil 4:1-7 - paraphrased by me)  And then Paul closes with one final instruction, "And now dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise...".  Philippians 4:8  God is truth.  God is honorable. God is right and just.  God is pure and holy.  God is lovely. God is one to be admired and is worthy of praise.  God is perfect. Think on these things.

As I meditated on God's faithfulness, I was challenged to be more faithful.  As I thought about His forgiveness, I wanted to be more forgiving.  I prayed that I would be more compassionate.  All these things that I was meditating on about God became the desires of my heart.  It became part of me - or at least who I want to be.  And with God's help, I can be that person.  And so can you.

Meditate on the things of God.  You could start your meditation with this verse - dissect it and meditate on one portion at a time. Philippians 4:8 "Fix your thoughts on what is true..."   Think about what you know to be true - God's Word, God's love for you, the fact that God is perfect and holy and good.  As you are meditating it is sometimes good to write down what you are thinking so you can refer back to it.  Remember what you think about becomes part of you.  Thinking on the things of God will make them become part of you.  You will develop a desire to be truthful with yourself and with others.  "Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."  Philippians 4:9   If meditating on the things of God was good for the Philippians and Paul and Micah, it is good for us.

Meditation is thinking on these things - the things of God.

"I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to Him, as I rejoice in the Lord."  Psalm 104: 33&34

Reference
Nelson's Quick Reference Chapter-By-Chapter Bible Commentary; Warren W. Wiersbe; p.597

What Will You Leave Behind?

Most people I know are really trying to make a difference - in their families, in their church, in their workplace, in their community, in their school.  Making a difference means impacting people or places in a positive way.  It means making something that is not so good, good and something that is good, even better.   What you leave behind, or what you pave the way for others to do, is your legacy.

Take Geraldine Ferraro - wife, mother, congresswoman.  In 1984 this woman was the first woman to be nominated for the vice-president of the United States.  She paved the way for other women to run in a presidential election.   She left a legacy that women can and should be taken into serious consideration for running our country.

My 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Flanagan left a legacy without even knowing it.  Mrs. Flanagan is the reason I became a teacher.  She was fair, consistent, thorough in her teaching and she was understanding and kind to her students.  I wanted to be a teacher exactly like Mrs. Flanagan was.  I believe I succeeded.  My hope is that someday some of my students will become teachers like Mrs. Flanagan (and I).  That will be one of my legacies.

Our children and the kind of grown ups they turn out to be is a parent's legacy.  What kind of husband and father a son becomes is a father's legacy.  What kind of wife and mother a daughter becomes is a mother's legacy.

When life changes happen and you move to another location or you start a new job - when you leave this world, what will you leave behind?  This is something we need to think about.  This is something we need to be intentional about. Legacies don't just happen.

Call upon God as in the book of Isaiah - "Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your curtains wide, do not hold back;..." 54:2a.  Throw open your doors, and do something you have dreamed of doing that will be a legacy of courage.  Take a chance.  Share your faith.  Invite a friend to church.

Call upon the Lord as Jabez did - "Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory!..." "And God granted his request."  1 Chronicles 4:10a & b    Perhaps your territory is your family.  Could your legacy be the adoption of a child or becoming foster parents?  Whatever your legacy, ask God to bless it and then stand back and watch how He grants your request.

Teaching our children to love the Lord and teaching them how to read and use the Bible is our spiritual legacy to our children.  What better legacy can you leave than to leave behind children that love and serve the Lord.  (Deut. 4: 9)

Max Lucado said about legacies, "Outlive your life."  A very simple statement but dead on!  Your legacy is what you leave behind that is a piece of who you are and it carries on after you are gone.   It represents your essence that has been absorbed by the thing or the place or the person you have touched.

"All good men and women must take responsibility to create legacies that will take the next generation to a level we could only imagine."  Jim Rohn

What will you leave behind?  What is your legacy?

Who Do You Belong To?

Mine, Mine, Mine...we hear these words from toddlers over and over.  There is a book written by Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen called 'The Mine-O-Saur'.  In this book the Mine-o-saur keeps all the blocks to himself, grabs snacks from the other little dinosaurs and in a very loud voice shouts, "Mine, mine, mine!"  In the end he learns that the toys in the school actually belong to the school and that sharing is best.

When reading Psalm 43 this morning, a few words and verses jumped out at me and screamed - hold the phone - mine, mine, mine!  Vs. 1 - "But now , O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you.  O Israel, the one, who formed you says, "Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you.  I have called you by name, you are mine."  I belong to God.  I am His.  I know this because I have been forgiven, ransomed by the shed blood of Jesus.
Who do you belong to?

When something belongs to us, that makes us responsible for it and typically we take very good care of it.  We make sure our pets are fed and have water, we tune up our cars and we make sure our children are safe and loved.  Because I belong to God, He takes very good care of me.  He feeds me through His Word.   He tunes me up by chastising when I have erred.  He protects and guides.
Why does He do this?  Vs. 4  "Others were given in exchange for you.  I traded their lives for yours because you are precious to me.  You are honored, and I love you."  I belong to God.  I am His. I am precious to Him.  I am special because He loves me.
Who do you belong to?

Knowing that I belong to God gives me security.  He has proven over and over again His faithfulness in my life and the lives of my family.  He has met needs.  He cares about what I care about.  I am safe and secure in the knowledge that I am His and always will be. Vs. 13 "From eternity to eternity I am God. No one can snatch anyone out of my hand. No one can undo what I have done."  I will always belong to God but, He is willing to share.  He shares me with my family, He shares me with friends, He shares me with the church, but I still belong to Him.  I am so glad He shouts mine, mine, mine!
Who do you belong to?  

Belonging to God is a choice each person must make for themselves.  (John 3:16 & John 14: 6) There is nothing you have done that God can not or will not forgive.  God's desire is to call you His child - His son or His daughter. ( John 4:23)  But it takes a response on our part for that to happen.  Ask, Believe and Confess - shout it from the roof tops if you must but proclaim it.  I belong to God. (1John 1:9 & 1John 4:15)   Once that response is made, God takes you into the fold and never lets you go! (John 10: 27-30)

Who do you belong to?

Click below:
I Belong to A Mighty God

Leap of Faith