The inn keepers missed IT. The weary travelers missed IT. Who could blame them. After all, both groups were very busy. The inn keepers had people to take care of, animals to feed, bread to make, etc. The guests had appointments to be kept, taxes to be paid, things to be done. Yes, I'm afraid both groups missed IT - they missed the birth of Christ.
But the shepherds...well, they did'nt miss IT at all. They got all Christmas had to offer. They got the angels. They got the glory of God. They got Jesus.
Luke 2:15 tells us that after the angels went back into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "'Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us." And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger."
Did you get that? Did you ever notice that the shepherds didn't simply praise God out in the field for the birth of His Son? They didn't consider themselves to be too busy to worship. Nope. Instead, they "made haste" to go see this thing the angel had proclaimed to them.
The shepherds got it. They got the wonder and amazement, the miraculous and the importance of Christmas. They might not have understood every implication of this event, but they still celebrated it just the same.
It's often my prayer this time of year, "Lord, don't let me miss Christmas. Don't let me miss Your birthday. Let me celebrate it the way You want it to be celebrated. Let it be about You and not about me!"
This Christmas, let's make haste to see Jesus, so we don't miss IT. Let's not allow the having (or not having) the perfect presents, the perfect family and the perfect emotional state of mind to keep us from missing Jesus. Let's not stay out in the field of busyness and miss celebrating the birth of the King. Let's instead, make haste to Jesus...make haste.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Let There Be Light!
Living in a "holler" in south MS was great fun, but it sure did get dark...when it got dark. There were very few lights and if no stars were out, you could barely see your hand in front of your face. I didn't like the dark that much. It was too scary...too uncertain...you didn't know what was lurking just around the corner of the porch, much less just beyond the cars parked in the back yard. Darkness at my house growing up was, for lack of a better term, dark. And guess what??? It still is!
Lately, I've been thinking a lot about that...about darkness, and I've come to the realization that life would be miserable without a respite from it. You see, it's Christmas, and at Christmastime, lights are everywhere...on trees, on roofs, on plastic reindeer in the front yard. They're draped over bushes and hung gingerly across porch fronts. That's because lights are an important part of Christmas-time, and it just wouldn't be the same without them. Can you imagine a Christmas without lights? How about LIFE without lights?
There was a time when life on earth did exist without light. No, I don't mean that everyone's electricity went out at the same time. I'm not talking about electricity at all. I'm talking about life without Jesus.
Before Christ was born, it had been over four hundred years since the Israelites had heard ANYTHING from God. He'd not spoken through prophets, through miracles, or even through His priests. To them, the silence of God must have been deafening. I'm sure the Israelites began to wonder whether or not He really existed. I'm sure those that did continue to believe in the old traditions, thought maybe God was still angry with them for their disobedience. I'm sure some were saddened, thinking He'd forgotten them. Can you imagine...life with no hope, nothing but darkness for your future...knowing that nothing would ever get any better? Life in total darkness - talk about scary.
But then God, in the mist of total darkness said, "Let there be Light," and Jesus was born. He'd uttered those words before at the very beginning of time, but this time, the Light was of a different nature. Not only did this Light illuminate, this Light saved. This Light brought eternal hope. This Light broke the darkness of the separation between God and man. This Light came and changed the future of mankind...forever. Jesus, the Light of the world, dispelled darkness and invited light into the lives of the Israelites and us today.
Several years ago, God spoke into my heart those same words. With a big smile on His face, the Father said, "Let there be Light," and there was Light. The darkness and sin that had long held me in fear was dispelled. I now have Light in my soul. Do you? If not, know that Jesus loves you. Know that He didn't come to this earth to condemn you, but to make you right with God. Accept the gift He wants to give you this Christmas. Accept His Light.
Father, I pray for those who need you now. I pray that You will open the eyes of their hearts that they may have a full knowledge of You. I pray also for those of us who have forgotten that we need You. Open our eyes, Father, that we may see the overwhelming need for the Light of Christ in our lives. I love You, Jesus. Thank You for coming to earth to give us Light. Thank You.
This Christmas season, don't forget the wonder of the Light. Remember Him, and be thankful.
Lately, I've been thinking a lot about that...about darkness, and I've come to the realization that life would be miserable without a respite from it. You see, it's Christmas, and at Christmastime, lights are everywhere...on trees, on roofs, on plastic reindeer in the front yard. They're draped over bushes and hung gingerly across porch fronts. That's because lights are an important part of Christmas-time, and it just wouldn't be the same without them. Can you imagine a Christmas without lights? How about LIFE without lights?
There was a time when life on earth did exist without light. No, I don't mean that everyone's electricity went out at the same time. I'm not talking about electricity at all. I'm talking about life without Jesus.
Before Christ was born, it had been over four hundred years since the Israelites had heard ANYTHING from God. He'd not spoken through prophets, through miracles, or even through His priests. To them, the silence of God must have been deafening. I'm sure the Israelites began to wonder whether or not He really existed. I'm sure those that did continue to believe in the old traditions, thought maybe God was still angry with them for their disobedience. I'm sure some were saddened, thinking He'd forgotten them. Can you imagine...life with no hope, nothing but darkness for your future...knowing that nothing would ever get any better? Life in total darkness - talk about scary.
But then God, in the mist of total darkness said, "Let there be Light," and Jesus was born. He'd uttered those words before at the very beginning of time, but this time, the Light was of a different nature. Not only did this Light illuminate, this Light saved. This Light brought eternal hope. This Light broke the darkness of the separation between God and man. This Light came and changed the future of mankind...forever. Jesus, the Light of the world, dispelled darkness and invited light into the lives of the Israelites and us today.
Several years ago, God spoke into my heart those same words. With a big smile on His face, the Father said, "Let there be Light," and there was Light. The darkness and sin that had long held me in fear was dispelled. I now have Light in my soul. Do you? If not, know that Jesus loves you. Know that He didn't come to this earth to condemn you, but to make you right with God. Accept the gift He wants to give you this Christmas. Accept His Light.
Father, I pray for those who need you now. I pray that You will open the eyes of their hearts that they may have a full knowledge of You. I pray also for those of us who have forgotten that we need You. Open our eyes, Father, that we may see the overwhelming need for the Light of Christ in our lives. I love You, Jesus. Thank You for coming to earth to give us Light. Thank You.
This Christmas season, don't forget the wonder of the Light. Remember Him, and be thankful.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Be It Unto Me
Be it unto me, according to your word. Those were words of surrender spoken by a young 13 or 14 year old girl over 2,000 years ago. Mary uttered those words after the Angel Gabriel appeared to her and told her that she was to be Jesus' mother. Now, before we get some vision in our head of how awesome and glorious that life would be - mother of the Savior of the world - let's stop and think about how difficult this calling would be for her.
First of all, consider the complications of Mary's new-found identity. Can you imagine having to tell your Mom and Dad the news that you were pregnant with God's Son? Can you imagine their response? Her parents probably thought she was crazy and that she was trying to cover up some disobedient behavior.
What about Mary's friends and peers? How do you think they responded to the news of her being unmarried and yet, pregnant? I'll tell you what. That news is a lot different today, than it was back then. In Jesus' day, being unmarried and pregnant was shunned. I'm pretty sure Mary was teased and ridiculed harshly for a long time...as was her Son.
Finally, think about Joseph. Unlike the other two scenarios, we know how he responded, don't we? Scripture says that when she told him, he didn't want to marry her. Humanly speaking, who could blame him? However, after a visit from the Angel Gabriel, he changed his tune.
I think we just fly past all those complications Mary had to endure when we think about her visit with the angel. Instead, we picture her life as being full of dignity and honor. In our mind's eye, it's only at the cross that we picture her as anything less than pleased with life. In reality though, Mary's new found identity, gave her very little dignity and honor - at least here on this earth.
With that in mind, let's look back at Mary's response to the angel. Behold the maidservant of the Lord. Be it unto me according to your word. Her response - she didn't flinch. She didn't complain about becoming an outcast in her hometown. She didn't ask the angel to tell God to wait until she had gotten married, so all of this wouldn't look so bad. No, in complete trust and with TOTAL surrender, Mary gave her life over to God to use as He desired, whether that meant a difficult road ahead or not.
Can you honestly say those words with Mary? I'll admit I have a difficult time saying them, myself. Instead, my phrase sounds something life this - Be it unto me, Lord, according to Your Word, as long as it makes me happy and keeps me comfortable.
I hope I'm the only one who thinks stuff like that, but if I'm not, let's make a deal. This year for Christmas, let's give Jesus a gift - the gift of a trusting, believing, surrendered heart. Let's make be it unto me, according to Your Word, the motto of our hearts, regardless of our happiness or comfort.
Be it unto me, Jesus. I trust that You are good. I trust that You love me. I trust You are doing what's best for me. I trust You are molding me into the image of Christ. I surrender, Jesus. I surrender.
First of all, consider the complications of Mary's new-found identity. Can you imagine having to tell your Mom and Dad the news that you were pregnant with God's Son? Can you imagine their response? Her parents probably thought she was crazy and that she was trying to cover up some disobedient behavior.
What about Mary's friends and peers? How do you think they responded to the news of her being unmarried and yet, pregnant? I'll tell you what. That news is a lot different today, than it was back then. In Jesus' day, being unmarried and pregnant was shunned. I'm pretty sure Mary was teased and ridiculed harshly for a long time...as was her Son.
Finally, think about Joseph. Unlike the other two scenarios, we know how he responded, don't we? Scripture says that when she told him, he didn't want to marry her. Humanly speaking, who could blame him? However, after a visit from the Angel Gabriel, he changed his tune.
I think we just fly past all those complications Mary had to endure when we think about her visit with the angel. Instead, we picture her life as being full of dignity and honor. In our mind's eye, it's only at the cross that we picture her as anything less than pleased with life. In reality though, Mary's new found identity, gave her very little dignity and honor - at least here on this earth.
With that in mind, let's look back at Mary's response to the angel. Behold the maidservant of the Lord. Be it unto me according to your word. Her response - she didn't flinch. She didn't complain about becoming an outcast in her hometown. She didn't ask the angel to tell God to wait until she had gotten married, so all of this wouldn't look so bad. No, in complete trust and with TOTAL surrender, Mary gave her life over to God to use as He desired, whether that meant a difficult road ahead or not.
Can you honestly say those words with Mary? I'll admit I have a difficult time saying them, myself. Instead, my phrase sounds something life this - Be it unto me, Lord, according to Your Word, as long as it makes me happy and keeps me comfortable.
I hope I'm the only one who thinks stuff like that, but if I'm not, let's make a deal. This year for Christmas, let's give Jesus a gift - the gift of a trusting, believing, surrendered heart. Let's make be it unto me, according to Your Word, the motto of our hearts, regardless of our happiness or comfort.
Be it unto me, Jesus. I trust that You are good. I trust that You love me. I trust You are doing what's best for me. I trust You are molding me into the image of Christ. I surrender, Jesus. I surrender.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Come to Me
Humor me for a moment. Let’s say this past year’s been tough for you and your family. It’s taken everything you have just to muster enough courage to continue on “doing life.” Your patience is wearing thin, but you’re banking on your vacation to give you a little rest from the rest of the world.
Before you know it, it’s here. It’s finally here. Your bags are packed, your tank is full, and you’re on your way. As you’re driving along, out of nowhere you see this amazing place: palm trees swaying in the wind, exotic birds and butterflies floating through the air. There’s even a huge waterfall spilling over the side of a lush embankment. This place seems almost magical.
You pull in, knowing there’s no way you can afford to stay, but wouldn’t it be great if you could? You get out of your car, close the door, and strangely feel as if the world is new again. Hope surges within you, and you find yourself whispering, “Please don’t wake up. Please don’t wake up.”
As you walk into the lobby, the smell of coffee and chocolate fills the air, and the bubbling sound of running water draws you in, even deeper. What a perfect place. What an amazing place to spend some down-time. What an impossible dream in the midst of your reality.
All of the sudden, someone touches your shoulder, and you’re jolted back into your reality. With a smile on his face, he asks, “Can I help you?” You smile back politely and say, “I don’t think so, but I wish you could!” The attendant laughs and asks a little more intently this time, “Can I help you?” With hesitation in your voice, you turn your head and say, “How much is your smallest room here? I would love to stay. I really NEED to stay, but I don’t think I can afford it. Besides, I’ll bet you’re probably booked already.” The attendant shakes his head and says, “Well, you might be surprised. We have very few people staying here this evening. Don’t get me wrong, we have people come in here all the time. They stand around and look at all the things we have to offer…the spa, the heated indoor pool, the weight room with a personal trainer. Yet, for some reason, they always walk out. They don’t even ask to see a room. It seems they’re intrigued by this place and really want to be here, but they never end up staying. That always amazes me. It can’t be the cost of the room, either. You see, a long time ago, the owner of this place decided that everyone should be able to have a place of rest…a place where they could go to find renewed strength for their journey. So, the owner created this place. “Free for the weary,” has always been his motto. It’s all free…free to anyone who wants or needs it. But the strange this is, few people really ever stay around long enough to accept the offer. So I guess what I’m trying to say is that if you are looking for a place to stay, these doors are open. Cost is not a consideration. That’s already been taken care of. You just have to choose to accept the offer.
With enthusiasm and anticipation practically taking over every fiber of your being, you ask, “Does that mean I can stay?” Beaming from ear to ear, the young man answers, “Please do! Come, I have just the place for you.”
“Come,” Jesus says, “Come.” Why don’t we get it? He’s given us an open invitation to come and rest, yet instead we look at Him in our wishful thinking and sadly turn away. Is it because we think it’ll cost us too much? Is it because we don’t feel worthy to be at rest? I don’t know, but I do know that Christ says, “Come. Come; enjoy the beautiful place of rest. Come; enjoy taking those heavy burdens off your shoulders. You weren't designed to carry those anyway. Come;" Jesus says,"Let Me show you to your room.”
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)
Before you know it, it’s here. It’s finally here. Your bags are packed, your tank is full, and you’re on your way. As you’re driving along, out of nowhere you see this amazing place: palm trees swaying in the wind, exotic birds and butterflies floating through the air. There’s even a huge waterfall spilling over the side of a lush embankment. This place seems almost magical.
You pull in, knowing there’s no way you can afford to stay, but wouldn’t it be great if you could? You get out of your car, close the door, and strangely feel as if the world is new again. Hope surges within you, and you find yourself whispering, “Please don’t wake up. Please don’t wake up.”
As you walk into the lobby, the smell of coffee and chocolate fills the air, and the bubbling sound of running water draws you in, even deeper. What a perfect place. What an amazing place to spend some down-time. What an impossible dream in the midst of your reality.
All of the sudden, someone touches your shoulder, and you’re jolted back into your reality. With a smile on his face, he asks, “Can I help you?” You smile back politely and say, “I don’t think so, but I wish you could!” The attendant laughs and asks a little more intently this time, “Can I help you?” With hesitation in your voice, you turn your head and say, “How much is your smallest room here? I would love to stay. I really NEED to stay, but I don’t think I can afford it. Besides, I’ll bet you’re probably booked already.” The attendant shakes his head and says, “Well, you might be surprised. We have very few people staying here this evening. Don’t get me wrong, we have people come in here all the time. They stand around and look at all the things we have to offer…the spa, the heated indoor pool, the weight room with a personal trainer. Yet, for some reason, they always walk out. They don’t even ask to see a room. It seems they’re intrigued by this place and really want to be here, but they never end up staying. That always amazes me. It can’t be the cost of the room, either. You see, a long time ago, the owner of this place decided that everyone should be able to have a place of rest…a place where they could go to find renewed strength for their journey. So, the owner created this place. “Free for the weary,” has always been his motto. It’s all free…free to anyone who wants or needs it. But the strange this is, few people really ever stay around long enough to accept the offer. So I guess what I’m trying to say is that if you are looking for a place to stay, these doors are open. Cost is not a consideration. That’s already been taken care of. You just have to choose to accept the offer.
With enthusiasm and anticipation practically taking over every fiber of your being, you ask, “Does that mean I can stay?” Beaming from ear to ear, the young man answers, “Please do! Come, I have just the place for you.”
“Come,” Jesus says, “Come.” Why don’t we get it? He’s given us an open invitation to come and rest, yet instead we look at Him in our wishful thinking and sadly turn away. Is it because we think it’ll cost us too much? Is it because we don’t feel worthy to be at rest? I don’t know, but I do know that Christ says, “Come. Come; enjoy the beautiful place of rest. Come; enjoy taking those heavy burdens off your shoulders. You weren't designed to carry those anyway. Come;" Jesus says,"Let Me show you to your room.”
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Real Joy has Nothing to do with Chocolate and Everything to do with Choice!
I've made a decision. It's been a long hard road for me and my canister of chocolate chips, but I've finally come to the conclusion that joy...real joy...has nothing to do with chocolate. It's a choice; simply a choice.
That thought twirled around and around in my brain the other night. Our ladies' group at Selma Baptist was having a meeting and there were so many women in attendance that the owner of the home ran out of seats for everyone. So I squeezed my way into the dining room, found a comfortable spot against the wall, sat down and stretched out my aching leg.
It was actually kinda nice - being on the floor. I was hidden from most of the crowd, which afforded me the opportunity to really focus on what was being said, instead of focusing on what I looked like while my friend said it! I closed my eyes, many times, confessing my own ungratefulness of the day...confessing my own lack of true thankfulness for all the Lord has done for me, to me and in me.
As this beautiful lady spoke of being diagnosed with cancer and the treatments that followed, you could feel the whole room hanging on her every word. Ginger Smith told us stories of how God had intricately woven her life together and how He had ministered to her over and over again the last couple of years. She told us how the prayer blanket that the ladies' group had given her had touched not only her life, but the lives of those around her in the treatment center. She talked about how cold it gets sometimes when she takes off her wig and how funny it is when people comment on how good her hair looks, thinking she's gotten it trimmed.
We all just sat there...listening...sympathizing...rejoicing in her life. And as we sat there, we could sense (at least I think I wasn't the only one) that there was something truly different about this lady. It wasn't her cancer...many people have that. It wasn't her chemo treatments or even her wig. I have to say, the thing that grabbed most of us by the throat and shook us to tears had nothing to do with THINGS, with the circumstances of a hard life. Instead, it had everything to do with Jesus and what He can do in the life of one of His kids who has chosen to NOT take every day for granted...who has chosen to NOT accept anything less than joy...who has NOT chosen to let something as heartbreaking as cancer, break her spirit.
Oh that I would be more like my friend and every day make the determination in my heart that "This is the day the Lord hath made. We (I) will rejoice and be glad in it." (Ps. 118:24)
Lord, help me do that today and everyday for the rest of my life...to CHOOSE to find joy in my day...purpose in my heart to seek it out...simply because it is the day You have given, and I should choose to rejoice in it.
That thought twirled around and around in my brain the other night. Our ladies' group at Selma Baptist was having a meeting and there were so many women in attendance that the owner of the home ran out of seats for everyone. So I squeezed my way into the dining room, found a comfortable spot against the wall, sat down and stretched out my aching leg.
It was actually kinda nice - being on the floor. I was hidden from most of the crowd, which afforded me the opportunity to really focus on what was being said, instead of focusing on what I looked like while my friend said it! I closed my eyes, many times, confessing my own ungratefulness of the day...confessing my own lack of true thankfulness for all the Lord has done for me, to me and in me.
As this beautiful lady spoke of being diagnosed with cancer and the treatments that followed, you could feel the whole room hanging on her every word. Ginger Smith told us stories of how God had intricately woven her life together and how He had ministered to her over and over again the last couple of years. She told us how the prayer blanket that the ladies' group had given her had touched not only her life, but the lives of those around her in the treatment center. She talked about how cold it gets sometimes when she takes off her wig and how funny it is when people comment on how good her hair looks, thinking she's gotten it trimmed.
We all just sat there...listening...sympathizing...rejoicing in her life. And as we sat there, we could sense (at least I think I wasn't the only one) that there was something truly different about this lady. It wasn't her cancer...many people have that. It wasn't her chemo treatments or even her wig. I have to say, the thing that grabbed most of us by the throat and shook us to tears had nothing to do with THINGS, with the circumstances of a hard life. Instead, it had everything to do with Jesus and what He can do in the life of one of His kids who has chosen to NOT take every day for granted...who has chosen to NOT accept anything less than joy...who has NOT chosen to let something as heartbreaking as cancer, break her spirit.
Oh that I would be more like my friend and every day make the determination in my heart that "This is the day the Lord hath made. We (I) will rejoice and be glad in it." (Ps. 118:24)
Lord, help me do that today and everyday for the rest of my life...to CHOOSE to find joy in my day...purpose in my heart to seek it out...simply because it is the day You have given, and I should choose to rejoice in it.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Thankful
I am thankful today..thankful that my God is with me...that He is mighty to save me and takes great delight in who I am. I am thankful that He quiets me with His love and beyond my comprehension, rejoices over me with singing.
I am thankful that I can lie down and rest in peace tonight for He is with me.
I am thankful that He doesn't reward me according to my sin and the gunk in my life, nor does He punish me in my iniquity. I am thankful that He made Jesus who knew no sin, to be sin for me so that I can be the righteousness of God through Christ...that there is no condemnation for me in Christ Jesus.
I am thankful that He alone is my Defender and surrounds me as with a shield.
I am thankful that He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it.
I am thankful that He hears me...He sees me...He knows me...and He loves me anyway. I am thankful...truly thankful.
What about you?
I am thankful that I can lie down and rest in peace tonight for He is with me.
I am thankful that He doesn't reward me according to my sin and the gunk in my life, nor does He punish me in my iniquity. I am thankful that He made Jesus who knew no sin, to be sin for me so that I can be the righteousness of God through Christ...that there is no condemnation for me in Christ Jesus.
I am thankful that He alone is my Defender and surrounds me as with a shield.
I am thankful that He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it.
I am thankful that He hears me...He sees me...He knows me...and He loves me anyway. I am thankful...truly thankful.
What about you?
Sunday, October 31, 2010
His Way or No Way
Thud…thud…thud…thud…was the sound I heard early one morning coming from outside our Sunroom window. My husband said it was a Robin and that this poor bird had been slamming itself against our window for several days. At first I thought he was seeing himself in the reflection of the window and trying to get to that other bird. My next thought was maybe he was just trying to get in. But nonetheless, there was no way that Robin was going to get into my house, no matter how hard he tried or worked at doing so. It didn’t matter if he beat his body up against that window for another year, his beating would be in vain. That is, unless we opened the window and let him in. We are, after all, the owners of this home, and if we wanted to, we could entertain confused little Robins couldn’t we? Yet, Robins don’t belong in our home no matter how sad or confused they are, so we choose not to let them in.
Hmmm…this brought to mind John 14:6 – I am the Way, the Truth, the Life, and no one comes to the Father but by Me. Christ told the disciples…and us...that to get to His Father, we would have to go through Me (Jesus) first. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY.
Many people today believe otherwise. They think their good works or their good name or their giving to the church is the Way. Some even think that if they try hard enough, they’ll finally gain access to the Way. But that’s not what Christ said. He said that He alone is the Way. No one will get to the Father. No one will receive Heaven, unless they go the way of the cross…unless they go by faith in Jesus Christ.
Poor robin. No matter what he does or how hard he tries, he’s never getting into my home. I pray that today, if you are like the little bird outside my window, attempting to reach Heaven by your standards and what you think is the way, I pray you will think about this a little more. I pray you’ll turn to John 14:6 and read what it says. I pray the Father, whom you so genuinely seek will reveal to you the Way…the Truth…the Life.
Thank You Father, that You have given us access to You through the life and blood of Jesus Christ. Thank You for His death on the cross…for making Him who knew no sin to be sin for us. Thank you that You made the Way, for You knew that we could not and would never be able to. I praise You, Father. Amen.
Hmmm…this brought to mind John 14:6 – I am the Way, the Truth, the Life, and no one comes to the Father but by Me. Christ told the disciples…and us...that to get to His Father, we would have to go through Me (Jesus) first. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY.
Many people today believe otherwise. They think their good works or their good name or their giving to the church is the Way. Some even think that if they try hard enough, they’ll finally gain access to the Way. But that’s not what Christ said. He said that He alone is the Way. No one will get to the Father. No one will receive Heaven, unless they go the way of the cross…unless they go by faith in Jesus Christ.
Poor robin. No matter what he does or how hard he tries, he’s never getting into my home. I pray that today, if you are like the little bird outside my window, attempting to reach Heaven by your standards and what you think is the way, I pray you will think about this a little more. I pray you’ll turn to John 14:6 and read what it says. I pray the Father, whom you so genuinely seek will reveal to you the Way…the Truth…the Life.
Thank You Father, that You have given us access to You through the life and blood of Jesus Christ. Thank You for His death on the cross…for making Him who knew no sin to be sin for us. Thank you that You made the Way, for You knew that we could not and would never be able to. I praise You, Father. Amen.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Restoration
Restoration. When I think of that word, my mind automatically drifts back to the year 1993 - the summer Steve and I got married. We didn't have a lot of money to furnish our new home in NC, so I learned how to purchase old furniture at a discount price and refinish it. I didn't have a job at that time either, so I had some time on my hands. One day, as a gift to my Mom and Dad, I decided to clean out the garage. It was quite the undertaking for you see, I hate spiders...and there had to be at least 54,000 hidden in this unfinished, open-air carport. Thankfully, the dirt dobbers had done a pretty good job of keeping them under control.
I wiped down the freezer and the old sewing machine and made my way to this old cabinet that had been in our garage ever since I could remember. It was tall with only a chunk of wood nailed to the top to keep the doors closed. That piece brought back many memories as I stood there looking at it. As a farming family, we'd always kept poison in it, along with a few pairs of old work boots. I opened the doors. The boots and poison were still there.
I decided to give this old piece of furniture a rub down. To my surprise, the first swipe of that dirty, old, wet rag revealed a beautiful piece of pine. The more I wiped, the more excited I got. My mind started reeling with what the piece of furniture could look like, if it was refinished, so I continued wiping and cleaning until there was nothing left to wipe and clean.
The piece was gorgeous! I later found out from my mother that this wardrobe was a gift from my Paw Paw to my Grannie. Like Steve and me, they had no money and very little furniture when THEY got married, so in order to have somewhere to put their clothes, he made her a wardrobe. It wasn't perfect, but that didn't matter. The story made me want it, all the more. Graciously, my mom agreed to let me keep it, and I began my work. It took a lot of hard work and sweat in the MS summer heat, but after several days, my new wardrobe perked up even the old garage. Everyone to this day talks about what a beautiful piece of furniture it is, and when they do, I always tell them the story of where it came from and how it came to be beautiful.
Restoration. That's what God does with us too, isn't it? We're just old pieces of furniture that He's decided in His time and goodness to make into beautiful pieces He can use. Day by day He works diligently to clean out the poison, the stinky old work boots, and then (when we allow Him) He wipes us clean of every speck of dirt and dust. He takes old vessels - unused and stored away - and turns them into something beautifully useful. He's in the business of restoration...and I'm thankful.
Dearest Jesus, thank You for restoring my soul...for taking it from where it was and making it anew into something beautiful and useful for Your kingdom. Continue in Your goodness to restore me, Father. Amen.
I wiped down the freezer and the old sewing machine and made my way to this old cabinet that had been in our garage ever since I could remember. It was tall with only a chunk of wood nailed to the top to keep the doors closed. That piece brought back many memories as I stood there looking at it. As a farming family, we'd always kept poison in it, along with a few pairs of old work boots. I opened the doors. The boots and poison were still there.
I decided to give this old piece of furniture a rub down. To my surprise, the first swipe of that dirty, old, wet rag revealed a beautiful piece of pine. The more I wiped, the more excited I got. My mind started reeling with what the piece of furniture could look like, if it was refinished, so I continued wiping and cleaning until there was nothing left to wipe and clean.
The piece was gorgeous! I later found out from my mother that this wardrobe was a gift from my Paw Paw to my Grannie. Like Steve and me, they had no money and very little furniture when THEY got married, so in order to have somewhere to put their clothes, he made her a wardrobe. It wasn't perfect, but that didn't matter. The story made me want it, all the more. Graciously, my mom agreed to let me keep it, and I began my work. It took a lot of hard work and sweat in the MS summer heat, but after several days, my new wardrobe perked up even the old garage. Everyone to this day talks about what a beautiful piece of furniture it is, and when they do, I always tell them the story of where it came from and how it came to be beautiful.
Restoration. That's what God does with us too, isn't it? We're just old pieces of furniture that He's decided in His time and goodness to make into beautiful pieces He can use. Day by day He works diligently to clean out the poison, the stinky old work boots, and then (when we allow Him) He wipes us clean of every speck of dirt and dust. He takes old vessels - unused and stored away - and turns them into something beautifully useful. He's in the business of restoration...and I'm thankful.
Dearest Jesus, thank You for restoring my soul...for taking it from where it was and making it anew into something beautiful and useful for Your kingdom. Continue in Your goodness to restore me, Father. Amen.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Hacking Through
Do you remember movies where the good guys "hacked their way through" some tough, unyielding jungle on the edge of nowhere? Films like that usually picture the soldiers as hot, thirsty to the point of dehydration and half-starved. The men were always a sad sort of bunch, and you never thought they'd make it out alive. Yet, right before you got up to turn off the TV because you thought it was the end of them...and you...the leader of this fledgling group of tired warriors hacked through the last vine and the last thicket of brush to find himself almost transported into a beautiful, breathtaking place. A place where birds flew over cascading waterfalls, the sweet smell of flowers filled the air, and an abundance of fish filled the bottom of a large pool that shone in clarity and purity. Against all odds, they'd made it. They'd traversed through the steaming hot, impassable jungle to find themselves standing at the valley of refreshment.
I've seen those movies, and I cringe every time a scene like that starts to take place. I never know what's going to happen, and I suffer with the weary ones the whole time they're hacking their way through. Maybe that's because I can identify with them. Hmmm...
Many times in my own life, I've found myself hacking through a jungle while living in the middle of a city...literally. Sometimes the jungles were physical. Sometimes, they were mental or spiritual nature, but no matter...they were jungles - and I had to hack through. I struggled through places of dryness, of heat, sometimes great pain and suffering. Many times I've cried out to God and said, "I don't want to do this anymore!" or "This is too hard!"
But you know what? Always...always at the end of my "hacking through," I found exactly what these men searched for in the movies. I found beautiful waterfalls and pools of refreshment, filled with something to satisfy my longings. I found fresh clean water just at the point when I thought my life was over. I found hacking through the jungle only made me appreciate the respite all the more. And I found Him - Jesus.
God says in 2nd Corinthians 4:18 not "to look on the things which are seen, but to look on the things that are unseen for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are unseen are eternal." My friend, as you hack through this week, or this month, or even the next several years, don't look at what you can see around you. No matter how dark and dismal and scary the jungle you're trudging through may be, there IS a place of rest. There IS a place of refreshment, and it might be just beyond the next vine...the next thicket of brush. Don't stop and throw your gear down on the ground and give up trying to get through. God has something waiting for you, just beyond what you can see.
This life is temporary, along with everything in it. So, choose to look not on the things that dissolve, look to the eternal things. Look to what He's doing in you - drawing you closer to Him and making you more like Christ. Look to where He's wanting to take you in your life. Look to what He is doing in the lives of others because of your testimony in your jungle. Don't give up. Hack through, my friend. Hack through.
Jesus, help us fight today. Help us hack through the temporary things of this life, focusing our eyes and our attention on the eternal...on what You're doing in our lives and the lives of others around us. Don't let us grow heavy-hearted in this jungle, but instead, let us find new strength to hack through. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You.
I've seen those movies, and I cringe every time a scene like that starts to take place. I never know what's going to happen, and I suffer with the weary ones the whole time they're hacking their way through. Maybe that's because I can identify with them. Hmmm...
Many times in my own life, I've found myself hacking through a jungle while living in the middle of a city...literally. Sometimes the jungles were physical. Sometimes, they were mental or spiritual nature, but no matter...they were jungles - and I had to hack through. I struggled through places of dryness, of heat, sometimes great pain and suffering. Many times I've cried out to God and said, "I don't want to do this anymore!" or "This is too hard!"
But you know what? Always...always at the end of my "hacking through," I found exactly what these men searched for in the movies. I found beautiful waterfalls and pools of refreshment, filled with something to satisfy my longings. I found fresh clean water just at the point when I thought my life was over. I found hacking through the jungle only made me appreciate the respite all the more. And I found Him - Jesus.
God says in 2nd Corinthians 4:18 not "to look on the things which are seen, but to look on the things that are unseen for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are unseen are eternal." My friend, as you hack through this week, or this month, or even the next several years, don't look at what you can see around you. No matter how dark and dismal and scary the jungle you're trudging through may be, there IS a place of rest. There IS a place of refreshment, and it might be just beyond the next vine...the next thicket of brush. Don't stop and throw your gear down on the ground and give up trying to get through. God has something waiting for you, just beyond what you can see.
This life is temporary, along with everything in it. So, choose to look not on the things that dissolve, look to the eternal things. Look to what He's doing in you - drawing you closer to Him and making you more like Christ. Look to where He's wanting to take you in your life. Look to what He is doing in the lives of others because of your testimony in your jungle. Don't give up. Hack through, my friend. Hack through.
Jesus, help us fight today. Help us hack through the temporary things of this life, focusing our eyes and our attention on the eternal...on what You're doing in our lives and the lives of others around us. Don't let us grow heavy-hearted in this jungle, but instead, let us find new strength to hack through. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
The Room
I just wasn't expecting to see THAT.
I went upstairs to one of my children's rooms and was amazed. There were piles of clothes literally lining the walls, trash on the dresser and in the floor, glasses and bowls and paper plates. You name it. It was there. Why should you be so shocked, you might ask. Well, it was only the day before I'd asked this particular child to clean his/her room, and he/she'd done a beautiful job. Things were put away. There was room to walk. Why, even underneath the bed was clear of any clothes or junk.
I just shook my head. How could this happen? It got dirty again SO quickly.
As my child and I stood there, gazing into a room of havoc, the Spirit of the Lord quietly whispered into my heart, Belinda, your heart looks just like this.
Ouch.
I understood what He meant completely. I had things - not necessarily bad things - lying all around the corners of my heart that needed to be picked up, thrown into the purification wash cycle of Christ, and then hung back up into the proper place. There were also those things in the room of my heart that just need to be disposed of - thrown away. And then, there were the hidden things that I needed to pull out, humbly show to Jesus, and let Him take away.
As I stood there with my child, I couldn't be angry or condemning. Instead, I simply asked him/her to clean the room again, and then I went into my prayer closet and cleaned mine!
What about you? What’s your heart condition? Are there good things in your heart – like serving the church or singing in the choir – that simply have become more of a duty and a responsibility, instead of an enjoyment? Or is there some sin cluttering up the corners of your heart, so the Spirit has to share the space created only for Him? Or, maybe it’s a hidden thing – some habit or secret you’ve been trying to hide from everyone, including God? If you answered yes to any of these questions, I implore you. I beg you. Be reconciled to Christ. Confess those things and allow the Spirit to do a little house cleaning. He’s already got the equipment to do it. You’ve just got to be willing to give Him the go ahead.
Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. Ps. 19:12-14
I went upstairs to one of my children's rooms and was amazed. There were piles of clothes literally lining the walls, trash on the dresser and in the floor, glasses and bowls and paper plates. You name it. It was there. Why should you be so shocked, you might ask. Well, it was only the day before I'd asked this particular child to clean his/her room, and he/she'd done a beautiful job. Things were put away. There was room to walk. Why, even underneath the bed was clear of any clothes or junk.
I just shook my head. How could this happen? It got dirty again SO quickly.
As my child and I stood there, gazing into a room of havoc, the Spirit of the Lord quietly whispered into my heart, Belinda, your heart looks just like this.
Ouch.
I understood what He meant completely. I had things - not necessarily bad things - lying all around the corners of my heart that needed to be picked up, thrown into the purification wash cycle of Christ, and then hung back up into the proper place. There were also those things in the room of my heart that just need to be disposed of - thrown away. And then, there were the hidden things that I needed to pull out, humbly show to Jesus, and let Him take away.
As I stood there with my child, I couldn't be angry or condemning. Instead, I simply asked him/her to clean the room again, and then I went into my prayer closet and cleaned mine!
What about you? What’s your heart condition? Are there good things in your heart – like serving the church or singing in the choir – that simply have become more of a duty and a responsibility, instead of an enjoyment? Or is there some sin cluttering up the corners of your heart, so the Spirit has to share the space created only for Him? Or, maybe it’s a hidden thing – some habit or secret you’ve been trying to hide from everyone, including God? If you answered yes to any of these questions, I implore you. I beg you. Be reconciled to Christ. Confess those things and allow the Spirit to do a little house cleaning. He’s already got the equipment to do it. You’ve just got to be willing to give Him the go ahead.
Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer. Ps. 19:12-14
Monday, October 4, 2010
The Little Branch - With Alternate Ending!!!
Once upon a time there was a Great Tree in the middle of a Beautiful Garden. The Tree was so great that all the birds and squirrels of the world could come and make their home in It at the same time. There were thousands of branches on this Tree. Some hung low to the ground carrying the weight of their fruit, while others bounced highly above, just beginning to produce. On the very top was a new shoot that sprouted out proudly into the sunshine. The little branch was so excited to be on the top of the tree. He felt very happy knowing that everyone could see he was part of the Great Tree in the middle of the Beautiful Garden.
It was a glorious life, there on the top of the Tree. But there was one problem. Every time the little branch got comfortable, the Great Tree started to make Him grow. Now, growing wasn’t all bad. It did make him taller and stronger. Yet there were times the little branch just didn’t want to grow. He didn’t want the Life-Giving Sap flowing through his little stem into his shiny new leaves. It didn't always feel good. Sometimes, it just plain hurt. Sap from the Great Tree stretched and hardened his bark. It pulled and widened his leaves. Something seemed to always be happening in him that was beyond his control...and the little branch, well, he didn't like that.
One day, he'd had enough. Even though he knew the hardness of his bark, the thickness of his leaves, and the tiny bunches of unripe fruit that hung gently from his branches were because of the Life-Giving Sap, none of that swayed his determination to be free. He didn’t want to grow anymore. He didn’t want to be stretched. He didn't want to be controlled. So one day, as Life-Giving Sap from the Great Tree was rising through his stem at a rapid pace, he constricted himself around the liquid, all but cutting if off. “Hey, that wasn’t so hard,” he thought to himself, “I’m finally in control.”
For the next few days, the little branch squeezed and constricted the Life-Giving Sap and kept It from reaching his leaves. It wasn’t long before he didn’t feel the pain of growth anymore. He actually began to not feel anything at all. What a relief. He could finally breathe a little.
In all of his new-found comfort, the little branch forgot about his budding fruit and his shiny leaves. He didn’t recognize that the little birds and the squirrels never played on him anymore. And frankly, he just didn’t care.
One day, a little boy passed by the Great Tree. The little branch noticed that he didn't look happy, as most children did when they would pass by on their way to school. Instead, this little boy looked very frightened and thin. "He must be hungry," thought the branch.
You see, the child had wandered into the Beautiful Garden and become lost, not knowing how to get home. Just the thought of this made the little branch very upset. He'd been fascinated by little children since he first began to sprout. “I know, I will help him," he thought, "I’ll shake my fruit from my limbs and let it fall to the ground so the little boy can at least have something to eat.” Pleased with this thought, the little branch looked up to see which limb held the ripest and plumpest of all the fruit. To his horror, what he saw was a mass of leafless, lifeless limbs with only rotten fruit where the healthy fruit used to be. His bark was gray and peeling off, and his shiny green leaves were nowhere to be found. “What's happened to me?” he thought.
And then, a great voice came from below. It wasn't a thundering voice with harsh, cold tones. Instead, it was a gentle whisper: “Without Me, little branch, you can do nothing, for a branch cannot live or produce any fruit when it cuts itself off from the Life-Giving Sap of the Great Tree.” Saddened and ashamed, the little branch hung low, and the little boy continued on his way. How horribly sad. The little branch had missed the chance to give life to the child. If he’d continued to grow and allow the Great Tree to give him life, then he would have been able to provide the little boy with something he desperately needed…fruit.
Devastated by what he'd done, the little branch now understood that his job as a branch was to grow and produce fruit, even if their was pain in the process. Oh how he wished he'd realized that sooner.
The next day there was a great wind in the Beautiful Garden. The little branch watched in horror as the withered fruit and dried branches from his own limb, fell from the top of the Great Tree and hit the earth below. Reminded again about the little boy, he began to ache with sorrow. Then, as gently as it had come the first time, the little branch heard the voice of the Great Tree saying, “Let Me live in you, little branch, and you live in Me and together, we can produce much fruit."
"That's it! That's it!" and with that thought, the little branch who had long ago squeezed and constricted himself so as not to feel the Life-Giving Sap of the Great Tree, relaxed his bark and gave in to the Sap that waited patiently to pour back into and completely fill his woodened stem.
"I feel it! I feel it!" the little branch cheered with excitement. From that day on, he never hindered the work of the Life-Giving Sap again. Yes, sometimes it hurt to be stretched and hardened, but the little branch knew what would happen if he didn't grow, plus what could happen if he did! Never again did a little boy visit the Great Tree and not receive fruit from the little branch. Never again did a child grow hungry because the little branch's fruit was withered and rotten. Never again did the little branch NOT give in to the Life-Giving Sap. But instead, the little branch grew and grew producing great amounts of fruit that fed all those who came by the way of the Great Tree in the Beautiful Garden.
John 15:4,5 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. A branch cannot produce fruit alone but must remain in the vine. In the same way, you cannot produce fruit alone but must remain in Me. I am the vine, and you are the branches. If any remain in Me and I remain in them, they produce much fruit. But without Me they can do nothing.
It was a glorious life, there on the top of the Tree. But there was one problem. Every time the little branch got comfortable, the Great Tree started to make Him grow. Now, growing wasn’t all bad. It did make him taller and stronger. Yet there were times the little branch just didn’t want to grow. He didn’t want the Life-Giving Sap flowing through his little stem into his shiny new leaves. It didn't always feel good. Sometimes, it just plain hurt. Sap from the Great Tree stretched and hardened his bark. It pulled and widened his leaves. Something seemed to always be happening in him that was beyond his control...and the little branch, well, he didn't like that.
One day, he'd had enough. Even though he knew the hardness of his bark, the thickness of his leaves, and the tiny bunches of unripe fruit that hung gently from his branches were because of the Life-Giving Sap, none of that swayed his determination to be free. He didn’t want to grow anymore. He didn’t want to be stretched. He didn't want to be controlled. So one day, as Life-Giving Sap from the Great Tree was rising through his stem at a rapid pace, he constricted himself around the liquid, all but cutting if off. “Hey, that wasn’t so hard,” he thought to himself, “I’m finally in control.”
For the next few days, the little branch squeezed and constricted the Life-Giving Sap and kept It from reaching his leaves. It wasn’t long before he didn’t feel the pain of growth anymore. He actually began to not feel anything at all. What a relief. He could finally breathe a little.
In all of his new-found comfort, the little branch forgot about his budding fruit and his shiny leaves. He didn’t recognize that the little birds and the squirrels never played on him anymore. And frankly, he just didn’t care.
One day, a little boy passed by the Great Tree. The little branch noticed that he didn't look happy, as most children did when they would pass by on their way to school. Instead, this little boy looked very frightened and thin. "He must be hungry," thought the branch.
You see, the child had wandered into the Beautiful Garden and become lost, not knowing how to get home. Just the thought of this made the little branch very upset. He'd been fascinated by little children since he first began to sprout. “I know, I will help him," he thought, "I’ll shake my fruit from my limbs and let it fall to the ground so the little boy can at least have something to eat.” Pleased with this thought, the little branch looked up to see which limb held the ripest and plumpest of all the fruit. To his horror, what he saw was a mass of leafless, lifeless limbs with only rotten fruit where the healthy fruit used to be. His bark was gray and peeling off, and his shiny green leaves were nowhere to be found. “What's happened to me?” he thought.
And then, a great voice came from below. It wasn't a thundering voice with harsh, cold tones. Instead, it was a gentle whisper: “Without Me, little branch, you can do nothing, for a branch cannot live or produce any fruit when it cuts itself off from the Life-Giving Sap of the Great Tree.” Saddened and ashamed, the little branch hung low, and the little boy continued on his way. How horribly sad. The little branch had missed the chance to give life to the child. If he’d continued to grow and allow the Great Tree to give him life, then he would have been able to provide the little boy with something he desperately needed…fruit.
Devastated by what he'd done, the little branch now understood that his job as a branch was to grow and produce fruit, even if their was pain in the process. Oh how he wished he'd realized that sooner.
The next day there was a great wind in the Beautiful Garden. The little branch watched in horror as the withered fruit and dried branches from his own limb, fell from the top of the Great Tree and hit the earth below. Reminded again about the little boy, he began to ache with sorrow. Then, as gently as it had come the first time, the little branch heard the voice of the Great Tree saying, “Let Me live in you, little branch, and you live in Me and together, we can produce much fruit."
"That's it! That's it!" and with that thought, the little branch who had long ago squeezed and constricted himself so as not to feel the Life-Giving Sap of the Great Tree, relaxed his bark and gave in to the Sap that waited patiently to pour back into and completely fill his woodened stem.
"I feel it! I feel it!" the little branch cheered with excitement. From that day on, he never hindered the work of the Life-Giving Sap again. Yes, sometimes it hurt to be stretched and hardened, but the little branch knew what would happen if he didn't grow, plus what could happen if he did! Never again did a little boy visit the Great Tree and not receive fruit from the little branch. Never again did a child grow hungry because the little branch's fruit was withered and rotten. Never again did the little branch NOT give in to the Life-Giving Sap. But instead, the little branch grew and grew producing great amounts of fruit that fed all those who came by the way of the Great Tree in the Beautiful Garden.
John 15:4,5 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. A branch cannot produce fruit alone but must remain in the vine. In the same way, you cannot produce fruit alone but must remain in Me. I am the vine, and you are the branches. If any remain in Me and I remain in them, they produce much fruit. But without Me they can do nothing.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
The Little Branch
Once upon a time there was a Great Tree in the middle of a beautiful garden. The Tree was so great that all the birds and squirrels of the world could come and make their home in It at the same time. There were thousands of branches on this Tree. Some hung low to the ground carrying the weight of their fruit, while others bounced highly above, just beginning to produce. On the very top was a new shoot that sprouted out proudly into the sunshine. The little branch was so excited to be on the top of the tree. He felt very happy knowing that everyone could see he was part of the Great Tree in the middle of the beautiful garden.
It was a glorious life, there on the top of the Tree. But there was one problem, every time the little branch got comfortable, the Great Tree started to make Him grow. Now, growing wasn’t all bad. It did make him taller and stronger. Yet there were times the little branch just didn’t want to grow. He didn’t want the life-giving sap flowing through his little stem into his shiny new leaves. It didn't always feel good. Sometimes, it just plain hurt. The sap from the Great Tree stretched and hardened his bark. It pulled and widened his leaves. Something seemed to always be happening in him that was beyond his control.
The little branch had had enough. His bark was hard and strong. His leaves were bushy and green. And very tiny bunches of unripe fruit hung gently from his branches. But none of that swayed his determination. He didn’t want to grow anymore. He didn’t want to be stretched. He didn't want to be controlled. So one day, as life-giving sap from the Great Tree was rising through his stem at a rapid pace, he constricted himself around the liquid, all but cutting if off. “Hey, that wasn’t so hard,” he thought to himself, “I’m finally in control.”
For the next few days, the little branch squeezed and constricted the life-giving sap and kept it from reaching his leaves. It wasn’t long before he didn’t feel the pain of growth anymore. He actually began to not feel anything at all. What a relief. He could finally breathe a little.
In all of his new-found comfort, the little branch forgot about his budding fruit and his shiny leaves. He didn’t recognize that the little birds and the squirrels never played on him anymore. And frankly, he just didn’t care.
One day, a little boy passed by the Great Tree. The little branch noticed that he didn't look happy, as most children did when they would pass by on their way to school. Instead, this little boy looked very frightened and thin. "He must be hungry," thought the branch.
The child had wandered into the beautiful garden and become lost, not knowing how to get home. Just the thought of this made the little branch very upset. He'd been fascinated by little children since he first began to sprout. “I know, I will help him," he thought, "I’ll shake my fruit from my limbs and let it fall to the ground so the little boy can at least have something to eat.” Pleased at himself, the little branch looked up to see which limb held the ripest and plumpest of all the fruit. To his horror, what he saw was a mass of leafless, lifeless limbs with only rotten fruit where the healthy fruit used to be. His bark was gray and peeling off, and his shiny green leaves were nowhere to be found. “What's happened to me?” he thought.
And then, a great voice came from below. It wasn't a thundering voice with harsh, cold tones. Instead, it was a gentle whisper: “Without Me, little branch, you can do nothing, for a branch cannot live or produce any fruit when it separates itself from the life-giving sap of the Great Tree.” Saddened and ashamed, the little branch hung low and the little boy continued on his way. How horribly sad. The little branch had missed the chance to give life to the child. If he’d continued to grow and allow the Great Tree to give him life, then he would have been able to provide the little boy with something he desperately needed…fruit.
John 15:4,5 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. A branch cannot produce fruit alone but must remain in the vine. In the same way, you cannot produce fruit alone but must remain in Me. I am the vine, and you are the branches. If any remain in Me and I remain in them, they produce much fruit. But without Me they can do nothing.
I wish I could say this story has a happy ending. It doesn’t. You see, the little branch was so devastated by what he'd done and so broken-hearted for being unable to help the little boy, that he eventually fell from the top of the Great Tree in the beautiful garden to the ground and wasted away.
The same is not true for you and me. We don’t have to fall to the ground and waste away. We can allow God to grow us anew, again. We can choose to stop restricting the Spirit and allow the life-giving sap to flow through our veins, even if it make us a little uncomfortable here in this life. Growth may be painful, but being unable to bear fruit for the benefit of others is even more so.
My friend, the question is...are you squelching and squeezing the life-giving sap of the Holy Spirit? Are you allowing your own desire to be in control of your life to terminate your ability to bear fruit for Christ? Have you stopped growing and producing fruit and are you even aware that you have done so?
Good questions, that need answers for all of us. Let's pray right now and ask the Spirit to show us how we’re growing. There’s someone, possibly your own child, in need of fruit today. Surrender your will to the Great One. Surrender to His life for you and through you, and then shake your branches and let the fruit fall to nourish those around you who are hungry.
It was a glorious life, there on the top of the Tree. But there was one problem, every time the little branch got comfortable, the Great Tree started to make Him grow. Now, growing wasn’t all bad. It did make him taller and stronger. Yet there were times the little branch just didn’t want to grow. He didn’t want the life-giving sap flowing through his little stem into his shiny new leaves. It didn't always feel good. Sometimes, it just plain hurt. The sap from the Great Tree stretched and hardened his bark. It pulled and widened his leaves. Something seemed to always be happening in him that was beyond his control.
The little branch had had enough. His bark was hard and strong. His leaves were bushy and green. And very tiny bunches of unripe fruit hung gently from his branches. But none of that swayed his determination. He didn’t want to grow anymore. He didn’t want to be stretched. He didn't want to be controlled. So one day, as life-giving sap from the Great Tree was rising through his stem at a rapid pace, he constricted himself around the liquid, all but cutting if off. “Hey, that wasn’t so hard,” he thought to himself, “I’m finally in control.”
For the next few days, the little branch squeezed and constricted the life-giving sap and kept it from reaching his leaves. It wasn’t long before he didn’t feel the pain of growth anymore. He actually began to not feel anything at all. What a relief. He could finally breathe a little.
In all of his new-found comfort, the little branch forgot about his budding fruit and his shiny leaves. He didn’t recognize that the little birds and the squirrels never played on him anymore. And frankly, he just didn’t care.
One day, a little boy passed by the Great Tree. The little branch noticed that he didn't look happy, as most children did when they would pass by on their way to school. Instead, this little boy looked very frightened and thin. "He must be hungry," thought the branch.
The child had wandered into the beautiful garden and become lost, not knowing how to get home. Just the thought of this made the little branch very upset. He'd been fascinated by little children since he first began to sprout. “I know, I will help him," he thought, "I’ll shake my fruit from my limbs and let it fall to the ground so the little boy can at least have something to eat.” Pleased at himself, the little branch looked up to see which limb held the ripest and plumpest of all the fruit. To his horror, what he saw was a mass of leafless, lifeless limbs with only rotten fruit where the healthy fruit used to be. His bark was gray and peeling off, and his shiny green leaves were nowhere to be found. “What's happened to me?” he thought.
And then, a great voice came from below. It wasn't a thundering voice with harsh, cold tones. Instead, it was a gentle whisper: “Without Me, little branch, you can do nothing, for a branch cannot live or produce any fruit when it separates itself from the life-giving sap of the Great Tree.” Saddened and ashamed, the little branch hung low and the little boy continued on his way. How horribly sad. The little branch had missed the chance to give life to the child. If he’d continued to grow and allow the Great Tree to give him life, then he would have been able to provide the little boy with something he desperately needed…fruit.
John 15:4,5 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. A branch cannot produce fruit alone but must remain in the vine. In the same way, you cannot produce fruit alone but must remain in Me. I am the vine, and you are the branches. If any remain in Me and I remain in them, they produce much fruit. But without Me they can do nothing.
I wish I could say this story has a happy ending. It doesn’t. You see, the little branch was so devastated by what he'd done and so broken-hearted for being unable to help the little boy, that he eventually fell from the top of the Great Tree in the beautiful garden to the ground and wasted away.
The same is not true for you and me. We don’t have to fall to the ground and waste away. We can allow God to grow us anew, again. We can choose to stop restricting the Spirit and allow the life-giving sap to flow through our veins, even if it make us a little uncomfortable here in this life. Growth may be painful, but being unable to bear fruit for the benefit of others is even more so.
My friend, the question is...are you squelching and squeezing the life-giving sap of the Holy Spirit? Are you allowing your own desire to be in control of your life to terminate your ability to bear fruit for Christ? Have you stopped growing and producing fruit and are you even aware that you have done so?
Good questions, that need answers for all of us. Let's pray right now and ask the Spirit to show us how we’re growing. There’s someone, possibly your own child, in need of fruit today. Surrender your will to the Great One. Surrender to His life for you and through you, and then shake your branches and let the fruit fall to nourish those around you who are hungry.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
OK, I'm finally ready to admit it. I need bifocals! My eye doctor knows this already, but I guess my denial is stronger than his opinion. This sight-related revelation came suddenly and without warning a couple of weeks ago. Several churches had gotten together at the Assembly of God Church in Smithfield to practice for the Smithfield Rescue Mission Benefit. In my struggle to read what I thought was just tiny shape notes and miniature music, I mentioned my need for bifocals to the group and laughed off the fact that everything on the page was running together as one big blur. At that point, a beautiful lady in front of me turned, took off her reading glasses and handed them to me. To my surprise, after I put on the glasses, I could see words and music and periods and commas. No longer did the black print look like a jumbled mess, but I could make out each letter. I could see all of it clearly, unlike before. It was at that moment I realized, I really do need bifocals.
Now, that was a couple of weeks ago, and I haven't gotten them yet. I probably won't for awhile. I'll just be content to continue to struggle, even though I know how much better my sight would be with them. I wouldn't have to squint at this screen to read my e-mails every day. I wouldn't even have to increase the size of the print! Imagine that - to be able to see clearly! Hmmm...
Scripture tells us of seeing clearly. I Corinthians says that in the present time, we see as in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also am known. That's of great comfort to me. You see, there are lots of things in this life I don't understand - that I don't see clearly. There's cancer. There's pain. There's hunger. There's disaster. I know these things exist, but I don't always understand WHY they exist and affect people I love. That's because right now, I'm looking in a mirror that's been streaked and distorted with life. And in this life, I'll never see clearly. God, on the other hand, sees everything with perfect clarity. He sees how it all works together for good. He sees the coordinating pieces of the plan I think are out of place. He sees the end result of the streaks and distortions, all without bifocals.
There's an old Gospel hymn that begins: Trials dark on every hand and we cannot understand all the ways that God would lead us to that blessed Promised Land, but He'll guide us with His eye and we'll follow till we die. And we'll understand it better by and by. By and by when the morning comes. When the saints of God are gathered home. We will tell the story how we've overcome. We will understand it better by and by.
Do we understand it all? No. Do we see God's whole plan clearly without distortion? No. BUT the comfort and the hope for this life is that one day we will. One day we will understand. One day we will see clearly. I'm ready for that day, aren't you?
Dear Jesus, purify our hearts and our patience as we wait for the day You reveal the whys and hows of life to us. Thank You we have hope in that even though we can't see it all, You can. For You, it's all in focus. Thank You, Jesus.
Now, that was a couple of weeks ago, and I haven't gotten them yet. I probably won't for awhile. I'll just be content to continue to struggle, even though I know how much better my sight would be with them. I wouldn't have to squint at this screen to read my e-mails every day. I wouldn't even have to increase the size of the print! Imagine that - to be able to see clearly! Hmmm...
Scripture tells us of seeing clearly. I Corinthians says that in the present time, we see as in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know fully just as I also am known. That's of great comfort to me. You see, there are lots of things in this life I don't understand - that I don't see clearly. There's cancer. There's pain. There's hunger. There's disaster. I know these things exist, but I don't always understand WHY they exist and affect people I love. That's because right now, I'm looking in a mirror that's been streaked and distorted with life. And in this life, I'll never see clearly. God, on the other hand, sees everything with perfect clarity. He sees how it all works together for good. He sees the coordinating pieces of the plan I think are out of place. He sees the end result of the streaks and distortions, all without bifocals.
There's an old Gospel hymn that begins: Trials dark on every hand and we cannot understand all the ways that God would lead us to that blessed Promised Land, but He'll guide us with His eye and we'll follow till we die. And we'll understand it better by and by. By and by when the morning comes. When the saints of God are gathered home. We will tell the story how we've overcome. We will understand it better by and by.
Do we understand it all? No. Do we see God's whole plan clearly without distortion? No. BUT the comfort and the hope for this life is that one day we will. One day we will understand. One day we will see clearly. I'm ready for that day, aren't you?
Dear Jesus, purify our hearts and our patience as we wait for the day You reveal the whys and hows of life to us. Thank You we have hope in that even though we can't see it all, You can. For You, it's all in focus. Thank You, Jesus.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Just got back into town. My husband's uncle died, so we made a sweeping trip through the states of NC, SC, and GA. It might sound like a sad occasion, but bittersweet would define it better. God showed up in a way I think none of us will ever forget. So many blessings came from our trip, and as we look back, I don't think we'll remember how long the road trip was, or how we got stuck in traffic or even how we were concerned we'd not make it back for church Wednesday night. Instead, I think we'll remember what a wonderful time we had seeing our family. I think we'll remember how much fun it was to see the kid-cousins all hanging out and trading silly bands on the pool table. I think we'll remember how much our hearts ache to be with them all again soon! That's what I think we'll remember, and I know that's what Uncle Bill would have wanted.
Grace - God giving us what we DON'T deserve.
I didn't deserve a wonderful trip, but God gave it to me.
I didn't deserve to spend lots of fun-time with my family, but God gave it to me.
I didn't deserve to fall in love with my newly-met cousins, but God gave it to me.
I didn't deserve to tour Cave Spring Cave with Grandpa and eat hot dogs with Uncle David, but God gave it to me.
I didn't deserve to laugh at America's Got Talent with Uncle Jim and get to use my limited sign language with beautiful Janet, but God gave it to me.
I didn't deserve God's protection, His care, His tenderness, His forgiveness, or His grace on this trip, but God gave it to me.
What's He given You?
Dear Jesus, thank You for always loving, always giving, always providing, protecting, holding, shielding, covering and showering me with Your grace. May I always be mindful that I deserve none of these things, but in Your grace, You give them freely and abundantly. May I repay Your kindness with love and obedience that comes from gratitude. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You.
There is none like You, O Lord; no deeds can compare with Yours. Ps. 86:8 (NIV)
Grace - God giving us what we DON'T deserve.
I didn't deserve a wonderful trip, but God gave it to me.
I didn't deserve to spend lots of fun-time with my family, but God gave it to me.
I didn't deserve to fall in love with my newly-met cousins, but God gave it to me.
I didn't deserve to tour Cave Spring Cave with Grandpa and eat hot dogs with Uncle David, but God gave it to me.
I didn't deserve to laugh at America's Got Talent with Uncle Jim and get to use my limited sign language with beautiful Janet, but God gave it to me.
I didn't deserve God's protection, His care, His tenderness, His forgiveness, or His grace on this trip, but God gave it to me.
What's He given You?
Dear Jesus, thank You for always loving, always giving, always providing, protecting, holding, shielding, covering and showering me with Your grace. May I always be mindful that I deserve none of these things, but in Your grace, You give them freely and abundantly. May I repay Your kindness with love and obedience that comes from gratitude. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You.
There is none like You, O Lord; no deeds can compare with Yours. Ps. 86:8 (NIV)
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Expect it!
In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. Ps. 5:3.
This verse consumes me these days. I think I've got the first part of it right - the part about sitting before the Lord in the morning and beseeching Him with requests. However, it's the last three words that get me. Three little words...you would think I could easily overlook them and move forward with my day. However, every time I read this verse, those words resonate in my mind like a gong continuing to vibrate after being struck. It must be because the whole power of the verse hinges on the last three words - wait in expectation.
How often I sit and ask God for things, only to then move about my day as if I never asked to begin with. I beg Him to make my kids love each other, but expect them to fight. I beg Him to cause them to love Him, but expect them to struggle to make godly decisions.
I wonder what would happen if I expected more of God. I wonder if when I laid my requests before God, and then went throughout the rest of the day expecting to see the answers fulfilled...I wonder if I would see a difference in the power of my prayer life. I bet I would. I'll bet my life would be filled with moment after moment of answered prayer - so much so that me and everyone around me would wonder what in the world was going on! Wouldn't that be great!
There's just one question to ask then...what's keeping me from doing it...from expecting God to "show up" throughout the day? NOTHING...ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.
Father, here I am...ordering my prayer to You as the Psalmist did. Help me to choose to EXPECT You to show up. Help me to remember that You desire to give good gifts to Your children and are thrilled when they acknowledge You can! Praise You, Lord, for being good...always good to Your kids. I expect You to "show up" today...I can't wait!
This verse consumes me these days. I think I've got the first part of it right - the part about sitting before the Lord in the morning and beseeching Him with requests. However, it's the last three words that get me. Three little words...you would think I could easily overlook them and move forward with my day. However, every time I read this verse, those words resonate in my mind like a gong continuing to vibrate after being struck. It must be because the whole power of the verse hinges on the last three words - wait in expectation.
How often I sit and ask God for things, only to then move about my day as if I never asked to begin with. I beg Him to make my kids love each other, but expect them to fight. I beg Him to cause them to love Him, but expect them to struggle to make godly decisions.
I wonder what would happen if I expected more of God. I wonder if when I laid my requests before God, and then went throughout the rest of the day expecting to see the answers fulfilled...I wonder if I would see a difference in the power of my prayer life. I bet I would. I'll bet my life would be filled with moment after moment of answered prayer - so much so that me and everyone around me would wonder what in the world was going on! Wouldn't that be great!
There's just one question to ask then...what's keeping me from doing it...from expecting God to "show up" throughout the day? NOTHING...ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.
Father, here I am...ordering my prayer to You as the Psalmist did. Help me to choose to EXPECT You to show up. Help me to remember that You desire to give good gifts to Your children and are thrilled when they acknowledge You can! Praise You, Lord, for being good...always good to Your kids. I expect You to "show up" today...I can't wait!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Enjoy Them Now
I hear the pitter patter of little feet running through the house. This morning's been quiet, but now things are beginning to liven up as small ones and larger ones are awakening. It's the "makings" of a wonderful day - the smell of coffee brewing, the time to sit and talk with the Savior, the sounds of simple life at the Kirk house. Can't get much better than this.
I know one day when I'm older, the sound of little feet running hard and fast through the hallway won't exist - that is, unless my husband decides to simulate it for me every morning. Instead, my house will be quiet, I'll have more time to sit with my Savior and maybe a few more minutes to sip my coffee, but my house will be quiet...probably too quiet.
Mrs. Betsy Tuten, one of my favorite people in the world, told me a long time ago to enjoy my kids while they were little, because they just "grow up too fast." Mrs. Betsy, a beautiful example of the life of Christ, lived alone. Her "Tuten" was with Jesus, and her kids were grown and gone.
The "enjoy them while their little" comment came as I obviously struggled with my little ones overtaking her house during a visit one day. She shared with me that sometimes she would walk in her kid's rooms and see everything neatly tucked away - like it hadn't been touched in years. The beds were made; the pillows, put in just the right place; no toys on the floor. And she would just stand there and look and remember. Then, as if time could be erased, she'd walk into the room a little farther, and be tempted to jerk the covers off the bed and put everything "not" in its place - just so there would be signs of life in her home. "Enjoy them now...enjoy them now," she said.
She's right. I know she's right.
"They were Yours, You gave them to Me..." (John 17:6). That's the first thing I read this morning. This is Christ's prayer to the Father before His crucifixion, but I couldn't help but think, "Lord, they are Yours, You gave them to me."
I'm sad to say, the pitter patter of little feet will disappear, but they were never intended to stay little feet. They were intended to grow into bigger feet that would walk where Jesus wanted them to and run hard to Him when He calls.
My kids are His...and they will grow up...and they will find a life of their own...and they will follow after Him with their whole heart, I pray. So, I need to enjoy them now...and later, too, but especially right now while I have them. I need to remember they are His and treat them with the respect they deserve. I need to remember He gave them to me, so He will provide and He will make me who I need to be for them.
Enjoy them now, enjoy them now.
Father thank You for giving me three wonderful little people to hold on this earth for You. You gave them to Me, Father, now help me pour Your life into them. Help me love them, as You do. Help me teach them as You desire. Thank You. Thank You for the reminder to enjoy them...enjoy them now.
I know one day when I'm older, the sound of little feet running hard and fast through the hallway won't exist - that is, unless my husband decides to simulate it for me every morning. Instead, my house will be quiet, I'll have more time to sit with my Savior and maybe a few more minutes to sip my coffee, but my house will be quiet...probably too quiet.
Mrs. Betsy Tuten, one of my favorite people in the world, told me a long time ago to enjoy my kids while they were little, because they just "grow up too fast." Mrs. Betsy, a beautiful example of the life of Christ, lived alone. Her "Tuten" was with Jesus, and her kids were grown and gone.
The "enjoy them while their little" comment came as I obviously struggled with my little ones overtaking her house during a visit one day. She shared with me that sometimes she would walk in her kid's rooms and see everything neatly tucked away - like it hadn't been touched in years. The beds were made; the pillows, put in just the right place; no toys on the floor. And she would just stand there and look and remember. Then, as if time could be erased, she'd walk into the room a little farther, and be tempted to jerk the covers off the bed and put everything "not" in its place - just so there would be signs of life in her home. "Enjoy them now...enjoy them now," she said.
She's right. I know she's right.
"They were Yours, You gave them to Me..." (John 17:6). That's the first thing I read this morning. This is Christ's prayer to the Father before His crucifixion, but I couldn't help but think, "Lord, they are Yours, You gave them to me."
I'm sad to say, the pitter patter of little feet will disappear, but they were never intended to stay little feet. They were intended to grow into bigger feet that would walk where Jesus wanted them to and run hard to Him when He calls.
My kids are His...and they will grow up...and they will find a life of their own...and they will follow after Him with their whole heart, I pray. So, I need to enjoy them now...and later, too, but especially right now while I have them. I need to remember they are His and treat them with the respect they deserve. I need to remember He gave them to me, so He will provide and He will make me who I need to be for them.
Enjoy them now, enjoy them now.
Father thank You for giving me three wonderful little people to hold on this earth for You. You gave them to Me, Father, now help me pour Your life into them. Help me love them, as You do. Help me teach them as You desire. Thank You. Thank You for the reminder to enjoy them...enjoy them now.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
You'll Never Find
I'm so blessed. After 17 years of marriage, my husband still sings over me. He waltzes into the kitchen while I'm making dinner and belts out "You'll never find...as long as you live...someone who loves you...baby like I do." For you younger ones, that's an old Lou Rawl's song. I know, you probably don't know who Lou Rawls is either, but Google him and the song on YouTube. You'll get a treat, I promise! Grant it, my husband's serenade is meant to bring laughter rather than admiration for his beautiful, deep voice, but it's great to be sung over anyway.
Confession time: My husband's not the only one who sings over me. There's another who's voice is the most amazing. It's deep. It's gentle. It's strong. If you've never heard it, you're missing something.
I do hope by now you've figured out I'm not speaking of another man at all. The other One is God, Himself. Zeph. 3:17 tells me something fascinating. It says He will rejoice over you with singing. Every time I read that, I am overwhelmed by God's love for me. He's just plain giddy over me sometimes, enough to sing. Wow. What a thought.
How about you? How long has it been since you thought about God singing over you? He does, you know. Why don't you take a minute right now to stop and let it sink in...He loves you. He cherishes you. He desires you. You make His heart sing. Now that you've got that settled and your heart is bursting with gratitude, start your day on that note. You truly will never find "someone who loves you, baby like He does!"
Father, Your love is amazing. It's far above anything I could ever ask or imagine. You love me. Wow. Thank You, Lord for singing over me...for making me feel special today. May I live a life of gratitude for Your love.
Confession time: My husband's not the only one who sings over me. There's another who's voice is the most amazing. It's deep. It's gentle. It's strong. If you've never heard it, you're missing something.
I do hope by now you've figured out I'm not speaking of another man at all. The other One is God, Himself. Zeph. 3:17 tells me something fascinating. It says He will rejoice over you with singing. Every time I read that, I am overwhelmed by God's love for me. He's just plain giddy over me sometimes, enough to sing. Wow. What a thought.
How about you? How long has it been since you thought about God singing over you? He does, you know. Why don't you take a minute right now to stop and let it sink in...He loves you. He cherishes you. He desires you. You make His heart sing. Now that you've got that settled and your heart is bursting with gratitude, start your day on that note. You truly will never find "someone who loves you, baby like He does!"
Father, Your love is amazing. It's far above anything I could ever ask or imagine. You love me. Wow. Thank You, Lord for singing over me...for making me feel special today. May I live a life of gratitude for Your love.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Then Tell Yourself So
"Talking to yourself? That's o.k., as long as you don't answer yourself." How many times have I heard that one! If that's all it takes to label me crazy, then write it on a Post-It-Note with a big, black Sharpie and stick it to my forehead! AND YET, in my talking to/answering myself, I've noticed that I'm in some pretty good company.
The Psalmist did the same thing. In Ps. 42:5,6 he says, "Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance. O my God, my soul is cast down within me; Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan, and from the heights of Hermon, from the Hill Mizar."
He's asking and answering his own questions, isn't he? Told you I was in good company!
Now, why would the psalmist ask his soul a question and then answer it? If he can answer the question, doesn't his soul know the answer already? I think he did this for the same reason I do...to remind himself of something.
Look at the last part of vs. 6. The psalmist says, "Therefore, I will remember." In the midst of his discouragement, in the midst of being far from home and in the middle of everything UNfamiliar, the psalmist simply he declares that he'll remember God. He'll remember to worship, even in the unfamiliar places. He'll remember God is good, even at a distance...and he'll tell himself so.
I've not been in captivity, but I've walked in the unfamiliar places of the psalmist - places where my soul has longed to be quieted with something "known." In those places, discouragement comes naturally...BUT, not if we remember. Remember Who God has been to you, and Who He promises to be. Remember He loves you. Remember He's passionate about you. Remember He holds your very life in His hands and numbers the hairs of your head. Remember God is still good, even at a distance...and then tell yourself so.
Doesn't sound so crazy after all, does it!?!
Thank You God, that when my heart aches, I can take heart in You. I can remember Your faithfulness to me in the "land of the living," and I can rejoice for what's to come, instead of focusing on what has been. Thank You for writing down the feelings and emotions of the psalmists, so I can know I am never alone. Help me to speak life to my soul...to encourage myself in You...to tell myself so. Thank You, Father. Thank You.
The Psalmist did the same thing. In Ps. 42:5,6 he says, "Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance. O my God, my soul is cast down within me; Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan, and from the heights of Hermon, from the Hill Mizar."
He's asking and answering his own questions, isn't he? Told you I was in good company!
Now, why would the psalmist ask his soul a question and then answer it? If he can answer the question, doesn't his soul know the answer already? I think he did this for the same reason I do...to remind himself of something.
Look at the last part of vs. 6. The psalmist says, "Therefore, I will remember." In the midst of his discouragement, in the midst of being far from home and in the middle of everything UNfamiliar, the psalmist simply he declares that he'll remember God. He'll remember to worship, even in the unfamiliar places. He'll remember God is good, even at a distance...and he'll tell himself so.
I've not been in captivity, but I've walked in the unfamiliar places of the psalmist - places where my soul has longed to be quieted with something "known." In those places, discouragement comes naturally...BUT, not if we remember. Remember Who God has been to you, and Who He promises to be. Remember He loves you. Remember He's passionate about you. Remember He holds your very life in His hands and numbers the hairs of your head. Remember God is still good, even at a distance...and then tell yourself so.
Doesn't sound so crazy after all, does it!?!
Thank You God, that when my heart aches, I can take heart in You. I can remember Your faithfulness to me in the "land of the living," and I can rejoice for what's to come, instead of focusing on what has been. Thank You for writing down the feelings and emotions of the psalmists, so I can know I am never alone. Help me to speak life to my soul...to encourage myself in You...to tell myself so. Thank You, Father. Thank You.
Friday, August 27, 2010
God's Right On TIme
Raining cats and dogs can't even come close describing tonight's drenching rain. Raining tigers and wolves maybe, but definitely not cats and dogs! All day long, the rain had fallen, sometimes heavy, sometimes light, but at this moment, it was pouring. I had just pulled into our subdivision, when it hit me - silly bandz. Our daughter KK had been waiting anxiously for an order of silly bandz she had purchased off EBAY. They were supposed to come on 8/23. Today was the 24th.
So you see, I found myself in a dilemma - check the outdoor community mailbox for silly band arrival or proceed home, pretending I didn't think about stopping. What to do...what to do? Of course, you know what I did. I stopped. Her squeals and dances of silly-band-euphoria would be well-worth a little drenching!
I drove up to the mailbox. pulling as close as I could...quite a feat for a Suburban! I rolled the window down, hoping the "growls and howls" would stop the exact moment my arm left the safety of the window. Didn't happen. My arm grew cold with the wet rain as I stretched to reach the box. I bravely stuck the key into the lock, turned it, removed the mail, and then turned the key back into the locked position. Victory was mine...or so I thought. There was only one more thing standing in my way of rolling up the window and taking cover in my big green "Burbee" - key retrieval. I reached out for the final time and pulled. Nothing happened. I pulled again. Surely this couldn't be, but it was. The key was stuck. I don't mean just a little hung on something...I mean, STUCK. After futilely trying to make it budge with my left hand, I grabbed the soaking wet umbrella from the back seat. Water had collected inside the material and all of it came rushing down on me as I opened my "protective covering." I carefully positioned the umbrella just right, so that only a few stray raindrops came my way. I grabbed the key again, still with no luck. Finally, I said out loud, "Lord, I really need this key. Could You help me?"
After a few more attempts, it dawned on me. Maybe it was God's plan for that key to remain jammed. He might have some other purpose or some other person that I (we) needed to meet, and He was using our key to do it.
I decided to leave, but couldn't because the mailbox key was conveniently attached to my car keys. The Mailbox Monster seemed to taunt me, but I was determined not to let him keep me in his grasp. I unbuckled my seat belt, turned "catty-cornered" (I don't know either. Mom always used that word to mean something in a really weird position), reached with both hands, and worked to get the key off the keyring. After several attempts and a few more rain drops, I successfully maneuvered the key off the ring. At last, my suburban and I were free to go.
I don't know what made me want to try to retrieve the key one last time, but for some reason, I grabbed that stubborn little piece of metal and pulled. Of course, to no one's surprise, it came out with great ease. I laughed out loud, wet arm and all. I had spent a good 5 minutes trying to free that key. It would have been a whole lot easier if God had answered my request when I first prayed, but He didn't.
Now, I know it may sound silly to some of you that I prayed about my key being stuck in the mailbox. I have to confess, I did feel a little silly speaking that prayer out loud, but on the flip-side, I've also seen some amazing answers to "silly prayers" like that one. Because of that, I fully expected God to help me with my key. I fully expected it to come out the next time I pulled. What I didn't fully expect was for it to come out at the last minute.
That made me start thinking...
God's timing doesn't always coincide with ours. When we want something, we want it NOW, and everybody better get out of our way if we don't get it. In our minds, waiting is not part of our plan, and therefore, should never be part of the plan.
There's a commercial about a specific law firm that illustrates this perfectly. On the screen, you see person after person, sticking their heads out of windows, cars doors, fire escapes, etc..., and they're all saying the same thing: It's my money and I want it NOW!. Cracks me up. They sound like three year olds, instead of mature adults who understand things don't always happen just because we want them to.
Yet, I find myself approaching God this way, sometimes. I tell Him - the Creator of the Universe - that it's mine and I want it now! Talk about a silly-sounding prayer. Talk about a disrespectful, ungrateful prayer. But I don't want to wait. It's raining and I'm getting wet and worst of all, I'm uncomfortable. I need relief, and I need it NOW.
There are times that God answers those prayers, and then there are times like tonight at the mailbox, when God gently reminds me it's not always in my best interest to have what I want...NOW. You see, He sees it all. He's got my whole life laid out in the pattern of a beautiful tapestry. I can only imagine what horrible colors and patterns my tapestry would show forth, if I decided the Master Weaver wasn't spinning His threads fast enough.
Beloved of God, He "has it," even if you don't see it. Someone once said that if we could figure out what God was doing, then He wouldn't be God. I agree. We just have to trust the One who created us to know what He's doing, even when we don't. Is. 55:8,9 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.
Thank You, Father that Your ways are higher than ours. We confess that. Thank You that Your thoughts are higher than ours, and we confess that too! Thank You that we don't have to trust in our own little ways of thinking, but instead can trust ourselves fully and completely to the Master Weaver...even when the answer takes longer than we want or expect. You are truly amazing. Amen.
So you see, I found myself in a dilemma - check the outdoor community mailbox for silly band arrival or proceed home, pretending I didn't think about stopping. What to do...what to do? Of course, you know what I did. I stopped. Her squeals and dances of silly-band-euphoria would be well-worth a little drenching!
I drove up to the mailbox. pulling as close as I could...quite a feat for a Suburban! I rolled the window down, hoping the "growls and howls" would stop the exact moment my arm left the safety of the window. Didn't happen. My arm grew cold with the wet rain as I stretched to reach the box. I bravely stuck the key into the lock, turned it, removed the mail, and then turned the key back into the locked position. Victory was mine...or so I thought. There was only one more thing standing in my way of rolling up the window and taking cover in my big green "Burbee" - key retrieval. I reached out for the final time and pulled. Nothing happened. I pulled again. Surely this couldn't be, but it was. The key was stuck. I don't mean just a little hung on something...I mean, STUCK. After futilely trying to make it budge with my left hand, I grabbed the soaking wet umbrella from the back seat. Water had collected inside the material and all of it came rushing down on me as I opened my "protective covering." I carefully positioned the umbrella just right, so that only a few stray raindrops came my way. I grabbed the key again, still with no luck. Finally, I said out loud, "Lord, I really need this key. Could You help me?"
After a few more attempts, it dawned on me. Maybe it was God's plan for that key to remain jammed. He might have some other purpose or some other person that I (we) needed to meet, and He was using our key to do it.
I decided to leave, but couldn't because the mailbox key was conveniently attached to my car keys. The Mailbox Monster seemed to taunt me, but I was determined not to let him keep me in his grasp. I unbuckled my seat belt, turned "catty-cornered" (I don't know either. Mom always used that word to mean something in a really weird position), reached with both hands, and worked to get the key off the keyring. After several attempts and a few more rain drops, I successfully maneuvered the key off the ring. At last, my suburban and I were free to go.
I don't know what made me want to try to retrieve the key one last time, but for some reason, I grabbed that stubborn little piece of metal and pulled. Of course, to no one's surprise, it came out with great ease. I laughed out loud, wet arm and all. I had spent a good 5 minutes trying to free that key. It would have been a whole lot easier if God had answered my request when I first prayed, but He didn't.
Now, I know it may sound silly to some of you that I prayed about my key being stuck in the mailbox. I have to confess, I did feel a little silly speaking that prayer out loud, but on the flip-side, I've also seen some amazing answers to "silly prayers" like that one. Because of that, I fully expected God to help me with my key. I fully expected it to come out the next time I pulled. What I didn't fully expect was for it to come out at the last minute.
That made me start thinking...
God's timing doesn't always coincide with ours. When we want something, we want it NOW, and everybody better get out of our way if we don't get it. In our minds, waiting is not part of our plan, and therefore, should never be part of the plan.
There's a commercial about a specific law firm that illustrates this perfectly. On the screen, you see person after person, sticking their heads out of windows, cars doors, fire escapes, etc..., and they're all saying the same thing: It's my money and I want it NOW!. Cracks me up. They sound like three year olds, instead of mature adults who understand things don't always happen just because we want them to.
Yet, I find myself approaching God this way, sometimes. I tell Him - the Creator of the Universe - that it's mine and I want it now! Talk about a silly-sounding prayer. Talk about a disrespectful, ungrateful prayer. But I don't want to wait. It's raining and I'm getting wet and worst of all, I'm uncomfortable. I need relief, and I need it NOW.
There are times that God answers those prayers, and then there are times like tonight at the mailbox, when God gently reminds me it's not always in my best interest to have what I want...NOW. You see, He sees it all. He's got my whole life laid out in the pattern of a beautiful tapestry. I can only imagine what horrible colors and patterns my tapestry would show forth, if I decided the Master Weaver wasn't spinning His threads fast enough.
Beloved of God, He "has it," even if you don't see it. Someone once said that if we could figure out what God was doing, then He wouldn't be God. I agree. We just have to trust the One who created us to know what He's doing, even when we don't. Is. 55:8,9 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.
Thank You, Father that Your ways are higher than ours. We confess that. Thank You that Your thoughts are higher than ours, and we confess that too! Thank You that we don't have to trust in our own little ways of thinking, but instead can trust ourselves fully and completely to the Master Weaver...even when the answer takes longer than we want or expect. You are truly amazing. Amen.
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