Some of the greatest heartache in the world - I believe - belongs to the parent whose child is in rebellion. I'm not just talking about a little disrespect every now and then. I'm talking about "flat-out" rebellion, where the child despises the teachings of his/her mother and father. That's incredibly sad for me to think about, and yet, in many parent's lives, it is a reality beyond anything I can imagine at this stage of my life.
Maybe you have been affected by this type of "rebellion." Maybe your children have broken your heart many, many, many times over. If so, I pray for you right now to have wisdom in your dealings with your child. I pray that God would grant you peace, in knowing that He cares for your child more than you will ever know, this side of heaven. I pray that God will enable you to have an open line of communication with your child and that your relationship will be restored. I pray that your heart would be pure before your child and before Almighty God. I pray for your tears to cease, and your joy to be restored.
I guess I can't help but write about this, because it's been on my mind lately. I was never really a "rebellious" kid. I did sow some wild oats in my day - 'nuf' said - but I really didn't lash out at my parents in disgust or disrespect. You just didn't do that in my house. You didn't turn away while my parents were talking with you, and you sure didn't roll your eyes when they suggested something that made your heart say, "Really?"
I am so thankful for that teaching. I am so thankful that they ingrained that type of behavior in us when we were younger, because now that I'm older and have kids of my own, I see the bigger picture. I see how rebellion can hurt. I see how a rolling of the eyes and a turning away of the face can damage the parent/child relationship. Sadly, it is the first sign of a rebellious heart. It's a sign that your child's heart is becoming hard...a sign a parent never wants to see.
I have yet to experience that type of total rebellion in my own family. Right now, I have a great relationship with my kids. But I know Someone who has experienced it. I know Someone who has lived life as a parent, only to be rejected, and you do, too: God.
As a parent, He wooed Israel over and over again, back into His arms...back into His safe covering for them. You would think they would have been grateful, and yet, they weren't. You would think that they would hang on His every word, and yet, in Jeremiah 2:27, God says that His children - His beloved - His precious sons and daughters - rebelled. He said, they "say to a tree 'You are my father," and to a stone, "You gave birth to me,' for they have turned their back to Me, and not their face."
Again in Jeremiah, you hear the very hurtful heart of God, the parent, as He makes this statement: "And they have turned to Me the back and not the face; Though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet they have not listened to receive instruction" (Jer. 32:33).
As a parent, that just makes my heart hurt. The God of creation...the God Who loves passionately and doesn't know how to do it any other way...was rejected by His children. His teachings were scorned. His love was rejected. His passion for them and cries to them, fell on deaf ears. They chose to turn their backs to Him and not their faces. Pretty sad, huh?
But despite the sadness and hurt of being their parent, God didn't give up on His kids. Yes, He disciplined them, but He never gave up on them. He could have wiped them off the face of the earth and started over again, but He didn't. He could have left them completely alone in their misery, but He didn't. He could have disowned and rejected them as His own, but He didn't. Instead, God told them that after their discipline had been completed, He would "gather them out of all countries where I have driven them in My anger, in My fury and in great wrath. I WILL bring them back to this place, and I WILL cause them to dwell safely. They shall be MY people, and I WILL be their God, then I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear Me forever; for the good of them and their children after them. And I WILL make an everlasting covenant with them, that I WILL not turn away from doing them good; but I WILL put MY fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me. Yes, I WILL rejoice over them to do them good, and I WILL assuredly plant them in this land, WITH ALL MY HEART AND WITH ALL MY SOUL" (Jer. 32:37-41).
He never gave up on them in their rebellion.
He never gave up on me in my rebellion...and He doesn't give up on me today. Praise be to His Name!
My encouragement today is for you to not give up on your son or daughter in their rebellion. Instead, be passionate about their discipline (designed to restore their relationship with you), but even more passionate about their restoration to God. Pray for them continually. Love them, even in their anger and rejection of you. Be an example of Christ to them. Believe that God will AND CAN change them into who He wants them to be. After all, He says, "I am the Lord, the God of all flesh, is there anything too hard for Me?" (Jer. 32:29).
God wants to do a miracle in your family. He hasn't forgotten you. He wants to show you and others His glory, and while He works, you wait and pray...and wait and pray some more, believing that He hasn't given up on your child...just like He never gives up on you. : )
Father God, help me be a good parent today. Teach me how to pray for my kids...how to love them, as You love them. Help me to know when to open my mouth and when to keep it shut. You, Lord God, are my Creator. You are my Sustainer. You are my Rock and my Shelter. Help me to hide in You today, as I wait to see Your miraculous works in my child's life. I praise You, Jesus. I praise You.
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Staying Out of the Belly of a Whale
Now that's different!
I have always heard and thought that Jonah - you know, the whale guy - was disobedient to God, mainly because he was "scared" to go to Nineveh. Well, after reading the book again, I've come to change my thoughts about our run-a-way prophet. I'm sure fear for his own life did play a part in his detour to Tarshish, but for the most part, Jonah was just plain angry about the whole idea of preaching repentance to the Assyrians. After all, the Assyrians...the inhabitants of Nineveh...were Jonah's arch enemies. They had attacked his city over and over again, killing and raiding as they went. So, you can imagine how much Jonah valued the lives of the Ninevites.
I can't say I blame him. In his eyes, preaching repentance to the Ninevites was like throwing a life preserver to those who had made many of his own people - possibly even his family - walk the proverbial "plank."
So when God commanded him to "Go," Jonah said, "No."
I don't think he actually looked up at God and shook his fist while defying Him. Instead, I think he heard God's orders, packed his bags and left, going in the opposite direction.
Jonah wasn't interested in saving the Ninevites. He wanted to see them suffer. He wanted to see their city destroyed. Wouldn't it be better for Israel, if her enemies were wiped off the face of the earth? Jonah wanted judgement - punishment for those who had inflicted so much damage and pain.
I know that because in Jonah chapter 4 (post-whale), when the prophet saw the repentance of the people of Nineveh, Jonah became very angry. His prayer revealed his reasoning for not wanting to go in the first place: "Ah, Lord was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore, I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness; One who relents from doing harm. Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live" (vs.1-3).
Before Jonah ever made plans to leave Israel, he knew what would probably happen if he preached repentance to the Ninevites. He knew that God was "a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness; One who relents from doing harm." He knew God was too gracious and merciful not to give them another chance, before He exacted judgement. He knew that God was going to spare Nineveh, so I'm assuming he banked on the fact that God would spare him, as well.
Jonah wasn't dumb. He knew that intentionally disobedience wasn't smart, but he probably rationalized that God, being gracious and merciful...full of lovingkindness and compassion, would be gracious and merciful to him in his disobedience. He figured God would let him get away with rebellion this one time - maybe...
Maybe not.
God IS gracious and merciful. Yes, He is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness. Yes, He is a God who relents from doing harm. But did that give Jonah a reason to willfully sin against the Father and disobey His commands? NO! God told Jonah at the end of the book that the Ninevites didn't know their right hand from their left. They didn't have a clue they were wallowing in sin...but Jonah KNEW better.
I think we are just as guilty as Jonah sometimes. God tells us something that's hard to do...something that takes us out of our comfort zone and like Jonah, we look at Him in our own way and ask Him, "Are you kidding me? I can't forgive him for what He did. I can't forgive her for what she said. There's no way I'm going to even try. They've damaged me far too much. My heart is hard and will remain so. I can't believe You are even asking me to do this, God." And then we count on the fact that He is gracious and merciful. We count on the fact that He is full of lovingkindness and compassion. We bank on the fact that He will overlook this ONE area of rebelliousness in our lives, and we head to Tarshish.
Then, like Jonah, we find ourselves in the belly of a whale - cold, dark, hungry and clueless - wondering why God would allow this to happen.
Oh, Beloved of God...LOVED by God...sometimes the things that God asks us to do in His Word ARE hard. It's not easy to forgive. It's not easy to minister grace and mercy to those who have caused you harm. It's not easy to let go of the anger and allow God to do His work. And it's definitely not easy to watch the results of that work - sometimes being full of grace and compassion. Yet, God calls us to do it - to forgive - to not judge - to not hold grudges - to be more concerned about their souls and their relationship to God, than we are about our own feelings.
Forgive, today. Tell yourself and God that this person has your forgiveness. They are no longer in debt to you, nor are you to them. They are His and He can do whatever He wants with them - whether that be salvation or destruction. Choose to repeat that to yourself - "With God's grace and because of God's lovingkindness to me, I forgive ______________." Then, let God do His work in their lives - even if it includes you.
Dearest Jesus, please help me today to let go of vengeance. Please show me my hidden rebellion...the sin that is keeping me captive. Help me choose to forgive, as you forgive...to love, as You love...to obey, as You were obedient to Your Father. Thank You for being gracious and merciful - full of lovingkindness to me. I love You, Lord. I love you.
I have always heard and thought that Jonah - you know, the whale guy - was disobedient to God, mainly because he was "scared" to go to Nineveh. Well, after reading the book again, I've come to change my thoughts about our run-a-way prophet. I'm sure fear for his own life did play a part in his detour to Tarshish, but for the most part, Jonah was just plain angry about the whole idea of preaching repentance to the Assyrians. After all, the Assyrians...the inhabitants of Nineveh...were Jonah's arch enemies. They had attacked his city over and over again, killing and raiding as they went. So, you can imagine how much Jonah valued the lives of the Ninevites.
I can't say I blame him. In his eyes, preaching repentance to the Ninevites was like throwing a life preserver to those who had made many of his own people - possibly even his family - walk the proverbial "plank."
So when God commanded him to "Go," Jonah said, "No."
I don't think he actually looked up at God and shook his fist while defying Him. Instead, I think he heard God's orders, packed his bags and left, going in the opposite direction.
Jonah wasn't interested in saving the Ninevites. He wanted to see them suffer. He wanted to see their city destroyed. Wouldn't it be better for Israel, if her enemies were wiped off the face of the earth? Jonah wanted judgement - punishment for those who had inflicted so much damage and pain.
I know that because in Jonah chapter 4 (post-whale), when the prophet saw the repentance of the people of Nineveh, Jonah became very angry. His prayer revealed his reasoning for not wanting to go in the first place: "Ah, Lord was not this what I said when I was still in my country? Therefore, I fled previously to Tarshish; for I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness; One who relents from doing harm. Therefore now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live" (vs.1-3).
Before Jonah ever made plans to leave Israel, he knew what would probably happen if he preached repentance to the Ninevites. He knew that God was "a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness; One who relents from doing harm." He knew God was too gracious and merciful not to give them another chance, before He exacted judgement. He knew that God was going to spare Nineveh, so I'm assuming he banked on the fact that God would spare him, as well.
Jonah wasn't dumb. He knew that intentionally disobedience wasn't smart, but he probably rationalized that God, being gracious and merciful...full of lovingkindness and compassion, would be gracious and merciful to him in his disobedience. He figured God would let him get away with rebellion this one time - maybe...
Maybe not.
God IS gracious and merciful. Yes, He is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness. Yes, He is a God who relents from doing harm. But did that give Jonah a reason to willfully sin against the Father and disobey His commands? NO! God told Jonah at the end of the book that the Ninevites didn't know their right hand from their left. They didn't have a clue they were wallowing in sin...but Jonah KNEW better.
I think we are just as guilty as Jonah sometimes. God tells us something that's hard to do...something that takes us out of our comfort zone and like Jonah, we look at Him in our own way and ask Him, "Are you kidding me? I can't forgive him for what He did. I can't forgive her for what she said. There's no way I'm going to even try. They've damaged me far too much. My heart is hard and will remain so. I can't believe You are even asking me to do this, God." And then we count on the fact that He is gracious and merciful. We count on the fact that He is full of lovingkindness and compassion. We bank on the fact that He will overlook this ONE area of rebelliousness in our lives, and we head to Tarshish.
Then, like Jonah, we find ourselves in the belly of a whale - cold, dark, hungry and clueless - wondering why God would allow this to happen.
Oh, Beloved of God...LOVED by God...sometimes the things that God asks us to do in His Word ARE hard. It's not easy to forgive. It's not easy to minister grace and mercy to those who have caused you harm. It's not easy to let go of the anger and allow God to do His work. And it's definitely not easy to watch the results of that work - sometimes being full of grace and compassion. Yet, God calls us to do it - to forgive - to not judge - to not hold grudges - to be more concerned about their souls and their relationship to God, than we are about our own feelings.
Forgive, today. Tell yourself and God that this person has your forgiveness. They are no longer in debt to you, nor are you to them. They are His and He can do whatever He wants with them - whether that be salvation or destruction. Choose to repeat that to yourself - "With God's grace and because of God's lovingkindness to me, I forgive ______________." Then, let God do His work in their lives - even if it includes you.
Dearest Jesus, please help me today to let go of vengeance. Please show me my hidden rebellion...the sin that is keeping me captive. Help me choose to forgive, as you forgive...to love, as You love...to obey, as You were obedient to Your Father. Thank You for being gracious and merciful - full of lovingkindness to me. I love You, Lord. I love you.
Monday, July 1, 2013
Young Earth - Old Earth - What Does It Really Matter???
I just have to tell you this...
The other day my little six-year-old was trying to explain to me how old something was. I can't remember the exact item in question, but I can definitely remember how he used his words to articulate the depth of his seriousness in "dating" this thing. He began by telling me - well, here - let me just quote what he said: "Mom, it's older than you (dramatic pause)...and dad (dramatic pause)...and Grandpa (dramatic pause)...and Papa (dramatic pause)." And then with big eyes and an intensity in his voice that made me know he was as serious as a little boy can get, he said, "Like the 90's."
Now, everything in me wanted to laugh out loud in hysteria, but I didn't want to make light of his "dating process." I did, eventually, tell him that I was born a little earlier than the "90's," but I didn't tell him HOW MUCH earlier.
Seth got his point across. Whatever "it" was...it was OLD. He just had his dates a little confused, which threw everything else into question.
Well, yesterday, we had a Creation Scientist come speak at our church, and I wish you could have been there. Steve Levinson had some things to say about the current way scientists date something (how they tell how old something is), as well as the problems associated with their calculations. You see, they - along with most all the media - say that the earth is millions of years old. Our school textbooks tell our children that. The History Channel tells us that. Even the PBS Channel tells us that. It just has to be true, doesn't it? And even if it's not true, does it really matter if it isn't?
I used to think it wasn't a big deal. In reality, I just never thought about it. I accepted the old age of the earth, just like I accepted the fact that chlorophyll causes plants to turn green. But as I've gotten older and a little more inquisitive, I've come to realize that it really does matter. It really does matter that the earth is NOT millions of years old and that the dating process most scientists now employ is flawed. Want to know HOW it matters? I'm glad you've asked.
As a Christian, who believes the Bible to be the infallible Word of God, the dating of the earth is a HUGE deal. If what the secular scientists say is true - then, the earth is millions of years old, and plants and animals died LONG before man ever came on the scene. How is this "old earth" theory detrimental to my faith? Well, if you remember, the Bible says that before the Fall, there was NO death. Death entered the world, only AFTER Adam and Eve sinned. So, in saying that death occurred BEFORE the Fall of man, these scientists are refuting the Word of God...in essence calling it inaccurate and against science. If that's the case - that Scripture is wrong on the timing of when death entered the world - then Scripture can be wrong about other things. Maybe there was no resurrection...maybe the death of Jesus was all just a hoax...maybe there is no such thing as Heaven and Hell.
Can I scream on this page through ink - NOT!
There is NO error in Scripture. The error is in human abilities.
Another point in question is that if these fossils were millions of years old, then why are scientists finding soft tissues and blood cells encapsulated in T-Rex bones? Surely, science would say that after being baked in the desert for millions of years, those things would have become fossilized themselves or disintegrated...one of the two.
Now, if you think I'm taking this way too far and am way too concerned about this issue, then think about this. Mr. Levinson said yesterday that 85% of our youth who have grown up in church, leave church once they graduate high school and NEVER COME BACK. THEY NEVER COME BACK. If you are a Believer, that should alarm you. Could it be that one day, some professor somewhere told them that their ideas about the Bible account of creation was wrong...that there was error in the Word of God? Could it be that they didn't have the knowledge to give a rebuttal, a defense for why they believed Scripture to be accurate? Could it be that they were never taught how to question science or defend what they believed to be Truth? Could it be that sadly they accepted what they heard from their "wise elders" and tossed away their former belief system?
Could it be?
I hope not, but probably so.
I'm not trying to scare you about science. I love science. I always have. But I am trying to get the message out - just like our friend Mr. Levinson - that we need to open our eyes to the things that secular scientists are feeding us. We need to stop accepting things as truth that are merely speculations or theories, especially if they don't line up with the Word. Instead we need to be able to speak intelligently about scientific things. We need to study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth (II Timothy:15). We need to revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect (I Peter 3:15).
You know, I still watch those TV channels on occasion, and I still take my kids to the museum. But because of what I've seen in the past couple of years and because I was reminded of it again yesterday, now when we watch those programs and when we see those amazing exhibits, I will be a little more cautious and questioning. I will make more of an intentional effort to ensure that my kids know how to explain science in light of the Truth, and that they know how to defend what they believe scientifically.
I could go on and on all day, but I have got to get out of this chair and fix my family breakfast! So, for those of you who are interested...for those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about...or for those of you who want to know more about how to defend your faith by using science, I urge you to visit the Answers in Genesis' website: www. answersingenesis.org. They have great videos and intriguing articles that will keep you updated and informed on the latest discoveries and news in the scientific world, as well as give you information on how this affects you and how to defend your faith in the light of what you know.
Jesus, help me to be passionate about the things You are passionate about. Help me distinguish between Truth and falsehood and to be smart about it. Give me wisdom to study to show myself approved to You...to be a good student of Your Word, as well as a good defender of the faith. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You.
The other day my little six-year-old was trying to explain to me how old something was. I can't remember the exact item in question, but I can definitely remember how he used his words to articulate the depth of his seriousness in "dating" this thing. He began by telling me - well, here - let me just quote what he said: "Mom, it's older than you (dramatic pause)...and dad (dramatic pause)...and Grandpa (dramatic pause)...and Papa (dramatic pause)." And then with big eyes and an intensity in his voice that made me know he was as serious as a little boy can get, he said, "Like the 90's."
Now, everything in me wanted to laugh out loud in hysteria, but I didn't want to make light of his "dating process." I did, eventually, tell him that I was born a little earlier than the "90's," but I didn't tell him HOW MUCH earlier.
Seth got his point across. Whatever "it" was...it was OLD. He just had his dates a little confused, which threw everything else into question.
Well, yesterday, we had a Creation Scientist come speak at our church, and I wish you could have been there. Steve Levinson had some things to say about the current way scientists date something (how they tell how old something is), as well as the problems associated with their calculations. You see, they - along with most all the media - say that the earth is millions of years old. Our school textbooks tell our children that. The History Channel tells us that. Even the PBS Channel tells us that. It just has to be true, doesn't it? And even if it's not true, does it really matter if it isn't?
I used to think it wasn't a big deal. In reality, I just never thought about it. I accepted the old age of the earth, just like I accepted the fact that chlorophyll causes plants to turn green. But as I've gotten older and a little more inquisitive, I've come to realize that it really does matter. It really does matter that the earth is NOT millions of years old and that the dating process most scientists now employ is flawed. Want to know HOW it matters? I'm glad you've asked.
As a Christian, who believes the Bible to be the infallible Word of God, the dating of the earth is a HUGE deal. If what the secular scientists say is true - then, the earth is millions of years old, and plants and animals died LONG before man ever came on the scene. How is this "old earth" theory detrimental to my faith? Well, if you remember, the Bible says that before the Fall, there was NO death. Death entered the world, only AFTER Adam and Eve sinned. So, in saying that death occurred BEFORE the Fall of man, these scientists are refuting the Word of God...in essence calling it inaccurate and against science. If that's the case - that Scripture is wrong on the timing of when death entered the world - then Scripture can be wrong about other things. Maybe there was no resurrection...maybe the death of Jesus was all just a hoax...maybe there is no such thing as Heaven and Hell.
Can I scream on this page through ink - NOT!
There is NO error in Scripture. The error is in human abilities.
Another point in question is that if these fossils were millions of years old, then why are scientists finding soft tissues and blood cells encapsulated in T-Rex bones? Surely, science would say that after being baked in the desert for millions of years, those things would have become fossilized themselves or disintegrated...one of the two.
Now, if you think I'm taking this way too far and am way too concerned about this issue, then think about this. Mr. Levinson said yesterday that 85% of our youth who have grown up in church, leave church once they graduate high school and NEVER COME BACK. THEY NEVER COME BACK. If you are a Believer, that should alarm you. Could it be that one day, some professor somewhere told them that their ideas about the Bible account of creation was wrong...that there was error in the Word of God? Could it be that they didn't have the knowledge to give a rebuttal, a defense for why they believed Scripture to be accurate? Could it be that they were never taught how to question science or defend what they believed to be Truth? Could it be that sadly they accepted what they heard from their "wise elders" and tossed away their former belief system?
Could it be?
I hope not, but probably so.
I'm not trying to scare you about science. I love science. I always have. But I am trying to get the message out - just like our friend Mr. Levinson - that we need to open our eyes to the things that secular scientists are feeding us. We need to stop accepting things as truth that are merely speculations or theories, especially if they don't line up with the Word. Instead we need to be able to speak intelligently about scientific things. We need to study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth (II Timothy:15). We need to revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect (I Peter 3:15).
You know, I still watch those TV channels on occasion, and I still take my kids to the museum. But because of what I've seen in the past couple of years and because I was reminded of it again yesterday, now when we watch those programs and when we see those amazing exhibits, I will be a little more cautious and questioning. I will make more of an intentional effort to ensure that my kids know how to explain science in light of the Truth, and that they know how to defend what they believe scientifically.
I could go on and on all day, but I have got to get out of this chair and fix my family breakfast! So, for those of you who are interested...for those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about...or for those of you who want to know more about how to defend your faith by using science, I urge you to visit the Answers in Genesis' website: www. answersingenesis.org. They have great videos and intriguing articles that will keep you updated and informed on the latest discoveries and news in the scientific world, as well as give you information on how this affects you and how to defend your faith in the light of what you know.
Jesus, help me to be passionate about the things You are passionate about. Help me distinguish between Truth and falsehood and to be smart about it. Give me wisdom to study to show myself approved to You...to be a good student of Your Word, as well as a good defender of the faith. Thank You, Jesus. Thank You.
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Sometimes the Perfect Tool, Is Softer Than You Think
Being here in my Mississippi "homeplace," has brought back many, many memories.
I remember trimming my mother's prized roses as a present for her, only to find out later that I had trimmed them at the WRONG time of year!
I remember losing my little toenail as it drug on the hard, rocky gravel, while pedaling as fast as I could to get away from the neighbor's dog. I probably would have been fine, if I just hadn't turned around to stick my tongue out at the mutt as I rode to victory.
And I remember sitting in the driveway for HOURS, trying to find fossils and precious minerals in the gravel. I would use a hammer to break rocks open, just to see what they looked like in the middle. Surely there were precious prizes in "them there rocks," and I was determined to find them.
This morning, that's where my memories have lingered...out in the driveway with the hammer. In my hand, that tool was hard, heavy, and no rock was hard enough to withstand my assault. It as the perfect tool for the job.
Strangely enough, not once did I ever - while breaking those rocks - even think about picking one up, sticking out my tongue and trying to use that soft organ in my mouth to pry open my prizes. For some unknown reason, that just never crossed my mind!
However, Scripture says that the tongue is a powerful tool, even powerful enough to break bone: "By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, and a gentle tongue breaks a bone" (Proverbs 25:15).
Hmmm...a gentle tongue breaks a bone. Now, I don't know about you, but when I first read that, it just didn't make much sense...about as much sense as me whacking away at a rock open-mouthed. However, the more I thought about it and prayed about it, the more I realized that a gentle tongue was, in fact, the most useful tool for breaking something hard.
In the natural world, it makes perfect sense that a harsh tongue would break something - or someone - who was hardened. After all, in the natural world, to break something hard, you use something harder. In contrast, within the life of the spiritual man or woman, gentleness with our tongues - not harshness or hardness - brings the results.
A great example of this can be seen in the parent/child relationship. For instance, if I use harsh words or biting remarks to try to correct my six year old, he doesn't "break." Instead, he hardens. His little face scowls and his heart attitude becomes less than amiable. However, when I take time to let the Spirit guide my tongue, and respond to him in gentleness, he doesn't "harden." Most of the time he "breaks" and apologetically wraps his arms around me in a gesture of a broken and contrite heart.
The same things happens to us, too. When someone speaks to us in anger or harshness, our instantaneous reaction is one of two things. We either harden and fight back, or we harden and run away. Either way, everybody loses.
So, this truth of gentle-speak is a reality...but it's not easy to practice. We have to be intentional. Remember, in the natural man, harder breaks harder, but in the spiritual world, gentleness breaks the bone. So, today, when you find yourself in that compromising situation - and you will - wanting to respond harshly, but knowing you need to respond gently, take a deep breath and breathe out a prayer for gentleness. Ask God to fill your tongue and your tone with His gentleness and watch what happens.
Jesus, sometimes, I am so quick to speak harsh words, thinking my harshness will cause change. Yet, You say that gentleness is what breaks the bone. Help me lean on You today and respond in ways that are pleasing to You - with words that are pleasing to You. I give my tongue to You today...as funny as that may sound. You can have it. Use it, Jesus...to bring healing and restoration in the lives of those around me. I love You, Lord, and I thank You for Your gentleness with me.
I remember trimming my mother's prized roses as a present for her, only to find out later that I had trimmed them at the WRONG time of year!
I remember losing my little toenail as it drug on the hard, rocky gravel, while pedaling as fast as I could to get away from the neighbor's dog. I probably would have been fine, if I just hadn't turned around to stick my tongue out at the mutt as I rode to victory.
And I remember sitting in the driveway for HOURS, trying to find fossils and precious minerals in the gravel. I would use a hammer to break rocks open, just to see what they looked like in the middle. Surely there were precious prizes in "them there rocks," and I was determined to find them.
This morning, that's where my memories have lingered...out in the driveway with the hammer. In my hand, that tool was hard, heavy, and no rock was hard enough to withstand my assault. It as the perfect tool for the job.
Strangely enough, not once did I ever - while breaking those rocks - even think about picking one up, sticking out my tongue and trying to use that soft organ in my mouth to pry open my prizes. For some unknown reason, that just never crossed my mind!
However, Scripture says that the tongue is a powerful tool, even powerful enough to break bone: "By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, and a gentle tongue breaks a bone" (Proverbs 25:15).
Hmmm...a gentle tongue breaks a bone. Now, I don't know about you, but when I first read that, it just didn't make much sense...about as much sense as me whacking away at a rock open-mouthed. However, the more I thought about it and prayed about it, the more I realized that a gentle tongue was, in fact, the most useful tool for breaking something hard.
In the natural world, it makes perfect sense that a harsh tongue would break something - or someone - who was hardened. After all, in the natural world, to break something hard, you use something harder. In contrast, within the life of the spiritual man or woman, gentleness with our tongues - not harshness or hardness - brings the results.
A great example of this can be seen in the parent/child relationship. For instance, if I use harsh words or biting remarks to try to correct my six year old, he doesn't "break." Instead, he hardens. His little face scowls and his heart attitude becomes less than amiable. However, when I take time to let the Spirit guide my tongue, and respond to him in gentleness, he doesn't "harden." Most of the time he "breaks" and apologetically wraps his arms around me in a gesture of a broken and contrite heart.
The same things happens to us, too. When someone speaks to us in anger or harshness, our instantaneous reaction is one of two things. We either harden and fight back, or we harden and run away. Either way, everybody loses.
So, this truth of gentle-speak is a reality...but it's not easy to practice. We have to be intentional. Remember, in the natural man, harder breaks harder, but in the spiritual world, gentleness breaks the bone. So, today, when you find yourself in that compromising situation - and you will - wanting to respond harshly, but knowing you need to respond gently, take a deep breath and breathe out a prayer for gentleness. Ask God to fill your tongue and your tone with His gentleness and watch what happens.
Jesus, sometimes, I am so quick to speak harsh words, thinking my harshness will cause change. Yet, You say that gentleness is what breaks the bone. Help me lean on You today and respond in ways that are pleasing to You - with words that are pleasing to You. I give my tongue to You today...as funny as that may sound. You can have it. Use it, Jesus...to bring healing and restoration in the lives of those around me. I love You, Lord, and I thank You for Your gentleness with me.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Swallowed Up!
Swallowed up - those words bring a couple of things to mind, like chocolate chip cookies in my possession and ducklings - yes, ducklings.
My kids were at the pond behind our house one day, and they raced home to relay a very intriguing story. Evidently, a duckling, who was trailing behind his brothers and sisters, disappeared underneath the water in one fail swoop of something! After much speculation and a phone conversation with my father as to the identity of the unidentifiable monster in our pond who could swallow a duckling whole, we finally determined that the monster was no montster at all. Evidently, a large mouth bass will, in fact, swallow a duckling if its mouth is large enough.
You would think after 43 years of life - at the time - that I would been privy to that little tidbit of trivia, but somehow, it escaped my educational training! That poor duckling had been "swallowed up" into something else. His life had been snuffed out...swallowed into another living thing.
So, when I read Paul's writing in I Corinthians 5:4, my mind can picture exactly what he's talking about: "For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life." I don't know about you, but I CRAVE that my mortality would be "swallowed up" by life.
What in the world does that mean? Well, I take it to mean that in my flesh - in my bodily tent - I don't necessarily want to lose myself. I just want MORE of something that isn't me! I want Jesus to "further clothe" me, so that my sin, my ugliness, my selfish behaviors, my stinky attitudes, my harsh words, my mortality, my "humanness" would be swallowed up in His life - in His peace, His perfection, His unselfish motives, His positiveness, His comforting words, His divinity, His perfection! Oh, that on a daily basis, more and more of Him would show forth in me...that my mortality - my humanness - would be gobbled up, "swallowed up" by His amazing Life.
Thank You, Lord, that You desire that for me...even more than I desire it for myself. I want Your life to swallow mine, so that I can show forth Your life to those around me. Thank You, Jesus. Swallow me up, today! I love You, Lord. I really, really do!
My kids were at the pond behind our house one day, and they raced home to relay a very intriguing story. Evidently, a duckling, who was trailing behind his brothers and sisters, disappeared underneath the water in one fail swoop of something! After much speculation and a phone conversation with my father as to the identity of the unidentifiable monster in our pond who could swallow a duckling whole, we finally determined that the monster was no montster at all. Evidently, a large mouth bass will, in fact, swallow a duckling if its mouth is large enough.
You would think after 43 years of life - at the time - that I would been privy to that little tidbit of trivia, but somehow, it escaped my educational training! That poor duckling had been "swallowed up" into something else. His life had been snuffed out...swallowed into another living thing.
So, when I read Paul's writing in I Corinthians 5:4, my mind can picture exactly what he's talking about: "For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life." I don't know about you, but I CRAVE that my mortality would be "swallowed up" by life.
What in the world does that mean? Well, I take it to mean that in my flesh - in my bodily tent - I don't necessarily want to lose myself. I just want MORE of something that isn't me! I want Jesus to "further clothe" me, so that my sin, my ugliness, my selfish behaviors, my stinky attitudes, my harsh words, my mortality, my "humanness" would be swallowed up in His life - in His peace, His perfection, His unselfish motives, His positiveness, His comforting words, His divinity, His perfection! Oh, that on a daily basis, more and more of Him would show forth in me...that my mortality - my humanness - would be gobbled up, "swallowed up" by His amazing Life.
Thank You, Lord, that You desire that for me...even more than I desire it for myself. I want Your life to swallow mine, so that I can show forth Your life to those around me. Thank You, Jesus. Swallow me up, today! I love You, Lord. I really, really do!
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Submission and Stillness
Beep...beep...beep...beep.
I didn't want to get up - not THIS morning. The bed was way too comfortable and my eyes were way too heavy...that is, until my thoughts started barreling out of control. "What if's?" began whirling in my mind. Honestly, I have no idea where these thoughts came from, but I knew I had to break away fast, or my day would be spent "What if'ing." So, I jumped up out of bed...literally...shaking the thoughts off in the covers.
I headed into the kitchen to make a cup of coffee, and that's when I saw it. PEACE. There was no wind outside. Everything was quiet and still - as still as I have ever seen it. It was unusual. I even went downstairs into the sunroom to get a better look. Normally, the leaves are stirring, at least a little. But not this morning. This morning, it seemed everything was unusually calm - unusually still.
It was a that point that I felt the Spirit - way deep down in my bones - say, "Be still and know that I am God," and the brows that had been fixed in a scowl from my earlier thoughts, relaxed. I grinned. "Be still and know that I am God." What an awesome verse for my troubled and tortured mind today. "Be still, Belinda. and know that whatever is...I AM."
After staring outside for a little longer, letting that stillness sink in a little deeper, I decided to find out where the verse actually was in reference to the Scripture. I sat down and searched through the front of my Bible which contains a Cyclopedic Index. This index is a wonderful tool of study. It lists tons of words and underneath them, it lists the references where you can find the words in Scripture, based on their use.
I searched the list for the word "still," and turned to passage after passage. I wasn't finding it. I checked "God's presence - Ps. 139:18," "Peace - Jer. 47:6," "Meditating - Ps. 4:4," and a couple of other passage descriptions, but to no avail. Then, finally, I tried one more reference. Surely it wouldn't be under this one: "Submission - Ps. 46:10." After all, what does submission have to do with being still and knowing that He is God. Guess what? Evidently, submission has everything to do with being still and knowing that He is God.
For you see, when we submit our lives to Him - when we choose to obey His command and be still for a moment, recognizing that everything must enter our lives through His LOVING hands in order to reach us - that He has His good in mind for our lives - that He is still in control no matter how out of control things seem to be - the stillness comes, first penetrating our heart, then our mind, then our body - bringing hope and stillness to our weary souls.
Thank You, Jesus, for being the Bearer of peace this morning. Thank You that when my mind starts reeling with disturbing thoughts, that You aren't disturbed in the least. You are confident that everything is still under Your control. Thank You that even if my "what if's," happen today, You still call me to KNOW that YOU are GOD. Thank You, that I can trust and believe in Your goodness for me, and Your desire for my life to be a testimony for Your glory. You, indeed, are God, and I choose to rest in that today.
I didn't want to get up - not THIS morning. The bed was way too comfortable and my eyes were way too heavy...that is, until my thoughts started barreling out of control. "What if's?" began whirling in my mind. Honestly, I have no idea where these thoughts came from, but I knew I had to break away fast, or my day would be spent "What if'ing." So, I jumped up out of bed...literally...shaking the thoughts off in the covers.
I headed into the kitchen to make a cup of coffee, and that's when I saw it. PEACE. There was no wind outside. Everything was quiet and still - as still as I have ever seen it. It was unusual. I even went downstairs into the sunroom to get a better look. Normally, the leaves are stirring, at least a little. But not this morning. This morning, it seemed everything was unusually calm - unusually still.
It was a that point that I felt the Spirit - way deep down in my bones - say, "Be still and know that I am God," and the brows that had been fixed in a scowl from my earlier thoughts, relaxed. I grinned. "Be still and know that I am God." What an awesome verse for my troubled and tortured mind today. "Be still, Belinda. and know that whatever is...I AM."
After staring outside for a little longer, letting that stillness sink in a little deeper, I decided to find out where the verse actually was in reference to the Scripture. I sat down and searched through the front of my Bible which contains a Cyclopedic Index. This index is a wonderful tool of study. It lists tons of words and underneath them, it lists the references where you can find the words in Scripture, based on their use.
I searched the list for the word "still," and turned to passage after passage. I wasn't finding it. I checked "God's presence - Ps. 139:18," "Peace - Jer. 47:6," "Meditating - Ps. 4:4," and a couple of other passage descriptions, but to no avail. Then, finally, I tried one more reference. Surely it wouldn't be under this one: "Submission - Ps. 46:10." After all, what does submission have to do with being still and knowing that He is God. Guess what? Evidently, submission has everything to do with being still and knowing that He is God.
For you see, when we submit our lives to Him - when we choose to obey His command and be still for a moment, recognizing that everything must enter our lives through His LOVING hands in order to reach us - that He has His good in mind for our lives - that He is still in control no matter how out of control things seem to be - the stillness comes, first penetrating our heart, then our mind, then our body - bringing hope and stillness to our weary souls.
Thank You, Jesus, for being the Bearer of peace this morning. Thank You that when my mind starts reeling with disturbing thoughts, that You aren't disturbed in the least. You are confident that everything is still under Your control. Thank You that even if my "what if's," happen today, You still call me to KNOW that YOU are GOD. Thank You, that I can trust and believe in Your goodness for me, and Your desire for my life to be a testimony for Your glory. You, indeed, are God, and I choose to rest in that today.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Who Are You and What Has God Called You to Be?
Can't you just imagine the irritable and despondent attitudes? Peter and his buddies had been fishing all night and caught nothing.
I don't know if you have a fisherman in your family, but I do. Both our sons LOVE to fish, but the older of the two is especially captivated by the sport. He has different fishing poles for different purposes. Actually, I was just informed by the younger brother that the correct term is fishing "rods," not "poles." Anyway, Alex has different lures and bobbers and line for every occasion. He actually STUDIES to fish.
Oh, and if by some chance - some wild, crazy chance - you are reading this column, watch out Bill Dance. Alex is coming for your job!
My son amazes me, in that he can tie more fishing knots, than I can tie regular knots. However, sometimes he uses this knowledge to make his old fishermom a little jealous. You can imagine the looks I get when I try to tie a hook onto the younger brother's line. I am quickly informed that I'm not doing it right, and it's not going to hold. Of course, it doesn't matter that when I was growing up, I tied millions of regular knots on my fishing line, which held up quite well. But I guess I just was fortunate...since I didn't know how to tie the particular knot for the particular occasion!
As my husband brought out yesterday in his message, Jesus - a carpenter - climbed into Peter's boat - a fisherman by trade - and proceeded to tell him how to catch fish. Peter said, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing: nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net" (Luke 5: 5). Imagine Peter's surprise when he did as the Carpenter told him to do and the fish - that had been non-existent all night - almost beat themselves silly to get into the net on their own free will. Luke tells us the abundance of fish was actually breaking the nets, and because of that, Peter had to call over another boat to help. They filled that boat, and then it began to sink, filled to capacity with fish. At that point, Peter looks up, realizes the Carpenter wasn't merely a carpenter. He was the Lord - "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" Peter exclaimed (v. 8).
Peter knew fishing. Peter knew how to mend nets to make them hold. He probably even knew how to tie a few more knots than my child, but what Peter didn't know, was what Jesus knew. Yes, Peter was a fisherman by trade, but he wasn't JUST a fisherman. He was a fisher OF men.
There are so many other accounts in Scripture just like this one...where someone saw themselves as something other than what Jesus knew them to be.
Gideon - When God called him a "mighty man," he was hiding in a wine press, afraid the Midianites might come and take his wheat. Gideon "reminded" the Lord that he was the youngest of his family and his tribe was the smallest. Yet through the angel, God spoke Gideon's real purpose and calling: "The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!"(Judges 6:12). Don't neglect the exclamation point at the end.
Jeremiah - When God called him, he tried to excuse himself, saying that he "cannot speak, for I am a youth" (Jer. 1:6). To which the Lord replied, "Do not say, 'I am a youth,' for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord" (vs. 7,8).
And then we have Moses - yes, Red Sea Moses - Israel's liberator from Egypt. When God called him, he gave some of the best excuses ever. He questioned God: "Who am I?" (Ex. 3:11); "What shall I say?" (v.13); "But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice" (4:1); "I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue" (v.10); and finally, "O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send" (v. 13). That one made me chuckle out loud.
Moses, indeed, had to be the winner of the "Called By God Excuse War," but no excuse was good enough for God. Imagine that.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that God sees you and knows you, my friend, as someone other than what you see yourself and know yourself to be. He may have in mind for you to do incredible things to impact His kingdom, and yet, you - as many others have done, including myself - have given Him excuse after excuse as to why you can't do that "thing" He's called you to do. After all, you are busy doing so many OTHER things for His kingdom...things that are good. You're at church every time the doors open. You're on at least two committees, and you stay in the nursery three times a year. Besides, you're not sure you are equipped to do "that thing." You've never done it before.
And yet, God continues to call, for He doesn't want or need what you can do for Him. He wants your surrender. As Steve put it yesterday in his sermon, God cherishes someone who is willing to lay down his own will and desires and exchange them for His will and desire. He wants your friendship - your relationship - your willingness to be obedient out of your ever-growing love for Him.
When God called Peter, he felt unworthy of the call and tried to excuse himself by reminding Jesus of his unworthiness. I'm sure it was incredibly difficult for him to imagine that Jesus could use the "likes of him." But when he finally figured it out - when he finally saw that the Carpenter (who could fish, by the way), knew what He was talking about - Scripture says that Peter "forsook all and followed Him" (Luke 5:11).
Is it time? Is it finally time for you to see yourself as the person that Christ sees and knows you to be? Is it finally time for you to stop "doing things" for Jesus and begin to please Him in your surrender? Is it time for you to "forsake all and follow Him?"
I think so...no, I know so.
Thank You, Jesus, for calling us...and equipping us to do exactly what You desire for us...nothing more, nothing less. You know what we were created to do. Help us see that so that we can become busy about doing the things that please You and build Your kingdom. Thank You for being patient with us, Jesus. Thank You.
I don't know if you have a fisherman in your family, but I do. Both our sons LOVE to fish, but the older of the two is especially captivated by the sport. He has different fishing poles for different purposes. Actually, I was just informed by the younger brother that the correct term is fishing "rods," not "poles." Anyway, Alex has different lures and bobbers and line for every occasion. He actually STUDIES to fish.
Oh, and if by some chance - some wild, crazy chance - you are reading this column, watch out Bill Dance. Alex is coming for your job!
My son amazes me, in that he can tie more fishing knots, than I can tie regular knots. However, sometimes he uses this knowledge to make his old fishermom a little jealous. You can imagine the looks I get when I try to tie a hook onto the younger brother's line. I am quickly informed that I'm not doing it right, and it's not going to hold. Of course, it doesn't matter that when I was growing up, I tied millions of regular knots on my fishing line, which held up quite well. But I guess I just was fortunate...since I didn't know how to tie the particular knot for the particular occasion!
As my husband brought out yesterday in his message, Jesus - a carpenter - climbed into Peter's boat - a fisherman by trade - and proceeded to tell him how to catch fish. Peter said, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing: nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net" (Luke 5: 5). Imagine Peter's surprise when he did as the Carpenter told him to do and the fish - that had been non-existent all night - almost beat themselves silly to get into the net on their own free will. Luke tells us the abundance of fish was actually breaking the nets, and because of that, Peter had to call over another boat to help. They filled that boat, and then it began to sink, filled to capacity with fish. At that point, Peter looks up, realizes the Carpenter wasn't merely a carpenter. He was the Lord - "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" Peter exclaimed (v. 8).
Peter knew fishing. Peter knew how to mend nets to make them hold. He probably even knew how to tie a few more knots than my child, but what Peter didn't know, was what Jesus knew. Yes, Peter was a fisherman by trade, but he wasn't JUST a fisherman. He was a fisher OF men.
There are so many other accounts in Scripture just like this one...where someone saw themselves as something other than what Jesus knew them to be.
Gideon - When God called him a "mighty man," he was hiding in a wine press, afraid the Midianites might come and take his wheat. Gideon "reminded" the Lord that he was the youngest of his family and his tribe was the smallest. Yet through the angel, God spoke Gideon's real purpose and calling: "The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!"(Judges 6:12). Don't neglect the exclamation point at the end.
Jeremiah - When God called him, he tried to excuse himself, saying that he "cannot speak, for I am a youth" (Jer. 1:6). To which the Lord replied, "Do not say, 'I am a youth,' for you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord" (vs. 7,8).
And then we have Moses - yes, Red Sea Moses - Israel's liberator from Egypt. When God called him, he gave some of the best excuses ever. He questioned God: "Who am I?" (Ex. 3:11); "What shall I say?" (v.13); "But suppose they will not believe me or listen to my voice" (4:1); "I am not eloquent, neither before nor since You have spoken to Your servant; but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue" (v.10); and finally, "O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send" (v. 13). That one made me chuckle out loud.
Moses, indeed, had to be the winner of the "Called By God Excuse War," but no excuse was good enough for God. Imagine that.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that God sees you and knows you, my friend, as someone other than what you see yourself and know yourself to be. He may have in mind for you to do incredible things to impact His kingdom, and yet, you - as many others have done, including myself - have given Him excuse after excuse as to why you can't do that "thing" He's called you to do. After all, you are busy doing so many OTHER things for His kingdom...things that are good. You're at church every time the doors open. You're on at least two committees, and you stay in the nursery three times a year. Besides, you're not sure you are equipped to do "that thing." You've never done it before.
And yet, God continues to call, for He doesn't want or need what you can do for Him. He wants your surrender. As Steve put it yesterday in his sermon, God cherishes someone who is willing to lay down his own will and desires and exchange them for His will and desire. He wants your friendship - your relationship - your willingness to be obedient out of your ever-growing love for Him.
When God called Peter, he felt unworthy of the call and tried to excuse himself by reminding Jesus of his unworthiness. I'm sure it was incredibly difficult for him to imagine that Jesus could use the "likes of him." But when he finally figured it out - when he finally saw that the Carpenter (who could fish, by the way), knew what He was talking about - Scripture says that Peter "forsook all and followed Him" (Luke 5:11).
Is it time? Is it finally time for you to see yourself as the person that Christ sees and knows you to be? Is it finally time for you to stop "doing things" for Jesus and begin to please Him in your surrender? Is it time for you to "forsake all and follow Him?"
I think so...no, I know so.
Thank You, Jesus, for calling us...and equipping us to do exactly what You desire for us...nothing more, nothing less. You know what we were created to do. Help us see that so that we can become busy about doing the things that please You and build Your kingdom. Thank You for being patient with us, Jesus. Thank You.
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