Dried mud everywhere! Where did it come from? I had a good laugh on myself this morning when I realized the dried mud trail came from my own running shoes.
Have you ever had days, or even a season of life, when you just love others and give in the name of Christ and "no one seems to be getting it"? It seems like everyone is living under a cloud; you ask yourself "humbly," in similar words, "What's wrong with everyone? Why doesn't my Christian family live like they believe in Christ"? Or "What's wrong with the world; yesterday was so much better, today everyone is doing so much wrong"!
I have. I then realize the common denominator is me; I'm the one taking the gloomy cloud everywhere I go. In fact, after reflecting on these situations I realized an awful truth. Many of the people with whom I doled out my gloomy wisdom had probably been more joyful before I showed up.
James 4:6 has been in my mind lately, "But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."
Pride is like a muddy shoe sole; the top of the shoe looks great, but underneath lies the potential to dirty up a well-kept floor. I too can look great on the outside, but in a wrong frame of mind, unchecked and unhindered in action, can leave ugliness in my trail. The Scriptures say that God resists the proud; He cannot bless us when we are "blessing ourselves" at His expense.
But there is more grace for us when we admit our need for God; when we need cleaning up and cannot do it on our own. When we leave a trail of ugliness, sorrow and blackness in our wake but wake up to God's unending promises of forgiveness and renewal. He accepts our confession and repentance, showing us great mercy when we deserve the judgment we've wrongly given out (Mathew 7:1-2, Isaiah 30:18, Lamentations 3:22-25).
Thanks to our great God, we have forgivess according to His Word, instead of according to emotions or intelligence. No, it's because He says so. Psalm 103:11-12 beautifully washes my soul when my eyes have been opened to my sin, "For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us."
I believe, help my unbelief.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
When Disappointment Strikes
This past weekend John and I were in a sporting goods store. I commented on how much Lance Armstrong has affected the sporting world after noticing all of the Livestrong products, Lance's brand.
"He's going to be stripped of all of his titles due to charges that he was doping."
I was stunned.
Doing a little research this morning indeed it is true that the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) will strip him of his titles. To add further injury, Lance will also be banned from ever cycling professionally for the rest of his life. Though he has a case -- From John's and my perspective, having watched many Tours and remembering how much he was tested for doping and passing every test -- Lance has opted to focus on what he can do and not waste precious energy on what will certainly drain more of his precious life.
There is so much about the story that I don't know. But I believe I am safe in assuming that it would be an understatement to say Lance Armstrong has been disappointed.
When disappointment hits, where can we turn?
In John 11, we are told the story of Lazarus, Jesus' friend. Lazarus has died leaving two beloved sisters, also close friends of Jesus. When Jesus arrives at Lazarus' home, first Martha and then Mary make the same statement upon seeing Christ.
"Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."
Jesus conversed with Martha and wept with Mary. We have a gentle Savior who speaks truth in love, and backs his claims with action.
I have no specific answer to anyone's greatest problems. But one thing I know is that the Scriptures guide us back to a Savior who is ready to instruct us and comfort us in our hardships no matter how unfair, oftentimes leaving us exposed to ridicule before men.
One day things will be made right by God Himself. God's promise is that on that last day, disgrace suffered by God's faithful followers, through success or sorrow, will be removed:
"On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The LORD has spoken." Isaiah 25:7-8
"He's going to be stripped of all of his titles due to charges that he was doping."
I was stunned.
Doing a little research this morning indeed it is true that the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) will strip him of his titles. To add further injury, Lance will also be banned from ever cycling professionally for the rest of his life. Though he has a case -- From John's and my perspective, having watched many Tours and remembering how much he was tested for doping and passing every test -- Lance has opted to focus on what he can do and not waste precious energy on what will certainly drain more of his precious life.
There is so much about the story that I don't know. But I believe I am safe in assuming that it would be an understatement to say Lance Armstrong has been disappointed.
When disappointment hits, where can we turn?
In John 11, we are told the story of Lazarus, Jesus' friend. Lazarus has died leaving two beloved sisters, also close friends of Jesus. When Jesus arrives at Lazarus' home, first Martha and then Mary make the same statement upon seeing Christ.
"Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died."
Jesus conversed with Martha and wept with Mary. We have a gentle Savior who speaks truth in love, and backs his claims with action.
I have no specific answer to anyone's greatest problems. But one thing I know is that the Scriptures guide us back to a Savior who is ready to instruct us and comfort us in our hardships no matter how unfair, oftentimes leaving us exposed to ridicule before men.
One day things will be made right by God Himself. God's promise is that on that last day, disgrace suffered by God's faithful followers, through success or sorrow, will be removed:
"On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth. The LORD has spoken." Isaiah 25:7-8
Monday, September 3, 2012
Stirred not Shaken
For those who enjoy James Bond movies, the line "Stirred not shaken," is a famous quote. This is how Mr. Bond likes his martinis. I don't drink martinis and this has nothing to do with drinking. But I've been captured by the idea lately of being stirred spiritually but not shaken.
I put real whipped cream in my coffee each morning and recently have decided to not shake the can. This allows the cream to come out smoothly without the fuss that cream under pressure causes; it's messy and spews creamy bits everywhere, despite coming out of the can in a scrunched up artsy way on my coffee.
However, the last two cans I purchased had the same characteristic, and one I had not seen in previous cans of whipped cream. The cream got stuck without my shaking the can. I had to throw the first can away after a few days because no matter how much I shook it, the cream would not budge. It had not been shaken enough to stir the air and cream which would help the cream propel itself out of the can.
I decided the cream was much too tasty to let go to waste in this second uncooperative can. So I shook it just short of shaking my shoulder out of joint; and don't think I'm embellishing! I think my feet actually came off the floor at one point. Finally, a mixture of air and cream came out, yes, spewing bits of cream all over my hand as I tried covering the glass of iced coffee so as not to mess up the counter.
But it was worth it! The shaking of the can stirred the cream and air so that the cream could do its job! There was something of value in the can that needed to get out, and without the ingredients being stirred up, it would have been another waste on so many levels!
Stirring, what a concept! The Lord has designed us with many spiritual elements that He wants brought out in the pattern of His Son at the correct time so that He might be glorified! God stirs us through the fellowship of professed and obedient believers called disciples of Jesus Christ, with whom we have ongoing communion even when not in each others physical presence. This is our function, to be Christ in our minds so that when spiritually stirred, He is able to get out by means of the work of our hands and feet.
"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as [is] the manner of some, but exhorting [one another], and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."- Hebrews 10:24
This world indeed loves shaking us up. The shaking will bring out what is inside us; is it Christ-like, or world-like? Whatever comes out is our answer, and with God's help, He can refine what is not of His everlasting Kingdom that is living in us. Why? Because God's Kingdom has come to those who follow Christ and God is refining us day by day as to prepare us to enter fully into His Kingdom which will never be shaken by sin.
"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God [is] a consuming fire." - Hebrews 12:28-29
God's consuming fire refines us daily to conform more to the likeness of Christ. What are our minds feeding on? Are we judging when we should be praying? Are we consciously aware of Christ's return with anticipation as the first century followers were? Are we allowing God's Kingdom to rule every part of our minds and hearts as to prepare us for that last day? Are we secure in our salvation for today alone? Are we confident Christ will be our attorney on that last day defending perfectly what we've confessed to Him on this earth?
Are we being stirred in the Lord, patterning Christ's life, so as not to be shaken off of our foundation, which is Christ, when troubles come? My prayer is yes, because we can do all things through God's strength.
I put real whipped cream in my coffee each morning and recently have decided to not shake the can. This allows the cream to come out smoothly without the fuss that cream under pressure causes; it's messy and spews creamy bits everywhere, despite coming out of the can in a scrunched up artsy way on my coffee.
However, the last two cans I purchased had the same characteristic, and one I had not seen in previous cans of whipped cream. The cream got stuck without my shaking the can. I had to throw the first can away after a few days because no matter how much I shook it, the cream would not budge. It had not been shaken enough to stir the air and cream which would help the cream propel itself out of the can.
I decided the cream was much too tasty to let go to waste in this second uncooperative can. So I shook it just short of shaking my shoulder out of joint; and don't think I'm embellishing! I think my feet actually came off the floor at one point. Finally, a mixture of air and cream came out, yes, spewing bits of cream all over my hand as I tried covering the glass of iced coffee so as not to mess up the counter.
But it was worth it! The shaking of the can stirred the cream and air so that the cream could do its job! There was something of value in the can that needed to get out, and without the ingredients being stirred up, it would have been another waste on so many levels!
Stirring, what a concept! The Lord has designed us with many spiritual elements that He wants brought out in the pattern of His Son at the correct time so that He might be glorified! God stirs us through the fellowship of professed and obedient believers called disciples of Jesus Christ, with whom we have ongoing communion even when not in each others physical presence. This is our function, to be Christ in our minds so that when spiritually stirred, He is able to get out by means of the work of our hands and feet.
"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as [is] the manner of some, but exhorting [one another], and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."- Hebrews 10:24
This world indeed loves shaking us up. The shaking will bring out what is inside us; is it Christ-like, or world-like? Whatever comes out is our answer, and with God's help, He can refine what is not of His everlasting Kingdom that is living in us. Why? Because God's Kingdom has come to those who follow Christ and God is refining us day by day as to prepare us to enter fully into His Kingdom which will never be shaken by sin.
"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God [is] a consuming fire." - Hebrews 12:28-29
God's consuming fire refines us daily to conform more to the likeness of Christ. What are our minds feeding on? Are we judging when we should be praying? Are we consciously aware of Christ's return with anticipation as the first century followers were? Are we allowing God's Kingdom to rule every part of our minds and hearts as to prepare us for that last day? Are we secure in our salvation for today alone? Are we confident Christ will be our attorney on that last day defending perfectly what we've confessed to Him on this earth?
Are we being stirred in the Lord, patterning Christ's life, so as not to be shaken off of our foundation, which is Christ, when troubles come? My prayer is yes, because we can do all things through God's strength.
Thursday, August 30, 2012
The Barometer and the Rudder
Feelings are barometers, not rudders. Facts are rudders. Both are needed to navigate life. Take a journey of mixed metaphors with me...
It is amazing how our personal barometers struggle with our much needed personal rudder for control of our lives. I believe the reason being that a barometer is exposed, and if the attention is not good, our barometers increase in pressure. If our external barometers are not guided by our internal rudder, the pressure keeps rising, possibly to explode under pressure.
The rudder, however, is under water. Who knows what it looks like and if it is strong enough to withstand the waters it is traveling. But the waters have a way of testing us and pressing against our internal rudder. The barometer pressure rises and because it is tethered to the rudder struggles to gain control.
Decisions are made, words are said, all never to be taken back except in apology to another and confession to God. How great is the news of forgiveness in Christ, that we have Him to turn to when others may not forgive us, or when forgiveness returned and trust restored may delay longer than expected?
To whom do you go when your barometer's pressure is high? How sturdy is your rudder to withstand the uncertain waters below? Our internal rudder can only be formed by one thing, the words of God. What does He say are the facts about the matter? And if the matter is not clear, what does he say about the barometer of my attitude towards the uncertain matter at hand?
When my internal rudder is steady, my barometer returns to normal. If I know nothing but God in flesh born, died and raised, seated at God's right hand, I will have the courage to withstand, for God promises it to be so.
"You will keep in perfect peace [barometer] all who trust in you, all whose thoughts [rudders] are fixed on you!" Isaiah 26:3
It is amazing how our personal barometers struggle with our much needed personal rudder for control of our lives. I believe the reason being that a barometer is exposed, and if the attention is not good, our barometers increase in pressure. If our external barometers are not guided by our internal rudder, the pressure keeps rising, possibly to explode under pressure.
The rudder, however, is under water. Who knows what it looks like and if it is strong enough to withstand the waters it is traveling. But the waters have a way of testing us and pressing against our internal rudder. The barometer pressure rises and because it is tethered to the rudder struggles to gain control.
Decisions are made, words are said, all never to be taken back except in apology to another and confession to God. How great is the news of forgiveness in Christ, that we have Him to turn to when others may not forgive us, or when forgiveness returned and trust restored may delay longer than expected?
To whom do you go when your barometer's pressure is high? How sturdy is your rudder to withstand the uncertain waters below? Our internal rudder can only be formed by one thing, the words of God. What does He say are the facts about the matter? And if the matter is not clear, what does he say about the barometer of my attitude towards the uncertain matter at hand?
When my internal rudder is steady, my barometer returns to normal. If I know nothing but God in flesh born, died and raised, seated at God's right hand, I will have the courage to withstand, for God promises it to be so.
"You will keep in perfect peace [barometer] all who trust in you, all whose thoughts [rudders] are fixed on you!" Isaiah 26:3
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
God is in the Silences
One of the qualities of good friendships is that these friendships trust each other in the "silences," those times when we're given to think. If life is full of activity, color and minute-to-minute mind numbing stuff that pushes God far away somewhere as a spectator [hoping to get His attention by one's busy life], when silence comes, so comes a particular dumbfoundedness [what to do with the time we now have to think].
The Lord has given us silence as a tool, whether we don't have two seconds in a row to think consciously or whether our lives have more silence than we would want. We need silence. We cannot always control our surroundings, but God can train us to find silence among busy-ness. He can also use the large chunks of silence in our life to bring us closer to Him by serving others or studying about Him more. In the silences we call up what we feed our minds. Feeding on His Word calls His Voice to us. We are connected directly to God if we've obeyed Him through His command to be baptized for the removal of sins where His Good Spirit is implanted in us (Acts 2, specifically verse 38). God then grows us for the rest of our days spiritually so long as we long for Him in Scripture and act out what He is working in us.
I find that sweeping the floors, cleaning out dog bowls and leaving the media off meanwhile produce the silences that call me to God. He's always there. He does not change. His words speak to me in short snippets when I dare to listen. He longs to call me into His presence no matter where I am. I have not earned the right to call Him friend as Abraham was called friend, but I do know that being a daughter of God puts me in a place of being on holy ground all of the time whether those around me know it or not.
My prayer today is to listen a bit more. God cannot speak when one is filibustering, both in our minds and out loud. He needs silence, first in our souls and then with each other. I taught James 1:1-18 a few weeks ago, and a few days later I was put to the test. While part of the test was passed [due to God's rich grace], I failed another part of the test. I'm so in need of Him. How about you?
The Lord has given us silence as a tool, whether we don't have two seconds in a row to think consciously or whether our lives have more silence than we would want. We need silence. We cannot always control our surroundings, but God can train us to find silence among busy-ness. He can also use the large chunks of silence in our life to bring us closer to Him by serving others or studying about Him more. In the silences we call up what we feed our minds. Feeding on His Word calls His Voice to us. We are connected directly to God if we've obeyed Him through His command to be baptized for the removal of sins where His Good Spirit is implanted in us (Acts 2, specifically verse 38). God then grows us for the rest of our days spiritually so long as we long for Him in Scripture and act out what He is working in us.
I find that sweeping the floors, cleaning out dog bowls and leaving the media off meanwhile produce the silences that call me to God. He's always there. He does not change. His words speak to me in short snippets when I dare to listen. He longs to call me into His presence no matter where I am. I have not earned the right to call Him friend as Abraham was called friend, but I do know that being a daughter of God puts me in a place of being on holy ground all of the time whether those around me know it or not.
My prayer today is to listen a bit more. God cannot speak when one is filibustering, both in our minds and out loud. He needs silence, first in our souls and then with each other. I taught James 1:1-18 a few weeks ago, and a few days later I was put to the test. While part of the test was passed [due to God's rich grace], I failed another part of the test. I'm so in need of Him. How about you?
Friday, March 2, 2012
Just when you think it's over...
I love the verse in Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future."
At any age we can have hope if we are resting in the Lord. About 13 years ago, John and I met a wonderful family when we lived up in Boston. They were Brazilian and working temporarily in the U.S. to get on their feet financially, move back to Brazil and get on with their lives.
They relied on hand-me-down clothing for their children. Their furniture came from sidewalk donations that would eventually be picked up by the bulk trash truck. They spent frugally and the father worked as many jobs as possible to save up money as well as provide for their family of four, which became five by the time they moved back to Brazil.
One night we went over for dinner and they had served up a feast. Their home was cozy and their hospitable attitude overpowered any sense of lack that they had; we were in the presence of royalty and they treated us royally. We laughed at funny stories, talked of sober matters that though weighty, were filled with purpose and infused energy into our lives.
One of the stories the man told was that of his faithful Christian father who suffered from cancer for many years without good healthcare. This man said that he asked his father if he was ready to go on to his next life, and the man's father replied, "God will take me when He's ready. Meanwhile He must have more work for me to do here, so I will do it."
I think on this good Christian man's courage with little to show for his life on earth, but a bounty of spiritual crowns he accumulated before his death, according to our friend. Spiritual crowns that were laid at His Master's feet when he passed through to the other side, and as he entered those gates, he must have lept for joy in a spiritually perfect state to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
It's not over until it's over. There's always more work to do...
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