Far sight:
My husband accepted a position with a recruiting agency this week and will begin work on Wednesday. It is a new field for him, one for which he is well suited and has wanted to explore for some time. But, since most of his experience lies elsewhere, the pay is half of what he has earned in the past. In spite of this detail, we trust that this is where God is leading. His fingerprint is all over it and we expect great things. Like Caleb we are focusing on the big grapes instead of the giants, having come to realize that God's might is unmatched by obstacles, no matter how large.
Near sight:
I have been praying for the Lord to increase my vision for people; to know how to pray, how specifically to touch lives around me that are hurting and desperate. Having my father be hospitalized has been one vehicle for me to see suffering that I am usually shielded from (since our family has been so healthy... thank you, Lord!), riding the max has been another. In both places I have had the opportunity to share encouragement and community with broken people. I want to walk in the places that Jesus walked.
Hindsight:
I have also been reflecting on my year of blogging. What began with hesitation, I now embrace with passion. I have heard some feedback from others who have been blessed by the words contained in this simple blog, I have been blessed by the process, and I hope that you have been too. I encourage you to join me, wherever your gifting lies, make the most of it for the benefit of us all.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Favor
I am happy to share a bit of sunshine today, given all of the bad reports in the news lately (100 and how many tornados in the South yesterday?!!) Please be encouraged, God is still good in the midst of the struggle.
Yesterday, I found out that God has stayed the hand of the executioner and our homeownership is no longer in peril. I called to find out what we needed to do to prevent the bank from proceeding with their plan to auction off our property, and was told that the auction has been cancelled. Perhaps this long, rough, storm is finally subsiding. Hallelujah, bring on the sunscreen!
"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast." 1 Peter 5:10
Yesterday, I found out that God has stayed the hand of the executioner and our homeownership is no longer in peril. I called to find out what we needed to do to prevent the bank from proceeding with their plan to auction off our property, and was told that the auction has been cancelled. Perhaps this long, rough, storm is finally subsiding. Hallelujah, bring on the sunscreen!
"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast." 1 Peter 5:10
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Downpour
The downpour continues, both outside and here in crazyville. In both cases, there are occassional sunbreaks that remind me that there are other weather options and that before long, warmer days and sunshine will be the norm. I am so very ready.
The plot of this play that is my life thickened further this weekend. My daddy, who is not yet 66, had a stroke after church on Easter Sunday. He is recovering in ICU. This follows a string of funerals that I have attended over the past few weeks; Like I said, there's been no shortage of rain.
But, this same rain that is causing me to continue wearing scarves, hats, and gloves much later in the season than I would have hoped, is also nourishing all of the pretty things that are planted in the yard. My tulips are almost "ripe" and my Persian buttercups look ready to pop open at any time. I have to believe that once again the natural is mirroring the spiritual and that the garden that is being watered by adversity will also be splendid. I have great faith in the Master gardener.
"For we know that all things work together for the good of those that love the Lord and are called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:28
The plot of this play that is my life thickened further this weekend. My daddy, who is not yet 66, had a stroke after church on Easter Sunday. He is recovering in ICU. This follows a string of funerals that I have attended over the past few weeks; Like I said, there's been no shortage of rain.
But, this same rain that is causing me to continue wearing scarves, hats, and gloves much later in the season than I would have hoped, is also nourishing all of the pretty things that are planted in the yard. My tulips are almost "ripe" and my Persian buttercups look ready to pop open at any time. I have to believe that once again the natural is mirroring the spiritual and that the garden that is being watered by adversity will also be splendid. I have great faith in the Master gardener.
"For we know that all things work together for the good of those that love the Lord and are called according to his purpose."
Romans 8:28
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Warrior
I had an interesting conversation with someone today that got me thinking about how the world perceives Jesus. While opinions differ as to whether he was merely a prophet or divine (maybe even the son of God, as alleged) the general consensus seems to be that Jesus was a gregarious, do-gooder whose life's mission was to embrace everyone, make them feel good about themselves, and bring social harmony. That is a palatable Jesus. One who, having been flesh himself, will in the end surely have compassion on fellow do-gooders, whether they chose to accept him as Lord and saviour or not.
This not a new development. People have always had misconceptions about Jesus and his purpose. In fact, in Mathew 16, Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" To that inquiry he then, as now received a variety of answers.
Jesus himself disputes the notion that he came to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony by growing apple trees and honeybees and snow white turtle doves. Instead he says,
"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword."" Mathew 10:34
Those are not the words of a cuddly community organizer. They are fighting words. Jesus was not here to win a popularity contest. He came to strike a death blow to his enemy in the war for his beloved: mankind. His death on the cross was the ultimate act of kamikaze. Jesus is a warrior.
Not only does he clarify his agenda, but he calls out to the rest of us to choose a team,
"For I have come to turn 'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law-- a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'
Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." Mathew 10:35-36
He is not asking us to kinda-like-him-be-okay-with-him, he demands all or nothing. He is the love of our lives, or he is nothing at all. Though he defeated his (and our) foe, we still get to choose. As POWs, we can allow our loving saviour to untangle us from the the things that continue to wage war against our souls and will eventually destroy us, or we can choose to go it alone. As unpopular as it is, if we to want the freedom that Christ offers, we must be willing to submit to his authority to obtain it.
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." Mark 12:30
This not a new development. People have always had misconceptions about Jesus and his purpose. In fact, in Mathew 16, Jesus asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" To that inquiry he then, as now received a variety of answers.
Jesus himself disputes the notion that he came to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony by growing apple trees and honeybees and snow white turtle doves. Instead he says,
"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword."" Mathew 10:34
Those are not the words of a cuddly community organizer. They are fighting words. Jesus was not here to win a popularity contest. He came to strike a death blow to his enemy in the war for his beloved: mankind. His death on the cross was the ultimate act of kamikaze. Jesus is a warrior.
Not only does he clarify his agenda, but he calls out to the rest of us to choose a team,
"For I have come to turn 'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law-- a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'
Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." Mathew 10:35-36
He is not asking us to kinda-like-him-be-okay-with-him, he demands all or nothing. He is the love of our lives, or he is nothing at all. Though he defeated his (and our) foe, we still get to choose. As POWs, we can allow our loving saviour to untangle us from the the things that continue to wage war against our souls and will eventually destroy us, or we can choose to go it alone. As unpopular as it is, if we to want the freedom that Christ offers, we must be willing to submit to his authority to obtain it.
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." Mark 12:30
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
11:00 pm
The Situation: We seem to have reached critical mass: our income is still down roughly 80% if not more, my husband's unemployment extension is set to run out this month, the bank has promised to end our tenure as homeowners early next month, and the government program to assist homeowners in our situation has gone into a coma. It is 11:00. The sea water is up to our necks. Something's gotta give.
The Facts:
(1.) God has promised that He will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5)
(2.) God has further promised that He will supply all of our needs according to His riches and glory (Philippians 4:19) which are detailed in His financial portfolio as "the Earth and everything in it" (Psalm 24:1) not to mention the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10)
The Fine Print:
(1.) He told us to ask (James 1:6-8) ("check")
(2.) He asked that we trust in Him with all of our hearts, not try to figure this out with our limited logic, but that we instead acknowledge Him and let him lead out (Proverbs 3:5-6) ("check")
(3.)He told us to wait (Psalm 27:14) ("check")
I trust that our time in this crucible will soon be ending. I don't believe that He will let us drown.
"Let me not be put to shame O Lord, for I have cried out to you" Psalm 31:17
The Facts:
(1.) God has promised that He will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5)
(2.) God has further promised that He will supply all of our needs according to His riches and glory (Philippians 4:19) which are detailed in His financial portfolio as "the Earth and everything in it" (Psalm 24:1) not to mention the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10)
The Fine Print:
(1.) He told us to ask (James 1:6-8) ("check")
(2.) He asked that we trust in Him with all of our hearts, not try to figure this out with our limited logic, but that we instead acknowledge Him and let him lead out (Proverbs 3:5-6) ("check")
(3.)He told us to wait (Psalm 27:14) ("check")
I trust that our time in this crucible will soon be ending. I don't believe that He will let us drown.
"Let me not be put to shame O Lord, for I have cried out to you" Psalm 31:17
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Loathsome
Last Friday, the tragedies in Japan had me thinking about the New Testament passages in Mathew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21 in which Jesus details the events of the end of the age to his disciples. So I decided to re-read those familiar scriptures. The promise of earthquakes, famine, war, and pestilence are listed there, but what especially resonated with me that day was the statement in Luke 21:17 that says that, "All men will hate you because of me."
This was not news to me. I have read those words countless times and am also very conscious of the drastic cultural shift in this country away from Christianity and the things of God. In addition, I have lived for 41 years as a minority in an ethnically homogenous part of the United States and have personally experienced contempt from individuals that don't appreciate the beautiful texture of my outer canvas. Still, I took a moment to meditate on that statement and thought about how one prepares to be totally hated. No one wants to be hated. It goes against human nature. AW Tozer said it most eloquently in his work The Divine Conquest in which he asserts,
the desire to please men is back of all social acts from the highest civilizations to the lowest levels levels upon which human life is found. No one can escape it. The outlaw who flouts the rules of society and the philosopher who rises in thought above its common ways may seem to have escaped from the snare, but they have in reality merely narrowed the circle of those they desire to please.
As such, preparation for such a state of existence requires a paradigm shift which only comes from having one's mind renewed. (Romans 12:2) It is necessary to adopt the attitude of Christ (who made himself nothing and took on the persona of a servant to achieve His mission according to Philippians 2:5-8), to acknowledge that the life we live is no longer our own (Romans 8), and to keep our eyes on the prize (Romans 8:17-25)
This was not news to me. I have read those words countless times and am also very conscious of the drastic cultural shift in this country away from Christianity and the things of God. In addition, I have lived for 41 years as a minority in an ethnically homogenous part of the United States and have personally experienced contempt from individuals that don't appreciate the beautiful texture of my outer canvas. Still, I took a moment to meditate on that statement and thought about how one prepares to be totally hated. No one wants to be hated. It goes against human nature. AW Tozer said it most eloquently in his work The Divine Conquest in which he asserts,
the desire to please men is back of all social acts from the highest civilizations to the lowest levels levels upon which human life is found. No one can escape it. The outlaw who flouts the rules of society and the philosopher who rises in thought above its common ways may seem to have escaped from the snare, but they have in reality merely narrowed the circle of those they desire to please.
As such, preparation for such a state of existence requires a paradigm shift which only comes from having one's mind renewed. (Romans 12:2) It is necessary to adopt the attitude of Christ (who made himself nothing and took on the persona of a servant to achieve His mission according to Philippians 2:5-8), to acknowledge that the life we live is no longer our own (Romans 8), and to keep our eyes on the prize (Romans 8:17-25)
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Movement
March is an aptly named month. It is a time of forward movement. Not only are we leaving the season of greatest darkness and propelling headlong toward long, lush, sun-drenched days, but the entire ecosystem begins bursting forth, displaying what has been achieved in the cold darkness of winter.
In my yard the irises have emerged and stand in perfect formation. They will soon be followed by daffodils, tulips, and alliums. Like a marching band unified in perfect harmony and movement, every bulb, shrub, and tree stays in step with the rhythm set by the drum major.
I said in an post earlier this year that January is hopeful. March brings the unfolding of those hopes. I believe that this season will reveal the much anticipated, glorious bounty that we set our hopes on in the autumn when we planted those bulbs in the mud, in anticipation of spring.
"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast." 1 Peter 5:10
In my yard the irises have emerged and stand in perfect formation. They will soon be followed by daffodils, tulips, and alliums. Like a marching band unified in perfect harmony and movement, every bulb, shrub, and tree stays in step with the rhythm set by the drum major.
I said in an post earlier this year that January is hopeful. March brings the unfolding of those hopes. I believe that this season will reveal the much anticipated, glorious bounty that we set our hopes on in the autumn when we planted those bulbs in the mud, in anticipation of spring.
"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast." 1 Peter 5:10
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