Category Archives: Attitudes & Behavior

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August 11, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Challenges & Difficulty, Faith & Hope, Fear & Doubt, Trusting God

HE WILL PUMP US UP!

Yet, the strength of those who wait with hope in the Lord will be renewed. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and won’t become weary. They will walk and won’t grow tired. [Isaiah 40:31 (GW)]

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I’ve been known to protest to my trainer when he adds more weight as I exercise. Even knowing that I’ll never get any stronger without increasing the weight lifted, I grumble. Fortunately, I trust my trainer and know he’ll never give me more than I can handle. Moreover, he’s right there beside me, ready to help as I struggle with the last few reps. Pretty soon, I find I can manage on my own and, before I know it, the weight I struggled with becomes the weight I start with on my next set. To increase my endurance, rather than increase the weight, he makes me do more repetitions and extends the time I hold the weights.

In His infinite wisdom, God uses those same concepts to build strength and increase endurance in our spiritual lives. He doesn’t want spiritual weaklings; He wants spiritually strong men and women! When we think He’s given us too much to handle, we must trust that He’s there beside us, helping as we struggle with our load. When we wonder how much longer we can endure under the weight of our troubles, remember He knows our capabilities. God won’t ever give us more than we can handle for longer than we can hold it. He is, indeed, pumping us up!

If a man does not exercise his arm he develops no biceps muscle; and if a man does not exercise his soul, he acquires no muscle in his soul, no strength of character, no vigor of moral fiber, nor beauty of Spiritual growth. [Henry Drummond]

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. [Romans 5:3-5 (NLT)]

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August 10, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Challenges & Difficulty, Fear & Doubt, God's Plan, Joy, Today: Make it Count, Trusting God

AT LARGE AND IN CHARGE

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A righteous person will always be remembered. He is not afraid of bad news. His heart remains secure, full of confidence in the Lord. His heart is steady, and he is not afraid. [Psalm 112:6b-8 (GW)]

Imagination leads to creativity which is good, especially when it results in a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel or an Academy Award screenplay. Unfortunately, our imaginations can run amok at times which can lead to unhappiness, fear, worry and even anger. We visualize the “would have,” “could have” and “should have” scenarios of the past. Previous situations are replayed—with the revised version having us saying and doing all the brilliant things we wish we’d said or done earlier. Then our imaginations take us on a ride to the future and we imagine all of the “what ifs” of tomorrow and even the day after. We picture conversations in which we are dazzling with our intelligence or practice snappy comebacks in situations that may never even take place. We picture and worry about all of the things that could possibly go wrong, plan our reactions to a variety scenarios, and might even get angry at or upset about something that hasn’t yet happened (and quite possibly won’t). With all the looking backwards and forwards, we’re likely to miss the joys of today.

One of my pastors often says, “God is at large and in charge!” Why is it so difficult to rest secure in that knowledge? To keep from forgetting who truly is in control, I have a small framed message at my bedside that serves as a reminder—I confess it’s one I frequently need. Too often, instead of living in the present, I attempt to rewrite yesterday or anxiously try to author the script for tomorrow. That, however, is not my job; it’s His. Why not let Him do his work? By the way, have a great day!

This day is a beautiful room that’s never been seen before. Let me cherish the seconds, minutes and hours I spend here. Help me to think before I speak and pray before I act. [From “Courage to Change”]

Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, faith looks up. [Anonymous, from “Guideposts” magazine]

May God, the source of hope, fill you with joy and peace through your faith in him. Then you will overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. [Romans 15:13 (GW)]

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August 7, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, God's Word: The Bible, Obedience, Temptation & Sin

THE LAW

I love God’s law with all my heart. [Romans 7:22 (NLT)]

“To protect and to serve” – the motto of the Los Angeles Police Department.

In an attempt to enforce seat belt and cell phone laws, the San Bernardino police department recently set up a “sting.” Four officers, looking a little like panhandlers, stood on the side of the highway holding handwritten cardboard signs saying, “I am not homeless. SB Police. Looking for seat belt /cell phone violations.” In spite of the clear warnings, drivers ignored their signs and over fifty tickets were written: thirty-three for cell phone violations, fifteen for seat belt infractions, and five for driving either without or on suspended licenses.

Some people would view this operation as an illustration of how the law is our adversary and simply out to get us. For them, slow speed zones, no parking signs and red light cameras are simply ways for the law to ensnare and trap people in legalities and make their lives miserable. Others might view this operation as just another way the government tries to control our lives and rob us of our individual freedoms, the same way it does with bans on assault weapons or by requiring a photo ID and the removal of shoes when going through airport security. There is, however, another way of looking at the law: neither enemy nor dictator, the law acts as our servant and protector. A sting of this sort not only serves to remind us of the law but also protects us from distracted and unlicensed drivers. It even protects those drivers from their own stupidity when they text while driving or don’t wear seat belts.

How do we view God’s law? Is it our enemy, eager to expose our every error and intent on condemnation rather than salvation? Is it a controlling master, always finding ways to restrict our freedom, limit our choices and hamper our fun? Or, does God’s law serve and protect us by setting a standard for our behavior? As for me, God’s law isn’t a long list of “don’ts” that condemn my actions or keep me from enjoying life. God’s law is a long list of “hows” that show me the way to live and enjoy eternal life.

For law and grace are not enemies, for law sets the standard and grace enables us to meet it. [Warren Wiersbe]

And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. [Titus 2:12-13 (NLT)]

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August 6, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Obedience, Salvation: A New You, Temptation & Sin

BY ANY OTHER NAME

Blessings accrue on a good and honest life, but the mouth of the wicked is a dark cave of abuse. A good and honest life is a blessed memorial; a wicked life leaves a rotten stench. [Proverbs 10:6-7 (MSG)]

Juliet: What’s in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet.” [From “Romeo and Juliet” (Shakespeare)]

IMG_6949web“Where do you work in town?” my husband asked the young man who’d joined us in the gondola. He hemmed and hawed a bit before saying, “I’m an agricultural entrepreneur.” After more prodding, we learned the vague term actually meant that he grows marijuana. His response got me thinking about all of the other euphemisms we use in life. A car is “pre-enjoyed” not used, “genuine imitation leather” is really vinyl, that “courtesy call” received during dinner is anything but courteous, and do any of us actually take a rest in the “rest room”? Having a “negative cash flow” means we’re broke, and having a “frank discussion” with the boss means we got into an argument with him which led to our being “downsized” and now we are “pursuing other interests.” Euphemisms usually make bad things seem more acceptable, or at least less terrible. Torture is described as “enhanced interrogation,” genocide is “ethnic cleansing,” pornography is “adult entertainment,” if it “fell of the truck” it’s stolen, and someone who is “economical with the truth” is simply a liar. Let’s not fool ourselves about sin by using nicer words to disguise it. Gossip, pride, adultery, callousness, pride, envy, viciousness, greed and the like are far more than lapses in judgment, blunders, missteps, weaknesses, character flaws, slip-ups, moments of madness, or indiscretions. When we equivocate about our sins, we’re lying to ourselves and God. We may manage to assuage our guilt by using euphemisms but God will not be deceived. No matter what we call it, a rose will still have the sweet smell of a rose and, no matter what we call it nor how we disguise it, that which we call a sin, by any other name, will still have the stench of sin.

“Euphemism” is a euphemism for lying. [Bobbie Gentry]

These people gag me. I can’t stand their stench. Look at this! Their sins are all written out—I have the list before me. I’m not putting up with this any longer. [Isaiah 65:5-6 (MSG)]

God, you know every sin I’ve committed; My life’s a wide-open book before you. [Psalm 69:5 (MSG)]

 

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August 5, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Church & Worship, God's Grace & Love, God's Plan, Love & Works, Money & Wealth, Sharing Our Faith, Spiritual Gifts

THE GRACE PROJECT – PART 2 (RECEIVING)

And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” [Acts 20:35 (NLT)]

columbine - mhspIL0549-2-cropwebWhile our pastor was preaching his series on God’s grace, an acquaintance asked me to pray for her friend (who we’ll call Faith) and her friend’s twenty-month old daughter (who we’ll call Hope). Faith was a single mother with no family support. Baby Hope, underweight and slow in her development, was failing to thrive for no apparent medical reason and scheduled to undergo a series of medical tests. Because she’d missed so much work due to her daughter’s illnesses, Faith had lost her job.

When our pastor offered each congregant a ten dollar bill to use to spread God’s grace, I just knew that money was intended for Faith. When the time came to accept the cash, however, I hesitated. The church was struggling to pay down their mortgage. Why should I take money from it when I had enough of my own to give away? I didn’t feel that I could accept the church’s money when they had such a great need themselves.

The next week, ten dollar bills were offered once more and, again, I wouldn’t take one. Instead, I decided to send Faith some of my own money. While I could certainly afford it, that just didn’t feel right; that wasn’t part of God’s plan. The point of the exercise wasn’t just to give someone something; it was to accept something we didn’t deserve and then to pass it along. I knew that sending my own money bypassed the first part of the lesson.

Every day, as I prayed for Faith and Hope, I continued to be troubled by my refusal to accept the church’s money. A week later, I attended a class about spiritual gifts. Unexpectedly, the pastor gave me ten dollars to illustrate a point about the acceptance of God’s gifts. I had to laugh when it appeared that I could no longer escape that ten dollar bill! All I had to do was accept it, which I finally did. The next day, it was sent to Faith along with a note of encouragement and a promise to keep her in my prayers.

I’m glad God is so persistent—there was a lesson I needed to learn about accepting His gifts and He wasn’t about to quit until I learned it. Our God is loving and generous and, no matter how difficult it seems, we should be gracious enough to accept His gifts and use them wisely. The Apostle Paul quoted Jesus as saying that it is “more blessed to give than to receive.” While that’s undoubtedly true, for many of us, it much harder to receive than it is to give!

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the many gifts you lavish upon us, your children. May we always accept them with enthusiasm and grateful hearts and share them with joy and love.

As God loves a cheerful giver, so He also loves a cheerful taker, who takes hold on His gifts with a glad heart. [John Donne]

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. [Ephesians 2:8-10 (NLT)]

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August 3, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Church & Worship, God's Grace & Love, Love & Works, Money & Wealth

ON VACATION

There will always be some in the land who are poor. That is why I am commanding you to share freely with the poor and with other Israelites in need. [Deuteronomy 15:11 (NLT)]

If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. [1 John 3:17-18 (NLT)]

DSC08043-cropwebbNow that August has arrived, it seems like everyone is taking a vacation. People are retreating to the beach, a cabin in the woods, Grandma’s, or maybe just to the back yard. The Senate and House of Representatives are even taking a break (which could actually be good news for the nation). I don’t know if all the New York psychiatrists really left for the Hamptons but (more calamitous for me) my hair dresser has gone to the Wisconsin Dells.

Even though God doesn’t physically need to take a rest from his daily work, do you suppose He ever wants to get away from it all? Does He tire of the endless complaints, sorrowful pleas, and anxious appeals he gets 24/7? Does He ever get weary of forgiving the same sins over and over again? Does He yearn to escape from the clamor and confusion of this mixed up world of ours? Thankfully, our heavenly Father is truly a God of endless patience, boundless energy, and limitless love. Even when we take off from work, turn off our cell phones and stop answering emails, He continues to receive our calls; His door remains open all day long every day of the year.

God never takes a break and, unfortunately, neither does the tremendous need for Christian love and works. Charities and churches don’t take vacations and neither does the need for their services. Sadly, as volunteers and donations disappear over the summer months, their resources to meet those needs diminish as well. While we take vacations, poverty, hardship, and affliction never do. Offering envelopes and church pews may go empty but so do the stomachs of hungry children everywhere. The tremendous needs of the less fortunate don’t take a holiday but the ability to fill those needs does. So, on our way out of town, maybe we should drop off some food at the local food pantry, visit the area blood bank, and write that tithe and offering check to our church (and a few more to the charities of our choice). God never takes a break from loving his children and neither should we!

Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith. [Galatians 6:10 (NLT)]

Those who shut their ears to the cries of the poor will be ignored in their own time of need. [Proverbs 21:13 (NLT)]