Category Archives: God’s Grace & Love

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

September 28, 2015

Posted under

Challenges & Difficulty, God's Grace & Love, God's Plan, Salvation: A New You, Trusting God, Wisdom & Guidance

ROAD REPAIRS

God’s business is putting things right; he loves getting the lines straight, setting us straight. Once we’re standing tall, we can look him straight in the eye. [Psalm 11:7 (MSG)] 

old world wisconsin-129webIllinois really has only two seasons: winter and road construction. The intersection by my northern home was under construction for nearly three years. In an effort to make a five-way intersection into a four-way, one road was closed entirely and another was straightened, roads were widened, and turn lanes and new lights added. During this time, there was no easy way to get anywhere from my house. I had to go east before going west, north before going south, and allow an extra twenty minutes to get where I used to get in five. No one enjoyed the slow traffic, detours, closed lanes, delays, missing driveways, and closed roads. Unfortunately, they all were necessary to straighten out a road in a dangerous intersection. The work is finally done and I was pleased at how smoothly traffic flows in the new configuration. Of course, as a result of this improvement, I’ve had to make some changes in my life since the road I used to take home is closed; fortunately, a new one was opened. Unfortunately, since this is Illinois, there is more construction on the same road, just a few miles further north so more delays are likely for the next few years.

Like IDOT and roads in need of repair, sometimes God has to straighten us out. Chances are we won’t like it any more than we like road construction. We won’t be able to continue doing things the same old way but, on the plus side, He’ll offer us a new way and better way. Like the intersection by my house, our lives will be vastly improved once God has set us straight. And, just as the state never seems to stop with the road work, God is never quite finished with us. There’s always something to straighten, smooth out or repair. It’s best if we just let Him do the work.

What a God! His road stretches straight and smooth. Every God-direction is road-tested. Everyone who runs toward him makes it. [Psalm 18:30 (MSG)]

A tribute to God when he comes, When he comes to set the earth right. He’ll straighten out the whole world, He’ll put the world right, and everyone in it. [Psalm 98:9 (MSG)]

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

September 21, 2015

Posted under

Attitudes & Behavior, God's Grace & Love, Joy, Miracles, Money & Wealth

SATISFACTION

Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. … For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. [1 Timothy 6:6-7,10 (ESV)]

This itch to have things over again, as if life were a film that could be unrolled twice or even made to work backwards…was it possibly the root of all evil? No: of course the love of money was called that. But money itself—perhaps one valued it chiefly as a defense against chance, a security for being able to have things over again, a means of arresting the unrolling of the film. … Money, in fact, would provide the means of saying encore in a voice that could not be disobeyed. [From “Perelandra,” by C.S. Lewis]

A pleasure is full grown only when it is remembered. You are speaking, Hmán, as if pleasure were one thing and the memory another. It is all one thing. [From “Out of the Silent Planet,” by C.S. Lewis]
black swallowtail -chrysalis- web

“Encore!” we shout so we can hear more at the symphony and “Encore!” I silently shout when God blesses me with “Aha!” moments or even miracles. Once is never enough. While gathering parsley and basil for last night’s dinner, I carefully examined the greens before cutting them. I’m not that particular about my herbs—I’m just looking for a caterpillar, chrysalis or butterfly. Two years ago, in the same herb container, I found a freshly hatched black swallowtail drying its wings, its empty chrysalis nearby. Do I search so I won’t disturb nature’s course? Not really—my search is about wanting to experience that “Aha!” moment again. It’s not enough for me to remember that day or even look at the photos I shot. Greedily, I want another magic moment; once was not enough.

C.S. Lewis’ words from Out of the Silent Planet and Perelandra got me thinking about contentment and our foolish efforts to have more of what we’ve already been given. We become gluttons—not just of food—but of experiences. Unsatisfied, we always seem to want more of what we’ve just had and, as Lewis points out, we love money because we think it enables us to do so. We want life to be an “all you can eat” buffet. Instead of relishing that initial bite and being satisfied with our first plate, we’re already thinking about returning for seconds and thirds.

No matter how much money we have, there will be no encore in our lives. One pass through life’s buffet line will have to be enough. The Rolling Stones sang, “I can’t get no satisfaction!” We will continue to sing that song if, rather than savoring and then remembering the gifts of today, however big or little they may be, we search for or try to recreate the gifts of yesterday. And we surely won’t be satisfied if, while enjoying the gifts of today, we’re already thinking about having more of the same tomorrow.

You say, “If I had a little more, I should be very satisfied.” You make a mistake. If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled. [Charles Spurgeon]

Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” [John 4:13-14 (ESV)]

For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things. [Psalm 107:9 (ESV)]

 

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

September 18, 2015

Posted under

Attitudes & Behavior, Fruit of the Spirit, God's Grace & Love, Joy, Nature, Today: Make it Count, Trusting God

TOMORROW

bearing fruit -horz web

False Solomon’s Seal, Solomon’s Seal, Bittersweet Nightshade, Elderberry

I have carried you since you were born; I have taken care of you from your birth. Even when you are old, I will be the same. Even when your hair has turned gray, I will take care of you. I made you and will take care of you. I will carry you and save you. [Isaiah 46:3b-4 (NCV)]

Last night, at my mother-in-law’s retirement home, I was nearly run over by a parade of residents in wheelchairs along with several more ambulatory seniors shuffling along on their walkers as they moved toward the patio to enjoy the last rays of the day’s sun. Last night, I caught a glimpse of tomorrow and I’m not anxious to go there. It’s not the white hair and wrinkles—it’s not even the stooped posture and frailty—it’s the lack of independence that frightens me the most.

I’m at a point in life where, when I look at my children, I see what I was like yesterday—or what feels like just yesterday. Then, when I look at my mother-in-law, I see what life will be like tomorrow or the day after. At my age, time passes way too quickly. It seems only a few years ago that we had teenagers and now our teenagers have teens of their own. Wasn’t it just last month when I held the first grand in my arms? I turned around for just a second and now she has her driver’s permit. I’m sure it was yesterday when I stood on the bus so a senior could have my seat—now people offer their seats to me!

As I walk through the park, I’m reminded of the season. Instead of the gaudy colors of summer, I see the yellows, oranges and browns that come with autumn. The asters are just bits of fluff and the black-eyed Susans look naked without their golden petals. Yet, I see another kind of beauty—the beauty that comes with the changing season. In fact, the maples and oaks are more spectacular with their brightly colored leaves. Moreover, it is only when the flowers have faded that they start bearing their beautiful fruit. Old age, like the autumn prairie and woodlands, can be beautiful when accepted gracefully.

Our years are a gift from God. Having outlived all but one of my family members, these years are a gift I appreciate. Yet, I confess to apprehension when I walk into a room and can’t remember why I’m there, forget someone’s name, can’t open a jar, or need ibuprofen for my aching joints. I’m not so sure I’m going to enjoy everything about this next season of life. I don’t relish the thought of eventually giving up my driver’s license, being unable to handle my finances, using a cane or walker, or possibly needing a caregiver. I would much prefer to have the health and vitality of middle age to the frailty of the elderly and so I exercise and watch my diet. Nevertheless, no matter what I do, the years will eventually take their toll on my mind and body.

I’m sure God didn’t ask the flowers how they felt about getting old, withering and eventually dying, and I don’t think He’s going to ask me. I have no choice but to accept this season of life and joyfully prepare to move on to the next. Like the flowers and the people I saw last night, I will turn to face the sun and make the most of the days with which I have been blessed. And, like them, I will gracefully accept the passage of time and bear as much fruit as possible. While I may change and fade with the years, I know that God never will. As old as He is, He’ll never be infirm, He’ll never be too weak to hold me upright and He’ll never become so absent-minded that He forgets my name.

I have no one in heaven but you; I want nothing on earth besides you. My body and my mind may become weak, but God is my strength. He is mine forever. [Psalm 73:25-26 (NCV)]

People ought to enjoy every day of their lives, no matter how long they live. [Ecclesiastes 11:8a (NCV)]

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

September 15, 2015

Posted under

Attitudes & Behavior, Forgiveness, God's Grace & Love, Knowing Him, Obedience, Temptation & Sin, Wisdom & Guidance

THE EYE IN THE SKY

The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. [Proverbs 15:3 (NIV)]

For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all your paths. [Proverbs 5:21 (NIV)]

barred owl - CSS6769webDrones have certainly been in the news lately. North Dakota lawmakers just passed a law allowing police drones to carry “less than lethal” weapons such as tear gas or Tasers and Amazon is hoping to have “delivery-by-drone” available within the next few years. Several weeks ago, a Kentucky man blasted a drone out of the air with his shotgun while it hovered over his backyard. Indeed, drones are capable of highly advanced surveillance as a Rhode Island man recently learned. A Benedictine monk who works at the school operating a giant wind turbine, was relaxing in t-shirt and shorts, atop the 200-foot turbine when a drone spotted him catching his private quiet time in the sun. The video ended up on television and YouTube almost instantly.

When he was a toddler, my nephew thought that, by covering his eyes with his hands, he was invisible. Because he couldn’t see anyone, he figured no one could see him. The monk sun-bathing on the turbine knows that belief to be false! Whether we see them or not, it appears that we’re never able to get away from other people’s eyes. Sometimes we’re not a lot different than my nephew when it comes to our relationship with God. Just because we can’t see Him, we think He can’t see us; let’s not forget that not seeing Him doesn’t mean he’s not there. We can’t get away from God’s presence any easier than we can from drones.

Knowing we have absolutely no secrets from God is both reassuring and troubling. Granted, He knows what I look like without make-up or doing my hair, which means I can relax with Him like I would with a best girlfriend. I don’t have to maintain any pretense with Him. On the other hand, He also knows my every dirty little secret, which is far more disturbing than heartening. Since nothing is hidden from God, there are no excuses, justifications or lies about our bad behavior. We may be able to hide things from our family and friends but we can’t from God. He knows the dog didn’t eat the homework, we clearly knew the speed limit when caught speeding, we had time and money to help when we said we didn’t and that no one forced us to have the third drink or smoke the joint. He knows where we go on the Internet, with whom we chat, what we say, what we do, and with whom we do it. He knows more about us than even the most technically advanced drone and yet He still manages to love and forgive us.

Father, I welcome you into my life; search my thoughts and feelings, correct and direct me and lead me in your ways. Guide me so that my walk is always pleasing to your eyes.

Secret sins, services, and sorrow are under God’s eye. This speaks comfort to saints, and terror to sinners. [Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary]

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. … Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. [Psalm 139:1-2,23-24 (NIV)]

Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. [1 John 2:6 (NIV)]

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

September 7, 2015

Posted under

Attitudes & Behavior, God's Grace & Love, Joy, Prayer, Thanks & Praise, Today: Make it Count

LIST THE BLESSINGS

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength. O our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name! [1 Chronicles 29:11-13 (NLT)]

deer- does-webAfter returning home from nearly three weeks on the road, we hit the ground running and occupied ourselves with unpacking, laundry, sorting through piles of mail, paying bills, returning calls, watering plants, and restocking the pantry before leaving three days later to go out of town again. Busy with household tasks, editing photos, answering emails, writing devotions and updating the website, and knowing we’d soon be leaving again, I hadn’t even bothered to unpack my book bag. This morning, in a quiet moment, I reached in the bag to read some C.S. Lewis and found my gratitude journal. Sadly, no entries had been made for five days. Was there nothing for which I was grateful? On the contrary, there was plenty. Granted, the journal was buried under a pile of books but that was no excuse. I had simply been too busy and involved in doing things that I’d neglected the most important thing: pausing and being with God. Oh, I’d spent time in prayer every morning but, admittedly, those prayers had been rather rushed and the thanks had been pretty generic. Writing in the gratitude journal, however, makes me pause and truly consider the specific gifts with which God has blessed me each day.

As I reviewed the last several days, there was much for which I’d not offered thanks: over 3,000 miles driven without incident, accident or ticket; the littlest grand started preschool with a smile and another grand is adjusting well to her new school; the flowers survived our absence and neglect; neighbors had taken in the mail we’d forgotten to put on hold; my 98-year old mother-in-law continues to do well; five devotions got written; my shoulder is no longer sore and my foot has finally healed; a friend is recovering well from surgery; another friend is healing from the pain of losing his wife; my children sent pictures of the grands; I got caught up on my paper work; hurricane Erika petered out; my husband cooked one of my favorite meals; and I saw a buck and two does walk through our yard this morning. The list goes on and on. None of it is earth-shattering, none of it is deep, but all of it is worthy of thanks to God. Since He never seems too busy to grant His blessings, why is it so easy to become too busy to thank Him?

Heavenly Father, forgive us when we take your blessings for granted or neglect to acknowledge them. Daily, you bestow upon us gifts of every shape and size. May we always recognize the source of our blessings and never take them for granted or forget to express our gratitude to the Giver of all gifts.

For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, For love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends.
[Ralph Waldo Emerson]

Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation. [Psalm 100:4-5 (NLT)]

Standard

Posted by

Posted on

September 4, 2015

Posted under

Attitudes & Behavior, Challenges & Difficulty, Fear & Doubt, God's Grace & Love, God's Promises, Patience & Perseverance, Trusting God, Wisdom & Guidance

TREKKING POLES – LESSONS FROM THE TRAIL (3)

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)]

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. [Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)]

chipmunk- SSCO9368awebI always had a false sense of pride about not using trekking poles when hiking. They were for novices or ersatz hikers—not a seasoned hiker like me. After reading about hiking the Appalachian Trail, however, it occurred to me that I could be mistaken. With my arthritic knees, perhaps I could use a little assistance.

After a few hikes in the Rockies, I am now a proponent of trekking poles. Where, I wondered, are the aching muscles, stiff joints, and sore feet I expected after several strenuous hikes? The poles, however, greatly reduced the impact on my legs, knees, ankles and feet. Why was I able to walk as quickly and steadily? The poles helped propel me forward and maintain a rhythm. Why hadn’t I struggled more on the steeps? The poles increased my traction and helped me maintain my balance. Why hadn’t I been more frightened on the most challenging sections? I felt more secure with the poles’ assistance. Why no scratches from the brambles? The poles helped me push away nuisances like thorny branches. I suppose I could have used them as defense weapons if attacked, but the squirrels and chipmunks posed no threat and the dogs I met were all friendly.

It took a bit of humility to admit that I might need some help when hiking and now I wonder why it took me so long to realize what seasoned hikers have known for so long. Sometimes our relationship with God is that way, as well. We struggle on, exhausting ourselves, defenseless, getting discouraged, struggling, frightened, and even hurt, before admitting, “Lord, I can’t do it alone!” When we finally admit our weakness, He will ease our fears, keep us steady, and provide us with the skill, strength, confidence and protection needed to complete our walk.

So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” [Hebrews 13:6 (ESV)]

For God have us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. [2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)]

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? [Psalm 27:1 (ESV)]