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August 20, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Joy, Peace of God, Thanks & Praise, Today: Make it Count

MAKE THE MOST OF IT

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After looking at the way things are on this earth, here’s what I’ve decided is the best way to live: Take care of yourself, have a good time, and make the most of whatever job you have for as long as God gives you life. And that’s about it. That’s the human lot. Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what’s given and delighting in the work. It’s God’s gift! God deals out joy in the present, the now. It’s useless to brood over how long we might live. [Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 (MSG)]

Lord, where did the years go? It seems like it was just last month that I complained about the fingerprints on the windows and mud on the floor; now I can go weeks without washing the windows or mopping the entry. I protested to my children about the noise and now our house is silent. I was just complaining img109webabout my teen-agers and now they’re adults with teens and pre-teens of their own! It feels like just yesterday that we were grousing about work and now we’re complaining about how busy we are in retirement.

Lord, thank you for this day. Don’t let us waste a single moment of it in complaint. While some seasons of life may be more challenging than others, show us how to appreciate each and every one of them.

It’s only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth – and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up – that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had. [Elizabeth Kübler Ross]

Oh, how sweet the light of day, And how wonderful to live in the sunshine! Even if you live a long time, don’t take a single day for granted. Take delight in each light-filled hour, remembering that there will also be many dark days And that most of what comes your way is smoke. [Ecclesiastes 11:7-8 (MSG)]

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August 17, 2015

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Challenges & Difficulty, Faith & Hope, Fear & Doubt, God's Plan, Patience & Perseverance, Peace of God

FINISHING THE RACE

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. [Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT)]

turtle (western box) - NM1764awebRecently, my son ran a half-marathon on a blistering hot and humid Chicago day. A seasoned runner, he said it felt like the longest 13.1 miles he’d ever run. Fortunately, the water stations kept him well hydrated and then, just when he thought he’d “hit the wall,” he came to a spray station that cooled runners as they ran through the water. My son simply paused for a bit under the mist, feeling the cool water on his skin, until he felt ready to run again. He scaled back on his goal of a personal best—time no longer mattered; he just wanted to finish the race.

Although I’m not a runner, I am a writer trying to run the race God has set before me. I examined myself to see what extra weight could be shed and found the burdens of doubt and fear—doubt that I am up to the task and fear that I will run out of words and ideas. Moreover, it won’t be a private defeat—it will be in front of a crowd of witnesses—my readers. I knew I had to shed my negative thoughts and lighten my load, but how?

I thought about my son’s half-marathon and the water stations and cooling spray that had refreshed him during the grueling race. Rather than water and mist, perhaps I needed another kind of refreshment—prayer and meditation. I sat quietly with my Bible, prayed and read, and felt refreshed instead of burdened. Reading God’s word and sitting quietly in prayer was like a hydration station for the soul—it filled and refreshed me with living water. Instead of hurrying on to my tasks, I followed my son’s example and spent a good long time under God’s shower of peace. I stripped off the doubt and fear—they’ll only hold me back—and replaced them with faith and confidence.

God signed me up for this race. Even though I didn’t get a t-shirt or water bottle, it is a race that has given me tremendous joy and one I want to continue. Instead of sore muscles, there have been a few headaches but, without a doubt, I want to see it all the way to the finish line, whenever that may be. That pause to refresh, however, reminded me that God didn’t say I had to do a marathon—that was my decision. Perhaps, at my age, I’m more a 10K girl. Knowing I need to accept my own limitations, I’m going to run a shorter course of five messages a week and take extra time each day to be refreshed by that living water.

Slow but sure wins the race! [The Tortoise’s comment to the Hare in Aesop’s fable]

Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, “Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.” [John 7:37-38 (NLT)]

But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. [Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)]

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August 13, 2015

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Attitudes & Behavior, Faith & Hope, God's Grace & Love, God's Plan, Prayer, Wisdom & Guidance

WAITING IN FAITH – NEON SIGNS

Many plans are in the human heart, but the advice of the Lord will endure. [Proverbs 19:21 (GW)]

A person may plan his own journey, but the Lord directs his steps. [Proverbs 16:9 (GW)]

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Choices—we all have to make them. In some cases, the correct choice is easy to discern: heaven or hell, life or death, sin or salvation, adultery or faithfulness. Other choices, like American or Provolone, mustard or mayo, whole wheat or rye are unimportant and easy to make. Most decisions, however, fall somewhere in between these extremes: how to finance the house, where to worship, who to hire, what job to take, or which medical treatment to pursue. Wanting to make the best choice, we research options, consult our Bibles, pray, and wait in faith for God to tell us what to do. In spite of all that, there are still times when we can’t discern God’s will. That’s when I ask Him for a neon sign to show me His way.

When my daughter, a dancer, was selecting her college, we couldn’t determine God’s plan and fervently prayed for His guidance. Accepted by several universities, she’d visited them all. While each was good, none seemed quite right. Then the Juilliard School, after seeing her dance, sent her a letter of acceptance without her even making application. This was one option we hadn’t even considered but, since she’d been accepted, we visited New York City to see it first-hand. Once there, our daughter toured the school, spoke with teachers and attended dance classes. Although she was pleased with Juilliard’s dance program, we were hesitant about it being the best choice; this clearly wasn’t the college experience we originally had in mind. “Dear God,” I prayed, “If you’ve shown us your plan, we’ve missed the message. You need to give us a neon sign. What should she do?”

That evening, while walking along Broadway, we passed by the theatre presenting “Cats.” On the spur of the moment, we purchased tickets. Once seated, my husband looked to his left and greeted two young men. By the brightly-colored propeller-topped beanies perched on their heads, it was clear they were tourists. While chatting with them, he learned they were professional dancers visiting from Amsterdam. When asked why they were in New York, they excitedly replied, “New York is the center of the dance world. Anyone who wants to be a dancer has to spend time here!” My daughter and I looked at each other and started to laugh. We’d asked God for a neon sign, but never expected it to be two Dutch dancers with propellers on their heads! That fall, she started at Juilliard.

Did she make the right choice? Was this God’s plan? I think my daughter and I would agree it was. God guided us in a unique and delightfully whimsical manner. Now, some twenty-five years later, whenever we’re facing a dilemma and haven’t been able to discern God’s will, we remember those young men. Along with asking God for a neon sign to guide us, we’ve been known to be on the lookout for a couple of fellows sporting beanies. You never know who God’s messengers might be—He speaks in strange and marvelous ways!

Sometimes God’s ways are mysterious. Sometimes He reveals them bit by bit over long periods of time. Then sometimes they’re just plain bizarre, but immediately clear — picture-perfect. [Cindy McCormick Martinusen]

The Lord says, “I will instruct you. I will teach you the way that you should go. I will advise you as my eyes watch over you. [Psalm 32:8 (GW)]

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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)]