The countdown is on! In just a few short days, the students in my school system return for a year of excitement, learning, and activities. I'm not really sure where the summer went, in fact, I'm really not sure where the last 25 years of teaching has gone. It really has left me in a daze! But the one thing I know is change is inevitable, and helping your student navigate change is important.
Our local system has a staggering amount of change from the top Admin office, down to principals and assistant principals, and on to teachers and parapros. Parents, encourage your child or teen to embrace change in a positive way. We can't stop the changes from occurring, so we have to learn lessons from them.
For us teachers it may be teaching in new ways, learning new things about students and innovative methods to reach those entrusted in our car - all of them - yes, even the one that makes you a little crazy! For parents, it could be new routines, or new schools. For students, they have new schedules, new teachers and classmates to get to know, and maybe even a few new opportunities for sports or extracurricular activities. Encourage your child to stretch themselves a bit this year!
Just as we teachers have to do, encourage your child or teen to embrace change in a positive way. I've learned that I cannot stay stagnant - as a mom, teacher, friend or colleague. I have lots to learn from other teachers - young and old alike. Teacher friends, we should never stop learning from each other. That sets a strong example for our students.
Parents, get to know your teachers and their needs. This teaching thing should be a 3-way relationship between the teacher, student, and parent(s). We are a team and we are in this together for the benefit of your student.
Students, if you are in my class get ready! I promise to treat you as if you are my own child and as I want other teachers to treat my biological kids. We've got a lot to do in Economics this year! We've got some state standards to master, and we've got a lot of personal finance to tackle so that you are ready for the "real world" after graduation.
So, to my teacher friends: I wish you the best this school year. I pray for all of us to have energy, patience, wisdom, and creativity. I pray for us to make a difference in our students' lives, and I know our students make a difference in our lives!
Get ready - School Daze are coming!
Saturday, August 5, 2017
Sunday, December 4, 2016
The Gift of Your Choice
This time of year everyone is busy thinking about gifts - finding the perfect gift for someone, or maybe even making a list of gifts they themselves want to receive. But rarely do we stop to consider a gift that is right in front of us - all we have to do is unwrap it!
One of the greatest prophecies in the Bible is from Isaiah 9:6, "For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace."
"A child will be born for us...." That gift of Christ is directly for ALL of us. He wasn't born for God, or for Himself, He was born for US! Let that sink in for a few minutes. Born for you, born for me.
As we find ourselves wrapped up in shopping, lights, parties and cooking, we also can't help but notice that life is still happening. Circumstances haven't stopped or changed just because of the holidays. I think God intended for us to unwrap the gift He sent very intentionally to us.
I don't know what you are experiencing this holiday season, but here are four specific gifts just waiting for you from Isaiah 9:6:
1. Wonderful Counselor - the idea of counselor is "one who speaks and urges certain directions of actions or thoughts" and wonderful means to "focus on the power of the wonder." If you find yourself in the middle of decision making about a job, a house, a relationship, a life change, or making a large purchase, or even something small like who to bless this Christmas season - Jesus is your help in decision making! There is power in allowing Jesus in on our decision making processes to guide us in just the direction He wants us to go. And my track record proves that His choices turn out better than mine every single time.
2. Mighty God - this phrase refers to "Jehovah the One True God" who is also a "valiant warrior." I have many friends currently fighting battles of cancer, finances, depression, diseases, relationships and so many more things. We have been given the gift of a God who FIGHTS FOR US! Often we just need to be still and allow Him to fight for us. He is our deliverer and our refuge in the storm.
3. Eternal Father - here Father means "one who causes something to begin" or an "adoptive father" while eternal means for an "unlimited duration of time." This is the gift I cling to because I miss my Daddy so much! Sometimes our earthly fathers aren't here - due to distance, death, or by choice. We have an Eternal Father who never leaves, is always with us - from before we were born til long after we have drawn our last breath. And He will be with us throughout eternity.
4. Prince of Peace - peace refers to "completeness, safeness or contentment" and Prince is someone "who oversees a task with authority." Our Prince of Peace has the authority to complete us because nothing else truly can make us whole. He protects us and keeps us safe. He makes favorable circumstances to abound that we often can't even comprehend.
The beginning of the verse tells us that the "government will be on His shoulders." Our shoulders are where we typically bear our burdens or we carry our stresses. Why do we do this when Jesus came to do that for us in these four ways as a counselor, a warrior, a father, and a prince with great authority.
Wherever this finds you this Christmas, you have an invaluable gift placed right in front you. One for which there is no substitute and none greater. Which gift do you need to unwrap?
One of the greatest prophecies in the Bible is from Isaiah 9:6, "For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace."
"A child will be born for us...." That gift of Christ is directly for ALL of us. He wasn't born for God, or for Himself, He was born for US! Let that sink in for a few minutes. Born for you, born for me.
As we find ourselves wrapped up in shopping, lights, parties and cooking, we also can't help but notice that life is still happening. Circumstances haven't stopped or changed just because of the holidays. I think God intended for us to unwrap the gift He sent very intentionally to us.
I don't know what you are experiencing this holiday season, but here are four specific gifts just waiting for you from Isaiah 9:6:
1. Wonderful Counselor - the idea of counselor is "one who speaks and urges certain directions of actions or thoughts" and wonderful means to "focus on the power of the wonder." If you find yourself in the middle of decision making about a job, a house, a relationship, a life change, or making a large purchase, or even something small like who to bless this Christmas season - Jesus is your help in decision making! There is power in allowing Jesus in on our decision making processes to guide us in just the direction He wants us to go. And my track record proves that His choices turn out better than mine every single time.
2. Mighty God - this phrase refers to "Jehovah the One True God" who is also a "valiant warrior." I have many friends currently fighting battles of cancer, finances, depression, diseases, relationships and so many more things. We have been given the gift of a God who FIGHTS FOR US! Often we just need to be still and allow Him to fight for us. He is our deliverer and our refuge in the storm.
3. Eternal Father - here Father means "one who causes something to begin" or an "adoptive father" while eternal means for an "unlimited duration of time." This is the gift I cling to because I miss my Daddy so much! Sometimes our earthly fathers aren't here - due to distance, death, or by choice. We have an Eternal Father who never leaves, is always with us - from before we were born til long after we have drawn our last breath. And He will be with us throughout eternity.
4. Prince of Peace - peace refers to "completeness, safeness or contentment" and Prince is someone "who oversees a task with authority." Our Prince of Peace has the authority to complete us because nothing else truly can make us whole. He protects us and keeps us safe. He makes favorable circumstances to abound that we often can't even comprehend.
The beginning of the verse tells us that the "government will be on His shoulders." Our shoulders are where we typically bear our burdens or we carry our stresses. Why do we do this when Jesus came to do that for us in these four ways as a counselor, a warrior, a father, and a prince with great authority.
Wherever this finds you this Christmas, you have an invaluable gift placed right in front you. One for which there is no substitute and none greater. Which gift do you need to unwrap?
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Before & After Shots
Have you ever looked at Before/After pictures of weight loss or cosmetic claims and wondered if they were authentic? Maybe photo shopped or doctored up in some way? I often do. Chances are some of them are, and some of them probably are genuine.
Have you ever looked at someone's before and after snapshots of their life? Ever been around someone who is truly a different person from the inside out - their actions and reactions, priorities, and habits? True change does not happen easily or quickly. Just like with weight loss, it takes time and effort.
A few weeks ago my landlord decided the brick steps to my front door needed a makeover. The men he hired to replace them worked diligently for days. They steadily chipped away at the old bricks for several days. The bricks were stubborn, and some did not want to come up easily. It took much physical labor and consistent work because they were set firmly in concrete.
This is what it looked like when the bricks were removed and the pile of rubble was left. Not too pretty is it?
During this process I was reminded of how God works in our lives to change us, refine us, smooth off our rough edges and make us more like Him. It's not an easy process, nor is it quick or pretty. Some character traits require more work removing or changing than others.
One of the first characteristics that God went to work on me about 15 years ago was a sharp tongue. I could fire off an insult in an instant, or something I thought was funny that others didn't. I became under very heavy conviction that this was something that had to be chipped away if I was going to be used for God's purposes. And of course as the Master Carpenter began chipping away, I had plenty of practice of using my words for good.
Over the last 5-6 years God has done more chipping away on me. Fear was a big one. I didn't even realize I was a fearful person until I was forced in a position to be paralyzed by fear, or to trust God fully, sometimes only hanging on by my fingertips. When God first started chipping away at fear, some days I only had strength to not fear for one day at time. The battle started new every day when I awoke, if I had slept at all. (How to deal with fear can be another blogpost on another day.) Chip, chip, chip....another brick
Grace and mercy: Those who know me well, know I don't always have a lot of mercy. I love people and want to be merciful, but it does not come as first nature to me as it does some people. Through a divorce, and many life changes during that period, I learned it was important for me to show grace and mercy, even when I didn't think I had it in me - and I didn't have it in me. God's supplies our needs according to His riches, and He is rich in mercy and grace. Chip, chip chip....and another brick.
Finances and time: This was a big brick! God expects us to manage our money, time, and everything else He gives us, in a way that honors Him. My ways and His ways did not always match up. Through some serious and painful brick chipping I slowly learned about handling everything God placed me in charge of in new ways, and completely revamping the way I thought about finances especially. CHIP, CHIP, CHIP....another brick.
Teaching high school: When I went back into the classroom in 2007, I really went kicking and screaming. I had loved the part-time job I had been doing while working from home and being a stay-at-home mom. But God had other plans! This chip job took several years to complete. Nine years later I understand exactly why God put me back in a public high school, and while the job is challenging to say the least, I LOVE my kids, my colleagues, and what I teach. Chip, chip, chip, another brick.
Grieving and Loss: over the past few years I have lost five people that were very dear to me including a best friend and my Daddy. That pain and loss does something. It ushers in a deep sadness and if we are not careful, we allow that sadness to consume us, and those bricks can be excruciating to remove. More chipping away....
Needless to say, there have been many other bricks over the years as well that God has chipped on, and I know there are more to come. But I can look back and say "I look different!" Ephesians 4:21b-24 says, "...because the truth is in Jesus: you took off your former way of life, the old man (woman) that is corrupted by deceitful desires; you are being renewed in the spirit of your minds; you put on the new man (woman), the one created according to God's likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth."
Often our patterns and habits are set in concrete like those bricks. We've repeated the same actions for so long we don't even realize how bad they are. God will certainly use our life circumstances and people around us for opportunity for change. One of my favorite lines from a Jars of Clay song says, "When good things are unraveling, bad things come undone." God will even use those things that are good to make drastic changes in our lives...maybe changes we didn't even know we needed to make.
And in case you were wondering....
Here is what the finished product looks like! So, what bricks do you have that God is trying to pry up? What habits need an overhaul? What are your Before & After shots looking like?
A few weeks ago my landlord decided the brick steps to my front door needed a makeover. The men he hired to replace them worked diligently for days. They steadily chipped away at the old bricks for several days. The bricks were stubborn, and some did not want to come up easily. It took much physical labor and consistent work because they were set firmly in concrete.
During this process I was reminded of how God works in our lives to change us, refine us, smooth off our rough edges and make us more like Him. It's not an easy process, nor is it quick or pretty. Some character traits require more work removing or changing than others.
One of the first characteristics that God went to work on me about 15 years ago was a sharp tongue. I could fire off an insult in an instant, or something I thought was funny that others didn't. I became under very heavy conviction that this was something that had to be chipped away if I was going to be used for God's purposes. And of course as the Master Carpenter began chipping away, I had plenty of practice of using my words for good.
Over the last 5-6 years God has done more chipping away on me. Fear was a big one. I didn't even realize I was a fearful person until I was forced in a position to be paralyzed by fear, or to trust God fully, sometimes only hanging on by my fingertips. When God first started chipping away at fear, some days I only had strength to not fear for one day at time. The battle started new every day when I awoke, if I had slept at all. (How to deal with fear can be another blogpost on another day.) Chip, chip, chip....another brick
Grace and mercy: Those who know me well, know I don't always have a lot of mercy. I love people and want to be merciful, but it does not come as first nature to me as it does some people. Through a divorce, and many life changes during that period, I learned it was important for me to show grace and mercy, even when I didn't think I had it in me - and I didn't have it in me. God's supplies our needs according to His riches, and He is rich in mercy and grace. Chip, chip chip....and another brick.
Finances and time: This was a big brick! God expects us to manage our money, time, and everything else He gives us, in a way that honors Him. My ways and His ways did not always match up. Through some serious and painful brick chipping I slowly learned about handling everything God placed me in charge of in new ways, and completely revamping the way I thought about finances especially. CHIP, CHIP, CHIP....another brick.
Teaching high school: When I went back into the classroom in 2007, I really went kicking and screaming. I had loved the part-time job I had been doing while working from home and being a stay-at-home mom. But God had other plans! This chip job took several years to complete. Nine years later I understand exactly why God put me back in a public high school, and while the job is challenging to say the least, I LOVE my kids, my colleagues, and what I teach. Chip, chip, chip, another brick.
Grieving and Loss: over the past few years I have lost five people that were very dear to me including a best friend and my Daddy. That pain and loss does something. It ushers in a deep sadness and if we are not careful, we allow that sadness to consume us, and those bricks can be excruciating to remove. More chipping away....
Needless to say, there have been many other bricks over the years as well that God has chipped on, and I know there are more to come. But I can look back and say "I look different!" Ephesians 4:21b-24 says, "...because the truth is in Jesus: you took off your former way of life, the old man (woman) that is corrupted by deceitful desires; you are being renewed in the spirit of your minds; you put on the new man (woman), the one created according to God's likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth."
Often our patterns and habits are set in concrete like those bricks. We've repeated the same actions for so long we don't even realize how bad they are. God will certainly use our life circumstances and people around us for opportunity for change. One of my favorite lines from a Jars of Clay song says, "When good things are unraveling, bad things come undone." God will even use those things that are good to make drastic changes in our lives...maybe changes we didn't even know we needed to make.
And in case you were wondering....
Here is what the finished product looks like! So, what bricks do you have that God is trying to pry up? What habits need an overhaul? What are your Before & After shots looking like?
Sunday, June 14, 2015
Breathe Easy
I've known for a while that I needed to pen a tribute to my Daddy, but with Father's Day approaching, this is the first time I have been able to emotionally, and I know the closer the holiday gets, the harder this will be. Recently I saw a contest offered that asked for your best Dad Moment. As I attempted to write about a special moment, I realized I didn't have a Dad Moment. I had a Dad Lifetime.
There was never a time my Daddy wasn't there, until now. He attended countless dance and piano recitals, watched me cheer for the Pirates for 4 years of football and basketball, and then did the same for my kids years later. Mama and Daddy waited 10 years for a child, and then when I made my appearance I think Daddy decided even though I was a girl, he would try to still instill a love in me for cars and football. It worked. I still love both to this day.
My Daddy was a quiet man, but he led our family with strong Biblical and moral values. He was known to speak his mind in his timing and often if someone asked if I was his daughter I would often reply "Why?" before I answered, just in case he had spoken his mind. Although he held some very strong opinions about some topics (some that I agreed with and others that I did not) he loved my mother, me, and my children passionately, and we loved him passionately in return.
This picture is from my parents 50th Wedding Anniversary in 2010.
I love this one of my Daddy and Colby from the same evening.
And here is one of Daddy with Kendall on her 16th birthday. This is one of the last pictures we have of him.
Daddy was diagnosed with Stage 3 lung cancer in December 2014. Doctors were optimistic about treatment and for a time he did do well. However in early March he took a turn for the worse and his health declined until he was hospitalized during the last week of March. During that last week of his life, we laughed and cried. My kids came often to see him and we did life together right there in the hospital. I even Facetimed my classes on the Wednesday before he passed away on Friday to review them for a test, and Daddy just shook his head at the technology.
As the week progressed his breathing got increasingly labored and he had to utilize a bipap machine to force enough oxygen into his lungs to keep him alive. By Good Friday his lungs and heart couldn't hold out, and Daddy went to be with Jesus with Mama and I by his side. I have never witnessed anyone pass into eternity before and it changes you. It makes the work Jesus did on the cross for all of us to spend eternity with Him very real. It all makes sense then.
As we were planning the memorial service for Daddy we struggled to find the right music for the service. On the way to our Easter service on Sunday morning Kendall reminded me about a song that Daddy absolutely loved, "Lay 'Em Down." He had heard the song on our local Christian radio station 90.7 and was crazy about this song. This was so uncharacteristic for him to be so taken by one particular song. Daddy asked my kids about the song, and even called the radio station and they graciously played it for him. We finally found the CD on Amazon and I paid more for the shipping than the CD. We gave it to him for a gift at Christmas 2013 and he played it repeatedly in his truck.
When Kendall suggested the song I knew instantly she was right. And then it hit me like a brick wall. The group that sings the song is called Need to Breathe. While he was alive, Daddy had no greater need than to breathe. Now that Daddy is with Jesus, he no longer needs earthly breath. He has truly done as the song says and taken the burden of breathing and Laid 'Em Down.
Acts 17:25 says that "He (Jesus) Himself gives everyone life and breath."
If you are not familiar with the song, I would like to share it with you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PN-BMHi5L8
Daddy is now more alive than you and I have ever been, and he no longer has a need to breathe. I love you Daddy, and I will see you soon.
There was never a time my Daddy wasn't there, until now. He attended countless dance and piano recitals, watched me cheer for the Pirates for 4 years of football and basketball, and then did the same for my kids years later. Mama and Daddy waited 10 years for a child, and then when I made my appearance I think Daddy decided even though I was a girl, he would try to still instill a love in me for cars and football. It worked. I still love both to this day.
My Daddy was a quiet man, but he led our family with strong Biblical and moral values. He was known to speak his mind in his timing and often if someone asked if I was his daughter I would often reply "Why?" before I answered, just in case he had spoken his mind. Although he held some very strong opinions about some topics (some that I agreed with and others that I did not) he loved my mother, me, and my children passionately, and we loved him passionately in return.
I love this one of my Daddy and Colby from the same evening.
And here is one of Daddy with Kendall on her 16th birthday. This is one of the last pictures we have of him.
Daddy was diagnosed with Stage 3 lung cancer in December 2014. Doctors were optimistic about treatment and for a time he did do well. However in early March he took a turn for the worse and his health declined until he was hospitalized during the last week of March. During that last week of his life, we laughed and cried. My kids came often to see him and we did life together right there in the hospital. I even Facetimed my classes on the Wednesday before he passed away on Friday to review them for a test, and Daddy just shook his head at the technology.
As the week progressed his breathing got increasingly labored and he had to utilize a bipap machine to force enough oxygen into his lungs to keep him alive. By Good Friday his lungs and heart couldn't hold out, and Daddy went to be with Jesus with Mama and I by his side. I have never witnessed anyone pass into eternity before and it changes you. It makes the work Jesus did on the cross for all of us to spend eternity with Him very real. It all makes sense then.
As we were planning the memorial service for Daddy we struggled to find the right music for the service. On the way to our Easter service on Sunday morning Kendall reminded me about a song that Daddy absolutely loved, "Lay 'Em Down." He had heard the song on our local Christian radio station 90.7 and was crazy about this song. This was so uncharacteristic for him to be so taken by one particular song. Daddy asked my kids about the song, and even called the radio station and they graciously played it for him. We finally found the CD on Amazon and I paid more for the shipping than the CD. We gave it to him for a gift at Christmas 2013 and he played it repeatedly in his truck.
When Kendall suggested the song I knew instantly she was right. And then it hit me like a brick wall. The group that sings the song is called Need to Breathe. While he was alive, Daddy had no greater need than to breathe. Now that Daddy is with Jesus, he no longer needs earthly breath. He has truly done as the song says and taken the burden of breathing and Laid 'Em Down.
Acts 17:25 says that "He (Jesus) Himself gives everyone life and breath."
If you are not familiar with the song, I would like to share it with you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PN-BMHi5L8
Daddy is now more alive than you and I have ever been, and he no longer has a need to breathe. I love you Daddy, and I will see you soon.
Thursday, December 25, 2014
The Impact of One Woman
About a decade ago, a woman by the name of Elaine Moore intersected my path. Though we were both raised in Brunswick with about 15 years between us, our lives had never crossed. We had many mutual friends, and her sister Jan introduced us. Elaine joined my newly started ladies Bible study class, and a fast and deep friendship formed.
I have never met anyone quite like "Lane" (what I called her) and doubt I ever will. Lane was a woman who impacted every single person she met. She was hysterically funny without trying to be. She gave generously to others as if she owned the earth. She studied the Bible tenaciously, and sought for understanding of Truth. She loved every person she came in contact with, with the true love of Christ. Though she never had children of her own, she LOVED her nieces and nephews, and great -nieces and great-nephews as if she had birthed them herself. Family was everything to her. She and Ted shared a loved that I have only rarely ever seen before.
Elaine and I did hard ministry together. Lane and I worked on numerous women's events over the years. There was no one better at rounding up door prizes and finding greeters for anything we hosted. Lane went to some speaking engagements with me and took care of me - always reminding me to "put on my lips." She edited my writings (where is she now??). She always promised to be my assistant - like I had a reason to have an assistant - but it was a fun thought, and I'm pretty sure Neal Cordle (former Minister of Education at FBC) thought we were Thelma and Louise in disguise.
We have sympathized and agonized over the women God placed under our care in our class over the last ten years. We prayed together. We laughed together, and we cried together. We did life together and no one did life better than Elaine.
There are some things I will never look at the same way again: red finger nails, diet coke, Elvis, and her life verse: Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
This was the verse she clung to dearly. Certainly the Lord's plans for Lane differed from our plans, but our ways are not His ways are they?
Lane, I will miss you dearly. I will miss your quick wit and ability to always make me laugh. I will miss your wisdom and insight. I will miss doing ministry together, my great friend. But I will always cling to your last words you sent me:
"Take care of your Daddy. I'm good. God has a plan."
Yes, sweet Lane. God has a plan. A plan for all who believe, follow, and love. Save me a seat on the 4th row!
I have never met anyone quite like "Lane" (what I called her) and doubt I ever will. Lane was a woman who impacted every single person she met. She was hysterically funny without trying to be. She gave generously to others as if she owned the earth. She studied the Bible tenaciously, and sought for understanding of Truth. She loved every person she came in contact with, with the true love of Christ. Though she never had children of her own, she LOVED her nieces and nephews, and great -nieces and great-nephews as if she had birthed them herself. Family was everything to her. She and Ted shared a loved that I have only rarely ever seen before.
Elaine and I did hard ministry together. Lane and I worked on numerous women's events over the years. There was no one better at rounding up door prizes and finding greeters for anything we hosted. Lane went to some speaking engagements with me and took care of me - always reminding me to "put on my lips." She edited my writings (where is she now??). She always promised to be my assistant - like I had a reason to have an assistant - but it was a fun thought, and I'm pretty sure Neal Cordle (former Minister of Education at FBC) thought we were Thelma and Louise in disguise.
We have sympathized and agonized over the women God placed under our care in our class over the last ten years. We prayed together. We laughed together, and we cried together. We did life together and no one did life better than Elaine.
There are some things I will never look at the same way again: red finger nails, diet coke, Elvis, and her life verse: Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
This was the verse she clung to dearly. Certainly the Lord's plans for Lane differed from our plans, but our ways are not His ways are they?
Lane, I will miss you dearly. I will miss your quick wit and ability to always make me laugh. I will miss your wisdom and insight. I will miss doing ministry together, my great friend. But I will always cling to your last words you sent me:
"Take care of your Daddy. I'm good. God has a plan."
Yes, sweet Lane. God has a plan. A plan for all who believe, follow, and love. Save me a seat on the 4th row!
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Full Circle Contentment
Thanksgiving is here upon us. It forces us to stop and reflect. This year it's hitting me a little harder. In a good kind of way. I have found that I am going one step beyond thankfulness - I'm moving on to contentment. It's taken a long time, a lot of miles and heartache. There have been lots of twists and turns, bumps and bruises along the way. Life doesn't look quite like I expected it would. Yet, by the grace of God, I find that as I sit here tonight, I am content.
Let me see if I can explain this briefly. In my junior year of college I decided that my destiny was to become a Social Studies teacher. I didn't pray about this decision. I just loved high school. Numerous teachers had such a significant impact on me, that I knew I wanted to go back to my high school and do the same thing. I eventually did just that - became a teacher and landed back at my alma mater - Brunswick High School (via Bainbridge High School where, even though I was only there a short time, I have very fond memories of my friends and students there).
In 2000-2003 my life took another series of twists and again by the grace of God I landed right smack in the middle of a incredible group of mentors and MotherWise Ministries. I quit teaching for a brief few years and stayed home with my two children, and worked from home for MotherWise. And I LOVED it. I loved being mentored by these godly women, ministering to other women, and doing whatever they asked me to do - editing, writing, speaking, or organizing. I have never felt so purposeful and like what I was doing had so much meaning.
Then came a bump in the road and I had to go back to teaching and MotherWise really didn't need me anymore. That was HARD. Excruciating. Devastating. A real pruning the vine kinda event. It took me years to get over it - like close to a decade. But this time, when life finally settled down and the fog lifted, I realized something. I am EXACTLY where I am supposed to be. I always loved teaching, and people have no idea how much fun teenagers can really be (and yes I even have a teenager of my own.) But this time, it's different. I see my purpose differently. I have become more than just an economics teacher to many kids. I have become mother figure to many - and they have become like children to me.
I can't explain it, and I certainly can't conjure it up. It just is what it is. I love to watch them mature throughout their senior year, and go on to become contributing citizens of society. I love when they show up in my classroom to share their college and military stories. I love to watch the ones who play college sports. My heart swells when I see some of my former students becoming teachers with their own classrooms. I love to see them get married and see pictures of their children. I really love to hear "I miss school, I wish I was still here" because they swore they couldn't wait to graduate! Education is not perfect, and some days it's just down right hard and discouraging. But if it's your calling you stay because it's not about you, it's about the kids.
Some of my colleagues will read this and think I'm nuts, and then many more will get it because they feel the exact same way. A few years ago a senior class nicknamed me "Mama G" and it's stuck and been passed down the line to the current class. I have decided that I'm content with it. I used to be the young, cool, hip teacher, but now with a 16 year old and a 12 year old of my own, not to mention I am now teaching the children of my former students, " school mom" is pretty accurate. From MotherWise to Mama G has been quite the transition back. I have come full circle back where I started at my alma mater not once, but twice, with a very different purpose attempting to influence kids in the most positive ways possible with so much of what I learned during those MotherWise years, and I find myself very content. Happy Thanksgiving, and may you be content where you are.
Let me see if I can explain this briefly. In my junior year of college I decided that my destiny was to become a Social Studies teacher. I didn't pray about this decision. I just loved high school. Numerous teachers had such a significant impact on me, that I knew I wanted to go back to my high school and do the same thing. I eventually did just that - became a teacher and landed back at my alma mater - Brunswick High School (via Bainbridge High School where, even though I was only there a short time, I have very fond memories of my friends and students there).
In 2000-2003 my life took another series of twists and again by the grace of God I landed right smack in the middle of a incredible group of mentors and MotherWise Ministries. I quit teaching for a brief few years and stayed home with my two children, and worked from home for MotherWise. And I LOVED it. I loved being mentored by these godly women, ministering to other women, and doing whatever they asked me to do - editing, writing, speaking, or organizing. I have never felt so purposeful and like what I was doing had so much meaning.
Then came a bump in the road and I had to go back to teaching and MotherWise really didn't need me anymore. That was HARD. Excruciating. Devastating. A real pruning the vine kinda event. It took me years to get over it - like close to a decade. But this time, when life finally settled down and the fog lifted, I realized something. I am EXACTLY where I am supposed to be. I always loved teaching, and people have no idea how much fun teenagers can really be (and yes I even have a teenager of my own.) But this time, it's different. I see my purpose differently. I have become more than just an economics teacher to many kids. I have become mother figure to many - and they have become like children to me.
I can't explain it, and I certainly can't conjure it up. It just is what it is. I love to watch them mature throughout their senior year, and go on to become contributing citizens of society. I love when they show up in my classroom to share their college and military stories. I love to watch the ones who play college sports. My heart swells when I see some of my former students becoming teachers with their own classrooms. I love to see them get married and see pictures of their children. I really love to hear "I miss school, I wish I was still here" because they swore they couldn't wait to graduate! Education is not perfect, and some days it's just down right hard and discouraging. But if it's your calling you stay because it's not about you, it's about the kids.
Some of my colleagues will read this and think I'm nuts, and then many more will get it because they feel the exact same way. A few years ago a senior class nicknamed me "Mama G" and it's stuck and been passed down the line to the current class. I have decided that I'm content with it. I used to be the young, cool, hip teacher, but now with a 16 year old and a 12 year old of my own, not to mention I am now teaching the children of my former students, " school mom" is pretty accurate. From MotherWise to Mama G has been quite the transition back. I have come full circle back where I started at my alma mater not once, but twice, with a very different purpose attempting to influence kids in the most positive ways possible with so much of what I learned during those MotherWise years, and I find myself very content. Happy Thanksgiving, and may you be content where you are.
Sunday, August 24, 2014
No Smell of Fire on Them
By now, many of you probably know that my parents' house was hit by lightning and caught fire a couple of weeks ago. It has been a traumatic and devastating event for my family. There are no words to describe such a sudden and unexpected loss. Certainly, it could not compare with losing a loved one, but to find yourself suddenly displaced with almost none of your belongings or clothes, is a life-altering circumstance.
Thank God my parents were home when it happened, for certainly if it the lightning had hit either when they were asleep in the night, or not home, the house and all of their belongings would have been totally destroyed. As it stands, the fire was put out quickly thanks to my mom's quick thinking and the immediate response by the fire department. (Blessings to those men who worked tirelessly in the rain and lightning to stop it.) But, the damage by the smoke from the fire and the water is extensive.
Immediately after the fire was put out, we attempted to retrieve some items, some of which were in the attic. I cannot even describe to you how bad the smoke was. My eyes immediately started stinging and pouring water from the heaviness of the smoke. Every item in the house reeked of smoke - clothes, furniture, papers and pictures. It all STUNK. Looking around I became overwhelmed very quickly with the task of figuring out the best plan of action. I knew I was in over my head and I made two fast calls to friends from church: "I need help" was all that I said.
Within less than an hour, more than 50 people - men, women, youth, kids, from my church showed up to help. And they showed up with coolers, boxes, trucks, and trailers. These selfless people worked in the heat and the stench to completely pack and empty my parents' house of 25 years within about 2-3 hours! They packed an entire house that fast! It's one thing to plan on moving and packing when you have some notice, you acquire boxes and packing materials, and you know WHERE to which you are moving. This was not the case at all. When I was close to a breakdown moment, one friend suggested a storage building was needed. And he took care of it.
Another friend made sure everyone, workers and my family, was fed dinner. Many other people showed up with water and Gatorade. Another brought clean pajamas and necessities for my parents to have to sleep in that night. Some packed, some lifted, and some organized. People came, they served, and they met needs.
I hate that everything revolved around loss and stress, but my parents and I have never been so blessed to witness the body of Christ at work. The response was overwhelming. From food and material items, to physical work, gift cards, and rebuilding help, the love of Christ was poured out like an expensive perfume from an alabaster jar on my family. It reminds me of the story of Daniel and his friends in the fiery furnace. They stood the test of their faith, and when Nebuchadnezzar released them from the fire, Daniel 3:27 says,"...no smell of fire had come upon them."
That was First Baptist Church, Brunswick. We are not perfect because we are a body made up of human beings, but on August 10, 2014, as bad as the house they were working in and the belongings that they were packing smelled like smoke, there was no smell of fire to be found on those who served out of love. Instead, their service was much more like a fragrant offering drifting up to the Lord above.
With much gratitude and love,
Pam
Thank God my parents were home when it happened, for certainly if it the lightning had hit either when they were asleep in the night, or not home, the house and all of their belongings would have been totally destroyed. As it stands, the fire was put out quickly thanks to my mom's quick thinking and the immediate response by the fire department. (Blessings to those men who worked tirelessly in the rain and lightning to stop it.) But, the damage by the smoke from the fire and the water is extensive.
Immediately after the fire was put out, we attempted to retrieve some items, some of which were in the attic. I cannot even describe to you how bad the smoke was. My eyes immediately started stinging and pouring water from the heaviness of the smoke. Every item in the house reeked of smoke - clothes, furniture, papers and pictures. It all STUNK. Looking around I became overwhelmed very quickly with the task of figuring out the best plan of action. I knew I was in over my head and I made two fast calls to friends from church: "I need help" was all that I said.
Within less than an hour, more than 50 people - men, women, youth, kids, from my church showed up to help. And they showed up with coolers, boxes, trucks, and trailers. These selfless people worked in the heat and the stench to completely pack and empty my parents' house of 25 years within about 2-3 hours! They packed an entire house that fast! It's one thing to plan on moving and packing when you have some notice, you acquire boxes and packing materials, and you know WHERE to which you are moving. This was not the case at all. When I was close to a breakdown moment, one friend suggested a storage building was needed. And he took care of it.
Another friend made sure everyone, workers and my family, was fed dinner. Many other people showed up with water and Gatorade. Another brought clean pajamas and necessities for my parents to have to sleep in that night. Some packed, some lifted, and some organized. People came, they served, and they met needs.
I hate that everything revolved around loss and stress, but my parents and I have never been so blessed to witness the body of Christ at work. The response was overwhelming. From food and material items, to physical work, gift cards, and rebuilding help, the love of Christ was poured out like an expensive perfume from an alabaster jar on my family. It reminds me of the story of Daniel and his friends in the fiery furnace. They stood the test of their faith, and when Nebuchadnezzar released them from the fire, Daniel 3:27 says,"...no smell of fire had come upon them."
That was First Baptist Church, Brunswick. We are not perfect because we are a body made up of human beings, but on August 10, 2014, as bad as the house they were working in and the belongings that they were packing smelled like smoke, there was no smell of fire to be found on those who served out of love. Instead, their service was much more like a fragrant offering drifting up to the Lord above.
With much gratitude and love,
Pam
Thursday, July 31, 2014
God's Math Doesn't Make Cents
This past weekend my kids and I trekked north to Atlanta to attend and serve at the Blood:Water Mission table at the Jars of Clay benefit concert. Kendall was in the car before I could say go because Family Force Five was also playing at the concert. Colby is always up for an adventure, so he was a willing participate as well. I knew we would have a great weekend, but a couple of other events took place as well that I did not anticipate.
Colby and I had worked a BWM table before, but with this event being a "benefit" solely for BWM, it was a bit different. We got the opportunity to meet some really special and selfless people. Michael, Jena, and Jake from the BWM staff were amazing in their focus on not just the purpose of the evening, but on the people present. I found them all to be very genuine and passionate about making a difference. With ten + years on all of them, my heart is encouraged that the upcoming generations are taking their callings very seriously, and this world is seeing positive changes that people need to hear about because of their faithfulness to serve.
I also got to spend some time with the other volunteers: Jason, April, and Erik. Jason and I actually lived in the same town at one point and have many mutual friends. He and his wife April are huge supporters of Jars and BWM. Erik was a volunteer that has done bicycle rides across the U.S. promoting BWM and garnering support. He shared some unbelievable stories of what he has witnessed God doing through BWM.
And then the people attending the concert...So many who had never heard of BWM, so many who were stirred to give, some who want to go to Africa to serve, some who were beyond generous. The crowd was small, much smaller than I expected. But once again, I was reminded that God doesn't need numbers. He just uses the faithful. Person after person generously opened their hearts and their gifts grew - gender, age, race - it didn't matter, they just gave. Early on during the event as Jenna was praying, I prayed silently for God to move on people's hearts to give and to multiply whatever was given abundantly. I have had prayers answered before, but this one unfolded before my eyes. When God moves on a person's heart, and they respond in obedience, it's a powerful confirmation of faith.
If you are not connected into a place of giving or service outside your local church, BWM is a great place to begin. Providing clean water to Africans in dire need is simply humanitarian. It's a basic expression of love. How many water bottles do we go through in a day without a thought? Can you imagine not having bathroom facilities in 2014? This is a reality for many in Africa. For $1 you can provide an African with clean water for a year! As BWM partners with grassroots organizations already working in Africa, efforts are strengthened. My ladies' class has adopted this as our class ministry for the next year. Since March we have been able to provide 200 Africans with clean water for a year - just by giving a few dollars each week as a group and for some this is sacrificial giving.
BWM has a informative website and blog with amazing updates and stories of the people serving and also of the people receiving.
You don't have to change the entire world - just be faithful to serve and give where called - and allow God to do the math and multiply your gifts.
Colby and I had worked a BWM table before, but with this event being a "benefit" solely for BWM, it was a bit different. We got the opportunity to meet some really special and selfless people. Michael, Jena, and Jake from the BWM staff were amazing in their focus on not just the purpose of the evening, but on the people present. I found them all to be very genuine and passionate about making a difference. With ten + years on all of them, my heart is encouraged that the upcoming generations are taking their callings very seriously, and this world is seeing positive changes that people need to hear about because of their faithfulness to serve.
I also got to spend some time with the other volunteers: Jason, April, and Erik. Jason and I actually lived in the same town at one point and have many mutual friends. He and his wife April are huge supporters of Jars and BWM. Erik was a volunteer that has done bicycle rides across the U.S. promoting BWM and garnering support. He shared some unbelievable stories of what he has witnessed God doing through BWM.
And then the people attending the concert...So many who had never heard of BWM, so many who were stirred to give, some who want to go to Africa to serve, some who were beyond generous. The crowd was small, much smaller than I expected. But once again, I was reminded that God doesn't need numbers. He just uses the faithful. Person after person generously opened their hearts and their gifts grew - gender, age, race - it didn't matter, they just gave. Early on during the event as Jenna was praying, I prayed silently for God to move on people's hearts to give and to multiply whatever was given abundantly. I have had prayers answered before, but this one unfolded before my eyes. When God moves on a person's heart, and they respond in obedience, it's a powerful confirmation of faith.
If you are not connected into a place of giving or service outside your local church, BWM is a great place to begin. Providing clean water to Africans in dire need is simply humanitarian. It's a basic expression of love. How many water bottles do we go through in a day without a thought? Can you imagine not having bathroom facilities in 2014? This is a reality for many in Africa. For $1 you can provide an African with clean water for a year! As BWM partners with grassroots organizations already working in Africa, efforts are strengthened. My ladies' class has adopted this as our class ministry for the next year. Since March we have been able to provide 200 Africans with clean water for a year - just by giving a few dollars each week as a group and for some this is sacrificial giving.
BWM has a informative website and blog with amazing updates and stories of the people serving and also of the people receiving.
You don't have to change the entire world - just be faithful to serve and give where called - and allow God to do the math and multiply your gifts.
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Feel Like You are Going in Circles?
Today while in line at McDonald's (don't judge me you people who eat healthy! I was getting soft ice cream for the tonsillectomy victim/patient!) Colby pointed out a bird to me that was circling in the sky high above. Circle after circle endlessly. Other birds were swooping (I think that's a word?) around in various directions and landing, but this one bird kept going around and around.
I too, have felt like that bird must feel. Like I'm in an endless, unproductive cycle. I have sensed the past few days the Lord speaking to me, reminding me of a grudge that needs forgiveness, (probably something that was a misunderstanding, but I held onto it regardless) reminding me that I cannot live in the past and continue moving ahead - no matter how good some of the old days were, nor can I continue to relive the bad days.
We can all get caught up in our own types of circling - the way we spend our time, the way we spend our money, the way we relate to others, our attitudes, or habits.
If I am going to be an effective mother, social studies teacher, Bible teacher, and follower of Christ, then it's time to stop circling. Psalm 23:3 says, "He renews my life, He leads me along the right paths for His name sake." Somewhere I forgot to follow the right path and started circling aimlessly without intentional focus. I planned for this to be an intentional year, but somewhere in the craziness of life I got lost circling not doing anything terribly wrong, but yet I have been wasting time and resources, missing needs and opportunities to share the Hope I carry.
But it's time to stop. It's safe to land and follow The Path. Anyone else need to come in for a landing with me?
I too, have felt like that bird must feel. Like I'm in an endless, unproductive cycle. I have sensed the past few days the Lord speaking to me, reminding me of a grudge that needs forgiveness, (probably something that was a misunderstanding, but I held onto it regardless) reminding me that I cannot live in the past and continue moving ahead - no matter how good some of the old days were, nor can I continue to relive the bad days.
We can all get caught up in our own types of circling - the way we spend our time, the way we spend our money, the way we relate to others, our attitudes, or habits.
If I am going to be an effective mother, social studies teacher, Bible teacher, and follower of Christ, then it's time to stop circling. Psalm 23:3 says, "He renews my life, He leads me along the right paths for His name sake." Somewhere I forgot to follow the right path and started circling aimlessly without intentional focus. I planned for this to be an intentional year, but somewhere in the craziness of life I got lost circling not doing anything terribly wrong, but yet I have been wasting time and resources, missing needs and opportunities to share the Hope I carry.
But it's time to stop. It's safe to land and follow The Path. Anyone else need to come in for a landing with me?
Saturday, March 1, 2014
Battered, Broken, and Pitted - What does Jesus have to do with Jewelry?
Once upon a time a young lady (ok a 40ish aged lady) had a pair of silver cross earrings that held great sentimental value to her. They were not valuable from a monetary viewpoint, but she loved them nonetheless. After several years of wear and tear, one of the clasps began to loosen and did not close as securely as it once had. As a result it would often drop off her ear unnoticed.
The woman would always find the earring caught in her wavy hair, or perhaps somewhere on the floor. One day she even found the earring in the kitchen sink after it had gone missing for several days! But then, just what she was afraid of actually happened! It was gone once again and to her dismay, it was no where to be found. She looked everywhere she could possibly imagine - all the places she had found it before, in her car, and she even called every place she had been that day to see if it had been found and returned.
Nothing. No silver cross earring. Devastated at the loss, there was nothing she could do. Day after day went by and it never turned up. The woman took the remaining earring and tucked it away safely in a secure spot. Convinced the lost earring would never be found, she could not change the circumstances.
Then months went by and the unimaginable happened! Leaving for work one morning, she stopped the car on the driveway to pick up the morning paper. Leaning out the opened car door, as she reached down to pick up the newspaper, the lost silver earring lay next to it right there on the driveway!
In disbelief the woman quickly scooped it with joy! Her earring had shown up! From a distance it looked very much the same, but when she picked it up she felt the roughness, the pitts formed in the silver from being exposed to the elements. The clasp looked even worse than when she lost it. But she didn't care! It was back in her safekeeping!
Funny thing, she loved the earring even more in its worn state. In fact, it reminded her a bit of herself - battered by the elements of life's weather, broken from lying in the path of traffic on the driveway. Somehow, someway the earring found it's way home. And she loved it even more in its state of disrepair. She took the earring and gently polished and cleaned it. She had its brokenness repaired so that it could function properly again the way the silversmith intended for it to function. She loved the survival spirit of the silver cross.
The story of the cross earring reminded the woman oh so much of the love of Jesus. When we are battered, pitted, and left feeling rough by the elements of this world, if we just return to Jesus, He every so gently lifts us, polishes us, and fixes our brokenness. The ultimate Silversmith makes our wornness new, and don't you know, He is overjoyed at our return, just like the woman delighted in finding her lost earring. If you feel like the lost silver cross earring - broken, worn, pitted, lost, or alone, Jesus is standing with open arms! He took care of His own cross - and at the very same time He also took care of yours!
The woman would always find the earring caught in her wavy hair, or perhaps somewhere on the floor. One day she even found the earring in the kitchen sink after it had gone missing for several days! But then, just what she was afraid of actually happened! It was gone once again and to her dismay, it was no where to be found. She looked everywhere she could possibly imagine - all the places she had found it before, in her car, and she even called every place she had been that day to see if it had been found and returned.
Nothing. No silver cross earring. Devastated at the loss, there was nothing she could do. Day after day went by and it never turned up. The woman took the remaining earring and tucked it away safely in a secure spot. Convinced the lost earring would never be found, she could not change the circumstances.
Then months went by and the unimaginable happened! Leaving for work one morning, she stopped the car on the driveway to pick up the morning paper. Leaning out the opened car door, as she reached down to pick up the newspaper, the lost silver earring lay next to it right there on the driveway!
In disbelief the woman quickly scooped it with joy! Her earring had shown up! From a distance it looked very much the same, but when she picked it up she felt the roughness, the pitts formed in the silver from being exposed to the elements. The clasp looked even worse than when she lost it. But she didn't care! It was back in her safekeeping!
Funny thing, she loved the earring even more in its worn state. In fact, it reminded her a bit of herself - battered by the elements of life's weather, broken from lying in the path of traffic on the driveway. Somehow, someway the earring found it's way home. And she loved it even more in its state of disrepair. She took the earring and gently polished and cleaned it. She had its brokenness repaired so that it could function properly again the way the silversmith intended for it to function. She loved the survival spirit of the silver cross.
The story of the cross earring reminded the woman oh so much of the love of Jesus. When we are battered, pitted, and left feeling rough by the elements of this world, if we just return to Jesus, He every so gently lifts us, polishes us, and fixes our brokenness. The ultimate Silversmith makes our wornness new, and don't you know, He is overjoyed at our return, just like the woman delighted in finding her lost earring. If you feel like the lost silver cross earring - broken, worn, pitted, lost, or alone, Jesus is standing with open arms! He took care of His own cross - and at the very same time He also took care of yours!
Monday, January 20, 2014
Why Did the Cat Cross the Road?
This morning as I was having my 3rd cup of coffee, reading the Bible, and seeking the Lord about several things, something outside my window to my front yard caught my eye. I got up to see if it really was what I feared: my cat darting across the road in front of my house to chase who knows what - squirrel, possum, bird, anything that moves will entice her. The thought of her running across the road - and now the knowledge that she actually does it - terrifies me! What she chases doesn't terrify me - evidently she can hold her own even against possums (I like to think she gets that from me). But the speed at which cars and trucks fly down our residential road is just an accident waiting to happen - whether it's a kid on a bike, an elderly person walking their dog, or my crazy cat, Callie.
Then the Lord showed me that often we are no different than Callie. Callie is a yard cat and her boundary is supposed to be the yard. But I have no real way of keeping her confined in the yard, so she roams. We all have spiritual boundaries that the Lord allows us to roam and cross when we are as determined as Callie to chase something that we really have no business chasing. Some boundaries are very well defined - we know we are not supposed to kill, steal, lie, slander, gossip, covet etc. The Lord set those boundaries for very obvious reasons - the consequences are devastating to all involved.
But what about an area in which the boundary is not as nearly as clear? Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:23, "Everything is permissible, but not everything is helpful." Callie can cross the road all she wants and I can't stop her, but it very well could literally be the death of her one day I fear. God gives us much leeway in many things in our lives that we have to individually seek Him about whether it is appropriate in our life. My boundaries may look different than your boundaries, and probably do because there are many areas of my life that God has called me to delete some items from life.
Secular music and alcohol are two areas where I received very clear boundaries that these were off limits for me. Not necessarily because the Bible lists them as sins, but because of the consequences that these two items could have in my life. Music will typically bring strong memories associated with it that has a big impact on me that is not always positive. I cannot camp out there. Alcohol is one of those very gray areas and I don't want my "right" to consume alcohol ever have a negative effect on anyone seeking Christ in any manner. Some ladies from my Sunday school class even acknowledged once that if they ever saw me drinking, they would be shocked. If I'm going to shock someone, I hope it's in a positive way, not a negative one.
Callie really doesn't know not to run across the street, but it could be deadly for her. We know the things that are deadly for us, yet we still often flirt with how close we can get to the boundaries and sometimes ultimately cross it. Prayer requests crossing over as gossip. Small amounts of time on social media slipping into hours wasted. Missing a week or two of church/small groups turning into months. A little shopping turning into retail marathons. Small white lies leading into cover up after cover up. Innocent friendships sliding into inappropriate relationships. You get the idea. And the consequences to any of those crossing the boundary examples can be deadly - deadly financially, relationally, and spiritually.
So as a steadfast believer chasing hard after Christ, map out your boundaries, build strong walls of protection, and THINK before you cross the road.
Then the Lord showed me that often we are no different than Callie. Callie is a yard cat and her boundary is supposed to be the yard. But I have no real way of keeping her confined in the yard, so she roams. We all have spiritual boundaries that the Lord allows us to roam and cross when we are as determined as Callie to chase something that we really have no business chasing. Some boundaries are very well defined - we know we are not supposed to kill, steal, lie, slander, gossip, covet etc. The Lord set those boundaries for very obvious reasons - the consequences are devastating to all involved.
But what about an area in which the boundary is not as nearly as clear? Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:23, "Everything is permissible, but not everything is helpful." Callie can cross the road all she wants and I can't stop her, but it very well could literally be the death of her one day I fear. God gives us much leeway in many things in our lives that we have to individually seek Him about whether it is appropriate in our life. My boundaries may look different than your boundaries, and probably do because there are many areas of my life that God has called me to delete some items from life.
Secular music and alcohol are two areas where I received very clear boundaries that these were off limits for me. Not necessarily because the Bible lists them as sins, but because of the consequences that these two items could have in my life. Music will typically bring strong memories associated with it that has a big impact on me that is not always positive. I cannot camp out there. Alcohol is one of those very gray areas and I don't want my "right" to consume alcohol ever have a negative effect on anyone seeking Christ in any manner. Some ladies from my Sunday school class even acknowledged once that if they ever saw me drinking, they would be shocked. If I'm going to shock someone, I hope it's in a positive way, not a negative one.
Callie really doesn't know not to run across the street, but it could be deadly for her. We know the things that are deadly for us, yet we still often flirt with how close we can get to the boundaries and sometimes ultimately cross it. Prayer requests crossing over as gossip. Small amounts of time on social media slipping into hours wasted. Missing a week or two of church/small groups turning into months. A little shopping turning into retail marathons. Small white lies leading into cover up after cover up. Innocent friendships sliding into inappropriate relationships. You get the idea. And the consequences to any of those crossing the boundary examples can be deadly - deadly financially, relationally, and spiritually.
So as a steadfast believer chasing hard after Christ, map out your boundaries, build strong walls of protection, and THINK before you cross the road.
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Under the Influence
Have you ever stopped to consider the people that influence your life? Or on the flip side, the people you influence? Every year I ask the Lord to give me a theme for the year, and I don't have my verse yet (but it's only the 28th) but the word INFLUENCE keeps permeating my thoughts. So, I began thinking about the people that have influenced me. I quickly divided the people into two groups: 1)people that I know and love dearly 2)people that either I have never met, or only know from a distance, yet they exert great influence on my thinking and behavior.
If I wrote about those of you that I know that have influenced me, you would quit reading because it would be so long and of course it would include many of you reading! So, I thought it would be fun to share mine, and see who your influences are that you haven't met! That means this blog is interactive so be thinking about your top influencers that you have NOT met! Here we go in no particular order:
1. Jars of Clay
If you know me well, this is no surprise, but over the last ten years, they have influenced me through music more than any other group. I have had the pleasure of meeting the guys from Jars a few times and I will tell you the day they followed me on Twitter, I did fangirl and screenshot it. But other than the few conversations I have had with the guys, and a batch of yummy vegan cookies from them, most of what I know about them comes from their concerts, their writings and the Twitter feed. This photo is really old (2006) and they have matured very gracefully, and most have much shorter hair, but I'm ten pounds lighter in this pic than the most current one, so I'm acting like it's ThrowBack Thursday even though it's Saturday.
One of my favorite Jars songs is Jealous Kind from almost ten years ago. The lyrics haunt me today still:
One hundred other lovers, more, one hundred other altars
If I should slow my pace and finally subject me to grace
And love that shames the wise, betrays the heart's deceit and lies
And breaks the back of foolish pride
Who can write like that I ask you? Pierces me every time I hear it (ok sing it) when I think of the love Jesus has for me!
Another aspect of Jars I really respect is their desire and action to serve so many unfortunate and impoverished. If you are not familiar with BloodWater: Mission you should check it out! Great ways to give and serve the least of these.
2. Dave Ramsey
I fell in love with Dave during the first class I took from Financial Peace University! I have never met Dave personally, but I feel like I know him from the class, reading his blog, and following him on Twitter. His influence on my thinking about money and my resulting behavior, is nothing short of astronomical. Life-changing I tell you. I use Dave's principles (based on all Biblical principles) about money in my Economics classes daily. I try my best to teach my students all about wise money management and how to THINK and ACT differently about money, saving, spending, and blessing others. They may not remember monetary policy when they leave my class, but they won't forget Dave! A couple of my kids have even tweeted him and got him to retweet them! Yeah, they got some extra credit!
3. Beth Moore
I have lost count of how many of Beth's Bible studies I have done and/or led a group through. But they ALL influenced me in some way, and God used each one of them to teach me something unique. I have met Beth a couple of times in passing and in the pictures above she was signing a book to my firstborn, Kendall, after she taught a Bible study. This is a sweet book about a young daughter of the King of a land and of his unconditional love for his disobedient princess daughter. It's a beautiful picture of Christ and His love for us and gives great hope to all of us princesses! Beth's study "The Patriarchs" probably influenced me more than any other in two ways. One, it gave me a great appreciation and love for the Jewish people and their rich heritage. Second, God used it to confirm several promises in my life that changed my life forever.
I have never had a real sit down conversation with Beth, (though I did try to run into her at the airport in Houston, but I ran into a former student instead...stalker? I think not!) but if I did, I would probably have a hard time conveying to her how much influence she has had spiritually in my life even though we have spent no time together personally.
On another note - just as much as we are influenced, we also influence others. May we be very cognizant of that face and careful in how we influence. Wouldn't you love to make someone else's Top Three Positive Influences?
Ok - your turn! I told you this was going to be an interactive blog! Let's keep it positive - list only positive influences in your life! You can comment here on the blog, or on the Facebook page, or on Twitter, but I would love to hear back from your experiences!
If I wrote about those of you that I know that have influenced me, you would quit reading because it would be so long and of course it would include many of you reading! So, I thought it would be fun to share mine, and see who your influences are that you haven't met! That means this blog is interactive so be thinking about your top influencers that you have NOT met! Here we go in no particular order:
1. Jars of Clay
One of my favorite Jars songs is Jealous Kind from almost ten years ago. The lyrics haunt me today still:
One hundred other lovers, more, one hundred other altars
If I should slow my pace and finally subject me to grace
And love that shames the wise, betrays the heart's deceit and lies
And breaks the back of foolish pride
Who can write like that I ask you? Pierces me every time I hear it (ok sing it) when I think of the love Jesus has for me!
Another aspect of Jars I really respect is their desire and action to serve so many unfortunate and impoverished. If you are not familiar with BloodWater: Mission you should check it out! Great ways to give and serve the least of these.
2. Dave Ramsey
3. Beth Moore
I have lost count of how many of Beth's Bible studies I have done and/or led a group through. But they ALL influenced me in some way, and God used each one of them to teach me something unique. I have met Beth a couple of times in passing and in the pictures above she was signing a book to my firstborn, Kendall, after she taught a Bible study. This is a sweet book about a young daughter of the King of a land and of his unconditional love for his disobedient princess daughter. It's a beautiful picture of Christ and His love for us and gives great hope to all of us princesses! Beth's study "The Patriarchs" probably influenced me more than any other in two ways. One, it gave me a great appreciation and love for the Jewish people and their rich heritage. Second, God used it to confirm several promises in my life that changed my life forever.
I have never had a real sit down conversation with Beth, (though I did try to run into her at the airport in Houston, but I ran into a former student instead...stalker? I think not!) but if I did, I would probably have a hard time conveying to her how much influence she has had spiritually in my life even though we have spent no time together personally.
On another note - just as much as we are influenced, we also influence others. May we be very cognizant of that face and careful in how we influence. Wouldn't you love to make someone else's Top Three Positive Influences?
Ok - your turn! I told you this was going to be an interactive blog! Let's keep it positive - list only positive influences in your life! You can comment here on the blog, or on the Facebook page, or on Twitter, but I would love to hear back from your experiences!
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Why Did They Cheat?
It's a disappointment every teacher experiences at some time: some of my students cheated on my test. It became very obvious as I graded the test that a handful of students made uncharacteristically high grades on this test that was a bit tougher than normal. Evidently, some student(s) helped themselves to the key of the test which was in a folder on my desk, used their phones to take pictures of the key and then they proceeded to text the answers out. With the help of my assistant principal, we resolved the issue and since the integrity of the test had been compromised, the test had to be given again.
As you ponder the situation, the question becomes, "why did they cheat?"
In all fairness, I think there are multiple answers to that question. A few students acted in desperation because they currently have low grades and they saw this as a last ditch effort to bring their grades up. Some cheated, not because they didn't know the material or have good grades, they didn't trust themselves when they had the chance to use the answers. For others, the temptation was just too great. And of course, it was much easier than actually studying and learning all the information.
Are you and I any different than my students? Why do we think we always need all of "the answers" to everything life throws at us?
Sometimes in the earthly realm, there are no answers for questions like, Why does my child suffer?, Why do I have cancer?, Why did my marriage fall apart?, Why can't I find a job?, or the ultimate question, Why didn't God heal _______________?
Sometimes there is just no answer key to these questions. And we have to learn to be ok with that.
On the other hand, there is ALWAYS one answer: JESUS. Ephesians 2:14 tells us that Jesus is our Peace. When you can't find an answer to a question, you can find Peace in the absence of answers.
Jesus - the answer to your financial problems. Jesus - the answer to your health problems. Jesus - the answer to your marital problems. Jesus - the answer to your children's problems. Jesus - the answer to your career problems and any other problem you encounter. He is the ONLY answer.
Jesus was not randomly sent to earth to turn water into wine or heal the blind. Jesus was answers to those problems, but He is so much bigger. He is Salvation, Grace, Refuge, Provision, Healer, Strength, and Power.
If you are not living a life where Jesus is all those things to you and more, you are cheating yourself out of the life that was intended for you to live. You are no different than my students searching for answers in the wrong places. Rather than learning, they took the easy way out - and ultimately failed. Every time you search for answers and relief in shopping, eating, drinking, coveting, gossiping, relationships, or anything else, you are CHEATING yourself out of the most intimate, sweetest relationship possible.
If you aren't currently searching for Jesus, He is not hard to find! The Shepherds watching their flocks by night were the first to search for Jesus. The Scriptures in Luke 2 say when they hurried off seeking Him, they found Him! When you seek Christ, He doesn't make Himself hard to be found.
Search, seek, and study the Word made flesh. If you find yourself questioning and pondering on this and not quite sure what to do with it - talk to someone you KNOW is a Bible-believing friend or comment here. Don't cheat yourself on what is the most important test in your life!
As you ponder the situation, the question becomes, "why did they cheat?"
In all fairness, I think there are multiple answers to that question. A few students acted in desperation because they currently have low grades and they saw this as a last ditch effort to bring their grades up. Some cheated, not because they didn't know the material or have good grades, they didn't trust themselves when they had the chance to use the answers. For others, the temptation was just too great. And of course, it was much easier than actually studying and learning all the information.
Are you and I any different than my students? Why do we think we always need all of "the answers" to everything life throws at us?
Sometimes in the earthly realm, there are no answers for questions like, Why does my child suffer?, Why do I have cancer?, Why did my marriage fall apart?, Why can't I find a job?, or the ultimate question, Why didn't God heal _______________?
Sometimes there is just no answer key to these questions. And we have to learn to be ok with that.
On the other hand, there is ALWAYS one answer: JESUS. Ephesians 2:14 tells us that Jesus is our Peace. When you can't find an answer to a question, you can find Peace in the absence of answers.
Jesus - the answer to your financial problems. Jesus - the answer to your health problems. Jesus - the answer to your marital problems. Jesus - the answer to your children's problems. Jesus - the answer to your career problems and any other problem you encounter. He is the ONLY answer.
Jesus was not randomly sent to earth to turn water into wine or heal the blind. Jesus was answers to those problems, but He is so much bigger. He is Salvation, Grace, Refuge, Provision, Healer, Strength, and Power.
If you are not living a life where Jesus is all those things to you and more, you are cheating yourself out of the life that was intended for you to live. You are no different than my students searching for answers in the wrong places. Rather than learning, they took the easy way out - and ultimately failed. Every time you search for answers and relief in shopping, eating, drinking, coveting, gossiping, relationships, or anything else, you are CHEATING yourself out of the most intimate, sweetest relationship possible.
If you aren't currently searching for Jesus, He is not hard to find! The Shepherds watching their flocks by night were the first to search for Jesus. The Scriptures in Luke 2 say when they hurried off seeking Him, they found Him! When you seek Christ, He doesn't make Himself hard to be found.
Search, seek, and study the Word made flesh. If you find yourself questioning and pondering on this and not quite sure what to do with it - talk to someone you KNOW is a Bible-believing friend or comment here. Don't cheat yourself on what is the most important test in your life!
Monday, November 25, 2013
Thankfulness is a Verb
So it's the time of year we pause to focus on the people and things for which we are thankful. I have watched with interest as people have been listing on Facebook their "thankful" list. It is definitely a positive action to recognize our blessings and things we often take for granted such as health, friendships, or our jobs. But I got kinda curious as to what giving thanks ought to look like from a Biblical perspective. And what I found is that not only is Thankfulness is an action verb but we are instructed on HOW to give thanks. I hope the next few minutes gives you a different perspective on Thanksgiving.
Psalm 100 is very brief but it spells out five ways to give thanks:
1. Shout triumphantly to the Lord. Yes, shout means shout. That poses a problem for many conservative evangelists. Shouting doesn't seem reverent or worshipful. But it is public and your faith in Christ should be public. We give a shout out to our favorite teams or people...why not your Savior?
2. Serve the Lord with delight or cheerfulness. My "do" people like this one! Here serve means to expend considerable energy or intensity in a task. So...we are expressing thankfulness when we serve others to the point that it sometimes drains us. I was really thankful I don't have a two year old after I served in the two year old room last Sunday. They were precious and hysterical to watch in action and I glad to enable a weary mom to attend Bible study. But, I was also glad to return them to their rightful owners. I have also served in teaching Bible studies and speaking at women's events where I had nothing else left to give when I was done. I found myself thankful for what I watched the Lord do in those situations that I could never have done.
3. Know that the Lord is God. To know means to acquire information by experience. What is your experience with God? Who is God to you? I have experienced the Lord not only as Savior, but also as Redeemer, Defender, Provider, Husband, and the list goes on. This knowledge has been acquired over time through daily life experiences much like growing an earthly relationship. Verse 3 says that we are His. Did you know that? Do you acknowledge it? When we acknowledge the One that created us and sustains us we are expressing thanks.
4. Enter His gates with thanksgiving. Enter means to come back from a prior point. Have you drifted far away? Has your relationship with God waned? If so, simply enter back into relationship with Him using points 1-4. He hasn't moved anywhere. Give a confession of thankfulness that He never left you.
5. Give thanks and praise His name. Sometime this week, instead of telling the social media world, sit quietly with the Lord and tell HIM your thankful list. I love when my children thank me for something - it tells me they acknowledge my sacrifice to provide it. How much more would it please our heavenly Father to hear our thankful list? Praise His name specifically. One day all will bow and acknowledge only His name - go ahead and start practicing!
But what if you are struggling to find your thankful list? For many the holidays are reminders of hurts, loved ones no longer with us, and struggles that threaten to drown us. You have to KNOW (#3) that your God is good no matter what. If you are searching for that, I challenge you to start slowly with #1 and work your way down the list. That word SHOUT in step 1 also means the beginning of a battle cry. Fight your battle knowing that God is for you and not against you. He wants to be all you need in this season. He's tough enough to take your hurts, doubts, and fears. Turn your focus off those feelings and onto Him instead.
As for me...my thankful list is pretty long, but know that I am thankful for You!
Psalm 100 is very brief but it spells out five ways to give thanks:
1. Shout triumphantly to the Lord. Yes, shout means shout. That poses a problem for many conservative evangelists. Shouting doesn't seem reverent or worshipful. But it is public and your faith in Christ should be public. We give a shout out to our favorite teams or people...why not your Savior?
2. Serve the Lord with delight or cheerfulness. My "do" people like this one! Here serve means to expend considerable energy or intensity in a task. So...we are expressing thankfulness when we serve others to the point that it sometimes drains us. I was really thankful I don't have a two year old after I served in the two year old room last Sunday. They were precious and hysterical to watch in action and I glad to enable a weary mom to attend Bible study. But, I was also glad to return them to their rightful owners. I have also served in teaching Bible studies and speaking at women's events where I had nothing else left to give when I was done. I found myself thankful for what I watched the Lord do in those situations that I could never have done.
3. Know that the Lord is God. To know means to acquire information by experience. What is your experience with God? Who is God to you? I have experienced the Lord not only as Savior, but also as Redeemer, Defender, Provider, Husband, and the list goes on. This knowledge has been acquired over time through daily life experiences much like growing an earthly relationship. Verse 3 says that we are His. Did you know that? Do you acknowledge it? When we acknowledge the One that created us and sustains us we are expressing thanks.
4. Enter His gates with thanksgiving. Enter means to come back from a prior point. Have you drifted far away? Has your relationship with God waned? If so, simply enter back into relationship with Him using points 1-4. He hasn't moved anywhere. Give a confession of thankfulness that He never left you.
5. Give thanks and praise His name. Sometime this week, instead of telling the social media world, sit quietly with the Lord and tell HIM your thankful list. I love when my children thank me for something - it tells me they acknowledge my sacrifice to provide it. How much more would it please our heavenly Father to hear our thankful list? Praise His name specifically. One day all will bow and acknowledge only His name - go ahead and start practicing!
But what if you are struggling to find your thankful list? For many the holidays are reminders of hurts, loved ones no longer with us, and struggles that threaten to drown us. You have to KNOW (#3) that your God is good no matter what. If you are searching for that, I challenge you to start slowly with #1 and work your way down the list. That word SHOUT in step 1 also means the beginning of a battle cry. Fight your battle knowing that God is for you and not against you. He wants to be all you need in this season. He's tough enough to take your hurts, doubts, and fears. Turn your focus off those feelings and onto Him instead.
As for me...my thankful list is pretty long, but know that I am thankful for You!
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Blessed or Blessed OUT?
It seems recently everywhere I turn, the opportunity arises that I have to make a choice on how to respond to someone. This is a lesson the Lord taught me the hard way a while back, which means He's going to hold me accountable for this one. I KNOW what the correct response is when someone speaks harshly or unkindly to me, or treats me opposite of the golden rule directly or indirectly.
I also know what my flesh cries out to do: retaliate with words of my own or defend myself or my actions! But as my Pastor reminded me this morning: I can be filled with the Spirit or I can be filled with my stinky flesh - well, he didn't say stinky flesh - but that's exactly what it is when I need to be right or I need to get the last word.
But that is the direct opposite of what Jesus expects of me....in Luke 6 Jesus said to "love our enemies, bless those who curse us, and to pray for those who mistreat us." Then in Romans 12, Paul reminds us to "bless those who persecute us and bless and do not curse."
If you have ever been the direct recipient of someone cursing you, it is excruciating, frustrating, and certainly a source of anger. I know the normal human reaction to such treatment is BLESS someone OUT instead of just blessing them. Don't you know that is where that phrase of "blessing someone out" had to originate?
But instead, Jesus commands me to love and bless. Sigh. To be honest with you, when I first started practicing this I had to say, "Ok Lord, as an act of my will and because You commanded me, NOT because I WANT to, I bless "___________." And you know what? After a dozen or so times of this exercise, it got a little easier...kinda like when I exercised my physical muscles, they got stronger. Well, my blessing muscles got a little stronger too. As my blessing muscles got stronger, it got easier and easier. Not only did it get easier, but I started seeing a change in the mean person. That could ONLY be a God response to bending my will to His.
I'm not to the point where it is total instinct to respond this way to a mean person, but this exercise does quickly comes to mind. I have also been able to share it with my children when they run across mean people in their paths. Blessing instead of blessing out? Who would have ever thought the power that existed in just a simple blessing over someone?
So, if you find yourself in a situation with a co-worker, neighbor, friend, or family member where you just feel persecuted and treated unfairly, love them and bless them instead of what would be a normal response, and watch God do something amazing in your blessing muscle and in their reaction back to you!
I also know what my flesh cries out to do: retaliate with words of my own or defend myself or my actions! But as my Pastor reminded me this morning: I can be filled with the Spirit or I can be filled with my stinky flesh - well, he didn't say stinky flesh - but that's exactly what it is when I need to be right or I need to get the last word.
But that is the direct opposite of what Jesus expects of me....in Luke 6 Jesus said to "love our enemies, bless those who curse us, and to pray for those who mistreat us." Then in Romans 12, Paul reminds us to "bless those who persecute us and bless and do not curse."
If you have ever been the direct recipient of someone cursing you, it is excruciating, frustrating, and certainly a source of anger. I know the normal human reaction to such treatment is BLESS someone OUT instead of just blessing them. Don't you know that is where that phrase of "blessing someone out" had to originate?
But instead, Jesus commands me to love and bless. Sigh. To be honest with you, when I first started practicing this I had to say, "Ok Lord, as an act of my will and because You commanded me, NOT because I WANT to, I bless "___________." And you know what? After a dozen or so times of this exercise, it got a little easier...kinda like when I exercised my physical muscles, they got stronger. Well, my blessing muscles got a little stronger too. As my blessing muscles got stronger, it got easier and easier. Not only did it get easier, but I started seeing a change in the mean person. That could ONLY be a God response to bending my will to His.
I'm not to the point where it is total instinct to respond this way to a mean person, but this exercise does quickly comes to mind. I have also been able to share it with my children when they run across mean people in their paths. Blessing instead of blessing out? Who would have ever thought the power that existed in just a simple blessing over someone?
So, if you find yourself in a situation with a co-worker, neighbor, friend, or family member where you just feel persecuted and treated unfairly, love them and bless them instead of what would be a normal response, and watch God do something amazing in your blessing muscle and in their reaction back to you!
Sunday, September 8, 2013
I Messed Up...Again
I knew what I was supposed to do, but I got busy! I knew on Monday of last week that I was feeling the gentle pressure of the Lord to speak a word of encouragement to a "sister-friend" at school. I knew she had been through a tough, ongoing physical ordeal, and that I needed to just remind her that she has had in the past, and continues to have, an incredible impact on the lives of many of "our kids." (They become "your kids" when you spend 90 minutes a day with them for 18 weeks!)
But I got to work on Tuesday and immediately started putting out fires that could have waited...fires that I could have put out after I went and encouraged my friend. But I didn't. I was disobedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit. And there were consequences to my disobedience.
When I finally did make it by her classroom TWO DAYS LATER, she was emotionally distraught. She was in a negative situation that wasn't getting better. And I couldn't speak the words that I knew I was supposed to at that point. There wasn't room for the words she so desperately needed at that moment. And I KNEW I had messed up...and it hurt my heart. It hurt my heart to see my friend hurting - physically and emotionally. It also hurt my heart that I had disobeyed God when I KNEW what He told me to do.
I didn't intentionally disobey. I just got distracted. And distraction cost me the opportunity to bless someone I dearly care about, and it cost her emotionally. Yes, I did get to speak to her eventually and she was still blessed, but I missed it in the moment that she needed it most. Actually, the Lord was sending me to her BEFORE she got to such a desperate point, where I possibly could have prevented her meltdown. I know the Lord forgives me and He can clean up my mess, but I didn't give the Lord or my friend my best...just the leftovers.
I don't want the Lord to have to clean up my messes. Instead, I want to hear "Well done good and faithful servant." So, I'm sharing this with you so you won't make the same mess I did. If the Lord impresses on your heart to speak to someone, be gracious and give to someone in need, or to stop to help someone, don't delay! Do it immediately! Deuteronomy 28 reminds us that blessings will overtake us when we are obedient and likewise, curses are the result of disobedience.
Hmm...being blessed or being cursed? You don't have to think too long on that one do you? I would prefer to being overtaken by a blessing any day of the week. So...in an effort to make it up to my school friend - and to any of you that I have also missed blessing- please let me speak one over you now:
"The Lord bless you and protect you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord look with favor on you and give you peace." Numbers 6: 24-26
Blessings over you my friend!
But I got to work on Tuesday and immediately started putting out fires that could have waited...fires that I could have put out after I went and encouraged my friend. But I didn't. I was disobedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit. And there were consequences to my disobedience.
When I finally did make it by her classroom TWO DAYS LATER, she was emotionally distraught. She was in a negative situation that wasn't getting better. And I couldn't speak the words that I knew I was supposed to at that point. There wasn't room for the words she so desperately needed at that moment. And I KNEW I had messed up...and it hurt my heart. It hurt my heart to see my friend hurting - physically and emotionally. It also hurt my heart that I had disobeyed God when I KNEW what He told me to do.
I didn't intentionally disobey. I just got distracted. And distraction cost me the opportunity to bless someone I dearly care about, and it cost her emotionally. Yes, I did get to speak to her eventually and she was still blessed, but I missed it in the moment that she needed it most. Actually, the Lord was sending me to her BEFORE she got to such a desperate point, where I possibly could have prevented her meltdown. I know the Lord forgives me and He can clean up my mess, but I didn't give the Lord or my friend my best...just the leftovers.
I don't want the Lord to have to clean up my messes. Instead, I want to hear "Well done good and faithful servant." So, I'm sharing this with you so you won't make the same mess I did. If the Lord impresses on your heart to speak to someone, be gracious and give to someone in need, or to stop to help someone, don't delay! Do it immediately! Deuteronomy 28 reminds us that blessings will overtake us when we are obedient and likewise, curses are the result of disobedience.
Hmm...being blessed or being cursed? You don't have to think too long on that one do you? I would prefer to being overtaken by a blessing any day of the week. So...in an effort to make it up to my school friend - and to any of you that I have also missed blessing- please let me speak one over you now:
"The Lord bless you and protect you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord look with favor on you and give you peace." Numbers 6: 24-26
Blessings over you my friend!
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Show You Love
Why is it that we so desire to love and to be loved? Is the desire for love really innate? Or are we taught it by Disney and Nicholas Sparks? Is there any possibility that there is a pure, true Love? Why do we believe that human relationships can fill the void we seek? Even if you go all the way back to Adam and Eve, and Adam's love was all Eve knew (it wasn't like that were a lot of men from which to choose!), Eve still went looking for something else.
Jeremiah 31:3-4 answers some of those of those questions if we dig into the real meanings.
"....I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with loving kindness. Again I will build you and you will be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel! Again you will take up your tambourines, and go forth to the dances of the merrymakers." NASB
After spending time studying this I am convinced that just as there is no other God than Jehovah, there is no other Love like this one! To put this in context the Israelites had been taken in exile and Jeremiah remained with the remnant to minister to the broken and devastated few.
I don't know what your life has looked like the past, but I do know if you live long enough you will experience some sort of exile in your own life: whether it's spiritual, physical, financial, or emotional, we all endure some type of hardship that allows God to prove His love to us in that circumstance, if we only have the eyes to recognize the love! God's love could arrive in so many forms - a friend, financial assistance, peace in the midst of turmoil, even just a rainbow at the right moment.
Jeremiah describes God's love as everlasting - meaning perpetual. The only other thing perpetual like that in my life is laundry! At some point we might actually reach the bottom of the laundry basket, but we cannot possibly reach the end of God's love because it doesn't exist.
The Lord goes on in verse 3 to tell us that He has "drawn us with loving-kindness" This translates as be guided or directed with a focus on active involvement. It also can mean the dragging of an object along. Do you realize that there have been times in your life that you didn't even realize that God's active love was guiding you, protecting you, and nudging you gently along? And then, there are times when we are fully aware that God is dragging us into something or away from something. That doesn't always feel like unending love.
As I reflect back though on my childhood, my parents often prodded me along and then they also dragged me along or away from things that were not in my best interest, though I didn't understand at the time. God's love is much like that loving parent maneuvering us where He wants or doesn't want us to be. That is almost unfathomable in our human minds. Many have said they loved - and stopped - or never really did to begin with, or loved selfishly. But God doesn't. His love is a pure and unadulterated love. Who doesn't want or need to experience that type of love?
But, He doesn't stop there! God's love is so great that He doesn't only flood us with love, but He promises to rebuild what has been torn down in our exile. In verse 4, the word build translates as to form something new using previous materials. Dear One, God takes your mess that perhaps you or another created, and He tears it down and rebuilds your life the way He wanted it to look at along - in a way that reflects Him!
As a celebration to Him and His work, He tells us that we are to go forth with our tambourines and dancing! The idea of going forth means that we are to go with purpose! Our days shouldn't be wasted with nothingness, but they should be an intentional reflection of the power of God to save, heal, restore, and clean up the messes in our lives.
The dance is something else however...yes it means to dance (I'm picturing the Cha Cha Slide) but that word also translates as writhing in birthing pains. What in the world? Birthing a baby HURTS! And the pain continues until the mother is healed....hmmm....so perhaps we have to experience some type of pain in our lives in order for the rebuilding process to take place? Oh that we could learn of God's love just in the happy times, but my experience tells me that I learned far more of God's love in the pain...and more of His faithfulness in the healing and rebuilding.
So wherever this post finds you - hurting, healing, hoping....remember God's love is bigger, stronger, and wilder than anything else you can experience.
"I'm going to show you love in every language, I'm going to speak with words that need no form. I'm going to give you what you never had before." Jars of Clay - Show You Love
Jeremiah 31:3-4 answers some of those of those questions if we dig into the real meanings.
"....I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with loving kindness. Again I will build you and you will be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel! Again you will take up your tambourines, and go forth to the dances of the merrymakers." NASB
After spending time studying this I am convinced that just as there is no other God than Jehovah, there is no other Love like this one! To put this in context the Israelites had been taken in exile and Jeremiah remained with the remnant to minister to the broken and devastated few.
I don't know what your life has looked like the past, but I do know if you live long enough you will experience some sort of exile in your own life: whether it's spiritual, physical, financial, or emotional, we all endure some type of hardship that allows God to prove His love to us in that circumstance, if we only have the eyes to recognize the love! God's love could arrive in so many forms - a friend, financial assistance, peace in the midst of turmoil, even just a rainbow at the right moment.
Jeremiah describes God's love as everlasting - meaning perpetual. The only other thing perpetual like that in my life is laundry! At some point we might actually reach the bottom of the laundry basket, but we cannot possibly reach the end of God's love because it doesn't exist.
The Lord goes on in verse 3 to tell us that He has "drawn us with loving-kindness" This translates as be guided or directed with a focus on active involvement. It also can mean the dragging of an object along. Do you realize that there have been times in your life that you didn't even realize that God's active love was guiding you, protecting you, and nudging you gently along? And then, there are times when we are fully aware that God is dragging us into something or away from something. That doesn't always feel like unending love.
As I reflect back though on my childhood, my parents often prodded me along and then they also dragged me along or away from things that were not in my best interest, though I didn't understand at the time. God's love is much like that loving parent maneuvering us where He wants or doesn't want us to be. That is almost unfathomable in our human minds. Many have said they loved - and stopped - or never really did to begin with, or loved selfishly. But God doesn't. His love is a pure and unadulterated love. Who doesn't want or need to experience that type of love?
But, He doesn't stop there! God's love is so great that He doesn't only flood us with love, but He promises to rebuild what has been torn down in our exile. In verse 4, the word build translates as to form something new using previous materials. Dear One, God takes your mess that perhaps you or another created, and He tears it down and rebuilds your life the way He wanted it to look at along - in a way that reflects Him!
As a celebration to Him and His work, He tells us that we are to go forth with our tambourines and dancing! The idea of going forth means that we are to go with purpose! Our days shouldn't be wasted with nothingness, but they should be an intentional reflection of the power of God to save, heal, restore, and clean up the messes in our lives.
The dance is something else however...yes it means to dance (I'm picturing the Cha Cha Slide) but that word also translates as writhing in birthing pains. What in the world? Birthing a baby HURTS! And the pain continues until the mother is healed....hmmm....so perhaps we have to experience some type of pain in our lives in order for the rebuilding process to take place? Oh that we could learn of God's love just in the happy times, but my experience tells me that I learned far more of God's love in the pain...and more of His faithfulness in the healing and rebuilding.
So wherever this post finds you - hurting, healing, hoping....remember God's love is bigger, stronger, and wilder than anything else you can experience.
"I'm going to show you love in every language, I'm going to speak with words that need no form. I'm going to give you what you never had before." Jars of Clay - Show You Love
Monday, December 24, 2012
When Mary Dropped Jesus...
A week or so ago I attended Colby's school recital. For the most part it was the normal telling of the Christmas story with Colby's class performing a play that intertwined the story with a sci-fi twist about traveling through time in an attempt to visit Bethlehem. The younger classes - preschool age- were used as the shepherds and angels in the Christmas story. One lucky little girl and boy were chosen to portray Mary and Joseph, and they were dressed in what you normally see little children dressed in these events.
As the play is progressing just as you would expect, the unexpected happened! Mary's head wrap fell off her head! So as any proper young lady would, she leaned over to pick it up. But in the process she forgot about the baby Jesus she was cradling in her arms! Baby Jesus (just a doll, not a real baby for those of you picturing a live nativity) landed up on the floor! But get this - when Mary realized what had happened she lost it! She began wailing (VERY loudly!!) uncontrollably and she was not to be consoled! Someone tried quickly to hug her, hand her the baby and assure her it was ok to go on with the play, but she was having none of it! Mary was devastated that she had dropped baby Jesus and they had to wrap her up and remove her from the play. Thank goodness the play was almost at the end!
But what about the lessons there if you ponder a bit...First...How often do we drop Jesus? I do it at some point everyday in my reactions, actions, or thoughts. Are we dropping Him now during the very season we are to be celebrating Him? Are we too wrapped up in gifts, travel, decorations, or cooking so that we cannot focus on Him and how He would have us to celebrate by worshipping and serving others? I realize it's Christmas Eve now, but make sure to pause sometime today to worship and if you feel led to serve by blessing a family in some way do it! Toby Mac keeps reminding me "You ain't living til you choose to give love, joy, peace to one of His!"
Second - when we realize we have dropped Jesus, what is our reaction? Do we come undone like Mary did, or do we just go about our day with an "oh well" reaction? Undone is good. Hopefully a reaction like that will keep us close and from dropping Jesus frequently. Our hearts should break when we drop the One who gave every blood drop in His body for us to have salvation, abundant life, grace, and mercy - the best Christmas presents anyone can receive.
In the Christmas story in Luke 2:25, Simeon was described as righteous and devout and He was LOOKING for Jesus. The Bible says he was looking forward to Israel's consolation. What a thought. Consolation. Maybe we should have told Mary in the play all she had to do was pick up her consolation. Maybe that's something we all need to hear. If Christmas is not a season of enjoyment this year, Jesus is your consolation. Just pick Him up, and if you by chance happen to drop Him along the way during the year, remember He will console you because He is consolation. Merry Christmas from a fellow Jesus dropper.
As the play is progressing just as you would expect, the unexpected happened! Mary's head wrap fell off her head! So as any proper young lady would, she leaned over to pick it up. But in the process she forgot about the baby Jesus she was cradling in her arms! Baby Jesus (just a doll, not a real baby for those of you picturing a live nativity) landed up on the floor! But get this - when Mary realized what had happened she lost it! She began wailing (VERY loudly!!) uncontrollably and she was not to be consoled! Someone tried quickly to hug her, hand her the baby and assure her it was ok to go on with the play, but she was having none of it! Mary was devastated that she had dropped baby Jesus and they had to wrap her up and remove her from the play. Thank goodness the play was almost at the end!
But what about the lessons there if you ponder a bit...First...How often do we drop Jesus? I do it at some point everyday in my reactions, actions, or thoughts. Are we dropping Him now during the very season we are to be celebrating Him? Are we too wrapped up in gifts, travel, decorations, or cooking so that we cannot focus on Him and how He would have us to celebrate by worshipping and serving others? I realize it's Christmas Eve now, but make sure to pause sometime today to worship and if you feel led to serve by blessing a family in some way do it! Toby Mac keeps reminding me "You ain't living til you choose to give love, joy, peace to one of His!"
Second - when we realize we have dropped Jesus, what is our reaction? Do we come undone like Mary did, or do we just go about our day with an "oh well" reaction? Undone is good. Hopefully a reaction like that will keep us close and from dropping Jesus frequently. Our hearts should break when we drop the One who gave every blood drop in His body for us to have salvation, abundant life, grace, and mercy - the best Christmas presents anyone can receive.
In the Christmas story in Luke 2:25, Simeon was described as righteous and devout and He was LOOKING for Jesus. The Bible says he was looking forward to Israel's consolation. What a thought. Consolation. Maybe we should have told Mary in the play all she had to do was pick up her consolation. Maybe that's something we all need to hear. If Christmas is not a season of enjoyment this year, Jesus is your consolation. Just pick Him up, and if you by chance happen to drop Him along the way during the year, remember He will console you because He is consolation. Merry Christmas from a fellow Jesus dropper.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Need a Piece of Peace?
When I was a little girl I always
remember my Mother saying she just wanted some peace and quiet. Now that I'm
an adult I SORTA understand what she was talking about. I understand that life
gets hectic, pressures mount, time and money is limited, and often people just
want more of us than we really have available to give them. Of course, I really
think she was talking about the noise level - but that still doesn't make sense
to me because I'm an only child!
Seriously one of the things I look
forward to most, is sitting in my pajamas in my chair with the candles (and
now the tree) lit, a cup of coffee, Bible, iPod, and eventually the newspaper. I can
sit there for two or three hours during the morning with no
trouble....peace....at least while the kids sleep. But that is a false peace
created by my own staging on Saturday mornings.
Sure, the Lord and I meet together,
but I set the stage with my props. And
my peace is usually over the moment one of my kids awakens. Not that it's a bad thing.
I'm sure we all advocate for our "quiet times" but the kinda of peace we all really need is the kind of peace that sustains us when our world is
crashing in on us. The kind of peace that we need when our future is very
uncertain. The kind of peace we need when we get an unfavorable health report.
The kind of peace we need when our job is in jeopardy. The kind of peace we
need when relationships that are supposed to be solid, get rocky. I think you
know what I'm talking about. This is the kind of peace I'm talking about. In order to obtain and cling to that type of peace there are a few things we need to know:
1. Peace is not meant
to be understood - just accepted and experienced.
Philippians talks of a peace that
surpasses understanding.....
Philippians 4 tells us that when we rejoice in the Lord, when we are gracious and remember the Lord is near, when we don't worry but petition the Lord with our requests and thanksgiving that:
"the peace of God which surpasses every thought ( or our understanding) will guard our hearts and minds."
If
you have not experienced this, it is almost impossible to explain, let alone
comprehend. When we have prayed in this manner Paul describes we become
enveloped in a peace that can only come from God. When life’s circumstances are the worst
possible, we still find protection from the world in the God of Peace. It is so
incredible that the Bible tells us we cannot understand it. How can you be
facing the worst situation in your job or marriage, with your kids or other family
members, in your finances, with your health – and still experience this
incredible peace. It is spiritual and straight from God – not meant to be
understand, just experienced. Kinda like math - I don't understand it, but I experience it. Trust me, peace is much better than math!
Peace translates as several different meanings in the original Hebrew and Greek. Some of my favorites are rest, quietness, exemption from the rage and havoc
of war, peace between
individuals,
of the Messiah’s peace, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through
Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, the blessed state of devout and upright men after death.
I think my favorite part is the exemption from rage and havoc of war. This doesn't just refer to political wars but our very struggles in our lives - the basic war between spirit and flesh. I can have peace over that. I don't have to understand it, just experience it.
I think my favorite part is the exemption from rage and havoc of war. This doesn't just refer to political wars but our very struggles in our lives - the basic war between spirit and flesh. I can have peace over that. I don't have to understand it, just experience it.
So - where did/does this peace come from? Let's go back to
the Old Testament to find out!
Isaiah 9:6 - "For a child will be born to us and the government
will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace."
2. Jesus was sent to us to BE our peace- not just as He saved us from our sin and to provide ultimate peace at death, but He came to BE OUR PEACE ONE DAY AT AT TIME while we live on earth.
This word peace here is "Shalom" and it is connected to the peace found in Philippians. Some have called the Prince of Peace to be known as The Tranquilizer (referring to Hosea where lion and lamb will lie together). How interesting to think of Jesus as my Tranquilizer - when my emotions are running amuck, when I'm tired, or upset with someone, or feel I have been wronged, or I'm just sad and disappointed. Whatever I need Him to be, Jesus IS. This is promise that was given through the propehcy. Now lets look at the manner in which God sent peace to earth and the angelic reaction.
2. Jesus was sent to us to BE our peace- not just as He saved us from our sin and to provide ultimate peace at death, but He came to BE OUR PEACE ONE DAY AT AT TIME while we live on earth.
This word peace here is "Shalom" and it is connected to the peace found in Philippians. Some have called the Prince of Peace to be known as The Tranquilizer (referring to Hosea where lion and lamb will lie together). How interesting to think of Jesus as my Tranquilizer - when my emotions are running amuck, when I'm tired, or upset with someone, or feel I have been wronged, or I'm just sad and disappointed. Whatever I need Him to be, Jesus IS. This is promise that was given through the propehcy. Now lets look at the manner in which God sent peace to earth and the angelic reaction.
Luke 2:14 - "Glory to God in the highest heaven and peace on earth
to people He favors.
This is what the angels sang! They didn't sing of prosperity, health, or political freedom. They sang that Peace had arrived.
I love the words of Sara Groves in the introduction to Jars of Clay's "Peace is Here: Christmas Reflections." She describes the angels announcing the birth of Jesus as if they were bursting at the seams...that perhaps they had to beg God to let them sing to just one town, or small group of shepherds...that perhaps they promised it would only be a few of them and they would not blow the cover of the Christ Child. And then they sang.....Peace is here!This is what the angels sang! They didn't sing of prosperity, health, or political freedom. They sang that Peace had arrived.
The angels GOT it! They saw the entire picture and they KNEW the gift that had just been given to mankind. The interesting thing is that the Roman government had instituted a policy of "peace" but no government, even one as powerful as the Roman government, can dictate your personal presence of peace - either with God or with life in general.
3. What a government cannot do, God alone does.
Ephesians 2:14a - "He is our peace....."
The idea the language gives us here in the use of these particular nouns and verbs is the idea of joining together...specifically Jew and Gentile ...but also Jesus to us and us to Him.Jesus and Peace cannot be separated! So if you have Jesus, there is no question whether you have peace in your life or not! Now, you and I can make choices that make peace elusive or foggy! Sin does that and so does forgetting exactly what authority Christ brought to earth! Remember, of all the things the angles could have sang, they sang of peace because they knew how desperate mankind was and would always continue to be for peace, and they knew the gift God had just sent to the world.
4. And the Giver of all good things gave us exactly what we needed:
John 14:27 - "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not
give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful."
In this simple statement - a normal greeting but also a
parting word - Jesus left a legacy for the disciples, but also for us. He didn't
just leave peace for them - He left it for me and you too. Sin is forgiven and
forgotten. He made and continues to make a way for us. He left us with precious
promises to claim: Romans 8:28, Psalm 27:13, and so many others of being with
us when we go through the fire and flood, never forsaking or leaving us, loving
us with an everlasting love and so much more.
This Christmas as we wrap gifts up with fancy trimmings and bows and place them under the tree, perhaps we should all take our favorite verses, maybe some of the above, or others you love or need to hear, and place them in a box under our tree to be opened Christmas morning. Then we are reminded exactly why He journeyed far to earth - how He was announced by the angels, and the exact gift He left us. Peace is here! Gloria!
This Christmas as we wrap gifts up with fancy trimmings and bows and place them under the tree, perhaps we should all take our favorite verses, maybe some of the above, or others you love or need to hear, and place them in a box under our tree to be opened Christmas morning. Then we are reminded exactly why He journeyed far to earth - how He was announced by the angels, and the exact gift He left us. Peace is here! Gloria!
[1]
Strong, J. (2001). Enhanced Strong’s
Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
[2]
Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Lk 2:14).
Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
[3]
Wuest, K. S. (1997). Wuest's word studies
from the Greek New Testament: For the English reader (Eph 2:14). Grand
Rapids: Eerdmans.
Monday, September 3, 2012
When the Answer is Nowhere in Sight...
My tenacious BSF (Bible Study Fellowship - for all my sweet, non FBC friends) class loosely nicknamed "Griner's Gutsy Girls," (really not sure where that came from,) has been intently focusing on learning about prayer. In fact we are doing a book study entitled, "What Happens When Women Pray." This book by Evenlyn Christenson has been around for decades, and is very rich in encouraging, motivating, and teaching women about the power of prayer.
But there is always one question we come back to: unanswered prayer. There could be so many reasons why God has not answered our intense, heartwrenching prayers. It could be something positive such as praying for something specific, and God has something better in store for our lives. This could be a job we think is good, but He's preparing us for an even better one. It might be that we are praying completely out of God's will (Lord, please let me hit Powerball tonight!) It might be that we pray half-heartedly, not really expecting that the Lord will answer, while we should be believing Him for all He promises rather than doubting.
And then there's the big reason we don't like to talk about because it's not sweet and sugary: SIN. Fact is, we ALL sin frequently, probably multiple times daily. It then becomes about what I do, or don't do, about my sin. I know that just sounded like I don't think Jesus is big enough to wipe away my sin clean away like Oxi-Clean and dry up my mess with a ShamWoW! But it is precisely the opposite.
Once I sin, I have to DO something with that sin - I have to own it and ask God to forgive it or else my prayers don't make it past my ceiling. And that takes time and effort - for me to own up and ask for forgiveness. This is such an important part of prayer and we so often skip over it. I'm convicted right now about being convicted! If we don't take time to admit and confess those sins, and then trust God to exterminate our sins, it's not that He WON'T hear our prayers, it's that He CAN'T. Big difference there.
Isaiah 50:1-2 says, "Indeed, the Lord's hand is not too short to save, and His ear is not too deaf to hear. But your iniquities (churchy word for SIN) have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have made Him hide His face from you so that He does not listen." Holman version.
Yikes! So most of us haven't committed sin that we consider gross sin like murder, theft, etc... And I can only speak for myself, but I KNOW how many times I have committed sins such as bitterness, jealousy, pride, selfishness, not being a good steward of money, gossip.....and I could continue to bore you with the list. ALL of those sins have to be removed however, for my prayers to be heard.
God gave me a great visual picture of this. My ten year old son, Colby, loves to play outside with his fearless friends. They build forts, ride bikes, get dirty in the marsh, play in the rain....you get it: boy stuff! When he is ready to come in from playing, if he is covered in the dirt and mud he LOVES to come hug me. While I love him desperately, the last thing I want are his grimy, muddy feet, and stinky smell in my house, let alone touching me. After he has hosed off a bit outside and then made it to the shower for a deep cleaning, THEN I am all about the hugs!
Do you see it? When WE approach God with stinky, smelly hearts, and messed up thoughts, He says, "Woah!!! Nope, you need to get cleaned up first!" Well, at least that's how He says it to me. I have to get my heart and head in the game, spiritually speaking, acknowledge and confess those sins, and then I can approach the Lord with my desires, requests, and petitions. Sometimes I may even have to call someone and beg their forgivness in the process. I so desperately need prayer in so many areas and I have so many friends with specific needs and requests that I don't have time to stay dirty!
So, if you have some specific prayer request hanging out there (or lots of them) that doesn't seem to be getting through the ceiling, and you believe you are praying aligned with the will of God, then do a self-check. You will be amazed what the Lord will bring to your mind for which you might need to ask forgiveness. He will often bring to me thoughts of a behavior or habit that needs changing; or perhaps my attitude needs adjusting about something.
Then the strangest thing often happens: once I get cleaned up, the Holy Spirit will usually direct me to pray specific requests from a different angle. It might go something like this: Suppose I am praying for a financial need for a friend. The Lord might respond back for me to pray a different way about the need - perhaps I am not asking for big enough results. Or, He may direct me to pray a specific Scripture over a need or a person.
If you are still with me this far, and I hope you are, I am praying that you find encouragement and motivation to seek the Lord with all of your being through prayer. Just don't forget to take care of business first! And if you show up at my house wth muddy feet, I will hose you down and then pray for you!
But there is always one question we come back to: unanswered prayer. There could be so many reasons why God has not answered our intense, heartwrenching prayers. It could be something positive such as praying for something specific, and God has something better in store for our lives. This could be a job we think is good, but He's preparing us for an even better one. It might be that we are praying completely out of God's will (Lord, please let me hit Powerball tonight!) It might be that we pray half-heartedly, not really expecting that the Lord will answer, while we should be believing Him for all He promises rather than doubting.
And then there's the big reason we don't like to talk about because it's not sweet and sugary: SIN. Fact is, we ALL sin frequently, probably multiple times daily. It then becomes about what I do, or don't do, about my sin. I know that just sounded like I don't think Jesus is big enough to wipe away my sin clean away like Oxi-Clean and dry up my mess with a ShamWoW! But it is precisely the opposite.
Once I sin, I have to DO something with that sin - I have to own it and ask God to forgive it or else my prayers don't make it past my ceiling. And that takes time and effort - for me to own up and ask for forgiveness. This is such an important part of prayer and we so often skip over it. I'm convicted right now about being convicted! If we don't take time to admit and confess those sins, and then trust God to exterminate our sins, it's not that He WON'T hear our prayers, it's that He CAN'T. Big difference there.
Isaiah 50:1-2 says, "Indeed, the Lord's hand is not too short to save, and His ear is not too deaf to hear. But your iniquities (churchy word for SIN) have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have made Him hide His face from you so that He does not listen." Holman version.
Yikes! So most of us haven't committed sin that we consider gross sin like murder, theft, etc... And I can only speak for myself, but I KNOW how many times I have committed sins such as bitterness, jealousy, pride, selfishness, not being a good steward of money, gossip.....and I could continue to bore you with the list. ALL of those sins have to be removed however, for my prayers to be heard.
God gave me a great visual picture of this. My ten year old son, Colby, loves to play outside with his fearless friends. They build forts, ride bikes, get dirty in the marsh, play in the rain....you get it: boy stuff! When he is ready to come in from playing, if he is covered in the dirt and mud he LOVES to come hug me. While I love him desperately, the last thing I want are his grimy, muddy feet, and stinky smell in my house, let alone touching me. After he has hosed off a bit outside and then made it to the shower for a deep cleaning, THEN I am all about the hugs!
Do you see it? When WE approach God with stinky, smelly hearts, and messed up thoughts, He says, "Woah!!! Nope, you need to get cleaned up first!" Well, at least that's how He says it to me. I have to get my heart and head in the game, spiritually speaking, acknowledge and confess those sins, and then I can approach the Lord with my desires, requests, and petitions. Sometimes I may even have to call someone and beg their forgivness in the process. I so desperately need prayer in so many areas and I have so many friends with specific needs and requests that I don't have time to stay dirty!
So, if you have some specific prayer request hanging out there (or lots of them) that doesn't seem to be getting through the ceiling, and you believe you are praying aligned with the will of God, then do a self-check. You will be amazed what the Lord will bring to your mind for which you might need to ask forgiveness. He will often bring to me thoughts of a behavior or habit that needs changing; or perhaps my attitude needs adjusting about something.
Then the strangest thing often happens: once I get cleaned up, the Holy Spirit will usually direct me to pray specific requests from a different angle. It might go something like this: Suppose I am praying for a financial need for a friend. The Lord might respond back for me to pray a different way about the need - perhaps I am not asking for big enough results. Or, He may direct me to pray a specific Scripture over a need or a person.
If you are still with me this far, and I hope you are, I am praying that you find encouragement and motivation to seek the Lord with all of your being through prayer. Just don't forget to take care of business first! And if you show up at my house wth muddy feet, I will hose you down and then pray for you!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)