A husband and wife sat together at the kitchen table in awkward silence. They had decided, having trouble getting along lately, that perhaps they should share with one another the frustrations they had with each other by each making a list. After some quiet thought and pencil scratching it was time to share their complaints. The husband read his wife’s first. A long list of his faults filled the page, and then another page. Continue reading
They said three days. So why was I still waiting to hear from them? Granted, Monday happened to be Labor Day, and of course the lab was closed that day, so that didn’t help. If it was nothing I would have heard by now. The not knowing was so hard. If only I knew the situation fully I could face it, but facing an unknown, invisible enemy was awful and seemed impossible. I could hardly keep my mind from trying to figure out or imagine what it was, what the outcome would be. During that time of waiting, the anxiety was so intense that my very nerve endings seemed on edge, all over my body, as if fear was continually pricking my skin. Continue reading
I stumbled on the “Stuff Christians Like” blog a few months ago, thanks to a link my friend PJ had posted on his blog. After reading a few posts, I was hooked. This guy is funny! At the same time he speaks truth – truth sometimes that stings just a little but is so, so necessary. I subscribed to his blog and get his posts sent to my email everyday. I’ve never regretted that decision. I also follow him on twitter – and no, I’m not creeping on him or stalking. I just think he’d be a fun guy to have as a friend. And hey! He put himself out there, okay? Continue reading
“There is a God. It is not me.”
(The first line of chapter five in the book I’m reading, “The Me I want to Be” by John Ortberg.)
What a great line – that should be my motto. It’s the beginning of true wisdom. To really live in relationship with God, we have to surrender.
Surrender is difficult: it requires a pushing down of my pride and that’s an ongoing battle. I have to admit I’m not in control and that if I really was it would be a disaster; that I need someone else to take control and “drive” my life – someone who is stronger and wiser. It’s an act of denying my selfish wants, opinions, hopes and brilliant plans. It’s a falling back and completely letting go, which is scary! What if God messes up or isn’t paying attention or…? Continue reading
Click the link below to watch a video – watch it all the way through.
What struck me the most after seeing this is how much, how incredibly much, this man’s life was changed by the other man’s monthly gift of only $38. It is mind-boggling. I think I can understand why he was so overwhelmed to meet his friend and “savior” face to face. To be saved from starvation and a life destined to be wrought with struggle and hardship, then set on a path to wholeness, hope, and purpose – how could he fully express his gratitude? He had no words. I would have no words.
Do we realize what we have been saved from by Jesus? Continue reading
(I’ve lost track of which day I’m on. I missed one here and there so no more numbered days on post titles! I’m still fasting from facebook until Easter.)
Driving to work was cheering today since instead of gray foggy heaviness there was a wide open blue sky. I so enjoy the artwork of God! Many times the beauty of what He’s made draws me closer to Him and causes me to worship. A few wispy clouds gathered around the bright orange disc of a sun, almost as if they were coaxing it to come up – up through God’s watercolor splash of soft orange fading to warm apricot then to faint pink then to clear aqua blue. It was stunning.
I didn’t even pull my visor down but actually enjoyed the piercing light of the sun in my eyes, as it rose now fully awake, big and bold and enjoying its task of announcing a new day had begun. New. That word became my mind’s sole focus for the next few moments as I kept driving…driving into a new day. “This IS a new day,” I could hear God say to my heart. Continue reading
On days like this my mood seems to mirror the outside, drippy and gray.
Breakfast with a good friend was an uplift and blessing. Instead of withdrawing when I feel down, which is my tendency, I need to be with a friend and be a friend.
I often start cleaning when I’m thinking hard, frustrated, or need to release pent-up energy. You should see my spotless kitchen. I guess that’s one of the perks of parenting teens!
Oh, and today I received the award “Strictest Parent Ever”. Thank you, thank you…I’d like to thank the little people who aren’t so little anymore for giving me the opportunity.
Hugs are good. I need some more. Where is that husband? I’m going to go get a hug or two right now.
I accidentally included a reimbursement check of ours in with my work deposit last night! Fortunately when I called the branch they said they found it. Oh my. What will I be like when I’m 70? Stick around – it should be entertaining!
I’ve always thought it would be kind of fun to work at Target. What do you think? Do you think the magic would wear off if I was there all the time? I don’t think that’s possible.
I’m using The Message version in my daily Bible reading plan this year and love it! I found this verse yesterday in Proverbs. I thought of writing it on a poster board and sticking it by the door: “Dear child, if you become wise, I’ll be one happy parent…” (Prov. 23:14-16) The verse before that one says “Don’t be afraid to correct your young ones, a spanking won’t kill them.”
As I drove to breakfast this morning I heard a beautiful song. The words made me cry. Please take a minute to listen to this:
Places where grace is, soon to be so amazing…
Oh Lord, let it be true. I’m counting on You.
1 For everything there is a season,
a time for every activity under heaven.
2 A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.
3 A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to build up.
4 A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
5 A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
6 A time to search and a time to quit searching.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
7 A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to be quiet and a time to speak.
8 A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NLT
One activity is missing from that list: Praise. Maybe it’s because it is always the time to praise, no matter what else is happening, no matter what other time it is or what other activity is right for that time. There’s something about praise that changes the heart’s attitude, that lifts the spirit, that centers our utmost self and settles us.
This morning as I went to work my heart was heavy, like a big, dripping wet towel. The weight of fear, anxiety and sadness seemed to even weigh me down physically. I took deep breaths and sighs, felt like I was a little piece of lead sitting in my desk chair. It was an effort to smile and greet my co-workers and people in the building. My dear friend, Jenene, asked if I wanted to go to lunch with her and I agreed. She is a patient, loving, listening friend and let me splutter and spurt my frustration, hurts and bewilderment all over her. As I did the pressure lifted. All that pent up “stuff” coming out of my heart made room for peace and a sense of “ahhhhh.” I remembered not to take everything quite so seriously. I remembered that God is in control, that what I face is not different from just about everyone else, and that I wasn’t alone in any sense of the word. My heart decided that it’s a time to praise.
I praise God for:
Applause, everyone. Bravo, bravissimo! Shout God-songs at the top of your lungs!
God Most High is stunning,
astride land and ocean…
Loud cheers as God climbs the mountain,
a ram’s horn blast at the summit.
Sing songs to God, sing out!
Sing to our King, sing praise!
He’s Lord over earth,
so sing your best songs to God.
God is Lord of godless nations—
sovereign, he’s King of the mountain.
Princes from all over are gathered,
people of Abraham’s God.
The powers of earth are God’s—
he soars over all. – Psalm 47 The Msg
I saw a news story yesterday about a group of college kids who call themselves the “Atheist Agenda” who set up a table on the campus of UTSA in San Antonio, Texas offering porn to students in exchange for their holy texts. One of the leaders said it was trading smut for smut. He said porn is consensual “unlike religious texts that condone lying and using violence against individuals which is the exact opposite of let’s say anything that is peaceful.” To view the short story click here.
It sounds like he hasn’t read all of the Bible at least and is taking a few instances out of context on which to base his argument – which is ridiculous to me. And why hand out porn in exchange? Does porn stand for peace, for something better than what holy texts offer? That doesn’t make sense. They were just appealing to an urge and desire as a lure to come away from God.
I don’t understand why some atheists feel it is their obligation to enlighten others to the error of their ways if they believe in God or some other diety, or follow a religion. Why should they care? If they don’t believe in God or an afterlife, why would it bother them if someone else believes that way? Seriously. At first I thought they were only asking for Bibles in exchange for porn and that led me to think “is this really an opposition to believing in God or an opposition to Jesus? Why not a Quran? Or one of the Vedas of Hinduism? Or the Book of Mormon?” Is it all to satisfy some need we all seem to have to feel superior to others? To proclaim that we’re right and they’re wrong? Do they feel they are doing a civic duty by leading Christians back to reasonable thinking, back away from following the teachings of Christ, back from their foolish lives of faith in things that are often unseen?
If I share my faith with someone, or testify about something God has done for me, it is because I believe it will benefit them in their life and give them hope. If I knew of a cure for an illness or a medicine that would relieve pain and met someone in great pain or with that illness, I’d want to share what I knew with them to hopefully help them. If I was walking through a really dark place with some others around me and had the only flashlight or torch, I’d walk closer to them and hold out the light to help them see the path. I think it would be odd for someone who didn’t believe in light to come and tell me to snuff out my torch or turn off my flashlight. If they want to walk on their own and find their own way that’s their choice, but why bother to try and convince me I don’t believe in or need the light I have in my hand?
What do you think about the reason behind atheists’ campaigns against people who believe in God?
Another interesting interview with the leader from Atheist Agenda on Youtube
Jogging on the treadmill has to be one of the most boring ways to burn calories but if I have the choice of jogging indoors in a comfortably heated room compared to jogging outdoors through snow and ice in 20 degree windy weather, I’ll take the treadmill. Sometimes I watch the TV in the exercise room or listen to music on my ipod. Today I thought I would put a podcast on and it really helped. Now if I could just have something fun to look at while I jog other than the electrical outlet straight ahead of me on the wall.
One of my new favorite “web pastors” is Craig Groeschel of Lifechurch.tv. I’m in the midst of the series called “Practical Atheist” – about when we claim to believe in God but we live as if He doesn’t exist. The message I heard today was about when Jesus spoke to a church from Laodicea (in the book of Revelation). He said this to them, “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!” Rev. 3:15-16 The Greek word used in that last phrase is “emeo” which means to spew, spit or vomit. When we say we believe but live as if we don’t, it makes Jesus want to throw us up. That’s pretty graphic!
According to Craig (and author Francis Chan) Lukewarm Christians:
WOW. That is a tough list. Tough message. The truth truly does hurt sometimes but how absolutely vital it is! Have I become a full-time mom, wife, worker, friend and a part-time Christian? It can happen so easily. I’m backwards much of the time.
Why are we like this? How do we become lukewarm? Many of us had emotional conversion moments when we really felt cleansed of our sin, when we first gave our hearts to Jesus. What makes the difference between someone who has lost that fire and become lukewarm and someone who is still burning with God’s passion and love in their heart? One reason is that it’s so “easy” to believe in God here in our country. There is no price to pay, no sacrifice compared to believers in countries where it’s against the law to profess Jesus as their Savior, where they may lose their jobs, families or lives for remaining faithful to Christ.
If we read on in Revelation, Jesus offers, “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.” (v. 20) He was saying that to the “believers” in Laodicea – it sounds like he’s not in yet. They couldn’t really follow and live for Jesus because they didn’t know Him, because they hadn’t let him come in. Think if someone had invited you over for dinner, someone who wanted to get to know you better, but once you arrived they stood in the open door, not allowing you to step inside. Awkward to say the least. It reminds me of how I behave when someone from Jehovah’s Witnesses comes to my house. I don’t want them to come in. I’ll listen to them at the door while they stay outside and then politely tell them I’m not interested. Sometimes we’ve even ignored their knocking on the door, pretending to not be at home. I know, that’s kind of pathetic isn’t it?
Jesus said he’s knocking. He’s ready and willing to come in and let us know Him, but we have to open the door and let him in. We’re not just talking about letting him stick his foot in the door. He needs to come all the way in. Close the door behind Him. Sit down with Him. Engage in conversation. Listen to Him. There is no in between, no halfway, no little bit of Jesus – either you ask Him all the way in or you leave him outside on the porch.
Come in, Jesus, please.
To watch Craig’s message, click here.
Along the Narrow Path 