Day 8 – Peace, Providence & the Peewee

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I pulled into the parking lot at work this morning and thought to myself, “How did I get here?”  My head was pounding from a sinus headache and my body evidently switched into autopilot to transport me from point A to point B.  The office is very quiet – on Wednesdays I’m usually the only one here – and so the whir of the heating system and the quiet clicking of the keys on my keyboard were the only sounds I heard for a while.  Even though my head was still hurting, the quietness was welcome and gave me peace.

God reminded me yesterday that fretting over the future or letting fear creep in robs me of the peace He has for me.  Continue reading →

Day 7 – Undercover Boss

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Have you seen ads for a new show on TV called “Undercover Boss”?  In a reality show format, a boss or CEO of a company suits up in the uniform of his/her employees and works side by side with them.  They won’t know it’s their boss.  I want to see it sometime.  I can imagine a couple of possible outcomes:  one – the employees might get embarrassed or worse, even fired, if the boss sees that they goof around all the time or cheat or some other unethical choices, two – after working in their shoes for a while the boss might gain more compassion, appreciation or respect for them and treat them better afterward, three – boss and employees could have a much better relationship after their worlds intersect more closely for a while and after the boss gains some new perspective.

I saw this bumper sticker once and it made me laugh.  Jesus is coming again someday, true, but He already came and walked with his people, lived side by side, and stood in our shoes.  It’s so hard to comprehend God, who is not limited in any way, who made everything that exists (so He must be bigger than it all), who can be everywhere at once and knows everything, putting skin on and becoming one of us.  It’s almost as if He said, watching people mess up and live broken by sin, “I need to take care of this myself.”  How did He shrink Himself down?  How awkward would that be for Him to be enclosed, to be limited, to be in a body that could be sick or damaged? Continue reading →

A little more about Kelly

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Since I posted about Kelly Clark, US Olympic Snowboarder, the other day I’ve heard more of her story and have to pass it on.

I was encouraging a friend who emailed me this morning, a friend who tends to be hard on herself if she messes up or falls short on a goal.  As I typed a reply to her God really spoke to my heart, too.  I think everyone falls into the trap of equating personal worth with accomplishments or the things we are doing, so that if we fail to do something or mess up we feel less worthwhile, even downright worthless.

Like I posted before, Kelly Clark was doing the same thing and it wasn’t working.   After a competitor fell during a match, she overheard one of the other competitors tell her, “It’s okay, God still loves you.”  That stirred a hunger in Kelly to find out more.  Read this great article to find out the details of how God drew her to Him and filled her heart with His freeing love.

Our worth comes from the fact that God loves us and adopted us.  He wants you.  He gave everything anyone could give so that you could be His and be close to Him.  When you accept that gift of forgiveness and are willing to be adopted by Him, that alone gives you endless worth in His eyes.  “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.  Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done…”  Ephesians 2:8-9

Failing to do something you think you should, not doing something well, or messing up can never make God love you any less.   Performing 150%, working your tail off, and striving every day for excellence (while those can be good things) will never make God love you any more.  He LOVES you.  He loves.  He loves.  Just because of who You are in Him.

If the enemy is trying to pull a fast one on you by making you feel a failure, that you’re a disappointment, that you’re not good enough, or any other lies like that, be like Kelly and put your spiritual iPod on your heart to drown him out.  Listen only to Jesus’ loving voice and live in freedom today!  You can enjoy the moment you’re in right now knowing no matter what you do or don’t do, you are worth more than you know to God.

Day 6 – Recall

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I feel so badly for Toyota these days. What an expense they’re paying for all the repairs they have to make on recalled vehicles. So many models had to be recalled for defects and problems. It could potentially put them under, I suppose, especially if people lose faith in their long-standing reputation for safety and reliability.

If the customers ignore the recall it could have serious repercussions for them. You know, an acceleration pedal that sticks isn’t exactly safe – could be exciting but definitely not safe.  We have some friends who owned a truck that had been recalled due to something in the ignition. They hadn’t yet taken it in for repairs and one day the defective part caused a spark that caused a fire and burned down their home! Thankfully no one was hurt.

It hasn’t been on the news lately, but there is a recall on the human race.  Because of sin, we’re born defective and need God to repair us, to fix the brokenness with His forgiveness. If we ignore the recall there will definitely be serious repercussions, now and forever. Some people haven’t yet heard about the recall so they are unknowingly going about life in a dangerous state. If they don’t hear in time it could cost them their lives…in the truest sense of the word.

The Toyota vehicles can’t fix themselves and the owners can’t really fix them. They have to be returned to the original manufacturer who has the original parts, technology, and know-how to really make things right.

Our original manufacturer is the only one who can really fix us and put us in the best operating condition. It probably won’t be a one-time repair – but thankfully He’s available 24/7 and is more than willing to look us over time and time again. One day there will be a final recall.  It will be the last one but a beautiful one: life forever with God with bodies and souls that won’t need repairs anymore.

He heals the heartbroken
and bandages their wounds….
Our Lord is great, with limitless strength;
we’ll never comprehend what he knows and does.
God puts the fallen on their feet again… Psalm 147:2-4 The Msg

Day 5 – Filled up

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Today in church we heard a message about emptiness and finding true fulfillment, something that really fills the emptiness we often feel inside.  So many times I’ve tried to fill my heart with other things but they aren’t lasting.  Kind of like the foamy fizz on top of a fountain soda, it fills the cup to the brim for a minute or so but soon goes away leaving lots of empty space.

I realize that I expected facebook to help fill the loneliness I’ve been feeling.  It helps a little but I have to admit that facebook is mostly fizz.  Connections there are on the surface and not the same as when we connect face to face or voice to voice.  I feel so much more connected to someone if we talk on the phone or in person, if I can actually be with them and see their face (not just a photo and status), can hear their laughter and voice, and feel their hugs.  (I still like facebook just realizing it can’t really fill me up)

Today we met some friends for lunch and while we waited for them to arrive, a whole gang of other friends from our old church showed up.  My girls and I practically ran to the door to give them hugs and greet them Continue reading →

Day 4 – iListen

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Kelly Clark, US snowboarder who won the bronze medal the other night in the half pipe, stood at the top waiting for her name to be called.  In the dark of Whistler mountain night time, the half pipe venue shone bright white.  It was Kelly’s turn for her second run, her last chance to do well enough to earn a medal in the 2010 Olympics.  I’d be so nervous.  There must be lots of pressure on the athletes as they listen to the crowd cheering, the announcer talking about them, see the bright lights and sea of faces and eyes watching their every move.  They’ve been training for years for this one moment in time.  Kelly didn’t really seem to be paying attention to any of that because she had her ipod turned on, her ear buds in her ears and she was singing.  It cracked me up!  She didn’t seem to care at all that the cameras were filming her.  She never looked up at them.  I don’t know what the song was but she looked straight ahead at the half pipe, singing loudly along as she waited for the go ahead.  It was especially funny to me because no one else could hear the music, all we could hear was her lone voice.  I did hear a few of the words she sang, “You.. shall.. love.. me”, as she took off down the hill and completed a fantastic run, seemingly confident and at ease.

If only I could be as focused on God’s voice in my ears and heart and not get distracted by the noise around me, or even worse, the voice of the enemy.  If only I could be as confident in myself because I had trained, I had worked hard, I had prepared, and I was ready for the task at hand….whatever it may be.  I love that Kelly sings before she performs. I love that she didn’t care to hear her name being blasted over the loud speakers or the crowds cheering for her.  The music helped her focus and get pumped up and that was good enough for her.  It didn’t matter that no one else could hear it.

Jesus said He’s the Good Shepherd and that his sheep know His voice.  I know His voice, but want to hear it so clearly it’s as if I have ear buds in my woolly sheep ears and nothing else fills my mind but the melodic, pure sound of His words and songs.  I don’t think there would be any flips or high flying twists, but I would follow Him closely with laser focus and sing.  If I do, I know I’ll finish well….just like Kelly.

Addendum:  Someone let me know the song that Kelly was listening to!  It’s beautiful – you can hear it below:

4:45

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Two blog posts in one day is unusual for me but I just need to journal.  You may read it if you wish, but I just need to process some stuff.

Encouragement today that God is doing something:

My dentist asked me today what Indiana Ministries does (where I work) so I told him.  That let him know that I at least work in a faith-based place so he must have felt more comfortable telling me that he prays for his patients each week.  Then he asked me if there was anything specific he could pray for me and my family about.  After almost falling out of the chair, I looked up at him and said, “well, my husband needs a job.”  He said, “Alright, I’ll pray about that.”  That little interchange brought me comfort.  I almost felt like saying “You could just about do anything to my mouth because you just made my day.”  I didn’t though – who knows what he would have done? Continue reading →

Day 3 – Alone

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Forty days is a long time to spend wandering in a rocky, dusty wilderness, especially without food.  Lots of time for thinking, praying, listening, walking, resting, trying to sleep.  It was hard for the tanned and sweaty man not to think about the gnawing hunger and thirst inside.  Then there were the moments of temptation and taunting from the enemy, so artfully crafting arguments to try to persuade Him to abandon his true purpose, even His true identity.  Would he be able to keep his weakening heart and tired eyes focused on obedience and perseverance to complete this time of solitude, to be honed and made more ready for what was coming?  He had God’s Word, He WAS God’s Word and the enemy was no match for that or for Him.   Even so, heading into the wilderness and surviving its lessons and temptations, Jesus was alone.

Once he began teaching and performing miracles, the people couldn’t get enough of Him.  He would teach, heal and love all day, get in a boat with his disciples, arrive at a different place only to see a sea of smiling, eager faces of those who wanted to hear him teach, to have his attention, to feel his healing touch.   Reading about his compassion even when he must have been physically exhausted always amazes me.  No wonder Jesus often got up early before the sun even came up, and went off somewhere by himself.  That time of quiet prayer with God must have been refreshing, even imperative.

Living life with the men He called to follow Him for three years, journeying from town to town, sleeping in others’ homes or outside under the stars, or even by the sea, interacting with hundreds of people in crowds everyday, must have been wonderful, tiring, rewarding, and disappointing all at the same time.  There must have been times when he would pause from teaching to look into the bewildered eyes of his friends and disciples, seeing that they didn’t really understand what He was saying or who He really was.  In those times, I think He felt alone.  Continue reading →

Day 2 – For Real

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Today I don’t feel super spiritual, which is kind of a disappointment.  I thought once I started this 40-day journey to Easter with Jesus I’d be face to face with revelations and epiphanies to share with you, but today was just a regular day.  It was a good day, just kind of ordinary.  I guess there’s nothing wrong with that.  Prepare yourself for randomness…if you’re game, read on.

Jon Acuff, founder of the popular blog, “Stuff Christians Like” and now author of a book by the same title, posted this fantastic, soul-baring post yesterday.  I was moved by his vulnerability and openness and reminded that in openness we are healed, we find freedom.  We don’t have to pretend, we don’t have to hide anything or lie and that is definitely a good thing.  Read this:

http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/02/throwing-up/

I’m always encouraged to remember that we are all fallen and there are no Christian super heroes.  Every single person struggles with sin and temptation.  I’m positive that everyone at one time or another feels like the apostle Paul when he exclaimed, “I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate….Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?  Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.”  (Romans 7:15-25)

One lesson I hope to learn through this 40-day journey to the cross is how to be less self-absorbed and more focused on others.  Truly!   Following Jesus as he walks this path I’m sure I will see Him compelled by love and sacrifice, by purpose and obedience, by prayer and loyalty to God…not by self.

Now for something completely unrelated…

I also saw this today, something very non-conventional:

http://www.lolcatbible.com/index.php?title=Main_Page

I don’t think I’ll go out and buy it, but it certainly is unique, made my family and I laugh, and I think for the most part, God would get a chuckle out of it, too.    Take, for instance, this version of Romans 8:28, “U no, teh Ceiling Cat, he always doin stuff for ur own gud, if yu luvs him.”

Last night we watched Lindsay Vonn win a gold medal, overcoming a shin injury and a great deal of pain, skiing to victory!  When asked how she felt, she remarked how she had given up everything for this and it made the win so sweet, so amazing.  She really has dedicated her life to this moment in time and to succeed must have been the most beautiful reward.

I think I should go downstairs and sit with John for a while, watching some more amazing athletes do their thing.

Who knows what tomorrow may bring?  Maybe a spiritual  mountaintop?  Maybe an ordinary day.  I just want to walk with Jesus and be there in case He has something special to tell me.   If we end up just walking and hanging out together, that’s fine, too.

Day 1 – Survive or Thrive

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Today is Ash Wednesday and also the first day of Lent.  Not everyone in the Protestant faith practices lent but it can be a great way to prepare for Easter and practice discipline.  I was reminded about it listening to the radio this morning and immediately had the thought that I should probably give up facebook.  I didn’t want to, though!  I love facebook and being connected to everyone.  As I got out of my car and walked into the building the “suggestion” grew inside as I argued with myself so that by the time I got to my desk I decided that God would like for me to do that – take a break from facebook for this 40-day journey to Easter, so, I am.

I’ve been looking for resources online, maybe a printable devotional I could use with my family but haven’t found what I’m looking for yet.  While reading and searching I’ve realized that there can be much more to this journey toward Easter with Jesus than just giving up something for Him.  Some people choose to “add” something to their day-to-day life sometimes, like more intentionally doing something for someone in need, forgiving someone, purposefully spending extra time reading God’s Word or quietly thinking/meditating, intentionally thanking God or journaling praises every day…many possibilities.  This time can be more than just a time to deprive myself of something I like!  That makes it even more appealing to me.

I’ve been restless the last few weeks and I know that is largely due to not spending quality time with God – quiet, alone, on purpose, just to be with Him.  I have friendships, or really acquaintances, in which I don’t really ever get past small talk or pleasantries to really know that person, to dig deeper and grow close to them.  Those surface relationships are okay but don’t really fulfill me, at least not for long (as I’m sure they don’t do much for those friends).  I need much more than pleasant greetings, polite questions of “how are you?” and smiles.  Continue reading →