Advent ABC's: Zechariah

Read: Luke 1:5-23, and 57-64

I can relate to Zechariah. Maybe you can, too. God sent an angel who told him the plan and Zech came back with a question. Now, I'm not sure if Gabe was having a rough day, but it really seems like he over-reacted. All Zech asked was how am I going to know that this is going to happen? Could you fill in a few of the particulars? I mean really, he was going to have to go home and tell this all to Elizabeth and as happy as she might have been with the news, it would help to be able to lay the whole plan out before her.

The more I got to thinking about this, the more I got to thinking that Zech's punishment seemed a bit unfair. Think about it. Gideon went through the whole fleece thing and God never lost patience with his requests. Sarah laughed, but never lost her voice. Moses came up with every excuse under the sun and even offered a backup plan: send my brother, but God didn't punish him.

I just didn't get this until I started to think about my own journey. On more than one occasion and in more than one way, God has opted to "shut me up" so that I wouldn't get in the way of his plan. I might have really made a mess of things if I had been allowed to proceed in my own wisdom. I never cared for feeling like I was being shelved and silenced, but maybe others were enabled to listen and hear God when I wasn't talking. Not always talking has also helped me to think more. I process and ponder and listen more. I have come to a deeper experience of trust and acceptance of what is and what is probably God's greater plan.

And when the time for silence was over, Zech spoke and people listened. Zech was like an ancient E. F. Hutton. When he finally spoke again people were ready to hear what he had to say. It reminds me of a woman in the very first church I pastored. Lois had sinus cancer and much of the sinus cavity had been removed. She was still able to speak, but it was very nasal and sometimes difficult to understand. Those of us who worshipped with her knew that if she opened her mouth to speak it was because she had something weighty and poignant to share and we made a point to listen.

I wonder. On the one hand we say so much, but do we say too much? We're constantly communicating, but are we connecting? Talk is cheap because we invest so little in our words. Do we need to pay greater attention to what we need to say, words of love, encouragement, hope, and forgiveness? In an effort to make our opinion known, have we forgotten how to speak the truth in love?

When God comes with a word, my prayer is that we won't offer up our own plan instead, but that we will be more like Solomon and respond: speak Lord, for your servant is listening. When he gets done telling us what we need to know, then we'll truly have something to say!

Advent ABC's: Yet

Over the years I've had lots of opportunities to lead the congregational singing during worship services. For the most part, it has been quite a blessing. Truth be told, there are however, several hymns I just hate to lead. One of the hardest hymn types for me to lead are the ones where the hymn writer struggled and stretched to make words rhyme. At times it took everything within me to maintain composure and not just burst out laughing. I find it difficult to lead the hymn "There Shall Be Showers of Blessing" for two reasons. First, a group of students set it up in the old campus chapel that during one student's senior conducting a sprinkler would come on and douse one side of the chapel. But beyond the joke, I have trouble with the greedy mentality of the song: mercy drops round us are falling, but for the showers we plead. Worse than that, is the hymn "He Never Has Failed Me Yet."

Please tell me what the writer of this hymn was thinking! Yet? In my mind that insinuates that He will. When I use "yet" in a sentence like the hymn I'm suggesting that I haven't done something but I will get to it. I suppose "He's not going to fail me ever" didn't fit well with the rhythm, but the theology just disturbs me.

I know that I have failed him--more times than I care to count. In spite of that He remains ever faithful and ever true to His word. I love the phrase "And God is faithful." It is used at least three times in scripture. The hymn writer knows it, too. He declares in the chorus of the song: I have proven Him true. What He says He will do." I wish he had just stopped there.

There are so many people walking around trying to live victorious lives of faith, but victory seems to be just beyond their reach. Their spirits never seem to be at peace because they're always waiting for the "yet", for the time when God is going to disappoint them, when He will let them down. Where does that thinking come from?

My husband, with the best intentions at heart, has created a situation in our home with our grandson. For well over a year now, he has given Asher a gift every day after work. Usually it was a matchbox car. At first we all delighted to see the pure joy Asher had pulling a car out of Pepa's pocket. Recently, there has been less joy and delight. Asher has developed a sense of entitlement. Nelson is barely in the door and Asher wants his toy and he is tenacious in his pursuit. If Nelson tries to substitute a different type of toy, there is typically an ungrateful response.

Beth talked to me, I talked to Nelson, and then we all talked together. It's going to probably be unpleasant for a while, but there will no longer be daily gifts. There may be weekly items, but they will have to be earned. For a while Asher may feel like Pepa is mean and cruel, and that he has failed him. But we all know better.

I'm wondering if a similar thing has transpired between us and our Heavenly Father. Why is it that we feel that God has let us down when life doesn't go the way we want or plan? Scripture tells us there is a way which seems right to us, but leads to destruction. Why can't we trust the God who created the universe, whose thinking and ways are not locked into a linear pattern? He knows the plans he has for us and they are plans to prosper us and to provide us with a future.

Go to the word. Check out some of the promises. Look at your life. As you consider your journey, can you see how his hand has provided? Can you see that he has proven true? There is no yet to add to that. He is who he says he is. He does what he says he will do. Quit looking for the yet and trust him. Now and forever more. And don't ask me to lead that hymn, okay?

Advent ABC's: Xtravagant

Imagine going to a home where both the husband and wife are successful, recognized, and respected doctors. Do you have a mental image?

Recently I had the opportunity to do that with a friend from high school. She and I were traveling from Ohio to Michigan to have a little reunion with another classmate from high school. I tried to imagine what I was going to find. I was battling with feelings of intimidation all the way there.

Driving up to their home, I was surprised by its simplicity. Nothing on the outside screamed of money, or pride, or extravagance. When we were invited in and given the “tour” I felt so welcomed. It was a lovely home, inviting and warm. It was beautifully decorated in its simplicity. The only room my friend claims to have “decorated” is a small half bath. And it is precious. The only extravagance I saw, and
I’m sure my husband wouldn’t see it as such, was the amazing sixty inch stove in the kitchen.

We had a wonderful visit. And as all good visits do, it ended much too soon. On the way home I chatted with my friend, but I was also carrying on an inner conversation with God. The clearest thing I heard was that extravagance needs to be on the inside—in our spirit. Just as it is with Him.

I spoke at a banquet not long ago and I shared that my least favorite question of the season is: “So, are you ready for Christmas?” The question begs at what things are still on your to do list, things like shopping and baking. I think the question misses the whole point of Christmas, what Christmas really is. Christmas is about God so lavishly loving the world that he gave his one and only son so that you and I might have life. And he didn’t come with fancy wrapping or trays of cookies.

My husband has always been the kind of person to buy extravagantly. Let’s just tell it like it is: he goes overboard. But it’s the way he is. He has no moderation button. He loves all out. And I really love that about him.

When I was thinking about this, I was reminded of the story Jesus tells: Sitting across from the offering box, he was observing how the crowd tossed money in for the collection. Many of the rich were making large contributions. One poor widow came up and put in two small coins—a measly two cents. Jesus called his disciples over and said, "The truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together. All the others gave what they'll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn't afford—she gave her all."Mark 12:40-42

That’s what we have to be ready to do. You know what’s really cool about my friends the doctors in Michigan? I think they’ve really figured out how to love that way. I may not be able to give a lot of gifts, but I can give my all whenever and wherever I can. Are you ready to be that ready?

Advent ABC's: Wonder

1. I wonder as I wander out under the sky,
How Jesus the Savior did come for to die.
For poor on'ry people like you and like I...
I wonder as I wander out under the sky.
2. When Mary birthed Jesus 'twas in a cow's stall,
With wise men and farmers and shepherds and all.
But high from God's heaven a star's light did fall,
And the promise of ages it then did recall.
3. If Jesus had wanted for any wee thing,
A star in the sky, or a bird on the wing,
Or all of God's angels in heav'n for to sing,
He surely could have it, 'cause he was the King.

Now I have to admit this truly made me “wonder” a bit. This is one of my favorite renditions of this song. I really enjoy listening to Barbara Streisand, but how does a very Jewish girl sing with such passion about the Messiah?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXZM0F30vQI

Then I found this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Nuv1YYVK6Q

Whenever I used to start a conversation with “I wonder…” I was always told to be careful, if I wondered too far I’d get lost. Maybe getting lost in a little wonder wouldn’t be such a bad thing. I live with two cats and my almost four year old grandson is with us nearly every day. I am surrounded by constant wonder, curiosity and amazement.

It makes me sad that there is so little wonder. Everything is “amazing” or “awesome” and therefore nothing really seems to be. What makes you go “WOW!” clear down to your toes? What takes your breath away? What causes you to shake your head when you try to make sense of it? The Christmas story does that for me.

After 400 years of silence, of wondering where God was, he burst onto the scene in the most amazing and unexpected way. A baby, a manger, a carpenter, a teenage girl in a small town. Go figure. Go wonder.

Advent ABC's: Vision

Where there is no vision, the people perish. Proverbs 29:18

Early in my first pastorate I was told a story about a church that died. As the last few faithful were cleaning out the building they came upon an old plaque that appeared to have been made during VBS. Someone had picked the proverb about vision from above and glued macaroni letters onto a board and spray painted them gold. The child’s art project was very telling, perhaps even foretelling. On this dusty plaque, ignored and hidden, the message read: here there is no vision, the people perish. The meaning for changed, but true, with the loss of one letter.

Recently my friend Heidi handed me a book and told me I had to read it. There was such passion and sincerity in her words I couldn’t not comply. I want to buy a case and hand it out to everyone. The book is by Donald Miller and is entitled: “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, What I Learned While Editing My Life.” I can’t afford to go buy a case so when you get your Barnes and Noble gift cards get your very own or check it out of the library. He’s a little rough around the edges, but I get what he’s saying. Here’s something I read today:

I was watching the movie “Star Wars” recently and wondered what made that movie so good. Of course, there are a thousand reasons. But I also noticed that if I paused the DVD on any frame, I could point toward any major character and say exactly what that person wanted. No character had a vague ambition. It made me wonder if the reasons our lives seem so muddled is because we keep walking into scenes in which we, along with the people around us, have no clear idea what we want. (p. 113)

As I was thinking on these things, the wondering that seemed to bubble up in me was this: have you allowed God to give you a vision? Do you know what you want? What he wants for you? What he wants to do in you and through you? Don’t be like the people at the church and perish for a lack of a “w”…for lack of vision.

Advent ABC's: Undoing

7 A fool's mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul. Proverbs 18:7

5Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. James 3:5-6

18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 19This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence. 1 John 3:18-19

I think out loud. It’s not good. I mean it works okay, but it is not without its difficulties. I end up apologizing a lot because the things I say haven’t been processed or fine tuned. It reminds me of a saying I must have heard a bazillion times from my dad: Engage brain before opening mouth. It was great advice, but really hard for someone with my personality and tendencies.

The word from John’s epistle seems to be a partial antidote to the problem. If we depend on our mouths and words to convince people that they are loved and treasured, we’re going to be sadly disappointed and a big disappointment. We need to balance and back up our words with actions. It really is true that people can’t hear what we’re saying because of what we’re doing.

It is also true that when our actions negate our words we have a problem. People are watching us for consistency and integrity. These are the currency of love. Will we take the time to invest or spend thoughtlessly?

As we move more deeply into holiday times and family gatherings, my prayer is that we will be more conscious of the words we speak, the actions that we share, and the love we want to communicate. God could have just told us his plan, but instead: God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. (Romans 5:8)

Advent ABC's: Treasured Possession

17 You have declared this day that the LORD is your God and that you will walk in his ways, that you will keep his decrees, commands and laws, and that you will obey him. 18 And the LORD has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands. 19 He has declared that he will set you in praise, fame and honor high above all the nations he has made and that you will be a people holy to the LORD your God, as he promised. (Deuteronomy 26:17-19, NIV)

What is your treasured possession? I asked my husband that yesterday as I was preparing to write this. He took several minutes to think about his answer. It was a thoughtful answer. It was an object, lovingly created, and generously given. I’m still trying to decide.

When I was in High School Values Clarification was quite popular. I vividly remember being in a group and being asked what three items I would grab to take with me if I was escaping from my house that was burning to the ground. I’m pretty sure that one of my grabbed items was my guitar (a scratched up 6 string I bought from my friend Dave Crosby for $25), my Bible (given to me by one of the most influential people in the development of my faith, Carol Held) was another, and it’s toss up as to what the third may have been—after all, it was nearly 40 years ago!

Is it hard for you to imagine that you are God’s treasured possession? It’s true. It’s what makes this Christmas thing possible. It’s what gives it meaning.

Perhaps the whole, “God loves you” thing is easy for you to grasp. I have to admit I envy you a bit if that’s the case. It took landing in a most unlovable place and having my husband, children, and friends still love me to finally get through to me.

God so loved…he gave. If His house was on fire, he would be sure to grab you.

Advent ABC's: Sing

1 Sing a new song to the LORD! Let the whole earth sing to the LORD! Psalm 96:1

40"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." Luke 19:40

This fall I had the really neat opportunity to reconnect with some old friends and make some new friends. It really left me feeling quite blessed. I was especially touched to have the opportunity to be in a worship service where one of my new friends “sang.” And she was so good, she did it without even opening her mouth. She sang with her hands. She’s an interpreter for the deaf community. And to say that she sings with her hands is to so minimize the beauty she brings to a song with her entire being.

Near the end of the weekend retreat we shared, I was able to tell her how much I appreciate and was moved by the way she “sang.” Several people around her agreed that it was special and how much we treasured her “voice.” She shared that she was indeed not much of a vocalist, but loved to sign. And, as you can imagine, the whole thing got me thinking.

In historical Advent practice, the traditional carols are not sung until the third Sunday. The point of Advent is to prepare and to jump right into Caroling and singing Christmas songs can cause us to miss out on some of the symbolism, ritual, and meaning of the season. To start singing “Joy to the World” on the first Sunday of Advent is like opening the presents before your parents get up on Christmas morning. We can keep saying that Jesus is the reason for the season, but if we don’t take time to seek him and listen for the message from the Angels and Shepherds, we miss the point.

Just for the record, I’m not a Scrooge or Grinch. I think we need to sing. I think we just need to know why and what we are singing. Angel choirs sang to announce Jesus birth. Then the crowd sang and lauded him as he rode “triumphantly” into Jerusalem right before he died. When the Pharisees wanted Jesus to hush the crowd then, he told them that if the people were silenced the stones would cry out. There’s just something natural about singing and Jesus, and singing about Jesus our Lord and King.

Now you may not feel like much of a vocalist, but you do have a voice and you need to use it to sing praise to the Lord of all the earth. Don’t let the stones steal your solo. What song will you sing for the new born King?

Advent ABC's: React

I tend to react. It’s not necessarily a trait I’m proud of. Oh, I know how to put a positive spin on it by saying I’m always alert and ready, flexible and changeable. Truth be told, reacting is the less disciplined and less responsible way to handle life. I also rehearse. I go over conversations in my head. I practice responses. I think about how I want to say something. I try to be ready with the witty answer. Chances are, though, in the moment, I’ll just react.

I was thinking about this today while reading Donald Miller’s book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. I’m only halfway through the book and I want to buy a case and hand them out. As he was writing about the story we write with our lives, I thought about something I wrote recently about my Myers-Briggs Type. I’m an ENFP. Today I was thinking about how I have lived in to the FP parts of my personality. By depending on my feelings to make my judgments, I avoid having to think deeply on anything. Being all out there and unplanned, I avoid having to develop discipline.

So what do I do with this self-awareness? At nearly 53 years into this journey, I don’t think I’m going to change these things about myself, I can move towards a more balanced and developed personality. I draw great hope and comfort from Paul’s words to the Philippians: And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (1:6, NLT)

My story isn’t done. Neither is yours. His work in and us and through isn’t done either. How will you let him develop you? How will you let him write in you and through you into the lives of others? I wonder how you will react to this…

Advent ABC's: Quiet Life

I will probably never be accused of being quiet. It was one of the things that really bothered my dad. He was always telling me to turn down my volume. He made a point to remind me to be quieter whenever I went out or to someone’s home. I laugh loud. I talk loud. I am just loud. So it was really hard for me to grasp what Paul was saying to the Thessalonians: 11 Make it your goal to live a quiet life (4:11, NLT). In terms of Myers-Briggs, I’m an ENFJ. I have ADD. So I’m an extrovert, who thinks out loud, and acts impulsively. How am I supposed to live a quiet life?

Just as shalom, peace, is not merely the absence of conflict, quiet is more than just the absence of noise. In a small but insightful book, “Nurturing Silence in a Noisy Heart”, Dr. Wayne Oates points out that the noise of daily life can keep one from listening to, and attending to, the whispers which are truly important. Ken Gire picks up on the same theme in his book on the reflective life: “The reflective life is a life that is attentive, receptive, and responsive to what God is doing in us and around us (p. 11, The Reflective Life).”

Keeping those thoughts in mind, I can begin to believe that a quiet life is achievable for even me. It also reminds me of one of my favorite parts of the Christmas story. Having just delivered the baby Jesus, laying in a stable surrounded by shepherds, being serenaded by angels, Mary held it all as treasure and pondered them in her heart. Mary demonstrated the reflective and quiet life. Will we be attentive and reflective or busy and noisy? The quiet life awaits.

Advent ABC's: Overcoming

Are you an over or under achiever? Are you an over or under comer? Okay, I know that you won’t find undercomer in the dictionary—there’s a red squiggly line under it right now as I type. But for the moment let’s pretend there is, because if we can OVERcome then there must be some who UNDERcome.

In John’s first epistle he writes: 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. (1 John 5:3-5, TNIV)

Gravity is a good thing. It holds onto us and keeps our things in place. It is a little frustrating as I get older that it seems to be pulling things down and I will never understand how the throw rugs move all on their own—but I digress. It also seems that there is another force that pulls us further into this world and it is not good. This force seems able to detect the weakest points of our resolve and character, and draws us into all sorts of evil and destruction. It is this later force that seeks to make us undercomers.

In his final teachings and words to the disciples, Jesus tells them this: 33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, NLT) It’s a good verse, but it only implies what I want Jesus to say, nay shout quite clearly: you can be an overcomer, too! But he doesn’t. And why not?

This overcoming business is pretty tricky. I’ve seen in others, and personally experienced in myself, that when I have times of victory they can often go to my head. Truth be told, those victories can sometimes create a Superme attitude. At those times I take on too much and I become “overzealous.” The down side is that I’ve also seen spiritual or moral failure result in “Poor me” syndrome which leads to undercoming.

So I looked again at Jesus’ words as recorded in John, it occurred to me that perhaps I can pack my super cape away. What I really need is to just face each situation, each trial or sorrow, all the good and bad, one by one with Jesus by my side. I will be an overcomer when I come over in faith to him and allow him to guide me each step of the way.

Advent ABC's: Neglect

I just dusted and cobwebbed my house. I had to do that or I wouldn’t have been able to write today’s thought. Today is N. And the word that jumped off the page of my concordance at me was neglect. Ugh. Right before I looked at the concordance I was sitting at my desk scanning my bookshelf. My eyes came upon my copy of the “One Year Devotional Bible.” (Insert defeated sigh and shoulder shrug.) More neglect.

At my suggestion, our Curves is going to be open on New Year’s Day. I wanted to start the year right! I want to help our members set real goals that they can keep through the year. I want them to get to the end of the year and be amazed at how they didn’t forget, how they were able to achieve, and how good they feel about it all. Now, I know what that means: Tina is going to be doing a lot of work. My N word for the year will probably be NAG. I know if I don’t stay on them, they will likely forget their goals.

As I was running the duster around my house, pulling down more cobwebs than I care to own up to, I was wondering why God doesn’t nag? Why doesn’t he “get on us” more? Shouldn’t that be the job of the Holy Spirit? But I quickly repented of that way of thinking: nobody likes a nag. So how do we avoid spiritual neglect?

I closed my eyes and envisioned all my friends coming to my house and the cobwebs hung as thick as moss on the trees in South Carolina. It was so heavy and I was so terribly embarrassed. Thankfully, I’ve done better at keeping my house clean, but somehow those webs just develop. I have to stay on top, stay ahead of them.

Spiritually, it’s not so different. As I pondered how I would do better in the battle against neglect, I was reminded of the writer of Hebrew encouraging words: 1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us (Hebrews 12:1, NIV). The antidote to neglect is perseverance.

I remember early on in my years of sermon prep that I came across the difference between perseverance and endurance. The key difference is one of position. When you endure, it’s like having your shoulder to the stone; like you’re always under something. To persevere, on the other hand, is to be ahead. A second component is attitude. Perseverance’s attitude is positive and empowered, while endurance is weighted and fearful.

Scripture has some pretty scary things to say in warning us about neglecting our salvation, neglecting the needs of others, neglecting our relationships. We need to work at look at these things, including our spiritual life, from a more perseverance mindset. We can’t be afraid or weighted down, we need to
be empowered and out ahead.

So what have you been neglecting? Who? My house is pretty much cobweb free and I even dusted off that devotion to get it ready for next year. How about you?

Advent ABC's: Myrrh

I googled: What are the most popular baby shower gifts, and this is what one site suggested:
Bouncy Seat
Baby monitor
Bedding
Baby sling
Activity gym
Bath kit
Library of children books
Out-and-about Kit
Sleep Kit
Set up a group of meal providers

And here I thought it was disposable diapers.

Any way you look at it, myrrh would probably not be on anybody’s 10 ten list! Someone suggested that if the gifts had come from Three Wise Women instead of Three Wise Men, the gifts would have been way more practical! Gold and frankincense were less likely to be questioned, but myrrh? Why would you give a new mother the equivalent of embalming fluid as a baby gift?

There are those who suggest that Jesus lived his whole life with the end in mind. Imagine how he must have felt coming into the carpenter shop to work with his Dad Joe. Carpenters didn’t just fashion furniture, there was pretty good money to be had for making coffins and crosses. Imagine Jesus fashioning a cross.

What can we learn from Jesus in this matter of living with the end in mind? What difference would it make in our everyday decisions and how we set our goals? If we thought the words we said to someone were the last words we would say, would be the last words someone would remember, would we speak more kindly, more directly, more honestly?

Advent ABC's: Luck

During my years of pastoral ministry, I had the privilege of working as assistant pastor to an extremely gifted man, Lester Clark. I learned so much from him. One of the things that shapes who I am and how I function can be directly attributed to Pastor Clark’s teaching. He didn’t believe in luck. He was so convinced on this matter that he didn’t call carry-in dinners Pot Lucks, he called them Pot Blessings.

Luck is defined as “a combination of circumstances, events, etc., operating by chance to bring good or ill to a person” (dictionary.com). Synonyms for luck include: happenstance, karma, and fortuitousness. For me the reason I don’t believe in luck is in the essence or definition: the idea of chance. Chance meeting. What are the chances of that happening?

If we believe in luck, then we would believe that it was fortuitous that Mary was betrothed to kind-hearted Joseph, a man who would go completely against the norm and go ahead and take her as his wife. We consider them quite fortunate for having shown up at the only inn with a stable still available and an inn keeper’s wife with a conscience when it came to sending a woman about to deliver out into the night. I don’t believe it was luck. I believe was God was working all things for good.

Another place where I don’t luck, but see God is in the ways our paths cross at just the right time with people who touch and change our lives. When I was teaching classes in my last job, I would share with the class at the outset that I didn’t know why we were together, but that I completely believe that God put us there on purpose and for a purpose. I would refer to 1 Corinthians 12:18b: God has put each part just where he wants it (NLT).

Are you feeling lucky, or blessed? How do you look at and consider the circumstances of your life? Have you missed any divine appointments lately? Have you snarled about an inconvenience or interruption recently instead of considering God was working for your good or the good of someone around you? Consider changing your perspective and don’t leave anything to chance.

Advent ABC's: Kick Against the Goad

He marched into the office where Pepa and I were working on our computers. Came right over to my chair and spun me around, and proceded to climb up into my lap. He didn't say a word. He didn't have to. It's Wednesday evening at 6:30. He needed a nap. It had been the same last week, but then we had loaded into the car to head for church. I finished buckling him in and was just getting into my seat when he asked, "Would it be all right if I slept on the way?" We hadn't gone two blocks before he was fall over the seat asleep.

So tonight, with his head nestled into my shoulder, I began to rock in my chair and sing the ABC Lullaby:
Apples for babies, cats, and dogs. Elephants, foxes, giraffes and hogs. Ice cream. Jelly beans. Kangaroos and llamas. Monkey's nose. Ostrich toes. Penguins quietly race on snow. Turkey umbrellas. Violin's wings. Xylophones. Yo-yos. Zebras.

I probably sang it about ten times and I stopped to listen to his deep, rest-full breaths. Down for the count.

The ABC Lullaby is something I came up with right after the birth of our granddaughter six years ago. I sang it to her every day of her first six months. Then she and her mommy moved and started a new life. They added a baby brother to their family and he heard the song, but not nearly as much. But it was the third grandchild who has owned the song as his.

A few weeks ago, he seemed so tired and out of sorts that I pulled him onto my lap and started to sing--hoping for both our sakes that he would fall asleep. He wanted no part of it. He put his hand over my mouth to keep me from singing. He looked up and tiredly explained, "I don't want to sleep."

Isn't that just like us? We know what we need, but hold up our hand, telling loved ones and maybe even God that we really don't want it. We don't want to change. We don't want to give or forgive. We don't want move on. We don't want to try. We just can't right now. We know in our heart of hearts we really do, so why not give in, give up, go on? What song have you been fighting against hearing? What message have you tried to avoid?

Today's Advent ABC letter is K. For some reason the phrase, "Kick agains the goads" came to mind. It's not a phrase we hear or use much these days. It refers to the poke or prod that is given to move or direct cattle or donkeys. It can be pretty sharp and painful for the animal being directed, and often they will rear up or kick up against the poke.

Sometimes the pokes or prods come gently as a word from a friend, but sometimes it's more like smack upside the head. What will it take to get your attention? And will you listen, move, obey? Aren't you tired of fighting, of kicking against the goads?

Advent ABC's: Joseph

I’m thinking about Joseph today. He doesn’t get near the press that Mary does. I, for one, think that’s unfair.

I wonder if Joseph grew up being reminded of ancestral namesake. Joseph who endured ridicule, prison, and completely undeserved punishment. Joseph who had the opportunity to squash his cruel brothers like bugs when they came begging for food. Joseph who firmly lived and believed: what you intended for harm, God intended for good. Joseph the great model of forgiveness.

Joseph demonstrated an amazing spiritual maturity. How hard it must have been for him to go against the norm and not send Mary away. He was righteous, but kind. He was sensitive to Mary’s situation, but it wasn’t until the angel visited him that he began to see that he had a greater role in this plan of God’s. How would we have handled the news, the whispers, God’s plan, our part if we were in Joseph’s shoes?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCYF_qtSfDA

Advent ABC's: Imitators

1Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2, NIV)

Imitations. Does that bring a good or bad image to your mind? When I think of imitations one of the first things to come to mind are the cheap, poor copies of Barbie that I had as a child. I longed for the real thing, but the closest I ever got was a Woolworth’s imitation. Recently I shared a recipe for Seafood Lasagna with a friend and it called for “imitation crab.” She asked if she could use the real thing because neither she nor her husband liked the fake stuff. They were quite happy with the results when the opted use the real thing.

Thinking of today’s admonition to imitate God fills me with a little trepidation. Over the years I’ve seen some really bad imitations and imitators. My own example is not without moments of pitiful reflection. Thankfully, the period doesn’t come after the instruction. Have you ever considered what a difference it makes to know that you are a dearly loved child, that you are loved so much that Jesus gave himself up as a sacrifice for us out of love?

Some of the poorest examples are the result of playing at something folks “know” they are supposed to get and do, but don’t really understand. It reminds me of a guy in college who when the altar call was extended went and literally crawled upon the altar. He was trying to lay his all on the altar. He didn’t understand that God was asking for his life. Fortunately, he stuck around long enough to figure it out—both for him and the many hundreds of kids he worked with as a pastor.

So as we wade deeper into this time of preparation and readying, I wonder if it wouldn’t be good to spend some time at the spiritual mirror. When you think about seeing yourself as God sees you, what do you see? How’s your IQ, your imitation quotient? It will be seen in the way that you both receive and give love.

Advent ABC's: Humble

Jesus invited the weary ones to come to him, to learn from him, for he was gentle and humble. Gentleness, as we discussed yesterday, is strength under control. Jesus exhibited that strength in his incarnation. He was very God and very Man. For me, that’s like trying to comprehend the national debt: it’s just too big to wrap my brain around.

So how shall we understand Jesus’ humility? It seems to be easier to identify what humbleness is by saying what it isn’t. For sure, it isn’t arrogant or proud. Innate to humility is the attitude of serving other. Paul speaks to this issue of humility in the same passage we read yesterday: 7but [he] made himself nothing, taking the very nature[b] of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:7-8)

In “Baker’s Dictionary of Theology,” the entry regarding humility uses such phrases as unselfconscious and selfless. I can’t imagine that this image did much to inspire the crowds. They were oppressed. They wanted a hero Messiah who would restore them to power and respect. Jesus wanted them to learn how to keep their strength reined in and put others first. He seems to expound on this in the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount, especially when he tells them to go the other mile and turn the other cheek.

Yet somehow this must have resonated in the hearts of those who loved and followed him. In Peterson’s “The Message” he uses a phrase in his translation of the Matthew 11 passage, “Learn the unforced rhythm of grace.” Their souls craved that rhythm. They longed for what would set them aright. They needed to get back to original plan.

Did you know that the root for our word humble and humility is humus, dirt or ground? What was it that we were created from? In Genesis 2, it says that God formed the man from the dust of the ground. Humbleness is in our DNA, Jesus came to bring us back to who and how were created. He was born as a baby, in poverty. He lived a simple life, serving others, loving others, healing others. But his ultimate demonstration of humility and obedience was his acceptance of your sin and mine as he died upon that cross.

How will you learn of him this Advent? Where will you find and share gentleness and humility?

Advent ABC's: Gentle

Learn from me, for I am gentle. Jesus could have said, “Learn from me because I say so. Because I am almighty, omnipotent, omniscient, holy, wise, eternal, God. “ But he bi-passed all those for gentle.

When you think of gentle, what comes to mind? Is it a strong word or a weak one? I don’t consider it very power-full, or very masculine. I read somewhere, many years ago, that gentleness is not weakness, but in fact strength under control. The image that comes to mind for me is a man’s large strong hand. In a fit of anger it might punch a hole in the wall, but it can also tenderly hold a child.

Paul writes to the Philippians that: 5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped. (Philippians 2:5-6) He set aside all the qualities and attributes of God and crawled into human flesh. We read of incidents during his ministry where he did not rely on his Godness. He had all the power, but he controlled it.

What could you learn from Jesus’ gentleness?

Advent ABC's: Freedom

It’s an epic movie moment. Mel Gibson as William Wallace, in the movie “Braveheart”, raises his sword and calls them to unite: “They may take our lives, but they will never take our freedom.”

When you think of freedom, what comes to mind? Are you more of the patriotic ilk and you immediately think and thank those who gave their lives to protect our American way of life? Does your mind go to younger days when freedom meant an afternoon of playing outside until the street lights came on? Or do you start singing the old hymn “Glorious Freedom”? We are told that the truth will set us free. What truth and free from what? Jesus in his first recorded “sermon” read from Isaiah that the Messiah would bring freedom to the captive.

Freedom was not a new concept to the children of God. The Old Testament scriptures contain numerous references to freedom. In Psalms there is a particularly interesting verse: I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments. (119:45, NLT) Freedom does not imply lack of restraints. In part, we find freedom when we live within the limitations prescribed for us.

Paul writes to the Galatians: It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (5:1, NIV) Freedom is a precious gift from God. Nothing in this life is worth giving it up for.

Advent ABC's: Eat

20 “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.

When I was growing up, dinner was always at 6:00PM. We were expected to be there. We were expected to eat everything on our plates. I never expected to enjoy it. My mother would cook, but never ate with us. My father sat at the head of the table and after a quick reciting of GodisgreatGodisgood;letusthankhimforourfoodAmen, he would just as quickly announce: Sit up, shut up, and eat. Little was said and that was always for the better.

During high school, I loved the times when a bunch of us would go out to eat. I loved when we would go out to places like Farrells or Elby’s. It was a treat to just sit at McDonalds and have a cocoa and apple pie. College expanded the meal time experience. The cafeteria was small then and we would go in to eat late and just sit there and drink coffee and talk and laugh long after the kitchen closed.

While I was in college I also traveled with music and ministry groups. I was utterly amazed at how people opened there homes to us and oh how they fed us. So it’s not hard to see why this invitation to eat with Jesus drew me into such a special place with him.

It must have meant a lot to those who Jesus ate with while he was here on earth ministering, too. Think about Zacchaeus. He had to climb into a tree just to catch a glimpse of Jesus, but Jesus picked him out and invited himself to Zach’s house for dinner. It was life changing for Zach. Simon the Pharisee could have quite the same experience, but he didn’t seem to be open to really sharing that meal as Jesus’ friend. Makes me sad for what he missed.

As we move further into this Advent season and prepare to receive the real Gift of Christmas this verse presses two points on my heart and mind. First, will we be able to hear or sense Jesus knocking at our door, or will we be too busy or not even at home? We wouldn’t want to miss sharing a meal with this Friend. And will we be open to sharing table with others? On Thanksgiving morning last week I was chatting with a friend online. Casually I asked what her plans were, not even imagining that she wouldn’t have any. The thought of her spending the day alone was more than I could stomach. After a little cajoling she joined us for dinner. It was pure delight to have her with us. But it made me realize that there were probably others eating alone. I won’t ever assume again that they have plans—I will ask. Won’t you?

Not every meal can be like eating at Farrells, but there’s joy to be had in the sharing of little when it’s shared with friends.

Advent ABC's: Discouragement

5 Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Savior and 6 my God! Psalm 42:5

The words to the old gospel song ask: Why should I be discouraged? Why should the shadows come? …When Jesus is my portion, a constant friend is he. His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me. I sing because I’m happy. I sing because I’m free. For his eye is on the sparrow, and I know he
watches me.

When I went to the online concordance to read what the scriptures had to say about discouragement, I was surprised by what I found. The majority of references to discourage were preceded by the phrase, “don’t be afraid.” Fear and discouragement are linked. Now I’m imagining that there are as many reasons to be discouraged as there are to be afraid. They will differ with the individual and their makeup. And I guess the connection makes sense when you consider that to be dis-couraged is to be without courage.

I also read Psalm 42 with a whole new perspective. Read verse 5 above. Read it quickly. Do not camp out at the end of the second question. That’s our tendency, isn’t it? We pitch our tent somewhere between Discouragement Village and Sadness City. But it seems to me that the writer of the Psalm wants to us to reconsider our pausing at that point. There’s no camping, no pity-me party, none of it! There is the resoluteness of the hymn writer: How can I be discouraged when Jesus is my portion? How can I be sad when my hope is in the God whose eye is ever on me? On you.

Perhaps this year has held changes that have felt way more than you could bear. Huge losses. Intense heartache. It may have seemed like you were swimming in a sea of why questions. The Psalmist doesn’t seem to wait for an answer for his why questions, he just automatically moves to hope and praise for his Savior and his God. Is it time to stop paddling in that same old pool? Is it time to surrender why to hope and praise?

Maybe you want to sing along: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOm2mMusqUw

Advent ABC's: Camels

Swallowed any camels lately? In Matthew 23, Jesus is really coming down pretty hard on the religious establishment, the Pharisees. He calls them blind guides and hypocrites more than once in the tirade. Jesus seems very concerned that they attempt to make a really good presentation, but lack the inner substance to back it up. They were majoring in the minors and leaving the camel in the middle of the room unattended…and what a mess that ended up making of things!

How many of our homes are decorated for Christmas, both inside and out, but our hearts are sorely unattended to? How many parties and functions will we go to, dressed in our holiday best, but not even considering our spiritual attire? How many gifts will be purchased to impress spouses, lovers, kids and grandkids, bosses, and friends while the greatest gift we can give to the One who deserves it most will be either ignored or stretched so thin that little would even remain to give?

I read a post online by someone recently who was going on about how much they love Advent. They love the songs, the parties, the shopping, the eats. It made my heart sad. The purpose of Advent is not to get the world around us ready for the biggest gift giving day of the year. The purpose of Advent is to reflect on the greatest gift ever given and to be sure that our hearts are ready to receive it.

The Wisemen rode camels to find Jesus. That seems a much wiser thing to do than to swallow one and miss the Master.

Advent ABC's: Bondage

"For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father.'" (Rom. 8:15).

It’s a lot easier to write when I don’t envision my friends’ smirking faces as they read what I’ve written. In particular, I can see Heidi’s grin as she scans over these words. I see her face because it’s her voice I hear in my head right now. I’ve been playing back a conversation we had on Friday as we ate ice cream and sucked down several cups of coffee. “What are you so afraid of?” she asked me.

I had no answer then. I don’t have one now. What I do have is a heavy weight sitting right on my chest, squashing me, squeezing all the air out. Fear is that weight, but I don’t know what it is fear of exactly. Failure. Rejection. Pointlessness. All of the above. None of the above.

Fear is not a new companion. I have lived most of my life afraid of something. I remember the physical frozenness when I was in hospital chaplaincy training and how hard it was to make myself walk through that door. I have been so afraid of driving in weather. Fear has affected my friendships, my relationship with my husband, my job performance.

So when I started researching for today’s word, I started by doing a keyword search on bound. Nothing jumped. I switched to bind. Nope. I googled “spiritual bondage.” Getting closer. Then I pulled out my Theological Dictionary and was directed to the above scripture reference. It wasn’t until I read it a few times that one word jumped up and bit me on the nose. Again.

Chapter 7 of Romans is one of the Bible’s great wrestling matches. My other favorite is Jacob and the Angel. Anyway, in Romans 7, Paul is describing the internal wrestling match he has between doing the good he wants to do and the not-good that he ends up doing. Near the end of the match, Paul asks the question, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?” The answer is Romans 8:1: Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. Paul wants us to know that God has not set us free to be put into slavery, or bondage AGAIN.

In Christ Jesus we are not just set free, but we are adopted into the closest of relationships. To call God Abba is to refer to him in a dependent and loving way as would a child and with the respect that an adult has for his or her parent. It is a relationship that is completely secure and that’s what releases us from the bondage of fear.

As we wade even deeper into Advent, let us marvel at the freedom that Jesus came to offer. Let’s take time to identify and surrender our fears to him. I mean seriously, aren’t you getting tired of the wrestling match?
1. Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.

2. Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.

http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh196.sht

Advent ABC's: Abiding

When I first thought about writing on today’s topic, I thought that I was going to write about really living into a place. This is our first holidays in our new home and the whole idea of decorating and entertaining is something I’m looking forward to. Oddly, the biblical image that came to mind was a negative one. I thought of the Prodigal Son’s older brother. He was pretty miffed when Father threw the party for the useless piece of related DNA. He went into the whole: I never left home. I’ve been loyal and you never even gave me a goat to party with my buds. He was home the whole time, but never really there.

But that’s not what I want to write about. I was thinking about abiding and I went to John’s gospel to Jesus’ words in chapter 15. I have always thought of this as the “abiding” passage, in the same way that 1 Corinthians is the love chapter, and Psalm 23 is the Shepherd Psalm. I ended up pulling out my Greek New Testament, and my Lexicons. And I found something I never noticed before.

Chapter 15 contains multiple references to abiding or remaining. We are to remain in the vine. We are to abide in his love. We are to allow his words to abide in us. The word “meno” is used throughout the New Testament and means to dwell, lodge, rest settle, endure, continue unchanged, to persevere, to be constant, to be in close and settled union. In John 15:16 Jesus uses it to refer to producing fruit that will last, that will be permanent.

Our hot water heater went out on Thanksgiving. Thankfully, it was at the end of the day after almost all the dishes had been washed and daughter was able to do all the laundry she had brought with her to dinner. Things like that happen. What made this particularly frustrating is that the hot water heater had been replaced right before we moved in here in June of this year—6 months ago. There not supposed to break down that fast. When I was sharing this event, someone was quick to remind me that fewer and fewer things are made to last these days. We live in a disposable age where the economy depends on consumers buying new instead of trying to repair.

I was also thinking about this when I sat down the other night with my grandkids to watch a Christmas program on TV. There were so many commercials geared to stir up a greedy spirit in them. Buy this new toy. Get this new upgrade. Your life won’t be complete without this gadget. I looked at my grandkids and saw their wide-eyed innocent lives being grabbed. They didn’t know what I knew, that sure it looked good, but the fascination would wane and the toy would most likely break before the day was out. It just wouldn’t last.

That may be the sad truth in the consumer world, but in the spiritual realm we need something different. We need to be about producing fruit that will last. As you move into this Advent season will you ask God to show you how to connect your life to things will last?

Z: Zarepheth

(We have arrived at the end of November's ABC's. Today's Z: Zarephath is now posted. Since Advent begins tomorrow, I will be starting a daily Advent Series called "Don't Rush Me.")

Eventually the brook dried up because of the drought. Then God spoke to him: "Get up and go to Zarephath in Sidon and live there. I've instructed a woman who lives there, a widow, to feed you." 1 Kings 17:1

The “you” of the story is the prophet Elijah. Elijah has learned to listen to the voice of God and was quick to obey. But this instruction would really test his commitment. First, to go to Sidon was to truly head into enemy territory. That alone would make it a difficult assignment. The “where” he was to go paled in difficulty compared to the instruction that he was to entrust his needs to a widow. There were very strict guidelines on the care of widows and taking advantage of them was strictly forbidden. It would be hard to see God’s instruction as anything but taking advantage.

Interestingly, Zarephath means “place of refining.” Scripture seems to be full of instances where God asked what appeared to be impossible of those who were following him. Think of Abraham asked to leave home and everything familiar. He finally gets what seems to be the answer to God’s promise and the next thing he knows, God is requiring that he sacrifice his son, his only son, Isaac. Moses, a wanted killer, is required to go back to the scene of the crime. Gideon weeds out his army down to 300 and God expects him to take on an army that was more numerous than the sand on the shore. All were places and experiences of refining.

I don’t know about you, but I sometimes feel like God leaves me in Zarephath for way to long. Even in his instruction to Elijah, God gives a clue that this in not going to be an overnight experience. Elijah is told that he will live there. It reminds me of God’s instruction the Hebrews in captivity. In Jeremiah 29:3, God sends the message that they were to build homes and plan to stay. Later in that chapter he tells them that they will be in Babylon for seventy years. That’s some serious refining.

Refining, like pruning, can be a painful process. It is the end result that makes the process worthwhile. Will you trust God’s process in your life? What is he refining to make purely amazing in you?

Y: Yield

Be generous: Invest in acts of charity. Charity yields high returns. Ecc. 11:1, The Message

17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. James 3:17, NLT

One of the most useless roads signs these days, besides a Speed Limit sign in Texas, is the Yield sign. We don’t yield well. Today is “Black Friday” and as I’m writing it is 6:27AM. My husband has already left the house to join the throngs of die-hard shoppers looking for the elusive perfect buy. Wasn’t it just last year when someone was killed in a frantic stampede to get into Wal Mart?

Here’s your challenge for today: yield. Defer to someone else’s preference. Give up your place in line. Let someone else have the last piece of pecan pie. Loving actions yield high returns. The impact for the Kingdom could last forever.

Pausing For Thanks Giving

The daily note for Y is all ready, but I'm going to save it for tomorrow. One reason is that it really seems to fit better and for another, I just want to reflect on my blessings today.

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it. ~William Arthur Ward

This is the quote I put on the board at Curves the other day. It reminded me a practice that Nelson and I have developed over the years. One of us will say something about how we were touched or impressed by someone, or how much we appreciate them, or something like that. Then the receiver of that info will look at the other and ask: so did you tell them that? This will typically result in a card, letter, email, or phone call. Take the gratitude directly to the place it needs to go.

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow. ~Melody Beattie

I was looking for the first quote when I found this one this morning and I really like it. I read lots of Thanksgiving and gratitude quotes this week and I have to put this one at the top of the list. I went through a few moments of venting frustration yesterday. I felt unappreciated and taken advantage of. After I let off some of the steam I was able to see how easy it was to get sidetracked and slip down the hill into self-pity. As soon as I shifted my vision back onto what I had and how thankful I am for it, I felt myself becoming clear and at peace. Things may not be the way I want them, but I have so much. There's no sense in whining and pining for what I don't have. What I have is more blessing than I deserve.

Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving. ~W.T. Purkiser

The irony of me using a quote by Purkiser today will be missed by most, but that's okay. The quote is good and a great springboard for me to move not just through this day but into all my tomorrows. What will you do with your blessings today?

X: xwpew

Today’s letter is X. I know that some of you wondered what I was going to do at this point. I did too. There are not many words that start with x and even fewer in the Bible. I could always write on Xerxes, but I’m thinking, no.

So I pulled out my Analytical Greek Lexicon and began looking at x words there. There were many to choose from. I thought about rejoice and grace—both seemed appropriate for the day and season. Then I read a little further in the list and came upon xwpew. It is used ten times in the New Testament and it has something to do with come, or make room. Now there’s a word for the eve of Thanksgiving.

How much room have you made for people to come? Nelson invited his folks for dinner. I’m excited to have them come to our new home. He also invited a guy from work who was going to have to be home alone. Our older daughter who lives in Indiana called to ask if a friend of hers who may not have a place to go could come with her and Penelope. Asher will be with us and Beth when she gets off work. We have two dining room tables, a card table, and a fold away table we can use. And there are actually eight dining room chairs, four metal folding chairs, and at least four desk chairs we could pull to the table. There is physical space to spare!

But how much room is there in our hearts and lives for people? How welcoming is our spirit? It’s often easier to set another place than to give them a place in your heart.

As I was thinking about this and trying to formulate these thoughts a black ball of purring fur jumped into my lap and climbed into my face. Last night two cats found our front porch. They had obviously been raised around people. One was larger, black with white front mittens and white socks on his back legs. He seemed to be protecting the little black and gray tiger kitten. The tiger is one big cuddle bug who never seems to stop purring. He has been dubbed Purrkins. I actually went to the internet to research famous White Sox players to find a name for the other and he is now responding to the name Jackson (as in Shoeless Joe). Jackson took a little longer to warm up. We put them out for the night, but they were right at the door wanting in this morning. Right now, after a good pet and cuddle session, Jackson is sleeping at my feet while Purrkins is curled up in Nelson’s desk chair.

I have a feeling I’m going to learn many lessons through these two. I don’t think it’s a mistake that they ended up on my front porch. More than deciding whether I wanted to “mess” with a couple cats, I had to first decide whether I was going to let them into my heart—and into my pocket. Life is full of choices like that. People end up on our “front porches” everyday. Will we let them in? Will we find room? Our God is all about bringing people in and making room. How about you?

W: Wonder

Today’s word is wonder. I sat here yesterday and watched videos about wonder. I walked around my house and sang “O, the wonder of it all.” I thought about it a lot today. When did we lose the wonder?

I remember standing at the Grand Canyon, speechless, trying to absorb the magnitude and the beauty. I held my grandson seconds after he was born. I have experienced a depth of love and forgiveness from people who could have leveled heavy justice and judgment. O, the wonder of it all.

How’s your wonder when it comes to the Christmas story? The miracles of Christmas? Can you still come to the manger with the wide-eyed wonder of a child? O, the wonder of it all.

V: Vulnerable

I'm not a huge fan of showing my vulnerable side. So I was pretty happy when I seemed to get the sense from my pastor's sermon on Sunday that we were to be armed by the Spirit so that we wouldn't be vulnerable to his attacks. As the day went on, I felt a nudging by the Spirit. Perhaps you know the kind, where he lets know you've been thinking or looking at something in the wrong way. I was drawn back to a verse from our women's Bible study earlier in the week. We were at the place where Jesus was sending the disciples out on their first solo mission. According to Matthew's account, he tells them that he is sending them out as sheep among the wolves and that they are to wise as serpents and innocent as doves (see Matthew 10:5ff, especially verse 16).

What I saw in this is that being vulnerable is both and. We are to be very savvy when it comes to the attacks of the enemy. We need to be dressed fully in the protection of the Lord (see Ephesians 6:13-17). We need to take our thoughts captive or be a captive. We need to be ready to "beat feet" if need be so that we can get away.

On the other hand we are to be innocent as doves. That just seems to speak of our implicit vulnerability. We need to stay vulnerable to our brothers and sisters and to God. We need to be careful to not get so cocky in our armor that we lose touch with one another. We really do need each other. We are admonished by the writer of Hebrews that we are not to neglect meeting together and encouraging one another (Hebrews 10:25). One of the impetuses for the Wesleyan movement was John Wesley's awareness of our need for accountability.

We also need to stay vulnerable with God. That sounds so obvious, but if we were to take the time to honestly examine this area we might see how we have tended to shut God out of certain decisions, how we have attempted to maneuver through situations in our own strength, or how we have determined not to bother God with something that we deem trivial.

Two incidents immediately jump to mind as I reflect on how we struggle with the trivial, or small. Way back when I was in seminary for the first time, a classmate came to chapel and a begged us to join him in a specific prayer request. His wife had delivered their son prematurely. Things were improving for Matthew, but Jim asked us to pray that God would help Matthew drink one ounce and keep it down. The request revolutionized my prayer life. Never again would I see anything as too small for God. Fast forward to a current situation. The grown daughter of dear friends is battling with a constriction of her esophagus. She has been undergoing endoscopy procedures to stretch her esophagus. As I was praying for her I remembered little Matthew. God cared about his ability to drink one ounce--which he did, by the way! God, the God who created the universe also created microbes too small for the human eye to see unassisted. He cares about millimeters. Nothing is too small for him. Stay open and pliable, vulnerable to Him.

So are you vulnerable? I hope the answer is no and yes. I pray that you are increasing in awareness and discipline to protect yourself from the wiles of the evil one. I also pray that you keep a vulnerable, innocent and open, heart before God and your brothers and sisters in the Lord. It is when you are both that you find that you are fruitful and productive in the Lord (2 Peter 1:3-8).

U: Undivided

Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. Psalm 86:11, NIV

I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 11:19, NIV

I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord. 1Corinthians 7:35, NIV

I don’t know about you, but I used to wonder why we drilled so much on math. No wait, when I drilled it was called arithmetic. I just had to use my little phrase to even help me spell the word: a rat in the house might eat the ice cream. And now there is no such thing in studies as arithmetic. But I digress.

When I would groan about spending time on my multiplication tables or working out long division, be sure to show your work, my father would always tell me that I would need it someday. Well, at that moment someday looked a long way off when all I wanted to do was go out and play. So even when it came to math I had a divided heart.

We may not think about the Divided Heart Syndrome, but we live with it every day. Our case may not be as bad as Paul’s (read Roman’s 7 for his symptom description), but we know the way it impacts us: we feel torn between what we know we should, ought, or need to do and what we want to do. This may be as simple as needing to clean out the garage but wanting to sit in front of the TV soaking in every sporting event on a Sunday, or trying to ignore the laundry so that you can sit down with a good book. Those examples probably won’t get you into too much trouble unless your wife wants to park her car in that garage. Where we really get into trouble is when these mundane choices bleed their way into our spiritual life.

I spent a lot of years chasing after perfection in my faith. I thought that if I just read enough scripture, attended enough worship services or Bible studies, prayed hard enough, and devoted myself to service I might achieve it. I really took to heart what I thought Kierkegaard’s “purity of heart is to will one thing.” But the harder I tried the more I wrestled like Paul, the thing that I wanted to do I could not and the thing I didn’t want just seemed to keep on happening. I felt so divided I must have been Humpty Dumpty’s sister.

Slowly, it began to dawn on me that perhaps that to “will one thing” was not the same as to do one thing. I started to believe that the heart of flesh that God wanted to give me wouldn’t necessarily result in a perfection of actions or maybe even attitudes, but it would result in a cleansing of my desires. David writes in Psalm 37:4 that if we will delight ourselves in Him that he will give us our heart’s desires. I no longer see this as God donning a Santa suit and filling my grown up wish list, but that he will put in my heart the desire to desire things he desires. And then, I will find the will to will one thing.

So are you feeling a bit scattered? Oddly enough, ‘tis the season. How crazy is that? In the season when we should be the most focused, we find ourselves the most out of focus. When a spirit of Thanksgiving should waltz us right to the manger , we find ourselves quick stepping all over the place.

My prayer for all of us today is that we would be willing to stop the division and allow God to place in our hearts the desire to live by a unified spirit. He does an amazing job of bringing the pieces together if we’ll let Him.

T: Theme

My heart overflows with a good theme; I address my verses to the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Psalm 45:1 NASB

What is the theme of your life? Here are some definitions I found of the word theme to help you begin to think about the theme of your life:
-a unifying or dominating idea
-in music: a short melodic subject from which variations are developed.
-in linguistics: A word or phrase in a sentence, usually providing information from previous discourse or shared knowledge, that the rest of the sentence elaborates or comments on. Also called theme.


So when you look at the glass, is it half full, or half empty? Typically, I feel like my cup is overflowing. Even if I considered the glass to have “less” in it, I would find some way to see the light heartedness of the missing quantity, and be thankful for what I had. People ask me how I am and my answer is typically the same: I’m great. And even if I’m not, I am. It’s almost as if I don’t know how to be any other way. That level of optimism always seems to come out in the way I write, too. I may not always be perky. I get tired (more like weary) and discouraged sometimes, but I can’t stay there.

Do you know your themes? I did some reading about this on the internet. There’s quite a bit on there. One of the suggestions for discovering your themes is to think of two of your most favorite books. Once those are identified, look at the lead characters and consider the ways you most connect with them. If that doesn’t help, try using music or movies. Your themes will surface in the things you connect with or are drawn to.

Why would it be important to understand the themes in your life? I believe that when we can understand the things that motivate us and define us then we can operate more freely and fully. Whether we realize it or not our themes become filters for the decisions that we make. Wouldn’t it be better to know what those are and work with them instead of against them? And when we can understand the process in ourselves we will be better adept at understanding and working with the themes in our children, family, and co-workers.

Now, while some themes are just part of who we are, we can choose to add themes to our lives as well. I was thinking about this as I was contemplating the quickly arriving New Year and the dreaded process of making resolutions. What if instead of making a list of promised do’s and don’ts for 2010 we spent some of our quiet time allowing the Spirit to bring a theme to the surface that could serve as a guide for our decisions and relationships? Write it on a card, cross-stitch it, put it on your computer wallpaper, place it wherever you need to so that you will be reminded of that theme. Then when you have a tough decision to make you can be reminded, when relationships are stalled or strained, when you want to give up or give in, you will find renewed strength, hope, determination, or peace to get you through. It sure sounds like something that could stick with us beyond the first week of January.

Many years ago I tried this and my word was contentment. I wasn’t sure I liked all the implications, but I trusted when it came to me that I needed to heed it. It was a rough year that resulted in many personal sacrifices, but with each one I was able to come through with a deeper sense of peace and trusting . I’ve been praying for a theme for next year. I’m starting to see what it may be. I’m excited and challenged. Do you know your themes? What theme will guide you for the future?

S: Satisfied

I remember being asked, quite sarcastically when I was younger, “Are you satisfied now?” Typically the question came when I was being perceived as annoying and it often resulted in my mother crying or becoming enraged. Being satisfied, then, was never a good thing.

So it was pretty amazing when I was in seminary and studying the Beatitudes to come across this: 6"Blessed are (A)those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. (Matt. 5:6, NASB). The word for satisfied is often translated filled, but it is a richer word than that. The root refers to an enclosure, or pasture-ground. The verb means to feed or fill with grass; to fatten; to satiate or gorge.

Now a couple things jump out at me immediately with this. First, when was the last time you were gorged? With Thanksgiving right around the corner it shouldn’t be too hard to come up with a time. We’re already full from a wonderful meal and yet somehow we find just enough room to squeeze in a few bites of dessert, with whipped cream, please. And pardon me while I loosen my belt. Hold onto that image and now answer me this: when was the last time you were that satiated spiritually? Are you hungering and thirsting for the things that will truly satisfy?

Then I was thinking about the root word, pasture-ground and enclosure. My mind drifted back to the image of the Good Shepherd who leads his flock to lie down in green pastures. He knows where to put us so that our spirits can be fed, and fed to the fullest. His promise is that if we will hunger after him, he will completely fill us. If you’re not feeling satisfied, full on God, it’s about you—not Him!

So, I’m wondering today: Are you satisfied now? It really is a good thing!

R: Ran

"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”

This verse comes from the story of the Prodigal Son. After winding up in the pigpen, he “comes to his senses” and realizes that the servants back home had it way better than him. He figures out he has nothing to lose, so he heads home. All the way there he practices his speech. We’ve all done it, sometimes in the bathroom mirror, but we go over and over those words that are so hard to imagine saying. The coolest thing in the PS’s story is that he never gets to give the whole speech.

I have always loved this story, but it wasn’t until recently that I was captured by the father’s actions. He never gave up hope. He might have been related to the Motel 6 guy, because he always left the light on! But it was his actions when PS was finally coming home that most grab my heart. By all rights he could have stood at the gate with his arms crossed, tapping his toe, and waiting for PS to come groveling up the walk. But he didn’t! He ran across town and met PS there.

I think there are some specific reasons that Father went out to meet his son. If you’ve grown up in or around the church then you know how tongues can wag and how fast juicy gossip spreads. Father wasn’t going to let his son walk across town, facing down the verbal onslaught alone. They were all going to know just how proud he was of his son for coming home, for making the tough choice to swallow his pride, and besides, that way he could invite them to the party.

Can you see PS’s face? He’s been rehearsing his line all the way, giving emphasis to the different words. He’s tired, sweaty, and unsure of what’s going to happen when he gets home, but before he can get his words out, here comes Father. Oh no! Was he so angry that he couldn’t even wait for him to get home? What would he do now? Should he just turn and run? He had no time to think because before he knows it Father’s arms around his neck in warmest embrace!

A party is called for and immediately planned. Then, begins the arduous task of walking through town. PS can hardly believe the way Father has his arm around him. He had literally wished his father dead to get his share of the estate. Then he wastes it. He has nothing to show. Nothing to hold onto…except Father. At each house, all along the way, Father is proudly announcing PS’s return and inviting everyone to the party. Their tongues might wag, but they were going to know that Father was overjoyed at his son’s return.

There’s a gospel song that says:
the only time I ever saw Him run…
Was when He ran to me, He took me in His arms
Held my head to His chest, said “My son’s come home again”
Lifted my face, wiped the tears from my eyes
With forgiveness in His voice He said,
“Son do you know I still love you?”
He caught me by surprise when God ran .

Watch this and know this: Father loves you and runs to you, too! Let the party begin!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1O4eS9jxfM

Q: Quiet

15For thus the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said,
"In repentance and (AH)rest you will be saved,
In (AI)quietness and trust is your strength."
But you were not willing,


When our first grandchild, Penelope, was born I created an ABC lullaby that was quite effective at calming her and lulling her to sleep. She heard it nearly every day for six months and then she and her mommy moved away. My second grandchild, Caden didn’t get to hear the song much since they lived away from us when he was little. When Asher came along he lived with us and even when he and his mommy got an apartment he came to see us nearly every day. Needless to say, Asher heard the lullaby almost daily. As calming as it was for him, singing it also calmed my spirit.

I have come to appreciate quiet and not just the quiet that comes after the kids are gone. I mean the stillness of a fresh morning when I whisper even to God. This has not always been the case. For far too many years I had way too much on my on my plate. Keeping myself busy, taking on more and more tasks earned me recognition at work and seemed to impress people. So I kept at it, all the while feeling a niggling in my spirit that whispered of my need for quiet and rest. But I was not willing, and the result was tragic. I’m still trying to put the pieces back together, but some days it really doesn’t feel like there any pieces to work with (see Isaiah 30:14).

Recently Asher was obviously needing a nap, but desperately fighting to stay awake. He had crawled up into my lap so I started to sing the ABC lullaby. Knowing that he didn’t want to go to sleep, he put his hand over my mouth and said, “No, Mema.” He knew if I continued to sing he would fall asleep and he just couldn’t afford to miss anything. Or so he thought. He had a miserable afternoon which resulted in his spending some time in Time Out where, finally alone, he fell asleep.

Just like I knew that Asher needed a nap, God knows what we need. He knew what the children of Israel needed, too. They foolishly wanted to put their confidence back in Egypt. They didn’t want to trust in God or his word. The prophet is warning them that they needed to return and find their rest, their satisfaction in God and his plan. They needed to surrender their disquieted spirit and find their strength in him. But they weren’t willing. Are you?

P: Participate

Are you an observer or a participant? I know, it depends on what’s going on. My extroverted personality tends to get me involved. My lack of boundaries causes me to say yes to things I don’t always “want” to do. And because I’m somewhat ADD, well, I just don’t sit well. I like to be where things are happening. Unless the “happening” is in the kitchen or on a sports field of play. I do know my limitations.

Ah, limitations in participation. They are pretty much self-imposed, wouldn’t you agree? We have our list of “can’ts” that we are quick to recite when with really can’t or don’t want to do something. When I was a kid and my grandmother wanted to teach me to knit and crochet, I was quick to use the excuse that I was left handed and therefore couldn’t learn. I’m not exactly sure where I got that, unless it was from my first grade teach who I absolutely exasperated as she struggled to teach me how to write my letters. Perhaps she determined and announced that I was unteachable because I was left handed. Anyway, it was an excuse that served me well on summer days when I was clearly more interested in playing outdoors than learning to knit one and purl two.

All this thinking about participation, reminded me of one of my favorite passages in scripture. It was penned by Peter: 3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. (2 Peter 1:3-4, NIV)

I found this passage early on in my faith journey, thanks to a small book by Bob Benson entitled, “Come Share the Being.” You can borrow my copy, but I want it back. In it he invites to really contemplate that we have not only been invited, but we are equipped to share in the divine nature of God. You and me, with all our stuff—good and bad—have been given his great and precious promises so that we can participate in the divine nature of God. Does that give you chill bumps, or knock you upside the head, or break your heart? Think about it!

Now, given that we’ve been given ev-er-ee-thing (hear that word broken down and pronounced in a slow exaggerated manner) that we need, how (how, how, how) can we continue to throw up excuses and can’ts when God asks us to do something? It is so time to stop letting a few do the work while we observe. It is time to participate. If you’re ready to plunge right in, by all means go ahead! The water’s great! But if not, if you’re feeling a little more timid, if you need a little more confirmation (if your cousin’s name is Gideon), than stick your toe in and watch what he will do. When the Hebrew children were willing to put their toes in the Red Sea or the Jordan River they parted. You have been given everything, his precious promises, to be able to participate in his divine nature. And yes, that does mean you—no matter what your first grade teacher, or mom, or boyfriend, or boss have said!

I don’t what time the clock says as you’re reading this, but I know it’s time to stop observing and start participating. What are you waiting for? You have everything you need.

O: Open

Asher has always been the center of attention. When he was a toddler he would engage us in endless games of Follow the Leader. His latest effort to gain our attention is to announce that it’s time for Talent Show in the living room. His talent might be creating music on the piano or juggling with one ball. Last week’s offering had us all in stitches: he was performing magic.

“Watch while I make this car ‘jus-da-peer’ (meaning disappear).” Our eyes were riveted. “Watch me. Now, close your eyes.” At this point we were all required to close or cover our eyes. Once he achieved the expected compliance, and none of us were peeking, he would put the car in his pocket, under his shirt, or hide it under the footstool. Then he would announce the ‘jusdapeerance’ with a proud “Tada!” to which we gleefully responded with amazement and ovations.

“Watch me. Close your eyes.” The phrase stuck with me and I decided to meditate on it to see what God might want to teach me. A couple thoughts bubbled to the surface. First, how like us that is. We start our faith journey with eyes wide open. Then we get scared and our trust flies out the window as we shut our eyes tight. When we do that we can’t see how God is working and when we don’t see it we begin to wonder if he is working. If we would only open our eyes we might see so much of his handiwork.

As I thought longer, though, I began to see that “Watch me, close your eyes” might be exactly what God wants us to do. We walk by faith not sight—or we’re supposed to. His desire is that we would open the eyes of our heart (see Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:188ff). Thomas is told, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” After all, what is the definition of faith? According to Hebrews: 1Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (11:1, NIV).

Two songs have been welling up from within my heart today. First, is the chorus, “Open the eyes of my heart Lord…I want to see you.” And, “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound…I once was blind, but now I see.”

So I’m wondering how your vision is today? Are your spiritual eyes open? He has so much to show you and he won’t ‘jusdapeer.’

N: Nevertheless

Have you ever hunted for a verse you were just sure existed? I spent the morning trying to find a verse that I was sure used the word “nevertheless” since today’s letter is N. In my mind, I remember a woman retelling the story of the three Hebrew men, Shad, Mesch, and Ben and their conversation just before being thrown into the fiery furnace. I remember her describing them and how they told Neb that they knew God could save them, but even if he didn’t “nevertheless” they would trust him. The word is just not there---but the essence is!

So I still want to consider “nevertheless faith.” It’s the kind of faith that holds strong when everything else gives way, especially when you have asked, nay pleaded, with God to make things go a different way. It’s the kind of faith that makes no sense to anyone else, especially not to unbelievers. It is childlike, but not naïve. It is trusting, but not foolish. Here’s how the hymn writer saw it:
1. Oh, for a faith that will not shrink
Tho' pressed by many a foe;
That will not tremble on the brink
Of poverty or woe;

2. That will not murmur nor complain
Beneath the chast'ning rod,
But in the hour of grief or pain
Can lean upon its God;

3. A faith that shines more bright and clear
When tempests rage without;
That, when in danger, knows no fear,
In darkness feels no doubt;

4. That bears unmoved the world's dread frown
Nor heeds its scornful smile;
That sin's wild ocean cannot drown
Nor Satan's arts beguile;

5. A faith that keeps the narrow way
Till life's last spark is fled
And with a pure and heavenly ray
Lights up the dying bed.

6. Lord give us such a faith as this;
And then, whate'er may come,
We'll taste e'en now the hallowed bliss
Of an eternal home.

M: MVNC, Michigan, Misfits, and Maturity

One of the greatest enemies to my relationships is thinking I’m not worthy or I don’t belong. I have spent my life battling with “I-don’t-belong-syndrome.” So, the irony that M should land on this day is not lost on me. Today has had plans in it for a very long time, plans that God made that superseded anything that could have been done by me. Today is the 30th class reunion of my college graduating class. I was excited to go and see people and reminisce at my Alma Mater. Trouble was I didn’t write the dates on my calendar. I read material from the Alumni Association, but the dates never penetrated my brain. In the meantime, a friend from high school came up with a wonderful idea to travel to Michigan to see another one of our high school friends. When the miracle happened that we all had a Saturday off together I rejoiced and marked that date on my calendar. A final piece of material came from MVNC that was meant to remind me of the reunion and it hit me that I had made the mistake of not marking my calendar. Now what a mess that was! Or was it? Today seems to be a day to deal with my own demons of feeling like a misfit and wanting instant maturity.

Feeling like a misfit goes way back into my childhood. I recognized it most at Christmas each time when I watched the Rudolph Christmas special. I would sit and listen to the misfit toys sing their woeful song and then get all excited when in spite of their differentness they were able to find joy and love when they were reunited with the other toys. Even the “Bumble” found usefulness and meaning. As I grew I seemed to always find ways to lock into the group where I never felt like I fit in: I was never quite smart, talented, pretty, rich, or loveable enough. Those were terrible monsters to battle and I know that those feelings are a part of teenage angst and from a developmental psychology perspective I was struggling to find my identity. Throughout the process I felt like David in Saul’s armor: nothing seemed to fit. But unlike David, I didn’t know how to throw it off and find myself.

The other component that made life that so difficult for me was that I wanted instant maturity. I remember standing on the stage at the end of the Miss Teenage Columbus Pageant. I had actually made the top five. I was now going to have to answer a question that would determine my place among the winners. I was given a list of characteristics and told to chose the two I felt were most important and why. I distinctly remember that one of my answers was wisdom and I think the other was happiness. I wanted wisdom because I knew it was knowledge well used. At seventeen I wanted to have all the answers and the ability to function wisely. Now perhaps that seems like a good thing, but in my answer I see my propensity to want to short-circuit the process. It wasn’t until I was in my thirties that someone finally helped me realize the importance of process, the need to value the process not just to strive for the end result. So now in my fifties, I feel like a kid just sucking the life out of the process and it feels weird and people look at me even weirder.

As I was thinking about all of this I was prompted to pick up my copy of Warren’s “The Purpose Driven Life.” I was required to read this at work several years ago and while I found pieces of it interesting, I was at such a different place spiritually than my co-workers that it wasn’t a good experience for me. I chaffed against it to be quite honest. So this morning I was flipping through some of the pages and I found a section on the misfits of God—imagine that! Here’s what Warren writes:

“What matters is not the duration of your life, but the donation of it. Not how long you lived, but how you lived. If you’re not involved in any service or ministry, what excuse have you been using? Abraham was old, Jacob was insecure, Leah was unattractive, Joseph was abused, Moses stuttered, Gideon was poor, Samson was codependent, Rahab was immoral, David had an affair and all kinds of family problems, Elijah was suicidal, Jeremiah was depressed, Jonah was reluctant, Naomi was a widow, John the Baptist was eccentric to say the least, Peter was impulsive and hot-tempered, Martha worried a lot, the Samaritan woman had several failed marriages, Zaccheaus was unpopular, Thomas had doubts, Paul had poor health, and Timothy was timid. That is quite a variety of misfits, but God used each of them in his service. He will use you, too, if you stop making excuses.” (p. 233)

Speaking of maturity, Warren then refers to the process of maturing fruit and vegetables. He writes: “When you try to ripen fruit quickly, it loses it flavor. In America, tomatoes are usually picked unripened so they won’t bruise during shipping to the stores. Then, before they are sold, these green tomatoes are sprayed with CO2 gas to turn them red instantly. Gassed tomatoes are edible, but they are no match to the flavor of a vine-ripened tomato that is allowed to mature slowly.” (p. 217)

So what does this all have to do with going to Michigan instead of MVNC? I’m glad you’re still with me to ask the question. Today I’m spending the day with the woman who was class president and so popular I didn’t realize she even knew my name. She has a life that I used to dream would be mine. And today by the grace of God I call her my friend. And we’re going to visit the woman who won that Miss Teenage Columbus Pageant when I was fourth runner up. She is one of the smartest, most gifted women I know and God has blessed my life with her friendship as well. Today I’m marveling in a process that has taken way more than 30 years to effect. Three of us will enjoy the day together, but there are multitudes who have made it possible for me to do so. I can’t name you by name here, but know that you will be in my heart there. Today there is no misfit. Talk about maturity.

L: Learn

I have thought about today’s L word. I considered lukewarm and thought a lot about long-suffering, but kept coming back to the word learn. Seems like an appropriate word to follow yesterday’s word, knowledge.

I want to be a learner. Have you ever considered what it takes to really be a learner? There are so many different theories. School s have formed based on those styles and theories. I’ve recently been watching learning on a daily basis. Asher seems to learn something new every day. Yesterday he wrote his name for the very first time. He wrote it on the back of a friend’s grocery list. She had to recopy the list because that paper was definitely going home with me for his baby book! Letters are becoming words. Soon words will be read in sentences. It’s amazing.

One of my “favorite” passages of scripture is Matthew 10:28-30. Jesus’ compassionate invitation to the weary crowd was to come to him and learn from him. He was their teacher. He is ours, too.

And now I’m going to learn from Jesus and go sleep because I’m tired.

K: Knowledge

In his second letter, Peter begins by saying: Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ our Lord. And he ends with: But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In between the two, knowledge comes up several more times. What point do you think Peter is trying to make?

Recently in a bible study I’m doing by Beth Moore, she writes about the disconnect that sometimes, often, happens between brain (what we know) and heart (what we feel). I understand this and struggle with it more often than I care to admit. I think Peter knew it, too. Think about Peter: he knew there was something about Jesus when he was drug to him by his brother Andrew; he makes the strong confession of who Jesus is; he knows Jesus has incredible power and can make him walk on the water, too; and he witnesses the amazing vision on the Mount of Transfiguration. Peter even declares that there’s nowhere else to go but to Jesus. Then Jesus is arrested. Peter panics and throws everything he knows right out the window. He draws his sword. He vehemently denies Jesus. He cowers behind a locked door with the other confused disciples. Finally, he goes back to fishing. Why? Because it’s what he knows most surely and he feels like his heart has betrayed him.

I am so glad that Jesus chose to work with Peter, to call Peter his friend, and come back and restore him after he messed up. I love the scene of Peter’s restoration on the shore after Jesus’ resurrection. I believe that something was sealed in Peter’s heart and mind in that encounter. Peter realized in a new way that he thought he knew Jesus, but that it was just the beginning! Peter was being invited to new depths of knowledge—and so are we!

Think about it: we are to grow in grace and knowledge. This is intentional. I have been married to an amazing man for over 30 years. I continue to learn from him and about him and he about me. I imagine in the next 30 years there will still be things to learn! What I know about him and from him has helped us weather some of life’s toughest storms and tests. I honestly don’t think we could have withstood some of them if they had come early on in our relationship. Like Peter and the other disciples, it might have just been easier to go back to what we knew before. What I am saying is that it took work and intentionality to build our relationship and get us to where we are today and where we will be
tomorrow. And our relationship with God deserves no less attention or intention.

So I’m wondering today, do you know Him better today than you did yesterday, than last week? What are you doing to grow your relationship with Him? The good news is that whatever you will commit to that process he will bless and multiply. He wants to be known! He wants you to be so solid in what you know about Him that when the tough times come, and your feelings are frayed and giving way to the storm, you will have something clear and sure to hold onto!