I wasn’t picked for spelling bee teams or kick ball teams. So it was a very exciting thing when I moved to a new town just as I entered high school and found a group of young people who seemed to want me. I attended a retreat with the youth group from church, and while there was plenty of fun, there was also enough of the gospel presented that my heart was strangely moved. I got the message that I had been chosen by the one who loved me best.
In the Word there are many references to our being chosen. I found this one while thumbing through Isaiah the other day:
8 “But as for you, Israel my servant, Jacob my chosen one, descended from Abraham my friend, 9 I have called you back from the ends of the earth, saying, ‘You are my servant.’ For I have chosen you and will not throw you away. (Isaiah 41:8-9, NLT)
Have you ever felt thrown away? What gets thrown away? Things that are useless, broken, spent. Things that are no longer needed. Things that are no longer wanted. We throw things away every day. Have you ever thrown away a person? Have you ever felt thrown away? Maybe you’re one of the blessed ones who has no clue what it would be like to be thrown away. But there are people walking through life with a far greater experience of being trashed than chosen.
What kind of difference would it make in your interactions if you looked at and treated people like they were chosen by God? I’m not suggesting a short course in evangelism, I suggesting that the annoying checker at Walmart, the pain in the neck co-worker who just took credit for your idea, the jerk weaving in and out of traffic. That person you can’t forgive, chosen. The person who left you, chosen.
Paul knew what it was like to be distrusted and surrounded by people who would rather throw him out than work with him. He had been murdering believers in God’s name. Murdering. Leaving families without fathers, or mothers. And then he experiences God’s grace and his own chosen-ness on his way to Damascus. How will he ever be able to be used by God? Surely, his being chosen must be a mistake. Nobody, including Paul, could have believed that God could use him after what he done; after the life he had lived. Throw him out.
But Paul penned these words: 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes (Ephesians 1:4, NLT).
We’ve been picked for God’s team. You may have made some pathetic choices, the hounds of shame may be nipping at your heels. I know what that feels like, but I also know that I am his servant and he will not throw me away. Not because I’m broken or because others might label me as trash. He loved us before he even made the world. He wants us on his team. How cool is that?
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Lent Day 34: Drama
Over the past couple weeks, while all my grandchildren were together, there were times when it just seemed they were trying to “out drama” one another. A stubbed toe would bring on a sob scene worthy of an academy award. Unfortunately, even though we’re down to only one of the kiddos, the drama seems to continue. This afternoon while the grandson tried to garner sympathy from Mommy, Pepa, or me, I began to think about my own tantrums.
Where do tantrums come from? Typically, it’s all about not getting my way or not getting the attention I think I need. It reminded me of a time when I was part of a church mixed bowling league. One night a couple on our team was unable to get a sitter and had to bring their daughter with them. She was about two years old. As the evening wore on, her parents became more and more involved in their game and less aware of her. Her behavior escalated as she worked to get their attention. At first they scolded her, finally she got a swat on her bottom. Her wails of “pain” could be heard by everyone in the alley. Finally, the mom pulled the little girl into her lap and rocked her to comfort. The girl quieted and was asleep within just a few moments.
What can bring on a tantrum? When things don’t go my way. One of my grandson’s favorite questions is “Why?” Why can’t I have candy all day? Why can’t I play outside in my slippers? Why do I have to take a nap? Why do I have to pick up my toys? Why questions are often accompanied by little feet stomping, all pointing to things not going the way he wants.
How much drama is created in your life when God doesn’t work the way you think he should? How many times have you questioned his wisdom, purpose, or plan? After a very dark time of questioning , my husband shared with me that he learned to quit asking why. He felt that God was reluctant to answer that question, but he always seemed to answer, “What’s next?” The difference is the distance between trust and tantrum.
Drama demonstrates a lack of trust. It’s the voice of one who thinks he knows better. It is the behavior of one who feels she needs more attention. The Good News is that God knows our need better than we do and his plans and purpose, while not always understandable, are always for our good. God doesn’t hand out acting awards, but he does promise to hold us in the palm of his hand, remember all our tears, and count the hairs on our heads. He can be trusted. Surrender your drama and find his peace.
Where do tantrums come from? Typically, it’s all about not getting my way or not getting the attention I think I need. It reminded me of a time when I was part of a church mixed bowling league. One night a couple on our team was unable to get a sitter and had to bring their daughter with them. She was about two years old. As the evening wore on, her parents became more and more involved in their game and less aware of her. Her behavior escalated as she worked to get their attention. At first they scolded her, finally she got a swat on her bottom. Her wails of “pain” could be heard by everyone in the alley. Finally, the mom pulled the little girl into her lap and rocked her to comfort. The girl quieted and was asleep within just a few moments.
What can bring on a tantrum? When things don’t go my way. One of my grandson’s favorite questions is “Why?” Why can’t I have candy all day? Why can’t I play outside in my slippers? Why do I have to take a nap? Why do I have to pick up my toys? Why questions are often accompanied by little feet stomping, all pointing to things not going the way he wants.
How much drama is created in your life when God doesn’t work the way you think he should? How many times have you questioned his wisdom, purpose, or plan? After a very dark time of questioning , my husband shared with me that he learned to quit asking why. He felt that God was reluctant to answer that question, but he always seemed to answer, “What’s next?” The difference is the distance between trust and tantrum.
Drama demonstrates a lack of trust. It’s the voice of one who thinks he knows better. It is the behavior of one who feels she needs more attention. The Good News is that God knows our need better than we do and his plans and purpose, while not always understandable, are always for our good. God doesn’t hand out acting awards, but he does promise to hold us in the palm of his hand, remember all our tears, and count the hairs on our heads. He can be trusted. Surrender your drama and find his peace.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Lent Day 33: Home
My husband and I are in the market for a new place to live. We have only owned one home and we lost it when the restaurants my husband was a partner in closed. It was a hard loss. We rented the house we’re in now because both our daughters and all our grandchildren were living with us. They’re back out on their own and we’re in this very huge, and expensive house.
So, we found a really good realtor. She has us figured out. Very quickly, she learned what we like and want. Yesterday she took us to seven houses. I fell in love with one house and liked its location. I fell in love with one location and kinda liked the house. While we’re still struggling a bit with some things with the “loved” house, we sent her an email and told her that we think it’s the one.
Since we pulled out of the driveway, I’ve been thinking of colors for the rooms and where I’ll put furniture. Nelson has been doing research on propane. We’ve been imagining ourselves living in our new home. Is it a place where we can see ourselves growing old? The price is right, but how’s the fit?
When we bought our first house, we bought it mostly because it was available with land contract and it was only a block away from where we were living and two blocks from where I was working. We learned to live with the rest of it. It was a house, but never really became a home. We came and went so much from that place that it was more like a stopover than a dwelling place. This became very clear to me when I lost my jobs and was “stuck” being there for months before we eventually moved.
I remember a devotion I read by John Henry Jowett many, many years ago where he spoke of our need to find our dwelling place, where we could be “at home.” He referenced 2 Corinthians 5 and compared birds that just flit in and out with those that nest and dwell. I just did a quick search of “dwelling place.” Many references are made to God’s dwelling place, but I really like this image that Isaiah paints: 18 My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest (Isaiah 38:18, NIV).
I’m not sure if it’s because I’m older, and getting more so every day, but I want to find a place where I feel like I land and rest. This house we’re considering has a “lake” out the back yard and Amish farms across the road in the front. I don’t know if it gets more peaceful than that—and I can still drive to work. The important thing, though, is not the address. The house could be in the middle of nowhere and not be a place of undisturbed rest. If this house is to truly be a dwelling place, I will have to be at rest in my heart and spirit. I will need to be at peace with my creator. So I’m really praying that if this is where he wants us that he will lead us beside the still waters and make us lie down there.
So, we found a really good realtor. She has us figured out. Very quickly, she learned what we like and want. Yesterday she took us to seven houses. I fell in love with one house and liked its location. I fell in love with one location and kinda liked the house. While we’re still struggling a bit with some things with the “loved” house, we sent her an email and told her that we think it’s the one.
Since we pulled out of the driveway, I’ve been thinking of colors for the rooms and where I’ll put furniture. Nelson has been doing research on propane. We’ve been imagining ourselves living in our new home. Is it a place where we can see ourselves growing old? The price is right, but how’s the fit?
When we bought our first house, we bought it mostly because it was available with land contract and it was only a block away from where we were living and two blocks from where I was working. We learned to live with the rest of it. It was a house, but never really became a home. We came and went so much from that place that it was more like a stopover than a dwelling place. This became very clear to me when I lost my jobs and was “stuck” being there for months before we eventually moved.
I remember a devotion I read by John Henry Jowett many, many years ago where he spoke of our need to find our dwelling place, where we could be “at home.” He referenced 2 Corinthians 5 and compared birds that just flit in and out with those that nest and dwell. I just did a quick search of “dwelling place.” Many references are made to God’s dwelling place, but I really like this image that Isaiah paints: 18 My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest (Isaiah 38:18, NIV).
I’m not sure if it’s because I’m older, and getting more so every day, but I want to find a place where I feel like I land and rest. This house we’re considering has a “lake” out the back yard and Amish farms across the road in the front. I don’t know if it gets more peaceful than that—and I can still drive to work. The important thing, though, is not the address. The house could be in the middle of nowhere and not be a place of undisturbed rest. If this house is to truly be a dwelling place, I will have to be at rest in my heart and spirit. I will need to be at peace with my creator. So I’m really praying that if this is where he wants us that he will lead us beside the still waters and make us lie down there.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Lent Day 32: Taste
I am fighting the battle of the bulge. I don’t feel like I’m winning. This morning after I post this, I have to go in for my monthly Weigh and Measure at Curves. I stood at my closet trying to figure out the lightest clothes that I have to wear, ones that won’t add ounces or fractions of inches. I’m not going to wear my watch, rings, or earrings. I won’t drink my morning coffee or tea until after I get back from my workout.
All my efforts made me laugh at myself. I know better. I work out consistently and hard on a daily basis. I’m burning approximately 500 calories each workout. That part is good. I’m proud that I don’t use excuses to not get exercise into my daily routine. What I’m not quite as proud of is what else is getting into me. My diet may be improving, but I need to not let my appetite run the show. Taste seems to drive the machine and that’s not a good plan.
This week, while all three grandchildren were here, I asked what they wanted for supper. The very asking made me chuckle at bit. We never would have been asked as children what we wanted to eat. Mom cooked what my dad wanted, and like it or not, that’s what we ate—and we ate it all! The younger grandson, the very bright and wordy one, looked at me and very clearly told me, “You shouldn’t call it supper, Mema. You should call it snacks and we would eat it.” I have a three year old budding psychologist on my hands.
What tastes good to you? Do you crave certain foods? Is there something you can’t get enough of? Do you reward and celebrate with food? Is it any wonder that there are so many references to food and eating in the Bible? Think about it. The whole sin thing got started with a juicy apple. Jacob stole Esau’s birthright over a bowl of stew and then used food to fool his father. We’re told that we’re the salt of the earth, and while it has many uses, we turn most often to it to flavor our food.
I thought of two instructions that we are given regarding our relationship with God and our appetite:
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good.
Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! (Psalm 34:8, NLT)
2Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation (2 Peter 2:2, NIV).
So, while I’m working to be more mindful of what I put in my mouth for the next Weigh and Measure, I’m going to purpose to be more intentional about what I put in my spirit. I’m thinking that the results will be good on both fronts. Shall we try the experiment together? Bon appetite!
All my efforts made me laugh at myself. I know better. I work out consistently and hard on a daily basis. I’m burning approximately 500 calories each workout. That part is good. I’m proud that I don’t use excuses to not get exercise into my daily routine. What I’m not quite as proud of is what else is getting into me. My diet may be improving, but I need to not let my appetite run the show. Taste seems to drive the machine and that’s not a good plan.
This week, while all three grandchildren were here, I asked what they wanted for supper. The very asking made me chuckle at bit. We never would have been asked as children what we wanted to eat. Mom cooked what my dad wanted, and like it or not, that’s what we ate—and we ate it all! The younger grandson, the very bright and wordy one, looked at me and very clearly told me, “You shouldn’t call it supper, Mema. You should call it snacks and we would eat it.” I have a three year old budding psychologist on my hands.
What tastes good to you? Do you crave certain foods? Is there something you can’t get enough of? Do you reward and celebrate with food? Is it any wonder that there are so many references to food and eating in the Bible? Think about it. The whole sin thing got started with a juicy apple. Jacob stole Esau’s birthright over a bowl of stew and then used food to fool his father. We’re told that we’re the salt of the earth, and while it has many uses, we turn most often to it to flavor our food.
I thought of two instructions that we are given regarding our relationship with God and our appetite:
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good.
Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! (Psalm 34:8, NLT)
2Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation (2 Peter 2:2, NIV).
So, while I’m working to be more mindful of what I put in my mouth for the next Weigh and Measure, I’m going to purpose to be more intentional about what I put in my spirit. I’m thinking that the results will be good on both fronts. Shall we try the experiment together? Bon appetite!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Lent Day 31: But
Lent Day 31: But
9 That night the LORD said, “Get up! Go down into the Midianite camp, for I have given you victory over them! 10 But if you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah. 11 Listen to what the Midianites are saying, and you will be greatly encouraged. Then you will be eager to attack.”
This is part of the story where God pares down Gideon’s army from 22,000 to 300. Gideon receives the assurance of victory based on God not on the size of his army. Verse nine ends with an exclamation! We expect to hear applause. Something happens between the exclamation point and the beginning of verse eleven. Some expression on the face of Gideon betrayed his fear at what he was being asked to do. And even with the guarantee of victory, Gideon’s doubts bubbled up and were sensed by the Lord.
The silence must have been deafening. The Lord then makes an offer to Gideon to help totally put his fears to rest. In response to the silent response to the promise of victory, Gideon is told to sneak up and listen in on the conversation of the enemy. In three little letter, a common conjunction, the Lord provides a gracious answer for Gideon. “But.”
I learned long ago that when you put “but” in a sentence, it’s as if everything in front of the “but” is virtually erased. “I love your dress, but it would look better on someone who weighed a hundred pounds less.” “I really want to come to that party but I have to clean the gutters.” It’s a beautiful day, but I have a sinus headache.”
God tells us victory is ours, but if we can’t wrap our brains, hearts, or lives
around that his grace provides a “but” to help us get through. Are you being asked to do something you believe is impossible? Does the load you are being asked to carry seem way too big for you to bear? God loves us to provide reassurance to help us with the task.
I love what happens next in the story. The enemy army is described as greater than a swarm of locusts or the grains of sand. But Gideon and his servant are able to find the two guys among the millions who are talking and who unknowingly have just the message that Gideon needs to hear. How amazing is it that they were able to find just the right spot to get God’s message? And if that’s not enough, imagine their surprise that the very odd dream that is described should receive the explanation that describes Gideon’s victory.
Life is hard but God is bigger, more aware, and ready to bring you victory. What more assurance do you need?
9 That night the LORD said, “Get up! Go down into the Midianite camp, for I have given you victory over them! 10 But if you are afraid to attack, go down to the camp with your servant Purah. 11 Listen to what the Midianites are saying, and you will be greatly encouraged. Then you will be eager to attack.”
This is part of the story where God pares down Gideon’s army from 22,000 to 300. Gideon receives the assurance of victory based on God not on the size of his army. Verse nine ends with an exclamation! We expect to hear applause. Something happens between the exclamation point and the beginning of verse eleven. Some expression on the face of Gideon betrayed his fear at what he was being asked to do. And even with the guarantee of victory, Gideon’s doubts bubbled up and were sensed by the Lord.
The silence must have been deafening. The Lord then makes an offer to Gideon to help totally put his fears to rest. In response to the silent response to the promise of victory, Gideon is told to sneak up and listen in on the conversation of the enemy. In three little letter, a common conjunction, the Lord provides a gracious answer for Gideon. “But.”
I learned long ago that when you put “but” in a sentence, it’s as if everything in front of the “but” is virtually erased. “I love your dress, but it would look better on someone who weighed a hundred pounds less.” “I really want to come to that party but I have to clean the gutters.” It’s a beautiful day, but I have a sinus headache.”
God tells us victory is ours, but if we can’t wrap our brains, hearts, or lives
around that his grace provides a “but” to help us get through. Are you being asked to do something you believe is impossible? Does the load you are being asked to carry seem way too big for you to bear? God loves us to provide reassurance to help us with the task.
I love what happens next in the story. The enemy army is described as greater than a swarm of locusts or the grains of sand. But Gideon and his servant are able to find the two guys among the millions who are talking and who unknowingly have just the message that Gideon needs to hear. How amazing is it that they were able to find just the right spot to get God’s message? And if that’s not enough, imagine their surprise that the very odd dream that is described should receive the explanation that describes Gideon’s victory.
Life is hard but God is bigger, more aware, and ready to bring you victory. What more assurance do you need?
Lent Day 30: Finale
Lent day 30: Finale
My dad died in August 1989. He had cancer of the bladder that metastasized to his lungs, kidneys, and finally the brain. In July, he had a seizure, and while his body kept functioning, my dad was gone. I came home while he was still in the hospital. I was sitting with Dad, giving Mom a break when the fog in his brain lifted. He began speaking clearly and using familiar hand gestures and expressions. It was so good to see him. He started to make me a diagram on the tablet I was writing on. About thirty seconds into what he was explaining his writing and his speech began to slur and he was back in the fog.
In August we received a call from Mom. The hospice nurse had told her to gather the family. They didn’t know if he would make it through the day. It was the quickest trip from Kansas City to Columbus we ever made. That was Friday. Dad lingered until Wednesday. Each of us had our time by his bedside. We all said lots of things, but I don’t know what he heard. More than anything I said, what I wanted was just to hear him say he loved me, one more time.
Last words. They hold such power and weight. Jesus knew that. As he was coming to the end of his time, he gathered the disciples close and gave them his undivided attention and teaching. As I thought through those lessons I’m thankful that Jesus last words to Peter weren’t about his betrayal, but an instruction to feed Jesus’ sheep.
Last words. Here’s the problem with them. Jesus knew when he was going to die. He had the opportunity to plan out those final meetings with the people who matter the most to him. That’s an advantage not too many of the rest of us have. Most of us have no clue what could happen in a day. This was driven home to me a couple weeks ago when the husband of one of our Curves members had a colonoscopy done and two weeks later he was gone.
So here’s what I think the challenge for us is. We have to learn to somehow live as if all our words were our last words. As if all our lessons to our children were the last lessons we were going to give. Would it make a difference? Hopefully there would be more love and grace. When asked if knew he only had a short time to live if he would change anything, John Wesley replied that he would not, implying he was already living with a sense of the importance of each moment. Are we there yet? I know I’ve got room for improvement.
This week I’m reading Ken Gire’s book, “Reflective Living.” In a portion where he discusses the Shema, he describes how important that was to the Jewish believer. It would be the first thing they said every morning and the last thing said every night. It is also the last thing they were to say as they died. If we could get a hold of this in our lives, perhaps it would truly help us to make sure we said everything we were supposed to say while we were living. “5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength (Deut. 6:5, NIV).”
Living all out like that will make Jesus last words more real to us and help our words, first and last, count more now and in the end.
My dad died in August 1989. He had cancer of the bladder that metastasized to his lungs, kidneys, and finally the brain. In July, he had a seizure, and while his body kept functioning, my dad was gone. I came home while he was still in the hospital. I was sitting with Dad, giving Mom a break when the fog in his brain lifted. He began speaking clearly and using familiar hand gestures and expressions. It was so good to see him. He started to make me a diagram on the tablet I was writing on. About thirty seconds into what he was explaining his writing and his speech began to slur and he was back in the fog.
In August we received a call from Mom. The hospice nurse had told her to gather the family. They didn’t know if he would make it through the day. It was the quickest trip from Kansas City to Columbus we ever made. That was Friday. Dad lingered until Wednesday. Each of us had our time by his bedside. We all said lots of things, but I don’t know what he heard. More than anything I said, what I wanted was just to hear him say he loved me, one more time.
Last words. They hold such power and weight. Jesus knew that. As he was coming to the end of his time, he gathered the disciples close and gave them his undivided attention and teaching. As I thought through those lessons I’m thankful that Jesus last words to Peter weren’t about his betrayal, but an instruction to feed Jesus’ sheep.
Last words. Here’s the problem with them. Jesus knew when he was going to die. He had the opportunity to plan out those final meetings with the people who matter the most to him. That’s an advantage not too many of the rest of us have. Most of us have no clue what could happen in a day. This was driven home to me a couple weeks ago when the husband of one of our Curves members had a colonoscopy done and two weeks later he was gone.
So here’s what I think the challenge for us is. We have to learn to somehow live as if all our words were our last words. As if all our lessons to our children were the last lessons we were going to give. Would it make a difference? Hopefully there would be more love and grace. When asked if knew he only had a short time to live if he would change anything, John Wesley replied that he would not, implying he was already living with a sense of the importance of each moment. Are we there yet? I know I’ve got room for improvement.
This week I’m reading Ken Gire’s book, “Reflective Living.” In a portion where he discusses the Shema, he describes how important that was to the Jewish believer. It would be the first thing they said every morning and the last thing said every night. It is also the last thing they were to say as they died. If we could get a hold of this in our lives, perhaps it would truly help us to make sure we said everything we were supposed to say while we were living. “5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength (Deut. 6:5, NIV).”
Living all out like that will make Jesus last words more real to us and help our words, first and last, count more now and in the end.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Lent Day 29: Soil
Lent Day 29: Soil
I don’t have a green thumb. I have told people throughout my life who might be buying me plants that I need ones that thrive on blatant neglect. I was quite happy to find that someone planted bulbs and plants around my house that keep coming back year after year in spite of me. So you might see the irony like I do that my first real job as a teenager was at a nursery. If that alone doesn’t bring you a chuckle, let me add this: the store was Frank’s Nursery and Crafts. It only gets worse when you know that I left there to go to work at McDonald’s. Plants, crafts, and food. Perhaps it was good to learn young that I had no gifting in those areas.
People who knew plants and gardens would come to the Nursery and expect me to understand their plant related dilemmas. Why wouldn’t their impatients grow on the fully exposed side of their house where there was no shade? What kind of fertilizer should they use? How can they correct the Ph balance of their soil? I got good at reading the pics that are put in plants with planting and watering instructions. I also learned to read labels, and when I couldn’t find an answer, I found a manager.
The Nursery counted on people wanting to have beautiful and productive gardens. We sold soil and we sold the stuff to make it better. Making sure the soil was ready to plant seeds or plants was essential for successful growth. Jesus must have counted on a few farmers and gardeners being in the crowd the day he told the Parable of the Sower. The key piece in this parable is the soil and its ability or lack of ability to receive the seed. We catch quickly the absurdity of expecting the seed to grow in soil that is not able to receive it or nourish its growth. A hard packed path, rampant weeds, hungry birds, rocks that block, all inhibit the soil’s ability to do its job.
This parable is typically associated with salvation, receiving the seed, but anyone who has had a garden or tended a flowerbed knows the work is not done when the seed goes into the dirt. Plants need watered and weeds need pulled. Often the soil needs to be loosened up or aerated. And as winter approaches fields, beds, and gardens must be prepared for the great work of rest.
I’ve heard people ask other believers, “How is it with your soul?” Today, I’m wondering, how is it with your soil?
Scripture to reflect on: Mark 4:1-20;
I don’t have a green thumb. I have told people throughout my life who might be buying me plants that I need ones that thrive on blatant neglect. I was quite happy to find that someone planted bulbs and plants around my house that keep coming back year after year in spite of me. So you might see the irony like I do that my first real job as a teenager was at a nursery. If that alone doesn’t bring you a chuckle, let me add this: the store was Frank’s Nursery and Crafts. It only gets worse when you know that I left there to go to work at McDonald’s. Plants, crafts, and food. Perhaps it was good to learn young that I had no gifting in those areas.
People who knew plants and gardens would come to the Nursery and expect me to understand their plant related dilemmas. Why wouldn’t their impatients grow on the fully exposed side of their house where there was no shade? What kind of fertilizer should they use? How can they correct the Ph balance of their soil? I got good at reading the pics that are put in plants with planting and watering instructions. I also learned to read labels, and when I couldn’t find an answer, I found a manager.
The Nursery counted on people wanting to have beautiful and productive gardens. We sold soil and we sold the stuff to make it better. Making sure the soil was ready to plant seeds or plants was essential for successful growth. Jesus must have counted on a few farmers and gardeners being in the crowd the day he told the Parable of the Sower. The key piece in this parable is the soil and its ability or lack of ability to receive the seed. We catch quickly the absurdity of expecting the seed to grow in soil that is not able to receive it or nourish its growth. A hard packed path, rampant weeds, hungry birds, rocks that block, all inhibit the soil’s ability to do its job.
This parable is typically associated with salvation, receiving the seed, but anyone who has had a garden or tended a flowerbed knows the work is not done when the seed goes into the dirt. Plants need watered and weeds need pulled. Often the soil needs to be loosened up or aerated. And as winter approaches fields, beds, and gardens must be prepared for the great work of rest.
I’ve heard people ask other believers, “How is it with your soul?” Today, I’m wondering, how is it with your soil?
Scripture to reflect on: Mark 4:1-20;
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Lent Day 28: Tattoo
Lent Day 28:
My older daughter is visiting us. It is good to have her close and it will be hard to let her go when it’s time, but our connection is good. While she was here, she got another tattoo. This bothers her father. I try to remain neutral. I have to admit that of all the ones she’s gotten, I like this one the best. It’s the Celtic symbol for motherhood—or at least I hope it is!
Over the years both my daughters have tried to talk me into going with them and getting a tattoo. There’s something “special” about doing that, so I’m told. I know that there are biblical comments prohibiting tattooing, but that’s not why I haven’t gone. I am a wuss about pain, but that hasn’t been my deterrent, either. I can’t imagine anything that I want engraved on me for forever. The image of a wilted rose on an 86 year old woman’s body just doesn’t get me all jazzed up.
And yet, somehow, I want my life to be tattooed with Jesus. I want my laughter, my conversation, my touch, my service, my work, my prayers, everything that I am to immediately point to Jesus. As much as I want that, I know that my life is so far from consistent. My heart desperately seeks to live in a way that is pleasing to my Father, but my choices betray my lack of trust and my selfishness. I truly understand the struggle that Paul speaks about in Romans 7.
In my life I have known the absolute bowels of wretchedness. I know what it’s like to screw up so royally that you lose all respect, wallow in shame, and try to rebuild integrity. I’m thankful for grace that makes climbing out of that dark pit possible. I’m thankful that Paul moves from chapter 7 into chapter 8: There is therefore, no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
So, if I ever got a tattoo it would be a grapevine bracelet (symbolizing that I am just a branch needing to stay connected to the vine). In the vine would be a turtle (a rich symbol and spiritual totem) and a daisy (for me a symbol of hope and faithfulness). All three would serve as reminders to me to keep living, to keep being fruitful, to truly make every effort. The only place they may ever be is in my heart, but hopefully they will be seen by those Jesus sends my way each day.
My older daughter is visiting us. It is good to have her close and it will be hard to let her go when it’s time, but our connection is good. While she was here, she got another tattoo. This bothers her father. I try to remain neutral. I have to admit that of all the ones she’s gotten, I like this one the best. It’s the Celtic symbol for motherhood—or at least I hope it is!
Over the years both my daughters have tried to talk me into going with them and getting a tattoo. There’s something “special” about doing that, so I’m told. I know that there are biblical comments prohibiting tattooing, but that’s not why I haven’t gone. I am a wuss about pain, but that hasn’t been my deterrent, either. I can’t imagine anything that I want engraved on me for forever. The image of a wilted rose on an 86 year old woman’s body just doesn’t get me all jazzed up.
And yet, somehow, I want my life to be tattooed with Jesus. I want my laughter, my conversation, my touch, my service, my work, my prayers, everything that I am to immediately point to Jesus. As much as I want that, I know that my life is so far from consistent. My heart desperately seeks to live in a way that is pleasing to my Father, but my choices betray my lack of trust and my selfishness. I truly understand the struggle that Paul speaks about in Romans 7.
In my life I have known the absolute bowels of wretchedness. I know what it’s like to screw up so royally that you lose all respect, wallow in shame, and try to rebuild integrity. I’m thankful for grace that makes climbing out of that dark pit possible. I’m thankful that Paul moves from chapter 7 into chapter 8: There is therefore, no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
So, if I ever got a tattoo it would be a grapevine bracelet (symbolizing that I am just a branch needing to stay connected to the vine). In the vine would be a turtle (a rich symbol and spiritual totem) and a daisy (for me a symbol of hope and faithfulness). All three would serve as reminders to me to keep living, to keep being fruitful, to truly make every effort. The only place they may ever be is in my heart, but hopefully they will be seen by those Jesus sends my way each day.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Lent Day 27: Naive
Lent Day 27:
On more than one occasion, I have been accused of being naïve, so I went and looked up the meaning.
According to dictionary.com:
1. having or showing unaffected simplicity of nature or absence of artificiality; unsophisticated; ingenuous.
2. having or showing a lack of experience, judgment, or information; credulous: She's so naive she believes everything she reads. He has a very naive attitude toward politics.
3. having or marked by a simple, unaffectedly direct style reflecting little or no formal training or technique: valuable naive 19th-century American portrait paintings.
4. not having previously been the subject of a scientific experiment, as an animal.
I think I’m ok with that. But that wasn’t always the case.
Back in the mid-nineties, I felt led to pursue my Doctor of Ministries degree. It seemed like the logical thing to do. I applied to the denominational seminary of the church I was a part of. I completed the first seminar and was totally in love with being back in school again. I raced into the second course with all kinds of enthusiasm and anticipation. Unfortunately, I ran headlong into a professor who rigidly held to position and style of teaching. I wasn’t deep enough or reflective enough. I didn’t see things his way. He wanted to fail me. I worked hard in the course and tried to present my position and perspective. I was told that if I was hoped to advance in the process I would have to learn to “jump through the hoops” placed before me. I’m not a very good jumper, so I dropped out of the program.
I’m especially happy that my brand of naivety includes the fourth definition from the list above! But the more I think about it, the more I believe that Jesus was looking for a certain level of naiveté from his own. Do you remember when the disciples were trying to identify their own importance, and how Jesus put them in their place?
1At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
2He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:1-4, NIV)
I’d rather be simple than cynical, or arrogant. I’d rather be real than artificial (reminds me of Paul’s instruction to the Romans that their love was to be without hypocrisy). I want to be credulous. I want to be ready to believe and to trust. I especially want that kind of relationship with the creator of the universe who invites you and me to call him, “Daddy.”
On more than one occasion, I have been accused of being naïve, so I went and looked up the meaning.
According to dictionary.com:
1. having or showing unaffected simplicity of nature or absence of artificiality; unsophisticated; ingenuous.
2. having or showing a lack of experience, judgment, or information; credulous: She's so naive she believes everything she reads. He has a very naive attitude toward politics.
3. having or marked by a simple, unaffectedly direct style reflecting little or no formal training or technique: valuable naive 19th-century American portrait paintings.
4. not having previously been the subject of a scientific experiment, as an animal.
I think I’m ok with that. But that wasn’t always the case.
Back in the mid-nineties, I felt led to pursue my Doctor of Ministries degree. It seemed like the logical thing to do. I applied to the denominational seminary of the church I was a part of. I completed the first seminar and was totally in love with being back in school again. I raced into the second course with all kinds of enthusiasm and anticipation. Unfortunately, I ran headlong into a professor who rigidly held to position and style of teaching. I wasn’t deep enough or reflective enough. I didn’t see things his way. He wanted to fail me. I worked hard in the course and tried to present my position and perspective. I was told that if I was hoped to advance in the process I would have to learn to “jump through the hoops” placed before me. I’m not a very good jumper, so I dropped out of the program.
I’m especially happy that my brand of naivety includes the fourth definition from the list above! But the more I think about it, the more I believe that Jesus was looking for a certain level of naiveté from his own. Do you remember when the disciples were trying to identify their own importance, and how Jesus put them in their place?
1At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"
2He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:1-4, NIV)
I’d rather be simple than cynical, or arrogant. I’d rather be real than artificial (reminds me of Paul’s instruction to the Romans that their love was to be without hypocrisy). I want to be credulous. I want to be ready to believe and to trust. I especially want that kind of relationship with the creator of the universe who invites you and me to call him, “Daddy.”
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Lent Day 26: Routine
Lent Day 26: Routine
Do you have certain things in your routine that you just have to do or you feel disjointed or incomplete? For some, they have to read the morning paper or watch the early news first thing in the morning. Some can’t get going without their first cup of coffee. Others have a bathroom routine that is scripted down to the minute. The same can be said for how they face the things of work or how they wind down in their day.
Right before my husband and I got married we saw a movie about an ice skater who went blind. It was called “Ice Castles.” As she practiced with her partner, over and over, to drill the performance into her body, he reminded her that she could do this. As they skated out on the ice at competition, he squeezed her hand and whispered the word, “Routine.” When Nelson and I were married that is what he had engraved on the inside of my wedding band.
Now, there are some who might see that as negative or sarcastic. I mean, really, who wants their relationship to become “routine”? People are always looking for fresh and new. Manufacturers understand that and are always seeking to make their product “new and improved.” Routine typically carries with it connotations of complacency and boredom. I don’t happen to see it that way.
Having a routine helps me feel grounded and safe. I like the predictability and security of knowing what is supposed to come next. Thankfully, though, I’m not completely locked into that. Some people absolutely loose it if you change their routine. In their minds, the whole day is shot if their routine is disrupted. Somewhere along the way I developed the ability to toss my routine and be adaptable and flexible. It’s helped me survive.
I believe that God wants to offer us this balance between predictability and adaptability. We can count on him. The Word tells us that he is the same “yesterday and forever” and that he will “never leave us or forsake us.” Because we know that we learn to trust him in the “no matter whats” of life. When we are hit with an unexpected curveball in our health, finances, career, or relationships that require we adapt, we can because there is a source of stability that will get us through the uncertainty back to what feels “routine.” And it may be, that we learn to create a new “routine”, new patterns and rituals based on the new growth we experience as a result of trust.
There’s an old hymn that reminds us: “We have an anchor that keeps the soul, steadfast and sure while the billows roll. Fastened to the rock that cannot move, grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.” As you move through your day and your daily routine, be thankful for what you can count on and open to the possibilities for growth and grace. Even an openness to new can become routine!
Do you have certain things in your routine that you just have to do or you feel disjointed or incomplete? For some, they have to read the morning paper or watch the early news first thing in the morning. Some can’t get going without their first cup of coffee. Others have a bathroom routine that is scripted down to the minute. The same can be said for how they face the things of work or how they wind down in their day.
Right before my husband and I got married we saw a movie about an ice skater who went blind. It was called “Ice Castles.” As she practiced with her partner, over and over, to drill the performance into her body, he reminded her that she could do this. As they skated out on the ice at competition, he squeezed her hand and whispered the word, “Routine.” When Nelson and I were married that is what he had engraved on the inside of my wedding band.
Now, there are some who might see that as negative or sarcastic. I mean, really, who wants their relationship to become “routine”? People are always looking for fresh and new. Manufacturers understand that and are always seeking to make their product “new and improved.” Routine typically carries with it connotations of complacency and boredom. I don’t happen to see it that way.
Having a routine helps me feel grounded and safe. I like the predictability and security of knowing what is supposed to come next. Thankfully, though, I’m not completely locked into that. Some people absolutely loose it if you change their routine. In their minds, the whole day is shot if their routine is disrupted. Somewhere along the way I developed the ability to toss my routine and be adaptable and flexible. It’s helped me survive.
I believe that God wants to offer us this balance between predictability and adaptability. We can count on him. The Word tells us that he is the same “yesterday and forever” and that he will “never leave us or forsake us.” Because we know that we learn to trust him in the “no matter whats” of life. When we are hit with an unexpected curveball in our health, finances, career, or relationships that require we adapt, we can because there is a source of stability that will get us through the uncertainty back to what feels “routine.” And it may be, that we learn to create a new “routine”, new patterns and rituals based on the new growth we experience as a result of trust.
There’s an old hymn that reminds us: “We have an anchor that keeps the soul, steadfast and sure while the billows roll. Fastened to the rock that cannot move, grounded firm and deep in the Savior’s love.” As you move through your day and your daily routine, be thankful for what you can count on and open to the possibilities for growth and grace. Even an openness to new can become routine!
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Lent Day 25: Stuff
Lent Day 25: Stuff
There used to be a show on TV where a team invaded a pack rat’s home and decluttered them. They typically picked two rooms in the home to clear and reorganize. It was called “Clean Sweep.” I watched it regularly, hoping to catch some hope for my own over-packed home. Secretly, I must confess that I hoped they would show up on my doorstep.
We’re looking to move again in the next six months. My husband has been on a crusade to prepare us for this since last fall. He has been putting stuff on Free-cycle (it’s a great program for getting rid of usable stuff; check it out at freecycle.org) and selling stuff on ebay. But he’s not just cleaning out and downsizing our stuff, he’s also downsizing our bills and our spending. It’s all a good thing and I’m impressed daily and blessed by his commitment to the project.
Last night I stood in the room where our desktop computer is and watched him work his magic. He’s been taking a course on improving our financial situation and it has truly inspired him. He found some resources to sell my books and he’s been getting really good money for them. I went through the shelves and pulled out boxes and boxes of books that I no longer use and can’t foresee needing in the future.
Watching him gleefully selling the books hit me unusually hard last evening. I chose the books to get rid of. I made the decision to let go. But last night it wasn’t books that I saw going. It was dream. It was hope. It was me. And in that moment, I understood some of the tears that I saw people shed on “Clean Sweep” as the crew worked to wrench open their hands to release their hold on stuff that was squeezing the life out of them.
Part of the problem for these people, and sometimes for me, is that we find our identity in our things. The things we keep take on meanings and symbolism that never was intended. For example, I had lots of books, therefore I was smart. I always wanted lovely furniture because I thought it would tell people who come into my home that I have taste and it would welcome them in. I have three chairs in my living room and tons of toys and kid books and videos. It’s pretty easy to see who gets welcomed here. There are no real chairs around my dining room table (we use plastic lawn chairs—they work inside and out), but there are four little plastic chairs and two kid tables in my living room. It makes for an odd tension between what I wish and what really is.
Thinking through this I was reminded of Paul’s message to the Philippians. He’s been assuring them of his pedigree when he tells them what he really values: “7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him (Phil. 3:7-9a, NLT).”
Having books doesn’t necessarily mean I’m smart. Having nice furniture in an impressive house doesn’t mean I’ve got it all together. I am not my stuff. And having stuff or wanting stuff (or more stuff), if not held in the proper perspective when it comes to my relationship with Christ is just clutter and crap (Paul called it dung). When we get a hold on this and it gets a real hold on us, we will find so much more room in our heart for God. Letting go of our stuff, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, opens us up—frees us to receive more of Christ. And what he has to give us is so much better than the garbage we’ve been holding onto. Is it time for a clean sweep in your heart? I’m working on mine.
There used to be a show on TV where a team invaded a pack rat’s home and decluttered them. They typically picked two rooms in the home to clear and reorganize. It was called “Clean Sweep.” I watched it regularly, hoping to catch some hope for my own over-packed home. Secretly, I must confess that I hoped they would show up on my doorstep.
We’re looking to move again in the next six months. My husband has been on a crusade to prepare us for this since last fall. He has been putting stuff on Free-cycle (it’s a great program for getting rid of usable stuff; check it out at freecycle.org) and selling stuff on ebay. But he’s not just cleaning out and downsizing our stuff, he’s also downsizing our bills and our spending. It’s all a good thing and I’m impressed daily and blessed by his commitment to the project.
Last night I stood in the room where our desktop computer is and watched him work his magic. He’s been taking a course on improving our financial situation and it has truly inspired him. He found some resources to sell my books and he’s been getting really good money for them. I went through the shelves and pulled out boxes and boxes of books that I no longer use and can’t foresee needing in the future.
Watching him gleefully selling the books hit me unusually hard last evening. I chose the books to get rid of. I made the decision to let go. But last night it wasn’t books that I saw going. It was dream. It was hope. It was me. And in that moment, I understood some of the tears that I saw people shed on “Clean Sweep” as the crew worked to wrench open their hands to release their hold on stuff that was squeezing the life out of them.
Part of the problem for these people, and sometimes for me, is that we find our identity in our things. The things we keep take on meanings and symbolism that never was intended. For example, I had lots of books, therefore I was smart. I always wanted lovely furniture because I thought it would tell people who come into my home that I have taste and it would welcome them in. I have three chairs in my living room and tons of toys and kid books and videos. It’s pretty easy to see who gets welcomed here. There are no real chairs around my dining room table (we use plastic lawn chairs—they work inside and out), but there are four little plastic chairs and two kid tables in my living room. It makes for an odd tension between what I wish and what really is.
Thinking through this I was reminded of Paul’s message to the Philippians. He’s been assuring them of his pedigree when he tells them what he really values: “7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him (Phil. 3:7-9a, NLT).”
Having books doesn’t necessarily mean I’m smart. Having nice furniture in an impressive house doesn’t mean I’ve got it all together. I am not my stuff. And having stuff or wanting stuff (or more stuff), if not held in the proper perspective when it comes to my relationship with Christ is just clutter and crap (Paul called it dung). When we get a hold on this and it gets a real hold on us, we will find so much more room in our heart for God. Letting go of our stuff, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, opens us up—frees us to receive more of Christ. And what he has to give us is so much better than the garbage we’ve been holding onto. Is it time for a clean sweep in your heart? I’m working on mine.
Lent Day 24: Starting
Lent Day 24: Starting
I’m a good starter. I attribute that to the gift I believe God gave: I see possibilities. My MBTI personality profile supports this theory. I walk into a room or a work situation and immediately start thinking of ways to improve the situation. I thrive in work situations where I can think of news ways to do the job. Working this way is plays to my strength of starting, but reveals all too quickly my boredom with follow through.
Now, while this can be a strength at work, it has a tendency to make my husband moan and roll his eyes at home. Every now and then I’ll get a creative bug in my bonnet and I’ll start some project. Currently, it’s a cross-stitch I started in December for my brother’s birthday in January (yes, I know, it’s almost April). I carry it with me everywhere I go just in case that bug should decide to show up again. It’s almost done. I just need to bring myself to complete it.
Most of us are good at starting things. How many books have we started but never finished? How many have started college but never completed the degree? How many craft projects sit in bins waiting to be finished? How many diets have we started and given up on?
In his letter to Timothy, Paul declares, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race.” I believe that verse holds the key to why we tend to give up and not finish what we start. It’s all in the word FIGHT. As soon as the going gets tough, we’re done. It’s true with classes, diets, jobs, and relationships. When it starts to feel like work, we walk away.
I have a friend who has always been an inspiration to me, but I’m not sure she knows how much. She’s a doctor, professor, wife, mother, friend, and sister. Oh, and she’s also a quilter. She makes quilts. If you’ve ever done that you know how exacting and exhausting it can be. Her life has been spent on others, in work and “recreation.” There just doesn’t seem to be any quit in her.
As I think through my friends, there are many people who are inspirational. They face down illness, their own and the illnesses of loved ones. They open their homes to troubled children. They pour out their lives in thankless jobs. They stand by discouraged mates and face down their own fears. The list could go on and on.
Emily Dickenson is quoted as having said, “I dwell in possibilities.” I can relate. But I also want to finish. I want to finish craft projects. I want to finish jobs. I want to go the distance in my relationships. Most of all, I want to finish the race of faith.
So, excuse me while I put down my pen and pick up my needle. Maybe I can get this cross-stitch done before my brother’s next birthday.
I’m a good starter. I attribute that to the gift I believe God gave: I see possibilities. My MBTI personality profile supports this theory. I walk into a room or a work situation and immediately start thinking of ways to improve the situation. I thrive in work situations where I can think of news ways to do the job. Working this way is plays to my strength of starting, but reveals all too quickly my boredom with follow through.
Now, while this can be a strength at work, it has a tendency to make my husband moan and roll his eyes at home. Every now and then I’ll get a creative bug in my bonnet and I’ll start some project. Currently, it’s a cross-stitch I started in December for my brother’s birthday in January (yes, I know, it’s almost April). I carry it with me everywhere I go just in case that bug should decide to show up again. It’s almost done. I just need to bring myself to complete it.
Most of us are good at starting things. How many books have we started but never finished? How many have started college but never completed the degree? How many craft projects sit in bins waiting to be finished? How many diets have we started and given up on?
In his letter to Timothy, Paul declares, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race.” I believe that verse holds the key to why we tend to give up and not finish what we start. It’s all in the word FIGHT. As soon as the going gets tough, we’re done. It’s true with classes, diets, jobs, and relationships. When it starts to feel like work, we walk away.
I have a friend who has always been an inspiration to me, but I’m not sure she knows how much. She’s a doctor, professor, wife, mother, friend, and sister. Oh, and she’s also a quilter. She makes quilts. If you’ve ever done that you know how exacting and exhausting it can be. Her life has been spent on others, in work and “recreation.” There just doesn’t seem to be any quit in her.
As I think through my friends, there are many people who are inspirational. They face down illness, their own and the illnesses of loved ones. They open their homes to troubled children. They pour out their lives in thankless jobs. They stand by discouraged mates and face down their own fears. The list could go on and on.
Emily Dickenson is quoted as having said, “I dwell in possibilities.” I can relate. But I also want to finish. I want to finish craft projects. I want to finish jobs. I want to go the distance in my relationships. Most of all, I want to finish the race of faith.
So, excuse me while I put down my pen and pick up my needle. Maybe I can get this cross-stitch done before my brother’s next birthday.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Lent Day 23: Aroma
Lent Day 23: Aroma
15For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing (2 Corinthians 2:15, NIV).
I used to work in a gas station convenience store. I always knew when it was 3:15 because a certain woman came to buy a cappuccino on her way to work and she wore a distinctive perfume. After spending a shift in a stale aired place catching her scent always made me smile.
Not every smell was quite as pleasant. I knew when the vet students came in from the farms. I knew when the stoners were making a run for munchies. I knew when the newspaper delivery guy who was a chain smoker walked into the shop. And don’t get me started on the bathrooms.
Smells are incredibly powerful and can evoke all kinds of emotions. Experts tell us that before a child can ever really distinguish her mother’s face she knows her mother’s smell. My neighborhood was full of the smells of barbeque grilling this past weekend. All kinds of memories can be evoked by the smell of homemade bread or fresh from the oven chocolate chip cookies. Home sellers are encouraged to create very pleasant smells in their homes when prospective buyers are touring.
People can be very sensitive to smells. It is considered selfish and inconsiderate in social settings for people to wear fragrances due to allergies and extreme sensitivities. What was once thought to be pleasant and appropriate can now result in exacerbating asthma attacks. I love my husband’s aftershave but I can’t convince him that less is better. He seems to be unable to smell a single spritz so he crosses a line into overkill and overpower.
So, how does that fit in with Paul’s teaching about our being the aroma of Christ? It reminded me of walking into our home recently. My husband had marinated some salmon and had it baking in the oven. The smell made me salivate and envision a very delicious dinner. Our younger daughter stopped by to drop something off and immediately screwed up her nose and complained about the awful fishy smell. How could it be both?
Our lives as believers will leave an impression. For some, it will be pleasant. For others, however, it will be considered stench. We can be considerate to not overpower, but we cannot afford to allow political correctness or social convention to rob us or dilute the truth of who we are in Christ. Be sensitive but always be sweet in the eyes of God.
15For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing (2 Corinthians 2:15, NIV).
I used to work in a gas station convenience store. I always knew when it was 3:15 because a certain woman came to buy a cappuccino on her way to work and she wore a distinctive perfume. After spending a shift in a stale aired place catching her scent always made me smile.
Not every smell was quite as pleasant. I knew when the vet students came in from the farms. I knew when the stoners were making a run for munchies. I knew when the newspaper delivery guy who was a chain smoker walked into the shop. And don’t get me started on the bathrooms.
Smells are incredibly powerful and can evoke all kinds of emotions. Experts tell us that before a child can ever really distinguish her mother’s face she knows her mother’s smell. My neighborhood was full of the smells of barbeque grilling this past weekend. All kinds of memories can be evoked by the smell of homemade bread or fresh from the oven chocolate chip cookies. Home sellers are encouraged to create very pleasant smells in their homes when prospective buyers are touring.
People can be very sensitive to smells. It is considered selfish and inconsiderate in social settings for people to wear fragrances due to allergies and extreme sensitivities. What was once thought to be pleasant and appropriate can now result in exacerbating asthma attacks. I love my husband’s aftershave but I can’t convince him that less is better. He seems to be unable to smell a single spritz so he crosses a line into overkill and overpower.
So, how does that fit in with Paul’s teaching about our being the aroma of Christ? It reminded me of walking into our home recently. My husband had marinated some salmon and had it baking in the oven. The smell made me salivate and envision a very delicious dinner. Our younger daughter stopped by to drop something off and immediately screwed up her nose and complained about the awful fishy smell. How could it be both?
Our lives as believers will leave an impression. For some, it will be pleasant. For others, however, it will be considered stench. We can be considerate to not overpower, but we cannot afford to allow political correctness or social convention to rob us or dilute the truth of who we are in Christ. Be sensitive but always be sweet in the eyes of God.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Lent Day 22: Timely
My husband knows when to walk in the door with an apple fritter. Not there is ever a bad time, but over the course of our thirty years of marriage he has acquired the ability to know when I need one the most. I thank God for giving him that gift.
I’m also thankful that God is “on time” with his gifts. I was reading in Hebrews this morning and I came upon this verse: So let us keep on coming boldly to the throne of grace, so that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16, ISV). A couple things jumped out at me that I want to share this morning.
First, we are invited to come boldly. Family is bold, guests are not. Have you ever noticed that difference? Guests still ask to use something in your home. Family walks up to the refrigerator and drink right out of the milk jug. Okay, maybe not at your house, but they do at mine. The point is: there is a certain timidity with being a guest. You stay on your best behavior for fear of being ousted. Family has a “comfortability” that by-passes conventionality and operates with a freer boldness. God has invited us into his family and wants us to move with greater confidence when it comes to bringing our needs before him. Here’s the catch: he already knows what they are. You try to anticipate your guests’ needs and provide accordingly, but you don’t know until they ask and they often won’t ask. God knows all of our needs and he’s waiting for us to ask. In this verse, it seems like he’s telling us to stop acting like guests and ask for what we need with the confidence that comes from knowing that one being asked of really does have it all.
Now for that little phrase: in our time of need. Some translations use an image of seasonable help. While God has the ability to supply all your needs (Phil. 4:19), he doesn’t just dump on you. It’s a bit like the manna God provided to the wanderers in the wilderness. It came fresh every morning and they were to take enough for that day, otherwise it would spoil (and it was a rotten spoilage). Jesus, when he was teaching his disciples to pray, told them to ask for their daily provision, their daily bread. We’re a funny people. Let the weather gurus forecast a big storm and the food flies off the grocery shelves like there was not going to be a tomorrow. It becomes a first come, first hoard nightmare. God just doesn’t work that way. He will give grace and mercy when you need it—never too early, never too late.
So whether it’s a timely delivered apple fritter, a call from a friend, a job prospect, or an unexpected windfall, we can know that God will be right on time for our every need.
My husband knows when to walk in the door with an apple fritter. Not there is ever a bad time, but over the course of our thirty years of marriage he has acquired the ability to know when I need one the most. I thank God for giving him that gift.
I’m also thankful that God is “on time” with his gifts. I was reading in Hebrews this morning and I came upon this verse: So let us keep on coming boldly to the throne of grace, so that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16, ISV). A couple things jumped out at me that I want to share this morning.
First, we are invited to come boldly. Family is bold, guests are not. Have you ever noticed that difference? Guests still ask to use something in your home. Family walks up to the refrigerator and drink right out of the milk jug. Okay, maybe not at your house, but they do at mine. The point is: there is a certain timidity with being a guest. You stay on your best behavior for fear of being ousted. Family has a “comfortability” that by-passes conventionality and operates with a freer boldness. God has invited us into his family and wants us to move with greater confidence when it comes to bringing our needs before him. Here’s the catch: he already knows what they are. You try to anticipate your guests’ needs and provide accordingly, but you don’t know until they ask and they often won’t ask. God knows all of our needs and he’s waiting for us to ask. In this verse, it seems like he’s telling us to stop acting like guests and ask for what we need with the confidence that comes from knowing that one being asked of really does have it all.
Now for that little phrase: in our time of need. Some translations use an image of seasonable help. While God has the ability to supply all your needs (Phil. 4:19), he doesn’t just dump on you. It’s a bit like the manna God provided to the wanderers in the wilderness. It came fresh every morning and they were to take enough for that day, otherwise it would spoil (and it was a rotten spoilage). Jesus, when he was teaching his disciples to pray, told them to ask for their daily provision, their daily bread. We’re a funny people. Let the weather gurus forecast a big storm and the food flies off the grocery shelves like there was not going to be a tomorrow. It becomes a first come, first hoard nightmare. God just doesn’t work that way. He will give grace and mercy when you need it—never too early, never too late.
So whether it’s a timely delivered apple fritter, a call from a friend, a job prospect, or an unexpected windfall, we can know that God will be right on time for our every need.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Lent Day 21: Size
Lent Day 21: Sizes
In my life I’ve had one pair of shoes that fit perfectly—or as close as one can get without having the shoes made specifically for them. It happened over twenty years ago. I was in a discount chain store that was popular then and I happened upon a pair of tennis shoes that weren’t made to be a pair. I was ecstatic with my find! The left foot was an 8 ½ and the right was an 8. Someone had created this “perfect pair” because they had the opposite need from my own. You see, the second toe on my left foot is just long enough to make wearing an 8 a bit painful, while an 8 ½ is too big for my right foot.
Have you ever wondered who or how they created the sizing industry? Have you noticed that clothing in more expensive stores is larger than in discount stores?
Have you ever tried to fit into “One Size Fits All”? Have seen how they’ve tried to make that more politically correct by printing the tag with “One Size Fits Most.” Actually, I think it’s more like “One Size Fits Very Few.” In days gone by shoes were cobbled to fit the person just as clothes were tailored individually. These days it seems like the only shoes that are individually made are for people with specific orthopedic or medical needs and they’re incredibly expensive. Tailoring is the way to go to get clothes that fit—but try to find a tailor!
Tucked away in one of my favorite passages is a reassurance to me that God understands my frustration. Jesus looks out at the crowd that has gathered around him and he is moved with compassion and he utters the familiar and oft quoted: 28-30"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
In one of the earliest sermons I ever preached I referred to this passage and the process of tailor-making the yokes for the oxen that the farmer in Jesus’ day would have used. The process was exacting because the farmer wanted to be sure that the yoke fit perfectly so that the oxen would be able to get the job done without the annoyance of an Ill-fitting yoke.
It is a very freeing thing to realize that God has created and gifted us all individually and uniquely and then placed us exactly where he needs us to be. He not only tailor makes us, he orchestrates the mix of gifts within families, congregations, communities, and…Our tendency is to lean toward frustration when we feel we’re not being used because we don’t see the greater picture from God’s perspective. We get out of sync when we feel we are being underused or overburdened, when the truth is if we will allow God, he will make things just right. He wants to show us. He wants us to catch his rhythm.
That same excitement I found when I discovered that “perfect pair” of shoes is what God offers me, and you, every day. He has made this day perfectly for you. If you walk through it in his rhythm you will find out how perfectly it fits. Will you watch him? Will you learn from him? Will you see it through his eyes instead of your frustration? Surrender your expectation that one size day fits all and find his perfect fit for you.
In my life I’ve had one pair of shoes that fit perfectly—or as close as one can get without having the shoes made specifically for them. It happened over twenty years ago. I was in a discount chain store that was popular then and I happened upon a pair of tennis shoes that weren’t made to be a pair. I was ecstatic with my find! The left foot was an 8 ½ and the right was an 8. Someone had created this “perfect pair” because they had the opposite need from my own. You see, the second toe on my left foot is just long enough to make wearing an 8 a bit painful, while an 8 ½ is too big for my right foot.
Have you ever wondered who or how they created the sizing industry? Have you noticed that clothing in more expensive stores is larger than in discount stores?
Have you ever tried to fit into “One Size Fits All”? Have seen how they’ve tried to make that more politically correct by printing the tag with “One Size Fits Most.” Actually, I think it’s more like “One Size Fits Very Few.” In days gone by shoes were cobbled to fit the person just as clothes were tailored individually. These days it seems like the only shoes that are individually made are for people with specific orthopedic or medical needs and they’re incredibly expensive. Tailoring is the way to go to get clothes that fit—but try to find a tailor!
Tucked away in one of my favorite passages is a reassurance to me that God understands my frustration. Jesus looks out at the crowd that has gathered around him and he is moved with compassion and he utters the familiar and oft quoted: 28-30"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."
In one of the earliest sermons I ever preached I referred to this passage and the process of tailor-making the yokes for the oxen that the farmer in Jesus’ day would have used. The process was exacting because the farmer wanted to be sure that the yoke fit perfectly so that the oxen would be able to get the job done without the annoyance of an Ill-fitting yoke.
It is a very freeing thing to realize that God has created and gifted us all individually and uniquely and then placed us exactly where he needs us to be. He not only tailor makes us, he orchestrates the mix of gifts within families, congregations, communities, and…Our tendency is to lean toward frustration when we feel we’re not being used because we don’t see the greater picture from God’s perspective. We get out of sync when we feel we are being underused or overburdened, when the truth is if we will allow God, he will make things just right. He wants to show us. He wants us to catch his rhythm.
That same excitement I found when I discovered that “perfect pair” of shoes is what God offers me, and you, every day. He has made this day perfectly for you. If you walk through it in his rhythm you will find out how perfectly it fits. Will you watch him? Will you learn from him? Will you see it through his eyes instead of your frustration? Surrender your expectation that one size day fits all and find his perfect fit for you.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Lent Day 20: Signs
Lent Day 20: Signs
This week I saw my first robins. I couldn’t help but smile. Ever since I was a little kid I have looked forward to seeing the first robins because they were the signal that Spring was fast approaching. I never got too excited about the ground hog seeing his shadow or not, but spying one of those orange-chested creatures gets my heart to pumping!
There are all kinds of “first signs” around us. We are typically aware of: the first signs of a cold; the first signs that Christmas is around the corner; the first signs of aging; the first signs that it’s time for that baby to be born. Some first signs are good and exciting: first steps, first words, and first days of school. While others are more foreboding: when the engine light first comes on, first signs of a heart attack, and signs of the demise of a relationship.
So what do we do with all these signs? What signs do we heed while choosing to ignore others? Do we continue to push our luck and tempt fate? When we don’t act or try to put off the inevitable are we more responsible when things fall apart? It seems so odd to me that we fuss when we aren’t given enough warning , but then we choose to not pay attention to the warnings we’re given.
When I thought about this I was reminded of a winter a few years back. We had been hit by several heavy snow storms and missed by others. The local TV station’s chief meteorologist was trying to explain the whole process. He had taken some heat for his recent reports and especially for what seemed like “misreporting.” Finally, he threw his hands up and admitted, “We have no idea what’s coming.” All they could do is read the signs and hope for the best.
We’re all a bit like the weatherman: all we can do is pay attention to the signs and do our best. Ignoring the signs around us will not protect us from what is coming. Putting off typically does not mend or heal anything. The robins are going to return and Spring is going to come. So whatcha gonna do about it?
This week I saw my first robins. I couldn’t help but smile. Ever since I was a little kid I have looked forward to seeing the first robins because they were the signal that Spring was fast approaching. I never got too excited about the ground hog seeing his shadow or not, but spying one of those orange-chested creatures gets my heart to pumping!
There are all kinds of “first signs” around us. We are typically aware of: the first signs of a cold; the first signs that Christmas is around the corner; the first signs of aging; the first signs that it’s time for that baby to be born. Some first signs are good and exciting: first steps, first words, and first days of school. While others are more foreboding: when the engine light first comes on, first signs of a heart attack, and signs of the demise of a relationship.
So what do we do with all these signs? What signs do we heed while choosing to ignore others? Do we continue to push our luck and tempt fate? When we don’t act or try to put off the inevitable are we more responsible when things fall apart? It seems so odd to me that we fuss when we aren’t given enough warning , but then we choose to not pay attention to the warnings we’re given.
When I thought about this I was reminded of a winter a few years back. We had been hit by several heavy snow storms and missed by others. The local TV station’s chief meteorologist was trying to explain the whole process. He had taken some heat for his recent reports and especially for what seemed like “misreporting.” Finally, he threw his hands up and admitted, “We have no idea what’s coming.” All they could do is read the signs and hope for the best.
We’re all a bit like the weatherman: all we can do is pay attention to the signs and do our best. Ignoring the signs around us will not protect us from what is coming. Putting off typically does not mend or heal anything. The robins are going to return and Spring is going to come. So whatcha gonna do about it?
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Lent Day 19: Joy
Lent Day 19: Joy
One of the things I love about working out at Curves is the fun we have. While we’re sweating and stretching ourselves we were also laughing. One day last week we seemed to be enjoying each other more than usual. In the middle of our laughter one of the ladies quipped, “If my husband knew how much fun I was having he wouldn’t let me come here.” In the moment I laughed it off, but the more I thought about it, the more it bothered me. Reflecting on it now, I think I’m beginning to understand why.
This woman’s husband seems a bit like a parishioner in the last church I pastored. He was of the mindset that there was no room for laughter in church. This typically put us at odds. I’m a giggler. I laugh a lot. I laugh loudly. I snicker. I love to make people laugh. I’ve been told that laughter is good medicine, so the people around me should be healthier.
I think that Jesus had a very intense personality. I think the scriptures portray him with very real emotions. This same Jesus who overturned the tables of the money changers wept with his friends and with the widow whose son had died. Jesus was moved with compassion when he looked out over the crowds. He felt their helplessness and hopelessness. But he was also invited to weddings and dinner parties. People wanted to be around Jesus. He knew how to be with children.
I believe Jesus laughed. I love the pictures of Jesus where he is smiling and laughing. There are far more pictures of Jesus looking solemn and serious and some think that’s the only way he should be portrayed. Salvation is serious business after all. And I couldn’t agree more, it is serious, but did you know that there are over 240 references to joy in the Bible? Job speaks of laughter being restored. David prayed that God would restore the joy of his salvation. Jesus reminded his disciples that he had come to make their joy complete. James picks up on this and tells us to count it ALL joy! Good and bad, pain and pleasure, win or lose. The joy of the Lord is my strength.
There is room for joy in your journey. There is room for laughter at church. You can enjoy your relationship with God. Go ahead and celebrate life. It doesn’t make the bad things go away, but it does take away their power over you. It’s a little like working out at Curves. Laughter doesn’t mean we won’t sweat, but while we do we will find reason to laugh, to rejoice, to enjoy. So thank God for laughter today and make sure to share some with someone you love.
One of the things I love about working out at Curves is the fun we have. While we’re sweating and stretching ourselves we were also laughing. One day last week we seemed to be enjoying each other more than usual. In the middle of our laughter one of the ladies quipped, “If my husband knew how much fun I was having he wouldn’t let me come here.” In the moment I laughed it off, but the more I thought about it, the more it bothered me. Reflecting on it now, I think I’m beginning to understand why.
This woman’s husband seems a bit like a parishioner in the last church I pastored. He was of the mindset that there was no room for laughter in church. This typically put us at odds. I’m a giggler. I laugh a lot. I laugh loudly. I snicker. I love to make people laugh. I’ve been told that laughter is good medicine, so the people around me should be healthier.
I think that Jesus had a very intense personality. I think the scriptures portray him with very real emotions. This same Jesus who overturned the tables of the money changers wept with his friends and with the widow whose son had died. Jesus was moved with compassion when he looked out over the crowds. He felt their helplessness and hopelessness. But he was also invited to weddings and dinner parties. People wanted to be around Jesus. He knew how to be with children.
I believe Jesus laughed. I love the pictures of Jesus where he is smiling and laughing. There are far more pictures of Jesus looking solemn and serious and some think that’s the only way he should be portrayed. Salvation is serious business after all. And I couldn’t agree more, it is serious, but did you know that there are over 240 references to joy in the Bible? Job speaks of laughter being restored. David prayed that God would restore the joy of his salvation. Jesus reminded his disciples that he had come to make their joy complete. James picks up on this and tells us to count it ALL joy! Good and bad, pain and pleasure, win or lose. The joy of the Lord is my strength.
There is room for joy in your journey. There is room for laughter at church. You can enjoy your relationship with God. Go ahead and celebrate life. It doesn’t make the bad things go away, but it does take away their power over you. It’s a little like working out at Curves. Laughter doesn’t mean we won’t sweat, but while we do we will find reason to laugh, to rejoice, to enjoy. So thank God for laughter today and make sure to share some with someone you love.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Lent Day 18: Unplugged
Lent Day 18:
We’re pretty spoiled by electricity. Instant light. Ready power. Today Nelson and I are going to go look at potential houses to buy and one of the things that I look for is how many outlets there are and where they are in all the rooms. Over the years my opinion has become: there are never enough.
Recently I’ve read several articles aimed at helping us “go green”, including unplugging items that are not in use. Chargers, radios, lamps, even computer printers that lie in wait for our convenience were described by one author as “electrical vampires.” The amounts of drainage were not high on their own but when put together in households and neighborhoods and communities becomes staggering.
As I went through my home unplugging the unnecessary, I began to wonder what was sapping my spirit? I thought of the writer of Hebrews where he warned: It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins (12:1, The Message).
My birthday is just around the corner. Getting older has not been easy: my body doesn’t respond like it used to. I haven’t done a really good job of listening to it either. I’ve let far too many pounds creep on and justified each and every one of them. There are tests that my doctor wants me to have because of my age that I have been putting off. I need to update my glasses and get my teeth cleaned. I’ve justified putting it off by claiming financial prudence, when in fact it is foolishness and poor stewardship to not take care of this amazing physical machine—we truly are fearfully and wonderfully made.
This awareness has me drinking Danactive and taking Omega3 in addition to my other vitamins and minerals. So I’m trying to get better at taking care physically. How do I go green spiritually? I keep coming back to this “unplugging” idea. I’m wondering about what “parasitic sins” are attacking me and sucking out my spirit.
So, just as I’m going to count outlets as I walk through potential houses today, I’m going to search through the rooms of my spirit. I’m going to ask God to open the eyes of my heart (Ephesians 1:18) and help me do some spring cleaning. I have a race to run and I want to run it well. Want to run with me?
We’re pretty spoiled by electricity. Instant light. Ready power. Today Nelson and I are going to go look at potential houses to buy and one of the things that I look for is how many outlets there are and where they are in all the rooms. Over the years my opinion has become: there are never enough.
Recently I’ve read several articles aimed at helping us “go green”, including unplugging items that are not in use. Chargers, radios, lamps, even computer printers that lie in wait for our convenience were described by one author as “electrical vampires.” The amounts of drainage were not high on their own but when put together in households and neighborhoods and communities becomes staggering.
As I went through my home unplugging the unnecessary, I began to wonder what was sapping my spirit? I thought of the writer of Hebrews where he warned: It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins (12:1, The Message).
My birthday is just around the corner. Getting older has not been easy: my body doesn’t respond like it used to. I haven’t done a really good job of listening to it either. I’ve let far too many pounds creep on and justified each and every one of them. There are tests that my doctor wants me to have because of my age that I have been putting off. I need to update my glasses and get my teeth cleaned. I’ve justified putting it off by claiming financial prudence, when in fact it is foolishness and poor stewardship to not take care of this amazing physical machine—we truly are fearfully and wonderfully made.
This awareness has me drinking Danactive and taking Omega3 in addition to my other vitamins and minerals. So I’m trying to get better at taking care physically. How do I go green spiritually? I keep coming back to this “unplugging” idea. I’m wondering about what “parasitic sins” are attacking me and sucking out my spirit.
So, just as I’m going to count outlets as I walk through potential houses today, I’m going to search through the rooms of my spirit. I’m going to ask God to open the eyes of my heart (Ephesians 1:18) and help me do some spring cleaning. I have a race to run and I want to run it well. Want to run with me?
Lent Day 17: Names
Lent Day 17: Names
I go to the coolest church. No, really I do. At my church, we have Blessings and Miracles. I know most churches have blessings and miracles, but our Blessings and Miracles are families. We even have a Gentile family. I remember one Sunday that Pastor pointed out that there was a pew full of Blessings and Miracles. What’s really cool is that being around these people leaves one truly with a sense of Blessings and Miracles. And the Gentiles really are.
Naming a child is huge responsibility. I remember the hours poring over name books when I was pregnant. I wanted them to have names that they could grow into. I’ll admit, when I hear some of the names chosen these days, it makes me sad. It’s as if the only consideration is oddity and shock value.
That being said, I’m not sure I would have been happy if I was Jacob (supplanter or heel grabber) or Esau (red and hairy). Or imagine going through life as Jabez, whose name means pain. Thankfully, I haven’t heard of any Jezebels or Ahaz lately.
How do you feel when someone calls out your name? I always knew when I was in trouble because my mother would use my middle name. My husband has names for me that only he uses. My immediate family and very close friends call me something special. When I am addressed that way there’s something in my heart that just instantly softens. And there’s just nothing like one of the grandbabies running at me and shouting “Mema!”
This reminded of what Jesus said John 10:3: “The gate keeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”
The Father knows your name. He whispers it when you’re frightened. He calls to you, wanting to lead to the green pastures and calm streams. He shouts it when you’re headed toward trouble. He has a sweet, special name for you. Sometimes he will change your name, giving you a name you can grow into one that will glorify him.
Have you heard him call your name? Have you been listening?
I go to the coolest church. No, really I do. At my church, we have Blessings and Miracles. I know most churches have blessings and miracles, but our Blessings and Miracles are families. We even have a Gentile family. I remember one Sunday that Pastor pointed out that there was a pew full of Blessings and Miracles. What’s really cool is that being around these people leaves one truly with a sense of Blessings and Miracles. And the Gentiles really are.
Naming a child is huge responsibility. I remember the hours poring over name books when I was pregnant. I wanted them to have names that they could grow into. I’ll admit, when I hear some of the names chosen these days, it makes me sad. It’s as if the only consideration is oddity and shock value.
That being said, I’m not sure I would have been happy if I was Jacob (supplanter or heel grabber) or Esau (red and hairy). Or imagine going through life as Jabez, whose name means pain. Thankfully, I haven’t heard of any Jezebels or Ahaz lately.
How do you feel when someone calls out your name? I always knew when I was in trouble because my mother would use my middle name. My husband has names for me that only he uses. My immediate family and very close friends call me something special. When I am addressed that way there’s something in my heart that just instantly softens. And there’s just nothing like one of the grandbabies running at me and shouting “Mema!”
This reminded of what Jesus said John 10:3: “The gate keeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”
The Father knows your name. He whispers it when you’re frightened. He calls to you, wanting to lead to the green pastures and calm streams. He shouts it when you’re headed toward trouble. He has a sweet, special name for you. Sometimes he will change your name, giving you a name you can grow into one that will glorify him.
Have you heard him call your name? Have you been listening?
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Lent Day 16: Self-denial
Lent Day 16: Self-denial
My life has been in a kind of Lent mode for quite some time. I’ve been living without some indulgences due to money crunching. Living on a budget forces us to really think about what is necessary and what can wait or not even be considered.
Interestingly, I was thinking about this on my way to work. I passed the gas station where I occasionally stopped for a tasty cappuccino. Before I knew it, I was driving by McDonald’s and I’m almost positive I heard a hazelnut iced coffee screaming out my name. But I just kept driving; and thinking as I drove. As I grew up I heard of people “giving up” chocolate or pizza for Lent. This year, Church Leaders were recommending to the faithful that they give up technology (computers, internet, and texting). I had trouble then and now making the spiritual connection between the items given up and God.
Did you give up something for Lent? Why? The purpose of giving something up is to make room for something else. Just as when we fast, we forego food to focus on God. As I thought about it I was reminded of the time when the Pharisees accused Jesus of casting out the demon by the power of Beelzebub. Through the story we’re warned of the danger of simply casting out something, in that case evil, without filling it up with something of God.
When I was in college one of my dearest friends challenged me to consider self denial. She made reference to Jesus’ instruction to the disciples to deny themselves and take up their cross (Mark 8:34). While many point to the cross as burden or pain, it has also been suggested that it is about mission and purpose. Understanding this began to help me put the pieces together.
I guess it could be about chocolate or the internet if the pursuit of those things keeps me from fulfilling my purpose. To know that, though, I believe I’m going to have to know what my mission is. Many years ago, as I began my ministry I felt directed to verse in Colossians as a guide for me as a pastor and as a person. Paul wrote: 2My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ (Colossians 2:2).
These days, I have more time to live into what I think that verse is calling me to do and be. Each day as I reflect, I’m shone the things that I have planned that can keep me from fulfilling my purpose. If I am going to live as true follower of Christ, I’m going to have to give those things up, deny my selfish interests, and live on purpose for Christ. Personally, that’s something I have to do daily, just as Jesus invited me to do.
Do you know what your purpose, your mission is? Have you thought about what is holding you back from fulfilling your calling in Christ? Set it down and let Him fill you up!
My life has been in a kind of Lent mode for quite some time. I’ve been living without some indulgences due to money crunching. Living on a budget forces us to really think about what is necessary and what can wait or not even be considered.
Interestingly, I was thinking about this on my way to work. I passed the gas station where I occasionally stopped for a tasty cappuccino. Before I knew it, I was driving by McDonald’s and I’m almost positive I heard a hazelnut iced coffee screaming out my name. But I just kept driving; and thinking as I drove. As I grew up I heard of people “giving up” chocolate or pizza for Lent. This year, Church Leaders were recommending to the faithful that they give up technology (computers, internet, and texting). I had trouble then and now making the spiritual connection between the items given up and God.
Did you give up something for Lent? Why? The purpose of giving something up is to make room for something else. Just as when we fast, we forego food to focus on God. As I thought about it I was reminded of the time when the Pharisees accused Jesus of casting out the demon by the power of Beelzebub. Through the story we’re warned of the danger of simply casting out something, in that case evil, without filling it up with something of God.
When I was in college one of my dearest friends challenged me to consider self denial. She made reference to Jesus’ instruction to the disciples to deny themselves and take up their cross (Mark 8:34). While many point to the cross as burden or pain, it has also been suggested that it is about mission and purpose. Understanding this began to help me put the pieces together.
I guess it could be about chocolate or the internet if the pursuit of those things keeps me from fulfilling my purpose. To know that, though, I believe I’m going to have to know what my mission is. Many years ago, as I began my ministry I felt directed to verse in Colossians as a guide for me as a pastor and as a person. Paul wrote: 2My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ (Colossians 2:2).
These days, I have more time to live into what I think that verse is calling me to do and be. Each day as I reflect, I’m shone the things that I have planned that can keep me from fulfilling my purpose. If I am going to live as true follower of Christ, I’m going to have to give those things up, deny my selfish interests, and live on purpose for Christ. Personally, that’s something I have to do daily, just as Jesus invited me to do.
Do you know what your purpose, your mission is? Have you thought about what is holding you back from fulfilling your calling in Christ? Set it down and let Him fill you up!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Lent Day 15: Determination
Lent Day 15: Determination
Yesterday was a really good day with my elder sitting job. When my little lady emerged from her bedroom, she asked if I had seen the flowers. Flowers? It was too early for the crocus to be up, and too cold. I told her I hadn’t and she instructed me to go look out the bedroom window. I complied and what I saw was beautiful! All along the hedge was a row of white flowers. She called them snowdrops and she was quite proud of what she had planted.
I quickly finished preparing her breakfast and got her going on that and then I went out to pick a handful of precious little flowers. I felt like such a kid with a fistful of posies. As I was gathering them, I reached for one that was, to me, more special than all the rest. Pulling the stem, I noticed that the flower had poked its way not only through the dirt to make its entrance into this world, but it had worked itself right through a dead leaf—the leaf was still around the stem.
I took the flowers and the leaf in to show my little lady. She lit up when she saw them. I showed her how determined the one little flower had been. She agreed that it was special. I put them in a little jelly jar and she arranged them and then got on with her breakfast.
I went over to my usual seat and pondered the leaf for a little bit. What was its message for me today? I thought about determination. Is it a biblical principle? I thought of the story of Zacheus who would not allow his stature to keep him from seeing Jesus. I thought about the woman with the issue of blood who knew if she could just touch the fringe of his garment she would be healed. I thought of Jacob wrestling with the angel. I thought about how when Jesus talked to his disciples about producing fruit in their lives, they were to produce much fruit. I thought about many times it tells us to “make every effort” in our faith and to not grow weary. I thought about how it is reported that Jesus “set his face” to Jerusalem and Paul was determined to go to Rome.
Yes, I think determination is a biblical principle. So, what have I determined and where am I determined? How about you? God placed in the heart of that little seed the need to sprout and no leaf was going to deter it. It carried its resolve as a sign of its determination. I don’t know what you have to “go through” to grow, but I do know that the process can be difficult and often wearisome. Remember that others will be watching to see you poke through. Oh, how it will bless them…and God!
Yesterday was a really good day with my elder sitting job. When my little lady emerged from her bedroom, she asked if I had seen the flowers. Flowers? It was too early for the crocus to be up, and too cold. I told her I hadn’t and she instructed me to go look out the bedroom window. I complied and what I saw was beautiful! All along the hedge was a row of white flowers. She called them snowdrops and she was quite proud of what she had planted.
I quickly finished preparing her breakfast and got her going on that and then I went out to pick a handful of precious little flowers. I felt like such a kid with a fistful of posies. As I was gathering them, I reached for one that was, to me, more special than all the rest. Pulling the stem, I noticed that the flower had poked its way not only through the dirt to make its entrance into this world, but it had worked itself right through a dead leaf—the leaf was still around the stem.
I took the flowers and the leaf in to show my little lady. She lit up when she saw them. I showed her how determined the one little flower had been. She agreed that it was special. I put them in a little jelly jar and she arranged them and then got on with her breakfast.
I went over to my usual seat and pondered the leaf for a little bit. What was its message for me today? I thought about determination. Is it a biblical principle? I thought of the story of Zacheus who would not allow his stature to keep him from seeing Jesus. I thought about the woman with the issue of blood who knew if she could just touch the fringe of his garment she would be healed. I thought of Jacob wrestling with the angel. I thought about how when Jesus talked to his disciples about producing fruit in their lives, they were to produce much fruit. I thought about many times it tells us to “make every effort” in our faith and to not grow weary. I thought about how it is reported that Jesus “set his face” to Jerusalem and Paul was determined to go to Rome.
Yes, I think determination is a biblical principle. So, what have I determined and where am I determined? How about you? God placed in the heart of that little seed the need to sprout and no leaf was going to deter it. It carried its resolve as a sign of its determination. I don’t know what you have to “go through” to grow, but I do know that the process can be difficult and often wearisome. Remember that others will be watching to see you poke through. Oh, how it will bless them…and God!
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Lent Day 14: Accountability
Lent Day 14: Accountability
In seminary, the first time around, I took a preaching course with Dr. Charles Munson. I was pastoring my first church and such an absolute rookie. One day in class, he made this statement: “There are no secret disciples. Either the disciple will kill the secret, or the secret will kill the disciple.”
When that quote came to mind this morning, I was thinking about confession and accountability. Yesterday I was reading my “Writer’s Digest” magazine and I came upon information regarding their spring writing contests. I thought to myself: I could do that. The longer I thought it became: I’m going to do that. I did a little more research and gave it a little more thought and then come evening I told my husband. Now I’m locked in. He won’t let me forget. And that’s exactly why I told him: he will hold my feet to the fire of accountability.
I was taught the ABC’s of faith were: accept, believe, and confess. We can do the first two privately, but the third sends us straight into accountability. Do you see that as good or bad? When I was still working as a family counselor, I worked with an agency that had several therapists with several levels of experience and licensure. There was a woman there who had “Independent” status who chaffed at the thought of supervision. She felt she was beyond that and resented someone looking over her shoulder. I was a rookie at the time so I was used to having my work scrutinized. Later, it was lack of accountability that had disastrous results.
I love the account of the disciples hanging out in the Upper Room until Pentecost. Imagine the scene. These folks had to learn how to be together. There were so many different kinds of folks. Trust was the furthest thing from their minds or experiences. Zealots, tax collectors, ex-prostitutes, and fishermen had to learn to get along. Miraculously, it worked. They were able to connect and when they did a power came on them like one this world had never seen.
What happened in that room? I think they learned to tell their story, the story of what Jesus had done for them, done in them. And they learned to listen. They talked about their dreams and what they hoped to accomplish with their lives for God and for the Kingdome. They told their secrets and became accountable to one another. And it changed the world.
What secret desires has God been wanting to unwrap and unleash in your life? Tell someone. Get accountable. Allow God to work. You may be surprised at what power you free up to blow through your life and the lives around you!
In seminary, the first time around, I took a preaching course with Dr. Charles Munson. I was pastoring my first church and such an absolute rookie. One day in class, he made this statement: “There are no secret disciples. Either the disciple will kill the secret, or the secret will kill the disciple.”
When that quote came to mind this morning, I was thinking about confession and accountability. Yesterday I was reading my “Writer’s Digest” magazine and I came upon information regarding their spring writing contests. I thought to myself: I could do that. The longer I thought it became: I’m going to do that. I did a little more research and gave it a little more thought and then come evening I told my husband. Now I’m locked in. He won’t let me forget. And that’s exactly why I told him: he will hold my feet to the fire of accountability.
I was taught the ABC’s of faith were: accept, believe, and confess. We can do the first two privately, but the third sends us straight into accountability. Do you see that as good or bad? When I was still working as a family counselor, I worked with an agency that had several therapists with several levels of experience and licensure. There was a woman there who had “Independent” status who chaffed at the thought of supervision. She felt she was beyond that and resented someone looking over her shoulder. I was a rookie at the time so I was used to having my work scrutinized. Later, it was lack of accountability that had disastrous results.
I love the account of the disciples hanging out in the Upper Room until Pentecost. Imagine the scene. These folks had to learn how to be together. There were so many different kinds of folks. Trust was the furthest thing from their minds or experiences. Zealots, tax collectors, ex-prostitutes, and fishermen had to learn to get along. Miraculously, it worked. They were able to connect and when they did a power came on them like one this world had never seen.
What happened in that room? I think they learned to tell their story, the story of what Jesus had done for them, done in them. And they learned to listen. They talked about their dreams and what they hoped to accomplish with their lives for God and for the Kingdome. They told their secrets and became accountable to one another. And it changed the world.
What secret desires has God been wanting to unwrap and unleash in your life? Tell someone. Get accountable. Allow God to work. You may be surprised at what power you free up to blow through your life and the lives around you!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Lent Day 13: Bubbling
Lent Day 13: Bubbling
It’s Monday morning and to top it off it’s Monday morning after the time change. To say the least, I’m not feeling very bubbly. I have been accused of having an effervescent personality, which sometimes (like on Monday mornings) is described as annoying.
Enthusiasm and eagerness should be words that describe us all as believers. According to Paul, “He (Jesus) gave himself for us to set us free from every wrong and to cleanse us so that we could be his special people who are enthusiastic about doing good deeds (Titus 2:14, ISV).
There are certain words that I have discovered over the years that have impacted my faith and practice as a Christian. This word for enthusiastic or zealous is one of them. It’s a word that conjures up the image of frothing over. One of the first pictures that comes to mind is the classic volcano science experiment many of us did as kids where adding the right ingredient at the right time in the right quantity results in an erupting volcano.
The ingredient that makes all the difference for us as believers is Jesus. He embodies everything we need and once we take him in we experience a cleansing, a bubbling up that results in a bubbling over of eagerness and enthusiasm to serve him.
Now when I think about being enthusiastic and eager I don’t think about waiting to be asked. Enthusiastic believers look for and anticipate ways to serve, to do good things for the Kingdom. A few weeks ago one of my church’s staff members was inviting people to fill out a survey to identify ways they were interested in serving through the Church. She kept describing it as a pool of volunteers. In my mind, I had this image of the community pool in summer. Remember how we had to get out every now and then and rest? We would be watching the clock and counting down, eagerly anticipating getting back in the pool. That eagerness should be what we feel as we think about serving: we just can’t hardly wait!
It’s still Monday, and I’m still a bit tired, but I’m also excited! This new day holds all kinds of possibilities for service, some I’m aware of and planning for already. But there will be others that just present themselves to me. Tired or not, here comes the bubbling!
Do you remember the old Sunday School/Camp song: Jesus love is a bubblin’ over….babababubblin’…babababubblin’…..
It’s Monday morning and to top it off it’s Monday morning after the time change. To say the least, I’m not feeling very bubbly. I have been accused of having an effervescent personality, which sometimes (like on Monday mornings) is described as annoying.
Enthusiasm and eagerness should be words that describe us all as believers. According to Paul, “He (Jesus) gave himself for us to set us free from every wrong and to cleanse us so that we could be his special people who are enthusiastic about doing good deeds (Titus 2:14, ISV).
There are certain words that I have discovered over the years that have impacted my faith and practice as a Christian. This word for enthusiastic or zealous is one of them. It’s a word that conjures up the image of frothing over. One of the first pictures that comes to mind is the classic volcano science experiment many of us did as kids where adding the right ingredient at the right time in the right quantity results in an erupting volcano.
The ingredient that makes all the difference for us as believers is Jesus. He embodies everything we need and once we take him in we experience a cleansing, a bubbling up that results in a bubbling over of eagerness and enthusiasm to serve him.
Now when I think about being enthusiastic and eager I don’t think about waiting to be asked. Enthusiastic believers look for and anticipate ways to serve, to do good things for the Kingdom. A few weeks ago one of my church’s staff members was inviting people to fill out a survey to identify ways they were interested in serving through the Church. She kept describing it as a pool of volunteers. In my mind, I had this image of the community pool in summer. Remember how we had to get out every now and then and rest? We would be watching the clock and counting down, eagerly anticipating getting back in the pool. That eagerness should be what we feel as we think about serving: we just can’t hardly wait!
It’s still Monday, and I’m still a bit tired, but I’m also excited! This new day holds all kinds of possibilities for service, some I’m aware of and planning for already. But there will be others that just present themselves to me. Tired or not, here comes the bubbling!
Do you remember the old Sunday School/Camp song: Jesus love is a bubblin’ over….babababubblin’…babababubblin’…..
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Lent Day 12: Remembering
Lent Day 12: Remembering
In the movie “The Sound of Music”, when Julie Andrews’ character is comforting the children in the middle of a horrific thunderstorm, she sings a song. Don’t they always when it’s a musical? The song that is to bring them comfort is a recounting of all her “favorite things.” Maybe you remember a few: raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens; bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens. She simple remembers her favorite things and then she won’t feel so bad.
Remembering. It’s a biblical principle. Back in the Old Testament God’s people are told to make a pile of rocks and the children are to ask what they are there for. Then the adults are to tell the story of God’s protection and provision. This way the story would not be lost from generation to generation.
I read an article this week that made a very bold claim—or at least I thought it was bold. The author said that we forget because we anticipate that we are going to forget. And if I could remember what magazine it was in, I would put down the whole quote. In essence: we forget because we don’t remember.
Perhaps that’s why there are so many references to remembering in the Bible, two hundred thirty three according to biblegateway.com.
Memory is a fickle thing. In my work with my little lady who has Alzheimer’s, I marvel at how she isn’t able to remember our immediate conversation but she can recount wonderful stories from her youth. She can tell you her recipe for homemade bread, but as she makes it she can’t recall if she put in the yeast.
One day she had been in her room for an unusually long time so I quietly peeked in the door to check on her. She was sitting on her bed by the bedside stand with her Bible open on her lap, her fingers running over the page as she read and reread Psalms. It reminded me of a time when I visited a woman in the hospital who was very close to death. Her lips were moving, but no sound was coming out. I leaned in close and heard her softly repeating the Lord’s Prayer. She was no longer conscious in this world, but her spirit was totally in touch.
Have you watched the news lately? It’s not for the faint of heart. There isn’t much “good” news being report. So we need to remember. What has God done for you, now or in the past? Where have and do you see his hand? Life is going to get harder and unless we become more intentional in our remembering, it will be very easy to forget.
Oh, and that article, it was in the January issue of Prevention, page 48.
In the movie “The Sound of Music”, when Julie Andrews’ character is comforting the children in the middle of a horrific thunderstorm, she sings a song. Don’t they always when it’s a musical? The song that is to bring them comfort is a recounting of all her “favorite things.” Maybe you remember a few: raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens; bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens. She simple remembers her favorite things and then she won’t feel so bad.
Remembering. It’s a biblical principle. Back in the Old Testament God’s people are told to make a pile of rocks and the children are to ask what they are there for. Then the adults are to tell the story of God’s protection and provision. This way the story would not be lost from generation to generation.
I read an article this week that made a very bold claim—or at least I thought it was bold. The author said that we forget because we anticipate that we are going to forget. And if I could remember what magazine it was in, I would put down the whole quote. In essence: we forget because we don’t remember.
Perhaps that’s why there are so many references to remembering in the Bible, two hundred thirty three according to biblegateway.com.
Memory is a fickle thing. In my work with my little lady who has Alzheimer’s, I marvel at how she isn’t able to remember our immediate conversation but she can recount wonderful stories from her youth. She can tell you her recipe for homemade bread, but as she makes it she can’t recall if she put in the yeast.
One day she had been in her room for an unusually long time so I quietly peeked in the door to check on her. She was sitting on her bed by the bedside stand with her Bible open on her lap, her fingers running over the page as she read and reread Psalms. It reminded me of a time when I visited a woman in the hospital who was very close to death. Her lips were moving, but no sound was coming out. I leaned in close and heard her softly repeating the Lord’s Prayer. She was no longer conscious in this world, but her spirit was totally in touch.
Have you watched the news lately? It’s not for the faint of heart. There isn’t much “good” news being report. So we need to remember. What has God done for you, now or in the past? Where have and do you see his hand? Life is going to get harder and unless we become more intentional in our remembering, it will be very easy to forget.
Oh, and that article, it was in the January issue of Prevention, page 48.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Lent Day 11: Noseblowers
Lent Day 11: Noseblowers
My grandson was trying to get my husband to give him all his bandana handkerchiefs to play with, but he didn’t have the correct name for the item in his very extensive three year old vocabulary. He started up the stairs to retrieve them by himself when he decided to enlist my help to get the “noseblowers.” We couldn’t help but laugh.
He called the item by its function. Makes pretty good sense. We find all kinds of reasons to identify things and describe stuff. In the very early recounting of Creation, Adam is given the daunting task of naming all the animals. I sure would like to know how he came up with hippopotamus.
My mother swears I created the word “humongus.” (She thinks I’m so creative and that’s one bubble I chose not to burst.) But since then we’ve come up with ginormous, absatively, and oppersponsities. (My spell checker is giving me fits right now—I’m afraid I may run out of red ink.)
Making up words is obviously not a new thing. When I studied New Testament Greek, I was always looking for the 1-1 words. These were words that were used one time by one writer. They were unique and purposely place to catch our attention. They were words “coined” or used by that writer to express something new or different, or something old in a new way. Now when you think of this, it makes a lot of sense since everything was new since Jesus.
Paul was especially good at these word creations. He would be trying to describe the enormity of God, or his love, or our responsibility and he would just start shoving words together to emphasize the “gigundousness.” Paul was pretty intense about his faith. He wanted everyone to get it. And he used and created words to create interest and attention—and believers.
“Noseblowers” caught our attention and we laughed. Grandson loved the attention and we played with handkerchiefs for over an hour. Even through the games and laughter I found myself thinking about the words I use. In Paul’s instructions to young Timothy (1 Timothy 4:12), the first thing listed for setting the example is in speech. God spoke and the world came into being. Words carry a lot of power.
We can have a lot of fun with words. We can also do a lot of damage. What will your words do today?
My grandson was trying to get my husband to give him all his bandana handkerchiefs to play with, but he didn’t have the correct name for the item in his very extensive three year old vocabulary. He started up the stairs to retrieve them by himself when he decided to enlist my help to get the “noseblowers.” We couldn’t help but laugh.
He called the item by its function. Makes pretty good sense. We find all kinds of reasons to identify things and describe stuff. In the very early recounting of Creation, Adam is given the daunting task of naming all the animals. I sure would like to know how he came up with hippopotamus.
My mother swears I created the word “humongus.” (She thinks I’m so creative and that’s one bubble I chose not to burst.) But since then we’ve come up with ginormous, absatively, and oppersponsities. (My spell checker is giving me fits right now—I’m afraid I may run out of red ink.)
Making up words is obviously not a new thing. When I studied New Testament Greek, I was always looking for the 1-1 words. These were words that were used one time by one writer. They were unique and purposely place to catch our attention. They were words “coined” or used by that writer to express something new or different, or something old in a new way. Now when you think of this, it makes a lot of sense since everything was new since Jesus.
Paul was especially good at these word creations. He would be trying to describe the enormity of God, or his love, or our responsibility and he would just start shoving words together to emphasize the “gigundousness.” Paul was pretty intense about his faith. He wanted everyone to get it. And he used and created words to create interest and attention—and believers.
“Noseblowers” caught our attention and we laughed. Grandson loved the attention and we played with handkerchiefs for over an hour. Even through the games and laughter I found myself thinking about the words I use. In Paul’s instructions to young Timothy (1 Timothy 4:12), the first thing listed for setting the example is in speech. God spoke and the world came into being. Words carry a lot of power.
We can have a lot of fun with words. We can also do a lot of damage. What will your words do today?
Friday, March 6, 2009
Lent Day 10: Servant
Day 10: Servant
Day 10: Servant
I’ve always thought that I had a servant’s heart. I’ve gone so far as to consider getting a personalized tag for my car with the Greek word for servant. I would and will do whatever I’m asked. I look for ways to make the lives of others more comfortable and enjoyable. Today as I worked with my little lady with Alzheimer’s, I decided perhaps I needed to rethink this.
As is sometimes the case, she was not in a very good frame of mind when she emerged from her bedroom. She immediately began to fuss and grouse and order me about. And it had an instant effect on my spirit. I wanted to point out all the things I do and justify myself. Not a very good servant response.
What I decided was: serving is easy when it’s easy to serve. As soon as it gets difficult or dirty, we find ways to back out. And if we don’t turn away, our attitude slips a little.
Here’s Paul’s take on servanthood: 1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:1-5a, NIV)
I think that part of what I learned putting these verses together with my run in the other morning is that it’s so not about me. My feelings were hurt when I felt unappreciated. Serving others can’t depend on their expression of gratitude. Jesus told his disciples if they were working for the pat on the back of others then that would be the sum of their reward. What we need to motivate us is not the praise of people, but the well done from God.
Jesus could teach this because he understood it. It was pretty clear that Jesus didn’t back away when things became difficult or painful. His service took him willingly to the cross. And that’s whose mindset we are to emulate.
I have a lot to learn about being a Jesus kind of servant. I think I’m going to skip the license plate—probably even the t-shirt.
Day 10: Servant
I’ve always thought that I had a servant’s heart. I’ve gone so far as to consider getting a personalized tag for my car with the Greek word for servant. I would and will do whatever I’m asked. I look for ways to make the lives of others more comfortable and enjoyable. Today as I worked with my little lady with Alzheimer’s, I decided perhaps I needed to rethink this.
As is sometimes the case, she was not in a very good frame of mind when she emerged from her bedroom. She immediately began to fuss and grouse and order me about. And it had an instant effect on my spirit. I wanted to point out all the things I do and justify myself. Not a very good servant response.
What I decided was: serving is easy when it’s easy to serve. As soon as it gets difficult or dirty, we find ways to back out. And if we don’t turn away, our attitude slips a little.
Here’s Paul’s take on servanthood: 1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:1-5a, NIV)
I think that part of what I learned putting these verses together with my run in the other morning is that it’s so not about me. My feelings were hurt when I felt unappreciated. Serving others can’t depend on their expression of gratitude. Jesus told his disciples if they were working for the pat on the back of others then that would be the sum of their reward. What we need to motivate us is not the praise of people, but the well done from God.
Jesus could teach this because he understood it. It was pretty clear that Jesus didn’t back away when things became difficult or painful. His service took him willingly to the cross. And that’s whose mindset we are to emulate.
I have a lot to learn about being a Jesus kind of servant. I think I’m going to skip the license plate—probably even the t-shirt.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Lent Day 9: Mindfulness
Day 9: Mindfulness
I was reading an article in a magazine about the benefits of mindfulness. Did you know:
-A study showed in 140 binge eaters mindfulness reduced binging 75%.
-Mindfulness eases anxiety by 44% and depression by 34% while increasing immunity.
-Mindfulness improves physical functioning and reduces pain.
-Mindfulness results in significant improvement in memory.
-Mindfulness strengthens relationships. (Prevention Magazine, January 2008)
Pretty impressive. Pretty good reasons to consider being mindful. What does it mean? According to dictionary.com, mindfulness is defined as: attentive, aware, or careful. I am of the opinion that this word, concept and practice, is very biblical.
Paul tells the Romans to be transformed by the renewing of their minds (12:2) and directs the Philippians to think on what is “whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy” (4:8). A quick search of “take care” brings up 117 references in the Old and New Testaments.
So it behooves us to “pay attention” in life. What have you been noticing as you race through life? What have you heard? What have you felt? There’s a current tissue commercial where a woman is going through her day with a “touch, touch, touch, touch…feel” experience. The point is we bump through life barely aware of the things we touch and that touch us. And just as the woman finally came across the best tissue and it caused her to feeeeeel something more deeply, we can come into the presence of the Almighty. Talk about feeling!
The Psalms assure us that God neither slumbers nor sleeps. David is overwhelmed by God’s attentiveness and questions in Psalm 8: who are we that you are mindful of us? Nothing happens in our lives, but God is aware. He knows when we are up all night. He knows when our job is about to phase out. He knows what the doctor just told us. He knows. And he is mindful, attentive and caring.
Today, don’t just bump mindlessly through your appointments and contacts, your shopping and banking. Yesterday, we were invited to look. Now, we are invited to be mindful of the one who is mindful of us.
I was reading an article in a magazine about the benefits of mindfulness. Did you know:
-A study showed in 140 binge eaters mindfulness reduced binging 75%.
-Mindfulness eases anxiety by 44% and depression by 34% while increasing immunity.
-Mindfulness improves physical functioning and reduces pain.
-Mindfulness results in significant improvement in memory.
-Mindfulness strengthens relationships. (Prevention Magazine, January 2008)
Pretty impressive. Pretty good reasons to consider being mindful. What does it mean? According to dictionary.com, mindfulness is defined as: attentive, aware, or careful. I am of the opinion that this word, concept and practice, is very biblical.
Paul tells the Romans to be transformed by the renewing of their minds (12:2) and directs the Philippians to think on what is “whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy” (4:8). A quick search of “take care” brings up 117 references in the Old and New Testaments.
So it behooves us to “pay attention” in life. What have you been noticing as you race through life? What have you heard? What have you felt? There’s a current tissue commercial where a woman is going through her day with a “touch, touch, touch, touch…feel” experience. The point is we bump through life barely aware of the things we touch and that touch us. And just as the woman finally came across the best tissue and it caused her to feeeeeel something more deeply, we can come into the presence of the Almighty. Talk about feeling!
The Psalms assure us that God neither slumbers nor sleeps. David is overwhelmed by God’s attentiveness and questions in Psalm 8: who are we that you are mindful of us? Nothing happens in our lives, but God is aware. He knows when we are up all night. He knows when our job is about to phase out. He knows what the doctor just told us. He knows. And he is mindful, attentive and caring.
Today, don’t just bump mindlessly through your appointments and contacts, your shopping and banking. Yesterday, we were invited to look. Now, we are invited to be mindful of the one who is mindful of us.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Lent Day 8: Looking
One of the first things we do with new members at Curves (after we orient them to the whole program) is complete a figure analysis. Basically, we have them mount the dreaded weight determiner and grab the tape measure to find out the sum total of their girth. Did that sound ominous? It was supposed to. The dread that most of those women feel in that moment is colossal. They have spent so much time and energy avoiding the truth, that it is a very scary and humbling task to meet it—and in the presence of another person, yet!
Perhaps you’ve never thought of it this way, but it’s very easy to not see what you don’t look at. How many of you read your food labels? Before you sign off on something, do you read all the fine print? The list could go on and on of things external, but what about things within? On the one hand, we could consider all the health signals that we’ve ignored, the doctor’s visits we’ve postponed because we didn’t want to hear what they had to say. Then there’s the stuff of spirit and emotions that we’ve opted not look at either. The AA people understand the importance of that honest self-inventory. What about relationships that we’ve ignored?
James invites us to the mirror: 22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. (James 1:22-25)
So here’s your homework. Yes, homework. Carve out a few minutes from your very hectic schedule—that busyness is part of the problem. We stay busy to avoid having to give ourselves—and God more than a passing glance. You could sit at a table with pen and paper or you could stand in front of a full-length mirror. Do what works for you. But do this: ask God what you need to see. Ask for his forgiveness at avoiding, denying, and running. Stay long enough to hear his answers. Let him tell you how wonderful you are and how much he loves you. Then commit to giving him more than a passing glance.
Take that kind of time and you won’t forget it—or regret it.
Perhaps you’ve never thought of it this way, but it’s very easy to not see what you don’t look at. How many of you read your food labels? Before you sign off on something, do you read all the fine print? The list could go on and on of things external, but what about things within? On the one hand, we could consider all the health signals that we’ve ignored, the doctor’s visits we’ve postponed because we didn’t want to hear what they had to say. Then there’s the stuff of spirit and emotions that we’ve opted not look at either. The AA people understand the importance of that honest self-inventory. What about relationships that we’ve ignored?
James invites us to the mirror: 22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. (James 1:22-25)
So here’s your homework. Yes, homework. Carve out a few minutes from your very hectic schedule—that busyness is part of the problem. We stay busy to avoid having to give ourselves—and God more than a passing glance. You could sit at a table with pen and paper or you could stand in front of a full-length mirror. Do what works for you. But do this: ask God what you need to see. Ask for his forgiveness at avoiding, denying, and running. Stay long enough to hear his answers. Let him tell you how wonderful you are and how much he loves you. Then commit to giving him more than a passing glance.
Take that kind of time and you won’t forget it—or regret it.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Lent Day 7: Restored
A few days ago, my husband and my grandson went grocery shopping. One of their favorite stops is the "day old" cart by the bakery. The grandson spied an individually wrapped cornbread loaf. He had to have it and grandpa obliged. The problem was that by the time they got to the car the bread had been pulverized in its wrapper. Abandoned as inedible, the crumby remains sat seemingly unwanted on the kitchen counter for a couple days.
Fast forward a few days and my wonderful husband and cook made a pot of venison chili. On a whim I packed the crumby remains to eat for lunch with my chili. When it came time for lunch I opened the wrapper and dumped the crumbs into my chili. As I ate, I think I might have purred, it was just that good.
I had come very close on a couple occasions to throwing out the crumby mess. What was I going to do with them? They no longer appeared to have any purpose. They didn’t look good. I imagined that their inability to seemingly live up to their original intended use made them useless. Now isn’t that just the way we think?
How many people have we almost thrown away because they no longer appear to be living up to their purpose? How many lives wait desperately to be reclaimed and restored but experience none because their lives are messy?
A few years ago I interviewed for a position with a local ministry. One of the board members conducting the interview, who was aware of the “messiness” of my own life, asked if I had been restored. It was a tough question to answer then. It still is. I know I’ve been redeemed—that was God’s work. The rest, well, it may take more time. But it will be as sweet as the cornbread in my chili.
Fast forward a few days and my wonderful husband and cook made a pot of venison chili. On a whim I packed the crumby remains to eat for lunch with my chili. When it came time for lunch I opened the wrapper and dumped the crumbs into my chili. As I ate, I think I might have purred, it was just that good.
I had come very close on a couple occasions to throwing out the crumby mess. What was I going to do with them? They no longer appeared to have any purpose. They didn’t look good. I imagined that their inability to seemingly live up to their original intended use made them useless. Now isn’t that just the way we think?
How many people have we almost thrown away because they no longer appear to be living up to their purpose? How many lives wait desperately to be reclaimed and restored but experience none because their lives are messy?
A few years ago I interviewed for a position with a local ministry. One of the board members conducting the interview, who was aware of the “messiness” of my own life, asked if I had been restored. It was a tough question to answer then. It still is. I know I’ve been redeemed—that was God’s work. The rest, well, it may take more time. But it will be as sweet as the cornbread in my chili.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Lent Day 6: Excuses
I work as a Fitness Tech at Curves, The Workout Place for Women. I hear all kinds of excuses women use to try to justify not taking or making time to exercise. I knew most of the excuses, because I was already pretty good at using them myself. But aren’t we all?
Paul paints a pretty clear picture of the human dilemma in Romans 7: that which I should not, that do I do. He wanted to do better, knew he needed to better, even knew what he should do, but seemed more often than not to give in to his weaker nature. He felt wretched, and we understand the feeling.
This morning when I woke up at 5:00 A.M. to go do my workout, I peeked out the window. There it was, all over the road and the sidewalks: Snow. More than any year previous, I am tired of snow. I especially don’t like driving in snow and will find any number of excuses to not do so. On Mondays my schedule is such that if I don’t workout first thing, I will find plenty of reasons in my schedule to just skip exercising.
I had a choice to make. Would I grab an excuse and crawl back into bed for an extra hour of sleep? Who would really blame me? I mean, exercising at 5:00 A.M. is crazy enough, why risk an accident in the snow to do something crazy? Or, would I pull on my sweats and head to the car? I opted for the car!
Now there is not anything necessarily noble about going to exercise at 5:00 A.M., but there is something worth rejoicing about when we don’t let excuses keep us from doing and being what we should or can be and do. We don’t use excuses just to avoid exercising and eating right. We use them to justify poor relationship decisions, cheating at work, speeding down the highway, fudging on our taxes. And we use them with God.
I had a good workout. Physically, mentally, and spiritually, I’m glad I went. As I drove to the club I thought through what the day may hold for me: things known (on the schedule) or unplanned. And I decided to try and have an excuse free day: no excuses physically, mentally, or spiritually. I don’t know how it’s going to go, but it feels freer and lighter already. How would life look for you if you decided to live excuse free?
Paul paints a pretty clear picture of the human dilemma in Romans 7: that which I should not, that do I do. He wanted to do better, knew he needed to better, even knew what he should do, but seemed more often than not to give in to his weaker nature. He felt wretched, and we understand the feeling.
This morning when I woke up at 5:00 A.M. to go do my workout, I peeked out the window. There it was, all over the road and the sidewalks: Snow. More than any year previous, I am tired of snow. I especially don’t like driving in snow and will find any number of excuses to not do so. On Mondays my schedule is such that if I don’t workout first thing, I will find plenty of reasons in my schedule to just skip exercising.
I had a choice to make. Would I grab an excuse and crawl back into bed for an extra hour of sleep? Who would really blame me? I mean, exercising at 5:00 A.M. is crazy enough, why risk an accident in the snow to do something crazy? Or, would I pull on my sweats and head to the car? I opted for the car!
Now there is not anything necessarily noble about going to exercise at 5:00 A.M., but there is something worth rejoicing about when we don’t let excuses keep us from doing and being what we should or can be and do. We don’t use excuses just to avoid exercising and eating right. We use them to justify poor relationship decisions, cheating at work, speeding down the highway, fudging on our taxes. And we use them with God.
I had a good workout. Physically, mentally, and spiritually, I’m glad I went. As I drove to the club I thought through what the day may hold for me: things known (on the schedule) or unplanned. And I decided to try and have an excuse free day: no excuses physically, mentally, or spiritually. I don’t know how it’s going to go, but it feels freer and lighter already. How would life look for you if you decided to live excuse free?
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Lenten Devotionals
(For Lent, I have committed to writing a daily thought. Here's what I have so far. I'll be posting them daily here as well as on my Facebook page.)
Lenten Thoughts
Lent Day 1: Beginnings
From my devotional: Small moments of change fill our lives. In our world, even change is changing! Transforming opportunities come our way every day. Pregnant possibilities await us each new morning. The question becomes, Can we see them?
I was having trouble reading the words on the page. My most recent perscripted glasses had broken. The ear piece just broke right off. I went searching for the next oldest pair. I have to wait until March to have my eyes examined so that insurance will cover it. It's amazing how much smaller print has gotten over the past couple years. Is there an ink shortage causing us to write so small? But I digress...
My struggle made me think. Struggles are good for that. What else am I missing because I'm not adequately prepared? I'm going to use Lent like I use Advent: as a season for getting ready. I want to be ready to see Jesus.
Today I'm going to start reading Yancy's, "Finding God in Unexpected Places." I don't want to miss him!
Lent Day 2: Stories
We just finished up a series of lessons in our ABF (Adult Bible Fellowship) on Ruth. It was a wonderful quarter. The "joke" at the beginning was could the teacher stretch four chapters into an entire quarter. She did, and it was really good.
As we ended, the teacher asked us what we learned. I was mulling over some thoughts, but not quite ready to put them into words--here's what I was thinking:
People often talk about the "story" of Ruth. That got my mind running. What story will my life tell? I bet Thomas didn't get up one morning and hope that he would be known as "the doubting one", forever remembered as the skeptic. I think it's safe to assume that Annaias and Saphira weren't planning to be remembered as the ones who held out on God.
Ruth's story, like that of Paul and Peter, includes something I want my story to tell. Through much of the initial presentation of Ruth, she is referred to as "the Moabitess." Not a very positive reference, think racial slur times yuck. But that changes and that reference is dropped. Peter's name is changed from the wavering one to the rock and he comes through his three-fold denial of Jesus to restoration to dynamic spirit-filled preacher. Paul, the murderer, becomes writer of letters and builder of the church.
So what story am I writing and telling with my life? How do I want to be remembered? How about you? I hope mine is like David's or Moses'. They understood what is was like to mess up, but they never gave up their pursuit of God.
This Lent, I want to be more aware of God, and I want my life to more obviously show that I am seeking after him. When they tell your story, what will they say about you?
Lent Day 3: Pursuit
Aren't personalities amazingly interesting? I think they are. I have a friend (INFJ on MBTI) who feels the need, during Lent, to disconnect from Facebook to be able to better focus on God. It makes sense with his personality and I would encourage him in his choice--for him.
That would be death for me. Disconnection results in lack of accountability and lack of accountability results in hiddenness and too much can go wrong there: wrong thinking and wrong actions. If you don't see me, please hunt me down.
I'm glad the God I love and who loves me is a pursuer. In the Garden you find him hunting down Adam and Eve and asking where they are. He hunts down Moses in the desert. He pursues Peter to the rooftop. Jesus went to the well in the heat of the day to find the Samaritan woman. David describes God as the Hound of Heaven.
I'm thankful that this God who seeks us out, is also the God wants to be found. Jeremiah tells us that we will find him when we seek him with all our hearts. Paul picks up that thought in his Athenian sermon when he shares his experience with the very known God: he's closer than we imagine.
So this Lent you will find me here every day: sharing what I'm learning as I seek deeper connection with the God who loves me. I have committed to writing a note every morning, because it forces me to think on him, to pursue him and to stay connected with people.
Lent Day 4: Diet
Why do you diet? When I was younger, a certain number (whether it was clothing size or poundage) was the goal. I had a friend who was so tiny and I just wanted to be like that. Small equated with beautiful. Now, it’s not about size or number, it’s about health and the ability to keep up with my grandkids.
Why do you give things up during Lent? I’m following a devotional guide that was published for 2006. It makes the days off a little. Like today’s was about Shrove Tuesday. I learned a few things. For example, this was the day that those observant Christians would clear out the cupboards of the foods “not permitted” during lent. Those would include fat (hence the name Fat Tuesday), eggs, meat, and milk. It was the day of celebrating before the more solemn time of confession, reflection, and preparation to receive the joy of Easter.
There’s quite a stir in the baseball town near me. Opening day is Good Friday and good Christians who happen to be good Indian fans are in a quandary. How will they ever be able to enjoy a game without having a hot dog? Some have gone so far as to ask for special dispensation from the church. Isn’t that just like us?
We look at dieting as giving things up to get to a magical number, instead of what it is: our diet is what we eat—all the time and every day. We either have a healthy diet or an unhealthy one. And it’s all about the long run. Spiritually, we need to adopt the same understanding. A verse came to mind while I putting this together. It’s originally found in the Old Testament, and Jesus picks it up in his teachings. The Shema tells us we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Jesus adds that we are also to love our neighbor as our self. Now that’s a spiritual diet we can live with!
Imagine it. How would life look if every choice we made was determined by whether the outcome would move us closer to completely loving God? Not just during Lent, but when we’re on summer vacation, or whenever. And you might be getting ready to assure me that you do that already, and have done it since you became a believer. Be careful how you justify yourself, Jesus may call you to deeper service (see Luke 10).
So, how’s your diet going this Lenten season? What have you gained by filling up and focusing more lovingly on the one who loves you best and most?
Lent Day 5: Owning
For the moment, my husband and I are empty nesters. There are some things I really like about this and many things I miss. One of the things that I realized this morning that has changed is the ability to blame. For example, I was in the bathroom and just when I needed it most, I realized that I had forgotten to put a new roll of toilet paper on the roller. I had no one to blame but myself. I had to own up to the fact that in my haste I had forgotten to replace the roll my last trip in there.
Instinctively, right before I dug in the cupboard to retrieve a new roll, I raised my hand. Do you remember how we used to do that when we played basketball on the courts of our childhoods? When we committed a foul we would raise our hand signifying taking responsibility for the transgression: “I did it. It’s on me.”
You used to see the same thing in professional sports. Not so much anymore. No, nowadays more often than not when a foul is called by the referee the players go into some display of blaming others—even in the most obvious and flagrant of cases. Bottom line: people don’t accept responsibility.
This caused me to pause and reflect for a bit on the areas of my life where I have preferred to blame-shift spiritually. Over the years it’s been “easy” to point the finger at my parents or the fact we moved so often, and many other things. Enough already! I need to “man up” and accept responsibility for my own choices.
That’s what confession is. Confession is raising my hand in the sight of God and owning that what he has identified as sin, as foul, in my life is true. I’m thankful that when we do that, the Word promises: he is faithful and just and will forgive us of all our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. That should free us from looking to blame and enable us to live more honestly!
Lenten Thoughts
Lent Day 1: Beginnings
From my devotional: Small moments of change fill our lives. In our world, even change is changing! Transforming opportunities come our way every day. Pregnant possibilities await us each new morning. The question becomes, Can we see them?
I was having trouble reading the words on the page. My most recent perscripted glasses had broken. The ear piece just broke right off. I went searching for the next oldest pair. I have to wait until March to have my eyes examined so that insurance will cover it. It's amazing how much smaller print has gotten over the past couple years. Is there an ink shortage causing us to write so small? But I digress...
My struggle made me think. Struggles are good for that. What else am I missing because I'm not adequately prepared? I'm going to use Lent like I use Advent: as a season for getting ready. I want to be ready to see Jesus.
Today I'm going to start reading Yancy's, "Finding God in Unexpected Places." I don't want to miss him!
Lent Day 2: Stories
We just finished up a series of lessons in our ABF (Adult Bible Fellowship) on Ruth. It was a wonderful quarter. The "joke" at the beginning was could the teacher stretch four chapters into an entire quarter. She did, and it was really good.
As we ended, the teacher asked us what we learned. I was mulling over some thoughts, but not quite ready to put them into words--here's what I was thinking:
People often talk about the "story" of Ruth. That got my mind running. What story will my life tell? I bet Thomas didn't get up one morning and hope that he would be known as "the doubting one", forever remembered as the skeptic. I think it's safe to assume that Annaias and Saphira weren't planning to be remembered as the ones who held out on God.
Ruth's story, like that of Paul and Peter, includes something I want my story to tell. Through much of the initial presentation of Ruth, she is referred to as "the Moabitess." Not a very positive reference, think racial slur times yuck. But that changes and that reference is dropped. Peter's name is changed from the wavering one to the rock and he comes through his three-fold denial of Jesus to restoration to dynamic spirit-filled preacher. Paul, the murderer, becomes writer of letters and builder of the church.
So what story am I writing and telling with my life? How do I want to be remembered? How about you? I hope mine is like David's or Moses'. They understood what is was like to mess up, but they never gave up their pursuit of God.
This Lent, I want to be more aware of God, and I want my life to more obviously show that I am seeking after him. When they tell your story, what will they say about you?
Lent Day 3: Pursuit
Aren't personalities amazingly interesting? I think they are. I have a friend (INFJ on MBTI) who feels the need, during Lent, to disconnect from Facebook to be able to better focus on God. It makes sense with his personality and I would encourage him in his choice--for him.
That would be death for me. Disconnection results in lack of accountability and lack of accountability results in hiddenness and too much can go wrong there: wrong thinking and wrong actions. If you don't see me, please hunt me down.
I'm glad the God I love and who loves me is a pursuer. In the Garden you find him hunting down Adam and Eve and asking where they are. He hunts down Moses in the desert. He pursues Peter to the rooftop. Jesus went to the well in the heat of the day to find the Samaritan woman. David describes God as the Hound of Heaven.
I'm thankful that this God who seeks us out, is also the God wants to be found. Jeremiah tells us that we will find him when we seek him with all our hearts. Paul picks up that thought in his Athenian sermon when he shares his experience with the very known God: he's closer than we imagine.
So this Lent you will find me here every day: sharing what I'm learning as I seek deeper connection with the God who loves me. I have committed to writing a note every morning, because it forces me to think on him, to pursue him and to stay connected with people.
Lent Day 4: Diet
Why do you diet? When I was younger, a certain number (whether it was clothing size or poundage) was the goal. I had a friend who was so tiny and I just wanted to be like that. Small equated with beautiful. Now, it’s not about size or number, it’s about health and the ability to keep up with my grandkids.
Why do you give things up during Lent? I’m following a devotional guide that was published for 2006. It makes the days off a little. Like today’s was about Shrove Tuesday. I learned a few things. For example, this was the day that those observant Christians would clear out the cupboards of the foods “not permitted” during lent. Those would include fat (hence the name Fat Tuesday), eggs, meat, and milk. It was the day of celebrating before the more solemn time of confession, reflection, and preparation to receive the joy of Easter.
There’s quite a stir in the baseball town near me. Opening day is Good Friday and good Christians who happen to be good Indian fans are in a quandary. How will they ever be able to enjoy a game without having a hot dog? Some have gone so far as to ask for special dispensation from the church. Isn’t that just like us?
We look at dieting as giving things up to get to a magical number, instead of what it is: our diet is what we eat—all the time and every day. We either have a healthy diet or an unhealthy one. And it’s all about the long run. Spiritually, we need to adopt the same understanding. A verse came to mind while I putting this together. It’s originally found in the Old Testament, and Jesus picks it up in his teachings. The Shema tells us we are to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. Jesus adds that we are also to love our neighbor as our self. Now that’s a spiritual diet we can live with!
Imagine it. How would life look if every choice we made was determined by whether the outcome would move us closer to completely loving God? Not just during Lent, but when we’re on summer vacation, or whenever. And you might be getting ready to assure me that you do that already, and have done it since you became a believer. Be careful how you justify yourself, Jesus may call you to deeper service (see Luke 10).
So, how’s your diet going this Lenten season? What have you gained by filling up and focusing more lovingly on the one who loves you best and most?
Lent Day 5: Owning
For the moment, my husband and I are empty nesters. There are some things I really like about this and many things I miss. One of the things that I realized this morning that has changed is the ability to blame. For example, I was in the bathroom and just when I needed it most, I realized that I had forgotten to put a new roll of toilet paper on the roller. I had no one to blame but myself. I had to own up to the fact that in my haste I had forgotten to replace the roll my last trip in there.
Instinctively, right before I dug in the cupboard to retrieve a new roll, I raised my hand. Do you remember how we used to do that when we played basketball on the courts of our childhoods? When we committed a foul we would raise our hand signifying taking responsibility for the transgression: “I did it. It’s on me.”
You used to see the same thing in professional sports. Not so much anymore. No, nowadays more often than not when a foul is called by the referee the players go into some display of blaming others—even in the most obvious and flagrant of cases. Bottom line: people don’t accept responsibility.
This caused me to pause and reflect for a bit on the areas of my life where I have preferred to blame-shift spiritually. Over the years it’s been “easy” to point the finger at my parents or the fact we moved so often, and many other things. Enough already! I need to “man up” and accept responsibility for my own choices.
That’s what confession is. Confession is raising my hand in the sight of God and owning that what he has identified as sin, as foul, in my life is true. I’m thankful that when we do that, the Word promises: he is faithful and just and will forgive us of all our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. That should free us from looking to blame and enable us to live more honestly!
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