A Juggernaut or a Chariot?

"Our circumstances are the means of manifesting how wonderfully perfect and extraordinarily pure the Son of God is." Oswald Chambers

I recently heard Nancy Leigh DeMoss comment on this quote and note that every time we react to our circumstances, we are giving an impression of Christ. When we delight ourselves in the Lord rather than being dragged down or depressed by our circumstances or when we wait patiently before the Lord rather than reacting with frustration and fretting; when we respond with love and grace and forgiveness rather than with anger or bitterness--then the Lord Jesus is glorified. Our reactions can only be viewed as supernatural, and as the world sees us looking unto Jesus to enable us to respond in such a way, then, the world, too, will look up. We reflect, even if just ever so faintly, "how wonderfully perfect and extraordinarily pure" our Savior is.

And the wonderful, amazing thing is, we have the choice! So often we justify our sin, our selfishness, our pride, as a result of our circumstances: that other person's crummy attitude or our crazy schedule and consequent exhaustion. Or that illness or loss of job or broken relationship or whatever hard or unfair or impossible circumstance that is confronting us somehow justifies us in responding in negative, sinful ways.

But we have the choice. William James wrote a number of years ago, "The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitude of mind." In other words, we can choose how we will think about and, thereby, respond to our circumstances. Will we just give in to our fleshly feelings and fret or fear or lash out or give in to despondency? Or will we choose to see in this circumstance the hand of God who is teaching us and molding us into His image and drawing us ever closer to Him?

In her classic book, The Christian's Secret to a Happy Life, Hannah Whitall Smith refers to this choice as choosing between a "Juggernaut" and a "chariot." We can choose to see all our circumstances--all our trials and troubles--"as God's chariots, sent to take the soul to its high places of triumph." She goes on to explain, "They do not look like chariots. They look instead like enemies, sufferings, trials, defeats, misunderstandings, disappointments, unkindnesses. They look like Juggernaut cars of misery and wretchedness, which are only waiting to roll over us and crush us into the earth. But could we see them as they really are, we should recognize them as chariots of triumph in which we may ride to those very heights of victory for which our souls have been longing and praying. The Juggernaut car is the visible thing; the chariot of God is the invisible." We have the choice to live by faith in the unseen rather than by the seen for "Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Heb. 11:1

What chariots has God brought into your life this past week? A grumpy spouse? an ungrateful child? a vindictive boss? a frightening health diagnosis? a messy out of control house? an exhausting schedule? a hopeless relationship or problem? a scary financial situation? Whatever it is, will you view it not as a Juggernaut threatening to crush you into despair or defeat or doubt, but instead as a chariot sent by your loving, sovereign heavenly Father to draw you ever upward closer to Him, for Your greater good and His greater glory? You and I have the choice today, right now, to see in our circumstances a chariot rather than a Juggernaut, and when we do, not only are we lifted up and strengthened and encouraged by our Savior, but He is manifested as glorious and "wonderfully perfect and extraordinarily pure" to a watching, desperate world! Sounds like a win win to me! But then, that's the kind of God we serve! And to Him be the glory!

Apples of gold

William James once wrote that the greatest need of the human heart "is the craving to be appreciated." How often have I failed to express my appreciation for those God has placed in my life. We are all so adept at finding and pointing out the faults in others--especially in those closest to us. Those whom we love and for whom we would die, we can find ourselves nitpicking, disparaging in our minds, and feeling frustrated or irritated or discouraged by their actions or attitudes. And those feelings spill over into our words and attitudes--into nagging, fussing, criticizing, disparaging, or simply withdrawing into stony silence.

We demonstrate the antithesis of grace... the grace which was so extravagantly, undeservedly, and lovingly poured out upon us "while we were yet sinners" by our Savior. What could I have ever done to deserve His saving grace? I've heard it said that "the law says 'do;' grace says 'done.' The law says 'try; grace says 'trust.' The law says 'behave;' grace says 'believe.'" If Christ was willing to die for me, give me His abundant life, and daily extend His manifold marvelous grace, despite my selfishness, greediness, pride, and utter unworthiness, how on earth can I refuse to extend His grace to others? How dare I refuse to love and love and love and overlook an offense, and forgive, and bless those He has placed in my life after all He has done and does for me every single day?

Every day He gives us the unique opportunity to be more like Jesus by extending His grace, by loving, by appreciating, by encouraging and lifting others up, by seeing and expressing our joy in them. God's Word tells us that "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver." Prov.25:11 God has given us one of the greatest and most convenient of gifts with which to bless and appreciate others: our tongues! Will we use them as an ice pick to destroy or will we use them as a paint brush to create a masterpiece of beauty? Will we give in to our emotions and vent our poisonous anger or disappointment or will we ask God to demonstrate His grace and love through us despite our feelings? Will we put aside our busyness and our agendas and stop to appreciate and bless those around us--from the grocery store clerk to the frazzled teacher to the fast food worker?

As long as I live, I will never forget an incident at my mother's funeral. My mother was an incorrigible encourager and affirmer of everyone with whom she came in contact. She genuinely loved people and was constantly looking for ways to lighten their load or lift their spirits. As my family stood outside the sanctuary before the service, a red-eyed, sweet middle-aged woman walked up to us. She was in a Wendy's uniform. She said to us, "I got off work to come to Mrs. Preyer's funeral, but I cannot stay long cause I have to get back to work. But I had to come." By now, she was weeping as she told us how much Mom had meant to her. "Whenever she came in, she would always tell me I was beautiful."

"A word fitly spoken, is like apples of gold in a setting of silver."

The world is filled with people who desperately need a word of affirmation or encouragement or grace. Who better than we as believers, who have been recipients of such infinite grace and love, to share that word that lifts and lightens and loves? Don't let the day go by without extending God's grace, in the form of that golden apple, to someone else. And don't forget to start with those in your home. Look for ways to affirm even if you don't feel affirmed. Look for ways to love and encourage and point them to the Savior. And then remember to give God all the glory!

New Things

Well, point proven in my earlier blog--I am terrible with technology! Not only could I not download the photograph of my boys, the "beautiful words" I quoted, somehow never made it to the page! Trust me, they were wonderful and applicable! I clearly was born about 20 years too early to fully embrace the computer age!

Of course, part of the problem could be related to the fact that I feel half insane trying to get everyone back to school. What is it with this time of year? When I was younger (waaaaaay younger) I used to relish the start of school: buying those shiny new shoes and fresh new notebooks and crease free new books. Back in the dark ages, we actually didn't start school till mid september, so it really did feel a bit like fall, with that hint of cool, clear air and the promise of football games and fairs and new friendships. New beginnings. Fresh starts. Who wouldn't like that?

We serve a God of new beginnings! "And He who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.' Also, He said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'" Rev. 21:5 He has promised a new heaven and a new earth. He has promised new resurrection bodies. He has promised new joy with no more tears or mourning or pain. And for all who come to Him in faith, He gives a new Spirit, a new heart, a new purpose, a new security, a new love. Who doesn't love new clothes, new books, new cars, new starts, new hopes, new dreams?

So while I may not like transitions, how thankful I am that my Lord is the Lord of new, resurrected life. He is right there in the midst of our struggles and strains and sorrows, transforming and bring new life out of that which seemed dead and gone. He brings new life to dead marriages, dead careers, dead energy, dead love.... If He conquered satan and death, what can't He conquer and resurrect? Now, sometimes the process can be mighty painful, but we've got to trust Him and look ahead to the newness He is bringing to those hard, dead areas of our lives. I once heard it said "God works best in a graveyard." Ain't that the truth?!

One of the most powerful moments in the movie, "Passion of the Christ," occurs when Jesus, bloody and battered nearly beyond recognition after enduring the horrific scourging by the soldiers, struggles to carry His cross through the streets of Jerusalem. The crowds surround Him, taunting and shouting, and as He passes His mother, He stumbles and falls. His heartbroken mother kneels in the dust beside Him, remembering the earlier times in His life when she could comfort and help Him when He fell. Now she is powerless to aid Him, but stunningly, He looks into her eyes, and tells her, "Mother, I am making all things new." And He struggles back to His feet, determined to march to that cross to die for all of us.

He could declare He was "making all things new" right at the most horrific, despicable, hopeless moment in all of history. Despite His unimaginable suffering--and suffering which He knew would grow and grow to infinite proportions--He could state without hesitation or doubt that even then He was making all things new. O thank You dear Lord Jesus for making ALL THINGS NEW! As we face the seeming dead ends of our lives, help us to remember that You are at work making a new way. When we feel hopeless and helpless, help us to look to You, the source of new dreams, new strength, new wisdom. And as we face the transitions in our lives, help us to move forward in faith and joy, knowing You will be there, whatever the change, transforming and renewing. To God be the glory.

changes

How I wish I were even moderately tech savvy--say even just the ability of the average preschooler! I just tried to copy a picture I took from the mountains onto this page, but no such luck! I discovered, sadly, that cut and paste does not work with photographs! I have been so proud of myself that I've finally figured out cut and paste... but, alas, "pride goeth before a fall!"

Let me at least describe it for you: it's a picture of our 3 boys after a late afternoon/early evening round of golf at the mountains. The sky is truly the color of a brilliant blue robin's egg. As I look at their slightly dirty, wrinkled shirts and relaxed smiles, I can almost smell the clean mountain air and feel the gentle evening breeze. I walked and watched with them for the whole 18 holes. As I was walking along, I kept trying to stop and tell myself: "Remember this moment! This sacred, joyful moment of being with my boys and enjoying God's extravagant creation." And then a moment later, I would tell myself, "Now, help me Lord to hold on to this moment, this everyday, sacred, wonderful moment in time of just being here with them right here."

As we finished the round and took the photograph, it was our last night in the mountains, and I knew the next morning, we were headed back to Raleigh, back to school, back to schedules, back to chores and busyness... And I knew my oldest son was headed back to college and my oldest daughter would soon be leaving for her first job/fellowship in Charlotte after graduating from college. But in that brief captured moment in the gorgeous, peaceful mountains, time stood still and our children were still home with us and life was still relatively uncomplicated.

Even now, as I think about the moment represented by that photograph and by the moments spent on the porch watching the butterflies, I feel God's peace and presence. But life has changed. We took our son, Richard, back to Davidson College yesterday. We thanked God to see how happy he was to go back (even though I cried because I miss him!) and to see the wonderful friends he has made and this place God has provided for him to become the man He has called him to be. But, I just have to say it, I don't like change! If you ask me, transitions stink! I struggle with my children growing up and going away. I want to hold them close, keep them safe, and hear their laughter within the walls of my home.

But life is all about change. The change of seasons. The change of day and night. The change of stages in our lives from youth to young adult to middle age to, well, you get the idea! And while I love the change of seasons, I struggle with so many other changes: my parents growing old and then going home to be with the Lord; my knees getting creaky and cranky and causing me to change from running to walking; my children leaving behind those sweet, innocent elementary years and changing into sometimes surly, uncommunicative teenagers.

My daughter and I talked last night about all the myriad changes after college--changing from student to employee; changing from dependence on your parents to independence; changing from single to married; changing from being a child to having a child and on and on. These are all such exciting and wonderful changes and transitions--but also scary and unpredictable each in their own way.

Some of the changes we are facing, however, don't appear to be so exciting or enticing. Changes from noisy, busy homes to awfully quiet and too calm homes. Changes from carpooling all over kingdom come to wondering if your young drivers are out there obeying the speed limits and driving defensively. Changes from frustration over the constant clutter and mess to loneliness and sadness over a too clean, spotless home. Changes from spending enormous amounts of money on giant boxes of cereal and pizza and potato chips to small grocery bills even on the infrequent trips to Harris Teeter. Changes from complaining about too much to do, too little money, too much laundry to desperately missing the precious children that so often cluttered and dirtied your home and car but brought infinite joy, laughter, and irreplaceable memories.

With all these changes--some welcome, some dreaded--isn't it comforting and even glorious to ponder a God who never ever changes? And a God who will never never never never leave us or forsake us? Wherever we go, wherever our children go, whatever stage we find ourselves or those that we love in, He is there. Changeless. Omniscient. Omnipotent. Infinite. And as we sang in church yesterday, "He is forever mine." What wonderful words--"forever." And "mine." Put those 2 words together, and you have security and safety and joy even in the midst of the stormiest of changes. The God of the Universe is forever mine. He is forever and ever and ever mine and yours and our children's and our great great grandchildren's.

So, Lord, while I may not welcome all the changes, I rejoice and trust that whatever comes, You are there, strengthening, redeeming, renewing, refilling. You have told us that "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." Rev.22:13 I'm thinking that pretty much covers any changes we will ever go through! You are there at the beginning, in the middle, and at the very end. And You have promised, at the very end of Your Word, "Surely, I am coming soon!" So, we say with John, "Come, Lord Jesus!" But in the meantime, might we live in every stage, every transition of our lives, trusting and looking to You, the ever present, ever powerful One. To You be the glory forever and ever.

p.s. After I wrote this, I read something by Henri Nouwen about transitions (he used the word "passages"). Just thought I'd include his beautiful words below:

"Death is a passage to new life. That sounds very beautiful, but few of us desire to make this passage. It might be helpful to realise that our final passage is preceded by many earlier passages. When we are born we make a passage from life in the womb to life in the family. When we go to school we make a passage from life in the family to life in the larger community. When we get married we make a passage from a life with many options to a life committed to one person. When we retire we make a passage from a life of clearly defined work to a life asking for new creativity and wisdom. Each of these passages is a death leading to new life. When we live these passages well, we are becoming more prepared for our final passage."

The mountains, stars, and butterflies

Well, as my sister would say, "This is a peak experience!" The boys and I have run up to the mountains for a quick respite of less than 2 days, but, boy, has it been worth it! We arrived very late last night, and despite the late hour, the dark house, and all the unpacking that had to be done, we were overwhelmed by the stunning beauty of the night sky. "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims His handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. " the psalmist tells us (Ps.19:1-2) Amen! We looked up last night, and stars simply studded every square inch of the inky sky. Preyer couldn't believe it. We can never see that many stars in Raleigh, yet they are always there, every moment of every day and night. They shimmer as silent testimony to the awesome Creator who has the infinite power to fling them out into the far outer reaches of space. Such unfathomable distance and power and majesty! Yet with a mere breath, our Sovereign Lord created and sustains each one! How can we fail to praise the One who creates such beauty, such glory?

And the peace. O the peace of the still night! Just a whisper of a breeze and the cool clear night air, saturated with the chorus of the crickets. Surely they are praising their Creator during the long watches of the night! How can we do less?

This afternoon, I am sitting on the porch overlooking the valley--surely one of my favorite spots on the planet--and watching myriad butterflies sipping the nectar from the towering butterfly bushes. The vibrant green branches and easter egg purple flowers are covered with neon yellows and deep blues and browns and blacks and purples of the butterflies as they flit from flower to flower. The same Creator who made those fiery, huge stars covering the immense heavens is the same One who made these most fragile, floating butterflies. Unaware of their remarkable colors and patterns that put the loveliest painting to shame, they just live their short, delicate lives as another silent testimony to an awesome Creator who loves to delight and amaze and bring joy to His children. What power and immensity and yet what delicacy and intricacy is revealed of His loving creative hands in His creation.

Isaiah 55:12 "For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." The mountains are singing His praises right now as I gaze out on this scene of peaceful yet vibrantly alive beauty all around me. The stars and butterflies have no voice and no knowledge of the Creator who didn't just create, but who also went to a cross for those He made and loved...yet they sing all the same. I can see His handiwork all around me; I can read and know of His infinite sacrifice on my behalf. Why is my life not one continuous, joyful praise of my Creator and Redeemer? What is my excuse?

Forgive me Lord. Help to keep before me this brief vision of Your glory in creation and as I recall, help me to praise. When the storms come, might I remember and rejoice. When busyness overwhelms, help me to remember and rejoice. When defeat discourages or worry attacks, help me to remember and rejoice. And if this magnificent creation, so blighted and stained by our sin, can be so breathtakingly beautiful, can you imagine what heaven must be like?! So as we remember and rejoice, might we also look ahead and live with joyful hope and eager anticipation of all You have in store for us. To God be the glory!

Get in the Wheelbarrow!

I just read a challenging statement from Priscilla Shirer: She began by commenting that she had been in church all her life, heard the Word of God taught with power, memorized the verses, sang the hymns. "I knew all the stuff I should, but I have spent most of my Christian life not really believing that all I knew was true for me. What a tragedy it was to have Him living within me, know Scripture, and be acquainted with the ability of God but not recognize the connection between my reality and His ability."

How often have I failed to "recognize the connection between my reality and His ability?" One of my favorite verses tells us that He "is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think according to the power at work within us" (Eph. 3:20). So just what is "His ability?" Well, "He is able" to handle with ease absolutely anything and everything that any of us could ever face. And He can do it "far more abundantly" than anything we can even begin to dream up. But here's the clincher: that resurrection, unlimited power is "at work within us." His power in us. Do we really believe that? I know, I know, we all give lip service to it, but do we really truly believe it and trust it with all our hearts?

I've often heard the example of the great tight rope walker who walked back and forth over a tremendous chasm. The crowd oohed and aahed as he walked back and forth over the deadly expanse below him. Finally he pushed a wheel barrow back and forth across the tightrope, and again the crowd cheered. When he asked the crowd if they thought he could push a person back and forth across the tight rope in that wheelbarrow, they all shouted "Yes! Absolutely!" enthusiastically. But when the man asked for a volunteer to get in that wheel barrow, the silence was deafening. Not one person was willing to get into the wheelbarrow and put their belief into action.

How often are we like that crowd. We read God's Word. We go to church and Bible study. We speak the right "religious" lingo. But we aren't willing to get into the wheelbarrow--to commit unreservedly, to trust wholly in the One is able to do far more abundantly than we can even think to request or hope.

It's time to act on the faith we profess. To get into the wheelbarrow and start living like men and women redeemed and restored and renewed daily by the limitless power of our resurrected Lord. "The Lord Your God is in your midst, a Mighty One who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love." Zeph. 3:17 He is the Mighty One who "rejoices over you with gladness." He is the One who enables us to do "all things through Him who strengthens" us. (Phil. 4:13)

I'm thinking the translation for "all things" is ALL THINGS! What exactly does that exclude?! Doesn't that mean He can help us not to respond in anger or bitterness even when provoked or treated unfairly? Doesn't that mean He can give us peace and joy even in the midst of the severest trial? Doesn't that mean He will strengthen us and renew us even when we are utterly exhausted and discouraged? Doesn't that mean He will fill us to overflowing with His love so that we can love even the most unlovable?

I don't know about you, but I need to stop waiting till I feel like it and just start acting upon the Truth, feelings or not. I need to stop waiting to see before I believe. As Jesus told Thomas, "Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe." (John 20:29) I need to stop waiting for some clear evidence or proof and just start trusting and believing no matter the confirming evidence or circumstances. As Priscilla Shirer put it: "Rather than waiting for evidence to believe God's promises, our faith should precede the evidence." Micah 7:7 declares "But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord. I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me." We need to start more watching in hope and waiting in trust rather than taking a "wait and see approach."

Might we watch and wait in hope, because we know that we know that we know that our Almighty, all powerful God hears us, loves us, and is, right at this moment, enacting the perfect plan (even if we can see no evidence of it). And while we wait and hope in Him, might we act based on our faith, not our feelings. It's time to get into the wheelbarrow! To God be the glory

How do you fill in the gap?

Whew. Back home to sultry days and laundry and school forms and phone calls. Boy, reentry is challenging. How I miss having no schedule and instead just heading out to the beach with all our crew, our only worry making sure we have the Frisbee, sunscreen, chairs and, of course, books. Bonhoeffer has to wait while I run to the grocery store again, clean up the house again, run errands, run children places... and on and on. But I still thank God for this sometimes crazy, busy, life so full of things to do and people to love.

As I thought back to the beach, though, I recall a sermon by Andy Stanley I heard on my ipod that has really stuck with me. He was speaking on relationships and said that in every relationship, there will come a time when there will be a gap between your expectations and the other person's behavior. You expect and hope that, for instance, your husband or wife will get home on time or take you on romantic vacations. But then that person comes home late again and again or never takes the initiative or the time or the money to take that get away... hence the gap between your expectations and the other person's behavior. Stanley explained that one of the keys to great relationships is what you put into that gap. Do you fill the gap with negative thoughts? e.g. She is always late. She doesn't care a lick for my feelings. She was probably just wasting time window shopping instead of getting home. Or do you fill with gap with positive assumptions? e.g. She must have had something really urgent come up at work that she simply couldn't avoid. I know she is trying hard to get home and is doing the absolute best she can with all she had to do, etc.

God's Word encourages us to fill the gap with that which is positive, affirming, and encouraging. In I Cor. 13 we are told that agape love is "patient. Love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." I Cor. 13:4-7

So how you doing?! Pretty humbling stuff, isn't it, when you really ask yourself if that is the nature of your love for your spouse, your children, your in-laws, or that loved one who might be irritating or disappointing you. But as to what we put in the gap between expectation and behavior--God's love "always trusts, always hopes." In other words, that kind of love fills the gap with the positive, with believing and hoping the best of the other person. Yet, how often do we do just the opposite? Especially us women--we start to let our imaginations run wild with all the terrible possibilities and the next thing you know, we feel irritated, discouraged, frustrated, and disappointed. Our husbands walk in the room and either we let them have it or give them the Arctic chill treatment, and they have absolutely no idea why! It's all because we have filled in the gap with our selfish, unloving, unkind, negative assumptions rather than with positive, believing-the-best assumptions. The same applies to our relationships with our children or others God has put into our lives. Will we believe and hope the best or will we fill in the gap with our worst assumptions and fears? It all begins with our thoughts and then those thoughts produce attitudes and actions. Boy, the brain is a powerful relationship tool!

Everyone is home now so that's it for now. Lord, help us to fill in the gap with that which is pleasing and good and noble and to You be the glory.

Worship on a bike

It's packing day at the beach. Time to return home to schedules and chores and homework and busyness. Goodbye to waves and sandy feet and lazily sitting in the sun with a great book and eating dinners with everyone in the family at the same time and long, wonderful walks with my daughter. Thank You Lord for the joyous memories! But it's also time to return to friends, home, dog, church, comforting routines, productivity, learning, hot baths, neighbors, and places and people we love and cherish. So despite the packing and cleaning horrors ahead this morning, I choose early this morning to look back with gratitude and ahead with excitement (well, at least with anticipation!).

Before we brush away all the sand and pack away the sunscreen, however, I just have to recall once more the beauty of God's creation here. Yesterday morning early, I went for a bike ride down towards Fort Macon. It is a breathtaking ride down to a totally unsullied part of the beach, surrounded on both sides of the road by thick bushes. On one side of the brush lies the sound and on the other (though you can rarely see it) lies the ocean.

As I rode yesterday, the Lord and I had a worship service. Yes, a worship service on a bike! I simply couldn't believe all the beauty and wonder all around me. Words, at least my paltry words, are utterly inadequate to describe all I saw and felt. Thick, lush bushes interspersed with vibrant pink wildflowers. Verdant green marshes, the water a golden, shimmering reflection of the sky, and little splotches of white among the green were the graceful, long necked birds (herons, I suppose?) Little dark brown bunnies nibbled at the grass. Dark brown squirrels jumped and played beside the road. The wild hilly dunes where I imagined those civil war soldiers so many years ago tramping around, perhaps pausing in their labors to observe the undulating beauty of the waves.

As I thanked the Lord for His extravagant creation, He reminded me that His glories can be praised in this place 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 86,400 seconds every single day. This beauty continues unabated whether we are here or not; whether any person in the world ever sees it all or not. Our God created the limitless wonders of this world simply because He loves to create and produce that which is magnificent and wonderful and amazing. How often we fail to look--really look--and see all that He has made and done for us. Just as we can sometimes take the cross, the redemption of the world by the Son of God, for granted, so we pass by so much of what He does and creates for us every single day.

Forgive us Lord! You created us to worship and in worship, we find satisfaction and joy and meaning. So we can worship on a bike in the midst of the beauty of the beach or we can worship in our homes in the midst of security or we can worship in a prison or a hospital room in the midst of uncertainty or pain. For wherever we are, You are there. 86,400 seconds every day. And tomorrow. And next week. And next year. And next century. Help us to see You Lord. Help us to worship. Help us to put aside the busyness and the anxiety and the what if's that can haunt us, and simply see You and worship. The God of the glorious sea and the majestic mountains and the bustling city and the deepest darkest pit and the loneliest cell. You are there. You will always be there. To God be the glory.

Sun-Worship

We have been at the beach this week with all our family and with my husband's family, and what a wonderful week it has been! There is just nothing quite like the serene beauty of the waves gently breaking on the shore and the green of the marshes set against the blue of the sound. I sit here in the quiet early morning looking out the window at the surf and the soft yellow sand and the swaying reeds on the dunes, and I praise our Sovereign Creator for His magnificent handiwork! The heavens declare the glory of God... but so does the vast expanse of the sea and the minute sand particles and the soaring birds and the verdant marshes.

And of course, the sun. The brilliant, powerful sun that bathes us in warmth and illuminates the beauty all around us. This week I have been reading Eric Metaxas' wonderful book on Dietrich Bonhoeffer. So inspiring and convicting. But the other day, as I sat enveloped in warmth of the sun, reading on the beach, surrounded by my family (there should be a "Life is good" tee shirt for those moments!) I came upon this quote from Bonhoeffer: "The sun has always attracted me, and I've often been reminded by it that human beings were taken from the earth and don't just consist of thin air and thoughts. So much so that once, when I went to Cuba to preach there at Christmas, and exchanged the ice of North America for its luxuriant tropical vegetation, I almost succumbed to sun-worship and could hardly remember what I was really supposed to preach. It was a genuine crisis, and a hint of it assails me every summer when I get to feel the sun." (You can also seen a hint of Bonhoeffer's terrific sense of humor in this passage!)

But it is so true! We get to the beach just once a year, but, O, when we come, I could nearly succumb to sun and sea worship! And for us, the joy is intensified many times over by being with the ones we love, as life slows down for just a few days and we can sit and read and chat and swim and eat copious amounts of Dairy Queen ice cream. How much we take for granted every single day! The simple joys of God's creation, our families, a great book, food to eat, and freedom to enjoy them all. I am reading of Bonhoeffer courageously fighting against at the approaching horrors of Hitler and the Nazis as they devoured the nation of Germany and the doomed Jews, and I cannot help but be humbled and grateful for this flawed but free and wonderful nation where we live. Might we daily be filled not only with thankfulness but also with courage and determination to live every single day to make His name great and to bring Him glory. We have only this tiny little time and space to make a difference for eternity by living for Him and through Him and in Him. Might we do it today with joy and gratitude and stout determination. To God be the glory.