Well, I've gone and done it. I've joined twitter...or however you say it. Subscribed? Followed? Who knows. I sure don't. My children will surely be horrified...but isn't that part of the job of a parent--to humiliate your children?
But they need not fear, as I don't plan to do much, if any, "tweeting." (Is tweet a verb?) Here's why I've decided to jump--in an extremely limited way--on the bandwagon--
Because, as John Piper, says, "I leak."
Yes, yes, me too. Boy, do I leak! Let me explain.
Very early, almost every morning, I have a wonderful, life-infusing, God-fueled encouragement/conviction/worship/perspective-altering/joy-filling/provision-providing time alone with the Lord. (Let me hasten to add here--this has nothing to do with anything I do or deserve in the mornings. Nope, it's all--pure and simple--due to the fact that I have the privilege of meeting the awesome, holy, omnipotent, omniscient, sovereign, all-loving God of the universe in the mornings. Just Him and me. How about that? So, who'd you talk to this morning over coffee? But just want to get one thing straight--it's 100% Him and 0% me.)
But the strange thing is, it never seems to take long before I start leaking all that goodness and grace and glory. I somehow or other forget who I am and Whose I am. By 9:00 in the morning, I can forget to forgive someone...because I've obviously forgotten that my Savior has forgiven me of so much infinitely more and worse than I'm ever called to forgive. By 11:00 in the morning, I find myself fretting and worrying about this or that...because I tend to leak. Forgetful child that I am, I find myself leaking trust and gratitude.
By 1:00 in the afternoon, well mercy, I've leaked and leaked and slowly lost all the patience and wise perspective He'd so lovingly poured into me that very morning. And the result? The littlest thing can cause me to complain and fuss. And by 5:00 p.m., well, just forget about it! How on earth can I love others with full, joyful, and unselfish abandon if I've been slowly forgetting Him and leaking out His love--drip, drip, drip--all day long.
And you know what? That's just our frail, human condition. We leak. Every single one of us. So we need Him; we need His Holy Spirit--hour by hour, moment by moment--reminding us, guiding us, encouraging us in the way we should go and in the way we should think and respond.
The 17th century British author and pastor, William Gurnall, put it this way: "If the provisions were left in our own hands, we would soon be bankrupt merchants. God knows we are weak, like cracked pitchers--if filled to the brim and set aside, the contents would soon leak out. So He puts us under a flowing fountain of His strength and constantly refills us...The Christian ought to rely on divine strength because this plan results in the greatest advancement of God's own glory (Eph.1:4,12) If God had given you a lifetime supply of His grace to begin with and left you to handle your own account, you would have thought Him generous indeed. But He is magnified even more by the open account He sets up in your name. Now you must acknowledge not only that your strength comes from God in the first place, but that you are continually in debt for every withdrawal of strength you make throughout your Christian course."
Amen! I leak, you leak, all God's children leak...but God has given us the priceless gift of His Holy Spirit and His infinite supply of grace and strength sufficient for our every need...moment by moment. We just have to remember to call upon Him. To seek Him. To focus upon Him and draw upon Him and His supernatural power and not our own measly, ever-dwindling efforts.
So back to the beginning--that's where twitter comes in. Just another little means of reminding me. Reminding me of the God of Glory who is fully in control of our every moment, who knows our every tear, and who will provide for our every need. Because He is always, always, always enough.
Yes, we know that...but sometimes during long, hard days, we need to remind one another, don't we? Sometimes a short little sentence here or there from C.S.Lewis or John Piper or Andy Stanley or our pastor or our friend or even our child--that God is there and that He is enough. It's just one leaky, but loving, child of God speaking truth to another leaky one...because we need to encourage one another to go to "the fountain of His strength" and be filled again!
Maybe you needed to hear that good word today? If so, can I be the one to encourage you--His fountain of grace is ever-flowing, ever-sufficient, ever-available. Come and be refilled now. Right now. He's waiting and ready to stop up those leaks and fill you with Himself and the limitless fountain of His grace.
Just thought you might need a little reminding. I know I did. "Come thou Fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing Thy grace. Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise..."
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your ever-flowing Fount of grace and mercy and love and strength. Thank You for reminding us. Thank You for refilling us...again and again. Do it again, Lord.
To God be the glory.
Friday, January 31, 2014
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
The choice to rejoice...and feast
What a treasure, this little book of Philippians, that we are enjoying in Bible study! And a reminder on this fine day in January, with the world about us blanketed by God's remarkable gift of snow, that we daily have the choice--the choice--to rejoice in the Lord...or not.
Isn't there always room for complaining? Isn't fussing and fretting easily our default mode? Go to the store--folks complaining about the snow...or earlier yesterday, the lack of it. Fussing about the cold or the long lines or the school closings or the interruptions and inconveniences of snow or.... You get the drift.
Sadly, so do I. It's all to easy to fall into grumbling or fretting rather than choosing, consciously choosing, to rejoice in the Lord in all things.
Funny, Paul's words here: it's "safe for you" to hear again the admonition to rejoice in the Lord. Why safe? Well, I think it's "safe" because rejoicing guards us against irritability and ingratitude, against discontentment and discouragement. Try worrying and worshipping at the same time. Try ruminating over your woes and rejoicing over your Savior at the same time. Can't be done. Never. It's one or the other.
Rehearse your worries or rejoice in your Worthy Lord. You choose. Only choose well--for one leads to despair and the other to joy.
So a couple of visual reminders of the goodness of God in our lives just the past week or so--
I was reminded of a print we have hanging in our kitchen that some dear friends, the Lestinis, gave us many, many years ago--
Proverbs 15:15--"...he who hath a merry heart hath a continual feast." Or as the ESV puts it "the cheerful of heart has a continual feast." If we choose to have a cheerful heart, then we choose to enjoy a continual feast. And a continually cheerful heart emanates from only One never-failing Source: the Lord Jesus. Choosing to rejoice in Him and His goodness.
And making the choice to rejoice not based on our circumstances, good or bad. Making the choice to rejoice not based upon our health, good or bad. Making the choice to rejoice not based upon our emotions, good or bad.
Nope. Simply choosing to rejoice because our God is infinitely good. Infinitely gracious. Infinitely forgiving. Infinitely powerful. Infinitely holy. Infinitely worthy. And the remarkable thing is--when we choose to rejoice, we choose to feast continually. No matter where. No matter what. Who doesn't love to feast?!
So today, might we all make the choice to rejoice in the Lord...no matter what....and be prepared for the feast!
To God be the glory.
And making the choice to rejoice not based on our circumstances, good or bad. Making the choice to rejoice not based upon our health, good or bad. Making the choice to rejoice not based upon our emotions, good or bad.
Nope. Simply choosing to rejoice because our God is infinitely good. Infinitely gracious. Infinitely forgiving. Infinitely powerful. Infinitely holy. Infinitely worthy. And the remarkable thing is--when we choose to rejoice, we choose to feast continually. No matter where. No matter what. Who doesn't love to feast?!
So today, might we all make the choice to rejoice in the Lord...no matter what....and be prepared for the feast!
To God be the glory.
Monday, January 27, 2014
Waging war alongside our Burden-Bearer
Just this morning, I'm aware of several dear friends who are struggling, facing titanic battles with disease. And there are other dear friends fighting unseen, unrecognized, but just as fiercesome, enemies of discouragement and fear. Father, I know the war they wage is hard...so hard. So arduous, so wearisome. How I wish that we, all those who love them, could bear their burdens--their pain and weakness and worry--and carry it for them for a while.
Lord, we cannot...but You can. Right this moment, would You--our Burden-Bearer, our Sustainer, and our Redeemer--give them Your strength in the midst of their battles. We ask that You provide each of them a vision of You this day; might they know and see You fighting alongside them, with them, and for them in this long siege.
In my Daily Light, I've saved an index card with some verses from Ps.55 that was given to me by my dear friend, Holly, when Janie was in the midst of her own battle with traumatic brain injury. I keep that card not just as reminder of God's forever faithfulness and His priceless gift of the body of Christ, but also as a call to arms. A daily call to arms to wage war in prayer for those we know and love as they fight their own battles against disease or despair. O Lord, might they know that they are not alone! That not only will You never ever leave them nor forsake them (Dt.31:6), but also that they have an army even now who love them and are praying unceasingly for them.
"But we call to God, and the Lord saves Rebecca and Kyle and Bill and____; Evening, morning, and noon we cry out in distress, and He hears our voice. He ransoms Rebecca and Kyle and Bill and ______ unharmed from the battle waged against them." (Ps.55:16-18)
Thank You, Father, for the unutterable privilege of prayer...and for the gift of praying for those we love...knowing that You hear our every sigh, see our every tear, and understand our every fear. And thank You, Abba, for the joyous promise that one day, one glorious day, all this sighing and struggling and crying will all be behind us. "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself."
Thank You thank You thank You, Lord Jesus, that even now You are in the transformation, redemption, and resurrection business...with our weak, lowly, disease-prone bodies and with our hearts and minds as well. We place our trust in You, for You have promised that though we will have trouble in this world, You have overcome the world (John 16:33)...and because You have, we will too.
To God--our Burden-Bearer, Redeemer, and Restorer--be all the glory.
Lord, we cannot...but You can. Right this moment, would You--our Burden-Bearer, our Sustainer, and our Redeemer--give them Your strength in the midst of their battles. We ask that You provide each of them a vision of You this day; might they know and see You fighting alongside them, with them, and for them in this long siege.
In my Daily Light, I've saved an index card with some verses from Ps.55 that was given to me by my dear friend, Holly, when Janie was in the midst of her own battle with traumatic brain injury. I keep that card not just as reminder of God's forever faithfulness and His priceless gift of the body of Christ, but also as a call to arms. A daily call to arms to wage war in prayer for those we know and love as they fight their own battles against disease or despair. O Lord, might they know that they are not alone! That not only will You never ever leave them nor forsake them (Dt.31:6), but also that they have an army even now who love them and are praying unceasingly for them.
"But we call to God, and the Lord saves Rebecca and Kyle and Bill and____; Evening, morning, and noon we cry out in distress, and He hears our voice. He ransoms Rebecca and Kyle and Bill and ______ unharmed from the battle waged against them." (Ps.55:16-18)
Thank You, Father, for the unutterable privilege of prayer...and for the gift of praying for those we love...knowing that You hear our every sigh, see our every tear, and understand our every fear. And thank You, Abba, for the joyous promise that one day, one glorious day, all this sighing and struggling and crying will all be behind us. "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself."
Thank You thank You thank You, Lord Jesus, that even now You are in the transformation, redemption, and resurrection business...with our weak, lowly, disease-prone bodies and with our hearts and minds as well. We place our trust in You, for You have promised that though we will have trouble in this world, You have overcome the world (John 16:33)...and because You have, we will too.
To God--our Burden-Bearer, Redeemer, and Restorer--be all the glory.
Saturday, January 25, 2014
Watching our weekend thoughts
A view from the greenway bridge early this morning on a cold walk with Bingley--
Gee whiz.
Funny, as Bingley and I began our walk, yours truly was in a bit of a grumpy mood...dreading the frigid air and wishing I were sitting in front of a hot fire with a good book. Unfortunately, that program doesn't work with an active puppy. Sigh.
So out we trudged...or at least I trudged. Bingley fairly danced with delight as he seems to relish the cold weather.
But when we arrived at the greenway, the dawn greeted us with a spectacular sunrise--hot pinks gradually transformed into neon oranges and eventually faded to warm yellows. As we crossed the bridge, I stood slack-jawed at the beauty and had to take a quick picture. Who would have thought such a foreboding winter's dawn could yield such beauty, such wonder? And how many people were awake early enough to witness God's light show? Probably not all that many--yet our relentlessly gracious Lord seems to simply enjoy creating glory for glory's sake. Thank You, Father.
And forgive me for my initially crummy attitude! Before setting even one foot outside this morning, I had allowed my mind to be filled with dread and negative thoughts about yet another day of frigid cold. "Where are we living--Siberia?" I griped to myself. Not a great way to begin your day.
Our thoughts are so important, aren't they? Wherever we allow our thoughts to run--positive or negative--our attitudes and actions will inevitably follow. As Marcus Aurelius declared "Such as are your habitual thoughts, such also will be the character of your mind; for the soul is dyed by the thoughts."
That's why God's Word admonishes to think rightly. Because the content of our thinking determines the character of our living. And we have the choice as to what we will dwell upon in our thoughts. Here's what God urges us to think about--
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Phil.4:8)
If we think about the mistakes or failures of others (or of ourselves), if we dwell upon what we lack or dislike, if we focus upon the debris of gossip or greed or guilt...we will find our characters stained by irritability, discontentment, worry, ingratitude...and sin. But if we will choose to dwell upon those things that God prompts--that which is pure or honorable or true or excellent--well, we'll discover contentment, peace, hope, and joy welling up from within...even on frigid January days!
So on this cold weekend, might we remember to guard our thoughts and choose to focus upon that which the Lord encourages--the good, the lovely, the praiseworthy. And who knows...in the process we might just get to see a touch of God's glory!
To God be the glory.
Funny, as Bingley and I began our walk, yours truly was in a bit of a grumpy mood...dreading the frigid air and wishing I were sitting in front of a hot fire with a good book. Unfortunately, that program doesn't work with an active puppy. Sigh.
So out we trudged...or at least I trudged. Bingley fairly danced with delight as he seems to relish the cold weather.
But when we arrived at the greenway, the dawn greeted us with a spectacular sunrise--hot pinks gradually transformed into neon oranges and eventually faded to warm yellows. As we crossed the bridge, I stood slack-jawed at the beauty and had to take a quick picture. Who would have thought such a foreboding winter's dawn could yield such beauty, such wonder? And how many people were awake early enough to witness God's light show? Probably not all that many--yet our relentlessly gracious Lord seems to simply enjoy creating glory for glory's sake. Thank You, Father.
And forgive me for my initially crummy attitude! Before setting even one foot outside this morning, I had allowed my mind to be filled with dread and negative thoughts about yet another day of frigid cold. "Where are we living--Siberia?" I griped to myself. Not a great way to begin your day.
Our thoughts are so important, aren't they? Wherever we allow our thoughts to run--positive or negative--our attitudes and actions will inevitably follow. As Marcus Aurelius declared "Such as are your habitual thoughts, such also will be the character of your mind; for the soul is dyed by the thoughts."
That's why God's Word admonishes to think rightly. Because the content of our thinking determines the character of our living. And we have the choice as to what we will dwell upon in our thoughts. Here's what God urges us to think about--
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." (Phil.4:8)
If we think about the mistakes or failures of others (or of ourselves), if we dwell upon what we lack or dislike, if we focus upon the debris of gossip or greed or guilt...we will find our characters stained by irritability, discontentment, worry, ingratitude...and sin. But if we will choose to dwell upon those things that God prompts--that which is pure or honorable or true or excellent--well, we'll discover contentment, peace, hope, and joy welling up from within...even on frigid January days!
So on this cold weekend, might we remember to guard our thoughts and choose to focus upon that which the Lord encourages--the good, the lovely, the praiseworthy. And who knows...in the process we might just get to see a touch of God's glory!
To God be the glory.
Friday, January 24, 2014
Out-rejoiced by a dog?
And you know what? I think the apostle Paul would like Bingley a lot too. You see, Mr. Bingley's got "Rejoice in the Lord, always; again, I will say rejoice!" (Phil.4:4) down pat....especially when food, another dog, or any member of the human species is involved.
Boy, how many times have I said it, but there's nothing like a dog--always so happy to see you, always thrilled to simply be with you, and always grateful for whatever you give them--whether time, toys, attention, or anything edible. Clearly, God put Bingley--with his enormous appreciation for a good meal--in the right family.
Okay, I know, I know. Dogs can't rejoice "in the Lord." God only gives that privilege to us humans. But dogs sure can teach us something about thankfulness and rejoicing, can't they?
You leave the house for 10 minutes to run to Target, and when you return, it's time for a happy dance! "Oh," you can almost hear your dog saying, "I've missed you soooooo much! I'm so glad you're home! I love it when you're home! And I love those shoes...maybe I can chew on them a little later and loosen them up for you. Or we could get something to eat--wouldn't that be fun?! Oh, you're home...I'm so happy, happy, happy!"
Yep, dogs know a little something about rejoicing and gratitude, and here's what I'm thinking: Heavenly Father, don't let a puppy out-rejoice us!
Seriously, might we be quick to rejoice in all things and in all ways for we know that come what may, our Lord reigns and His love for us has no limitations or no conditions. Surely we're not going to allow a bunch of dogs to outdo us when it comes to rejoicing and thanking?!
This day, just this day, Father, You have graciously given us so much! You've provided us with another day of breathing lungs to speak of Your goodness. Walking feet to go where You tell us. Tasting tongues to enjoy the delicious bounty of foods You've provided. Hearing ears to listen to and enjoy the voices of those we love. Seeing eyes to behold this wondrous creation all about us. Thinking minds to consider all You are and all You have done. Beating hearts to expend in love, love, and more love for those You've placed in our lives and for You, our Heavenly Daddy.
And most of all, we have You, Lord Jesus...and Your gift of eternal life for all who believe in You by faith.
No, our lives might not be perfect, not this side of heaven..but Lord, You are perfect. We rejoice not in our ideal circumstances but in our ever-faithful, ever-loving, ever-forgiving, and everlasting God. In Him, we can rest...and rise up rejoicing. For in Him, we always have infinite reason for rejoicing.
So it's about time for Bingley and me to get going...but by the grace of God, we'll be rejoicing throughout this day. And we're trusting that if God gives us tomorrow, He'll give us the grace to rejoice in Him tomorrow as well.
To God be the glory.
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
When not much snow falls...
I awoke this early this morning anticipating several inches of snow--and a day full of happy sledding, snowman building, snowcream making, and fire building...at least for the kids. I was trying not to think about all the wet floors, wet puppy, and wet clothes...with our old dryer hopefully holding out for several days of active duty. We were ready--lots of the obligatory bread and milk from the grocery store. Not sure why we always have to have those two items--it's not like we plan to eat mild-soaked bread all day--but thankfully we do have a good store of chocolate as well, so we're good.
"Unfortunately" (of course, that all depends on your point of view here), there's just a light dusting of snow. Now, our children will surely be mighty disappointed--and truth be told, I am too...at least a teeny, tiny little bit--but still, I can't hide my relief that we didn't get socked with a heavy snow that would necessitate days and days of mess and muck and make-up days for school over spring break. Sorry to be such a curmudgeon, but there you have it.
But I was just reading Paul's words in Philippians 3: "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil.3:12-14)
I couldn't help but think of how many of us are paralyzed by our past--by our past failures, our past shame, our past guilt...or sometimes even our past successes that we fear we can never again match. And then there's all those past disappointed expectations--we think or hope that we (or someone we love, perhaps) will do or be better tomorrow. But when tomorrow comes...there's nothing but a light dusting of snow and all those expectations are shattered yet again.
That's simply no way to live! No, not with Christ!
For in Him, we are to forget what lies behind and strain toward what lies ahead. Paul tells us to keep pressing forward in Christ. I love something I read recently that said we need to cultivate the discplines of focus, forgetting, and following. The discipline of focusing on that one goal--that "one thing I do"--and that's focusing upon Christ and upon our ultimate destiny of heaven. Focusing upon Him in His Word and seeking to keep our focus fixed upon Him like a laser.
And then cultivating the discipline of forgetting--refusing to allow our minds to dwell upon either past failures or successes. Sure, we choose to remember God's faithfulness to us in the past and rejoice in His goodness, but we refuse to dwell upon our failures. Focus on God and not ourselves. Remember--and rejoice in--God and not ourselves and our mess-ups. The past can paralyze us and rob us of all the joy God has for us in the present.
Forget the past--it's done. "This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!" (Ps.118:24) God's given us today--rejoice and be glad in it...even if there's just a dusting of snow!
And finally the discipline of following. Follow hard after the Lord Jesus. The only way we can follow is to daily--no matter what--delve into His Word. Think of it--we get to listen to whatever the God of the universe has for us today! The Almighty Lord wants to have breakfast with us and feed us from His supernatural supply so we can follow Him and live this day with joy and hope and power. We have the choice today whether or not to eat of His nourishing manna...and if we do, He will sustain and strengthen us as we follow Him through whatever this day brings--snow or no snow. Wet floors and boots and puppies or not.
So Lord, we're ready. Focusing on the goal, forgetting the past, and following hard after You. Bring it on! To God be the glory.
"Unfortunately" (of course, that all depends on your point of view here), there's just a light dusting of snow. Now, our children will surely be mighty disappointed--and truth be told, I am too...at least a teeny, tiny little bit--but still, I can't hide my relief that we didn't get socked with a heavy snow that would necessitate days and days of mess and muck and make-up days for school over spring break. Sorry to be such a curmudgeon, but there you have it.
But I was just reading Paul's words in Philippians 3: "Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil.3:12-14)
I couldn't help but think of how many of us are paralyzed by our past--by our past failures, our past shame, our past guilt...or sometimes even our past successes that we fear we can never again match. And then there's all those past disappointed expectations--we think or hope that we (or someone we love, perhaps) will do or be better tomorrow. But when tomorrow comes...there's nothing but a light dusting of snow and all those expectations are shattered yet again.
That's simply no way to live! No, not with Christ!
For in Him, we are to forget what lies behind and strain toward what lies ahead. Paul tells us to keep pressing forward in Christ. I love something I read recently that said we need to cultivate the discplines of focus, forgetting, and following. The discipline of focusing on that one goal--that "one thing I do"--and that's focusing upon Christ and upon our ultimate destiny of heaven. Focusing upon Him in His Word and seeking to keep our focus fixed upon Him like a laser.
And then cultivating the discipline of forgetting--refusing to allow our minds to dwell upon either past failures or successes. Sure, we choose to remember God's faithfulness to us in the past and rejoice in His goodness, but we refuse to dwell upon our failures. Focus on God and not ourselves. Remember--and rejoice in--God and not ourselves and our mess-ups. The past can paralyze us and rob us of all the joy God has for us in the present.
Forget the past--it's done. "This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!" (Ps.118:24) God's given us today--rejoice and be glad in it...even if there's just a dusting of snow!
And finally the discipline of following. Follow hard after the Lord Jesus. The only way we can follow is to daily--no matter what--delve into His Word. Think of it--we get to listen to whatever the God of the universe has for us today! The Almighty Lord wants to have breakfast with us and feed us from His supernatural supply so we can follow Him and live this day with joy and hope and power. We have the choice today whether or not to eat of His nourishing manna...and if we do, He will sustain and strengthen us as we follow Him through whatever this day brings--snow or no snow. Wet floors and boots and puppies or not.
So Lord, we're ready. Focusing on the goal, forgetting the past, and following hard after You. Bring it on! To God be the glory.
Monday, January 20, 2014
Always and forever faithful!
There's a mountain of laundry--and I mean that literally--that needs folding. Sigh. But somehow I know that laundry can wait for just a few minutes while I reminiscence about the goodness and greatness of our Lord this past weekend. Every prayer answered immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine! (Ephesians 3:20)
Folks have sent me a number of photos, so this is just a tiny smattering...but wanted to remember and rejoice in God's faithfulness--
The girls getting ready before the wedding. What wonderful young women--O Lord, there's nothing like dear friends!
"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him." Ps.34:8
After the ceremony, all the wedding party having a blast--even though it was coooooold outside--
Just a few little reminders of God's faithfulness and goodness...to one little couple and their family and friends...on one little night in January...in one little city. God's faithfulness to just one...
But consider--God does this over and over and over again to countless millions and millions of folks...in countless places...and in countless ages...all over this globe. He knows the names, understands the hearts, and sees the hopes and dreams of every single one of His beloved children...and God loves each one of His own individually, infinitely, and perfectly. He plays no favorites--we are all the apple of His eye, and He is always and forever faithful; always and forever good and gracious. What a Lord! What a Daddy!
Thank You, Father. To God be the glory.
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Overwhelmed
"I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you all partakers with me of grace..." (Phil.1:3-7)
Post wedding and pictures and pre-celebration--
Lord, this is simply the prayer of an overwhelmed, overjoyed woman. A woman overwhelmed by Your grace and goodness. A woman overwhelmed with the certain knowledge that she is a selfish, prideful sinner and undeserving of even one single blessing in her life.
And yet...overwhelmed, first, by the treasure You have given in the Lord Jesus. Yesterday at the wedding, our precious niece Emily and our Janie sang of the astounding, overwhelming and beautiful truth of Your love poured out for us in Jesus Christ:
How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory
Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that left Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
Those words still ring in my ears this morning: "Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer. But this I know with all my heart--His wounds have paid my ransom." Thank You, Lord Jesus, for paying my ransom with Your wounds. If you gave us nothing else ever again in this life...that would be infinitely more than enough. O might we treasure the priceless Treasure we have in Christ. And in that, this morning, I am overwhelmed and overjoyed.
But Father, I'm also overwhelmed with the treasure You have given us in our friends and family. This wedding, this glorious joining of two children who adore You, has been a labor of love by so many friends. We truly could not have done this without them...and we would not have wanted to do this without them! They have quadrupled--no, way more than that--they have infinitely multiplied our joy in this celebration!
The gift of those friends and all they have done, all they mean to us, are too many to name. Too much to absorb. From engagement parties to food brought by to encouraging phone calls and texts to running last minute errands to prayer, prayer, and more prayer, to rushing to get the wedding rings right before the service (that had been left behind in all the excitement), to creating astounding beauty with flowers and lights (as one of those dear friends shared yesterday: "Let us walk in the light of the Lord." Isa.2:5) to giving great joy in bridesmaid lunches to powerfully ministering as our pastor to leading as wedding director to coming to the wedding to celebrate with and shower love upon us...and on and on and on.
Paul had it right--we thank our God in every remembrance of our dear friends and family as we partner with them in life for the glory of God. Life is so full of ups and downs, but boy, there's nothing, nothing, nothing like the treasure of those we love to pull us through, to spur us on, to pick us up when we fall, to cry with us in our sorrows, and to celebrate with us in joys.
Yes, what a gift God gave us in one another. And this morning, we "hold you in our heart, for you are all partakers with [us] in grace." Don't we all need it--that grace? That glorious grace that lifts the burden of our sin and the weight of our shame and tells us afresh: "Forgiven. Forgotten. Now move on in the boundless depths of Your Father's love for you." And we are "partakers together." Aren't you glad He gave us one another? Aren't you thankful we're not in this thing all on our piddly lonesome?
So thank You thank You thank You, Father. Thank You for weddings. Thank You for beloved children and seeing the happiness on their faces as they join their lives together before You. Thank You for dear friends and family--there are simply no words, Lord, for our gratitude for each and every one of them. What irreplaceable treasures in our lives.
And thank You for Jesus--
...But this I know with all my heart--His wounds have paid my ransom.
To God be the glory.
Post wedding and pictures and pre-celebration--
And yet...overwhelmed, first, by the treasure You have given in the Lord Jesus. Yesterday at the wedding, our precious niece Emily and our Janie sang of the astounding, overwhelming and beautiful truth of Your love poured out for us in Jesus Christ:
How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure
How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory
Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers
It was my sin that left Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished
I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom
Those words still ring in my ears this morning: "Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer. But this I know with all my heart--His wounds have paid my ransom." Thank You, Lord Jesus, for paying my ransom with Your wounds. If you gave us nothing else ever again in this life...that would be infinitely more than enough. O might we treasure the priceless Treasure we have in Christ. And in that, this morning, I am overwhelmed and overjoyed.
But Father, I'm also overwhelmed with the treasure You have given us in our friends and family. This wedding, this glorious joining of two children who adore You, has been a labor of love by so many friends. We truly could not have done this without them...and we would not have wanted to do this without them! They have quadrupled--no, way more than that--they have infinitely multiplied our joy in this celebration!
The gift of those friends and all they have done, all they mean to us, are too many to name. Too much to absorb. From engagement parties to food brought by to encouraging phone calls and texts to running last minute errands to prayer, prayer, and more prayer, to rushing to get the wedding rings right before the service (that had been left behind in all the excitement), to creating astounding beauty with flowers and lights (as one of those dear friends shared yesterday: "Let us walk in the light of the Lord." Isa.2:5) to giving great joy in bridesmaid lunches to powerfully ministering as our pastor to leading as wedding director to coming to the wedding to celebrate with and shower love upon us...and on and on and on.
Paul had it right--we thank our God in every remembrance of our dear friends and family as we partner with them in life for the glory of God. Life is so full of ups and downs, but boy, there's nothing, nothing, nothing like the treasure of those we love to pull us through, to spur us on, to pick us up when we fall, to cry with us in our sorrows, and to celebrate with us in joys.
Yes, what a gift God gave us in one another. And this morning, we "hold you in our heart, for you are all partakers with [us] in grace." Don't we all need it--that grace? That glorious grace that lifts the burden of our sin and the weight of our shame and tells us afresh: "Forgiven. Forgotten. Now move on in the boundless depths of Your Father's love for you." And we are "partakers together." Aren't you glad He gave us one another? Aren't you thankful we're not in this thing all on our piddly lonesome?
So thank You thank You thank You, Father. Thank You for weddings. Thank You for beloved children and seeing the happiness on their faces as they join their lives together before You. Thank You for dear friends and family--there are simply no words, Lord, for our gratitude for each and every one of them. What irreplaceable treasures in our lives.
And thank You for Jesus--
...But this I know with all my heart--His wounds have paid my ransom.
To God be the glory.
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Our Honored Wedding Guest
"On the third day there was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus also was invited to the wedding with His disciples." (John 2:1-2)
The guests have been invited. The beautiful wedding cake ordered (top priority, of course--though not chocolate!). Food and beverages selected. The flowers lovingly prepared by dear, talented, amazing friends. The band ready to go for some serious dancing. The soloists and pianist practiced and prepared. Bridesmaids' dresses picked up; tuxes too. Wedding programs ready.
Mercy, so many details, details, details in a wedding! And some of us are not terribly good--to put it mildly--at keeping up with details. This is waaaay beyond my very limited abilities. But we have a mighty sovereign Lord who is the God of the micro and the macro...and He specializes not only in details, but He delights in providing and proving His strength in our weakness.
"He gives power to the faint, and to him who has not might He increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." (Isa.40:29-31)
Ah, what wonderful promises. Spurgeon says of every one of God's never-failing promises: "Our Heavenly Banker delights to cash His own notes. Never let the promise rust. Draw the sword of promise out of its scabbard and use it with holy violence. Think not that God will be troubled by your importunately reminding Him of His promises. He loves to hear the loud outcries of needy souls. It is His delight to bestow favors. He is more ready to hear than you are to ask. The sun is not weary of shining, nor the fountain of flowing. It is God's nature to keep His promises; therefore go at once to the throne with 'Do as Thou hast said.'"
Lord, thank You for Your promises. Thank You for the inexhaustible flow of Your power and provision behind every one of those promises. Thank You that in our weakness, You are strong and mighty to save. Thank You that we can never exhaust Your limitless patience and love....and we can never outstrip Your infinite power and ability. Thank You that You are our Daddy, our Abba, who delights to hear and answer the cries of Your needy children.
Father, I pray for all who desperately need You and Your promises today. I know many are enduring hard, hard circumstances right now. Might they see and know the omnipotent, omniscient, loving Lord who stands behind all of His powerful promises. Lord, hear their cry...and move and act as only You can. Might they feel the irrepressible flow of Your love this day.
And Father, I also humbly lift up this wedding. How I praise You that You are our tender Savior with us always--not only in hard places like hospitals, prisons, and gravesides, but also with us in happy times of weddings, births, and birthdays.
Lord, our prayer is that You would be the Honored Guest, the Hallowed Bridegroom, and the Holy One who is lifted high and glorified in every aspect of this joyous joining of these two beloved children. We're told in John 2:2 that "Jesus was also invited to the wedding..." O Lord Jesus, even if everything on earth goes awry at this celebration, if You are invited, if You are present, and if You are glorified, well then, we will greatly rejoice!
Come Lord Jesus, come. To You--our perfect, powerful, gracious, and wonderful Bridegroom--be all the glory.
The guests have been invited. The beautiful wedding cake ordered (top priority, of course--though not chocolate!). Food and beverages selected. The flowers lovingly prepared by dear, talented, amazing friends. The band ready to go for some serious dancing. The soloists and pianist practiced and prepared. Bridesmaids' dresses picked up; tuxes too. Wedding programs ready.
Mercy, so many details, details, details in a wedding! And some of us are not terribly good--to put it mildly--at keeping up with details. This is waaaay beyond my very limited abilities. But we have a mighty sovereign Lord who is the God of the micro and the macro...and He specializes not only in details, but He delights in providing and proving His strength in our weakness.
"He gives power to the faint, and to him who has not might He increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint." (Isa.40:29-31)
Ah, what wonderful promises. Spurgeon says of every one of God's never-failing promises: "Our Heavenly Banker delights to cash His own notes. Never let the promise rust. Draw the sword of promise out of its scabbard and use it with holy violence. Think not that God will be troubled by your importunately reminding Him of His promises. He loves to hear the loud outcries of needy souls. It is His delight to bestow favors. He is more ready to hear than you are to ask. The sun is not weary of shining, nor the fountain of flowing. It is God's nature to keep His promises; therefore go at once to the throne with 'Do as Thou hast said.'"
Lord, thank You for Your promises. Thank You for the inexhaustible flow of Your power and provision behind every one of those promises. Thank You that in our weakness, You are strong and mighty to save. Thank You that we can never exhaust Your limitless patience and love....and we can never outstrip Your infinite power and ability. Thank You that You are our Daddy, our Abba, who delights to hear and answer the cries of Your needy children.
Father, I pray for all who desperately need You and Your promises today. I know many are enduring hard, hard circumstances right now. Might they see and know the omnipotent, omniscient, loving Lord who stands behind all of His powerful promises. Lord, hear their cry...and move and act as only You can. Might they feel the irrepressible flow of Your love this day.
And Father, I also humbly lift up this wedding. How I praise You that You are our tender Savior with us always--not only in hard places like hospitals, prisons, and gravesides, but also with us in happy times of weddings, births, and birthdays.
Lord, our prayer is that You would be the Honored Guest, the Hallowed Bridegroom, and the Holy One who is lifted high and glorified in every aspect of this joyous joining of these two beloved children. We're told in John 2:2 that "Jesus was also invited to the wedding..." O Lord Jesus, even if everything on earth goes awry at this celebration, if You are invited, if You are present, and if You are glorified, well then, we will greatly rejoice!
Come Lord Jesus, come. To You--our perfect, powerful, gracious, and wonderful Bridegroom--be all the glory.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Blue pens...or blessings from God?
Bingley's been teaching me a bit more about the sin nature.
I know, I know, dogs can't sin (the verdict is still out on cats)...but they can surely teach us about our sin nature.
Yes, it's true. This precious little face--
(Well, two precious faces--that of our wonderful niece, Emily Oglesby, with Mr.Bingley)
...this sweet little fellow with a relentless propensity to carry sticks--
....this loving puppy who craves to snuggle in your lap--
(with the bride-to-be...dreaming of weddings...and wedding cake)
...also seems to vastly prefer chewing on shoes, brooms, firewood, pillows, pens, and pencils rather than his very nice and readily available dog toys.
What is the deal with that?
We've tried to explain to him that these are not just any toys. Noooo...a number of these doggie playthings were purchased from the fancy doodle dog store at North Hills. These toys feature multiple bright colors, enticing squeaks, and interesting chewing surfaces. We have ropes, dragons, lambs, and several fabulous balls.
No matter. Bingley wants the blue pen rather than the blue, squeaky, lifetime-guaranteed dragon--
(Please note the completely desiccated, chewed-up blue pen. Maybe Bingley's a budding writer. He especially enjoyed the pencil...we have the vet bill to prove it.)
But isn't that just like us? God pours out His blessings upon us. Gift upon gift of health, home, family, friends, music, laughter, books, chocolate (of course). Not to mention His glorious creation--the brilliant blue sky...the bracing, clear, cold air...the nightly light show of stars...the soaring hawk and crimson cardinal.
And yet, how often do we whine and moan and long for more...for different...for those gifts over on the other side of the fence where the grass is surely greener.
God gives us bright blue squeaky toys and fun red balls...and all we want is to chew on some old blue pen that will make us sick. One leads to joy and thankfulness and hope and the full, abundant life...while the other leads to discontentment, irritability, selfishness, pride. ingratitude, and ultimate misery.
O forgive me, Father, for how often I'm like my silly puppy...running after all that would harm me (and those I love) while discounting, ignoring, or missing the daily wonders of Your abounding, generous grace all about me.
"Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it." (Prov.15:16-17)
Good reminders for those of us planning weddings...or prone to discontentment. Time to keep the main thing the main thing. Time to focus on the Lord...keeping Him and His glory and His goodness front and center. Thanking Him. Praising Him. Loving Him. Seeking Him.
"Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" (Heb.13:5) It's a choice--choosing contentment with what God has given us...or withheld from us. Choosing gratitude. Choosing joy--
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice." (Phil.4:4)
O Lord, help us to choose wisely! Help us to choose to be grateful with all You have done for us, with all You are doing right now, and with all that You are. In You, we have a continual Source of joy and a continual reason to rejoice.
Let's stop fixating on the blue pen and focus instead on the Giver of all good gifts and on His goodness in our lives. To God be the glory.
I know, I know, dogs can't sin (the verdict is still out on cats)...but they can surely teach us about our sin nature.
Yes, it's true. This precious little face--
...this sweet little fellow with a relentless propensity to carry sticks--
...also seems to vastly prefer chewing on shoes, brooms, firewood, pillows, pens, and pencils rather than his very nice and readily available dog toys.
What is the deal with that?
We've tried to explain to him that these are not just any toys. Noooo...a number of these doggie playthings were purchased from the fancy doodle dog store at North Hills. These toys feature multiple bright colors, enticing squeaks, and interesting chewing surfaces. We have ropes, dragons, lambs, and several fabulous balls.
No matter. Bingley wants the blue pen rather than the blue, squeaky, lifetime-guaranteed dragon--
But isn't that just like us? God pours out His blessings upon us. Gift upon gift of health, home, family, friends, music, laughter, books, chocolate (of course). Not to mention His glorious creation--the brilliant blue sky...the bracing, clear, cold air...the nightly light show of stars...the soaring hawk and crimson cardinal.
And yet, how often do we whine and moan and long for more...for different...for those gifts over on the other side of the fence where the grass is surely greener.
God gives us bright blue squeaky toys and fun red balls...and all we want is to chew on some old blue pen that will make us sick. One leads to joy and thankfulness and hope and the full, abundant life...while the other leads to discontentment, irritability, selfishness, pride. ingratitude, and ultimate misery.
O forgive me, Father, for how often I'm like my silly puppy...running after all that would harm me (and those I love) while discounting, ignoring, or missing the daily wonders of Your abounding, generous grace all about me.
"Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it." (Prov.15:16-17)
Good reminders for those of us planning weddings...or prone to discontentment. Time to keep the main thing the main thing. Time to focus on the Lord...keeping Him and His glory and His goodness front and center. Thanking Him. Praising Him. Loving Him. Seeking Him.
"Keep your life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for He has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.'" (Heb.13:5) It's a choice--choosing contentment with what God has given us...or withheld from us. Choosing gratitude. Choosing joy--
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice." (Phil.4:4)
O Lord, help us to choose wisely! Help us to choose to be grateful with all You have done for us, with all You are doing right now, and with all that You are. In You, we have a continual Source of joy and a continual reason to rejoice.
Let's stop fixating on the blue pen and focus instead on the Giver of all good gifts and on His goodness in our lives. To God be the glory.
Sunday, January 12, 2014
God's powerful, singing love
A little food for weekend thought--
With our daughter getting married in less than a week, I've been thinking a lot about "love." What a blessing to be loved! To be loved not only by another person (though this is unquestionably one of God's choicest gifts to be savored and treasured), but to be loved by God.
Can we truly grasp the earth shattering significance of that? We are not just "loved;" we are the beloved of the Creator and Sustainer of the far-flung galaxies. To be the beloved of such a One staggers the imagination. What else could possibly compare?
C.S. Lewis writes: "When Christianity says that God loves man, it means that God loves man: not that He has some 'disinterested,' because really indifferent, concern for our welfare, but that, in awful and surprising truth, we are the objects of His love. You asked for a loving God: you have one. The great spirit you so lightly invoked, the 'lord of terrible aspect,' is present: not a senile benevolence that drowsily wishes you to be happy in your own way, not the cold philanthropy of a conscientious magistrate, nor the care of a host who feels responsible for the comfort of his guests, but the consuming fire Himself, the Love that made the worlds, persistent as the artist's love for his work and despotic as a man's love for a dog, provident and venerable as a father's love for a child, jealous, inexorable, exacting as love between the sexes. How this should be, I do not know: it passes reason to explain why any creatures, not to say creatures such as we, should have a value so prodigious in their Creator's eyes."
Yet how often does our conception of how much God "loves" us depend upon whether we feel like He's giving us what we want? Oh my, our understanding of the unfathomable depth and riches of His love falls so infinitely far short, doesn't it? Truth be told, we'd often settle for that "senile benevolence" who "drowsily" seeks our short-term superficial happiness rather than our long-term holiness. Make us happy, Lord, we whine. Make our children happy. Take away all their problems and give them an easy, cushy life.
No--that's not Love! That's not the white-hot fire of perfect Divine Love that burns with holy intensity and seeks the ultimate and absolute best for His dearly beloved! Forgive us, Father, for seeking so little when You have so much more. Forgive us for settling for the mud puddles of temporary success and comfort and pleasure...when You are offering us the crystalline lakes and fathomless oceans of Your glorious Love.
Remind us, too, Lord, what Your Love unleashes...Your power. Your grace. Your forgiveness. Your joy. William Gurnall says "God's love for His saints sets His power in motion. He who has God's heart does not lack for His arm. Love rallies all other affections and sets the powers of the whole man into action. Thus in God, love sets His other attributes to work; all are ready to bring about what God says He likes."
Such is the supernatural power of God's love! How dare we forget! And what a comfort and encouragement to recall all that His perfect, powerful love makes available to us.
So today, might we remember His love. Rejoice in His love. And rest in His love.
"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; He will exult over you with loud singing." (Zeph.3:17)
A God who even sings His love...incredible. Might we hear His love song for us this day...and rejoice and rest in Him. His love will never fail you. Never. To God be the glory.
With our daughter getting married in less than a week, I've been thinking a lot about "love." What a blessing to be loved! To be loved not only by another person (though this is unquestionably one of God's choicest gifts to be savored and treasured), but to be loved by God.
Can we truly grasp the earth shattering significance of that? We are not just "loved;" we are the beloved of the Creator and Sustainer of the far-flung galaxies. To be the beloved of such a One staggers the imagination. What else could possibly compare?
C.S. Lewis writes: "When Christianity says that God loves man, it means that God loves man: not that He has some 'disinterested,' because really indifferent, concern for our welfare, but that, in awful and surprising truth, we are the objects of His love. You asked for a loving God: you have one. The great spirit you so lightly invoked, the 'lord of terrible aspect,' is present: not a senile benevolence that drowsily wishes you to be happy in your own way, not the cold philanthropy of a conscientious magistrate, nor the care of a host who feels responsible for the comfort of his guests, but the consuming fire Himself, the Love that made the worlds, persistent as the artist's love for his work and despotic as a man's love for a dog, provident and venerable as a father's love for a child, jealous, inexorable, exacting as love between the sexes. How this should be, I do not know: it passes reason to explain why any creatures, not to say creatures such as we, should have a value so prodigious in their Creator's eyes."
Yet how often does our conception of how much God "loves" us depend upon whether we feel like He's giving us what we want? Oh my, our understanding of the unfathomable depth and riches of His love falls so infinitely far short, doesn't it? Truth be told, we'd often settle for that "senile benevolence" who "drowsily" seeks our short-term superficial happiness rather than our long-term holiness. Make us happy, Lord, we whine. Make our children happy. Take away all their problems and give them an easy, cushy life.
No--that's not Love! That's not the white-hot fire of perfect Divine Love that burns with holy intensity and seeks the ultimate and absolute best for His dearly beloved! Forgive us, Father, for seeking so little when You have so much more. Forgive us for settling for the mud puddles of temporary success and comfort and pleasure...when You are offering us the crystalline lakes and fathomless oceans of Your glorious Love.
Remind us, too, Lord, what Your Love unleashes...Your power. Your grace. Your forgiveness. Your joy. William Gurnall says "God's love for His saints sets His power in motion. He who has God's heart does not lack for His arm. Love rallies all other affections and sets the powers of the whole man into action. Thus in God, love sets His other attributes to work; all are ready to bring about what God says He likes."
Such is the supernatural power of God's love! How dare we forget! And what a comfort and encouragement to recall all that His perfect, powerful love makes available to us.
So today, might we remember His love. Rejoice in His love. And rest in His love.
"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; He will exult over you with loud singing." (Zeph.3:17)
A God who even sings His love...incredible. Might we hear His love song for us this day...and rejoice and rest in Him. His love will never fail you. Never. To God be the glory.
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Older...but still burning!
Okay, just for the record, on this fine day when I've officially grown another year older, I can now fully embrace Henry Fonda's quip from the great, old movie, On Golden Pond. When his wife (Katherine Hepburn--no wonder this movie was incredible) told him she had met "a nice middle-aged couple just like us," he dryly responded, "Ethel, we're not middle aged. Middle age refers to the middle third of your life. You're old. I'm ancient."
I'm guessing unless people live to a hundred and ten, I'm no exactly middle aged...though maybe I'm still on the back end of "the middle third." But who's counting? I'm just thankful to still be here!
And ancient or not, how can we not thank the Lord for the gift of another day? One more day to serve Him and bring Him glory. One more day to love those He's so graciously placed in our lives. One more day to learn what it means to abide in, and depend upon, Him as we grow in grace.
Yet, the older I get, the more I realize--I can't live the Christian life. I can't love unselfishly. I can't think rightly. I can't show kindness or compassion or generosity. I can't do what I'm supposed to do or say what I'm supposed to say--or keep my mouth shut when I should! I can't do squat apart from the mercy, grace, and power of the indwelling Savior. Apart from Him, I can do nothing. Nada.
But with Him, ah, with Him we can do ALL things. (Phil.4:13) Endure all things. Forgive all things. Be content in all things. Be loving and kind and unselfish and grateful in all things. We can't do it...but He can. When we abide in Him and His Word abides in us, well, then He-who-never-fails to fulfill every jot and tittle of His Word, promises: "Whoever abides in Me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me, you can do nothing." (John 15:5)
Only Lord, keep my love for You white-hot. Father, You alone know how prone I am to meander and wander. To get busy and preoccupied and suddenly find an hour (or two...or five...or seven) has flitted by, and I haven't consciously focused my mind upon and lifted up my heart in praise to our forever faithful Emmanuel. Lord Jesus, I don't want one hour--much less one day--to pass by without a conscious, rejoicing thought of Who You are and Whose I am.
What wonderful words I read just this morning from Scotty Smith: "May I never stop singing the last line in the hymn 'O Sacred Heart Now Wounded.': 'Should I fainting be, Lord, let me never, never outlive my love for Thee.' That's my earnest, impassioned prayer, Jesus. I don't fear losing my salvation. I will stand firm to the end because of my standing in grace. But what could be worse than my love for You to cool down, degree by degree, as I get older? Don't let that happen to me, Jesus. Don't let that happen. What could be worst than to finish the race with an ingrown, icy heart. I do not and will not trust in my love for You, but only in Your love for me."
Yes! Me too, Lord! We want a love that burns and burns!
And the really great news? It's not about our love for God, but God's love for us. "We love because He first loved us." (I John 4:19) And like everything else, it's all by grace--and only by grace--that we can love the Lord...or anyone else.
So, Lord, as we grow older, keep Your grace flowing and keep our love burning. One hour at a time. One day at a time. One year at a time. Might we never, ever outlive our love for Thee.
To God be the glory.
I'm guessing unless people live to a hundred and ten, I'm no exactly middle aged...though maybe I'm still on the back end of "the middle third." But who's counting? I'm just thankful to still be here!
And ancient or not, how can we not thank the Lord for the gift of another day? One more day to serve Him and bring Him glory. One more day to love those He's so graciously placed in our lives. One more day to learn what it means to abide in, and depend upon, Him as we grow in grace.
Yet, the older I get, the more I realize--I can't live the Christian life. I can't love unselfishly. I can't think rightly. I can't show kindness or compassion or generosity. I can't do what I'm supposed to do or say what I'm supposed to say--or keep my mouth shut when I should! I can't do squat apart from the mercy, grace, and power of the indwelling Savior. Apart from Him, I can do nothing. Nada.
But with Him, ah, with Him we can do ALL things. (Phil.4:13) Endure all things. Forgive all things. Be content in all things. Be loving and kind and unselfish and grateful in all things. We can't do it...but He can. When we abide in Him and His Word abides in us, well, then He-who-never-fails to fulfill every jot and tittle of His Word, promises: "Whoever abides in Me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me, you can do nothing." (John 15:5)
Only Lord, keep my love for You white-hot. Father, You alone know how prone I am to meander and wander. To get busy and preoccupied and suddenly find an hour (or two...or five...or seven) has flitted by, and I haven't consciously focused my mind upon and lifted up my heart in praise to our forever faithful Emmanuel. Lord Jesus, I don't want one hour--much less one day--to pass by without a conscious, rejoicing thought of Who You are and Whose I am.
What wonderful words I read just this morning from Scotty Smith: "May I never stop singing the last line in the hymn 'O Sacred Heart Now Wounded.': 'Should I fainting be, Lord, let me never, never outlive my love for Thee.' That's my earnest, impassioned prayer, Jesus. I don't fear losing my salvation. I will stand firm to the end because of my standing in grace. But what could be worse than my love for You to cool down, degree by degree, as I get older? Don't let that happen to me, Jesus. Don't let that happen. What could be worst than to finish the race with an ingrown, icy heart. I do not and will not trust in my love for You, but only in Your love for me."
Yes! Me too, Lord! We want a love that burns and burns!
And the really great news? It's not about our love for God, but God's love for us. "We love because He first loved us." (I John 4:19) And like everything else, it's all by grace--and only by grace--that we can love the Lord...or anyone else.
So, Lord, as we grow older, keep Your grace flowing and keep our love burning. One hour at a time. One day at a time. One year at a time. Might we never, ever outlive our love for Thee.
To God be the glory.
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
The cold...and friends!
Thank You, Lord, for the reminder, once again, that gratitude (rather than grumpiness) is a choice. And thank You for grace when I forget. Like yesterday...while walking Bingley in ridiculously frigid weather.
Okay, I need to scratch that word "ridiculously." Let's choose thankfulness--thank You Lord for allowing me to have legs that can move, hands that can hold a leash, eyes that can see the icy path, and ears that can hear a great podcast while I'm walking Bingley in the refreshingly cold air. After all, that air did wake me up. And it was quite peaceful out there on the greenway yesterday morning...as in, we didn't see one other man or beast!
Yes, even that cold air is to the glory of an Almighty God...a reminder that our Lord is omnipotent and makes the wonderful change of seasons! Thank You Lord that it's not always hot and humid. And thank You even that it's not balmy spring weather all the time--otherwise, we'd never appreciate the wonders of fall and spring. And as much as I prefer warm weather, how I praise God for the ever-changing seasons. Each season with it's own challenges and joys.
But back to gratitude for friendship. Walking in the cold yesterday reminded me that I'm doubly thankful not only for all my incredible friends but also for two wonderful women (beautiful twin sisters, actually) who have helped us with training Bingley and often take him out on long walks with his gang--
Yep, there's nothing like a good friend...four footed and two. Young or old. I love how Henri Nouwen put it: "Friendship is one of the greatest gifts a human being can receive...Friendship is being with the other in joy or sorrow, even when we cannot increase the joy or decrease the sorrow. It is a unity of souls that gives nobility and sincerity to love. Friendship makes all of life shine brightly. Blessed are those who lay down their lives for their friends."
So today, Lord, thank You for the irreplaceable gift of friendship in our lives. Help us to share with our friends today what priceless gifts they are in our lives. And thank You most of all, Lord Jesus, for being the ultimate and perfect Friend in laying down Your life for us. "Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13) Thank You for walking with us, loving us, and leading us through every possible path of life.
To God be the glory.
Monday, January 6, 2014
Monday--no match for God!
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." (Lam.3:22-23)
Lord, I needed that reminder this morning. It's a grey, rainy monday morning, and a coooooold front is moving in. Cold, as in "Who on earth is going to walk Bingley tomorrow when it's 12 degrees?" I already know the answer to that question, but still a girl can dream.
And did you know that today, the first monday after New Year's, is officially the most depressing day of the year? Well, geez, between this miserable Arctic freeze coming in fast and the dark, damp skies overhead, and the old Monday morning to-do list that is now so overwhelming that I can't face looking at it...well naturally, I had started to forget. And, oh mercy, can't we all be such good forgetters?
We so quickly forget the Lord's steadfast, never-ever failing love. Forget His grace and mercy that stretches into infinity and beyond. Forget that every single morning provides a brand new opportunity to experience His goodness, faithfulness, love, and all-surpassing sufficiency to deal with whatever challenges (and opportunities) each new day brings.
Forgive me, Lord, for forgetting and facing this day focusing upon myself rather than upon You. Forgive me for dwelling upon the obstacles before me rather than the Almighty Lord who moves mountains with even our most minuscule, insignificant seed of faith. Forgive me for choosing to rehearse my worries rather than rejoice in Your worthiness and Your gifts in my life.
Here's what my hero, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, says: "Every new morning is a new beginning of our life. Every day is a complete whole. The present day should be the boundary of our care and striving. (Matt.6:34; Jas.4:14)...To grasp the old faithfulness of God anew every morning, to be able--in the middle of life--to begin a new life with God daily, that is the gift that God gives with every new morning. Not fear of the day, not the burden of work, but rather, the Lord wakens me."
So, Lord, thank You for waking me this morning and thank You for this gift of a a new day. Father, we're back on track!
And to this dreaded, dreary, award-winning "most depressing day of the year" monday in January, you're no match for the Almighty Lord of unending love, mercy, and faithfulness! He's given us a brand new day, a brand new week, a brand new month, and a brand new year to start afresh. Might we live this day by His grace and to His glory.
To God be the glory.
Lord, I needed that reminder this morning. It's a grey, rainy monday morning, and a coooooold front is moving in. Cold, as in "Who on earth is going to walk Bingley tomorrow when it's 12 degrees?" I already know the answer to that question, but still a girl can dream.
And did you know that today, the first monday after New Year's, is officially the most depressing day of the year? Well, geez, between this miserable Arctic freeze coming in fast and the dark, damp skies overhead, and the old Monday morning to-do list that is now so overwhelming that I can't face looking at it...well naturally, I had started to forget. And, oh mercy, can't we all be such good forgetters?
We so quickly forget the Lord's steadfast, never-ever failing love. Forget His grace and mercy that stretches into infinity and beyond. Forget that every single morning provides a brand new opportunity to experience His goodness, faithfulness, love, and all-surpassing sufficiency to deal with whatever challenges (and opportunities) each new day brings.
Forgive me, Lord, for forgetting and facing this day focusing upon myself rather than upon You. Forgive me for dwelling upon the obstacles before me rather than the Almighty Lord who moves mountains with even our most minuscule, insignificant seed of faith. Forgive me for choosing to rehearse my worries rather than rejoice in Your worthiness and Your gifts in my life.
Here's what my hero, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, says: "Every new morning is a new beginning of our life. Every day is a complete whole. The present day should be the boundary of our care and striving. (Matt.6:34; Jas.4:14)...To grasp the old faithfulness of God anew every morning, to be able--in the middle of life--to begin a new life with God daily, that is the gift that God gives with every new morning. Not fear of the day, not the burden of work, but rather, the Lord wakens me."
So, Lord, thank You for waking me this morning and thank You for this gift of a a new day. Father, we're back on track!
And to this dreaded, dreary, award-winning "most depressing day of the year" monday in January, you're no match for the Almighty Lord of unending love, mercy, and faithfulness! He's given us a brand new day, a brand new week, a brand new month, and a brand new year to start afresh. Might we live this day by His grace and to His glory.
To God be the glory.
Sunday, January 5, 2014
A simple morning thank you
It's dark and still and peaceful this early Sunday morning--always the best time of the time of the day--and Bingley sleeps happily in my lap while I try to tap the computer keys over him. Not especially conducive to typing...but very consoling to the heart!
Thank You, Abba Father, for the simplest but greatest blessings in our lives--sweet, cuddly puppies, dinner last night with dear friends, laughter, powerful prayer, steaming mugs of tea, warm homes in cold weather, good books, sweet emails from those we love, chocolate cake (always got to include that), hot fires, children home for Christmas, weddings and flowers and bridal veils and bridesmaids celebrations in the mountains with photographs sent via text message--
(Janie and Mary Norris with her bridesmaids hiking this weekend in God's playground. Wish I were there!)
Thank You, Abba Father, for the simplest but greatest blessings in our lives--sweet, cuddly puppies, dinner last night with dear friends, laughter, powerful prayer, steaming mugs of tea, warm homes in cold weather, good books, sweet emails from those we love, chocolate cake (always got to include that), hot fires, children home for Christmas, weddings and flowers and bridal veils and bridesmaids celebrations in the mountains with photographs sent via text message--
(Janie and Mary Norris with her bridesmaids hiking this weekend in God's playground. Wish I were there!)
Sometimes we forget the beauty of our daily lives. The wonder of the rhythm of waking up with the gift of another 24 hours to to do our best to live for His glory, to love in His strength, to press on in His grace.
The joy of quietly sitting down with His Word--the Bread of God, His steaming-hot, fresh manna for us--for this day, for this moment. And incredibly, this supernatural powder-keg and power- source and power-sustaining Word can rest in our laps and in our hearts and on our lips. How will He change us and shape us and strengthen us with it's jewels? Who can we encourage with it's treasures?
And so Bingley and I sit and praise the God of the majestic mountains--
And we praise Him for His powerful, beautiful Word--the Word we hold in our laps and the Word who became flesh--Jesus. The Living Word we hold in our hearts...but Who holds us, and those we love, and the heavens and the farthest galaxies in His omnipotent hands.
And at the dawn of this new day, we praise God all the way down to the simplest gifts of daily life--a puppy, a mug of tea, a quiet home, and a grateful heart.
Thank You, Lord Jesus. Thank You. To God be the glory.
Saturday, January 4, 2014
Christmas Stocking and change
My oldest daughter's Christmas stocking, that is.
One minute I was reveling in the wonder of Christmas and the joy of having all our children home to celebrate...and the next moment I was plunged into a little "pit of despond." My husband had innocently commented that next year, Mary Norris' stocking would be gone, because it would be hanging in her new home with her new husband.
What?!!!
Now don't get me wrong--we adore Mary Norris' fiancee, Matt. Seriously, he is TOTALLY wonderful in every possible way, and we thank the Lord daily for the incredible gift this incredible young man is to our daughter and to our whole family.
And they are getting married two weeks from today! Yahoo...and yikes all at the same time!
But here's what prompted the stocking melt-down--it suddenly hit me that life is changing. Mary Norris will soon have a new home and a new family with her wonderful almost-husband, Matt, and chances are pretty good they will not be spending every Christmas for the rest of their lives with us in our home. This was a terrible and shocking revelation.
But it gets worse. All our children are growing up...and leaving our home...and moving away...and life will never be quite the same...and how on earth did this happen so quickly...and why can't we hold onto them and everyone else we love and freeze them and keep them right here next to us forever...
Deep breath.
And one unimaginable, awful day every one of those five beloved, handmade-by-my-aunt-Janie-stockings will be headed off to new homes and new families to go hang by new fireplaces.
O mercy...another deep breath.
Here's the thing--change is tough. Of course, hard changes rock us to our core. But good changes can be just as stressful in their own way. Even glorious changes--like joyful weddings--can be challenging. Because all changes remind us that nothing in this life will last forever, that this world is not our home, and that we're only passing through. We can try our best to desperately hang on to people or possessions or whatever we're hoping to cling to--but it's all for naught for only God is eternally changeless.
But I loved this quote I read just this morning: "All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another." (Anatole France) That's it--we have to, in Amy Carmichael's words, "See in this a chance to die." An opportunity to die to ourselves, to our need to control, to our plans, and to our selfishness. And instead to be open to all that God has in store for our future. To grow in our trust and faith in our never-changing and forever-faithful Lord.
David Jeremiah put it this way: "We can embrace change by knowing we serve an unchanging God. At the beginning of this new year, we confess with Joshua: 'We have never been this way before.' But our faithful, changeless Lord will show us the way to go, guide us at every juncture, bless us at every step, and provide goodness and mercy every day of our lives."
So, ready or not, change is here. But then, so is our Almighty God! So I guess it's time to release that Christmas stocking with a happy and trusting heart. Our family may be changing and that involves a little bit of dying...but, boy, it also means a whole lot of new and joyful living just around the bend!
Might we embrace the changes You bring into our lives, Lord, as we love with open hands and follow You with trusting hearts. To God be the glory.
Friday, January 3, 2014
Strength for today...bright hope for tomorrow
"Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your Heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today." (Mt.6:31-34)
How often have we heard or read those words? We know them. We consider them sage advice. We say we want to live by them. And at various and sundry times we do--we actually obey Jesus' command not to worry and instead fix our focus firmly and trustingly upon Him. And, oh, when we truly relax into Him, when we press into Him, there's nothing that can shake our our peace or demolish our joy.
But the problem is that far too often we forget. We forget to trust. We forget to choose gratitude. We forget to reject worry in favor of worship. And we forget to redirect our focus from created things to the Creator of all things. Ironically, too, it's not so much the big crises of life that trip us up. Rather, it's often in the little daily, niggling concerns of life, that we allow our minds to wander and our hearts to fall into that worn-out, old rut of worrying and fretting.
Of course, this has never happened to me...at least not for the last 59 seconds or so. Sigh.
Where did worrying ever get us?! Seriously, when have our anxious thoughts or runaway emotions ever helped our children or our spouses or our health concerns or our financial woes or our relationship struggles? Has fretting ever made any kind of positive difference? Ever?
Nope. Worrying is nothing but a joy-thief and a peace-stealer.
And here's the thing--worrying is a CHOICE! We choose fretting...or trusting. We choose worrying...or worshipping. We choose rehearsing our woes...or remembering God's past faithfulness. We choose our thoughts and our focus just as surely as we choose the direction we turn our car's steering wheel. Will we turn toward trusting in our ever-faithful, Almighty God or will we turn toward indulging in our fearful "what if's?"
I love the way The Message paraphrases v.34: "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes."
Amen! We choose (there's that word again) to give our "entire attention to what God is doing right now"--that means living fully and gratefully and joyfully in the present moment. Living in the river of God's grace and goodness today, right now. That's all any of us has anyway--this day. This hour. This moment. The Lord will always be more than enough for all that we need right now.
But then trusting that whatever comes tomorrow, our Great and forever faithful and eternally present, I Am, will be there too. And He will provide and equip and empower and sustain and redeem whatever tomorrow holds in store as well.
Here's how Dietrich Bonhoeffer put it: "Worry is always directed toward tomorrow. [Ain't that the truth?!] In the strictest sense, however, possessions are intended only for today. It is precisely the securing of tomorrow that makes me insecure today...Only those who place tomorrow in God's hands and receive what they need to live today are truly secure. Receiving daily liberates us from tomorrow. Thought for tomorrow delivers us up to endless worry."
"Give us this day, our daily bread," Jesus has taught us to pray. (Mt.6:11) Today's bread. Today's need. Today's gifts. Today's never-to-be-repeated opportunities to love and laugh, to reflect and rejoice.
Sure, we could all worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow's merciless "What if's." But doesn't all that worrying boil down to refusing to trust that God will be enough? Refusing to believe that God is infinitely greater than any of our imagined what if scenarios?
Yet has He ever failed to pull us through in the past? Sure, bad things have happened to all of us for we live in a fallen world, but the Lord is always higher, stronger, bigger, and greater. He who has brought us this far will not fail us in the future. And even if, even if the very worst happens, He will still be more than enough. If we need reminding, look to the cross. The worst--the absolute worst--ended up being a platform for a demonstration of God's absolute and most glorious best.
As the old hymn puts it, "Strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow..." That's what He promises--today's strength. Today's provision. Today's grace for today's need. But not tomorrow's...not until tomorrow. Yet in the meantime, we have bright hope for tomorrow because we know, we know, we know that He is already there and will provide the strength and joy and love and grace we need tomorrow...when it is tomorrow.
So in the meantime, let's reject worry and relax in Him today. Let's rejoice in Him and His gifts today. Let's press in and press on in Him today. Let's love, enjoy, forgive, and serve those He's placed in our life today. And let's trust Him for tomorrow. He's got it anyway.
To God be the glory.
How often have we heard or read those words? We know them. We consider them sage advice. We say we want to live by them. And at various and sundry times we do--we actually obey Jesus' command not to worry and instead fix our focus firmly and trustingly upon Him. And, oh, when we truly relax into Him, when we press into Him, there's nothing that can shake our our peace or demolish our joy.
But the problem is that far too often we forget. We forget to trust. We forget to choose gratitude. We forget to reject worry in favor of worship. And we forget to redirect our focus from created things to the Creator of all things. Ironically, too, it's not so much the big crises of life that trip us up. Rather, it's often in the little daily, niggling concerns of life, that we allow our minds to wander and our hearts to fall into that worn-out, old rut of worrying and fretting.
Of course, this has never happened to me...at least not for the last 59 seconds or so. Sigh.
Where did worrying ever get us?! Seriously, when have our anxious thoughts or runaway emotions ever helped our children or our spouses or our health concerns or our financial woes or our relationship struggles? Has fretting ever made any kind of positive difference? Ever?
Nope. Worrying is nothing but a joy-thief and a peace-stealer.
And here's the thing--worrying is a CHOICE! We choose fretting...or trusting. We choose worrying...or worshipping. We choose rehearsing our woes...or remembering God's past faithfulness. We choose our thoughts and our focus just as surely as we choose the direction we turn our car's steering wheel. Will we turn toward trusting in our ever-faithful, Almighty God or will we turn toward indulging in our fearful "what if's?"
I love the way The Message paraphrases v.34: "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes."
Amen! We choose (there's that word again) to give our "entire attention to what God is doing right now"--that means living fully and gratefully and joyfully in the present moment. Living in the river of God's grace and goodness today, right now. That's all any of us has anyway--this day. This hour. This moment. The Lord will always be more than enough for all that we need right now.
But then trusting that whatever comes tomorrow, our Great and forever faithful and eternally present, I Am, will be there too. And He will provide and equip and empower and sustain and redeem whatever tomorrow holds in store as well.
Here's how Dietrich Bonhoeffer put it: "Worry is always directed toward tomorrow. [Ain't that the truth?!] In the strictest sense, however, possessions are intended only for today. It is precisely the securing of tomorrow that makes me insecure today...Only those who place tomorrow in God's hands and receive what they need to live today are truly secure. Receiving daily liberates us from tomorrow. Thought for tomorrow delivers us up to endless worry."
"Give us this day, our daily bread," Jesus has taught us to pray. (Mt.6:11) Today's bread. Today's need. Today's gifts. Today's never-to-be-repeated opportunities to love and laugh, to reflect and rejoice.
Sure, we could all worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow's merciless "What if's." But doesn't all that worrying boil down to refusing to trust that God will be enough? Refusing to believe that God is infinitely greater than any of our imagined what if scenarios?
Yet has He ever failed to pull us through in the past? Sure, bad things have happened to all of us for we live in a fallen world, but the Lord is always higher, stronger, bigger, and greater. He who has brought us this far will not fail us in the future. And even if, even if the very worst happens, He will still be more than enough. If we need reminding, look to the cross. The worst--the absolute worst--ended up being a platform for a demonstration of God's absolute and most glorious best.
As the old hymn puts it, "Strength for today, and bright hope for tomorrow..." That's what He promises--today's strength. Today's provision. Today's grace for today's need. But not tomorrow's...not until tomorrow. Yet in the meantime, we have bright hope for tomorrow because we know, we know, we know that He is already there and will provide the strength and joy and love and grace we need tomorrow...when it is tomorrow.
So in the meantime, let's reject worry and relax in Him today. Let's rejoice in Him and His gifts today. Let's press in and press on in Him today. Let's love, enjoy, forgive, and serve those He's placed in our life today. And let's trust Him for tomorrow. He's got it anyway.
To God be the glory.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
Pressing on!
New Year's morning. 2014. Hard to believe we sit on the cusp of this brand new year. Thank You, Lord, for Your undeserved and indefatigable faithfulness to us this past year. Help us to remember and rejoice. "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you" (Phil.1:3) "Rejoice in the Lord always; again, I say, rejoice." (Phil.4:4)
It's so easy to look back, however, and choose to regret rather than choose to rejoice, isn't it? I regret that I didn't faithfully have devotions with my children or pray with them every night. I regret that I didn't love and encourage my husband as I should have. I regret that I didn't love others unselfishly but rather loved myself far, far too much. I regret that I didn't worship more and worry less. I regret that I didn't pray more and pout less. I regret that I wasn't as disciplined with my time as I should have been and wasted far too much on frivolous, vain, and empty pursuits. Well, and I regret that I bought way too much take-out food and cooked far too few good meals that we could eat together at home as a family. I regret that I didn't regularly write and tell and show my husband and children how much I adore them and what priceless, wondrous treasures they are in my life. And I regret that I didn't consistently make the time to love and enjoy and encourage my friends--also irreplaceable gifts in my life.
O Lord Jesus, I have so, so far to go. I'm a great sinner...but You are a great, great, great Savior.
But here's the thing--we all have a choice. Yes, a choice to regret and wallow in our failures and misgivings and missed opportunities...
Or a choice to rejoice in God's incredible goodness and grace to us, even in the midst of our misses and mess-ups...and to press on.
Because we have a God who commands us to hand Him our regrets and sins and failures. Hand them to Him and see the glorious, hallowed shadow of the cross towering over them all. Hand them to Him and remember that Christ's blood covered them all. Every single one of our sins and regrets and failures.
Incredibly, unbelievably, in Christ our Savior, we are forgiven for the past. Forgiven...and therefore freed to look to the future...to press on in Him and thru Him and for Him.
"But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil.3:13-14)
Forgiven...means forgetting and then forging ahead in Him. Pressing on.
To God be the glory.
It's so easy to look back, however, and choose to regret rather than choose to rejoice, isn't it? I regret that I didn't faithfully have devotions with my children or pray with them every night. I regret that I didn't love and encourage my husband as I should have. I regret that I didn't love others unselfishly but rather loved myself far, far too much. I regret that I didn't worship more and worry less. I regret that I didn't pray more and pout less. I regret that I wasn't as disciplined with my time as I should have been and wasted far too much on frivolous, vain, and empty pursuits. Well, and I regret that I bought way too much take-out food and cooked far too few good meals that we could eat together at home as a family. I regret that I didn't regularly write and tell and show my husband and children how much I adore them and what priceless, wondrous treasures they are in my life. And I regret that I didn't consistently make the time to love and enjoy and encourage my friends--also irreplaceable gifts in my life.
O Lord Jesus, I have so, so far to go. I'm a great sinner...but You are a great, great, great Savior.
But here's the thing--we all have a choice. Yes, a choice to regret and wallow in our failures and misgivings and missed opportunities...
Or a choice to rejoice in God's incredible goodness and grace to us, even in the midst of our misses and mess-ups...and to press on.
Because we have a God who commands us to hand Him our regrets and sins and failures. Hand them to Him and see the glorious, hallowed shadow of the cross towering over them all. Hand them to Him and remember that Christ's blood covered them all. Every single one of our sins and regrets and failures.
Incredibly, unbelievably, in Christ our Savior, we are forgiven for the past. Forgiven...and therefore freed to look to the future...to press on in Him and thru Him and for Him.
"But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil.3:13-14)
Forgiven...means forgetting and then forging ahead in Him. Pressing on.
Pressing in and pressing on. Pressing in closer to my Savior who calls us to abide in Him, to follow Him and to daily experience His resurrection life. No, we can't do this on our own. I can't make 10 New Years's resolutions and keep any of them. I'll break 9 of them before 10:00 this morning!
But "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Phil.4:13) I can love through Him. I can encourage and strengthen my husband and children and friends through Him. I can die to my stinking selfishness and give, serve, and love joyfully and fully and freely through Him. Well, shoot, I can even cook more home-cooked meals and get rid of that ever-present clutter through Him.
It's time to stop regretting and start rejoicing...and then pressing on. In Him.
Pressing in and pressing on--great words for the New Year. For we have a great, gracious, and glorious God leading the way and urging us onward. Let's press on in Him. To God be the glory.
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