Happy birthday, G.K.Chesterton!
He was born on this day, May 29th, 140 years ago. Chesterton was a great English journalist, art critic, dramatist, poet, and Christian thinker and apologist. He not only possessed a brilliant mind but an incredible sense of humor--a truly marvelous combination!--and it is said that even those who radically disagreed with him still loved and admired him. Chesterton truly knew how to "speak the truth with love."
Chesterton's biography on Charles Dickens (another reason to adore Chesterton--he loved Dickens!) is widely considered to have spurred on the Dickens revival in the London in the early 20th century. And Chesterton wrote about everything under the sun--from detective novels to biographies to essays to Christian apologetics to copious journalism pieces. Amazing.
Chesterton was apparently a man possessed not only of a giant intellect but also of a giant size. He stood 6 feet 4 inches and weighed 286 pounds. He once quipped to George Bernard Shaw, "To look at you, anyone would think a famine had struck England." To which Shaw retorted, "To look at you, anyone would think you have caused it."
And this is great--he apparently often wore a cape, a crumpled hat, and held a cigar dangling from his mouth. (My daddy would have loved him.)
I've quoted Chesterton too many times to count. His love for the Lord, his hysterical (though often quite dry) sense of humor, his brilliance (that usually goes waaaaay over my head), his winsomeness, and his practicality all combine to create a truly unique and remarkable man and voice. But I confess: I started reading what is widely considered to be his great Christian opus--Orthodoxy--many years ago and never got very far. Got bogged down and simply gave up. In honor of his birthday, I'm going to give it another go...I may crash in a ball of flames once again, but here goes. I think Chesterton would approve of the daunting effort.
Just a couple (among so many) of my favorite quotes--
"The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried." Convicting.
"I like the Cyclostyle ink; it is so inky. I do not think there is anyone who takes quite such a fierce pleasure in things being themselves as I do. The startling wetness of water excites and intoxicates me: the fieriness of fire, the steeliness of steel, the unutterable muddiness of mud." So true--the power and beauty of the things God has created! I've loved this quote since I first heard our minister, Dr.Bauman, quote it when I was in high school--back in the middle ages. Seriously, this was eons and eons ago, and I have a truly horrible memory...yet I still recall the thrill I felt when I heard Chesterton's words. Don't you love that--"the unutterable muddiness of mud?" Isn't it so true?
On politics, well, I think he would get a huge kick out of our crazy political situation these days--but here's what he wrote about his time: "The whole modern world has divided itself into Conservatives and Progressives. The business of Progressives is to go on making mistakes. The business of Conservatives is to prevent the mistakes from being corrected." Enough said.
And one of my daughter, Janie's, very favorite quotes: "Jesus promised His disciples three things--that they would be completely fearless, absurdly happy, and in constant trouble." Why do we expect any less?
So happy birthday, G.K.! May your tribe increase...and might your readership as well!
To God be the glory.
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Eggs, exercise, and enjoying God's glory!
Sometimes I wonder if a decent percentage of the world's problems could be solved simply by folks getting outside for a little exercise. Who knows? People working off their frustrations with a little sweat. Putting some of their fears into perspective with a bit of huffing and puffing. Pounding their irritation and hair-trigger tempers into submission with good old fashioned physical exertion.
Yeah, I know that's superficial and even a bit silly, for many of life's intractable heartaches and disappointments go mighty deep...too deep, surely, for the healing that comes from a brisk walk or a bracing bike ride. I'm certainly not advocating exercise as a panacea for life's troubles.
But still...isn't there something about getting outside into God's lush playground and being reminded that your Heavenly Father crafted every bumble bee, bubbling brook, and leafy branch? Have you studied the ants lately? Or the salamander? Or the hawk? What miraculous workmanship, what intricate beauty.
Just this afternoon, we found this little gem lying on our deck--
An empty Robin's egg--so spectacularly blue! Why on earth would God make the egg of a common, regular old bird such an amazing color? Couldn't He just have painted every egg from every species of bird some kind of utilitarian brown? Wouldn't that have been far easier and quicker?
No! Because He is, in John Piper's words, "resplendent in His glory!" Our Lord crafted over 10,000 species of birds (and over 22,000 subspecies)! What on earth? And our glorious God created over 950,000 species of insects! Can you even get your mind around that many varieties of little, insignificant bugs? And we think we don't have enough time to get everything done on our to-do list? We worry that God isn't big enough or great enough to handle our problems?
He is the Lord Almighty! As I just read this morning, "O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! You have set Your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouths of babies and infants, You have established strength because of Your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. When I look at Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings, and crowned him with glory and honor." (Ps.8:1-5) Boy, that'll put a spring in your step!
So can I make a silly suggestion? If you're feeling discouraged or worried or frustrated, how about strapping on a pair of tennis shoes and walking outside. Maybe you can take your dog--I know it's the best part of Bingley's day, and he sleeps like a log for hours when we get back. This is him right now--
So much for the rambunctious puppy. Not after a good walk. He's been happily dreaming of squirrels and his buddies on the greenway all afternoon.
But as good as that stroll might be for your dog, I promise it will be even better for you. Maybe enjoy a bit of praise music. Hum along, reminding yourself of the greatness and goodness of your Lord. Or simply listen to the music of the birds, crickets and frogs...and talk to God about what you're feeling. Or perhaps tune in to an inspiring podcast or two--I can't tell you how many times Andy Stanley, Chuck Swindoll, Ravi Zacharias, or Tim Keller have shared something that the Lord knew I needed to hear that day, that hour. Or even walk with a buddy--and rejoice in the priceless gift of friendship. Oh thank You Lord for our dear friends and family!
As the old Nike ad says, "Just do it!" Get out there and enjoy the warmth of the sunshine, the scent of spring, and the promise of new life all around you. And remember--your God made every bit of it, because He is great and glorious beyond all imagining.
Yes, Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! Remind us again...and again, Father. To God the glory.
Yeah, I know that's superficial and even a bit silly, for many of life's intractable heartaches and disappointments go mighty deep...too deep, surely, for the healing that comes from a brisk walk or a bracing bike ride. I'm certainly not advocating exercise as a panacea for life's troubles.
But still...isn't there something about getting outside into God's lush playground and being reminded that your Heavenly Father crafted every bumble bee, bubbling brook, and leafy branch? Have you studied the ants lately? Or the salamander? Or the hawk? What miraculous workmanship, what intricate beauty.
Just this afternoon, we found this little gem lying on our deck--
No! Because He is, in John Piper's words, "resplendent in His glory!" Our Lord crafted over 10,000 species of birds (and over 22,000 subspecies)! What on earth? And our glorious God created over 950,000 species of insects! Can you even get your mind around that many varieties of little, insignificant bugs? And we think we don't have enough time to get everything done on our to-do list? We worry that God isn't big enough or great enough to handle our problems?
He is the Lord Almighty! As I just read this morning, "O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! You have set Your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouths of babies and infants, You have established strength because of Your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. When I look at Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings, and crowned him with glory and honor." (Ps.8:1-5) Boy, that'll put a spring in your step!
So can I make a silly suggestion? If you're feeling discouraged or worried or frustrated, how about strapping on a pair of tennis shoes and walking outside. Maybe you can take your dog--I know it's the best part of Bingley's day, and he sleeps like a log for hours when we get back. This is him right now--
But as good as that stroll might be for your dog, I promise it will be even better for you. Maybe enjoy a bit of praise music. Hum along, reminding yourself of the greatness and goodness of your Lord. Or simply listen to the music of the birds, crickets and frogs...and talk to God about what you're feeling. Or perhaps tune in to an inspiring podcast or two--I can't tell you how many times Andy Stanley, Chuck Swindoll, Ravi Zacharias, or Tim Keller have shared something that the Lord knew I needed to hear that day, that hour. Or even walk with a buddy--and rejoice in the priceless gift of friendship. Oh thank You Lord for our dear friends and family!
As the old Nike ad says, "Just do it!" Get out there and enjoy the warmth of the sunshine, the scent of spring, and the promise of new life all around you. And remember--your God made every bit of it, because He is great and glorious beyond all imagining.
Yes, Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth! Remind us again...and again, Father. To God the glory.
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Whose words?
Whose words are you listening to and heeding? Really.
I was struck by this yesterday afternoon when I felt a bit hurt by the tone of some words used by one of my family members. That person never intended to hurt me by something they said, but yours truly felt the unintended brunt of the words.
Right afterward, I took my little seed of irritation outside to our deck and sat down--thankfully--with the Word. The right Word! Here was my intention--sit in the sun and nurse and grow that tiny little seed of hurt feelings into a giant-sized beach ball of bitterness and self-righteousness. Yeah, that's always a really helpful, healthful response, right? Wrong.
Praise God He had other plans. For I half-heartedly opened the Word that I should be heeding and taking to heart, and, no kidding, the whole lesson was on the words of Jesus! Can you believe that? You can't outrun the Savior (thank goodness)!
I read passages like--
"And all spoke well of Him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from His mouth." (Luke 4:22) Does grace flow from my mouth? If my heart is full of bitterness and bile, then grace will never flow from my lips. Forgive me, Father.
"And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word possessed authority." (Luke 4:32) Whose words do I truly listen to as the authority for my life? Am I taking to heart what others say? Am I listening to idle gossip? Or am I savoring the joy of hearing the authoritative words of the God of the universe? Why would we ever settle for anything less than His words?
"Heaven and earth will pass away; but My words will not pass away." (Luke 21:33) Okay, remind me again--is your focus upon the temporary and imperfect or the eternal and perfect? Because if heaven is our destination and eternal life is our most prized possession, then why on earth are we putting so much weight on words that are like a puff of wind--gone in a moment--rather than the words of the Word that will last for eons and eons and beyond? Duh.
"The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life." (John 6:63) Words of death and destruction or words of life, love and the spirit--is there really a choice here? Pay attention, people, to the words you are listening to, focusing upon...and giving out to others!
And finally, one of my favorites, when good old Peter responds to Jesus after the Savior has asked them if they will leave Him like so many of the other fickle followers. Peter answers, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life..." Indeed. Jesus' words not only give us life and light, but they are the actual words of eternal life. Why on earth would we give serious consideration to any infinitely lesser words? Why don't we always--first and foremost--seek and savor the words of eternal life?
So, just a little reminder--words matter. Go to the Word for the words that matter most. Go to the Word to hear words of wisdom, correction, hope, joy, love, and eternal life. And then, out of the overflow of your heart, give out words to others that share all that light and life of Christ.
To God be the glory.
I was struck by this yesterday afternoon when I felt a bit hurt by the tone of some words used by one of my family members. That person never intended to hurt me by something they said, but yours truly felt the unintended brunt of the words.
Right afterward, I took my little seed of irritation outside to our deck and sat down--thankfully--with the Word. The right Word! Here was my intention--sit in the sun and nurse and grow that tiny little seed of hurt feelings into a giant-sized beach ball of bitterness and self-righteousness. Yeah, that's always a really helpful, healthful response, right? Wrong.
Praise God He had other plans. For I half-heartedly opened the Word that I should be heeding and taking to heart, and, no kidding, the whole lesson was on the words of Jesus! Can you believe that? You can't outrun the Savior (thank goodness)!
I read passages like--
"And all spoke well of Him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from His mouth." (Luke 4:22) Does grace flow from my mouth? If my heart is full of bitterness and bile, then grace will never flow from my lips. Forgive me, Father.
"And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word possessed authority." (Luke 4:32) Whose words do I truly listen to as the authority for my life? Am I taking to heart what others say? Am I listening to idle gossip? Or am I savoring the joy of hearing the authoritative words of the God of the universe? Why would we ever settle for anything less than His words?
"Heaven and earth will pass away; but My words will not pass away." (Luke 21:33) Okay, remind me again--is your focus upon the temporary and imperfect or the eternal and perfect? Because if heaven is our destination and eternal life is our most prized possession, then why on earth are we putting so much weight on words that are like a puff of wind--gone in a moment--rather than the words of the Word that will last for eons and eons and beyond? Duh.
"The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life." (John 6:63) Words of death and destruction or words of life, love and the spirit--is there really a choice here? Pay attention, people, to the words you are listening to, focusing upon...and giving out to others!
And finally, one of my favorites, when good old Peter responds to Jesus after the Savior has asked them if they will leave Him like so many of the other fickle followers. Peter answers, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life..." Indeed. Jesus' words not only give us life and light, but they are the actual words of eternal life. Why on earth would we give serious consideration to any infinitely lesser words? Why don't we always--first and foremost--seek and savor the words of eternal life?
So, just a little reminder--words matter. Go to the Word for the words that matter most. Go to the Word to hear words of wisdom, correction, hope, joy, love, and eternal life. And then, out of the overflow of your heart, give out words to others that share all that light and life of Christ.
To God be the glory.
Monday, May 26, 2014
Remembering their sacrifices
"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." (John 15:13)
Thank You, Father, for the men and women who have given their lives over the years to secure our freedom. On this Memorial Day, we pause to remember those countless individuals whose names we do not know but whose memories we honor and hold with profound gratitude and respect. We cannot fathom such a sacrifice...but You can, Lord Jesus. Thank You for being our ultimate Warrior-Savior and laying down Your life so that we might be free forever.
I just read this quote from Rick Atchley: "May we all recommit today to being good stewards of 'free,' because it's very expensive."
Forgive me, Lord, for how often I take that glorious freedom for granted--freedom purchased for me as a citizen of this great nation by the precious blood of brave men and women...and freedom secured for me as a redeemed child of God with the incalculable worth of the blood of my sinless Savior. Free to us...but so infinitely costly to Him who bore all our sin, shame, and guilt.
Freedom is most definitely never free. It always comes at the cost of great and lasting sacrifice. Might we all spend some time this day pondering--with great humility and profound thanksgiving--the sacrifices of those in our armed services as well as that of our Savior. They gave all that they had in order that we could enjoy all the blessings of freedom. Might we be "good stewards" of that infinitely costly freedom by the way that we live this, and every, day.
I've shared this before, but my daddy served as the gunnery officer on a destroyer for all four years of World War II. His destroyer was involved in the heaviest of action in the Atlantic and the Pacific, and he lost innumerable friends during that war. After daddy's death about 13 years ago, our family found the bronze star he earned in that war in a most curious place--in his sock drawer. As my brother shared at daddy's funeral, this was so that every single day of his life, when daddy opened that drawer to put on his socks, he would be reminded of the ultimate sacrifice paid by so many of his comrades and friends in the war. They would never come home and live their lives, raise a family, make their mark in the world. But God had given daddy that opportunity. My dad did not want to forget--even for a single day--so that he might live each day in such a way as to bring honor to their memory and glory to His Heavenly Father. And he did. Oh my, he did.
Daddy never forgot...not even for a day. Might we never, ever forget either...and live each day God chooses to give us to His glory and for His honor...for our Lord is infinitely worthy.
To God be the glory.
Thank You, Father, for the men and women who have given their lives over the years to secure our freedom. On this Memorial Day, we pause to remember those countless individuals whose names we do not know but whose memories we honor and hold with profound gratitude and respect. We cannot fathom such a sacrifice...but You can, Lord Jesus. Thank You for being our ultimate Warrior-Savior and laying down Your life so that we might be free forever.
I just read this quote from Rick Atchley: "May we all recommit today to being good stewards of 'free,' because it's very expensive."
Forgive me, Lord, for how often I take that glorious freedom for granted--freedom purchased for me as a citizen of this great nation by the precious blood of brave men and women...and freedom secured for me as a redeemed child of God with the incalculable worth of the blood of my sinless Savior. Free to us...but so infinitely costly to Him who bore all our sin, shame, and guilt.
Freedom is most definitely never free. It always comes at the cost of great and lasting sacrifice. Might we all spend some time this day pondering--with great humility and profound thanksgiving--the sacrifices of those in our armed services as well as that of our Savior. They gave all that they had in order that we could enjoy all the blessings of freedom. Might we be "good stewards" of that infinitely costly freedom by the way that we live this, and every, day.
I've shared this before, but my daddy served as the gunnery officer on a destroyer for all four years of World War II. His destroyer was involved in the heaviest of action in the Atlantic and the Pacific, and he lost innumerable friends during that war. After daddy's death about 13 years ago, our family found the bronze star he earned in that war in a most curious place--in his sock drawer. As my brother shared at daddy's funeral, this was so that every single day of his life, when daddy opened that drawer to put on his socks, he would be reminded of the ultimate sacrifice paid by so many of his comrades and friends in the war. They would never come home and live their lives, raise a family, make their mark in the world. But God had given daddy that opportunity. My dad did not want to forget--even for a single day--so that he might live each day in such a way as to bring honor to their memory and glory to His Heavenly Father. And he did. Oh my, he did.
Daddy never forgot...not even for a day. Might we never, ever forget either...and live each day God chooses to give us to His glory and for His honor...for our Lord is infinitely worthy.
To God be the glory.
Saturday, May 24, 2014
Not resuscitation...but resurrection
A little food for weekend thought--
"And He who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.' Also He said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'" (Rev.21:5)
Oh what a promise! He is making ALL things new. Right now, at this very moment--even in the midst of disease and death and defeat and discouragement--the Lord Jesus is making every single thing new and whole and beautiful...pristine and perfect as they were originally meant to be. And He adds that His words--the words of the Eternal Word--are trustworthy and true. We can bank our lives on, and place our hope in, them.
Just read some powerful words on this verse from Nelson Ould--a pastor in Richmond who is one of my husband's dear friends. After helping with the funeral of a friend, Nelson reflected upon death and eternal life. He writes--
"And He who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.' Also He said, 'Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'" (Rev.21:5)
Oh what a promise! He is making ALL things new. Right now, at this very moment--even in the midst of disease and death and defeat and discouragement--the Lord Jesus is making every single thing new and whole and beautiful...pristine and perfect as they were originally meant to be. And He adds that His words--the words of the Eternal Word--are trustworthy and true. We can bank our lives on, and place our hope in, them.
Just read some powerful words on this verse from Nelson Ould--a pastor in Richmond who is one of my husband's dear friends. After helping with the funeral of a friend, Nelson reflected upon death and eternal life. He writes--
"I helped officiate a funeral at another church this week, and it gave me a chance to reflect on eternal life. What I’m realizing is that eternal life has more to do with the quality of the life than the duration. Nobody gets excited about this life... extended. Nobody gets excited merely about endless life. Who wants this life – including its struggle and futility – forever?
Instead, what Bible writers describe is new life. New life is resurrection, not simply resuscitation. C. S. Lewis argues, for example, that what our souls long for is a resurrection of our senses. Take memory. Lewis argues that memories today are a dim foretaste of what our memories could be, and what our souls long for. Lewis writes, “I can now communicate to you the fields of my boyhood… by words. Perhaps the day is coming when I can take you for a walk through them.”
I hope you’ll let your thoughts and imagination expand to consider resurrection life. Then and only then you’ll have a little taste of what the apostle Paul says will be unimaginable joy of the resurrected life in heaven and in the new creation (I Corinthians 2:9). Let the resurrection encourage you today! For all who are in Christ, this is where our lives are moving."
That's good stuff. Thank You, Lord Jesus, that You are not simply improving all things...nor are You disposing of all things and starting over. You're not trying to make us a bit better, and You're not throwing up Your hands and giving up on us altogether.
No, You are making all things new. Making us new--new bodies, new attitudes, new desires, new habits, new heart, new love. And making everything in this universe new--no more sorrow or sickness or despair or bewilderment or cruelty or manipulation or loneliness or separation or frustration or misunderstanding. No more shortages or pollution or death. It will all be remade into something redeemed, resurrected, and gloriously new.
We can't begin to understand the miraculous breadth of that kind of resurrection power...but we rejoice that You said it, You proved it by rising from the dead, and You undeniably validated that all Your words are trustworthy and true. Yes, all the dying and decay on this planet is so, so hard...but Christ is making all things new...even right at this very moment. Thank You for not simply resuscitating us...but resurrecting us into abundant, glorious, eternal new Life. No doubt about it--the best is yet to come!
To God be the glory.
Friday, May 23, 2014
Constant changes...but Changeless God!
Another school year is coming to a close. Our oldest has been happily married for four months...
our second oldest graduated last week from Davidson College--
...our third youngest is now officially a college sophomore...
our fourth youngest will be a high school senior next year...
and our "baby" will be right smack in the middle of middle school (not to mention the "puppy" has turned into a dog)--
Geez, how on earth did this happen? Just the day before yesterday, we were rocking infants in the middle of the night, reading Goodnight Moon for the umpteenth time, attending Mother's Day teas at preschool, and serving messy snow cones at "Fun in the Sun" at Root Elementary.
And now? Weddings and graduations and teenagers and high schoolers preparing to fly the coop. This parenting stuff is rewarding, exhausting, wonderful, but haaaard business as it constantly challenges us to adapt to continual change and to let go and let go and let go. Oh my, it's difficult sometimes to pry our clutching (but loving) fingers off our children one painful bit at a time.
But in the midst of all of life's changes, isn't it reassuring that God never ever changes? "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Heb.13:8) And if He is always with us--and He is!--then He will use all those changes for our ultimate good and His glory. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)
What a reminder--we shouldn't be frightened or intimidated or discouraged by change, because He's commanded us not to be scared or downhearted, for our Almighty Lord is forever and always with us wherever we go...and wherever our children go.
I loved these words from Shauna Niequist's book, Bittersweet, "...I've learned the hard way that change is one of God's greatest gifts and one of His most useful tools. I've learned the hard way that change can push us, pull us, rebuke and remake us. It can show us who we've become, in the worst ways, and also in the best ways. I've learned that it's not something to run away from, as though we could, and I've learned that in many cases, change is not a function of life's cruelty but instead a function of God's graciousness...
If you dig in and fight the changes, they will smash you to bits. They'll hold you under, drag you across the rough sand, scare and confuse you. But if you can find it within yourself, in the wildest of seasons, just for a moment, to trust in the goodness of God, who made it all and holds it all together, you'll find yourself drawn along to a whole new place, and there's truly nothing sweeter. Unclench your fists, unlock your knees and also the door to your heart, take a deep breath, and begin to swim. Begin to let the waves do their work in you."
Yes, Lord yes! Doesn't it all come down to trust? To trust that God is in our futures just as He has been in our pasts. To trust that He Who has never failed, will not fail us now. To trust that no matter what it might look like at the moment, the best truly is yet to come...because heaven is always ahead of us. To trust that if we unclench our fists and let go, God will hold and guide and care for those we love more than we ever could. To trust that God's plans and ways are always always always best. To trust that He who died for us also lives for us and will lead us safely to our heavenly home.
To trust the changeless God with all our changes...because He is forever faithful, worthy, loving, good, kind, and perfectly trust-worthy.
Not sure what kinds of changes you might be facing today, but I do know that we're all facing them--some happy, others hard; some exciting, others exasperating; some joyful, others fearful. Whatever the changes, might we remember our never-changing, ever-faithful God is sovereignly in control of them all. He will use every change to grow us, shape us, teach us, reveal Himself to us in new ways, and ultimately bless us and bring glory to His name. But we've got to be willing to "unlock our knees...take a deep breath, and begin to swim." And that simply means choosing to trust.
Father, we believe. Help our unbelief so that we might swim in the glorious waters of Your infinite grace and goodness.
To God be the glory.
...our third youngest is now officially a college sophomore...
Geez, how on earth did this happen? Just the day before yesterday, we were rocking infants in the middle of the night, reading Goodnight Moon for the umpteenth time, attending Mother's Day teas at preschool, and serving messy snow cones at "Fun in the Sun" at Root Elementary.
And now? Weddings and graduations and teenagers and high schoolers preparing to fly the coop. This parenting stuff is rewarding, exhausting, wonderful, but haaaard business as it constantly challenges us to adapt to continual change and to let go and let go and let go. Oh my, it's difficult sometimes to pry our clutching (but loving) fingers off our children one painful bit at a time.
But in the midst of all of life's changes, isn't it reassuring that God never ever changes? "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." (Heb.13:8) And if He is always with us--and He is!--then He will use all those changes for our ultimate good and His glory. "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)
What a reminder--we shouldn't be frightened or intimidated or discouraged by change, because He's commanded us not to be scared or downhearted, for our Almighty Lord is forever and always with us wherever we go...and wherever our children go.
I loved these words from Shauna Niequist's book, Bittersweet, "...I've learned the hard way that change is one of God's greatest gifts and one of His most useful tools. I've learned the hard way that change can push us, pull us, rebuke and remake us. It can show us who we've become, in the worst ways, and also in the best ways. I've learned that it's not something to run away from, as though we could, and I've learned that in many cases, change is not a function of life's cruelty but instead a function of God's graciousness...
If you dig in and fight the changes, they will smash you to bits. They'll hold you under, drag you across the rough sand, scare and confuse you. But if you can find it within yourself, in the wildest of seasons, just for a moment, to trust in the goodness of God, who made it all and holds it all together, you'll find yourself drawn along to a whole new place, and there's truly nothing sweeter. Unclench your fists, unlock your knees and also the door to your heart, take a deep breath, and begin to swim. Begin to let the waves do their work in you."
Yes, Lord yes! Doesn't it all come down to trust? To trust that God is in our futures just as He has been in our pasts. To trust that He Who has never failed, will not fail us now. To trust that no matter what it might look like at the moment, the best truly is yet to come...because heaven is always ahead of us. To trust that if we unclench our fists and let go, God will hold and guide and care for those we love more than we ever could. To trust that God's plans and ways are always always always best. To trust that He who died for us also lives for us and will lead us safely to our heavenly home.
To trust the changeless God with all our changes...because He is forever faithful, worthy, loving, good, kind, and perfectly trust-worthy.
Not sure what kinds of changes you might be facing today, but I do know that we're all facing them--some happy, others hard; some exciting, others exasperating; some joyful, others fearful. Whatever the changes, might we remember our never-changing, ever-faithful God is sovereignly in control of them all. He will use every change to grow us, shape us, teach us, reveal Himself to us in new ways, and ultimately bless us and bring glory to His name. But we've got to be willing to "unlock our knees...take a deep breath, and begin to swim." And that simply means choosing to trust.
Father, we believe. Help our unbelief so that we might swim in the glorious waters of Your infinite grace and goodness.
To God be the glory.
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
Walking with Rebecca
The last two times I saw her, she was walking. Walking along the greenway--once with two of her dearest girlfriends and the other with her dear husband and her sweet old chocolate lab. A beautiful sight.
Both were on sunny mornings--remarkably lovely mornings, each in the midst of a mostly cold late winter and reluctant early spring. But these were the kinds of mornings that put a song in your soul, hope in your heart, and whispered of heaven. Warm, bright, delicate spring scents, the beginnings of green buds all around--the certain promise of renewal and rebirth.
When I heard the sorrowful news just yesterday that God had called her on home, I wept...but then recalled seeing her on those two lovely walks. Her friends walking alongside her--one on each side--as they talked and laughed and looked around and shared as only girlfriends who have been in the trenches of life together can do. Oh what an inspiring, indelible picture it was. A picture of how Christ made us for community...to walk with one another on this sometimes hard, sometimes wonderful journey of life. We're to walk alongside...encouraging, helping, exhorting, challenging, forgiving, and loving one another with everything we've got. Ever pointing one another to the Redeemer who walks before us, behind us, beside us, and within us--reminding each other we're never ever alone for He will never forsake us, never leave us.
And then the last time I saw her--walking beside her beloved husband, their big old lab leading the way. Oh how many times had I seen them out there on the greenway while I walked our old Moses? Such a treasured sight each morning to glimpse a husband and wife walking along (at a brisk clip, I might add), chatting and sharing comfortably and happily as two who have lived and loved together long and well. Thank You, Lord, for the joy of marriage and for the gift of seeing two people who obviously adored one another. Thank You for the beauty of Your creation and for the happiness of being outside in Your great, colorful garden. And thank You, Father, for the simple, sweet consolation of a dear old lab.
But as I thought about those two sights, a song came to mind--"Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing." Strange I know. Just a few months back, I cried as I watched another person I love walking...walking to this song. Only she was dressed in pure white, wearing my mama's wedding veil, and walking down the aisle on the arm of her daddy. Her sister, Janie, sang the words and just as she began the third verse, the back church doors opened, and Mary Norris and her daddy walked down the aisle. Janie sang--
O to grace how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love;
Here's my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for Thy courts above.
Here's my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for Thy courts above.
Oh the glorious, wondrous, joyously good news of the Gospel! We're great sinners with wandering hearts...but Christ is a Great Savior who poured out His grace upon us at the cross and has taken our hearts and sealed them for heaven above. Saved us and given us the gift of eternal life...and the hope and wonder of heaven.
And all I could think was--that is Rebecca! That is Rebecca right now! Because of what Jesus did for us, Rebecca is the bride of Christ, pure and spotless and healthy and happy and whole. No more tears. No more pain. No more struggle. No more fear. No more limitations. No more sorrow.
Yes, today she is walking...walking this time not with her two dear girlfriends nor her wonderful husband and dog...but with her Savior. Walking down the aisle of heaven in glory and savoring the faces all around her of those she's known and loved. Walking to the joyous songs of heaven, laughing with the wonder of heaven, and experiencing for the first time the glory of real life as it was meant to be lived.
While we weep on earth, she rejoices in heaven. We don't understand it all--this grieving is so hard...but in those gaps where understanding fails, we choose to trust in the One who died for us and trust in His Word and His promises which will never fail.
So thank You, Father, for Rebecca's life. Thank You for the hope of heaven. Thank You for the hints in this life of the wonder of all that we have ahead for the real and glorious life You died to give us. As long as we remain on this earth, help us to walk faithfully and lovingly...with our gazes and hearts fixed upon You...
until that glorious day when, like Rebecca, we'll walk right into Your presence...as Your bride.
To God be the glory.
Both were on sunny mornings--remarkably lovely mornings, each in the midst of a mostly cold late winter and reluctant early spring. But these were the kinds of mornings that put a song in your soul, hope in your heart, and whispered of heaven. Warm, bright, delicate spring scents, the beginnings of green buds all around--the certain promise of renewal and rebirth.
When I heard the sorrowful news just yesterday that God had called her on home, I wept...but then recalled seeing her on those two lovely walks. Her friends walking alongside her--one on each side--as they talked and laughed and looked around and shared as only girlfriends who have been in the trenches of life together can do. Oh what an inspiring, indelible picture it was. A picture of how Christ made us for community...to walk with one another on this sometimes hard, sometimes wonderful journey of life. We're to walk alongside...encouraging, helping, exhorting, challenging, forgiving, and loving one another with everything we've got. Ever pointing one another to the Redeemer who walks before us, behind us, beside us, and within us--reminding each other we're never ever alone for He will never forsake us, never leave us.
And then the last time I saw her--walking beside her beloved husband, their big old lab leading the way. Oh how many times had I seen them out there on the greenway while I walked our old Moses? Such a treasured sight each morning to glimpse a husband and wife walking along (at a brisk clip, I might add), chatting and sharing comfortably and happily as two who have lived and loved together long and well. Thank You, Lord, for the joy of marriage and for the gift of seeing two people who obviously adored one another. Thank You for the beauty of Your creation and for the happiness of being outside in Your great, colorful garden. And thank You, Father, for the simple, sweet consolation of a dear old lab.
But as I thought about those two sights, a song came to mind--"Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing." Strange I know. Just a few months back, I cried as I watched another person I love walking...walking to this song. Only she was dressed in pure white, wearing my mama's wedding veil, and walking down the aisle on the arm of her daddy. Her sister, Janie, sang the words and just as she began the third verse, the back church doors opened, and Mary Norris and her daddy walked down the aisle. Janie sang--
O to grace how great a debtor daily I'm constrained to be!
Let Thy goodness, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to Thee.
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love;
Here's my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for Thy courts above.
Here's my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for Thy courts above.
Oh the glorious, wondrous, joyously good news of the Gospel! We're great sinners with wandering hearts...but Christ is a Great Savior who poured out His grace upon us at the cross and has taken our hearts and sealed them for heaven above. Saved us and given us the gift of eternal life...and the hope and wonder of heaven.
And all I could think was--that is Rebecca! That is Rebecca right now! Because of what Jesus did for us, Rebecca is the bride of Christ, pure and spotless and healthy and happy and whole. No more tears. No more pain. No more struggle. No more fear. No more limitations. No more sorrow.
Yes, today she is walking...walking this time not with her two dear girlfriends nor her wonderful husband and dog...but with her Savior. Walking down the aisle of heaven in glory and savoring the faces all around her of those she's known and loved. Walking to the joyous songs of heaven, laughing with the wonder of heaven, and experiencing for the first time the glory of real life as it was meant to be lived.
While we weep on earth, she rejoices in heaven. We don't understand it all--this grieving is so hard...but in those gaps where understanding fails, we choose to trust in the One who died for us and trust in His Word and His promises which will never fail.
So thank You, Father, for Rebecca's life. Thank You for the hope of heaven. Thank You for the hints in this life of the wonder of all that we have ahead for the real and glorious life You died to give us. As long as we remain on this earth, help us to walk faithfully and lovingly...with our gazes and hearts fixed upon You...
until that glorious day when, like Rebecca, we'll walk right into Your presence...as Your bride.
To God be the glory.
Thursday, May 15, 2014
A gentle, needed reminder
Here's who must really be loving this weather today--
We're talking RAIN. Massive amounts of rain. Boy, I'm thankful to be inside right now. We were outside hoping to skirt the rain, thunderstorms, tornados, and who knows what else with this crazy weather, while our son, Richard, played in the first round of the NCAA regionals here in Raleigh. No such luck--only got through 8 holes before the horn blew and they were done for the day. They'll go back at it again tomorrow by finishing the first round and then playing the second round as well.
As I happily sit here in our dry living room, the rain quite literally pours down in heavy waves. In fact, I just received a text alert on my phone warning of flash floods. Oh Father, please protect everyone this day from any flood waters.
But here's what I'm thinking about: as we followed Richard playing golf this morning, I was dealing with my usual ridiculous case of nerves. I'm generally an internal wreck out there--alternately praying, fretting, and employing lamaze breathing techniques to try not to throw up or hyperventilate. Yes, absurd. I admit this to my utter shame. After all, this is a silly game, not terminal cancer or world war or flesh-eating bacteria. sigh.
Thankfully, the Lord continues to work on me...and there's definitely progress on the horizon in the art of maintaining a thankful and proper perspective in the midst of golf's--and life's--ups and downs. Aren't you grateful God never gives up on us? Aren't you glad He isn't through with us yet? I sure am.
And here's how He gently reminded and redirected me today--through the wonderful ECU golf coach. Yes, ever since Janie's accident and the terrific care she received at the ECU hospital, we have been ECU fans. Go Pirates! At one point early on while Janie was still unconscious in the ICU, the ECU golf coach and George Kilgore (a friend who plays on their team) came to the hospital to pray with us over Janie. A dear gift we'll never forget.
But as the coach and I walked along, he mentioned my blog and spoke of one in particular. It was in the early days after the accident, in the middle of the night, while I was sitting alone with Janie and wrote about the Lion of Judah...how I could feel His presence...how I could hear Him roar. I sometimes still hear the echo of that roar.
As this kind golf coach spoke, it all took me back immediately to that moment. I could hear the beeping and buzzing of monitors. I could see the gleam of the moon out that little window overlooking the back parking lot. I could feel, once more, the enveloping, strengthening powerful presence of the Savior--the mighty Lion of Judah in that very room with us. A time when I knew that no matter how it looked or felt, we were absolutely not alone. Not for a moment.
It all washed over me once again, and then gratitude flooded my heart. Thankfulness for saving Janie. Thanksgiving for never abandoning us. Rejoicing over His amazing grace and extravagant goodness and forever faithfulness.
And then suddenly, in a moment, I was back again. Walking along a golf course on a cloudy spring day. Watching a child that I love. Walking with my dear husband and wonderful friend, Steve Smith. Enjoying the fresh air and freedom.
All grace, grace, and more grace. How on earth could I have been fretting over a golf shot? Seriously? Was my memory really that short? Oh forgive me, Lord Jesus.
Thank You for not just saving Janie...but for saving us from sin and death and destruction. Saving us from the wrath we deserve...and giving us the glorious grace we could never ever earn or deserve. Oh might our lives be one gigantic thank You for all You are, for all that You have done, and for all that You will do in the future.
Funny, but I read these words from the book, A Gospel Primer, early this morning (before all this happened--isn't God something?!) and immediately thought of them again. This is long, but powerful:
"Viewing life's blessings as water in a drinking cup, I know that I could discontentedly focus on the half of the cup that seems empty, or I could gratefully focus on the half that is full. Certainly, the latter approach is the better of the two, yet the gospel cultivates within me a richer gratitude than this.
The gospel reminds me first that what I actually deserve from God is a full cup churning with the torments of His wrath. This is the cup that would be mine to drink if I were given what I deserve each day. With this understanding in mind, I see that to be handed a completely empty cup from God would be cause enough for infinite gratitude. If there were merely the tiniest drop of blessing contained in that otherwise empty cup, I should be blown away by the unbelievable kindness of God toward me. That God, in fact, has given me a cup that is full of 'every spiritual blessing in Christ,' and this without the slightest admixture of wrath, leaves me dumbfounded with inexpressible joy.
...When I look at any circumstance that God apportions me, I am first grateful for the wrath I am not receiving in that moment (The empty cup never looked so good!). Second, I am grateful for the blessings that are given to me instead of His wrath. (Life's blessings, however small, always appear exceedingly precious when viewed against the backdrop of the wrath I deserve). This two-layered gratitude disposes my heart to give thanks in all things and it also lends a certain intensity to my giving of thanks."
Amen! Thank You Father! Thank You for sending Jesus, our Savior. Thank You for Your mercy. Thank You for Your grace. Thank You for Your goodness. Thank You for Your gifts. And thank You for the gentle reminder that all of life should be our grateful response of "Thank You!" and "Yes!" to our generous, glorious God.
To God--our Lion of Judah--be all the glory.
As I happily sit here in our dry living room, the rain quite literally pours down in heavy waves. In fact, I just received a text alert on my phone warning of flash floods. Oh Father, please protect everyone this day from any flood waters.
But here's what I'm thinking about: as we followed Richard playing golf this morning, I was dealing with my usual ridiculous case of nerves. I'm generally an internal wreck out there--alternately praying, fretting, and employing lamaze breathing techniques to try not to throw up or hyperventilate. Yes, absurd. I admit this to my utter shame. After all, this is a silly game, not terminal cancer or world war or flesh-eating bacteria. sigh.
Thankfully, the Lord continues to work on me...and there's definitely progress on the horizon in the art of maintaining a thankful and proper perspective in the midst of golf's--and life's--ups and downs. Aren't you grateful God never gives up on us? Aren't you glad He isn't through with us yet? I sure am.
And here's how He gently reminded and redirected me today--through the wonderful ECU golf coach. Yes, ever since Janie's accident and the terrific care she received at the ECU hospital, we have been ECU fans. Go Pirates! At one point early on while Janie was still unconscious in the ICU, the ECU golf coach and George Kilgore (a friend who plays on their team) came to the hospital to pray with us over Janie. A dear gift we'll never forget.
But as the coach and I walked along, he mentioned my blog and spoke of one in particular. It was in the early days after the accident, in the middle of the night, while I was sitting alone with Janie and wrote about the Lion of Judah...how I could feel His presence...how I could hear Him roar. I sometimes still hear the echo of that roar.
As this kind golf coach spoke, it all took me back immediately to that moment. I could hear the beeping and buzzing of monitors. I could see the gleam of the moon out that little window overlooking the back parking lot. I could feel, once more, the enveloping, strengthening powerful presence of the Savior--the mighty Lion of Judah in that very room with us. A time when I knew that no matter how it looked or felt, we were absolutely not alone. Not for a moment.
It all washed over me once again, and then gratitude flooded my heart. Thankfulness for saving Janie. Thanksgiving for never abandoning us. Rejoicing over His amazing grace and extravagant goodness and forever faithfulness.
And then suddenly, in a moment, I was back again. Walking along a golf course on a cloudy spring day. Watching a child that I love. Walking with my dear husband and wonderful friend, Steve Smith. Enjoying the fresh air and freedom.
All grace, grace, and more grace. How on earth could I have been fretting over a golf shot? Seriously? Was my memory really that short? Oh forgive me, Lord Jesus.
Thank You for not just saving Janie...but for saving us from sin and death and destruction. Saving us from the wrath we deserve...and giving us the glorious grace we could never ever earn or deserve. Oh might our lives be one gigantic thank You for all You are, for all that You have done, and for all that You will do in the future.
Funny, but I read these words from the book, A Gospel Primer, early this morning (before all this happened--isn't God something?!) and immediately thought of them again. This is long, but powerful:
"Viewing life's blessings as water in a drinking cup, I know that I could discontentedly focus on the half of the cup that seems empty, or I could gratefully focus on the half that is full. Certainly, the latter approach is the better of the two, yet the gospel cultivates within me a richer gratitude than this.
The gospel reminds me first that what I actually deserve from God is a full cup churning with the torments of His wrath. This is the cup that would be mine to drink if I were given what I deserve each day. With this understanding in mind, I see that to be handed a completely empty cup from God would be cause enough for infinite gratitude. If there were merely the tiniest drop of blessing contained in that otherwise empty cup, I should be blown away by the unbelievable kindness of God toward me. That God, in fact, has given me a cup that is full of 'every spiritual blessing in Christ,' and this without the slightest admixture of wrath, leaves me dumbfounded with inexpressible joy.
...When I look at any circumstance that God apportions me, I am first grateful for the wrath I am not receiving in that moment (The empty cup never looked so good!). Second, I am grateful for the blessings that are given to me instead of His wrath. (Life's blessings, however small, always appear exceedingly precious when viewed against the backdrop of the wrath I deserve). This two-layered gratitude disposes my heart to give thanks in all things and it also lends a certain intensity to my giving of thanks."
Amen! Thank You Father! Thank You for sending Jesus, our Savior. Thank You for Your mercy. Thank You for Your grace. Thank You for Your goodness. Thank You for Your gifts. And thank You for the gentle reminder that all of life should be our grateful response of "Thank You!" and "Yes!" to our generous, glorious God.
To God--our Lion of Judah--be all the glory.
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
The God of all our moments
Father, help me to remember this day, this moment.
Help me to remember that our lives are filled with days and moments--some joyous, others grievous; some sunny, others rainy; some a delightful path, others a painful path; some full of clarity and light, others confusing, doubt-filled and dark.
And help me to remember--despite my all my all-too-often vacillating emotions and fickle heart--that You are in every single one of those moments...working, shaping, teaching, moulding, correcting, encouraging, forgiving, and loving. Even when we cannot see You or feel You. Even when we cry out in faithlessness and despair: "Where are you Father? Don't You see? Don't you care?"
Because You do. You always do--in every single joyful, painful, celebratory, and sorrowful moment of our lives.
You are always and forever there. Our immovable, immutable, indefatigable Rock.
It's funny how God teaches us through all kinds of things, people, places, and even pets! And yes, you might have guessed it was coming--through sports. Oh my, our Father uses anything and everything to squeeze out that selfishness and sin and grow us increasingly into the beautiful image of His Son.
But sometimes the process is so hard...especially on those kinds of days and moments. Those days when all you can see around you are black clouds and fog...and the sun seems like a vanished figment of your imagination. Yet even when we cannot see or feel or even dream of it--that sun is still there. Still shining up above the clouds. Just as the Son is forever there...and is forever working.
Yesterday, our son's golf team from Broughton High School won the State 4A golf championship. And yes, in the big picture, it's mighty unimportant. And yes, in light of all that is going on in the world, it's a mighty shallow thing. But in our little world, it was simply unabashed joy and overflowing gratitude.
Because here's the thing: we well remember what it was like to lose. To lose big. Not just in last year's golf championship--which we did lose in a big, fat way. But for our son, Preyer, it was a whole long, hot, discouraging, losing summer. He was changing his swing, and for whatever reason, he struggled--and I mean struggled--in about every tournament in which he played. I even wrote about it last summer, because as parents, it broke our hearts. He kept practicing long and hard till his hands blistered...yet more struggle and failure. But he never gave up. Never quit. Never gave in to discouragement, even though I surely did on more than one occasion. You could often see the disappointment and confusion in his eyes, but he kept trying with seemingly no happy end in sight.
Isn't that often how it is with all of us? No end in sight. No breaks in the clouds. No respite for our weariness or weakness or worries.
But God kept working...on our son and on us. Oh boy, did God work on us. Reminding us that His ways are not our ways. That He uses our failures and falls, our weaknesses and worries for far greater things, and in far greater ways, than we can possibly imagine. That our Lord isn't interested in creating shallow shiny little successes of our children...but in crafting them into deep, strong men and women of character and substance and faith. Oh forgive me Father that in my sinful pride and shallow desires, I would often settle for so much less of my children by wanting them to be happy rather than holy, successful rather than sanctified.
But the point is--God is in all our days and all our moments. He's using them all. And when we're in the middle of dark days and discouraging moments, we've got got got to counsel our hearts to wait upon God. To trust Him. To know that He's working and moving and will one day bring us back out into the light and into those spacious places of joy and peace and hope. He does it in superficial things like golf...and in serious things like prodigals and disease and disaster.
Oh how I love the way the Psalmist puts it: "I waited patiently for the Lord; He inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! You have multiplied, O Lord my God, Your wondrous deeds and Your thoughts toward us; none can compare with You! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told." (Ps.40:1-5)
That's exactly what I'm trying to do--to proclaim God's goodness and grace, in the bad...and the good. In the shadow...and in the light. In the losing...and in the winning. In the receiving...and in the waiting.
So thank You, Father, for these moments of glorious happiness! Thank You for the memory of that amazing group of young men jumping into the lake after their win. Thank You for the their friendships. Thank You for their wonderful coaches. Thank You for it all! Help me to remember their smiles, their laughter, their satisfied and relieved expressions.
And for all of us, Lord, help us to remember the joyous moments so the next time the clouds close in and the days feel long and hopeless, we'll trust, we'll know--You're there. You're listening to our every prayer. You're working. And You're--even in those hardest of moments--putting a new song in our mouths so that we might one day proclaim Your greatness and goodness.
Might we never forget--no matter what any of us might be going through now or in the future--our God is good and great and gracious and glorious. And He will never ever fail us. No, not ever.
Keep trusting Him in the dark...for He has promised "The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:5) The Light of the World will one day again shine brightly in your world--He said so. And His Words never ever ever fail. Not a single one of them.
To God be the glory.
Help me to remember that our lives are filled with days and moments--some joyous, others grievous; some sunny, others rainy; some a delightful path, others a painful path; some full of clarity and light, others confusing, doubt-filled and dark.
And help me to remember--despite my all my all-too-often vacillating emotions and fickle heart--that You are in every single one of those moments...working, shaping, teaching, moulding, correcting, encouraging, forgiving, and loving. Even when we cannot see You or feel You. Even when we cry out in faithlessness and despair: "Where are you Father? Don't You see? Don't you care?"
Because You do. You always do--in every single joyful, painful, celebratory, and sorrowful moment of our lives.
You are always and forever there. Our immovable, immutable, indefatigable Rock.
It's funny how God teaches us through all kinds of things, people, places, and even pets! And yes, you might have guessed it was coming--through sports. Oh my, our Father uses anything and everything to squeeze out that selfishness and sin and grow us increasingly into the beautiful image of His Son.
But sometimes the process is so hard...especially on those kinds of days and moments. Those days when all you can see around you are black clouds and fog...and the sun seems like a vanished figment of your imagination. Yet even when we cannot see or feel or even dream of it--that sun is still there. Still shining up above the clouds. Just as the Son is forever there...and is forever working.
Yesterday, our son's golf team from Broughton High School won the State 4A golf championship. And yes, in the big picture, it's mighty unimportant. And yes, in light of all that is going on in the world, it's a mighty shallow thing. But in our little world, it was simply unabashed joy and overflowing gratitude.
Because here's the thing: we well remember what it was like to lose. To lose big. Not just in last year's golf championship--which we did lose in a big, fat way. But for our son, Preyer, it was a whole long, hot, discouraging, losing summer. He was changing his swing, and for whatever reason, he struggled--and I mean struggled--in about every tournament in which he played. I even wrote about it last summer, because as parents, it broke our hearts. He kept practicing long and hard till his hands blistered...yet more struggle and failure. But he never gave up. Never quit. Never gave in to discouragement, even though I surely did on more than one occasion. You could often see the disappointment and confusion in his eyes, but he kept trying with seemingly no happy end in sight.
Isn't that often how it is with all of us? No end in sight. No breaks in the clouds. No respite for our weariness or weakness or worries.
But God kept working...on our son and on us. Oh boy, did God work on us. Reminding us that His ways are not our ways. That He uses our failures and falls, our weaknesses and worries for far greater things, and in far greater ways, than we can possibly imagine. That our Lord isn't interested in creating shallow shiny little successes of our children...but in crafting them into deep, strong men and women of character and substance and faith. Oh forgive me Father that in my sinful pride and shallow desires, I would often settle for so much less of my children by wanting them to be happy rather than holy, successful rather than sanctified.
But the point is--God is in all our days and all our moments. He's using them all. And when we're in the middle of dark days and discouraging moments, we've got got got to counsel our hearts to wait upon God. To trust Him. To know that He's working and moving and will one day bring us back out into the light and into those spacious places of joy and peace and hope. He does it in superficial things like golf...and in serious things like prodigals and disease and disaster.
Oh how I love the way the Psalmist puts it: "I waited patiently for the Lord; He inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord. Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! You have multiplied, O Lord my God, Your wondrous deeds and Your thoughts toward us; none can compare with You! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told." (Ps.40:1-5)
That's exactly what I'm trying to do--to proclaim God's goodness and grace, in the bad...and the good. In the shadow...and in the light. In the losing...and in the winning. In the receiving...and in the waiting.
So thank You, Father, for these moments of glorious happiness! Thank You for the memory of that amazing group of young men jumping into the lake after their win. Thank You for the their friendships. Thank You for their wonderful coaches. Thank You for it all! Help me to remember their smiles, their laughter, their satisfied and relieved expressions.
Might we never forget--no matter what any of us might be going through now or in the future--our God is good and great and gracious and glorious. And He will never ever fail us. No, not ever.
Keep trusting Him in the dark...for He has promised "The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:5) The Light of the World will one day again shine brightly in your world--He said so. And His Words never ever ever fail. Not a single one of them.
To God be the glory.
Saturday, May 10, 2014
The Gospel for every day
A little food for weekend thought--
Hit a slump today. Perhaps it's Mother's Day approaching tomorrow and realizing that my days of mothering our children in our home are growing perilously short...and this makes me so sad. Or perhaps it's missing my own mama all these years and wishing she could be here for one more Mother's Day. Or perhaps it's the knowledge of how many ways I've fallen short as a mama and a wife and wanting so badly to do better, to be better. Or perhaps it's simply living in a fallen world where heaven is not yet...and we are not yet...and that longing deep down in our hearts can morph into discouragement and discontentment if we allow it to fester.
Forgive me, Father, for my sometimes restless, faithless heart that's so prone to fuss and fret. To worry about what the future might hold or wring my hands in regret over past failures. Like today--over times when I should have been seeking to understand rather than to be understood. When I should have been loving extravagantly rather than throwing a self-centered little pity party. Oh, we miss so much, don't we, when we focus upon ourselves rather than fixing upon our Savior and loving, forgiving, and living in His power.
I've always loved the famous response G.K.Chesterton gave to the newspaper that had posed the question: "What's Wrong with the World?" Chesterton responded briefly, but powerfully:
Dear Sirs:
I am.
Sincerely yours,
G.K.Chesterton
Yes, that's pretty much what's wrong with the world...and wrong with my world when I get all out of sorts--I am the problem. My sin. My selfishness. My pride.
And here's what's right with the world--
Jesus is.
The only one who could truly say He was--and is--the great I Am is the solution to our problem and to the world's problem. It is the Gospel, and my oh my, it is such astoundingly good news.
We need to be reminded of that central truth every single day...every single hour. It's funny: we tend to view the Gospel as a one-and-done-deal: the good news of forgiveness for our sins and the gift of salvation. And it is, praise God. But it is so infinitely much more!
The Gospel is for living every single day on this lovely but broken planet. The Gospel tells us we can do nothing apart from the grace of God...but with that grace, we can do all things. We can love the unlovely. We can forgive freely. We can be filled with gratitude for all God has given rather than preoccupied with what we lack. We can jettison our pride and selfishness and live with joyous generosity and unselfishness. We can live this life as Christ meant us to live it--fully, freely, faithfully.
"God did not give us HIs gospel just so we could embrace it and be converted. Actually, He offers it to us every day as a gift that keeps on giving to us everything we need for life and godliness. The wise believer learns this truth early and becomes proficient in extracting available benefits from the gospel each day. We extract these benefits by being absorbed in the gospel, speaking it to ourselves when necessary, and by daring to reckon it true in all we do." (From A Gospel Primer by Milton Vincent)
Maybe no one else needed reminding today...but I sure did. Because whenever I veer away from the wondrous power of the Gospel and the gift of Christ's astounding forgiveness, amazing grace, and extravagant love, well then, I grow cramped. worried, ungrateful, and stingy. Not a pretty picture. Just ask my family.
But when we daily bathe in that glorious grace, then we are swimming in the ocean of His grace, goodness, power, and love for "In Him we live and move and have our being." (Acts 17:28) It's through the power of the Gospel that we are enabled to do all, all, all things through Him who strengthens us. (Phil.4:13)
So today, might we return again and again to the attitude-altering, destiny-changing truth of the Gospel. "Outside of heaven," Vincent reminds us, "the power of God in its highest density is found inside the gospel." And that's where I, where we, need to be every day and every hour.
To God--who has given us the wondrous good news of the Gospel--be all the glory.
Hit a slump today. Perhaps it's Mother's Day approaching tomorrow and realizing that my days of mothering our children in our home are growing perilously short...and this makes me so sad. Or perhaps it's missing my own mama all these years and wishing she could be here for one more Mother's Day. Or perhaps it's the knowledge of how many ways I've fallen short as a mama and a wife and wanting so badly to do better, to be better. Or perhaps it's simply living in a fallen world where heaven is not yet...and we are not yet...and that longing deep down in our hearts can morph into discouragement and discontentment if we allow it to fester.
Forgive me, Father, for my sometimes restless, faithless heart that's so prone to fuss and fret. To worry about what the future might hold or wring my hands in regret over past failures. Like today--over times when I should have been seeking to understand rather than to be understood. When I should have been loving extravagantly rather than throwing a self-centered little pity party. Oh, we miss so much, don't we, when we focus upon ourselves rather than fixing upon our Savior and loving, forgiving, and living in His power.
I've always loved the famous response G.K.Chesterton gave to the newspaper that had posed the question: "What's Wrong with the World?" Chesterton responded briefly, but powerfully:
Dear Sirs:
I am.
Sincerely yours,
G.K.Chesterton
Yes, that's pretty much what's wrong with the world...and wrong with my world when I get all out of sorts--I am the problem. My sin. My selfishness. My pride.
And here's what's right with the world--
Jesus is.
The only one who could truly say He was--and is--the great I Am is the solution to our problem and to the world's problem. It is the Gospel, and my oh my, it is such astoundingly good news.
We need to be reminded of that central truth every single day...every single hour. It's funny: we tend to view the Gospel as a one-and-done-deal: the good news of forgiveness for our sins and the gift of salvation. And it is, praise God. But it is so infinitely much more!
The Gospel is for living every single day on this lovely but broken planet. The Gospel tells us we can do nothing apart from the grace of God...but with that grace, we can do all things. We can love the unlovely. We can forgive freely. We can be filled with gratitude for all God has given rather than preoccupied with what we lack. We can jettison our pride and selfishness and live with joyous generosity and unselfishness. We can live this life as Christ meant us to live it--fully, freely, faithfully.
"God did not give us HIs gospel just so we could embrace it and be converted. Actually, He offers it to us every day as a gift that keeps on giving to us everything we need for life and godliness. The wise believer learns this truth early and becomes proficient in extracting available benefits from the gospel each day. We extract these benefits by being absorbed in the gospel, speaking it to ourselves when necessary, and by daring to reckon it true in all we do." (From A Gospel Primer by Milton Vincent)
Maybe no one else needed reminding today...but I sure did. Because whenever I veer away from the wondrous power of the Gospel and the gift of Christ's astounding forgiveness, amazing grace, and extravagant love, well then, I grow cramped. worried, ungrateful, and stingy. Not a pretty picture. Just ask my family.
But when we daily bathe in that glorious grace, then we are swimming in the ocean of His grace, goodness, power, and love for "In Him we live and move and have our being." (Acts 17:28) It's through the power of the Gospel that we are enabled to do all, all, all things through Him who strengthens us. (Phil.4:13)
So today, might we return again and again to the attitude-altering, destiny-changing truth of the Gospel. "Outside of heaven," Vincent reminds us, "the power of God in its highest density is found inside the gospel." And that's where I, where we, need to be every day and every hour.
To God--who has given us the wondrous good news of the Gospel--be all the glory.
Friday, May 9, 2014
Beware the copperheads!
Bingley and I were enjoying a lovely spring walk on the greenway this morning with an impossibly blue sky overhead...fragrance of honeysuckle...shining field of buttercups...symphony of birds serenading us from the bright green canopy of trees. We even passed the magnificent blue heron as he sat still and serene in the creek below. And then there was the fluffy popcorn balls of white flowers that look like a giant beautiful bridal bouquet.
Can you believe we get to see this astounding abundance of glory every single day...all for free?! Oh my, thank You, Father! As Theodore Roosevelt once declared, "It is an incalculable added pleasure to any one's sum of happiness if her or she grows to know, even slightly and imperfectly, how to read and enjoy the wonder-book of nature."
But as Mr. B and I rounded one corner, a kind runner shouted to us--"Watch out! There's a big copperhead just on the right side of the path right after you cross the bridge!" Good night--here I was in la la land--rejoicing in the beauty all around me, listening to my ipod, trying to keep Bingley from eating too many plants and other assorted items--and I was so distracted and lost in thought that a copperhead could have stood up on his tippy toes in the middle of the greenway and starting singing the national anthem and I might not have noticed. Geez. Bingley goes after anything. I can't imagine what quick work a copperhead would have made of him...while I distractedly strolled along.
I immediately thought of I Peter 5--"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world."
We have to be on guard, don't we? It's so easy to slip and slide into sin...one little thought...then another little thought...then a tiny action...then another seemingly innocuous action...and another and another. Each one seemingly minor, a mere trifle, really...until we find ourselves falling fast down that slippery slope of sin and deception. That's how satan always works--persuading us it's no big deal...until we fall. And then condemning us that we've failed and are past all hope.
NO! Be on your guard...for copperheads and for those little sinful attitudes and tendencies that can eventually morph into habits and mindsets and finally strangling addictions. Stop them at the thought stage. Hit them hard with the truth of God's Word. As Dwight L. Moody put it: "The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible." We have to constantly be listening to our Savior's voice of Truth so that we can be alert to the lies of satan.
"Those who commune most with God know best how to serve Him. A captain can lead his soldiers only if they stay within the sound of his voice. Your frequent retreats into the secret places of God assure that you will hear Him when He speaks and receive your orders direct from Him." (William Gurnall)
Might we rejoice in the magnificence of this planet and of all of God's gifts to us...but in the midst of it all, be alert! We must constantly listen for the Good Shepherd's voice so that we can follow Him along His paths of life.
The blue herons and feathery popcorn balls and buttercups are all out there for our enjoyment...but we need to be on guard for the copperheads of life as well. Jesus came to give us abundant life--might we listen, follow, and obey Him to find His peace and joy...and avoid those copperheads of sin. To God be the glory.
Can you believe we get to see this astounding abundance of glory every single day...all for free?! Oh my, thank You, Father! As Theodore Roosevelt once declared, "It is an incalculable added pleasure to any one's sum of happiness if her or she grows to know, even slightly and imperfectly, how to read and enjoy the wonder-book of nature."
But as Mr. B and I rounded one corner, a kind runner shouted to us--"Watch out! There's a big copperhead just on the right side of the path right after you cross the bridge!" Good night--here I was in la la land--rejoicing in the beauty all around me, listening to my ipod, trying to keep Bingley from eating too many plants and other assorted items--and I was so distracted and lost in thought that a copperhead could have stood up on his tippy toes in the middle of the greenway and starting singing the national anthem and I might not have noticed. Geez. Bingley goes after anything. I can't imagine what quick work a copperhead would have made of him...while I distractedly strolled along.
I immediately thought of I Peter 5--"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world."
We have to be on guard, don't we? It's so easy to slip and slide into sin...one little thought...then another little thought...then a tiny action...then another seemingly innocuous action...and another and another. Each one seemingly minor, a mere trifle, really...until we find ourselves falling fast down that slippery slope of sin and deception. That's how satan always works--persuading us it's no big deal...until we fall. And then condemning us that we've failed and are past all hope.
NO! Be on your guard...for copperheads and for those little sinful attitudes and tendencies that can eventually morph into habits and mindsets and finally strangling addictions. Stop them at the thought stage. Hit them hard with the truth of God's Word. As Dwight L. Moody put it: "The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible." We have to constantly be listening to our Savior's voice of Truth so that we can be alert to the lies of satan.
"Those who commune most with God know best how to serve Him. A captain can lead his soldiers only if they stay within the sound of his voice. Your frequent retreats into the secret places of God assure that you will hear Him when He speaks and receive your orders direct from Him." (William Gurnall)
Might we rejoice in the magnificence of this planet and of all of God's gifts to us...but in the midst of it all, be alert! We must constantly listen for the Good Shepherd's voice so that we can follow Him along His paths of life.
The blue herons and feathery popcorn balls and buttercups are all out there for our enjoyment...but we need to be on guard for the copperheads of life as well. Jesus came to give us abundant life--might we listen, follow, and obey Him to find His peace and joy...and avoid those copperheads of sin. To God be the glory.
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Gratitude...and trust
Just came across these photos of our sweet old Moses from last summer. This is how he loved to sleep: relaxed on his back (which he must have heard is supposed to be better for the prevention of wrinkles--he was such a wise old soul)--
Then this photo while sitting in his favorite place--the sun--with one of his favorite people--any member of our family--
And all I could think was "Thank You, Father." Thank You for the gift of a dear old dog, of precious memories, of love given and love received, and simply of life lived fully with family and friends...and dogs!
My sister--in-law and brother-in-law just recently lost their sweet, very old dog, Callie. Oh my, we well remember that unique and piercing sorrow of letting go of a beloved, faithful companion who loved unconditionally and well. And it also reminded me once again of both the terrible cost of sin--death, separation, grief--and the tremendous, staggering gift of salvation. Redemption, grace, forgiveness, joy, peace...and eternal life.
The unfathomable gift of eternal life now, for this very hour in our daily lives, but also the certain glorious hope of heaven in the future. Think of some of the best of moments on this earth--eating dinner with dear friends and family, laughing uproariously, hearing a magnificent song, glimpsing God's glory in His spectacular creation, patting your dog, smelling the warm scents of honeysuckle or freshly cut grass or gardenias, enjoying the crimson beauty of a cardinal, reading a great book, wading in an ice-cold trout stream with your family...oh so many glorious moments!
Yet they all pale in comparison to the wonder and glory ahead. Can we begin to comprehend that? I know I can't...but when I catch even a whiff, it sure changes my perspective on these "light and momentary troubles" that "are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." (2 Cor.4:17) Sometimes we just need to be reminded--this world, with it's moments of amazing joy but also heartbreak and disappointment, is not our home. We're just passing through...and the best really is still to come.
I love how Randy Alcorn put it: "Eternal life means enjoying forever the finest moments of life on Earth the way they were intended. Since in Heaven, we'll finally experience life at its best, it would be more accurate to call our present existence beforelife rather than to call what follows the afterlife." Love that! We're living the beforelife...but, my oh my, the glorious real and true life is up ahead.
So thank You, Father, for the gift of each of our days on this planet. Thank You for relentlessly giving us so many gifts along the way--gifts of moments, of loved ones...and yes, of dogs. Funny, but God gave us Bingley who seems to favor his older "brother" in uncanny ways. Here's how he loves to sleep (no wrinkles on this puppy)--
And here are just a couple of the people he adores--
Thank You, Father. Thank You for our past, our present...and our future. Give us hearts full of gratitude for what we have and trust for what's ahead...whatever it might be.
Or as Dag Hammarskjold put it: "For all that has been, Thank You. For all that is to come, Yes!" To God be the glory.
My sister--in-law and brother-in-law just recently lost their sweet, very old dog, Callie. Oh my, we well remember that unique and piercing sorrow of letting go of a beloved, faithful companion who loved unconditionally and well. And it also reminded me once again of both the terrible cost of sin--death, separation, grief--and the tremendous, staggering gift of salvation. Redemption, grace, forgiveness, joy, peace...and eternal life.
The unfathomable gift of eternal life now, for this very hour in our daily lives, but also the certain glorious hope of heaven in the future. Think of some of the best of moments on this earth--eating dinner with dear friends and family, laughing uproariously, hearing a magnificent song, glimpsing God's glory in His spectacular creation, patting your dog, smelling the warm scents of honeysuckle or freshly cut grass or gardenias, enjoying the crimson beauty of a cardinal, reading a great book, wading in an ice-cold trout stream with your family...oh so many glorious moments!
Yet they all pale in comparison to the wonder and glory ahead. Can we begin to comprehend that? I know I can't...but when I catch even a whiff, it sure changes my perspective on these "light and momentary troubles" that "are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all." (2 Cor.4:17) Sometimes we just need to be reminded--this world, with it's moments of amazing joy but also heartbreak and disappointment, is not our home. We're just passing through...and the best really is still to come.
I love how Randy Alcorn put it: "Eternal life means enjoying forever the finest moments of life on Earth the way they were intended. Since in Heaven, we'll finally experience life at its best, it would be more accurate to call our present existence beforelife rather than to call what follows the afterlife." Love that! We're living the beforelife...but, my oh my, the glorious real and true life is up ahead.
So thank You, Father, for the gift of each of our days on this planet. Thank You for relentlessly giving us so many gifts along the way--gifts of moments, of loved ones...and yes, of dogs. Funny, but God gave us Bingley who seems to favor his older "brother" in uncanny ways. Here's how he loves to sleep (no wrinkles on this puppy)--
Or as Dag Hammarskjold put it: "For all that has been, Thank You. For all that is to come, Yes!" To God be the glory.
Monday, May 5, 2014
Walking by faith
"For we walk by faith, not by sight." (2 Cor.5:7)
Isn't that the battle we wage every single day? To walk by faith, not by what we by feel. To walk by God's perfect promises, not by what our personal perceptions. To walk by God's never-failing supernatural Word, not by the ever-vacillating, superficial world and it's ways.
Oh my, how I need to be daily reminded of this life-altering Truth--hourly, minute-by-minute to walk by faith in the unseen but omnipotent, all-sufficient, and ever-present Redeemer and not by what I can see with my myopic vision, feelings, and perceptions.
And we walk by faith by daily wading through the Word. By seeing through the lens of the Word. His Word is a "lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Ps.119:105) He restores my skewed vision, corrects my prideful perceptions, and revives my deflated hopes with the truth of His Word.
John Piper says, "New Christians or old Christians, what we need in order to walk by faith and not by sight is glimpses. I know that sounds contradictory. We need sight not to walk by sight? But it's not contradictory, because the sight we need is not a sight of what the day holds, but a sight of Who holds the day. And even that sight happens by looking through the window of the Word. Which means we see with our ears. Yes, it sounds strange. But listen: 'The Lord revealed Himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord.' (I Sam.3:21) So we 'look' through the window of the Word with our ears, and what we hear is a sight of God!
I'm so thankful that walking by faith isn't some mystical, who-can-figure-this-out, impossible task! No, we walk--step by step by step--by first seeing in His Word. Because faith comes by hearing the Word, Hebrews tells us. "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." (Roma.10:17) We walk by faith...and we have faith by hearing...and we hear through the Word...and we see the Lord Jesus, the Word, in the Word! We're not walking in the darkness or the fog. No! We're walking by the bright light of His Word and by faith in that ever-sufficient, powerful, supernatural Word.
So this day, we choose to walk by faith and not by sight. Step by step. We don't need to see a mile ahead...or even 10 steps ahead. It's enough to know that He knows the way ahead--for He's already there, even while He's walking right beside us as well. Keep walking...by faith, not by feelings. By His promises, not by perceptions. By His Truth, not by our fears or doubts. And in so doing, we will truly see. It's amazing what a glimpse of the Savior can do!
To God be the glory.
Isn't that the battle we wage every single day? To walk by faith, not by what we by feel. To walk by God's perfect promises, not by what our personal perceptions. To walk by God's never-failing supernatural Word, not by the ever-vacillating, superficial world and it's ways.
Oh my, how I need to be daily reminded of this life-altering Truth--hourly, minute-by-minute to walk by faith in the unseen but omnipotent, all-sufficient, and ever-present Redeemer and not by what I can see with my myopic vision, feelings, and perceptions.
And we walk by faith by daily wading through the Word. By seeing through the lens of the Word. His Word is a "lamp to my feet and a light to my path." (Ps.119:105) He restores my skewed vision, corrects my prideful perceptions, and revives my deflated hopes with the truth of His Word.
John Piper says, "New Christians or old Christians, what we need in order to walk by faith and not by sight is glimpses. I know that sounds contradictory. We need sight not to walk by sight? But it's not contradictory, because the sight we need is not a sight of what the day holds, but a sight of Who holds the day. And even that sight happens by looking through the window of the Word. Which means we see with our ears. Yes, it sounds strange. But listen: 'The Lord revealed Himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord.' (I Sam.3:21) So we 'look' through the window of the Word with our ears, and what we hear is a sight of God!
I'm so thankful that walking by faith isn't some mystical, who-can-figure-this-out, impossible task! No, we walk--step by step by step--by first seeing in His Word. Because faith comes by hearing the Word, Hebrews tells us. "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." (Roma.10:17) We walk by faith...and we have faith by hearing...and we hear through the Word...and we see the Lord Jesus, the Word, in the Word! We're not walking in the darkness or the fog. No! We're walking by the bright light of His Word and by faith in that ever-sufficient, powerful, supernatural Word.
So this day, we choose to walk by faith and not by sight. Step by step. We don't need to see a mile ahead...or even 10 steps ahead. It's enough to know that He knows the way ahead--for He's already there, even while He's walking right beside us as well. Keep walking...by faith, not by feelings. By His promises, not by perceptions. By His Truth, not by our fears or doubts. And in so doing, we will truly see. It's amazing what a glimpse of the Savior can do!
To God be the glory.
Sunday, May 4, 2014
A vision of HIs glory
Just a little food for weekend thought--
Today we finished up studying the wonderful book of Luke in church. Luke the physician closes with these words, "Then He [Jesus] led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up His hands He blessed them. While He blessed them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshipped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising God." (Luke 24:50-53)
And here's what I'm asking myself--is that the way I'm living each day? Am I daily worshipping Him? Am I doing whatever He's called me to do with great joy? Am I continually praising God? And if not, why not?
Because the same Jesus that ascended before those disciples' eyes is even now, this very moment, sitting at the throne of the universe and interceding day and night for us, His beloved children. That same Savior is our Savior.
And the same Holy Spirit that emboldened and enabled those disciples to courageously share and spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth--that Holy Spirit is our Holy Spirit.
And the same iron clad, supernatural promises in God's Word that were given to those disciples--that Word and those promises were given to us. His powerful Word is for us today. If those disciples could claim those promises and do the impossible for their Lord, why not us?
Pastor Leon's question this morning has stuck with me all day--are we praying only for "small" things? Or are we also praying for "big" things as well? Praying for God-sized dreams. Praying for supernatural revival. Praying for that seemingly impossible healing...or that impossible prodigal...or that far-fetched dream...or that unsurmountable obstacle...or that wildfire rekindling of His Spirit in a lost, dark world?
In the words of John Newton's magnificent hymn:
Come, my soul, thy suit prepare:
Jesus loves to answer prayer;
He Himself has bid thee pray,
Therefore will not say thee nay;
Therefore will not say thee nay.
That art coming to a King
Large petitions with thee bring;
None can ever ask too much;
None can ever ask too much.
How often this soft, shallow heart of mine needs reminding of the omnipotence, glory, and wonder of my King! The more we see Him as He is right now--high and lifted up, glorious, powerful, beautiful, full of grace and truth--the more we will worship and praise. The more we will be filled with great joy. And the more we will pray. Small prayers...and big prayers...and everything in between to our Almighty King!
Lord, this day, we ask for a vision of Your glory and for faith to bring You all our petitions. Might we live this day and everyday worshipping, praising, and praying...with great joy.
To God be the glory.
Today we finished up studying the wonderful book of Luke in church. Luke the physician closes with these words, "Then He [Jesus] led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up His hands He blessed them. While He blessed them, He parted from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshipped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple praising God." (Luke 24:50-53)
And here's what I'm asking myself--is that the way I'm living each day? Am I daily worshipping Him? Am I doing whatever He's called me to do with great joy? Am I continually praising God? And if not, why not?
Because the same Jesus that ascended before those disciples' eyes is even now, this very moment, sitting at the throne of the universe and interceding day and night for us, His beloved children. That same Savior is our Savior.
And the same Holy Spirit that emboldened and enabled those disciples to courageously share and spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth--that Holy Spirit is our Holy Spirit.
And the same iron clad, supernatural promises in God's Word that were given to those disciples--that Word and those promises were given to us. His powerful Word is for us today. If those disciples could claim those promises and do the impossible for their Lord, why not us?
Pastor Leon's question this morning has stuck with me all day--are we praying only for "small" things? Or are we also praying for "big" things as well? Praying for God-sized dreams. Praying for supernatural revival. Praying for that seemingly impossible healing...or that impossible prodigal...or that far-fetched dream...or that unsurmountable obstacle...or that wildfire rekindling of His Spirit in a lost, dark world?
In the words of John Newton's magnificent hymn:
Come, my soul, thy suit prepare:
Jesus loves to answer prayer;
He Himself has bid thee pray,
Therefore will not say thee nay;
Therefore will not say thee nay.
That art coming to a King
Large petitions with thee bring;
None can ever ask too much;
None can ever ask too much.
How often this soft, shallow heart of mine needs reminding of the omnipotence, glory, and wonder of my King! The more we see Him as He is right now--high and lifted up, glorious, powerful, beautiful, full of grace and truth--the more we will worship and praise. The more we will be filled with great joy. And the more we will pray. Small prayers...and big prayers...and everything in between to our Almighty King!
Lord, this day, we ask for a vision of Your glory and for faith to bring You all our petitions. Might we live this day and everyday worshipping, praising, and praying...with great joy.
To God be the glory.
Friday, May 2, 2014
Our idols...or God's fire in our hearts?
From today's Daily Light: "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth." (Col.3:2) And "Keep yourselves from idols." (I John 5:21) And "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matt.6:21)
Searching words, as those idols and heart-stealers creep into our lives so subtly and easily. Even the good things can become idols in our lives, can't they? And have you noticed that an idol never leaves us alone but quickly digs it's tentacles down deep into our hearts and habits. A silly and superficial example--but first we simply enjoy that hot mug of tea...then we really want the tea...then we have to have that tea every single morning or we get grumpy, ungrateful, and even bitter. Don't even talk to me about chocolate. Or all that stuff (aka clutter) that seems so difficult to part with. Not to mention the idols of achievement, approval, accolades.
Whatever it is--first we enjoy it, then we want it, then we insist on having it, and finally we find that we cannot say no to it. We assume our happiness rides on the continuation of that habit or that idol in our lives. And, of course, it's just the opposite, for anything that robs God of His rightful throne in our lives will steal our peace, destroy our joy, and rob our hope.
Lord forgive us. Forgive us for the enslaving habits, the possessions, the pleasures, and even, sometimes, the people that we allow to capture our hearts and dethrone You. We can only love our families and friends well if You have first place in our hearts.
Tim Keller speaks to this powerfully--"If you are a Christian and you are dealing with enslaving habits, it's not enough to say, 'Bad Christian, stop it.' And it is not enough to beat yourself up or merely try harder and harder and harder. The real reason that you're having a problem with an enslaving habit is because you are not tasting God. I'm not talking about believing God or even obeying God. I'm saying tasting--tasting God. The secret to freedom from enslaving patterns of sin is worship. You need worship. You need great worship. You need weeping worship. You need glorious worship. You need to sense God's greatness and to be moved by it--moved to tears and moved to laughter--moved by who God is and what He has done for you. And this needs to be happening all the time. This type of worship is the only thing that can replace that little if only fire burning in hour heart. We need a new fire that says, 'If only I saw the Lord. If only He was close to my heart. If only I could feel Him to be as great as I know Him to be. If only I could taste His grace as sweet as I know it to be. And when that if only fire is burning in your heart, then you are free."
Yes, our hearts must be captured by the beauty, wonder, and glory of Him who is infinitely greater than our enslaving passions or habits or idols. Not captured by all that stuff...or that success...or that self-made idol whatever it might be...but captured by the glorious, resurrected Savior. Oh help us, Father. Show us Your glory and in seeing You, might we be freed from all those pale, poor, and weak imitations. Give us Your fire burning within our hearts.
To God be the glory.
Searching words, as those idols and heart-stealers creep into our lives so subtly and easily. Even the good things can become idols in our lives, can't they? And have you noticed that an idol never leaves us alone but quickly digs it's tentacles down deep into our hearts and habits. A silly and superficial example--but first we simply enjoy that hot mug of tea...then we really want the tea...then we have to have that tea every single morning or we get grumpy, ungrateful, and even bitter. Don't even talk to me about chocolate. Or all that stuff (aka clutter) that seems so difficult to part with. Not to mention the idols of achievement, approval, accolades.
Whatever it is--first we enjoy it, then we want it, then we insist on having it, and finally we find that we cannot say no to it. We assume our happiness rides on the continuation of that habit or that idol in our lives. And, of course, it's just the opposite, for anything that robs God of His rightful throne in our lives will steal our peace, destroy our joy, and rob our hope.
Lord forgive us. Forgive us for the enslaving habits, the possessions, the pleasures, and even, sometimes, the people that we allow to capture our hearts and dethrone You. We can only love our families and friends well if You have first place in our hearts.
Tim Keller speaks to this powerfully--"If you are a Christian and you are dealing with enslaving habits, it's not enough to say, 'Bad Christian, stop it.' And it is not enough to beat yourself up or merely try harder and harder and harder. The real reason that you're having a problem with an enslaving habit is because you are not tasting God. I'm not talking about believing God or even obeying God. I'm saying tasting--tasting God. The secret to freedom from enslaving patterns of sin is worship. You need worship. You need great worship. You need weeping worship. You need glorious worship. You need to sense God's greatness and to be moved by it--moved to tears and moved to laughter--moved by who God is and what He has done for you. And this needs to be happening all the time. This type of worship is the only thing that can replace that little if only fire burning in hour heart. We need a new fire that says, 'If only I saw the Lord. If only He was close to my heart. If only I could feel Him to be as great as I know Him to be. If only I could taste His grace as sweet as I know it to be. And when that if only fire is burning in your heart, then you are free."
Yes, our hearts must be captured by the beauty, wonder, and glory of Him who is infinitely greater than our enslaving passions or habits or idols. Not captured by all that stuff...or that success...or that self-made idol whatever it might be...but captured by the glorious, resurrected Savior. Oh help us, Father. Show us Your glory and in seeing You, might we be freed from all those pale, poor, and weak imitations. Give us Your fire burning within our hearts.
To God be the glory.
Thursday, May 1, 2014
The gift of music
Last night we had the joy and privilege of listening to the various St. David's bands play at their annual spring concert. This is now Peter's second full year of playing the trombone, and believe me, we've come a long way, baby. I well remember those first...uh, interesting...sounds that emanated from his trombone. Let's just say we never imagined a trombone could produce noises like that.
After he'd had his trombone for less than a week, we astutely sensed something was terribly wrong. Yes, his trombone was bent! Thank goodness we were on the ball and realized Peter had somehow gotten a defective one (hence the unusual sounds, I'm sure). We rushed it back to the music store--which was located in outer Timbuktu--to get a replacement. FYI--trombones are supposed to have that kind of curve. Who knew? Just thought I'd save you the potential embarrassment of a return trip to the music store if this kind of thing ever comes up in your house.
But here we are nearly two years later, and dang, his trombone playing sounds mighty good to this very biased mama's ear. The whole band sounded incredible. Seriously. Well, for that matter, all four of the bands sounded fabulous. It was one of those wonderful evenings where you sit with a smile on your face and wish God could make time stand still for a minutes as you try to soak it all in. Here's Peter's band (a small but mighty group!) as they prepare to play--
Bingley also finds the trombone fascinating. When Peter pulls it out to practice, Mr. B desperately wants to get in on the act.
Bingley especially likes the rousing marches. Me too.
Thank You, Father, for the gift of music! "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." (Col.3:16-17)
What a powerful way to enable God's Word to dwell in us richly--through music! How many times has a timely hymn or praise chorus lifted your drooping spirits or reinvigorated your tired body? Oh my, the 17th century playwright, William Congreve, had it so right in his famous words that "Music has charms to soothe a savage beast."
Or as Amy Carmichael put it, whenever she felt discouraged, she would "sing the doxology and the devil flees."
So if you're feeling a bit tired or downhearted, maybe it's time to belt out a praise chorus or two. Or blast a symphony. Or even sing along with Casting Crowns or Mercy Me. And while we're at it, let's remember to give thanks to our Father, the Author and Creator of music. To God be the glory.
After he'd had his trombone for less than a week, we astutely sensed something was terribly wrong. Yes, his trombone was bent! Thank goodness we were on the ball and realized Peter had somehow gotten a defective one (hence the unusual sounds, I'm sure). We rushed it back to the music store--which was located in outer Timbuktu--to get a replacement. FYI--trombones are supposed to have that kind of curve. Who knew? Just thought I'd save you the potential embarrassment of a return trip to the music store if this kind of thing ever comes up in your house.
But here we are nearly two years later, and dang, his trombone playing sounds mighty good to this very biased mama's ear. The whole band sounded incredible. Seriously. Well, for that matter, all four of the bands sounded fabulous. It was one of those wonderful evenings where you sit with a smile on your face and wish God could make time stand still for a minutes as you try to soak it all in. Here's Peter's band (a small but mighty group!) as they prepare to play--
What a powerful way to enable God's Word to dwell in us richly--through music! How many times has a timely hymn or praise chorus lifted your drooping spirits or reinvigorated your tired body? Oh my, the 17th century playwright, William Congreve, had it so right in his famous words that "Music has charms to soothe a savage beast."
Or as Amy Carmichael put it, whenever she felt discouraged, she would "sing the doxology and the devil flees."
So if you're feeling a bit tired or downhearted, maybe it's time to belt out a praise chorus or two. Or blast a symphony. Or even sing along with Casting Crowns or Mercy Me. And while we're at it, let's remember to give thanks to our Father, the Author and Creator of music. To God be the glory.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)