Praise God for power!

       Power is a beautiful thing...as in, electrical power.
       I remember all last week being so thankful that though we were trapped inside with all the ice and though Preyer was in a boot and on crutches, we still had power. And it was fabulous...only I don't think I fully appreciated how incredibly fabulous it truly was.  No matter what went on outside, we remained inside, warm, dry, well-fed, able to see and be entertained by all the usual electricity charged devices (from mobile phones to TV's).
       And we figured, "Hey, we weathered the storm.  February's nearly over.  Spring's surely coming.  We are on our way, baby!"
       Until we heard the latest forecast for last night.  And the relatively big one hit.  Which was still okay (maybe not great, but okay)...until 3:45 this morning when the power went out.  Sigh.
       The house got progressively colder and colder (duh), and my early morning time with the Lord was a bit truncated--to say the least--due to cold, darkness, and inability to find a working flashlight.
       But while everyone else slept I danced a little happy dance when I realized our gas fireplace still worked even without power!  Yay!  I located a flashlight with actual batteries in it that actually worked. Chalk that one up to the minor miracle category.  Then, happily, my computer still had a bit of power, so I could work on my Bible study lecture for a bit.  Not to mention we still had working plumbing--now that was some good news right there, with three guys in the house.  (I won't elaborate.)  But best of all--glory--our gas stovetop could heat water for HOT TEA and HOT CHOCOLATE!  Life was beyond good, and I was praising God!
       Now, there was still the little matter of a cold house, cold shower (forget it--I'lll just stay dirty), and a dog who was ready to go outside for his morning constitutional.  Still, all in all, plenty for which to be grateful.
       When Bingley's whining just got to be too much, I bundled up and headed outside with umbrella and ski gloves (always a great combination)...but praise God again--the rain had stopped.  We hiked down to the greenway, and let me just tell you, it was stick nirvana.  Limbs had fallen everywhere (hence the lack of power), and Bingley had his pick.  This one held particular appeal for the better part of 30 minutes--

          He also really, really loved this one and hauled it for quite a while, though he had to stop every now and then to catch his breath.

       Though I'm no longer a fan of snow, cold, ice or anything whatsoever having to do with winter, I have to admit the woods truly were beautiful and peaceful.  Loved this glimpse down the creek--

       Back at the old ranch, the best thing about losing electricity was watching the boys drag out the board games.  A number of killer games of chess, but I think our injured boy won those all (which is nice--I think he needed a bit of cheering up and nothing like beating your brother to do that).

       So, in case you're still reading, here's the really great news--after over 10 hours, the POWER CAME BACK ON!!  We were all sitting and laughing in the den (having no power truly does promote great family togetherness), when I walked in the kitchen and suddenly noticed--a light was ON!
       I screamed!  No joke.  In fact, the guys came running and then got mad at me.  Preyer said he assumed there was someone on the porch with a knife in his hand.  Clearly I need a few girls around here.  I mean seriously, how can you not scream when you'd been contemplating frigid, numb feet in bed that night, peanut butter sandwiches for dinner, and fighting for the one working flashlight so you could read when it got dark in a few hours?
       And then, oh my stars, and then in the twinkling of an eye, everything changes.  You suddenly realize you're going to get a hot bath, eat a hot meal, read in bed with warm feet (praise God!), listen to WRAL tell you how bad the weather conditions are (who cares--we have POWER!), and maybe even watch a movie with your family that evening. Not to mention, I'll now be able to make Peter's birthday cake for tomorrow.  All that, my friends, is as good as it gets.
       Funny, isn't it?  I possessed every one of those things yesterday...and the day before that...and the day before that.  But I just didn't comprehend how truly valuable and wonderful they were.  Nope, we had to lose them for a day to come to the recognition of how remarkably blessed we really were.  Find yourself deprived of a few basic necessities like heat and light, however, and you figure it out mighty quickly.
       I know, I know, I sound like a broken record when it comes to seeking to exchange pouting for praising, complaining for thanking, and fretting for trusting...but don't we lose sight far too easily of all we possess and of all the myriad ways God has blessed us?  I know I do.
       So once again, thank You, Father, for our lives and for those we love.  For our basic necessities and for our bonus enjoyments.  And thank You for the ways You teach and shape us through the difficulties in life--those little roadblocks that You use to remind us who's in charge and how You're using all, all, all things in our lives for our greater good and Your greater glory.  Romans 8:28 all the way!
       Sure hope you've got power and warmth and light in your house right now...but most of all, I pray You have the Source of all power and the Giver of salvation in your life and in your heart...because if you have the Lord Jesus, you have absolutely everything.  Now that's the real Power!  And with Jesus, you'll never, ever, ever lose your power!   
       To God be the glory.

Abolish February...or rejoice!

       For the record, I'd like to consider abolishing February...except for birthdays, of course, and, I suppose, Valentine's Day (since it's good to celebrate the gift of love while eating copious amounts of chocolate).   But except for those exceptions, how about we ban February and just go slide right on into March?
       You know, I'd even be willing to forego the chocolate extravaganza on Valentine's Day if we could just all agree that February needs to take a hike.  Like a hike maybe to the North Pole.
       In fact, the more I think about it, the more I believe this idea could work.  Seriously, this could be a real win-win.  If we could send February up to the North Pole for 12 months of the year, we would never have to worry again about those melting polar ice caps.  February could get those babies built right back up to their ice age size.  And think how this plan would help the struggling polar bear population...not to mention the penguins.
       This could so totally work.
       hmmm.
       Of course, we'd forfeit the quiet beauty of the gently falling snow as it blankets the ground and trees with lacy, white art.

       And well, I know I would be mighty sad to miss seeing my son playing in the snow with his dog and watching Bingley barking and leaping to catch snowballs.
     

        And it is awfully peaceful sitting here by the fire, snug and warm.  And I'm beginning to realize that all those terribly important errands and chores will just have to wait till another day...and the world won't stop spinning.  Nope, not at all.
       So yes, we've all suffered through a few bumps in the road in February--a dear friend falling on the ice and suffering a badly broken wrist; lots of missed school days to make up; one of our sons now on crutches and in a boot after an accident last week; yours truly wiping out in the snow and hitting my head on the pavement while walking Bingley (though he appeared unconcerned); our Bible study cancelled again; my family having to endure multiple rounds of my cooking; and just generally tiring of this whole winter mess...
       But you know what?  Such is life.  "This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." (Ps.118:24).  God doesn't suggest that we rejoice.  Nor does He advise us to rejoice when we feel like it...or when the sun is warm and shining and all is happy, happy, happy in our world.
       No, it's a command to rejoice in Him.  Rejoice in this day.  This one and only February 24, 2015. "Let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God." (Ps.68:3)  "Let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You." (Ps.5:11)  "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!" (Phil.4:4)
      Thank You, Father, for the reminder that we are to rejoice in You...and in You is a never-failing source and object of our rejoicing!  Thank You for the wonder of snow, the beauty of Your creation, the gift of friends, the happiness of a dog, the warmth of a fire, the gift of family...and the power of choosing to turn our complaining into praising.
       Thank You for Your mercy, Your goodness, Your power, Your forgiveness, Your grace, Your Word, Your Son, our Savior.
       Please forgive me for losing sight for a moment of the greatness and goodness of who You are and all You've done.
       And, Father, thank You, even, for February and for the priceless gift of this day.  One more day You have graciously given us to live, love, and rejoice in You.  It's still snowing...and I'm still rejoicing.  
       To God be the glory.

 

New mercies, new mornings

                            A little food for weekend thought--

       Thank You, Lord Jesus, for the morning.
       Thank that Your mercies are new every morning.  (Lam.3:22-23)  Thank You for fresh starts, new opportunities, and clean slates every 24 hours...where we can begin anew to seek You, follow You, obey You, and love You.  Where no matter how yesterday went, You tell us--forget the past!  Press on to the upward prize in God! (Phil.3:14)  Start today...start now!
       Oh how I love the early mornings. Quiet, still, alone with God's Word--fresh from His mouth. "Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in You.  Show me the way I should go."  Thank You, Father, for a fresh reminder each day of Your infinite love and amazing grace...the grace that will enable us on this fresh new day, to go the distance, doing all You've called us to do, for all the hours You choose to give us this day.  Wd don't need to concern ourselves with how we'll make it faithfully through tomorrow--Your manna is for today.  This one, unique "calendared and called" day (as Beth Moore calls it).
       And tomorrow--with all it's special and individual challenges and joys?  Yes, Father, You will be there too--fully able, fully powerful, fully sufficient in every way.  For "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever." (Heb.13:8)  That means no matter what tomorrow brings, we can rise with hope, trust and joy for You are there...and tomorrow Your mercies will be fresh and new all over again. Hallelujah!
         So in case you need a little morning encouragement, here it is, first, from Andrew Murray: "In the morning, with its freshness and quiet, the believer can look out upon the day.  He can consider its duties and its temptations, and pass them through beforehand, as it were, with his Savior."
        And second from Oswald Chambers: "Get into the habit of dealing with God about everything.  Unless you learn to open the door of your life completely and let God in from your first waking moment of each new day, you will be working on the wrong level throughout the day.  But if you will swing open the door of your life fully open and pray to your Father who is in the secret place, every public thing in your life will be marked with the lasting imprint of God."
       Just imagine--you thought it was all over.  The buzzer sounded, the last second shot missed, the game over, and you stand defeated.  Done.  Lost.  Finished.  But wait. What's that?  No, no it's not the end of the game!
       The referee says you get to start over in the morning--the game will be replayed...when you're fresh and after you've learned so much from this first attempt.  Forget the game today...that was just the warm up for the big game in the morning!  A fresh new opportunity to do your best, to trust in Your Savior, and to live to God's glory.
       Thank You, Lord, for mornings and fresh starts.  Might we look to You, live by the power of Your indwelling Holy Spirit, and give it all we've got on this calendared and called day.  To God be the glory.
     
     

February--grumbling to gratitude

       Okay, I'm trying to maintain a good attitude about snow, cold, sleet, and winter...but the old thankfulness and happy mindset is starting to wear a wee bit thin.  On the positive side, Mr. Bingley and I got to head down to the greenway for the first time since Monday.  I've hardly set foot outside since it's like a sheet of glass outside our house.  Bingley looks confused--he's clearly wondering what the deal is.
       But for one brief, shining half an hour, all was right with the world as Mr. B carried stick after stick along the greenway.  Ah, life's simple joys.

       Then there was Wonder Dog's magnificent leaping to catch snowballs Peter threw up in the air--

       And I have to admit, the snow--which just began falling again--is mighty peaceful and beautiful-

(admittedly, it's difficult to see in my amateur photography, but trust me, it's coming down...sigh.)
       So, to be perfectly honest, I'm pretty much over winter, even with it's hot chocolate, graceful snowflakes, rosy cold cheeks, and invigorating temperatures (I really had to search for a way to put that in a positive light).  Can I just say, February is one challenging month.
       Now, to be fair, I do think February is saddled with one huge, nearly insurmountable obstacle that causes it to be nearly everyone's least favorite month--namely, it's position.  It's tough being at the tail end of winter when most of us are sick and tired of being cold.
       But--and this is a huge but--my youngest child pointed out to me the two fabulous things about February that totally redeem the whole situation.  One--Valentine's Day (he's a big Valentine's Day guy, don't ask me why.  I think it has something to do with the chocolate. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.).  And two--"Mom, February is my birthday month so it's the very best month!"  I totally stand corrected.
       Isn't it amazing how quickly we can morph into complaining and ingratitude?  We (translation "I") get so focused on what we're missing, or what we lack that we think we need, or what we have that we don't want, that we fail to see all that we possess.  The blessing upon blessing that God has showerd upon us.
       Thank You, Father, for the change of seasons.  Though winter gets mighty old right about now, I'm still so thankful for the bracing cold, the beauty of winter skies, and the gracefulness of pure white snowflakes floating to the ground.  I'm thankful for power (as in electricity)...for heat,  hot water, warm food, and hot tea.  I'm thankful for the presence of people I love around me.  I'm thankful for computers and cell phones and all the technology that I can barely operate, but that keeps me connected to those I love in far flung places.  I'm thankful for laughter...and no homework...and smores...and sleeping a bit later...and our dog (who seems to especially relish frigid weather).  And I'm incredibly thankful for the gift of all our children and for youngest son and his birthday--so this is a terrific month!
       Just in case you needed a little attitude adjustment, hope these reminders of a few of February's blessings helped a bit.  Maybe it's time to make your own list.
       But there's one more--and it's the most important of all: God's Word that never ever fails.  "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks." (I Thess.5:16-18)
       Always, without ceasing, in everything.  That pretty much covers it, doesn't it?  Including February...and cold...and sleet...and snow.  So thank You, Father.  In You, we always, always, always have infinite grounds for rejoicing and myriad reasons for thanking.
       To God be the glory.
     
     

Looking to Jesus

       Okay, sorry to jump right back in the middle of this, but I’m picking up right where I left off in the last blog--meaning back to good old Hebrews 12:1-3.  Oh my, there’s some mighty good stuff in these few verses! 

       “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you do not grow weary or fainthearted.” (Heb.12:1-3)

       So we lay aside weight (last blog), but we also need to look to Jesus as we run with endurance the race set before us.  v.2 puts it this way: “looking to Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of our faith...”  And in v.3, we’re exhorted: “Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself.”  

       We look to Jesus initially for salvation, but we also look to Him daily in an attitude of dependency and trust. Looking and considering Jesus means keeping your focus on Christ.  Focus--what a life-changing word that can be, for as I once heard it said, “Where you stare, you steer.”  Don’t look around in comparison or envy--look up.  Don’t look behind in regret or shame--look up.  And don’t look ahead in worry or anxiety--look up. 

       Eric Liddell, the beloved Scottish runner who won an Olympic gold in the 1926 Olympics and later died in China while serving as a missionary, once said: “As a Christian, I challenge you.  Have a great aim.  Have a high standard.  Make Jesus your ideal...make Him an ideal not merely to be admired but also to be followed.”  If we keep our focus trained on our Savior, then we will be following Him.  

       And as we keep our gaze locked on Jesus, we need to run the race set before us.  Oh my, how much misery comes from worrying about all the other runners around us or wishing we were running some race other than the one sovereignly ordained for us by God.   

Here’s the thing: we all have only this one life, this one race, and we’re the only person who can run our unique race during our brief stay on this planet.  How can we run effectively and with endurance if we’re constantly looking around in discontentment or discouragement?  No, all that does is slow us down, cause us to stumble, and forfeit so much joy, peace, and power God wanted us to experience in the midst of our race. 

       v.3 reminds us that looking to Jesus also includes “considering” Him.  We ponder and contemplate our wonderful Savior and all the hostility and suffering He endured so that we won’t grow weary or fainthearted in our race.  Oh my, don’t we need this reminder, because when the going gets tough in our race, we tend to grow self-preoccupied and self-pitying.  When we get sick...or our loved one struggles...or someone criticizes us...or our well laid plans fall to pieces--it’s all too easy to give up in despondency, grow bitter and angry, or simply give in to a big, old pity-party.  

But not if we consider our Savior and all He endured for us.  I remember our pastor, Leon Tucker, saying one time that when things get hard, he’ll sometimes say, “Well, where are the nails?  I don’t see any nails.”  

       Yep, that pretty much puts it in perspective, doesn’t it?  As v.4 says, “In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.”  None of us ever have--or ever will--come close to bearing the weight, horror, and shame of all sin for all time.  None of us will ever experience what it means to be the Creator of the very people who betray, torture, and reject You.  None of us will ever know what it is to relinquish the infinite wonders of heaven and perfect fellowship with Your Father to willingly come to earth to die.  And none of us will ever, ever know what it is to be abandoned by God at a cross. 

       But Jesus did...so that we’d never, ever have to.  When you consider all that Christ endured and suffered for us, how can you not be encouraged and strengthened in the midst of your own race to keep running with endurance? 

       Father, keep us focused and faithful in our races.  Help us to continually look to Jesus as we run and to consider Him and all He endured, so that we might persevere in our own races all the way to heaven, Your glorious finish line.  

       To God be the glory.

Laying aside weight so you can run!

        “Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race marked out for us.” (Heb.12:1) 

       Like I said yesterday, this is remember time--recalling what we’ve been learning in Bible study, because I tend to forget in a nanosecond!  Makes me think of a song I love by Jason Gray: “Remind me who I am.”  It’s about asking God to remind us that who and Whose we are--a beloved child redeemed by the King of Kings.  We tend to forget in the muck and mire of life, don’t we?  But when we recall Who saved us, Who loves us, Who empowers us, well then we’ll stop looking for affirmation and fulfillment in all the wrong, empty places.  All Him.  All Him.

       So, back to this wonderful verse in Hebrews.  If we run our race by faith, the first thing we have to do is “lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely.”  What does that mean and why is it so important?   

       Well, have you ever observed what those world class runners wear in their races?  Next to nothing!  I briefly ran track in college to get in shape for tennis, and let me tell you, those race getups were a deal breaker.  I’ll never forget the coach handing me this dinky little singlet and what looked like a pair of glorified stretchy underpants and expected me to go out there and actually run in front of real, live people in that outfit!  Are you kidding?  My bathing suit had more coverage than that track uniform!  

       But when it’s time for a big race, that’s what great runners do.  They wear the lightest of clothing and running flats.  Not a one of them will be racing while carrying their ipad, purse, or maybe a nice-looking pair of boots.  Nope, they eliminate every possible source of extraneous weight so they can run as swiftly and freely as possible. 

       That’s what the writer of Hebrews exhorts us to do.  Jettison every possible source of weight and sin, so you can run hard!  Now, we all know what Hebrews is referring to when we’re told to lay aside our “sin.”  Boy, sin can really weigh us down.  Think of the heaviness sin carries with it--that awful burden of guilt, of shame, of fear of being found out, of damage we cause not just to ourselves but to others.  

       Aren’t you tired of that?  Aren’t you sick and tired of the devil telling you that you’ll never change, that’s just how you are?  That you’ll never be rid of that sinful habit or that tendency to worry or that proclivity to gossip or that desperate need to control or that devastating addiction.  

You know, I’m not saying it’s easy.  Confessing and killing our sin never is.  But it’s not about what I say.  It’s about what God says in His Word, and He tells us in Gal.2:20 that we “have been crucified with Christ.  It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”  Or in Romans 6:12,14: “Let not sin reign in your mortal body, to make you obey it’s passions...For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.”  Or how about from Gal.5:21,“For freedom Christ has set us FREE; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” (Gal.5:21)  

       It’s high time we stopped listening to the enemy who comes only to steal, kill, and destroy, and instead start listening to Jesus.  And here’s what He’s telling you: Lay. Those. Burdens. Down.  

He covered them all at the cross, so you don’t have to bear them anymore.  Confess, repent and believe that the power of Almighty God that raised Jesus from the dead will enable you to lay aside that destructive, joy-killing, peace-stealing sin in your life.    

       So we lay aside that horrible burden of sin and shame, but we’re also told to lay aside “every weight.”  What are those other weights?  Warren Wiersbe defines them as “everything that hinders our progress.”  Weights can be perfectly good things--but perhaps at this time and place in our lives, at this particular season in our lives, they’re not the best things.

       There are weights that can divert our focus and attention, blunting our love for Christ and dulling our hunger for His Word.  Those things that can waste our time and energy--like too much time on facebook or twitter, too much TV, too much magazine or catalogue browsing, too much eating or drinking.  (The exception to that, of course, is chocolate.  Chocolate’s ALWAYS good!)  

       How about the weight of misplaced priorities that can get us off track...the weight of discouragement that can cause us to throw in the towel...the weight of overcommitment that prevents us from spending time with the Lord and with His Word...or the particularly burdensome weight of sluggishness that tends to make us apathetic and lazy, so we can’t seem to make ourselves do what know we should be doing. ugh. That one reminds me of a needlepoint pillow my aunt Janie had: “My get up and go...got up and went!”  Yep, I bet some of us can relate to that along about 4:00 in the afternoon.

       Then, of course, there’s the weight of good old worry and anxiety.  I know everyone can fall prey to this defeating weight, but I’m thinking we women might be particularly susceptible.  We’re so much more likely than men to brood over things, turning them over and over in our minds till a relatively small concern morphs into a tsunami of worry.  (I won’t add the caveat that men, on the other hand, when confronted with these potential hand-wringing issues typically respond a little differently than women.  While we’re just beginning to churn the issue over in our minds, men’s response typically seems to sound a little more like this: “hmmn..oh well” and move on.  Geez.) 

       Happened to me a few weeks back, because one of my children was struggling a bit in school and forgetting to hand in some of his assignments.  By the time I finished churning the issue over in my frazzled head, I had already consigned him to a life of juvenile delinquency, crime, and abject failure. 

       Let me ask you something: how do you think carrying all that baggage of worry and discouragement affected my race?  I think you know the answer to that question.  Rather than enjoying God’s peace, wisdom, and hope because I took it straight to Him, I was derailed by fear and frustration. 

       But God is such a God of grace, and here our Bible study was exploring this very chapter.  The Lord gently reminded me to lay aside the weight of my worry.  I handed my Savior the burden and suddenly felt ready again to run and to love and encourage my child that our Heavenly Father would help us figure this out. 

       I know that’s a silly example, and someone reading this may carry far heavier burdens and weights, but Jesus says the same thing to you as He does to each of His beloved children: “Come to ME, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for you souls.  For My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Mt.11:28-30)  

       He’s telling us today--and everyday--in His Word: come to Me and lay aside all those burdensome weights and sins, so you can freely and fully run.  Run!  RUN!

       To God be the glory. 

Pausing to think...and thank

       “Therefore since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race marked out for us, looking to Jesus, the Founder and Perfecter of our faith...” (Heb.12:1-2)

       We’re finishing up our study of Hebrews in Bible study, and, wow, what a magnificent book.  I’ve been so challenged week after week to see and seek Christ above all else as the supreme treasure in my life. If we want to run our race by faith, then we’ve got to keep our focus trained on Christ, “the Founder and Perfecter of our faith.”  

       Okay, that’s a broad brush background for what we’ve been discussing in Bible study, and I thought I would briefly recap over the next week or so a bit of what we’ve been learning.  I just need to be reminded of what I already know...but all too quickly forget.

       It seems as if we’re always moving on to the next new thing--the next email we need to deal with.  The next problem pressing in upon us.  The next item on our to do list.  The next book we’re reading.  The next big project on which we need to get busy.  Even the next chapter in Bible study...and we (or at least I) fail to go back and just think and recall. Just contemplate and assimilate what experiences we’ve been through, what we’ve learned....how God moved and what He taught us.  We--or at least I--don’t do that nearly enough because it’s time to rush, rush, rush to the next item on our agenda.  

       That’s a lot of words to say, don’t you think we all need time to pause, take a deep breath, and slow down, even for a moment, to reflect upon what God’s teaching us in the midst of our busy lives?  Funny how many treasures we miss because we’re so busy focusing upon the road up ahead, rather than slowing down to look at the path right beside us and even behind us.  

       Oh forgive me Lord, for missing those jewels of grace, of illumination, of kindness that You have so generously sprinkled along my path.  I fail to notice them or recall them in my relentless haste to rush on to the next big thing.  Some things require time and marination before they are ready to reveal themselves to us.  What are we missing in all our pushing ahead and moving on as quickly as we can?

       And one more thing: if we miss those things God’s been teaching us or fail to see the ways He’s been good to us or simply forget--all because we’re hurrying ahead--then we can’t thank Him.  We miss the priceless opportunity for thanksgiving and praise.  Yet nothing enhances our joy or fuels our hope more than gratitude and worship!  That means we’re cheating ourselves of that priceless, life-filling, attitude-altering, God-glorifying gift of thankfulness and praise.  Which, incidentally, is ultimately why we were placed on this planet--to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.  

       “Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name.” (Heb.13:15) 

       So, in the next few blogs, I’m going to try to go back and recall a bit of what God’s been teaching us in Hebrews.  Well, that’s the plan anyway...but we all know about the best-laid plans!  

       Father, forgive us when we fail to see Your grace and remember Your goodness in our relentless quest to hurry on to the next big thing.  Teach us to slow down and savor You and Your gifts even as we keep moving down the busy paths of our lives.  Thank You that Your “mercies are new every morning,” (Lam.3:23) so no matter what happened yesterday, we have fresh, new reasons for which to praise Your name and give You thanks today.

       Let’s put our lips to work and continually offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise to God!  To God be the glory.

Weekend work

                                            A little food for weekend thought--

       Whew, what a week it has been...hence the absence of any blogs.  Not a bad week, just a mighty busy one.  It's left me a bit--uh, actually make that "a lot"--frustrated that there never seem to be enough hours in the day--time with God and His Word, time with my husband, time with children and family, time with friends, time writing and working on lectures, time for chores and more chores and more chores, time for exercise, time for walking Mr. Bingley, time to read, time for chocolate (duh) and on and on.  Right about now, I'm feeling overwhelmed that my unlimited-things-to-do seem to vastly outnumber my limited-hours-in-the-day.  Sigh.
       But I read these words by one of my favorite writers, Robert Morgan, from his terrific new book, Mastering Life Before it's too Late:  "When we're about our Father's business, we're to number our days, for life is swift; we're to redeem the time for the days are evil. But in God's perfectly designed plan, there is always enough work for the days He has given us, and exactly enough days for the work He has assigned.  The old couplet (attributed to C.T. Studd) rings ever true:
          This one life will soon be past;
          Only what's done for Christ will last."
      Yep, here's how God's Word puts it: "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." (Eph.5:15-16)   And one of my favorite verses: "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." (Ps.90:12)
      The Lord knows the number of hairs on our heads, the number of days allotted to our lives, and the number of tasks assigned to each of us individually.  Since He has given us the sometimes laborious, sometimes joyous, "work" of our lives--whether loving our families and friends, volunteering at our child's school, cleaning the house and folding laundry, or heading to the office for a overflowing day--He will also provide whatever we need to complete it...by His grace and for His glory.
        Sometimes we just have to take Elizabeth Elliott's famous advice, and when we just don't feel like it, or wonder what to do, or question whether we will ever get it all done--we simply "Do the next thing."  One day at a time.  One hour at a time.  One minute at a time.  All the while asking the Father for His enabling power, His ennobling purpose, and His invigorating love.
       So, I've still got an awful lot to do, but I'm trusting that my Heavenly Father will "lift [my] drooping hands and strengthen [my] weak knees and make straight paths for [my] feet" (Heb.12:12-13) so that all He's called me to do this day--just this day--will be done to His glory.  And then tomorrow, well, He's already there, and He's got it completely, fully covered too.  My Abba's got it, and He's got me...and you, too.  
       To God be the glory.