Battles

     Whew.  Just whew.
     When I awoke this morning, just felt threadbare--like one of my children's ratty old tee shirts (that for some inexplicable reason, they seem to prefer--at least my daughter.  Go figure.).  It's been a busy few days... well, actually, a busy few months.
     And sometimes you just feel like, well, Lord, I'm just ready to check out for a little while. Life is, by and large, wonderful, but it is always filled with battles. Have you noticed that?  You get through one battle, and low and behold, there's another one poking around the corner saying, "Yeah, you--you ready for me?  You think you can take me?  Let's see what you're really made of,  Mr. Big Stuff."
     Some of those battles are very public--like children in ICU--but some of very private and, frankly, those can be the toughest.  Those battles against discouragement... or fear... or frustration... or just plain exhaustion.  I think it was Winston Churchill who said something to the effect that exhaustion makes cowards of us all.  So true, because when we're tired, it's just so much harder to fight those battles.
     But how I love My Savior, because He never grows weary or downhearted or frightened.  Those loads of laundry and piles of stuff that need to be taken care of at home along with that seemingly endless to do list--nope, doesn't overwhelm Him.  Not a bit.  Dealing with that crummy attitude of your child--or yourself--nothing to the One who scooped out the oceans and formed the far distant galaxies.
     One of my very favorite passages in the Bible is Isaiah 40.  I just have to include part of this beautiful chapter:

To whom then will you compare me,
    that I should be like him? says the Holy One.
 Lift up your eyes on high and see:
    who created these?
He who brings out their host by number,
    calling them all by name,
by the greatness of his might,
    and because he is strong in power
    not one is missing.

 Why do you say, O Jacob,
    and speak, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord,
    and my right is disregarded by my God”?
 Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
    his understanding is unsearchable.
 He gives power to the faint,
    and to him who has no might he increases strength.
 Even youths shall faint and be weary,
    and young men shall fall exhausted;
 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
    they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
    they shall walk and not faint.

   That is the God we serve... and there is none other.  And He is the One who fights our battles for us.  We simply fight alongside Him--but He is the One who strengthens and encourages and renews us in the midst of whatever we are going through. I have seen Him do it over and over and over again in my own life.  I think I'm done, down for the count.  And then suddenly He is the Almighty Calvary, riding in to save the day. Filling up empty places, patching up those threadbare emotions--actually not just patching them, but replacing them with His robes of righteousness and love and strength. 

   And suddenly, I find myself ready to take on that next battle--because as I just read this morning in my Daily Light: [Jehovah Nissi] The Lord-Is-My-Banner. (Ex.17:15)  And, as I just shared with a dear friend who is also fighting a battle (because every single one of us is fighting battles): "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe." Prov.18:10 

   When I run to Him, I am safe... and saved... and strengthened.  And ready to take on the next battle.  For I go under His banner and in His might.  Might you remember this day, whatever kind of battles you are facing, that you are not fighting alone.  Never.  Run to the tower of the Almighty and know that He is fighting with you and for you. And He will never ever fail you.  To God be the glory.

    

Friendship

     All the kids (from 4 different families) in a recent trip to Little Washington, NC.  The parents of all these kids are not pictured as I have no picture of all us parents... which is just as well, since our advanced ages makes for a slightly less appealing photograph.  But trust me, we were all lookin' good.  Sort of.
     We had the best time.  For the past few years, the other 3 families--the Pages, the Dwights, and the Martins--have been getting together just after Christmas for a couple of days, but this was the first year the Fountain clan could join them.  And, boy, had we been missing out!  We had a scavenger hunt (more on that tomorrow), games, food, more food, oysters, smores (now we're talking!), laughter, talking, basketball and a couple of power walks... O, and did I mention, food?
     There's just nothing like true fellowship with dear friends, is there?  Just the other day I met with a couple of close friends at a coffee shop.  I had so much to do and wondered why on earth I was making time for coffee with buddies when I should have been crossing items off my to do list.  So so wrong.  I cannot tell you what a joy it was to get with them, to laugh, to talk, to share our struggles and our hearts.  What a gift our friends are.
     And how easy it is in this frenetic world to neglect spending time with those we love--both family and friends.   God has given us this gift of friendship to encourage us, to give us strength for the journey, to spur us on.  I love how the writer to the Hebrews puts it: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Heb.10:24-25)
     Our friends--just another priceless gift from our relentlessly generous Heavenly Father.
     C.S.Lewis writes: "Friendship is the greatest of worldly goods.  Certainly to me it is the chief happiness of life.  If I had to give a piece of advice to a young man about a place to live, I think I should say, 'sacrifice almost everything to live where you can be near your friends.'  I know I am fortunate in that respect."
      So today, I just want to thank the Lord for the incalculable gift of friends.  One more C.S.Lewis quote: "Is any  pleasure on earth as great as a circle of Christian friends by a fire?"  I think not... unless maybe it's around a very large, very chocolate cake!
      Might we thank the Lord, who is Himself a community of three always in perfect fellowship--Father, Son and Holy Spirit--for the joyous gift of friendship.  Help us Father never to take our friends for granted.  The to-do lists can wait... friends cannot.  To God be the glory.

Hidden Treasure

     Just a quick thought for the weekend--this from Henri Nouwen:

"Patience is a hard discipline. It is not just waiting until something happens over which we have no control: the arrival of the bus, the end of the rain, the return of a friend, the resolution of a conflict. Patience is not a waiting passivity until someone else does something. Patience asks us to live the moment to the fullest, to be completely present to the moment, to taste the here and now, to be where we are. When we are impatient we try to get away from where we are. We behave as if the real thing will happen tomorrow, later and somewhere else. Let's be patient and trust that the treasure we look for is hidden in the ground on which we stand."      Isn't that so true?  Don't we all suffer from that tendency--to look beyond the present moment, as if we are gazing over a dear friend's shoulder in the midst of conversation--rudely looking for someone else--and so miss the joy of their company and their wisdom?  That has been another gift of Janie's wreck--God has made me far more aware of the irreplaceable gift of each moment.  Nothing should be taken for granted, no one taken for granted.  Each day's joys--and challenges--deserve to be intentionally noticed, accepted, and appreciated.  And when we appreciate something, our natural response should and must always be gratitude.  Gratitude to our relentless Heavenly Gift-Giver.       So this weekend, might we make time and space to truly see, to truly experience, and then to truly thank God for the irreplaceable gift of each never-to-be-repeated moment, person, and place in our lives.     Even if we are in the midst of waiting or wanting or wishing... Lord, give us eyes to see... hearts to appreciate... and lips to express thanksgiving. Might we find the treasure hidden in the very ground upon which we stand. To God be the glory.

Moses adorns the Gospel

     Moses, finding a patch of sunlight in the dining room.
     He's in here with me while I work on a Bible study lesson on John 8.  And as always, he's teaching me. Such a spiritual dog. I think it's John Piper that says something to the effect that when we live out the truth of the Word, we can "adorn" the Gospel.  That's what Moses is doing--adorning two of my favorite verses from this wonderful chapter.
     "...I am the Light of the world.  Whoever follows Me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." (v.12)  Moses is a light seeker.  He loves, loves, loves to discover patches of sunlight and then just do what he does best: rest.  And when he gets tired of resting, well, then he sleeps, waits for his next meal or snack, and then continues resting.  It's a tough life.
     The only exception to this rule is the yard... which Moses seems to detest despite the fact that there is ample sunshine pouring down upon our desiccated grass.  His goal in life is to remain indoors with the family he loves, seek out--if possible--a patch of sunlight, and then rest, eat, sleep, and repeat.  He daily accomplishes his goal beautifully--we are so proud.  And thankful.
     And thankful that Jesus is my Light.  Wherever He is, there is Light.  Even in the most profound darkness, even in the hardest, darkest times of our lives, we can be certain that He will always give us "patches of sunlight" to warm us, to guide us, to help us, to strengthen us.  Thank You, Jesus.
      Moses also "adorns" v.31: "...If you abide in My word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Moses has so cornered the market on "abiding."  He defines abiding--hanging out, never straying far, listening for the slightest sound of movement from his family and then rushing (okay, he doesn't "rush" anywhere, but he walks purposefully) to that spot.
      If we're sitting in the dining room, well, then great.  He quickly locates the optimum patch of sunlight and flops down.  If we move to the kitchen, up he goes, following along... after all, there just might be food involved.  If the children are all upstairs, he waits at the foot of the stairs in the morning, waiting for them to come down.  If we're eating dinner, he rests on his bed under the table... of course, ever alert for possible dropped food.  Usually a good bet.
      That's what it means to abide, isn't it?  One definition I read was to "to continue without fading, to dwell, to live." I love how John MacArthur put it: "to abide habitually in Jesus' words."
     I guess I'd put it "to hang out... and to keep hanging out... and to keep hanging out in the patch of sunlight... or the Light of the Son."  And the more we abide, the more we will know the truth and the truth will set us free.  Thank You Lord!
     So once again, Moses is teaching me.  He's adorning the Gospel with his love and loyalty... well, and his laziness.  But God can use anything!  To God, who is our Light and our Haven for abiding, be all the glory.

Stooping Love

     Okay, here's what I should be doing--working on a lecture for Bible study.  But here's what I am doing--thinking about something I read early this morning that I cannot get out of my head.  Because it's all about grace and how Christ loves and how we should and can love.  Because let's just be honest here: we don't always feel like loving others.  We don't always feel like extending kindness to that person who zoomed up in the far lane in traffic and then wants to dart in front of us.  We don't always feel like holding our tongue when someone we love says something ridiculous or even a tiny bit hurtful.  We don't always feel like forgiving someone who has wronged us--or worse, wronged someone we love.  We don't always feel like being patient with someone who is slow... or forbearing with someone who is driving us slightly crazy... or understanding with someone who is making it mighty difficult.
     We don't always feel like loving the unlovely.
     But here's the thing: that's not the way Jesus loves us, is it?  Because He loved me at my most unlovely.  The Bible says, "but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom.5:8)  Not after we cleaned up a bit.  Not after we finally deserved it even just a little bit.  Not even after we starting reading our Bible or started obeying Him.
     Nope.  He just loved us even while we were covered with the muck and mire of selfishness, cluelessness, pridefulness, hatefulness.
     That is His love.  And that is His grace.
     And that is how He calls us to love.
     Here's what I read this morning: "Love that goes upward is worship.  Love that goes outward is affection.  Love that stoops is grace."  Donald Grey Barnhouse.
     "Love that stoops."  That is exactly what the Lord Jesus did at Christmas, isn't it?  Left the throne of the universe, left the infinite joys and wonders of heaven, and stooped down to a dirty manger.  Stooped down to a peasant teenaged girl.  Stooped down to the size of a helpless infant.  Stooped down to love and to save such as you and me.
     And I refuse to stoop because...?!  How on earth can I, upon whom God in Christ has showered such utterly undeserved love and grace, refuse to extend that love and grace to all those around me?!  Forgive me Father!  Help me to love as You love, to show grace as You show grace, and to stoop as You stoop.
     None of us can ever stoop a more infinite distance than our Savior.  We cannot even fathom such a distance.  But, by golly, let's start trying!  To whom can you demonstrate that "stooping love" today?  Literally stoop down to the level of a small child and really listen to and respond to them.  Or stoop down to an older person--with patience even in their infirmities--and really listen and love and encourage.  Or stoop down to allow that impatient driver--who totally doesn't deserve it--to go in front of you.  And then smile to yourself, since you just demonstrated a tiny bit of God's stooping love!
      Or stoop down to respond with an encouraging word and a smile to that teenager who at the moment might be excessively undeserving!  Or stoop down to show gratitude to someone who is not expecting it.  Even if you have to search really hard to find something for which to be grateful!
     I think of my dear friends who have to overlook so much in order to be friends with me--all my weaknesses and foibles.  Or my husband and my children--all my inconsistencies, all the times I failed to be the wife and mother I longed to be, but am not.  Yet, somehow, they manage to stoop and show love to one so undeserving.
     I think of my Savior who stoops so infinitely low to love and extend amazing grace to me, to you.  
    And all I can say is, thank you to those who inexplicably love me and thank You to my Lord who against all reason, loves and forgives and saves and sustains me.
      O Father, help us to truly see Your stooping love, and then, by the power of Your Holy Spirit, help us this day to demonstrate your stooping love.  Help us to be conduits of Your stooping grace wherever You place us--whether work or school or home or car or store.  Might we who have been given so much love and grace spill forth that same stooping love and grace.  To God be the glory.
   

A Prayer for a New Year

     From The Valley of Vision, a collection of old Puritan prayers, a New Year's prayer I'm praying:

O Lord,
Length of days does not profit me
   except the days are passed in Thy presence,
   in Thy service, to Thy glory.
Give me a grace that precedes, follows, guides,
   sustains, sanctifies, aids every hour,
 that I may not be one moment apart from Thee,
 but may rely on Thy Spirit
   to supply every thought,
   speak in every word,
   direct every step,
   prosper every work,
   build up every mote of faith,
   and give me a desire
     to show forth Thy praise;
     to testify Thy love,
     advance Thy kingdom.
I launch my bark on the unknown waters
    of this year,
   with Thee, O Father, as my harbor,
     Thee , O Son, at my helm,
     Thee, O Holy Spirit, filling my sails.
Guide me to heaven with my loins girt,
     my lamp burning,
     my ear open to Thy calls,
     my heart full of love,
     my soul free.
Give me Thy grace to sanctify me,
     Thy comforts to cheer,
     Thy wisdom to teach,
     Thy right hand to guide,
     Thy counsel to instruct,
     Thy law to judge,
     Thy presence to stabilize.
May Thy fear be my awe,
     Thy triumphs my joy.

     Amen, Lord,
     We have no idea what this new year holds--and I've learned that's a good thing.  Because if we were to know, we'd think, "That will destroy us.  We could never handle that."  But if and when that hard thing comes, trust me, God is able, and He can and will carry you through whatever challenges and difficulties this new year will bring.  And whatever triumphs and joys as well.
     So might this Puritan's prayer be our own.  As we stand at the dawn of this new year, might our eyes be on the far horizon... not just to start it well, but to finish it strong in faith.  In our ever-faithful Father.
     To God be the glory.



   

A fresh start... to finish strong!

     "But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." ((Phil.3:13-14)
     If you are reading this, then God has graciously given you another day, a fresh start, a brand new opportunity of a nascent 2013 to begin anew... to walk with the Lord of the universe, to listen to Him, to love Him, to worship Him.  And to reflect His Light to a dark world.  No matter how badly we may have failed in the past year, if we're still here, there's still time... and He's still able to do abundantly more than all you could ask or even imagine in this coming year.  (Eph.3:20)
     John Piper has just retired as senior minister of his church, and in his closing words last night, he urged us to covenant with him to "Finish in faith."  How I love that, because that is my heart's desire: to  someday cross that finish line with my head still looking up to Jesus and my gait strong, running faithfully with Him.  Not stumbling along, zig zagging from here to there... distracted, discouraged, defeated.  
    You know, there are so many folks who begin with such great promise.  It's not all that difficult to begin, is it?  Just go to a local gym today or for the next two weeks, and you'll see.  Suddenly multitudes of people appear, ready to finally start that habit of exercise and dieting every single day.  But by about mid to late January the crowds begin to thin--because it's hard!  It's not always fun to get up early and go sweat in a hot, crowded gym.  We don't always feel like exercising... or reading our Bibles.... or turning off the TV to spend time with loved ones.  We're tired.  We've got loads of laundry to do and errands to run and work to finish.  And all those New Year's resolutions lose their punch when confronted with the reality of a busy, hectic life, an exhausted body, and a discouraged heart.
     But it doesn't have to be that way!  God's given us a fresh new start to walk with Him in the coming year in this adventure of life.  And He never grows weary or discouraged or distracted.  He never runs low.  He's never out of ideas... or love... or power... or grace... or forgiveness.  When He is our Light, no matter what darkness we may face in this new year, He is brighter still, and He will enable us to finish in faith.
     I'm not making all those rash resolutions this year.  Nope, I'm only making this one: to walk with Him daily so that I might cross that finish line in faith.  'Cause I know if I'm with Him, He will get me all the way there.  You too.
     So forget about those times you've failed in the past.  Or your loved ones have failed.  God will never fail. Go to Him, repent for the past, seek His forgiveness and then by grace, start afresh.  He's waiting, and He is abundantly able.
     Might this be the year we all daily abide in Him, delve into His Word, and discover the joy of walking with the Lord of all glory and grace.  So that we might finish in faith.
     It's never too late.  Not with the God.  Not with the Savior who died so that we might live.  Begin today.  To the God of fresh beginnings and forever faithfulness to enable us to finish strong,  be all the glory.