God Made It Grow

"I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow" (I Corinthians 3:6-7).

In this passage, Paul is trying to calm some disagreements and conflicts among the Christians in Corinth. They were bickering because some of them said they followed Paul, and others said they followed Apollos.

What struck me when I read this passage is how we sometimes look toward Christian leaders and ministers for spiritual strength and guidance, when we should be looking to God first. Don't get me wrong--God put those men and women in their positions to help us look to God. But we must be careful not to forget God Himself. These men and women are not the ones we should magnify. They are to be honored, certainly. But they are signposts, pointing us the way to God. They are not the destination. A relationship with God Himself is.

And of course, this is a good passage for Christians in leadership positions. You may do some awesome work, and you honor God when you do it. I know He looks down on you and thinks, "Man, he's doing a great job for Me, and that makes Me feel great!" But God is always the one that makes the seeds that you plant grow.

Another lesson we can all derive from this is that we need to be willing to grow. God wants us to grow; we just need to let Him do His work in us.

Quote of the Week

"Defining faith by the things you won't do does not create a compelling
style of life." ~Jim Wallis

The Secret Handshake

"[A]s it is written: 'No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him'--but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us" (I Cor. 2:9-12).

In this passage, Paul continues to talk about the differences between the wisdom of one who looks to Jesus for guidance and one who looks to what the world points out to follow. Sometimes it's hard to know where to go, even if you are trying to look to God and His Son for direction. We may read three chapters of the Bible.

Nothin'.

We put a Christian CD in the CD player and listen intently to the words.

Nothin'.

We've got to remember that as Christians, we have the Spirit of God available to us to help us out when we feel lost and wandering.

The Spirit is kinda like the secret handshake of Christianity. The Spirit gives you wisdom that you wouldn't have on your own. (After all, it's God's wisdom.) It's what gets you into the haven of safety during the rough spots of life. But it's also what brings you joy during the times when things aren't too bad.

Next time things just aren't right in your world, ask God to make you very aware of the promptings of His Spirit. And remember to abide in Him.

Why So Complicated?

“When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (I Corinthians 2:1-2).

Why do we try to make things so hard for ourselves? Some of us try too hard in our Christian lives. We think that others expect a lot from us, so we feel pressured to always have some magical comment about spiritual matters. Others of us feel inadequate and think that we cannot offer any kind of spiritual insight because we struggle too much or have not lived up to God’s standard in some other time that seems like a lifetime ago.

God never meant for us to make things so difficult.

We are to live as God’s redeemed children.

That’s it.

We don’t have to polish ourselves up for anyone. God is the only One you’ll ever really answer to anyway.

“Jesus Christ and him crucified.”

That’s it. Everything that God wants for you and of you will naturally flow out of you as you recognize that He’s your Father, that He takes you in His arms even when you’re filthy and have fallen on your face. Again.

So let’s stop making things so complicated and just find joy in our Father and His Son.

How Do We Define Strength?

"[T]he weakness of God is stronger than man's strength" (I Corinthians 1:25b).

"God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong" (I Corinthians 1:27b).

What images come to mind when you hear the word "strength"? Maybe a medieval king who conquered many lands. Maybe your father or grandfather who served his country by fighting in one of the wars during the last century. Maybe an oak tree that has been providing shelter to birds and squirrels (as well as humans from the heat) for decades. Maybe a lion, fierce in the wildness of an African plain.

What about a child with cerebral palsy whose body is so twisted he can't walk? What about a child whose hair has fallen out because of the chemotherapy? What about the families of these children who, despite the agony of watching their children suffer pain, still proclaim their faith in a loving God?

This week I have read two e-mails about two different children who do not enjoy the health that most children do. I don't know either of these children personally or their families, but I know people that do. It is apparent that these families love their God, and they have passed that faith on to their children.

Are these moms, dads, siblings, and children any more remarkable than you or I? Not really. We all have the capacity to be strong. These families just know to whom to look during the dark times, when it seems that things couldn't get any worse. Last night I read a passage from F. LaGard Smith's Meeting God in Quiet Places that, despite the topic, was encouraging to me:

As with Job, so with us all: Death happens--and disease, and alienation, and fear, and loneliness. At one time or another they all come screeching into our lives. Trouble never phones ahead for an appointment.

When you feel like you aren't strong, remember that you--you by yourself, in your power--were never meant to be strong by the usual human perception of it. God defines strength by your reliance on Him.

Lately my husband and I have been working out regularly. (Your body is a temple....) Sometimes those last few repetitions of shoulder presses seem impossible. My arms shake, sweat drips off my face, my cheeks puff out as I struggle to push those little (yeah, I'm out of shape) dumbbells up. Sometimes life seems like that, doesn't it? The great thing about life, though, is that we can let God finish up those last reps for us. And He's always there next to us, spotting us, in case we begin to slip.

God uses what the world considers weak to give Himself glory. And He empowers us in the process. If you're feeling weak, remember that God is with you to make you strong.

Strong to the End

Life is a continuous balancing act, isn't it? Several months ago I stopped posting on this blog regularly because I felt that I was spending too much time on it and not enough time on work and my personal responsibilities. But you know how it is--the busyness of life got the better of me, and I neglected the blog as well as, I hate to admit, reading Scripture. So my plan is to try to post every weekday again, even if the posts are brief. I've found that posting on the blog keeps me accountable. And perhaps my random thoughts and the verses I highlight will bring a little joy into your life.

This morning's passage: I Corinthians 1:1-9

Highlights:

"For in him you have been enriched in every way..." (v. 5a).

Why do we so easily forget that our relationship with God can meet our every need? The trick to it is abiding in Him, as Jesus discussed in John 15.

"He will keep you strong to the end....God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful" (v. 8a, 9).

Isn't that great? We don't have to keep ourselves strong in our own power; He empowers us. I love it.

Not Until Then

Here's an excerpt from an e-mail I sent to a couple of friends today. Thought it was worth recording. I think an essay by one of those friends helped influence these thoughts. Thank God for people who direct our eyes heavenward!

I've been so overwhelmed lately about what I should be doing--exercising, cleaning the house more consistently, watching what I eat, finding new, healthy recipes, sending the hubby e-cards and little notes more often, praying (especially for situations my friends are dealing with), reading the Bible (rarely do that anymore). And...I don't even have kids to deal with! I guess there's always going to be something that we know we ought to do more, or do less, or start doing, or stop doing. Ugh. Maybe that's the whole Philippians 1:6 thing about "he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." We can work at improving ourselves (along with God's grace, of course), but we'll never manage it all until we reach heaven. And then we'll be made perfect in His likeness. Guess I should quit stressing out, huh?

Anybody else feel like this?

Quote of the Week

I really hate that I haven't been posting on this blog. It makes me mad. Mad at myself. But it began with the best of intentions. I have a habit of turning good things into trivial things that are just items on my to-do list. I never want to feel that way about scripture and my spiritual life. So, I began to post only once a week. I also wanted to devote more time to my work (what I do to earn a living) and to my job as a wife. Then work just got really busy. And then life got really busy. So here I am, wondering where the time went.

I've been reading bits and pieces of scripture now and then, but I haven't been moved to write. I guess that's okay--sometimes you just need to listen and digest in silence.

But I do want to keep myself aware of the spiritual world and, of course, my God.

Here's a quotation from Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott. I don't agree with all of her views, but when was that ever expected of us Christians? Our goal is to have unity, despite our differences. Okay, here it is:

"My pastor, Veronica, says that peace is joy at rest, and joy is peace on its feet...."

I love that.

At Last

We've been doing some home improvement around our house lately. For those of you who have experienced this, you know how long it seems to take. Some verses in Isaiah 57 stuck out at me today that reminded me that God will take care of us while we're here on earth, and someday we'll live with Him. God had been angry with His people, the land of Israel, because they had sinned again and again, putting Him out of their minds. And yet He proclaims that He will heal them.

"And it will be said: 'Build up, build up, prepare the road! Remove the obstacles out of the way of my people.' For this is what the high and lofty One says--he who lives forever, whose name is holy: 'I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. I will not accuse forever, nor will I always be angry, for then the spirit of man would grow faint before me--the breath of man that I have created. I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him, creating praise on the lips of the mourners in Israel. Peace, peace, to those far and near,' says the LORD. 'And I will heal them'" (Isaiah 57:14-16, 18-19).

One of my favorite parts is that God doesn't want our spirits to grow faint because He created us. I guess that's the heart of a Father.

This Sunday, Father's Day, remember your heavenly Father, the One who gives us all the chance for an eternal life spent with Him.

Satan Doesn't Get It

If you haven't heard the story of Laura Van Ryn, it's the stuff of movies.

In an odd case of misidentification following a terrible car crash, the family of Laura Van Ryn was told that their daughter was in a coma. However, she had been killed. The girl in a coma was actually the daughter of another family. This family had been told that their child had been killed. The girls' true identities were not discovered until this week--about a month after the accident.

To read more about the story, click here.

However, the real story is the faith of these families. The Van Ryn family began a blog, informing family and friends of the progress of the young woman they believed was their daughter. To view the blog, click here.

I posted a comment. I had to. Here's my post:

Anonymous said...
"Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God" (Isaiah 50:10b).This scripture was in my daily Bible reading on the 1-year anniversary of my mother's very sudden death, which happened in March 2005. I pray that you will continue to hold on to your faith in God in these times when you feel as if you are walking in the dark.30-year-old daughter in Texas
4:20 PM

Satan just doesn't get it. God's people are at their best when faced with adversity, sorrow, and suffering. May we continue to rally around each other during the hard times and rejoice with each other during the good times. Powerful forces wish us to turn against each other. Let us never allow this to happen.

Unexpected Humility

In today's Fort Worth Star-Telegram, there is a story about a high school student who was told he was the salutatorian, only to be told just recently that he is actually ranked fifth in the class. Apparently, school officials made an error in calculations. That is pretty bad. According to the article, this is the second time that such an error has occurred at this district in the past 5 years.

The student's mother is pretty mad. The family had announced the salutatorian honor to friends and relatives. The family's church had thrown the senior a party. The mother said the school district gets an F and that if she had any more children in the district, that she'd move. She also wants a public apology, wants her son to be named co-salutatorian (even though he didn't actually achieve that honor), and said, "They (school officials) don't know how humiliating it is for us to tell people he is not salutatorian."

Hmmm. I have a problem with that.

Here's the best part of the article for me: the student's reaction. This graduating senior will be attending Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, and plans to become a minister. His reaction to this situation?

"Really, I don't want to make too much of a big deal out of it," he said. "It was disappointing, but I'm grateful that the one who deserves it was still able to get it."

Sounds to me as if this kid knows right from wrong. Sounds like he's a young man of justice and mercy. Sounds like he's learned a few things about integrity, despite his mother's behavior.

"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God" (Matthew 5: 5, 7-9).

For the complete story, click here.

She lives!

Yes, I'm still alive. ;)

The past few weeks have been ridiculously hectic. I began working on a project in mid-December, and it finally was completed (for the most part) this Tuesday night. Several people were involved, and the project had its ups and downs, but for now, it's done. Yesterday was a long day, too, because I had to attend a conference, which was kicked off with an announcement of the project and a sneak peek of what it looks like.

There were times when I thought it would never end. There seemed to be so much work to do, and difficult situations sometimes became more difficult, and sometimes I got so frustrated that I wanted to cry...and sometimes I did.

But hours, days, and weeks rolled by, and the deadline of the project did arrive. Those of us who were working on the last phases of the project worked hard that last day. And now it's over. Endings do come, even when it seems like they never will. Part of why I enjoyed being a teacher was that feeling I had every year that that particular school year would never end. But I knew that it would. It always did. Seasons come, and seasons go.

We encounter difficult seasons in our lives. I met a colleague face-to-face last night (we'd communicated only via e-mail before) who lost her father a year ago. He had been diagnosed with a brain tumor, and three months later, he was gone. She is around my age. Also, she injured her back around the time of her father's passing and had to have back surgery recently. She can't pick up her 2-year-old daughter. I shared that I had lost my mother a year ago and that my husband had had his hip replaced a month after her death. It was comforting to know that there are people who can relate to what I've experienced. And really, we all face suffering and pain in our lives.

Last night the attendees of the conference were taken on a bus tour of two blighted areas of South Dallas--Fair Park and the Frazier area. The organization I work for is involved in efforts to revitalize these areas. Our tour guides (a local Baptist preacher and a community development corporation director--both of whom live in these areas) showed us land that has been left vacant for years--land that had been the site of apartments. Now much of the land is contaminated. We saw car washes and convenience stores that are the sites of drug deals, and a motel that is the site of murders and other illegal activity. It was depressing. But we also saw the construction of new housing units that various organizations are working to create. We saw older, larger homes (just down the road from run-down homes) that are in the process of being gradually restored by people who care, who want to make this world something that everyone can enjoy and contribute to positively.

Sometimes, even as we are working so hard, it seems that it will never end. But it will. That's what I like about God. He is faithful. He has brought me the summer every year of my life. (It's my favorite season.) God controls time. Our job is to do something good with the time we have. And someday, it will all end. That's the promise of heaven. And homes won't fall apart. Mold and lead will not threaten our heavenly habitats. There won't be murders, addiction, greed, and corruption. Differences won't separate the children of God. It will end. And I think our job now is to try to make our world, as much as we can, a mini replica of what heaven will be like.

Do what you can in your part of the world to work toward that effort. If we don't show people a taste of what is in store, how will they know what they'll be missing?

Focus

Losing your focus is easy to do. All it takes is a rude comment by a coworker, a broken home appliance, a development of a bad habit, or the gradual loss of a good habit. The easy part is that it's gradual. It's imperceptible at first. Oh, it's just for today, you think to yourself. Or, for right now, while I'm dealing with this, it's okay. But then you find yourself weeks, months, or years later, and you wonder how you ended up where you are, especially considering where you started.

Sometimes you've just got to step back and and take a good look at your life and at yourself. Are you headed in a direction that you like? Is your heart developing in a way that is pleasing to your Maker and Savior?

The past month has been a difficult one for me. I've been so caught up in all the details that seem to pile up in daily life. It can be overwhelming. But I came to a point that I realized I need to take a step back, take a deep breath, and ask God for help. It's definitely been one of those "can't see the forest for the trees" kind of a month.

Maybe you need to do some soul-searching about what your purpose in life is. Maybe you need to get some wisdom from Scripture. Maybe you need to sit down with God and tell Him about your frustrations, fears, and hurts.

Here are some verses to encourage you:

"Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm" (Proverbs 4:25-26).

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" (2 Corinthians 4:18).

"...[F]ix your thoughts on Jesus" (Hebrews 3:1b).

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith..." (Hebrews 12:2a).

"And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8).

And isn't God the only one whose opinion of you truly matters? Live to please God, and everything else will fall into place.

The Gift of Music

Last night my husband and I went to the Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth to see Itzhak Perlman, the violinist, perform with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. Little did we know what the night would hold. That evening was a gala concert held in the honor of Van Cliburn, the pianist, who happens to be a long-time resident of "Cowtown." Cliburn was presented with a key to the city as well as a citation from the governor of Texas. April 4 was declared Van Cliburn Day. Mr. Cliburn struggled to speak, overcome with emotion. He thanked Almighty God for classical music, saying he could not live without it. He shared with the audience that when he hears a good piece of music, it is as if he were feeling the breath of God. He also explained that each of us is an instrument in "the great orchestra of life," bringing our unique talents to the world. He also talked about how music is invisible, but it is real. I couldn't help but think he may have been making a reference to God as well.

Videotaped presentations of well wishes were delivered by First Lady Laura Bush, one of the gala's honorary chairpersons, Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice, and Placido Domingo, one of the world's greatest tenors. When I was in college, Mr. Cliburn came into the bookstore at which I worked. He was very gracious as I asked for his autograph. He seems to be a very humble man, and the honor that was given him last night was certainly deserved.

After this portion of the evening, the music began. Of course, we sang the National Anthem first. I wish we did this more often as citizens. We should also say the Pledge of Allegiance. God has certainly blessed this country, as we forget that far too often.

Then, Itzhak Perlman entered, walking with the crutches that I remember him using when I watched him on Sesame Street as a little girl. I can't describe what it was like to watch Mr. Perlman play. He played the violion solo of Beethoven's Violin Concerto in D Major, Opus 61 from memory. The other orchestra members had music in front of them. Not Mr. Perlman. There were times when Mr. Perlman was not playing and the orchestra was that he slowly rocked side to side, a tender smile on his face. One could tell he must feel embraced by that piece of music. I wondered how many times he had played that piece in his life. It was an amazing experience.

For the last portion of the concert, the orchestra was accompanied by a chorus, a soprano, and a mezzo-soprano in performing selections by Verdi. Two of the four pieces had religious themes. I couldn't help but think of King David as the chorus, representing the Hebrew slaves of biblical times, sang about the River Jordan and Zion.

David must have thanked God for music. I think he also understood, as Mr. Cliburn does, that each one of us has been specially crafted by our Maker to provide the world with gifts that only we can give. Those gifts come from our core, our center, our spirit. And when that spirit is in tune with God and His desires, what music emits from us! What a beautiful world God has made. And are we not blessed to be instruments in making it even more beautiful?

Walking in the Dark

When I was a child, I would wake up in the middle of the night occasionally needing to use the bathroom. Sometimes I would keep my eyes closed, pretending I was blind, feeling my way to the bathroom. I had read about Helen Keller and wondered if I could handle being unable to see. I always made it just fine to the bathroom--no stubbed toes or bumped head. I felt so proud of myself. I could handle blindness. But the difference between me and Helen Keller was that I could see. I knew where the door handles were, how far down the hall the bathroom was from my bedroom. I saw these things every day. It's easy to get along when everything is in sight and in the light.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if our Christian walk were like that--that we could always see things and could control when we couldn't see? But it isn't. Sometimes we can't see a thing. So what do you do when you're trying to fend your way in the darkness?

"Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God" (Isaiah 50:10b).

Sometimes all we can do, when there is no light, is walk in the dark and trust that God will guide us through it. He'll guide us around the sharp corners and cushion the walls that we do run into.

When I was a child, trying to reach the bathroom with my eyes shut, I always had my hands outstretched, feeling for the walls and door handles to guide me. When you are walking in the dark with God, you don't have to rely on inanimate objects. Your outstretched hands will be grasped by your Father, and He will lead you along the way, no matter what surrounds you. Just reach out to Him. Don't waste your time feeling around for things that won't do you much good.

I hope this message ministers to someone today. Remember that when you're in the dark, it doesn't have to be a bad thing. God is right there in the dark with you.

A Franciscan Benediction

I found this prayer in a couple of places on the Internet the other day. Some of you may be familiar with it, but it was new to me. It reminds me of James 1:27, the verse that says that pure religion is taking care of orphans and widows and keeping oneself from being polluted by the world. I pray God continues to work on all our hearts to mold them into the shape of His.

A Franciscan Benediction

May God bless us with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships, so that we may live deep within our hearts.

May God bless us with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that we may work for justice, freedom, and peace.

May God bless us with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that we may reach out our hands to comfort them and turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless us with enough foolishness to believe that we can make a difference in this world, so that we can do what others claim cannot be done.

Amen.

Out of Control

This morning I began a study of the book of Esther, guided by a Women of Faith publication. The first section of the study guide focuses on the first chapter of Esther. I've known the story of Esther since I was a kid. But I love revisiting these Old Testament stories as an adult. It's like finding an old coin, and as you polish off tarnish with your thumb, you find a shiny nugget of value.

The author of the guide presents the issue of control, and I am struck by this issue this morning. We really struggle with control as human beings, don't we? I began to think about all the areas in my life that seem out of control (most of them). Guided by this little book, I began to ask God what He would have me do in order to get many of these matters back under control. As I scribbled along in my journal, it hit me.

Oh.

I'm supposed to trust God with all these issues in my life that seem to be out of control.

The fact of the matter is that God is ultimately in control of everything.

Oh, we take the reins away from Him and try to drive this thing called life on our own. But He's really in charge of it all. After all, He's God.

The author directs readers to Psalm 46. Here's a highlight:

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging....Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts. The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress" (Psalm 46:1-3, 6-7).

These days we live in reflect how little control we really have, don't they? We cannot control other nations. We cannot control Mother Nature. But it really doesn't matter if we have God on our side.

Now all this does not mean that you are off the hook in all areas of your life. You can't ask God to do your taxes for you or organize your hall closet for you. But you can ask Him to give you the strength, motivation, guidance, and wisdom to do what you need to do to get the controllable things in your life in line.

Now I've got the Twila Paris song "God Is in Control" stuck in my head. But that's a good ear worm to have. I pray the phrase "God is in control" becomes stuck in your head today, too.

THE Answer

God is doing something to me. I'm not sure that I like it. You see, God has been showing me increasingly more of the world outside of my little isolated existence. Broadening one's horizons sounds good, doesn't it? It is good. But with increased awareness comes responsibility. I used to keep two separate notebooks--one for jotting down ideas for pieces I'd like to write and one for writing down notes from sermons and Bible studies. I've thought about doing that again, but it seems the material that would go into the notebooks is overlapping. Jesus' words about poverty echo the sentiments I feel when I watch the news.

A friend of mine teaches fifth graders. She has told me about the home life issues that these children bring to school with them. When I was teaching, I got to know high schoolers whose parents bought marijuana for them and smoked it with them. Numerous students were their mothers' sole caretakers because these women were so lost, they could barely go through the motions of everyday life. One female student was filled with such rage and exhibited other destructive behaviors, that I wondered if she had been--or continued to be--sexually abused. Another student was pregnant for the second time while in my class. She lived with a foster mother and her own first child, who had Down Syndrome.

Recently my husband and I watched In My Country and The Constant Gardener. Both highlight issues in Africa. The issues in The Constant Gardener may not be accurate, but they could happen. Meanwhile, we Americans sit in our comfortable homes and shake our heads at the sadness.

But the sadness isn't only in Africa. The other night, the TV show Cops (we don't have cable, so our viewing choices are limited) highlighted cases with arresting prostitutes. One arrestee was an 18-year-old girl. She had a baby. I believe she had been arrested once before for prostitution. The officers warned her about the ramifications for continuing to earn money in such a way. She said she wasn't going to do it forever, that she'd stop after she hit $100,000. An officer again warned her that it is hard to get out of that business, but that she was young and could stop now. The expression on her face indicated to me that she probably wouldn't stop any time soon.

Last August I began working for a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help empower communities and other organizations in an effort to promote social justice. The term social justice used to be just a word in a history textbook to me. Now it's becoming real. When I read all the statistics on the disparities between portions of our society, I can't help but think of Jesus. Who did Jesus choose as His companions? Was it the rich guys? He did know some of them and cared about them, but His main companions were poor fishermen. They were uneducated. But Jesus chose them to carry His message.

Recently I've been reading Blue Like Jazz by Don Miller. It is changing the way I think about Christian beliefs. This book is definitely about letting God out of the box that we tend to put Him in. Miller talks a lot about how his Christianity affects his thinking about the world. His tone is conversational, not authoritative. It supports the idea that all humans are equal. We are all God's creations. We are all His children. Now imagine how sad God must feel to know a huge number of His children are hungry, dressed in tattered clothes, and have few opportunities to get out of their situation.

God has pricked my heart with the knowledge of these things. I haven't done anything different in my life yet, but I don't know how I can continue to be the same person I was. This post may seem very depressing. I don't mean it to be. I'm just conveying what I've been observing. So what is the answer to all these problems?

God.

Love.

Yesterday, in honor of Valentine's Day, I decided to read about love. Here are some highlights:

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing" (I Corinthians 13:1-3).

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth" (I John 3:16-18).

"We love because [God] first loved us. If anyone says, 'I love God,' yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he (God) has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother" (I John 4:19-21).

One final note: Everyone is our brother. Remember the story of the good Samaritan. Also, having pity on someone, according to the Bible's standards, is not about giving a homeless person five dollars out of the goodness of your heart. It is allowing your heart to see that man or woman as a fellow human being and allowing your heart to break as a result of your awareness. And that heartbreaking should lead to action....I'm working on that part.

It'll Happen

I'll just let God speak to you....

"'Listen to me...you whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you'" (Isaiah 46:3b-4).

"'I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand....What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do'" (Is. 46:9b-10a).

God has promised us so much as His children. These verses remind me that what He says will happen, even if it's not in the time or way that we expect it will.

Note: In an effort to spend more time on things that God has shown me are important, I will be posting less frequently on this blog. I encourage you all the more to read His Word daily. Remember it's your "sword of the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:17).

A Heart Massage

In Hebrews 3, Paul refers to the Israelites' time in the desert, citing Psalm 95:7,8.

"'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert, where your fathers tested and tried me and for forty years saw what I did" (Hebrews 3:7a-9).

Paul then makes a connection between encouraging each other and guarding our hearts.

"See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness" (Heb. 3:12-13).

Sin is deceitful. Slowly but surely, little acts of rebellion against God's ways can lead to a hard heart that does not care what God wants. But God knew that our human nature was this way. So, that is why the Bible urges Christians to encourage each other and be accountable to each other. God knew we couldn't do it alone. We need support. If you do not have a network of support comprised of at least some believers, do what you need to do to change that. We all must massage each other's hearts so that they remain soft and ready to accept God's will for our lives. Sometimes it hurts when someone is working to get those kinks and knots out of your heart. But those knots can lead to hardness that is dangerous. So, make sure you get regular heart massages. And giving soneone a physical shoulder rub now and then can be a good thing, too. ;)

Divinity and One of Us

In the last few days, I've been thinking a lot about Jesus, about how, since He is God and yet was also man, we need to model ourselves after Him. If we are looking to His life for guidance, there is very little need of looking for others to guide our lives. Has anyone heard of or read Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller? I bought it a while back but read only a little. I began reading it again and am loving it. I love books that take God and Christianity "out of the box."

Anyway, I read Hebrews 1-2 this morning. I recommend that you read them for yourselves because chapter 1 is comprised mostly of references to Christ in the Old Testament. Chapter 2 explains why Jesus became a man. It's more than just to become a sacrifice to atone for our sins. Below are some verses that reveal who Jesus is and why it should matter.

"The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word" (Hebrews 1:3).

"Since the children (that would be humanity) have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil--and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death...For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he night become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted" (Hebrews 2:14-15, 17).

Here's the cool part...my brain knows all of this. But my heart and spirit often forget. What verse that was already highlighted did I find across the page? Hebrews 4:12a: "For the word of God is living and active." Yes, it is. The Bible is always fresh. If your spiritual self seems stale, open The Book and see what God wants to repeat to you.

No Other Rock

"The wise man built his house upon the rock,
The wise man built his house upon the rock,
The wise man built his house upon the rock,
And the rains came tumbling down."

"He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock
That shadows a dry, thirsty land."

These song lyrics are going through my head this morning as I contemplate my chosen title for the verses I read from Isaiah44. In much of the chapter, Yahweh gives a sound argument of why worshiping idols is, well, just plain dumb. That section is verses 9 through 20, if you care to read it for yourself.

God also reminds His children that 1) they are His, 2) He will bless them, and 3) He alone is God.

Highlights:

"'This is what the LORD says--he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid, O Jacob, my servant, Jeshrun, whom I have chosen. For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants. They will spring up like grass in a meadow, like poplar trees by flowing streams. One will say, 'I belong to the LORD'; another will call himself by the name of Jacob; still another will write on his hand, 'The LORD's,' and will take the name Israel'" (Is. 44:2-5).

"'I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people, and what is yet to come--yes, let him foretell what will come. Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one'" (Is. 44:6b-8).

"'Remember these things, O Jacob, for you are my servant, O Israel. I have made you, you are my servant; O Israel, I will not forget you. I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you'" (Is. 44:21-22).

"Sing for joy, O heavens, for the LORD has done this; shout aloud, O earth beneath. Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees, for the LORD has redeemed Jacob, he displays his glory in Israel" (Is. 44:23).

It Doesn't Matter

A scene from The Lion King, according to www.lionking.org/scripts/Script.doc:

{Rafiki smacks Simba on the head with his staff.}

Simba: Oww! Jeez--what was that for?

Rafiki: It doesn't matter; it's in the past! {laughs}

Simba: {Rubbing head} Yeah, but it still hurts.

Rafiki: Oh yes, the past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it...or...learn from it.

This scene is what I thought of when I read Isaiah 43:18-28 this morning. The joy for Christians is that we are safe from the pain of the past in our next life, and we don't even have to let the past hurt us in this life.

Highlights from this morning's reading:

"'Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the desert and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise...I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more" (Isaiah 43:18-21, 25).

Take these words to heart and imprint them on your mind. For when God speaks, you can trust those words to be undeniably true.

The Only Savior

Isaiah 43 holds comfort for those who are called by God's name. He is our only Savior and the only God. He loves us, saves us, and involves us by making us His witnesses. Below are highlights from Isaiah 43:1-13.

"'Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior'" (Is. 43:1-3a).

"'Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west...Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth--everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made'" (Is. 43:5, 6b-7).

"'You are my witnesses,' declares the LORD, 'and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior'" (Is. 43:10-11).

"'You are my witnesses,' declares the LORD, 'that I am God. Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?'" (Is. 43:12b-13).

When we are in His hands, we are there to stay. Nothing can change that. That's a guarantee nothing in this life can compare to. Rest in His promise of His love for you.

Thanks

I've been a bit under the weather. That's an appropriate phrase because rain rolled in late Saturday night (thanks, God!), and I've been under its influence. I'm congested, sneezy, and just don't feel too great.

My husband is a wonderful nurturer, though, and has taken very good care of me. And my mother-in-law brought dinner to us last night. They've exemplified Proverbs 17:17a: "A friend loves at all times." And that includes when one is sick.

So, thanks to my hubby and mom-in-law. I appreciate you, and God is honored by your thoughtfulness.

Proclaim His Praise in the Islands

I wouldn't mind taking a little jaunt to Hawaii for a little praise and worship. ;)

I'll let Isaiah and God talk to you this morning. Enjoy....

"Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who live in them. Let the desert and its towns raise their voices; let the settlements where Kedar lives rejoice. Let the people of Sela sing for joy; let them shout from the mountaintops. Let them give glory to the LORD and proclaim his praise in the islands. The LORD will march out like a mighty man, like a warrior he will stir up his zeal; with a shout he will raise the battle cry and will triumph over his enemies" (Isaiah 42:10-13).

Now Yahweh speaks....

"'For a long time I have kept silent, I have been quiet and held myself back. But now, like a woman in childbirth, I cry out, I gasp and pant. I will lay waste the mountains and hills and dry up all their vegetation; I will turn rivers into islands and dry up the pools. I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them'" (Is. 42:14-16).

I like the last verse especially. God will do what He says He will do.

Is It Ever Enough?

In this world, do we ever make it through one day without wishing we had something that we don't? It's an understatement to say that it is difficult to live in our society without wanting more than what we have. It's always something, isn't it? A bigger house, a newer car, fewer hassles at work, more time for recreation, and even resolutions to problems that plague us. I'm laughing to myself because last night I placed an ad for a contest with a $25,000 grand prize for that I could enter online. It's not bad to want these things! God wishes to bless us. But I feel that when we constantly want more, when we are not content with our lives as they are, we are missing out on the truly abundant life God wants us to experience. Even in our struggles, God wants us to remember His goodness. Below are a few verses that came to my mind this morning.

"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters" (Psalm 23:1-2).

“[Y]et will I rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior” (Habakkuk 3:18).

"Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?...Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" (Matthew 6:25, 27).

"...I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances...I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Philippians 4:11b, 12b-13).

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

So, according to the Bible, what is included in God's will, in addition to the three items listed in the last verse? Off the top of my head, I remember that God does not want any of His children to perish, but wants all of us with Him in heaven. God never promised us a rose garden, at least not in this earth. And Jesus Himself told His followers that their lives would be difficult because of their devotion to Him. "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body" (Philippians 3:20-21). Remember that. Remember that we are here only a little while. Enjoy His good earth while you're here. And I’m still going to enter that sweepstakes. God may decide to bless me with some cash. ;)

Circle of Encouragement

"[E]ncourage each other daily, as long as it is called Today..." (Hebrews 3:13).

"Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing" (I Thessalonians 5:11).

One of the best things about being a Christian is the community of family that is available to you. We have a network of "blessing-givers" that Christ established for us. Yesterday I was blessed many times by my fellow Christ-followers. That is great in and of itself, but the joy that I find in such a structure is that fact that one believer's words or actions usually create a domino effect. Here's what happened yesterday....

• One friend replied to my Bible blog e-mail message and requested prayers for the staff and students at the school at which she teaches. I also asked for her prayers about a specific matter. My e-mail blessed her, she asked for my prayers for others, and then I asked for her prayers.

• A mutual friend of mine and of the woman mentioned above e-mailed me later and thanked me for these blogs. She also asked about our friend mentioned above. I passed along the prayer request of our mutual friend. So, you see, my writing blessed her, her words of encouragement blessed me, her inquiry of our friend allowed us to both bless our friend.

• Another friend of mine is going through some hard times. I told my husband about some things she mentioned in an e-mail yesterday. His response was that we need to pray for her and these issues, especially because she has been so faithful in praying for us. Our friend blesses us with her prayers, and now we bless her with ours. Also, in this situation, my husband blessed me with a reminder that prayer is a valuable and viable weapon against Satan.

• My cousin e-mailed me yesterday, telling me she was loving a book I'd recommended to her. She was feeling very strongly the need to simply worship God. No notebooks or journals or study guides at her side. Just worship God. Well, that inspired me to listen to a worship CD while I prepared dinner last night. The Eldredges are blessing people they will probably never meet in this life with their wisdom, I blessed my cousin with the book recommendation, and she blessed me with her sharing of how the book was impacting her. And I believe the music blessed my husband when he came home from work.

• My mother-in-law (we live down the street from my in-laws) often shares her cooking with us, which is nice after long work days. And she herself works hard at the office. Yesterday I offered to bring over some of our lasagna. She then offered to contribute garlic bread to the meal. She regularly blesses us with food, we blessed her with a meal, and she blessed us with the accompanying bread. (Remember Jesus called Himself the bread of life!)

And that is just one day in the life of a Christian experiencing this circle of encouragement that is at our disposal. When I was a teacher, I told my students that if they were feeling down, one of the best "cures" was to help someone else. Whether you're feeling sad or cheery, I encourage you to encourage someone else today. Do it because God has done the same for you many, many times and will many, many more times in the future.

(Note: The book I recommended is Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge. This is one of three books that I believe all couples should read. The other two are Wild at Heart by John Eldredge and The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman.)

Before They Spring into Being

In Christian circles, we hear all the time that God is faithful. That's a great thing to say, but when you're feeling low, does that really help? You need concrete examples. In the first third of Isaiah 42, God speaks about His "servant," His son. The last verse of this section is a reminder that yes, He is faithful.

"'Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope'" (Is. 42:1-4).

"'See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you'" (Is. 42:9).

In John 1:32-33, John the Baptist testifies that he saw the Spirit of God come down from heaven and remain on Jesus. Matthew 3:13-17 also records the Spirit of God descending upon Jesus. But God foretold this way back in Isaiah. This was around 800 or 700 B.C. In verse 9 of Isaiah 42, God reminds us of why we should trust in His word. Many of the things He has spoken have already come to pass. Therefore, we have the assurance that Jesus will bring justice. We don't know when, but we know He will do it.

Stronger and Wiser than the World

Often in this world, one can be made to feel stupid or weak in comparison to others. And often these people are not models of integrity. It can be infuriating. But as Christians, we have insider knowledge; we have the inside track. Below are some passages I read this morning that guarantee us that, with Yahweh as our Father and God, we're stronger and wiser than those others.

"Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong...Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun. Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret--it leads only to evil...[T]here is a future for a man of peace...The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble" (Psalm 37:1a, 3-8, 37b, 39).

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.' Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?...For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength" (1 Corinthians 1:18-20, 25; Quoted sentence is from Isaiah 29:14).

Heavenly-Reaching Love

God is good, isn't He? After I prayed this morning, asking for this, that, and the other, I read Psalm 36, focusing mostly on the second half of the chapter. Put the Third Day music on in your head for verses 5 and 6.

"Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep. O LORD, you preserve both man and beast. How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart" (Ps. 36:5-10).

We must monitor ourselves so that our prayers do not focus on ourselves. It is right for God's children to ask Him for protection, health, joy, and so on. But do not lose focus of God Himself. Praise Him daily for what He has done and for who He is.

He Will Keep You Strong to the End

Just wanted to share a passage from I Corinthians with you this morning.

"I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way--in all your speaking and in all your knowledge--because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful" (I Cor. 1:4-9).

If you have experienced a life change because of the love of God, then testimony about how God can save has been confirmed in you.
If you think you lack spiritual gifts, think again. You may not have developed some yet, but God is constantly at work in you if you are open to allowing His Spirit to work on your heart and mind.
If you think no one thinks about you, then remember that God always sees His children. And I am thinking of you and am thankful for you as well.

A Taste Test

"Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him" (Ps. 34:8).

Many people do not believe in God because they see all the evil in the world. My theory is that these people never really tried God out. They never really put their faith in Him. And that's pretty much how it works. God wants our unreserved trust, our unwavering belief that He will take care of us. And really, that's what faith is.

So, in order to take the "God taste test," one must often just ignore any doubts that one may have about God's faithfulness. Disbelief must be suspended for the sake of the "experiment."

David understood that God is to be praised always. "I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips" (Ps. 34:1). (Note: It's okay to have doubts even as a Christian. What I'm discussing mainly here is someone who has never believed or even a Christian who is going through an extremely difficult situation.)

God may come looking for you, but ultimately you have to look to Him. David said, "I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame" (Ps. 34:4-5).

When you do accept that God can help you, you will experience His comfort, grace, and protection. David said, "The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all" (Ps. 34:18-19).

Even in the dreariest of times, God is there to lift you up out of them. His love and wisdom can save. I pray that you experience this yourself or are guided by the Spirit to help someone else experience it.

The Eyes of the LORD

Perhaps this isn't the most appropriate place for this, but well, it's my blog, so I can do what I want....

HOOK 'EM HORNS!!! Winners of the Rose Bowl, the national champions. Aaahhh, God bless Texas.

Okay, I feel much better. Is it bad that when I read the phrase "the eyes of the LORD," I immediately thought of the phrase "the eyes of Texas"?

Soooo...anyway...I read Psalm 33 this morning. It's a nice peppy one--would fit right in at a pep rally for God. Here are a few verses I especially liked:

"Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him" (Ps. 33:1). Why is it that we forget to praise God? I've been annoyed with myself lately because I'm been slack in giving praise where praise is due. And it is certainly due to Yahweh.

"Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy" (Ps. 33:3). I like this verse because it reminds me that we need to keep our worship fresh. When we sing the same old songs, read the same passages, pray the same basic prayers, it tends to become stale. Is that really worship? I also appreciate the command to "play skillfully." God gave us talents and expects them to use them to the utmost of our ability in order to glorify Him. So don't give God halfhearted attempts. Give Him your best!

"The earth is full of his unfailing love" (Ps. 33:5b). When you feel like you have nothing, that your life is horrible, just look around you. God is faithful and good. Satan wants us to be distracted and disheartened by the pain and evil in this world. But don't get sucked into that. Discover the good, the result of God's love that surrounds us.

"But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love" (Ps. 33:18). When it seems like no one notices you, remind yourself that He does. Remember too that the biblical word "hope" is an assured knowledge that He will deliver us.

Keep your chins up, people. As our minister said recently about changing our hearts, stay in the game and dedicate your minds to a courageous refusal to quit.

Making All Things New

As special as Christmas can be--it is, after all, a celebration of Jesus' birth, another holiday has become more special to me in the past few years. New Year's Eve is my new favorite holiday. The relief of finally closing the door on the struggles of the past year, the anticipation of what blessings the new year may bring, the determination to do more and be more in the next twelve months--this is why I love New Year's. And isn't that the point of Christmas anyway? Jesus came to earth to give us another chance at life.

This morning I read Isaiah 41. The chapter tells of what God will do for us and through us. Above all, He will make things new. It reminds me of Revelation 21:5: "And He who sits on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new!" (New American Standard Version).

"I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, 'You are my servant'; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Is. 41:9-10).

This next passage reminds me of the severe drought North Texas is experiencing. It is good to remember that God always brings His people safe through difficult times.

"The poor and needy search for water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. But I the LORD will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs" (Is. 41:17-18).

Can you imagine the deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan becoming lush gardens with waterfalls and pools in them? God can do it, and perhaps one day--in another life--He will.

The next part of this passage is the most important part. He will make rivers run in the desert...
"...so that people may see and know, may consider and understand, that the hand of the LORD has done this, that the Holy One of Israel has created it" (Is. 41:20).

In 2006, I expect you to be more than you were in 2005. But don't make the mistake of thinking sheer willpower can do it. You will face tiring days and fearsome nights. Remember that it is God's power that makes all things new. Seek His guidance, protection, encouragement, and wisdom daily, and 2006 will be a year of renewal.

Comfort for God's People

Here are some passages from Isaiah 40 that I found encouraging.

"A voice of one calling: 'In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it'" (Isaiah 40:3-5).

This passage seems appropriate so close to Christmas because verse 3 is the verse John the Baptist quoted when people asked him who he was. They wondered if he was the Christ. And he seemed very glad to reply that he was not, but that he was the voice in the desert announcing the coming of the Messiah.

"'To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?' says the Holy One. Lift your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one, and calls them each by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing" (Isaiah 40:25-26)

"The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint" (Isaiah 40:28b-31).

May God bless your hearts this week, providing comfort and joy when you need it most.

"My Times Are in Your Hands"

Isn't that a great phrase? It's from Psalm 31.

"But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in your hands" (Ps. 31:14-15a).

Here are two more encouraging verses from this psalm. It is important to note that David, while writing this psalm, was experiencing a difficulty of some kind. Life was not a bed of roses. But he chose to praise God.

"I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul" (Ps. 31:7).

"Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD" (Ps. 31:24).

When You're Just Not Feelin' It

Satan's been at work. He's been trying to get at me all this week. I've had unpleasant dreams, I'm stressed about work, Christmas is right around the corner, and things just don't seem right. So what do you do when you feel like this? I prayed hard last night that God would protect me from Satan's attacks. This morning I e-mailed close friends to ask them to pray for me. And then I read Psalm 29 and 30.

David wrote these psalms after he had come through a difficult time. Sometimes it's hard to read scriptures like that when you haven't yet reached that point in a period of difficulty. But that is faith. Faith is believing that God will answer, that He will come through, no matter what suffering you have experienced.

Here are some verses I found encouraging:

"The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace" (Ps. 29:11).

"O LORD, you brought me up from the grave, you spared me from going down into the pit" (Ps. 30:3).

"[W]eeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning" (Ps. 30:5b).

I am reminded here of Dr. Green, a minister from the Oak Cliff area in Dallas, that has come to speak at our church twice. One of his sermon titles was "How Long the Night?" If you didn't hear that sermon, I recommend that you access the sermons on my church's website. Some "nights" are very, very long. As Christians, we do have the assurance that this long night on earth will end with rejoicing in our new home of heaven.

"You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever" (Ps. 30:11-12).

I'm not feeling that way today. But I have felt it before, particularly in the last few months. I know my God is good. And I know that He will bring me joy.

True Trust

Here's a passage from Psalm 28:

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one" (Ps. 28:7-8).

I also read Isaiah 37 this morning. The king of Assyria sent word to Hezekiah, the king of Judah, that he shouldn't trust God because Assyria had already conquered so many other lands. He told the people of Judah not to be deceived by Hezekiah's word that God would protect them. So Hezekiah talked to God. He said,

"O LORD Almighty, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth...It is true, O LORD, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste all these peoples and their lands. They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood and stone, fashioned by human hands. Now, O LORD our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all kingdoms on earth may know that you alone, O LORD, are God" (Isaiah 37:16, 18-20).

And God said that He would take care of King Sennacherib of Assyria...and He did.

Hezekiah, in this instance, was the most interested in God's reputation. Of course he wanted protection. But he was most certainly angry that this king belittled his God. Even when it seems that your situation is hopeless, trust in God.

Take Heart

Some encouragement from Psalm 27....

"The LORD is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid? Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident...For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock...[A]t his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD" (Ps. 27:1, 3, 5, 6b).

"Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD" (Ps. 27:14).

Everlasting Joy!

My mother loved a song by Maranatha that, I've just discovered, is based on Isaiah 35. I remember singing along and marching in place to the cassette tape. Even as a child, I felt such encouragement from the message in the song. The song is taken from the last verse in the chapter. I'd like to share other passages in the chapter first.

The title of this chapter in the New International Version is "Joy of the Redeemed." That sure caught my interest!

"The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy" (Isaiah 35:1-2a).

Crocuses, I believe, are one of the first flowers that push their heads out of the ground in the spring. I have seen many photos of crocus sprouting up from under layers of snow. This imagery makes me think of the neverending winter (with no Christmas!) in Narnia that did finally come to an end.

"Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, 'Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with a vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you'" (Isaiah 35:3-4).

I like that we are told first to be strong. Sometimes we have to be strong even as we are afraid. But we are able to be strong because we have access to God's power, and that gives us cause to be unafraid. I also like the fact that God will "come with a vengeance" to save us. The enemy better watch out; he's going to get it in the end.

"Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert" (Isaiah 35:6).

Several years ago a CD titled "Streams in the Desert" was produced with several different Christian artists contributing to it. It's a beautiful piece. Though I haven't listened to it in a while, I recommend it.

And here's the passage that inspired the Maranatha song:

"[T]he ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away" (Isaiah 35:9b-10).

I have a thing with crowns. When my mother and I saw the Crown Jewels during our trip to England in 1999, I went back to see them about five times. They are amazing. But a crown of everlasting joy? Aaaaahhhh. That is my kind of crown. And can you imagine--"gladness and joy will overtake them"? I can get pretty filled with the joy of my God. But when I get home, that will be some serious joy! Can't wait till we're all there together.

Hope Vs. Hope

"Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long" (Psalm 25:4-5).

Hey, isn't this--or a psalm like it--used in a Third Day song? I love Third Day--my favorite Christian band ever.

Recently my husband and I had a discussion about the use of the word "hope" in the Bible. We English speakers use the word "hope" in a cross-your-fingers-and-wish kind of way, such as "I hope it snows tomorrow." But the Bible's "hope" is different. It is an assurance, a solid belief that we will be protected, that God, goodness, and justice will ultimately prevail. In the above passage, David, I think, was reminding himself that no matter what situation arose that day, God had his back. He would be safe.

"The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them" (Psalm 25:14).

Whoa. God confides in His people. This thought reminds me of the passages that talk about responsibilities God gives us, such as "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked" (Luke 12:48b). But the idea that God confides in us baffles me. But really, when you think about it, it makes sense. God created us for Himself. He made us to have a relationship with Him.

"My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare" (Psalm 25:15).

David understood that he could not rescue himself. God alone has the power to save us. And more than that, thanks to God the Father and Jesus, we have access to the power that confronts and combats evil in our lives, as well as the Spirit to guide us. Never forget that you are a child of God and therefore are empowered to do battle with Satan. You are equipped to fight. God never sends His people into a war zone without weapons. You've got them. Use them.

The Sure Foundation for Our Times

Not much to say in comment to the following passages. I pray they encourage you as much as they did me this morning.

Grace and peace to all of you.

"O LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. At the thunder of your voice, the peoples flee; when you rise up, the nations scatter...The LORD is exalted, for he dwells on high; he will fill Zion with justice and righteousness. He will be a sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure" (Isaiah 33:2-3, 5-6).

A glimpse, perhaps, of what we long to experience "in that day":

"Your eyes will see the king in his beauty and view a land that stretches afar" (Isaiah 33:17).

Praise God. Knowing what is in store for us makes it easier to get through each day. But it'll be awesome to get home, won't it?

God's Other "Child"

"The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters" (Psalm 24:1-2).

As Christians, we find comfort in knowing that God loves us because He made us; we are His creation. We are not God's only creation, though. He also made the earth. In fact, He crafted the world before He made us.

As I read Psalm 24 this morning, it struck me how much God must love the earth. I've thought in the past that God created the earth and gave it to us to care for. But I never thought about God's love for His world. This realization could certainly alter one's perspective on environmental issues. Let's be mindful of how we can better care for this beautiful world over which God has appointed us stewards.

A Classic

Here's another great passage to read in the midst of the busyness of this season. It speaks for itself. Allow yourself to really consider each phrase as you read it; don't just skim over it, as it is commonly quoted.

"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." (Psalm 23, NIV)