It's hard to believe it's been almost a month since I posted, but then again, it's not hard to believe. I can tell some part of my spirit isn't quite what it usually is. So I'm glad to be back. :)
One of my New Year's resolutions is to read the entire Bible in 2011. So I've been making my way through Genesis, Matthew, Psalms, and Proverbs (see www.oneyearbibleonline.com for reading plans). And I've been seeing things I've never seen before. I grew up knowing the stories of the Old Testament, but it means so much more to read them now as an adult. I am mature and knowledgeable enough now to see the foreshadowing of the Son's and the Spirit's coming to earth as well as their work in the Old Testament.
For some years now, I have understood and felt strongly about the war that we are in---the war against the powers of darkness and evil. Our pastor has begun a series on spiritual warfare, and Satan has already tried to foul things up. So I feel it is all the more important that we immerse ourselves in God's Word as well as in prayer.
"Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints" (Ephesians 6:11-18).
I like that the Word of God is our weapon. I tend to look to God's Word for comfort. Yet it is not just for protecting us, but also for disabling our enemy.
So, friends, as I spend more time reading and studying God's Word, I may not be writing here as much or as often. Or maybe I'll write more; I just don't know. So please continue to pray for me, that I will have open lines of communication with our God. And I will do the same for you.
I'll end with a verse that stuck out to me this morning:
"Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you" (Psalm 9:10).
Forgive me, friends, but today’s post may be a bit of a rant. I’m sick and tired of a lot of things this morning. I guess you could call me a time hoarder—it’s one of my most treasured possessions. And we’re wasting it!
Christmas and some of our pastor’s thoughts about it are on my mind. What have we done to Christmas? I’m not talking about reindeer and Santa and the commercialization of the holiday. I’m talking about those of us who do remember that Christ is “the reason for the season.” If we get it, then what are we doing about it? I’ve done church for a long time, and here’s what I see. We look at the plastic or wooden baby Jesus set on the sofa table or piano, bow our heads, thank God that He sent His Son to save us from sin, smile serenely for the comfort that thought brings…and then get back to obsessing over baking, Christmas parties, shopping, and how on earth we’re going to survive yet another holiday with family members who drive us crazy! What?! Shouldn’t we be moved to do more than that? Oh, sure, there are a number of charity events we can get involved with during this time of year, and I think we should get involved with those events. But that’s the least we should do. There’s so much more we must do besides hand out donated toys once a year. And yes, I said it—we need to be doing and being a lot more and not just in the month of December. Christmas has become one of the most self-centered times of year. And I’m not talking about your kids and all the presents they want. No, I’m talking about you. I’m talking about how some Christmas tradition isn’t being followed the way your family did it in your childhood. How you’re just so stressed out and that lady had the audacity to cut you off in traffic. I don’t know your situation so just fill in the blank. And then…get over yourself. Don’t get me wrong—I care about you and your struggles. But you know what I’m sayin’.
Of all the names for Jesus (which, by the way, is the Greek form of Joshua, which means “the Lord saves”), my favorite is Emmanuel, “God with us.” The purest form of purity, the ultimate goodness of good left heaven and came down to this nasty place (that we screwed up!) to bring hope and salvation. Think about childbirth. It’s not a clean process. And Jesus was born in a cave filled with animal dung! And the world was as scary then as it is now. Evil lurked, prowled, and pounced (and still does!) everywhere. And yet He still came. Why?
First of all, because His Daddy told Him to. Yep, that’s right. Jesus came to earth because His Father told Him to. Perhaps we should follow suit. Why should you stop gossiping about your neighbors and coworkers? Because your Daddy told you to. Why should you honor your promises and keep your word? Because your Daddy told you to. Why should you create a home of peace and joy and every day show your spouse and children that you love them? Because your Daddy told you to. Why should you think outside your own little world? Because your Daddy told you to. Why should you do something in this world to stop the evil and nonsense that hurts, injures, and even kills people? Because your Daddy told you to. Even when you don’t want to, you’d best do what your Daddy told you to do. Because He made you and He knows what’s best for you…even when it seems that you know better what’s best for you.
And (this is the most important part, so pay attention) because your Daddy LOVES you. And once you understand that He loves you, He wants His love to work in you. He wants it to work in you so that what pains Him pains you. He wants you to have a heart like His so that you’ll show others in this world that He loves them. And I’m not talking only about the children in Ethiopia who face more pain every day than we can imagine. I’m not talking only about the nameless children in your community that you help give a Christmas gift to. There’s a saying that, silly as it may seem, we need to take to heart and put into practice every day: Bloom where you’re planted. Don’t wait till your life is a little less busy to share God’s love with others. Instead, send a grocery store gift card anonymously to a family you know needs it. Instead of complaining about your work load to your coworkers, encourage them in the midst of their workday by telling them you’re glad you all have jobs and are blessed to work together. And what about your family? What can you do to be a light in your family’s life every single day? Cherish your spouse and your children and make sure they know that you do. As G. B. Stern said, “Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone.” And don’t just tell them you love them; remember that actions speak more loudly than words.
But above all, remember, and remember always, that your Father loves you. And this is why we are who we are and we do what we do.
So let’s go, folks. Spread His love today, right where you are.
Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24).
My mind is very cluttered this morning. I'm not sure why. If I start analyzing, I can find some reasons, but the greatest reason is this: Satan doesn't want my mind to be clear. He delights in confusion and chaos. Why? Because if my mind, vision, and hearing aren't clear, I won't be able to think about, see, or hear my Father.
This week my earthly father reminded me of one of the many wonderful verses in Psalms:
"Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10a).
It is so very hard to just stop and be still, though, isn't it? There's always so much to do and process. But God commands us to stop. Our society needs to remember that God created a Sabbath for a reason. He knows we need rest, and He knows we need to find rest in Him. This past week I have thought much about the idea of capturing my thoughts and managing them, rather than their managing me. Paul said,
"[W]e take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5b).
How many times have you realized that you're obsessing over a situation that you hadn't thought of in hours, weeks, or even years? It happens to me. However, I have begun to learn that this is sin. Anything that keeps our focus away from God and pulls us away from Him and the abundant life He desires for us is sin. And since I have begun to understand this, I have begun to ask God to capture my thoughts before they run rampantly through my brain and banish them.
We are truly at war. Satan longs to ruin our lives.
"Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8b).
I am reminded of Ephesians 6. Paul clearly explains what we're up against and how to combat it:
"Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints" (Ephesians 6:12-18).
It is interesting to me that Paul ends this passage with a reminder for us to pray for each other. We need each other desperately. One of Satan's best tactics is isolation. When one is separated from the "flock," he or she is extremely vulnerable to attacks. So, friends, be deliberate this week about your thoughts. And stick together. We need each other's protection and love.
I have a problem.
I let the everyday details of life consume me. I guess I've always been this way, but I didn't see it as a problem until a few years ago. I hate it. This tendency has turned my living into a daily trudging through the obligations I am required to fulfill (or think I'm required to fulfill), which leaves little room for joy. I have had a wonderful Thanksgiving break, and one of the best things I've gotten out of it is that it has shown me how flawed I am in my way of life. Why feel peace, joy, and contentment only when I'm off work? I know God desires more for me.
"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10b).
So now what do I do? Sure, I'll start my morning tomorrow trying to be cheerful---I may even make it an hour---but then some work-related email will knock me off my emotional feet and my forehead will furrow, my shoulders will tense up, and my spirit will sag. The apostle Paul put it best:
"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate to do" (Romans 7:15).
One thing is to remind myself that God loves me and is patient with me. He wants me to enjoy the life He's given me.
"He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all---how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?" (Romans 8:32).
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39).
I also need to arm myself with Scriptures that are specific to my struggles.
"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7).
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matthew 6:34).
Lastly, I must remember that every moment is a clean slate.
"[His compassions] are new every morning; great is your faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:23).
"And the God of all grace...will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast" (1 Peter 5:10).
"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:12-14).
Stand firm, friends. And please pray for me. I'll be praying for you.
I don't know about you, but I don't rest very well. As a child of God, I'm really trying to learn how. Being anxious, in the end, is the equivalent of not trusting Him. And it's just ridiculously exhausting. And it steals the joy out of my life, which is the whole reason why I began this blog. So today I'm posting some verses that remind me to rest because God wants me to.
"By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work" (Genesis 2:2).
"The Lord replied, 'My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest'" (Exodus 33:14).
"'Six days you shall labor, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during the plowing season and harvest you must rest'" (Exodus 34:21).
"I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure..." (Psalm 16:7-9).
"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken" (Psalm 62:5-6)
"Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you" (Psalm 116:7).
"This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: 'In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it'" (Isaiah 30:15).
"'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light'" (Matthew 11:28-30).
"This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything" (1 John 3:19-20).
"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing" (Zephaniah 3:17).
Saying this past week was difficult would be a ridiculously huge understatement. From the discouragement of being a teacher to the challenges of being a wife and mother (not to mention the agony of an on-again-off-again sore throat), every facet of my life was painful, frustrating, and just plain hard.
As long as we live on this earth, this fallen world, it will be hard.
But God loves me. And He loves you. And He is good.
"My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life" (Psalm 119:50).
"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety" (Psalm 3:8).
"Then Job replied to the LORD: 'I know that You can do all things; no plan of Yours can be thwarted'" (Job 42:1-2).
"The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek You" (Psalm 9:9-10).
"For the heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands" (Psalm 19:1).
"He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters" (Psalm 18:16).
"...[M]y God turns my darkness into light. With Your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.... For who is God besides the LORD? And who is the Rock except our God?" (Psalm 18:28b-29, 31).
There are more and more passages to quote, but I must stop here. I pray these words have strengthened and comforted you.
In the past several years, God has orchestrated people and events in my life, which has made His desires impossible for me to ignore. Once you are aware of certain truths, you are responsible for doing something about it.
More than five years ago, after a very difficult year filled with personal tragedy and just plain hard times, I left teaching and ended up working for a nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower people in communities to better their own lives, the lives of others, and ultimately the lives of their communities. At the time, I felt God had blesesd me by providing me with a job, especially one that was such a good fit for me, particularly where I was at the time emotionally and mentally. Looking back on it, I can see that God was preparing my mind and my heart to do more for Him during my life. A lot more. I'm not one who knows many statistics off the top of my head, but one thing I learned during my two years of working for the nonprofit was how to find data.
"Water scarcity affects one in three people on every continent of the globe" (World Health Organization, Fact File, Fact 2, http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/water/water_facts/en/index1.html on October 31, 2010).
"Almost one fifth of the world's population (about 1.2 billion people) live[s] in areas where the water is physically scarce. One quarter of the global population also live in developing countries that face water shortages due to a lack of infrastructure to fetch water from rivers and aquifers" (World Health Organization, Fact File, Fact 3, http://www.who.int/features/factfiles/water/water_facts/en/index2.html on October 31, 2010).
"[In America,] approximately 3.5 million people, 1.35 million of them children, are likely to experience homelessness in a given year [National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, 2007]" (National Coalition for the Homeless, Fact Sheet "How Many People Experience Homelessness?", http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/How_Many.html on October 31, 2010).
Based on studies conducted, "approximately 1% of the U.S. population [experience] homelessness each year, 38...to 39%...of them being children [Urban Institute 2000]" (National Coalition for the Homeless, Fact Sheet "How Many People Experience Homelessness?", http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/How_Many.html on October 31, 2010).
In the Fort Worth region (Region 11, as established by the Texas Education Agency), 42.8% of enrolled students were economically disadvantaged during the 2008-09 school year. Additionally, 41.8% were considered to be at risk (Texas Education Agency, Academic Excellence Indicator System, 2008-09 Region Performance Report, Region 11: Fort Worth, http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/cgi/sas/broker on October 31, 2010).
In the San Antonio region (Region 20, as established by the Texas Education Agency), 62.2% of enrolled students were economically disadvantaged during the 2008-09 school year. Additionally, 50.6% were considered to be at risk (Texas Education Agency, Academic Excellence Indicator System, 2008-09 Region Performance Report, Region 20: San Antonio, http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/cgi/sas/broker on October 31, 2010).
So. Changes things a bit in your own perspective, doesn't it? Why am I complaining that my feet are cold? I don't even know the number of pairs of socks I have, but it's more than enough. The office coffee is too weak? At least it was brewed with water that won't make you sick. Given the tight economy, you weren't able to take a family vacation? At least you have a home to keep you safe and comfortable every day.
So. What does God have to say about such matters?
"He has showed you, O man, what is good. 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).
"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world" (James 1:27).
"'Love your neighbor as yourself'" (Mark 12:31b).
One of the reasons I love the ocean is that you cannot see where it ends. Its size overwhelms me. And it reminds me of how much larger God is than I, and how much more of His world there is than I. The more and longer I live, the more I learn that His plan for me is bigger than I am. And I am learning that He equips me every day to live out His plan for my life. I am nowhere close to following my understanding and beliefs as I feel I should. But I'm getting there.
Our Father, I ask that You would enlighten us to really see Your world and the people in it. Make it painfully clear, LORD, who our neighbors are and what their needs are. And I ask You to empower us with Your Spirit to do something about it.
Amen.
