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.