You are here...

Yesterday, Sophia and I went to a mall.  Being unfamiliar with the layout, I immediately went to the store directory with the color-coded mall map.  There I found three little words that would enable me to find my way to the nearest Libby Lu and accomplish my mission.  "You are here."

In the Bible the book of Genesis tells, among many others, the story of a man named Jacob.  By chapter 32,  Jacob had seized an opportune moment to manipulate his brother, had tricked his father, and had suffered more than a few run-ins with his father-in-law.  He had left home as a young man, fearing the wrath of an angry brother.  Many years passed.  Productive years, but years away from home.  Jacob longed to go back to his boyhood home and to be reconciled with his brother.  So, he gathered his considerable family and his considerable belongings and headed in that direction.  He had no idea that, like me, he would also need a “You are here” encounter along the way.

In order for me to reach my intended destination at the mall, I had to first discover where I was.  I stared intently at the mall map until I could determine where I was in relation to where I needed to be.  I see the same thing happen with Jacob.  His name meant “Deceiver”, and until he came to grips with who he was and where he was in life, he had no way of completing his journey. No way to truly be reconciled with the brother he had wronged all those years before.  As he literally wrestled with God, Jacob came clean about his name, owning up to the fact that it did indeed match his character… or lack of it.   This confession was the catalyst for a marvelous transformation.  God gave Jacob a new name, a new “You are here” star on the path of his dishonest life.  Israel then headed in the right direction, with reconciliation on the horizon.  

The Theology of Ironman...

Russ and I really enjoy watching a good movie together. Our favorite type of movie is of the rather fantastic, comic book super-hero action-adventure variety.  Almost always, we see spiritual parallels in these stories … and Ironman is no exception.

In the movie, weapons designer Tony Stark finds himself captured by enemy forces and near death.  (I’ve been there … spiritually speaking.)  Enter:  Dr. Yentsin.  He not only keeps Stark alive but also proves, in fact, to be instrumental in his becoming Ironman. As Dr. Yentsin pays the ultimate price for Stark’s freedom, he utters his last words … “don’t waste your life”.  Implications abound … for Stark and for us.

With my old, sinful heart, I was a lot like Stark.  Cavalier. Selfish. Clueless as to the real meaning of life.  Enter:  Jesus.  He gave His life to rescue me from The Enemy, gave me a new heart, and began building me into the woman I will one day become.  He’s still tweaking me, making adjustments, helping me to use the power He provides most effectively.  In Colossians 1.10, the Apostle Paul urges believers to “… live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God”.  This is a wonderful description of a life not wasted.   As you can see on the big screen, Stark didn’t waste his life, and I am not wasting mine.  Oh - just in case you're wondering - I'll fly one day, too!

Granny's Quilt ...

Not that there is a real need for it in West Texas, but we have a pretty patchwork quilt on our bed.  My granny actually made it, a handicraft you just don’t see much anymore.  As a small girl, I would watch Granny piece quilts on her back porch … painstakingly stitching each scrap of cloth to another then another until a beautiful multi-colored, multi-patterned design emerged.  Of course, she had planned the design long before she cut out the first piece of fabric.  Doesn’t God do the same with His people[1]?

As a shepherd and a warrior, David had a good understanding of who he was and who God is.  He fought numerous battles over the course of his life, at first defending sheep and later, Israel, against various enemies.  Perhaps one of the most interesting battles pits David as a boy shepherd against Goliath, a seasoned Philistine veteran[2].  Did I mention he was also a GIANT?  Defending his God was as much in keeping with David’s character as defending his father’s sheep, so David eagerly volunteered to slay Goliath.  King Saul assented but insisted that David fight in the traditional way, clad in royal armor.  David suited up, but it just didn’t fit.  It was too heavy, too burdensome, and would only impede him, so the boy fighter threw it off. David relied instead on armor befitting the young shepherd … a staff and a slingshot.  Not fancy but proven.  (With his own weapons he had already killed the lion and the bear that attacked his father’s sheep.)  You see, David was not only content but also effective being who God had created him to be.  He wasn’t interested in being someone else … or wearing someone else’s gear … or following established tradition for warfare.  David accomplished his mission.  He killed Goliath!  He glorified God not only by doing what he was created to do, but also by being who he was created to be!  It was all part of God’s design to reveal Himself … to David, Israel, and eventually, us.

As Christians, our mission does not necessitate lockstep uniformity any more than David’s battle required the use of customary weapons.  As you carry out your ministry, you may see that it looks different from someone else carrying out his. The church itself looks like a mosaic, a Divinely designed patchwork, like Granny’s quilt.  The pieces work in concert, not because they are the same but because they differ.  David fought differently from the soldiers of his day but the result speaks for itself! God creates uniquely gifted individuals to be on mission, not cookie-cutter clones. He calls His followers by name … without asking us to check our individuality at the door.  He calls us to engage in battle, equipping us one by one for kingdom work.  Most assuredly, He does not ask us to put on someone else’s armor or do our ministry someone else’s way so we can be poor imitators of each other.  We are called to imitate God[3], to love Him, to love others, to be and make disciples.  If we do these things by being the individuals He created us to be, then we will truly see who God is.

1. Ephesians 2.10 ...... 2. 1 Samuel 17......3. Ephesians 5.1-2 

Eye on the Prize...

1 Corinthians 9.24-25

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. ...They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

Tonight my favorite contestant … from the beginning… was crowned as the 2008 American Idol.  Congrats, David Cook!  The kids and I had so much fun watching the show each week as the contestants gave it their all.  (Yes, we even talked Russ into watching as the season progressed.)

Some competitors showcased more talent than others.  Some contestants put forth extra effort.  Some looked good but didn't have the vocal chops to make it very far.  Some persevered through sickness ... and disco.  Hard work, determination and good choices proved to be crucial.  In the end, however,  only one winner would be crowned.  One incredibly talented and determined young man won the prize that will catapult him to rock star fame.  His eye was on the prize the entire time.

The Apostle Paul, a man well acquainted with “idols”, encourages believers to keep our eye on the prize as well.    The difference between the prize that David Cook won and the one Paul refers to is this … one is temporary, and the other is eternal.  What is the eternal prize?  I believe it is knowing Christ … fully.  As we spend time in the Word of God, running our race, we get closer to that prize each day. (Thankfully, our prize is not dependent on talent, skill or looks!  Nor will we be voted off for bad performances. :D)

Rock on!

 

Joy...

Prov. 10.1  “A wise son brings joy to his father.”  

In this case, it was a daughter bringing joy to her mother. This morning Annabelle and I found ourselves hugging and just laughing out loud.  Something really great had happened. 

Every morning while she brushes her teeth, I pick out her clothes for school that day.  Often, this is where the battle begins.  I want her to wear one outfit, and she wants to wear another … which usually includes a pair of brown “cowgirl” boots given to her by a friend.  But today, we had a breakthrough!  As I was laying the outfit I’d chosen, she came into the room and exclaimed, “That was just what I was hoping to wear today!”  This event may not seem very amazing to you, but believe me, IT IS!!  In celebration, we hugged and laughed; she danced on her bed! 

I wonder how my Heavenly Father celebrates when I co-operate with Him.  Surely, He experiences great joy when what I want (and do) lines up with what He has in mind for me!  

Time in the Balcony...

In our Sunday School class yesterday we discussed refuge cities.  (We usually meet in the balcony of the chapel.)   Cities of refuge, sometimes called "Sanctuary Cities" (Josh. Ch. 20, Num. Ch. 35) were set up as safe havens for anyone who had killed someone unintentionally.  These cities, under the care of  the Levites (priests of Israel),  were open to both Israelite and foreigner alike.   There are so many parallels between this Old Testament institution and the salvation I  know through Christ, that I don't really know where to begin!  

Cities of Refuge were not an invention of man but were instituted by God Himself (Num. 35.9) ... God always takes the initiative and man responds!  1 Peter 1.20 God provides salvation before creation!

The cities were scattered all around Israel so that they were easily accessible ... Jesus says, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." (Matt. 4.17)  He is accessible!

There were well-maintained roads leading into each city so people could have a way in... Jesus said "I am the Way" (to salvation).

Bridges were built to overcome obstacles such as rivers that might have denied the people access to  the cities... Jesus is our bridge over the obstacle of sin that separates us from God.

The repentant person seeking refuge could not be turned away ... Jesus says, "...whoever comes to me, I will never drive away."  (John 6.37)

The cities of refuge provided protection for the offender until the serving High Priest died ... Jesus is our High Priest, and he will never die!  We are safe in Jesus forever! (Heb. 6.20)

Once again, I see that the Old Testament reveals the universal need of man for salvation and points him to Christ, all the while revealing God as Supreme Initiator of that salvation. 

Eat Up...

I spoke with a good friend of mine last night, and while I won’t give the details of our conversation, my ending comment was:  “Thank goodness we can feed ourselves!”

When our children were just babies, Russ and I taught them how to eat on their own.  It was a messy endeavor, to say the least. (The only food that would make it into their little mouths with absolute certainty was the Cheerio that had been hidden just under the edge of the fridge for two weeks.)  At times, food was everywhere – on the floor, on the high-chair, in their hair, on their clothes, on our clothes – and very little of it seemed to actually get into their little mouths.  Knowing the importance of this skill, we persevered in our teaching.  Working past their own frustrations, their aim improving, they eventually learned to feed themselves.  What joy and freedom! 

The spiritual parallel is so clear to me.  We have to learn to eat on our own!  Jesus said man cannot live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.  Just like my body needs physical food, my spirit needs spiritual food.  As Russ would say, we need to learn how to “eat the Book”.  He is referring to taking in God’s Word, of course, much like we take in food. Once my children learned how to feed themselves, they no longer depended on me to meet that particular need.   The same can be true for us, spiritually.  When we learn how to read, study, and apply God’s Word for ourselves, we no longer have to depend on others to do it for us.  We don’t depend on pastors, teachers, friends, or mentors to spoon-feed us spiritually.  This is not to say that God doesn’t use others to help us grow; He does.  But the primary way we will grow spiritually is to feed ourselves straight from the Word!   Our children continue to grow physically because, when they are hungry, they have the skill to satisfy that hunger.  (The little girl in the picture can now make a PB&J all by herself.)  How embarrassing, not to mention counter-productive, it would be for all of us if Mom or Dad were still spoon-feeding them at ages 12, 9, and 6! 

One final thought:  What gave me the ability to teach my children how to feed themselves?  Simple – my parents taught me.  I continued to hone those skills so that, when the time came, I could teach my own children.

A Fork in the Road...

A fork in the road.  A decision to be made.  We’ve all been there … or are there.  There comes a point when we have to decide … for ourselves … who we will be … how we will live. 

As a child, I simply followed my parents’ good example.  They went to church, so I went to church.  Wherever they lived, I lived.  What they thought, I thought.  While I remain grateful for their guidance, there came a time when I had to choose for myself the life I would live. This has meant difficult decisions along the way.  At one point, this meant leaving my parents’ church in search of a place where I could grow spiritually.   At another time, it meant marrying Russ and leaving my hometown and the job I’d had for a decade.  Today, it means choosing contentment with my life, even if it doesn’t meet the expectations of others. Despite the difficulties, they are decisions I would make again.

Jesus made similar decisions.  As a boy, he submitted himself to his parents when they told him it was time to leave his discussions at the Temple* and head back home. However, when his mother and brothers tried to persuade him to come home as a young man who had just started his public ministry, he answered differently**.   He had come to the fork in the road and made the choice. He chose to live the life to which God had called him, rather than trying to meet the expectations of others.   He chose ministry over money.  He chose people over position.  He chose sacrifice over earthly success.

At this moment in our married life, the fork represents a choice between a continued career in the Army ... promotions ... pensions or the uncertainty of a potential new career in ministry.  

*Luke 2.41-51; **Mark 3

God's Plan Blesses Us...

I am reading through the gospel of Luke in my quiet time/devotion.  Since I've read this book many times previously, I asked God to show me something new.  This is what He showed me:

Chapter 1.  The angel Gabriel tells Zechariah God will bless him and his barren wife, Elizabeth, with a son.  (His name would be John.)  In vs. 17, Gabriel describes the son as one who "will precede the coming of the Messiah, preparing the people for his arrival."   Zechariah has trouble believing the news, but Elizabeth exclaims in vs. 25, "How kind the Lord is! He has taken away my disgrace of having no children!"   

What I saw, perhaps more clearly than ever, is that God's plan not only reveals who He is but also blesses those who participate in it!   God was revealed through John, whose early ministry pointed the way came to Jesus.  Elizabeth's participation in His plan to make Himself known allowed HER to  be personally blessed!  Is it any different today?  Won't God also  bless us by allowing us to join Him in revealing Himself to the nations in the 21st century?   Furthermore, I believe Scripture teaches this blessing will take away our disgrace by giving us spiritual children!  The Apostle Paul often referred to those he helped to grow in the faith as his sons.  The same concept is true for us; those we help to grow in the faith become like "spiritual" children to us.  I don't know about you, but I want this blessing!!  

Helping Others...

Almost every morning as the kids are eating breakfast, I read a Bible* story to them.  Although it is primarily for their benefit, I often sense God speaking to me as well.  Like today.  The title was “Helping Others”.  The Scripture referenced Hebrews 13 & 14, speaking of welcoming strangers, remembering those in prison, empathizing with those who are suffering.  Since one of our goals is to apply whatever Scripture we read to our lives, we discussed the earthquake in China and how we might help those suffering there.   (We’re praying for the families who are suffering unbelievable losses.) 

 As I continue to meditate on these verses, Truth continues to come to light.  I am happy to report that we can fulfill all these requirements!  And we can do it today!  In the comfort of our own country!  We can welcome the lost into our lives … they are strangers to the gospel.  We can remember those in prison … by sharing with those imprisoned by sin the Truth that will set them free.  We can suffer with those who are suffering … by listening the broken-hearted stories of our neighbors and co-workers only a door or a cubicle away. 

*Every Day with God … a Child’s Daily Bible.  Tommy Nelson Publisher

Learning by DOING...

James 1.22  "Don't merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says!

My little boy, Sam, loves Lego.  Now, these are not the Legos I grew up with … not just little squares and rectangles in primary colors.  The Legos of the new millennium are more like tiny pieces of ultra modern technology posting the warning: engineering degree required. 

For his eighth birthday, Sam received a particularly challenging Lego set.   He pulled out the instruction sheet and unfolded it on the kitchen table.   I doubt the plans for the Space Shuttle could have been much more complicated.  He read the instructions.  I read the instructions.  Then he read the instructions again.  They just didn’t make sense.  There was no way the pieces piled on the table were going to make a spaceship!  Out of sheer determination, he just started putting pieces together.  If one piece didn’t seem to work, he tried another.  And wouldn’t you know, before long, a form resembling a spaceship began to emerge from the pile of obscure pieces on the kitchen table.  It was in actually putting the pieces together that he began to understand the instructions, and the object became a reality.  And in the end, it was quite a work of art!

So it is with this journey we call the Christian life.  We learn by doing!  We learn what works, what fits … and what doesn’t.   Having a Bible on a shelf does no more good than the unopened box of Legos on our kitchen table.   We have to rip open that box and go to work! (Even if we don't fully understand the instructions; even if we can't see the end-result.) As we spend time reading the Word and doing what it says, the pieces of our lives will be formed into the image of Christ.   Whether we’re talking about our character, spiritual growth, discipleship or ministry, each becomes a reality by doing it!

 

More Lessons from the Pool ...

1 Corinthians 13.11 "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. But when I became mature, I put childish ways behind me.”

I have always loved the water. As a toddler, I would splash around in knee-deep water until my mom gave me her "final" warning to get out, often accompanied by my being physically removed from the pool! As a special treat we'd sometimes go to to the beach, where I'd pause only long enough for Dad to get a quick shot with the Polaroid before hitting the waves. When I was five I learned how to swim ... and even won a ribbon at swimming lessons. (Along with everyone else in the class, but hey, a ribbon is a ribbon!) As I grew older and more skilled, I would dive into the deep end of the pool with no fear at all. It was so much fun! The crowning aquatic achievement of my life was passing the Red Cross lifeguard class taught at the local college, in which I saved numerous, albeit pretend, victims from watery graves. I would come home from those three-hour classes completely exhausted and totally amazed at the strength and endurance of a 98-lb. high school student! Upon further reflection, I see a progression that translates well to my spiritual life.

As a new believer, I would splash around in the Scriptures. I’d jump in and out of them sporadically, hardly getting wet at all. It was fun but not very satisfying. With the help and encouragement of others, I began to immerse myself in the Word. Not only reading but actually obeying the Scriptures led to much progress in my Christian life. I found that the more Jesus revealed to me … about who He is and who I am … the greater desire I had to follow Him. Even into Water that was over my head! I began studying the Word … and applying it to my life. Throughout our time together, the Lord has equipped me with truth and skills that can be used to really save lives. And I often come home … exhausted and amazed … not at myself but at Him whose blood stained the definitive red cross.

Share the Joy!

Luke 1.58  "Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy."

I had coffee with a good friend this morning who is such an encouragement to me.  She is a godly woman who follows the Lord, loves her husband, trains her children, and ministers to those around her.  All these traits serve to inspire and encourage me in my relationship with Christ.  However, the main way she encouraged me today was by sharing my joy. Something really wonderful had happened to me, but judging by her enthusiastic response, you might have thought it happened to her!  She made me feel like a million dollars by simply being excited for me, and my joy was multiplied! So, the next time a friend has good news, double their joy by sharing in it. 

Thanks, CaroleAnne!

Lessons from the Pool ...

John 4.14b  "... Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

Having a pool in our West Texas backyard is such a blessing!   We enjoyed it so much last summer, especially on days where the temperature had blasted past 100 by lunchtime.  Yesterday, I noticed that the water level was a little low.   Easy to fix ... just turn on the faucet that feeds directly into the pool and let it run for a while.  Hmmm....  

I sometimes find myself running a "little low" ... a little low on patience, energy, motivation, love.  There's an easy fix for me as well.   His name is Jesus.  Like a pool that needs to be refilled, I often need some fresh water.  Not literal water, but living water.  For that, I go to Jesus.  (You can find Him in the Bible ... try Matthew, Mark, Luke or John for starters!)   Reading His Word brings refreshment to my otherwise harried life.  Talking with and listening to Him fills my mind and heart with renewed clarity.   The Water is available ... all you have to do is turn the knob. 

Go Ahead, Follow Jesus...

I spoke to a really good friend of mine yesterday who encourages me to keep blogging, so here I am again ...

I've been reading through the gospel of Mark in my devotions and came to a familiar passage a couple of days ago. In Mark 14.12-16, Jesus tells his disciples to "go ahead" of him to Jerusalem to make arrangements for the upcoming Passover supper. (The Passover was sacred to Jews, reminding them of how God had saved the Israelites from death in Egypt.)  Jesus sent his disciples into the city to make the preparations, but the truth is ... He had already "gone ahead" of them! Let me explain.

Jesus said, "As you go into the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you.  Follow him.  At the house he enters, say to the owner, 'The Teacher asks, Where is the guest room where I can eat the passover meal with my disciples?'  He will take you upstairs to a large room that is already set up.  That is the place; go ahead and prepare our supper there."   So the two disciples went on ahead into the city and found everything just as Jesus had said, and they prepared the Passover supper there. (NLT)

What caught my eye?  Jesus told his disciples to "go and do", but He had already "gone and done"  ahead of them!  Unbeknownst to them, Jesus had made sure everything was ready by the time they got to the city.  He made sure they could accomplish their mission; all they had to do was "go".  Scripture doesn't give details ... but surely the Spirit of God had moved in the heart of the owner of the house to get the room ready long before the disciples showed up.  (That same Spirit has moved in my own heart ... sometimes at the commissary as I'm grocery shopping!  I sense I need to pick up a frozen lasagna, only to have unexpected dinner guests a couple of days later.)  The point is that Jesus told them to go, and He made sure they were successful by going before them.  This is what it means to follow Christ ... going where He calls us to go, trusting that He is going ahead of us!

So, go ahead ... follow Jesus!

Treasures...

Matthew 6.19-21 "Don't store up treasures for yourself on earth, where moth and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal... but store up treasures in heaven."

When Russ proposed to me sixteen years ago, he quoted two Bible verses and gave me a beautiful diamond ring.  Sadly, before our tenth anniversary the ring was history ... but the longevity of the Scriptures continues.

Today we had a family devotion that focused on the eternal as opposed to the temporary. That lovely ring Russ gave me was regrettably temporary, but the verses he used to invite me on this journey we call marriage are eternal.   "Come glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt His name together", he said.  I agreed to this proposal, and what a ride it has been so far!  While we certainly haven't reached perfection in honoring God, that goal has remained the primary objective of our marriage.  We started out focusing on the eternal things (God's Word and the souls of men) rather than the temporal. We decided to expend much time and effort helping others to walk closer to Christ rather than chasing "stuff". We live below our means so we can give more to the church and those who work as full-time ministers.  We have chosen people over possessions, knowing the carpet is so much less valuable than the relationships made over spilled coffee.  I've given up a career in order to be available for our children, physical and spiritual.  And now, Russ is taking steps to do the same.  

Now, just so you know, we are blessed!!!  The Lord has given us everything we could need and then some!  And we've been able to bless others because of His generosity.  

For our fifteenth anniversary Russ gave me the gorgeous ring you see in the picture to replace the one I lost.  It is a beautiful reminder to focus on what really matters ... the eternal.