POD ... Thursday

What an INCREDIBLE day at California Adventures ... 

We celebrated Sophia's 12th birthday until the park closed ... then on to In & Out Burger for a late dinner.

POD ... Wednesday

We had a GREAT time at the beach in San Clemente!  Could hardly get the kids out of the water... including the big one!

Picture of the Day ... Tuesday

It took over 308,000 Legos to build the Capitol building!  We had a great time at LegoLand!  For more pics, my friends can go to my Facebook page. 

Picture of the Day ... Monday

Sam touches a stingray at Sea World ... the little hand next to him is, of course, Annabelle.  We drove to San Diego this morning and spent the entire day trying to get wet at Sea World!  We watched all sorts of cool shows ... whales and dolphins ... but the sea lions stole our hearts.  Tomorrow ... LegoLand!!!

Picture of the day... Sunday

Today we made it to San Clemente, CA, today!  Russ' friend, Chet, is letting us stay at their beautiful beach house ... only a short walk from the Pacific.  Tonight the kids swam in the pool while Russ & I relaxed after today's 500 mile journey.   Tomorrow it's Sea World!! 

Picture of the Day... Saturday

We were at the Grand Canyon today.  What a beautiful sight!  I've decided to try to post a picture of the day while we're on vacation.  Hopefully, I can keep up!

I'm outta here...

Hope you'll forgive me for not blogging this week ... had a wonderful visit from my parents, volunteered in the kitchen for the post-wide VBS that serves over 500 kids, went to Tuesday night Bible study, enjoyed a friend's birthday dinner,  did endless loads of laundry and packed myself and three kiddos for vacation.  We'll heading out tomorrow morning on what is slated to be the Best Family Vacation ever!!!!  Grand Canyon, California beach, Legoland, SeaWorld, Disneyland, celebrating Sophia's 12th birthday all along the way!  I'll get back to blogging after the 16th.  

Just in case you're wondering, Russ packs his own suitcase!

Let Freedom Ring...

Most United States citizens celebrate Independence Day on July 4^th, but three Americans celebrated it a couple of days early this year.  Marc Gonsalves, Thomas Howes and Keith Stansell, who had been held hostage by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) since February, 2003, were rescued on July 2, 2008. 

CNN aired the first interview with the former hostages, and I was quickly drawn in. As each man recounted specific details of his experience in captivity, I found myself relating more and more on a personal level. In some way they were not only telling their stories, but my own.  In fact, I dare say they were telling the story of all of us.  While we may not identify with being imprisoned in a literal sense, we can certainly recognize that we’ve been held hostage.  Some of us still are.  The captor is called sin, and Satan is in charge of security. 

At times there was no verbal communication to the point that the men actually lost their ability to speak in anything more than a whisper; at other times all visual contact was lost in this “black hole” of isolation. Isn’t this what sin does to us? We feel guilty, so we isolate ourselves in an attempt to hide the truth.  Soon the truth is silenced altogether.

They spoke of being tied to trees and of sleeping in boxes.  Immobility. We find ourselves so wrapped up in a certain sinful behavior or thought pattern that we cannot break free … emotionally … physically.  We need a rescuer!

Keith Stansell had this to say, “Imagine this… marching through the jungle - 15 feet of chain weighing 10 pounds wrapped around your neck and secured with a big heavy lock.  You’ve got a guy three feet behind you holding the chain using a dog leash and pointing a rifle at your back … and you’ve marched like that for years.”  What is that 10 pounds of chain for us … that sin that just gets heavier with each step?  How long will we allow it to weigh us down, as the Subjugator keeps us from moving forward in a relationship with Christ by controlling our every step. 

There was one other thing that intrigued me in particular about this story.  It was the way that Keith Stansell described his captors.  In veiled attempts to garner sympathy from their prisoners, they would state they were only “following orders”.  While they tried to present themselves as “good guys”, their cruel actions always betrayed them.  They simply were not to be trusted.  Because the captors knew they had no real (political) power, they chose to use any means available to wreak as much havoc as possible toward their hostages. If that doesn’t sound like Satan, I don’t know what does!  The one who disguises himself as an angel of light is anything but!  Although he has no lasting power … Christ has seen to that… he will use what he does have … lies, guilt, isolation, misrepresentation, fear, to do what he can.

Again and again I saw spiritual parallels. So many, in fact, that I’ve been sorting through them in my mind since the actual interview almost a month ago.  I hope you won’t lose heart … because there is a happy ending. The men in this story were rescued! And so was I!  Christ’s atoning work on the cross paved the way for victory over sin once and for all.

One final thought: according to Gonsalves, his rescue was bittersweet. As I listened, he certainly sounded joyful over his newfound freedom; however, his heart seemed to ache for other hostages to know the freedom he now enjoys. So, he has taken it upon himself to put out a message to the world: “others are still imprisoned in the jungles of Colombia”.  I know how he feels.  Any joy I experience because of my own relationship with Christ is tempered by the sobering fact that so many are still held captive. My message is to the church, but the sentiments are the same. If we truly understand what it means to have been rescued from the grip of sin and death … if we have been liberated from guilt, isolation, immobility … we must help someone else to experience that same freedom. 

To see the actual video, click on the link below.  (You can scroll half-way down the page to click on the portion of the interview I found most meaningful. The title is "Exclusive: Held Captive by the FARC".)

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/07/10/farc.americans/index.html#cnnSTCVideo

Learning to Feed Yourself ...

The Apostle Paul once said, "When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me."  1 Corinthians 13.11

Over the past couple of months, Russ & I have been watching the hummingbird in the video.  She first caught our attention as she built her nest ... atop one of the paper lanterns that are strung along our back patio.  The next thing we knew, two tiny eggs had hatched, and two tiny mouths anxiously waited to be fed. Daily. And Mama Hummingbird seemed to gladly oblige.  For a time.  Did you notice that Mama was feeding only one baby in the video?  That's because just this morning, the other baby decided the time was right ... to leave the nest ... and to feed himself. 

How about us?  Have we made a similar decision?  In a reality where the Scriptures are our daily bread, have we come to the point in our Christian lives where we are able and willing to feed ourselves?  Or do we just sit there ... in the pew or on the sofa ... waiting for someone else to fill us up with God's Word? Like Paul, we must also grow up ... emotionally, physically and spiritually.  I wonder if that little hummingbird somehow instinctively knew he was created to mature and one day leave behind the comfort of the nest for the life of adventure.  

Lessons from the Titanic...

“The Kingdom of God … is like yeast used by a woman making bread.  Even though she used a large amount of flour, the yeast permeated every part of the dough.”  Luke 13.20-21

The Titanic.  Stories have been told about this legendary seafaring vessel.  Books have been written to chronicle the events associated with her ill-fated maiden voyage. The 1997 blockbuster, “Titanic”, won 11 Oscars and went on to become the highest-grossing film of all time.  One film critic states, “You don’t just watch Titanic; you experience it.”  While some of us may relate to characters in the film, I tend to think we more closely identify with the ship itself.  Let me explain.

The Titanic was touted as “unsinkable”, primarily because of its unique design.  The hull was subdivided into sixteen watertight compartments, each of which could be isolated from the adjoining compartment to maintain the integrity of the ship in the case of an emergency. If one part of the ship started taking on water, special doors would be locked into place so that the leak would be contained.  In reality, the design was tragically flawed.  On April 14, 1912, with little warning, the Titanic hit an iceberg.  Within 10 minutes of the collision, five forward compartments were flooded to a depth of 14 feet.  The water knew no boundaries. Within 25 minutes after the collision, it became apparent that the “unsinkable” was, in fact, very sinkable.

How do we relate to this luxury ocean liner? Far too often, we attempt to compartmentalize our lives.  We segment our lives into categories:  work, family, personal, spiritual, in a vain attempt to isolate one part from another.  (i.e., "I don't have to act like Christ because I'm at work, not church!)  Like water spilling over and under and around the doors on the Titanic until the entire ship fills, like yeast spreading throughout the whole loaf of bread until every part of the dough rises, Christ should permeate our entire being … our work life, our family life, our personal life, our spiritual life ... until we are completely saturated with His Spirit. (He does this to make us "rise", not sink, by the way!) God desires to rule in every aspect of our being. We cannot afford to compartmentalize our lives, picking and choosing which facets we will avail to the Savior.  We are not meant to parcel out our lives.   God doesn’t want a “share”, even His “share” … He wants all of us! 

It's All Perspective...

Conversation around our dinner table is usually entertaining, and tonight is no exception.  

Sam felt the need to share with us that, according to the Guinness World Book of Records, the longest burp clocked in at 38 seconds.  Sophia followed up with the World Record for longest kiss ... 42 and a half hours ... to which Sam replied, "GROSS!!!"  It's all perspective. 

Requirements and Rewards...

“Much is required from those to whom much has been given; and much more is required from those to whom much more has been given.” (Luke 13.48b NLT)

When our children were very small, Russ & I didn’t expect them to do many household chores.  Sophia would bring her plate to the kitchen counter after lunch; Sam would pick up his matchbox cars from the living room floor.  On a good day, Annabelle would hand me the clean spoons from the dishwasher so that I could put them away.  Since they were just toddlers, they often received little more than a hug, a kiss or a ‘Nilla wafer for their trouble.

However, now that the kids are the ripe ol’ ages of 12, 9 and 6 ½ (Annabelle insists that I add the “half”!), the days of easy living are well behind them!  Their chore charts include folding and putting away their own laundry, taking out the trash, and cleaning their respective bathrooms.  But that isn’t all.  We also expect the children to speak kindly to each other, to work hard in school, to help each other, to watch over younger ones at the playground, to be responsible with library books and eye glasses.   The incrementally increasing requirements denote their incrementally increasing maturity.  (There is no end in sight for either.)  After all, we are training them not just to be good children but to be godly adults. And aaahhh… the rewards for their hard work have also increased!  A pat on the head or a cookie just doesn’t cut it anymore!  A trip to the movies or Chic-Fil-A, a new Barbie or Lego sets … these are the prizes of 2008!

As I reflect on this progression, I begin to see the same is true for me in a spiritual sense.  When I was a “baby” Christian, the Lord was very patient with me.  His “requirements” did not overwhelm me.  I knew He longed to speak to me through His Word, so I gladly spent time reading my Bible. From spending time in the Word, I learned all sorts of prerequisites for continued spiritual growth  … prayer, tithing, giving, sharing my story with others, and making disciples.  None of these disciplines brought about my salvation, mind you; rather, they resulted from it.  (Seems my Heavenly Father is no more satisfied with my remaining a spiritual toddler than I would be for my physical children to do the same!)  As you may imagine, the reward for such labors … ever-increasing maturity.

Now, some 17 years into my journey with Christ, I find that there are not fewer requirements … but more. Always more.  Jesus wants ALL of me. The more I give to Him by way of embracing those requirements, the more He gives to me in love, knowledge, and skill to do what He requires.  Consequently, as He gives more love, knowledge and skill, He requires more of me.  More of my obedience, more of my time, more of my thought and energy.  Like an outwardly spiraling circle slowly encompassing every aspect of my life, requirement brings reward, which brings more requirement, which brings more reward.  And sometimes, He throws in a chicken sandwich just for fun.

Understanding...

Russ & I attend a Bible study on Thursday nights.  Right now we’re working our way through the book of Ecclesiastes. Despite Solomon’s great wisdom and understanding, he often communicates tremendous frustration.  While no one would ever confuse me with Solomon when it comes to wisdom, understanding brings a certain amount of frustration to my life as well.

Someone in the group spoke of a man who said of his 50+ year walk with the Lord:  “The hardest thing is continuing to follow a God I don’t understand”.  I see his point.  Who can fully comprehend the Almighty … the Alpha & Omega … the Creator and Sustainer of all things seen and unseen?  Not me!  Job 36.26 says it best, “How great is God … beyond our understanding!” Even so, the brunt of my struggle is in obediently following the God I do understand.

I understand that I was spiritually dead until Christ brought me to life. (Rom. 8.10) I understand I must speak out of love … always. (Eph. 4.15) I understand that I must make disciples, teaching others to follow Him. (Matt 28.19-20) I understand that I am to spend time daily in His Word. (Matt. 4.4, Luke 11.3)   I understand that I am to pour out my heart in prayer to a listening God. (Phil. 4.6)  I understand that I am to trust God for every need in my life. (Matt 6.33)  I understand that I am to share Christ not keeping Him all to myself. (2 Corin. 5.20) I understand I am to train my children in the ways of the Lord. (Deut. 4.9)  I understand that I am to give money to support those who have pledged their lives to full-time ministry. (1 Corin. 9.13) I understand I am to know the Scriptures. (Ps. 119.11) I understand that I am to be holy because He is holy. (1 Peter 1.15) I understand Jesus is the only Way to be reconciled to this Holy God, and I am to put the word out! (2 Corin. 5.18-19) I understand being a good person does not get me to heaven, but that I was created to do good works. (Eph. 2.8-10) I understand I am to love God with my whole being.  I understand that I am to love people. (Mark 12.30-31) Thankfully, I also understand that Christ not only requires my obedience ... He also enables it. (Phil. 4.13)

Using the Skimmer

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1.9 (NIV)

This summer I’ve been having my daily quiet time (devotion) on the back patio.  When I’ve finished my coffee and Bible reading, I usually skim the pool as I pray.  Now, that may sound irreverent to some, but today the Lord used skimming to show me a profound truth.

Despite the heat, all the plants in our backyard are in full bloom this time of year.  Because of the strong West Texas winds, flowers and leaves from the beautiful flora make daily flights … straight into the pool.  Occasionally, the fauna make the trek as well!  As I skimmed the pool this morning, removing debris floating atop the water, a spiritual parallel came to mind. 

In a scenario in which the pool represents my spiritual life, perhaps the “debris” floating atop the water represents sin.  Sin that is easily identifiable.  Sin I need to confess daily.  Sin that was seemingly attractive at some point but has no more place in my life than flowers have in the swimming pool.  Just as the pool is defiled by flowers, leaves and bits of bark, my life is defiled by sin.  If left unaddressed, the unwanted items slowly make their way to the bottom of the pool.  This makes the task of removing them much more difficult.  Not impossible, but much harder.  And each time we jump into the water, this “trash” is stirred up again, making our swimming experience so much less enjoyable. Do you see the parallel?  Over time, my own unconfessed sin settles deep within my spirit.  It does not go away, nor is it hidden from God.  And Satan uses it to make the waters of my spiritual life murky. 

Application:  Confess sin at the moment it becomes apparent, visible, evident.   God has a big skimmer.

Choices...

“…My power is strongest when you are weak…” 1 Corinthians 12.9

A boy. A convict. A liar. A prostitute. A soldier. A king. A fisherman. A murderer. A loner. A widow. A farmer. A doctor. An accountant. A carpenter. A business woman. A taxman.  A young man.  An old man.  A tall man.  A short man.  The people God chooses to accomplish His purpose often surprise me.  After all, He is God.  Surely, He could do better than these.  Better than … me.

Our society chooses the strongest, the brightest, the wealthiest, the most beautiful, the best of the best. 

The same people are always selected, whether in the schoolyard or the workplace, the big screen or the battlefield. Interestingly, and thankfully, God doesn’t work that way. He chose someone who had never seen a drop of rain to prepare for a global flood.[1] He chose a 90 year-old woman to birth a nation.[2]  He chose a convict to feed a people.[3]  And when the time came to save all of mankind from eternal damnation, He chose a baby.[4]  There are many more examples, both in the Old and New Testaments. 

If you know and walk with the Living God, He has chosen you!  He has chosen you to participate in what He is doing!   What He can accomplish through us has much less to do with our abilities, position, talents or merit, but much more to do with His great power! 

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[1] Gen 2-7

[2] Gen 21

[3] Gen 41

[4] Luke 2