When the Evidence Speaks for Itself

               The book of Romans begins with a nice description of the author, and is followed by a description of those to whom the author is writing. The first verse of the actual letter (verse  8) caught my attention. It reads, “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.” Wow, I can’t even imagine being so faithful that other people would talk about it, much less the entire world!!!!

                I know that it should not be my goal to be godly so that others will be impressed, but I can’t help but wonder what a wonderful testimony a person with that kind of faith must have. How many lives do they touch? How many people come to know Christ because of them? How many young Christians grow and mature because of them?  I imagine when they reach Heaven the Lord, with a smile, will be able to say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

                I am convicted that I do not share my faith in conversation more often and that my actions don’t always convey my love of Christ. I think I would be happy to have the whole family talk about my faith, or my friends, but when I think about just the people on my street knowing about my faith it scares me a little. That means that I have work to do. How can my neighbors speak of my faith if I don’t even know them, and sadly if I let them know will my actions speak well of my Christianity or scare them away?!?!?

 

Stinkin Thinking

             I had the awesome opportunity last night to perform in a series of skits at a Gems sleep over. Gems is the name of our girls club at church. The purpose of the skits was to encourage the girls to think, test, and trade in their thoughts....let me explain, it seems so simple, but boy did I get a lot of it. First the girls are encouraged to think about the words that come out of their mouths and the thoughts that pass through their minds. Second they are to test those words and thoughts against Phillipians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

If their words and thoughts pass the test then they are finished, but if they don't they need to trade in those words or thoughts for some that will pass the test. They are encouraged to pray continually for God to give them pleasing thoughts about themselves and others.

During one of the breakout sessions the girls were asked to think of someone who really bugged them, someone whose faults were very easy for them to identify. Then they were told to name a good quality that they saw in that person, write a simple prayer that they could say when that person was around, and to think of something nice that they could do for the person who really bugged them.

This is part that really got to me. I am blessed that I am surrounded mostly by people that are easy to love, but there is one person who really, really bugs me. I don't see this person very often, but when I do I find myself running the other way so that the nasty things that pop into my head don't have a chance to pop out of my mouth. I was really convicted as I listened to these young girls come up with some really nice things to say about some people who have been really nasty to them. So today, I have assigned myself the same task that the girls had to complete. Think of this nasty person, think of something that I like about this person, think of the prayer I can pray when I have to deal with this person, and (this is the hard part for me) think of something nice I can do for them.

Remember the three Ts today as you think about and speak to the people around you. Think, Test, and Trade In. Let’s make sure that our thoughts and words pass the P.4.8. test J

One Pot or Two?

It was crisp and cool, a perfect day to make a big pot of chili…..or perhaps two smaller pots of chili.

My friend came for a visit and smelling the aroma asked if I had a pot of chili on the stove. I told her that I had not one but two pots of chili and explained that my husband and I like it prepared one way and my kids prefer it another. I laughed and said that I am a pushover. She shook her head and proceeded to tell me about the four separate meals she had prepared for her family of six the evening before. I decided that in comparison I wasn’t such a push over after all.

Cooking separate meals on occasion to please our families is certainly no sin. I find myself wondering however,  how often I push dealing with my sin issues aside when in comparison to others’ they don’t seem so bad.

Galatians 6:3-4

³ For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. ⁴ But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. ⁵ For each one shall bear his own load.

My stomach growls. I have been good all day. I only ate things that are on my 'safe' food list, but now I wonder....is this all really worth it? ....is being thin over rated?.... I can be in good shape even if my shape is 'pear' right?...I'll feel so much better if I have those foods instead of the ones on my list....I'll be happier because I won't constantly be struggling with making good food choices.

Oh the lies, the lies that when I am feeling weak are so alluring. I was reading Romans 1 this morning and like always the Holy Spirit had a lot to say to me. I got to verse 8 and I stopped and quickly bowed my head and asked God for forgiveness. I found these words in the verse...exchanged the truth of God for the lie. Now the verse isn't talking about food, but the way it was stated made my sin so obvious to me. It didn't say they were confused and chose the lie, or that they were tricked and chose the lie. They exchanged it. It sounds to me like a decision that was made knowingly without coercion.

Oh my, oh my, how many times I knowingly choose the lie because I want instant happy. I know what my choice will ultimately reap, but I choose it anyway because of my selfishness. There are so many lies that I find myself choosing each and every day.

I think I need to make signs that say, “Make good choices” and hang them everywhere!

Praying that we will choose the truth of God today and not the lies.

 

Live Life to the Fullest

In June, I had the awesome opportunity to go Skydiving. A friend who had gone before told me that if I was going to have the video done to have a plan as to what I would say as it is so awesome and overwhelming that you tend to be speechless. I considered this and decided to write my life motto on my hand so that if speech did indeed elude me I could just wave at the camera. The phrase on my hand....Live life to the fullest. I suppose the phrase seems self-explanatory, but I don't think that I chose this for the typical reason.

 In school, I quickly learned the adage, “Better to keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt." Teachers often told me that I had a bad attitude because I wouldn't participate or that I was lazy. I was neither of the things. I was however sure that I was stupid and had no desire to prove this to anyone.

Growing up, there were a lot of experiences that I avoided because I didn’t want to look foolish. I really wanted to try out for various team sports, but was sure that I would not only be cut from the team, but that I would look ridiculous even trying. Whenever anything took any amount of effort and did not come easily to me, I quit. (I’m not athletic or smart so I pretty much quit everything) It really wasn’t the hard work that I was avoiding. I just always assumed that I wouldn’t be able to succeed.

It wasn’t until I was 27 when a series of events (and Nancy Dyson) pushed me into all kinds of uncomfortable situations. I suddenly found myself in situations where I couldn’t just quit to avoid looking foolish. I had to follow through or let a lot of people down. I’d like to say that I proved to myself that I was capable and competent, but that is only half true. Sometimes I succeeded, but yes indeed sometimes I looked foolish. What I did learn is that feeling foolish isn’t quite as horrific as I thought it would be and that most people, at least the people who matter didn’t seem to think any less of me when I did make a fool of myself. More importantly, I learned what success felt like. In my quest to avoid looking foolish I always managed to avoid success. I learned you can’t have one without the other.

When I was about 30 I decided that my life motto would be, “Live life to the fullest” I decided that I would no longer let my fear of looking foolish keep me from living life.

On Monday of this week, I read two verses that I need to memorize for a Bible study that I am doing on Sunday evenings at our church. 1 John 5:11-12 And this is the Testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; He who does not have the Son of God has not life. I’ve read this verse many times, but this week it hit me….Living life to the fullest by sky-diving, running marathons, and eating new foods is a lot of fun, but it is so futile. Skydiving was a huge rush, and I do have fun memories, but the rush is gone. In order for me to feel that rush again, I have to go skydiving again. All these exciting things that I am doing have no lasting effect. I realized that my adventures are not how I am living my life to the fullest it is in my prayer life; in my daily devotions, in being a good friend, a devoted wife and mother, it is in sharing with everyone I know what Jesus Christ has done for me.  

 

For a Christian Living life to the fullest is so much grander than for those who don’t know Christ. It makes me sad and pushes me to share ‘the testimony’ more often. As I think of all the people who skydive each year, it occurs to me that if their chutes don’t open, their adventure will be over right then and there. (Yes, I know it sounds twisted) but I know without a doubt that if I should die in some freak accident while living out one of my crazy adventures that for me the real adventure will have only just begun!

Where two or Three are Gathered

The Problem

For years I have struggled with Wednesday evening prayer meeting. All week I plan on going, but when Wednesday night arrives, I always find a reason not to go. I wanted to spend time in prayer with other believers but I just couldn’t drag myself out to do it.

To say I am not a night person is a bit of an understatement. I have trouble holding a coherent conversation after 7PM. If I go to an evening movie, I spend most of the movie trying to keep my eyes open, and I guarantee that a week later I won’t be able to tell you what the basic plot was. Another thing that has made getting out difficult is that I hate to drive at night. The headlights on the other cars give me a terrible headache and I have trouble staying awake after dark.

The Solution

One morning each a week 4 of my friends meet with me in my home for a time of prayer. We spend about an hour talking about what is going in with our families, the struggles that we face as wives and moms, and share our heartfelt desires for our husbands and children.  Then we go to the Lord in prayer, crying out to the almighty on behalf of our families. Through the week, we send updates and continue to pray for each other’s families.

This time means so much to me. The encouragement given and the friendships that have developed through this time are amazing. Seeing all of the answered prayers is even more amazing.  The time has also helped to keep me accountable in my Christian walk.  Most of all this time has taught me that God is really in control of everything and that he truly cares for my family and me. I have attended church all of my life I have gone to dozens of Bible studies, but this prayer time has done more for my spiritual walk than all of the other activities put together. I am so thankful for it.

I know that I’m babbling, but I want to encourage everyone to find a time and place to pray with friends. Perhaps Wednesday nights work for you, but if they don’t make time at some point in your week to pray with other believers. I guarantee you will be amazed at the work the Lord can and will do in your life!

 

Belittling the Sacrifice

Colossians 2: 11 – 15

In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins^[c] of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, ¹² buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. ¹³ And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, ¹⁴ having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. ¹⁵ Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.

 

Wow, verse 14 jumped out at me this morning.  “And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.”

Anyone who really knows me also knows that I like rules. I like knowing that if I follow the rules and something goes wrong that I can pass the blame along. If I follow a recipe and the food tastes bad, I don’t have to take responsibility because I followed the recipe.  Sometimes I may choose not to follow the rules, but I know when the consequences come that I got what I deserved because that is what the rules say

As I read Colossians this morning, I was very convicted.  I found myself wondering about those ‘handwritten requirements’ mentioned in verse 14.  It is one thing to hold myself  to a set of rules, but do I look to see if others are sticking to those requirements, and how do I respond when they are not. The answer I found was not pleasant. This is an area where my pride comes roaring to the surface.  I have friends and family who may struggle with some of those made up rules but have a relationship with Christ that can only pray to someday achieve.  Sadly, though I find it so easy to look down on the people I love for not sticking to the rules; rules that are nice, but certainly have nothing to do with my or their relationship with the Father.

                Jesus died for us making all the Old Testament rules about reaching Christ obsolete. The fact that I would still focus on those belittles Jesus’ sacrifice.

Rants about Lazy getting what Needy Deserve

20 years ago I spent a summer as a bank teller. I remember one lady who would come in every other Friday. With her she would bring her paycheck; it was very small. Her clothes were neat and clean, but obviously very old. She would deposit her check with a smile and then very bashfully in a very quiet voice she would ask for her food stamps (back them you picked them up at that bank). Each time she asked, the shame and embarrasment was evident on her face and in the slump of her shoulders. There were others that came in on Fridays. Men and women in expensive looking clothes and wearing brand name sneakers would pick up not only food stamps, but spending and rent money that had been given to them by the government. These well dressed, healthy, young men and women never seemed the slightest bit embarrased to get the food stamps and cash. Many of them complained that they deserved more....and few if ever brought a pay check that they had earned with them to be desposited.

http://revolutionarypolitics.tv/video/viewVideo.php?video_id=15915

I watched this video and felt so sad. There are so many people out there who are hard workers and go without rather than ask the government for a hand out while people like this man feel that they deserve all the help they can get.

In my starry eyed dreams I wish that there was a way to sort the needy from the lazy.

 

Chasing your kids with forks is a good thing...it is!

"Don't mock the mom", I cried all the while laughing and chasing my son around the kitchen with a fork. He is faster than I am so I know that I could never catch him, and I'm not sure what I would do if I did catch him. It was a crazy evening in the kitchen with Alyssa hogging her favorite chips and telling us about the crazy customers that graced her store that day, James hiding Alyssa's chips when she left the room to feed the dogs, me breaking yet another can opener while trying to cook dinner, and James laughing until his eyes watered at me and my can opener antics (Some how I missed out on the gene that allows one to use a can opener without breaking it...I am totally inept with hand held and electric can openers!)

I love these crazy evenings in the kitchen. When my kids were little I treasured my quiet time, now I revel in the noisy encounters that seem to be so rare in our very busy schedules.

At a Bible study I attended the other night my friend asked, "What do you want your legacy to be?" I pray that these silly times will be what fill my kid’s minds when they think of mom. I have made soooo many mistakes, but I love them so much. I strive hard not to dwell on regrets and 'I wish I would haves' I think that doing that is counterproductive. I look at my life, see where I am, and move on from there continually trying to please my Lord and Savior in all that I do. Some days I do way better than others, but what a blessing to know that my Savior will forgive me and give a fresh start whenever I ask!

I also feel pretty blessed that my kids still want to be around me. To have a 20-year-old daughter and a 16-year-old son that want to spend time with me is a huge blessing! I'm not cool and I'm kind of naggy, but boy do I love them! I thank God each and every day for my family.

Furniture Flipping

One day each month I pull all the furniture away from the walls, flip the couch and love seat over, and vacuum under and behind everything. This morning that was the first thing on my to-do list. As I was vacuuming, I was grumbling that I hated this job. I realized though that I really don't mind the actual physical labor; what I hate about this task is that it is a very time consuming task that doesn't really do anything to make the room look better. When I am done the room looks exactly the way it did before I started. I would much rather spend time on tasks that improve the way a room looks....as I was having these thoughts it occured to me that I tend to have the same thoughts about my spiritual life. I am always ready and willing to work on faults and sin issues that will affect the way people see me, but not so ready to work on those issues that are hidden to others. hmmmm, how sad is that?!?!? It makes me wonder than why I am working on those issues. Am I trying to impress others or my Lord? I've shared before that I am a people pleaser, but this is rediculous. I have a Savior who laid down his life for me and still I find myself more concerned with what a friend thinks of me than how I can better myself for Him! My new goal....well, I don't think I am going to share it. I have some heart issues that need to be dealt with. You may never see the results, but I know that God will and THAT is what matters most.. ....please pray that I remember that.