Smooth Sailing

At one of our family dinners we had an interesting question come from our dear sister-in-law. It was, "Why do bad things happen to good people?"

My instinctive reply was to say, "Why not?" but I held my tongue. We had a good discussion, but in the back of my mind I could hear a tune starting to build...

"Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful trip,"

Now for some of you those few words have started an ear worm or endless tune for the day and you're cursing me. Some might not recognize it. Can you take a little blog trip with me? I promise it won't be a three hour tour...

I grew up watching Gilligan's Island in the afternoons. (After homework of course Dad!) I was happy to take a journey from reality on a tropical island with the antics of Gilligan and his friends.

There were some who made the best of it like Maryann, she made coconut cream pies and smiled...a lot. And then there were Mr. and Mrs. Howell, who just didn't want to accept reality and wanted everything to be like back home. The rest of them (except Ginger, another queen of denial) would try and help make it as close to luxury as possible for them. The Professor looked at the situation as one big experiment, he was always researching, discovering, inventing. The Skipper was desperate in his attempts to get his precious cargo of people off that island...but Gilligan, he was a little more like Maryann. He seemed to be happy wherever he landed...literally.

Where am I going with this? If you go back to the story of Adam and Eve, you'll see they had the Garden of Eden. All was wonderful...even the animals got along! God walked the garden with them. After they sinned, they were exiled...sent to live in the world outside the garden. You can say they were castaways...almost. (Genesis 3)

Adam and Eve are no longer with us, but we are still shipwrecked on this "island". It's no longer paradise. Things don't work the way they should sometimes, but should that surprise us? It's not our home!

Just like the Howells, we crave more comfort and money...but it's out of reach. Just like Ginger, we seek approval and applause...but it's never enough. Like the Professor, we make improvements to our world with inventions and research...but people still get sick and sometimes die. We're even like Maryann at times, making the best with what we have...but we realize food is not the comfort we need. The Skipper in us is always building that raft, trying to stay afloat with whatever means possible whether it's psychology or self-medication.

The castaways did get one thing right...they knew they were not going to stay on that island. They knew there was a better place out there. They had Hope, and so do we!

As you read through the whole Bible, you can see God making a way back for us all...to rescue. He is like the Coast Guard, working the search grid...making a way for our rescue. And do we just sit there and do nothing, nibbling our coconut cream pie? No, we are to be like Gilligan...making the best of all situations good or bad. We are to keep hope alive and help others live the best way they can while we're stranded here.

What is that Hope? It is His son Jesus Christ. He is your life preserver. And until the He returns to rescue us all, we are to hang on to Christ like our lives depend on Him. Because when the bad stuff happens, (we're all on the same island) we know rescue is imminent...we can hear the ship's horn blowing in the distance!

That's why we live with such good cheer. You won't see us drooping our heads or dragging our feet! Cramped conditions here don't get us down. They only remind us of the spacious living conditions ahead. It's what we trust in but don't yet see that keeps us going. Do you suppose a few ruts in the road or rocks in the path are going to stop us? When the time comes, we'll be plenty ready to exchange exile for homecoming.2 Corinthians 5:6-8 (MSG)

Playing Chicken

We live in a semi-rural place and our neighbor recently acquired chickens for her yard. Now when I say, "chicken", what comes to mind? Is it a proud white-feathered, orange legged, red-crowned creature that scratches around in the yard? That's what I was expecting...until I saw these. "Japanese Silkie" are the name of these elegant chickens and they are as fancy looking as their name. To me they are the high-fashion feathered city-cousins of Foghorn Leghorn. Think irridescent black or powder puff white...and no bare orange legs here...these creatures have their spurs nicely concealed with fine frills of feathers. And their red crowns are overrun with feathers every which-way like some long-gone 80's band!

Now my neighbor was worried that her two roosters, pictured here, would disturb our mornings. We do hear them, but they seem like they are way off in the distance. The resident Mocking bird and woodpecker are more obnoxious than they!

One morning I was checking my email and I heard one of the roosters call to the world, "Get up! It's time to start the day!" But as I let the call linger in my heart I heard another call to action, "Do not deny me today!" And the conversation with God began...

You see there is another rooster in the New Testament that made a huge impact on one of Jesus' disciples, Peter. He was a very devoted follower of Christ...He is the one who stepped onto the stormy sea and walked to Jesus on water. He was a strong leader, ready for anything.

Jesus warned him about all hell breaking loose, "...stay on your toes. Satan has tried his best to separate all of you from me, like chaff from wheat. ...I've prayed for you in particular that you not give in or give out." (Luke 22:31)

But Peter, being a devoted guy and so sure of that devotion said, "Master, I'm ready for anything with you. I'd go to jail for you. I'd die for you!"

Sadly Jesus answered: "I'm sorry to have to tell you this, Peter, but before the rooster crows you will have three times denied that you know me." (For the rest of the story, check out Luke 22.)

So this is the context in which my heart was pinging me...remember Peter, remember the rooster...and I thought, I wouldn't deny Christ! Would I? If someone came up to me and asked me if I knew Christ I would tell them...I had before. Why did I feel this warning buzzer going off? And I listened to what the Holy Spirit was teaching me...

There are more ways to deny Christ than just flat out saying you're not a Christian. There are subtle ways to deny Him. If you think about it, your actions speak so much louder than words.

What do you do when an off-color joke is told? Do you smile or laugh with the rest of the group? How about when you are home alone with the tv remote, do you go to that channel that should be blocked? Or maybe that website that you happened to click on one day...it sent you an email, beckoning you to see some pictures you wouldn't let your own mother see. (Ephesians 5:4)

How about your wallet? Do you have money for that new upgraded gadget, but when the offering at church comes around you toss in a $20? How many mortgages do you have on your house or how many credit cards do you have with balances--and for what? A huge house that is hard to keep clean and nobody comes to because you are working multiple jobs to make all those payments? (Proverbs 22:7)

What about relationships? Is there a person who has rubbed you the wrong way and you have banished them from your presence? Did they do something that you know is wrong or hurt your feelings so you've locked them in your prison of unforgiveness? (Matthew 6:15)

Dear reader, listen to the rooster crowing in your life. Do not deny Christ by your actions...It's easy to go with the flow, or keep up with the Joneses or shut someone off.

When you toy with the idea that, "Yeah I can do all that stuff and God will still forgive me"...you are playing chicken with the devil my friend...and his aim is to separate you from Christ.

Listen carefully, your pride is crowing my friend!

You groped your way through that murk once, but no longer. You're out in the open now. The bright light of Christ makes your way plain. So no more stumbling around. Get on with it! The good, the right, the true—these are the actions appropriate for daylight hours. Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it. Ephesians 5:8-10 (MSG)

Dress Up

Ever wish you had a wardrobe assistant? Someone who would pick outfits, coordinate accessories and organize your closet? Someone who would weed out the acid-washed jeans because you never really are ever going to wear, (or fit into) them again...someone who would take one look at your attempt at a power suit and say, "Eh...not so much!" Will you agree that sometimes even a mirror will lie to you?

I was reading some scripture I really like in a new translation the other day. It's called "The Message". The comedian Tim Hawkins likes to say it's a "laid back" version of the Bible and I'll agree with that. But sometimes you need a different perspective on the words for it to hit your heart with a new zing.

Before we go there, can I bring up some memories for you to help prime the pump of your thought processes?

Do you remember your mom picking out your clothes and laying them out the night before the first day of school? Do you remember as a preteen running out the door for the bus only to be stopped by a certain pitch of your parent's voice using your first AND middle name because they wanted you to come back inside "right this very moment" and edit your outfit? How about a few years later and your friend decides to give you a makeover, complete with the latest hair and latest "what were you thinking" accessory? Or maybe you saw someone you liked and saw who they liked, and decided to become what you thought was a stylish (tho somewhat creepy) copy of them?

Skipping ahead some more years and you're engaged...and your fiance decides to pick out something in the store and gift it to you...it never fits because it's too small, and you can't see how they thought you'd ever wear something like that! Then after you're married and you get another similar item of clothing and it's too big...

You start to wonder if anyone has ever really known you at all.

So now I want to take you to Colossians 3:12-14 in The Message...

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

God knows everything about you and knows just what you need to put on every day. It's not the latest style, the wrong size or something that's on the What Not to Wear list. It's tailor-made, one of a kind and makes you glow. (Well, guys don't glow...I guess they smile more.)

Don't forget to put on Love every morning. Stop listening to what others tell you about yourself, and stop listening to those tapes in your head! And for goodness' sake get rid of the full length mirror! God made you and knows exactly how you're wired. It's all about Love...His Love for you.

But make sure that you don't get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God. The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing! God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed. We can't afford to waste a minute, must not squander these precious daylight hours in frivolity and indulgence, in sleeping around and dissipation, in bickering and grabbing everything in sight. Get out of bed and get dressed! Don't loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about! Romans 13:11-14 (MSG)

Squirrel!

There is a very fat squirrel who lives inside some razor wire at a prison. The prisoners feed this squirrel by hand and he's not afraid. He gets peanut butter, cookies and all sorts of non-squirrel food. And his life shows it. He's content to stay inside the fence and feast. He is not sleek and fast like his cousins who live outside the fence. They are too shy to trust the hand of humans. They don't understand why he stays in the prison and he doesn't understand why they don't join him. But then if they did, there would be less for him to eat. So he nibbles from the fingers of the next friendly human.

I was amazed at how quickly a wild animal becomes docile when trust is built with food. He probably started outside the fence and someone threw him a cookie or a peanut. The guys have time on their hands, so I would imagine they'd throw it a little closer to the fence...and so on and so on. It's to the point now that the squirrel is probably too rotund to fit through the chain link and too lazy to climb up it and over the razor wire. Maybe someday a kind guard will carry him outside the fence and release him back into the wild with his cousins...but would he understand that was a good thing?

Aren't we so like that squirrel? We taste a little bit of what the world is enticing us with...a crumb here or there and before we know it we too are content in our situation. (Galatians 5:19-21) We feed that sinful nature inside of us until we are too helpless to do anything about it. We wake up one morning and find ourselves inside a prison that we walked into...all by ourselves. We find ourselves with what we think are kind people--but really they are more enabling than helpful. They either bought into the lie as well or they are benefitting from our imprisonment.

What are we to do? There is actually nothing we can do on our own power. We have to rely on the One who has the keys to life and death...to our prison. (Revelation 1:17) No friendly guard for us--but Christ Jesus Himself! All you need to do is acknowledge you are trapped and ask Him for help. He is faithful and waiting for you to ask. You really don't belong there locked up in sin...take Him at His word and He will set you free. Like the squirrel, you were meant for another life...time to take a peek outside the razor wire my friend!

Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you. Galatians 5:1

Impossible Dream

It's the new year and I've flipped back to the start of my Daily Chronological Bible. Today was the story of Abraham and Sara and some heavenly visitors. At the age when most people would say it's time to retire and enjoy a rocking chair...this elderly couple are told by 3 heavenly visitors that they are going to become parents for the first time. There is no mention of Abraham's reaction...he had been told for a long time that God make him a father of nations so I would hope he was thankful. But Sarah's reaction was recorded. She was listening to the conversation from inside the tent and she *LOL'd.

In Sarah's eyes her life did not add up to "new mother". She was 90, her retirement was set because Abraham was a good provider and menopause had hit probably 40 years earlier. She was wise in her own eyes, she knew better! So she laughed at these strangers and their news. Was her laughter happiness? Her thoughts betray her, she seems bitter and basically says God is too late.

So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?” Genesis 18:12

Skipping forward a few generations we come to another woman, a naive teenager really. She is also told by an angel that she is to have a son who will be Christ-the Messiah her people were waiting for. This young woman is not married but has plans to marry Joseph. Her life has just begun and now she is told she is going to be an unwed mother in a town that will stone her to death if they find out? How did Mary react? (I would be scared to death and ask if he had the right person!)

She had one question, she wanted to know how it would happen...she was curious. After a few facts, her reaction is recorded:

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. Luke 1:38

Two women with similar pronouncements: impossible pregnancies. Two women with totally different reactions: sarcasm and belief.

Now you may not have an angel show up in your living room to announce a miraculous birth. I will tell you that I bet there is a dream you have that you have not shared with anyone yet. It might be a new career path, an idea for a ministry, a book, an invention. Have you reacted like Sarah and almost talked yourself out of it? Or are you going to be like Mary and ask God how He's going to make it happen in your life?

I'd like to fan the flame of possibility in your mind by leaving you with wise words from two angels that new Who they were talking about.

Is anything too hard for the LORD? Genesis 18:14

For nothing is impossible with God. Luke 1:37



*LOL for those of us who are not text-savvy means "laugh out loud".

Who's there?

Happy New Year! The year 2012 has begun whether you like it or not. Depending on your life, it either met you at the door like an unwanted salesman or a surprise visit from someone you didn't think you'd see.

The Bible talks about doors...the two doors I would like you to check out are found at opposite ends of the Bible: Genesis and Revelation.

Door #1:
"If you do well, will not {your countenance} be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it." Genesis 4:7

This door in Genesis has something on the other side that is not so welcome. It reminded me of a friend of mine who opened the door and barely missed stepping on a snake laying in the threshold of the doorway.

When you allow a bad attitude to put a cloud over your day, you invite sin to crouch at your door. Now Cain had an attitude problem--he made an offering on his own time, not the first and fruit..but "after a time". And when God called him on it, he got angry, then jealous of his brother Abel who offered an acceptable sacrifice.

Cain basically opened the door and sin overtook him--his hate manifested into murder.

Have you let a bad attitude take over your life? Have you found it easier to be disgruntled, grouchy, and hateful? Take care dear reader...sin crouches at your door and wants to be your master. Will you allow this transaction to take place? It is as if you hold out your wrists to be cuffed and your ankles to be shackled. Did you know you don't have to do that?

Door #2:
'Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20

At the door in Revelation, there is someone who is knocking and calling. He's not hiding near the entryway, ready to pounce on you. This One is being pretty obvious about who is standing on the other side of the door. If you open this door, you open it to Jesus Christ himself...the one who will deliver you from the one who has tried many times to lock you up in sin.

My question for you in 2012 is this, will you open Door #1 or Door #2? This is no game show...Will you allow sin to master your life or will you surrender your life to the Master who gives you freedom and eternal life?

"I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have {it} abundantly."John 10:9-10

The Gift

When people ask you
What you'd like for Christmas every year
Do you stop and wonder if
Mere gifts could stop the tears?

Have you held your heart inside
A fist so tight and strong
That nothing and no one could help
You heal from someone's wrong?

You did not come by twist of fate
Nor earthly invitation
Not even kindly words of friends
Did beckon to this station

This Christmas you will find a gift
That's ready for you now
The simple gift of sacrifice
That slept on bed of straw

It is a holy incident
When people find the peace
The simple gift the Christ child is
He is the Sweet Release!

~*~

This Christmas, may you find the Joy youv'e been searching for in Christ Jesus.

S.O.S.

It was a dark and stormy night aboard a cargo ship in the Irish sea. Eight men on board a vessel containing 3 tons of limestone...when the hull cracks and they begin to take on water. A 2:00 am mayday call was sent out and area ships answered to provide shelter for survivors. The men donned their immersion suits with strobe lights and found themselves in the chilly waters off the coast of Holyhead Wales.

The Royal Air Force sent a rescue helicopter with a crew of four to the scene of waves, winds and wondered...how many would they save? Out of the eight, two were airlifted to safety aboard. The difficulty was described as, "challenging at best."

What amazed me most about this exciting news story was that there was royalty on that helicopter. The Prince William himself was copilot for that mission. I wondered, did the rescued men recognize him during all the tension? Did they realize who was on board with them? I doubt they knew until afterwards, with a hot mug of tea and warm dry clothes on...someone let them know that the man who would someday be King of England had risked his life to come to their rescue.

How do you think those two men felt? Do you think they were amazed that he would step into that danger to save them? Why would Prince William risk his life for another? I wonder...

I have a message for you dear reader. Have you got your warm mug of tea and a blanket around you? There is a storm brewing out there in the world. Do you have that sinking feeling that your job is not going to save you, your friends are not able to save and you don't even have the strength to save yourself?

When you send your mayday call, make sure it's to the One who can rescue you. And don't expect Prince William to fly in on his RAF Helicopter and lower a basket!

Two thousand years ago God stepped out of His throne room and onto this earth as a man called Jesus. He came to earth to save us all from a death that no one should suffer from. It is nothing we can do ourselves to save us. Every time a person prays to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior, another soul is plucked from the storm of sin. Are you still treading water dear reader? How much longer do you think you can do this all on your own? Do not waste a moment to send out your own SOS (save one soul) prayer to God and He will.

How do I know that? Because I myself am a witness to my own rescue...and it was no "man who someday would be king"...it was Christ who IS KING!

I wonder...who do you say that Jesus is?

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

What's Cookin?

Here's a cooking tip for you if you need an easy way to peel garlic: turn it on the flatter side and press with the heel of your hand until you hear a "pop". That loosens the outer peel that contains the clove inside. You can then peel the garlic clove easily so it can be prepared for cooking.

So why would I put a cooking tip in my blog? Well, sometimes when I am doing the most mundane things like peeling garlic, God says "Write this!"

As I was popping and peeling my garlic cloves a verse came to mind from 2 Corinthians 4:8 "We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed".

The weight of that verse sat on my heart...so many have felt something heavy in their life. Sometimes it's just this old broken world that we live in. But could it be that sometimes, the loving Father in Heaven is causing this pressure? Could it be that the all-loving Creator literally has his child in a tight spot on purpose? Would God do that to His kids? Of course He would.

We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed.

How else are we to grow stronger? If he doesn't remove that tough outer husk of "self" after some pressure, how are we going to enjoy the real flavor of life?

Garlic is most pungent when it has been broken off the whole bulb, pressed and peeled...and yes crushed. And the more you break down that tiny piece of plant, the "louder" it gets with the fragrance. Pretty soon someone in the other room can smell it!

Have you ever met a real Christ follower who has had an easy life? A life of no problems, no issues, no sin? I think not. If you are a Christian and haven't come upon hard times, well then you better get ready!

My dear reader, one day you will awaken and find yourself in God's kitchen and He's stirring the pot of your life. And you will find yourself like that little garlic clove, getting pressed until you feel like you're going to break. But remember, this recipe is not for disaster but a magnificent culmination of His will intersecting with your life. And what an amazing recipe that is!

So when that day comes, pray, seek His will, ask others to pray that you will persevere and that your life becomes so fragrant to others they will be drawn to Christ from near and far!

As some comfort remember this: He wouldn't ask you to go through anything that Jesus had already been through Himself. (Check out Isaiah 53:5)

I'll get back to my roasted tomato and pepper salsa...and garlic cloves. Why don't you check out your Bible today and see what He has to share with you?

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Psalms 34:8

Eat Cake

"It was the best of cakes, it was the worst of cakes." That was a pretty good synopsis by my husband as we celebrated our son's birthday.

You remember the scene, either as a parent or as a child...a lovely concoction called a "cake" and enjoying a slice with them. Memories of a pink and purple strawberry cake with thick pink icing comes to mind...a sugar bomb if ever there was one. Or, a different kind of cake--a pancake--made in the wee hours by a youngster using chocolate milk, chocolate chips and flour...then you awaken to sticky fingers requesting your assistance to fry up the batter because they're too short to use the stove. (Thank you Lord for short 5 year olds!)

So there we sat with our son and his "cake". Let me describe it to you...you take one vending machine and order up a honey bun, and squash it as flat as you can in the wrapper. Then you drop another couple coins in the food machine for a squeeze tube of peanut butter. Then one more handful of coins for a bag of Famous Amos chocolate chip cookies.

The wrapper is opened and becomes the platter for the cake. Peanut butter is squoozed (yes squoozed) out over the top. A cookie is used as a PB spreader. Then you crumble broken up cookies over the top. The flaps of the wrapper is closed over the top again and used to press the cookies into the honeybun. We all had a slice and quietly sang "happy birthday".

It was the best of cakes because it was not my son's 6th birtday...it was his 20th. And it was the worst of cakes because it was created inside a prison visitor room.

But you know what, the more I think about it the better that cake is getting. Because I got to hug my son for the first time in over a year and a half. No more video visitation for us!

The Bible says we are to visit those who are in prison. And I can see why. They are spiritual prisoners of war. Should we just leave them to the enemy to do as he wants with them? Or shall we visit, write, send books and accept the collect phone calls to let them know we are still here? We need to let them know the world is still turning and we will be here when they get out.

Someone has come to mind for you. They are either in a physical prison like my son or they are in an emotional or mental prison--which can be just as dark. It's time to reach out...and don't forget to take a cake!

Matthew 25:31-46

To the one you visit, it might be a far, far better thing that you do, than you have ever done...

Wake Up!

I was sound asleep one night while my dad was visiting. He sleeps on the other side of the house in my son's old room. This night I was awakened out of a deep sleep. I clearly heard my dad's voice call my name. It was like he was just outside the door! (Yes I heard him above hubby's snores.) It was so loud and distinct I almost stood up in bed...dropping the chains of a deep sleep on the covers.

I thought something must be wrong so I immediately threw on a robe and rushed to his room...where I heard nothing but even breathing of a person sound asleep.

The next morning I asked if he had any dreams or if he called for me. We were both stumped. Because the call was so clear to me!

The next weekend after he was gone I was still puzzled and had the hubby go in that bedroom, close the door and say a word with the same loudness. I didn't hear anything from our bedroom. We both wrote it off as a vivid dream.

The Bible tells us a story of a young boy who was resting in the temple and heard his foster-father call for him. Three times he got up to ask him what he needed. The third time, his caretaker told him the next time he heard his name called that it was actually God calling and to say "Speak for your servant is listening." (1 Samuel 3:1-10) The young boy did and became a great servant of God and annointed two kings of Israel because he listened to his heavenly Father.

Last weekend in church, we were enjoying a sermon with our church family. We had a few visitors and as always, our pastor invites anyone to give their life to Christ.

Recently he has been quickened to make a bold request. Normally it's heads bowed, nobody looking and you slip your hand up...no confrontation but then little accountability as well. This weekend everyone was alert when he gave the invitation. It was pretty amazing to see a young man boldly stand up after a pause and speak out loud his decision for Christ.

Think about it, this young man was sitting in church last week. He listened to music and a sermon like everyone else did. When our pastor gave an invitation to accept Christ, he didn't call this young man's name. But something made him stand. Could it be he heard his name called? Maybe like me hearing my dad's voice call while I was sleeping, could this young man hear his name while he was spiritually sleeping?

For this reason it says, "Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you. Ephesians 5:14

Make no mistake dear reader. God still speaks to us. He is calling His children by name and they are standing up. Could you be hearing your name as well? Have you ever stood to publicly proclaim Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? Do not let the sun go down until you make sure of that.

Pray and ask God to forgive you, tell Him that you are ready to make Jesus Lord of your life. And then listen to that other amazing sound with your soul...the chains dropping to the floor! Make sure to speak to a pastor or Christian friend about your decision and find a church family that will hold you accountable and help you learn more about this decision.

It is time to wake up!

{Do} this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to {its} lusts.
Romans 13:11-14

Hard Way

The easy way out is never easy in the end. You always have to play some kind of catch-up or pay a huge fee of some kind.

My Dad always says, "Do the hard stuff first." Then you could take it a bit easier as you get older. That wisdom is true for schooling, work and even taking care of your health.

Instead of taking a year off before starting college, jump in with both feet--work through summer school and finish early. Even some high schools have ways to dual enroll in college--that way your two year degree is free!

Instead of waiting by the phone and computer for that job to pop up after sending out hundreds of resumes, volunteer in your field and do all the hard work. It builds up your experience, gets your mind off the wait, and you might catch some employer's eye with your dedication.

Start the day with something healthy instead of a doughnut or sugar bombs. By 10:00am your body will thank you by not crashing and you can reward it with a healthy snack before lunch. Avoid elevators and close parking spots--make those legs work harder and you'll have more energy by the end of the day, and a healthier heart in your 50's.

Taking the harder road is normally best these days, especially with all the time-saving, sweat sparing gadgets out there. Someone is always ready to take your money in exchange for the amount of time it might take you to work and get a better result.

The discipline muscle is the hardest and also the most rewarding part of your self to exercise. If you can conquer that, you will win whenever your body or emotions whine to pull over and take the easy escalator to what you think is the next level.

There is One who is the model of discipline. His name is Jesus and He knew what obedience of the will was all about. Even as a child, He hit the books. Later on a trip to Jerusalem, His parents found Him in the temple--debating scripture with rabbis when He was 12. There was no begging for sight-seeing jaunts to the pyramids or the camel farm! (Luke 2:41-52)

When He stepped up to the challenge God had for Him, He went toe-to-toe with the devil himself and won. (Matthew 4:1-11)

And even in the garden, when His path was clearly laid out for the cross and Death was near, He prayed to God, "Not my will but Yours." (Luke 22:39-46)

Think about it. The only time God ever asks you to take the easy road is in accepting His gift of His son's sacrifice on the cross for your sins. Because there is no amount of schooling, overtime hours or strenuous physical activity you can do to attain that forgiveness.

The hard stuff was already done by Christ. The only difficult part left to do is accept the free gift He offers. And to some, that seems too easy to believe.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, {it is} the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

Prayer Call

My brother and I had a little bit of an anxious weekend. You see, we both tried calling Dad and didn't get an answer. In fact, his phone machine that normally answers with it's generic male voice (that sounds like a robot on too much caffeine) didn't even pick up like usual. We called and listened to the line ring and ring and ring. It seemed like nobody was home.

We wondered, did Dad pick up and go visit a brother? Did he go birdwatching on the West coast? Is he at a Superbowl party somewhere? When time ticked away, the fears started to pop their ugly heads. I did my best to play "whack a mole" with them by checking in with his minister, emailing my dad and listening to hubby say, "He's OK, he's probably busy."

Finally I got an email from the Reverend. "He was at choir Sunday, things are fine."

But I wasn't consoled until I finally got an email from him, "The phone line is down, it will be repaired on Tuesday."

I could stop obsessing...he answered and all is well again. It seems an old tree in the backyard had been removed, and so had part of the line. That tree had been growing for a while in the backyard...slowly reaching towards the lines. Before we knew it, the tree had engulfed the cables and all it would take was a good windstorm. (Now that I think about it, that tree had been growing taller for over 20 years!)

So the question that came to my mind was, have you ever felt that sometimes nobody is listening when you pray? Are there are times when you're trying to get through to God and the line seems too quiet? What do you do when that happens?

First, is God expecting your call? As a Christian, you can expect unlimited minutes in prayer with your heavenly Father. But if you have not accepted Christ, your call could be dropped. (John 14:6)

Next, make sure your connection is solid. Like a downed line, sin that is not confessed can break that connection as quick as a 50 lb tree limb on a cable. (John 9:31)

Sometimes we allow a dark thought to be planted in our mind. This thought, when it sprouts, can be easily plucked and dealt with early. (2 Corinthians 10:5, Psalm 86:5) Left to grow, it can turn into an action. Temptation itself is not a sin, it's acting on it that germinates the seed and growth is immediate. (James 1:13-15) Before you know it your lines to God are caught and broken...so it's best to deal with them as soon as they appear.

Do you only pray when you need something? Or prayed and prayed and then later in the day realized you didn't stop to hear a reply? Have you ever tried sitting quietly and sending up a quick, "I just prayed to say I love you, God"? Then sit and listen...you'll be amazed what your heart hears.

Did someone tell you that He hears you, just try again another time God is probably busy with the unrest in the Middle East? Know this dear reader, God is not human. He is God and He is omnipotent. That means He is everywhere all the time. There is no war or even a hungry crow that He ignores. (Luke 12:24) And as His children, so much more is His ear tuned to our call!

Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I shall call {upon Him} as long as I live. Psalm 116:2

Don't forget that the line goes both ways. Make sure you listen for Him. It could be as simple as waking up at 3am for no reason, or maybe a song in your head when you awaken. Seriously...He loves you and will call you. The question is, will you answer?

How do you pray? Get to a quiet place, bring your Bible, close your eyes and either talk to Him out loud or within your heart. If you need a bit more instruction, check out how Jesus answered His disciples when they asked the same thing in Luke 11:1-13.

I hope you are blessed this week as you earnestly "reach out and touch" God in prayer. It's better than texting, chatting and even skype--and you'll never get a bill for going over your minutes limit! (Because Jesus already paid that bill.)

...So that you may know that it is I, The LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name. Isaiah 45:3b

Life's If

As I was grocery shopping the other day, I overheard a conversation between two little girls that almost floored me. One asked the other a very simple question...but the weight of a two letter word slapped me in the back of the head.

The little girls where trailing their mom's cart and were deep in conversation. As I passed, the taller one asked the smaller one, "If you grow up, would you rather live in an apartment or a house?"

Simple question yes? But why "if"? Isn't that question usually started with a "when"? Don't children normally think they'll live until as old as their parents? Why "if"?

With the breaking news of the day still swirling in my worries, I asked God why that hit my heart so hard.

He reminded me of a bedtime prayer, "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take."

Wow...could it be those little girls understood this childhood prayer better than I did? You see, we are not promised tomorrow. We are not promised another breath on this earth. Nobody knows when their time is. You can guess by looking at your family tree, or listen to what your doctor tells you...but nobody but God knows the exact date and time you will come face to face with Him.

So then, how should we live? The book of James says:

Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit." Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are {just} a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, {you ought} to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that." James 4:13-15

There's that little two letter word again, "if". Such a tiny word, but it carries the weight of humble obedience. Those little girls did have it right...and so does my grandma.

One of her phrases is, "Lord willin!" Which in Wyoming jargon means--whatever God wills! She knows all about that child-like obedience to "the Good Lord".

Can you say that today? Can you truly say that you want God's will in your life? Imagine that...even the word Life has that humble word "if" in it. God is awesome. Life is short and it can be hard, but with Christ you are promised to face the ifs of Life with Him--never alone.

If we were to live today like tomorrow wasn't coming, what would you want to change?

As the stars come out one by one tonight, I hope you will consider a new rendition of that bedtime prayer:

"Before I lay me down to sleep, I pray that Christ my soul does keep. And IF I die before I wake, I pray my eyes behold His face!"

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, {he is} a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Keep the Fire 2

I had a few more thoughts on our campfire experience. I decided, it's all about the marshmallows. It's not the chocolate or the graham crackers. They are just the vehicles to get the wonderful sugar napalm to your taste buds.

When we stopped at the grocery to pick up s'mores supplies, there was literally one bag of large marshmallows left. We made our way home with our bag of inedible looking white sponges. Little did they realize what was in store for them!

Hubby went out to where the palmettos and palm trees grow and selected some long green palm sticks. These he sharpened down to a point at one end. We stoked the fire a bit and watched the coals grow orange. Then one by one we parked a marshmallow on the end of a long stick and held it over the fire. Very carefully we held it near the coals, not taking our eyes off of it. One centimeter too close and whoosh! We had an instant torch on the end of the stick. No matter how quickly we blew it out, a charred smoking husk dangled from the end of the stick.

As we gained expertise, we figured out the best coals for slowly toasting a marshmallow. We'd turn it near the glowing ember, watching for a lick of flame to tease us with a flame-out. We kept it just out of reach, always watching, always turning. Sure, our faces felt warm and we might've singed some hair on our hands...but once we proclaimed it "Perfect!", the humble marshmallow was elevated to a gourmet experience: campfire brulee.

It's the same with me. If I realize when life gets hot that I am in the hands of the Master, I will trust that He is always watching and will never drop me into the flame. Because He knows just how much heat I can bear...as well as how much more flavorful my life can be. Why should I be satisfied with what the world calls "normal life"? --when I can step into the amazing purpose that God has in store for me...dancing just inches above the fire!

Life is sweet...why not ask for s'more?

These trials are only to test your faith, to show that it is strong and pure. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold – and your faith is far more precious to God than mere gold. So if your faith remains strong after being tried by fiery trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 1 Peter 1:7

Keep the Fire

We had small group tonight and decided campfire therapy was needed. The weather was cool with a spritz of rain that kept us just chilled enough while the fire burned. (Yes January in Florida can be warm!) We had glowing coals, green palmetto sticks, soft marshmallows, sweet chocolate and crunchy graham crackers. It was a good night for this.

We talked about everything and nothing, we talked about deep subjects and silly jokes...and we shared our hearts for our family and friends. Our small group is small, but we're big enough to hold each other up through the hard stuff. And that's what a church family does...they do life together and they do it well with Christ.

As I sat there in the glow of the fire light and laughter, I saw the logs on the fire shifting and sending up sparks now and then like shooting stars. The new branches would burn brightly when first tossed on the fire--our faces lit up with the dancing flames. Then as the fire changed to blues and orange, the coals started to emerge...toasty grottoes formed and we deftly roasted a few marshmallows--and flamed a few more than we intended.

I realized as we shared and bolstered each other up, I saw ourselves as those logs on the fire. You see as new Christians, we ignite with the fire of the Holy Spirit...burning brightly with the excitement for Christ. But as time wears on, some days the flames burn hot and our lives seemed to be forever scarred, blackened and broken--this is where some want to escape, until we realize the fire is a crucible. God is purifying our lives. We watch as others come closer to find comfort in that warmth. As those glowing coals render up ash and a few sparks in the sky...we continue to offer our lives as a living sacrifice to the One who burns in our hearts.

As we prayed before our group went home, the sweet taste of burnt marshmallow and the smell of smoke in our hair and jackets lingered in our circle. And I had just a twinkle of an idea of what maybe Daniel experienced in the furnace...because Daniel had his small group who went through the fire together, and so do I.

"Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. Isaiah 48:10

for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:29

Badges?

If you've ever visited a government building, it's obvious that to have access to certain areas, you need a badge. This tells security who you are and your access level. Your badge determines where you can go. To get a badge, you either need to work there or be a visitor who has been cleared with security. And even then you may find doors that remain locked.

It is frowned upon at these establishments to "hold the door" for someone who has forgotten or lost their badge. Holding the door leaves the building open to anyone. The one who holds the door better be sure they know who they're letting in, or face the consequences of their boss.

I just realized today as my own badge unlocked a door for me at work...so many try to get to heaven by their own badge. They figure that their accomplishments, their morals or simply being born to Christian parents gives them full access to heaven. But you know what? There is only one who has full access: Jesus. He has full security clearance that gives Him the ultimate access: Heaven's throne. When you realize that's all it takes--you knowing Christ and Christ knowing you--you will have the assurance that one day you'll see Him with His foot in heaven's door and beckoning with an outstretched arm saying, "Come on, I'm holding the door for you!"

Get to know Him today...check out the book of John in the Bible's New Testament.

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
John 14:6

Seed Cathedral

Have you seen the Seed Cathedral at the Shanghai 2010 Exhibit by the UK? It is incredible! If you haven't seen it yet, I am providing a link to a video of it.

There is some background music...if you listen, you will hear it softly say:

Safe Tomorrow , by Lali Puna
Never going anywhere
Never going anywhere
If we meet turn your head
Try to make it home by night

Never going anywhere
Never going anywhere
Don't stop by and get to know
Stuff your memory with facts

Save save save
Save the things you've got

When you walk into this building, there are thousands upon thousands of clear plastic sticks. And inside them you will find a seed. You can only see them from the inside of the building. From the outside, some have described the building as a giant dandelion puff that moves gently in the breeze. But on the inside, there are myriads of seed samples lit from the sunlight outside...they say about 60,000. Amazing shapes, sizes and colors...all packed up and ready to be a tree, a flower or a stalk of grain!

It is a most amazing collection I have ever seen. Each one by itself, mounted and balanced inside a solid piece of plastic, an architectural dream!

And then the song started to make it's way through the awe of the engineering feat before me.

"Never going anywhere" the chorus drones...and my mind sees another cathedral or church with rows upon rows of people in the pews. Each one a unique creation, ready to be planted, but they stay put. (1 Peter 1:23)

"Don't stop by and get to know" another line rolls across my speakers and I see families rushing out of their seats and into their cars to get home for Sunday dinner, soccer games or a movie. My conscience is elbowed--how many times have I lingered to speak to that new visitor that snuck in the back row? (Hebrews 13:2)

"Stuff your memory with facts" the song continues and I see many heads bent to read their Bible, memorize verses, looking at archeology time lines and genealogies. Don't get me wrong, it's good to study...but how good is what you learn until you actually apply it to your Life or share it with someone? (2 Timothy 3:7)

"Save the things you've got" and i am convicted of the stuff in my house that needs to be whittled down. That bookshelf, those clothes and nick-knacks that only catch the dust...time to make room. Do I really need the item if I have the memory? (Luke 12:33)

How long have we been sitting in our own seed cathedrals or churches? We are so well preserved, studious and obedient little seeds...but if you face the facts, we are nothing until we hit the ground! Because it is then that the shell cracks, a root slips out and we start the growth that is so needed in our church today.

Time to step out of your pew Christian...time to be in the World, but not be of the World. Yes, that seed cathedral is beautiful, but the potential for growth that is locked up inside blows my mind.

During this hot summer season may the Holy Spirit breathe on all dandelion puff churches and scatter us onto the ground, where we can grow AND bloom in Christ!

And when a great crowd came together and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable: "A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell along the path, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock; and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew, and yielded a hundredfold." As he said this, he called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
Luke 8:4-8

Three Hour Tour

Our Ladies' Bible study just finished Acts 27, the story of Paul's ship wreck on his way to Rome. I loved the detail that Luke gave us. You could almost taste the salt spray and hear the anchor chains rattle across the deck.

The one issue that kept coming up, was that Paul wanted them all to keep going. He promised that God said no one would be lost, just the cargo and ship. If everyone would stay on board and did their assigned chore, all would live.

It was a huge ship. It carried grain from Egypt to Rome, somewhere from 500-1000 tons of grain. There were 276 men on board for this trip. And Paul said in the middle of hurricane force winds,

"For this very night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood before me, saying, 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and behold, God has granted you all those who are sailing with you.'"

You see, when I was driving home, I caught the last words of a sermon on the radio. The pastor was quoting Matthew 24:13, "But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved."

Which is basically what Paul was telling this crew of 275 men...if you endure, you will save your life. They had to ride out the storm to survive it. Jumping ship would mean death for most, because each crew member and even the soldiers had a task that no one else could do. One missing man could mean death for many.

It is the same for us as a church. We clamber aboard our vessels to sail the seas of God's Word. But when the storms of life start to make us queasy, we want to jump ship and find a better route. We didn't sign up for hurricanes!

It's not the building that is the church dear readers. It is the people. When you look for a church, you must have a captain...or pastor...that you trust. His course is your course. His Admiral is yours. And the crew, they must all pull their weight. No slackers allowed! Every person has their job, from swabbing the decks to piping the tune to come aboard. You sign up, cast off and you don't drop a lifeboat at the first sign of a raincloud.

The church is the people. We are on this trip together. And if we keep our heads and encourage one another, we'll make it to our destination in good time. We just have to remember to endure to the end...no matter what.

Not if, but when a hurricane hits, we lighten our loads. We cast off what is not important, but hang on to the people. Why let a piece of luggage or 200 lbs of cargo get between you and someone who loves Christ too? Let it go...forgive.

I promise you there will be some smooth sailing, but there will also be hurricanes, waterspouts and a cyclone or tsunami. I'm just glad I've signed up with a seaworthy crew. It's no Disney Cruise Ship, but she's a true vessel that will take us into Eternity.

The weather started getting rough,
The tiny ship was tossed,
If not for the courage of the fearless crew
The minnow would be lost, the minnow would be lost...

PS: Did you know you can sing the Amazing Grace to the tune of Ballad of Gilligan's Island? Coincidence? I think not.


"The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9

Trash Day

When my son was old enough, we gave him the honorable chore of taking the garbage out of the house. I think maybe the first time he did it he felt pretty grown up, but week after week the repetitive process really got on his nerves. So he started to "forget" the chore...a lot.

A three person family can generate a pretty good amount of trash. And if you don't get it out to the curb, it piles up. The consequences then can be a simple smell at first, but that eventually attracts bugs, rodents and eventually disease. So really, this was a huge responsibility for a little guy. He just didn't see the long range consequences to the family as a whole.

It's the same with sin. Like garbage, if you don't bundle it up and kick it to the curb for God's waste management truck, it will pile up. I know, prayer and confession of sins can seem repetitive...but think of the long range consequences! When sins start piling up, they grow into bigger sins and you will find yourself so surrounded by spiritual garbage you may think, "What's the use in cleaning up at all?"

Dear reader, it is a daily chore and a heavy responsibility. If we confess our sins, He is faithful even we aren't and He will forgive us.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

"Forgetting" to do this only adds to the pile and eventually leads to disease or death.

The sting of death is sin, 1 Corinthians 15:56a

Think of one little sin as a rotting potato in the bottom of the trash bin. Eventually you cannot deny something is wrong. And until you get it right with God, your life will stink!

So my question is this, have you done your chore for the day? Have you found that rotting spud in the bottom of your soul that has stunk up your life lately? Or, have you "forgotten" about confessing to the One who already knows all about you and is waiting to reconcile with you?

Don't waste another day, or minute! His mercy is new every morning, so talk to Him...He is only a whispered prayer away. And if you've never attempted this in your life, isn't it time to sign up for daily trash pick up? Here is a simple sinner's prayer...

“Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have piled up like so much refuse and separated me from you. I am sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.”

Special note to dads and husbands: the "manly" chore of taking out the garbage is an analogy of dealing with your family's sin. It is your place to make sure your family has taken care of their own sins. You have only to look to Job--a wonderful example of a dad taking out the spiritual trash!

His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. When the days of feasting had completed their cycle, Job would send and consecrate them, rising up early in the morning and offering burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, "Perhaps my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did continually. Job 1:4-5