The Boot

I am humbly acquiescing to my ankle doctor. It seems that sprains need immediate attention. They do not thrive on neglect and activity. They will continue to change color and swell no matter how high you elevate, no matter how much ice you pack on and no matter how expertly you wrap your ace bandage. I was missing one gizmo, the boot. It seems it was the continual flexing of my foot that was re-injuring the damaged tendons and ligaments. The boot keeps the foot in a rigid environment so it is impossible to flex your foot. (It also gives me a kind of a pirate-y gait. Arg!)

I thought I had enough knowledge after suffering a sprain several years ago. I went immediately to the ER and they wrapped my ankle, gave me lovely crutches (that only endangered me more) and painkillers. So with this last graceful trip and sprain, I thought I knew how to take care of it myself. I didn’t realize I was going to prolong my recovery.

How interesting it is to see people self-diagnosing their own spiritual injuries. A pastor trips and falls into sin, and his flock disbands. A close Christian friend lies to you and suddenly all Christians are hypocrites and church is out of the question. Or maybe we dabble in astrology and crystals and we rely on yoga to bring us inner peace…only to find ourselves still hurting, still bruised or our problem swells to unimaginable sizes. We need an absolute truth that will not give in with pressure from the world—like a splint, the Bible will prop up our life.

If you haven’t taken care of this issue, I cannot stress enough the importance of taking care of it today. Like a sprain, spiritual issues get worse with time and take longer to heal if neglected.

Is it time to make an appointment with the Great Physician in prayer? Have you any unforgiveness you’re holding inside that’s knocked you off balance? How about any unconfessed sin eating away at you? Have you ever really accepted Jesus, or just assumed you were on the right track to heaven anyway because you’re a nice person? It’s time for your spiritual check up. Make sure you’re not hobbling around on your own makeshift solution for eternity my friend. (Romans 8:31-39)

A simple prayer like this one might be just what the Doctor ordered:

Father God, I’m sick and need your healing. I need to help with forgiveness and unconfessed sin. I know that you can handle my baggage that has hindered my walk in life so far. The things that I’ve tried to fix have done more harm than good. I believe you sent your son Jesus to save me and I want to ask Him to come heal my life. Thank you Jesus, for saving me.. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, it’s time to follow God’s prescription. Find a local church that’s not afraid of Bible study and believes Jesus Christ is God’s son. Daily doses of prayer and scripture and fellowship with his people will do a world of good for a lifetime of neglect. (Don't forget, a church is like a hospital. There will be others there, seeking healing--so don't expect perfection!)

Welcome to the family, and keep giving sin and unforgiveness the boot! (Romans 8:1-2)

Got game?

As I sit here with my leg elevated, I once again feel a blog coming on.

I play basketball with my son almost every weekday morning at the gym. It’s fun to play. A lot of moms have told me, “I can’t do that! I wouldn’t even be able to shoot.” But I figured, if I don’t try, I wouldn’t have those memories to hang on to. And how better to show my son that I love him?

Today I got hurt, which was inevitable. You put a 40-something, overweight mom on the court with a 15 yr old jock, something’s gotta give--literally. Today it was my ankle. Last week it was a quarter sized raspberry as I gracefully tripped and skid across the court on my knee. But you know, it’s all worth it to spend time with my son. Pretty soon I won’t have this time and I’ll have great stories to recount with him and his kids.

What kind of sacrifices are you willing to make to be with your kid? If I don’t reconnect with my son, how can I even try to empathize with his life? Saying, “I love you” every day just doesn’t hack it. Kids need to SEE the love. An all out, trash talking, sweat-slinging, sneaker-squeaking, one-on-one is called for with boys. (I don’t think I’ll ever let him get over the one game I made 2 pts on him before he knew what was happening. boo-yah!) It can be painful at times, but worth the effort.

Did you know that God has made that same type of effort to reach you? He did it a long time ago. He didn’t have to, but He came down in human form as a baby…only to die on a cross for what He knew we were going to do. He said in the Old Testament over and over how much he loved people, and even did a lot of miracles…but until He actually came down out of heaven on our “court” and experienced human life, we didn't understand that love. How could we think He could ever begin to empathize with our earthly lives?

He was beaten and tortured and then died. But, after 3 days He was victorious over death and our debt for sin was paid in full. Showing us His love was all it took to reconnect with His kids here on earth. It was painful, but well worth the effort. With an example like that, I figure I can suffer a few bruises and raspberries for my son so he’ll know I care and want to build on that mother/son relationship.

Are you willing to make that connection with your kids or even with your heavenly Dad?

Me, I’m going to nurse this ankle until next week…then it’s GAME ON BUD!

No Greater Love

Liviu Librescu survived the genocide of European Jews by the Nazis during World War II, but yesterday he did not survive America’s holocaust at Virginia Tech. As the gunman made his way through the building, Librescu barred the door with his own body so his students could escape through the second story windows. He lost his life and is a hero today.

Do you think Liviu ever wondered why his life was spared so many years ago? I didn’t know the man, but his life speaks volumes. He was a great teacher in Europe, Israel and the US. He touched many lives.

Yesterday’s survivors will look back and wonder why they were spared. They should look to the life of their professor. Everyone’s life has a reason. Liviu figured that out, lived it and eventually gave the ultimate sacrifice. He answered the door when death came calling and gave his students time to escape the wrath of a madman. “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” Keep these people in your prayers as they fight the grief and anger.

>*<

There is another one they called “rabbi”, “teacher” who gave his life for his students. His name is Jesus. He still calls people to follow. He stood between you and everlasting death and made the ultimate sacrifice for you, so you could have eternal life with God. When death knocked on the door for you, He took your place and answered with His life.

Your life matters that much to God. What will you do with that information dear pupil?

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

Surprise inside

My son loves practical jokes. His new one is an oldie—the “can of nuts” with a spring-loaded snake inside. It even has a nutritional index on the back of the label, so it’s pretty realistic. He left it sitting out at our last cookout, hoping for some unsuspecting relative or friend to get hungry and open it up. He was a little frustrated since no one seemed to bite the bait, so he offered to open it for me. I told him no thanks. I had seen those before, and I was familiar with the surprise inside.

In a recent bible study, we came across James 3:13: Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. It took a week of wrestling with my conscience before I understood what God was saying.

God was showing me the “can of nuts” that I was. Most of the times I looked and acted like a Christian. He seemed to be asking, but are you a “doer” 24/7? Did my label illustrate something that didn’t match what was on the inside? Was I showing my family, my coworkers, the convenience store clerk, my son…what it is to be a Christian?

No wonder people shy away from those who say they are Christians! A lot of times our actions speak louder than words. Non-Christians are familiar with that prize inside and choose to live without Jesus, thank you very much. Why would they want to be a can of nuts with a snake inside?

"You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.” Matthew 12:34

This faith business requires continuous growth. Fellow Christians, I encourage you to keep reading your Bible and be a doer of the word, not just a hearer. Let it transform you, inside out.

To those of you who have not yet made a decision for Christ: if you come across one of those Christians like me who is still learning, please excuse us. We’re doing our best to get the snake out!

But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the {law} of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. James 1:25

40 Day Fast

My husband and I were driving to a restaurant the other evening. It was date night and we had a lot of talking to catch up on. We started to get testy with each other because we were finding it hard to understand each other. I thought, "Great...get some time together and we end up snipping at each othter instead!"

Suddently my hubby reached up and turned off the radio. I hadn't even realized the radio was on. What a difference! The music and djs that we were used to listening to all the time by ourselves were interrupting our conversation and we didn't realize it. Once the radio was off, we could clearly hear the conversation and enjoy each other's company.

Our church encouraged us to fast from something for 40 days this Easter season. And this is what the last 40 days has been for me...a turning off of the spiritual radio. I fasted from t.v. for 40 days and fasted from food for 24 hrs each week. (call me crazy, i don't think i'd make a 40 day food fast)

When I fasted from t.v., I was very amazed how much of a hold that squawk box had a hold on me! I LOVE home improvement shows. Now, many people would think that HGTV is G rated, safe to watch, family friendly...but I found that it should be called "the coveting channel" instead! That desire for more "stuff" for the house has dried up.

I also fasted from food from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday each week...Did you know that food has a voice? It squeals like a whining toddler. Once I got that under control, it was amazing how much clearer the voice of my God was! I had energy on Saturdays and found myself getting a lot more done.

What did I do with all that extra time of tv watching and munching? I journal, I listen to music, I read books, revisit my art, talk to friends and read my Bible.

These past 40 days has been a very blessed time with God. I can say now I would gladly give up cable--but alas I live with two Miami Dolphin fanatics!

I would encourage everyone to take some time and try a fast. Turn off the noise in your soul and reconnect with your First Love!

Have a blessed Easter!

Ask Dad

At a certain age, boys seem to stop listening to their mother. The simple phrase, “I’ll ask Dad,” pops up more and more every day. Some days I find myself hounding my son, trying to get him to do his chores, clean his room or do his laundry. It’s like trying to nail jello to a wall.

When I realize he’s not going to listen to me, I call his father at work and hand my son the phone. For now, only his dad can move him to action. I have to realize the days of “Because I’m the mom!” are gone. My boy is growing into a young man and I need to let go.

If any of you know my son, you know him as an exuberant, outgoing teen. He dances on the edge most of the time, flirting with breaking the rules and getting into real, life changing trouble. There are days when I hound him, trying to get him to fly right, clean up his life or read his Bible. Again, the jello metaphor comes to mind.

One day as I was dialing my hubby to hand the phone over to my son, God did one of those—HEY YOU moments. (Mind you, I don’t hear God’s voice; it’s more like an elbow to the conscience that makes your ribs hurt.)

I thought, “I should be dialing my son’s Father in heaven to get him back on track spiritually!” So before I get exasperated with his spiritual walk, I have resolved to hit my knees in prayer during the day, as a supplement to my regular prayers. I ask God to bless my son, to put a holy hunger in him for God's word and to keep him from temptation. And you know, I’m handling his behavior a lot better.

Do you have someone in your life that you can’t seem to get through to? Is it a relative, a neighbor or good friend that can’t seem to get back on track? Give our Heavenly Father a call in prayer…and then let God deal with them. In fact the prayer works both ways, you’ll start treating them differently.

Let me know when you start to see a change. Because if anyone can nail jello to a wall, my Heavenly Father can!

Brick by brick

My father-in-law was an expert bricklayer. Even though he was missing a few fingers on one hand. Just after he was injured, he was hired by a man to lay brick.

He tried it for a while, and told the man, “I don’t think I can do this.”

His boss said, “I hired you to lay brick, you take as long as you need to get the hang of it.”

Because his boss believed in him, he persevered and he adapted to the loss of his fingers. He had to handle the brick a different way from the rest of the masons, but with determination and his plumb line—he built a lot of things.

How often do we tell God, “I don’t think I can do this!” That fear always pops up for me when someone asks me a difficult question about faith. Today I felt that prod to go visit a new neighbor and decided to take a s’mores kit—because I noticed they like their fire pit.

All the way down the road, I heard “I don’t think I can do this!”

When you get out of your comfort zone, the enemy will throw all kinds of doubts at you.

We feel that since we don’t have a theological degree, we can’t be useful to God. Did you know that God does some of His best work with people who have weaknesses? Because people will see that the only way we could do it, was with God's help!

I don’t like confrontation and I don’t like speaking to strangers. But somehow God gives me the courage to walk down that road…literally. And if all I do is make them feel welcome to the neighborhood, then I’ve begun the first step. The Holy Spirit will then take that seed and do with it what He will.

It’s not up to me to get them saved; it’s up to me to be obedient when the spirit says, “Hey, how about saying hi to them, they need a smile.”

I want to encourage you to take some time to figure out how to talk to people about your faith. You will have a different way of sharing from mine, because we were made differently. Still not so sure? Why not get with a friend who’s good at it and ask to be mentored? Are you ready to start and need some ideas? Check out www.servantevangelism.com.

With perseverance and God’s plumb line, the Bible, you can’t go wrong in building God’s kingdom. Together we can get this done, brick by brick!

Penny for your Thoughts?

If you see a penny on the ground, do you pick it up? What do you do with it? Save it in a jar at home, until you get enough for a cup of that Fourbucks coffee? Or do you toss it in the nearby fountain, making a wish as it kersplooshes into the greenish water?

One of my favorite authors, Ruth Bell Graham wrote, "Temptation and testing are two sides of the same coin. Satan uses an occasion or a person to tempt us to fall; God uses the same to try us and make us stronger."

What a revelation that was for me! Every day I get the spare change of life in my path. What I didn't realize is that it's my choice to either spend my time fighting the temptation and fall or look at it as a test to build my character as a Christian.

So tomorrow when that trial is at your feet, pick it up and look at both sides. What would be the wise thing to do with it?

Is it going to be heads or tails today? A trial or a temptation? Let's spend it on something that will last for Eternity.

Who's Watching?

There was a 5K run the other day, and a West Melbourne engineer won the race.

He said, “It was pretty crazy. I actually ran my best time in three or four years...”

He thought that maybe being a brand new father, he had newfound energy to run. But there was a simple act a lot of runners don’t do; he left his watch at home. What a difference it made to not have the hurdle of time to jump over! He ran with no restraints.

We live in a rat race. We rush to work, rush home, rush to eat our meals, rush to appointments. Everywhere we go the clock is ticking. Time is running out and we find ourselves like the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland. Constantly checking our watches, cell phones, computers, store clocks—as if we could somehow squeeze one more minute out of the day.

We find ourselves in a pile of excuses when the starter pistol fires. We stare at our watch and wonder how in the world we’ll ever get that far. We’ve made it into a race against time…and who can win that one? We’ve lost before we’re even out of the blocks.

What keeps you from running the race that God has set before you?

Why not write that book or song that’s been banging around in your head? What about that letter you need to write or that phone call? You love to sing, and there’s a call for singers at church. What’s holding you back? Is it really time, or something bigger like doubt? Why not take off that watch and just run?

Let’s run together and see where God takes us. I bet we’ll progress farther and faster than we could’ve ever imagined, all because we left our burden at behind.

Are you ready? Get set, GO!

Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Bloomers

I have an orchid that grows by my front door. My mother gave it to me. It has a lovely milky white flower that blooms when I water it consistently. The spidery bloom lasts for weeks and seems to put up with my sporadic gardening. The one curious thing about this orchid is that it has no scent in the daytime. You can put your nose right up to the bloom opening and sniff hard and get nothing.

When evening comes and the darkness enfolds the plant, you no longer see the beautiful bloom. But you do start to notice a light fragrance dancing on the breeze. It’s not like the heady gardenia or sweet red rose. It’s a fragrance that lets you know something special is lingering there and bids you to come a bit closer. I am content some evenings to stay outside longer in the moonlight with the dogs and my fragrant orchid. It reminds me of the scent of a loved one when you embrace—just light enough to linger in the warmth of the hug and it’s gone.

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 , “For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life.”

My husband’s daughter has to deal with death sometimes—she knows the aroma well. And if it smelled anything like my orchid, she would not be so quick to jump in a hot shower. It clings to her clothing and hair like no perfume and can only be scrubbed away.

We are like that orchid to God. In this world of darkness, we are the sweet fragrance of Christ that bids the lost to come closer and drink it in. Be encouraged, you don’t have to have physical beauty or even be planted in a special pot. You just have to be willing to bloom where you’re planted.

The Best Gift

Invariably on Christmas morning, you open a package and there is a fresh pair of socks or underwear. Thanks to Mom or Grandma, you’re covered for the next year in new unmentionables. (I wonder if we were to return the favor and get them new skivvies, would they appreciate the thought?)

What kind of clothing would you rather find under the tree? Does a warm coat or silky blouse appeal to you? How about some Heelies or an expensive pair of jeans that look like they’ve been thru a fight with a belt sander?

Everyone seems to like to get clothing for Christmas. And if it doesn’t fit, they battle the crowds in the return line the next week…exchanging it for a better size or color. Maybe all they really want this year is a big fluffy white robe. It’s something to snuggle into with a good book, and it has enough coverage to dash outside for the newspaper without embarrassment.

You see, ever since our first ancestors we’ve been trying to cover ourselves. They tried with fig leaves…but how long could those last? And have you ever felt a fig leaf? It’s a fuzzy leaf that had to be itchy and it eventually dries up and crumbles. Before Adam and Eve left the garden, God knew the fig leaves wouldn’t last. He made them their first clothing out of animal skins—the first sacrifice recorded in the Bible. Genesis 3:21

Did you know that God has a present for you this Christmas? It’s not a wild pair of toe socks or pink bunny suit. It’s a robe. (Isaiah 61:10) And it’s one size fits all. You won’t want to take it back, because the price was too dear. You see His son paid His life for that robe. And it covers you completely. It covers every sin and misdeed you’ve ever lived. It will never wear out, in fact it’s guaranteed to last forever. And when God looks at you standing there, He looks at you as if you are His only child.

It’s His gift to you, and all you have to do is accept it. Merry Christmas dear reader, may you put on the robe of Christ this Christmas. (Galatians 3:27)

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and {all} tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches {were} in their hands; and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
Revelation 7:9-10

Giving Thanks

Most people can tick off a list of things to be thankful for on one hand: family, job, home, health and friends. Thanksgiving is a good time to pause and count your blessings.

But what if you remove one of those things? Let’s say the job. Money gets tight, your home might be at risk of foreclosure, the worry impacts your health, the stress causes you to bite those closest to you, and your friends become distant. Those plates you had spinning so expertly, start to fall and shatter at your feet.

What’s a person to do? An interesting man named Paul (not McCartney) once said, “I will rather boast about my weaknesses…”

Why would anyone want to brag about his or her weaknesses? You see Paul had an amazing turnaround in life. He had it all, a great job, good friends, knowledge, prestige—even had a different name: Saul. And then one day he was struck blind. He couldn’t do his job; he was helpless. (Acts 9:1-9)

He found himself having to depend on some dude that Saul should’ve considered cat food. Ananias was a Christian and he prayed for Saul, and he was healed. (Acts 9:10-22) He felt so different he even took on a new name: Paul.

From then on Paul shucked his job and became a preacher—a member of the same group of people he used to round up to be tossed to the lions. He performed miracles and he boasted of his weaknesses. The rest of his quote tells why, “…so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.”

The most amazing people in my life are those that praise God in the midst of illness, legal problems or joblessness. I remember a pastor saying, “For every non-Christian who has cancer, there is a Christian with cancer.”

There is a better way to do this life. God calls us to be holy, set apart from this world. If we wow the world with our strength, brains, money or stuff…we’re just another voice in a world where everyone is shouting for his or her 15 minutes of fame. Eventually all these things will fade in the shadow of the next crisis of the day. It’s our weakness that really lets Jesus shine in our lives.

Now, if I ask you what are you thankful for, what comes to mind? It’s easy to be thankful for the blessings in life. What has driven you closer to God? Or, are you finally tired of keeping all those plates spinning in the air?

I am thankful for being broken, because I know who holds me together. My savior shines like a beacon through those cracks to the rest of the world and tells them there is a Hope. (John 14:6)

Now, grab one of your plates and have a slice of pie.

And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Pumpkin Princess

We had a blast at our Halloween alternative-Trunk or Treat. I decorated my trunk with pumpkins and told the kids how Christians start out like pumpkins. It was fun to see the reactions of the kids as I told them how God picks us up from where we’ve been planted, cleans off the mud and—if it’s ok with us—cleans out the miserable gook inside our hearts. Then, God puts a light inside our heart so we can shine for Jesus.

I had a darling little girl come up to me in her pristine Cinderella costume. She had the poofy dress, the tiara and long satin gloves on. I was showing her the different stages of pumpkins: mud covered, gook inside and then lit with a candle. She seemed to be very intent on one pumpkin.

She handed her treat bag to her mom, pointed a regal finger at the mud-covered pumpkin and said, “I’d like that one please.”

I explained to her I was giving out candy, that the pumpkins were just for show. She proceeded to take off those satin gloves and reached for the big muddy pumpkin. She didn’t care about the front of her sparkly blue gown. It took a few moments for her mom and I to convince her they were for show. Then she was off to the next trunk for treats. I bet that little girl will grow up to be in the mission field. Why do I say that? Because she didn’t reach for the clean pumpkin or the one with a candle already inside. She reached for the one needing her touch the most. That’s what Jesus is like.

Did you know that Jesus, the Messiah and Savior of the world, is reaching for you? He doesn’t care how muddy and messed up inside you are. He doesn’t want to wait until you’re cleaned up and ready. Nobody can ever get that ready on his or her own power. All we have to do is something a pumpkin can’t do: shout, "Pick me!"

Once your life is in His hands, He begins the work. The mud flies and a heart surgery is performed right there. He’s not after slime and seeds but a heart that is rock hard from years of neglect and abuse. In its place He places a new heart, one that’s soft and ready to love. Yes, it’s a little more fragile and you might find it breakable, but you’ve got direct access to the Physician who will repair it every time. (No HMOs to stand in your way!)

When I became a Christian, I became a child of the King—a real princess. And I should not let that stop me from taking off my gloves and getting dirty for the Kingdom, much less look down on others.

Set your crown aside dear Christian, roll up your sleeves and take off your gloves, we have work to do. And may God give us the strength to keep reaching out to those who need the touch of Jesus. Not just the ones labeled unlovely, but the unlovable and unreachable as well.

Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest." Matthew 9:37-38

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Happily Ever After

We’re all familiar with the fairy tale Pinocchio. It’s about a lonely woodcarver who made a boy puppet. One night, the boy puppet is brought to life by a blue fairy. The woodcarver was very happy, because it seemed he was not going to be lonely anymore. But the “boy” had other plans. He wanted to be a real boy, not just a sideshow for others to gawk at. He didn’t like his nose growing when he told a lie. The puppet set off to find out how to become real, and takes some very hard knocks. He is used, taken advantage of, and finds himself changing into an animal—rather than the boy he dreamed of being. He runs farther and finds himself literally in the belly of a whale. At his darkest moment of his life, he finds he is not alone. The woodcarver is there. He had been searching for his lost creation all that time. They work together to escape and only then does the puppet change into a real boy.

I loved that story when I was little and I find it still speaks to me.

I hear the complaints, “When is it going to get better?”, “If I could only lose 10 more pounds!” or “If I could just get that other job!”, “Maybe I just need to have another baby.” We seek and we do not find. We ask with the wrong motives. (James 4:3) People seem to want that unreachable thing and once they get it, they find it’s not what they really desired.

We’re all on a quest to be “real”. Much like Pinocchio, we were made by a creator. No woodcarver, but a Master Craftsman: God. He created us out of dust. No blue fairies, but His own breath expanded our lungs and brought us to life. And from then on, we run away from His presence. We try to make something of ourselves. We were created for a purpose, for a relationship with our creator. The farther we run from that relationship, the farther we run from being Real. We try on different hats, we follow the crowd, we feed our hunger with the wrong foods or starve ourselves, we pump things into our bodies to create artificial highs or lows and still we wonder why we feel so wooden.

When we reach our lowest point, when we find ourself in the belly of the whale, we find we are not alone. Did you know that nothing separates us from the love of God in Christ Jesus? No person, place or thing can keep us from His love. No whale, no prison, no addiction, no wrong choice, no mental anguish, no person can keep us from Him. God sent His son to save us from ourselves. (Romans 8:31-39) All we have to do is quit running. And you’ll find He’s right there with you all the time.

Together with our creator, we build a fire that dispells the darkness of our soul. We find our Pinocchio life changes into a living, breathing thing. (Titus 3:5-7) And that sin that was as plain as the nose on your face? It’s gone along with the splinters and termites that your past life rewarded you with. Yes, you might scrape a knee now and then or get your heart stomped on, but isn’t it better than a life destined as kindling wood?

Cross-training

Have you ever heard of the phrase, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak”? It’s normally used in situations where a person is in some kind of physical endurance test: hitting that last hill in a bike race, sprinting the last 50 yards in a marathon, or looking at a menu with 5 lbs to go in a strict diet. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. You know what you ought to do, but your body has another agenda.

The Apostle Paul said, “For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I {would} like to {do,} but I am doing the very thing I hate... But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.” (Romans 7:15, 20)

We are by nature, sinful creatures. We came into this world screaming for comfort and food. As Christians, we have accepted the authority of Jesus, God’s son. (Romans 8:3) With this acceptance comes the blessing of the Holy Spirit, deposited within us. The Bible refers to our bodies as a temple because the Holy Spirit dwells there. (1 Corinthians 6:19) So this gives us two parts within to deal with: spirit and flesh.

When Christians choose to do what is wrong, they have to squelch the Spirit within that encourages them to do what is right. (Some refer to it as their conscience.) If you squelch it long enough, it becomes a whisper and “the flesh” rules your life or you “go with your heart”. Your life goes out of balance and you live for worldly things like money, ambition, food, and twisted pleasures that excite the imagination.

The heart can be very deceptive. (Jeremiah 17:10) It’s a tough way to live, because the heart is insatiable. Suddenly you need more of whatever your heart wants. No amount of money, liquor, fancy cars, diamonds or girlie magazines is enough to satisfy. I can just hear the old Stones’ tune, “I can’t get no satisfaction”. (Ecclesiastes 5:10)

Not only do we have a fight within, but Toto, we’re not in Kansas anymore. We’re kids of Adam and Eve, and they were kicked out of the Garden of Eden into the world. And according to the Bible, the prince of the world is not a nice guy. He is not God, but he wants to be. He is in a major campaign right now for Christians. Like in the movie Poltergeist, “he knows what scares you”, he also knows what your weaknesses are. The Bible says he is like a prowling lion, waiting for someone to devour. And what do lions do? They wait in the tall grass for that unsuspecting, weak gazelle that has strayed from the pack.

This methodical being lays traps and woos people away from their walk with God. Remember Flip Wilson? He had a character Geraldine who used to say, “The devil made me do it!” Now that’s giving him more power than he really has. He may tempt you, but you have the freedom of choice to not do it. And God says He will always provide a way of escape for you when you’re tempted. It’s up to us to resist what our weaker side wants, and choose wisely.

Satan cannot read your mind and he cannot be everywhere. He does know your life history and what could be a lure for you. And he does have his own angels, doing his work all over the world. He might try sending a spirit of strife to your home to try and pull you off your game. He is behind every evil loose in this world. But remember, our battle is not against our fellow Christians, but against the darkness in this world. (Ephesians 6:12)

Sadly, when Christians fall in a trap and wallow in the mud they become an awful example of Christianity. And then the world is quick to point a finger and yell, “Hypocrite! Loser!” Score a point for the dark side. But we can still rise out of the muck with help from Jesus and real friends praying for us. A Christian who has tripped should not be looked down upon--they should helped back up.

I love the story of an African man telling a missionary how he handled the difficulty of living right. He said it’s like having a black dog and a white dog fighting within. When the missionary asked how could he help the white dog win, the man said, “I must feed it more!”

We must feed our spirit side more and more so our heart won’t rule our lives. The best way to do this is to read God’s word, the Bible. Then turn up the volume on your conscience, (your spirit) by praying daily. Strengthening our spiritual life will also keep us on the offense, watching for lions in the tall grass of our life. (Mark 14:38) Beware though…like a video game, the better we get at it, the obstacles seem to come faster and more often. (Jesus didn’t say it would be easy…just worth it.)

The race we’re in is not a marathon or Tour de France…but we are assured of a final prize when we reach the end. It’s a different type of training for endurance. You might even call it Cross-training. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

PS: Do you know who first said "the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak? Check it out: Mark 14:38

Overhauled

I love those makeover reality shows. Something about changing a hair color or wall color is so appealing to me. My most recent favorite makeover show even appeals to my hubby: Overhaulin’. This show is about a person’s beloved junk or project car that turns up “missing” one day. The team then rebuilds and repaints the vehicle and it turns into something the owners never would’ve recognized if they saw it parked in their driveway.

I think I know why those shows appeal to me. I am a Christian, and any story of redemption speaks to my soul. No matter how small the makeover, I see the gospel replayed over and over in so many different ways. This car makeover show speaks the redemption message the loudest.

Think about it.

1. A family member or friend will send in an application, requesting the car makeover. (1 Timothy 2:1-7)
2. They wait until the unsuspecting owner is not watching, and they take the old car—or even a car that is almost new—and whisk it away. (Matthew 24:43-44)
3. The team then goes to work, stripping parts and checking to see how far the rust has progressed. Sometimes there are small areas to sand, other times they need a parts car that has a whole fender or front end and they replace it. A new design is revealed and paint is applied. The interior is reworked, with a sound system and gadgets galore. (Romans 8:28)
4. The biggest change is under the hood—the engine is replaced. They actually pull out the old engine and replace it with a shiny new, revved up engine. It’s a resurrection of sorts for most of the cars, because none of them run very well, if at all. (Ezekiel 36:26)
5. Finally the car is revealed to the owner and the joy is overwhelming for some. (Isaiah 44:22)
6. They are astonished all this was done for them, at no cost. (Isaiah 52:3)

I love it when Jesus comes like a thief in the night and redeems someone. When He overhauls a person, He puts a new heart inside. He brings new life to souls that thought they were junk and worthless. He gives them a new purpose. (Revelation 21:5a)

Did a loved one send in an “application” to God for you? Do you feel a change coming on? Is that heart thumping inside you a drumbeat of change?

Being on the show Overhaulin’ is pretty amazing, except when the tax bill arrives. With God, there is no cost. Jesus already paid the price—taxes, tag and title. You come to Him as you are: beat up, rusty and no tunes. He will give you a new heart, a new purpose and a new song. (Psalm 40)

All you have to do is give him the keys.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have {it} abundantly. John 10:10

Eyes to See

We have a small wood plaque on the wall in our home. It is a piece of recycled pallet. The length is about from your wrist to your fingertips. The nail holes are still visible on one side, it’s sanded, stained and varnished. There seems to be black lettering carved into the wood, and it puzzles people. It’s always there; we never take down.

Most people see it and ask, “What is that, some kind of abstract piece of art or ancient text?” If you look at it quickly, it does resemble some kind of foreign letters carved on a piece of wood.

It’s an interesting optical illusion that sooner or later it comes up in conversation. Once someone takes it down and actually shows them the letters, it’s very clear. Most people focus too much on the black spaces, which is actually the space around the letters. It is the name “JESUS”.

Here's another example of the same type of optical illusion-->

What I find so curious is how easily some recognize it, and others still find it a challenge to see the letters at all, even after you show them. They keep trying to make sense of the dark space around the letters, instead of the actual letters themselves.

In the same way, I can see how some people consider the man Jesus a puzzle. Some see Him as some abstract thinker who died for nothing. Some see Him as some nice, Jewish Rabbi. And then there are some people don’t want to consider His existence because they can't get past the dark spaces in their lives.

If you sit down and really look at the name, study what He said, listen to the words of several witnesses, you might be surprised how much better you can “see” Him. He’s in the background of every conversation, waiting to be discussed. It’s all in the way you look at Him.

Do you consider Jesus a puzzle or the solution? John 20:29-31

Father's Day

Man did I blow it on Father’s Day. We had a big Sunday dinner at our house, had 19 people with assorted kids…special food for the Dads, goofy cards, pranks and hugs. We had a great time visiting, watching the baby become one with her strawberry shortcake, and listening to the boys thunder in the backyard. By 11pm that night, I was exhausted and ready for sleep.

It was then I realized I forgot to call my own Dad. He lives in another town. It was one of those “life before my eyes” moments and all the times I let him down paraded by like a really bad reality TV show. The tears started to flow. My hubby tried to console me and said, “We’re Dads, we can handle stuff like that.” I sobbed.

I got out of bed and contemplated calling, but then thought it might cause more of an alarm at their house than soothe my conscience. I wrote an email apologizing, and then called the next day. My Dad was great. He needled me that he even got the card a day late; I could hear his forgiveness as we talked a while.

After I got off the phone I thought some more about this uncomfortable moment and saw a parallel to how we treat our heavenly dad: God. We don’t include Him in a lot of our life either.

Bill Cosby illustrates this phenomenon in a funny story about a Dad that plays catch with his boy in the yard, takes him to football practice, helps him train, goes to all his games, is there when he moves on to a college team, attends those games, then is sitting with his buddies watching his son play in a bowl game, and the camera zooms in on the boy after they win the game, and the boy says to the camera, “Hi Mom!”

We are so like that young man. We forget the One who put us on this earth, and the One who can take us out (another Cosby-ism). God stands by us when we trip in life, He’s there to pick us up and dust us off when facing our accusers. (John 8:1-11) He provides when we don’t plan for rainy days. (Matthew 14:13-21) How often do we call on Him by using His name in vain or to curse others, and yet He listens every single time we call, just in case we really do need Him. (Deuteronomy 4:7) I can imagine if God were the dad in Cosby’s story, His love would so overflow for his kid he’d turn to his buddies and proudly say, “That’s My son!” (Matthew 3:17)

Yes, my Dad taught me several good lessons. This one taught me it’s better to call him not just on Father’s day but any day and for no reason. He treasures our relationship, as do I. My heavenly Father agrees with that practice. The Bible says we are to “pray without ceasing”. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) I should talk to God all the time.

Because God is more concerned about a relationship, not a religion.

Theft

The other night we had a prowler at our bedroom window. I know this because he awakened me with his attempt to cut the screen on our window. The noise of me trying to wake my husband scared the intruder off, and we called 911.

The next day I made it my mission to meet our neighbors and warn them of this prowler. It was nice getting to know them, but I was ashamed it took a prowler to get me out and meet them. These are people that are very familiar with my gregarious son, but some had never met me after living there for 3 years.

The imminent danger to my neighbors is what pushed me to knock on each door. Every face I met was a bit surprised to see me standing there, but after I explained myself, they were very happy that I stopped by to warn them. One couple decided to get another dog. Other neighbors exchanged phone numbers with me. I even had a couple make themselves and their firearms available at a moment’s call.

I think evangelism keeps us inside our homes as well. It is an unwelcome task to some, bringing visions of Bible thumping grim reapers screaming, “Repent!”

As I learn more by reading my Bible and getting to know Jesus, I find there is an evil out there that lies in wait for us. It is like “a prowling lion, waiting for someone to devour”. (1 Peter 5:8) We sit inside our living rooms, peeking out the blinds and wondering if our neighbors know. What will it take to drive you to your neighbor’s door to meet them? Will it take some crisis in your house, or theirs?

Jesus had no fear of walking up to a person that never met him and asking them questions. Sometimes all it takes is a genuine, “Hi, how are you today?” to get a really deep conversation off and running. What is the worst thing that can happen? Are you afraid of getting your feelings hurt or much worse, are you afraid of getting labeled a Jesus-freak?

I may look over my shoulder now and then for the robber who tries to break in to steal, but I resolve to put on my spiritual armor and face the enemy who will rob my friends and family of something more important: eternity with God.

2 Timothy 4:1-5

Planned Parenthood

A long time ago I had a conversation with a friend. We were talking about babies and how many we wanted. She wanted three. I was in my early 20’s and I remember saying I’d like four: 2 boys, 2 girls. (A brother for a boy and a sister for a girl.) It was a nice even number. My father came from a large family, and I loved going home to visit numerous cousins in Wyoming. I had plans of being the “kool-aid, cookie, and soccer” mom of the neighborhood.

As the years passed, and no child yet, melancholy set in. I started the infertility tests, the shots and waited. I started to shun baby showers. I ignored invitations. And when a new mom showed up at work with her bundle of joy, I could not find the strength to stay in the room, much less hold the child. Why should I even be allowed to cradle a child, when God would not give me my own? When someone dumped a child in my lap, it was pure torture. The questions from acquaintances felt like slaps: “So Kelly, when is it your turn?” and “Kelly, don’t you want to have kids?”

The worst was Mother’s Day Sunday. A place where I had felt so much comfort and joy turned into a black hole for me. For years I would not attend church on that Sunday.

1 Timothy 2:15 rang in my ears… “But {women} will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.” Did I not have enough faith? Wasn’t I good enough as a person? I felt taunted with so many women around me getting pregnant by accident or by careful planning. Everyone was having children except me. And adoption? Forget about it. How could I even toy with the idea, when I felt I was not worthy enough to even hold another woman’s child?

I was approaching 30 and felt my clock ticking—more and more it sounded like a time bomb to me. Most of my prayers were tearful and I’d fling a fist in the air. “If you gave Sara a baby at her age why not me? Forget the four children, give me just one before I’m 30!” I buried myself in work. I volunteered at my church with one stipulation: no nursery duty, please! I worked with teenagers—I could relate to their feeling like an outcast.

God’s son Jesus didn’t give up on me. One day we were getting ready for a funeral and my friend who wanted three kids was there with her first baby. She had to duck out to the restroom, as did everyone else. I was alone with a sleeping baby in a carrier. As soon as her mother left, it was as if someone pinched that baby and she began to cry. I was frantic for someone to take over. That little child looked at me with big teary blue eyes as if to say, “Won’t you hold me? My mother has left me and I’m desperate to feel safe and loved!” My heart could not stand the cries so I unbuckled the child and held her close. I had not held a child in probably eight years. I felt something inside me break open and it was my turn to cry. The baby was a bit confused, but she was happy to be held.

That was when my prayers started to change from a fist in the air with tears; to an open hand…accepting whatever Jesus would give me. And I began to think about adoption. Jesus reminded me how many kids I had loved in my life as a youth counselor. I had even taken in one girl in to finish her senior year when her parents moved to another state.

It was a boot camp for me and my heart opened even more to other people’s children. So we did the paperwork and waited.

It happened so fast, we had a call around Christmas that a baby was on the way for us. It was so exciting to ready the room, to get our affairs in order. The first time I saw him was at the hospital. The nurses called him “Joshua” which means “the Lord saves”. I named him Jared Nathan, “inherited gift of God”. He had a scalp IV due to an illness, and where the IV’s had to go, his little head was shaved. So my son started life with a red Mohawk. He’s still a cool guy.

Just when life was perfect, my husband decided to abandon us. I was devastated that Jesus would give me this wonderful child and then allow my marriage to fall apart. How was I going to raise this boy all by myself? My parents were 4 hours away in another city, and I fought my pride to move back with them or accept help. My prayers were back to a fistful of tears.

So Jesus went to work on my broken heart again. He led me to a Christian singles group and good friends. I learned to seek Jesus in everything. I clung to Him since I did not want to do this alone. I don’t know how there was money left after bills, but He provided. My pride fell away and I received help from friends and family.

And then when I accepted this was how the rest of my life was to be, He literally put Tom on my doorstep. We married and Tom adopted my son. He already had a teenage son and daughter and I loved them instantly. Even his niece became like a daughter to me. Did you notice that number? Jesus literally restored my hope of a large family. (And no, He wasn’t done with me yet!)

Years passed and when Tom’s kids got married and had their first babies, I got to baby-sit one day. They splashed happily in a wading pool with my son watching over them and my niece’s baby. The giggles were nonstop and the water had to be constantly refilled because they splashed it out. I closed my eyes and listened to the laughter. I remembered another barren woman in the Bible who named her son Isaac, which means laughter. Then, Jesus seemed to say, “Kelly, open your eyes and tell me how many babies do you count in that pool?” I looked and counted my son, two grand daughters and a grand niece. I had my four babies. And I laughed.

Galatians 4:27: For it is written, "REJOICE, BARREN WOMAN WHO DOES NOT BEAR; BREAK FORTH AND SHOUT, YOU WHO ARE NOT IN LABOR; FOR MORE NUMEROUS ARE THE CHILDREN OF THE DESOLATE THAN OF THE ONE WHO HAS A HUSBAND."