Where Our Greatest Joy Meets The World's Greatest Need

Sometimes--often actually--when I offer assistance or advice or even just a listening ear, I find I am the one who comes away having been ministered to.

When I share ideas and dreams and opinions with others, my own mind is broadened and my opinions and attitudes are usually reshaped and enlarged. I think so many of us are afraid to give away any part of ourselves to another, fearing we will be diminished. I have found, and firmly believe, that it is in the giving of self to others that we are actually nourished, sustained, enhanced and empowered.

When we recognize that everthing is God's - from Him and for His purpose - it is easier and less risky to share what we have--our possessions, our wisdom and knowledge, our gifts and abilities. Yes, we may get hurt in the process. We may be misunderstood or taken advantage of. Worse . . . we may be thought a fool or considered naive! But in the end we have no choice, because nothing is ours to begin with!

The trick is to find our purpose and to release our sense of self-importance or significance beyond the One through whom and from whom we are significant. The trick is to find what theologian Frederick Buechner describes as vocation: "where our greatest joy meets the world's greatest need."

That's the sweetest place to be in the end. It is when I find myself there that I am the most joyful, peaceful, free. Where is that place for you, in your life?

Blessings on your journey,
Mary

A Sign of God's Goodness

Over the years I've made many trips from our home in Richmond to southwest Virginia. I've logged many, many miles driving to and from Blacksburg, Roanoke, Radford and more recently, Fishersville, VA. The trip to Fishersville (near Staunton) takes about 1 1/2 hours and is not an unpleasant trip.

The pastoral scenery is a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of every day life. Interstate 64 West passes by Charlottesville, and then on toward the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Afton Mountain is perhaps the best known single mountain in the area, notorious for it's fog during rainy weather, but a regular tourist attraction on those days when the vantage point from the two scenic overlooks, 5 miles apart, offer a breathtakingly beautiful view of the valley.

Several months ago on one of my trips to Fishershville, I almost drove off the road! Today as I traveled to pick up my son, I listened to an Eddie Willis CD. The weather this morning and a particular song he sang reminded me of that day. He sang that he found comfort as he shared "each rising grief" and "gloomy doubt" with a gracious God who bids us seek His face.

I had been waging spiritual warfare for some weeks. I was struggling on several levels with some fundamental truths and how they had and were impacting my life. For several days prior to the trip I had been praying ardently that God would take this burden from me that I had carried for a long time. It was interfering with my growth, emotionally as well as spiritually.

Giving over this burden was a fiercely won victory, as God had been asking to take it from me for many years. Like an addict, I had to hit "rock bottom" of my own resources and strength before I was ultimately willing and able to lay this burden at the foot of the Cross.

I believed I had made a breakthrough and emotionally and spiritually wounded and battered as I was, when I awoke this particular morning, I felt as if God had lifted it from me, finally and forever. I felt free, though battle-weary. I headed off to pick up my son to bring him home for a weekend visit and the weather was just stunningly beautiful. I looked forward to having the quiet time in the car on the way down to rejoice and praise God, to thank Him and to worship Him with all of nature.

I began my descent off Afton Mountain; the road curved to the left, and as I rounded the bend, the landscape appeared to open up, mountains falling away except directly in front of me! From behind the mountain in my direct line of sight were 8 white jet streams, heading upwards, each at a precise angle - almost like someone had set off fireworks!

It was the most spectacular and breathtaking sight! Each of the jet streams were the same size and height -- extending so high I couldn't locate the top end. They formed a fan shape, had they been part of a connect-the-dots. I thought at the time it was like God's fireworks, affirming and assuring me. I almost had to pull off to compose myself; I stared at the spectacle and lost track for a few split seconds of where I was. I felt so caught up in the Spirit.

I have never seen such a sight before or since! It just doesn't happen! Perhaps they were actually clouds, but I doubted there could be so many, so perfectly formed and placed equidistant apart. I look for anything similar every time I pass that patch of mountain road, and have not been successful. The photo in this post is the closest I have found to how the sky looked that day. But the image of it is burned in my eyes, my mind and most important in my heart. God was speaking to me that day! I heard Him loud and clear! My heart is ever lighter since that day! I am still almost giddy about the weight He lifted from me!

God does indeed bid us seek His face. He longs for us to lay our burdens down so that we can be free of our earthly woes. He opens wide His arms, beckoning us come to Him. It is not until we decide to seek His face that we find true joy, real peace or experience absolute love.


"Turn to me and have mercy on me; grant your strength to your servant and save the son of your maidservant. Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me" (Psalm 86:16-17 NIV).

"But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations" (Psalm 33:10-12 NIV).

WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY
Happy Earth Day

Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth." (Genesis 9:16 NIV)


This is the latest installment of Word Filled Wednesday. Stop by AmyDeane's Blog this morning for more words and images about our amazing God.

Have You Not Known? Have You Not Heard?

I'm in an odd place in my life these days. Some of my dreams are beginning to come true. Actually, some of them are dreams I never dared to dream for myself are right on the horizon. Others have been dreaming them for me though, and praying for me, and uplifting me all along the way. For so long I didn't imagine the dreams they saw in my future could really come true.

I knew somewhere deep inside me that God had a dream for me too. I have spent a lot of time and energy assuring others that they were created for a specific purpose on the earth! But like a teacher who never lives what she teaches, I held back in my own life. It wasn't a fear of failure, because even the ventures and ideas I've had in the past that didn't pan out were never counted as failures in my mind. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Right?

Throughout the past year I've been doing some very intentional, deep spiritual work. I've let go of a lot of what was holding me back from God's dream for me. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:11-12) I don't exactly know when things changed--when I changed. I didn't just wake up one morning as someone/something new!


My husband has been a role model and a tremendous rock of encouragement as he has experienced his own transformation. I have witnessed and benefitted from his grace, his wisdom, his strength and his sense of hope. Yes, he had some down times, even to the point of falling into depression. But he pulled himself out of it through his faith in the strength and power of Christ.

God also planned some "divine circumstances" in my life. He has brought people into my life who have been loving and encouraging and also held me accountable for my own growth and prayed for me. Some of them have helped me more than they "had to" and done things for me that they had no reason to do except that they were responding to God's promptings in their own lives.


The Lord is the everlasting God who does not grow faint or weary. He has sustained me, protected me, taught me and refined me. He continues to prepare me for His dream for my life. I am yielding more and more to Him. I have nothing that did not come from Him. My only choice, then is to give Him back what He has given me.

I love my God so very much that sometimes it just hurts. I stand in awe of His capacity to tend to the details of my life while the entire universe spins on its path. He renews my strength each day.

Whatever we may be going through, no matter how down and out we feel, no matter what life throws our way, there is a way out and a way up. We know it's true because God came to earth 2000 years ago to take the form of a man. He died on a cross and rose again from the grave into victory so that we could receive a victory of our own. God wants us to live into His dream for us. We just need to keep our eye on the Cross and we will accomplish it.


Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary, his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:28-31)

I AM THAT I AM is in Control

Rick Warren, in his book, The Purpose Driven Life, really turned a lot of what and how I thought about God upside down--in a good way! Through reading Warren's book, and books by several others subsequently, I understand his contention that our entire lives are to be an act of worship. More than that our lives are to be worship.

God's declaration and self-description to Moses pretty much backs up that concept. And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you. (Exodus 3:13,14 KJV)

So often I find myself listening to a news broadcast, intently taking note of various experts on interview shows, and considering the state of our country and the larger world. I can forget momentarily who God is: I AM. The alpha and omega God has been telling man since Adam and Eve that HE is all we need. HE is our source. HE is our creator. HE is our protector. HE is our loving, gracious King of the universe.

I wonder why I fail to lean on Him sometimes. I know I can rely upon my "I AM" God to be intimately involved in every aspect of my life. I know my "manna in the desert" God will sustain me. I trust that my "grace is sufficient" God renews and restores me on a moment-by-moment basis. I believe my "el Shaddai" God has the universe aptly under his control and watchful eye. So why do I fret? Why do I worry about tomorrow?

Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. (Luke 12:22 NIV)

I am the LORD, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me, so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting men may know there is none besides me. I am the LORD, and there is no other. I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the LORD, do all these things. (Isaiah 45:5-7 NIV)

Rather my question is How can I not live my life as an act of worship? How can I help but rise up every morning with a song of praise on my lips? How can I live without my God as the center and source of my life?

Lord Prepare Me To Be A Sanctuary

Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary
Pure and holy, tried and true
With thanksgiving,
I'll be a living
Sanctuary for You

It is you, Lord
Who came to save
The heart and soul
Of every man
It is you Lord
who knows my weakness
Who gives me strength,
With thine own hand.

Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary
Pure and Holy, tried and true
With thanksgiving,
I'll be a living
Sanctuary for you

Lead Me on Lord
From temptation
Purify me
From within
Fill my heart with
Your holy spirit
Take away all my sin

Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary
Pure and holy, tried and true
With thanksgiving,
I'll be a living
Sanctuary for You
(John Thompson, Randy Scruggs)

I woke up with the words to this song running through my mind. I devoted my prayer time to singing this song over and over. God revealed several very powerful words that I am compelled to share. I am sure the words were meant for me and apply to my own life and yet I know that so often others are touched when we share God's word.

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)

I thought about how man can distort and disrupt God's word and His plan for His people so easily. We can be wooed by Satan because He is so wily and has had thousands of years to perfect his techniques. Because He was once with God in heaven he had intimate access to our phyches. That is how he knows when we are at our weakest, our most vulnerable; when we are the easiest to lure away from the Truth.

dictionary.com variably defines Sanctuary: a sacred or holy place; a church or other sacred place where fugitives were formerly entitled to immunity from arrest; a house consecrated to the worship of God; a place where divine service is performed; The most retired part of the temple at Jerusalem, called the Holy of Holies, in which was kept the ark of the covenant, and into which no person was permitted to enter except the high priest, and he only once a year, to intercede for the people.

The type of sanctuary the song refers to, I believe is the one that is defined: the Holy of Holies. This place within the structure of the sanctuary was so holy that only a select few - the holiest of the ordained - were allowed access to it. That's the place where God dwells. Because of Christ we now not only have access to the intimate most sacred part of God, we have the privilege of creating a space within us where God dwells.

Actually the space already exists. The problem is that sometimes we fill that "God-shaped" space up with other things--wordly things. We yield to Satan's lure and begin to believe the lies of the world. We choose to take the 'easy' way, the immediate way, to fill up that space. Before long, we forget how it feels to have that sacred space filled up with the light and love of God.

The triune God consists of the Holy Spirit as well. This is the part of God that intercedes for us. The original idea was that the people were so unclean and sin-filled that they were not worthy to be in the presence of God, so someone who was ritually (and hopefully spirtually) clean interceded for all of mankind. That person (or perhaps several persons) were the only ones worthy/clean/pure enough to approach God's presence. Christ changed all that and through His death and resurrection, afforded us access to God in a way never even conceived of before by man!

Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:"Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, 'Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—I have come to do your will, O God.' "First he said, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them" (although the law required them to be made). Then he said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Hebrews 10:5-10)

This scripture does not mean God doesn't want sacrifice! It shares with us the type of sacrifice God wants and desires. Christ showed us what absolute obedience looks like! How then can we say we don't know what Go wants from us? How then can we pretend not to understand the kind of life God desires us to live? How then can we believe that living "of the world" is acceptable?

We were conceived as sacred and holy. That is God's vision for us. That is how He thought of us at the beginning of time when He decided we would become His most beloved creations. Just as God prepared a body for Jesus, He prepared one for each of us. Are we caring for this gift God gave to us? Are we using it to honor Him in every way?

How are we to know the direction for our lives? By calling out to God as Christ did: "Here I am, I have come to do your will." Jesus became the great high priest for us. Through Him we are all allowed access to God's divine will and plan for our lives. The Holy Spirit is what feeds and nourishes that plan and helps us to stay in line with God's will. The Spirit is who helps us fend off Satan and his influences in our lives.

For this is what the high and lofty One says— he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite. (Isaiah 57:15)

Sometimes it is just too much for me to grasp that God would use me for His purpose on the earth. I often have trouble wrapping my head around being so loved and valued that God would desire an intimate and loving relationship with me. I am always in awe of His grace--which is extended to all of us; lost, sin-filled and broken. It is just too much to bear that honor sometimes. It is too lofty for me to grasp.

But God remind us: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:7-9 NIV)

We are all called to divine service. God sent His Son to show us how and sent the Spirit to help keep us on track and guard us from sin's influence. I cannot imagine a more grace-filled, loving and generous gift.

Victory Won On The Cross

I could start out my post by saying that I really love Hebrews in the New Testament, but then I really love the entire bible in all its richness, history and wisdom. Looking back over about 4 years of devotional posts at Worship for the Weekday the very first blog I ever had, back when blogging was still fairly new, I indicated that many of the books of the bible were "my favorite"! This one really strikes me today.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2 NIV)

I'm physically almost fully recovered from the sinus infection I had for over two weeks. I think I may also have been suffering from a bit of Seasonal Affective Disorder. I had thought I would not be afflicted with SAD this winter, but I have a suspicion that explains the funk I've been in for a while.

I received this verse via an email service to which I subscribe. I just took a deep breath and felt my whole body relax when I read these words. They are stunningly beautiful and I appreciate they don't give me a checklist, but rather offer a promise and a hope that is unimaginable to the human mind.

I really have much about which to rejoice. So I'm going to share those things and then I'm going to get out of this funk and get busy with my writing and my housework and the other things I have been putting off.

First, some time ago we discovered we needed to find a new primary care physician when our insurance changed the list of approved practitioners. We were a little sorry, but had been feeling we needed to make a change anyway, so it has worked out well. The new relatively young, very personable and bright doctor we now go to is kind and very polite, but he is also, as he puts it "aggressive" about treating and/or preventing health issues, both current and potential future ones. (Sorry, that was a really long sentence:-)

I like him a lot and he ordered a bunch of blood work, etc., as all good doctors do when you're a new patient. Anyone who knows me know I am overweight and have struggled with my weight my entire life. I was not surprised when the report came back: high cholesterol, high blood pressure; borderline vitamin D level, and some other issues. The one that caught my attention was my blood sugar level. In other words, if I keep my current lifestyle and eating habits, I'll be a diabetic within a year.

THAT got my attention! My weight is really one of the last strongholds I have previously refused to relenquish to God. I have done a great deal of deep spiritual work to overcome some other issues and I have given over a lot to my Lord, but food has just continued to win out. Oh, I've lost weight before - sometimes in the past even quite a bit of weight, but I've always gained it back. Part of it is I guess a self-esteem issue, a lack of feeling valued or valuable. Part of it is spiritual and all of it is mental!

So 5 weeks ago after I received these distressing numbers I made a breakthrough. Yep, I gave it to God! He is blessing me right now with opportunities I never imagined I would have as a writer, a mother, a wife, a friend and a disciple of Christ. I gave myself a good swift kick in the pants and decided that I have had enough. I want to be healthy and whole so that I can do all that God is calling me to do. I want to be healthy and whole for my family as well. They need me and I love my role as caretaker for them. I can't do anything well if I'm not at my best mentally, spiritually and physically.

So . . . I've lost 12 pounds. Oh, don't get me wrong, I know at this point some will say, "Yeah, but you've lost 12 pounds before. . ." Actually, no, that would be Satan! He's attacking me in other areas of my life right now, because he's not winning this battle! I'm not going crazy dieting up a storm. I'm making better, healthier food choices, learning to pray through times I eat out of habit or stress and God has taken away my craving for unhealthy foods!

I've reread several times the account of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness before he began his ministry. . . Satan isn't happy about that either:-)

So how do we win the battles in our lives? How can we be victorious against the world, against Satan and even against our own stubborn will? Well . . . let's get back to this verse:

1) Let us fix our eyes on Jesus. Don't watch the ads on television, don't listen to the negative, sad, angry people in your life who are bringing you down. Fix your eyes on JESUS.

2) the author and perfecter of our faith, We don't need any guide books, how-to-manuals or expensive programs or plans to hear God's word and then figure out how to carry it out. Why? Because Jesus is the AUTHOR AND PERFECTER OF OUR FAITH.

3) who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, There is nothing we will endure in this life that we can't get through. The reason that is true is because of the Savior, who hung on the Cross for us. He suffered so we would have the ULTIMATE GIFT OF GOD'S GRACE.

4) and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. The sacrifice of Christ won us ETERNAL LIFE IN HEAVEN.

So, whatever stronghold has a hold of your body, your mind, your heart or your soul, look to the Cross, my brothers and sisters. Look to the Cross.

Don't consider any setback a failure! Look at it as a chance to return again to the foot of the Cross. Rejoice that you have yet another opportunity to offer up a part of your life to God and His will for your life.

but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. (Psalm 44:7)

You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. (Psalm 18:35)

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Psalm 1 Corinthians 15:57)

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2 NIV)

MONDAY MANNA

Welcome to Monday Manna. The purpose of this meme is to get together and get to know Christ more through His Word. The first and third Monday of each month, anyone who wishes can post their thoughts on a verse Joanne introduced at her blog the Thursday before. It doesn't have to be a long post -- just a few thoughts, a picture you feel helps express it, a poem, a short story, a devotional.

This morning I was able to sleep in. Usually I wake up anyway by 6:30 but this morning I needed to catch up on sleep and didn't get up until the alarm went off at 7:15. The world just weighs me down sometimes and the weight of it wears me out. I realized during my prayer time this morning that I needed to give my burden to my Savior.

Here is the verse of the day: But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 NIV

There are so many people and situations on my prayer list these days, I sometimes feel tempted to rush through the list. Then I remember a comment that a dear friend shared with me about her daughter, Katherine. Katherine has multiple physical and mental challenges, but she has a heart for Christ. Her mom shared that every night Katherine insists on going through her prayer list before she goes to bed. If she recites the names out of order or forgets a name, she goes back and starts from the beginning.

Her mom shared that sometimes she just really wanted to "get it over with" and felt bad about that. I understand! Moms get tired, and this mom has long days and a busy life. But she shared this with us because she hoped we would remember, as dear Katherine reminded her, that Christ died for us. HE was crushed for our iniquities; HE was pierced for our transgressions. The punishment that brought us peace was upon HIM. BY HIS WOUNDS WE ARE HEALED.

I confess I felt the burden of prayer this morning until I remembered Katherine. I added to my list of prayers that God would allow me to have Katherine's single-minded heart as I lifted up the names and situations of everyone and everything on my prayer list. When I finished praying I felt that peace that transcends understanding. And I thanked God for sending His Son to die for me and for everyone on my prayer list.

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 NIV

THANKFUL THURSDAY!

I'm joining Sonya again this week for Thankful Thursday! Stop by Truth 4 The Journey to join us!

1) I am thankful that our daughter and son-in-law will be relocating to Richmond by this summer!

2) I am thankful to God for blessing me and my ministry in ways I never imagined possible. Thank you Lord, for expanding my mission field and equipping me to do Your work in the world.

3) I am thankful for my church family. They really are a family, too, after almost 20 years!

4) I am thankful for a new doctor who is proactively helping me improve my health.

5) I am thankful for the gift of our Savior. Sometimes I just can't breathe thinking about how very much I am loved that He would die for me.

What are you thankful for today?

Submit to God and Be At Peace

I've been sharing over at Godly Graffiti about my adventures as an author and writer. One of the joys I have had this week is that my column at Take Root and Write is posted. I am the 2X a month columnist for God's Wonder Woman!

I was also asked to contribute an article to The Writer's Lounge at Christian Women Take Root! That article is also posted and available to read. I strongly urge you to join these two sites - not just because I'm there or have writings there, but because it a group of strong, seeking, questioning, encouraging and empowered, faith-filled women.

You know, God is really blessing me right now. I have been fighting Him for a long, long time! Have you heard about the Israelites on their journey to the Promised Land? Oh, how I can relate to them and their backsliding, complaining and generally fighting God! I have been praying for quite a while that God would release me to do His work in the world and I believe He just may have answered my prayer!

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.(Joshua 1:8 NIV)

Besides a few quick counseling sessions with a Christian counselor to help me get my head together, I have done some very specific things to arrive at this place in my life. I have most of all prayed. I mean on my knees praying.

The Prayer of Jabez has long been a hallmark prayer for me and I prayed it throughout most of 2008. God heard me. When He felt I was ready, He answered that prayer on my behalf.

Now Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, "Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border, and that Your hand might be with me, and that You would keep me from harm that it may not pain me!" And God granted him what he requested. (1 Chronicles 4:10 (NAS)

Since early January I have also been doing lectio divina each morning which I talked about a bit in an earlier post. I use the Lord's Prayer and repeat it over and over again until nothing else is on my mind. If - okay - when idle thoughts, concerns about the day ahead or life in general enter my mind, I keep repeating the Lord's Prayer until there is nothing on my mind except God. Sometimes it takes five minutes. Sometimes it takes much longer:-)

I am still in awe and really almost disbelief that God is using me to minister to His world. I spent so many years not believing in my heart and soul what my head kept telling me: I was worthy and good enough. God views us from a different perspective than the world does - and even than we view ourselves!

Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you. (Job 22:21 NIV)

He created us for a purpose and until we begin to fulfill that purpose we will not have peace in our lives. I'm beginning to glimpse God's vision for my life. I will continue to pray continually for Him to renew, refresh, correct or redirect that vision as I move forward.

Then the LORD your God will make you most prosperous in all the work of your hands and in the fruit of your womb, the young of your livestock and the crops of your land. The LORD will again delight in you and make you prosperous, just as he delighted in your fathers, (Deuteronomy 30:9)

Vetted By God

Vet - v. vet·ted, vet·ting, vets. To subject to thorough examination or evaluation; to appraise, verify, or check for accuracy, authenticity, validity, etc.

Over the past several years I have heard the term ‘vetted’ creep in to political commentaries and analyses on various media outlets. I surmised the meaning of the word based on how it was used in said commentaries and analyses. Lately, this term has been used extensively in light of the recent Presidential election.

I can certainly understand why this process might be necessary when selecting individuals to serve in powerful, high-ranking positions in the government. It makes sense that one wouldn’t want someone on their staff or the government payroll who was an out-and-out criminal. Of course, the vetting process for cabinet level positions includes not only examination and evaluation of the individual’s experience, abilities and public record, but also investigates their person al life and how they have conducted themselves in their daily living.

It’s distressing and disappointing to me when individuals in whom I had confidence are vetted and unsavory, unethical, or at a minimum, questionable behaviors and activities come to light. Do these individuals not realize that in this day and age, just about everything we do or say, or have ever done or said, will be fair game in the vetting process? Why would one subject oneself to public humiliation knowing they have some issue in their lives that will exempt them from being on the ‘short list’?

Do you think these individuals are delusional? Are they so jaded they don’t consider their small misdeeds or misstatements to be inappropriate enough to merit a mention on the evening news? Does one become so out of touch with how the average man or woman lives that they begin to lose sight of the very values they adhered to when they began their careers? Have their goals changed over time? Do the disappointments and defeats of their jobs tarnish their view of right and wrong?

Do they exchange a belief that God provides all things for those who trust in Him, to a belief system based upon who has the most power, influence and political capital? These are not failings of only politicians. One only need look at the financial institutions that have recently been bailed out by the government. We see it even in small companies, civic associations, private organizations and even in our churches.

I could really get worked up about this whole situation. I’m disappointed and disheartened that so many good people have made such (seemingly) foolish and down-right stupid decisions in their past. But wait a minute. Who am I to judge them? Yes, I can raise my voice to say, “I don’t want that person representing me,” or “I don’t want that person advising the one in power.” But is it really right or just for me to judge them as human beings?

Am I not flawed and broken? Do I not act foolishly, even stupidly on any given day, or even in any given hour? Who am I to say what disqualifies someone else from receiving the same salvation for which I strive? How is it that I forget my own sins so readily when considering the sins of others?

If I were to be vetted by God, I don’t think the report would be nearly as promising and upright as I would wish. In fact, I’m sure it would be disappointing and disheartening not only to me, but to God as well.

Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near [me] with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: [Isaiah 29:13]

Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These [are] a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day. [Isaiah 65:5]

And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. [Luke 16:15]

God's Heartbreak

My heart broke today. Not for myself. Not even for the three children I care for who are in varying stages of ear/nose/throat and intestinal issues. For some unexplained reason, my heart broke for God. When I realized the feeling that flooded over me I remember actually shaking my head at myself!

First of all, I asked myself how I could even begin to understand how God feels? Well of course I can't but the Spirit gave me a glimpse today. As I said, the three little ones for whom I care have not been feeling well. Between the three of them, someone has thrown up at least every other day for the past two weeks. Now we've moved on to ear infections and runny noses and just general yuckiness.

At one point this morning sister was sprawled on the couch just within my reach so I could rub her back. One of the boys climbed up to sit in my lap in order to be consoled about his general malaise and the other brother decided he wanted some of that action as well! I even commented out loud (to no one in particular) that I really could use an extra arm today so everyone could get enough of what they needed/wanted.

That's when it struck me: God must be really heart-broken sometimes (often?)! I thought for a fleeting moment of all the stories I've heard on the news: what is going on in Gaza, continue to learn of horrible situations in Africa, the financial crisis in America and on and on and on. That's when I thought it. Perhaps this should be posted at Crayon Chronicles, but it's bigger than what the children taught me today.

I thought of how I add to God's distress and sadness sometimes (often!). I realized that my sins increase His burden. My disobedience and outright defiance, cause Him to attend to me and my little life when He has much bigger things to be tending to. Of course I know God is big enough to handle it all. I know He doesn't every say, "Wow, I wish I had some help todayf" or anything like that.

His strength and knowledge and wisdom are beyond imagining! His might is superior and extraordinary compared to anyone or anything in creation. I just felt bad for God today. And I felt a little sad that I contribute, in any way large or small, to his heart-break.

I'm not really going anywhere in particular with this, but I had one of the spirit-filled, spirit-inspired, spirit-connected days and this is one of the experiences I wanted to share. Perhaps you've thought about God's heart before. Maybe we all should more often. We would certainly stop and think before we did and said of lot of things if we first considered how it would impact God's work today, don't you think?

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. [Psalm 90:12 NIV]

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. [Psalm 100:5 NIV]

"I DID IT!!!" and "I Want"

The twin boys I nanny for 3-4 days a week are at a remarkable age! They are 21 months and both of them have tremendous vocabularies! I love to hear them say new words almost daily and watch their faces as they make connections with words and objects - and even some letters of the alphabet - thanks to the shows their almost-4-year-old sister likes to watch.

For the past few weeks they've been really blossoming and learning new skills at what seems like lightning speed. One of the oft-repeated exclamations these days is "I DID IT" and yes, it should be in all caps with multiple exclamation points. They get so excited and gain self-confidence with each new task mastered.

Today I notice one of the boys has learned, "I want" followed by either cup, book, more and a host of unintelligible (to me!) expressed wants.

I couldn't help but think that we never really do outgrow those two phrases. Our wants become more grand and usually more expensive or precious when we become adults, but we still often live with an "I want" mentality, don't we?

How often I have felt proud of myself for accomplishing a goal - large or small - as if I, of my own volition, could accomplish anything without God's purpose and plan for it to be accomplished. I'm not saying I'm helpless, powerless and/or without skill or talent 'on my own'. What I'm saying is that I need to remind myself often of the source of my abilities, skills, talents, and yes, my accomplishments.

As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things. [Ecclesiastes 11:5 NIV]

All the creative musings of my mind and touching and inspiring words of my hands are wrought from the heart and mind of God. All things I want and all the goals I wish to achieve are best measured in relation to how they will help me accomplish the specific and divine purpose for which I was created.

Examined in that light there is really very little I need on this earth outside of the bare essentials to sustain my physical body and an on-going, intentional and ardent desire to be in relationship with my God.

I was reminded of these truths on Saturday night when I attended the Richmond Christians Who Write annual dinner/holiday celebration. So many lovers of the Lord, seeking His truth to share with a broken and sin-filled world! All of us readily admit that we are equally as broken and sin-filled as those to whom we reach out -- but the difference is that we rejoice in the knowledge that our sin has been forgiven and we will be made whole at the end of time when Christ comes again.

I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you. [1 Chronicles 29:17]

So, my "I want" is to glorify God with every word I write and every thought I think. My every "I DID IT" will, I pray, be a declaration that I have done the best I could to share the Good News with the world.

Bless the Lord, O My Soul

Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you. [Psalm 119:89-91 NIV]

Bless the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever. [Psalm 104:1 & 5 KJV]

These verses were “waiting” for me this morning. I have subscriptions to several services that email scripture to my inbox each day. I don’t know about you, but it really helps me to have constant reminders of whose I am and what really matters in the world.

According to the home page of my email provider, the world continues to seemingly spin out of control! At least a dozen ‘famous’ movie and music stars are having affairs, expecting more children out of wedlock, getting married, breaking up, and on and on. Also the number of viable threats against President-elect Obama’s life increase daily. The 20 richest nations of the world have met this week to bemoan the world’s disastrous economic situation.

From the seat in front of my computer I can see the sky and the trees still have about 50% of their autumn foliage. I’m going to attend Richmond Christians Who Write dinner tonight where I will also be a panelist – in order to encourage other writers and to offer a bit of my own journey. There will be six of us on the panel – all of whom have been “published for pay” in the last year. When I think about that group, I think of constancy, faithfulness, friendship. Looking forward to gathering with that group makes it hard for me to get too worked up over the state of the world today.

Yes, the world’s in bad shape! It didn’t happen over night either. We’ve been spiraling downward for quite some time; a few prophetic voices have been warning us (and those in power). We don’t like to hear that something bad is going to happen unless we straighten up and fly right, as my mom used to say. Just like the ancient peoples in the Bible, we don’t like to hear that if we don’t stop living outside of God’s will and purpose, disaster will strike. All too often, I think we mistake God’s grace for a license to keep on sinning!

Christ won us a second chance – but we have to keep up our end of the deal! We have to live as He lived, love as He loved. That’s no small task, but it’s the only way we can expect to get to heaven. If we squander His perfect sacrifice, then there really is no excuse when disaster strikes, is there?

Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you.

God’s word will never fail. His faithfulness endures. His laws have been established. The last five words in this passage sum up how we – that’s the collective and individual we – are to live: for all things serve you. If we live to serve God, then nothing we do is wasted. Every decision we make is in line with God’s plan – for our personal lives and for the world. It’s the old simple but not easy paradigm. It’s so basic and uncomplicated. Yet we make it complicated – we don’t want to realign our lives or our world to be in line with God’s word. It’s just too labor intensive.

Well, this turned out to be a bit more doom and gloom than I had intended when I began. My walk is so crooked and full of dead-ends, I could never get a job as a mapmaker! Perhaps I was feeling a little to “good” about my own walk this morning, and God led me to give myself a reminder of whose I am so that I would be appropriately humbled before Him.

You are His too. He loves you too! He wants us to get to heaven to be with Him for eternity. All we have to do is serve Him and live according to His word.

Hmmm . . . yep; simple but not easy.

Is God Faithful?

That's a rather provacative question, I realize! It's one that many are probably asking in light of the current economic situation in our country and around the world. Perhaps you're not saying it out loud to anyone, but certainly you must wonder . . . Or perhaps you are in good financial shape and will be able to weather the next couple of years pretty handily, but you have health issues, or a loved one is dying, or your child is involved in risky behaviors--or you are.

Whatever is going on in the world -- or in your little part of it, this question looms large at some point for each of us. I know that God is, indeed faithful! Throughout the last two years, my husband and I have learned to live on about 1/2 of our previous salary. It has been a struggle at times, because while we were comfortable at our former income level, we didn't live at all extravagantly or one penny beyond our means. So, to now have half of what was not exhorbitant . . .

And yet each month, especially in the months we thought we might need to put an expense on a credit card or figure out some other way to pay an unexpected bill or expenditure, the money came, just in time. Really!! I'm not kidding! Some months it meant that I received free lance writing work with an "ASAP" deadline that was over and above the work I had planned to be paid for. Sometimes it meant we received a refund for a bill we had double-paid months ago without realizing it.

One month, my husband's car was due for inspection. He asked me before he left, what should I do if the bill is $500 or so? You guessed it: his car passed inspection without the need for the expensive repair he had anticipated. Our health insurance does not cover many common medications. One medication I take is expensive and is one that is not covered. My doctor asked me about the prescription on a recent visit and I mentioned that it cost a lot, but that I felt it was effective. She gave me a 10-week supply of samples from her office.

So it sounds as if I say God is faithful because He has made financial provision for us over the past two years. But how would I respond to that question had our home been foreclosed on or had one of us become too ill to work? I like to think I would still feel the same way. I would hope that I would see the blessings I received in every situation. Like Paul, I would hope to rejoice in want and in plenty, in good health and in illness.

Some may believe that all of my examples are merely coincidences. Some may not believe that God acts so personally and precisely in our lives. I happen to disagree! I don't believe He's been providing for us financially because we are so faithful! I believe He is so faithful so that we learn to rely upon Him! I don't know about you, but that reliance does not come naturally to me. I am by nature a fairly industrious, self-sufficient individual. I'm not used to relying upon others for what I need or want.

Those are good qualities, but not when they are exclusive of dependence upon God! I believe that God is so faithful, so often, because I need to constantly be reminded of the source of everything in my life--everything! Christ died on the Cross to afford me eternal life! There is no other provision I can imagine needing or wanting.

Our challenge is to remember the Cross and to rejoice that no matter what happens to us in this life, God has already made provision for us in heaven.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [1 John 1:9 RSV]

Therefore he had to be made like his brethren in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make expiation for the sins of the people. [Hebrews 2:17 RSV]

But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from evil. [2 Thessalonians 3:3]

I Guess An "Old Dog" Can Learn Some New Tricks!

I know that some of you who know me well will be in utter shock when I tell you this: I actually used html and other computer "stuff" to create a blank journal for sale on the website lulu.com!

For those who don't know me well, the humorous part of this announcement is that I can't even handle using the remote control for the television except for the "on/off" function! We have so many options with cable t.v., etc., that I inevitably hit the wrong button, much to the exasperation of my family!

What is so amazing to me is not only that I was able to produce a product that looks exactly as I envisioned it, create a "storefront"/"website" where people can go to buy it on line and then add links back to the storefront from my website and my blog all by myself, but I did it on a day I was not originally scheduled off. I received a bonus day off and so I used it to accomplish this goal.

Perhaps you don't see God in all of this, but I know He has been at work arranging and rearranging circumstances for me in response to my ardent prayer that He take over all the how's and the when's of everything I believe He wants me to do to spread the Good News. A week ago, I couldn't imagine how I would possibly have time to sleep because it seemed my days would be so full and busy! Finally, on Sunday, I asked God to give me some kind of sign, that I could not mistake or doubt, about whether or not I was on the right track in the goals I have set.

This is part of an email message I received from a friend on Monday morning:

GOD WANTED ME TO TELL YOU, It shall be well with you this coming year. No matter how much your enemies try this year, they will not succeed. You have been destined to make it and you shall surely achieve all your goals this year. For the remainder of 2008 and all of 2009, all your agonies will be diverted and victory and prosperity will be incoming in abundance.
Today God has confirmed the end of your sufferings, sorrows and pain because HE that sits on the throne has remembered you. He has taken away the hardships and given you JOY. He will never let you down. I knocked at heaven's door this morning, God asked me. My child! What can I do for you? And I said, "Father, please protect and bless the person reading this message".

Apparently this prayer began with Mother Theresa and has been circulating for several decades. Needless to say, I have been praying that all it promises is so. I have no doubt that it will be through the power of Christ and the prayers I lift as well as the prayers of my friends and family.

I want you to know that I pray this for each of you every day as well. I wish you JOY in your journey.

Whatsoever Things Are True

I have been experiencing quite a few changes in my life lately and more are on the way. Some of the changes are or will be rather painful and I find myself all tied up in knots from time to time, thinking and worrying about some things I believe I need to do in order to be obedient to God’s plan for me in the next stage of my life. The decisions are not necessarily any easier to make even believing they are in line with that plan! Situations like this call for peace of mind and heart. I came across the following verses this evening and I know I will re-read them often in the weeks to come.

Philippians 4:8,9 KJV

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

This is really a tall order to my mind. Honesty, justice, purity, loveliness and being of good reputation: these are challenging qualities to live into and to live out. I don’t actually even know anyone who possesses or demonstrates all of them in one package even a majority of the time! Yet we are assured that in our striving for all that is honest, just, pure, lovely, positive and virtuous we will find peace. Even if our striving makes others uncomfortable, or may cause us to be shunned, we are to strive nonetheless.

The peace Paul speaks of is not just a quiet calm. He’s referring to a peace that surpasses anything we can create or bring about on our own—the peace that surpasses understanding. That kind of peace is only possible through Christ’s death and resurrection. Paul’s not suggesting that we’re to walk around wearing “rose colored glasses.” He is simply pointing out that if we are to find genuine, true and lasting peace of mind and heart, we should focus on Jesus and the promise He fulfilled.

I’m one of those individuals who tends to mull things over, then turn them over, then break them down to the lowest common denominator, then mull some more! Paul chastises me that I am not being very wise in acting this way. My negativity impacts not only my own life, but the lives of everyone in my sphere of influence. Rather, He urges us to focus on those issues of eternal importance. This world will one day pass away and all the earthly woes we spent time and energy focusing on will pass away with it. That’s why we need to keep our eye on the Cross.

These verses also speak to the kind of people we are expected to be. Not only are we to think on things that are positive and good and life-affirming, we are to be positive and good and world-enhancing people. We are to be virtuous, just, honest, upright and “peace-bearers.” In other words, we are to be Christ to a world that is largely false, dishonest, unjust, ugly and lacking in virtue. That is very challenging! Speaking for myself, I fall short each and every day!

Paul is in prison when he pens these words! He is truly a source of inspirational words. His source is his unwavering faith in Jesus Christ and the life Christ won for us on the Cross. If Paul can be so uplifting and Christ-focused from a prison cell, I don’t think many of us have very good excuses not to follow Paul’s teachings.

I pray, “Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in [Paul, you will] do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” And I pray He will also be with me.

New Year’s Resolutions for Christian Men and Women

He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 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 2:7-9 NASB]

Statistics tell us that almost 90% of Americans make at least one New Year’s resolution. I, however, don’t like New Year’s Resolutions. On the surface it seems like such a great idea. As Christians we do believe in repentance, so the dawning of a new year should be a joyous thing to anticipate. However, as humans, we know our own failings. If we’re really honest with ourselves, most resolutions we’ve made in the past were already broken by Valentine’s Day, as were those of a majority of resolution-makers.

There is something flawed though with the concept of a New Year’s resolution on several levels, especially if we are Christians. First of all, waiting until a particular date to change really doesn’t make much sense. As Christians, we have an opportunity to repent and begin anew every single day. Doesn’t it seem like a better idea to make the change at the time it’s recognized as a need? Waiting only further ingrains in us the undesirable behavior while we’re waiting to make a change.

Read the rest of New Year's Resolutions for Christian Men and Women.

Fearless!

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Romans 8:38-39

38. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39. nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Philippians 4:6-7

6. Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Well . . . do I really need to add anything to these two hopeful and uplifting passages? No matter what is going on in our lives, we have the assurance that God is in it; He is with us and walks through every moment with us. That’s not always easy to remember when we are in pain, experiencing a difficult time in our lives, or have lost a loved one. To my mind, those are the times we need the reassurance of these verses the most.

I read the Philippians to mean that once we have prayed and presented our supplications to God, we need to let it go. Once we give it our Heavenly Father, we can be assured that everything will happen as he has planned out of his wisdom and grace. In a time of tragedy, mourning, struggle or fear we may not feel very close to God. Those are the times we actually need to seek Him out. That’s when we need to read and pray upon the Romans verses.

Because of Christ, we have assurance that God has our present and our future in his hands. There is nothing we can do, nothing we can experience that is stronger than God’s love. Think about that for a minute! Beyond our own daily lives and our personal future lives, He holds the world! No war or revolt, no acts of genocide, no words of hatred, no earthquake, volcano, tsunami, drought or flood is beyond the depth and breadth, the height or the power of God!

More, in spite of our own sins and the sins of the world, God values us tremendously. He jealously oversees our actions and knows our thoughts. He loves us anyway—individually as his precious ones, and as a people. We are all His Own, his beloved. Nothing will ever separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. The Cross won for us eternity in heaven. That’s why we are not to be anxious, to fret, to be afraid. No traffic light color of alert level will change our future. We’re going to heaven!

I think it helps to step back and reframe our own little lives, and all the things going on in the world from that perspective. Since we are going to heaven, all we need to really be concerned about is taking as many with us as we can, and being the best person we can possibly be. It’s a cliché, I know. But it is true, and it is the answer to how to have the best life possible—a grace-filled life of abundance and blessings. Death is not the final word. Nor is warfare, natural disasters, hatred, military power or living in fear.

Because of Christ we are fearless! We are not afraid, and so we are free to share the Good News and to live abundantly and fully into the promise sealed for us 2000 years ago on Calvary. Rejoice! We have nothing to fear! We are God’s beloved and His precious creations. He waits for us!

My prayer today is that you fearlessly go out into the world intending to be Christ to the world. And that you live the rest of your life with reckless abandon!

Mary

Stop Complaining and Do Something!

2 Timothy 3:1-5

1. But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of stress. 2. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3. inhuman, implacable, slanderers, profligates, fierce, haters of good, 4. treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5. holding the form of religion but denying the power of it. Avoid such people.

Timothy was written a couple of thousand years ago! And the world is still here. Mankind is still alive and kicking! Somehow we’ve managed to survive. God’s incredible grace has sustained us through the ages. God has sent to live among us today people like Jimmy Carter, Nelson Mandela, medical missionaries and doctors without borders, The Red Cross and volunteer aid workers, prayer warriors and nameless, faceless saints whose names we’ll never know. God’s people are in the world. They labor for His kingdom. They are doing something to make this world a better place to live in.

Read the entire post Stop Complaining and Do Something!