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?

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]

Such a Great Cloud of Witnesses

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1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us [Hebrews 12:1]

These words have always been powerful for me. As a writer I love the imagery of a 'great cloud of witnesses' in Paul's letter to the Hebrews. Paul is saying that since we are indeed surrounded in this way, we are more able to throw off all that entangles us in the matters of this world--those "of the world" things.

Things like the 2-year long U.S. Presidential election process, the war in Iraq, all the unrest, wars, famine, natural disasters, and on and on and on distract us from what really matters. In the midst of this "cloud" we are energized, nourished, sustained, encouraged and supported in the "race marked out for us."

The "cloud" refers to those surrounding us. It's important with whom we associate, with whom we choose to be friends, with whom we spend time. We may not have control over these things at our jobs, but without godly friends and a strong faith community, it's nearly impossible to live live out our call as Christians.

Why? Because we tend to act like those with whom we interact. We tend to speak as those with whom we speak. We tend to spend our time the way those with whom we associate spend their time. While familiarity may not breed contempt, it can and may breed something even more insidious. When we become so comfortable and familiar with friends we may relax our standards a bit, or allow them to relax theirs. Our conversations may shift from how we can deal with difficult people by remembering they are children of God to how annoyed WE are by the challenging people in our lives.

When we get so comfortable with our Christianity we may forget that we are as broken, frail and flawed as are each of the other people in the world where we live. Our co-workers, the other commuters on the road, the clerk in the store, our spouse, our children all deserve to be viewed through the eyes of our Savior. All too often, though, we make it about "me" and that's, as it was explained to me one day recently, "idolotry." That's right: we make ourselves the center of the world rather than God when we snap at, gossip about, begrudge and bemoan all the others in our lives.

I've had an interesting month. I've attended two Christian Writer's conferences, met some amazing, gifted, wonderful Christian women writers and deepened friendships with some amazing, gifted, wonderful Christian women writers. Don't get me wrong--I'm not so selective about my friendships that I am only friends with women Christian writers! That's just where I am right now -- in the writing mode - and since I'm a Christian woman writer . . . well it kind of all makes sense.

Since I've been published (for pay) this past year, I've been asked to be a member of a panel discussion at the annual dinner of the Christian writer's group I belong to. I honestly don't know what I will say beyond the fact that I am ever humbled and awed that the God of heaven and earth has selected me to be a vessel of His word to a world in desperate need of healing and hope. I will also relate my ongoing struggle to live a life worthy of God's design for my life.

To Him belongs the glory and to Him belongs any success or wealth or recognition I have or will ever receive as a writer. "My" words are all God-breathed and spirit-inspired. When I read the words of some of my "new" and current Christian writer friends, I can tell they feel as I do--that they are blessed beyond imaginging; that they are God's willing and holy vessels of the Good News. I read their words and think they are so powerful and beautiful that I aspire to be like them.

I still love my "old" friends and they will always be important in my life! They have been some of the strong Christians that have helped keep me in line as well as encourage and uplift me. Interesting though, that all my "old" friends with whom I maintain friendships are Christian. My church is truly a Christian family - after almost 20 years together, that makes sense.

So my challenge to myself is to not be so relaxed and comfortable that I forget whose I am and how He desires me to act and think and speak. My desire is that I can be a light for my friends and family as I live out and live into God's plan and purpose for my life.