New Year’s Eve

Today, Neil wraps up with the second part of our foundational statements.  I intend to keep these pages handy and use them often during 2012.

And speaking of 2012, as the end of this year has come to a close, I’ve been reflecting a bit on how this little project has impacted my life…  For sure, it’s challenged me in matters of discipline and writing, but those were minor goals.

Over the year, I’ve had to dig in and really own the idea of who I am in Christ.  I’ve been grounded again in some of the basics of my faith; I’ve had renewed perspective on the truth of spiritual battle.  I’ve been healed and inspired as I’ve heard God’s voice speaking to me.

I’m still contemplating the direction for my blogging in 2012…  It may be obvious, but I won’t be trekking through Neil’s devotional again (although it was a wonderful experience).  Stay tuned – I will update this blog with my future intentions in a week or so.

How about you?  I know it’s been a while since we’ve had comments (which was cool – I heard from several of you that you were reading and enjoying while remaining anonymous), but I’d love to hear just a couple of lines from you if God has spoken something to you during this year.  

I wish you a blessed 2012 – may God continue to tend the seeds of His word so they can produce lots of fruit.  Love and grace to you - Happy New Year! 

Say it out loud

I know, it sounds hokey.  What’s the deal with Neil wanting us to read his stuff out loud?  And often? 

If you go back and read what Neil has written, it’s all based directly on scripture.  He combines and shortens, but God’s word is there. 

Here’s the thing – God’s word isn’t like any other book ever written.  It was God-breathed and has power to change our lives (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

It’s not a static thing; here’s what Hebrews says:

For the word of God is full of living power.  It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires…  Hebrews 4:12

If I remember right, in the NIV, the first part uses the phrase “living and active.”  Think about that – it is God’s breath, it’s alive, and it is an agent of change for us…

And about reading aloud…  There’s power in the spoken word in the spiritual realm.  We won’t understand it all this side of heaven, but here’s what Isaiah says:

The rain and the snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth.  They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry.  It is the same with My word.  I send it out and it always produces fruit.  It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.  Isaiah 55:10-11

As we wind down to the last day of the year, I’m thankful to be drawn back to the sense of awe for God’s word; I’m looking forward to digging in deep in the new year.

Active vs. passive

Although it’s not correct according to grammar, today’s reading reminds us that the word Christian works as a verb, but not as an adjective.  Sure, it might describe the things I believe in, but if it’s a passive description, it’s not an accurate one.

We don’t get to just add Christ on to our lives.  You can take an old, rusty car and give it a shiny new paint job, but it’s still a piece of junk.  You need a new car.  When we allow Jesus to take over, radical transformation takes place – we become the new thing.

No, we’re called to be so much more than passive believers. 

Nobody can live my faith for me.  I might be inspired by other people, but I am responsible for my own spirituality.  Just like I make sure I eat every day, I take time to get fed spiritually, too.  I work at my faith; I strive, not to achieve salvation, but to experience all I can of this beautiful gift, salvation. 

Where’s the point of application for me?  I’m reminded of how important it is to keep my focus on the right things; I’m reminded to be battle-ready at a moment’s notice.  Growing passive can happen so easily; I’m challenged to stay intent as I follow Christ.

I’m responsible for what, now?

While reading today’s entry, it was hard to shake the mental image of Neil getting the emergency call, jumping in his Emergency Vehicle (think something between an ambulance and the Ghostbuster-mobile), and heading to the scene, sirens blaring.

Funny, but not helpful.

Sometimes his methods are a little iffy in my book, but the heart of what he was getting at is awesome.  We each are responsible for our own character, we’re directed not to judge someone else’s character, and we’re told to meet each other’s needs. 

Marriage, work, family relations – we all struggle from time to time with feeling like we’re being taken for granted.  If we don’t guard our heart, that feeling can lead us to a point where we are so focused on ourselves and our needs that we’ve lost sight of the other people involved.  And then, bad things happen.

Neil’s rockin’ it old school:  I’m responsible for my character.  I’m responsible to meet the needs of those around me.  Funny thing – when I’m doing those things, I’m not focusing on myself; when I’m taking on those right responsibilities, I’m truly happy.

Unconditional

I can reason my way into believing God’s love for me is unconditional.  After all, He made provision for my mess-ups long before I was born.  He sought me out, brought me into His family, and has given me an inheritance alongside His Son. 

I can remind myself of all the stories I’ve read, episodes from the Bible that show His character:  love.  He’s faithful, He rescues and restores, and He does it all because of His passionate, ongoing love for us.  For me. 

In the end, though, as easily as I can reason my way into something, I can reason my way out.  I can believe that I am the exception to the rule; surely, I test the limits of God’s patience.  If not now, than someday…

I live in a broken world with broken relationships, and this side of heaven, I’m not going to know – truly – what unconditional love looks like. 

But I get glimpses, and He whispers to me in that moment that I’m seeing evidence of Him… 

Making a commitment to marry my husband was a big deal for me.  It meant that I no longer got to hold something of myself back in case I got hurt.  It was a terrifying, thrilling experience.  And I haven’t regretted it for a day.

In the end, I simply have to decide to take that risk with God – believing He loves like He says He does – and logic has little to do with it.  It’s an act of my will; it’s a decision not to hold any part of myself back.  Regardless, He will always love me.

I think I’ve posted it before, but I’m drawn again to Romans 8:38-39:

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from His love.  Death can’t, and life can’t.  The angels can’t, and the demons can’t.  Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can’t keep God’s love away.  Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Producing fruit

Today’s poem was sad and sweet; the thing in today’s reading that caught my attention, though, was this:  Our goal is to abide in Christ, not to bear fruit.  Jesus promised that if we abide in Him, we will bear much fruit.

We’ve already decided that my goal can’t be to have a perfect family, or even a very good one.  I can’t make my kids get along, nor can I make them make good choices.  All I can do is be the very best Mommy I can be.  I have to trust God for how my kids turn out. 

In the same way, I have to trust God to produce the fruit in my life as I abide in Christ.  And I don’t have to worry – it’s His delight to do that!  It’s an awesome thing to be reminded to stay in the vine.  That’s my focus for today.

Nothing is impossible

Today, Neil uses absolutes:  His [God’s] goals for you are possible, certain, and achievable.

He reminds us of what the angel told Mary:  Nothing will be impossible with God.

What are His goals for me?  For starters, He has put me into a specific family, neighborhood, and church; He has directed where my kids go to school.  In each of my spheres of influence, starting (and most importantly) with my family, that I be the best wife, Mommy, daughter, neighbor, friend and mentor I can possibly be.

I spent part of Christmas Eve-day at the Urgent Care – yes, I’m sick on Christmas.  I expected to wait for hours, but instead, I was greeted by cheerful front desk staff members, treated kindly by a nurse, and met a very sweet doctor who took good care of me. 

And I made a point to thank each of them for working on Christmas Eve.  I know, they probably enjoy the overtime, but my guess is they would rather have been with their families.  My point is just that God has made me who I am so that I can be a blessing wherever I go.  Sometimes, the assignments will be small, like thanking someone; other times, they will be big and scary. 

As the angel said, Nothing is impossible… 

Merry Christmas!