May 31, 2011

Unappreciated

Everyone likes to feel valued, appreciated, understood.  I see how the attitude changes in my kids when I take the time to get down to eye level with them, put myself in their metaphorical shoes, and figure out what’s going on in their little heads.  When Mommy understands them, or even tries to and gets close enough, the anger cools, the belligerence softens, and usually, the screaming stops.

As adults, are we all that different?  It makes such a difference to me when someone takes the time to understand what I’m doing.  Nobody likes to feel unappreciated.

Reading over the list in today’s entry, I am so challenged.  I’m reminded that my goal is to live and do everything for an Audience of One (that would be God, in case you’ve not heard that expression before). 

I need to love people because God loved me, and I am a loving person.  I need to find my validation only in one person, and that’s God… 

The verse just before the one Neil started with today encourages me:

So don’t get tired of doing what is good.  Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time. 

Galatians 6:9

May 30, 2011

Is Neil talking about Satanism again?

Most of what I know about weird spiritual rituals comes from TV crime solving shows, or the book, The DaVinci Code.  I’m not in law enforcement, and I’ve never known anyone who was into the occult. 

So sometimes, I read Neil’s stuff, and think, Really?  Some of it seems pretty unlikely. 

And yet I know what God’s word says: 

Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies and tricks of the Devil.  For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.  Ephesians 6:11-12

Whether I acknowledge it or not, there are plans against me, and against my church.  At this point, I begin to take it personally…  These plans may be subtle and come from within, like when we believe Satan’s lies and are ineffective believers, or they may be more dramatic, and come in the form of people who are deceived into practicing in the occult. 

What’s my responsibility?  To be aware, to be knowledgeable as to what God’s word says about it all, and to stand firm, do battle, and not be afraid. 

May 29, 2011

Ends vs. means

The guy Neil writes about who is promoting New Age stuff in a business class (school, not airline) had this to say:  I just know it works.

Was the guy a Christian?  I couldn’t tell from the story.  What I did get was the sense that he was the kind of person for whom the ends justify the means.  He wasn’t concerned with the strings that might be attached to what he’s doing; he just wants results. 

In my pursuit of what’s good, there’s always going to be a temptation to use questionable means to achieve an end.  Does God care?  Absolutely.  Jesus said that the person who is faithful in the little stuff will be entrusted with bigger things, as well (Matthew 25:14-30, mostly v. 29).

I also saw a familiar theme – that of depending on God to meet a legitimate need instead of meeting it myself or getting creative and looking for other means.  I’m so glad that God knows what I need and is already at work to meet those needs.  It’s a powerful truth in my life right now; a willful act of taking something I need, turning it over to God, and waiting on Him to meet it. 

If someone’s heart isn’t fully submitted to God, they will find it easy to add other things onto their Christianity.  They won’t have a problem with embracing the bad with the good, even though it will take away from their spiritual health.  My job is to stay connected, stay submitted, and remember who it is that meets my needs.

May 28, 2011

Get angry…

While it seems simple, today’s entry spells out an enormously significant truth:  first, that my freedom’s been won already and there’s nothing I can do to earn it, and second, that there are some things I must do to apply it.  It’s kind of like those frequent-flier miles you’ve racked up – they’re not really much good to you unless you spend them, right?

So there’s nothing I can do to get free, just believe the truth, but there’s something I have to do to stay free.  I’ve got it, I think.

First, I have to choose the truth.  It seems simple, but sometimes the lies I live with are familiar and comforting.  Sometimes I’m like an addict who can’t let go of the thing I know is toxic.  I’ve built my self-concept around a lie, and I don’t know where to go from here.  But God’s grace is amazing, all-encompassing, and it takes me where I can’t go by myself.

Second, I have to assume my responsibility to take authority over the enemy.  It’s not passive – I have to actively resist.  There are days I’m tired and don’t feel like fighting; there are days I fall into old patterns and don’t even see the battle that’s waging in my mind.  Being a child of God is a lot of work, but the work is all worth it…

There are other things I need to do, too – confess sin, forgive others – walking in truth requires a lot of courage.  What’s my motivation to do all that?  When I read in Ephesians about the armor of God and doing spiritual battle, I picture a warrior, fierce and angry at the enemy.  I need to be reminded of the destruction the lies of the enemy can do, and I need to feel that righteous anger that propels me into battle.

May 27, 2011

Spiritual discernment

A few days ago, I wrote about the uh-oh feeling we all have (and all need to pay attention to).  Today, we’re reading more about the value of being sensitive to what the Holy Spirit is saying to us.

As I felt the pressure building that there was one more thing I need to really work hard for, I read Neil’s last sentence:  Our personal relationship with God is made possible by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit who does not silently sit by in the face of danger, but prompts us to choose what is true and right.

God is good, and He’s working on my behalf!  He’s more than able to overcome my lack of sensitivity; I have no doubt that He is able to make Himself heard.

I know this from experience…  During a tough period of my life way back in college, I had resisted asking God specifically what He wanted me to do because I was afraid to hear the answer.  And then in the course of a couple of days, He used phrases from three different conversations with people I trusted to confirm what He was trying to tell me.  They stuck with me in such a profound way that I knew I was hearing God’s heart for me.  Because of that, I was able to make the right decision.

Do I need to work on my sensitivity to the Holy Spirit?  Yes.  But I also trust that if there’s something I’m missing, God will make Himself known to me in the gracious way He’s always done.  Wow – I’m so thankful.

May 26, 2011

Crazy stories

Are you like me?  Do you get your mind blown by some of Neil’s stories?  Some days I struggle to see how such an extreme example applies to me.  I’m really glad that girl got things worked out, by the way.

And then I get to the last paragraph…  Christians tend to miss the supernatural, and end up trying everything else, unsuccessfully, to solve their problem.  Is that me?  I don’t know. 

Instead of scrutinizing everything in my life today to see where I might have invited spiritual oppression, I think I’ll just pray and listen and ask God to show me if and where there’s an issue here.  If there is, I know God will tell me.

Mostly, there’s huge value in being educated about spiritual things.  They will come along, and if I’m ignorant and unprepared, there won’t be much I can do.  And God has more for me – and you – in mind.

May 25, 2011

Trust

I admire Neil’s story of having parents who trusted him and then living up to that trust. 

I wish my experience growing up had been that simple…  When he says it, I can see how it all works, yet I’ve known good parents who’ve a good job, and their kids still made choices that broke their trust…  I’m praying for clarity on this topic, because it’s not all that black and white in my mind.

Because of God’s redemptive grace, He’s made sure we can always learn something from our experiences – either what to do, or what not to do.  Lest you think badly of my parents, please know that they are good people who did a good job – their best – and yet there were some issues with trust.

So for me, it’s a matter of asking God to heal any hurt that’s still there, and shed light on how to live on that level of trust with my kids.  As a parent, I never want to betray my kids’ trust, although I know I will at some point – I just pray it’s something minor, something from which we can recover.  And I need to see my kids as trustworthy, and look for ways for them to step out and earn confidence in that way. 

Thank you, God, for the confidence you put in me.  I don’t deserve it, but I want to live up to it…

May 24, 2011

The one with the oxen

When it comes to the way we’re supposed to live our lives in relationship to God, there are so many metaphors – remaining in the vine, walking in the spirit, abiding in Christ – but wow, did the one about the yoke come alive with today’s entry. 

As many times as I’ve read that scripture, I never got it.  Truth be told, I don’t spend a lot of time around oxen. 

The idea is that I need to pay attention and keep in step…  It’s like Goldilocks:  too fast and I’m struggling, too slow and I’m struggling…  The pace Jesus sets for me is just right. 

What’s the takeaway for me today?  Taking the time to ask and listen what’s next, keeping my heart tuned in to what He’s saying, and letting Him be in the driver’s seat.

May 23, 2011

Nothing is impossible

When I’ve read the verses about telling a mountain to throw itself into the ocean, and I think about what I usually find impossible, it’s stuff dealing with people.  People are hard to change.  Hard hearts are hard to make soft.  But all that is no problem for God, provided there’s a level of cooperation involved, right?

Today, though, as I’m pondering the impossible, I’ve got two other things that I’m pondering. 

First, are there things God wants to do around me that I’m just not asking for?  The mental picture was like a video game with secret thingamagigs (no, not a gamer, you guessed correctly) that unless you know what they are and how to get them, you can’t unlock some key parts of the game.  Where are the thingamagigs God has put around me?  What has the Holy Spirit been telling me to ask for, and I haven’t been paying attention? 

Remember, it’s all about furthering His kingdom.

And the second thing is, usually I’m thinking about the impossible things in other people – she (or he) is never going to change! – as it pertains to them coming to know Christ.  I’m often asking God to do the impossible as it relates to someone having a change of heart and being open to the gospel.

But what are the mountains in my heart that God would throw into the ocean if I would only ask?  I need to hear from Him what they are.  I think that starts by asking the right questions…

May 22, 2011

The uh-oh feeling

In a seminar about teaching kids safety stuff, we were told to teach our kids to listen to their uh-oh feeling, and to pay attention to our own uh-oh as well.

The speaker had this to say:  that uncle, store employee, neighbor, whomever – may have every reason to seem like a safe person, except for a small, nagging uh-oh feeling you have about them.  Rationalizing it away can lead to serious harm; it’s my job as a parent to listen to that feeling, and then not let that person have access to my child.  I was glad to learn the concept; I’ve already put it into practice.

While the speaker didn’t spell it out, I believe that uh-oh feeling comes from the Holy Spirit. 

I have a tough time believing anything bad about anyone, especially someone I don’t know very well.  I will believe the best about them until the cows come home!  Sounds a little noble; mostly, it’s naïve.  But it’s the optimist in me, so I’m seeing it as somewhat of a good thing (ironically)…

How many times has the Holy Spirit been trying to get my attention with that uh-oh feeling, but I’m too involved in hearing someone’s problem or great idea or life story? 

In the church, especially with leaders, we tend to give the benefit of the doubt.  If they are leading a care group, for example, of course they must have their lives together!  If they are a ministry leader at our church, I’m sure everything is cool!  While I don’t want to jump to the other extreme and start questioning everyone and their intentions, I need to be reminded to stop and listen to the Holy Spirit.  

May 21, 2011

How important is it that I know God’s word? 

Regarding standing against the lies of the enemy, Neil has this to say:  Dealing with Satan is not a power encounter; it’s a truth encounter.  When you expose Satan’s lie with God’s truth, his power is broken.

It’s not my job to hunt down every lie…  No Spiritual Ghostbusting, remember?  My job is to know the truth, and stand ready to pull it out when needed. 

How do I know that truth?  I spend time, every day, reading and understanding God’s word.  It’s not about the time I log or the numbers of chapters I read.  It’s about the level to which I let His word saturate the soil of my heart.  I read, I mull on it (some people call it meditating), I might even memorize it. 

As I get to know God’s word, I’m practicing with my weapons of war.  Thank you, God, for Your word that trumps everything else…

May 20, 2011

Lies

I was thinking about lies.  Reading today’s entry, it talks a lot about lies that concern something we might do; the lies I’ve been pondering are more about who we are (although we’ve explored that connection ad nauseum, and suffice it to say, they go together). 

In this week’s news headlines are men behaving badly…  One article talked about why so frequently men (and, presumably, women, too) seem to have moral failures on such an epic scale.  The comment that caught my attention was that they probably feel like they are above it all; the rules that apply to everyone else no longer apply to them.

I actually know someone, a believer, who talked themselves into believing that the affair they were having was okay with God.  They twisted scripture verses, rationalized based on circumstances, and lived in denial to an amazing degree.  But the beginning of it all was a lie:  I’m above the rules.  It’s okay for me to do this.  For everyone else, not so much, but God understands why I’m doing it.

Other lies we allow have to do with who are…  I find myself thinking very negatively about myself, more often than I’d like to admit.  I won’t give you the list – let’s just say it’s long and very detailed.  I let myself do it because it feels almost right – humility is a good thing, right?  Why does it matter what I think about myself? 

The truth is that if the enemy can get my attention and get me focused on all that’s wrong, it keeps me from being who I am in Christ.  I’m not living to the fullest as a child of God, and I’m not effective in my family, in my church, wherever – not in the way God has planned. 

Neil’s prayer today is my own:  Lord, I really want your truth, and the freedom it brings, in my life…  Help me face up to the truth, receive it, and act on it today.

May 19, 2011

This one’s personal

As much as I’d like to think I’m not all that affected by the world’s standards in terms of my identity, today’s entry is where I’m living right now.  Many days, anyway.

Was it my liberal education?  Starting with my freshman writing course, which began with Women’s Roles in Traditional Fairy Tales?  (8 Clap, everyone!  And if you’ve never heard of the 8 Clap, you’re not a UCLA fan.  But you may continue reading anyway.)

Was it my own unrealistic expectations?  Did I really think I wouldn’t morph into a typical mom once I had kids?  Did I honestly believe I would find ultimate fulfillment in folding that 5^th load of laundry in a day?  (note to self:  wet clothes in the washer right now...)

And if you’re a guy and you’re reading this, the guy I happen to live with struggles all the time with the balance between the pressures at work and being home with our kids often enough for them to want him around.  You may not stress out about how you look in a bathing suit, but you probably have your struggles, too.

It takes some reminding that the thing I’m spending my life on – my family – is of eternal value.  I have to keep my eyes on where my real identity comes from.  I don’t want to just survive; I want to thrive.  I want to bloom.  Just not there yet…

May 18, 2011

Fear of God

The whole balance of fear vs. faith makes sense, until I get to today’s reading…  In my heart, I understand the whole Fear of God thing, but in my head, it’s hard to reconcile.  He’s a good God – why should I fear Him? 

I’ve heard that it’s okay to think of the word fear to mean respect, which kind of works.  But for me, it kind of waters it down, too…  Proverbs says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. 

God is big enough that there’s some mystery to Him – if I could figure Him all the way out, He wouldn’t be that big, now, would He?

Neil:  The fear of the Lord is healthy because it is the one fear that expels all other fears. 

How does that work?  I remember in high school English class reading Jonathan Edwards’ sermon Sinners In the Hands Of an Angry God, and thinking that while it’s all true – God can smote us any time He pleases, God loves us!  He doesn’t want to smote us!  He wouldn’t have sent His dear Son to die for me if He didn’t love me.

May my familiarity with God never turn into my lack of respect – healthy fear – of Him.  May it keep my other troubles in perspective today.

May 17, 2011

Leading and serving

One truth about God’s ways is that they are almost always the exact opposite of what we might expect.  Jesus blew His disciples’ minds when He sat down on the floor with a bowl of water and began to wash their feet.  When He did so, He showed them – and us – the heart of a true leader.

Let’s be honest – when I’m leading something, most often what I’m focused on is the thing we’re trying to get done.  I love people, and I’m usually serving with my close friends, but sometimes relationships take a back seat to the task.

I love what Neil has to say today:  The true shepherd exercises spiritual leadership with the heart of a servant.  As servants, we are subject to the needs of those we are called to lead.

He didn’t say, we should take people’s needs into consideration, or, we should deal with them as we can – he said, we are subject to their needs.  I’ll admit – that bruises my pride just a little.  If my heart was truly submitted, it probably wouldn’t. 

It brings to mind another truth…  Serving with people is messy.  It’s my flesh that gets annoyed with interruptions and personality conflicts.  When I get my priorities backwards, there’s lots of room for me to get grumpy.  Caring for people comes first, and if that happens, the task will get done, maybe not within my time frame, but in God’s.

May 16, 2011

How do I do this?

Today’s reading leaves me wondering…  How do I do this?  How do I teach my kids to identify the voices they’re hearing without freaking them (or me) out? 

And yet I know it’s my job as a parent… 

My plan is to pray until I hear what God wants me to do, all the while, look for an opportunity to talk with my kids.  I always forget how the things of God that seem so hard to fathom are just another piece of new information to little ones.  It’s no wonder that Jesus said we must have the faith of one of these little ones…

May 15, 2011

Did Neil just give us homework?

The premise we’re getting today is that in order to be a well-functioning believer, we don’t just need to know how to behave.  We need to know the foundational truths behind who God is, who we are, and what God did for us.  If we’ve got that under our belt, the way we live will naturally fall in line with what God wants.

In other words, what we do is based on who we are, and our understanding of it all.  Sound familiar?  Oh, yes – that’s the sound of the wagons circling back around… 

When was the last time you read through, say, Romans?  If you’re not on a daily reading plan, there are plenty of places to read that are more fun.  Psalms, Proverbs, the gospels – I can read and walk away satisfied, because I understood it!

Truth be told, my first several readings of Romans and Ephesians were, shall we say, less rewarding.  I knew it was important stuff, but I didn’t get all of it.  If you’re in the same boat, don’t give up.  Keep going, keep reading…  Make sure you’re reading a Bible that’s helpful, either a translation with wording that makes sense to you (New Living is my fav), and/or a good study Bible with helpful notes and explanations.

I’ve gone from trying to make sense of the theology stuff to times where I read just a few verses and love the way the language washes over me…  It’s powerful stuff, and reaches me beyond an intellectual level.  I read that there’s nowhere I can go that God’s love can’t reach me, and it makes my heart leap.  The stuff I read has begun to seep into my core of beliefs, and I can’t wait for more.

Even so, there’s so much more there for me to understand – I need to keep reading.  I love that about God’s word – it doesn’t matter how many times you read it; there’s always something new there, because the Spirit of God is breathing life through it.  Amazing.

May 14, 2011

So I can’t be a Ghostbuster?

Have I ever mentioned how much I appreciate the balance Neil maintains as he writes about all kinds of crazy stuff? 

In the midst of instructions on how and when to do spiritual battle, he has this to say:  God’s primary call is for each of us to focus on the ministry of the kingdom:  loving, caring, preaching, teaching, praying, etc… 

Spiritual confrontations may come up, but if so, we are to take them in stride and keep on going the same way we were before. 

Maybe I’m a little disappointed that I don’t get to be a Ghostbuster (I was thinking of a really cool t-shirt design), but it’s just as well.  It would be tough to get anything constructive done…

May 13, 2011

Truth plus boldness

Neil says:  A Spirit-filled Christian is characterized by a true, godly sense of courage and boldness in spiritual warfare.

Real, actual warfare is a foreign thing to me.  I’m probably a pacifist by nature, but I admire the men and women who put their lives on the line representing our country.  It is, though, hard for me to grasp the idea of combat. 

I do have a friend, though, who is in law enforcement.  If I’ve been paying attention all these years (and I’m sure I’ll hear about it if I wasn’t!), it goes something like this…  Sure, we deal with life-and-death situations.  But we’re trained for them.  We’ve got the right equipment, the right team, and we’ve trained until it’s basically a matter of muscle memory when the actual bust goes down… 

In other words, 90% of the important stuff happens before the confrontation ever happens. 

That’s a lesson to me…  If I want boldness that’s based on truth, I need to get serious about the preparation needed.  The things I do to strengthen my spiritual life aren’t just about me – they are about battles I’ll face, on my behalf or on someone else’s. 

Time to get working on my 90%...

May 12, 2011

Pride

I love the way the Bible tells stories.  The good, the bad, and the ugly – it’s all there.  Today’s reading got me thinking about a story from Acts… 

On one of Paul’s trips, he was preaching in Ephesus.  For some reason, God did some amazing miracles there – strange stuff.  It got the attention of lots of people, not all of whom were interested in the spiritual benefits of the power they were seeing. 

A bunch of brothers started going from town to town casting out demons, too – and this is how they did it:  I command you by Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!  (Acts 19:13) 

It worked for a while, until they ran across a demon who didn’t cooperate.  He caused the man he was possessing to say, Okay, I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who in the world are you?  This one demon-possessed guy proceeded to give the brothers the beating of a lifetime, and sent them, naked and wounded, on their way.

Great story.  Would that happen today?  It certainly could, but probably the most danger we would put ourselves in would be to begin to act independently of God, presumably on His behalf. 

It’s very cool that God entrusts us with spiritual authority; the point of it is, then, to cause us to deepen our dependence on Him.  

May 11, 2011

First graders can smell fear

They say dogs can smell fear…  While I can’t say for sure it’s true for dogs, I can report that it’s true for first graders. 

My first day of teaching was spent in a tiny classroom crowded with 28 six-year-olds, and lasted approximately 12 hours long.  Or, at least, it felt like 12 hours…  I had run through everything I’d prepared for the entire day before the first recess. 

First graders can smell fear.

The kind teachers upstairs talked me into coming back the next day, and if I remember right, the day after that; I could just as easily have walked away.

Comparing my first day on the job to my last, after having taught for seven years, what a difference!  The most helpful thing I gained was confidence.  I had learned many, many things from experience (read:  doing things wrong the first time), knew that I could be flexible with changes in my schedule, the kids, the staff, etc., and didn’t fear a whole lot.

Oh, the things 7^th Year Mrs. J would have said to First Week Mrs. J, starting with, You will survive this!  Where was time travel when I could have used it?

Can I skip to the end in terms of my experience with spiritual authority?  I’m glad I’m not on my first day, but wish I had the experience I will have had when I’m all done here. 

And there’s one key difference between spiritual experience and teaching experience.  I gained my confidence teaching by earning it myself; my spiritual confidence is totally based upon who God is, and on His power and faithfulness.  

May 10, 2011

They really are out to get me…

As I read today’s entry, I found myself a little surprised that there would be a plot against my marriage.  It makes perfect sense, but it just wasn’t obvious to me.  Aren’t there bigger things for the enemy to be worried about?

But when I stop to think about the blessing of a solid, loving marriage – I’m thinking of couples I’ve known over the years – it reaches beyond even that particular family, and brings healing and stability and strength to other people who know them, too. 

My husband’s parents divorced when he was 12, and a few years later, he and his mom moved to Southern Cal.  The couple who lived downstairs in the apartment they rented happened to be an awesome young-ish couple with younger kids, strong members of a vibrant church.  They also happened to have a heart to care for a kid whose dad was in another state.  God put them there to fill a need that they never could have seen coming.

I can think of other examples, but I can also think of lots of questions… Who is my marriage a blessing to?  Whose marriage am I looking at for hope and inspiration?  How much am I working to protect and nurture my marriage?

If marriage has the potential for being that kind of a blessing, of course it’s in the crosshairs.  As Neil prays, Lord, help me do my part to keep our home united in You.

May 9, 2011

What do we deserve?

So we got a little instruction today on prayer…  No, we got schooled.  It’s kind of funny when Neil gets on a soapbox, even when it’s a small one.

More to the point:  if God really is who He says He is, and He is in the room with me right now, that changes everything!  How much do I know about Him?  How much do I focus on Him? 

Do my prayers seem like He’s out there somewhere, distant, and I have to fill Him in on what’s going on?  Or is He close like a friend, in the chair next to me, and I can pour my heart out to Him?  (I used to pray in the car when I had a longer commute, and I would mentally picture Him in the seat beside me – weird, but it worked for me.)

I honestly think God doesn’t hold it against us when we ask Him to be with someone in need.  I think He can see through the words to the intent of our heart, thank goodness.  But how much more effective would a more thoughtful prayer be?  I don’t want to get hung up on the words I use, but I also want them to be real and true.

The part about being grateful hits close to home, since we work on saying thank you every day, many, many times a day.  I was reminded of what Erwin McManus (pastor of Mosaic Church in Pasadena) made his kids say every time they told him  they deserved something… 

Dad:  What was that?  What do you deserve?

Kids:  (singsongy, monotone voices)  Death and hell…

Dad:  That’s right.  Very good.

That’s as related to me by my husband, who listens to Erwin’s podcasts from time to time. And it’s funny, but true – I’m so grateful God didn’t give me what I actually deserve.  Thank you, Father, for your grace.

May 8, 2011

Sowing and Reaping

As a mom (Happy Mother’s Day, everyone!), I’m so thankful for the principle of sowing and reaping.

Over the years, sometimes I’ve appreciated this concept as a sort-of cosmic So There, as in, Sure, you’re getting away with that, but someday, you’ll reap what you’re sowing right now.  So there. 

Call it the Christian version of karma, I’m grateful that God wove this wisdom into the fabric of the universe.  Scientists study cause and effect – everything, people included, are subject to the law of sowing and reaping.  God is good, and He does keep track.  And oh, yeah – He is just.

Now, when it comes to parenting…  My kids are pretty young, and it can be pretty mind-numbing to be drilling the same things over and over and over (and over):  We speak kindly to each other.  We take turns.  We wait for each other.  We say we’re sorry when we’ve hurt someone, and ask if they’re okay. 

It’s all with the hopes that someday, these children will be kind, compassionate, responsible, loving big people.  Am I winning?  Most days, I’d say it’s a draw.

That’s where sowing and reaping come in, though…  We can’t see it now, but life is happening below the surface of the soil.  When we least expect it, we’ll see growth.  And someday, we’ll stand amazed at the full-grown, fruitful life we’ve tended.

The girls who babysit my kids now are the beautiful young women I taught in Sunday school when they were 4 and 5…  Some of them, I’ve known their whole lives.  They are evidence of God’s faithfulness to faithful parents.

Neil included Galatians 6:7 at the top today; I’d like to give you verses 8 and 9:

…But those who live to please the Spirit (NKJ says, sow to the Spirit) will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.  So don’t get tired of doing what is good.  Don’t get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.

I’m encouraged by that today…  I hope you are, too.

May 7, 2011

It all connects…

What is it that God wants from me?  He wants me to be the wife, mommy, friend, and church leader He created me to be. 

Just now, as I was typing that last part, I began:  He wants me to be the best wife, mommy, etc.  That’s the way it sounded right in my head.  For some reason, though, I went back and re-read that part in today’s entry, and noticed the difference – Neil doesn’t use the word best.

Small distinction, but for those of us who can be paralyzed by needing to do everything as perfectly as we can, it’s freeing.  I don’t have to be the best.  I just need to understand who God has created me to be, how that looks, and then go and live it. 

Today’s entry takes us back to the themes of goal vs. desires, being vs. doing.  See how it all connects? 

God is absolutely able to make me into who He wants me to be.  I have to find the courage to break out of my old self and live a new way.

May 6, 2011

Add-ons

Wandering through the day’s headlines, I came across a story on Jewish Kabbalah.  I’ve heard of it but didn’t know what it entails, so I read on…  Most of the story was about the finances of a specific group, but within the article they decribed Kabbalah as an ancient Jewish mysticism based on a 2,000 year old book called Zohar, which explains the mysteries of the universe.

The article went on to say later that one of the appeals of Kabbalah is that you can just add it to whatever you currently believe.  It does not demand that you renounce your former beliefs; you can hold them concurrently. 

Prevailing thought is that people aren’t as black and white as they used to be; it’s okay for you to have your religion and for me to have my own.  Live and let live.  And many people believe bits and pieces of several faiths. 

I’ve had a hard time grasping that someone would sign on to believe in Christ and still be open to contradictory beliefs, but I’m also amazed at believers who read their horoscopes, etc.  That’s why the phrase from the Kabbalah article hit me:  you can just add it on to what you already know.

These are the muddy waters we need to be looking out for.  We need to be sharp in our understanding, and ready to teach and mentor new believers.  We need to be diligent to test whatever new comes along.

I tend to believe the best about people.  You’d think it’s a good quality, but the reality is, I can’t be asleep at the wheel.  I’m going to bookmark this page in my devotional.

And if you’re interested in the Kabbalah article (though it’s mostly about the organization and its finances), you can find it here:

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-et-kabbalah-investigation-20110506,0,6476645.story

May 5, 2011

Bloom where you’re planted

For a long time, I had a Mary Engelbreit magnet where I would see it often:  Bloom where you’re planted.  Cute as ever, but at that time in my life, I wanted to do anything but. 

I was at a job that I knew God had called me to, but it was a job I hated.  There was a lot about that job that was out of my control, dealing with other people and their issues.  And then there was the fact that I just wasn’t good at it…  That, however, was within my ability to change.

For some reason, I knew I was in this awful job so that God could build some things (character) in me, and I stayed.  Plus, when I would pray and ask Him if I could quit (which was nearly every day), He said no.  So I stayed.

An amazing thing happened.  As I worked my little tail off, God met me, and over time, made me love the job.  Eventually, I got good at it, sweet people replaced many of the difficult, and eventually, God let me move on to another job.  I was so glad to have left well than to have quit as a failure.  Because I stuck it out, God did that.

When we were first married, we lived in a tiny apartment.  I’m really more of a creative person, and don’t have the Cleaning Fanatic Gene in me.  Nonetheless, tubs must be scrubbed.  One day, while I was scrubbing said tub, I lightheartedly made a deal with God.  It went like this:

God, our apartment is tiny and funky, but it’s ours.  You gave it to us, it’s our home, and I love it.  I’m going to scrub and clean it the best I can, even though it’s little.  And someday, maybe you’ll put me in a house to scrub and clean. 

I was pretty shocked when, about four years later, God put us into a house. 

I’m revisiting these stories as much to inspire myself as anyone who might be reading.  There are parts of my life that aren’t where I’d like to be planted, and I need to recognize that so I can get working on my blooms. 

Need more inspiration?  Read about Joseph in the prison, David in the caves, Paul in whatever disaster you can imagine…

May 4, 2011

God has not given us a spirit of fear

I’ll admit it…  As I read today’s entry, the scene played out in my head…  Neil, cool as a cucumber, sitting at his desk with - ok - a Satanic high priest rolling around on his carpet.  I’m not being glib – I just like to get the full effect of a story as it’s being told.

I did have to smile, though, at what Neil did.  It occurred to me that there wasn’t any battle there – nothing worthy of a movie script…  It all just seemed to make perfect sense in Neil’s mental economy, and sure enough – he was right!  Probably he had put his ideas to the test before on lesser foes, but still, his composure is amazing. 

Years ago, when I dealt with a person who was under-the-demonic-influence, fear was the main weapon against me.  And it worked.  I had to teach myself not to be afraid, and eventually, the dynamic shifted.  The woman seemed disappointed that she didn’t get under my skin anymore, and moved on.  Why didn’t I just do what Neil did?  Fact was, this woman did not want to be free.

I’m also pondering the fact that fear, in general, is such a powerful weapon against us.  We know from the Bible that fear is not from God, and yet we’re a pretty fearful lot!  My goal for today is to pay attention to all the things I’m afraid of.  I need to apply the truth that the battle has already been fought; God is now in charge, and whatever comes, I can trust Him.

May 3, 2011

The power of the tongue

When the subject matter is kids and how they are treated, I’ll admit, I’m pretty sensitive.  And I was oh, so convicted reading today’s entry.  As positive as I try to be with my kids, I’m really glad there’s not a tape recorder running 24/7… 

Proverbs says that life and death are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21).  The book of James tells us that the tongue is nearly impossible to control (chapter 3).  It would seem that we as humans are prone to the same weakness…

I used to pray this every day, and I think it’s about time for a comeback…

May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to You, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. 

Psalm 19:14

May 2, 2011

Perceptions

It’s hard for me to fathom a pastor who would say something like, “I’ve got a bunch of losers in my church.”  I suppose they are out there; I’m glad we don’t have one of them! 

Let’s think about the axiom that the way we perceive people determines how we treat them…  I’ll start off with a list of characters we’re familiar with:  boss, homeless person, clerk with an attitude, insurance salesman, pastor, collections agent, company CEO, receptionist, professor, fast food clerk at the drive thru, etc.  Based on our life experiences, sometimes it’s hard to get past the role to the person, right? 

The show Undercover Boss is based partly on this premise.  Although I’m not a regular watcher, I understand that the big moment comes when it’s revealed to the company workers that the new guy was actually the CEO.  How did they treat him/her as just a co-worker? 

Many a sociology experiment has been done on this theme…  Dress up as a homeless person, put out a sign, and take notes on how people treat you. 

Jesus came humbly.  People didn’t expect the Messiah to be born in a stable, operate outside of the accepted religious structure, heal on the Sabbath, etc.  The life of Jesus teaches me to look at people more carefully, and to treat them with the kindness and dignity of a fellow beloved creation of God. 

I’m challenged to do this while I’m out shopping or at soccer practice; I’m challenged to do this at church.  I can’t take a pass on treating someone with dignity and kindness.  I love Neil’s closing:  …we are called to perceive the Christlike nature in each other, believe in each other as saints, and build each other up.

May 1, 2011

Saints

It’s ironic that I am writing this as the ceremonies for Pope John Paul II are underway for his beautification, the last step in the process of becoming a saint in the Catholic church.

In part of this whole sainthood process, John Paul’s life is being scrutinized.  Among all the good he did, there were some failures, too.  Will the good outweigh the bad?  Probably.  How humbling to have one’s life judged in such a public way.

I’m so thankful that God doesn’t determine us worthy or not based on our performance…  He calls us saints based only upon the blood of His Son, Jesus.  The reminder to think of myself as a saint who, once in a while sins, instead of a sinner (who usually sins), is key.  It’s not about me, but about what He did for me.

I’ll leave you with one of my favorite verses:

But you are not like that [the people who don’t believe], for you are a chosen people.  You are a kingdom of priests, God’s holy nation, His very own possession.  This is so you can show others the goodness of God, for He called you out of the darkness into His wonderful light.

1 Peter 2:9