What to DO?

Monday August 4, 2014
 

When life is crazy, when things go awry, that’s often the question we ask.

What should we do?

I’m usually looking for a four step plan to success, a way to fix, a solution that has worked for my Facebook friends. I make a list, I check it twice...

I don’t often think to simply be still. 

In fact, if you told me to do that, I’d probably say, “Are you CRAZY? We need to DO something here.”

Certain situations call for immediate action—like my son placing himself in imminent danger (a daily occurrence at a house of four boys). But often I react when I should be still. I place my trust in my work, not in the One who fights for me. 

Just before the Lord parted the Red Sea for the Israelites, they cried out in terror, rebuking Moses for convincing them to leave their slave digs in Egypt. They panicked.

Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today…the LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:13) 

All too often, I forget that One greater than me is fighting for me. My trust is banked on my measly human efforts. With my eyes on myself, with misplaced trust, I reduce an opportunity for God to show Himself into a failed panic. 

In reality, there is so little I must do. Psalm 37:23-23 reminds me:

“The LORD makes firm the steps 
     of the one who delights in him; 
 though he may stumble, he will not fall, 
     for the LORD upholds him with his hand.” 

If I delight in Him, He will make firm my steps. I may stumble, but I will not fall, for He holds me with His hand.

I can think of no more reassuring picture than that. 

What must I DO?

When my tendency is to panic, I must instead turn to Him, delight in Him.
From Him flows the peace I seek as I wait. 

I need only to be still and delight in Him. 
 

I'm linking up today with Laura at Playdates with God and Jen at Soli deo Gloria Sisterhood.

Thinking and Acting

Friday, August 1, 2014 

Thinking without acting?

I like to think, ponder, consider. And sometimes I think more than I act, unfortunately.

Acting without thinking? Oh, yes. I’m a redhead; I’ve been known to react a time or two without thinking.

It seems thinking and acting are best when they’re joined; fused with a foundation of truth, they’re a powerful combination. More about that later, with my fifth favorite, a quote.

I’m linking up with Susanne today for Friday’s Fave Five, my favorite exercise in being thankful.

Here are my favorites from this week: 

1. Having lunch with my husband. This is one of the joys of summertime. It’s great when he comes home for lunch and I get to spend an extra hour or so with him.

2. Friends’ books! I have two friends launching books today. One is Heather Strickland, who has participated in Friday’s Fave Five. She has just finished a devotional book called At the Master’s Feet. It’s available for Kindle, on Amazon!

And a friend and former student, Nicole Lataif, has just released her second children’s book, I Forgive You: Love We Can Hear, Ask For, and Give. I love that concept—that forgiveness is love we can hear. Nicole’s book is charming and, most importantly, full of truth. Nicole's book is available in hardcover and for Kindle, on Amazon.

3. Lunch with friends. That’s what I’ll be doing today, and I’m looking forward to it! And on another note, although going back to school to teach has its down sides—like getting up earlier and bringing grading home—I’ll get to spend my lunch with friends from Monday to Friday. I’m thankful for my school buddies.

4. Finding gold amidst the pages. I mentioned last week that I’m embarking on the Ph.D. adventure, and basically, that means I’m doing a lot to keep Amazon in business. I am so excited about some of the books I’ll be studying. I’m finishing up a last course for another degree, and I’m in the thick of Fyodor Dostoevsky right now. Dostoevsky is an acquired taste, but once you love him, you LOVE him. Listen to this: 

“It was a bright, warm, still July night, a cool mist rose from the broad river, we could hear the splash of a fish, the birds were still, all was hushed and beautiful, everything praying to God” (Dostoevsky, Brothers Karamazov, 273).

What a beautiful description of creation!

5. A quote:

“Faith is not the absence of thinking, but it is thinking and acting on the basis of the Word and promises of God.” (Tim Keller)

This is a great reminder for me as I plunge into more study. The melding of faith and thinking and acting upon God’s Word and promises is what it’s all about! 

All my thinking and reading are pretty much useless unless they have some connection to His Word and promises…and they do no one any good until they come to life in what I do every day.

Wishing you time to think and act, with faith, this week.

Where does brokenness drive you?

Monday August 19, 2013

I read a blog post today by Megan Hill entitled, “The Very Worst Trend Ever.”

I had such mixed emotions.

First of all, who didn’t read Jen Hatmaker’s post, “Worst End of School Year Mom Ever” and howl and cry and nod your head?

In true Erma Bombeck fashion, we commiserated that day over Jen’s words. And it was awesome.

And who doesn’t love Ann Voskamp’s dirty dishes in the sink as she loves on her bunch of kids? Most of wish we could push the dishes aside and have those priorities.

But something about Megan Hill’s subtitle caught me: “How our love of brokenness actually fails us.”

Those two writers aside (because I definitely don’t think the following describes them), I do feel that within the blogosphere there’s a bit too much wallowing. Kind of like, let’s all admit we’re worms and wiggle around in this mud together…and claim grace.

Megan points to Titus 2: 11-13: “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age.”

Notice what that says—GRACE trains us to renounce…and live self-controlled and godly lives.

Grace doesn’t stop with “what a worm am I.” It has more work to do.

So, I’d like to propose a question amidst all this brokenness and laughter and commiserating that we call the mud of life:

Where does your brokenness drive you?

We might as well ‘fess up—yes, we’re all broken. But where does that drive you?

To talk to or read about another mom who messes up as badly as you do? And do you stop there?

Or does it drive you to perfect your life even more, taking the reins from the One who should have them?

On both ends of the spectrum—wherever you are—brokenness has validity only if it drives you to the One who can do something about it.

Maybe you see Him in the mom who just listens and gives you a bit of hope. The mom who writes your life, and you realize it’s okay to be broken.

But look around the corner.
Take the next turn.
Fall into the arms of the only One who can bring hope from our brokenness.


I'm linking up with Laura, Michelle, and Jen today.

What do you see in the basin?

Monday August 12, 2013

Basin: a bowl for washing. An open, shallow, usually round container.

Yes, but there’s much more there than meets the eye.

I hope I never stop discovering the richness of the gospels!

Each story—most taught to me when I was tiny—is full of Christ. Not just full of His actions, but brimming over with His heart.

I’m amazed—and encouraged—that even though I’ve heard these stories for years, there is so much more of Him to discover. (And thankful, too, to my pastor for leading us to the wealth.)

Take a look at that basin. The one used to wash those disciples’ feet in the Upper Room.

Did you realize the basin made its debut in the middle of the meal? John 13:2-4 tell us that the meal was being served and Jesus got up from the meal, girded Himself with the towel, and grabbed the basin.

Feet were usually washed when one entered at the door, but this was a secret meeting, one without preparation. There was no servant there. Correction: there was but one Servant there. The disciples, in fact, had just been arguing about who would sit on Jesus’s right and left in His kingdom. You can be sure they weren’t of the mindset to wash feet.

So Christ did.

And in the washing of those feet, the wielding of the basin and towel, we see:

Jesus’s authenticity. He IS the real. John 13:4 says, “He showed them the full extent of His love”—in the foot washing. That statement doesn’t precede the cross, it introduces Christ’s humble act of washing the disciples’ feet. When we humble ourselves to serve others, we show how real our faith really is. Christ showed His love and introduced His sacrifice by donning a towel and picking up a basin. It was real, practical, rubber-meets-the-road love.

Christ’s unconditional love. The savior became servant that day. In one simple act, He said, “I want to take care of even the dust of your feet. Nothing that touches your life is insignificant.”

And He didn’t just say that to the faithful. Remember who was there? Judas would betray, Peter would deny, the rest would flee…but Christ’s actions said, “I will love you.”

Humility—gift and necessity. He gave a humble gift that day. But a gift has to be received. We have to humble ourselves—admit that we need Him—and be served by Him. We have to open our hearts and lives, show Him our dirty feet, and let Him cleanse us.

There’s so much there. In the basin of servanthood, blessings abound!

• He shows the extent of His love in practical ways in my life.
• He loves even when I flee—and He will tomorrow, too.
• He can deal with the dirt of my life.

Bring on the basin.


I'm linking up with Laura, Michelle, and Jen today.

Following

Monday July 29, 2013

I open my Bible each morning, but I usually don't I preface my reading with, “I wonder why this was written?”

But I’m learning that’s so important because, surprisingly, it speaks to me, where I am, right now.

I’m learning that the gospels reveal much more about Christ—and about me in relation to Him—that I had imagined.

Look at the stories. The people.

We see disciples who just don’t get it. They see healings, they hear His words, they know the ancient scriptures…yet they ask if the Suffering Servant if they can have places of honor at His right and left.

They promise they will NEVER fall away; and they do. They deny, they run, they flee in fear.

Yet the writers don’t attempt to paint a more attractive picture of themselves, do they? Perhaps that’s because, in retrospect, they have the bigger picture.

They know they’re not the righteous; they’re the sinners He came for.

 

Oh, not at first.

At the beginning, like the rest of us…

1. They’re blind. They hear He’s the Messiah, the Son of God, but they really don’t fathom what that means until He hangs on the cross and emerges from a tomb. So they keep expecting him to do political messiah type things.

How am I blind? Do I ever expect God to do political messiah type things—fix life here so it’s more like heaven? Make people nicer, better, kinder? Do I sometimes want Him to swoop in and cure the earthbound political system?

2. They’re bound. They want to stay by His side; they pledge to. They say they’ll pray, but they sleep. They can’t do what they will. Until His sacrifice has been made and His spirit is there to bolster them, they’re bound.  

How am I bound? Oh, my. How many times do I say I will—pray, read, study, be His hands and feet—and I don’t? “The spirit is willing, but…”

3. They’re people, just like us. They fall short. They misinterpret the Maker, place expectations on Him according to their own situations and perceived needs.

That all sounds like a pretty pessimistic picture of the disciples (and us), but it’s not the end of the story.

He told them they’d all fall away, and they did.

And knowing they would flee, He told them he’d go before them and see them again in Galilee—and He did.

Despite their disloyalties and inconsistencies, their fear and their failure, He went ahead of them…and welcomed them again with open arms.

Despite our misplaced loyalties and priorities, our fears and failure, He continues to go before us, even when we don’t get it; all we have to do is follow.


I'm linking up with Laura and Michelle today.

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What does a changed heart look like?

Monday July 15, 2013

There’s something appealing about the law.

It’s written out. It’s black and white.

It has boundaries; there’s no gray area.

It’s tangible, demonstrable. We see people following it and we can follow it ourselves.

We can set goals and discipline ourselves and strive toward checking off the boxes.

Then we can be proud of ourselves and others can, too. We can bask in their praise.

But is that a description of a changed heart?

As admirable and God-given as the law is, though, it can lead to a broken system of lists and checks and duties and obligations. One that is all of us and devoid of Him.

Nevertheless, I’m thankful for God’s law, for it leads me to Him. I can’t do it on my own. Oh, I can for a while, but it eventually leads to a full calendar and the obligation to post and no breathing room and most of all, no time for the One who wants to spend time with me.

That precious time spent with Him ultimately leads to acts of love and law-keeping that grow simply out of my love for Him, my desire to share Him with those around me.

So I ask myself, once again, today:

What am I doing for others to see?

What am I doing for approval?

What am I doing just for Him?

And true circumcision is not merely obeying the letter of the law; rather, it is a change of heart produced by God’s Spirit. And a person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people. (Romans 2:29)


I'm linking up with Laura and Michelle today.
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Plans, Dreams, and Reality

Friday July 12, 2013

Sometimes the best-laid plans go awry.


Sometimes they play out just as scripted.



Our family just saw dreams become reality, but the road wasn’t what any of us had planned. It was harder, true; but it was lined with glory.

Be sure to stay tuned for my fifth favorite today, a quote that reminds me whose hands should hold my plans and dreams.

I’m linking up today with Susanne at Living to Tell the Story for Friday’s Fave Five. Come along with us as we share this week’s blessings.

My favorites this week:

1. Family time. It all began with a wedding and family coming together. What could be better? Having all our boys in one spot is such a joy. Here’s the happy couple…and a silly brother picture.

2. What I learned on my summer vacation. I posted this on Monday, and it says what I don’t have room to say here!

3. The ladies in our family. I wish I had a picture of them together on Wedding Day. They are rare gems, roses among the thorns, if you will. (Even though I do love those thorny boys!) Both of our daughter-in-laws are precious—beautiful inside and out. I’m so thankful for them.

4. A family video. My youngest shot and edited this for my eldest son and his wife, who are adopting from India. My youngest’s work is so excellent and I love to hear the heart of my son and daughter-in-law as they talk about their call to adopt. It’s so exciting!

5. A quote:

“No matter what plans you have for you, God's plans are far better. No matter what desires grip your heart, God's will is infinitely better.” (Paul David Tripp)

The son who was married this past month was the one who was in a terrible auto accident in January 2012. We would never have hoped or planned for such a day as that one but, as I wrote earlier, the path has been lined with God’s glory from that day to this. To see the son who agonized and worked so hard to recover and walk and regain his life and the young lady who always stood by his side join their lives was such a blessing.

When we place our lives in His hands through the easy times and the hard, He makes a beauty that reflects Him.

Wishing you that beauty this week,

What I Learned on My Summer Vacation

Monday July 8, 2013

Remember writing those first day of school compositions? I’m not quite ready for that yet, but in the last few days I’ve been ruminating over our last three weeks of travel.

From home to wedding weekend, full of family and treasured friends. Then off to spend time with Mom, followed by grandson adventures. Driving home with the one I pledged my life and love to 35 years ago, I thought about what I had learned.

1. Sometimes you forget; it’s good to remember. You forget what it’s like to have a two-year-old who wants no one but Mommy. You forget that thrill of being called “Mr. and Mrs.” for the first time. You forget just how much crazy fun it is to have the whole bunch together. And it’s good—so good—to remember those things.

2. Real love wins. When plans are derailed, when life throws you a curveball, when age and generation and geography separate you and those you love, yes, even then real love wins. What do I mean by real love? You know, the kind that’s from above—that models Christ’s love for us. It’s faithful and unselfish and overlooks oh-so-much. That’s real love. It’s the best.

3. When there’s a two-year-old around, there just might be crocodiles in the family room. And if said two-year-old asks you to follow him on tiptoe, just go for it. There’s nothing like the imagination of a child, and what fun to be a part of it!

4. Traveling time can be thinking time, and sometimes that's sorely needed. We spend hours in the car, and it’s such a great time to think, to talk, to dream. I love it.

5. Coming home is good. Back to a bit of routine, the familiar stuff…it feels good. And all those things I planned and dreamed about on the trip? Let’s just say I have my work cut out for me. I’m thankful to have those things to reach for and work for.

If I can keep remembering, and make real love the main thing while I indulge in crocodile hunts in the midst of my travels, then even the routine of home will be a joy.

What did you learn on summer vacation?


I'm linking up with Laura, Michelle, and Jen today.


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Stepping out

Monday June 10, 2013

They shielded their faces from the salt-laden spray that seemed to come from all sides.

In the pre-dawn hours, crouched down in the rocking boat, they peered across the waves and saw…
What was that? A ghost?

Their terror grew.

And then, He spoke. Jesus spoke, across the wind and waves.

“Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (Matthew 14:27).

The Book tells us that one man in the boat spoke up. Peter.

Peter didn’t say, “Are you sure?” or “What do you guys think?”

He heard Jesus. He recognized His voice, and he connected immediately with Him. If I had seen Jesus walking on the stormy waters in pre-dawn hours, what would I have said?

The mom in me would have said, “Lord, be careful!” And I’m pretty sure that would have been followed by a request to quiet that crazy storm and ensure my own safety. But what does Peter say?

“Lord, if it’s You, tell me to come to you on the water.” (verse 28)

What? Did Peter just ask the Lord to summon him to step on the rolling waves?

What is he saying?
“Could I do what I see Jesus doing?”

When Peter realizes he’s in the company of Christ, his desire is to do what Christ is doing. He asks the Lord to call to him, and he vows to come.

At Write to Publish, a writers conference in Wheaton, Illinois this past week, Bob Hostetler shared these observations about that storm-filled night in a message entitled “The Right (Write) Focus.”

His prayer sums it all up:

“I want to do what I see You doing, Lord. Call me to that, and help me not to be distracted by all these other things.”



I'm linking up with Laura, Michelle, and Jen today.

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3 Ways to Avoid Distraction

Monday April 29, 2013

They seem so much like friends…but they turn out to be enemies.

Distractions are fun and inviting, and then I glance at the time. Then it dawns on me how they’re really wolves in sheep’s clothing.

I don’t know what your distraction du jour is. There are so many inviting ones today. Social media has to be right at the top of the list, but there are plenty of other things that can pull us away from what’s best.

How to avoid them?

Pastor Larry talked about King David on Sunday—about his big distraction. The one that pulled him from his marriage and his Lord and led him to commit murder.

In the moment of distraction, no one says, “Uh oh. This is the big one. It’s going to ruin things.” That’s the thing about distractions; we don’t see the flashing lights and the big red flags, or we’d never go there.

So I find myself reminding myself of a few things. In fact, King David’s story teaches a few valuable lessons about pushing back…and where to keep our eyes.

2 Samuel 11:1 sets the scene for us. The time of year reminds us of the first way to avoid distraction:

“In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army…But David remained in Jerusalem.”

1. To avoid unhealthy distractions, stay focused on your job, your mission, your calling.

“At the time when kings go off to war,” David sent the men out with Joab and remained in Jerusalem. David forsook his duty; his place was on the battlefield, leading his men. Instead, he stayed home with all the war widows…and expected not to be tempted?

2. To help dodge diversions, plant yourself in community.

Alone, in the evening, David went up to the roof. If his men and Joab were gone, who did he expect to keep him accountable? Apparently, his left his wife sleeping. That’s not to say we can never be alone, but consider the city at this point. From his rooftop David had to know he wouldn’t see his fighting men on every corner, and his best advisors were in the field. Alone, at a vulnerable time? Not a good idea.

3. Remember, distractions need our help to be distractions.

We have to “bite.” For something to truly distract us, we have to slow down, do a double take, pick up the phone, step away from the hubby and kids… Pray (daily) for the strength to avoid temptation and to focus on what God wants you to focus on.

I find David such an inspiring character. Yes, he was flawed…as we all are.

Did David suffer consequences of his fall? Definitely.
Did God abandon him? Definitely not.

From the house of David comes the One who forgives and loves. The One who gives me the strength to step away from whatever is pulling me from Him.

Psalm 43 is called “a psalm of David.” In this psalm, I hear David’s plea to be taught and strengthened by the Father. And I echo that, each day:

“Rescue me from my enemies, LORD; I run to you to hide me. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. For the glory of your name, O LORD, preserve my life. Because of your faithfulness, bring me out of his distress.” (vs. 9-11)

He is there.
He will bring us out…from distractions, large or small.
He will rescue, hide, teach, lead—for His glory, to show his faithfulness.

Distractions, begone. I turn to Him!


I'm linking up with Laura, Michelle, and Jen today.

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I have to love WHO?

Monday April 15, 2013

I'm supposed to love the unlovely?

Who are the unlovely?

My children—when they’re cranky and bickering and pushing and shoving.


My husband—when he’s left things a mess and doesn’t even notice.

Those are easy to identify. I can spot the unlovely a mile away.

But…wait! Who is that other person in the family portrait? Could that be ME? Unlovely?

Oh, yes. And therein lies the problem, most of the time. I see others are far more unlovely than I am.

I like to love smiling, contented children and husbands who pick up after themselves. And when I do, what am I loving? Myself. The world according to me.

Can I pick and choose who’s deserving of my love? Not if I intend to model Christ. He died for the unlovely…for those who were broken and knew it…for those who knew they needed Him.

He spread His arms at Calvary to encompass all of us, with our crankiness, our bickering, our messes. Before we even cared about Him, He died for us.

Can I do less?

I want to turn my face heavenward and plead, “But how, Lord?”

How can I model Your love in the midst of the mess of this fallen sod, among a crush of broken souls?

I wait, and it’s as if I hear His gentle, inviting voice: “Run to me. Stay close to me. Know me and my nature, and I’ll shine through you.”

I step toward Him, and just before the broken pieces fade, I see myself reflected in those shards.

As I join the unlovely, grace spills over on those around me.
 

I'm linking up with Laura, Michelle, and Jen today.

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Just starting to get comfortable...

Monday April 8, 2013

Just starting to get comfortable and… God changes things.

Ever wonder why He does that?

Change frustrates us. It muddies the water. What once seemed so clear is not even visible anymore. How can this be good, we think.

And once that water is muddy and the path is strewn with rocks of a different size and shape, and we’re out of breath and (sometimes out of faith), climbing and striving, and trying to map out our new course and this new path, we find ourselves thrown back once again…on Him.

Where we should be.

Change, I don’t usually call you a friend. But if you pull the rug out from under me so that I’ll rest in the One who loves me, I have to extend the hand of friendship.

We’ve all heard that good things don’t come easy, that what’s tough is what’s worth it, and we’re quick to nod our heads and use those little sayings as a Facebook status.

But when I’ve worked hard to be in the spot where I’m sitting, even acknowledging God’s help and guidance in this place and thanking Him for it…He often mixes it up again. He changes the mission or the method or the circumstances.

And if I grumble, where’s my faith? In that old, more comfortable spot where I was sitting. In the striving that got me there. Even in what He did in that situation, which is good.

But what’s best? Faith in what He will do.

I can stay here in this comfortable spot, praising His goodness to me up to today…but if I do, I miss all that He has ahead for me.

If I pack up my praise and my story, my history and my past and move in step with Him, I show faith not just in what He has done, but in what He will do.

Contentment? I'm hunting you down in the middle of those different rocks in the unfamiliar path.

I know I can rest in Who I’ll find there.

No matter the path, He has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)


I'm linking up with Laura, Michelle, and Jen today.

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