Recently, my attention has been drawn time and time again to the fact that this life is temporary. I've been more or less camped out in II Corinthians 4 and 5. I find myself pulling my Bible out time and time again to read it just one more time, to make sure this life really isn't the whole story. You see, all around me this week, people are hurting.
This week, I'll attend another funeral for a family member, the third one this year. This week, a sweet six year old lays in a hospital bed, waiting to find out why her kidney is three times its normal size. This week, a strong 18 year old athlete battles for his life against an aggressive cancer. This week, a 57 year old man battles viral meningitis, and both of his pregnant daughters pray he lives to know his grandchildren.
And these are just the situations touching people I love. So you can imagine why I need to know that this is not the end. This isn't the whole story. There's got to be more.
"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves; we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying around in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body."
In the 1990's, there was a catchy youth camp song based on that passage with a chorus that went, "Yes, Lord; Yes, Lord; Yes, yes, Lord!" We'd all bop our heads and laugh and sing along, sometimes almost shouting. Today, I sit quietly, reading over and over again as the weight of the passage washes over me.
We are afflicted, perplexed, persecuted, struck down, always carrying death around with us ...
That's the part I get. I understand. I identify. I feel. I experience. I know.
But that's just the beginning. That's not the end. It's not even the point. All of it is achieving a much larger purpose in my life, in the lives of those suffering directly, and in the lives of those standing by watching.
"For all things are for your sakes, so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart, but through our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison."
It's really easy for me to smile and tell someone that my life is all for the glory of God when the proverbial sun is shining. I mean, after all, I am, "an oak of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor." But what about when I'm crushed and perplexed and afflicted and struck down? Where's the glory then? That's when the glory is in my favorite word: Hope, "looking not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen; for the things that are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal."
Evidently, God purposefully allows us to be uncomfortable on this earth, something about wanting us to long for more, to long for our home with Him. Can you believe that?
"For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens ... For indeed, while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life."
So, this trouble all around me, in the lives of faithful believers, is able to accomplish at least two things. One, a dying world may see and believe. When staring death in the face, we want nothing more than to know that it's not the end. For the believer, there is a far better future on the other side of the grave. Two, we are reminded that this is not our permanent home. Whether we're here 6 years or 99, it's all temporary, light and momentary. And the pain of this world only serves to make us long for the next.
"For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died,; and he died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf."
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
What? You're Not a Mind Reader?
Today, I found myself extremely annoyed and frustrated by a situation that was more or less all my own fault. I'm fairly certain that more often than not, I expect people around me to be mind readers. I assume they know what I'm thinking, are on board with my logic, and will act accordingly. As you can imagine, this rarely happens. Rarely. As I paused to analyze my own frustration, I asked myself what it was that I expected the source of my frustration to do differently. And, I realized, it all boiled down to the fact that I was annoyed that another person didn't intuitively know information I'd never given her. It seemed so silly, but even recognizing how ridiculous I was being didn't completely calm me down because the reality is I still don't want to change. I don't want to adjust my communication patterns or habits. I want others to change. I want them to develop a supernatural ability to read my mind. Is that really too much to ask? :-/
Friday, February 27, 2009
An Interesting Week in Heaven
My Uncle Butch died peacefully last Wednesday evening. Shortly after Cousin Sylvia stood beside his bed and sang "I'll Fly Away," he slipped into the presence of the Lord. I've been wanting to say something about this for over a week now, but I haven't been exactly sure what to say. As you know from some of my previous posts, Uncle Butch was a larger than life character. We rehashed old stories and even told some new ones when we gathered for his burial earlier this week. Some of my favorites include:
The way he used to make my mom ride in the floorboard of his car when they were in high school because he didn't want other girls who might pull up next to him to think he had another chick in the car with him. This went on until Mimi pulled up next to them one day and asked him where his sister was, and Mom popped up smiling and said "here I am!"
There was the time Mimi was on her way home to punish all three siblings for misbehaving, but right before she got there, Butch his his head on a kitchen cabinet hard enough that it bled. When my mom tried to help him, he told her to leave him there, Mimi would feel sorry for him and forget she was mad a them. An hour later, cleaned up, and sitting at an ice cream parlor, he winked at my mom and said, "told ya so!"
And, then there was the night he borrowed Pappy's car for a date, and stayed out past curfew. He knew Pappy needed the car to get to work for his overnight shift, but once he knew he'd missed the deadline and was going to be in trouble, he decided to stay out all night and just have fun. Mimi tracked him down at his date's house watching movies with another couple at 2:00 a.m.!
Somehow, knowing all these stories and so many more, it seems fitting to me that my last phone call from Uncle Butch came just a week or so before his death. Up to the point that he got too weak to dial the phone, he'd been calling every other day or so just to tell me he loved me. I admit, there were times I wasn't sure I had time to answer the phone, but I was always afraid I'd miss his last call. Sure enough, I was sitting on the couch one afternoon at home, and he called. Our conversation went something like this:
Me: Hello, what are you doing?
B: Who's this?
Me: You're favorite niece, Kristi, of course! (Sorry, Addie, Tiff, and Ava :-P)
B: Oh, I called the wrong person.
Me: (laughing) Well, good to talk to you, too.
B: Yeah, well, I love ya, bye.
Click. Silence. That was just his way.
I had a lot of valid disagreements with Uncle Butch when it came to politics and theology over the years, but in the days before his death, Uncle Tracey reported that he became very serious, made peace with many of the people he'd had contentions with, and told Tracey, "I'm ready to see Jesus." Through all of our laughter and tears ("Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion!"), I keep thinking, "I bet it's been an interesting week in Heaven."
I Thessalonians 4:13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.
The way he used to make my mom ride in the floorboard of his car when they were in high school because he didn't want other girls who might pull up next to him to think he had another chick in the car with him. This went on until Mimi pulled up next to them one day and asked him where his sister was, and Mom popped up smiling and said "here I am!"
There was the time Mimi was on her way home to punish all three siblings for misbehaving, but right before she got there, Butch his his head on a kitchen cabinet hard enough that it bled. When my mom tried to help him, he told her to leave him there, Mimi would feel sorry for him and forget she was mad a them. An hour later, cleaned up, and sitting at an ice cream parlor, he winked at my mom and said, "told ya so!"
And, then there was the night he borrowed Pappy's car for a date, and stayed out past curfew. He knew Pappy needed the car to get to work for his overnight shift, but once he knew he'd missed the deadline and was going to be in trouble, he decided to stay out all night and just have fun. Mimi tracked him down at his date's house watching movies with another couple at 2:00 a.m.!
Somehow, knowing all these stories and so many more, it seems fitting to me that my last phone call from Uncle Butch came just a week or so before his death. Up to the point that he got too weak to dial the phone, he'd been calling every other day or so just to tell me he loved me. I admit, there were times I wasn't sure I had time to answer the phone, but I was always afraid I'd miss his last call. Sure enough, I was sitting on the couch one afternoon at home, and he called. Our conversation went something like this:
Me: Hello, what are you doing?
B: Who's this?
Me: You're favorite niece, Kristi, of course! (Sorry, Addie, Tiff, and Ava :-P)
B: Oh, I called the wrong person.
Me: (laughing) Well, good to talk to you, too.
B: Yeah, well, I love ya, bye.
Click. Silence. That was just his way.
I had a lot of valid disagreements with Uncle Butch when it came to politics and theology over the years, but in the days before his death, Uncle Tracey reported that he became very serious, made peace with many of the people he'd had contentions with, and told Tracey, "I'm ready to see Jesus." Through all of our laughter and tears ("Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion!"), I keep thinking, "I bet it's been an interesting week in Heaven."
I Thessalonians 4:13 Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14 We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15 According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18 Therefore encourage each other with these words.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
My Rock and My Refuge
I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:1-2
The problem with treating God like a polite acquaintance rather than the loving Father that He is becomes glaringly obvious to me when I read a passage like this one. This last week was not an easy one. I experienced loss and grief, fear, and disappointment. Thursday morning, as I woke, still processing Uncle Butch's death the night before, God who is rich in mercy and abounding in love allowed me to crawl into the place I meet with Him, open His Word, written to show me who He is in times like these, and read Psalm 18:1-2. Who is He?
My strength, so good to know when I am very, very weak.
My rock. This always makes me picture one of those giant boulders in some National Park that people go up and push against and take pictures with as though they're holding it up, when in reality, they could push with all their might and that massive rock isn't going to budge. There is great comfort for me in knowing that no matter how hard I push against My Rock, He does not move. He stands, unchanging, constant.
My fortress, a place of protection and defense in the midst of a raging battle.
My deliverer. I am free. I am free to experience all that life has for me, knowing that I am slave to none of it. He has set me free.
My refuge, shelter in the storm, a safe place.
My shield, my first line of defense, extinguishing the flaming arrows of my enemies.
My horn of salvation, trumpeting victory before the battles even get started.
My stronghold. When discussing sin, a stronghold is a negative thing, the place that Satan seems to have the advantage in our lives, but when talking about God, this is the best news possible. He's got me, and He will never let go.
Monday, February 16, 2009
No Shortcuts
I am the queen of shortcuts. If there's a way to do it faster, more efficiently, I wanna find it. I do not believe in wasting time. If I can multi-task, I'm gonna. If I can carry it in one trip, you'd better believe I'm not making two. Some people say it's because I'm a hard worker, but really, it's because I like free time. I like being able to play on the computer, or veg in front of NCIS reruns, or enjoy a spontaneous night of fun with friends. But, those things are really only enjoyable when I know my work is done.
The problem with this overall attitude toward life comes in to play when whenever a matter requires discipline. There are no shortcuts for sound discipline in life. There are no shortcuts to a healthy body. There are no shortcuts to a well-fed mind. There are no shortcuts to a life of integrity. There are no shortcuts to a Spirit-filled life. We must do the work to gain the prize.
This week, our church studied Ezra 3, and the story of the laying of the foundation for the rebuilding of the temple, and I was reminded of a vision the Lord gave me several years ago. It was during a season of great loss in my life. I had experienced loss through death, loss through broken relationship, and loss through physical distance over and over again in the span of a few short months. My spirit felt stripped and barren. During that time, I was lying in bed, working on the courage to face that day, when the Lord painted a picture for me of a foundation slab. Cold. Gray. Boring. Straight. Solid. Firm. Unshakable.
It was as though He was showing me that He had to strip my life down to the barest essentials, show me how solid my foundation in Him was, so that He could begin building other things into my life atop that. Last week, someone was talking to me about ways that we, as humans, tend to hide from the things we'd rather not face. She listed shopping, eating, busyness, work, etc. And, somewhere in the middle of all that she listed "religion." I think I know what she meant, but everything in my cried out against that at the same time. You see, I confess, I've been known to treat myself to a little retail therapy or brownie therapy, to book my calendar in such a way that there wasn't time to think about anything that might hurt, or to lose myself in work in such a way that made me unavailable to others. But, what she called "religion," my relationship with Jesus Christ, is no game. When all else is stripped away, He remains, faithful. I have searched the depths and found Him there.
All of those other things, those are shortcuts. And, every so often, because of His great love for me, He blows through my life with gale force, sweeping away anything not securely fastened to that Foundation. Sometimes, there's very little left. Oh, but even in those times, He is enough.
In this new season of my life, a new year, a new decade of life, the seeds of a new ministry being planted in my heart, I am increasingly committed to not taking shortcuts. As I build, I want to do it slowly, carefully, making sure that every structure is securely fastened to my immutable Savior.
The problem with this overall attitude toward life comes in to play when whenever a matter requires discipline. There are no shortcuts for sound discipline in life. There are no shortcuts to a healthy body. There are no shortcuts to a well-fed mind. There are no shortcuts to a life of integrity. There are no shortcuts to a Spirit-filled life. We must do the work to gain the prize.
This week, our church studied Ezra 3, and the story of the laying of the foundation for the rebuilding of the temple, and I was reminded of a vision the Lord gave me several years ago. It was during a season of great loss in my life. I had experienced loss through death, loss through broken relationship, and loss through physical distance over and over again in the span of a few short months. My spirit felt stripped and barren. During that time, I was lying in bed, working on the courage to face that day, when the Lord painted a picture for me of a foundation slab. Cold. Gray. Boring. Straight. Solid. Firm. Unshakable.
It was as though He was showing me that He had to strip my life down to the barest essentials, show me how solid my foundation in Him was, so that He could begin building other things into my life atop that. Last week, someone was talking to me about ways that we, as humans, tend to hide from the things we'd rather not face. She listed shopping, eating, busyness, work, etc. And, somewhere in the middle of all that she listed "religion." I think I know what she meant, but everything in my cried out against that at the same time. You see, I confess, I've been known to treat myself to a little retail therapy or brownie therapy, to book my calendar in such a way that there wasn't time to think about anything that might hurt, or to lose myself in work in such a way that made me unavailable to others. But, what she called "religion," my relationship with Jesus Christ, is no game. When all else is stripped away, He remains, faithful. I have searched the depths and found Him there.
All of those other things, those are shortcuts. And, every so often, because of His great love for me, He blows through my life with gale force, sweeping away anything not securely fastened to that Foundation. Sometimes, there's very little left. Oh, but even in those times, He is enough.
In this new season of my life, a new year, a new decade of life, the seeds of a new ministry being planted in my heart, I am increasingly committed to not taking shortcuts. As I build, I want to do it slowly, carefully, making sure that every structure is securely fastened to my immutable Savior.
Friday, February 13, 2009
The Love Mix
In honor of Valentine's Day, I thought I'd share with you some of my favorite "love" songs ...
Loving You, Loving Me - Dave Barnes
What If I Loved You - Joey Gian
Love Love - Brett Younker
Never Been Unloved (Bruce's Song) - Michael W. Smith
Unfailing Love - Chris Tomlin
But I Do Love You - Leanne Rimes
Bold As Love - John Mayer
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) - James Taylor
Love You Out Loud - Rascal Flatts
Lead of Love - Caedmon's Call
We Love You, Jesus (Acoustic Version) - Shane and Shane
Your Love Is Extravagant - Darrell Evans
Loving You, Loving Me - Dave Barnes
What If I Loved You - Joey Gian
Love Love - Brett Younker
Never Been Unloved (Bruce's Song) - Michael W. Smith
Unfailing Love - Chris Tomlin
But I Do Love You - Leanne Rimes
Bold As Love - John Mayer
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) - James Taylor
Love You Out Loud - Rascal Flatts
Lead of Love - Caedmon's Call
We Love You, Jesus (Acoustic Version) - Shane and Shane
Your Love Is Extravagant - Darrell Evans
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Memories!
So, I've already reached an age when it seems like taking a trip down memory lane to get together with long lost college friends. But, last night, I had the opportunity to reach even further back in my personal history and sit down to dinner with long, lost high school friends!
Thanks to the magic of facebook, I have recently reconnected with a sweet friend from my past, and last night was what I hope turns out to be the first of many opportunities to reconnect.
Some of my earliest happy memories of life in Plano start with Brenna and Lauren. Throughout junior high and high school, these were the girls who were with me for every major event, and all of the minor ones, too ... camps, cars, crushes, d-nows, dances, choir tours, sleep overs ... all of the highs and lows the teen years had to offer!
Last night was like having the opportunity to peer backwards in time. Laughter, facial expressions, catch phrases all came rushing back. Names and events I hadn't thought about in years were suddenly on the tip of my tongue. So much has changed, but so many things have stayed the same.
Thanks to the magic of facebook, I have recently reconnected with a sweet friend from my past, and last night was what I hope turns out to be the first of many opportunities to reconnect.
Some of my earliest happy memories of life in Plano start with Brenna and Lauren. Throughout junior high and high school, these were the girls who were with me for every major event, and all of the minor ones, too ... camps, cars, crushes, d-nows, dances, choir tours, sleep overs ... all of the highs and lows the teen years had to offer!
Last night was like having the opportunity to peer backwards in time. Laughter, facial expressions, catch phrases all came rushing back. Names and events I hadn't thought about in years were suddenly on the tip of my tongue. So much has changed, but so many things have stayed the same.
Monday, February 09, 2009
Life By the Lyrics
"To starve is to feast/Less of me is more of Jesus" I Want It All, Shane and Shane
"All of my life/In every season/You are still God/I have a reason to sing/I have a reason to worship" Desert Song, Hillsong
"I'm haunted by my God/ who has the right/ to ask me, what/ by the nature of my rebellion/ I cannot give/So, I beg for You to move/I beg for you to move/I beg for you to break through" Beg, Shane and Shane
"He is a hurricane/I am a tree/Bent by His wind and His mercy" How He Loves Us, Kim Walker
"You love all of who I am with all of who You are" - You Are Good, Jenny Riddle
"If you say go, we will go. If you say stay, we will stay. If you say step out on the water, and they say it can't be done, we'll fix our eyes on you and we will come!" If You Say Go, Vineyard
"You come as You are/I come as I am/And grace covers shame" You Come As You Are, Watermark
"I don't have time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way that you love me, oh how you love me!" How He Loves Us, Kim Walker
"All of my life/In every season/You are still God/I have a reason to sing/I have a reason to worship" Desert Song, Hillsong
"I'm haunted by my God/ who has the right/ to ask me, what/ by the nature of my rebellion/ I cannot give/So, I beg for You to move/I beg for you to move/I beg for you to break through" Beg, Shane and Shane
"He is a hurricane/I am a tree/Bent by His wind and His mercy" How He Loves Us, Kim Walker
"You love all of who I am with all of who You are" - You Are Good, Jenny Riddle
"If you say go, we will go. If you say stay, we will stay. If you say step out on the water, and they say it can't be done, we'll fix our eyes on you and we will come!" If You Say Go, Vineyard
"You come as You are/I come as I am/And grace covers shame" You Come As You Are, Watermark
"I don't have time to maintain these regrets when I think about the way that you love me, oh how you love me!" How He Loves Us, Kim Walker
Sunday, February 01, 2009
When I was in college, my friends and I used to play a game called "youth group" during which we'd hold up pretend microphones and go around the circle making up very cliche fake "testimonies" as though it were the last night of youth camp. Most of us had grown up in typical churches and we all shared similar stories of such events. We'd follow that up with "prayer request" and start making up terrible fake prayer requests about great-aunt Bertha's fungus on her third toe and Suzy's sister-in-law's uncle who has a sick dog, etc. I'm not gonna lie, it was funny, and it still makes me laugh when I think about it.
But, I think it also gave me a complex about sharing prayer requests. Recently, I had something really heavy on my heart, effecting many people I love, but I hesitated to tell others about it because I didn't want to seem too needy. You see, lately, it seems like I've had an inordinate number of prayer requests for myself or those near me. As I was thinking about some of those things this morning and wondering how to share and with whom to share, I told the Lord that I didn't want to sound needy. And, y'all, like only He can, the response was immediate, "But, Kristen, you ARE needy." Where I got the idea that I wasn't in need or that it was wrong for me to be in need, I'll never know.
In need of grace, in need of love,
In need of mercy raining down from high above,
In need of strength, in need of peace,
In need of things that only You can give to me.
In need of Christ, the perfect Lamb, my refuge strong, The Great I Am.
This is my song, my humble plea; I am Your child, I am in need.
In Need by Ross King
But, I think it also gave me a complex about sharing prayer requests. Recently, I had something really heavy on my heart, effecting many people I love, but I hesitated to tell others about it because I didn't want to seem too needy. You see, lately, it seems like I've had an inordinate number of prayer requests for myself or those near me. As I was thinking about some of those things this morning and wondering how to share and with whom to share, I told the Lord that I didn't want to sound needy. And, y'all, like only He can, the response was immediate, "But, Kristen, you ARE needy." Where I got the idea that I wasn't in need or that it was wrong for me to be in need, I'll never know.
In need of grace, in need of love,
In need of mercy raining down from high above,
In need of strength, in need of peace,
In need of things that only You can give to me.
In need of Christ, the perfect Lamb, my refuge strong, The Great I Am.
This is my song, my humble plea; I am Your child, I am in need.
In Need by Ross King
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Lyrically Speaking
"You love all who I am with all of who You are ..." - So Good, Jennie Riddle
"He is jealous for me/Loves like a hurricane - I am a tree/Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy ... I don't have time to maintain these regrets/when I think about the way that he loves us ..." - How He Loves Us, John Mark McMillan
"His mercy hovers like a cloud never raining dry ..." 145, Jolly Napier
"All of my life/In every season/You are still God/I have a reason to sing/I have a reason to worship ..." Desert Song, Hillsong
"Everlasting, your light will shine when all else fades ... Let justice and praise become my embrace ..." From the Inside Out, Hillsong
"I am empty/You are holy/Come and fill my soul with Who you are ..." A Loss for Words, Charles Billingsley
"There are so few words that never grow old ... Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!" O,For a Thousand Tongues to Sing, David Crowder
"Your will above all else/my purpose remains/The art of losing myself in bringing you praise ..." From the Inside Out, Hillsong
"He is jealous for me/Loves like a hurricane - I am a tree/Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy ... I don't have time to maintain these regrets/when I think about the way that he loves us ..." - How He Loves Us, John Mark McMillan
"His mercy hovers like a cloud never raining dry ..." 145, Jolly Napier
"All of my life/In every season/You are still God/I have a reason to sing/I have a reason to worship ..." Desert Song, Hillsong
"Everlasting, your light will shine when all else fades ... Let justice and praise become my embrace ..." From the Inside Out, Hillsong
"I am empty/You are holy/Come and fill my soul with Who you are ..." A Loss for Words, Charles Billingsley
"There are so few words that never grow old ... Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!" O,For a Thousand Tongues to Sing, David Crowder
"Your will above all else/my purpose remains/The art of losing myself in bringing you praise ..." From the Inside Out, Hillsong
Thursday, January 29, 2009
I Don't Believe In Coincidence
Sometimes, I wish I did. But, I don't. I don't believe in coincidence. I believe in a Sovereign God whose hand touches every detail of life. I believe that I was created with purpose, and that God never wastes a thing that comes into my life but uses all things to bring glory for Himself and good for me. I've believed that for some time now, but recently, this belief has been at the forefront of my thinking more than ever.
Lately, I've been in a slump. I told you I believed I was losing my mind. Some days, just getting out of bed is like fighting an uphill battle. Other days, keeping a string of coherent thoughts running together just seems impossible. And, frequently, I resort to a good old fashioned bout of tears to deal with whatever seems like more than I can handle. There's no simple explanation or straightforward answer to these things, but I am working through them.
This problem is not what I want to write about, though. It's the way God's been working in the midst of it that has stopped me in my tracks today. It's the way He continues to move and speak and make Himself known that makes me stand in awe.
You see, in the middle of what feels like chaos, there's a growing list of friends who've contacted me out of the blue just to check in, telling me I've been weighing heavier in their thoughts than normal and they've been praying for me more specifically.
On Sunday afternoons, there's this very random assortment of women who come together for discipleship. When I prayed four months ago that God would put us together however He saw fit, I couldn't have known that I'd need exactly what each of them brings to that table. I couldn't have known I'd need someone who's been through this valley or someone who'd joyfully pray daily or someone who'd call just to see where I was or someone who'd speak wisdom with every utterance.
He knew, though. He saw what I couldn't see coming.
He knew before I could have that when I accepted teaching opportunities, I'd need the lessons as much if not more than those listening. He knew I'd need to meet "The God Who Sees" and "The God Who Fights For Me" in a specific way this week.
He knew, even when I wasn't sure I had time for it, that I'd need a weekend away with relatively new friends to laugh out loud, to share the burdens of my heart, and to learn new songs with which to praise Him.
And, He knew every time He gave me the grace to walk another step with a hurting friend, that those sweet ones would be exactly who I needed to walk with me now and that He'd give them the grace to take another step with me today.
"In his heart, a man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9
Lately, I've been in a slump. I told you I believed I was losing my mind. Some days, just getting out of bed is like fighting an uphill battle. Other days, keeping a string of coherent thoughts running together just seems impossible. And, frequently, I resort to a good old fashioned bout of tears to deal with whatever seems like more than I can handle. There's no simple explanation or straightforward answer to these things, but I am working through them.
This problem is not what I want to write about, though. It's the way God's been working in the midst of it that has stopped me in my tracks today. It's the way He continues to move and speak and make Himself known that makes me stand in awe.
You see, in the middle of what feels like chaos, there's a growing list of friends who've contacted me out of the blue just to check in, telling me I've been weighing heavier in their thoughts than normal and they've been praying for me more specifically.
On Sunday afternoons, there's this very random assortment of women who come together for discipleship. When I prayed four months ago that God would put us together however He saw fit, I couldn't have known that I'd need exactly what each of them brings to that table. I couldn't have known I'd need someone who's been through this valley or someone who'd joyfully pray daily or someone who'd call just to see where I was or someone who'd speak wisdom with every utterance.
He knew, though. He saw what I couldn't see coming.
He knew before I could have that when I accepted teaching opportunities, I'd need the lessons as much if not more than those listening. He knew I'd need to meet "The God Who Sees" and "The God Who Fights For Me" in a specific way this week.
He knew, even when I wasn't sure I had time for it, that I'd need a weekend away with relatively new friends to laugh out loud, to share the burdens of my heart, and to learn new songs with which to praise Him.
And, He knew every time He gave me the grace to walk another step with a hurting friend, that those sweet ones would be exactly who I needed to walk with me now and that He'd give them the grace to take another step with me today.
"In his heart, a man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps." Proverbs 16:9
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Losing My Mind
Lately, I've felt more than a little crazy. I say that seriously, and I'm working through it, but sometimes, the things that happen are just too funny. I haven't decided how much I'll really blog about the things that are more serious, but I figure if I'm going to go crazy, we might as well all have a little fun with it. ;-)
One of the things I've noticed is that I misplace things like my keys and/or cell phone DAILY. It's so annoying. This morning, however, was even more comical. I misplaced a pot of coffee. Not really, of course, but I was so very confused. I got up, set set the coffee to brew, turned it on and went about my morning routine.
Half an hour later, my stomach rumbled, and I went to find some breakfast. I walked into the kitchen, grabbed a banana, stuck a bagel in the toaster, then pulled out a coffee mug. That's when I noticed -- the coffee pot was nearly empty! I looked inside the well, and the water was gone from it, the grounds were wet as though it had all flowed through, but there was almost no coffee in the pot. About the time I was deciding to start a fresh pot so I could watch to see what the matter was, I remembered the very full travel mug I'd filled and carried back to my office right after the pot had finished brewing. Genius! I had to laugh at myself, but goodness, that's aggravating. :-)
One of the things I've noticed is that I misplace things like my keys and/or cell phone DAILY. It's so annoying. This morning, however, was even more comical. I misplaced a pot of coffee. Not really, of course, but I was so very confused. I got up, set set the coffee to brew, turned it on and went about my morning routine.
Half an hour later, my stomach rumbled, and I went to find some breakfast. I walked into the kitchen, grabbed a banana, stuck a bagel in the toaster, then pulled out a coffee mug. That's when I noticed -- the coffee pot was nearly empty! I looked inside the well, and the water was gone from it, the grounds were wet as though it had all flowed through, but there was almost no coffee in the pot. About the time I was deciding to start a fresh pot so I could watch to see what the matter was, I remembered the very full travel mug I'd filled and carried back to my office right after the pot had finished brewing. Genius! I had to laugh at myself, but goodness, that's aggravating. :-)
Friday, January 16, 2009
Living On the Third Day
Every now and then a song catches me by surprise, captures my attention, my imagination -- gets me fired up. Today, as I rounded the corner on my way home, my radio was turned down low, but suddenly I was aware of the lyrics being sung:
On the third day, behold the King!
On the third day, death has no sting!
On the third day, we're forgiven and reconciled!
Today was one of those days I woke up a little fired up. I'm not sure why, but after spending time with the Lord this morning, I just felt a heightened sense of His magnificence in every aspect of my life and the world in general. I've written before that sometimes His majesty just overwhelms me. It was kind of like that.
On Sunday, my discipleship group had a discussion about "praying on our spiritual armor." Our pastor has often encouraged us to do this, so as we began a six-week emphasis on spiritual warfare, I asked how many of them actually make a habit of praying on their armor. Rather quickly, someone said, "I don't. I don't pray it on because I never take it off!" I've been chewing on that ever since. The helmet of salvation. The breastplate of Christ's righteousness. The belt of God's Truth. These are items in which I am meant to live, not put on and take off at will.
Then, this afternoon, those lyrics, "On the third day death has no sting! On the third day we're forgiven and reconciled!" And, I realized why I was so moved. Entirely too often, I fail to really live, walk, ABIDE in this Truth. It's the third day. Death has no sting. Nothing separates me from God's love. I can enter the Holy Place and find mercy. I am FREE.
I am crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. And, the life I live in the flesh, I live by faith in the One who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20
Day Three.
On the third day, behold the King!
On the third day, death has no sting!
On the third day, we're forgiven and reconciled!
Today was one of those days I woke up a little fired up. I'm not sure why, but after spending time with the Lord this morning, I just felt a heightened sense of His magnificence in every aspect of my life and the world in general. I've written before that sometimes His majesty just overwhelms me. It was kind of like that.
On Sunday, my discipleship group had a discussion about "praying on our spiritual armor." Our pastor has often encouraged us to do this, so as we began a six-week emphasis on spiritual warfare, I asked how many of them actually make a habit of praying on their armor. Rather quickly, someone said, "I don't. I don't pray it on because I never take it off!" I've been chewing on that ever since. The helmet of salvation. The breastplate of Christ's righteousness. The belt of God's Truth. These are items in which I am meant to live, not put on and take off at will.
Then, this afternoon, those lyrics, "On the third day death has no sting! On the third day we're forgiven and reconciled!" And, I realized why I was so moved. Entirely too often, I fail to really live, walk, ABIDE in this Truth. It's the third day. Death has no sting. Nothing separates me from God's love. I can enter the Holy Place and find mercy. I am FREE.
I am crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. And, the life I live in the flesh, I live by faith in the One who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20
Day Three.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
More Lessons from Hagar
It occurs to me that I should just save all of this until after I've taught this lesson, but sometimes the wonder of God's truth is just too great to not share right away.
So, just to recap, in Genesis 16 we meet Hagar, the mistreated maidservant of Sarah, the wife of Abraham. She's pregnant with Abe's baby because Sarah thought that'd be a good idea. Only, once Hagar was pregnant, Sarah was more than a little uncomfortable with the situation and Hagar was more than a little taunting toward her mistress. Eventually, the whole situation becomes too much to handle and Hagar flees. She's a fugitive in the desert, pregnant, alone, and a long way from her home in Egypt. Then, an amazing thing happens. God comes to her.
Hagar tells Him her plight, then He tells her what to do. Two commands. Go back ... and submit. Ouch! I'm thinking this is probably not what she wanted to hear in that moment. But, this is where the lesson gets good. There was grace in those commands.
First of all, to whom was He sending Hagar back? To Abraham's people, God's chosen, the blessed ones. Hagar was a foreigner, from a people who did not worship the True and Living God. By sending her back to Abraham and Sarah, God was placing her in the protection of His people. Secondly, He told her to submit. Submit to an unfair situation? Submit to carrying the child of a man who used her and a woman who plans to take it from her? Really? Submit? But, there's more. The Lord tells her a little bit about the baby she's carrying. As the child of Abraham, he's to be included in the promise. Submit, let Abraham claim the child, for he will have descendents too numerous to count. "El Roi" could see the things Hagar could not.
Ahh! Do you ever find things in scripture you just wish were not there? Grace in a command like "go back and submit"! Think of it. How often do I sense the Lord's command in my life, but ignore it because it just seems too far-fetched to be accurate.? Surely that's not what He meant to say. Surely I didn't hear that correctly. Surely "El Roi" the God who sees everything, even invisible women hiding in deserts, wouldn't ask me to go back to that difficult situation and submit myself to an unfair authority. Would He?
Perhaps I would do well to remember that the everything He sees includes the things I cannot see.
So, just to recap, in Genesis 16 we meet Hagar, the mistreated maidservant of Sarah, the wife of Abraham. She's pregnant with Abe's baby because Sarah thought that'd be a good idea. Only, once Hagar was pregnant, Sarah was more than a little uncomfortable with the situation and Hagar was more than a little taunting toward her mistress. Eventually, the whole situation becomes too much to handle and Hagar flees. She's a fugitive in the desert, pregnant, alone, and a long way from her home in Egypt. Then, an amazing thing happens. God comes to her.
Hagar tells Him her plight, then He tells her what to do. Two commands. Go back ... and submit. Ouch! I'm thinking this is probably not what she wanted to hear in that moment. But, this is where the lesson gets good. There was grace in those commands.
First of all, to whom was He sending Hagar back? To Abraham's people, God's chosen, the blessed ones. Hagar was a foreigner, from a people who did not worship the True and Living God. By sending her back to Abraham and Sarah, God was placing her in the protection of His people. Secondly, He told her to submit. Submit to an unfair situation? Submit to carrying the child of a man who used her and a woman who plans to take it from her? Really? Submit? But, there's more. The Lord tells her a little bit about the baby she's carrying. As the child of Abraham, he's to be included in the promise. Submit, let Abraham claim the child, for he will have descendents too numerous to count. "El Roi" could see the things Hagar could not.
Ahh! Do you ever find things in scripture you just wish were not there? Grace in a command like "go back and submit"! Think of it. How often do I sense the Lord's command in my life, but ignore it because it just seems too far-fetched to be accurate.? Surely that's not what He meant to say. Surely I didn't hear that correctly. Surely "El Roi" the God who sees everything, even invisible women hiding in deserts, wouldn't ask me to go back to that difficult situation and submit myself to an unfair authority. Would He?
Perhaps I would do well to remember that the everything He sees includes the things I cannot see.
Monday, January 05, 2009
You Gotta Hear This!
I frequently ask others for music download suggestions. Now, I'm publishing mine. If I could make you a Mix CD, this is what would be on it ...
Albertine by Brooke Fraser
Beautiful, Scandalous Night by Roby Seay Band
Desert Song by Hillsong
Faithful God by Shannon Wexelberg
Fringes by Shane and Shane
Glorious Day by Jeff Johnson
Hallelujah by Bethany Dillon
He's Always Been Faithful by Sara Groves
Hello Lord by Sara Groves
Jesus Paid It All by Kristian Stanfill
Let It Be Said of Us by Elijah Thomson
A Loss for Words by Charles Billingsley
The Maker of Noses by Rich Mullins
Never Underestimate My Jesus by Relient K
O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing by David Crowder Band
Revelation Song by Christ for the Nations Institute
Thankful by Josh Groban
This Is Our God by Chris Tomlin
What Do I Know of Holy by Addison Road
Worth It All by Rita Springer
You Are Good by Point of Grace
You Are My Treasure by Chris Tomlin
Albertine by Brooke Fraser
Beautiful, Scandalous Night by Roby Seay Band
Desert Song by Hillsong
Faithful God by Shannon Wexelberg
Fringes by Shane and Shane
Glorious Day by Jeff Johnson
Hallelujah by Bethany Dillon
He's Always Been Faithful by Sara Groves
Hello Lord by Sara Groves
Jesus Paid It All by Kristian Stanfill
Let It Be Said of Us by Elijah Thomson
A Loss for Words by Charles Billingsley
The Maker of Noses by Rich Mullins
Never Underestimate My Jesus by Relient K
O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing by David Crowder Band
Revelation Song by Christ for the Nations Institute
Thankful by Josh Groban
This Is Our God by Chris Tomlin
What Do I Know of Holy by Addison Road
Worth It All by Rita Springer
You Are Good by Point of Grace
You Are My Treasure by Chris Tomlin
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Influences
It seems like the conversation's been coming up more and more lately about books (other than Scripture) that have influenced me. First, you should know that absolutely nothing has been more influential and powerful in my life and personal spiritual growth than consistent time spent studying the Bible itself, learning what God has to say about Himself, his character, his promises, his plans. If you haven't already, start there.
But, as for other reading, I'm always a bit intimidated by this question because my list is more than a little eclectic, and not nearly as "deep" as I think it should be. But, for better or worse, here's my list - in no particular order!
The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning ... I read this book for the first time in college, and it revolutionized my understanding of grace. I desperately needed that.
The Velveteen Woman by Brenda Waggoner ... I happened across this on early on in seminary, and it made me crave and strive for authenticity in all of my relationships with others.
You're God is Too Safe by Mark Buchanan ... The chapter on prayer left an indelible impression that continues to spur me on in intercession.
The Life You've Always Wanted by John Ortberg ... This is a book about spiritual disciplines for everyday people, and it was the impetus for much creativity in my personal life as well as public ministry.
God's Heart for the Nations by Jeff Lewis ... I still shake my head in wonder as I think of how my mind and heart swelled with the fresh understanding of God's passion for His Name and His Glory to be exalted in every people.
Believing God by Beth Moore ... If you are going to choose one of these to read for yourself, choose this one.
Sophie's Heart by Lori Wick ... This is a novel, a Christian fiction romance, but it contains a great scene in which one of the characters confesses his penchant toward jealousy and how it messes up his best intentions. I love the listener's response. She says, "I'm so glad jealousy is a sin." She goes on to explain that if he'd sat her down to tell her he had a deadly disease, there may be no cure, but because his problem was a sin, they have a Solution, a Savior who died for that. The rest of the story is good, but that scene was powerful for me.
Crazy Love by Francis Chan ... I liked this one because it left me with no excuses, no easy outs for living as a Christ-follower. Being radically, all out, sold out to Jesus is just plain biblical.
And the Word Came with Power by Joanne Shelter ... a powerful true story about the transformation of a remote people group introduced to Scripture in their own language.
I bet you're a little disappointed in my list, huh? Told you it wasn't much of one! As you can probably tell, most of these are books I read a number of years ago. I haven't stopped reading, but I think it takes some time to see what's going to stick with me, so I didn't include much from my recent reads. Something I've learned about myself is that I love stories, especially true ones; I learn well from them. I like to see faith played out. I'd be remiss if I didn't at least mention The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom and Facing Terror by Carrie McDonnall.
But, as for other reading, I'm always a bit intimidated by this question because my list is more than a little eclectic, and not nearly as "deep" as I think it should be. But, for better or worse, here's my list - in no particular order!
The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning ... I read this book for the first time in college, and it revolutionized my understanding of grace. I desperately needed that.
The Velveteen Woman by Brenda Waggoner ... I happened across this on early on in seminary, and it made me crave and strive for authenticity in all of my relationships with others.
You're God is Too Safe by Mark Buchanan ... The chapter on prayer left an indelible impression that continues to spur me on in intercession.
The Life You've Always Wanted by John Ortberg ... This is a book about spiritual disciplines for everyday people, and it was the impetus for much creativity in my personal life as well as public ministry.
God's Heart for the Nations by Jeff Lewis ... I still shake my head in wonder as I think of how my mind and heart swelled with the fresh understanding of God's passion for His Name and His Glory to be exalted in every people.
Believing God by Beth Moore ... If you are going to choose one of these to read for yourself, choose this one.
Sophie's Heart by Lori Wick ... This is a novel, a Christian fiction romance, but it contains a great scene in which one of the characters confesses his penchant toward jealousy and how it messes up his best intentions. I love the listener's response. She says, "I'm so glad jealousy is a sin." She goes on to explain that if he'd sat her down to tell her he had a deadly disease, there may be no cure, but because his problem was a sin, they have a Solution, a Savior who died for that. The rest of the story is good, but that scene was powerful for me.
Crazy Love by Francis Chan ... I liked this one because it left me with no excuses, no easy outs for living as a Christ-follower. Being radically, all out, sold out to Jesus is just plain biblical.
And the Word Came with Power by Joanne Shelter ... a powerful true story about the transformation of a remote people group introduced to Scripture in their own language.
I bet you're a little disappointed in my list, huh? Told you it wasn't much of one! As you can probably tell, most of these are books I read a number of years ago. I haven't stopped reading, but I think it takes some time to see what's going to stick with me, so I didn't include much from my recent reads. Something I've learned about myself is that I love stories, especially true ones; I learn well from them. I like to see faith played out. I'd be remiss if I didn't at least mention The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom and Facing Terror by Carrie McDonnall.
Friday, January 02, 2009
Here We Go Again
I absolutely love fresh starts. It's why, despite my best efforts, I can't hate Mondays. It's why I love brand new journals. I keep two or three blank journals on my shelf at a time, and I've been known to drop one and start fresh when the need arises. And, every January 1st, I get a great, big fresh start with a brand new year. It's as though a giant calendar lies before me waiting to schedule memorable moments, and a giant journal lies open before me waiting to record them.
I've been thinking a lot about writing a 2008 Reflection post before I plunge headlong into 2009. I've toyed with a "Top 10" idea, listing the things that will always draw my mind back to the last 12 months. I've thought about a list of songs or verses or books that have heavily influenced me in the last 12 months. I'm still thinking about it. But, in the meantime, it's January 2nd and 2009 is moving ahead at full speed.
This morning, I was waking up rather slowly, contemplating today's post, and two things kept coming to mind. First, I had to write about fresh starts. I couldn't describe my state of mind without telling you how much I love them and encouraging you to grab hold of this one. Second, as I contemplated whether or not to write the 2008 reflection post, the theme verse I've adopted for Mariposa Ministries kept popping up in my thoughts. "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs up, will you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert, a stream in the wilderness." Isaiah 43:18-19 Perhaps, I dare not spend so much time revelling in the things of 2008 that I fail to eagerly anticipate the joys of 2009.
How can I be so sure that 2009 will be a year of blessing? (pause while the song "Every Day With Jesus is Sweeter Than the Day Before" finishes playing through my head) Psalm 16:11 says, "You will show me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." I can be sure because joy is found in Jesus, and I am planning to fill this year with as much of Him as I can possibly get!
I've been thinking a lot about writing a 2008 Reflection post before I plunge headlong into 2009. I've toyed with a "Top 10" idea, listing the things that will always draw my mind back to the last 12 months. I've thought about a list of songs or verses or books that have heavily influenced me in the last 12 months. I'm still thinking about it. But, in the meantime, it's January 2nd and 2009 is moving ahead at full speed.
This morning, I was waking up rather slowly, contemplating today's post, and two things kept coming to mind. First, I had to write about fresh starts. I couldn't describe my state of mind without telling you how much I love them and encouraging you to grab hold of this one. Second, as I contemplated whether or not to write the 2008 reflection post, the theme verse I've adopted for Mariposa Ministries kept popping up in my thoughts. "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs up, will you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert, a stream in the wilderness." Isaiah 43:18-19 Perhaps, I dare not spend so much time revelling in the things of 2008 that I fail to eagerly anticipate the joys of 2009.
How can I be so sure that 2009 will be a year of blessing? (pause while the song "Every Day With Jesus is Sweeter Than the Day Before" finishes playing through my head) Psalm 16:11 says, "You will show me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." I can be sure because joy is found in Jesus, and I am planning to fill this year with as much of Him as I can possibly get!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Self-Discovery
Last week, while getting acquainted with some new friends, the question was asked, "What would you order if you could choose your last meal?" It's a simple question, a silly conversation starter. I was so fascinated by those who could answer without the slightest pause, not just what they'd have but where it would come from. I still don't have a solid answer, but I'm working on it ...
I spent the majority of my first 27 years learning how to please other people, becoming a master at keeping others happy. If I had an opinion about something important, I rarely expressed it. And, sometimes, I even downplayed my opinion about unimportant things.
Tonight, as I prepared to enjoy a very quiet evening at home by myself, it occurred to me that, at just past 30, I'm finally discovering how to enjoy the things that please me most. And, I'm discovering that the things that please me are the simplest of pleasures. It's rewarding and comforting to begin to recognize my preferences for everything from pasta to hand cream, wrapping paper to bubble bath, radio stations to men. I still have precious few preferences that I would not gladly surrender in favor of another's comfort, but there is something satisfying about identifying my personal preferences and being able to articulate them, if even for just myself.
I spent the majority of my first 27 years learning how to please other people, becoming a master at keeping others happy. If I had an opinion about something important, I rarely expressed it. And, sometimes, I even downplayed my opinion about unimportant things.
Tonight, as I prepared to enjoy a very quiet evening at home by myself, it occurred to me that, at just past 30, I'm finally discovering how to enjoy the things that please me most. And, I'm discovering that the things that please me are the simplest of pleasures. It's rewarding and comforting to begin to recognize my preferences for everything from pasta to hand cream, wrapping paper to bubble bath, radio stations to men. I still have precious few preferences that I would not gladly surrender in favor of another's comfort, but there is something satisfying about identifying my personal preferences and being able to articulate them, if even for just myself.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Hagar and Heroes
In Scripture, the first time we are introduced to God as "El Roi," The God Who Sees, is in Genesis 16, in the story of Hagar. Hagar was a maidservant turned fertile concubine. Her fertility was a slap in the face to Sarah, who'd sought for years to bear Abraham a son. She was prideful about her pregnancy, and Sarah mistreated her. So she fled. Alone. Frightened. Without provision. Without status. Without hope. And, it was in that place, weeping by the roadside, that an angel of the LORD appears to her, delivering a message from God Himself. Upon receiving the message, the promise of protection and provision for herself and her unborn child, she calls the LORD, El Roi, "the God who sees me."
In discussing the teaching of this story with a friend the other day, I was asked the question, "How do you make a hero out of Hagar?" You see, she wanted to tell this woman's story, but she didn't quite feel comfortable with making her a heroine. In a moment I can only describe as Providential, I said the first thing that came to mind. "You don't." You see, Hagar is not the hero of this story; God is. He is always the Hero. The story isn't about her; it's about the God who sees her, the God who sees the invisible woman.
It's why we love Him. It's why we stand in awe of Him. It's why we need Him.
Thinking about Hagar also got me to thinking about another, more prominent Biblical woman - Mary. It is Christmas time after all, and certainly, we're hearing more about her right now. Mary, the amazing woman-child who bore the incarnate deity. The chosen servant of God. I've heard a number of sermons extolling her virtues. But you know what? Mary isn't anymore a heroine than Hagar is. God is the Hero in her story, too. He didn't choose her to bear the Christ child because of how worthy she was, but because of how unlikely she was. He is in the business of displaying His glory. It's always about Him.
And, that gets me to thinking about my story, and who the hero is there. It certainly isn't me. When God's power is displayed in human frailty, that isn't cause for me to boast. Paul said it best in II Corinthians 11:30, "If I must boast, I will boast in things that display my weakness." In other words, don't see me, and if you do see me, see how weak I am. Only when you recognize how weak I am, can you understand how GREAT God is.
He is always the Hero.
In discussing the teaching of this story with a friend the other day, I was asked the question, "How do you make a hero out of Hagar?" You see, she wanted to tell this woman's story, but she didn't quite feel comfortable with making her a heroine. In a moment I can only describe as Providential, I said the first thing that came to mind. "You don't." You see, Hagar is not the hero of this story; God is. He is always the Hero. The story isn't about her; it's about the God who sees her, the God who sees the invisible woman.
It's why we love Him. It's why we stand in awe of Him. It's why we need Him.
Thinking about Hagar also got me to thinking about another, more prominent Biblical woman - Mary. It is Christmas time after all, and certainly, we're hearing more about her right now. Mary, the amazing woman-child who bore the incarnate deity. The chosen servant of God. I've heard a number of sermons extolling her virtues. But you know what? Mary isn't anymore a heroine than Hagar is. God is the Hero in her story, too. He didn't choose her to bear the Christ child because of how worthy she was, but because of how unlikely she was. He is in the business of displaying His glory. It's always about Him.
And, that gets me to thinking about my story, and who the hero is there. It certainly isn't me. When God's power is displayed in human frailty, that isn't cause for me to boast. Paul said it best in II Corinthians 11:30, "If I must boast, I will boast in things that display my weakness." In other words, don't see me, and if you do see me, see how weak I am. Only when you recognize how weak I am, can you understand how GREAT God is.
He is always the Hero.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Christmas Survey
1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Usually hot chocolate except for a small eggnog milkshake for New Year's
2. Funny Holiday memory as a child: Pick a Horton family telecast, any telecast.
3. Colored or white lights on your house? White
4. Do you hang mistletoe? As if my life needed more awkward moments.
5. When do you put your decorations up? Weekend after Thanksgiving, maximum enjoyment of all that effort
6. Do you remember your favorite gift? Probably my American Girl doll, Samantha
7. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? He wraps them.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I knew he was real when I got that cassette tape with a message recorded just for me!
9. Do you open gifts on Christmas Eve? Usually, but NOT stockings
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? White lights, red ribbon, red, green, gold ornaments, and lots of stars!
11. Snow? A few inches can be fun.
12. Can you ice skate? Can I, yes? Should I, probably not.
13. What is your favorite holiday dish? Mom's baked carrots
14. What's the most important thing about the Holiday for you? Family togetherness and time to reflect on the real Gift, Jesus.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Candy corns. Oh, wrong holiday? :-)
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Stockings on Christmas morning
17. What tops your tree? A gold star
18. Which do you prefer Giving or Receiving? Definitely giving
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? It's a tie between "O Come O Come Emmanuel" and "Joy to the World"
20. Candy Canes or Chocolate Covered Cherries? Neither?
2. Funny Holiday memory as a child: Pick a Horton family telecast, any telecast.
3. Colored or white lights on your house? White
4. Do you hang mistletoe? As if my life needed more awkward moments.
5. When do you put your decorations up? Weekend after Thanksgiving, maximum enjoyment of all that effort
6. Do you remember your favorite gift? Probably my American Girl doll, Samantha
7. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? He wraps them.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I knew he was real when I got that cassette tape with a message recorded just for me!
9. Do you open gifts on Christmas Eve? Usually, but NOT stockings
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? White lights, red ribbon, red, green, gold ornaments, and lots of stars!
11. Snow? A few inches can be fun.
12. Can you ice skate? Can I, yes? Should I, probably not.
13. What is your favorite holiday dish? Mom's baked carrots
14. What's the most important thing about the Holiday for you? Family togetherness and time to reflect on the real Gift, Jesus.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Candy corns. Oh, wrong holiday? :-)
16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Stockings on Christmas morning
17. What tops your tree? A gold star
18. Which do you prefer Giving or Receiving? Definitely giving
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? It's a tie between "O Come O Come Emmanuel" and "Joy to the World"
20. Candy Canes or Chocolate Covered Cherries? Neither?
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