Thinking on these things . . .

Transformation

2012-01-13T10:51:00.003-06:00

The six inch snowfall we received over the past 24 hours has made it the topic of conversation; especially since we had been experiencing an unseasonably warm January with temps in the 50's!

That's all been transformed in just a few short hours - every tree branch is outlined in pristine white, every bush supports clumps of snow at the junctures of their evergreen boughs. It's beautiful. It's also cold and treacherous, but the environment has changed, and surprisingly this was really apparent last night when I turned off the lights.

We love night lights here; a single light pushing back the deep darkness of winter nights- they're so comforting and hopeful! But last night when the lights went off the darkness wasn't so dark. A solitary beam of hope wasn't as necessary because the whole environment was now clothed in white and the darkness had been lightened.

Yes, it was still night. Still winter. Still cold but it wasn't so dark: it was no longer that deep palatable darkness it had been.

Darkness in our lives is inevitable. There will be some tragedy, or disease, or disappointment that will throw everything into deep night. Scripture says the rain falls on the just and unjust alike - it's the age old question of "why do bad things happen to good people?" They just do. Loving God does not make us exempt from suffering.

But, from last night's evidence, I've realized there is a difference. Our night, our hardship, might be as dark as another's but the love and grace that God spreads out in our hearts, lighten this darkness.
Just as the snow cover reflected light so does our awareness that we do not walk through the dark nights alone. He not only goes with us (Ps. 23) but covers us with His love. We have hope and light; no matter how intensely the darkness tries to push into our souls.

While we would wish for a lack of hardship; or for God to transform our circumstances so that all is well we have no guarantee that will be how He works but we can be confident that if we seek Him, we will find Him and he'll transform our hearts.
Sometimes He calms the storm but He will always calm his child.

When the time comes...

2012-01-10T15:44:00.001-06:00

It is January 10th, in Chicago, and 54 degrees!!!

Every kid who got a new bike for Christmas is cruisin' the sidewalks!!

I can imagine that a bike under the tree Christmas morning (depending on your latitude) would be both welcome and frustrating; frustrating because of the possible very L O N G wait until Spring to test out the new wheels. It's tough having a gift and not being able to use it!

Today Max Lucado was talking about the gifts God has given to us...
You’re Pre-Packed

By Max Lucado

There are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. I Corinthians 12:6

You were born pre-packed! God looked at your entire life, determined your assignment, and gave you the tools to do the job!
You do something very similar before you travel. You consider the demands of the journey and pack accordingly.
Cold weather? Bring a jacket. Business meeting? Carry the laptop.
Time with grandchildren? Better take some sneakers and pain medication!
God did the same with you. Joe will do research—install curiosity! Megan will lead a private school—an extra dose of management.
I need Eric to comfort the sick—include a healthy share of compassion. Denalyn will marry Max!—instill a double portion of patience.
Exodus 35:35 says: God has filled them with skill!
God packed you on purpose for a purpose!

Andy Wood, on his blog, LifeVesting, said today "A thousand opportunities dance before those whose eyes are open to see them. Ten thousand chances pass by those too lost in fear or consuming to notice them."

May our eyes be open to the opportunities God is putting before us to use those gifts He's pre-packed us with!

Let's get FAT in 2012

2012-01-02T10:34:00.002-06:00

It's that time of year again.
The stroke of midnight now signifies a new year.

So it's time for New Year's ____?_____.

Yep, resolutions.

I, like you, have gone through the cycle of New Year's resolutions from making them with great idealism, to realizing their futility and inevitable failure, to merely thinking about things I'd like to change but not calling them resolutions, to, well, to not even bothering...

But this year I am making one resolution.

I want to eat rich foods and I want to eat until I am satisfied.
I want to do all that I can to get fat.

No stringy celery, dry rice cakes, and small plates of entrees for me.
Bring on the richest, sweetest, most tender foods and bring it in on platters!

I want things that melt in my mouth because they are so full of fat themselves- smooth like chocolate, buttery like pastries, and tender like marbleized beef. I do not want to walk around constantly hungry.

I even found a verse that describes what I want perfectly!
Isaiah 55:2 "Hearken diligently to me and eat that which is good and let your soul delight itself in fatness".

I want a fat soul.

No power-of-positive-thinking inspirational sayings for me. No bumper sticker theology, no religious rhetoric, not even warm fuzzy quotes with cute pictures or verse-a-day calenders will suffice.

Why would I be happy snacking on "Today is the first day of the rest of your life" when instead I have the invitation from God saying "Come and talk with me" (Psalms 27:8 ). I can commune about anything and everything at any time with Almighty God or I can try to motivate myself that today is a fresh start....
I think I'll respond "Lord, I am coming!" (Psalms 27:8)

I want to feast on the richness of God and of His Word, on His love and grace, His holiness and justice, His compassion and unfailing love. This is God, who is not some abstract idea, historical figure, or uncaring deity, but the One who seeks me and invites me to know Him.

I want to claim the verse in Jeremiah 31:14 where God says, "I will satiate the soul of the priest with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, says the Lord".

I want to say with the Psalmist, "My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips". (Psalms 63:5)

This word fatness means richness, abundance and blessing.

Psalms 36:8 promises that "They shall be abundantly satisfied (filled up, to the brim, not wanting any more!) with the fatness (richness, blessing) of thy house (the place where God is) and you shall make them drink of the rivers of thy pleasure". Reminiscent isn't it of Psalms 23 where we're told that "He makes me lie down by still waters...he restores my soul." ?

So this is my resolution. To feast on the abundant richness of God, to listen to what He says, and to let my soul revel in it's increasing girth.

And if "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Luke 6:45), it might not be such a bad resolution for all of us!

On the Brink of 2012

2011-12-31T07:42:00.002-06:00

It's New Year's Eve; so although the clock strikes midnight every night, today it will usher in a new year.

We're on the brink of the new and unknown.

Does it feel like this?

or more like this? As you're just not sure what's ahead...

But what if, as the clock struck midnight, you were cognizant of these truths -

Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the skies.
Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains,
your justice like the great deep.

O Lord, you preserve both man and beast.
How priceless is your unfailing love!
Both high and low among men find refuge
in the shadow of your wings.(NIV)

You feed them from the abundance of your own house,
letting them drink from your rivers of delight.

For you are the fountain of life,
the light by which we see. (NLT)

Continue your love to those who know you (NIV)
Pour out your unfailing love to those who love you (NLT)
Ps. 35:5-10

The Lord's lovingkindness indeed never ceases
For His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
"The Lord is my portion", says my soul.
"Therefore I have hope in Him."
The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,
to the person who seeks Him.
Lam. 3:22-25

How we move past Christmas

2011-12-29T12:19:00.001-06:00

As I wandered in stores this week, and observed life in general, one disturbing message was loud and clear - Christmas is over.

It's time to shove all the merchandise (that has been so highly lauded since Halloween) pell mell onto the clearance shelves and mark it 80% off.
Out with the old.
We're done with that stuff; we're moving on and now Valentine's merchandise is going there...

Christmas is over; the message is clear.
It is now time to gear up for 2012.
Family, celebrations, "I'll be home for Christmas" dreams are seemingly all complete, shoved into boxes and stuffed back into the attic or taken out in the trash in the mounds of ripped off wrapping paper.
Out with the sentimental and nostalgic: time to make new resolutions, look forward, clear the clutter (as is the lead story of every single magazine out there) and determine to be a better ________(you fill in the blank)

Yes, the tree must come down.
Yes, our homes must be reclaimed from bows and lights and set up again for the business of life.
But when you pack away your nativity set, be sure you don't pack away your Savior.
For while Christmas stuff may be 80% off, His worth has not diminished.

We need not wait till Easter to again consider His impact on our world.
He is the God of every day; not only God in times of bi-yearly celebration.
Every day He walks with us providing new mercy and fresh strength. (Lamentations 3:23, Isaiah 40:31)

The reason that baby came to a manger was to be the Lord of our lives.
And as we go into a new year, we need One who is our Lord.

Who else knows both our future and our hearts?
Who else knows what motivates us and how to make us desire to live for Him?
Who else has a plan and makes all things work together so that we may be more like Him with each passing day?

The falling on our knees of our response to the angel's news, must continue it's work in our life as we submit our days, our desires, our expectations, our needs, our all, to the One who loved us enough to wrap Himself in flesh: so that we could live forever with Him - and not only someday in heaven but today. Today we can live with Him, and in Him, and through His strength and obedience to His Word in our lives.

You have celebrated the coming of the baby but let the new year still find you on bended knee to the King.

In the midst of it all...

2011-12-22T10:19:00.001-06:00

It doesn't feel like Christmas; perhaps because it's on the weekend this year or because there's no snow on the ground but I'm just not feeling "christmasy".
The decorations are up, the music is playing, the gifts are wrapped, the menu's planned and Christmas cookies are everywhere, yet... although it doesn't feel like normal; it does feel routine.

I imagine it felt the same way for the shepherds; this was their springtime routine of being in the fields at night as it was calving season. They weren't out at night year round but they were every spring, so while it wasn't normal, still it was the same as before.

On the other hand what Mary and Joseph were experiencing was far from their normal - a pregnancy, the gossip, visions of angels, and now a forced journey to an unfamiliar place - they were completely out of their comfort zone.
Some Christmas' feel like that, after a loss, a diagnosis, or announcement; this will not be the typically expected "merry little Christmas" to which one's become accustomed.

But, to Mary and Joseph in their unknown as well as to the shepherds in their routine, Jesus came; and with His coming brought peace to the anxious and hope to the complacent.

His birth brought these things because the Incarnation is the gift of Christmas; God has come to be with us (Matthew 1:22)! He is with us both in our uncertainties and the expected.

Wherever this season finds you between known and unknown; may the realization of Emmanuel break upon your heart at some point as gloriously as when the angels appeared to the shepherds!

Merry Christmas!

Making Space

2011-12-13T10:44:00.000-06:00

I live in a small house and everything has it's place.
Well, actually that's not true; many things have their places and then there is all the other stuff that just migrates from one place to another...

So now it is Christmas and time to put up the decorations. As I look around my living room I do not see an open space just waiting for the Christmas tree; instead I see a room already full to overflowing: where could I possibly fit in a tree?

So there is this time of evaluation; what can be moved out in order to make a place for Christmas? How can I rearrange what is present in this room so that the tree (and all the accompanying decor) will have a home? And after a plan is formulated then it is time to do the heavy lifting; to move the chair from one place to another, to clean out the things that have accumulated along the sides and corners, to see the entire space in a new light that is looking to make room for a celebration.

I live a small life and it is chock full of stuff. Ideals that have places and concepts that have not yet found a place to settle; tasks and responsibilities that pile up in corners and things that must be gotten to.

So now it's Christmas and time to pause and wonder and make room in my heart for the Savior but my mind is full to overflowing with tasks, and gift buying, and a million other distractions- where can I possibly fit in a peace filled heart of worship?

Now there is the need for evaluation.
Followed by some heavy lifting.
An intentional rearranging and discarding to make space for adoration; to make a place for this One who is the reason for the season. I may be playing the music, singing the carols, and telling the story but is there a space that is ready and waiting for Him to fill? I'd love to see this and that under the tree but am I longing as greatly for Him? I've made time to go here and there but will I carve out space for Him?

Will I do what is necessary so that my response at His coming is not a regrettable "no room" but a joyous "come to my heart Lord Jesus for there is room in my heart for thee"?

What will your response be?

A Christmas invitation for you

2011-12-01T07:30:00.000-06:00

Last January I came across the website http://myoneword.org/.
The concept is fairly simple, instead of making a long list of resolutions for the coming year choose ONE WORD. As they said "This process provides clarity by taking all of your big plans for life change and narrowing them down into a single thing."

So I tried it. I chose a word and, although my attention to it waxed and waned through the months, it truly has provided a clear focus.

My invitation to us is not as ambitious, but just as important.

Let's choose a word to meditate on this month, up to and including all the Christmas festivities and then afterwards as we head into a new year.

What will you focus on this season?
Not what will you do this season as that list is endless; but where will your heart focus?

Will it be on
Peace?

Joy?

Love?

Savior?

Messiah?

or...???

My word (as illustrated) is Emmanuel, because despite all and through all I want to focus on the fact that is He is God with us.
Jesus - Creator God- took the form of fallen man. He came as a baby so that He could grow, to die, for my sin, so that I could be ever with Him - both in this life and the life to come.

Emmanuel when lists are long and time is short.
Emmanuel when materialism threatens to steal my eyes and frantic activity my peace.
Emmanuel whether I am joyful in a crowd or feeling all alone.
Emmanuel as He will never leave or forsake me (Heb. 13:5)

Will you join me?
Will you choose a word for yourself this month and let it take root and flourish in your heart finding it wherever you go this season?

If you'd be so kind,will you add it to the comments section so that we can take this journey together?
May God bless us as we journey to the manger keeping our eyes on Him!

Really? You're in a tux?

2011-11-30T08:38:00.000-06:00

I'm getting a tuxedo ready for my 15 year old son.

And I can't believe it.

I had no idea he'd be in a position to wear one so soon!

And I wonder...
I wonder what clothes God has in store for us for positions He knows we'll soon be filling.
Will it be the suit of a speaker or the soft sweater of a grandparent, the shoes of one with a mission or an outfit paired with coffee for a time of listening?

What are His plans?
What is He preparing for us?

The Bible talks of God preparing a place for us in heaven (John 14), but what does He have in mind for us to finish before we arrive at home?

When my son steps out with his violin at the concert he will be prepared,in his skill set and with the proper attire.

What attire is God preparing for you?
And how is He preparing you for it?

Ever Green

2011-11-29T12:24:00.001-06:00

"O Israel, stay away from idols! I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you. I am like a tree that is always green; all your fruit comes from me." (NLT)

I will answer him and care for him. I am like a green pine tree; your fruitfulness comes from me."(NIV)

It is I who answer and look after you. I am like an evergreen cypress; from me comes your fruit.(ESV)

It's been there all along but I'd never noticed this verse in Hosea 14:8, but; now that I'd seen it, my eyes were opened!

'Tis the season of evergreens!
They stand full and proud while their deciduous counterparts are stark barren sticks.
We're bringing their beauty and fresh smell into our homes to stand in places of prominence.

The tradition of decorating evergreens is centuries old; however, I couldn't find an explanation as to why this particular tree - until I saw it here - in Scripture.

God's faithfulness is likened to an ever green tree - constant, unchanging.(Malachi 3:6)

What better symbol to connect the manger and the Cross and His constant grace into our lives thousands of years after those events?

Do you also see the admonition there, to stay away from idols because it is God who takes care of us? If we have Him we are in need of nothing. (Psalm 23:1)

In this time of love and giving,(and materialism and greed), as we hang our wreaths, decorate trees and let the crisp scent awaken our senses; let us remember that it He who cares for us, He who meets our every need.

God who is always faithful, ever green.

Surrounded...

2011-11-28T15:48:00.001-06:00

Unfailing love surrounds those who trust in the Lord - Psalm 32:10b (NLT)

Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in Him. (NIV)

Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord (ESV)

Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; but he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him (NKJV)

You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance Psalm 32:7

You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand of blessing on my head....I can never escape from Your Spirit! I can never get away from Your presence! If I go up to heaven, You are there; if I go down to the grave, You are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there will Your hand guide me and your strength support me. Psalm 139: 5, 7-10

Unfailing love surrounds those who trust in the Lord...

Ducks in a row? Seriously?!

2011-11-03T07:54:00.000-05:00

Ideally life should look like this

However; typically, mine looks like this

Which is okay if all the ducks stay still so I can assemble them into a tidy row: if I can take all my responsibilities and give them the proper time and attention they require.

Unfortunately my "ducks" more closely resemble Canadian geese - independent,fast moving, fat and mean.

Making it a constant race to chase them down to get them in order.

And they don't like getting in order...really.
Ducks,
Geese,
Responsibilities,
None are predisposed to get into a nice orderly row.

Instead they exhibit other behaviors...

some days are just that way...

And it is on these days that it is good to remember that I am not the one sitting on the throne of the universe.

God is in control and because He is, I don't have to be.

I will do my best act responsibly in all my commitments and obligations.

But putting ducks in rows, is ultimately up to Him.

Not Hungry

2011-11-02T12:05:00.002-05:00

Artwork by Timothy Botts

I am the Bread of Life. No one who comes to me will ever be hungry again. John 6:35

Never hungry again - not for purpose or fame; or satisfaction or success.

Not for affirmation or approval; or love or comfort.

Not for pleasure or motivation; or companionship or understanding.

The Bread of Life stands ready to satisfy all my appetites, promising that if I have Him, He is all that I need.

No matter the day or the season or the year if I have Him, it is enough.

He is my daily bread.

Walking with children

2011-10-24T09:35:00.000-05:00

I passed them on my way to the grocery store and then again on my way home.

Here was a dad with his two small daughters and they too were going to the store;only their pace was not as brisk as mine...

The father could have been walking as quickly as I, but he was not alone. He'd slowed his pace to match his daughter's, staying by her side and not hurrying her along.

The LORD is like a father to His children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For He knows how weak we are; He remembers we are only dust. Psalms 103:13,14

I've no doubt that God has wanted me to move more quickly along paths of righteousness in the journey of becoming more like Christ. When He says "go" I imagine He has more of a purposeful stride in mind than the ambling I do. But He is the ultimate father. He walks with us; at our pace. He will make sure that we will get to where we are going even if we stop to look at bugs on the sidewalk or flit off to chase a few butterflies along the way.
He's our Dad and He is God. He knows how to encourage us as He walks with us to get us where we need to be.

What's on your plate?

2011-10-22T22:22:00.000-05:00

For the past few months I've been mindful of what I've been eating; trying to conciously choose what I feel is healthiest for me.

This morning my daughter, who got up earlier than I, came upstairs with breakfast for both of us; to be eaten, of course, all snuggled in my bed.

While it was delicious and so very thoughtful, it was not exactly what I'd planned on having. The bagel was delicious and the coffee was really strong and so I ate and drank because she had lovingly prepared it for me.

Sometimes God puts things on our plates that we would not have chosen to partake of; and yet, there they are. Do we partake? Do we trust that the One who loves us more than we can imagine, knows what is best for us?

Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me. Proverbs 30:8

Let us be so convinced of the goodness and faithful love of our God that we can thank Him for whatever He puts on our plates, as He knows that for us this is needful.

Stopping to Savor

2011-10-07T10:14:00.000-05:00

It's my birthday and because of the celebrations and numerous free birthday item coupons, I have eaten my way through the week! Five days (so far!) of palate pleasing pursuits; ice cream and coffees, pie, breakfast and lunches, and bakery cookies shaped like cupcakes. It's been a scrumptious journey!

A birthday is a perfect time to stop and savor, not only all the deliciousness of celebration, but the richness of another year lived with the blessings of the Lord.

So many years ago this baby girl was born and has consequently been sustained and upheld all the days that have followed. As I look through my history I trace the hand of God; and I am sure that this same hand will continue to guide and uphold me in the years to come. A birthday is a time to pause and remember and in the remembering, to step into a new year with confidence.

Taste (and savor) and see (remember) that the Lord is good.
Oh the joys (and peace!) of those who trust in Him!
Let the Lord's people show Him reverence,
for those who honor Him will have all they need (will not lack any necessary thing)
Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry (despite all that strength and ability and all they have going for them)
But those who trust in the Lord will never lack any good thing. (Never lack, for anything, what greater gift could there ever be?!)
Psalms 34:8-10 (and me!)

Unchanging

2011-10-04T13:17:00.001-05:00

Things change.
This is neither rocket science nor new information.
What is today may not be tomorrow.
Things change.

God does not change.
No matter how the seasons, circumstances, friends, locations, or abilities change; God remains the same.
He is constant.

If your landscape which was once bathed in sun and balmy breezes is now barren and life threateningly cold; God remains the same.(Hebrews 13:8)

If the circle of chairs around your table grows fewer; God is still present. (Psalm 27:10)

If your energy runs out before the hours of the day, if your needs exceed the bills in your wallet, if where once you abounded you are now bereft; God still supplies all that we need. (Philippians 4:19)

Thou changest not
Thy compassions, they fail not,
Great is Thy faithfulness
Lord unto me... ( From the hymn Great is Thy Faithfulness which is based on Lamantations 3:22,23)

Thou changest not - no matter what else may change - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:5

No matter what changes in my life, in my relationships, or in myself I can always count on God to be unchanging; as loving and reliable as He has always been.

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Psalm 119

2011-09-29T14:34:00.001-05:00

On this cold rainy afternoon I'd made a very tall cup of coffee and was slowly making my way through Psalm 119: it's filled with two line nuggets of gold and I was mining it for all it was worth.

Remember Your promise to me for it is my hope (v. 49)
Your principles have been the music of my life throughout the years of my pilgrimage (v. 54)
Lord, you are mine!...with all my heart I want your blessings (v. 57)
All your commands are trustworthy (v.86)
Lord, accept my grateful thanks (v. 108)

You are near O Lord, and all your commands are true (v. 151)

Let my lips burst forth in praise for You have taught me your principles. Let my tongue sing about Your Word. (v. 171)

The whole psalm is like a love letter to the Lord about the value of His commands and how they have guided the psalmist all throughout his life and have been his joy and peace even though his enemies have been out to get him. At one point it even seemed to me that the writer was a bit of a braggart as he keeps saying how much he loves God's law and has kept his commands; it's obvious that God is a very big and very important part of his life.

So I guess that is why the last verse caught me unaware...

I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me for I have not forgotten your commands. (v. 176)

After 175 verses of praise and faithfulness the psalm concludes with an admission of humanness - although I LOVE your law, O Lord; I have wandered away... However victorious and faithful I've been to

You through all these years, at the moment I'm not there. And in his admission is honesty, humility, and a cry for help - Come and find me. Other translations say, Seek thy servant.

No matter how much we love God's Word, or how long our feet have faithfully stayed on His path; there are times we wander. And wander is such a good term for it; not a deliberate stomping off God's path to pursue our own desires but just kind of a mindless, not being diligent, kind of wandering until we look up and wonder "how did I get here?"

But the beauty is that, no matter we've endd up here, He is willing and able to come and bring us home!

Fall Frolics

2011-09-25T16:54:00.002-05:00

Ah, it's fall in the Midwest and, along with the apple picking and pumpkin choosing, it is the season of corn mazes.
It must have been some very enterprising farmer who thought to cut mazes into the browned out fields before they were harvested for winter feed. The concept is simple. You enter the field at the appointed point and find your way to the exit point. Sometimes there is a map, often there are only clues, and you, and rows and rows of corn...

There is a path, a way out, a solution; however, the trick is avoiding all the dead ends and paths that lead to nowhere...

From the air it's much easier to determine the correct route out

It's a whole different story though from ground level!

We live at ground level.

We live being able to see only the path directly in front of us, the rest of our perspective shielded by circumstances that surround us.

When we feel we're wandering aimlessly it is good to remember that the course of our lives is clear to the Almighty; that He knows the way that we take (Job 23:10-12) and He is directing our steps (Proverbs 3:6)

Often I feel I've progressed so little! It all seems the same as when I've started although my journey has been long. All I can do is continue to put my trust in the One whose thoughts and ways are higher than mine (Isaiah 55:8) and know that He has never lost one of His own and will safely bring me home ( John 18:19).

A Time of Uncertainty

2011-09-17T08:00:00.001-05:00

If ignorance is bliss and knowledge is power; than what is uncertainty?

What is that pause between not knowing and knowing?

What if you are aware you don’t know but will soon find out; and that when you do the impact on your life will be significant.

Where do you go in such a time?

You go to the One who knows.

Because not only does He know the future, but more importantly He knows your heart.

He knows your heart because He made it – He made their hearts, so He understands everything they do. Psalms 33:15

He knows your heart because He is close to you – You know what I long for, Lord; you hear my every sigh. Psalms 38:9

He knows what the impact will be and how to give you all that you need.

Praise the Lord; praise God our Savior! For each day He carries us in His arms...who daily bears our burdens. Psalm 68:19

...May He equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him. Hebrews 13:20

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. 2 Peter 1:3

When you don’t know, stay close to the One who knows you.

How much coffee does one girl need?

2011-09-10T07:32:00.000-05:00

I have no business walking down a coffee aisle; and yet, here I am trolling for the Autumn Apple (it’s so yummy!) I have already amassed enough coffee to start my own coffee shop. Seriously. Yet I’m still looking for more, just in case…

I can’t imagine having only a single bag in the house. What if today I have a taste for Island Coconut and tomorrow I’m feeling more like Pumpkin Spice? What if tonight I’d like some coffee so I’d need to have some decaf on hand? Chocolate Raspberry is wonderful made into an iced coffee and a cup of Caramel Vanilla is like dessert! I’m never sure of what I’ll want so I aim to be prepared!

It’s absolutely ridiculous and reveals, to me, a deeper truth about myself.

“The Lord who made you and helps you says…Do not fear. For I will give you abundant water to quench your thirst…” Isaiah 44:2

For I will give you abundant water.

Why is it that I feel I have to meet my own needs; that I am responsible to stockpile supplies for every contingency life may bring when I have a promise such as this? When I do think that God is not sufficient to satisfy my heart?

“Every one of these depends on you to give them their food as they need it. When you supply it, they gather it. You open your hand to feed them, and they are satisfied.” Psalms 103:27,28

Is it not the most basic tenant of our faith that God will take care of us? Is not all of Scripture a series of testimony of how there was a need and God met it?

The Israelites were trapped by the Red Sea, God opened the waters. (Exodua 10)

The widow and her son were out of food, God provided jars of endless meal and oil. (I Kings 17)

Elijah needed a compelling demonstration of God’s power, God sent fire from heaven to consume the altar and the moat of water surrounding it. (I Kings 18)

A woman reached out in faith touching the hem of Jesus’ garment, God healed the disease in her body.(Matthew 9)

We are sinners, God provided a Savior. (Luke 19:10)

“But my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:19

All my needs.

Abundant water.

God is faithful to do what He has promised.

No worry or stockpiling necessary.

Derailed

2011-09-09T12:11:00.000-05:00

My son was freaking out this morning.

“The early train is stuck at the station and my train is late! How am I going to get to school on time? Even if I run all the way from the train I’m going to be late!! I don’t even know where to go if I’m late!!! What if it doesn’t come at all? All these people are here and no one knows what to do…”

His plans had been derailed.

The way things should have been working, wasn’t.

His timetable was shattered.

Everything was up for grabs and no one had any answers.

What he didn’t know was that everything was under control. There were contingency plans in place for such an occurrence at the train station and at the school. Another plan was in place and everything was going to be just fine.

I told him that, repeatedly, but it wasn’t until he lived through it that he could realize I was right.

My Father tells me that although my plans have been derailed and although things aren’t happening according to my timetable, that there is a plan in place and everything will be as it should be.

I hear Him, but find it hard to believe, until I’ve walked through it and then looking back can see He was right all along.

We’ve lived through derailed plans before and we’ve seen, in retrospective, that God was in control the entire way. So the next time everything that’s been running so smoothly in our lives comes to a halt, may we remember that God has a plan and He is working it out in our lives.

“I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill His purpose for me” Psalms 57:2

Connecting the dots in the big picture

2011-09-06T09:56:00.000-05:00

About fifteen years ago I was all alone and on my knees sobbing in a hospital chapel.

I was pregnant - with a child we'd been told had a good chance of some serious problems- and I was in pre-term labor.

I was scared and had no idea of what was going to happen next.

Isaiah 41: 10 - Calligraphy by Timothy Botts

And what happened next was God, the One who knows the big picture, setting up the dots to be connected.

I looked up and saw this mural on the chapel's back wall and line by line the words of this verse calmed my terror and assured me that, whatever the outcome, I would be upheld by God's victorious right hand. I memorized both the verse and graphic presentation of it that day and held onto it throughout the rest of the pregnancy until I was holding my beautiful baby boy.

Today I sent my son off to his first day of High School -to commute by train to downtown Chicago - and I, with all my anxiety, was not the most anxious of the two of us...

I sent with him this verse, this specific picture of this verse and my story of how God used it when I was so unsure of the future and how that the same God who walked through that valley with me and gave me him was the same God who was going with him today into the halls and classes of a brand new school.

God knew 15 years ago that today this verse would go with my baby boy to high school. God knew that when the Timothy Botts page-a-day calendar was being assembled that this verse would be on September 1st so that I would have it to give to Robbie today.

I've always known that God sees the "big picture" but I'm realizing, yet again, that not only does He see it as the overview but that every detail is clearly in focus to Him. There was a direct line from point A to B with this scripture even though the connecting line was 15 years in length.

It’s a well worn scripture that “God works all things together for our good” (Romans 8:28) but to see it – this “working together” in such small yet significant pieces of my life, gives my heart yet one more evidence that “God will fulfill His purpose for me” (Psalms 57:2) because “God can be trusted to keep His promise” (Hebrews 10:23).

What evidence of the same have you seen in your life?

Summer of the Snow Cone

2011-09-04T08:09:00.001-05:00

It all began with the $2.99 electric ice shaver. Add a couple bottles of flavored syrups, above average summer temps and suddenly mine was the most popular house in the neighborhood; my kitchen was like it was like a concession stand at a carnival!
I wondered how the syrup was going to last all summer-seeing that each bottle was more expensive than the shaver and at that price I really didn't want to be replacing them.

My worries were in vain for as the temperatures cooled so did the demand and now on this 55 degree last morning of summer you can see (from the photo) that I had more than just enough.

We have these situations that demand every last resource we have; all of our strength, patience, discernment, energy and spiritual character. Seeing the road ahead is long the question is how can I keep this up? I don't have enough.

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. I Corinthians 10:13

Although this verse specifically talks about temptation the principle is true for any situation that overwhelms us because the underlying truth is "God is faithful who will not allow you to (suffer/experience/bear) beyond what you are able".

God is faithful.

He knows our hearts.

He knows our capacity.

He knows how to make sure we have enough to persevere to the end.

Clean Feet

2011-09-01T22:32:00.002-05:00

As the temperature has returned to the HOT range these last days of summer vacation, I spend this afternoon in the water with my kids.

While I was there, floating and frolicking, I realized two things; this was the first time I’d done this all summer and my feet were really clean!

I’m a “feet on the ground” kind of girl – as soon as it’s temperate enough my shoes are off which means for roughly six months of the year I’m either barefoot or in flip-flops!

Consequently my feet are never really clean – as in pristine or without a ground in kind of dirt residue; showers and quick swipes of the washcloth can’t completely get the job done.

But today I have clean feet because I went and played; enjoying the water for an extended time.

We are all "feet constantly on the ground" people; barely one problem is solved before another takes its place and the days turn into weeks and suddenly whole seasons have passed us.

We rarely have time to revel, to play, to just unwind enough to not realize, or care!, how much time has passed and all the things that could have been accomplished.

And if we don’t have play time like that we most certainly don’t have time like that to spend with the Lord.

I love the idea of women’s retreats – time away from normal responsibilities to spend with friends and really focus on the Lord; but even in these rare opportunities it’s still hard to immerse yourself in the waters of grace and be carried away on the gentle current of His love.

It takes extended time to keep our hearts fresh and clean; free from the residue of life’s circumstances and experiences that have ground blackness into our souls.

I wish I knew a way to provide such an extended time to you. I know the psalmist had similar desires when he wrote, “This one thing I ask of the Lord- the thing I seek most- is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in His temple.” Psalm 27:4,5

Can we live in the house of the Lord? Even though we dwell here can our hearts be in residence in His presence? We know we are always in the presence of God for He has said that He will never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5) so the question is are we aware that we’re always in God’s presence? And if we can cultivate that awareness can delighting in His nearness be far behind?

Can He give us, we who slog through daily through life, clean feet?