Thinking on these things . . .

What's ahead today?

2020-11-11T07:50:00.001-06:00

I have a confession to make.

Last week I bought a coffee advent calendar; today I broke into it.

Mmmm, Cinnamon sticky bun!

Behind each colorfully illustrated door there’s a special coffee waiting for me which I won’t experience until that day (ideally a day in December but…!) 😊

And I was thinking that likewise, we do not know what today will bring; but God does and more than that He goes with us, before us, behind us and with His hand of blessing on our heads (Psalms 139:1-12) and because of that our attitude can be one of confidence.

“This I call to mind and therefore I have hope: because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!”

Walk in that today!

For such a time as this...

2018-12-16T14:26:00.001-06:00

I'm singing in a Christmas concert today.

That's not amazing news this time of year but it's given me pause and such a heart of gratitude.

I had attended a couple nights ago and the music and lyrics are so worshipful I wanted to be able to join my voice with the forty others who are glorifying God through this.

I asked if I could hop in this afternoon and was told "yes"; a step of faith on my colleague's part as he's unaware of my background.

But I am not; and as I, with the benefit of Youtube, sing through my book I am overcome by all the ways God has prepared me for this. Years and years of choirs, some lessons, amazing choral colleagues in year's previous who have supported and stretched me vocally and one director in particular, Dr. Dwight Gustafson of the University Chorale, to whom I'll be forever grateful for his instruction both vocally and how to praise God with our voices.

I think about all the notes and all the opportunities in the last four decades that have prepared me for such a time as this. It's not that it is a big deal but it's amazing to realize that we cannot fathom what God's long term plan may be for the life we are currently experiencing; that there are most likely both short term and long term results in His plan.

There's such a joy and comfort in this!

That, whatever it is; good, bad, or just "normal" happening in your life that your Father is orchestrating it for reasons you may never realize until many years down the road.

In grasping this I am in awe.

Lead Lord.
You know where you are going.
You know where this path will take me.
It is my joy to follow!

My Seasons Change...

2018-11-15T21:07:00.000-06:00

As I didn’t have a camera, let me write you a picture

As I walked through an early morning of late November, the white ceramic mug of coffee cradled was cooling quickly; frosty puffs of breath preceding me. Every blade of grass was distinctly encased in its own coat of frost. Before me lay a panorama of Geneva Lake, the pink hue of sunrise still lingering in the sky diffused by the steam rising out of warm waters into the frigid air. The dog ran leaving no footprints across the frozen beach and the reflective glass of the water was filled with cliques of geese; squawking, diving, preening, making trails as they glided across the lake. They were incongruous against the backdrop of the lone white boat pier, all the slips long emptied, boards encrusted in a layer of icy snow. I stood on the diving board in my winter coat and looked trepidatiously at the green clear water below me. It was definitely no longer summer.

And the lyric came to mind; “My seasons change, You stay the same. You’re the God of all my days.”

A year ago I had just started the process that had brought me to where I’ve been the past seven months - definitely an entirely new season of life when I was at the point I thought life was pretty much mapped out for how it would play out for the final thirty or so years.

And, I’ve discovered again, that when my seasons, my circumstances, my life, and the lives of those around me change; my God does not. The same God who has walked with me and provided for every need for all the days so far in my life will continue to do so for all my days. This again reaffirmed was the truth of Hebrews 13:8 that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. And Malachi 3:6 in that “I am the LORD, I change not”.

Stability, Solidity, A firm unmoving never-failing foundation on which to build a life and One in whom to trust with my heart and all my days.

Praise the Lord, He never changes!

Wrapped in Love

2018-02-14T18:50:00.000-06:00

It was o'dark thirty and I was shuffling down the hall with a severe case of "I can't believe the alarm went off already... do I really need to get up... I am so tired…" brain fog.

As I stumbled along I was tying on my robe. The plush fabric brushed against my skin and again, for the umpteenth time, I was amazed at its softness.

The robe had been a spur-of-the-moment impulse buy after I'd run my hand over the open sample spot to feel the texture. I had no idea what I was in for.

It's long and thick and unbelievably soft.

It is amazing, and I've come to that conclusion numerous times. All the prior experience and expectation do not prepare me for the sensation each time I am wrapped in it. It is always greater than I imagine.

I find this true of the love of Jesus. No matter what I read about Jesus’ love, or hear it expressed musically, or remember it from my own history - however spectacular - it does not compare to the experience of being wrapped in the care of my Savior.

I think in Ephesians 3:16-21 Paul is trying to express something similar.

(Amplified version)May He grant you out of the riches of His glory, to be strengthened and spiritually energized with power through His Spirit in your inner self, [indwelling your innermost being and personality],so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through your faith.

And may you, having been [deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love, be fully capable of comprehending with all the saints (God’s people) the width and length and height and depth of His love [fully experiencing that amazing, endless love];and [that you may come] to know [practically, through personal

experience] the love of Christ which far surpasses [mere] knowledge [without experience], that you may be filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that you may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself].

Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen.

May you also know today this all encompassing, strengthening, and sustaining love of God.

It is well with my soul

2016-04-24T18:54:00.004-05:00

"When peace like a river attendeth my way

When sorrow like sea billows roll

Whatever my lot,

Thou hast taught me to say

It is well, it is well with my soul."

How long does that take?

How many lessons until one can say - "whatever their lot" - that it is well with their soul?

Here is the value of a long obedience in the same direction.

Here is where a lifetime of faith stands to answer the question.

How does one learn that the Lord is faithful?

By going through many things one wishes to never have had happened.

Who would chose hardship? pain? difficulty? disappointment? financial downturn, poor health, or stressful circumstances?

I'm not seeing many raised hands...

But to get the point where we can stand in our churches and sing these words honestly...well, we have to go through those lessons. Through the experiences of our lives we find that our God is good and loving and gracious and faithful and strong and true through those times when we are not.

And after a lifetime of learning, we affirm the truths;

"Let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance.

And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character - that is, approved faith and tried integrity. and character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." Romans 5:3-5 (Amplified version)

Whatever my lot

Thou has taught me (and I have learned it through demonstration and experience of Your strength, love, and faithfulness) to say

It is well

It is well with my soul.

Musical Snapshots

2016-04-11T07:07:00.004-05:00

Because of how the space time continuum works, it is impossible for us to truly go back and remember how we used to be now that we are who we are. That being said, there are ways that give us a pretty good idea; our own memories, the memories of others, writings, and , the thing that never lies, pictures.

A snapshot from the past is always an interesting thing is it not?

Nothing like seeing a picture and remembering that once you were probably thinner, less wrinkled, had non-gray or more hair, and, to current eyes, a really bad sense of fashion!

This weekend I was treated to some snapshots via music as I pulled out some CD’s (hey, at least they weren’t eight tracks!) from ten and twenty plus years ago. The first was the oldest, a pop artist whose every lyric I identified with. His sentiments were my own. This was my music, my story.

It was like seeing myself with an 80’s perm…

The music was angst-driven – ask my kids, I can no longer tolerate whiny music and when they are the DJing in the car they know to avoid it. The lyrics were familiar and reminded me of how I loved them and where I was and how I viewed life at that time. What a picture…

The second CD was more recent – Scott Krippayne’s Autobiography- from 2006. This had been in my regular rotation of music around that time but had gotten down to the bottom of the pile over the years – what a treasure to rediscover; like a photo with a good friend.

When it got to the song “You have been good”, my kitchen became a sanctuary and my heart lifted in worship. These lyrics had been true then and now I’d lived a decade longer I had even more proof of their validity, or as the song itself says “Looking back over a lifetime, the evidence is clear. In so many ways You’ve been good to me”

If I never get to see another rainbow
Or share another laugh with a friend
If I never stand barefoot by the ocean
Or get to kiss my child good night again

If I never have another prayer that's answered
Or have another blessing come my way
If this is all I know of heaven's kindness
Father, I would still have to say

You have been good
You have been good
And I am in wonder how could it be
You have been good
You've been so good
So many ways You've been good to me

You have shown me mercy upon mercy
Grace upon grace, time after time
But I know all too well what I'm deserving
Yet, You are still so patient and kind

If suddenly it all were ended
And Your mercies disappeared
Looking back over a lifetime
The evidence is clear
You have been good
You have been good
And I am in wonder how could it be
You have been good
You've been so good
In so many ways You've been good to me.

Musical snapshots:

I have changed,

God has not.

Amen!

#Sundayscoming

2016-03-26T07:39:00.001-05:00

I've been seeing #Sundayscoming a lot this season and I get it and I love it - yes, Easter Sunday is just around the corner - Alleluia, Amen, Christ will be risen from the grave!

But today it's Saturday.

Typically I miss Saturday. I observe Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. I leave sanctuaries sad and solemn, aware that the payment for my sin was causing Christ great pain. I exit awed and grateful.

And then it's this morning and I watch the sun come up and plan my Easter menu and activities and do some baking and cleaning and generally have a regular day because I already know what's happening tomorrow.

And I miss it.

I miss where we actually live; we live here in the "Now what? Saturday".

Any loss, after the shock has lessened, brings this question. Loss of ability, of a job, of a position, of possessions; after the incredulousness of "I can't believe that just happened" comes the "now what?".

The older I get the more friends I have who are experiencing the greatest loss, the death of one they love. Spouses, friends, parents and children have left their lives. I see their posts on Facebook on anniversary's of deaths, the times they're overwhelmed and reaching out for comfort for years afterwards...death has ripped their lives apart and I wish that their"Saturday" was only short time the disciples experienced.

Now what?

Now that all we understood and were believing in and hoping for has been rendered cold and lifeless, now what?

Now that our closest companions are despair and hopelessness, now what?

Now that all my conscious and unconscious expectations for the future have forever altered, now what?

Where is Sunday?

I believe that for those of us who love God Sunday is coming.
He's promised to never leave us (Hebrews 13:5) and that He gathers all our tears in a bottle. (Psalms 56:8) He knows our every sigh (Psalms 38:9) and heals the brokenhearted. (Psalms 147:3).
He has assured us that all things are working together in a plan for our lives that is ultimately for our good and His glory to make us more like Him. (Romans 8:28,29).

I think that's powerful; knowing that our Saturday's are not random tragedies but part of God's plan. From our perspective two thousand years later we can say to the grieving and confused disciples, "Hold on, Sunday is coming".

And today, in your Saturday, it's true for you too.

Seeing the Big Picture

2014-09-03T08:47:00.002-05:00

I'm fairly certain this is some kind of computer optical illusion; nevertheless, it is mind blowing and illustrates an excellent point.

First, click on link under the picture and scroll to go deeper into the picture...
then come back here...

http://xkcd.com/1416/

Amazing isn't it? The more you scroll, the deeper the pictures go; so deep in fact that you totally lose sight of the "big picture".

To me this is a perfect illustration of God's working in our lives and circumstances - we have no idea on what level of detail what is happening in our lives is to the enormity of the picture of our own story and then how it plays into God's plan that spans all of history. But it does. We have confidence that God is working all things together for the good of those who trust Him. (Romans 8:38) therefore we can "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all your do, and He will show you which path to take" Proverbs 3:5,6 (NLT)

When there isn't time for "coffee"...

2014-03-25T07:03:00.000-05:00

Perhaps my most favorite time in the world is when I sit down with a friend for coffee, or tea, or breakfast, lunch, dinner, mid morning snack, pie, ice cream... well, you get the idea.

There is nothing like an hour of uninterrupted, distraction free time with someone you love, right?

However life is much too busy to stop for coffee as often as I'd wish so there's always the ability to make a phone call - or send an email - or, when everyone and everything is spinning like a whirling dervish, a text. There are ways to stay connected until there is again time for "coffee".

I can't help but wonder if a little bit of this idea is germane to I Thessalonians 5:17 where we are told to "Pray without ceasing". Could this also really just be saying "stay connected"?

There are times and seasons where I have the opportunity to really settle into good conversation with the Lord, and then there are others where I'm meeting myself coming and going. This is such a season; so I got up even earlier this morning so we would have some extended time together, and fell asleep right over God's Word - how embarrassing to nod off in the middle of a conversation! :)

But I've realized today again that God knows my heart and if this day all I can do is "text", to speak to Him as I go about the day's demands, then it is well with my soul. And I can say as the psalmist in Psalm 27:8 "My heart has heard you say, 'Come and talk with me' And my heart responds, 'Lord, I am coming'"!

The BIG Questions

2014-01-16T07:57:00.000-06:00

The sun has past its zenith and the ground is filled with people as far as the eye can see; thousands and thousands of people who'd come to hear Jesus, hungry for truth and by now, just plain hungry.

Philip feels a nudge and Jesus asks "Where shall we buy bread for all these people to eat?" (John 6:5)

Philip, surveying the crowd turns to Jesus and replies incredulously "Eight months wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!" (vs. 7) or "it would take a small fortune!"

Today he'd probably say "Seriously?!"

To their credit the disciples were examining their resources; Jesus had made them responsible by asking the question and they were assessing what little they had in the face of such a great need. As you know they brought forward the small boy's lunch of five rolls and two fish and presented it to Jesus - in essence saying - "This is all we've got".

Then Jesus gave them instructions - and they followed them seating the people in groups, passing out baskets of food and we finish the passage seeing the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand.
It's amazing!
It's incredible!
but it seems to have so little to do with life today as we know it...

Go back to verses 5 and 6 "Turning to Philip He asked ' Philip where can we buy bread to feed all these people?' He was testing Philip because He already knew what He was going to do."

Why did Jesus ask Philip what to do? Why did he lay that responsibility on him?
If He already knew what He was going to do and He already knew that Philip didn't have the resources to meet such a need; why did He ask?

Why are our lives full of BIG questions? Why are we overwhelmed with situations we do not have the resources for: the relationships, and financial hardships, the medical issues and soul-shattering problems that plague us?

I wouldn't doubt that every person reading this has a "I've only have five rolls and two fishes and five thousand people to feed" situation in their lives.

Why the BIG questions?

Because God wants to show us that He is a BIG God - bigger than our resources, greater than our abilities, able to do exceedingly abundant above all that we can ask or imagine. (Ephesians 3:20)

I'm captivated by the line - "He already knew what He was going to do". Whatever BIG questions are in my life God already knows the answer; already knows how all things will be worked out for my good so that I will be more like Jesus (Romans 8;28,29).

He knows, and I am learning, that when I am faced with a BIG overwhelming, no way my resources can even touch this problem kind of question, that the correct answer - every time- is to turn to Him.

Because He knows what He is going to do and all I need to do is follow His instructions.

A Letter to Carol Gallowitch, and Sunday School teachers everywhere

2014-01-09T07:28:00.000-06:00

Dear Carol,
Forty-two years ago today you were a thirty something year old mom of four small children who'd probably dropped them off in their various Sunday School classes after the "fun" of getting a family ready for church on a Sunday morning...
And then you went, not to be ministered to, but to minister; to teach five and six year olds about Jesus.

I wouldn't be surprised if you left that morning after class and went about your day as if it were a regular Sunday, but it wasn't for me because it was that Sunday - Jan. 9, 1972 - that you told me that Jesus was knocking on my heart's door (Revelations 3:20) and you stayed after class and prayed with me because I wanted to let Him in.

I've worked with five and six year olds, prayed with them and their sweet tender hearts - never knowing if they really understood they were doing...but that day I did.
You introduced me to the Lover of my soul. You told me He was calling my name and that if I would open the door and hear His voice, He would come into my heart - and He did and I've heard His voice now for decades as we've walked through life together.

Thank you for introducing a little girl to Jesus.
Thank you that, while you were crazy in the midst of a house full of young children, you faithfully ministered to other people's kids.
Thank you that through the entirety of my life that I've watched the example of you and Norm and seen, lived out for a lifetime, what it means to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and strength.

I know at times that I feel I've not done anything of great significance for God. I faithfully serve in the opportunities He presents - to sing, or teach, or encourage but I've never done anything huge - maybe you have (because I don't want to say you haven't!) but what I've watched is your consistent love - singing, serving, opening your home to people constantly, praying for and with those you love - and as a result of your faithfulness you gave me the most important relationship of my life and I am and will continue to be eternally grateful.
Love, Becky

More than just leaves...

2013-11-06T13:15:00.000-06:00

It's November and the season of thankfulness.

I see friends on Facebook whose status each day is what they are thankful for.

We're trying at dinner to talk about our day and what it is we have to give thanks about.

But it's all so miniscule compared to all the blessings that God has showered down on us.

Here in the Midwest the color is spectacular.

Every leaf is trying to outdo it's neighbor in brilliance.

Footsteps are muffled in golden carpets and the sun filters through a canopy of the same; and then the wind blows and the leaves swirl down and take your breath away.

"Pour out Your unfailing love on those who love You.

Your unfailing love, O Lord, is a vast as the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.

All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of Your wings." Psalm 36:10,5,7

As I walk through this fall's scape I am reminded by the sheltering canopies of the shelter of His wings, of the paths He's prepared for me as I kick through golden carpets and of His many, many blessings as He pours out His unfailing love, as bountiful as the autumn leaves that swirl around me.

Only ___ days until Christmas!

2013-11-04T10:32:00.003-06:00

Is it just me or has "Christmas" come even earlier this year?

Holiday merchandise is already front and center in the stores.
A radio station had an "All Christmas Halloween" and so the music's begun.
The Sunday paper contained several holiday toy catalogs.
Starbucks has already gone to their red holiday cups. (although I can't complain there as I enjoyed a peppermint mocha...)
And a couple days ago I saw a holiday themed commercial and since September I've been receiving "100 days until Christmas" emails.

100 days before Christmas? Are we really to the point that we need to prep for almost 1/3 of the year for this one holiday??

What about today - did we prep for today? Do we have special things planned? Décor? Food? Gifts? Special activities to make fond memories?

Of course not - we're too busy planning for the perfect Christmas and putting all our eggs into that basket.

But what about today?
And tomorrow and all the days before December 25th?
Are they less important?
Do we casually just throw them away since their significance is only related to how many days away they are from Christmas?

Of course not; but it's so easy to be conned into doing just that - to rush through the days leading up to the day circled in red on the calendar - whatever day that is, a birthday, an outing, retirement, vacation, marriage or an expected birth day; and when we do so we forget that everyday is a gift.

This is the day that the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

So teach us to number our days so that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom Psalms 90:14 (and somehow this numbering is NOT referring to how many days are left until "xyz"!)

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes- James 4:14

I have a friend with a terminal illness.
I saw a significant accident just yesterday while out and about.
I've attended the funerals of those younger than I.
And you have too.

While I love Christmas and while anticipation for any special day is half the fun; don't rush by today and the blessings and opportunities that God has packed into it for you. Unwrap this present!

Two observations from being sick

2013-10-16T11:39:00.000-05:00

The past three days have been a blur of curling up on anything stationary and simple tasks, as my daughter shared her cold with me and I, being an overachiever, took it to the next level...

A few things, however; did penetrate the fog

1. One should NEVER shop for cold medicine while sick - expectorant? decongestant? cough and cold? cold and flu? daytime? nighttime? extended release? capsules? brand name? generic? Tylenol? Aspirin? Augh....! There is no sight more pathetic than a glassy-eyed sick person in the medicine aisle.

2. Being sick seriously alters your perspective. It was a beautiful fall weekend - like jeans and sweatshirts, every tree doing it's best to outshine the others- kind of perfect. I saw these people enjoying the day, walking their dogs, raking leaves, cutting grass, standing around laughing and I, although watching it, couldn't comprehend it. I felt so lousy it was hard to believe that people could have that much energy. My being sacked by a cold bug didn't mean the rest of the world stopped spinning but it did take me out of the loop.

Depression has that same effect. It saps you of all energy, fogs your mind, and although you see others living life fully you can't imagine having the same level of participation. There's no energy for all that activity; it simply takes all you've got to stagger from event to event.

The beauty is that no matter how we feel the promises of God do not change.
The truth of His constant presence remains - Hebrews 13:5 "For God has said, 'I will never fail you. I will never abandon you."

His care for us does not waver - Psalm 36:7 "How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings"

He still guides us- Psalm 48:14 "For that is what our God is like. He is our God forever and ever, and He will guide us until we die."

Watches over us- Psalms 33:8 "The Lord watches over those who fear Him, who rely on His unfailing love."
-
And is full of compassion towards us- Psalms 103:13,14 "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."

.

God is faithful; and that, no matter how I feel, is something to hang onto.

FEED ME!

2013-10-11T11:44:00.001-05:00

Just. so. hungry!

You’ve been there too haven’t you; when you feel your stomach is ready to devour itself just to be satisfied? When every other thing becomes less important as this gnawing hunger hijacks all other focus but itself.

It is one thing to have a taste for something but entirely different to be consumed by need.

It’s the difference between resisting the dessert cart when you’ve just finished a satisfying meal and thinking “How quickly can they get food on the table?” after it’s been a long and stress filled day.

Jesus was hungry. In Matthew 4:2 we read “After fasting forty days and nights, He (Jesus) was hungry.” These were not the rumblings of a stomach between lunch and dinner; this was a hunger that was so complete His entire body had been weakened by lack of nourishment. Satan then comes and says “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” (Matthew 4:3) In other words, “You have the power and the ability, and an opportunity to meet your own needs. Take what you need. Go for it.”

We hunger; but for more than food: we long for love, power, or financial security.

We desire to be recognized, validated, and affirmed.

We hunger for wealth, ease, and significance.

These are our appetites and the hunger of our hearts and where we are starving Satan comes and says “You deserve it. You can take it. Do whatever you can to meet your own needs; to make your own bread.”

Cheat.

Flirt.

Discredit another.

Gossip.

Push your way to the top.

Give in to anger and jealousy and self-aggrandizement.

Find the crumbs to feed your soul.

Do whatever it takes.

But the Bible says “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4 :19

The Greek word here for supply - pleroo – means:

to make full, to fill up, i.e. to fill to the full

to cause to abound, to furnish or supply liberally

to render full, i.e. to complete

to fill to the top: so that nothing shall be wanting to full measure, fill to the brim

to make complete in every particular

He is the bread that satisfies, fully satisfies: in John 6:35 Jesus says “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry again.”

In Him we find peace when financial concerns would consume us in worry.

In Him we find love when an empty marriage has us ravenous for affirmation.

In Him we find significance that a title, position, or paycheck can never equal.

“Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy!” Psalms 34:5

Jesus knew this. He knew that God would provide for His needs and that it was not up to Him to do whatever it took to take care of himself.

The story concludes “Then the devil went away and angels came and cared for Him.” (Matthew 4:11)

Which will it be: the scrapings of your own attempts to quell your hunger or plerro that comes from loving care of your eternal and almighty Father?

Who will feed you?

After you die...

2013-09-24T08:33:00.000-05:00

I saw this billboard yesterday on I-55 and it got me to thinking...

you too?

What are your thoughts?

Of maps and travelling companions

2013-09-23T09:42:00.002-05:00

This weekend I was using a map - an honest to goodness, there's not enough room to open it in this front car seat space and good luck ever getting it refolded to any semblance of it's original neatness kind of a map. It was weird, but had a comforting familiarity about it that I don't have with my GPS.

I plotted where we were and where we were headed; saw the various options and made choices. I had a pretty good overview of the whole drive albeit I did miss the "You are Here" pinpoint accuracy of the peg on the GPS road display...

Springing off the page this morning was Psalm 139:3
"You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest.
Every moment You know where I am."

There is a confidence in having a map and knowing how the road turns, of planning a way to get from Point A to B and having a rough idea of how long it will take to make the trip.

God's done that for my life.

It's also very reassuring to know exactly where I am every day along this way.
God's never surprised at where He finds me. I may be, but He never is.

He had a plan and He always knows where I am.

The problem comes because I don't have the map. I don't know where the road is leading and even sometimes when I feel I do, it seems then I reach where the map is folded over so I can't see possibly see what's next. How am I supposed to know where to go?!

Psalm 139:5-10 (NLT)
"You both precede and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to know! 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 got down to the place of the dead, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me."

I'm never without the trip coordinator - the One who knows all the turns, all the stops, the elevation changes, the traffic patterns, and where to get a really sustaining lunch.
He has a plan. He knows my position and I am always in His presence.

My companion is the One who has charted out the path for me; He created the map and, I'm thinking, He even knows how to fold it!

Three Thoughts on Temptation

2013-08-20T06:53:00.000-05:00

* Opportunity may knock once, but temptation leans on the doorbell.

*Every temptation is an opportunity to reject evil and get to know God better, or reject God and get to know evil better.

*No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. I Corinthians 10:13 ESV

Dots of Paint

2013-08-14T08:47:00.000-05:00

Seurat - He painted with dots.

Its a mnemonic device I picked up so that, years after a college Art Appreciation class, I still remember at least one artist and his style!

Georges Seurat is most well known for A Sunday on La Grande Jatte which hangs in the Art Institute in Chicago.

I've seen it in person.
It's incredible!

The painting is roughly six by ten feet, making the people nearly life sized; aand the entire painting is made up of zillions of dots. (okay, maybe not a zillion but you get the idea...)

The official art term is pointillism, defined as "a technique of painting in which small distinct dots of pure color and applied in patterns to form an image.

Close up it looks like this...

Amazing...

When all the points of color are put in their places it becomes more than just a myriad of random paint, it's transformed into an image.

We've been discussing this concept in church recently.
Every one of us is like a bucket of paint and God is and has been stirring into our lives all the relationships and circumstances and talents and personality that makes us into the "color" that we are: a particular shade, a distinctive pigment. And then, God takes His brush and paints us into His picture; the picture He's been creating throughout all of history. He puts us where He needs us: a point of a unique color; in a specific place, for His glory, and, ultimately to display His image.

Individually we're dots of paint.
Random pigments on the planet.

Yet God has a plan.
It's the Romans 8:28 idea, "And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him". And while that is true for every individual life it's bigger than just one person - it's how God is working all things, in all places, throughout all of time to show humanity how He is God.

Perhaps today God will show Himself to this needy world because you will act as God's hands to a neighbor in need; or as His voice in encouraging one who is discouraged. If you hear His voice prompting you to act, to love, to pray, to help, to witness, to minister; do it.

He's putting you on His canvas.

"all that"

2013-02-04T13:36:00.001-06:00

He was "all that". He was all her heart desired although she didn't know it until she got to know Him; and as she did she found that to know Him was to love Him.

He had always loved her. He'd always been looking out for her and working things together for her good.
He wasn't her first love and even when she realized she loved Him, still her eye and attention wandered to others...

This grieved Him for He was jealous to be the only One in her heart but He never pouted, or gave up and stomped away. Instead He continued to love; faithfully and lavishly in a thousand small ways until her eyes turned back to Him and only Him.

Her heart than remembered that she was His and even more amazingly that He was hers! Time had and would continue to pass and things would, as things must do, change. Yet His love never did: His attentions never faltered and from that history she knew they never would.

She had found that the One who had made her heart had fashioned it for Himself; so that in Him she would find all she needed and as she did gladly she trusted her heart to Him.

The Wave

2012-08-19T12:36:00.002-05:00

By the time I get to worship this morning, half the world will have already lifted their hearts to God...

I realized this as I woke at 5 a.m thinking of a friend who, in Eastern standard time, was already leading his church in worship. In another hour my home church, in Central standard time, would be coming before the throne with praise. I, being in Hawaiian-Aleutian time, would not be joining the celebration for another five hours but when the time came I'd be there with lifted heart and hands.

It's not unlike "the wave" popular at any large event. Someone begins by standing up and raising their hands over their head and then they bring down their hands and sit back down and the one next to them repeats the motion until it's moved throughout the entire crowd. It's silly but it's a lot of fun and, to see that many people participating to make something bigger than themselves, it's pretty great.

"From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised!" Psalms 113:3

On ths Sunday may we, both over multiple time zones, and throughout the entirety of the day, be part of a global wave to God because He is worthy

and we are so grateful...

Crossing the Finish Line

2012-08-06T07:47:00.003-05:00

As I was out ~~running~~ ~~jogging~~ shuffling along the other day I was thinking about endurance training and faith and wondering if there was a correlation.

As one trains they build muscle and endurance - I should know as I was into the second week of a running program (well, technically I was repeating week one for the second time as I still couldn't make the measly goals of the first week ...!)

I could tell I was stronger (i.e. I rivaled my dog in panting ability now after 8 minutes and not just 3) so the idea made sense to me.

If I have stepped out in faith and trusted God before it would seem that it would be easier the next time. After all God is faithful and unchanging; the more I rely on Him the more I realize that He is worthy of my trust and that confidence in Him is well placed.

So, if one had lived a life of faith, of consistently relying on God through all the small things and the daily battles: when the big tests would come, the marathon of faith so to speak, would one be more able to see this as from the hand of a good and gracious God?

Would a lifetime of trusting God give one the ability to endure through a life ending diagnosis, loss of physical and mental ability, or the death of a loved one?

If you have always followed hard after God would that enable you to continue to do so?

I wasn't sure but it did make sense and I'd planned to post that concept for discussion once I got back to the house.

And then, something happened. I felt pulling in my foot, some strain, but instead of going away, it gave way and now I was pulling off my shoes on the side of the road and wondering how I was going to get home.

I was injured and suddenly it didn't matter what my endurance level was. My foot was no longer weight bearing; something had been torn or stretched to the point of pain, but there was still a half mile of road between me and home. My destination hadn't changed, but my speed surely had.

And so I limped along, knowing I was barely making forward progress and through my earphones I heard this song by Chris Tomlin begin:

Be still, there is a healer
His love is deeper than the sea
His mercy, it is unfailing
His arms are a fortress for the weak

Let faith arise

Let faith arise
I lift my hands to believe again
You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart, these things I remember
You are faithful, God, forever
Be still, there is a river

That flows from Calvary's tree

A fountain for the thirsty
Pure grace that washes over me
So let faith arise
Let faith arise
Open my eyes
Open my eyes

I lift my hands to believe again

You are my refuge, You are my strength
As I pour out my heart, these things I remember
You are faithful, God
You are faithful, God, forever.

I'd heard the story behind the song.how Louie Giglio was going through a really dark place in his life. Louie Giglio - the man who had preached to thousands and spent his whole life passionately following hard after God, was suddenly in such weakness of faith that all he could do was raise his hands up to the Lord and say "help me".

And my question was answered.

If made it home at a sprint; strong in faith and running into the arms of my Savior or if I limped, faith damaged and barely intact, into His presence it didn't matter.

But if allI could do was look to Him moment by moment for strength for that next small step (Hebrews 12:1-2) and running the race meant no more than a hobble with my eyes on Him, He would still make sure I'd make it home.

Are you strong in faith? Do trials come and you confidently respond to the circumstances with the promises of God? Keep going. Keep running hard after Him. Let your light shine to a watching world.

Are you hanging on day to day and some days moment to moment? Has your confidence in God's goodness and plan been stretched and stretched until something in your heart has torn? Hold on. Keep moving towards Him; however slowly is seems you are moving. He is a faithful God and He helps those whose trust is in Him. You too will make it across that finish line.

Lessons from Abby

2012-07-27T09:24:00.003-05:00

Three months ago a furry four legged sweetheart came into our lives - her name is Abby and I find she is a constant example of how I should be responding to God.

We walk every morning and she's right by my side.
When I stop, she stops.
When I run, she runs.
Where I go, she's with me.
This is a familiar, simple truth, recently put to music by Chris Tomlin, and recorded in John 10:4 When he has brought out all his own, He goes on ahead of them, and His sheep follow him because they know His voice.(NIV)

She comes to me when she needs to eat, or go out, or is looking for affection, and she sits and waits expectantly - confident that I will take care of her.

In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. Psalms 5:3 (NIV)

She knows I will take care of all her needs.
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Phillipians 4:19 (ESV)

Abby enjoys being with me, knows I'll take care of her, comes when I call, and follows wherever I lead - oh that my response to God would be the same!

The Salvation we still need...

2012-03-29T11:15:00.000-05:00

I blame John Bunayn; after all it was he in his classic book Pilgrim’s Progress, that painted the compelling picture of Christian coming to the cross and his heavy burden of sin rolling away. Christian then sets out on his journey to the Celestial City – burden, cross, salvation – done, far behind as now he treks the narrow way through life to Heaven.

We’re in the Easter season and focusing on the Cross of Christ – His great sacrifice and love for us – we remember and we are grateful but I’ve realized the word “salvation” is not just for that initial meeting with the Savior.

Once saved, we are always saved from the everlasting punishment our sins have earned us. Christ’s blood has paid that price. We are His forever and will one day join Him in heaven. But the Bible speaks of God being our repeated salvation:

“The salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him.” Psalms 37:39,40

The One who delivered us from an eternal hell stands ready to continue to deliver us from the personal hells we encounter in life.

He is our strength in times of trouble.

Our deliverance.

Our salvation because we trust in Him.

The Cross, O pilgrim, is not only the doorway through which we entered our walk with the Lord, but stands still as a symbol that He always stands ready to deliver us.

While Life is Not a Snapshot...

2012-02-29T12:06:00.000-06:00

http://www.cartoonaday.com

Today provides us an excellent and unique opportunity to stop, and take a snapshot of our lives.

Leap Day - as you know we get this "extra" day once every four years. Where were you four years ago?
Who were you on that date?
Who are you now?
Who do you hope to be on February 29,2016??

While, personally, adding four years to my age is a sobering thing (!) the real question is what else will I have added to my life beyond an accumulation of days?

And, if I know what I would like to add, how do I go about doing that?
Maria Edgeworth offers an answer "If we take care of the moments, the years will take care of themselves".
Andy Stanley also tackles this question in his book, The Principle of the Path: How to get from where you are to where you want to be saying that our direction and not our intention determines our destination.

Where do I want to be? How do I get there? By taking care of the moments, for they are all that we truly have. We have no promise of tomorrow- a truth that has been slammed home for each of us by the loss of those we've loved. We don't know which will be the last good-bye - or the last hello.

If on this day - February 29th - the only moment I have is right now - I must chose to spend it wisely.

It's the Seasons of Love song from Rent of having 525, 600 minutes a year.
or - to make it more accessible a thought...

The realization that you have an account into which 1440 minutes are placed a day. They cannot be saved, loaned, borrowed or bartered; they must be spent. How will you invest them? On what will you spend the moments God's given you on this leap year day?

Where is the wisest investment of your time? There are only two things that last forever; the Word of God and people. What does this say about what we should be doing with our moments?

May your moments this day, my dear friends, bring your great returns!