perspective on living well

Life is so urgent, it necessitates living slowly.
measured. wisely. mindfully.
intentionally...
       in Christ,
          with Christ,
              before Christ.


Savour every moment of God-life.
cathedral-sacred,
       precious...
                        life.

But i don't FEEL cheerful today!!

1 Thess 5:16-18

“Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.”

Filled with good cheer=cheerful.  It seems more culturally appropriate to live by our emotions. To live so caffeinated that we are highly efficient…but rather robotic interpersonally.  How far from the ideal we have wandered!  Warm-hearted, loving people is what God had in mind- simply mirroring his own warm-heartedness!  Its not something we have to manufacture- merely something we relay to others as we receive it!

When once we look fully into God’s truth – that he loves us passionately, shamelessly with no regard for His dignity or self-respect…..then and only then will we grasp who we are, in Him.  Then and only then can we understand how beloved others are too- and begin to treat them as He does.

Being cheerful is not meant to be a shallow, plastic-smiled behavior. Instead it is the “filled with good cheer” security of heart that knows how beloved we are and cannot help but smile and share it with others.

That deep knowing-I’m-loved state allows us to trust God with whatever comes our way.  In fact, we can thank God for all of it- even when it appears to be heading in a frightening or insecure direction!  Knowing HIM cancels out fear.  Fear is the direct opposite to confident trust.  It is important to recognize how naturally we fear God – he is invisible, all –powerful, sees everything and knows everything. Perhaps our FIRST response of fear only means we understand whom we are dealing with. To have that change, or perhaps grow into confident trust is a miracle all by itself. 

It takes much reassuring on God’s part before we can grasp that his entire attitude toward us is love, more love and an almost embarrassing amount of love!! (sometimes I think we’d prefer he’d just be mad at us…how do we handle all that love!??)

But we need to square with being loved that much if we are to be salt and light to the world.  Begin each day reminding yourself that God has been staring at you, lovingly, all night. Remember that if God had a wallet, your picture would be in it. He’s just crazy about you!!!  From that starting place, we can live out the truth of this verse…and become agents of grace in this hurting, misguided world of people he loves so dearly.

Amen.

Blender-speed life...

What do I know of your green pastures And still waters? You long to lead me here but My mind is a blender stuck on high And my body alternates its activity Between frantic actions And sheer exhaustion. I don’t think Your desire for me matches up With my choice of lifestyle! Oh DO lead me away from myself, From my self-importance, And closer to You instead. I do not know the way and I may stall And balk at times Because it is TOO quiet, because it is Unfamiliar and frightens me. Please bear with me, Father, Until I adjust and learn to trust You As my Shepherd and The Guardian of my soul, And until I can learn the pace and Tempo of Your footsteps in the sand Before me.

our tender and pursuing Father

I can't help but notice that we are wholly unable to generate any goodness out of our natural selves. Just try and stop a habit you enjoy!! Try to do something you SHOULD without outside assistance. we cannot and i am not convinced we even want to!
So as i think of the good things in my life, to whom else can i look? it is You. Its always been You!

"We dabble.
You pour.
we tentatively call Your name
and you tenderly but persistently
woo us to do so.
Oh, Lover of my soul, can anything
good come from me
which does not have its source
in You?"

May you find great freedom in knowing Father provides in advance for those things He calls us to do - to His glory!

HIdden in plain view

Ok, i hope this isn't overly corny...i realize it could be. But sit back, listen and see if there's a new tidbit here.

"Treasure hidden in plain view
Written clearly and valuable beyond words.
oh, you likely have this treasure on a table
or bookshelf- perhaps in pristine, untouched condition
it is the book of Proverbs.
How little we seek its counsel yet its truth
and practicality have stood
the test of time.
Our bookstores boast the "latest" drivel (ahem)
and trend-driven insights.
Here, by contrast, lies true Wisdom
and we devalue its ancient worth in our
panting lust for the "new".
Let us stop long enough to reconsider
that our LORD has ensured its preservation
through the ages,
for our blessing and our benefit.
written by the wisest man who ever lived,
let us mine these treasures with an open mind
and see if they do not transform us, indeed.
Your living Word, o LORD, never
fails its mission.

Wisdom- tricky to find

These 2 poems express my limited experience with moments of recognizing wisdom. Now, to avoid being stereotypical with elderly folks, please do notice the qualities i suggest to watch for rather than assuming every elderly person is wise. Birthdays do not come with "wisdom installments" i have learned!!

"Behind the thinning grey hair,
deeply trenched face and frail body,
there lies a vast wealth:
a lifetime of walking with our Father.
a compendium of experiences of His
goodness and faithfulness stored and available
to encourage, fortify and inspire.
Safely tucked away in long-term memory.
we need only ask the right questions to
share, with joy, all You have done in this lifetime."

___

"Wisdom does not sparkle like a
sequin-covered dress
or a disco ball- drawing attention to itself.
it is like an ancient tree in a
silent rainforest, waiting
to be found.
Fortunate, indeed, is the heart
that seeks it with persistent fervor
for its treasures never cease
to enthrall and inspire."

Can you see me?

It is a balancing act this walk with the Lord. First we struggle to grasp our sin. Then once we get a good look (and recoil in horror), we try to believe we are loved truly and completely. So the balance tips back and forth. It is hard for us, in a culture that punishes honesty to accept these seemingly opposing truths. This is my attempt to voice this challenging balancing act and our LORD's very tender mercy and love.

"In prisoner's rags (and duly deserved sentence)
i am lead out, in my chains, to the outer yard.
There you are....nail scars, thorn scars
and you are smiling at me.
i look down.
i feel unsettled by Your visit and am conspicuously
aware of my rags, my guilt and my chains.
but You do not seem to notice.
You reach out Your hand and tip up my chin;
my eyes remain lowered.
You say my name and
the iceberg in my heart begins to melt.
My name! (not a number!)
i then see who You are -
The One sent to bear my beatings,
to live out my sentence and to redeem me.
and in that moment,
i am free!

Motives- those dastardly little brats

Subtle and easily ignored.
self-deceit and justification
muddy these waters in me
and i am a stranger to myself.
i am not motivated by noble themes
very often but rather by
self-protection, self satisfaction, pleasure and ease
self-will and competition with others.
i am the king on the throne
an dit is most unpleasant to face head on.
oh, i mouth the words of surrender and self-denial
and i mean them....mostly...
until they translate into my schedule
and involve an inconvenience or deferral
of my desires and wishes.
Father, please go to the dry rot in my soul
and make it new.
there is no self-flagellation or
firm resolve to improve that will
reach this pernicious dry rot!
I know how keenly i desire to instead cover it over
and to stop looking at it.
i can only ask you...
"Change my heart, Oh GOd
make it ever new
change my heart Oh God
May I be like You."

Ready for blessings

(my advance apologies to those more horticulturally adept than i am!)

As a daffodil is both a bulb and a flower,
so am i both a sinner and a saint.
Without the bulb, there can be no flower.
it is only sinners who can be saints
through Christ's atoning work.
Only the blind can receive their sight,
only the sick can be made well.
only the simple can be made wise
and only the child-like nature made mature in You.
o holy Physician, cure that which is
so very wrong in me.
May the very dirt and filth of my sinful nature
Be transformed by You into fertile soil
for the blush and blossom of
Your Spirit's work.

Easter 2012

Beloved of the LORD
Daughter of the King
Redeemed.
it is from these truths i must see myself
and live a loving life with others.
Yet my clay feet are real too. ouch!
It reminds me that it is by your miracle of love
that i am the first three.
and by nature, i am sinful and unclean.
Duality of reality.
How can this be?
and yet it is so.
Teach me to accept my natural self through
confession and forgiveness
and to see myself, in Truth, as beautiful
and beloved,
in You alone.

Spring

Spring is so long awaited and desired....but i suppose given the length of winter, yes even here (i can hear all you "inlanders" laughing right now. yes i can!) But perhaps it only proves i am spoiled rotten with good weather- ok MILD weather all year. So i pout shamelessly with actual cold or snow!!
I don't know whether i was more observant this year or what. I know last spring was pretty rotten and wet and late in finally coming. Perhaps that set me up for delight this spring.

"The beauty outside almost overwhelms me
after the simple austerity of winter.
the fireworks explosions of green,
growth and blossom dazzle me.
every colour in Your created world
sings it song - in time and tempo -
with all its might.
and my heart cannot help
but
sing along."

May the God of renewal and rebirth bless your heart with keen gratitude this beautiful spring!!
D

Free

I know we all want to be free, think we are free....here i wrote what it is for me.

FREE...
from carrying the weight of my own life
from taking myself too seriously and
frantically trying to manage my image
(which we cannot EVER do anyway...)
Freedom from others' expectations pressing us
into their little molds.
instead, we turn our attention to You
who won our freedom at
very great expense, who
calls us to
"march to the beat of but one Drummer"
and to find joy there,
to find peace in having this singular focus
and the simple life that goes with it.
Teach us restraint to not overcomplicate
our lives by running after every trend,
activity and bit of hype that others
wave at us.
you alone suffice
and we can sing
in the shadow of your wings.

surprised and yet not surprised.

So in the last few days, we had our third setback on a project we have been involved in for over 6 months now. Planning a house we are going to build. Oh its nothing fancy - just a simple, empty nester cottage, but that doesn't seem to stop it from being complicated.
early on, we had excellent advice and help. Things seemed to be going along "swimmingly". Then we decided to let someone else take things from there. In their defence, they did everything well that they are equipped to. Just that this is complicated and we are not even sure what we want. Apparently, mind-reading was not included.
i laugh, but it has been tricky to figure out how to plan for a future without our family here. Extra rooms seem normal to us, but no longer necessary. Its just change but it seemed more like reverse growing pains!!
So back to our setbacks...misprints by the plan printers. Then our city hall rejected our plans. We were not sure how to proceed, so we chose to ask our experienced builder what he thought.
So this morning, we met with our builder. Within a few minutes, our frustration was being transformed into surprised delight. He had withheld some ideas, not wanting to be pushy or assume he knew best- while also not realizing we were feeling in over our heads.
So yet again, what we saw as one pointless setback after another has turned into a blessing. The new ideas our builder brought, from his field experience and from asking us lots and lots of questions, has brought new life and sparkle to our plans. the plans FEEL right now! we no longer feel a bit lost between the cracks of a busy sidewalk!!
Now before you think too much of us, for starters, we didn't sleep much last night. we knew we needed to get more help (munch, munch on our stupid pride) but we didn't even know WHO to ask!! Talk about feeling helpless!!
So we pleaded with God, wrung our hands....and asked the next person we talked to.
And God used him to really help us!!
We don't know what other setbacks will come along the way yet, but somehow i don't think we will mind. We are in good hands with this builder - even finding him was a gift of God's grace. Someone we wouldn't have thought of, except our son suggested him.
humble pie? yep!
I guess it reminds me that we are not wired to be "lone rangers" in this life. we are designed to work with others, to help one another and to seek each other's advice, counsel and help in areas that we are less capable in.
Somehow that's reassuring...i don't have to be skilled in all areas - just willing to ask for help...and to be eager to help others when my skills are needed.
Thanks Lord. I'm glad you are pioneering our path with this adventure.

Boldness in action

Somewhere along the way, we started to believe that "church people" are quiet, passive and only interested in "Jesus, meek and mild". We follow passively. we speak softly. We hide our uniqueness (aka weirdness)so we present a very bland exterior and over time, we develop this fakeness about us that outsiders can sniff out in a second.
Oh, we never MEAN to do this, but the pressure to conform is significant and few can resist it for very long.
Maybe that's why the Apostle Peter has always fascinated me. He was loud, overly confident, maybe a bit coarse or blunt, quick to speak and slow to think...the sort of person that makes us "nice church people" blush...am i right?
This passage jumped out at me today for a different reason that it has up until now...
here:
"They (the women) left the tomb and broke the news of all this to the Eleven and the rest. mary magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James and the other women with them kept telling these things to the apostles,but the apostles didn't believe a word of it, thought they were making it all up.
But Peter jumped to his feet and ran to the tomb. He stooped to look in and saw a few grave clothes, that's all. He walked away puzzled, shaking his head." Luke 24:9-12 (the message)

Up until now, i have been astounded by the poor opinion the men had of the women's integrity. From what i have learned, women were not considered reliable generally (or apparently here either) and were especially not allowed to testify in court, not to mention other limitations which we now find incomprehensible. But it was the reality of the day, so we'd best not "rise up" and misinterpret that aspect, i think. (although i admit the sheer number of women involved here would make one stop and wonder..)
The other aspect of this that generally strikes me is that Jesus ARRANGED (yes, on purpose) that it would be women to be the first to hear the resurrection news- straight from the angels themselves. Which is remarkable as he grew up in the same patriarchal society as the rest of the disciples had. I'm not sure what profound meaning that has for us, but that's a discussion for another time.
However, on reading this passage today, i was struck by 2 different things. The passivity of the Eleven in hearing such outlandish news. Isn't it easy to believe we have a handle on what God would or would not do? That we can anticipate what actions our Lord would take in any circumstances. Yet, it says "my ways are not your ways. my thoughts are not your thoughts." (ok, in the Bible somewhere. i suck at this part!) But maybe its hard to imagine trusting Someone so unpredictable. We might be made fools of for easily believing something that sounds ridiculous. (Oh Lord, save us from our own egos!!)
So there they sit. the Eleven- Christ's chosen inner circle of guys...listening to these women claim that Jesus overcame death and left the tomb. (ok, i have to admit that they didn't have the Holy Spirit's presence in them yet, as we do now. So let's cut them a BIT of slack...)
The second thing is this:
Suddenly, Peter "jumped to his feet". The quick-thinking apostle realizes that there is a simple way to find out for certain if its true. Off he dashes to the tomb!! And John is on his heels all the way.
y'know...while i like to see myself as a bold person, i can hazard a guess that i'd be one of those "lumps" sitting back with the group...content in my neatly-constructed idea of who God is....wondering why the two (peter and john) had dashed out. I'm far too content with my $2 worth of God (as the old parable-type saying goes) to risk much, to go out on the proverbial limb in faith.
Just the same, i can't help but like Peter's boldness here. He's no hesitator. He regularly acts before thinking...and this is no exception. But there is a certain hunger to see Jesus again that prompts it, i am guessing. (or perhaps the longing to apologize to Christ for his 3 denials...) We don't know that part.
I guess i want to remind myself that acting boldly isn't always bad. Also, that acting timidly isn't good very often, at all!! We are called to a bold faith, to a risk-taking life of dynamic obedience. And I just don't see how we can do this while being "nice, mild church people"?!!
So toss a dash of boldness into the recipe of your day today. Go out on a limb in faith...pray boldly and directly- no mamby-pamby prayers.
I can't wait to hear what happens!!
out...

a terrific quote by Eugene Peterson

Recently, while reading his book "Living the Resurrection" i came across this quote:
"Holy Scripture rescues us from out-of-breath stutters of distracted and amnesiac journalists who think they are keeping us in touch with what is important."
nicely put, sir.
While its hard to get the true meaning of this quote out of the context of the chapter he was writing- generally speaking, he is talking about living with the awareness of transformation at every turn in life. Living with a vibrant sense of what is important. This quote made me laugh out loud! It so aptly summarizes my feelings about the nightly news broadcasts. On the few occasions i have watched part of the broadcast, i catch myself commentating or just laughing at their behaviour. Now i realize, it is important to know about the "birth pangs" that our planet and its people are going through. It just seems that the level of importance of this awareness has grown out of proportion to the greater reality of God-awareness!
Let me explain- to an ant, the daily crumb count on a kitchen floor is of tantamount importance. However, the family living in that kitchen scarcely notice that fact, unless someone walks barefoot through the room! (ok, this belies my housekeeping tendencies haha) Perspective.
please do not misunderstand - i am not saying we are ants. Nor that God is uninterested in our day to day reality. Not at all. Just that the intense seriousness of the fear-based reporting does not give an accurate measure of life's important factors. They rarely speak about acts of exceptional love, or sacrificial service. Certainly this would uplift the viewers more than hearing the gory details of yet another murder. The good of the people is not the priority. Selling airtime to advertisers and keeping the market-share of viewers is!
So as we step back from the broadcasters for a moment (perhaps consider a fast from it?) do we regain some perspective on what God identifies as important?
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and your neighbour as yourself." Begin there.
What might be the outcome of meditating on that perspective?
Cheers!

Without pressures, we cannot realize our need of help
without sin identified, we cannot know our need for a Saviour.
Redeem, yes redeem, the challenging times
use it as cut-wax to remove the filthy
grime of self-effort until
Your glory gleams brilliantly
in our reflective lives.

fresh moments...

While lying awake one night, trying to get comfortable I realized that I was beginning to worry about loved ones back home. I was on vacation you see. And so I began, as is my usual practise, to pray for those who came to mind. But for some reason, I kept going in circles with my prayers and was not feeling better from doing so.
Suddenly I became aware of an image of Jesus in my mind’s eye. (some might call this a vision, but I have no idea about such things. I can only tell you how I experienced it). Jesus was dressed very plainly as a shepherd and had a little lamb wrapped around his neck/on his shoulders.
I realized that I was supposed to pray for my loved ones and once finished place them on Jesus’ shoulders, along with the lamb already there; seemed sensible so I began. After my prayers for the first person were done, I raised my physical arms to place them on his shoulders. After lowering my arms, I prayed for the next person, and so on. When I was done praying, he said. “Ok, now you climb up too.” I hadn’t expected that, but I was eager to comply as his expression was so gentle and his manner so warm and inviting.
I turned onto my side in bed to approximate the position the lamb was in and went on to sleep soundly until morning.

I was struck by the gentleness of our Lord. He didn’t recommend I practise praying so I’d get better at it. He did not shame or scold me in any way. Instead he was warm, gentle and inviting. (I can understand why children flocked to him!!) He did not chatter constantly but spoke only a few words. So much of his meaning was relayed by his expression and gestures.
In the morning, I thought further on what had happened. It seemed the most natural thing in the world for the Lord to have done this for me. It was like a child sitting on a bus with their parent- nothing could seem more normal. I wondered why we create such a sensation about the notion of visions, and other manifestations that the Lord chooses to share with us. Why wouldn’t he want to interact with his beloved children? What could be more natural?
Another aspect that began to dawn on me was that as I finished praying and placing my loved ones on his shoulders, I had to step away and release them from my grasp. We cannot fully “give” our concerns for others to our Lord unless we are willing to let go and entrust that he indeed cares as much or more about them than we do!! So both the actions of placing them and releasing them were important- something I hadn’t considered before.
Lord, we realize that those with power in this world often use it to intimidate those beneath them. You are nothing like that and it is hard for us to fathom your ways and your character. Please forgive us when we are reluctant to hand you our burdens. You long to bring us rest and relief and to carry them for us. Teach us in your gentle fashion to trust you more.
“Come to me all who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest.” Matt 11:28

how he speaks to me...

well, with 4 days until Christmas, i am finding quiet and peace i hadn't expected! With hubby's help, we have pretty much wrapped all the gifts, he even baked some cookies! (wahoo for learning new skills, babe!) I did a few things too ;) but here we are with a little time to kick back and relax before the rest of the brood come home for Christmas.
we took a walk during a brief sunny interlude yesterday- just leisurely...enjoying our time together and watching our crazy 9 year old Australian Shepherd chase birds, rabbits and whatever else she saw. too funny cuz she's a little pudgy and not so fast anymore...i can relate :)
We were reading a really short devotion after supper the other night- and this verse shot out at me - hit me in the heart and made me feel like a little girl again- with a new sense of his presence and care.
I felt like i was safe. That no matter what the evening news was reporting, God is on his throne. LIfe is moving along as he planned it- oh its not always what i'd like - loved ones in pain and unwell, kids with problems that only adults should have to deal with, bullying, etc. Not to mention much more serious global issues. And somehow i find our own anxieties seem to surface in the weeks before Christmas. Will i be able to get along with my relatives? will my gifts be received with joy and gratitude? Will there be enough _____?( fill in your own blank)
and here is this little verse...ready to calm my heart, soul and mind. I even found it twice this week so i pretty much know that hte Lord is trying to tell me something since i have not seen it in 2 years or so before this!
Luke 12:32
Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom"
Did you hear that?
He is not a miser...he does not mean for us to search for his kingdom without any reasonable hope of finding it - he DELIGHTS to give it to us!!! He's a good and generous Father who calls us his "little flock". Can you hear the tenderness in those words? It's all i CAN hear as i read it over and over.

Now pair this verse with the few preceding it: (thinking of Christmas in context now)
vv 29-31 "And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows you need them. But seek first his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well."

I hear it as a call to just sit down for a second. Our Father invites us into his presence. He longs to give us his kingdom- and assures us we will be able to find food and drink when the need arises. DO NOT WORRY seems to be the key point. Even as he tells us to seek the kingdom, he assures us that God is pleased to in fact give it! we won't be wasting time, as we seem to fear.

And as we are awaiting Christ's birth celebration- and expecting his second coming anytime now...what could be better than to steal away with Jesus for a break- to bask in his Father's love for us...and then deal with the food, gifts, etc.
Somehow i think that it will all look a bit less daunting and overwhelming once we've sat with our Jesus and relaxed a bit.
Have a truly restful and blessed Christmas, eh?
Cheers!

Autumn thoughts

I was sitting at breakfast, enjoying a rare, cloudless morning sky and wrote these. enjoy.

With a stiff blast over many hours
You’ve blown clean and fresh
Into our sunrise today.
Bar trees stand against
A chilly blue sky.
Ah, late autumn!
Our soggy ground has a respite
To breathe.
The gloomy grey clouds part
To reveal the blue sky
Which was there all along.
Oh, Lord of both blue skies and storm clouds,
Teach me to live in the reality
Of your ever-present hope as
Seen in the blue sky…
Even when all appears gloomy
Let my heart exult in the veracity
Of Your hope.
Ever fresh.
Ever true.
Ever present.
________________________________

Quietly, sodden in the grass
The big maple leaf lies.
Its journey is not yet over.
What began last winter
As a bud on a branch…
Waiting…
Waiting….
Until spring’s warmth and the Creator’s signal came
For growth and coming into the light.
And so, the leaf unfurled and stretched
Toward the sun.
Faithfully conveying nutrition and light to the
Trunk and enhancing the life of the tree.
Now, the task completed,
The season over,
The leaf obediently casts itself to the earth.
Now awaiting its one last task;
Enriching the earth beneath its tree.
A full cycle
Lived correctly and faithfully
Caused benefit and growth to the life of the tree.

always new...

As we put together the photos for our son's wedding last month, it really made me reflect, with gratitude, about all the years of love, fun together and hilarious moments we always tried to capture with the camera. I think the photos we included in the slideshow gave a realistic picture of the kind of kid he was. LOTS OF FUN!! i could tell that people enjoyed the humour of his approach to life as the photos went by- a double joy!!
Here's the irony of parenting that also struck me. Just when you begin to get familiar with your children's particular character, the era of intense parenting is over! Just when you begin to feel some 'groove' developing...poof! its done!
But here's the best part! Just when that is over....and by all means grieve that part being over...a new part begins!! While i'm an experienced mom of toddlers, school aged kids- mine anyway- i am a complete naked and ignorant newborn at parenting adult kids! See? a new adventure!!
Rather than bemoan all that is past- lean into the new adventure! Parenting is never over- ahem, that's a good thing- don't you roll your eyes- i see you!! :P
But so far, i really like this part- making friends with your children- learning how to reign in that motor-mouth like advice until asked- oh i am still just dreadful at that!! But i'm sure i will learn, gradually, as God teaches me...and i listen to the wisdom of my friends with grown kids. Bit by bit- they've never been adults before either, so we will get the hang of it together. we will forgive often. we will laugh at our mistakes (i hope) and learn to see our humanness with more grace and kindness than they could muster (or i could?) when they were teenagers.
Growing together- yes i like that. In a new and different way.
In our Lord's economy, there's always newness, freshness and adventures. i kind of like that.
May our God grant you wisdom, in whatever era of parenting you are in, to both enjoy the journey and forgive yourself for being fallible. It happens and that's what God's grace is for, after all!
peace out!

shimmering...

Hey
I'm not sure whether its a sunny day where you are...but on the next sunny day, take 10 minutes to walk outside and get under a tree. Look up at the sun through the leaves....and let the beauty soak in.
(Sure you could do this while driving, but not especialy safe, or easy to sit and ponder either!! don't do it!)
yes, we are busy. yes, the hectic is always screaming for our attention, but think of this as personal enrichment- a moment aside to listen to the created world echo the angel's strains of praise choruses....it will enrich the rest of your day.
go on...
get outside and relish in the beauty of fall! God COULD have had the leaves turn black...like we would have known the difference. But he chose to make it a spectacular sight...just because He loves you and wanted to delight you heart.
Go ahead....be delighted.
and enjoy.
peace,
denise

a new day

Hey there. it seems like fall is about new beginnings. why is that? i guess 12-13 or more years of training us to see the new school year as a true beginning- leaving the actual calendar new year dragging behind for significance. haha sort of weird isn't it?
Fresh newness of life. I've been thinking about that as i watch my garden slide gradually toward its demise for the season. How can we experience this freshness when all of creation is hightailing it toward the season of resting we call winter? Is God at work doing something new even as things appear to deteriorate? Of course. It is the way of regeneration to require rest. As the plants drop their leaves and shed their branches, we see the lack of beauty but fail to always see that the preparation for next year's blossoms has begun. The roots are storing up strength for next year- preparing to burst out of the ground afresh to delight us and all of creation. Without this preparation, nothing would happen in spring.
How does that apply to my finding freshness and newness of life now? Recognizing that winter allows us time and the darkness to read, whereas in summer we are gardening and watering and enjoying the lushness of creation. In winter, we can spend time with friends, playing games, sitting and chatting by the fire, or seeing a movie together. People become more central to our leisure- not just creation. I think that gives us a nice balance to appreciate. So before you groan at the falling leaves - go collect a few to display them. Reflect on the rest God gives to the created world- to regroup, to store away energy for the growing months.
How is God at work in your life now? What might he be preparing you for in the months ahead?
Our eternally creative God wastes nothing. While some things don't seem productive or useful to us, they are made useful because of His unique spin on things.
So embrace this winter. See what new things God brings along to delight your heart.
be watching!

Mirroring...

I found this quote recently and its been haunting me every since:
"A loving person lives in a loving world. A hostile person lives in a hostile world; everyone you meet is your mirror." Ken Keyes 1921-1990
Now i recognize this quote is not applicable to torturous regimes or abusive situations, but is simply meant to tell us that our perspective on life is greatly affected by our general worldview. If i awaken with a scowl each morning, preparing for combat by rehearsing my defensive mindset, i can expect to meet the very conflict i anticipate.
Conversely, if i awaken with a grateful heart - appreciative of small kindnesses, i find many of them to enjoy throughout the day.
Same situation but a vastly different attitude.
And which of us would not prefer to be remembered as someone who was pleasant, if not upbeat, to be around? Most of us believe we are basically likeable people, right? We believe that we have something to offer mankind- whether a particular talent, or ability we've honed into usefulness. But sometimes things don't turn out as we'd like. Bosses are difficult. Good health does not last as long as we'd hoped it would.
what then?
"We are not to act oblivious about or live in denial of life's challenges, but we are to counterbalance them with long looks at God's accomplishments." (CS Lewis)
So we find again, that perspective trumps circumstances. Show me a person like Corrie ten Boom who would find ways to show care to fellow prisoners even as she suffered the whole time. She took a terrible situation and found a way to splash GOd's love into it! Our minds can never be imprisoned. Any imprisoning we experience is from our own inner poverty of spirit.
So when i wake up each morning, i weigh the options; do i pre-poison a day which has barely begun with a negative attitude based in fear or discontentment? Or do i give that day back to its Maker and entrust myself - body, mind and spirit - to our Father's keeping and into His service for that day. I don't know what will happen during this day- we never do. We only know what we plan for it, not what will actually happen. But with a full heart, and aware of GOd's unconditional love for me, i can stand firm and choose joy - against all odds.
So what will you see in others tomorrow? The image of God? An intricately designed person whom He loves most dearly, and one deserving of your time and care? Try it.
WHo knows? It might be one remarkable adventure!
peace!

fickle, oh fickle me...

I was celebrating a beautifully perfect West Coast summer day today. ahhh. it has been hard won around here- we've been wet, grey and miserable...ok, the miserable part was not the weather itself, but prompted by it, instead.
And i thought...huh. I'm 'all happy' today and God's goodness did not change one iota. The same loving, generous and kind Hand made this seemingly perfect days and all the (admittedly) grey ones i appreciate less.
hence, the fickle me title...
Why do i try to apply my measly brain's interpretations to One so entirely beyond description? probably just my way of trying to get a handle on One so impossible to describe.
But i do it badly....very badly.
I take a glorious day...and interpret it as a sign of God's favour. Well, in essence, it is. But so is the grey day.
But how can that be?- we both ask!
If indeed God is good (and he is!), then ALL HIS GIFTS ARE GOOD TOO!! ok, so far so good.
so the grey days are just gifts that i can't recognize as gifts. Is that a failure on the givers part or a lack of imagination on mine?
not sure if imagination is the right word...hm. maybe PERSPECTIVE?
i've been wrestling wtih the whole idea of perspective lately. A lovely rose held under a microscope gets degraded to a kazillion little bits and it loses the 'loveliness' we see in it at a different view.
Perhaps the 'unlovely' things that God gives are actually lovely but i, as yet, do not have the eyes to "grasp" its loveliness?
Perhaps the unlovely things i read in the Old Testament sometimes, that disturb and disarm me, are actually evidence of something deeper, or broader and altogether lovely.
i'm not sure.
But i find the adventure of trying to see things from God's perspective well worth the effort.
I'm not sure i will wake up one day with pneumonia and be overjoyed, but i think there are lots of much more common, every day events that deserve a second look.
Perhaps it will even change ME.
peace,
Denise

most common cultural quality

I was listening to a podcast today - about how fearfulness has become the key element that identifies the 'zeitgeist' or atmosphere of our current culture. Not loyalty, generosity, doing one's duty, etc. Just raw, stupid fearfulness.
Then again, the Bible is full of reminders not to be fearful, so i suppose God knew we would struggle with this!!! So why am i so surprised at my fearfulness sometimes?
well, we know its bad. its not helpful to keeping my eyes on God! Fear has an obsessive quality to it- it always demands our attention. My fear issues want me to review them, consider new angles that i'd missed before. In short, it wants all my concentration on it!
BORING!!!
I must say that i get very boring, as a person, when fears fill my thoughts. i lose my sense of humour. I lose the ability to live in child-like ease, trusting that God who can balance the universe, can certainly help me with both my day to day challenges, but the really big difficulties too.
i don't want to be boring.
i don't want to be a 'hand-wringer'.
I don't want to lose my ability to live with ease and relaxation - in gratitude for God's perfectly capable control - oh i have to give up my feeble belief that I can control anything too. (hmmm....)
What could i gain?
oh man oh man....everything! If i take those promises of God's - that he will stay with me (while keeping the sun on track, and extinguishing stars on schedule...) i can be perfectly at ease...what i need, he will provide.
I like this poem - it reminds me of the proportional quality of God's help, grace and strength- the more i need it, the more is provided.
sit back and let it wash over your heart too....

"He gives more grace when burdens grow greater
he sends more strength when labours increase;
to added affliction He adds His mercy;
to multiplied trials, he multiplies peace."
Annie Johnson Flint

So buckle those shoes, lash that belt onto your Levi's and go out in bold confidence that God has your back today! Who knows which Goliath he will call you to vanquish in His strength!?!
Peace to you.
D

who has the control panel?

i read a devotion yesterday by Andy Stanley - he's a pastor and international speaker- and he wrote about worry. Part of me groaned inside when i read the title. Why do i always feel harrassed about a subject that seems to come so naturally to me!!??
But as usual, Andy put things in a very clear perspective by quoting Matthew 6:24 "who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life?". That's really the bottom line, isn't it? What kinds of things do we most wish for at the end of our lives? that we'd had a better car? (rarely) That we'd had a better relationship with our parents/children and the like. (perhaps) But i think most of us are struck by how rapidly life has gone by! That seems universal whether we are 20 or 99 when we leave the earth. So Jesus really zeroed in on our most valued item - TIME- when he asked if EVEN THAT could be improved through worry. A biblical version of "don't sweat the small stuff!" is how i read it!
So what am i wasting so much time doing every day?
What motivates this internal churning to figure things out and find the answers? Something does not make sense here: i mean if i believe (and i heartily mean IF right now) that God has created all the majesty and enormous beauty of the universe, do i actually think he will forget about me?
Or am i just really lousy at trusting him? Is it because he is invisible? Is it because he doesn't answer all my questions the way i want them answered?
Bottom line: what is the worst that could happen if i stopped worrying for 24 hours? I wouldn't stop caring about people - but i would ACT in response to my concern for them instead of stewing about things = so i'd pray, make a casserole, call and ask them how they're doing. DO SOMETHING and then leave the rest of it in God's hands.
But that seems riskier than just passive worry. i can worry from the comfort of my couch...Yet, worry seems to erode my trust in God.
"tension for change"...a friend of mine used to refer to this phrase when talking about change. How much or rather how badly do i want/need things to change? Do i have an ulcer that is demanding my attention? Do i lay awake at night unable to sleep because i'm on "worry patrol"?? Am i growing increasingly crabby with my family and friends because of this?
Sounds like all the motivation I need!!
But i find that my own weakness gets in the way of any lasting change.
And so i call out to God- "please change me Father. Help my unbelief. Open my eyes so i can see and understand that you are faithful. You are honest about your promises to take care of me. I choose to believe you are who the Bible says you are. Help me to trust you more today than i did yesterday. Be glorified in my life today, please."
So because He feeds the birds, clothes the lilies, and keeps the sun, moon and stars in his created order and orchestrates all of life, i can trust him with at least one of my worries today.
Who knows? i might discover a peace which passes all understanding.
Now that would be wonderful.

before the cross

Easter weekend!!! How exciting to be at this landmark of the church year - the year period!! When death became life - when our doomed condition was blown apart and new hope was born!! When hopelessness was infused with hope!! When our fears were shown to be hollow and the life we have in Christ can be seen as richer than anything we could have imagined.
But first...the beatings, the wrongful charges and death sentence. Without the grim side to Easter, the resurrection loses its significance. Without weighing the cost, our salvation can be cheapened, taken for granted, and we live impoverished.
First, the purity is made filthy...Jesus never did anything one, single thing wrong. Never had one single impure, filthy or sinful thought. imagine that! And yet our collective filth was piled on that pure head...into that sinless heart. And he experienced utter separation from his Abba (Daddy) Father ---but with good reason - an everlastingly good reason! so we would never have to be separated from our Abba God again!
without the pain, Easter loses its lustre.
But without the resurrection, Jesus' death was just an unfortunate miscarriage of justice!!
So dig in this weekend. Live it all. or rather, relive it all. Dig deeply into the roots of our faith...and thereby grow in gratitude for our Father who loved us so passionately that he could not bear eternity with our being separated from Him!! Bask in that love - as you reflect on all it cost the Trinity.
Beloved.
yes, you!
Live in the glory of the entire Easter story.
and be changed.
Hosanna! Hallelujah!

who knew?

Did you ever stop to think that life is so much harder than we thought it would be as kids. ANd yet....so much of my life is richer, sweeter and more unbelievable than i ever thought possible too. Somehow in the midst of the storms, i find GOd's sweet presence sustaining me, yes, even in the tears, and i am amazed. My heart is strengthened and i go on...one moment at a time.
Would an easier life rob me of this richness?
no thanks.
I'll take the sweetness with the pain - all the while knowing that greater sweetness and richness are my inheritance with my Father!
peace...

the raw truth about life as a believer....

1 Corinthians 2:2 "For i resolved to know nothing while i was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified"
Paul had arrived in a really metropolitan city to try and support the fledgling church there - to give them a refresher on how to live as God's people. They needed a reminder, as i do, that life as a believer isn't about throwing our weight around, gaining positions of influence, of making progress or of having 'success' as the world sees it, anyway. He boiled it down to that one simple statement that rocks me to my core! (verse above..)
nothing else. Not clever jokes or witty conversation. Nothing but the wonder of Christ. What does that even look like?
From reading more of this section, it appears that Paul wanted their hearts and minds so enraptured (awe-struck) by Christ on a continual basis that nothing else would even come close to amazing them. That sounds all but impossible to us with our greater tendency to be awed by a sport's teams progress, by a new technological breakthrough- or perhaps a medical one. Have we become such cynics that nothing but physical items can amaze us? (and yet those shows about ghosts, mediums etc exist and tell us that something deeper is calling us- some hunger we've almost forgotten about for 'someone' to be out there beyond our taste-see-touch- and-hear world) but i digress....
For me, i've noticed that God seems more real, solid and powerful when i MAKE time to read his Word. When i read about his pushing back a huge lake so a million people could walk through...now that's power! Or when Elijah stands on the mount Carmel having "showdown day" with the prophets of Baal! God showed up in a truly remarkable way! those are historical facts. He is a historical, real God. Invest the time in learning about him and getting to know Him so he can become more real in your heart and mind. Let the HOly Spirit bring your imagination to life as you read!!
THen, when distractions come- troubles which inevitably come - you have 'built your house upon the Rock" and will be able to weather the storm in HIS power.
"Above all else, guard you rheart, for it is the wellspring of life" PRov 4:23

waiting room.....

I hate to admit it, but i like to plan things ahead. To know my schedule somewhat each day. I like interruptions- fun ones! not ones that make me feel all unsettled and weird. Not ones where I must face that i am not in control.
that's where i am today.
My hubby and I are booked for a tropical vacation- leaving in 4 days. or not. You see his boss thinks he's such a swell guy that he should stay at work. or something like that. "No-refund policy" is a hateful phrase to me right now.
So i sit and wait.
So i sit and am reminded that i do not rule the world. (ouch)
So i sit and remember that God does. That as much as this aggravates me, waiting usually does me more good than harm.
It reminds me how impatient I can be.
It reminds me what ugly thoughts i can think - about his boss and his lack of consideration right now.
But what if, just maybe, God has something else in mind?
(like what? you and I both ask...)
that's just the thing... i don't know.
This morning as i was doing a few things around the house, a verse tiptoed into my mind - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding"
ugh. and yet....my understanding is real limited. and this situation does not even involve me directly but is between hubby's boss and him.
So i have a few choices, don't i?
i can chew my nails, mutter under my breath about the boss, the gross unfairness of it all....
or...
I can say" well Lord, this sucks. But you are sovereign and good. Loving and gracious. So i'm going to just do my work today- thanking you for your goodness toward us and just forget the rest for now."
Choice #1 is natural. Takes no effort or anything. It's my easy way out.
But choice #2 is probably healthier for me. The non-ulcer approach.
Just one problem...i can't MAKE myself do #2.
Helpless yet again! Jesus needs to fix my heart on the inside before that choice can become a reality. more trusting, i'm thinkin'...
So i've started to ask Jesus for the attitude that glorifies him. Might i still travel alone in 4 days? yep. But i'm hoping he can transform my heart and my attitude in that time.
After all, i'm going somewhere nice.
Here's to avoiding ulcers, my friends! and to leaning on Jesus like he's all you've got.
cuz he is.
peace!

Spring sneaking in...

I live in such a beautiful, mild area - and should be ashamed of myself for longing for spring as i do. alas, i am not ashamed. I have never known another climate and so, acclimatized as i am (pun intended), I watch the signs of her coming.
I went so far as to poke around in the soil today - looking for the tips of my spring bulbs! Saw one crocus tip and one hyacinth tip.
It's a type of resurrection each spring, when you think of it.
In the fall, we bury dead-looking bulb things. Look like misshapen onions or shallots. Cover them over and nothing happens. For months and months.
But it is in faith that we plant them. It is the promise of spring and new life that inspires us to invest, plant, and wait.
So that dead bulb, absorbs moisture, waits on the call from the earth to burst into life and grow. Surprising and delighting us with it's appearance! Followed by buds and then full blossoms!
what a delight.
But i'm not always very good at the waiting part.
I guess living in a rainforest leaves me expecting spring the minute the sun comes out!! i have to laugh at myself sometimes.
Do i live the rest of my life with that kind of vibrant expectancy? well, sometimes but not really most of the time.
I recall the Lord said he'd return in the clouds- in glory- the same way he ascended while the disciples watched.
Am i a cloud-watcher as much as a bulb watcher?
I'd be MUCH more surprised and delighted to see the Lord come - more than even my precious bulbs returning, i think.
But i've gotten lazy or perhaps think his return won't occur in my lifetime. Have i stopped hoping just because it is taking a while?
Would my life be richer if i stopped once in a while to look the clouds over? Would i be practising my hope? living out my anticipation more fully?
it sure couldn't hurt!!
I think its too easy to live in a way that does not participate with the reality of Scripture. To live 'in the world" and to forget to practise imagining the fulfillment of God's promises.
I mean we live AFTER one of the most magnificent fulfillments of the ages!! Christ arriving as our Messiah - fulfilling tons of prophecies and turning our lives into one grand celebration of salvation!!
We live 'in between' in this age. Looking back with joy, amazement and excitement...and yet looking ahead, joyfully anticipating the coming Lord!
I think i could live with leaving my garden on that day.
I think it's going to be remarkable beyond all imagination that i apply to it now - to keep my hope, faith and joy kindled.
Come, Lord Jesus!

is it just January or am i weary?

Yep, the post-Christmas excitement has passed. a while ago, actually. So we're socked in with rain, dark skies and i'm afraid our moods aren't always much different. It's still a few weeks until Valentine's day -another excuse to celebrate. (Don't you love those? then again, i celebrate Wednesdays sometimes, for no other reason than it's good to be alive!)
But we can get a little morose at this time of year. Activities have started up again and with the short days, it can feel like all we do is bumble in the dark.
But i found out something- re-learned it perhaps- and i hope it shoots adrenaline into your heart as it did into mine.
Your service to God matters!
What you are doing makes a difference!
The little acts of kindness, those small acts of love -taking a friend some soup when he/she's sick. THey are noticed by God- and better yet? He transforms our little acts into remarkable things- waaaay beyond what we'd ever dream he does!!
Let me explain..
in John 15:5-8 "I am the vine; you are the branches. if a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit (did u hear that?); apart from me you can do nothing. v7. if you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be given to you. This is to my Father's glory that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples"
So when you act like a branch, God's power flows through you - our small acts of service get "turbo-boosted" by God!! So when you think your showing up to help or to serve in some way is just a pittance, hardly worth the bother- THINK AGAIN!!
I love this verse in Colossians 3:17 "and whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Did u see that? we give thanks as we serve! why? Because we know that God is at work and will empower it - we give thanks before we see it happen. that's trusting God will show up!
I don't know about you, but i'm not the most efficient, organized, or 'together' person much of the time these days. And i'm starting to think that it doesn't matter!! what a relief!
Just show up. Do the thing that needs doing. It's God's job to make it fruitful. Oh yeah, of course, you and i will do our best...why not? but the pressure is not on us to make it fantastic.
And i rather like that.
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

time to reflect

Ok, so i'm not having any "spirited exploits" today. Have the flu. Yesterday i watched tv all day - that's enough to make one sicker, frankly. So today i brought all my books, Bible and notebooks to bed with me. I look up and watch the 2 black squirrels dashing about the yard - trying to outwit each other for bird seed at the base of my birdfeeder. a good chuckle...
One verse in Scripture has needled me for simply years. I found it again today in a "Closer to my children" journal/reflection book i got from a friend at Christmas. It has a little blurb on a verse and how it applies to parenting. But it got me thinking in a different way about that infernal verse.
Ok, so here's the verse: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9NIV
It has always seemed to be shrouded in mist and mystery to me. Ok, we don't use the word 'sufficient' much. Here are some synonyms: adequate, enough, ample. Definitely not gobs beyond what is needed. enough. Provided to match the need. good start.
THen there's that word...grace.
i get what love is. I understand the idea of faith, but grace? more synonyms...benevolence. THe action of his perfect character on our behalf.
ok, that helps.
So, to recap "My benevolence is enough for you." yeah, i can wrap my pea brain around that. And since God's idea of 'enough' is always generous...that won't be a "barely-scraping-by" kind of enough either, will it?
But the verse goes on to tell us something about our weakness too.
First of all, we all like to be strong. Remember flexing our muscles as kids for our parents to be awed at? Showing people how much we'd grown. Everything about our human nature relishes being strong, capable and able to take care of ourselves. But that's not how God views things.
Oh, he doesn't want us to be snivelling drips. But there is something different going on here.
Remember in your first tree-fort (or was i the only one who had this? come on people!), you and your friends founded a community- well a gang, team partnership sort of thing. One person could draw, another could shoot a slingshot. Everyone had their 'role' in the group. And we felt good about that.
what happened?
Why did we go on to abandon our 'role' and think we had to be everything to everyone? superman or superwoman? kinda weird, isn't it?
But in God's world, we still have that role. We are a branch on God's vine (see John 15:5- I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit.") We bear HIS fruit.
Let's go back to the needling verse...
My benevolence is enough for you. My power is made perfect in weakness" When i get out of GOd's way, and am willing to play my 'role' as a good, sap-delivering branch, the power gets used for its real, intended purpose. Fruit bearing.
Am i losing you here? sorry...
When my puny strength gets factored out - his real, limitless power can flow uninterrupted!! So my weakness makes more room for his strength. that's really very neat!
Now Paul wrote this verse because he had some health challenge that made him really weak. He hated it (dont' we all hate that ourselves? the flu? or something more long-term?)
anyway, he asked God to remove it. This needling verse was God's reply. Oh God could have healed him, you betcha. But God figured things would work out better this way.
So the very thing - whether physical, mental, emotional, or whatever that you consider shamefully weak in yourself, might just be the jump-off point for God to swoop into your life and produce some mighty fine fruit! we can ask him to redeem it into something that frees up his flow of power in our lives.
Perhaps my idea of my strength ends up being an obstacle. And while the world applauds (as do i most of the time) acts of independent accomplishment, etc. maybe we as believers and members of God's 'tree fort' club, can get back to our 'roles' and work together to spread this fruit to the nations?
So in the moments of weakness and suffering, ask God to make you wise and to give you His strength to bless, touch and care for others. Use the gifts he gave you - those spiritual gifts with faith that even our tiny bit can become something marvellous when his power tranforms it.
just a thought...

a fresh new year

Hey,
It struck me forcefully this year that i (and maybe you too?) spend SOOOO much time preparing for Christmas...and it comes and goes in a flash...a flash in the pan, perhpas? Disproportionate preparations? Undue worry? Or preparations fuelled by love? yet i wonder how much of my preparations were fuelled by fear! Fear of forgetting someone i love, forgetting people's preferences/dislikes, forgetting a wish list item due to my aging brain's reduced retention? ack! I'm beginning to understand why people go on vacation in December. Just hop on a plane and escape the insanity!
It sure didn't start this way? when did i sign up for the spastic, scurrying insanity of this mutated Christmas stuff??!!
I'm starting to think it hits me via the media, how we talk/groan about Christmas with each other, marketers convincing us there's nothing wrong with Christmas trees and decorations in stores on October 25th already. ACK!! And yet, a simple child- carrying GOd's very essence to this earth started this season- the giving, the acts of love - all meant to reflect His act of love in sending Christ.
I've resolved to hold off Christmas shopping until December 1st. It's a start...containing it in the one month's time. Will it help? i'll keep ya posted..not sure. But at least that way, i will be able to celebrate First Advent (4 Sundays before Christmas) with a clear mind. i hope. Begin my inner preparations without the outer ones jumping like Mexican jumping beans in my head. well, that's the idea. we'll see....
Pushing back. i guess that's what i'm after. Can i be kinder to my fellowman/woman by speaking in excited, but hushed, tones about Christmas? At least, not perpetuate the 'angst' about it all? that's my heartfelt wish, anyway.
That aside, we had a lovely Christmas - all kids were home to bless us and to share time together. A boyfriend also - lovely chap! Can see the choices they're making getting more solidly considered and thought-through. Our son got engaged. (that's a warp-drive moment!) And the subtle, but not entirely ignorable sense that we are lurching into another 'era'. No longer the newlyweds ourselves. No longer young, clueless parents grasping for proverbial air to get through a day. More settled. content, i hazard to say. Accepting of ourselves and each other, happy to walk hand in hand, although more quietly, into the sunset years. Smiling as our kids build relationships, homes, families and all. We get to retreat to the quiet of our familiar life together - but soaking up the excitement of their lives just the same. Oh maybe i'm just nostalgic right now...but that's ok. It's been a really great ride so far. So very many blessings!! And we'll keep watching God's hand at work in our lives and the lives of others. it's breathtaking when you stop to consider it.
looks like we just did.
Reach out this year and love someone who's forgotten. I promise it will bring you joy and a fresh outlook for 2011.
Blessings my friends!

Looking beyond the horizon

We had a dear man from church who died this past week. He and his family had trusted God to provide healing - which He did, by taking him to heaven. While the healing is absolute and permanent, it was not the healing we had (selfishly) been praying for all along.
Healing. hm. For whose benefit do we pray? once they die, do we continue to wish them back? Is that questioning GOd's decision or just being human and missing them? some of both, i guess. There are just times when God's decisions don't seem right, good or the BEST. Then again, we do live such 'right this minute' types of lives...we don't know what good God has in mind over the long range. Obviously, for our friend, the HOMECOMING in heaven was far better than even his own beloved family could have provided, had he been healed physically on earth. All needs met. All pain removed. Sickness forever banished. His heart is now full, complete and he is happier than he's ever been.
So why do we find it so hard to be happy for him?
we aren't there yet.....
we can't imagine it....
we only know what has been lost....and we grieve it all, quite rightly.
But one day - between pouring coffee and putting cream in, we will find out. One day between turning the water on and putting the toothpaste on our toothbrush, we will understand. In a flicker of time, it will all be changed...and so will we.
One day we too will see what eternity looks like. And depending on our belief in Christ's salvation on our behalf, we will understand pain and separation forever, or we will understand being completely happy and finally home.
A few Bible verses read during the funeral today made an impression on me. The first one was Revelation 14:13
"Then i heard a voice from heaven say, ...Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord..."
At first that sounded weird to my ears...But John who wrote Revelation didn't really write a lot of 'normal-sounding' stuff!! A lot of imagery- no wonder! all he saw must have been difficult to use normal language for!!!
I digress...
"Blessed" it said...happy. "For to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Phil 1:21)So while we enjoy the presence of Christ in the here and now - we will be transported by death ( a mere doorway) into the magnificence of heaven! That's good reason to happy, if you ask me.
"the best is yet to come"....that line gives me chills. I like to imagine what is better that being with loved ones, seeing sensational sunsets, hearing the laughter of babies, receiving and giving love....using my imagination to make me 'homesick' for heaven. To give it some shape, substance, even if it's imaginary for now - and likely pretty lame, compared to the real thing. but it's a start to imagine it and make my heart yearn for it somehow.
The other verse was in Psalm 23:6 - the last verse. It hit me in a new way today - maybe i've not paid attention before, but in the context of a funeral, it was new.
"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."
The first half is familiar enough - during this life, i will enjoy God's goodness and mercy - his positive help and favour toward me. But this was a funeral...so i wondered on what it said about 'after' this life... and then saw the second half of it.."and i will dwell in the house of the Lord forever". OH!!!
So this life, as one of God's saved and undeserving children, is one of favour, hope and joy, and then onto the best thereafter!!!
"house of the Lord"...ok, let's call it God's house. Apparently it's an awesome place - it will have all the love, goodness, peace and kindness that we keep envisioning for our own homes (especially during Christmas, we hope for this more than ever!) Does some of our disillusionment about our families come during Christmas/Easter because we have put our hopes in the wrong place? Can we have all of these in this broken world? GOod hope, wrong timing/location.
So what if we took that good desire for these things and put them somewhere it is guaranteed to work out!? Would we accept our family disappointments without despairing? "the best is yet to come - i can wait because it's certain.."
So our friend who died last week is now 'graduated' from this broken world, filled with loved ones, mind you, onto the place where his fondest wishes, dearest hopes are all fulfilled. Where every limitation is removed; every tear is wiped dry once and for all; where love is experienced in its proper fullness; where we see Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit clearly and no longer 'through a glass darkly'!!!
Yes, our friend is gone ahead. We cannot hold him here.
Would we want him to leave all that? just to ease our pain? or can the love we have for him delight in his receiving all God in Christ has promised. His reward. His home at last.
So this Christmas, as we welcome the Christ-child into our hearts, always keeping an eye on the horizon and on the clouds, from which He'll descend, let's remember that our hope is secure. Our future is certain.
And departed loved ones await our arrival....as they celebrate, laugh, rejoice and enjoy their eternity with God.
Merry Christmas, friends.
Stand firm. Your hope is secure.
"Your salvation is nearer now than when you first believed" Rom 13:11b

a season for all things

This time of year always makes me a little philosophical, it seems. I celebrate the fullness of fall- plants reaching their maximum growth, beauty and flowering- only to watch it all fall to the ground- a mooshy mess in our wet weather. it seems a little defeating to a dedicated gardener's heart!
And yet, God established this seasonal order of things. It doesn't seem to be an outcome of the fall or our fallen world. Nothing can be productive all the time - i speak of myself also!
As i drove in the twilight the other evening, i noticed a group of trees along the highway - some were conifers and others deciduous. I was struck by the way the leafless deciduous trees appeared to be phantoms, or made of smoke- somehow lacking the actual substance of a conifer. weird! it was a contrast between lushness and emptiness- between health and languishing- between growth and rest.
And despite our productivity-obsessed culture, that is a good thing. God appointed his creation to a season of rest - as certain and regular as the season of growth and beauty.
Deep inside these resting plants and trees, nourishment is being gathered and protected for spring. It is preparing for the harshness of winter- yet storing life deep inside. (do they sigh with relief at this season of rest?)
what's wrong with me?
WHy do i see 'appointed' seasons of rest as a bad thing? without fail i see it that way?
People enduring an illness - there is a certain rest-rhythmn to that too. We are sidelined and must trust that life will carry on while we await God's healing to us. (yet whom of us does not relish the excuse to read a good book without guilt, or play games or some other 'non-productive' pastime we secretly love!)
Eccesiastes 3 is a wonder-filled chapter to read. Solomon (or whomever) speaks about God's created order in the world and life. "Times" come and go - some with an internal rhythmn and some with a more haphazard occurence.
"Nothing lasts forever- either good nor bad." has been a regular phrase out of my mouth in recent months. Perhaps with a bit of age behind me, I see that trusting God and waiting things out usually works. Patience perhaps?
So this winter, instead of dreading the 'enforced' rest of colds or flu, secretly begin to thank God for the break - for the freedom to step off the world's 'insanity train' and just listen to your own breath, listen to the sound of clean water in your kitchen sink and give thanks for it. Dig out that good book you've been waiting to read, and rest in God's order of things - you will be well soon enough. Savour the break, despite congestion, nausea and whatever comes with it.
Without rest, God's creation cannot produce fruit worth eating, savouring and enjoying - whether by animals, birds or by us.
Perhaps our lives are that way too......
Savour life!

Calmly foretold

So i flipped open my Bible today...i know...some reading plan, eh? LOL But i did and i read Luke 21. For some reason, this chapter didn't seem familiar from previous readings of Luke. So i really paid attention!
It is Jesus talking about the 'end of the age' to his disciples. He tells them that there will be frauds who will try to confuse people with their claims. He said they shouldn't listen to them. Then he goes on to describe how the end times will go - rather simply, which i appreciate.
First he says that Christians will be persecuted, will be betrayed by loved ones and friends- every which way, it will come. But he encouraged them that they should not stress out, that they will be given words to say at the time- words that will testify about him. He wanted them to remember to stand firm no matter what.
He then goes on to say that wars and revolutions will happen, earthquakes, famines and pestilences, fearful events and great signs from heaven. He said that their beloved Jerusalem, which they'd just been bragging on, was going to be surrounded by armies - and that the people should book it for the mountains- flee! and those in the country should stay away from the city too. Jerusalem would be trampled on!
Then it gets even wilder! Sun, moon and stars will show signs of things changing too. Nations will be terrified by the 'roaring and tossing of the sea'. People will despair who don't know this in advance.
But "at that time, they will see the Son of Man (Christ) coming in a cloud with power and great glory" and then, get this, "when these things begin to take place, STAND UP and LIFT UP your heads, because your redemption is drawing near" (vv27,28)
So even with the tumultuous happenings around the world, we need to keep our eyes open and our minds focused on the fact this is the "preamble" to Christ's return. We need to continue to care for poor, eldery, befriend the lonely, relieve suffering and care for widows and orphans, as ever. Certainly, we will be praying for those around us, that they will see and understand and turn to Christ!!
Another thing that amazes me, is that Christ can give us ALL these warnings and yet not provoke fear in us! The next section (vv29-36) he goes on to talk in a parable about fig trees and how when they sprout leaves, we know summer is coming. That the new leaves tell us something more about what is coming. And so with these warning signs in nature and the wars on earth, we can interpret them as "telling us something more about what is coming".
But we need to keep watch. Verse 34 says,
"Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap."
So keep watch, dear ones! Watch what is going on in the world. By all means, pray!
and do not become so harried by life, urgencies and the 'hurry sickness' that you miss the 'signs of the times'.
May our God grant each of us the eyes to see and the wisdom to understand all he is about in the world so that when the time comes, He might enable us to stand firm and see his glory arriving to make things right on earth, as it is in heaven!
Amen!

messy...and yet glorious

Hey!
I've been reflecting - moment by moment- lately on how little worry does to help me. With the start of school last month and all the programs, classes and things we are all involved in - worry comes along like an unwelcomed houseguest and settles between my ears. And the funny thing is that the more i attempt to chase it out, the more deeply rooted it becomes. It ends up getting my attention, one way or the other! ack!
And i read how God calls me to trust him. To live lightly - to carry His yoke- which is easy and his burden, which is light.
How do i make such a mess of things by complicating what is inherently simple???
The world is run by God- ok, yeah, i can grasp that...
I do nothing to earn the sunshine, rain, oxygen or love i receive so freely. check.
If God feeds the little, cute, witless birds, then certainly he will feed me too. got it.
but what happens? Do i forget that he is always watching with a tender loving gaze?
Do i think that if i meddle in things first that it will turn out better?
why am i so funny about all this?
Hence, my new tatto - Trust~ Receive~ Adore on my right forearm. A visible reminder that i bring nothing to this relationship with God. I am asked to trust him completely.
Receive- what good thing do i have that i 'earned'? Love? Air? hope? no, not really anything. I just sit at the Lord's feet and receive it all. wow.
Adore - now here is something i CAN do...be in awe of my Father who provides, forgives, loves and never tires of any of it!!!
Sure, life can be very messy. After all, we live in a broken world - things are not as they 'should be'. We sense that in our very marrow...and one day it will be that way.
"All will be well and all manner of things will be well." (some famous guy said that---good stuff!)
and so it will be.
And for now.. ......we trust him.
and amen.

What's my problem, anyways?

Exodus 20:11

For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

Exodus 31:15

For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day must be put to death.

Rest. Sabbath. You’d think this would be celebrated high and low in our hurried culture of overwork. But even we as believers shake our heads in disbelief when we hear it. Who has time to take a Sabbath? In a word? We all do. We all need to. We are COMMANDED to, for heaven’s sake!
I heard a song today by a Christian artist, Lance Odegard, in which he asked God to help him to be content being the ‘moon’ since God is the ‘sun’. God is the centre, and we reflect his glory. Ok, that makes sense except that we want to pretend we are the SUN! We believe God is the boss, but we often live as though we are. Our little kingdoms we try to control.
I believe that is the core of why we find Sabbath taking so difficult. It is a day we are reminded to put aside our need to be in control, to work and provide in order to remind ourselves that it is God who runs the world, it is God who provides for our needs through our ability to work and our having a job at all. It is God who makes life work.
That’s hard to believe when stated that way.
Will my laundry get done if I take a Sabbath? Will there be groceries? Let’s listen to this verse that deals with this exact line of thought…
Exodus 16:22-24 (New International Version)
22

On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much—two omers [a] for each person—and the leaders of the community came and reported this to Moses. 23 He said to them, "This is what the LORD commanded: 'Tomorrow is to be a day of rest, a holy Sabbath to the LORD. So bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. Save whatever is left and keep it until morning.' "
24 So they saved it until morning, as Moses commanded, and it did not stink or get maggots in it.

(which usually happened if they tried to stockpile the manna – another example of how God helped them to obey his command!)
Planning ahead. Being intentional to ensure all the jobs get done other times so I can take a day off – a day to play, to dance or to sit and play boardgames. Who would like a day off cooking? Cleaning?
ME!
Am I willing to move things around so I’m “ALLOWED” to do this? Well, I’m certainly allowed…no reason to feel guilty since it was God’s idea…but will I?
We have to wrestle with why I choose the bondage to work (as the people in exile had no choice but to work 7 days a week!) instead of embracing the freedom from slavery that God gives me.
Just a thought….

contentment

ok, this subject is not something i can claim much knowledge about. It's like reading a book about travelling in Europe and not having been there. yes, that's about right. But just because i haven't experienced a lot of it, doesn't mean i don't crave it. It's like wanting patience, but not being sure you want to go through the things that produce it in our lives...
Contentment was described to me once as being a traveller bound for Holland, with visions of all that Holland has. Packing for Holland and being excited for the vacation there. But once off the plane, to discover one is in France instead. Oh, i'm sure France has it's lovely things, but one's heart was set on Holland. Contentment is choosing to be pleased with being in France, despite 'wanting' Holland.
So what does that have to do with me? any of us?
We all had some idea where we were headed in life - perhaps in a 5 year plan. But where i find myself today is not what i'd imagined. In many ways, it is perhaps better than the original plan. But sometimes it is not. Yes, we got used to it, but it can leave us with the gnawing sense that things didn't turn out right. what to do? The easy path is to be cranky - whether visibly or not. Discontent. Restless. Unhappy. But is this leading me any closer to the contentment i had imagined in Holland? Can contentment be found in France? Can i decide to love where i am simply because it is where i am?? Where i've been placed...
We face a few decisions in these moments. Sometimes, we choose to decorate our world with Holland reminders- things that keep the dream alive, if you please. What does that look like? When a serious injury sidelines my hockey/baseball/(insert your situation here), and the dream is out of touch, do i still think and dream about it all the time? Or can i turn lemons into lemonade and coach someone, turn my change-of-plans into good?
Other times, we pretend that it doesn't matter, that we are 'fine' and we bury the hurt - perhaps it squeaks out in angry words to our families? (ouch) While we think we have 'dealt with it', are we lying to ourselves and hurting those we love most?

I don't know about you, but its probably a good thing to stop and reflect once in a while - where is the direction of my life taking me? is it somewhere i want to go? What path am i on? what kinds of thoughts occupy my mind as i commute, relax or rest?
St. Augustine said,"Indeed, man wishes to be happy even when he so lives as to make happiness impossible."
Are the choices i am making taking me to more and more joy, gratitude and peace, or am i chasing a dream that no longer has meaning for me?
I'm trying to concentrate on living in the moment, right here and now. Trying to stop worrying about tomorrow and learning to see the gifts of God, however small they might appear, in the moment they are given.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer said it well..."We do not complain of what God does not give us; we rather thank God for what he does give us daily. And is not what has been given enough?"
So i'm starting to be thankful for air in my lungs (clean Canadian air, thanks so much!), the mind to think thoughts, the heart to love those around me, food for nourishment, clothes to wear and so on. Important things if you don't have them!
baby steps....and with the help of God and his Spirit, i will try to live in the 'now' and leave the future in his hands...
now that oughta give me peace already!!