Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Alexander's Bad Day


Suddenly, Jesus' words flashed through Peter's mind: "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me." And he broke down and wept. Mark 14:72 (NLT)

My blog friend, Miss Sandy, from Quill Cottage reminded me today of a favorite old book—Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. If you are unfamiliar with this little book, it is great for kids but has noteworthy truths for adults, too. The bottom line for Alexander was just to take off for Australia. Wouldn't we like to be able to do that some days? Life becomes so difficult that our preferred method of handling it is just to disappear and maybe it will all go away. I have been doing some reading for Lent and Peter's story caught my attention this time. Maybe it is because I can identity with him after a tough week. I can only imagine Peter's fear, defeat, and shame as he ran from the courtyard after hearing the cock crow and knowing he had denied his LORD three times. He had blown it…again. The pain overwhelms. Sorrow squeezes the heart and breaths are short and shallow. Life looks like it will never be the same again. He disappears into the night. And then, God steps in with His forgiveness and life. He knew what Peter was going to do—He even predicted it. This was a detour but not a roadblock. He knew the heart of Peter and even had great plans for him in the future. What a comfort for those of us who travel life's paths and sometimes get detoured. It may by our own choice or not, but we need help. Our Savior never rebuffs a contrite heart. All we have to do is cry out for help and Jesus is there to pick us up, dust us off, give us a hug, and send us on our way. Some consequences may need to be dealt with but for God, nothing is impossible and His forgiveness is immediate. Like Peter, I can say with a grateful heart...thank you, Lord.

Monday, February 18, 2008

Water-Walking

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. Matthew 14:29 (NLT)

Do you ever really blow it? I mean doing something so bad that you fear that there is no way out? Do you get yourself in situations where you want to do it your way, regardless of the consequences? I know what that feels like. Peter knew, too. He had the faith to get out of the boat in the middle of a storm and walk on the water to join Jesus…until he took his eyes off of him and looked around. At that point, he thought, "This is impossible." It WAS impossible—but Jesus. But Jesus was not about to let Peter drown and was right there to lift him back into the boat. I take great comfort in the stories of Peter recorded in the Bible. He was an impetuous man but he dearly loved His Savior. Even his lack of faith once he started his walk or his denial in the courtyard after Jesus was arrested did not separate him from the love of his Lord. Shame and forgiveness are part of his story and they can be part of ours. It is all about grace. God loves us when we mess up; in fact, He died for us when we didn't even care about Him. He does not ask us to clean up our act before we come to him. Instead, He asks us to come to Him with a repentant heart, accept his offer of salvation, and live a life that will glorify Him. He does everything else. So, keep your eyes on Him. He may even take you water-walking.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Pay Attention

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 (NIV)

Sometimes it is so much easier to just stick our heads in the sand. This year, the political debates, primaries, and pundits continually test our endurance. It may even tempt us to walk away from our responsibility as citizens. I read an editorial by Rev. Mark Creech and though I don't agree with all that he says, I do agree when he states, "…many conservative evangelicals are now acting as though God were not sovereign in the political process. Have we become more focused on the process than on the God who controls it? Granted, we must diligently seek to influence the culture for righteousness sake. Nevertheless, evangelicals are not sailing the ship politic and never were. There is but one Captain -- the Lord -- and He raises to power whomever He wills." Having served in the political arena in my past life, I learned first hand that money, power, prestige, and pure determination will not guarantee an election outcome. But rather than throw the baby out with the bathwater (a much easier alternative, at times) we have to stand up and be counted; we cannot disengage but must give voice to our convictions and vote. Rev. Creech also discovered two great truths as he worked the halls in the North Carolina General Assembly: "(1) God is sovereign over everything and ultimately His will cannot be defeated; and (2) no person or group involved in politics ever gets all they want all of the time. But for Christ's sake, one must ever be vigilant in victory and defeat. And one must always find positive ways to stay engaged in the process." I am so thankful that I am not in control of this world but that I know the One who is. I can go to sleep at night and wake each morning knowing that nothing surprises our Heavenly Father about this year's elections. Worry is useless. Instead, pray and stay informed.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Right Hand vs. Left Hand


And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 (NIV)

After a month with a wounded wing, the doctor pronounced that I am in the top 10% for healing of folks that have had this type of surgery. He worries that since I am doing so well, I will use it more than I should. OK, so I still have to be good for another couple of weeks, but what a relief to have the elastic brace off. At least the timing for all of this was in the coldest part of the year. Being in the desert, it could have been hot along with uncomfortable. But, I learned a few things this past month: I really depend on my right hand. However, you CAN teach an old dog a few new tricks. I like brushing my teeth with my left hand—I am more thorough. I figured out how to start the car with the key in the opposite hand. The computer keyboard can all be done with the left hand...now, the mouse is another story. Yet, I hate being dependent on someone to open anything; jars, zip-lock bags, and water bottles, to name a few. And finally, the anticipation was worse than the reality. How often do we do that? We worry and fret over the unknown while if we would just trust in the Master Planner, our anxieties would turn into anticipation. There is nothing our Heavenly Father would rather do than to meet our needs. Thank you, Lord, for Your good care.

Sunday, February 3, 2008

A Good Laugh


It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. 2 Samuel 22:33 (NIV)

I sat with 1200 women as we listened in rapt attention to Liz Curtis Higgs share how God had taken her from a life that was certainly less than perfect to a vibrant, fulfilling life in His strength. She would be the first one to tell you that when she was weak, He was the strong one. At times, we laughed until our sides hurt yet during the day I found tears leaking out of my eyes. This woman is genuine in her love for us and for her Savior. I heard her speak some years ago and encouraged several of my friends to join me in a trip across town for a day of spiritual refreshment. Sometimes we get so bogged down in the "dailyness" of life and become swallowed up in our problems and challenges. It is so easy to let them take over and wear down our spirits. We finally lift our heads and realize that there is no joy. We forget how to laugh. We become disconnected from our friends and feel so alone. But Liz reminded us what good medicine it is for us to laugh together. The Bible confirms our experience: A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength. Proverbs 17:22 (NLT) Had a good laugh lately? Call a friend and go for coffee. Read a book—just for fun. Take a walk for the pure enjoyment of the noticing the beauty of God's creation. Let Him soothe your soul.