Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Birthdays

And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.” Mark 1:11 (NLT)
We had a wonderful, crazy, busy weekend in California celebrating birthdays of some of my favorite people. With never an idle moment the entire weekend, Saturday dawned bright and warm to celebrate Allie's fifth birthday. A pool party with all of her buddies meant that we decorated, ran food and drinks back and forth from the house, snapped pictures of all the key moments, and cleaned up after all the festivities. Home for a quick shower and change, a stop at the stables to watch Kate and Tori show off their riding prowess, and then off to Lodi for a surprise party for my friend who turned 70. We've been friends for forty years and the stories we can tell on each other. Don't ask. However, this was just one day's adventure. Multiply that by three. As we flew home yesterday, I finally had a few moments to catch up on my Bible reading. The familiar stories in the New Testament (finally made it) washed over me like a breath of fresh air. As I read the story of Jesus' baptism three times in its chronological order, it dawned on me that God, the Father, is saying the same thing about me, his daughter, as He said to Jesus. I am dearly loved, and I bring Him great joy. That's pretty amazing! Even though it was a mad dash, nothing makes me happier than time spent with family and friends. Imagine how our heavenly Father feels when we seek out time with Him? We bring Him great joy. Even when the schedule is frantic, make time to sit at the feet of Jesus. You'll be refreshed.

Monday, September 21, 2009

One More Time

But as soon as they were at peace, your people again committed evil in your sight, and once more you let their enemies conquer them. Yet whenever your people turned and cried to you again for help, you listened once more from heaven. In your wonderful mercy, you rescued them many times! Nehemiah 9:28 (NLT)
I have been reading through the Bible chronologically, spending all these months in the Old Testament. (I'm almost done and will start the New Testament later this week.) As Nehemiah finished rebuilding of Jerusalem, he gathered everyone together for a great celebration and solemn assembly. In his prayer before the people, he recounts their history and it's not pretty. God was very specific about His rules and the consequences of disobedience but they repeatedly went their own way, often being downright blatant and in your face to God. Many times, God just let the natural consequences run their course watching the people muddle through. Other times, He initiated actions to bring them back, whether it was war, illness, slavery, or death. At times, He got so angry that He was ready to wipe them off the face of the earth but He always relented because He loved them so much. I noticed a cycle in their story – peace, laziness, temptation, arrogance, disobedience, repercussions, repentance, forgiveness, and back to peace. Sound familiar? Don't we get ourselves in that same cycle on occasion? Because God loves us, He lets us make our own choices – some good and some bad. He wants us to choose to follow Him and not just be robots. Whatever we decide, He never gives up on us. We may be foolish or disobedient but His mercy is there to rescue us, often from ourselves, and return us to the place of peace with Him. Where you are in the cycle? Pray for guidance and wisdom so that you, too, will live in peace.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Small Steps

Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.” Zechariah 4:10 (NLT)
Eight years have passed since that fateful day. Have you forgotten? As the images flash across the television screen of the horror of September 11th, my stomach clenches up. I remember. It was the day our country was thrown into a war that we didn't want. But, as Americans, where freedom means more than life, we marched right into the middle of it rather than running away. Our lives changed that day in ways that our grandchildren will never see or understand. That week may be the last time in recent history that we can look back and see a united country. Differences fell away as pain enveloped us all. We worked together to pick up the pieces, to heal, and to begin again. Small steps but necessary beginnings for the strength and health of our nation. Family members still grieve but most of us have moved on with our lives. Have we forgotten? Did we shelve the hurt and disillusionment of that day so that we could return to "normal?" Tears streamed down my face as I watched the memorial service at the National Cathedral a few days after the attack. The prayers, Bible readings, music, and eulogies all brought us to the feet of the One who is the source of all comfort. God became a common word and faith in Him our only hope. Yet, eight years later, that unity is gone and we fight in court to keep "In God we Trust" on our coins. The Ten Commandments are ruled unconstitutional resulting in the engraved stone hauled off the steps of a courthouse in Alabama. Children find it easier to get an abortion than an aspirin. Our congressional leaders could not be at greater odds with each other and their constituents. Edmund Burke said, "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." We no longer have the luxury of sitting back and waiting for someone else to do it. Stand up. Speak out. Be informed. Do something, even if it is just a little. Small steps.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Fearless by Max Lucado

We fear being sued, finishing last, going broke; we fear the mole on the back, the new kid on the block, the sound of the clock as it ticks us closer to the grave. I don't usually review books on this blog but an insecure world threatens to take us down and robs us of our joy. Living a life without fear is the focus of the latest book by Max Lucado. We know what fear feels like but Lucado puts words to those gut-wrenching feelings and offers alternatives. The author uses a three-part plan for answering the difficult questions: first, a biblical discussion of the problem followed by appropriate Bible verses to reinforce the truth. He often concludes the chapter with a real-life story of triumph and encouragement. Who can live in this uncertain day and age and not have a few fears? Intrigued by the title, the book captured my attention and offered both wisdom and knowledge on a variety of subjects. Not all of the chapters applied to my particular fears, yet, if I had dismissed them as uninteresting and moved on to the next chapter, I would have missed the bigger picture. Max Lucado makes the case that courage is the antidote for fear, which comes from God alone. I recommend Fearless.

Monday, September 7, 2009

He Cares

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)
Some days are easier than others. My week was upended with computer glitches and updates. Yours might be the cry of a new baby just as you've gotten to sleep, the phone call from the doctor with test results, or sitting down to pay the bills realizing there is not enough money in the bank. All of these are just a few of both the unexpected and mundane events in life that can ruin a day. After posting my article last week on depression, it didn't register that people were adding their own comments until several days later. As I read their notes, many full of grief and pain. I realized I had hit a nerve. Tears streamed down my face knowing that pain bonds us in unfathomable ways. However, pain shared makes it bearable. I know how much I was helped when I let the light shine on the secret of depression in our household. Take the Master up on His word and give Him those impossible worries and burdensome fears. Run free. He will take care of you.