Sunday, July 25, 2010

Day One

This is the day the Lord has made.
      We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24 (NLT)

If I hear the phrase "from day one" one more time, I think I'm going to have to do serious damage to the TV.  Whether it is a politician, a banker, a commentator, or an oil executive, all anyone is trying to do is cover their tracks, make excuses, or defend themselves.

Today's verse is often quoted in church on Sunday morning. It has always been a happy verse for me as it directs my worship to the One who made me. But the Psalmist was NOT having a good day when he penned those words. He had suffered anguish, been in a war, his nation had been overrun, his land invaded, and his life at risk. Completely helpless, he turned to the One who could make a difference and received His blessing. God turned around a hopeless situation, delivered him, and brought victory. Yes, this is the day the Lord has made.

Day one began for me when I accepted Christ as my Savior and life changed forever. There was no defense for my sin, all the excuses were gone, and He, in forgiveness and love, washed me white as snow. As a result, no matter what the day brings, I look to Jesus for direction, protection, encouragement, joy, and peace. I may be in tears but through it all, He is with me and makes my day complete.


Friday, July 23, 2010

Social Networking

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (NLT)

I've always considered myself fairly technologically savvy for someone of my generation. (I found my husband on the Internet so that must say something.) And trying to be up-to-date with the younger set, I have both Twitter and Facebook accounts. Social networking is certainly the current wave but I'm not all that sure that it is the best way to communicate. When was the last time you wrote a real letter to a friend? Does it even matter? But, you can't beat the ease and convenience of checking your account for the latest updates.

One thing I particularly like is reconnecting with people from my earlier days. It is so interesting to me to see how our lives have changed over the years. Nothing stays the same. Marriage, divorce, children, grandchildren, moves across the country, jobs, faith.

I'm going to my 45th High School Reunion this summer because I found friends and started the difficult process of catching up on Facebook. I absolutely wasn't going after going to my 20th, figuring that was enough. But I'm looking forward to it.

This week I found some friends who are sisters and were kids when I was a newlywed. Now one of them has grandchildren. (I think she was 12 when she married.) The other is a speaker and writer.

With the uncertainties of our present day, worry and fear can dominate our thinking. Financial collapse, congressional distrust, social unrest—all contribute to the climate of uneasy change in our world. But, we like security. We want things to stay the same.

Most of us don't have one smidgen of control over world events, let alone the events in our own household. Our anchor must be in the One who never changes, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Remember to turn to Him in moments of doubt and fear. He is always the same.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

In-Between

So they left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone. Mark 6:32

How do you handle those "in-between" times in your life? I'm currently in one and I'm not sure I like it. As someone who likes to be busy and accomplishing things, I've noticed that schedules tend to revolve around the school-year calendar. I remember when the kids were in school, once school ended, the lazy days of summer hit and life slowed down…or maybe it sped up depending on a vacation plan.

Now as a retiree, I've noticed that the calendar still controls my activity.There is an ebb and flow in daily activities as the seasons change. When the snowbirds head out in Spring, everything slows down; classes end, the heat hits, and people stay indoors. It feels like I'm waiting for everyone to get back in the Fall so that we can get going again.

This morning I asked my granddaughter, Kate, what she's doing these days. "Nothing, just hanging out." Of course, she has already been to camp and VBS but right now she's in-between time before she visits us next month.

So is down time good? Isaac Watts once said,
“In works of labour, or of skill,
I would be busy too;
For Satan finds some mischief still
For idle hands to do.”

Idle time can get us in serious trouble, so what did Biblical characters do with their "in-between" times?

After ministering day and night to thousands of people, Jesus needed some time apart — He was exhausted. In Mark 6:31, Jesus says to his apostles, “'Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.' He said this because there were so many people coming and going that Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat." How many times have you ended the school year, just hanging on by a thread because it has been so crazy-busy? Take Jesus' example and find a quiet place to rest...time to replenish all the emotional resources that have been used up and recover from the exhaustion. We need a vacation! Ahhh, summer. Even the change of pace will make a huge difference.

But there are moments when we are taken by surprise by those down times. A good example is the prophet Elijah. God gave him a miraculous victory over the wicked King Ahab. Yet, after it was all over, the prophet crashed and burned, ready to die. Isn't it just like the enemy to take away our joy after a great moment of triumph and keep us looking down instead of up? God knew how discouraged he was and took him away from the battle so he could sleep and eat. Elijah had given all he had and his body, soul, and spirit needed time to heal. God would send him out to work once he was back on his feet. Don't fight and argue when God takes you out of the battle so you can rest. He knows your limits. Trust Him and come away for a bit.

My challenge is to keep doing what I know is right. Taking a vacation from prayer and Bible study is the last thing I should do…talk about Satan getting in and making mischief! Rather, take advantage of the freedom from schedules to visit with friends, read a good book, take in an exhibit — all just for fun. No agenda. Find a day and spend it with Jesus. Let Him fill up your soul.

Yes, that busy season is right around the corner but in-between time, I've replenished my spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical reserves. Ready?

Monday, July 5, 2010

On Our Knees

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)


We "do" the 4th of July. Red, white, and blue decorations dot the various tables and chests in my home. I wear special tee shirts and jewelry that I accumulated over the years I spent in politics. The flag waves in the breeze from its standard in the front of the house. Phrases from the music from the Let Freedom Sing concert keep popping up in my mind in preparation for the performance…"I believe in America, I believe in you and me…".

Traditionally, our pastor uses the Sunday around the 4th to preach a sermon that incorporates our Christian heritage as a nation and the responsibilities we have as Christians in our sphere of influence. As the time for the pastoral prayer approached, he mentioned a program promoted by the Family Research Council appropriately named "Call 2 Fall"—taken from 2 Chronicles 7:14. As he disappeared behind the pulpit, he urged everyone to drop to their knees before the Lord in repentant prayer for God to reshape our lives and renew our land.

There was some irony in the midst of this because the church sign was vandalized this weekend with a poster that said, "Pray less, think more." I'm not sure what the vandal thought would be accomplished but I do know the enemy of the believer is on double duty because his time is short.

As Pastor Mark prayed, I took a quick peek from the choir loft and it was overwhelming to see the entire congregation on their knees—twice (two services). What better endeavor for a church family than to be on their knees in humility before the One who made us? Surely, God hears us.

I don't know what is in the future for our nation but I do know the One in control. Take a few moments to get on your knees today to plead for our country.

Freedom is never free.








Thursday, July 1, 2010

Detour

He surrounds them continuously and preserves them from every harm. Deuteronomy 33:12 (NLT)
The day started out as any normal day...maybe a little different because company was coming for dinner. I was up early doing some cooking, cleaning off the patio chairs, sweeping the front mat. It was hot out and I wanted to get all my chores done before I wilted. I stepped into the shower around 10:30 AM and suddenly Mark appeared and asked me to call 911. Overcome with symptoms of a heart attack, he sat down and waited. He knows what this feels like because he's already had two.

Dripping wet, I called the operator and set in motion events that unfortunately felt familiar. Soon he was bundled off in an ambulance, covered with wires and beeping noises. I sent him off with a quick kiss and hurriedly finished dressing and followed him. As I was leaving the house, I posted a quick email to a few friends alerting them to the crisis and asking for prayer.

As I was driving to the hospital, I realized that I could hardly pray…that I was on auto-pilot and numb. I asked the Holy Spirit to pray for me since the words seemed stuck in my throat but I knew that Jesus was right there with me. The Great Physician was in control.

As I walked through the Emergency Room, it was calm and orderly not like the controlled panic of the TV show, ER. We waited patiently for six hours in his assigned cubicle for the results of the many tests to determine what was going on. Because of his history, the doctor was cautious.

Good friends sat with us, my cell phone beeped with messages of encouragement from our kids, and prayers poured out to our Father on Mark's behalf from all over the country. By the end of the day, he was feeling better, the tests were negative, and the doctor released him. Home never looked so good.

We're not sure what yesterday was all about but Mark has been spared. We praise God for His mercy and goodness. We're so grateful for family and friends that love us and carry us on their shoulders during such times. We live to tell His story and glorify Him.