Memory Lane

Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving and sing joyfully about his glorious acts. Psalm 107:21-22 (NLT)

It has been a crazy, busy week. I decided to have a Thanksgiving Supper for several of our friends and neighbors this weekend because I'm not hosting dinner on Thanksgiving Day. These folks carried the flashlight for us during a long and, at times, difficult journey this year. I asked each guest to come prepared to share a Thanksgiving memory. As I think about my past holidays, snapshots pop into my mind: a little girl waiting for dinner to be served at my grandparent's house with aunts, uncles, and cousins seated at various tables. I also see my kitchen, pots bubbling, the special smell of cooked turkey permeating the entire house, the table set with china, crystal and candles, and friends and family standing around and chatting in anticipation of the dinner. Then there was the phone call a couple of years ago from my mother who lived several hundred miles away. She didn't feel well and after checking on her several times during the day, I encouraged her to go to the hospital. The story ends with the diagnosis of a blood clot on her brain because of a fall on Thanksgiving morning while getting out of bed. Although she survived the surgery, she never left the hospital and slipped into the arms of Jesus a couple of weeks later. My life's photo album is probably not much different from yours. Some events are prints blown up to an 8 by 10 while others are stuck in the back of the album. Yet the Psalmist did not hesitate to give thanks and praise for the wonderful things the Lord had done for him. David's life story is filled with intrigue, heartache, and discouragement, yet God calls him a man after His own heart. I encourage you to read David's story beginning in 1 Samuel 16 and learn of his walk with God. At this special time of year, take some time and reminisce a little. Make a list of all the wonderful things God has done for you and give Him a big THANK YOU. Have a memory to share?

Mission Accomplished

You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail. Proverbs 19:21 (NLT)

Our weekend plans changed when I opened the email and found we had a free ticket with Southwest. We had received an SOS from Mark's daughter, Sarah, who recently moved to Florida to work on her doctorate. She needed both "Dad-help" and a little design consultation in setting up her new apartment. We expected to unpack boxes, hang pictures, and find ways to store more stuff than room but instead we listened, encouraged, and waited. Having lived all her life in Tennessee, the enormity of the move and sudden change overwhelmed her. Lonely, unfamiliar with the area, and unsettled, Sarah began to have second thoughts about the whole adventure. Was this decision the right one for her? Confusion and fear replaced the peace she had felt in the beginning. Sarah is not my daughter, so all I could do was pray…and search the Internet for a good local church. Two looked promising but I decided to choose the one closer to her apartment. Clearly, God's purpose prevailed and was evident from the moment we entered the building on Sunday. It was friendly, great music, the sermon right on, and even a future seminar that met some of her immediate needs. As we sat there, I thanked God for His grace in this time of need. Sarah is still questioning but we left knowing that God has her in the palm of His hand and won't let go. I reflected on the weekend during the many hours on the trip home. One of the principles I recently learned from Priscilla Shirer in Discerning the Voice of God is "never make concrete plans without leaving room for God to do something different." I realized that I, too, had to let go of my plans for the weekend of having everything neatly in place. I am a "mission accomplished" kind of gal but, it occurred to me that my true mission was to leave my agenda at home so that God could do something different in all of our lives. Taking time to listen was much more important than unpacking boxes. Ready for a change of plans?

The Master Planner

He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. Daniel 2:21 (NIV)

No more TV ads for candidates. No more phone calls encouraging me to vote. No more flooded mailboxes with campaign flyers. No more unending conjectures by pundits. The nation voted and chose a new leader. Really? Although, 52% of the electorate voted for Barack Obama for president, God already knew the outcome and this new president is just one of the players in His great design. If you have occasion to look at the backside of a finished piece of needlework before it is framed or fabricated, notice the loose ends, myriad of knots, and threads looped haphazardly from one spot to another. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to the color selection and no discernible pattern. But, a flick of the wrist reveals a beautiful work of art with all of the nuances of color, intricate design, and expertise of the craftsman. Right now, all I can see are the knots and untied threads of this election. Yes, I am disappointed in the outcome but not dismayed because God knows the end from the beginning. Once again, I am reminded to look to Him for direction—not the government. I get stuck in the now but for God, every moment is now. He will never disappoint me. His picture is glorious.

Listen

Call to Me, and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know. Jeremiah 33:3

In our current study of Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer, the point comes through loud and clear that we can expect God to speak to us. The Bible records many stories of God speaking to various leaders, prophets, kings, and even a boy, Samuel. However, the thought that He speaks to me is hard to get my head around. The more I read of His promises to speak to me, lead me, and show me what He has in mind, the more encouraged I am to view each day with excitement and anticipation. Reading God's Word takes on a new dimension when a verse pops out and I know it is just for me. During the sermon today, the pastor read a particular verse and tears suddenly sprang to my eyes. If I had been reading it, the words would have appeared in big bold type but even in hearing it, it seared my heart with sudden clarity. He answered the prayer of my heart and I knew it was truth. So, my dear ones, take heart. Be expectant. Listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit as He speaks to your heart and soul. You are not alone. He will fight the battle for you. Listen! He speaks…today…to His children.

A Story of Obedience

Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. Matthew 14:27-29 (NLT)

During our church retreat last week, we considered the message of the book by John Ortberg, If You Want to Walk On Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat. There are many water-walkers mentioned in the Bible; Abraham, Moses, and Joshua to name a few. But this book focuses on the Apostle Peter and his invitation from Jesus to meet him as He walked on a raging sea in the middle of a storm. Two things caught my attention in Peter's response, "If it is you, command me to come to you on the water." First, he wanted to make very sure that Jesus was the one issuing the invitation not a figment of his imagination. Second, he asked for direct leading or a command. This was not some foolish impulse on Peter's part or a story of risk-taking. It is a story of obedience. Peter got out of the boat and experienced the exhilaration of water-walking with his eyes focused on the Master's face. But what about the others in the boat? They didn't line up behind Peter but I think I know how they felt. There have been times in my life when I hid in the depths of the boat as my circumstances whirled out of control…afraid, cowering, and unwilling to move. I am sure all of them heard Jesus but only Peter chose to obey. One thing I have learned over the years is that I don't want to stay in the boat—I want to be a water-walker even when the sea is raging and pouring over the edge of the boat. I want the to see the face of my Lord and hear Him say, "Come, let's go for a walk." It may not be smooth but I look forward to a wild ride hanging on to His hand.

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena…who, at best, knows in the end the triumph of great achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly. So that his place will never be with those cold timid souls who know neither victory or defeat. Theodore Roosevelt

Higher Ground

Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,

   and there are no grapes on the vines;

even though the olive crop fails,

   and the fields lie empty and barren;

even though the flocks die in the fields,

   and the cattle barns are empty,

yet I will rejoice in the Lord!

I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!

   The Sovereign Lord is my strength!

He makes me as surefooted as a deer,

   able to tread upon the heights.

Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NLT)

The prophet paints a very gloomy picture—sounds like he has been listening to my TV. The market is lower than it has been in years. A pivotal election is right around the corner. Some are still cleaning out and restoring their homes after a hit by a hurricane. It seems like nothing is easy. Why is life so difficult right now? The pummeling of bad news begins to wear and I wonder what is going to happen next. As much as I like to listen to talk radio and TV, today I want it off. However, God did not leave us in this pothole. Did you notice the second half of the passage? Even when the world collapses around me, God is there and gives me joy. He is the one that supports me and allows me to stand—even on shaky and unstable ground. He even equips me so that I can race surefooted between the boulders and rocks on the path as I head to the top of the mountain. I have a better perspective from higher ground where I can focus on the whole landscape rather than just my own small patch. Sometimes, God allows us to see what His plans are, other times, He asks us to trust Him. Today, the insecurity of our world demands that we turn to the One who made us and who knows our days from the beginning to the end for our security and comfort. He is bigger than all that threatens us. Go for the higher ground and take heart.

A New Menu

But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Daniel 1:8 (NLT)

I am looking forward to a new small group study of the book of Daniel this fall. As a little background, the key players are the King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, Daniel and his three friends, and the chief official of the court. After the destruction of Jerusalem, the King chose some of the young men of that region, including Daniel, to join in him in service in the king's court. I noticed two things in the first chapter; one, it is OK to speak up if you have a difference of opinion or someone challenges your values. It was natural for them to eat food that had come from the King's table. Yet, Daniel asked permission to skip the food and wine offered to him because it had been part of the worship of foreign gods. Given such a choice, some of us might resort to ranting and demanding our rights—creating an even bigger problem. However, Daniel's greater allegiance to the one true God, Jehovah, gave him the desire and courage to stand firm, ready to suffer the consequences for his beliefs. This brings me to my second observation—provide a viable alternative when confronted with a conflict. Daniel suggested another plan—a diet of only fruits, vegetables, and water and further suggested a ten-day trial followed by an evaluation. In the end, Daniel and his friends passed the test. God protected these young men and gave them knowledge and understanding so that they became valued members of his cabinet. Sometimes it seems like we have no alternatives. The boss participates in shady business practices in the accounting department. The writer cheats and steals someone else's thoughts and passes them off as his own. The teacher favors certain students and requires reports on questionable topics in order to pass a class. Unfair? Yes, but there are options. Think of Daniel—speak up and offer an alternative—the next time you run up against such a situation. What better way to glorify God?

Debate

But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned. James 5:12 (NLT)

Tonight Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama will face off in the first debate. The tension of the last few days continues to grind away at the endurance of the American people but it has insured that the electorate is now fully engaged in the process. The apostle, James, counseled the early believers about a variety of principles for living in a common society. Yet, he concluded that the key concepts of honesty and straightforwardness are imperative to right living and future success. The candidates will have an opportunity to express their ideas, opinions, and philosophy of governing to the posed questions. I pray that we will see and hear clear distinctions between these two men. The future of our nation and the legacy we leave for our children and grandchildren is at stake. Be assured that no problem, no election, no financial crisis, or no war is a surprise to our Heavenly Father. I am so relieved and thankful that God is sovereign and in control.

Pray the Vote

The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases. All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. --Proverbs 21:1-3 (NIV)

I signed up for Pray the Vote daily email and the last sentence in today's verse caught my attention. In a political season, we all think our cause is greater and, depending on our commitment, we may be ready to die on an issue. I read and commented on another blog today about this very idea. However, doing what is proper, moral, and honorable is more significant to God than giving up our personal goals or desires even when they are worthy. God looks at the heart and character of the person unimpressed by what he or she does. Rather, the inner quality of humility that expresses itself with integrity, dignity and strength is what He desires. The sacrifice is then part of God's plan and purpose. I respect the stated purpose by The Presidential Prayer Team: Prayer is the most significant way you can impact our country. When you bring the political process before God, things happen—by God’s initiative, and in your mind and heart. It’s a powerful and empowering process. We urge you to try it and see! Sign up and let's all be praying for the next 40 days.

Technical Difficulties

Your road led through the sea,
your pathway through the mighty waters—
a pathway no one knew was there!
Psalm 77:19 (NLT)

For several days, technical difficulties waylaid progress on my website. My computer guru husband has been ready to tear his hair out (it would be tough since it has pretty much headed out on its own.) However, through perseverance, he is slowly working out the kinks and glitches. There is a huge hiccup in the financial market today. Even though rumors multiplied over the weekend, it was still shocking to wake up and find a major institution in such serious trouble. Reports from every media outlet reported the uncertainly and fear of the public. Now, the instability leads to finger pointing or passing the buck which underscores the need to find a solution. The children of Israel must have wondered how they would cross the Red Sea as they fled from Egypt with their attackers in hot pursuit. It seemed hopeless and they complained all the way. Yet, David, the Psalmist, describes an unforeseen solution to their impossible problem—a pathway that no one knew was there. Uncertainty. Fear. Anxiety. Loss. I am sure they experienced the same emotions that we deal with every day. Mark found workarounds to unlock the problems in the computer. We must remember that our security does not come from our bank account or IRA but from the One who knows the hidden path out of the entanglements of our lives. There is no escape from the difficulties of life but with God, there is always a way out.