Time zoomed by these last few weeks. I last posted on December 7. Somewhere I lost two weeks in the midst of Chrismas shopping, parties, and special times with grandkids. But it's been a joyful time!
Instead of doing part two of The Irony of Work, I'm compelled to focus on the magnificent hope we have because of Christmas. I left yesterday's church service with my head in the clouds - the clouds of heaven.
Christmas season hits some people like a hammer blow, leaving them bruised and battered. Illness, loss of a job, family disputes, or the death of a loved one can rob us of our Christmas hope.
Today let's walk above our circumstances. Read this slowly and let the hope sink into your heart.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away,, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.2 Cor 4:16-18
Our troubles may seem neither light nor momentary unless viewed in the context of eternity. Jesus coming to earth as a baby, dying on a cross for our sins and then rising again confirms the reality that our troubles are light and momentary.
The pain we feel, the suffering we experience now will someday be gone. This is our Christmas hope:
And I heard a loud voice saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live wth them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Rev 21:3-4
When painful circumstances threaten to overwhelm us, let's turn our thoughts to the eternal glory God has in store for us and the joy we'll experience when God wipes away all our tears.
Father, we praise you that Jesus came as a baby to die for our sins so that we could be forever reconciled to you. Help us focus on our eternal future with you as we celebrate his birth this week.
I pray for all of those who are living through painful times this week. Please comfort them and give them your peace.
In Jesus' precious name,
Amen
Monday, December 21, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
The Irony of Work
Often work is seen as a necessary drudgery, something to endure until the weekend. However, God created work and calls it good. In Genesis 1:28 God told Adam and Eve, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." Genesis 1:31 says that God saw all that he made and it was good.
God has meaningful work for us too. We often fail to realize the remarkable privilege of working hand-in-hand with the Creator of the Universe. Paul tells the Corinthians to "always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." (1 Cor 15:58b) Paul also tells them in 1 Corinthians 3:9 that they are God's fellow workers.
Many people in America live for weekends, vacations, and free time. Compounding this is the emphasis on self in our country: self-esteem, self-fulfillment, and self-image. This leads to self-absorption which is a miserable way to live.
The fulfillment, esteem, and feeling good about yourself is found not in weekends or vacations, but in work, the very thing God commanded us to do from the beginning. Our attitude determines whether our work fulfills us. Ephesians 6:7 says to serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men. When we view work as service to the Lord, we elevate even menial tasks to important work.
We have a neighbor named Fred, a spry 94 year old wonder. He's in charge of an exercise classes three days a week where he sets up chairs and starts the DVD. He also works at his church by picking up trash on the grounds. Fred always has a smile on his face and a kind word for everyone. He looks and acts like 74 instead of 94. His servant spirit encourages everyone around him, including me.
Our pastor is preaching through Matthew. The last couple of Sundays he talked about being a servant as the way to greatness. Jesus, of course, is the ultimate servant and our example to follow. Jesus knows the joy of serving, and He wants that same joy for us.
What keeps coming up in conjunction with the word "work" is the word "serve." Could it be this is the key to enjoying our work, no matter what it is? Being a servant also takes care of the self-absorption that consumes so many people in our society.
What keeps us from living in a constant state of servanthood? Join me next time as we explore answers to this question.
God has meaningful work for us too. We often fail to realize the remarkable privilege of working hand-in-hand with the Creator of the Universe. Paul tells the Corinthians to "always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." (1 Cor 15:58b) Paul also tells them in 1 Corinthians 3:9 that they are God's fellow workers.
Many people in America live for weekends, vacations, and free time. Compounding this is the emphasis on self in our country: self-esteem, self-fulfillment, and self-image. This leads to self-absorption which is a miserable way to live.
The fulfillment, esteem, and feeling good about yourself is found not in weekends or vacations, but in work, the very thing God commanded us to do from the beginning. Our attitude determines whether our work fulfills us. Ephesians 6:7 says to serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men. When we view work as service to the Lord, we elevate even menial tasks to important work.
We have a neighbor named Fred, a spry 94 year old wonder. He's in charge of an exercise classes three days a week where he sets up chairs and starts the DVD. He also works at his church by picking up trash on the grounds. Fred always has a smile on his face and a kind word for everyone. He looks and acts like 74 instead of 94. His servant spirit encourages everyone around him, including me.
Our pastor is preaching through Matthew. The last couple of Sundays he talked about being a servant as the way to greatness. Jesus, of course, is the ultimate servant and our example to follow. Jesus knows the joy of serving, and He wants that same joy for us.
What keeps coming up in conjunction with the word "work" is the word "serve." Could it be this is the key to enjoying our work, no matter what it is? Being a servant also takes care of the self-absorption that consumes so many people in our society.
What keeps us from living in a constant state of servanthood? Join me next time as we explore answers to this question.
Monday, November 30, 2009
The Poor Among Us
The day dawned sunny and clear, with cool air nipping our cheeks as my husband and I piled stuff in the car for our trip from the Dallas area to Austin. Our son and daughter-in-law and three grandkids also drove from the Dallas area and met us at my brother and sister-in-law's house for a Thanksgiving family dinner.
The usual turkey and dressing, as well as ham, multiple side dishes, and numerous desserts crowded the counter as we filled our plates. So much food! You probably experienced the same thing. Gratefully I overate. Thanksgiving is the one time of the few times I indulge in food that would lay me low me if I ate it all the time. But, boy, did it taste good!
The day after we got home, I sat down to pay bills. An appeal from the North Texas Food Bank caught my attention. I thought about the rich foods spread before me at Thanksgiving, and then I thought about those who are grateful just to have something to eat.
Selfishness tried to rear its ugly head as I wrote a check. We live on a limited income, but still have far more than the majority of people in this world. I'm embarrassed to admit that after stuffing myself with the choicest of foods, I hesitated when it came to helping the poor. What's even more embarrassing is that God brought me out of poverty. I never went hungry, but we didn't have nice clothes, a nice house, or even a phone or car as I grew up. Normally I have a generous heart, but this incident showed me once again that we're never free of the temptation to focus only on our needs.
First John 3:17 says,
If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
John the Baptist told the crowds in Luke 3:11:
The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.
As we go deeper into the Christmas season, I pray we will actively look for opportunities to help the least among us. Let's remember how God generously supplies our needs so we can help others.
The usual turkey and dressing, as well as ham, multiple side dishes, and numerous desserts crowded the counter as we filled our plates. So much food! You probably experienced the same thing. Gratefully I overate. Thanksgiving is the one time of the few times I indulge in food that would lay me low me if I ate it all the time. But, boy, did it taste good!
The day after we got home, I sat down to pay bills. An appeal from the North Texas Food Bank caught my attention. I thought about the rich foods spread before me at Thanksgiving, and then I thought about those who are grateful just to have something to eat.
Selfishness tried to rear its ugly head as I wrote a check. We live on a limited income, but still have far more than the majority of people in this world. I'm embarrassed to admit that after stuffing myself with the choicest of foods, I hesitated when it came to helping the poor. What's even more embarrassing is that God brought me out of poverty. I never went hungry, but we didn't have nice clothes, a nice house, or even a phone or car as I grew up. Normally I have a generous heart, but this incident showed me once again that we're never free of the temptation to focus only on our needs.
First John 3:17 says,
If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
John the Baptist told the crowds in Luke 3:11:
The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same.
As we go deeper into the Christmas season, I pray we will actively look for opportunities to help the least among us. Let's remember how God generously supplies our needs so we can help others.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Pain, Pain, Go Away!
Yesterday I experienced a horrible pain day which included a foggy brain. Most of the time the fibromyalgia I've lived with for 25+ years is manageable through nutrition, exercise, and stretching. However, once in a great while it lays me low, and I go through the day thanking God that "this too shall pass" and not getting much done.
I thought I had accepted pain as a way of life until a day like yesterday hits me like a sack of cement and knocks me off my feet. It's not just the physical pain that's difficult, but the emotions that go with it. People who live with chronic pain have to deal with down-in-the-dumps days, and I'm no exception.
BUT. . .we have a Savior who suffered more than we ever will. He experienced excruciating pain as the nails were pounded into His hands and feet on the cross. Then He was separated, for the first time, from His Father in heaven, in order to take on the crushing sins of the world. . .my sin! And He did this voluntarily.
First John 3:16 says,
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
When I go through a bad pain day, I face the temptation of wanting to back off and not fully follow God the rest of my life. The enemy puts thoughts in my head that I have a right to take it easy because of my pain.
I say to that: Hah! God takes me to verses like the one above, and I once again fall on my face in gratitude for what Christ has done for me. He not only gave me eternal life, but abundant life here on earth. There is no greater joy than knowing God loves me and that He gives meaning and purpose to my life through serving.
There will always be a battle between the flesh and the spirit until we're out of these bodies. However, God is greater than Satan. My prayer for us is that we will live out Hebrews 12:2-3:
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Christ laid down His life for the joy set before Him. There is purpose in the pain that God allows in our lives. When we scorn the pain and lay down our lives for others, joy comes!
I thought I had accepted pain as a way of life until a day like yesterday hits me like a sack of cement and knocks me off my feet. It's not just the physical pain that's difficult, but the emotions that go with it. People who live with chronic pain have to deal with down-in-the-dumps days, and I'm no exception.
BUT. . .we have a Savior who suffered more than we ever will. He experienced excruciating pain as the nails were pounded into His hands and feet on the cross. Then He was separated, for the first time, from His Father in heaven, in order to take on the crushing sins of the world. . .my sin! And He did this voluntarily.
First John 3:16 says,
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
When I go through a bad pain day, I face the temptation of wanting to back off and not fully follow God the rest of my life. The enemy puts thoughts in my head that I have a right to take it easy because of my pain.
I say to that: Hah! God takes me to verses like the one above, and I once again fall on my face in gratitude for what Christ has done for me. He not only gave me eternal life, but abundant life here on earth. There is no greater joy than knowing God loves me and that He gives meaning and purpose to my life through serving.
There will always be a battle between the flesh and the spirit until we're out of these bodies. However, God is greater than Satan. My prayer for us is that we will live out Hebrews 12:2-3:
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Christ laid down His life for the joy set before Him. There is purpose in the pain that God allows in our lives. When we scorn the pain and lay down our lives for others, joy comes!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Thinking About Love - Part 2
I love the Bette Midler song, The Rose. The last verse goes like this:
When the night has been too lonely,
and the road has been too long,
and you think that love is only
for the lucky and the strong.
Just remember in the winter, far beneath the bitter snows,
lies the seed that with the sun's love,
in the spring becomes the rose.
I used to think that love was only for the strong, the popular, the beautiful people. But God changed those thoughts when He drew me to Himself through Christ. In the verse above I change the "the sun's love" to "the Son's love." I was like that seed, buried far beneath the cold snows of despair, hopelessness, and defeat. But the Son's love melted the snow and replaced despair with warmth, hope, and love, causing me to blossom.
Last Sunday our pastor talked about how Jesus loved the poor, the weak, the needy when He was on earth. And He still does. I rejoiced as I listened to our pastor and realized that I am no longer ashamed of growing up poor, unpopular, and needy. Think of the people in your world who are poor, weak, and need God's love. Will you let God love them through you?
Here is the second part of Encouragement for the Journey
Nothing can separate you from My love (Romans 8:35-39)
My thought toward you are precious. They outnumber the grains of sand.
(Psalm 139:17-18)
I will reward you for your perseverance (James 1:12)
Your tears and pain will come to an end (Revelation 21:4)
You will dwell in My house forever! (Jon 14:2-3)
PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME!
When the night has been too lonely,
and the road has been too long,
and you think that love is only
for the lucky and the strong.
Just remember in the winter, far beneath the bitter snows,
lies the seed that with the sun's love,
in the spring becomes the rose.
I used to think that love was only for the strong, the popular, the beautiful people. But God changed those thoughts when He drew me to Himself through Christ. In the verse above I change the "the sun's love" to "the Son's love." I was like that seed, buried far beneath the cold snows of despair, hopelessness, and defeat. But the Son's love melted the snow and replaced despair with warmth, hope, and love, causing me to blossom.
Last Sunday our pastor talked about how Jesus loved the poor, the weak, the needy when He was on earth. And He still does. I rejoiced as I listened to our pastor and realized that I am no longer ashamed of growing up poor, unpopular, and needy. Think of the people in your world who are poor, weak, and need God's love. Will you let God love them through you?
Here is the second part of Encouragement for the Journey
Nothing can separate you from My love (Romans 8:35-39)
My thought toward you are precious. They outnumber the grains of sand.
(Psalm 139:17-18)
I will reward you for your perseverance (James 1:12)
Your tears and pain will come to an end (Revelation 21:4)
You will dwell in My house forever! (Jon 14:2-3)
PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Thinking about Love
If I speak in the tongues of mean and of angels,
but have not love,
I am only a resounding gong or a clanging symbol.
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge,
and if I have a faith that can move mountains,
but have not love,
I am nothing.
If I give all I possess to the poor
and surrender my body to the flames,
but have not love,
I gain nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
Henri Nouwen wrote that we have nothing to offer others if we don’t know that we are loved by God. It’s often assumed that Christians know they are loved by God. However, it is not unusual to meet Christians who struggle with not only God’s love for them, but also His goodness, faithfulness, and grace.
We must have a heart knowledge, not just a head knowledge, of God's love for us before we can pass that love on to others. God is love! We have no other source from which we can have our hearts filled with love. Think of living on a farm with one well as the only source of water. If you don’t draw water from that well and drink it, you will die. And if you don’t water your garden from that well, your crops will die. Likewise, if we don’t get our love from God’s unending well of love, we will shrivel up and wither spiritually. That means that people around us will wither too.
Because of the way my parents were raised, they didn’t know how to express love except through taking care of our physical needs. I don’t remember my parents hugging me or telling me they loved me. Until I met Christ at age 32, I thought I was unlovable. As a new Christian, I went through a crisis that forced me to dig into Scripture. I clung to verses like Romans 8:38-39, that familiar passage that tells us nothing can ever separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. I began to believe that God truly loved me. It changed my life!
Someone gave me a plaque several years ago that has sentences all over it about what our heavenly Father says about us. I added verses to each one. Below are half of them. I’ll print the other half in the next blog. Please read these slowly and think about the great depth of God’s love for you. He sent His Son to die for us. . .what greater love is there?
Encouragement for the Journey
I love you with an everlasting love (Psalm 36:5; 103:17)
I am your provider (Hebrews 1:3)
Trust Me, I will not fail you in any way (Psalm 91:4)
Your times are in My hands (Psalm 139:16)
I hold you with My hand (Psalm 37:24:63:8
You are my child (John 1:12; 1 John 3:1)
I am for you. Who can be against you? (Romans 8:31)
but have not love,
I am only a resounding gong or a clanging symbol.
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge,
and if I have a faith that can move mountains,
but have not love,
I am nothing.
If I give all I possess to the poor
and surrender my body to the flames,
but have not love,
I gain nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
Henri Nouwen wrote that we have nothing to offer others if we don’t know that we are loved by God. It’s often assumed that Christians know they are loved by God. However, it is not unusual to meet Christians who struggle with not only God’s love for them, but also His goodness, faithfulness, and grace.
We must have a heart knowledge, not just a head knowledge, of God's love for us before we can pass that love on to others. God is love! We have no other source from which we can have our hearts filled with love. Think of living on a farm with one well as the only source of water. If you don’t draw water from that well and drink it, you will die. And if you don’t water your garden from that well, your crops will die. Likewise, if we don’t get our love from God’s unending well of love, we will shrivel up and wither spiritually. That means that people around us will wither too.
Because of the way my parents were raised, they didn’t know how to express love except through taking care of our physical needs. I don’t remember my parents hugging me or telling me they loved me. Until I met Christ at age 32, I thought I was unlovable. As a new Christian, I went through a crisis that forced me to dig into Scripture. I clung to verses like Romans 8:38-39, that familiar passage that tells us nothing can ever separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. I began to believe that God truly loved me. It changed my life!
Someone gave me a plaque several years ago that has sentences all over it about what our heavenly Father says about us. I added verses to each one. Below are half of them. I’ll print the other half in the next blog. Please read these slowly and think about the great depth of God’s love for you. He sent His Son to die for us. . .what greater love is there?
Encouragement for the Journey
I love you with an everlasting love (Psalm 36:5; 103:17)
I am your provider (Hebrews 1:3)
Trust Me, I will not fail you in any way (Psalm 91:4)
Your times are in My hands (Psalm 139:16)
I hold you with My hand (Psalm 37:24:63:8
You are my child (John 1:12; 1 John 3:1)
I am for you. Who can be against you? (Romans 8:31)
Monday, November 2, 2009
Count it All Joy?
Carrie Cooper, my speaking and writing partner, wrote an insightful post on her blog on October 26. I encourage you to read the entire post at comfortedbygod.blogspot.com. The following is an excerpt from her post titled, "A Benefit of Troubles."
"One of the great blessings of trials is that it reveals our desperate state before a soveriegn God. Without his direct intervention and salvation, we all would perish. It is only because of his mercy do we have eternal hope. Our broken state serves to remind us of our human weakness and his glorious strength. . .Life's hardships point us to the peace of God and the eternal life he offers us. If life were perfect here, why would we hope for eternity?"
Psalm 119:67, 71, and 75 all affirm the benefit of affliction. The psalmist states in verse 67, "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word." And again in verse 71 he says, "It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.
Living life from an eternal perspective, as Carrie wrote about, takes grit, courage, and a willingness for God to teach us through trials. For many years of my Christian life I fought against God when afflictions came into my life. I chose self-pity and blamed others for what I was going through.
God, in his mercy and grace, allowed a multitude of difficulties to assault me in order to break my prideful, self-centered will. Now, when I choose to live with an eternal perspective, I can do what James said and count it pure joy when I face trials of many kinds.
However, when I fail to spend time with Jesus, I find myself giving in to the cares of this world. Life lived with an earthly perspective loses its joy.
Could I pray for us?
Father, forgive me when I lose my eternal perspective and let the cares of this world snuff out my joy in You. Teach us to truly live above our circumstances and fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Help us view trials as Your way of creating Christ's character in us. Someday You will wipe away every tear, and we will rejoice that every trial on earth was so worth what You did through it. Thank You for loving us. We love You, Lord! In Jesus' precious name, Amen.
"One of the great blessings of trials is that it reveals our desperate state before a soveriegn God. Without his direct intervention and salvation, we all would perish. It is only because of his mercy do we have eternal hope. Our broken state serves to remind us of our human weakness and his glorious strength. . .Life's hardships point us to the peace of God and the eternal life he offers us. If life were perfect here, why would we hope for eternity?"
Psalm 119:67, 71, and 75 all affirm the benefit of affliction. The psalmist states in verse 67, "Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word." And again in verse 71 he says, "It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.
Living life from an eternal perspective, as Carrie wrote about, takes grit, courage, and a willingness for God to teach us through trials. For many years of my Christian life I fought against God when afflictions came into my life. I chose self-pity and blamed others for what I was going through.
God, in his mercy and grace, allowed a multitude of difficulties to assault me in order to break my prideful, self-centered will. Now, when I choose to live with an eternal perspective, I can do what James said and count it pure joy when I face trials of many kinds.
However, when I fail to spend time with Jesus, I find myself giving in to the cares of this world. Life lived with an earthly perspective loses its joy.
Could I pray for us?
Father, forgive me when I lose my eternal perspective and let the cares of this world snuff out my joy in You. Teach us to truly live above our circumstances and fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Help us view trials as Your way of creating Christ's character in us. Someday You will wipe away every tear, and we will rejoice that every trial on earth was so worth what You did through it. Thank You for loving us. We love You, Lord! In Jesus' precious name, Amen.
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