In earlier days, I told my kids that whatever they chose to feed would grow. If they fed their minds on good ideas and good words, good would grow. If they fed their ears and eyes on music, movies, books, or conversation that was negative, immoral, and ugly, their lives would begin to grow in that direction. Young people tend to roll their eyes and groan when hearing such things; they think that they know better and that parents are from a different century or planet.
While I know the principle of “what you feed, you grow,” I find that I forget or ignore the principle and slip back into habits of worry, anxiety, fear, and even resentment. When there are forces at work in my life that run counter to my desires, I sometimes respond badly. Do you know what makes a habit? It’s responding in a particular way over and over until that response becomes a routine or a pattern. Routines or patterns are not well-thought-out, just responses.
An example of such a routine is that I always put my garage door down when I back my car out of the garage. It is a pattern or a habit. When I back out, I reach up and tap the opener (or closer in this case). I always do that. Even when I intend to leave the door up, I find myself going doing the same thing. And yet, occasionally when I have been a few blocks away, I question whether I did close the garage door. More than a few times, I have driven around the block to check on the dumb door. The problem is that I do that motion so routinely that I don’t remember doing it.
Another example we might understand is turning the same direction every time we come to a particular corner. Occasionally, I plan to go somewhere north, but still turn south if that is my habit. That is, I believe, what happens when someone kicks my bucket. I respond in the old pattern of irritation, frustration, or annoyance. What spills out is not always pretty as I respond without thinking.
Proper responses must come with aligning my thoughts with God’s word. I’m guessing that what the bible means by “renewing the mind.” As an annoyance came up over the weekend, I knew that “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” So, was it easy to just quote those words and be sweet? It was not!
Still, seeking to overcome these habits, patterns, and routines provides me with a goal to work toward—to practice feeding godly habits. An even more pressing goal is to overcome the feeling of wanting delicious revenge. I can play lip service to the proper words, but I need to feed my heart and soul in order to grow the right attitudes. That’s my goal line, but I am still many yards down field from the goalposts.
It helps to have others cheering.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Big Bud
Today was a big day for part of my family. My husband, grandson, son, and his father-in-law got up early, packed the pickup truck(it was a “pickup” kind of event), hooked up the trailer, grabbed their umbrellas, and took off for a farm machinery show about 2½ hours north (several other friends went separately).
A few weeks ago, in the Rock Group Sunday School Class, we were introduced to “Big Bud”. We learned that this is the largest tractor in the world, that it is used regularly on the prairies of America (Montana specifically), and that it was coming to a show near us.
Big Bud became a regular point of discussion as it became evident that several of our farmers and near-farmers were planning to attend this amazing exhibit. One Sunday, two model tractors resembling Big Bud were brought to class to show us what this astounding machine looked like. My 3-year-old grandson walked into the room and when he saw the models, his face lit up with a smile from ear to ear. Like many little boys his age, he loves model tractors, bulldozers, track hoes, and trucks. We had to distract him with a doughnut to put the “non-toy” models away as these are only to be admired. It became evident that the little guy would love to see the big one.
As the anticipation grew, plans were made for the trip. Some were taking golf carts because the former air force base, the site of the exhibit, was so large that walking that distance would be difficult. The other grandpa has a golf cart and the decision to take it along was an easy one—especially with the 3-year-old too young to walk that far and too heavy to carry. The weather forecast was calling for rain, so the top on the cart could come in handy. Some of the younger ones in the class planned to walk the whole event, but others were wary. I am eager to hear from both the riders and the walkers about it.
Tractors are not a big interest of mine, and I had no desire to be a part of the trip. I am, however, thrilled that the four got to go together. There really is not much that three generations have in common, and for my little guy to have his dad and both grandpas take him on such an outing that interested all of them, is fabulous.
To borrow a line from Joseph in Genesis, “You shall live…and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren” or Moses’ words in Deuteronomy, “Do not forget the things which your eyes have seen so they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons.”
May the day they all saw Big Bud be a wonderful life-long memory for all of them!
A few weeks ago, in the Rock Group Sunday School Class, we were introduced to “Big Bud”. We learned that this is the largest tractor in the world, that it is used regularly on the prairies of America (Montana specifically), and that it was coming to a show near us.
Big Bud became a regular point of discussion as it became evident that several of our farmers and near-farmers were planning to attend this amazing exhibit. One Sunday, two model tractors resembling Big Bud were brought to class to show us what this astounding machine looked like. My 3-year-old grandson walked into the room and when he saw the models, his face lit up with a smile from ear to ear. Like many little boys his age, he loves model tractors, bulldozers, track hoes, and trucks. We had to distract him with a doughnut to put the “non-toy” models away as these are only to be admired. It became evident that the little guy would love to see the big one.
As the anticipation grew, plans were made for the trip. Some were taking golf carts because the former air force base, the site of the exhibit, was so large that walking that distance would be difficult. The other grandpa has a golf cart and the decision to take it along was an easy one—especially with the 3-year-old too young to walk that far and too heavy to carry. The weather forecast was calling for rain, so the top on the cart could come in handy. Some of the younger ones in the class planned to walk the whole event, but others were wary. I am eager to hear from both the riders and the walkers about it.
Tractors are not a big interest of mine, and I had no desire to be a part of the trip. I am, however, thrilled that the four got to go together. There really is not much that three generations have in common, and for my little guy to have his dad and both grandpas take him on such an outing that interested all of them, is fabulous.
To borrow a line from Joseph in Genesis, “You shall live…and be near me—you, your children and grandchildren” or Moses’ words in Deuteronomy, “Do not forget the things which your eyes have seen so they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons.”
May the day they all saw Big Bud be a wonderful life-long memory for all of them!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Proverbs 2:6
I have a conundrum. I decided long ago that I was going to make decisions and live my life based on the Bible. If you know me, you know I often miss the mark. While the scripture says “Love your neighbor as yourself,” I am still looking out for me. When it says, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought,” I still think I know more. But, let’s not list all my shortcomings.
If good intentions were enough, I would be okay. I want to do right, but I’m like Paul who said in Romans, “For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do, etc.” Maybe that is the battle Christians face.
But that is not my conundrum. It is about a ministry I have been “chosen” for in our church. On the one hand, “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things…”
That describes my abilities in this area—foolish, weak, lowly, despised (well, despised may be a bit harsh). So when I read that, I think “Okay, that’s me; so I should give this a try and see what God does. I should offer my piddly loaves and fishes and let God multiply them.”
However, on the other hand, when God wanted a job done in constructing the tabernacle (and I do love studying the tabernacle), he chose a particular type of people. “So Bezalel, Oholiab, and every skilled person to whom the LORD has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work." Did you see that word “skill” used twice in that sentence?
Let’s face it; I’m no Bezalel or Oholiab. If we were building a tabernacle, I would have some training—training as a go-fer. I go fer this and go fer that when my husband needs something. I also am a pretty mean flashlight holder as that has been my job for many years. That is harder than you think—to hold the light at the exact angle on the exact spot without moving for hours. In other words, really no skills.
So, how do I reconcile these? Well, James says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”
I NEED WISDOM (and skills)
If good intentions were enough, I would be okay. I want to do right, but I’m like Paul who said in Romans, “For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do, etc.” Maybe that is the battle Christians face.
But that is not my conundrum. It is about a ministry I have been “chosen” for in our church. On the one hand, “God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things…”
That describes my abilities in this area—foolish, weak, lowly, despised (well, despised may be a bit harsh). So when I read that, I think “Okay, that’s me; so I should give this a try and see what God does. I should offer my piddly loaves and fishes and let God multiply them.”
However, on the other hand, when God wanted a job done in constructing the tabernacle (and I do love studying the tabernacle), he chose a particular type of people. “So Bezalel, Oholiab, and every skilled person to whom the LORD has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work." Did you see that word “skill” used twice in that sentence?
Let’s face it; I’m no Bezalel or Oholiab. If we were building a tabernacle, I would have some training—training as a go-fer. I go fer this and go fer that when my husband needs something. I also am a pretty mean flashlight holder as that has been my job for many years. That is harder than you think—to hold the light at the exact angle on the exact spot without moving for hours. In other words, really no skills.
So, how do I reconcile these? Well, James says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”
I NEED WISDOM (and skills)
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Nothing New...
The son of a co-worker has just started kindergarten; and so far, it’s not going so easily. Some kids love to go to school. Some don’t. Just one of my four resisted the inevitable. Most kindergarten mornings found her in tears and sobs as I walked her to the classroom door. There in the hallway was another mother and child—a young boy who was also sobbing loudly and refusing to go inside. As he was forcibly placed in the brightly decorated room, the sounds of his displeasure were evident from the hallway. He was right inside the closed door crying loudly. What he did not know was that his mother was right outside the closed door also crying. My daughter wasn’t quite as demonstrative as the little boy, but was more of a quiet sobber who sat with her head down while tears fell silently on her new shirt. Morning after morning, I sent her off with the encouraging words to be of good cheer and prayed that she would.
By the end of a week, we were doing better, but then came Sunday night and the stomach aches along with some tears. She didn’t want to go back to kindergarten the next day, and Monday started the whole thing over again. I remember that being a difficult year for her and for me. For her, it was overcoming daily her apprehension of leaving her home and spending the morning in new surroundings. For me, it was dealing with her pain while having a two-year old toddler at home and giving birth to blessing number four.
The year did manage to go by and many more years of school followed. The tears disappeared, well make that lessened considerably, but the Sunday night stomach aches stayed. The thought of a new school year as well as a coming Monday brought the same physical responses. It was not that she wasn’t a good student; she was a gifted and talented “scholar” who, along with her good friend—the little boy who had cried in kindergarten, finished high school and began college.
Sunday nights in college still brought the stomach aches and sometimes midweek, I would get a phone call with tears on the other end insisting she was not going to do well on an upcoming test. “Be of good cheer,” I would tell her since I didn’t have any other answers. At her graduation from college (having earned a 4.0 gpa), I hugged her proudly but shook my head remembering. At her master’s degree graduation as well as her second master’s graduation, I was still proud but still shaking my head.
Last week when school started for her again, she admitted she almost called on Sunday night to tell me about her stomach ache and her apprehension of going to school. I would have told her to be of good cheer and march herself through those doors. After all, she is now the assistant principal.
As the Bible often says, “It came to pass. . .”
By the end of a week, we were doing better, but then came Sunday night and the stomach aches along with some tears. She didn’t want to go back to kindergarten the next day, and Monday started the whole thing over again. I remember that being a difficult year for her and for me. For her, it was overcoming daily her apprehension of leaving her home and spending the morning in new surroundings. For me, it was dealing with her pain while having a two-year old toddler at home and giving birth to blessing number four.
The year did manage to go by and many more years of school followed. The tears disappeared, well make that lessened considerably, but the Sunday night stomach aches stayed. The thought of a new school year as well as a coming Monday brought the same physical responses. It was not that she wasn’t a good student; she was a gifted and talented “scholar” who, along with her good friend—the little boy who had cried in kindergarten, finished high school and began college.
Sunday nights in college still brought the stomach aches and sometimes midweek, I would get a phone call with tears on the other end insisting she was not going to do well on an upcoming test. “Be of good cheer,” I would tell her since I didn’t have any other answers. At her graduation from college (having earned a 4.0 gpa), I hugged her proudly but shook my head remembering. At her master’s degree graduation as well as her second master’s graduation, I was still proud but still shaking my head.
Last week when school started for her again, she admitted she almost called on Sunday night to tell me about her stomach ache and her apprehension of going to school. I would have told her to be of good cheer and march herself through those doors. After all, she is now the assistant principal.
As the Bible often says, “It came to pass. . .”
Monday, August 24, 2009
Learning
I have been blogging about our new business venture. Our restaurant is new to us, but not new as a restaurant. Two sets of owners have had it before us, and they have made it cute (well, maybe cute is not the word for men who like to eat there) let’s call it attractive, or eye-catching, or charming. Yes, that’s it, it’s charming with old-looking brick walls and an eclectic mix of tables and chairs. It may be not so much a restaurant as a coffeehouse. (I looked up coffeehouse in Wikipedia and think maybe it’s more of a café, although not really.)
As we seek to learn this new trade, the one comment I have heard with great emphasis is that it is NOT a diner and does NOT serve horseshoes. While I am doing word studies, perhaps “horseshoes” should be defined or at least explained. There may be many pictures that pop into mind concerning a horseshoe—a u-shaped item nailed to a horse’s hoof, a u-shaped missile thrown competitively at a stake driven in the ground, a good-luck charm over a door or as a piece of jewelry, or even a casino hotel in Tunica, Mississippi. None are the right picture.
The horseshoe I’m referring to is an open-faced hamburger on a bun or bread covered with French fries and drizzled all over with melted cheddar cheese. A person needs to have missed a meal or two or have a healthy appetite to handle one of these sandwiches. There has been some light-hearted discussion about including these on our menu, but the response has been a loud, unequivocal “NO!” So, all who are hungry for a horseshoe will have to find another dining establishment.
There are a lot of other words on the menu that I have not yet sampled. For example, I have had a “smoothie,” but I don’t know for sure what it is. It is a fruit something that is like a milkshake with no ice cream. Then there is a “latte” (from the Italian caffè latte, meaning "coffee and milk") which is a type of coffee drink made with hot milk. Another is “espresso” (a concentrated coffee beverage brewed by forcing hot water under pressure through finely ground coffee.) I have heard some tell of their favorite being a “chai” which Wikipedia says is a “spiced, sweetened tea-based syrup requiring dilution with milk, water, or both to create a flavorful hot or cold beverage.”
I obviously have not spent very much time at the restaurant yet, but I plan to. I have tried the coffee and the flavored iced teas and have thought they were tasty. I have also sampled most of the sandwiches. But the thing I can speak of from experience is the dessert! My grandson and I have an expression that describes the desserts my novice chefs have made—yumm-o!
Scripture lesson: I Timothy 4:3-5 “They...order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.”
As we sit down to eat our dinner, be it salad or horseshoe, blizzard or Oh My Ganosh Chocolate Cake, let us take the time to receive it with thanksgiving and consecrate it by the word of God and prayer.
As we seek to learn this new trade, the one comment I have heard with great emphasis is that it is NOT a diner and does NOT serve horseshoes. While I am doing word studies, perhaps “horseshoes” should be defined or at least explained. There may be many pictures that pop into mind concerning a horseshoe—a u-shaped item nailed to a horse’s hoof, a u-shaped missile thrown competitively at a stake driven in the ground, a good-luck charm over a door or as a piece of jewelry, or even a casino hotel in Tunica, Mississippi. None are the right picture.
The horseshoe I’m referring to is an open-faced hamburger on a bun or bread covered with French fries and drizzled all over with melted cheddar cheese. A person needs to have missed a meal or two or have a healthy appetite to handle one of these sandwiches. There has been some light-hearted discussion about including these on our menu, but the response has been a loud, unequivocal “NO!” So, all who are hungry for a horseshoe will have to find another dining establishment.
There are a lot of other words on the menu that I have not yet sampled. For example, I have had a “smoothie,” but I don’t know for sure what it is. It is a fruit something that is like a milkshake with no ice cream. Then there is a “latte” (from the Italian caffè latte, meaning "coffee and milk") which is a type of coffee drink made with hot milk. Another is “espresso” (a concentrated coffee beverage brewed by forcing hot water under pressure through finely ground coffee.) I have heard some tell of their favorite being a “chai” which Wikipedia says is a “spiced, sweetened tea-based syrup requiring dilution with milk, water, or both to create a flavorful hot or cold beverage.”
I obviously have not spent very much time at the restaurant yet, but I plan to. I have tried the coffee and the flavored iced teas and have thought they were tasty. I have also sampled most of the sandwiches. But the thing I can speak of from experience is the dessert! My grandson and I have an expression that describes the desserts my novice chefs have made—yumm-o!
Scripture lesson: I Timothy 4:3-5 “They...order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.”
As we sit down to eat our dinner, be it salad or horseshoe, blizzard or Oh My Ganosh Chocolate Cake, let us take the time to receive it with thanksgiving and consecrate it by the word of God and prayer.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Flashback
What a beautiful day! Every time I write or say those words I am taken back 20 years in time. Occurrences like that demonstrate to me what it means to be “in the twinkling of an eye.” It’s faster than a second—it’s immediate. (1 Corinthians 15:52 “In a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised …”) A flash—that’s a great example of what I mean.
The flashback (okay, so that’s where that word came from) took me to a Christmas musical we put on at church called “Baa Baa, Bethlehem,” which was a story of a flock of sheep with a shepherd when the angel appeared and told of the Savior’s birth. The teenagers all played the part of sheep with each sheep having a name and human personality representative of various types of shortcomings. During a rap beat, each in rap style gave their name and a description of themselves.
All four of our kids were in the musical (some reluctantly) and played interesting parts. Number 1 daughter was a sheep named “Baabs” who was consumed by peer pressure. Daughter number 2 was a grumpy sheep called “Fuzsy” who intended to find greener grass away from the shepherd. Son number 1 was the angel who appeared above the campfire with a shining star over his head and told good tidings of great joy.
Son number 2, at I believe age seven, was Abra-ram, the smallest sheep. This was his first of many roles in musical theater. He was a natural; however, his voice was that of a little boy. I had worked with him to speak slowly and enunciate clearly so the audience could hear and understand his lines. He was the first to speak in the production and you could probably guess (after reading the first sentence) what his line was—“What a beau--ti--ful day…” I think he is still mad at me for making him talk like that.
It is a terrific memory for me. I remember most of the sheep: Baa-tholomew the businessman, Baa-bara the beautiful, Jim McRam the celebrity football player, Cashmere the wealthy, Ram-bo the physical hero, Angora the fancy, Wool-iam the successful, Duffy the rock star, Wool-iana Wool-worth the intelligent, Ewe-nice the quiet, Sluffy the sleepy, and Lamb-chop the cute cheerleader. They did a terrific job with their parts although for a couple of them, rhythm did not come naturally.
Each sheep wanted to be the one chosen by the shepherd to go see the Christ child, and each thought they were more worthy than the others. Predictably, it was Abra-ram the littlest that was chosen as he and the shepherd sang a duet called “I Could Give Him Love” and carried the message of the musical—God wants our hearts, not our stuff.
I said all that to say, “What a beautiful day!” and share a memorable flashback.
The flashback (okay, so that’s where that word came from) took me to a Christmas musical we put on at church called “Baa Baa, Bethlehem,” which was a story of a flock of sheep with a shepherd when the angel appeared and told of the Savior’s birth. The teenagers all played the part of sheep with each sheep having a name and human personality representative of various types of shortcomings. During a rap beat, each in rap style gave their name and a description of themselves.
All four of our kids were in the musical (some reluctantly) and played interesting parts. Number 1 daughter was a sheep named “Baabs” who was consumed by peer pressure. Daughter number 2 was a grumpy sheep called “Fuzsy” who intended to find greener grass away from the shepherd. Son number 1 was the angel who appeared above the campfire with a shining star over his head and told good tidings of great joy.
Son number 2, at I believe age seven, was Abra-ram, the smallest sheep. This was his first of many roles in musical theater. He was a natural; however, his voice was that of a little boy. I had worked with him to speak slowly and enunciate clearly so the audience could hear and understand his lines. He was the first to speak in the production and you could probably guess (after reading the first sentence) what his line was—“What a beau--ti--ful day…” I think he is still mad at me for making him talk like that.
It is a terrific memory for me. I remember most of the sheep: Baa-tholomew the businessman, Baa-bara the beautiful, Jim McRam the celebrity football player, Cashmere the wealthy, Ram-bo the physical hero, Angora the fancy, Wool-iam the successful, Duffy the rock star, Wool-iana Wool-worth the intelligent, Ewe-nice the quiet, Sluffy the sleepy, and Lamb-chop the cute cheerleader. They did a terrific job with their parts although for a couple of them, rhythm did not come naturally.
Each sheep wanted to be the one chosen by the shepherd to go see the Christ child, and each thought they were more worthy than the others. Predictably, it was Abra-ram the littlest that was chosen as he and the shepherd sang a duet called “I Could Give Him Love” and carried the message of the musical—God wants our hearts, not our stuff.
I said all that to say, “What a beautiful day!” and share a memorable flashback.
Hey all you sheepniks,
Just let Baabs see you smile.
I'm trying to be just like you
I need to be in style.
The in-crowd says designer wool
Is what they’ll wear this year.
I have to follow where they lead,
Peer pressure’s always here.
Uh huh, Uh huh!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Challenges
It’s been a very busy week. Each member of the family has had their own personal challenges, obstacles, and hurdles. What was it that Jesus said in Matthew 6? “Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Are those startling words to come out of Jesus’ mouth? I often mistakenly picture Jesus as floating through life with a vague Mona Lisa smile and no obstacles or hurdles.
It is not easy for me to picture the Messiah with all His power and mental genius living like you and me. To have that much knowledge and understanding of the past, present, and future does not compute in my mind. It is troublesome to know things about people or situations and not be able to fix or change them. That may be why Jesus almost jokes with those around Him. Remember when he described the speck in one eye and a beam in another’s—would the reaction have been laughter? Was he making a significant point in a way they could visualize, chuckle, and then remember and comply with it? I know that if I can find some comic relief and can laugh, I can handle life better.
As I have written about in the last couple of blogs, one part of our family has a newborn. While that is such a glorious blessing, it does bring some challenges and hurdles—sleep or not sleep, eat or not eat, diapers and all that, and the realization of enormous responsibility for this young life. Looking at that little one, it’s not difficult to laugh and make all kinds of ridiculous faces and sounds trying to get a response.
Also, the new business venture—our restaurant—is going wonderfully in spite of the novice owners going back to full-time professions. There is so much to be done at night that strain on physical bodies is beginning to take a toll. We are so thrilled that the community has been supportive of our efforts, but we need to find a healthy routine for all involved. Still, it is pretty easy to laugh even with sore feet and muscles and sleepy eyes.
Much of the responsibility for the day-to-day workings of that restaurant has fallen on another family member who had never been on the far side of the table or counter. He has been a trooper with the personality to carry off any mis-steps with grace and élan. Thankfully, he has enough self-confidence to be the first to laugh at himself when he gets totally lost and enough charisma to draw others into the humor of the situation—good public relations I think.
Three of my daughters have had their share of hurdles as they always do when school opens in the fall. They are tempted to believe that someone sat around during the summer to think up ways to make their jobs more challenging. There is a line from Fiddler on the Roof where Tevye says to the Lord, “Sometimes I wonder, when it gets too quiet up there, if You are thinking, ‘What kind of mischief can I play on my friend Tevye?’" The girls occasionally quote that, each inserting her name at the end. Week one is down and they all are tired, but friends have been good to them and in the big picture, the important things are the important things. Their small children and their friends have restored smiles to their faces and hearts.
The farmer has also had his challenges. There’s that wet/dry thing all farmers face. Our farm needed rain badly as it missed the passing showers. Seemingly, the clouds parted with some rain going north and some going south. Remembering that Jesus said that the Father, “sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous,” my farmer thought he would surely fit into one of those categories. I guess he did because he did get a little rain, and we are very grateful for the moisture. My farmer does smile when he sees ears of corn and soybean pods developing well. We laughingly say that “there’s no prize for the plant, only for the harvest.” It doesn’t really matter how tall or how beautiful the stalks are; what counts is the fruit of the plant. Do you think there is a great spiritual lesson there?
And where I am, there has been a soberness as the bleak economic condition of our state and nation has filtered down to small-town America. Some friends have unexpectedly lost their jobs and working hours of others have been willingly relinquished to head off further downsizing. We certainly feel empathy for the ones and are grateful for all those seeking to help. May God keep his hand on all who call upon Him.
Jesus was right when He said that, “Each day has enough trouble of its own,” but He also said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." GLORY!
It is not easy for me to picture the Messiah with all His power and mental genius living like you and me. To have that much knowledge and understanding of the past, present, and future does not compute in my mind. It is troublesome to know things about people or situations and not be able to fix or change them. That may be why Jesus almost jokes with those around Him. Remember when he described the speck in one eye and a beam in another’s—would the reaction have been laughter? Was he making a significant point in a way they could visualize, chuckle, and then remember and comply with it? I know that if I can find some comic relief and can laugh, I can handle life better.
As I have written about in the last couple of blogs, one part of our family has a newborn. While that is such a glorious blessing, it does bring some challenges and hurdles—sleep or not sleep, eat or not eat, diapers and all that, and the realization of enormous responsibility for this young life. Looking at that little one, it’s not difficult to laugh and make all kinds of ridiculous faces and sounds trying to get a response.
Also, the new business venture—our restaurant—is going wonderfully in spite of the novice owners going back to full-time professions. There is so much to be done at night that strain on physical bodies is beginning to take a toll. We are so thrilled that the community has been supportive of our efforts, but we need to find a healthy routine for all involved. Still, it is pretty easy to laugh even with sore feet and muscles and sleepy eyes.
Much of the responsibility for the day-to-day workings of that restaurant has fallen on another family member who had never been on the far side of the table or counter. He has been a trooper with the personality to carry off any mis-steps with grace and élan. Thankfully, he has enough self-confidence to be the first to laugh at himself when he gets totally lost and enough charisma to draw others into the humor of the situation—good public relations I think.
Three of my daughters have had their share of hurdles as they always do when school opens in the fall. They are tempted to believe that someone sat around during the summer to think up ways to make their jobs more challenging. There is a line from Fiddler on the Roof where Tevye says to the Lord, “Sometimes I wonder, when it gets too quiet up there, if You are thinking, ‘What kind of mischief can I play on my friend Tevye?’" The girls occasionally quote that, each inserting her name at the end. Week one is down and they all are tired, but friends have been good to them and in the big picture, the important things are the important things. Their small children and their friends have restored smiles to their faces and hearts.
The farmer has also had his challenges. There’s that wet/dry thing all farmers face. Our farm needed rain badly as it missed the passing showers. Seemingly, the clouds parted with some rain going north and some going south. Remembering that Jesus said that the Father, “sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous,” my farmer thought he would surely fit into one of those categories. I guess he did because he did get a little rain, and we are very grateful for the moisture. My farmer does smile when he sees ears of corn and soybean pods developing well. We laughingly say that “there’s no prize for the plant, only for the harvest.” It doesn’t really matter how tall or how beautiful the stalks are; what counts is the fruit of the plant. Do you think there is a great spiritual lesson there?
And where I am, there has been a soberness as the bleak economic condition of our state and nation has filtered down to small-town America. Some friends have unexpectedly lost their jobs and working hours of others have been willingly relinquished to head off further downsizing. We certainly feel empathy for the ones and are grateful for all those seeking to help. May God keep his hand on all who call upon Him.
Jesus was right when He said that, “Each day has enough trouble of its own,” but He also said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." GLORY!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Daze and Nights
How does life get so busy so fast? One day it is same old same old. Then, wham! The schedule is overloaded. For many, it comes from the start of the school when teachers somberly make their way back to a tightly-scheduled routine. The alarm clock must again be set, and a vow to get to bed earlier is made, broken, and made again. While the lazy summer days allowed for leisurely choices as swimming pool, shopping, sleeping in, or cooking out, school means planning for dinner the night before as well as having clothes laid out and calendars synchronized to meet each commitment.
Or, the family that has kids going back to school has schedules that get crazy with sports and activities to coordinate. In the case of my family, when both scenarios happen simultaneously, it feels like chaos. Factor in our new venture in the restaurant business and, of course, our new baby, and excitement and exhaustion are the order of the day.
I said all that to say (lol) life gets so busy so fast. Do you know what I think about that? I’ll tell you; I think—Hallelujah! I have seen sad people with very little to do and few to do it with. So, if we have things to do, people to see, and miles to go before we sleep, we are blessed to have such a full life. Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.”
Although school has started, we took the time last night to visit our new baby. He had just got home from the hospital, and we stood in line to hold him (well, we sat in line). His aunt was a bit of a baby hog, but Grandpa and I had our turns, too. Babies are downright delightful. They are so just barely off the potter’s wheel of the Creator that I could almost see the face of God looking into his squinty eyes. He has quite long fingers that may someday hold a basketball or play a guitar or both (which is my guess).
His daddy has been both athletic and musical from the time he was a toddler; and as a little guy, he could sing a song after hearing it once or twice. As an adult, he has written and performed several songs. I have, throughout his young life, been amazed at his talent. Authors, poets, songwriters, and the like often write out of their deep emotional personal experiences, and the birth of his first baby provided the inspiration for a song. The new daddy brought out his guitar and began to sing. Baby’s mother dissolved into tears immediately (she had already heard it) and it took only a few lines before I, too, felt joy drops running down my cheeks listening to my son sing about his son and his desires for the little guy.
I can’t remember the words (no surprise there) but I remember the bottom line, “Lord, give him Your heart.”
Or, the family that has kids going back to school has schedules that get crazy with sports and activities to coordinate. In the case of my family, when both scenarios happen simultaneously, it feels like chaos. Factor in our new venture in the restaurant business and, of course, our new baby, and excitement and exhaustion are the order of the day.
I said all that to say (lol) life gets so busy so fast. Do you know what I think about that? I’ll tell you; I think—Hallelujah! I have seen sad people with very little to do and few to do it with. So, if we have things to do, people to see, and miles to go before we sleep, we are blessed to have such a full life. Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might.”
Although school has started, we took the time last night to visit our new baby. He had just got home from the hospital, and we stood in line to hold him (well, we sat in line). His aunt was a bit of a baby hog, but Grandpa and I had our turns, too. Babies are downright delightful. They are so just barely off the potter’s wheel of the Creator that I could almost see the face of God looking into his squinty eyes. He has quite long fingers that may someday hold a basketball or play a guitar or both (which is my guess).
His daddy has been both athletic and musical from the time he was a toddler; and as a little guy, he could sing a song after hearing it once or twice. As an adult, he has written and performed several songs. I have, throughout his young life, been amazed at his talent. Authors, poets, songwriters, and the like often write out of their deep emotional personal experiences, and the birth of his first baby provided the inspiration for a song. The new daddy brought out his guitar and began to sing. Baby’s mother dissolved into tears immediately (she had already heard it) and it took only a few lines before I, too, felt joy drops running down my cheeks listening to my son sing about his son and his desires for the little guy.
I can’t remember the words (no surprise there) but I remember the bottom line, “Lord, give him Your heart.”
Monday, August 17, 2009
He's Here
The phone call came…Sunday morning about 5:00 am. Our son and pregnant daughter-in-law had gone to the hospital around 1:00 but waited for confirmation before calling in the support squad. I felt a tinge of guilt because we did not panic, jump out of bed, and race to the car. Instead we rested a little while, hit the showers, dressed, and made a few phone calls (as the phrase says “Not our first rodeo”)
At 6:00, still early for a Sunday morning, we called the rest of the family to share the excitement of the highly anticipated middle-of-the-night call (even if only a short while before their alarms went off). Plans were made to make the 1½ hour trip in separate vehicles as each group had its own special needs.
The about-to-be grandpa and I left first, not because we thought the baby would be there quickly, but because it was important to be there for “the waiting” period. For everyone with the exception of the young mother, waiting may be the most exhausting part of “birth day”. While the waiting process is difficult for the mother, there is a more strenuous task ahead for her. If anything can make both parts less distressing, it is knowing that very near are family and friends interceding for her and her precious cargo before the throne of God.
Her excited mother and sister met us at the hospital door around 8:30 and explained—nothing yet. The word from the medical professionals was that birth might be around noon (sigh of relief)
Next to arrive was the new dad’s older brother who confidently pronounced to all that it would not be noon but rather 4:30. The brother’s pretty wife and boisterous 3-year-old son accompanied him and joined the “waiting”. I did notice that new dad was relieved to have his brother there. Over the years, while they have been antagonists at times, they were always a source of strength for each other.
Around 11:30, as Sunday morning came to a close, their local church finished services and wonderful friends of the couple joined the waiting room group as did more of both families.
Now the waiting room was about full and small groups took turns checking in on mommy and daddy. One of their wonderful friends brought pizza to go with the cupcakes our daughter had baked. All but the brother watched the clock for the noon arrival. Brother turned the TV back and forth between the baseball game and golf tourney.
One o’clock, two o’clock, three o’clock ticked by, and we instructed the daddy to text us the progress as we would no longer interrupt their efforts. A funny sign of the times was that each person in the waiting room had a cell phone and was keeping other loved ones informed of every new detail that became known. With each phone ring, the crowd hushed with expectancy.
A text message let us know the time was close at hand, and wild cheer went up from the gallery. The other grandmother-to-be could stand it no longer. She went down the hall, stood outside the closed door, and listened. I followed her. Time stood still. Then, right about 4:30 (as the brother said), the sound came—a high pitched cry. We waited. We could hear muffled voices and what we thought may have been laughter. Okay, everyone must be fine. Finally, the doctor came out with his report—baby perfect; mother perfect.(big sigh of relief and smiles) He marched off to the waiting room not having a clue about the crowd waiting for him.
Then the unbelievable happened—they said everyone could go in to see the new family. And they did. Pictures and oohs and ahs were rampant. Wow, hospital procedures have certainly changed in the past 30 years.
I said all that to say, we are delighted with our new blessing. Psalm 127:3-5 “Children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. As arrows are in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. Happy, blessed, and fortunate is the man whose quiver is filled with them!”
I love the song by Mark Harris - Find Your Wings
From the album The Line Between The Two
At 6:00, still early for a Sunday morning, we called the rest of the family to share the excitement of the highly anticipated middle-of-the-night call (even if only a short while before their alarms went off). Plans were made to make the 1½ hour trip in separate vehicles as each group had its own special needs.
The about-to-be grandpa and I left first, not because we thought the baby would be there quickly, but because it was important to be there for “the waiting” period. For everyone with the exception of the young mother, waiting may be the most exhausting part of “birth day”. While the waiting process is difficult for the mother, there is a more strenuous task ahead for her. If anything can make both parts less distressing, it is knowing that very near are family and friends interceding for her and her precious cargo before the throne of God.
Her excited mother and sister met us at the hospital door around 8:30 and explained—nothing yet. The word from the medical professionals was that birth might be around noon (sigh of relief)
Next to arrive was the new dad’s older brother who confidently pronounced to all that it would not be noon but rather 4:30. The brother’s pretty wife and boisterous 3-year-old son accompanied him and joined the “waiting”. I did notice that new dad was relieved to have his brother there. Over the years, while they have been antagonists at times, they were always a source of strength for each other.
Around 11:30, as Sunday morning came to a close, their local church finished services and wonderful friends of the couple joined the waiting room group as did more of both families.
Now the waiting room was about full and small groups took turns checking in on mommy and daddy. One of their wonderful friends brought pizza to go with the cupcakes our daughter had baked. All but the brother watched the clock for the noon arrival. Brother turned the TV back and forth between the baseball game and golf tourney.
One o’clock, two o’clock, three o’clock ticked by, and we instructed the daddy to text us the progress as we would no longer interrupt their efforts. A funny sign of the times was that each person in the waiting room had a cell phone and was keeping other loved ones informed of every new detail that became known. With each phone ring, the crowd hushed with expectancy.
A text message let us know the time was close at hand, and wild cheer went up from the gallery. The other grandmother-to-be could stand it no longer. She went down the hall, stood outside the closed door, and listened. I followed her. Time stood still. Then, right about 4:30 (as the brother said), the sound came—a high pitched cry. We waited. We could hear muffled voices and what we thought may have been laughter. Okay, everyone must be fine. Finally, the doctor came out with his report—baby perfect; mother perfect.(big sigh of relief and smiles) He marched off to the waiting room not having a clue about the crowd waiting for him.
Then the unbelievable happened—they said everyone could go in to see the new family. And they did. Pictures and oohs and ahs were rampant. Wow, hospital procedures have certainly changed in the past 30 years.
I said all that to say, we are delighted with our new blessing. Psalm 127:3-5 “Children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. As arrows are in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. Happy, blessed, and fortunate is the man whose quiver is filled with them!”
I love the song by Mark Harris - Find Your Wings
From the album The Line Between The Two
It's only for a moment you are mine to hold
The plans that heaven has for you
Will all too soon unfold
So many different prayers I'll pray
For all that you might do
But most of all I'll want to know
You're walking in the truth
And If I never told you
I want you to know
As I watch you grow
Chorus:
I pray that God would fill your heart with dreams
And that faith gives you the courage
To dare to do great things
I'm here for you whatever this life brings
So let my love give you roots
And help you find your wings
Friday, August 14, 2009
Intersections
Today was a day of seeing people from my past. First, I chatted with a woman from high school. I struggle with the word “woman” because to me, she is a girl. At the time I knew her, I was a girl also. We were in band together; and as she mentioned today, in band it seemed like everyone was the same age. Neither she nor I could remember who graduated first, just that we were not in the same class.
As I think back to those years, they had their own set of circumstances—some fun, some challenging, and some downright terrible. At least at the time I thought they were terrible. I realize now that I, probably like every other teenager, could not see past my nose. Oh, I knew high school graduation would happen sometime, but I couldn’t imagine myself and my friends old, like 23 or so.
I later saw a man that some years later I had taught high school with. We taught in adjoining rooms for seven years; he had red hair and was an all-around good guy. I remember his telling several of us one day that I had a naturally smiley face but he did not. According to him, he didn’t have a frowny face, and he assured us he was smiling on the inside, but his face didn’t show it easily. Those statements met with peals of laughter and unbelief. Actually, he smiled often and was a well-liked teacher.
Those years, too, had their own issues. It was the years when our children were born which brought a whole new set of challenges. Also, teaching was becoming more difficult in those days because of an unfortunate transition. Earlier, parents supported the schools and teachers. Children were disciplined at home and it was expected at school. Then came the father’s note to our school that his son was not to be disciplined. In the years following, Dr. Spock’s theory became the norm, with the nation passing laws preventing schools from enforcing rules. Education took a sharp plunge when discipline was forbidden. Learning does not occur in undisciplined children or classrooms.
Finally, I talked to a man with whom we attended church for many years. His family and ours had walked through many things together—kids, schools, parents dying, sicknesses, and healings as well as many others. It was a privilege to worship and to learn many lessons from the Lord with them. As happens sometimes, life led us in different directions, but our hearts remained close to the Lord and to each other. Visiting today was just as though the years in between didn’t exist.
So which were the best years of our lives? High school? Early married and babies? Older but not much wiser with teenagers? Today with a somewhat empty nest? The future with whatever it holds? Perhaps we can spend eternity deciding that very question. But then again, it may well be that in eternity we will say, “Who cares?”
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” Ecc. 3:1
As I think back to those years, they had their own set of circumstances—some fun, some challenging, and some downright terrible. At least at the time I thought they were terrible. I realize now that I, probably like every other teenager, could not see past my nose. Oh, I knew high school graduation would happen sometime, but I couldn’t imagine myself and my friends old, like 23 or so.
I later saw a man that some years later I had taught high school with. We taught in adjoining rooms for seven years; he had red hair and was an all-around good guy. I remember his telling several of us one day that I had a naturally smiley face but he did not. According to him, he didn’t have a frowny face, and he assured us he was smiling on the inside, but his face didn’t show it easily. Those statements met with peals of laughter and unbelief. Actually, he smiled often and was a well-liked teacher.
Those years, too, had their own issues. It was the years when our children were born which brought a whole new set of challenges. Also, teaching was becoming more difficult in those days because of an unfortunate transition. Earlier, parents supported the schools and teachers. Children were disciplined at home and it was expected at school. Then came the father’s note to our school that his son was not to be disciplined. In the years following, Dr. Spock’s theory became the norm, with the nation passing laws preventing schools from enforcing rules. Education took a sharp plunge when discipline was forbidden. Learning does not occur in undisciplined children or classrooms.
Finally, I talked to a man with whom we attended church for many years. His family and ours had walked through many things together—kids, schools, parents dying, sicknesses, and healings as well as many others. It was a privilege to worship and to learn many lessons from the Lord with them. As happens sometimes, life led us in different directions, but our hearts remained close to the Lord and to each other. Visiting today was just as though the years in between didn’t exist.
So which were the best years of our lives? High school? Early married and babies? Older but not much wiser with teenagers? Today with a somewhat empty nest? The future with whatever it holds? Perhaps we can spend eternity deciding that very question. But then again, it may well be that in eternity we will say, “Who cares?”
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” Ecc. 3:1
Thursday, August 13, 2009
GPS
The roads here in the Midwest have a theme of patch, patch, patch. Winter’s freezing and thawing provide problems for streets and roads. It seems that the far southern states do not have as many issues with their surfaces, probably because it doesn’t often freeze.
Here, however, summer brings detours while the surfaces are fixed. Everyone knows that it won’t last, but for a while it is smooth and usually worth the hassle. I note that detours, while taking a bit longer to navigate, are a minor inconvenience if and only if the driver knows an alternate route. For those of us who are navigationally challenged, a detour can be catastrophic if we have no idea how to get where we are going.
Fortunately, technology has become available to re-calculate the route and show us the way. A Global Positioning System (GPS) unit can be attached to the car windshield and hopefully get us (by us I mean me) to the proper destination. I have become a big fan of this gadget.
Wouldn’t it be great if we had a gadget that helped us get through life, showing us how to live and the best way around detours while avoiding problem areas? Wouldn’t it be great if a voice like Samantha (our GPS voice) would keep a running commentary on where we are, when we are to turn, which lane we should be in, and the distance to our destination? I believe that indeed we do have a still small voice inside to help us navigate (sometimes I could use a little more volume).
God has a plan for our lives and has said His Spirit will lead and direct us and help us avoid pitfalls that threaten. However, I sometimes think I know more of where I want to go and I follow my own way until the barricades appear. Then, I cry out for help. I so want to learn to listen to God’s Positioning System carefully and follow daily what He has said in the Bible.
How great is that—a GPS and a user manual! God is good!
Here, however, summer brings detours while the surfaces are fixed. Everyone knows that it won’t last, but for a while it is smooth and usually worth the hassle. I note that detours, while taking a bit longer to navigate, are a minor inconvenience if and only if the driver knows an alternate route. For those of us who are navigationally challenged, a detour can be catastrophic if we have no idea how to get where we are going.
Fortunately, technology has become available to re-calculate the route and show us the way. A Global Positioning System (GPS) unit can be attached to the car windshield and hopefully get us (by us I mean me) to the proper destination. I have become a big fan of this gadget.
Wouldn’t it be great if we had a gadget that helped us get through life, showing us how to live and the best way around detours while avoiding problem areas? Wouldn’t it be great if a voice like Samantha (our GPS voice) would keep a running commentary on where we are, when we are to turn, which lane we should be in, and the distance to our destination? I believe that indeed we do have a still small voice inside to help us navigate (sometimes I could use a little more volume).
God has a plan for our lives and has said His Spirit will lead and direct us and help us avoid pitfalls that threaten. However, I sometimes think I know more of where I want to go and I follow my own way until the barricades appear. Then, I cry out for help. I so want to learn to listen to God’s Positioning System carefully and follow daily what He has said in the Bible.
How great is that—a GPS and a user manual! God is good!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Expecting
Another day waiting for the phone to ring—we are expecting a new baby in our family. I’m sure they have reasons, but I’ve always thought doctors should not tell a woman approaching childbirth that it could be any time now. Sure it’s important for the young family to have the preparations made before baby comes, but the final days drag so slowly as each one dawns with no sign of change.
I seem to remember one of the most frustrating things of that last month was co-workers sticking their heads into my room daily (I was a high school teacher) and saying, “Are you still here?” By the time the 8th or 9th one spoke those words, I wanted to shout, “Duh!” Women in late pregnancy can get very touchy and very sharp-tongued.
After a few weeks of waiting through the “any time now” doctor visits and the “Are you still here?” thing, I remember being angry and convinced that I wasn’t pregnant, I had just gained weight.
I also remember one of the weekly clinic visits when a young woman brought two little kids to her appointment. In the waiting room, one of the rowdy toddlers stuck candy up his nose and began wailing. Nurses came running. The child was terrified and totally unmanageable; they wrapped him with a papoose board (I think that’s what it was called) to enable the removal of the candy. It was very traumatic—for both him and me. I changed my mind about the whole matter and decided to go home and forget it. However. . .
Thirty years later, driving home one night from a birthday dinner in a nearby town, I heard my three-year-old granddaughter start to cry in the backseat. Between sobs she admitted she had put a cashew in her nose and it was stuck. We pulled over immediately and tried to remove it. Could not! The family was in two vehicles, so we threw the baby into the other car (well not really threw her but transferred her quickly) and took off for the hospital 20 miles away. I drove as fast as I dared, not knowing whether to pray to find or to evade a police officer.
The e-room doctor was able to remove it easily, but not before the memory of that clinic visit so many years earlier came flooding back. Maybe there really is nothing new under the sun.
I said all that to say… we are so excited about our new little one, and when the time is right, he will appear. “You brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise you.” Psalm 71:6, and “May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice!” Proverbs 23:25. That goes for the rest of the family, too.
You don’t think it will be in the middle of the night, do you?
I seem to remember one of the most frustrating things of that last month was co-workers sticking their heads into my room daily (I was a high school teacher) and saying, “Are you still here?” By the time the 8th or 9th one spoke those words, I wanted to shout, “Duh!” Women in late pregnancy can get very touchy and very sharp-tongued.
After a few weeks of waiting through the “any time now” doctor visits and the “Are you still here?” thing, I remember being angry and convinced that I wasn’t pregnant, I had just gained weight.
I also remember one of the weekly clinic visits when a young woman brought two little kids to her appointment. In the waiting room, one of the rowdy toddlers stuck candy up his nose and began wailing. Nurses came running. The child was terrified and totally unmanageable; they wrapped him with a papoose board (I think that’s what it was called) to enable the removal of the candy. It was very traumatic—for both him and me. I changed my mind about the whole matter and decided to go home and forget it. However. . .
Thirty years later, driving home one night from a birthday dinner in a nearby town, I heard my three-year-old granddaughter start to cry in the backseat. Between sobs she admitted she had put a cashew in her nose and it was stuck. We pulled over immediately and tried to remove it. Could not! The family was in two vehicles, so we threw the baby into the other car (well not really threw her but transferred her quickly) and took off for the hospital 20 miles away. I drove as fast as I dared, not knowing whether to pray to find or to evade a police officer.
The e-room doctor was able to remove it easily, but not before the memory of that clinic visit so many years earlier came flooding back. Maybe there really is nothing new under the sun.
I said all that to say… we are so excited about our new little one, and when the time is right, he will appear. “You brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise you.” Psalm 71:6, and “May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice!” Proverbs 23:25. That goes for the rest of the family, too.
You don’t think it will be in the middle of the night, do you?
Monday, August 10, 2009
A Buddy
It is so good to have someone “with” you. Whether it be a spouse, a family member, or a friend, it feels so much better. “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work…Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves” says Ecc. 4:9,12. This paints a picture in my mind of two fighters standing back-to-back fending off a group of thugs.
I’m sure I’ve seen this scene in movies although I can’t recall them specifically. I think it may have been Mel Gibson, Matthew McConaughey, or Nicholas Cage doing that, but I’m not sure. Nevertheless, the idea is that one person alone fighting the mob can be easily overtaken from behind (unless, of course, they are the star of the movie and the script says they can overpower all odds). But, having a friend who “has your back” feels so much safer.
You may be wondering where these thoughts came from and if I’m feeling alone tonight. No, that’s not what is going on. My two little girls (granddaughters) and I started watching Oliver, a movie about a little lost kitten, this afternoon; and even though it is a cartoon, it gave me an insight about the importance of having a buddy. While dreadfully lost on a city street, the kitten made a friend—well not exactly a friend, more of an acquaintance at the beginning. I realized that I was emotionally so relieved when the kitten was no longer alone.
Later in the evening, we were told a person we knew was feeling very alone, and the sad feeling I had felt earlier during the movie’s first few minutes returned only with much more intensity. After trying unsuccessfully to locate the person, we said a prayer but it felt ineffective and fruitless. As I mulled over the feelings I couldn’t shake, I realized that my assessment was not at all accurate for a couple of reasons.
First, James says that “the fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” So, we did help. Even if we didn’t see it, God said it, so it is! Secondly, I remembered the promise that, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" and “You are my friends if you do what I command.” I began to realize that our friend was not alone but has a very good friend that is always closer than a brother.
Lord, help me remember to pray and believe.
I’m sure I’ve seen this scene in movies although I can’t recall them specifically. I think it may have been Mel Gibson, Matthew McConaughey, or Nicholas Cage doing that, but I’m not sure. Nevertheless, the idea is that one person alone fighting the mob can be easily overtaken from behind (unless, of course, they are the star of the movie and the script says they can overpower all odds). But, having a friend who “has your back” feels so much safer.
You may be wondering where these thoughts came from and if I’m feeling alone tonight. No, that’s not what is going on. My two little girls (granddaughters) and I started watching Oliver, a movie about a little lost kitten, this afternoon; and even though it is a cartoon, it gave me an insight about the importance of having a buddy. While dreadfully lost on a city street, the kitten made a friend—well not exactly a friend, more of an acquaintance at the beginning. I realized that I was emotionally so relieved when the kitten was no longer alone.
Later in the evening, we were told a person we knew was feeling very alone, and the sad feeling I had felt earlier during the movie’s first few minutes returned only with much more intensity. After trying unsuccessfully to locate the person, we said a prayer but it felt ineffective and fruitless. As I mulled over the feelings I couldn’t shake, I realized that my assessment was not at all accurate for a couple of reasons.
First, James says that “the fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” So, we did help. Even if we didn’t see it, God said it, so it is! Secondly, I remembered the promise that, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" and “You are my friends if you do what I command.” I began to realize that our friend was not alone but has a very good friend that is always closer than a brother.
Lord, help me remember to pray and believe.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Roots
Here we go again with the too wet/too dry thing. All spring we were “stuck in the mud” so to speak, and the planting of farm crops in the immediate area were delayed more than any other year in memory. In the back of the farmers’ minds was the nagging dread that if they did get dry enough conditions to plant, there might be a dry spell hit later. On our farm, that “later” is coming closer. We have missed some rains lately.
Dry spells are always a danger to crops, but particularly following wet springs. I explained it in one of my first blog entries. Wet conditions at planting time and early growing time make for a shallow root system. They do not need to send their roots deep to find moisture; it’s right there on top and easily accessible with little effort.
When roots have to stretch and stretch to get to the water, those roots are stronger and more grounded. When powerful winds begin to blow, the deep-rooted plants will be able to withstand far more than those whose roots are shallow. We see the same condition in the various kinds of trees. We have oak trees and a maple tree in our yard. The maple tree has roots that jut up out of the ground (it’s terrible to mow around) but the oaks have no sign of any roots nearby. I’m guessing that since it took so much longer for the oak trees to grow, they have far deeper and stronger roots.
I wonder about the root system in our lives. If advantages come easily with little effort early in life, do our roots stay shallow? Scripture tells that shallow roots make us less able to stand firm, but instead cause us to be “…blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.”
Also, Jesus told a story about 4 kinds of soils. He said, “Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture.” Later, He explained, “Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.”
Jeremiah describes the person we want to be. "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."
May that be evident both in our lives and our crops!
Dry spells are always a danger to crops, but particularly following wet springs. I explained it in one of my first blog entries. Wet conditions at planting time and early growing time make for a shallow root system. They do not need to send their roots deep to find moisture; it’s right there on top and easily accessible with little effort.
When roots have to stretch and stretch to get to the water, those roots are stronger and more grounded. When powerful winds begin to blow, the deep-rooted plants will be able to withstand far more than those whose roots are shallow. We see the same condition in the various kinds of trees. We have oak trees and a maple tree in our yard. The maple tree has roots that jut up out of the ground (it’s terrible to mow around) but the oaks have no sign of any roots nearby. I’m guessing that since it took so much longer for the oak trees to grow, they have far deeper and stronger roots.
I wonder about the root system in our lives. If advantages come easily with little effort early in life, do our roots stay shallow? Scripture tells that shallow roots make us less able to stand firm, but instead cause us to be “…blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.”
Also, Jesus told a story about 4 kinds of soils. He said, “Some fell on rock, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture.” Later, He explained, “Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.”
Jeremiah describes the person we want to be. "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."
May that be evident both in our lives and our crops!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Hungry?
It’s Friday!! I know I planned not to prefer one day over the others, but I only had to work a half a day. Also, someone had mentioned the fresh fruit and vegetable stand south of town; so after work, I visited it for tomatoes, zucchini, watermelon, blackberries, and a pretty but peculiar white squash. I intended to get peaches but will have to go back later for those. I do feel a bit guilty about getting blackberries without chigger bites (when I was a kid, the two went together).
Wasn’t God amazing when He created all those diverse plants for food? Some are sweet; some are tart; some are crunchy; some are soft; some are smooth; some are fuzzy; some need further preparation; some are mouth-ready; and some can go either way (like the peaches and blackberries—eat whole or in pie?).
It could be that God was giving us another object lesson. People are a bit like the diverse veggies and fruits. Some are sweet and some are not so naturally sweet. (I could name names--LOL) Some are soft and pliable and some are definitely crunchy and take extra time to digest. Some are smooth and some are fuzzy. (I could name names with a scruffy chin) Some are easy to enjoy just as they are and some need a bit of preparation from above to be truly enjoyable. (I could name... well, you know)
The thing is—each one has a different taste and a different purpose. We can slice and dredge in Kentucky Kernel Flour, then fry the zucchini for an extremely tasty dish (it never gets to the table—we stand at the stove and eat it as soon as it comes out); but this would not work with blackberries or watermelon. But then, sitting in a breeze in the shade eating raw zucchini would not be the same as doing that with a sweet cold watermelon.
Veggies are pretty good, but I do love fruit. I think God does too, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
Now, what to do with that peculiar white squash…
Wasn’t God amazing when He created all those diverse plants for food? Some are sweet; some are tart; some are crunchy; some are soft; some are smooth; some are fuzzy; some need further preparation; some are mouth-ready; and some can go either way (like the peaches and blackberries—eat whole or in pie?).
It could be that God was giving us another object lesson. People are a bit like the diverse veggies and fruits. Some are sweet and some are not so naturally sweet. (I could name names--LOL) Some are soft and pliable and some are definitely crunchy and take extra time to digest. Some are smooth and some are fuzzy. (I could name names with a scruffy chin) Some are easy to enjoy just as they are and some need a bit of preparation from above to be truly enjoyable. (I could name... well, you know)
The thing is—each one has a different taste and a different purpose. We can slice and dredge in Kentucky Kernel Flour, then fry the zucchini for an extremely tasty dish (it never gets to the table—we stand at the stove and eat it as soon as it comes out); but this would not work with blackberries or watermelon. But then, sitting in a breeze in the shade eating raw zucchini would not be the same as doing that with a sweet cold watermelon.
Veggies are pretty good, but I do love fruit. I think God does too, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
Now, what to do with that peculiar white squash…
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Sticks and stones…but words…
“Life and death are in the power of the tongue,” says Proverbs 18:21. Knowing that, it is amazing to me how many of our spoken words are not words of life. Oh, they are spoken by our own choice, but we may not give them as much deliberation as we should. We are told in Deuteronomy 30:19 “… I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life.” Too often, the choice is made for cursing rather than blessing.
I suppose our mis-choices have more to do with our ignorance or our disbelief in God’s Word, but to give each of us the benefit of the doubt, we could just be forgetful. However, I’m not sure that is a quality excuse. Things that are important to us we tend to remember. How about our paycheck? I always remember when it’s payday.
Another excuse (which is very likely) is that much of what we say is spoken out of habit. We often have “non-words” consistently sprinkled throughout our speech. Does it bother you when others say “you know” over and over? How about the word “like”? Some habitually use profanity. IMHO (in my humble opinion) people use profanity to avoid thinking of something more intelligent to say.
You may know from reading my blog or from listening to me talk that I tend to overuse the phrase, “I said all that to say ----.” I have been accused (and rightly so) that I speak in novel length stories. In my defense, I want everyone to understand what’s happening (but most of the time they don’t want or need to hear all of it). I should work on not being loquacious and verbose so these blogs could be much shorter.
I heard a person once say that for the most part men prefer headlines while women want details (which could explain why men and women have some communication challenges). But either way, headlines or details, we can choose life and blessing for the content of our communication. Colossians 4:6 commands “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt…” And, I’m still working on that one as well.
I said all that to say (I know, sorry) that people can be hurt by words that are carelessly spoken—especially little people who cannot distinguish motives or reality. How many times have we heard someone in anger or frustration tell a child that they are stupid, idiotic, worthless, or worse? Unfortunately, children often live up to or down to those words that were spoken over them. Words are a creative force.
I have long believed that kindergarten and early elementary teachers should be the best, most engaging, and most excellent teachers of any grade even through high school and college. At all levels, however, when teachers speak words of life, blessing, and encouragement to impressionable ears, those young lives can make a turn for the good. We who are parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, Sunday School teachers, and everyone who was ever a kid should make every effort to offer life and blessing and let our conversations be always full of grace.
I said all that to say. . . "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."
I suppose our mis-choices have more to do with our ignorance or our disbelief in God’s Word, but to give each of us the benefit of the doubt, we could just be forgetful. However, I’m not sure that is a quality excuse. Things that are important to us we tend to remember. How about our paycheck? I always remember when it’s payday.
Another excuse (which is very likely) is that much of what we say is spoken out of habit. We often have “non-words” consistently sprinkled throughout our speech. Does it bother you when others say “you know” over and over? How about the word “like”? Some habitually use profanity. IMHO (in my humble opinion) people use profanity to avoid thinking of something more intelligent to say.
You may know from reading my blog or from listening to me talk that I tend to overuse the phrase, “I said all that to say ----.” I have been accused (and rightly so) that I speak in novel length stories. In my defense, I want everyone to understand what’s happening (but most of the time they don’t want or need to hear all of it). I should work on not being loquacious and verbose so these blogs could be much shorter.
I heard a person once say that for the most part men prefer headlines while women want details (which could explain why men and women have some communication challenges). But either way, headlines or details, we can choose life and blessing for the content of our communication. Colossians 4:6 commands “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt…” And, I’m still working on that one as well.
I said all that to say (I know, sorry) that people can be hurt by words that are carelessly spoken—especially little people who cannot distinguish motives or reality. How many times have we heard someone in anger or frustration tell a child that they are stupid, idiotic, worthless, or worse? Unfortunately, children often live up to or down to those words that were spoken over them. Words are a creative force.
I have long believed that kindergarten and early elementary teachers should be the best, most engaging, and most excellent teachers of any grade even through high school and college. At all levels, however, when teachers speak words of life, blessing, and encouragement to impressionable ears, those young lives can make a turn for the good. We who are parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, Sunday School teachers, and everyone who was ever a kid should make every effort to offer life and blessing and let our conversations be always full of grace.
I said all that to say. . . "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
ZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Today was our final field trip—with junior high kids. They actually behaved pretty well and had a good time seeing High School Musical on stage. Still, they were soooo junior high.
Then, to work at the restaurant.
Now, Proverbs 3:24 “When you lie down, …your sleep will be sweet.”
Then, to work at the restaurant.
Now, Proverbs 3:24 “When you lie down, …your sleep will be sweet.”
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Sleepless in Wherever
I often run back and forth between two extremes—I call (or fuss or wail) to the Lord over every little thing in my life (even those things I can take care of) or I don’t call at all because I allow worry and fear to sneak up on me. Those last things happen in the back of my mind rather than out front where I consciously evaluate. Those particular things also often happen in the middle of the night when I can’t do anything about anything.
I can’t really explain this, but sometimes I half-sleep. I think about a problem or sometimes just a circumstance, and I mull it over, sort of wake up, go back to my half-sleep, think about it again and again and again. When I actually wake up, I realize how silly and unfruitful it was. I blame the kingdom of darkness for disturbing my sleep, so when I am alert enough, I have a couple of weapons to use—I recite scriptures in my mind that begin with the letters of the alphabet in order. (Now I don’t promise that these are accurate, but I go as fast as I can—they are not memorized and they change each time as I do this--I'm pretty easy on myself in this exercise). What usually happens is that I fall back to sleep before I get too far, although a few times I have had to start over a second time.
A – All we like sheep have gone astray.
B – By His stripes we are healed.
C – Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
D – Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. As a man sows, so shall he reap.
E - Even a youth is known by his deeds.
F - Fear not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.
G – God is not a man that He should lie.
H - Hear O Israel, the Lord your God is one God.
I - I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
J - Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever.
K - Keep yourself free from sin.
L - Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your God.
M - Make it your ambition to lead a quiet, peaceable life.
N - Now unto Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think.
O - Oh that men would praise the Lord!
P - Praise be to God.
Q - Quit worrying, but in everything with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
R - Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.
S - Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing unless He first tells His servants the prophets.
T - Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding.
U - Unto you, O Lord, do we lift up our hearts.
V - Vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
W – Who do you say that I am?
X - Xplain the parable to us. (I have to stretch with that one).
Y - You shall love the Lord your God with all of your heart.
Z - Zion heard and was glad.
Sometimes I do something different—I pray. That probably makes more sense because everyone needs prayer. I work better with lists, so I pray for as many people I can stay awake for starting with immediate family and friends and working toward enemies. (just kidding)
It's a great idea to call upon God. Why? Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”
Great and mighty things! Cool?
I can’t really explain this, but sometimes I half-sleep. I think about a problem or sometimes just a circumstance, and I mull it over, sort of wake up, go back to my half-sleep, think about it again and again and again. When I actually wake up, I realize how silly and unfruitful it was. I blame the kingdom of darkness for disturbing my sleep, so when I am alert enough, I have a couple of weapons to use—I recite scriptures in my mind that begin with the letters of the alphabet in order. (Now I don’t promise that these are accurate, but I go as fast as I can—they are not memorized and they change each time as I do this--I'm pretty easy on myself in this exercise). What usually happens is that I fall back to sleep before I get too far, although a few times I have had to start over a second time.
A – All we like sheep have gone astray.
B – By His stripes we are healed.
C – Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
D – Do not be deceived, God is not mocked. As a man sows, so shall he reap.
E - Even a youth is known by his deeds.
F - Fear not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.
G – God is not a man that He should lie.
H - Hear O Israel, the Lord your God is one God.
I - I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
J - Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever.
K - Keep yourself free from sin.
L - Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your God.
M - Make it your ambition to lead a quiet, peaceable life.
N - Now unto Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think.
O - Oh that men would praise the Lord!
P - Praise be to God.
Q - Quit worrying, but in everything with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
R - Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.
S - Surely the Sovereign Lord does nothing unless He first tells His servants the prophets.
T - Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding.
U - Unto you, O Lord, do we lift up our hearts.
V - Vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
W – Who do you say that I am?
X - Xplain the parable to us. (I have to stretch with that one).
Y - You shall love the Lord your God with all of your heart.
Z - Zion heard and was glad.
Sometimes I do something different—I pray. That probably makes more sense because everyone needs prayer. I work better with lists, so I pray for as many people I can stay awake for starting with immediate family and friends and working toward enemies. (just kidding)
It's a great idea to call upon God. Why? Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”
Great and mighty things! Cool?
Monday, August 3, 2009
Chapters
Saturday in my blog I mentioned that life is made up of chapters, each with various characters, settings, and plots. Today, I came to a further revelation about that statement. I became aware that it is easy to live in the current chapter of my own life and be conscious of the characters that travel through my pages without ever acknowledging that each of those characters is living in their own chapter with an entirely different setting and plot.
Things have been crazy at our office all summer, and particularly in the month of July. In addition to our regular summer activities, we have been juggling vacations, college fairs, doctor visits, a spouse’s new job, a large parent meeting, a major field trip to Chicago, family activities, camps, a wedding, and other things like our family’s new restaurant. Those days when our whole staff was in the office together were rare. We have nodded to each other coming and going as we hurriedly plan the next big thing. We still have one more trip this week, a come-and-go session next week, and we will be finished with the summer activities and ready to prepare for our new year.
Today, however, we were all in the office and got together for an informal staff meeting. Each person told a little about what had been happening in their chapters. No two were similar. Each of our lives is its own unique book with the current chapters intermingling somewhat as we work and spend many hours together. It was a fun time listening and sharing each person’s pages of their chapters. We represent a wide variety of ages, circumstances, likes, dislikes, fears, and favorites.
I, of course, am the fossil of the group as the oldest and the supposed leader. Actually, we are more like spokes on a wheel that, when operating properly, rolls smoothly down the way. We represent several decades: twenty somethings, thirty somethings, forty-fifty somethings, and me. Perhaps we balance each other. The young ones are wonderfully energetic and able to keep up with the youngsters that we work with. I like to think that I may be the “voice of reason” coming from years of experience in education and of being a mother hen.
We have a phrase in our office, “NFC.” Most of the people connected with us know what that means. It describes movie selection, music selection, appropriateness of vocabulary, etc. It means, “Not for Carol.” When kids suggest questionable movies or music, they often say that they watch and listen to much worse than those. My response is “Not on my watch.” I am the fossil that believes in setting a higher standard and trying to live it as shown in I Corinthians 11:1 “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (I find that a staggering concept that I more often than not fall short of.)
I heard another “old” person, Bill Cosby, say to a group of college students that he was disappointed that the modern college graduates seemed to want to go further but in the wrong direction—they want to make even more horrible horror movies, produce even more vulgar music, write even more obscene books. He encouraged them to reach higher rather than lower; to make more wonderful movies, music, and novels than had ever been produced. What a great idea!
Well, it’s time to get back to my chapter. Sometimes it is so exciting I can hardly sleep at night. (But, sometimes not.)
Things have been crazy at our office all summer, and particularly in the month of July. In addition to our regular summer activities, we have been juggling vacations, college fairs, doctor visits, a spouse’s new job, a large parent meeting, a major field trip to Chicago, family activities, camps, a wedding, and other things like our family’s new restaurant. Those days when our whole staff was in the office together were rare. We have nodded to each other coming and going as we hurriedly plan the next big thing. We still have one more trip this week, a come-and-go session next week, and we will be finished with the summer activities and ready to prepare for our new year.
Today, however, we were all in the office and got together for an informal staff meeting. Each person told a little about what had been happening in their chapters. No two were similar. Each of our lives is its own unique book with the current chapters intermingling somewhat as we work and spend many hours together. It was a fun time listening and sharing each person’s pages of their chapters. We represent a wide variety of ages, circumstances, likes, dislikes, fears, and favorites.
I, of course, am the fossil of the group as the oldest and the supposed leader. Actually, we are more like spokes on a wheel that, when operating properly, rolls smoothly down the way. We represent several decades: twenty somethings, thirty somethings, forty-fifty somethings, and me. Perhaps we balance each other. The young ones are wonderfully energetic and able to keep up with the youngsters that we work with. I like to think that I may be the “voice of reason” coming from years of experience in education and of being a mother hen.
We have a phrase in our office, “NFC.” Most of the people connected with us know what that means. It describes movie selection, music selection, appropriateness of vocabulary, etc. It means, “Not for Carol.” When kids suggest questionable movies or music, they often say that they watch and listen to much worse than those. My response is “Not on my watch.” I am the fossil that believes in setting a higher standard and trying to live it as shown in I Corinthians 11:1 “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (I find that a staggering concept that I more often than not fall short of.)
I heard another “old” person, Bill Cosby, say to a group of college students that he was disappointed that the modern college graduates seemed to want to go further but in the wrong direction—they want to make even more horrible horror movies, produce even more vulgar music, write even more obscene books. He encouraged them to reach higher rather than lower; to make more wonderful movies, music, and novels than had ever been produced. What a great idea!
Well, it’s time to get back to my chapter. Sometimes it is so exciting I can hardly sleep at night. (But, sometimes not.)
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Lessons from the OT
We were back in I Samuel 14 today in the Rock Group, and while I love teaching practical Christian living from such Old Testament scriptures, I still get amazed when I see such relevant truths about the Lord and about human nature in them.
Under King Saul, Israel was a tiny country surrounded by enemies on every hand, like the Philistines, Ammonites, Moabites, Assyrians, and others who wanted to totally annihilate them. As they were facing the Philistines, the army was undermanned with limited weaponry. Without God, they could not survive.
Doesn’t that sound like Israel today? Check out a world map and notice the countries surrounding that tiny nation. Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey on the north; Jordan, Iraq, and Iran on the east; Jordan with Saudi Arabia on the southeast; Egypt on the southwest; and the Mediterranean Sea on the west. You will see that they are a tiny, country surrounded by Arab nations, some of which have threatened to totally annihilate them. (Sound similar to I Samuel?)
While the United States has in the past been a strong ally of Israel, there are recent events that suggest we have lessened our support and may be changing sides. That makes me nervous as I read Genesis 12:3 “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you, I will curse.” I believe God will again fight for His chosen land, and I would like to be on His side. That may sound “archaic” to some current smart people, but isn’t it amazing that Jerusalem and the Holy Land are still in the headlines thousands of years later? I don’t think that’s a coincidence.
King Saul and his army were some distance away, perhaps hiding (according to Philistine comments). His son, the crown prince Jonathan full of faith in God, set off with only his armor bearer to see what God would do. He made an amazingly faith-filled statement, “Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few." In our class we compared that to a similar verse, Psalm 20:7 “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”
In each of our lives, we need to examine if there are chariots or horses that represent our things trusted. Oh, they will go under other names. I personally am tempted to trust in paychecks or retirement accounts or the farm producing a good crop. That’s why sometimes listening to the news or weather gives me a bad feeling in my mid-section. (I don’t want to call it fear.) I need to learn more and more to trust in the name of the LORD our God.
There is a cool ending to the story (although some dumb antics by the king along the way). I always like stories with happy endings!
Under King Saul, Israel was a tiny country surrounded by enemies on every hand, like the Philistines, Ammonites, Moabites, Assyrians, and others who wanted to totally annihilate them. As they were facing the Philistines, the army was undermanned with limited weaponry. Without God, they could not survive.
Doesn’t that sound like Israel today? Check out a world map and notice the countries surrounding that tiny nation. Lebanon, Syria, and Turkey on the north; Jordan, Iraq, and Iran on the east; Jordan with Saudi Arabia on the southeast; Egypt on the southwest; and the Mediterranean Sea on the west. You will see that they are a tiny, country surrounded by Arab nations, some of which have threatened to totally annihilate them. (Sound similar to I Samuel?)
While the United States has in the past been a strong ally of Israel, there are recent events that suggest we have lessened our support and may be changing sides. That makes me nervous as I read Genesis 12:3 “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you, I will curse.” I believe God will again fight for His chosen land, and I would like to be on His side. That may sound “archaic” to some current smart people, but isn’t it amazing that Jerusalem and the Holy Land are still in the headlines thousands of years later? I don’t think that’s a coincidence.
King Saul and his army were some distance away, perhaps hiding (according to Philistine comments). His son, the crown prince Jonathan full of faith in God, set off with only his armor bearer to see what God would do. He made an amazingly faith-filled statement, “Nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few." In our class we compared that to a similar verse, Psalm 20:7 “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”
In each of our lives, we need to examine if there are chariots or horses that represent our things trusted. Oh, they will go under other names. I personally am tempted to trust in paychecks or retirement accounts or the farm producing a good crop. That’s why sometimes listening to the news or weather gives me a bad feeling in my mid-section. (I don’t want to call it fear.) I need to learn more and more to trust in the name of the LORD our God.
There is a cool ending to the story (although some dumb antics by the king along the way). I always like stories with happy endings!
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Coming and Going
Today was the first day in our new venture—the open window I wrote about some time ago. In addition to all the other jobs we have, we have purchased a restaurant. As I mentioned earlier, our daughters have worked in similar places since high school, and it has been their dream to one day have their own.
I guess we can say, today is a dream come true. It may take a while for the dream to be totally dreamy, for now it seems to be a source of time frustration, hard work, and glitches to work out. There were many people that came through the restaurant today; we had two parties. (I hope they forgive our shortcomings.) One of them had several of our friends in it, and it was so encouraging to hear their good wishes and supporting words.
This evening as we were celebrating our beginning, we ran into some very dear friends who were celebrating an ending. This man, who has spent the past multiple decades as a pediatrician fighting for the life and health of children, told us that as of today he is retired. He holds a special place in our hearts because in the middle of a night in September some years ago, our firstborn grandchild was born with some dangerous health issues. She was immediately placed in the intensive care nursery and there through the glass, we watched this doctor and wonderful nurses work with our little bundle to bring her to health.
So tonight as I am ready to head for slumber, I have a heart full of gratitude for beginnings and endings. Life is full of chapters; and each one has its own unique set of characters, setting, and plot as well as its beginnings and endings. It reminds me of the last verse of one of my favorite Psalms, 121:8. “The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
A toast—to beginnings and endings!
I guess we can say, today is a dream come true. It may take a while for the dream to be totally dreamy, for now it seems to be a source of time frustration, hard work, and glitches to work out. There were many people that came through the restaurant today; we had two parties. (I hope they forgive our shortcomings.) One of them had several of our friends in it, and it was so encouraging to hear their good wishes and supporting words.
This evening as we were celebrating our beginning, we ran into some very dear friends who were celebrating an ending. This man, who has spent the past multiple decades as a pediatrician fighting for the life and health of children, told us that as of today he is retired. He holds a special place in our hearts because in the middle of a night in September some years ago, our firstborn grandchild was born with some dangerous health issues. She was immediately placed in the intensive care nursery and there through the glass, we watched this doctor and wonderful nurses work with our little bundle to bring her to health.
So tonight as I am ready to head for slumber, I have a heart full of gratitude for beginnings and endings. Life is full of chapters; and each one has its own unique set of characters, setting, and plot as well as its beginnings and endings. It reminds me of the last verse of one of my favorite Psalms, 121:8. “The LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
A toast—to beginnings and endings!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
