The this week's lesson was about being successful, both by the world's standard and by God's. We looked at several passages in Mark 10: the rich young ruler who was too attached to his wealth, how difficult it can be for the rich to go to Heaven, and Jesus' teaching about being servant leaders. Once again Jesus turned their human reasoning on its ear, and the disciples continued to be amazed and astonished at the things Jesus taught them along the way. But the thing that continues to gnaw at me is how tunnel-visioned the disciples were in spite of all of Jesus' words to them concerning what they would REALLY face when they arrived in Jerusalem.
The timing of this account was during a busy period in the life of the Jews. It was nearing Passover, so many were traveling up to the Holy City. Jesus and the disciples were among those making the trip and though there were others who were traveling with them, Jesus periodically took time to draw the disciples aside and repeat the message: "There is going to be big trouble, I am going to be killed, but I will rise after three days." In fact, they've already heard this message several times before they made this trip (Mark 8:31, Mark 9:9-13, Mark 9:31). But they still didn't get it.
We know now that the Holy Spirit kept them from fully understanding, but we also know that in their humanity their sights were set on an earthly kingdom and not a heavenly one. Jesus knew this, and we wondered about the tone He may have used when James and John (and their mama!) asked Jesus to let them sit on His right and left in His glory. (The smart-aleck in me hoped that Jesus said something like, "Seriously?? Are y'all KIDDING me?? Get a clue, you clowns..." Y'all DO know that the Lord speaks with a Southern accent, don't ya?) But of course Jesus was more gracious and patient when He told them, "You don't know what you're asking. Can you drink from My cup or experience My baptism?" (Mark 10:38 paraphrased). They impetuously said, "We can," and sure enough they did, but it wasn't until their world was turned upside down.
All the disciples could see was the crown - the power and position and authority that would one day belong to Jesus and in turn would belong to them. But Jesus knew that the fulfillment of that prophecy was a long way off, and in His immediate future was the cup and the cross.
I think we follow a similar pattern. No truly valuable "crown" comes without a cup and a cross. The cup of suffering comes to us, sometimes through a tragedy or illness or death, even the death of a dream. Then comes the cross, when God reveals something we need to DIE TO. It can be a myriad of things depending on the circumstance and the individual, but we come to the place where we realize that we can't move forward until we surrender ourselves (our pain, confusion, pride, doubt, fear, plans, etc). It's when we've suffered and then come to a place of surrendering to His will that He can begin to pick up the broken pieces, and we can receive the blessing He has in store for us.
Since we're digging out of another snowstorm, Pastor Bryan diverged from his sermon series to preach about what we can learn from the storms of life. The saying goes, "At any given time you're either in the MIDDLE of a storm, coming OUT of one, or heading INTO one." But regardless of where we are in the storm sequence, we are never without hope. Even though Jesus asked the Father to let the cup of suffering pass from Him, He was willing to accept it because He knew the inexpressible joy and unspeakable blessings that would come after His suffering.
Those same promises are ours if we keep our eyes on Jesus and we don't lose heart. He is seated at the right hand of His Father, and one day we'll sit in Their presence too. Hopefully all of the suffering here will seem like a bad dream, and we will be able to look back and see how He walked each step with us and used the suffering to strengthen our faith and draw us closer to Him.
NEVER lose hope, and never EVER give up!
(Hebrews 12, 2 Corinthians 4, Philippians 4, 1 Peter 4-5 )
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Find a Guy
My teenage cousin Andrew recently posted part of this as his Facebook status, and I loved it. He sent me the entire poem and it's too good not to pass along. Please share this with your daughters, granddaughters, nieces, young lady friends... true love really is worth the wait!!
Find A Guy...
Find a guy who calls you beautiful instead of hot,
Who calls you back when you hang up on him,
Who will lie under the stars and listen to your heartbeat, or
Will stay awake just to watch you sleep...
Wait for the boy who kisses your forehead,
Who wants to show you off to the world when you are in sweats,
Who holds your hand in front of his friends,
Who thinks you' re just as pretty without makeup on.
One who is constantly reminding you of how much he cares
and how lucky he is to have YOU...
The one who turns to his friends and says, "That's her..."
~Author Unknown
Find A Guy...
Find a guy who calls you beautiful instead of hot,
Who calls you back when you hang up on him,
Who will lie under the stars and listen to your heartbeat, or
Will stay awake just to watch you sleep...
Wait for the boy who kisses your forehead,
Who wants to show you off to the world when you are in sweats,
Who holds your hand in front of his friends,
Who thinks you' re just as pretty without makeup on.
One who is constantly reminding you of how much he cares
and how lucky he is to have YOU...
The one who turns to his friends and says, "That's her..."
~Author Unknown
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The Secret Need
Occasionally a thought wave will crash over me and stay in my head all day until I get it down. I usually try to organize my ideas so I can have a (somewhat) coherent train of thought, but this isn't one of those times. I have no idea who this is for, but I have to get it out so I can get to the gym and then finish up the stuff for the day!
You have an emptiness in your heart that you're trying to fill with the wrong things. The "thing" itself might be bad (substances, pornography, replaying events from your past that are hurtful, etc) but it might be GOOD "thing" (activities, hobbies, friendships, relationships, children, etc). The problem is that you may have unrealistic expectations of the "thing."
You think this "thing" is going to help make you feel happy and fulfilled. It's given you some pleasure or even joy, but you're expecting too much from it. You are getting frustrated because your focus is off. This "thing" is never going to bring you lasting happiness and fill the emptiness in your heart because it CAN'T. The emptiness is an ache that can only be filled by GOD.
God sees you and He's the only One who knows the root of your emptiness. YOU can't even fully understand it yourself, but He does. Take a step back and look at the "thing." Is it a blessing - something that God has provided for you and something that's beneficial? Or is it a curse - something that is sinful, maybe a temptation you've succumbed to, and something that will hurt you??
Pray and ask the Lord to lead you into fellowship with Him, and ask Him to reveal the root of the emptiness to you. It may take days or weeks, and you may decide you need professional Christian counseling, but ask Him to help you to have some perspective and see the big picture of your life and your SELF. Read Psalm 139 and pray back the last two verses: Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in Your everlasting way.
If the "thing" is a blessing, then thank God for entrusting you with it, and ask Him to show you how to keep it in perspective. It's useful in some respect, but you're spending too much time on it. If the "thing" is a curse, then ask God to take away the desire for it and give you the strength to give it up. (Get help and godly counsel if you're struggling with a physical dependency!!) Then sit still and quiet before Him and ask Him to overwhelm you with His presence, and to strengthen you and fill you with the power of the Holy Spirit so that your focus can be Him and Him ALONE.
He keeps us in perfect peace when our minds and thoughts are fixed on HIM, not "things." When the "thing" begins to get bigger than it should, ask Him for a gentle reminder and then turn your focus back to Him.
"You are the God Who sees me, Who knows me in my innermost being, and Who loves me with an everlasting love. Fill me with Your Spirit and lead me in Your everlasting way." Gen 16:13, Ps 139:13, Ps 103:17, Ps 139:24
(Hope this didn't sound too preachy, but somebody needed to hear it. And if you're struggling with a serious physical, emotional or sexual addiction, PLEASE get profession help.)
You have an emptiness in your heart that you're trying to fill with the wrong things. The "thing" itself might be bad (substances, pornography, replaying events from your past that are hurtful, etc) but it might be GOOD "thing" (activities, hobbies, friendships, relationships, children, etc). The problem is that you may have unrealistic expectations of the "thing."
You think this "thing" is going to help make you feel happy and fulfilled. It's given you some pleasure or even joy, but you're expecting too much from it. You are getting frustrated because your focus is off. This "thing" is never going to bring you lasting happiness and fill the emptiness in your heart because it CAN'T. The emptiness is an ache that can only be filled by GOD.
God sees you and He's the only One who knows the root of your emptiness. YOU can't even fully understand it yourself, but He does. Take a step back and look at the "thing." Is it a blessing - something that God has provided for you and something that's beneficial? Or is it a curse - something that is sinful, maybe a temptation you've succumbed to, and something that will hurt you??
Pray and ask the Lord to lead you into fellowship with Him, and ask Him to reveal the root of the emptiness to you. It may take days or weeks, and you may decide you need professional Christian counseling, but ask Him to help you to have some perspective and see the big picture of your life and your SELF. Read Psalm 139 and pray back the last two verses: Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in Your everlasting way.
If the "thing" is a blessing, then thank God for entrusting you with it, and ask Him to show you how to keep it in perspective. It's useful in some respect, but you're spending too much time on it. If the "thing" is a curse, then ask God to take away the desire for it and give you the strength to give it up. (Get help and godly counsel if you're struggling with a physical dependency!!) Then sit still and quiet before Him and ask Him to overwhelm you with His presence, and to strengthen you and fill you with the power of the Holy Spirit so that your focus can be Him and Him ALONE.
He keeps us in perfect peace when our minds and thoughts are fixed on HIM, not "things." When the "thing" begins to get bigger than it should, ask Him for a gentle reminder and then turn your focus back to Him.
"You are the God Who sees me, Who knows me in my innermost being, and Who loves me with an everlasting love. Fill me with Your Spirit and lead me in Your everlasting way." Gen 16:13, Ps 139:13, Ps 103:17, Ps 139:24
(Hope this didn't sound too preachy, but somebody needed to hear it. And if you're struggling with a serious physical, emotional or sexual addiction, PLEASE get profession help.)
Sunday, January 24, 2010
How to Get Along With Others (Mark 9)
I like this title for a Bible study lesson: "How to Get Along With Others" because there is so much room for discussion and good points. We had an interesting text to study today -- Mark 9 -- the disciples traveling with Jesus and arguing about who would be the greatest in His kingdom. Someone wondered, "Why on earth would they be DOING that??" The entire class chuckled as my husband blurted the obvious answer, "They were just being GUYS!!"
One of our discussions focused on individual traits that help us get along with others: patience, humility, putting others first, unity, tolerance (the biblical definition)... bottom line: we need to bear the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23). It's not always easy to get along with others, especially difficult people, because it goes against our selfish nature, but it's refreshing to see pride set aside when disaster strikes, such as the recent earthquakes in Haiti. I think it's sad that it often TAKES a tragedy to snap us out of our self-centeredness. And even then it can be short-lived, or worse - the tragedy provides a platform for self-aggrandizement. Already we've seen celebrities make large monetary donations, and some may even travel to the area to make a personal appearance. But it will be just that - an "appearance."
"Image is Everything" was a hugely successful advertising campaign by Canon in the early 1990s, and it featured the (then) up-and-coming tennis phenomenon, Andre Agassi. Early in his career the focus often shifted from his punishing groundstrokes, brilliant strategy and amazing talent to his long hair, flashy clothes and pierced ears. There had certainly been more temperamental players like Nastase, Connors, and McEnroe, but there hadn't been anybody quite like Andre. While he was sometimes a "bad boy," he also challenged the notion of what a professional tennis player was supposed to "look" like. Agassi created an image of a rebel, and it made him one of the most recognizable professional athletes in the 1990s.
While "Image is Everything" was a successful slogan, I think it's a phrase that pretty well describes the popularity of almost anybody. The problem comes when the image turns out to be a mask and not a reflection of the true person. I always want to put my best foot forward because people who don't know me personally will judge me by my actions, but I also want to be authentic and real. I don't want to have this shiny "Susie Spiritual" veneer who is a few of rungs higher on the Ladder to the Lord, because I am definitely NOT. My two sisters know me as well as anybody does, and if I ever got to feeling high-and-mighty those girls would DELIGHT in knocking me down a rung or two, and I'd deserve it!!
I'm so glad that Jesus sees me as I am and doesn't give up on me. He knows and He loves me anyway. He also knew and loved the disciples, and didn't give up on them. He took advantage of that teachable moment as He scooped a little child up into His arms and said, "Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on My behalf welcomes Me, and anyone who welcomes Me welcomes My Father Who sent Me." (Mark 9:37 NLT)
Kids are the ultimate "humblers" because they aren't impressed by image. They just see somebody who is grouchy or happy, mean or nice, impatient or compassionate. Jesus wanted His followers to be strong in their faith, but also be gentle and humble and approachable instead of intimidating and proud and haughty. There were plenty of those already and He wanted His disciples to be distinctive and different.
He still wants that -- followers who are distinctive and different. Jesus repeatedly told the twelve that if they were to follow Him they would have to be servants. He then modeled that in not only His public ministry but also in His private life. He wasn't worried about His image because He just reflected His Father, and because of that the multitudes were drawn to Him. I doubt I could ever minister to multitudes, but I'll be happy to minister to the one person He puts in my path. I just hope that I'm a clear reflection of the Father and will show His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
One of our discussions focused on individual traits that help us get along with others: patience, humility, putting others first, unity, tolerance (the biblical definition)... bottom line: we need to bear the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23). It's not always easy to get along with others, especially difficult people, because it goes against our selfish nature, but it's refreshing to see pride set aside when disaster strikes, such as the recent earthquakes in Haiti. I think it's sad that it often TAKES a tragedy to snap us out of our self-centeredness. And even then it can be short-lived, or worse - the tragedy provides a platform for self-aggrandizement. Already we've seen celebrities make large monetary donations, and some may even travel to the area to make a personal appearance. But it will be just that - an "appearance."
"Image is Everything" was a hugely successful advertising campaign by Canon in the early 1990s, and it featured the (then) up-and-coming tennis phenomenon, Andre Agassi. Early in his career the focus often shifted from his punishing groundstrokes, brilliant strategy and amazing talent to his long hair, flashy clothes and pierced ears. There had certainly been more temperamental players like Nastase, Connors, and McEnroe, but there hadn't been anybody quite like Andre. While he was sometimes a "bad boy," he also challenged the notion of what a professional tennis player was supposed to "look" like. Agassi created an image of a rebel, and it made him one of the most recognizable professional athletes in the 1990s.
While "Image is Everything" was a successful slogan, I think it's a phrase that pretty well describes the popularity of almost anybody. The problem comes when the image turns out to be a mask and not a reflection of the true person. I always want to put my best foot forward because people who don't know me personally will judge me by my actions, but I also want to be authentic and real. I don't want to have this shiny "Susie Spiritual" veneer who is a few of rungs higher on the Ladder to the Lord, because I am definitely NOT. My two sisters know me as well as anybody does, and if I ever got to feeling high-and-mighty those girls would DELIGHT in knocking me down a rung or two, and I'd deserve it!!
I'm so glad that Jesus sees me as I am and doesn't give up on me. He knows and He loves me anyway. He also knew and loved the disciples, and didn't give up on them. He took advantage of that teachable moment as He scooped a little child up into His arms and said, "Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on My behalf welcomes Me, and anyone who welcomes Me welcomes My Father Who sent Me." (Mark 9:37 NLT)
Kids are the ultimate "humblers" because they aren't impressed by image. They just see somebody who is grouchy or happy, mean or nice, impatient or compassionate. Jesus wanted His followers to be strong in their faith, but also be gentle and humble and approachable instead of intimidating and proud and haughty. There were plenty of those already and He wanted His disciples to be distinctive and different.
He still wants that -- followers who are distinctive and different. Jesus repeatedly told the twelve that if they were to follow Him they would have to be servants. He then modeled that in not only His public ministry but also in His private life. He wasn't worried about His image because He just reflected His Father, and because of that the multitudes were drawn to Him. I doubt I could ever minister to multitudes, but I'll be happy to minister to the one person He puts in my path. I just hope that I'm a clear reflection of the Father and will show His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Healing (Mark passages)
This was Sanctity of Life Sunday, so while we stayed in Mark's gospel, the lesson was topical. We focused on three people that Jesus healed, and the faith of each one. It's hard to believe that in His hometown of Nazareth that Jesus couldn't perform miracles because of the people's unbelief, so He set out for some places where He could do some good!
I love the accounts of Jesus healing people. I love to think about the transformation -- one minute they were hurting, crippled, diseased, or dead... and the next minute, TOTAL restoration. Since I've never been healed instantly I can only imagine how great that must have been. The only thing I could compare it to is IV pain meds while I was in the hospital. In fact, I learned that I needed to be totally prepared to shut down and go to sleep before I got my bedtime dose -- I went out so fast there wasn't even time to brush my hair!! So to think about broken people being INSTANTLY healed... it's amazing.
I have a friend who is battling cancer, and not for the first time. She continues to fight the good fight physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I wish the Lord would touch her body and heal her instantly but He hasn't seen fit to do it that way yet. I have friends who struggle with deep emotional scars, and I wish the Lord would touch them and instantly lift that cloud but He hasn't chosen to glorify Himself that way. I know people who struggle with their faith, and I wish the Lord would step back into flesh and confront them so they would press on and believe. Not gonna happen.
There are things in EACH of our lives that we wish the Lord would zap and make better -- difficult work and family situations, aches and pains, crabby neighbors, terminal illness, grief -- but sometimes He choses a harder path for us. I'm sure He has a variety of reasons, but one of them may be to see if we will stay by what we know is true or if we will lose heart and give up. I love this lyric in the Casting Crowns song, Praise You in This Storm:
"I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
That You are Who You are
No matter where I am"
He is Jehovah Roi, the God Who sees us. He is Jehovah Jireh, the God Who provides for us. He is Jehovah Rapha, the God Who heals us. He is Who He is, no matter what is happening in our lives. I still wish He would come on and ride in on that white horse and save the day sometimes, but there are lessons to learn in the storm. Those lessons are hard and they are costly, but they are refining us like silver so we can reflect the glory of the Lord in the midst of it all. As I praise and worship Him, I feel the cloud begin to lift...
Life is hard.
God is good :)
(I love you, Monica and Jerald. You shine every single day.)
I love the accounts of Jesus healing people. I love to think about the transformation -- one minute they were hurting, crippled, diseased, or dead... and the next minute, TOTAL restoration. Since I've never been healed instantly I can only imagine how great that must have been. The only thing I could compare it to is IV pain meds while I was in the hospital. In fact, I learned that I needed to be totally prepared to shut down and go to sleep before I got my bedtime dose -- I went out so fast there wasn't even time to brush my hair!! So to think about broken people being INSTANTLY healed... it's amazing.
I have a friend who is battling cancer, and not for the first time. She continues to fight the good fight physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I wish the Lord would touch her body and heal her instantly but He hasn't seen fit to do it that way yet. I have friends who struggle with deep emotional scars, and I wish the Lord would touch them and instantly lift that cloud but He hasn't chosen to glorify Himself that way. I know people who struggle with their faith, and I wish the Lord would step back into flesh and confront them so they would press on and believe. Not gonna happen.
There are things in EACH of our lives that we wish the Lord would zap and make better -- difficult work and family situations, aches and pains, crabby neighbors, terminal illness, grief -- but sometimes He choses a harder path for us. I'm sure He has a variety of reasons, but one of them may be to see if we will stay by what we know is true or if we will lose heart and give up. I love this lyric in the Casting Crowns song, Praise You in This Storm:
"I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
That You are Who You are
No matter where I am"
He is Jehovah Roi, the God Who sees us. He is Jehovah Jireh, the God Who provides for us. He is Jehovah Rapha, the God Who heals us. He is Who He is, no matter what is happening in our lives. I still wish He would come on and ride in on that white horse and save the day sometimes, but there are lessons to learn in the storm. Those lessons are hard and they are costly, but they are refining us like silver so we can reflect the glory of the Lord in the midst of it all. As I praise and worship Him, I feel the cloud begin to lift...
Life is hard.
God is good :)
(I love you, Monica and Jerald. You shine every single day.)
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Stretch or Settle? (Mark 1-8)
In studying the life of Jesus, it's interesting to notice what people saw in Him. The Son of God stood right in front of people and did some pretty incredible things: cast out demons, healed the sick (fevers, diseases, leprosy, paralysis, physical deformities), raised people from the dead. calmed the storm, walked on water and fed the multitudes. And if that wasn't impressive enough, he gave His 12 disciples the power and authority to do the SAME THINGS. And yet nobody REALLY understood Who He was or why He came.
His disciples knew Him as an amazing Guy who did amazing things, and when they finally started to figure out that He was the Son of God and the promised Messiah, they began to think from an earthly perspective instead of an eternal one. When they envisioned their Messiah, they focused on the Deliverer of Israel. Jesus would be their ticket to power, position, and a new way of life!
The Pharisees knew Him as a troublemaker. A lawbreaker. A blasphemer. He was a commoner who didn't fit their preconceived notion about the Messiah, who surely would have embraced the religious establishment and shunned everyone else, ESPECIALLY Gentiles. Jesus was a threat to their power, position, and their privileged way of life.
But God knew Him as His obedient Son, Who was willing to do WHATEVER He asked. He went to places that others didn't expect. He did things that surprised people. He taught people, especially His disciples, things they didn't/couldn't understand at the time because there was a bigger plan. There was a bigger plan for His life. There was a bigger plan for the disciples' lives. And there is a bigger plan for OUR lives.
How will God know US? Will He know us as His obedient son or daughter, who is willing to do WHATEVER He asks? Will we willing to go to unexpected places? Will we let Him surprise us? Will we be faithful in our trials and be willing to learn some hard lessons in life, even though we don't understand? Will we trust that God is working out a bigger plan?
One of my favorite books is "Good to Great in God's Eyes" by Chip Ingram, and he writes that life-changing steps of faith always involve RISK. We're often faced with a decision that pits comfort or convenience against obedience to God's call. If we choose the risky steps of obedience a lot of people will think we're crazy, so we risk our reputation too. But if we're not willing to take the risky steps, there's no opportunity for our faith to grow, there is no power or joy or intimacy with God, there are no opportunities for miracles in our lives, and we ultimately displease God. So do we settle for life on a spiritual merry-go-round that goes in circles and never really goes anywhere? OR do we let Him stretch us and ride with the wind in our hair on a spiritual roller coaster??
I think y'all know which ride I pick ;)
I think y'all know which ride I pick ;)
Thursday, January 7, 2010
My Resolution to Journal
I'll start this with a confession: I'm not a good journal-er. I have friends who keep copious notes and prayer journals, but I'm embarrassed to admit that I NEVER write about the stuff that's going on in my life, and I write prayer requests on anything that's handy at the time. The past couple of years I've done a little better by keeping a monthly prayer list on loose leaf paper and storing them in one of my notebooks. But in talking to a good friend the other day about praying through a direction for a particular ministry, I was convicted that I needed to practice what I was preaching and do the same thing for MYSELF.
So here was my advice to my friend, and now to me.
1. Get a notebook and list a goal(s). The first thing I wrote was "direction for my life." I've been busy taking care of my kids for the past 20 years, and praise the Lord they are pretty self-sufficient at this point!! So right now I feel pretty aimless and I wasn't even sure WHAT to write but I listed the things that I enjoy and am passionate about, and then wrote that I didn't know what to do about any of it!
2. Write down your thoughts about the goal. Since I don't really HAVE a goal yet, my thought was "I am discontent that I don't have a goal." I'm going to have an empty nest in 8 months, so I know there is something looming on the horizon. Actually, I shouldn't say "looming" because that word implies that there's something ominous and scary coming, but I guess having Scott and Sarah leave home is pretty ominous and scary! But the fact remains: my life WILL change so I need to figure out what on earth I'm gonna do when I grow up ;)
3. Pray for the Lord to give you some direction that you can't miss. This is a biggie for me because I get so busy and distracted by life, and He knows that stuff goes flying right over my scattered blonde head. I'm asking Him for a scripture verse because I figure that not even I can miss that, particularly if it's a verse that keeps popping up in devotionals, studies, sermons, articles, songs... I'm pretty dense sometimes so it needs to be obvious -- I remind Him that it's not all my fault and I back it up with Ps 103 "He has compassion on those who fear Him for He knows how we are formed and remembers that we are but dust." How much can you expect from dust anyway??
4. Pray for Him to bring to mind some people to partner with, and then write down those names and start praying for them specifically. It may be somebody who sends you a note or an email, or posts something on Facebook, or calls you out of the blue, or you have an interesting conversation with. He WILL put people in my path, and I'm committing to pray for them.
5. BE STILL. Ok now THIS will be the hardest thing for me because I'm a Type-A git-r-done kinda gal. But I've had enough experience forging ahead of the Lord to know I DON'T like being out on a limb by myself! One thing I've learned in my 40+ years of living is that if He cracks the door enough for me to peep through, He'll eventually swing that thing WIDE OPEN if I'll just sit tight and wait for the right timing.
6. Review the notes at least once a week and make changes and additions as needed. My plan is to write at least 2 entries a month, but I'll see how that goes and adjust it whenever. (I'm not about to get all legalistic on myself!!) The entries won't be long and detailed, probably more like bullet-points, but I'll write it on a new page and date it so it'll be easier to read.
I'm going to keep this notebook going for a while and I know that as time passes He will provide opportunities and adjust my focus, and I'll be able to look back and connect some of the dots. Then when the timing is right, He'll provide the people and help I need. When the time comes to talk with them, I'll have a testimony to share that includes a log of when I started praying, how He's brought me to that place, when He brought them to mind, and how He has brought us both to that point. If He confirms that with them then they'll know that I've put time and prayer into it, and I'm not just testing the waters and looking for something new and fun.
So there ya have it. I'd love some advice since this journaling thing is all new to me! Please use the KISS* method because if it's too involved I won't stick with it ;) And I'll let you know when I actually have something to report!!
*KISS = Keep It Simple, Stupid (or Susan -- sometimes they're synonymous)
So here was my advice to my friend, and now to me.
1. Get a notebook and list a goal(s). The first thing I wrote was "direction for my life." I've been busy taking care of my kids for the past 20 years, and praise the Lord they are pretty self-sufficient at this point!! So right now I feel pretty aimless and I wasn't even sure WHAT to write but I listed the things that I enjoy and am passionate about, and then wrote that I didn't know what to do about any of it!
2. Write down your thoughts about the goal. Since I don't really HAVE a goal yet, my thought was "I am discontent that I don't have a goal." I'm going to have an empty nest in 8 months, so I know there is something looming on the horizon. Actually, I shouldn't say "looming" because that word implies that there's something ominous and scary coming, but I guess having Scott and Sarah leave home is pretty ominous and scary! But the fact remains: my life WILL change so I need to figure out what on earth I'm gonna do when I grow up ;)
3. Pray for the Lord to give you some direction that you can't miss. This is a biggie for me because I get so busy and distracted by life, and He knows that stuff goes flying right over my scattered blonde head. I'm asking Him for a scripture verse because I figure that not even I can miss that, particularly if it's a verse that keeps popping up in devotionals, studies, sermons, articles, songs... I'm pretty dense sometimes so it needs to be obvious -- I remind Him that it's not all my fault and I back it up with Ps 103 "He has compassion on those who fear Him for He knows how we are formed and remembers that we are but dust." How much can you expect from dust anyway??
4. Pray for Him to bring to mind some people to partner with, and then write down those names and start praying for them specifically. It may be somebody who sends you a note or an email, or posts something on Facebook, or calls you out of the blue, or you have an interesting conversation with. He WILL put people in my path, and I'm committing to pray for them.
5. BE STILL. Ok now THIS will be the hardest thing for me because I'm a Type-A git-r-done kinda gal. But I've had enough experience forging ahead of the Lord to know I DON'T like being out on a limb by myself! One thing I've learned in my 40+ years of living is that if He cracks the door enough for me to peep through, He'll eventually swing that thing WIDE OPEN if I'll just sit tight and wait for the right timing.
6. Review the notes at least once a week and make changes and additions as needed. My plan is to write at least 2 entries a month, but I'll see how that goes and adjust it whenever. (I'm not about to get all legalistic on myself!!) The entries won't be long and detailed, probably more like bullet-points, but I'll write it on a new page and date it so it'll be easier to read.
I'm going to keep this notebook going for a while and I know that as time passes He will provide opportunities and adjust my focus, and I'll be able to look back and connect some of the dots. Then when the timing is right, He'll provide the people and help I need. When the time comes to talk with them, I'll have a testimony to share that includes a log of when I started praying, how He's brought me to that place, when He brought them to mind, and how He has brought us both to that point. If He confirms that with them then they'll know that I've put time and prayer into it, and I'm not just testing the waters and looking for something new and fun.
So there ya have it. I'd love some advice since this journaling thing is all new to me! Please use the KISS* method because if it's too involved I won't stick with it ;) And I'll let you know when I actually have something to report!!
*KISS = Keep It Simple, Stupid (or Susan -- sometimes they're synonymous)
Sunday, January 3, 2010
New Year, New Beginning
I love new beginnings, especially the beginning of a new year. It's the perfect time to reflect on the past year and think about some of the events that influenced our lives: death of a loved one, health issues, relationships, financial problems, job changes, etc. And in our attempt to better ourselves, we look back at our lives, evaluate what needs to improve, set goals and make new year's resolutions.
Resolutions are interesting. My highly-scientific research (Google) revealed some of the most popular changes people resolve to make: lose weight, get fit, stop smoking, eat better, get out of debt, find a new job, lower/manage stress, go to church, improve education, spend more time with family... Every publication and website has its own list but it's pretty consistent, even over the course of the past several years. When you look at the root of a resolution you'll find it falls into one of four categories: Mental, Physical, Relational, Spiritual.
Like the four legs on a table, these four areas are the basis for a balanced life. When one "leg" is neglected or out-of-whack, the whole table wobbles. Jesus is our ultimate example for living and scripture tells us that "Jesus grew in wisdom, in stature, and in favor with God and man." (Luke 2:52). So let's look at the way He lived His perfectly-balanced life and make our resolutions based on His example!
Wisdom (Mental) - keep learning. This is a tough parallel for us because while Jesus was fully man, He was also fully God and omniscient (all-knowing). We'll never attain that, but we can keep our brains active by reading and learning. We live in an age of information-overload, which is good and bad. It's good in that no matter what you're interested in, you're bound to find plenty of material. It's bad in that not all the material is reliable, and sometimes the sheer volume of info can be overwhelming! But let's start small. If you're a student, focus on your studies. If you work, learn about changes in your industry. Everybody, no matter what your stage of life, can keep current with the major events that take place in the world, our nation and our communities. Just watch a few minutes of one of the MANY 24hr news networks, or find your favorite publication online.
Stature (Physical) - tend the temple. Eat healthier, breathe deeper, drink plenty of water, move more, rest! Jesus ate a Mediterranean diet that consisted of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meat and fish, olive oil, etc. The shelves of the average American grocery store are full of overprocessed, high-fat, low-fiber, sodium and/or sugar saturated foods. I once read a nutritionist's article that advised shoppers to buy the majority of their foods from the perimeter of the grocery store and stay away from the center. (That's where you find the boxes of mac and cheese, cereal, canned goods, etc) Even small changes to our diets can have big benefits over time. And for those of us who live in the South, the land of the biscuits, gravy, bbq, fried chicken, fruit cobblers... yummm. Wait a minute, what was I talking about?? Oh yeah, the yummy stuff... Eat less it ;) In fact, I like this idea from Steven Covey: "pretend you've just recovered from a heart attack and plan your diet accordingly." And then wash it all down with plenty of water!
It's impossible to talk about diet without also mentioning proper rest and exercise, and that's one of the more challenging things for many people. It's important to talk with your doctor and get his/her recommendations based on your current health, but start small. Stretch. Go for a walk. Get the right amount of rest. And BREATHE. Everybody can do THAT! The benefits of deep breathing are amazing and too numerous to go into on a blog, plus I'm not a doctor and don't even play one on TV... but google "deep breathing benefits" and read up on it. (Ooh, and that will count for Mental too!) This link can get you started. And take a nice deep breath while you're at it.
Favor with man (Relational) - spend more time with those you love. Try to be more forgiving, patient, gracious, merciful, and compassionate. Make amends and don't hold grudges. Seek professional counsel when necessary. Pray for others and be sensitive to their needs. Invest yourself in their lives. Jesus chose his 12 disciples to hang out with and train. And when He chose them, HE KNEW they would desert Him when He needed them most, but He loved them anyway.
Favor with God (Spiritual) - make your relationship with Him a priority, not an after-thought. Pray and read your Bible. Study and memorize the Word, even just one verse each month. (Ooh, Mental again!!) Serve Him by serving others and sharing your faith in Jesus. Look for opportunities to serve at your church or a local ministry, even if it's just occasionally. (Relational!) But again, it's ok to start small. After all, Billy Graham didn't begin his ministry preaching at huge crusades.
Bottom Line: The key to successful resolutions is to make them attainable. We often set the bar so high that we couldn't clear it on our best day! Then we get discouraged and give up altogether. Look at each of those four areas: Mental, Physical, Relational, Spiritual. Think of one small change you can do in each of those areas. Write it down and keep it in a place you can see it every day. And then start. And if you miss one or two or all four, give yourself some grace and start again.
After all, it's true what my husband Steve says about setting goals: "If you aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time."
Resolutions are interesting. My highly-scientific research (Google) revealed some of the most popular changes people resolve to make: lose weight, get fit, stop smoking, eat better, get out of debt, find a new job, lower/manage stress, go to church, improve education, spend more time with family... Every publication and website has its own list but it's pretty consistent, even over the course of the past several years. When you look at the root of a resolution you'll find it falls into one of four categories: Mental, Physical, Relational, Spiritual.
Like the four legs on a table, these four areas are the basis for a balanced life. When one "leg" is neglected or out-of-whack, the whole table wobbles. Jesus is our ultimate example for living and scripture tells us that "Jesus grew in wisdom, in stature, and in favor with God and man." (Luke 2:52). So let's look at the way He lived His perfectly-balanced life and make our resolutions based on His example!
Wisdom (Mental) - keep learning. This is a tough parallel for us because while Jesus was fully man, He was also fully God and omniscient (all-knowing). We'll never attain that, but we can keep our brains active by reading and learning. We live in an age of information-overload, which is good and bad. It's good in that no matter what you're interested in, you're bound to find plenty of material. It's bad in that not all the material is reliable, and sometimes the sheer volume of info can be overwhelming! But let's start small. If you're a student, focus on your studies. If you work, learn about changes in your industry. Everybody, no matter what your stage of life, can keep current with the major events that take place in the world, our nation and our communities. Just watch a few minutes of one of the MANY 24hr news networks, or find your favorite publication online.
Stature (Physical) - tend the temple. Eat healthier, breathe deeper, drink plenty of water, move more, rest! Jesus ate a Mediterranean diet that consisted of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meat and fish, olive oil, etc. The shelves of the average American grocery store are full of overprocessed, high-fat, low-fiber, sodium and/or sugar saturated foods. I once read a nutritionist's article that advised shoppers to buy the majority of their foods from the perimeter of the grocery store and stay away from the center. (That's where you find the boxes of mac and cheese, cereal, canned goods, etc) Even small changes to our diets can have big benefits over time. And for those of us who live in the South, the land of the biscuits, gravy, bbq, fried chicken, fruit cobblers... yummm. Wait a minute, what was I talking about?? Oh yeah, the yummy stuff... Eat less it ;) In fact, I like this idea from Steven Covey: "pretend you've just recovered from a heart attack and plan your diet accordingly." And then wash it all down with plenty of water!
It's impossible to talk about diet without also mentioning proper rest and exercise, and that's one of the more challenging things for many people. It's important to talk with your doctor and get his/her recommendations based on your current health, but start small. Stretch. Go for a walk. Get the right amount of rest. And BREATHE. Everybody can do THAT! The benefits of deep breathing are amazing and too numerous to go into on a blog, plus I'm not a doctor and don't even play one on TV... but google "deep breathing benefits" and read up on it. (Ooh, and that will count for Mental too!) This link can get you started. And take a nice deep breath while you're at it.
Favor with man (Relational) - spend more time with those you love. Try to be more forgiving, patient, gracious, merciful, and compassionate. Make amends and don't hold grudges. Seek professional counsel when necessary. Pray for others and be sensitive to their needs. Invest yourself in their lives. Jesus chose his 12 disciples to hang out with and train. And when He chose them, HE KNEW they would desert Him when He needed them most, but He loved them anyway.
Favor with God (Spiritual) - make your relationship with Him a priority, not an after-thought. Pray and read your Bible. Study and memorize the Word, even just one verse each month. (Ooh, Mental again!!) Serve Him by serving others and sharing your faith in Jesus. Look for opportunities to serve at your church or a local ministry, even if it's just occasionally. (Relational!) But again, it's ok to start small. After all, Billy Graham didn't begin his ministry preaching at huge crusades.
Bottom Line: The key to successful resolutions is to make them attainable. We often set the bar so high that we couldn't clear it on our best day! Then we get discouraged and give up altogether. Look at each of those four areas: Mental, Physical, Relational, Spiritual. Think of one small change you can do in each of those areas. Write it down and keep it in a place you can see it every day. And then start. And if you miss one or two or all four, give yourself some grace and start again.
After all, it's true what my husband Steve says about setting goals: "If you aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time."
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