Squat and Paint

“The construction the Temple of God began in midspring, during the second year after they arrived in Jerusalem.  The work force was made up of everyone who had returned from exile…” (Ezra 3:8a)

 

I was sitting here praying this morning and had so many ideas. I know so many people who could use something, or I should say, need something. Of course, we can say that everyone needs something or is that everyone wants something?  There are so many things that would be so neat to do but I am only one person…I can’t do them all.  I could always sit my small group and see what we can put together but there will still be some limits to what our little posse can do.  I could always go to the church and see what we could do but there is so much to do how do you decide?  But then I realize, as I sit here rambling, that sitting here rambling doesn’t get anything done at all.  It’s not until we put one foot in front of the other that real change comes through.

 

Sometimes I see ministries as gigantic skyscrapers.  Skyscrapers are so beautiful and so tall and look amazing when they are completed.  However, it would take one person a very long time to build a decent building all by themselves.  Even a small group could get it done but there would serious time constraints and probably some talent deficiencies as well.  A huge group, or many small ones, would definitely be more effective spreading time and talents over a larger spectrum to complete the project ahead.

 

I guess where my thought process is dragging to this morning is that I know there is a lot to be done in our church, community, city, state, country, and world.  There is so much that could be done the task seems overwhelming but I am not alone and I am not expected to do it all.  Just because I can’t take care of the entire picture doesn’t mean I shouldn’t try to find a corner to squat and paint. The more people who realize this the more that can be done because we all would be working on the helping and the giving instead of waiting for the right time, more people, or someone else to take care of it all together. 

 

“God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.  God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called he children of god.” (Matthew 5:8-9)

Smarts

“Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?” (1 Kings 3:9)

 

Disciplining your children is so hard.   Actually, being a parent is tough in a lot of ways. You want your kids to be happy and enjoy being a kid but then you have to balance that out with making sure you give them structure and correction at the same time.  When I woke up this morning the first thought in my head was asking God to help show me the way.  My prayers were swimming in questions of guidance and understanding as a parent. Coincidentally, I also read 1 Kings 3: 1-15. I love it when God lets me know He is there and He is listening.

 

Parenting is interesting. We have done things right and we have done things wrong and as we enter into the their teen years it’s not so much about how much we work to make our kids great, it’s about how hard they work to help make their own lives better.  I feel like we are in gridlock some days.  We are constantly, not in a pushy way, giving our children the tools they need to be independent, responsible, and community oriented adults.  We try really hard to live by example.  They may be successful, they may rebel, or they’ll probably do a really kid mix of the two. That’s just our three children. Imagine being the Parent of all of creation!

 

I woke up this morning begging God for guidance.  He gave it to me.  God knows better than anyone how frustrating it is to raise up children who, at times, make bad decisions and don’t get it no matter how many times it is explained.  I was one of those kids!  And I don’t know what path is laid out before my children but I do pray about it everyday.  Most of what I do is to help the kids and to encourage and build them up.  I love being a mom and I have absolutely amazing children.  The smarts I want my children to embrace in life (hopefully sooner than later) come from the ultimate wisdom of God.  Even as old and used up as you may think the Bible is, everything is found right there:  love and live; get rich quick doesn’t work (Proverbs 22:8), laziness doesn’t pay out well either (Romans 12:11), be smart with your finances (Proverbs 21:20), forgive often (Matthew 6: 14-15), and much MUCH more: respect your parents, parents love your children, husbands and wives love each other and adore each other, give give give!!! It’s all right there.  I just hope I am listening as God helps me help them.

 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)

I Can’t Do That

“For all of creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are.” (Romans 8:19)

 

Friend: “I believe Jesus Christ died for my sins. I think there is something I should do now. Maybe we’ll come to church with you”

 

Me: “Theoretically, if you really believe that Jesus died for your sins you are in.”

 

Friend: “I think I should get baptized now”

 

Me: “I would love to be there for that.”

 

Friend: “There has gotta be something I am supposed to do. It can’t be as easy as just saying Jesus saved me.”

 

Me: “I know it sounds too easy but as long as you believe you are saved”

 

This is a demonstration of me trying to reconstruct a conversation I had yesterday. There was, obviously, much more in there but I tried to capture the main idea. The person I was talking to had such a hard time capturing the idea that nothing else was required of him for salvation except to believe in Jesus. He was talking about living a better life, afraid he was just covering his butt because he truly believes the end of the world could come at any moment, and, although I know he was more than likely baptized when he was a baby (Catholic family) he really wants to be baptized again. I tried to keep the conversation light. I am always worried about sounding cheesy, which I shouldn’t (God forgive me).

I have a confession. I do not believe I am good at leading people to Jesus. I always envisioned my ministry focusing on people who already know Jesus and sharing with them how I see God in my everyday life. I have too many fears and pride because I am fearful of that when I tell someone Jesus simply wants everyone’s love and to have a close and intimate relationship with them that they won’t understand and they will be turned away from faith altogether. See, I am worried that in my excitement and passion for Jesus I look like a freak to the world. It’s so much easier when people already know about Jesus. It’s an easier foundation to build on.

If this is something God is going to have me do I won’t fight it. Actually, I am excited for my friend because I have wanted this for so long. I will simply pray that God will place the right words in my mouth and that I can find a balance between patience and excitement…not any easy thing to do! So, please pray for my friend, pray for me, and pray for the world because any day now you could be where I am and God put you there so don’t think it was an accident.

 

“And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what god wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit pray for us with groaning that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father knows all hearts and knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:26-28)

Journeys

“I know, Lord, that our lives our not our own. We are not able to plan our own course. So, correct me, Lord, but please be gentle.” (Jeremiah 10:23-24)

 

I read that today and I almost started to giggle, even though I know it’s not funny. I couldn’t even begin to tell you how many times I have prayed that exact prayer! Even reading it over and over again I can see it in my mind. How many times have I sat in this exact spot and let God know that I know He is in control? How many times have I confessed my sins but then, in the back of my mind, I am chanting “be gentle, be gentle, be gentle”? Do you ever feel good when you know you are not alone in your heart?

 

My journey through the Bible this morning was much of the same. I came across verses, as I did my morning Lent readings, and each time I felt God speaking to me. This is why I love God’s Word because the pages aren’t just filled with words. This tattered book I carry around with me, and try to pick up every morning, has become His voice in my heart. Now, I don’t get these warm fuzzy feelings every time but when I do it’s pretty neat stuff and I reminded once again of God’s beauty and His grace and love. I am reminded of how blessed I am and how much I love Him!

 

So, I finish this up with a few more versus from today.

 

“As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him?” (Psalm 42:1-2)

 

“Send out your light and your truth; let them guide me. Let them lead me to your holy mountain, to the place where you live.” (Psalm 43:3)

 

“For the sin of this one man, Adam, causes death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ,” (Romans 5:17)

 

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)

Awesome Kids

“This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God

through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.” (Acts 10:36)

 

I get to work with some amazing 5^th and 6^th graders on Wednesday nights. Towards the beginning of the year I realized how much this group enjoyed doing skits and plays for the smaller kids, which we did plenty of during the church’s small groups campaign. When we hit the scheduled curriculum again around Christmastime it was apparent that they wanted to do more skits. So, after Christmas season was over we decided we were going to write our own play and base it on the story of Stephen, the first martyr out of the book of Acts. We have been having a great time and I have to wonder if the kids realize how well they are going to know this story as they grow up.

 

First, we studied the passages. You can’t write about something until you know it, right? We spent weeks studying and learning because in this one small passage there is simply a ton of information to digest. Finally, after that was all done, we had to write. I was particularly nervous about the writing part because I wasn’t sure how to write a skit as a group. Our first writing night was amazing. We laughed, we shouted out ideas, I got everyone to participate, and we got more done than I had thought possible in one evening. One of the girls told me she wasn’t sure how this was all going to work when we started the class but she was happy with what we got done! These kids are taking ownership in this fun little project and I am learning through them.

 

I do wonder if this class realizes that they are branding these stories on their hearts. I know they realize as they get deeper into the skit that they will be teaching others this story so they are very adamant that it is done correctly. The class lets me jump up and down and make a fool out of myself as we go through this process and I can truly feel them learning and enjoying their time in God’s Word. I couldn’t ask for a better time as a teacher and leader. I can’t wait to see this event on a stage and I pray that God is working a wonder in the children’s hearts that will last a lifetime.

 

“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

Keep Pushing

“In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships of every kind.” (2 Corinthians 6:4)

 

I spent last week sick in bed with bronchitis. I want to say it was an awful experience but considering I slept through much of it I don’t know that I can say that. I am a fairly active person, so being stuck in bed for that long was tough and I know I am not completely well yet, which is why, what I did this morning, was so crazy!

 

I went to my first spin/cycle class ever. (what is the difference?). I love biking and I am terribly out of shape from lack of regular exercise this winter. I went to bed excited for the workout at 5am but I didn’t plan on THAT! After 10 minutes, and not being able to use the amount of tension the guy told us to, I thought that if I could make it five more minutes then I would be proud of myself. At 20 minutes I looked at the clock and had a goal of making it to 25. At 30 minutes I told myself I would be so embarrassed if I didn’t make it to at least 35 minutes. Finally, at 55 minutes I knew a cool-down had to be coming so I pushed on ahead. Pride, and pride alone, got me through that workout. I didn’t want to be “the quitter” and I also didn’t want to regret it all day.  How often is life like that?

 

How often do we find ourselves looking at the clock and wondering when the struggle or the problem is going to stop and go away? How many times have you just wanted to quit but something inside you drove you on? Everyone faces trials and everyone has a choice to make. Sometimes it would be very easy to quit. There are days when walking away makes more sense then staying with it. However, it’s those times when the ride is the hardest that we will see God more clearly at the end. Push ahead and keep going and God will see you on the other side of this day, I promise.

 

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip of every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1)

The Bird that Flew In

“Then God said, ‘Let the waters swarm with fish and other life. Let the skies be filled with birds of every kind.’” (Genesis 1:20)

 

We had our nieces over last night. Usually, I would have loved to keep them all night but it’s was a school night and it couldn’t be done. We took them over to grandma and grandpa’s (they are staying there this week) and when we opened the door a bird flew in the house. This was a new experience for all of us. Grandma and grandpa have a huge great room so the bird had plenty of room to fly around. Actually, the poor little thing kept smacking the ceiling in it’s attempts to figure out what was going on!

 

We couldn’t get the little guy to fly toward the front door again. He kind of stayed toward the kitchen area. My youngest thought yelling at it would be helpful. My oldest niece took the dog into another room. My father-in-law went to the garage to get a net. I just kind of stood there not wanting to get pooped or peed on. My mother-in-law told me to turn out the lamp and that did it. As soon as the light toward the back of the room was gone the bird started to fly toward the light, which meant it was going to fly outside.

 

Of course, I can find the scripture to apply to this. Jesus is the light that we are to look for to know which way to. Not only that, but God calls us to be a light so that others may also know which direction to go. Sometimes there are things that come into our lives and we can be like that bird, bouncing around and hitting our heads on the ceiling. Look for the Light. Turn to God’s Word and turn to Him in prayer and He will show you the way.

 

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly father.” (Matthew 5:14-16)

Your Red Sea

“The Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the Lord opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into try land. So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry land, with walls of water on each side!” (Exodus 14:21-22)

 

I was walking with my brother-in-law to McDonalds®. My sister had finally been placed in a room after her stroke and everyone else had left. Troy and I were hungry and ironically enough, a renowned heart hospital has McDonalds® on its ground floor. On our way down I told him that I would have the entire state of Iowa praying by the end of the night, that I would have friends across the country praying and even prayers being lifted from England by the next day. On the short walk down he mentioned that he had thought about getting back to church. He had been thinking life would get easier if they were going to church. I couldn’t help it. I laughed out loud. I said that is the inside joke of Christianity. For some reason the people looking in think that Christians have this easy cake-like life. However, the reality is life gets harder when you decide to walk the narrow path. It was then he remembered doing an alter call in his teens. “It was like as soon as I did that the girls flew down on me.”

 

God brought the Israelites to a new destination in an incredible way. They may have been free from 400 years of slavery but that didn’t mean that the rest of their lives were a picture of leisure and ease. It was hard. It was long. Many didn’t make it through. It brings me to the testimony I am giving this weekend. I had an amazing experience, a God-moment if you will, and I was refreshed, renewed, on fire, and alive in a totally new way (that is the jest testimony if you aren’t going to make it to church this weekend). I kid-you-not, within two days my world was crashing around me. I was on my knees and I didn’t know how I was going to get through.

 

We all have some sort of Red Sea in our lives. It’s that moment when we are walking with God and we reach a point where it seems impossible to break through or cross over. God is telling us to trust Him and to put one foot in front of the other and know that He will provide the dry ground. His Word is our staff and our church family, friends, loved ones, prayers, the sermons we hear, missions we are involved in, and circles we live in are His pillar of fire and smoke guiding us and pulling us forward. We know that He will always bring us through. We may not understand it. We may not see it. But we know that our Heavenly Father loves us and will us guide us Home.

 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Be a Part of It

“The people of Israel had lived in Egypt for 430 years. In fact, it was on the last day of the 430^th year that all the Lord’s forces left the land. On this night the Lord kept his promise to bring his people out of the land of Egypt. So this night belongs to him, and it must be commemorated every year by all the Israelites, from generation to generation.” (Exodus 12:40-42)

 

The Israelites were being guided by God. And I know we are guided by Him everyday but He was right there walking with them as they were able to turn their backs on Egypt. He was a pillar of smoke and fire leading the way. He most definitely had their attention. However, further into the story, they showed their human impatience and any moment they did not feel God’s presence they turned away and became disparate. (Exodus 32:4-5)  We have to learn that even on days when we may not feel God is near He is still guiding us and we need to continue to walk toward Him.

 

Today, I cannot see a pillar of smoke or fire in front of me. I hear a lot of angry people. I see a country tearing apart at the political seam. I watch as people become more angry, more disenfranchised, and more desperate for help. I am awed as people are either opening their arms to our new government or turning their backs. But here is the thing: people are paying attention now. People are listening. People are watching to see what comes next. Some people are waiting for their hope to arrive and some are using their hands and feet to realize their own future. It’s like we are all sitting at the bottom of the summit, regardless of our position, waiting to see what will happen. There is a loud rumble in the crowd as both sides lash out at each other. But look, we are all right here together.

 

We are all right here together. We are sharing this small place in space and time in history. We are all a part of it. And “it” is life. And regardless of where you sit on the political bench God is here. No matter if you rich or poor, black or white, employed or unemployed, sheltered or homeless, married or single, the perfect citizen or the hardened criminal God is here. When everything else in the world is distracting us, bringing us hope, and demonstrating pain, God is here. The true opportunity of changing the future comes from what God has given each of us. He has given us the ability to make the world around us and as more people step up to that call we will see more communities helped, more people fed, more children with shoes and school supplies, more abused women in shelters, more help for drug addicts changing their lives, and more opportunities to show the world the hope and joy that we are given by God. So go and be a part of it. Figure out what you can do and do it. Don’t wait for someone else to take care of your neighbor. Don’t think you are not good enough. Be a part of it and you will be filled with the hope that you are looking for.

 

“God blesses those who are poor and realized their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the earth. God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied. God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called he children of God. God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the kingdom of God is theirs.” (Matthew 5:3-10)

Couch Cushion

“Since we have been united with him in death, we will also be raised to life as he was. We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.” (Romans 6:5-6)

 

I have to thank biblestudypodcasts.org for helping me find a verse for this morning. There is nothing like having an idea of what to write, knowing that there are verses, but not knowing where to find them. Biblestudypodcasts.org  is an excellent podcast that dives deeper into God’s Word, helping people understand the nature of God and how to apply Biblical principles to our lives today. Besides, what is so amazing is that I am visiting on a topic today that the host, Toby, has been speaking about for a while now: sin. So, it’s all good.

 

I have discovered something really neat about my couch. See, we don’t have a well placed table in our living room for me to be able to sit here and work and have my coffee close by. One night I decided to try an experiment. The cushions of this couch are not connected to each other. I had myself on one of the cushions and texts books piled up on the other. So, I thought I would try to put my coffee on a closed text book and see what happens. The cup, I believed I used a commuter mug for safety reasons, balanced quite easily. I did a tiny little wiggle on my side of the couch to see if the coffee reacted and there was nothing. So, I did a little bounce; nothing. Then I kind of hopped up and down in my seat (must have looked interesting) and still nothing. I can do all kinds of things in this seat and my coffee will stay right in place on the other cushion. I ended that evening quite proud of myself and felt like I was getting away with something sneaky.

 

But our lives cannot work the same way. There are times when we may feel like we have two different cushions we live on: the world and church. However, we don’t. We can’t bounce back and forth between worldly things and godly things. We have to understand that everything around us is God’s sanctuary and that the people are His church. The expectations that He has do not go into effect only when we are in the doors of a church building. We have to learn to comfortable in our faith skin and realize how full life is and that, choosing to walk this path, doesn’t mean you will or will not enjoy life as much as the next person. However, it does mean that you will be able to find joy and hope in everything. It means that you will never walk alone. It means that you know the end of the story and the author of Creation.

 

Stop trying to make two different worlds go together. Balancing coffee on a text book is a lot easier than trying to balance two different worlds within one person. Turn to God and let Him guide you and you will find your balance.

 

“Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life.  So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under freedom of God’s grace.” (Romans 6:12-14)