FULLY ALIVE!

Your life will be as bright as the noonday sun. Job 11:17


by Leave a comment

Sponge or Rock?

In the wake of the trend toward more natural and organic lifestyles that will reduce toxic exposure and increase overall health, more people are using natural sponges for bathing.  In addition to just being super chic looking on the bathroom counter, sea sponges are a renewable natural resource.  They are also hypoallergenic, toxin-free, natural exfoliators!  As if all of that wasn’t good enough news, sea sponges are also super durable because they are resistant to abrasion.

When you buy a loofah sponge in the store, likely it feels as hard as a rock.  Despite this appearance and even this texture, it’s still a sponge, and there is tremendous difference between a sponge and a rock.

If you place a rock in water, it gets wet.  That’s pretty much it.  Surface appearance might change, but the interior remains unchanged and the rock remains hard.  Place a sponge in water, and almost immediately a change is noticed.  The sponge absorbs the water into its every pore allowing the water to change it.  The rock resists the water; the sponge receives it.

In Acts 22 Paul shares his account of his conversion and how he was confirmed in the change that he made from persecutor of Christians to follower of Christ.  Paul calls those who would know God’s will and also God’s power to baptism to receive Christ and to become personally acquainted with Him.  Paul calls us to be sponges – to receive Christ, to let Him soak into our very pores and change us.

It’s not our nature to be sponges; we are more prone to be rocks with hardened hearts. Disappointments, sickness, death, job loss, financial struggle, contrary teenagers, broken relationships, missed promotions, joyless days…  The world screams to us, “Harden your heart!”

Tony Reinke says, “A hard heart is an obstinate and calloused heart blind to the precious value of the gospel and Christ” (Romans 11:8).  Rock or sponge?  Resist or receive?  Embrace and trust Christ or reject Him?  Despite the situation the choice is yours.

Are you operating as a rock or a sponge?  “Hard hearts,” says Max Lucado, “never heal.  Spongy ones do.”  Soak up the promises of God and let Him change not just your situation but your heart!


by Leave a comment

It’s All Under Control

The Bible tells us (at least six times) that Jesus is seated at the right hand of the Father in the heavenly places (Acts 2:33 and 5:31, Colossians 3:1, Ephesians 1:20, Hebrews 1:3, Romans 8:34).  Don’t you just love that about the Scriptures – how the truth can be cross-referenced again and again?

I love, too, just the image of this – that Jesus is seated at the right hand of God, the Father.  He’s not standing.  He’s not pacing.  He is seated – above all rule and authority, above all power and dominion.  Everything is under Jesus’ feet!  He is seated at the right hand of God.

And what does this mean?  He has it all under control!  He’s not worried.  He’s not caught off guard.  He’s not panicky.  He’s not engaged in a wild texting frenzy.  He’s not scrolling through his phone contacts trying to figure out who to call.  He’s not without a plan.  He’s in control.

And there is still more! We are ascended and seated with Him in the heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6).

So on this Monday morning as you return to work or school, as you go to that doctor’s appointment, as you walk into that meeting, as you make (or answer) that phone call…, just remember that your Lord and Savior, Jesus, is seated in Heaven and you along with Him and that He has it all under control!


by 2 Comments

Redefining Ourselves (Part 2)

There is a joke/urban legend (often touted as truth) that has circulated the Internet for years.  While there are many versions, the story found on Snopes basically goes like this:

“An award should go to the airline gate agent who was both smart and funny when making her point with an irate passenger who probably deserved to fly as cargo. A crowded flight had been canceled.  A single agent was working feverishly to rebook a long line of inconvenienced travelers. 

Suddenly an angry passenger pushed his way from the rear of the line to the desk.  He slapped his ticket down on the counter and said, “I HAVE to be on this flight and my seat HAS to be FIRST CLASS!”

The agent replied, “I’m sorry sir.  I’ll try to help you as soon as I finish with these folks; I’m sure we’ll be able to work something out.”  The passenger was unimpressed and not to be calmed.  He asked loudly so that all around could hear, “Do you have any idea who I am?!”

Never missing a beat, the gate agent smiled and grabbed her public address microphone:

 “May I have your attention please.” Her voice bellowed throughout the terminal.  “We have a passenger here at the gate who does not know who he is.  If anyone can help him find his identify, please come to Gate 12.”

Understandably, his fellow passengers erupted into laughter and the man was outraged and embarrassed.

It’s important to know:

  • who you are.
  • who people think you are.
  • Whose you are!

Look at Luke 9:18-20 (NET)

18 Once when Jesus was praying by himself, and his disciples were nearby, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19 They answered, “John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others that one of the prophets of long ago has risen.” 20 Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”

Jesus’ question and Peter’s answer are both important.  Jesus knew who He was, but He is questioning His disciples to see if they fully understand who He is.  And Peter answered correctly!  How did Peter know when others had so many different responses – John the Baptist, Elijah, a prophet?  Peter had walked with Jesus, and every day Jesus showed Peter who He was.

Who do people say that you are?  And, what makes them respond as they do?  What are you telling people every day?  I had a colleague that used to remind me every morning that I might be the only Jesus that someone would see.  I’m afraid that some days I showed them “temple-cleansing Jesus” (Matthew 21).  What qualities and characteristics should we show?  There are many.  Search the Scriptures and ask God to search your heart (Psalm 139:23-24) to see what message you are sending.  Love?  Patience?  Gentleness?  Self-Control?  Humility?  Faithfulness?  Something else? 

And “if there be any hurtful way” in you, ask the Lord to help you redefine yourself as you remember that our most powerful testimony and witness is who we are every day.


by Leave a comment

Redefining Ourselves

I absolutely love how people are defined in the Scriptures.  Rarely (if ever) does a name just appear.  Typically there is some definition such as “daughter of” or “brother of.”  Even Jesus is announced as the Son of God.  Take a look at 1Timothy 1:1-2 (NASB):

1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope,

2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Immediately the reader knows that Paul is an apostle (believer, advocate, supporter, disciple) of Jesus.  The reader also knows that God is our Savior, Jesus is our hope and our Lord and Timothy is a true child of the faith.  Yes, all that in less than 50 words!

In this crazy world it is important to know who you are.  The world is forever trying to define us and typically chooses to do so by standards such as our social station, our geographic location, our function in life, our size or shape or color, our political affiliation…

What do you say when someone asks you, “Who are you?”  Do you respond, “I’m a mom.”  “I’m a doctor.” “I’m a Girl Raised in the South.” “I’m a divorcee.”  “I’m so and so’s daughter.”

Let’s go back to Paul.  He announces himself as an apostle of Christ Jesus.  Understand that Paul could have written, “Paul, a tent maker according to his vocation…” Or perhaps he might have chosen, “Paul, a Roman Citizen according to his citizenry…”  There were many accurate and true monikers that Paul could have assigned himself.  Fourteen of the 27 books of the New Testament have been attributed to Paul.  Surely he could have written, “Paul, a great author…” or  “Paul, a teacher…”  Approximately half of the book of Acts is about Paul’s life and works.  Wouldn’t you think he would want you to know that?

That’s typically how we operate – introduce ourselves by the important titles, the impressive titles, the titles that mean the most to us.  I think the latter is what Paul did!  And I, for one, confess that my first thoughts do not always parallel Paul’s.  In absolute honesty, to introduce myself as a disciple of Christ or a child of Christ – well, those descriptions aren’t even in the pool of descriptors from which I typically fish.

If I believe the Bible.  If I have, as Galatians 2:20 (NASB) says, “been crucified with Christ,” then also according to that same Scripture, “…it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”  If these things are true, then who am I?

Debbie, an apostle of Christ Jesus…

Who are you?


by Leave a comment

Surviving (Part 3)

 “The only difference,” said American Novelist Ellen Glasgow, “between a rut and a grave is their dimensions.”   Yet, when in a rut, we are often hesitant to change – even if our very survival depends on it.

In our last post we talked about changing our thinking because change always begins first in our minds.  Our thinking dictates our feelings which drive our actions.  But once we have made a shift in our thinking, we have to get our actions in gear – we have to change our behavior.  But how?

American pastor and Bible teacher, Warren Wiersbe, says we must “remind ourselves that God can change things.”  He says “outlook,” but I say “uplook” determines the outcome.  Focusing on our situation almost insures failure.  Focusing on God and what is possible through Him insures success.  So, what are the behaviors we should change?  Well, let’s consider the behaviors we typify during stressful times:

  • Blame
  • Worry
  • Devising our own plan and feeling we have to “go it alone”
  • Talking to any and everyone except God
  • Seeking advice from self-help books and other sources such as TV Talk Shows
  • Losing it

And let’s consider Jesus’ example in Matthew 26:36-44 (NASB)

6 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.”

39 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.” 40 And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? 41 Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

42 He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.” 43 Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more.

What do we “see” and what do we learn from these verses?  Jesus was grieved and distressed – to the point of death.  (Can you relate?) No worry, no flipping out, no consulting the TV gurus or the self-help books.  Note five specific actions:

  1. He called upon faithful, believing friends asking them to pray with and for.

Jesus had 12 disciples.  Even if we exclude Judas, who was about to betray Him, there were 11 remaining close companions.  Note, though, that He took only three beyond a certain point.  It is not always about the quantity of friends but rather the quality.  Who are the 2-3 that you can call upon to pray with and for you?

  1. He fell on His face.

In our culture kneeling is commonly accepted as an expression of reverence and is a familiar posture of prayer.  The very image of Christ throwing Himself on His face is powerful showing Him as a suppliant in the face of His distress and in a position of needing to hear from His Father.

  1. He went a little beyond them – separated Himself from them to seek His Father’s will.

Sometimes we need to separate from even our friends and when we need to earnestly seek God may be one of those times.  In solitude, alone with God, there are postures we may assume, petitions we may make, attention we may devote and fervor we may display much more freely than when in the presence of others.

  1. He was persistent and specific in His prayer praying not just once but three times.

Jesus’ prayer was short and specific and He prayed it multiple times.  Do not come to Jesus with shopping lists or Christmas lists.  Come with clear, specific and, when necessary, persistent prayer.

  1. His prayer shifted from Him to His Father.

Note the shift in Jesus’ first, second and third prayer from asking to have the cup removed to asking that the Father’s will be done.  Too often we want to tell God what needs to be done – and when and how.  He is the Almighty, and He is Omniscient.  Whatever is happening in your life is no surprise to Him.  Likewise, He already knows and has a plan for resolving it.  Seek His will through this and all situations.

Remember it is not your outlook but your uplook that will determine your outcome.  In these short verses find guidance for your seasons of high stress.


by Leave a comment

Surviving (Part 2)

Children’s author, Judith Viorst, spins the tale of a day that many of us have had in her book Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.  Nothing goes right for Alexander.  From the time he opens his eyes to face the day until he crawls back into bed and closes them that night, it’s all terrible, horrible, no good, very bad.  Page after page we read about Alexander, waking with gum stuck in his hair, tripping over a skateboard, getting smushed in the middle seat of the car and facing a dessertless lunch sack among other letdowns and annoyances. At one point in the story, Alexander thinks that change is needed, and he resolves to move to Australia!  (Hmm, no dessert?  I’d be thinking about moving, too!)

Well, I don’t know if Australia is necessarily the answer, but to survive times of crises change is often just what we need – and just what we fear the most.  What is the change that YOU need to make?  In our last blog post we offered some possibilities – job, friends, behavior, thinking.  You might think of others, but I’ll suggest you begin with the last two in this list – your thinking and then your behavior.

God’s best for our lives begins with right thoughts, His thoughts.  But Isaiah 55:8-9 (ASV) clearly tells us that our thoughts are not the Lord’s and neither are our ways; both His thoughts and ways are higher than ours.  So how do we change our thinking?  Look to the Scriptures for guidance:

  • “…taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ…” 2 Corinthians 10:5(b)(NIV)
  • “…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

It is possible to change and to control our thoughts.  As soon as a negative thought – one that does not align with God – comes into mind we must intentionally and purposefully “capture” it and replace it with “God-thinking.”  It is not enough to just tell our negative thoughts to “Stop!”  We have to replace them with right thoughts, God thoughts.  Consider these examples:

 

Our Thinking

“God-Thinking”

I can’t do it.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13 NKJV)

It’s impossible.

“…Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19: 26 NASB)

I can’t go on.

“And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”  (II Corinthians 12:9(a)  NASB)

I don’t know which way to go.

“Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6 AMP)

I’m afraid.

“God did not give us a spirit that makes us afraid but a spirit of power and love and self-control.” (II Timothy 1:7  NCV)

I’m not smart enough.

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5 NASB)

I’m so alone.

“After all, he has said, I will never leave you or abandon you.” (Hebrews 13:5(b)  CEB)

 

These are but examples. ANY negative thought that you have can be exchanged for “God-thinking” if you are intentional and purposeful in doing so.  Negative thoughts breed negative attitudes which breed negative behaviors.  And so a cycle begins and continues.  Break the cycle by taking captive your negative thoughts.

Next blog entry – changing your behavior!


by 5 Comments

Surviving (Part 1)

On October 12, 1972, a plane carrying a team of young rugby players crashed into the remote, snow-peaked Andes. Of the forty-five original passengers and crew, only sixteen made it off the mountain alive. Those survivors endured ten excruciating weeks suffering deprivations beyond imagination, confronting nature head-on at its most furious and inhospitable, and to survive, engaging in the unthinkable.  This is the tale of Piers Paul Read’s Alive: The Story of the Andes Survivors.

Chances are (if you are reading this), you are not snowbound, lost in the Andes.  But are you lost?  Confused?  Off kilter?  Perhaps feeling deprived – of love?  Of true friendships?  Confronting life head-on at its most furious?  Finances?  Health?  Career?  Death? Relationships?  Parenting?  Do you feel as though you are barely surviving?

The surviving passengers and crew in Alive, survived because they did the unthinkable.  They became cannibals.

Hold up; no, I am not telling you to eat your friends and family (though sometimes you might feel like it – with your words, that is).  But what is the unthinkable, the drastic, the radical change that YOU need to make?  Perhaps you already know.  Change jobs?  Change friends?  Change your behavior?  Change your thinking?  (We’ll talk about what you know next blog.)

Or you may be completely clueless.  I invite you to look to Isaiah for wisdom. Isaiah 58:9(a) (AMP) tells us “Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, Here I am.” (Feeling better already? I know I am just typing this!). But keep reading. Isaiah 58:11 (AMP) continues, “And the Lord shall guide you continually and satisfy you in drought and in dry places and make strong your bones. And you shall be like a watered garden and like a spring of water whose waters fail not.  (In case you don’t get it, He will make you Alive!)

But there is even more!

Isaiah 30:19-21 (AMP) says, “And though the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide Himself any more, but your eyes will constantly behold your Teacher. And your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, This is the way; walk in it, when you turn to the right hand and when you turn to the left.”

To navigate the Andes, the survivors needed a guide.  To navigate life, we need a guide – and we have one in Our Lord.  Keep your eyes on Him and your ears open to hear His word, “This is the way; walk in it…”


by Leave a comment

Asking for Directions (Part 2)

Today let’s just dive in.

We established in our last blog entry the importance of seeking God’s direction before we begin each daily journey.  That means we embrace the examples of Psalm 63 1(a) – “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee…” (KJV) and (less we be uncertain what early means) Mark 1:35 “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.” (KJV)

But how do you seek God early?  Look back at Mark, and pick that Scripture apart.  Jesus:

  • Rose before day
  • Went out
  • Departed into a solitary place
  • Prayed

Do you have to get up before the sun? No. Your “early” may occur later in the morning but BEFORE you begin your day in earnest. Remember, you want to seek God before you begin to encounter the world (your children, your spouse, morning traffic, your work place, etc.)

Do you have to leave home (go out)? No. But you do need to go somewhere that is a solitary, quiet place. If you’re home alone – no problem. If your household is overrun with children, animals, extended family…, you need to find a quiet place.   Back porch? Basement? Garden? Bathroom? (Hey, He is everywhere, and a girl’s got to do what a girl’s got to do to get some solitude.”)

Do you have to pray? Yes! Do you have to pray lofty liturgies? No. Just talk with God.   I say with because it is a conversation in that you are talking and listening. I encourage you also to read the Scriptures, meditate and journal, but mainly I encourage you to personalize this time. Christianity is NOT a legal relationship; it is a love relationship, and just as you personalize your time with those you love, personalize this time with Christ.

POSSIBLE RESOURCES

How to Have a Meaningful Quiet Time

Love Worth Finding (Adrian Rogers)

http://www.lwf.org/site/News2?id=10545

 

How to Have a Quiet Time

In Touch Ministries (Charles Stanley)

http://www.intouch.org/you/quiet-time-toolbox/content/topic/how_do_i_have_a_quiet_time_qt

 

How to Have a Quiet Time According to Martin Luther

Christianity Today

http://www.christianitytoday.com/iyf/advice/faithqa/whats-quiet-time.html

 

Quiet Time: 7 Minutes with God

Precept Austin

http://preceptaustin.org/quiet_time_seven_minutes_with_god.htm


by 2 Comments

Asking for Directions (Part 1)

Sunday School Student: “Why did Moses wander in the desert for 40 years?”

Female Sunday School Teacher: “Because even back then men would not ask for directions.”

Okay, forgive me, Lord, for that one. But, if we have ever ridden in a car with a man for a distance greater than around the block, then we know it is too true. Men will not ask for directions!

Don’t worry, I’m not about to bash men. Just to be fair I will share an equally painful confession about women. We are notorious for being backseat drivers! Now many, like my mother, will not actually get behind the wheel if anyone else in the car has a valid driver’s license, but they (she) will give you guidance every turn of the way. Slow down! Look out for that car in front of you! Don’t park there. You’re too close.

But back to the men.  Well actually if we step out of the car, MOST of us will find that as we navigate life we don’t stop and ask for directions. Proverbs 3:1 cautions us, “My son, do not forget my teaching…” Verse 6 follows, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” (NASB)

But no sooner read, we forget this invaluable teaching – in ALL ways we are to acknowledge Christ so that He will make our paths straight. Another translation of Verse 6 says, “He’s the one who will keep you on track.” (MSG)

My daddy loved to travel and often took us on family trips when I was a child.  Not being wealthy, much of our travel was via the family station wagon. (Yes, we had one of those with the wood veneer sides.)  I can still see him sitting at the kitchen table with maps and Atlases spread about as he was planning our next venture. (For you Millenials, understand there was no GPS!)  What is key is that daddy consulted the maps and atlases BEFORE we ever put a suitcase in the trunk!  And that is what your heavenly daddy would have you do.  Consult the maps and atlases – His word, His teaching – before you begin the journey!

And just as my daddy consulted those guides before every trip so you need to consult yours before you begin every day.  How?  Next blog entry…


by Leave a comment

Where Are You Going?

Along the yellow brick road in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s screen version of L Frank Baum’s The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy comes to a fork in the road where, while thinking out loud, she meets the Scarecrow.  Their dialogue goes something like this:

Dorothy:  Follow the Yellow Brick Road? Follow the Yellow Brick? Well, now which way do we go?

Scarecrow:  Pardon me. That way is very nice.

Dorothy:  Who said that?  Don’t be silly, Toto. Scarecrows don’t talk.

Scarecrow:  It’s pleasant down that way, too.

Dorothy:  That’s funny.  Wasn’t he pointing the other way?

Scarecrow:  Of course, people do go both ways!

Dorothy:  Why, you did say something; didn’t you?  Are you doing that on purpose, or can’t you make up your mind?

Scarecrow:  That’s the trouble.  I can’t make up my mind. I haven’t got a brain, only straw.

Dorothy:  Well, how can you talk if you haven’t got a brain?

Scarecrow:  I don’t know. But some people without brains do an awful lot of talking, don’t they?

Many people can relate to both Dorothy and the Scarecrow.  They don’t know where they’re going.  They think any road will do.  They occasionally stop and ask anyone for direction, and they listen to people who do a lot of talking but don’t necessarily have brains.

(That’s probably enough said for this post already.)

Fast forward, though, to the ending scenes of The Wizard of Oz and there is dialogue among the Tin Man, Dorothy and Glinda, the Good Witch:

Tin Man:  What have you learned, Dorothy?

Dorothy:  Well, I – I think that it – that it wasn’t enough just to want to see Uncle Henry and Auntie Em. And that it’s that if I ever go looking for my heart’s desire again, I won’t look any further than my own backyard, because if it isn’t there, I never really lost it to begin with. Is that right?

Glinda:  That’s all it is!

Glinda and Dorothy were almost right in that the answer to what is missing in our lives is not something “out there” over the rainbow.  No man or woman, no amount of money, no career, no travel to an exotic land (not even to Kansas) can fill our emptiness.  What is missing, what will fill that hole in our hearts and lives is God.

So, rather than chasing after pots of gold, as David declared in Psalm 63:8 we should follow “hard after” God. (KJV) While this expression comes from A.W. Tozer’s book, The Pursuit of God, (there is a chapter entitled, “Following Hard After God.”) this text written in 1948 and this word from David speak a powerful lesson for us today.  In following hard after God we can be assured that He will order our steps, direct our paths and uphold us in His way. Even more than this, we can be assured of a deep relationship with Him – one that brings life, one that satisfies.