Poison in the Pantry

A gallon of milk in our fridge tasted strange. In spite of the future expiration date, it was "off" and tainted everything it touched.  We forgot to mention this to Nick who thought we'd bought a box of bad Fruity Pebbles (healthy because of the word "Fruity").  Nothing ruins a good bowl of Fruity Pebbles or a chocolate chip cookie like bad tasting milk.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

Philippians 4:6-7 mentions a couple of bad tasting ingredients in our prayer pantries. Number one on the list is anxiety. Anxiety both doubles the punch of crisis and negates our prayers and peace. Fear-filled prayers and efforts to control the outcome don't please Him because these prayers show no trust in Him, no faith.  He wants us to pray from the calm assurance that He can, He will and He wants to intervene with peace and protection. He calls us to take the time and energy to de-tox from busy-ness, anxiety, worry and fear as we pray to Him with gratitude. 

As a matter of fact, the second poison in the pantry is ingratitude. Apparently, God knows  it's impossible to over season lives or prayers with sincere gratitude. God loves to hear thanksgiving pouring from His children's hearts and lips. Gratitude reshapes our prayer as we remember how God has blessed us in the past.

Spring cleaning means it's time to clean out the poisonous and stale ingredients in our prayer pantries.  Time to toss the expired faith, artificial joy, and traces of anxiety and to  refill with the gratitude, trust, and peace that touch God's heart and open the way for the fresh fruit of  answered prayers.  

Out of the Ring, Fighting My Own Fight

"But I trust in You, LORD; I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in Your Hands."

Psalm 31:14-15a

On the way to school this morning, Nick and I were talking about how much easier it is to stand up for someone else than it is to stand up for yourself. Praying's like that for me. The issues seem crystal clear when it comes to praying for other people - unless they're my children - extensions of me.   

I just received a text from a friend who understands what I mean. Her son is being rushed to the hospital with chest pains and she's asking for prayer. 

Julie and Addy

So am I. Our daughter, Julie, had five additional moles removed after an initial one tested mildly atypical.  Now two of the new ones have been tested "mild" and "severe" - and they'll be removed May 1. There's no melanoma - just the assurance that if nothing's done, danger is certain, in time. Praise God, again, that she went to the doctor.  This is my child, my daughter who's facing serious issues as she turns 25.   I'm praying urgently, with purpose and passion, for her healing and that they scoop out every abnormal cell so she never has to deal with this threat again. 

Four generations of mamas and daughters.

Praying Addy walks in her mama's steps of faith.

Why can't we be allowed to tag team with our children, jumping in the ring to handle the tough stuff for them? Because they, too, are learning to say "But I trust in You, LORD; I say, 'You are my God. My times are in Your Hands."  As a parent I must resist every urge to obstruct my children's spiritual growth by trying to have faith for them.  My job is to stand by them, to fight my own worry, to work out my own faith, and to pray for them as they learn to trust the Someone Bigger and Stronger Who never leaves them to take their hits alone in the ring.   

Lord, God, our lives - moments, trials, victories -are in Your hands.  Help us pray, not worry; remember You love our kids more than we do (??); know You're constantly refining them to bring out their best; and believe You have a purpose for everything You allow into their lives just as You do in ours.  Help us demonstrate a faith in You that will matter to them, encourage them, lead them, but never come between them and You. Mamas want to fix things and Daddies want to provide.  You are both to our children and we trust You.
In the Name of Jesus, Who wanted to gather Jerusalem under His wing like a mother hen. 

Unlimited Expertise

"So do not worry about tomorrow; it will have enough worries of its own.
There is no need to add to the troubles each day brings."
Matthew 6:34

"LORD Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in You." 

Psalm 84:12

     The day came last week when I had to face the "boogey man" computer program I've dreaded for a year.  When I first started working for the judge, someone came and showed me how to access and use several programs to do my job.  I promptly forgot what I didn't understand (most of it) and have used only what I've needed on a daily basis.  But, the time has come to dig deeper, to master my fear and to dominate this frightful program.  It didn't start well: nothing worked and I felt like I was in a land where no one spoke my language.  

     When I called the helpline, (I'm not proud when it comes to technology) a nice young man led me through steps which gave him remote access to my computer. A strange combination of relief and anxiety overcame me as I watched the cursor on my screen come alive to glide across the screen and click on boxes which dropped twenty mysterious options. It magically deleted excess information and updated what was left  - all within a matter of minutes and without my help.  When the job was complete, the young man exited my computer and placed the reigns (mouse) back in my hands.  

     Do we see God's work in our lives this way? As some sort of helpline we call to take over, clean out and update when we're nervous, frightened, confused, uncertain?  Do we take the reigns back when the way seems clear or until the next glitch occurs?

     If so, we're missing out on all our Mighty God wants to do in and through us, with or without the glitches.   He's more than a temporary helpline who takes over to clean up our messes or get us through the scary parts of life.  He's the 24/7 All-Knowing Friend, Brother, Savior, Consolation, Guide, Teacher, Tutor, Father, Boss, Shepherd, Strength, Wisdom, Physician, Psychologist - Whoever we need Him to be every minute of today so that tomorrow we're already on track.  He offers us love, joy, peace, rest, relief, forgiveness, understanding, opportunity, reprimand, guidance, patience - whatever we need for the moment - so we're in the right place at the right time to be blessed. 

     I like knowing the nice young man or one of his co-workers is on the other end of the line when I need computer help, but that's where his expertise and input end in my life.  God's expertise knows no end. Any day I fail to invite Him to take the reigns is a day I don't live up to what He could and would do through me. 

Father, take today and make it what You want it to be. Clean out the excesses of materialism and self-absorption. Update stale faith.  Open the hearts within our hearts to deeper lessons, life and love.  May today be a day we live and move in You. Do all that You desire and make us who You created us to be in Jesus Christ. 

In the Name of Your Son, "God With Us" - Who sent the Holy Spirit to work in us.

     

Birds in Bare Trees

  Trust in the Lord and do good;

    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

⁴ 

Take delight in the Lord,

    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:3-4

  On my way in to work today I chose to mainstream and ended up in traffic. You'd think a town the size of Benton wouldn't suffer from car congestion but certain routes around the schools fill up fast. 

   While sitting in line to turn left at the stop sign, I enjoyed a view of our beautiful Presbyterian church building. Its charming, compact architecture invites passersby in to pray and meditate.  In the side yard closest to our parade of impatience, two bare trees boasted one bird each. One held a fat scarlet-bellied  cardinal and the other tree held an even fatter mockingbird.  I switched off my CD and rolled down the window to hear their songs. They took turns showing off their repertoires and precisely at 8:00 a.m. the Methodist church bells joined them to fill in the background. 
     Dear friends, people need to hear believers singing from bare trees. God's good in the winter, even when we don't understand our lack or our loss.  He knows how it ends, when it ends, and most importantly why it must be the way it is for now. Whatever tree God places us on and on whatever limb we cling, may we sing out with joy simply because He's swaying on the bare limb in the bare tree with us, and He is enough. 


Why should I feel discouraged?
Why should the shadows come?
Why should my heart feel lonely,
and long for heaven and home?

When Jesus is my portion,
a constant Friend is He,
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy -
I sing because I'm free.
His eye is on the sparrow,
And I know He watches me.

Though the fig tree does not bud

    and there are no grapes on the vines,

though the olive crop fails

    and the fields produce no food,

though there are no sheep in the pen

    and no cattle in the stalls,

18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord,

    I will be joyful in God my Savior.

Habakkuk 3:17-18

 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" Matthew 6:26

Let The Drain Begin!

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." 
Matthew 11:28-29

Heavy hands, hearts and shoulders weary the soul - even when the weights we carry seem appropriate, good or inevitable. Jesus calls us to lay the burdens down and lift our empty selves for His blessing of rest.

  
Abraham emptied himself of his heritage and left the land of his fathers and their gods to be directed and filled as the father of a new nation who worshiped the one true God.

Ruth released her identity, leaving her family to stay with her mother-in-law to worship the God she came to know as faithful. She became the grandmother of David and part of Jesus' lineage.

Hannah poured out her grief about not having children at the altar and God filled her with a child, a spiritual leader for God's people in dark, uncertain times.

Moses gave up his excuses and self-conscious lack of gifts  for God to fill him with wisdom and power. This shy guy led the Israelites to witness miracle after miracle.

A sinful, repentant woman emptied an alabaster jar of extravagant perfume on the feet of Jesus.  In return, people criticized her harshly, but Jesus fulfilled her need.  She left the house with a drained jar and a new heart - forgiven, free, and at peace.  She's now part of our story of grace. (Luke 7:36-50)

Jesus Himself is the greatest example of the self-emptying we're to practice: 

 Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus,

 who, existing in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God
as something to be used for His own advantage.
 Instead He emptied Himself
by assuming the form of a slave,
taking on the likeness of men.
And when He had come as a man
in His external form,
 He humbled Himself by becoming obedient
to the point of death—
even to death on a cross.
 For this reason God highly exalted Him
and gave Him the name
that is above every name,
 so that at the name of Jesus
every knee will bow—
of those who are in heaven and on earth
and under the earth—
 and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:5-11

Then there are the others: 
Martha held on to her kitchen gadgets. As her hands busied themselves, her heart became resentful and accusing - critical of a sister who fed on Jesus' teaching. Martha traded knowing Jesus in that moment for maintaining her reputation as a superb hostess.  We've named a syndrome for her. 

The rich young ruler held on to his money and his self-righteousness instead of grasping eternity. Now he's known as someone who walked away from Jesus and nobody knows his name.

Judas grasped his own plans above God's plan for Christ. Filled with sin and remorse, he hung himself and I don't know anyone named Judas, do you?  

You, me - we tightly grasp our:
    regret, worry, control, 
    identity, work, excuses, 
    grudges, habits, attitudes, 
    relationships, locations, stuff . . . 
when He asks us to pour it out at the altar of His feet.


"Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing."  
1 Timothy 2:8



Lord, God, let the drain begin. Pry open our clenched fists.  Help us give every drop of what we value to You. May we lift empty, holy hands as clean, roomy vessels for You to fill with Your best - for always.
In the Name of Jesus Who emptied Himself for our sake and for God's glory!

Windows May Not Be All They're Cracked Up To Be

There is no window in the office I share with Valarie.  We're getting our updates from those who come through: "It's sleeting;"  "It's snowing now;"  "Roads are slick;"  "Winds are picking up."  Both our husbands have called, "What's the plan if they let school out?"   "You might want to warm up the car before you leave for lunch - no, I'll just come get you."  A co-worker down the street just told me someone fishtailed by the courthouse.  Photos and warnings from local friends are popping up by the second on Facebook and it does look dangerous.  

"But when Peter saw the wind, he was afraid.
     He began to sink.
          He cried out, “Lord! Save me!”
               Matthew 14:30
Slick - slippery - messy - wet - cold - icy - gray - dangerous, but we'd never know it in this heated, quiet coccoon of an office. We have an extra heater going and it's pretty much business as usual, except that we've heard what's out there.  We're like personnel on a submarine - hearing blips, but not seeing it for ourselves and there are two ways to look at our situation:

First, we're missing out on seeing the sleet and snow fall, and that's tough on me because I'm a decisive weather junkie.  I like to see sun shining brightly, rain raining down hard, and snow blowing in gusts.  Overcast, gray days that can't make up their minds what to do are my least favorite. I've walked down the hall to look out the window a couple of times just to enjoy the sight of sleet blowing across rooftops and roads, but when I get back to work, that scene slips out of mind.

Which brings up the second way to see our submarine situation. We're getting along just fine, accomplishing what we need to accomplish and forgetting the threats of the outside world.  Knowing me, a window would distract (weather's too pretty or too bad, etc.) and keep me guessing at which way today (and tomorrow) might go. The way things are, we'll work til quittin' time then deal with what's left of it instead of all the what ifs beforehand. 

"Let us keep looking to Jesus. He is the author of faith. He also makes it perfect. He paid no attention to the shame of the cross. He suffered there because of the joy He was looking forward to. Then He sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."
Hebrews 12:2

Scripture after scripture tells us to keep our eyes on Jesus and our spiritual ears sensitive to His Voice.  Speculating about waves of potential future problems only distracts us from what He calls us to do today, right now, this minute.  The Apostles counted the cost for the moment, not necessarily for their lifetimes or they might not have walked away from paying jobs.  When Gabriel announced God's plan to Mary, she allowed herself to speculate on how the immediate problem of pregnancy would be solved, not on the million of other potential worry points.

Windows are nice, but they may not be all they're cracked up to be if what we see through them brings more anxiety than joy.  Maybe this explains why God allows us only small windows when it comes to the future but large, day-sized windows as a rule. 

"Don’t worry about anything. Instead, tell God about everything. Ask and pray. Give thanks to him. Then God’s peace will watch over your hearts and your minds because you belong to Christ Jesus. God’s peace can never be completely understood." 
Philippians 4:6-7




 

Sunday, July 17, 2011 - Time Is Like a Chili Dog

     We celebrated my dad's 70th birthday Friday night by meeting up at the Varsity in downtown Atlanta for chili dogs, chili burgers, onion rings and frosted orange shakes before going to a Braves game.  I grew up with this occasional greasy shock to my system and the Varsity represents some great memories. Now that I live so far away, I rarely get to eat there, but if I had eaten enough onion rings to make up for lost time or stored enough chili dogs away for the future, I would've ruined the moment, the evening and possibly the next several days. My taste buds said, "More!" but my brain said "Whoa!"
     Time is like a chili dog: best handled in small doses. Cramming too many days into our minds at one time overloads our systems and causes extreme discomfort to our minds and spirits.  Jesus called us to take it easy and avoid unnecessary "heartburn" by trusting God to guide us through the day we're living. 

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. 

Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Matthew 6:34

     When tomorrow dawns with new worries, God will provide what we need to conquer them: His Presence, 

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." 

Romans 8:37

His Plan,

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." 

Proverbs 16:9

and His Light.

"You are my lamp, O LORD; the LORD turns my darkness into light." 

2 Samuel 22:29

     Take small bites, chew slowly and savor the day. 

LORD God, forgive us when we live as if it's all up to us to figure out the future: ours and everyone else's. Soothe our anxious hearts with Your Presence. Feed us with Your Word. You are our Good God and You dish out only what You'll strengthen us to handle. 

I love You, Lord, not only for holding my hand today, but for being with me through the night and ready to lead me again each new morning!

In the Name of Jesus, Who taught us to sing, "One Day at a Time." 

Wednesday, January 26, 2011 - Be Careful What You Wish For

Red poppies grow as common weeds
in fields and along roadsides throughout Europe. 

     King Midas, of Greek mythology, was a good man who worried about the economic problems of his small kingdom. When the god Dionysius offered him one wish, Midas didn't hesitate: "Let everything I touch turn to gold." Before granting the wish, Dionysius asked, "Are you sure?" Instead of taking the hint and thinking through the pros and cons, Midas quickly assured the god this was his final answer and his wish was granted. 
     At first, Midas enjoyed using his "magic touch" to turn trifles into pure gold: bowls of fruit, knick-knacks throughout his palace, and even his chariot. When the dinner bell rang, however, the king discovered he didn't have as  much of a "taste" for gold as he had thought. Most tragically, he embraced his daughter into a gold statue. Fortunately for Midas and his household, Dionysius took the wish-curse away at the king's teary request.  
     Jesus asked the people sitting on the mountainside "Why do you insist on touching everything in life with worry?" He instructed them to look around to see how God dressed the grass on the mountain with wildflowers. He shocked them by labeling "worry" as a pagan practice that had no place in their lives as children of a loving Father. 
     What would Jesus say to us about worry if we gathered around Him on a flower-strewn mountainside? "Why do you worry about the world's list of must-haves? Why do children of our loving Father insist on having higher salaries, newer styles, upgraded gadgets, sleeker transportation, bigger televisions, higher status, and grander homes?  Don't you have enough faith to live gratefully and happily with what God has given you? Haven't you learned that worry and striving curse the simplest situations into self-imposed burdens?  I'm telling you the truth: you'll only know true joy and satisfaction when you stop chasing down temporary treasures and start striving after your Father's Righteousness. When you touch every need with faith in His loving care, He'll meet your needs from the inside out and your testimony will shine brighter than the purest gold."


Father, develop a hunger in us for Your Will and Your Righteousness above everything else. Your Will is perfect and freeing. Your Will teaches us to think outside our selfishness. Forgive us when we act like pagans who wring their hands worrying about what will happen and when it will happen. You are Almighty God who dots the dark sky with stars and the wet sand with shells. You hung flowering fruits on trees and cascading waterfalls in canyons. You designed the trees to change colors. You bring the soft snow and cause it to drip into crystal icicles. You fill our lives with beautiful blessings we fail to "see" because we're blinded by worry. Teach us to know You better so we trust You more in every way. Make us righteous and free us from the self-defeating curse of worry. 


"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe  you, O you of little faith?" Matthew 6:28-30


Inspired by My Utmost for His Highest
Photo by Robin Noland, Field of wildflowers in Monte Cassino Italy

Tuesday, November 9, 2010 - Don't Worry, Be Happy

     Bobby McFerrin's toe-tapping song "Don't Worry, Be Happy" says "In every life we have some trouble, when you worry you make it double" and "Don't Worry be happy 'cause when you worry your face will frown and that will bring everybody down."  
     Are we downers for the people around us or do we practice a God-pleasing faith that lifts their spirits? Do they see us struggling to work things out as if we're alone in the world or do they see the light and peace of children cared for by a loving Abba, the Giver of good gifts? Do they feel hopeless when they hear us talk about the future, the nation, the government, the economy or does our trust in God trump all of the above? 
     We wonder why we don't experience God's miraculous deliverance or win more people to the Lord but we cherish the sin of worry in our hearts, thoughts and on our lips when Jesus clearly said "do not worry" in Luke 12:22 in the following versions of the Bible: NIV, NAS, NCV, NLT, CEV, HCS. The same verse in the Amplified Bible, the ESV, and the YLT command us not to be "anxious" and, here's the kicker, if you're strictly KJV, you've got to figure out how to "take no thought" about both daily and life-or-death issues you face. It's all there in black and white but we've waved this command off as not really counting and renamed worry "concern." As believers we even take pride in how deeply "concerned" we are or that we seem to be the only ones "concerned." 
     It's time to call worry what it is: a sin that needs to be uprooted by faith. The roots are deep, the habit is entrenched, and we've been brainwashed into saying we believe God cares and is in control while living as if there is no God. This ginormous (yes, it's in the online Merriam-Webster dictionary because I had to look up the spelling) change is a one-thought-at-a time process but don't worry, we don't have to do it alone!   


Loving Abba, forgive us for acting as if You don't care when Your other name is Love. How heartbroken I would be if Nick or Julie constantly worried I wouldn't come through for them or didn't care enough to do what I could to help them, yet our own worry hurts Your heart on a daily basis and slanders Your character. Help us pin any suspect thought under the Light of Your Word. Guide us to lock out all thoughts that lead us to worry as we magnify thoughts that magnify Your God-ness and goodness. May we have no mercy on worry as we thrust it away. May our only concern be pleasing You with our growing faith in You because we can't please You without faith. Replace every nagging thought with praise and gratitude for Your loving care in the past and Your promises to go with us into the future. We love You Lord; now help us prove it to You.


"Then Jesus said to His disciples: 'Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!'" Luke 12:22-24


"Be strong and courageous. do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6


"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5