Tuesday, June 7, 2011 - I'd Like to Speak to The Person in Charge

(Happy Birthday, Sweet Son-In-Love Nick!)
     When have you've "gone straight to the top" to get something done?  Since most employees have limited power to change the status quo, customers ask to speak to the person in charge of an event or business:
1) to complain about a product or service; 
2) to bargain;
3) to suggest an improvement for "next time;"  or
4) to congratulate the person in charge on a job well done or on an employee who was especially helpful.

The hit show "The Office" humorously depicts the struggle
for power between employees of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. 

   My prayer life consists of long conversations with the Person in charge of my life. Sometimes I send Him entirely too many memos related to items 1-3 and not nearly enough that fall in the fourth category. I've also been guilty of trying to handle these issues for other people instead of sending them straight to the Person in charge.
   Worry is a sure sign that we're confused about Who's in charge of our lives. "Who is in charge of your life? If it is you, then you have good reason to worry. But if it is I, then worry is both unnecessary and counterproductive." (Jesus Calling) When I need to address something, I need to send my memo then let it go. God will take it from there or train and empower me to handle the problem. It's in my job description to remember Who's in charge and, just as importantly, who's not.
"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. . . . Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?  Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?  Do not set your mind on clothes . . . what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. . . your Father knows that you need them.  But seek His kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well." Luke 12 22-31 (abridged and abbreviated)
Dear Sovereign God, I'd like to submit my praise to You for an awesome job on everything You do. You're more than I could've hoped for in a God. Your track record in my life is impressive and You've accomplished things I would've never dreamed possible. Your attentiveness to details astounds me. No one comes close to Your long-range vision and planning. It's a joy to serve You and to work for You.
In the Name of Jesus, Your One and Only Son You've put in charge at Your Right Hand 
Inspired by Jesus Calling
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Monday, June 6, 2011 - In Tune or Immune

"Look to the LORD and His strength; seek His face always." 

Psalm 105:4

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge." 

Psalm 19:1-2

"See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, 

but the LORD rises upon you and His glory appears over you." 

Isaiah 60:2

     I ask myself and you today: Will we choose to tune in to God or will we be immune to His Presence all around us? Will I look around Him or will I see Him?  Will I sit and listen to Him or will I excuse myself?  

     Father, I'm looking for Your Face this morning. I've seen You shining in the morning pink of the sky and blazing in the orange of sunsets. I feel the thrill of Your Power when playful waves knock me down and when I hear thunder roll over our house. I know Your tenderness through a million differently shaped leaves and petals. Father, You reveal Your patience and the continuing newness of Your craftsmanship through with canyons carved by rivers and mountains and rocks softened with wind and water. Your personal touches in my life keep me wrapped in blessed assurance of Your love for me. Father, I will look for You today. I want to see Your glory and know Your Presence and Love in new ways and I want to allow all You show me to flow through me to others who need the Light of Your Presence. 

In the Name of Jesus Who said the rocks would cry out in praise at His Presence if His people didn't! (Luke 19:37-40)

Inspired by Jesus Calling

photo from travel album (Capri, Italy)

Sunday, June 5, 2011 - Because I said so.

I remember my children going through the "Why?" phase from the age of three until they started school.  Mostly they were simply in a teachable moment: "Why did God make bees?"  "Why is the ocean salty?"  "Why do people get sick?"  and the ever-popular, "Why is the sky blue?" Satisfying their inquiring minds was a challenge because any answer I gave them only triggered another "Why?"  Universities should develop a study program designed to help parents answer kids' most commonly asked "Why?" questions.
     While I thoroughly enjoyed finding the answers to their legitimate questions, a whiny "Why?" about a parenting decision always brought forth the dreaded shut-down phrase every parent resorts to when a child asks "Why?" one too many times:  "Because I said so."  As a child I hated to hear this phrase and as a parent I've hated to use it since it closes communication and leaves the feeling that there really wasn't a good explanation or answer. However, God's "Because I said so . . . " should inspire confidence. Because He said so, as long as I love and depend on the Him, I don't have to live in fear of anyone.

God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'

So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. 

What can man do to me?'" 

Hebrews 13:5-6  

"'Because he loves Me,' says the LORD, 'I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges My name.  He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation.'" 

Psalm 91:14-15

Thank You, Father, for saying so . . . for putting Your foot down about some issues that could torment us. Thank You for being the Father we can depend on, because You said so. Lord lead us to love and trust You more today than we did yesterday!

In the name of Jesus, Your Word made flesh, Your Guarantee of our salvation!

Inspired by My Utmost for His Highest

Saturday, June 4, 2011 - "It's the Stuff"

Navin and Marie go to a fancy restaurant.

     Remember Steve Martin's movie "The Jerk" in which Navin (Martin) and his wife (Marie) lose all their riches in a lawsuit? When Navin apologizes to his wife for losing all their money she responds, "I don't care about losing all the money, it's losing all the stuff." 

     Whether it's the actual cash in the bank or the "stuff" we buy with it, we tend to depend on money as a temporary pacifier when God offers His permanent perfect peace to those who trust in Him instead.

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have,because God has said, 

"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

Hebrews 13:5

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds," 

James 1:2

"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength." 

Philippians 4:13

"You will keep in perfect peace Him whose mind is steadfast, 

because he trusts in You." 

Isaiah 26:3

     Father, You'll provide for us as any loving Father does if we'll trust You to do it. Help us love You more than money or the stuff money buys. We sing "You are my all in all," and say, "You know what we need and You'll provide it" but living it out too often proves we're not willing to put our money where our faith is. Help us live contently with what You decide we need and strengthen us to let go of what You deem unnecessary. Learning not to depend on two masters is harder than it sounds when we're surrounded by stuff. Keep us far from temptation and satisfy our souls with Your love.

In the Name of Jesus who had no place to call His own, no place to lay His head

Inspired by My Utmost for His Highest and Jesus Calling

Photo from photobucket.com    

Friday, June 3, 2011 -Tiny Blessings from A Big God

"The things that make God dear to us are not so much His great big blessings 

as the tiny things, because they show His amazing intimacy with us; 

He knows every detail of our individual lives."  

--Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest

"Amen!"  Robin Noland

     How well do you and I know and understand what pleases God? If we wanted to bless God today in an intimately meaningful way, what could we do?  

     God constantly works on the "biggies" in our lives: vocations, relationships, and callings. He also stays on top of our constant need to overcome selfish sin, insecurities and faults, doubts and dogmas. Not a day goes by without Him helping us discern our needs from our wants.  However, sweet Abba-God also knows our favorite colors, patterns, words, symbols, and aromas. He can trace our fingerprints and understands our love languages and learning styles. God uses every medium to draw us to Him, express His love for us, and reveal Himself to us. He sends us flowers, sunbeams, and personal love letters  messages in His Word. 

     One morning I woke up and said as I walked into the hallway, "Good morning, Father" and on my next step sunshine bathed my face. Another time I stood on the beach in the dark singing "I love You Lord"! and when I opened my eyes He had placed a beautiful phosphorous covered shell between my feet. One morning I sat on the bed and had a private praise-fest and noticed birds gathering in the tree outside the window to sing along.  I've left something "pretty" at the store in an effort to be budget-abiding only to receive it from an unknowing friend later. In a world of nearly seven billion people, God answers the most minute, specific and unspoken prayers just to show me I'm dear to His heart. Now, tell me, how can we show Him He's dear to ours?

"Who then is the man that fears the LORD? 

He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.  .  . 

The LORD confides in those who fear Him; He makes His covenant known to them." 

Psalm 25:12, 14

Lord on high, You've come into my heart and know every thought that flits through there. Nothing gets by You! You bless me in delightfully personal ways and I'm moved to love You more. Thank You for every blessing great and small. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit's one-on-one spiritual tutoring sessions. Thank You for yellow, blue, white, pink, periwinkle, red, and green. Thank You for the way cilantro smells. Thank You for shade and sunshine, ladybugs and lightning bugs. Thank You for hugs and sweet words and phone calls from friends and the comforting voices of family. Thank You for the feelings of anticipation and the joy of success and satisfaction. Thank You for the lessons I've learned the hard way because those have stuck. Thank You for a good cup of coffee.  Thank You for miracles of healing in bodies and souls. Thank You for Jesus,

In the Name of Your Son Who taught us You love us,

Inspired by My Utmost for His Highest 

Thursday, June 2, 2011 - Cran Man

     Dave Ramsey's killing us. Yes, he's right about all things financial and, yes, he's helped us set goals and plan more wisely for the future, but the man has made himself too much at home.  As Brian Regin would say, he's like the Cran Man who's gone too far by putting cranberry juice in all the other juices on the beverage aisle. Dave's in every potential purchase and we squirm and pay dearly if we step outside the black and white print on the budget. The words, "I deserve this" have disappeared from our vocabulary. The good news about paying the price of self-denial for financial reasons is it's temporary. 
     The large crowds following Jesus probably dropped their jaws, and asked for clarification when Jesus told them,    

"If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother,  his wife and children, his brothers and sisters -- yes, even his own life -- he cannot be my disciple.  . . . anyone who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:26, 27, 33)

     Jesus knows we need certain things outlined in black and white and the cost of following Him is one of those black-and-white, either-or, in-or-out issues. If friends or family obstruct Jesus' path for my life, I'm to choose Jesus. If anyone's demands on my life conflict with Jesus' commands, I'm to choose Jesus. When a human relationship threatens to unseat or override my relationship to Him, I'm to choose Jesus. Yes, He's right about all things and yes, He's changed my life and goals so my future is secure for all eternity, but I still struggle with turning full face to Him and not glancing back at who or what I'm denying to follow Him, especially if it's my own face I see behind me.

"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, 

I will be exalted in the earth." 

Psalm 46:10

"Dear friends, now we are children of God, 

and what we will be has not yet been made known. 

But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, 

for we shall see Him as He is." 1 John 3:2

Father, I look forward to the time when we'll see You for Who You are and will no longer struggle to follow You. Meanwhile, charge us with love for You. Free Your Holy Spirit to open every facet of our lives to receive Your love and to loving You with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength. Exalt and magnify Yourself in us and may nothing and no one compete with Your number one position in our hearts.
In the Name of Jesus, Who taught us to count the cost and follow Him 
Inspired by My Utmost for His Highest and Jesus Calling
photo from photobucket.com

Wednesday, June 1, 2011 - In A Perfect World

SOLD!  . . . Sort of

 Our realtor told us this week that "in a perfect world" we would close on our Daphne house by Thursday, June 2. Something about that phrase didn't bode well and sure enough, we've been reminded yet again, through an unexpected delay on the buyer's part, that the world is anything but perfect.  I've known that, but idiotically, I keep counting on circumstances in my life to glide along smooth as butter and accompanied by music: my appointments will run like clockwork, the printer won't run out of ink and we'll have plenty of paper for Nick's project, the car will last another two years, etc., etc.  Yet, God uses these daily, often petty "trials" to prepare us for the big ones we'll be called to face at some point: disappointment, darkness, depression, disease, and death. 
     The perfect world waits in the wings for Revelation 21 to be fulfilled, meanwhile God calls us to hide behind His shield and take hold of His Hand as we step with Him through the aftermath of a fallen, sin-torn world. The way He calls us to travel gets messy, irritating, steep, and dangerous, but our Perfect God leads us on the path He knows will bring us perfect peace in an imperfect world.  

"As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. 

He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him." 

Psalm 18:30

"For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, 

'Do not fear; I will help you." 

Isaiah 41:13

Father, we trust you because You are perfect. We don't trust You to make our circumstances perfect to our way of thinking, but we trust You to do what perfectly suits Your plan for us. Thank You for shielding us from so much the world could dump on us. Thank You for promising to be with us and for keeping Your promises. Help us stay tucked in behind Your shield today.

In Jesus' Name, our Perfect Savior Who died for a world of imperfect people

Inspired by Jesus Calling

Photo from the family album