Monday, July 18, 2011 - Full Circle

"They will tell of the power of Your awesome works, 

and I will proclaim Your great deeds." 

Psalm 145:6

     As I drove down a rural road in Alabama one day, I saw cars ahead of me pulling over and people getting out to look into the sky.  I looked up and what I saw had me pulling over to join them. The bottom half of a rainbow hung in the sky like a bowl with another full rainbow encircling it like a saucer under a cup. Fascinating!  So rarely do we see any part of a rainbow but the top half arc that we forget they're actually full circles. 

     Rainbows represent God's promise never to destroy the earth by flood again. The rainbow's colors are eye-catching and its shape symbolizes God's unending faithfulness.  A rainbow's appearance is exquisitely timed around rain to counteract fears of an earth- threatening flood. 

     In spite of the rain and ear-shattering thunder in our lives today, "rainbows" hang somewhere nearby to remind us of God's eternal, encircling Love. Maybe today's rainbow is a particularly loud Scripture, a smile from a child, a streak of sun through the window, an encouraging phone call, a note in the mail saying we made a difference, or an opportunity for God to use us in a new way. The rainbow that keeps our heads up and our eyes looking toward the skies may be the memory of God's awesome works in our pasts and the assurance that His Love falls around us in a full circle.  

"Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; 

He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love 

to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commands." 

Deuteronomy 7:9

Father God I praise You for Your Love wrapped around us. May we stay in the blessing zone of Your Love, trusting, loving You in return and obeying Your life-giving commands. When we fail to find the rainbows You place in our lives, keep our hearts from turning to other "fixes." May we be people who live to love You and each other, as You've loved us.

In the Name of Jesus Who stretched His Arms wide so we could step inside the full circle of Your Loving Faithfulness

"'Praise be to the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel just as He promised.  

Not one word has failed of all the good promises He gave through His servant Moses." 

1 Kings 8:56

"One of you routs a thousand, because the Lord your God fights for you, 

just as He promised. So be very careful to love the LORD your God." 

Joshua 23:10-11

Inspired by Live Loved by Max Lucado

photo from google images 

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." 

Tuesday, July 12, 2011 - This Time

"He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and He will deliver us.  

On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us." 

2 Corinthians 1:10-11

The Batman television series of the 60s was notorious for cliffhangers leaving Batman in peril until the next episode, or at least until after the commercial break.  At five, six and seven years old, my spoof-spotting skills hadn't kicked in so I needed to know Batman, or Robin, would be rescued from that gigantic circular log saw,  swinging pendulum blade, or deep freeze.  Deep down I knew Batman had to survive his latest deadly dilemma, but the nagging question always hung in my gullible child's mind: "What if he doesn't escape this time?" I always  stayed tuned to the same Bat-channel for the same Bat-time to know beyond any shadow of a doubt that my hero was safely back to putting villains with outrageous fashion sense behind bars. 

    My faith in God's deliverance matures at an equally gullible and immature rate, it seems.  In spite of deeply etched episodes in my life when God delivered me,  I still have to stay tuned to God's Heart and His timing.  Cocky, colorful adversaries press the over-sized doubt button in my mind and I wonder, "Will my Hero rescue Robin, this time?" This time presents a different situation, a different villain, a different weapon. This time I'm not living as closely to the Lord;  I've not been obedient to His nudging; I brought this on myself; other people have hotlines to God but I don't; etc., etc. and so forth.  This time is more perilous, more deadly, more depressing, more urgent, more, more, more . . . more than God?  There's always an excuse to doubt God's ability to act heroically in our lives when the truth is in the re-runs: He always comes through for those who stayed tuned. 

Father, You're our Protector and Advocate who can overcome all the enemies, obstacles and adversaries in our lives. Your plan stays unchanged in spite of false endings and melodramatic soliloquies from our nagging, doubtful heart. Keep us anchored in the many ways You've saved us. We're in Your Mighty Hands and Your Love will keep us forever close to Your Heart. 

In the Name of Jesus, our Protector, our Truth, our God

 "Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might." 

Ephesians 6:10

"Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in You My soul takes refuge.  

I will take refuge in the shadow of Your wings until the disaster has passed." 

Psalm 57:1

Monday, July 11, 2011 - Pure Genius

"For we are God's workmanship, 

created in Christ Jesus to do good works, 

which God prepared in advance for us to do." 

Ephesians 2:10

     "A faithful man will be richly blessed, 

but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished." 

Proverbs 28:20

      Thank you to all you computer programmers and inventors who've made my life run more smoothly in my weak areas. Quicken software for my home finances keeps me from pulling my hair out (or the rest of Tom's) as I balance our books. Word processing programs increase my joy in writing on a daily basis since I don't have to begin again at every typo. And, spell-check grammarian - you've saved me from multiple blunders. Kudos, Al Gore, for inventing the Internet which places this link in the line of vision of sweet readers within seconds after I publish it. My heart swells toward you geniuses who dedicated yourselves to figuring out how to transmit loving voices and untranslatable text messages so we can keep in touch. 

     All these accolades and realizations of how gifted, knowledgeable and talented other people are could make us feel slightly insignificant in comparison, but comparisons fail us and can depress us every time. God favored each of us with original flair and He stirs our individual sensitivities to see specific needs around us. These are where He created opportunities for our gifts to intersect with someone's need. When we surrender ourselves as God's creation to be used for His purposes, He infuses our comparably small brainpower and limited abilities to make a world of difference in someone else's life.  

Father, thank You for giving geniuses the ability to use their brains and hands to help the world.  Spill into our lives today and bring to mind all the ways You want to use us uniquely in Your Kingdom. Never let us fall into Satan's trap of thinking that if we can't do something that makes the world sit up and notice, we may as well not try to do anything. You work in us through the increments we're willing to release to You. May we let You have more of us today than at any other time in our lives.

In the Name of Jesus, the only One Who was ever totally surrendered to You - no comparison!

     "God is not unjust; 

     He will not forget your work
          and the love you have shown Him 
               as you have helped His people 
                    and continue to help them." 
                         Hebrews 6:10

"So 

(remembering the early days when you stood boldly, vv. 32-34)

do not throw away your confidence; 

it will be richly rewarded 10:35

     "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, 

         so that in all things at all times, 

             having all that you need, 

you will abound in every good work." 

2 Corinthians 9:8

Sunday, July 10, 2011 - Nice going, Copernicus!

     While in Florence, Italy, I saw the tomb of Galileo, a father of modern astronomy who supported Copernicus' theory that the Sun, rather than the Earth, is the center of the Universe (as our solar-system was once known). Just as Pluto plunged from planet to "dwarf planet" in 2006,  the truth demoted Earth from her assumed throne by naming the rightful center.  Galileo caused such a stir by supporting these unorthodox ideas that the Catholic church wouldn't allow him buried inside the premises at his death, but there he lies in a fancy tomb inside the Basilica of Santa Croce with all the pomp and circumstance due his genius and courage because Truth wins in the end. 
     I've been toppled from many assumed thrones. As a bright high school student, I joined a mass of brighter, more confident high school students at college and the Truth became apparent: I wasn't as smart as I thought I was.  When I married, I found there were other ways to do things and another set of needs to consider and I had to share a throne and even abdicate it at times. When the babies came home with us, I served them and had little time to sit on a throne.  
     In fact, decades ago, my throne should have been dwarfed to a footstool, but I re-inflate it occasionally and take a seat to see how I do at ruling my own life.  It's usually a short ride before the toppling begins and I'm grasping for my footstool again, happy to have Jesus where He should be, on the throne at the center of my universe.  

"And God placed all things under His (Christ's) feet 

and appointed Him to be Head over everything for the church." 

Ephesians 1:22

    Lord Jesus, forgive me for trying to sit beside You instead of sitting at Your feet. You're King of kings. You're King of the Universe and Your Word can shift the heaven's and a person's heart. Shift mine to love, trust, and obey You.  Keep me from building my own thrones as I allow You to be Who You were destined to be.
In Your own Name I pray, Son of the Living God
Inspired by Live Loved by Max Lucado
photo from google images

Wednesday, July 6, 2011 - Success from another Perspective

What decides the success of this day, July 6, 2011? 

Heaven will recognize today as successful if I:

*forego distractions and personal goals to seek God and His purposes first;

*obey Christ's command to love God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength;

*love someone else as Christ loves me;

*stay faithful to Him when everything and everyone else falls away or falls apart;

*train my heart, one baby step at a time, to trust God with impossible circumstances and insurmountable obstacles.

"But your hearts must be fully committed to the LORD our God, 

to live by His decrees and obey His commands, as at this time."

1 Kings 8:61

"What is more, I consider everything a loss compared 

to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, 

for whose sake I have lost all things. 

I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ." 

Philippians 3:8

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, 

and all these things will be given to you as well." 

Matthew 6:33

"For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, 

but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline." 

2 Timothy 1:7

Have a nice successful day!

Father, overhaul and realign our ideas of a successful day with Your Holy Heart. So many of us are ADHD when it comes to the spiritual self-discipline of seeking You first and keeping You first. Daze us with the Light of Your Love so we don't jump up from seeking You and jump into the day too quickly. May we sit in silence and listen, then obey. Guard us from busyness and self-interest. You are God and You don't just have a plan for our success, You have the best plan for our greatest success as Your children today. 

In the Name of Jesus for Whom every day was a successful day

Inspired by Live Loved by Max Lucado

Tuesday, July 5, 2011 - Heavenly Days!

     Our family, along with the rest of the country, pulled up chairs to watch fireworks last night. Happy birthday, U.S.A.! 

     As I watched the colors burst against the night sky I remembered yesterday's blog theme: getting a glimpse of God's Glory when I prayed God would reveal His glory to you and to me throughout the day. I suddenly saw the shooting gold glitter as the glimpse for the day, but I told Tom and Nick, "I'll bet the angels get a kick out of our 'oohs' and 'ahhs' over fireworks. They're thinking, 'Just you wait. . .you'll see the real thing when you check in up here.'" God's Glory will trump everything we know or can imagine in this sphere of life.

    Recall your best day in this life. What made it better than others? Did it follow a struggle or a dark season? Did God's Light suddenly burst brightly in your heart because love moved in after a long absence? Because a baby was born? Because a son or daughter remembered the right path and returned to it? Because you, or someone you love, forgave and allowed restoration? Even our brightest days on earth hold remnants of sin, sadness for what was or could have been, or the shadow of changes to come. It's the nature of all things temporary.

     Heaven, however, holds eternally bright days sandwiched between other eternally bright days. The adage that "All good things must come to an end" will disappear from our vocabulary as we walk through the Pearly Gates.

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. 

There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, 

for the old order of things has passed away." 

Revelation 21:4

All obstacles between us and God will disappear, including every shred of Satan's influence and we'll live safely, peacefully, in view of God's full Majesty and Glory. Imagine looking forward to hearing the Kingdom Evening News to hear only good news.  Picture yourself on a cloud-like mattress with every muscle completely relaxed with no threat of intruders or sleep-stealing worries. Notice the smile growing on your already glowing face as you mentally run through your to-do list for later. Picture a functional family in a loving community in a kingdom with no economic downshifts where all citizens use their talents and gifts to glorify God. Imagine wholehearted devotion to God's Presence and to fulfilling His continuing purpose with no reservation or hesitation, no guilt, no regret for missed opportunities, and no concern about failure. Now, the icing on the cake: imagine your restless self never growing bored or longing for something different because the seeds of sin and discontent no longer exist in our hearts. God will satisfy and fill every desire. He will be our eternal all in all.

"The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack 

and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom. 

To Him be glory for ever and ever. Amen." 

2 Timothy 4:18

"Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him;

do not fret when men succeed in their ways, 

when they carry out their wicked schemes." 

Psalm 37:7

As Solomon prayed,

"He said, 'O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven or on earth---

You Who keep Your covenant of love with Your servants who 

continue wholeheartedly in Your way.'" 

2 Chronicles 6:14

Father, forgive us our impatience with this life - it's only a short time before we'll be with You and the aggravations, sadness and pain will be gone forever. Strengthen us to stand strong each day with reminders of Your Glory and Presence. Help our unbelief where heaven and hell are concerned. Speak and live through us so we can take as many people as possible with us to live out our heavenly days. 

In the Name of Jesus, Whose Amazing grace leads Him to prepare a place for us in Paradise with the Him
Inspired by Live Loved by Max Lucado
photo from Google images