Blogging again...for now!

I am posting this to just try it again. I am also posting a picture just to see. It is one that Jeffrey likes.

Been a long time . . .

Wow! Has it really been that long since I've posted anything on this lonely blog?

That just goes to show how utterly busy I have been. But, spring break is on the way - just 9 school days away!

I may have neglected my blog, but I haven't neglected my journal. I just haven't had the time to share some of my thoughts.

But, it is a rainy Sunday afternoon and I've been itching to type. So here goes . . .

My March 1st memory verse was 2 Corinthians 1:20.
"For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God."

Choosing a verse to memorize is such a blessing because it gives you time to concentrate on that one thought. I chose this verse because of the idea of promises but the word that ended up catching my attention was the word "Amen".

A common word - one we use often - and one that the LORD and I have had some conversation about over the years. I started thinking about this word. What does it mean? I've always seen it as a closing and a word of agreement. I decided to look it up in my Vines dictionary.

The Vines gave me some other verses where the word "Amen" had been used in the original text but not necessarily translated as "Amen". Here are some things I found:

1."Amen" suggests God's faithfulness.
Deut. 7:9 and Isaiah 49:7 both use the word in this way.

2."Amen" suggests God's truth.
Isaiah 65:16 uses "God of truth" in place of "Amen" and helps us to understand it is a guarantee, a promise.

3. "Amen" is used as a title of Christ in Revelation.
Rev. 3:14 "...These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation."

4. "Amen" is used in the New Testament as a word of agreement, such as in 1 Corinthians 14:16.

5. "Amen" is used by Jesus but it is translated "verily" or "I tell you the truth"; so, again, we see the word suggests truth.

Imagine that . . . "Amen" means so much more than just a closing. It is faithful, true, trustworthy, a promise fulfilled.

I started thinking about Jesus on the cross and his final words. Picture this . . . a lonely hilltop, far away. The son of man, beaten and bloody hanging from the cross, head down, exhausted and in pain. He raises his head and breathes the words, "It is finished."

Jesus' work on the cross is our "Amen". He sealed up God's promises with his sacrificial blood. It is done! Our sins are forgiven. Our freedom is bought.

"So no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. So that through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God."

Thank you LORD for revealing yourself to us, for giving us new ideas about old words. Your word truly is alive and active and I am so excited about that.

Thank you, LORD!
AMEN!

The LORD's Army

Here it is – the holiday season and I have been struck with grouchiness! Just about everything has gotten on my nerves lately. I’ve been feeling lonely, taken advantage of, emotionally abused, without companionship . . . My list could go on.

I really want to be in the holiday spirit and be excited but all these other things are getting in my way. I’m sure that is exactly how Satan would want it. The Bible tells us that our battles are not earthly but spiritual and I’m assuming that is especially the case with this kind of thing. It is definitely Satan. He just doesn’t want me to enjoy the holiday season.

Saturday Jeff and I were watching Crocodile Dundee on TV. It’s been a while since I’d seen it. Mick is a pretty slick character. Once he got those bad guys back on his own turf, they were done for. His battle tactic was to create a diversion and while everyone was in a panic, he would carry someone off. He called in some bats one time, fired some shots in a different direction another time and even had a fake crocodile emerge through the murky water to “eat” someone.

Simple and effective. Create a diversion, then, go in for the attack. I’m sure that battle tactic has been used many times throughout history. So, I ask you, why wouldn’t Satan do the same? Create a diversion . . . go in for the attack. Or, create a diversion to keep us off task. Really, he doesn’t even need to attack; he just needs to re-direct our focus and keep us from doing God’s will or enjoying the peace and joy we’ve been given. Just a little diversion and . . . well, he’s successful.

That’s what he’s been doing to me. I’m particularly diverted when my emotions are involved. Satan knows that. He’s used that one in the past and it works. If he can get my emotions flared up, I’m down for the count. Here are some thoughts that always get my attention:

“Woe is me. No one likes me.”
“I’m a loser. I can’t do anything right.”
“I’m all alone.”
“I can’t stand it when he or she does . . . (whatever)”
“I have to do all this work by myself while everyone just watches.”
“No one cares for me.”

My list could go on but those are some typical lures Satan uses to divert my attention. I think I’ve felt all those things and more in the past week.

But, those thoughts aren’t the truth. They are a smoke screen – a lie. If I let them play out in my mind, they will overtake me. Satan won’t have to do a thing. I’ll consume myself with thoughts of myself and how awful my plight in life. That will be the end of me for a while. Isn’t he clever?

David, our youth minister, has a saying that rings in my ears today.
“It’s not about you. Get over yourself.”
He tells the youth this all the time when we’re on a mission trip. He says, “It’s gonna get hot. You’re gonna get tired and frustrated. It’s not gonna be easy. But you are here for the kids. You are here to do God’s work. This isn’t about you.”

What he’s telling them is don’t be diverted by yourself. Don’t lose focus. Keep your eyes on the goal and do not allow little things that don’t matter in the end to keep you from serving God. He’s so right!

I’ve fallen for the diversion yet again!

I’ve been consumed with myself and things that don’t matter because they aren’t the truth. I’ve taken my eyes off serving the LORD. I’ve even allowed my joy to be dragged off during the diversion.

We’ve all got our weaknesses when it comes to diversions. What captures my attention might not even make you blink and vice versa. Be assured, Satan knows what works for each of us. He has studied us closely. Some things really are a battle and they require a spiritual fight – prayer and fasting and wielding our sword constantly. But, some things are just a diversion – a smoke screen, something to keep us occupied and not on target with the LORD. Some diversions just steal our joy.

May we be a people that know the difference between real battle and planned diversions. May we be strong enough to not even flinch at those distractions. May our eyes be so focused on the LORD that we never fall for the lure to be taken off track. Then, we will be able to do more for our LORD and savior.

Can you see us – decked out in our armor? Polished shield of faith. Sparkling breastplate of righteousness. Helmet of salvation fitted tightly. Belt of truth fastened around. Our shoes ready to move. The light of our LORD radiating from our drawn swords. We stand together . . . strong, holy, ready to fight, already victorious. Don’t you know the sight of us makes demons flee because we are His. We are the LORD’s army! Praise You, LORD!

Lord, help me . . . help us to be the soldiers you’ve called us to be - ready and able, equipped with Your word and Your righteousness. Let us stand unflinching before You. Let us not be distracted. Let us keep our eyes on You. Let us forever serve You, going out in the world to do the good works which You’ve prepared for us to do. We want to be strong soldiers in Your army. Help us, LORD! In Jesus’ mighty name . . .

Butterflies and Thanks

Wednesday of this week I had surgery on my eye to repair my damaged tear ducts.


Did you you know that your tear ducts function like a vacuum? They whisk away the tears in your eye into a duct that leads to your nose where they evaporate, I guess. That is why your nose gets stuffy when you cry. Anyway, if your tear ducts close off, your eye cannot fuction properly.

I am completely amazed at what doctors can do. Who would have figured that they could reconstruct my tear ducts to allow my eye to whisk away the tears.

What is even more amazing is my God . . . who thought of all these little details, so many details that we haven't even figured them all out yet. He is an awesome God and I am completely thankful that He has given knowledge to doctors so that healing for many things is very possible in today's time. Praise you LORD! Thank you for healing!

I was a little anxious about my surgery since I had never had any surgery before. I was in the pre-op area and was all prepped and ready. Above me, painted on a ceiling tile, was a butterfly. It looked like a child had painted it. It had colorful wings with hearts on them. I liked it and looked around the ceiling to spot some other painted tiles, but it was the only one. Right above my head it floated above me and I recalled 11 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone and the new has come."

Now, to anyone else, that little butterfly might have just been a pretty little something to look at, but to me, it was God speaking. He knew I knew the verse and He knew that I had prayed for new tear ducts. Oh how sweetly, His voice sang over me in that moment that I realized that butterfly was just for me - a message from my LORD that my prayer was answered. The old tear ducts are gone and new have come. (I know that isn't what the verse is talking about, but it sure is what He was saying to me in that moment.) I laughed at the irony, or providence, of it all and thanked Him for letting me know. It was the last thing I remember seeing before I woke up.

Oh, God is good! He is there right when we need Him.

Thank you LORD! Thank you for sending little messages our way. Thank you for singing over us. Thank you for loving us! You are AMAZING!

Be Still

Have you ever been in a place in your life that felt like uncharted waters? Your world is rocking. There is turbulence all around. You can’t get your bearings because you are being tossed to and fro like someone in a boat on troubled seas. That’s where I’ve been lately. Every morning I wake to feel the storm still raging.

I started thinking about this boat and storm idea yesterday and thought about the story in Mark where Jesus calms the storm. So, I decided to read it and see what the LORD had to tell me. I wanted to know how my story is similar, even thought it is a storm of emotions.

The first thing I noticed was that Jesus was the one who suggested they take the boat across to the other side.

“That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, ‘Let us go over to the other side.” (Mark 4:35)

The disciples did not plan to go over there and probably wouldn’t have gone if Jesus had not suggested it. It was their Lord’s idea to go. Now, Jesus knows all things. He knew there would be a storm, so he must have pointed them in this direction for a reason. The storm was part of his plan.

This is very much like my story. I did not plan for these recent events to happen in my life. They are not of my making. I’ve just been sailing along. Maybe I saw some storm clouds on the horizon. Perhaps I heard some thunder in the distance. I did not expect to be overcome by this squall, however. But Jesus did.

“A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat so that it was nearly swamped.” (Mark 4:37)

I have felt exactly this way – in a furious storm, being battered from side-to-side by my emotions. Full of compassion one moment. Full of anger the next. Waves of emotions have crashed over me so that I’ve been nearly swamped by them – unable to concentrate on anything else and unable to right my boat. Keeled over – first one way, then the other – that’s what I have been.

Have you ever felt this way? I hope you had Jesus on your boat!

“Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown? He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” (Mark 4:38-39)

Like the disciples, I have Jesus on board, thankfully. I have cried the same thing to him, “Lord, look at what is happening! I can’t fix this! Do something!”

He has said the same thing back to me, “Be still! Be still! Be still!”

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him . . .” (Psalm 37:7)

“Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

“Quiet! Be still!” (Mark 4:39)

I even heard him whispering this to me in a children’s movie at the theater last Friday. In the movie Where the Wild Things Are, the boy, Max, was very emotional. He was allowing his emotions to take control over him. They dictated his actions. His anger was about to eat him up. He had to say, very firmly, “Be still!” to the Wild Things. Reminded me of myself.

“Quiet! Be still!” The Lord told the storm and it was completely calm.

“He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (v. 40)

I have come to realize that my situation is not really my problem. It is someone else’s problem and I can’t fix it. The Lord will work that out. He has promised me He will. My problem is my emotions about the situation. That is where the storm is raging.

“Quiet! Be still! . . . Do you still have no faith?”

The Lord has assured me over and over that this will turn out for my good and His glory. I must have faith in that. Allowing my emotions to storm, tossing me from side-to-side shows I do not trust what he has promised. It suggests I “still have no faith.”

We are going to the other shore. Jesus has pointed us in that direction. He has set me on this course. It was part of his plan. He knew it wouldn’t be easy. He knew the storm would come. But he is with me and has assured me we will get there safely. So, the question is, will I listen and obey and be still?

To the disciples Jesus revealed part of who he is, “Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (v. 41b) He wants to reveal something to me as well. Will I “Be still” and listen?

Will I allow my faith in Jesus Christ to quiet my emotional storm?
Will I step up boldly each time the winds begin to blow and say, “Be still!”
Will I allow him to reveal himself to me?
What would I know about my Lord and Savior if I would stop and allow him to be in control?

I’ve decided I would rather get to the other shore in awe of my Lord instead of emotionally worn out.

I don’t know if this word speaks to you. I hope it does. We all have our moments in the middle of the storm. Let us “Be still,” and allow Jesus, the Prince of Peace, to calm the waves.

Thank you, Jesus.
Keep us pointed in your direction and on even keel.
In Jesus’ name . . .

BIG or Little?

Americans are BIG. We have big houses and drive big cars compared to other places in the world. We build big buildings and big stadiums. We have big movie stars who make big money. They throw big parties and spend their big money.
We eat Big Macs with our big super sized combos and then we are big in size. We have big government and big egos. We are just BIG!

That big mentality spills over into our attitudes and desires, even if we aren’t one of those big movie stars with big money. All of this BIG has caused us to think, even the smallest of us, that bigger is better. I read a children’s book this summer by Will Hobbs titled Go Big or Go Home. I think that sums up our attitude. If it isn’t big enough, we don’t want it and the little things don’t matter any more. It is a shame, but I think that is where we are in our attitudes.

This “big” thing began to dawn on me while I was deep in my Esther study the other day. Beth Moore has been talking about our personal destinies so, of course, I’ve been thinking, “What is my personal destiny? What am I supposed to be doing?” I’ve asked the Lord this for a long time now and I get a little bit of an idea along the way. He has been good to give me direction but I’ve never felt like “This is it!” Maybe it's just never been BIG enough for me to say, "Okay. That's it."

So, I started questioning my motive about wanting to know. I’ve been praying every morning, “Lord search my heart and keep my intentions pure,” and He has been faithful to do that. I’ve been questioning a lot about myself lately and I know it is because of that prayer. Most of the time I don’t like what I see and this big thing is no exception. It suddenly dawned on me that I want my destiny to be BIG. A big book to write or a big Sunday School class to teach or big attendance to some place I speak or . . . I don’t know . . . just BIG. Oh, the shame of my motive - but it is true.

I have fallen victim to the BIG mentality of America. Go BIG or go home! If it isn’t big, we don’t want it. If it is going to happen to us, we want it to be big. What is up with that? I’m not a big person, in terms of sphere of influence, nor do I really want to be. My house is small, by American standards. My car is small. (We won’t talk about my truck.) My circle of friends is small. And you know what? I like it that way. Why am I thinking about the BIG?

Really, "the BIG thing" is what I wanted in my heart when I asked the Lord about my destiny. I wanted the BIG. I’ve been trained to think that way – television, movies, news reports, seeing big houses and big cars and hearing about other people’s big stories. The world has influenced me. But, I must remember . . . I am not of this world. I am a child of God and I should see things differently. God’s economy is not the world’s economy.



May the Word of God remind me of what He has said to me.

Matthew 16:26: “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?”

John 15:19: “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world . . .”

1 Corinthians 3:19: “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. . .”

1 John 2:15-17: “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world – the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does – comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.”

1 Peter2:9: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

John 3:30: “He must become greater. I must become less.”

I am chosen out of this world, not to be a part of it but to be a child of God. It is not good for me to gain the world, for the world’s wisdom is foolishness to God. When I love the things of the world, desiring what it offers and feeling full of pride, I am not loving my Lord for he is not part of the world. His will should be my desire, not my own. He is greater. I am less.

Oh LORD, I understand that something very small here on earth could be HUGE in your sight. I understand that substitute teaching my very small Sunday School class could be the very thing you have called my to do, even though it doesn’t seem very big to my eyes. I understand that sending someone a note of encouragement or a $20 bill could be BIG in your economy. I understand that I am called to do Your will, not my own and that my thoughts are not your thoughts and my ways are not your ways. (Isaiah 55) Give me a desire to do Your will. Make me content to do whatever it may be, no matter how small. Let me think about the small things as if they are monumental . . .because really they just might be the one huge thing that makes a difference in someone’s spiritual life. Give me eyes to see things Your way, LORD. Give me a sense of purpose, even when I’m doing something that seems miniscule to me. Bigger is not better in Your eyes, LORD. Remind me that Your thoughts are different. Faith. Build my faith, so that I will seek Your will and not my own. In Jesus’ mighty name I ask these things . . .

And on a more personal note . . . David, I hope these words were wise enough for you this morning! Thanks for being a faithful reader and making me post something new. Keep reminding me. Of course, you could make a comment every now and then.

Saturday

It's Saturday! And a beautiful Saturday at that. I love lazy Saturdays.

Nothing special going on here today. I have no devotionals to post. No particular news to tell. Just glad it is Saturday.

My guys went hunting this morning. I had breakfast waiting on them when they got back. Jeffrey had a football game. We lost 38 to 0 but Jeffrey played a good game. He really excels out on the field and I'm not just being a mom when I say that. I love to watch him play - no matter what sport it is - football, baseball - it doesn't matter. I'm just thrilled to watch.

After the game we came home. I cleaned house while the guys slept. Then we went out to eat. They asked me to go hunting with them this evening, but I said no. I haven't gotten over the chiggers from last week. Drove me crazy all week. So they won't be back till late tonight.

Looks like a walk with the dog, a quick pedicure with new nail color and a second viewing of Beth Moore's Esther video #4. (I'm avoiding the 6 stacks of papers I have to grade before Monday. Can you tell?)

I love lazy Saturdays! Sigh . . .