Today is Saturday, often welcomed as many of us can step away from the rigors of the weekday grind, but pesky, too, because we have the chance to do at least one of those should do's that we keep putting off.
Like...clean out the garage...or...write that thank you note....or...sew on that button...or...take my kid to the library...or...well, you get the picture.
But, instead, we may choose to do it...tomorrow.
Now this is as obvious as the daylight outside our window but nevertheless, we have an amazing ability to overlook it: if we schedule it for tomorrow, it will never happen.
Why? Because there is always a convenient tomorrow for scheduling until there are no more tomorrows. Then, of course, it won't get done.
Some of us are more skilled at procrastination--or scheduling for tomorrow--than others. It is actually a nasty cycle that feeds our lack of self-control.
So food for thought and for feeding our strength: ask God for help in breaking the nasty cycle of waiting until tomorrow.
Then get excited about what gets done today.
25 February 2012
24 February 2012
Perks for Following God
1. Suffering...suffering? What kind of perk is that? It actually seems to be one of God's "favorite perks" because He tells us that Christ suffered so we are walking that road when we endure persecution of our faith, and all the other trials and tribulations that befall a broken world.
2. Discipline and shaping...so this is a perk as well? Yes, because we are wired to exercise and grow our self-control. Every time we apply discipline to our responses to others, the care of our body and growth in our relationship with God, we know deep down that we are doing the right things.
3. Best friend...God is a friend? He says so through Jesus' words in John 15: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I'm no longer calling you servants because servants are not in on what their master is thinking and planning. No, I've named you friends because I've let you in on everything I've heard from the Father.
4. Intimacy...here and in heaven. There is an eternal perk for wanting to be a part of God's design. Not only do we suffer, shape and enjoy a best friend; there is a someday for each of us that can open up the true perk that God offered in the beginning: an unbroken fellowship with God and each other, timeless, with perfect love and perfect joy as the atmosphere of every day.
And best of all, it's our choice. No one is forced to enjoy #4. Isn't letting us choose the greatest perk of all?
2. Discipline and shaping...so this is a perk as well? Yes, because we are wired to exercise and grow our self-control. Every time we apply discipline to our responses to others, the care of our body and growth in our relationship with God, we know deep down that we are doing the right things.
3. Best friend...God is a friend? He says so through Jesus' words in John 15: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I'm no longer calling you servants because servants are not in on what their master is thinking and planning. No, I've named you friends because I've let you in on everything I've heard from the Father.
4. Intimacy...here and in heaven. There is an eternal perk for wanting to be a part of God's design. Not only do we suffer, shape and enjoy a best friend; there is a someday for each of us that can open up the true perk that God offered in the beginning: an unbroken fellowship with God and each other, timeless, with perfect love and perfect joy as the atmosphere of every day.
And best of all, it's our choice. No one is forced to enjoy #4. Isn't letting us choose the greatest perk of all?
23 February 2012
Swallowed Up by Our Grumbles
All of us grumble, to be sure. However, in reading about the Israelites in Numbers 14-17, I find myself trying to understand what is behind our grumbling.
Why?
Because it appears to grieve God more than we might imagine. He killed the rebellious Israelites who kept griping about Moses' leadership. He even swallowed up into the earth the families and all those connected with these grumblers as well (Numbers 16:31-33).
Are we in imminent danger of being swallowed up into the earth every time we grumble? Probably not.
But we are in danger of being swallowed up by lack of gratitude and thankfulness for all that we are given.
Feel like grumbling about your boss? Hmm, that means you have a job.
Feel like grumbling about your child? Hmm, that means you've been given the gift of parenting.
Feel like grumbling about your spouse? Hmm, that means God has allowed you to enter into marriage.
There are a thousand things for us to grumble about. Your list probably isn't much different than mine. But a grumble list is critically short of two things: praise for God and the role of personal responsibility in creating some of those very grumbles.
You don't make enough money? Did you prepare years ago with education and self-discipline? What can you change now to move in a positive direction?
Your friend is stressing you out? Are you grumbling about that person or are you confronting yourself and him/her and saying, "Let's make this work. What do we need to do?"
For every grumble, there is an action on our part that can impact that grumble for the better. The best action of all? Swallow up your grumble before ingratitude swallows up you.
The choice is ours: grumble and grieve God or praise God and take action.
Please don't get swallowed up.
Why?
Because it appears to grieve God more than we might imagine. He killed the rebellious Israelites who kept griping about Moses' leadership. He even swallowed up into the earth the families and all those connected with these grumblers as well (Numbers 16:31-33).
Are we in imminent danger of being swallowed up into the earth every time we grumble? Probably not.
But we are in danger of being swallowed up by lack of gratitude and thankfulness for all that we are given.
Feel like grumbling about your boss? Hmm, that means you have a job.
Feel like grumbling about your child? Hmm, that means you've been given the gift of parenting.
Feel like grumbling about your spouse? Hmm, that means God has allowed you to enter into marriage.
There are a thousand things for us to grumble about. Your list probably isn't much different than mine. But a grumble list is critically short of two things: praise for God and the role of personal responsibility in creating some of those very grumbles.
You don't make enough money? Did you prepare years ago with education and self-discipline? What can you change now to move in a positive direction?
Your friend is stressing you out? Are you grumbling about that person or are you confronting yourself and him/her and saying, "Let's make this work. What do we need to do?"
For every grumble, there is an action on our part that can impact that grumble for the better. The best action of all? Swallow up your grumble before ingratitude swallows up you.
The choice is ours: grumble and grieve God or praise God and take action.
Please don't get swallowed up.
22 February 2012
Lady Wisdom
We can never get enough reminders of how much we need wisdom to navigate this crazy life.
Years ago, I stumbled across God's words that invite us to ask for wisdom and He will give it in abundance.
So I thought you might like to hear it from the mouth of Lady Wisdom herself, as spoken in Proverbs 8 in the Message translation.
Warning: I think we are the "idiots" to whom she refers.
Right in the city square where the traffic is thickest, she [Lady Wisdom] shouts,
"You--I'm talking to all of you, everyone out here on the streets!
Listen, you idiots--learn good sense! You blockheads--shape up!
Don't miss a word of this--I'm telling you how to live well,
I'm telling you how to live at your best.
My mouth chews and savors and relishes truth--I can't stand the taste of evil!\
You'll only hear true and right words from my mouth; not one syllable will be twisted or skewed.
You'll recognize this as true--you with open minds; truth-ready minds will see it at once.
Prefer my life-disciplines over chasing after money, and God-knowledge over a lucrative career.
For Wisdom is better than all the trappings of wealth; nothing you could wish for holds a candle to her."
Wishing you a Wednesday of Wisdom.
Years ago, I stumbled across God's words that invite us to ask for wisdom and He will give it in abundance.
So I thought you might like to hear it from the mouth of Lady Wisdom herself, as spoken in Proverbs 8 in the Message translation.
Warning: I think we are the "idiots" to whom she refers.
Right in the city square where the traffic is thickest, she [Lady Wisdom] shouts,
"You--I'm talking to all of you, everyone out here on the streets!
Listen, you idiots--learn good sense! You blockheads--shape up!
Don't miss a word of this--I'm telling you how to live well,
I'm telling you how to live at your best.
My mouth chews and savors and relishes truth--I can't stand the taste of evil!\
You'll only hear true and right words from my mouth; not one syllable will be twisted or skewed.
You'll recognize this as true--you with open minds; truth-ready minds will see it at once.
Prefer my life-disciplines over chasing after money, and God-knowledge over a lucrative career.
For Wisdom is better than all the trappings of wealth; nothing you could wish for holds a candle to her."
Wishing you a Wednesday of Wisdom.
21 February 2012
Astonished
Last night, a thoughtful young mom told our small group about a book she read and put into practice,
changing her life for the better.
Who doesn't want that?
I am only part of the way into the first chapter but I don't want to withhold something that might change your life as well.
Maybe you've heard of it: One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp.
I think the gist of it is that you make a list of 1,000 gifts in your life, a continual ongoing list, and in the making of the list your life sort of flips around see the bounty that exists even in the duration of heartache and hardship.
Warning: heartache is described in the first chapter in aching detail as her little sister, when Ann was only four, is crushed under a delivery truck in full sight of her mom.
Maybe our own grief can hold a candle to that, but hers is right up there at the top. Her family shuts the door on God and away grace goes...or so she thinks.
So there's your intro. I know that I know that I know that a living pursuit of God's grace and bounty changes us. If this is a way that would encourage you and feed your strength, find Ann and her incredible story, One Thousand Gifts.
Thank You, God. Thank you, Ann.
changing her life for the better.
Who doesn't want that?
I am only part of the way into the first chapter but I don't want to withhold something that might change your life as well.
Maybe you've heard of it: One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp.
I think the gist of it is that you make a list of 1,000 gifts in your life, a continual ongoing list, and in the making of the list your life sort of flips around see the bounty that exists even in the duration of heartache and hardship.
Warning: heartache is described in the first chapter in aching detail as her little sister, when Ann was only four, is crushed under a delivery truck in full sight of her mom.
Maybe our own grief can hold a candle to that, but hers is right up there at the top. Her family shuts the door on God and away grace goes...or so she thinks.
So there's your intro. I know that I know that I know that a living pursuit of God's grace and bounty changes us. If this is a way that would encourage you and feed your strength, find Ann and her incredible story, One Thousand Gifts.
Thank You, God. Thank you, Ann.
20 February 2012
A Monday Prayer
Dear Lord,
The ups and downs of life are so curious to me...and sometimes quite overwhelming. But then I notice that everything I worried about last Monday somehow got taken care of.
Was that You?
Did You just iron out the wrinkles that I know were there but now have virtually forgotten about? I guess it was You.
Are You smiling that right this very minute I am putting on a new Monday garment--full of wrinkles that I am about to worry about--and maybe forgetting how beautifully last week ironed itself out thanks to You? Okay...before I get too immersed in my "wrinkle worry," may I say thanks for last week? I know You do infinitely more than I ever thank you for and last week was no exception.
But now, I have to hurry and get ready for my week. Please, dearest Lord, don't forget Your iron. It's looking like one of those kind of weeks.
I love You.
The ups and downs of life are so curious to me...and sometimes quite overwhelming. But then I notice that everything I worried about last Monday somehow got taken care of.
Was that You?
Did You just iron out the wrinkles that I know were there but now have virtually forgotten about? I guess it was You.
Are You smiling that right this very minute I am putting on a new Monday garment--full of wrinkles that I am about to worry about--and maybe forgetting how beautifully last week ironed itself out thanks to You? Okay...before I get too immersed in my "wrinkle worry," may I say thanks for last week? I know You do infinitely more than I ever thank you for and last week was no exception.
But now, I have to hurry and get ready for my week. Please, dearest Lord, don't forget Your iron. It's looking like one of those kind of weeks.
I love You.
19 February 2012
Tender
Have you ever been to a really good doctor and not only did you feel cared for by his expertise, but his tenderness toward you made you feel acknowledged and worth his attention?
Have you ever been helped by a policeman who showed kindness in your plight and presented himself fully interested in the problem he was there to solve?
Have you ever spoken to a soldier in uniform, and his calm demeanor and polite attention left you feeling buoyed, knowing he was in charge of your country's security?
These encounters have given you a glimpse of God and how He is, above all things, tender.
Tender heals.
Tender validates.
Tender listens.
Tender gives us hope that we can move forward in our circumstances.
Today...meet Tender.
Have you ever been helped by a policeman who showed kindness in your plight and presented himself fully interested in the problem he was there to solve?
Have you ever spoken to a soldier in uniform, and his calm demeanor and polite attention left you feeling buoyed, knowing he was in charge of your country's security?
These encounters have given you a glimpse of God and how He is, above all things, tender.
Tender heals.
Tender validates.
Tender listens.
Tender gives us hope that we can move forward in our circumstances.
Today...meet Tender.
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