Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Hope for the Hopeless - The Real Christmas Gift

Well, here it is, Christmas Eve, probably one of my busiest days of the year. For once, I have finished my shopping and wrapping, but I still have groceries to buy and pies to bake. Oh, and my house is not as clean as I might like given the fact that my mother is coming over first thing in the morning! You might wonder, then, why I am taking the time to write, and even more so question why you should take the time to read. Just please do, as I am profoundly moved to share something very special with you.

I thought I’d check my email quickly this morning, as I hadn’t in a few days. A dear friend forwarded me a link to a story about her son’s school, a private Christian school in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Like you, I questioned whether to take the time to read, but I was so glad I did that I am now compelled to pass it on.

Last week, I shared some thoughts about God’s heavenly gifts to mankind through people. The link below is one of THE MOST PROFOUND examples of this concept I’ve ever heard of in my entire life. It is truly unbelievable! Some cry easily, and for others of us, it takes a little more to get our eyes wet. I need to remember to get a new box of Kleenex when I go to the grocery store.

Please allow yourself just another three minutes to click and read. I promise you will be glad you did, and you too will pass it on! In the midst of all the hustle and bustle today, you will be incredibly blessed by this real life story of Christmas hope, love and joy! Merry Christmas!

Click here: http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?section=magazine&id=3789373

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

What's Inside the Pretty Package?

Wrapping gifts is one of my favorite things to do at Christmastime. I love to buy things for others that I think they will like, and then cover them with festive paper and LOTS of tape! Thankfully, I don’t think I’ve ever wrapped an empty box and forgotten to put in the gift. How embarrassing that would be!

God’s gifts come in all shapes and sizes, wrappings and trappings. Many of God’s greatest gifts to me were wrapped in human flesh – Jesus being the greatest gift of all. God has used many people in my life as the packaging for His sweet gifts from above. I’m sure you have your own list of those whom the Giver has used to bring you a blessing from heaven.

I’ve had a lot of breakfast and lunch dates this Christmas season with friends, and, oh, what gifts I've received through each of them! God has blessed me through their lives with love and laughter, wit and wisdom, patience and provision, encouragement and equipping, and so much more. I’m so thankful for my Christian friends who open themselves to God continually, seeking to know Him intimately, experience Him personally, and reflect Him vividly.

It’s easier to recognize God’s use of another person in bringing a heavenly gift to us than it is to see ourselves as divine packaging for His blessings to others. But that’s how He wants us to view ourselves, as beautifully and wonderfully made for unique opportunities to bear His gifts to the lost world. But we must remember they are His gifts to share. We are to keep an attitude of availability to God, so that we welcome His direction and preparation of our lives for the blessing and benefit of others.

We ready ourselves each day with physical cleanliness, beauty enhancements and attractive clothes. But how well do we allow God to ready us with His gifts for others? How vital it is to be in His Word! How crucial to submit daily to His will! How imperative to pray continually, without ceasing! If we fail to be readily available for God’s activity in us, we may merely be beautifully-wrapped people with no divinely-prepared gift to share.

God wants to wrap up many of His gifts to others with our human skin – gifts such as the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the expression of His love, the act of His comfort, the word of His truth, and the reflection of His joy. Let’s not be guilty of forgetting to include the gift inside our beautiful wrappings. This season, let’s bow to the Giver not just in thanksgiving, but in surrender, to be His divine wrapping paper for His Christmas gifts to the world.

May you and yours experience the true joy of Jesus this Christmas season, and all the year through!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

A Porch Swing Perspective

The view from my grandmother’s swing, now hanging on my back porch, isn’t particularly interesting, unless you look up. As I sat for just a moment today on that broken, paint-chipped swing, I began to relax as memories flooded my mind. I remembered sitting on that same swing as a young child after dinner, on my grandmother’s front porch in the small town of Gatesville, Texas, watching the cars go by. My how life has changed since then! We scarcely have time to enjoy a meal with our families, much less sit on a porch swing with them for hours afterward.

But as I looked out across the yard, there were no cars to consider, no people to ponder, and no one nearby with whom to discuss them had there been any. Instead I saw the many leaves that had fallen, reminding me of work that needed doing, and beyond that, the neighbors’ backyards. So my eyes turned upward in avoidance. What beauty awaited my simple glance! The tree limbs above were wound together like vines rising all the way to heaven. And each one was covered with brilliant fall foliage. Even in Texas we eventually get a taste of autumn’s debut.

Immediately I felt the gentle breeze and began to worship the Creator of it all. And in that moment, He reminded me of another beauty – the beauty of perspective. Instead of looking at the mountains of leaves past their peak requiring hours of effort, He wanted me to look at the splendor of their array overhead. How often I miss life looking down instead of up!

God created man to look up, not down. Animals look down, but man was meant to walk uprightly and look toward the heavens (Eccl 3:21). Our soul, too, was meant to ascend. Because of Jesus, our soul has the opportunity to be redeemed, to be raised up even now from living an earthly life dead in sin to a new life alive in Christ through the power of His Spirit. In Colossians 3:1-2, Paul says “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.”

God had to remind me of this today in the leaves of my backyard. It’s natural for us to set our minds on the earth, to look at the world and all its work, difficulties, and death piled up all around. But beauty and joy are in abundance if we will only turn our perspective heavenward! Jesus isn’t dead in the earth; He’s very much alive today, seated above in all His glory and splendor. In the midst of our stress and struggles, our fears and foes, Jesus longs for us to look up to Him for our help and hope. He longs for us to live life focused on Him, His purposes and His promises. But we can only do this with His perspective. Don’t miss the life He has for you by looking down. Look up! Jesus is still there on the throne! Hallelujah!

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Setting Differences Aside

In the past few months, I’ve been studying and visiting various Christian colleges with my daughter, a high school senior. It’s been eye-opening to me to realize how diverse Christian colleges are across our nation. Most, if not all, share our basic beliefs about God as Father, Son and Spirit, and about the profound purpose of Jesus’ life on earth. Yet many differ in the details of our faith. These differences are evident between and within the universities we’ve visited.

It intrigues me that believers can see things so differently. At some schools, the name Christian merely means having similar Sunday morning traditions. At others, it means having similar day-to-day lifestyles. Some focus on the role of the heart in faith, while others focus on the mind. Yet all have missed the boat in my opinion if we leave out the role of body.

Jesus taught us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. We are to worship Him with every part of us, not just our emotions, not just our intellect, but with every aspect of our being, living out our love for Him actively in the context of our given culture and circumstances.

Last time I blogged, I attempted to challenge readers to prayerfully take action in our political process. I charged Christians to live out their love for God by doing something to make a difference. Sadly, I had heard many who said they were not even going to vote, as they did not like either candidate. I hope that you did. Not voting is not acting.

Surely readers of this blog differ in their positions and preferences regarding this past election. Some of my sweetest Christian friends voted for the opposing candidate to the one I was supporting. But we both voted our conscious as we felt led by God. Now the election is over; and as people of God, it is vital that we join together to pray for the one who will be our President.

Regardless of our views on the outcome, it is time to look ahead and look up. Each day is to be treasured and devoted to the will of God. It is His sovereignty that has overseen this election process and approved the result. “This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!” There are many reasons to rejoice in the outcome, most obviously that our country has overcome a historical barrier of race and heritage.

It is under God’s ultimate authority that Barack Obama will serve our nation as her highest leader. Let us continue to remain diligent in prayer and adopt a renewed attitude of action, so that God’s message of love and reconciliation can be spread throughout the world.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Looking Out for Our Country

“I’ve been lookin’ for love in all the wrong places.” That was a line from a country song popular when I was much younger. I related to it very well at the time, as I often went looking for relationships to satisfy my soul, especially before I entered into a real relationship with the Lover of my soul, Jesus Christ. I also frequently went looking for help, for direction, and for answers in all the wrong places, too. Can you relate?

Today I was struck in the Bible by the examples I happened across about people “looking”. Take Lamentations 4 for example. Jeremiah, the presumed author, grieved over the state of Jerusalem. He wept because the people had rejected the God who made them, loved them, and blessed them. And being a prophet, He could see and foresee God’s wrath upon them. Jeremiah sung a song of sadness over the state of God’s chosen people.

Enter in the concept of “looking”. Lamentations 4:17 says, “Yet our eyes failed; looking for help was useless, in our watching we have watched for a nation that could not save.” The people were looking for help, but their looking was useless. Why? I see two reasons. One, they were looking to the wrong source. They were looking to other people for help rather than to God. God had proven repeatedly to be their great Helper, even as He directed them to help themselves by leading them to take actions that would benefit them. But, they were not looking to Him for their salvation; instead they were looking to man for their direction, their protection, and even their inspiration.

Two, they were looking rather than doing. Consider Mark 3:1-5. Jesus enters a synagogue in the presence of Pharisees, and in the presence of a man with a withered hand. Verse two tells us the Pharisees were “watching Him” to see if Jesus would heal on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him of breaking the law. When Jesus asked them whether one should do good or harm on the Sabbath, they simply “kept silent.” They were likely stumped with no good answer. What did Jesus do? He looked around with anger and grief over their hardness of heart. And He healed. The Pharisees looked on with criticism and did nothing. Jesus looked on with a broken heart and took action.

This concept of looking got me to thinking about the state of America today. We are in the midst of an extremely important presidential election. Perhaps it will prove to be the most historic election since our country’s beginning. How will we respond? Will we be like the people of Jerusalem, who looked for help in all the wrong places? That, according to Lamentations, is useless. Will we be like the Pharisees, who simply watch with a critical heart to see what will happen? That, according to Mark, grieves God. Or will we be like Jesus and look at our situation with a heart after God’s own heart, breaking in sadness over the state of His people today, and DO something?

Be warned. In Lamentations 4:12, Jeremiah described the condition of Jerusalem - the capital of Israel, the “city of God” - in this way: “The kings of the earth did not believe, nor did any of the inhabitants of the world, that the adversary and the enemy could enter the gates of Jerusalem.” Now, in place of the word Jerusalem, substitute America or Washington D.C. in this verse and see what you get. In verses 13-14, Jeremiah sheds light on why they were in this situation – “Because of the sins of her prophets and the iniquities of her priests….They wandered, blind, in the streets.” The prophets and priests had sinned so badly, they were blinded to their own condition, wandering aimlessly and hopelessly in their own sins and leading others to do the same. The failures and inactions of the spiritual leaders left the nation looking in vain for help from someone else.

How will you choose to look on our situation today? Will you focus your time and eyes looking for a human’s inspiration and protection, or Heaven’s? Will you stand by watching to see what happens, or will you look up seeking to take appropriate actions? Will you sway others as you turn a blind eye to the obvious spiritual warfare at hand, or will you influence others for good as you openly turn your eyes to God and respond to His direction? America needs to turn their eyes and hearts to God. But much of America will follow the lead of others. She needs Christians to quit being passive and start being active in responding to the current crisis of our great country.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Today's Investments, Tomorrow's Income

Investments are a sore subject as of late. The market dropped again today, intensifying one of the worst financial crises in this country during my lifetime. I dare say there are no investments paying well today, that is, in the market. Last time I blogged, I mentioned the plausible payoff for choosing production over perfection. Choosing. This is the key word. In what do you choose to invest? Your answer to this question says much about the type of payoff you can expect.

Investing in perfect tasks may yield perfect products, but at what price? Investing in worldly gain may yield creature comfort, but at what earthly expense? On the other hand, investing in things that matter to our Father in heaven brings the greatest payoff, that of eternal rewards in heaven. And this payoff is worth any price. How can we know those things that matter to the Lord? This was the subject of my research that resulted in the Precious Stones Bible Study. God showed me that to love Him fully and actively means to love what He loves. For one, God loves people. How well do we invest in people, what type of return do we seek and for what reason?

It seems to me that oftentimes our investments in others may have selfish roots. Let’s consider parenting as an example. Parents invest in their children because they love them and want them to achieve to their potential. On the surface there is nothing wrong with this. Parents should want their children to succeed. But hopefully this desire for their children to achieve is for the glory of God and not for the glory of their children, or worse, the glory of their own achievement as parents.

Similarly, we invest in other people to develop friendships, hopefully for the purpose of glorifying God through the good that the relationship can bring, and not for selfish gain. It’s really either one or the other. There is an old saying, “You scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours.” I guess if such mutual scratching is glorifying God, then there’s no problem. “Iron sharpens iron,” after all, and this process can bring glory to God. But most likely, we often operate with an unconscious mindset that if I’m not going to get anything, then I am certainly not going to give anything. It makes me wonder, “Is this what Jesus would do?”

Choices. They are a driving force in our lives. In my school where I served as principal, we used to say on the announcements daily, “The choices you make today shape your world tomorrow.” What choices are you making today? In what are you choosing to invest your time, your talents, your gifts, your emotions, your money, and your strength? Why are you choosing these investments? Is the final payoff you receive worth the price you pay? What might God say? There’s one way to know the answer – pray.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Less Perfectly Penned

“Less perfection, more production.” This is one of those repeated messages from God in my life. Do you get repeated messages, too? I wonder sometimes if I am the only slow learner needing so much reteaching!

My first lesson in this area was in delegation. As a young teacher, Sally Beard, a teaching teammate in Lubbock Texas, saw me measuring the spaces between the perfectly-cut letters I had just made for my bulletin board one day and told me I did NOT have time to do that. She did not hesitate to mentor me by sharing some of her effective practices in running a classroom, and I am forever grateful that she cared enough to do so. Needless to say, she was a devoted follower of Jesus and a lover of His soul and of His people. I learned that giving up control of the bulletin board to some trustworthy moms freed me to focus on that which was of greater priority, while also valuing their gifts, service and investment in their children’s lives. It promoted both productivity and relationships. How cool is that?

A second lesson learned was from another fellow educator who took the time to mentor me in school administration. I was the Assistant Principal to Julie Combs, a highly-respected elementary school principal in town. I remember noting how her emails were void of punctuation and capital letters on occasion, and how her plans and notes were oftentimes a somewhat messy combination of typing and handwriting. Neither of these examples appeared perfect to me, yet they were both productive. I learned that the time it would have taken her to perfect her projects was sometimes not worth the payoff. Instead, lack of perfecting sometimes produced a larger payoff, because it provided her more time for other priorities.

As such, I am considering writing less perfectly more often in this venue. Please let me know what you think! Also, if you do not have a blog account set up so you can comment, I encourage you to do so. It isn’t difficult to do, and it will allow more than just me to read your comments, promoting more community and conversation. Many of you email me directly, and I love that. But I’d also love for you all to connect with one another. The purpose of my blog should be more than an outlet for my very opinionated nature. It must be about promoting greater good in the world, and our collective opinions will do more to accomplish that than any one person’s could do alone.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

The Shack: Firm Foundation or Shaky Ground?

Although my readership is by no means large, I have had several ask my opinion regarding the bestseller, The Shack by William P. Young. A well-written review would include more than can be boiled down into an easy-reading blog entry, so I may be compelled to revisit this topic in more detail here or in another forum at a later time. For now, having read the book and a theologically conservative review of it by Tim Challies of challies.com, I offer this short opinion for your consideration.

This book is a rare mix of fiction, fact, and falsehood, making it both an engaging and fascinating read, and an instructive vessel of both truth and error. It is fiction by definition, as it is not a true story. It is a made-up story of a man who experiences disaster, and then works through his heartbreak via a supernatural encounter with God at the site of the tragedy, namely The Shack.

Clearly millions are reading the book, and many are coming to a new understanding of the living triune God and His desire for people to enjoy a loving relationship with Him, rather than to endure a lifeless religion apart from Him. For this reason, I must conclude that there is Kingdom value in the work. If one life is saved for eternity, even in the midst of some faulty teaching, I rejoice. Why? Because Paul did. “What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice” (Phil 1:18).

Tim Challies, recognized Christian blogger and editor of Discerning Reader, writes:

“The Shack is a fictional tale. Yet though The Shack is fiction, it is clearly intended to communicate theological truths. It is meant to impact the way the reader thinks about God, about love and about life. It is not a book that was written only to share a story, but to share theology.”

Therein lays the controversy. Even biblical scholars disagree on some aspects of Christian theology, aspects covered in detail in this book. Because The Shack addresses the only true theology – the Christian theology of one God as the Father, the Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit - within the framework of fiction storytelling, the responsibility of the author is to present such truth both clearly and accurately. Two difficulties arise. One, to reach a wider audience beyond the Christian community with a message of God’s love, a Christian author must write in such a way that it crosses over to the desired audience. The greatest challenge in such “crossover works” is to cross over without turning the cross over.

The second difficulty lies in the issue of theology. While one theologian may vehemently disagree with elements of the book’s content, as I do, others may argue that the author’s points are not necessarily inaccurate or misleading. As with any Christian debate, Scripture can be used (or misused) to support more than one view. While there are definite nonnegotiables in Christianity, only God has a complete and unhindered picture of truth. This is one reason I believe He has set eternity in the hearts of man (Eccl 3:11), so that we will continue to seek His truth until we see Him face to face on the other side. Our human-sized brains can never fully comprehend the mysteries of God in this lifetime, nor were we made to. We were only made to seek it continually and fervently. As the author of The Shack writes in the words of the main character, “I can only follow (a certain) line of thought so far, and then I get lost and my brain turns to mush.”

If you choose to read it for yourself, I encourage you to pray before reading, and remind yourself as you turn each page that it is a work of fiction, written by one who likely has the right motive at heart but who misrepresents some basic biblical principles in his human effort. After all, he is human. As such, you should not view this book as a reliable source of truth. Consequently, you should guard your mind to deception, which begs the question “Is it worth the read?” But if Young’s creative work causes you to embrace God’s love, experience forgiveness or explore Scripture for truth at a deeper level, then may God bless it for His eternal and glorious purposes, despite the many misgivings.

Monday, August 18, 2008

The Election and the Evangelical


Our current presidential election is bringing not just Christian beliefs to the forefront, but the entire concept of Christianity. What does Christianity mean anyway? The media, as an institution, cannot define it. Perhaps it is due to the prevalent idea today, that what one person defines as truth is truth for him but another person’s truth can also be true. Since when can 2 plus 2 equal both 4 and 5?

There is really only one definition of Christianity. Although it can be worded in various ways and translated in many languages, any accurate definition of Christianity embodies its root words: Christian and Christ. But Christianity is not merely a religion based on the teachings of Jesus, as it is most commonly understood to be; instead, it is better defined as the practical expression of the real Christian, the one who truly believes in Jesus as the Christ and who nurtures a mutually abiding relationship with Him.

Christianity is the expression of belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God the Father, who was made intimately known to men and women by coming to earth in human form, to live and die and overcome death to live again, so that mankind may also live again spiritually in harmony with God through Him both now and forever. This “living again” or “new life” is granted individually upon this heartfelt belief. Without heartfelt belief in the deity of Christ, in the sacrifice of His life to pay for sin, and in His divine resurrection, as well as a humble surrender to and an individual acceptance of Christ as Lord and Savior, one is not a Christian and therefore cannot demonstrate true Christianity…period.

The spiritual rebirth that occurs from true belief results in permanent change. Just as someone is permanently changed by any significant experience, such as marriage, divorce, birth of a child, death of a parent, etc., a person having had a supernatural encounter with the living God is never the same. Because of the joy and peace experienced, many of these people become so enthusiastic, zealous and eager to share they are termed evangelical. Evangelical Christians make up some 20-25% of expected voters in the upcoming election.

Many claim Christianity their religion as a birthright. But it is not a right of birth or a legacy that can be passed automatically from one generation to another. Christianity is the result of belief. Beliefs are thoughts accepted as truths. One cannot oblige specific thinking in the mind of another nor force the acceptance of belief upon another; this is an impossibility. Each person thinks his own thoughts based on the information he has received through his own experiences, and then formulates his own beliefs by determining what he accepts as truth. However, what one accepts as truth does not alter the truth itself. 2 plus 2 equals 4 regardless of what one believes. This is why education is so vital, and why evangelicals are deeply concerned with sharing their faith so that others will choose to believe fact over fiction. This drive to preserve truth also fuels many evangelicals’ interests and participation in the political process.

In an August 15, 2008 interview with ABC News, Pastor and Author Rick Warren suggested that evangelical Christians may not consider either presumed presidential candidate an evangelical. But perhaps we evangelicals are too hard on our presidential candidates. Perhaps we should remember we are electing a president, not a preacher. Only God can see into the heart of man.

Pastor Rick said that “politics is the art of compromise.” If this is true, then for someone of any faith to be successful in politics, he must somehow reconcile his personal convictions with the necessary component of bridging, unifying and compromising for the sake of peaceful consensus. It is a daunting task at best, but it is possible to be enthusiastic, even evangelical, about one’s faith, yet temper one's enthusiasm in order to successfully keep the charge to which he is called. This temperance does not necessarily indicate compromise of conviction. It may simply be a compromise of expression for the sake of reaching all God’s people for the common good.

Evangelical Christians must consider the candidates' convictions, but should be careful to evaluate their content over their expression. Certainly Christians should be alert to any political compromise that violates the truth of God’s Word. Regardless of your political persuasion, I hope you will join me in praying for both candidates during this election season, as both will make lasting marks on our country.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Carrying the Torch


The 2008 Olympics are only days away, and the torch relay is in full swing. Much celebration surrounds the torch bearing tradition and the passing of the Olympic flame from one to another. The torch relay covers thousands of miles before reaching its final destination of honor, illuminating the setting for international peace and sweet victories to be broadcast throughout the world.

How similar this is to the race we are to run for God, bearing the Light of the world. Isaiah 49:6 proclaims God’s future plan to send Jesus the Son to earth, saying “It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant…I will also make You a light of the nations so that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” Yet when Jesus came, He told His disciples, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14, emphasis mine). Jesus came into the world in human form to bring the torch to us, to light the way to eternity. Jesus says he who follows Him will have the light of life, because He is the Light of the world. (John 8:12)

Jesus gives us His light not just for us to have and enjoy, but to share. He said, “nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house” (Matthew 5:15). Jesus intended for us to take our places on the lamp stand, giving light to the world on His behalf. He did not light the hearts of Christians and then hide them under baskets. But unfortunately we sometimes ungratefully hide the light He has placed in our hearts. Rather than run the race proudly bearing the torch for Christ, we run our own races proudly for ourselves, bearing our own selfish banners, ignoring the precious eternal flame entrusted to us. We are called to hold high the flaming symbol of victory high above our own heads so that the light is noticed, not the runner. As the Olympic torch calls attention to a matchless day of rejoicing for athletes, so much more should the light of Jesus call attention to the coming day of redemption to be celebrated by Christians around the world.

“The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked goes out” (Proverbs 13:9). The righteous cherish and protect the light within them so that they can pass it on as commanded. His Light rejoices over the righteous life. I pray He has lit your torch with His light. If so, is it burning brightly for Him, and a source of joy in your life? Or is your lamp flickering weakly, merely a glimmer of the hope that He gave you?

“Light the passion, share the dream.” This is the motto of the 2008 Olympic Torch Relay. As Christians, we have more than a dream to share; we have a living hope and a blessed assurance in Jesus Christ. So, light your passion within, and share the hope you have in Christ. Raise His torch so that many can see. And unlike the Olympic torchbearers, when you pass the light to others, keep your torch aflame and keep running the relay for Him, so that the Light may multiply and His salvation may reach to the end of the earth.

Monday, June 30, 2008

The Joy Robber

If you were told someone was going to come rob your house at a certain time, would you do something about it? Of course you would. You would do whatever necessary to protect your family, your possessions, and your life. Jesus assures us of this obvious fact when He says, “And be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into” (Luke 12:39).

Jesus’ messages always have multiple meanings. Here, He makes this comment for emphasis as He warns His disciples of the importance of readiness, readiness for His return at an hour that they will not expect. But there is another kind of readiness that God desires we have.

My body is a temple of God. I am a house for the Holy Spirit. (1 Co 3:16) God has given me my mind as the head of the household. My mind makes the decisions that have the greatest impact on my life. If my mind had known ahead of time when to expect the Thief to show up to try to rob my life of God’s pleasure, I would certainly have been ready to fend him off. But he came on many occasions without warning, and I was not prepared. My friend Tanya calls the devil “The Joy Robber.” How appropriate! He has certainly robbed me of joy in the past when I didn’t see him coming.

God warns us in 1 Peter 5:8 to, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” We all know it’s true. We’ve all had his teeth sink into us a time or two, robbing us of joy here and there. But since we cannot know what hour the Thief will try to sneak in, we must be diligent in our minds to stay alert and do whatever necessary to protect our spiritual house from invasion.

There’s a lot of evil in the world. Satan is tricky. Guard yourselves from his influence and impact on your life. Be alert and prepared. Look for cracks in the foundation of your temple, and fill them with God’s Word. Make your temple a house of continual prayer and praise. Follow His blueprints for life. Beware of solicitors. Foster godly friendships - they make great alarm systems! Choose to stay out of the weather and under the protection of God’s presence where there is fullness of joy. Do whatever it takes to keep the “The Joy Robber” from getting anywhere near your house!

Monday, June 16, 2008

What Happens When the Heat Is On?

Stories of celebrities showing a lack of discretion and judgment are rampant in today’s culture. Why are so many talented and celebrated individuals suffering embarrassment and shame? Why are many of Hollywood’s best and brightest stars losing their sparkle? A star loses her shine when she is missing the right spark behind her sparkle.

Proverbs 27:21 says, “The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold, And a man is tested by the praise accorded him.” What do a crucible and a furnace have in common? They are both made to withstand extreme heat. They house and even foster heat, allowing chemical reactions to take place in that which is subject to its fire. As silver and gold are put to the heat test, several things happen:

1. Their properties react. They experience great heat and pressure, which tests their true attributes and traits such as strength, stamina and substance.
2. Their impurities emerge. As impurities separate from the metal, they collect. This collection makes more visible the nature and type of impurities that were present in the metal.
3. Their appearance changes. They melt, becoming more pliable and able to be reshaped. Whoever has control of the metal during the heating process is the one with the power to reshape it.

As crucibles and furnaces are to silver and gold, praise is to men and women. Some Bible translations interpret this verse to refer to the presence of praise, but this may not encompass the full meaning of God’s original Word. For whether in abundance or absence, praise is an effective vessel for testing, purifying and molding. If someone is self-focused, she will likely be bothered by a lack of praise and/or become puffed up in the profusion of it. Whether a little or much praise is applied to a person, we can see the same reactions as silver and gold when the heat is on:

1. Test of Qualities: Their true character is tested.
2. Separation of Impurities: Impure motives and improper behaviors surface.
3. Reshaping of Personalities: Significant change occurs as pressure is applied, and alteration is determined by the one in control.

Stars (and all of us) melt into a mess under pressure when our sparkle is only superficially lit by self and selfishness. We are subject to the influence and reshaping of the oppressor when we are not controlled by the spark of the Holy Spirit. However, we are molded into something more beautiful when we remain in the hands of the Master Refiner.

“Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, "Behold, I will refine them and assay them; For what else can I do, because of the daughter of My people?”” (Jeremiah 9:7).

God wired us to connect with others, and made us to understand and desire praise. When we allow the Holy Spirit to have control of our lives, His active presence within us changes how we view praise – from something we want to receive for self-glorification, to something we desire to give away to others and offer up to God. This is the right spark of fire we must have behind our sparkle. We need the Spirit of God to rule in our hearts so when the pressure of praise is applied in our lives, we will shift our focus from self to the Savior.

The Proverbial Truth is: “The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests hearts” (Proverbs 17:3). How are you fairing today in the abundance or absence of praise? Are you melting in a heap or hardening into a self-idol? Or, are you radiating His spark more beautifully today than yesterday, by welcoming the Potter’s hands in reshaping you to be more like Christ?

Monday, May 19, 2008

From Righteousness to Ruin

“Do not be excessively righteous, and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself?” (Eccl. 7:16) When I first read this verse, I thought, “How can we be too righteous? I mean, after all, isn’t that what we are striving for?” But I knew there was more to this verse than met the eye at first glance. Some truths must be dug out as hidden treasure.

The author of Ecclesiastes questions everything about life, labeling almost all things as futile and vain, until he comes to the final conclusion that God must be the center of all. When read in context, the real message behind this verse is that righteousness and wisdom apart from God, like everything apart from God, is “vanity and striving after wind.” This verse of scripture refers to the attitude of a Pharisee. We ruin ourselves as witnesses for Christ and ministers of His gospel when we become excessively righteous and overly wise.

Excessively righteous and overly wise people are prideful people. The excessively righteous is the self-righteous, self-exalting man or woman who values religion over relationship. This person is concerned more with outward appearances than inward sanctification. Her righteousness is self-honoring, not God-honoring. Overly wise people are those whose focus has become imbalanced, seeking knowledge as priority over seeing that knowledge make a difference for the Kingdom. These may have initially sought the knowledge of God with a pure and humble heart, but their motive has taken an unfortunate turn to selfish gain. When one seeks to know God’s word to elevate self, rather than to elevate God, she is headed for ruin.

When we concern ourselves primarily with our performance or our knowledge of God, our focus has shifted away from God and His purposes. “My” performance can easily be all about me, not God’s work in and through me. “My” knowledge level can also easily be all about me, not God’s revelation of knowledge to and through me to benefit others. As we grow in wisdom and righteousness, we grow in danger of adopting a Pharisaic attitude.

2 Chronicles 26:16 tells us how King Uzziah went from righteousness to ruin: “But when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly, and he was unfaithful to the LORD his God.” Jesus warns us in Matthew 6:1-4, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.”

As devoted followers of Christ and leaders of others in our homes, neighborhoods, study groups, churches and beyond, we must be careful to guard our hearts from becoming full of ourselves instead of full of Him. We would also be wise to discern the hearts of those we choose to follow.

Some questions to apply to our own lives and to the lives of those who seek to influence us:

  • Who is doing the work of righteousness in the life, God or the person?
  • Who is receiving the glory for the righteousness and wisdom, God or the person?
  • How do others perceive the righteousness, as a reflection of God or of the person?
  • Could others who are under the person’s influence in any way perceive the wisdom as conceitedness, or the righteousness as condescension?
  • What fruit is the righteous behavior and wisdom bringing to the Kingdom?
  • Have you personally ever been tempted to misuse His gifts of righteousness and wisdom for selfish gain?
  • How have you seen the righteous and the wise trip over their pride in today’s culture?
  • How can you pass on this warning to others under your watch?

Perhaps more than any other time in history, the 21st century Christian community must be careful to evaluate the motives of the heart. We must first be careful that the work being done in and through our lives is God's work, not our own. Further, we must continually remain alert to our heart's condition as He works in us to make us more like Him and reveal to us more of His truths. As we are transformed by Him, we must be on guard to the increasing temptation to believe we are "above" others who have yet to know or grow in Him, rather than see ourselves as fellow sojourners on His earth.

The Proverbial Truth is, "Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling." (Pr 16:18) "A man's pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor." (Pr 29:23)

The devil can be very sneaky, and has to be sneaky to trap the devoted God-follower. Let's keep our eyes open to his schemes and choose carefully with discernment and prayer whom we will follow. Let's also be diligent to keep watch over our own attitudes and heart as we live our own lives of influence. Satan likes nothing better than when God's faithful servants become so full of themselves, in their own prideful righteousness and wisdom, that they have no room for Jesus.

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Thoughts on Leadership


In getting warmed up this morning for my long-term writing project, I had some thoughts about leadership that seemed to warrant writing down for consideration. My Masters degree is in Educational Leadership, as opposed to Educational Administration, the name given to the degree that many of my colleagues have. It might be an interesting search to discover any differences in the coursework required at various institutions.

As an educational leader, we often discussed the differences between “administrator” and “leader.” Certainly administrative gifts are necessary for effective leadership, and leadership gifts vital for successful administration. The difference is the focus of the mind. An administrator is focused on the administration of duties and tasks, the management of responsibilities toward a given goal. A leader is focused on the achievement of group goals, the movement of a group of people in a shared direction.

I can liken it also to my change of roles between Assistant Principal and Principal. After being promoted, I spoke to my previous Principal, a mentor and dear friend. We laughed at how my desk went from orderly to order-less! I had moved from completing the “to do’s” she gave to me, to creating the “to do” list. At some level, this is illustrative of the differences in administrator and leader. An administrator is attentive to checking items off a given list, while a leader is intent upon defining shared purposes, goals, and plans to be accomplished jointly by her and others. A true leader has great vision and investment in the development of collective mission. An administrator tends to follow a given vision and plan. Both roles are necessary to the success of any organized body.

We all serve in both roles in different areas and seasons of life. It is said that everyone always reports to someone else. So in that way, we are all administrators at some level. But according to God’s timing and plan, we may be granted the privilege to be persons of greater influence, stepping beyond task-completion to group-development. It is when we shift our focus, even for a moment, from simple tasks to significant touches in the lives of others that we move from administrative thinking to leadership perception.

We have the opportunity and responsibility to be both administrators and leaders in the body of Christ as called by God. As administrators of God’s goals, we follow His vision, choose to be invested in His objectives and join Him in His activities. As leaders, we influence others to do the same. Leadership is about influence. A wise person once said, “If you think you are a leader, look behind you to see if anyone is following.” If there is, we should look back at our pathway and ensure we are leading her in the right direction.

Friday, April 11, 2008

The Path

I have been writing this past month, I promise! Just not for Prayerfully Penned. I felt much conviction when I realized I posted nothing in March to share with my readers. Please accept my apologies. God has no doubt blessed you with a choice of many other writings from which to read. This month, I will still be writing on a long-term project; so until I post again, I pray this longer-than-normal post will both engage you and encourage you to listen closely to the Lord, for He promises that "Your ears will hear a word behind you, "This is the way, walk in it," whenever you turn to the right or to the left." Is 30:21


The Path...

Paths are present in our lives whether we notice them or not. All of us have walked them and are walking on them now. There are paths to school, home, family, work, entertainment, hobbies, friends, successes and failures. I’ve ventured down many a path in my lifetime, some that were not headed in the right direction. Many times I didn’t realize it. Sometimes I did, but I went anyway.

God has revealed a few simple truths to me about paths. First and foremost, there is only one that leads to Him, and that is the path of Jesus Christ and the truth of His word. As of this writing, Oprah and others are teaching that there are many paths, and that Jesus is just one way. That is not what God’s word says. Jesus said, “I am THE way, and THE truth, and THE life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:6) So either Jesus is a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord. (And, by the way, there is only one right answer.) I pray everyone who reads this has found and accepted the one and only way, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Another truth God has shown me is that His path is best, and not only does He desire us to be on it, He does a lot to get us there and keep us there. The truth about walking on His path is simple, yet profound; I only wish I had learned it when I was a teenager. It’s worth writing down in case anyone has missed its simple truth.

God’s way is the right way and the only way; it is the path we are to be on. The Bible is the path to a joyous life. Its instructions, God’s commands, are the route to fulfillment in life. Often we haven’t studied His path enough to know it very well, so we veer off course. Or, we are stubborn and decide to take a detour. (Unfortunately, I was once very good at this.) God then provides correction, much like a bridled horse. The horse is still under control, and is able to respond to the reproof of its master. It easily hears and feels the redirection; and when it does, it quickly returns to the assigned path. But other times, the horse bucks the rider off, so that it has no master. It takes off on its own, running wildly toward who knows where. We are like this horse when we get so far of course that we quit responding to the gentle correction of God. We run wild, and regardless of His warnings, we run right into danger.

Proverbs 6:23 says, “For the commandment is a lamp, and the teaching is light; And reproofs for discipline are the way of life.” Proverbs 10:17 says, “He is on the path of life who heeds instruction, But he who forsakes reproof goes astray.” God laid out the path we are to follow in His word. When we get off track, He corrects us, because He loves us and wants to keep us on the path. As long as we remain teachable and receptive to His correction, we stay on the path. But when we fight Him enough, He allows us to run wild and lead ourselves right into trouble. Romans 1:28 confirms it: “And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper.” At some point, when we choose to embrace the improper, we reap the negative consequences.

God allows us to learn in three, sequential ways. He graciously provides His word and teachers of the word so that we can know the path and follow it. He mercifully reminds us and corrects us even as we begin to stray, so that we can easily regain our footing. Finally, He reluctantly allows us to experience the consequences of our choices, when we are hard-headed and refuse to learn any other way.

I’ve been on the path, slightly off the path, and so far off the path I could not even see it. I’ve learned in all three ways, from easiest to hardest. And I’ve learned that, just as you might imagine, the easy way is the best way. Proverbs 4:25-26 says, “Let your eyes look directly ahead, and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. Watch the path of your feet.” The only way we can watch the path is to keep our eyes on Him and His precious word, with Jesus as our living example. Notice He didn’t say to watch your feet, but the path. It’s kind of like driving, you know? Keep your eyes on the road, not on the wheel, so you don’t drive off a bridge; and if you hear the street bumps knocking under your tires and cars honking all around, it would be wise to look out your front window and see where you are headed.

Friday, February 29, 2008

Another Attitude Adjustment

I’ve learned that when God gives me a thought to share on Prayerfully Penned, it is always best for me to sit and share it immediately. My thoughts are so fleeting these days, between the several tasks that are at hand. I’m sure anyone reading this can relate. It seems to be the order of the day every day – so much to do, so little time! But today He gave me a little attitude adjustment that I felt compelled to share.

How easy it is to recognize when we have fallen short. How easy it is to recognize when God is teaching us yet another lesson to learn. And how easy it is to let that get us down, rather than lift us up! It’s all about perspective.

Every day we are likely convicted with sin at some point, or should be, for we are imperfect humans. Although we may not intentionally choose a pattern of sin in our life, and live for the most part righteous lives, we will never be perfect and are continually being refined by God for the day of Christ. As we are refined, God shows us areas that need, shall we say, “tweaking,” or “reteaching” (to borrow a term from my days in public education.) For me, this is a daily happening! He is continually showing me my imperfect attitudes, motives, and responses. And although I know that I am continually forgiven, it can be easy for these revelations of imperfection to get me down.

It is right for me to recognize and repent of my imperfections as I pray; but at the same time, I can choose to rejoice! Why? Because God loves me enough to continue to speak to me and teach me the way in which I should go. Hallelujah! He could have, and rightly so, given up on me long ago. But thanks to Jesus He didn’t! As such, every time the Spirit convicts me of sin, even “tweaking” me through the sometimes painful consequences that follow, I can rejoice knowing that He loves me, and that no amount of necessary reteaching will ever separate me from His love. How blessed I am that the Father in Heaven looks down to earth and considers it worth His time to keep working on me!

I’m sharing my attitude adjustment with you today, in hope that it might encourage you to not let Satan trick you into viewing God’s refining process through the wrong lens. Rejoice that He cares enough to refine! Don’t focus on the need for reteaching. Focus on the gracious gift of the Teacher.

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!” Ps. 32:8, 11

Monday, February 4, 2008

Father, Friend and Fire!


This morning, I awoke with three words on my heart: Father, Friend and Fire. How awesome it is that we can enjoy the presence of God in three persons! God is our Father, the Father of all life, the Creator and Sustainer, Provider and Protector. Jesus is our Friend if we have entered into a personal relationship with Him. I’ll never forget the day when I “got this.” As a youth, I recall longing to “connect” with God, but not being sure how. In God’s timing, I came to fully understand who Jesus is - that He came to earth as the “God-man,” God in the flesh, a human given to earth as the Father’s one perfect son to be made a sacrifice for sin, a person through whom the world could experience the love and the plan of the Father in heaven, a Friend to those who would accept His faithful friendship. “What a friend we have in Jesus!” My grandmother used to play and sing this old hymn with such profound enthusiasm, such obvious belief in her connection to God through the Friend of Jesus. But how could such a friendship be, with one who was no longer on earth? Where did this enthusiasm come from? Her enthusiasm was the Fire that lived inside her, the Holy Spirit of God, whom our Father lovingly provides to us so that we can live in the fullness of His joy! What an awesome gift! Not only did He provide His Son as a gift so that we could be with Him one day in Heaven, He also provides Himself in the form of Spirit to live in us, walk beside us, and ignite within us a passion for Him while we are on earth. The gift of His Fire within is the ultimate testimony to the believing heart of the reality of the resurrection of Jesus. For Jesus said, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth.” (John 14:16-17) This Fire is what I saw on the face of my grandmother, and heard in her voice, as she sang, “Oh, victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever!” How incredible to think that our God is the one true, everlasting God – who makes Himself available to each of us forever as our Father, Friend and Fire!

Postscript: If you haven’t ever experienced the “Friend” part of our Father, or the “Fire” part, please consider visiting my recommended website below: Christianity is a Choice, Not an Inherited Trait!

Monday, January 14, 2008

Wearing God's Glasses


In the midst of suffering, where is our focus? By nature, we focus on the affliction and agony associated with the experience. But God would have us look at things differently. This past two weeks, He has been speaking to me about suffering. If only we could grasp His perspective of it! When I think back on times of suffering in my life, certainly I recall the difficulty. But more often, I reflect on how it has brought me closer to Him, grown me more into His likeness, and allowed me to be more a part of His work on earth. There are those who suffer to such a degree that they will never see God’s glorious work through it on this side of Heaven. But we are assured in Romans 8:28 that “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” But in our flesh, it is more than difficult to “consider it all joy” when we encounter trials (James 1:2.) It is impossible to do so without the aid of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is evident in the life of Debbie Miller, whose husband Tommy has just moved into a new mansion in Heaven. Despite this great suffering, Debbie maintains an eternal perspective. Her email communication boasts of the bigger picture – that of Kingdom work, good work that God brings about and brings to completion for His purposes, good work that remains to be done by those left on earth. As Debbie sat by Tommy’s bedside in those final hours, she shared, “Each day we receive the "manna" of strength we need to face the challenges of the day! As heavy and even selfish as our hearts are, we know God has a new song for each one of us - Tommy's will be in the heavenly realm and ours will continue here as we strive to continue to do the work He has planned for us.” And even after he was “ushered into the presence of the Lord” by the hand of Jesus, Debbie has kept her focus off the suffering and on God’s greater purpose. “God is still God, and we have committed this new journey to Him. Oh, sweet friends, it has not been in vain! There is still much Kingdom work to be done!”

As I have been studying through the Psalms, I have often noticed how the writers have complained to God about their suffering, but by the end of their discourse, changed their perspective to match God’s. Psalm 73:26 reads, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” It reminds me of 2 Co 4:16-18, “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” For us to see things in such a manner, we must put on God’s glasses. In our flesh, we can only see those things which are temporal. It is only by looking through the eyes of God via His Holy Spirit that we can hope for a glimpse of His glorious, eternal perspective. Debbie does this, and she inspires others in the midst of her suffering, thus bringing attention and glory to the throne of God. How proud Tommy must be as he looks down from Heaven at his earthly bride!

Only a prayerful heart seeking after God’s can yield such perspective as hers and as the disciples’, who, as early devoted followers of Christ, experienced suffering beyond what we can imagine. Paul contended in Romans 8:18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” And Peter declared, “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” (1 Peter 5:10)

May we 21st century disciples pray for God to help us put on, not only the armor of God, but the lens of our Lord, so that we may take our eyes off ourselves and our suffering, and place them on Him, the author and perfecter of our faith, the one in whom we can trust to take us through our earthly trials safely to the other side. Remember Isaiah 43:2-3, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, not will the flame burn you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” No one knows suffering like the Lord Jesus Himself. Yet, as He anticipated the suffering of the cross, He said to the Father, “Thy will be done.” May we be inspired by these who have learned the secret to surviving suffering – to look through the lens of our Lord and focus on God, God’s will and God’s glory.

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

New Year's Vows

Writers typically avoid using absolutes such as “all” or “none.” But I would bank on the fact that ALL of us have made at least one New Year’s resolution during our lifetime. And most of us, if not all, have broken at least one as well. It has become a source of humor as we poke fun at ourselves and our lack of commitment and follow-through.

Today, I have a new outlook on New Year’s resolutions. Psalm 76:11 says “Make vows to the Lord your God and fulfill them; Let all who are around Him bring gifts to Him who is to be feared.” This New Year, I am taking my resolutions to a new level, literally. I’m taking mine to the heavenly throne. My resolutions are not being made to myself, but to God. And rather than resolving to do things for myself, I am vowing to do things for God. I have prayed them and written them down. It is often said that writing down one’s intentions emphasizes one’s commitment. But typically we think of making these goal statements to one’s self, not to one’s God. This year, I invite you to join me in making New Year’s vows rather than New Year’s resolutions, and make them to and for our God. Write them down, pray them to Him, and most importantly, “fulfill them.”

May we embrace this New Year with passion to fulfill that which He lays upon our hearts today!