Father, Forgive Them (Me!)

Those who deserve forgiveness the least need it the most! When I refuse to forgive and be reconciled, I have made a place for the enemy. The consequences may not show up right away, but we reap what we sow (and our children reap what we sow . . . in rebellion, in bitterness). The mercy we get from God is dependent on the mercy we show others (If you do not forgive, your heavenly father will not forgive you--yikes!) God even forgave unfaithful Israel and took her back. He modeled forgiveness. He forgave the two thieves, the Roman soldiers, you and me--and he welcomed all who ask for forgiveness into His kingdom. How can we, His disciples, do any less?? And true forgiveness (seventy times seven) never reminds the one forgiven of their past failures . . . So today, the question is: Am I a true disciple--or am I hanging on to my "rights", my "superior character", my "judgmentalism" my "you don't deserve" -- or have I truly embraced the cross and forgiven those who crucified me? It's a test! With eternal consequences . . .

Run It By Me Again!

In order to change your life, you must change your mind. Simply put: See a situation or person from a different angle. As a teen I read a book, The Disputed Passage, by Lloyd C. Douglas. My life was altered by this delightful novel’s underlying theme: You can learn something from anyone and often the best lessons are learned from people who “aren’t my style” or I “don’t like their manner” or I’m “offended by their views (which really means I can’t stand people who don’t agree with me)” or some other judgment that ignores their heart or intent.

Oh, how much we miss! Our arrogance or our insecurity cheats us out of the most amazing life lessons, experiences, and opportunities for growth, while indignation or prejudice keeps us locked in our self-protective, self-righteous, independent little worlds. The Apostle Paul addressed this in I Corinthians with a “shame on you!” to those who compared him to Apollos and found his manner abrasive. So I challenge you…the next time you run into a sandpaper person, embrace them, love them, get to really know them, and ask God what He wants you to learn from them—and how He wants to bless them by your love and acceptance. I guarantee you, if you do it, it will change your life. And maybe theirs, too!

Vigilante Christianity

Speaking of the last days, Jesus said: “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 24:12

Have you ever really thought about what “lawlessness” and “love growing cold” looks like? To me, it was just the headlines in the news or the struggles of the younger generation to stay morally pure. But recently, I got a hard look at what it really means for us as Believers. I ran into an old friend and after a bit of conversation, I asked about her kids, her husband. I was stupefied (understatement of a lifetime!) to learn that this man who has led folks to the Lord, discipled many, served as a pillar in their church, and who was an over-the-top family man—had abandon his wife and family. He suddenly disappeared (he’d been secretly leading a double life for quite some time), abandoning everything for another relationship.

I have to admit, I mulled over this news for some time, and it still haunts me. But I concluded it didn’t start with a one-day decision to walk away from wife, kids, church, Faith. All sin starts in the mind. We allow Satan to tell us God will forgive, have mercy, overlook, give grace—after all, God wants us to be “happy.” But when we do, we forget that all sin has eternal consequences. There is a price to pay—not just in this life, but in eternity. Take a good look at King David’s family . . . yes, God had mercy on David. BUT there were consequences, both temporal and eternal. There is ALWAYS a price to pay for sin! And it ALWAYS involves sorrow, pain, and death.

So, forewarned is forearmed, right?

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil prowls about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” I Peter 5:8

 “The prudent man sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.” Proverbs 22:3

 

Fill Up That Tuna Can!

Working on grounds care in our homeowners' association has given me a whole new appreciation for water! I learned that an hour of automatic sprinkling will fill a tuna can, with consideration for wind and evaporation.

Made me think about spiritual watering. If the sun and wind of life’s challenges have evaporated your spiritual moisture, let me ask: Is your “tuna can” being filled regularly—or do you let it get dry and rusty? Jesus, our example, made it a priority to slip away from people and spend alone time with the Father. And in the very first Psalm (i.e. priority) King David said those who meditate on God’s Words never shrivel up and die when the land is parched.

As our valley becomes increasingly dry and sun-baked, let’s commit to watering our spirits in the Word and Worship. Daily (sprinkler system set on automatic) commit your day to the Lord, read and apply His Words, listen for His voice, and make obedience a priority. There’s just nothing quite like a lush green spirit and fruit-laden life to provide shade and refreshment for a world in drought!

The Child will be All Right

     I'm guilty of sin, along with the rest of mankind. But truly, most of my sins have not been deliberate and pre-meditated. There was once, however, when I was so torn between what I knew to be right and what I wanted to do that I nearly lost my way.
     We'd survived a church failure, and we moved to Portland with 2 small girls, leaving 10 years of close-knit friendships and family. It rained every day, I didn't have a car, we lived 20 minutes from the church and 40 minutes from the only friend I'd made. My husband was depressed, our bedroom was so cold we bundled in pj's, bathrobes, wool socks and piled every blanket we owned on the bed--the wind literally came in the windows and moved the curtains. First service on Sunday was at 8 am--Paul had to be there early, and as we only had one car, so did I. I got up at the crack of dawn to get myself and two small children ready.
    And then I found out I was pregnant. I'm not by nature a depths-of-despair kind of person. But this sent me to the pit! I had gained weight with my first two pregnancies that I couldn't lose. I was stuck in the house in the rain with no friends or family, and my neighbors all worked. And I just couldn't imagine how I could manage THREE children on Sunday morning.
   In my despair, I stood in the shower one morning and told God, quite frankly, that if I didn't know it was a sin, I would have an abortion. I couldn't even tell my husband how depressed I was because he was SO EXCITED for the first time in over a year. Talk about trapped!
     Every time I told God what a hard time I was having, He just told me to trust Him. No promises, just trust.
     Well, I hung on. Yes, I gained almost 100 pounds due to gestational diabetes with complications. Yes, the doctor told me 60% of babies born to mothers with my condition were not normal. Yes, I contracted bronchitis and cracked two ribs from coughing. Yes, we moved again when I was 7 months pregnant. Yes, Paul went on ahead and I packed up the household by myself.
     The church that hired Paul was in the midst of revival meetings, Sunday through Wednesday evenings each week. I went every night, ignoring my swollen legs and distended belly, and stood during worship, letting the tears flow as I sang praises out of my place of fear and pain. One evening following worship we were told to turn and greet those around us. The couple sitting behind us were elderly, and the man was known to have a prophetic gifting. Knowing nothing of my fear or prognosis, he took my hand, looked me straight in the eyes, and said, "The child will be all right." An electric shock wave went through my entire body.
     A few weeks later, after two long days of labor, Tim was born. August 5, 1982 at 1:45 in the morning, weighing in at 9 lbs. 8 oz. The birth was so difficult the nurse literally jumped on my stomach and the doctor had to break his collarbone to deliver him. Tim didn't move his right arm for several hours and we were warned he may never use his right arm/hand. It took the doctor an hour to sew me up. Finally, after repeatedly poking Tim's finger with a pin, the doctor got a response--his hand twitched, he cried loudly, and the doctor gave us a very relieved thumbs-up.
     When I look back now, I see how Satan repeatedly tried to destroy Tim and his amazing potential. My son is a spiritually sensitive and gifted worship leader for Menlo Park Presbyterian, a pied piper with youth and adults alike, a master guitar player, a composer, poet and lyricist, a great communicator, and an all-around happy and fun fellow. And besides all that he is a 6'2" handsome hunk. And he loves his mama! Now I tell Tim the doctor was right; he is not normal--he is incredible!
     All this to say: Tim and his darling wife Brittany are pregnant. Our God is an awesome God.

He Sees the Sparrow Fall

In our ongoing  three-and-a-half-year struggle with Paul's non-cancerous brain tumor, he has undergone five endo-nasal approach surgeries and one craniotomy. This coming week he will undergo six one-hour cyberknife radiation treatments to render the cells inactive so they stop producing the sebaceous material that keeps filling the cyst. Due to its location it cannot be removed without compromising the carotid artery, so management is the best we can hope for (outside of Divine healing!).

As we walk through this "valley of the shadow" we are so grateful to our family, church family, community and many friends world-wide for their love, support and prayers. And God has been especially near. Last week during our ladies' Tuesday morning prayer meeting I felt God impress upon me the reassuring verses in Matthew 10 that remind us he sees the sparrow fall and we are worth more than many sparrows; we are not to fear, our hairs are numbered. I recorded the reference in my journal with a sense of encouragement. The first one to leave the building after the meeting concluded, I opened the door to find a tiny dead sparrow right in front of the door. I felt God say, "I saw the sparrow fall; I know all about your situation!"

His love and tender mercies are new every morning; great is His faithfulness!

The Servant Test

“The true test of my servant heart is being treated like one.”

At times we all feel used, abused, taken advantage of, put upon. On those occasions, in those situations, have you found it hard to remember that Jesus called us to be servants; that the greatest will be the one who serves? Grrr. I hate that when that happens . . . my pride rises up, my feelings get hurt, I get impatient, I pick up an offense—and my “servanthood” evaporates into thin air. And often I am even certain that my rights, my boundaries, my perspective is justified.

As summer is upon us, routines fall by the wayside. Heat takes a toll on good humor. Kids need ferried and funded and friended—leaving us feeling frazzled. Let’s offer the sacrifice of a humble heart and give our service cheerfully “as unto the Lord.” Seems He told us that He resists the proud, but draws near to the humble. And oh, I do so want His presence and favor in my life! How about you?