Today I'm wondering about the importance of mission-work in our lives. After all, our dedication to others is a pretty good indicator of our own spiritual condition, most of the time. I realize that not everyone 'ministers' with a pure heart, but I think that most of us do. We want to do the best we can with our time here. We want to "serve the Lord with gladness." And as Jesus, himself, pointed out, we live out our devotion to Him and His glorious kingdom by serving others!
But, it sadly seems that the handful of true devotees is dwindling. Day-by-day, the need grows greater, and day-by-day our resolve shrinks a little more. "I'm just so busy," we lament. "I have so much to do at work." "I can't seem to get anything done when I am home, finally." "I just can't spare the time." We want to do good, but the enemy finds a hundred and one reasons why we should wait...ticktock...'you can do that later; after all, you've got your own worries'...ticktock...'let someone else do it this time; you've done enough'...ticktock...time keeps slipping away. Somehow, we must return to the basic building block of our faith: love one another. We simply must take time to make time!
We may not be able to do everything, but each of us can do something. And 'something' in God's hands, done with a pure heart, turns into an example of His extravagant love for us.
I have always marveled at the fact that the followers of Christ were told to begin their work in Jerusalem, their home: they were eager to get out there and tell the world, but it was necessary for them to learn the truth about themselves: if you can't or won't begin at home with those who are nearest and dearest to you, then your witness, no matter how grand, is flawed and empty. If those who know us best cannot determine a difference in our lives, because of our commitment to Jesus Christ, then we have a credibility problem.
We must begin at home. It's so easy to talk-the-talk at church, but do we walk-the-walk when we return to our homes and workplaces? I'm not suggesting that we are perfect and don't make mistakes or fall short. Of course, we do. But, I have learned that my family loves me no matter what happens. They know how much the Lord in my life means to me, and they know that my desire is to walk out my faith, every day, by doing the little things that might make a difference.
Our first and most important mission field is the home and family. These institutions were ordained of God. Now is the time to wake up! Now is the time to minister to those closet to us. You may only be able to do a little: but if you take the time to make time, it will be much!
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
Monday, October 29, 2012
i'm adopted, and i'm okay
Recently I mentioned my maternal grandfather in a post (bring a torch) and since then I have been thinking about him quite a bit. Grandpa Robert was adopted. My great grandparents were childless, but they didn't accept that. They chose to be parents...through adoption. I am so grateful that they made that decision; I wouldn't be here otherwise!
He passed away when I was only four, so I never heard from him his own feelings on the subject. I have the honor of possessing that cherished document, however, and I have read it more than once. His adoption 'papers' are now more than one hundred years old, and must be handled with care, for they represent not only him, but my mother, myself, my children, my grandchildren, and that one precious great grand! It's certain that none of us would be here at all if he had not first been adopted.
Dropped off at a Montana state orphanage when he was barely four years old, he knew nothing of where he came from. His adopting parents knew nothing of his past; and they would have ignored it anyway. Their desire to bring him into their lives forever outweighed any knowledge of where he'd come from. It simply didn't matter. He belonged to them now. He was a Colton.
I'm actually adopted, too. I have a heavenly Father and when he saw my miserable condition, it did not matter to Him where I'd been or what I'd done; He only knew that His desire to bring me into His dear family was greater than the sum of any knowledge of my past!
Consider Paul's message in Romans 8:14-17.
" 14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15) For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, 'Abba, Father.'
16) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17) And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together."
Can it be any plainer?
To complete the adoption process, there are legal fees that must be paid. My debt was stamped PAID-IN-FULL the very instant that Jesus breathed the words..."It is finished." That was hundreds of years before I was even born. All that was left for me to do was accept His generous offer, and when the time came, I did exactly that. If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, too, the debt was paid.
It simply doesn't matter where you're from or what you've done; His love is greater, always was...always is...always will be! And since we are sons now, we are joint-heirs with Jesus! Think about all that means! It truly overwhelms me at times. Jesus was there first. He knows first-hand what pleases the Father, and unlike some human siblings, He's not jealous of us. Instead, He shares what He knows that we might learn quickly: (Matthew 8:44-45a)
" 44) But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45) That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven..."
That, my friends, is a clause from our adoption papers! If you want everyone to know who your Father is, then show it! Be like Jesus, who was the first-born of many! Yes, I'm adopted, and I'm okay with that!
He passed away when I was only four, so I never heard from him his own feelings on the subject. I have the honor of possessing that cherished document, however, and I have read it more than once. His adoption 'papers' are now more than one hundred years old, and must be handled with care, for they represent not only him, but my mother, myself, my children, my grandchildren, and that one precious great grand! It's certain that none of us would be here at all if he had not first been adopted.
Dropped off at a Montana state orphanage when he was barely four years old, he knew nothing of where he came from. His adopting parents knew nothing of his past; and they would have ignored it anyway. Their desire to bring him into their lives forever outweighed any knowledge of where he'd come from. It simply didn't matter. He belonged to them now. He was a Colton.
I'm actually adopted, too. I have a heavenly Father and when he saw my miserable condition, it did not matter to Him where I'd been or what I'd done; He only knew that His desire to bring me into His dear family was greater than the sum of any knowledge of my past!
Consider Paul's message in Romans 8:14-17.
" 14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15) For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, 'Abba, Father.'
16) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17) And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together."
Can it be any plainer?
To complete the adoption process, there are legal fees that must be paid. My debt was stamped PAID-IN-FULL the very instant that Jesus breathed the words..."It is finished." That was hundreds of years before I was even born. All that was left for me to do was accept His generous offer, and when the time came, I did exactly that. If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, too, the debt was paid.
It simply doesn't matter where you're from or what you've done; His love is greater, always was...always is...always will be! And since we are sons now, we are joint-heirs with Jesus! Think about all that means! It truly overwhelms me at times. Jesus was there first. He knows first-hand what pleases the Father, and unlike some human siblings, He's not jealous of us. Instead, He shares what He knows that we might learn quickly: (Matthew 8:44-45a)
" 44) But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45) That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven..."
That, my friends, is a clause from our adoption papers! If you want everyone to know who your Father is, then show it! Be like Jesus, who was the first-born of many! Yes, I'm adopted, and I'm okay with that!
Friday, October 26, 2012
bring a torch
I really don't remember my maternal grandfather; he passed away when I was only four years old. There remain a few pictures of him, but one of my favorites is the one where he is holding me on his lap and we are both laughing. I don't recall the moment or what was so funny to us, but I like that we are happy. As I got older, I would ask my mom about him. Being his only child, she was absolutely the apple of his eye, and she enjoyed sharing her memories. At one point, for no particular reason, she shared that his favorite Christmas carol was, "Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella." Now granted, this is not a song that we hear very often. Even if they are familiar with the title, most people couldn't tell you the first line. In a nutshell, the little girl is told to bring a torch and to the stable swiftly run...to see the beautiful baby in the manger.
This French carol was written over four-hundred-fifty years ago, but I like it, probably because my grandfather liked it, but nevertheless. Manheim Steamroller has produced a beautiful instrumental version, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir presents a beautiful 'performance,' as well. I digress.
For the time being, I am concentrating on the torch. Torches were used for light. The best way to illumine a stable (probably more of a cave) in those days was by the light of a torch. Much more efficient than a small lantern, a torch could throw light into every nook. And a little bit of light goes a long way to clarify things!
Steve and Annie Chapman performed her song, "The Secret Place," decades ago. You might remember it:
"My heart is like a house; one day I let the Savior in. There are many rooms where we would visit now and then. But, then one day He saw that door; I knew the day had come to soon. I said, "Jesus, I'm not ready for us to visit in that room." But, He handed me the key, tears of love on His face. He said, "I want to make you clean; let me go in that secret place." So we opened up and door and the two of us walked in. I was so ashamed; His light revealed my hidden sin..."
As you can imagine, there is a beautiful conclusion...only when there is enough LIGHT on the subject, can we truly see things as they are, including our own hearts. We store up little hurts and injuries and shove them in the corners where we don't have to deal with them, but after all, the heart is not much different from any container; if it is being filled with one thing, there isn't much room for anything else. Somewhere, sometime, we were sadly misinformed. We somehow got the idea that everything was about us! Jesus taught me many years ago that it wasn't about ME! In fact, the only 'me' that I know of is in Messiah! It's about Him! Our lives present a wonderful opportunity for Him to live again. His very nature becomes who we are. (Note to self: it's time to re-read "New Creation Realities," by E.W. Kenyon.) Christ lived to die...for us. He was resurrected from the grave to live again. He rose to heaven to release His Spirit to find a permanent home in our hearts...it's all about Him.
Maybe it's time to bring a torch and run to our hearts and look in every corner. Sweeping widely, allow the light to touch everything there. Take a good look around. Toss out everything that is contrary to Christ and His message. That's the only way to make room for more of Him! Take 'me' out of the center and put Him back on the throne. Only then will there be enough light to shine on someone's darkest hour, bringing hope and the love of God that He "shed abroad in our hearts."
Bring a torch...and SHINE ON!
This French carol was written over four-hundred-fifty years ago, but I like it, probably because my grandfather liked it, but nevertheless. Manheim Steamroller has produced a beautiful instrumental version, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir presents a beautiful 'performance,' as well. I digress.
For the time being, I am concentrating on the torch. Torches were used for light. The best way to illumine a stable (probably more of a cave) in those days was by the light of a torch. Much more efficient than a small lantern, a torch could throw light into every nook. And a little bit of light goes a long way to clarify things!
Steve and Annie Chapman performed her song, "The Secret Place," decades ago. You might remember it:
"My heart is like a house; one day I let the Savior in. There are many rooms where we would visit now and then. But, then one day He saw that door; I knew the day had come to soon. I said, "Jesus, I'm not ready for us to visit in that room." But, He handed me the key, tears of love on His face. He said, "I want to make you clean; let me go in that secret place." So we opened up and door and the two of us walked in. I was so ashamed; His light revealed my hidden sin..."
As you can imagine, there is a beautiful conclusion...only when there is enough LIGHT on the subject, can we truly see things as they are, including our own hearts. We store up little hurts and injuries and shove them in the corners where we don't have to deal with them, but after all, the heart is not much different from any container; if it is being filled with one thing, there isn't much room for anything else. Somewhere, sometime, we were sadly misinformed. We somehow got the idea that everything was about us! Jesus taught me many years ago that it wasn't about ME! In fact, the only 'me' that I know of is in Messiah! It's about Him! Our lives present a wonderful opportunity for Him to live again. His very nature becomes who we are. (Note to self: it's time to re-read "New Creation Realities," by E.W. Kenyon.) Christ lived to die...for us. He was resurrected from the grave to live again. He rose to heaven to release His Spirit to find a permanent home in our hearts...it's all about Him.
Maybe it's time to bring a torch and run to our hearts and look in every corner. Sweeping widely, allow the light to touch everything there. Take a good look around. Toss out everything that is contrary to Christ and His message. That's the only way to make room for more of Him! Take 'me' out of the center and put Him back on the throne. Only then will there be enough light to shine on someone's darkest hour, bringing hope and the love of God that He "shed abroad in our hearts."
Bring a torch...and SHINE ON!
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
learning to count...again
Most parents try to help their children get a head-start, of sorts, on the basics...they teach them to recite the alphabet and are extremely proud to proclaim, "He can count to ten now." I'll be honest; I did that, too. At least until I became a teacher myself. Then I learned the awful truth: "one, two, three, four," is worth nothing at all as mere words. You must be able to associate a value with the 'word.' Alas, let the 're-teaching' begin.
Recently, I have been learning to count all over again, associating value with each word. It all started when I was reading what James had to say about difficult times and how, as God's children, we are to handle them. Just about everyone is familiar with the opening remarks of his epistle..."My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience." Now that's an eye-opening way to begin a letter! But, we must remember the times that James lived in. If you think Christians are hated around the world today, you are right...but when James was proclaiming his alliance with Christ, it was a death sentence. It would have been much easier to throw up your hands and say, "this is SO NOT WORTH IT!" and go back to dancing in the groves with the pagans. And there's the kicker...every one who knew Christ, walked with Him, talked with Him...knew that it WAS worth all the tribulation and fiery trials that came with the friendship. WOW! Pause and think of that...we are friends with God!
Let's face it: we're just not any good when it comes to trial and tribulation in our lives. We'd much rather have a rosy morning when we wake up each day. But, as Lynn Anderson sang, "I beg your pardon! I never promised you a rose garden!" In fact, quite the opposite. I seem to recall the time when Jesus issued a sincere warning, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in ME ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: BUT be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) And we all know a little something about that tribulation He spoke of. Often, our favorite response to trying situations (often beyond our control) is, "Why me?" (By the way, if you've never watched "Last Holiday" with Queen Latifah, you should! Georgia Byrd knows something about, "Why me?")
Most likely, our response turns into a lament, "What am I doing wrong?" The answer to that may be more apparent than you first thought. Let's take another look at what James had to say, only this time, let's look at it from a different angle. The Message Bible puts it this way: (James 1:2-8)
"Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get His help and not be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open."
So, here I am, waking up every morning to so much pain that I wonder if I will be able to get out of bed at all. One! Thank you, dear Father, for such a comfortable bed to rest in. Two! Thank you for the promise that you'd never leave me or forsake me. Three! Thank you for teaching me that I must not 'forget to remember' those around me who are suffering. Four! Thank you for renewing my spirit, charging me with fresh physical strength, calm emotions, and a quiet heart!
Yes, I'm learning that everyone is going through something! Everyone needs hope and reassurance in these troubling times. I'm learning to count...to count on Jesus!
As Isaiah said, so very long ago," "Here am I; send me." (Is. 6:8) Or, as Doc Holiday might have said, "I'm your huckleberry!" Yes, Lord, you can count on me.
Recently, I have been learning to count all over again, associating value with each word. It all started when I was reading what James had to say about difficult times and how, as God's children, we are to handle them. Just about everyone is familiar with the opening remarks of his epistle..."My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience." Now that's an eye-opening way to begin a letter! But, we must remember the times that James lived in. If you think Christians are hated around the world today, you are right...but when James was proclaiming his alliance with Christ, it was a death sentence. It would have been much easier to throw up your hands and say, "this is SO NOT WORTH IT!" and go back to dancing in the groves with the pagans. And there's the kicker...every one who knew Christ, walked with Him, talked with Him...knew that it WAS worth all the tribulation and fiery trials that came with the friendship. WOW! Pause and think of that...we are friends with God!
Let's face it: we're just not any good when it comes to trial and tribulation in our lives. We'd much rather have a rosy morning when we wake up each day. But, as Lynn Anderson sang, "I beg your pardon! I never promised you a rose garden!" In fact, quite the opposite. I seem to recall the time when Jesus issued a sincere warning, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in ME ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: BUT be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) And we all know a little something about that tribulation He spoke of. Often, our favorite response to trying situations (often beyond our control) is, "Why me?" (By the way, if you've never watched "Last Holiday" with Queen Latifah, you should! Georgia Byrd knows something about, "Why me?")
Most likely, our response turns into a lament, "What am I doing wrong?" The answer to that may be more apparent than you first thought. Let's take another look at what James had to say, only this time, let's look at it from a different angle. The Message Bible puts it this way: (James 1:2-8)
"Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
If you don't know what you're doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You'll get His help and not be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open."
So, here I am, waking up every morning to so much pain that I wonder if I will be able to get out of bed at all. One! Thank you, dear Father, for such a comfortable bed to rest in. Two! Thank you for the promise that you'd never leave me or forsake me. Three! Thank you for teaching me that I must not 'forget to remember' those around me who are suffering. Four! Thank you for renewing my spirit, charging me with fresh physical strength, calm emotions, and a quiet heart!
Yes, I'm learning that everyone is going through something! Everyone needs hope and reassurance in these troubling times. I'm learning to count...to count on Jesus!
As Isaiah said, so very long ago," "Here am I; send me." (Is. 6:8) Or, as Doc Holiday might have said, "I'm your huckleberry!" Yes, Lord, you can count on me.
Monday, October 22, 2012
monday, monday...can't trust that day
Monday! By definition, it's "the day between Sunday and Tuesday." (duh!) Traditionally, it is the beginning of the 'work' week for most of us. Usually, we have enjoyed a couple of days that we were not required to punch a time clock. Whether you work outside the home or not, Monday often brings changes.
But, wait! Maybe it is the other way around. Maybe Monday is actually the return to normalcy...where we can depend on the schedule, we know what's expected of us. The weekend, on the other hand, is often filled with an abnormal list of things to do, and no two Saturday-Sunday combos seem to be the same.
Poor little Monday...it always takes the blame for ruining the weekend! Even in our music culture, it is defined as a real downer. According to Wikipedia, "A number of songs feature Monday, often as a day of depression, anxiety, or melancholy. For example, "Monday, Monday" (1966) from the Mamas & the Papas, "Rainy Days and Mondays" (1971) from the Carpenters, "I Don't Like Mondays" (1979) from the Boomtown Rats, and "Manic Monday" (1986) from the Bangles."
Yes, poor little Monday. And why should it be the scapegoat? You don't hear anyone complaining about Fridays. If we took the attitude we have on Monday and applied it to Friday instead, we could sit around and complain that for the next two days we won't receive any wages from all the work we do. Yes, I'm being sarcastic!
I used to dislike Mondays, just like everyone else around me, and then God showed me what a glorious day Monday really was. Sunday is the first day of the week. It was created to be a day of rest, but it's usually anything but that. I remember all-too-well the crazy pace of Sundays. Just to get everyone up and ready for church on time was a chore. Church attendance is intended to refresh and renew, but to a harried young woman with toddlers in tow, it can be anything but that. To the unemployed father, it often becomes a place to sit still while you worry. To those who no longer attend worship services, it is a day for other busyness. No wonder we dislike Monday when it comes. We haven't sufficiently recovered from the last week and here it is time to begin a new one. Wait a minute...maybe we could do that...see Monday as the first day to start over, to begin again, with a fresh outlook. Perhaps Sunday could be the day that our soul finds rest, rest enough to rejoice that Monday was coming, and our opportunities to be a blessing to others were coming with it!
Yes, rest on Sunday. Rest your tired body, rest your weary mind, rest your heavy heart. Rest, because you will need to be at your best when the day dawns on Monday...the turning of a page...this is the first day of the rest of your life...thank God for another chance to get it right!
But, wait! Maybe it is the other way around. Maybe Monday is actually the return to normalcy...where we can depend on the schedule, we know what's expected of us. The weekend, on the other hand, is often filled with an abnormal list of things to do, and no two Saturday-Sunday combos seem to be the same.
Poor little Monday...it always takes the blame for ruining the weekend! Even in our music culture, it is defined as a real downer. According to Wikipedia, "A number of songs feature Monday, often as a day of depression, anxiety, or melancholy. For example, "Monday, Monday" (1966) from the Mamas & the Papas, "Rainy Days and Mondays" (1971) from the Carpenters, "I Don't Like Mondays" (1979) from the Boomtown Rats, and "Manic Monday" (1986) from the Bangles."
Yes, poor little Monday. And why should it be the scapegoat? You don't hear anyone complaining about Fridays. If we took the attitude we have on Monday and applied it to Friday instead, we could sit around and complain that for the next two days we won't receive any wages from all the work we do. Yes, I'm being sarcastic!
I used to dislike Mondays, just like everyone else around me, and then God showed me what a glorious day Monday really was. Sunday is the first day of the week. It was created to be a day of rest, but it's usually anything but that. I remember all-too-well the crazy pace of Sundays. Just to get everyone up and ready for church on time was a chore. Church attendance is intended to refresh and renew, but to a harried young woman with toddlers in tow, it can be anything but that. To the unemployed father, it often becomes a place to sit still while you worry. To those who no longer attend worship services, it is a day for other busyness. No wonder we dislike Monday when it comes. We haven't sufficiently recovered from the last week and here it is time to begin a new one. Wait a minute...maybe we could do that...see Monday as the first day to start over, to begin again, with a fresh outlook. Perhaps Sunday could be the day that our soul finds rest, rest enough to rejoice that Monday was coming, and our opportunities to be a blessing to others were coming with it!
Yes, rest on Sunday. Rest your tired body, rest your weary mind, rest your heavy heart. Rest, because you will need to be at your best when the day dawns on Monday...the turning of a page...this is the first day of the rest of your life...thank God for another chance to get it right!
Friday, October 19, 2012
hanging on by a thread
Have you ever noticed that when a person asks you, "How are you doing?" they really don't want to know how things are with you? They are just being polite or merely making conversation. I know this is true for me sometimes. I feel like I must ask the question, but I really don't want to know the answer. For example, when it comes to some of my older relatives, if you ask how they are doing you are going to get a detailed report on everything from current medications to bowel movements. Then, you're trapped. All you can do is nod and smile sympathetically. If that sounds petty, don't be too hard on me...just nod and smile sympathetically!
When asked, "How are you doing?" I can remember hearing folks say, "Oh, I'm hanging on by a thread." As a child, I wondered about that...how does one hang on 'by a thread'? Isn't that a bit of a thin substance to be clinging to? And, just exactly 'what' are they hanging on to? You can imagine the confusion that statement might cause a seven-year-old. I've lived six decades now, and I'm still not certain that I know what it means, but I have a pretty good idea!
It's right up there with, "I've got one nerve left and you're on it!" or, "I'm at my wit's end." Strange sayings, but we've all been there. It's the point where we're so beat down by one thing or another that we're just too tired to keep going. We need some relief. As for me, when I find myself overwhelmed by the circumstances beyond my control, it is usually because I've drifted off-center. I've (temporarily) left my 'first' love. That's right: I've left God out of the equation, and by doing so, I've changed the possible solution to the problem, but even then...in my darkest hour, my sweet Shepherd is there to rescue me, once again, and bring me safely home. Jesus has a love for us that we simply cannot fully comprehend. He feels e-v-e-r-y thing that we feel. He, alone. knows the depth of the pain we're going through. He REALLY wants to know how we're doing, and He wants to help.
This week, I have actually enjoyed an 'ear-worm' that has embedded itself in my brain. "Hold Us Together" was written by Matt Maher and Steve Wilson. You've just got to hear it. It's on Matt's CD, "Alive Again."
(OH, and listen to "Christ Is Risen" too. It's great.)
When Matt sings "Hold Us Together," you can just tell that he knows something about "hanging on by a thread." He's been there. Listen to the words:
"It don't have a job...it don't pay your bills...won't buy you a home in Beverly Hills.
Won't fix your life in five easy steps...ain't the law of the land...or the government."
"But, it's all you need,
AND LOVE WILL HOLD US TOGETHER, MAKE US A SHELTER TO WEATHER THE STORM, AND I'LL BE MY BROTHER'S KEEPER, SO THE WHOLE WORLD WILL KNOW THAT WE'RE NOT ALONE!"
"It's waiting for you...knocking at your door...in the moment of truth...
When your heart hits the floor...and you're on your knees..."
"This is the first day of the rest of your life! This is the first day of the rest of your life!"
"'Cause even in the dark, you can still see the light...It's gonna be alright...it's gonna be alright"
"AND LOVE WILL HOLD US TOGETHER..."
It's true: the love of God will always hold us together. It compels us to be our brother's keeper and help one another to weather the storms of life. Let's resolve to actually listen when someone is telling us what's going on in their lives...and then nod and, smiling sympathetically, ask, "What can I do to help?" Love will make a way to make it happen! Love is the thread that will hold us together.
When asked, "How are you doing?" I can remember hearing folks say, "Oh, I'm hanging on by a thread." As a child, I wondered about that...how does one hang on 'by a thread'? Isn't that a bit of a thin substance to be clinging to? And, just exactly 'what' are they hanging on to? You can imagine the confusion that statement might cause a seven-year-old. I've lived six decades now, and I'm still not certain that I know what it means, but I have a pretty good idea!
It's right up there with, "I've got one nerve left and you're on it!" or, "I'm at my wit's end." Strange sayings, but we've all been there. It's the point where we're so beat down by one thing or another that we're just too tired to keep going. We need some relief. As for me, when I find myself overwhelmed by the circumstances beyond my control, it is usually because I've drifted off-center. I've (temporarily) left my 'first' love. That's right: I've left God out of the equation, and by doing so, I've changed the possible solution to the problem, but even then...in my darkest hour, my sweet Shepherd is there to rescue me, once again, and bring me safely home. Jesus has a love for us that we simply cannot fully comprehend. He feels e-v-e-r-y thing that we feel. He, alone. knows the depth of the pain we're going through. He REALLY wants to know how we're doing, and He wants to help.
This week, I have actually enjoyed an 'ear-worm' that has embedded itself in my brain. "Hold Us Together" was written by Matt Maher and Steve Wilson. You've just got to hear it. It's on Matt's CD, "Alive Again."
(OH, and listen to "Christ Is Risen" too. It's great.)
When Matt sings "Hold Us Together," you can just tell that he knows something about "hanging on by a thread." He's been there. Listen to the words:
"It don't have a job...it don't pay your bills...won't buy you a home in Beverly Hills.
Won't fix your life in five easy steps...ain't the law of the land...or the government."
"But, it's all you need,
AND LOVE WILL HOLD US TOGETHER, MAKE US A SHELTER TO WEATHER THE STORM, AND I'LL BE MY BROTHER'S KEEPER, SO THE WHOLE WORLD WILL KNOW THAT WE'RE NOT ALONE!"
"It's waiting for you...knocking at your door...in the moment of truth...
When your heart hits the floor...and you're on your knees..."
"This is the first day of the rest of your life! This is the first day of the rest of your life!"
"'Cause even in the dark, you can still see the light...It's gonna be alright...it's gonna be alright"
"AND LOVE WILL HOLD US TOGETHER..."
It's true: the love of God will always hold us together. It compels us to be our brother's keeper and help one another to weather the storms of life. Let's resolve to actually listen when someone is telling us what's going on in their lives...and then nod and, smiling sympathetically, ask, "What can I do to help?" Love will make a way to make it happen! Love is the thread that will hold us together.
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
too much
I think it was Mae West who made famous the line, "Too much of a good thing is...wonderful!"
Since "every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh
down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning," (James 1:17) I'd have to agree. Too much of anything from God is...WONDERFUL!
Think about it: you can't have too much love. Love is powerful; it moves us to do certain things we might not otherwise even consider. Not bad things, things like laying down your own life for another. Who among us would not die in place of our own dear children, if it were necessary? And even when our love is rejected by the recipient, it should not diminish our abundant supply of love (which comes directly from the Father, who IS love). It's just a matter of time until that wound heals, and we live to love again. After all, "love wasn't put in your heart to stay; love isn't love until you give it away." Too much love?! That's ridiculous.
What about kindness? Can we ever be too kind to one another? As Ralph Waldo Emerson observed, "You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late." Listen to the Holy Spirit. Listen prayerfully and carefully and you will hear that still, small voice..."give this one a call, stop by to see her, drop him a note (oh, and tuck in a ten-dollar-bill), smile at the next person you see, allow that haggard mom with three kids in tow to have your place in line, tip that server generously (I promised them I'd show up today for a very specific need), and on and on it goes. There is no end to the ways we can show a kindness in His name. IF we truly are His people and His sanctuary is in us, then we should be overjoyed when an opportunity arises to be His hands and feet in this weary world. Too much kindness?! That's absurd.
What about faith? Could you have too much faith? How would that be possible? If we really cultivated our faith in God's ability to change things, I wonder what could really be accomplished on this earth, in His name.
By now, hopefully, you see where I'm headed with this...I'm simply considering what it would be like to have an abundance of fruit, fruit of the Spirit! Love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness (kindness), faith, meekness, and self-control. (see Gal. 5:22)
We make a bigger deal of our Fruit-of-the-Loom underwear than we do the blessed gift of the fruit of the Spirit! Go ahead...let yourself go...get a little fruity today. After all, too much of a good thing is...WONDERFUL!!!!
Think about it: you can't have too much love. Love is powerful; it moves us to do certain things we might not otherwise even consider. Not bad things, things like laying down your own life for another. Who among us would not die in place of our own dear children, if it were necessary? And even when our love is rejected by the recipient, it should not diminish our abundant supply of love (which comes directly from the Father, who IS love). It's just a matter of time until that wound heals, and we live to love again. After all, "love wasn't put in your heart to stay; love isn't love until you give it away." Too much love?! That's ridiculous.
What about kindness? Can we ever be too kind to one another? As Ralph Waldo Emerson observed, "You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late." Listen to the Holy Spirit. Listen prayerfully and carefully and you will hear that still, small voice..."give this one a call, stop by to see her, drop him a note (oh, and tuck in a ten-dollar-bill), smile at the next person you see, allow that haggard mom with three kids in tow to have your place in line, tip that server generously (I promised them I'd show up today for a very specific need), and on and on it goes. There is no end to the ways we can show a kindness in His name. IF we truly are His people and His sanctuary is in us, then we should be overjoyed when an opportunity arises to be His hands and feet in this weary world. Too much kindness?! That's absurd.
What about faith? Could you have too much faith? How would that be possible? If we really cultivated our faith in God's ability to change things, I wonder what could really be accomplished on this earth, in His name.
By now, hopefully, you see where I'm headed with this...I'm simply considering what it would be like to have an abundance of fruit, fruit of the Spirit! Love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness (kindness), faith, meekness, and self-control. (see Gal. 5:22)
We make a bigger deal of our Fruit-of-the-Loom underwear than we do the blessed gift of the fruit of the Spirit! Go ahead...let yourself go...get a little fruity today. After all, too much of a good thing is...WONDERFUL!!!!
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