Life is like a trip to Disneyland

So last week my husband and I took our two kids and two of their friends to Disneyland. We had such a good time! My seven year old daughter had never been there and I was fortunate to get a couple of "first time" looks on my camera. The best picture of the bunch was when she was on the Small World ride. The utter look of enchantment, wonder, and pure joy is priceless. It was a magical time for the young ones and those of us who were young on the inside. Of course, the best part was coming home and resting our feet.

While we were away in the Magic Kingdom, I got to thinking how much this while trip sort of imitates life. All of us are on a journey toward somewhere. Some of us run full steam ahead to all the best rides, ignoring the little things in our efforts to see the big stuff. Others glide on a more even pace, taking in our surroundings and enjoying the view for what it is. Life is an adventure, a trip to Disneyland and how we prepare ourselves for the journey can make all the difference. Here are a few things I discovered.

1. Get up early and eat a good meal. Well, in our case get up early and eat. I guess when breakfast is free, there really isn't much room to complain is there? We've all heard the doctrine. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Eating right first thing in the morning fuels the body with energy and nutrients it will need for later. If you're a Christian, it is imperative to get up early and make time for the meat of God's word. Taking in a good meal first thing in the morning prepares us for the tough challenges we'll face later in the day and fights against exhaustion when we need energy.

2. Protect your body- wear sunscreen. Anyone with fair skin is well aware of the benefits of a good sun block. Sunburn is painful. 'Nuff said. As with life, we need to protect ourselves against the harmful rays of the enemy. Guarding our hearts against things of potential danger is just common sense.

3. Wear good walking shoes. As I learned on the last leg of my trip, wearing flip-flops all day is bad for the feet. The fact is, on the road of life each of us is bound to get a blister or two. Something or someone is going to rub us the wrong way. Our feet will ache from all the endless traveling from here to there and waiting for hours for the next big ride. Wearing good shoes helps to soften the hurts when (not if) they come. In life we are going to experience pain. Growing a thick skin and choosing to let stuff go is just as important as the sunblock. Sometimes you just have to be prepared for anything.

4. Follow your guide and don't argue. Our two older boys, Zach and Derrick have been to Disneyland more times than they can count in their short lives. They know where all the best rides are, which lines have the shortest wait time, and where the best food is. It pays to listen to someone who has been there. I think older folks really don't get the credit they deserve. Too often they are looked down upon because they are slower or less adept. The truth is, listening to someone who has been there and knows their stuff can save us a whole lot of time and blisters in the end.

5. Stay together. Disneyland is such a big place with so many people. It is easy to get lost in the crowd and lose our sense of balance or direction. Just as in life, it's important to keep a close eye on our loved ones and know where they are and how they're doing. This serves two purposes. One, it reminds us that we're not alone, that though we might be surrounded by people, we don't have to feel isolated. Two, it reminds us that we have a job to do. Our loved ones need us and if we're off by ourselves lost somewhere, someone is missing us and needs us back. To keep everyone close to me, I packed water in my backpack and offered it frequently. Could you, perhaps have a bit of water someone might need?

6.Make time to rest. Just yesterday I was discussing with someone how fast paced America really is. We rush through our days working to pay the bills, getting to meetings, picking up the kids, getting to here, there, and everywhere. Where has all this rushing gotten us? Knee deep in debt and obesity! Mexico is slow and easygoing. During the day eveything closes at 12pm and does not open until 4 hours later. Those people take time to rest and it shows in their appearance. They are younger looking, full of energy and vibrant. Everything they eat is made from scratch with time and careful preparation. Taking time to rest is vital for good health and truly helps us enjoy the road ahead.

7. Take lots of pictures. It is a sad fact that if you never go anywhere and never do anything, you won't have any memories to look back on later. I have learned that if I want to enjoy my life I need to be proactive and I need to have a good camera. My kids aren't always going to be here and someday I will need good stuff to talk about with my husband when it's just the two of us.

8. Spend your money wisely. For anyone who has been to Disneyland more than once, this will be old news and I apologize. However, I learned something new on this trip. Those 20 dollar mouse ears are a complete waste of money. The strap itches and unless you have a child sized head, the hat doesn't fit and just looks silly. While we're here on earth, it's probaby a good idea to spend our hard earned money on things that matter and ignore the stupid mouse ears.

9. Prepare for the road home. As stated earlier, all of us are on a journey toward somewhere. For me, I am preparing myself for eternity in Heaven. How I pack now will make all the difference when I finally get there. I am in a constant state of preparation. I want to be ready when it's finally my turn to go home. I can't wait.

10. Remember where you came from. Upon coming home I had so many pictures of our journey and everything that was wonderful about it. Each picture tells a story and if I look hard enough, I'll bet I could find a mistake or two. These are great reminders of where I started from, what I learned, and how much I've grown as a mom, wife, and friend. In life I am learning what to do and what not to do and trying to pass those things on to my loved ones. All in all, it's been an amazing ride and I am thankful for the honor of being on this journey with so many who love and pray for me.

Thank you for the joy, the memories, and even the blisters. It's been fun!

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Alive

The most beautiful thing about spring is its newness. Everywhere I look the world has come alive again. Frozen landscapes are giving way to lush green grass. Trees are blossoming as bright, glorious color emerges. Rivers and streams are thawing, revealing the chatter of living water coursing through the valleys. After a long, icy winter the warmth of spring is inviting and welcoming.

I have spent much of my winter in one long, endless battle. The enemy has matched me blow for blow and until recently, I had no comprehension of how utterly exhausted I have been. My arms are weak from holding my sword and shield. My legs are buckling from the weight of standing strong for so long. My heart is heavy as each strike from the enemy courses through my skin, reminding me that I am still human in every sense. It’s been a long winter and finally, the Son has broken through the clouds and blinded the eyes of my hateful foe. Finally, I can rest. As I sit down and adjust my armor, I see his shapeless form retreat back into the darkness. I am safe for now.

Spring is beautiful because it reminds me that new birth is found with the changing of the seasons. From winter I came, frozen, depraved, and sin-stained. Into spring I arise, cleansed, whole, and free from condemnation and washed by the blood of the Lamb. I am a new creation, born again and saved. My sins are nailed to a dead tree and I am redeemed and made alive by a living God.

I remove the heavy garments that cloaked me in sorrow, guilt, and shame. I twirl around and around in the Son as his living water splashes onto my feet, my hands, my head. Spring is glorious, invigorating, and liberating. It is saying good riddance to old dead things and embracing life renewed and inspired. I dance around, happy to rest my shield for a time and feel the love of God’s army holding my hands. I am alive.

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Time to Roll Up the Sleeves...

Joshua 3:5
"Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you."

In my Bible notes, the word "divorce" is used to describe sanctification. Ouch. Divorce is painful, costly, and permanent. The separation hurts in every way. The body aches, the soul aches, and the brain even starts to go fuzzy. So this is what it feels like to spring clean my inner dwelling. No wonder I've been so gloomy lately. Sanctification hurts! I didn't realize how much I have allowed myself to tolerate. Somehow I have allowed my spirit to get utterly filthy and I'm finding that the cleaning process is grueling and excruciating. How could I have let things get this bad? I don't know when "tomorrow" will come but I sure want to be ready. There is so much work to do. There is so much grace to be found while I'm scrubbing.

Today I will...
Speak with love and kindness to my family as well as to strangers
Not complain about anything. Just for today.
Be thankful
Forget the past and focus on the present
Pray for the needs of others

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Spring Cleaning

I love the way a friend of mine described the beginning of spring. He posted a picture of a blossoming tree surrounded by snow. Under the caption it read, “Spring is yawning and stretching.” Indeed it is. As the snow begins to thaw and the trees start to flower, the world suddenly comes to life. Everything is bright, colorful, and new. During the winter I don’t have need for my sunglasses because the darkness is almost constant. With the arrival of spring, I would be a fool to leave the house without them. The glaring sun is sharp, bringing into focus all those things that had been blending into the dreary background of winter.

I started my spring cleaning yesterday. While I hardly sat down and got more accomplished than I have in weeks, there is still a long, long way to go. I live in big two-story home with three bedrooms and an office. The office used to be our son’s room and when he moved out, he left the place as-is. I spent weeks dispersing of his belongings, cleaning, and converting his space into mine. It took a long time and with the exception of washing the blinds and the window, it’s nearly finished. I will have several other rooms to go through before I am ready to sit back and relax. This morning during my quiet time with God I heard him whisper, “When are you going to start on the inside?”

Like my house, there are rooms within my spirit that have been neglected. The cold dampness of winter has left things rotten, moldy, and stinky. My attitude could use a serious scrubbing and polishing. My thoughts, words, and deeds are in desperate need of a broom, dustpan, and mop. Simply put, my insides are in as much need of some Pine Sol as the rest of my home. As I gaze around at the cobwebs, dust, and grime I wonder where I’m going to start and how many scrubbing pads will I need? I’m guessing quite a few.

The Word of God says that His divine power has given me everything I need for life and godliness. I am allowed to partake of his promises because I am his. I have all the tools I need. I just have to use them.

“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.” 2 Peter 1:5-7

I pray that as people enter my home, the clean windows and blinds will be a true reflection of the appearance of my soul as well.

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Be Prepared

When I got up this morning, the song “Be Prepared” from the Lion King was running through my head. Scar is speaking to his horde of hyenas as he gets ready to take over the Pridelands. He speaks of a hostile takeover and a new era with new rules and a new king. As I read the lyrics, I can’t help but get an eerie feeling in the pit of my stomach. Something tells me those words are a bit prophetic. In less than three months there have been three massive earthquakes. Just this morning I read about a deadly landslide in Uganda. Death and destruction has been rampant like the world has never seen. According to the Associated Press, the Chilean earthquake may have tipped the earth off its axis causing a shortening of our days by 1.26 microseconds. If the shaking continues, isn’t it possible that our days might also continue to shrink?

Naturally, living in California I’m inclined to wonder when it will be our turn. When is the big one going to hit my area and will I be ready? I was 11 years old when the 7.1 Loma Prieta quake so rudely interrupted my life. Although I can still remember it as clear as if it happened yesterday, disaster preparedness is sort of like flossing my teeth. I know it’s something I should do because it’s important but I don’t make it a priority. “Everything is fine now, why should I stress about something that may or may not happen down the road?” “I don’t have time right now. I’ll get to it later”. Maybe it’s just me, but I’m thinking it might be time to start flossing and I’m not just saying that because I saw the dentist yesterday.

The Bible warns us of the signs. “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places”…”And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold but he who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:7-13)

Scar is quite right indeed. It is time to get prepared. The Bible warns us of a new “king” that is going to be charming, deceptive, and downright evil. Hitler has nothing on this guy. Just like Scar, he’s going to climb his way to the top and create his empire using any means necessary. The questions keep running over in my mind like a pre-wedding check list. Is my heart clean from anger and resentment? Is there anyone that I need to make amends with? Have I made every effort to be loving and kind to those that need it most? Am I using my gifts the way God intended me to? Have I fully accepted His gift of grace and salvation today? Am I ready and prepared? Are you?

Be Prepared lyrics
Music by Elton John, lyrics by Tim Rice
Performed by Jeremy Irons, Whoopi Goldberg, Cheech Marin, and Jim Cummings

It's clear from your vacant expressions
The lights are not all on upstairs
But we're talking kings and successions
Even you can't be caught unawares

So prepare for a chance of a lifetime
Be prepared for sensational news
A shining new era
Is tiptoeing nearer
And where do we feature?
Just listen to teacher

I know it sounds sordid
But you'll be rewarded
When at last I am given my dues
And injustice deliciously squared
Be prepared!

It's great that we'll soon be connected
With a king who'll be all-time adored

Of course, quid pro quo, you're expected
To take certain duties on board
The future is littered with prizes
And though I'm the main addressee
The point that I must emphasize is
You won't get a sniff without me!

So prepare for the coup of the century
(Oooh!)
Be prepared for the murkiest scam
(Oooh... La! La! La!)
Meticulous planning
(We'll have food!)
Tenacity spanning
(Lots of food)
Decades of denial
(We repeat)
Is simply why I'll
(Endless meat)
Be king undisputed
(Aaaaaaah...)
Respected, saluted
(...aaaaaaah...)
And seen for the wonder I am
(...aaaaaaah!)
Yes, my teeth and ambitions are bared
(Oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo-oo)
Be prepared!

Yes, our teeth and ambitions are bared -
Be prepared!

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Passionate Impulses

Last week I came close but chickened out. I tried to tell myself I could do it but inside, I knew it was hopeless. I’m destined to be a “normal mom”. When my daughter put on a completely mismatched outfit I made her change her clothes. My free-spirited alter ego berated me with questions. What happened to nurturing her creativity? She’s creative enough already! What happened to letting her be her own person and making her own choices? I hardly think that making her change her clothes is stifling her independence. You said you wanted to stop worrying about what other people think. You said that it shouldn’t matter how she’s dressed as long as she looks like her mother loves her. This is true. I do want to stop worrying about what other people think. I’ll get to that tomorrow. Today she’s taking off that striped shirt and putting on a solid!

In his book,"The Art of Creative Living", Thomas Kinkade speaks about the “Passionate impulse”. He says that each of us have a creative passion that makes anything and everything possible. He believes that every human is destined for greatness and the only thing hindering that greatness is the lack of creative expression. In essence, when we cut loose and live outside our comfort zones, we are nurturing the creative drive within us and opening the doors for miraculous things to happen. This is why I aspire to be like my friend, Suzie. She allows her girls to live. When they get dressed in the morning, they grab whatever feels good, looks good, and fits right and they put it on. Solids, stripes, polka dots, or paisley, it doesn’t matter. They are dressed and they are happy and more importantly, they are feeding their creative impulses in the simplest way possible.

What’s so miraculous about a kid who wears clothes that don’t match? For starters, this child isn’t thinking about how other people see her. She’s comfortable in her own skin and happy with the choice that she’s made. She’ll go to school and ace the math test because she feels competent in her abilities. This child has a mind of her own and isn’t afraid to use it. She says what she thinks and excels in activities where she can be a leader. She’s popular and people look up to her for her strong people skills. She’s got the makings of a teacher, lawyer, or CEO. Good stuff isn’t it?

It’s all good except for one problem. As much as I want to, I can’t be like Suzie. While it’s important that my child is loved and accepted for the beautiful creature that she is, I don’t know that I could send her out the door in a striped shirt and a busy, paisley skirt. It’s just not happening. Does that mean that I’m hindering her creative drive? I doubt it. My seven year old daughter is already writing remarkably entertaining stories that are anything but boring. Even though she loves being around people, she’s still somewhat of an introvert and would rather write about an adventure than go and find one. So while I may not be able to encourage her to walk on the wild side with her clothing choice, I can certainly lend a hand when she needs help in finding her creative voice.

As I delve deeper into Mr. Kinkades’ book about creative living, the end of each chapter gives me a basic principal that I can instill in my child as well as myself. Creativity is my birthright. I was born for greatness. Veer off the beaten path and be spontaneous. Be open to possibilities and discovery. Dare to be adventurous. Never underestimate the power of influence. My daughter and I are both learning to stop worrying so much about what people think of the choices we make. Who knows? There may yet come a day when we’re both wearing paisley and stripes at the same time. If you happen to see us, please don’t snap that picture.

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Unorthodox

Everything he did was unorthodox. Everything about him was a paradox. He was uniquely unique and seemed to have no problem with it. He marched to the beat of his own drum and didn’t seem to mind the ridicule, the stares, and the controversy that surrounded him everywhere he went. I could almost see him chuckling as he walked away from the ever head-scratching Pharisees. Nothing he ever did made any sense to them. He healed blind people with a dab of mud made out of his own spit. He had Sunday night dinners with the IRS. He fed an entire football stadium with a couple of fish and a few loaves of bread. He stood silent as he faced a death sentence. He chose to die.

In my own life I see distant traces of eccentricity. There are things about me that cause people to stop and shake their heads. The difference is that I’m not healing people or feeding the hungry or making friends with the un-populars. The things I find myself doing are not brag-worthy by any standards. In fact, if I had a giant, imaginary eraser the thing would be worn down to the nub by now. Even as a Christian, I find myself making poor choices. Regret is often an itchy, tight fitting scarf that wraps itself around my throat, making it impossible to breathe at times. There are days when I am constantly pulling at it, writhing in a sweaty heap to remove the unwanted reminder of my own humanness. I am vastly imperfect and I am constantly aware.

Everything I’ve ever done is laid out in one giant cyber melting pot of waste. It’s a massive flea market where everyone helps themselves to everyone else’s stuff. I can’t make my bad choices or my stupid mistakes go away. There are there and they always will be. All I can do is keep moving forward. With broom in hand, I clear a tidy space to walk and keep going, one foot in front of the other, day by day by day. In the background I hear his gentle voice. “Your sins are forgiven. Go and sin no more.”

Today is a new day and I am a new creature. I stretch my arms, wriggle out of my cocoon and soar above the clouds, over the barren wasteland of my flubs and failures, and into my future. My scarf is looser around the neck today and not quite so itchy. I pull at it anyway, to remind myself that it’s ok to take it off. I am allowed to fly in His freedom because everything he did was unorthodox.

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Stay Tuned

It was bound to happen sooner or later. I have had such an invigorating run of creativity flowing through my veins lately that I didn’t plan on this one. The dreaded brain fog is returning with a vengeance. The last several days have been challenging for me and it seems that with each addition on my to-do list, the confusion gets worse. I hate to sound repetitive but I’m going to share my mantra one more time. I don’t miss my ovaries but I sure do miss my brain. The good news is that I am planning on sharing my adventure at the Mexican grocery store with you on Thursday. Stay tuned! In the meantime, here’s a poem I wrote about 11 years ago. If it ministers to you, please let me know. I could use the encouragement today.

Let Me

Let me hold you in my arms, sweet child as you begin your day
Give to me your worries as you step out in your faith
I will watch you closely and protect you from all harm
You may not feel it all the time, but I’m guiding you with my arm
Let me hold you in my arms, sweet child when you start to slip and fall
Let me dry the tears that fall from your eyes, let my big hands dust you off
You may not always understand the trials you go through
But rest assured, I’m right here waiting for the chance to cry with you
I know you feel like giving up, I’ve often felt that way
But please believe me when I tell you joy will follow pain
Le me hold you in my arms, sweet child, let me walk with you today
Let my peace fill up your troubled soul, let my love light your way
I’m right here waiting if you need a friend, you can always count on me
I love you so much that I gave my life so that someday we will be
Together forever all of our lives in the palace of eternity

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Pearls in the Restroom

A couple of weeks ago, I had quite the scare. My heart was literally in my stomach as I took a moment to digest what had just taken place. For several days afterward the aftertaste of that mental assault lingered with me. To be honest, I’m still reeling and still recovering. Without even realizing what I had done, I compromised very personal information about myself and my family. Completely unaware, I had allowed a stranger to enter my inner chambers and get a full access pass into my life, no holds barred.

How did this happen? I “befriended” someone on facebook. The person had the same last name as many of my relatives and even had a cousin listed as one of her “friends”. Someone close to me had the good sense to do some investigative work. To make a long story short, none of us have any idea who this person is. Yet, she infiltrated the system and by permission was given the opportunity to do massive damage. I have since blocked this person from gaining access to me and it remains to be seen how much damage, if any will be done. Only time will tell.

In the meantime, God is showing me some valuable lessons to be learned from this whole thing. Here’s what I’ve gleaned so far…

It’s old news and by now everyone is hip to the current privacy protocol that goes with social networking. Nobody needs to be reminded how easy it is to get hacked, have their identity stolen, and become the latest casualty of the internet wars. Yet I think some of us are still a bit slow on the take. I went back to my info page and was astounded by how much of “me” is available for anyone to see. As one blogger put it, If some random person called you on the phone and asked you the names of your mother, father, brother, sister, where you go to work, what your religious and political beliefs are, the names of your kids and how old they are, etc, etc, etc- you would tell that random person to take a flying leap and promptly have your number blocked. It’s none of their business. Yet because it’s facebook or myspace, or any other “safe” social internet venue, we think we’re actually safe. The truth is that we’re all subject to hackers and phonies, and people who are trying to invade our lives and take what does not belong to them. I think I get it now. If you really want to know something about me, just ask. I’ll either tell you the answer or tell you to take a flying leap. No offense.

As far as I know, Jesus didn’t have a social networking site that he frequented when he walked around healing people and casting out devils. For one thing, he didn’t have time. He was constantly on the go. His life was one continuous adventure and he was literally surrounded by people who were chronicling his every move. Yet, despite the gaping hole of the missing 21st century, it looks like he had a pretty good grasp of the situation.

Matthew 7:6
Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet and turn and tear you to pieces.

This message can be applied to every aspect of our lives. When sharing our faith, it’s a call to choose our audience carefully and refuse to argue with those who have opposing views. Those who choose to reject Christ have that right and talking about things they aren’t going to accept or understand is pointless. Let it go and let your light shine in places where it will be received, with doors and hearts wide open.

Social networking can be a great place to make connections and get reacquainted with old friends. Just be cautious about how much personal information you divulge. We live in an evil world and there are snakes and vipers around every corner looking for a free ride. Treat the internet as you would a public restroom. Go in there to do your business but shut the door and keep it clean. Not everyone wants to see everything you have and those that do will most likely use it against you. In the worst case, they could cause devastating damage that cannot be recovered overnight.

Like Christianity, social networking can be loads of fun. You get to stay connected to friends and loved ones through common interests and bonds. When things are lousy, you get instant encouragement from people that are close to you. You get to tell the story of your life to an audience who is not only listening, but telling theirs as well. However, at the end of the day when all is said and done, nothing is more important than knowing that you and your family are safe. Have fun, but be smart about it too.

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Hold the Salt Please

I could be completely out of line here but I’m just going to say it anyway. As Christians we really need to stop picking on each other. From politics to the public school system, it seems that everyone has an opinion about everyone else and we’re not afraid to share it with the world. Differences in doctrine and parenting alone can be enough to get us riled up fast. It’s a dog eat dog world out there and it seems like the older I get, the more often I need to pull over and get a rabies shot.

Understandably, we are going to have our disagreements. We can’t all be republicans or there wouldn’t be any reason to practice self-control and patience. We can’t all be home school mothers or America’s Walmarts would go bankrupt. God forbid we all switch to the Pentecostal religion! Can you imagine the potlucks? The grocery stores would need a week just to restock after Sunday! One would think that with all of our uniqueness we would be stronger as a church body. Yet it is precisely these differences that are pulling us apart instead of drawing us closer together. Paul seemed to be well acquainted with the practice of backbiting. Check this out.

Galatians 5:13-14
“For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Apparently he was no stranger to Christians attacking other Christians. He offered some good advice that can still be applied today. “Listen, you guys. You’re supposed to be servants of God. Don’t use your religion as a means to attack your brothers and sisters. Love them and treat them the way you would want to be treated.”

It should be that simple but I don’t know that it is. It is a little known fact that registered Democrats are hiding out among our congregations. You might find one cowering beneath a hymn book or behind a bucket of fried chicken every election year but they are there. The plain truth is that they love Jesus as much as you do. There are also working mothers who put their children in public school. It is a very painful and difficult choice to send a child into the world and hope for the best. Does that make those mothers any less worthy of love and respect? Our words and our actions would indicate otherwise.

The world grows darker and colder by the minute. Selflessness is rapidly becoming obsolete as society finds more and more things to gratify its sinful cravings. Common courtesy, respect, and decency are as rare as the people who practice these attributes. As Christians, we are supposed to be the light of the world, the salt of the earth. Have we in our quest to be more religious forgotten how to be more loving? Perhaps it is time to take a step back. Let’s examine our motives when we “gently admonish” our brothers and sisters in the Lord. If we can find an inkling of self-righteousness or pride, it might be time to put the pot on simmer and rest a while. After all, a little salt is good but too much is just plain nasty.

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Crisis Averted

Is this cool or what? I guess people are actually reading my posts because there have been problems commenting lately. First I want to say THANK YOU! Thanks for taking time out of your day to read and respond to my thoughts. It means so much! Also, I changed the comment settings so the kinks are finally ironed out. You are free to comment as you wish! I'd love to hear from you, finally. Comment at will and again, Thank you!

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Prolific Blogger

My friend Cheri, over at Glass House Ministries (http://glasshouseministries.blogspot.com/2010/02/prolific-blogger-award.html)blessed me this morning with an unexpected gift. I've been given the Prolific Blogger award! Yay me! So while I'm actively working on how to insert the picture attached, please check out these other blogs I think you'll like and pass on the good cheer.

(PS- I did not inherit the computer tech gene from my father so I realize that there are quite a few errors in this post. A cute little icon belongs right here and for some ridiculous reason, my links don't work- you have to copy and paste them into your address line thingy at the top. My apologies.)

"A prolific blogger is one who is intellectually productive… keeping up an active blog that is filled with enjoyable content."

1. Every winner of the prolific blogger award please (if you have time) pass on this award to at least seven other deserving prolific bloggers to spread some love! (Sorry! I didn't choose seven because I'm still new to blogging! I'm working on it, I promise!)

2. Every prolific blogger please link back to the blog from which he/she has received the award.

3. Each prolific blogger link this back to this post, which explains the origins and motivations for the award.

4. Every prolific blogger please visit this post and add their name in the Master Link so we can all get to know the other winners. (None of us are quite sure what the "master link" is, so just visit the post and check out some new blogs, make some new blogger buddies.)

I love having the opportunity to share blogs that bless. Thank you, Cheri, and thank you Prolific Bloggers!

www.writingzombie.blogspot.com.

www.on-the-write-track.blogspot.com.

www.joannesher.blogspot.com.

www.lovinthearts.blogspot.com.

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The Hidden Truth

Last Friday I had the great pleasure of attending a benefit dinner in recognition of some very special people. Bay Area Chaplains hosted a gathering of former prison inmates and the volunteers who give up their time to visit them while incarcerated. It was a beautiful testimony of what God can do with an open heart and a willing vessel. The sad news is that I forgot my notebook. Therefore I am unable to give you specific details, such as the correct numbers of volunteers and inmates represented. I can, however share with you what I remember and hopefully pass on one or two valuable lessons.

Every week thousands of volunteers infiltrate bay area prisons, preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ. My husband was one of those honored for his efforts. It was staggering to see the numbers of men and women whose lives had been changed for the better. So often we hear ugly stories about former inmates committing gruesome crimes while out on parole. The truth that rarely gets told is that good things are happening inside many of our nation’s prison walls. Incarcerated men and women are hearing the Gospel message, accepting it, and applying it to their own lives. Every two weeks my husband comes home and shares stories about men who have accepted Christ in their jail cell. This simple act of submission changes the entire atmosphere in the prison. Guards are seeing the changes in these men and their lives are changed, affecting their families and everyone around them on the outside. The truth that rarely gets told is that incarcerated men and women are serving the Lord while simultaneously serving their jail sentence.

Of the 20 or so inmates represented at this dinner, three of them had testified that they had gone through seminary and were pastoring their own churches. Every single individual acknowledged that they were actively serving God and going to church on a regular basis. One woman stood and shared how she had received her GED and regained custody of her three children, despite the court’s ruling of a life sentence in prison. She is currently holding a steady job and raising her children to love and fear the Lord. One individual was asked, “How many lives do you think you changed since you’ve been set free?” Without missing a beat he answered. 2,000 lives had been touched since he had walked out of his jail cell. The message resonated with everyone. One choice truly has the power to affect thousands upon thousands upon thousands of other lives.

I learned two very important life lessons as I sat at my table listening to these men and women. As Christians, we have an obligation to preach the Good News at every opportunity. People in prisons and hospitals are just as hungry to hear the Gospel as anyone else. They need to be told that they have a purpose and that God does indeed have a plan for their lives. They need to know that they are not forgotten and that God loves them regardless of what they’ve done. Once they know this and have it rooted deep in their spirits, miracles happen and the Lamb’s Book of Life grows ever larger.

The other thing I learned was that it’s so important to make the most of every opportunity. Our days are numbered here. Nobody knows how much time we have left until Christ’s return so we really do need to be about our Father’s business. Colossians 3:5 commands that we walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. We need to remember those who are incarcerated, pray for them, and pray for the volunteers who sacrifice their time to go to them on a regular basis. We need to remember the guards who are being changed simply by witnessing the transformation among the inmates. I have stored all these things in my heart and will be prepared to pray for my husband the next time he goes to visit his inmates. I will also remember to be prepared next time an opportunity like this comes along to learn something about the world around me. I will remember to bring my notebook.

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Not Again!

I should have seen this coming. Are you kidding me? We’re really going to do this again? Why, Lord? Why do I have to go through this over and over again? What is it that I’m supposed to learn this time that I didn’t learn the last three hundred or so times before? Sound familiar? Life is like that sometimes, isn’t it? Every now and then we get handed the same bowl of lemons we had last week and we’re expected to make some kind of decadent dessert because we’re just plain sick of lemonade. It’s not fair! So really, what is it that we’re supposed to learn from all this? Joshua, Chapter 6 gives us some clues.

vs 10—“You shall not shout or make any noise with your voice, nor shall a word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I say to you, ‘Shout!’ Then you shall shout.” The first thing we need to do is shut up. Stop talking. Remain silent. There are a couple of reasons for this. For one, when we’re not silent we can’t hear God. During this time of trial we have a wonderful opportunity to get to know God better. When we really stop and listen we could learn some fascinating things about ourselves and our sovereign God. When faced with a difficulty our first inclination is to complain and gripe. After that we beg or bargain. Anger usually comes strolling in right about the time we think we’ve had enough. Eventually we come to the sanctuary of acceptance. God is telling us that this is actually supposed to be our first stop. Zip the lip and simply trust. Be still and know that He is God. When we’re silent we rebuke any form of negativity and allow God to be in His rightful place.

The second thing we need to do is appreciate the power of repetition. By allowing us to go through the same problem over and over again, God has a specific purpose in mind. He wants us to learn to trust and obey. It’s a bit like practicing for a recital. While the act of practicing can be tedious, exhausting, and even painful at times, it produces results. The instrument or dance step we’re trying to learn is perfected the more times we go over it. When practicing a new song, a singer oftentimes starts out rough. The notes don’t sound right, she has to find the right key, and the timing may need some work. The more she practices, the more the song comes together. The notes find their way to perfect harmony and the song becomes a beautiful act of worship for its creator. So it is with us. Repetition should ultimately lead to worship.

I am convinced that worship is the end-all to every problem. When I am worshiping God, my mind is focused on Him and not on my problems. Worship teaches obedience, it silences negativity, and it draws us closer to God during our challenges. It opens our mind up to the things of God and makes every problem seem small in comparison to Him. He’s a big God and he can handle our big problems. John Waller said it perfect in his song, “While I’m waiting”. “I will serve you, I will worship, I will not faint. I’ll be running the race even while I wait.”

If you're waiting, let me pray with you. God is able.

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Calamitous Miracle

Call it corny but I have a confession to make. I used to write letters to myself. There was a time not so very long ago when the face in the mirror was the one I most despised. Self-loathing was a familiar evil that embraced me every time I tried to succeed at anything. Depression was the cloak of destruction I wore and it fit very snug. Eventually I came to a point where I was able to see past the hatred if only for a moment. During these quiet times I would search for something positive about myself and then write it down. I think my hope was that I would discover these letters and remember where I was and how I had progressed during the darkest periods of my life. Recently I was rummaging through my old journals and came across three of these letters to me. One was a ridiculous attempt at poetry which I promptly burned. The other seemed like a half hearted attempt that was probably meant to uplift but fell miserably short. The final, posted here was a heartfelt “Way to go, I’m so proud of us!” What I’ve noticed about this last letter was that much of it can still be applied to my life today. If you feel like you can relate, feel free to insert your name where appropriate.

February 11, 2003

Dear Sherry,
When I look at you from a distance I’m so proud of you. You’ve made a lot of mistakes and you’ve taken the hard way more often than not but that’s what’s so admirable. Each time you fail or fall down you grow a little stronger. In a word, you are a fighter. You wear your bruises in a proud but humble way and you never forget to thank God for even minor achievements. Instead of putting yourself down all the time, make an effort to congratulate yourself for the things you did right or didn’t do wrong.

You are a good friend who only asks the same in return. Notice these things! There’s no limit to all the creative energy swelling up inside you. God wants to use it so let him. Stop being afraid and look forward, anticipating good things. You’re not perfect but who is? You’re always reaching for something better because in your heart you know it is right within your grasp. Claim what you are after and don’t let anyone or anything block the entrance to your dreams. Allow God the freedom to do all that he has planned for you. Listen to his instruction and do what he says. Have faith in yourself. The more of you that you give away the brighter you shine.

Love,
Me

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He Protects His Own

“God choreographs the “molecular dance” which goes on every second of every minute of every day in every cell of the universe…He is not too busy to keep records even of our falling hair. Yet in our darkness we suppose He has overlooked us. He hasn’t.”
Elisabeth Elliot

Text to read: Joshua 10:1-27
God had been the commander in chief for Joshua’s army for quite some time. Apparently they were doing pretty good and had no inclination to slow down or take a breath. They were on fire! That’s why I’m a bit baffled at the audacity of those five kings. Really? They honestly thought they could somehow attack God’s anointed and win? Wow. Not only did God show up and show them who’s boss, he did it in such a powerful way that Joshua really didn’t have to put up much of his own fight. A good fashioned hailstorm took care of that problem. Nobody had to question who was in charge of that battle. God’s name was stamped all over it.

Particularly fascinating was how the whole thing ended. The kings had apparently figured out that they were bested. Instead of surrendering, they went and hid in a cave. Just like it happens with every cowardly bully on the block, someone had enough guts to stand up to them. Joshua showed up, strung those idiots on a tree and then stuffed them back into the very cave they came from. With a stamp of righteous indignation, the command was brought forth. “Leave these spineless fools here and let us go!”

This whole story shows me a bit about the dynamics of spiritual bullying. First off, if you’re the one dealing with a bully here’s some things to remember.

Don’t be afraid. Just because you seem to be under attack, remember that God has your back and He will fight for you. Oftentimes ice is quite literally involved.

Don’t be too timid to stand up for yourself. You have a right to be bold. In verse 24 Joshua commanded his army to put their feet on the necks of the kings. In other words, “these guys are literally under your feet so put them there!” Look what it says here in Luke 10:19
“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

Remember that the Lord is fighting for you. You don’t have to do or say anything. When Joshua had heard that the kings hid themselves in a cave, he didn’t waste any time. He had his army roll a large stone in front of it so that the attackers could not escape. It’s a clear message to be bold, leave the situation in God’s hands (roll that stone in front of your cave and wait) and commit to following him no matter what assails you.

If you know someone who is practicing aggressive behavior toward a brother or sister in Christ, here is some advice to pass on…

It is not wise to attack a child of God. Like a very protective parent, God takes threats and bullying very seriously. He will make it abundantly clear which side he is on. Hiding from him is also a bad idea. Not only will the attacker be found, evidence suggests that the outcome isn’t a good one. God will find a way to close the entrance to the cave and there will be no escape from punishment. At the very least, the bully will find himself in the same spot he was in when he started.

I am reminded of a situation I found myself in not too long ago. I was attacked by a bully and God showed up and knocked his block off. Guess what was the most ironic thing about it all? There was ice involved.

God protects his children, he fights for them, and yes he does win. Be bold, be strong, and believe that he’s got your back.

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Worthy of His Work

Have you ever had one of those weeks where things just did not go the way they were supposed to? Everything went wrong. The car died. The kids drove your insanity level to new heights, and at every challenge, you failed the test. Instead of responding in kindness, you snapped. Instead of trying to teach obedience, you yelled. Instead of trusting God, you worried. That was me last week. If I had been accused of being a Christian, a conviction would be unheard of. The jury would have thrown my case out. I would have been labeled a nut-case but nothing more. By the end of the week I was exhausted, defeated, and bordering on depressed. I felt like a complete failure and not worthy of the speck of sand on my Father’s shoes.

That’s why I found my devotional from Beth Moore so refreshing and timely this morning. Beth has coined a phrase that I’m going to adopt. She says that when she dies, she wants her tombstone to read, “God got tired.” Thank you so much, Beth. I’m glad to see that I am not the only person on earth who is high maintenance. If Beth Moore struggles, that means there’s hope for me. As it turns out, there’s more than hope. There are unfathomable promises for me any time I start to wonder or worry if I’m going to make it.

I shared my sentiments on the last few days with my pastor’s wife. Here’s what she had to say…

“You need to remember that there is a big difference between conviction and the enemy making you feel defeated. The Holy Spirit convicts and the enemy will sometimes try to mess around with us to make us feel defeated and hopeless. In Christ, you are an overcomer and yes there is always hope for us all thanks to His grace and mercy…We recognize our mistakes and grow from them. That is part of the sanctification process…”

As I ruminated on what she said I began to wonder. What exactly does God say about me? Who am I, really? For anyone else who might be wondering, I’ve got just a few of the answers.

I am royalty. I am chosen, holy, and special and filled with his light. (1 Peter 2:9)
I am his adopted daughter and deeply loved. (Romans 8:17)
I am more than a conqueror. (Romans 8:37)
I am a friend of Jesus. (John 15:15)
I am a new creature in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
I am redeemed and forgiven by the grace of Christ. (Ephesians 1:7)
I am blessed. (Ephesians 1:3)
I am God’s beautiful work of art, created to bless others with my talents and abilities. (Ephesians 2:10) *This one is my favorite!*
I am engraved on his heart and on his hands. (Isaiah 49:16)

I have also concluded that I am worthy the work that He puts into me. As much trouble as I seem to be to God, He never gets tired of molding and shaping me into the creature that He created me to be. The way I figure it, I must be pretty dang important, or He wouldn’t spend this much time perfecting me. As He reminded me this morning, what I do does not dictate who I am. I messed up. This does not make me a lost cause or an immediate defect that deserves to be tossed in the garbage. It makes me human and prone to imperfections, mistakes, and weaknesses.

There will be challenging days or weeks where we fail or miss the mark. I think we’re being called to remember that it’s not over until He says it is. Every day is a new opportunity to grow and learn from the previous day’s mistakes. Every day is a new chance to remember who we are for real in Christ. We are worthy of His time and all the endless hours of work He puts into us. In that sense, I don’t mind being high maintenance. After all, I am a work in progress!

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