Blog

It’s been a while. And it’s not that I haven’t had anything to say, but  primarily the demands of life that redirect time from what you want to do toward what you have to do. If that doesn’t make sense just know that I’m on a business/vacation trip which has left me so far little time to dedicate to blogging. But I carved out this segment of the morning before we get on the road to muse about a few things.

Two days ago I read in a devotional: “God places this important requirement for those who pray: that we seek HIs priorities and make them our own.” The statement gave me pause as I immediately thought of the current state of our nation struggling with an administration that seems determined to dismantle the principles of our democracy. Like many Christians, I am in continual prayer for this country that claims Christ. If this statement has validity, and I believe it does, how do I understand God’s priorities within the context of present day realities and make them the focus of my prayers for the nation?

I believe the priorities God set before the nation of Israel in biblical times are the same for this nation today. The words of 2 Chronicles 7:14 speak to us as they did to those who then professed to worshipping Him. “… if my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face  and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”  Humility, prayer, seeking HIs face and ceasing to sin are the conditions God declares are necessary for the land to be healed. These are His priorities that I must make the focus of my prayers for my country’s current waywardness. They are the priorities all who profess Christ must pray if we are to be delivered from the devastation sin inevitably brings.

Love. Joy Peace.

 

As I continue to refine this “blogging” thing, I realize it can’t be  a “set-in-stone” exercise.  An initial idea can change; demands change if that furthers the purpose of the writing. So I have altered my self-imposed rule to not write on Sundays.  Instead I will allow the Holy Spirit’s promptings to take the lead .  With that in mind, know that I began this post yesterday after reading a familiar scriptural passage:  “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” (Luke 11:9-10)  Jesus spoke these words to the disciples as an addendum to His instructions on how they should pray. In usual fashion, He continued by giving the example of a father who despite his faults knows how to give appropriate gifts to his children. And He concludes with these words, ” If you then,  though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11: 13)

Like many on this journey to glory, I’ve understood verses 9-10 to mean all I need do is ask, seek and knock for the things I desire and God will respond favorably to my requests. But a more thoughtful look at Jesus’ teaching on how to pray reveals more. First, the Lord’s Prayer begins in praise of the Father and then makes three specific requests: give us daily nourishment (for body and spirit*), forgive us our sins as we forgive others theirs, and lead us away from temptations. Jesus further offers the example of the man whose boldness in asking prompted a friend to respond favorably to the request, followed by the example of the father and his children. Then in verse thirteen He crystallizes  the point of this teaching on how to pray.

Our heavenly Father’s gift to those  who ask  is the Holy Spirit. For it is through the gift of His Spirit that we receive His  hope, joy, peace, abundance and love.  With the Holy Spirit’s guidance we know what to ask for; what to seek after; what doors to knock upon. Without the gift of the Holy Spirit, we approach God’s altar seeking  things of the world rather than that which brings Him honor and glory.

A refining of scripture for me. I hope for you too.

Love. Joy. Peace.

*My interpretation

Today’s thoughts are an exercise in randomness. I started a new discipline yesterday based upon a suggestion in a devotional I read. The writer says she keeps a journal in which she daily records ten things for which she is thankful for from the day before,  and  a prayer list. I’ve done something similar in the past, but not been consistent. I’m trying again with this format because I think it will keep in the forefront of my mind how very much I have to be thankful for. When we are bombarded daily with the idiocies of those in positions of power, we might think there is nothing about which we can thank God. But as believers we must not lose hope in our belief that He controls everything and nothing occurs that has not passed first before Him.  With that assurance we can pause  in our routines to acknowledge that a grateful heart is pleasing to Him. Recording in a journal is one way to do that.

My son’s customary acknowledgment of my leaving after  I sing my song – “You Are My Sunshine”– and saying, “I love you, boo,” is an affirmative nod of his head. His response yesterday made my thanksgiving list today. In his garbled voice, he said clearly enough to surprise me, “I love you too, mom.” Mind you, if you’re not familiar with his efforts to voice you might not have picked up on it. But my constant, “Use your voice,” and his effort to do so have attuned my ear to the words he is attempting to speak. It was clear enough that I had him repeat what he said a little louder. He did his best and nodded his head affirmatively. Talk about joy! Talk about a reason to continue to trust God’s healing powers! Talk about an awesome God for whom nothing is impossible! Until He shows me otherwise, I will believe in Quentin’s complete restoration, transformation and a second chance at living a God-centered life. Alleluia!!

Love. Joy. Peace.

“Rock-Solid Faith” was the title of one of the devotionals I read recently. It was a wonderful follow up to the message in this past Sunday’s  sermon.  In it the pastor used the story of Noah to make pretty much the same point – faith has to be the undergirding of our belief in God’s promises. And if there’s one thing we know about God and His Son, our Savior Jesus, it’s that they made a lot of promises to the humans they created in their likeness.  Our Holy Bible is grounded in them.

This past April, I wrote in my Ideas & Inspiration journal: “Has God ever made a promise He didn’t keep?” Such entries often become the basis for a writing project. And though I’ve not gone beyond the question and a possible title: Promise Giver-Promise Keeper, the question pulls at me, almost demanding that I address it. If you’ve been on this journey to glory  for any considerable time, you probably have in your collection of Bibles, commentaries, devotional books and other resources for spiritual growth a small volume titled “God’s Promises” or something similar to that wording. Typically its a compilation of scriptures in which divine promises are spoken regarding life’s varying experiences. It’s a resource we grab when we’re struggling with an unresolved issue; and we want to pinpoint what the Bible says about it, or simply seek guidance based upon the promises for everyday living.  Somehow these biblical assurances that God is with us in the midst of our circumstance prove sufficient, even when our plight remains unchanged or our prayers unanswered.

I imagine I could write a book juxtaposing the myriad of promises God made with the realities of those who have leaned upon those promises to identify whether or not any of the promises were unfilled. And I further imagine that I would probably conclude from a human perspective that there are promises God doesn’t keep.  But therein lies the caveat. Who am I, who are we to question whether a God- promise has been kept or not? We see from a limited human perspective. God is omniscient and sees and thinks and acts in ways we will never fathom. What seems an unfulfilled promise to us may indeed be the exact opposite in His divine view.  I return to Noah, a righteous man living in a time of unrighteousness. God promised Noah that he and his family would be spared the destruction that was to come upon all humankind. Noah had but to follow God’s directions to build an ark and take into it whom God directed. For the next hundred years or so, Noah faithfully followed the Lord’s command. But he was human and I imagine he wondered during those years of construction whether this promise would be kept. But wondering about the fulfillment of the promise didn’t deter Noah. In faith he labored in the belief  that if God said it, that’s all there was to it. God would keep His promise.

Now I may still broach the subject as a lead in to a future writing project. More than likely,  I’ll be able to draw upon any number of stories that suggest that some of those divine promises don’t come to fruition. But I’ll also be able to recount how the promise remains constant, even when from the human perspective the opposite may seem true.  Watch this space.

Love. Joy. Peace.

 

For reasons unknown, I thought blogging would be different. That every day I would have some significant insight to post. As recent days prove, that is not the case. Since my last post, I have literally had nothing to say. Now I’m not saying I had no thoughts; I did. My mind runs nonstop as long as I’m awake, and probably even when I’m asleep! But none of the thoughts swirling in the grey matter seemed significant enough to share. The truth is that no matter the forum – website blog,  personal journal or the new document page  on Windows – writing requires discipline and consistency.  I know that from my years of devotional word crafting, but somehow I thought blogging would be different. It isn’t.

So here I am five days since my last post hoping to share something that’s worthwhile reading. On Saturday I watched The Godfather for the umpteenth time.   Four hours (including the commercials) in classic “couch potato” posture,  sprawled on the sofa. Could I have better used that time? Probably. But sometimes it is what it is. Whatever that is. That was one of those times. More to the point. As they always do, the scenes near the movie’s conclusion arrested my attention. The juxtapositions of the baptismal rituals of Michael Corleone’s nephew (for whom he is the godfather) and the assassinations of the Corleone’s family’s archenemies are not just cinematic genius. They represent also  the  great dichotomy of a believer’s faith and his actions.  How was Michael able to profess the beliefs of the church – belief in God, in Jesus and the Holy Spirit and proclaim obedience to the doctrines such belief requires – and at the same time know that on his orders and authority, men were being killed?  In pretty much the same way the duality of good and evil flow from the same fountain in us. Despite the current cultural norm of deceit, can we be honest.  Many  professed Christians praise God out of the same mouth with which they curse those whom God made. Our ability to “talk a good talk,” while simultaneously invalidating that talk by our actions characterizes far too many of us who confess the Holy Trinity. And because we have become so comfortable in our secular postures of accommodating  evil, giving it the same position as good, we falter in the sacred.  Two hands stretch out to you. Whose do you kiss? And call “Godfather?”

Love. Joy. Peace.

None of the readings in my devotional cupboard referenced today’s annual celebration of the nation’s independence. I had expected that they would. Instead one reflected upon the words of the apostle John: “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth. ” (John 4: 23-24) Another chose John’s words written in Revelation 21:1-5 with emphasis upon verse 5: “He who was seated upon the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!‘” And the third drew upon the familiar passage recorded by Paul in 2 Corinthians 9: 6-8 – “…Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously,… for God loves a cheerful giver.” – to make the point that we are called to a spirit of generosity in God’s name in our relationships with one another.

My sense this morning is that any significance of this holiday pales when juxtaposed with the realities of the country today. I won’t take the space to remunerate them as I think you’d have to be essentially deaf, dumb and blind not to know the truth of this moment in the nation. And because we stand at this moment, John’s words resonate all the more. The time is upon us as believers to worship God in spirit and truth. To live  with others in ways that show Christian generosity. To work together toward new relationships that reveal His spirit and His truth as expressed in the life of Jesus, the Christ. To give validity to the celebration of a nation’s independence allowed by the God who birthed it. Perhaps until we can do these things, we ought to tone it down when this 4th day of the 7th month rolls around. Think about it.

Love. Peace. Joy.

 

Random thought # 1 – Has the rage over the “debacle at the border” dissipated already? True, I only watched about 10-15  minutes of cable news as I prepared my breakfast, but during that time there was no mention of the continuing plight of the thousands of children separated from their parents by the government’s immigration policies. Both the conversation and the scrolling red banner at the bottom of the screen referenced the latest trade war issues and the potential threat to the economy. Maybe I’m not being fair. Perhaps after I turned off the set, the very next segment dealt with the nation’s disgrace in its treatment of children and the ramifications of governmental ineptitude. Maybe. Perhaps when I tune in later this evening, the displaced children will be center stage again. Perhaps.

Random thought # 2 – When Earl and I made the decision to relocate out of state fifteen years ago, it took us two years to prepare for it. Once the die had been cast, we set about the tasks such a decision required.  I recall “boxes” became our new “best friends.” Now my life circumstances dictate yet another relocation, albeit without Earl (the Lord called him home ten years ago). We had always planned one last move together to either Dallas or Kalamazoo, but for His reasons, God chose otherwise.  Any lingering trepidations I might have had regarding this venture were laid to rest when recently I made my first visit to a local storage facility  to renew my relationship with my old friends, “boxes.”  As I was paying for my  purchases, the owner said, “I have something I want to give you. I don’t do this for everyone; only when I feel the spirit prompting me to and it’s just something about your spirit that says you’ll receive it.” At this point let me be honest! My first thought was that she was going to throw in the wrapping paper or the tape free of charge!! I know. I know. Shame on me. Remember,  I’m still a work in progress.!!! Anyway, what she held out was one of those little boxes that contain scripture cards. She said simply, “Take one.” I did and when  I read it, I knew at that moment that this decision to move back home, to the place where it all began, was being orchestrated by my Lord. On one side of the card are the words of Isaiah 41:10: “Fear not, for God is with you, He will strengthen you. He will help you. He will uphold you with His righteous right hand.” And on the other side: “Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety.” Job 11:18

My experiences in the realm of discarding. sorting, boxing, cleaning and staging a house for sale have prepared me to do the same in this season of my life. This after all will be my fourth move from one house to another. My faith in God and His little and big reminders that I am not alone, that He’s got my back sustain me. Life is for the living and as long as He so allows, I will live it to His glory. Get ready Big D!

Love. Joy. Peace.

I was finishing up my devotional time this morning when the phrase, “Truth, Justice, and the American Way” popped into my head. If you’re of a certain age, you’ll remember it as the catch phrase of the original Superman  series. It was what his “earthly” dad told  the young Clark Kent he must use his powers in pursuit of – “a never ending battle for truth, justice and the American way.” Today we look at this catch phrase and shake our heads. Where is Superman when we need him? If there were ever a time for him to fly through the air righting wrongs to insure that the first two – truth and justice – epitomize the third – the American way, it is now. But, alas, it seems “truth” remains shackled; “justice” denied; and  the “American way” a misnomer that contradicts the teachings  of the faith this country claims when it describes itself a “Christian nation.”

I think the Lord dropped this catch phrase into my thinking as a reminder that long before the comic hero Superman, He has always and will forever pursue truth and justice for His people, not just in America, but throughout the world.  We have but to study His word to know that our divine Hero will prevail. Just when the latest news report makes us think there’s no way truth or justice will win, He speaks with power greater than  kryptonite, ” justice will roll down like a mighty stream.” And as scripture reminds us, this struggle for what ought to be the American way of truth and justice for all, is one we wage against the rulers, the authorities, the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:10-12) But we take heart because our Savior has already overcome the world. With continued prayer, confrontation and faith, we stay the course He charts.

Love. Joy. Peace.

I think it was Monday when I referenced two of the three  sermonic points in the Sunday message. I deliberately left out the third because it didn’t seem to connect with my thoughts at that time. Today it does. When you open my website you see that it’s titled, “Peace in His Presence.” I chose that title because on any given day I want to connect our secular experiences with our sacred beliefs. And I believe that in order to do that, we must have the kind of peace that Paul says “transcends all understanding.”

The third sermonic point was “Persistence in Agitation.” I admit I was struggling with the concept of agitation and peace strolling arm and arm on the road to glory. How can they  possibly coexist?  Then I recalled Jesus’ words in John 14:27. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Peace from a secular perspective is different than the peace of which Jesus spoke. Secular peace involves treaties  that are signed and broken; nuclear arms capabilities; police and military forces; security systems and protocols. And is always the case with any of these forms of man-given peace, causes for agitation erupt when they are abused.  Opposing sides demand justice, righting of perceived wrongs and injuries. Man’s fragile peace efforts waver, and like a kite that escapes a child’s grasp, flies away and out of reach.

But Jesus’ peace is not forfeited when agitation takes the driver’s seat. No. In fact, righteous agitation should be a norm for those who confess this God of the least, the last and the lost.  Jesus’ peace is the assurance we have based upon our faith in Him and His word. We have no need to fear or be anxious about anything. We can press for the things He requires of us – “to act justly and love mercy and walk humbly with God” – by any means necessary, including agitating for justice. So, my thoughts today aren’t a contradiction of my chosen title for this website. When Jesus is the focal point in our secular undertakings and the standard in our secular, we know His presence. He is with us. And when He is with us, His peace is also.

Love. Joy. Peace.