Shoes in the road and other random things make me think about God. You know what I am talking about – the shoes you see randomly lying on the freeway, and you wonder, where did that come from? Does that person not realize they are missing a shoe? Did they not like that shoe any more and decided to cast it out the window as they were going 70 mph down the road? Or were they on a motorcycle and it just flew off, leaving them frustrated and forelorn?
I have also seen pillows, t-shirts, and most recently, a plastic molded lawn chair. A friend told me they once saw a TV.
These random items, as well as items I see discarded in trash cans and sitting out for the trash man to remove make me realize that Americans have a lot of stuff and a that a lot of it is easily forgotten and discarded. We throw away items that would be precious to 2/3 of the world. We get rid of more clothes every year than most people in the world will own in a lifetime. In America, we have an easy come easy go attitude about our stuff. We also have a very casual, easy come easy go attitude about people and relationships. Friends one day, not the next. Married one day, not the next.
I am so thankful that God never has an easy come easy go attitude about us! I am very comforted by the words of scripture that say, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” In a world where it is becoming more and more easy to get rid of what we don’t like or think we don’t need any more, it is reassuring to know that God does not forget about us, or easily cast us aside. The Bible tells us that he made us to be who we are as unique individuals (read Psalm 139) and that he has enduring love for his creation (read Psalm 136).
So, next time you see some random item laying by the road, thank God that He does not think of you as “random” but as one of great value and worthy of His love.
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We had a great message from Pastor Justin at SoulBridge yesterday. His words have been resonating in my heart and mind ever since.
I just want to share one thought from the entire message, which, by the way, you should be able to access from the web site, this week.
What is your definition of love? Don’t answer too quickly. Think about it a minute. Reflect upon your ideal and your expectations.
Let your emotions be stirred. Now, read 1Cor. 13:4-7. Does the love you just thought about mirror the traits described in this passage? Are you giving and receiving this kind of love in your relationships?
I can remember teaching about this many years ago to our youth group, back in the day when my husband was a youth pastor. We challenged the teens to think about this passage, and all that it represents, before casually using the phrase “I love you”.
Because if you say those words to another person, are you really ready to act as this passage describes?
Are you willing and able to be patient, kind and not self-seeking? Can you be humble, truthful and forgiving? Are you devoted enough to put someone else first, always?
Of course not – no one is able to do all of this all the time! But this should be our ideal, our focus, our goal.
There is only one who can and does mirror the passage from 1Cor. 13 – God. Only God can love perfectly, because God is love. It is who He is, it is how he behaves; it is part of his infinite character and being.
The Bible is God’s love story from beginning to end. It is filled with images and descriptions of God’s amazing love for mankind and all creation. Read it, and you will come to realize that there is no earthly love that can compare to the love the LORD has for us!
So, school has been in session for a couple of days, and the homework has already begun. Yesterday it was Geometry (yuck) and final editing of an essay for World History. This is the part of school that no one ever looks forward to, but everyone has to endure – homework. It is what I guess you would call a necessary evil. But I try to remind my daughter that if she keeps up with her homework and daily assignments, then when test time rolls around she will be much better prepared than if she has not been daily diligent. Sometimes it is a struggle to get my child to stay focused and keep ahead of the work. Like me, she tends to be a last minute sort of person. I think we both tend to procrastinate and like to believe we work better under pressure. Usually it works out okay, although there has been a time or two when it was disastrous.
In our life of faith, there is homework too. God has provided us with a textbook, full of lesson He wants us to learn. A good dose of the word of God on a daily basis can help us be prepared for the life tests that are sure to come. The Psalmist wrote, “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”
Ps 119:11 And the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, “Do your best to present yourself to Gog as one appproved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2Tim 2:15
The Lord knows that if we want to be prepared to handle the struggles and tests of this life, we need to have done our homework. All of the wisdom, encouragement, and strategies we need to live successful and fulfilling lives of faith are contained in the Bible.
Yet too often, we procrastinate, and wait until trouble comes before cracking open the book. Had we been as the Psalmist, daily hiding God’s word in our hearts, then when temptation and trial comes, we would be able to rest upon the faithful and true words of the only one who can save.
I have a choice. I can open the word of God today, every day, and store it away, preparing myself for whatever may come – or – I can wait, and hope that in the midst of the trial, I will be able to reach for the word and find what I need. When I think of it that way, I recognize the risk. And I realize that procrastination in this area could most definitely lead to disatrous results. I don’t think I like those odds one bit!
So, we are talking about going back to school this week. Now that all of the clothes and supplies my child needs have been purchased, we need to start thinking about getting back into a schedule and concentrate on getting a sufficient amount of rest each night. In the summer, we tend to live with a more flexible, free flowing schedule – staying up later and sleeping in, spending each day doing something different. We watch more TV, go more places, and let more chores slide. School means an earlier, set bed time, waking to the alarm every day, and following an after school schedule that makes time for both school work, work around the house and relaxation. These things help assure that there is time and energy for everything that needs to be accomplished. It takes some discipline and commitment to stick to the schedule, especially at first. It also means we have to say no to some of our summer activities and turn the TV on less. But by the end of the first couple of weeks of school it becomes pretty routine and we appreciate the fact that staying with the schedule reduces our stress by helping us keep on track with everything going in our lives.
It is equally helpful to have a routine and schedule as part of our life of faith. Within the context of our lives of faith, there need to be time to work and serve, time to worship, and time to rest and be refreshed.
Romans 12:6-8 tells us, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach, if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.”
Psalm 95:1-3 encourage us to worship with the words, “Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.” And the writer of Ecclesiaties tells us in 3:1 “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven:”. There is a time to work and serve within the church and in the community, but there also a need for times to rest and be refreshed – to listen to the teaching of the word or simply rest in the presence of the Lord.
Just as in everyday life, it is best for our bodies and minds to find a balance between work and rest, it is equally important to find a balance in our life of faith. Perhaps you will need to put yourself on a schedule – you could call it the “Back to God” schedule – and begin to figure out how find time for service, worship and rest in your life of faith. Maybe you will have to say no to some things you might usually spend time on in order to spend more time on God. It may be hard at first, but after a while I am sure you will see the benefits!
It is back-to-school week here in our hometown. I can tell that kids and parents are getting ready every time I go to the store – there seems to be plenty of carts loaded with the supplies required to make the teachers happy and the student prepared on the first day. My daughter and I have already done 2 school shopping trips, and today we make our final run to an art supply store out of town. Then all we have to do is make sure we are up on time on Wednesday!
I tend to be someone who sees a spiritual lesson in the everyday things, and back to school shopping is no different. At my house, shopping for new clothes was the biggest adventure this year. Seems like most of last years things were worn out and needed replaced – jeans had been cut off for shorts, socks were worn through – you get my drift. So, we spent the better part of a day picking and choosing fashionable yet affordable clothes for the up coming year. It is important to my daughter that things be trendy and comfortable, and it is improtant to me that they be modest and affordable, so there were times we did not necessarily agree! But we managed to come home with items that can be added to the existing wardrobe to make both of us happy.
The Bible talks about clothes, and makes suggestions about what we should wear. Unfortunately, there have been churches and preachers that have used the Bible to control people. I am aware of churches that use clothing as a way to make people conform and “appear” holy, but to me it is all just religious legalism. I want to look at some verses that reference what we wear, but not in terms of clothing.
First, Ephesians 4:22-24 says “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self,which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” When we enter into a relationship with Jesus Christ, we begin a process of change that requires us to put away our old selves – old habits, rituals, thoughts and behaviors, and learn to become like Jesus. The only way to successfully do this is not to begin a major outward transformation, but to begin a lifelong inward transformation – one that allows the Holy Spirit to teach, train and transform our thoughts, attitudes and actions.
Colossians 3:12 tells us what some of these attitudes and actions should be: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” How often do we hear people commend the church or individual Christians for these attitudes? More often we hear them point out that we are judgemental, angry, divisive and hypocritical.
It would better serve the work of the Lord if believers were as concerned with putting on these traits as they are about putting on designer jeans or new dresses.
So, the next itme you stand before your wardrobe stressing about what to wear to work or school or church, perhaps it would be good to stop and reflect on your spiritual wordrobe as well, and make sure you are well dressed in that area too!
Do you ever get tired of change? I do. Seems as though everyone wants me to change something, and all in the name of better, cooler, faster, smarter, greener. Sometimes I just want the comfort of the familiar. I don’t want to change my cell phone, or my fall wardrobe, or my computer. I don’t want a new hairstyle, or a new internet server or a new doctor. But change is the way of the world. And despite my reluctance, at times, I applaud all of the change that has made the world a better place, and has made my life “easier”.
But there is one thing in my life that I know without a doubt will never change – because it is eternally unchanging – GOD.
James tells us that God does not “change like shifting shadows”(1:17) and the writer of Hebrews says that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Change hits the church in the same proportion as the rest of the world.
Through the years churches, denominations and sects have changed their worship styles, their decorations and their theologies – but God himself has never changed. He is still I AM, and he always will be.
There is great comfort in that, especially when we don’t know what change is around the next corner regarding our job, our economy or our government.
There is a solidity, sureness, and safety in the knowledge that God will be the same, do the same and speak the same as HE has for centuries, and that nothing in this world can change that fact.
HE transcends the flux and flow of the world as the only true standard and anchor. HE alone is unchanging becasue he is already perfect and never in need of change.
So don’t confuse changing theologies and changing churches with God. People may change, and ideas with them, but HE remains the same.
Yesterday was the funeral for my husband’s grandmother. It was a long day, to be sure.
But I am glad that I was present, because the Priest had a good message that could challenge anyone who follows Jesus.
The scriptures chosen for the service were varied, but share a common theme – the idea that there is more to the life of faith than just mere belief.
Father Brown explained clearly that a life of faith in Jesus is not just a life of belief, but also one of action. He reminded us that our faith should motivate us to serve, to love, and to speak the truth. He reminded us that we need to “run the race” and “fight the good fight”.
I, for one, needed to be reminded of that. I often find myself identifying with Jesus quite easily in my words and rhetoric, but too often don’t put action behind my words. I need to stop and consider, when was the last time I really DID what I say I believe.
When did I stop to pray for someone in need, feed the hungry or visit the prisoner? I spent the last 2 weeks in Children’s Church teaching the Great Commision, but when was the last time I followed the command to “go”?
It is so much easier to say “Amen” and nod in agreement during a good message from the pastor than it is to go and do. But is it really faith if I don’t go and do something? Is there a difference between intellectual agreement and real, genuine faith?
I think so.
Belief is the starting point of a journey that can take you further than you ever imagined – into a life of joy, passion, and true fulfillment. So, if you have faith, but aren’t feeling the joy or the fulfillment – maybe you just need to get up and go – start walking – He is out there waiting for you!
It has been an interesting week for my family. We began the week excited and joyful because our good friends are celebrating the birth of their first child, a daughter. We rejoiced at the news of her safe birth and oohed and aahed at her pictures.
We ended the week mourning the loss of my husband’s grand mother.
She would have been 96 on the 15th of this month.
How much like all of life this week has been. Life is a mixed bag of happiness and sorrow, ups and downs, good times and bad. Sometimes it can seem as though it is more of one than the other, but most often it is a real blend of emotions and experiences.
Often we think that life would be so much better if it were all about the good times and never about the bad. But I have learned that there is as much to gain from times of sorrow and struggle as from joy and laughter.
Mourning the loss of a loved one allows us the opportunity to reflect upon their life, and ours, and often causes us to pause and make some necessary changes. Grief
gives us a moment to remember the importance of life, which this world too often takes for granted. It also challlenges us to make our remaining days count for something eternal.
And because life is such a casserole of emotions and experiences, we can be sure that tomorrow will be different than today and there will be new experiences and opportunities for growth right around the next corner.
One week from today, we have the privilege of celebrating the wedding of a wonderful young couple we know.
Ah, life goes on.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” Ecclesiates 3:1-8.
Here is an interesting question I hope some of you will repsond to: If you were starting a church what would it look like?
I am not talking about the decorations, although if you think that is an essential element of a church, feel free to respond. What I am talking about is what the church would be like inside – formal, informal, rock and roll or country, traditional or without tradition, liberal, conservative – you get my drift.
As I surf around and read a lot of blogs and opinions I realize that everyone has an opinion about something. And a lot of people have a lot of opinions about religion and church and I would love to hear some of them.
Here are a few of mine:
A church should not exist to serve it’s members, but to serve the community.
A church should be a place where those in need of comfort and solace can find it in the people, the worship and the atmosphere.
A church should be a living organism, not just a building or a ideology.
A church should be a standard, a ruler, a guideline, and a compass because too many people are lost and wandering.
A church should be a family, not a corporation.
A church should focus upon the timeless words of the Lord, not the “here today gone tomorrow” fads of society.
A church should love, serve, embrace, care and encourage – not judge.
So, I know that if you read this you may agree with some things and diagree with others.
Are you willing to share your opinions?
I hope so.
