4/15/09 Another Celebrity Encounter
Larry and I trekked to SMU campus yesterday looking for some WiFi and to take a little walk. Then we saw the all too familiar black Suburbans angled at the corner with the swivel necks standing nearby in their black suits and sunglasses mumbling into their phones. Seeing “Welcome Home Laura and George” signs, I retrieved my ever present camera---we only got the shadow of “W” but as one of the SMU students told me, “word on the street is that Condoleezza Rice was still inside.” And then, there she was and what an admirable, gracious woman, indeed. Regardless of the swarm of security from secret service to campus cops, she took time to greet the students, have her picture made with many and smile for me as she said, “Go Mustangs.” I know she meant SMU but it reminded me of my dear Houston High mustangs. (BTW, my picture was better than the one that appeared in today’s SMU Daily Mustang) The Ridleys joked with us about all of the Liles' celebrity encounters. Reflecting later, I decided that Dallas had been the best place for my most precious encounter, the Lord Himself. A close encounter like no other. Somehow in the quiet, non- demanding atmosphere of recuperation, His nearness seems so real and so constant.
Oh, I know that He is always with me and never will He leave me or forsake me, but here in the midst of a seemingly dark time, I have been able to “taste and see that the Lord is good.” Again, I know that He is good but to know it afresh everyday takes time and the Lord has given me this time. I have heard people say that God had to put them on their back in order to get them to look up. For me, it hasn’t been quite that way---I’ve always looked to the Lord for so much in my life. This time I didn’t have to look---my focus was there and so was He. I just had to go deeper and that takes time----so, He has given me time. What I have done with the time has been my choice but time has been available. Large amounts of time. In the past, such “vast” amounts of time have been rare in the life of this working woman.
It’s called a medical leave—a springtime furlough/holiday from the normal work routine I’ve known for over 40 years as an educator. But rather than being a spiritual holiday it’s been more of a spiritual renewal. Today’s “My Utmost for His Highest’ entry said, “You no more need a holiday from spiritual concentration than your heart needs a holiday from beating.….you cannot have a spiritual holiday and remain spiritual. God wants you to be entirely His, and this means that you have to keep yourself fit. (spiritually) It takes a tremendous amount of time. Some of us expect to “clear the numberless ascensions” in about two minutes.” In our culture we expect a sense of His presence and answered prayer in a nanosecond.
Time I have---He has given me this time and I have given “this time” back to Him. The more time I’ve had in His presence, the more I have wanted. What about your time? What are you doing with it? Are you giving it all to Him or carving out only the leftovers? What about my time when I get back to Memphis and to the responsibilities of work? I’m going to have to once again trust Him for the answer. I have tasted of the heavenly gifts; I have tasted the good Word of God. Now that I’ve known what it’s been like to feast at the “banquet table of time” with Him, I don’t want just leftovers and neither does He. Close encounters are food for my soul.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Into the Deep
4/14/09 Daily Light entry (scriptures read by Billy Graham’s Family each day so they are all on the same page)
Psalm 63:5, 6 “…my mouth shall praise you with joyful lips..”
Did you hear my A-men!----written 4/13/09 just before Surgery #5----
Yesterday’s Allen Bible Church message was from 1 Peter 1:3 with a few sidesteps to other Peter encounters from the seashore to the cross. (Matt. 24:34) The first was a reminder from Luke 5 when Jesus was teaching by the sea of Gennesaret (Sea of Galilee) and saw the two boats vacated by the fishermen. He got into Simon’s (Peter) boat and began teaching from the boat just a little ways from the land. When He finished speaking, He asked Peter to “Put out into the deep…..” It goes on to tell of Peter’s obedience because it was the “Master’s bidding”---even though he knew, according to the fisherman’s way of thinking, that fish were not to be had. As a result of his obedience, the catch was so large their nets were beginning to break. They called the other boat ---and then both boats began to sink. At that moment Simon (Peter) recognized his own sinfulness. The result: all the men left everything and followed Jesus.
The last few weeks since my first encounter with some of the stories from the Sea of Galilee, I’ve been meditating on being called “into the deep” at the Lord’s bidding. You see, safety for me is in the “short water,” ---Buddy’s toddler term for the shallow end. Even as I’ve watched our grandboys learning to swim, I’ve seen them cling to the safety of the steps or the shallow end of the pool. That was their security---what they knew—no unknowns---they could see their own feet and therein lay their confidence. It didn’t matter that they saw their father with arms outstretched bidding them to come. They even knew that he loved them and was trustworthy but still they held back---clutching to what they did know---how good it felt to touch bottom with their own two feet.
It seems to me that even in our daily lives most of us resist the deep for the shallows, preferring even to talk about the weather, the latest “Dancing with the Stars” segment or, as we age, our current maladies---dubbed the “death and dying report” by Drenda’s family. Going into the deep in a relationship involves a step of faith, a taking of risks. Relationships with friends and family often consist of a brief e-mail or phone message where we can skim and skirt real life issues. Spiritually, a quick quiet time becomes a check off item on our to-do list rather than a time of sitting in His presence, deepening our relationship with Him. How do I know these things---because I am chief among the “guilty.” But God…….
My cancer diagnosis seemed to be a way the Lord called me “into the deep.” Though I didn’t really have a choice as Peter did, I had a choice of response---anger, fear/worry, questioning, etc. I have dealt with some fear and apprehensions along the way, but I can honestly say that once I gave my itsy bitsy bit of faith over to Him, he began to teach me. I learned to rely on His faithfulness and to trust Him more. I knew that at His bidding I was ready to follow Him even though MAC felt like a very “deep” and dark unknown.
One can’t fake this stuff, at least, I can’t. A “put on” happy face soon fades. You have to come to that point in the dark where your spirit is quiet---and His strength becomes your trust. That’s the way it was for me---not just squelching my anxiety but by coming to the end of myself---my strength was to step aside and to “be still and know that He was God.” And then He began to teach me things, I would have never known without this “trial.” I saw His sufficiency when I learned to “watch” for it. I saw His abundant grace. I think for the first time, I began to understand His love and mercy. I do not have the gift of compassion, so recognizing mercy is huge for me. Maybe, like Peter I have seen my sinful self.
I know this sinful part of me because just when I think. as Peter did, that I have all my life lessons figured out, I hear the “cock crow” in my life. It happened just this week as we were preparing to return to Texas for surgery #5. Anytime my actions deny the reality of Christ in my life, I hear the “cock crow.” I spent more time figuring out my needs and less time with Him. My sufficiency revved up. Distractions whirred. I couldn’t hear His voice even if He were hollering and yet, just days before His whisper had my attention. Fear of the unknown once more reared its ugly head. I saw the darkness more than His light. He has more to teach me and He’s not allowing any shortcuts. I was just looking to the end of suffering the effects of MAC. But God.... wants me to follow Him, fellowship with Him, not just on this leg of the journey but for the entire journey---from here to eternity.
Psalm 63:5, 6 “…my mouth shall praise you with joyful lips..”
Did you hear my A-men!----written 4/13/09 just before Surgery #5----
Yesterday’s Allen Bible Church message was from 1 Peter 1:3 with a few sidesteps to other Peter encounters from the seashore to the cross. (Matt. 24:34) The first was a reminder from Luke 5 when Jesus was teaching by the sea of Gennesaret (Sea of Galilee) and saw the two boats vacated by the fishermen. He got into Simon’s (Peter) boat and began teaching from the boat just a little ways from the land. When He finished speaking, He asked Peter to “Put out into the deep…..” It goes on to tell of Peter’s obedience because it was the “Master’s bidding”---even though he knew, according to the fisherman’s way of thinking, that fish were not to be had. As a result of his obedience, the catch was so large their nets were beginning to break. They called the other boat ---and then both boats began to sink. At that moment Simon (Peter) recognized his own sinfulness. The result: all the men left everything and followed Jesus.
The last few weeks since my first encounter with some of the stories from the Sea of Galilee, I’ve been meditating on being called “into the deep” at the Lord’s bidding. You see, safety for me is in the “short water,” ---Buddy’s toddler term for the shallow end. Even as I’ve watched our grandboys learning to swim, I’ve seen them cling to the safety of the steps or the shallow end of the pool. That was their security---what they knew—no unknowns---they could see their own feet and therein lay their confidence. It didn’t matter that they saw their father with arms outstretched bidding them to come. They even knew that he loved them and was trustworthy but still they held back---clutching to what they did know---how good it felt to touch bottom with their own two feet.
It seems to me that even in our daily lives most of us resist the deep for the shallows, preferring even to talk about the weather, the latest “Dancing with the Stars” segment or, as we age, our current maladies---dubbed the “death and dying report” by Drenda’s family. Going into the deep in a relationship involves a step of faith, a taking of risks. Relationships with friends and family often consist of a brief e-mail or phone message where we can skim and skirt real life issues. Spiritually, a quick quiet time becomes a check off item on our to-do list rather than a time of sitting in His presence, deepening our relationship with Him. How do I know these things---because I am chief among the “guilty.” But God…….
My cancer diagnosis seemed to be a way the Lord called me “into the deep.” Though I didn’t really have a choice as Peter did, I had a choice of response---anger, fear/worry, questioning, etc. I have dealt with some fear and apprehensions along the way, but I can honestly say that once I gave my itsy bitsy bit of faith over to Him, he began to teach me. I learned to rely on His faithfulness and to trust Him more. I knew that at His bidding I was ready to follow Him even though MAC felt like a very “deep” and dark unknown.
One can’t fake this stuff, at least, I can’t. A “put on” happy face soon fades. You have to come to that point in the dark where your spirit is quiet---and His strength becomes your trust. That’s the way it was for me---not just squelching my anxiety but by coming to the end of myself---my strength was to step aside and to “be still and know that He was God.” And then He began to teach me things, I would have never known without this “trial.” I saw His sufficiency when I learned to “watch” for it. I saw His abundant grace. I think for the first time, I began to understand His love and mercy. I do not have the gift of compassion, so recognizing mercy is huge for me. Maybe, like Peter I have seen my sinful self.
I know this sinful part of me because just when I think. as Peter did, that I have all my life lessons figured out, I hear the “cock crow” in my life. It happened just this week as we were preparing to return to Texas for surgery #5. Anytime my actions deny the reality of Christ in my life, I hear the “cock crow.” I spent more time figuring out my needs and less time with Him. My sufficiency revved up. Distractions whirred. I couldn’t hear His voice even if He were hollering and yet, just days before His whisper had my attention. Fear of the unknown once more reared its ugly head. I saw the darkness more than His light. He has more to teach me and He’s not allowing any shortcuts. I was just looking to the end of suffering the effects of MAC. But God.... wants me to follow Him, fellowship with Him, not just on this leg of the journey but for the entire journey---from here to eternity.
abunDANCE not avoiDANCE is my song!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Blog Coming
4/13 Headin' to Baylor hospital but can't post blog til Mary Flo gets home b/c I can't convert my file til she gets home to help me.
Welcome to the World,
4/8 Ethan Morton 8' 10 oz. 20 1/2 in.
4/13 Sam Phillips--9" 6 oz. 22in.
Babies for whom I have prayed and God answered in a BIG way.
Welcome to the World,
4/8 Ethan Morton 8' 10 oz. 20 1/2 in.
4/13 Sam Phillips--9" 6 oz. 22in.
Babies for whom I have prayed and God answered in a BIG way.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Engagement!!!
Congratulations Josh and Megan!!
He proposed tonight at 7:45pm EST in Gardner, MA at a dinner with her family---and she said yes.I'll get to dance at another wedding!!
Friday, April 10, 2009
Surgery Prayers
4/10/09 On Holiday
No postings for next several days because Larry and I are spending Easter with all 5 grandboys!!
Surgery #3 is scheduled for Monday, April 13 at 12:45 pm so would appreciate continuing prayers from all my warriors.
No postings for next several days because Larry and I are spending Easter with all 5 grandboys!!
Surgery #3 is scheduled for Monday, April 13 at 12:45 pm so would appreciate continuing prayers from all my warriors.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
"Born to Blog"
4/9/09
“Born to blog.” That’s what Megan told Molly about me. I appreciate the vote of confidence, Megan, but until a few months ago I didn’t even really know what a blog was. For someone on the leading edge of the baby boomer generation, words like twitter mean a bird’s chirping. Do you use twitter to post your tweets? Even tweet sounds ornithological to me.
Certainly the new information that a "Tweeter is a Twitter Interface that allows you to post new tweets through Facebook, and will automatically update your status whenever you tweet (from anywhere)" is more than confusing to me.
I am grateful that Josh tutored me in my first and only texting and that last fall he set me up on g-mail. Now I am even able to “chat” with him on-line when we are both logged on. That’s the closest I’ll ever get to a chat room. But even with that when he typed BRB the other day, it took me a while to figure it out. (LOL)
Clearly my HHS kids and my own adult children are more fluent than I am in tech talk. Plus, their thumbs fly on their cell phones faster than mine do on this keyboard---and I made an A in typing. What I don’t want to happen is for us to have a failure to communicate!
This past week that became my concern about the blog. If I had to define blog now, I’d say it’s a “journal gone public” read more often by the blogger than other bloggees—if that’s a real term.
I’d also say it’s a scary thing because you never know exactly who, if anyone, is reading it, and how they are interpreting it. For me, to miscommunicate the truths that God has taught me would be a travesty.
So, I communicated with the Lord about it. Should I continue? What if I get it wrong theologically? Is this for me when it should be for Thee?
The next few days the Lord began to affirm to me in a variety of very tangible ways that for now I was to keep “blogging.” Why? Communicating with God is so important for all of us and if any one person has used these ramblings to open his or her heart to Him, then His purpose will be served.
“Born to blog.” That’s what Megan told Molly about me. I appreciate the vote of confidence, Megan, but until a few months ago I didn’t even really know what a blog was. For someone on the leading edge of the baby boomer generation, words like twitter mean a bird’s chirping. Do you use twitter to post your tweets? Even tweet sounds ornithological to me.
Certainly the new information that a "Tweeter is a Twitter Interface that allows you to post new tweets through Facebook, and will automatically update your status whenever you tweet (from anywhere)" is more than confusing to me.
I am grateful that Josh tutored me in my first and only texting and that last fall he set me up on g-mail. Now I am even able to “chat” with him on-line when we are both logged on. That’s the closest I’ll ever get to a chat room. But even with that when he typed BRB the other day, it took me a while to figure it out. (LOL)
Clearly my HHS kids and my own adult children are more fluent than I am in tech talk. Plus, their thumbs fly on their cell phones faster than mine do on this keyboard---and I made an A in typing. What I don’t want to happen is for us to have a failure to communicate!
This past week that became my concern about the blog. If I had to define blog now, I’d say it’s a “journal gone public” read more often by the blogger than other bloggees—if that’s a real term.
I’d also say it’s a scary thing because you never know exactly who, if anyone, is reading it, and how they are interpreting it. For me, to miscommunicate the truths that God has taught me would be a travesty.
So, I communicated with the Lord about it. Should I continue? What if I get it wrong theologically? Is this for me when it should be for Thee?
The next few days the Lord began to affirm to me in a variety of very tangible ways that for now I was to keep “blogging.” Why? Communicating with God is so important for all of us and if any one person has used these ramblings to open his or her heart to Him, then His purpose will be served.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Mary Flo
4/8/09 Gracious Goodness
That phrase encapsulates the essence of Mary Flo. For those of you who don’t recognize the name, she and her husband, Dave, are our Texas hosts. Do we know them? We do now. Did we before MAC invaded my life? No. How did we meet them? It’s a God thing. It’s such a God thing that it seems complicated, but only to us---though it is difficult to explain. Here’s the skinny of it.
My friend Sally’s, good friend, Kari, who was in her wedding and knows Crickett and went to seminary with my son, is in women’s ministry in Dallas. Got that? When Sally called Kari for input on a place to stay for her friend, Dotsy, who at the time was scheduled to go to Southwestern Medical, Kari took it on as a mission. Not wanting us to stay in a hotel in that part of Dallas, she related the problem to women at her church, Park Cities Presbytrian. Several folks came forward offering a back house or room in their home etc. Plus, she told Crickett that they were ready to “adopt” us and that the staff was already praying for me. Larry and I were overwhelmed by the outpouring of love from this church. Once we met Mary Flo, it was a no-brainer. Who wouldn’t want to stay with someone so kind and so filled with divine grace.
“Gracious goodness,” so describes her.
She is such a gracious lady who is filled with the goodness of the Lord. She is so filled with His goodness that it continually overflows to others---lots of others, even strangers like me. Her smile, kind words and positive spirit exude the love of God.
I could use lots of flowery descriptors so you could read of her deeds and catalog her in your mind as a super hero of sorts, but she wouldn’t want that. She would want you to see Jesus.
I certainly saw the Lord in her all hours of the day and night. She truly serves others---a real live foot washer. (and clothes washer) She has already called and e-mailed to let us know that she’s excited to see us again and wants us to make her home our home. Plus, she’s quite the baker and always has treats for us---remember I was working on a way to get her coconut cake in a syringe. All that gracious goodness will be waiting for us when we arrive tomorrow.
I’m sure that Mary Flo is a Proverbs 31 woman to all her family and friends. Though she personifies all of those qualities, to me she embodies Romans 12:11 The Revised Version, that I memorized years ago in hopes of emulating, says, “Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord.”
Zeal. She is a spiritual Energizer Bunny---not only does she keep going and going and going, she does it with purpose, the Lord’s purpose. His purpose is shown in her service to others.
Tombstone/headstone epitaphs are a reflection of one's existence highlighting one’s personality traits or accomplishments in life. It’s a way of communicating to the world his/her significance.
“Aglow with the Spirit” will be Mary Flo’s epitaph.
That gives me pause as my grandmother once said. How ‘bout you?
How ‘bout me? Would such godly phrases be used to describe us?
That phrase encapsulates the essence of Mary Flo. For those of you who don’t recognize the name, she and her husband, Dave, are our Texas hosts. Do we know them? We do now. Did we before MAC invaded my life? No. How did we meet them? It’s a God thing. It’s such a God thing that it seems complicated, but only to us---though it is difficult to explain. Here’s the skinny of it.
My friend Sally’s, good friend, Kari, who was in her wedding and knows Crickett and went to seminary with my son, is in women’s ministry in Dallas. Got that? When Sally called Kari for input on a place to stay for her friend, Dotsy, who at the time was scheduled to go to Southwestern Medical, Kari took it on as a mission. Not wanting us to stay in a hotel in that part of Dallas, she related the problem to women at her church, Park Cities Presbytrian. Several folks came forward offering a back house or room in their home etc. Plus, she told Crickett that they were ready to “adopt” us and that the staff was already praying for me. Larry and I were overwhelmed by the outpouring of love from this church. Once we met Mary Flo, it was a no-brainer. Who wouldn’t want to stay with someone so kind and so filled with divine grace.
“Gracious goodness,” so describes her.
She is such a gracious lady who is filled with the goodness of the Lord. She is so filled with His goodness that it continually overflows to others---lots of others, even strangers like me. Her smile, kind words and positive spirit exude the love of God.
I could use lots of flowery descriptors so you could read of her deeds and catalog her in your mind as a super hero of sorts, but she wouldn’t want that. She would want you to see Jesus.
I certainly saw the Lord in her all hours of the day and night. She truly serves others---a real live foot washer. (and clothes washer) She has already called and e-mailed to let us know that she’s excited to see us again and wants us to make her home our home. Plus, she’s quite the baker and always has treats for us---remember I was working on a way to get her coconut cake in a syringe. All that gracious goodness will be waiting for us when we arrive tomorrow.
I’m sure that Mary Flo is a Proverbs 31 woman to all her family and friends. Though she personifies all of those qualities, to me she embodies Romans 12:11 The Revised Version, that I memorized years ago in hopes of emulating, says, “Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord.”
Zeal. She is a spiritual Energizer Bunny---not only does she keep going and going and going, she does it with purpose, the Lord’s purpose. His purpose is shown in her service to others.
Tombstone/headstone epitaphs are a reflection of one's existence highlighting one’s personality traits or accomplishments in life. It’s a way of communicating to the world his/her significance.
“Aglow with the Spirit” will be Mary Flo’s epitaph.
That gives me pause as my grandmother once said. How ‘bout you?
How ‘bout me? Would such godly phrases be used to describe us?
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Games
4/7/09 Games of Life
Our family has an affinity for games, especially word games. These games are often most enjoyed not because of the ease or fun but rather because of the challenge. There is also the competitive element that can enter into the fun----though that is not my preferred part. In most of our favorite games, there seems to be somewhat of a joy in the hardship of figuring things out. It's always done in the context of the rules but when resolution finally occurs, we all appreciate the challenge.
We can make a game out of anything. Traditionally, the night before the first day of school, all three of our kids would have to find their school supplies by following the clues for the “hunt.” Recently, when Josh and Molly were in Dallas for my surgery, they created a similar scavenger/treasure hunt for Buddy’s boys. They too loved the challenge and worked together for the to expedite the "find."
Each summer at the beach we “Boggle” or “Scrabble” at night with our old standby favorites or sometimes we add a new game to our repertoire. In the mornings, we spend time with our pseudo friend, Will Shortz. Though we wouldn’t know his face, we know his style. The Liles wordsmiths begin the day, with coffee or tea in hand, huddled around his New York Times crossword puzzle. Pencils in hand as well. Always pencils because Mr. Shortz is a master of clues. A clue once listed for confident was “one who works this with a pen.” We could never do that with one of his puzzles.
We are sticklers for rules in the games we play---we all have to be on the same page. Many a fray has resulted in croquet matches or Scrabble games so we pack the rules and the crossword and Scrabble dictionaries right alongside the swimsuits. That’s why daily crosswords are good---you can’t “cheat” by looking in the back.
Rules are good. God has given us rules for life in His Word.
2 Timothy 3:16 says, All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
His rules allow us to live fulfilled lives.
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15) Just as word handling is important in board games, it’s extremely important with His word.
Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 1:13) God provides the trump card that enables us to do it---His grace.
Playing by God’s rules doesn’t take away anything from the game/dance of life, it adds meaning and purpose to it---that sense of accomplishment that comes from a life well lived. By His rules, for His glory. Don’t cheat yourself by trying to shortcut God’s plan----living life your way is your game, not His.
I usually take the CA crossword puzzle to bed with me at night. Worries from the day seem to take a backseat when I’m trying to solve “one across and one down.” Similarly, life’s big concerns dissipate when I’m focused on the cross---that vertical relationship with Him and that horizontal relationship with others.
Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed. (1 Timothy 6:18-19) That "life indeed" is a life of abunDANCE with him now and forever--when our time on earth blinks, “GAME OVER.”
Our family has an affinity for games, especially word games. These games are often most enjoyed not because of the ease or fun but rather because of the challenge. There is also the competitive element that can enter into the fun----though that is not my preferred part. In most of our favorite games, there seems to be somewhat of a joy in the hardship of figuring things out. It's always done in the context of the rules but when resolution finally occurs, we all appreciate the challenge.
We can make a game out of anything. Traditionally, the night before the first day of school, all three of our kids would have to find their school supplies by following the clues for the “hunt.” Recently, when Josh and Molly were in Dallas for my surgery, they created a similar scavenger/treasure hunt for Buddy’s boys. They too loved the challenge and worked together for the to expedite the "find."
Each summer at the beach we “Boggle” or “Scrabble” at night with our old standby favorites or sometimes we add a new game to our repertoire. In the mornings, we spend time with our pseudo friend, Will Shortz. Though we wouldn’t know his face, we know his style. The Liles wordsmiths begin the day, with coffee or tea in hand, huddled around his New York Times crossword puzzle. Pencils in hand as well. Always pencils because Mr. Shortz is a master of clues. A clue once listed for confident was “one who works this with a pen.” We could never do that with one of his puzzles.
We are sticklers for rules in the games we play---we all have to be on the same page. Many a fray has resulted in croquet matches or Scrabble games so we pack the rules and the crossword and Scrabble dictionaries right alongside the swimsuits. That’s why daily crosswords are good---you can’t “cheat” by looking in the back.
Rules are good. God has given us rules for life in His Word.
2 Timothy 3:16 says, All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
His rules allow us to live fulfilled lives.
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15) Just as word handling is important in board games, it’s extremely important with His word.
Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 1:13) God provides the trump card that enables us to do it---His grace.
Playing by God’s rules doesn’t take away anything from the game/dance of life, it adds meaning and purpose to it---that sense of accomplishment that comes from a life well lived. By His rules, for His glory. Don’t cheat yourself by trying to shortcut God’s plan----living life your way is your game, not His.
I usually take the CA crossword puzzle to bed with me at night. Worries from the day seem to take a backseat when I’m trying to solve “one across and one down.” Similarly, life’s big concerns dissipate when I’m focused on the cross---that vertical relationship with Him and that horizontal relationship with others.
Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed. (1 Timothy 6:18-19) That "life indeed" is a life of abunDANCE with him now and forever--when our time on earth blinks, “GAME OVER.”
Monday, April 6, 2009
Contentment
4/6/09
“This negative focus darkened her mind,” is the way today’s Jesus Calling entry depicts Eve when her mind was seeing what she couldn’t have rather than seeing what she already had. Do you ever do that? Brood over what you don’t have. Eve couldn’t see all the luscious, desirable fruits she had been given, only the one she couldn’t “eat freely.” (Gen. 2:16) With prompting from the serpent, she began to focus on the fruit of the tree that was delightful to her eyes and desirable for wisdom, even though it had been forbidden by God. (Gen. 3:2-6) Discontent had entered her mind. She wanted more. “All I want is a little more than I have now” would have been her bumper sticker.
I have always heard that there are 3 verb tenses for life---past tense, all the “if onlys” we tell our selves as we brood, the future tense, all the “what ifs” we worry about when we fear and the “pleasant” tense—all the acceptance that comes when living in the present, especially in His presence. That “pleasant” tense is one of contentment and is often a place where too few Christians hang their hats. Like Eve, we look past what we have and focus on what we don’t have.
We often convince ourselves that if only I had this, if only my spouse hadn’t left me or if only this circumstance were different then I would be happy/content. Oh reader, do “you look for what is wrong and refuse to enjoy life until it is fixed.” Anxiety often plays tag between the
if onlys and the what ifs---we just swap the areas of our worries. What if the biopsy comes back positive? What if I never have children? Comparison (a big struggle for women) is a thief of joy in both the past and future tenses of life, as we wonder if only we were as pretty or as thin as someone else, or what if our child can’t make the grade for the best school.
We have to let go of those if onlys of disappointments and regrets of the past and those what ifs of the future, that are usually out of our control anyway.
My definition (still under construction) for the “pleasant/present” tense of contentment is----a learned trait that is marked by inner satisfaction and peace that manifests itself in a grateful spirit and an absence of complaint.
• It doesn’t come naturally; it has to be learned. I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. (Philippians 4:11)
• Satisfaction comes from El Shaddai, the All Sufficient One. (Isaiah 55:2)
• His peace passes understanding. (Philippians 4:7)
• In everything give thanks. ( 1 Thessalonians 5:18)
• Do all things without complaining and disputing. (Philippians 2:14)
Can contentment be a reality in the midst of a cancer diagnosis? For me, it has been one of the most content times of my life. Trust me, I can hold my own with the best of the carpers of the world--- I wrestle with an attitude of complaint far too often. But, this MAC Journey has been such a time of affirmation of God’s goodness for me that contentment has been an overflow. I’ve learned it in a classroom (or on the dance floor) of suffering but I wouldn’t trade the lessons that He has had for me in the midst of it.
Journal Jottings:
Contentment comes from………………..
,,,,,,,,,,,,,not denying reality but by experiencing today----that "pleasant present" tense------in Christ’s strength------------focusing on the Lord and not my circumstances.
DON’T LOOK FOR CONTENTMENT AT THE END OF THE ROAD. WALK THE ROAD WITH HIM---DANCE ALONG THE WAY---LIVE IN THE “PLEASANT” TENSE!
“This negative focus darkened her mind,” is the way today’s Jesus Calling entry depicts Eve when her mind was seeing what she couldn’t have rather than seeing what she already had. Do you ever do that? Brood over what you don’t have. Eve couldn’t see all the luscious, desirable fruits she had been given, only the one she couldn’t “eat freely.” (Gen. 2:16) With prompting from the serpent, she began to focus on the fruit of the tree that was delightful to her eyes and desirable for wisdom, even though it had been forbidden by God. (Gen. 3:2-6) Discontent had entered her mind. She wanted more. “All I want is a little more than I have now” would have been her bumper sticker.
I have always heard that there are 3 verb tenses for life---past tense, all the “if onlys” we tell our selves as we brood, the future tense, all the “what ifs” we worry about when we fear and the “pleasant” tense—all the acceptance that comes when living in the present, especially in His presence. That “pleasant” tense is one of contentment and is often a place where too few Christians hang their hats. Like Eve, we look past what we have and focus on what we don’t have.
We often convince ourselves that if only I had this, if only my spouse hadn’t left me or if only this circumstance were different then I would be happy/content. Oh reader, do “you look for what is wrong and refuse to enjoy life until it is fixed.” Anxiety often plays tag between the
if onlys and the what ifs---we just swap the areas of our worries. What if the biopsy comes back positive? What if I never have children? Comparison (a big struggle for women) is a thief of joy in both the past and future tenses of life, as we wonder if only we were as pretty or as thin as someone else, or what if our child can’t make the grade for the best school.
We have to let go of those if onlys of disappointments and regrets of the past and those what ifs of the future, that are usually out of our control anyway.
My definition (still under construction) for the “pleasant/present” tense of contentment is----a learned trait that is marked by inner satisfaction and peace that manifests itself in a grateful spirit and an absence of complaint.
• It doesn’t come naturally; it has to be learned. I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. (Philippians 4:11)
• Satisfaction comes from El Shaddai, the All Sufficient One. (Isaiah 55:2)
• His peace passes understanding. (Philippians 4:7)
• In everything give thanks. ( 1 Thessalonians 5:18)
• Do all things without complaining and disputing. (Philippians 2:14)
Can contentment be a reality in the midst of a cancer diagnosis? For me, it has been one of the most content times of my life. Trust me, I can hold my own with the best of the carpers of the world--- I wrestle with an attitude of complaint far too often. But, this MAC Journey has been such a time of affirmation of God’s goodness for me that contentment has been an overflow. I’ve learned it in a classroom (or on the dance floor) of suffering but I wouldn’t trade the lessons that He has had for me in the midst of it.
Journal Jottings:
Contentment comes from………………..
,,,,,,,,,,,,,not denying reality but by experiencing today----that "pleasant present" tense------in Christ’s strength------------focusing on the Lord and not my circumstances.
DON’T LOOK FOR CONTENTMENT AT THE END OF THE ROAD. WALK THE ROAD WITH HIM---DANCE ALONG THE WAY---LIVE IN THE “PLEASANT” TENSE!
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