Happy New Year 2014

Today marks the end of 2013.  Funny, this year just flew for me, but there are many I know that are pleased to see 2013 end, and mark the beginning of a fresh start.  I just have confidence that the things I hope for will actually happen, and I have assurance about the things I cannot see.  Yes, I have faith in our God.  By Him, I am saved.

What kind of year will this be for you?

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." ~Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)

*Photo taken at Thermopolis, Wyoming on July 4, 2004.  

Is Competition Divisive?

Well, here we go! Football fans in the area are gearing up for the game that determines which team will go to the playoffs as the NFC division champion and host the wild card team.  As I have mentioned in another blogpost, Lessons From Football, I am a Green Bay Packers fan.  However, as the rest of the family are solid Bears fans, I find myself standing on the opposite side.

This made me reflect a little bit about competitions and rivalry.  What does the Bible say about this?  Is it healthy to create a spirit of competition among believers?  1Corinthians 9:24-27 says, "Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training.  They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.  So I run with purpose in every step.  I am not just shadowboxing.  I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.  Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified." (NLT)  In this passage, Paul certainly uses competition to make a point that we need to be prepared and train like we plan to win a race.  Athletes are good examples of the kind of discipline Paul was referencing.

But, I wonder if Paul was only discussing the training part, and not the race itself.  After all, our race is the race to win souls.  What would happen if we tried to compete with each other about the number of souls won?  Would our purpose be compromised?  We should work together to win souls, and not try to compete.  I talked about this in an early blogpost a while back, Unity of Purpose.  I still believe we are trying to work too much in isolation and need to lean on the strengths of one another.

I think my favorite football game of the year is the Pro Bowl game that combines the best players from all the teams.  What is neat about this one is the spirit of playing for fun, and mutual appreciation of all the players.  This is how we should behave as believers, no matter what church denomination we come from.  We have different strengths that would appeal to different souls.

"If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.  And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand." ~Mark 3:24-25 (NKJV)

But, football is just a game, and it is fun to cheer for your favorite team.  Go Pack Go!

A Surprise Christmas Celebration

Christmas was not going to be a big deal for us this year, but then due to a change of venues, we found ourselves hosting the big family gathering this year.  Whoops! We needed to clean the house, put up a tree, wrap presents, make food, and find really cool ways to entertain my nieces from California.

And… I love it all.  Nothing like preparing for family that puts me in the Christmas Spirit.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Are You a Fan or a Follower?

I was given a book recommendation by a good friend, and this got me back into reading books written by pastoral leaders.  Last Sunday, I opened up the book, Not A Fan, by Kyle Idleman.  Immediately, after reading the prologue and Chapter 1, I felt compelled to share it.  The author shares his revelations in a very real way, and he uses quotes from some of my favorite movies.  I think he is a fellow geek!

I pondered the primary question: Am I just a fan (defined as "enthusiastic admirer"), or am I a true follower of Jesus? The first part of the book helped define the relationship.  Each chapter in this part identified a behavior, and challenged it.  For example, are we following Jesus in just a part of life, but do we "put him away" in other parts, i.e. work? Do we really know Jesus, in the "yada" way, which could be defined as an intimate mingling of souls, or do we just know about Him?  He wants us to be His one and only.  He wants our complete insides, and not just the outside show we put on for others.  

Part 2 (Chapters 8-11) is a study of Jesus's words in Luke 9:23, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."  The author was careful to say John 3:16 is about believing, while Luke 9:23 focused on following.  There is no believing without following.

What is neat about Part 2 is the breakdown of the single verse.  The words "If anyone…" clarifies ANYONE.  Anyone means everyone is invited.  Ex-con?  Yes.  Current con?  Yes.  Alcoholic?  Yes.  Addict?  Yes?  Sexual past?  Yes.  Divorced?  Yes.  Anyone means EVERYONE is invited. The words "come after", meaning to passionately pursue.  The author compared passionate pursuit to the initial chase after a loved one.  He told cute stories of the things he did to win his wife's love.  He said Jesus wants us to passionately pursue him as we would a new romantic love.  "Deny himself" means I am saying, "I choose Jesus over my family.  I choose Jesus over money.  I choose Jesus over my career.  Even if it costs me everything."  There are no exceptions.  He spoke about the references the New Testament apostles used - "slave".  This is the picture of what we must do.  We must give up our whole self and becomes slaves to our master, Jesus.  He must own us. "Take up his cross," means Come and Die.  He discussed the cross and noted the symbols of humiliation, suffering, and death.  Taking up a cross means allowing ourselves to be subject to these things for the sake of Jesus.

Part 3 specifies that we must be willing to follow Him wherever, whenever, and whatever.  That means going to a specific place, maybe one you would not go if He was not leading you.  He means for you to follow TODAY, and not to wait for tomorrow.  He means for you to drop all your stuff, much like Elisha did in 1Kings 19 when the prophet Elijah him to be his successor.  Drop the stuff that prevents you from going "all in."  No reserves.  No retreats.  No regrets.

Very rarely can I say a book has convicted me like this one did.  I highly recommend it.

What Does it Mean to See?

Avatar is a movie that has been playing on cable television quite often lately.  It was originally released in December 2009.  I admit, I did not run right out to see it in the theaters, but waited much later until the Blu-Ray came out.  I was enthralled by the vivid imagery and the storyline.

The story is loosely based on our history of indigenous people of land being forced to leave by stronger or more "civilized" people making them go.  This time, it is a habitable planetoid populated with large blue people, housed over a valuable commodity being raided by futuristic greedy people from Earth (oddly American-like).

I found myself thinking more about the spiritual connection the indigenous people had with their god.  They could "see".  This is what was important to them.  If a body could not see, he was not considered part of their tribe.  What did that mean, exactly?

The scientists from Earth tried to seek ways to connect with the indigenous people.  They had created avatars that could interact with the natives using the consciousness of the humans that controlled the avatars.  The people did not trust these "sky people" saying they could not "see."  But one avatar, Jake Sully, was shown to the people that he may have the capacity to learn to see.  In the end, he was taught.  He could "see."  He could know their god, and he could love.

I believe we have the responsibility to teach the blind how to see.  Consider this verse in the Bible:  For when you see me, you are seeing the one who sent me.  I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.  ~John 12:45-46 (NLT)

I have considered what God is telling us about darkness in another blogpost, Walking in Darkness.  If we don't let go of the world, we will never see the light of God.  In the movie, Jake Sully had to give up the values of the Earth he remembered to be able to "see."

God sees us.  This actually means He knows us to the bottom of our being, and even knowing that core, He loves us.  I would like to learn how to see others like He sees us.

If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing.  Satan, who is the god of this world, had blinded the minds of those who don't believe.  They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News.  They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.  ~2Corinthians 4:3-4 NLT

Lessons from Football?

Ok.  The truth is out.  I am a Green Bay Packers fan.  I admit it.  This is not a popular team in my family, so I am the weird one.  They have had enormous fun poking at me since the team hasn't been playing well this season.  Actually, the NFC North isn't doing well this year.  It must be a bad year when the Vikings beat the Bears and tie the Packers, and the Lions are better than the rest of us.

The Packers started doing badly this year when their star quarterback, Aaron Rodgers was pulled out for injury.  Since he was pulled, they have not won a game without him.  This team really depends on the leadership of Rodgers.  Without him, they are lost and seemingly without direction.  Even under the leadership of their coach, they are lost.

This made me think about the churches of today, and how dependent we sometimes get on our leaders and pastors.  This is for a variety of reasons.  Some leaders are so charismatic that they naturally draw the attention of the church body.  When the body of the church forgets to check the words spoken by the leader with the Bible, they often begin to take the words of the leader as absolute truth.  What happens when the leader begins to make bad decisions or speak about things that do not line up with the Bible in this scenario?  This would lead to the destruction of the church.

A healthier church runs like a team that has many reliable players that can carry out the plays, with greater emphasis placed on the team's talent, rather than the talents of a single player.  Paul the Apostle was clear about this when he wrote his letter to the early Corinthian church.

"The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body.  So it is with the body of Christ.  Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free.  But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.  Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part.  If the foot says, "I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand," that does not make it any less a part of the body.  And if the ear says, "I am not part of the body because I am not an eye," how would you hear?  Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?  But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it.  How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes there are many parts, but only one body.  The eye can never say to the hand, "I don't need you." The head can't say to the feet, "I don't need you."  In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary.  All of you together are Christ's body, and each of you is a part of it."

1 Corinthians 12:12-22, 27 (NLT)

Paul goes on to describe the different gifts and talents God gives to each of us.  We are meant to share our gifts with each other and unify the body of Christ, while keeping Christ as the head.  Think about your talent and how you can contribute to your church.  

On Monday, the Bears will face the Cowboys.  Who will join me in hoping that Tony Romo is on his game and the Cowboys beat the Bears?  

A Miracle of Faith (on 34th Street)

I love the old traditional Christmas movies.  This one is no exception.  Miracle on 34th Street is story about a single mother and her daughter, and the efforts of two men who try to offer a world of imagination and faith to each of them.  Susan's mother has raised her to only accept absolute truth, and never to learn fairy tales or believe in the things unseen.  This is stemmed from the way she herself views the world after her own life experiences.

Susan was growing up to a world without faith.  She was distrustful of the things she could not see or verify for herself.  Let's consider the definition of faith.  "Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see." ~Hebrews 11:1 (NLT).  Faith cannot exist without hope.  It was the desire for good things that was ultimately missing in Susan's and her mother's thoughts.  Each was afraid to hope, afraid to desire the good things, thus not even being able to imagine the unseen or have confidence in that hope.  

Have you ever lost hope?  Just imagine what you felt like as a little child, unspoiled by the world on the eve before Christmas morning.  You were filled with hope for things desired, full of anticipation for the things to appear below the Christmas tree.  You had faith in Santa Claus.  

I would like to challenge all of us adults to renew that childlike hope for God's promises.  When our hope grows, then our faith becomes renewed.  It is by faith… well, read the rest of chapter 11 of Hebrews to see what the people of old could accomplish through faith.

"O Lord, You alone are my hope.  I've trusted You, O Lord, from childhood." ~Psalms 71:5 (NLT)

Expressing Gratitude

What does it mean to be thankful?  As we start the prep work for our annual day of Thanksgiving in the United States, we should stop for a minute and think about the things we are grateful for.  The Bible often points to David as the ultimate example for how to live a thankful heart.  Consider Psalm 100.

Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!

Worship the Lord with gladness.

Come before Him, singing with joy.

Acknowledge that the Lord is God!

He made us, and we are His.

We are His people, the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving;

go into His courts with praise.

Give thanks to Him and praise His name.

For the Lord is good.

His unfailing love continues forever,

and His faithfulness continues to each generation. (NLT)

David had a pattern of thinking that helped him to think on the positive things, making the feeling of gratitude grow within his heart.  The psalms he wrote was an outward sign of this gratitude: the expression of thanksgiving.  

I recently heard a quote at a community thanksgiving event that struck me.  I found the quote in an article written by Thomas S. Monson.  "Often, we feel grateful and intend to express our thanks but forget to do so or just don't get around to it.  Someone has said that 'feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.'" 

Thank-you for the things you are doing.  Thank-you for the attention you give your families, your churches, your communities, and your Lord.  

Remember Who the Real Enemy Is

The movie Hunger Games: Catching Fire is a compelling one.  This is the second movie of a trilogy, based on a book series by Suzanne Collins.  It is a compelling book series, and I highly recommend reading all three books.

When I saw this movie, I was struck by a single line, "Remember who your real enemy is," spoken by Haymitch Abernathy.  He was referring to the Hunger Games - an arena type game where the 24 tributes selected by the Capitol rulers are forced to kill one another until there is only one left.  None of the tributes are allowed to have mercy for the others if they wish to remain the one alive.  This barbaric game is meant to distract and entertain the capitol city, while at the same time keeping the outlying districts afraid and remain in line.

With the conditions in the arena this way - kill or be killed, it is easy to forget who it was that forced them into the arena, the Capitol rulers.

As Christians, we often come across people that stand in our way, bully us, or even persecute us.  We become hyper focused on the evil ways of these people and think about how we can "fix" them.  If the people are doing these evil acts, they are under the influence of Satan.  Among other things, Satan uses people to stand in the way of Christian fulfilling the purpose that God set out for us.  If we allow ourselves to become distracted by this, we fail in sharing the Good News.  Christ died for us to save us from our sins, and He rose again defeating death.  There is a place for us in Heaven, if only we just believe and accept God's grace and mercy.

Stay united with your Christian brothers and sisters and always remember who your real enemy is.

"Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil.  He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.  Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.  Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are."

~1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)

Dreaming About Trains

As I journeyed through the East Coast, I had a dream.  I dreamed about a passenger train, carrying many people in each cabin.  The train was destined to a single end point, with no stops along the way.

The people on the train were each from different places and walks of life.  Everyone trusted the train engineer to make sure the train arrived at the destination.  At times, some of people were behaving in a questionable manner, but they remained on the train going to the same destination as the other people who always followed the onboard rules of the train.  The only thing that prevented a passenger from arriving at the destination was getting off the train.  As long as the passengers remained on board the train, and trusted the engineer, they would arrive at the destination.

I feel like this dream illustrates grace in a way I haven't thought about before.  A person must accept Christ as their savior in order to be assured a path to heaven.  To remain on the path, we must trust in Christ as our savior and be repentant.  Acts of sin alone do not boot us off the path, unless we are unrepentant.

Get a ticket for that train that leads to heaven.  Stay on the train.  Help others to stay on the train and not jump off the train.  What a reward there is waiting for us!

"So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.  And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death." ~Romans 8:1-2 (NLT)

A Storm Approaches... Are You Ready?

Have you even stood outside and watched a storm front come in?  There is something ominous about standing in the sun, but seeing the dark clouds roll in.  This is the image I sense as I look toward the future.  Somehow, it seems we are gearing up for a great spiritual battle.  Does anyone else sense this oppressive feeling of pending doom?

Maybe I am being negative, but I just want to send a word of warning that as a church body, we need to get ready for a storm and get prepared.  If we are caught in the cross-wind of this spiritual storm unprepared, we could be hurt.

And just how are we to be preparing?  Paul tells us very specific advice about this in the book of Ephesians.

"A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.  For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.  Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil.  Then after the battle you will still be standing firm." ~Ephesians 6:10-13 NLT

Paul describes all the components of the armor, but places a special emphasis on praying.  We are to pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.  We are to stay alert and be persistent in our prayers for believers everywhere (verse 18).  Paul was in chains sitting in prison when he wrote these words.  We have been called to pray.  If we are unified in our praying for one another, perhaps this pending storm will blow over.

I am praying.  Will you join me in praying for our leaders?

Winds

This past summer season, I have been introduced to a new hobby.  Sailing! Yes, this indoors-loving movie-holic has found a new outdoor fun (Gasp!). Just look at photo I captured of a fellow sailor just a couple weeks ago on the lake.  Beautiful shot taken just with a simple smartphone.  No editing with Instagram, either.  It was just this beautiful.

I thought sailing would be easy.  Just get into the boat, hoist the sails, and let the wind push me.  Little did I know, there is more to it.  There is a way to set the sails to work with the current wind conditions.  If a sailor is good, a sailboat can sail any direction, except directly into the wind.   Seems easy, right?  Well, it's all well and good until the winds shifts when we don't pay attention.  On my first solo trip, I was sailing so well, back and forth on the lake several times, until... the wind shifted.  I drifted along on the lake waiting for a gust to fill my sails enough to bring me back to shore.  The ducks even came out to quack at me when I was stuck on the lake alone, drifting.  Thankfully, I made it back without having to paddle it.  Whew!

This made me reflect about God, and how he wants us to be useful.  We could think of God's power as the wind, and the boat as us.  He moves us, depending on how receptive we are to Him.  In this way, I am thinking we should be setting our sails favorable to move the fastest and most efficiently in His work.  If we don't hoist our sail, we won't move or be purposeful.  If our sails are set opposite of the direction He moves, we won't be purposeful.  Instead, we will be like the little drifting boat, moaning about how the wind died, when indeed, the wind (or God) had not died, or stopped moving, we just stopped paying attention to it.  

So, what is the lesson here?  We should pay attention to God's Word, seek Him, and we become much more in line with His purposes.  We then move with a purpose, rather than drifting aimlessly.

"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, 

and He will give you everything you need."  (Matthew 6:33 NLT)

No Point in Hiding

Today, in my daily reading, I found Psalm 139.  I was captured by the words, and then reminded of a worship song we sing often. Take a read, and then listen to the song.

O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.
     You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
     You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do.
You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord.
     You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence!

If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.

I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night— but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you.

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. (Psalms 139:1-18, 23, 24 NLT)

Desperation Band - Highest Place

So, stop trying to hide.  He's already there with you.  Yield to Him.
~Kathy

Fathers

Even Superheroes had fathers.  Today is Father's Day, and I wanted to write about one of my favorite Superheroes who was blessed to have two fathers: Superman.  I haven't been able to see the latest Superman movie Man of Steel, but I understand it is a good version of the timeless story.

Clark Kent grew up in the small farming community of Smallville.  He was a child of conflict and fear when things happened to him that he could not explain.  Clark relied on his father, Jonathan, for guidance and support for his struggles, as well as for his strong moral foundation.  It was Jonathan who revealed Clark's origin, and showed him his spaceship.  Clark was devastated to learn he was not of this world, but of a world he had not ever heard of before.  

He spent years trying to find his own identity.  I write about this in a different post about Superman called Secret Identity.  It wasn't until he found a way to learn about his birth father and home world that he found his calling.  Jor-El was man who loved his son, Kal-El, so much that he would send him down to this world to be safe from the tyranny and demise of Krypton.  Jor-El also dreamed of the day that his son would lead the people of earth to a better place.

I often think about my earthly father, the one who raised me, and taught me right from wrong.  He is the man I loved as I grew up, and he is one with whom I share my love of all things geek.

It wasn't until I was grown and in college that I learned about my heavenly father.  I learned about a God who loved me so much that he would give His own son to this world to die, so that I would not have to.   Guess what? My heavenly father can be your heavenly father too.  All the details can be found in the Bible - specifically in the book of Romans.  Will you choose to find Him?

"For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." ~John 3:16 NLT

Refuge

Psalm 91:1-2 (NLT)

I took a break from superheroes today.  Instead I worked on a geeky project of adding text to a photo that was taken during a pivotal canoe trip with my husband.  It was pivotal trip, because it was during that trip we determined to reconcile our marriage and not divorce.  This photo became symbolic of a place God showed me His shelter and His refuge.

What does it mean to take refuge in the Lord?  Is this a physical place like that beautiful lake picture taken last summer?  Psalm 91 is all about that refuge.  The Lord assures us that if we remain in Him, we will be safe, and that evils will not touch us.  How can it be that we still have bad things happen to us?

It's simple.  While God does protect his people, the promises of refuge and complete safety are still to come.  He gave us (people) free choices and we are living in a world made up of those choices.  Our sanctuary still awaits us.  The best is yet to come.

I cannot wait to see what God has prepared for us in heaven.

The Corruption of a Leader

Admiral Marcus

Ok, I know I have already posted about Star Trek's new movie, Into Darkness, but I wanted to reflect on the topic I had planned to discuss before I went to see the movie and became distracted by the overwhelming message of friendship bonds.  I was interested to see how the character that had risen up the ranks of Starfleet and the United Federation of Planets, Admiral Marcus, became so twisted in his thinking patterns and so off track of the original purpose of Starfleet.

Admiral Marcus was so consumed by his hatred for the Klingons that he created a hidden purpose within Starfleet, a supremely military purpose.  He used subversive means to get his hidden agenda across, so that no one was aware of what was happening.  He planned the regeneration of a historic super-villian, Khan, for his ability to craft a super military vessel.  He was going to sacrifice the Starfleet flagship explorer vessel Enterprise to start a war with the Klingons.

How did he get that way?  Does that really happen to good people, and good leaders?  Do we really lose our purpose and go down a dark path?

Yes.

Let's look at a biblical example.  King Saul was given God's blessing to become Israel's first leader.  However, he soon lost the blessing of God, due to disobedience.  God expected full obedience of his people, and was disappointed.  David became the chosen leader of God.  Saul became consumed by his jealousy of David, and then plotted to kill him.  He was blinded by his sins.  I do believe Saul was a good leader for Israel, since God had chosen him, but he went down a path into darkness.  He never recovered.

Christians, and even church leaders are not immune to darkness.  We are often targets of Satan's attacks.  Sometimes the attacks are in the form of things that we want (temptations).  Sometimes the attacks are in the form of hardships, illness, or pain.  If we allow these things to consume our thinking, we will wind up in the dark places of our being, and we risk losing our connection with God.  How do we keep ourselves protected?

We need to stay connected to the Word of God and to His people.  We need to study daily His Word and meditate on His purposes.  We need to stay connected to His people by attending a church that encourages conversation and discussion about the things of the bible.

I encourage you to find a group of people you can study with and discuss the purposes of God, as well as our attacks and responses (both when we succeed, and when we fail).  If you want help finding a small group, please comment.  I would be happy to try to help you.

"For where two or three are gathered together in my name (Jesus), there I am in the midst of them." ~Matthew 18:20 KJV

Love Beyond Life

Spoiler alert... don't read this if you haven't seen the movie, Star Trek Into Darkness!

Do we know what it means to love these days?  I just went to see a great movie last night, and was surprised by the message I took from it.  We saw the new Star Trek - Into Darkness movie, and I must admit, I had read a spoiler before going to see it, so I thought I would know what lesson I would take and write about.  I was wrong.

"We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us.  So we ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters." ~1John 3:16 (NLT)

Towards the beginning of the movie, Spock is willing to lay his life down for the "needs of the many." What he doesn't understand is just how much his death would impact his friends, and how hurt they were that he would just willingly put himself in harms way.  He says later, "I did feel those feelings when my world died, so I choose not to feel.  It doesn't mean I don't care."  Kirk wonders how he can do that.  Personally, I know I have buried feelings and not allowed myself to feel.  I never knew that others would perceive me to not care.  

Later in the movie, we see a twist... and Kirk is given the opportunity to lay his life down for his friends.  We see Spock run down to see his friend dying.  He says to Spock, "how do you choose not to feel? I don't want to feel scared."  But, we see Spock with tears in his eyes say, "I don't know, I seem to be having difficulty right now."  Spock suddenly experiences very real emotions.  

When Kirk dies, Spock feels rage and a thirst for revenge at the loss of his friend.  

This is what the disciples must have experienced when Jesus died.  There must have been tremendous pain, fear, confusion and anger at the loss of their beloved friend and leader.  How much more pain would they have to endure?  

As we go through life, we start to see more and more that life is pain.  We see how much more we need our friends to care for and love.  We need to think of them when we consider eternity.  Will they be joining us in Paradise?  These are the friends we give our lives for.  

"This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.  There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends." ~John 15:12-13 (NLT)

Fighting Burnout

Iron Man 3 will be released on Friday.  I'm getting excited to see the movie after seeing the trailer.  If you haven't see the trailer, click the link.

What's interesting is the angle this movie seems to take.  This is a very powerful, rich man who could have anything he wants.  He has the girl, he has the money, and yet, there is this level of anxiety and worry that seems to overwhelm him.  He is consumed with the idea that he needs to build more and more super suits, and the obsession takes his attention away from his girl.

Have you ever felt that level of anxiety that consumes you?  Do you have obsessions that take over your life, because you worry about what may happen if you don't focus on them?  Jobs can take over our lives, if we don't be mindful of what is important.

Solomon writes about life and how much the pursuit of wealth is meaningless.  Listen to this passage he writes:

"So what do people get in this life for all their hard work and anxiety?  Their days of labor are filled with pain and grief; even at night their minds cannot rest.  It is all so meaningless.  So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work.  Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God.  For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from Him?" ~Ecclesiastes 2:22-23 (NLT)

Eat, drink and find satisfaction in the work, but then he points out nothing has meaning without Him.  He goes on to say that we need companions to get through our short time on earth before we go to heaven.  The secret to fighting burnout is to find relationships that have meaning.  We need each other to be able to fight the battles that we face in our daily walk.  We need our loving friends.

"A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer.  Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken."

~Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NLT)

Don't be afraid to share your real self with others.  This helps you be in the kind of relationship that will help you get through this life until we go to heaven.  This helps with the burnout we face in our daily walk.  We need our friends.  We need love.

Gift of Power

Bruce Banner or Incredible Hulk

Have you ever felt powerless and weak when you were facing an adversity?  Have you wished that you could be filled with power when the need arose?  Growing up as a girl in the 1970's, I admit I was fascinated with the TV show "The Incredible Hulk."  Bruce Banner was accidentally exposed to gamma radiation and given to turn into a large and powerful creature when he became too angry, or if his life was in danger.  This is a power Bruce felt was not his, and rather was more of an alter-ego, because he wasn't always in control of the Hulk.

I've been studying the gifts of the Holy Spirit as described in the New Testament of the Bible.  When the Spirit came upon the believers of the early church in Acts 2, there were many signs and wonders.  Winds whipped through the house, and tongues of fires appeared upon the people.  Believers spoke in other languages, and performed all kinds of miracles.  They appeared for all to be supermen.  Men with innate power and abilities.

However, the source of the power was not theirs.  God would choose to fill them with His Spirit and then consume them.  The power manifested by the men was actually God's Spirit overflowing through them.  It gave them strength to speak before many people and withstand tremendous persecution and abuse.  God knew we believers would need Him, and His power is still bestowed on those of us who remain close to His Truth and choose His path.  I've written about our responsibility when we have this great power in a different post (Great Power, Great Responsibility).

When God fills us with His Holy Spirit, we may feel like Bruce Banner did when the Hulk came out - a bit out of control.  But, God means for us to submit to Him and allow His power to work in our lives and in the lives of others.  We must yield to Him.  If we worry about criticism, this means we are still focused on ourselves.  Don't worry about making a mistake.  Remember, God is big enough to handle your mistake.

"He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.  Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.  But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.  They will soar high on wings like eagles.  They will run and not grow weary.  They will walk and not faint." ~Isaiah 40:29-31

One Man's Disability is God's Superpower

Have you ever felt less than adequate?  Let's think about those among us living with a disability of some kind.  Some people have difficulty walking, and others have difficulty thinking clearly.  Some cannot see, and others (like me) cannot hear.  Some disabilities are invisible, but completely debilitating.  Autism spectrum disorder is one such disability.  People with this disorder (on the higher functioning end) describe themselves as socially awkward, or having extreme anxiety in social situations.  They have intense interests and a singular ability to focus on their specific interest.  They often have a black-and-white view of the world, and have a strong sense of justice, as they know deep down what is right, and cannot see or tolerate anything else.

As a special educator, I sometimes recognize these hidden disabilities in others.  I love to watch these people overcome their weakness and capitalize on their strengths.  After reading several books in the Bible written by Moses, I am convinced he was such a man.  When God chose him to deliver the people of Israel out of Egypt, he protested.  He knew he could not speak with others, and would often get tongue-tied.  He needed Aaron to speak for him.  Why would God choose him?

Moses had a singular knowledge of what God wanted, and the ability to know it to the smallest detail.  Think about how detailed the Tabernacle had to be, and what the different offerings needed to be to please God.  The repetition and detail in these books written by Moses indicate an individual with the ability to see the importance of even the tiniest details.  God knew he needed such a person who could remember all the small details to get it right, lest something go wrong, and sin be exposed in God's presence.  God needed a person wired just like a person on the Autism spectrum.

When you see someone with a disability, or if you are such a person, think about what makes you strong.  What can you contribute for the work of God?

"Then the Lord said to Moses, "Write down all these instructions, for they represent the terms of the covenant I am making with you and with Israel." Exodus 34:27 (NLT)

Unlikely Hero

Bilbo Baggins, resident Hobbit from Bag End, in the Shire of Middle-Earth was quite surprised to find himself on a journey "there and back again."  Hobbits are also known as halflings due to their small stature, and are usually quite content to stay at home, eat and drink and be merry among their friends and family.  Bilbo was no exception until Gandalf the Grey (a wizard) named him to go with the dwarves to reclaim a treasure from a dragon.  Neither Bilbo or the dwarves felt he could do this adventure, but Gandalf assures everyone, "There is more to this Hobbit than meets the eye."

God saw a similar unlikely hero in Moses.  Think about his story.  He was trying to live a quiet life as a farmer in a quiet land when God appeared before him as a burning bush.  God gave him a huge task to go to Pharaoh and lead the Hebrew people out of oppressed Egypt.  Moses did not believe he could do it, protesting more than once.  God did not accept the excuses of Moses, and gave Moses the tools he needed to accomplish the mighty task.

What would God have you to do?  What task seems insurmountable to you?  Did you know that Moses was just like you?  He was full of anxiety and self-doubt, but with God, he did it.  So can you.

"God arms me with strength,

and He makes my way perfect.

He makes me as surefooted as a deer,

enabling me to stand on mountain heights."

(Psalm 18:32-33 NLT)

Go.  Accomplish your task.  Fulfill your purpose.  God will arm you with strength.