The Redemption of a Grinch

I wrote this a couple years ago, and found myself needing the message again.  I have felt like Ebenezer Scrooge lately, or even like this Mr. Grinch.  I have allowed external negativity to become my internal state.  If I'm not careful, I may find my heart shrinking as I put my focus on the wrong things, and forget to think about the good things.  I need to put my actions into loving others.

Enjoy this one again.  Merry Christmas!

Every year, I find enjoyment in the classic Christmas movies.   One of my favorite movies is "The Grinch That Stole Christmas."  The vile grinch is described so well in the song.

Longing for a Wonderful Life

This is a central theme for our current adult class on Wednesday nights! Last week, we learned about hope.  This week, we will learn about peace. 

Who doesn't love the classic movie, It's a Wonderful Life? This movie is one we will watch every year as a tremendous reminder for us to appreciate the lives we have.  If you have not seen this, you should make a point to sit down and get lost in the story.

Who Can You Trust?

Yesterday, I got to see the movie, Mockingjay, at my favorite downtown theater.  This is the third movie of The Hunger Games trilogy, and it was only part 1.  As with any movie that does not finish the storyline, we are left hanging for what will happen in the end.

Happy Veteran's Day!

I could imagine some of our veterans experiencing something like Paul experienced.

"I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not.

"I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm." ~‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭11‬:‭26-27‬ (NLT)

I want to thank the men and women who suffered on my behalf, fighting for the freedoms I still enjoy here in this country.

Happy Veteran's Day!
~Kathy 

What Causes Evil?

This weekend I was able to pick up the movie Maleficent and watch it.  I was compelled at this re-imagining of old story of The Sleeping Beauty, and found the new twists to be believable.  Be careful, there are spoilers in this post, so don't read any further if you still want to see this movie.  

Have We Lost our Foundation?

I'm in an adult learning class at my church.  This quarter, we have been discussing Biblical Christianity vs. Postmodernism.  Our associate paster has been marvelously "deconstructing" both world views to help us learn how we may have compromised Biblical Truth in our modern churches.

To sum up the biggest difference between the two world views: We Christians accept the Bible and God's Truth as absolute.  We measure everything to that foundation.  Our moral structure and law system historically was based on these judeo-christian beliefs.  It is wrong to lie.  It is wrong to cheat.  It is wrong to murder.

Conversely, the postmodern worldview indicates that nothing is absolute.  There are no universal foundational truths.  Everything we see and know is based on our perceptions.  If we extend this thinking into our current moral structure and law, we will find the legal system slowly break down to whatever the players think about at the time.  It will become a legal system of persuasion.  I could argue that it already has.

When I think about this, I find myself more than a little scared of our future.  If our society is no longer based on universal absolutes, then anything goes.  It would be fine to lie or cheat, if the circumstances indicated the need.

This scripture caught my attention as soon as I opened my Bible today.

"As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point.

"My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide." ~1 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭3-4‬ (NLT)

Earlier this week, I heard fellow believers remark that they know when they are right and wrong because the Holy Spirit resides within. I don't argue that the Holy Spirit can convict, but what if we only imagined we heard the Spirit, and instead heard our own desires talking?  I worry that the postmodern world view has invaded our Church.  We think it, we feel it, so it must be OK.

In the end, God is the only judge, but when we need a standard to know right from wrong, we need to check His Word. Read the Bible.

He is our foundation on which everything else is based.

All is Lost

"Somewhere in the Indian Ocean ("1700 nautical miles from the Sumatra Straits"), a man (Robert Redford) says, "I'm sorry. I know that means little at this point, but I am. I tried. I think you would all agree that I tried. To be true, to be strong, to be kind, to love, to be right, but I wasn't." He declares, "All is lost." (Wikipedia)

Just musing...

This made me laugh when I opened my bible. It was the first verse in my daily reading.

“A wise man wouldn’t answer with such empty talk! You are nothing but a windbag. 
The wise don’t engage in empty chatter. 
What good are such words?” ~‭Job‬ ‭15‬:‭2-3‬ (NLT)

It's funny to me because we have leapt into mass hysteria, and we are not considering the source of some of the empty words we hear and see on Facebook.

~Kathy 

The Insurrection of the Church

Insurrection: Organized opposition intended to change or overthrow existing authority

Yesterday, I finally found the movie, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, in a Redbox machine.  I have been checking and checking, but all the machines said it was "out of stock."  I loved this movie.  If you haven't seen this yet, I highly recommend it.  (Caution: spoiler alert)

What's my Identity?

This past weekend, I both finished reading the book, Divergent, and watched the movie.  I have to admit, the book was quite compelling and better than the movie.  I did, however, enjoy seeing the Chicago landscape in the background of the movie version.

Upcoming Movie - The Song

I came across this movie trailer on Facebook the other day, as Kyle Idleman was promoting it on his page.  Kyle is one of my favorite writers.  If you are not familiar with his work, just check out some previous book reviews of mine: Are You a Fan or a Follower?; Gods at War; or AHA - Awakening. Honesty. Action.

Saved Alone (the story behind "It is Well With my Soul")

This morning, our wonderful children's pastor gave the message about revival can be found in deepest of valleys.  She used a video that illustrated this point, using the story behind the composing of the hymn, "It is Well With My Soul."  The video link is here.

When I heard Lynn give the message, I remembered a recent blog post written by a brother in Christ, Carl Middleton.  What follows is from his blog.

Aftermath

Last night a major storm hit our town, hitting just as I was heading home from an evening board meeting.  I found myself feeling nervous and scared as the rain poured down and lightning was striking all around.  I couldn't see very well, and I just wanted to get home.

The next morning, I saw it.  I saw the aftermath of that powerful storm.  I just had to stop and take pictures of each tree I found along the way back to work.

Foundations

In the wake of the earthquake that hit the San Francisco area this morning, I am reposting this (originally published February 23, 2014).  I originally wanted to write about shaky foundations and the house of cards, but I think it is more important to focus on what is considered a solid foundation.
~Kathy

-> A friend of mine was discussing his perception of his life changes that were the result of a divorce.  He described life with his family as a foundation for him.  He was gainfully employed, had a wife and kids, and a house.  He had met the societal expectations of success (in his mind).  But, the marriage fell apart, resulting in divorce with the kids living away from him.  Although he is healthy, has a job and a house, the loss of his family resulted in the loss of his foundation.  He described this in this picture he created.  

Each of the bricks represent the pieces of the foundation he had carefully laid (kids, family unit, friends, etc).  Now, the bricks have scattered, resulting in no stable place for him to rebuild his life.  What foundation does he have now?  

I studied this picture.  I see the bricks and the man sinking slowly into the desert sand.  Any efforts made by the man to gather the bricks together are futile, as the bricks sink, moving away from one another.  The foundation is gone.

Was this a solid foundation?  Jesus described the ideal foundation as obedience to his teachings in the book of Luke.  "So why do you keep calling me 'Lord, Lord!' when you don't do what I say?  I will show you what it's like when someone comes to me, listens to my teachings, and then follows it.  It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock.  When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built.  But anyone who hears and doesn't obey is like a person who builds a house without a foundation.  When the floods sweep down against the house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins." ~Luke 6:46-49 (NLT)

My friend admits the loss of his foundation has brought him closer to God, and forced his path into new relationships he would never have formed otherwise.  Divorce and loss are not God's design for us, but often times, the bad events in our life are the very things He uses to bring us closer to Him.  He would have us build our life on the foundation of obedience to His Word.  He brings us to truth that cannot be wavered, shaken or rotted.  Even if the winds and waves of life beat against us, we will always have our foundation if it is based on the Word.

"When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation." ~Proverbs 10:25 (NLT)

I'm Tired of Church

"I'm tired of church."  

This was the bold statement our pastor made to us this morning.  He went on to say he remains passionate for God, and he loves us, the people, even more than ever.  He's not tired of God.  He's not tired of us.  He's tired of "church."

Now, I can't speak for him, and what he means, but for me, that statement was revolutionary.

Missing Robin Williams

I have always loved Robin Williams. I was flabbergasted to learn he was experiencing a deep hidden depression that led to an apparent suicide by asphyxiation.  

I would say to anyone who feels deeply depressed... Please seek out help.  There are always people, maybe even people you didn't even realize, who would step out and help talk out what your thoughts are dwelling on.  

In the end, all that really matters is that God loves us, and He wants us to love each other.  Don't give up. Robin's talent was widely recognized, and yet, he did not think he wanted to stay here and share it with us anymore. We will miss him. 

A Call for Prayer (Please)

As I sat here gazing upon this blank computer screen, thinking about what to write, I found myself enveloped in a myriad of thoughts.  I have felt "blocked" and unable to really focus on what God may be saying to me.  I thought about why that may be, and I recognized the patterns of distraction I have been chasing this summer.

If ever I felt under "attack" by the work of Satan, it is now.  It seems like there are different tactics being used to distract me from my walk with God.  If I were to stop and analyze each of them separately, I would just say, "it's life," and I would move on.  What I'm most concerned about is the pattern.

What's even more disturbing is that I see these kinds of attacks on many different Christians.  Whenever one of us starts to make some progress in the mission of sharing the Good News, we hear about some kind of barrier.  This summer, I have heard so many new cancer diagnoses, more marriages breaking up, more legal issues, more financial burdens than I have ever heard before.  Any and all of these things can stop a believer in their tracks, turning them inward, rather than speaking out for God.

In the meantime, I mourn for the children on the other side of the world, being subjected to torture and death by terrorists simply for theirs and their parents' beliefs.  The evil work of Satan has rapidly increased, and we (brothers and sisters) need to stop paying attention to the distractions in our own life, and start praying and taking offensive action against the evil one.

I plan to spend today praying.  If you think about it, please pray with me.  United, we have a chance.  Separated, we fall.

"I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask,

my Father in heaven will do it for you.  For where two or three gather together

as my followers, I am there among them." ~Matthew 18:19-20 (NLT)

You Won't Relent

Yesterday, our worship team sang this song.  

I was captured by the description of the song, taken right from scripture from the Song of Songs:

"Place me like a seal over your heart,

like a seal on your arm.

For love is as strong as death,

its jealousy as enduring as the grave.

Love flashes like fire,

the brightest kind of flame.

Many waters cannot quench love,

nor can rivers drown it."

~Song of Songs 8:6-7 (NLT)

You see, our Lord has that incredible level of passion for us, the kind that possesses, demands, and desires so deeply.  This is the level of passion that normally burns out between two people, but with our God, will never end, not even in death.  

I shiver with joy, knowing He desires me that much.  

The Decatur Celebration - Faces in the Crowd

We discovered the Famous Idaho Truck!

Yesterday evening, we attended the annual Decatur Celebration.  For those of you not from here, this is a very large annual free street festival with lots of food, drink and live music.  Every year, I like to make sure I get an elephant ear, and walk around to the various booths of people selling wares.  This year, we had fun with the potato truck (see photo).

Last night, we went purposely for the screening and awards ceremony of the amateur "21 Film Festival," put on by a local credit union, Land of Lincoln.  This is the seventh year of the contest, and I was fascinated by the imagination and talent of the various film makers.  There was one film maker of all 21 that used the contest to showcase the power of God, and was deliberate in the images of the Bible and scripture he included.  One.  The others ranged from harmless silliness to dark thoughts found in young teens.  I was struck by how many films had a suicide theme or a theme of quiet desperation.

After the awards were handed out, we decided to go back into the Celebration.  It was night time now, and there were multitudes of people milling about, listening to music, laughing, talking and generally congregating.  I looked deeper into their faces, and I noticed.  There were many people experiencing the same level of desperation the filmmakers depicted in their films.  They all seemed to be seeking something, anything to fill the emptiness inside.

I became sad as I looked out in the thousands of people outside that night.  These are people who are blind to what they need, and yet desperately needing it.  These are the kind of people Jesus specifically ministered to.  He did not worry about their economic class, or their outward appearance. He touched them all.  The passage below is one my favorites to use to illustrate just how much he cared about each person in the throng of the crowds of people.

     Jesus went with him, and all the people followed, crowded around him.  A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding.  She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but had gotten no better.  In fact, she had gotten worse.  She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe.  For she thought to herself, "If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed." Immediately, the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition.   

     Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my robe?" 

     His disciples said to him, "Look at this crowd pressing around you.  How can you ask, 'Who touched me?'" 

     But he kept on looking around to see who had done it.  Then the frightened woman, trembling at the realization of what had happened to her, came and fell to her knees in front of him and told him what she had done. 

     And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well.  Go in peace.  Your suffering is over."(Mark 5:24-34 NLT)

We need to learn this lesson from Jesus.  We need to be able to walk among crowds of people, and still be aware of and care about each one.  Each person is an individual apart from the crowd; an individual with specific needs.  These are the ones we need to reach out to.  

Enjoy the Celebration today and tomorrow.  Just make sure to pray when God leads you to pray.  

Lessons from the Homeless

I have struggled with indecision about whether to write this post, mostly because it hit home for me, in a very real and personal way.  I struggle with prejudice.  Oh, I don't mean prejudice in color, natural ability or disability, or age.  I struggle with a deeper prejudice.  I have found myself looking at homeless men and women, and making a judgement about them.  I think to myself, he or she must have a strong addition to lose everything and wind up in the street.  I sometimes think to myself he must have dropped out of school, or isn't very bright, or is not sound in mind.  I see the missing teeth, the mismatched clothes, and the dirt on their hands, and I think they must not be clean.  I admit, I have walked away or across the street of a group of people who I knew to be homeless.  I did not want to have anything to do with them.  I was afraid.

Tied up in Knots

Most of you know I took up a new hobby last summer with sailing.  I hate to admit that I started sailing before I had proper training.  This summer, we took the time to listen to the seasoned sailors at the club dock tell us more about wind conditions, sail positions, retrieving a "man overboard," and safe docking.

One of the lessons I found I did not know was how to tie good knots.  I learned there are good knots, and there are bad knots.  For a knot to be considered a "good knot,"it must meet three primary criteria:

1. Good knots must have a purpose.
2. Good knots must hold, and not slip.
3. Good knots must be easy to untie.

There are many knots used in sailing.  Each kind of knot has a unique purpose.  Everyone knows the square knot (not pictured).  This is called a reef knot in sailing, and used to reef a sail (tie it up) during a storm.  The bowline knot (pictured above) is used to create a loop in your line (rope).  The loop end of the rope can then be thrown to catch a dock post.  The sheet bend (pictured left) is used to tie two lines together (can be uneven sized).  The clove hitch (pictured below) is used to secure your boat to a dock post.


I loved learning about these knots, and I found myself thinking about the "good knot" criteria, and comparing it with God's word.  Let's review each one in turn.

1. Good knots must have a purpose.
A knot is not considered "good" if it does not serve a purpose.  Interestingly, neither are believers.  Jesus Himself told the disciples, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone," (Mark 16:15 NLT). This is the purpose He gave each of us.

2. Good knots must hold, and not slip.  
What good is a knot if it slips, and the boat gets away?  In the same manner, a believer who is not holding fast to the Word can slip, and fall away.  God told Joshua, "Study this Book of Instruction continually.  Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it.  Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do," (Joshua 1:8 NLT).  This is the key to staying grounded in obedience.

3. Good knots must be easy to untie.
This lesson was the hardest for me to understand.  Why would I need to untie a knot quickly and easily?  To sail away from a dock, the line must be quick to loose and throw into the boat, so that the sailor can quickly jump onboard and man the tiller.  A knot may also need to be loosed quickly to avoid a dangerous situation of being tethered to something that could cause a boat to sink.  I thought about believers who are tethered to things that may become unhealthy.  I'm talking about how sometimes the things we hold onto can become idols in our lives.  A believer must be able to quickly loose the things that become idols to keep us from losing our focus.  "And what union can there be between God's temple and idols?  For we are the temple of the living God.  As God said: 

'I will live in them 

and walk among them.  

I will be their God, 

and they will be my people.'" 

(2Corinthians 6:16 NLT)  

I should mention it took me three hours to learn to tie these knots in a manner that I could remember later.  I was appalled that I couldn't learn these knots as quickly as I thought I should.  I felt stupid, but that message is for another post.

Spiritual Intimacy

Raleigh feels Maku's girlhood fears as her parents died

I recently saw the movie Pacific Rim on Netflix, that I found to be compelling.  It originally came out a year ago, and is just now beginning to gain popularity.

In the movie, the planet Earth is being attacked by very large evolving alien monsters called Kaiju (think Godzilla).  To fight these Kaiju, a branch of the military developed "Jaegers," large robots piloted by two people whose minds must be linked to operate it effectively.  One person could not operate it to defeat the Kaiju.  Both people needed to be linked and focused on the task.

This process of linking minds is called "drifting." To be able to drift, two people must be "drift compatible," or able to trust one another enough to bond at that level of intimacy.  When drifted with his partner, a pilot has access to her memories, feelings, everything.  Most of the pilot pairs were family.

I found myself thinking about this bond.  I thought about how we are often ill-equipped to fight the worldly temptations and battle the things unseen when we are not bonded with the Holy Spirit.  We have to rely on Him who is within us to be effective.  The more we trust the Holy Spirit, the more effective we become at overcoming what comes our way.  He is the One who knows our thoughts, our memories, our feelings, ... everything.  He understands what we struggle with, and He helps bear our pain.

Alone, we are not effective.
Bonded with the Holy Spirit, there is nothing we cannot defeat.

"What is impossible for people is possible with God." ~Luke 18:27 (NLT)

A Dream about Baseball (??)

I usually don't remember my dreams, but last week I had one that I really don't understand.  I believe it was a message, but I don't know who the message was for.  I don't even like baseball.

The scene opens up with a dad gazing lovingly at his 10-year old son who is sleeping and obviously dreaming.  Dad is able to go into his son's dream to see what he is dreaming about.  He sees his son playing catch with his favorite baseball player from the Cardinals, Adam Wainwright (starting pitcher).  Dad smiles and says, "Son, why don't you wake up, so we can play a game of catch?"  

The son resists Dad and says, "I don't want to play with you.  I want to play with HIM!" (pointing to Adam Wainwright).  He turns away from Dad who keeps on asking, "wake up."  Dad is persistent.  He finally succeeds in getting his son's attention, and gets him to face him.  The son begins to wake up, and they both start traveling to the bedroom where the son is sleeping.  

Suddenly, the dream changes, and the son is pulled back into the dream.  He is angry now at Dad for pulling him away.  Adam Wainwright is now surrounded by other ball players and does not notice the son.  The son looks back at Dad who had followed him back into the dream, and says, "I don't know you.  I know him."  He slowly walks away from Dad and moves toward his idol.  

I woke up watching Dad's facial expressions as his son rejected him.  

I have been reading the Old Testament prophets lately and have realized just how much our heavenly father pursued His people, and how many times His people rejected him.  Over and over, we see God's anger at His people who left, and over and over, we see His mercy renewed.  I can picture our God as the "Dad" in my dream, and His people as the "son" in my dreams.  We are constantly chasing our idols, turning away from our God, and this saddens Him.  He wants us to wake up and be in His presence.  

Won't you give up your idols and turn into His presence?  Open your Bible and find out what God is about for yourself.  Tomorrow is Sunday.  Find a church to attend with your family.

"This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out.

Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed."

~Romans 13:11 (NLT)

July Fun

Some photos from our church outreach gathering. I'm told we had 1900 community members come out for music, pony rides, bounce houses, and plenty of free food.  Fireworks were shot by our own church members.  I love how both our flags are prominent in these photos. Freedom in America and Freedom in Christ from our sins. We celebrate!

Happy Independence Day!!

Happy Independence Day 2014!!

Practice good common sense and be safe everyone!!

Getting Older

Today I went to the store to buy a pair of "skorts" (skirt with shorts underneath), and I was mortified at the size I needed to buy.  XL.  Yes, I have now graduated to the big girl's size, and I didn't even know I was large.  My friend pointed out that the sizes run small (the small one looked like it would fit on a six year old girl), but even knowing this, I felt crummy.  It's amazing at what a simple tag can do my self esteem.

This made me think about appearances.  I wrote about how I can appear fine, and really not be fine underneath in an earlier post.  What I failed to mention is how important it is for me to look good, anyway.  I am struggling with the aging process and how that has taken a toll on my face and body, just in the past year.  I realize everyone must go through this process, but I am amazed at how self-focused I have become about it.  

I had allowed my outward appearance to become my identity.  This is a terrible error to make in life, as the outward appearance will inevitably change.  Rationally, I know my identity is not based on my appearance.  I know in my mind, that I am a child of God.  My identity should be as His daughter.  Emotionally, well that's a different story.  

What do I do to address this?  Well, I pray.  I repent.  But I am also trying to be more cognizant of what I eat, and more importantly, how much.  I want to make more healthy choices, and exercise more.  Not because I want to regain my youth, but because I want to feel healthier.  

But, I did a classic mid-life crisis thing.  I bought a convertible.  I liked the way I looked in it.  (smile)

Independence Day Celebration

Come to Life Foursquare Church tomorrow evening June 29, 2014 to a free event!  The people of the church will have free hotdogs, cotton candy, nachos, and sno-cones available for all who come.  Water and lemonade will also be available.

There will be pony rides, inflatable bounce houses, and music. The band “Look Up” will play a concert.

And of course no celebration is complete without fireworks! Fireworks will start at dusk.

The event starts at 7:00p.m. and we expect to be done by 9:30.

The address of the event is:

Life Foursquare Church
2954 W Ash Ave
Decatur, IL 62526

Need directions?  Here is a link to the google map.

Irrelevant Majority

I found a stirring speech posted by an old college friend on FaceBook.  Please click on the link to view it.

Unusual Answer from Panelist Receives Standing Ovation at Benghazi Coalition Meeting | CNS News

This was a panel discussion about the government's response to terrorism in the United States.  I loved the speech given by Brigitte Gabriel.  It was a healthy reminder about the events in history.  The student was trying to make the point that the terrorists are but a small percentage of radicals, and not the peaceful majority of Muslims in the world.  Ms. Gabriel pointed out that over and over in history, the peaceful majority were overpowered by the radical minority.  It happened in Germany with the Nazi party.  It happened in Russia.  It happened in China.  It happened in Japan.  It happened right here in the United States.  Even though the majority of the people were peaceful, they were not effective in stopping the radicals from massive killing.  The majority was irrelevant.

Lessons from Jonah

I read the book of Jonah this morning, expecting to read about the "big fish." While that was a component of the story, I was more fascinated with God's relentless pursuit of Jonah. Jonah had run away from God, the very opposite direction. But God wouldn't let Jonah go. He chased him down with a giant storm, sending him into the ocean, and saved him by this "big fish." 

Wow. This story just illustrated for me just how much we mean to God, and that if we try to run away, He will pursue us. Maybe not quite in such a scary demonstrative way, but He still wants us.
After Jonah returned to the Lord, he did what he was told and went to the sinful city of Nineveh.  He proclaimed the Lord's message, "Forty more days and Nineveh will be destroyed!"  Jonah was surprised to see the widespread repentance of the people of the city, and angered when the Lord determined to have mercy on the city.  In fact, he said, "Just kill me now, Lord! I'd rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen." (Jonah 4:3 NLT)

Honoring my Fathers

Last month I wrote about my mothers.  Today, I just want to share a few pictures of the fathers in my life.

My father is the original "geek" in my life.  He is a deep thinker who examines everything with a fine detail.  He loves science fiction movies and we used to watch these together all the time.

My other father is so completely opposite of my dad.  He loves people and wants to experience life.  He would rather be out doing something than watch it on television.

I am just grateful that I married a man who is a great father for my son.

Happy Father's Day!

And you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children.

We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider you worthy.  For He called you to share in His kingdom and glory.

~1Thessalonians 2:11-12 (NLT)

Devouring Fire

Yesterday, I wrote about how God will shake things up, so that only unshakable things remain.  There is one additional verse that captured me in that passage from Hebrews:

"For our God is a devouring fire."

~Hebrews 12:29 (NLT)

It seemed like an odd statement in the context of God shaking things up.  I decided to look deeper.  It could mean the fire of purification - like in the refining of gold and silver.

"Fire tests the purity of silver and gold,

but the Lord tests the heart."

~Proverbs 17:3 (NLT)

"Fire tests the purity of silver and gold,

but a person is tested by being praised."

~Proverbs 27:21 (NLT)

Or, it could mean the fiery wrath of God, that conquered the sinful nations for his chosen people.

"But recognize today that the Lord your God is the one who will

cross over ahead of you like a devouring fire to destroy them.

He will subdue them so that you will quickly conquer and drive them out,

just as the Lord has promised."

~Deuteronomy 9:3 (NLT)

In any case, I have the image of a fire that devours and consumes all, leaving only the pure behind.   Just like he will shake things up, leaving behind only what is unshakable.

I pray that I have unshakable faith and a purity of heart that withstands God's fiery test.

Break Every Chain

We sang this song this morning in our worship service.  

The prophet Jeremiah discusses the day our chains of sin were broken.

"In all history there has never been such of time of terror.

It will be a time of trouble for my people of Israel.

Yet in the end they will be saved! For in that day," 

says the Lord of Heaven's Armies, 

"I will break the yoke from their necks

and snap their chains.

Foreigners will no longer be their masters.

For my people will serve the Lord their God 

and their king descended from David --

the king I will raise up for them.

~Jeremiah 30:7-9 (NLT)

The chains are broken.  They broke that day on the cross.  We no longer have to live in the bondage of sin.  However, there are people who still wear these chains.  They are broken, but they still hang on us.  They still weigh us down.  These chains represent the sinful behavior we may still cling to.  Even broken, these chains are still chains we need to get rid of.  

How do we get rid of the broken chains of sinful behavior that weigh us down?  It's simple.  

Repent in the name of Jesus.

Leaning on His Promises

Have you ever made a promise you swore you would never break, only to break it anyway?  I've thought about promises that people make, promises that sometimes get broken, and some of the reasons why.  Some people lie about the promise initially, never intending to keep the promise.  Others are simply careless about their words, making the promise hastily and without thought.  These people forget their promises.  There are some people who take great care to make a promise they intend to keep.  They mean every word they say, but even so, circumstances cause them to break the promise.  Perhaps they got distracted by sin.  Maybe they simply did not have the authority to follow through and deliver the promise.

God is different.  He is the only Person who can and does keep every promise He ever made.  Consider this passage out of Hebrews:

"Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us." ~Hebrews 6:16-19 (NLT)

God will deliver His promises.

... I just don't know when.

Fractured

I find myself in a fractured thinking pattern sometimes.  Words are jumbled up in my mind, with random thoughts of different events or things interrupting my focus.  Sometimes, a single word or phrase just repeats itself, repeats itself, itself...

I wish I could write poetry.  I think a poem would capture this better than prose.

Thoughts
               are
                    disjointed.

I feel like a hastily put-together puzzle, but with the pieces off just a little bit.  The picture is a little bit like what is on the box, but not quite right.  Some of the pieces are squeezed in to make them fit.  It looks a piece will spring out and the whole thing would break apart again.

Actions Reflect Beliefs

I watched the History Channel's The World Wars this past week.  The series was well-done, showing the connection between World War I (which started almost exactly 100 years ago) and World War II.

This is a time of history that has always fascinated me.  I often have wondered just how a man like Adolf Hitler could rise to the level of influence he had in Germany.  The writers portrayed Hitler as a poor young artist who failed at his craft, lonely, and without direction.  When Austria entered the war, he tried to enlist, but failed, due to perceived weakness.  Desperate to belong somewhere, Hitler joined the German army, and fought in the German trenches.

Unsatiated

The leech has two suckers that cry out, "More, more!"

There are three things that are never satisfied -

no, four that never say, "Enough!":

the grave,

the barren womb,

the thirsty desert,

the blazing fire.

~Proverbs 30:15-16 (NLT)

When I read this proverb this morning, I was captivated.  

I began to think about the idea of satiation.  This is defined simply as "the state produced by having had a specific need, such as hunger or thirst, fulfilled." (Dictionary.com)  The things referenced in the proverbs can never be satiated; they will always require more.  

We are beings that have moments of satisfaction.  We are hungry, we eat, and then we feel full.  We are thirsty, we drink, and then we are satisfied.  In time, the satisfaction dissolves, and we crave more.  If we repeat the cycle, we are satisfied again.

What if you had an addiction that left you with a feeling that you could never satisfy, not even for a moment?  Imagine for a moment that feeling of thirst after working outside.  Imagine if you could not get to a water source, but had to remain outside continuing to work; continuing to thirst.  Finally, someone brings you water, but the water is only a four ounce cup.  You drink, but you remain thirsty.  The desire for water never goes away.  If this went on all week, you would continually think about water.  You would constantly wonder when the next four ounce cup would come, knowing it would relieve the thirst, just a little bit.  Not much work could be done in these conditions.

An addiction takes hold of us in this same manner.  It doesn't matter what the addiction is.  What matters is that something has taken over our minds and/or bodies to consume us.  We long for the desired item, but it can no longer satisfy us.  It doesn't matter if someone tries to talk us out of the addiction, the longing is still there.  How do we overcome this?

I believe we are made to long for God.  We are made to never feel satisfied here.   The more I learn about God, the more I desire Him.  I long for the things in heaven that He promises.  I am never satisfied.  I believe my constant desire for the things of God has helped me manage my old longings for earthly things.  

I lift my hands to you in prayer.

I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain.

~Psalm 143:6 (NLT)

Just for a Laugh

This just made me chuckle.  

How many of us use that bathroom mirror to get psyched for a challenge?  

A Lesson About Hope

Charles Xavier talks sense into his younger self

I went to see "X-Men: Days of Future Past" yesterday at my favorite movie theatre.  Normally I wait until a movie is out on Blu-Ray, to get the full experience via the closed captioning.  However, after reading the rave reviews, I just couldn't wait.  This one is definitely worth going to see at the theatre (especially if you have the special "Avon mix" popcorn - a blend of caramel, cheese and butter!).

Honoring our Veterans

I found this online recently, and it just seems like a great song to sing today.

Generalization

How can we tell if we truly learned something?  It isn't a rote memorization that helps us prepare for a test.  That kind of learning is easily forgotten.  How many of us can really recite all the presidents in order, or name all the state flowers?  Most of us forgot that stuff 20 minutes after we took the test.  We can truly know we learned a concept when we apply it outside of the context we learned it.  This is the concept of generalization.

For example, I once taught students who traditionally have difficulty learning new concepts.  To teach a new skill, I needed to break down a task, teach it repetitively, and in the setting the student was likely to use the skill.  I taught older students, so I focused on teaching the independent living skills they would likely need as adults.  We broke down the task of going to the grocery store into units of instruction.  For math, we worked on the concept of determining which item would be cheaper, and how to determine how many and which dollar bills to use to pay the cost.  For reading, we would work on the vocabulary words of food items, and have them write out a shopping list.  All of the units were taught in the classroom, but the real test for knowledge was if the student understood what to do in the store at the end of the week.

Graduation

Graduation.  This is a moment of life that brings many mixed feelings for all involved.  This is the time of transition for the child who finds himself graduated from high school, facing life as an adult.  Kids long for the day they no longer have to go to school.  Life ahead seems golden.  Parents face the challenge of the empty nest.  While facing uncertainty is inevitable, most people look forward to graduation as a sense of completion.  My own son graduated last year from high school and next year, will graduate simultaneously from the local community college and the Emerging Leaders Network (ELN) program at our church, preparing for some type of full-time ministry.

Finding Joy

Yesterday, I noticed I was a little grouchy and rather annoyed with almost everyone that I came upon (family, friends, and strangers in the store).  At first, I thought to myself, "Boy! Everyone sure is in a grumpy mood!"  Then, I realized the common denominator was me.

I was the Grouchy Ladybug (children's book by Eric Carlson).  I was the one that had a sour outlook on everything.  As the conviction took hold of me, I asked God to help me find joy in the moment.  I needed a smile to break my sour mood.

Just the very next moment, God fulfilled my need.  A car rolled past me with the happiest dog sticking his head out of the window.  I don't know what it is about dogs in cars, but they always makes me smile.

And, the rest of the day was great!

He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. 

~Job 8:21 (NLT)

Accommodations

Earlier this week, I spoke about the principle of Differentiation.  This is an educational word used to help teachers understand the individual learning needs of their students, so they can alter the curriculum, expectations, or assignments based on what the student himself needs.

I'd like to talk about accommodations today.  Accommodations are tools or assistance given to a person to help them access something or to do the essential functions of their job.  Everyone needs accommodations for something.  For example, there may be an item in a store I really want.  However, it is on the top shelf, and I cannot reach it.  I have to request a ladder to climb to get to the item, or a store associate to get it for me.  Without the accommodation, I would not have been able to access the desired item.

Equal is not Fair

"Fair is not always equal, and equal is not always fair." ~unknown

Have you ever wondered why some people are treated differently than others?  It's sometimes difficult to understand this, especially when you feel like you are the one getting the short end of the stick.

Last week, I spent some time in the book of Matthew.  The story of the landowner and workers struck me.  This is a parable found in chapter 20, verses 1-16.  If you would remember this story, it is the one that illustrates that no matter when the landowner hired the workers that day, he chose to pay for a full day's wages.

The ones working all day were very upset that the ones hired last were paid the same.  The response by the landowner was that the ones hired first had agreed to the wages when they were hired.  He went on to say that he has the right to pay people what he wishes.  He admonished them by saying they should not be jealous because he is choosing to be kind to others.

Life Lessons from a Starship Captain

I definitely have a favorite Star Trek Captain, Jean-Luc Picard.  I wrote about Picard in one of my earliest posts: Defeating Oppression.

I recently came upon this article of leadership lessons, and thought I would share.  The writer definitely captured the character traits I loved watching.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2012/03/13/five-leadership-lessons-from-jean-luc-picard/

No where in the series do we understand that Picard is a believer, but if you watched him, you would think we was.  His morality center was iron-clad.  He knew what was right and what was true, and he knew he must enforce those things, no matter the personal cost.

This is the morality standard I want to live by.  There is one God and one Truth.  There is right, and there is wrong.  Picard made mistakes he would regret, just like I do.  However, he did not live each day wavering his beliefs. I hope that I can do the same.  Let my decisions and my actions reflect my beliefs.

For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. (2 Timothy 4:3, 4 NLT)

Without the foundation of Truth, we waver in our moral decisions. Stay grounded in the Word.

Honoring my Mothers

I am blessed with two mothers.

My mother's name is Karen, and she could be described as a person of great moral integrity.  She is very bright, and could grasp new concepts quickly, and would want to make sure everything is just right.  She is very private and would be mortified that I put her photo out here for everyone to see.  She loves my brother and I, but we didn't always hear about it.  She's a woman of few words, but every word spoken is one of wisdom and grace.

My other mother is my mother-in-law, Connie.  While she is a person of great moral integrity, she is vastly different than my mother.  She is the life of a party, always telling great stories and jokes to make you laugh.  She's a hoot to be around.  She loves attention, and this photo was her idea.

Both of my mothers are believers.

I was reminded of the book of Ruth in the Old Testament.  Ruth was a foreign woman who became close to her mother-in-law, Naomi when her husband died.  Even though Ruth could have gone home, she chose to stay with Naomi when they would go back to Naomi's homeland.  The entire book is compelling, as you can see very plainly the love these two women had for each other.  This verse, often used in weddings, was actually Ruth speaking to Naomi.

"Don't ask me to leave you and turn back.  Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live.  Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.  Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried.  May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!" ~Ruth 1:16-17 (NLT)

Let's take some time to honor all the mothers you have in life.  Happy Mother's Day!

The Last will be First

Bear with me, as this post is going to seem a little narcissistic at first.  

Last night, I was talking with some friends from church about each other's careers, and what each of us do (or did) as a job.  My job came up, and during the course of the conversation, the others became impressed with what I do for a living.  I usually try to make light of this, by saying, "I coordinate the special education programs for the area," or "I work with special education teachers."  In reality, my job could be defined as a CEO of a medium sized corporation.  We employ around 450 teachers, teaching assistants and support staff to serve the needs of around 3,100 students with individualized education programs (IEPs) across 13 school districts in central Illinois.  Our operating budget is around $26,000,000.  

Impressed yet?  You shouldn't be.  I can be replaced.  

You see, lately I am finding that what may be impressive to the world is not impressive to God.  I spent so much time climbing a "corporate ladder" in public education, that I lost sight of what is really important.  

The things that Jesus valued were humility, mercy, and grace.  He was not impressed with successes that society promotes.  He instead noticed the meek and poor.  He noticed the children.  

But many who are greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then. (Matthew 19:30)

It seems like Jesus was telling us that God was telling us to "get over ourselves."

So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last. 

(Matthew 20:16 NLT)

Some days I think I will be last in the Kingdom of Heaven.  There are many more worthy in God's eyes to go before me.  That's OK.

It was never about me.

Life Lines

Many of you may remember I began sailing last summer.  If you want to recall my first solo sailing trip, click Winds.  We are associate members of the Commodore Decatur Yacht Club, and we try to get on the lake every chance we get.  The club membership is open for anyone interested in sailing, and it only costs $75 a season to belong (family).  The club has five boats available for associate members to use, once the senior sailors deem us worthy to sail alone.

Damage to the keel

We received news this past Monday that the choppy wind conditions caused one of the club boats to break free from the ropes (lines) that bound it to the dock.  Because the lines snapped, the boat drifted against some rocks and caused damage to the keel (the weight on bottom) that made it nearly sink.

Investigating the damage

After some investigation, the senior sailors determined the lines were not adequate to keep the boat secure.  We learned that we must use double-braided ropes to secure the boat to the dock.

This made me think about the lines that keep us tethered to God.  If we are not firmly anchored to God with double-braided cords, our lifelines may snap, and we could find ourselves drifting away toward dangerous conditions.

What are some of these lines?
1. Attend a church that teaches Bible truth.
2. Read the Bible, a little each day.
3. Think about the things the Bible teaches.
4. Pray.  Again, I say pray.
5. Spend your free time with other believers who encourage you, and who can keep you accountable.
6. Learn how to love others the way He loves us and act on it.

There are more... name them!

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)