Riding in Circles

Some people have made it a habit of reading through the Bible in a year. While I see the merit of this discipline, my personality dictates that I use a different approach. I tend to be task-oriented, and if I were to follow a reading plan, I would follow it, place the check in the box and benefit little from it. I also realized in recent years that I cannot just read and re-read the stuff that is easy to read and familiar to me. So, instead I am systematically reading through the Bible, although it will take me longer that a year, but I am reading sections instead. It has provided me variety, as well as, continuity for understanding. And more importantly, it has made it easier to apply God's word to my life. In addition, I am reading things that I either had not read before or not finished reading.

Yesterday, I began reading a book that I am not as familiar, the writings of the prophet Jeremiah. As I read the first couple of chapters, I found myself thinking through how dense we can be as a people. Here, God has sent Jeremiah to rebuke the Jewish people, that God has blessed time and time again, and within a relatively short period of time, they forget who they are, and more importantly, Whose they are and return to what God describes through Jeremiah as spiritual prostitution.

I was reminded of one of those circus acts where the guy rides inside of a steel cage on a motorcycle in a circle, over and over again doing a really cool trick, but never really going anywhere. He eventually comes right back to where he started at-- the bottom. So, I immediately liken the nation of Israel to this cyclical behavior... and then I began to think about how much America is like this... and then the American church. But finally, God showed me this is not really about those groups of people, although it definitely applies. Rather, this is about me. How often I lose sight of how God has blessed me, and I prostitute myself by running after the world and its way of thinking. I return to my "lover" rather than remaining faithful to my First Love. I settle for imitations and trinkets when all the while I miss out of the preciousness of the intimacy that Christ has bought for me with His own blood. I keep getting back on the cycle and riding inside the cage, when God has an amazing journey of trusting Him and taking me to new places. I would get really discouraged with this, and then the Lord is abounding in love and mercy reminds me that I am not alone in my struggle. When I genuinely repent and return to my Lord, He welcomes me with open arms.

Lord, show me how to not get back on the cycle.

Noteable Quote

I read this quote this morning, it speaks to what God is teaching me these days:

"Nothing will ever be attempted, if all possible objections must first be overcome." -- Samuel Johnson

Tangles

Last night as I was putting the girls down for bed, we read through the story of Joseph in their children's bible. Even in the simplified version, it addresses one of the focal passages in that account. All of the bad things that happened to Joseph happened for a reason. Sometimes God allows us to get to see the reason, sometimes He doesn't. Joseph, had amazing clarity in this area. In retrospect, he says this to his brothers, "'Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.'" (Gen. 50:19-20) He says this decades after having be sold into slavery, wrongfully accused of sexual misconduct and spending years in a dungeon as a result.

I think one of the hardest questions that followers of Christ face is why does God allow bad things to happen. We may never know all the specifics. I have had horrible things to me and to those I love. Some of it I have gotten to see good result, others not yet. I read a story this morning about Corrie ten Boom that really captures the whole issue of perspective. I wanted to share it with you she has incredible insight into the whole world of suffering,

"Corrie used to speak to audiences about her horrific experiences in the concentration camps, and she would often look down while she talked. She wasn't reading her notes. She was actually working on a piece of needlepoint. After sharing about the doubt and anger and pain she experienced, Corrie would reveal the needlepoint. She would hold up the backside of the needlepoint to reveal a jumble of colors and threads with no discernible pattern. And she'd say, 'This is how we see our lives.' Then she would turn the needlepoint over to reveal the design on the other side, and Corrie would conclude by saying, 'This is how God views your life, and someday, we will have the privilege of viewing it from His point of view.'"

- Mark Batterson, In a Pit, With a Lion, on a Snowy Day.

Bugs worked out...

I guess Blogger finally got the bug fixed that was blocking video posts. The result was my multiple attempts (made last week) finally uploading. I deleted the extra ones... I wasn't trying to be twice as funny.

Don't Come Empty Handed

Have you ever come to a party that was given in someone's honor, and when you arrived everyone but you is carrying presents? It is a feeling that can only be described as shame and embarrassment. Yes, you have the honor of having been invited, and yes you can wish the person well, but when you are empty-handed, you miss out on the joy of showering this person with gifts to whom honor is deserved.

I recently began reading the Revelation of John the Apostle. It has been a while and since I have been reading John's gospel and epistles, I decided to spend some more time with the Lord's earthly best friend. Beginning in chapter 4, there is a description of the throne room of heaven that defies the imagination. It is obvious that John struggles to adequately describe what he sees, as the beauty is just amazing.

In verse 4, he mentions that the throne of God is surrounded by 24 other thrones, and seated on those were 24 elders, whom I believe to be or represent the 12 Apostles and 12 tribes of Israel. These Elders were all wearing crowns. The bible uses two different words that we translate as "crown" John uses the Greek word "stephanos" for these crowns. A stephanos is a wreath-like crown used to honor one for their victory or accomplishment- much like the medals we see being given in the Olympics. These are crowns that are described in passages like 2 Timothy 4:8 that the saints are rewarded with for their obedience and faithfulness. These Elders then take these crowns that they earned with their lives, and then lay them at the feet of the One seated at the throne in the center.

In our society, culture tells us, "hey, you deserve the best!" or "you worked hard for it; treat yourself!" This picture is opposite. Here are those who suffered and died and followed Christ, and yet they are laying their crowns at the feet of the Lamb. John hears the words, “Worthy is the lamb who was killed to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and praise!” (Rev. 5:12)

I was then convicted by these thoughts. How often do I do things for my own pleasure and reward? When I do obey, is my motivation for His ultimate glory or my own. Scripture teaches that when our motives for obedience are impure, we get our reward here on earth and will have nothing to lay at His feet. When I stand before this King of kings, will I be empty handed or will I have gifts to express my gratitude for how He saved me? He definitely deserves it, and after all, it is His party!

Welcome to the Family!

We have added a new member to our family this weekend! I would like to introduce you to Polly my daughters' new big sister. Polly (her new "American" name. Her real name is too long for me to remember yet) is an exchange student from Thailand that will live with us for the next year. She is sixteen and will be learning about America and all the various things it offers. In addition to that, I am so excited to have her live with us as it will give me a unique insight into Thai culture since I will be going on mission to Thailand in January 2009.

Please pray that Polly will see Jesus in our family over the next few months. Pray that she feels safe and welcome in our home. I know the anxiety that my 10-day trip brings me, a grown adult. I cannot imagine her feelings, at her age, and for this length of time. She has such a sweet spirit and willingness to jump in and be a part of our family. Of course, Melody and Selah just LOVE having a big sister to play with. I will love her the way that I love my own daughters, and am grateful that her family entrust her with us. I do not take this privilege lightly.

Grab the Rope and Swing!

Our girls love playing outside, and God has blessed us with a big back yard that accommodates much play. Out back, we have two swings tied a large pecan tree: a one-rope swing and a two-rope swing. Both have plastic seats, but I was noticing that the single-rope swing doesn't get as much use by the girls. It has less to hold onto, but swings higher.

My oldest, daughter, really struggles with fear. She has an amazing imagination, but that imagination causes her trouble sometimes, like being afraid of the dark, and it also prevents her from doing some fun stuff... like swinging on the one-rope swing.

I too have been struggling with fear: fear of the unknown, fear of failure, and fear of rejection. However, God has been teaching me lately that the child of God does not need to be afraid. Apparently this is a very common problem we all have and the Bible deals directly with this. The New American Standard version of the Bible mentions the words "fear" and "afraid" over 500 times, and many of those references include commands to individuals and groups to not be afraid. Why is that? Well, I believe that our fear comes from a lack of trusting God to the point of not obeying Him. In my reading through the Apostle John's letters, I read one verse that really speaks to this issue in my life. "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love." (1 John 4:18) Later, John describes this love that expresses itself in obedience to what God tells us to do. (cf. John 14,15; 1 John).

What God is showing me right now is that to grow in this area I must face my fears-- head on. When I do, it's amazing God takes care of the fear. He literally casts it out! Does that mean that nothing bad happens? No, but it helps us to stretch out a little bit more next time we are faced with fear, because God has shown us His faithfulness. It is not a fear issue, as much as it is a love issue. Do I love God more than I fear my circumstances?

Back to our swing story. Knowing the fun she was missing, I recently came along side Melody, and began encouraging her (aka forcing her :-D) to get on the single rope swing. She was afraid at first, even to the point of tears, but after a few times, she learned that her daddy loves her and was there with her. She is beginning to enjoy the new heights to which she can go. She is still hesitant, but her fear is being cast out by the result of her obedience. There is always a possibility she might fall, but she is learning that her daddy is near to pick her up when she does fall.

Sometimes facing our fears takes a little nudge from our Heavenly Daddy, but when we fall, it gives great peace knowing that our Father is there to pick us up when we do fall. Let's take a step, grab the rope put our heads back and swing!