my summer reading list

I just got a book order in the mail.  I am so excited to read some books this summer!  I am starting with Crazy Love by Francis Chan.  Of course I love the book already.  It is so great to be challenged by a bigger view of God.    Here's a quote from Chapter One:

Many Spirit-filled authors have exhausted the thesaurus in order to describe God with the glory He deserves.  His perfect holiness, by definition, assures us that our words can't contain Him.  Isn't it a comfort to worship a God we cannot exaggerate?

from father to son (and mother to sons!)

In my bible 2 Timothy 3:10-17 is titled, "Paul's charge to Timothy".  As I read it I am struck by the kind of father-son relationship Paul and Timothy had.  This morning my prayer time was focused mainly on my three children, and on asking God to make me and Chip the kind of parents He wants us to be.  Paul says to Timothy, his son in the faith:

"you know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance...

Continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know from whom you have learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus."  

So many children grow up and leave their parents' home, and reject their parents' faith as well.  Many studies have been done to discover the cause, and one answer surfaces most frequently.  It is the apparent disconnect between what parents say they believe and how they live their lives.  I pray that God will help me to live a life of pure devotion to the Lord, in which I earnestly seek Him daily, and then live out my day in response to the truth He has shown me. 

May my words and actions be consistent, and may they reflect the character and grace of God.  And 10-12 years from now, as my sons are ready to leave their parents' home, may they cling to their faith in Jesus even more than Chip and I have.  Chip and I really want to be able to say to our sons, "you know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith , patience, love and endurance.  So continue in what you have learned."

guarding the truth

2 Timothy 1: 13-14  What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.  Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you- guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

This morning I reflected on the wonderful gift God has given us in His Word.  It amazes me that the God of the universe has chosen to reveal Himself to mankind, and that we hardly seem to care!  GOD ALMIGHTY speaks to us through a book!!  And it is a book that is unlike any other, for it contains the truth.  While so many people in this world struggle with the chains of oppression and addiction, the Lord invites us to know the truth and to thereby be set free.  

Paul tells Timothy to guard the good teaching that was entrusted to him.  The same letter tells us to do the same.  The truth of God has been entrusted to us in the bible.  This morning I am asking God to help me to regard the bible as God wants me to.  I want to hunger for God's Word, revere God's Word, submit to God's Word, and elevate God's Word in my life and in this world.  I want to guard the truth with the help of the Holy Spirit.

I read this quote yesterday and it continues to ring in my head today as I contemplate my own inadequacy in my approach to the truth:

From the cowardice that dares not face new truth, from the laziness that is contented with half-truth, from the arrogance that thinks it knows all truth, Good Lord, deliver me.  Amen.  -Prayer from Kenya, by Howard Hendricks in "Color Outside the Lines".

contentment

Today's reading of 1 Timothy 6 includes Paul's instructions to Timothy to beware of the love of money.  He warns that those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap that leads to ruin.  If you are like me, you immediately think of "rich" as those who have much more than you.  But this morning God convicted me that I am indeed rich, and that I can easily fall into the trap of the love of money.  I recently read a statistic that said:

if you keep food in a refrigerator, if you keep your clothes in a closet, if you have a bed to sleep in and a roof over your head, you are richer than 75% of the world.

But godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.  But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.  1Tim 6: 6-8

So on this day I am looking around at all that I have and thanking God for His blessing on my life.  I have a home, food, clothing, and a wonderful, healthy family.  How can I ask for more?

testimonies

I have been reading 1 Timothy for the past few days.  In the first chapter of the letter, Paul says this about himself:

Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.  The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.  (1 Tim 1:13-14)

I might write about myself that I was formerly independent, addicted to my own agenda, and hopelessly selfish.  But by the grace of God I am learning to depend on Jesus every day, living for God's Kingdom and learning to put others before myself.

To be truly inspired by what God can do in the lives of those who trust Him, click on the video below:

serious about JOY

Today Chip and I shared our morning meditations face-to-face, rather than via the computer.  Much better that way!  We sat outside in the sunshine and read a chapter of John Ortberg's book on spiritual disciplines, called The Life You've Always Wanted.  We read the chapter about the discipline of celebration.  

Here is one of my favorite excerpts (I wish I could share the whole chapter with you!):

"When we celebrate, we exercise our ability to see and feel goodness in the simplest gifts of God.  We are able to take delight today in something we wouldn't even have noticed yesterday.  Our capacity for joy increases."

Our morning reading reminded us to rejoice TODAY!  Don't put it off, waiting for circumstances to improve.  Don't dwell on the past, wishing it had been better.  Rejoice today!

After all, This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! (psalm 118:24)

Ortberg quotes C.S. Lewis throughout the chapter.  For Lewis believed that "Joy is the serious business of heaven."  Chip and I agreed- it's time to get serious about rejoicing in the Lord!

why I haven't been blogging this week

Several friends have noticed that I haven't blogged much this week.  Sorry!  The Life Journal readings have been in Kings and Chronicles, and I have been trying to really study the history of Israel through this time period.  So rather than sitting in front of my computer, the mornings have found me seated at my desk with charts, tables and commentaries, studying the kings and prophets of the Old Testament.  I suppose I have been guilty of filling my head with knowledge without truly considering how God would want to apply it to my life!  So here are my thoughts and application:  First, how is it possible that there wasn't even one good king of the ten northern tribes once the kingdom was divided?!   Boy, we really needed a Savior!!  Second, I observe that as the king goes, so go the people.  There is great responsibility in leadership.  Third, it is clear that God's people continually struggle with idolatry, and that God demands to be first in our lives.  Whether we are turning to golden calves, Baal, or material wealth or comfort.....  God will fight for our hearts!

I also want to say how funny it is that my friends read my blog and then call, email or talk to me face-t0-face about the post.  You can leave a comment, you know!  But no worries- I am more than satisfied each day to read how my wonderful husband responds to my morning meditations.  And a few of you have told me that your favorite part of the blog is reading Chip's comments.  I'm glad for the internet world to see that Chip is my biggest champion and best friend!

One more thing- I am spending this morning with six young boys who have celebrated Joshua's tenth birthday with a slumber party.  My heart is filled with joy and delight at the person my son is becoming.  I love being his mom!

wrestling in prayer

What do I believe about prayer?  For most of us, the answer to that question can be found in the amount of time and energy we invest in prayer.  I suspect that most of us greatly under-believe in the power and priority of prayer.

Paul says this to the believers in Colossae:  Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful (Col 4:2).  I looked up the definition of the greek word that was translated as devote.  It means to continue steadfastly, to persevere and not be faint, to give unremitting care.  That speaks to me about the time I should be investing in prayer.  God wants me to be continually dependent on Him, watching for His guidance, thankful for His presence.

But it is another verse in Colossians 4 that really got my attention.  In verse 12 Paul describes his friend Epaphras like this:  He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.

Wrestling in prayer.  That speaks to the energy of prayer, the intensity.  Again, I looked up the word.  It means to contend with adversaries, to fight; to struggle with difficulties and dangers; to endeavor with strenuous zeal, to strive, to obtain something.  Prayer is real spiritual work.  It is how I engage in the spiritual battle that rages over human souls.  I am contending with an enemy, and I am striving to obtain something, all through prayer.  Epaphras prayed like this for the young church in his home town.  What he was striving to obtain was the maturing of their faith.  

Do I care enough for my family and my friends to pray like that?  And do I believe that it makes a difference?  I really want to!  I'm signing off now.  I have some wrestling to do.

humble and thankful

It really bothers me when my boys fight over toys, bicker over whose turn it is on the computer, wrestle over who gets to sit in the "best" chair at dinner, the list could go on and on.....  

I remind them that we have SO MANY toys.  I tell them that it is a privilege, not a right, to play on the computer.  I make the observation that one chair only seems best because they are all fighting over it, but that the chairs are really all the same.  And of course, I tell them that they shouldn't be selfish, but kind to one another.  After all, they are brothers!  And nothing makes their mother happier than when my boys are playing together.

Paul really does have the heart of a father toward the church.  Listen to his words in Philippians 2:1-4:

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ?  Any comfort from his love?  Any fellowship together in the Spirit?  Are your hearts tender and compassionate?  Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.  Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others.  Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.  Don't look out for only your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

It occurs to me this morning that sometimes we who are the church of Jesus act like children.  We bicker over who gets to be first, or whose way is right.  We wrestle one another for authority, and fight for our own interests.  Forgive us Lord!  Paul is gently reminding us to consider the riches we have in Christ (kind of like me saying "you have so many toys, why can't you be generous").  In Christ we have encouragement, comfort, love, fellowship with GOD!, tenderness and compassion.  Will we receive all that and then turn around and demand our own petty way?  Or will we offer all that Jesus has given to us to one another?  Lord, help me to be humble and thankful, and to think of others as better than myself.  And help my boys too!

from death to life

A few days ago I was blessed to hear a testimony from a man who has battled leukemia for the past 6 months.  One day, suffering from fatigue, headaches, and bleeding gums, he took himself to the emergency room.  He was in the hospital for 3 months straight after that.  After chemo treatments, bone marrow tests, and doctor after doctor, the prognosis was not good.  Still he and his wife had faith.  They prayed; their friends prayed, asking God to heal him.   God did.

As I listened to this young man share, his wife sitting beside him, their two young children downstairs, peace and joy radiated from his countenance.  He doesn't consider this illness a curse, but a blessing.  He has come to know God more deeply.  He knows the reality of hope and the power of prayer.  And he has been given the gift of a new joy for life.  He wants to hang onto that joy.  He wakes up each morning asking God to keep that "first love" burning in his heart.

This is what Ephesians 2:4-5 says about me:  

But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions- it is by grace you have been saved.

Michael has faced a death-sentence in his body and come away victorious, with a renewed passion for living a God-pleasing, people-embracing, thankful life.  I, along with anyone else who is in Christ, have also been brought from death to life.  I should remind myself of that every day.  Praise God!  I am alive!!!

my destiny

Ephesians 1:3-8  (NLT)

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.  Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.  God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ.  This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.  So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.  He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.  He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.

Are you kidding me?!!!!  God has GREAT PLEASURE in adopting me as His daughter, uniting me with Jesus Christ, and blessing me with every spiritual blessing!  He chose ME even before He made the world so that I could be holy and blameless in His sight?!!  HOW CAN IT BE?!

The language of Ephesians 1 simply astounds me.  Lots of praise, lots of glory, God's pleasure, and grace that is LAVISHED on me!  Lavish means to give in abundance, to shower, characterized with extravagance and profusion.

God says that this is my destiny:  to be adopted as a daughter of God, to praise God's glory, to be forgiven and redeemed, to be holy in God's sight, and to be showered with grace, wisdom and understanding.  This is what God wants, and doing this in my life DELIGHTS Him.

I find it hard to believe this some days.  But God's Word says it, so it must be true.  HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!!!!!!

thankful for my family and friends

Romans 16 is the conclusion of Paul's beautiful and thoughtful letter, filled with personal greeting to specific people.  Reading it this morning reminded me of two things:

• The Christian journey is not meant to be walked alone.  We need each other.  Paul spent a whole chapter of the Bible greeting people who had walked alongside him, helping him at various times of his life.  I must die to self-reliance and learn to ask for help, from God and from friends.

• It is important to express my love and gratitude for the people who journey with me.  We all need encouragement.  We all want to feel appreciated.  And expressing my thanks reminds me that I have so much to be thankful for!  Now that I spend so much time sending emails, I very rarely take the time to sit down and write a thank you card.  But God has brought a couple of people into my life who actually do not have internet access (?!).  Over the past few weeks I have been surprised to find several thank you cards in my mailbox.  Hand-written, mailed with a stamp, thank you cards.  They are in my desk now and I can read them when I am feeling discouraged, knowing that someone appreciated me enough to take the time to write a card, address and envelope, buy a stamp, and mail me a card.  What a blessing!  I'm going to send some cards.

not convenient, but caring

Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us.  Strength is for service, not status.  Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, "How can I help?"  

This is Romans 15:1-2 in the Message.  Romans 14 and 15 remind me that the life that is pleasing to God is concerned with others even more than myself.  The way of Christ is one that recognizes the needs of the people in my life, and seeks to offer to hope of the Gospel.  How tempting it is to go through life focused on the things I need to get done, on what I want, on my own plans for each day.  The attitude described here is one that is open to disruptions and distractions.  No, it is not convenient.  

Today, I pray for eyes to see the needs of people around me.  I pray for opportunities to help those who are struggling with doubt, discouraged by trials, overwhelmed by their sin.  I thank You Father for the hope and encouragement You give me in Your Word.  And I thank You so much for the times in my life when I was weak in faith and You brought someone alongside me to help.  This day I want to choose not what is convenient, but what is caring.