Snowball Effect

I’ve always noticed that when I make a grand step toward God, He answers my gesture with all kinds of evidence that He noticed.  My commitment to God’s Word for this year produced a growing hunger today — but not for a grilled cheese sandwich or my favorite Doritos.  Instead, I was flooded with a hunger to delve into more of God’s Word.  I really love the Truth.  For instance, when I read a story about the Bible but the story doesn’t get the facts quite right, it bothers me a lot.  The pure Truth is a lot more interesting than altered story details produced by inattention.

Grilled Ham and Cheese Sandwich (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

For example, I read the story of Noah to Aubrianna out of her new Bible today, and the storyteller missed one of the most interesting things about Noah’s story.  It had never rained before — ever, in the history of the world — when he built the ark in the desert.  (When reading the story in a true translation of the Bible just now, I realized that it was through prior study that I learned this.)  So, anyway, Noah was trusting God for an event that had never taken place while being laughed at by the entire population of the world.  But because Noah was trusting in God and obeying Him explicitly, He was rewarded with life, not to mention that his family repopulated the earth!

I want to be sure and mention that part of the snowball effect I experienced today was better balance and productivity.  It was a full and satisfying day, and I do mean in the non-stomach type of way (which is progress).  Practically counting the hours until the new Bible arrives.  There’s no purchase that usually ever excites me as much as a new Bible, and that’s definitely true this time.

From my reading in Matthew today (virtually the same message Noah preached as he built the ark):

From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.[a]”

Matthew 4:17

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 

2013 Resolution: Balance

Happy New Year!  Are you excited about 2013?  I needed and found something to get really excited about, and it’s linked to my First Love.  On the way to my mailbox is a new Life Application Bible.  I’ve had one before, but I think I gave it away.  This is a wonderful study Bible — some say it’s the best.  I’ll be reading all the way through the new Bible, though it will no doubt take me more than a year.  I want to do more than read.  I want to study and meditate and write about God’s Word.

I’ve just finished reading the New Testament through in 2012.  It was great!  I read it on my phone every morning before I do any solitary other thing and will continue to do that.  BibleGateway.com has handy reading plans, and there are several you can choose from, not to mention that you can read it in your favorite Bible translation.

The Word of God reminds me that the Almighty is so powerful.  I know that God gives me the grace to accomplish balance in my life, and that’s my resolution for 2013.  I want it to become a way of life.  Common sense dictates that I should have already achieved balance a long time ago, and it should already be a habit.

But I’m talking about a balance with everything.  Food, activities, what I do with my time, etc.

It’s important to me to spend a lot of time in the Word of God because I daily watch the news and other shows, almost none of which feed my spirit.  The most important part of balance is to allow God’s Truth to have an input in my life that’s more compelling than the input the world has on my mind and heart each day.

I also need to establish daily ways to get more exercise, since I work in my den.  I’m gonna feel so much better as I do a better job of achieving balance.  And I’ll leave a few notes on Daily Pep Talk every day about something from my Bible reading.

I’m going to wait and delve into the Old Testament when the new black Bible with ivory flowers and my name imprinted arrives.  Til then, I’m reading the New Testament.

What impressed me today from Matthew 1 was that there were 14 generations dividing the major moments in the history of God’s chosen people.  God is very orderly (as well as Creative), and He has chosen a time when life as we know it will forever end on this earth.  Every day of our lives impacts eternity in a positive or negative way, and eternity isn’t all that far from any of us.

 All those listed above include fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the Babylonian exile, and fourteen from the Babylonian exile to the Messiah.

Matthew 1:17
New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 

The Solution to the Problem May Be Under Your Nose

I’ve had to miss work because my fingers and hands were experiencing excruciating pain.  And all that time, my computer was capable of talk-to-type technology!  I’m using it right now. No need to spend a dime, much less the hundreds I thought it would cost.

 

I’m talking and the computer is typing by itself. Awesome! — Photo by Vera Kratochvil

The answer was right in front of me, and I was completely clueless. I think many problems in life are the same way. Being out of shape, for instance, just requires more exercise. It’s a matter of deciding to do something. You don’t have to have access to a gym to get in shape. YouTube has lots of free exercise videos. Heck, you can just walk and get your body in shape.

The Bible says not to be worried and that each day has its own troubles. It also says that God will never give us more then we can handle. He always makes a way to escape temptation. That applies to overeating as much as it does adultery, don’t you imagine?

I think most of us go through life struggling with the day’s challenges, and we forget to really enjoy life. We get into a numbing, joyless routine.  All the while, the happiness we desire is within our reach every day. I can say this because I believe that true joy is in the Lord, and He is ultimately all we need to have overflowing contentment.

It’s a good idea to just open our eyes to what is already in our hands and be thankful that it’s enough for this moment.  There’s probably more in hand than we realize.

 

 

A Car Wreck and Possibly Alienating Coordinating Analogy

Just as the toddlers got settled in the basket outside our car at Kroger, we heard a car crash nearby.  Looking in the direction of the noise, I witnessed an SUV crash into a white car parked on the far end of the parking lot and then skid around before finally stopping.  I pushed the kids in that direction to get the license plate of the car that was making all the trouble, in case the person decided to hit and run.  The guy whose car got smashed up walked up and was wondering why the heck his new car was crushed in on one side.  I gave him my card as a witness.  Some lady had sped through the parking lot and a truck hit her before the part of the crash that I saw.

Corcovado jesus (Photo credit: @Doug88888)

I don’t know what was going on with that lady, but what struck me was that the car that was way off on the end of the lot, supposedly safe from being dinged by other car doors, is the one that got badly damaged.  It got me to thinking about how all of our plans to “play it safe” are subject to fail.  And there’s one area where I’ve noticed all my Christian life that people play it safe, and that’s in choosing not to get overly enthusiastic about Jesus.

If you think about it, usually only preachers and missionaries live sacrificially and are sincerely head-over-heels for Jesus.  Not many everyday Christians can be accused of being more excited about Jesus than anything else.  Truth is, the overall “church in America” has more of the world in it than it does devotion to Jesus Christ.

Never will forget the deacon at a Baptist church who spoke up one Wednesday night at church during a Bible discussion.  He outright and unashamedly admitted that he chooses to please man rather than God.  As a person who has been lopsided about maintaining a God-focus, I can say it really does create friction in relationships.  The easy-going road that invites everyone to roll out their welcome mats is not the one which follows hard after God.

The way I see it is that people like that deacon play it safe like that white car at the end of the parking lot.  But in the end, they’re the ones that weren’t as wise as they thought.  There will be great reward in heaven for people who live for the things above rather than the things below.  And there will be great loss of reward for those who didn’t; talk about an inconvenient truth!  Even more inconvenient that having to deal with all the hassle of a wrecked vehicle.

Here’s my disclaimer: This post may sound a bit like I’m feeling spiritually superior, but I don’t mean to.  I’m so far from a perfect Christian it’s ridiculous, but no one who knows me can deny that I have a heart after God and obviously not after the world. 

Free-Falling into Cushy Faith

Eames Lounge Chair by Charles and Ray Eames (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Do you sometimes freak out over concern that a chair won’t hold your weight?  If you do, you’re either a very rare person or you’re struggling with extreme obesity.  The fact is that most of us sit all of our weight in chairs every day without a second thought, and the furniture holds us up just fine.  I believe that this “chair” principle is a perfect example of how life is meant to be lived when our faith in Jesus is genuine.

My situation recently got very scary.  I actually had good reason to believe that I had a limited amount of time left in which I would be physically capable of using my hands to work on a keyboard.  Every job I’ve ever had involved typing either on a typewriter or a stenograph machine or both.  With my elbows also problematic and my hands in bad shape, how many jobs fit my capability?

So between the chronic pain and the descent of a loved one into the proverbial bottom of the barrel, life has been extremely intense and stressful.  My response at some point was to simply jump off of the cliff I was clinging to and into the arms of God.

I’ll tell you right now that it’s safe to leap into faith feet first.  Jesus caught me.  In fact, He was with me through the entire ordeal and never left me.  What was missing was my complete trust that I can rest in the Lord as comfortably as I rest my tucas in my favorite reading chair.

My hands have improved tremendously, and I have two new employers who, together, are prepared to keep me working as a writer full time for good pay.  Wow!  And praise the Lord, right?  My loved one is the subject of prayers every day, and I’m trusting and resting in the Lord regarding the outcome.

The Miracle God

Kids Nanna and the Bible Online Radio by Kids and the Bible | Blog Talk Radio.

Our next online Bible study is this afternoon at 5:30 CST.  Join us as we talk about Jesus, His miracles, and His desire for sincere followers.

 

Back From the Dark Side

Jesus seems nearer as I read the new Testament through in a year. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Where have I been?  Reserving my capacity for typing for my job.  My May 1st move was very tough on my health issues that affect my elbows and hands.  I could barely get any work done, and it just wasn’t right to neglect work in order to blog.  I still have to pace myself, but the intensity of the problem has vastly improved.

There’s a lot of technology available that types by speech, and I hope to use that someday, to take some of the pressure off of my hands.  Will that work, though?  Is it in my price range?  I don’t know.  So I’ve prepared a backup source of income; I’m an Avon representative.  Years ago I had success selling Avon — back when I lived in Wyoming.  It’s a great business opportunity, something I can vouch for by personal experience.  If my hands, heaven forbid, become gnarled, an Avon income will help!  Met some super-friendly ladies on my Avon “team.”  They helped me get pumped up, and I already have my website all set up:  www.yourAvon.com/stevie.

The kids and I are truly enjoying our new home, even though unpacking everything is creeping along at a snail’s pace because of my limitations.  Most of the apartment looks great, though.  Something about this new place of ours gives me the oddest sense of being back in my childhood home.  It’s pretty awesome.

There’s a lot to be thankful for.  I have an amazing new employer who needs lots to be written, and he believes in paying writers a good wage for their work.  Thank You, Lord!

My bedroom came complete with a three-way-mirror, and looking at myself full-length several times a day is serving as a great motivator to lose weight!  Not liking what I see.

The best thing that’s going on besides the joy the kids give me every day is my read-the-New-Testament-in-a-Year plan that I’m following through Bible Gateway.  It’s wonderful to start the day reading about Jesus.  I find myself meditating more on the miracles of God these days.

I’m able to blog again, which seems like another of God’s miracles.

Spiritual Urges are Way Better Than Fleshly Urges

I’m often struck with various urges. Mostly, I get the urge to eat a bit of chocolate.  My love of the outdoors is why I believe I get the urge to take the kids to the zoo on a regular basis (if you’re going on a long walk, why not go where the scenery is engaging?)  But today I’ve been struck with an ongoing urge to pray.

What a great reminder — as I move from living mostly with my mind on earthly things to keeping my mind mostly on the things of heaven – that the Christian life is a supernatural journey.

Imagine if you were part of an entourage for a huge celebrity and as such got to see and experience things the throngs would consider once-in-a-lifetime thrills.  Now imagine being in the entourage of the most powerful Being in existence; perhaps the throngs don’t see the excitement in it, but I certainly do.  I’m trying to draw a distinction between earthly thrills and heavenly pleasures.

When I commune with God as a person who is free from unforgiveness and habitual sin, life is anything but commonplace or boring.  Experiencing the nearness of God is like turning my human existence into what in fleshly terms would be the equivalent of enjoying a chocolate sundae with homemade Blue Bell ice cream (available mostly just in Texas and the best in the world).

Indeed, today I find the urge to pray stronger than the urge to eat.  What am I praying about?  I’m not even certain why there’s such a powerful pull on me to drop to my knees.  I know that two of my children have job interviews today for positions which would improve upon their current work situations.  I also know that my second move in approximately a month is one week away; definitely need prayers for that.

It’s been a while since I’ve felt such a strong spiritual pull of any kind.  I’m not using a lot of words other than agreeing that God’s will be done in the situation prompting my Spirit to pray.  Whatever God is up to, I’m just grateful and excited to be in his entourage.

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Romans 8:26

New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁶ Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us^[a] with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Note to Self: A Really Big Storm is A-Comin’

After bringing the little ones to the zoo today, we all took a nap.  We were awakened by a crazy storm that dumped hail and sheets of rain while lighting up the sky with lightning and booming thunder.  Within a few minutes, the sidewalk surrounding my apartment became a small stream a few inches deep.  In the midst of it all, I put raincoats on the toddlers and pushed them in a stroller to the car so we could pick Logan up from school.  How quickly the world changed completely!

The storm reminds me of the very first rain storm, which was when Noah had finished building an ark and had loaded two of every creature on board.  Everything changed as it rained for 40 days and 40 nights, killing every living, breathing thing that wasn’t on the ark.  A similar event is due to come someday, when the rapture occurs.  Believers will go up and things on earth will get very volatile after that.

Ultimately, the earth’s purposes will be finished and all of humanity will either go to heaven or hell.  And this very thing is what our existence on earth is about.  It’s so easy to forget that, what with the world offering so many engaging distractions.

What would happen if we lived every day with a stark awareness that an eternal tempest of judgment is coming upon everyone who rejects Jesus Christ?  I don’t know about you, but I believe it would help to nudge me out of my complacency and find creative new ways to share the Good News that Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for our sins.  And we can pass from this tumultuous journey called life into a place of eternal peace and joy.  There, we’ll probably never have to slog around in soggy shoes.

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“And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man.”  Luke 17:26

Saturated in Garbage, Not Glory

Heart of Gold by Robin Lee Hatcher

Today I had a rare break from the children, and I took the opportunity to read a very well-written book.  Robin Lee Hatcher is one of my favorite Christian romance authors; I read a new book of hers called Heart of Gold, which I checked out from the library.  I devoured it within a few short hours.  Anyway, the preacher in the book reminded me of an important principle in Christianity which I call saturation.

Why do you suppose preachers are paid to preach and visit really sick people and, at least in the old days, not much else?  It’s because they need to spend as many waking hours as possible in the Bible so that they can pass the revelation they receive from God onto the congregation.

But here’s the catch.  All Christians are called to live like preachers.  We’re all supposed to saturate ourselves in the Word of God.  I have most definitely not been doing that for a while.  For most of my Christian life I can honestly say that I did saturate myself in the Word of God, prayer, and seeking the Lord.  But raising young ones as a grandmother has been the thing that shifted my focus.

I’ve written a lot here on the blog about being crabby.  That’s not even my normal nature as a non-Christian.  I’ve always mostly been just an all-around sweet and bubbly person.  I guess what’s happened is that I’ve got too much of the world getting on the inside of me and not enough of the spiritual things of God.

The idea of being alone with God and focusing wholeheartedly on His Word excites me as much as anything the world has to offer.  I’ve been depriving myself of what’s best in life, and as of today I’ve thoroughly realized it.  This is one rut I’m particularly excited to pull out of.

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“…you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”  1 Peter 2:5 NKJ