Recently I went shopping with a precious young woman who is a co-worker and also a very special friend. As I chatted with a saleswoman while my friend was in the dressing room, the saleswoman asked, "Is she your daughter?" I laughed and said, "No, we're just friends." As I thought about that later, I asked myself, "Why do we say 'just' friends, as if that were not very important?"
The truth is, this young woman is not only my friend, but also my sister in Christ. In some ways, the ties between us are even stronger than those of "blood" relationship. The relationship between myself and my family is one of human blood, but the relationship between myself and the body of Christ is one of blood, too – the blood of Christ. Could any bond be stronger than that?
God has put us into families, and I am thankful for that. I love and appreciate the members of my family. And, thank God, some of them are also related to me by the blood of Christ – they are my sisters and brothers in Christ as well as being my son, daughter, grandchild, niece, nephew, aunt, or whatever.
God teaches us to honor our families, and take care of them. In some, the desire to be good parents and the zeal to reclaim “family values” comes very close to idolatry. We may almost worship our family, while neglecting or even excluding others. We must also honor and care for those who are of the household of faith…they are our family, too, through the blood of Jesus.
Just friends? No, we are much more than that. We are each of us part of a single body…Christ’s body.
“Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially to our Christian brothers and sisters.” - Galatians 6:1
Friday, September 11, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Creatures at Rest
Creatures at Rest
The house is quiet, and I listen to the sound of my dogs sleeping. Their breathing is such a peaceful sound. It's not always quiet…sometimes they snore! But even then it is a calm, soothing sound, the sound of rest.
They always want to be near me. Whatever room I'm working or playing in, they follow me there, lie down, and soon are fast asleep. I like to think it's because they love and trust me, and feel safe with me. But I'm not completely naïve…I know that a dog is loyal to the one who supplies its food!
When their routine is interrupted by a trip to the vet or the groomer, it makes them nervous, but still they follow me, trusting. And when the detestable experience is over, do they turn up their noses and say, "I can't believe you would do this to me. I'm not about to go home with YOU!" ? No, they run to me joyfully, ready to go with me, glad to be with me.
I see in my pets a picture of how God wants me to be. He wants me to follow Him in what He is doing, and be at perfect peace and rest in that place. I don't get to do nothing, like my dogs, but still I'm to be perfectly relaxed and calm because my trust is in Him, I love Him, I depend on Him. He is my provider, my keeper, my loving Master.
I realize that this may seem naïve and simplistic. As a human being, I have many responsibilities and activities in my life that dogs don't have to worry about---"stress factors." But I am instructed by the Word, over and over, to lay every bit of that in the Father's hands, and not worry or fret. I should have complete trust that He is in control and will take care of me…and in that I'm to rest.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6, 7
The house is quiet, and I listen to the sound of my dogs sleeping. Their breathing is such a peaceful sound. It's not always quiet…sometimes they snore! But even then it is a calm, soothing sound, the sound of rest.
They always want to be near me. Whatever room I'm working or playing in, they follow me there, lie down, and soon are fast asleep. I like to think it's because they love and trust me, and feel safe with me. But I'm not completely naïve…I know that a dog is loyal to the one who supplies its food!
When their routine is interrupted by a trip to the vet or the groomer, it makes them nervous, but still they follow me, trusting. And when the detestable experience is over, do they turn up their noses and say, "I can't believe you would do this to me. I'm not about to go home with YOU!" ? No, they run to me joyfully, ready to go with me, glad to be with me.
I see in my pets a picture of how God wants me to be. He wants me to follow Him in what He is doing, and be at perfect peace and rest in that place. I don't get to do nothing, like my dogs, but still I'm to be perfectly relaxed and calm because my trust is in Him, I love Him, I depend on Him. He is my provider, my keeper, my loving Master.
I realize that this may seem naïve and simplistic. As a human being, I have many responsibilities and activities in my life that dogs don't have to worry about---"stress factors." But I am instructed by the Word, over and over, to lay every bit of that in the Father's hands, and not worry or fret. I should have complete trust that He is in control and will take care of me…and in that I'm to rest.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6, 7
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
God's Design
As I drove toward the west one evening to meet some friends for dinner, I was heading into a beautiful sunset. The pattern the clouds made against a sky of hot pink, gold, and purple was so lovely and satisfying. Then I noticed the jet paths that cut across that beautiful design and reflected, That is just how man is—we always mess up God’s stuff!
Then I observed how the edges of the jet paths were being blurred by the wind until they began to merge with the clouds and form a part of the pattern, becoming indistinguishable from the original. And I thought, That’s just how God is. He takes our mistakes, our mess-ups, our defiant marks cutting across His design, and works with them patiently until they become intricately interwoven into that design, not destroying it, but enhancing it.
Thank you, Father, for continually turning the ugly into the beautiful, despair into hope, grief into joy, disappointment into triumph. You design, paint, and sculpt tirelessly, working toward the desired result. Help us submit willingly and gracefully to the work of your hands, rejoicing in this creative process.
"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work
in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus…for it is God who is
at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."
--- Philippians 1:6 & 2:13
As I drove toward the west one evening to meet some friends for dinner, I was heading into a beautiful sunset. The pattern the clouds made against a sky of hot pink, gold, and purple was so lovely and satisfying. Then I noticed the jet paths that cut across that beautiful design and reflected, That is just how man is—we always mess up God’s stuff!
Then I observed how the edges of the jet paths were being blurred by the wind until they began to merge with the clouds and form a part of the pattern, becoming indistinguishable from the original. And I thought, That’s just how God is. He takes our mistakes, our mess-ups, our defiant marks cutting across His design, and works with them patiently until they become intricately interwoven into that design, not destroying it, but enhancing it.
Thank you, Father, for continually turning the ugly into the beautiful, despair into hope, grief into joy, disappointment into triumph. You design, paint, and sculpt tirelessly, working toward the desired result. Help us submit willingly and gracefully to the work of your hands, rejoicing in this creative process.
"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work
in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus…for it is God who is
at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."
--- Philippians 1:6 & 2:13
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
It's been a while since I decided to do this. I got sidetracked. To be honest, I couldn't remember how to get back here!
It's often been said that growing old is not for sissies, and I'd like to testify to the truth of that. It's hard to look in the mirror and see an elderly person when you still feel like a young girl in your heart. My sister and I were discussing yesterday how our memories constantly fail us. Many people my age are struggling with health issues and worrying about how they will survive when they can no longer work. As we find ourselves nearer to death, doubts may assail us.
And though we are older and have the gray hair that the Bible says should indicate wisdom, we still find it hard to escape the influences of our youth that were not particularly good. The words said that hurt us and caused us to feel unloved, the lies the enemy told us about ourselves and continues to tell... we can fall back into those old belief systems and let them control us. We may focus upon our failures, instead of focusing on the fact that God loves us with an everlasting love, His mercies are new every morning, His compassion never fails, and His faithfulness is great beyond our comprehension.
My prayer today for myself and my precious ones, and all who may happen to read this: Father, remind us of your unfailing love, teach us to reject the lies of the enemy, and thwart every scheme of his against us. We put our trust in You today and ask You to cleanse our minds of the old, false beliefs, and renew our minds through Your word and by Your Spirit. You are faithful.
Amen.
It's often been said that growing old is not for sissies, and I'd like to testify to the truth of that. It's hard to look in the mirror and see an elderly person when you still feel like a young girl in your heart. My sister and I were discussing yesterday how our memories constantly fail us. Many people my age are struggling with health issues and worrying about how they will survive when they can no longer work. As we find ourselves nearer to death, doubts may assail us.
And though we are older and have the gray hair that the Bible says should indicate wisdom, we still find it hard to escape the influences of our youth that were not particularly good. The words said that hurt us and caused us to feel unloved, the lies the enemy told us about ourselves and continues to tell... we can fall back into those old belief systems and let them control us. We may focus upon our failures, instead of focusing on the fact that God loves us with an everlasting love, His mercies are new every morning, His compassion never fails, and His faithfulness is great beyond our comprehension.
My prayer today for myself and my precious ones, and all who may happen to read this: Father, remind us of your unfailing love, teach us to reject the lies of the enemy, and thwart every scheme of his against us. We put our trust in You today and ask You to cleanse our minds of the old, false beliefs, and renew our minds through Your word and by Your Spirit. You are faithful.
Amen.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
What this blog is about
Some years ago, I used to email a few friends from time to time with "snippets" from my prayer journal that I hoped might be encouraging to them. This blog will be a vehicle for sharing those thoughts. Stay tuned.
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