​From Saturday May 28, 2016
But I am OK!
Romans 12:15
Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.

Today I am both happy & weepy. Our oldest, Abby, graduates high school today! We have homeschooled her since Kindergarten, and today I just can’t fathom that it’s all over. I am so happy for her, happy about the woman she is becoming, happy to have been her teacher all these years, happy to be her mom, and happy to have her as my close friend. I am also so sad to close this chapter; I don’t want it to be over. Just a little more time would be nice, but there is no more time; she’s all done. My heart is so complex since I can be so sad about something I am so happy about!

Only God can mix my sorrow with joy, fear with faith, and depression with hope. Without his Holy Spirit I would only have the sorrow, fear and depression. But God sustains my human emotions with his grace, and I am so glad!

The Apostle Paul describes the Renewed Sprit only God provides...
We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair... We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed... That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. (See 2 Corinthians 4:8-16) 

And Isaiah describes the New Strength God gives to those who love & trust him...
He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless... But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. (See Isaiah 40:29-31)

Rejoice with me; my baby has graduated! Cry a little with me too; my baby has graduated.

I am a mixture of emotions, but I am OK!

And here are more assurances from Scripture of God’s power over my emotions...
*Psalm 34:18 God saves my spirit from being crushed, so don’t worry about that crushed feeling that creeps in sometimes.
*Matthew 11:28 He gives me rest from what worries me.
*1 Peter 5:7 Tell God what I have anxiety over; he cares about every bit of it.
*Isaiah 41:10 God promises to be with me, strengthen me, and help me. 

Dear God,
Thank you for making me OK! Thank you that I never have to be overwhelmed with sadness, depression or fear! Thank you for mixing these natural emotions with joy, faith, and hope. I am more excited about Abby’s future than worried because I trust you, and you are completely trustworthy! Thank you for giving us these years with such a beautiful, talented, and wonderful young lady! Bless her next steps, and may she always trust you and love you and follow you all the days of her life. Thank you! Thank you for Abby; in Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

​27 May 2016
The Good News of Jesus
Acts 20:24
But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

Spreading the Good News of Jesus takes work and should be treated by all Believers as our job. Unfortunately, lots of people think that talking about Jesus is something only people employed by a church do. They don’t take it on personally. Mormons and JW’s are required to take it on personally, so for a portion of their lives (Mormons) or day (JW’s) regular ol’ people are mandated to share their faith with strangers.

But Believers are compelled to share their faith because of the love of Christ. We are not compelled to share out of fear of being ousted from a religious organization. For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.  And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

Jesus died and was raised again for our sakes and for everyone sakes. That’s what we need to share as often and with as much enthusiasm as Mormons, JW’s, Global Warmers, and Vegans share their beliefs.

If I work at a job, go on a vacation, shop at the mall, or take some classes, I should use all of these occasions as vehicles for sharing my faith because it is my job (see 2 Corinthians 5:20) to make sure others know the Good News of Jesus.

And the Good News is this:
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. (John 3:16-18)

The first part of this passage about eternal life is familiar and fulfilling, but the end is where the Good News is. No one is perfect; EVERYONE stands condemned before God because of sin (and if one doesn’t believe they sin they are totally delusional). BUT! Whoever believes in Jesus is NOT condemned anymore. That’s it! And that is really Good News! Eternal Life and Acceptance! And the reality of this amazing love & grace compels us to share with those who don’t know or don’t care.

BTW, to all the un-believers, atheists, and all other groups who don’t like hearing us talk about Jesus... How much would we HATE you if we didn’t share Jesus with you? I would certainly try and pull you out of a burning building too out of the same concern and compassion.

Dear God,
I pray once again for our unsaved family and friends who are indifferent, and some hostile, towards your Good News. Please open their hearts even as I pray for them now to think about you, eternity, and your Son’s love today. Help me be faithful to share Jesus in big and small ways so that someone else’s unsaved loved ones would have something to think about today too. I love you and thank you for your wonderful grace, and I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

25 May 2016
Count to 10
James 1:19
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.

It’s helpful that James tells us to “understand this” progression of behaviors. If we do the opposite and say the first thing that flies into our heads without listening, we’ll get mad. “Quick to listen” means do that the most and do it first. Then, we’d naturally be “slow to speak” if we’re listening first.

But I like to talk. I talk so much I’ve become an interrupter. Listening does require a lot of waiting, and I don’t like waiting as much as I like talking. And anger just kind of happens, doesn’t it? You either are or you aren’t. How is it possible to slow down something that is happening to you on the inside? Count to 10?

Yes. Count to 10 for listening, speaking, and angering. Making a personal policy of letting someone finish what they’re saying, including my 9 year old, and taking a few seconds to absorb it would make me a “quick” listener. Carefully considering something I’m getting ready to say for about 10 seconds before I say it might actually keep a lot of accidental and regrettable things from ever being said. And everyone knows to count ten to calm down.

Here’s why I do NOT want to progress towards anger. “Human anger doesn’t produce the righteousness God desires.” (See James 1:20) My anger doesn’t do any good; it will not accomplish anything. It will neither be helpful nor understood.  

God isn’t mad at me (Romans 2:5); he is listening to my prayers (Proverbs 15:29) and my frustrations as well, and he will tell me what to do about them (Psalm 16:7). Can’t I imitate him today by carefully listening, speaking helpful words and not getting mad at broken and imperfect people just like me?

Dear God,
Help me to be a good listener, to be a patient speaker, and to be a person who counts 10 and doesn’t blow up all the time. Help me to point my kids towards you not only by what I say to them but entirely by what I do. Help me to just be quieter in every way, pay attention, and keep my opinions to myself. Help me promote peace in these three ways today. I love you and thank you that you listen to me, you speak helpful words to me and you’re not mad at me. And I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

​19 March 2016
Educated or Wise
James 3:17
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. 

Real wisdom doesn’t hurt anybody. We have Supreme Court Justices who are supposed to be wise, right? But actually, they are just highly educated; there’s a big difference. They were in school for a long time and practiced law for a long time and have memorized many things, but collectively they make decisions that are unconstitutional, and now we have a country that is run by their interpretation of the US Constitution instead of being able to enjoy the freedoms the Constitution provides. 

God’s Word provides lots of freedom for Believers – freedoms we enjoy because of Jesus. But, I need to personally know what that is not someone else’s interpretation of it. God’s Word actually isn’t full of a bunch of you can’t do this, and you better not do that... God’s Word is actually a bunch of you don’t have to be like that anymore, and you don’t have to do that anymore... 

God’s will for me is actually very freeing. And the result is a change in who I am and what I desire to do. The result is peace in my heart, gentleness in my opinion of others, not vying for position anymore, not holding grudges and doing things that make God happy. These are good things and not a result of attending the finest universities in the world. It is wisdom God provides to all who look for it.

James 1:5
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

Proverbs 4:7
Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do!

Dear God,
Thank you that plain, ol’, ordinary me gets wisdom – real wisdom. Thank you for showing me real right and real wrong. Thank you that the way you operate is so good for my heart and harms no one. Thank you for your Son, Jesus, who make me free in every way. I love you so much and pray in his name, amen.
   

​9 May 2016
Simple.
Romans 8:1-2
So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.

There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus, but there is for those who don’t. Simple. The only difference between me and my unbelieving neighbor is that God is not holding my sins against me anymore simply because I took God up on his offer of reconciliation and forgiveness by believing in his Son, Jesus, whom he sent for this very purpose.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19
And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.  For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them.

People who reject Jesus are rejecting God’s forgiveness. Additionally, they are storing up wrath for themselves. They think because a lightening bolt hasn’t struck them down that God is ok with how they live their lives. But this is what’s really going on according to Romans 2...

But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed... But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil (v.5-9).

But God’s wrath is not for the ones who have been reconciled to him through Jesus. The day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life (v.16) whether people acknowledge this truth or not is immaterial. That day is coming for sure. And I don’t mind the judgement as much as I would certainly mind the wrath!

Dear God,
Thank you so much that I am not subject to your wrath because you have already forgiven me and given me the opportunity to live to please you through your Son, Jesus. I love you and thank you and pray for my unsaved loved ones to take you up on your great good offer and not be subject to wrath anymore. And I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

​4 May 2016
It’s not David’s fault that God is so merciful!
2 Chronicles 7:14
"Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land."

I am one of God’s people. He made me part of his family the moment I believed in his Son, Jesus (see Romans 3:22). So, our relationship is based on his structure not mine. I wouldn’t call myself a wicked person per se, since, because of Jesus, God is not holding my sins against me. But I do have unkind thoughts, thoughtless words and actions, temper flares and impatience pop out here and there, and those things certainly are not godly; they are wicked. I must recognize this daily, humble myself daily, ask forgiveness daily, pray daily, and seek God’s will for me by not pursuing things categorized as "wicked ways." This verse is for me; I love that God to hears me, forgives me and restores me. It’s so good.

Turn from their wicked ways reminds me of King David. That guy was a murdering, adulterous, lying sinner of a man if there ever was one. Why did God preserve all his songs and poems for us? David did horrible things. But he didn’t harden his heart against God after every sinful endeavor as most people tend to do. He humbled himself each time and asked God’s forgiveness. Asking forgiveness is a very humbling thing to do especially for a good looking hero-king like David.

So we see that God does hear from heaven and forgive just like he promises. And from David’s case, we see that God is willing to do this more than once, more than twice, more than a whole bunch of times. David enjoyed a close and personal relationship with God and still does to this day even though he really doesn’t deserve it by his deeds. But like my husband says, “It’s not David’s fault that God is so merciful!” David’s relationship with God is based on who God is and how HE operates.

And that’s why Believers humble ourselves daily, ask forgiveness daily, pray daily, and seek God’s will daily because we certainly do find God’s mercy especially when we need it most!

"So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most."  (Hebrews 4:16)

Dear God,
I thank you so much that your mercy and grace is unlimited. I would be so utterly desperate if there were limits or qualifications for it. But you show time and time again in your Word that you forgive and you restore anyone who turns and humbles themselves. So I thank you for the many opportunities you have done this for me. Thank you so much for the relief I have simply because of who you are and how you operate. I love you so much and I just can’t thank you enough. And I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

3 May 2016
Showers are for Singing
Romans 12:12
Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.

This scripture reminds me of another passage... Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17)

These are handy, compact reminders for moment by moment living in a relationship with the One, True, Living God. There are similar lists in the New Testament, and the common component is always prayer.

However it is stated, Keep on praying or Never stop praying, the idea is simple, I need to pray a lot. A long, stream of consciousness prayer in the shower followed by a panic prayer of dread in the car on the way to work is not what should make up the bulk of a Believer’s prayer life.

One sided dialogues are not prayers. I don’t think God minds them because he knows we are weak and doesn’t hold that against us (see 2 Corinthians 12:9). But, effective prayer is talking, thanking, repeating God’s promises, asking questions, and listening for answers. Prayer is ongoing all day as I simply include God in what’s going on in my day and how my heart is reacting to it. And in addition to this freestyle form, prayer also has a structured element as I need to set aside time to pray for other people...

Matthew 5:44 Pray for enemies
1 Timothy 2:2 Pray for leaders
Ephesians 6:19 Pray for those who share the gospel
James 5:16 Pray for other Believers

It’s ok to write down verses and make lists of people and read it back to God with your eyes open instead of closed and with your hand holding a pen instead of resting in the traditional folded position. Prayer is a meeting between God an me. And some meetings require paper & pens, some require morning walks, and some require sore knees. Meetings in the shower don’t really cut it. Showers are for singing.

Dear God,
I like meeting with you today. Thank you for Bible verses, worship music, journals, pens, and coffee. Thank you for good rest last night, and help me to be patient and kind today. Thank you for my family and give Rob a great day at work today. Thank you for providing for us and loving us, and thank you for interacting with me through prayer. I love you and thank you and pray in Jesus’ name, amen.