I am a homebody. My favorite days are the ones when I can stay home and do something without feeling rushed. I prefer most of my adventure to happen between the pages of a book. And I like the pace of fewer places to go, fewer things to do, and fewer people to see. But that is not my life right now. I feel like I'm constantly running. Running to the store for that something I forgot. Running errands. Running to drop a child off here and pick another up there. Running from the washer and dryer to the couch and back again. Running. Running. Running.
And I get really weary. All I want to do is put on stretchy pants and catch up on the laundry. Or mop the floors and wash down a filthy wall. Or start a new project. Or put a dent in the pile of books my Crew have asked me to read. Or write down some of the words dancing through my head. But instead I spend a ridiculous chunk of day in the car. As I was thinking about this the other day, I realized that 1) God is at work to wear away my idols, and 2) He has the strength I need to get through these interminable days. As I thought about His strength, these verses came to mind.
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Siren's Call
When I was little I loved mermaids. I was so excited that Disney's "The Little Mermaid" released near my birthday and I got to watch it in the theater. Just a few years after my introduction to mermaids, I began to delve into Greek and Roman mythology where I met the sirens. Still beautiful and mysterious, but drastically more dangerous. In fact, according to the myths, sirens are beautiful precisely for the purpose of luring seamen to their deaths. The only escape was to plug your ears so you couldn't hear, or to be completely tied down.
I've been thinking a lot about temptation lately. (Probably because one of my current memory verses is about temptation.) And I've come to the conclusion that I am terribly weak. I hear the siren's call of sin and seem nearly powerless to resist. But it is so frustrating when I give in because part of me believes that to embrace sin is death! To seek my comfort and pleasure apart from God is sin and leads to death. And still I listen. And for a while I believe that what I need most is not a relationship with the God who made me and loves me, but some other tiny thing. Dear Christian, when sin begins to sing you its tantalizing song, plug your ears and row with all your strength towards the Savior!
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13
I've been thinking a lot about temptation lately. (Probably because one of my current memory verses is about temptation.) And I've come to the conclusion that I am terribly weak. I hear the siren's call of sin and seem nearly powerless to resist. But it is so frustrating when I give in because part of me believes that to embrace sin is death! To seek my comfort and pleasure apart from God is sin and leads to death. And still I listen. And for a while I believe that what I need most is not a relationship with the God who made me and loves me, but some other tiny thing. Dear Christian, when sin begins to sing you its tantalizing song, plug your ears and row with all your strength towards the Savior!
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13
Monday, February 15, 2016
No rest for the weary...
I've been told by a number of older moms that our family is in its busiest season right now. Each of the Crew has their own interests and activities in which they are involved. We are working to encourage them in some of these things while working to maintain our involvement with our church and other responsibilities. All the going required for the Crew's activities means that I am at home much less than I'd prefer. It also feels like I'm always working.
I was in the middle of a draining task one evening recently, and mentally checking the list of things I still had to do that day, when the phrase "no rest for the weary" popped into my head. Following immediately on its heels was this passage:
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30
As I chewed on these precious verses, I felt refreshed. I feel like I'm always working, and I often feel weighed down by the responsibilities and struggles in my life and the lives of those I love. And here I am offered rest. But while I need physical rest, an even greater rest is promised. Rest for my soul. Perhaps you've heard that our hearts have a "God-shaped hole", a need that only our Creator can fill. But we strive to fill it with all kinds of other things. And we are left emptier for our striving. Through Christ, in Christ, we have peace with God-- which is rest for our souls.
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:1-3
I was in the middle of a draining task one evening recently, and mentally checking the list of things I still had to do that day, when the phrase "no rest for the weary" popped into my head. Following immediately on its heels was this passage:
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30
As I chewed on these precious verses, I felt refreshed. I feel like I'm always working, and I often feel weighed down by the responsibilities and struggles in my life and the lives of those I love. And here I am offered rest. But while I need physical rest, an even greater rest is promised. Rest for my soul. Perhaps you've heard that our hearts have a "God-shaped hole", a need that only our Creator can fill. But we strive to fill it with all kinds of other things. And we are left emptier for our striving. Through Christ, in Christ, we have peace with God-- which is rest for our souls.
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:1-3
Saturday, December 19, 2015
Carefully Formed
My grandparents are old. Perhaps "aged" is a better term, as "old" is overused and abused. After all, when each successive generation calls the ones before it "old", the term becomes diluted at the least. So, my grandparents are aged. All three are in their seventies. They have lived full lives. They've seen children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren grow. They've seen changes in technology that they perhaps wouldn't have ever dreamed possible. They have endured hard times. They have celebrated milestones. And now the years hang heavy in laugh and frown lines, in hair that is not as dark and thick as it once was, in muscles that can't carry the load they once did, and bones that have grown weak and thin.
I was thinking this morning about the inevitability of death, and the grief of losing those you love, and I was reminded of this verse.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
Psalm 139:16
As I chewed on that verse, I was extremely comforted.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance... I thought about that first moment, the moment when the egg is fertilized and a new life begins. You were seen before your mother knew she was pregnant! I was known. My parents and grandparents were known.
...in your book were written... Books record and preserve information. It's not as though God needed to write things down so He wouldn't forget. It speaks more to the certainty of what is written. Most of the time, once something is written it is preserved as long as the page survives.
...every one of them... Again we're faced with the certainty of what is written. As a believer, it comforts my soul to know that each of my days and moments is certain. From what happens in a day to exactly how many of them there will be. And that certainty and comfort apply when I think about my friends and family who also hope in Christ. So, while it is painful to see my grandparents aging, I know that this day was written for them long before they were born.
...the days that were formed for me... In the flow of this verse we now have a contrast between "unformed substance" and "days that were formed". Forming doesn't happen by chance. It expresses a deliberate and careful attention to the way a day will go. When God wrote my days in His book, He carefully formed each one.
...when as yet there was none of them. This takes us back to the top, and it blows my mind. How can God see and know me when I don't even exist? And yet this verse says that not only did He know and see me, but He had already carefully formed each of my days. What a comfort!
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
I was thinking this morning about the inevitability of death, and the grief of losing those you love, and I was reminded of this verse.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
Psalm 139:16
As I chewed on that verse, I was extremely comforted.
Your eyes saw my unformed substance... I thought about that first moment, the moment when the egg is fertilized and a new life begins. You were seen before your mother knew she was pregnant! I was known. My parents and grandparents were known.
...in your book were written... Books record and preserve information. It's not as though God needed to write things down so He wouldn't forget. It speaks more to the certainty of what is written. Most of the time, once something is written it is preserved as long as the page survives.
...every one of them... Again we're faced with the certainty of what is written. As a believer, it comforts my soul to know that each of my days and moments is certain. From what happens in a day to exactly how many of them there will be. And that certainty and comfort apply when I think about my friends and family who also hope in Christ. So, while it is painful to see my grandparents aging, I know that this day was written for them long before they were born.
...the days that were formed for me... In the flow of this verse we now have a contrast between "unformed substance" and "days that were formed". Forming doesn't happen by chance. It expresses a deliberate and careful attention to the way a day will go. When God wrote my days in His book, He carefully formed each one.
...when as yet there was none of them. This takes us back to the top, and it blows my mind. How can God see and know me when I don't even exist? And yet this verse says that not only did He know and see me, but He had already carefully formed each of my days. What a comfort!
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Happy Snowmen
I love snowmen. I got my first snowman decoration when I was ten, but in the Rocky Mountains snow and snowmen aren't much of a novelty. By late high school my family had moved twice, and in both locations snow was a rarity-- and I MISSED IT! So as a young adult I began to collect snowmen in earnest. I have figurines, sun catchers, candles, chalkboards, dishes, Christmas ornaments, jewelry, clothing, and more all featuring snowmen.
I have two different sets of snowman dishes, along with sundry pieces that don't match. Because my Crew do the dishes, and they're kids, something snowman gets broken almost every year. Invariably, whoever did the breaking is distraught, and sometimes in tears. As a young mom I was very volatile. I had not yet learned to control my temper, and I yelled a lot, especially when things got broken. But at this point, I think they are upset because they know that my snowmen make me happy. And it makes them sad when I am unhappy.
I've been trying to bring my snowmen out of hibernation for a few weeks now, and I've been thinking about what may get broken this year. And I began to wonder, how much do I know about what makes my Father happy? And does it make me sad to do what displeases Him because I love Him? Dear Christian, our Father has told us what pleases Him. He has shown us His love by sending Jesus to live and die in our place. So live to please Him!
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:1-2
I have two different sets of snowman dishes, along with sundry pieces that don't match. Because my Crew do the dishes, and they're kids, something snowman gets broken almost every year. Invariably, whoever did the breaking is distraught, and sometimes in tears. As a young mom I was very volatile. I had not yet learned to control my temper, and I yelled a lot, especially when things got broken. But at this point, I think they are upset because they know that my snowmen make me happy. And it makes them sad when I am unhappy.
I've been trying to bring my snowmen out of hibernation for a few weeks now, and I've been thinking about what may get broken this year. And I began to wonder, how much do I know about what makes my Father happy? And does it make me sad to do what displeases Him because I love Him? Dear Christian, our Father has told us what pleases Him. He has shown us His love by sending Jesus to live and die in our place. So live to please Him!
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
Micah 6:8
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:1-2
Sunday, November 29, 2015
Who lives here?
When Goldilocks enters the house of the three bears, we learn a little bit about those bears. We learn that Papa Bear likes his porridge hot and his chair and bed hard. We learn that Mama Bear likes her porridge quite cool and her chair and bed very soft. And we learn that Baby Bear likes things much the same as Goldilocks.
I've been in the homes of several friends the past week or so, and I started thinking about how their homes reflect their personalities, and the dynamics of their families. One friend has very clean lines and neutral colors, and very little ones. Another likes bolder colors and patterns, and has medium-sized kids. And I thought about my house. My style (if you can call it that) is really more hodge-podge. There is very little continuity-- except when my snowmen come out of hibernation! And honestly, most of the time it looks like a tornado tore through (which may not be far from the truth!) For a minute I wished that my home looked more like my friends', a little more order, a little more continuity. But then I thought that I probably wouldn't like that look for long.
And then I pondered the whole reflection thing. The Bible says that when we trust in Christ for salvation, the Holy Spirit comes to live in us. We are told that God is just and true and beautiful and kind and holy. If a dwelling place reflects its occupant, then Christians should begin to display more and more of these characteristics. Dear Christian, are you reflecting the Spirit who lives in you?
And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Ephesians 2:17-22
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:4-5
I've been in the homes of several friends the past week or so, and I started thinking about how their homes reflect their personalities, and the dynamics of their families. One friend has very clean lines and neutral colors, and very little ones. Another likes bolder colors and patterns, and has medium-sized kids. And I thought about my house. My style (if you can call it that) is really more hodge-podge. There is very little continuity-- except when my snowmen come out of hibernation! And honestly, most of the time it looks like a tornado tore through (which may not be far from the truth!) For a minute I wished that my home looked more like my friends', a little more order, a little more continuity. But then I thought that I probably wouldn't like that look for long.
And then I pondered the whole reflection thing. The Bible says that when we trust in Christ for salvation, the Holy Spirit comes to live in us. We are told that God is just and true and beautiful and kind and holy. If a dwelling place reflects its occupant, then Christians should begin to display more and more of these characteristics. Dear Christian, are you reflecting the Spirit who lives in you?
And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.
Ephesians 2:17-22
As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:4-5
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Follow the Strands
I was privileged to meet many of my great-grandparents. Some seemed vibrant, almost as young as their children-- my grandparents. Others seemed more like the stereotypical crotchety old people. And while I didn't particularly enjoy visiting the "crotchety" ones, there were things about their houses that I did enjoy. One of my great-grandmas made exquisite quilts. She pieced some, and bought printed tops that she then hand quilted for others. Her garage had a MASSIVE hanging quilting rack, always with a new work in progress. I guess in my mind she was the quilt lady. My favorite thing about visiting her was tracing the patterns and shapes and colors in the many quilts at her house. I loved counting shapes delicately stitched again and again. I loved following the "paths" around the corners and curves. And I loved watching the interplay of colors and patterns as they raced over the edge of the bed.
Yesterday I was thinking about a verse that I've recently taped on my mirror. And I began to follow the strands through Scripture.
This God-- his way is perfect, the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him... You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great
Psalm 18:30, 35
The words shield and salvation jumped out at me. And I was reminded of the passage in Ephesians about the armor of God.
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
Ephesians 6:16-17
I thought about how both a helmet and a shield protect, or guard, your body. My mind then skipped to Philippians.
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
I slowed down to chew on verse seven. I wondered how the peace of God would guard my heart and mind. I thought of Romans where it says that we have peace WITH God.
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1
And I thought perhaps that is the driving force behind the peace that surpasses understanding. Perhaps we have peace in the difficulties of life precisely because we know that we already have peace WITH God.
At that point I'd exhausted my memory, so I pulled out my Bible app and searched "peace of God". I was surprised when my search showed that that phrase doesn't occur in the Old Testament. And it only occurs once in the New Testament. At least in the English translation. What does occur frequently in the New Testament is the phrase "God of peace". So perhaps another reason we have peace in the midst of difficulty is because we worship the God of peace, and little by little we are becoming more like Him.
Friend, much like the repeated patterns and threads in my grandmother's quilts, the Bible has strands of similarity woven throughout. God has revealed Himself to us so that we may know and worship Him. We just have to believe, and follow the strands.
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:23
Yesterday I was thinking about a verse that I've recently taped on my mirror. And I began to follow the strands through Scripture.
This God-- his way is perfect, the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him... You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great
Psalm 18:30, 35
The words shield and salvation jumped out at me. And I was reminded of the passage in Ephesians about the armor of God.
In all circumstances take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
Ephesians 6:16-17
I thought about how both a helmet and a shield protect, or guard, your body. My mind then skipped to Philippians.
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
I slowed down to chew on verse seven. I wondered how the peace of God would guard my heart and mind. I thought of Romans where it says that we have peace WITH God.
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1
And I thought perhaps that is the driving force behind the peace that surpasses understanding. Perhaps we have peace in the difficulties of life precisely because we know that we already have peace WITH God.
At that point I'd exhausted my memory, so I pulled out my Bible app and searched "peace of God". I was surprised when my search showed that that phrase doesn't occur in the Old Testament. And it only occurs once in the New Testament. At least in the English translation. What does occur frequently in the New Testament is the phrase "God of peace". So perhaps another reason we have peace in the midst of difficulty is because we worship the God of peace, and little by little we are becoming more like Him.
Friend, much like the repeated patterns and threads in my grandmother's quilts, the Bible has strands of similarity woven throughout. God has revealed Himself to us so that we may know and worship Him. We just have to believe, and follow the strands.
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:23
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