Bob's Habit

A missionary friend of ours is in heaven now. One of the chosen habits of Bob Boardman is a good example, and a call, to all followers of Christ.

Bob was a Marine for four years during WWII. During these years, his life radically changed when he “moved from being a dog-tag Christian to becoming a true believer and follower of the Living God.”
God used several things to reach Bob, who had never read the Bible before, and who was not necessarily interested either. He was a hot-headed, worldly young Marine who had chosen a fist fight with an Aussie and ended up smashing his hand through a window.

During his recovery from surgery, God began to humble and convict Bob of his sin. Bob also took out the New Testament that the Red Cross had given him, and he starting reading it. He read it for three months. God kept revealing Himself and working in Bob, and at the end of those three months, Bob accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior.

In combat, God also spared Bob’s life. He was shot through the throat by a Japanese bullet, which also destroyed his larynx. After several surgeries, Bob recovered and had to talk with a husky whisper voice for the rest of his life.

Fast forward a few years. Bob kept up with his chosen habit. God also sent Bob and his new wife Jean somewhere no one would have expected – as missionaries back to Japan, the land of his enemy. They faithfully brought the Japanese people the Gospel of Jesus Christ for a few decades.

You may have guessed by now the habit that Bob chose. During the last year of Bob’s life when he was in his 80s, he wrote, “Through my motley career as a Christian servant and since I began to keep records in the early 1960s, I have read the Old Testament 55 times and the New Testament 120 times. Perhaps I am boasting, but only to let you know that I could not successfully overcome the ravages of this world system without the spiritual power of God’s written Word. Let His powerful Word be praised!”

How about you? Are you reading through the Old Testament? The New Testament? Regularly? There is no substitute if we want to know the Lord our God and His spiritual power to overcome.

The Fire

About 3 months ago, I walked out on our back deck and saw a huge fire coming down the mountainside towards our house. I was absolutely stunned. And panicked.

I ran around the house and grabbed some essentials in less than 30 minutes. While I packed them into the car, choking smoke filled our garage. A mammoth cloud of black smoke had suddenly descended on our neighborhood. When I tried to drive out to safety, our whole neighborhood was in a massive traffic jam as everyone tried to flee.

The smoke made it harder to breathe, and harder to see. My adrenaline was pumping and I was terrified. During those frantic moments, I thought, "This may be what the end of the world will look like." The mass of smoke had blocked the sun and turned it an eerie dark orange.

A little later I thought, "Life is short." Everything can be gone in an instant.

Thankfully, our house is okay. Going through all of this was emotionally and physically exhausting for several weeks. I had done a voluntary evacuation as well, before the fire crested the mountain and I had to flee. After that, I had another 4 days of mandatory evacuation. During all of this, my husband was also out of the country on a missions trip.

The ordeal made me reflect on "What am I living for?" Life is short. James 4:14 says, "You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away."

What are you living for? Are you living like you will truly give an account to God one day? Are you living for the things that matter to Him and for His Kingdom? Only 3 things are eternal and will last forever - God, His Word, and people.  

Blue Angel Undies

Last week I talked with a Navy wife. I’ll call her Julie. We were watching the elite Air Force Thunderbirds practice their incredible aerial maneuvers for the Academy’s upcoming graduation. It was awesome!

After some small talk, Julie told me about a friend whose Navy husband also became an elite pilot with the Navy’s Blue Angels. And not just an elite pilot, but the lead pilot!  

A stellar achievement certainly, but Julie added that it also took its toll on her friend’s family. Qualifying to become a Blue Angel pilot took time and family sacrifice. In addition, the Blue Angels and their families are treated like royalty everywhere they go. Sounds awesome, but it grew old for them.

Then Julie said it. “You know, my friend told me that her husband wears Blue Angel underwear too!”

Initially I laughed. Then I thought “Oh no!” because I immediately understood the downside. Too many of those in the Navy or other military service branches take on their job or position as their whole identity or persona—right down to their undies. They can bring their job as pilot or their position as Colonel into their home and relate to their wife that way. Or to their children. Or to their friends.

But is that what God wants? Hardly.

Sadly, this Blue Angel pilot and his wife eventually divorced. A huge factor likely was his inability to separate his personal identity from his position.

It’s easy to do. I have at times. But beware—it can easily inflame our pride and cause multiple problems. Big ones.

Have you witnessed this with some men and women in ministry positions? I have. Though these “leaders” may even accomplish much, the fruit of the Holy Spirit is often absent.

Second Corinthians 5:17 reminds us that we who are born again are new creations in Christ! Therefore, our identity is now first and foremost in Christ. We are His—forgiven, cleansed, redeemed, and sealed in Christ with eternal life!

As we are secure in Christ, and humbly bow our knee to Him, our “position” or job is simply that, a position or a job. Then we are free to get rid of our "Blue Angel undies" and truly serve and bless others.

The Lure of Boasting

Tyler had a major part in planning, recruiting and putting on a 5-day seminar in Atlanta for a Christian organization. In his summary report afterwards, Tyler mentioned that he had taught at the seminar. A friend of mine who attended the seminar told me that Tyler did fine giving some announcements to the whole group. However, Tyler never taught.

Beware of taking credit for something that is not true. It is quite tempting because we want to look good, sound good, or seem important or impressive. I wonder if perhaps Tyler liked the spotlight a little too much.

I remember a conversation with a colleague, Trina. I told Trina about an idea I had. A few minutes later, as I walked by, I overheard Trina tell Eric about an “idea she had.” Only it was my idea she was talking about! Trina led Eric to believe it was her idea.

Beware of the lure of boasting, of taking undue credit, misrepresenting or maneuvering something to look better, sound better, or impress. At the core, it lacks integrity and it is pride. First Peter 5:5 tells us that God opposes the proud.  

Jeremiah 9:23-24 says, “Thus says the LORD, ‘Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,’ declares the LORD.”

Have you perhaps taken undue credit or boasted somehow? Then be quick to confess.

The beauty and wonder of our God is that He also gives grace to the humble.

Take a Step and Initiate

Recently, I was on a plane flying back home. Christy sat beside me.

I said hello and initiated small talk. Where are you from? Where are you headed? Is it a business trip or for pleasure? Christy shared freely.

Talking while in a plane is not easy for me because I get motion sickness. Being sleepy from taking Dramamine does not help either. As I was silently reflecting on Jesus and what He has done for me, I kept wondering where Christy might be spiritually. Has she heard about the good news of Christ?

So, I took another step after our brief conversation had died down. I asked her more about her life. About her current dating relationship she had mentioned. I genuinely wanted to know and was curious how she got where she was in life and in her dating relationship. Christy responded and opened up. 

Christy mentioned she went to a mainline church. I knew that that particular church taught a view of "earning" heaven that was contrary to what Scripture taught.

I also silently prayed, "Lord, I'd like to tell Christy about how to know You personally, about your Gospel. Please help me. Open her heart." 

In our discussion, I had mentioned that in dating relationships, I think it's important to share the same core values and why. Faith is one of those core values. Christy agreed. Spring-boarding from that, I briefly told Christy about how I came to put my faith and trust in Jesus Christ.

The plane began its descent and I wanted Christy to know how do to that too if she wanted. So I shared the Gospel and how God has solved our sin problem through Jesus Christ and what He did. However, we must personally receive that gift. We genuinely confess we are a sinner and personally ask Jesus Christ to come into our life, repenting of our sin and giving Him full control. And God will make us new and give us everlasting life!

It was a privilege to tell Christy what the Bible says about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and letting Him be our sin-bearer.

Yet, would Christy have initiated with me had I not initiated with her? I doubt it.

Jesus wants us to initiate with others for Him. It often starts with simply taking a step and initiating with someone.

Sarah and Submission

Like most wives, the word “submission” is not something I usually want to hear. Or do.

Submitting to my husband is not natural in my innate sinful self.

However, if we balk at submitting to our husbands when we should submit, we dishonor our Savior. Our sinful disobedience can also tragically thwart God's purposes and all He wants to accomplish.

Consider Sarah, the wife of our great patriarch of the faith, Abraham. 

What would have happened if Sarah had said “No” to Abraham when he said God had called them to leave their country and move to a new land that He would show them?

Sarah could have protested:

“But I don’t want to leave my family and friends.”   

“I don’t like change and I don’t want to move.”

“I enjoy my life and work here, I can’t give that up.”

Sarah could have chosen to not submit to her husband.

Consider the consequences of that. If Sarah had demanded to stay, then the nations could never have been blessed through all that God had for Abraham and Sarah. Consider what those nations—which includes numerous generations and thousands of believers in Christ today by faith—would have missed. All because one wife might have listened to her fears or demanded her way.

How is a submissive heart cultivated? 

I Peter 3:5-6 offers insight. Verses 3 and 4 tell women not to let our adornment be merely outward in terms of arranging our hair or what we wear, but to let it be the hidden person of the heart. Cultivate the inner, incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit. That is very precious to God! 

In reliance on the Holy Spirit, that gentle and quiet spirit will govern our heart, will and emotions. In that blessed place, He asks us to yield. We first submit wholeheartedly to our loving Lord and Master. Then we do whatever He asks, which includes submitting to our husband.

Look at Sarah again. Verse 6, “Thus Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear.”

I believe that “Doing what is right” here refers to Sarah submitting to her husband. And that is what women of God, in the lineage of Sarah and Abraham by faith, do. Willingly. In obedience. Out of reverence for our God and Savior. And as we do, God reminds us not to be frightened (or ruled) by fear.

Recently, I faced an issue involving submission. Fear sprang up. Quietly yielding again to the Lord, I submitted. Not my will but yours Lord. Then His peace filled me. I still have to push some doubts and lies of the enemy away, but the supernatural peace is from God. 

It comes when we “do what is right” like Sarah did.

For Any Who Have Had a Miscarriage

This is for anyone who has lost a baby due to miscarriage. I too know that pain personally. The following “To My Baby” captures so much of the ache of grief as well as the tender arms of Jesus. Be sure you have a Kleenex tissue.

To My Baby:

Is it proper to cry

For a baby too small

For a coffin?

Yes, I think it is.

Does Jesus have

My too-small baby

In His tender arms?

Yes, I think He does.

There is so much I do not know

About you—my child—

He, she? Quiet or restless?

Will I recognize

Someone I knew so little about,

Yet loved so much?

Yes, I think I will.

Ah, sweet, small child

Can I say

That loving you is like loving God?

Loving—yet not seeing,

Holding—yet not touching,

Caressing—yet separated by the chasm of time.

No tombstone marks your sojourn,

And only God recorded your name.

The banquet was not canceled,

Just moved. Just moved.

Yet a tear remains

Where baby should have been.

Source: Found in One Minute After You Die by Erwin Lutzer, p 76. Written by Bob Neudorf , The Alliance Witness, 16 September 1987, p 14.

What are We Giving 5-Year Olds?

This week I walked in the local mall for some exercise. It becomes a good place for indoor exercise to escape the cold of winter. That's when I saw this little boy. I'll call him Mark.

The mall was not crowded, so it was easy to spot Mark, about 5 years old. He sat on the tile floor in front of a high-end jewelry store's glass counter. His coat still on, he was alone and engrossed in what I'm fairly sure was an Ipod. The Ipod was plugged into a nearby socket. I watched him for a few minutes. Curly-haired Mark was quiet and never looked up.

Immediately I was sad, and mad. Now I realize I had no idea what Mark's situation was nor all that was going on. But what is a 5-year old doing sitting alone and watching something on a screen? My next thought is, where is the adult who is supposed to be looking after young Mark? Hopefully she was nearby.

Can we please take back childhood for our kids? Five year-olds do not need mom's Ipod. One might think that there are fine educational Ipod applications or kid-movies that are suitable for Mark. Maybe, but digital apps and programs should not be primary babysitters. They engage a child only so far, and they fail to develop a child's true imagination, thinking processes, or sensory development because many apps do it for them.

Kids will thrive with a few good ole fashioned toys, coloring books, etc. that help them complete a simple task or spur them to create their own make-believe play. When a group of kids came with their parents to our house a while ago, they discovered my bucket of animals on a stick. The kids immediately grabbed them and began playing, making up conversations between them, laughing and enjoying themselves. It was wonderful.

And most of all, five-year olds need parents or caretakers who are there for them, teaching, nurturing and giving them a non-electronic toy. They don't need someone who leaves them sitting by themselves on the floor of a mall with some gadget plugged into a wall.

Difficult Mothers

Difficult mothers come in all types. Some mothers tragically abandon/reject their child. Others stay high on drugs, or get drunk frequently, or live immorally with a parade of men through their bedroom.

Some mothers are the perpetual enabler, the heartless steamroller, or the passive doormat. Maybe she tragically does  little to nothing to protect her own children from the secret abuse under her own roof.Years after the fact, I discovered that one of my aunts fit that category. It was heartbreaking. 

With difficult or challenging mothers, what does one do? When is it okay to stand up against her sinful behavior or choices? How does one enforce stronger boundaries with her?

In 2 Chronicles 15:16, King Asa, one of the kings of Judah, had a difficult mother. Her name was Maacah. She erected a statue of the detestable pagan goddess Asherah. This encouraged the nation of Israel to debased behavior of every kind in the pattern of the Canaanite culture where lust and murder were glamorized. In shameless misuse of her position, this statue was one of the things that polluted and corrupted the people, leading them into a pit of sin, including worshiping this pagan statue instead of worshiping the only true God. 

Since her son was king, Maacah became the queen mother. Thankfully, Asa was not only king, but a man who "did good and right in the sight of the Lord." This included courageously standing up to his mother. Asa removed his mother from the position of queen mother because Maacah had made the disgusting Asherah. He cut down the statue, crushed it and burned it.

We can learn from Asa, his heart for God, and how he stood against wrongdoing and sin even when it came from his own mother. 

*     *     *

P.S. I also recommend the book, The Mom Factor - Dealing with the Mother You Had, Didn't Have, or Still Content With by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend.

A Mother's Decision

In today's paper, I read about Georgianna, a local news anchorwoman. I know nothing about her or her family except that she worked 20 years in that job. It seems many people respected her work. The article told of a decision she made. It brought a huge smile to my face.

Georgianna decided to quit a job that she liked. That's because she is now the mother of twin girls. She wants to raise her children and be there for them. Georgianna says she thought she could continue working after her daughters were born. So she did. I think she may have also bought into the myth that a woman can "have it all" or do it all.

Unexpectedly, the television station changed Georgianna's shift by an hour or two. That resulted in her losing even more precious sleep. Georgianna began to realize too that her children are young only once. Like all parents, she gets one shot at raising them. So, I assume in discussion with her husband, she decided to quit working full time outside the home for now and raise her daughters. I applaud her! And I believe her children will be the better for it too.

I do not have anything against mothers who work jobs in addition to raising their children. Sometimes it may be needed for any number of reasons. Some women have high capacities as well. (And hats off to many single moms/single parents who somehow manage to parent and provide for their family.) Yet I wholeheartedly believe one of the greatest gifts a mom can give her children is to raise them herself. To be there for them. A child's young years are incredibly formative and foundational. Being a mother is an enormous responsibility and sacrifice, requiring all you are. Being a mom is also an enormous privilege given by God.

Georgianna, thank you. And to my mom, an enormous thank you from my heart. My mom was a stay-at-home mother who raised me and my seven siblings, along with my dad. What a precious and blessed gift that was to me! Children are a precious gift from God. Being a mother and raising your children is a high and noble calling. Oftentimes, there may be things we need to give up for now for the sake of our children.

Genuine Fellowship

Ever wondered why genuine fellowship can be hard to find? I John 1:6-7 illuminated this for me recently.

The backdrop is the powerful truth that God is light, and there is no darkness at all in Him. 

“If we say we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

Verse 8 adds, “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves.”

In chapter two, we are commanded not to love the world nor the things of the world. Sin originates from one of three main areas: 1) the lust of the flesh, 2) the lust of the eyes, and 3) the boastful pride of life. These rob us of genuine fellowship as well.

Is there any area where you may not be walking in the light? Or has anyone perhaps told you that you are arrogant or proud? Maybe you think a little too highly of yourself or your position. If so, you are not walking in the light. And you are thus not able to have genuine fellowship.

Praise God that if we confess our sin, He will forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

Let us walk in the light. That is the source of genuine fellowship. 

Women Who Love Too Much

A friend, whom I’ll call Ruth, told me of some drama with “Ed,” a man who seemed charismatic and charming. Ed was a peer. Ruth is single, over 50, walking with the Lord, and a compassionate, nurturing type. Friends had introduced them.

This charmer had a fun side.  Ed started to go to church with Ruth. They spent time together as well as had several phone calls and texts. Ed said he had recently accepted Jesus. Ruth was delighted. And she wanted to help him. But it did not take long before Ruth noticed some odd things.

Turns out, Ed was doing drugs. And he tried to get Ruth to as well. That was the final red flag that caused Ruth to end it with him. Another male friend had to take Ed aside and tell him in no uncertain terms that he was to leave Ruth alone – no calling, no texting, no visiting, nothing.

As Ruth and I talked, I shared with her something I had learned years ago. For too long when I was single, I often attracted needy men, or the wrong type of men, like the charmers. Because I too was compassionate and nurturing. And it took me a while to realize that I gave too much of my time, attention, and caring to some men who really gave little of substance back to me. In that respect, I was a woman who “loved too much.” Sometimes we do these things because we are lonely, and sometimes we think “something” feels better than “nothing” in terms of a man’s interest.  

Then, as if awakening from a long sleep spell cast on me, I finally realized something. I do not have to be the one to give these types of men attention, a listening ear for hours, my time, or significant parts of who I am! God has provided plenty of mature men in the Body of Christ who can and should help these men be men. I don’t have to. Nor should I give precious parts of my heart and time to such men who cannot appreciate it, nor are they able to give back in healthy and God-honoring ways. For any woman who “loves too much,” or may be “co-dependent” like I was, that is no small realization. And it is quite freeing.

Titus 2:6-8 urges men to help younger men to be sensible, an example of good deeds with purity in doctrine, dignified, and sound in speech which is beyond reproach. No matter his age, there is always an older man who can help another man grow and learn to be a Christ-honoring man. Ladies, consider that you may need to stop "loving too much" and let men help men be men.

She Who Changed America ... for Worse (Part 2)

The atheist Madalyn Murray O’Hair was the driving force behind the unfortunate Supreme Court decision to ban prayer from public school in 1963.

How tragic, because Madalyn was so very un-American. She was vile, filled with rage, immoral …and perverted.

When someone like Madalyn believes there is no God, then there is no right and wrong. No morality. This profanity-laced woman had sexually explicit statues around her home. That turns my stomach. Her son said she worshiped these statues.

Although we may never stoop to something so appalling, let us beware and take heed. There is almost always a link between sexually explicit things and dishonoring, violent behavior. God continually warns against such debased, detestable things and practices throughout the Old Testament for good reason.

Instead, Psalm 101:3 teaches us the path of life, “I will set before my eyes no vile thing.”

And Luke 6:45 teaches, “The good  man (or woman) brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”

We must renounce, get rid of, and work to steer away from all things impure or immoral. This step begins clearing out the muck. In 1 Peter 1:15, God calls us to holiness, “But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior.”

There is no middle ground here for those who want to walk in the glorious promise of Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God (emphasis added).”

Another crucial step is to put on the new self in Christ. Mainly, we do this by feeding ourselves continually with the pure Word of God. It cleanses and renews our minds.

God call us to be radical about living in purity. In every nook and cranny of our heart and life. Moral purity—the bedrock of holiness—fans the flame of true joy, peace, freedom, and rich relationships in the Holy One who redeemed and called you.

Source:  My Life Without God – New Expanded Version – William J Murray

She Who Changed America ...for Worse (Part 1)

You may know the name Madalyn Murray O’Hair. She was the driving force behind the eventual Supreme Court decision to ban prayer from public school in 1963.

But what you may not know is how vile and un-American she was. This, then, begs the question: How could America have allowed a patently hateful and self-serving woman to get such a verdict? And what in the world happened to make her so nasty and abusive? This atheist woman profanely bad-mouthed America, railed against capitalists and continually sided with Communists! She even renounced her American citizenship as she packed up her young children and tried to move to Communist Russia! ... all the while living off the freedom and benefits that America offered.

Dig into the person of Madalyn and one discovers she was violent, vile, perverse, and a liar. Filled with rage and contempt, she dominated, controlled and berated others for her own ends. She abused her own unwanted children and often used them as puppets for her schemes. Her home was one of almost constant rage and violence. And while I find Madalyn’s character, behavior and choices detestable, I discovered some core issues that deeply shaped her early on. Very sad and significant ones.

Madalyn’s parents were quite the pair too. Her dad did a lot of illegal or ill-advised things. Her mother read Tarot cards. And Madalyn's parents had little desire or love for having any children of their own. Sadly, when Madalyn’s mother was several months pregnant with Madalyn, she jumped from a second-floor window of the family home to try and abort baby Madalyn. However, both survived.

The fact that Madalyn’s mother would even relay this story to her daughter reveals a calloused insensitivity that ran deep in the family. This and other painful realities of early rejection by her parents must have deeply hurt Madalyn.

How different might things have been for Madalyn, for her children, and for Americans had Madalyn not been rejected, but wanted as a child?  Or if she would have found her pain's balm through the cross of Christ?

Source:  My Life Without God – New Expanded Version – William J Murray

If You Love Me

Jesus is with His disciples the night before the horrible day of untold suffering He knows is coming. In His teaching and revelations that night, I noticed something that Jesus repeated at least five times.

“If you love Me, You will keep My commandments” (John 14:15).    

The Greek word for “keep” is tereo. It means to hold fast, to keep.

This kind of keeping is born from complete surrender to the Master. One cannot keep His commands unless one has first given up all control to Him and submitted totally to His authority. Because then our love for Him is truly demonstrated, as we hold fast and obey all that He commands.

Love for Christ is inseparable from obedience to Him and His commands (His Word). If not, Jesus says you do not truly love Him.

Jesus later says in John 15:10 that if we keep His commandments, then we abide in His love, just as Jesus kept His Father's commandments, and abides in His Father's love.

But It's Not My Idea

At the end of 1 Chronicles, there is something that may be easy to miss. It has application to the question: what is our response when someone asks us to do a big task that may not be our original idea?

Newly crowned King Solomon was handed an enormous task from his father, King David. Building a  house/temple for the Lord God was not Solomon's own idea, but his father's. His father had the idea, gathered the materials, and drew up detailed plans. Some years before, the Lord had made it clear to David that even though building the house for God was his idea, David would not be the one to build it. His son would.

So before he died, King David handed all the plans and materials over to Solomon, commissioning him to build it for God.

Solomon took the mantle of serving as King from his father and eventually began the enormous task of constructing this magnificent house. I don't know how Solomon reacted to inheriting this task, but he recognized and accepted it as from the Lord.

And therein lies the key. Sometimes the Lord gives us big ideas or ministry or other things that come through someone else. Maybe it is handed to us. Maybe we inherit it. It may be already prepared to some extent, but it now needs our leadership and energy.

If we recognize and believe, as Solomon did, that it is ours from God, that makes all the difference.

Not all things handed to us or requested of us are necessarily "from God." But when it is, we honor Him and fulfill His will by owning it and moving forward with it.

All the Father is Doing

God the Father is constantly at work. John 5 tells us He is doing things. “For the Father loves the Son and shows Him all things that He Himself is doing.” And much of what the Father is doing, you and I cannot see.

As I contemplate the fact that God is constantly doing things, my heart stirs. Something is changing deep inside. My faith re-kindles. My perspective radically alters. And I am more willing to wait on God because I believe He has a plan bigger and better and far greater than I could ever dream up (which includes heaven too).

Because if God is constantly at work, then I can trust Him even when I cannot see. Or when a prayer seemed unanswered. Or a loss rips my heart. Or when God may seem silent. I can lay it at the feet of Jesus, like I did last week, knowing that He is wholly faithful and true, and believing that He will work according to His good and perfect will. I can trust. And trust is the backbone of waiting on God.

Since God is constantly at work, I can also step forward in faith as His Spirit prompts. That is partnering with God in doing something that may or may not make sense to me, that may or may not be convenient, but it is something He wants to do and He is prompting me through His Spirit to simply do it.

The Father is at work. The Son is at work. Believe. Trust.      

The bleach that did not bleach

Interrupting the wash cycle, I added bleach to my load of whites to eradicate a pesky stain from a garment. For good measure, I soaked it for 30 minutes. Yet the stain barely even faded. So, more bleach and more soaking. But surprisingly, the stain remained!

So, I washed it again. More bleach, and more soaking for 60 minutes. 

Yet the stubborn stain remained! What in the heck was wrong?

Then it dawned on me ... my bleach has lost its bleachy-ness! This older bottle of bleach had completely lost its bleaching power. It did nothing. Even adding the whole bottle of that bleach and soaking my whites for 3 hours would have failed to clobber the stain.

It made me think of a similar analogy that Jesus used. Matthew 5:13 - "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless (lost its saltiness), how will it be made salty again? It is good for nothing any more...."

It's simple. Which of us would use salt that has completely lost its zing - salt with zero flavor or power? It is useless.

Jesus has already made us the salt of the earth. However, He clearly tells us to also remain salty. That is our part - making daily choices to live holy, blameless, and pure for His glory and purposes.

Speed Dating?

This advertisement came in my email Inbox:

$17 for Speed Dating Admission with Date and Dash ($35 value)

Speed dating?

Date and dash?

You have to be kidding. That almost sounds like just dash to the Okay Corral to check out two Mr. Availables to choose from to dine with on Friday night. No worry though - if you discover he is not your type, just dash by again and choose bachelor number two!

Will relationships and dating be so cheapened?  

A Google search for “dating websites” turned up a mere 18,500,000 hits. 18 million!

While the hunger for love and relationship is as real and alive as in any generation, and there are now a dime a dozen websites ready to assist you to find love and rapport, may I make a suggestion? Let’s throttle down several gears.

I admit my bias of not being a fan of dating websites. These websites can promise much but deliver less than expected or hoped for. 

Here is another suggestion. Consider the simplicity of waiting on God. Of trusting that it’s no problem for God, the Creator of the universe, to bring along the right person at the right time for you if it is His will. And, in the normal course of living your life. And yes, I know how hard it is to wait. Sometimes there are no answers. Nor guarantees. However, waiting is not an enemy.

Consider that Jesus Christ had to wait on His Father. There were things that Jesus wanted to see happen during His time on earth, but He chose to wait on His Father’s timing. Why? Because Jesus, the Son of God, completely trusted His Father and lovingly yielded to His Father’s purposes and timing.

It’s fairly simple at the core. Keep coming back to the Father and trust Him with all of your longings and hopes. Often, it's not easy. But it is good and right and worth it in ways we do not fully see or understand.

Psalm 27:14 encourages and directs us: “Wait for the Lord; Be strong, and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.”  

Why Dandelions Thrive

With dandelion digger in hand, I moved into attack mode to eradicate the pesky dandelions from our yard.  And while I don’t care to lay eyes on another one anywhere in my yard, I wondered, why do they thrive so?

That eventual white ball of featherweight seeds ready to fly is one answer. Dandelions constantly proliferate.

Another answer is their root. The dandelion I pulled up a few days ago had a 9.5 inch root ! That equals more than 3 times the size of the plant. No wonder dandelions thrive and don’t go away easily. See any spiritual parallel?

What a picture of Psalm 1 that says blessed is the man (or woman) who delights in the Word of God and meditates on it day and night. For he will be like a tree planted by the water. A tree with deep roots. A tree full of leaves and loaded with fruit.

Where are your roots?  How deep are they? What do you delight in? If we are not in God’s Word regularly for ourselves (and obeying it), our roots cannot grow deep. Spiritual growth stagnates. And it will be much easier to live like the world.

Let's grow our roots in the right place.