I like this Psalm! This is a great reminder that no matter what we face, we can face it with the confidence that God will protect us.
As I read the first 2 verses, I think to myself how times have simply not changed. There are still those who do not believe in God. There are still those who would hate those who do believe in God. There are still those who sit back to watch and see if "their God" will save us. The method may be a little different, what with Facebook, cell phones, and news media...but the mentality has not changed. I find that sad, especially here in America where we are supposed to be tolerant of one another. Yes, I find it sad.
The next two verses, however, tell us that not only will He shield us but he will give us glory. I guess each person has a different vision of glory, and that's fine, but God promises that if we follow His path He will bestow glory upon us.
We are reminded that our breath, our life, our ability to wake up in the morning, is due to the good grace of God. We get up every morning because God says we should. While at first there might be a little bit of bitterness at that thought...the thought that God can just say "phfft" and not let us wake up the next morning, once we progress to a deeper trust in God we see though that God chooses to sustain our lives! It is because of Him that we breathe. It is because of Him we see the dawn...and He does not have to be that gracious to us!
On the other note, we are told to not fear. I'm not sure how many times that phrase is in the Bible but I know it's in there a lot! Don't fear! God's got this! What are you worried for? No matter what the situation, fear should not be our response.
We are able to call upon God to strike down our enemies. I think we either forget that, or we are afraid to use that now days. I guess it's not nice and loving to ask God to strike down our enemies. I can honestly say I've never asked for that...I've always asked for more love, more patience, greater understanding. I wonder what would happen if I asked God to simply strike down the enemy? I wonder what would happen if more people remembered we are allowed to do that, and began asking God to strike down the enemy. This Psalm doesn't ask for God to kill them...but to deliever a crushing blow-something they won't forget. This is a strike that may remind people God is! How cool is that?
Yes, I like this Psalm. "May your blessing be on your people."
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Holiday Spirit
My husband told me yesterday that every year I tell him I'm just not in the holiday spirit. And usually every year, that really bothers me. I can't seem to find the cheer and hyped up hyper that seems to be part of this season. My mentality towards people doesn't seem to change and I just really don't have this huge adjustment in my life during this time of the year.
Oh, sure...we share dinner and maybe a good chunk of our day with people that are mostly strangers. So far I haven't given anyone food poisoning...I'm pretty proud of that! I make and bake more cookies that should be humanly possible. I buy gifts and wrap them up in pretty paper and put them under a tree. I tell my kids the story of the birth of Jesus, again, and bake a cake for His birthday.
Other than that...life stays the same. Apparently not for many others. Shelters, hospitals, charities get massive donations at Christmas time. People start giving. Churches get crowded. Good will towards all men is the theme of the day. Kids have parties in school and dress in red and green for cute holiday concerts. Families have huge get togethers. Life is more genial and loving all around.
Sure, people are still homeless. People still get sick and laid off and have bad days. Wars still go on. Prisons still have prisoners. But for some reason, there is something extra happy about this time of year and I can't seem to find it.
You see, I think the story of the birth and death of Christ should be told all the time. I think we should donate all the time. I think we should have good will towards men all the time. I think we should help others all the time. I think we should randomly bake cookies for someone...you guessed it...all the time!
Why should our lives do such a huge about face in this season? Why should we have a "holiday spirit" and not an "all the time spirit"?
If you are a person of faith, I can tell you that no where in the Bible does it say rejoice more during a certain time of the year than others. No where does it say give more during the winter than during the summer. No where does it say kindness is conditional on the calendar.
Maybe that's why I can't find my holiday spirit...maybe I manage to keep it all year round. Ok, that's bragging and simply not true! But I do try...and I think we all should too.
I challenge you...give like you do during the holidays all year round. Have that same compassion in the summer as you do in winter. Love all year and love well! I think our world would change if we held the whole year as a time of joy and celebration, instead of just a couple of months. Let us remember each day, each life, each moment is precious...no matter where, when or how we find ourselves!
Oh, sure...we share dinner and maybe a good chunk of our day with people that are mostly strangers. So far I haven't given anyone food poisoning...I'm pretty proud of that! I make and bake more cookies that should be humanly possible. I buy gifts and wrap them up in pretty paper and put them under a tree. I tell my kids the story of the birth of Jesus, again, and bake a cake for His birthday.
Other than that...life stays the same. Apparently not for many others. Shelters, hospitals, charities get massive donations at Christmas time. People start giving. Churches get crowded. Good will towards all men is the theme of the day. Kids have parties in school and dress in red and green for cute holiday concerts. Families have huge get togethers. Life is more genial and loving all around.
Sure, people are still homeless. People still get sick and laid off and have bad days. Wars still go on. Prisons still have prisoners. But for some reason, there is something extra happy about this time of year and I can't seem to find it.
You see, I think the story of the birth and death of Christ should be told all the time. I think we should donate all the time. I think we should have good will towards men all the time. I think we should help others all the time. I think we should randomly bake cookies for someone...you guessed it...all the time!
Why should our lives do such a huge about face in this season? Why should we have a "holiday spirit" and not an "all the time spirit"?
If you are a person of faith, I can tell you that no where in the Bible does it say rejoice more during a certain time of the year than others. No where does it say give more during the winter than during the summer. No where does it say kindness is conditional on the calendar.
Maybe that's why I can't find my holiday spirit...maybe I manage to keep it all year round. Ok, that's bragging and simply not true! But I do try...and I think we all should too.
I challenge you...give like you do during the holidays all year round. Have that same compassion in the summer as you do in winter. Love all year and love well! I think our world would change if we held the whole year as a time of joy and celebration, instead of just a couple of months. Let us remember each day, each life, each moment is precious...no matter where, when or how we find ourselves!
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Leadership Psalm...Psalm 2
This Psalm makes me uneasy. I'm not sure if it is supposed to, and I'm not sure if it is supposed to bring me comfort. These 12 verses almost feel like a "nener-nener" kind of story.
I feel conflicted about this Psalm, and maybe that's a sign that I've fallen off the track. Maybe I need to get to the root of my unease. I just don't like the idea of poking our world leaders in the eye with the knowledge that God is laughing at them. At the same time I don't like the idea that world leaders are spitting on my God. (or trying to) I'm not sure what the right answer is here.
Why do the nations conspire against God? I think it's base human nature. One of the hardest things about Christianity is the knowledge that you are not the greatest, that you are not in charge and that you have to take orders from someone else. Being humble, being a servant, being less is not popular in any timeframe in human history. And I think sometimes, those in power forget where they came from. That saying about power...Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely...is true. It takes true power and courage to submit to a higher authority.
Verses 8 and 9 make me uneasy too...maybe it's because I really don't have anyone set against me. Maybe because I'm not in bondage to a government or people. I'm going to be honest though, I don't want to own nations...I don't want to own the earth. I don't want to shatter those who are my enemy (or could be my enemy). These verses are violent and I'm not sure I'm supposed to be happy about this. There is a kind of glee in these verses and it makes me uneasy.
Verses 10-12 are largely ignored by the majority of earthly leaders. Especially here in the US. I think we have forgotten that He has wrath, I think we have forgotten the He can destroy us in a blink. I think we have forgotten that we are not the greatest! It's rare to see a humble leader...namely because humble is no longer something that is looked at with desire.
Blessed are all who take refuge in Him. That's my favorite and only comfortable part of this Psalm for me.
I feel conflicted about this Psalm, and maybe that's a sign that I've fallen off the track. Maybe I need to get to the root of my unease. I just don't like the idea of poking our world leaders in the eye with the knowledge that God is laughing at them. At the same time I don't like the idea that world leaders are spitting on my God. (or trying to) I'm not sure what the right answer is here.
Why do the nations conspire against God? I think it's base human nature. One of the hardest things about Christianity is the knowledge that you are not the greatest, that you are not in charge and that you have to take orders from someone else. Being humble, being a servant, being less is not popular in any timeframe in human history. And I think sometimes, those in power forget where they came from. That saying about power...Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely...is true. It takes true power and courage to submit to a higher authority.
Verses 8 and 9 make me uneasy too...maybe it's because I really don't have anyone set against me. Maybe because I'm not in bondage to a government or people. I'm going to be honest though, I don't want to own nations...I don't want to own the earth. I don't want to shatter those who are my enemy (or could be my enemy). These verses are violent and I'm not sure I'm supposed to be happy about this. There is a kind of glee in these verses and it makes me uneasy.
Verses 10-12 are largely ignored by the majority of earthly leaders. Especially here in the US. I think we have forgotten that He has wrath, I think we have forgotten the He can destroy us in a blink. I think we have forgotten that we are not the greatest! It's rare to see a humble leader...namely because humble is no longer something that is looked at with desire.
Blessed are all who take refuge in Him. That's my favorite and only comfortable part of this Psalm for me.
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Getting started with the Psalms
I've decided a way to dive back into my Bible is to keep a journal of what I read about and what I think of each section. I've decided to start with the Psalms, simply because they aren't my favorite and people seem to think I'm weird for not liking them. Maybe I am weird...guess we'll find out together.
Psalm 1
This Psalm is short, only 6 verses, yet it manages to cram a whole lot into it. It seems to tell me that I should not seek council from those who are not Godly. In other words, don't ask advice from people who don't share your faith. Makes sense, after all people who walk on a different path are not going to see things from a Godly perspective. Why would we seek council from those who don't share our faith?
The part about standing the way of sinners...I'm not sure if that means we should not stand around with sinners...in other words, actively associate with them, or if it means we should not stand in their way. I can't imagine that's what it would mean, unless we are talking about those who sin, know it and want to. There are those we simply cannot stop from sinning...maybe we are supposed to stay out of their way.
It tells us that when we are solid in God's word that we stand solid. We don't have to worry about being wishy-washy or indecisive. We can hold firm to the knowledge that God is guiding us and we won't be tossed about on the whims of fashion, popular opinion, or current day fads. What a relief! Keeping up with all that is tough! Being a child of God, holding fast to just His laws is enough to keep me steady and grounded.
Finally, it shows that in the end, those who choose to walk away from God, those who do not believe will not be able to judge me. Their opinions don't count. It is only God who will judge me, and He is fair and just. He is not held to the whims of human nature, nor is He fickle or forgetful of His promises. It's a relief to know the standard by which I will be judged, and even more of a relief to know I am already forgiven when I accepted Christ as my Savior.
See...I had to write all that it what it took a Godly man only 6 verses!
Psalm 1
This Psalm is short, only 6 verses, yet it manages to cram a whole lot into it. It seems to tell me that I should not seek council from those who are not Godly. In other words, don't ask advice from people who don't share your faith. Makes sense, after all people who walk on a different path are not going to see things from a Godly perspective. Why would we seek council from those who don't share our faith?
The part about standing the way of sinners...I'm not sure if that means we should not stand around with sinners...in other words, actively associate with them, or if it means we should not stand in their way. I can't imagine that's what it would mean, unless we are talking about those who sin, know it and want to. There are those we simply cannot stop from sinning...maybe we are supposed to stay out of their way.
It tells us that when we are solid in God's word that we stand solid. We don't have to worry about being wishy-washy or indecisive. We can hold firm to the knowledge that God is guiding us and we won't be tossed about on the whims of fashion, popular opinion, or current day fads. What a relief! Keeping up with all that is tough! Being a child of God, holding fast to just His laws is enough to keep me steady and grounded.
Finally, it shows that in the end, those who choose to walk away from God, those who do not believe will not be able to judge me. Their opinions don't count. It is only God who will judge me, and He is fair and just. He is not held to the whims of human nature, nor is He fickle or forgetful of His promises. It's a relief to know the standard by which I will be judged, and even more of a relief to know I am already forgiven when I accepted Christ as my Savior.
See...I had to write all that it what it took a Godly man only 6 verses!
Monday, November 25, 2013
The Power of Touch
As I lay in bed last night, in pain from things I should not have been in pain from (long story), my husband reached over and began to rub my back. Nice, gentle rubs...not too hard because it might cause me more pain, not asking for anything more, but just a nice touch. A "hey, I'm here for you" - kind of touch. It actually made me feel a little better. I mean, the pain didn't go away, but it was comforting and relaxing to have that easy touch.
It made me thing about the power of touch and how we seem to have lost that in the US. Think about it, people don't just reach out and touch you, do they? Sure, you get a hand shake, and maybe even a business like hug...but a stroke on the arm, a real hug, a kiss on the cheek? No, not really. We value our personal space too much. Those kind of touches are a European thing, right?
Then, I thought about our children. It's natural for them to pat us on the cheek, to give us a kiss, to run up and give us a big squeezer hug! And I don't just mean the kids that belong to you. As a Girl Scout leader and a once school volunteer, I had kids giving me hugs, holding my hands, touching me all the time! I love it!
It's also a natural reaction for most of us to pick up a crying baby-to hug them and love on them and give them kisses. It's natural for us to rub their back, their hair, their face. It's natural for us to physically comfort them when they get hurt. Think about it...how many boo-boo's have you kissed??
With children we don't just stand back and say "buck up, kid. You'll be alright!". No. We offer them the comfort of our touch. So why are we so uncomfortable doing that with adults? We could get into trouble hugging someone else's kid, but we often do it anyway. We can be perceived a very nasty way when we touch a child not ours, but often our natural inclination is to do it anyway. So, what holds us back with adults??
I don't honestly know the answer. I know I enjoy the physical touch of other people. I know it comforts me when my girlfriend gives me a hug on a bad day. I know when I'm sad or hurt and someone rubs my back or shoulder I don't feel quite so alone I the world. I'm betting most people feel the same way.
I decided quite a while ago that I would give in to the need to hug people, touch people and be near people when I felt that..."hey, this person needs comfort" or "hey, this person could use a little love" or even "hey, let's show a person just how much we care, are excited, ect.". I won't lie...it puts some backs up. I get weird looks sometimes. Most of the time, though, it's almost a relief, on my part and theirs, that someone expressed a little human comfort in the form of a touch.
So, I encourage you today...give someone a hug. Touch them on the shoulder. Remind someone that they are not alone. Step out of your personal space bubble, into someone else's, and give some comfort and love. It's weird and awkward at first...but you'll get used to it eventually. And you never know whose life you might change!
It made me thing about the power of touch and how we seem to have lost that in the US. Think about it, people don't just reach out and touch you, do they? Sure, you get a hand shake, and maybe even a business like hug...but a stroke on the arm, a real hug, a kiss on the cheek? No, not really. We value our personal space too much. Those kind of touches are a European thing, right?
Then, I thought about our children. It's natural for them to pat us on the cheek, to give us a kiss, to run up and give us a big squeezer hug! And I don't just mean the kids that belong to you. As a Girl Scout leader and a once school volunteer, I had kids giving me hugs, holding my hands, touching me all the time! I love it!
It's also a natural reaction for most of us to pick up a crying baby-to hug them and love on them and give them kisses. It's natural for us to rub their back, their hair, their face. It's natural for us to physically comfort them when they get hurt. Think about it...how many boo-boo's have you kissed??
With children we don't just stand back and say "buck up, kid. You'll be alright!". No. We offer them the comfort of our touch. So why are we so uncomfortable doing that with adults? We could get into trouble hugging someone else's kid, but we often do it anyway. We can be perceived a very nasty way when we touch a child not ours, but often our natural inclination is to do it anyway. So, what holds us back with adults??
I don't honestly know the answer. I know I enjoy the physical touch of other people. I know it comforts me when my girlfriend gives me a hug on a bad day. I know when I'm sad or hurt and someone rubs my back or shoulder I don't feel quite so alone I the world. I'm betting most people feel the same way.
I decided quite a while ago that I would give in to the need to hug people, touch people and be near people when I felt that..."hey, this person needs comfort" or "hey, this person could use a little love" or even "hey, let's show a person just how much we care, are excited, ect.". I won't lie...it puts some backs up. I get weird looks sometimes. Most of the time, though, it's almost a relief, on my part and theirs, that someone expressed a little human comfort in the form of a touch.
So, I encourage you today...give someone a hug. Touch them on the shoulder. Remind someone that they are not alone. Step out of your personal space bubble, into someone else's, and give some comfort and love. It's weird and awkward at first...but you'll get used to it eventually. And you never know whose life you might change!
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Fasting
Fasting is an interesting, and almost forgotten concept here in America. I'm reading my Bible study (go, me!) and the topic this week is fasting and feasting. At the moment I've only made it through the fasting part and I feel the need to let my mind wander on the subject.
Fasting has to be a foreign concept here in America. I mean, how many of us heard "finish your food, there are starving children in China"? Or we were chastised for skipping a meal and told how unhealthy it was for us. Food has become a twisted thing here in this country, what with so many people obese, and other so skinny it's a sickness. Going hungry voluntarily must look just a little crazy.
Now, don't get me wrong, there are other ways to fast. People might do a media fast, or a chocolate fast, or even an electronic fast. Those are still good ways for us to reach out to God, and I encourage anyone to fast from something they believe takes up a good chunk of their day. (No, that doesn't mean you can fast from your children...I believe that is actually illegal, which means someone already tried it!) Fasting in any form I would imagine is pleasing to God, since the end goal isn't to loose weight or save electricity, but to get closer to Him.
Food fasting, though, probably has a special place in His heart. Very rarely in the Bible do you see people fasting from anything else. You might say, well, they didn't have much to fast from. Ok, true, but they could have just fasted from wine. "All you people go, fast from wine, and pray!" No, doesn't have the same impact. There must be something special about food.
There is something special about food! It sustains us! We need food to nourish our bodies. We need food to keep us from getting headaches, stomachaches, cranky tempers and just general body shut down. When we willingly choose to give up the thing that sustains our life here on earth, in favor of having deeper communications with God, I have no doubt He is pleased.
So, why don't more Christian do it? Why don't we hear more about fasting for our nation? Fasting for an upcoming vote? Fasting for a decision regarding a war? Fasting for our children? Why has fasting seemingly gone by the wayside?
Maybe there are more people out there that fast and we just don't know about them. The Bible does tell us that fasting is a private thing, only the faster and God should know. However, there are plenty of times in the Bible where whole nations have fasted...entire cultures, households have abstained from food. Why don't we do it any more?
My personal belief is because we don't want to look "weird". We don't want to be labeled freaks and we don't want to find out that the people we believe close to us might think we are crazy for even attempting such a thing. So many people today do not want to stand out...especially for faith. Besides, don't we have so many other things to do, so many places to go? We just don't have time for staying in one place, not eating and just praying. We have obligations and families that count on us. We can't let them down.
Yet the Bible tells us our most powerful tool is prayer. Can you imagine 12 hours of uninterrupted prayer time? Not having to worry about food, or people, or your family, but just spending time in communication with God? Can you imagine the things you could tell Him...and the things He could tell you? Can you imagine the reaction your children would have (after the initial shock, of course) and how they might learn to pray and dedicate themselves to God in a whole new way? Can you imagine the impact your prayers might have, if you could focus on them more fully?
We have some serious stuff going on in our nation, our families, our homes and our lives right now. There are so many examples of tough times in the Bible, where the people met them, not with action, but with fasting and prayer. The outcome of those times is amazing. Forgiveness, redemption, salvation, hope, life...the list goes on. I think it's time we returned to a tried and true method of reaching out to God. I think it's time we returned to fasting and prayer.
Fasting has to be a foreign concept here in America. I mean, how many of us heard "finish your food, there are starving children in China"? Or we were chastised for skipping a meal and told how unhealthy it was for us. Food has become a twisted thing here in this country, what with so many people obese, and other so skinny it's a sickness. Going hungry voluntarily must look just a little crazy.
Now, don't get me wrong, there are other ways to fast. People might do a media fast, or a chocolate fast, or even an electronic fast. Those are still good ways for us to reach out to God, and I encourage anyone to fast from something they believe takes up a good chunk of their day. (No, that doesn't mean you can fast from your children...I believe that is actually illegal, which means someone already tried it!) Fasting in any form I would imagine is pleasing to God, since the end goal isn't to loose weight or save electricity, but to get closer to Him.
Food fasting, though, probably has a special place in His heart. Very rarely in the Bible do you see people fasting from anything else. You might say, well, they didn't have much to fast from. Ok, true, but they could have just fasted from wine. "All you people go, fast from wine, and pray!" No, doesn't have the same impact. There must be something special about food.
There is something special about food! It sustains us! We need food to nourish our bodies. We need food to keep us from getting headaches, stomachaches, cranky tempers and just general body shut down. When we willingly choose to give up the thing that sustains our life here on earth, in favor of having deeper communications with God, I have no doubt He is pleased.
So, why don't more Christian do it? Why don't we hear more about fasting for our nation? Fasting for an upcoming vote? Fasting for a decision regarding a war? Fasting for our children? Why has fasting seemingly gone by the wayside?
Maybe there are more people out there that fast and we just don't know about them. The Bible does tell us that fasting is a private thing, only the faster and God should know. However, there are plenty of times in the Bible where whole nations have fasted...entire cultures, households have abstained from food. Why don't we do it any more?
My personal belief is because we don't want to look "weird". We don't want to be labeled freaks and we don't want to find out that the people we believe close to us might think we are crazy for even attempting such a thing. So many people today do not want to stand out...especially for faith. Besides, don't we have so many other things to do, so many places to go? We just don't have time for staying in one place, not eating and just praying. We have obligations and families that count on us. We can't let them down.
Yet the Bible tells us our most powerful tool is prayer. Can you imagine 12 hours of uninterrupted prayer time? Not having to worry about food, or people, or your family, but just spending time in communication with God? Can you imagine the things you could tell Him...and the things He could tell you? Can you imagine the reaction your children would have (after the initial shock, of course) and how they might learn to pray and dedicate themselves to God in a whole new way? Can you imagine the impact your prayers might have, if you could focus on them more fully?
We have some serious stuff going on in our nation, our families, our homes and our lives right now. There are so many examples of tough times in the Bible, where the people met them, not with action, but with fasting and prayer. The outcome of those times is amazing. Forgiveness, redemption, salvation, hope, life...the list goes on. I think it's time we returned to a tried and true method of reaching out to God. I think it's time we returned to fasting and prayer.
Friday, November 1, 2013
Disgruntled Spouse
There is nothing worse, in my mind, than a disgruntled spouse. Namely when there is nothing you can do to help them. When the issues are work related and there is nothing you can do but sit there and let them vent. Those are the worst kinds of days. Those are the helpless days and sometimes, the remarkably hopeless days. I hate those kind of days.
I especially hate it when my spouse has one of those days and suddenly hands me everything I want on a silver platter. "Let's quit this job, retire, own a home and be a 'real' family again." Why, sure baby! Just what I've been asking for these last, I don't know, 3 years. I'm totally down with all those plans. Too bad those plans look like they are making my husband miserable. Sigh.
I spent several hours last night talking my husband out of just that. The whole time I'm saying all the things I never thought I would have to say, part of my brain is poking the other part of my brain asking it why the heck it wasn't doing the happy dance??!! Why was I stammering and leaping for something, anything to make my husband convinced that he was still doing a good job, that he was still needed in this Air Force? I've probably lost my mind.
I guess it means I'm married and I actually love the bonehead I'm married to. I hate seeing him so unhappy, so disappointed and so discouraged. I just plain hate it. So even though, I would love to say we're retiring...we're not. All because I opened up my mouth and said no. Sigh.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not any happier to live this kind of life than I was before. I'm not pleased that my husband stumbles out of bed at 3am every morning just to keep up with work, and falls asleep on the couch at 8pm every night (when he is home, that is). I'm not happy that my kids ask where daddy is on important days and just nod and smile when they are told he's helping an Airman. I'm not any happier that my children look as though the world just got handed to them when daddy does show up to things or actually has the energy to play with them. I don't think it should be like this, but I know it is for a purpose.
I have seen the good my husband has done. I have seen the lives he has saved, changed, improved and helped. He is exceptional at his job. It leaves little room for anything else in his life, but I know it is important. Our military, our Airmen, need someone like him to stand up for them when no one else will. I know these things, and I guess that's why I refused the silver platter.
I just hope I don't regret it later.
I especially hate it when my spouse has one of those days and suddenly hands me everything I want on a silver platter. "Let's quit this job, retire, own a home and be a 'real' family again." Why, sure baby! Just what I've been asking for these last, I don't know, 3 years. I'm totally down with all those plans. Too bad those plans look like they are making my husband miserable. Sigh.
I spent several hours last night talking my husband out of just that. The whole time I'm saying all the things I never thought I would have to say, part of my brain is poking the other part of my brain asking it why the heck it wasn't doing the happy dance??!! Why was I stammering and leaping for something, anything to make my husband convinced that he was still doing a good job, that he was still needed in this Air Force? I've probably lost my mind.
I guess it means I'm married and I actually love the bonehead I'm married to. I hate seeing him so unhappy, so disappointed and so discouraged. I just plain hate it. So even though, I would love to say we're retiring...we're not. All because I opened up my mouth and said no. Sigh.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not any happier to live this kind of life than I was before. I'm not pleased that my husband stumbles out of bed at 3am every morning just to keep up with work, and falls asleep on the couch at 8pm every night (when he is home, that is). I'm not happy that my kids ask where daddy is on important days and just nod and smile when they are told he's helping an Airman. I'm not any happier that my children look as though the world just got handed to them when daddy does show up to things or actually has the energy to play with them. I don't think it should be like this, but I know it is for a purpose.
I have seen the good my husband has done. I have seen the lives he has saved, changed, improved and helped. He is exceptional at his job. It leaves little room for anything else in his life, but I know it is important. Our military, our Airmen, need someone like him to stand up for them when no one else will. I know these things, and I guess that's why I refused the silver platter.
I just hope I don't regret it later.
Monday, September 30, 2013
Dear Congress
Dear Congress,
Today, you broke the heart of a 10 year old boy. Today I watched my son break down and cry because you chose to not work together for the benefit of the people of the United States. He wept because people are going to have to go home tomorrow and tell their families a paycheck isn't coming. Because bills might not get paid. Because food might not get put on the table. Because kids get hungry quick, he said, and parents will cry because they cannot pay for more. All because YOU let us down.
Today, my son offered his most sacred possession up, so that he could raise money. He wants to give that money to the people, the 800,000 people who won't get paid. Why is it a 10 year old boy understands that kind of sacrifice, but you don't?
Today, my son asked me why is Congress still getting paid when it is their fault the government shut down. Why, he asked, should they be able to spend money when those other people, those people who work hard beside his dad cannot. I could not give him an answer.
I wept today, not only because my son was heartbroken, but because a 10 year old has more common sense, heart and passion for the people of this country, than the members of our Congress. Why is it, my 10 year old understands the American freedom of choice and Congress does not? Why is it a 10 year old boy loves people enough, people he has never even met, to give up and sacrifice and scrimp and save...but you, Congress, you do not.
I am raising my son in an America I don't know any more. I am raising him in a country that has a government who cares more about personal image than about getting their jobs done. I am raising him to be a good, honest, hard working man...and when he looks up and see the government of the country his father serves do things like this, it makes it really hard to explain to him why our country is supposed to be great.
Shame on you, Congress for having less morals, heart and character than a 10 year old boy. Shame on you for making him cry. Shame on you for making a mother have to tell her son that she doesn't know why our government does the things it does, when those things are so contrary to the history and standards of this once great country. Just shame on you!
Sincerely,
April E Honaker
Mother of a brokenhearted little boy
Today, you broke the heart of a 10 year old boy. Today I watched my son break down and cry because you chose to not work together for the benefit of the people of the United States. He wept because people are going to have to go home tomorrow and tell their families a paycheck isn't coming. Because bills might not get paid. Because food might not get put on the table. Because kids get hungry quick, he said, and parents will cry because they cannot pay for more. All because YOU let us down.
Today, my son offered his most sacred possession up, so that he could raise money. He wants to give that money to the people, the 800,000 people who won't get paid. Why is it a 10 year old boy understands that kind of sacrifice, but you don't?
Today, my son asked me why is Congress still getting paid when it is their fault the government shut down. Why, he asked, should they be able to spend money when those other people, those people who work hard beside his dad cannot. I could not give him an answer.
I wept today, not only because my son was heartbroken, but because a 10 year old has more common sense, heart and passion for the people of this country, than the members of our Congress. Why is it, my 10 year old understands the American freedom of choice and Congress does not? Why is it a 10 year old boy loves people enough, people he has never even met, to give up and sacrifice and scrimp and save...but you, Congress, you do not.
I am raising my son in an America I don't know any more. I am raising him in a country that has a government who cares more about personal image than about getting their jobs done. I am raising him to be a good, honest, hard working man...and when he looks up and see the government of the country his father serves do things like this, it makes it really hard to explain to him why our country is supposed to be great.
Shame on you, Congress for having less morals, heart and character than a 10 year old boy. Shame on you for making him cry. Shame on you for making a mother have to tell her son that she doesn't know why our government does the things it does, when those things are so contrary to the history and standards of this once great country. Just shame on you!
Sincerely,
April E Honaker
Mother of a brokenhearted little boy
Monday, September 9, 2013
Homeschool Lessons
I have homeschooled now for over a year. I have learned much myself, it's amazing really. Here's what I have discovered about homeschooling:
1. You will have no life. Those coffees with the ladies, spur of the moment shopping trips, lunch out with the hubby...totally gone. Somehow your life becomes about teaching those kids, cleaning up the house (which since they are home ALL the time somehow just never stays clean!). Most days you'll be ok with this...and then some days you'll want to go screaming for the hills.
2. Your children will never fail to amaze you. There will be that time when you just can't believe what your kid just did - good or bad!
3. Your kids will always drag out that one subject they hate...in the hopes that you will let them not do it. Sometimes they will win.
4. You will freak out over your teaching abilities. There will be that day when little Johnny who goes to school knows or can do something totally amazing and you'll think your kid is behind because of your teaching. Don't worry...one day you'll see little Johnny do something not so smart and you'll feel totally awesome about yourself.
5. Homeschool groups are great, as long as your realize they are there for support. They are not there to teach your kids everything...that's kinda supposed to be your job. Take what support you can get, trade classes with other parents, but in the end know that your kids are your responsibility.
6. Aches and pains and sometimes sickness vanish if you cancel school for the day.
7. Never underestimate the benefits of pajama day! Mostly for you.
8. Everything (and I mean everything) can be turned into a lesson. Take your kid to the store and you make them read the signs. It's raining and you question them about how it happens. Static in your hair...let's talk about electrons! No joke, it's like a bad habit you just can't shake.
9. You will talk about your kids...a lot. After all, that's your job and people tend to talk about their work. If people can't hack listening to you talk about the work you do, then they really don't need to be around you.
10. You will still have a sex life. I promise! (with effort sometimes, but hey, it's still there)
11. You will still have friends. Maybe not as many, maybe not as often...but the ones that stick around and put up with your crazy schedule, your need for caffeine, and you constantly smelling like glue or an experiment gone bad are totally worth the effort!
12. You might go crazy. It wasn't a far drive for me, maybe you'll take a little longer to get there, but it will happen. When it does, embrace it! Sounds weird, but being crazy will keep you sane.
13. Your kids will want to leave your side. So many people think homeschooled kids are homebodies who never leave the house and never make friends and are social weirdos. Not true...would you want to be in the house all day with the same person that taught you math, washed your underwear, yelled at you to be nice to your sister, and licked her fingers to wash your face? No, me either...and apparently homeschool kids don't either. I promise they won't turn into cave people.
14. Your spouse will totally respect you, if you can get them to watch what you do for just one day. Guaranteed!
15. While there are days you will want to throw in the towel, if you keep at it there will be that day when you see your child's face light up...all because they finally get what it is you are teaching them. The more you teach them, the more you will see that light, the more thankful you will be, because even while you may fear going bald, hair is a small price to pay for opening up the whole world to that little gift God blessed you with!
I'm sure I'll learn and relearn more lessons as I go. They say learning is a life long process...and teachers must be constant learners-good example for the kids and all! :)
1. You will have no life. Those coffees with the ladies, spur of the moment shopping trips, lunch out with the hubby...totally gone. Somehow your life becomes about teaching those kids, cleaning up the house (which since they are home ALL the time somehow just never stays clean!). Most days you'll be ok with this...and then some days you'll want to go screaming for the hills.
2. Your children will never fail to amaze you. There will be that time when you just can't believe what your kid just did - good or bad!
3. Your kids will always drag out that one subject they hate...in the hopes that you will let them not do it. Sometimes they will win.
4. You will freak out over your teaching abilities. There will be that day when little Johnny who goes to school knows or can do something totally amazing and you'll think your kid is behind because of your teaching. Don't worry...one day you'll see little Johnny do something not so smart and you'll feel totally awesome about yourself.
5. Homeschool groups are great, as long as your realize they are there for support. They are not there to teach your kids everything...that's kinda supposed to be your job. Take what support you can get, trade classes with other parents, but in the end know that your kids are your responsibility.
6. Aches and pains and sometimes sickness vanish if you cancel school for the day.
7. Never underestimate the benefits of pajama day! Mostly for you.
8. Everything (and I mean everything) can be turned into a lesson. Take your kid to the store and you make them read the signs. It's raining and you question them about how it happens. Static in your hair...let's talk about electrons! No joke, it's like a bad habit you just can't shake.
9. You will talk about your kids...a lot. After all, that's your job and people tend to talk about their work. If people can't hack listening to you talk about the work you do, then they really don't need to be around you.
10. You will still have a sex life. I promise! (with effort sometimes, but hey, it's still there)
11. You will still have friends. Maybe not as many, maybe not as often...but the ones that stick around and put up with your crazy schedule, your need for caffeine, and you constantly smelling like glue or an experiment gone bad are totally worth the effort!
12. You might go crazy. It wasn't a far drive for me, maybe you'll take a little longer to get there, but it will happen. When it does, embrace it! Sounds weird, but being crazy will keep you sane.
13. Your kids will want to leave your side. So many people think homeschooled kids are homebodies who never leave the house and never make friends and are social weirdos. Not true...would you want to be in the house all day with the same person that taught you math, washed your underwear, yelled at you to be nice to your sister, and licked her fingers to wash your face? No, me either...and apparently homeschool kids don't either. I promise they won't turn into cave people.
14. Your spouse will totally respect you, if you can get them to watch what you do for just one day. Guaranteed!
15. While there are days you will want to throw in the towel, if you keep at it there will be that day when you see your child's face light up...all because they finally get what it is you are teaching them. The more you teach them, the more you will see that light, the more thankful you will be, because even while you may fear going bald, hair is a small price to pay for opening up the whole world to that little gift God blessed you with!
I'm sure I'll learn and relearn more lessons as I go. They say learning is a life long process...and teachers must be constant learners-good example for the kids and all! :)
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Releasing Our Children
Last night, after a bit of a rough day with home school, cooking, cleaning, petting, reassuring, getting kids ready for extra activities and not being able to open my bottle of wine (stupid, cheap wine opener!), I pondered the thought "Do our children really know what we do for them? Do they really understand all that goes into their lives...and all that comes out of ours?"
The answer is "Of course not!". I mean, think about it: when did you appreciate your parents? Probably after you had children of your own and you started working your tail off to ensure their well being. When you started freaking out when they wouldn't burp after feeding. When you didn't sleep for three nights in a row to calm a fussy teether. When you stressed out over setting the correct boundaries for your toddler without damaging their sense of curiosity. The first time your kid told you he or she hated you. When you had to endure the complete and utter meltdown in public over a cookie. The list can and does go on. So why do we as parents get so frustrated when our children show no appreciation for all we do?
My kids just don't get it...they don't understand that I would rather be with other adults drinking my latte than teaching them. They really don't get the fact that I don't want to snuggle at 0645 in the morning...with ANYONE! I want peace and quiet and coffee. They don't realize that putting them to bed, tucking them in and listening to their stories from the day is actual work. They just see it as...well...mom. And more than likely, your kids are the same.
I realized LATE last night, as my daughter had a nightmare and crawled into bed with me, that I was putting a huge responsibility on my kids. I was making them responsible for my approval rating. I was putting on them the responsibility of acknowledging my hard work and sacrifice. I was making them my rater, to use a military term. I was putting them in the position of a boss...and no child should have that power.
My husband told me once that he really hates it that a single comment from one of my kids can ruin my day. He told me that I allow them to get into my head and mess it all up. Why should I give them so much power?? He's right.
In order for me to be able to stop letting my children's moods and demands mess up my day (and my head) I need to release them. I need to stop looking to them as my approving authority. I need to appoint a new boss.
I already have one...my Father! By not looking to Him for approval, by not seeking Him to see if I am doing the right thing, by not focusing on pleasing God and instead focusing on children, I cheat myself and I cheat the Father. It is God who gives me strength, not my children. (they plain ole wear me out!) It is God who guides me down the path of goodness, not my children. And it is God who will, in the end, rate my work that I have done in His name.
I came to that realization while being kneed in the stomach, breathed on with morning breath, and grumbled at by a husband clinging to the edge of his side of the bed. I felt relief. And then I felt a twinge of fear. If I release my children from this responsibility it means I will not have a tangible source here on Earth to seek confirmation from. It means I will have to develop a better spiritual life. It means I will have to trust...in my God and myself.
It will be a challenge...to pray and know that God's got my back. But it will also make life just a little more stress free...after all, who wants to live by the wild mood swings of a child?!
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
The answer is "Of course not!". I mean, think about it: when did you appreciate your parents? Probably after you had children of your own and you started working your tail off to ensure their well being. When you started freaking out when they wouldn't burp after feeding. When you didn't sleep for three nights in a row to calm a fussy teether. When you stressed out over setting the correct boundaries for your toddler without damaging their sense of curiosity. The first time your kid told you he or she hated you. When you had to endure the complete and utter meltdown in public over a cookie. The list can and does go on. So why do we as parents get so frustrated when our children show no appreciation for all we do?
My kids just don't get it...they don't understand that I would rather be with other adults drinking my latte than teaching them. They really don't get the fact that I don't want to snuggle at 0645 in the morning...with ANYONE! I want peace and quiet and coffee. They don't realize that putting them to bed, tucking them in and listening to their stories from the day is actual work. They just see it as...well...mom. And more than likely, your kids are the same.
I realized LATE last night, as my daughter had a nightmare and crawled into bed with me, that I was putting a huge responsibility on my kids. I was making them responsible for my approval rating. I was putting on them the responsibility of acknowledging my hard work and sacrifice. I was making them my rater, to use a military term. I was putting them in the position of a boss...and no child should have that power.
My husband told me once that he really hates it that a single comment from one of my kids can ruin my day. He told me that I allow them to get into my head and mess it all up. Why should I give them so much power?? He's right.
In order for me to be able to stop letting my children's moods and demands mess up my day (and my head) I need to release them. I need to stop looking to them as my approving authority. I need to appoint a new boss.
I already have one...my Father! By not looking to Him for approval, by not seeking Him to see if I am doing the right thing, by not focusing on pleasing God and instead focusing on children, I cheat myself and I cheat the Father. It is God who gives me strength, not my children. (they plain ole wear me out!) It is God who guides me down the path of goodness, not my children. And it is God who will, in the end, rate my work that I have done in His name.
I came to that realization while being kneed in the stomach, breathed on with morning breath, and grumbled at by a husband clinging to the edge of his side of the bed. I felt relief. And then I felt a twinge of fear. If I release my children from this responsibility it means I will not have a tangible source here on Earth to seek confirmation from. It means I will have to develop a better spiritual life. It means I will have to trust...in my God and myself.
It will be a challenge...to pray and know that God's got my back. But it will also make life just a little more stress free...after all, who wants to live by the wild mood swings of a child?!
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Military family
I have read the book of Acts more than once, and yet today something was brought to my attention that I had never focused on before. In chapter 10 Peter is shown a vision where a sheet comes down from heaven with all kinds of animals on it and God says to Peter "Get up. Kill and eat." Peter refuses saying that he has never eaten unclean things before and he won't now. Yet God tells him that nothing He made is unclean. I had always associated that with Peter being told that he could now eat whatever he wanted.
However, as the chapter goes on, Peter brings new meaning to that. I'm not sure how I skipped over it in the past...maybe I just wasn't ready to see it. Peter says that because God showed him this that he now understands that no PERSON is unclean. Therefore, we can associate with any one of God's children. I'm not sure how he took the step from food to people, but I like it!
Being in the military has many advantages, but it has many challenges as well. Today this chapter has brought two things to my mind. One is fairly easy to tackle...the other, not so much. But I'm going to try!
First, NO ONE is too dirty for God. That means nothing you have done in your past prevents you from being baptized by the Holy Spirit. Nothing! When we contemplate our lives and wonder if we are worthy of God, we must be able to acknowledge that we are not. No one is! But not a single one of us has done something so terrible that God cannot overcome it. The power of the blood of Christ cannot be trumped. And since we are made by God, we must acknowledge that He made us clean.
It also means that we must remember this not only for ourselves but for others as well. We must remember that God wishes for us to reach all people, not just the ones we think are good. Not just the ones who follow the rules or do good or are family, but ALL people. We must be careful to not judge based on appearance or past performance, but to remind ourselves that these people we are having trouble accepting are children of God as well. No matter how dirty, annoying, confusing, irritating, or bothersome a people they might be! Even those who have committed evil, unspeakable acts are still children of God, and we are called to love! Remember the life of Paul!
The second thing God has brought to my attention might make people uncomfortable...heck, it's making me uncomfortable to even feel the need to speak of it. However, I feel God has laid it on my heart...so here goes:
One of the greatest challenges in the military is rank and I don't mean making rank. I mean the lines that divide us because of rank. (Now, let me put in a qualifier here: If you are active duty military, then please continue to follow the rules and regs that apply. This is for those of us who are spouses. This is NOT something for you to encourage your active duty husband to follow. I was active duty for 5 years, preceded by 19 years as a dependent and now 9 more years as a dependent and wife of a 1st Sgt...I know those regs exist for a reason.) We are divided by the lines between officer/enlisted, junior enlisted/senior enlisted, command officer/noncommand officer, positions of authority/everyone else. These lines can extend to the family members as well. I grew up thinking that we were not supposed to associate with the wives of officers. I grew up thinking that since my dad could not be "friends" with junior enlisted, that mean that my mom shouldn't be "friends" with their wives. We could be friendly, but certainly nothing that could ever be seen as "buddy-buddy" for fear that someone would think someone was playing favorites.
However, here in PWOC we have women who are wives to people of all ranks and positions. Many of us may not even know what rank a person's husband has, and I believe that is as it should be! We are women, people, God's children and we have so much to give one another. But PWOC is kind of a sheltered world...it's special because we meet in the chapel and we can just be women. And then we go home. If you do not already have women that are friends, mentors, or mentees from a variety of walks in life, I encourage you to start working on that. Peter tells us that no one is impure or unclean...in other words, we need to get rid of the taboo of labels.
I know how hard this will be hard for many. I know that it may make husbands squirm a little to realize that you are friends with someone in their chain of command, or someone who is higher up than they are, or someone subordinate to them. I really do understand that because my husband often has to choose to not attend certain events because of those lines the military draws...but never once has he told me to not be friends with someone because of rank. He knows that I will either have the opportunity to encourage someone, or be encouraged by them.
God knows our struggles in this military life, and I believe that this passage in Acts is a help to us in breaking those chains that the military could be setting on us. Just think of the encouragement you could give to a younger wife...regardless of her husband's rank! Think of what you could learn from a more experienced military wife...no matter if her husband is base commander or a chief! The military is our family and we should not be afraid to associate with family members.
However, as the chapter goes on, Peter brings new meaning to that. I'm not sure how I skipped over it in the past...maybe I just wasn't ready to see it. Peter says that because God showed him this that he now understands that no PERSON is unclean. Therefore, we can associate with any one of God's children. I'm not sure how he took the step from food to people, but I like it!
Being in the military has many advantages, but it has many challenges as well. Today this chapter has brought two things to my mind. One is fairly easy to tackle...the other, not so much. But I'm going to try!
First, NO ONE is too dirty for God. That means nothing you have done in your past prevents you from being baptized by the Holy Spirit. Nothing! When we contemplate our lives and wonder if we are worthy of God, we must be able to acknowledge that we are not. No one is! But not a single one of us has done something so terrible that God cannot overcome it. The power of the blood of Christ cannot be trumped. And since we are made by God, we must acknowledge that He made us clean.
It also means that we must remember this not only for ourselves but for others as well. We must remember that God wishes for us to reach all people, not just the ones we think are good. Not just the ones who follow the rules or do good or are family, but ALL people. We must be careful to not judge based on appearance or past performance, but to remind ourselves that these people we are having trouble accepting are children of God as well. No matter how dirty, annoying, confusing, irritating, or bothersome a people they might be! Even those who have committed evil, unspeakable acts are still children of God, and we are called to love! Remember the life of Paul!
The second thing God has brought to my attention might make people uncomfortable...heck, it's making me uncomfortable to even feel the need to speak of it. However, I feel God has laid it on my heart...so here goes:
One of the greatest challenges in the military is rank and I don't mean making rank. I mean the lines that divide us because of rank. (Now, let me put in a qualifier here: If you are active duty military, then please continue to follow the rules and regs that apply. This is for those of us who are spouses. This is NOT something for you to encourage your active duty husband to follow. I was active duty for 5 years, preceded by 19 years as a dependent and now 9 more years as a dependent and wife of a 1st Sgt...I know those regs exist for a reason.) We are divided by the lines between officer/enlisted, junior enlisted/senior enlisted, command officer/noncommand officer, positions of authority/everyone else. These lines can extend to the family members as well. I grew up thinking that we were not supposed to associate with the wives of officers. I grew up thinking that since my dad could not be "friends" with junior enlisted, that mean that my mom shouldn't be "friends" with their wives. We could be friendly, but certainly nothing that could ever be seen as "buddy-buddy" for fear that someone would think someone was playing favorites.
However, here in PWOC we have women who are wives to people of all ranks and positions. Many of us may not even know what rank a person's husband has, and I believe that is as it should be! We are women, people, God's children and we have so much to give one another. But PWOC is kind of a sheltered world...it's special because we meet in the chapel and we can just be women. And then we go home. If you do not already have women that are friends, mentors, or mentees from a variety of walks in life, I encourage you to start working on that. Peter tells us that no one is impure or unclean...in other words, we need to get rid of the taboo of labels.
I know how hard this will be hard for many. I know that it may make husbands squirm a little to realize that you are friends with someone in their chain of command, or someone who is higher up than they are, or someone subordinate to them. I really do understand that because my husband often has to choose to not attend certain events because of those lines the military draws...but never once has he told me to not be friends with someone because of rank. He knows that I will either have the opportunity to encourage someone, or be encouraged by them.
God knows our struggles in this military life, and I believe that this passage in Acts is a help to us in breaking those chains that the military could be setting on us. Just think of the encouragement you could give to a younger wife...regardless of her husband's rank! Think of what you could learn from a more experienced military wife...no matter if her husband is base commander or a chief! The military is our family and we should not be afraid to associate with family members.
Monday, April 22, 2013
Captive
Have you ever had someone give you something for nothing? Just a random act of kindness by an individual for not apparent reason? Did it make you feel a little uncomfortable? Kind of like you had to return the favor? I think it is part of our nature to want no "debt" on our conscience. Getting something for nothing in our society is usually too good to be true, and I'm pretty sure it has been that way in our world for a long time. Even in the days of Peter and Paul people felt the need to give back for a gift...especially one of high cost.
I don't think any of us can argue that Jesus paid an extremely high price for us. Pain, blood, death, and separation from the Father. And yet we are told that our salvation comes to us freely. Our flesh wants to tell us that is too good to be true. In Acts today I read about a man named Simon. Simon was a witch and did some awesome things with his witchery! But when the Apostles came to where he was he converted and was baptized. Amazing, right? As you read in Acts you think there is nothing the power of God can't do! However, Simon had a problem...he thought he had to buy his way into the power that comes from Christ. He offered money to Peter in order to be like him. Bad call. Peter promptly chastised him by saying: May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin. (Acts 8: 20-23).
We know better though, right? We know we cannot buy the Spirit with money! Silly Simon! However, there are other ways that we try to "buy" ourselves into the Kingdom...with service, with sacrifice, with words. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying don't serve, sacrifice or speak! Not at all! However, just as Simon had to evaluate his heart, so must we do with ours. Do we serve because we are "supposed to", do we sacrifice because "the Bible says so", do we speak because "we want to look knowledgeable before others"? All the things we do in life might be good...but not Godly. It's a really hard line to walk because it is in our nature to want to repay the debt to God. We have this need to be good for God. We want to do what is right...but we don't always know if that right thing is what God wanted us to do. Like Simon we must examine our hearts...find the sin that holds us captive. Is it fear, need, greed? Is it ignorance of the truth of the Word? Is it a lack of time spent with God so that we may know the path He would choose for us?
I find it interesting that Simon, after Peter's scathing words to him, turns around and says "Pray for me." Peter had pretty much just shut Simon down and told him that he was not good with God. A man newly come to Christ, wanting to impress others, had just been slapped down. But instead of bitterness or anger, Simon asked for help. Way to go, Simon! I encourage all of us to do the same. After you have examined your heart, spent time with God and discovered the sin holding you captive...find someone to tell what you have learned and ask them to pray for you. Pray that you will not end up the way Peter said Simon would. Pray that you will break those bonds. Pray strength and peace for you. The power of prayer is amazing...and even Simon, a brand new Christian, instinctively knew it! This process may not be easy or quick. But when you commit to it you will find such peace and relief in it! Christ does not want you to feel guilt for His sacrifice! He wants your heart and your love. And in return, you will find that He will bless your efforts on HIS behalf, and that you will not have to endure the struggles of captivity.
I don't think any of us can argue that Jesus paid an extremely high price for us. Pain, blood, death, and separation from the Father. And yet we are told that our salvation comes to us freely. Our flesh wants to tell us that is too good to be true. In Acts today I read about a man named Simon. Simon was a witch and did some awesome things with his witchery! But when the Apostles came to where he was he converted and was baptized. Amazing, right? As you read in Acts you think there is nothing the power of God can't do! However, Simon had a problem...he thought he had to buy his way into the power that comes from Christ. He offered money to Peter in order to be like him. Bad call. Peter promptly chastised him by saying: May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin. (Acts 8: 20-23).
We know better though, right? We know we cannot buy the Spirit with money! Silly Simon! However, there are other ways that we try to "buy" ourselves into the Kingdom...with service, with sacrifice, with words. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying don't serve, sacrifice or speak! Not at all! However, just as Simon had to evaluate his heart, so must we do with ours. Do we serve because we are "supposed to", do we sacrifice because "the Bible says so", do we speak because "we want to look knowledgeable before others"? All the things we do in life might be good...but not Godly. It's a really hard line to walk because it is in our nature to want to repay the debt to God. We have this need to be good for God. We want to do what is right...but we don't always know if that right thing is what God wanted us to do. Like Simon we must examine our hearts...find the sin that holds us captive. Is it fear, need, greed? Is it ignorance of the truth of the Word? Is it a lack of time spent with God so that we may know the path He would choose for us?
I find it interesting that Simon, after Peter's scathing words to him, turns around and says "Pray for me." Peter had pretty much just shut Simon down and told him that he was not good with God. A man newly come to Christ, wanting to impress others, had just been slapped down. But instead of bitterness or anger, Simon asked for help. Way to go, Simon! I encourage all of us to do the same. After you have examined your heart, spent time with God and discovered the sin holding you captive...find someone to tell what you have learned and ask them to pray for you. Pray that you will not end up the way Peter said Simon would. Pray that you will break those bonds. Pray strength and peace for you. The power of prayer is amazing...and even Simon, a brand new Christian, instinctively knew it! This process may not be easy or quick. But when you commit to it you will find such peace and relief in it! Christ does not want you to feel guilt for His sacrifice! He wants your heart and your love. And in return, you will find that He will bless your efforts on HIS behalf, and that you will not have to endure the struggles of captivity.
Friday, April 19, 2013
The News
I don't like to watch the news. I believe it lives to stoke fear and distrust in our nation. My husband however, is a news fanatic. If he is up, the news is on. Drives me nuts! In the last few days though, the news has been inescapable. So, today I thought I would stray from my daily readings and talk a little about fear and faith.
Two of my favorite passages come from Isaiah. The first is this: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." 43:1-2. Take comfort children of the Living God! We are protected by God Almighty. It does not say we will be spared trials, but that He will be with us and we will make it to the other side. This world has some high, crazy waters and some fierce fires burning. We can choose to fear what is happening and we can try to run away. Maybe if we hid well enough, the pain of the world could not find us. Somehow I doubt that is possible. OR we can choose to hold on to the promise in Isaiah. HE will be with us. There is not greater protector, no more valiant a warrior than our God. We can trust that as we go through these scary times, He will help us see it through to the end...and at the end we will see His glory revealed. How awesome is it, that He uses us as an instrument for His glory?
The second is this: "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." 41:10. This sound so much like what a father would say to his child. Remember the monsters in the closet and how mom just wasn't good enough to get rid of them sometimes? Then daddy would come and say, don't be scared...I'm here...I'll protect you! That always made me feel better...big strong daddy was going to kick monster butt! Our God is no different than our loving fathers, unless you want to count the fact that He is so much stronger and better than our earthly fathers! This is our Father's promise to us. He will help us...no matter what!
Right now so many of us are facing fear...fear of what is going on in our country, fear for the lives and safety of friends, fear for the sickness and death that seems to be running rampant through so many homes. Today I want us to remember, we do not have to face that fear alone. We can call out to our God that protects and defends us. The God who has made so many promises to us, and wants to keep them...if we will let Him. If you are afraid today, call out to Daddy and let Him stand with you. He may not take the scary situation away, people will still get sick and maybe even die, but He will bring you the peace and comfort no one else can. And maybe, one day you'll be able to see how all this is for His glory and you'll get to see how you were a part of it.
Two of my favorite passages come from Isaiah. The first is this: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze." 43:1-2. Take comfort children of the Living God! We are protected by God Almighty. It does not say we will be spared trials, but that He will be with us and we will make it to the other side. This world has some high, crazy waters and some fierce fires burning. We can choose to fear what is happening and we can try to run away. Maybe if we hid well enough, the pain of the world could not find us. Somehow I doubt that is possible. OR we can choose to hold on to the promise in Isaiah. HE will be with us. There is not greater protector, no more valiant a warrior than our God. We can trust that as we go through these scary times, He will help us see it through to the end...and at the end we will see His glory revealed. How awesome is it, that He uses us as an instrument for His glory?
The second is this: "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." 41:10. This sound so much like what a father would say to his child. Remember the monsters in the closet and how mom just wasn't good enough to get rid of them sometimes? Then daddy would come and say, don't be scared...I'm here...I'll protect you! That always made me feel better...big strong daddy was going to kick monster butt! Our God is no different than our loving fathers, unless you want to count the fact that He is so much stronger and better than our earthly fathers! This is our Father's promise to us. He will help us...no matter what!
Right now so many of us are facing fear...fear of what is going on in our country, fear for the lives and safety of friends, fear for the sickness and death that seems to be running rampant through so many homes. Today I want us to remember, we do not have to face that fear alone. We can call out to our God that protects and defends us. The God who has made so many promises to us, and wants to keep them...if we will let Him. If you are afraid today, call out to Daddy and let Him stand with you. He may not take the scary situation away, people will still get sick and maybe even die, but He will bring you the peace and comfort no one else can. And maybe, one day you'll be able to see how all this is for His glory and you'll get to see how you were a part of it.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Fear
I'm rereading the book of Acts and it never fails to amaze me the new things God teaches me as I go back through the Bible one more time. This morning I am reading chapter 4 of the book of Acts and while there is a lot of information in that chapter, this caught my attention. Peter and those who were with him were afraid. They had just been arrested for healing a man in Jesus' name and the Jewish elders put them in prison for it. By now, they (the disciples) have already received the Holy Spirit and you can tell it! They have become bold speakers in the face of adversity. And yet, they were afraid. No, the Scripture does not say it directly, but if you read between the lines you can see it.
The Scripture says after they (Peter, ect) were released from the presence of the Jewish elders and told to go forth and say that horrible name no more (Jesus), that they went back and told their own people what had happened. They were not unaffected by what had just occurred! How often do we endure something frightening and then go talk to someone we love and trust about it? The early disciples were no different. But instead of rehashing what had just happened or even bashing the Jewish elders, they simply lifted up their voices in prayer to God. It boiled down to a prayer for strength...or in our language, courage.
Think about it...they had all just witnessed what the elders were capable of doing. Jesus had been crucified!! What a horrible, horrible death! I can't blame them for being afraid that they might endure the same thing...simply over healing a lame man. I imagine the fear could have been so great they could have just said, "No, not going to preach any more...it's too risky. But I'll go home and live a good, Godly life." I bet the evil one was working at them something fierce! I have no doubt that more than one pair of hands were shaking, more than a few might have shed some tears and even more still might not have had the power to remain standing. But this is what I love about the examples we are given in the Bible, for it says "When they heard this, they raised their voices in prayer to God". They didn't wait a few days, they didn't ask if they should pray, they didn't go their separate ways! No! They heard what had happened, they felt the fear of what might be coming and they PRAYED! No hesitation, no doubt!
We are no different than those in that situation. We too have situation where we are afraid. We may fear speaking about God. We may fear upsetting others with how we live. We may one day go to a place where our faith could cost us our lives. DON'T LET THE EVIL ONE SINK HIS NASTY LITTLE TEETH INTO YOU! Fear is not from God! That instant you feel fear, PRAY! For in the book of Acts when those people prayed for strength and courage, the Holy Spirit filled not just the room they were in but the whole building! There was so much power in that place that wood and mortar trembled! And the fragile flesh of man was strengthened to carry on.
My friends, prayer works miracles...yes, even for you. When you ask God for the strength to carry on, for the strength to show just one person His love, He will not deny you. After all, how could He? It's a promise in the Bible!
The Scripture says after they (Peter, ect) were released from the presence of the Jewish elders and told to go forth and say that horrible name no more (Jesus), that they went back and told their own people what had happened. They were not unaffected by what had just occurred! How often do we endure something frightening and then go talk to someone we love and trust about it? The early disciples were no different. But instead of rehashing what had just happened or even bashing the Jewish elders, they simply lifted up their voices in prayer to God. It boiled down to a prayer for strength...or in our language, courage.
Think about it...they had all just witnessed what the elders were capable of doing. Jesus had been crucified!! What a horrible, horrible death! I can't blame them for being afraid that they might endure the same thing...simply over healing a lame man. I imagine the fear could have been so great they could have just said, "No, not going to preach any more...it's too risky. But I'll go home and live a good, Godly life." I bet the evil one was working at them something fierce! I have no doubt that more than one pair of hands were shaking, more than a few might have shed some tears and even more still might not have had the power to remain standing. But this is what I love about the examples we are given in the Bible, for it says "When they heard this, they raised their voices in prayer to God". They didn't wait a few days, they didn't ask if they should pray, they didn't go their separate ways! No! They heard what had happened, they felt the fear of what might be coming and they PRAYED! No hesitation, no doubt!
We are no different than those in that situation. We too have situation where we are afraid. We may fear speaking about God. We may fear upsetting others with how we live. We may one day go to a place where our faith could cost us our lives. DON'T LET THE EVIL ONE SINK HIS NASTY LITTLE TEETH INTO YOU! Fear is not from God! That instant you feel fear, PRAY! For in the book of Acts when those people prayed for strength and courage, the Holy Spirit filled not just the room they were in but the whole building! There was so much power in that place that wood and mortar trembled! And the fragile flesh of man was strengthened to carry on.
My friends, prayer works miracles...yes, even for you. When you ask God for the strength to carry on, for the strength to show just one person His love, He will not deny you. After all, how could He? It's a promise in the Bible!
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Judgment
I have found myself disturbed by the news and social media lately. I see people taking sides, accusing others of horrible crimes, or not caring for the safety of others, or just simple stupidity. I know we are all human and we all have an opinion (most of which can be pretty smelly), but I have seen some things lacking in our world...forgiveness, love and understanding.
It bothers me more when I see this judgment of others come from those who call themselves Christian. The Bible tell us in Matthew 7:1 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged". When we look at people in certain situations or those who have made certain decisions and judge them, we too, will be called upon to be judged for the decisions we have made in the past. And it will not be humans judging us. Psalm 9:8 tells us "He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity." Heaven help us if He chooses to judge us, for we will be found wanting.
While you read this you may question my statements for 2 Timothy 3:16 states "
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness". Indeed it does, but nowhere in there does it say to hate, turn from or turn away those who need the teaching, rebuking, correcting and training. Instead, Jesus tell us
"You may have heard 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
Do you know there is a book out there called "They Love Jesus, but They Hate the Church"? What does that tell us about our attitudes towards others? What are we showing people? Why is it that people who are outside the church feel like outcasts and scum? Because that is the image so many Christians are projecting.
Not me, though, right? I'm nice to everyone, contribute to charities, pray, and attend church. Now, I challenge you to take a look at your email, your Facebook, your Twitter, and even yourself as you watch the news. Did you pass on that "letter to the President"? Did you post that abortion is murder status? Did you hashtag gun control? Is there anything in your media that reflects the love and mercy of Christ?
Again, you may challenge me...you may say, April, those things (abortion, gays, women in the workplace, guns in the hands of every American) are wrong! Many of those things are clearly stated in the Bible. Now, I challenge you to think of the young lady who had been busted for adultery. The story is found in John 8:1-11:
At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
Can you imagine how different the story would have been should He have called her a sinner and turned from her? Now imagine that sinner is you and He turned away from YOU? Wouldn't that defeat the purpose of His coming? And are we not to be Christ-like? 2 Corinthians 3:18 says (we)
"are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
I write this today in the hopes that I will encourage all of us to pay more attention to our actions, spoken, written and bodily. Next time you think about posting something on Facebook, ask yourself does this reflect my love of Christ? Does it reflect mercy and grace? Would Jesus be proud of you or would He feel the need to remind you that "all of sinned and fallen short of the glory of God"?
I know it's hard...it's hard to tell people the truth but still love them. It's hard to see the sin and not turn away from the sinner. It's hard to be merciful when we really just want people to stop doing things that are such blatant sins in the eyes of God.
But if we turn people away with our "correction" and insistence in our righteousness, then we will loose people to the kingdom. Why should they want anything to do with a God who is represented by sinners who insist your sins are worse? How much harder will their path be, if we turn them away from our love and forgiveness?
I don't know about you, but I want Jesus to say "well done, good and faithful servant", not ask me why He should have mercy on me when I had mercy for no one else.
It bothers me more when I see this judgment of others come from those who call themselves Christian. The Bible tell us in Matthew 7:1 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged". When we look at people in certain situations or those who have made certain decisions and judge them, we too, will be called upon to be judged for the decisions we have made in the past. And it will not be humans judging us. Psalm 9:8 tells us "He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity." Heaven help us if He chooses to judge us, for we will be found wanting.
While you read this you may question my statements for 2 Timothy 3:16 states "
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness". Indeed it does, but nowhere in there does it say to hate, turn from or turn away those who need the teaching, rebuking, correcting and training. Instead, Jesus tell us
"You may have heard 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
Do you know there is a book out there called "They Love Jesus, but They Hate the Church"? What does that tell us about our attitudes towards others? What are we showing people? Why is it that people who are outside the church feel like outcasts and scum? Because that is the image so many Christians are projecting.
Not me, though, right? I'm nice to everyone, contribute to charities, pray, and attend church. Now, I challenge you to take a look at your email, your Facebook, your Twitter, and even yourself as you watch the news. Did you pass on that "letter to the President"? Did you post that abortion is murder status? Did you hashtag gun control? Is there anything in your media that reflects the love and mercy of Christ?
Again, you may challenge me...you may say, April, those things (abortion, gays, women in the workplace, guns in the hands of every American) are wrong! Many of those things are clearly stated in the Bible. Now, I challenge you to think of the young lady who had been busted for adultery. The story is found in John 8:1-11:
At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.
But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.
At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” “No one, sir,” she said. “Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”
Can you imagine how different the story would have been should He have called her a sinner and turned from her? Now imagine that sinner is you and He turned away from YOU? Wouldn't that defeat the purpose of His coming? And are we not to be Christ-like? 2 Corinthians 3:18 says (we)
"are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
I write this today in the hopes that I will encourage all of us to pay more attention to our actions, spoken, written and bodily. Next time you think about posting something on Facebook, ask yourself does this reflect my love of Christ? Does it reflect mercy and grace? Would Jesus be proud of you or would He feel the need to remind you that "all of sinned and fallen short of the glory of God"?
I know it's hard...it's hard to tell people the truth but still love them. It's hard to see the sin and not turn away from the sinner. It's hard to be merciful when we really just want people to stop doing things that are such blatant sins in the eyes of God.
But if we turn people away with our "correction" and insistence in our righteousness, then we will loose people to the kingdom. Why should they want anything to do with a God who is represented by sinners who insist your sins are worse? How much harder will their path be, if we turn them away from our love and forgiveness?
I don't know about you, but I want Jesus to say "well done, good and faithful servant", not ask me why He should have mercy on me when I had mercy for no one else.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
The challenges of the Beatitudes
My chaplain has been preaching on the beatitudes lately and on how by living by these words we will follow more closely in the footsteps of Christ. This is so much easier said than done! (as is quite a bit in the Bible) I felt the need to look at these one by one, break them down and address their challenges. I cannot claim I came up with this thought all on my own...Chaplain LaPack is a motivating speaker!
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. It took me a long time to be able to understand this. The "poor in spirit" implies that you might be depressed or down. I always thought it meant people who did not find joy in this life. I now understand it to mean those who know just how poor their spirit is without Christ enriching it. Unless we recognize that we are not worthy then we cannot be poor in spirit and inherit the kingdom of heaven.
There is the challenge. Who wants to admit they are not good enough? Who wants to say out loud, without God's help the spirit that resides within them is dirty, broken and well, poor? It strips a person of their pride and brings a body to its knees. Ah, and there is the purpose of this beatitude. God despises pride...a thought in today's world that is not only foreign, but ,to many, silly. To not have pride in ones' self must mean that you are broken, or depressed. See how the world can twist what the Bible tells us? It is our challenge as followers of Christ to listen more to Him and less to them.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. At first look this verse is simple...those who are sad will be happy again. However, is that all we really want in life, just to be happy all the time? Happiness is temporary, and our souls long for more than that. So what must we be mourning in order to gain comfort? We must acknowledge our fallen nature and the fact that we will never be good enough for He who is perfect.
Our challenge is to be able to know that we mess up, we sin, we fall, we are broken...but that God has given us a way to overcome. Again, our world frowns on someone admitting fault, or not being good enough. Telling someone these things is looked down upon because it makes us look weak or "simple". No one wants to face the ridicule of others, but by choosing to admit we are not worthy of God's grace we are given His grace feely. That is our comfort! That even though we humble ourselves before the mighty God, He does not laugh at us, lord it over us, or mock us...He loves us.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit earth. As my pastor says "meek does not mean weak" The definition of meek is "humbly patient or docile, as under provocation from others." In other words we have the ability to keep ourselves in check! What fun is that, right?
This challenge really hits home with me. I'm a live out loud kind of person and when someone really upsets me, I let them know! Loudly! However, I have found myself lately holding my tongue. Waiting to speak. Thinking and, more importantly, praying before I speak. I have learned to just let some things go. To look at al the circumstances surrounding the event, and possibly to forgive that person who may have offended me. Sometimes I just walk away. I'm aware that makes me look like a coward, weak, or even unconvicted of my beliefs. But again, does my speaking with temper really solve anything? Does it prove anything other than I do not have my temper under control? Not really. In the Bible, you never see Jesus get into a yelling match with someone. He says what He needs to say...and He knew that not everyone would agree or believe...and He was able to let it go. Our goal is to be like Him...even when it's tough to walk away from that discussion on faith!
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. He is not speaking of an earthly hunger for food or a thirst for water. He is speaking of the desire to be righteous. This word is defined in the dictionary as "characterized by uprightness or morality". I learned it as "to be right with God".
That is a huge challenge in today's world. Living your life in a way that is "right with God" does not mesh well with the temperament of this world. To be able to stand up and say you believe something is wrong often goes against the popular grain. To love everyone often goes against our own grain! To be giving, both of ourselves and our money for a cause that does not directly effect us can often be seen as a waste. To be forgiving of even the most heinous of crimes can see impossible and, to many in the work, weak. However, think, Jesus stood up and said you are worth saving, in spite of those who would claim otherwise. He gave everything for us, even as He was mocked. He forgives us everything...over and over again. To be right with God calls us to be like Jesus.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Mercy. Forgiveness. Being kind to others no matter their actions towards you or others. Generosity. These are not catch words in our society. Ruthless. Goal oriented. Focused. Number 1. These are the words we are bombarded with.
However, did you know that in the King James Version the word "mercy" can be found 262 times? For something to be mentioned that often it has to be important. And I don't know about you, but I really want God to grant me mercy. I've made some serious mistakes, does many things I am not proud of, hurt people with and without intent and in general been a fallen human. I want His mercy and this clearly states that if I don't give it, I won't get it!
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Pure. Now that's a word you don't hear often in today's world. Unless you are talking about cooking. (haha) Purity is over rated by many today. To be innocent is aligned with the words naïve, young, silly. None of those words are a compliment. Yet, don't we look at our children and envy their innocence? How can that be, if we were meant to be hard core, tough and looking out for numero uno?
I'm not sure how long innocence lasts in our world any longer, but I do know that it is possible to be pure of heart...hard, but possible. We are able to do things for others for no reason other than kindness, generosity and a desire to help others. It does go against the grain of what we are taught. Think about the Olympics. How many people stop when someone falls? Few, if any. The desire to win, to be number 1, to stand out from the crowd and be rewarded is a great lure for all humans. Now, think of the Special Olympics. I have seen more than once a participant fall, get hurt or seem unable to carry on. I have also seen the other participants stops, encourage and help up others...maybe sacrificing the gold medal in the process. Yet, that never seems to matter to them. These people emulate a purity of heart. I always wanted to be like that!
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God. Peacemaker can be a much debated word. You know those people that are always making nice and smoothing things over. The people that will end an argument with yes, yes, you must be right. Is that a peacemaker? Or is it those people who refuse to let the truth be clouded by worldly views and refuse to back down to lies? Not really a peaceful process then. However, after listening to my Chaplain, I have to agree with the latter definition.
I have the feeling that being a peacemaker is not peaceful. The challenge here is to know when to stand and when to walk away. How to speak the truth without it being like you are throwing the gauntlet down in front of anyone who comes looking. How to stand without being angry, defensive or offensive. That is a challenge. We are human after all! In order to be a peacemaker we must be in constant contact with the Father, we must know what He wants us to do, when He wants us to walk way and when He wants us to make a stand. We must have peace in our hearts before we can make it with others.
Finally: Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. How can being persecuted be a blessing? It's horrible, hard, heartbreaking, terrifying and just down right no fun at all! Why should we want this? More why should we want this for our Christian friends, family and even children? Because it means we are doing something right. This is God's sign to us that we are living as Christ lived and we are shining a light into the darkness. Darkness hates the light.
Our final challenge is to stand firm in times of distress, trouble and hatred. This word can be defined as "a program or campaign to exterminate, drive away, or subjugate a people because of their religion, race, or beliefs" It may not mean we are beaten, jailed, or killed for our faith. And I truly hope that in this country of ours it NEVER comes to that. However, I know that we will be ridiculed, taunted, looked down upon, given false names, and even hated...simply for our faith. It's hard to find the joy in that. Indeed, you may go home saddened by the loss of once friends or even family. It will not be easy, it will not be fun, and it come at a cost. However, God has promised us heaven. And carry with you, too, the thought that maybe you have planted a seed that may grow into another Paul of the 21st century.
The beatitudes do not promise us a life of ease or simplicity. They do promise us rewards for our faithfulness. We must bear in mind these promises during our life filled with challenges. Remember, God does not lie...what He promises He will deliver. We must stay the course, pray for strength and guidance, and finish the race that was set our before us. As it is said in 2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. It took me a long time to be able to understand this. The "poor in spirit" implies that you might be depressed or down. I always thought it meant people who did not find joy in this life. I now understand it to mean those who know just how poor their spirit is without Christ enriching it. Unless we recognize that we are not worthy then we cannot be poor in spirit and inherit the kingdom of heaven.
There is the challenge. Who wants to admit they are not good enough? Who wants to say out loud, without God's help the spirit that resides within them is dirty, broken and well, poor? It strips a person of their pride and brings a body to its knees. Ah, and there is the purpose of this beatitude. God despises pride...a thought in today's world that is not only foreign, but ,to many, silly. To not have pride in ones' self must mean that you are broken, or depressed. See how the world can twist what the Bible tells us? It is our challenge as followers of Christ to listen more to Him and less to them.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. At first look this verse is simple...those who are sad will be happy again. However, is that all we really want in life, just to be happy all the time? Happiness is temporary, and our souls long for more than that. So what must we be mourning in order to gain comfort? We must acknowledge our fallen nature and the fact that we will never be good enough for He who is perfect.
Our challenge is to be able to know that we mess up, we sin, we fall, we are broken...but that God has given us a way to overcome. Again, our world frowns on someone admitting fault, or not being good enough. Telling someone these things is looked down upon because it makes us look weak or "simple". No one wants to face the ridicule of others, but by choosing to admit we are not worthy of God's grace we are given His grace feely. That is our comfort! That even though we humble ourselves before the mighty God, He does not laugh at us, lord it over us, or mock us...He loves us.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit earth. As my pastor says "meek does not mean weak" The definition of meek is "humbly patient or docile, as under provocation from others." In other words we have the ability to keep ourselves in check! What fun is that, right?
This challenge really hits home with me. I'm a live out loud kind of person and when someone really upsets me, I let them know! Loudly! However, I have found myself lately holding my tongue. Waiting to speak. Thinking and, more importantly, praying before I speak. I have learned to just let some things go. To look at al the circumstances surrounding the event, and possibly to forgive that person who may have offended me. Sometimes I just walk away. I'm aware that makes me look like a coward, weak, or even unconvicted of my beliefs. But again, does my speaking with temper really solve anything? Does it prove anything other than I do not have my temper under control? Not really. In the Bible, you never see Jesus get into a yelling match with someone. He says what He needs to say...and He knew that not everyone would agree or believe...and He was able to let it go. Our goal is to be like Him...even when it's tough to walk away from that discussion on faith!
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. He is not speaking of an earthly hunger for food or a thirst for water. He is speaking of the desire to be righteous. This word is defined in the dictionary as "characterized by uprightness or morality". I learned it as "to be right with God".
That is a huge challenge in today's world. Living your life in a way that is "right with God" does not mesh well with the temperament of this world. To be able to stand up and say you believe something is wrong often goes against the popular grain. To love everyone often goes against our own grain! To be giving, both of ourselves and our money for a cause that does not directly effect us can often be seen as a waste. To be forgiving of even the most heinous of crimes can see impossible and, to many in the work, weak. However, think, Jesus stood up and said you are worth saving, in spite of those who would claim otherwise. He gave everything for us, even as He was mocked. He forgives us everything...over and over again. To be right with God calls us to be like Jesus.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Mercy. Forgiveness. Being kind to others no matter their actions towards you or others. Generosity. These are not catch words in our society. Ruthless. Goal oriented. Focused. Number 1. These are the words we are bombarded with.
However, did you know that in the King James Version the word "mercy" can be found 262 times? For something to be mentioned that often it has to be important. And I don't know about you, but I really want God to grant me mercy. I've made some serious mistakes, does many things I am not proud of, hurt people with and without intent and in general been a fallen human. I want His mercy and this clearly states that if I don't give it, I won't get it!
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Pure. Now that's a word you don't hear often in today's world. Unless you are talking about cooking. (haha) Purity is over rated by many today. To be innocent is aligned with the words naïve, young, silly. None of those words are a compliment. Yet, don't we look at our children and envy their innocence? How can that be, if we were meant to be hard core, tough and looking out for numero uno?
I'm not sure how long innocence lasts in our world any longer, but I do know that it is possible to be pure of heart...hard, but possible. We are able to do things for others for no reason other than kindness, generosity and a desire to help others. It does go against the grain of what we are taught. Think about the Olympics. How many people stop when someone falls? Few, if any. The desire to win, to be number 1, to stand out from the crowd and be rewarded is a great lure for all humans. Now, think of the Special Olympics. I have seen more than once a participant fall, get hurt or seem unable to carry on. I have also seen the other participants stops, encourage and help up others...maybe sacrificing the gold medal in the process. Yet, that never seems to matter to them. These people emulate a purity of heart. I always wanted to be like that!
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God. Peacemaker can be a much debated word. You know those people that are always making nice and smoothing things over. The people that will end an argument with yes, yes, you must be right. Is that a peacemaker? Or is it those people who refuse to let the truth be clouded by worldly views and refuse to back down to lies? Not really a peaceful process then. However, after listening to my Chaplain, I have to agree with the latter definition.
I have the feeling that being a peacemaker is not peaceful. The challenge here is to know when to stand and when to walk away. How to speak the truth without it being like you are throwing the gauntlet down in front of anyone who comes looking. How to stand without being angry, defensive or offensive. That is a challenge. We are human after all! In order to be a peacemaker we must be in constant contact with the Father, we must know what He wants us to do, when He wants us to walk way and when He wants us to make a stand. We must have peace in our hearts before we can make it with others.
Finally: Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. How can being persecuted be a blessing? It's horrible, hard, heartbreaking, terrifying and just down right no fun at all! Why should we want this? More why should we want this for our Christian friends, family and even children? Because it means we are doing something right. This is God's sign to us that we are living as Christ lived and we are shining a light into the darkness. Darkness hates the light.
Our final challenge is to stand firm in times of distress, trouble and hatred. This word can be defined as "a program or campaign to exterminate, drive away, or subjugate a people because of their religion, race, or beliefs" It may not mean we are beaten, jailed, or killed for our faith. And I truly hope that in this country of ours it NEVER comes to that. However, I know that we will be ridiculed, taunted, looked down upon, given false names, and even hated...simply for our faith. It's hard to find the joy in that. Indeed, you may go home saddened by the loss of once friends or even family. It will not be easy, it will not be fun, and it come at a cost. However, God has promised us heaven. And carry with you, too, the thought that maybe you have planted a seed that may grow into another Paul of the 21st century.
The beatitudes do not promise us a life of ease or simplicity. They do promise us rewards for our faithfulness. We must bear in mind these promises during our life filled with challenges. Remember, God does not lie...what He promises He will deliver. We must stay the course, pray for strength and guidance, and finish the race that was set our before us. As it is said in 2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
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