Lately, I've found myself asking for approval a lot in my prayers. For people to say i'm doing ok in my Christian walk, it's not doing the job anymore. I think most of us just want to know whether of not we are doing enough, whether or not we are good enough or will our moment in the judgement seat be the most agonizing thing we will ever experience?
I've come to a few conclusions though. I don't think our Father meant for us to go through life wondering this all the time. He gave us guidelines to follow and if we follow them, we should know (by faith or by fact) that we are doing ok. Second, God has a way of letting us know if we are doing ok. Admit it....the majority of times, when we do something, we automatically know if we are doing ok, don't we? If we are doing ok, we feel it.
Sometimes, I just think, "If someone would just tell me I'm doing ok, things would be so much easier." Then, it's as if the Lord says, "Be still and listen....I'll tell you." It's an ongoing project. I find myself refusing to settle for the way things are. It's part of what keeps me busy and keeps me growing. I love to hear Him tell me that I'm doing ok!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Some Branches Just Won't Bear
With a tinge of guilt, I destroyed my tomato bushes today. I have been told that some tomato varieties will have bushes that are called "duds". Both of mine turned out to be duds. I have babied them both since May by fertilizing, weeding, picking off cut worms...you know the drill. All in all, I think perhaps I reaped 10 tomatoes off two beautiful bushes. Usually, I have so many I end up giving them to friends. The plants were always healthy and grew to over 6 feet high....the only problem was that although many, many flowers were produced, no tomatoes would form.
Jesus told a parable once about a fig tree that would not bear. The master told the worker to cut it down and cast it into flames but the worker talked him into letting him try one more season to encourage the tree to bear. (I would have done this with my tomatoes but they are annuals.....besides, I babied them enough all summer.)
It gets frustrating some times sharing our testimonies and not seeing any fruit. We just have to keep on witnessing and cultivating our faith. The point is you are bearing fruit just by sharing your story. Be patient. Be sympathetic and loving. The person you are sharing with may need a lot of pruning, feeding, and encouraging. In your absence, the Lord will do His work. Remember, Paul said we plant, water, and cultivate....God makes the growing occur.
Jesus told a parable once about a fig tree that would not bear. The master told the worker to cut it down and cast it into flames but the worker talked him into letting him try one more season to encourage the tree to bear. (I would have done this with my tomatoes but they are annuals.....besides, I babied them enough all summer.)
It gets frustrating some times sharing our testimonies and not seeing any fruit. We just have to keep on witnessing and cultivating our faith. The point is you are bearing fruit just by sharing your story. Be patient. Be sympathetic and loving. The person you are sharing with may need a lot of pruning, feeding, and encouraging. In your absence, the Lord will do His work. Remember, Paul said we plant, water, and cultivate....God makes the growing occur.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Forgiving
Our typical approach as counselors is to talk with those coming to ask for food at the food bank to see how they are doing, what's going on in their lives, whether they have questions, and of course witness if permitted. I always make it a point to ask folks how their heart is and try to gauge their spiritual feelings.
Sometimes, I feel like God uses me.
This week, I got used, I think. I had the distinct privilege of counseling Ellen. It was her first time coming in. Ellen is in her mid-thirties but looks like mid-fifties. She is skinny and dried up with dark eyes, long black hair, and gives an appearance of having had a very hard life. After explaining the food bank and gathering certain personal information, I found the opportunity to ask Ellen about her spiritual life, things like whether she had a church home, whether she had ever been saved, what she believed.....you know, typical Christian-type questions.
All the while, I kept sensing she wanted to open up to me and eventually after coaxing her with loving remarks about how much Jesus loves her, she did. As tears began falling from her eyes, she explained to me that she was a "backslider"; that she had fallen back to bad ways after being saved a long time ago, and she was tired...oh so tired. I listened to her story and asked her if she wanted to make a deal. I told Ellen that if she liked, she could walk out the door today and know, without any shadow of doubt, that she was no longer a "backslider". I explained to her that it is the essence of Jesus to forgive and that all she had to do is ask. Bowing our heads together, I took her hands in mine and prayed forgiveness for Ellen as her tears continued to fall.
A little while later, as I noticed her leaving, I caught up with her and told her to hug me goodbye. She did and told me, "You know, I feel so much better about coming here today." I told her to not forget our deal and she said that she wouldn't.
Someone in your life needs forgiving.....find a way to do it.
Sometimes, I feel like God uses me.
This week, I got used, I think. I had the distinct privilege of counseling Ellen. It was her first time coming in. Ellen is in her mid-thirties but looks like mid-fifties. She is skinny and dried up with dark eyes, long black hair, and gives an appearance of having had a very hard life. After explaining the food bank and gathering certain personal information, I found the opportunity to ask Ellen about her spiritual life, things like whether she had a church home, whether she had ever been saved, what she believed.....you know, typical Christian-type questions.
All the while, I kept sensing she wanted to open up to me and eventually after coaxing her with loving remarks about how much Jesus loves her, she did. As tears began falling from her eyes, she explained to me that she was a "backslider"; that she had fallen back to bad ways after being saved a long time ago, and she was tired...oh so tired. I listened to her story and asked her if she wanted to make a deal. I told Ellen that if she liked, she could walk out the door today and know, without any shadow of doubt, that she was no longer a "backslider". I explained to her that it is the essence of Jesus to forgive and that all she had to do is ask. Bowing our heads together, I took her hands in mine and prayed forgiveness for Ellen as her tears continued to fall.
A little while later, as I noticed her leaving, I caught up with her and told her to hug me goodbye. She did and told me, "You know, I feel so much better about coming here today." I told her to not forget our deal and she said that she wouldn't.
Someone in your life needs forgiving.....find a way to do it.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Time to Appologize
I have been thinking a lot lately about how we should appologize to the Lord for this oil spill thing. It's not just BPs' fault, you know.....it's all of ours. We are all equally guilty. All of us contribute daily to the pollution of the planet. I suppose it all adds up to greed. We consume and consume like it is going to buy us more time and instead, the more we consume, the more we pollute. Forgive us Father for we know not what we do.
I think it is time that we as a country ask God to forgive us and appologize for the misuse of the wonderful resources He has bestowed upon us. If we truly, truly repent, He will hear this prayer and intervene. I am embarrassed for us and ashamed of the terrible thing that has happened in the Gulf. And like a child, once again, I ask for His help. Pray with me and be embarrassed with me and ashamed with me. It's the right thing to do. Amen.
I think it is time that we as a country ask God to forgive us and appologize for the misuse of the wonderful resources He has bestowed upon us. If we truly, truly repent, He will hear this prayer and intervene. I am embarrassed for us and ashamed of the terrible thing that has happened in the Gulf. And like a child, once again, I ask for His help. Pray with me and be embarrassed with me and ashamed with me. It's the right thing to do. Amen.
Monday, June 7, 2010
When God Places an Angel In Your Day
I'm not bragging about this but needed to state it as part of background for what I had to tell you. I volunteer as a "Meals On Wheels" driver a couple times a month. It's not a big deal, but occasionally, you meet a special person that you just know God has put into your life. Today was one of those days.
I met Mary Johnson for the first time today. She is 90 years young and most certainly is an Angel from Heaven. Her two overweight chihuahua's met me barking at the head of her dirt drive way. Her trailer is located on property owned by her daughter and is the first house you come to down at the end of a short, winding dirt road. As soon as I got out of my vehicle, the dogs warmed up to me and became instant friends. I knew then that I had arrived at a special house.
I walked up onto the little front porch deck to the front door and before I had hardly time to knock, I heard her tiny voice say, "come in." I knocked anyway though. I opened the door and Mary was standing there behind her walker and I smiled and introduced myself. Mary engaged in conversation without hesitating. She told me about herself and some of her physical ailments and then is when I felt the presence of our Lord. I asked her if she got to go to church and she said she had not been able to go very much lately. That led to her telling me how she had played the piano for years at church and how her husband (who died three years ago) used to love to hear her play "What a Friend We Have In Jesus". It was his favorite, because as she put it, "of the way I play it." I told Mary that my favorite was "Amazing Grace". A gentle whisper in my ear told me to ask her to play What a Friend for me.
The old piano was sitting there taking up most of the room in her little dining area. It looked to me to be around 100. She told me she would be happy to play for me but that the piano was pretty much out of tune. I helped her pull out the bench, she sat down and immediately began playing the most beautiful rendition of that song I have ever heard. Not only that, when she finished that one, she flowed into playing Amazing Grace for me. I could do nothing but stand there with tears listening.
The old piano was an upright style with well-worn, discolored keys. And, yes, it was out of tune. I thanked Mary for playing for me and asked if she would play for me the next time and she just grinned. She would be only too happy to. I left with a larger heart and with a feeling of Love that just doesnt come around often enough.
When I got home, I called a music store and arranged to have a piano tuner go out to Mary's place to tune the old piano. I can't wait to hear her play again. Thanks, Father. Thank you, thank you so much.
I met Mary Johnson for the first time today. She is 90 years young and most certainly is an Angel from Heaven. Her two overweight chihuahua's met me barking at the head of her dirt drive way. Her trailer is located on property owned by her daughter and is the first house you come to down at the end of a short, winding dirt road. As soon as I got out of my vehicle, the dogs warmed up to me and became instant friends. I knew then that I had arrived at a special house.
I walked up onto the little front porch deck to the front door and before I had hardly time to knock, I heard her tiny voice say, "come in." I knocked anyway though. I opened the door and Mary was standing there behind her walker and I smiled and introduced myself. Mary engaged in conversation without hesitating. She told me about herself and some of her physical ailments and then is when I felt the presence of our Lord. I asked her if she got to go to church and she said she had not been able to go very much lately. That led to her telling me how she had played the piano for years at church and how her husband (who died three years ago) used to love to hear her play "What a Friend We Have In Jesus". It was his favorite, because as she put it, "of the way I play it." I told Mary that my favorite was "Amazing Grace". A gentle whisper in my ear told me to ask her to play What a Friend for me.
The old piano was sitting there taking up most of the room in her little dining area. It looked to me to be around 100. She told me she would be happy to play for me but that the piano was pretty much out of tune. I helped her pull out the bench, she sat down and immediately began playing the most beautiful rendition of that song I have ever heard. Not only that, when she finished that one, she flowed into playing Amazing Grace for me. I could do nothing but stand there with tears listening.
The old piano was an upright style with well-worn, discolored keys. And, yes, it was out of tune. I thanked Mary for playing for me and asked if she would play for me the next time and she just grinned. She would be only too happy to. I left with a larger heart and with a feeling of Love that just doesnt come around often enough.
When I got home, I called a music store and arranged to have a piano tuner go out to Mary's place to tune the old piano. I can't wait to hear her play again. Thanks, Father. Thank you, thank you so much.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
On Faith and Recognizing It
One of the greatest goals I have set for myself is to continue to grow in my faith. It isn't an easy thing to do. One of the things I look for is to be able to readily recognize that my faith has grown at those times when it is apparent. Obviously, the "mountaintop" experiences enable us to see growth but what about the small, quiet happenings that occur from day to day?
A lot of times, overcoming fear of this or that makes us realize that our faith is stronger. Other times, just praying a heart felt prayer helps us. Our Father in Heaven doen't usually shout at us to make sure we are heard. Usually, it comes as a quiet whisper in a quiet time...you know, the times when you are alone in the morning or late at night on night shift...the times when there can be no interruptions or breaking of the silence. You hear the whisper, it's just that sometimes, you dont know where it's coming from and if you're not careful, you pass it off. Still, other times, you know it when you contribute in an anonymous way and you feel good about it.
We all want, from time to time, to hear someone say, "it's ok" and then hear, "you know what, you are doing just fine". Look for it and listen for it. It can be heard if you just listen. How do YOU really recognize when your faith has grown and is still growing? Ask yourself this question and then listen very carefully for the answer. It is there, ever whispering to you.
A lot of times, overcoming fear of this or that makes us realize that our faith is stronger. Other times, just praying a heart felt prayer helps us. Our Father in Heaven doen't usually shout at us to make sure we are heard. Usually, it comes as a quiet whisper in a quiet time...you know, the times when you are alone in the morning or late at night on night shift...the times when there can be no interruptions or breaking of the silence. You hear the whisper, it's just that sometimes, you dont know where it's coming from and if you're not careful, you pass it off. Still, other times, you know it when you contribute in an anonymous way and you feel good about it.
We all want, from time to time, to hear someone say, "it's ok" and then hear, "you know what, you are doing just fine". Look for it and listen for it. It can be heard if you just listen. How do YOU really recognize when your faith has grown and is still growing? Ask yourself this question and then listen very carefully for the answer. It is there, ever whispering to you.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Of Palm Trees and Weeping
The Book of Luke, Chapter 19:
41 When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it,
42 saying, "If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace ! But now they have been hidden from your eyes.
On the day Jesus was to enter Jerusalem, His disciples must have been confused.....why was Jesus crying? To my recollection, each time the Bible mentions Jesus crying, it was a situation where Love overcame Him and burned within His heart.
Palm Sunday (as we call it today) was a great day of anticipation for Jesus. The week would be filled with confusion, strife, suffering, prayer, change, betrayal, revelation.....Knowing what was to come, I think Jesus' love that day was what gave Him the strength to go on into the city.
Today, we must look forward to His returning to Jerusalem one day with a different approach....it is then He will be welcomed a different way as every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess Him Lord.
41 When He approached Jerusalem, He saw the city and wept over it,
42 saying, "If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace ! But now they have been hidden from your eyes.
On the day Jesus was to enter Jerusalem, His disciples must have been confused.....why was Jesus crying? To my recollection, each time the Bible mentions Jesus crying, it was a situation where Love overcame Him and burned within His heart.
Palm Sunday (as we call it today) was a great day of anticipation for Jesus. The week would be filled with confusion, strife, suffering, prayer, change, betrayal, revelation.....Knowing what was to come, I think Jesus' love that day was what gave Him the strength to go on into the city.
Today, we must look forward to His returning to Jerusalem one day with a different approach....it is then He will be welcomed a different way as every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess Him Lord.
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