A few weeks back, a friend and I were discussing the heart of God towards human kind and how His heart must break when sin wounds people. Good people, bad people, innocent people. It's the age old question; the question everyone asks, but no one wants to answer: "Where's God when...?"
How do you look into the tearful eyes of a hurting person and explain the love and mercy of a God who, in their moment, seems far off? This "Where's God?" question used to intimidate me, as if God's character was dependent upon my ability to adequately defend Him. Going deeper, I think I felt as though if I couldn't explain away the sheer terror that abounds on earth, my own belief foundation may shake or shatter. In all of my explaining, I never considered how this same opposition might wound the heart of God, as my friend recently suggested.
Though I've blogged similar thoughts for you before, this writing reflects a new perspective. I've included Scripture references in case you want to do your own study.
We are God's precious, beloved children. He loves us with a love we often don't understand or comprehend, as His love surpasses our limited knowledge (Ephesians 3:18-19). When He first created the world, He glazed down from the heavenly loft and saw that it was good (Genesis 1:31). Imagine a world that was perfect, sinless, and happy. How incredible and vastly different it was from our current reality.
God is a good Father, and because of His goodness, He gave us a free-will. I've questioned Him on this point, too, but if He didn't give us reign over our choices, He would be considered a controlling monster. He knew we would choose to act outside His boundaries, and He knew the consequences of those actions, yet He stepped aside anyways. He wanted us to choose Him out of our own desire, rather than duty or fear. True love is never forced or coerced, but instead is freely given and received.
Yes, we often wonder, "Where's God when...?" I don't think it's our doubts that really wound God. He's big enough to handle our fears, and in His presence, He dispels darkness. I think it's the work of the evil one that we allow in our hearts and minds that upsets God. Satan is a murderer and a liar (John 8:44). When we allow him, he twists our thoughts to deflect blame and rage from himself and vile acts of sin to God, our Father. God did not choose sin for His people, but Satan gloats when believers launch arrows of accusation towards His heavenly places. "Why God, why???!!!" Time and again He invites us to renew our minds and shift old patterns of thinking (Romans 12:2). Instead of asking, "Why, God?", when will His people begin declaring, "No more, Satan!" It's time for the righteous to tremble with holy indignation against the ruler of darkness.
The God of all heaven and earth takes pleasure in His people. He beautifies the afflicted ones with salvation (Psalm 149:4)! He is in our midst as a victorious warrior. He exults over us with joy. He is quiet in His love. He rejoices over us with shouting (Zephaniah 3:17). When will this be enough for us? When will we believe His heart towards us? When will we trust His love?
I truly believe God's heart shatters at the sound of our groaning. I think it agonizes Him to see His children anguishing as a result of sin. I think He trembles with holy rage when the works of the enemy seem to prevail against us. I imagine He weeps as we weep and aches as we ache. It's not that He can't save us from our despair, but that He already did. The moment Adam allowed sin to manifest in his heart, God began working out a plan of salvation for us. We do not have to grieve as those who have no hope! Our hope springs eternal.
We are in a war, folks. Not a war against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, and the ruler of darkness (Ephesians 6:10-12). Sometimes, as often is the case in war, the innocent are afflicted and even parish. It's a cruel reality, but so is sin. Satan has no partiality. He'll cast down whomever he can reach and devour (1 Peter 5:8). You see, that's his nature- death, destruction, heartache, abuse, sickness, disease, divorce, debt, abandonment, anger, lust, rage, brokenness, and all other sorts of evil. Make no mistake, Satan joys in our affliction.
However, I assure you that God does not joy in our afflictions. I know His heart aches and yearns for our healing. Our enemy is already a defeated foe!
God is not far-off, uninterested, or uncaring. He is a good Father. He loves us with an unending love (Romans 8:38-39). He yearns for our hearts, and I believe He longs for that glorious day when He will complete our transformation in heaven. He will clothe us with robes of righteousness and we will finally be whole and complete, not lacking anything. Imagine the joy that awaits us if we choose Him, friends. Let us fix our eyes on Him and walk alongside Him as we venture through earth's shadows. He promises we'll never be alone. (Psalm 23:4).
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Beauty and the Beholder
I have the most precious, fun-loving, energetic, adorable, smart, caring, sweet, ornery 23 month old niece in the whole world, and yes, I am biased. No, we're of no blood relation, but when she runs up to me, arms waving in the air, yelling, "Nea nea, hold you!" blood means nothing. She's won my heart, and I'll forever be her auntie.
This adored niece of mine has taught me quite a lot about life in her short time span thus far. Through her eyes, the world is pure and full of potential. Love is clean and laughter is genuine, just as it should be. She is the epitome of all things lovely.
Today, as we endeavored through a two and a half hour morning marathon process of relatively simple tasks like showering, dressing, and general hygiene, she said three of the most prized words I've ever heard:
Nea nea, so pretty! Nea nea, so pretty!
For clarity's sake, I didn't consider her words prized because they stroked my ego or embellished my vanity. In that moment, I can assure you I fit no widely accepted definition of beauty, if any definition at all. My hair resembled that of Albert Einstein, my breath smelled like something out of a horror story, and I didn't have the first stitch of make-up covering my less than perfect skin...
..but maybe that's the point. Her little 23 month old mind isn't tainted by the North American definition of beauty that fades with a washcloth. She isn't yet stained by a culture that values attraction over attributes. Her perception isn't defined by cheap standards, but she recognizes beautiful things in a raw, unfiltered form that I wish I could comprehend.
She can't articulate that by which she measures beauty, but if she could, I imagine it might be something like this: Beauty is love, snuggling, playing with rocks, sharing half eaten food, and giving a thousand and two kisses. Beauty is the cat licking her paw, the weeds growing along the sidewalk, and a thousand other things that capture her attention and engage her senses. Love isn't a vocabulary lesson to this precious child, but rather an active and growing feeling in her heart that isn't bruised, broken, or jaded.
I think we can all learn something from this oversimplified reality. No, I don't think we have to abandoned cosmetics or start wearing around potato sacks to grasp accurate beauty standards, but I think we ought to examine the what, who, and how of our own adopted, internal specifications of beauty and challenge the voices in our minds that lie. We owe it to ourselves, our friends, our siblings, and our children to expand our definitions beyond that which is temporal. Seek out truth, my friends.
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and it may be necessary from time to time to give a stupid or misinformed beholder a black eye."
-Miss Piggy, The Muppets
This adored niece of mine has taught me quite a lot about life in her short time span thus far. Through her eyes, the world is pure and full of potential. Love is clean and laughter is genuine, just as it should be. She is the epitome of all things lovely.
Today, as we endeavored through a two and a half hour morning marathon process of relatively simple tasks like showering, dressing, and general hygiene, she said three of the most prized words I've ever heard:
Nea nea, so pretty! Nea nea, so pretty!
For clarity's sake, I didn't consider her words prized because they stroked my ego or embellished my vanity. In that moment, I can assure you I fit no widely accepted definition of beauty, if any definition at all. My hair resembled that of Albert Einstein, my breath smelled like something out of a horror story, and I didn't have the first stitch of make-up covering my less than perfect skin...
..but maybe that's the point. Her little 23 month old mind isn't tainted by the North American definition of beauty that fades with a washcloth. She isn't yet stained by a culture that values attraction over attributes. Her perception isn't defined by cheap standards, but she recognizes beautiful things in a raw, unfiltered form that I wish I could comprehend.
She can't articulate that by which she measures beauty, but if she could, I imagine it might be something like this: Beauty is love, snuggling, playing with rocks, sharing half eaten food, and giving a thousand and two kisses. Beauty is the cat licking her paw, the weeds growing along the sidewalk, and a thousand other things that capture her attention and engage her senses. Love isn't a vocabulary lesson to this precious child, but rather an active and growing feeling in her heart that isn't bruised, broken, or jaded.
I think we can all learn something from this oversimplified reality. No, I don't think we have to abandoned cosmetics or start wearing around potato sacks to grasp accurate beauty standards, but I think we ought to examine the what, who, and how of our own adopted, internal specifications of beauty and challenge the voices in our minds that lie. We owe it to ourselves, our friends, our siblings, and our children to expand our definitions beyond that which is temporal. Seek out truth, my friends.
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and it may be necessary from time to time to give a stupid or misinformed beholder a black eye."
-Miss Piggy, The Muppets
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Music and Jesus
Have you ever really considered music? If you asked my opinion, I would tell you that I think music is one of the most beautiful expressions of the human language. It encompasses moods, conquers emotions, and unites strangers; it can lift spirits and break through even the most rugged of hearts. Music speaks to people, and when there aren't any other appropriate words, sometimes a song can say it all.
Yesterday afternoon I was driving all around town, clinging to any shred of sanity I had left. I had worship music playing quietly through my stereo, though I wasn't much engaged. I got caught at a red light that I didn't have time for and the following song lyrics demanded my attention:
Lord, reign in me.
Reign in your power.
Over all my dreams, in my darkest hour.
You are the Lord, of all I am.
Won't you reign in me again?
This song is probably older than I am, and I've heard it close to a bazillion times; even so, it stopped me in my tracks. It's easy for the believer to ask for the Lord's reign when times are good, life is going exactly according to our human plans, our dreams our big, our bank accounts flourishing, and we don't have a single scenario before us that would require a trust walk. It is, however, not so easy when the opposite is true and we're walking through our darkest hours. Maybe, just maybe, that's when we need this song the most.
Lord, reign in me. Yes, by all means, because even my best laid plans are fizzling. I need your authority to guide my life. I know your reign is far better.
Reign in your power. I feel powerless, but I know you have conquered all. Whatever today brings and despite the situations I'm facing, you are greater still.
Over all my dreams, in my darkest hour. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death... Lord, I need you.
You are the Lord, of all I am. The good, the bad, and the ugly, I give it to you. I am yours. Do what you will. Use me where you can. I may be chipped and cracked and nearly broken, but I am still your vessel.
Won't you reign in me again? And again, and again, and again. I need you, oh I need you. Every hour, I need you.
I don't know about any of you reading this blog, but I don't always feel very spiritual when I'm in the midst of a battle, or battles, as sometimes the case may be, but it's refreshing to know that I don't war alone. It's also encouraging to know that I can sit at an over-timed traffic light and whisper five lines of quiet trust and know the God of the universe hears my utterances. The best news yet is that He'll hear your calls of desperation, too. He's waiting...
Happy Easter, my friends!
Yesterday afternoon I was driving all around town, clinging to any shred of sanity I had left. I had worship music playing quietly through my stereo, though I wasn't much engaged. I got caught at a red light that I didn't have time for and the following song lyrics demanded my attention:
Lord, reign in me.
Reign in your power.
Over all my dreams, in my darkest hour.
You are the Lord, of all I am.
Won't you reign in me again?
This song is probably older than I am, and I've heard it close to a bazillion times; even so, it stopped me in my tracks. It's easy for the believer to ask for the Lord's reign when times are good, life is going exactly according to our human plans, our dreams our big, our bank accounts flourishing, and we don't have a single scenario before us that would require a trust walk. It is, however, not so easy when the opposite is true and we're walking through our darkest hours. Maybe, just maybe, that's when we need this song the most.
Lord, reign in me. Yes, by all means, because even my best laid plans are fizzling. I need your authority to guide my life. I know your reign is far better.
Reign in your power. I feel powerless, but I know you have conquered all. Whatever today brings and despite the situations I'm facing, you are greater still.
Over all my dreams, in my darkest hour. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death... Lord, I need you.
You are the Lord, of all I am. The good, the bad, and the ugly, I give it to you. I am yours. Do what you will. Use me where you can. I may be chipped and cracked and nearly broken, but I am still your vessel.
Won't you reign in me again? And again, and again, and again. I need you, oh I need you. Every hour, I need you.
I don't know about any of you reading this blog, but I don't always feel very spiritual when I'm in the midst of a battle, or battles, as sometimes the case may be, but it's refreshing to know that I don't war alone. It's also encouraging to know that I can sit at an over-timed traffic light and whisper five lines of quiet trust and know the God of the universe hears my utterances. The best news yet is that He'll hear your calls of desperation, too. He's waiting...
Happy Easter, my friends!
Monday, March 31, 2014
Our most valuable assets
Hi readers,
I'm writing with a heavy heart today, but after much pondering, I think what I have to say must be spoken, or written, anyways.
This past weekend, I was taking one of my favorite three-year-olds to the local park for a few hours. It was a beautiful afternoon, and I couldn't fathom staying indoors all day. As I was standing at the base of the play equipment looking up at him, I felt someone grab at my mid-section. I glanced down and behind me to find a small boy who I'd guess to be 4 or 5 years old with his arms wrapped around my legs.
Surprised, I started quizzing the blue-eyed beauty who was dressed in pajamas and smelled worse than my dog after she rolls in the mud. His answers were more heart-wrenching with each question I asked. The truth I gleaned from our short exchange made me sick to my stomach.
He wanted nothing from me but attention, and it brightened his face to know someone was watching him climb up the biggest slide in the park. Eventually, he asked me to hold him. Without any thought, I picked up the child, grabbed the one entrusted to my care by the hand, and we started towards grandma, who was not in the least interested in our exchange. She saw us walking towards her and yelled, "Put him down! He's only a womanizing bastard like his father," and simply went back to her earth-shattering phone conversation.
"A womanizing bastard like his father? Really? He's only a child!!!" I thought to myself. Any words I had to say weren't even remotely appropriate for the little ears that surrounded me, so I said nothing in that moment. Instead, I turned back around with her grandson in my arms, held him tightly, and said, "Honey, you're not a bastard and you don't have to be like your daddy at all. You are precious, do you understand?" He was quiet. I wanted nothing more than to take him home, give him a bath, put him in clean clothes, feed him actual food, and let love wash over his little heart until he actually felt wanted. Unfortunately for him, the law wasn't in either of our favor.
The afternoon carried on, and finally, grandma whisked him away up the hill and out of sight. Nothing I had to say changed her mind, and to her, that child was nothing more than nuisance. That boy was crying out for help that day, and yet he still left as a neglected, and most probably, abused child. The law, the system, the state, his sperm and egg donors, his blood family, and myself all failed the kid. That's a hard pill to swallow.
Where do we go from here? To a world where child abuse and neglect didn't exist, I wish. Instead, let me leave you with some food for thought.
First of all, anyone that might hurt a child will answer for their actions. If not in this life, most certainly in the next. I know the heart of God breaks when children are treated like trash, and I know there is great healing that can be had by any broken person, including the discarded, unwanted, abused, and unloved.
Secondly, treasure the babies around you, whether they're 3 days, 3 years, or 30 years old. God hasn't blessed with me children yet. If He'd give me the go-ahead, I'd have half a dozen stair-steppers, but I'm still waiting. All things fair and that being said, love the ones around you. Kids, grand kids, god-children, nieces, nephews, neighbor kids, school kids, the secretary's kids, whoever. I'm not saying raise them (unless their yours, of course), but love them. Value them. Respect them. Stick up for them. Give them the time of day. Fat, thin, stupid, smart, impaired, fully-functioning, whatever, they are worth it. Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight...
Finally, do something to change the status quo. How can you, an ordinary, overbooked citizen make a change?
1. Start with your own family first. If you've made mistakes with your children, make it right. Say "I'm sorry." Be the agent of change in your own home. Quit bullying, stop talking trash, and don't take a single moment for granted. Your kids (no matter their age) don't need perfect parents, but they do deserve your best efforts.
2. Vote for politicians that favor children's rights and common sense laws. Have no misunderstanding and make no mistake, I'm not talking about stripping parents of their right to parent, discipline, educate, make medical decisions, or the like. I'm talking about providing basic human rights of safety and care to those children who aren't old enough or able enough to speak up or fight for themselves. Let's do away with all of the red tape, the thousand foster home placements, the million second chances given to free-will adults who have no desire to change. Anyone can create a baby, but not everyone should raise one.
3. Volunteer. There are countless organizations in Jasper County alone that need your help supporting our youth. Maybe you have a half hour once a week to have lunch with a grade-school child. Call the admin building; they have a spot for you! Maybe you have three afternoons a week to be a TREK coach; call the district and you can start tomorrow. Maybe you have no time at all, but you could easily swing donating a package of diapers to the Children's Haven or a box of cookies to Bright Futures so a child can celebrate their birthday with their classmates. Nobody can do it all, but everybody can do something.
4. Actively fight against injustice. Stand up to the b**ches at the park that think it's okay to call their young grandsons "womanizing bastards." Don't sit in silence when you see a child being neglected or abused. Report said instances, even if your voice isn't heard or well accepted the first time, the second time, or even the tenth time. Eventually, ignoring you, and more important ignoring them, won't be an option.
The end.
Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear. - Nelson Mandela
A person's a person, no matter how small. -Dr. Seuss
A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove...but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child. - Forest Witcraft
I'm writing with a heavy heart today, but after much pondering, I think what I have to say must be spoken, or written, anyways.
This past weekend, I was taking one of my favorite three-year-olds to the local park for a few hours. It was a beautiful afternoon, and I couldn't fathom staying indoors all day. As I was standing at the base of the play equipment looking up at him, I felt someone grab at my mid-section. I glanced down and behind me to find a small boy who I'd guess to be 4 or 5 years old with his arms wrapped around my legs.
Surprised, I started quizzing the blue-eyed beauty who was dressed in pajamas and smelled worse than my dog after she rolls in the mud. His answers were more heart-wrenching with each question I asked. The truth I gleaned from our short exchange made me sick to my stomach.
He wanted nothing from me but attention, and it brightened his face to know someone was watching him climb up the biggest slide in the park. Eventually, he asked me to hold him. Without any thought, I picked up the child, grabbed the one entrusted to my care by the hand, and we started towards grandma, who was not in the least interested in our exchange. She saw us walking towards her and yelled, "Put him down! He's only a womanizing bastard like his father," and simply went back to her earth-shattering phone conversation.
"A womanizing bastard like his father? Really? He's only a child!!!" I thought to myself. Any words I had to say weren't even remotely appropriate for the little ears that surrounded me, so I said nothing in that moment. Instead, I turned back around with her grandson in my arms, held him tightly, and said, "Honey, you're not a bastard and you don't have to be like your daddy at all. You are precious, do you understand?" He was quiet. I wanted nothing more than to take him home, give him a bath, put him in clean clothes, feed him actual food, and let love wash over his little heart until he actually felt wanted. Unfortunately for him, the law wasn't in either of our favor.
The afternoon carried on, and finally, grandma whisked him away up the hill and out of sight. Nothing I had to say changed her mind, and to her, that child was nothing more than nuisance. That boy was crying out for help that day, and yet he still left as a neglected, and most probably, abused child. The law, the system, the state, his sperm and egg donors, his blood family, and myself all failed the kid. That's a hard pill to swallow.
Where do we go from here? To a world where child abuse and neglect didn't exist, I wish. Instead, let me leave you with some food for thought.
First of all, anyone that might hurt a child will answer for their actions. If not in this life, most certainly in the next. I know the heart of God breaks when children are treated like trash, and I know there is great healing that can be had by any broken person, including the discarded, unwanted, abused, and unloved.
Secondly, treasure the babies around you, whether they're 3 days, 3 years, or 30 years old. God hasn't blessed with me children yet. If He'd give me the go-ahead, I'd have half a dozen stair-steppers, but I'm still waiting. All things fair and that being said, love the ones around you. Kids, grand kids, god-children, nieces, nephews, neighbor kids, school kids, the secretary's kids, whoever. I'm not saying raise them (unless their yours, of course), but love them. Value them. Respect them. Stick up for them. Give them the time of day. Fat, thin, stupid, smart, impaired, fully-functioning, whatever, they are worth it. Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight...
Finally, do something to change the status quo. How can you, an ordinary, overbooked citizen make a change?
1. Start with your own family first. If you've made mistakes with your children, make it right. Say "I'm sorry." Be the agent of change in your own home. Quit bullying, stop talking trash, and don't take a single moment for granted. Your kids (no matter their age) don't need perfect parents, but they do deserve your best efforts.
2. Vote for politicians that favor children's rights and common sense laws. Have no misunderstanding and make no mistake, I'm not talking about stripping parents of their right to parent, discipline, educate, make medical decisions, or the like. I'm talking about providing basic human rights of safety and care to those children who aren't old enough or able enough to speak up or fight for themselves. Let's do away with all of the red tape, the thousand foster home placements, the million second chances given to free-will adults who have no desire to change. Anyone can create a baby, but not everyone should raise one.
3. Volunteer. There are countless organizations in Jasper County alone that need your help supporting our youth. Maybe you have a half hour once a week to have lunch with a grade-school child. Call the admin building; they have a spot for you! Maybe you have three afternoons a week to be a TREK coach; call the district and you can start tomorrow. Maybe you have no time at all, but you could easily swing donating a package of diapers to the Children's Haven or a box of cookies to Bright Futures so a child can celebrate their birthday with their classmates. Nobody can do it all, but everybody can do something.
4. Actively fight against injustice. Stand up to the b**ches at the park that think it's okay to call their young grandsons "womanizing bastards." Don't sit in silence when you see a child being neglected or abused. Report said instances, even if your voice isn't heard or well accepted the first time, the second time, or even the tenth time. Eventually, ignoring you, and more important ignoring them, won't be an option.
The end.
Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear. - Nelson Mandela
A person's a person, no matter how small. -Dr. Seuss
A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove...but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child. - Forest Witcraft
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Delightful Details
I witnessed the scariest phenomena last week. While partaking in my $0.99 daily dose of raspberry flavored Sonic water, I watched a semi truck make a left turn through a red light. He was succeeded by not one, not two, not even three, but eight additional vehicles who followed with reckless abandon. It took a near head-on collision for anyone to recognize their error.
I am not here to attack less than perfect drivers. If there were a club, I could certainly chair it. I am, however, motivated to implore you not to get so caught up in the big picture (I've gotta make it to my next appointment!) that you miss all the delightful details (red lights) that life has to offer.
It is so inexplicably easy to overbook, over plan, and overexert our schedules that often times, life seems rushed. We can get so caught up in the deadlines that we neglect the ever-so-important details.
Last year, I was caring for a precious four year old who loved nature and all things beautiful. One Sunday morning we were running late for church, and since I oversee the doughnut ministry, timeliness is next to godliness. As I hurried little man out of his car seat and into the store, he was drawn to have his weekly exchange with the elderly people greeter (tick tock, tick tock), investigate the reasoning behind the crying child (who cares, he's not our crying child), and seek out the doughnuts with the prettiest design (oh please! what's wrong with good, ole fashioned plain doughnuts?) After what seemed like an eternity, we made it past the check-out lane and into the parking lot, only to stop, mid-hurried step, to gaze at a momma bird camped out underneath a car feeding her babies off a piece of dropped bread (I am really out of patience now).
Settled in the car and flying to church, I was hit with the big whammy. "We should have stopped and gave that mommy bird some more food for her babies. What if nobody gives them food? The babies won't grow if they don't have food and the mommy will be sad."
The delightful details of life. So caught up in "big picture," I neglected the other puzzle-piece- portions of the day. No, the bird family probably wasn't going to starve because of my lack of time and bird seed, but the truth is, I wouldn't have even noticed the birds if it wasn't for an unhurried child with a big heart.
Let's up the ante. What else was I missing? What else do you miss? In the fast-paced chaos of life, it can be easy to overlook life's biggest blessings: our spouses, our children, our parents, our siblings, and even our friends. What about the beautiful world around us? Have you ever taken a few minutes to watch a sunrise or a sunset? How about a half hour to listen to a soothing spring rain? Ever gone hiking and noticed all the different shades of color amongst the trees, flowers, weeds, grass, or sky? Life is beautiful, and it's ours for the taking!
I leave you with a challenge: Set your eyes on the big picture and run towards your goals with everything you have, but don't neglect the moments. Seek out the delightful details, and be conscious of today. It's so worth it!
I am not here to attack less than perfect drivers. If there were a club, I could certainly chair it. I am, however, motivated to implore you not to get so caught up in the big picture (I've gotta make it to my next appointment!) that you miss all the delightful details (red lights) that life has to offer.
It is so inexplicably easy to overbook, over plan, and overexert our schedules that often times, life seems rushed. We can get so caught up in the deadlines that we neglect the ever-so-important details.
Last year, I was caring for a precious four year old who loved nature and all things beautiful. One Sunday morning we were running late for church, and since I oversee the doughnut ministry, timeliness is next to godliness. As I hurried little man out of his car seat and into the store, he was drawn to have his weekly exchange with the elderly people greeter (tick tock, tick tock), investigate the reasoning behind the crying child (who cares, he's not our crying child), and seek out the doughnuts with the prettiest design (oh please! what's wrong with good, ole fashioned plain doughnuts?) After what seemed like an eternity, we made it past the check-out lane and into the parking lot, only to stop, mid-hurried step, to gaze at a momma bird camped out underneath a car feeding her babies off a piece of dropped bread (I am really out of patience now).
Settled in the car and flying to church, I was hit with the big whammy. "We should have stopped and gave that mommy bird some more food for her babies. What if nobody gives them food? The babies won't grow if they don't have food and the mommy will be sad."
The delightful details of life. So caught up in "big picture," I neglected the other puzzle-piece- portions of the day. No, the bird family probably wasn't going to starve because of my lack of time and bird seed, but the truth is, I wouldn't have even noticed the birds if it wasn't for an unhurried child with a big heart.
Let's up the ante. What else was I missing? What else do you miss? In the fast-paced chaos of life, it can be easy to overlook life's biggest blessings: our spouses, our children, our parents, our siblings, and even our friends. What about the beautiful world around us? Have you ever taken a few minutes to watch a sunrise or a sunset? How about a half hour to listen to a soothing spring rain? Ever gone hiking and noticed all the different shades of color amongst the trees, flowers, weeds, grass, or sky? Life is beautiful, and it's ours for the taking!
I leave you with a challenge: Set your eyes on the big picture and run towards your goals with everything you have, but don't neglect the moments. Seek out the delightful details, and be conscious of today. It's so worth it!
Monday, December 16, 2013
It's time to set the record straight!
I don't know what it is about Christmas time, but apparently, it's the "feel good" e-mail forward season of the year. I don't think I've seen newly written material in ten Christmases, but I digress... Out of duty (and procrastination for the real tasks at hand), I glace through most well meaning e-mails and sometimes I even send back a polite, "Merry Christmas" greeting. I figure it's the kind, Christmas-spirited thing to do.
However, today's blog isn't necessarily about my endless e-mails. It's about a much bigger problem- a downright lie- that's circulating around the world wide web, painting a false picture of who my God is.
In one form or another, I receive these stupid forwarded stories, poems, and verses about how God has sent abusive or hurtful people into someone's life, struck another with cancer, took a child's life in a car crash, etc., all in the name of, "teaching me life's greatest lesson," or "helping me redirect my focus on Him," or even, "so that I would know his unconditional comfort and peace."
WHAT?!?! I'm calling crap on all the above mentioned. Do these writers even read the Bible?!
It sickens me when I hear people talk about all the bad things God does to (insert lesson here), and saddens me when other Christians turn around and forward this junk to others, as if it were gospel truth.
I have a big, giant, newsflash of truth: God isn't a condemning, hurtful, or otherwise spiteful God. He is faithful and just, but that doesn't make Him mean or cruel.
"Well then why do bad things happen to good people, Lindsay?" "If God is so good, why is there so much evil in the world?" "If your God is so caring, then why oh why do innocent children suffer at the hand of the big, bad world everyday?"
We live in a fallen world, full of people making very bad free-will choices. Then there's Satan who runs around planet earth everyday, "seeking whom he may devour," (1 Peter 5:8) and even "accuses them (believers) before God day and night" (Revelation 12:10). This guy is relentless!!
We could even go a step further and describe our own shortcomings, some of which end in less-than-desirable consequences, but those consequences aren't God's fault.
Let's bring some truth to the table:
Romans 8:1- Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. I could end my blog with this, and it would dispel all the above mentioned lies. God is not condemning. He doesn't send bad people, or bad diseases, or kill little kids to get back at anyone. Period.
James 1:13-17- Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, by beloved brethren. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. Think God is punishing you for sin? Or for ill-prioritizing? Or for not focusing on Him enough? Think again. God is a God of free-will. If you want to sin, sin. If you want to ignore Him, ignore Him. We're not robots and we can do as we wish, but we'll also pay for our own consequences. Again, not the equivalent of God-sent punishment.
Galatians 6:7- Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.
John 10:10-11- The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." Does this sound like a God who sends death? Yeah, I didn't think so either. Consider the source, my friends.
Psalms 34:17-19- The righteous cry, and the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. I don't know everything there is to know about God, but I know He's not bipolar. He would not send tragedy in one moment so he could turn around comfort you in the next.
Psalm 23:1-6- The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and loving-kindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. This sounds like the qualities of a good Father to me.
Romans 8:37-39- But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. This is my grand finale. It also happens to be my favorite verse in the entire Bible, so I may be partial. Nothing can separate us. Nothing. No sickness, no disease, no death, no bankruptcy, no divorce, no hard times, no foreclosures, no wayward children. NOTHING.
God is a God of unconditional, unfailing, undeserved, unending love, and grace, and peace, and righteousness, and truth. I leave you with this reality so I can leave you with this challenge: Don't believe the lies of the world, and don't spread the lies of the world. Be a truth seeker and let love win!
However, today's blog isn't necessarily about my endless e-mails. It's about a much bigger problem- a downright lie- that's circulating around the world wide web, painting a false picture of who my God is.
In one form or another, I receive these stupid forwarded stories, poems, and verses about how God has sent abusive or hurtful people into someone's life, struck another with cancer, took a child's life in a car crash, etc., all in the name of, "teaching me life's greatest lesson," or "helping me redirect my focus on Him," or even, "so that I would know his unconditional comfort and peace."
WHAT?!?! I'm calling crap on all the above mentioned. Do these writers even read the Bible?!
It sickens me when I hear people talk about all the bad things God does to (insert lesson here), and saddens me when other Christians turn around and forward this junk to others, as if it were gospel truth.
I have a big, giant, newsflash of truth: God isn't a condemning, hurtful, or otherwise spiteful God. He is faithful and just, but that doesn't make Him mean or cruel.
"Well then why do bad things happen to good people, Lindsay?" "If God is so good, why is there so much evil in the world?" "If your God is so caring, then why oh why do innocent children suffer at the hand of the big, bad world everyday?"
We live in a fallen world, full of people making very bad free-will choices. Then there's Satan who runs around planet earth everyday, "seeking whom he may devour," (1 Peter 5:8) and even "accuses them (believers) before God day and night" (Revelation 12:10). This guy is relentless!!
We could even go a step further and describe our own shortcomings, some of which end in less-than-desirable consequences, but those consequences aren't God's fault.
Let's bring some truth to the table:
Romans 8:1- Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. I could end my blog with this, and it would dispel all the above mentioned lies. God is not condemning. He doesn't send bad people, or bad diseases, or kill little kids to get back at anyone. Period.
James 1:13-17- Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, by beloved brethren. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. Think God is punishing you for sin? Or for ill-prioritizing? Or for not focusing on Him enough? Think again. God is a God of free-will. If you want to sin, sin. If you want to ignore Him, ignore Him. We're not robots and we can do as we wish, but we'll also pay for our own consequences. Again, not the equivalent of God-sent punishment.
Galatians 6:7- Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.
John 10:10-11- The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." Does this sound like a God who sends death? Yeah, I didn't think so either. Consider the source, my friends.
Psalms 34:17-19- The righteous cry, and the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. I don't know everything there is to know about God, but I know He's not bipolar. He would not send tragedy in one moment so he could turn around comfort you in the next.
Psalm 23:1-6- The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and loving-kindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. This sounds like the qualities of a good Father to me.
Romans 8:37-39- But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. This is my grand finale. It also happens to be my favorite verse in the entire Bible, so I may be partial. Nothing can separate us. Nothing. No sickness, no disease, no death, no bankruptcy, no divorce, no hard times, no foreclosures, no wayward children. NOTHING.
God is a God of unconditional, unfailing, undeserved, unending love, and grace, and peace, and righteousness, and truth. I leave you with this reality so I can leave you with this challenge: Don't believe the lies of the world, and don't spread the lies of the world. Be a truth seeker and let love win!
Monday, June 17, 2013
Julie and Julia vs. Lindsay and Pinterest
I, Lindsay Lee, am this day choosing of my own free will to take a wild and ridiculous plunge. I am going to attempt to learn how to cook... Sure, I can usually bake something edible if it comes out of a box with very detailed instructions, but aside from boiling water, that's the extent of my skills.
I'm not sure, but I think I may have woken up on the weird side of the bed. You know, that mouthy side that screams, "You now know the McAlisters, Panera, Soinc, and El Charro staff by name, and all those kids you juggle are probably getting tired of pizza and pancakes. Wake up, take out addict."
Pinterest is largely to blame for this endeavor. All those pins make Betty Crocker look like an amateur, while promising cookbook picture results in three simple steps. I guess I'll be the judge of that.
Thomas Edison failed a million times before he developed a working light bulb, so what's a few botched meals in my twenties? Here's to cooking, blanching, steaming, sauteing, browning, boiling, pan frying, eating, and a whole lot of dinner wine. I'm going to need it. Cheers!
I'm not sure, but I think I may have woken up on the weird side of the bed. You know, that mouthy side that screams, "You now know the McAlisters, Panera, Soinc, and El Charro staff by name, and all those kids you juggle are probably getting tired of pizza and pancakes. Wake up, take out addict."
Pinterest is largely to blame for this endeavor. All those pins make Betty Crocker look like an amateur, while promising cookbook picture results in three simple steps. I guess I'll be the judge of that.
Thomas Edison failed a million times before he developed a working light bulb, so what's a few botched meals in my twenties? Here's to cooking, blanching, steaming, sauteing, browning, boiling, pan frying, eating, and a whole lot of dinner wine. I'm going to need it. Cheers!
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