Stay On the Path or Eat Bark

I am notorious for getting lost in the woods.  Just ask my kids.  When I suggest a hike, they immediately ask if they should bring survival gear and leave a note for their loved ones.  Really?  I mean, yes, one of our 3-mile hikes turned into 6.  And, I must confess, I gave up navigational control to my 12-year-old during one of our romps in the woods after an hour of walking in circles.  In my defense, the path was poorly marked. 

Staying on the path is important.  And knowing where you are going or how to get there keeps you from praying for a rescue while you endlessly circle the same pine tree.  Psalm 34:15 says that the Lord looks towards the righteous and hears them. God watches over everyone, but He seems to take a particular interest in those who are righteous. So, what does it mean to be righteous?

Righteous, in Hebrew, is tsadiyq which means one who is straight and does not depart from the way of God.  It is not one who lives a religiously pious life but is one who follows the correct path; the path of God.  It is following God closely.  How He does things.  Having the same character as Him.  And we do that by studying His Word, talking to Him, doing things His way, and paying close attention to the path and not veering from it. Seems simple, doesn’t it? It can be when we are blessed with a path that has huge neon signs where hot dog vendors and lemonade stands line the way.  However, there are times when the path is marked by old weathered wooden signs or piles of rocks where the path is not so clear, and you are required to pay more attention or get lost.

Unfortunately, just like those hikes with my kids, I have gotten lost numerous times in my spiritual walk. It happens because I don’t always pay close attention to the path.  It’s there but I am distracted by what’s around me and then find myself in the middle of nowhere.  I don’t take the time to check in with the One who leads me. Then, to make things worse, I think I can get back on track by myself.  Like I can channel my inner Bear Grylls from Man vs. Wild clawing my way up deep ravines, making hammocks out of reeds, catching the dew with a leaf frond, and eating bark.

Following God’s path takes full concentration and constant checking-in.  We can’t just go rambling about our day and not expect to get lost.  However, when we do, James 1:5 says, “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” Without reproach.  No, “I told you so’s”, “What were you thinking?’ or piling guilt and disapproval upon you. God is generous and gracious and leads us back to the path. He will do for you what He does for me. He takes my dirty hands, helps me out of my pitiful attempt at a hammock, gives me water, throws away my meal of bark and seeds, and leads me to the path lined with all that I need.  My Hero.  My Guide. My Father.  Much better than Bear Grylls.  Though if you do find yourself gnawing on bark, pine is the best. We'll talk later.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.” (Proverb 3:5-6)

Staying on the path with you today,

Lisa

Cheesecake

The definition of satisfy is to fulfill the desires, expectations, needs, or demands of (a person, the mind, the body, the spirit), to give full contentment to; ample provision.  Sounds amazing, doesn’t it? I have had periods of compete satisfaction (chocolate chip cookie dough cheesecake comes to mind), but too often those times are fleeting, and I want more. (again, that blasted cheesecake comes to mind).  To be completely content and satisfied all the time must be impossible right? There’s only so much cheesecake!

Paul says in Philippians 4:12, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Whoa!  Content in any and every situation? What’s his secret?

Isaiah 58:11 gives us the answer. “And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.”

The Lord our God is the answer.  Now it’s one thing to know He’s the answer and another to live like it. I know copious amounts of sugary, cream cheese laden slices of glorious delight are not good for me, but I still eat all I desire and then suffer the consequences.  I live in such a way that blows off the knowledge that will bring health and satisfaction for something I desire and think will satisfy only to find it very lacking in the end. I am discontent and dis-satisfied.  Why? Because, honestly, there are times when I believe He is holding out on me or is not giving me what I think I need.  And what I think I need and what I really need are often very different and only God knows which is best for me.  

Living a life of true contentment in God is trusting Him to meet every need which will satisfy my whole being.  Putting my wants and desires aside for His perfect provision. Accepting and trusting God’s gifts even when they are not what I think I want for myself.  Psalm 90:14 says that satisfaction and contentment in God leads to joy and gladness. Hm…satisfaction. Contentment. Joy.  Gladness.  Much more than what I get from chocolate chip cookie dough cheesecake that diminishes on the plate and enhances the hips, but not something lasting for my heart and spirit.

What are you pinning your contentment on?  People? The perfect job? Acknowledgement in areas of service or ministry? Decadent desserts? Situations and circumstances change, but God is constant and faithful.  When you feel discontent ask God to show you those areas where you are not going to Him for satisfaction.  Ask Him to satisfy your desires in the scorched places and give strength to your bones.  He is faithful and will do it.  He will give you what you really need that is lasting and nourishing; full contentment.  Sounds amazing, doesn’t it?

Choosing to put “cheesecake” aside for something much more satisfying with you,

Lisa

Not Afraid of the Night

Dear Lord, I praise you because you know the hopes of the helpless.  You hear our cries and comfort us. It’s no wonder that my heart is glad, and my tongue shouts your praises!  My body rests in hope.  For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave.  You have shown me the way of life, and you will fill me with the joy of your presence. (Psalm 10:17; Acts 2:26-28)

I remember when my grandmother was really sick and in the hospital.  The doctors didn’t know if she would make it through the night.  As the rest of us were getting ready to leave for the night I remember my mom telling me how she dreaded night during times like this. It’s lonely and scary.  It’s easier to have hope and courage when the sun is shining and the business of life pulses around us.  However, when all of that stops, the scary thoughts and worries are laid bare and can’t be ignored any longer.  It’s those times that we need to cling to God’s promises of hope mentioned in His Word.  He never promised us an easy life; a life without conflict or worry, but he did promise us that we would not have to face things alone.  He is our life, our light, our comfort, and he WILL fill us with the joy of his presence even in the midst of our night-time moments.  “No wonder my heart is glad and my tongue shouts your praises!”

Worshiping with you,

Lisa

The Least of These

^"It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations," Deuteronomy 7:7-9 (ESV)

There is so much to discover about who God is in these verses.  He is faithful and keeps his promises.  He is mighty.  He loves forever.  He is God.  But my favorite part of these verses is the beginning. “It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you…”(v.7)

It’s another example, like so many in the Bible, where God uses and chooses the unexpected and unimpressive to work out His plan and will. 

Look at the Israelites for example. Compared to others, they were puny; fewest of all peoples.  So why did He choose them?  Verse 8 says because He loved them and was keeping a promise He made to their fathers.  Not because there was anything impressive about them. 

As churches, if we are on the smaller side, we can feel the same way; “little” and ineffectual. We may feel only the mega church with hundreds attending each week can be most used by God.  We ask ourselves, “What can we offer?  How can God use us?” We are “the fewest of all people”.  Take heart, dear church, God could have chosen any nation, but he chose the fewest.  If he can do that for them, he can use our smaller family to do great things for Him.

On a personal level, I find comfort and hope in the fact that I don’t have to be perfect and “all-together” before God will use me.  Sometimes I look at those around me and say, “Of course, God is using her.  She has the whole Bible memorized including foot notes and cross references.  She brings Matthew Henry’s commentary to every Bible study and not only has a Bible journal, her ‘doodles’, which are actual works of art, have made it in a national Christian magazine.”  Sigh…my doodles are what they are, doodles.  And they don’t see the light of day lest they scare someone.

Beloved, God is not impressed with numbers or perfection or doodles that dazzle.  He is more interested in a heart that loves Him and keeps His commandments (v.9).  He loves using the ‘least of these” to make the most of Him.

Making the most of Him with you,

Lisa

Learning to Love Discipline

I grew up in a small church in a little resort town in Minnesota.  I suppose our style of worship would have been called liturgical and somewhat formal.  The pastor wore vestments and the choir wore robes while processing down the aisle to their place on the platform during the first hymn. Before that happened though, the acolytes would light the candles on the altar before the service began and then at the end of the service they would come up the aisle and “take the light out”.  The acolytes were usually middle school-aged children and everyone, including myself, loved it when it was our turn to serve because this meant we could sit away from our families in the foyer and not have our parents nudging us every time we whispered or giggled at something.

I will never forget one particular Sunday morning.  My friend and I were the acolytes for the service and we were so excited! No parental control!  As soon as we did our “job” at the beginning of the service we started whispering and talking to one another.  Every once in a while, a giggle would escape our lips and we would look up anxiously seeing if anyone heard us.  When no one paid us any attention we got a bit reckless and forgot where we were because when my friend said something particularly funny, I laughed out loud.  Not a giggle or little hiccup of a laugh, it was an all-out, open mouthed, belly laugh.  Realizing where I was and what I just did, I frantically looked up to see if anyone heard me.  Yep, I saw some people turn around, but what was worse, my dad heard me.  Now my dad is a very fun-loving, kind, patient man, but we were taught that God’s house was a place of reverence and awe and my raucous hilarity was not part of that description. He stood up at his place in the front of the church, climbed over the tenor section, and marched down the aisle with his choir robe billowing all around him.  He looked like an avenging angel and I knew I was toast; crispy on all sides, hold the butter, toast.  I wondered what punishment awaited me.  I remembered the devastating cookie ban of ’74 when I got into the cookie jar and lied about it.  Oh, this was not going to be good.

My dad took me by the arm, led me to a room, sat me down and explained to me why we were having this conversation.  He explained what I did wrong and how my behavior did not show respect to God or others. Though he was disappointed in my behavior he made sure to let me know that he wasn’t disappointed in me and loved me very much.  I’m sure I was not allowed to be the acolyte for several months and had to apologize to our pastor.  I am happy to report that my dad never had to come flying down the platform in his billowing robe ever again.  I had learned my lesson about respecting others, God’s house, and what my heart attitude should be when serving Him.

Hebrews 12:10-11 says, “He (God) disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”

Some define holiness for Christians as conforming to the will of God.  Becoming more like Him. And the fruit of those “teachable moments” is the fruit of righteousness. Just like my dad had to discipline me so I could learn a valuable lesson, my heavenly Father does the same, wanting me to have the peace that comes from a life that is free from guilt or the fear of a life separated from Him.  A peace knowing that my soul is secure and my relationship with Him strong.  Do I love to be disciplined?  No!  But I love my Father and trust Him to mold me in whatever way, shape, or form that is needed to make me more like Him.

That particular Sunday a long time ago, was just one of many “teachable” moments from my earthly father and heavenly Father.  And as discipline goes, probably the easiest to bear.  Though that cookie ban was pretty rough.

Sometimes learning the lesson the hard way with you,

Lisa

Be Still, Wonder Woman

Do you remember your first black eye?  Wait!  What?!  You have never had one? I remember mine.  6^th grade.  On the bus.  A fellow student called me a name.  Then they called a little boy with Down Syndrome a name.  That was it.  I opened my mouth and called that person a clever, (if I do say so myself) degrading twist of their name.  And while I was basking in my creative glory, I failed to see the fist coming to my face.  Yep.  True story.  Though I am normally shy and quiet, I can’t abide bullies.  I’m afraid if I had been in the garden with Jesus when he got arrested I would have been right alongside Peter slicing off body parts.  I am not proud of this, just being honest.

Exodus 14:14 says, “The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”  I eventually learned to take that verse to heart.  I stopped trying to be “Wonder Woman” (who happens to be the coolest super hero, just sayin’) on the playground and let Father do the fighting for me.  He showed me a different way to fight. While the bullies tried to tear down with words or fists, I would try to encourage and build up with words of encouragement and support.  Where I used to use a physical response or hurtful words, I would “kill them with kindness”.  Eventually, they just didn’t know what to do with me.  They got bored and left me and those they liked to pick on alone.

There are still days when I have to fight my “Wonder Woman fighter” tendencies.  It’s hard for me to let God do the work and just be still.  As I wait for Him to make His move, I sit there and try to come up with ways to get Him to move faster or insert myself into a plan that wasn’t meant for me.  And then when I’ve exhausted all of my own resources and am not good for anything, the first part of Psalm 96:10 comes to mind. “Be still, and know that I am God.”  Instead of spending my waiting time scheming how to get my way or get there sooner, I can spend that precious “still” time learning and remembering that God keeps His promises, is a Teacher, He disciplines us in love, He is good, He allows suffering for our good, and His instructions are priceless. (Psalm 119:65-72) Being still and working on my relationship with God is a much better use of my time when I am told to wait on Him.  Also, I am then much better prepared when God says, “Now Lisa!  It is time!” and I run with gleeful abandon with Father’s full approval. (after He reminds me to leave my Wonder Woman lasso behind.  Sigh. Old habits die hard)

Is God asking you to be still and wait on Him?  Put your weapons down.  Stop scheming.  Sit at His feet and bask in His Word.  There is no better preparation for when the time comes for you to be called into action. 

Being still with you,

Lisa

Cardboard Boxes and Flying Monkeys

I love how God can use anything, yes, anything, to bring His Word to mind and remind me of who He is. This time it was a simple box. 

I was sitting at my desk.  I saw a box.  The box reminded me of a memory which in turn brought these two passages to mind:

“For who is God except the Lord?  Who but our God is a solid rock?” for “In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul”. (2 Samuel 22:32 NLT) (Psalm 94:19 NKLV)

I remember as a child watching the Wizard of Oz while sitting in a box.  Yep.  A box.  Didn’t every child under the age of 6 when faced with watching this movie alone? But this was not just any box.  This box was my secure fortress in the midst of pure terror.  You see, the wicked witch and her flying monkeys scared the be-jabers out of me and whenever the witch came on the scene, I would jump in my box, hunker down as far as I could, and peek over the side. I was scared, but I had to see what was happening. For some reason, I felt safe and secure surrounded by walls made up of thin card board and tape that only held up for a few hours because of my constant scrambling in and out.  The next time I watched it, I required a new box.  I can’t remember how many boxes I went through that year.  I loved that movie!

Thank heavens, I don’t have to rely on a simple, weak box for my sense of security anymore!  I am so thankful my God has made my soul secure so that no matter what happens or what fears try to take over, I can run to Him who is my Redeemer, Solid Rock, and Protector.  There is truly no one like Father and I am so thankful to be His child.

To whom do you run to or what do you crawl in to when you are afraid?  Run to Father.  Confront your fears peeking through His arms that are holding you close. People and card board will fail you at times, but our God never will. 

Enjoying security without boxes with you,

Lisa