Life - or Knowledge of Good or Evil?

For several days now a passage from Mark has been in the back of my mind and I've been pondering it:

"Then he called to the crowd again and told them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand!  Nothing that goes into a person from the outside can make him unclean. It’s what comes out of a person that makes a person unclean. If anyone has ears to hear, let him listen!” When he had left the crowd and gone home, his disciples began asking him about the parable. He asked them, “Are you so ignorant? Don’t you know that nothing that goes into a person from the outside can make him unclean?  Because it doesn’t go into his heart but into his stomach, and then into the sewer, thereby expelling all foods.”  Then he continued, “It’s what comes out of a person that makes a person unclean, because it’s from within, from the human heart, that evil thoughts come, as well as sexual immorality, stealing, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, cheating, shameless lust, envy, slander, arrogance, and foolishness. All these things come from inside and make a person unclean.” (Mark 7:14-23 ISV)

We live in a day and age when much is made about proper diet in maintaining our health.  While I DO believe that it is prudent to consider such things, this passage has kept pushing my thinking on this matter.  Certainly I understand the spiritual implications here, but what if it is true physically as well?  In this "scientific age" are we so focused on the ideas of germs and healthy diet that we're missing the more important picture?  We all know people who have lived a lifestyle that was far from healthy by today's standards, and yet have lived a long life.  Is this the missing ingredient? It was in this context that I read in the book of Genesis this morning:

"The tree of life was also in the middle of the garden, along with the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. . . . The Lord God commanded the man: “You may freely eat from every tree of the garden, but you are not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, because you will certainly die during the day that you eat from it.” . . . . When the woman saw that the tree produced good food, was attractive in appearance, and was desirable for making one wise, she took some of its fruit and ate it. Then she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate some, too. As a result, they both understood what they had done, and they became aware that they were naked. . . . When they heard the voice of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden during the breeze of the day, the man and his wife concealed themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. . . . . Later, the Lord God said, “Look! The man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, so he won’t reach out, also take from the tree of life, eat, and then live forever—” therefore the Lord God expelled the man from the garden of Eden so he would work the ground from which he had been taken." (Genesis 2:9, 16-17; 3: 6-7, 8-9, 22-23  ISV)

The message in Genesis seems very clear.  Death came to this world because of eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The story of Adam and Eve and their eating of the fruit of the tree and being forced to leave the garden is told often enough that we may forget to pay attention.  Do we miss the point of this story?  It seems to me that this story is NOT being told simply to give me someone to blame for my plight!  It tells me what went wrong to put me in this situation - and can perhaps serve as a signpost for me as to what I would do best to avoid.  Yes, Adam and Eve ate of that tree, but do I have to continue to do so?  How and when do I do so?  Do I want to continue this practice when I've been told so clearly that it leads to death?

It seems to me that in the spiritual sense, we eat of something when we focus our mind and attention on it - when we try to digest it.  So, how much of my time and energy is spent trying to figure out (to come to know) what is good and what is bad - as the Amplified Bible says, knowledge of "blessing and calamity"?  I notice that in doing so, if our experience is anything like that of Adam and Eve, trying to sort that out separates us from God and makes us want to hide from Him - like a two-year-old hiding from his parents because he knows he's done something that they won't like! 

I'm NOT suggesting that it would be best to just run around doing anything I please because a focus on good versus evil is detrimental.  I think about what Paul said to the Corinthians, "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." (1 Corinthians 6:12 KJV)  But I can't help wishing we could still choose to eat from the Tree of Life instead of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.  I know that Adam and Eve's access to that tree was blocked, but as I think about it, I realize I DO still have access to that Tree of Life!  Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life"! (John 14:6, emphasis mine)

It strikes me that I DO have a choice, and that is what all the verses about praising God in all circumstances are all about.  Instead of spending my time and energy worrying about what is good and what is bad about my life and whether or not I've made right choices, I can simply seek God's will, trust that when I ask Him for fish he won't give me a snake (Luke 11:11), and TRUST that it is ALL GOOD!  (Romans 8:28, Phil 4:4, I Thes 5:18, etc.)

So many verses come to mind:

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." (John 5:24 KJV)

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him." (John 3:36 KJV)

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life." (John 6:47-48 KJV)

"I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." (John 6:51 KJV)

I think of my experiences of the last several months as I have actively sought spiritual daily bread from my Father, and have actively sought His will for my life. Life has been AMAZING!  I think a "parable" can perhaps better illustrate the difference. 

Two different women are taking a trip through a foreign country. 

Jackie has spent months planning for this, her dream trip. She thought about taking a guided tour, but decided against it because she knew the guide's agenda could be quite different than her own and she didn't want to be tied to His schedule.  She wanted to be free to do whatever struck her fancy.   She's tried to make sure every detail has been handled.  What will she do if her passport or money is lost or stolen?  What can she do to protect herself?  What if she gets sick?  What medicines should she have with her?  How can she make sure she finds her way to the destinations she has chosen?  And what are the best destinations anyway?  She sure doesn't want to miss out on anything important!  What clothes should she take?  All these decisions seem almost overwhelming, and three months is SUCH a short time to sort it all out! 

For Patricia, the idea to travel came out of the blue.  She has very contentedly been enjoying her life, when suddenly a travel brochure came her way and something inside said, "Why don't you go?"  The brochure was for a guided tour and it sounded so fun!  All those places to experience, and the guide sounded so knowledgeable!  She decided to sign up.  It was about 3 months before the trip and before she knew it she was receiving periodic mailings from the tour guide, suggesting what she needed to do to prepare for the trip.  Each mailing had a few specific things to do that didn't take long, but helped her feel better prepared and increased her joy about the upcoming travel opportunity.  The night before her trip, her bags are packed and she feels so joyfully serene.  She KNOWS it is going to be a great trip!  She sets her alarm, knowing it is probably not needed.  Her experience is that she naturally awakens when the time is right.

The night before Jackie is to leave, she can't sleep.  She keeps going over her lists in her mind.  Has she forgotten anything?  Did she set her alarm clock? It sure wouldn't do to miss her flight!  What if she sleeps through her alarm? Next morning, after a harrowing drive through heavy traffic, Jackie arrives at the airport and parks in the long-term lot.  She should have had plenty of time, but she took a detour when she saw how heavy traffic was, and it turned out to be even worse!  As she starts to unload in the long-term lot, she starts thinking about her car. She sure hopes it will be okay here!  What if someone breaks into it while she's gone?  Struggling with her luggage she heads to the shuttle bus stop and continues her inner dialogue.  Will the shuttle bus get her to the airport check-in in time? How will she manage with all her luggage? Once she gets there, how will she know where to go to deal with her luggage and board her flight?  After arriving at the airport and checking in, Jackie anxiously waits through the long security line hoping and praying that everything goes okay and she makes her flight. 

On the morning of her flight, Patricia awakens in plenty of time feeling well rested and eager to start her journey.  Her guide had suggested that she arrange for a shuttle to the airport, and it arrives right on time.  The driver helps her with her luggage and Patricia settles back to enjoy the scenery as they head to the airport.  What a LOVELY day!  The sun is just beginning its climb into the sky, the birds are singing praises, and Patricia joins them as she silently gives thanks for the opportunities in store for her.  They arrive at the airport in plenty of time.  The shuttle driver helps her with her luggage. She meets up with her tour group and the tour guide takes them all to check-in and then through security to board their flight.

Jackie makes it to the gate just in time to board the flight.  She quickly boards the plane and starts worrying about the flight itself.  What if something happens to the flight?  How can she be prepared for an emergency on board the airplane?  If the plane has a problem in mid-flight, what will she do?  And what about her destination?  Will she be able to find the taxi okay?  Will her lodging be what she expects?  What if she gets a bad taxi driver - one that tries to take advantage of a woman traveling alone? What if, what if. . . . ?

Patricia introduces herself to another woman in the tour group and the two have a great time of getting acquainted while waiting to board their flight.  People are all so friendly and helpful!  She once again silently gives thanks for the opportunities coming her way.

You get the idea. Patricia continues to have a wonderful time, in spite of lost luggage that took a couple of days to catch up with her. It's all one great big adventure and she enjoys every minute of it. Her tour guide and new friends on the tour helped her get by until her luggage arrived and she was able to simply relax and enjoy the journey as it unfolded.  When her trip was over and she arrived back home, she had plenty of lovely memories and was ready to step into the next adventures coming her way right in her own home town.  Jackie, on the other hand, continued to worry her way through her travels.  Whenever one hurdle was overcome, another presented itself, and she never really had time to relax and take in the wonders around her.  She arrived back home after her trip feeling more in need of a vacation than she was when she left

I've lived both ways, and I must say that I am finding Patricia's way SO much more enjoyable!  When I pray for God's will to be done in my life, and honestly seek His guidance, He gives me what I ask for!  He serves as my tour guide and I can relax and let Him handle all the details!  This, I think is what it means to eat of the Bread of Life instead of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.  And I've had some very specific experiences of this in the last few months.  It's been amazing to me the way all the details of my life work out when I relax and let Him take charge!  I never knew things could be so easy!  It's not easy to break the worry habit, but it is SO worth it!  Living life with a joyful song in my heart, instead of the continual inner monologue about whether or not things are going as they should - what an amazing thing!  This is the way I want to learn to live ALL of my life!

Getting back to my thoughts about healthful living, it seems pretty clear which way of life would be more healthful. Science has given us much information about the dangers of stress and how it is such a big factor in so many serious diseases.  In fact, that very word, "disease" tells us something.  Disease comes from "dis - ease" - not being at ease, or being under stress.  What if what Jesus said is really true?  What if it is all the stress that comes from the way we approach life, our worrying about good and evil, that is what really causes our health issues - rather than our diet?  Perhaps tossing the stress-filled life for a joy-filled one with God as our guide is the true boost that we need for our immune system?!

Father, thank you for your willingness to be my guide in this journey called life!  Thank you for the experiences you are giving me that help me to understand how much better life is as I seek to digest your guidance to me rather than worrying about trying to discern between good and evil myself.  Thank you for the wonderful opportunities you are bringing my way!  Please keep my heart and mind focused on you, and make your will clear to me today.  Please continue your work in me to both WILL and to DO of your good pleasure.  May your will be done in the earth of my heart and life this day is my prayer.  Thank you, Father!

God is So Good!

"Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, 'That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can't accomplish a little thing like that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things?

Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

And don't be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don't worry about such things. These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. So don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.'" (Luke 12:22-32 Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.)

 “That’s why I’m telling you to stop worrying about your life—what you will eat or what you will drink—or about your body—what you will wear. Life is more than food, isn’t it, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds in the sky. They don’t plant or harvest or gather food into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. You are more valuable than they are, aren’t you? Can any of you add a single hour to the length of your life by worrying? And why do you worry about clothes? Consider the lilies in the field and how they grow. They don’t work or spin yarn, but I tell you that not even Solomon in all of his splendor was clothed like one of them. Now if that is the way God clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and thrown into an oven tomorrow, won’t he clothe you much better—you who have little faith?

So don’t ever worry by saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ because it is the unbelievers who are eager for all those things. Surely your heavenly Father knows that you need all of them! But first be concerned about God’s kingdom and his righteousness, and all of these things will be provided for you as well. So never worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:25-34 ISV)

I've pondered these verse much of my life.  They contain such amazing promises, but are SO hard to put into practice!  "Don't worry!"  It sounds wonderful, but is much easier to say than to do!  And yet I once again had the experience yesterday of having the burden of worry lifted from my shoulders.  Today I reach another milestone in my new endeavors that will require a couple of hours of public speaking - and yesterday I found I was starting to lose my voice!  I wanted to practice and prepare for today, but knew that I needed to let my voice rest - in fact, let my whole body rest as I was feeling a little under the weather.  My usual way of reacting to such a thing would have been to really start worrying, but all I could think of was the verse I'm so often reminded of these days, "Seven times each day I stop and should praises for the way you keep everything running right." (Psalms 119:164 - The Message Bible) - so I praised God instead, and rested as I knew I needed to do!  Everything has worked out with time to spare!  I find myself continually amazed at how well God works everything out.  And then I have to laugh at myself.  I've always said I believed in God, so why would I be so surprised that He can work everything out?

One of the reasons I was able to relax and trust yesterday was that He had already clearly demonstrated earlier that very day that He was in charge.  Several scheduling conflicts had been completely resolved without my having done ANYTHING about them!  I have seen so many of such experiences lately that I do indeed start breaking out in praise for the way God keeps everything running right!  This morning as I was contemplating this and thanking Him, I found myself wondering why I've seen so much of this lately when it wasn't something I saw a lot of before this.  That is when these passages from Matthew and Luke came to mind. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6:33 KJV)  

I realize that I HAVE been more consistently seeking His will in my life - even though it still has not been as constant as I would wish.  And then I remember another verse, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20 NIV) 

Too often my faith does indeed seem as small as that of a mustard seed, but that is all that God asks!  And even that little bit of faith is not something I somehow conjured up, but is a gift that He has given me! The scheduling resolution is a great example of this gift, as I couldn't help but trust Him for the rest after I had seen such amazing miracles already! "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" (Ephesians 2:8 KJV)  I am SO grateful for the many gifts God has given, and most importantly this morning, for the gift of faith, and for the way He does indeed keep everything running right when I relax and let Him do His perfect work!  I recognize this is something I'm able to do more and more as I remember to focus on His blessings in my life and to thank Him for the way He "keeps everything running right."

So, once again this morning, Father, I stop and shout praises for the way you keep everything running right!  I am SO inspired as I watch your plan unfold in my life!  You've promised that your yoke is easy, but I guess I never before realized how very true those words are!  Once again, Father, I seek your will in my life this day.  May I be open and receptive to your gentle guidance as you continue to work in me both to WILL and to DO of your good pleasure.  I think of all those with whom I'll come in contact this evening.  May I be a channel of blessing for them, Father!  Thank you for this "open door" you've set before me, and for the promise that YOU are building this "house", and that indeed, you "keep everything running right".  You are so amazing, Father, and I am SO grateful!  I continue to look to you to keep everything running right today, and I thank you.  Amen.

Worry

Today I've been thinking about the foolishness of worry.  A song I learned as a child asks, "Why worry when you can pray?"  It is such a good question!  It is so easy for me to slip into worry, but it is such a waste of time - and worse.  

I came across a quote from Corrie Ten Boom this morning that really sums it up.  She says, "Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength." Isn't that the truth!

As a survivor of a Nazi concentration camp where her sister died, her ideas about worry and strength come out of some of the most horrendous experiences, but her stories are so inspirational.  One that comes to mind is how her sister insisted they must follow the Biblical instruction to be thankful in all circumstances (I Thessalonians 5:18).  They were in this prison camp with little food, and found themselves in a barracks full of fleas.  Corrie told her sister she just couldn't be thankful for fleas!  But as the story unfolds, she discovered that she COULD be grateful for the fleas.  The guards seldom came around to bother them because they were avoiding the fleas!  

As I think about letting go of worry, I realize that is indeed the "cure".  I need to learn to be thankful in all things and to focus on gratitude and trust in God.  As days go by, I continue to see how God "keeps everything running right" (Ps. 119:164) and I am indeed so grateful! 

Father, once again this morning, I turn to you, asking that you guide and direct my life this day.  May my thoughts, words, and actions be in alignment with your will, I pray.  Thank you for your love for me!  Thank you that you have everything under control, and I can trust you.  Thank you for taking this foolish burden of worry from me and replacing it with love and trust in you.  Amen.

When You Pass Through the Waters

The verse on my mind this morning is another one from Isaiah that I'm seeing in an entirely different light than I ever have before:

"But now this is what the Lord says, the one who created you, Jacob, the one who formed you, Israel: “Do not be afraid, because I’ve redeemed you. I’ve called you by name; you are mine.  When you pass through the waters, I’ll be with you; and through the rivers, they won’t sweep over you. when you walk through fire you won’t be scorched, and the flame won’t set you ablaze." (Isaiah 43:1-2 ISV)

There are times when I fight such a battle with fear, and I've been doing so recently.  Several opportunities have been placed in front of me and God says to me, "See, I have placed before you an open door". But I have been afraid.  I haven't wanted to be.  I've wanted to be able to simply trust Him and move forward - to rejoice in the opportunities before me like He's asked me to do.  But, I've been afraid.  It's been a real battle to step forward in spite of my fear, clinging to my Heavenly Father as I do so, choosing to focus on His promises, choosing to thank Him despite my fear, and do my best to prepare for what lies ahead. 

And there have been victories.  God in me was able to meet another "first" of the many firsts I face as I move into the new before me.  It went very well, and I am very grateful.  

Nevertheless, I've noticed something the last few days that I wish wasn't true.  I've been battling depression.  I've been very close to tears for little or no reason, and I've been so frustrated with myself.  This is NOT rejoicing in the Lord as I wish to do!  Today's verse, brings rejoicing in the midst of tears - and a chuckle as I see God's sense of humor.

"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you", He says to me. And suddenly I realize these words are not just true of flood waters or some such, they are true of the tears I've been shedding, too!  He also tells me, "Do not be afraid, because I have redeemed you.  I have called you by my name; you are mine."  What an amazing God!  He understands!  He's not yelling at me telling me how stupid I am for crying instead of rejoicing at the opportunities before me.  He's not angry with me for not being more joyful.  He understands my fears and my tears, and is here for me in the midst of them.  And then I remember a couple of passages from the book of Revelation:

"They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."  (Revelation 7:16-17 KJV) 

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful." (Revelation 21:4-5 KJV)

God has promised to wipe away all tears from my eyes!  How amazing is that?  He HAS NOT said I have to somehow figure out how to do it myself!  He has promised to do it for me, and to be there when I cry and to give me comfort.  I am SO grateful!  What an amazing God!

There are a couple of other promises here as well.  "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more".  These words remind me of the words Jesus spoke as recorded by Matthew: "How blessed are those who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, because it is they who will be satisfied!" (Matthew 5:6 ISV)  I've never felt I really understood what it meant to be "hungry and thirsty for righteousness", but in this instance, I know at least one tiny piece of it.  I've been "hungry and thirsty" to do what God has told me - specifically to "rejoice in the Lord always" (Phil. 4:4).  I've sought it, and wanted to do it, but it's been hard to do with tears streaming down my face!  This morning, these tears have been turned into tears of laughter and rejoicing, as I contemplate God's promises and His sense of humor.  My "hunger and thirst" is indeed being filled!  Thank you, Father! I am so grateful for your promise that I will "hunger no more, neither thirst any more", as I seek to learn to live the way you have told us to live. 

Last, but not least, I see the promise where He says, "Behold I make all things new."  New things are indeed being created in my life, and I see the promise that He is creating me anew as well.  He is creating in me a new creature that will indeed rejoice in all things.  Thank you, Father!

Father, I am so grateful for your promises!  You are such a loving and caring parent!  You see my weakness, and do not berate me for it, but instead you comfort me and give me your strength with which to meet the challenges of the day.  You are so amazing, Father and I am so grateful!

Thank You!

Over and over again I keep coming back to the same verses and the same lessons:

• "Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it" (Ps 127:1 KJV)
• "See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut." (Rev 3:8)
• "It is useless to get up early and stay up late, eating the food of exhausting labor - truly he gives sleep tot hose he loves." (Ps 127:2 ISV)
• "Seven times each day I stop and should praises for the way you keep everything running right." (Ps 119:164)
• "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4 NKJV)
• "It is good to give thanks to the Lord and to sing praise to your name, Most High; to proclaim your gracious love in the morning and your faithfulness at night," (Psalms 92:1-2  ISV)
• "Never worry about anything. Instead, in every situation let your petitions be made known to God through prayers and requests, with thanksgiving. Then God’s peace, which goes far beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your hearts and minds in union with the Messiah Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7 ISV)

It is so easy for me to worry; to get caught up in the many details that I think I need to handle and forget Who is really in charge of things. I am so grateful for His patience with me!  I am so grateful for the reminders!  One of the reminders has been a re-visiting of the parable of the sower who cast the seed and some of it grew well and some of it didn't depending on the preparation of the soil.  Here is the explanation Jesus gave to His disciples concerning the story:

"Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.  Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.  They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.  And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection.  But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience." (Luke 8:11-15 KJV)

It's too easy to let God's peace, joy, and guidance be snatched out of our experience! And when I find that happening in my own experience, it's too easy to start beating myself up for not having the right kind of soil.  But no matter how well-tilled a plot of ground is, weeds still have to be pulled on a regular basis if you are going to ensure a good crop.  There are lots of things that go into growing a good garden, preparing the soil, planting the seed, watering it, fertilizing, weeding, removing pests, etc. 

These verses that keep coming back to me are a part of that garden maintenance.  The help me keep the soil well tended, the weeds, pulled, the plants nurtured.  And yet, even in this, God is the Master Gardener. I am merely an apprentice!  I am so grateful for the way He reminds me when I start to forget!  Whether it's the word of a friend, a phrase from a song or Bible verse, an unusual experience that makes me stop and think - He has LOTS of ways to get my attention and keep me on task.  I am so grateful! 

Once again, Father, I stop and shout praises to you for the way you keep everything running right - in the universe, and in my own little corner of the world.  I am so grateful for your reminders and your promises.  I am so grateful that you yoke really IS easy and the burden you place upon me is light!  I am SO grateful for the new song in my heart and the joy you give.  And I am so grateful for the promise that the work you've begun in me you will see to completion!  Thank you, Father!

An Angry God?

This morning I found myself reading in a book of the Bible I haven't read very often - the book of Nahum.  The first chapter starts out by talking about God as being jealous and angry about the way other nations have been treating his chosen people. It gives the picture of an angry husband seeking revenge.  This is not a side of God that I have understood very well, but thinking of a husband protecting his family helps me understand how God can be loving and still be angry, though I am grateful that verse 3 makes it clear that he doesn't have a temper.  He's not easily angered, but he will protect what is his.  Then comes a verse that's a real comfort to me:

"The Lord is good—a refuge in troubled times.  He knows those who are confiding in him." Nahum 1:7 ISV

As I think about this, I realize that currently my "troubled times" come as a result of fear and worry.  I don't want to be fearful and worried! I want to fully trust my Father!  But old habits and ways of thinking aren't easily changed.  This is part of why it's so important for me to stop seven times each day and praise God for the way he keeps "everything running right" (Ps 119:164). It's part of establishing a different habit.

As I continue thinking about these verses, I suddenly realize that the words of this short book are ALL a promise of God's deliverance!  As a vengeful husband, He will totally destroy those worries and fears like the enemies they are!  He wants me to no longer be persecuted by them!  This is indeed a wonderful promise.  Thank you, God!

Father, it can't be soon enough for me.  I know only a miracle from you can change my habits, and I am so grateful that you are powerful enough and care enough to perform that miracle for me!  I once again seek your will, your guidance, and your power in my life.  Thank you for these promises to me.  And I praise you for your "wonderful works" on my behalf.  Thank you, Father, Thank you! Thank you for sleep, thank you for guidance, thank you for joy that is replacing fear in my life!  And thank you for the promise that you will continue the work you have begun in me.

God's Plan

This morning, I was drawn to the book of Luke, to the story of Jesus parents presenting him at the temple as required by the Jewish law.  You can read the story in Luke 2:22-38.  Here Jesus' parents were given two more pieces of evidence that their young child was the promised Messiah (to go along with what they had been given during the pregnancy and at his birth). Both of these latest verifications came from very elderly and presumably well-respected people. Simeon had been promised that he would not die before seeing the Messiah.  Anna must have been very elderly.  Even if she married young, say 14 years old, she would have been 105!  Both of them thanked God, praising Him for the child and God's plan of redemption.  However, not all of Simeon's words were of praise, and I realize that if I had been Jesus' mother, I might have become afraid at his next words:

“This infant is destined to cause many in Israel to fall and rise. Also, he will be a sign that will be opposed. Indeed, a sword will pierce your own soul, too, so that the inner thoughts of many people might be revealed.”  Luke 2:34-35  ISV

And yet, though Simeon's words sounded a bit of a warning, there was ample evidence from both Simeon's and Anna's demeanor, that overall the life experience of this child was not something to be feared, but something to rejoice over.  

This is a reminder to me.  Life is not without it's ups and downs, but I can trust God's plan no matter what happens. My natural instincts are so fearful that writing those words scares me. I find myself thinking, "What is coming my way that I needed this reminder?"  And yet it IS true. God's plan can be trusted to be for the good of all involved no matter what happens! And I've been promised that "ALL THINGS work together for good" (Rom 8:28 - emphasis mine).

So, Father, I once again turn to you, asking you to remove any fear in me and to replace it with your perfect love. (1 John 4:18)  Thank you for giving me sleep last night (Ps 127:2), and for the reminders that this project I'm working on is YOUR doing, not mine.  YOU are building it, and that I must trust you as a master builder (Ps 127:1).  Once again this morning, Father, I "stop and shout praises for the way you keep everything running right" (Ps 119:164).  Please guide me through this day and keep my feet on the path you would have me take.  May my eyes see and my ears hear that I may be clear about your guidance. And then please work within me both to WILL and to DO of your good pleasure (Phil 2:13).  Thank you, Father!

I am reminded of the many Bible verses that advise us to rejoice in the Lord.  Like this one from Philippians:  "Keep on rejoicing in the Lord at all times. I will say it again: Keep on rejoicing!" (Philippians 4:4 ISV) Father, thank you for this new song in my heart - one of joy in you.  And thank you for the way you keep everything running right!

Evening Wolves

This morning, I awoke early.  There is much on my mind as various deadlines for my work draw ever closer.  Psalms 127:1,2 is much on my mind.  A reminder that I need to let "the Lord build the house" and that "it is useless to get up early and to stay up late, eating the food of exhausting labor - truly he gives sleep to those he loves".  Those verses sit in my mind as a question mark.  Am I trying to do what is God's to do? Am I over-doing things? I AM getting up early and working, but not staying up late. And I AM seeking guidance as I move forward.  

What is most on my mind this morning is whether to say "yes" to another opportunity that has come my way.  I really think it's something I need to do, though I'm nervous at the thought of it, so have been procrastinating about it.  This morning I need clear guidance about it, so I prayed, sharing my doubts and fears with my heavenly father.  As I turned to my study materials, I came across a short devotional by Charles Spurgeon.  It was based on Habakkuk 1:8.  

"Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat." KJV

Spurgeon said the phrase "evening wolves" from that verse kept coming back to him so he wrote about it.  And guess what he had to say about those evening wolves!  He said they were more fierce in the evening because of having been frustrated as they sought their prey throughout the day, and likened it to the doubts and fears that seem to sometimes be worse at night after a long day spent dealing with the world around us and the frustrations we may have faced.  He then reminded me that "the Lord is my shepherd" (Ps 23:1) and the good shepherd protects his sheep from those howling wolves.  That is clearly the protection I need for my day today as I hear all those voices of doubt and fear in my mind.  Father, please protect me from those wolves!

Father, today I look to you to silence the doubt and fear in my mind and to "make my path straight"; to clearly direct me as I face decision points throughout my day, that I may remain within your will.  Please give me the ability to hear you, the willingness to follow, and the power to do so, I pray.  Thank you that you have promised to work in me both to will and to do of your good pleasure.  I am so grateful, Father!

In the Morning

Yesterday and again this morning, I found a song going through my head - "Lord in the morning, Thou shalt hear my voice ascending high.  To Thee do I direct my prayer, to Thee lift up mine eye."  The words are a loose translation of Psalms 5:3.  The International Standard Version puts it this way:

"LORD, in the morning you will hear my voice; in the morning I will pray to you, and I will watch for your answer."

I had a situation recently where I was unsure of God's leading.  That morning I had prayed for guidance for my day, and as we headed into a particular situation, my husband and I had again prayed for guidance. We got there and were presented with an unexpected opportunity - which I immediately accepted.  Later, I started worrying, as I too often do.  In that decision-making moment, I hadn't thought to shoot a prayer to God for guidance and to listen to His reply! I wished I had. And yet, the appearance of hesitation in that instance would probably not have been a good thing, and I HAD asked for guidance prior.  I didn't want to be one of those that asked with wavering faith (James 1:6)!  Was this a case of running ahead of God - or of wavering faith???

To me this morning, this verse from Psalms is reassurance.  "In the morning I will pray to you, and I will watch for your answer."  I had indeed prayed that morning, so I must trust I received the answer.

As I ponder things more, I realize that the reason for that hint of doubt was fear.  I have agreed to take on a REALLY big job, and it's easy to start to panic about whether or not I can really do it.  I KNOW I can trust God to "keep everything running right" (Ps 119:164), but I started to worry that I might have somehow stepped out of His will or run ahead so that He could not do so.  But I ASKED for His will to be done in my life that day and there was NO hint of doubt in my mind when the opportunity was presented.  If there had been, I would not have been so quick to accept.  I must trust that when I ask for God's will to be done in my life, it is not an empty prayer, but that He does indeed answer such a prayer! 

So, this morning, my voice once again ascends high.  Father, I once again ask that your will be done in my life today.  I choose to trust that you will ensure that it happens!  I choose to trust that you will make sure that everything keeps running right in my life.  Thank you for your love that can and will cast out my petty fears and fill me with trust in you.  Thank you that you have promised that you will continue the work you have begun in me - that you won't set me on a path and then abandon me when the going gets tough!  I am so grateful for your power and grace in my life!  Thank you, Father!

Remember!

"Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name, and make his deeds known among the people. Sing to him! Praise him! Declare all his awesome deeds!  Exult in his holy name; let all those who seek the Lord rejoice! Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his face continually. Remember his awesome deeds that he has done, his wonders and the judgments he declared."  (Psalms 105:1-5, ISV)

I never know from one day to the next where I might be led.  Yesterday I was led to start remembering God's leading in my current project in a special way - journal about it and perhaps even scrapbook about it. Remembering "his awesome deeds that he has done, his wonders and the judgments he declared" feels really important to me right now.  It is too easy for me to forget, and I've had such amazing experiences of specific guidance recently, that I want to ensure I remember!  

I don't know what this "remembrance project" will mean in terms of keeping up with this blog.  There may be more days like yesterday where I'm working on that and don't get any blogging done.  All I can do is see how I'm led.

Today, I thought I'd share a story of one of the things that happened for me this week, as it shows God's guidance in a pretty clear way.  I alluded to it in an earlier post, but I'll share a little more of the story here today.  

My husband and I are starting to teach a choreographed ballroom dance class (also called "round dance"), and needed to decide on which dance we were going to teach for our first class session. There were so many factors to consider!  We started with a list of several possibles, went through them all, and started weeding dances out for one reason or another.  We were left with two - neither of which felt exactly right, but either of which would probably work.  We decided to make it a matter of prayer and sleep on it, knowing we needed to make a decision the next morning. 

When morning arrived, I awoke and started talking to God, as is my custom.  As I started to talk to Him about the need to decide on a dance to teach, I realized a song was running through my head.  I thought it was one of the two remaining dances, and the thought crossed my mind that THIS was our guidance.  I was SO grateful that God would answer so directly, and immediately began expressing my thanks to Him.

THEN, I went to look up the dance and realized it was NOT one of the two we thought to do, but instead was one of the ones we had discarded!!!  What to do?  It felt like such clear guidance, but we had discarded that dance for a REASON!  It had a pretty challenging move in it and we didn't want to scare off our students in our very first class!  To say nothing of the fact that some of the dancers might actually be UNABLE to do the move because of physical challenges.  Had I misunderstood God's guidance?  Not wanting to be like the person whose faith wavers (James 1:6,7), I asked for clear re-direction if I had misunderstood, and for the willingness to move forward with the guidance I had received unless redirected - knowing that God's ways are BEST.

After my husband and I had our devotional time together that morning, I asked him what guidance he had received. (To be totally honest here, I wanted him to tell me he felt strongly guided to one of our original two as I was hoping that I had misunderstood the guidance I had received!)  My husband's response was unexpected.  Instead of saying he felt led to one of the two we were considering, or even that he still wasn't sure, he told me that he was feeling quite strongly that I should be the one to choose the dance!  That really affirmed the guidance I had received.  I told him about my experience and we decided to take another look at the dance we had discarded.  

Long story short, it's pretty clear that it IS the best choice, for a lot of reasons.  AND we were given plenty of ideas to help people learn to do the difficult move more easily - and even a substitute move to suggest for students that may find the move too physically challenging!  It all came together quickly and pretty easily and I am SO grateful!!!!  

There have been so many instances of specific guidance through this journey into cueing and teaching, and I want to be sure I remember them.  A quote comes to mind.  It says something like, "We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history." (I think it was from the book Life Sketches of Ellen G. White - an internet search suggests it's page 196, but I don't own that book so can't verify it.)  Anyway, the guidance for me is clear.  I need to take the time to REMEMBER the way God has led me!

Father, thank you so much for your guidance in my life!  Thank you for being such an attentive parent, and so willing to guide me, even when I am fearful and uncertain!  Thank you for your love and protection - physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.  I am so grateful!  Thank you for your continued guidance as I seek your will this day.  Amen.

Praise God!

Some days it can be so tempting to let my morning time with God go!  On days like today it feels like there is SO much to get accomplished and SO little time in which to complete it, that I caught myself considering letting my morning devotional time slide!  BUT, I remember that "Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it" (Ps 127:1) and I choose to continue to take my focused time with God, despite my busy schedule.

God reminds me that if I will relax and let Him lead, things happen as they are supposed to happen.  I remember an incident earlier this week where I experienced what felt like a "time standing still" (Josh 10:13,) miracle.  I consciously chose to put God and His plans first, despite some very real deadlines that felt impossible to meet.  And yet, when the time came to work toward those deadlines, I was able to accomplish what I needed to in 1/2 the time I had for it - even though I had thought the time I had might not be enough!  The miracle that day was 2-fold: First, I awoke with a clear idea that would make things much easier - an idea I KNEW was straight from God as it was so different from what I had been thinking; and second, time literally seemed to stand still! In fact, I found myself watching the clock and thinking, "Is it REALLY only 8:30?  I thought last time I looked it said 9:00! . . .  Really? I'm done and it's only 10:15? I figured I'd be working on this until 2:00 or later!"  What an amazing time that was!  . . . And how quickly I forget. :(

I don't know why I'm such a slow learner.  With an experience like that just this week, why would I be even TEMPTED to let go of my time with God? I KNOW my goals would not have been reached without His miracles that day.  Why would today be any different? 

I think of the verses that were brought to me a couple of days ago:  "Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, for his wonderful works to the children of men."  I say "verses" plural because this sentence is repeated FOUR times in the same chapter! (Ps. 107:8, 15, 21, 31) 

The need to praise God is something that is repeatedly mentioned in the Bible, and something that I think is too often misunderstood.  Too often we read those admonitions as though God had a big ego that needed to be fed by our continued adoration.  In my experience, this is just NOT the case!  These admonitions are for US!  WE are the ones that benefit when we take the time to praise God for his goodness and wonderful works!  It's about focus of attention.  What we focus on multiplies! 

Try it for yourself and see.  When I focus on my troubles and challenges, they multiply until I'm feeling totally overwhelmed.  When I focus on God's goodness, my experience of THAT multiplies, and I have more and more things to praise Him about! The question is simple. Which do I want to see multiplied in my life? Troubles or Blessings?  The answer is pretty clear.  No wonder the Psalmist repeated himself four times! 

Father, this morning I once again praise you for your many blessings and marvelous miracles on my behalf.  You said that you set before me an "open door that no one can shut" (Rev 3:8), and I am seeing it playing out before my very eyes.  So many blessings opening up for me!  So many opportunities.  Just this morning, another one - the opportunity to take lessons to support what we are doing for 1/4 the normal cost!!!!  Thank you, Father!  Father, I trust YOU to indeed "keep everything running right" (Ps 119:164), and I am SO grateful that I can trust you to work it all out.  If it weren't for you, and your miracles, I'd be running the other way in fear, but I know that YOU will keep my foot from slipping (Ps 121:3), and will keep me in perfect peace as I keep my mind on you where it belongs (Is 26:3).  Thank you, Father!  Please continue to work your will in my life today.  Guide my thoughts and actions that they may be timely and I may accomplish those things that YOU see are the most important ones!  Thank you, Father!

Creation Day 6 - Part 4!

I certainly seem to spending a lot of time on this particular day of creation!  Today I want to go back to the verse I was looking at yesterday because there are more things I want to think about:

"Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." Genesis 1:26 NKJV

A couple of more questions come to mind:

1. We are to have dominion over the "fish of the sea", the "birds of the air", the "cattle", the "earth", and "everything creeping thing".  What does this mean for me today?
2. How does this relate to my learning about the creative process?

To answer the first question, I go back to Strong's concordance and find the following:

• Dominion - literally means "to tread down" or "to subjugate"
• Fish - comes from words meaning "prolific", "timid", and "squirming"
• Sea - once again coming from that root that means "to roar" (see discussion re. day 3)
• Birds - comes from a root meaning to cover (with wings OR obscurity), to fly, or to faint
• Air - means to be lofty and refers to the canopy of the sky, or to what is above it (see discussion re. day 2)
• Cattle - the word comes from a word meaning to be "mute", and means a "dumb beast"- particularly a "large quadruped or animal (often collective)".  (See first discussion about Day 6)
• Earth - from a root meaning to "be firm" - can also mean "soil".  As I think about soil, I think about Jesus parable of the sower and the different types of ground (Matthew 13:3-23). 
• Creeping - The word itself means a reptile or any rapidly moving animal, and comes from a word that means to glide swiftly, to crawl with short steps, or figuratively to swarm.  (See first discussion about Day 6)

The first thing that strikes me as I read this is that as we look at environmental issues, we see we have indeed "treaded down" the natural world around us - to the point of putting several species into extinction. I'm not sure that this is very good stewardship of our authority over these things!  As I think about this, I realize something else.  One category is missing!  We were not given dominion over the WILD animals (See first discussion about Day 6).  And yet, these are many of the ones we've caused to go extinct!

Thinking back to my earlier discussion of the various animals, I think more about the fact that this verse specifically leaves out the wild animals in it's list of what man was to have dominion over.  Those new and exciting things aren't in this list - just the more mundane ones.  As I consider this, I think about the way things are unfolding for me in this new project I'm undertaking.  And I realize that indeed, "Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it" (Ps 127:1)

I think of someone my husband works with.  This person is very good at maintaining things.  Give him a set of instructions for a repeating task, and he does great!  When it comes to something new, though, he struggles to know how to apply what he knows to the new situation.  Am I something like that?  I certainly don't like to think so, but I realize that with the new that is coming into my life, I would have quit long before I had a chance to get started, if it weren't for God's guidance and leadership in my life.  I'd have been too afraid to move forward - been too timid.  

My mind flashes back to one of the things we ARE specifically said to have dominion over - the fish - and there's that word "timid".  What I start to see is that I am MEANT to rule over my thoughts (birds of the air), my feelings (fish of the sea), my acceptance of God's direction in my life (earth or "soil"), and over domestic matters in general (cattle & creeping things).  I've been given that authority, and I need to use it wisely.  How am I doing with it?

When it comes to bringing in the new, the "wild" animals, I have not been given dominion over these - these are God's responsibility*.  Now, my experience and other things I've read in the Bible remind me that God is in charge of ALL of it, but this passage suggests to me that there is some sort of extra dominion that God expects to hold over the "new" in my life. As I think about the new that is being brought into my life right now, all I can say is that I am glad I've been seeking His will in these matters!  He works things out far better than I possibly could on my own.  In fact, I'd have given up a long time ago if it weren't for Him, and I'd have missed out on many fun experiences.  Again I am reminded to stop and shout praises for the way God keeps everything running right.  Thank you, Father!

It seems to me that with regard to the creative process - bringing in something new - I need to be even more diligent about seeking God's will. When dealing with something I've never experienced before, I have little way of knowing how things will turn out and what is really needed. Only someone who can see the end from the beginning can know what is best!  Only He knows the outcomes and can direct my feet on the right path.  Thank you, Father, for your willingness - even eagerness - to do so!  You are an amazing God!

Father, I am so grateful for the way you keep everything running right!  You keep showing me time and time again that you are in charge of this new project and have everything under control - even though I start to worry about it at times.  Please keep my mind focused on You, where it belongs, so that I continue to experience that perfect peace you have promised (Is 26:3)  I am SO grateful for your guidance and power in my life!  I look to you for guidance both for the new that is coming into my life, and for how best to work within your will as I seek to better exercise the dominion you've given me.  Thank you, Father!

*Note that while verse 28 in KJV says we were given dominion over everything that moves, the word translated "moves" is the same one that is translated "creepeth" earlier.  In other words, it appears to relate specifically to the "creeping things".

Creation Day 6 - Part 3

Today I'm going to focus just on verse 26 of Genesis 1:

"Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, to be like us. Let them be masters over the fish in the ocean, the birds that fly, the livestock, everything that crawls on the earth, and over the earth itself!” ISV

What does it mean for us to have been created in God's image?  Looking up the word "image", I discover that it means, "phantom," "illusion," or "representative figure".  We were made to be "representatives" of God!  How well am I doing?  Can He pronounce THIS creation "very good"?  Am I working with God, the magician, in creating this illusion?  The picture I get is that of a puppet in the hands of God.  Am I allowing Him to move me according to His will?  to bring me to life?  I think of this verse from John:

"So Jesus told them, “Truly, I tell all of you emphatically, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you don’t have life in yourselves." John 6:53 ISV

What on earth does that mean? Fortunately, Jesus explained Himself since He knew His disciples were having difficulty understanding His words:

"But Jesus, knowing within himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, asked them, “Does this offend you? What if you saw the Son of Man going up to the place where he was before? It’s the Spirit who gives life; the flesh accomplishes nothing. The words that I’ve spoken to you are spirit and life." John 6:61-63  ISV

Ahhh, that's it!  As I continue to digest God's messages to me - that is what gives me life. Without that, I'm as valuable as a life-less puppet.  With God's life in me, however, my life is able to tell a wonderful story of God's love and creative power!  Thank you, God, for Your guidance and Your power and love in me!

Not only does this verse say that we were created in God's image, but also that we were made to be like God.  This word can mean likeness in form and in manner.  Paul assures us there is both a physical and a spiritual body (I Cor 15:44), so indeed our spiritual body may be similar to God's in form.  I'm sure I don't know.  What strikes me here is the importance of being like God in manner - and that God created me to be that!  I am intended to take on God's attributes. There are many of these that are important, but one which stand out to me in this moment is "creativity".  This whole study in the first chapter of Genesis has been encouraging me to step more fully into the creative.  After all, God has been giving me a step-by-step primer on how to do so.   But this verse shows me that He CREATED ME to be creative - I was made in the image of the Creator God!  Yes, it is God that works in me, and it is what I am meant to do! 

As I ponder this, I don't think this creativity is simply a focus on the arts.  While that might be included for some people, I think the real issue with creativity is not being bound by what has come before, but being willing to step into something new. God wants to make of me a new creature!  (II Cor. 5:17) 

As I looked up this passage in II Corinthians, I found myself thinking of the challenge of having a houseful of people in my home today when we are up against deadlines that already feel difficult to meet.  How can we be good hosts and still get the things done that we need to get done?  Then I read these words:

"So from now on we don't think of anyone from a human point of view. If we did think of Christ from a human point of view, we don't anymore. Whoever is a believer in Christ is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. A new way of living has come into existence. God has done all this. He has restored our relationship with him through Christ, and has given us this ministry of restoring relationships." 2 Corinthians 5:16-19, emphasis mine (from GOD'S WORD Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations Bible Society. All rights reserved.)

Okay, I've got my directions for today, don't I?  This is such an important part of God's manner - His active working to restore relationships.  As a being created in His likeness, this is also meant to be a part of my "manner", and I need to be willing to step more fully into this way of relating to life and the people around me.

Father, forgive me for imagining that you are not able to "keep everything running right" (Ps. 119:164) in my life if we have a houseful of guests today!  I have asked for your will to be done in my life, and I DO believe that it IS BEING DONE! I ask for your continued guidance and direction that things may proceed according to YOUR plan.  Thank you that you have promised that you will continue the work you have begun in me (Phil 1:6), and that you will work in me both "to will and to do of your good pleasure" (Phil 2:13).  May I sit at YOUR feet today rather than being worried about many things like Martha (Luke 10:38-42).  Once again I stop and shout your praises for the way you keep everything running right!  Thank you, Father!