Better Late?

Another Spring is fast approaching and the year is shaping up. 

Being in a reflective mood, it dawned on  me that I had not made any New Year's resolution this year.  No big plan to start exercising daily and lose weight.  No  promise to myself to read the Bible all the way through from start to finish.  Not even a simple "I'm going to be a better person this year."

And here it is... almost March. 

So, thinking that it's never too late to resolve to do better, I am making a list of my top ten resolutions:

10.  Be more organized - I put this at the #10 spot because that way I will remember it for at least a day.

9.  Do my tax return on time.. if only because I know that will make the IRS suspicious!

8.  Take a  ballroom dance class - learn to TANGO!!!! Cha!Cha!Cha!

7.  Start a hobby (actually I did this but had to leave it at home when I left for Kuwait so that one is already broken)

6. Make new friends (got a good start on that one.. met a lot of new people.. now if I could just remember their names.)

5.  Write more often - because I know everybody is waiting breathlessly to read my every word!

4.  Get to work early... something I am sure the boss would love and my co-workers would hate!

3.  Lose Weight & Exercise-   ahhhh... the ultimate and classic resolution that we all make and we all break.

2.  Save Money  - well, first ya gotta make money and then ya gotta be a tightwad.  yech.

1.  Read the Bible all the way through from start to finish -  I always get hung up on the "begats"  Come on, be honest...the begats.  Can't we just skip them thangs?

I could probably add 100 more things that I need or want to do.   But I wonder what God would have me resolve to do. 

There is the old song: "I have decided to follow Jesus... no turning back.. no turning back."   That should be the only resolution any of us make.   It is the only one that brings everything else into order.   Following Jesus is key to living a life that is exemplary in every way. 

So... I'll just disregard the list (as usual) and continue following Him.  

Whew!   Talk about relieving the pressure!

Now I can get on with my year.

HOW?

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.   (James 1: 3-4)


I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now,  being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;   (Phil 1: 4-7)

How do you count it joy when you are in the middle of one of life's storms?   How in the world could anyone, including God, expect that from us?   

A few years ago, I would have answered "It's impossible."   That was before I encountered a God that filled me with such spiritual joy that it overflowed into my daily existence and into everything that I do.

Paul is not speaking about happiness.    He is talking about the joy of the Lord.   That joy is strength and steadfastness.   It is power and it is peace.       "Do not sorrow; for the joy of the Lord is your strength."  (Neh 8:10) 

Happiness is dependent upon circumstance and surroundings.   We are happy when things go our way.   We are happy when life is what we call good.   We are also joyful and thankful in those good times; however, as Jesus said, we are going to have  hard times in our lives.    Times when we won't be so happy.

The joy of the Lord gives us the ability to go through any trial, any trouble, any storm ... with the sure knowledge that God is working in our lives just as He promises that He will.   Our joy is dependent upon God and what He has done in our lives.  It is not dependent upon our circumstance.

Times of hardship test our faith.   We ask questions that seem to have no answers and have to trust that God knows what He is doing. 

Without faith in God, we stumble and break in hard times and crumble in despair when our hearts break. 

And although we may feel as though our lives are shattered and broken upon the rocky road we are on, we must keep walking, crawling if need be, because we know that with Jesus there is hope for the future.   And we will look back upon that journey with amazement and wonder in the mighty and loving God that brought us through it.  We will realize that God does not make mistakes and we know that there will be a story to tell, a testimony of God's work and His faithfulness.  That gives us cause for great joy even in the middle of our pain.

Also, during life's valleys, God is perfecting us... perfecting our faith.   He is growing us into  the person He planned us to be; "perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

So rather than thinking that God let the devil after us to mess up our lives,  we should look at our valley as an opportunity for growth and testimony.     You know... "what the devil means for bad, God means for good."

There is nothing that happens in our lives that God does not know about in advance.   He has a plan and a purpose for us.   His plan was in effect before ever we were born and He is going to carry it out in us.    He knows our past, present, and future. 

Are  you saved?  Are you born again?   Are  you a child of the King?   If so, then you have reason for great joy.  

As His child, if we are going through a trial, it is because God has not only trusted us with it.   He has entrusted it to us.        He is using it to perfect us and complete us.   In doing so, He is finishing the good work He began in us.   

Has God called you into a ministry or service and you think it will never happen?   It's impossible?     Your life is too confused or messed up and you've taken too many wrong turns?     You've gotten distracted too many times or just plain given up on it?  Do you envision and pray for a future that you think can never happen?

God has not given up.  He has not lost sight of you where you are.   His plan for you has not changed.   Your circumstance is part of His plan and He trusts you in it.  He has given you the measure of faith required to see it through.    It is not up to you to complete it.   He is the one who does that.   But you must participate by acknowledging Him and allowing Him to do His work.   You must participate by standing firm in His word and by rejecting satan when he lies to you.  You have to cooperate with Him by getting up every day to do the work set before you in faith.

Take joy in knowing that whatever your situation, God is acting for your benefit and on your behalf.   He is completing you.

On the Altar

"I am nothing but sharp edges and splinters.. shards of a splattered and shattered faith, using those shanks and points to keep His love at a distance so I don't have to face Him.   Yet He allows Himself to be pierced and bloodied once again as He draws me close,  holding me in His arms of love and grace and pulling those spears and swords into His body and heart as He covers me.   How can He stand it?  How can He stand me? "

I wrote these words one 2:00 a.m. morning  several years ago.   It was  a time when my life was broken and I felt that I had nothing left to give.  Nothing but pain.

Looking back, I see the hand of God in my life, shaping me and changing me into the person He created me to be.   Growing me.    Growing my faith.   Growing my confidence and trust in Him.

The following hymn (written by Elisha Hoffman ) comes to my mind  with new understanding of the lyrics:

You have longed for sweet peace,
And for faith to increase,
And have earnestly, fervently prayed;
But you cannot have rest,
Or be perfectly blest,
Until all on the altar is laid.

Is your all on the altar of sacrifice laid?
Your heart does the Spirit control?
You can only be blest,
And have peace and sweet rest,
As you yield Him your body and soul.

Would you walk with the Lord,
In the light of His Word,
And have peace and contentment alway?
You must do His sweet will,
To be free from all ill,
On the altar your all you must lay.

O we never can know
What the Lord will bestow
Of the blessings for which we have prayed,
Till our body and soul
He doth fully control,
And our all on the altar is laid.

Who can tell all the love
He will send from above,
And how happy our hearts will be made,
Of the fellowship sweet
We shall share at His feet,
When our all on the altar is laid.

I laid my life in the hands of Jesus.   He has not disappointed.  He has not let me down.  Ever.  He suffered for me and with me personally.     I gave Him my future, my past, my present.   He owns it.  He owns me.   

He, in turn, and as the song says, has given me peace and contentment and a happy heart.  The altar of His love is the crucible that changed my life.  

Pardon My Scroogosity!

I'm not sure why, but it seems that I always go through a Bah! Humbug! stage at Christmas.   At some point in time, it is going to pop out of me and splatter all over whoever is nearby.

Maybe it is the rush of shopping and planning and hoping.    Possibly it is the realization that another year is past and things planned are left undone, things hoped for were not realized.      Maybe it's knowing that so many of those I love are broken hearted. 

Regardless, the "Scrooge" comes out of me and begins his ugly banter. 

Of course, once I realize what has happened, I stop.   I apologize to whoever  has been hit with the shrapnel of my Scroogosity.   And then I begin to enjoy the season.

Christmas!  Christmas!    What a marvelous time of year!     The birth of Christ is celebrated or acknowledged by the entire world.    Believers and non-believers alike are all affected by the hustle and bustle, the shopping, the un-ending buffet of goodies and treats and the wonder in a child's voice!

Whether you are singing a Christmas hymn or a silly Christmas jingle, the tunes are in your head.   The sounds of Christmas are everywhere!   The stores are playing Christmas carols as you shop.   Your car radio is inundating your ears with the melodies.   You find yourself singing along!

We can not  get away from Christmas.   All you Scrooges are fighting a losing battle.  

Christmas!   With the birth of Christ, the hope of the entire world is fulfilled.    God sent His only Son in the form of one of us.   A baby.   A little boy.   A Child.   A Teenager.   A young man.  A living breathing human being.     What an amazing life He lived!    His life is inexplicable, unexplainable, beyond understanding.   He is wise beyond our imagination.   He heals the sick and broken hearted!  He comforts!   He provides!   He brings the dead back to life!

Then... then He did something so far outside the box of religion that it has had all of humanity in an uproar ever since.    

He died.     God's  Son laid down and died.   God's Son suffered miserably and died.      He did it deliberately.   He did it on purpose.    He did it to show us how much He loves us.  He did it so that He could clean us up and turn us into the pure and clean spiritual beings we were created to be.   He did it so that He could come back three  days later the victor over Death and Hell!

Scrooges, take heed!   Disappointed ones, listen up!    You broken and hurting hearts, REJOICE!    

Whatever your circumstance, you have every cause to celebrate Christmas!  Without Christ's birth, there would be no sacrifice.    Without His sacrifice, there would be no resurrection.   Without Christmas we are lost to the darkness.

So please... pardon my Scroogosity and join me in the celebration of Christ's birth.

SHOUT FOR JOY all the Earth!  Rejoice!   Praise God for the most wonderful Gift of all time!  

Christmas!


 ..

Count Your Blessings!

 

 Thanksgiving Holidays are rolling around again and we all start to think about what we have to be thankful for. 

 

Our lives are so busy, working, playing, shopping, housework, yardwork.   There is always something that occupies our time and our minds.

 

But stop and take a breath... count your blessings and remember to thank God for them.   Blessings:  Salvation, family, air, health, running water, a roof over my  head, a place to lay my head, food on the table..... I was in this mindset this afternoon and remembered a story I had written last year.   I wanted to share it again.  It's a reminder that so many in the world do not have the simplest things and also a reminder of how the simple things can be the greatest blessings.  

 

 

Happy

 

Tallil.  Iraq.  It's dry and dusty and dirty and getting hot.

Nothing here is easy.   Everything requires a bit more effort and planning than normal.  Transportation is either one of the unit buses or a public bus.   If I take the public bus, I go to the bus stop and wait for it to arrive and hope that I catch the right one.  Hah!  There are several different bus routes.      If I take one of the unit's buses, it's best to make sure to see if anyone else needs a ride somewhere too.     By the way, driving one of those 34 passenger buses is an adventure!   The roads are ruts made into bigger ruts and potholes.   The ride is rough!   If you weren't in pain when  you got on the bus, you will be when you get off.     The main roads that ARE paved are crowded with military folks doing their PT.  They are running all over it and you might as well just slow down to a crawl and enjoy.

Living quarters are another matter altogether:

Some have to live in tents.   Some live in trailers without a bathroom or shower.  Those are called a "dry chu"   (pronounced chew).  The rooms are maybe 10 x 10 and most people have  a roommate.   The bathroom & shower units are separate and centrally located in an area with several dozen dry chu's.  

Some of the chosen few get to live in a 'wet chu".   These are trailer type units that will house 2 people in separate rooms AND you get to share a bathroom.  Kind of like a dorm room situation.   The room is maybe 10 x 15.   But it is a single room.. no roommate!

I was one of the fortunates in a dry chu and I DID NOT have a roommate!   That was a huge blessing!   Then.... this week, I got to move into one of the wet chu's.  Oh  my !!!  

Who would ever have thought that I would be so grateful for a 10 x 15 room with a bathroom that I have to share with another person.???

I have a desk made from a wooden crate.   I have a chair that is unique in every way.  The chair part of it is the seat and arms from an old broken down office chair.   The stand it is attached to is a small wooden crate.   And I am so thankful for them both!  The desk gives me a place to set my computer and my table lamp.   I also use it as a night stand.   The chair allows me to sit in a semi comfortable position while on my computer or watching tv. 

This is considered the 'lap of luxury' over here.

In all of this, I am happy and content.  

I was walking out of the PX this evening on the way back to the bus.  I had a small rug rolled up under my arm and  a sack with some electrical plugs in it.   The rug is pretty easy to find, but the electrical adaptor plugs are  scarce.   I was pleased with that purchase.   I need them in my new 'wet chu' . 

A complete stranger passed by me as I was walking back to the bus and he said "You look happy!?"    I  just grinned at him and said "I  AM happy!"  and kept walking.  Then it dawned on me that I really am happy.   In a way that I haven't been in a long time.  

It's crazy.
I'm away from my kids and grandbabies and family.   
I sleep on a cheap mattress with springs that poke me.
I share a small dingy bathroom with a stranger.
I live in one small room.
I work in a huge wooden crate they call an office with a plywood desk and dirt everywhere.
I don't have a car.  I don't even have a bicycle.  or a skateboard or roller skates.
It's hot and going to get hotter;   and many more things i can't think of right now.

But I am HAPPY.  And what is more is that it shows.  Apparently people see it in me.

One of the guys was in the office today and he said something about depression.   I can't remember the exact remark but it had something to do with having somebody in his life to keep him from being depressed and going home to see her.

I told him that I had somebody in my life like that,, and that He is with me all the time.  Everywhere I go.

He is the source of my happiness.    And no matter what my circumstance, He is there.

As always, thank you God.

Flag Folly

This is the story of the kid that was forced to remove the American Flag from his bicycle at the school in California. I tried to call the school to voice my opinion and of course ALL the circuits were busy. I wonder what would have happened if this youn...g man had refused to remove the flag? What would happen if American's refuse to be politically correct?

http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2010/11/11/Student-told-to-take-US-flag-off-bike/UPI-77081289511876/

 

 

Okay... I have to bring out my soapbox! How in the world is it politically incorrect to fly an American Flag on American soil at an American school? AND why is it politically correct for this school system to ALLOW hispanics to fly the Mexican flag during Cinco de Mayo? I have nothing against hispanics or Mexico. I have many friends that are hispanic. My problem is with our government and it's current attitude about patriotism, freedom of speech, and constitutional rights that our country was founded on. That our soldiers past and present have fought for. Everytime someone yell's "racist!" "Prejudice" or "Muslim" , the authorities back down. Since when do Americans have to live in fear? Because that is what is happening. We are living in Fear of reprisal for believing in and living the American life of freedom and liberty. It has become a politically incorrect to preach the Bible and moral values. It is politically incorrect to claim your rights as an American citizen, while illegal immigrants are kowtowed to by the very government that is supposed to be protecting the legal citizens of the USA. What about MY civil rights? What about MY beliefs? Yesterday was Veterans Day.. a national federal holiday. Lots of talk about honoring our veterans. The only way to truly honor the sacrifice of our veterans is to take a stand along with them. The mid-term elections are over, but it is not the time to sit back and hope that things go well. It is the time to remain watchful guardians of the Constitution.

 

It is also the time to REMAIN in prayer for our country, our elected government officials, our schools, our service men and women, and our children.

Battle Ready!

For forty days, twice a day every day, he swaggered out and shouted to the four winds.   Had he grown tired of battle?   Was he frustrated because no worthy opponent had come forward thus far?  

""Why have you come out to line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and you the servants of Saul? Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us."  And the Philistine said, "I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together!"  (1 Samuel 17: 8-10)

This was the Goliath of Gath... the splendor of the Philistine army.   Ten feet tall, weighing in at over 400  pounds.    His armor alone weighed at least 200 pounds with its bronze helmet, coat of mail, leg armor and bronze javelin.   His spear was as large as a tree branch.

Everyday he created a stir among the chosen people.    No one would dare go up alone against this megalith.   He was more mighty and powerful than any of them.    Good grief! His biceps probably measured 2 feet in diameter!    With his armor, he weighed at least one third of a ton!   Anybody would be a fool to try and take him on alone.     The Israeli soldiers spoke in frightened whispers of his size and might.

Goliath was defiant and intimidating.    He was cocksure of himself and knew he had no equal.   He was the largest of the giants, taller, more muscular, more mighty.    In a land of giants, he was the champion.

The army of Israel was terrified of him.    When he came into battle, they would scatter and flee in horror.

He thirsted for battle!   He was anxious to fight and kill... to destroy his enemy.  

The two armies were camped out on mountaintops with a valley between.   The valley of Elah in Ephes Dammim, meaning the edge of blood.    Israel was camped between Sohkoh and Azekah.    In Hebrew, the word Sohkoh means 'hedge' and Azekah means 'a field dug over, broken up." 

So Israel was entrenched outside their hedge,  between it and the broken ground leading to ephes Dammim, the edge of blood.      

Israel was at a standstill... unsure of their fate... unable to defeat their own  fear, much less overcome the army and giants standing in front of them.   They had forgotten their past and the victories that God had given.

Except for David.    The young shepherd.    The least of his brothers.   David  figured that if with God’s help, he could defeat a Lion coming at him with all his fierce muscle and weight and 20 razor sharp talons, then one ugly giant was a pushover.

King Saul, hearing of David's boldness, and desperate for some solution to his dilemma, called David to his side.   King Saul  offered his own personal armor to David.    David tried it on and couldn’t move.  This was the armor of a man, a warrior king.  It didn’t fit.   He hadn’t tested it.  Hadn’t proved it. 

He didn’t need it.

David was clad in  the armor of God.  With him, it was tried and true.    He had spent years in the field perfecting it.    Singing praises to the Lord, spending time with Him.    Fighting off the bears and lions that would come against him.       He was comfortable in this  God armor.    It fit well and he trusted it.      He had taken it’s measure.   It was reliable.


Goliath issued this challenge to Israel twice daily...  "One on one combat!   Winner takes all!"

Today would be his final challenge!


Except it wasn’t one on one.    This giant’s shield bearer went before him.  He carried a shield and a sword.    He was a giant also.   He had to be a giant.    He carried the shield and sword to protect Goliath.   If he was a normal sized man, what was he gonna protect?   Goliath's  kneecaps?

He’s there to ward off attackers so that the Goliath has room to throw his deadly spear.   The giant of Gath needs a  giant of a body guard!

Here is young David, alone with a slingshot and five river stones.   Up against two grizzly grouchy bullying giants!

Goliath is almost insulted that his only opponent is a boy.  One with no armor and no weapon, at that.   Practically naked before him with no protection.   He’s taking David’s measure.  Goliath is using the wrong measuring stick.

He didn't consider that God had already taken David's measure.

Here is the young Israelite without any visible means of defeating this armor clad, battle seasoned, oversized warrior.

But the battle is over before it ever starts  as these bold and defiant  words explode  from David’s mouth! 

 “I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied!  This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand and I will strike you and take your head from you.  And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.   Then all this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear, for the battle IS the Lords and He will give you into our hands.”

With that exclamation of faith, David races towards Goliath, swinging his loaded sling.  With the hedge behind him and the broken ground before him, he almost flies towards the edge of blood.   Towards the enemy of his people and of his God.

If Goliath was cocksure of his  own might and fighting prowess, David was even more confident in his God's ability to conquer any enemy.

With one throw from his sling, David knocked Goliath out with a stone.    The giant fell unconscious to the ground.   His insulting tongue stilled.   His powerful body was rendered limp and useless.  

David took the sword from the champion of the Philistines and before the amazed eyes of the two armies, he cut off the head of  his enemy  Goliath.  

 The completely demoralized Philistines ran away like frightened children.     If one Israelite boy without any visible armor or weapon could defeat their champion, what could the entire Israelite army do against them?   What would the God  of Israel do with them?

They were totally defeated.

If the Israelites had forgotten all that God had done for them, David’s faith and miraculous victory reminded them.   Once Goliath was dead, Israel  marched forward and defeated the Philistines.

We all have giants that come against us.      Finances, Family problems, Work, Sickness, Death, Divorce, Disappointments.      Just like a giant Goliath, they don’t  come one on one.   They  hit you from all directions.       

We have everyday giants.   We have monumental life altering giants.    They all come from the same place.   The devil doesn’t fight fair.      He sends his sword bearing shield bearer before him to trick us, confuse us, distract us and keep us from focusing.    The little things.   We think we can handle it.   Then BAM!  He shows up with deadly force!.     The thing that get us right in the heart.   His javelin or spear.   We lose our job.   We lose a loved one.   We have a life threatening illness.    We’ve been double teamed. and we could so easily be struck down, but for the Armor of God.

Paul tells us to put on the armor of God...  He never once told us to take it off.     In Romans 13: 12  he calls it the “armor of light”.   Unapproachable Light.

When you are wearing this armor, you are not only protected, but you stand out as a victorious warrior!

Our armor is our faith.  It is our sure knowledge of the faithfulness of God.

Life events take our spiritual measure.  Like David, before we go into our daily battle,  we should make sure we have a good fit.   We should remind ourselves of the times that God has come through for us in the past and that He will do it again now.   

Don’t try to enter into a battle wearing some body else’s faith.    We’re each given a measure.   It is formed and forged just for us.  We need to test it and try it and become so accustomed to it that it fits us like our own skin.

Like the Israelites, we tend to forget how God has provided and been victorious in our past.    We need something to remind us.
 
David took Goliath’s armor and kept it.    In my imagination I see it standing in a focal point in his home.  A daily reminder of how God came through for him and for Israel.

There are many times in the Bible when it is mentioned that the Israelites made a marker , set up stones, as a reminder of what God had done at a particular time or place.

I have several items in my home that are reminders to me of what God has done in my life.   A bowl of seashells on my coffee table.   A Santa Claus figurine holding a sign with the word "JOY".   A photograph of a beach at sunrise.   These are all reminders of the huge things God has done in my life and of His promises.

The next time you go into battle, be prepared.    As your enemy takes your measure, race toward him or it with the sure knowledge that God is with you and has gone before you.     

Call to mind what God has done in your past and trust Him for what He is doing in the present.      When the victory is won give Him the glory!    Then just in case you're forgetful like the Israelites, make a note of your victories.   Keep a reminder, something visible, as a reminder of how God did a miracle in your life.

And give Him the glory!