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Wednesday, September 19, 2007
This week was the Book Fair at our kids' elementary school. You know the drill - your kids beg and plead to pay quadruple for a dollar store toy or book just so they can say they got something from the Book Fair. I could set my foot down and say no but then I'd have to deal with my own issues of looking like a horrible mom for not letting them get something like all the other kids. So, I caved, okay? Each boy was given a certain dollar amount and after school came hauling in their loot. Even though each boy got to pick out what he wanted, the green-eyed monster got ahold of my Youngest when he saw his Eldest brother had gotten a calculator that looked like a flip cell phone. Let me first say this kid cares nothing about Math, but he loves to get attention so undoubtedly he believed this little prize would boost his cool factor. The wheeling and dealing began. "Come on, brother! I'll trade you whatever you want! I'll give you a baseball card. I'll even clean your room!" Nothing was working until he said, "I'll give you FIVE DOLLARS for that calculator!" Big brother perked up a bit. "Five dollars? I only paid two dollars for it...You are on!" Here's where the trouble started. Youngest didn't have five dollars. He never does his chores and has no prospect of EVER having five dollars especially considering he is always willing to pay dearly today for what will be worthless to him tomorrow. He is already shaping up to be Citibank's best customer. Or their worst. What was his solution? He snuck in his dad's wallet and got five dollars and gave it to his older brother. The Eldest completed the transaction with a smile not knowing where the money had come from. All he saw were $$$$. When he told Dad about the profit he'd just made, warning bells went off in his head because he knew Youngest didn't have any money. Long story short, Youngest 'fessed up to having taken the money. He immediately began crying his eyes out. Dad took pity on him and used it as a teachable moment to explain how bad sin made us feel but that God was gracious when we asked for forgiveness. He then tried to gather our son up to comfort him. However, instead of curling up in his dad's arms, he pouted up and refused to be hugged. It made no sense whatsoever! He'd done wrong, gotten busted, been shown way more mercy than he deserved, and yet he was angry! How many times have I done that very thing?! Getting called out when we've made a mistake is painful, but what keeps us from accepting mercy when it is offered? Pride from having to admit we were wrong? Shame for having been so gullible? Fear for what others will think of our weakness? The Jewish nation responded to Jesus in this exact way prompting Him to lament, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing." Luke 13:34 It took a while, but my son finally let me hold him as he cried and said he was sorry. It was a heartwrenching few moments for him, but wow, what a burden was lifted for both of us when it was all over. This scene with my own son made me understand just a bit more the love the Father wishes to pour out on us if we will simply cease striving and allow Him to gather us to Him in mercy. It will take humility and perhaps many tears, but O the comfort that awaits those who will allow themselves to be wrapped in His embrace!  Please visit my personal blog, The Preacher's Wife. Labels: Comfort, Compassion, Forgiveness, Lisa's Articles Leave a comment... 10 Comments Links to this post And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." ~ Matthew 14:28-30 (ESV)I always loved the story of Peter trying to walk on water. Although Peter walked closely with our Lord, he still displayed fear. He even doubted that he could accomplish some unbelievable tasks. I am sure that you had weeks that are totally discouraging to you—just like my past week. I was so full of energy after last weekend--I was ready to take on anything that came my way. Little did I know that we would receive a call that someone in my husband’s family died a tragic death. That was Tuesday…My energy was gone within a few minutes. I didn’t know how to make it through the rest of my week. All I could do was cry out to the Lord. Thursday I received a message that someone’s son was in trouble—big trouble. All I could do was to lift her and her family up in prayer. Friday afternoon I read that one of my online friends lost two family members. All I could do was to send her a message that I was praying for her. Saturday night I received an email from a dear friend that she had to go the emergency room. I immediately lifted her up in prayer.  Why am I telling you all about the pain and suffering today? And what does it have to do with Peter and him walking on water. My point is, if we don’t know what else to do, we can cry out to Jesus. He is always there to give us a hand and lift our head. He will always comfort, always heal the pain. That is how I got through my week. Reaching for His saving hand…“Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens,Lord of Heaven and Earth. Thank you for getting me through this week. Lord your steadfast love extends to the heavens. Thank You reminding me to cry out to Jesus to rescue me. When I don’t know where else to turn, I can be certain that You will sustain me through any storm that might hit my waters. In the precious name of Jesus ~ Amen.  You can also find me at my personal blog Sting My Heart Labels: Comfort, Iris's Articles Leave a comment... 13 Comments Links to this post When he was four years old, he asked a lot of questions. Or, I should say, he asked the same question a lot of times. Wide-eyed, anticipating a sensible answer, he would look at me as though I held all knowledge, ready to serve it to him in response to his every, "Why?" And I did my best to answer his simple questions in terms he could understand. If he'd just sat still long enough. That was back when his dad and I were nearly as smart as God in his big, brown eyes. Back when a kiss could make it better and sadness could be washed away with a sippy cup of juice. Back when the world could be conquered from atop training wheels and world peace was threatened only by inevitability of a good, soapy bath. At age ten, his questions are now more sophisticated. "How do we know for certain if someone else is saved? When is God coming back? Didn't God tell Adam and Eve about Satan? Why do some people know how powerful God is, but still refuse to obey Him?" And I do my best to help him find answers in verses, sometimes failing and admitting, "I don't know." Touched by three deaths and the debilitating illness of a child in the past week, my prayer list is long. Or, I should say, it's short since it includes only one question, "Why?" I look heavenward, wide-eyed, anticipating a sensible answer from the One who does hold all knowledge. He hands me His Word to answer me in terms I can understand. If I just sit still long enough. He never says, "I don't know." When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13: 11-12  Carol's blog can be found here. Labels: Carol's Articles, Comfort, Faith, listening, trust Leave a comment... 8 Comments Links to this post I recently heard four words that have changed how I view everything. These words are so profound to me, yet so simple. Before I share those words with you, I thought I’d share some instances in which those words can be used. See if you can relate:
What if: Beth Moore (or insert the name your favorite Bible study teacher) was in town doing a conference, needed to make some last-minute changes in what she was going to say, and called you from the hotel to see if she could use one of your Bible study resources? Rachel Ray wanted to use one of your family recipes for her show? Laura Bush wanted to use one of your children’s books in a talk she was giving at your local library? Your favorite singer was sitting near you on an airplane wanted to use your iPod? I know these examples are somewhat far-fetched, but would you let them use what's yours? I would, in a heartbeat! It would be an honor for someone of their renown to want anything I have. I would offer it up gladly! What if the God of the universe, the Creator of all time, events, and people wanted to use the time, events and people in your life for His purposes? This one's not far-fetched at all. He does. God uses finite circumstances to accomplish eternal works. What a privilege it is to think that He would use what concerns me to fulfill His plans! And He does it every day. Oh, I think I've always been conscious of that on some level, and I’ve certainly repeated Romans 8:28 to myself plenty of times over the years, "God works all things together for good to those who love God, to those are called according to His purpose." (NASB) But lately, it has helped me so much to look situations square in the face and say out loud, "God is using this." These are the raw materials with which He will work as He "works all things together" in my life for my good and for His glory. He will use the big and small events in my life to mold me into the image of His Son, to draw me and others to Himself, to reveal more of His character, to further His Kingdom on this earth, and to bless me in this life as well as eternally. How that knowledge counsels my heart as I get a real sense that it is all in His hands. All of it- the good and the bad- must bow to His perfect will for my life and for this world. What are you facing today? Disappointment? Joy? Confusion? An area of bondage? Health issues? Remember, God is using this.  Labels: Comfort, Cyndi's Articles, Purpose Leave a comment... 10 Comments Links to this post  I sat at the edge of the lake while my children played happily in the water nearby. Suddenly a shadow fell across my face. I looked up just in time to see the sun disappearing behind a big dark cloud. High in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, I had been told that often times a sudden down pour of rain could occur in the middle of a beautiful sunny afternoon. Before I could collect my three oldest children and run for shelter, the heavens opened and a down pour of rain came hard and very heavy. I was amazed how quickly the storm had gathered. Thinking back to that day with all of us huddled together in the shelter wrapped in our wet towels with the clouds moving over us, my mind shouting the name, "Jesus!" always reminds me of another storm. On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side." 36And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" 39And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Peace! Be still!" And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. 40He said to them, "Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?" 41And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?" ( Mark 4:35-41 ESV) Storms arise unexpectedly in our lives, too. A telephone call brings sudden jolting news. A letter brings disappointment. A child has an accident. A small pain develops into a serious illness. Or maybe the source of distress is just the everyday pressures and tensions that build and build until the dark cloud erupts into a storm. I, too, have had my share of storms. Some have been brief afternoon showers. Others have been caused by tensions that have built up, threatening my serenity and peace. Still others have burst upon my life suddenly, hitting hard and leaving in their wake damage and debris. Like the disciples I have been afraid and have cried out, “Lord, don’t you care?” And later, when all is calm again, I hear Him say, “Chris, why do you have so little faith?” He has never promised a life free from storms, but he has promised to be with us in the midst of them and to bring us safely to the other side. Psalm 91 is a triumphant song of faith. In it we learn that God is our dwelling place. It’s under His shelter that we are to abide. Join me now and read through Psalm 91. Read it again and again over the next several days. Your life and even the storm will not look the same. He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Psalm 91 :1 (you can continue reading here) In Him...Chris Labels: Chris's Articles, Comfort, Faith Leave a comment... 11 Comments Links to this post "And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit'." John 20:22 The phone call was one I'll never forget. "Guess who is moving?" my husband asked. I was not prepared for his answer. I immediately hung up the phone and cried my eyes out when I found out he was referring to a senior couple in our congregation who are beloved to us as well as every single person in our church and community. These two have a vibrant, healthy marriage after 50 years. They are the life of the party everywhere they go, love my children as their own, and are faithful co-laborers in Christ. They still keep the nursery for Pete's sake! Though we have only known them two short years, I can not imagine my daily life without them in it. Their going will leave our church body with a limp much like the one Jacob had after wrestling with the angel. Jacob was able to function, but he never forgot. Neither will we. Preparing to tell these dear ones goodbye has drawn my thoughts once again to the Cross and the devastation the Disciples and others who loved Jesus experienced when they had to part with their Beloved Savior. How do you let go of someone with whom you have shared so much? Who accepted you when no one else did? Forgave you when no one else would? Mary couldn't let go in the Garden after Jesus' resurrection which prompted His gentle rebuke, "Stop clinging to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father." (John 20:17) Do you blame her? Had it been me, I can just see Jesus trying to walk away, dragging me on His leg behind Him. What Mary did not understand at the time is that Jesus was not going to leave her or the Disciples. He had another kind of Presence in mind. Since the Garden, God has longed for fellowship with His Creation. Even before sin caused the Great Separation, He had a plan in place for bridging that divide so that He could once again dwell among us. God first hovered above the Israelites in the desert in a pillar of cloud and fire. He then talked 'face to face' with Moses and His Presence filled the Tabernacle. He was getting closer, but not close enough for Him. He was aching to touch His creation again. To have them see Him and not die. To speak to them and not have them cover their ears or hide their faces. The joy of communion was destroyed in the Garden and He's been missing us ever since. The next step in His drawing near is what captures my imagination. I think of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit in Heaven just before Jesus came to Earth. I picture Jesus saying to the Father, "I'm going in". Just then, He inhales deeply of the Spirit before diving into the waters of humanity. With the breath of Heaven inside, Jesus plunged into our atmosphere in order to provide atonement and infuse us with the Spirit He possessed. And then, much like a swimmer just before he emerges out of the water, He exhaled. Jesus breathed the Spirit out. We breath the Spirit in. You can't get much closer than being indwelt. Jesus never intended on leaving His creation alone yet there would be a new way of relating to Him after His ascension. John 16:7 says, "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you." The Helper is the agent of conviction of sin and remembrance of God's Word when times of testing come. He guides in all Truth and glorifies God by disclosing His will to His children. He comforts, He teaches, He exhorts. No, we are not alone. We are empowered and full of Christ Jesus in a way we never could have been if He remained in human form self-limited in His Presence. Though we would love to have Jesus in the flesh before us, we all have to agree it is to our benefit to have an equal measure of Him dwelling inside. So my thoughts return to our friends who will be leaving soon. I will treasure every moment still remaining and while doing this, I will also ponder How God blesses us with the ability to experience this mystery of relationship with Him and one another. When they go, I will turn my face towards the sky as the wind of His Spirit breezes into my face. And I will breathe deeply of the Exhale of Heaven for the comfort I can find in no other Name. I will miss you terribly, S. and L. Labels: Comfort, Holy Spirit, Lisa's Articles Leave a comment... 12 Comments Links to this post
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