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Friday, October 5, 2007
 I work in a large youth ministry. Last Sunday night, 433 students came through the doors. Before you write us off as “too into numbers” or as a holding bin for teenagers stuffed with free pizza, let me say that big numbers don’t necessarily mean anything. Or, they can mean a lot. Actually, numbers do matter because people matter, and in that crowd of 433, there were 433 unique individuals looking for acceptance and a safe place to have fun. Certainly, the Holy Spirit can and does move through large crowds as well as small crowds, orchestrating circumstances and drawing people’s minds and hearts to Him.Case in point: a middle school student I’ll call “Bobby.” Sunday night, our youth pastor noticed Bobby at a video game. They had never met before, but our pastor engaged Bobby in conversation. It turns out that Bobby’s father had collapsed and died of a heart attack at 53 years old this week. The funeral was already over. Our pastor was of course moved by Bobby’s circumstance. He was able to establish the beginning of a relationship with Bobby and speak hope and courage into Bobby’s life. But God didn’t stop working there. Later that night, our guest speaker was Stephanie Arnold, a former Olympic archer who uses her skills to enhance her talks about her faith in various venues. This past year, Stephanie’s father was killed in a motorcycle accident. She told the crowd Sunday night that this was the first time she had been able to talk about her loss without breaking down. She talked about how God had helped her through this hard time in her life. Do you think that one little 6th grade boy in the crowd was hanging on every word? It took a lot of time, work and resources to make last Sunday night happen, and God receives the glory. It is by him, in him and for him that nights such as this happen. And yes, it was an elaborate event. Some might say over the top, too "worldy," too many bells and whistles, not deep enough, not churchy enough--but I know how the staff would respond; I feel sure that they would do it all again, even just for Bobby. Because he’s worth it. He matters to God, and he matters to us. Do you recognize times in your life when God arranges moments and circumstances to meet you at your point of need? Do you realize that you matter so much to God that he always sees you in the crowd, even a crowd of 6 billion people? May you feel his watchful, loving eye on you as you move throughout your day. Whatever trials touch you, they are only passing through by his permission, and he will give you grace to face them. And if you should happen to remember Bobby today, please pray for him. It’s been a tough week, but God’s eye is definitely on him. He’s a V.I.P..  Please come by and visit my personal blog at 2nd Cup of Coffee. Labels: grief, Holy Spirit, Linda's Articles, teenagers, trials, youth ministry Leave a comment... 12 Comments Links to this post  I “heart” chocolate. Virtually all day long, I battle a nagging inner voice whispering, “Get some chocolate. Now.” Behold my unsuccessful strategies for taming my habit: Cold turkey. One ounce per day. Fake chocolate. Caffeine. Fruity water. Vitamins and minerals. Candy. Chocolate-scented candles. I can’t believe I’m revealing this, but I have even opened up a packet of Splenda—the sugar junkie’s methadone, and poured it directly on my tongue. Oh yeah, this habit is bad. Yesterday I was jonesin’ for some no-bake chocolate oatmeal peanut butter cookies, my personal tipping point when it comes to chocolate bingeing. I can make these cookies in my sleep. And eat them in my sleep. I worked my magic. Guess how many my husband and daughter ate? Zero. Guess how many I ate? Whatever you guessed, you’re wrong, because I ate more than you guessed. The morning after a night like that isn’t pretty. I promised myself that when I came home from work today, I would not eat the remaining three. Can I just say in my defense that if cookies could wink with a flirty come-on, these did. So I wolfed them down. Obviously, I cannot have cocoa, peanut butter and oatmeal in my house simultaneously. So I pitched the cocoa into the trash and grieved over it like it was a grave. In Romans 7, Paul expresses how remorseful I felt in that moment. In fact, he communicates the whole human condition precisely: “I know that my selfish desires won't let me do anything that is good. Even when I want to do right, I cannot. Instead of doing what I know is right, I do wrong. What a miserable person I am!” Although eating chocolate isn’t exactly a sin, my habit wields enough power over me to disrupt my life. God is concerned about our struggles because left unchecked, sin kills us, spirit and body. No loving father wants to see his children wither away or hit the wall at full speed. Some people erroneously believe they must first clean up and straighten out their lives before God will be interested in them. But God is not stunned by our habits, weaknesses, and hang-ups. It’s all old news to him. First, he wants a relationship with us. Then, if destructive forces are compromising our lives, he will reveal them and help us say “no” to one thing in order to say “yes” to the ultimate good thing. After his confession of moral impotence, Paul offers this hope, “Thank God! Jesus Christ will rescue me! If you belong to Christ Jesus, you won't be condemned. The Holy Spirit will give you life that comes from Christ Jesus and will set you free from sin and death.” As long as I’m in this body, I will never be completely sinless. Sometimes I’m more successful than other times in battling my weaknesses. But when I find myself in yet another self-dug pit, knowing that a forgiving, compassionate Father wants to lift me up and dust me off gives me courage and hope for the next leg of my journey. Please visit my personal blog at 2nd cup of coffee. Labels: Linda's Articles, Redemption, Sin, temptation Leave a comment... 10 Comments Links to this post
Sunday, September 9, 2007
 One week ago today, I pulled myself away from my 18 year-old son and left him “all alone” to begin his new life at college. Heart-wrenching! I hardly had time to process my grief because two very beloved cousins whom I had not seen in years spontaneously flew in to visit. Joy! Twenty-four hours later, they zipped off with no assurance or plan for our ever being together again. Sorrow! Note the events in one week: Sad separation, ecstatic reunion, sad separation. Picture water faucets being twisted one way full-force, then jerked back the other way, then the other way. The water works flowed. But God is good. He had led me to re-read Luke 24 several times lately, and now I think I know why. Separations and reunions were about to happen all around me, and my loving Lord would prepare me, if I would recognize his voice, to receive his peace. Luke 24:17 tell us that on the road to Emmaus, the two disciples’ faces were “downcast,” probably revealing confusion, fear of the future, disillusionment. Often the disciples forgot/didn’t understand Jesus’ mission, even though he told them exactly what to expect, and even though the angel at the tomb reminded them, “Remember how he told you ….” Still, I have compassion for these guys. It’s hard to be clear-headed when you’re grieving. But--there was a reunion at dinnertime: as soon as Jesus broke bread with them, they recognized him with spiritual eyes and in their hearts. Immediately, they went back to their friends with renewed hope, vigor and joy! This account shows that Jesus cares when our hearts are heavy. If we will recognize him in the midst of our pain, he will renew us, too. John Piper notes that Jesus’ ascension is called the "Ascent of Joy." He adds, “Ordinarily when our best beloved departs on a long journey we do not rejoice. We cry. In order for that crying to be turned into rejoicing we have to be deeply assured of two things.” The first criterion is that we believe the separation is not final. The Lord gave us many promises about being reunited with him, but John 16:22 is very pointed: “You are now very sad. But later I will see you, and you will be so happy that no one will be able to change the way you feel.” He promised us, “There are many rooms in my Father's house. I wouldn't tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you. After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together” (John14:2-3). The second criterion is that “we must be assured that the separation is best for us and best for our beloved.” And here, of course, is the line that brought all of this together for me: “It has to be more like sending your nine-year-old off to camp or your 18-year-old off to college. And so it was. The ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven at God's right hand was an ‘ascent of joy’ because it meant that the greatest possible blessing would come to Jesus and to his people.” The Son was returning to his glory with his Father, and we became the beneficiaries of eternal mediation between God and man, provided by the Spotless Lamb. He returned to his rightful place, and we received a blessing we had no right to receive. This week, my Comforter met me on my own Emmaus walk. Now I’m ready to square my shoulders, turn around and carry on what I was about before, renewed and reminded of his faithfulness. If you feel as though you’re walking alone today, look up, and recognize your traveling companion. “… For He [God] Himself has said, ‘I will not in any way fail you, nor give you up nor leave you without support. I will not, I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless, nor forsake, nor let you down or relax my hold on you! Assuredly not!’” (Hebrews 13:5b, Amplified) Please visit my personal blog at 2nd cup of coffee. Labels: Faith, grief, Linda's Articles, Loneliness, peace Leave a comment... 5 Comments Links to this post  Philippians 1:6 “… he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”Mark Twain once said, “Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.” I read that about three times. Such a complex image: so sad, and yet so colorful and aromatic, so … Christ-like—not because Christ was a fragile victim, but because he was so filled with the Holy Spirit that he radiated the essence of the Father even in crucifixion. I realized that when someone crushes me, I emit an aroma similar to that of a ... stink bug. Unlike the stinker, however, I may not reek as soon as I'm crushed, but by and by, the foulness will circulate. For example, if you offend me, I may not speak to you for a while, just long enough to communicate my anger and punish you a little. Or perhaps I will not come to your defense when someone criticizes you. I may insinuate that you’re a less-than nice person, not to be trusted. Or maybe I will cut you out of my life entirely. Here's a creative stink: Just for spite, I could become “anti” to the thing about which you’re “pro”: Recently I read about a high-profile divorce where the ex-husband said the first thing he did when the divorce was finalized was flip on every single light in the house and leave them burning. Why? Because his ex-wife was a staunch eco-activist! What? Could a Christian respond in such ungodly, immature ways? I'm afraid so. But, because I know that in following Christ there is no room for this kind of behavior, I often sacrifice my right to outward retaliation. Notice I said, "outward," as in "observable by others." Instead, I may hide resentment in my heart. This secret, private grudge allows me to maintain a semblance of holiness for the outside world while relentlessly punishing you (a deception, of course). Oh, is this an ugly confession, or what? I’ve been thinking about forgiveness lately because I’ve noticed that there are one or two people who evoke visceral responses when their names come up or if I see them across a crowded room or remember some grievance. It happens before I can even think. When I recoil, I am reminded that real forgiveness is a process. True, there was a point in time that I made a conscious decision, through the Holy Spirit’s prompting and power, to let go of the offense. But sometimes I find I hit speed bumps if I proclaim, “All is forgiven” before I’ve done the honest, gut-wrenching admission and submission before the Father. And other times I find that memory is a powerful thing, and I must begin again to forgive. There have been people I’ve completely forgiven, and those I haven’t, and I can feel the difference, if I’m honest. I have come to the conclusion that there are some I will probably have to forgive on a daily basis because my flesh so badly wants to listen to the accuser, Satan. This article is “messy.” I feel like I’ve rambled a bit, but in a way, that’s appropriate because forgiveness can be messy; it can meander and get stalled and fall apart. The key for me in combating temptation to hang on to unforgiveness (or any sin) is taking my eyes off of the offender, off of my own broken heart, and looking directly at Jesus, who gave up every right to hold us forever guilty. He loved us in spite of our rejection and mistreatment of him, in spite of every sin man would conceive and relish in embracing. He loved us in spite of … fill in the blank to infinity! Therefore, when I am not confident my ability to let go, or in the completion of forgiving another, I bring the offense, the offender, my sinful heart and my forgiving process before his throne, and I know that he who began good work in me will be faithful to complete until the day Jesus returns or until I enter eternity, when all crooked things will be made straight, for his glory. If you are struggling with forgiveness today as I am, join me in turning your eyes toward Jesus and praising him with me as the things of earth grow strangely dim—because He is truly worthy! Please visit my personal blog at 2nd Cup of Coffee. Labels: Forgiveness, Linda's Articles Leave a comment... 6 Comments Links to this post
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
 As I write this, I’m 24 hours out of a heavenly week spent lounging on a beach, sipping giant Icees and devouring two novels. We’ve been vacationing on Anna Maria Island, and I’m already wistful about the satiny white sand cooling my toes and gently buffing my heels, the bubbling waves rolling onto the shore, the seagulls’ cries and the carefree banter and laughter of my children swimming together in the ocean. For one week, we simply existed, without any thoughts toward deadlines, school or work. Read: “Sigh.”Today, we’re revving up to move into dorms, begin new ministry programs and continue work projects. Time, perhaps our most precious commodity, stops for no one. --Wait a minute--of course it does! We all have a number of days allotted to us (Job 14:5) and then time becomes a historical phenomenon; eternity stretches on before us. I’ve been thinking about how I invest my personal allotment of time, about making a difference in my sphere of influence, because soon (we are all merely one heartbeat away) time will stop indeed. Although it’s not an original notion, I couldn’t help noticing this week how the tide washed away my many “signatures” on the beach: my footprints, my castles, my name in the sand—all of the marks that said, “I’m here!” were relentlessly erased. Before the orange sun dipped into the ocean each evening, any signs of the life-form known as “Linda” were completely gone, reminding me of the temporal versus the eternal, prompting me to wonder: “What imprints of mine will remain after I’m gone?” I’ve decided there are three eternal depositories into which I can wisely invest my time; maybe they will speak to you, too: 1) Knowing and promulgating the word of God. Matthew 24:35 says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” And 1 Peter 1:25a says, “But the word of the Lord endures for ever.” God’s word is alive and immutable; it’s validity transcends time because his character never changes. So even when there will be a new heaven and earth, his word will remain perpetually consistent. Therefore, when I use my tongue (or my keyboard!) to share his word and encourage others, I contribute to influencing the world for God’s eternal glory. That is exciting! 2) Cultivating relationships. In John 5:24, Jesus promises us “Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” The prophet Isaiah proclaimed that Messiah “will swallow up death forever” (25:8). In other words, people (their spirits, the core of who they are) last forever. Therefore, if I invest in people, I’m making an eternal investment. Creating time for nurturing relationships is important, but it doesn’t come naturally to me. Daily duties, personal fears of rejection or feeling smothered can keep me from being vulnerable or available to people. But people matter to God, and they should (and do) matter to me, so I must make time to be relationally present. We are meant to live in community, now and throughout eternity. I want to be the friend who is there in the capacity Aaron was for Moses; I want to be the friend who always points the other to Christ, our one and only Answer. 3) Creating a spiritual legacy. I want to foster a spiritual heritage for my family for many generations to come, including those who will most likely not even know my name in two or three generations. I would love for my grandchildren and great grandchildren to be able to echo the psalmist: “The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage” (Psalm 16:6). I recall Paul’s reference to Timothy’s faith-filled mother, Eunice, and his grandmother, Lois, and how Timothy assumed the cloak of their strong faith (2 Timothy 1:5). I don’t have a boatload of valuable material possessions to pass on to my children, but maybe through faithful, intentional prayer, they will prosper spiritually and be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s invitation to share abundant life with him. If the prayers of a righteous man availeth much, how much more so the prayers of a faithful grandma?! In my first sentence, I called my week of languid existence “heavenly,” but I don’t really believe we will merely lounge around in eternity. I believe we will have roles to fulfill and rewards to enjoy. I want to invest my time in things that matter, things that last—promoting the ageless, unalterable word of God, living in community and love with immortal brothers and sisters, and leaving a legacy of faith for those who will carry on after me. And if there happens to be glistening alabaster sand in heaven, I can live with that, too.  Please visit my personal blog at 2nd Cup of Coffee. Labels: Heaven, Linda's Articles, talents, time management Leave a comment... 9 Comments Links to this post
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Instead of maintaining four vehicles, we will dwindle to two, allowing me to pull into the garage without weaving through our private summer obstacle course called, “The driveway.” Our grocery bill will plummet like the first drop of a roller coaster. The telephone will ring less. Toilet paper will no longer be on the endangered species list. Best of all, my little dog, a walking aggregation of nerves, will no longer be launched into outer space when our kids’ friends ring the doorbell. (Her rockets fire before “ding” becomes “dong.”) The reason for these changes? Two of our three kids are leaving for college--my son, Jordan, for the first time. Cue the violins, because no matter how much I’ll appreciate the pleasant changes, when I see their empty chairs at dinner and empty beds each night, I will struggle with just that—emptiness. I know that life is transitional and that the ultimate goal of rearing kids is to guide them to complete independence. Still, I long for permanence I can count on no matter how many years pass, no matter how my circumstances, my job, my interests or my role as mom changes. I need an anchor. Happily, just such a mainstay of peace has been mine over the years, even when my footing was unsure, or my heart raced with fear, or ached with sadness--as when we left our daughter at college that first time. My anchor has been the constant friendship of Jesus. In all of my ups and downs, relationship struggles, personal failures and insecurities, I have not been alone. When my head hit my pillow at night, I knew I was under his watchful eye. When I awoke to face another problematic day (Is there any other kind?) I trusted that he knew the paths I would take and would even order my steps if I submitted to him. When I walked through fiery trials, he didn’t extinguish the flames, but he held my hand through them. As a result, the purifying heat helped refine me, but more importantly, helped me know him more intimately. As I prepared for Jordan’s graduation a few weeks ago, I found a stick figure crayon drawing he made for us when he was six. On the page I had written, “Jordan wants us to keep this, even when he goes to college.” And now that time is here. I did indeed keep it, treasuring the thought that as much as kids want to grow up and away, they also need an enduring love they can depend on; they need an anchor. My greatest hope is that as my children grow more independent of us, they will grow more dependent on the one who loves them unconditionally and unflinchingly, through all of their personal trials. Despite the best of intentions and efforts, no parent, spouse, or child of their own will ever be able to completely or perfectly fulfill their needs. Only the one who the writer of Hebrews acknowledges as “the same yesterday, today, and forever” is capable of such pure and abiding love. As a result of his faithfulness, I am able to release my grip on my son and daughter, and the only clinging I’ll do will be to Jesus, my steadfast anchor and friend. Please come visit my personal blog at 2nd Cup of Coffee. Labels: anchor, changes, Children, Faith, Linda's Articles, trust Leave a comment... 11 Comments Links to this post
Friday, July 20, 2007
 About 12 years ago, I experienced my first bout of extended depression, not just a week or two of the blues, but the real deal--a suffocating, absolutely relentless depression. It made me feel like one of those caged cats in the zoo who paces back and forth day after day after day behind steel bars, unhappily separated from his former life and former self--or perhaps who spends the day sleeping, seizing his only respite from his misery.Eventually, I sought spiritual counseling, sought medical help, turned to friends who loved me unconditionally, began exercising and focusing on surviving, and because God never gives up on us even when we've abandoned all hope and sometimes even abandoned Him, I am here today. I claim Psalm 94:16-18, "Unless the Lord had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. When I said, 'My foot is slipping,' your love, O LORD, supported me." I'd like to offer a few tools, simple as they are, that I use to help batten down the hatches when the winds of depression kick up in my life. Maybe they will be relevant to you or a friend. The first/best line of defense against any threat is prayer and reading God's Word, of course. But since we eventually have to close the Bible or stop praying actual words for periods of time, I think it's wise to have some small practical weapons in our arsenal with which to fight these battles. Sometimes it only takes a few stones in a slingshot to bring down an enemy of the Lord! I'm not a professional, of course, but I am a survivor. Is my life perfect now? No. Do I ever feel down? Sure I do. But--when I feel the shadow of that terrible period hovering over me now, I quickly and confidently acknowledge that I am not powerless. I do not panic anymore because "If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed"(John 8:36). Here are some "stones" I keep handy when I'm under attack: 1. I remind myself of the verse above by stating, "Jesus set me free of depression; therefore, I am free. I may feel threatened. I may feel a little roughed up. Doubt may be tapping me on the shoulder. None of those feelings can compromise the truth: I am, at my core, set free from depression's oppression. Thank God. Now that I've remembered that the issue is settled, what else can I focus on to strengthen my faith?" 2. I get outside at least briefly, to get natural light. Outside light is different from indoor light, even on a partly cloudy day. Twenty minutes can do a world of good. And if I walk those 20 minutes, even better. Plus, outside I can pray more effectively. When I was heavily depressed, my mind was a thick fog, and I couldn't stay focused on praying or reading the Bible if there was any aural or visual distraction. 3. I avoid sad songs/movies/books/network news. I avoid rehearsing the time when I was depressed. I simply avoid reinforcing anything negative at all, until I feel I'm past the most intense vulnerability. 4. Any time you remove a temptation or avoid something, you need to provide a substitute to fill its spot. So you guessed it; I listen to music that glorifies Jesus or I listen to secular songs that I know also evoke positive feelings/outlook, none about broken hearts. I look for little ways to help other people; I watch funny movies. I talk to friends who will lift me up. It's OK for me to express what I'm battling with a friend, but we need to quickly leave the subject and talk about healthy, uplifting topics--not dwell on how low I feel. 5. I talk myself "down from the ledge." I say, "You are an old pro at fighting this. You are smarter than the threat. Your sad feelings may be valid; they may be rational depending on what's going on in your life currently, even so--it's still not all about you and your feelings in this world. Move emotionally outward. Feelings are fleeting. This depression is not coming to stay; it's coming to pass. You are prayed up, read up, sung up--now get up and live like a nondepressed person. Smile." Guess what? I start to feel like an overcomer. and that's not being false--remember--I have been set free. I am an overcomer. I am not boasting about having it all together; I do not have all the answers, nor do I have particularly original suggestions. It was Christ who set me free and the Holy Spirit who teaches me how to cope with my own personal trials. But sometimes I need to be reminded of fundamental truths and simple plans for facing hulking giants. Now matter how large depression looms, I know that I serve a bigger God. According to Ephesians 4:8 "When He [Christ] ascended on high, He led captivity captive [He led a train of vanquished foes] and He bestowed gifts on men" (Amplified). He has defeated depression. He has bestowed on me the grace to face my fears, an abundant life to enjoy in Him, and courage and desire to begin a brand new day. I would love for you to visit my personal blog at 2nd Cup of Coffee. Labels: coping, courage, depression, Hope, Linda's Articles Leave a comment... 12 Comments Links to this post  "Community” has become a religious buzzword of late, used to underscore the obligation and privilege of walking with Christ amidst a family of believers. Christian communities are meant to be dynamic organisms marked by the interdependence, availability, accountability, generosity, vulnerability, fellowship and responsibility of all members toward each other. That’s a big order to fill.In other words, holding a membership in a church, or a church sub-group, such as “the Young Families Sunday School Class” or the youth group, does not necessarily mean the members fulfill what Christ had in mind for the Body in his prayer in John 17: “My prayer for all of them [believers] is that they will be of one heart and mind, just as you and I are, Father—that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me.” Despite idiosyncratic ideas and flaws that can entrap and divide us, we are to be unified with each other in spirit and engaged in each others' lives. That’s easier for some than for others. I belong to the group for whom true intimacy and connectedness does not come naturally or wholeheartedly by nature/personality. All I can say is, thank goodness that my friends do not let me rest for long in my bent toward Lone Rangerism. In fact, they understand that often we Lone Rangers don’t even realize we are lonely or disconnected, and we don’t see that the Enemy attempts to spiritually pick us off because we’re more vulnerable without loyal friends to help us fight. For those reasons and many more, we’re not meant to travel this road alone, even those of us who feel fairly self-sufficient. If I asked you to recall scriptural exhortations and examples of community, you might remember passages such as Paul speaking in 1 Thessalonians2:8, “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.” Or Acts 4:32, “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.” However, there are many, many examples of community tucked into both Testaments that are easy to miss if we’re not looking carefully. For example, in John 19, the trial of Jesus, a passage not commonly drawn upon for examples of community, I noticed four distinct instances: 1. Verses 2 and 3 show the Roman soldiers’ and Jewish leaders’ perversion of community: mob mentality. Both factions share a common fear, a common hatred, a common sin, which allows two divergent groups to temporarily merge to accomplish a goal, as in verse 16 when the Jewish leaders shout, “We have no king but Caesar!” 2. In verse 25, we are told that Jesus’ mother, his aunt and Mary Magdalene are standing near the cross together—forming a community sharing sorrow and love and perhaps despair, all three surely comforting one another in an intensely intimate moment. 3. In verse 26, Jesus commends his mother to John’s care, and John reports that she lived in his home thereafter. Likewise, Jesus bids his mother to love John as she would her own son. Thus, each accepts the responsibility, commitment, and privilege to care for one another on a daily basis for the rest of their lives as family. 4. In verses 38-40, Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret follower of Christ, and Nicodemus, who had come to Christ in the cloak of night, emerge together now in broad daylight to prepare Jesus’ body for burial, no doubt encouraging each other in their newfound boldness for Christ. So here is my challenge: Choose a couple of chapters in any book of the Bible, and look for as many instances as you can find of true community. You may see very familiar scripture in a brand new light. I would love to hear about what the Holy Spirit reveals to you in this exercise! Please visit my blog at 2nd Cup of Coffee. Labels: accountability, Bible study, Community, Linda's Articles, Relationships Leave a comment... 4 Comments Links to this post  Someone once said, “It’s a safe bet that if a pastor is ‘stuck’ on one topic in the pulpit that he himself is struggling with that issue.” I’m not sure about that, but I eventually came to apply this theory to my life, recognizing that repetitions of certain themes are probably God’s attempt to gently shape, direct, or correct my inner man. If I still don’t pay attention, He is then usually less subtle. I prefer the subtle method! And now, with a deep sigh, I reveal to you that lately, due to recurring pop-up instances, I apparently need to re-visit the problem of envy. Honestly, my first self-preserving inclination is to point out to you that I am NOT super envious—not as bad as, say, that insecure, disobedient, spear-hurling King Saul, who was delirious in his jealousy of David--nay, not I! My envy is way less “sinful” than Saul’s! I’m being facetious, of course. Sin is sin, and to qualify sin is useless. Like cancer, sin manifests itself in stages, and whether it’s stage 1 or stage 4, it’s all bad. A little bit of leaven, you know. Envy is admiration gone south, and it’s particularly destructive. It begins when we see gifts and strengths in others, or some blessing befalls them, and we are caught up in their charisma or accomplishments, and we admire them. So far, so good. If we’re not careful, though, we start to wonder why we are lacking in those qualities or blessings. Slowly at first, an emotional downward spiral begins twisting, and we go from rejoicing with to wishing we had what they have, then to focusing on our deficiencies, then to becoming discontent, self-absorbed and bitter. In fact, at the spiral’s vortex is selfishness. We lose sight of who we truly are in Christ and inexplicably forget the goodness He has poured into our lives. I’m reminded of Saul in 1 Samuel 23:21 when the men of Ziph betrayed David by telling Saul where David was hiding: “Well, Praise the Lord” Saul said. “At last someone has had pity on me!” [Living Bible]. When I read that, I laid my Bible down, cracked a sarcastic smile and thought, “Boo-hoo. You were an idiot. You had the most loyal servant in David, but you were blind. Sheesh! Glad I never have those pity parties!" I must confess, however, that I do throw myself the occasional "pity blow-out." By chapter 23, Saul was not only peeved with David, but he had convinced himself that no one around him understood him or was loyal. And we all know what became of this envious King who once stood head and shoulders above the rest. He became the object of scorn and pity—ugly attributes became his legacy. I suppose you want the lowdown on my envy. I’ll give you my latest example. Recently I opened our newspaper and read about a local author who said, “I never wanted to write at all. The book contract just sort of fell into my lap.” Well, I’ve always wanted to write, and publishing opportunities are not miraculously floating in my cereal bowl each morning or cropping up like dandelions in my lawn. Therefore, I felt a twinge of resentment when I read about her good fortune. I’m sure she deserved to be published. I’m sure she’s more talented than the average person. I’m happy for her, really I am. There’s room enough in this world for gazillions of authors. But my internal brat cried out, “How long, O Lord, how long? (Before a contract falls into my lap?)” In other words, I believe I grumbled. I also believe grumbling and resenting are tiny arrows hurled from an imperfect heart, or sin, if you must make me say it. The antidote to the poison arrow is two-fold: Part 1--Prayer for forgiveness, cleansing, creating within me a clean heart and right thinking, expressing gratitude for innumerable blessings, blessing the person for whom I had resentment, laying my feelings at the foot of the cross, etc. Part 2—Surrendering my insecurities and my desires. This act is more difficult than asking forgiveness. In fact, Dr. Daniel Harrell, Pastor of Park Street Church in Boston has said, “A prayer of surrender, a prayer of genuine trust is the hardest prayer to pray. To be someone after God’s own heart is to be someone not after your own.” At this point, I must ask myself: If, for any reason, God does not wish me to pursue being published, am I willing to lay that desire down and pursue His plans? Or, suppose he wants me stop my negative self-talk and pity parties and work more diligently at being published. Am I willing to sacrifice—to say “no” to some things in order to say “yes” to this plan? Am I totally surrendered, no matter what? Our great Enemy launches enough spears at us without our mimicking him with each other. I do not want to cast arrows at my brothers and sisters. So once again, I’m laying down my arrows and surrendering my will to my Father's plan. Because more than anything, I want to be a woman after God’s own heart, no matter what path he directs me to. I only know that on that path, there is no room for envy. Please visit my blog at 2nd cup of Coffee Labels: David, envy, heart matters, Insecurities, Jealousy, Linda's Articles, Saul Leave a comment... 8 Comments Links to this post When we bought our house in a quiet neighborhood of a college town, I never expected I would need to research wildlife. After all, one mile down the road, there’s a small shopping plaza. A couple of miles the other way, there’s a cluster of offices, yogurt shops, miniature golf course, etc. In short, a fox family should not be content to frolic in my yard. We offer no thickets or chicken coops. One reason they could be prowling around my backyard, driveway and front yard, however, is to meet and greet my 5-lb Yorkshire Terrier. Not gonna happen. Maybe I’ve absorbed too many Beatrix Potter stories, but a fox is a bad guy to me--tricky, cunning, predatory, and omnivorous. He is also beautiful, especially the red fox. As I researched ways to get rid of these interlopers, I couldn’t help being reminded of our great Enemy. In many ways, he is like the fox: intelligent, cunning, predatory, and omnivorous—and in the guise of meeting our deepest needs, he can appear as a beautiful solution to many problems, unless we are wise to his deceit. Omnivorous? Yes, it doesn’t matter who a person is—young, old, rich, poor, male, female--if he or she is human, he is God’s creation, and nothing gives Satan more pleasure than driving a wedge between the Creator and his creation and ultimately destroying lives. 1 Peter 5:7-9 says, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” As Christians, we may be lulled into feeling untouchable by his stalking. But just because he prowls the perimeter of our lives and isn’t invited inside the cottage to sit by the hearth doesn’t mean he isn’t dangerous. Here are some tips I read for getting rid of foxes that might apply to our predator, as well: --Get rid of your garbage ASAP. Foxes will raid trash cans and compost piles. Likewise, if there is sin we haven’t acknowledged and asked forgiveness for, we are mistaken to think it is safely buried in the past. We’re still open to raids and to our own bondage to that sin. In fact, we are warned in Proverbs 26:11 that we are likely to return to that sin like “a dog returns to its vomit.” Unconfessed sin weakens our fortress against recurring failures and against staving off new sinful invasions. Thankfully, we have a place to take our ugly baggage, the cross of Christ, where no one is ever turned away. Ever. --Don't feed them or get close enough to pet them. I’m going to get a little more exhortative here than usual: Do not “flirt” with trouble. Do not so much as dip your toe into the waters of sketchy behaviors. Do not tolerate within yourself a thought or habit out of line with what you know your Father approves of. Do not allow yourself to get too close to a stronghold to prove you have overcome or been delivered of it. You are not a superhuman, no matter how much you’ve been set free from. Christians are vulnerable to any sin. I speak from personal experience when I say never kid yourself or claim to someone else, “I would never be involved in [X],” whatever nefarious situation that might be, slight or blatant. Before the mist from your breath carrying those spoken words dissipates, Satan will be licking his chops and drawing up plans to bring you down. --Watch over your small pets. When I think of what could happen to my little, innocent dog, I get goose bumps. Now, this is a stretch, but protect your little ones, your children, even those who live in your house who are not so little anymore. As children grow older, parenting does not grow easier; the issues simply change, and we face challenges from the child in addition to those from the outside. My little dog cannot understand why I won’t let her roam in the backyard, but she has no idea what danger lurks there. My kids have not always understood why we chose to do or not do certain things. They may have thought I was foolish, but they did not fully know what I know. And if I have occasionally over-reached in protecting them, I have been a fool for lesser things. --Don’t let the fox immobilize or intimidate you. He is a menace, but he is not omnipotent. He may threaten; he may attack, but Jesus said, “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). We are not powerless. However, we conquer the enemy only through the power of Christ, which he gives to every one of his children as they daily confront the foxes and giants in their lives. His word tells us to humble ourselves, obey him, and believe in him who conquered death and whose name is above all. The way to keep the fox at bay, then, is to trust in the “Hound of Heaven,” who specializes in finding lost children and subduing the frustrated, defeated fox. Please visit my personal blog at www.2nd-cup-of-coffee.blogspot.com Labels: deceit, fear, Linda's Articles, power, Satan's schemes, temptation, victory Leave a comment... 7 Comments Links to this post Remember in Proverbs 30: 19 that poetic verse about seemingly commonplace moments that are actually marvels beyond comprehension? They include: “the way of an eagle in the sky, a snake on a rock, a ship on the sea, and the way of man with a maiden.” Well, I’m adding one more to the list of bafflers: the way of a mother planning her child’s graduation open house. You've got to see (or be) a mom in this mode to believe it. One minute she can be all business, organizing food lists, decorations, music ... and then become an emotional blubbering mess in the blink of an eye. “I can’t believe my baby is all grown up!” becomes the tag line in any conversation concerning that child. For instance, Mom could be talking with the manager of the dental office who called to remind her of the child's appointment. Before she hangs up, she will somehow work in the refrain, "Yes, he'll have to switch from the pediatric dentist to our dentist because he's graduating this month, you know. I just can't believe he's all grown up!" In Indiana, a mom of a high school senior in the month of May is a force to be reckoned with—or better yet, to be avoided completely! There’s a tradition here of having an open house around graduation time that resembles a scaled-down wedding reception. The pressure and stress of this event can be overwhelming if you're not a natural “entertainer” or hostess. And this is where I am personally this week. My son is graduating high school. By the time you read this, the open house will have happened yesterday afternoon, and I am anticipating a bit of melancholic let-down Monday morning. It would be easy to poke fun at the moms who build “shrines” for their kids at this milestone, but I’ll resist, because I “get it.” I think there is an underlying, unstated reason behind the frenzy that deserves some compassion. At the heart of this circus is a mother’s process of letting go, saying goodbye, to her child. Many moms begin grieving at the beginning of the senior year, and the last month is highly emotional. In spite of a different kind of parenting that lies ahead, moms start to feel that there’s nothing productive left to do, and so they create something to do for that child. It’s like staging one last hurrah to say, “I love you. I’m proud of you—and does this make up for not doing the fundraiser in elementary school, the track meet I missed in junior high and the time I called you ‘honey’ in front of your coach?” It’s all about that deep, unconditional, heart-tourniquet kind of love that looks a little desperate during this transition. What a paradox—a mom’s goal is to guide her dependent child to independence, and yet there is an inescapable desire to hold on to him. It’s baffling—beyond comprehension—the bittersweet way of a mother with her child who’s on the threshold of independence. My son was dedicated at 3 months old. We were determined to give him the most solid spiritual background we could so that when he reached this point in life, he could take the next steps toward an ever-deepening relationship with Christ. In many ways, it’s time to let him go now—let him make many new decisions that I may or may not agree with. That is a little scary. So today, I’m clinging to scripture from comfort. I have always cherished Luke 2:19, “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Even though Mary held the Savior of the world who would inevitably become famous in some way, in that moment, he was primarily "her" son. She knew she would have to let him carve his own way once it was the proper time, but for now she could treasure the time with him and treasure the potential he embodied. I guess the sweetness of that verse moves me, but also just knowing this ambivalence I feel, pride mixed with a little grieving, is a normal part of motherhood that crosses time and culture. And John 14:1, Jesus’ comforting assurance, though so familiar, is so meaningful: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” Finally, John 28:7 “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.” Thank you, Lord, for making me the mother of my son. May he become all that you destined him to be with a heart that is perpetually drawn to you. Give me the grace to move into this next phase of parenting and to trust you now as I did the day he was born. Your faithfulness lasts through all generations, and I am blessed with the privilege of trusting you with my precious son. Visit my personal blog at 2nd Cup of Coffee Labels: Faith, Linda's Articles, Motherhood, trust Leave a comment... 13 Comments  Last Saturday, I participated in a 13-mile mini-marathon for the first time. What a learning experience it was for this novice! Although I had read all kinds of info regarding what to expect on race day, nothing totally prepared me for some of the more odd obstacles I would encounter along those thirteen miles, from runners dressed in costumes to garage bands along the streets blaring really bad music to bystanders toasting us with open beer bottles at 10:00 a.m.  I started strong, but around mile 10, I grew weary and wondered if I could meet my goal of simply finishing the race. Those last three miles were long, giving me lots of time for contemplation and prayer—recalling Bible verses was a lot more inspiring than focusing on how bad my feet and legs hurt. Many of us are very familiar with Paul’s comparison of living a Christ-filled life with running a long race, how neither is meant for sprinting or for the uncommitted. Paul understood that we believers are entered into the ultimate long-haul. Even if you are not a runner, here are 10 running tips that parallel facets of the Christian “race:” 1. Train well (faithful, intentional spiritual growth). Those who train and those who don’t may look indistinguishable at the start line, but by the end, it will be obvious who prepared. In Hebrews 12:12, Paul comments about "training:" “Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.” A certain amount of stress, as in weight-training, is good for the body. A certain amount of stress, as in leaving a comfort zone to help others or spending longer time in prayer, is good for the spirit. 2. Watch your step. Manhole covers are not flush with the road. Trash is slippery. Potholes are treacherous. In a spiritual sense, Proverbs is full of warnings about snares such as laziness, lust and foolishness. In 1 Peter 5:8, we are reminded of the enemy who stalks us from the sidelines. Remember that Jesus himself told us to be “shrewd as snakes and gentle as doves” (Matt. 10:16). This race is serious business--there’s a lot at stake, so "heads up!" 3. Stay nourished and hydrated, but don’t over-do it. Our needs and wants are legitimate, and God has made provision to meet them. If we continually focus on satiating those desires, however, there are consequences. In a marathon, too much water or energy bars can mean an unpleasant time-out at the porta-potty. In our Christian walk, focusing on the material dulls and distracts us from our goal. So grab refreshing water when you need it, enjoy a piece of fruit, but your focus is not on when and where the next reward or satisfaction will come from; it’s on the goal ahead. 4. To borrow a phrase from Max Lucado, “Travel light.” The smallest fanny pack can become a huge burden on the road. Likewise, the smallest grudge can create a lifetime of bitterness. Also, leave behind negative self-talk. So what if you tripped up a step or two back—you are already in a different place. To rehearse our faults and failings along the road is about as counterproductive as fighting any external obstacle, if not worse. Living in grace means traveling light. When I am running, if I exert the energy to turn my head and look behind me, when I look forward again, my pace is off, and I’ve slowed down to an awkward gait. In Hebrews 12:1, we are told, “Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” We are not meant to live in bondage or in the past. 5. Stuff happens; keep going. Saturday, I dropped my MP3 player in a puddle of urine on the floor of a porta-potty, got Gatorade thrown on me, lost my sunglasses and got sunburned in spite of sun block. Nothing I read suggested these particular distractions would happen. The same way, no one told me when they handed me my newborn that someday he would need extensive jaw surgery. No one could have prepared me for the marital challenges specific to my husband’s personality and mine. Stuff just happens, and praise God, in these instances we are not alone. But the onus is on us to stay committed in faith to the One who, in the end, makes all crooked things straight. 6. Think about your goal continually. Every day, I think about death and heaven. I am not morbid, and I am not so other-worldly that I am out of touch with life here and now. It’s just that the older I get, the more I look forward to being in heaven with Jesus. Again, Paul admonishes us, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Keeping your eye on the “prize” keeps you energized and inspired. 7. Encourage others. At the race, encouragement came from bystanders, police officers, volunteers, family and friends. One of the lightest moments in my race came when a cheerleading squad chanted at runners: “We know you’re dying; (clap, clap) Keep trying!” We are to bear each other’s burdens and lift one another up. Have you been anyone’s cheerleader lately? 8. Pace yourself. Again, this is a marathon. If you try to sprint the entire race, you will burn out. In our spiritual lives, pacing is tricky because we want to be productive in the kingdom. We want to serve with all our hearts--and heaven forbid we stagnate. Forward momentum is good, but most of us have at one time felt the burden of over-committing or embarking on a ministry that we are not called to or gifted for. It is exhausting, and it is not Jesus’ goal to keep us in a state of exhaustion. It is OK from time to time to take a little break and stretch your muscles—just get back in that race and faithfully go at the pace God designed for you. 9. Don’t focus on how you look or perform. I am a little over-weight. I have cheap running clothes and a cheap sport watch. I run slower than some people walk. So what? Onlookers can’t see my heart, how much I love running/walking or how inspired I am. They can't see how good I feel about maintaining fitness. They can't see how thankful I am that my body will walk and breathe on its own and is not dependent on machinery, due to illness. In the same way, we need to remember that the outer man is but a shell holding the real man. We have so many different gifts and weaknesses that comparisons are really moot. We are individuals deemed worthy by God of running the race and gaining the prize to which we are called. 10. Finish well. 2 Timothy 4:7-8: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” We long to hear our Lord say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Carry on, fellow marathoners—finish well! Labels: Christian walk, commitment, discipleship, faithfulness, finishing well, life, Linda's Articles Leave a comment... 11 Comments Links to this post  I should’ve named my tiny Yorkshire Terrier “Enigma” instead of “Zoe” because her quirkiness could stump the best dog whisperer.For example, she loves to sit on laps, so whoever is planted comfortably is the momentary apple of her little eye, and she begs to sit with the sitter. The problem is, she cannot jump high enough to get to us. We have to lean and scoop her up. Oddly, she then darts away, looking over her shoulder as if to say, “What are you trying to do, imprison me? Why are you so possessive?” She repeats this approach and retreat until she is far from the sofa, causing us to forfeit prime couch potato time by getting up and carrying her back to our laps, thus creating a whole new frustrating version of “fetch.” We’ve analyzed her bizarre routine, wondering if she is … • afraid of being lifted to 2-ft heights • playing a screwy game of chase • a control freak • communicating, like Lassie, that Old Man Hanson is trapped in a burning shed which toppled onto a railroad track and is now in the path of a locomotive and we must go save him Exasperated, I announced one day, “I wish I could become a dog and learn what is in that head of hers. I’d be able to tell her to stop this madness and convince her to trust us.” My family nodded in agreement, but I saw my son furtively dialing Dr. Phil and my daughter tracing “!PLEH” on the foggy window. Allow me a very rough parallel here—do you suppose this scenario is similar to how we often respond to the Father? In other words, do we “play” at knowing him, claiming we want intimacy but dart away when he gets too close? Do you think we really fathom how far-reaching Jesus’ love was, how he left a holy place and condescended to us on earth? Humanity didn’t just happen to Jesus; he chose it. And John 10:18 says he gave up his life for us voluntarily. That is big love. Because he decided to be Jesus and not a stone image or despot, we know he was misunderstood and despised. We know he endured temptation. He grieved when John the Baptist and Lazarus died. He celebrated weddings and loved children but never married or had biological children. In Jesus’ death, the Father experienced what it means to have your child brutally killed. All of Jesus’ earthly experiences culminated in propitiation for our sin but also in our assurance that he knows our struggles and our needs because he was “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). Jesus still reaches for us, and not half-heartedly—he goes to great lengths—leaves the couch, if you will, to bring us to him. Luke 15:4 and John 10 tell how he is the Good Shepherd who searches for the lost and for those who stupidly run away from his protection and love. Do you sense the Shepherd reaching for you? Do you know your shepherd’s voice? Do you vex him with indecisiveness and lukewarm responses? Do you trust him, or do you doubt his ability to carry you? Don’t just glance at him over your shoulder when he beckons you. Stay a while. You can never thank him enough for the great length he went to so that you can be with him forever and know him right now. Labels: Good Shepherd, intimacy with Christ, Jesus' humanity, Linda's Articles, listening, relationship with Christ, sacrifice Leave a comment... 9 Comments Links to this post
Friday, March 23, 2007
Apparently, my eighth-grader, Kristin, has been the only girl in her entire school, school district, or in Indiana who has still been wearing (you won’t believe this) jeans to school. This “fact” was exacerbated by the “fact” that she could no longer fit into anything that was discarded all over her bed, floor, dressers, closet, or ceiling fan. It’s true that middle schoolers, like toddlers, can grow a lot in one year, so we went shopping for a few items. We looked for styles we could both approve of, but the plethora of microscopic, miniscule, dinky, veritably undetectable wee shorts and skirts was not acceptable to either of us. But that’s a whole ‘nother post! Nevertheless, we made a couple of purchases. Kristin was excited about her new clothes. In fact, she expressed appreciation several times. All in all, the excursion was turning out to be a great mom/daughter bonding time. But then something drained Kristin’s spirit and zapped her stamina in a matter of minutes: I began looking at a few things for myself. Her countenance dropped. Her knees buckled. Her eyes actually got bloodshot. She dragged her feet and leaned on clothes racks for support. She wasn’t complaining, rude or misbehaving; she had simply gotten what she came for, and suddenly, the party was over. Later at home, we were laughing about her descent into listlessness when she remarked that what she did is similar to the way we relate to God sometimes. That is, when we need or want something, we ask, and a lot of times we get what we want. Sadly, as soon as we feel relief from worry, or the storm has passed, or the wish has been granted, we grow tired of praying. We’re not unappreciative or rude to God; we probably even say “thank you,” just as Kristin did. However, we just don’t sense the same urgency or even remember to talk to him like we did when we were holding out our hands. Galatians 3:25-27 reminds us: “By faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God. Your baptism in Christ was not just washing you up for a fresh start. It also involved dressing you in an adult faith wardrobe—Christ's life, the fulfillment of God's original promise.” [The Message] I am reminded that I’m in a relationship with God, my Father, who is interested in who I am on the inside. I love him, and I want to make sure that I participate in our relationship every day in ways that don’t involve asking for something. Whether in earthly relationships or in the one with our Father, there is joy in just spending time with someone we love. Today, may we dress ourselves in an “adult faith wardrobe,” giving thanks to our Provider but also seeking Father/Daughter bonding time without an agenda. May we adore him and fully appreciate that because of Christ, we enjoy a direct relationship with the pre-existent, co-eternal, omnipotent God, who, inexplicably, desires to meet with us at any time, every day. What grace! Labels: Linda's Articles, Prayer, quiet time, relationship with God, shopping, Spring, thankfulness, worship Leave a comment... 6 Comments Links to this post Today, my state, Indiana, joins the rest of you in scoring some extra daylight. For reasons unclear to 99% of us Hoosiers, we have stubbornly bucked Daylight Saving Time until this year. As a result, we've never been sure exactly what time it is within Indiana because we've been enjoying three time zones! Regardless, if you want to honk off a Hoosier, especially a farmer, ask him how he feels about DST. And then take a few steps back. Personally, I like the idea of springing forward. the Christian life emphasizes forward momentum, "forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead," as in Philippians 3:13, and finishing the race, as in 2 Timothy 4:7. We never want to stagnate, and daily we search hopefully for signs that we are becoming more and more like Christ. Sometimes, though, instead of a healthy forward momentum, I feel I'm living in three time zones. That is, I fill my days with lists of tasks, responsibilities and service, and at the end of the day, I realize how little time I've engaged the Lord. Do I really believe that God is more concerned about who I am than what I do? For instance, I'm part of a "Read the Bible in a Year" campaign. I'm actually ahead of schedule, but that's because I've been galloping through Numbers like Seabiscuit out of the gate. Instead of speed reading, I should be researching why God included so many details and figures. I should slow down to ask, "Lord, what do You want to say to me today through Numbers?" But then, I'd have to actually slow down to listen. In an effort to nurture relationships, I have lists of names to call or email, but sometimes, I find myself clock-watching after just a few minutes. Maybe I should just ask the Holy Spirit, "Show me who needs attention and love today." Once again, I'd have to stop and listen. And then there are the yes/no demands on my time: the caller asking if I can help with a special school project; the bulk mailing at work that didn't get completed--should I work an extra hour? My daughter is asking if I can help her bake a new dessert; the clean laundry wrinkling in the basket even as I write this is pestering me--and what about tonight's dinner, my newspaper column, my little dog? Do you feel guilty if you're not "doing," not constantly springing forward toward the next task? I'll bet you know the scriptures as well as I do about being still and knowing He is God, about His yoke being easy and His burden light, and about how Jesus withdrew from crowds to pray. But it's hard to break the hold of what some have called "the tyranny of the oughts and shoulds," both internal and external. We so want to get this life "right." If you are a compulsive "do-er," consider handing over your plans today to the Father by focusing on the two great commandments of Luke 10:27, loving God with your entire being and loving your neighbor as yourself. This doesn't mean God won't ask anything of you; He says if you love Him, you'll obey His commands, which I also interpret to include those commands he speaks to you personally about your day. However, you don't have to busy in a God-pleasing activity to please God. You please him by treating Him as the highest significant other in your life. Instead of making sure we're hitting the details of 20 nonessential tasks per day and planning tomorrow's superfluous 20, maybe we should focus on what God gives us for that day, or that hour, and do them with passion and excellence. And that may mean devoting an entire evening to helping your 5th grader create a solar system model--a great opportunity for intimate sharing between you, your child, and the One who molded the spheres and released them spinning. You can't top that for meaningful multi-tasking! Labels: busyness, Linda's Articles, Obedience, self-worth, time management Leave a comment... 14 Comments Links to this post  Linda remembers watching the clock tick toward recess in the 2nd grade, when she would make a beeline for the paper her teacher kept on the windowsill in the back of the room. “Let them play kickball,” Linda would say to herself, “I will write stories!” Yes, Linda has been a bit of an English major nerd her entire life. She revels in it. She thought she might teach high school English, but she married her college sweetheart and began a family that has grown into: a 20 year-old college student daughter (an English major, Linda proudly wants you to know) an 18 year-old son who draws the line at snacking on anything nonporous and excels at lifting heavy weights such as dumbbells and his mother but not heavy clothes hampers or trash cans, and a 14 year-old, quiet, unassuming girl who likes to surprise her family by bursting into Ethel Merman Broadway tunes for no apparent reason. Her husband, the smartest man in the world, speaks a different language called “math,” which has made for some zany communication “moments” between them. Thus, there are five people in Linda’s family, plus one dog and one entity who moved in in 1986 and never left: Laundry Pile. Linda works in a large youth ministry because one cannot have too many teenagers in one’s life, and she writes a small column for the local newspaper. Reared in a Christian home, Linda completely surrendered her life to Jesus in college and then lived a fulfilling life mothering her kids full time. In her early thirties, she encountered the most difficult period in her life, the onset of clinical depression. She testifies to Psalm 34:17-19: "Unless the Lord had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death. When I said, 'My foot is slipping,' your love, O LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.” It was a long, arduous struggle, but God was faithful. Linda agrees with William Davis who said, “The kind of humor I like is the thing that makes me laugh for five seconds and then think for ten minutes,” and she aspires to write similarly. Her goal is to encourage readers, point them to Jesus without preaching, and to live long enough to see her children have teenagers of their own. She invites you to visit her blog at 2nd cup of coffee. Labels: Linda's Articles, The Blog Team Leave a comment... 3 Comments Links to this post
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