I went to dinner at an undisclosed restaurant (we’ll just call it the restaurant, “down on the farm”) in an undisclosed location this last weekend, and let me say…it was quite the adventure or should I say, disaster. Literally, there must have been 10 under the age of 18 (all looking like they were 12) young women running (or should I say not running) this restaurant. It was awful.
These poor girls simply walked around in circles, looking like deer in the headlights. I can honestly say, I don’t think I have EVER had such poor and lengthy service…we were literally there 1 ½ hours and they got the meal wrong. We waited and waited and waited for missing food-untoasted bread-no potatoes and well…you get the point. It was terrible service.
The kitchen manager finally came out…after another table left because they were all served the wrong food, asking us how our meal was going. My host kindly told him of the lunacy “down on the farm”- we received our incomplete meal (one of our guests never did get her food!) Free of charge. Trust me, it was the least they could do! It really did turn comical after a while. Ugg.
I really did feel sorry for our young waitress, bless her heart, that looked like she was 12. I do have a point here….even though the meal itself was awful the company was great! I had the privilege of listening and learning about my host family and I must tell you it was beautiful! This family is a masterpiece. They all came to know the Lord later in life and watching and listening…the Lord has done marvelous things in all of them.
I learned a wonderful lesson of grace that evening…as we were leaving. My host motioned for our terrified 12 year old waitress to come to him…and he handed her a $10 bill. She hadn’t earned it. She didn’t deserve it. Frankly, she stunk at her job and I think she should definitely stay in school so that she can try another career BUT here this man who now has Jesus living in him…graced her. Freely gave her what she did not deserve. It was truly a beautiful picture. One I’m sure he has and is learning from his Master. My host extended grace in the midst of the lunacy “down on the farm”. Thank you for a great example and reminder of grace!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
What am I Drinking?!
Ok, so it’s the New Year and as so many of us have decided….I’m trying to be careful, balanced, and wise with my eating. I’ve found several “new” protein drinks that are filled with vitamins, minerals and protein to satisfy my hunger and they really do BUT the one I had this morning tasted horrible!
This morning on my way to a Mom’s in Touch (we pray for our kids in the public schools) I drank one down and I remember thinking…”don’t taste just swallow”. I breathed through my nose and just chugged it. Hunger satisfied…but the cost? Uggg. No wonder this new habit is a hard one for me.
Now, my point is not to have you suggest what protein drink to start swigging BUT to remind us…we swallow all kinds of things in the name of health and I don’t mean literally. What do you swallow or chug, just to get it down? Quiet time? Church? Certain people?
How has the Word of God been hitting you lately? Does it ever seem to be a horrible tasting, just swallow it experience? Or how about someone’s interpretation of it? My sisters, we are not called to just “don’t taste and just swallow” the Truth of the Word. We’re called to examine it…to savor it. We’re called to more than just chugging whatever someone of offering.
This morning it hit me, that if I approach the Word with the same “healthy decision” I am with food, I’ll miss all the enjoyment of the meal. God’s Word is a feast…it is rich, filling, something to be enjoyed and savored. Let’s not approach it as something to just get down or just take what the “experts” are offering for the sake of convenience. Let’s be women who sit at the table of the King and see the bounty and take the time to dig in and be satisfied. Just me thinking…what are you drinking and eating?
This morning on my way to a Mom’s in Touch (we pray for our kids in the public schools) I drank one down and I remember thinking…”don’t taste just swallow”. I breathed through my nose and just chugged it. Hunger satisfied…but the cost? Uggg. No wonder this new habit is a hard one for me.
Now, my point is not to have you suggest what protein drink to start swigging BUT to remind us…we swallow all kinds of things in the name of health and I don’t mean literally. What do you swallow or chug, just to get it down? Quiet time? Church? Certain people?
How has the Word of God been hitting you lately? Does it ever seem to be a horrible tasting, just swallow it experience? Or how about someone’s interpretation of it? My sisters, we are not called to just “don’t taste and just swallow” the Truth of the Word. We’re called to examine it…to savor it. We’re called to more than just chugging whatever someone of offering.
This morning it hit me, that if I approach the Word with the same “healthy decision” I am with food, I’ll miss all the enjoyment of the meal. God’s Word is a feast…it is rich, filling, something to be enjoyed and savored. Let’s not approach it as something to just get down or just take what the “experts” are offering for the sake of convenience. Let’s be women who sit at the table of the King and see the bounty and take the time to dig in and be satisfied. Just me thinking…what are you drinking and eating?
Saturday, January 9, 2010
What is on my heart….new year 2010
I was recently asked…What is on my heart? That is a really good question to ask ourselves every so often. What is the Lord placing on our hearts? Many times He uses things in my life to speak His Heart to me. I see an extreme amount of brokenness, both brokenness that I can actually see and then the unseen brokenness. First the visible brokenness in families, friends, churches, emotions, conflict, and drama filled lives, self-infliction of wounds (both physical and emotional) and so on. I see a whole lot of just plain broken people and situations.
But then there is the brokenness we don’t see…especially in the Church. I’m afraid I have to call it; the lack of care by the Body towards this seen brokenness. I see among the "less broken" the desire to survive this world unscathed and without dirtying our hands with all the brokenness (especially when it comes to our families and our kids) I see an almost contempt towards the broken- as if they and their situations are disgusting. I even see a “poor thing” mentality towards the broken, along with “awww, poor thing…I’m just so glad it’s not me or mine”. Here is my point; all of this (lack of care and pride) is brokenness as well, it’s just prettier from our perspective.
So 2010 is ringing these types of questions in my heart- Does my heart break for what breaks the Lord’s heart? When was the last time I asked myself what breaks His heart? Doesn’t the sin of pride and self, (even in regards to family preservation) break His heart as much as flagrant sin? Does my life love what He loves? Not just my theology or words but the outpouring of my life…the conviction is strong and begs one last question; why do I cling so tightly to my life, my rights, my desires, my needs, my time, my energy, my “pretty” idols…when there is a lost and broken world, both inside and outside the church walls?
But then there is the brokenness we don’t see…especially in the Church. I’m afraid I have to call it; the lack of care by the Body towards this seen brokenness. I see among the "less broken" the desire to survive this world unscathed and without dirtying our hands with all the brokenness (especially when it comes to our families and our kids) I see an almost contempt towards the broken- as if they and their situations are disgusting. I even see a “poor thing” mentality towards the broken, along with “awww, poor thing…I’m just so glad it’s not me or mine”. Here is my point; all of this (lack of care and pride) is brokenness as well, it’s just prettier from our perspective.
So 2010 is ringing these types of questions in my heart- Does my heart break for what breaks the Lord’s heart? When was the last time I asked myself what breaks His heart? Doesn’t the sin of pride and self, (even in regards to family preservation) break His heart as much as flagrant sin? Does my life love what He loves? Not just my theology or words but the outpouring of my life…the conviction is strong and begs one last question; why do I cling so tightly to my life, my rights, my desires, my needs, my time, my energy, my “pretty” idols…when there is a lost and broken world, both inside and outside the church walls?
Sunday, December 13, 2009
I'm tired of fighting...
I’m tired of fighting, everything. My flesh, this world, this world system…I’m tired of fighting people and philosophies. I’m just plain tired. Do I need to say more?
Why does it seem like this time of the year, the supposed “most wonderful time of the year” seems to be filled with more internal fighting each year? I just don’t get it! I want to just be at ease and go with the flow and be happy, for crying out loud- "it's the most wonderful time of the year!" or is it? Instead I just feel an inner turmoil- I’m fighting.
Is it my expectations? Or lack of them? Ok, realistically, I don’t think I ever struggle with LACK of expectations! I’m really not trying to be a total scrooge but is it horrible that I just want the holiday’s to be over!? Don’t tell my family!
SOOOOOOO, as I’m purging here, I realize how much of a perspective shift I need. How much I need to continue, even in ALLLLLL the busyness, to look up! To live up. Or should I say, because of Ephesians 2:6 where Paul says, as believers we are “seated in the heavenly places, In Christ”…I need to live looking down.
I need to live, by faith, where in reality I really am- in Him, in the heavenly places. I guess that does give me a much bigger perspective about this fighting feeling, huh? It gives me a bigger perspective, in general. Thank you Lord.
Why does it seem like this time of the year, the supposed “most wonderful time of the year” seems to be filled with more internal fighting each year? I just don’t get it! I want to just be at ease and go with the flow and be happy, for crying out loud- "it's the most wonderful time of the year!" or is it? Instead I just feel an inner turmoil- I’m fighting.
Is it my expectations? Or lack of them? Ok, realistically, I don’t think I ever struggle with LACK of expectations! I’m really not trying to be a total scrooge but is it horrible that I just want the holiday’s to be over!? Don’t tell my family!
SOOOOOOO, as I’m purging here, I realize how much of a perspective shift I need. How much I need to continue, even in ALLLLLL the busyness, to look up! To live up. Or should I say, because of Ephesians 2:6 where Paul says, as believers we are “seated in the heavenly places, In Christ”…I need to live looking down.
I need to live, by faith, where in reality I really am- in Him, in the heavenly places. I guess that does give me a much bigger perspective about this fighting feeling, huh? It gives me a bigger perspective, in general. Thank you Lord.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Merry Christmas! Can you believe Christmas is here again…already!? Where does the time go? Honestly, this year has been a blur-the older I get the faster it goes. I know this principal is true, I’ve heard it all my life and now that I’m middle aged, I see the reality of it! Time flies and not just when you are having fun. It flies regardless.
I wonder if it seemed to fly as fast 2400ish years ago when the recorded “word of the Lord” ceased and there was 400 years of silence in the nation of Israel. Did time seem to stand still or fly when this people were seemingly abandoned by YHWH as the Greeks and Romans ruled? Sure, false prophets spoke in the name of the Lord but He was silent- for 400 years.
Until…the exact right time! Galatians 4:4-5 says, “But when the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoptions as sons.” God spoke through His One and Only Begotten Son- He spoke the ultimate message of Grace, Mercy and Hope. God’s wrath against sin and His Holiness would be met by Himself- by a baby born to die…born under the Law in order to grow into a man to fulfill the Law and then die under the penalty of the Law. He died to sin. He became the sin.
Hebrews 1:1-2 says, “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.” These are the last days…God spoke through Jesus, His message of Truth. He is over all and He redeemed us- He finished it all. A baby, under the Law…grown into a man- fully God and fully man…the Way, Truth and Life. In these last days, may we remember God’s message of Grace and Truth- His message to a lost and dying world, His message of Hope and Peace. Time flies. May we remember our lives are simply a vapor or a mist, here and then gone. May we be women who live in these last days with the Hope, Grace and Peace only He can give. Merry Christmas, in this His Season!
I wonder if it seemed to fly as fast 2400ish years ago when the recorded “word of the Lord” ceased and there was 400 years of silence in the nation of Israel. Did time seem to stand still or fly when this people were seemingly abandoned by YHWH as the Greeks and Romans ruled? Sure, false prophets spoke in the name of the Lord but He was silent- for 400 years.
Until…the exact right time! Galatians 4:4-5 says, “But when the fullness of time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoptions as sons.” God spoke through His One and Only Begotten Son- He spoke the ultimate message of Grace, Mercy and Hope. God’s wrath against sin and His Holiness would be met by Himself- by a baby born to die…born under the Law in order to grow into a man to fulfill the Law and then die under the penalty of the Law. He died to sin. He became the sin.
Hebrews 1:1-2 says, “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.” These are the last days…God spoke through Jesus, His message of Truth. He is over all and He redeemed us- He finished it all. A baby, under the Law…grown into a man- fully God and fully man…the Way, Truth and Life. In these last days, may we remember God’s message of Grace and Truth- His message to a lost and dying world, His message of Hope and Peace. Time flies. May we remember our lives are simply a vapor or a mist, here and then gone. May we be women who live in these last days with the Hope, Grace and Peace only He can give. Merry Christmas, in this His Season!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The Stew
I have always and will always hate stew. Sorry for all your stew fans but from my earliest memories of stew I have hated it! My dad and I even came up with a code when it was “stew night” and we managed to almost ALWAYS avoid it…that is probably why my mom still has cool whip containers filled with stew in the freezer while we speak/write! Just kidding, kinda! Well, I’ve been thinking about stew. The question is what kind of stew!
So, this past weekend I had the privilege of going to the TieUsTogether Conference in Valparaiso and it was great! (Thanks Jackie for all your hard work!) Jan Silvious was the Keynote speaker and she talked a lot about wisdom and how that applies to our life, she did a great job too! (Thanks Jan too) She talked about Joshua 6 and the idea of needing to “Pay attention, you have never been this way before.” Meaning, every day…every situation really is new and we need to always pay attention to the Lord because WE haven’t been there before, He has though. (I know you are wondering what in the world this has to do with stew! I’m getting there!)
Anyway, she posed the question in her last session, “what can we run into when we have ‘never been this way before’?” This first thing she mentioned was our family issue…or if I may, the “pot we stewed in”. See my stew thoughts?? I’ve been pondering it since Saturday…how many things, maybe family things, or church things, emotional things, default reactions in my life are just beliefs or knee-jerk reactions to the things I have “stewed” in?
You know, “things have just always been that way or this is just how I am” kind of thinking, it just all kind of melds together and mushes together…like stew. All the parts just kind of cling to the flavor of the stew. How much of how I live life is a reflection on my flavor of stew?
I’ve really been thinking on that…does my flavor taste like me or my family or my denomination OR of Jesus? I don’t hate the “Jesus Stew” but I do want to reflect on what other “flavors” my life might be giving the flavor of….just me thinking!
So, this past weekend I had the privilege of going to the TieUsTogether Conference in Valparaiso and it was great! (Thanks Jackie for all your hard work!) Jan Silvious was the Keynote speaker and she talked a lot about wisdom and how that applies to our life, she did a great job too! (Thanks Jan too) She talked about Joshua 6 and the idea of needing to “Pay attention, you have never been this way before.” Meaning, every day…every situation really is new and we need to always pay attention to the Lord because WE haven’t been there before, He has though. (I know you are wondering what in the world this has to do with stew! I’m getting there!)
Anyway, she posed the question in her last session, “what can we run into when we have ‘never been this way before’?” This first thing she mentioned was our family issue…or if I may, the “pot we stewed in”. See my stew thoughts?? I’ve been pondering it since Saturday…how many things, maybe family things, or church things, emotional things, default reactions in my life are just beliefs or knee-jerk reactions to the things I have “stewed” in?
You know, “things have just always been that way or this is just how I am” kind of thinking, it just all kind of melds together and mushes together…like stew. All the parts just kind of cling to the flavor of the stew. How much of how I live life is a reflection on my flavor of stew?
I’ve really been thinking on that…does my flavor taste like me or my family or my denomination OR of Jesus? I don’t hate the “Jesus Stew” but I do want to reflect on what other “flavors” my life might be giving the flavor of….just me thinking!
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Kinda Creepy...
This past Monday I got to do the “wrap up” for Middle School Campus Life. I’ll be honest, 20 or so middle school kids is NOT my normal teaching venue and slightly out of my comfort zone, but we have a lot of fun!
For the last couple of weeks, we have been talking about who we are and how God made us. This week our topic was; God knows us. He knows you. I used Psalm 139:1-6, that Psalm is a personal favorite of mine…check it out if you don’t know it!
Anyway, as we were discussing how God knows EVERYTHING, including what we do, think, feel and so on. Two boys, almost at the same time say; “That’s just kinda creepy!” It made me laugh, but you know what? I can totally see why it seems kinda creepy. Especially, if you don’t know His Character.
It would be creepy if He wasn’t a relational, loving God. It would be creepy if He was just watching…but He is a God who is constantly interacting. Initiating. Knowing. Creepy? Kinda, but as we get to know Him and His character the creepiness lessens and it turns to cool.
For the last couple of weeks, we have been talking about who we are and how God made us. This week our topic was; God knows us. He knows you. I used Psalm 139:1-6, that Psalm is a personal favorite of mine…check it out if you don’t know it!
Anyway, as we were discussing how God knows EVERYTHING, including what we do, think, feel and so on. Two boys, almost at the same time say; “That’s just kinda creepy!” It made me laugh, but you know what? I can totally see why it seems kinda creepy. Especially, if you don’t know His Character.
It would be creepy if He wasn’t a relational, loving God. It would be creepy if He was just watching…but He is a God who is constantly interacting. Initiating. Knowing. Creepy? Kinda, but as we get to know Him and His character the creepiness lessens and it turns to cool.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
The Scarlet Thread of Redemption...
I had a simply sweet and wonderful day…I heard my Mom speak for Ladies Bible Study and she did a wonderful job!! Ok, it was the Lord in her but still it was a huge inspiration to me. My Mom turned 80 this year and she is still…still serving. What an example to me and to all of us! He wants to use us until the day we draw our last breath!
She spoke on Joshua Chapter 2, the story of Rahab, the harlot. She spoke of God wooing (calling her to love Him) her to Himself and the scarlet thread of redemption, just like the scarlet cord that hung from her window. It is a wonderful story of faith and redemption! I have to share one quick thing. My mom and I worked together for 15 years in the family business and we had a blast together. In the last couple of years we were open to the public (we started out as a wholesale only company) and we made great friends along the way with lots of women!
Anyway, this morning a former customer was at Bible Study and heard my Mom speak. She shared with me afterwards that she needed the timely and encouraging word and it ministered to her heart. That ministry started years ago…when she was our customer! How cool is that? My Mom was used years ago in this women’s life as a store-owner and now as a speaker! What a wonderful scarlet thread of redemption…of the story of Christ meeting people right where they are, of wooing them. He is wooing our friend! He is wooing you. Whether you know it or not, He has a scarlet thread of redemption in your life too. In your life and in the lives of those you touch…He wants to use you, until you draw your last breath!
She spoke on Joshua Chapter 2, the story of Rahab, the harlot. She spoke of God wooing (calling her to love Him) her to Himself and the scarlet thread of redemption, just like the scarlet cord that hung from her window. It is a wonderful story of faith and redemption! I have to share one quick thing. My mom and I worked together for 15 years in the family business and we had a blast together. In the last couple of years we were open to the public (we started out as a wholesale only company) and we made great friends along the way with lots of women!
Anyway, this morning a former customer was at Bible Study and heard my Mom speak. She shared with me afterwards that she needed the timely and encouraging word and it ministered to her heart. That ministry started years ago…when she was our customer! How cool is that? My Mom was used years ago in this women’s life as a store-owner and now as a speaker! What a wonderful scarlet thread of redemption…of the story of Christ meeting people right where they are, of wooing them. He is wooing our friend! He is wooing you. Whether you know it or not, He has a scarlet thread of redemption in your life too. In your life and in the lives of those you touch…He wants to use you, until you draw your last breath!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Engage...
This morning I drove around Laporte…seeing the Pole. Today was the national “See you at the Pole”, student led prayer around the flagpole event. I always get teary…it deeply touches my heart to see 100+ kids gathered around the flagpole to pray at a public school.
This year’s theme was…engage. I’ve thought about that word all day. Honestly, I’m struggling. I have kids in 11th, 7th and 2nd grade and honestly, ENGAGING is the last thing on my motherly mind…DISENGAGING is more like it! I want to build walls and protect. I want to see them come through their teen years unscathed…you know no drugs, no alcohol, no sex…hard working, good grades and so on and so forth. Hear my heart, those are not bad things, of course they are not bad things BUT what about being Godly? What about loving what our Lord loves? What about engaging with a really lost and dying world…engaging a sea of faces, with names?
What am I teaching my kids as I engage or disengage in my world…my sea of faces, with names? Engage. Is my goal just to be unscathed by the world…or to engage the world, with the only True message of Hope? I loved this morning. It inspires me. My heart is so full with the desire to see those kids engage- being in the world, engaging BUT not of the world…to see them know exactly who they are in Christ. Engage.
This year’s theme was…engage. I’ve thought about that word all day. Honestly, I’m struggling. I have kids in 11th, 7th and 2nd grade and honestly, ENGAGING is the last thing on my motherly mind…DISENGAGING is more like it! I want to build walls and protect. I want to see them come through their teen years unscathed…you know no drugs, no alcohol, no sex…hard working, good grades and so on and so forth. Hear my heart, those are not bad things, of course they are not bad things BUT what about being Godly? What about loving what our Lord loves? What about engaging with a really lost and dying world…engaging a sea of faces, with names?
What am I teaching my kids as I engage or disengage in my world…my sea of faces, with names? Engage. Is my goal just to be unscathed by the world…or to engage the world, with the only True message of Hope? I loved this morning. It inspires me. My heart is so full with the desire to see those kids engage- being in the world, engaging BUT not of the world…to see them know exactly who they are in Christ. Engage.
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