I heard recently of a friend of mine whose son has been picked on at school. Some of the other boys were making fun of him. This has particularly burdened my friend because her son has some difficulties that he has had to overcome. His parents want him to be happy, feel loved and have good self-esteem. He has wonderful parents, and I know that he is one of the luckiest little boys alive to have all of the love that he has from his family. But that doesn't alleviate the pain of that mother and father.
Last year, my son was picked on by a kid at school. This kid wasn't physically threatening--he was just hurtful with the names he called my son. The difficulty for my son (who is about to get his black belt in karate) was that he knew he could break the bully's arm, but he also told me that there might be some time along the way that that same kid might need a friend. So, Ben refrained from decking the kid. Instead, we talked about it. I emailed the teacher explaining that there was a problem (not assessing blame--just pointing out that the boys were having a personality conflict with each other). The wonderful teacher sat down with both boys and kindly, but firmly laid down the law that their conflict needed to be resolved. I appreciated the teacher taking the time to sit down and talk it out with both boys and allow them to talk it out and resolve the conflict.
The fact is, kids (like adults) can be cruel, thoughtless and insensitive. I can remember when I was a teenager, I was standing right outside the Sanctuary of our church, and I called a boy with some learning problems a horrible name. I was making fun of him. My friends were laughing with me, when suddenly, they stopped and were staring over my shoulder. I turned around and discovered I was face to face with the boy's mother. I will NEVER forget that feeling. She didn't say a word. She didn't have to. Her eyes said it all. She was so disappointed in me, but even more, that was HER BELOVED SON that I was poking fun at. I've never forgotten that moment, and I'm grateful that God impressed upon me in that moment the impact of my cruel actions, and the love and pain of that devoted mother.
In discussing with another friend how to raise our children in this world with so many temptations and so many cruelties, he told me that the key to raising a child with good self-esteem is to raise a godly child. He equated good self-esteem with godliness. I've chewed on that thought for the past several weeks. I think he was absolutely right.
How do we equip our children to deal with bullies or mockers? We train them in Scripture, Truth, reason, how to grow in healthy relationship with God and with others. I'm not saying turn them into judgmental, pious Bible-beaters. I'm talking about teaching them God's way to react to situations. Heck...it's a path that I need to continue on daily.
I've got to daily equip myself in the Truth by staying in relationship with God, keeping close friends who keep me accountable, writing His Word on my heart, growing daily in my marriage, and just the daily humble reminder that God is God and I am not. Those are the things that count...the things that lead one to feel truly good about oneself.
My son was absolutely right about that bully needing a friend in the future. The boy that picked on him last year came to Vacation Bible School over the summer. He was a visitor who needed a friend, and Ben was able to befriend him and welcome him at church. The kid has been much nicer to Ben this year at school (and I'm sure Ben's attitude has changed, too). Why? Because he didn't handle the situation out of wreckless emotion and human reaction. He reasoned it out with the people that God put on this earth to help guide him--his parents and his teachers. And Ben is better because of it. He now has the knowledge that he can handle the next difficult situation that comes along--a huge boost to his self-esteem.
I guess it all boils down to this nugget found in Holy Scripture:
Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8
Lord, help us to train in Your ways. Help me to daily re-devote myself to Your teachings and to Your perfect path. Lord, help me remember my failures, that I might not repeat them. But encourage me in the promise that growing in You holds for my life and for my place in Your Kingdom. I am Thine, O Lord.
Monday, March 10, 2008
How to handle a bully 101
This is something I am writing for posterity. Some day, I want my son to read this story about his father, and be proud of him like I am.
Last week, my husband had an awful week at work. He works in sales, and the boss (we'll call him Frank) gave my husband's prime territory to Frank's step-daughter. My husband has consistently been one of the top sales people, and one of the most loyal to Frank, so this was frustrating to him. He made a comment to Frank about it, and a temper-tantrum ensued. Frank yelled and screamed. At one point, Frank backed my husband against the wall, with his finger in my husband's face and was screaming so close to him that my husband could feel and smell Frank's breath. My husband felt physically threatened, but rather than yell back or push him away, he merely stepped away and walked out the door of the building. Frank chased after him, yelling things like, "Are you walking out on me? Are you quitting? Are you leaving?" My husband, wisely, refused to answer until he had calmed down enough to keep his cool. When he could respond, he said, "Frank, I will not be bullied by you. You won't allow me to complete a sentence, and I can't respond to you until you do."
That's what I want my son to hear. His father walked away from a fight. But he didn't allow the man to bully him either. He merely called him into accountability. He made Frank aware of his actions. From that point on, an adult discussion took place, and resolution was made. Neither party was completely satisfied, but that's typical of conflict. Nobody's going to be satisfied 100% of the time. But, my husband kept his cool and his job, and Frank made some concessions and later promised not to gut anymore of my husband's territories. There were no threats made, no names called, just a rational discussion between adults.
Even adults make mistakes and act irrationally. But my husband took the high road. He managed to get his point across without escalating the situation. I'm proud of him. I'm thankful for how God works daily in his life, and for the example he sets for our children. Love you, honey!
Last week, my husband had an awful week at work. He works in sales, and the boss (we'll call him Frank) gave my husband's prime territory to Frank's step-daughter. My husband has consistently been one of the top sales people, and one of the most loyal to Frank, so this was frustrating to him. He made a comment to Frank about it, and a temper-tantrum ensued. Frank yelled and screamed. At one point, Frank backed my husband against the wall, with his finger in my husband's face and was screaming so close to him that my husband could feel and smell Frank's breath. My husband felt physically threatened, but rather than yell back or push him away, he merely stepped away and walked out the door of the building. Frank chased after him, yelling things like, "Are you walking out on me? Are you quitting? Are you leaving?" My husband, wisely, refused to answer until he had calmed down enough to keep his cool. When he could respond, he said, "Frank, I will not be bullied by you. You won't allow me to complete a sentence, and I can't respond to you until you do."
That's what I want my son to hear. His father walked away from a fight. But he didn't allow the man to bully him either. He merely called him into accountability. He made Frank aware of his actions. From that point on, an adult discussion took place, and resolution was made. Neither party was completely satisfied, but that's typical of conflict. Nobody's going to be satisfied 100% of the time. But, my husband kept his cool and his job, and Frank made some concessions and later promised not to gut anymore of my husband's territories. There were no threats made, no names called, just a rational discussion between adults.
Even adults make mistakes and act irrationally. But my husband took the high road. He managed to get his point across without escalating the situation. I'm proud of him. I'm thankful for how God works daily in his life, and for the example he sets for our children. Love you, honey!
Monday, March 3, 2008
Hungry
Very few here in Arlington, TX have experienced true hunger. Have you ever been in a place where you truly didn't know where your next meal was coming from? Or have you ever had the worry of feeding your child? I haven't. Well, maybe I didn't know where the next meal was coming from, but I knew that I'd be back in the States in a few days and wouldn't really have to worry about it.
The worship song "Hungry" by Kathryn Scott is a hard song for me to sing. "Hungry, I come to You, for I know You satisfy." It's difficult because I don't know what physical hunger is. It's difficult because I know personally of people who experience it every day, and I'm helpless to change that.
The closest I've ever come to hunger was when I was in Eastern Cuba. The people there literally did not know where their next meal would come from. The man that picked us up from the airport told us of his daily routine. He wakes up in the morning, prays for food, and then goes about the town trying to find food for his family. I can't imagine having to search for my food each morning. Nor can I imagine the possibility of not finding it and coming home empty-handed.
I brought in my snacks with me to Cuba--trail mix, beef jerky, etc. During our journey, we picked up several Cuban ministers to take with us to our meeting point. They were hungry. We thought, "We'll buy them some food". We went to town after town with our money, ready to buy food. There was none to be had. I pulled out the trail mix and the beef jerky, and they ate and were so appreciative. As we went through the week, God provided for us. We ate beans, rice and plantain (not so many beans as plantain). We had boiled plantain, mashed plantain, fried plantain... By the end of the week, I was so tired of plantain. But I also noticed that I wasn't particularly hungry. God provided everything I needed. That plantain was like the manna from heaven. It satisfied. And God was glorified through every meal. His joy was on the faces of the people serving us. His hope was in their hearts. He was very present.
God's Gracious Dealings is the subtitle in my Bible under Deuteronomy 8. Deuteronomy 8 is a chapter that describes God the Provider. He talks about the suffering of the Israelites--the hunger, the wandering. Scripture tells us, "He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD". It continues saying that He allowed these things to happen so that He might humble them and provide for them, "Otherwise, you may say in your heart 'My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth.'" He humbled them, and He humbles us today so that we might seek Him, remember His promises, His provision, His faithfulness. He humbles us so that our major source of nourishment, and the most sustaining source, will be from His Word.
"Hungry, I come to You, for I know You satisfy. I am empty, but I know Your love does not run dry. So I wait for You. Broken, I run to You, for Your arms are open wide; I am weary, but I know Your touch restores my life. So I wait for You. I'm falling on my knees, offering all of me. Jesus, You're all this heart is living for."
We may not know physical hunger, but each of us has places in our lives where we are spiritually starved. As I sing this song, I use it as a song of confession. I focus on the areas of my life where I am spiritually starved--where I need what only God can provide. Sometimes it may be a particular circumstance. Sometimes it may be a behavior or an attitude that I want to change about myself. The point is that hunger leads to humility. Humility leads to surrender. Surrender leads to change. Change leads to growth. Growth leads to the pure joy of being in relationship with the Father.
So I wait for You, Lord.
Dear Father, Thank you for your provision in our lives. Thank you for how you take care of our every need. You tell us in your scripture that we don't have to worry because You will provide. Help me to stay humble enough to seek Your provision and not go out on my own. Help me to be hungry for You and for Your Word. Thank you for the promise that Your love will not run dry, but will sustain us through the very darkest and brightest of times. We wait for You.
The worship song "Hungry" by Kathryn Scott is a hard song for me to sing. "Hungry, I come to You, for I know You satisfy." It's difficult because I don't know what physical hunger is. It's difficult because I know personally of people who experience it every day, and I'm helpless to change that.
The closest I've ever come to hunger was when I was in Eastern Cuba. The people there literally did not know where their next meal would come from. The man that picked us up from the airport told us of his daily routine. He wakes up in the morning, prays for food, and then goes about the town trying to find food for his family. I can't imagine having to search for my food each morning. Nor can I imagine the possibility of not finding it and coming home empty-handed.
I brought in my snacks with me to Cuba--trail mix, beef jerky, etc. During our journey, we picked up several Cuban ministers to take with us to our meeting point. They were hungry. We thought, "We'll buy them some food". We went to town after town with our money, ready to buy food. There was none to be had. I pulled out the trail mix and the beef jerky, and they ate and were so appreciative. As we went through the week, God provided for us. We ate beans, rice and plantain (not so many beans as plantain). We had boiled plantain, mashed plantain, fried plantain... By the end of the week, I was so tired of plantain. But I also noticed that I wasn't particularly hungry. God provided everything I needed. That plantain was like the manna from heaven. It satisfied. And God was glorified through every meal. His joy was on the faces of the people serving us. His hope was in their hearts. He was very present.
God's Gracious Dealings is the subtitle in my Bible under Deuteronomy 8. Deuteronomy 8 is a chapter that describes God the Provider. He talks about the suffering of the Israelites--the hunger, the wandering. Scripture tells us, "He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD". It continues saying that He allowed these things to happen so that He might humble them and provide for them, "Otherwise, you may say in your heart 'My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth.'" He humbled them, and He humbles us today so that we might seek Him, remember His promises, His provision, His faithfulness. He humbles us so that our major source of nourishment, and the most sustaining source, will be from His Word.
"Hungry, I come to You, for I know You satisfy. I am empty, but I know Your love does not run dry. So I wait for You. Broken, I run to You, for Your arms are open wide; I am weary, but I know Your touch restores my life. So I wait for You. I'm falling on my knees, offering all of me. Jesus, You're all this heart is living for."
We may not know physical hunger, but each of us has places in our lives where we are spiritually starved. As I sing this song, I use it as a song of confession. I focus on the areas of my life where I am spiritually starved--where I need what only God can provide. Sometimes it may be a particular circumstance. Sometimes it may be a behavior or an attitude that I want to change about myself. The point is that hunger leads to humility. Humility leads to surrender. Surrender leads to change. Change leads to growth. Growth leads to the pure joy of being in relationship with the Father.
So I wait for You, Lord.
Dear Father, Thank you for your provision in our lives. Thank you for how you take care of our every need. You tell us in your scripture that we don't have to worry because You will provide. Help me to stay humble enough to seek Your provision and not go out on my own. Help me to be hungry for You and for Your Word. Thank you for the promise that Your love will not run dry, but will sustain us through the very darkest and brightest of times. We wait for You.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Abandon gives way to Abandon
We are in the midst of Lent. Reading through Holy Scripture, I can't help but focus on the cross, and Jesus' words there. "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani", "My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?" Those are challenging words for me. I read it and I feel complete and utter sadness, guilt, weightiness. It is a moment when Christ is completely abandoned to pay the penalty of sin in my life. Fully human, and completely abandoned. There is no rescue. There is no hope. He knows that what He faces--this Innocent One--is the wretched death sentence of my sin and your sin and the sin of every other human being that has walked the face of this earth. Utter darkness. Pain. Despair. A crying out that receives no answer. There is no hope.
That word "abandon" literally means "to leave completely and finally". When reading that definition, the word "finally" jumped out at me. …The finality of separation from God. Without Christ's sacrifice, it is overwhelming. Can you imagine? He had a choice. He was fully God. But at this moment chose to become fully human. Jesus had never before been separated from the Father, until this moment. He didn't have to go through that pain. But He chose to for you and for me.
Stuart Townend writes, "How deep the Father's love for us, how vast beyond all measure that He should give His only Son to make a wretch His treasure. How great the pain of searing loss, the Father turns His face away as wounds which mar the chosen One, bring many sons to glory."
God the Father turned His face away from Jesus the Son one time. Can you imagine how He grieved? Can you imagine how painful that was? Abandonment. Darkness. Pain. His Son.
Townend continues, "Behold the Man upon a cross, my sin upon His shoulders. Ashamed I hear my mocking voice, call out among the scoffers. It was my sin that held Him there until it was accomplished. His dying breath has brought me life. I know that it is finished."
Finally, the hope returns. With the death of Christ, and His triumph over death, our penalties were paid. Every last penalty--past, present and future--paid for. His dying breath brought me life. Here's where that dark, final abandon turns into glorious "abandon"--to yield (oneself) without restraint or moderation; give (oneself) over to natural impulses, usually without self-control--to worship. We are to boast in NOTHING but the power of Christ! We are to give ourselves over -- without restraint -- to the worship of Him.
"I will not boast in anything--no gifts, no power, no wisdom. But I will boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection. Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer. But this I know with all my heart, His wounds have paid my ransom." Townend truly has a gift for expressing the beauty of the cross in this great hymn.
Today, there was a blackout at the church. I was in complete darkness. I've never seen it that dark anywhere. I was in the ensemble room off of the choir room. I didn't have my cell phone...no flashlight. It was pitch black. I felt my way (very slowly) out to the sunlight. It was a reminder to me that as I worship Him, that's what my life needs to be like. I am abandoning the darkness to the abandonment of worship of Him--unrelenting worship--worship without restraint--uninhibited worship. What a divine gift! God, the Divine Creator, the Lord over all, turned the hopelessness of abandonment into something glorious--the worship of His people.
Psalm 103:11-12 says, "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. "
That word "abandon" literally means "to leave completely and finally". When reading that definition, the word "finally" jumped out at me. …The finality of separation from God. Without Christ's sacrifice, it is overwhelming. Can you imagine? He had a choice. He was fully God. But at this moment chose to become fully human. Jesus had never before been separated from the Father, until this moment. He didn't have to go through that pain. But He chose to for you and for me.
Stuart Townend writes, "How deep the Father's love for us, how vast beyond all measure that He should give His only Son to make a wretch His treasure. How great the pain of searing loss, the Father turns His face away as wounds which mar the chosen One, bring many sons to glory."
God the Father turned His face away from Jesus the Son one time. Can you imagine how He grieved? Can you imagine how painful that was? Abandonment. Darkness. Pain. His Son.
Townend continues, "Behold the Man upon a cross, my sin upon His shoulders. Ashamed I hear my mocking voice, call out among the scoffers. It was my sin that held Him there until it was accomplished. His dying breath has brought me life. I know that it is finished."
Finally, the hope returns. With the death of Christ, and His triumph over death, our penalties were paid. Every last penalty--past, present and future--paid for. His dying breath brought me life. Here's where that dark, final abandon turns into glorious "abandon"--to yield (oneself) without restraint or moderation; give (oneself) over to natural impulses, usually without self-control--to worship. We are to boast in NOTHING but the power of Christ! We are to give ourselves over -- without restraint -- to the worship of Him.
"I will not boast in anything--no gifts, no power, no wisdom. But I will boast in Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection. Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer. But this I know with all my heart, His wounds have paid my ransom." Townend truly has a gift for expressing the beauty of the cross in this great hymn.
Today, there was a blackout at the church. I was in complete darkness. I've never seen it that dark anywhere. I was in the ensemble room off of the choir room. I didn't have my cell phone...no flashlight. It was pitch black. I felt my way (very slowly) out to the sunlight. It was a reminder to me that as I worship Him, that's what my life needs to be like. I am abandoning the darkness to the abandonment of worship of Him--unrelenting worship--worship without restraint--uninhibited worship. What a divine gift! God, the Divine Creator, the Lord over all, turned the hopelessness of abandonment into something glorious--the worship of His people.
Psalm 103:11-12 says, "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. "
Thank you, Father, for being willing to abandon Your Son at the cross to pay the penalty for my sin. Thank you, Father, for the blessing and joy that come from worshiping You. Thank you, Father, for loving us so much, and removing our sins so far from us that we can share in fellowship and communion with You once again. Thank you for not abandoning us, but rather allowing us to abandon the things of this world in total and complete worship of You. We are Yours.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Great is Thy Faithfulness
This past Sunday, I was leading music at Brown Blvd, and we sang the hymn Great is Thy Faithfulness. One of the gentlemen visiting the church that day was from Kenya. His home had been burned recently with all of the turmoil there. Two of the people I serve with week by week have parents serving in South Africa as missionaries. I began to think of Kim and Cindy and their team, and how people were being won to Christ in some of the darkest regions of the world. Great is Thy Faithfulness was such an appropriate song to sing as I began to think about how vast His church is, and the varied circumstances it faces!
I told the congregation this story about my time in Cuba. We were in Cuba, visiting a church on a Thursday night. It was my first trip there, so I didn't know what to expect, and quite honestly, I was afraid. The church was packed out--people standing outside, leaning into the windows so they could hear. ON a THURSDAY NIGHT! We had done some praise team sessions earlier. I was the only one with the group who had worked with praise teams, so even though I wasn't planning on it when I went, I was quickly recruited to teach those classes.
That night, we followed up with a time of worship and an orchestra concert. I was asked to give my testimony at church that night for two reasons: 1. Because I was appropriately dressed (I was wearing a skirt--this is a big deal in Cuban churches) and 2. because I was playing a solo on my violin later in the service, and they wanted them to hear my testimony. Well, I don't remember ever giving my testimony in public like that before. And, I legally wasn't supposed to. I wasn't there on a religious visa at the time. But, God convicted me, reminding me that He was faithful, and I gave my testimony. And I had a wonderful translator who was a passionate, growing Christian and translated so passionately.
We had been singing the song "Come, Now is the Time to Worship" earlier in the worship time, and had taught it in Spanish to the praise teams I had worked with earlier in the day. I followed that song with my testimony. I just re-told those words, "One day, EVERY tongue WILL confess You are God. One day, EVERY knee WILL bow. But the greatest TREASURE remains for those of you who choose Him now! You can know true joy by choosing Christ Jesus right now!" As I said that, all of the lights in that packed church went out. Every last light in the village went out. It was pitch black. I was scared.
But then, I heard the strong, but quiet voice of Camp Kirkland standing behind me say, "Keep going, they're listening". I continued with my testimony, and though there were no mics due to there being no electrical power, the Power of the Spirit was there, and people were quiet, and they heard the Gospel.
When I finished my testimony, there were still no lights and no power. We couldn't continue the concert. But one of the praise teams I had worked with earlier in the day got up and began singing in Spanish "Great is Thy Faithfulness". They sang all 3 verses. Then, they sang "Shout to the Lord". The entire congregation joined in. I will never forget that time of worship in the dark. There was a peace and a sweetness as you heard that dark room filled with the light of hope in the voices that rang out songs of praise.
After awhile, lights came back on, and we continued with the concert. At the end of the concert, we had our first profession of faith on the trip. It was a young girl (probably 18) who had been in the praise team workshop that day. She had come because she just wanted to learn music. She had no idea she'd receive the gift of salvation and the joy of a life knowing Christ. We gave her a Bible, and told her to start with the Gospel of John. The next morning at 8 a.m., she came back and found us and said, "I've finished John, now where do I go?" Throughout the course of the week, she brought back her mother and her grandmother and her aunt. All accepted Christ that week. All in all, this little group of instrumentalists and church musicians embraced 60 people as they came into the Kingdom family that week. We had little to offer in and of ourselves, but God was FAITHFUL. He took what we had, and He used it in a mighty way to change lives FOREVER!
Lamentations 3:22-23 says, "The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness."
Lord, no power of hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck us from Your hand. Thank you for your faithfulness. Even when we are weak or afraid, You are fearless, strong and FAITHFUL!
I told the congregation this story about my time in Cuba. We were in Cuba, visiting a church on a Thursday night. It was my first trip there, so I didn't know what to expect, and quite honestly, I was afraid. The church was packed out--people standing outside, leaning into the windows so they could hear. ON a THURSDAY NIGHT! We had done some praise team sessions earlier. I was the only one with the group who had worked with praise teams, so even though I wasn't planning on it when I went, I was quickly recruited to teach those classes.
That night, we followed up with a time of worship and an orchestra concert. I was asked to give my testimony at church that night for two reasons: 1. Because I was appropriately dressed (I was wearing a skirt--this is a big deal in Cuban churches) and 2. because I was playing a solo on my violin later in the service, and they wanted them to hear my testimony. Well, I don't remember ever giving my testimony in public like that before. And, I legally wasn't supposed to. I wasn't there on a religious visa at the time. But, God convicted me, reminding me that He was faithful, and I gave my testimony. And I had a wonderful translator who was a passionate, growing Christian and translated so passionately.
We had been singing the song "Come, Now is the Time to Worship" earlier in the worship time, and had taught it in Spanish to the praise teams I had worked with earlier in the day. I followed that song with my testimony. I just re-told those words, "One day, EVERY tongue WILL confess You are God. One day, EVERY knee WILL bow. But the greatest TREASURE remains for those of you who choose Him now! You can know true joy by choosing Christ Jesus right now!" As I said that, all of the lights in that packed church went out. Every last light in the village went out. It was pitch black. I was scared.
But then, I heard the strong, but quiet voice of Camp Kirkland standing behind me say, "Keep going, they're listening". I continued with my testimony, and though there were no mics due to there being no electrical power, the Power of the Spirit was there, and people were quiet, and they heard the Gospel.
When I finished my testimony, there were still no lights and no power. We couldn't continue the concert. But one of the praise teams I had worked with earlier in the day got up and began singing in Spanish "Great is Thy Faithfulness". They sang all 3 verses. Then, they sang "Shout to the Lord". The entire congregation joined in. I will never forget that time of worship in the dark. There was a peace and a sweetness as you heard that dark room filled with the light of hope in the voices that rang out songs of praise.
After awhile, lights came back on, and we continued with the concert. At the end of the concert, we had our first profession of faith on the trip. It was a young girl (probably 18) who had been in the praise team workshop that day. She had come because she just wanted to learn music. She had no idea she'd receive the gift of salvation and the joy of a life knowing Christ. We gave her a Bible, and told her to start with the Gospel of John. The next morning at 8 a.m., she came back and found us and said, "I've finished John, now where do I go?" Throughout the course of the week, she brought back her mother and her grandmother and her aunt. All accepted Christ that week. All in all, this little group of instrumentalists and church musicians embraced 60 people as they came into the Kingdom family that week. We had little to offer in and of ourselves, but God was FAITHFUL. He took what we had, and He used it in a mighty way to change lives FOREVER!
Lamentations 3:22-23 says, "The LORD'S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness."
Lord, no power of hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck us from Your hand. Thank you for your faithfulness. Even when we are weak or afraid, You are fearless, strong and FAITHFUL!
Monday, February 11, 2008
I want to be like Tychicus
I must confess that today was not one of my most "Christian" days. I had a bone to pick with someone, and I picked it. More like I bulldozed it! It wasn't one of those moments to be proud of. It was actually painful. It was a moment when I felt that I had to confront something, and was right to feel the way I felt, but didn't necessarily deal with it in the right way. As I went through the day, I began to focus (ironically) on the word, "Encouragement". I must admit...this is not an easy word for me.
I am a classical musician. I hear the imperfections first, even in my own playing. I'm incredibly self critical. I just am. So, I have to work to be encouraging. However, we are called to encourage one another...to build one another up (Rom 14:9). Now, I'm not talking about flattery or pandering. I'm talking about true encouragement. The word, encourage, literally means to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence. We're talking about spurring people on to real meaning, to core values, to spiritual truths. We're talking about inspiring them to attain eternal perspective and lives filled with purpose.
I don't think I realized how important this was until recently. I've had the opportunity to work with the worship team at Brown Blvd--people who are incredibly gifted, but needed some encourgement. They needed someone to pray with them and for them. They needed someone to encourage them in their giftedness and instill confidence in them. I've had the wonderful privilege of being one of those people (I hope). The other day, a lady wrote me about something I had said to her about her spiritual walk and how it had meant so much that I took the time to encourage her. I meant what I said to her (another thing to know is that I say what I mean...I don't believe in flattery). It was affirming to me to know that actually speaking it out loud to her encouraged her the way it did.
Well, as I focused today on this word "encouragement", I did a Bible search on the word. This guy, Tychicus, kept coming up. Paul sent Tychicus to encourage...to share good news. When Tychicus was coming, he was accompanied by a positive word. Paul closes two different letters with the word that Tychicus was coming to encourage. What a great thing to be associated with! Tychicus' name went down in Holy Scripture as an encourager.
We live in a world where everywhere we turn, we are confronted by the fact that we are not good enough, not smart enough, not wealthy enough, not thin enough. TV is loaded with images of (seeming) perfection, and yet it's accompanied by people who "have it all" and are complete basket cases--people like Heath Ledger or Brittney Spears. Well, I don't want to be a Heath or Brittney. I want to be a Tychicus! The world needs more people to encourage in truthful things. It needs people called to be true encouragers--to inspire people to courage in their faith and in their walk with God.
So, I'm praying that I won't have many more failures like I had this morning (though I just received an email from the person in question saying they were relieved that we had such an honest conversation--that's an absolute gift from God!!!!). I'm praying that I will see things more with God's eyes (and ears) and less with my own. I want to close with this simple prayer of Paul's found in Holy Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 2:16-17:
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
I am a classical musician. I hear the imperfections first, even in my own playing. I'm incredibly self critical. I just am. So, I have to work to be encouraging. However, we are called to encourage one another...to build one another up (Rom 14:9). Now, I'm not talking about flattery or pandering. I'm talking about true encouragement. The word, encourage, literally means to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence. We're talking about spurring people on to real meaning, to core values, to spiritual truths. We're talking about inspiring them to attain eternal perspective and lives filled with purpose.
I don't think I realized how important this was until recently. I've had the opportunity to work with the worship team at Brown Blvd--people who are incredibly gifted, but needed some encourgement. They needed someone to pray with them and for them. They needed someone to encourage them in their giftedness and instill confidence in them. I've had the wonderful privilege of being one of those people (I hope). The other day, a lady wrote me about something I had said to her about her spiritual walk and how it had meant so much that I took the time to encourage her. I meant what I said to her (another thing to know is that I say what I mean...I don't believe in flattery). It was affirming to me to know that actually speaking it out loud to her encouraged her the way it did.
Well, as I focused today on this word "encouragement", I did a Bible search on the word. This guy, Tychicus, kept coming up. Paul sent Tychicus to encourage...to share good news. When Tychicus was coming, he was accompanied by a positive word. Paul closes two different letters with the word that Tychicus was coming to encourage. What a great thing to be associated with! Tychicus' name went down in Holy Scripture as an encourager.
We live in a world where everywhere we turn, we are confronted by the fact that we are not good enough, not smart enough, not wealthy enough, not thin enough. TV is loaded with images of (seeming) perfection, and yet it's accompanied by people who "have it all" and are complete basket cases--people like Heath Ledger or Brittney Spears. Well, I don't want to be a Heath or Brittney. I want to be a Tychicus! The world needs more people to encourage in truthful things. It needs people called to be true encouragers--to inspire people to courage in their faith and in their walk with God.
So, I'm praying that I won't have many more failures like I had this morning (though I just received an email from the person in question saying they were relieved that we had such an honest conversation--that's an absolute gift from God!!!!). I'm praying that I will see things more with God's eyes (and ears) and less with my own. I want to close with this simple prayer of Paul's found in Holy Scripture:
1 Thessalonians 2:16-17:
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Tender-hearted Prayers
First, an update... My kids love the scripture cards. They look forward to that time each morning. As a matter of fact, it actually works as a motivation to get them up and going. The sooner they get ready, the more time we can spend with the scripture cards. Now, perhaps that's backward. We should give God our firstfruits. But when you're trying to get two kids up and ready for school, and you can use scripture as a motivation, I think God understands and accepts that offering.
One of the things that has meant the most to me is hearing my kids pray. The scripture cards I'm using have a scripture on the front and an explanation/prayer on the back. We've used the back of the cards to get my kids started praying in the morning. But the amazing thing is, giving them the few words to start prompts them to the most amazing prayers. For instance, last night, Ben and I were up in the middle of the night because he had a terrific sinus headache. He spent half the night crying. This morning, we read the scripture from Matthew, "Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you." As Ben followed up the scripture with prayer, he didn't pray for God to relieve his headache, even though he still wasn't feeling well. I must confess, that was my prayer--I knew how he had agonized throughout the night. But Ben asked God for wisdom, peace and joy that comes from knowing God. My 10 year old son caught the value of that eternal perspective. He modeled it in his prayer, and he modeled it for his sister, who was listening intently. I know that God was pleased by that tender-hearted prayer this morning.
I am thankful for tender-hearted prayers. I'm thankful for the people who take time to teach my children and nurture that simple, yet powerful faith. It's not a meek (mouse-like) faith. It's strong. It's unwaivering. It's powerful. It's what God calls us all to have.
Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened.
O Lord, I ask this morning that you place eternal things on our hearts. Help us to see with Your eyes. Help us to run from the materialistic or superficial things of this life, but instead to treasure Your knowledge, Your wisdom and Your power. Help us to gain those things so that we are better suited for Your Kingdom work. Thank you for the modeling of children and their simple faith. We love you, Lord!
One of the things that has meant the most to me is hearing my kids pray. The scripture cards I'm using have a scripture on the front and an explanation/prayer on the back. We've used the back of the cards to get my kids started praying in the morning. But the amazing thing is, giving them the few words to start prompts them to the most amazing prayers. For instance, last night, Ben and I were up in the middle of the night because he had a terrific sinus headache. He spent half the night crying. This morning, we read the scripture from Matthew, "Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you." As Ben followed up the scripture with prayer, he didn't pray for God to relieve his headache, even though he still wasn't feeling well. I must confess, that was my prayer--I knew how he had agonized throughout the night. But Ben asked God for wisdom, peace and joy that comes from knowing God. My 10 year old son caught the value of that eternal perspective. He modeled it in his prayer, and he modeled it for his sister, who was listening intently. I know that God was pleased by that tender-hearted prayer this morning.
I am thankful for tender-hearted prayers. I'm thankful for the people who take time to teach my children and nurture that simple, yet powerful faith. It's not a meek (mouse-like) faith. It's strong. It's unwaivering. It's powerful. It's what God calls us all to have.
Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened.
O Lord, I ask this morning that you place eternal things on our hearts. Help us to see with Your eyes. Help us to run from the materialistic or superficial things of this life, but instead to treasure Your knowledge, Your wisdom and Your power. Help us to gain those things so that we are better suited for Your Kingdom work. Thank you for the modeling of children and their simple faith. We love you, Lord!
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On Top of Pecos Baldy
...what a memory!
