The Author

When I was a senior in high school, I took an AP English course. One semester our teacher, Doc, would give us poems and we had 15-20 minutes to write about the symbolism and what the author was trying to say.
One day, he gave us this poem about the fluffy white clouds, green grass, and geese flying by. We had no clue what it stood for. Since Doc had left the classroom, we got together as a group and decided to make it something ridiculous, yet possible. All I remember was that the “green grass” was suppose to represent the drugs the guy was smoking to get high and “fly” up to oblivion in the “white clouds.” We had it all worked out in a few pages: Everything stood for something.
When Doc came in and heard our interpretation, he stood dumbfounded for a moment, then went into a rant about the absurdity of it all. Obviously, it was memorable.
Truly, the only person who can know without a shadow of a doubt what something written means is the author. It may work in different settings and situations, but that is not what it's original intention was. It also makes more sense when it is accurately explained to the readers for the first time. Suddenly you see and “get” things you didn't before. The connections become clear.
I think this is how the Jews felt on the day of Pentecost.
They had been reading the Scriptures their whole lives, but had the interpretations wrong. In Acts 2, Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit (a co-author in the Trinity), and was able to explain to the people what God meant. The Author opened their understanding. How can we expect the people of the world to understand all we gleen from the Bible? (1 Corinthians 1:18- 2:16 ) They must have the Author to explain it to them.
Let's point them to the Author and let Him explain the finer things to them.
We must be bold, yes, but it is not up to us that they “get” it.
It's up to us that they hear it.

Skeeter-Eaters

There are these really annoying bugs that come around here this time of year. They look like very large, lanky mosquitoes, but I am told they actually eat the mosquitoes, so I call them skeeter-eaters. One of the annoying things about them is that when they get in the house, and they WILL get in, it's hard to catch them without squashing them. The reason is, if you catch them by the legs they just come right off, and then you're left holding the legs while they flutter higher.
This morning I was driving to the store when I looked at the vehicle next to me at the stop light. There, at the top of the door, was a skeeter-eater flapping frantically. After a few seconds it dropped limp and I realized that one of its legs was caught in the door. It then began desperately trying to get away again only to drop in exhaustion after 5-10 seconds. It went through this cycle repeatedly until the light turned green and the car drove away with the skeeter-eater in tow.
I have to admit that instead of feeling sorry for it, I started laughing. I thought of how much we as Christians reflect that bug! We follow where God's leading us and accept His grace, but when it gets a little scary and He's ready to move us, we'd rather “lose a leg” and stay where we are. But we're stuck! We then go through moments of desperation trying to get away from the situation, to surrendering fully to it. Back and forth, but God won't allow that leg to just pop off. HE'S holding on now.
As the vehicle pulled onto the interstate I thought, “What a ride he's in for! Probably to his death, now.” I want that to be said of me. I may think I'm holding on to God till the end, but I know it's really that I've asked Him to hold on to me- to no matter what end!
“Not that I have already reached the goal, or am even fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ.” Philippians 3:12
What a ride I'm in for.... Absolutely to death!

Coffee & Tea Snobs

Are you a snob? Come on... admit it.
I am.
Not only does most American tea seem weak to me, but I have to use filtered water, the “special blend” of the British brand I use, and at least whole milk if not real cream. I became the same way when I use to drink coffee. It's really kinda sad.
But as I was mowing the lawn the other day, the Lord taught me something positive about my picky-ness. (I've told you, I learn a lot when mowing!) Coffee and tea are like salvation and Christian living! Just go with me here for a minute...

• First of all, some people just don't get it. They are not saved.= They don't drink coffee or tea.
  
• Some may fake salvation = Crystal Light Instant Iced Tea (Need I say more, snobs?)
  
• The longer we strive to lead Godly lives as Christians, the less we can tolerate fleshly desires and deeds. = The longer we drink coffee or tea, the easier we can taste impurities in our cup.
  

Now, about being a Christ-like coffee/tea snob, we must follow what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. “I have become all things to all people.”(v. 22b) When I go over to someone's house and they serve me what I may consider an inferior tea do I turn my nose up at it and tell them that I have learned the ways of better tea? No. I drink it joyfully because they were considerate enough to even offer me some. However, when someone comes to my house, I offer up my best, hoping they will enjoy it. Honestly, sometimes, it's too strong for them, so I have other brands in the house just for that reason. And, yes, sometimes I even want a weaker one.
It's the same with Christian principles. Everyone may not be on the same level as I am. Some above, some below, some just different (Coffee vs. Tea). I accept a new believer with a weaker lifestyle without criticizing them. I may guide them to a higher standard, but we can't be fully mature believers the moment we are saved. We encourage and teach them. Remember, we were once there too. Also, we ARE the weaker Christian to others who have matured more than us.
When we teach or mentor others, our teachings may be too strong for them for a time, so we offer them what they can handle. Then we slowly take it to a deeper/stronger level.
So, what kind of snob are you? How can you relate it to this idea? (I have a friend who is a self proclaimed chocolate snob, and this works for her too!)
Please read 1Corinthians 9:19-23 today, and as you partake in your particular snobbery, reflect on your maturity with Christ and see if it matches.
For me it gives a whole new meaning to 1 Cor.9:22a, “To the weak I became weak...” Ha!

Brown Paper Bags

When I was a kid, my parents use to occasionally amuse themselves by placing a closed brown paper bag in on the kitchen table and seeing how long it took me to get into it. I believe there were even a few times that they told me to leave it alone as they went to another part of the house. That drove me CRAZY! I had to know what was in it.
When I was pregnant with each of my four children, I about went nuts until I had the ultrasound telling me the sex. I kept thinking it was like one of those brown paper bags, but inside me- kicking and taunting me! My youngest has unfortunately inherited that gene, and I admit, I have but a bag or two on the table...
I began questioning myself not long ago as to why God gave me this curiosity. Why do I have to know? How could I possibly use that to glorify Him? The answer came to me one day as I was researching a particular word in the Old Testament. I actually have the Bible in Hebrew and Greek with very extensive and detailed definitions of each word along with the syntax. I would never have dug into the Word of the Lord so deeply and passionately if I wasn't so curious about it. I've been able to focus this inborn trait in order to not only develop a richness of the Bible myself, but have been able to pass it along to other women. This has taken a long time and many sacrifices to bring about, but it has been well worth it! And I pray that it will continue to grow.
The Lord gives each of us passions and desires. The trick is not using them to please and amuse ourselves, but to glorify God. When we begin to do that, we find that we are enjoying the tasks the Lord gives us. That is why He gave them to you!
Are you using yours for Him?

Daily Chaos 2

I wrote yesterday's blog last Wednesday when a few things had gone a bit wrong, and I was so happy about how I was able to respond.
Then the Lord allowed me to be sifted! (Luke 22:31-32)
I honestly would have to say that it was the worst day I have had in many years. I was hit in five different areas in my life, and all of them seemed major: Finances, health, emotions, my children, even my pets! I may have been sliding along on that lubricant of faith I spoke of, but I looked like a grown woman on roller blades for the first time! I kept thinking of 1 Corinthians 10:12 “Therefore, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall!” My comfort, however, came from verse 13,”...He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation, He will also provide a way of escape, so that you are able to bear it.”
After Wednesday, I'm humbled by what God thinks I can handle! I did notice that He says He will provide a way for us to bear it. Not skip happily through it. Just bear it.
A study I am going through on Wednesday mornings with a group of ladies has been talking about how King David was angry and afraid of God when Uzzah died as they were trying to bring the ark to Jerusalem for the first time. (2 Samuel 6:1-11) It took him three months to get past the hurt and for the ark to finally come to the city. Remember, God said of David that he was a man after His own heart! (Acts 13:22) There are many times throughout the Psalms that David tells the Lord he is angry, confused, or upset with Him. The point is that He got beyond it quickly, loved the Lord with every once of his being, and followed Him as best as he could in his humanity till the day he died.
Wednesday, I was very hurt and sad. Honestly, I'm still hurt. I'm still sad. But I have a trustworthy God who I KNOW can work everything for His good, and I am excited to see how He'll do it. Most of all, I know He loves me and wants the best for me. I'm just keeping my eyes focused on Him.
I encourage you to do the same.

Daily Chaos

I've found there is a difference in the way I handle life recently.

Whenever unexpected things came up, I use to trudge along like as if I were wading through a swampy thicket. I knew the Lord would get me through the day, but every step was difficult. As the different trials would pop up, I would wrap myself in the chains of "concern" (I knew I wasn't suppose to worry, so I told myself it was concern). I longed for bedtime so I could wake up to a new day!

Lately, however, instead of plodding along, I find myself gliding. How curious to sail along on the hardness of life by the lubrication of faith!

Now, I find myself looking forward to seeing how God will work it all out. As each roadblock springs up before me, I looked expectantly towards my God to show off His mighty power. What relief!

Matthew 6:25-34 "This is why I tell you: Don't worry about your life..."

A Beautiful Sound

I love to sing.

I especially love being in a choir where there is a lot of harmonizing going on. When a group gets going with intensity and complementing parts, I really feel like I'm floating up into the presence of God and singing before Him. It's great.

I have to admit though, sometimes I can get thrown when sitting next to someone who, shall we say, can't carry a tune in a bucket. It use to really bother me to the point where I would make sure not to sit next to certain people during a worship service. Well, until a few years ago, that is. You have to sit next to your children.

My daughter Lauren has more personality than I ever had, and she does nothing quietly. As she has grown and been learning the songs we sing in church, I've realized she's off tune. Way off tune at times. But, as I began watching her, I came to understand she was dead on with something else. Heart and joy. I have never seen anyone worship the Lord with such passion and innocence. It's beautiful.

Psalm 95:1-2 says, "Come, let us shout joyfully to the LORD, shout triumphantly to the rock of our salvation! Let us enter His Presence with thanksgiving; let us shout triumphantly to Him in song" You know what's interesting about that? The Hebrew word used here for shout is rûa‛. Strong's defines this as "to mar (especially by breaking); figuratively to split the ears (with sound), that is, shout (for alarm or joy): - blow an alarm, cry (alarm, aloud, out), destroy, make a joyful noise, smart, shout (for joy), sound an alarm, triumph."
There is no perfect pitch in there. Just pure praise. Pure devotion. Pure love.

Lauren makes the most beautiful sound...