Don't aim....miss

My pastor shared a marvelous concept in his sermon the other day.  I am sure he won't mind if I share it with you.                          
  He told us about when he was learning to snow ski  - the instructor told him not to look at the tree or the person that he was headed towards.  Instead, he was told to look where he wanted to go.  He said, if you look at that tree that you want to miss, or that person you are trying to avoid, you will hit it everytime.

That's a great life principle, isn't it?  How many times do we focus so much on what we don't want to be...whether emotionally or physically or spiritually...and then we wind up right there.  We arrive at what we focus on, even if it's not where we want to go.

God exhorts us in Proverbs 23:7 - "As a man thinks in his heart, so he is."  This is not a foundation for "name it, claim it" theology nor for "the power of positive thinking" .  Rather it is instruction for the ski slopes of life - focus on what God wants you to become, not what you want to avoid.  In fact, it's mighty helpful and encouraging to focus on what God says you already are - in Christ, seated in the Heavenlies, precious in His sight, a treasured possession. We can walk in this assurance towards where we want to go, loving God with our whole heart, loving others as ourselves, doers of the Word, enduring hardship, afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;  persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; rejoicing, always rejoicing.

Thinking in our hearts, setting our minds on things above.  Don't aim for what's below - miss it instead!

Cross references:

1. 2 Corinthians 4:8 : ch. 7:5; [Ps. 129:2]
2. 2 Corinthians 4:9 : Heb. 13:5; [Deut. 4:31]
3. 2 Corinthians 4:9 : Ps. 37:24; Prov. 24:16; Mic. 7:8

 

Thoughts on Las Vegas Tragedy

If you're feeling like I am right now, you are simultaneously sad AND angry.

I am intensely grieved for the victims and families affected by this recent act of senseless violence.

And I am also intensely angry at this, once again, recent act of senseless violence. 

I am really sad and really angry.

So I blog. I have no expectations of making sense of this tragedy but maybe sorting through my thoughts will move me closer to emotional equilibrium.  Maybe reading this will help you progress as well.  I would love to hear your thoughts - please weigh in with your insight and let's help one another along.

1. Do not politicize this tragedy. In an effort to make some sense of this, to come to terms with this, to reach a safe place where this won't happen again, it is so tempting to assign blame to "the other side".  This won't help us heal. Resist that urge. While I am all for security  measures, we must accept that fact that more laws are not the answer. As much as we want to protect ourselves from evil, we cannot.  See #2.

2. Apart from the grace of God, this world is evil. And all who live in it.  This tragedy underscores the truth that the heart is deceitful.  There appear to be no signs that would alert us that this was coming...unless we could see what is in another's heart. And we cannot.  We can't even know our own  hearts! God  created a perfect world that included people with the free exercise of will.  The ability to love and obey Him or to not. And people (that would include you and me, not just Adam and Eve) exercised that free will and ruined His perfect world.  The effects of sin, compounded generation after generation, result in unimaginable evil.    The choices of all people impact all other people.  (We tend to ignore that immutable truth - on small scale and large scale.)  This world is scarred and troubled.  And while we live in it, we are going to be impacted by the actions of others.  Others are impacted by our actions.  And, although I would love to believe that all people are basically good, that is the furthest from Truth that I can get.  All people are basically bad and in need of a Savior.  And I hate this part but I must say it -- all people are capable of all sorts of evil. Man's heart is evil.  Sin has corrupted the human race.   Apart from the grace of God, every one of us has the potential to have been that shooter.

3. God is sovereign. Inevitably, in the face of such horrific acts, we ask, Why did God let this happen?  All those innocent people!   I cannot give an exhaustive answer but I do know that He allows people the freedom to choose.  And for the world to suffer the consequences of those choices. And He is not distant and unmoved and silent.  I believe there were angels all over that concert arena. Guiding.  Directing. Comforting. And He will continue acting in mercy.  See #4.

4. The kindness of God  - I believe that He allows terrible things to happen, not only because they are consequences of the sin of mankind, but also to show His authority and capacity to bring good out of evil.  The shooter intended this for evil but God purposes it for good.  He could have opened up the Earth and swallowed that gunman up...but He didn't.  So, because He allowed it, I know that He is loving and faithful to bring everlasting good from it.  For all who are called by His name and according to His purpose. Already there are thousands of hearts moved to act in response to this evil. People are donating blood, ministering to victims, praying, comforting one another...showing evidence of the grace of God in the lives of men. 

5. The brevity of life. I think  it is safe to say that not one of those people attending that concert planned on not coming home that night.  They expected to get up the next morning, get kids ready for school, go to work, celebrate an enjoyable evening. Instead, their plans were permanently altered.  59 people are in Eternity and hundreds more will never return to the "normal" they knew. What a reminder that Life here is uncertain, brief, and able to change without a moment's notice.

6. What, then are we to do? In the face of these somber truths?  Probably a million things but here are some suggestions for processing our way through this...

- Talk with your kids.  If they are old enough to know what happened, talk with them. Comfort and encourage them. Admit you (we) do not have "the answers" but encourage them with Truth. (see 1-5). 

- Do not become numb to such tragedy and evil.  When I heard news reports of how great the market did Monday, I felt sick. I have no idea what that means or how it relates to this event but just that very report made me face the fact that we are capable of becoming callous to such horror. Dear God, do not let that happen! Instead, let us

- GRIEVE!  Heart-wrenching, body-racking, sobbing grief.  God forbid that we should ever be callous to the consequences of evil.  Events like this should evoke tears and pain and heartache.  Grieve over what has happened.  Grieve for what those victims' families are facing. Cry and sob and hurt.

-Compassion.  This is active grief.  Don't just feel the pain - HELP those that are hurting.  If you live nearby, get off the sofa and do something to help.  I don't know what specifically you can do but find out.  Then do it.  If you don't live nearby, you can still do something.  Ask God to show you.   Donate to a charity in the name of a victim.  Take cookies to the police station in your area just as appreciation for their job.  I don't know what you should do but figure out a way to channel your grief into compassion for others.  Do something!!

-Pray.  This one can sound so glib.  Such a Sunday School answer.  But it's the truth.  Probably the most productive response to evil is to pray.(see Matthew 6:13)  Pray for the families of those who are left.  Pray for the family and friends of the perpetrator.  Pray for those who are handling the investigation, dealing with the aftermath, making decisions.  Pray for those who witnessed it.  Those who survived.  Pray for our nation, our world....our own selves. Pray that God would grant us grace, knowing that we all are capable of falling captive to such evil.  

-Increase the urgency to share the Gospel.  Events like this cruelly remind us of the brevity of this life.  As well as the natural inclination of mankind's heart of sin.  Events like this can be the red alert to the world, telling us all that we need a Savior.  That one day we will all give an account for what we have done.  And, apart from the imputed righteousness of Christ, we don't stand a chance of that day going well for us.  The people in Las Vegas and Orlando and Aurora and Virginia Tech and Columbine....and Watkinsville and Athens and wherever you live...need to know that there is a Savior.  A Savior that can save them from the consequences of their sinful condition.  In Eternity...and right now.  A Savior that can bind up their broken hearts and equip them to face this unbearable pain and to carry on.  A Savior that can even bring healing and beauty and joy.  

- But do not fear.  I repeat, do not fear.  Psalm 23:4 says "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will FEAR NO EVIL."  Our natural response to tragedy is what I call "the bunker mentality".  When the events of 911 unfolded, I wanted all my peeps home.  In the same room with me.  Probably forever.  And while it is good to draw comfort from those we love, we cannot and must not crawl into our bunker, pulling all our children with us, and try to create a perfectly safe environment.  It won't work.  And if we try that, we plant seeds of fear and insecurity in our children.  Seeds that will bloom into all sorts of unproductive weeds.  Instead of recoiling from these tragedies, we must assure our children (and ourselves) that, while evil does exist, God is good.  And He loves us.  He will punish the evildoers and He will take care of us. He will not leave sin unpunished.  We cannot promise them that evil will never befall them but we can promise them that He will never leave us.  That He is the divine alchemist, who can take pain and sorrow and tragedy, and turn it into golden good.  And that one day, one glorious day, those that love Him will get to live in a perfect world.  Where no evil can come in.  

 

It's harvest time. What'd ya plant?

This time of the year, harvest is on the horizon.  Love the end of summer fruits and veggies and the fall delights soon to come.  Makes me think of spiritual parallels...

Blessed is the man
    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is like a tree
    planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
    and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so,
    but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

Psalm 1:1-4

I want that "prospering in all he does" and "yielding fruit" and "not withering" part, don't you?  How can we become women like this?  Instead of ones that get blown away by the winds of life?

Here's what this Psalm exhorts:

1.  Not following wrong counsel.  Sounds simple and straightforward, doesn't it?  But it's not.  Wrong - wicked - counsel is everywhere.  Magazines, well-intentioned friends, talk shows, and blogs :)  It's extremely easy to find (and to follow).  It's harder to learn to discern wise counsel from the wicked.  To recognize lies in contrast to God's ways.  And then to obey it. But that's what successful women learn to do.
 

2. Loving the Truth and the ways of God.  Making God's Word a priority in terms of time and treasure.  Studying it.  Finding joy in it.  It's a challenge to find the time to do this in the midst of all our demands.  But successful women learn that this is the key to meeting all those demands.  Just like we eat because we're hungry, not because we have to - successful women feast on The Word of Life.






When these things characterize a life, that person will be full of life.  Vibrant, constantly nourished by life-giving water.  This life will be like a strong tree that won't be torn down by strong winds.  Its leaves won't dry up when the heat bears down. 


Instead, this life will be a source of fruit for those around it.  Rich.  Abundant.  Prosperous.






One last thought - this fruit is borne "in its season". 


Fruit is borne in one season but it's been planted and fertilized and nurtured throughout preceding ones.


Hmmmmmm. 


May we be ones that are tending to our vines so that the season of fruit production will be rich.

Reposting from August 2014.

Season's Greetings

I don't mean to cause widespread panic here but has anyone noticed that it's only 3 months til Thanksgiving and that means it's only 4 months til Christmas?

GULP

Maybe it's not like this at your house but at mine, I am the one pretty much in charge of these holidays. Including everyone's holiday happiness.  And I am not trying to throw myself a pity party over here but I cannot for the life of me recall signing up for this duty!

Am I reading anybody else's mail???

 I don't like the stress and pressure and chaos that this upcoming season tries to throw at us. Any I don't think you do, either.  So I am gonna do something about it! Nope, I am not cancelling Christmas this year! No Grinch wanna be's allowed!

Let's blog some ideas on how we keep the holidays from causing us to resign from motherhood - please send me (either email, snail mail,or even comments to this post) some things you do or have done that help keep this season HOLY...seeing how it's supposed to be HOLY DAYS and all...

Anything from meal planning to budget tips to gift ideas to meaningful celebrations.  Please send these my way!  You were over the top awesome when I asked for your input on loneliness (look for some posts on that coming soon - AND listen out for my next visit with Jules on The Jules Show 88.9 FM - I'll let you know when that date will be - we're gonna talk about loneliness!)   Your feedback has been really helpful as I compile thoughts on that subject and I'd like to do more of the same on the holidays.

Thanks, girlfriends!!!

You can reach me at chamfam@bellsouth.net

Merry Christmas!

The path to joy

(This post originally appeared in August 2013)

Psalm 16:11 is definitely one of my most favorite verses.  We've already looked at it in another context (the path of life) but today let's focus on the joy part.  God tells us in this verse that in His presence is fullness of joy.  Psalm 15 tells us how to get into His presence so that we can find that fullness of joy.....


O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent?

Who shall dwell on your holy hill?

2 He who walks blamelessly and does what is right

and speaks truth in his heart;

3 who does not slander with his tongue

and does no evil to his neighbor,

nor takes up a reproach against his friend;

4 in whose eyes a vile person is despised,

but who honors those who fear the Lord;

who swears to his own hurt and does not change;

5 who does not put out his money at interest

and does not take a bribe against the innocent.

He who does these things shall never be moved.

I see 10 things in this  Psalm that describe the path to joy...

1.  Blameless living.  Note that I didn't say perfect but blameless.  The word used here does not mean unblemished but rather without fault.  Big difference.  Unblemished would mean that we were without sin.....without fault means that God no longer finds us guilty.  That is only possible if we are in Christ.  Even if we were to somehow be able to do all the other things listed in this passage, if we are not blameless, then we cannot get into His presence.  Therefore, no fullness of joy.

2.  Does right.  Pretty simple.  Does right.  When I was a little girl, my Mama's parting words many days would be "You do right, now".  I knew exactly what she meant.  Do the right thing.  I don't know if Mama realized that her counsel was more than just avoiding trouble, it was also the path to joy.  Do right.

3.  Speaks truth in his heart.  Speaking truth in our hearts is more than telling the truth.  It's knowing what the truth it....and believing it.  Not being deceived.  Telling ourselves the truth.  Since we behave what we believe, this results in speaking...and living...the truth.  We need to ask the Lord frequently to show us any areas where we are not speaking the truth in our hearts so that He can remove the deceit....so that we can walk the path to joy.

4. Next thing that leads us to fullness of joy is to not slander other people.  News flash - what we do to others affects our own measure of joy.  Slandering others - saying things that reduce another's opinion of someone - is not the path to joy.  Even though we might be tempted to think so in the short term.  My husband often tells our children that there are two ways a tree can feel tall-- grow tall itself or cut down all the other tall trees in the forest so that it can feel tall in comparison.  Point made.

5.  Interesting how the psalmist separates speaking evil and doing evil.  Making a double point, perhaps?  One who wants to live in joy does not take revenge, do harm, or fail to pay the debt of love we owe to others.  Tall order.

6.  Does not take up reproach.  The word means not to blame others.  Sounds like forgiveness, doesn't it?  Path to joy....forgiveness....connection.....

7.  In whose eyes a vile person is despised.  That doesn't sound right!  Aren't we supposed to love everyone????  Yes we are but this verse is commanding us to  not place value on evil things.  Very clear connection between loving to be with vile people and lack of joy.  Even though sin may seem attractive/desirable and there may be pleasure in sin for a season, it will eventually turn out to bring very undesirable consequences.  Proverbs puts it this way - " Stolen bread tastes sweet, but it turns to gravel in the mouth." (20:17).  Path to joy -- hate evil.  And do not associate with evil people.

8.  Honor those who fear the Lord.  Loving God's people is for sure one of the best ways to experience fullness of joy.  Honoring them -- loving them, serving them, valuing them.  I am practically shouting amen at my computer.  This is one of the wonderful things in my life -- loving God's people. 

9.  Swears to his own hurt and does not change.  Keeps his word.  Even when it's inconvenient.  I won't get on a soapbox or anything but I'll just say that my own experience has shown that when a Christian violates this principle, it not only short-circuits his/her own joy, but it also robs other people of joy.  Then, I guess, we need to apply principle number 6 - not taking up a reproach.....

10.  Last principle for joy given here - not taking advantage of people.  Not doing things that can be to my benefit but someone else's detriment.

So, for one who is in Christ, this is the path to joy.  If you're lacking in that department, ask the Lord where the problem is.  Here's 10 to choose from. 

Oh, one last thing to add to our joy.  If we do these things, not only will we be full of joy, we will never be shaken.  Wow.  What a promise!!