Category: 2013 Posts

Posted on in 2013 Posts

Clueless in D.C.

I’m sure you all have heard of the movies, “Sleepless in Seattle,” and “Maid in Manhattan.”  Jim and I are going to write one titled, “Clueless in D.C.”  Although in light of the recent news, someone may beat us to that title.

IMG_2142I don’t want to bore you with our stories of cancelled flights, different airports, changed rental car details, etc.  However, after all of that, when they told us we were in room 4-1-1, it should have been a sign.  Some of you might not remember those days, but in the past when we needed to look up a phone number, we didn’t talk to Siri or pull up Google.  We had to dial 4-1-1.  A nice operator would answer the phone and you would give her the name and city of the person you were trying to reach.  They would look it up, tell you the number and then you would dial it on your rotary phone or later touch tone phone to make your call.  So, with that lengthy explanation, there we were, what felt like country-folk in the big city, assigned to room 4-1-1.  At least it wasn’t in room 9-1-1 or 1313 or something like that!

The whole reason we went was to go to a wedding of a wonderful friend.   However, on our last day there, we decided to buy a metro pass and headed into the big city.  Jim had never been there before to sight-see so I decided that first and foremost, he needed to see the monuments.  He was really interested in seeing some of the Smithsonian Museums, too, so we set out to do that, as well.  The first one that intrigued us was, “The Castle.”  If you know me, you know I don’t do well in museums.  However, this building was cool enough, architecturally, that I was interested in going inside as we were passing by. Somehow until that moment, I missed the part about the Smithsonian buildings having something to do with a guy named Smithson who left a lot of money to the government.  When we walked into The Castle, just inside the door, was a tomb that housed the crypt of James Smithson, himself.  Then there was a small gift shop and some administrative offices.  Boring.  We left.

After studying Answers in Genesis with Ken Ham materials, I wasn’t all that thrilled to see the next building, either.  It was full of bones that had been dug up from dinosaurs from what they say was from millions of years ago.  They were hanging from the ceilings and kind of cool except I questioned the legitimacy of everything I was seeing.  Thanks, Ken!  It probably didn’t help to see an advertisement about evolution on the sidewalk before I even walked in.  It set the tone and basically went against everything I believe to be true.  Then there was a section with dead animals that were stuffed and others that were in big glass jars so you could get an up close look at all of the dead things.  I guess I’m spoiled, but here in Cincinnati, if I want to learn about mammals I go to the zoo.  If I want to learn about the ocean, I visit the aquarium.  I didn’t want to disappoint Jim, but all of this dead stuff was not going to keep my attention for long.  We needed to move on. I just couldn’t take it.  Besides, I knew the Lincoln Memorial would be way cooler and I didn’t want him to miss out.

lincolnI have always admired Abe Lincoln as an entrepreneur and as a Godly leader.  He had a lot of losses, trials, and defeats in his life but he never gave up until he made a difference for having been here.  I love that about him.  Three and one-half hours after walking non-stop from the time we originally set out to find his memorial, we found ourselves finally standing at the bottom of the steps leading to his memorial.

I know.  We had metro passes.  We should’ve gotten pretty close and been able to walk there quickly. (Yes, we were clueless in D.C.  It never occurred to me to pull up an app.  I must be getting old.  On the bright side, I am sure we saw things very few see as they ride boring tour buses all over town!)  As we got to the top of the steps we paused to take in the statue and read the words from the speeches he had given while he was president.  I believe that no matter what people say, he was a man who knew God and sought His direction in everything that he did.  I was so excited to share this moment with Jim who I knew would be patriotically inspired.  He was.

Even though we were clueless, God clued me in on a few things while we were there.  I realize the more time I am a Christian, the lower tolerance I have for stuff in this world that just doesn’t matter.  There were hundreds of people spending countless hours walking through museums looking at dead stuff.  I heard one man trying to explain to his young son just why they were looking at these dead, stuffed animals.  It really didn’t end well as the youngster couldn’t understand the concept either.

Through all of this though, I realized one thing.  I am so grateful to serve a God of the living.  He is the One that caught and has kept my attention for nearly 30 years now. I was also reminded that each one of us was created with eternal life in mind.  I don’t have to wander through museums of the dead to get to know the Creator who created it all and is still alive and well today.  What a joy it is to know that as I wander aimlessly through life, I will never be lost again.  It may take me 3.5 hours to find a monument of a man that went before us and made a difference.  However, I can simply pray and ask to be put on the straight and narrow path that leads to the Creator of it all, Himself.  What a joy it is to know that my own personal 4-1-1 is just a prayer away.  All I need to do is call on the One that holds the map to where I’m going and Who will gently guide my way to life everlasting!  No app required!

I do have to add…while we were at the Lincoln Memorial, a group from South Africa had received a permit to stand on the plaza and sing, Amazing Grace.  It seemed so appropriate that they would be singing…I once was lost but now am found.  God sent them a long way to bring His message to America…and as a confirmation to me… Through many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; ’tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.

Have a great week and don’t forget to get out there and be a blessing!

1Timothy 4:10 (NIV) That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

 

Posted on in 2013 Posts

Let Me Tell You About My Ah-Ha Moment!

suprised meI absolutely LOVE serving the Lord!  It is not always easy and I’m never the most popular doing it.  However, I consider it a huge privilege every time He appoints me for a job.  I am finding that even though He uses me to share His message, it’s not because I’m a good teacher.  It is usually because He wants to teach me an important lesson.  Teachers often are the ones who learn the most when they teach!

This last month as I prepared for a retreat I spoke at yesterday and for the Bible study I taught after speaking, I struggled to get it done.  It seemed that my schedule was so hectic that when it came time to study and plan, I was WORN out!  As I worked on the final pieces Friday night, it dawned on me… “This lesson is for me!”

I have always been very timid about teaching the Bible as I feel very under-qualified to say the least.  However, I agreed to teach a lesson on Elijah that showed how when he allowed his physical condition to deteriorate—not getting enough rest, not eating right, and over-exerting himself to the max physically, his outlook on life became very bleak. Although he had one of the most arduous ministries in one of Israel’s darkest times, he allowed himself to become so tired that he literally found himself under a tree, all alone, whining…woe is me!  This was even after he had seen God do mighty things right in front of his eyes just a short time before that and knew better.  He was actually at a point in his ministry he simply wanted to be done and die.  He had lost sight of God and all of His power while he focused totally on himself, even to the point of believing he was the only believer left.  His perspective was not reality but his physical condition made him feel that it was.

I woke up the morning of the retreat and did my devotion as I typically do while I drink my first cup of coffee.  I was still feeling a little alone and concerned whether or not I was the right person to lead the Bible study.  However, as I read, right there in front of me was the scripture from my lesson I was teaching in 1 Kings 19:12 that afternoon.  It said, “After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.”  I had been so busy lately that I was beginning to panic thinking God wasn’t going to be there for me when I taught the lesson even when I intellectually knew better.  However, He was faithful, once again, to show up Saturday morning in His quiet and calm way as I read the Bible.  This simple verse assured me instantly that He had it all under control.  He was going to meet me there and His Holy Spirit would guide me that day.  I was not alone!  I never was!  He was there all the time.  I was just too busy and tired lately to remember it!

Another part of the study went on to add the verse in 1Peter 5:8—Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.  Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.  It is easy to teach others about the need to surround themselves with other Christians who will speak truth into their lives when their perspective is skewed for some reason or another.  However, I know that when I get tired, I’m the first to start pulling away from everyone in my world.  Just as the lion uses the tactic of separating its prey from the rest of the group so it can attack; so he does the same to believers when they allow themselves to become isolated because of tiredness, hurt feelings, illness, or for whatever reason when they pull away from others who would typically encourage them.

So this week’s lesson I learned is:

  1. I need to take care of myself physically…nutrition, rest and even exercise.  Ouch.  Had to say that last word…sorry.  If I don’t, I may find myself too distraught or unfocused to even know He is trying to get my attention.
  2. I need to have quiet times in my life so that when God whispers, I hear. If I wait for Him to shoot down a lighting strike or send a note on a string like Charlie the Tuna used to get…some of you young’ns won’t get that…go ask your mom…it will never come!  If my life is too busy and noisy…I may never hear His voice. I might even think He has abandoned me!
  3. I need to allow other people into my life so that when I get down and discouraged, they can help me get my perspective back on the truth.  If I isolate myself from others, my perspective might become something other than reality.

Thank you, Lord for your still small voice that speaks truth to me…even when I am supposed to be the teacher.  Although this is another busy week, I am going to be doing some rearranging.  I’m going to be saying “no” to some things while saying “yes” to some down time.  I am also going to make an effort to go to our small group that starts back up this week even when I don’t feel the strength to go.

Who do you have in your life holding you accountable?  Have you allowed yourself to be separated from the pack?  Are you taking the time to take care of yourself physically?  How about spiritually?  I pray that this week we all take the time to listen for God’s quiet direction in our lives.  Until next week…blessings!

Posted on in 2013 Posts

You’re Never Too Old To Hear God’s Call…

Pastor Roy with my daughter, Jamie, and grandkids.
Pastor Roy with my daughter, Jamie, and grandkids.

I had a lady tell me the other day that since she’s getting older in life, she just doesn’t feel as useful as she used to feel in her younger days.  She said earlier in life she used to volunteer at the church and other organizations and it gave her a sense of worth.  Now, with an aching back and not being able to stand for a long period of time, she just can’t find as much to do to give of her time and talents.

I can feel her frustration as at times even in my 50’s I get to feeling old and used up.  I can only imagine when I get to my 70’s like she is, how it must be.  However, I look around and there is another couple in our church who are up in their years and always going and doing for others despite their health limitations.  I’ve always told them, “I want to be like you when I grow up!”  I tease, but really…I’m serious.  My heart’s desire is to serve God fervently for the rest of my days…whatever that might look like.

How I serve in my 70’s and 80’s may not look anything like it did in my 20’s or even 50’s, though.  However, it is important that we never retire in our service to the Lord.  As a matter of fact, as we age, a lot of things we used to do change and evolve as God points us in different directions throughout our lives.  In a recent show on PBS, The Truth About Entrepreneurs: Twice As Many Are Over 50 Than Under 25 it really made me think.  As these over 50 people gain experience in the marketplace, they often realize a great void in their vocation.  Having wisdom from their life experience, they confidently step out, often with their own life savings, to make a difference in their world.  I’m full of facts today, but here’s another one.  According to an article by Martin Kelly, “The majority of the presidents (of the U.S.) were between the ages of 50 and 59 when they were elected into office. The youngest elected president was John F. Kennedy at age 43. The oldest elected president was Ronald Reagan at age 69.”  Again, a story about “world changers” well after 50 years of age.

I can’t help but point out, it often seems to be very similar in our spiritual lives.  I remember as a new Christian seeking and studying fervently to find out how I could hear God’s voice and know for sure He wanted me to do something.  As a 50+ woman today, I just pray and step out doing what I think God is asking me to do.  I am confident that if I’m doing the wrong thing, He is going to let me know!  He never leaves me out in the cold.  I know this as I have learned from my life experiences.

Last night my daughter and I went to dinner with a good friend from India and one of the Godliest men I know.  We met Pastor Roy when we went on a mission trip to India and have stayed in contact for over 13 years watching his ministry grow and sometimes struggle, as he obediently follows God’s lead in his daily journeys.  He is an amazing man that when I met him had planted about 5 churches in his country.  Today he has 11.  He also oversees a home for young girls that have been rejected or whose parents can no longer take care of them. He even organized a helping ministry for widows as a result of seeing the need they had after the tsunami several years ago.  The amazing thing is, Pastor Roy didn’t even know and accept the Lord as his Savior until he was 48 years old!  At a time when some are winding down and planning for retirement in 20 years, he was just beginning.  At the age of 84, he is still hearing God’s call and moving forward!  I want to be like him when I grow up, don’t you?

We all want to feel as though we have worth.  I can’t think of anything that gives a person more worth in this life as when they are serving the Lord.  Whether it is a phone call, a note to a friend, praying for someone, leading worship, writing a blog, an encouraging word, organizing a small group, planting a church or whatever God has asked you to do…it has worth.  As what we do in this life for the Kingdom will be the only thing that matters when our life here is done.

What is God asking you to do today?  Are you feeling afraid or not equipped for the task?  Remember…He is the One Who will supply all of your needs.  Pray for the Holy Spirit to give you guidance and wisdom as you step out into your world to make a difference.

Trust Him!

Joshua 1:9 (NKJV)  …Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Philippians 1:9-11 (NKJV) And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.