Growth: It's a Good Thing  April 13, 2011

     Growth...it's a good thing! When it comes to nature, I do not think anyone would argue with that declaration. We all love to see spring come; we look forward to the telltale signs of growth all around us.

     However, growth, when it comes to us as human beings, is not always looked forward to or enjoyed. The process is difficult, strenuous even. Sometimes we actually run from growth or, perhaps I should say, the process of growth.

     When we look at the growth we see in nature, it seems almost effortless. It just is...right?! Yet, I can tell you the only reason why we mistakenly believe that lie is that we as individuals do not have to toil in order for it to happen.

     Growth in us, on the other hand, only comes with consistent effort and discipline and is often a byproduct of our having walked through a major challenge in this life. Character is tested; faith is tested; values and belief systems are tested. And hopefully, growth is the outcome!

     You can not run from growth if you wish to reach your full capacity. You must learn not to plunge your head in the sand (out of fear of the unknown).  You must not sit on the sidelines waiting for someone else to make a move (out of laziness or that "I really can't be bothered" attitude that can affect us all from time to time). You can not afford to retreat from life simply because it has not dealt you a fair hand.

     You must make a decision today...and every day...to seize the opportunities placed in front of you to grow and mature. You must determine in your heart that you will be a person who chooses to step out in faith. You must actively participate in life. You must seize every moment of every day no matter the cards you have been dealt.

     I am reminded of a particularly difficult time in my life when I was being forced to grow mentally, emotionally, spiritually,... I think you get the picture! Well, one day in the middle of everything I heard a song on the radio, and it seemed to more than echo what I myself had been crying out, day and night. The song was entitled Growing¹, and the chorus went something like this:

                                 

I'm growing.  I don't like it. 

I'm growing, and it hurts. 

I love You, but I'm tired. 

Guess I've got a lot to learn. 

Yeah, I guess I've got a lot to learn.

 

     Can't say that I enjoy the growth process any more now than I did then! However, I can tell you that it is worth it in the end. So...don't give up...and don't quit. There is too much at stake, and too many people who are waiting to stand back and watch in awe as you bloom and grow into the wonderful creation God intends.

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¹Growing by Wayne Watson from the album The Way Home, © Material Music, 1998.

 

Stephanie's Note: the following Note from the Heart was written by a friend, Dr. Jim McCray

of Lancaster, OH. His insights were so good that I wanted to share them with you.

The Pendulum February 7, 2011

 

This morning I was praying and reflecting and God spoke to me concerning my favorite

analogy, the Pendulum. The pendulum can be pushed way to the left or way to the

right and can swing between the two extremes. However, the Pendulum is only at rest

and in peace when it is in the middle.

On one side is Doing everything in my power to accomplish what God has for me. The

Goal is great but the effort is all me. I forget about the miracle working power of God

and lean only on His direction and my ability.

The other side of the pendulum is Waiting for God to do it all.  Waiting for the miracle.

Once again, the Goal is great but responsibility is misplaced. I assume that God is just

going to bless and give me what I desire without me doing anything.

Too often I swing from one to the other.

The center is where there is peace and rest.  It is where I do what God has called me

to do and look for His Miracles to make up the difference. When I know that I have

been doing my part, it is time to let God show up and show out, so He can get the Glory.

I don't know if this applies to your current situation, but I just wanted to share it with you.

 

~Jim McCray, DDS (Lancaster, OH)

 

Able to Minister

November 4, 2010

 

He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant - not ofthe letter but of the

Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (2 Corinthians 3:6)

There are days when I am tempted to question my abilities, days that I wonder if

I have what it takes to take this glorious Gospel we have been given out to the nations.

When I am tempted to feel this way, I turn to the Scripture above and meditate on its truth.

 

 The dictionary tells me that competent means "having requisite or adequate ability or qualities"

as well as "legally qualified or adequate" (Merriam Webster). Therefore, not only do I have the requisite

abilities and qualities needed to minister this free gift of salvation we have been given, but I

also am legally qualified to act on God's behalf as His messenger or emissary.  Jesus Christ

Himself gave me His authority to do so. (Matthew 28:16-20)

 

My competence lies in Christ! Yours lies in Christ too... Don't let the enemy cause you

to question God's Word to you. Let's go out and be the able ministers He has promised

us that we are. Let's share this abundant life we have been given.

 

 

 

 

Childlike Faith

August 7, 2010

One of the children at CrossPointe Church gave the attached picture to me

this past Thursday evening. While I was leading a devotional/Bible study,

Ashton (who just started 2nd gr.) was drawing.  Each time she would finish a 

picture she would come around behind me and hold up her latest creation.

 

The first was "Jesus is Love"....

The Second was "Jesus Loves Me."

The third was the one I have attached. Oh to have the faith of a little child!

 

 

 

Reminds me of the well-loved and often sung children's song Jesus Loves Me:

 

Jesus loves me! this I know,

For the Bible tells me so;

Little ones to Him belong;

They are weak, but He is strong.

 

Yes! Jesus loves me!

Yes! Jesus loves me!

Yes! Jesus loves me!

The Bible tells me so.

 

Jesus loves me! He who died

Heaven's gate to open wide;

He will wash away my sin,

Let His little child come in.

 

Yes! Jesus loves me!

Yes! Jesus loves me!

Yes! Jesus loves me!

The Bible tells me so.

 

 Jesus loves me! He wil stay

Close beside me all the way;

Then His little child will take

Up to heaven, for His dear sake.

 

Yes! Jesus loves me!

Yes! Jesus loves me!

Yes! Jesus loves me!

The Bible tells me so.

 

 

Thoughts on God's Word

June 22, 2010

As I was reading Psalm 119 a few moments ago, I was struck by the Psalmists cry, "Open my eyes that I might see wonderful things in your Law." (v. 18, NIV) What a cry of the heart! Yes, I long to have the Lord to open my eyes (my spiritual eyes) so that I might see (truly see) the WONDERFUL things in His Word!!

 

How often do I read God's Word without taking the time to ask Him to open our eyes? How often do you? His Word is His desire for me, His plan for me, His gift to me. Should not I, should not you, ask Him--the Giver of the Gift--to show us the wonderful things that are buried within? For who else will be able to illuminate us, show us its treasures?

 

My challenge to all who read this Thought on God's Word is to begin to deliberately ask the Lord to open your eyes to the wonderful things found within His Law, His Word! Let it become the cry of your heart; do not go a day without asking this of Him. When you do, I know that I know that I know He will open the eyes of your understanding...moment by moment, day by day, week, by week, month by month, and year by year....until you will no longer recognize your former selves. By seeing and understanding more and more of the the wondrous things to be found in His Word....you shall be changed...forever.

 

 

Musings on Love

(2.13.10)

 

With this being Valentine's Day weekend I found myself thinking about that four letter word we all seem to be searching for. Am sure each of us have a different take on the holiday and all the various ways people celebrate, but I want to bring it back to LOVE, true love. So, here goes...

 

Love is not a feeling (not a warm fuzzy as my high school youth pastor used to say, often); it does not happen to you (sorry, Cupid); it is not a burst of passion (there goes all those romantic fantasies); it is not words (alone).  Rather, it is a choice—a choice followed by corresponding action.

 

St. Thomas Aquinas said it this way: “Love is the effective willing of the good of the other.”  C.S. Lewis also described it as “a steady wish for the loved person's ultimate good as far as it can be obtained.”  Love, therefore, is not centered inward, but outward.  True love is wanting the very best for someone else and then doing everything within your power to make that happen.

 

Simply put, if you love someone, it is their well-being about which you are concerned (not getting your needs met).  If you love someone, you are willing to do anything and everything to see that person succeed, see their needs met, see their dreams come true (even if it means putting what you need, what you want, and what you dream aside).

 

Now, I know this is a tall order.  In fact, it seems like it would be nigh unto impossible.  And it will be if you leave out the most important factor in this love equation.  What would that factor be?  (Better stated: Who would that factor be?)  That would be God.  For, He is love—the true kind of love— and it is only from Him and through Him that we will be able to successfully love those who are placed in our lives (whether we think they hung the moon or they are the thorns in our sides).

 

The convincing proof we need is found throughout God’s love letter to us, the Bible. The Lord Himself acted upon His desire to see that we, His creation, experienced first hand the good He had in store for us: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NIV)

 

As for me, I will be honest.  Love—God’s definition of love—is something I have to work at, daily. And the only real way to see how I am doing is to measure myself by His Word…specifically by using I Corinthians 13 as my yard stick.  First, I remind myself that this is a definition of God Himself; therefore, this is the way He acts toward me since He Himself is love embodied according to I John 4 (vv. 8 and 16).  So, when I read I Corinthians 13, I exchange love with God since they are one and the same.  Let me show you what I mean?

 

The New International Version reads as follows:

⁴Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. ⁸Love never fails.

So when I replace love with God, it comes out looking something like this:

⁴God is patient, God is kind. He does not envy, He does not boast, He is not proud. ⁵God is not rude, He is not self-seeking, He is not easily angered, He keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶God does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷He always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. ⁸God never fails.

Next, I make it personal.  I know that God shed His love abroad in my heart (Romans 5:5) when I accepted Him as Lord and Savior, so I should see myself in Him and in this living definition of love:

⁴God’s love in me is patient. [Therefore, I am patient.] God’s love in me is kind. [Therefore, I am kind.] [And because God’s love dwells in me] I do not envy, I do not boast, I am not proud. ⁵I am not rude, I am not self-seeking, I am not easily angered, I keep no record of wrongs. ⁶I do not delight in evil but rejoice with the truth. ⁷God’s love operating in and through me will always protect, always trust, always hope, always persevere. ⁸God’s love operating in and through me never fails.

Doing this always clears the fog around any given situation in which I find myself – quickly, I might add. Am I saying it is easy to do this?  Easy to really love the way God loves?  Not hardly. Am I saying that it is absolutely necessary?  Most definitely.  Why?  Because if I do not operate in this type of love than the beginning of the same chapter will apply to me, and I do not want that to be so:

 

¹If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love [God’s love], I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ²If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love [God’s love], I am nothing. ³If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love [God’s love], I gain nothing.

 

So, although it is wonderful to have someone in your life who you might be able to call your Valentine, what are you gaining in the end if it is not real love [God’s kind of love]? 

 

That being said, I am not slamming Valentine’s Day or romantic love.  I certainly want the warm fuzzies and the Happily Ever After.  Don’t you?  But we must be ever vigilant to remind ourselves that those things do not make up love, real love.  They are love’s bonus!

 

Today and every day (not just on Valentine’s Day) I want those I meet to be drawn to the God who dwells within me, the One who saved me and gave me a purpose.  How is that going to happen if I am not allowing love [God’s definition of love, that is] to dictate my actions and my speech? 

 

So, why does the world put so much stock in Valentine’s Day?  Well, according to a popular song, “What the world needs now is love, sweet love. It’s the only thing that there’s much too little of”^1[1]  So, who better than Christians to share what real love is?  We have the very best to offer…don’t we! 

 

That being the case, let’s take the opportunity that Valentine’s Day presents us with…whether you are single, dating, or married.  First, let’s start by measuring ourselves against God’s Word.  It will quickly let us know if we are measuring up and pinpoint where we still need some work.  Second, let’s go out and put love to the test and watch what happens….because, you know, LOVE NEVER FAILS!!!

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[1] David, Hal (lyricist) and Burt Bacharach (music). “What the World Needs Now Is Love.”

 

 

 

Be a Servant! Me? But I Am a Leader!

Our Savior, Jesus Christ, made it very clear to his disciples that they were to serve. He demonstrated this to them by washing their feet as they celebrated what would be His last Passover meal on earth. The cross awaited Him, but they could not understand that ultimate act of sacrifice, so he did something tangible, something they could understand - the washing of dirty feet after a long day (typically the job of a lowly household servant). (If you would like to hear more, order the CD on this very subject. You can find it on the audio/video page of this website: http://www.ftfi.org/audiovideo.asp.)

Another man, one in the 20th century, also taught on being a servant. His name was John Greenleaf. Read his own words to catch a glimpse of what we might be missing:

"The servant-leader is servant first ... It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. He is sharply different from one who is leader first, perhaps because of the need to assuage an unusual power drive or to acquire material possessions. ... The difference manifests itself in the care taken by the servant-first to make sure that other people's highest priority needs are being served. The best test, and difficult to administer is: Do those served grow as persons? Do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants? And, what is the effect on the least privileged in society? Will they benefit or at least not be further deprived?"

So, as we wrap up this current year and look toward a new one, I believe it would benefit all of us who fancy ourselves as leaders to take stock/evaluate and then determine whether we are truly fulfilling Christ's mandate to be servants fist and foremost.

His Unfailing Love

Oh my! The longer I think about God's unfailing love...the more I am amazed by Him and His "can not be contained, can not be measured, never fails, never fades, never gives up (especially on me)" kind of love. It is a love that I am endeavoring to understand more and more. How awesome is His love toward us...He gave His one and only Son to redeem us from the Curse of the Law, the Curse of Sin and Death. The longer I consider it...the more I realize that I have only begun to comprehend such a love. My prayer...my heart's cry...that I would be able to walk in such love. Thank you, Lord, that your Word promises me that Your love has been shed abroad in my heart and in the heart of every single believer in Christ Jesus.

 

 A Sunday Afternoon Ramble

I don’t know about you, but I grew up on Sunday afternoon drives through the countryside that were usually followed by a nap or a visit with family out on a front porch or patio. We were never allowed to do anything rowdy on Sundays; we were taught that Sunday was ordained by God to be a day of rest. I am so very thankful that I learned that lesson early on, but I have found that I must continually remind myself to enjoy the day the Lord has made, to be quiet before Him, and to rest on His Sabbath.

This past Sunday I chose (yes, I said chose) to take an afternoon ramble through one of the picturesque neighborhoods in Columbus, Ohio. The weatherman was already calling for a drop in temperatures, and so a warm day out of doors seemed to be in order. It is spring….and I wanted to catch a peak at God’s creation coming back to life again after a winter of dormancy.

It turned out to be my date with the Lord. It was just the two of us. I put on walking shoes, picked up my camera, got into the car, and drove to a favorite park of mine where the dogs are allowed to run loose, families are often seen picnicking, friends play games of Frisbee, pick-up basketball or tennis, and fisherman (both young and old) try to hone their  casting skills in the pond.

 As I walked, I snapped pics of daffodils, forsythia, tulip poplar, Bradford pear, tulips, crocus, hyacinths, Persian violets, pansies, azaleas, and whatever else caught my eye.  I smiled at families and dog owners alike.  I took previously unknown paths.  I meandered up and down avenues and even ventured into a street or two just to capture the right photograph.  All the while, I was enjoying my Sabbath day of rest.  All the while, I was realizing that I was entering a season of spring as well…one where I was meant to be revitalized and energized by my Creator. We walked and talked, and He ministered to my heart in the quiet of a day filled with His beauty. Would that I, would that you, would take the time and make the choice to keep our Sabbath day of rest! Oh, how much better we would face the challenges that each week holds for us if we were just to spend a few hours of deliberate rest in the presence of our Creator, our Father God. Be still, and know that He is God…

  

Musings from the Road (#1)

    Friday the 13th was a busy day for me. After sleeping on and off for a few hours I awakened before my alarm...at 3:25 AM. Had to finish packing and make it to the airport by 6 AM.

    With pre-printed boarding passes I made my way to the counter and began the check-in process for my flight to Orange County, California (a.k.a. Santa Ana; a.k.a John Wayne International Airport). Two flights later...a wee bit of sleep...and a venti hot chocolate from Starbuck's to sustain me...I made it.

    As always the flight over our great United States put me in awe of our Creator. Plains (although I slept over most of those), desert, and mountains (snow-capped, of course) were viewed through my small window on the world and seen pre and post wing....but oh how beautiful they were. We serve a God of vast imagination!

    After picking up luggage I made my way to the curb to wait for my ride.  While standing there I had the prime opportunity to watch humans from varied walks of life and nations acting...well...human. Each tried to have their own way. From parking in a no parking zone to talking on a cell phone (without a hands free device) to refusing to "buckle up" these humans pushed their boundary lines as I stood there and watched. (However, I will also have to say that I saw many a sweet reunion in the process.)

    The funny thing was this...there were 3-4 Orange County Sheriff Deputies standing there at all times, ticket books in hand. I even watched one deputy get up in the face of (with only the driver's side window between) and yell a very nasty ultimatum to the man who was behind the wheel. The same man then parked his truck in the no parking zone, got out, and moved over to a lady whose bag he took and then placed in the bed of the truck. However, that did not mean he moved his vehicle or did the "right" thing. He then proceeded to have a "smoke" and a chat with the lady, all the while knowing that he was bending the law....or should I say breaking the law....under the eyes and noses of those whose job it was to defend and protect.

    His direct rebellion started me thinking. How often have I pushed my limits, even broken the laws of the One who rules and reigns in my kingdom, my true kingdom, the Kingdom of God? How often have I, knowing that what I was about to do, was in direct opposition to God's Word, His Commandments, knowing full well that it was not just His representatives (e.g., the deputies in my story) that stood beside me.  For, I have the Greater One resident within me. He never leaves me nor forsakes me, right?! So, when I walk in disobedience, when I insist on my own way, when I flaunt my bad or selfish behavior...my primary audience is the Very One to Whom I owe my citizenship in the Kingdom. What audacity!

   Watching these scenes played out before my eyes at the airport caused me to renew my desire to always walk in line with God's Word. Watching the ugliness of "human nature" displayed just feet away from where I stood got my attention.  It is God's nature in me that I must continue to develop.

   Why? Just as I was a "watcher" of the behavior of men and women who were coming and going at the airport, so there are those who will always be watching me as I come and go through life. What will they see when they look on? Will they see my human nature or my God nature displayed?    

  Selah....pause and think about that...

  

Standing...and Then Standing Some More

     The Word of God tells us that we are to stand...stand firm! This, sometimes, is easier said than done. That is when tenacity....sheer determination...and a reliance that the Lord is on your side comes into play. Without those three it will be much easier to fold under pressure.

     Another key to standing when the 'going gets tough' is to keep yourself surrounded by believers who will encourage and support you. I have found that the Lord uses others to speak words of grace and strength when we most need them. This is why it is so very important to nourish our God-given relationships.

     When I was in bible school I was known for saying something. I often would ask others: "Who are you going to call in the middle of the night when you are out on the field and need help?" The reason behind this question was that I saw some who were so focused on getting through school that they forgot or ignored those the Lord had placed around them...people who would be able (and willing) to stand the test of time.

     I am so very thankful for all those the Lord has placed in my life...those who continuously encourage me personally to be all that God created me to be. Often times I do not even think that some of them know that they were God's messenger to me, at that time. For example, I just had a conversation with a former roommate who now lives in Sweden. The Lord used her today to bless and encourage me -- geographical location and time were inconsequential. I stepped away from our conversation strengthened...better able to keep STANDING.

      I pray that you will be surrounded by those who will hold up your arms when you become weary, those who will offer you water when you are parched, those who will pour the oil on your wounds when you have been in the battle, and those who will pray for you when you are in need. May you be blessed by God-given friends who love the Lord with all of their heart, soul, mind, and strength and who love you just as they love themselves.  Stephanie

   

Relax...God's in Charge

Wow! That catches your attention, doesn't it? At least it does mine. It is so easy to begin to think that we are the ones in charge...but what a lie that is! For, it is the Lord God Who holds us in the very palm of His hand. It is the Lord Who Provides. It is the Lord Who makes a way where there seems to be no way.

I can try to solve a problem in a myriad of different ways....through my own strength, my own "know how", my own ability... The only problem is that brings everything back to ME, not God. It is just another of those I, me, my, mine traps we can fall into...and boy, doesn't the enemy enjoy watching us fall.

Today...tomorrow....and for the rest of your life....don't forget that you serve an awesome God Who knows the end from the beginning, Whose plan is always the best.

Just know...that I am speaking to myself first. It is imperative that I keep the Lord first...keep Him the one in charge....NOT ME!

 

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