An Example For Us To Follow

Life is often times difficult and there are no easy answers.  So what are we to do?  Where are we to turn?  Let us look to history.  For those who have gone before us, have left us an example that we should follow.

Job was a man "down on his luck" as we would say.  He had every right to be angry and bitter, to question God.  He was an upright man who lost everything, his family, possessions and health.  All the things we hold so dear.  He could not understand why God had allowed it and his friends were no help.  Job found himself at that place of asking, "why?".  He even cried out bitterly, "It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God and consent to Him" (Job 34:9).

Job deserved an answer, right?  Well, he didn't get one and often we don't either.  Instead, God spoke of His power and sovereignty over the earth.  He questioned Job about creation saying, "Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?  Brace yourself like a man; I will question you and you shall answer me.  Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?  Tell me if you understand." (Job 38:2-4).  Who are we to think we know better than God?

Job's response was surrender.  He declared, "Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know...Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes." (Job 42:3,6).  Job trusted in the sovereignty of God and in due time he was blessed more than before (Job 42:17).

 It is only in complete surrender to God that our souls will find rest.  "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him.  He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.  My salvation and my honor depend on God; He is my mighty rock, my refuge.  Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge." (Psalm 62:5-8)

Are you afraid to surrender?  Then seek Him, for He is faithful to be known.  When you know the truth of Him, and understand His love, you will find the peace to surrender.  For perfect love drives out fear (1 John 4:18).  "One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God , are strong, and that you, O LORD, are loving." (Psalm 62:11)  God is both able and willing to help.


We may not always understand His ways, but we can trust them. 

Even in the good times we are often disillusioned because worldly success does not satisfy.  There is only One in whom our souls will find satisfaction (Psalm 62:1).  Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness...(Matthew 6:33).

Jack of all Trades, Master of None

I was thinking the other day about how I would like to be really good at something.  I have never been great at anything.  For instance, I am athletic enough to play sports, but I was never a starter; I can carry a tune, but I am not going to sell any records; I can take a decent picture, but you won't find them in National Geographic.  Even my personality comes out in the middle, when given one of those personality tests.  Is my God given destiny to be the median for everyone else?  I guess someone has to do it.  Why not me?

Is greatness all about gifting and ability, or is there something else to it?  When I was discussing my desire to be the best at something with my husband, Michael, he said he had too many different interests.  He said those who are really good at something have few, if any, other pursuits.  Olympic athletes, for instance, practice eight or more hours a day.  They practically live, eat and breathe their sport.  So it seems, that along with talent, one must have a passion to pursue as well.

This makes sense in my case.  I never was overly aggressive in sports and whether basketball or piano I detested practicing.  I just wanted to play!  I do have a variety of interests and am always trying to make sure my life is balanced.  I never want to forsake one thing for another.  I have trouble deciding on what I like best.  Is one way better than the other?

As in most aspects of life, either side can be taken too far.  It is not healthy to forsake relationships for whatever passion you are pursuing.  But on the other hand, maybe I don't focus hard on any one thing because what if I try really hard and don't succeed?  It seems safer to just dabble.  Is safe what I want?

If the medium line is what God wants me to represent in this life, then I will learn to be content.  I will enjoy that which I do to the extent it can fit into my life.  But I do not want to miss what I am good at simply because I am afraid. 

In this life, the destiny of some may be to offer one great thing and for others of us it may be to offer many lesser things.  But they are lesser only in degree, not in affect.  For who, having been touched by a small act of kindness, considers that act small?

It seems to always come down to whose definition you live by.  After all, it was God who chose the foolish to shame the wise and the weak to shame the strong (1 Cor. 1:27).  Seeking God and being obedient is what matters. 

Well, I guess that settles it.  Now I can go start on that new project I have been wanting to try. Why fight it?  The median isn't such a bad place to be. ;)

The Secret to Contentment

Paul said he had learned to be content (Phil.4:11).  The secret to his contentment was Christ, through whom we can do all things.  Contentment comes from focusing on Jesus rather than ourselves, from faith in His promises and power, His greatness and goodness.  We must fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).  For He is able.

The scriptures are not just stories or a list of rules.  They are truth and life.  In keeping them there is great reward!    They hold the answer to all our needs (2 Peter 1:3-4).  We walk around bleeding and bruised, from bumping into life, because we are blinded.  The ways of the world have distorted our vision, blinding us to that which is ours in Christ.  The scriptures (the Word of God) clear our vision.  It is like putting on a new pair of glasses and realizing how blind we were and rejoicing that we can now see clearly.  This clear vision will change your life.  Seek Him, for He shall be found.

Christmas: Joy or Sadness?

        Christmas should be a time of joy not sadness.  Then why is it that so many find this a hard time of year?  Could it be where our focus lay?  Instead of focusing on Jesus, we focus on ourselves.  We have made the holiday into something of our own making, where expectations must be met or all is lost.  This makes me sad.  Christmas should be a time of great joy because it celebrates the birth of our saviour! 

        We are promised that we will have trouble in this world (John 16:33), but Christ says to take heart because He has overcome the world.  The joy of this season is not in the decorations, the food, the presents or even having all our family together, but in the fact God sent His one and only Son to bring us eternal life.  We should be overjoyed celebrating the hope we have, made all the brighter because our circumstances aren't merry and bright.  Let us celebrate the first coming of The King, as we look forward to the second, glorying in the salvation His death and resurrection bought for us.   The gift that really does keep giving. :)

Positive Thinking

I believe that our misery or happiness has more to do with the attitude of our mind, than with our circumstance. Don't misunderstand me, there is pain and sadness in this world. We will grieve, but we do not have to live there.

We miss out on so many good things, because we are too busy grumbling about the bad. We stay in the pit of despair, when we have been offered infinite joy. I am not talking about pulling yourself up by the boot straps and pasting on a fake smile. I am talking about a change of mind.

Romans 12:2 says that we are to renew our minds. We are to think on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). We are to rejoice always, giving thanks in all circumstances. That all sounds great, but is it feasible? Yes! Everything is possible for him who believes.

What I am writing of is not some new age positive thinking, but it is positive thinking based on the One who works all things for our good. Philippians tells us in chapter four verses four through nine, that if we will change our thinking and bring everything to God, we will have peace. And peace allows us to find joy no matter the circumstances.

I firmly believe this is possible, not just because it is written in God's Word, though that is enough, but because I have experienced it in my life. The circumstances in my life that pulled me into the pit of sadness and grief, have not changed, but I have found joy. It was not an overnight success, but it came one day at a time as I chose to believe in the hope I have in Christ. I began renewing my mind and trusting in the character of God, until one day I realized I was full of joy and could honestly praise God for the blessings in my life, both"good and bad". I rejoice and am thankful for the life I have.

It is possible for anyone. As the Israelites were trapped between the Red Sea and the Egyptians, they grumbled to Moses and pitied themselves. But Moses replied to them, "Do not be afraid, Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still (silent)." (Exodus 14:14) Begin today. Choose to think positively based on the unfailing love of God.

When Bad Things Happen To Good People

We are always asking why bad things happen to good people. Why does God allow these things to happen? I can not begin to answer for God, but I have come to believe we ask this from a faulty view point. We are first of all assuming that these people are good. We are making the assertion that they are innocent and thus undeserving of it. Perhaps this is a testament to our pride and egocentric thinking.

Though there may not be a direct connection between the person and the tragedy, the person is not faultless. We are a sinful race, deserving of wrath. If you doubt me, answer these questions. Have you ever lied? Have you ever stolen anything? Have you ever taken God's name in vain? Have you ever looked in lust? If you answered yes, then how can you say you are good, when in reality you are a lying, thieving, blaspheming, adulterer?

We only seem good when compared to others of our kind. But according to God's standard (the only one that matters) we are all sinners and deserve the consequences of living in a fallen world of our choosing. We have chosen our own way rather than God's. So the real question is why do good things happen to bad people?

Why? Because every good and perfect gift is from above. God sent His one and only Son to pay our penalty. Through Jesus Christ we may have life and not only life in the future, but help for the now. We are new creations. We are good because of our righteousness in Christ. He indeed has given us what we do not deserve. He has given us grace.

Greene County: A Diamond In The Rough

Greene County often gets a bad rap. There are moments it deserves it, but who doesn't? All too often new comers are quick to judge and see only the negative. I was one of those new comers.

Fifteen years ago I wandered into Greene County thinking I had wandered through a time portal. "Little House on the Prairie does exist!" I would proclaim. But I have come to love it here. As so many of the teens were fleeing, I was sinking down roots deeper. Why? Because this is where I choose to make my home.

God brought me here, my husband was raised here, but it is love that keeps me here. We have traveled much and found more beautiful places, more cultured places, more exciting places. But we keep coming back to the family and friends we have here.

I have come to embrace and even appreciate the differences from where I grew up. The uniqueness of the culture and people. I admit there are some things I will never get used to, like macaroni in my chili, but I have found myself becoming more and more Greene. ;)