Roller Coaster of Life

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (NIV)

In church, we heard about Elijah (1 Kings 18 and 19). Elijah was on top of the world because he had just proven His God was the real, true God. Shortly after, the queen orders Elijah killed. He runs for his life and actually asks the Lord to let him die. Extreme high to extreme low. So I got to thinking about ups and downs and….roller coasters. Surprisingly, I think faith can be described as a personal roller coaster through life.

You see it from a distance, the roller coaster known as “Your Life with God”. It’s the first ride you notice. However, there are lots of other rides trying to get your attention that look fun too. Maybe you choose to ride some of those first. You find they’re OK, but the roller coaster keeps pulling you back. Maybe a friend asks you to ride with them. The coaster looks daunting. Big hills, deep valleys and twists and turns. Once you get on, you’re on for the whole ride. You have a choice to willingly get on the ride….or not. You choose to ride. You get in and put on your seat belt or harness (think of it as God’s arms) to keep you safe and provide protection. It’s going to be a bumpy ride. You might dread the feeling of that first hill because you can’t see what’s on the other side. S-l-o-w-l-y climb up that first hill. A job is lost (click, click, click), a loved one dies (click, click, click), you question why you got on this ride in the first place (click, click, click). You have to get up high enough to be able to have enough push to get you through the rest. You’re not alone on the ride. You can hear the people in the front cars heading over the top of the hill and picking up speed on the other side. You fly down the hill and head into the twists and turns of life. Some happy, some down. You realize that even when you are at the highest or lowest point, the rails are underneath you keeping you on the ride. You come screeching into the station. The attendant asks if you enjoyed the ride.

In light of eternity, the ride was a blip 2 ½ minutes tops. You may have waited longer to get on the coaster than you did on the ride. Now you get to enjoy the rest of the time in the park. J

Too sweet.....little children :)

(NIV) Matthew 11:25-26 Rest for the Weary ²⁵ At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. ²⁶ Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

This week, the kids and I are helping with vacation bible school. Tuesday during snack time, one of the little girls came up to me and set down a cup of water. I asked her who it was for and she smiled and said, "it's for you!" Then she gave me a hug and ran off to play Duck, Duck, Goose. She's only known me 2 days. What a nice little pick me up and reward for me.

Young children are so much more free with their emotions! When they're mad, you know! When they're sad, they cry. When they're happy, they laugh. I think we can learn a lot by hanging around younger kids. I do believe God has gifted them with a special knowledge well beyond their years.

If you are blessed to have younger kids in your life right now, take time to enjoy their outlook on life. It is often said (and I didn't really believe it), but they do grow up faster than you realize. If you have older kids....they still need somebody to talk to and bounce ideas off of. They're learning to make their own way in the world. Help them learn about God as a friend. Even though I went to church (twice on Sundays) growing up, I didn't realize the friendship/relationship that God desires with all of us until much later.

Storms....

Since I last wrote, school has ended for the 08/09 school year. The summer lays ahead of us and it seems like SO much time with empty days to fill. But the days will fill up as they always do, some with cries of "I'm bored" (ahhhh the days of youth!), some overpacked with too much to get done in one day.

Last night, I finished a book I was reading and started looking at some of the writing I've done when I actually sit down, read the Bible, listen for the still small voice and write down whatever comes to mind. Since the last entry I wrote was about being centered and staying in the eye of the hurricane, I thought this might be appropriate. There have been days I feel this much more than others, but still always a good reminder.

Luke 8:24-25 (NIV)
24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Master, Master, we're going to drown!" He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 "Where is your faith?" he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, "Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him."


THE STORM

Sometimes a storm rages across the land
or the ocean or the sea.
Sometimes the storm happens within me.

A physical storm with thunder, lightning, rain,
an internal storm with sickness, weakness, pain
Afraid? No faith?
Believe in the ultimate storm chaser

We may think Jesus is sleeping and we will surely drown.
He calmly says peace, be still
and the storm will calm right down.

Often times the storm lasts longer than I’d like,
but I’ll sit down and ride it out
God is in control.

Whatever storm(s) you may be going through right now, please know that you are not alone in the boat. God does not sleep. There is NO storm to big that with God's help we cannot ride through. When we give up control, we make it easier for God to calm the storm....or at least calm us to deal with it.

Centered and Living in the eye of the storm

Center definition ( from www.webster.com ) a: a point, area, person, or thing that is most important or pivotal in relation to an indicated activity, interest, or condition b: a source from which something originates

The sermon this past Sunday was on focusing on the center and making Jesus our center, not ourselves. The pastor used Rocky 2 and a song by Aerosmith to make the point. It was done in a humorous way which helped the teenage son to pay more attention. :) We do live in a very "me" oriented society. However, when the focus is on us and we are our center....it's off of Jesus and other people's issues/needs. As the saying goes, "the world does not revolve around you"....and it shouldn't. I don't think we intentionally put ourselves there. Circumstances, advertising and society all play a part in pushing us closer to the center of our lives and making it about us.

While he was talking, I was getting an image of a hurricane with the eye of the storm at the very center. Later, I read up a little on hurricanes/cyclones. The eye of the storm is almost always warmer and calm. The storm swirls around the center, but the center is peaceful. That doesn't mean the rest of the storm won't come as the eye passes over.

Life can seem like that cyclone sometimes. Stuff happens that we can't explain or doesn't make sense. Sometimes it's hard to see the good that come out of a bad situation or life storm. BUT if we can keep God the center eye of our storm and we can keep our focus centered on the eye and not the storm, we will be able to survive the storm and rest secure centered in His love.

Revelation 5:5-6 (NIV) Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals." Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, ...

^{Revelation 7:16-17 (NIV)} Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

Praying that the eye of the storm is big enough for us to center our attention on and the swirling storms of life will not move our focus off God as our center.

Using the talents.....

Wow, it's been awhile...again. Gets nicer outside and everything seems to get even busier than normal. Our son and I have been trying to help with the lawn the end of last year and so far this year. While it is kind of relaxing, it takes awhile. Went to school camp with our daughter for 3 days. I learned a lot from watching the kids and the counselors. They were VERY clear in their expectations and what would happen if they were not followed. Communication, communication, communication (similar to the location x 3 for real estate!). I feel I do great with writing (mostly because I have time to think it through), but not so well verbally.

I have to delve deeper into my avoidance of writing lately...even in my journal which I usually enjoy. My first thought is God's got something He wants to deal with me on....and I'm not sure I'm ready to deal with it yet. So I looked up "avoid" and "lazy" on biblegateway...and didn't really find what I was looking for....at first. Now, I'm reminded of the story of the talents in the Bible and lazy is mentioned.

Back then, a talent was money. The story is in Matthew 25:14-30 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2025:14-30;&version=31 and I just noticed at the end of that passage there is a note that a talent was worth more than a thousand dollars! There were 3 servants and each were given a varying amount of talents based on their ability. The 2 who got the most, used them wisely, invested and DOUBLED the amount given. The last 1 was fearful and buried the talent. When the master returned, each servant gave an account of what happened with the talents they had been given. The 2 servants got to keep the additional talents they had received. The last servant gave the master back the talent he'd been given. He was referred to as lazy, he ended up having to give it to the servant with the most talents...and was shown the door.

I don't know if it is just coincidence that the parable refers to "talents". I think this story works as a story on not wasting what we are given, whether it is money....or actual talents (physical and/or spiritual gifts). I have some work to do. How about you? Are we investing wisely...our money and our time? Are we available when God wants to meet us?

For me, this means getting back more into the (in my mind, dreaded -wrongfully so) routine and schedule that I know helps me use my time more effectively. Daily "to-do" lists so I don't forget things that I will otherwise spend twice as long trying to remember. Carrying this information with me and USING it. Making myself available when God wants to use me to bless someone else....regardless of what's in it for me.

When taken in context, Matthew 25 is 3 parables....all about when Jesus returns and us being ready. I'm working on it. Want to join me?

Carefree abandon

Luke 12:21-23 (The Message)
[ Steep Yourself in God-Reality ] He continued this subject with his disciples. "Don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the ravens, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, carefree in the care of God. And you count far more.

Recently, I had the pleasure of spending time with a 10 month old girl. We started playing a game. I was holding her on my lap and she would fling herself backward into my other arm. Then we would laugh, sit her up and do it again...and again. She didn't know me well, but she was not afraid. She did not look back to see if I would catch her. She trusted, with carefree abandon, that I was there and would catch her and we could play some more.

I started thinking. I want to live that way. I want to remember that God is a God of love and laughter. I want to know that I do not need to be afraid or look back to know I'm safe. I want to have carefree abandon that I know God is there. I want to be able to trust that God is there to catch me when I fall backward. God is ready to keep playing.

What's keeping me from living that way? What's keeping you from living that way? Let's figure it out....and climb in Jesus' arms for a game of Catch Me.

1 Peter5:6-7 So be content with who you are, and don't put on airs. God's strong hand is on you; he'll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you.

Wounded, but Healed

Just wrote this for the devotional website http://daily.presbycan.ca/ , but thought I'd share here too...especially since it's been a little while since writing last. I was thinking about Good Friday and Easter and all that Jesus went through for us. Makes me realize I am not thankful enough!

Wounded, but Healed

Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (NIV)

Last year, I had surgery on my neck due to a disc pressing on my spinal cord. I was not looking forward to it for numerous reasons. I was scared of surgery. Not because I thought something would happen, just the fact of the unknown. How would I feel afterward? How long would it take to recover? I had things to do. This would be a crimp in MY plan(s).

I do not consider myself vain and did not really think about the wound or subsequent scar. I was told it would be on one of the lines of my neck and would not be that noticeable. Considering the work that needed to be done, it is a small scar that is healing and becoming less noticeable.

When I first took off my bandages, I was disappointed at how red it looked. It was more raised up then I thought it would be. For a long time, I would wear a small bandage over it. I was uncomfortable with the fact that people would notice and then I’d have to explain what had happened. As if the bandage wasn’t noticeable.

The Bible doesn’t mention a lot about scars. It mentions wounds quite a bit. I think of the wounds that Jesus suffered at the hands of his accusers. The whipping and beating that He took on our behalf. The long, painful walk He took bearing our cross. Hanging on the cross where he was wounded even more deeply. The scarlet blood that flowed from His wounds is blood that washed away our sins. The feeling of being forsaken. He was not concerned about His earthly body. He died once to bring healing and the chance of relationship to all.

Isaiah 53:4-5 4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! 5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. (NLT)

God, You know us better than we know ourselves. You know the wounds we have and have tried to hide. You know the wounds we may have inflicted on others. Thank you for your devotion to us through Jesus. Thank you for the freedom we can have through you. Thank you for the scars that can help us lead others to you. Amen

A New Closet

Opened my blog to post the review of The Shack, and was struck by the verse from www.biblegateway.com So, an added bonus today (seems feast or famine when I write!)

The verse:
“Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”- Colossians 3:12 (NIV)

As Spring approaches...and in reality, I need to do it anyway, I've been cleaning out our closets. The kids have grown so some of their items are being handed down or handed over to Goodwill or Love Inc. I'm trying to follow the rule if you haven't worn it in x months, get rid of it. I finally had to admit that even if some styles come back in fashion...I didn't really like them that much the first time! ;)

This verse since it mentions "clothe" yourselves caught my eye. Then I read what I can clothe myself with. Wow! Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. How much different my day would be if I pull my clothes from THAT closet.

Right before that verse was listed all the things I could be rid of.

You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. ⁸But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. ⁹Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices ¹⁰and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Colossians 3:7-10 (NIV)

Those are not even worth recycling or handing down. Time for a NEW SELF and a better closet. Look out best dressed list! We've got a new wardrobe.

My review of The Shack (novel)

A few friends had mentioned this book and it was also brought up on a discussion board for the radio station I listen to. Now that I've read the book, I posted there and just copied and pasted (to save some writing time...gotta LOVE technology!). Here is my take on The Shack:

I did finally read this book. It is one of few I actually argued with myself and put more thought into before reading (The Left Behind series was one of the others). I borrowed it from the library and there was still a lengthy waiting period, so I assume people are still reading or waiting to read this book.

Thank you to the person who posted the review. (http://www.boundless.org/2005/articles/a0001788.cfm) I read it prior and just read through it again. It does bring up some good points.

The reviews and who they are by, partially influenced me. A quote from Michael W. Smith is on the back. Eugene Peterson (translated/wrote The Message version of the Bible) compared it to Pilgrim's Progress. (sidenote: having just read a modern short version of Pilgrim's Progress, I would not compare the 2).

After I read the book, I also checked out the website. http://www.theshackbook.com/ It is stated clearly on the website and on the back of the book it is FICTION and it is stated to be a novel. I haven't even got to the forums (no time), but I'm sure they would be interesting.

There were some things (OK, a lot) that made me go Hmmmm and I would like to follow up on by checking in the Bible. I hope that is what others will do as well. The book dwelled on relationship more than "religion". It came across to me as VERY spiritual, almost new age, if I was more versed in what that was.

My one word of warning would be that somewhere I read it mentions it is great for new believers as well. I do not think I would go that far. My personal opinion would be read through the New Testament (at least) before attempting this book even as fiction.

Sometimes, I think we read to much into books. However, authors/writers have a responsibility to know that their words carry power, for good or evil. We, as readers, have a responsibility to seek out truth and apply it to our lives as we see fit.

One thing I have personally struggled with? How can I take time for ALL the fiction/self-help/fun reads and can't find more time to read the Bible? Hmmmm.

A Biblical recipe....add ___________

Obviously, the Bible is NOT a cookbook, but the verses below sound like they would make up a pretty good recipe. Because we are blessed, add ___________ (fill in the blank) and we already have the basic ingredients (see vs 3).

2 Peter 1 : 2 -9 (NCV) Grace and peace be given to you more and more, because you truly know God and Jesus our Lord.
God Has Given Us Blessings
3 Jesus has the power of God, by which he has given us everything we need to live and to serve God. We have these things because we know him. Jesus called us by his glory and goodness. 4 Through these he gave us the very great and precious promises. With these gifts you can share in God's nature, and the world will not ruin you with its evil desires.
5 Because you have these blessings, do your best to add these things to your lives: to your faith, add goodness; and to your goodness, add knowledge;6 and to your knowledge, add self-control; and to your self-control, add patience; and to your patience, add service for God;7 and to your service for God, add kindness for your brothers and sisters in Christ; and to this kindness, add love.8 If all these things are in you and are growing, they will help you to be useful and productive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.9 But anyone who does not have these things cannot see clearly. He is blind and has forgotten that he was made clean from his past sins.

I am really thankful for vs 4. The world and its evil desires are rather scary at the moment BUT we have great and precious promises. Then, like icing on a cake, we can add goodness, knowledge, self-control, patience, service for God, kindness for our brothers and sisters in Christ, and LOVE.

When we start to focus on what's outside of the mixing bowl of our life (our circumstances), we can change our perspective and outlook and work on adding the extras for an even sweeter life. Then we can share with those who might need a reminder that God loves them and wants a sweet life for them too.