Double it

"You know what I really need?" I whispered to the three year old, "A kiss."  She opened her arms and puckered her lips.  Wow!  I got what I needed.  It felt so good, I asked for another and she obliged.  I knew enough about three year olds to quit while I was ahead and savor this moment of joy!

I thought about double joy when I read through Psalm 8 this morning.  I noticed several times when David, the Psalm's author, repeated or reiterated a statement.  He was  impressed by God's heavens, the work of His fingers. He restated his amazement by mentioning God put the moon and stars (integral parts of the heaven we view) in place.  David was doubly amazed!

David acknowledges that God created man a  little lower than the angels.  God made man ruler over the works of His hands.   He restated the works of His hands with an itemized list: flocks, herds, wild animals, birds, fish and anything swimming in the sea.  All created by God and given to Man to be above.  David was doubly impressed.

David was so awed by the majesty of God that he opened and closed the Psalm with the same affirmation.   "O Lord our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!"  David was so overcome with the magnitude that he had to say it twice.  His amazement began and concluded with the wonder of God.

We live in a world of "do it again".  In the old days, the instructions on the shampoo bottle were short and simple: "Lather, Rinse and repeat."  Apparently to get the most benefit of the shampoo, one has to do it twice.  (Or is this a carefully planned marketing strategy so I buy more shampoo?)

A newscaster this past expressed her dismay that so many children would boldly ask for seconds of her Halloween candy.  Our culture is built on if you like it, buy more; if it feels good, do it again; once is never enough. 

The culture instills a "never to be satisfied" appetite for repetition.  The culture of this world makes us think we can buy it; take it; earn it; or demand it.

Psalm 8 instills in me the secret to satisfaction with the added benefits of wonder, amazement, security and praise.  The secret I discovered in Psalm 8 is "You".  When I copied the Psalm in my journal, I capitalized You and Your when I thought the word referred to God.  All were capitalized.  I went back and circled them.  15 times "You" and "Your" were capitalized.  Zero times did those words refer to another. There is no "I" in Psalm 8.

So the extra measure of joy my heart yearns for, begins and ends with The You- God. Double Joy.  I want it.

Psalm 8 is just like my favorite candy bar, Almond Joy, which is really two bars in one package. Psalm 8 reminds me if I want a double portion of satisfaction, give The You, not I, the double portion of praise and amazement.  Joy and satisfaction begins and ends with "The You"!

Before an Angry Judge

I can sleep tonight because The Judge makes it Right!

The anger in his voice increased.  I looked up.  The judge was looking right at me and scolding me!  Something about shopping and credit cards.  I hadn't been paying attention which added to the judge's frustration.  I was very confused.  It was my first time in court.

Many years ago I worked for a mortgage servicing company and was sent to bankruptcy court with the company attorney.  One of our customers had filed bankruptcy and the company sent us to represent the mortgage holder.  Court cases were called alphabetically and our customer must have been in the "Zs" because I'd been in the courtroom a very long time.  I was bored and had lost interest until I realized all eyes, especially the angry judge's, were on me.

I must have had a ”deer in headlights" look on my face.  I was frozen.  I had no idea what to do.  Fortunately, the company attorney came to my defense.  He stood up and respectfully addressed the judge.  He realized that the  judge thought I was one of the debtors who had continued to engage in amassing debt while in bankruptcy.  My advocate offered to the judge that I was not the offending debtor.  The real debtor didn't even bother to appear in court that day.  The judge assumed since I was in the front row I must be the offender.  I hope this was and will be my only time in court facing an angry judge!

Psalm 7 made me think about judges.  David throws himself on the mercy of God, The Judge.  David confesses that perhaps he has guilt on his hands.  Yet he believes God will save him and deliver him from his pursuing enemies.  David believes that God searches hearts and minds and knows true motives.  David acknowledges that God is The Righteous Judge who is absolutely just.

Psalm 7 reminds me that I live in a world that too often is not right.  I can't make the world right.  No one can make it right.  Except God.  Verse 10, in The Message, tells me God is The One who makes me right and keeps me right.

I am right before God only because I have an Advocate, much like that company attorney who stood up for me before the angry judge.  Jesus came to Earth to show me, us, the way, the only way to live in a not right world.  Our only opportunity to be right in this world is to throw ourselves on the mercy of God. 

Psalm 7 reminds me

God is dependable, more than anyone or anything in this world;

God is absolutely just, not assuming facts, but knowing motives;

God protects me because of His great love for me, and you. He sent The Advocate as proof!

Thank you God for being Right, making Right and keeping Right.

150 feet!

Papa.
Just as we entered a tunnel he replied...

"150 feet."  Papa responded to his grandchildren's query of "how much longer til we get there?"  I giggled because I knew it was really about 20 miles to our destination.  I was amazed that the children were satisfied with his decisive answer even though they had no idea of what 150 feet meant.

It's been several days since I read through Psalm 6 but when I opened my journal and looked at my notes I knew "150 feet" will become my subtitle for Psalm 6.

I noticed the words I'd underlined in my handwritten version of Psalm 6 :

§  Unfailing love- Years ago during a bible study on the book of Psalms I discovered how often the psalmists refer to God's unfailing love.  In the translation I'm reading now this is the first Psalm which acknowledges God's unfailing love.  (So I'm circling in blue pencil this time through the Psalms to remind me of God's unfailing love.)

§  Worn out-  The Psalm begins with a plea for mercy and healing.  It talks of anguish, despair, groaning, weeping and sorrow.  I can relate. Life on this earth can be hard, right?

§  Has heard- In the midst of the  psalmist's anguish, he acknowledges God has heard his weeping and prayers in the past.  God is reliable.

§  How long? -  This question sounds far too familiar.  It seems when the going gets tough, our most frequent query of God is "How much longer til...?"

In the midst of trying circumstances, I want to impose a time limit.  If I know the ending time, I will be able to endure the next few minutes and hours.  I can feel the immediate and temporary satisfaction of surviving another minute and being closer to the end.

Psalm 6 addresses the dilemma of "How long?" vs "God's unfailing love."

It is no coincidence this past week my ladies study group discussed James chapter one.  We wrestled with the idea that trials produce steadfastness or endurance.  When suffering comes we concentrate on how much longer or the conclusion or the ending. 

James and the Psalmist are reminding me, instead, I should concentrate on

§  God's knowledge of the future,

§  the comfort that He indeed knows my deepest need and

§  His unfailing love

Life's circumstances are opportunities to learn and understand, as best we can, of God's character. God is so much bigger than time or any step by step plan I can devise.  He operates according to unfailing love and mercy. 

Through life trials we learn God is in control.  God loves us.  He knows our deepest needs and delivers.  How long is not the question.  Rest in His character is the response to life trials.

Just as the grandchildren wanted to impose a time limit to enduring a boring car ride, I want to impose a limit so I can manage to my trials.    The grandchildren received an answer that didn't compute because they had no concept of distance. The answer of "150 feet" satisfied them though.  They knew Papa had a destination and it was a good destination. Papa loved them.  Papa was dependable.  They knew of Papa's character.

I anticipate that during my next life trial when I am worn out and ask God "How long?"  His response will be "150 feet!" 

I will be reminded that

§  God has a destination and it's a good destination. 

§  God loves me. 

§  God has  unfailing love, my prior life trials are proof. 

Live the 3G Way

"...Make Your way before me." Psalm 5:8

"Beam me up!"  This escape clause was often used by the hero in the TV and movie series.  Instantly he  would evaporate from one location to reappear in the safety of the "mother ship." Many times in my Christian life,  I've wanted to escape danger by immediate removal;  I've felt the mission accomplished and ready to return home.  I ponder,  why I am in still on earth.  As much as I'd like this declaration, "Beam me up!",  to be a metaphor for my relationship with God, it's really  the opposite.

Instead of the ability to escape life,  Psalm 5 reminds me how to live while I still roam this Earth.  I am learning to living the 3G Way.

Psalm 5 reveals the intimate relationship between David and God.  David acknowledges that God listens to his requests.  God is faithful. David waits in anticipation.  He knows God cannot be defeated.  He knows God's enemies are liars.  David knows to take refuge in God's protection.

Each morning I wake to live in a world that tells me how to live:  To follow the popular thinkers of the day, to get ahead of everyone I can, to accumulate and to satisfy my desires any way I choose.

David's view of God, faithful, true, undefeatable and safe,  reminds me how to approach this day in my life.  "...Make  straight your way before me."  (Verse 8)  I circle the words "Your...before me".  Perhaps that is my guidance for the day.

I count the word "my" (because it refers to David) in Psalm 5 - 7 times.

Then I count "You and Your" (because they refer to God or O Lord, as David addresses Him) -17 times. 

If I use the basis of sheer numbers, this Psalm gives me guidance for living on Earth: Your ...before me.  Psalm 5 is a glimpse into the heart of David and how he reacts to God:  His before his;  God before David;  The Lord before me.  The absolute opposite principle to the worldly teaching.

What if I followed the principle of "His way before my way" for my daily life?

The book I am currently reading reminds me that I have a singular purpose as a follower of Jesus:  to bring God, and God alone, glory by participating in His mission.  I am not in charge of His mission.  He is. I don't have to develop His mission.  He has The Plan and He has had The Plan since the beginning of time!  I have the opportunity to daily live for His mission. 

Here's an idea for a new bracelet to assist me when I make the myriad of choices in my daily  life: 

W.W.G.G.G.

W hat

W ould

G ive

G od

G lory?

Sounds like a plan!  Today I choose to live the 3G Way.  Whew!  Decisions made for the day!

In my subconscious I have my doubts.  I'm human and prone to failure.  That worldly teaching is so tempting.  It's quick and immediate gratification.  Yet God's way is lasting and is eternal gratification.  

Thank you O Lord,  You knows  me so well and You love me in spite of my failure.  You even rescued me and will continue  to rescue me just because You loves me. 

Now that is something to Give God Glory!  Hopefully today others will see God's Glory, not my glory.  It's why I haven't been beamed up yet! 

Much ado about to do lists

Checking one off my bucket list:  riding an air boat

"Alexa, please add canned dog food to the shopping list."  I love my electronic list!  I speak it to the magic machine and it appears in the app on my phone (and my husband's phone).  So I'm never at the grocery store when my shopping list is elsewhere.  I'm just like most of the population: I may not have anything else but most certainly my phone is on my  person.

As a read Psalm 4 I made several lists.

1. Firm Statements about God

God sees me as perfect.          ( Now that's a wow!  I know my failings very well.  I'm perfect                                                       only because God paid a very expensive price- He sent Jesus for                                                      my imperfection, and yours.)

God has chosen  me.               (Can you imagine?  The Creator of the Universe sees something of                                                  value in me, and you.)

God will listen.

God will keep me safe.

2. What the world offers

Silly Idols with false claims    (What I hear the world say is "You can do it.  But I know I can't. I                                                             can make a list of my failures when I've tried the world's tricks and                                                 false treasures.  The results were hollow and meaningless.)

Mockery of God                     (The world tells us "God will never help us.")

3. Therefore, my to do list

Stand before God in AWE

Don't sin

Trust Him

Offer pleasing sacrifices

Prove the world wrong

4. The Results

Safety

Peace, including a good night's sleep

Gladness

Hmmmmmmmm.... Every day I am presented with the choice between list one and list two.  List 4 tells me the benefits.  Why would I choose anything else?  Because left to my own advice, I forget List 3.  The action list is too easy to ignore.  I want benefit and accomplishment but rarely am I enthusiastic about following the steps.

I probably should put list 3 on m bathroom mirror to remind me what to do every day.   I also need to remember that when it seems hard to live out List 3, God is ready to assist me.  He has chosen me, given me the ability to accomplish and will assist me if I just ask Him.

God has done the same for you. 

Here's my new list:

Reject List 2 today,

            Believe List 1 today, 

                        Work List 3 today and

                                    Live in the world of List 4

It's about the ADE, not the lemons

"Wow!  Now that's family drama!"  I wondered if this had been the basis of a movie or surely some soap opera writers have used this story.  I even "googled" it.  I was off on one of my "sidebar" investigations after reading Psalm 3.  

The subtitle for Psalm 3 is "A psalm of David when he fled from his son Absalom".  I remembered how it ended for Absalom but not the details prior.  I read through 2 Samuel 13-19.  Talk about a soap opera.  This was raw family drama.  Brother dishonoring sister.  Brother getting revenge a few years later.  Son lusting after father's throne, power and women.  Son chasing father from throne.  War among family factions.  Rebellious son dies as a result of his pride.  (Absalom had a great head of hair.  He was very proud of it.  During his final battle, his long beautiful hair became tangled in a tree leaving Absalom hanging in an oak tree vulnerable to his enemies.)

My initial thought reading David/Absalom story was "All my troubles pale in comparison."  Then  I read the psalm again with that perspective.  During the peak of the drama, when Absalom had David on the run, David gave me advice to face my own drama, tragedy, crisis, oppression, fear, anxiety or doubt:

1.  God is my shield. 

2.  God is my answer.

3.  God will give me rest.

4.  God will deliver me.

5.  God will give me victory.

In the midst of this episode in David's colorful life, he adopted the ADE perspective instead of the "Why me?" perspective.   Too much of the world chooses the focus of  the victim rather than focus on the eternal.

You've heard the advice  "When life gives you lemons, make lemonADE?"  Here's what ADE means to me now:

A ssurance in God

D ependence on God

E ternal perspective

A couple of my Facebook friends have lived out ADE.  One experienced a tragic loss.  The other is struggling with a difficult diagnosis.  Both have been honest in the pain, suffering and confusion.  Both have demonstrated assurance in God, dependence on God during their difficult time, and trust in God's future for them.

I don't want be engulfed in my "self-contrived" drama and lose everything because of my pride (or my hair).  Psalm 3 reminds me  God alone is my shield, my glory and my only hope. (Psalm 3:3 Living Bible).

It's about the ADE, not the lemons. 

The Kiss Gauntlet

I looked down the line. I had to face the gauntlet to get out of the door.  I was about 12 years old. My family was on a weekend visit to my parents' hometown.  I wouldn't be able to exit without facing the line of Loves.

My mother's mother was the 11th in a family of 12 brothers and sisters.  So I grew up with a multitude of great aunts.  When we were in town there was at least one family gathering of the Love family (for real, Love was their last name!)    Most of the great aunts had never married or had children.  So as my mother described her youth, "It was like having half a dozen mothers. They all made me eat my vegetables!"  It often felt like I had half a dozen grandmothers.

The Love sisters were an affectionate bunch with farewells.  When we announced our departure, they would line up by door and we would each receive a hug and a kiss.  Avoidance was not an option. 

As I read Psalm 2, I pondered two things, politics and kissing.  Psalm 2 begins with a challenge to the foolish rulers who think they can "outwit" God (as the Living Bible describes.).  The worldly leaders think God's way is confining and plot to break His chains.  Too often, when watching my daily quota of the news, I shake  my head and mention to the "talking heads" that I really don't care about their burning issues.  They seem to be missing the major  points and focusing on minor issues.  But I'm not a political blogger.

I'd rather consider Love and Kissing!  In the concluding verses, these kings are advised to be wise, be warned and Kiss the Son.  I liked this advice.  Smarten up people and get right with Jesus.  I'd like to give those political talking heads this same advice.

So what does it mean to Kiss the Son? I checked an online commentary by Matthew Henry.  He had a list of four kisses:

·         The kiss of agreement and reconciliation.  After a tussle with a sibling, were you told to "kiss and make up"?

·         The kiss of adoration and worship.  Apparently idol worshippers would kiss their cold stone idols.

·         The kiss of affection and sincere love.  In Luke 7:38 a woman, a prostitute, kissed Jesus' feet and bathed them with expensive perfume.

·         The kiss of allegiance and loyalty.  In I Samuel 10: 1, Samuel takes a flask of oil and anoints Saul because the Lord appointed Saul.

Perhaps this list also gives advice on following God.  In the beginning, I had to accept there was God and He was in control.  I had to confess my sin so I could be reconciled with the Creator of my world.  Since my spiritual beginning, I have thanked God for saving me from a life without purpose and meaning, for not being a cold stone God, but one who miraculously intervenes in my daily life (like yesterday, but that's for another blog).  

Today, again, I pledge my alliance to The One who delivered and continues to deliver me from a foolish life chasing temporary treasure.  The One has given me the opportunity for eternal life with Him.  Psalm 2 and kissing reminds me to give up my plots and plans, submit to the best life God has planned for me and let myself be loved.  His "gauntlet" of Love is ever-available and everlasting.

Living on the Edge

My apologies to my neighbors.  I'm sure my three dogs were the alarm clock no one wanted to hear.  I had the dogs quietly walking on their leashes when they spotted a rabbit just a few feet away.  They strained and pulled us in the rabbit's direction.  The rabbit moved one foot away in the direction we were headed, not in the opposite direction!  Again the dogs inched toward the rabbit.  The rabbit moved just another foot away in our direction!   Since the rabbit didn't run away, like every other smart rabbit had done,  the dogs thought they actually could catch this rabbit.  They erupted into a furry pack of barking, chirping and howling.  I kept asking the rabbit to run as I pulled the black pack up the street.

I was amazed at this foolhardy rabbit.  It was a larger rabbit. Youthful ignorance could not be its excuse.   I walk the dogs every morning on the same route.  All the other rabbits have seen us pass by.  Surely my three dogs were the topic of the rabbit morning gossip session.  Why would this rabbit live  on the edge of such danger? (Two of the three dogs are "catch and release only" but one of them does try to consume his catch.  More than once I've had to "put my big girl pants on", gather a shovel to take an unfortunate victim away from the dog and toss it over the fence.  My husband gets a text to dig a grave  on his lunch hour.)

I thought of that foolish rabbit who disregarded all sensibility to torment my dogs, and my sleeping neighbors, when I read Psalm 1.  This psalm contrasts the benefits gained by meditating on God's law and being meaningless, like chaff in the wind.  Staying close to God's law leads to prosperity and protection.

The visual image used in this psalm is a tree planted by streams of water.  The tree was intentionally planted near the nourishing water, a wise choice.  Tree roots will grow deep into the earth to reach the water. This tree planter wisely choose a spot near the water, to make it more convenient.  The life giving water is close enough to be seen and appreciated.

I thought about the rabbit's foolish choice to remain on the very edge of disaster and the very wise choice of planting a tree at the edge of the necessary ingredient for a productive life.  Too many people in today's world are like that rabbit.  They make choices that keep them inches from mortal danger.  What sense does it make?

The psalm compared the foolish to "chaff in the wind."  The song lyric by the group "Kansas" popped into my head.  "All we are is dust in the wind."  A depressing thought.  This psalm reminds that life on the edge of disaster is temporary but God's way leads to eternity.

I'd like to be more than dust blown to and fro by unseen forces. If I want a life of meaning,  I can take control of the influences guiding my life.  I can choose to study the Word and consider how it applies in my daily life. God's way will give my  life  perspective,  protection  and promise.  I want the kind of life grown from being like a tree near the stream.  Rather than live on the edge of disaster, it makes sense for me to live on the edge of eternity.

See ya later

"Have you noticed he never says goodbye?"  I asked my husband referring to a well respected leader of our church.  He was gracious and a good conversationalist.  Yet when he sensed the dialogue had reached its conclusion he would just walk off.  I'm not sure why I noticed or even still ponder it.  I'm not a fan of farewells.  To me, the farewell emphasizes the ending rather than the new, the fresh, the beginning.

Sometimes I avoid endings.  If I really enjoy a book the last few pages take as long to read as most of the whole book. 

Yet sometimes I gain real satisfaction from the end.  Hand sewing the binding on a quilt is one of my favorite parts.  Making the binding is my least favorite.  The final step of turning and stitching the binding gives me pure satisfaction, a sense of accomplishment in the midst of  a farewell.  (I love all my projects.  If I don't love them, they either get thrown out or never finished.)

Paul gave me  a recipe for a proper farewell in Philemon 21-25.  There are four ingredients.

1.         Encouragement.  Paul expressed his confidence that Philemon would do more than the "right thing" with Onesimus' situation.

2.         Hope.  Paul asked Philemon to get the guest room ready because he intended to visit Philemon.  It would be more than a visit.  It would be the restoration of their friendship and an answer to prayer.

3.         Assurance.  Paul reminded Philemon of their fellow workers in the joint mission to serve Christ.  He mentions Epaphras, Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke.  Paul reminded Philemon that he was not alone in his service.

4.         Relationship.  Finally Paul wraps it up with what the theologians call a benediction.  I think of the final statement as a reminder of the True Point:  It's about Jesus.  It's about the spiritual relationship with Him and the believers, not the petty stuff the world majors on but the eternal matters.

So it's seems time to end my study of the Book of Philemon.  As I look back this tiny book (in comparison to the other books in the Bible) has presented me with opportunities.  Opportunities to change my view of the world, to change the world I live in and to change, for the better, my relationship with God and other believers.  Who knew there was so much wisdom packed into a mere 25 verses of what some think of as a letter asking for a favor.  Wow, there is so much more to Philemon.  I could read it again and again.  That's the miracle of The Bible.  It will speak freshly to me every time I read it.

Watching a sunset  may seem to be the end but it is also the promise of a beginning.  The sun will come up again tomorrow.  It hasn't missed a single day in centuries!

I'm going to wander off and not say farewell to Philemon.  See ya later. Philemon.  It's been more than swell.   I'll be back to Philemon but there are more treasures awaiting me in............now I have to decide what to study next!

"Chalk it Up"

"You need a new coat. Go downtown."  I had just arrived at my grandmother's home for a visit and this was how she greeted me.  No glad you visited, or how was the trip, but here's what you need.  It was her way of expressing her affection.  It didn't take me long to enjoy and anticipate the greeting because it wasn't always a coat, it was also shoes or clothes.  It meant a trip to the store to be waited upon with "first class" attention and my purchases charged to her account.  It was a small town and my grandmother was well known.  I had the personal attention of the sales clerks.  She sent all her family downtown with a shopping assignment.   My role was to make my choices and then the clerks would add the items to my grandmother's charge account.

My grandmother had a reputation for generosity (she sent us to the best shops in town) and reliability (she paid her bills).  She gave me the opportunity to be trusted. I made sure I made wise choices.  She wanted me to have quality but I did not take advantage.  My grandmother trusted the sales clerks and she trusted me. I was shopping on the value of her name and reputation.  I benefited with the privilege of feeling special.  She enjoyed the "fashion show" when I returned.  It was her reward to see what I'd chosen and know she'd provided.

I thought about charging items to my grandmother's account when I read  Philemon 17-20.  Paul asked Philemon, as his comrade, to welcome Onesimus as if he were Paul and if Onesimus had any debts to charge them to Paul. (In The Message, Paul told Philemon to "chalk it up" to him.) If Philemon would agree, Paul would be refreshed in his faith in Christ.

What a new world Paul is describing?  A world where believers trust each other to accept the debts of others and accept repayment from friends of the debtor. I imagine that this world is about more than just financial debts.  Too much of our world is ruled by so-called "fairness" and "accountability".  Not that those are evil traits.  It seems that too often we worship fairness more that trust, affection and faith.  What would the world be like if we spend time building our reputation on trust, affection and faith?

How can we overcome a world founded upon mistrust, self-centeredness and self-dependence?  Only Jesus can show us the way.  Jesus, for some strange reason, loves us so much He trusts us with this crazy world.  He expects us to provide for others, to trust each other, to recognize He has provided us with the best if we would just choose to recognize it.

Jesus does greet us with "Glad you came" and "here's what you need and I will provide it".  Jesus is the ultimate in trust, reliability and generosity.  On the rare occasion when the world might think Jesus had failed, I believe it was the result of poor choices on my part or He had a bigger and better plan in motion.  I can't think of a time when I have recognized the good gifts Jesus has offered me and felt like I was second class.  I've always felt He gives his best.

Jesus gave Himself for me, and you.  In my mind, when I recognize my failures, my sins,  I believe Jesus will say "to chalk it up" to Him.  He has paid my debts as if they were His own.  Not because I earned or deserved it.  Just because He showed His affection for me, and you.

Jesus has "chalked up" my debts.  Can I do the same for someone today?  Can I refresh my heart and faith by providing for someone?  Not because of fairness but because of affection, God's affection.  Will my eyes be open to encouraging another to see God's goodness?  This new world is more than providing one another financially.  In the new world the Book of Philemon introduces it is about relationship with God and each other.

My grandmother's generosity made me feel special.  I should feel extraordinarily special and chosen since Jesus has been generous and paid the debt for my sin.  Paul's request to Philemon to "cover" Onesimus' failures was a surprise.  Onesimus didn't deserve it.  He was guilty. Yet, how refreshing! 

Paul asked on the basis of his good name and God's Name for Philemon to be generous with Onesimus. What a different world we would live if we expressed how much God loved each of us by refreshing others in His name.  God has loved and trusted me, and you, with this world and each other.  How can I use my name and His Name to proclaim His Great Love for me and other believers?

It's about love and wisdom and trust.  God loved me.  God sees value in me.  God has entrusted me with purpose.  My purpose is to love other believers, to see the value in other believers and to refresh other believers with the reminder of how special they are to the Lord.  The Book of Philemon challenges me to think less of myself and more of God and other believers.  Now that is a world changing idea!

Dedicated to Better

Those dark eyes stared deep into my soul.  For an instant I thought, "Is this unconditional love...am I up to it?  Do I deserve it?"  A little boy had entered my life.  Immediately upon introduction he gripped my shirt to hang onto  me with all his strength.  I decided in that moment to strive to live up to his expectation.  I had an opportunity and I wanted to be a better person.  Most baby gifts I give include my "light bulb" moment of enlightenment, "Parenting will make you a better person."  Now my life decisions included consideration of the effect on his life.

Paul offers Philemon an opportunity to be a better person and an example of life in God's world. In verses 12-16 he explains to Philemon his desire to keep Onesimus with him because he has helped him in his ministry for the Gospel.  But he wanted Philemon's consent.  He wanted Philemon to do him a spontaneous favor and not force him.  In The Message, Paul "didn't want to do anything behind " Philemon's back and make him do a good deed that he hadn't willingly agreed.  Paul offers Philemon an opportunity to be generous, to be forgiving, to be unselfish.

What would our world be like if we offered more opportunities for people to be generous, forgiving and unselfish? 

Too often as a child I was told "Eat your ________________.  It will put hair on your chest."  What if I didn't want hair on my chest?"

My piano teacher assigned a piece of music by Chopin with the pronouncement "It will be good for you."  I practiced Chopin in earnest so I would be a better pianist but it was a mission to better myself. 

Paul offers Philemon an opportunity to be a better person and at the same time the opportunity to assist Onesimus to be a better person.   How often do we think about enabling others to be better persons?

To do the right thing for another, not self.  To do something to change the world,  for the future.  Is this what it means to be a "change agent"?  Is this how the Good News will change this crazy world in which we live?

How can I give others the opportunity to be better persons?  It seems I must live out their opportunity... to be generous, forgiving and unselfish.  Assisting them to become a better person will make me a better person, and witness. 

Just as that little boy's well-being influenced my decisions, so should the effect on others, the world and my witness, affect my decision making.

The little book of Philemon is changing my view of the world!  It really is "A Whole New World"!!!!

Gracie

"I'm going to name her Ruthie" I told my husband as we drove to pick out a new puppy.  I thought I had picked her name but Ruthie was not her name. 

On the car ride home, I knew what her name would be.  I'd heard her story. She had been a member of a litter of pups dumped with her mother on a desolate farm road on a cold January night.  Two sisters lived in a nearby farm house and took in the new mother and pups.  They fed them, gave them shelter and their first vaccinations.  I saw the advertisement in the newspaper, "Free pups to good homes."   When we arrived, and chose our pup, one of the sisters gave me the information on the vaccinations, a bag of dog food and the assurance that if the pup didn't get along in our home to  please bring her back.

Her name was Gracie.   Gracie had been brought back twice because she didn't fit into a family.  That's when I knew her name was Gracie, not Ruthie.  She'd found grace several times.  Later I found out that the mother of the two sisters who rescued the pups was named Grace.

Her name and her story always reminds me of my faith journey with God and how He rescued and rescues me with His amazing grace.  Gracie lived up to her name, at least to me. God always takes me back when I try to fit into the world.

In Philemon 9b- 11, Paul introduces his reason for the letter to his friend Philemon.  He appeals to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus.  He begins by sharing that Onesimus had been useless but now was useful.  He had become a believer in Jesus while with Paul.  Paul was now his spiritual father and Onesimus was Paul's spiritual son.  Onesimus had served Paul while Paul was in prison.

Onesimus means useful, beneficial, and profitable.  Now he was useful in the ultimate way-useful to God and His mission. Bible commentator, Matthew Henry, said of Onesimus "Now he (Onesimus) will answer to his name."

The same Greek word for useful is found in 2 Timothy 4:11 referring to Mark's assistance in Paul's ministry. In 2 Timothy 2:21,  Paul compares the use of household articles which have noble purposes and ignoble purposes.  In the Living Bible, "If you stay away from sin you will be like one of these dishes made of purest gold--the very best in the house--so that Christ himself can use you for his highest purpose."

My name, Janice, means "God is gracious". (For real, I didn't make that up, just ask the internet!)  In 1953 when my mother choose my name, Janice was the 23rd most popular girl name.  In 2015, Janice is the 1238th most  popular name.  Obviously I have a vintage name and some days I feel like I live up to being vintage.

Today I am challenged by Onesimus, Matthew Henry and Gracie.  Will I answer to my name?  Will anyone know of God's grace as a result of my story or my ministry?

 Regardless of what our names mean, God has given us our true name, Loved, Chosen, Rescued and Useful.

2 Timothy 2: 15 "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed...." NIV 

OR

"Work hard so God will say to you "Well Done...." Living Bible

OR

Be useful to God and hear God say "Well done, my child" - Jan's paraphrase.

The Secret of Three Dots

Once upon a time there were three little dots.  \ No one knows their origin.  Only mathematics types use the dots on a regular basis.  I've always enjoyed using the three little dots.  They introduce the final answer.  They are the drum roll before the big unveiling.   Now I know why I've been attracted to the three little dots. 

"Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I appeal to you on the basis of love..."  Philemon 8-9a NIV

OR in my journal I wrote these verses as

\ I could be bold in Christ and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I appeal to you on the basis of love.

I've always enjoyed using the "therefore" symbol I'd learned in a math class as a child.  Math gave clear and definite, "black and white" answers in a world that taught there were no right answers.

Therefore means for that reason, because of that, on that ground, to that end.  (Merriam-Webster's online dictionary.)  Therefore in these one and one-half  verses is the prelude to  God's final answer to "How should I live in today's world?"

Remember, I heard that the letter to Philemon had a message that could change the world.  Here it is:  Make love the basis of life.

This is revolutionary in a world based on economics.  We judge by numbers so we strive to build more of everything material.  In the preceding verses Paul has expressed his appreciation for his friends, he's prayed the best on his friends and he inspired them to live according to God's way.  In worldly thinking he is building his case, amassing the evidence, compiling his numbers. 

The final answer  is a total surprise.  It is not the answer the worldly types would expect.  Worldly types might interpret Paul's preceding expressions as "Philemon, you owe me".  Yet the big surprise is what rocks our world.  Paul rejects the "you owe me" and concludes by asking Philemon to live by the rule of love.

Two worlds collide in this verse and one-half.  One world is guided by who  has the most, keeping track of favors, while the other world is based on relationship, with each other and with God and love is the key ingredient.

\ we think we prove, deserve, earn, expect but instead we should go against the world and let love inspire us and influence our friends.  What if we lived out our relationships on the basis of love, Love of others, Love of good, Love of God?

The three little dots inspire me to live life based on what God has done: loved us beyond measure.  After all, "...the greatest...is love." (I Corinthians 13:13)  and "Love never fails." (I Corinthians 13:8)

Now I know why I've always liked those three  little dots. They remind  me of the real answer as to how to live in this world.  Live life with love as the goal, the prize, the final answer.

\

Suppose it's a coincidence that the symbol used to introduce the final answer to life is a triangle of dots, kind of like how you often see the Triune God sketched during a bible lesson.  Hmmmm.  Maybe I know the origin of the symbol... just thinking.

Get a GRIP

"Count your blessings." My doctor shared.  The comment subtly reminded me "it could be a  lot worse."  Then he concluded our appointment with "Thanks for making my first appointment of the day the best one."  I was surprised that I had given him encouragement while he encouraged me.

Paul encouraged his friends in the letter to Philemon while their faith in Jesus,  their love for him and their work to refresh the faith of other believers encouraged him.  In verses four through seven Paul reminds me that our daily walk with Jesus will influence other believers.  Paul urges his friends to live their faith such that other believers will be refreshed and that faith in Jesus alone will grip their lives.  In the Living Bible verse 6 Paul prays that sharing their faith with others would grip their lives so they would see the wealth of good things that come from Jesus.

A friend shared a challenging day and how it made him feel.  When he got in his car a particular song was on  the radio and he was assured that God was in control.  We encouraged him when we rejoiced in his testimony.

God's

            Goodness Really Is Present

                                                            in my life!

A friend shared the diagnosis she'd received.   We encouraged her when we all exhaled relief!

God's

            Greatness Really Is Present

                                                            in my life!

A friend shared how she had been affected by a lengthy challenge and how she just wanted her  life back.  Her friend called and had made arrangements for a first step in making her life normal again.  I encouraged her with an enthusiastic Hallelujah!

God's

            Guidance Really Is Present

                                                            in my life!

What I hear the wonderful work of God in the lives of believers I get a grip on the good in my life, the good which God has blessed me.

G od's Goodness, Greatness and Guidance

R eally

I s

P resent

and my friends make sure I remember to get a grip on my true wealth in Jesus!

Dig into God's New World. It is a fantastic point of view!

"A whole new world, a fantastic point of view..."  In my mind I can still hear my young nieces' sing the theme song from the 1992 animated movie Aladdin.  They sang it in the family talent show, in the car, on the street and at MaMa's house.

I'm adopting this song as the theme song for my study of the book of Philemon.  A few weeks ago this tiny book was mentioned during the sermon  as having a message that would change the world.  The thought has since intrigued me.  Hence I begin my exploration of a whole new world.

Paul writes to his friends, Philemon, Apphia, Archippus, and their church.  He asks God to give them grace and peace.(Philemon 1-3.  Yes the book is so small there are no chapter numbers, just verse numbers.  Wonder how many blogs I can get out of 25 verses!)

These friends of Paul have faith in Jesus as their common denominator.  Following God and spreading His Good News is their whole world.  It's new to the earthly world.  It's a whole new world unlike what they have experienced, " fantastic point of view".

In this new world, where faith in Jesus is the driving force in life, we have a new set of relationships which might parallel earthly relationships or may be a newer, better experience.

Philemon was Paul's friend and fellow worker.  I reflected on my thirty plus years as an adult Sunday School class teacher.  I realized my effectiveness was due to my partner teachers.   God called Rodney, Lynn, Bruce and Mark to be my fellow workers and friends.  They were regular attenders, inviters, hosts and substitute teachers.  I loved my ministry so much more because they were with me in all aspects of our mission.  Grace and Peace to them for being faithful to God's call to encourage and support me and so many others.   In God's new world I have friends and companion workers wherever I am.

Apphia was Paul's sister.  Maybe she was his biological sister.  Just today I learned he had one.  Acts 23:16 tells it was Paul's sister's son who alerted Paul to a plot to kill him. I don't have a biological sister but have three dear sisters-in-law. Maybe Apphia was Paul's spiritual sister.  I have several spiritual sisters God brought into  my life.  Jeanne could read me like a book.  After being apart for years she knows when I need a phone call.  Chris and Susan taught me about commitment.  We celebrated each and every birthday together  in big ways.  Mary, Terry, Roxane and Beth have carried me through many adventures in life, all of which have a common theme: "How hard can this be?"  Grace and Peace to my sisters. In God's new world I have family wherever I am.

Archippus was Paul's fellow fighter.  Several times in my life I have been called to be one of the "change agents."  It's not a popularity winning ministry because most people do not like to change.  Yet to see God at work and to focus on God, not our comfortable ways and structures, change must happen.  Donna, Gloria, Eleanor, Maggie, Mae, Carol,   Virginia, Charlotte, Evon, Ruth and so many others labored with me in our work for God.  Grace and Peace to my co-laborers.  In God's new world I have colleagues in God's work wherever I am.

Finally, Paul greets the church.  We have lived and served in several churches across the country.  Countless people have prayed for us, given to us and been with us through thick and thin.  Grace and Peace to those in the churches of Coalinga, El Dorado, Marshalltown, Blackfoot, Jefferson, and Clearfield.  In God's new world I am never alone. 

In Christ, I have a whole new world of friends, family, partners and community.  I am never alone.  I belong. I will succeed.  The common denominator is God.  It's a whole new world in God's world.

Today take time to thank God for your friends, family, partners and community.  They are the proof that you are never alone, you belong and you will succeed.  Send them His Grace and Peace.

The Empty Manger & The Empty Tomb

“You’ll need to take that down.”  My husband responded when I shared a minor Christmas disaster.  I had unpacked the Nativity set his mother had built for us over several years.  Each year at Christmas she gave us another set of characters from Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus to the three camels.  We loved it.  It was displayed in a place of honor every year.  This year, however, its appearance was doomed.  All the characters were in the box except one—Baby Jesus.  The manger was there but it was empty.

I searched the box and packing material.  I went back to the shelf where it had been stored for the past ten months.  No Baby Jesus.  Dread loomed.  Three dogs may have been guilty.  It would have been an inviting theft and destruction mission for Mickey, Molly or Makena.  My first inclination would be Molly, she gets what she wants, always!  Yet I don’t recall any evidence of bits of Baby Jesus and the manger escaped intact.  Perhaps some visiting child needed the assurance of Baby Jesus in their pocket. 

Regardless, Baby Jesus was missing.  We can’t display a Nativity without Baby Jesus at Christmas.

Quickly I went to Amazon to rescue our Christmas tradition.  I found a replacement Baby Jesus.                 I would have it in a few days, free shipping, in time for the first party of our season.  Dutifully I checked the reviews.  I was stunned by the comments:

·         Several were appalled that Baby Jesus was plastic.  The whole Nativity set is a plastic resin material.  So what did they expect? 

·         Others felt the Baby Jesus was too small.  As the original set was made, Baby Jesus was about the size of a 25 pound newborn and Mary looked to be 100 pounds soaking wet.  So what did they expect?

I was reminded that when the real Baby Jesus appeared on Earth, most people were appalled by His mission and ministry.  Too many expected a victorious conqueror, an authoritative judge or a powerful king.  Instead, He came as a vulnerable baby human. 

The “Amazon delivered” Baby Jesus is perfect.  It is the same material and size of the rest of the set.  It completed the set and saved our Christmas tradition.

I’m keeping that old empty manger (because Amazon delivered a new Baby Jesus and a new manger)  as a reminder that regardless of my expectation of Jesus, God sent the Jesus I need.  Jesus completes my life and saves me.

And now the rest of the story:

We were preparing for a group of guests.  Dick looked on the couch and there was the original Baby Jesus.  It had blended into the design on the fabric.

Baby Jesus was there all the time I thought He was missing.

How often in life do we forget that Jesus is with us all the time?  We may not pay close enough attention.  Yet Jesus is always there!

Let our story of the lost and found Baby Jesus remind you to pay attention, He’s there all the time!

And now my confession.  

This story is actually our Christmas letter I never got around to sending.  I thought I should post it today, on Easter.

The empty manger sits in my kitchen window next to the seeds I hope will germinate into tomato plants.  The empty manger and the empty tomb mean Jesus is with me, all the time.

HE IS RISEN!  CELEBRATE!

Hold On!

"Hold on!  Hold on!"  The field supervisor kept yelling.  I held onto the doorframe while he held onto his bouncing desk.  For 28 seconds we held on.  28 seconds which taught me to hold on spiritually too.

It was the Big One.  We'd lived in California for nearly three years and hadn't felt a real earthquake.  There were reports of minor quakes but we never noticed.  On May 2, 1983, at 4:42 pm, there was no doubt we felt this quake.  Eventually they labeled it as a 6.8 on the Richter scale.  The whole downtown collapsed into a pile of rubble.  Home shifted from their foundations.  Cupboards opened and the contents flew out to become rubble.  We lived in an official disaster zone.

As I read the final verses in Micah I noticed he encouraged the Israelites to put their hope in The Lord "as in days long ago." (NIV Micah : 14, 15 and 20).  Micah had told them disaster was coming.  He reminded them of God's deliverance when He led their ancestors out of bondage.  The final words of the book of Micah points to the fulfilled past promises of God to be the foundation of their hope for the coming days.

Hope starts in my past experience with God.  The memory fuels my present experience and propels me into the unknown future.

My memory of life in the disaster zone is one miracle from God after another.  It was a rare occasion for the field supervisor to be in the office at 4:42 pm.  Yet he was there and knew exactly what to do during and after a major earthquake.  Stand in the doorway. (Which I just happened to be when the earth began to shake.)  When the shaking stops, get out of the building and away from potentially falling power lines and buildings. He got us settled standing in the middle of the street.  Then he took off with a big wrench and drove up alleys to turn off gas lines to prevent explosions.  He had been a plumber and served as our mayor.

Was it a coincidence that I was in the safest place when the quake started?  In the doorway with someone who knew exactly what to do?  I think not.  God was in control and keeping watch over me, and many others.

I have  many stories from my time living in the disaster zone.  Memories that have shaped my faith and relationship with God.  Experiences to equip me to face tomorrow and the uncertainty of life.

·         I learned to put my trust in the eternal God, not the shake-able earth and my breakable treasure.

·         I learned that the fervent prayers of many people really would help me cope with the daily challenges.

·         I learned what the family of God looks like.  People from all other the world came to assist or contributed to our physical recovery.

The foundation of my hope in God begins in my past experiences when He has cared for me.

As I finish my reflection on the Book of Micah I am reminded to "Hold on".

·         Hold on to the proof of God's care for me in the past.

·         Hold on to His control in my daily life.

·         Hold on to His plan for my future.

In Spite of Me

"I smell smoke!"  Immediately I pulled to the shoulder of the road.  A dozen women scrambled over luggage and exited the church van while smoke poured from under the engine hood.   We were on our way to the mountains for a ladies conference.  Now we were in the middle of agricultural land ten miles from town in a time before cell phones were invented!  We listened to the engine sputter and hiss.

Twenty minutes out of town I saw the engine warning light glow red but quickly go off.  I thought "the next town I'd better have that checked."  The engine gave up ten miles short of my planned stop.

That's when they showed up.  Just as the last woman made it safely out of the van and onto the gravel, two farmers walked up.  I remember them wearing matching overalls.  One was tall and young with dark hair peaking from under a faded ball cap.  His partner was a short older man, a bit weathered.  "Can we help you ladies?"  They appeared so suddenly we hadn't even formulated a plan to handle our situation.  We were still shaken from the whole smoke and  potential flaming van thing

.

It was my fault we were in this situation.  I thought I could 'will' the engine to make it to the next town to serve my purpose, to fit my timeline, to accommodate my mission.  Little did I know that my ignorance and stubbornness would deliver us stranded in a grape field ten miles short of civilization.

 "I'm down but I'm not out. I'm sitting in the dark right now but God is my light... I deserve it--I sinned.  But it' not forever.  He's on my side and is going to get me out of this..." (Micah 7:8b-9 in The Message)  As Micah continues to admonish the Israelites for their sin of unfaithfulness, he also delivers these encouraging words of hope and grace. 

Even though the Israelites had forgotten how much they were loved by God to pursue other false gods; 

Even after their unfaithfulness had besmirched God's reputation before  other nations; 

Even when their enemies could see that the Israelite disobedience caused their problems, 

God was ready to take control, plead their case, conquer their enemies and set the world right.

I reflected on God's deliverance of those ladies in the midst of my ignorance and stubbornness.   Those two farmers appeared miraculously even before we had time to ask ourselves or God how to handle the predicament.   They graciously drove me to town to phone home and have my husband send a fleet of cars and a tow truck.  They suggested I purchase $20 worth of small parts with the intent to fix the smoking engine.  (No such luck, the engine melted into worthless lump!)  They stayed with  us  until our husbands drove up and then disappeared.  I never got their names nor properly thanked them. 

God took care of us in the midst of my poor judgment.  How many other times has God been "with me" in my stubborn disobedience when I choose to follow my own thoughts and get myself in a tangle?  He's ready and waiting to help me, sometimes even before I think to ask for His help.

What a great God! 

He loves me

            in spite of my stubbornness,

            in spite of my self-proclaimed wisdom,

            in spite of my poor representation of His character and

            in spite of my blatant disobedience. 

God has a greater  plan.  I'm part of His  plan, not He's part of my plan.

These verses in Micah remind me that God is with me even in the consequences of my poor choices.

 

What a great God!