Put On Influence

 

I had the privilege this past week to write the obituary for my Daddy.  It was very therapeutic.  I was impressed by how his character influenced my development.  I described him as a character who had character.  He was a fun guy, a great storyteller and up for adventure.  

 

Upon my review of the first draft. I realized I’d tallied what he did, his accomplishments, but hadn’t listed who he was, his character.  He taught me about integrity, loyalty and planning for the right thing.

 

He did not have a formal class or presentation.

§  Dad always had a plan yet was open to spontaneity.  

§  Dad always wanted the best for his loved ones.  

§  Dad sacrificed for his loved ones.

 

My brother and I learned through the osmosis of family life with Dad.  Occasionally, he would announce a new word to learn or lesson from his life but most often, he just was himself.

 

What must it have been like to with be Jesus in the flesh?  

 

In my reminiscing, it occurred to me that Jesus taught the original disciples in a similar method.  Sure, He had sermons, teachings and explanations. He sacrificed Himself for us, His loved ones. But on a daily basis He was just Himself.  Himself being God Incarnate!

 

Jesus modeled for the disciples love for God, for others and for themselves. Jesus’s earthly life demonstrated forgiveness and God-given purpose. Jesus came 

§  to fulfill prophecy

§  to demonstrate God’s love for us

§  to die for our failures.

 

Life is about influence.  Today influence is usually all about social media. Yet the average person influences 80,000 people in a lifetime (average life expectancy is 78 years). Some of this influencing is done as a child so it’s not all on social media, even today.

 

80,000 people.  That’s about the capacity of GEHA Arrowhead Stadium—the loudest stadium, during a Kansas City Chiefs football game!

 

Influence can be negative or positive.  I have been challenged to take care to influence in a positive manner, expressing my appreciation for someone’ service (even when it’s their job), being polite in the most insignificant circumstances and being positive and leading with compassion.

 

Jesus called us to be and make disciples.  (Matthew 28: 19-20) How we influence will be crucial to living our God-given purpose.  To live out our purpose we should

§  walk the talk 

§  seize the teachable moments as the Spirit leads

§  love others as Jesus has loved us.

 

Let’s engage:

·      It made me smile when my son expressed compassion in a way that was my Dad’s way.  Daddy’s influence.  When have you reflected the influence of your mentor in a positive manner?

·      When you get dressed in the morning, what do you want to “put on” to guide your influencing for the day?  See Colossians 3: 12-17.

·      Consider how you influence those you encounter.  How do you want to be remembered?

·      One of my favorite memories of Daddio was the subject of one of my earlier blogs.  Here’s the link: “Leadership begins with the nearest and dearest”, 

 

https://sunsetjan.blogspot.com/2020/03/leadership-begins-with-nearest-and.html

 

The Lord Said to Me

 

“the LORD said to me,” Deuteronomy 2:17    

 

The speaker at the women’s conference asked who it was in the audience and without any hesitation or thought, my hand raised.  I said, “It’s me.”

 

            God had message just for me.  The speaker’s topic was passion, calling and purpose or “Why am I here?”   After she laid the foundation for acknowledging and acting upon our God-given calling and purpose, she moved into an interactive group discussion.  She was sensitive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit as she elaborated her points.

 

            She sensed that someone was worried about a calling to blog but was reluctant because that someone felt “past her prime.” I’d spoken those exact words to myself in my head and even shared them with a friend.

 

I had stopped my regular habit of blogging a few years ago.  Several of the most “recent” (and this is a most generous use of the word “recent”!) posts announced my return to the habit.  

 

            I have been mired in self-doubt for months.  I even surprised myself that I have been so fickle.  I blogged the entire book of Deuteronomy and embrace the book as one of my “favs.”

 

            Why did the book of James(my most “recent” blog topic) and the verses on doubt cause me to freeze and abandon a clear calling? I couldn’t be authentic encouraging others when my thoughts were consumed with self-doubt.

 

            My theory: I was stuck in dubiety. 

 

I learned this word, dubiety, in my small group during a discussion on doubt.  We started with the well-known doubter, Thomas (John 20:24-29).  Thomas was absent when Jesus miraculously appeared in a locked room to bring peace and instruction to the disciples after His crucifixion.  Thomas wanted to see and touch Jesus for himself. Thomas could easily have been a native Missourian where the motto is “Show me!”

 

            Doubt is defined as a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction. Doubt has a negative connotation.  Doubt divides, raises the fear level and blinds us to God’s work.  

 

Dubiety is “ramped-up” doubt.  It means unusually hesitant uncertainty or doubt that causes vacillation (much like being tossed about in the waves of the sea as mentioned in James 1: 6).

 

            There may be a good side to doubt before it becomes crippling dubiety.  Some of the greatest heroes of the faith (like Moses, Sarah, David and Elijah ) spent some time in the ocean of doubt of self  and faith.

 

Doubt can be an opportunity to choose to trust God and see God work. Doubt can cause us to take stock in our faith and how we express it.  Perhaps dealing with doubt by embracing the peace and familiarity Jesus brought to the disciples will enable us to share our uncertain thoughts with others and build faith in Jesus, each other and ourselves.

 

God’s grace is overwhelming!  So many times I’ve failed.  Yet the Lord said to me “you are not past your prime” and “you still have a purpose”!

 

So once again I am returning to my calling of nearly 10 years to blog; to bring encouragement to believers and seekers to embrace a life of following Jesus.  I completely endorse life with Jesus leading.  It’s time, again, for me to get off the paralyzing dubiety carousel, swallow my latest dose of doubt and enjoy blogging.

 

When I first began blogging, through a friend the Lord said to me I had an insight that others needed to hear.  Through the speaker the Lord said to me that my blog may be a blessing to someone or may be used to deliver an answer to prayer.

 

Let’s engage:

 

·      What has the Lord said to you through another person?  Who was it and what did the Lord say to you?

·      What Bible verse will help you control doubt?  My memory verse with be Deuteronomy 2:17.  Here’s the link to one of my earliest blogs on this verse: https://sunsetjan.blogspot.com/2013/10/memorizethis-one.html

·      Please share your thoughts and comments.

 

 

 

 

 

So Incredibly Blessed

“God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” [Jas 1:12 NLT]

 

Much of life is not “what if” but “when”.  We worry about too much of “what if” challenges.  More of life is dependable.  As humans we share in common loss-- loss of a loved one, stability of life or a healthy body.

 

My earthly journey has taught that worrying about “what if” is a waste of time.  Rather I should be prepared for “when” and patiently endure the “when” when it happens.

 

Earlier this month I celebrated twenty years as a breast cancer survivor.  My mom was one of my mentor’s as the challenge of the Big C became a part of my life experience.  She modeled a positive outlook as she faced the disease the first time.  “Why me?” did not formulate her response.  Instead “Why not me?” was her guiding principle.

 

During her 16 years as a survivor she taught me to enjoy life.  She adored being a grandmother and gave herself fully to those kids.  She could get them to do anything!  Perhaps her secret was sharing a single piece of chewing gum with them.  I’m hoping it was giving all she thought was right for them, sitting on the floor playing with them, and in their presence making them feel important.

 

Worry about “What if” is pointless and robs us of valuable time because we all will end this earthly life.  We don’t know the “when” but it’s a guarantee that life on earth is temporary.

 

I distinctly remember a decision I made a few weeks into my treatment for cancer.  I embraced the fact that “I had cancer.” (That “had” is emphatic past tense.) It was in the past.  I realized that with endless doctor appointments, preventative measures, and tests, wasting a valuable minute on worry was robbing me of joy in the present. 

 

I am incredibly blessed.  My life is full, full of life, joy and just a little bit of obstacle. Poignant moments of life, like family holidays, holding my grandchild for the first time, meeting another’s need, makes me “just glad to be here.”

 

Cherish each moment.  Reject worry about “what if”.  Not all “what ifs” happen.  Life is like an athletic endeavor.  Practice prepares us for the race.  Each day presents enough challenge to give us practice for looking the “big ones” in the eye!

 

 

I am blessed! My friends wore pink to celebrate!

It’s about We

 

“Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.” [Jas 1:9-11 ESV]

 

“You’re supposed to be sick, so act like it!”  My mother hollered up the steps.  My brother and I were jumping on his beds.  We were home sick from school with the measles but neither of us had a serious case.

 

Society expects certain behavior for our station or circumstance.  I was once told that I was not acting like I needed financial assistance.  Hmmm.  Is there a behavior that is appropriate to our lot in life?

 

I read James 1:9-11 on the hottest day of the year so far. “Prosperity is as short-lived as a wildflower…as soon as the sun rises, pouring down its scorching heat, the flower withers.”  (The Message)  Fortunately, my little pot of wildflowers didn’t read The Message that day because they bloomed like crazy that day.

 

Rather than complying with expected behavior perhaps we are to rejoice in what God has given us, all of us, in the moment.  It’s not about the separation of groups.  Life is about community. Witness is about “We.”

 

My granddaughter has a collection of cooperative board games.  My husband and I were raised in the competitive gaming model.  We didn’t enjoy these games until we read the instructions well.  The goal of the game was to get the chickens into the safety of the coop before all the sun cards were played.  This meant the three players, two old competitors and a future world changer, discussed the strategy for each of us to play to get those chicks in the nest before sundown.

 

Perhaps this game should be a model for Life.  We should cheer for everyone who makes a difference in the world, regardless of how small.

 

The game of Life is about We.  We all succeed or really there is no success.  Success as the world defines it, prosperity, is fleeting.  Heat, cold, evil can end the prosperity.  God’s plans are eternal and for all.

 

How does that thought lead us to behave?  Our circumstance should not dictate our response or behavior.  Rather, our trust in God’s control and care.  Our wildflowers are survivors amidst the record breaking heat because occasional rain has blessed them and the caretaker, me, has a dependable schedule for watering.

 

In spite of the scorching environment, bloom where planted, we, like the wildflowers, need to stick together.  I think the wildflowers flourished under the excessive heat because they would not alone! Together we rejoice in God, His provision, His love, His faithfulness.

 

Presumptuous we are

 

“For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;” [Jas 1:7 ESV]

“he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. “[Jas 1:8 ESV]

 

I walked into my kitchen to find my dinner guest cleaning and rearranging my cupboards.  I was at a loss on how to react. We didn’t know each other well. In my mind, she was presumptuous. There must be a right of privacy of cupboard.    She accepted my hospitality only to invade my privacy.

 

When I read James 1: 7-8 I felt uncomfortable.  The first note in my journal was “it takes gall to ask the one you rejected for help. We are presumptuous.  We ignore God’s offer of relationship and then blame Him when life goes awry!”  

 

We ask God to be in our lives. Yet, when it comes to “cleaning our spiritual cupboards” we consider God to be the intruder.  We are quick to accept God’s forgiveness and blessings.  Yet, when a single circumstance displaces our happiness or comfort, we are even quicker to blame God.  Too often we demand that God fix the situation, even when we made the mess.  That seems presumptuous! Perhaps that is being double-minded.

 

Have you noticed how many in our society have a self-absorbed world view with little regard for the impact their actions have on others?  They want more than what they have, address their personal needs first, create drama to get their way and play the victim card often.

 

When my plan for life is interrupted with an unwelcome event or condition, I choose my response. The options are trust in God or devise my own scheme to alleviate the problem.

 

I learned a valuable life lesson from my mom when she had cancer the first time. A very close family member was venting frustration with Mother’s situation exclaiming “WHY?  Why you?”  Mother calmly replied, “Why not me?  Who am I that I should receive special treatment?”

 

My mother’s perspective on her situation has been a life lesson to me.  My response to similar situations has been, at least my goal, is not to presume God loves me more than others nor does He promise me a “rose garden” easy life.  Rather, God is with me always, yes, always, and He is in control of the entire situation.

 

The Greek word translated double-minded is “dipsychos”.  It means two spirited and vacillating in opinion or purpose.  It is used only twice in the New Testament, in verse 1:8 and again in James 4:8.

 

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. “[Jas 4:8 ESV]

 

This verse reminds me of the cure for my double-mindedness.  

o   First, draw near to God. Go to God and tell Him about the situation and how you feel. Listen to what He says in response.

o   Cleanse my hands.  Just as Pontius Pilate washed his hands of the crowds’ clamor for Jesus’ death, I need to wash my thoughts and actions from viewing my life circumstances the way the entitled worldly do.

o   Purify my heart.  Review my motive for my choice of view of life circumstance.  Am I only thinking of myself and how this interruption will affect me, and only me? Or am I trusting God’s sovereignty and plan for my life and those I affect?

 

Let’s engage:

§  Do you have a cupboard that needs to be cleaned?

§  Have you ever felt like you were entitled and did not receive what you sought?

§  Have you ever felt the effect of someone else’s thirst for entitlement?

 

 

Affirmation

I approached the basket, as instructed, and choose the paper star on the top of the pile. Immediately I turned it over to read my Star word. The speaker had introduced the practice of selecting a word to guide the year on Epiphany, the day tradition recognizes the visit of the Magi visiting the Christ Child. 

“Affirmation” was my Star word. I smiled and knew it was significant. 

I’ve wrestled with my calling for several months. I’ve always wanted to be a writer, to be published. My mom instilled the idea when she acknowledged my potential. Her qualifications to judge were she was an avid reader, and she was my mom! 

In 2013 I started a blog and wrote three to four times a week. I was an early riser and used the quiet morning to read, study and ponder the book of Deuteronomy. I had two puppies at the time who served as my alarm and accountability partners. My husband was working out of town. 

Years later, in full retirement, I should have been able to keep up writing. I should have four or five books completed. I’ve had thoughts and ideas. I’ve outlined and dreamed. But laziness and doubt have held me hostage. I’ve contributed to writing challenges several times but never been selected for publishing. 

Doubt is a formidable opponent. Wallowing in doubt will erode self-confidence, focus and sense of accomplishment. (There’s nothing that rewards me more than the ability to “check the completed box”.)

Last year I resolved to start blogging again. I chose the book of James and returned to make pattern of reading a verse or two, considering what the verse said to me in my day and penning a meditation. Then James 1:6 and my pondering on doubt sucked the “wind out of my sails”! 

I was confronted with my “church-lady” sounding simplistic ruminations of doubt and how to handle it. I’ve been stuck in neutral ever side. I’m too legalistic to skip the verses. I’m too fearful to admit my vulnerability. Perhaps my dream is past, over and/or not achievable. Yet I could not “Elsa it” (let it go). 

Now I have this star shaped slip of paper with this word glaring at me, pricking my heart. I smiled because I knew it was the compass needle pointing me to the answer. I checked an online dictionary for the definition of affirmation. One of the definitions: nod head. God has nodded His head at me and is waiting for me to nod in return. 

While doing my daily lesson for my online bible study group, I faced the question “Is God really calling me or is this something I want to do?” (Before the Throne, p. 76) 

The video testimony at the women’s conference included Habbakuk 2:2. My heart felt that prick again. This verse in The Message encouraged me(emphasis added): 

• Write This 

• Write what you see 

• Write it out in BIG BLOCK LETTERS 

• So it can be read on the run 

• This vision-message is a witness pointing to what’s coming. 

The Habbakuk verse gave me these instructions: 

o BLOG. For now, I should be blogging. I rarely read anything on the internet that is more than 500 words, so I don’t need to be more verbose than 500 words; 

o SIMPLE. K.I.S.S. – Keep It Simple Servant- I’m not a theologian. 

o APPLICABLE. Share usable thoughts for everyday life, not drastic circumstances. 

o SOW. Use that degree in Botany! Sow into others seeds of encouragement 

One of my most recent acrostics: 

T he 

R eason 

I 

B log is 

E ngage, Encouragement, Excitement, Enthusiasm 

“Every word of the Bible can speak to you on any day and in many ways.” Jan Sipe’s “Any, Many Principle.

So I resolve, again, to let the words of the Bible speak and to share what I hear to encourage, excite and enthuse others.  

Feel free to join my Facebook group- Sunset Jan's Blog (Jan Sipe) or email me at Jansipe2013@gmail.com.  The group gives us a measure of intimacy so we can apply our learnings together.

Stuck at a Crossroad?

 “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” [Jas 1:6 NIV]

Why would one ask for something from a source that is questionable?  Before one asks, wouldn't one have faith in the ability of the giver to deliver?  Sounds like an exercise in philosophy.  I'm not much for such deep thinking.  

Asking and doubt often appear together in life.

I like to keep it simple.  I start with a reliable dictionary definition for doubt.  Somewhere in my wanderings in the online dictionaries and encyclopedias, I discover that the Latin source of the word for doubt means to be of two minds, double minded, to stand at the crossroad.

Life challenges (those times that may not go the way you wish or go in a surprising direction) are like standing at a crossroad with at least 2 paths or options. Simply put, I have the choice to believe God has the best plan for me OR I can choose following my skewed human logic.

Perhaps it's human nature to want the cake and eat it too. Reason tells me that having cake and eating it are incompatible since once I eat the cake, I no longer have it.  There it is again, philosophy creeping into my pondering. 

When considering a decision or pausing at a crossroad of choice, in the face of another life challenge, I'll be tossed in both directions (because I can't have my cake and eat it too) until I'm "seasick" (then cake isn't appealing at all!).  Seasickness, car sickness and air sickness are conditions I have a lifetime of experience Motion sickness tablets are a staple in my travel kit.  I enjoy adventures so much more with the security of those little tablets.  They very rarely fail me.

I have faith in those motion sickness tablets because of my past experience.  Likewise, I have faith in God's love and care reflected in the plan He has for me because of the times He has provided, delivered and held my hand.  My mom's advice for seasickness was not to look down at the waves but look up to the horizon.  

The horizon gives stability.  When in doubt, look up!

Doubt, to me, means I need to make a choice.  To choose faith in God or faith in myself.  Unfortunately, due to the influence of worldly desires, selfishness and often laziness, I stand at that crossroad of choice for far too long. I’ve stood at a crossroad of obedience for many months.  I’ve been reminded that researching how to “have it both ways” mean I’m standing at the crossroad going nowhere.  

I’ve wavered for months with posting this musing.  It’s harder to choose the path than I make it sound. (Frankly, I need a motion sickness tablet!) God’s path is stability and the choice for me.  

These months have taught me to choose, and stop my wavering. Choose God’s path because He loves you and me. Choosing God’s path will be the spiritual motion sickness tablet—the seas of life will be calm. 

Let's engage:

What is your favorite cake?

Is doubt a bad thing?

When have you chosen God’s path in a time of doubt?