God determined the perfect time for His Son to enter the world...during the reign of a king who would seek to kill Him rather than love Him. It seemed to be a theme in His life. His parents' response was to grow Him up. Hebrews 5.8 says he learned obedience from what he suffered. The verse before this says, "During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission." He learned how to submit to God, not just in the direction for His earthly life, but also in the suffering that he faced. He learned to pour out His suffering at God's feet recognizing that God is the only One who could save Him from whatever it was He needed to be saved from (and just like for us, there is much we need to be saved from on this earth).
You're likely facing some sort of adversity or suffering right now. What are you learning from what you've suffered? Eeeekk.. Honestly, I'd have to say that I've learned a lot of self-protection...lots and lots of it. I've certainly learned to pour out at God's feet, and He has brought me far because of it. But along with it, I've also taken on (or kept) some bad habits...like, rather than setting healthy boundaries for myself in some areas, I've put demands on others for what is acceptable (eg, "Don't you talk to me that way!" rather than "If you choose to talk to me that way, there will be consequences."). Or when someone hurts me, I may refuse to be vulnerable with them.
As I look at Jesus' example, I love (and am deeply challenged by) His response to Peter, in particular, in John 13 and 14. Jesus is telling His disciples that "His time has come" and that He would be leaving them soon. Peter's response is to want to go with Him and proclaims that he is "ready to die for" Him. Jesus knows right then that Peter will not only NOT be willing to die for Him, but that Peter would actually betray Him by denying that he even knows Jesus...three times...before the next morning.
That would probably be enough for me to say, "Forget you...I already know the depth (or shallowness) of your faithfulness to me. I don't need that." But not Jesus. His response was, "'Don't be troubled. ...trust in me. ...I am going to prepare a place for you. ...When everything is ready, I will come and get you." I'm sure His heart was broken by the knowledge that even His closest friends would betray Him. Yet I think He could still be vulnerable because (Heb. 5.8) He submitted Himself to (the trustworthy) God, pouring out to God all that troubled Him, so that He could choose to follow the more vulnerable path that God had laid out for Him...that vulnerable path that He also lays out for each of us.
God offers us the same opportunity. Philippians 4.6 directs us to tell God what we need and thank Him for all that He's done. Pour out to Him...and then we can have peace.
As a final thought, and as I return to my original thoughts on Jesus being born under the reign of a king who wanted Him dead, it causes me to wonder a bit about "the three wise men." I wonder what made them so wise...maybe b/c they knew when to leave their work to go worship. Worship requires trust. Worship and trust go hand in hand with pouring out to Him. Let's not neglect to leave our work to worship when His presence draws us.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Move It or Lose It
I'll just be real with you: we're getting older. It seems that, in general, there is less demand on our bodies as we age. When I was a bit younger and had younger kids, I remember my mother-in-law asking me if I ever sat down. I think, then, it was probably only to change a diaper. Several years ago, I was chasing toddlers all over...even in the middle of the night I would be up with a crying baby, or a kid with a wet bed, or you name it. Now, there are still just as many demands on my time, yet it's different. Rather than chasing kids, I now sit in the van and drive teenagers all over; and when I'm not doing that, I'm sitting and working at my computer...writing a workbook, editing something, or working on some other digital project.
Our ancestors used to be on their feet all day long plowing fields, building fences and other structures, baling and stacking hay and straw...much physical labor. Technology, however, has driven many of us to sit all day long.
Have you felt the impact of that yet? I have. Much of this past year I took a bit of a sabbatical from exercise and found that "I'm losing it." What I'm gaining: aches and pains. Shortness of breath. I've gotten weaker, less flexible. Low energy level...tired a lot. I didn't realize how much impact just walking briskly 20 minutes a day, 3 or 4 days a week had on me. Two weeks ago, I left my sabbatical and began to "move it" again...3 days last week, and so far, 2 this week.
Have you felt the "move it or lose it" impact anywhere else in your life? The Apostle Paul says in the Bible, "for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." (1 Tim. 4.8) Seeing and feeling the impact of my physical laxity, I'm not only motivated to re-build what I've lost physically, but I'm also motivated to maintain and stretch what I have spiritually. I saw and felt the frustrating impact of the physical loss. If that's only of "little value", I certainly don't want to lose the spiritual, which is of much greater value.
What am I doing today to exercise spiritually?
Our ancestors used to be on their feet all day long plowing fields, building fences and other structures, baling and stacking hay and straw...much physical labor. Technology, however, has driven many of us to sit all day long.
Have you felt the impact of that yet? I have. Much of this past year I took a bit of a sabbatical from exercise and found that "I'm losing it." What I'm gaining: aches and pains. Shortness of breath. I've gotten weaker, less flexible. Low energy level...tired a lot. I didn't realize how much impact just walking briskly 20 minutes a day, 3 or 4 days a week had on me. Two weeks ago, I left my sabbatical and began to "move it" again...3 days last week, and so far, 2 this week.
Have you felt the "move it or lose it" impact anywhere else in your life? The Apostle Paul says in the Bible, "for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." (1 Tim. 4.8) Seeing and feeling the impact of my physical laxity, I'm not only motivated to re-build what I've lost physically, but I'm also motivated to maintain and stretch what I have spiritually. I saw and felt the frustrating impact of the physical loss. If that's only of "little value", I certainly don't want to lose the spiritual, which is of much greater value.
What am I doing today to exercise spiritually?
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Something Better
All morning I've been thinking about a song by The Desperation Band called "Pleasing to You". Great song, but as I'm facing some newly exposed (by God) areas in my life that are very uncomfortable and painful to look at, and cause me to feel like I've regressed spiritually and emotionally about 8-25 years, I started questioning, "Why would I want to be pleasing to God if this is the result!?"
I wonder if that's a question that gets asked silently much more than I realize. I wonder if that's why believers fall away...and those who once claimed to embrace Jesus turn back to themselves and self-sufficiency. I wonder if they've been disillusioned with a "prosperity gospel"...I wonder how many of us don't see truth, when it's the truth that will set us free.
Pleasing to God.... The song says, "Sanctify me. Clean out my closet. Take away anything that is not pleasing to You. Purify me. Destroy all my anger. Wash away everything that is not pleasing to You. ...Taking my cross, I will follow...."
WHY would we do that?? It certainly seems safer and more comfortable NOT to.
God put it in perspective for me as He reminded me of Hebrews 11.40, "God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect." (NIV)
I can only experience the "something better" when I cooperate with His plan. His plan is good (Jeremiah 29.11) and will bring us freedom (Galatians 5.1). Listen to what Romans 8.21 says in the Amplified Bible: "That nature (creation) itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and corruption [and gain an entrance] into the glorious freedom of God's children."
I want that "glorious freedom". I don't want "bondage to decay and corruption". But freedom always has a price. Jesus, not even being subject to that bondage, chose to pay the high price to give us opportunity for freedom. The price for us is to let go of our bondage. Sometimes letting go feels like a crucifixion. In one sense, it is. It is the choice to allow any impurities in us to be crucified and destroyed. Our impurities are often things we put our hope in to satisfy us or bring us security because we can't see another way to be secure or satisfied. The crazy part of it is that those things we're holding onto really aren't making us secure enough or satisfied enough. But when we can't comprehend another way, it's hard to let go. Depending on how long and how tightly we've held onto these impurities, crucifixion of them may involve blood, sweat, tears, pain, sacrifice, release.
However, we have the hope of resurrection. God resurrects to freedom, renewal, holiness, beauty. I want what God will provide in resurrection. "Resurrection comes only because there is first a crucifixion." (Gene Edwards, Exquisite Agony) We have hope of "something better": "glorious freedom"...no more bondage...peace and joy that come only from trusting God for our satisfaction and security.
This "crucifixion" can feel overwhelming...a heavy burden to bear. But, again, God doesn't leave us to fend for ourselves. He provides a way out from the weight of the burden: "Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken." (Psalm 55.22, NASB) The Amplified Bible says, "Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you". We can release the weight of it. What a comfort to have Someone who is capable of sustaining me...and WILL. I want to be "pleasing to [Him]". What about you?
I wonder if that's a question that gets asked silently much more than I realize. I wonder if that's why believers fall away...and those who once claimed to embrace Jesus turn back to themselves and self-sufficiency. I wonder if they've been disillusioned with a "prosperity gospel"...I wonder how many of us don't see truth, when it's the truth that will set us free.
Pleasing to God.... The song says, "Sanctify me. Clean out my closet. Take away anything that is not pleasing to You. Purify me. Destroy all my anger. Wash away everything that is not pleasing to You. ...Taking my cross, I will follow...."
WHY would we do that?? It certainly seems safer and more comfortable NOT to.
God put it in perspective for me as He reminded me of Hebrews 11.40, "God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect." (NIV)
I can only experience the "something better" when I cooperate with His plan. His plan is good (Jeremiah 29.11) and will bring us freedom (Galatians 5.1). Listen to what Romans 8.21 says in the Amplified Bible: "That nature (creation) itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and corruption [and gain an entrance] into the glorious freedom of God's children."
I want that "glorious freedom". I don't want "bondage to decay and corruption". But freedom always has a price. Jesus, not even being subject to that bondage, chose to pay the high price to give us opportunity for freedom. The price for us is to let go of our bondage. Sometimes letting go feels like a crucifixion. In one sense, it is. It is the choice to allow any impurities in us to be crucified and destroyed. Our impurities are often things we put our hope in to satisfy us or bring us security because we can't see another way to be secure or satisfied. The crazy part of it is that those things we're holding onto really aren't making us secure enough or satisfied enough. But when we can't comprehend another way, it's hard to let go. Depending on how long and how tightly we've held onto these impurities, crucifixion of them may involve blood, sweat, tears, pain, sacrifice, release.
However, we have the hope of resurrection. God resurrects to freedom, renewal, holiness, beauty. I want what God will provide in resurrection. "Resurrection comes only because there is first a crucifixion." (Gene Edwards, Exquisite Agony) We have hope of "something better": "glorious freedom"...no more bondage...peace and joy that come only from trusting God for our satisfaction and security.
This "crucifixion" can feel overwhelming...a heavy burden to bear. But, again, God doesn't leave us to fend for ourselves. He provides a way out from the weight of the burden: "Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken." (Psalm 55.22, NASB) The Amplified Bible says, "Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you". We can release the weight of it. What a comfort to have Someone who is capable of sustaining me...and WILL. I want to be "pleasing to [Him]". What about you?
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Modern Relationship - my two cents
As I think about modern views of relationship, I'm disappointed. The movie Julie and Julia, although entertaining, was another example of this for me.
I think it's wonderful that Julie found direction in her life. However, she gave the credit for her life's meaning to another woman who had no interest in knowing her. How sad. Wouldn't it be wonderful to be directed in your life's meaning and purpose by someone who knows you very well AND is thrilled over relationship with you?
God says this: "'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.'" (Jer. 29.11, NIV)
And He also says, "'For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.'" (Zeph. 3.17, NLT)
I want to seek my life's direction from THAT relationship.
Along similar relational lines, I find it interesting how connected we can feel to each other on facebook, and how deceptive that connection can really be. We can be lulled into feeling like we know our facebook friends, but what does it really mean when someone's having a bad day? For one person, it means that he overslept, hit every stoplight on the way to work, traffic was heavy and he had to work through lunch. For another, a bad day means he's devastated because his wife left him.
Do we know the difference? For so many, facebook and the internet are their source of building and maintaining relationship, but you cannot 'know' someone that way. You need face time (not just face 'book' time) with some friends that you'll pursue more depth with. We have to know, at least for a few friends, what exactly it means when they're having a 'bad day'.
Don't allow the internet to deceive you with an intimacy facade. Nothing can substitute for non-verbal communication...touch, tone, a look, and ultimately sharing and exploring the depths of one's heart.
I think it's wonderful that Julie found direction in her life. However, she gave the credit for her life's meaning to another woman who had no interest in knowing her. How sad. Wouldn't it be wonderful to be directed in your life's meaning and purpose by someone who knows you very well AND is thrilled over relationship with you?
God says this: "'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.'" (Jer. 29.11, NIV)
And He also says, "'For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.'" (Zeph. 3.17, NLT)
I want to seek my life's direction from THAT relationship.
Along similar relational lines, I find it interesting how connected we can feel to each other on facebook, and how deceptive that connection can really be. We can be lulled into feeling like we know our facebook friends, but what does it really mean when someone's having a bad day? For one person, it means that he overslept, hit every stoplight on the way to work, traffic was heavy and he had to work through lunch. For another, a bad day means he's devastated because his wife left him.
Do we know the difference? For so many, facebook and the internet are their source of building and maintaining relationship, but you cannot 'know' someone that way. You need face time (not just face 'book' time) with some friends that you'll pursue more depth with. We have to know, at least for a few friends, what exactly it means when they're having a 'bad day'.
Don't allow the internet to deceive you with an intimacy facade. Nothing can substitute for non-verbal communication...touch, tone, a look, and ultimately sharing and exploring the depths of one's heart.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Last Night's Dream
In the dream... It was night, and I was driving down a very, very dark road. Tim was in the passenger's seat and Allison was sort of sitting next to me in the driver's seat, sometimes making it hard to see the road, but everything seemed pleasant with us. All of a sudden, there was a car just sitting in the middle of the road--no lights, so I swerved to miss it. Then there were more cars, as if there had been an accident and cars kept hitting each other in the dark. I saw probably at least a dozen cars crashed on the dark road...still IN the road. It was totally silent, though. I felt scared; kind of panicky that I would hit one, but also knew that help was needed. We needed to call 9-1-1 for help, but also, one clear thought: "WE NEED LIGHTS BROUGHT IN." We need to be able to see how and where to help.
So I asked God about it this morning. He reminded me of Kathy Troccoli's song, "Go light your world." And then that I need to take my 'candle' into the darkness that exists on the path He has me on. Those crashed in the darkness don't even know they need to yell for help...or can't. I need to walk into the darkness with my light that will expose the needs, the pain, the danger of sitting silently wounded/crashed in the middle of the road.
So I asked God about it this morning. He reminded me of Kathy Troccoli's song, "Go light your world." And then that I need to take my 'candle' into the darkness that exists on the path He has me on. Those crashed in the darkness don't even know they need to yell for help...or can't. I need to walk into the darkness with my light that will expose the needs, the pain, the danger of sitting silently wounded/crashed in the middle of the road.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
The Dance
Sometimes it's very obvious; other times it's so subtle it's nearly unnoticeable. Today, I stood in the center of a foot bridge at a park looking up river at God's unique and beautiful landscape and design.
The subtle ache exploded within me as I recognized, once again, that my soul was made for so much more -- not something I can attain on my own -- but something only God is vast enough and creative enough to fill day to day.
As I gazed up the river, willow trees flowed down into and gently caressed the water's edge. A vast mixture of other trees, shrubs and grasses decorated the frame of the river with many shapes, textures and colors. The portrait itself came to life just below my feet as a row of steady, strategically placed rocks, filtering out danger, provided a secure backdrop as several turtles danced freely to the flowing music of the water.
When do I take the time to dance to (or even hear) the music in the circumstances flowing through my life?
Often I resist it, fighting the current, but forgetting the barrier of rocks God has strategically placed to filter out harm...so that I can dance freely. As I think about it, there are several people, and even some material blessings, that God has placed in my flowing river who absorb dangerous debris, making the water safer and more conducive to celebrating and dancing freely.
And in the midst of it all, He dances over me. It's His dancing 'over' me that makes me want to dance with Him. And we dance together in His protected places...when I embrace what my soul was created for.
The subtle ache exploded within me as I recognized, once again, that my soul was made for so much more -- not something I can attain on my own -- but something only God is vast enough and creative enough to fill day to day.
As I gazed up the river, willow trees flowed down into and gently caressed the water's edge. A vast mixture of other trees, shrubs and grasses decorated the frame of the river with many shapes, textures and colors. The portrait itself came to life just below my feet as a row of steady, strategically placed rocks, filtering out danger, provided a secure backdrop as several turtles danced freely to the flowing music of the water.
When do I take the time to dance to (or even hear) the music in the circumstances flowing through my life?
Often I resist it, fighting the current, but forgetting the barrier of rocks God has strategically placed to filter out harm...so that I can dance freely. As I think about it, there are several people, and even some material blessings, that God has placed in my flowing river who absorb dangerous debris, making the water safer and more conducive to celebrating and dancing freely.
And in the midst of it all, He dances over me. It's His dancing 'over' me that makes me want to dance with Him. And we dance together in His protected places...when I embrace what my soul was created for.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
? - sufficiency
I feel like, with the increased family demands that summer brings, I'm moving toward self-sufficiency...not a good thing. Time with God gets squeezed out as we all stay up later and sleep in longer...and yet I still need to get the kids up at a reasonable hour, but I sleep till that time.
So my time with God gets "postponed" till...well, maybe the next day??? ...and my reliance on God gets replaced with reliance on me.
Our flesh (and our enemy) would cause us to ask, "So what's wrong with self-reliance?" It sounds rather noble, non-imposing, strong.... But, we're often lulled into the belief that we can handle whatever life throws at us...and that limits us tremendously. God created us to do amazing works which we cannot do apart from Him...including having truly successful parenting and family lives, ministries, etc.
I know God has moved me, in recent years, out of living in the realm of possibility and into the realm of impossibility...and my attempts to accomplish my purpose apart from reliance on Him will fail...I will fail without God-reliance.
He's my most satisfying relationship in this life. Without it, I am lost and floundering and trying to fill an ache and emptiness in my soul.
I was stunned last night as I picked up my Jesus Calling book and was confronted. I read June 22 (b/c I didn't know what day it was):
"Thank Me for the very things that are troubling you. You are on the brink of rebellion, precariously close to shaking your fist in My Face. You are tempted to indulge in just a little complaining about My treatment of you."
The word "rebellion" startled me. What? Not me. However, as I looked closely at my heart, I saw hints of growing self-sufficiency as I lacked quality time with Him...looking for and entertaining ideas of how to resolve my troublesome issues with comfortable solutions.
The text goes on to say (about complaining), "But once you step over that line, torrents of rage and self-pity can sweep you away. The best protection against this indulgence is thanksgiving. It is impossible to thank Me and curse Me at the same time.
"Thanking Me for trials will feel awkward and contrived at first. But if you persist, your thankful words, prayed in faith, will eventually make a difference in your heart. Thankfulness awakens you to My Presence, which overshadows all your problems. (Ps. 116.17 and Php. 4.4-6)."
Still looking for a bit of relief, :/ I opened up Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest: May 23. "Careful Infidelity". Again, what?? He says worry = infidelity.
Matthew 6.25 describes how when we are worried about "the cares of the world", it chokes out the Word that God puts in us. He says, "...worrying means that we do not think that God can look after the practical details of our lives."
Troubles. This world is full of them...and they impact my life. I want to run away to safety. But He says He's overcome the troubles (Jn. 16.33). Lord, give me tenacity, perseverance, faith that You are in the middle of this...and that I will find You as I dig in to the middle of the things I want to run and find safety from.
So my time with God gets "postponed" till...well, maybe the next day??? ...and my reliance on God gets replaced with reliance on me.
Our flesh (and our enemy) would cause us to ask, "So what's wrong with self-reliance?" It sounds rather noble, non-imposing, strong.... But, we're often lulled into the belief that we can handle whatever life throws at us...and that limits us tremendously. God created us to do amazing works which we cannot do apart from Him...including having truly successful parenting and family lives, ministries, etc.
I know God has moved me, in recent years, out of living in the realm of possibility and into the realm of impossibility...and my attempts to accomplish my purpose apart from reliance on Him will fail...I will fail without God-reliance.
He's my most satisfying relationship in this life. Without it, I am lost and floundering and trying to fill an ache and emptiness in my soul.
I was stunned last night as I picked up my Jesus Calling book and was confronted. I read June 22 (b/c I didn't know what day it was):
"Thank Me for the very things that are troubling you. You are on the brink of rebellion, precariously close to shaking your fist in My Face. You are tempted to indulge in just a little complaining about My treatment of you."
The word "rebellion" startled me. What? Not me. However, as I looked closely at my heart, I saw hints of growing self-sufficiency as I lacked quality time with Him...looking for and entertaining ideas of how to resolve my troublesome issues with comfortable solutions.
The text goes on to say (about complaining), "But once you step over that line, torrents of rage and self-pity can sweep you away. The best protection against this indulgence is thanksgiving. It is impossible to thank Me and curse Me at the same time.
"Thanking Me for trials will feel awkward and contrived at first. But if you persist, your thankful words, prayed in faith, will eventually make a difference in your heart. Thankfulness awakens you to My Presence, which overshadows all your problems. (Ps. 116.17 and Php. 4.4-6)."
Still looking for a bit of relief, :/ I opened up Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest: May 23. "Careful Infidelity". Again, what?? He says worry = infidelity.
Matthew 6.25 describes how when we are worried about "the cares of the world", it chokes out the Word that God puts in us. He says, "...worrying means that we do not think that God can look after the practical details of our lives."
Troubles. This world is full of them...and they impact my life. I want to run away to safety. But He says He's overcome the troubles (Jn. 16.33). Lord, give me tenacity, perseverance, faith that You are in the middle of this...and that I will find You as I dig in to the middle of the things I want to run and find safety from.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
"Would you like to get well?"
Jesus saw the lame man lying next to the healing pool. I guess I'd probably ask the same question if I had the power to heal, even though I already knew why the man was there. But there is something deeper in the question. There is responsibility in being healed.
Let me be clear! There are certainly many times when our health (physical, emotional, mental) is NOT a result of our own choices and actions. But there ARE times, more than we think, when it is.
For example, if you're living a life that is not at peace, but is, instead, consumed with stress because you think you have to perform at a certain level, you are inflicting your body with abuse by elevating safe levels of cortisol in your body, and sustained, it will have devastating effects on your health. Let's use this example....
Many of us often live in that state of stress or 'unhealth' while (I suppose, hopefully) routinely returning to Jesus to ask forgiveness for our behavior...for neglecting Him, neglecting our families, etc. Unfortunately, we end up returning again and again with the same confession, the same "stuck in a rut" sin, and the same "I don't know how to get free of this problem". And we keep running back to Him with our confession...sometimes in shame.
I've noticed, though, that when there's healing that's needed, Jesus doesn't necessarily confront people and ask them to stop sinning first. He heals them FIRST. But His question, whether we hear it or not, is always, "Would you like to get well?" If our answer, or our attitude, is "No", He won't force His healing on us. And when we keep returning to Him, He will keep forgiving us.
After He healed the lame man at the healing pool, Jesus disappeared into the crowd, but then later "Jesus found [the man] in the Temple and told him, 'Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.'" (John 5.1-15)
We have the choice to keep asking for God's forgiveness (and in many areas of our lives, we can rest in this beauty of His love), and in His amazing grace, over and over He extends that amazing grace to us...the grace that was made possible by His costly sacrifice on the cross. We would be hopeless without it. But in some areas of our lives, there is freedom awaiting us so that we don't have to continue in our routine sin or 'unhealth'. We can pursue His healing...IF we would like to get well.
Going back to the stress example, to get to healing, we would have to be willing to look at what's "driving" us to perform at that stressful level...and seek His healing in that place. And there is freedom there for you and those around you.
Feel free to ask me about some options if your answer to the question is "Yes."
Let me be clear! There are certainly many times when our health (physical, emotional, mental) is NOT a result of our own choices and actions. But there ARE times, more than we think, when it is.
For example, if you're living a life that is not at peace, but is, instead, consumed with stress because you think you have to perform at a certain level, you are inflicting your body with abuse by elevating safe levels of cortisol in your body, and sustained, it will have devastating effects on your health. Let's use this example....
Many of us often live in that state of stress or 'unhealth' while (I suppose, hopefully) routinely returning to Jesus to ask forgiveness for our behavior...for neglecting Him, neglecting our families, etc. Unfortunately, we end up returning again and again with the same confession, the same "stuck in a rut" sin, and the same "I don't know how to get free of this problem". And we keep running back to Him with our confession...sometimes in shame.
I've noticed, though, that when there's healing that's needed, Jesus doesn't necessarily confront people and ask them to stop sinning first. He heals them FIRST. But His question, whether we hear it or not, is always, "Would you like to get well?" If our answer, or our attitude, is "No", He won't force His healing on us. And when we keep returning to Him, He will keep forgiving us.
After He healed the lame man at the healing pool, Jesus disappeared into the crowd, but then later "Jesus found [the man] in the Temple and told him, 'Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.'" (John 5.1-15)
We have the choice to keep asking for God's forgiveness (and in many areas of our lives, we can rest in this beauty of His love), and in His amazing grace, over and over He extends that amazing grace to us...the grace that was made possible by His costly sacrifice on the cross. We would be hopeless without it. But in some areas of our lives, there is freedom awaiting us so that we don't have to continue in our routine sin or 'unhealth'. We can pursue His healing...IF we would like to get well.
Going back to the stress example, to get to healing, we would have to be willing to look at what's "driving" us to perform at that stressful level...and seek His healing in that place. And there is freedom there for you and those around you.
Feel free to ask me about some options if your answer to the question is "Yes."
Friday, May 15, 2009
Lights, Camera, Action!
LifeCare Christian Center
presents
"The Call to Care" LIVE Training!
On May 28-30, LifeCare will be filming a live training, and you are invited to attend. If you have thought about learning or developing stronger leadership skills as a Care & Support group leader or growing in a supportive role in a ministry of care, either for yourself or your team, then this training is for you and your team.
If you have ever wondered about starting a Care & Support Ministry, you won't want to miss this opportunity.
On Thursday, May 28 at 7:00 pm, LifeCare will begin with a short time of worship followed by the live filming of "The Call to Care: Developing Care & Support Ministries in the Local Church".
This 2-1/2-hour, Thurs. evening training is FREE!
Friday, May 29, starting at 6:30 pm, we will film
"The Call to Care: Volunteer Training".
This training will continue Saturday morning 9:15 am through 3:30/4pm.
The cost for this 2-day (Fri-Sat) event has been reduced to $40 per person.
In this training, you will learn:
-what a care & support ministry is and what it can offer
-effective leadership skills
-valuable skills related to caring for the emotional/ physical/ relational needs of others
-practical skills for genuine discipleship
-and much more.
The training will be conducted by the Founder/ Director of LifeCare Christian Center,
Lillian Easterly-Smith.
Please contact LifeCare at Info.LifeCareCC@gmail.com or
(734) 961-7950 to reserve your seat.
LifeCare meets at ROC Church, 16115 Beck Rd. (btw. 5 & 6 Mile), Northville.
Sanctuary Entrance.
We look forward to seeing you there.
In His Service,
The LifeCare Team
LifeCare Christian Center
presents
"The Call to Care" LIVE Training!
On May 28-30, LifeCare will be filming a live training, and you are invited to attend. If you have thought about learning or developing stronger leadership skills as a Care & Support group leader or growing in a supportive role in a ministry of care, either for yourself or your team, then this training is for you and your team.
If you have ever wondered about starting a Care & Support Ministry, you won't want to miss this opportunity.
On Thursday, May 28 at 7:00 pm, LifeCare will begin with a short time of worship followed by the live filming of "The Call to Care: Developing Care & Support Ministries in the Local Church".
This 2-1/2-hour, Thurs. evening training is FREE!
Friday, May 29, starting at 6:30 pm, we will film
"The Call to Care: Volunteer Training".
This training will continue Saturday morning 9:15 am through 3:30/4pm.
The cost for this 2-day (Fri-Sat) event has been reduced to $40 per person.
In this training, you will learn:
-what a care & support ministry is and what it can offer
-effective leadership skills
-valuable skills related to caring for the emotional/ physical/ relational needs of others
-practical skills for genuine discipleship
-and much more.
The training will be conducted by the Founder/ Director of LifeCare Christian Center,
Lillian Easterly-Smith.
Please contact LifeCare at Info.LifeCareCC@gmail.com or
(734) 961-7950 to reserve your seat.
LifeCare meets at ROC Church, 16115 Beck Rd. (btw. 5 & 6 Mile), Northville.
Sanctuary Entrance.
We look forward to seeing you there.
In His Service,
The LifeCare Team
LifeCare Christian Center
Thursday, May 14, 2009
God's Garden in the Troubles of this Life
This morning I stayed in bed...overwhelmed with some aspects of my life that are very troubling and discouraging to me. I spent two hours thinking and thinking...hoping to fall asleep again...but continuing to think and pray...seeking God's perspective. Wearily singing "What A Friend We Have In Jesus" brought me to tears.
Many things ahead in this day will require me to be refreshed and renewed to be able to care for others, listen to the pain in others' hearts, and be able to be real with people in, hopefully, hopeful ways. But this life is hard, and I just want to run away. Faced with some "Why me?" questions in myself, I began to pray that my tears would not remain tears of self-pity. I know God is planting seeds in me, and in each member of my family, and in those around me. My prayer is that my tears would, instead, water God's beautiful, wonderfully-planned garden. He has a plan for me for good and not for calamity (Jeremiah 19.11). Digging up fallow ground in my life and pulling out the weeds prepares me for His seeds, but digging up the fallow ground and pulling weeds in those nearby also disturbs my own safe, secure space. Once the seeds go in the ground, then the rain comes...
Listen to these words from a song by Third Day called "When the Rain Comes":
When the rain comes
it seems that everyone has gone away
When the night falls
you wonder if you shouldn't find someplace
To run and hide
Escape the pain
But hiding's such a lonely thing to do
I can't stop the rain
From falling down on you again
I can't stop the rain
But I will hold you 'til it goes away
When the rain comes
you blame it on the things that you have done
When the storm fades
you know that rain must fall on everyone
Rest awhile
it'll be alright
No one loves you like I do
When the rain comes
I will hold you"
Eventually, there will be beautiful fruit from those well-prepared and well-nourished seeds. For now, I will rest in the "Power of Your Love"...check it out by Rebecca St. James:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8LWGyuyny4
"Lord I come to You
Let my heart be changed, renewed
Flowing from the grace
That I've found in You
And Lord I've come to know
The weaknesses I see in me
Will be stripped away
By the power of Your love
Hold me close
Let Your love surround me
Bring me near
Draw me to Your side
And as I wait
I'll rise up like the eagle
And I will soar with You
Your spirit leads me on
By the Power of Your love
Lord unveil my eyes
Let me see you face to face
The knowledge of Your love
As you live in me
And Lord renew my mind
As Your will unfolds in my life
In living every day
By the Power of Your love
Hold me close
Let Your love surround me
Bring me near
Draw me to Your side
And as I wait
I'll rise up like the eagle
And I will soar with You
Your Spirit leads me on
By the power of Your love"
Many things ahead in this day will require me to be refreshed and renewed to be able to care for others, listen to the pain in others' hearts, and be able to be real with people in, hopefully, hopeful ways. But this life is hard, and I just want to run away. Faced with some "Why me?" questions in myself, I began to pray that my tears would not remain tears of self-pity. I know God is planting seeds in me, and in each member of my family, and in those around me. My prayer is that my tears would, instead, water God's beautiful, wonderfully-planned garden. He has a plan for me for good and not for calamity (Jeremiah 19.11). Digging up fallow ground in my life and pulling out the weeds prepares me for His seeds, but digging up the fallow ground and pulling weeds in those nearby also disturbs my own safe, secure space. Once the seeds go in the ground, then the rain comes...
Listen to these words from a song by Third Day called "When the Rain Comes":
When the rain comes
it seems that everyone has gone away
When the night falls
you wonder if you shouldn't find someplace
To run and hide
Escape the pain
But hiding's such a lonely thing to do
I can't stop the rain
From falling down on you again
I can't stop the rain
But I will hold you 'til it goes away
When the rain comes
you blame it on the things that you have done
When the storm fades
you know that rain must fall on everyone
Rest awhile
it'll be alright
No one loves you like I do
When the rain comes
I will hold you"
Eventually, there will be beautiful fruit from those well-prepared and well-nourished seeds. For now, I will rest in the "Power of Your Love"...check it out by Rebecca St. James:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8LWGyuyny4
"Lord I come to You
Let my heart be changed, renewed
Flowing from the grace
That I've found in You
And Lord I've come to know
The weaknesses I see in me
Will be stripped away
By the power of Your love
Hold me close
Let Your love surround me
Bring me near
Draw me to Your side
And as I wait
I'll rise up like the eagle
And I will soar with You
Your spirit leads me on
By the Power of Your love
Lord unveil my eyes
Let me see you face to face
The knowledge of Your love
As you live in me
And Lord renew my mind
As Your will unfolds in my life
In living every day
By the Power of Your love
Hold me close
Let Your love surround me
Bring me near
Draw me to Your side
And as I wait
I'll rise up like the eagle
And I will soar with You
Your Spirit leads me on
By the power of Your love"
Friday, May 1, 2009
Misunderstanding God: The Deception of Success
Hannah Hurnard has been on my mind occasionally. Actually, since I read her first book, Hinds' Feet on High Places, a few years back, and then did some research on her life, I've been troubled by something. Her book, Hinds' Feet, (which has been on the best-seller list since it came out in 1955) is a beautiful allegory describing her amazing understanding of who God is and His relationship with us. This is one of my favorite books.
Unfortunately, her later books reveal that she moved more and more deeply into New Age thinking. What troubled me was how someone with such a beautiful understanding of God could become so deceived. Today, I finally just sat down and asked God, in general, about how someone can know Him so well and then become so deceived.
Various kings, who became deceived, came to mind.
Solomon: "...the Lord his God was with him and made him very powerful." By the end of his life, his wealth and prosperity allowed him to have anything he wanted...including wives that God told him not to marry..."they led his heart away from the Lord...they turned his heart to worship their gods instead of trusting in the Lord his God." "Then the Lord raised up...an enemy against Solomon." (2 Chronicles, 1.1; 1 Kings 11.3-4, 14)
"[Uzziah] did what was pleasing in the Lord's sight.... And as long as the king sought the Lord, God gave him success." "...the Lord helped him wonderfully until he became very powerful. But when he had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall." (2 Chronicles 26.4-5, 15-16)
They began to rest in their success, forgetting God, and God took His favor away. It is in our nature to trust in ourselves, but it seems like the deception of success is one thing that can more prominantly cause us to trust in ourselves.
Romans 1.18-24 says, "But God shows His anger from heaven against all sinful wicked people who push the truth away from themselves. For the truth about God is known to them instinctively. God has put this knowledge in their hearts. ...So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God. Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. The result was that their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they became utter fools instead. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols.... So God let them go ahead and do whatever shameful things their hearts desired."
I don't know what it was that caused Hannah Hurnard to develop skewed and heretic views of God, but I do know we have an enemy who is seeking to deceive us ("Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5.8). Protect your heart, your mind, your life by remembering to keep your heart turned toward the true GOD. Know God's Word, worship Him and thank Him, as you surround yourself with solid believers who will remind you of the Truth.
Unfortunately, her later books reveal that she moved more and more deeply into New Age thinking. What troubled me was how someone with such a beautiful understanding of God could become so deceived. Today, I finally just sat down and asked God, in general, about how someone can know Him so well and then become so deceived.
Various kings, who became deceived, came to mind.
Solomon: "...the Lord his God was with him and made him very powerful." By the end of his life, his wealth and prosperity allowed him to have anything he wanted...including wives that God told him not to marry..."they led his heart away from the Lord...they turned his heart to worship their gods instead of trusting in the Lord his God." "Then the Lord raised up...an enemy against Solomon." (2 Chronicles, 1.1; 1 Kings 11.3-4, 14)
"[Uzziah] did what was pleasing in the Lord's sight.... And as long as the king sought the Lord, God gave him success." "...the Lord helped him wonderfully until he became very powerful. But when he had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall." (2 Chronicles 26.4-5, 15-16)
They began to rest in their success, forgetting God, and God took His favor away. It is in our nature to trust in ourselves, but it seems like the deception of success is one thing that can more prominantly cause us to trust in ourselves.
Romans 1.18-24 says, "But God shows His anger from heaven against all sinful wicked people who push the truth away from themselves. For the truth about God is known to them instinctively. God has put this knowledge in their hearts. ...So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God. Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. The result was that their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they became utter fools instead. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols.... So God let them go ahead and do whatever shameful things their hearts desired."
I don't know what it was that caused Hannah Hurnard to develop skewed and heretic views of God, but I do know we have an enemy who is seeking to deceive us ("Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5.8). Protect your heart, your mind, your life by remembering to keep your heart turned toward the true GOD. Know God's Word, worship Him and thank Him, as you surround yourself with solid believers who will remind you of the Truth.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
She talked about her love for Jesus
I was just praying this morning about my family. Thinking about how I only have a few summers left with Tim, maybe six with Adam and maybe seven with Allison. It's really not much time...and yet God doesn't need a whole lot of time to effect change and make an impact.
That thought took me back to my own childhood and the time I spent with my grandma, who had the biggest positive spiritual impact on me as a child. As I thought about what she did that drew my heart to God, I was a little surprised.
She taught kindergarten sunday school, and I went to her class (flannel-graphs and all) whenever I went to her church, but I don't remember ever doing any formal Bible study with her or receiving spiritual instruction from her. She didn't make sure I memorized verses and she didn't find a video for every issue that came up (eg, one on respect when I was disrespectful)...like I might tend to do occasionally.
Nothing wrong with those things, but it wasn't her approach. Jesus reached my heart through my grandma as she lived a life of love for Jesus in my presence. Although I don't remember her ever requiring it of me, each morning she would have her "Morning Devotions", and then through the day she would tell me when something she read applied to something we were experiencing in our day. Or she would tell me what she had talked to Jesus about. She talked about her love for Jesus, and I saw her love for Him as He was constantly on her mind and bringing joy to her face.
I remember making pudding (it was my job to either make pudding or jello for dessert while she made dinner) as she talked about Romans 10.13 being her favorite verse. She would say, "'Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' I just love that verse. That's the verse I hang my hat on." ...she never wore a hat though...I guess it was hanging on that verse.
I think this is where I got my foundational ideas on discipleship. She invited me along as she lived her life in love with Jesus. It's not in a discipleship "class", 'though classes can be good. Discipleship that I learned from my grandma was her inviting me to come alongside her as she nurtured and cared for me, as I observed and she shared her deep love for Jesus, as she included me in ways she served others with a meal, a home visit, babysitting, delivering Avon orders, etc. Or sometimes she would just love me by taking me shopping, or getting a cozy, warm bubble bath ready for me, or painting my toe nails or putting "granny" make-up on my face.
I fell in love with her Jesus as she deeply loved Him and lovingly enjoyed me. I'm hoping for my own kids to experience that same.
That thought took me back to my own childhood and the time I spent with my grandma, who had the biggest positive spiritual impact on me as a child. As I thought about what she did that drew my heart to God, I was a little surprised.
She taught kindergarten sunday school, and I went to her class (flannel-graphs and all) whenever I went to her church, but I don't remember ever doing any formal Bible study with her or receiving spiritual instruction from her. She didn't make sure I memorized verses and she didn't find a video for every issue that came up (eg, one on respect when I was disrespectful)...like I might tend to do occasionally.
Nothing wrong with those things, but it wasn't her approach. Jesus reached my heart through my grandma as she lived a life of love for Jesus in my presence. Although I don't remember her ever requiring it of me, each morning she would have her "Morning Devotions", and then through the day she would tell me when something she read applied to something we were experiencing in our day. Or she would tell me what she had talked to Jesus about. She talked about her love for Jesus, and I saw her love for Him as He was constantly on her mind and bringing joy to her face.
I remember making pudding (it was my job to either make pudding or jello for dessert while she made dinner) as she talked about Romans 10.13 being her favorite verse. She would say, "'Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' I just love that verse. That's the verse I hang my hat on." ...she never wore a hat though...I guess it was hanging on that verse.
I think this is where I got my foundational ideas on discipleship. She invited me along as she lived her life in love with Jesus. It's not in a discipleship "class", 'though classes can be good. Discipleship that I learned from my grandma was her inviting me to come alongside her as she nurtured and cared for me, as I observed and she shared her deep love for Jesus, as she included me in ways she served others with a meal, a home visit, babysitting, delivering Avon orders, etc. Or sometimes she would just love me by taking me shopping, or getting a cozy, warm bubble bath ready for me, or painting my toe nails or putting "granny" make-up on my face.
I fell in love with her Jesus as she deeply loved Him and lovingly enjoyed me. I'm hoping for my own kids to experience that same.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Unidentified Baggage
She was well-dressed and well-groomed, ‘though I probably wouldn’t have noticed. She walked with a notable confidence, not entirely common of women exiting a waiting room bathroom.
I was engrossed in a book, my head lowered toward the pages, when my eyes glimpsed the bright white train flowing so freely from her heal as she passed in front of me. Maybe it wouldn’t have been so noticeable had it not been for the rather dark colored décor and adequate lighting of the orthodontist’s office.
Only one other person was in the room—a man obviously aware of the sight. I could tell he was aware because of his sudden stillness. He sat uncomfortably motionless as only his eyes inconspicuously followed the train. Then it happened. The train broke loose and sat in a bundle directly in front of him.
The woman disappeared and will likely never know her impact on her world, nor will she ever recognize the baggage she once dragged behind. But we’ll get to that thought in a bit.
The man in the room continued to sit quite uncomfortably. I was uncomfortable. There was tension in the room, but neither of us was willing to acknowledge the toilet paper…or each other for that matter. It was a bit more comfortable to pretend we knew nothing about the toilet paper.
Several people walked through the room, stepping around or over it. Eventually, a woman gracefully passed by, picked it up and threw it away. Amazingly, all the tension immediately left the room.
There are times when someone crosses our path with baggage so blatant that it makes everyone uncomfortable, except the person himself who is oblivious to it, but reacts to everyone with his, “What’s wrong with you?” attitude. I’m thinking of one man who has serious anger issues. He will behave with rude impatience with nearly every interaction and then respond to the stares around him with, “What’s your problem!?” He’s blind and clueless with no hope for change until he’s able to see his own toilet paper train.
Some toilet paper trains get left in the room leaving its witnesses uncomfortable…and sometimes wounded. People can leave a profound impact and never even realize the train they dragged behind.
As I continued to sit in the waiting room, writing these notes, a mom came in with her daughter. They sat down, but within a couple minutes, the daughter got up to get a magazine. Immediately, the mom said to her daughter, “Come here! You have a Band-Aid stuck on you.” The daughter, looking horrified, squealed, “Ew!!” and quickly pealed it off the leg of her pants.
When we’re able to see our baggage—our own toilet paper trains dragging behind us, or at least the impact our baggage has, then we’re finally able to address it and let God remove it from us.
I was engrossed in a book, my head lowered toward the pages, when my eyes glimpsed the bright white train flowing so freely from her heal as she passed in front of me. Maybe it wouldn’t have been so noticeable had it not been for the rather dark colored décor and adequate lighting of the orthodontist’s office.
Only one other person was in the room—a man obviously aware of the sight. I could tell he was aware because of his sudden stillness. He sat uncomfortably motionless as only his eyes inconspicuously followed the train. Then it happened. The train broke loose and sat in a bundle directly in front of him.
The woman disappeared and will likely never know her impact on her world, nor will she ever recognize the baggage she once dragged behind. But we’ll get to that thought in a bit.
The man in the room continued to sit quite uncomfortably. I was uncomfortable. There was tension in the room, but neither of us was willing to acknowledge the toilet paper…or each other for that matter. It was a bit more comfortable to pretend we knew nothing about the toilet paper.
Several people walked through the room, stepping around or over it. Eventually, a woman gracefully passed by, picked it up and threw it away. Amazingly, all the tension immediately left the room.
There are times when someone crosses our path with baggage so blatant that it makes everyone uncomfortable, except the person himself who is oblivious to it, but reacts to everyone with his, “What’s wrong with you?” attitude. I’m thinking of one man who has serious anger issues. He will behave with rude impatience with nearly every interaction and then respond to the stares around him with, “What’s your problem!?” He’s blind and clueless with no hope for change until he’s able to see his own toilet paper train.
Some toilet paper trains get left in the room leaving its witnesses uncomfortable…and sometimes wounded. People can leave a profound impact and never even realize the train they dragged behind.
As I continued to sit in the waiting room, writing these notes, a mom came in with her daughter. They sat down, but within a couple minutes, the daughter got up to get a magazine. Immediately, the mom said to her daughter, “Come here! You have a Band-Aid stuck on you.” The daughter, looking horrified, squealed, “Ew!!” and quickly pealed it off the leg of her pants.
When we’re able to see our baggage—our own toilet paper trains dragging behind us, or at least the impact our baggage has, then we’re finally able to address it and let God remove it from us.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
"Oh, man, I didn't see that coming!!"
Subtitled: "Shaken, not stirred."
I often get stirred up by various things. My spirit may stir and move me toward compassion. My emotions may get stirred up and move me toward looking at various aspects of truth or lies in my life...and finding God in the pursuit.
Sometimes my world gets "shaken" up and turned upside down. There are things I don't see coming, and I feel thrown off track or that the rug has been pulled out from under me. I'm facing one of those times now.
I thought of Joseph in the book of Genesis. I thought of how God had a plan to use Joseph in a mighty way. God even gave Joseph a vision when he was young of how God was going to use him. But then we see the jealousy of Joseph's brothers and how they intended to kill him and get him out of the picture by throwing him into a pit to die, but then chose, instead, to sell him into slavery.
Can you imagine God saying, "Oh, man, I didn't see that coming! I guess I'll have to find someone else and figure out another plan. It's hopeless for Joseph."
No way! God is not at all surprised by our circumstances. God certainly saw it coming and knew how to accomplish His plan both THROUGH Joseph and IN Joseph. But it required Joseph trusting God...and Joseph DID trust God. Many times it seemed the rug was pulled out from under Joseph, but God used each instance as a stepping stone toward the destination He intended.
That's the beauty of God. As I'm being shaken, and as I trust God's sovereignty, every time the rug gets pulled out from under me, God will use it as a stepping stone to move me along toward His beautiful destination for me.
I often get stirred up by various things. My spirit may stir and move me toward compassion. My emotions may get stirred up and move me toward looking at various aspects of truth or lies in my life...and finding God in the pursuit.
Sometimes my world gets "shaken" up and turned upside down. There are things I don't see coming, and I feel thrown off track or that the rug has been pulled out from under me. I'm facing one of those times now.
I thought of Joseph in the book of Genesis. I thought of how God had a plan to use Joseph in a mighty way. God even gave Joseph a vision when he was young of how God was going to use him. But then we see the jealousy of Joseph's brothers and how they intended to kill him and get him out of the picture by throwing him into a pit to die, but then chose, instead, to sell him into slavery.
Can you imagine God saying, "Oh, man, I didn't see that coming! I guess I'll have to find someone else and figure out another plan. It's hopeless for Joseph."
No way! God is not at all surprised by our circumstances. God certainly saw it coming and knew how to accomplish His plan both THROUGH Joseph and IN Joseph. But it required Joseph trusting God...and Joseph DID trust God. Many times it seemed the rug was pulled out from under Joseph, but God used each instance as a stepping stone toward the destination He intended.
That's the beauty of God. As I'm being shaken, and as I trust God's sovereignty, every time the rug gets pulled out from under me, God will use it as a stepping stone to move me along toward His beautiful destination for me.
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