No 1 Draft Pick

There is a young man who is like a nephew to me, in fact I had to be his “Aunt” once in order to sit with his Mom as she waited in the hospital after his surgery for a football injury.  He’s a positive, intelligent, and enthusiastic person.  A natural leader.  He comes from a close-knit family who supports him in all his endeavors. 

He’s one of those well-rounded people who has good grades, excels in sports, and can sing and dance in the school musical. I’ve had the privilege of serving beside him during two different mission trips where the youth built homes for impoverished families in Mexico.  This young man stands out to me because he is a kind, quiet leader who reaches out to and encourages people in a most sincere way.

It would be easy to think that life is easy for this “All American” kid, but in fact he is weathering through one of the most difficult seasons I’ve seen anyone go through.  It is one of those seasons when if anything could go wrong, it chooses this time to do it.   Like many young leaders he was easy to blame when things went wrong.  Shortly after the season began, some important people turned against him, and it got ugly at times.  Thankfully, with the support of his family, and the strength that comes from his own relationship with his God, he is coming through a stronger, wiser, and still kind person.

Fast forward to this week.  I picked up my daughter’s New Living Translation Bible called The Way, and found this description of Jeremiah: “Jeremiah’s been drafted to play for a losing team deep into a horrific season, and nothing can turn the tide.  But God is present.”  Immediately I thought of my young friend.

Please rest assured I’m not trying to take the Bible out of context, and I’m not trying to say my friend is like Jeremiah or like the Jewish people in the book of Jeremiah.  But I do find it encouraging that when I read the Bible, God reveals Himself in the book of Jeremiah. (Admittedly, when I “read through the Bible in a year,” I take 2.5 years and use a children’s Bible to get through Isaiah, Jeremiah, & especially Ezekiel!)  In His Word, God shows us His heart and His unchanging character, and we can see His love for His people.  He is a God of restoration.  He is a God of Salvation.  He is Present.

Difficult seasons are just that, difficult.  I’m not going to say anything cliche here, there are simply no easy answers.  As I continue to pray for my young friend, I’m challenged and inspired to watch him fight the good fight and see him grown in strength of character. He seems to already know for himself that God is a God of restoration (Jeremiah Chapters 30+), a God of salvation (John 14:6) and He is Present (Psalms 61-64;Hebrews 13:5; Matthew 11:30 and surrounding verses, the list goes on and on!) These are some of my go-to assurances in God’s Word, what are some of yours?

A Moonless Night in May

Horseshoes!

Whoever would have thought Horseshoes could be useful to minister to people and share Jesus with them?!  My family and I were part of a mission trip to Italy recently and T.Michael & I were assigned to "Western Games" which for us meant none other than horseshoes!

Yee Haw!

There were two Italian churches putting on the western-themed Festival, and our little family was part of a team of Americans sent to serve, encourage and support the Italians as they reached out to their community. There were all kinds of free entertainment at the festival: Crazy Dress-Up Photo Booths; American Cooking Booth; "Teenager Girl" Make-up & Nails Booth; Crafts; Health & Blood Pressure; Speak English; Line-Dancing, etc, etc.

We had some regulars who came to Horseshoes each night, and T.Michael & I used our very broken Italian to be kind and loving to those who came our way.  One night Cindy from the English-speaking booth said a young Italian man  asked her where she was from and she replied, "Portland."  Then he said, "Just like Jennifer!" Wow!  I couldn't believe that my little 'small talk' was really getting through to my new friends!

It was so affirming to know that even though I couldn't "witness" to them, I was a witness just by being available and consistent.  Then, at the end of each evening there was live music followed by a great speaker who DID share Jesus with people clearly and in their own language.  What a privilege to serve with my family in Italy!

 

Greater Than

In John 3:30, John said to his disciples:

"He must become greater; I must become less."

Ever since John was in the womb he knew Jesus as Lord.  (Luke 1)

Later, while baptizing people, he said he wasn't even worthy to untie Jesus' sandals. (Luke 3:26)

John's whole life he knew his job, his purpose.  He was sent ahead of the Christ.  (John 3:28)

Like John said, Jesus must become greater; I must become less! 

Happy Mother's Day

 This Mother's Day is particularly special to me because not only do I have the 2 most amazing kids ever, but also I am reunited this year with  several kids from an orphanage I served in 20 years ago in Honduras.   In fact I just received a text last night from one of "my orphans" (I hope that title is not offensive to them) saying:

"HAPPY MOTHERS DAY - DIOS LE BENDIGA" 

Wow!  I experienced that jolt of love in my heart that you feel when one of your own loves you back! Relationship is what our time here on earth is all about!

Our Pastor challenged us to pray about sponsoring a child through Compassion International this Mother's Day...pray about it. Hmmmm....So I have been. I don't mean to over-simplify the challenge, but I wonder if I'm praying about sponsoring a child, or really praying about how to add something new to my monthly budget.  This may sound a bit crass, but I'm sharing from my heart that if we sponsor another child, it will be so much more than a money decision.

As usual, I came across an interesting part of my daily reading that pertains to this very question.  (As you can guess, I don't believe this is coincidence!)  In Luke 16 Jesus shares a parable about a shrewd manager.  At first I was puzzled by this seeming appreciation of a dishonest manager -- but then I read a commentary that I tend to agree with.  The author wrote:

"The Cash value of each reduction was about 500 denarii, what a laborer would earn in 500 days.  Jesus does not commend the man's dishonesty but commends his use of the money to prepare for his future.  Too often believers use money without considering eternal rewards."

I know through my friend Missy that sponsoring a child is a real blessing.  She sponsored a child many years ago and one time I ran into her just after she returned from visiting her sponsored child in Africa!  In addition to sending monthly support, she has faithfully prayed for her child over the years -- relationship that spans time and oceans!  (Through an organization that does what it says...now THAT is impressive.)

Missy has seen her money used as promised, to help feed, house and educate a precious person.  She uses money while considering eternal rewards!

Gifts!

There are so many things to be grateful for, but one of the many gifts I received this year is to be on our church's Youth Mexico Outreach Team.  Yes, that means McKenzie is a freshman in high school!  I can't believe it!  It is a joy to join in on the fundraising and team meetings and see how God is using this outreach to bless McKenzie with new friends and developing leadership skills -- that girl is beauty in motion! 

Another, most amazing Gift has been to go through a great season of Football with T.Michael.  This fall there were some intense character development moments as T faithfully worked at every practice and game!  I admire his commitment to get good grades at school while working hard for his team -- he's a good sport too, he's good at lending a hand to help a tackled opponent back up...right after ruthlessly plowing them down!

Life is a Puzzle!

Life can be like a sliding puzzle!  You have so much to do (many "first-world" problems to tackle!) and so little time to do it.  We had an amazing Thanksgiving holiday, fun with family then lots of visiting and a movie...then somehow we got the notion to get a new mattress.  Sound simple?  NOT! This began the big ripple effect of life!  Here's how:

We needed a new mattress

Somehow this morphed into new bedroom furniture also (a very good thing)
This resulted in two IKEA trips -- one on Black Friday (which is against our religion)
McKenzie would get our bedroom furniture

T.Michael would get McKenzie's bedroom furniture

T.Michael's furniture would end up at the Pine's home, since they're hosting Australian basketball players  and need an extra bed
All this resulted in finding dust-balls the size of our cats

This was not quite enough chaos so the kitchen sink decided to leak (trying not to take it personally)

On the way to run an errand the battery in the van was dead (I'm not making this up)

I decided to take Dave's car instead, and a headlight was out

Upon returning, I realized the street light and McKenzie's bedroom lights had all burned out

...All because we "needed" a new mattress!  Life can be so fun!

Bouncing Balls

Whether you call it spinning plates or bouncing balls, I find I can't do too many at one time!  It seems I can bounce a few balls real high, but I never seem to keep many going very high for very long...What am I talking about?  Life!  We just got through Football, now we're heading into Thanksgiving, Christmas and Mexico for Spring break.  I love this season of life, I just feel like:

Try as I like, I can't many balls very high at the same time!!

Never look for justice in this world, but never cease to give it. - a quote by Oswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest - June27

These are hard words to follow -- impossible without knowing Jesus Christ. When I was in my 20's and went to live in an orphanage in Honduras, I was hurt and betrayed by a few select "friends" back home. I found out during a rare call home that while I was pouring myself out in service, and suffering through several types of physical afflictions (including a desperate case of "Mom-itis" = homesickness) one of my "friends" was spreading vicious, unfounded rumors about me. This was a bitter blow, especially since I had no way to defend myself. Even though it took a lot of trust in God to step out in obedient faith and go live in a Honduran orphanage, for me it was even more challenging to trust god with my good name and my reputation back home. It was no coincidence to find that my daily devotional -- My Utmost For His Highest was about that very issue. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus shares that when we are living for Him, there is no time to "stand up for ourselves." Like I always say, "We have to keep our eyes on the prize (Him) and He will guide and direct our steps. He will take care of our name and reputation. This is not an easy road to take, but this kind of trust is always rewarded. I've attached a copy of June 27 My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers:

June 27 The Overshadowing Personal Deliverance June 27 The Overshadowing Personal Deliverance “I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.” Jeremiah 1:8 God promised Jeremiah that He would deliver him personally – “Thy life will I give unto thee for a prey.” That is all God promises His children. Wherever God sends us, He will guard our lives. Our personal property and possessions are a matter of indifference, we have to sit loosely to all those things; if we do not, there will be panic and heartbreak and distress. That is the inwardness of the overshadowing of personal deliverance. The Sermon on the Mount indicates that when we are on Jesus Christ’s errands, there is no time to stand up for ourselves. Jesus says, in effect, Do not be bothered with whether you are being justly dealt with or not. To look for justice is a sign of deflection from devotion to Him. Never look for justice in this world, but never cease to give it. If we look for justice, we will begin to grouse and to indulge in the discontent of self-pity – Why should I be treated like this? If we are devoted to Jesus Christ we have nothing to do with what we meet, whether it is just or unjust. Jesus says – Go steadily on with what I have told you to do and I will guard your life. If you try to guard it yourself, you remove yourself from My deliverance. The most devout among us become atheistic in this connection; we do not believe God, we enthrone common sense and tack the name of God on to it. We do lean to our own understanding, instead of trusting God with all our hearts.

be intentional

I will walk in my house with blameless heart. I will set before my eyes no vile thing.
(Part of Psalm 101)

Olive Tree

Psalm 52: 8+

But I am like an olive tree, flourishing in the house of God. I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever. I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints.

Here's and idea!

Psalm 4:5:

Offer right sacrifices and trust in the Lord.

We make it complicated, but really life is very simple. Let's keep our eyes on Him, not other people. Serve as He leads us to serve, not as other people tell us it "aught" to be done. Let's thankfully ask Him every day, "Lord, thank You for this day I'm living, what would You have me do with it?"

Offer right sacrifices, and trust in the Lord.

be careful little heart what you seek

Lately I've been reading about all the old kings of Judah and Israel. All the Uzza's and Ahaz's...once you read the stories of these great (and not so great) kings, you start to see some trends. One trend is about seeking God. It becomes quite clear that with power and blessing often comes pride and odd choices.

In Deuteronomy Moses shared that "the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." But if "from there you seek the Lord your God you will find Him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul." Simple instructions, except for that word ALL.

In 2Chronicles 25 King Amaziah made some 'amazing' choices. (couldn't resist!)
"He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not wholeheartedly." Wow, how many times can that be said of me?!

Amaziah got so off-track that a man of God came to him to help him understand that "Even if you go and fight courageously in battle. God will overthrow you before the enemy, for God has the power to help or to overthrow."

After some time, battles and raids, Amaziah went on to conquer a certain people, bring back their false gods and set them up to worship them himself. The prophet asked,"Why do you consult this people's gods, which could not save their own people from your hand?"

We're a lot like Amaziah sometimes. We seek God, but not with ALL our heart. We charge ahead, do things our own way, consult other people before talking to God about it, ignore His guidance, etc, etc...

We serve a great and mighty, living God. We can't get any more current and relevant than when we ask Him what to do - then do it! When we seek Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength we are able to do great things -- Not because we are great, but because He is!

Mother's Day Fun!

Hiding from the Valley

Pastor George shared a great message last weekend on the 23rd Psalm. He shared about how in verse 4 the "valley" is unavoidable, unpredictable, how no one is exempt, it is temporary, and purposeful. Pastor George shared a lot of great verses and encouraging words, but as soon as he said "purposeful" my memory flashed to Paul and Silas in Acts 16 (I've copied the verses below) Specifically the part about Paul and Silas were

...stripped and beaten with rods. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison...

Not THAT'S what I call a valley! I always catch myself thinking, hey, when it's my turn to go through the something like this, can we just avoid the painful part? It's like I want to hide from the valley. Oh, don't get me wrong, I see the value in the valley, I see how in Acts 16 God got the glory and many people came to know Him...but would I avoid the valley altogether if I could? Sure! I hate pain.

I appreciate how Pastor George shared, "God's more concerned about your character than your comfort. He's more concerned about your holiness than your happiness." Sigh... At the same time I found it so encouraging when Pastor George encouraged us to remember that God is with me! He is "Jehovah Shammah" the God who is THERE! (Isaiah 42:2) Along with all that character building, He promises His power, His protection and His presence!


Biblegateway.com:

Paul and Silas in Prison Acts 16: v.16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” 18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her. 19 When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. 20 They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar 21 by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.”

22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. 23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. 27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”

29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. 34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.

35 When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.” 36 The jailer told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.”

37 But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.”

38 The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed. 39 They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city. 40 After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left.

Shipwrecked

In Acts 27 Paul shares the most amazing account of ONE of the times he was shipwrecked. Paul was a prisoner on a ship - and there was this terrible storm:

"when neither the sun stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved. After the men had gone a long time without food..." (you really should read it, the details are fascinating!)

Paul stood up before them and said:

"Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss. But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.' So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me. Nevertheless, we must run aground on some island."

So I'm thinking, that's great that they are spared and all, but why the storm, why did Paul (why do I) have to go through the shipwreck?!! There are so many aspects of this account that fascinate me! For example, Paul was praying for all the people on the ship to be spared, even his captors. Also, it's apparent that enduring captivity, and a long, ferocious, storm wasn't a coincidence or mistake.

Incidentally, this is the kind of thing I think Peter is referring to when he says in 1 Peter 3:14: "But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened. But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord..." In my Bible, I have written next to this passage: PRESS ON!

As a person who hates pain and cold waves, I think to myself things like: How 'bout if we avoid waves altogether? Waves are scary - they are salty, wet giants and usually freezing cold! But it's through the storms we cry out to God. Its in the midst of darkness we seek Him and cling to Him. In waves we see God's glory and power and feel His hugs of reassurance.

I still don't want to be shipwrecked, ever! But when I'm tossed in the waves of the storms of my life, I know I need to set my heart on Christ and PRESS ON!

He sets the lonely in families

Interesting thing about the God I serve. He understands lonely. He gets it. He is purposeful about "being part of the solution" as we like to say. Some would accuse God of causing loneliness, but I firmly believe that every lonely moment is a result of a "relationship problem." Ours, not His.

He created us with this hugely needy heart, that beats best when fully loved. I've noticed that our hearts aren't so choosy, they can beat with even just a little bit of love. The God of the bible is Creator. He created us to need relationship with Him and with each other. We all need connection - even us introverts! The following words were written "for the director of music. Of David. A psalm. A song."

"Sing to God, sing in praise of his name,
extol him who rides on the clouds;
rejoice before him—his name is the LORD.
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
is God in his holy dwelling.
God sets the lonely in families,
he leads out the prisoners with singing;
but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land."

I can't speak for God, but at the very least I can say God doesn't tolerate loneliness. Loneliness can feel like wallowing in a place of looking ahead and seeing no chance for change or relief. The ultimate loneliness is being separated from hope. God showed us His intolerance for loneliness by providing a way out of it! Yes, I'm talking about that 'John 14:6 Way' - God's solution, God's cure, God's gift.

When people ask me, "What is God saying to you?" or, "What do you learn in your quiet-time?" I feel redundant, but I have the same answer for the past several years now: To keep my eyes on Him. He is my anchor, my compass, my true north.

I was reading yesterday's My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers, and it pointed me to Psalm 123:

I lift up my eyes to You, to You whose throne is in heaven. As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till He shows us His mercy. Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, for we haven endured much ridicule from the proud, much contempt from the arrogant.

1Peter4:7&8: The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

'Without grumbling' eh? My Pastor, George Powell, shared in a sermon, "Hospitality is making others feel at home...when you wish they were!" So true!

We have so many great examples of hospitable people (who never act like they really wish their guests were 'really at home!')

Ron & Jill Shaddy are always having groups of people over (even when their house was much smaller!) - from a few little kids to huge YWAM groups! They are great at refreshing others.

Pastor Greg Strannigan & beautiful wife Shawn host so many out of town friends of their kids as well as travelling mission & music groups that I overheard one of their friends joke, "Yeah, the Strannigans forgot to spray for rock bands again!" (And we all knew that meant their house would be full of awesome young people for awhile!)

All for One!

Things in this life can be so hard. For me, the most difficult things has to do with "people stuff." At one point this summer I thought, "Church would be so great if it was only about God, and there weren't people involved!" Of course I didn't mean that literally, it was just an expression of frustration over recent events.

So then how do we press on, follow after Christ, live for Him in the midst of all the junk?

Simple (not easy, just simple): Keep our eyes on Him! We are for Him. We are His people, and He is our God! We keep our eyes on the Prize. He is our finish line, and our plumb-line along the way. We must take our eyes off ourselves, definitely off others, and put them back where our focus belongs - HIM only!

All for One! HE is the One!

1Peter4:7-11