God showed me ...

W and I talk about the meaning of "signs" for a believer of Christ. When things fall into place, does it mean God is speaking? Our mission application process has been smooth. We've had many people affirming "your great adventure." Easy for them to say. And the "great" and "good fit" we keep hearing are easy to believe, so far.

W noted: "We could either assume, 'This is going so well because we're supposed to go,' and expect our missionary journey will be one great experience after another, or ... this could mean that God is confirming our calling because He knows it will be hard and awful later, so we'll need reassurance." Yikes.

We agreed that it doesn't have to be one or the other. Probably, the helpfulness of friends and colleague (and the affirmation of our call by those who know us) is God's encouragement, now and later.

After writing yesterday, we had one of those strange affirmations. I had listed a RSM aquarium on Craigslist last week. Several people expressed interest immediately. Some tried to nickel-and-dime me, some asked detailed questions about this and that, about "what else comes with it?" and some wanted to pick it up in weeks when we'd already be traveling.

"Is it too late to come tonight?" last night's caller asked. "We won't pick it up, but we are starting in saltwater and your setup sounds like what we need."

It was late. I got out of my PJs and W cleared a few boxes from the entry. They arrived with the sweetest young girl, and looked at what we had.

Then they gave us $50 more than I'd asked for. What?!

The kit is easily worth 7X that much, but still.

We've prayed that God would spare us the painful process of shedding things to people who didn't really want it. We don't want each transaction to be arduous. We don't want energy sucked out of us by whiners and complainers. Thus, W and I are asking God for help in setting fair prices all around so that the buyer and we are both happy.

I sent a few hundred dollars of equipment home with the family last night. And they're coming Wednesday to pick up their new tanks. We're both delighted!

Is it a sign?

Read more:
*Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the highest heavens, the earth and all that is in it. Deuteronomy 10:14 NASB

*Why should I fear when trouble comes, when enemies surround me? They trust in their wealth and boast of great riches. Yet they cannot redeem themselves from death by paying a ransom to God. Redemption does not come so easily, for no one can ever pay enough to live forever and never see the grave. Psalm 49:5–9 NLT

*In these last days God has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. Hebrews 1:2 NLT

Moravian Prayers: Creator God, in you we live and breathe and have our being. Let the beauty that surrounds us in all your creation be an ever-present reminder of your power and your love. Amen.

How's your hearing?

Can you hear like you used to?

I noticed my first hearing shift after nailing in 1000 square feet of 8" pine flooring, three nails across, every 2 feet. In the process of building our own house, I never thought to put in hearing protection. At the next piano concert, the difference was startling. I had lost an entire middle range of hearing. It was like wearing earplug in that sound bite.

Gradually, it's become harder to distinguish sounds. It's not so much that I can't hear, but that sounds have begun to run together. We notice this in people with hearing aids, to whom every noise is part of a whole. When we are young, it is easy to zone in and out between sounds.

Are some of us are losing our spiritual hearing as well? Were you on high alert as a spiritual baby? Was I trusting as a child, knowing that God had you in his hands? A fervent believer as a teen? A ready listener as a young adult or parent?

Has our hearing changed as life buffets us? Has the gap between your expectations and the reality of daily routines turned your ears to other voices? Have my disappointments hardened my eardrums so that God needs to poke me with a big stick as well as talk to me?

If so, in this week after Easter, let's turn our hearts and our spiritual hearing up! Let's consider the wonder of God's accomplishments at the cross and during resurrection. No other god is living and active on behalf of His people. No other god has DONE for us rather than constantly demanding that followers DO more and more. Our God fulfilled His justice by sacrificing Himself for us; we don't have to keep flagellating ourselves, obeying harder and higher rules to placate Him! How amazing is that!!!

From Real Simple Daily Thought

God looks at us through the sacrifice of Christ and is ecstatic at our relationship. He loves us without limit. Picks us up when we fall down. Dusts us off and encourages us to turn always, to listen always, to obey always ... for our good and an abundant life. No, this God is not like other gods!

God leaves the choice to you and me. Will we turn up our spiritual hearing aids by spending time in scripture, prayer, and the Community of faith?

Or will we pursue our comfortable, selfish agenda, never finding harmony, fulfillment, and peace?

Listen to that small still voice. What are you hearing today?

Read more:
*His faithfulness is a shield and buckler. Psalm 91:4 NLT

*The angels said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.” Luke 24:5 NLT

Moravian Prayer: Hallelujah! The impossible has happened: the tomb is empty; Christ lives among and within us! May we see signs of resurrection in everything around us today. May we celebrate hope and new life: Christ is risen indeed! Hallelujah! Amen!