Not quite perfect

 Church has changed - dress is casual compared to 20 years ago. That parallels an openness about not pretending things are ok, every day. I walked to church this morning, wearing flip-flops. Once again, I enjoyed meeting people who are interested in a life of faith. Most were dressed in jeans or other casual wear.

When I was little, you'd better believe that we dressed up for church. We'd never dare let anyone know our life wasn't hunky-dory. No one needed to know that we weren't free of sinful habits, that we'd fought with our spouse on the way to church, that our kids were rebelling. Ongoing challenges might imply that Jesus was "not big enough" to solve our problems or that we weren't serious about being Christians.

Of course, in a fallen world there have to be crises and brokenness. A place that is perfect would be heaven.

Whether trouble comes from within ourselves, from relationships with others, or from circumstances beyond our control, we need not be surprised. We all know we're not without flaws (unless we're in denial). Our shortcomings and the faults of others will inevitably produce conflicts.

As I looked through the rows of folding chairs in the school gym, I sighed with relief to know that God IS big and wise enough. He will see each of us through the delights and tragedies of life. He's there for every bit - including the mediocre - between, too. No pretending needed!

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*I will love You, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies. Psalm 18:1-3 NKJV

*The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked came against me to eat up my flesh, my enemies and foes, they stumbled and fell. Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident.
        
 One thing I have desired of the LORD, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in His temple. For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock. Psalm 27:1-5 NKJV

The mind of a princess

In 1980, Sweden became the first European monarchy where boy or girl could inherit the kingdom from their father. Little brother Carl Philip was just 7 months old when his older sister Victoria became Crown Princess.

This girl has a mind of her own. Eight years ago Victoria fell in love with her physical trainer, commoner David Westling. She persevered with her choice, and this weekend they walked down the aisle of the Church of Sweden to be married. The country was in a furor: she asked her father to walk her down the aisle, reverting - according to critics - to an archaic Anglo-Saxon custom.

People were enraged that she was not following the Swedish tradition of bride and groom walking in equality together down the aisle. "Critics referred to the Anglo-Saxon practise as "sexist" and a "backlash for feminism", and the row, dubbed Altargate, started." The royal family argued that this was not just a man handing off an adult woman, but the King giving his approval to the heir (or in this case, heiress.)

(from the news:) "Nine bishops wrote a letter to the bridal couple, asking them to change their mind. Helle Klein, influential editorial writer for the tabloid Aftonbladet, urged the Archbishop to intervene. 'Bride handover builds on an attitude towards women which takes us several centuries back. As a role model the Crown Princess should consider this,' she wrote.

To no avail. What a princess wants, a princess gets. She gave in a bit, though. Instead of walking her all the way to the front, her dad handed her over halfway down the aisle. And the couple was wed. With her strong will and willingness to negotiate her special day, she may be a very good ruler in her time.

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*Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. Proverbs 19:21 NEV

*I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 

For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time. 1 Timothy 2:1-6 NIV

*You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Galatians 5:13-14 NIV

Sandpaper people

asperity \uh-SPAIR-uh-tee\ noun

 

Meaning: 1. roughness; 2. harshness of manner or of temper

Example Sentence: When asked to make a contribution, Roger glared and said with asperity,"I gave at the office."

 

I love gentle people. They approach life with softness and a quiet spirit. Sadly, I'm more apt to answer with asperity than softness. Growing up with three brothers, a sister learns to stake a claim on her space and place. (And to eat quickly.)

Several of my friends are gifted with a sweet nature that spreads friendship and kindness around them. Both women and men flock to their circle to feel cared for. Included. Like insiders. 

 

Jesus was like that, naturally and supernaturally drawing people to himself by making them feel special. Like God took notice of them.

 

I love to be around tender-hearted folk, too. It's been an education beyond college and books to watch their skills with people. Hopefully those of us with rough edges keep working hard to sand them down to become easier to be around. 

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*You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages]. Isaiah 26:3-4 Amplified Bible

 

*Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:7-11 NIV 
 

Late again!

Time flies when you're having fun. And it crawls when you're waiting or doing unpleasant work. Scripture says to "redeem" the time, to use it wisely, and not to waste it. That means different things to different people.

Some people seem naturally gifted at spending time. We all get the same amount, day in and out. I know a few "time superstars." They are focused, productive, and never rushed. They seem to achieve all their goals without anxiety. Their friends feel loved and nourished without being shoehorned into a schedule, but allowed to flow in and out of life without hurry. It's not that my "time heroes" have no boundaries or no tasks to get done. Quite the opposite! But there's an orderliness to their spending. Like accountants who develop a good budget, these time managers build in flex and flow.

Some people look at their watches or day-timers and think they can wedge "one more thing" into the schedule. They run perpetually late because there is no margin built into the day - everything is crammed to the max so that one item running behind puts the whole time edifice into jeopardy.

These people are seldom more productive than others, and they annoy their friends by demanding conformation to a new timetable without warning. Theirs. It's easy to get irritated when someone infringes on our schedules. "How dare they think their time is more valuable than mine?" For us impatient wait-ers, remembering that all time belongs to God - and each minute is his gift - helps us balance our wants with others' needs and habits.

I'm sometimes a time offender. I'll see "a little something" needing to be done, and start impulsively on a quick task. "Oh, I can put this away in a hurry." As I'm waiting for my husband at the door, I think, "I'll just fix that. I'll be right out," making me the last one out the door and supposedly the "late one." If a client and I have a meeting time and he or she runs late, I'll make a phone call or get started on a new job. (Easily distracted - that's for sure.) Then I'm unprepared for their arrival. Probably seems like I'm late. Again.

Jesus never seemed to be running from place to place. No one mentions his impatience in waiting for others, either. His culture was different, but that's not the whole story. He had thirty years of growing up and maturing and about three "ministry" years to accomplish a Herculean task, bringing salvation to the world. I'm encouraged by his ease with people coming and going, yet "doing the Father's business" without frantic scurrying. He spent some waking nights of prayer, but built in rest and time to come aside with his disciples.

I want to approach my work and ministry with his calm heart, open to his guidance each part of the day or night. Now there's a worthy challenge for today!

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*Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. A good man obtains favor from the LORD, but the LORD condemns a crafty man.A man cannot be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted. Proverbs 12:1-3 NIV

*Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.Ephesians 5:15-21 NIV

Good at something

It takes a lot of practice and persistence to be exceptional at something. The World Cup football championship is held every four years. It's the world's biggest sporting event, bigger than the Olympics, bigger than the Superbowl, bigger than the Stanley Cup. It also lasts forever - they won't have a champion team until mid-July! The winners probably have played soccer all their lives, and certainly have devoted themselves to disciplined regimens of rehearsals and deprivation. No Krispy Cremes for them this year!

We're all good at something. My Uncle Erich is champion at cooking and baking German food. This morning I called to find out how to make Hefekuchen (literally "yeast-cake"), a sweet coffeecake with Streusel (butter/sugar/flour crumbs) on top.

My grandma, my aunts (and Uncle E), my mother-in-law, W's aunts... all imported the specialty from Europe and put their spin on it. I flipped through two German cookbooks to see if I could find a good recipe.

"Just call Uncle Erich!" Mom said. "He makes the best one!"

So I called him in Winnipeg. (Clap your hands across a map of Canada, and Winnipeg is bottom and center.) "Put in... oh, I don't know how much flour. I don't measure. Half fill one of those mixers with the hook. Your Auntie Molly and I have had that mixer for over 30 years, still in the old house. It's lasted a long time [KitchenAid]." Our chat brought back a lot of memories.

He explained the ingredients and the process along with his own tips: "In trade school, we learned that yeast doesn't like to mix with fat, so put in the yeast mixture last."

He also gave assurances of eventual success: "Every time you bake this cake, you'll get better. Pretty soon it will taste pretty good."

Luckily, 40-some years of baking experience assist with a "bit of this and that" kind of recipe. The cake is rising in the oven as I write. We'll see if it's tastes like beginner's luck or beginner's disaster.

I do know is it's not the World Cup Final kind of cake Uncle Erich makes, time after time. It's more like trying to kick a goal in high school, when you've casually played soccer with friends.

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* Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:23-26 NIV 

*Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty! Proverbs 14:23 NLT

*Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 NIV

Delegating

MWebster's Word of the Day: delegate \DEL-uh-gayt\verb

Meaning: *1 : to entrust to another; 2 : to appoint as one's representative; 3 : to assign responsibility or authority

Example Sentence: In order to get everything done on time, the committee leader chose to delegate some of the minor tasks to junior members.

Productivity 501 just sent me a list of 100 things I can outsource. I laughed as I read it. I'm the outsource for most of the list. Our kids, who learned to work by doing chores that we didn't have energy for, are grown and gone. My husband is busy, and my servants are appliances.

Instead of delegating tasks to another person, I'm now delegating my time to get things done. Walk or bike when we get up. Make a cup of tea. Get email and write blog (maybe). Then get to work on school stuff. Yesterday was a good day, where the syllabus I had to write got written (late at night), the books I had to review got sorted (afternoon), and the books needing returning to the library got returned (morning).

Even thinking backwards through yesterday, I'm grateful for the work God has delegated to me. I don't have to feel like what I do should be given to others, no matter how menial the jobs may be.

Let's do the best we can with the work God gives us as his representatives. He's promised he won't give us more than we can manage on his behalf. And he's ideally equipped us with skills, gifts, education, and backgrounds to fulfill his purposes.

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*"If your boss is angry at you, don't quit! A quiet spirit can overcome even great mistakes." Ecclesiastes 10:4 NLT

*Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." 

With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. In that day you will say: "Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you." Isaiah 12:2-6 NIV

*We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors. 2 Corinthians 6:8 NEV

The Lord God made them all

People have faces. Of course we know that. But how many times do we look at the faces that surround us? Could we draw our spouse's face for memory? Our toddler's? Our father's? Our teacher's?

Artist Marina Abramović sat quietly across from people in an alternative art exploration at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The portraits of those who faced her over the two-and-a-half-month "show" reminded me that each face has a story.

Many of us are so wrapped up in ourselves that we negate the experiences of others. "It's all about us." We never consider that those around us are feeling, thinking, breathing, worrying, striving, crying, happy, euphoric, miserable... just like we are.

Yet God does not forget. Not one of us goes unnoticed or anonymous through his world. Scripture tells us he knows us and loves us dearly. Deeply. He even paid the death penalty for our rebellion against him.

Looking at the faces, it's easy to see that some have lived rough lives. There is pain and grief in their eyes, and they weep as they sit with someone who is present and waiting with them. But there is also relaxation and joy in the faces of others.

I wondered which were my brothers and sisters in Christ. Some day I may get to meet them and hear their stories of grace. I'd like to ask if they prayed and cared for Marina as they sat, face to face.

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*But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NLT

*Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 1 Corinthians 15:1-6 NIV

*"When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us. We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside. But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus. His presence was a joy, but so was the news he brought of the encouragement he received from you. When he told us how much you long to see me, and how sorry you are for what happened, and how loyal you are to me, I was filled with joy!" 2 Corinthians 7:5–7 NLT

Christ in us? What's that?

Reading Watchman Nee. Still. My thoughts for the day from his "Changed into his Likeness" book:

• If Christ lives in us, why are we striving to be better people? Aren't we good enough for God? If that's true, are our self-standards for behavior higher than his... or are they a deception and diversion?
• If Christ-likeness is the goal of our spiritual transformation, is Christ-likeness the normal outcome of being "in Christ?" If so, why do so many of us become abnormally mean, ungrateful, and continue to sin against God and each other?
• How much of our own effort is required to overcome sin? Has the cross truly accomplished full salvation or does God need our help to save us? If the cross is enough, why do we feel like failures for not "measuring up?"
• Perhaps our primary role is to remove our resistance to letting Christ control us. Maybe the hardest part of Christ in us is to submit continually, letting the law of Christ (love) work itself out, the way gravity naturally overcomes weight and resistance.
• What would we look like as a church if Christ in us meant Christ moving our hands and feet, our minds and spirits?

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*How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:9-11 NIV

*You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. Galatians 3:26-29 NIV

*Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 NIV

"But I want to be happy!"

"But I just want to be happy," sighed the young lady before me. "All I ever wanted was to be happy."

Linda's a party girl, always up for a drink or a laugh. Her family takes second place to her search for pleasure. She's beginning to reap the consequences. Money is short. Friends are unreliable. And people who love her are holding back rather than embracing her enthusiasms.

What we think determines how happy we will be. Happiness is internal. Seeking it in external relationships, activities, and material things does not satisfy. Although we go through deep waters, turmoil, and upheaval, we can feel the blessings of God and the approval of his presence when we stay close to his side.

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*Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,  nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
 
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,  and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,  that brings forth its fruit in its season,  whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. Psalm 1:1-3 NKJV

*The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; he leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
        
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23 NKJV

*Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

The wisdom of God

"The all-wise God," how easily the words roll off our lips. Lodging the concept in our hearts to entrust ourselves to God is more difficult. I'm reading Watchman Nee's "Changed into His Likeness." Nee was imprisoned while pastoring in China. He was incarcerated for over 20 years and died in jail. 


In the prime of Nee's ministry, God put a stop to Nee's desperately needed leadership. From behind prison bars, Nee wrote from his heart and his relationship with God what he could no longer preach. 25 years after his death, I read in Seattle about Nee's insights into the call and submission of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Nee writes that God demanded Abraham surrender even the promised conduit through which the nations would know God... his one and only Isaac. 


"Would we be as willing to lay down not only God's promise for success but everything we've built in obedience to God? Even the ensuing successful ministry or call of God?" asks Nee.


I'm thinking ahead. I'd be 73 - how old will you be in 20 years? Would it feel like "the wisdom of God" to live behind bars in a dictatorship, not in a country where prisoners are well-fed, have our own TV, and can work or study on the government's dime? 


I don't always trust writers, even if they are "Christian." Many of their humanistic self-help shticks are offered under a thin guise of spiritual wisdom. But Nee speaks to me out of his experience, having given everything to God including his influence in the church and his congregation. God knew a simple pastor from China, serving under an oppressive regime, could only gain a worldwide voice and influence, by being silenced and impounded. Nee never achieved fame and glory in his lifetime, but his humble devotion continues to teach and bless others long after his death, just like the faith of Abraham. Therein lies the inexplicable wisdom of God.


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*Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The LORD has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Psalm 98:1-3 NIV

*Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?

Who has ever given to God that God should repay him? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. Romans 11:33-36 NIV


*You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4  NIV