Resolve 2008

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  Happy New Year! Here it is, January 1, 2008. Today is a day to think about change; a goal setter’s favorite day. This morning I’ve taken some time to look back on what kind of year 2007 was. What I enjoyed and what I endured. What I hope to experience again in 2008 and what I never see again! I don’t know what the year 2008 holds for me or for my family but I know who holds our future. God has a plan for our lives and He will execute it. That’s reassuring. Of course, that doesn’t mean it will be without pain, inconvenience or turn out to be the opposite of “my plan”. Still, it’s fun to daydream.
  
  Also, through the years, I’ve found it is very good to set goals. Not to reach perfection or be in control, but to have something worthy to shoot for. I got up this morning wanting to start the day and year with a clean slate. I confessed every known sin or weakness I could think of and then some questions came to mind. I wondered if you might like to ponder them along with me in relation to your life.
  
  v What could God do with me this year?
  v What area of Christlikeness needs to be focused on which will require change?
  v What sin do I continually stumble over?
  v How can I get my eyes off myself and be more aware of others?
  v In what area of my life is Satan discouraging me and winning?
  v How can God have more of me this year?
  v What do I need to give up in order to draw closer to Christ?
  v What discipline(s) could I implement in order to be more like Him and less like me?
  v What areas of hurt, bitterness or resentment do I need to forgive and let go of if I want to move forward in God’s plan for my life?
  v What gifts do I need to receive from God that I previously have not felt I deserve?
  v How can I live so that my life brings a smile to God’s face?
  
  Probably as you’re reading the list other questions more personal to you come to mind. I encourage you to write them down and pray through them. If we want to have success in any of the above-mentioned areas – we’re going to need resolve.
  
  The official definition of the word resolve is to determine or decide; to settle with determination. This is so intentional. It’s where we come in. In her study of Daniel, Beth Moore writes, “Do you want to live a life of integrity? We will do it on purpose, or we will not do it at all. Godliness is never accidental. Neither is victory coincidental. Both stem from up-front, daily resolve.”
  
  I studied the book of Daniel several times in 2007 and was so encouraged by the living examples of this Biblical concept of resolve. Daniel and his three friends (Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego) were four very young Israelites hauled off to a wicked city, Babylon. Right off the bat, they resolved not to sin; not to become absorbed into their new cultural surroundings. And although it was hard and certainly not popular they succeeded. That gives me hope that I can do the same if I become intentional about how I live.
  
  Sometimes, we can shrug off the notion of a New Year’s Resolution, because we know ourselves and our tendency to fail – so why try? I want to encourage you this year, the year 2008, to adjust your thinking as to what a New Year’s Resolution is vs. what is just plain old resolve.
  
  Remember, resolve is to settle with determination. Settle whatever it is today that keeps you from becoming all God dreams you to be. Determine that you will receive from His hand every good and perfect gift He wants to give you, whether you think you deserve it or not. Resolve that you won’t let anything or anyone keep you from the glorious plan He has for your life.
  
  I didn’t say it would be easy. If it was, it wouldn’t demand resolve (an action word!). But is there any more important quest that deserves your attention and hard work? There isn’t for me. Don’t just let life happen to you. Put some new verbs into your vocabulary – intentional – purposeful – consistent. Next January 1st as you look back it will pay off in numerous dividends like… Maturity. Victory. Freedom. Peace. Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about!! I’m feeling motivated. How about you? Oh, and one more thing – if you stumble and fall – don’t give up – we don’t have to wait until January 1st for a new beginning. You can have a new one each and every day if you need it.
  
  Lamentations 3:22-23 says, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Happy New Year to all of you.

Grateful not Grumbling

Here it is Thanksgiving week. Probably the time of year we are most aware of the need to be grateful. If you are a mom, you are especially sensitive to raising children who have a tendency toward thankfulness – especially with overindulgent Christmas right around the corner. Sometimes I wonder, though, if we only emphasize this attitude in November and not the rest of the year.

Certainly our culture is not teaching thankfulness as a state of the heart. I think I’ve figured out our problem. What is the opposite of gratitude? My best guess….complaining. We can never be grateful if we are prone to grumbling. It’s easy to detect in children – but let’s turn the magnifying glass around to ourselves. How do we as women measure up? Do we see the glass half empty or half full? Is everyone and everything against us or do we recognize the hand of God at work in our lives? Not sure which camp you’re in? Ask the person closest to you and insist they be honest!!

I looked up some of these words in the dictionary and here’s what I found:

Complain – bringing a grievance or resentment
Grumble – to murmur or mutter w/discontentment; to make ill-natured complaints; to growl or snarl in deep tones or low sounds

Yuck. Am I the only one out there pegged by that truth? Keep reading – it gets better!

Gratitude – thankfulness; kindness awarded by favor received
Contentment – satisfaction; habitual satisfaction; freedom from dissatisfaction, anxiety or agitation

Felt any of those symptoms lately? Anxiety. Agitation. Dissatisfaction. Wouldn’t you like to be free from those negatives? I know I would.

I have good news. “Being grateful is a choice – not a feeling based on circumstances. It reflects a humble, self-forgetting attitude. Your focus is on either what God has done or hasn’t done. Contentment has nothing to do with what’s going on in my life and everything to do with what’s going on in my mind.”*

Being thankful is a learned response. Train yourself in it. Remember that God has allowed everything in your life for our good and His purpose. (Rom. 8:38) Recall all the blessings He has showered into your life. Nothing comes to you or me unless it has passed through His hand. His mighty Hand. We can trust that He is good and He is for us because that is a constant theme running through the Bible.

Never forget that He didn’t invite us into relationship with Him to make us happy – rather to make us holy – set apart to Him. He is drawing us to Himself because He loves us! Just the phrase “to Himself” – that He wants us near Him - should excite us!!

“If we don’t believe that we are deeply dependent on God for all we have or hope to have, then the very spring of gratitude and faith runs dry.”*

Some of you are saying, “Yes, but life is hard. I’ve been suffering. I’ve experienced a lot of pain and loss. How do I overcome all that and become grateful?” I hear you and I am sorry for what you’ve experienced, but God has made a special provision for those of us in this situation. It’s called a sacrifice of praise. In other words, when we can’t come up with it on our own, we sacrifice to praise. We lay down all the hurts and praise Him anyway.

Psalm 50:23 “He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me.”

“Why is it a sacrifice to give thanks to the Lord? Because being thankful forces us to take our eyes off ourselves and put them on the Lord. Giving up our self focus is the kind of denial that pleases God.”*

One thing I know for sure (from my experience and that of my children’s) is that we are never more miserable (not to mention miserable to be around) than when we are focused on ourselves, expecting everything to go our way or others to behave in such a way that will satisfy us. Or when we have to have what we want when we want it. Ugh.

v Proverbs 19:23 “The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.”
v 1 Tim. 6:6 “Godliness w/contentment is great gain…”
v Phil. 2:14 “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God, without fault in a crooked generation.”

I like the concepts up above better and would rather have them describe me: freedom from dissatisfaction; a self-forgetting attitude, content.

So, as we celebrate Thanksgiving and prepare for Christmas, I’ll leave you with one more passage from Hebrews 13:5 in the Message version “Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help; I’m fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?”

Now that’s what I’m talking about. What more is there to be grateful for? Happy Thanksgiving, faithful reader. I pray you have a peaceful, contented, restful, self-forgetting holiday that’s totally satisfying!!

*Quotes from “Thanksgiving A Time to Remember” by Barbara Rainey

Is It A Little Too Early?

I know we’re not even past Halloween yet, but I seem to be fast forwarding to Thanksgiving in my mind. Why, you ask? As I sit here thinking about my week, I can’t help but pray “Thank you, Lord.” I have so much to be thankful for. Here’s what I mean….

Monday I took a walk with my neighbor and her baby. And I was thankful. For not being too busy to spend time with her.

Tuesday I spent the evening with the Apples of Gold gang. And I was thankful. For a home cooked meal (by someone else) and a beautiful home to eat it in (not mine).

Wednesday I had a teacher conference regarding one of my kids. And I was thankful. Not for the reason we were there, but for a teacher in the public school who is committed to praying for my child and seeing God do a work in that one’s life.

Thursday I was home alone almost all day. In spite of the projects I had going I stopped and went outside. And I was grateful. Grateful for blue skies, warm temperatures and leaves so beautiful they take your breath away. And a God who is with me wherever I go, even sitting on a swing in the park.

Yesterday I went out to lunch with my husband and then we hung around a bookstore together reading magazines we’re too cheap to buy and drinking coffee that’s too expensive. And I was so thankful. For a man who likes to be with me, and shares my same interests.

Earlier today my living room was filled with girlfriends praying and planning for the women of our church. And I was grateful. For prayer and laughter and purpose.

Tonight I’m sitting here listening to my son’s 17 or so friends from the 10th grade class playing a game together in my living room. And although it’s loud, I’m grateful to have them all here. Grateful to see how he acts with his friends…and I still like him.

Have you noticed the common thread in my pre-Thanksgiving list? People. Friends. Family. God. Fellowship! When I think of the things I’m thankful for – it’s almost always about people. I’m so glad that God gave us each other. Time spent with others can be so fulfilling. He never meant for us to try and live this life alone. I’m sure it’s not even possible. It certainly wouldn’t be any fun. And I’m all about fun!

People add the richness and diversity to life. They bring support, laughter and comfort. Yeah, sometimes they bring pain, conflict and hurt feelings but that’s part of life that grows us. And when no one is around and you feel lonely, you can count on the presence of God to be there with you.

If you’re reading this, I’m thankful for you, too. And I hope when you start working on your Thanksgiving List (you do make a list every year, don’t you?) that it’s full of people you simply couldn’t do life without! And if it isn’t….thank God in advance for the friends He’s going to give you because you’ve asked.

Thank you, Father, for giving us a piece of yourself with skin on. I believe it’s never too early to start celebrating….Happy Thanksgiving!!

See what I mean?

Nothing like good home hospitality. Enjoy these photos from a luncheon I hosted for 3 of our missionary women and 8 friends. It was a blast. Highly recommend it. For those of you who attended, I hope you had as much fun as I did. You're the best!

Happy

It's 8:15 and the kids are in bed reading. We've had quite a week. Missions Conference at church. This means getting the kids home from school, homework done, throw food at them (not usually the healthy kind), rush off to church for a meeting and late bedtimes. Every night for a week. We all love it! A different missionary(ies) speaks and presents what they are doing for God somewhere in the world.

It's a rewarding time for meeting wonderful servants of Christ. Today was a highlight - which is fitting since it was the last day. Friday night I was given the opportunity of having 3 missionaries for dinner after church. Not usually a big deal except that Sundays are a little tricky for us as we have many responsibilities. Still, I won't turn a missionary down.

Add to the meal preparation - extra guests. My boys two special friends from nearby were here for a visit. And we invited a favorite couple from church. Along with my 5 - that makes twelve. I was a little stressed about having enough food, making sure it was ready within a reasonable time of their arrival, etc. etc.

Surprisingly, I was at ease as soon as the house was full. We stood around the island in the kitchen. Everyone had a glass in their hands and we decided to go around introducing ourselves so everyone knew everyone. As I listened to each one (especially all the kids), a certain happiness came over me. I gazed at each one and found myself thankful. Thankful for my family. Thankful for the two boys I'd love to adopt. Thankful for the couple we looooove so dearly. And thankful for three missionaries I was beginning to know. Thankful we were all together in my kitchen. Yup. This is what it's all about.

I'm glad I said yes to the opportunity. I'm glad I didn't give in to the fear of "too many people not enough food". Or the stress of the end of a long week, kids who had to do homework and the daydream of a Sunday nap. We enjoyed the conversation and company immensely. I thank God for the body of Christ and for good old fashioned home hospitality. I'm happy!