Stopping places

Psalm 46:10 "Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything."

We will all find ourselves at "stopping places" in our lives. I'm at one now. God's stopping places on our walks with him are not punishments. They are times of rest, refreshing, reflection. It's a time to step back from the rush and spend time with God. It's a chance to realign your life with what God wants.....

I don't do well at stop signs....the ones at the corner or the ones God creates. I find myself in such a hurry to go somewhere I often forget to ask God, "where am I going?" This stopping place for me has been hard because I find that I must let other people help me do things. I can't do everything myself. That's hard...to lose independence and mobility is hard. It's an imposed stopping place in my life that has me thinking- Why the stop? What do I need to learn? Where should I go from here? What can I take from this to help others? How should my life change because of this time of rest and reflection?

I know for sure that this time is a life changing event in my life. I don't know yet what parts of me have been changed....that will be revealed as the days ahead unfold, but I am excited to see what God does with me when the light again turns green.

Broken Open

Here's Jude's new poem. It's always great to see her new work.

The choir in the trees

Psalm 104:12 Beside them the birds of the heavens dwell; They lift up their voices among the branches.

It's still about an hour till dawn, but as I sit here in the dark waiting for the new day I find that I'm entertained by one of the best choirs I have ever heard. Outside in the trees the birds are celebrating the new day in song. It's an amazing choir. First from the tree near my window I hear one bird sing, and then from a distance another replies....and then a third from somewhere else and soon we begin the chorus again from the bird closest to me. Each of them has such a different song. Each telling a different story. Each has memorized his part well and waits to fit it in with the grand choir around me. I am really enjoying my free concert this morning....what a treat to have such an amazing choir to start my day....the choir in the trees.

Waiting......

I knew this day was coming....the day when boredom would set in. Healing doesn't come as quickly as boredom does. I'm ready for this time to be over....time to be better...NOW!

I have read a lot, watched too much TV, I'm tired of the Internet, it's so bad that when Joye went to the store the other day I asked her to get some Ovaltine. I haven't had that since I was a kid. Where did that come from? Way too much TV....that's where.

I have also discovered that even with hundreds of channels on TV there is nothing to watch. And I'm completely tired of the news programs. Did you ever notice that there is never anything new on the news? The only difference is the names, the news is always the same. Suddenly today I realized, I've seen this news before! And I'll see it again.....as Solomon said, "there is nothing new under the sun."

I'm also tired of politics. Talk about corruption, pride and arrogance! It's amazing to watch, and in a recent politician's demise I really felt bad for his wife. I can't imagine how she felt standing there with him after what he had done. What a very sad situation.

I knew this would come....boredom....but I didn't expect it after only a few weeks. Since I have never been forced to rest and heal like this before I had no idea that this would be so hard. I will tell you one thing- after this I don't ever intend to retire!

Good news? To be bored I must be feeling better...

Crossroads

Photo by Martin Liebermann, (C) by http://www.martin-liebermann.de/

It's been 10 days since I had surgery for a crushed heel. I never planned on being here, but here I am. My plans were taking me in another direction. I didn't intend to take this road. I didn't plan on this in my life, but here I am....

I'm reminded of a great verse in Proverbs which talks about this:

Pro 16:9 The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.

And so I find that the Lord has made a turn in my steps....he has changed my direction and added crutches. If I'm wise I will only complain for a moment about the new direction and then quickly seek God's reason for the change- where are we going now? what is the new plan? who am I to meet on this road? why am I here?

God wastes nothing. Even my course change, surgery, recovery time, and all that comes from this has a purpose. One of the amazing stories in the bible is a story told in the book of Acts in which Phillip is taken from a very successful ministry and sent to a desert road leading to Africa to talk to just one man. The change in direction changed this man's life and the history of Ethiopia. But I wonder if Phillip didn't ask, "why am I leaving such a great ministry to talk to just one man?"

So I ask, as anyone would, "Lord, where are we going? What are you doing with me? What do you want me to learn? What's down this new road?" I know his plan is better than mine, but I do wonder where this will all lead. And like Phillip on the desert road, I will go where he sends me even if I don't see what he's doing right now.

You know it's a bad day when....

Monday's cartoon

I'm so glad that being part of God's family is based on faith alone.....

Recession!

There's a fearful word being used by all the news sources with great zeal....it's the "R" word....RECESSION!

Chicken Little has returned shouting, "The sky is falling, the sky is falling!" The media is making sure that no one listening to their monologues gets away without a healthy dose of fear. They are so good at their fatal forecasts that many are looking up just to see if the sky really is falling. I'm not advocating that their concerns are not valid, but what I want to address is how we respond to the temptation to fear difficult times.

Just for fun let me contrast some of the things being said in the media with a few words of encouragement-

-"Friday's employment report strongly suggests that an official recession has arrived," wrote David Rosenberg, North American economist for Merrill, in a note this week entitled "Recession a reality."

-"Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?'…. for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” –Jesus

-"There are people out there, amazingly enough, who say that we have not yet had any hard evidence to support the U.S. is in recession, I mean, hello? I think we've had more than enough evidence," said Jeremy Batstone-Carr, head of private client research at Charles Stanley.

-“And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” -Paul

-“The U.S. economy is heading for a recession in 2008, according to a poll conducted on behalf of CPA firm Rothstein Kass by Russ Prince, a leading authority on private wealth. Over 61% of hedge fund industry principals surveyed indicated that a recession in 2008 is a “very likely” scenario.”
-Hedge Funds Anticipate Recession in 2008 Yahoo Finance

-“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” -Paul

-“Over the past half century, every U.S. housing downturn as sharp as the current one has translated into a U.S. recession. U.S. house prices are falling at an annual rate of nearly 4% — an event not seen since the Great Depression — and the downward trend is accelerating. The credit crunch that has emerged since late July is a clear signal of a move closer to recession. Tighter credit conditions mean that the drag on the U.S. economy will soon spread beyond the housing sector to affect consumption and investment decisions.”
-Recession 2008? Wall Street Journal

-“Though the fig tree should not blossom And there be no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive should fail And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold And there be no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.” -Habakkuk

These are indeed difficult times....times of war, worry, financial distress, change.....there are real reasons to be tempted to fear. Our challenge, as Christians, is to not let the "winds" of fear take our eyes off of the Lord and his promise of care. Throughout the bible God uses the prophets to remind us of how he has taken care of his children in the past...how he provided water in the desert for 2 million escaping slaves, how he fed them with manna in the wilderness, how he met their needs as they trusted him.

Difficult times may be coming this year and it will give us great opportunity to trust the Lord and see him care for us. The God who created the worlds can care for our needs in the midst of difficult days. Trust him to do what he has done many times in the past....trust him as Habakkuk did when he said,

“Though the fig tree should not blossom And there be no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive should fail And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold And there be no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.”

Saturday's cartoon

I'm so glad he took care of this one, but even more excited that he took care of all of them. Because of what Jesus did all my sins are forgiven. That's why Paul could boldly say in Romans 8:1- Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

One author describes it this way- because of what Jesus did on my behalf on the cross God not only considers me just but he treats me that way too. How amazing, justified by God for God....we are blessed and amazingly forgiven if we have trusted Christ for salvation.

Jesus, thanks for not only getting this one, but for getting them all.

Healing

It's been a week since surgery. I'm healing, but I know that healing takes time. It takes time physically and emotionally. For my injury I'm looking at a year to recover, but I have known people who were wounded emotionally who are still trying to heal after decades. Their scars aren't as visible, their wounds may not be evident, but they are handicapped by them. Healing takes time and it takes the right solution to the problem. My injury was a crushed heel, but if the doctor had suggested that I just needed some rest without fixing the problem I would be no better.

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Being a resident of a broken, fallen world is to live with the reality that we each have been wounded and need healing. What was clear from the beginning for me was that I needed the right doctor....a specialist....to fix my broken heel. He had to be someone who knew what to do, how to fix what was wrong. He needed to be someone who had studied the best way to fix broken feet. He needed to be someone who had done it before. I was blessed to find a great specialist in our area who knew exactly how to fix me, and he did a great job.

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For those with wounds that can't be seen there is still a need for a specialist, one who knows what's wrong, one who knows how to fix it, one who has fixed others before. His office is always open, he knows what to do, he's done it before....he knows exactly how to fix what's broken in our lives.... "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." -Jesus

Get it?

My friend, Heidi, sent me this video that posted on Youtube. It's well worth a few minutes to watch. I wish I could post it here, but it's not available in that format. Click on the link...it's very thought provoking.

As for my recovery- I'm doing much better each day. Getting rest, reading, less pain, starting to get stir crazy so I know I'm getting better. Thank you for your prayers.

Feeling left out

Today I'm beginning to feel a lot better, but still in need of rest and pain relief. I'm also aware that the world is moving on quite well without me. A step away from the pace makes me aware that I'm not as necessary as I would like, but that is life. Everything continues on just fine whether I'm involved or not. It's a strange realization that we aren't necessary for the world to function. It does quite a number on our egos, but it's true that with just a few adjustments all will continue on whether you or I are here or not.
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Today I'm reading a very interesting story in Acts 3. This guy was probably thought of as the ultimate "unnecessary individual." He knew from an early age that he was a burden on society, and as you read the story I want to share some other things about him that will make your world seem great, no matter how hard it looks today. Here's his story-
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Act 3:1- One day at three o'clock in the afternoon, Peter and John were on their way into the Temple for prayer meeting. At the same time there was a man crippled from birth being carried up. Every day he was set down at the Temple gate, the one named Beautiful, to beg from those going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter the Temple, he asked for a handout. Peter, with John at his side, looked him straight in the eye and said, "Look here." He looked up, expecting to get something from them. Peter said, "I don't have a nickel to my name, but what I do have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!" He grabbed him by the right hand and pulled him up. In an instant his feet and ankles became firm. He jumped to his feet and walked. The man went into the Temple with them, walking back and forth, dancing and praising God. Everybody there saw him walking around and praising God. They recognized him as the one who sat begging at the Temple's Gate Beautiful and rubbed their eyes, astonished, scarcely believing what they were seeing.
The man threw his arms around Peter and John, ecstatic. All the people ran up to where they were at Solomon's Porch to see it for themselves.
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This man was born lame. In the Jewish society of the day he was considered a sinner. He was so handicapped that others brought him to the gate of the temple each day to beg. He made his living asking for money from others. He watched them as they entered the temple, day by day. He had never been in the temple, the law forbade it, but he watched the flow of people coming and going daily and he begged for money. He saw Jesus enter the temple a number of times. He watched as the merchants scattered when Jesus made the whip and drove them out. I'm sure that was an entertaining day in a boring life. He watched as the blind man, maybe a beggar friend of earlier days, came into the temple to tell them how Jesus had healed him. He watched, he begged, but was always left out.
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Then the worse possible thing happened....Jesus, his only hope for healing, was crucified. I wonder why Jesus never stopped to heal this man, but it's obvious from the story that Jesus had decided to leave this one for Peter after the resurrection. If you could visit with this guy after Calvary he had to be thinking that all hope was gone. He was doomed to be a broken, handicapped beggar for the rest of his life. He had missed his only chance....then comes Peter into the temple and this man's life is changed forever.
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Most of us feel that we have been left out of God's care at one time or another. We may feel that he has passed us by, that he didn't notice our need, that he took care of everyone else....but I was left out. Nothing could be further from the truth.
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God has a wonderful plan for each of our lives and each of our lives is designed to give him glory. We have been created for his special purpose, and in that purpose is his timing. He has a plan that will bless us and glorify him, but you may feel, as you wait for him, that you missed it....that you were left out. You may feel that all hope is gone.
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You need to know that God has designed your life to glorify him if you will let him do so. It means trust, rest, peace in him and his timing, knowing you haven't "missed it," knowing that he didn't forget you. He's madly in love with each one of us, and has our very best in mind because if we have trusted Christ as our savior we are his precious children. We are the dear ones he died to save. He loves us. So relax. Rest. Trust. Don't worry, you aren't left out of his wonderful love and care.

Grace

Recovering from surgery is hard! Yes, there is the pain, but the hardest part is just sitting around, resting, recovering...I don't do that well. I'm finding that it's really good for me though. I think I could handle all of this better if I could read and study, but the meds I'm on for pain make my brain a bowl of mush! It's really hard to focus. No, I'm not complaining...in fact I'm very blessed....I'm just not "me" yet. I guess I have to be patient.

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One of my readers sent me an e-mail and said, "you're starting to act like a retired person....not blogging until mid-day....sleeping in..." And he's right. In fact last night I slept for 12 hours! I have never done that before. I feel pretty good, so I might try it again. All that to say that I'm really doing well....just trying to get the fog out of my head so I can study and write, but I know that will come.

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One thing I have been spending a lot of time in is the book of Romans. In fact, right now, I'm reading through Romans twice a month. It is one of the most important theological works in the bible, and I want to make sure I understand it well. Overarching this whole book is the theme of God's grace. Grace that does for me what I can't do myself. I find that the more I read Romans the more clearly I understand the gospel and the grace of God. Today I took some time to read Romans 8. It's an amazing chapter that is a review of the first 7 chapters. It's a chapter rich with some of the most amazing things I have ever read. Here is just one of them-

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Rom 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?

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If God is for us who is against us? If the sovereign creator, ruler of heaven and earth is on your side who could stand against you? In my mind I see the school yard when I was a kid as we picked teams for a sporting event. We take turns picking our teammates. I get my turn and I pick God. I am so excited. When the other team realized what I have done they refuse to even play. How could they have a chance against me and God? The game never happens because the outcome is already known.....I win! If God is for me....who is against me? And the silence of response makes it clear that everyone knows.......I have already won!

Different economies

Today I'm beginning to feel a little better. It sure takes a while! During a time of recovery there is also all the mood swings that go with something like this. It's a great time for me to realign my thinking with the way God looks at things, and I hope to do that through the week. Here are just a few verses that I'm starting with-

Isa 55:8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.

1Co 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Luk 16:15 And He said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God.

1Pe 2:4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God,

Pro 8:11 "For wisdom is better than jewels; And all desirable things cannot compare with her.

God's economic system is so different than ours. He values things the world doesn't. He looks at things differently than we do, so this week I want to take some time and begin to get my economies straightened out....I would like to get my values aligned with what God thinks is important....that and recovery from surgery would be a great week!

Home recovering

I am home recovering.

First, let me thank you all for your prayers.

I will try to quickly write down all that God has done in these days, but let me say first of all that God is a wonderful loving Father! He has graciously provided in every way through these days and has shown me his smiling face in the midst of this difficult time. God is good!

As I'm able, I will tell you what I have learned, what I have seen God do, what he has done through others.......it's amazing how much you can see of God's wonderful work if you will only look.

Again, thank you all so much for your care, concern and prayers for me. I want to assure you that God answered your prayers!

Time for a nap........