Corrie ten Boom [Corrie’s father would use this analogy to teach her to trust in the Lord in all things.]

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”  Proverbs 3:5, 6

JANUARY 1, 2023

let’s all trust the Engineer of our lives….the Lord Jesus Christ….who holds each day for us. We live before an “audience of One!”

May your year be especially meaningful as you see His hand and heart in all that He works in you, through you and for you. Only God can works all things “together” for our good and His glory.

Father, You’re such a “personal” God and Father.   One of the first characteristics that comes to my mind about your physical appearance when You were here on this earth is your HANDS.  Your HANDS were pierced for me, my individual sins and rebellion, anger and indifference.  My heart had a coldness and deadness before You reached out to me.

The love You have for me is so inexpressible, yet You found expression through Your HANDS…HANDS nailed to a cross for me so I could be “brought back” and “bought back” to You.

In heaven You tell me that all tears and scars that caused those tears, will be wiped away.  Yet there will always be a beautiful scar that will never cease to exist.  And that’s the scar in YOUR HANDS for me individually.

Your HANDS are so beautifully accepting – accepting me always, just as I am, even though I’m in process of your changing my behavior, character, attitudes and thoughts, I need never fear rejection.

Father, in this same way, fashion my HANDS to be accepting to people, all kinds of people.  Their behavior, like mine, may be repulsive, rude and unloving sometimes, but Lord, Your agape acceptance speaks volumes.  Express Your acceptance through my HANDS. 

By this I mean through how I welcome, reach out, make meals, serve, pour refreshments, hold, hug and shake hands with others.  May others sense the acceptance and tenderness and warmth of Your love of them through the instruments of my hands.

Your HANDS are constantly outstretched, ready to lift up so many areas of my life.  Things like hurts, pain and disappointments.  Lord, help me to lift “out my hands” ready to embrace others and lift up to You their broken dreams, hurts, pain and disappointments to you on their behalf.

My hands are your “human instruments” to work with others, for others and around others.  I want my efforts to be pleasing to you regardless of what I’m doing – whether it’s diapering an infant, baking, taking in another’s trash cans, washing, crafting, sewing, creating, or just pouring a glass of cold water for another.

YOU NOTICE, USE AND BLESS EVERY TINY LITTLE THING I DO …. AS UNTO YOU FOR OTHERS!

As I “lotion” my hands to make them soft, please use my hands to give those soft touches and meaningful squeezes to those who need to be noticed and touched in gentle ways.    Use my human hands to be an expression of your heart – wiping away tears or applying a gentle touch of needed tenderness and awareness of their presence.

I don’t want to just touch another…. but to feel the fears and anxiety and discomfort of those You send my way.  Help me to hold the hand of others and walk “with them” through their disappointments, pain, anxieties, fears and losses.  May others feel Your expression of touch to their lives through even simple little casseroles or desserts, notes, letters or gifts I present to them with my hands.

May I realize that when others touch my life, it’s You touching my life through them.

You reside within me by Your Holy Spirit!  That’s thrilling that Your desire is to touch others through my simple, and even broken life.   You long to “get out of me…to ooze out of me” into the lives of others.

Impress upon my hands how You wish to use them, regardless of how young or old they are.  Cause me to realize more vividly that every time I use my hands toward another in any way, that is You, the Almighty Creator touching them.

Father, when others need affirmation and encouragement, my hands are available to clap and cheer to affirm their efforts and work. I want to be more responsive in this area so I can “pat others on the back,” to strengthen and affirm them.

When a little one is given to me to hold in my hands, remind me to pray for them and lift them to You.

Lord, as I lift my hands to praise You, help me do so with “holy hands” ….my sin confessed, wrong attitudes dealt with and forgiveness extended.

Your “pierced hands” on the cross were a gift to me, to bring me spiritual life, a newness to my life.

Your hands fashioned me in my mother’s womb.  You knew me before I had form or parts.  Your hands wove me together to be just as You wished, to express Your grace in not only my life, but to affect the life of others.

Lord, all that I have belongs to you.   Remind me not to hold tightly with my hands those possessions I’m only a steward of.  I may be in possession of many things, but You own them and have every right to do with them as You please.

Father, You are sovereign and in full control of my life.  Thank you for my hands and the life-flowing love You wish to express through them.  As I think about it, even if I was born without hands or they were injured beyond repair, You can use many parts of my body to embrace others in ways beyond a physical touch.

One day I will be embraced by Your arms of love, into Your presence.  Oh, what joy that will be to not only be held by You, but to hold You, the God of grace and love.

Good Morning! Each morning I receive, by email, a short “devotional thought” from Dr. Charles Swindoll. He is the senior pastor of Stonebriar Community Church. His service can be listened to by using YouTube on your television or cell phone.

This morning’s post is “wonderful & practical.” I felt compelled to share it on this post. I made two copies for myself….one to put in my Bible and the other on the mirror in our bathroom. I want to be reminded daily to “adorn my life and walk of faith” with this Christ-like quality.” How about you?!

LIVING MERCY….by Chuck Swindoll  –  November 14, 2022

Hebrews 4:14-15

“The Apostle John asks: “If someone who is supposed to be a Christian…sees a brother in need, and won’t help him – how can God’s love be within him?”  (l John 3:17 TLB).

True servants are merciful.  They care.  They get involved.  They get dirty, if necessary.  They offer more than pious words.

And what do they get in return?  What does Christ promise?  They shall receive mercy.”  Those who remain detached, distant, and disinterested in others will receive like treatment.  But God promises that those who reach out and demonstrate mercy will, in turn, receive it.  Both from other people as well as from God Himself.

That is exactly what Jesus, our Saviour, did for us when He came to earth.  By becoming human.  He got right inside our skin, literally.  That made it possible for Him to see life through our eyes, feel the sting of our pain, and identify with the anguish of human need.  He understands.

Get inside someone’s skin today to understand and give mercy.”

Good morning ! My husband and I are currently in the middle of an international “move” from Canada to the U.S.A. (Arizona, specifically). My days and weeks have been rather “full.” I’m moving towards the end of wrapping up our lives in Canada, and this morning, as I was having my time with the Lord, I came across an important “reminder.” It’s in the form of a LIST.

No doubt, many of us employ lists to help us remember what “to do.” I hope you’re encouraged by this “list” as I have been. It may be awhile before I begin regular posts again, but taking the time to say hello.

Quote from Experiencing God Devotional (Henry Blackaby/Claude King) (Matthew 11:28)

“At times you may feel so worn out and stressed that you are not sure you can take another step.  You may seem to spend all your time running from crisis to crisis and to be constantly giving your time and energy to others.  Your Lord wants to renew your strength and enable you to enjoy the abundant life He intends for you.  The key is to wait upon Him to do so.

Our generation does not enjoy waiting.  We are harried by all the commitments we have made and the many responsibilities we hold.  We rush through our lives without stopping to evaluate our activities.  Sometimes in our haste to get on with our work, we race ahead of God.  Part of God’s restorative process is to slow us down and make us listen to Him.  As we wait on Him, God will remind us of our utter dependence upon His strength.  When we slow down and seek His will, He will reveal His plans.

Biblically, waiting on the Lord is never passive; it is always active.  Waiting requires us to cease our own pursuits and give God our complete attention.  We may have to give up some of the activities we have allowed to inundate our lives.  We may need to take time to sit quietly before the Lord.  If we ask Him, God will show us the resources He has provided to help with the work we have been attempting on our own.  God may address feelings of guilt that have motivated us to do things that He has not asked us to do.

Jesus carried more responsibility than you do.  More people needed Him than will ever need you.  Yet He was never overwhelmed or inadequate for the task.  Now Christ offers to guide you so that you will fulfill your heavenly Father’s will and gain the strength necessary for each day.”

After reading this devotional comment many years ago, I began a “list” that continues to free me, re-direct me and help me focus on what’s “really important.”

“NOT DO” or “STOP LIST”

*          Stop thinking I must give & try to meet all the needs that appear before me.  Check in with my current duties and responsibilities and weigh them before the Lord and my family first.  I need to make sure I’m busy doing “what God has asked & orchestrated” for me.

*          Stop hurrying to do things.  Unless it’s an “emergency,” slow your pace.  I have all the time to do what my Lord wants each day.

*          Stop talking……and listen to what the other person is saying without waiting for them to draw a breath and insert your vocabulary.   Hear the other person first, rather than anxious to talk about myself or share my opinion.

*          Be a “gift” to others!   Be fully “present.”   Be eye to eye with others and listen carefully rather than looking at my cell or glancing at others going by.  There’s nothing more irritating and rude than to act as though you can’t wait for another to stop talking so you can get on with your life.

*          Don’t allow another’s behavior and attitude to rob me of my joy or intimacy with God.

*          Don’t allow another’s behavior and attitude to alter my treating them with “grace.”

*          Stop trying to fix everything or everyone else.  Besides, that’s not my job.  Talk to God about others, before you talk to others about God.  Allow God to do the changing and influencing in another.  You are to pray for them.

*          Stop saying “yes” to every opportunity that’s asked of me.  I can’t or shouldn’t jump to everything that comes my direction.    I’m to listen to God and get my sense of purpose and direction from Him rather than succumb to being pressured by the demands of others.  There will always be needs….and I’m not designed or asked to meet all of them.

*          Stop thinking you need to meet everyone’s expectations of you.  It’s more important to please the Lord than anyone else.

*          Make sure God isn’t “squeezed” into my day; but that He’s in first place….as you appropriately meet your family’s needs.

*          There’s no need for experiencing “false guilt” or “pressure from others” as a motivation to do or be involved where God hasn’t Himself asked me.  Allow God to orchestrate the events in my life.  There’s no need for burnout.

*          Stop being too involved in doing “good things” that I neglect to be “what God wants me to be.”  In other words, don’t allow the urgent to crowd out the important.   Allow God to give me His wisdom on saying “no” to good things, so I can say a resounding “yes” to the best and wisest.

*          God is asking me to “be” the right person (in my actions, thoughts, words, motives & speech)……not try to do everything.

*          Do not “compare myself with others.”  His plan for “me” is unique to me and no other.  Besides, there’s no one more qualified to be me… than me.  Comparison in anything is a killer to my growth and intimacy with God.  If you want to compare yourself with anyone, make it be Jesus and His standards.

*          Are my plans, interests, passions and desires according to “my plans (agenda) or His plans?  It’s helpful and wise to check in “daily” and see what’s on the calendar of “His heart.”

GOD IS MORE CONCERNED ABOUT WHO I AM BECOMING….

THAN WHAT I’LL EVER DO FOR HIM

QUIETNESS is the classroom where you learn to hear God’s voice.”  (Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young)

P.S. If this post has encouraged or challenged you, I’d love to hear from you. Let’s begin a classroom of quiet learners….sound good?!

Most of my delightful encounters have occurred in a very ‘ordinary’ way.  You know, when I’m minding my own daily business.  I was stationed in our front yard armed with my shovel and prepared for some serious plant removal. 

Within minutes of beginning my “dirt” project, a thought appeared on my brain’s radar: “Dianne, take one of your soothing pillows to your neighbor down the street.  You’ve given one to most of your neighbors, but not this one.”

It seemed loud enough to be of human origin, and I looked around to check.  It had been inaudible, but it came on me like a “strong urging.”  Yes, I remember that I hadn’t given this woman a soothing pillow, but thought I’d wait until my gardening goal was finished.

“No! Go now.”  It was such a profound urging, that I dropped my spade and went in to wash my hands and grab one of the pillows from our closet.

A soothing pillow is often referred to as a “wheat bag.”  It is clean red wheat sewn inside some material and made into a bag.  Once heated in a microwave they are marvelous to use for a variety of aches and pains.  My mother-in-law introduced me to these years ago.  

My “unmet” neighbor lived just two houses down from our home.  As I was approaching the driveway, I softly committed my knock at the door to the Lord to see what He would do with this “little pillow.”

A beautiful woman answered the door and I uttered, “Hi, I’m Dianne and I live just down the street.  I made this soothing pillow for you months ago, and am just now getting around to delivering it to you.”

Like most people, the pillow needed some instruction to its many uses.  After the directions were given, the woman just about cried. Now I’ve had many reactions to sharing these pillows, but tears weren’t one of them.

From that moment on, she spent fifteen minutes telling me about her severe back pain.  As she told me her need of some relief, I thought.  My goodness, God’s urging a few minutes earlier was “right on time.”

After hearing of her months-long dilemma, she kept repeating: “How did you know I needed this?” and kept repeating the question.  Well, how else could I have responded except that I was a Christian, and that I felt that the Lord wanted me to rush this over to your home … even though I had no idea about her situation.

After learning of her specific need, I realized that I had the exact “back pain” in the same area as hers, about 15 years earlier.  I knew first hand, the pain she must have been experiencing.  It was unbearable … without the help of strong pain meds.

What is unique and difficult about her situation is that due to COVID, the physicians in British Columbia were restrained from the normal number of surgeries they would conduct.  When I asked if she had contacted a neurosurgeon, she replied that she had contacted several, but no one would see her.  She even inquired about going out of the country if a surgeon would see her.

Now, it was obvious to me that she needed surgery and that life wasn’t going to improve without it.  It was at this point that I mentioned the name of the doctor who operated on me just five years earlier.  He’s one of the best neurosurgeons in Canada.   She hadn’t heard of him, but I shared that I would get the number for her and at least she could attempt to make contact.  She felt that the effort would be futile.

About this time, her grown daughter appeared at the front door to see what all the conversation was about.  Soon after the introduction, my next comment was to ask if she minded if I prayed for her?  Yes, right then and there at her front door.  It was a resounding YES!

I bowed my head and a “prayer meeting” commenced.  Afterwards, she walked me gingerly to the end of her driveway, and keep repeating her gratefulness, followed by ‘how did you know?’  I again simply said that it was Jesus Who knew her need and wanted to help her.

A few days elapsed and one morning the doorbell rang.  As I opened the door, I was met by this woman and a bouquet of flowers.  She continued saying “Thank You”, after each I tried her to focus her on the Lord and how He cares for us deeply and longs to be involved in our lives.

Then the ‘SURPRISE’ came.  She phoned this surgeon the following day, and he agreed to see her within a week or so.  To her, that was UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!   I remember praying for her and asking the Lord to help in whatever way He knew best.

We often can feel like we’re putting God on the spot … wondering when or how He’ll answer our prayers.  I was delighted … and she was ecstatic. 

To make a very long story short, within about six weeks she had the surgery and the vertebrae correction was made and she was out of pain.   During the course of waiting, I was able to share my faith in Jesus Christ and my commitment in following Him.

At the time of this writing, I have no idea where she is with all this.  What I do know is that God was made to look good to this neighbor, who needed His help. 

The following passage from 1 Peter 5:7 describes this situation precisely: “Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.”

As Dr. Tony Evans (from the Urban Alternative Ministry) often shares:  God is our SOURCE, all others and everything else are just a RESOURCE.

Let’s make God the first One we go to for any need!

I’m guessing that the title of this story hasn’t really gripped you?  Or, has it?   In our world today, people seem to look for people and circumstances that are a “cut above” the ordinary.   Seldom do I come across others who are “content and satisfied” with who and how God created them to be.

Generally speaking, we humans seem to long for the need to be successful, significant, important, irreplaceable, outstanding, remarkable, prosperous, at the top of our game, bestselling and notable.  

For many, it’s a life goal!  We can strive, manipulate, orchestrate and wish ourselves beyond belief.  Just get on Facebook for 10 minutes, and you’ll witness a display of the wonders and accomplishments of people and their perfectly ordered lives.

If we’d all embrace and rest in Psalm 139, verses 13 through 18, we’d be saturated daily with the knowledge of how we were “designed by God.”  Yes, it’s a fallen world in which we live, that’s blatantly obvious. 

However, God’s purposes for each of us are beyond what we could imagine, if we’d just yield to “His plans and purposes” instead of mapping out our life’s agenda by ourself without consulting with Him.   There’s no requirement by our Creator that our bodies and minds need to be perfect for Him to use us. 

As in the design of a watch, the watchmaker knows best how it works and fulfills its purposeful design.  Even a tulip never longs to be a rose.  It’s content with the color, design and blooming effectiveness it has in being what it was designed to be.

“For it was You Who created my inward part; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I will praise You because I have been remarkably and wondrously made.  Your works are wondrous, and I know this very well.  My bones were not hidden from You when I was made in secret, when I was formed in the depths of the earth.  Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in your book and planned before a single one of them began.”  Psalm 139:13-18

God “custom designed” each of us to love Him, know Him, and enjoy Him both now and forever.  And most of all we are  to “glorify Him” (or in my own words…. make God look good) as we live out His plans for our lives

“I am called to live in such a perfect relationship with God that my life produces a yearning for God in the lives of others, not admiration for myself.”  “My Utmost for His Highest” devotional, by Oswald Chambers

I’ve been nourished and mentored by a few beautiful women in my journey of life, and many of them spoke, shared and lived in ways that “nourished my heart to love and trust the Lord, regardless of what was going on in my life.”   All of these women would have considered themselves very “ordinary;” but they made an “extraordinary” impact in my sojourn.

In many of the stories you’ve read, I’ve shared numerous times the “life goal” that God gave me years ago.   It’s given me focus, purpose, passion, and direction.

AFTER PEOPLE SPEND TIME WITH ME, WHAT DO THEY THINK OF

JESUS CHRIST?

It isn’t necessary that I win every argument, or prove I’m somebody or even share any earthly accomplishments.

As I listen and learn from other Christians, there seems to be a theme that often leaks out and displays itself in the following phrase.

I want to do BIG things, IMPORTANT things for God and His kingdom. 

But there’s nothing in the Bible that tells us that.  Jesus longs that we be faithful in the “little things.”   He takes our everyday, simple obedience and uses it in incredible ways.  The stories I’ve shared from my life are all composites of “tiny, insignificant” ingredients.

God yearns to use each of us and with what we place in His hand.  Every outreach of care, concern, or even baked goods can be multiplied when placed in His hands to use and to bless.   But we must give Him something to work with…something for Him to multiply.

God never asks us to do what we think is important.  He asks us to do what He thinks is important.  And what He thinks is important, ofttimes seems so “insignificant to us.”   Why?  I feel it’s because we’re not looking at it through the lens of the Omnipotent, Omniscient Creator, Who “makes the insignificant and ordinary, of profound value.”

Just this week I met a man who shared his passion for loving others into God’s family.  He spoke of the various “tiny opportunities” God gave him to affirm and love his friend.  He shared how his friend had sought God through a myriad of religions.   He came to hate “all religion.”

My friend made it clear that God hates religion too.  He wants a “relationship” with us.  In a conversation with this man, his friend blurted out these words:

“I want to know Jesus, because I know you.”

You might want to pause and re-read his comment.  I was blown away with this statement.  He wanted to know Jesus, because of the time spent with his friend.   He came to love the idea and the character and life of Jesus, by watching his friend’s life.  There’s no higher affirmation to receive.

We all live in different neighborhoods, and mix with a vast assortment of people.  We’re to be “lights in this world” to point to the Savior. 

If your personal wattage for Jesus was tested, how many watts would your life for Him be?  Are you shining brightly for Him……or are you perhaps just a night light?   Whatever your voltage, your light is to shine in our dark world.

So, after people spend time with you and with me, do they have a more accurate picture of Who Jesus is, and why He came to earth to die for each one of us …. so we could be forgiven and brought into a right relationship with God.

Like the woman at the well event told in Scripture, Jesus spoke to an ORDINARY woman, on an ORDINARY day, in an ORDINARY way and made her life EXTRAORDINARY for her Savior.  Her shaded immoral life was transformed at the well, and she ran into her town sharing with everyone about Jesus and the difference He made in her life.

Let’s be prayerfully sensitive to every “tiny opportunity” the Lord brings along our path in life to share the love and message of Jesus Christ.  For everything “we do or say” should represent how Jesus would reach out to show others His love.

Matthew 10:42 “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”

This verse “shouts” that even a “cup of ORDINARY COLD WATER,” that is tasteless, colorless, and odorless, God will bless and use to reach others; for He notices, uses and blesses every little thing we do, on His behalf, to touch another.

DO PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW JESUS

BECAUSE THEY KNOW YOU?

I’m closing with two poems that so beautifully illustrate the influence our lives carry upon other people.

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO YOU

Men are not reading the Bible today

They’re dashing about in their own reckless way.

Most of them don’t care what God has to say,

But brother, they’re reading you.

What is the gospel according to you?

Can people see that to Christ you are true?

Your neighbor reads your actions and deeds,

What can he read in you?

Timothy read what was written by Paul,

I like to read about David and Saul.

But most people don’t read the Bible at all

But brother, they’re reading you.

The gospel according to Matthew I love,

Mark, Luke and John point to heaven above.

They all fit together like hand in glove,

The blessed whole Bible is true.

But most people don’t care what Jesus has said,

Their minds may be keen, but their souls are so dead.

The Bible ignored – they read comics instead

But brother, they’re reading you.

You are writing a gospel a chapter each day,

By the deeds that you do, by the words that you say.

Men read what you write whether faithless or true

Say, what is the gospel according to you?

Anonymous

This next poem was read to a church audience by Lee Strobel.  It was written by a 24-year-old nurse who had been poisoned against God and poisoned against the church looking at followers of Jesus Christ and saying these words.  

Do you know?  Do you understand that you represent Jesus to me.

Do you know?  Do you understand when you treat me with gentleness, it raises the question in my mind, well maybe He is gentle too.  Maybe He isn’t someone who laughs when I get hurt.

Do you know?  Do you understand that when you listen to my questions, and you don’t laugh at them, I think well maybe Jesus is interested in me too.

Do you know?  Do you understand that when I hear you talk honestly about arguments and conflicts and scars from your past.  Then I think well, maybe I am just a regular person instead of a bad, no good little girl who deserves abuse.

If you care, then I think maybe He cares, and then there’s this flame of hope that burns inside of me.  And for awhile I’m afraid to breathe because it might go out

Do you know?  Do you understand that your words are His words, and your face is His face to someone like me.

Please, be who you say you are.  Please God, don’t let this be another trick.    Please let it be real this time.  Please

Do you know?  Do you understand that you, you, and you represent Jesus to me.

God longs to “ooze from the pores of our lives” to all those we come in contact.  Our lives are to be lived in such a way that others want Him too.  Yes, you and I are called to live in such a relationship with God that our life produces a yearning for God in the lives of others…. not admiration for ourselves.

I’d like to close with the following quote from a pastor I heard recently from Dallas, Texas.  It so beautifully sums up what the quality of our influence produces in the lives we touch.

God tells us:

“My image is stamped in your being, and that I want that to be a display in the world of what it looks like to live your life aligned to Me; so that the world in darkness can see a display of how wonderful it is to live a life under the rule of God – not the rule of all those false gods.

God wants His life to ooze from your life.

God’s providence is the hand of God inside the glove of human events.

God works among my work and efforts”

Dr. Jonathan Murphy, Professor and Chair of the Pastoral Ministries Department at Dallas Theological Seminary

A closing compass thought:

How are you and I “expressing God” to others?

This event was rather recent!  In public we’re still cautious due to COVID “caution.”   One day last week, we needed to make a visit to our bank.  Before exiting the car, we proceeded to “mask up” before entering the bank.  Funny isn’t it that years ago, a person entering a bank adorned with a mask would immediately be “suspect.”

Walking through the front door, it seemed that we were the only “masked clientele.”   As we approached the area where a teller was located for my husband to transact his business.

I was standing next to him and it wasn’t long before I noticed a young man sort of parading back and forth and fidgeting with papers.  His eyes were piercing, and it was quite noticeable that he was keen to stroke or poke at odd things that were close to where he was.

He appeared as though he might be about 14 to 16 years of age, so at first, I assumed he was just curious about the variety of materials on display as he gazed around the teller area.

Many years ago, I worked at a bank and we were schooled to be alert to people acting strangely.  This young man certainly qualified.  My attention was focused on him at this point, wondering why his behavior was a little odd.

As some time had elapsed, it became clear that he was in the bank with an older gentleman, perhaps his dad.  There was no conversation between the two of them, but every once in awhile, this young man would glance over to the older man.   Watching the two of them was like piecing together a puzzle.  Yet, the pieces weren’t clear as to their business at the bank.

Within about ten minutes a female employee approached the dad indicating that he would need to wait a few minutes before being served as there were other customers ahead of him.  Shortly after that, the young man moved over closer to this older man and sat down in a vacant seat. Yes, I figured out that they were together.

It wasn’t long before the teller advised my husband that we would need to be seated and wait for the bank manager to have a word with us.   Now, we too were waiting for an appointment.

I didn’t think it would be a long wait, but as we entered the waiting area, the young man rose from the chair and glanced over to me.   He began motioning with his hands for me to sit down in the chair he had  occupied.

He never spoke a word, noticing his gaze, he looked directly at me and continued pointing to the now empty chair.

It was at this point I began to feel uncomfortable.  I was thinking to myself, I really don’t need to sit down, as I figured our wait wouldn’t be long and I wanted to remain standing.

But this young man had the insistence of a policeman.  He continued to  glance my way persistently pointing.  I can be slow at times, but it was now quite obvious that he wanted “me to sit down” in that chair.

I smiled and nodded my head in an east-west position indicating that I wasn’t interested in sitting in the chair.

Didn’t I just use the word “persistence” to describe his antics?  After several more points from this young man, I finally thought to myself, he means business.

So, as not to cause any more stress to this young man, I “sat down.”  He smiled with delight and glanced away.

To my surprise, the older man said to my husband and I, “He doesn’t talk.”   The puzzle seemed complete.  His dad never told us what was wrong, but this sweet-natured young man obviously noticed I was older than him, and he felt I should have the honor of being comfortable by sitting in that empty chair.   A chair he could have chosen to remain in himself.

Immediately after the final piece of the puzzle came into view, I realized that God used this young man “to honor me.”  I felt like I was going to go into tears.   You may ask why.  It’s because I didn’t see clearly enough to realize all the elements of this encounter.

God was blessing me with this boy who couldn’t speak to show me he cared enough for my comfort.

Even as I communicate this scenario on paper, there’s a tender tug in my heart at how the Lord was asking me to “sit down,” and enjoy the fact that He used someone who had some form of physical impairment to bless my life.

The sensitivity and kindness of this young boy was so paramount in my mind that God was making Himself known through the treasure of this person’s attentiveness to me.

KINDNESS IS A GIFT…AND SOMETIMES DELIVERED WITHOUT LANGUAGE

This episode at the bank left “me speechless;” but so filled up with a quiet appreciation for how the Lord makes Himself known to us in sometimes “unidentifiable ways.”

We often overlook the fact that our loving Heavenly Father is concerned about the “little details” of our lives.   Matthew 10:29 “What is the price of two sparrows – one copper coin?  But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it.”

Renovation for Dedication

At a particular job I had, for the first 30 minutes of every day I needed to sit with “the boss” and see what “his plans and directives were” as it related to the goals of the department.  He needed to set the agenda of my focus for my day.

SOMETIMES WE CAN BE SO BUSY FOR GOD, THAT WE HAVE NO TIME TO BE WITH HIM. 

For effective living, HE must be our priority…. above our plans.   I find much of any stress I experience is because I’m not on the “same page” with God” on my daily planner. 

I’m learning that He’s far more interested in who I’M BECOMING INSIDE…. than what I’ll ever DO for Him.    When this garment of humility encases our attitude, we’ll be far more concerned about what He thinks about us than what others think of us.

When we dress for our day with Him, He chooses the circumstances where He’ll fit this garment of grace – humility — to us through what He allows in our lives.

Scripture verifies that this quality is “developed” …. we weren’t born with it.    Babies want:  what they want, when they want it, and how’s it’s to be presented.   Bottle or breast-fed wee ones seem to be the CEOs of their parents’ lives for a while, aren’t they!

Humility doesn’t have a “natural fit” to our bodies.   So, we need to go to the gym for some spiritual calisthenics — some spiritual disciplines to arrange and re-arrange a proper fitting of this garment.  

After spending a considerable amount of time looking at the subject of humility, I thought of re-naming it: “Renovation for Dedication.”   Because God is asking a few radical things in Romans 12:1-2 “Give your bodies, all of you to God, wholly and unreservedly.

Stop living here on earth like you’re going to retire here forever, adapting to all the customs and behavior of those who don’t belong to Me. Let Me TRANSFORM, or RENEW you into a new person by a 180-degree change of the way you think and live your life.”

The word “transform or renew” is like an OVERHAULING procedure by our loving Dad.   It means “remodeling” or “renovating”.    Ever done that to a house?  Sometimes God’s remodelling/renovation of his kids seems like everything is in disarray.

He asks us to:  

• Humble ourselves and get real about who you are and your constant dependence upon Me.   That affects our wanting to “control & handle everything in our life ourselves — thank you very much!”
• Tidy up your hands & hearts (cleansing of our lifestyle choices)
• Washing with tears now and then does wonders
• Clear away things the devil could use to entice you):   that’s a careful watch of our mental diet (what we view on TV, movies, books, videos), our choice of thought-life and close friendships, because we tend to become like those, we spend the most time with
• He asks us to move close and stay close to Him.   He can cuddle us much easier if we’re snuggling up close.

Ever try to cuddle a defiant, willful 2-year-old that says, “I do it myself?”

Only when the attitude of “I can’t, but I trust You” helps us off the exercise bike of wonder woman or super man.”    Once we’ve stopped pedaling and get in the back seat, we’re ready to “come along with Him, allowing Him to call the shots.”

Isn’t that what it means to let God be God…making Him the Lord, Master and CEO of our lives!

Then our Father-Designer-Coach rescues us from ourselves and brings us into the whirlpool of refreshment, strengthening, reviving and renewing our spirits.  He loves to pore on His favor, mercy, love and surprises to us to bring refreshment to a heart that’s bowed before His sovereignty — His control and plans.

 “The Lord shall guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought.”  Isa 58:11

I hold the year in My Hands – in trust for you.   But I shall guide you one day at a time.  Leave the rest with Me.”  God Calling devotional calendar for January 1.

When you’re making curtains or a dress, sometimes the room you’re working in can be a bit dangerous with your sewing tools of pins, needles and scissors. Being fitted for this inner garment requires a seriousness when we’re following the pattern.

Josiah fleshed this out by being in “God’s Word”, but more importantly “God’s Word got into Josiah.”   There were some drastic changes when Joe realized he and his countrymen were not walking or living God’s pattern.  

God used his current circumstances to teach him the seriousness of the pattern he was following.  His life and those under his influence made a 180-degree attitude and behavior change, to align themselves with God’s Word.

Blessings follow a humble and yielded life.

As we dress each day, humility is one piece of apparel we benefit from being clothed in.   It’s such a tender and beautiful garment.  Yet as we gaze around our relationships, I find it’s one that you don’t see a lot.  In the display cases of a Christian life, it’s never on sale, but at a premium price.    The cost is “letting go of self.”  

Humility is a difficult thing to explore or explain.  The one thing about it…if you’re proud you possess it, you don’t.

It’s not having an exaggerated opinion of his or her own importance; but to rate his or her ability with sober judgment.

He’s not saying don’t think of yourself.  But when we do, just be careful and accurate in our thinking.

Humility is seeing in the other person an importance greater than you see in yourself.

True humility is seeing ourselves as we really are … only from God’s perspective, not the neighbor down the street, and acting accordingly. 

People today practice false humility when they talk negatively about themselves so that others will think they are spiritual.  

FALSE humility is self-centered.  True humility is God-centered. It’s not saying or doing things to build up your own image…. but God’s!!!

I think humility is described best by what it’s not.

It’s not proud or haughty, self-assertive or overly aggressive.   It’s not showy or having an excessive elevated attitude of your own importance in an overbearing manner.

At one time or another in our lives, we’ve all been around an over-bearing person.  These people usually are musically minded — because they’re singing their own praises.

And one who sings their own praises — usually does so without much accompaniment.

If we were walking downtown in a large city and saw a display window of what humility is, these are some of the qualities I think we’d observe on the model:

• A teachable spirit or manner
• Valuing others above yourself …. along with
• Appreciating God’s work/ministry in others …. with no jealousy of how God is using that person

Leonard Bernstein was once asked which instrument was the most difficult to play. He thought for a moment and then replied, “The second fiddle. I can get plenty of first violinists, but to find someone who can play the second fiddle with enthusiasm – that’s a problem.    And if we have no second fiddle, we have no harmony.”

This attitude of humility is always willing to “learn” from others all through our life.  We’re always in school, aren’t we!  Sometimes in class, other times on the playground and then God’s refreshment and strength in the cafeteria.

Humility also means:   not having a “competitive spirit” in us.  And when it does raise its ugly head to get rid of it.  We’re to LIVE to be a complement to another.

We may compete “with fun” in games, but it’s a killer in a lifestyle. True humility is realizing who you are in Christ and all He’s done for you, and then compelled by that knowledge, to express to everyone you come across how SPECIAL THEY ARE.

The photo below so beautifully illustrates the adoring love and care of this precious Mother over her “newborn” child.  Her daughter’s entry into the world no doubt brought tremendous joy and anticipation as to the “potential” that would unfold in this lovely child.   This little one was “fashioned by her Creator,” for purposes to love and honor him.  

When my friend showed me this photo of her being cuddled and adored by her mom, I can’t imagine the joy and pleasure God had in designing this little girl.

How unique, valuable and loved she was as He created her; and her life has been and continues to be a “delight to Him,” and many others.  

 “For You created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;” Psalm 139: 13

Oh, that my life would beam with joy and enthusiasm in reaching out to the people He sends along my path of life, so that they may sense their “specialness to my Lord.”

There was a new believer I would get together with, and we were going through some verses on why she was created and how “precious and valuable” she was to God.     I shared how God had crowned her with His Son’s righteousness, forgave her for everything, she was now complete in Him.  She didn’t have to work hard to earn God’s love and favor as she already had it.

She began understanding that concept when she blurted out that it reminded her of when her Daddy called her “his princess.”  When her Daddy referred to her as his princess, she melted with joy because she felt so special and she wanted to live up to that name. 

When we realize our value and standing before Him, it should make us put our shoulders back, stand tall and appreciative, and be so overwhelmed with our own uniqueness and value to Him – we’ll be compelled by His love to express to OTHERS how special, unique and valued THEY ARE to Him.

Humility is realizing His love personally, but compelled to live that out before and on behalf of others.  It’s never a self-centered attitude.

Humility isn’t walking around diminishing our worth, and verbally camping on our inability to do much for our Lord, and how unworthy we are.   No, we’re not worthy, but our focus needs to be on Him and His accomplishment at the cross, and all He made possible for us to be. 

Gravelling in the dirt doesn’t bring our Designer honor because it’s a total disregard for His creative design of us.

We were all created in His image.  Each person in this world, because of the Lord Jesus Christ is “unique” and “special.”   Millions don’t know that…including many Christians.

That’s why Christ died for the whole world.  People long to hear that in our attitudes and behavior to them.  That involves us to be focused and living an intentional lifestyle of acceptance of people, and praying for them right ‘where they are.’

Humility will change us so we’ll look accurately at God, at others and at ourselves.  Our abilities, influence and talents are gifts from Him — to be employed as “gifts to others.”   We’ve been gifted for each other to bring Him glory.

It’s an intentional life of: “How can I serve you and benefit your life so you see and feel, in living reality, that you are so special and valued by God.

Humility is one of the most powerful of influences because it’s being “emptied of us” and “filled up with Him.”  

We’re invited to come to Christ as a child, weak, fragile, dependent people…not concerned with status or ladder climbing.   God isn’t into that.  

He’s looking for simple, ordinary people to do an extraordinary work in and through.

God’s gifts aren’t like where your mom might place them; you know, up high in a secure cookie jar.     They’re like Grandma’s supply, low and available in nice bite size pieces.  It does require bending low that we rise to the heights of a humbled heart and a winsome and contagious life of loving and serving others into the Kingdom.

“The true way to be humble is not to stoop until you are smaller than yourself, but to stand at your real height against some higher nature that will show you what the real smallness of your greatness is.”  Phillips Brooks   

Lord, I’m Yours and whatever the cost may Your will be done in my life.   I’m not here on earth to do my own thing, or to seek my own fulfillment or my own glory.  I’m not here to indulge my desires, to increase my possessions, to impress people, to be popular, to prove I’m somebody important, or to promote myself.  I’m not here even to be relevant or successful by human standards.  I’m here to please You.

I offer myself to You, for You are worthy.  All that I am or hope to be, I owe to You.  I’m Yours by creation, and every day I receive from Your life and breath and all things.  And I’m Yours because You bought me and the price You paid was the precious blood of Christ.  

You alone, the Triune God, are worthy to be my Lord and Master.  I yield to You, my gracious and glorious heavenly Father; to the Lord Jesus who loved me and gave Himself for me; to the Holy Spirit and His gracious influence and empowering.”  

All that I am and all that I have I give to You.  I give You my body and each of its members, my entire inner being:  my mind, my emotional life, my will, my loved ones, my marriage or hopes for marriage, my possessions, my past, my present, my future…I give you, my heart.   I’m here to love You, to obey You, to glorify You.  O my Beloved, may I be a joy to You.  “31 Days of Praise” by: Ruth Myers

P.S. I must apologize for “my error” in posting “Maturity” again; as it was posted in July. On the topic of “humility,” I thought it was appropriate to confess my mistake! Thanks for your understanding!

A Partner in Leadership

Acts 18:1-4, 18-28

Teamwork is a wonderful thing.  Priscilla and her husband Aquila were both in business together, tent-making or leather working.  They both had training in that field of cutting and sewing woven cloth of goats’ hair into tents.  

They were a very effective couple due to a number of reasons.  They knew how to make the most of their lives together as a married couple.   If you’re in business of any kind and working alongside others, a rich component is working in ways to capitalize on one another’s strengths.   Priscilla and Aquila must have worked well together…being a compliment to each other.  In fact in Scripture, you never hear of them mentioned separately, but as a team.

This couple had met Paul in Corinth when Paul was on his second missionary journey.  They moved around like Paul.   Their business of tent-making always provided them a “home on wheels” so-to-speak so that their home travelled with them.   When Paul arrived in Corinth, being in the same business, he probably asked around if there were others who shared his livelihood of tent-making.  He was self-supporting as he ministered to others.   By finding others with the same occupation, he may find they had a position open for Paul.  He did, in fact, work with Priscilla and her husband Aquila in their business.

We’re told they opened their home to Paul.  No doubt this couple became close friends and co-workers.   Paul developed a close friendship, and camaraderie with this couple.  Paul would teach them and encourage them about Jesus Christ and how to live that out where they lived.   Paul really discipled this couple as well as worked with them in their business.  What an influence he must have been to them.

Priscilla and her husband experienced a “united ministry” to both Paul and other believers.  They lived to be a compliment to one another and their efforts were multiplied as they co-labored as a team. 

To roadside rest on the friendship of these three people, they understood their trade and could identify with Paul in his relocation adventures as well.  They knew how to “pick up their tents” so-to-speak and move on to other areas.   Perhaps their business ventures were growing and they wanted to set up another branch of their work later in Ephesus.

Paul invited this couple to travel with him to Ephesus.  They served Paul well as supportive friends, co-laborers in ministry,  and enthusiastic for the work.  Travelling with Paul, they were available to encourage and provide much-needed physical, spiritual and practical support for their friend.  

Paul had poured time and energy into discipling this couple concerning Jesus Christ…..His death, burial and resurrection.  He came along side Priscilla and Aquilla for a season to teach them and encourage them in their faith walk.  Now this couple was using their home, wherever they lived,  for ministry, not only to Paul, but others.  

What a influence they had on Apollos and his spiritual journey.  He was an intelligent and eloquent man who had heard about Jesus through John the Baptist.  He only had heard and understood part of the story of Jesus.   God was now bringing Apollos up-to-date on the message and ministry of the Lord Jesus, His life, crucifixion and resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit.   Priscilla and Aquilla had the privilege of “tutoring Apollos in the truth.”

We all need that, don’t we.  Many of us can look over our past and smile with joy at the people who “invested in our life and walk of faith.”   

Our lives aren’t to be lived like the Dead Sea….just taking in information.  But we’re to be like springs of living water, giving out to others what’s been invested in us.  Time and energy are two strong components for this. 

Our lives are to be lived “intentionally,” and with “purpose.”   God wants our lives to be broken bread and poured out wine…..nourishing others in their faith and the truth of Scriptures.  This is purposeful living and Prisilla and Aquilla exemplified this in their ministry together. 

It wasn’t just their teaching, but their example of how they lived that spoke into the life of Apollos and many others who were in their home.   Paul has spent time with this couple and his investment paid many dividends for the Kingdom and its progress in other lives. 

Our life can get busy, can’t it!  This modern culture’s priority is for success and accomplishment.  Success in the world’s eyes often is not success in God’s eyes.  

Many in the world, including some in the Christian community, don’t necessarily share the priorities God holds dear.  Life is busy and it takes time and effort to invest in others.   Paul and this couple modelled a meaningful and purposeful life…..INVESTMENT IN OTHERS.

God yearns that we keep our spiritual eyes open to the opportunities He will bring along our every-day life; opportunities to share our faith, meet a practical need, extend hospitality to another hurting soul, listen to their hurts and hearts.  

People don’t care how much we know…..they only know how much we care!

I loved the fact that this couple was a team.  We can team up with others in reaching our world for Christ.  What focus and encouragement and support they were to each other;  and then extending and multiplying themselves in the lives of others.   No one person knows it all or can do it all.  

Each of us are like threads that are to be woven together to display a lovely canvas of Christ to our world.   Each one’s strengths complimented the other’s weaknesses.  Their lives were “gifts” to Paul and everyone they came around. 

Is your life…is my life a “gift to others?”

Compass thought:   What do people think of Jesus Christ…..after they spend time with you and with me??  After they hear you talk, work and watch how you live …. What do they think of Him after being with you.   

Our lives have INFLUENCE.  

Every time we reach out to help, or speak we influence others on how to live for Christ.  We can be a positive influence or a negative one.  God yearns that our lives are “contagious” and “winsome” and “salty”; drawing others to see what God is like and then desire a relationship with Him for themselves.  Our lives will leave a lasting impression!

May the flavor of our lives be the drawing agent God uses to draw others to Himself.  Wherever we are, whatever we’re doing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

WHAT IMPRESSION ARE YOU AND I LEAVING ABOUT OUR WONDERFUL SAVIOR ??

Women in Conflict

Philippians 3:20 – 4:9; 2:1-8

Unity is a beautiful thing!  Webster’s dictionary helped my focus on this topic of unity.  Oneness, harmony, continuity of purpose, agreement were just some of the descriptions of unity. 

Conflict is an inevitable issue in life, isn’t it?  It’s no wonder that we have courses on “conflict resolution.”   It’s not a new issue in our human race. 

After Adam and Eve partook of a fruitful tree they were instructed not to partake of, this ingredient of resolving conflict entered their relationship and it’s been going strong ever since. 

These two women (whose names we’re not certain of how to pronounce) were leaders in the church.   Leaders, in any setting, give or display a sense of guidance.  They’re to serve others in their particular area of giftedness.  In these roles we expect to see behavior that would serve to “model” Christ-like character qualities.

Paul has now written to the church leaders, and pleading with the two women to work it out, deal with the issues, find common ground and merge into fellowship and forgiveness.    Why was their conflict so critical?   From all appearance it was just between the two of them.   Why was it necessary for Paul to get involved and even have it appear in a letter?

Paul loved this congregation.  Paul loved and enjoyed working side by side with these two women in the cause of the gospel.   We’re not told what these two women’s beef was between them, but suffice it to say, it was causing a wide-spread tension.

We could allow our minds to go wild on this one, guessing what they had conflict about.  I’m just guessing here, but I don’t think it was necessarily a “big thing.”   There was an “ungodly ingredient” in the midst of all this conflict.   We can assume that whatever it was, each one was fully convinced that “she” was right.   Perhaps it was even a “personality clash.”

There have been a few meetings that I’ve attended that erupted in heated words.  Inside I wanted to scream and cry at the same time.   In the middle of one particular situation, I wondered to myself, what would happen if someone who wasn’t a Christian walked through the door and just listened to the dialogue.  To be honest, I was ashamed, embarrassed and even, at times, shaking with nervousness at the attitudes that were “on display” in this so-called Christian business meeting. 

Whatever stirred up these two women, it was building in proportion and influencing the unity of the church.  We can almost hear Paul pleading with them.  Paul had worked side-by-side with these two in the outreach of the gospel.   Both women were involved in the tension build up.

Even as I think about this situation, I’m uncomfortable.  Paul was urging these two women to “get it together” in their Christian character because a lot was at stake.   How they were handling themselves brought a tenseness to the entire church.  Paul was telling them to bring their “attitudes into harmony.”  Their attitudes were coloring the entire congregation, and it wasn’t a pretty color.

Paul speaks about their attitudes being formed “in the Lord.”  Perhaps this gives credence to the term we use now and then to “agree to disagree.”   If they would work at bringing their differences together, and yielding to each other, for the sake of the gospel, and for the sake of their testimony, harmony could be established.

Conflict is contagious and it can infect everyone.  Their rift seemed to be so strong that their effectiveness as leaders was rapidly eroding.

Perhaps they each had ideas about how to accomplish a goal or ministry.  That can happen, can’t it?   Leadership has goals, good ones, but there can be a variety of ways to reach a goal.  No one can pinpoint the problem, but can you sense that each of them may have had the idea that “it’s my way or the highway.”

In the flesh, I can almost hear Paul saying privately to them, “Get over it.”   Better yet, get over yourselves.  There’s a family involved here and these two were “determined, to say the least,” to have their own way in the matter.

This introduces a lovely quality for our consideration and application.  Think of others better than yourself and look out for another’s “best interest.”  Wow!   If we took on this attitude in everyday relationships, strife would almost cease to exist.

This would fit nicely in any relationship, marriage, family, business or friendship wouldn’t it.  Can you and I imagine what that would look like?

To get personal for a minute, we have a Canadian couple who visits us each year.  We love having them around.  They stay for one or two weeks, and we hate it when they leave.  Here’s how things go when we’re all around each other, and it’s precious to be a part of.

Each of us looks out for the other three to see how we can help and make life easier, or help out in whatever they’re doing at the moment.  After a meal, all four want to beat a path to the sink to do dishes.   I can’t start a meal without my friend saying, how can I help….and she means it.   When this couple is around, everything is almost effortless because of the “prevailing attitude” of love & care for one another.

How does this look if we were to put shoes on this one, in our relationships here and now?

Consideration comes to my mind on this one.  Just being considerate of the other person, and how you and I might “fit in” so-to-speak.  It’s bringing our personal aspirations, however lofty and God-honoring they may be, keep them in check and have a Godly perspective. 

One question we might ask ourselves is, how can I help another to grow and develop.  Adjust and yield are another two qualities.  We’re not to push our agenda to the extent we don’t consider the benefit of others.

We might have strong passions for an idea or ministry, but when we feel strongly that our passion for something is important, we need, for the sake of unity to lay it down before God and allow Him to “establish what is best and carry out His plan.”

I’ve discovered, as you may have encountered as well, that when others know we love them and are on the same team, we can accomplish much more than just having our own plans established.  It’s more important that others are shown consideration, for that builds fences towards wonderful relationships.

There’s a joy deep within when we know we’ve carried out God’s plans, in God’s way.  The greatest approval is His, and it accomplishes so much more.  As we share our concerns about issues with Him first, we can watch Him work it out……in us and in others.

Jesus modelled this in wonderful fashion.  He yielded His life, His rights, and His equality with God.  He laid them all aside to accomplish the Father’s plan.  This is humility in its highest form.  And to think He did all that for you and me is beyond comprehension.

What a weaving of truth concerning the conflict between these two women.  Paul didn’t say “Get over it and go on.”   At least he didn’t frame his urging in those words; but he wanted them to do just that.   We all model behavior patterns don’t we; displaying how to do it right and how to do it wrong.    I hope these two women eventually got it right.