Month: February 2016

We Are Called to Do

Posted on by Wendy
There's a time for talking and planning and a time for doing.
There’s a time for talking and planning and a time for doing.

Yesterday, we had only one boy show up for our Sunday school class. It was a holiday weekend and a lot of people were out of town. I attend a small church, so when a few families are out of town, it makes a difference. You are missed, when you miss a Sunday in a small church. It can be a blessing or a curse, depending on your perspective.

My hubby and my son had a big box out on one of the tables in the fellowship hall. I asked him what they were doing. He informed me that they were changing the letters on the sign out front. I asked him what he thought about our one student, helping them out. He told me that was exactly what he was planning.

And so they worked on the sign together, my hubby, a high school freshman and a fifth grader. When I spoke to the boy’s mother and told her what they were doing, she surprised me with her answer.

While I didn’t think she would have a problem with him helping, she was actually very encouraging. She told me that she felt like being a part of a church was learning to serve. She said that while Sunday school was for learning, that she felt like her son also needed to learn that there are many ways to serve and that the best way to learn to serve is by doing.

I thought about her words as I went through my day. I thought about working with kids and teaching them about the Bible. I thought about teaching about the Christian walk. I believe that it’s so important to share our faith and knowledge with those who are young in their faith.

But, I also thought about the doing. Sometimes the best lessons are the hands on. We can talk about serving all day long, but unless we actually do something, it’s just talk.

I would love to believe that my young Sunday school student, will remember all of the faith lessons we have talked about. But, I know he will remember partnering with other church members who weren’t his age, to work on fixing the church sign. When he rides by the sign, he can take some ownership. He can see his work.

My own faith lesson on Sunday was remembering that Christians are called to do, not talk about doing, and it’s so easy to get bogged down in the talking. While there is a time for talking and planning, at some point, we have to do something.

An eleven-year-old boy reminded me of that. Maybe you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Valentine’s Reflections

Posted on by Wendy
The most important love to remember on Valentine's Day is God's unending love for us.
The most important love to remember on Valentine’s Day is God’s unending love for us.

Valentine’s Day is on Sunday and it’s hard to set foot in any retail establishment without being reminded of it. The grocery store has flowers and chocolates. Clothing stores have red and pink items plastered in their windows. Restaurants are running specials for couples.

Just out of mere curiosity, I did a Google search on St. Valentine and turned up some interesting information. First of all, little is definitely known about him. There’s lots of legend and there may have even been two stories that got molded into one.

But, here’s one that I found that grabbed my attention. Valentine was a Roman priest during the time of an unfriendly emperor, Claudius, who persecuted the Christian church. Claudius had decided to forbid marriage because, unattached soldiers were better fighters. They didn’t have families or loved ones at home to think about.

The culture at the time was very sexually permissive. Several wives were okay, but the one man and one woman deal wasn’t very popular. But, for whatever reason, there were those who were drawn to the Christian faith. Does any of this sound in any way familiar?

Of course, the Christian church, always encouraged one woman and one man, Christian marriage, so there was a priest, Valentine, who married couples in secret.

He was eventually caught and imprisoned. There are legends about his time in prison. The story goes that one of the men who was to judge him, Asterius, had a young daughter who was blind. Valentine prayed over her and healed her. Supposedly, Asterius became a baptized Christian and one account has 44 other members in his household converting as well.

One story has Valentine released, but then arrested again for continuing to stand by his faith. In 269 AD, he was sentenced to a brutal death of beating, stoning and decapitation. The Romans were always kind of blood thirsty. Supposedly, the last words he wrote were to the young girl he healed and were signed, “Your Valentine.”

Not all romance, chocolate and roses, huh? You have to hand it to good old American commercialism. But, Valentine has a different kind of love to teach us, a deeper love, one that spans the centuries.

Valentine decided what he believed in. His faith, surely bolstered through the Holy Spirit, made him willing to die for what God called him to do. He gave up his earthly life, knowing that he would spend eternity with Jesus.

I think it’s fitting that Valentine’s day comes during Lent, when Christians are taking some time to reflect on the sacrifice that Christ made for all of us. It’s a great reminder of the greatest love of all. It’s also a great reminder for us to all take stock as we walk towards Calvary.

What is it that we believe? What does our faith teach us to stand up for, to fight for?

So, as we encounter all of those hearts and flowers, over the weekend, let’s stop and take a minute to give thanks for all of those people who have stood up for their faith along the way, and most of all for Jesus, who represents eternal love, that never fades.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

 

 

Glimpses of Heaven

Posted on by Wendy
Sometimes God gives us glimpses of Heaven to remind us that we are just travelers here.
Sometimes God gives us glimpses of Heaven to remind us that we are just travelers here.

Last Sunday, our pastor talked about the Transfiguration of Jesus. It’s found in three out of the four Gospels. Luke tells us that Jesus had taken Peter, James, and John, his besties, up to a mountain top to pray.

I always find it interesting that Jesus seemed to seek out beautiful spots in nature to pray. I’ve always felt like mountains have a spiritual presence. I find that I too, feel closest to God in the beautiful places that nature provides. Jesus had them once again, hiking somewhere and when they got to the top, Peter, James and John, had to rest. They even fell asleep.

This too, is a reminder that when we decide to walk with Jesus, the path sometimes gets bumpy and downright exhausting, but we are called to rest as well. I imagine they had become used to walking with Jesus at this point and they may have realized that they had to grab some rest whenever they had the opportunity.

Life with Jesus then, just as now, was never boring.

When they became fully awake, Jesus was praying and had changed into something glorious. “His face changed and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning.” Luke 9:29

Elijah and Moses appeared and were talking with Jesus. This is the point where my pastor said that this must be what Heaven is like. He said he often gets questions about whether or not we will recognize our loved ones in Heaven when we arrive. Peter, James and John had never met Elijah and Moses. They had been dead for centuries and they certainly didn’t have any photos of them; yet they knew who they were. I find that comforting.

So upon seeing a glimpse of Heaven, what did Peter suggest?

“Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” Luke 9:33

Peter didn’t want to leave that mountain top, ever. He had glimpsed Heaven and he thought they should just stay right where they were, indefinitely.

Who hasn’t been there?

We all have had glimpses of Heaven. It may have been a mountain vista, or a perfect sunrise, or a beach, or holding our child for the first time, or saying “I do,” to our spouse. There have even been people who have had near death experiences that describe a brilliant light, that they are drawn to, but are pulled back because it’s not their time.

I think God gives His people these glimpses, these gifts, from time to time to let us know that there is something better and brilliant that awaits us in eternity. I think He reminds us sometimes that we are travelers here, but while Heaven awaits us eventually, we have work to do now.

We would all love to just stay in those glimpse of Heaven moments, but that’s not what Christians are called to do. Jesus had the cross awaiting him and Peter, James and John would not only be witnesses, but would be there for the resurrection too. They would also go on to be instrumental in the birth of the Church as we know it.

None of that could have been accomplished on that mountain top.

The Bible reminds us to treasure those glimpses of Heaven. They are special and sometimes miraculous. They are a gift. But, we are also reminded that until we get to Heaven, we are called to work hard and share the love of Christ with as many people as we can.

What will you do today?

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

The Gift of Lent

Posted on by Wendy
Don't let the sacred time of Lent, pass you by.
Don’t let the sacred time of Lent, pass you by.

Today is the first day of Lent. It comes early this year, because Easter comes early this year and Easter is on March, 27th. Christians look at Lent in many different ways. Some religiously give up something that they love until Easter Sunday, like wine, or coffee, or social media.

I did that one year. I gave up chocolate. At the time, I was a huge chocoholic. A day rarely went by when I didn’t have at least a bite. It was tough to give it up. Interestingly, I’m no longer a huge fan. I like chocolate; but I’m no longer obsessed with it.

There are Christians who pick something up, like reading the Bible everyday, or take a set amount of quiet time, or attend a Bible study. I’ve done that too. I actually did a Lent study here on Graceful Gaines one year, on the Gospel of John. You can access it, if you are interested in reading through one of the Gospels for Lent.

There are also Christians who don’t observe Lent at all. My church never talked about Lent when I was growing up. It’s not in the Bible. It’s more of a “Church Universal,” doctrine. I’ll have to admit that there have been years that I haven’t given Lent much thought. There have been years where I was just too consumed with other things, or too tired, or really just couldn’t wrap my head around Lent.

I couldn’t think of anything to give up or pick up. I just couldn’t think of anything to do.

I’ve come to understand that therein lies my problem. When I kept asking myself what I could do, I kept coming up empty. I’ve learned over time, that when I don’t know what to do, is when I need to spend more time in prayer. Those are also usually the times when I’m feeling the most overwhelmed by life in general.

At some point, our wise Father, revealed to me that Lent isn’t about doing something for God. The idea of giving something up or doing something extra because Jesus died for us, is kind of ridiculous. We can’t do anything to earn grace. Think about it. I’m going to give up chocolate, because Jesus gave up His life?

Lent is a gift from God to us, an invitation to draw closer to Him. It’s a relatively short period of time for Christians to be intentional about our walk with Christ. It’s about putting our faith first and leaning into Jesus and into grace. It’s a special time. It’s a sacred time.

However Christians decide to observe it, the important thing is that we observe it, because when we really make Lent a priority, Easter Sunday has a brand new meaning and truly embracing the miracle of Easter, is what we are all about. Don’t let Lent pass you by.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

P.S. This song is such a beautiful reminder of Jesus’ love for us. Enjoy!

Advice from Paul

Posted on by Wendy
What does a quiet life look like?
What does a quiet life look like?

I recently read a blog post centered on 1 Thessalonians 4:11. “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands just as we told you.”

The writer went one way and my mind went spinning in an entirely different direction. I looked it up and discovered that the you, is followed by a comma, not a period, so I read the rest of the sentence, which is verse twelve, “so that your daily life will win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” 1 Thessalonians 4:12

I quickly read the footnote for explanation. Paul had written this letter to the people of Thessalonica, who were doing a good job in their Christian walk, but he had a warning for them. First he tells them how to live and then he tells them why.

The Greeks of the day, apparently, looked down on people who performed manual labor, worked with their hands, and Paul was reminding them that Christians are called to work hard and not be dependent on others due to idleness. If they led a quiet life and worked hard, others would see and be drawn to Christ as well.

This verse swirled in my thoughts all day long. Paul could have written it for us today.

In a world where we all desperately seek our fifteen minutes of fame at all costs, living a quiet life seems almost impossible. We take to social media to tweet every thought that comes into our minds and we take pictures of our meals to post. We broadcast when we get a new dog, a new car, or a new spouse. We feel compelled to share everything.

But, all that sharing is the opposite of quiet and it also leads to the next warning about minding your own business. It’s fairly difficult to mind our own business when we can’t put down our social media, because we are so engrossed in everyone else’s business.

Christians who are able, are also called to work hard and not depend on others to take care of us. Paul is not talking about the elderly or sick; he’s talking about people who are simply lazy.

On the surface, it seems like a simple recipe. Lead a quiet life; mind your own business and work hard. But, I don’t hear a lot of quiet these days and it seems like no one minds their own business. Everyone has an opinion about just about everything, and they feel deeply, the need to express it. And, we have a lot of able-bodied folks who refuse to work.

So, what can we do?

The change, starts with me and you. We need to lead a quiet life and mind our own business. We need to work hard, because the rest of the verse says that we, “may win the respect of outsiders.”

Outsiders are non-believers. Is there a better way to share the Gospel than earning the respect of those who don’t believe?

Isn’t that what we are called to do? That’s what Paul believed. What do you believe?

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

 

Lessons from Peter

Posted on by Wendy
"Then Jesus said to Simon, 'Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men.'"
“Then Jesus said to Simon, ‘Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.'” Luke 5:10b

Yesterday, our Sunday school lesson for our middle school class, was on Jesus calling Peter, James and John to be fishers of men. I remember this story well from my own Sunday school days. I feel like there were felt board cut outs for it. I know there was a song.

As I recall, these guys were cleaning their nets and Jesus strolled by and said, “Follow me,” and they dropped everything and walked off into the sunset.

But, as I read Luke 5:1-11, for our lesson, verse eight, really spoke to me. I don’t ever remember discussing it as a child in Sunday school.

The men had fished all night and had caught nothing. It was now daylight. They had cleaned their nets and were probably ready to head home. Jesus told them to go out and try again. Peter reluctantly agreed. When he cast his net this time, there were so many fish, that the net was breaking; his companions, and James and John, brought their boat over to assist and they had so many fish in both boats that they began to sink.

Peter, a seasoned fisherman, knew he was in the presence of the Lord. Do you think he embraced him and thanked him for the huge bounty?

Nope. “When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, ‘Go away from me Lord; I am a sinful man.'” Luke 5:8

There Peter stood in the presence of Jesus, and instead of reaching for Him and trying to lean into His goodness, his first instinct was to push Him away.

As I attempted to ask the kids in our class if they had ever done anything that they felt was unforgivable or that made them unworthy of Jesus’ love, I was met with blank stares.

Youth is such a beautiful thing; isn’t it? I suppose that’s why the Bible says we all need to have the faith of a child. Children tend to believe in God’s unconditional love. They haven’t done much living, yet.

But, as we grow up and tender hearts get broken and toughened and bad choices get made and we fall, over and over, we can come to believe that grace and forgiveness are for everyone, except for us. We can believe that we are too far gone or have committed just one too many sins to ever be forgiven or redeemed.

In fact, as adults, that’s often our go to. Look at Peter. “Get away from me Jesus, I’m a sinner.” (my paraphrase)

But, Jesus knew that He was here to save sinners. Peter was just one of the many. Jesus certainly wasn’t shocked by any of Peter’s shortcomings or yours or mine, for that matter.

Do you know what Jesus said to Peter?

“Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.”

Don’t be afraid. Ever notice how often that phrase turns up in the Bible? Jesus wanted us to know that we have nothing to fear when we follow Him, not our pasts, our present, or our broken hearts, or our sins, or our doubts, or even our lack of faith.

He simply wants us to take His hand and follow Him and when we do, He will take care of all of our baggage. That’s the beauty of grace.

And grace, well it’s amazing and undeserved, yet ours to have, if we choose. Our lives are no different than Peter’s, while we are all sinners, Jesus loves us and calls us anyway. He wants to use us too.

Peter believed what Jesus said and he left everything and followed Him, and got to be on the front row of the greatest love story ever told.

Jesus is still calling. What is our answer?

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

Our Story

Posted on by Wendy
The people in the Bible remind us that our stories are not so different from theirs.
The people in the Bible remind us that our stories are not so different from theirs.

Our church started a Bible study on Wednesday night on the Gospel of Luke. I love Luke because of all of the intricate details that it includes. Luke is the only place where we see Gabriel visit Mary and Zechariah to tell them about their miraculous babies.

Luke also includes “Mary’s Song.” After Mary has had some time to let the angel’s news sink in and after she has spent some time with her older and wiser and also pregnant, cousin, Elizabeth, she embraces her situation. She comes to realize that the unplanned and unanticipated pregnancy, is actually a gift, a blessing from God.

She decides to believe that God does have a beautiful plan and she bursts out in a song. The musical loving gal in me, can so appreciate this.

Our pastor pointed out that Mary’s song was similar to a prayer spoken by another woman named Hannah, hundreds of years earlier. Hannah was old and desperate for a child and God heard her prayer and Samuel was born. But, he pointed out, while the two praises were similar, Mary’s was different. She took Hannah’s prayer and made it her own.

Our pastor said he felt like that’s what the entire Gospel of Luke does, it makes Jesus’ story, our story.

I pondered that all day the next day. Isn’t that why the Bible is so important for guidance for Christians? Yes, it’s God’s word, but it’s also the story of God’s people. As God’s modern-day people, we can see our story in theirs. That’s what makes the Bible so amazing.

No, we probably won’t ever see the entire earth flooded and build and board an ark, but Noah teaches us that we can trust God. Noah teaches us that God will save those who walk with Him. Noah teaches us patience and obedience.

We probably won’t ever be put on the spot to save our entire nation, like Queen Esther, but Esther teaches us that we were made for the very moment we are living in and that God will use us if we trust Him and allow Him to.

Most of us aren’t or haven’t been a prostitute like Rahab, but her story teaches us that we are all redeemable if we decide to worship God.

Most of us aren’t ever going to be shepherds, or a king, but David teaches us about slaying giants and about repentance and God’s unfailing love for His people.

Most of us won’t ever be sold into slavery by our brothers like Joseph. But, Joseph’s story teaches us about faith and trust in God and forgiveness for others.

Why do Christians read the Bible? Because we can easily see our story woven in with theirs. We have all been betrayed. We have all needed redemption. We have all needed to be forgiven and we have needed to forgive others. We all need to learn to trust and obey God and we all need to grow our faith.

The Bible teaches us all of that through the stories of God’s people and ultimately through Jesus, the greatest love story ever told.

And the story of God’s people is still being written today. What will your part be?

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

 

 

Pay Attention to What Gets Your Attention

Posted on by Wendy
Paying attention to what gets our attention, may lead you on a new adventure.
Paying attention to what gets our attention, may lead us on a new adventure.

I recently attended a healing prayer service at our church. I had never attended anything like that. I didn’t have a particular urgent need for healing, but I know a ton of people who do and who doesn’t need some kind of healing in their lives, no matter how small it may seem?

I enjoyed it. There was a short message. We read some scripture passages and then we all prayed quietly in different areas of the sanctuary, while music played softly.

During the message, given by our associate pastor, she said that she always tells people to, “pay attention to what gets our attention, whether it is physical, emotional or spiritual.” She went on to say in a world with constant noise, from television, to computers, to smart phones, we have become really good at tuning things out.

Over the past few days, I’ve given noise a lot of thought. When I get in my car, the radio is on. As I drive down the road, there are billboards competing for my attention. People have advertisements plastered on the sides of their cars and it’s now political season. The political ads will be constant.

When I open my Facebook page, ads pop up. When I surf the internet, ads pop up. When I’m watching television and commercials come on, I check my Facebook page.

Pastor Debbie pointed out that with all of the noise that we filter through daily, when something catches our attention, we should pay special attention to it. There’s probably a reason.

It’s up to us to stop and ask ourselves why? Why did that particular ad, or pop up, catch our attention? Why did that phrase that a co-worker uttered, stay on our minds? Why did a particular Bible verse or story, continue to stay with us long after we read or heard it? Why did an argument with a close friend or family member hurt us so deeply? Why did a news story bring us to tears?

When we pay attention to what gets our attention, we can spend some time in prayer asking God to help us understand. Sometimes we may need to explore something new. We may be getting a new calling. Sometimes we need to gain a deeper understanding of something that is going on around us. Sometimes we need healing.

Sometimes, God is gently pointing out to us that we have a part of us that we haven’t allowed to heal for whatever reason and He’s trying to get our attention. He can heal us, if we ask Him to, if we will allow Him to. But, we first have to acknowledge the hurt.

I learned a lot from that healing service. I’m really making an effort to pay attention to what gets my attention. Maybe you would like to try it too. What is getting your attention today?

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

The Habit of Being Thankful

Posted on by Wendy
Giving thanks should be intentional not habitual.
Giving thanks should be intentional not habitual.

I attended a military high school. We would get demerits if we walked on the grass instead of the sidewalk. To this day, I usually avoid walking on the grass in a public setting. My granddaddy insisted that my bed was made every morning. Seriously, when I returned home from school at close to 4:00, if it wasn’t made, I would have to make it. I still get up every morning and make my bed religiously and he’s been with Jesus for over thirty years now.

We all have habits, both good and bad. Sometimes doing something in a particular way, becomes so instilled in us, we can’t imagine a life where we ever do it differently. That’s okay, for some things.

Personally, I feel like making the bed is a great habit. Only time will tell if my children will agree. The not walking on the grass, well, that one is kind of neutral. I really don’t know if it matters one way or the other.

Sometimes, things can become so habitual that we allow them to lose their meaning. We always say the blessing before dinner. I feel like it’s important to really give thanks for having food to eat. There are so many people who don’t. But, I find we often rush through it. Do we give thanks because we are truly thankful or because it’s a habit?

I tried a little experiment recently. I usually begin eating my bowl of cereal before my teens come down for breakfast. I have begun saying a specific prayer of thanks for what I’m eating. Like the opportunity to have fresh blueberries in February, is truly a blessing, so I give specific thanks for them.

When I take a moment to sit down, I also thank God that we have running water, electricity and heat, that all make my, seemingly modest, bowl of cereal possible. I try to remember that there are millions of people in the world who would give anything for a simple bowl of cereal in a heated house.

I’ve been doing this for a couple of weeks now and it seems like everyday, the list of simple things to be thankful for, grows. I have added my coffee. I certainly can’t imagine a day without it and the honey that I put in my coffee.

I have found that intentionally beginning my day giving thanks, really changes my outlook on the day and seeking something different to be thankful for, keeps it from becoming a rehearsed habit.

Perhaps the key is to be habitually thankful, but strive to make our actual prayers of thanks, intentional.

I encourage you to try the intentional breakfast prayer. It has truly had a huge impact not only on how my day begins, but how I perceive the rest of the day. I find that feeling blessed leads to peace and joy.

Who doesn’t need more peace and joy?

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂

 

Groundhog Day Reflections

Posted on by Wendy
While Groundhog Day has us longing for spring, we are sometimes called to wait in the winter season.
While Groundhog Day has us longing for spring, we are sometimes called to wait in the winter season.

Today is Groundhog Day. It’s the day where people anxiously gather around a groundhog’s, zoo habitat and to see whether or not it will predict an early spring or six more weeks of winter. It’s a kind of bizarre ritual that we can thank German immigrants for bringing to America in the 1700’s.

I’ll have to admit though, in the dead of winter, it’s always fun to dream of an early spring. Spring is when the earth pops back to life. Flowers and trees explode in colorful blooms at every turn. The air turns warm. Birds sing. Spring is a glimpse of paradise here on earth.

Who wouldn’t want spring to come early?

There was a movie released in 1993, called, “Groundhog Day.” It was a comedy starring Bill Murray, but it had a much deeper message than comedies often do.

Murray plays a weather man sent to cover Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. He is angry and downright surly about having to go. He has better things to do and makes everyone around him miserable as he complains about the miserable little town and the rodent he is sent to cover. Different characters try to reach out to him, but he shoves them all away.

Then a blizzard comes through and he is snowed in for the night, stuck there. He finally goes to bed, thankful that the day is at last over and when the alarm goes off the next morning, it’s Groundhog Day again.

And so it goes, he is forced to relive the same monotonous day over and over. At one point, he tries killing himself. In true Murray fashion, he tries  throwing a toaster in the tub, among other things. Nothing works.

He goes to sleep and wakes up to the same day, seemingly endlessly.

At some point, though, he decides to accept where he is. There’s no great epiphany. It’s subtle. He begins returning kindnesses that are extended to him, with kindness. He stops scheming to get the female lead to fall for him and begins to simply talk to her and get to know her and wonder of all wonders, she develops feelings for him too.

And then, just when he decides it’s okay, to be where he is indefinitely, he wakes up to the next day. Life at last moves on and he’s a much better and wiser human being than before.

We’ve all been there. Haven’t we?

There are times when life seems stuck in an endless loop of winter. We long for spring and we wonder if it will ever come. We sometimes make dozens of futile attempts to change our winter season and force the spring to come.

But, sometimes, God calls us to wait and trust. Sometimes, He is extremely busy crafting a spring for us that’s beyond our wildest dreams, with beauty that will take our breath away, but we must be willing to wait. We must be willing to accept that His plan is better than anything we could conceive on our own.

So, if you find yourself stuck in your own Groundhog Day  loop, don’t be discouraged. The Bible says,”Have I not commanded you? Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Spring is coming.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂