365 Days of Praise

“Is everything alright, Jake?”

“Everything’s alright, Marge.  Go to sleep.”

Recently, I watched part of an old movie in which a couple’s daughter did something behind their back.  She borrowed money from her daddy to loan to a friend who wanted an abortion.  The abortion was done by a back alley doctor, the friend became dangerously ill, and once again the daughter went to her father, who was a doctor, for help.  In the middle of the night, the daughter confessed what she had used his money for and the complications that had arisen. Incensed, he went to the girl’s aid.  After treating her, he returned to his room and climbed in bed.  As he did, his wife roused, asking, “Is everything alright, Jake?”  His response, “Everything’s alright, Marge.  Go to sleep.” 

The next day Jake didn’t discuss with Marge what had happened.  Nor did he the next day or the next.  However, his relationship was strained with his daughter. It affected more than just the two of them.

Today, we often refer to such situations as “an elephant in the room.”  Perhaps you’re in a relationship, church, or office where such is the case.  Something’s wrong, but instead of discussing it, you or someone else has Jake’s philosophy:  don’t discuss it.  Instead, say, “everything’s alright.”

Why don’t we discuss things?  I’m not sure.  Perhaps fear.  We’re concerned about the person’s reaction.  Perhaps we don’t because we have a sense of futility; that even if we did, it wouldn’t do any good.  Perhaps we’ve tried to discuss issues and concerns before, all to no avail.  Perhaps the results of prior attempts were worse than tiptoeing around the elephant. 

Although I don’t have the answers, God does.  In a world of imperfect people, Jesus puts the responsibility for righting relationships on us, whether we were wronged or a person has something against us.  That’s pretty revolutionary, if you think about it.   

In Matthew 18:15-17, Jesus tells us that if a fellow Christian sins, “go and show him his fault in private.”  Think about the grace and honor Jesus bestows on the one who is sinning.  Rather than shout out the other person’s sin to the world, He says to privately address the concern with the person.  What if the adulterer, liar, gossip, thief, drunkard, badly behaved husband/wife, arrogant person, or rebellious child doesn’t listen?  “If he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed.”  Again, if we pause to study Jesus’ words, we can’t help but marvel.  False accusations and wrong perceptions are avoided when people take time to address “every fact” with a person.  What is the purpose of this kind of relationship?  The objective is stated in Matthew 18:15, “if he listens to you, you have won your brother.”  In other words, the objective in discussing a person’s sin with them is love and restoration.

How many times are we to forgive?  Again, Jesus addresses this important subject in Matthew 18:21-22.  When Peter approached Jesus and asked if after the seventh time his brother sinned against him, he could call it quits with the person and no longer forgive him, Jesus answered Peter with a big, “No.”  Then, he told Peter a story about God’s immeasurable forgiveness toward us, warning that if we don’t extend the same forgiveness to others, we’d be tormented.  If you’ve ever clung to resentment toward someone, you know how true Jesus’ words are.  Unforgiveness is mentally and emotionally tormenting.

What if we aren’t upset with someone, but we find out someone is upset with us?  Again, we’re the one responsible for righting the relationship.  (This is obviously not the world’s philosophy.)  In Matthew 5:23-24 Jesus teaches us, as imperfect beings, that if we are presenting our offering at church and remember someone has something against us, we are to leave and go and first be reconciled to the person.  What if the person refuses to be reconciled?  Paul addresses this in Romans 12:18, where he acknowledges that we can only be responsible for our part of the reconciliation.  “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men,” Romans 12:18.

“Is everything alright, Jake?”

“Everything’s alright, Marge.  Go to sleep.” 

Friends, I’ve been asked to write a follow-up to The Plan A Woman in a Plan B World: What to do When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan.

The title of the new book is The Plan A MOM in a Plan B World: What to do When Parenting Doesn’t Go According to Plan. 

The premise of the book is that parenting is full of surprises.  The child we thought would be quiet is rambunctious.  Our “intellectual” turns out to have learning disabilities.   The son we thought would be a preacher is a hellion.  Our adult daughter calls home and announces she’s in a lesbian relationship.  Whether you have a toddler who is running you up the wall (literally), a tween (who thinks she sixteen), or a thirty something (who is jobless and wants to move home), could you give a shout out, “Parenting is full of surprises!”

There are tons of books on parenting.  This is not one of them.  Rather, The Plan A MOM in a Plan B World is about you.  What do moms feel sometimes?  Hopeless.  Disappointment.  GUILT.  Resentment.  Like a martyr…just to name a few.   These emotions can have a negative effect.  Like the land mines we talked about in The Plan A Woman, they can maim us.  They can hurt us and those with whom we have a relationship.

Here’s where I need your help.  If you’ve ever felt one of the following emotions in your role as a mother, please answer the following as applicable.   Also, to protect others involved, please don’t use real names. 🙂  However, please shoot me an email so if I have a question, I can email you back.  Thanks!

I’ve felt ___________________________.  (Disappointed, Competitive, Exhausted, Like a Martyr, Hopeless, Resentful, Jealous, Guilt, Wronged, Manipulated, Grief, Frustration, Worried, Angry, ____you fill in the blank.) 

a) What event(s) led up to you feeling that way? 

b)  What was your first reaction? 

c)  What did you eventually do?  

d)  How did it help/not help? 

e)  If you had it to do over again, what would you do differently? 

f)   What advice do you have for someone who may be in that situation or have that feeling right now?

g)  Is there a Scripture that might help them through it?

Thanks!  You can comment here or email me:  debbie@debbietaylorwilliams.com

Also, if you have a funny kid story or parenting moment, I’m all ears.  Email me. 🙂

Coming into our home, Lauren and Chris greeted Keith and me.  After arriving from Frisco and dropping Logan off at the other grandparents, they planned to ride with us to a rehearsal dinner in San Antonio.  “You look great” I told Lauren and Chris, hugging them hello.  With a few minutes to spare before we left the house, Lauren jumped into a topic of necessity:  “Mom, do you have a purse I can borrow that goes with this outfit?”  Only women can understand the importance of her question and of the need to properly accessorize.  “I have just the one!  You’re not going to believe it.  It’s the color of your dress,” I offered.  With her trailing me into my bedroom and closet, I climbed on the step stool and reached for an evening bag I’d purchased years ago.  “Can you believe it?  It’s the exact color of your dress!”  As an aside word of explanation to golfers and hunters, this is comparable to making a birdie or shooting a trophy buck.  With minutes ticking before we left, Lauren opened the purse to transfer her things into it.  “Mom, you’ve never used it,” she noticed, pulling the paper packaging from the inside of it.  “I know.  I bought it thinking it would match something and it didn’t.  You can have it.  It’s perfect with your dress.” All women will know how hard it is to let go of a beautiful purse. I told her if you want to keep your purse looking amazing then you must learn to clean it properly. That was the T&C’s of her becoming the purses permanent owner.

Hours later we arrived home from the dinner and fell into bed.  The next morning, I walked into the breakfast room and spotted the purse on the breakfast table.  Picking it up, I reflected on how nice it was that it was such a perfect purse for Lauren to carry the previous night.  Then, I noticed a little string hanging from the strap.  Looking closer, I realized it was the price tag.  At first, I sighed, thinking “Oh, no.  Lauren walked around at the rehearsal dinner all night with the price tag hanging out of her purse.”  The visual wasn’t a pretty one.  Then, as I often do these days, I decided to see the humor in the situation. My thoughts immediately turned to Minnie Pearl, who was on the television show, Hee-Haw, eons ago.  For younger readers, she characteristically wore a hat with the price tag dangling from it.  Yes, Lauren must have looked like that, I chuckled, envisioning my beautiful daughter with the rhinestone studded bag, price tag dangling.

Then, my thoughts turned toward God and a more serious consideration.  Looking at the price tag hanging from the purse, I wondered how I must often look like that purse to God.  I style my hair, put on makeup, dress, and earrings in an attempt to look presentable.  Yet often there is something in my life not in keeping with God’s desire for me.  Rather, I have some sin dangling as the price tag did on the purse.  Although God has already paid for me, as 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 explains, and the dangling sin cost Christ His life, I don’t cut off the offensive sin.  

The story continues.  Later, I asked Lauren, “Honey, didn’t you see the price tag?”  Her reply? “Oh, mom, I carried it as a clutch.  The strap was on the inside of the purse so nobody saw the price tag.”  Relieved that she hadn’t walked around all night with the price tag dangling, I couldn’t help but once more think about God and my sin.  “Sure enough.  That’s what I sometimes do.  I stuff my sin inside where people can’t see it.”  “However,” God convicted me, “it’s still there. I see it.” 

I immediately started to remove the little white tag from the purse, but instead, brought it into my office and placed it on my desk, where I am now writing this article.  I’ll soon remove the tag and put the purse away or see if Lauren wants it.  However, I think I’ll do more than just remove the tag from the purse.  I think I’ll also kneel before the Lord and address the sin that is dangling in my life.  I think I’ll do that so God can carry me where He wants, unashamedly. 

What about you?  Is there any sin dangling in your life?  If so, I hope you’ll join me in removing, rather than keeping it.  

“For you have been bought with a price.  Therefore glorify God in your body.”  1 Corinthians 6:20. 

“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,” Hebrews 12:1.

“Abby is driving me crazy!  She shakes her head all the time now.” 

“I know.  She wakes me up all night.  Let’s start putting her in the utility room so we can sleep.”

Keith and I went several days carrying on about how Abby was annoyingly shaking her head.  And, with every shake, causing her collar to jingle.  Then, our daughter, son-in-law, and grandson came to visit us.  Chris, whose dog is Abby’s father, commented to us, “I think Abby has an ear infection.”  Keith and I were shocked because when our cocker spaniel would get an ear infection, she rubbed her ear on the carpet and would act uncomfortable.  That was our cue to check her ears.  Abby, on the other hand, never gave us one hint that she was uncomfortable.  Tail wagging, she greeted us with a smile and didn’t once rub her ears.  Following up on Chris’ comment, we checked her ears and sure enough, it looked like she had an infection.

At the vet, I felt like I had “Horrible Dog Owner” stamped on my forehead in bold black letters.   “She’s got a really bad infection,” our vet announced.  Feeling lower than low, my heart sank to think that Keith and I assumed that Abby had simply developed a habit of shaking her head.  “Why didn’t she tell us?” I wondered.  Then, I realized that she had told us. We simply didn’t understand the signs she gave us. 

There is another who has given us signs:  God.  I can’t help but wonder if we sometimes ignore them.  For instance, consider the following signs He’s given us.

In Luke 2:12, angelic beings announced to shepherds that the Savior, Christ the Lord, had been born.  “This will be a sign for you:  you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”  Now, certainly, shepherds could have missed a baby’s birth in a crowded city.   However, Jesus’ birth in a manger was distinct…a sign.  It set His birth apart from all other births in Jerusalem that night.  God gave a sign.  The shepherds acknowledged it and were blessed.

At the outset of Jesus’ public ministry, he performed a miraculous sign of His deity by doing something no human could do.  He turned water into wine.  He didn’t do it for show.  He did it at the request of His mother to save their wedding hosts from the embarrassment of running out of wine.  Those in close proximity to Jesus saw what He did.  As His public ministry continued, Jesus continued to show signs that He was more than human.  He healed lepers with a touch (Mt 8:2-3), healed a centurion’s servant long distance by simply speaking the word (Mt 8:5-13), spoke and the winds and sea obeyed Him (Mt 8:26-27), and raised the dead (Mt 9:18-26).  In spite of Jesus’ signs, the scribes and Pharisees ignored them and asked Him to “perform a sign” for them.  “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You,” they asked. (Mt 12:38)  I wonder if Jesus didn’t want to say, “Haven’t you been seeing and hearing what I’ve been doing?!”  However, instead, Jesus replied, “An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet; for just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so will the son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth,” Mt 12:39-40.  In other words, the greatest sign Jesus gave that He is God’s Son was His death, burial, and resurrection to life.  To ignore that sign is far worse than to ignore a lab shaking her head because she has an ear infection.  And, yet, how many today argue, “Well, I think there are many ways to God.”  If so, why did God send Jesus to suffer for our sins?  If so, why did Jesus say, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but through Me,” John 14:6?  If the virgin birth, Jesus’ miraculous powers, and His resurrection from the dead weren’t meant to be signs proving His deity, calling us to salvation in Him, then why did God give us these signs?

Near the end of Jesus’ ministry, the disciples asked, “What will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Mt 24:3)  Did Jesus answer?  Did He tell us what signs to look for?  What are the signs?  You’ll find them in Matthew 24.  The important question is:  Are we paying attention to them?  Or, as I did with Abby, are we ignoring them?  I pray we’re paying attention!

© Debbie Taylor Williams

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Barbequed ribs in the backyard.  Sunday afternoons drives.  Standing outside watching the weather come in.  Sitting on the hood of the car eating fried chicken at the stock car races.  Vicki and me playing dolls in the back of the demonstrator station wagon Daddy brought home for the weekend.  Riding in the Lubbock, Texas parade in Daddy’s three wheeled car.  Vacations to the mountains.  Daddy’s annual golf coaching tip:  Keep your head down and your eye on the ball.  Horseback trail rides at dude ranches.  Texas Tech season basketball tickets.  Daddy sticking his tongue out and making silly faces to make us laugh.  Poems for every birthday or special occasion.  Gunsmoke.   Crossword puzzles.  Playing gin rummy.  He always knew every card in my hand and obviously won. 

My earliest memories of Daddy are filled with love.  Dark and tan, my daddy was a good looking man, great conversationalist, friend to all, and great father.  Whether he was teaching me to ride a bike, drive a car, or delivering gas when I ran out on the side of the road or a car key because I locked my keys in my car for the umpteenth time, he was patient.  He literally never said a cross word to me.  He never lost his temper.  

My later teen years included watching him pour over his Bible, with pen in hand, making notes.  Since he came to know Christ in his forties, he couldn’t understand why some of his Christian friends hadn’t talked to him about his relationship, or lack thereof, with God.  Daddy didn’t want other men to experience what he had – years without a personal relationship with Jesus.  Therefore, he would caringly ask when it came up in a conversation, “If you were to die tonight, do you know for sure you’d go to heaven?”  If someone said they weren’t sure, Daddy would ask if they’d like to know how they could be assured.  He wasn’t a “brow beater.”  He was a friend to his friends, available to talk about spiritual matters that many won’t talk about.  People loved Daddy.

Daddy taught me by example that it’s okay to laugh at yourself.  Once when he was teaching a class, he said, “There’s one thing I’ll never forget.  Of all the things that are important, this is the most, and I’ll never, ever forget it.”  Then, Daddy paused.  Sitting on the front row, I squirmed a bit wondering why Daddy didn’t go on and tell us this significant point that he’d built up so much.  Finally, he grinned his famous grin and with laughter in his eyes, said, “Well, I just forgot it.”  The class roared with laughter.  On another occasion, a preacher prayed for Daddy before he spoke, “God, please bless this crude instrument.”  Daddy cracked up over that one. 

I saw Daddy kissing Mama at the kitchen sink, in the car, goodnight, and every morning before he left for work.  I saw Daddy and Mama argue and I saw them make up.  I saw commitment lived out.  I saw Daddy open the car door for Mama.  Little did I realize all the ways Daddy was mentoring me in what to look for in a husband. 

My daddy is in heaven.  He’s been gone a long time, but the memory of him is still very much alive.  I have a glorious image of what my heavenly Father is like because of what Daddy was like:  loving, gracious, forgiving, patient, a provider, charismatic, joy-filled, faithful. 

I’m thankful for my earthly father.  I’m thankful for my Heavenly Father.  I’m thankful for the man I married who is such an incredible father to our children.  Have you hugged your father lately or your children’s father?  Have you told them how much you appreciate them? Have you told your Heavenly Father?  If not, this weekend is a wonderful time to express your love.  What about those whose fathers haven’t modeled God’s love, who have disheartened rather than encouraged; left rather than stayed?  God has provided Himself.  “Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Lift up a song for Him who rides through the deserts, Whose name is the Lord and exult before Him. A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows, is God in His holy habitation. God makes a home for the lonely,” Psalm 68:4-6a. 

I pray this Father’s Day, you’ll not only turn your eyes to earthly fathers, but you’ll also turn them heavenward and thank your Heavenly Father for who He is and all He’s done for you.

Happy Father’s Day! 

Every May 26, I have fond memories of my mother on her birthday.  Early memories, such as her singing and teaching me the motions to “I’m a Little Teapot” fill my mind. Memories of standing beside Mama at the kitchen sink, looking up at her and saying, “I want to be a mommy just like you,” are fresh in my mind.  Mother was the first one to introduce me to God.  Besides teaching me to daily read my Bible and pray, she taught me about God and His activity in the world.  One day, for example, when trying to teach me the concept of God creating the world, she gently placed a brown paper bag over my head in order to darken the room.  Then she read, “the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep; (Gen 1:2) going on to explain how, out of the void, God created the world.

          Every June 1, I think about my daddy on his birthday.  If you’ve been to one of my Bible studies, you’ve heard me speak of his conversion; that at age 46 he realized he had been playing church; that it was about more than a pastor and sermon; it was about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  He asked Jesus to forgive him of his sins and committed his life to Christ as Lord and Savior.  His life was radically changed.  As a young teen, I had the opportunity to see the difference Christ makes in a person’s life.  No longer did Daddy “sleep in” or play golf on Sunday mornings.  He was the one who was up, ready to get out the door, and go to church.  He couldn’t get enough of Jesus and the Bible.  Daddy was “on fire” for God.  His newfound joy and love for God impacted others and made a huge impression on my life. 

          Both my parents not only read the Bible, they lived it.  As I think about their walk with Christ, I’m reminded of an instruction given on airlines that emphasizes our responsibility in relation to others.  “In the event that the oxygen level in the main cabin becomes unstable, oxygen masks will drop.  Secure the mask to your head using the elastic band and breathe through the mask normally. Make sure your mask is securely on before assisting other passengers or your children.” 

          Sometimes as parents and friends, our tendency may be to tell others how they ought to live.  However, if we’re not living what we’re saying, it may be like trying to put the oxygen mask on them while we’re gasping for contentment, peace, or joy. 

To what oxygen mask am I referring?  The oxygen mask of a right relationship with God.  The oxygen mask where God isn’t stored in an overhead bin, but rather is invited into your life.  The kind where even when you get the breath knocked out of you in a tumultuous relationship or you’re losing financial altitude, God’s there.  He’s just as present as the oxygen mask on an airplane and you “put Him on.”

          Today, many are hurting; gasping for air, to know what to do, when and how.  If we genuinely care about our children and the person with whom we’re traveling through life, isn’t it time we grab the oxygen mask of our salvation, stretch the width of it around our minds, and put it on?  When we “put on” our salvation and the Lord Jesus Christ, then we help not only ourselves, but others as well.

How do we “put on Christ”?  Begin by putting Him first every day.  As you slip out of bed, slip on your knees.  Pray, “God, thank You for this day.  Fill me with Your Spirit so that I live by Your mind, emotions, and will rather than mine.”  Tell God you want to serve Him and His purposes.  Go to a quiet place and open your Bible.  I like to focus on a different attribute of God every day.  Reading verses that explain who God is and His desired relationship to us opens our spiritual lungs to the oxygen of His life, whereby we are renewed within.  Pray in relation to God’s attributes in relation to your life, family, friends, and nation.  For instance, if I praise God for being love, it prompts me to repent if I’ve been unloving to someone.  Having repented, I then ask God to fill me with His love.  I pray family and others will respond to God’s love and love others as He loves them.

          Following our time of Bible reading and prayer, we can be sensitive to God’s Spirit, who quickens our hearts during the day.  For example, after praying that God fill me with His love, I may have an encounter with someone who frustrates me.  If I am being sensitive to God’s Spirit, I will be loving in spirit and better able to see the person through God’s eyes.  That is what is referred to in the Bible as “living by the Spirit;” and is the opposite of living by our natural temperament.  Needless to say, the results of living by God’s Spirit are far more pleasant than living by our natural reactions.  Fewer arguments, less unmanaged stress, more peace and joy result when God’s Spirit is breathed in and exhaled through our lives. 

          My mama and daddy did a huge favor for me.  They put the oxygen mask of the God on and then placed it on me. What about you?  Are you spiritually impacting your children or only taking care of them physically and financially?  Are they drawn to put the oxygen mask of Christ on themselves because they see in you what it looks like to have a living, breathing relationship with God?  If not, why not begin today?  Put the oxygen mask of Christ on yourself.  “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provisions for the flesh in regard to its lusts,” Romans 13:14.

The Blind Men and the Elephant

“The Blind Men and the Elephant” by John Godfrey Saxe is a famous version of the 19^th Century poem. The poem begins:

It was six men of Hindustan

To learning much inclined,

Who went to see the Elephant

(Though all of them were blind),

That each by observation

Might satisfy his mind.

They conclude that the elephant is like a wall, snake, spear, tree, fan or rope, depending upon where they touch. They have a heated debate that does not come to physical violence. But in Saxe’s version, the conflict is never resolved.

Moral:

So oft in theologic wars,

The disputants, I ween,

Rail on in utter ignorance

Of what each other mean,

And prate about an Elephant

Not one of them has seen![i]

Recently, I was reminded of this poem while listening to a discussion about God.  Each person used a singular verse and their “feel” of it to make a conclusive generalization.  What are some of topics we might want to further study before we adamantly state our position? Consider the following.

Making Moral Judgments:  Often I hear people quote Matthew 7:1 and interpret it that we should never judge another person’s behavior. Yet, Jesus tells us in Matthew 18:15-16 that we have an obligation to the Christian who is sinning and which obviously requires we make a judgment. Is perhaps the key that we judge the sin but not the person? “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listen to you, you have won your brother.”

Prayer:  Some people use Matthew 6:5 as the basis for their stand against praying in public.  However, Matthew 6:5 is about more than the subject of private prayer.  It deals with the heart of why we pray.  Are we praying to be seen?  Or, is our prayer being humbly offered in sincerity to God?  The Bible is filled with calls for public prayer, Jesus praying publicly – even from the cross, and Christians praying publicly. “At this time Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren (a gathering of about one hundred and twenty persons was there together), And they prayed and said, ‘You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men,’” Acts 1:15, 24. 

Expression of Worship:  This needs little explanation except to say that there are many ways worship is expressed in the Bible.  Our not being comfortable with how someone else worships doesn’t mean their worship is wrong or less sincere than ours.  “David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, …So David and all the house of Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouting and the sound of the trumpet,” 2 Samuel 6:14-15.  “She (Hannah) greatly distressed, prayed to the Lord and wept bitterly. As for Hannah, she was speaking in her heart, only her lips were moving, but her voice was not heard,”

1 Samuel 1:10,15.

Jesus’ Personality:  Some people focus on Jesus’ meekness and inclusiveness.  While it’s true that God’s gift of salvation is extended to everyone (John 3:16), Jesus says there is only one way to heaven and that is the narrow way through Him. (Matthew 7:13,14; John 14:6)  It is true that Jesus is gentle and humble in heart, but He is also God and zealous against those who distort truth and harm others. “He (Jesus) found in the temple those who were selling oxen and sheep and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables.  And He made a scourge of cords, and drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen; and He poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables;” His disciples remembered that it was written, ‘Zeal for Your house will consume Me,’” John 2:14-15,17. “And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire and on His head are many diadems;” Revelation 19:11-12a.

Social Responsibility:  We do well to study a variety verses to understand the heart and nature of God. For instance, consider the following two verses in light of each other. “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,” Proverbs 25:21.  “…If anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either,” 2 Thessalonians 3:10.

Women’s Roles in the Church:  Some churches base their position about women’s roles in the church on 1 Corinthians 14:34.  Yet in Acts 2:17-18 Peter referenced the prophet Joel in relation to the occurrence of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. “It shall be in the last days, God says, ‘That I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; Even on My bondslaves, both men and women, I will in those days pour forth of My Spirit and they shall prophesy.”

Okay, I hope I haven’t made everyone mad at me and caused a stir. That wasn’t my intention.  Rather, I believe that as our days become increasingly challenging, it’s more important than ever for us to study the Bible so we can accurately articulate our beliefs not only in the church but in society.  I can’t but wonder if we wouldn’t have a more accurate understanding of God if we considered more Scriptures than the ones with which we’re most familiar. I wonder if we shouldn’t consider the whole elephant and the appropriate context for each of our “favorite” verses.  Certainly, we can appreciate that if a single animal has so many parts that can be differently interpreted, but are all true in the right context, so God is more complex than we can imagine.  The wise person will study and consider the nature of God and His Word in the context of the Bible passage and whole of Scripture; not just the tail, trunk, or side.  Here’s to studying!  “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work,” 2 Timothy 3:16-17.  

[i] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blind_men_and_an_elephant

The Plan A Woman Book Club is now on the above BOOK CLUB link. Thanks for your patience while we worked out the kinks.  I’ve copied your comments there, which posted under one link under my name.  I’m sorry.  That’s the best I could do.  But, now we’re set!  Please keep your comments coming on the Book Club link rather than here.  I love them and appreciate you.  They’ll show up as your individual comments from now on.

Can this Count as a Vegetable? 

I’ve always had an appreciation for my husband’s ability to read, process, and articulate his thoughts.  However, as is often the case with intelligent people, sometimes they find the more mundane things of life are well…mundane and therefore give them less attention than they might otherwise give them.  For instance, I was amazed when we’d been married for several years and he still called my slip by the wrong name.  To this day, he really doesn’t care if the green vegetable on his place is called asparagus or broccoli.  Simple jokes sometimes cause his eyes to glaze over because he’s searching for some deeper meaning.  I, on the other hand, laugh at something silly while my eyes glaze over at deep, legal conversations.

Recently, Keith and I had just such an episode; in which I realized food groups fell into the category of “no interest” to him.  We had both decided to make some adjustments in our eating habits.  While dining at a restaurant, Keith leaned across the table and with a roll in his hand, asked, “This could count as a vegetable, couldn’t it?  It’s made from grain.” 

As much as I would have liked to have scolded him for trying to sneak in a roll, I had to laugh.  “Good try!”  I replied.  “No. It is not a vegetable.”

Perhaps you can relate, if not on the roll/vegetable issue, in another area.  Have you ever found yourself wanting to call “sin” something that it’s not?  Have you ever wanted to chew on anger toward someone and called it “just thinking”? Have you ever held in your hand something that didn’t belong to you and called it “yours”?  Have you perhaps feasted on getting ahead at someone else’s expense and called it “friendly competition”?  Have you justified a diet of unkindness, by saying it “grew from what someone did to you?” 

 Although we may call a sin a pretty name or “socially acceptable,” God isn’t fooled.  He knows sin groups just as we know food groups.  And, as health care professionals expect us to know food groups and make choices beneficial to our health, God expects us to know sin groups and make choices beneficial to our spirit.

What sin groups should we cautiously avoid according to Exodus 20:1-26?

Elevating people and things above God

Taking God’s name in vain, using it carelessly

Not setting aside a day as holy to the Lord

Not honoring our fathers and mothers

Murder

Adultery

Stealing

Lying

Coveting

We may call our words “stretching the truth,” but God calls them lies.  We may justify our sin by saying it grew in a garden of innocence.  However, God looks at what’s in our hand, not where it started. 

What might God be saying to us?  If we’re really serious about our spiritual health, then we shouldn’t hold sin in our hand.  If we find it’s already in our hand, we shouldn’t try to justify it.  Rather, we should call it what it is and put it down like a fattening roll.  We should take hold of all the other options God provides, the choices that are healthy for our spirits. 

Until next time, be mindful of what’s in your hand.  Don’t take that bite if it’s not going to contribute to the spiritual health for your soul.  “Thou shall have no other gods before Me,” Exodus 20:3.

One recent Saturday, it was a beautiful day to be outside.  As family and friends gathered, we decided among other things, to fly kites.  Three year old Lucy held her kite string tightly.  Fascinated with the flying toy, she laughed in glee.  Then, her kite took an unexpected nose-dive to the ground.  Friends and family encouraged her, “You can do it, Lucy.  Try again.” 

Tightly gripping the kite’s handle, Lucy once again watched the giant paper triangle soar in the sky.  Thrilled, Lucy giggled.  However, with the shifting wind, the kite lost air and began to swerve toward the ground.  An experienced kite flyer knows to run or tighten the string at such times.  Lucy, however, didn’t have a clue what to do.  Standing there, she watched it swerve and sway, doomed to fall. Then, Lucy’s aunt called to her, “Run, Lucy!  Run!”  Blonde, tassel headed Lucy, upon hearing the advice, began running across the lawn.  However, as she ran, she dropped the kite handle.  The kite and string that once sailed through the cloud graced sky, plunged to the ground.  

Today, like Lucy, many believers are running hard.  They’ve seen the excitement of what God can do and have joined others in service to Him.  Some are running ministries to the poor. Others are running ministries to those suffering natural disasters.  Many are running the race God’s set before them as they serve their families, raise children, or provide care to the disabled or ill.  However, what happens when those who are running drop the line that connects them to the One they serve?

What line might Christians drop?  Our eyes on Jesus, our focus on Him. 

The writer to the Hebrews reminded believers of the importance of not only running the race set before us, but of also fixing our eyes on Jesus.  Consider his words: “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God,” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

In these verses we’re reminded of the importance of laying aside encumbrances and not being entangled in sin.  We’re encouraged to run the race before us.  However, we’re also reminded of the importance of fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, of keeping our focus on Him, and maintaining our connection with Him. 

What are you running around doing these days?  Are you like Lucy, running hard?  Are you holding tight to the line in the sky?  Or, head down, have you lost the “joy before you” because you’ve lost your focus on the One in the heavens? 

I have to run now, but I look forward to being back with you soon.  In the meantime, don’t drop the line.  Keep your eyes and focus on Jesus!