Love One Another

School has started and we are all so very busy, so let me keep this short.

Can you name the other Christians at your school?
Stop for a moment and think about who they are.

Now, think about how you treat them.

Jesus told his disciples:

"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples,
if you love one another.”
John 13:35

If I were to be honest with you, I would have to say that there are times in my life when I have gone to school with, worked with, and even gone to church with Christians that I don't really like very much. It is such a challenge to me to love all my brothers and sisters in Christ like Jesus loves.

That just sounds so mean and nasty written there in black and white, but it is the truth.

So this challenge is for me.

This challenge is for you.

If you are a disciple of Christ, Jesus is calling you to really love other disciples.

Pray about it. God will reveal who you need to love on more and give you the power to do it.

Tale of the Rain Jackets

Our family recently went on vacation to Florida. Before we left, I checked the weather of the Sunshine State to discover that Tropical Storm Debby was dumping rain in the region. Rain jackets were added to our packing list.

Vacation. Day one. Hollywood Studios. The three o'clock Pixar Pals Countdown to Fun parade begins under dark, threatening clouds. Sure enough, rain begins to pour in buckets. I'm talking cloudburst, deluge, flood, drencher, inundation, monsoon, torrential rain. The moment brings new meaning the to phrase, "Don't rain on my parade."

Those of us who didn't have them on already, quickly don our rain jackets and start running through instantly forming pools of water.

When we reach a dry spot under a large table umbrella, we discover that several of us are soaking wet. My mother-in-law is thoroughly soaked because she did not put her rain poncho on correctly. She simply put the hood over her head and left the rest floating behind her like a cape. This was extremely ineffective in keeping her dry.

Three of us discover that our rain jackets were not really rain jackets. Oh, they looked like rain jackets. They felt like rain jackets. But, when the rain came down, they did not do the job of a rain jacket. They did not keep us dry. The water soaked right through.

Later in our trip to Florida, we attended a conference for church. One of the speakers taught from Matthew 7. Hang with me here. It really is important to read the whole thing. Jesus is talking to you.

³ “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴ But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
¹⁵ “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. ¹⁶ By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? ¹⁷ Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. ²⁰ Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ ²³ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
²⁴ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Believe it or not, this made me think of our rain jackets.
What good is having a rain jacket that doesn't keep you dry?
What good is being a Christian, a Christ follower if I don't do the will of my Father, if I don't hear His Words and daily put them into practice.
It sure did make me stop and think. I hope it does the same for you.

Perseverance

Starting July 27, London will host the Olympics.

Back in 1992, a runner by the name of Derek Redmond was competing in the 400 meter semi-finals of the summer Olympics held in Barcelona, Spain. His demonstration of athletic perseverance made history that day.

Derek's story was already one of perseverance. Four years earlier, he was set to compete in Seoul, South Korea when a problem with his Achilles tendon forced him to cancel participation in the race at the last moment. Derek spent the next four year persevering on a daily basis to reach his goal of returning to the Olympics.

Four years, five surgeries and countless hours of rehabilitation and training brought him back to the Olympics.

Just watch his race.




This is real perseverance.

What struck me was that the only help he accepted was from his father.

If you need help persevering through whatever you are going through, lean hard on your heavenly Father and the Word.

This is what Paul did. Read the words he gives to Timothy:

In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: ² Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage —with great patience and careful instruction. ³ For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. ⁴ They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. ⁵ But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
⁶ For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day —and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
2 Timothy 4:1-8

Now I know, sometimes it is hard to keep running the race. The things the Lord asks of us are not easy.
Preach the Word.
Be prepared.
Keep your head in all situations.
Endure hardships.
Evangelize.
Complete all your ministry duties.
This is no short list.
But remember, your Father is there for you to lean on, to cry on, to encourage you until you run, walk or maybe even crawl across the finish line.

How to not get lost: 101

Walt Disney World

Magic Kingdom

Main Street, USA

Shortly after moving to Florida in 1982, my dad took us to Magic Kingdom at Disney World. When I say us, I mean the five youngest kids that still lived at home: Joe, Sylvia, Booner, Sand-e and me.

I was the smallest at barely eight-years-old and walking down Main Street USA was a bit overwhelming. If you have never been there, you should know that the walkways can get extremely crowded.

Our family snaked its way throughout the park going from one ride to another. We were not accustomed to the heat and humidity of the south. By the end of the afternoon, we were growing weary.

Somewhere in a box, I have a picture of us standing in front of Cinderella's Castle. In all honesty, I don't remember having the picture taken. I don't even remember the rides at all, even though I know we fit in quite a few.

This is what I remember from that day.

We were snaking down the street and I was following my brother, Booner. I focused my eyes on his back and followed him closely so I wouldn't get lost in the crowd. After a few moments, Booner turned around and asked, "Have you seen Sylvia?"

"What? Have I seen Sylvia? No. I'm following you. You were supposed to be following Sylvia." And of course, I started to cry.

Because we were lost.

Separated from my dad.

In Disney World.

Living in Colorado and having been fishing in the mountains, we both knew exactly what to do when you get lost.

Stay put.

We sat on the edge of the sidewalk and waited. I continued to cry. (That part is optional.)

Though it felt like forever to me, in a few minutes, I saw my dad come barreling through the crowds with the rest of my siblings on his heels. His arms were opened wide and he pulled us into his embrace. We were found.

Our family spent a couple more hours at Disney World that day. Instead of moving through the crowds like a long snake, we looked more like an amoeba.

We learned a valuable lesson. This lesson is still true today.

If you don't want to get lost, keep your eyes on the Father.

Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. John 12:26

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 12:1-3

Just so you know . . .
Booner's real name is Daniel. We used to call him Daniel Boone and somehow it ended up Booner.

A Quagmire

quag·mire

noun

1. an area of miry or boggy ground whose surface yields under the tread; a bog.

2. a situation from which extrication is very difficult


So, I was at Wal-Mart the other day, when I turned the corner and found two young men searching the carpet freshener section. They looked about college age. They looked confused.

I glanced down at my list to see if I needed to venture down the aisle and overheard tidbits of a conversation. These unfortunate guys couldn't decide what odor eliminator to choose.

I'm a helpful gal, so I went over to my favorite deodorizer, pulled it off the shelf and handed it to them. I told them it was my favorite and I promised them it didn't smell like Grandma's house.

They were skeptical. The first guy put it up to his nose and took a whiff and then handed it to his buddy. They agreed it didn't smell girly and said thanks. My pleasure. I turned to walk away when one of my husband's college stories flashed into my mind.

Jeff and his buddies lived on campus in an apartment. Those places always have something wrong with them. For Jeff, it was the toilet. One day, they came home to discover the pipe in the bathroom had a major leak. He describes four inches of water in the bathroom and water soaking into the carpet. If I was able to interview the students that lived below, they would describe their ceiling damage. College maintenance showed up, fixed the pipe, cleaned up most of the water and left.

The carpet remained damp and started to emit an odor. What do you do when you have an odor in your carpet? You buy carpet deodorizer, of course.

They went down to the store, bought some, and spread that fine smelling powder all over the carpet.

Do you know what happened?

Think chemistry.

Powder + Liquid = ?

Gunk.

Paste.

Muck.

Mush

Powder + Liquid = A Quagmire

By this time, the two guys were walking away, so I turned back and almost tackled them.

Wait!

Don't put it on wet carpet!

It'll turn to paste!

Oh, they said. We should have thought of that.

Then, they proceeded to tell me about the dog vomit they were trying to clean up. So, of course, I told them to use carpet cleaner first, let it dry and then follow up with the carpet deodorizer.

They said thanks again and we both went on our way.

Why am I telling you this story about smelly carpets, odor eliminators and dog vomit?

It is to remind us that each day we make lots of decisions and sometimes we make them without thinking.

Any three-year-old can tell you that dirt plus water equals mud. Any college student should be able to tell you that powder plus water equals a quagmire in your carpet. But, only if you were to stop and think about it.

Now, most of us know the things that can get us in a quagmire, too. Hanging out with the wrong crowd. Lying. Cheating. Being alone with a boy. Drinking. Gossip. Immodest dress. The world is full of potentially bad choices to make.

Sometimes, we don't take the time to stop and think. We make decisions without thinking and we end up in a quagmire.

We need to be reminded to slow down and think about our actions, our words, and our decisions.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. I Peter 5:8

Save me!

Have you seen this video yet?



Here you have a pod of dolphins who somehow are misguided. I don't know why they decided the shore would be a better place to hang out. Surely God created them to swim in the vast ocean and not flop along the sand.

Maybe it looked like fun up there on the beach. Maybe the leader of the pod lost its way and the others just followed along.

Thankfully, there were people watching this pod of dolphins swimming toward disaster. They were quick to redirect. Though the people were obviously way out of their comfort zone, they entered the water and pulled the dolphins back to safety.

It took a few tries for some. The people had to yank the dolphins by the tail. It may have even hurt the animals a bit. Most resisted. Some swam right back towards shore just to be rescued again.

Finally, all the dolphins are pulled back into deeper, safe water and they seemed to realize that the ocean is where they truly belong.

As I sat watching this video, I was thinking about someone I know who has lost direction in her life. She is purposefully swimming toward disaster.

Do you know someone who has lost their way?

Are you willing to step out of your comfort zone and reach out to that person?

You may have to ask them the hard questions.

It may sound like this: "Those shorts are awfully short, don't you think?" "Why are you hanging out with him?" "I've missed you at church. Can I pick you up this Sunday?" "Hey, I saw the picture you posted on Facebook. What's going on?"


You may have to drag them out of a situation that you know is dangerous for them.


It may look like this: "We didn't know her mom would have alcohol at this party. Let's get out of here." "I'm not going to leave you alone in the room with him." "I'll start driving when you put your seat belt on."

My prayer is that you would love your friend enough to do the tough thing. Even if she resists, keep speaking truth into her life.

Maybe you are the person who is swimming away from safety and resisting the help around you. Please go back to the where the water is deep. Make choices that will put a smile on God's face.

Remember that God loves you and want to provide the best in life for you and protect you from the worst.

True freedom is found in Christ where you can swim in safety.

But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:25

Why, Lord?

Those age old questions: Why me Lord? Why did you let that happen, God? What did I do wrong? What did they do wrong? Where were you God? Why Lord? Why?Awhile back, a friend emailed me with questions regarding the passage in John 9: 1 - 5.

As [Jesus] went along, He saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked Him,

“Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as it is day, we must do the works of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

My friend was confused by Jesus' answer. The first thing we have to remember is that when Jesus lived, it was common for Jewish people to believe that sickness, calamity, and hard times were a direct result of sin. If a child was born with blindness, people automatically assumed someone had sinned against God.

There are times in the Bible, of course, when God punishes or disciplines. But let's not forget that we live in a fallen world. Disease happens. Birth defects happen. Catastrophes happen. They are natural consequences of living in a fallen world.

I've noticed that we humans are quick to ask the why question. Why would God allow this to happen to me? Did I do something wrong? Was my sin so great that God is punishing me? We want to be able to point a finger, even if it is at ourselves, to pinpoint the reason for bad things happening. I think that was the case, in John 9.

Before that blind man was born, God had a plan for his life. It was a plan that allowed the blindness and a plan that included a great revealing of God's glory. Listen to the words of Jesus again, "...this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him". What an honor to be a vessel of God's mighty work.While pondering all of this, I was reminded of my own experience in watching a precious little girl weaken and die because of a nasty, relentless brain cancer. Prior to the cancer, she was a bubbly, happy little girl dreaming of what she wanted to be when she grew up. And now she is gone. There is that ‘why’ question again. Lord, why her?

I can't begin to think that I know the full answer to that question, but I do know that the words Jesus spoke for a blind man two thousand years ago are still true today, for this family as well.

"This happened so that the works of God might be displayed."

God showed Himself in mighty ways during this little girl’s fight against cancer. God's love was poured over her and the family. Money was raised. Food was given. A temporary home near the treatment center was provided. Prayers were lifted up. And her cancer went away the moment she entered the arms of Jesus.

The grief is still heavy for the family. Maybe there is heavy grief in your life, too. Maybe it is cancer, Or family issues, Or loneliness, Or money problems, Or rejection.

I don't know what difficulty you are facing. But, I do know this: God is sovereign. He is in control. He is not pacing the floors of heaven wondering how things are going to turn out. He is trustworthy. He will give you the strength you need to go through your trial. His glory will be revealed.

So, a simple answer to the question ‘Why Lord?’ - God loves you and wants to work in your life in a mighty way. He wants to display HIS glory through YOUR life.

"This happened so that the works of God might be displayed"