Driving lessons with God

I am a journaler.  It is my way of sharing with God my thoughts, questions and prayers.  It is frequently in those times I am listening for a word from God - this year He gave me an actual word "trust".  If you'd read my past journal entries (which I am not going to share here) you would see that this is a recurrent theme. Trusting God to the things He has promised.  You would think by now I would have learned those lessons - so to ingrain them I am spending some of my time with God specifically learning about trust.

"In repentance and rest is you salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength." Isaiah 30:15

Just a few short lines but so powerful.  Repentance and rest - to examine my life and through the power of the Spirit repent - confess that I've blown it and  began a new path.  It is when my conscience is clear that I find rest.  It is when I am confident that God will do what He says that gives me rest - I don't need to pre-think/over examine/stress or worry.  I can rest knowing that God is God.

"Quietness and trust is your strength"  as I pondered the meaning of this statement a visual came to mind.  Remembering what it was like to teach my kids to drive.  When we first hit the road I would verbalize all potential hazards, things for them to be aware of, reminders of lessons taught.  I would find myself gripping the armrest "just in case".  As I grew more confident in their driving and trusted their abilities I relaxed. I could enjoy the ride engaging in conversation knowing that we would arrive at our destination safely.

Sometimes I think I flash back to that "instructor" mode with God! I point out things to Him "don't you see that!"  At times I find myself stepping on an imaginary brake or wanting to grab the wheel.  It all comes down to trust.  If I truly trust God, I can rest quietly conversing with Him knowing that even though it seems to me He has taken a wrong turn, is going too fast, or too slow I have the confidence that we will arrive at the correct destination.

What's Your Spritual BMI?

"Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good." 1 Peter 1:2,3

This verse came to mind in a discussion with a friend of mine the other day. While my being around new born babies days are almost 18 years behind me, I do remember that NOTHING would satisfy a hungry baby but milk. No amount of walking, bouncing, or substitute would do - it had to be the real deal or they let you know.

Our conversation also made reflect on an article I had written for some gals I was discipling a LONG time ago. It was so long ago we called it "discipleship:" and not mentoring and even so long ago my page was typed is probably on a floppy disc somewhere. So I dug through my files and am reprinting it for what it is worth.

Spiritual Nutrition

The Bible talks about the Word of God as spiritual food. If we look at this example, and pull similarities from nutrition and physical health to relate it to reading/studying/feeding on the Word and spiritual health we can gain some new truths and insights. As you read these examples, evaluate where you are. Are you spiritually fit? Are you eating properly?

MALNOURISHED
Eats very little or nothing at all. What is consumed may or may not be what is needed for proper nutrition.
Results: Little or no appetite. What is consumed is not digest well at first. Lack of energy. Highly susceptible to disease. May effect judgment and mental functions.

OBESE
Intake of food unbalanced. Has little or no exercise. Tends to snack as opposed to eating balanced consistent meals.
Results: Overweight. Lack of energy and prone to apathy. Moderately susceptible to disease. Easily tired. Excessive weight puts strain on the body.

IN SHAPE
Eats regular and balanced meals. Exercises regularly
Results: Good energy level. Healthy appearance. If illness attacks, recovers quickly. Alert.

ANOREXIC
Sees self as overweight. Eats very little in comparison to activity or exercise. Feels motivation to do more to burn up calories rather than eat.
Results: Highly susceptible to disease. See malnourished. Could have severe results unless treated. May appear thin and "in shape" to others initially

BULIMIC
Does not eat in a balanced regular manner. Has a tendency to binge eat in large quantities. What is eaten is purged and no nutrition to the body results.
Results: See malnourished. Susceptible to disease. Could have severe results unless treated.

The above is more of clinical analysis of eating (from a lay persons perspective), but on closer observation it can be seen how we duplicate this in the spiritual realm. We can "snack" on things we like to hear in the Bible. Reading and rereading the same passages, or just not digging in to what God really wants to say. To "snack" takes little time, effort or thought.

Our spiritual exercise can be seen as serving God. Doing the work of the gospel .... ministry. Listening to God and his Word and "doing what it says" (James 1:22) However, without proper feeding on the Word of God we can be brought to disastrous results.

To be spiritually bulimic can be visualized in my mind as taking in the Word through our own personal times in the Word or hearing it spoken. Instead of letting it provide nourishment in our souls, we tend to purge it right back out again on others. (not a pretty visual). If we feel a real lack of nourishment, instead of gaining a healthy pattern we tend to binge out....grasping everywhere, and anywhere for the Word.

As in our physical bodies we can carry on quite well for awhile. Our lack of nutrition, or spiritual fitness, may not be evident to others. The disease in our spiritual life may come in many forms.....doubts, struggles, discouragements, attacks from Satan. How these effect us and how quickly we can respond comes from how fit we are. Ephesians 6:17 tells us to take "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." It is a weapon for our defense. As our physical bodies need a balance or rest, nutrition and exercise, so does our spiritual body. I remember a speaker sharing to envision our lives as a cup. The Holy Spirit is to fill us up. When the struggles come along and bump us full of God people splash. Those who are filling themselves with something else complain.

So what shape are you in? What is your spiritual BMI? No quick fixes here - it takes time and discipline.....but it is worth it!

Rescue

I was one of the many millions around the world who watched the Chilean miners during their rescue.  As I was working on my computer I had a small screen open to the side, so I could watch as each man was rescued and reunited with loved ones.  Hugs, chants, joy and elation followed each and every rescue and I teared up as I watched each one.  My dog would run around the house franticially each time they would blast the horn alerting everyone that another man was about to finish his journey to safety.  I was so inspired by the events, when my husband arrived home from work I gave him a huge embrace and a kiss.  I explained to my stunned spouse that everyone deserved a "Chilean Miner" welcome.  Each day is a gift and we shouldn't take our loved ones for granted.  That fateful day, these now infamous men were just heading off to work - the routine they had followed everyday. They didn't know that life altering events would take place.

Aside from grand welcomes home, my thoughts also came to Psalm 40:1-3 as I reflected on the event.
I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire;he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of priase to our god.
Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.

The imagery of the miners made me reflect on my own rescue almost 40 years ago.  While only in middle school, I can still recall the fear and sense of hopelessness I felt before I asked God to take control of my life.  HE lifted me up - it wasn't by any action or good deeds that I did, it was purely accepting God's gift of grace.  It was me symbolically stepping into a rescue capsule and trusting by faith that the promise of rescue was true.  I know all of heaven rejoiced as it does with each decision of coming to faith.  I wonder if the angels have a chant or song they sing each time?

I have never regretted that decision. And though there are times that life and its pressures feel like they are surrounding me, I remember that the pit is not my home. God has rescued me to a new life.

Yet I am poor and needy; my the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay Psalm 40:17

Woefully Outdated

The thing about blogs is they can become woefully outdated if you aren't careful.  Since I frequently update my Real Estate business blog, it "seems" like I am always updating.  It just takes a call from my mom reminding me that I am still "making tortillas" that I remember that I have not posted anything personally.  This would also explain why our family website has not been updated in a year.  While this makes for a nice time capsule, it is frustrating for those who, for some reason, want to know what is going on in our lives.

What to do!

It appears to me that if all I am doing is updating business sites, I am becoming a bit unbalanced.  So  the thought is to rethink the way we do things. Soon we will set up a NEW blog that is just family and do away with the traditional website.  This site (Everyday Life) will then be dedicated to me just writing, hopefully with a spiritual emphasis (no it won't be boring). So stay tuned!

Trying New Things - Ole!

It is something I have always wanted to do. It seemed simple enough - surely I should try - and I did! I made homemade tortillas. I had been saving a recipe I got on a bag of flour a few months ago. I decided to begin to try new things. What's the worst that could happen? My family wouldn't have dinner - okay that would have been bad. The good news is it was VERY easy and kind of fun. Now if I had made them ahead of time, the "preparers" dinner wouldn't have been delayed (mine and Robert's). But overall I think I will try it again.

Of course I also wanted to know how to make it better. I found this YouTube video that shows how to make them AND how to make them in circles as opposed to my little ovals. So try it! What are you waiting for! Tortilla making video

Hmmmm what should I tackle next? Maybe laying tile!

Hi It's Me

This has been a week of the unexpected. As I write this I am sitting and watching it snow.....in Houston....on December 4th. The earliest snowfall in Houston's history I am told. For a San Diego girl like me it is still nothing short of a white miracle. The quiet of the snow falling brings a sense of warmth and a reflective mood to me today.

As my kids begin dating, I have been thinking back to when Robert and I first met. Meeting his parents and being introduced as his "friend" probably until we were engaged. His mom has always been "Pat" to me, never a hesitation. My relationship with his dad was a little more awkward - at least when it came to names - I don't know why.

After we were married and I would call his parent's house, I would announce "this is Karen calling" whenever his dad answered. If he called us and I answered he always would "hi, Karen it's me". I would reply "hi me". I always knew who "me" was.

As the years passed I slowly began calling him John and he would identify himself as same. John soon became "Grandpa John" and I got to witness him in a new role - that as grandfather. We would smile each time they would come to take the kids out to dinner or for an outing announcing to the kids before they'd head out the door "did you bring your money?". It was obvious to all that family and faith were the priorities in his life. He and Pat would always have flannel graph story presented every Christmas - it was a great tradition that spoke the priority of Christ's birth. It would always end with him reading from the book of Luke and a birthday cake to Jesus.

The snow was not the first unexpected thing to arrive this week. The phone call Thursday morning that John had passed away was the first. Though he has been battling Alzheimer's for years and we knew the day was coming soon - it still seemed too soon. I heard that my niece prayed Thursday that "Grandpa would have a great day". Little did we know that he would have his very best day of all - relieved of suffering and with his saviour.

Earlier this week we had celebrated the first Sunday of Advent. Our daughter reminded us the message was of comfort. Obviously God knew we would need this reminder this week.

John is now surrounded by the joy of being with those who have gone before and we have the assurance we will see him again. I imagine one day when God calls me there will be someone approach and say "hi it's me".

Romans 8:17-18 "Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."

Coincidence?

I'm not sure if God speaks to us about such things as flu shots - but today I think He did!

As an Asthmatic, I have to admit I have been a little anxious about the Swine Flu. This past summer we all contracted a virus that resulted in pneumonia for me that wasn't even the flu! How in the world would I respond to the Swine Flu?

I determined that I would get the vaccine early on, however there was a problem......no vaccine was to be had. My doctor's office even posted it on their website "no H1N1 vaccine". So I have made it my practice to check the site and call on occasion and, in the meantime, practice all those health tips they tell you to avoid getting sick.

Today I checked their site again to no avail, but the thought kept coming "you need to call". So I did and they just received their doses about a half hour before I called! Coincidence? I think not - so I am getting my shot tomorrow morning and I'm thinking maybe God is involved in flu shots.