Bring it On

What is the value of trust if there is nothing at stake? What trust is needed when things are going well and there is no risk?
"jump over this puddle, trust me you can do it" very little trust needed and a no brainer
"jump over this canyon, trust me you can do it" - that is the true test and may leave you curled up in a ball at the canyon's edge wanting to cry.

But God continues to whisper "trust me".

Today I hit a theoretical canyon the details of which I do not chose to divulge (and no it is not anything life threatening if your mind leaps there).  If my initial response was a test, I failed miserably. My mind raced with solutions "I could do" or just retreat in defeat and yet God whispers "trust me". 

The verses I landed on today were in Psalms 32:10 "Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him."  I  have to admit my first thought was "Lord I need more than love" but then I realized the vastness that God's love is for me - it means He understands my fragile emotions (He created me after all) and He continues to consistently say "trust me".

Reading the entire Psalm brings even more perspective:
"You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance."
and what are those songs?
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will counsel you and watch over you."

And so as I pick myself up from the canyon's edge,  I can't help but remember a rather obscure movie reference from "The Emperor's New Groove" (odd I know). At one point the llama (I said it was odd) was being pursued by a pack of wolves to the edge of cliff.  A  friend swinging from a vine saves him just in time. Hooray. Then the vine snaps and they careen off the mountain........ only to have the vine catch on a branch.  Safe again.  The branch breaks and they fall again but land safely in the river. Then they hear a sound.
"Raging waterfall?"
"yep"
"Jagged rocks below?"
"no doubt"
"Bring it on"

Trust is realizing you are helpless and can't imagine how the feat will be accomplished.  Bring it on.

"Recalculating"

A while back we purchased a GPS navigation system for our van.  Since I am a Realtor, I have come to realize that it is important to know where you are going.  For some reason clients expect this - and getting lost is not an option - not to mention embarrassing. We fondly refer to our GPS as "the lady" and have even added a British accent to her so we feel very international.

Since acquiring "the lady", there has been an additional battle of the wills as I drive.  On more than one occasion  I have doubted her abilities to take me on the quickest route.  Having driven certain routes frequently, I feel I know better than her and her fancy satellite as to which is the best and quickest way.  More than a few times I have decided to go my own way, only to send her on a "recalculating" frenzy.  Unfortunately, this has often led me to sit in traffic.  Apparently, the magic of the GPS knew this and was trying to steer me away from the aggravation.  It all comes down to how much trust I have in "the lady".

As with many everyday things, I find a spiritual message within it.  My attitude of "I know best" isn't limited to driving.  In my own spiritual walk I question where God is leading, since foolishly I feel  I know better.  When the path seems to be taking a turn to somewhere that wasn't in my imagined plan, or seem the quickest route, I begin to doubt and question.  Sometimes I even go down that path, but God never "recalculates"  He is always consistent in showing the way to go. Once we arrive at His destination for me, the route was always worth it!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."  Proverbs 3:5,6

Trust me

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God., trust also in me"  John 14:1

When our kids were growing up we learned that if you spilled the beans about an upcoming trip or activity, you would regret it.  The excitement and anticipation was almost too much for them as they would bounce off the walls having no concept of time or logistics. The disappointment if we had to cancel was crushing with lots of whining; and pity the child who's illness caused the cancellation.  We developed a strategy to wait until the very last moment.  We would gather them and tell them they needed to get ready and how they should dress. "where are we going?"  "Trust me" was our response. Only until we were all in the car would we divulge our destination. Any questions were answered simply with "trust me".  Soon just the phrase "trust me" would invigorate them to get ready quickly, they knew something great was in store for them.

As I read the above passage, my mind jumped back to those days when we told our kids "trust me".  If our kids could trust us, certainly I can trust God when He says the same.  The verse gives us a barometer to check to see if we are really trusting "Do not let your hearts be troubled."  Are you worried, anxious, troubled, fretting? "Trust in God".  It sounds so simple, and yet we struggle with it so much.

Other questions come to mind....if I'm not trusting God who am I placing my trust in? Myself, my spouse, my kids, my job, the economy?  The only one who is unchangeable is God, He can be trusted. Who knows what adventure He has in store for us!

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!