An End-of-the-Year Stacking Challenge

 An End-of-the-Year

Stacking Challenge

"Take delight in the LORD, 

and he will give you the desires of your heart." ~Psalm 37:4

We all probably have a history with the traditional stacking toy. These multi-colored rings layered onto a single-peg base have challenged and entertained toddlers for generations. A surprising spiritual lesson can be learned through this basic, educational toy. 

We know the process. Dump the rings out, and then sit back and enjoy the scene as our young one takes on the challenge of correctly stacking the colorful rings. Is there a right way? At first, the child doesn't think so. The goal appears to just be to put the ring--any ring--around the peg. 

It isn't until time has passed and several rings are successfully resting on the peg that the realization sets in that some of the rings will now not fit. Something isn't right. In order to complete the challenge, something needs correcting. 

What does this have to do with being a Christian? 

What does this have to do with an end-of-the-year challenge? 

Just as the toddler must take a moment from the action of stacking rings in order to have the realization that one or more of the rings isn't stacked correctly, so must we as Christians take a look at whether we are stacking our own priorities correctly. 

Trust me, this challenge is not as easy at it may look. Of course, I have gotten the order wrong at numerous points in my life. I have been so out of whack and wobbly that I couldn't fit most of the items on the peg. I whined in frustration and ranted in anger as I tried desperately in my own power to make those little rings fit into what I felt was the proper order in my life. I huffed and puffed and tried to force all that I wanted to do onto the peg of my day, only to wind up panting and frustrated with each of those little, colorful rings cluttered around me.

I don't think I am alone in failing at the stacking challenge of life. 

I have learned. I have learned through the frustrations and the mistakes. Here is the key to the current order of my stacking rings. 

"Delight yourself in the LORD..." "You shall have no other gods..."

God is first. I believe in God Almighty.

 I believe in Jesus Christ. 

I believe in the Holy Spirit. 

Once that foundational ring is placed, I have a strong foundation. I can build from there. 

Next, I am a unique woman, and I experience life through this perspective. I have contributions to offer this world based upon this view. 

I am a wife. My husband and I have had over 31 years worth of adventures together. 

I am a mom. One of the blessings of my life has been to be a mom to four amazing individuals. While they are no longer "children" and have grown to be outstanding adults, they will always be my joy and my "babies."

I am a teacher. God has blessed me with a strong desire to be a teacher. I love being in the classroom, and I love learning. I love guiding people to wisdom and to a better future. 

I love to serve others. I love to help and to give. God has given me a heart to serve. 

Those are the priority rings in my life right now. 

Of course, your rings can look different than mine. 

Of course, there are other rings: friend, daughter, sister, aunt, etc. 

God, being the first ring, will guide each of us in stacking the rings. The best part is that He will even reward us for our faithfulness. 

"Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart." This verse is true in that when we take delight in the LORD, the desires of our hearts change. Yes, the labels on the rings change. Those priorities that we once thought MUST fit into and fill our days, may just diminish from our lives if they were not part of who we were supposed to be in the first place. 

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." ~I Corinthians 10:31

So, let's each end this year with the stacking challenge. May we each be delighted with the results. 

Almighty God, 

We praise You! Thank You for bringing us to the end of this year. As we look ahead to next year, we surrender to You. We submit to Your Will for each of our lives. We want to delight ourselves in You, Lord God. We want to know You better. We want to serve You better. Forgive us our sins. Forgive us our selfishness. Guide us in stacking our priorities that we each might glorify You in our words and in our actions. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Beyond the Nest

 Beyond the Nest

The park rests near the center of town. When the sun rises, its golden rays reach across the entire length of the football field and create long shadows with the goalposts. 

The sunlight reaches the tips of the trees and sparkle off the maple leaves. 

Tucked in the branches of the tree rests a nest with a family of young birds ready to learn how to fly. Today is the day they will leave the nest that has become so comfortable. It is the only home they've known. 

Nervously excited, the birds perch on the edge of nest scanning the bright blue expanse of possibilities in front of them. 

    

But today's story isn't about the nest. So much more exists in this park than just a nest of birds. 

Below, a squirrel scurries around the tree trunks searching for today's treasures, but beyond that awaits the playground.

The playground is where the real action grows and the real memories bloom.

A college student swings. The pressures of money, classes, family, and roommates whiz by her cheeks as she closes her eyes and lets the rush of the breeze dry her tears. 

Life can be so difficult, and yet, the playground has a way of stripping away the difficulties.

She swings and swings and swings. As she swings ideas, adventures, and possibilities drown out the stress that had been cluttering her mind.

Soon her reverie is interrupted by the rustling of the chain on the swing next to her. 

She takes a deep breath and slightly lifts her eyes at the individual who dared to invade her solitary solitude.

He, too, is a college student. He, too, wants to swing to escape the day's burdens. He agrees that swinging makes the world better. He introduces her to a chant to sing as they strive to go higher and higher. 

"To the trees, to the clouds, to the sky! Let's grab adventures as they pass by."

She smiles as the spirit of the chant sinks deep into her heart. She laughs and shouts, "To the trees, to the clouds, to the sky! Let's not allow adventures to pass us by!"

They pedal their swings lightly in unison at first. They then compete, both aiming to reach the clouds.

Laughing, their eyes sparkle with excitement and possibility. 

As time goes on, at that same park, the couple wheels a stroller and they stop in front of the baby swings. Now they take turns; one keeping the little swing going and the other escaping again to the clouds in a swing of their own. 

"To the trees, to the clouds, to the sky! Let's grab adventures as they pass by."

Then they have two jovial, little girls in bonnets  laughing and kicking their bare feet to the sky as one parent is positioned by each of the little swings. The older girl longingly looking towards the bigger swings. The parents teach the girls their chant: 

"To the trees, to the clouds, to the sky! Let's grab adventures as they pass by."

Not long after, one parent is seen still standing by the little swings, while the other assist with the "big kid" swing. Squeals and laughter abound, and yet the younger girl longingly looks towards her sister on the bigger swings, but they all still sing their little chant:

"To the trees, to the clouds, to the sky! Let's grab adventures as they pass by."

Life progresses, and the little sister moves up to the bigger swings. The two girls kick the clouds, laugh, and compete for who could go higher as dad keeps both girls going.  Mom laughs and her eyes sparkle, but she also longingly looks back at those baby swings. 

After several seasons of fun at the park, the family again pushes a stroller up to those familiar baby swings.

Now as mom stands post at the baby swings with another lovely little girl in a bonnet, the older girls venture off to the jungle gym, the sandbox, and the stationary jeep.

More time passes, and again each parent stands in front of a baby swing. Their eyes sparkle as they sigh and look contentedly at the two older girls running through the jungle gym as the younger two children giggle in their swings. 

"To the trees, to the clouds, to the sky! Let's grab adventures as they pass by."

Before too long, the baby swings are abandoned and the children occupy all four swings at the park. Laughing, swinging, and competing to see who could go the highest. 

"To the trees, to the clouds, to the sky! Let's grab adventures as they pass by."

About this time, the family ventures off to the frantic life on the merry-go-round. First, the pace was slow but steady. Eventually though, the pace continued to pick up, faster and faster. 

The family smiles; they talk, laugh, and even picnic on the merry-go-round as the world of the park keeps spinning around them. 

Then one day, the merry-go-round slows enough for the oldest to climb down from the platform. The pace on the merry-go-round quickly picks up pace again, driven by the momentum of the lives of those still on board the merry-go-round. 

Before too long, another of those long-haired girls steps off the merry-go-round. With only four still on the ride, the world doesn't seem to be going by in the same blur, and the family goes about smiling, talking, laughing, and picnicking. 

Seasons go by, and the last of the girls step off the merry-go-round, and venture off. The three remaining keep the merry-go-round spinning. They savor the ride and enjoy watching the blur of a activity as it passes. 

Now, it is time. The last of the children is going to be stepping down from this merry-go-round they have been on so long.

The parents look into each other's eyes as they allow the merry-go-round to slow. It slows and the blurs become objects. The parents sit still for a moment. The pause and scan the entire landscape of the park. They contentedly sigh. The swings come back into view.

The parents smile simultaneously. Their eyes sparkle. And they they each take a deep breath, "Race you!" they each shout as they both hurry over to claim their own swing.

"To the trees, to the clouds, to the sky! Let's grab adventures as they pass by."

**You see, everyone thinks the story is about the nest being empty. The story isn't about the birds or about the empty nest. 

The story is about everything that happens on the playground. 

*Ecclesiastes 5:18, 19, and 20

"Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him--for this is his lot.

Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work--this is a gift of God.

He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart."

May we not focus on an empty nest nor a long abandoned merry-go-round. May we swing, reach the clouds, and be filled with gladness of heart.

 
Lent: "It's Time! Let's Gooooo!"

While it's understandable to hear that enthusiastic chant in a huddle or at a pep rally, it is almost unheard of to encounter enthusiasm when one starts to discuss Lent, especially if one is going to be giving something up for this time period. While many of us prepare our homes for Easter by bringing out the baskets and purchasing Peeps and jelly beans, many of us do not prepare our hearts for Easter by drawing closer to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Image by Couleur from Pixabay 

The Holy Spirit has put it on my heart to consider this time of Lent, so I did a little research. According to  the Christianity website, "Lent is the Christian season of spiritual discipline leading up to Easter." Interesting, it is a period of spiritual discipline. So, it doesn't just involve decorating and shopping. The site goes on to say, "Throughout Lent, most Christians adopt a period of fasting, repentance, prudence, and spiritual development." Apparently, the time period doesn't have to just be a time period of giving something up. 

Finally, the article states, "The meaning of the Lenten season is to use this time for reflection on Jesus Christ to recognize his affliction and his atonement, his life, death, burial, and resurrection." This portion stands out because it places the emphasis on Jesus. On Jesus--not me. 

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay 

With the guidance of the Holy Spirit and those thoughts in mind, I am making my own plan for this Lenten season. Given the world in which we live today, I feel a strong desire to let go of the trappings of the world and draw closer to Jesus. 

How can we best do this? Again, I deferred to a little bit of research. Several articles offer "creative ideas" for observing Lent. Many suggestions include giving something up. Some of my favorites include fast food, snacks, and frivolous purchases. Interesting ideas include limiting screen time or giving up social media, video games, or even just cutting off technology use after 8:00 or so in the evening. On the other hand, several suggestions include adding something that will benefit us physically, emotionally, and/or spiritually, such as exercise, quiet time, and even, good posture. Some suggestions included donating items each day or making a gratitude list each day. 

With all of these options, how does one decide? It is best to think back to the purpose of the activity, "a season of spiritual discipline." It is probably best that this decision is made between each of us and the Holy Spirit. Discipline causes growth. What will best prepare our hearts for this season and cause spiritual growth within us? Given how much the cross cost Jesus, one would think that our choice would cause us at least a degree of discomfort. Right? 

We must also keep in mind that this is our opportunity to grow in our faith, not in our own glory. If I am spending most of Lent convincing people what a "good" person I am with my "selfless" observance of this time, I am probably missing the point. Matthew 6:6 is about prayer, but it seems applicable to this exercise in spiritual discipline, "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen..." Jesus himself often would seek opportunities to have quiet solitude. Luke 5:16 states, "But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."

With all of this in mind, "Let's goooooo!" It's exciting, isn't it? We are going to purposefully spend our time and energy growing closer to God by asking for the help of the Holy Spirit to guide us to a better understanding of what Jesus actually did for each of us at Easter! 

It is time! "Let's goooooo!"

Almighty God, we ask for Your Holy Spirit to guide us to a closer relationship with You. This Lenten season help us to seek the spiritual discipline that will prepare our hearts to truly understand the sacrifice of the cross and the glory of the empty tomb. Let us act to glorify Your Kingdom, Lord. In Jesus' Name. Amen. 

"He must become greater; I must become less." John 3:30

Love: The Fine Print

 Love: The Fine Print

'Tis the season: chocolate hearts, flower bouquets, stuffed animals, and candle-lit dinners. Oh, and one can't forget the diamonds. In our world, each of these are marketed as the indicators of true, honest, and genuine love. 

Image by Ylanite Koppens from Pixabay 

While the world will tell us that true love is a sweeping romance full of gifts and weekend get-a-ways, God's Word gives us a much different picture. God's Word shows us the picture of true, enduring love. The "fine print" of love in scripture includes the formula for love that will last long after the flowers have wilted and the candles have melted down. 

I Corinthians 13:4-8a, 

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

As we read each of those qualities, we realize why the world markets chocolate and flowers. Handing over a few dollars is much easier and less costly than offering ourselves to another. Giving up our anger and extending patience can be far more difficult than scraping together money for beautiful jewelry. 

Lord, help us this day and every day to give love to others. Help us to realize that offering love to others includes offering a portion of ourselves. It includes the fine print of giving patience, kindness, humility, grace, and forgiveness to others. Lord, help us to love. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love." ~I Corinthians 13: 13

 

 GPS: Rerouting (2 of 2)

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, 

"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, 

plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay 

Since we have decided to follow Jesus and have our steps rerouted from our selfish GPS to have each moment guided by our God and Creator, everything is now going to be wonderful, right? Well, that is not the promise. As with any trip, our lives will be still be filled with ups and downs. 

Let's look at the words of the above passage a little closer in order to understand all of the promises that are included in what God has in store for each of us:

• There is a plan for our lives. God created each of us with unique interests and abilities. This creation also came with a plan. "I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord. Rest assured, God knows the plan.
• The plan involves prospering. "...plans to prosper you..." God intends good for those who follow Him.
• The plan doesn't include harming me. "...and not to harm you." Will we have trouble? Yes. Will we be hurt at times? Yes. Can it even be agonizing? Yes. --Much like the agony Christ felt on the cross for our sins. The point is, while plans may include suffering, the plans end in growth.
• It is a plan that gives hope. "...Plans to give you a hope..." (Hebrews 10:23, "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.")
• It gives a future. "...and a future." (John 14: 2, "My Father's house has many room; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?")

Jesus was allowed to see the plan for his own earthly life beforehand. Jesus lived knowing what was in the path ahead. Matthew 20:17-19 states, "Now Jesus was going up to Jerusalem. On the way, he took the Twelve aside and said to them, 'We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!"

One other important point about God's plan is that it is Global. God desires all of us to seek Him and surrender to Him. Let's connect with God and allow our lives to be rerouted and guided by our Creator.

Almighty God,  Thank you for the gift of Jesus Christ. I surrender my life to You, Lord. Guide my days and help me to seek to know You better each day of my life. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

 GPS: Rerouting (1 of 2)

We seem to have rewritten the words to a popular verse of Scripture. Let's call this the ME verse: "For I know the plans I have for me," declares myself, "plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me success and popularity." 

Image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay 

GPS has revolutionized travel. We have a destination in mind; we type in the destination, and our route appears. We can even see a display of the route. In addition to this, we can see alternatives to the routes and estimated arrival times. We can change the route based on stops we want to make or even set the route to avoid certain delays. All of this in order for our travel to happen as quickly and easily as possible.

What if life worked this way? We wake up and "program" our day. We avoid difficulties; we make it the easiest possible route. Sounds great, right?

With that mindset, we are actually missing the big picture. We are not seeing the point of our GPS (Global Positioning System), the key word here is GLOBAL. We would most likely program the system to our own benefit and gain, with little regard for the big (global) picture.

God  alone sees the big picture. God is the one who needs to program our days. God even reassures us about His programming in the following words from the Bible:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

We aren't always content with these words. We want our way. We want our plans on our own timeline. 

We seem to have rewritten the words to that scripture. Let's call this the ME verse: "For I know the plans I have for me," declares myself, "plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me success and popularity." 

Ouch! Pretty convicting, right? How am I helping to further the kingdom of God on a daily basis if the path that I have mapped out for myself each day is set on me?

Folks, it is time we do some serious rerouting. Let us trust the words of Jeremiah 29:11 and turn the GPS over to the one who created us. 

Almighty God, thank You for creating me and promising to guide me through the route You have planned for my life. Forgive me for taking over control of my days. I surrender control back to You, Lord. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

 Who is Whosoever?

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, 
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." 
~ John 3:16 KJV

Image by Baggeb from Pixabay 

During the agonizing hours of Jesus' crucifixion, an important conversation occurred, and this brief dialogue reveals the truth behind who exactly is included in the whosoever from John 3:16.

Each of the gospels record that two others were crucified with Jesus, one on each side of him. Luke 23:39-43 records the following account:

"One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him [Jesus]: 'Aren't you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!'

But the other criminal rebuked him. 'Don't you fear God,' he said, 'since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.'

Then he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.'

Jesus answered him, 'Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.'"

So, Jesus declared from the cross that this criminal was included in the whosoever of John 3:16. 

Let's replay the scene to explore what this criminal did to be joining Jesus Christ in paradise that very day.

• Acknowledged God: "Don't you fear God..."
• Admit his own sin: "...for we are getting what our deeds deserve."
• Recognize Jesus as the sinless Savior: "But this man has done nothing wrong."
• Believe and have faith: "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."

Since Jesus was willing to extend this invitation to one of the criminals on the cross, can we try to realize that our own sins do not have to separate us from our eternal home? 

We need to recognize that we ourselves are living each day as the criminals on the cross. 

Which one will we behave like? 

Will we deny Jesus and hurl insults, or will we acknowledge, admit, recognize, believe, and have faith? 

It is time to act. It is time to make a choice...

It is time to become whosoever!

Almighty God, you are the Creator of all things. I am flawed and in need of forgiveness. Thank you for offering Jesus Christ as a sacrifice for my wrongdoings. I believe in Jesus' death and resurrection. I thank you for allowing me the promise of heaven. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Be Still 

"The Lord will fight for you; 

you need only to be still." Exodus 14:14

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay 

When faced with a problem, many of us try to be people of action. We are doers. We go about trying to "tackle life head on." We are going to take the bull by the horns and solve that problem.

We stress. We fret. We deliberate. We strategize. By pure determination, we will solve this dilemma.

We lose sleep. We lose our tempers. We lose our peace. We lose hope.

What does God's word tell us to do?

In Psalm 46 the psalmist emphasizes the strength and might of the Lord and then concludes with this advice to us in verse 10, "He {God} says, 'Be still, and know that I am God...'"

God knows the situation. God may be using this situation to remind us that relying on God is more beneficial to our lives than relying on social media. That the quiet, calm we are truly striving for will not be found in frantic activity but rather in peaceful pondering and prayer. 

"Do you not know? Have you not heard?

The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. 

He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

He give strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles; 

they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Isaiah 40:28-31

Let us not let our problems consume us; let us find peace and comfort in our Lord God who will fight for us and allow us some much needed time to just be still.