Are You Hungry?
Many of us probably made some sort of New Year’s resolution around dieting, eating healthier or somehow improving ourselves. Perhaps by now you have adjusted to eating less after the indulgence of the holiday season—to be honest, it’s really Thanksgiving all the way through New Year’s Day! Once you get back to eating “normal” again you may find that you are starving until your body readjusts. At least that’s how it is for me.
Physical hunger is one thing—spiritual hunger is another. We are busy people and many times don’t take time to feed our souls. Perhaps that was your resolution—to somehow grow closer to God. One way is to read though the Bible in a year. That thought crossed my mind but I wasn’t ready on January 1st so I put the idea aside. However, it dawned on me that I could start any time! {There I go, thinking outside the box again!}
I function much better with a plan or a goal. I “happened” to read about a plan I hadn’t seen before which made a whole lot of sense. I’ve decided to start in February reading “The Message” by Eugene Peterson. “The Message” is the Bible written in today’s English so it reads more like a book/novel. The author even says that this paraphrase is not one you would study or dig deep into. In fact the original doesn’t even number the verses. But for me, it is something just a little different to get me into God’s Word. This is the “food” I need for my soul.
The plan I chose to follow is called “Bible Eater: A Plan for Feeding on Christ in the Whole Bible in One Year.” This plan can be downloaded at http://www.trenthunter.net/?page_id=1420. He opens with the following:
God has not told us when or how often we should read the Scriptures. He just told us we need them in order to live: “Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Deuteronomy 8:3, Matthew 4:4). God’s words are life to us because of the life that is available through faith in Jesus Christ, who says, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me shall not hunger.” (John 6:35).
Another passage that came to mind is Matthew 5:6:
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”
I’m excited to begin this journey. I am admittedly far from satisfied at this point in my life which tells me that I am hungering for the wrong things. Maybe you can relate. I know the right answers and what to do but I don’t do them. This is not unique to me, though. Even Paul struggled with the same thing:
“For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” Romans 7:15 ESV
Perhaps you aren’t ready to take on reading the whole Bible but will you commit to reading some portion of God’s Word every day for the rest of the year? A Psalm or Proverb each day would be a great place to start. Something is certainly better than nothing. Soon it will become a habit and something that you look forward to. And I guarantee it won’t be a waste of your time. Oh, and it’s time spent not snacking either so it’s a win/win for both kinds of hunger!
Have a great day!
Filed under Monday Morning Musings | Comment (0)Christmas Expectations
How many of you panic when you hear there are only 12 shopping days until Christmas? I hate to shop so those words always make me feel stressed. I love giving gifts to those I love and care about but sometimes it ends up being a huge stressor finding the right gift. Every year I say that I will buy gifts throughout the year and put them aside. Great idea but I never do it.
Many of us at Christmas get hot under the collar about keeping Christ in Christmas. However, I wonder how different our actions are than someone who could care less about the true meaning. We are just as broke and exhausted on December 26th as anyone else. Oh, but we did take a few minutes to go to church, maybe read the Christmas story and buy for a child in need.
I have been pondering Christmas a lot this year. I think that the down time from my surgery this year has made me more contemplative than normal. So much is expected and anticipated this time of year. If we are not careful we can be set up for a whole series of disappointments. I know for me that I have had a really difficult Christmas those years that I lost someone close to me. I knew that our traditions would be forever changed with their loss. That is understandably sad. But how about all the people that are still here or all the blessings I still have?
Another realization I had this year is the underlying reason why I don’t get jazzed up about the decorating and festivities. I think it is because I don’t have children to share it with or who will enjoy it. I think we have made it a time for the young and the young at heart. So when reality doesn’t measure up to our expectations we get sad.
My goal for next year is to start some new traditions that will bless others and make me smile as well. I want to figure out what exactly it is that would make this time joyful but also meaningful. The pressure of the season tends to paralyze me to inaction. I need to find a balance. What that looks like for me will be different for you. However, here are some of my ideas:
· Advent readings—I have ordered a couple of books to have on hand for next year to read with my husband throughout Advent season. I think a nice cup of coffee and a small piece of chocolate will enhance the experience.
· Helping others in need—this could be buying for children locally or sending aide to folks in other countries through an agency like World Vision.
· Borrowing kids while their parents shop—we could do a Christmas activity or make cookies. At the same time I can share with them parts of the Christmas story.
· Help my Mom decorate—since we spend Christmas with my family I don’t decorate a whole lot at my own home knowing I will enjoy what my Mom has done. Maybe I could go a weekend before Christmas and help her (I know she is agreeing with that right now!).
· Going to programs—I have already been blessed by two amazing programs this year which have helped me to focus my mind and prioritize my activities.
As I look over this list it dawns on me that these activities should not be limited to just one month a year. I heard a quote on the radio from a child who said on Christmas day that we should have Christmas every day. But then he paused and said “No…that would be exhausting!” Funny that a child would notice the stress that his parents (and maybe he) had faced for that one day! Many times we drive ourselves crazy “for the kids” when in actuality they don’t care. It’s like when you spend every nickel you have on the latest toy and they enjoy the box more!
So take a few minutes to reflect on your preparations for Christmas. I challenge you to do only those things that you truly enjoy. You can also think of ways to spread this joy throughout the year. Perhaps doing this will give you more time to read God’s Word, pray and spend time in His Presence—after all, His Presence is a true present indeed! What a gift!
“Oh come, let us sing to the LORD; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.” Psalm 95:1-3 (ESV)
Have a great day!
Filed under Monday Morning Musings | Comment (0)When God Answers
I have a friend who has been facing some very challenging times with her family. As we have prayed and cried together we were naturally asking “Why?” Eventually we discovered that during our prayers we were, in essence, telling God how He could solve this situation for us. However, the situation seemed so hopeless that we finally prayed, “Lord, please work this situation out in a way that we can’t comprehend or imagine.” And guess what? He did!
God worked in this situation so amazingly that I am still shaking my head. It was certainly something we would never have thought to tell Him to do! Isn’t it funny that we would be so arrogant as to suggest how God should run things? It makes me think of when I was a teenager and had all the answers. My parents were so uninformed!
I wonder how many times we have prayed and then grumbled because God didn’t answer in the way we requested. We may not have even recognized that He did answer because we forgot that we asked.
I know many people who keep a prayer journal. I tend to write my prayers because it keeps me focused. Periodically I will read back through the journal and realize how God worked out the details. Having these tangible reminders and seeing His track record helps me to deal with “the next thing.”
I am just so thankful that God is the one who is Sovereign (in control) and, believe it or not, did not leave it up to you or me! You see, we are so limited. All we know is here and now but God knows what was, what is and what is to come (Rev. 4:8). I heard a story once about our lives being like quilts. All we can see is one tiny little square but God sees the whole thing and how it all fits together.
In closing, I am going to share a Psalm that is described as a “Psalm for giving thanks.” I believe that is an appropriate response to God for providing in ways that we can’t imagine!
His Steadfast Love Endures Forever
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!
Serve the LORD with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!
Know that the LORD, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. (Psalm 100 ESV)
Have a great day!
Filed under Monday Morning Musings | Comment (0)Laughing Out Loud
After our big meal on Thanksgiving Day, my family joined in a game of Balderdash. Balderdash is a board game of bluffing and trivia (as defined by Wikipedia). It was the first time I had ever played. There were moments that I was laughing so hard that I could barely breathe. I had so much fun. I think everyone around the circle had fun as well. We definitely had some moments that we won’t soon forget!
Laughter is so good for us. We’ve all heard the saying “Laughter is the best medicine.” I have found that to be really true for me. There have been times when I thought I might just go crazy but then someone makes me laugh and it seems better, even if just temporarily.
I have to think that God created us to laugh since every good and perfect gift is from Him (James 1:17). He also knew that in this fallen world we would need that release. Laughter can ease the tension that our busy lives tend to give us.
However, you can have laughter without joy and vice versa. People tend to confuse the two thinking that if you have joy that you will be smiling and laughing all the time. The joy we have as believers is much deeper than our feelings or our emotions. You can have joy in the midst of sorrow.
Everyone is different but when I have trouble “finding my joy” I know that I need to do some praising and thanking! Generally speaking that means singing for me. Journaling is another way to focus on what I should be focused on. It also forces me to quiet myself so that I can write. How about you? Where do you find your joy?
As the Psalmist wrote:
“You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11 ESV
May the same be true for you!
Have a great day!
Filed under Monday Morning Musings | Comment (0)Grumbling or Thanking
We have one of those neighbors who is always outside. Last weekend we were trying to enjoy what would probably be the last opportunity to enjoy our deck only to have to listen to the whirr of his leaf blower all day! I’m obviously not opposed to leaf blowers but this particular neighbor blows leaves IN the woods. Call me crazy but that is where leaves belong! As I was grumbling I was reminded by someone to be thankful that he wasn’t burning them. Noise is one thing but smoke getting in your eyes, nose and upholstery is quite another. It could have been much worse. Plus, I should be thankful that our neighbor cares about how his property looks giving us something nice to admire.
With Thanksgiving coming up this week we will probably all pause at some point to be thankful for our blessings. We don’t do that often enough. Grumbling comes so much more naturally!
The Bible tells us often to be thankful in all things. This is hard to do, especially when we are in a trial. But think about how this approach would ultimately benefit us, how it would change our attitude, if we could find things for which to be thankful in our situation. By focusing on the positive we can go through our day with more joy in our hearts than if we choose to complain. Notice I said “choose.” Many times the situations we are in cannot be changed. If there is something you could do to make your situation better, odds are you would do it. But if we find we can’t change our situation, then we may need to change our outlook or our attitude.
You may want to use caution here, especially when talking to someone else having a difficult time. Have you ever been told “Well at least you aren’t starving like people in a third world country” or “At least you have your health?” I know I’ve said those sorts of things but at the time this “wisdom” does not help. Yes, there are people in much worse situations than me but my hurt is real. Instead, it may be more helpful to pray with that person or just listen. Together you can let God know you are confused and seek Him to figure out what He wants you to do in the situation.
So, back to attitude. In essence I guess I’m saying “Look at the bright side.” If you look hard enough you can find something. Here are a few examples:
· Having a loving, supportive family and/or close friends
· Opportunities for spiritual growth/character building (Romans 5:3-5)
· A keener awareness of God’s presence
I will close with the following verses:
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:15-17 ESV emphasis added
Have a great day and a blessed Thanksgiving!
Filed under Monday Morning Musings | Comment (0)