Archive for February, 2012

Who–or What–is Your Guide?

Monday, February 27th, 2012

Where do you turn to for guidance or clarity when you’re facing a major decision or processing a difficult issue in your life?

Some folks turn to the horoscope. Others turn to tarot cards or palm readers. Some rely on gut instinct, while others scour bookstores for self-help resources. Some pursue a life coach or a professional counselor.

There are a lot of different guides out there. Some I endorse; others I don’t. Personally, I seek guidance and clarity from several sources. My husband is one of them. I bounce ideas and thoughts off him and together we discuss the pros and cons. Then we pray and ask God to make His path clear.

Another source is wise friends. I value insights offered by men and women of like mind and those with more life experience. They lend a fresh perspective, and their counsel helps me avoid pitfalls.

My third source of guidance is God and His word. He loves me and desires my best, so I can trust what He says. I also know that the principles He teaches are absolute—they neither fluctuate as my emotions do, nor do they change over time or with societal shifts. There’s no way I’ll veer off course or wander down the wrong path if I keep my eyes on Him and my heart intent on honoring Him.

“Send out your light and your truth; let them guide me,” says Psalm 43:3. Like a flashlight beam pierces the darkness, so God’s word and His Spirit show us what to do when we’re uncertain. They light our path so we know which direction to take. They guide us in the way we should go.

My husband, wise friends, and God’s word are my guides. Who—or what—is yours?

Join me on Friday—I’ll give you a specific example of how God’s word has been my guide recently. I’d love to hear your stories, too.

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God Specializes in Impossibilities

Friday, February 24th, 2012

It had been a long, hot day. They’d ministered to people for hours. When suppertime rolled around, the weary disciples did what made sense to them—they told Jesus to send the crowds away. “They can go to nearby farms and villages and buy something to eat,” they said.

“You feed them,” Jesus replied.

Imagine the look of disbelief on the disciples’ faces.  “You’ve gotta be kidding,” they said. “With what? We’d have to work for months to earn enough money to buy food for all these people!” (Mark 6:35-37)

They were right. Humanly speaking, feeding 5,000 men and their families was an impossible task. But impossible tasks were Jesus’ specialty, and this event was a perfect opportunity for His power to be revealed. And revealed it was.

Five loaves of bread and two fish, in Jesus’ hands, multiplied to feed the masses with 12 baskets leftover.  Imagine the expression on the disciples’ faces now!

Fast forward to life today. What has God asked you to do that seems stupid impossible? What has been your response? Have you limited what He can do through you because of unbelief? Or have you given Him your five loaves and two fish so He can multiply your efforts and do the impossible?

Sometimes God gives us tasks that seem ludicrous to us. “Volunteer on the PTA,” He says. “Get involved in politics on a local level. Foster a child. Volunteer at a crisis pregnancy center. Teach a Bible study. Upgrade your education. Write. Go on a short-term missions trip.” Do any of these sound familiar?

Our tendency is to try to figure out how to accomplish it on our own. “With what?” we ask. Perhaps we need to revamp our responses and, instead, remember that God specializes in impossibilities. If He gives us marching orders, He’s already covered the details. We just need to say yes, and then He gives us front row seats to watch Him do the impossible through us.

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Musings About My Marriage — On Our 30th Anniversary

Monday, February 20th, 2012

Today I’m taking the liberty of posting something far different from my usual devotional blog. That’s because this is a very special day: my 30th wedding anniversary.

To mark this day, I want to bless my hubby by telling the world that he’s the greatest! Here are some things I appreciate most about Gene:

  • He prays with me every night before we fall asleep.
  • He’s faithful to me.
  • He listens to me without trying to “fix” my problems.
  • He encourages me to pursue my dreams.
  • He makes me laugh.
  • He loves to spend time with our kids and grandkidlets.
  • He never speaks unkindly about other people.
  • He’s a romantic at heart.
  • He strives to stay fit.
  • He’s not afraid to take risks.
  • He ensures that the gas tank is filled.
  • He provides technological support for my computer needs.
  • The list goes on…

Gene and I knew each other only six weeks before he proposed. Some onlookers shook their heads and said our relationship would never last. Statistics backed their misgivings, but reality has proven them wrong.

We’ve weathered a fair share of ups and downs in the past three decades. We’ve even argued now and again. And yet, we’ve grown stronger and closer. We’re best friends, and we look forward to deepening our relationship over the next 30 or 40 years. We’ll re-negotiate after that!

To all young marrieds, to those considering marriage, or to those who have a few years of experience, I want to say that marriage is a wonderful gift. Give selflessly. Love unconditionally. Laugh much. Date often. Adore your partner. Guard your relationship. The effort is worth it.

Musings from a happily married woman….

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God Delights in Giving Peace

Friday, February 17th, 2012

What’s God like?

The Bible’s filled with descriptions. Here’s one that means a lot to me: “Great is the Lord who delights in blessing his servant with peace” (Psalm 35:27).

The fact that God delights in blessing His servants with peace has become very real to me in the past three weeks. Life’s whizzed by at breakneck speed with several major events crammed into a small space…

Three weekends ago, we spent three loooong days at Missions Fest Vancouver, hosting a booth and talking to countless people about summer ministry opportunities. I’d barely caught my breath before the next weekend with its first annual businesswomen’s retreat. The day after the retreat, my husband and I traveled to Vancouver Island for a speaking engagement.

Following that meeting, we escaped for three nights of R&R. When the mini-holiday ended, we began our trip home. That’s when we received a call saying that our daughter-in-law was in labor. We spent last weekend babysitting the other three grandkidlets, and then celebrated the birth of our fourth grandbaby on Saturday evening.

In the midst of the whirlwind, I’m writing articles under deadline and trying to prepare for upcoming speaking engagements. I can let the pressure stress me out, or I can remember the words of Psalm 35:27 and make them personal. I choose the latter. Indeed, as I commit each day to the Lord and invite Him to accomplish through me what’s truly important that day, He blesses me with peace.

This week I learned about a friend’s husband leaving their 29-year marriage. Another friend is battling for her life following a bone marrow transplant. One buried her husband a few days ago, and another is undergoing radiation for breast cancer. Each of these women is undergoing very difficult circumstances right now, but deep down, they all know peace. They’re experiencing God as He’s described in Psalm 35:27.

God delights in blessing His servants with peace. I love that aspect of His character. What characteristic means the most to you at this season in your life?

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Happy Valentine’s Day!

Tuesday, February 14th, 2012

Happy Valentine’s Day, my friend. Know you are loved!

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Joy Comes From Doing What’s Right

Monday, February 13th, 2012

“Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!” (Psalm 32:11)

For nearly half a year I balked at the idea of hosting a weekend getaway for businesswomen. After all, I reasoned, it wasn’t my idea. I don’t really need anything else on my plate. Besides, I haven’t a clue how to network and advertise.

All along, I knew my attitude was wrong. If God had truly planted the idea in my head, then my only recourse was to do it, right? If only it was that easy.

My joy started to dissipate when September arrived without my reserving a venue for the weekend that I knew must be held in February 2012. I began descending into a dark place spiritually. My Bible reading turned to dust. “I’ve never experienced a desert of the soul like this,” I told my husband one day. “I don’t know what’s wrong.”

“You know exactly what’s wrong,” whispered a quiet voice within. “You’re not doing what you know to be right.”

Ouch!

The message convicted me. I wrote a deposit check and sent it to the venue of choice. My joy returned. And I began making serious plans. Long story short, the businesswomen’s weekend getaway happened last weekend. Three dozen women showed up, some from nine hours’ drive away. We laughed, played board games, ziplined, went tubing, enjoyed spa treatments, and learned strategies for overcoming hurdles in life.  Judging by the comments, it was a great success. I look forward to it being an annual event.

I think back over the weekend getaway and the long process of the soul leading up to it, and I understand the truth of Psalm 32:11. Obeying what God asks us to do results in joy. The process might involve hard work and personal sacrifice, but ultimately there’s sheer gladness in knowing there’s nothing hindering relationship with Him. Next time I won’t dilly-dally around before saying yes!

Can you relate? Is your heart pure before God? Are you experiencing the gladness that comes from doing what He’s asked you to do?

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From Mourning to Joy

Monday, February 6th, 2012

There it is. My word for 2012 – joy – has popped up again. This time it appeared in Psalm 30:5 and 11 – “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning…You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy.”

What a promise for those who grieve! What a statement of hope for men and women in pain.

Last night my heart broke when I read my emails. Two women shared stories of losing their husbands recently – one through cancer, and the other through a marriage breakup. Both women are mourning their loss. Their nights are long and lonely, and their days are empty as they seek to make sense of what’s happened and how to embrace life with its new normal.

Joy isn’t part of these women’s vocabulary at this point on their journey. It might be difficult for them to even imagine that it will one day return, but it will. Slowly, slowly the pain will dissipate. Darkness will turn to dawn as God fills their hearts with an ever-increasing peace that passes human understanding. Laughter will live again.

I read these emails and whispered a prayer for these women. A prayer that they will soon be clothed with joy. That each morning will bring renewed hope. That each new day will bring restored faith and confidence in the One who loves them and knows their deepest hurts.

If you’re experiencing a nighttime of the soul, then this is my prayer for you, too. May God ease your pain and fill you with joy. May today put a dance – a joyful dance – into your step. You are loved!

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Cell Phones and Bibles

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

What would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cellphone? Here’s a good read from Focus on the Family.

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