A few weeks ago, I was going to be speaking at a one day conference. You know how it is when you are going to be in front of people, you want to look your best. I found these great sandals to wear on that day. Well I knew they would look a whole lot better if I had painted toenails. So I decided to treat myself to my first pedicure. I have always taken care of my toes myself. Part of the reason is that someone else touching my feet makes me cringe a bit. The other part is that I just haven't done it. I was determined to get over the cringe and take the plunge.
The nail salon was very nice. The technician put me at ease right away. She said, "If it has been a long time since your last pedicure, you may want to have the sugar scrub for your feet."
Of course my answer was, "I have never had a pedicure."
She looked at me and said, "Like I said if it has been a long time since your last pedicure, you may want to have the sugar scrub for your feet."
Obviously she wasn't getting it so I said, "You don't understand. I have never had a pedicure."
Her eyes widened and she was speechless. She was probably trying to calculate how old I was. After all, how could a woman get through 60 years and never have a professional pedicure! I was living proof that it can be done.
She did my nails and did a beautiful job. The toes make the shoes!
But after all the work on my nails, it was not my toes that were important at the conference. It was the Word of God. No one really came up to me and said, "Wow! Your toes look great!" Actually I am glad that they didn't. God's Word takes priority over these little pleasures of life. It is far more pleasurable.
At the conference, I spoke on our race of life from Hebrews 12:1-4. We have a race to run that God has laid out for us. We are to run it well. We cannot do that with our feet entangled in sin or if we are carrying an idol in our heart. We run it well when we look at Jesus and how He ran the race before us. It doesn't matter if our toenails are polished or not. We are to run for the glory of God! What's keeping you from running today? I know there are many things I still need to disentangle in my own life but God is patient and compassionate. In that I greatly rejoice!!
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood." Hebrews 12:1-4
(By the way, I did get the sugar scrub and it was wonderful!!)
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Those Who Left a Legacy
As far back as I can remember church was an important part of my family's life. Before I was born, the Hopewell Baptist church was built on property donated by my paternal grandparents. My grandparents from both sides of my family were founding members of the church. It was in this church I had the privilege of having my Grandmother as my 2nd grade Sunday School Teacher. She gave me my first bible. I learned a great deal from her about being a servant. What a rich heritage!
This continued on in my mother's example to me. She read the scriptures every morning as I was growing up. It was a joy to get up each day and see her in the Word. She made sure that my brothers and I were in church hearing the Word and being involved. What an example!
The Lord brought a couple in my life when I was 11 years old, the Sumners. They saw something in me and began to nurture it. They saw the ability to teach and lead. How they saw that in an 11 year old, I do not know! I am grateful for the opportunities of service that they gave me. I was able to teach in their Junior Department at the age of 14 years. Mr. Sumner was not the greatest teacher but he loved God and he loved God's Word. Mrs. Sumner was quiet and in the background but she was a loving wife who served God and her husband with a gentle spirit. I learned much from the two of them. What a legacy of loving God!
As a teen, I was close to my pastor, Bill Coleman. He was a man who had vision. He wanted to serve the Lord and do so in many different ways. He was never in a rut. He showed me that things can change and God can still bless. He was a man who loved God and lived the gospel He was a goal marker and completer. What a joy to see such service!
Through the years I have had many who have left me a legacy to follow. Just recently I lost my colleague and friend, Patrick McGoldrick. He and I spent a lot of time discussing theology and other things. I shared a personal prayer request with him just after he had been diagnosed with ALS. Patrick told me how he would put a penny in his shoe to remind him to pray for someone all day. It was a few weeks later that he came to my office and gave me a piece of paper that said "Penny in the shoe...praying for you." with a penny taped to it. A few weeks later, he brought me another penny. I still have this paper with the two pennies taped to it in my desk drawer. What a legacy to pray for others!
Now I am led by Bob Johnson II as my pastor, colleague and friend. He has show me what is important in life by teaching me that life is all about God. He reminds me as a shepherd that I need to live my life in line with the Word of God. His life is a reflection of the Savior and I am grateful to see it modeled for me. What a privilege to work with this man who is leaving a legacy to so many!
The challenge is to leave a legacy to those behind me! That is my desire and that is my prayer. What an awesome responsibility!
"Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD" Psalm 102:18
"We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done." Psalm 78:4
This continued on in my mother's example to me. She read the scriptures every morning as I was growing up. It was a joy to get up each day and see her in the Word. She made sure that my brothers and I were in church hearing the Word and being involved. What an example!
The Lord brought a couple in my life when I was 11 years old, the Sumners. They saw something in me and began to nurture it. They saw the ability to teach and lead. How they saw that in an 11 year old, I do not know! I am grateful for the opportunities of service that they gave me. I was able to teach in their Junior Department at the age of 14 years. Mr. Sumner was not the greatest teacher but he loved God and he loved God's Word. Mrs. Sumner was quiet and in the background but she was a loving wife who served God and her husband with a gentle spirit. I learned much from the two of them. What a legacy of loving God!
As a teen, I was close to my pastor, Bill Coleman. He was a man who had vision. He wanted to serve the Lord and do so in many different ways. He was never in a rut. He showed me that things can change and God can still bless. He was a man who loved God and lived the gospel He was a goal marker and completer. What a joy to see such service!
Through the years I have had many who have left me a legacy to follow. Just recently I lost my colleague and friend, Patrick McGoldrick. He and I spent a lot of time discussing theology and other things. I shared a personal prayer request with him just after he had been diagnosed with ALS. Patrick told me how he would put a penny in his shoe to remind him to pray for someone all day. It was a few weeks later that he came to my office and gave me a piece of paper that said "Penny in the shoe...praying for you." with a penny taped to it. A few weeks later, he brought me another penny. I still have this paper with the two pennies taped to it in my desk drawer. What a legacy to pray for others!
Now I am led by Bob Johnson II as my pastor, colleague and friend. He has show me what is important in life by teaching me that life is all about God. He reminds me as a shepherd that I need to live my life in line with the Word of God. His life is a reflection of the Savior and I am grateful to see it modeled for me. What a privilege to work with this man who is leaving a legacy to so many!
The challenge is to leave a legacy to those behind me! That is my desire and that is my prayer. What an awesome responsibility!
"Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD" Psalm 102:18
"We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done." Psalm 78:4
Friday, May 10, 2013
If...Then...
We are all familiar with if-then statements. We say them all the time. Some of those statements are very useful, others are superstitious and others are truth.
If-then statements can really be useful in parenting. These can make it clear to a child what is expected and what the outcome will be if they are not obedient. All questions are answered if things are made clear to children. For instance, "If you do not clean your room, then you cannot go to your friend's house." or "If you choose to be disrespectful in your tone, then you will be cleaning the bathroom tile with a toothbrush.". This makes it clear the choice is the child's to be obedient. Of course, these statements can be used to give rewards as well. These types of if-then statements are useful.
If-then statements can be superstitious. There are many that you have heard. The one that seems to actually come true so often is, "If I wash my car, then it will rain.". Two weeks ago Ronn and I washed the car and it was raining before nightfall. I remember last summer my neighbor came out of his house and yelled at me because I was washing the car. He yelled, "Hey, I don't want it to rain! Stop washing your car!". It rained the next day. :) Of course, this doesn't always happen. It is a fun if-then statement. We certainly don't want to embrace this statement and never wash our car!
The truth is this that our God is not an if-then God. We cannot manipulate Him into doing what we want by saying, "If I promise to do this for you God, then will you get me out of this situation?". That is not the way God operates. He works in His way and in His time. He does not work for us, we work for Him. Our desires will not be fulfilled by God because we bargain with Him. Who are we to bargain with God? We need to take time and remember who God is.
"For I the LORD do not change;..." Malachi 3:6a
"...I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please." Isaiah 46:10b
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are you ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9
The if-then statements we need to live by are: "If I yield my will to God's then He will bring about spiritual maturity in me." "If I face trials then God will give me the grace to handle them." "If I face trouble then I will be comforted in Christ." There are many, many more which reveal to us the promises of God.
So wash your car and live your life for the glory of God even though you may get wet.
If-then statements can really be useful in parenting. These can make it clear to a child what is expected and what the outcome will be if they are not obedient. All questions are answered if things are made clear to children. For instance, "If you do not clean your room, then you cannot go to your friend's house." or "If you choose to be disrespectful in your tone, then you will be cleaning the bathroom tile with a toothbrush.". This makes it clear the choice is the child's to be obedient. Of course, these statements can be used to give rewards as well. These types of if-then statements are useful.
If-then statements can be superstitious. There are many that you have heard. The one that seems to actually come true so often is, "If I wash my car, then it will rain.". Two weeks ago Ronn and I washed the car and it was raining before nightfall. I remember last summer my neighbor came out of his house and yelled at me because I was washing the car. He yelled, "Hey, I don't want it to rain! Stop washing your car!". It rained the next day. :) Of course, this doesn't always happen. It is a fun if-then statement. We certainly don't want to embrace this statement and never wash our car!
The truth is this that our God is not an if-then God. We cannot manipulate Him into doing what we want by saying, "If I promise to do this for you God, then will you get me out of this situation?". That is not the way God operates. He works in His way and in His time. He does not work for us, we work for Him. Our desires will not be fulfilled by God because we bargain with Him. Who are we to bargain with God? We need to take time and remember who God is.
"For I the LORD do not change;..." Malachi 3:6a
"...I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please." Isaiah 46:10b
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are you ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9
The if-then statements we need to live by are: "If I yield my will to God's then He will bring about spiritual maturity in me." "If I face trials then God will give me the grace to handle them." "If I face trouble then I will be comforted in Christ." There are many, many more which reveal to us the promises of God.
So wash your car and live your life for the glory of God even though you may get wet.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Badminton, Guitar and God-songs
Sunday afternoon three of my grandkids came home with me after church. I spent some time talking with my granddaughter, Addy, about what she did in her Sunday School class. Our Worship Pastor came to her class and gave a short introduction of himself which led into a discussion of gifts from God. He asked a question about instruments. Addy raised her hand and said, "I go to my room and play guitar on the badminton racket while I sing God-songs." I laughed but she was very serious about it and to our Worship Pastor's credit he mentioned it at the end when he was mentioning the gifts that had been shared. To play the badminton guitar and sing God-songs is what she considers her gift right now.
"Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!" Psalm 100:1-2
My dear sweet Addy is doing just that every time she picks up the racket and sings. When was the last time you just belted it out before the Lord? When was the last time you lifted your voice in praise to Him? You see, God has given us a gift, the gift of worship. It is God we are to worship at all times and in every way. I don't know about you but I need to remember this and worship Him more.
So the next time I pick up a badminton racket and swing it at the birdie, I am going to think of praising God. Thank you Addy for giving me another reminder to worship.
"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 100:3-5
"Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!" Psalm 100:1-2
My dear sweet Addy is doing just that every time she picks up the racket and sings. When was the last time you just belted it out before the Lord? When was the last time you lifted your voice in praise to Him? You see, God has given us a gift, the gift of worship. It is God we are to worship at all times and in every way. I don't know about you but I need to remember this and worship Him more.
So the next time I pick up a badminton racket and swing it at the birdie, I am going to think of praising God. Thank you Addy for giving me another reminder to worship.
"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 100:3-5
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