Tag: Devotion

Bucket Theory

45 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart. (Luke 6:45, NLT)

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The cold water feed does not work on our washer. We have had repairmen look it. My husband has torn it apart, replaced parts, and it still doesn’t work.

We wash our clothes in cold water, so we fill the buckets up in the kitchen and carry them around the corner to the laundry room.

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See that lip or ridge around the bucket? I have learned to only fill it up that far–otherwise on the walk to the washer…it’s spill city. The water starts to slosh and even if I slow down, I will make a mess.

Today wasn’t too “sloshy.” I felt pretty good as I turned the corner–only to run smack-crash right into my grandson. Water everywhere.

I deposited what was left in the washer, dried us off, and mopped the floor. Instead of grousing, I began to giggle. I explained to my grandson. who thought I may be losing it, the story of Jesus describing how either good or evil will spring from our hearts when we “bump” into people–just like the water from the bucket.

As he returned to playing, my grandson announced he wanted to spill out love. Pretty good thinking for a nine year old.

What will spill out of your heart today? Remember “GIGO”? Garbage in–garbage out. If we expect to spill love, we need to be sure we’re putting love in–God’s love.

PRAYER: God, you fill our hearts with so much love…fill us again, today.

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Awaiting the Bridegroom

44 Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour. Matthew 24:44, NRSV

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Hustle, bustle, and brides all around.

The ministry where I work is hosting two events this weekend. On Saturday there’s a bridal show. There are all kinds of vendors hawking their services to starry-eyed brides. The highlight will be a fashion show and give-aways. The setup process has taken most of the week. It runs from 3:00 to 7:00. And when it’s done exhausted workers will tear everything down and return the building to its original state.

This event is a huge reminder that weddings are a lot of work.

The other event begins today and goes through Sunday, and may even spill over to Monday. On the top floor denominational leaders will be meeting with prospective individuals and couples applying to serve as missionaries. These candidates have completed training, schooling, internships, and service in the process of preparation. Being ready to serve is not a walk in the park. There is typically a time of proving and testing of one’s call.

Sitting here surrounded by wedding dresses hanging on mannequins and thinking about the bridegroom text, I couldn’t help but sing the “old” Larry Norman song, “I Wish We’d All Been Ready.”

And then I pictured all those hope-filled candidates anxiously awaiting the church’s stamp of approval upon there call. They’re ready! And willing.

In the story of the bridesmaids (Matthew 24) all ten thought they were ready, but only five had done the work. As they waited, they all fell asleep. The sleeping wasn’t the problem, no more than it was a problem for the disciples who went to the garden with Jesus to pray.

Here’s the key, as I see it in the story: we don’t know when the bridegroom will come. We can’t be lazy, or forgetful, or complacent. Readiness takes constancy and effort. The question that used to be asked was, “Are you paid up and prayed up?”

Are you?

PRAYER: Lord, you love us, and your desire is that we would be ready and anticipating your return. Show us where our faith has become lazy–and help us get back on track. We want to be ready….whenever you come.

This Little Light of Mine

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14 ‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16, NRSV)

Being light is not a suggestion. Jesus didn’t say, “Hey, if y’all don’t have anything else planned, I have this really cool idea. How ’bout we let the glory of God shine through our broken places and carry light into the darkness.”

No. He said, “You’re it. You’re the plan. Go be who I created you to be. Be light. Be warmth. Shine brightly.”

And you won’t be able to hide it. A wise man once told me, “There are no secret disciples. Either the disciple will kill the secret or the secret will kill the disciple.” (Charles Munson)

Where will you shine your light today?

AFTERTHOUGHT: I want you to know I picked the version of “This Little Light of Mine” very intentionally. There were several renditions with a single voice. And at first, I thought I wanted that. But when I listened to this version by The Lower Lights, I was impressed by the group. I pondered again the verse and went to the Greek.

The “you” is y’all (humeis). You plural. His light will always shine brighter when we shine together.

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Cracked Pots

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We have this treasure in jars of clay.

Someone described those clay jars as cracked pots.

Not everyone would be able to understand or appreciate this thought. Those with wealth and means would not put their treasures in clay jars. Their treasures would be kept in the most beautiful and exquisite vases.

God, the creator and Lord of the universe, however, chose to put his treasure in common clay pots. Humble pots. Pots from humus…earth. That’s where we came from.

Imperfect pots chosen intentionally “so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7, NRSV)

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Are you feeling broken? Unusable? Used up? Worthless? Rejoice! You’re exactly what God wants to use. You are not full of yourself or thinking too highly of yourself.

Those cracks you try to hide, they’re perfect places and spaces for the light of God to shine through.

He shines in the broken places.

Amen.

Pieces Parts

12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12

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I have three masters degrees. I’m not telling you that to impress you. One in New Testament Studies, a general pastoral degree (M.Div) and a Masters of Pastoral Counseling.

I pastored for twenty years, a chaplain for ten, and a counselor for ten.

People told me I was good at what I did. I believed them. Armed with those beliefs I acted with reckless arrogance.

My arrogance was nearly my demise. I became the educated idiot. I was broken.

I tried desperately to put the pieces back together. Tried to find some semblance of wholeness.

God had to show me I didn’t have all the pieces to begin with

I only saw in part.

Now I live with whatever pieces and parts I have in the moment. It makes the moments much better and the living is good.

This helps me understand another saying of Paul: Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. (Philippians 3:12, NIV)

Each day provides new pieces. Each day I see a little more clearly. And one day I will see it all.

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PRAYER: God of perfect vision, help me remember what I am seeing is imperfect. Forgive my arrogance and help me live with the pieces and parts of life…until I come to complete understanding in you. Amen.

Hosting Ginger Murphy Solomon

Today is a very exciting day for me!

Today I am hosting my friend, and roomie from last year’s Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer Conference, Ginger Solomon. And it’s a big day for her, too: it’s her birthday! (Follow the links at the end of this post and wish her a special day!)

Ginger Solomon is a Christian, a wife, a mother to seven, and a writer — in that order (mostly). When not homeschooling her youngest five, doing laundry or fixing dinner, she writes or reads romance of any genre, some sci-fi/fantasy, and some suspense. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, president of her local writing group, and writes regularly for three blogs. In addition to all that, she loves animals, horses especially, likes to do needlework (knitting, crocheting, and sometimes cross-stitch), and loves to sing in the choir at church.

I asked Ginger five questions so you could get to know her:

When you feel discouraged what song, scripture, and friend do you turn to?

When I was young, I went through a lot of things that made me hesitant to rely on people. As my aunt recently told me, I used to keep too much to myself. Not much has changed. So, I don’t really have a friend that I turn to. When I’m discouraged I have a number of songs that I love that help me remember who my Best Friend is. Chris Tomlin’s “Amazing Grace”, and Nichole Nordeman’s “Holy” are among the top. I heard a new-to-me song yesterday from Jesus Culture that made me want to close my eyes in worship, except I was driving at the time. I think “You Won’t Relent” is going to be a song I’ll listen to over and over.

I’ve learned that taking my eyes OFF my problems and putting them on the King of kings and Lord of lords reminds me that what’s happening around me or to me is temporary, but my worship is eternal. My Lord is greater than my problems or my disappointments.

Is there someplace you would love to visit and write about?

Scotland. I have already written two historicals set in castles in Scotland, but I’d LOVE to visit someday and see the places I’ve only dreamed about. When I was doing my genealogy I wanted to find some hint of Scottish in my ancestry, but alas there is none, so far. I am of Irish and English decent, maybe some Italian, but I can’t confirm that yet. Something about Scotland calls to my heart. I love Celtic music and jewelry designs. Those can come from Ireland, but the Emerald Isle does not call to me as much as the Highlands.

What drew you to romance out of all the genre you could pick from?

In real life, I’m practical. Instead of asking for jewelry or roses or candy, I request vacuums, or mattresses (which is what I got for my birthday this year). For Christmas I asked for and received a new food processor. I satisfy my less-than-dominant romantic side by writing about it, or reading it.

Since this is the season of romance, and you write in that genre, what is your best Valentine memory?

Well, I can’t remember any particular Valentine’s Day that stands out (remember, I’m practical), so instead I will tell you about the one time my husband brought me to tears with a single red rose. We were still newlyweds, living in an apartment. I was working full-time and my husband worked part-time and went to school full-time. I was probably pregnant (our first born was delivered one month before our first anniversary) and must have had a hard day at work. I really don’t remember. I think I was fixing dinner and a knock sounded on our apartment door. That in and of itself was unusual because the person would have had to have a key to get in through the locked exterior door. When I opened the door, thinking it was a neighbor, my dear husband was standing there with a single red rose (we couldn’t afford much). It was enough to make me start crying. I still get roses once in a while, just got some this past Valentine’s Day, but I remember that one rose with more fondness than any of the others.

Tell us five random things about yourself that might come up if we were sharing a cup of tea/coffee with each other.

I’ll have black tea, thank you, nothing fancy. I occasionally fancy a cup of Earl Grey. I’m not a coffee drinker, though when I was a child I used to eat sharp cheddar cheese that had been melted in a cup of coffee. Straight out of the cup. I’m not sure that would come up in conversation.

I love horses, always have. I find them to be majestic animals and enjoy watching them perform or simply run around a field. Shortly after we moved to Alabama my dream of owning my own horses came true. God fulfilled my dream even after I’d given up on it ever happening. I no longer own horses because that season has passed in my life, but I still love watching them.

I’d rather be outside reading or gardening than inside cleaning or cooking. When I was growing up I had the responsibility of cutting the grass, chopping wood for the woodstove, and cleaning out the chimney before we needed to use it for the season. I never wanted to learn to cook, sew, or any other domestic type stuff. My husband taught me to cook. I taught myself to sew, knit and crochet — though I have to admit I had a head start from watching my mom, at least on the sewing. She was a professional seamstress.

I’m a visual learner. Do not ask me to read a book to learn how to do something. Show me. Youtube is the greatest invention since the lightbulb, I think. At least for visual learners. Want to learn a crochet stitch – it’s on youtube. Change the door lock on your front loading washing machine — it’s on youtube. Don’t ask how I know that one – and yes, I changed it myself.

Partially because of my childhood and partially because of my temperament, I will NOT approach you unless I know you quite well. I am an introverted introvert. I’d rather sit and watch from the darkest corner than participate, but if you get me to talking/joking, I can keep up with the best of the extroverts. Just ask Tina.

When can we look forward to another book from you?

I have several manuscripts in various stages of progress. One is about ready to be sent to an agent who requested it, another needs a rewrite, and I have two that I’ve just started writing. When any of these will be ready for publication is only known by God at this time.

Here’s the official “blurb” about One Choice“
Cahri Michaels is American by birth, but Belikarian by choice. Being selected to participate in the Bridal March forces her to give up the independent life she’s created for herself. She’s not ready to be anyone’s wife, much less to a man she doesn’t know.

Prince Josiah Vallis despises the centuries old tradition—the Bridal March—that is forcing him to choose a wife from fifty women. Why does it matter that he’s twenty-five and still single?

When Cahri and Josiah meet, sparks fly. Will it ignite a godly love that can see them through or will they be burned, never to be the same?

Here’s my review:
I couldn’t put this book down. The story and the passion were captivating. The passion was more than mere romance—there was a passion for life, for love, and for God.

Happily ever never had so many twists or so much pain. If the Bridal March were on TV it would be a reality show to rival The Bachelor and Secret Princes. The main difference is that the author has made sure that her characters, while obviously dealing with their flaws, fears, and baggage, are also seeking to be honest and compassionate.

The story is called “One Choice” but there are many choices made throughout, with love and forgiveness being the most difficult ones to make and keep.

I’m not sure if the moral of the story is to be careful who you bump into at the grocery, or that love and morality aren’t just for fairy tales. Either way, this is a delightful read and I look forward to reading more from this author.

When I asked Ginger if we could do this she graciously offered to share a devotional thought with us as well.

Faith Without Trust?

Dictionary.com defines faith as “confidence or trust in a person or thing.” But how can you have faith without trust?
I think we’ve all had trust issues at one time or another. At least I have. I’ve doubted people – their motives or their words. And I’ve doubted God. I’ve questioned His love for me. I’ve asked why so many times I can’t even count them.

One thing I have come to understand is that God has always been with me. Even in the darkest moments of my life, and there have been a few, He has been by my side. When I’ve turned away, He has been faithful and remained steadfast in His love for me. No matter how I “feel” or how things seem to be falling apart, God is there.

But even with that knowledge, I have doubts when I’m in the midst of a new trial. I try to place God in a box. The size of which is conceived from what I’ve been taught and the experiences I’ve had, but as Isaiah 55:8 reminds us, “’For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says the Lord.”

We are finite and He is infinite. He won’t fit in my box. Or your box. Ever. He will always be bigger and better than we can imagine.
Cahri, my heroine in One Choice, struggles with trusting God. In the beginning of the book, she wants nothing to do with God, though she continues to attend church so she can keep her job. She is angry and has lost her faith in Him. In her opinion, God no longer deserves her trust. BUT God (don’t you just love that phrase?), in His infinite grace, calls to Cahri even as she’s going through one of the hardest trials of her life. He speaks to her through art, creation, and through her memories. He won’t leave her alone. Toward the end of the book, Cahri finds herself in a situation that forces her to trust God. She has nothing left, but the small grain of faith that her parents planted in her as a child. A grain of faith that has grown because God is THERE. He is everywhere she looks, and she must acknowledge Him.

In the end, she must trust God because she, by herself, is helpless. She must trust Him with her very life.
But then, don’t we all do that every day? On some level, we trust God will continue to provide the air we need to breathe. We trust that the muscles and bones He created will provide movement and support. We trust that the cup we pour our drink of choice in to will hold said liquid. We trust that the laws of physics will remain in place, that the chair we sit in will hold us, that our cars will transport us to our destination.

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Heb. 11:6 NKJV)

I think many times we believe that God is, but we fail to believe that He rewards those that diligently seek Him. Okay, maybe you don’t, but I do. I know how bad I am, and how much I mess up (aka sin) daily. BUT God (there it is again) is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from all of the bad stuff (1 John 1:9)

In my novel, God protects Cahri from herself, and from others. He is there for her, even when she doesn’t feel his presence. And, as in any novel I write, she has a happily-ever-after.

He’s there for you, too. Every day. And if you believe in Him, trust in Him, have faith in Him, you will have a happily-ever-after too.

Here are some other places where you can connect with Ginger–and I really encourage you to do so.
http://gingersolomon.blogspot.com/
http://writingpromptsthoughtsideas.wordpress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/writerGingerSolomon

What do you know?

Have you ever thought about what your life would be like if you did what you know? Ate what you should. Got the proper amount of sleep. Put your money to work for you. Shopped sales. Used coupons. Exercised more and watched less TV. Spoke words of love and encouragement. Forgave. Reduced stress.

The list could go on and on.

This week my husband and I decided to get back on track with eating more healthily. We’ve taught classes on this, but tend to get lazy with measuring and before we know it seems we’re grazing from sun up to sun down. Then we feeding our depression and it all spirals out of control.

What do you know spiritually that you’re not doing?

James makes a pretty strong statement regarding not doing what we know: If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them. (James 4:17, NIV)

Ouch. That probably isn’t very PC. We shy away from labeling anything as sin. But it is what it is. And here’s the thing about sin: it is the thing that separates us from God.

So what I realized this week is that not making time to read the Word and dig deeper into it is sin FOR ME. I know I need to do that to keep my spiritual life healthy, just like I know eating right keeps my body healthy.

I can’t not do it. (double negative on purpose)

So I’m working on doing a better job at doing what I know–in all the areas of my life. How about you? Rate your balance of knowing and doing and then determine how to improve that score. Imagine how much better life will be…and then just do it.