When dreams die

"There is many a thing which the world calls disappointment, but there is no such a word in the dictionary of faith. What to others are disappointments are to believers intimations of the way of God." John Newton

We all have dreams. When we get married to prince or princess charming, they are (almost) perfect in every way. The Cinderella story is ours and ours alone and we will dance through life with our feet barely touching the ground. And then one day we wake up and realize that we've married a human being who isn't perfect and has hurt or disappointed us. That is the way it is with dreams.

People dream of fame. Then they crumble under the flash of the paparazzi. People dream of money. Then they lay awake at night figuring out what to do with it and wondering if those around them like them or their money more!

Dreams are never what they seem. But one thing is for sure, when the dream bubble bursts and we are faced with reality, we should cling to fellow Christians.

Carl G. Conner tells this story:

"A few winters a go, heavy snows hit North Carolina. Following a wet, six-inch snowfall, it was interesting to see the effect along Interstate 40.

Next to the highway stood several large groves of tall, young pine trees. The branches were bowed down with the heavy snow- so low that branches from one tree were often leaning against the trunk or branches of another.

Where trees stood alone, however, the effect of the heavy snow was different. The branches had become heavier, but without the other trees to lean against, the branches snapped. They lay on the ground, dark and alone in the cold snow.

When the storms of life hit, we need to be standing close to other Christians. The closer we stand, the more we will be able to hold up."

We must also remember, that our greatest support is Jesus Christ. Even though we may feel alone, He and other Christians can help us stay up when our burden is too heavy to bear.

Does Jesus still heal?

"The Lord is near to all who call on Him;
to all who call on Him in truth.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
He hears their cry and saves them."
Psalm 145:17-18

As we struggle in my family with the aging and health difficulties of some we love so dearly, I've been thinking about Jesus' habit of healing.

Jesus while He was here on earth, healed many to honor God. But we must remember, when those he healed came to their time to die, they eventually did. None was healed permanently and even Lazarus died again.

Some don't want to believe in God because they say "he doesn't heal." Well,He does! I know people all around me who should have died years a go, but didn't. Fully recovered cancer patients, mothers who became sick when their kids were elementary and lived to see their children graduate. People who were supposed to live six months and lived yeras.

What we are really saying when we complain about God's healing is that we're angry that death is still around - stealing those we love and causing tragedies we cannot understand.

"Why is there death?" is really our question -- as if healing could put an indeterminable stop to the encroaching pallor of death.

Well, Jesus is the One who DID conquer it and it is clear that it is the path of a Christian to die but once.

I birthed three children and had to walk through that path, three, separate, distinct times. But I will only hve to die but once (unless Jesus comes back first.) I WILL have to die, when it is my time.

We are angry at God about death, when death wasn't in His plan to begin with. Death was chosen for us by our ancestors who rejected God and thought they knew better than Him. Death is confirmed by us when with the apple of our hearts we bit at the tempation of lies that we think we know better than God: overeating, lusting, being jealous, gossiping, hurting others, being angry, not forgiving -- these are the things that give us common identity with our forebearers and confirm that indeed our flesh is corrupt and deserves to die... but only once if we are a Crhsitian.

For, if we are a Christian, we will have a new body that is not corrupt. It will be a glorified one without traces of innate sin but will allow us to more closely identify with Jesus.

If one is not in Christ, they have no new body, only the old corruptible one and therefore must spend eternity with their corrupt, inadequate body, separated from the God who gave them a chance! Such sadness!

The God who heals does heal. he heals us in life. He heals us after death so we may live eternally with him.

All the while being criticized by these ants He has created and elevated to call friends, brothers, and sisters! Oh, God is a tremendous God and One we cannot understand!

But know this. He still heals!

Tags: Christian, healing, death, Christ, Jesus, hope, God

Will you be nothing so God can do something?

When we look at David, we remember that he was a man after God's own heart. We remember that he sang beautifully and that he killed Goliath. We remember that he sinned with Bathsheeba and that he was pentinent and restored.

But do we remember his origins?

David was the youngest. Not an esteemed position at all. In fact, when he was hiding from Saul, he used as an excuse to miss the feast (where Saul planned to kill him),

"...our family is observing a sacrifice in the town and my brother has ordered me to be there..." (1 Samuel 20:29)

So, David was low and nothing. In fact, his job was to watch the sheep and he was such a nonentity that when Samuel came to Jesse's house, David was not even called to be considered.

"There is still the youngest," Jesse answered,"but he is tending the sheep." 1 Samuel 16:11

Interestingly, when the Israelites went to fight the Philistines, David was still tending sheep. Perhaps his own family discounted the anointing of Samuel? Perhaps they thought Samuel was "losing it" and were just patronizing him. Anyway, the only way David could "get in on the action" and be able to get on the front lines was to serve as the delivery boy -- he took bread and gave cheese to his brother's commander. (1 Samuel 17:17-18)

So, David wouldn't have even gotten to be at the front if he wasn't willing to deliver cheese. Not exactly an esteemed position, huh?

When we're at the right place at the right time, God uses us. But sometimes in order to get to the right place we must be willing to do unpleasant jobs. We must be willing to subject ourselves to our authority.

We must be willing to deliver cheese!

This reminds me of another person who changed the world:

"and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for him in the inn." (Luke 2:7)

Are you willing to be nothing so God can do something with you?

Tags: Jesus, David, King David, Christian, religion, Christianity, humility, humble, Vicki A Davis

Tackling Tough Times Together

So, as I've shared my backyard experiences, I've shared Gardenias in the Garbage, Moving Messes, and Today, I'm sharing about Tackling Tough Times Together.

When Mama was diagnosed with cancer this past October, it was a tough time. As we prepared to go to Atlanta for her surgery, my sister called Mom and said this:

"Mom, we don't know where this path will lead - it could go down one of two roads.  But whichever road we travel, we're going down this road together as a family."

We labored in prayer together.  Mama went in front of the church and asked for prayer according to what God's word says to do.   She DOESN'T like to be in front of the church!

The thing about praying is that God says that we must pray but then totally, truly be willing to accept God's will.  As Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane, he BEGGED God to let there be another way, another path - and yet, He said, "Not my will but thine." 

And God said no to him.  (See my 2006 post "When God Told Jesus 'No!'")

So,  we love Mama!  We love her so much!  And yet, we must love God more than our own parents and so, with our gutts completely torn out (both hers and ours) we had to say, "not my will but thine."

Huddled together like scared children at the feet of a powerful king, we clung.  We clung to God and his word and promises that

"Deuteronomy 31:8
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.""

 Isaiah 30:21
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

 Joshua 23:8
But you are to hold fast to the LORD your God, as you have until now.

Hold fast -- cling.  Listen.  Know that He will be with us.   That is all we could do.

This was like when Kip and I and the kids worked in the yard.  One of us would be pulling and pulling on a big old tree.  It wouldn't come loose.  Too many vines.  Too much mess!  No way!

And yet, if one or even better two of us, grasped a different place in the tree and we pulled together, it would come out like a toothpick stuck in wet soap.  Boy, it became MUCH easier.

"Matthew 18:20
For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

 Ecclesiastes 4:12
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken

God said in Genesis

Genesis 2:18
The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."

While ultimately when we pass through the shadow of death - it is US and our God -- together -- while here on this earth we need each other.  We cling to God first but when the tough times come, we pull together.

 When you have problems in life, you and your family have two choices:  pull together or pull apart.

So often when struggles come there is blame.  Finger pointing.  Whining.  Fussing.

Why do children totally mess up their parent's legacy by fighting over what their parents leave behind?  What is more important, the legacy of their parents or the money that they can add to their account?

When my husband's parents died, he got some things that he wanted and other things went to other brothers.  But the things were not what was important -- Kip may have relinquished the call for THINGS but he kept HIS BROTHERS.

When Mom had her surgery and was awaiting being taken back - they only let two go back - we have three sisters.  We laughed, worked it out and all jostled over Mom, but, we KEPT our sisters.  We loved each other through it.  The last thing we needed was for us to fuss and get upset and upset our mother.

And when we got the news on December fourth.  Oh, the news!  The news that were far beyond what we could ask or imagine.  The news that meant that Mama would be our present for Christmas.  She would not be racked and riddled with chemotherapy or spend the holiday in some cold hospital - she would be our warm, living breathing present - still sore from the surgery but THERE.

I asked her to wear a bow on her head to represent that God in his infinite wisdom and most humbling mercy of all mercies decided to give us Mama back.  The cancer was completely gone - nothing left - no chemo, no radiation.  Just healing mercy.

Oh, so many prayers have gone up for so many people and it was their time to be called home to heaven.  We do not our would not presume that the prayers of their families were any less sincere or that ours were any more "holy" for there is NOTHING holy about us!  God has blessed us and we are grateful.

So, what I've learned is that when the rough winds blow - God means for us to tackle those though times together.

We aren't meant to be alone and even if and when we are - we are still not alone - we have our triple braided cord that cannot break holding the threads of our very soul from being wiped into nonexistence:  the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  We are held in a net of LOVE, compassion and caring that we cannot understand but cannot escape if we put our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior.

Oh, to be loved in this way is truly the greatest joy!

So, as you deal with the stickers and brambles of life - PULL TOGETHER.  Stick together. Love.  Cling to your God and to those God has given you to move through life with.  Do not pull a part - pull together.

Moving Messes

So, yesterday, I shared the first part of the things I learned in the backyard:  Gardenias in the Garbage.  When sin takes over and obliterates the things that make have made is beautiful or we have enjoyed in the past, God can help restore and "do a new work" in us.

Today, is the second part of what I learned.  As I shared yesterday, this is what I observed:

As Kip and I furiously cut branches and trees out of the yard, the children were dragging them to the road.  Well, my oldest couldn't get the gate open, so he took a shortcut and tossed the big trees over the fence.  He plays football and so, he's strong enough.

Well, my daughter and seven year old son came along and they couldn't get it over the fence, so they threw it on top of the fence, beside the fence, between the barbs of the fence.  The branches didn't make it to the weed pile for the city to remove and in fact, made a big tangled mess at least 20 feet wide!

This went on for a good hour before Kip and I found out!  Then, whew, was I upset!  Kip needed me to help pull these nasty trees out of the brush and I had to go figure out what on earth to do with the mess at the road.  It was harder to undo the second mess of branches that were not disposed of properly than the work I was doing with Kip.

The kids were fuming, I was fuming, we were all upset.  After 30 minutes and a lot of very hard work, we cleared the path, made sure it wasn't in the road, and got the branches in order.  We also pried open the gate and made a path so that the future branches would be disposed of properly.

Moving Messes

It is about taking care of a mess the right way the first time.  For example, right now I have some people that I need to forgive.  In fact, I'm down right angry and have let myself teeter on the verge of bitterness at work.

Now, if I'm a Christian and they are not - is there any reason for them to be kind to me?  And if I'm ugly right back, how am I sharing any faith of any kind -- I'm just like them.

As Beth Moore says in the Esther study I quoted yesterday,

"It's tough being a woman in a mean world...You and I are learning that we have to deal with our mean streak every time it rears its ugly head. If we don't, "mean" won't just streak.  It will stick." (p 59,  Esther Member Book: It's Tough Being a Woman)

Boy, that hit me!

So, how could I deal with this forgiveness issue the wrong way?  Well, here are a couple that I have certainly tried before:

• Out of sight out of mind - If I don't see them for a while and don't feel the emotion of anger, I think I've forgiven them.  I sweep it "under the rug" and think it is handled. 
  
  The problem with this when it happens is that as soon as I see them, "Boom" I'm furious again and haven't braced myself for how I should act. 
   
• Move it out with Motivation - Oh, the world is full of books to "deal" with difficult people - to positive think my way out of frustration and anger with people.  If I just THINK about it, I can "forgive" the people who have wounded and crushed me.  
  
  Oh, if it were only that easy. 
  
  
• Call the Waaaa-mbulance and Take a Bitter Pill- This is the one I've struggled with lately.  Some of the situations I'm in right now are completely unfair to me.  They are.  So, I've found a few people who "understand" and will listen.  I deal with the issues at hand, but turn around to spill my gutts to my trusted few confidants. 
  
  This DOES NOT WORK!!!   This has made my confidants bitter against these people AND I have become bitter too.  It is harder for me now, not easier!  I've whined myself into bitterness!  I have whined them into bitterness!  Instead of forgiving like I should have, I've been selfish and now those I love have to forgive too!  How wrong of me!

So, in this case - as I struggle with forgiving - I've been moving messes around.  As you can see, instead of dealing with the first mess the RIGHT WAY - I've made worse and bigger messes by not doing things the RIGHT WAY.

And GOD'S WAY is the RIGHT WAY!!!   He knows how to deal with messes the first time!

Luke 6:37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven."

Matthew 18
"

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant

 21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"  22Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.^[f]
 23"Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents^[g] was brought to him. 25Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
 26"The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' 27The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
 28"But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii.^[h] He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.
 29"His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'
 30"But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.
 32"Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' 34In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
 35"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.""

So, I am to forgive from my heart.   It's gotta be the real deal -- and that ONLY comes through prayer because I don't have it in me to do this!  I'm not there yet, but these other unhealthy ways of dealing with it have gotta go- they are making it worse!

This is why it is SOO important to study God's word.  All of us have our own unique set of weeds - our own unique messes.  God has a word for you that is different from me.

I love how Beth Moore always talks about how she doesn't want people to JUST study her lessons.  The BIBLE is God's word, period.  That is where you will find your answers and where we must always seek to find them.

So, as you struggle with the sins in your life, whatever they may be:  overeating, unforgiveness, temptation, greed, jealousy, bitterness...

when you feel that prompting in your heart that you are messing up and need to clean it up - understand this:


Clean up the mess the right way the first time by applying the clean up prescription in God's word or it is very likely you are just moving your mess and multiplying it in the process!

This is important as we look at our "resolutions" for the new year!!   You know where your messes are and most likely, you're setting a resolution right about now!  Be careful that your resolution isn't  a manmade prescription that will just move your mess around.  Take some time to see what God would have you do about the messes in your life and REALLY do something about them for a change!

Tomorrow we'll talk about the third lesson from my Big Old Backyard Mess Parable:   Tackling Tough Times Together