Our Foundation

Over this holiday weekend we choose to go to my parents church with them. It has been a very long time since we have been there. This is the church I grew up in. A small, simple church filled with generations of families that have been worshipping there for years. There are not many frills in it's building's structure nor the service. No flashy videos or back drops to the speaker. No bands or choirs but lots of Bibles, hymnals and people. People who notice when you come and haven't been there for a long time. They even know who you "go with".  We didn't need to tell anyone we were Howard and Carol's kids. They knew.  They notice when my parents aren't there. They pray for and keep track of each other as much as you will let them. When our son-in-law was ill with cancer, they prayed and supported my parents as grandparents of a young man with terminal cancer. We didn't have much energy to give them but their church family did. 

I sat in the pew and sang Christmas carols led only by the piano played by an accomplished pianist who humbly gives her time on a weekly basis. As I sat there I realized the simplicity of the church I was raised in gave me a very strong foundation to weather the changing seasons of life. My family's church is not perfect, none of them are. But it's strength is it is based on the Bible, God's word. It's not dependent on one pastor or music, sports or after school programs.  Those things can be good and I have participated in, led and taken my family to all of those kinds of programs over the years. But what I realized this weekend is, I can do that because I learned to trust in God, first. As a kid I was taught that the Bible told us about God and that God wanted to have a relationship with us.  I, like Abraham in Romans 4:19 am "fully persuaded that God has power to do what He has promised." In fact there is a hymn that uses that verse for lyrics and I learned that at church as a kid. I can still hum the melody.

That belief has carried me through each "adventure" in my life, the good, the bad and the ugly.  We're bumping up against some circumstances that aren't "fun" right now.  But, as in the other times in my life, I know that God has promised to care for me, to teach me, and to protect me in the process. He didn't promise to magically remove all difficulties in this life. He did promise to never leave me or forsake me. I am "fully persuaded that he is able to do all that He promised.  Knowing that makes all the difference. It allows me to not give up on relationships, or circumstances even when I can't see how it is all going to work out. That has served me well in my lifetime.

As 2011 comes to a close it's a good time to reflect on your core beliefs. To give thanks for lessons learned that you can build your life on. Can you name one person or circumstance that you recognize today as something that helped you build your foundation?

Unthinkable Circumstances - Stretcher Bearers Part 2

Before we rush onto Chapter 5 (check back tomorrow) I want to think about "stretcher bearers" a bit more. When I met with the gals Wednesday night one of them commented she had never heard that term before.  It's something we have probably all experienced in our life in some way whether we called it that or not.  Now you have a title for those people who just won't let you do it alone.

Here's another story explaining the role of stretcher bearers. http://www.lifelovegreen.com/2011/10/blogger-bible-study-when-i-lay-my-isaac-down-ch-4/comment-page-1/#comment-3684  The part that stuck out to me the most was this:
Wow, we had an amazing bunch of stretcher barriers during and even after our fight with cancer. People inviting me over to their house for family dinners so I could eat with someone, 4 families in particular keep me social. I would say honestly without them keeping me going I don’t think my heart would have been ready for Mac when I met him, but because of these four families it was.  Did you catch that? 4 families - one for each corner of the mat as they lifted my daughter (and her husband before his death) up to Jesus. How did they do it?  They invited her into their families. They did not allow her to be alone.  Once again I am reminded that God created us for relationships.  We all need quiet times, times alone to settle and focus on the Lord. HOWEVER, we were not created to live life without other people "in" our life.  By "in" I mean allowing someone to really get to know us.  When we keep all of our thoughts in our head they spin around and around and how or where they come out no one can predict.  One thing I can tell you is that those thoughts are usually very distorted and do not often really help us in any way. In fact they (the thoughts) usually cause us more trouble.

Think back, tell me a time when you were thinking one thing and then someone shared with you and let you know it really was not at all like you were thinking.  Or share a specific time when you were lifted up by your stretcher bearers.  Have you ever thanked them?

Unthinkable Circumstances - Stretcher Bearers

As we continue along this journey of dealing with "unthinkable circumstances" in our lives and in the lives of those around us today I'd like to focus on the "those around us" part.  Carol Kent sums it up well in chapter 4 of her book "When I Lay My Isaac Down" using the term "stretcher bearers."  It's taken from a story told twice in the gospels, in Mark and in Luke 5:17-26.  The very short version is there is a paralyzed man who can't get to Jesus for any kind of help because of his paralysis. However, some friends come and carry him on his stretcher into Jesus presence. It wasn't easy to move him through the crowds - in fact they carried him to the roof of the house where Jesus was and lowered him through the roof to Jesus.

There are times when our unthinkable circumstances can "paralyze" us.  We then need our friends to help us through those times.  We need to allow them to help us. Often our pride gets in the way.  I remember sitting at my table one evening very early in our story of "unthinkable circumstances." Overwhelmed with thoughts, wondering what to do next. I was trying to keep up with "business as usual" type activities and deal with the new chaos in our life.  I answered the telephone to hear a friend, a casual friend - not even one of my "best buddies" say, "Jody, you need to allow us to help you. Don't worry about the children's ministry. We will take care of it. Let us do this."  The Lord had laid it on her heart that I was struggling, not wanting to let anything go.  She obeyed.  The kids were taken care of and I was relieved of some pressure.

The paralyzed man in scripture faced a big obstacle. The crowd was so big he couldn't get through. His friends saw his need and they worked together to help him get to Jesus. Jesus then took care of him.  That's a lesson for everyone involved. The paralyzed man was healed because he allowed others to help him get to Jesus. The friends saw the power of listening to the call (in their hearts) for help and obeying. I'm sure their faith grew as they watched the miracle happen. God was glorified in every step of this act.

Are you allowing others to help you when they offer?  Are you helping others? Are you listening to the prompts of the Holy Spirit in your heart and reaching out?  Can you share a time when you have been on either side of this type of act to encourage others to do the same?

Unthinkable Circumstances - Joining in

As I prepared to write today I just wondered where to start and then I noticed a post by my daughter and as I teared up I knew where to start.  No matter where you are in life today there is a truth from scripture that shows up in individual verses but even more than that is a principal taught in all of scripture. Life is a "we" situation. We were not meant to do this life alone.  First we need out relationship with the Lord. If we really get to know the Lord then we can trust Him, be honest with Him, cry out to Him, laugh with Him and just plain live with Him.

After our relationship with God is established then we need to realize that we need relationships, real honest relationships. Too often we have "friends" but we keep them at an "arms length" away.  At that distance they can't hug us. They can't really touch us, look us in the eye and tell us they care enough to tell us the truth. We think about everything and decide for ourselves what is supposed to happen or what they are thinking or will think. Then we try to "take care of it." At that point we are "playing God." We are trying to control everything.  To sum this up I'd love for you to go to my daughters blog and here what she has to say. She sums it up well. http://www.lifelovegreen.com/2011/10/when-i-lay-my-isac-down-ch-1/  It really is worth the read.  I'll expand on all of this more tomorrow.

There is more we have to talk about for this week. Do you believe? Do you have times of unbelief? Are you just unsure of what is what? It's a part of the process. If you come back and/or "do" this with others we (you with others) can walk through this together.  It's the being alone in your thinking that causes problems.  In your mind you can perceive anything to be the truth. If you don't let others in it can be very dangerous. Decisions that get made alone are often ones that prolong our situation or cause more heartache. I would encourage you if you are making decisions about your life to pray, read your Bible and consult with others you care about and respect. You might find they have a perspective you haven't thought of or don't really want what you think they do.

Commitment

Commitment, that's a "sticky" word for most of us.  We want the people around us to be committed to whatever we are working on. We want them to show up when they say they will and to finish the project we are working on. On the other hand, we ourselves don't want to be "stuck" doing something that we really don't want to do so we answer requests "I'll be there if..."  We have an old friend who when asked to bring something to a meeting would answer "I will if I remember." He meant it. It wasn't very helpful. You never knew for sure if you would have what you needed from him at the time you asked for it.

In the past few weeks we have met and talked with many old and new friends. In one form or another this subject kept coming up. Someone had "let them down." Or they just didn't think they could be a part of that group or their marriage anymore because someone had "let them down." Some people are not actively a part of a local church because they don't like the way Christians talk or are portrayed in the media. They don't want to be associated with "hypocrites." Those people disappointed them.

While studying for teaching on marriage at the Okoboji Lakes Bible and Missionary Conference I challenged the term "marriage covenant".  I asked pastor-friends. I looked up all the verses I could find using covenant in my concordance. (well maybe not ALL of them) I also studied the Biblical definition. What I learned is that a covenant is a commitment. When you enter into a covenant you are agreeing to stick to the deal, whatever that might be.  The clinker is that when you enter into that agreement you are agreeing to keep up your part no matter what the other guy does.  In Genesis 15 the Lord makes a covenant with Abraham that his family will inherit the Land. The Lord made the covenant. He will carry it out. Abraham had a part - it is to believe and obey but God's covenant is not based on Abraham's participation.  He also did that through His son, Jesus. God made a covenant to love us and save us from our sins.  He did His part. He sent His son to die to cleanse us from our sins. We choose whether or not we will participate (recognize our sins, repent and receive His forgiveness) but He did it irregardless of our reaction. He loves us that much. He is that committed.

Kindof puts a new slant on our life commitments doesn't it? When my co-worker doesn't hold up their end of the work and I bail out because "they aren't helping" I'm really not very committed am I? Or even more importantly, when our spouse doesn't behave the way we want them to and we react with retaliation or just give up on the relationship - we're not carrying out the covenant we made with them when we got married.  I'm even thinking about our commitment to the Body of Christ.  When we don't join in a local church on a ongoing basis it seems to me we're not very committed to the Body of Christ. We just want to use it when it's convenient or helpful to ourselves. I believe we are missing out on lots of great though maybe at times hard things. Deep relationships, support, encouragement, and love are built over time.

What's your commitment level?

Time Together

So following  our 9 days at the fabulous Okoboji Lakes Bible and Missionary Conference we had a few days "off" and then we joined "Weekend On the Farm" in southwest Iowa.  Having just returned home last night we haven't even had time to process the whole experience yet but I really want to begin to share with all of you the thoughts the Lord keeps bringing to mind.

I'm aware that many people don't value gathering together on a regular basis with other believers - some people call that gathering "church". Some of those people are close friends and/or family to me. Some of us (yep, that includes me) have been hurt in/through experiences happening at the local church we were attending. That's sad, very sad but it shouldn't stop us from gathering on a regular basis. To me it's much like my experience with exercising.  We all know it's good for us to get aerobic exercise on a regular basis in our life. So we start out, but when we start out on our own we often slip back into our old routines and soon our great plans have failed and we are watching tv all evening again! (maybe that's just me but I don't think so) However, I've found when I involved someone else in my plans I am SO MUCH BETTER about actually keeping my plans. The results are..., well there are actually results. (rather than no results because I didn't do it.) I feel better mentally and physically. I might lose a few pounds or inches and I've gotten to know someone better. It's great.

An excuse I've heard for not gathering is that "they are not where I am at". You know what? Hopefully that is true! In a gathering of believers there should be a full range of levels of belief from those who don't know what they believe to those who are well seasoned and are very learned. That's the beauty of it. We all learn from one another.

This past weekend we gathered with about 70 other people from across the nation in a tent on a farm in southwest Iowa. I don't know what church most of them go to when they are at home. I know one gentleman didn't have a church he called home. Some people taught us regarding God's heart for different aspects of life. Others shared what God is teaching them through their life experiences right now. Some of the talks really spoke to me. Honestly, some of them didn't so much. But the truth is I did learn.  I am challenged as I leave for work today to really "do life" with those I work with. To be willing to "get my hands dirty" as needed to share the love of Jesus with those around me. Why? Because I spent time with other believers.

I've heard it said that church, and I'm referring to the gathering of believers on a weekly basis should be like a vitamin for us.  I believe that. Our relationship with God is ours to develop, feed, care for but like our physical body we need the input of others to help us do it right. None of us knows everything but when we "pool" our knowledge, encouragement, and energy we are powerful!

Do you have a church home? Are you there enough to not only learn but to help someone else?

Why write? Fully persuaded.

As I begin to write this post, I think what do I have to share that might be worth someone else reading? I just read a couple of great posts by people that I consider to be much better "writers" than me. But I learned from each of them. My friend Sara from http://walkslowlylivewildly.com/ shares snippets of daily life, reminding us that life is about family and friends, keep it simple. She has a gift of rejoicing in life, much like her mother who happens to be one of my great friends. Their family has encouraged our family for many years to enjoy one another often by spontaneously doing something, always accompanied by a lot of laughter and sometimes tears.

The other post I read this morning is from http://janellrardon.wordpress.com  Janelle is a friend of one of my best friends. We have talked over the phone and exchange e-mails is years past. I've never met her face-to-face but I like her. She is a wife and mom like me. She loves her family and she loves God. She loves to learn about God and encourages others to do so too. But, like me, she doesn't just want to learn about God. She wants to know Him and live day to day with Him. So she shares her life. If you check out her most recent post you will see that she recently has had some really serious situations going on in her family's life, brain surgery for her daughter. 

My recent situation, shoulder surgery for my husband pales in comparison, but it's "my" situation. The faith and trust factor is just as pertinent for me as it is for Janelle. The circumstances are just different.  My daughter and I have often remarked of ourselves that we seem to have more faith/trust in the "big" things than we do in the day to day. Well, I have a chance to take a step of faith in the day to day right now.  My husbands shoulder surgery went from the 80% prediction of no big deal to the 20% okay he has a rotator cuff tear and a bone spur. Both of which are now fixed, thank you Jesus (& Dr. G). Currently he's resting (thank you Jesus) in his recliner with a machine hooked up to him that provides compression to the area and icing automatically. Hmm, not what I expected as we now have months of recovery/rehab with some restrictions vs 3-4 weeks with no restrictions.  But you know what?  We prayed for God to protect and guide the surgeon. We prayed for complete healing and this is the outcome we received. So I'm believing that God is in control. This is what is needed.  I am "fully persuaded that God is able to do that which He promised." (Romans 4:21 NIV)  Am I disappointed? Yep, ask anybody who talked with me yesterday. Do I believe? Yep, ask me. I'll tell you.

So again, why am I writing? Because I believe that we all  have disappointments and joys and that we can still believe through them. Especially when we are willing to be honest about it. Learning and growing in each situation we experience. It's easier when you have someone to walk through it with you. You realize you are not alone. You are not stupid for experiencing disappointment, doubt, frustration. You are a child of God growing up.  So feel free to join me in learning through life. Because I am "fully persuaded that God is able to keep His promises."

Rebuild the Walls

So I'm reading Nehemiah and it strikes me that this story reminds me alot of current events. If I have my facts straight God's temple has been rebuilt in Jerusalem - these days we Christians are his temple. However chapter 1 says those people are in "great trouble and disgrace". The walls meant to surround and protect the city of Jerusalem as was the custom of the day are broken down and the gates have been burned. I think we have allowed many of our "walls of protection" to be broken down. As I see it, we (Bible believing Christians) have steadily allowed other influences change the way we live. These influences, again in my opinion, fall into primarily two categories, entertainment and tolerance. My husband and I went to a movie last week. I was struck by the fact that all but one of the advertisements for upcoming movies were revolving around sex outside of marriage, with the exception of one. That one, although I can't remember the story line I remember that it was an explosive, violent type. That's our entertainment? Really?

When I think of tolerance, I think of "social issues." Now I have to say that I'm not a learned person when it comes to politics, social justice and/or war. However, it doesn't take a scholar to know that our nation is having trouble. I could point out specific things that I believe we've gradually allowed to permeate our lives that have effectively "burned the gates" to our souls but I'm sure by now you've already thought of some things. With those gates open, our souls, our hearts - the center of who we are is open to infiltration. But God is a God of restoration. The book of Nehemiah reminds us of that. Nehemiah himself when made aware of the situation started with prayer and prayer continued throughout the project. The enemies made fun of them and planned attacks but they continued to work as a unit and to pray. Nehemiah told his people to trust in God and get to work and they did.

Today we have an opportunity to join together with people all over the nation and pray. The "enemies" have tried to stop this day of prayer claiming it unconstitutional. It's not. It's time to be reminded that we need to do what we need to do. Don't worry about the other guy. Do what you know to be right, what the Lord is asking you to do, whatever that is. Today I believe it is safe to say a great place to start would be to pray. Pray for our nation, your state, your city, and yourself. Pray for God to restore, protect and teach us to live as the Body of Christ so we can draw men to Him and not drive them away. Sadly, I've heard people say they are ashamed to call themselves Christians publicly because of all the nasty things that other "Christians" say and do. It's true there is a lot of judgemental words and actions said and done by people who call themselves Christians but let's not let that stop us from doing what is right. "The work is extensive and spread out, and we are widely separated from each other along the wall. Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us!" Nehemiah 4:20 I'm sounding the trumpet! If you hear it pray. Pray and don't be ashamed. Join with Christians around the nation publicly or privately. Don't be antagonistic. Don't put down others for not praying or being opposed. Just pray. God is a God of restoration.