Mud Puddle Praise!

On Memorial Day my husband and I went for a walk at the park.  As you know we have had an abundance of rain and as a result the walking path was more like a cross-country running course than a walk in the park path!  The path was dotted with standing water that at times took up its entire width.  As soon as I would reach a nice power walking speed I would then be presented with a new water obstacle.  As I was dodging these mud puddles I noticed that there was a really nice concrete curb on both sides of the path that was perfect to practice my balance beam walking!    In the midst of my cross-country walk I was focused on praying for my family, friends and those I have the honor of teaching on Sunday mornings.  As I walked, I prayed. I prayed for those who were facing challenges in their lives. As I prayed through the obstacles the Lord would bring to mind a scripture that helped me through my present physical obstacle as well as the truth to pray on behalf of others experiencing their own physical, emotional or spiritual obstacle.  

I began to challenge myself to see how long I could walk on the raised curb without falling into the muddy water on one side or the water soaked grass on the other.  The more I focused on the mud and water the wobblier I got on my concrete balance beam. Then I decided to . . .

“Fix my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of my faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

As I focused on the truth of that verse, my wobbling gave way to a steady and balanced walk past the mud. Ben Carson’s quote came to mind: “When a victim walks in the sand, he sees dirt, but when a victor walks through the sand he sees the ingredients for a sand castle.”  Attaining a balanced life is all about perspective and what we choose to dwell on. 

At the beginning of the walk I grumbled and whined to myself, “Why didn’t they build this path with better drainage?  Now I am going to get my shoes all muddy!  I am not going to be able to walk as fast as I want to, since I have to be more alert of the muddy obstacles. And by the way Lord, when is it ever going to quit raining?”  If the Lord would have spoken to me audibly I am sure He would have said something like, “Blah, blah, blah!  Whine, whine, whine!  Can’t you be thankful?”   The Lord brought to mind my friend, Ronda, who had a horrific accident this past year and woke up to a paralyzed body.  One moment she was fit, riding her bicycle at the start of a new day and then in the next moment, she was totally helpless.  She has come such a long way in her recovery due mostly to her attitude of gratitude.  I receive her prayer and progress updates weekly and have been beyond blessed and humbled by her godly and grateful attitude through it all.  So, as the Lord reminded me of Ronda, I began to thank Him that I had the ability to move, to breathe, to walk, to stop, to see, to feel the breeze and the heat of the sun.  2 Peter 1:3 popped into my mind,

“By His Divine power we have been given everything we need for life and for godliness through our knowledge of Him, who called us by His own glory and goodness.”

Yes, Lord!  You have given Ronda and me everything we need for life and for godliness – everything! For in you we live and move and have our being. (Acts 17:28)  A balanced beautiful life comes through gratitude.

The longer I walked the stronger I felt!  The mud puddles became opportunities to praise the Lord for being the cornerstone of my faith, my rock and the one whom I stand on, especially in those hard and messy times.  The Lord has been so very good to me.  I spent some years walking away from Him and chose to walk through some mud because of some very poor and selfish decisions.  Yet, when I came to my senses, broken hearted and beyond repair, the Lord lifted me out of the mud, He did not drag me through it! 

“He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.  He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.  Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.”  Psalm 40:2-3

Are you on a messy walk, trying to navigate through some mud puddles in your life?  Fix your eyes on Jesus, the One who gives you life, who will lift you up out of the mud and put a new song of praise in your heart as He sets you gently on solid ground.  Then you will find what it truly means to live a balanced and beautiful life. 

Out of the mud . . .

Praising the Rock,

Nancy

Deadline Desperation

Have you ever missed a deadline?  If you have you know the sinking feeling that comes over you which soon becomes full blown panic.  I experienced such desperation this week when I discovered an unread email with the subject line:  “Resending: Important Update!”  Resending?  What?  Where is the first “Important Update?”  I searched a little further and found the original sent two weeks prior to the second.  Both email messages were lost amid over 500 messages that had come in while I was out of the country on a tour of Israel.  As I read through the message I discovered that there was an action required on my part by May 15th  at 5:00 pm, after which the “deal” would no longer be available.  It was now May 16th at 9:00 am, just 16 hours past the deadline.  I tried not to panic.  My "fix-it quick," survival mode kicked in.  I clicked on reply and sent an urgent email explaining my dilemma and asked for a deadline extension.  This was on a Saturday and so I waited with a hopeful expectation that they would extend grace to me come Monday.  

Early Monday morning I called to explain my dilemma and begged for mercy.  The answer was, “Sorry, but the deadline was May 15th at 5 pm and the “deal” is no longer available."   I asked if there was a grace period for special cases like mine.  “No,” she said without further explanation. I then asked to speak to a supervisor, but was told the supervisor was not available and she assured me that someone would call me back later.  Before hanging up I asked for her name.  “Grace,” came the answer. 

After the call ended, the tears began to flow and despair set in.  This “deal” was huge to me.  It concerned something God had called me to do and I had obeyed and finished.  Now all that work seemed to be for nothing – simply because I missed a deadline.  I prayed God’s favor to come through and waited for the supervisor ‘s call.   An hour later, my phone rang and after explaining again what had transpired she echoed the words of Grace saying that since it was past the deadline no “deal” would be made.  I proceeded to plead my case sighting some very good reasons why I deserved the company’s grace.  But there was no budging.  They were determination to stick with their deadline.   This was a devastating blow and a tough pill to swallow. 

A scripture that I quote often came to my mind the next morning.  “I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw.”  (Proverbs 24:32)  As I reflected on my deadline disaster the first thoughts that came to my mind were similar to the children’s book entitled, “The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day!” However those first thoughts were redirected to true, noble, right, and pure thoughts hidden deep in my heart – “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”  (Psalm 139: 16) God knew this day would happen because he created me, knows all about me and is very present with me in each and every day I have lived and will live in the future.  I also know Jeremiah 29:11 says that He has plans that will prosper me, give me hope and a future.  I recently looked up the original Hebrew word for prosper. I discovered that it doesn’t have the “American” definition of financial wealth, but instead means a satisfied condition, a state of peacefulness, and a sense of well-being.  Taking all of these truths to heart I reflected and searched for the lessons God had for me in this day He had ordained and planned as he knit me together in my mother’s womb.

Here are just some of the lessons the Lord is teaching me through this deadline dilemma:

• Compassion.   Before opening the email that rocked my world I had spent some time in the Word and praying.  I had asked the Lord to give me more compassion for those around me and especially for those who did not know Him personally.  Reflecting on my phone conversation with Grace, it now caused me to chuckle as I thought about the woman named Grace, who was unable to give me grace.  I was then reminded of God’s grace.  His grace is unearned and unmerited.  He freely offers us a second chance at life and forgives us when we mess-up.  He is always willing to extend the deadline because He doesn’t want anyone to perish, but to live eternally.  However, there will come a day when the offer no longer stands, when there will be no further time given for people to turn to Him and find forgiveness and His marvelous grace.  This thought pierced my heart and filled me with compassion for those who have rejected Jesus’ offer of eternal life.  The Lord was already answering my prayer for compassion – but not in the way I had expected.

• Trust.  For a brief moment I panicked and thought to myself, “What am I going to do?”  Then the Lord’s unexplainable peace surrounded me.  I now cling to the truth that God planned my days and that Monday was on His calendar, as well as mine.   Quite possibly He had it circled in red as a day I would need to lean completely on Him.  I trust that when God shuts one door that He will open an even better one.  My bad day happened because of something I didn’t do, a choice I made not to go through all my emails on my first day back from Israel.  If I had I would have found the email.  But, I didn’t.  So, I can choose to linger at my own pity party blaming others for my dilemma or  I can choose to trust God to rescue me and work it all out according to His purpose and for His glory.  I am choosing to trust, simply trust. 

• Margin.  Returning home from a ten-day trip to over 500 unread emails in my inbox tells me that I have a hoarding problem!  I need to unsubscribe to some email lists and delete those emails I have already read.  But, I think it is deeper than emails.  This deadline debacle has shown me once again that I take on way too many things and struggle to do any of them with excellence.  So I am taking the steps to purge my emails, closets, and calendar of the good, the bad, and the ugly.  In my “keep” file will be only the necessary messages, clothing, and appointments that characterize one who excellently lives to glorify God.  I am ready to walk in His spacious place void of  stress and anxiety.

“They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but he LORD was my support.  He brought me out into a spacious place, he rescued me because he delighted in me.”

Psalm 18:18-19

If you have never been offered the grace of God then let me be the first to invite you to live eternally with your Creator Father.  Respond by faith acknowledging that Jesus died, was buried and rose again to purchase for you a new and wonderful life fully satisfied, secure and safe.  Respond while the offer still stands . . .  He lingers not wanting anyone to perish.

Trusting Him,

Nancy

The LORD Knows

One of the greatest desires of every heart is to be known by another, someone who is aware of all their layers.  These powerful truths are laid out for us in Psalm 139.

O LORD you have searched me and you know me.

You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.

You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.

Before a word in on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.

You hem me in – behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

Psalm 139:1-6

The name LORD refers to our covenant God.  You see the LORD desires to have a connection and a relationship with you.  The psalmist says that the LORD has searched him.  The word “searched” refers to careful scrutiny such as in mining operations, excavations and in explorations of countries.  While in Jerusalem I was able to visit a city that was discovered recently through archaeological excavations.  The tour guide showed us a few areas where archaeologist had found layers of civilizations.  A city would be built, then an earthquake would occur and over time the city would be covered up.  Then a new city would be built above that city and it too would be covered up by earthquake or mudslide over time.  The people would just keep building one city on top of another.  But, the archaeologists, after careful search and much digging, have uncovered one layer after another of roads, buildings, and even kingdoms.  The LORD carefully searches our minds and hearts because He desires to have a relationship with us.  As God searched the layers of our lives, He knows us.  The word know means to perceive, understand, to be familiar with and to be aware.  The LORD is aware of you and understands you. He can peel off the layers of our lives to reveal the origin of our hurts, hopes, anger and dysfunction.  The LORD knows us from the inside out.

The LORD knows our dwelling places. The word sit means to dwell or rest.  Where are you dwelling or in whom are you resting? What is your mind dwelling on and what is your emotions sitting in?  The LORD knows.  To rise means to rise up, establish, and strengthen.  The Key Word Study Bible Lexicon states, “Used of individuals standing up from a sitting, kneeling or reclining position. It refers (also) to the confirmation of a person, oath, decree, or existing situation.”  We can only rise from where we have been sitting or from whom we have been resting in.  If you have been sitting in bitterness, you will rise in anger or revenge.  If you are resting in God, you will rise in confirmation of His strength and His love.

In fact the LORD not only knows when you sit and when you rise, but He also knows what you are thinking about when you sit or rise! To perceive means to discern, observe, pay attention to, and to understand. In other words the LORD is paying attention to not only when you sit and when you rise, but He also knows how you perceive Him when you do what you do.   

Yet you know me, O LORD; you see me and test my thoughts about you.”

Jeremiah 12:3

The Word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to diving soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

The LORD knows the attitude of your heart. Do you trust Him in your sitting, thinking that He is the God who knows what is best? Are you rising up because you know the truth that you can do all things through Him who gives you strength? If your answer to either of these questions is no, then take the time to get to know the One who knows all about you.  In order to live the full life God intended, get to know the LORD and who you are in relation to Him. The LORD is aware of your layers, your circumstances, pays attention to your thoughts, knows all about you and still desires a relationship with you!  You are fully known and fully loved!

Known by Him,

Nancy

Wherever Jesus is, There You Find It

I just returned from a tour of the Holy Land and am still trying to take in all that I saw and touched while there. Walking where our Lord Jesus walked, sailing on the sea where He walked on the water, and standing near the rock where He ascended into heaven were all overwhelming experiences.  If I could sum up my trip in one word it would be the word peace.

As I was preparing to go to Israel I was confronted with feelings of fear and anxiety because of the chaos in that part of the world.  To help combat these feelings I memorized, meditated on and prayed a specific scripture as I traveled:

"Like birds flying about, so will the Lord of hosts defend Jerusalem.  Defending, He will deliver it; passing over, He will preserve it."  Isaiah 31:5

Israel is precious to the Lord and He has promised to protect it, defend it and preserve it.  As I went there I claimed that truth and clung to it, believing that He would continue to defend and preserve Jerusalem, while I was there!

As we traveled from the airport to our hotel in Bethlehem a peace settled over me.  It was a peace that was indescribable.  That peace followed me throughout Jerusalem and when we went to the place of His ascension into heaven John 14:27 came rushing to my mind:

"Peace I leave you, My peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid." 

As I stood there, I imagined Jesus saying those very words in that exact place.  Once more His perfect peace came rushing into my heart and mind as I sailed on the Sea of Galilee.  I could almost hear Jesus say to those frightened disciples in a storm tossed boat:

"Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid."  Matthew 14:27 

Our last stop was in Jericho which can be a dangerous place, but again I felt God's peace like never before.  Jesus spoke words of peace that echo through time to help us whenever we want to give in to fear, worry or anxiety.

I have told you these things so that in me you will have peace.  In this world you will have trouble, but take heart I have overcome the world.  John 16:33

In fact, in Philippians 4:5 the Apostle Paul says that the Lord is near and then reminds us that since He is near we should not be anxious about anything, but instead we should pray about everything! Jesus is as near to me in Houston as He was in Jerusalem.  When Jesus left this earth He reminded his disciples that He would not leave them alone, but would send the Helper, the Holy Spirit to be with them, to live in them, to remind them of His words and to empower them to overcome fear.  

If you are in need of peace today, take courage, Jesus is near, do not be afraid!  May His peace that goes beyond our understanding guard both your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus!  

Shalom,

Nancy 

William and me on the Sea of Galilee