Seek Ye First the Milk and Bread

I was in Wal-mart the other day and walked passed a woman pushing a cart full of miscellaneous items. She was apparently on her way to check out. I overheard her say to her friend, “I only came in here to buy one thing! One…stinking…thing! This happens every time I come here!”

I can totally relate! Can you? Walmart is like a black hole for my wallet I chalk it up to loss of focus. The clearance clothes, cute flip-flops and the newest offerings in mascara are just a few of the enticements waiting to distract me from my original goal.

It’s easy to lose focus, isn’t it? And not just at the store but in life in general. We can have fantastic goals, but never achieve them because one distraction after another keeps throwing us off track. This can be especially true when it comes to our spiritual growth. We know that regularly reading the Bible, having quiet time with God, keeping a prayer journal and being part of a small group of believers are all things that will help to mature us as Christians and bring us closer to Jesus. However, life happens and these very important things get left out. It’s like the times I’ve gone to Wal-mart and gotten a bunch of non-essentials but forgotten to pick up the milk and bread! My family can live with out the new shoes and the lovely new shade of nail polish, but we need to eat!

Making a list and remembering to check it is one way to remember everything I need at the store, and it’s also a good way to remember my priorities in life as well. If you think that loss of focus is derailing your attempts at spiritual growth, one solution may be to make a list of the things that draw you closer to God. Schedule your time to allow for these things on a regular basis.

When you are busy it’s easy to push God-time aside. But this is such a huge mistake, because it is your time with God that will help to balance the rest of your life. Finally, remember Jesus words from Matthew 6, “So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Better than I Found it

A kind friend blessed our family this summer by allowing us to use her family’s home at the beach. The condo was beautiful and in immaculate condition. This made me quite nervous, especially since we had three kids with us. I watched everyone like a hawk, making sure food and drinks were only consumed in designated areas, that dirty hands and faces were washed before sitting on the furniture, and that shoes were removed before walking on the plush, light colored carpet. Before we left for home, we made sure the condo was spic and span with nothing out of place. I took way better care of her home than I do of my own. My friend was very gracious to allow us to stay there in the first place, so I figured the least I could do was take excellent care of the lovely home she had entrusted me with. It was my desire to leave it even better than I found it.


I wondered, as I was putting things back in order at the condo, what my life would be like if I truly acknowledged God as the source of every one of my blessings. Would I keep my house nicer if I saw it not as my home, but the home God has allowed me to use? Would I take on a healthier lifestyle if I accepted the truth that my body really belongs to God as a temple for His holy spirit? How would I spend money differently if I viewed every dollar as a gift from God?

King David understood this concept of stewardship. In the Bible after the people of Israel brought forward generous offerings to build the Lord’s temple, David praises God, saying, “But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.” (1 Chronicles 29:14) And in Psalm 24:1, David writes, “The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;”

Let’s pray for an attitude like David’s. Let’s ask God for hearts that recognize the truth that all we are and have comes from Him. Finally let’s pray for a deep desire to be better stewards of our gifts, and to leave this world better than we found it.

Paula's Big Give

Paula is a loyal WBFJ listener and a quadriplegic. She cannot move from the neck down and breathes with a tube. But her physical limitations are far surpassed by her inner strength, a beautiful heart and her motivation to serve others.

Paula sponsors at least 2 kids through Compassion International. She writes, with the help of her nurse, Debbie, to several others. She participates in the Salvation Army Stocking Stuff and Operation Christmas Child.  Every year at Easter, she visits WBFJ and brings chocolate eggs for the staff, at Christmas it's Red Velvet Cake. One time while she was here, I commented on how long her hair had gotten, it was twisted into a long braid starting at the top of her head. She told me that she was growing it out for “Locks of Love” an organization that makes wigs for cancer patients from donated hair.

And that’s when it hit me. There have been so many occasions where I’ve had the opportunity to serve and have let excuses like “I’m too busy” or “I’m too tired” or, even “I’m not qualified” get in the way. Yet, here is a lady who, instead of being trapped by what she cannot do, has turned her attention to one of the things she can do…grow hair.

We all have our limitations and excuses. On the other hand, God has given each of us unique gifts that he expects us to share with others. If we focus on where we fall short we risk never discovering the wonderful things we do have to offer and becoming the person God intended us to be.

God created you complete with special gifts. What you have to offer is no less valuable than what anyone else has to give … 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 tells us: “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.”

Let’s take some time today to pray that God will show us clearly how we can best use our unique gifts to serve Him.

Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say

I recently came across a guide for men to help them understand the difference between what women say and what women mean.

For example, when a woman says, “I’ll be ready in FIVE MINUTES”, she really means, “I’ll be ready in about a half an hour.” It is equivalent to the five minutes that your football game is going to last before you take out the trash, so it's an even trade.

When a woman says FINE: She is using the universal word all women say to end an argument when they feel they are right and you need to shut up. Never use "fine" to describe how a woman looks. This will cause you to have one of "those" arguments. If she says NOTHING: This really means "something" and you should be on your toes. "Nothing" is usually used to describe the feeling a woman has of wanting to turn you inside out, upside down, and backwards. "Nothing" usually signifies an argument that will last "Five Minutes" and will end with the word "Fine". And, finally if all you hear is a LOUD SIGH: you should recognize this as a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A "Loud Sigh" means she thinks you are an idiot at that moment, and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here arguing with you over "Nothing".

I think most people, myself included, at least occasionally avoid saying what they are really thinking or feeling. That can be a good thing. For example, if a friend asks me if I like her new outfit, and I really don’t, I would probably keep my feelings to myself to avoid hurting her feelings. Sometimes I’ll keep my feelings to myself to avoid an unnecessary conflict or confrontation.

While there may be some occasions where it’s best to keep our true feelings to ourselves, this can also be a dangerous habit to get in to. When we do not openly communicate we build a wall between ourselves and others, each unexpressed feeling becomes another brick in this barrier.

In Matthew, Jesus spoke about the need for honest, direct communication when he instructed about the importance of keeping oaths. He said, Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

Once again, we are reminded that our words have power and that they should match what is in our heart. Take time today to pray that God will give you the wisdom to use words carefully and the integrity to say what you mean and mean what you say.

Unlovely

I am a scary sight to see before, during and after a workout.  At these times, all I’m focused on getting to the gym, getting through the 45-60 minutes of exercise, and, quite frankly, getting it over with.  My clothes are cool and comfortable, not at all cute.  I pull my hair tightly back so it’s not in my face, which is not a flattering hairstyle for someone with an enormous head like mine.  And, I certainly don’t wear makeup.  If I did, it would slide right off of my face within the first few minutes of class, my mascara winding up on my chin. 

Now, normally, I would not want anyone outside of my immediate family to see me looking so badly.  I’m not a particularly vain person, but even I have my standards.  However, most days of the week, anywhere from 20-50 of my gym-mates are subjected to my sweaty, stinky, disheveled self.  And, surprisingly, it really doesn’t bother me at all that so many people see me looking so bad.  I don‘t even think about it.  It’s probably because no one looks their best in the middle of a work out.  We’re all there with the common purpose of getting sweaty.  Looking rough is expected.  Rings of sweat are a badge of honor for a job well done.  The gym is a safe place to be un-lovely.

I wish the church was a little more like the gym.  Here’s what I mean.  At many churches, we’re expected to have ourselves all pulled together, smiling and happy and holy like everyone else. There’s this unspoken rule that we’re never supposed to let the ugliness of sin, shame, hurt, pain or guilt see the light of day.  But, shouldn’t church be the one place where we are safe to be un-lovely?  Shouldn’t we, as Christians, having a deep understanding of the price paid for our own grace and forgiveness, be first ones to extend grace and forgiveness to others?

In Romans 15 we’re given valuable instructions about how Christians should treat each other. Here are a couple of examples:

-We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up (1-2)

-Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God (7)

It’s been said, very wisely, that the church is supposed to be a hospital for sinners, not a museum of Saints.  Does your church feel that way?  If not, the change has to start with individuals, it has to start with you.  Commit today to develop a spirit or acceptance, unity, honesty and a willingness to share the burdens of others.  And, pray that God will bring other like-minded believers alongside you to help transform not just your church, but the entire body of Christ.

He's Not Finished With Me Yet

Perhaps the most famous Dome in the world is the one that sits atop the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Italy. Filipo Brunelleschi's double walled, brick Duomo was and is an architectural marvel, many go so far as to call it a miracle of design.

The amazing thing to me, is that when the cathedral that sports the dome was designed and constructed during the Middle Ages, this type of dome had never been built. In fact, the technology required to build such a structure hadn't even been invented yet. When the church was finally completed in 1418, the roof where the dome would eventually be placed was simply left open. Finally, an architectural competition was held to find someone who would be able to design and build a suitable dome. Brunelleschi won and 18 years later, his masterpiece was complete.

Here’s my question…who designs an element for a building that no one knows how to build? And, who follows through with actually constructing that building, just leaving the project unfinished, open to rain, snow and bird droppings until someone comes along who can figure it out? Can you picture the elders of your church approving something like that?
Oh, that you and I would have that kind of faith! Think about all of the things that God may have planned for our lives that are beyond our imagination or ability. What if, instead of deciding that we are limited by what we know is possible, we left our minds and lives open to God’s plans and designs? What if we really did “Trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding?”

Let’s remember that we are a work in progress, that we are God’s masterpiece. And, even though it may be painful and uncomfortable at times…let’s always leave places that are open for renovations and additions. Remember these words from Philippians 1:6, “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

Leftovers

I was talking with a friend over dinner last night about how my children behave so differently when they are with other people than they are when it's just us at home. This is especially true for our youngest daughter. Laura is an absolute angel at school…the kind of kid most teachers would love to have a class full of. She's obedient, respectful, and even a little shy. But, the minute she gets off that school bus…look out! I'm not going into graphic detail, but does the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde ring any bells? I joked with my friend that she must use up all of her "good" at school…when she gets home there's none left.

My friend said, "You know, that's really true for all of us to a degree, isn't it? I mean", she continued, " a lot of times we give our best selves to the outside world and our family gets whatever is left. And, all too often, that's not much."

That is SO true. I think one reason this happens is that we let our guard down with our immediate family. With a friend we might bite our tongue when we've been offended in order to keep the friendship. At work, we have to do what we are told because we don't want to lose our job. Bur our family's love is, or should be, unconditional, so we feel safe to be our real self…for better or worse. By the end of the day, when we feel we've used up all of "our good" conflict at home is nearly inevitable.

So, how do we turn this pattern around?? Definitely, taking better care of our bodies is a good place to start…a healthy diet, daily exercise and good sleep habits are all ways to boost energy levels. In addition, the Bible tells us that when we seek God first, everything else falls right into place. Remember what it says in Matthew 6:33? "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;and all these things shall be added unto you."

When we allow Him take the reigns from us, He promises us a renewed source of strength and energy unlike anything we've ever experienced before. So, let’s commit each day to give ourselves fully to Him so that our families can have more than just our leftovers.