Escaping Temptation

Blessed Friday to y’all. Another gorgeous day here. Love this town.
I’ve been thinking about this verse:

No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

I have found this to be true. Unfortunately, I’m ashamed to admit that too often not only do I not take the way of escape, I choose not to even ask God what that way might be. Worse, sometimes I know, but I just don’t feel like fighting to do the right thing. I pretend I don’t see it. Yea, isn’t that what two year olds do? If I cover my eyes, I can’t see you, so surely you can’t see me. This mentality of me wanting what I want when I want it is so foolish. Downright stupid. But we mortals are masters at justification. Deep down, or maybe not even so deep down, I always know when I’m justifying.

I’ve always heard that it’s my sin (yes, yours, too) but my sin that nailed Christ to that cross. That is so sobering that most the time, I can scarcely comprehend this, though it’s a good thing to keep in mind. And when I have these moments where I “get it,” I think why would I ever choose to sin again. Ever. I love God. Don’t want to hurt Him. Still I do.

Why?

Really pretty simple. That propensity to sin is a part of me. I’m selfish. I think of myself first. And deep down I want the world to revolve around me. God knows this. That’s why He sent Jesus to rescue us. We do need to be rescued, you know? Left to our own devices, we can get ourselves in lots of trouble. No, you might not end up in jail or on 60 Minutes shielding your face, saying, “No comment,” but you know deep down, things aren’t as fine and dandy as they might appear sometimes.

Thanks be to God that He knows this about all of us. All He’s ever wanted from me, what He continues to want from all of us, is just to be honest with Him. I’ve found it extremely painful to confess to God that “My thinking stinks right now, I’m being so short sighted, I know that if I do ‘this thing,’ I’ll be talking to you about it later, telling you I regret it and don’t want to do this. But right now, I’m lying if I say I don’t’ want to, and I’m really lying if I don’t admit to you that at this very moment while I’m agreeing with you that this isn’t the best choice, I am plotting how I can do it and there not be any consequences.”

I’ve discovered something about God. He gets us. He gets why we do the stupid things we do. He gets what we perceive the pay off to be. Good grief. He made us. Do you not think He knows what makes us tick? Still with the devil breathing down our necks, sometimes it’s easy to forget that God is really on our side. All He wants is to give us joy and to give it to us abundantly, on this side of heaven. I don’t think there’s been a day in 35 years being a Christian that I’ve ever really forgotten that. It’s just that sometimes my desire to sin trumps my desire to obey. The Apostle Paul understood this. Read Romans 7. Actually the whole book of Romans is terrific.

Anyway, sometimes the honesty and the prayer is enough to keep me on solid ground, and avoid the pitfall I’m finding myself on any given day. Sometimes, I give in. Goal is to allow God to transform my mind daily so I find myself giving in to temptation less and less. We’ll never stop being tempted, though. And it ain’t God doing the tempting, just in case you’re wondering. He tempts no one. He’s the one who tries to guide us out of the temptation.

I do know the remedy for all of this. And it’s not to repeat to myself 50 times I will not do this or think this or respond in the flesh in respect to whatever battle rages in my mind at this particular moment. That won’t work. The more we tell ourselves we can’t have something, the more we want it. Good grief, some things I don’t even want until someone says I can’t have it. You know, the old “Wet paint, don’t touch” syndrome. It wouldn’t have occurred to us to touch the fence but now that we’re told not to touch, we just gotta touch it to see if it’s really wet!

I love that God truly has a perfect perspective on all this. Sin is heavy and it has to be reckoned with. On the other hand, sometimes He just says to me, Gayle, now why on earth did you do that? (Of course, He already knows). Was it worth it? Well, it seemed like it was at the time, Lord, I say. And God says, I keep trying to tell you, Gayle, that’s the point. Sin always feels worth it at the moment. Why would it be called a temptation if it weren’t attractive? That’s a good question.

Need to keep washing my mind daily with God’s Word. Mediate on those passages that speak to my areas of weakness. That does work. Thirty five years being a Christian, I’m pleased to say I’ve had a lot of victories over sin. But I’ve discovered two things. My sins don’t seem to change. (Stick a bag of almonds in front of me today and I’ll eat the whole thing even after I’m stuffed). And just because I had victory over a sin yesterday doesn’t mean I’ve now got it “handled” and can relax. Some things ya just have to stay on top of.

Like weeding. Have you noticed? You can pull every weed in your garden, even get ‘em by the roots. Still a hard rain comes and then maybe some sunshine or maybe not, and poof, new weeds have sprouted up. Hmm. Suddenly I got some other thoughts on all this but this entry is long enough. I may save them for another day.

Blessings all and have a great weekend.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)

Six Again

Have you seen this “forward” about one man’s muse about returning to the age of six years old because he feels that life was much simpler? Funny. I don’t remember being six quite as carefree as this author does though on the surface it would appear to be so.

I remember that–

When I was six, I had to go to bed earlier than most of my friends because my mom thought I needed more sleep and I felt like a “baby.” If I was naughty on a Sunday, my punishment might just be not watching Lassie at 7:00 p.m. and nothing was worse than missing Lassie. When I was six, my first-grade teacher did not like me one bit, plus she thought I talked too much in class. While I stood talking to my little friend one day, my back turned to her, she had the audacity to pick me up and carry me back to my seat. Everybody laughed. I was humiliated.

When I was six, I forever was losing my dimes and nickels and that could buy a lot of “penny candy.” I hated church at six years old. The mass was in Latin, and I thought the nuns smelled funny. My brother put a worm in my hair when I was six years old and I screamed and was terrified to take it out. When I was six, I had short curly hair and when I rode my bike down the street sometimes I’d hear, “Is that a boy or a girl?” That stung.

When I was six, I couldn’t do some of the things my older brother got to do. And no matter how many times my mother explained it was because he was older and I’d have my chance when I got a little older, I didn’t like it and it didn’t seem fair.

Now I have happy memories of being six as well. I just don’t remember that age being as carefree as this writer does. I don’t believe there is any age that is carefree on Planet Earth. Days of fun perhaps, even seasons that may be of relatively little stress, but not carefree.

As I’ve gotten older, some trials seem to be “heavier” than they were when I was a child. Although, not receiving that shiny gold star on my homework at the time probably hurt just as much as not getting a promotion now. I’m better equipped to deal with the crises of life now. I have the benefit of a wisdom that comes with age plus I have the Holy Spirit living inside me, guiding me each day.

We mere mortals have an uncanny capacity for selective memory. We often remember things worse than they were or better than they were, but seldom as they really are. Try as we might not to, we all have our lens from which we view life. Only God Himself, I believe, can correct any distortion in my perspective.

No, I don’t want to be six again, nor any other age for that matter. Sure, I’ve experienced a few days so sweet, so fun, so pregnant with the best this world has to offer, I wouldn’t mind living them again. But life doesn’t work that way.

Reminiscing is great. I do it all the time. I love to look back and remember wonderful times I’ve experienced as a child or even as adult. Or look back at the particularly difficult times and see how God worked in the midst of them. Y’all know that “remember” is one of my favorite words in the English language. Nevertheless, when I do remember, I’m asking God more and more to give me His perspective as I evaluate my past and my present. I want to see things for what they are and not what I wish they were or fear them to be.

Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions. (Ecclesiastes 7:10)

Mountain Tops

I had a wonderful time at my writers’ retreat this weekend. This was our third year and every year gets even sweeter because we know each other that much better. We feel safer and are willing to be even more vulnerable than perhaps the year before. We laugh so hard, too. We’re a crazy lot and with all this history that’s forming between us, five minutes seldom pass without somebody saying something that has us all in stitches. We’ve become quite the little family and already have set the date for next year’s reunion.

So here it is Monday morning and I’m feeling a little mellow. The Lord has been gracious and my fledging little business, WordCount, seems to be taking flight. I’m sure I’ll be sharing more about this as the months go by, but here I mention it to say I have a full day of work ahead, especially since I’ve been playing for the last four. I’m a little behind.

Yet it’s hard to transition this morning. It’s hard that the weekend is over. I want it to continue. But it’s time to climb back down the mountain. I’m thankful to God for giving me these wonderful times of refreshment and fellowship to strengthen me to return to my responsibilities and all that He’s called me to.

I have a lot on my mind this morning just thinking about the weekend and about all that I have to do today. I really need to start now. In the middle of it all, though, I’m smiling as I reflect on the numerous ways God blessed us each. It wasn’t just fun. We were emboldened. And while it was writing that brought us all initially together, the weekend is far more than about writing. It’s about connecting to one another and growing in love and support for one another. The strength we gained will carry us through the whole year as we reflect back on our four days together.

Times such as this stir within me a deep longing for heaven. This weekend just reminds me of all that awaits those who love Jesus Christ. I know that this weekend was the tiniest hint of what it’s going to be like. But even that hint is enough to remind me to keep looking up. We’re not Home yet but there’ll come a time we will be. It’s going to be really great!

He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20)

Retreat Starts Tomorrow

Good Wed. morning. Val, thanks so much for your kind note.

Tomorrow afternoon my mini writer’s retreat begins. I’ve been helping with the preparations. This little writer family of ours has been talking about this weekend since last year. Really. Right afterwards, we began debriefings—what we loved, what we loved even more. Nobody hated any part of it, but we discovered there’s always a way to make the retreat better than the last.

Like our first night together. Traditionally, we’ve all met for dinner at a local restaurant. That’s been fun but even if we’re seated at the same table, it’s impossible to hear all the conversations because there’s too many of us. We’re a relational lot, and so this year we decided to scrap the restaurant and hang together at the home of our gracious host, where our yearly event is held.

I already know this first night will be a highlight. This is a very fun group of ladies and I know from the moment we gather, we’ll be laughing our heads off. We’ll cry some, too, probably because we’re all a tender lot. Sitting around the barbecue table outside, we’ll be able to see each other face to face, each one receiving our undivided attention while she shares about her life over the last year. We regularly keep in contact through email so we’re not clueless about what’s been going on in the major areas. Unless, of course, there are those who experienced something particularly difficult that they felt uncomfortable sharing through an email. Actually, wouldn’t that be true of most of us from time to time?

But it will be a night of remembering and y’all know how I love that word. We’ll be thanking God for those who have enjoyed publishing success, some for the first time. We’ll be thanking God for bringing us through the year through various trials, health, finances, and just the stuff of life that can wear us down.

We’ll talk about our current struggles and challenges. Some may be writing-related, others may be not. For while it is writing that brought this little section of the Body of Christ together, it is Christ who ultimately holds us together. And we all know, whatever is going on in our lives personally will affect what we write—on some level—whether suspense or sweet romance or anything in between.

Then we’ll pray for each other. That’s gonna be sweet!

For all my excitement, though, I suddenly got a little scared. What are you scared of? I asked myself. I asked God. Surprisingly, it took me no time to figure it out.

In some ways, I’m disappointed because I had a couple of goals that I thought I would have met by now. One I could have achieved if I’d been more self controlled—like lose the weight I planned on. I have all these cute pair of shorts that I could have worn, and I wouldn’t have had to lose that much to be able to wear them. But alas, I didn’t lose that weight so I’m not wearing those cute shorts. There’s a couple of other things to. You know. Just stuff.

I don’t know about you, but for me, maybe because God knows how my brain works, He pays really close attention to when I turn this corner and start thinking about the ways I didn’t change since last year. A bit of self examination is always good for the soul and a reunion has a way of stirring that. But God in His incredible graciousness said, okay, you’re right. So, you fell short in this way and those other ways you’re thinking about. Today’s a new day. You can purpose in your heart—again—to make changes in these areas. But I have a couple more important questions to ask you:

Do you love Me more than you did this time last year? Do you love people more than you did last year? Do you care more about what’s important to Me than you did last year.

I do, Lord, I answered. And I want to love you more. I want to love people more. I want to care way more about things you care about.

Then from my perspective, Gayle—the eternal one, the one that counts—you’ve met my goal. Just keep your eyes on Me and you’ll be just fine.

So I’m encouraged. God’s good at that, you know. He loves to remind me of the good work He’s already done in me. He’s done mighty good things in my life this year. I have a million reasons to be grateful to Him. And I am. It’s just that the devil tries to get us to focus on where we’re lacking, making us feel bad about it. But God says, admit your lack, turn to Me, and I will fill it.

Funny, how a reunion among dear friends could stir all that in my heart, and that’s not even the half of it. I’m grateful that the Lord exposed this potential joy buster right at the start. God is the best at damage control when I let Him. Now my heart is filled simply with the delightful anticipation of seeing all my buddies tomorrow and hearing about what God has done in their lives. So much strength comes from being together.

I will have no time to post Friday morning, so I will see you back on Monday. Probably a little tired but a heart filled to the brim with the joy and fellowship of being with my friends.Have a great weekend! I love this verse for the future “hope” has turned into tomorrow’s reality for us all:

I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete. (2 John 13)

Who's Driving?

Gloriously sunny day here in Northern Idaho. It’s going to be a busy week for me. Working here in my office through Wednesday and then Thursday, I join several writing buddies here in town for our annual four-day brainstorming retreat. These gals have become so dear and besides brainstorming novel plots, we laugh till our stomachs hurt, or maybe that’s from eating too much good food. It’s going to be a blast and I can’t wait.

I’m reading Anne Lamott’s delightful book Operating Instructions: A journal of My Son’s First Year.” Anne writes with such raw transparency and humor about her life as a new single mom and the range of emotions she’s experiencing raising her son alone. I admire that.

On Day 30, she shares a powerful entry about the innate struggle she has (by extension, we all have, I say) to relinquish to God complete control over our lives. Even if we haven’t done such a hot job, our human nature still resists not controlling it ourselves. Anne then relays the following story. I’ve heard numerous analogies and metaphors about God being in control, but the simplicity of this one is unparalleled for me:

“I heard this old man speak when I was pregnant, someone who had been sober for fifty years, a very prominent doctor. He said that he’d finally figured out a few years ago that his profound sense of control, in the world and over his life, is another addiction and a total illusion. He said that when he sees little kids sitting in the backseat of cars, in those car seats that have steering wheels, with grim expressions of concentration on their faces, clearly convinced that their efforts are causing the car to do whatever it is doing, he thinks of himself and his relationship with God: God who drives along silently, gently amused, in the driver’s seat.”(1)

I love that. Have a great week everybody.

Cease striving and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10, NAS)

(1) Anne Lamott, Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son’s First Year. Ballantine Books 1993.

My Grandma Taught Me

Friday already again! Weeks fly by so fast. Seems like only a few hours ago I was bidding you a good Monday.

I just finished reading Psalm 119. I love this psalm and for years have considered it my favorite. What gets me every time about this psalm is that the author keeps saying the reason why he loves God’s word so much and why he’s so eager and diligent to obey is because God has so thoroughly persuaded him that this is the smartest thing to do. This is how to experience fullness of life.

With this psalm fresh on my mind, I could pick any number of passages and just start writing about why it means so much. But I think I’ll just share my favorite of all:

I have not departed from your laws for you yourself have taught me. (Psalm 119:102, NIV).

I love this because it’s so personal. God Himself teaches me. He doesn’t just hand me a book (the Bible). Rather, as I read and meditate on it, applying its truths to my life by His Spirit, I grow in maturity.

This passage has always reminded me of a particularly wonderful memory of me and my grandma that I believe illustrates this passage well.

***

At ten years old, having watched my grandma knit slippers for me and my siblings so many times I decided I wanted to learn to make my own.

“Grandma, will you teach me to knit?” I asked one weekend when we’d come to visit. Delighted to show me, she immediately stood up and sauntered toward her bedroom. She pulled from the overhead shelf a big bag of yarn and knitting needles. She studied several pairs and then selected one along with a ball of yarn perfect for practicing. (I still have those needles!)

“Come sit next to me, Gayle, patting the couch. You need to sit close so you can watch me.” I eagerly snuggled up to Grandma on the couch, barely giving her enough elbow room to maneuver the needles. I was so excited Grandma wanted to teach me to knit. Soon I’d be able to make my own slippers! I watched intently as Grandma first showed me how to cast on. Before long, she handled the needles to me. “You try now.” I’ll be right here to help as you need it.

Boy did I need it!

Often as I was learning to knit whole rows, I’d glance up and say, “Grandma, this looks funny.” “Let me see,” she’d say. I’d hand my needles and yarn to her and she would patiently begin unraveling my stitches one by one until she found my error. She’d correct it, explaining where I had made my mistake. Then she’d hand my piece back to me and I’d continue. “It takes practice, Gayle,” Grandma would say. “Be patient. You’re doing great.” With continued practice my rows became more even. Eventually when I made mistakes, I was able to correct them myself. Then Grandma taught me to crochet.

* * *

Draped over my couch and loveseat in my living room are two afghans I crocheted years ago. Sometimes guests will ask how I learned to crochet. I always smile and say, “My Grandma taught me when I was a little girl. That’s the way I’ve come to view God’s instructing me through life. Just that personal.

Have a great weekend all!

Constraint

Good Wednesday morning,

There are a handful of people in my life right now whom I find quite annoying. I’m also annoyed by these two yappy little dogs next door that bark every time another dog goes by. In each of these circumstances, I have good reason. The people who are bugging me have done some things that are verifiably irritating. And as for the dogs, I’m sure I’m not the only neighbor who wishes these yappy little dogs would get laryngitis. Can dogs even get laryngitis? Now that’s wishful thinking.

By last night, to those who live out of state and our communications are through e-mail only, I felt like telling them to just be quiet. Yet, the Lord made it really clear that I was not to do any such thing but to just ignore them. After all, they’re not hurting you, He said. They’re just bugging you. Read (take a chill pill, Gayle).

God allows this to happen quite often. He brings difficult people into our lives to sand down the rough edges in our personality. Oh yes, I would like to think that I am such a wonderfully sweet, reasonable person that nobody could possibly perceive me as difficult. However, after living on this planet for five decades, I imagine this is not true.

Funny, just now thought of my second grade teacher, Mrs. Snow, came into my mind. I was such a chatter box in class, my teacher decided (or maybe my mom decided, I forget), that the best remedy was that she write a note home each day to my mother informing her whether I’d been good. I wonder just how many evenings when Mrs. Snow recounted her day to her husband she threw up her hands and said, “Well, that Gayle. She’s really a sweet girl, always smiling, but she can’t sit still and she’s always talking in class. By the end of the day, she’s given me a headache.” Maybe Mrs. Snow thought I was difficult.

Anyway, you get my point.

Now about the dogs. Last night, for just a moment, I thought, how would I handle this situation if I gave no thought to consequences, no thought to the owner’s feelings, and no thought to how I was perceived by my neighbors?

That was easy.

I’d have thrown open the screen door on my balcony and screamed from the top of my lungs--using expletives that would have gotten my mouth washed out with an entire bar of soap by my mother growing up—and told the dogs to SHUT UP. Of course, they wouldn’t have known I was yelling at them. The owner would know I was really yelling at her in essence. And that would have been a very cowardly way of handling the whole situation.

I didn’t do this, aren’t you glad to know?

The Lord and I talked a bit more about the dogs this morning. And my pesky momentary nemeses. As far as the people, well, I’ve been good from the start to keep my feelings in check. Just need to keep guarding my tongue and keep my paws off the old keyboard.

And speaking of paws, the Lord said, “You don’t like your neighbor at all because of her dogs. You don’t even want to try to get to know her. You don’t like her dogs so you don’t like her.” Yikes, He had that right. God has no problem being blunt sometimes.. In all fairness to her, these are not evil dogs and they don’t bark incessantly. That really would put me over the edge since I work from my home. No, it’s mainly in the evening. Maybe they’re just tired because it’s late.

So what am I going to do about this stinky attitude of mine? Well, I already confessed it. Now I’m thinking it’s time to go over and introduce myself to my neighbor. I should have done that a month ago.

Seems to me that most of what’s involved in walking out my life as a Christian in a way that honors God and shows His love and grace to those around me is wrapped up in these every day, moment-by-moment situations. That bugs me, too, but it makes sense this is the way God would do it. Have to depend on Him more this way. The good thing is that with so many opportunities to be a good witness for Christ, even when I mess up a few in the course of a day, there’s always another one right around the corner to do the right thing.

No averages here, mind you. No earning points. No at-the-end-of-the-day tallies to report back to God about how I did. No notes home to my mother. Life from God’s perspective just doesn’t work that way. I’ll never be good enough and I’ll never do all the right things on any given day. Neither will you. Even the thought is ludicrous.

Every day, I need God’s grace and I need His mercy—with people and with dogs. Lots of other stuff, too. But what I can do this morning is this: I can resolve to be a little kinder today than I was yesterday.

Maybe I should buy the doggies a bone. And as far as the folks bugging me, I’ve started praying for them. Harder to be mad at someone when you’re praying for them, you know?

Have a great day.

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Proverbs 12:18)

A Gentle Answer

Good Monday morning!

This weekend I made another investment into my new business, WordCount. I purchased Microsoft’s FrontPage, a web design software. On Friday night I confidently walked into the office supply to purchase my upgrade. Though MS Professional Office Suite didn’t include FrontPage, it was the most comprehensive version, so I was under the impression from the earlier reading that it wasn’t required in this case to purchase the upgrade only.

Still, I read the back of the box again just to make sure. Yep, I had a prior version of a Microsoft Suite so I wouldn’t need to buy the full version. The clerk seemed a little concerned that I was so confident about the upgrade. Are you sure all you need is the upgrade? You can’t return opened software. Yes, I’m sure, I said. Well, okay, then and she rung up my purchase.

About an hour later, I called another office supply store and asked how much they charged for the FrontPage upgrade. Just seemed after I’d left that first store, I remembered seeing at another for about $30 less. The man returns with a price check. I was right. So, I decide to return it the next day to the one store, and purchase it at the other. Thank you, Lord. So grateful I hadn’t opened the box.

But before I’d hung up, the clerk says to me, are you sure you want the upgrade only? Same hesitation as the gal in the other store. Yes, I’m very sure, and then I explain why it is I’m so sure. He challenges a bit, but I say thanks, I’ll see you tomorrow.

The next day, I head out to the second store to purchase my FrontPage upgrade. The clerk comes up to me and asks if I’m finding everything all right. Yes, thank you. Just need to get the FrontPage upgrade. He asks me if I have a prior version of FrontPage on my computer. No, I say, but that’s okay because I have the MS Professional Suite and that’s sufficient criteria for buying the upgrade. I don’t need the full version. He challenges. I state my reason once again.

But, Ma’am, if you discover you’ve bought the wrong one after you’ve broken the seal on the box, you can’t return it. Yes, I understand this. But as I've said, I know I only need the upgrade. Again, I repeat my reason.

Are you the one who called last night? he asks.

Again, he expresses his concern and again I try to tell him he has no reason to be concerned. He points to the criteria on the box, and I said, yes, see, that’s what I’m trying to tell you. I meet this criteria!

But look, there’s more, he says, and he reads the next line.

Realization! The young clerk is absolutely right! I am wrong. I do need the full version! Talk about fine print. Yikes!

That’s why he was so persistent. Didn’t matter how many times I explained to him why I was right, he knew I was wrong. So here I’ve put this kid, maybe 21, in the position of not wanting to argue with the customer, trying to be respectful to me. Yet he knew full well I was about to walk out of the store with this upgrade and would soon be kicking myself for spending all this money for a product that wouldn’t do me a bit of good but now I couldn’t return.

Thank you so much, I say again. I tell him I’m not normally a stubborn person, I'm really not. I was just so sure you were wrong, I say. That’s okay, he says. I just didn’t want you to take it home and then realize you couldn’t use it.

Nice kid.

Told him I so appreciated him standing up to me so respectfully, knowing I thought he was wrong. That’s a tricky thing to do. Can’t remember how I put it exactly, but he understood my point. He saved me a lot of money. Well, I ended up spending twice as much because I did need the full version, but I would have spent even more than that had he not persisted.

I was still thinking about this when another incident happened yesterday. Through a particular e-mail exchange on a public forum, I witnessed someone handle a situation poorly. This individual’s comments should have been made privately but he chose to make them publicly. His careless words caused significant discomfort and sadness for many on this forum for several hours following.

Though entirely different situations, these two examples reminded me of a critical component of graceful, artful communication: When I’m tempted to speak and I know my words could potentially cause conflict, what’s my motivation in doing so? If I genuinely have the other person’s well being in mind, then I must be willing to endure the uneasiness that may follow—just as the store clerk did with me.

Conversely, if I’m just speaking my mind to make me feel better—to get something off my chest—this is not acceptable. As a Christian, I simply do not have the luxury to spout off whatever I want at will. I do believe that honestly is the best policy. And yet our goal in being honest should be to strengthen our relationships with others. If our “honesty” only creates havoc with no redemptive purpose in mind, then we best just keep out mouths shut, me thinks.

Have a great Monday all!

A gentle answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.
The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable,
But the mouth of fools spouts folly …
A soothing tongue is a tree of life,
But perversion in it crushes the spirit. (Proverbs 15:1,2, 4 NAS)

Just Ignore Him

Happy Friday. Weekend’s here.

Yet as I write, there’s a big part of me that’s not happy at all but extremely sad as I reflect on the deadly terrorist attacks in London yesterday and the families that are left devastated today in the wake of such cold blooded murder. My heart goes out to the families, as I know yours does, too, who lost someone yesterday they love, or to those who were injured. I was moved by the fact that so many of our world leaders stood together and called yesterday’s terrorist attack for what it is—evil.

And who’s ultimately behind this evil? Satan himself. Oh, those who were responsible, who continue to be responsible, will be held accountable. If not in this life than in the one to come. Make no mistake. We must—I must—be vigilant in praying for our country and for all those through the world who stand for freedom and for righteousness, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ. This was already top of mind for me celebrating the 4th of July last week and now the vacancy on the Supreme Court with Sandra Day O’Conner’s resignation.

Grave times. But exciting times, too. I see evidence of God working all over the world.

I have an older brother, by a year and a half. Jeff has grown into a very nice man and I love him dearly. But when we were kids, he was a little snot. He loved to tease me incessantly. I suppose like most brothers do.

I could be enjoying a perfectly nice day playing by myself, and Jeff would come up to me and take my doll away, or muss my hair, or hit me; not hard enough to hurt me but just enough to infuriate me. I’d chase after him. He’d giggle, I’d whine, and soon I was rolling on the floor with him, trying to beat him up. He was strong, I was not, and so I always lost. I would cry, he would laugh, and soon my mother would send us both to our rooms.

“If you just ignore him, Gayle, he’d leave you alone,” my mom and dad would tell me. And I really did understand this in principle. But for the life of me, I just couldn’t seem to do this. Every single time, I walked into Jeff’s trap and he would get the reaction he wanted.

Satan knows how to get to me too. He hounds me, harasses me, teases me, and shames me. He tries to set me off balance by stirring up fears and insecurities. Unlike my brother, whose job description as an older brother is to be a pest and not really hurt me, Satan is out to destroy me. Since I’ve placed my trust in Jesus Christ, he can’t do that and he knows he can’t. But he certainly can make my life miserable if I’ll let him. He’ll strive to destroy my testimony and rip to shred any sense of peace, joy, and well being. As a result, now I can’t think about others. I can’t think about what God has called me to do. I’m too upset for that. Now I can think only about me.

Is the answer to ignore Satan and hope that he’ll get bored with me and move on to something else? Absolutely not! None of us can afford to ignore Satan. But we can’t fight him either. Not in our own strength. He's too strong for us. But through Christ, we can and must be vigilant to stand against him through the power of prayer and the Word of God. (Ephesians 6:10-17).

Today I have new resolve. The devil is not going to beat me. I will not ignore him but I will not focus on him, either. I will keep my eyes firmly focused on Jesus Christ. For God is my refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. In Him is always the assurance of victory and I plan on being victorious today. How about you?

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. (1 Peter 5:6-9 NIV)

Keeping a Quiet Heart

Hope y’all have a great 4th. I did.

My heart is not proud, O LORD,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
But I have stilled and quieted my soul;
like a weaned child with its mother,
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
O Israel [oh Gayle], put your hope in the LORD
both now and forevermore.
(Psalm 131 NIV)

As I read this, I wonder. How do I still and quiet my soul? How can I know my heart is quiet? King David wrote this psalm. It’s not like the guy didn’t have anything going on in his life. He was responsible for the welfare of a nation. He did so concern himself with great matters…daily. Didn’t he?

What I believe David was saying is that he didn’t concern himself with matters that were out of his control. He couldn’t be spending his energy trying to figure out things that were just too big for him. Just as an infant trusts its mother to take care of him, God wanted him—and He wants me—to completely rely on Him daily to take care of me and meet all my needs—spiritual, physical, emotional.

Long ago I established a habit in my life to spend the first moments of my day in prayer and Bible reading. It’s not a “rule.” It’s spiritual breakfast. I’m not going to die of starvation if I skip breakfast. Nor will my relationship with God automatically turn sour and I’m guaranteed to have a rotten day if I don’t do this. Rather, just as a nutritious breakfast gives me fuel to begin my day, so does reading my Bible and prayer with my heavenly Father give me the spiritual nourishment, a right perspective, about the day ahead.

Sometimes my heart starts out quiet. Maybe because I had an extra good night sleep or had a wonderful time of fellowship with a friend the night before. Maybe things are good and my heart is light. Conversely, life might be extra hard and I’m so desperate for God’s help that I just wake up already poised for a rich time with Him. Almost like He must have been talking to me all night in my sleep so when my “quiet time” begins, I’m just continuing the conversation I’ve already been having with Him all night.

On those mornings, seems from the moment I awaken and sip my first cup of coffee, I’m ushered into the throne room of God’s grace. I’m focused on the Lord and everything I read makes sense. My heart is so quiet I can hear the refrigerator buzz.

It’s not always like this, though. Sometimes as soon as I sit down, I jump back up again it seems. I decide to check my e-mail. Then I suddenly have a hankerin’ to browse through yesterday’s junk mail I forgot to open. Should I keep the pizza coupons? Do I recognize the child on the Advco ad? Do I need to pay that bill today? Before I know it, I’ve opened my Quicken program and am reviewing my checking account.

I did not set my alarm for 5:00 a.m. to sort through coupons!

So, I sit back down on my couch—after I’ve poured that second cup of coffee. After all, I rose early to give my Lord my freshest hour of the day. Though I may be distracted and He may seem far away, I know the truth. God is with me and He delights being with me. I’ll never get that, but I know it’s true.

Even if I’m reading a portion of Scripture that doesn’t minister to me emotionally, I know it’s ministering to my soul. About 20 years ago, I was reading my Bible in a coffee shop when I ran into my pastor and dear friend in Seattle, Wayne Taylor. I told him I’d just read an Old Testament passage that I didn’t understand. Said it did nothing for me emotionally and yet I felt better for having read it anyway! Wayne told me that’s because God’s Word always ministers to our spirit even if it doesn’t minister to us emotionally. I've always remembered that! This doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t study to gain understanding in those difficult passages. It just means that even when I don’t get what I’m reading, God’s Word is still working. It’s never a waste of time to read the Bible.

Interesting. David said he quieted his own soul. Yet it happens as he focused on God. Any choice I make to draw closer to Christ is aroused by His wooing me with His love. In the deepest part of me, I know that no matter what I’m feeling, especially in turbulent times, the way to get and keep a quiet and peaceful heart is to spend time with the One who knows and loves me so much!

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-6)

Happy Birthday America

Blessings on this wonderful day of celebration. Soon I’ll be off to enjoy a barbecue with dear friends about 1-1/2 hours away. There had been talk of rain earlier last week but the sun is shining now. It’s going to be a beautiful day.

Yesterday at church as part of our worship we sang patriotic hymns. America, God Bless America, America the Beautiful. While I’ve sung these songs since my youth, for years I hadn’t paid close attention to the words. Usually we'd only sing the first verse or two. I didn't realize the deep spiritual and Scriptural basic of these songs. Yesterday I sang them with more passion that I’d ever sung before. These songs are prayers. They speak of gratitude and honoring God for our nation. Our heritage. We can help standing a little straighter when we sing the words. At least I couldn't. I felt humbled. Proud. The very words themselves remind me that this country was built on a foundation that acknowledged the Lord God as our creator.

When I was a kid, I understood our freedom to a certain degree, at least intellectually. But I didn’t really get it. I didn’t see how people lived throughout the world. All I ever heard was “Finish your dinner. Think of the starving people in Africa.” I had no idea that our blessings extended far beyond the rich physical resources we enjoy. There may be those reading my blog who were not born in this country. I was. I didn’t deserve to be but here I am. How I thank God for that.

For me, the 4th of July for too many years was more about food and fireworks—a day off from work—than thanking God for the freedoms I enjoy. Maybe it’s because I’m older now, maybe because we’re at war. Part of it to be sure is because I see our country’s freedoms slipping away. What’s with all the fighting about the Ten Commandments being posted in public places? How is it that we’ve strayed so far from Truth, that we think we’re gaining freedom all the while, we’re losing it? We’ve gotten this whole "Separation of Church and State” issue so turned around we seem to think that our highest goal is to have not a freedom of religion but freedom from religion. Our forefathers could not have dreamed that we would twist our Constitution in such a way.

The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." (Psalm 53:1)

God has been reminding me lately that freedom is so precious it cannot be fought for just once. We need to keep fighting for it. It doesn’t just happen. Righteousness never just happens—not for a nation nor for an individual. If we want to act rightly, we need to purpose in our hearts to do so. And this can never happen on our own. It happens only as we receive the righteousness of Jesus Christ. We just don’t have it in ourselves.

Yet the wonderful thing about God is that with each day is a fresh start. And actually, fresh starts happen by the second if we choose to look to God. He wants to continue to bless the United States of America but He expects something from us, too. He expects us to acknowledge Him as the Creator of this incredible country. He requires a heart of gratitude. Does He not deserve this? Absolutely He does!

And isn’t our birthday the perfect day to start? I think so. Reflection should accompany our celebration. As I enjoy the fun and fellowship of this day, I want to remember our soldiers serving throughout the world and especially Iraq. I want to remember the families who are experiencing their first 4th of July without their loved ones because he/she died this year in battle. In short, I want to be mindful of why we are celebrating. Cultivate in me a grateful heart, Father, I pray.

Can somberness and joyfulness and a light-hearted attitude co-exist? Of course, it can!

Have a terrific day. And don’t forget the sunscreen!

"Thus may the 4th of July, that glorious and ever memorable day, be celebrated through America, by the sons of freedom, from age to age till time shall be no more. Amen and Amen." (the Virginia Gazette on July 18th, 1777)

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Proverbs 10:10)

Testimony

Happy Friday and a wonderful Fourth of July holiday to you!

Since I seem to be on a theme this week regarding athletics and exercise, I thought I’d share one more recent observation.

Each morning while sipping my coffee and reading my Bible, I love to glance out my window. By nature, I’m such a people watcher. When most of my neighbors glance out their windows, all they see is the adjacent apartment building. But not I. God in His tremendous graciousness chose my particular apartment because He knew how much it would bless me. I glance out at a sub division with a beautiful neighborhood park. Walking paths weave through the streets.

So as I read each morning, I peer out my window. A bit like Jimmy Stewart in Rear Window except I don’t need any binoculars. Even as early as 5:00, I see some people walking alone or with friends, others jogging. Still others cycling. I don’t know any of these people, know nothing about them. Except for one thing: they obviously make exercise a priority.

Their discipline encourages me. I know later in the day, I, too, will walk or go for a bike ride, but there’s something to be said about doing it first thing, if time allows. And for me, it would allow, if I were just a bit more organized. Like maybe writing this blog a day early instead of an hour before my goal of posting by 9 am each morning.

But here’s my point. These folks walking and jogging and cycling don’t have a clue I’m watching them. They’re not exercising for my benefit but for theirs. Obviously. They have no idea that I am encouraged and emboldened by their daily routine.

For those Christians who take their relationship with Christ seriously, they—I—want to be a good testimony to who Christ is. Though I flounder and fall short terribly sometimes in my example, my hope is that overall, when folks look at my life, they see Christ. I want to be a witness to who He is.

But the thing is, I think sometimes we can make this more complicated than it is. Yes, we want to take the opportunity to share Christ with those who don’t know Him as the opportunity arises. But most often, at least for me, this isn’t exactly the focus of my days. My focus is simply to keep my eyes on Christ—to follow Him the best I can.

I have a feeling when I simply do this, Christ is glorified. Doesn’t mean I’ll know it, any more than the early exercisers are aware that I am watching, but nevertheless, I am and am blessed by their diligence.

Just seems God’s fingerprints on Planet Earth are everywhere. When I want to find Him, I just don’t have to look far. There are times, where He appears quiet and distant in our own life for sure. But if we really want to see evidence of Him somewhere, we don’t have to look far. That comforts me.

Have a great weekend, everybody!

Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.

(Psalm 145:3 NIV)