Fantastic Sam's

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

Genesis 3:8 (NIV)

 

Giggles came from the bedroom.  Plastic people traveled in their molded cars without a care in their primary-colored world.  Soon, innocent giggles shifted to suspicious chuckles.  As I entered the doorway, two very pleased little ones popped up with arms outstretched. “TA-DAH!” they exclaimed as if they had just performed a great magic act.  In a sense they had.  Her once-shoulder-length-curly-hair was now randomly deleted from its original state.      

 

Shock, disappointment and confusion filled this mother.  The scene of the crime was remarkably neat and tidy.  A fluffy pile of beautiful brown hair and scissors were hidden under the bed.  For the first time I recognized sin in my four-year-old’s life.  

 

Hiding is not a new concept.  Adam and Eve were given everything Paradise had to offer, except one tree – the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.  Enter slithering Satan.  With very little dialogue recorded, we know Eve willingly denounced what she knew was the right thing for what seemed right for her at the time.  Then, she shared her sinful snack with Adam.  Soon after, God came through the Garden to find them hiding, ashamed of their sin.   

 

God wants to shed light on any hidden areas of sin in our lives.  Bask in His light and know while we can’t hide our sin, He can.

 

 

Lord, thank you for Your forgiveness.  Thank you for Your Holy Spirit’s conviction in order to bring me closer to You. Reveal anything in my life that is not pleasing to You. Cleanse me of my sins. I want to know you more. Please be with those who are hiding behind shame and guilt today. Draw them into your light and forgiveness.

 

Lazy Dogs

 

 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who, through faith and patience, inherit what has been promised.

Hebrews 6:12 NIV

 

I should have known something was “up” when my six-year-old son met me at my car with a transparent “stall job” only a small child can pull off.  As I entered the house with neck craned to prepare myself for a broken lamp, spilled ketchup bottle or new unscheduled haircut on a sibling…I saw them.  Two little marble eyes peered out from under the blanket.  A new pup had made its way into our house via my husband.  The kids were in love.  I was in like.  I’ve had puppies.  The cute wears off about the time the smell wafts from under a bed.  House-training takes patience. 

Like many things, I wouldn’t mind the process…if it didn’t take so dog-gone long.

 

I'll be honest, I like old, calm, lazy dogs. Our  overweight, aged beagle suits me fine. She requires very little and poops outside! God has shown me through this peppy pup to "perk up". Life is for the living and it requires getting up!

 

There is a time to rest and a time to get to work. Even Jesus took a nap on the boat until the storm arose. When He got up, however, He got to work calming the sea!

 

Are you resting in God or just sleeping on the sofa?  Is God directing you in a situation but you just don’t want to give up your ‘nothing’ time?  “In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path” Proverbs 3:6.  Pray for His Will.  His path leads to promise. 

 

God, please direct me to not just good things, but “God” things.  Busyness is not my goal.  I want to be on task for You.  Give me energy and desire to serve you.  Direct my path as I walk with You. Lord, thank you for our soldiers who are fighting for our country. Be with their families while they are serving.  Bring them home safely.

Am I Skinny Yet???

 He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. 

Isaiah 50:5 (NIV)

Standing in the grocery store check-out line, I can’t help but “check out” the thin celebrities gracing the covers of countless magazines.  Taking in their seemingly flawless frames nearly always yields the same response:  a quick peek at my own work-in-progress-frame…followed by a sigh.  

 

Does anyone out there LOVE to exercise?  I’ll admit the results of exercise are wonderful:  toned body parts, energy, stamina, natural serotonin…but none of the “payoff” or results come without time and energy invested.  You have to make the effort to get up and move!  I don’t know how many times I have begun a workout routine and, after only a day or two, gone to the mirror expecting to see dramatic change.  It’s not there.  Then the excuses follow:  my metabolism must be slow, maybe my thyroid isn’t working.  Results require time and commitment.

 

Our spiritual work-out is very similar.  Reading the Bible, memorizing scripture, witnessing to others and even praying begins as a daily choice.  You have to “get up” from what you were doing and choose to move in a new spiritual direction.   I would love to have the biblical knowledge and insight of Beth Moore or Billy Graham.  Am I willing to do what it takes to grow strong in the Lord?  Can I expect to flex my spiritual muscles with great effect after a short time in the Word?  

 

Begin today by memorizing a scripture or reading His Word.  Daily disciplines of sitting at the Master’s feet will strengthen your spirits.

 

Lord, I know I am not always disciplined in my commitment to You. Today I commit to be more:  more committed, more faithful and more disciplined. You say in your Word we are more than conquerors. Help me to be more. God, be with the leaders of the Faith as they stand for You.  Watch over our pastors and churches.  Protect them from the enemy’s snares. Help them to not grow weary in the work You have called them to.

 

Oaks of Righteousness

 

(I will) bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

Isaiah 61:3 (NIV)

 

Since the 1500’s, a quiet giant has stood tall in the Wye Oak State Park in Maryland.   Among the impressive characteristics of the Wye were its massive “knees” or buttresses, which helped support the huge tree.  At the end in 2002, the tree measured 31 feet 8 inches in circumference, was 96 feet tall and had an average crown spread of 119 feet.

 

Why does God call us “oaks”?   Oaks are known for their strength and endurance.  Hundreds of years ago, ships were made of oak wood.  Now, furniture and flooring bears the same unique grain.  Oaks have great reaching branches that offer much shade.  Its roots take in water to nourish the tree.  So what does all this mean for us?

 

Given this example, as a Christian woman, I am not interested in being known for my age, weight or circumference!  However, strength, usefulness and kneeling knees are worthy character traits to possess.  If rooted in the Living Water, we can find strength to offer shade to others.  Staying on our knees in prayer strengthens our families and us. 

 

When storms of life come, we can be secure knowing we are rooted in the firm foundation of Creator God.  In His presences we know our calling and our strength is in Him.  We must not be quiet.  We must be oaks of righteousness on display for His splendor.

 

Lord, thank You for the honor of showing Your glory.  Help me to display Your splendor by offering help and prayer to my family and others. Lord, give discernment to our political leaders today. Turn their hearts toward You so they might be known as Oaks of Righteousness and restore strength and dignity to our country.