Called to Freedom

This is one of my favorite pictures from Israel. It was taken on a fishing boat in the middle of the Sea of Galilee. It was quite a sight to watch this Israeli gentleman fly the American flag for us. I can't even express how it felt to be in the middle of an area of Israel where Jesus had so frequently taught how the truth of knowing Him would set us free and at the same time to see the American symbol of freedom flying over our heads. It's an interesting contrast in visuals.

I am thankful to live in America where I am privileged to have so many freedoms as a citizen of this country. But yet, at the same time this is not my true home...at least not my eternal home.

But for today, I'm grateful for the freedoms granted to me in this great country and I'm grateful for the freedom Christ granted me when I decided to follow Him.

The Spirit of the LORD God is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to prisoners....Isaiah 61:1

So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17

Abundance in a dry place

God has a way of teaching me lessons with the simplest things.

I was thinking about a few things growing in my yard. The first picture is of a pot of Moss Roses that came up "volunteer." This pot was completely void of life as far as I could tell. I had a mixture of plants in there last summer, but had not planted anything this summer since plants were more of a luxury than a necessity. I love my planters in the front yard and love being able to have colorful flowers in them, but I just couldn't justify the expense of flowers this summer. So I let it go. I was surprised when I saw a tiny little green stem start poking through earlier in the spring. I figured it was a weed and came close to just pulling it out. Then I realized it was a moss rose - which I love. But strangely, I NEVER planted any moss roses in this container. As you can see, there are profuse blooms in 2 colors now and those little flowers make me smile whenever I go out to my mailbox and pass by the pot.

The bottom picture is from my "herb" garden. I haven't done much with it this year either. You can see some chives on the right - which are perennials and live most of the year in that bed since it's a protected alcove. But what has amazed me is the HUGE amount of basil that has come up - you guessed it - volunteer. Basil is definitely not a perennial. I've never had basil come up without planting it in the spring. I have no idea why it came up so abundantly this year. There are little sprigs of basil ALL OVER this herb bed. Go figure! I love basil and use it frequently for cooking. It's probably my favorite herb.

So here's what I was thinking...these two little surprises were like gifts from God to remind me that He can provide in unexpected ways. Not only that, He provides abundantly and in ways I would never dream. And He's always working on something even when I can't see it yet. I would never have guessed that I would have a pot of beautiful moss roses nor a full herb bed of basil back in January!

Sometimes when I can't see what's going on, it's hard to believe that God is doing anything. It's hard to believe that what looks like a dry, desolate place could ever produce life and beauty. But you see the problem is me - not God. It's kind of a spiritual blindness that I have. I get frustrated over what looks like dryness in my life and then He produces growth and something out of seemingly nothing. And what He produces is good and pleasant and fragrant. And yet because I can't see what's just below the surface of His plan, I get frustrated and want to give up. I have so little faith sometimes! But thankfully, I only need a little faith in a very BIG God!

When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and pwer that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:14-20

A fast walkin' stick

My grandfather, "Papa", always had some funny ways of saying things. Since I grew up living with my grandparents, I learned quite a few of his "Papa-isms."

As a young teen (prior to my driver's license), if I wanted to go somewhere and no one could (or would) take me he'd say, "Well, I guess you better have a fast walkin' stick!" Guess that doesn't need explanation...but it still was a funny way to say, "Keep on wishin' for a ride, cause you aren't getting one."

If I was ever bored and said so (which really was never a good idea as there was always work that could be found to do), he would say, "Why don't you sit on your fist and lean back on your thumb?" Hmmm....don't think I ever tried, but it did exasperate me to hear that one.

I have no idea if these were just things he said or things that were commonly said in the South. Papa always had a funny saying for most everything. He was quite a character.

I guess I was thinking about this because I was feeling a bit sorry for myself this afternoon. I try not to melt into a pity party puddle, but maybe the heat is just getting to me this week. I'm sure Papa would have had something clever to say about me feeling sorry for myself. Frankly I just don't have any GOOD reason to feel sorry for myself, but I do.

I feel a bit inconvenienced that I have to have my A/C set at 80* to save money. (Just so you know, it's more like 82* in the kitchen/den.) Most of the time it doesn't bother me...until I turn on the oven or the stove to cook. But yet when I was growing up with Memom and Papa, we didn't have A/C. Well, we did...but it consisted of 2 window units and they would only be turned on at night and only if it had been over 90* during the day. Did I mention we didn't have ceiling fans either?

We didn't have a dishwasher. We washed all dishes for 6 people - every meal - by hand and dried them by hand. My grandmother got a dishwasher at one point, but didn't like it and wouldn't use it.

We hung all of the laundry - for 6 people - on the clothesline. And yes, that even included hanging the laundry out in the winter. I can remember it being so cold sometimes that the towels would freeze on the line. Memom did have a dryer, she just didn't use it except on rare occasions. But yet, I'm feeling sorry for myself because my dryer STILL isn't working well and I've had to figure out how to dry the clothes without a clothesline since our HOA forbids them.

I know it could be worse. I am thankful that I do have central A/C and that I do keep it on all day. Eventually the dryer will get fixed or we'll get a new one when employment is part of the picture. I have a roof over my head, food in my stomach and more blessings than I could count.

But for today, I guess I just wish I had a fast walkin' stick somewhere else.

Belief in an age of skepticism

Last night I finished reading a very enjoyable book. Not enjoyable in the sense of "light reading." At least for me, it was fairly cerebral. It made me think outside of the Christian-ese box. The book is The Reason for God: Believe in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller. Keller is a pastor at a large Presbyterian church in Manhattan. Just knowing that explains why he deals with scads of skepticism.

Here's a short passage from the book that I liked very much:

You may say, "I see that Christianity might be just the thing for people who have had collapses in their lives. But what if I don't fail in my career and what if I had a great family?" As Augustine said, if there is a God who created you, then the deepest chambers of your soul simply cannot be filled up by anything less. That is how great the human soul is. If Jesus is the Creator-Lord, then by definition nothing could satisfy you like he can, even if you are successful. Even the most successful careers and families cannot give significance, security, and affirmation that the author of glory and love can.

Everybody has to live for something. Whatever that something is becomes "Lord of your life," whether you think of it that way or not. Jesus is the only Lord who, if you receive him, will fulfill you completely, and if you fail him, will forgive you eternally.

That's deep. But true. And it's been a passage I've been mulling over the past few days. If we are indeed created in the image of God, then the only thing that will fill that hole that we are all trying to stuff with, well, "stuff" - materialism, beauty, fame, you name it - will never satisfy us nor give us the significance we are looking for. The ONLY thing can give our lives meaning is Jesus Christ, the author and perfector of our faith. He is the one who has created our lives for a purpose - to reflect who He is on this earth. If we are not doing that, then we are looking to fill ourselves with a cheap imitation of who we should be.

Reflecting God on earth has nothing to do with fame. Nothing to do with glamour. Nothing to do with multi-billion selling records. Nothing to do with multi-billion selling posters of a red-bathing suit clad beauty. Nothing to do with me or my personal agenda, for that matter.

Reflecting God is taking a week out of your summer to serve others in love. To teach children about the God who made them and loves them and has a plan for their lives. To pray for a friend who is hurt so badly that they can't find the words to pray in their pain. To hug your child even when they are unloveable. To forgive those who said hurtful words that still sting your soul. To give up personal comfort and reach out to hold the hand of someone dying of HIV.

It's more of Him and less of me.

And just so you know, I don't always reflect the perfect love of Jesus. But like Keller said above, if you receive him, he will fulfill you completely. And if you fail him, he will forgive you eternally.

Not a bad gig, if you ask me.

Hot and dazed this and that...

It's hot. No, really. H-O-T. As in 100* all week with no end in the foreseeable future. And it's only June 24th, my friends. Every summer I ask myself why, oh WHY do I live in Texas??? And then I remember, oh yeah...I'm married to a Texan and have Texan children. I won't be leaving this place except in a body bag.

Sigh.

Ok, enough about the weather.

Craig is currently on a screening interview for a company that he would really like to work for. I usually don't get excited about screening interviews because they are still a long way to employment. But this company sounds exciting and right up Craig's alley. AND best of all, it would mean NO TRAVEL. I can't even imagine what that would be like. He has traveled extensively for 15 years (outside of lapses in employment). It sounds like heaven to actually have a husband who came home at night. 3/4ths of our marriage has been otherwise. Craig and I are just praying for a positive connection between him and the hiring manager he's speaking with today.

The summer is shaping up to be busy. Someone recently said, "Where are those lazy, hazy days of summer?" Yeah...thing of the past for sure. Grayson is busy assimilating into the church high school group. Man, he is in hog heaven! Reagan is enjoying reconnecting with the church hs group. He's also doing some work and making some money. Wow - another good thing for him. Grayson and Craig are leaving next Saturday to go to Louisville for the jazz clinic I took the boys to last year. Funny thing is that this year Grayson will be playing BASS and not SAX. I know he's excited.

And then on the entertainment front...Jon and Kate plus 8 (and minus 2 parents). I think a sure-fire way to destroy your marriage is put it out there for millions of people to see. I don't think it helps that they got married very young and started having MULTIPLES soon afterwards. I'm not even sure that Jon was really into the baby gig in the beginning. I think most couples - especially ones who marry that young - need a bit of time to get to know each other and adjust to that. I can't imagine going through the trauma of infertility, unexpected multiple babies and then cameras documenting my every move and then the public critiquing my marriage (or at least what the public sees on edited TV film). I watched a bit of the most recent show and was very sad that all I heard Kate say was "MY KIDS." You know, dear, they weren't conceived without Jon. I think the proper term is OUR KIDS. Not to Kate - maybe you should take a break from stardom and really focus on what you say is important - "your kids" and - duh - your husband and see if you can make it work. Sheesh.

I think I mentioned that we had to find our little Westie, Maggie, a new home. The violence between her and Avalon (our old lady lab) had really gotten out of control. The last scuffle ended with a $500 vet bill for Avalon to have her ear repaired. Maggie had grabbed it and torn it. Poor Avie. I don't think I've cried so hard as I did the day Maggie left with the Westie Rescue guy. But the good news is that Maggie quickly found a new home with a 3 year old Westie brother named Bobby. She looks happy and seems to be in the perfect situation with an older couple that can lavish more attention on her. Our house is far quieter and calmer and as sad as we all were about it, we know it was the BEST decision for all involved.

I'm meeting one of my favorite teens for lunch today. She's a beautiful young woman whom I've know since she was in 6th grade. She's on the verge of high school graduation and it's been a privilege to have kept up with her over the years. I'm flattered and delighted that she wants to hang out with me at lunch and catch-up. She's an amazing and bright young woman who has big career plans and will be successful no matter what she ultimately ends up doing.

And so...I guess I need to get on with my day. I think a bike ride is in order! Off to sweat a bit...

The road through the sea

When I think about the Israelites traveling through the Red Sea, it's hard to escape the image of Charlton Heston, windblown hair flying, hands raised high to the heavens and the Red Sea swirling back on it's sides. But don't you ever wonder what it REALLY looked like? I've never seen the Red Sea in person, but I've seen other bodies of water. I can't imagine any body of water pushed back with a clear path in the center. And then to think of the faith it took for those tired Israelites to take a step with their babies and children onto a dry path that could seemingly disappear at any second.

I wonder if I would have been so trusting? Or would I have thought of all the reasons that the whole scenario wasn't scientifically possible based on my probability calculations? Or would I have just stood there frozen in amazement at something I couldn't understand nor replicate myself?

Of course an angry army of Egyptians coming towards me might have driven me forward with or without faith in the miraculous deeds of God. When it comes down to it, I'm pretty averse to pain, so I more than likely would have been RUNNING FULL SPEED through the road in the sea.

Some days, though, I'd just love to have a glimpse of that road through the sea of my circumstances. I don't doubt that the circumstances I'm less than happy about right now will one day end, but I just don't know WHEN and I just don't know what that looks like. All I can see right now seems to be water, water everywhere and I get stuck in my own sea of doubts.

Last night I was reading my Psalms devotional that I love so much. Here's what I read regarding the path through the sea that God provided for the Israelites: "Today's verses tell us that God is in the business of doing great things for his people. His great deeds are not just a fireworks display, but an expression of love. And don't miss the picture in verse 19 (of Psalm 77). God was leading his people, but the road led through the sea. And just as God carved a path through the sea for the Israelites, he can lead us safely though our problems, along a pathway we don't even know is there! So if you think God has abandoned you, keep looking down. God may be constructing a pathway that you can't even see yet."

Gee, I never thought of it that way. But is it wrong that I just wish He's give me a little peek at the path and how long it will be?? Of course, I realize that God didn't give them a peek at what He planned to do until He actually parted the sea. I'm sure they were totally confused when they came to the sea with no other visible possibility of escape. And it's also interesting that as you read through the Bible, this "expression of love" is mentioned over and over again. Maybe it's because if we don't force ourselves to remember those times that God got us through that seemingly impossible situation, we'd give up hope altogether. And HOPE is the anchor for the soul in the sea of doubt.

When the Red Sea saw you, O God, its waters looked and trembled! The sea quaked to its very depths. The clouds poured down their rain; the thunder rolled and crackled in the sky. Your arrows of lightning flashed. Your thunder roared from the whirlwind; the lightning lit up the world! The earth trembled and shook. Your road led through the sea, your pathway through the mighty waters - a pathway no one knew was there! You led your people along that road like a flock of sheep, with Moses and Aaron as their shepherds. Psalm 77:16-20

The little oak that could

August 2007 - the year we planted the tree in front

June 2009 - just 2 years later

This is the first year it's produced ACORNS!

It may seem silly to write a blog about a little oak tree. But this is no ordinary oak tree. This is a special oak tree...grown from a little acorn planted by my father-in-law. We had this little tree growing in a pot on our back deck for about 8 years or so. It lost its leaves many times over the course of several summers. More than a few times we thought the poor thing was dead. Then it would miraculously put out a new set of leaves later in the summer. It even survived the squirrels who constantly hid pecans in the pot and then would dig holes to find their hidden treasures. I was sure they would one day dig up the tree. We replanted it several times into larger containers because of how pot-bound it continued to become.

But oak trees aren't meant to live in a planter on the deck. They are meant to live in the yard so that they can spread their roots deep into the soil. And we found out first hand, that they really don't grow very much when they are stuck in a confining planter. Their leaves get too big in proportion to the "trunk" and they certainly don't produce acorns.

Two years ago we decided to plant it in the front yard when we did some major landscaping. It was a big deal to plant this little tree in the ground. You see, Craig's dad had passed away just the summer before and this little tree is a special reminder of him and his love for the outdoors and his amazing green thumb. Dad gave us this tree when it was a tiny sprout. We haven't had very good luck with trees in our front yard as we tend to have too much drainage from neighboring yards and it becomes very wet during bad weather.

But we held our breath...and I prayed a WHOLE LOT...and we waited and we watched...and the first summer, it held up pretty well with a minimal loss of leaves. Last summer it did even better. But this summer...it's beautiful and full and lush and full of acorns. And it survived the huge storms we had last week with 40-60mph gusts of wind.

I love this little tree. It truly is the little oak tree that could. I'm sure there's a great spiritual truth in this, but I'll let you draw your own meaning.

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD and whose trust is the LORD. For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8