Category: Philippians

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Not A Good Waiter

Have you ever been to a restaurant and had a bad waiter? It’s one thing if the place is busy and the staff is overworked, that’s understandable but it’s entirely different when the staff is lazy and nonattentive.

Most of us don’t wait well.

How do you spend your time when you have to wait? An expectant mother will plan and act. There’s a crib that needs to be purchased, the nursery needs paint. Booties and blankets need to be knitted or crocheted…there are so many things to do. School kids wait for summer vacation and they daydream of all the fun things they will experience – ball games, staying up late, fishing trips, swim parties, campouts in the backyard.

Wait!

Today is Friday. Friday used to be the most anticipated day of the work week. It meant the weekend was here. Some would go to work on Monday morning and announce “I can’t wait until Friday, I’ve got so much planned for the weekend”. But here we are and we wait.

“Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. 14 Wait patiently for the Lord.  Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” Psalm 27:13-14 NLT

The Bible has good examples of people who waited for the Lord and they were not disappointed. Abraham waited twenty-five years for the son God promised him to be born. Joseph waited thirteen years before the Lord placed him in leadership over his brothers and the Egyptians. Noah waited on the ark for the waters to subside. David waited, with Saul chasing him through the desert, to be crowned king. All of those in the nation of Israel waited for the Messiah to be born.

We can take two attitudes when it comes to waiting. Waiting can be tiring. Waiting can be discouraging. Or waiting can be filled with excitement and celebration. I get excited waiting for friends and family to come for a visit. A bride is filled with joy as she waits for her wedding day.

“The Lord gives strength to those who are weary. 30 Even young people get tired, then stumble and fall. 31 But those who trust (wait on) the Lord will find new strength. They will be strong like eagles soaring upward on wings; they will walk and run without getting tired.” Isaiah 40:29-31 CEV

The Lord will give us strength and purpose while we wait. Waiting is not a time for inactivity. Just remember that “bad waiter” in the restaurant – don’t be like her. She wasn’t attentive, she didn’t take care of the needs at hand. She didn’t fill our water glasses or coffee cups, take our order or refilled our appetizers. We were ignored – not good.

Our goal is to be actively waiting! What can we do while waiting?

If waiting is worrisome then apply these verses to your life.

“Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. 7 Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.” Philippians 4:6-7 CEV

Be a good waiter!

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Hills Make A Difference

The weather has been perfect lately so Dave and I have been out walking. Monday we took a 3.1 mile walk out on BLM land. The dirt road had a few potholes in it from the rain but it was flat. Yesterday our walk was a bit more strenuous and a little bit shorter. It was 2.7 miles but went down into the canyon and back up three different times. It took a little longer than Monday’s walk and we were certainly more tired and sweaty when we got home. (Today’s image is our last descent into the canyon and the road out in is the background.)

The hills make a difference.

They make a difference in life as well. Just ask the cancer survivor or the one whose spouse has died. Talk to the parent who has lost their job or the business owner who has had to file bankruptcy. Their daily lives before these hills/mountains sprang up may have been tiring but it doesn’t compare to the struggle up this mountainside.

I think this was King David’s point of view when he wrote: “I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains? No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains. 3-4 He won’t let you stumble, your Guardian God won’t fall asleep. Not on your life! Israel’s Guardian will never doze or sleep. 5-6 God’s your Guardian, right at your side to protect you— Shielding you from sunstroke, sheltering you from moonstroke. 7-8 God guards you from every evil, he guards your very life. He guards you when you leave and when you return, he guards you now, he guards you always.” Psalm 121 MSG

The mountains don’t provide our strength, they drain it. It is God, who walks beside us, that provides us with strength. Life isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. It can be both exhilarating and exhausting but we keep going. We’re not in it alone. He guards us now, He guards us always.

The Apostle Paul said: “I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.” Philippians 3:12-14 MSG

These are good words – don’t turn back.

The last hill out of our canyon is always the toughest. It’s a long steady incline. I’ve walked it many times in the last six years. The only way home is up. One step at a time; muscles aching and breathing hard we make it to the top. Next time it won’t be as bad, we’ll be in better shape, we’ll be more prepared.

Little victories prepare us for bigger challenges. As we acknowledge God’s faithfulness in the smaller areas of our life we grow in faith and are able to face the larger circumstances with confidence.

The Bible is filled with examples of people who faced physical and spiritual trials. I think of a widow woman who was living through a three year famine. She only had a little oil and flour left, everything was gone including her hope. She decided to make one last cake for herself and her son to eat. Then she was prepared to die. BUT GOD…sent a prophet with a miracle. Here’s her mountain, the prophet asked her to give him the cake she made.

Her dilemma, her hill – give the cake to the prophet or her son. She gave it to the prophet and that’s when the miracle came – her oil jar never ran dry and her flour canister never went empty. These are the testimonies we can hold on to in difficult times.

“We have all these great people around us as examples. Their lives tell us what faith means. So we, too, should run the race that is before us and never quit. We should remove from our lives anything that would slow us down and the sin that so often makes us fall. 2 We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and he is the one who makes our faith complete. He suffered death on a cross. But he accepted the shame of the cross as if it were nothing because of the joy he could see waiting for him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne. 3 Think about Jesus. He patiently endured the angry insults that sinful people were shouting at him. Think about him so that you won’t get discouraged and stop trying.” Hebrews 12:1-3 ERV

This is a mandate for us. Don’t quit, keep our eyes on Jesus. When the mountains and the hills are before us, God is beside us!

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We Need Bigger Buts

We spent most of yesterday in the dermatologist’s office. I knew we would be a while so I took my Bible, a book and my ear buds. There were some video messages I want to catch up on. Two of my favorite Bible teachers, Andrew Wommack and Max Lucado, had sent out short teachings and I really wanted to hear what they had to say.

The one that Max Lucado sent reminded me of a message I have taught many times through the years and so this morning I am sharing it with you.

We need bigger buts!

Yes, you read that right. The word “But” is used to connect ideas that contrast. The world presents us with facts but God’s word gives us truth. Truth can and will alter the way we perceive the facts. That’s why we swear an oath in court to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Let’s look at what the Apostle Paul says about adverse circumstances:

“God once said, “Let light shine out of the darkness!” And this is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts to let us know that his own divine greatness is seen in the face of Christ.

7 We have this treasure from God, but we are only like clay jars that hold the treasure. This is to show that the amazing power we have is from God, not from us. 8 We have troubles all around us, but we are not defeated. We often don’t know what to do, but we don’t give up. 9 We are persecuted, but God does not leave us. We are hurt sometimes, but we are not destroyed.” II Corinthians 4:6-9 ERV (emphasis mine)

Paul had some pretty big buts in those four verses. The circumstances he faced were life threatening – stoning, ship wreck, beatings, imprisonment, snake bites. BUT he knew God would never abandon him.

*Our world is in the midst of a viral crisis BUT God…heals all my diseases (Ps. 103:3 NLT)

*Finances may be effected BUT My God will use his glorious riches to give you everything you need. He will do this through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19 ERV)

*Physical strength has come to an end and we don’t think we can go on BUT Christ gives me the strength to face anything. (Philippians 4:13 CEV)

*We’re scared and don’t know what to do BUT God, you give true peace to people who depend on you, to those who trust in you. 4 So trust the Lord always, because in the Lord Yah you have a place of safety forever. (Isaiah 26:3-4 ERV)

There is absolutely nothing that we will face in this life that God hasn’t given us an answer for. This is one time when it’s appropriate to say “does this crisis make my but look big?”.

The bigger, the better!

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Building Relationships

It takes time to build a relationship. Getting to know someone is an act of love; it is a commitment to hear their heart and give them a safe space to be who they are without criticism.

Do you have relationships like that? I hope so.

Think about the relationships you have built over the years. The ones that have stood the test of time and those that have failed. What is the difference between the two? I generally say it is the length of time and our ability to listen more than we talk.

I try to remember little things about my friends. Since one of my ways to build relationships is over food I try to remember the little things. The way they like their coffee (or if they like coffee at all), some friends don’t like green vegetables and others don’t like raw onions. Some are vegetarian and others only like meat and potatoes. That’s all surface stuff but when we listen to those things we prove that we are interested in them and they will open up and we can learn more.

We can learn things in casual conversation but it is in the deeper quality time that they can share their heart. Do they face struggles with self-esteem and worthiness? Are their issues from their past that still hurt today? Why do they pull back in certain situations and seem to withdraw for weeks at a time? Greatest joys and worst fears, when we are trusted with these we know we have reached their heart and we need to protect that confidence that has been placed in us.

At the same time, a good relationship is never one-sided. We have to be able to open up and share our hearts too. When we lived in Montana I had a friend and we did what we called a “walk and talk”. We were neighbors on a country road and we would walk a couple days a week and talk. In Iowa, I had a friend that shared morning prayer time with me; I loved that time. I have another friend that shares “morning coffee” with me even though we live 1400 miles apart; we email each morning and have for over nine years.

That’s why I enjoy my morning quiet times so much. It’s my time to “sit and talk” with my very best, life-long Friend. He and I talk, sometimes for hours, each day. I ask Him questions and He answers from His word. I learn about Him; his joys and his sorrows. He tells me honestly when I need to change or correct things that I’m doing. He’s always there no matter what. I love our times together – any time I want to talk He’s there.

“Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and count it all as garbage. All I want is Christ 9 and to know that I belong to him. I could not make myself acceptable to God by obeying the Law of Moses. God accepted me simply because of my faith in Christ. 10 All I want is to know Christ and the power that raised him to life.” Philippians 3:8-10a CEV

I encourage you to develop a “walk and talk” of your own. Deepen your friendship with the Lord and as a result, your other relationships will be strengthen as well.

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End of the Weak

Many of you are at the end of another work week and all of us are almost at the end of the month of January. Oh my, that went by so quickly!

How many times has worry captured our attention and weakened our resolve in the past few weeks? How many times have we ended the day exhausted and stressed out because of the circumstances we have faced?

“Jesus said to his disciples: I tell you not to worry about your life!” Luke 12:22

It just doesn’t get much plainer than that. This isn’t a suggestion or a nice idea and it’s not an impossible concept. It is a direct admonition from Jesus and because of that He must have the solution to our propensity for worry.

Plain – simple – truth! I love that the Lord knew we would have multiple opportunities to worry each day yet His instruction is that we do the exact opposite. How can this be?

He knows something we all should be learning daily. He knows how much the Father loves and cares for us.

“Don’t worry about having something to eat or wear. 23 Life is more than food or clothing. 24 Look at the crows! They don’t plant or harvest, and they don’t have storehouses or barns. But God takes care of them. You are much more important than any birds. 25 Can worry make you live longer? 26 If you don’t have power over small things, why worry about everything else?

27 Look how the wild flowers grow! They don’t work hard to make their clothes. But I tell you that Solomon with all his wealth wasn’t as well clothed as one of these flowers. 28 God gives such beauty to everything that grows in the fields, even though it is here today and thrown into a fire tomorrow. Won’t he do even more for you? You have such little faith! 29 Don’t keep worrying about having something to eat or drink.” Luke 12:22-29 CEV

This means that we don’t have to worry about the finances that we will need to buy the groceries, the clothing or to provide a place to live. We can trust our Father. I remember when our kids were younger. They weren’t concerned about having enough to eat; they just expected to open the fridge and find something to eat. They trusted that we would provide for them; in fact, they would add items to the grocery list.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NLT

We can’t trust and worry at the same time. They are contrary to one another. I encourage you, don’t let another week end where you are stressed or worried. Worry weakens the body and the emotions. Each day hand your cares to the Father and trust Him to handle them. He can and He will!

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Heart & Purpose

Christmas night we sat around wondering what to do. We were ready to relax and not in the mood for playing games. My future grandson suggested we watch a movie; not your traditional Christmas time movie but a new movie that Disney had recently released, Togo. Willem Dafoe is cast in the starring role and his co-star is a beautiful and intelligent sled dog.

Disney tells the story of Togo, a sled dog, who was all heart. He ran with purpose. From the time he was a pup all he wanted to do was run. No matter how many obstacles were placed before him he found a way to run. (Now I won’t divulge the whole story but I will tell you, you won’t be disappointed if you take the time to watch it.)

This dog instinctively had one purpose – to run and he did it with all his heart.

Last night as I was sitting on the couch those two words, heart and purpose, settled in my thinking. I was reminded of three Scripture verses.

“I ask only one thing, Lord: Let me live in your house every day of my life to see how wonderful you are and to pray in your temple. 5 In times of trouble, you will protect me. You will hide me in your tent and keep me safe on top of a mighty rock.” Psalm 27:4-5 CEV

“The Lord answered, “Martha, Martha! You are worried and upset about so many things, 42 but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen what is best, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42 CEV

“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Philippians 3:12-14 NLT

King David, Mary, the sister of Lazarus, and the Apostle Paul all had their hearts set on “one thing”. They had purpose.

As we come to the start of a new year I am more determined than ever to live my life focused on God’s purpose. I want to life and love with my whole heart the way the Lord wants me to. I want my life to be free from criticism, bitterness, judgement of others – these will distract me from my purpose and cause me to get off course.

I choose to live guided by God’s word and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Then, and only then, will I follow the example of Christ and imitate the character of God, the Father. I say with the Apostle Paul I haven’t attained it yet but I forget my past failures and look ahead and press on.

Join me? Let’s live focused on one thing – a life with purpose and heart.

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Service With An Attitude

How many times in a week do we complain when we are asked to do something menial, trivial, beneath us? Clean a toilet, help a co-worker with a mess they’ve made, a job that’s “below” our station…

What if that had been Jesus attitude?

I still can’t get my mind around it fully – that Almighty God came in the form of a baby and subjected himself to a human life. Why? 

It was because of His great love.  Birthed from that love was His desire to see us returned to our right relationship with God, the Father, that same fellowship that Adam and Eve had in the garden before sin.

“The Word became a man and lived among us. We saw his divine greatness—the greatness that belongs to the only Son of the Father. The Word was full of grace and truth.”  John 1:14 ERV

Do we take the same attitude that Jesus took?

What if he had said to Father God, “I’ve thought about it and decided I’m not going to earth. Those people won’t appreciate what I’m doing, they will only expect more. They won’t realize who I really am; some of them will really hate me and spend all their time discrediting me and telling lies about me. No, I don’t need that kind of treatment – I deserve better than that.” But that’s not how He thought.

“In your life together, think the way Christ Jesus thought. He was like God in every way, but he did not think that his being equal with God was something to use for his own benefit. Instead, he gave up everything, even his place with God.  He accepted the role of a servant, appearing in human form. During his life as a man, he humbled himself by being fully obedient to God, even when that caused his death—death on a cross.” Philippians 2:5-8 CEV

So, when things get hard to handle and you feel under appreciated, remember Jesus, God’s own Son. He left the perfection of heaven to come to earth – “mighty God” and became a servant to all.

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Be A Comfort

Yesterday morning I went to the hospital early to see Mom. She had a good night and was feeling much better than she had the day before. Shortly after I arrived she received her breakfast. She said it tasted good but not as good as the chocolate pudding she had the night before.

In just a little bit, a sweet nurse’s aide came in and asked if Mom would like to have a sponge bath. She thought that sounded nice. The aide was so sweet as she went about her task – warm water, wash cloths, a clean hospital gown and then she changed the sheets on the bed. Mom felt like a new woman! To top it off, she leaned over and gave Mom a big hug before she left.

Comfort!

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” II Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT

Mom was dismissed from the hospital yesterday afternoon, my sister and brother-in-law are taking good care of Mom, we are so grateful for all they do!

The littlest kindnesses are sometimes the greatest sources of comfort. Where do you find comfort?

“When I felt my feet slipping, you came with your love and kept me steady. 19 And when I was burdened with worries, you comforted me and made me feel secure.” Psalm 94:18-19 CEV

“When I am hurting, I find comfort in your promise that leads to life. 51 Conceited people sneer at me, but I obey your Law. 52 I find true comfort, Lord, because your laws have stood the test of time.” Psalm 119:50-52 CEV

Our true comfort doesn’t come from the external things in our lives but from the eternal – from God’s Word and His love.

“Christ encourages you, and his love comforts you. God’s Spirit unites you, and you are concerned for others.” Philippians 2:1 CEV

My prayer is that we will all be used of God to make others “Comfort-abled” today!

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Grateful for Grateful People

Have you ever been in a gathering where everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves but no one was expressing gratitude to the event planner or party host? However, let one person speak up and say how nice it was to be invited or what a beautiful evening it has been and the others around begin to express their gratitude and thanks as well.

I am grateful for grateful people.

The reverse is also true. How many of us have been in a group of people when someone starts to complain? It could be about the price of gasoline and groceries, political viewpoints, health, the weather, disrespectful teenagers, crazy drivers – any one of a thousand things and suddenly the whole group is grumbling and complaining.

I am grateful for grateful people.

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing. 15 Then you will be the pure and innocent children of God. You live among people who are crooked and evil, but you must not do anything that they can say is wrong. Try to shine as lights among the people of this world,” Philippians 2:14-15 CEV

This is something Dave and I have had to work on – looking for the best in every person and not grumbling or complaining. At one point, we were dealing with a particularly disagreeable person nearly everyday in our business. We found ourselves complaining…a lot. Finally, we came to a place where we determined if the only good thing we could say about that person is they had clean fingernails then that’s what we would focus on. One day, after a long, trying conversation we looked at each other, laughed and said “yep, their fingernails are clean”.

Why is it so important to be grateful and not critical? Look at these two verses from God’s word.

“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7 NLT

“For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition (envying and strife, in another translation), there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.” James 3:16 NLT

We have a choice. We can be full of joy and give everything over to the Lord and experience peace or we can be selfish in our thinking, defending ourselves, criticizing others and experience disorder.

I choose to be grateful. Grateful for those who are grateful and prayer-full for those who aren’t. I have found that it’s always better to follow the example of Jesus and the instruction that I find in God’s word.

“My dear friends, you should be quick to listen and slow to speak or to get angry. 20 If you are angry, you cannot do any of the good things that God wants done. 21 You must stop doing anything immoral or evil. Instead be humble and accept the message that is planted in you to save you. 22 Obey God’s message! Don’t fool yourselves by just listening to it. 23 If you hear the message and don’t obey it, you are like people who stare at themselves in a mirror 24 and forget what they look like as soon as they leave. 25 But you must never stop looking at the perfect law that sets you free. God will bless you in everything you do, if you listen and obey, and don’t just hear and forget. 26 If you think you are being religious, but can’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and everything you do is useless.” James 1:19-26 CEV

A good portion of the book of James is devoted to controlling our tongue. We are instructed to not just hear God’s word but to DO IT. God wants us to speak blessings into the lives of those around us. He loves each of us the same. God’s love doesn’t increase or decrease because of who we are or what we do; God so loves the WORLD that He gave.

I’m sure I have irritated and frustrated many in my day and I feel badly for that. I know some see me and can only compliment me on my nice fingernails. It’s important for me to remember that God loves and forgives those I find obnoxious and misdirected with the same loving heart that He forgives me.

Be grateful. There are those who will be glad that we are!

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To Die For

When I went looking for an image to go with my blog title this morning I came across this one of carrot cake. My favorite but I’m not willing to die for it.

That’s just “to die for” has been a pretty popular phrase. A colloquialism. col·lo·qui·al·ism. NOUN

  1. a word or phrase that is not formal or literary, typically one used in ordinary or familiar conversation.

Let me ask you, what’s “to die for” in your life? Your family…your faith…your neighbor…your country…a piece of carrot cake?

Christ looked at us and said “You’re to die for”. And He did.

“Christ died for us at a time when we were helpless and sinful. 7 No one is really willing to die for an honest person, though someone might be willing to die for a truly good person. 8 But God showed how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we were sinful.

9 But there is more! Now that God has accepted us because Christ sacrificed his life’s blood, we will also be kept safe from God’s anger. 10 Even when we were God’s enemies, he made peace with us, because his Son died for us. Yet something even greater than friendship is ours. Now that we are at peace with God, we will be saved by his Son’s life.” Romans 5:6-10 CEV

Now let me ask another question. What do you find worth living for? What gives you purpose each morning? What keeps you going when you want to quit?

” I honestly expect and hope that I will never do anything to be ashamed of. Whether I live or die, I always want to be as brave as I am now and bring honor to Christ. 21 If I live, it will be for Christ, and if I die, I will gain even more. 22 I don’t know what to choose. I could keep on living and doing something useful. 23 It is a hard choice to make. I want to die and be with Christ, because that would be much better. 24-25 But I know that all of you still need me. That’s why I am sure I will stay on to help you grow and be happy in your faith.” Philippians 1:20-24 CEV

Paul said he preferred to die to be with Christ but chose to continue living for the benefit of the Christians that he was ministering too. We were the reason he chose to live.

Since Jesus chose to die for us we should be willing to live for Him!

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