Monday, May 28, 2012

Give Thanks For Brave Warriors

All these were fighting men who volunteered to serve in the ranks. They came to Hebron fully determined to make David king over all Israel. All the rest of the Israelites were also of one mind to make David king. -- 1 Chronicles 12:38

Today is Memorial Day. It is a day to remember all those who gave their lives so that we might have the freedom to worship God, to live our lives, to launch our dreams.

We honor our soldiers and their families on this day but really it was set aside to remember those we have lost. I have walked beside numerous family members and friends who have served. I have watched their sacrifices -- the separations, the haunting images of war that remain long after a tour of duty, lingering health issues.

I have only lost one, my cousin, back during the Vietnam War. His parents are gone now, as well, but they never recovered from his death. There was no closure. Only a certain hope and promise that they’d see him again one day. I will forever remember the haunted look in my aunt’s eyes every time she spoke of her son. His medals and photos surrounded their family room but those things couldn’t replace his presence.

Memorial Day meant so much to my uncle. He was a retired serviceman himself. He knew how huge the cost could be. He just never really expected his son to pay that price.

Isn’t that how it always is? We always think it will happen to someone else’s family, in another neighborhood, another town. But sometimes it happens to someone we know and love. And suddenly this holiday from work and school, this three-day weekend filled with fun, takes on a new, deeper meaning.

The Bible tells us that King David’s troops were “brave warriors, ready for battle and able to handle the shield and spear. Their faces were the faces of lions and they were as swift as gazelles in the mountains.” (1 Chronicles 12:8b)

We don’t always agree with the politics of war. But surely we all agree about the sacrifice our soldiers make. And their families as well. They choose to defend our freedoms. They choose to put their lives on the line every day.

“They helped David against raiding bands, for all of them were brave warriors, and they were commanders in his army. Day after day men came to help David, until he had a great army, like the army of God.” -- 1 Chronicles 12:21-22

Today we remember those who died so that we could live in freedom. We honor them and embrace the loved ones they left behind. We give thanks for the brave warriors who have died.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Ask God First

“Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we did not inquire of it during the reign of Saul.” The whole assembly agreed to do this, because it seemed right to all the people. -- 1 Chronicles 13:3-4

It seemed like a good idea at the time. David wanted to honor God and bring the ark back to Jerusalem. He had the very best of intentions -- except he didn’t think it through. He didn’t research and plan. And he didn’t ask God for advice and direction.

We all do that sometimes. We have a wonderful idea and we’re certain that God is on board with it and will bless it and us because, well, it is to glorify Him. Except we never really ask God what He thinks. We get so caught up in what we want that we lose sight of what matters -- God‘s will.

This is particularly frustrating when people keep insisting that they know best. God wants this, they insist, refusing to listen to anyone else. Now don’t get me wrong. I’m a big believer in God making a way when no way seems visible. I’ve watched Him do it again and again. But only when it’s His will -- not mine or yours.

David learned that lesson. He was convinced that bringing the Ark back to Jerusalem would only bring blessings. He never considered that having God’s Presence among them would be anything else. Until David began doing it on his own.

As David and the whole house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD, the oxen carrying the Ark stumbled. Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God to steady it. And God struck him dead.

David was afraid of the LORD that day and said, “How can the ark of the LORD ever come to me?”

-- 2 Samuel 6:9

So David sent the ark to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. And the LORD blessed him and his household.

And David learned his lesson. He eventually had the ark of God brought to Jerusalem -- by the Levites, whom God had chosen to carry the ark and minister before Him. (see 1 Chronicles 15) And everything went well. It usually does when we’re following God’s plan and His will.

Sometimes God calls us to move forward in His will and with His support. Other times God calls us to wait. His timing is perfect and if He tells us to wait, there’s a reason for it. God may want us to prepare, to research, to really know what we’re doing before we go forward in His name.

It’s easy to get a great idea to honor God and rush forward without thinking it through. It’s wiser to consult God and ask for His blessing, before attempting to do anything to glorify His name.

Monday, January 2, 2011

Life Your Life Fully

“And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.”

-- 1 Chronicles 28:9

David gave Solomon some wonderful advice. Of course, like most of us who receive good advice, Solomon didn’t always follow it. Solomon was so wise except in that one area. Yeah, his wives. He had way too many and he tended to follow them away from God. Bad, bad mistake.

Today is the second day of this New Year. Are you still energized and determined to accomplish your goals and dreams this year? Or have you already fallen back in to your rut, doing things the way you always have? Change is hard. It just is.

So what do you think God wants for you this year? To know Him better? To care for others? To live your faith? And to be happy? Yeah. I think God wants us to be happy.

Think about this: If you were at the end of your life, what would you regret? And what would you want others to say when they think about you when you’re gone? Questions such as these aren’t meant to be depressing. Instead, they help us focus our days on things that are truly important and have a lasting impact.

Bronnie Ware, who has worked in hospice care, said that those who are dying have similar regrets. They wish, for example, that they’d had the courage to live a life true to themselves and not the life others expected them to live. Are you following your dream or are you living the life other people have told you to live? We all make choices. Sometimes we choose to follow our hearts. We follow those nudges from the Holy Spirit. And sometimes we don’t.

Many of Ware’s clients wished they hadn’t worked so hard. Seems pretty simple, doesn’t it? We get caught up in earning a living and living a life. We make excuses for missing all the fun happenings with those we love. School plays. Soccer matches. Dinners out. Walking along the beach. Hiking. Laughter. Stories. What are you missing today?

And what are you holding in? Are you so busy trying to keep the peace that you never seem to express your true opinions and feelings? I know. I don’t particularly like drama either. But sometimes it takes drama to get past the bitterness and resentment that comes from keeping our feelings to ourselves. So speak your truth. Do it kindly. Do it gently. But speak just the same. You can’t control the reactions of others. Either it will improve your relationship or you didn’t need that person in your life anyway.

Who do you need? Family. And friends. Stay in touch with the people you know and the people you knew. Make time for your friends and your extended family. And let yourself be happy. It’s okay to laugh. It’s okay to be satisfied with where you’re at. It’s okay to have fun. Why in the world did we ever think it wasn’t?

So consider your life. Chase your dreams. Spend time with friends and family. Laugh often. Keep in touch with people who matter. And speak your truth. Live your life out loud so you don‘t ever have to look back with regrets.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Use God’s Gifts To Help

“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.”

-- 1 Chronicles 29:14

How much money do you have? Do you have enough to meet your needs? Do you struggle to provide for your family? Do you willingly share what you have with those in need or do you keep your money close and save it for yourself?

At the end of his life, David gave his personal fortune to be used for building a Temple for God. He inspired others, including the leaders of his people, to give generously to the LORD. David was amazed that they had so much to give back to God. It was because God had been so generous with them.

The other day SARCOA kicked off its annual Santa for Seniors program. The website has a 97-page list of numbers (instead of names) of needy seniors. It lists things that they want. They don’t ask for computers or books or pretty jewelry. They want food, depends, ensure, warm socks, new underwear. One woman, who is all alone, just wants a pretty wrapped present to open on Christmas morning.

The stories will break your heart. And remind you of how fortunate and blessed you really are. Go look for yourselves. The site is open to anyone. There’s just something so sad about a person who struggles to have what most of us see as basic necessities in life.

The ones that hit me the hardest are the elderly citizens who are alone. They have no family, or at least none that care. One woman I know delivers meals to the homebound. She tells stories of how they beg her to come inside and visit. She’s the only person they see sometimes for days and days. And, for some, that meal is the only food they’ll get that day.

I looked at that list and ended up “adopting” two of the names on it. I hope others will pitch in too. But I just couldn’t turn away. I mean, really, how hard is it to pick up an extra package of toilet paper at the store? Surely I can find money for a warm sweater or a package of depends.

So I’ll ask you again: How much money do you have? There’s some senior citizens in our area who could really use a helping hand.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

God Leads The Way

“Should I go out and fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The LORD replied, “Yes, go ahead. I will give you the victory.”

-- 1 Chronicles 14:10

God was the driving force behind King David’s success. As a ruler, David was quick to ask God what to do. And he followed what God told him. David was smart enough to realize that whatever God blessed would succeed and whatever God didn’t bless would fail.

That’s the kind of relationship I want with God. I want to follow Him in all things. I want to know His will and I want to do what He says. In all things. I don’t care how small those things might seem to other people. I just want to know -- need to know -- that God is with me.

Yesterday I did a craft show. I’ve had some disappointments where God has clearly told me not to do something. The result is many items that needed someplace to go and a bank account that needed a cushion. But what to do? I didn’t want to waste my time and money on something that wouldn’t work.

So I asked God. I found out about a local craft show. I wasn’t sure there were any spots available. I asked God to let me do it -- if He would bless it. Otherwise, I didn’t want them to have a space available. It sounded pretty simple to me.

A space was available and off I went. Some people did well. Some people barely sold anything. Those of us outside fought the wind. And I sold and sold. God blessed me in so many, many ways. His hand was on me and I was successful because of it.

God blesses what He blesses. And He blessed me. I asked Him what to do and He made a way for me. Thanks be to God.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Who Is Your Family?

All Israel was listed in the genealogical record in The Book of the Kings of Israel.

-- 1 Chronicles 9:1a

Tell me about your family. Do you have many siblings, several aunts and uncles and loads of cousins? Are you an only child? Maybe you never knew your biological family but you’ve adopted another family as your own.

Whatever your story, you have another family story to tell. You have a spiritual family, complete with a family tree and lots of history. I’ve always dreaded reading all the names listed in the Bible. I can’t pronounce many of them and, besides, why do I really need to know all that? Because all those names represent people who came before me. They were important to God. They’re part of our family. Yeah. That’s right. Our family. Because even though my racial heritage isn’t Jewish, my spiritual heritage began with Adam, went right through David, and continues with Jesus. I am adopted and cherished and loved. I am part of the family of God.

So are you. God loves each and every one of us and wants everyone to accept Jesus as Savior. He prepared a plan of salvation for all of us because He knew us well. God understood we’d never be able to reach heaven on our own.

Our churches today are so much like families. Or they should be. They should be places where we gather to worship God. They should be for learning and singing praise. They should be places where we gather to eat and laugh, pray and console. We come together as the family of God, holding on to one another in good times and bad.

Reading all those names takes on a different meaning when I see them as my ancestors. Just as I value my biological family tree, I value my spiritual family tree. It is here, recorded in 1 Chronicles, that we learn about Jabez and how he boldly asked God for His blessing. And He got it!

Can you imagine sitting around the Sunday dinner table and telling family stories? My ancestor Noah built an ark. My ancestor Abraham was righteous. My ancestor Ruth refused to leave her mother-in-law and God blessed her in a great way. And on and on. The stories have new life in a heart that understands their importance. So go ahead and celebrate your family heritage. Just remember to include your spiritual family in the stories that you tell.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Ask God

And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I might not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.

-- 1 Chronicles 4:10 (NKJV)

Most of us have heard of the prayer of Jabez. Maybe you’ve even read the book. There actually are several books based on Jabez. I guess because he dared to ask God Almighty to bless him and give him more, asking also that God would keep His hand on Jabez and keep him from evil and pain. The nerve?! Oh, but the sincerity in that request which came from his heart.

Back in the days when Jabez lived, babies were given a particular name for a specific reason. So what does Jabez mean? Pain. His mother named him Jabez because she bore him in pain. Can you imagine growing up with that name? You aren’t a treasure or a joy or beloved descendent. You are forever associated with pain.

Except Jabez asked God for help. He didn’t wallow in what could have been his circumstances. He didn’t simply accept his fate in life. He didn’t live down to his name. Instead, he rose up and opened his heart to the God who loved him. And you know what? God said yes.

We’re supposed to accept our circumstances, whatever they are. We’re supposed to be content, wherever we are. We’re supposed to be thankful for whatever we have. So does that mean we’re never to ask God for more? Not according to Jabez. And if you, like me, believe that the Bible is inspired by God, then these simple words about Jabez must mean something.

I’m not saying that God is going to give you or me or anyone everything they desire. It doesn’t work that way. God knows what is best for us, even when we don’t believe it. God, our Father, our Yahweh, wants only good things for us and He’ll give us those things if we’ll only ask. But we have to ask. We have to trust Him. We have to open our hearts to Him.

Remember that Jabez didn’t just ask for more blessings and a larger territory. He also asked God to guide him. Jabez wanted God to always keep His mighty hand on him so that Jabez could walk the path God intended for Jabez to follow. Jabez wanted to follow God. And just as God granted Jabez’ request, he’ll grant your request and mine. Because God wants us to want His hand on our lives.

Some people begin each day with praying the prayer of Jabez. It’s a powerful prayer. It requires a great deal of courage to lay yourself open to God Almighty and offer yourself up to Him. Courage, yes, but oh what blessings will come when you journey under the direction of God’s hand.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Trust God But Do The Work

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed." -- Proverbs 16:3

We want to do good things. We want to succeed. We want God to pave the way so that we can kind of just show up and take the glory. Oops.

Don't get me wrong. I know some people truly do work hard for the Lord. They show up when other people sleep in. They don't mind getting dirty. They pray diligently. They raise money for good causes. A few even stay in the background, refusing to accept any glory or participate in any limelight things. Others do good for others so they can feel good about themselves. They want to like the person they see in the mirror. They want other people to look on them with favor.

Other people have great plans. They seek God's will, start the journey, then wait. After all, if it truly is God's will then He'll do all the work. Won't He? God is the creator of miracles so why should they have to work to make His plans happen. They just sit back and wait -- then blame God when nothing happens.

Of course, some people seek God's will and then work hard to make it happen. They show up every day, determined and focused. They give God complete control of the project -- until He goes one way and they want to go another. That doesn't work for them. So they snatch back control and God's will becomes a thing of the past. That's never a good idea and they eventually learn why.

It's not always easy to seek God's will and work hard toward the end result. Especially since we humans tend to want it done yesterday. We forget that God's time and ours are vastly different. We get discouraged. We get frustrated and give up.

I love what David said to his son Solomon when he gave him advice on building the temple. I imagine that project might have been a little overwhelming, regardless of the fact that David had everything ready. 1 Chronicles 28:20 says, "David said to Solomon his son, 'Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you...'"

What awesome advice!!! My Bible footnotes had another great piece of advice. It said to trust God as if everything depends on Him but work as if everything depends on me. Yeah, that sounds about right.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Gladly Give God What Is His

"But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand."

-- 1 Chronicles 29:14

One thing I love about King David is that he never failed to give God credit. He understood that all we have comes from God. So when we tithe, we are giving back to God what He gave us. I wish we could all really come to understand that.

I want to be like the people David spoke about in this passage. They gave generously and willingly to build God's Temple. I'm not talking about throwing in an extra $20 bill in the offering plate. Think gold, silver, bronze, iron, precious stones. They gave the really valuable stuff because God deserves only the best we have to offer.

So many times I've heard someone say they couldn't "afford" to tithe. I understand. I've felt that way a time or two myself. But I give anyway. It's God's money. He knows what I need. He's told me to tithe. He's also told me that He'll provide what I need. It's a step out in faith. Sometimes it's scary. But I do it anyway.

I used to try and plan it all out. I suppose that works great when you have a regular, dependable paycheck. I don't. As an artist, writer and driver, my income varies greatly from week to week and month to month. I tried to average it all out and give the same amount each week. That worked fine during the times when money flowed in. But during the times when money didn't flow at all, I struggled to come up with the amount I had decided to give.

A pastor's wife made a comment one day about her own child. Suddenly, it hit me square on the head and I understood. So I don't try to control how much I give each week. I simply give 10 percent of what I earn that week. God knows what I make. He knows my heart. And He understands the ebb and flow of money in my world.

I'm not a wealthy person by anyone's standards. But I have everything I need. He makes sure of it. The least I can do is give back to Him generously and willingly what He asks me to give.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Take Care of God's World

"for everything in heaven and earth is yours."

-- 1 Chronicles 29:11b

The Gulf Oil Spill has dominated the news for almost two months. The news, it seems, gets worse with each passing day. We're concerned about white beaches and jobs and economic impact. But there is one question that keeps running through my mind: What are we doing to this beautiful world God created?

For so long now we've taken and taken and taken. We've used what we wanted, cast aside anything left and pretty much done what we pleased. We haven't seemed to care about trash in the oceans or temperature changes or air pollution. "Tree huggers" bring a great many laughs but not too many people take them seriously. Maybe we should.

I understand that one day Jesus will return and we'll have a new world. But none of knows when that will be. Besides, God gave us this world to tend while we are here. And, frankly, we're doing a really lousy job of it.

I read today about all the oil drilling that takes place and only this one major accident. That's supposed to make me feel better? Tell that to the dead animals, the fishermen whose livelihood may be destroyed and the families who have trekked to the gulf beaches for generations. It could be years before the gulf recovers -- if it recovers.

It's especially horrifying to hear about the rules that weren't followed. The checks that weren't run. The emphasis on making money instead of doing it right no matter the cost. We weren't paying attention and look what happened to God's world.

We have an obligation to do all we can to protect this world we live in. Part of that is paying attention. I'm just as guilty as everyone else. I get caught up in my own day-to-day life and don't get involved when maybe I should. I got a reminder from scripture today. The Bible is good at that. It has a way of opening your eyes when you didn't even know they were closed. I won't close them again. There's too much at stake. God gave us a beautiful planet. We need to treat it like what it is -- His creation.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

God Gives Good Advice

"Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse." -- 1 Chronicles 10: 13-14

We would never do that. We desire to be faithful to the Lord. We don't consult others, especially when it comes to important matters of right and wrong or action versus inaction. Nope. Not us. No mediums in our lives -- except maybe for that TV show. But that doesn't count.

Yeah. This is where I offer to sell you some oily swamp land down in Florida. I have a friend who once joked about rubbing budha's belly every time she went to eat at a Chinese restaurant. It was supposed to bring good luck. How could it hurt? Except did she really think the budha -- a statue -- could bring her happiness? Was she thinking at all? Or was she just hedging her bets, just in case? She admitted she'd never really thought about it but maybe it was something she really shouldn't do. You think?

Well, you say, I would never do that! Maybe not. Maybe you don't even eat Chinese food. But when you really need advice, who's the first one you turn to? Is it your spouse? Maybe a sibling or best friend? Do you listen to them when they tell you what to do in that sticky work situation? Do you crave their reassurance when you've done something wrong and want to make excuses?

Why not turn to God instead? He has all the answers, He truly wants what is best for you and He is the only one without a hidden agenda. That's right. All of us are tainted by our own wishes and desires so when we give advice -- no matter how well meaning -- our thoughts and prejudices are part of that advice. God's advice is pure and filled with love for us and a desire to see only good things happen in our lives.

Obviously, we're going to share things with others. We're going to discuss what kind of car to buy with our spouse. We're going to debate restaurants with our co-workers. We're going to choose a movie with our friends. But when it comes to the big stuff -- right or wrong, a life road to travel -- God should be the first One we consult not the last. Oh, and by the way, He's really good with the small stuff too!