A Struggle or a Seminar?

Year 4-Day 51: Today- I am grateful we can re-forge a struggle into "a seminar". 

Struggles come and they go.  How we view them changes everything.  Do we see them as "undeserved" and "unfair" or do we take a deep breath and look for the teachable moments in the tetris-like dance through difficulties?  

Our God never leaves us or forsakes us. He is present in our storms. Sometimes, he is silent... but he is never more than a prayer away.  Surrendering our limited VISION (yes, that word "vision" appears again) and embracing the "God Goggles" keeps us sane... and changes everything. 

People pay a great deal for seminars. Do we sometime cheat God out of the opportunity to teach us through a struggle? I am sure I do.  

I like to think things through, plan and see a plan in place.  I plan for the "just in case". It is my way.  But, in making my plans the priority, I can fail to see His face in this place and forget about His grace in the race...the one that leads straight to His open arms.  

I read the imagery in  2 Timothy 4:7:"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

Is that what I imagine when I am tired, hurt and don't feel like pressing on? When I am weary, tired, sick or hurt?  In those moments I must remember, I am never on my own. Consider this scripture Phillipians 3:13-15 ::

"Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.

Yes, sometimes, He allows the struggle. "Press on" is such a great catch phrase.  In those times, we have to trust his character and his heart. We must press on. 

To know his heart...we must read His Word. It is not a difficult formula, but as humans...we often fight him, negotiate and simply neglect to read His word. 

Inside my teen Bible I wrote this quote I heard along the way: "This book and keep me from sin and sin can keep me from this book.". How true those words ring. I'm either seeking his face in light of His grace...or I am attempting it on my own.  On my own never works out that well...specifically when trials come. 

Hosea 6:3 holds this beautiful promise; "Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.”

Press on to know Him. His ways are as sure as the dawn and he will come as refreshing spring rains to a thirsty earth. Our struggles are not too big for Him. He wants to take us by the hand. 

He will walk us through it. He wants us to listen for his voice when the path is too dark to navigate with our eyes. He wants to celebrate with us when the trial is over. He wants us to breathe. Our soul breath is a precious gift. 


Today- I am grateful we can re-forge a struggle into "a seminar"...and the teacher's notes are bound in a book that is likely sitting on a shelf or bedside table. 

Scent Evoked Memories

Year 4-Day 50: Today, I am grateful for scent evoked memories.

You know what they are and have likely experienced them.  The smell of an new box of crayons whisks you back to kindergarten. Or, what about that fragrance of that paste likes school glue? Perhaps, the smell of toll house cookies in the oven when you walk in the door say welcome home like no other scent? Realtors count on that one. 

Scents evoke memories.  What a novelist wrote...science now supports. 

It’s known as “odor-evoked autobiographical memory” or the Proust phenomenon, after French writer Marcel Proust. In his famous novel In Search of Lost Time, the narrator dips a particular kind of pastry into a cup of tea creating a scent and he finds himself transported back in time to a childhood memory. 

Often scent and taste are related. But it is the scent that draws us in. For me...the smell of lilac takes me back to the huge bush in our back yard on a perfect spring day. Another includes my great Aunt Elin...she was born around 1890...used to watch us some Saturdays so Mom could go to the salon for her 70's beehive hair-do. The smell of Brach's chocolate stars with cheddar cheese and mustard on saltines...it take me back to the moment and her porch swing.  

Scent memories are powerful. Jesus...knowing us better than we know our selves...he knew it and acted on it.  I told you we would finish Peter, today.  Yesterday's gratitude was for the grace that transforms our shameful mistakes into a new sense of purpose.  Failure in Jesus is not final. 

Peter had denied Jesus three times after promising vehemently he never would.  

John 13:36-38 36 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” 37 Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38 Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.

Passionate Peter.  This would surely NOT happen as Jesus predicted.  But it did. 

John 18:17-18 "The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man's disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the servants[e]and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself."

Note the charcoal fire.  It has a unique scent. For most - it brings back some kind of memory.  For Peter, it would mark his memory with his denial of Christ. Charcoal, failure and shame would go together. Those moments clearly etched in his memory and in his scent memories.  

John 18:25- Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” 26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” 27 Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.

Matthew 26:75 "And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly. 

Our pastor pointed out that charcoal is rarely only mentioned one other time in 
the New Testament. This resonated with me. Think about it.  The fragrance of a charcoal fire is unique and imprints on the memory.  For most it is a happy memory of meals with friends or even camping.  Not for Peter.  Charcoal would evoke shame. It would sweep him back to his betrayal of his best friend and Lord. 

I have always loved that Jesus allowed Peter THREE times to answer him, "Do you love me?"  As if forgiving each denial.  What I never caught before was the charcoal fire: 

John 21-8-10  "The other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, but about a hundred yards off.

When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread.  Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just caught.” 

This was the third time Jesus appeared to the disciples.  Sure the first meetings for Peter were awkward as he carried his shame on hung shoulders.  Jesus had already forgiven him...but Peter couldn't likely forgive himself.  Jesus evoked a scent memory...made a new memory with it...and offered him forgiveness and healing. 

Peter became more as a result of his failure.  Failure...with Jesus...is never final. From that day forward...charcoal smells would bring a new memory. One of new promises, forgiveness and a new mission.  Peter left the shame behind and went on to shepherd, tend, feed and build believers.

Certain summer smells take me back to Aroma Park Nazarene Church Camp.  A season of smells, making forever friends and drawing nearer to my Lord. 

What scents are you grateful for today...after coffee?  

Today, I am grateful for scent evoked memories.

Shameless

Year 4-Day 49: I am grateful that grace means all my mistakes are not only forgiven...but that the very things that once caused shame can give me purpose.

Peter and Paul are two of my favorites.  Peter struggled with impulse control.  Paul was making a difference in his world, but he was serving the wrong master.  

Peter had felt shame for his thrice denial of Jesus...the very thing he swore he would never do. Paul's  heart suffered the shame for the many bothers and sisters in Christ he passionately put to death in his days as a Pharisee.  Both carried great shame in their hearts - but grace set them free.  Here are Paul's words:

"For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it." - Galations 1:13

Paul had religion down. He was good at it.  He was "advanced for his age" in the eyes of religious leaders.  He was passionate about Judism.  Somewhere in his passion for religion, he missed things.  He missed that faith is about a relationship and he missed the Messiah. 

Peter was close to Christ. His passion must have been invigorating at the times Jesus was weary. And...it must of been exhausting at times, too.  We just finished a series from our Pastor on Peter and my long time love of his story was renewed with a new discovery that I will share another day. I adore Peter. His passion fuels my soul...and his human failings make him real to me. He denied Jesus three times, but in grace...Jesus not only forgave, but gave him a huge assignment to tend, grow and care for the church.  

Both Peter and Paul had to discover that the church was a people...not a religion. They had to leave behind their old ways and embrace Jesus not just as a great teacher...but as the son of a living God and the Messiah. 

Jesus had already forgiven them.  They had to forgive themselves and not let mistakes of the past cripple them in all that Jesus had for them to do.  They would reach, teach, salt and light the way.  

Christ's forgiveness is instant...and he does not hold it over our heads. He doesn't want to.  It is part of his God-nature. He understands the human nature...having lived with us as one of us.  Humans can hold grudges and broken trust is not easily restored.  His grace is free and complete.  

Galatians 1:15-16 "But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace,  was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles," 

God uses who he chooses.  With Paul...he loved his passion but he needed him to "trade teams".  He needed Paul (formerly Saul) working with him and not against him and his people.  Huge trade!  Huge win for Team Jesus.

Saul's name changed to Paul...but his past was not erased. God used his mistakes and his history to His glory.  A Centurion who didn't want Paul put to death or mistreated pointed out that Paul declared he was a "Roman citizen" with certain rights and stopped a flogging. He was given better treatment while imprisoned. His purchase of a "Roman Citizenship" at a high cost back when he was Saul, God used to protect him in his present suffering.  

Galatians 1:23-24 "And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ.  They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.”  And they glorified God because of me."

Humans who knew his history did not easily forget - the change in him was very real.  He would rather be beaten, imprisoned or die than deny the cross of Christ and the changing power love made in his own life.  He had to spread the word.  His shame not completely forgotten, but forged into a purpose.  

We will finish Peter...maybe tomorrow...I want to get it right. 

I am grateful that grace means all my mistakes are not only forgiven...but that the very things that once caused shame can give me purpose.

The Truth

Year 4-Day 48:  Today, I am grateful for the truth...even when it isn't easy, comfortable or what I wanted to hear. 

There is a comfort that comes with the truth and those who choose to be truthful. In the "Big 10" commandments given to Moses, to not lie (bear a false witness) is included.  It is in the six commandments that helps us live better with others and helps us "love our neighbors" more. Honesty matters. 

Human nature wants others to respect and revere us. We want to be held with some esteem in the eyes of our fellow humans.  The truth is... sometimes... not so pretty. We don't want "our image" flawed. It's tough to be human striving to be more like Him. Still, we get closer to the mark when we chose truth and integrity as a lifestyle choice. 

Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters can not be trusted in important affairs.  -Albert Einstein

That is a great quote from Albert Einstein. Lying is a character deficiency that we want to avoid not just in the big stuff...but the small matters, too. 

Now, the truth should not be used in a mean spirited way to wound others. There are times silence is a better choice than speaking. There are times that the truth must be spoken, but a gentle word can soften the blow. Speaking the truth in love, with love and out of love can change so much...it can save a life.   

John 8:31-32 states, "So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 

If we want to live truly free, we must choose truth. We must practice it. We must embrace it.


I am grateful for the truth and those who make it priority. I cherish those who speak it into my life and my days...and for those who challenge me to seek truth when the waters get murky. 

Truth is a light to our path. His Word is truth...and the best guidebook ever. 

Hebrews 4:12 -"For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

It is good to remember that our time on this little blue planet is not about instant gratification ... but to find a relationship with Him in preparation for eternity. His truth is our map.

Today, I am grateful for the truth...even when it isn't easy, comfortable or what I wanted to hear. 

Work & Learn

Year 4-Day 47: Today, I am grateful for opportunities to work and to learn.

There is a sense of satisfaction that comes from doing a job yourself.  A greater one from doing the job well. Achieving excellence isn't instant - but it is worth the effort and the there is joy in the journey. 

This Lincoln quote still holds truth:"You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves." 

Imagine his commentary on government today, if he were alive. The old African proverb says, "Give a man a fish, he eats for a day.  Teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime." Lincoln was not afraid of hard work. After growing up on the farm, Lincoln worked as a boatman, store clerk, surveyor, militia soldier, and eventually became a lawyer in Illinois. He believed in work.  

In an address to Congress, once he became president, he spoke these words: 

"Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration." 

Work matters. Learning matters.

As a farm boy, Lincoln knew the long hours and the sometimes fruitless labor that could happen, even if you did you best and worked hard. Weather, pests, flood and drought could steal the fruits of your labor.  It didn't mean you quit trying or stopped working. 

Early in his life, his family lost their first farm over a title dispute. I wonder if it is a part of what inspired him to become a lawyer. He was respectful of women. He grew up a working mother and step-mother, because farm wives worked with their husbands. He lacked formal education but developed a broad perspective. His open-mindedness  and ability to see things from many sides made him brilliant. 

Books were the luxury in his life... typically read by firelight or lamplight after the long day's work was done. Education was of great value because it was a privilege. He was self taught by his books. He said,“My Best Friend is a person who will give me a book I have not read.” I have no doubt his learning went far beyond many of his peers with more formal educations...and he used common sense. 

Common sense is not so common anymore. 

Colossians 3:23-25 addresses working and waiting: 

 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,  knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.

Today...we can choose to work for the Lord.  I love perspective changes. If you are discontented at work and can't change your "job" - change your "employer". Work is what we do to earn a living it does not define who we are. If Christ is Lord...we are, ultimately,  working for Him.  

We are the Children of a living God...put here for the purpose of finding a relationship with him through Jesus.  What ever work you do...volunteer or paid...do it to His glory. Don't underestimate the ripple effect of the work. It may echo into eternity. 

1 Corinthians 10:31: "So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Colossians 3:17: "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

Giving thanks! 

Today, I am grateful for opportunities to work and to learn.

Abe Lincoln

Year 4-Day 46: Today, I am grateful for Abraham Lincoln's wisdom, character and example. 

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." - Abraham Lincoln

I love Abraham Lincoln.  Of course...growing up in Illinois, "The Land of Lincoln", and living so close to Springfield and New Salem, my interest has never wavered.  

I still learn stories I hadn't known before. Abe Lincoln was not perfect...none of us are...but his actions spoke louder than his entertaining words. He had a depth of character we rarely see in leadership today. 

Not far from our little town...in the village of Metamora...is a bronze statue. It shows Abraham Lincoln walking with an elderly woman, Melissa Goings. Mrs. Goings, at the age of 70, stood trial at the Metamora courthouse with  Lincoln served as her counsel in October 1857. She was charged with murdering her husband, 77-year-old Roswell Goings, by hitting him with a piece of firewood to the back of the head on April 14,1957. He had tried to strangle her. Her sentence, if convicted, would be death by hanging.  That was the law. 

You can read an essay on the story at the Metamora Historical society website:  http://www.villageofmetamora.com/?hiscourt  It will give you more details and slightly different versions of the story that have been passed down in folklore. A wise person once told me that "there are two sides to every story and the truth lies somewhere in the middle." Sage advise to live by. Still...a pretty clear picture starts to come into focus. 

Abraham Lincoln was fascinating because of his strength of character and convictions were delivered with wit and country wisdom. Few knew what had hit them until it was over when encountering Lincoln in a courtroom or a debate. I don't know why he took the Goings case. Perhaps, because there were no laws in the day protecting battered women with self defense pleas. He was not afraid to be unpopular. He was more concerned with doing what was right.

Side note...when the judge set Melissa Goings bail...her deceased husbands relatives were part of the donors who helped bail her out. It speaks volumes to Roswell's horrid reputation. 
The community felt compassion and pity on Melissa. Roswell was a known wife beater in a day that was tolerated. No laws to protect her and no hero to save the day...until Abraham Lincoln accepted the job as co-counsel on her case. 

During the trial, Judge Harriot revoked Melissa's bail.  At that point, she  became the sheriff's responsibility, to get her to and from the courtroom.  Lincoln was thought to be concerned that the judge was eager to get the trial over and feared no real justice would be served.  At the court's recess...Abraham Lincoln and Melissa Goings took a walk.  Mrs. Goings never returned to the courtroom.  

The sheriff said he thought Mr. Lincoln had her.  Mr. Lincoln felt the sheriff was in charge of watching her. Bottom line - she never returned.  The judge was not happy, but Lincoln was never found to be in contempt of court.  Someone...likely a community of someones... helped her escape. I don't know that she was never seen in Metamora again. 

The unhappy judge felt perhaps Lincoln had sent her on the run. He was confronted and this was his response:“Your honor, I did not chase her off.  She simply asked me where she could get a good drink of water, and I said…Tennessee has mighty fine drinkin’ water.”  The courtroom erupted in laughter. He was not held in contempt of court or charged with any crime. 

Fact:  The state's attorney never signed a warrant for her arrest.
Fact:  When Lincoln last returned to Metamora in 1958 in the midst of his Senate debates and the state's attorney dismissed the charges against Melissa Goings. 

Lincoln loved the law. He loved to study it.  He was passionate about the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Still, he loved people more.  The laws made to defend the innocent did at times fail. Melissa Goings was not "innocent" but neither was she a murder to be held to the laws of that day.  

Lincoln's knowledge, wit, wisdom...and his faith...strengthened his backbone. In the case of Melissa Goings, a woman had endured tyrannical abuse of the very one who took an oath to love and cherish her. Roswell had broken his marriage vows. The law failed to provider her any protection during her marriage...or in her trial.  The community and her in-laws felt she had served her sentence in her years of her marriage to a horrible man.  Even the deceased man's relatives seemed to support her act of self defense. Was justice served? 

The law is black and white...but it isn't simple. I think Abraham Lincoln is remembered so fondly because he was able to wrestle words. He used words to defend those who could not defend themselves.  He did not deny his failing or short comings.  He used humor to diffuse where he could.  

He was a master communicator and avidly read the word of God, as it was a part of his speech without even thinking about it. In debates...when looking for a response... he would quote scripture are truths read in God's word.

To bring it home - Jesus spoke clearly and it is repeated in the gospels that we are to care for widows and orphans. Perhaps, it was Jesus response to the church leaders ready to stone a woman for adultery...within the law of the day...

John 8:2-11: "Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. 


          5Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” 6This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” 

        8And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”" 

If you want to test a man's character...or a woman's...give them power. Love and justice are both a part of God's character. If we love Him with our whole hearts, we will not likely find ourselves in as many tough spots. But, life happens and evil is present. The rain falls on the just and unjust.  It is important to remember that love is a choice and grace is a gift. 

Today, I am grateful for Abraham Lincoln's wisdom, character and example..and His knowledge of God's word that made him a master communicator.