Tuesday, September 30, 2008

What Are You Good At Doing?

What would your response be if you were asked to share with a group of people what you feel you are good at doing? Would you be the one who is good at making gardens grow? Or maybe you're someone who is good at comforting a baby after a long cry? Or, by any chance, are you one of those unique people who is good at accepting life's changes with open arms?

I truly believe that EVERYONE is good at something . . . and this weekend my friend Lee and I are hosting a Grow Group from church during which we may use this question as our ice breaker. What do you think? It has possibilities, wouldn't you agree?

My excitement for the gathering is growing as I think of this question now but will such a question serve to give us an opportunity to really get to know one another? Well, I'll test the waters by sharing with you what I feel that I'm good at doing . . . let's see, I can think of a number of things that I'm not really good at doing. Some I'm thankful to avoid (like, I'm not good at lying - which in most circles is a good thing) and some things are just beyond my own strength (like, I can't move furniture around by myself - anymore that is) but then there are some things that I wouldn't mind entertaining the thought of doing (that is - when I get up the courage). But let's see . . . at the risk of seeming boastful . . . I will share with you that the thing I do feel that I'm good at doing is sharing. I love to share. I'm even willing to share when people don't necessarily want me to (heeheehee). I love to share whatever it is that the Lord puts on my heart. That, in essence, makes me quite transparent but I'm ok with that - what you see is what you get. I'm willing to share my time, my abilities, and my experiences. I'm willing to share the books I read, the movies I watch and the songs that move my heart. But Praise God the thing I love to share more than anything else in my life if my love for Jesus.

Yes, I'm quite confident that this question would, indeed, afford us an opportunity to get to know each other better. And thankfully, it is written in Matthew 18:20 "For where two or more are gathered in my name, there am I with them." For that reason we can be sure that this Grow Group will be blessed exceedingly, abundantly more than we can ask or imagine!!!

Hallelujah Jesus!
bo

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Truth or Consequence

There's a Women's Conference in town at the end of this month in which Alicia Britt Chole will be the speaker. The topic that she'll be presenting is called "Choices: to be or not to be a woman of God". I've been given a preview of what to expect and from what I can see all those who attend are sure to come away blessed!

Here's just one thought that she presents to her audience . . . "Every choice is a seed and every seed produces fruit". Boy, there's no arguing that truth!

Just think about it. We're in a position to make choices every day of our lives and it all starts even before we get out of bed in the morning. These choices determine our attitude, the path we will walk that day, how we'll treat others and who we'll be willing to reach out and serve. The choices we make are so far reaching that they touch and effect the lives of everyone around us . . . our family, our co-workers, the cashier at the store - even the crossing guard on the street corner.

Isn't it curious that God would allow us - His less than worthy creatures - to have control of such a firecracker? Respectfully, I have to wonder . . . what ever do you suppose He was thinking? Every choice reaps a consequence and many of those consequences go on to become challenges that we simply must accept responsibility for. Like it or not, our choices, especially those that go against God's will for our lives, often require confession and surrender of a repentant heart.

The Christmas movie "It's a Wonderful Life" comes to mind when I think of the effect that choices have on our lives. When George tells Clarence that it would have been better if he had never been born, you see how far reaching just one choice can extend into the lives of those around you. Your life can be altered - in good ways or in bad - by the choices made by your spouse, your Pastor or your doctor. It's not to hard to see how stainless the world would be if only people would make their choices based on the perfect Will of God?

Jesus is our example. He was obedient and righteous. He glowed with compassion and mercy. He chose to forgive and to love unconditionally.

Tomorrow morning, before your feet hit the floor, give thanks to the Lord for giving you yet another day to make choices that will please Him. Praise Him for the abundance of His grace. And promise Him that you will turn to Him for guidance as every opportunity of making choices comes your way. He's our only hope to make the right choice.
Thank You, Jesus.
I love You, Jesus.
Amen and Amen
bo

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Would You Be Willing?

How is it possible, you ask, that God can save us from the sins that we've committed and yet still in himself remain righteous?

An Analogy to help explain - - - Author Unknown
An old man was brought into a courtroom, charged with stealing a loaf of bread. When the judge asked the man if the charge against him was true the old man admitted that he had, indeed, stolen the bread. But, he added, "I was hungry". The judge, who was a wise and kind man who loved people, said to the man, "I am in sympathy with you, but you have broken the law so you must pay the fine or go to jail." The old man shook his head and said, "I cannot pay the fine."

The judge then took off his robe as a judge and went down to where the man was standing. Placing his hand on the man's shoulder he said, "As your judge I had to sentence you, but as your friend I want to pay your fine for you."

It is written in John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave His only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

We are like the old man who broke the law but couldn't pay his fine. We have broken God's holy laws and we deserve to be punished but Jesus laid down His robes as our judge and came into the world that He might pay the penalty of our sins.

God loves us to much to let us pass by him but our sins demand that we can't be in the presence of a Holy and Perfect God . . . so in the cross of Christ we see how God could save us but at the same time remain righteous and holy. He has us and we have Him . . . all because of the atoning sacrifice of Christ.

Father God, I confess that there isn't a man, woman, or child on the face of this earth that I love so much that I would be willing to send one of my children to be brutalized for them as Jesus was for me. That makes the depth of your love for me so incredibly unfathomable.
It would be more than a shame if every human alive didn't confess Jesus as their Lord . . . it would be a sin.
May I prove to be part of the solution that brings everyone I know to the saving knowledge that is Your Son, Christ Jesus! Equip me, Lord, for without your help I am doomed to fail but with you, there is hope and victory!
Amen and Amen
bo

Monday, September 8, 2008

Dwell In The Truth

Ever since I was a little girl I've had the unfortunate tendency to be overweight. Oh, from time to time I would 'set my mind' to dieting and I'd find momentary success but, try as I might, I was never able to maintain the smaller size. So as the years passed I remember thinking that it was better to stay heavy than it was to go up and down all the time so I just went up - and stayed there!

Well, just as the Lord was about to enter my life (now there's a co-ink-e-dink in timing-NOT!) I decided that I wanted to be healthy so it was then I set out to diet - again. Much to my surprise the pounds melted off of me as though I was an ice cube in the middle of the Sahara Desert. With little or no effort on my part it just seemed to happen. I had self-control and a desire to walk off the pounds and all the answers anyone needed to be the big success that I was. God forgive me but I just thought that I was the greatest success story this side of the Mississippi . . . and I wasn't the least bit shy about telling anyone who asked me all about it. I had lost a whole person along the way so of course people remarked at the difference they saw. Some would even ask my advise - as if!

But then I noticed that even though my eating habits hadn't changed (yeah, right) the weight was beginning to come back on. Soon the added weight was making a difference in the clothes that I had been wearing. Then, of course, I told myself that IF the weight was going to pile back on anyway then I might as well eat whatever I darn well pleased - at least then there would be a good reason for the weight gain! As the weight continued to add up I was certain that any number of things besides my eating were contributing to the gain . . . menopause, thyroid malfunction, medication, yada, yada, yada. Always something other than me - my attitude - my habits - my self-centeredness.

Well, you can only imagine what the Dear Lord heard along the way from this 'BooHooBonnie'. Whine - Whine - Cry - I want - I want - I want. Let me show you how much I want. Whine - Whine, Cry again. I was nothing short of a spoiled child who was having a tantrum because I couldn't get the Lord to GIVE me what I wanted. (and I, of course, wanted no part of accountability!) I'm convinced that the louder I cried and carried on the more determined the Lord was to turn a deaf ear to my whining! (as well He should!)

Well finally - after the dust from the seemingly endless tantrum settled - the Lord lead me to realize that I was believing countless lies. And, thank God, He then laid it on my heart to believe truths NOT lies. The truth is that what matters most is who I am inside, not what size clothes I wear. The truth is that I need to listen and conform my life - my eating - around what God and God alone directs me to do. And the truth is that without Him I can try every diet out there till dooms day but I won't meet with true success unless I confess that I need Him to make a difference. I need to give Him all the honor and all the glory that He and He alone is worthy to receive.

It is written in John 14:6 "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life." And in Psalm 23:3 it is written "He restores my soul". How glorious it is to know that through Him - the Truth - I am restored! Praise God!

I promise you - I DON'T know all the answers but I can also promise you that I do know the One who IS the answer to all.

Jesus, my Way. Jesus, my Truth. Jesus, my Life.
Amen and Amen
bo

Friday, September 5, 2008

Define Waiting Please

Waiting on the Lord. Now there's something that doesn't quite fit me like a glove. My impetuousness is in direct contrast to waiting. As a matter of fact, I'm the one who quite often is out in front of the Lord encouraging Him to catch up with me!!

What could it mean to wait on the Lord? Surely I'm not suppose to just stand around and do nothing. As a kid I remember someone saying that "idle hands are the devils workshop" so if that's true doesn't it seem that while all this waiting is going on you're at risk of being tempted by the evil one? Ohhhhhh . . . wait a minute . . . I may have uncovered a clue. If I remember correctly, it is written in Luke 22:40 "Pray that you will not fall into temptation." So we're NOT lead to be idle as we wait on the Lord but rather faith is deepened and intimacy gained by spending that time in prayer to Him. Amazing!

So what's the first thing that you're going to talk with Him about? Are you wondering what His 'all time' favorite color is? Or . . . don't you wonder why He made cats to have such bizarre tendencies? (yes, bizarre!) Or will you simply sit at the foot of His throne and be amazed at His balance of power and tenderness?

Through this time of discovery with Him you will come to know the fullness of His perfect nature and it is then that your waiting can become a time of anticipating the wonderful things He has planned for your life. It is through this time spent with Him that you become moldable clay in the Potter's hand.

Lord Jesus, what peace - what joy there is in knowing that you desire, as I do, a bonding that will enable us to be one in Spirit - one in truth - forevermore! Mold me, Lord. I look with wondrous anticipation of what you have planned for my life. Use me, Lord to bring glory to Your Name.
Hallelujah, thine the glory.
Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.
bo

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Dare To Be Different

Christ is no respecter of persons. Young or old - rich or poor - man, woman or child, He loves us all the same. We are the most treasured of His creations.

Those very same treasures come in every shape and size and color and attitude. Some lead lives that produce a harvest of joyous fruit while others face a real challenge to merely present themselves as pleasant or friendly or welcoming or responsive.

How about it . . . are you up for a good challenge? Seek to change places today with the Mom who was up all night with a sick child. Or rub elbows with a teenager who is ready to give up under the pressures that life presents her with. Good, you ARE up for the challenge - for now you see them through the eyes of Jesus. Now you realize that it's not about you - it's about the Jesus in you who one day came to you and said "Follow me". He didn't care that our attitude was less than charming or that we didn't measure up to what others would have us to be. He loved us to much to leave us where we were at. He overlooked all of our blemishes and just loved us.

As we attempt to walk with Jesus, how do we mirror His love for people? How do we deal with someone's 'less than welcoming attitude', their impatience or even their harsh words? Well - as strange as it sounds, in order to resemble Jesus, we overlook their blemishes and just love them. The impatient guy behind you at the supermarket - just love him. The less than charming young lady behind the counter - just love her. The co-worker who snapped at your heals this morning - just love him.

It is written in Matthew 5:13-16 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

Become the light into your own world. Just love them. As you sincerely shine your light into the darkness of their lives you are giving the Holy Spirit an opening to do His work in them . . . and you!

Let us be quick to offer our light as we meet the challenge of being IN this world but not OF this world. Let us dare to present the world with our Jesus!
Amen and Amen
bo

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Bonnie Thy Name Is Peter

I know that God's will for our lives is for us to be more Christ-like. The journey to that destination is what you call sanctification. But while that's who we should aim to be . . . what I want to know is . . . who in the Bible do you - as a flawed, imperfect person - most closely relate yourself to?

The title of this posting gives me away - just call me Impetuous Peter. Oh my, to be impetuous. A trait which I refuse to call a character flaw - it's merely a part of me that needs a little polishing. But honestly, if the truth be told, the worldly side of me would just as soon leave it unpolished - that way I get to do what I want to do - when I want to do it - with whom I want to do it . . . within reason, of course! Without polish I would never have to stop . . . and listen . . . and wait . . . and wait . . . and did I mention wait on the Lord? You can bet that when I get something in my head there's little that can hold me back from doing it. In the work force that's often a good thing but when it comes to any number of other things, I can get myself in trouble real fast!

I'm encouraged by the fact that the Lord made Peter such a strong individual - a spokesman and leader (yep, the one who jumped out of the boat to walk on water! Mt 14:29).
I'm comforted when I see that the Lord wanted him close at his side (privy to Jesus' transfiguration Mt 17:1).
I sob when I recognize the grace God granted him after his denial of Christ (Thank You, Lord Jn 21:15-17).

And while I know that my ultimate goal is to be Christ-like . . . not Peter-like . . . even to walk in Peter's shoes will be a step up from those I'm wearing.

Our sanctification is quite a journey. I only pray that when my journey is at its end people will forgive my impetuousness as they have Peter's. What a delightful 'co-ink-e-kink' that the topic of study for the new quarter in my Sunday School Class is going to be Acts, to which the Apostle Peter is so closely tied.

Thank You, Jesus, for using the Apostle Peter as an example for me to know, without a doubt, that you are willing . . . to be patient and loving and faithful and forgiving. . . of me. I pray that I too will be willing to walk on water when you tell me to "come"(Mt 14:29).
Amen and Amen
bo