Gentle and Lowly

Finally finished Dane Ortlund's Gentle and Lowly, the Heart of Christ for Sinners and Sufferers. My brother and sister-in-law gave me this book for Christmas a couple of years ago. They also threw in the accompanying Bible study guide, so it's taken me awhile to get through it. Not because it's a slog. On the contrary, because I really needed it to soak in. Ortlund strategically points out that once we accept God's grace and become a child of His, we cannot 'un-child' ourselves. Jesus loves us in such a way that it's simply hard to accept in our finite minds and our conditional way of thinking. God's mercy is just who He is. It's not fickle. He grants us mercy "to the uttermost". 

There is an video series for this study too. At one point along the way I found a pastor in Texas that was putting his own commentary/teaching with Ortlund's videos on YouTube, but it got taken down. Probably for copyright infringement. But not before I made it 3/4th of the way through the study. In the videos, Ortlund just expands on the chapters in the book a little. So you can probably do without the videos just fine. I like how Ortlund picks apart strategic scriptures, like Hebrews 7:25 and Lamentations 3:33. 

That in-depth review of scripture reminds me of how the pastor at my old church taught each passage we studied, verse-by-verse...I really miss that. The boys and I were (again) talking today after church about the cultural Christianity here in the south. Seems like everyone is very nice. Seems like everyone knows about God. But the sermons are very light to us. It sounds super snobby of me to say this out loud. What I DO know, is that our old church did not have Sunday school for adults, and here, the Sunday school time is where they dive into scripture more. I just can't seem to get the boys out of bed and into this Sunday school habit. Consequently, we long for the deep dive into scripture from the pulpit. But part of what I've learned, having traveled/lived outside the Bible Belt, is that no particular church is perfect. Our church here does believe in and teach the Bible. Check. They love missions, both local and abroad. Check. They really emphasize creating community and serving. Check. It really is more about the relationships when you are part of a church family. And we have finally started making connections (after 2 years) at the church where we are now. So the odds of us moving on to something *shiny and new* are slim. Until Jesus comes, we will continue to have our a deep theological debates amongst ourselves and we will try to join small group studies where we dive into the Word at a more profound level. Finding like-minded hearts for Jesus is definitely not hard down here. For that, I'm thankful. 

Lamentations 3:31-33 "For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone."

Oldie but a Goodie

 

I recently joined a group of ladies at church for a Bible study on Wednesday afternoons. These gals are mostly (not all, but mostly) about a generation older than me. Wise ladies. After the formal study had ended, the leader suggested we read this book: Hinds' Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard. It's been around since 1955, so it's an oldie but a goodie. I asked a pastor's wife from my old church if she'd read it, and she said something like, yep, probably before you were born. haha! It is an allegory. But not a very subtle one. So if you're looking for The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe finesse, you won't find it in this book. However, the more I read, the more it started to grow on me. 

The main character is a gal named Much-Afraid. She lives a pretty miserable existence in the Valley of Humiliation. But she is friends with the Good Shepherd who makes her a promise that he can bring her to the high places. She goes on an epic journey, with Sorrow and Suffering, and learns a lot of lessons along the way. With scripture from Song of Solomon woven in and out of the book, this really does make you want to give your heart fully to Jesus and trust Him in all the details. She does make it to the high places, and she does earn hinds' feet. He changes her name to Grace and Glory. Kinda cool! 

Some things she learns:

--Acceptance with Joy

--Bearing with Love

--Jesus sees us as we will be, as we can be, not how we are now

--"Every circumstance in life, no matter how crooked and distorted and ugly it appears to be, if it is reacted to in love and forgiveness and obedience to your (God's) will, can be transformed....you (God) purposely allow us to be brought into contact with the bad and evil things that you want changed."

That message could not be any clearer. We have to go through the valleys and the deserts and climb the mountains of life to really be at one with our Savior. It's a message that is too good to keep to ourselves. 

Song of Solomon 8:6-7 "Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm; for love, it is as strong as death, jealousy demanding as the grave...many waters cannot quench love, nor can the floods drown it."

Blackout and Build Out

This week we enjoyed a front row seat to the solar eclipse. It did get a bit dark, but not pitch black (like this pic) as we are slightly outside the path for best viewing. Still, we did watch with our special glasses. Cole took some pictures. He was home alone for most of it.... I'm sure you have all seen pictures and videos by now, so if this is not your cup of tea, feel free to scroll down for the Build Out info. 

WITHOUT the special glasses

Our pets seemed completely unfazed...

Brie chillaxing

Perdy hunting bees

Sadly, Keaton and I missed the full eclipse as he had a dentist appointment. (We are planning his wisdom teeth extraction...) Bummer for us. We got a cool x-ray of his teeth instead. 

Later in the week, Cole and I served at a Habitat for Humanity build. Our church was one of the sponsors for this build. We've never done one of these before. Great experience! The Executive Director for Habitat here was on site checking in volunteers. I kept thinking, "Hmm. She looks VERY familiar..." So I asked, "What is your maiden name?" and then it popped into my head and we both said her maiden name at the same time. She was laughing, and said, "How do I know you?" Turns out she is a couple of years older than me, but we were at the same high school for one year together. I know I had a class with her, but I can't recall which one. Maybe it will come to me. That was a lonnnnnng time ago. haha! 

Cole was pretty impressed. And he finds it comical on 2 levels: 1) That everywhere we go, there is someone I recognize. Thing is I've lived in this town for more than half my life. He just knows about the years I lived in WA, and 2) As the Executive Director continued to chat with me over the course of the afternoon, she told me she has her own a consulting firm and she ended up asking me for my contact information as she plans to refer a bookkeeping client to me. Cole said, "So interesting! THAT's how you get new clients from random people." Networking.

I did not take a photo of this, but at the very beginning of our time on the job site, a lady handed us each a huge permanent marker. "For writing notes on the walls inside," she said. We walked into the roughed out interior of this house and saw scriptures and blessings all over the place. On the studs. On the plywood. All of those words, sweetly given by volunteers, will be holding up this home forevermore. Cole and I each picked a scripture and wrote it in. 

Our actual contribution was painting the soffits. Well, the 1st coat, anyway. They will do another coat. Cole was tall enough to reach the soffits WITHOUT a ladder. I had to use a stepstool. 

So here's a sweet story of how we came into this scene. You have to know, I pray for my boys (daily) that they will grow up to be productive members of society. That I have not screwed them up too badly homeschooling them, trying hard (as a single woman) to teach them to be decent, Christ-loving men, then moving 2000 miles from their comfort zone in their high school years, and every other small transgression in parenting that I regret and recall vividly (like almost losing them at a hotel when they were small!) I just have to say: God does answer prayer. In His way. In His time. 

Cole came to me one day last week with furrowed brow. When I asked what was wrong, he said he felt like he wasn't doing enough to spread the Gospel. That if he didn't overtly try to reach out to non-churched people that he might not get into heaven. Whoa! He was feeling convicted. I told him I felt the same way at his age. Seriously, I did. But I've come to realize that it's not about what you DO, it's about GRACE. (Thank goodness!) Still, that conviction he feels to serve others or help others see Jesus, that is legit. I explained there are lots of ways to reach others for Jesus. Like how we volunteer our time taking care of the elderly couple's lawn each week. This frees them up to do their mission work in Africa. We are one cog in the missions wheel. There are also numerous ways we can serve others in this town and I suggested he look into this service project sponsored by our church. I explained, promised actually, that once you find a way to serve, that angst you feel *the conviction* will be replaced with peace. I know this is true! Several of my adult friends and I learned this when we served in Mexico or with the Love Your Neighbor group we started at our old church. It just strengthens your faith. Later that day, he came to me and said he signed up for the Habitat build. So I signed up too. We only stayed a few hours, but it was really amazing to share this experience with him and I think we'll probably do it again.

turkey vulture in our neighborhood

I'm learning in my new Bible study group that I seriously need to take every thought captive. All of that negative self-talk I do, it really hurts God. I do not want to grieve Him. God made me a wondrous creation. He loves me and will take care of me (and my children).

Matthew 6:26-30 "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you--you of little faith?"

Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Friends, our Love Your Neighbor group from church assisted a family with a move-in last weekend.  These guys literally ARE our neighbors.  Keaton and I were able to walk the 2 blocks over to their house to help.  (Cole was a bit under the weather.)  Lots of helping hands, though.  Since we started this group a little over a year ago, we have facilitated over 20 projects, including move-ins, move-outs, cleaning, repairs, maintenance, yard work, etc.  It's been a great thing to watch how God is using all of us to love on our neighbors!

CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO of the last project

 In the words of Grover from Sesame Street:

"FULL...."

 "EMPTY!!!!"

Romans 12:9-10 “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” (NLT)

The Struggle is Real

Just finished up a Bible study using Right Now Media and a book by Nicole Unice called The Struggle is Real.  Bam!  This book impacted me greatly.  (I recall just one other book being as timely and spot-on in recent years - - that was Stressed Less Living by Tracie Miles - - and I've read a TON of books in the last 5 years!)  I have shared what I've been learning in The Struggle is Real with other close friends and they are taking the message to heart as well.  Given the weight loss goals many of us have this year, the cover photo alone was intriguing to me...ha!

Here is Unice's central message: God is greatest.  He knows best.

If we really believe that...life just runs along a little smoother.  There's more peace.  Joy.  Intimacy with Him.  Our story is one we are living in past, present and future. But essentially, the Struggle with a capital "S" has to do with how we know we should live (free in Christ, able to love fully, resting in His grace) with how we actually live (burdened, anxious, and/or in doubt of His goodness).

Freedom Cycle DERAILERS!

The story themes of our lives typically hit one of these 4 themes:
#1 Lost
#2 Bondage
#3 Afflicted
#4 Overwhelmed
(Can you relate to any of these?)

Unice has a background as counselor, so she does delve into the idea that your past can define who you have become.  But she doesn't stop there.  She doesn't allow you to stay a victim in it.  What she talks about is the "Freedom Cycle".  Once you learn what God's LOVE really is, you can live in TRUTH, which allows you to FORGIVE and feel forgiven, and that allows you true FREEDOM to love.  Thus the cycle begins once again.  This was a powerful message for me.  In the weeks leading up to this Bible study, I was going through a period of doubt - - I mean ultimately I do believe God has my best interest in mind.  But I sometimes get weary in the waiting.  What is going to be His solution to my heart cries?  So to hear and grasp that He really does LOVE me, to really accept that, is huge.  Unice solidified this in my heart over the course of this study.

Living In the Freedom Cycle

And, real life confirmed it for me also.  This past week I was thrown into a bit of a tailspin with a job offer.  It came out of the blue.  I wasn't looking for full-time work.  It is at a non-profit, in accounting, which is exactly what I want to do once I've completed my Master's Degree program. Mind you, we completely enjoy the freedom of our current schedule.  And my income streams do provide enough for us to survive.  But the offer of something different had me really seeking clarity and guidance.  I couldn't know the end of the story without walking it out, but God knew.  And there is so much peace in that.  He just knows best. What I also know is that He wants to give me the best thing for me.  I finally came to the conclusion that that job was not His best for me.  In fact, what He pointed me to was this: what I currently have IS the best...at least for now.  And He reminded me that thankfulness, contentedness, and joy in this season is where I'll find peace.  It's like He was saying, "Lisa, I give you manna every day.  Be content.  Why do you want to go back to Egypt?"  If I hadn't been absorbed in this The Struggle is Real Bible study, I may not have been able to see this as clearly.

The 6 weekly videos for the study on Right Now Media are short (15 min or so each).  The daily participant material is also manageable.  Plus, the whole thing is so rich in God's Word.  So much scripture!  Not a bunch of psychobabble or author opinion.  As is typical for me, I borrowed the text up from the library and purchased the Participant's Guide from Amazon for $8 + tax.  Can't wait to dive into my next study!  Renewing my mind by resting in His Word.

2 Corinthians 4:16 (ESV) So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

Omne Trium Perfectum

Omne trium perfectum.  It's the rule of three.  But wait, let me back up a minute and explain my train of thought...

Yesterday the sermon focused on suffering as Christ suffered.  The pastor highlighted part of 1 Peter chapter 2 that speaks of how Jesus suffered (way more than we EVER have, by the way) but totally trusted His father's will in the matter, and relied on the Holy Spirit to comfort and get Him through. This is the kind of suffering we are called to. In other words, when we suffer (and we will, this is promised in Scripture), we can know that God is in it and that He has a plan.  Trusting Him gives us the best chance to get through this with the proper measure of refining and pain.  Our pastor also pointed out that sometimes the suffering is not necessarily about us, but about someone else altogether.  I get that.  But I sure feel affected by suffering in the last 5 years!  I know I am not alone in this.  Today is Eric's birthday.  He would have been 53.  I still think of him almost every day.  That's not to say I weep and feel depressed every day.  But the day-to-day without my friend, confidant, and co-parent is often lonely and hard.  That is just how it is.  And frankly, I am weary of it.  Sooooo how do I combat this?

Here's where I want to communicate the rule of three and how it applies in my life.


The older I get, the more I realize the gift God gave us in these 3 things: worship, prayer, and His Word.  Last week we had a worship night at church.  Just praising, singing and reading of several Psalms.  It was wonderful!  Uplifting!  I have this theory that the reason singing out loud feels so amazing or praying out loud or reading scripture out loud gives us that absolute sense of peace is because the devil can hear us.  Now you might think, WHAT??!! She's talking about the devil!!??

Okay, yes. It's just a theory.  I know that God is omniscient.  But the devil isn't.  Now I don't wanna give too much blog space to the Enemy, because he would love nothing more.  But I do not believe he can read my thoughts.  Only God can.  So if I want to pray or sing in silence, God will still hear me.  He knows me inside and out.  On the contrary, while the devil can insert false thought patterns...he is a liar afterall...he does not hear my thoughts.  So if I want to shake him off my trail, I need to praise OUT loud and I need to pray OUT loud and I need to quote scripture OUT loud.  The demons hear Jesus' name and shutter.  They know He (Jesus) has power.  I have discussed this theology with a few different people. Seems like a logical conclusion to most.  We are testing it out.  I would love to hear an alternative point of view if you have one.  For now, though, my omne trium perfectum is praising, praying, and reading the Bible.  A daily dose of these 3 keeps me on track.  Try it and let me know how it goes for you!

1 Peter 2:21 - "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps."

I Thess 5:16-18 - "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Catching up

I have a gift subscription to WORLD magazine.  It comes every other week.  Full of great stories, lots information from around the world.  BUT, it comes every other week.  I cannot read them in the time it takes for another issue to come.  When I'm at the gym, walking on the treadmill, I listen to a daily podcast from WORLD radio; it's kind of like NPR from a Christian worldview.  This way I'm not totally oblivious to what is happening in the world around me.  But I am behind in reading the magazine.

Okay, so last night I was reading the December 26th edition...I'm that far behind....and there is a regular columnist Andree Seu Peterson who often stirs up thoughts for me.  Profound.  Sometimes a little heady.  But this column was hitting me right between the eyes.  In my small circle of church friends there are so many going through so many hard things.  And we joke, "these are just light and momentary troubles" like Paul talks about in 2 Cor 4:17.  (They really are, in light of eternity.)  But it's still hard while we are going through them.

Peterson mentioned this vision: one of Paul and Silas SINGING joyously while in jail.  They might have been thinking, things look so bad, God must be up to something good!  Basically, we should live as Christians with intense anticipation of the something good...right?!  And in a situation where she was frustrated with how God was or wasn't working, her husband quipped, "What if the Devil's finest work is to make us give up believing in God, and expecting from Him, just when we should dig in?"

My Bible study group  has been reading through and studying Hebrews.  A letter of encouragement to the Jewish Christians in during times of intense persecution.  So many great nuggets in this book!  But the one that I've been camping on this week: "For we do not have a high priest (Jesus) who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are -- yet was without sin.  Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."  (Heb 4:15-16)

I cannot give up believing.

Hope Continually

Psalms 71:14 says:

But I will hope continually, and yet praise thee more and more.

Not against flesh and blood

Recently I was listening to a sermon from Ben Courson called, "Penguins, Cacti and Fickle Crowds." (from his podcast: 10/17 & 10/24/15.) He pointed to some study he read regarding human behavior.

25% of people you know don't like you at all
25% of people you know say they don't like you, but could be persuaded to change their mind
25% of people you know say they DO like you, but could be persuaded to change their mind
25% of people you know genuinely like you and would stand by you no matter what

(Then he jokingly said that last 25% is just our mothers...)

If only 25% of people we are in relationship with genuinely like us and will stand by us, that means we may occasionally encounter conflict with the other 75% of the people we know.  (Ya think?)  That is a crazy statistic. And I can't remember where exactly he quoted it from, so please take it with a grain of salt...but his point was this: "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood..."  We are really in a battle with powers of darkness and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Not with our fellow man.

That got me to thinking, of course.  And I was debating it out with a friend (I think one of the 25% that likes me and would stand by me, but you never know, haha!)  Sometimes we do have to stand up man-to-man and fight with another person.  Armed conflict.  God sanctioned war in the Bible.  But if we are in tune with God's will, achieved by much prayer, then we'll know for certain when the time to stand up is really here.

Spiritual Warfare - Are you ready for Battle?

I think the time is now.  Evil is becoming more and more apparent.  I just want to be diligent to fight against evil with truth.  To fight complacency with action.  I don't want to be fickle or luke warm.  I think this requires much faith.  Especially when you are prone to be a people-pleaser like I am.  And when we feel low because of our circumstances, we need to remember there is a battle for our souls going on that we can't even see.  But God is on our side.  Jesus is fighting for us.  We can help Him out by trusting in Him, or we can make it harder by listening to the lies of the Devil.  It is really our choice.  Gotta love that "Free Will" thing.

Please forgive my random postings today.  My mind is wandering all over the place.  Not doing accounting or schoolwork, that's for sure.

3 days to go...

This season in our small group Bible study, the ladies and I are studying Daniel.  We are utilizing Beth Moore study materials and wow(!) what a poignant book for the times we are living in. "Lives of Integrity - Words of Prophecy".

This week we are focusing on Chapter 4 of Daniel.  This is the chapter where Nebuchadnezzar learns the lesson that "pride cometh before a fall".  What Beth Moore stressed in the lesson video was this is a lesson we'd better try to learn in the the classroom, rather than having to learn it like Neb did.  Oh, that it were that easy....  Neb has a dream (a warning, which Daniel interprets) that if he doesn't start realizing others that are less fortunate need his help, he will end up in a bad spot.  He still glories in himself and ends up living like a cow for 7 years.  Seriously, eating grass.  He totally learned his lesson, though, the hard way.  I think most of us do it the hard way.

Pride is such a subtle sin.  Slowly creeps in.  The homework for our study this week talks about "our testimonies" becoming more about US and less about how GOD worked IN US.  Having just presented my testimony to a group of women a couple of weeks ago, I pray that others can see my testimony is not me working in my own strength.  It is totally God.  I could not do one day without Him.  Unfortunately, I have had many life lessons in pride and self-reliance and how that just does not work.  I recall one of my professional mentors angrily screaming at the 27-yr-old me, "Lisa, you are so haughty!"  Totally took me by surprise.  But she was so right....God has shown me this over and over in the years since.  (I not only deal with pride, but a stubborn pride.)  Like Jeremiah the prophet says and Paul reiterates in I Cor 1:31: "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord" and in His righteousness.  As strong as Paul was in the faith, he still tells us in 2 Cor 12:9 that Christ told him: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  Today, I pray for humility.  And thank Him for His grace.

Before September Closes...

Where in the world did September go?

I have just been super busy.  More than I like to be.  And well, I think I overcommitted.  But it was all for a good cause!  And I also believe it was stuff God wanted me to do.

Two weekends ago I was able to drive to Central Washington to watch one of my friends play in a tennis tournament (his team won!) and to have lunch with some dear friends of Eric's.  I drove 4 hours there, stayed 5-6 hours and then drove 4 hours back, by myself.  BUT, that gave me time to talk to God about my testimony in preparation for the women's retreat (this past weekend), and practice the worship songs we would be singing at the retreat.  Was just a refreshing time, not worrying about the kids, simply being with my friends, and it was sunny.  Aldan kept the boys.

So yes!  We hosted a women's retreat at church this past weekend.  Friday and Saturday.  A team of 2 other ladies and myself have been practicing worship songs and led the worship for the group of  50-60 ladies throughout the weekend.  I was also asked to present my testimony.  Pulling all of that together was a challenge.  It is emotional bringing up the past.  Plus I tend to be a better writer than speaker, a better background vocal than lead, a better behind-the-scenes administration type rather than up front and center, so this is just all so far OUTSIDE MY COMFORT ZONE!  Sometimes the hardest things are the right things to do... By God's grace and the Holy Spirit, I just spoke from my heart (even though I had diligently written out 5 pages of notes).  And the worship time worked out wonderfully as well.  Everyone was blessed by the entire weekend.  All of the speakers' testimonies blended together beautifully, as only God could do it.  Together we were able to provide insight and hope for all in attendance.  Lots of tears and laughter, fellowship and making new friends.

And bless my children's hearts...they know one of my love languages is "acts of service".  When I arrived home at night from the retreat, the house was tidy and all the toys were picked up.  Keaton left me a little note on the chair: "To Mom (love) Keaton"  

Now we are back in the saddle, so to speak.  School.  Work.  Life.   My friends in Yakima gave us a rock tumbler.  So we also have a little project in progress....

this is Cole's favorite rock

After a couple more rounds in the tumbler, I will hopefully be able to present a group of highly polished gems.  Stay tuned!