"They are not just idle words for you--they are your life."
Deuteronomy 32:47
Last month I had the privilege of chaperoning Chi Alpha choir tour/mission trip to New Orleans. For several years this trip has been one of the highlights of summer for our family. On four charter buses, about 150 excited high school students and 40-something brave adults loaded up for a week of missions and concerts. Among the different mission sites was First Baptist Church Belle Chase, where my group had the opportunity to help with Vacation Bible School.
I do so love VBS and the joy of teaching children about Christ's love. As Kristin, Madison, Olivia--the sweet XA youth in my group-- and I decorated the room that Sunday afternoon, we prayed for the children that would come on Monday. We were thrilled when they began scrambling in to our assigned pews in the sanctuary the next morning. Quickly we began to learn a bit about these eight 5th graders: although almost all had lived in this south Louisiana suburb for most of their lives, only two were actually members of this church. Most only attended a church occasionally. Their lives were loaded with stuff: iPhones (yes, 5th graders!), BMX bikes, four wheelers, video games, clothes, jewelry... One boy openly admitted, "I'm spoiled rotten. I get pretty much anything I ask for." But to our utter dismay, we discovered that four of these precious children did not have the most important possession of all--a Bible.
Perhaps I grieved so deeply over this because of where I am right now. The verse from Deuteronomy says it all--God's Word is indeed my daily sustenance. There are mornings when the darkness seems overwhelming; I open up my Bible and find light and hope. "For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, 'Do not fear; I will help you.'" (Isaiah 41:13) On days that loneliness creeps in, His Word assures me, "You are mine... I will be with you" (Isaiah 43:1-2). When I feel weak and confused, His words offer strength and peace. "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) His Word reminds me that worship will overcome worry and praise will conquer self-pity. These verses speak the very voice of the Lord. Oh, not to have His Word would be devastating--indeed it is life!
That very night one of our staff members graciously made a Walmart run and purchased some Bibles for these children. What a delight for us to be able to give them the most important book they will ever have! But the best part of all was seeing their gratitude and eagerness to find out what it said. The more we read, the more questions they asked. "How can God be everywhere at once?" "What is the difference between God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit?" "How do you know that God is real?" "Are there still prophets today?" "Why does God let bad things happen?" What a thrill to hear them seeking answers! Oh, how I prayed that the Lord would give us the right words--through His Word--to respond. These children seemed so hungry, perhaps just beginning to realize that none of their "stuff" was truly satisfying. There must be more...
We were overjoyed one morning when one of the boys told us that he had prayed to accept Christ at his home the night before. Smiling broadly, Michael announced, "I've been reading my new Bible too. Should I start at the beginning? Last night I was reading in Genesis." Oh, to observe that kind of zeal for the Word--the freshness of its truth, the pursuit of its life-changing power--was a delight. As we said our goodbyes at the community block party on Saturday, our group committed to continue praying for these endearing boys and girls--primarily that God would continue to draw Himself unto them through the treasure of His Word.
Although there are several devotionals that I enjoy reading, none compare to God's Holy Word. It is within these pages that I hear His voice of comfort and sense the Spirit's movement in my heart. Such grace! I love the phrase from 2 Timothy 3:16 that says, "All Scripture is God-breathed..." Some mornings I can almost sense His breath upon me. Surely there is no greater comfort...
"Your statutes are my delight;
they are my counselors."
Psalm 119:24
* Just had a random thought: Since I'm a devoted "Words with Friends" fan, maybe a new name for our Sunday night ladies' Bible study: "His Word with Friends"!
Sunday, July 22, 2012
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Lincoln and Laughter
"A cheerful heart is good medicine..."
Proverbs 17:22
One afternoon in late spring Caleb called from the Tuscaloosa animal rescue shelter to ask for my approval/permission to get a dog. He used his best lobbying efforts: "He's a boxer like Maggie and my roommates are here with me and we all think he'll make a great pet and we're all going to pitch in for dog food..." In a weak moment I said, "Oh, why not?" forgetting that when Son #2 moved home for the summer he would also bring his new companion. His name is Lincoln, and we're trying to convince him that he is not the President and this is not his White House.
You see Maggie, our seven year old boxer, has been queen of this home since she was 8 weeks old. Having full reign, she has never learned (or needed to) about sharing her space, her toys, her backyard, or her family. All belonged to her and she was good with that. Enter an enthusiastic (perhaps somewhat eccentric) 1 1/2 year old puppy (part boxer/part gazelle/part giraffe) who is taller than she and has springs in his legs. It wasn't pretty--snarling, growling, bouncing, wrestling... After the first few days, I was certain that somebody was not going to make it.
Tension was high. Clearly there was an "our dog" vs. "your dog" mind set as we attempted to restore peace. "He was biting her ear!" "She jumped on him first!" We have swatted with rolled newspaper and raised our voices more than once. (At times I thought I was revisiting the boys' childhood days!) Gradually though, we began to see signs of emerging congeniality. The growling subsided and the wrestling became more playful. Now, only a few weeks later, these dogs entertain us. They "box" relentlessly, and the rope toy has become a tug-of-war favorite as they vigorously tussle then collapse for a nap side by side.
Even still we have some training to do. Linc greets our guests by leaping/bouncing on them and licking them with his giraffe-like tongue. He's quite fond of food--beyond the Kibbles and Chunks we offer him. He has taken out two raw hamburger patties, a plate of homemade teacakes, an 8-pack of hamburger buns, two sticks of butter, a slice of pizza, and a fresh peach. Needless to say we no longer leave anything on the kitchen counter unattended! These antics have proved frustrating, but they have also provided laughter--much needed cheer.
Around the Fourth of July table as we were sharing Linc's latest escapades, Jim's dad shared his own dog stories from years past. We laughed--belly laughed at times (especially about the hounds that swiped the neighbors' steaks off their grill) and were so thankful. What a joyful sound! Some time ago I read, "The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain." That laughter felt so good... down to our toes good.
On Father's Day last month I was especially grateful for Sarah Young's devotion about laughter in Jesus Calling:
"Laughter lightens your load and lifts your heart into heavenly places. Your
laughter rises to heaven and blends with angelic melodies of praise. Just as
parents delight in the laughter of their children, so I delight in hearing My
children laugh. I rejoice when you trust Me enough to enjoy your life
lightheartedly."
What a beautiful picture! That melody of a child's laugh is contagious, and there has been a lot of laughter in our home through the years. Few people I have known loved to laugh and make people laugh as Jim did. His quick wit was his trademark as he loved to kindle smiles and lighten moods. Just last Father's Day we gave him a new bathing suit which he immediately slipped on over his dress pants for the annual photo with the boys. No need to say, "Smile!" for that pose!
I am so thankful that each of the boys has been blessed with some of that Gibson wit. To know that the Lord is delighted to hear us laugh encourages us to find humor in our days--even if the source is a sometimes out-of-control rescue dog. So even though Caleb's/our new boxer has created some, umm... problems, he has made us laugh--even almost howl at times. Surely this is good medicine.
"Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy."
Psalm 126:2
Proverbs 17:22
One afternoon in late spring Caleb called from the Tuscaloosa animal rescue shelter to ask for my approval/permission to get a dog. He used his best lobbying efforts: "He's a boxer like Maggie and my roommates are here with me and we all think he'll make a great pet and we're all going to pitch in for dog food..." In a weak moment I said, "Oh, why not?" forgetting that when Son #2 moved home for the summer he would also bring his new companion. His name is Lincoln, and we're trying to convince him that he is not the President and this is not his White House.
You see Maggie, our seven year old boxer, has been queen of this home since she was 8 weeks old. Having full reign, she has never learned (or needed to) about sharing her space, her toys, her backyard, or her family. All belonged to her and she was good with that. Enter an enthusiastic (perhaps somewhat eccentric) 1 1/2 year old puppy (part boxer/part gazelle/part giraffe) who is taller than she and has springs in his legs. It wasn't pretty--snarling, growling, bouncing, wrestling... After the first few days, I was certain that somebody was not going to make it.
Tension was high. Clearly there was an "our dog" vs. "your dog" mind set as we attempted to restore peace. "He was biting her ear!" "She jumped on him first!" We have swatted with rolled newspaper and raised our voices more than once. (At times I thought I was revisiting the boys' childhood days!) Gradually though, we began to see signs of emerging congeniality. The growling subsided and the wrestling became more playful. Now, only a few weeks later, these dogs entertain us. They "box" relentlessly, and the rope toy has become a tug-of-war favorite as they vigorously tussle then collapse for a nap side by side.
Even still we have some training to do. Linc greets our guests by leaping/bouncing on them and licking them with his giraffe-like tongue. He's quite fond of food--beyond the Kibbles and Chunks we offer him. He has taken out two raw hamburger patties, a plate of homemade teacakes, an 8-pack of hamburger buns, two sticks of butter, a slice of pizza, and a fresh peach. Needless to say we no longer leave anything on the kitchen counter unattended! These antics have proved frustrating, but they have also provided laughter--much needed cheer.
Around the Fourth of July table as we were sharing Linc's latest escapades, Jim's dad shared his own dog stories from years past. We laughed--belly laughed at times (especially about the hounds that swiped the neighbors' steaks off their grill) and were so thankful. What a joyful sound! Some time ago I read, "The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain." That laughter felt so good... down to our toes good.
On Father's Day last month I was especially grateful for Sarah Young's devotion about laughter in Jesus Calling:
"Laughter lightens your load and lifts your heart into heavenly places. Your
laughter rises to heaven and blends with angelic melodies of praise. Just as
parents delight in the laughter of their children, so I delight in hearing My
children laugh. I rejoice when you trust Me enough to enjoy your life
lightheartedly."
What a beautiful picture! That melody of a child's laugh is contagious, and there has been a lot of laughter in our home through the years. Few people I have known loved to laugh and make people laugh as Jim did. His quick wit was his trademark as he loved to kindle smiles and lighten moods. Just last Father's Day we gave him a new bathing suit which he immediately slipped on over his dress pants for the annual photo with the boys. No need to say, "Smile!" for that pose!
I am so thankful that each of the boys has been blessed with some of that Gibson wit. To know that the Lord is delighted to hear us laugh encourages us to find humor in our days--even if the source is a sometimes out-of-control rescue dog. So even though Caleb's/our new boxer has created some, umm... problems, he has made us laugh--even almost howl at times. Surely this is good medicine.
"Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy."
Psalm 126:2
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Wellspring
"O God, You are my God,
earnestly I seek You;
my soul thirsts for You,
my body longs for You,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water."
Psalm 63:1
In these blazing hot days with temperatures hovering around 100 degrees, we become more aware of the preciousness of water. Sprinkling our parched lawns and weary gardens, splashing in the neighborhood swimming pool, guzzling a bottled water after a short walk or workout--we are grateful for water that offers cooling refreshment to the earth, the flowers, and our bodies. Where do we go when we want to get away and be refreshed? Most often we seek the water--lakes, oceans, rivers, or maybe just a pond for fishing. Water invites us to relax, enjoy, and rest. Is it any wonder? Genesis 1:2 says, "Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." Alas! This enchantment with water is perhaps our inherent desire to be near Him! Surely we are awed by His creation as we watch the timeless waves gently lap against the shore or as we see mirror images of surrounding giant oaks and pines in the glass surface of the lake. Yes, He is still hovering there, and in Him there is enjoyment and rest and peace.
But we can't always get to the beach or the lake or the river. Recently I saw a t-shirt featuring beach chairs and the phrase, "Gotta be near the water." What truth! Indeed God designed us to be "near the water," but not necessarily the Gulf of Mexico or Smith Lake. The water He had in mind is the Living Water--Himself--and that's available any time anywhere. I love the description in Jeremiah as God calls Himself "the fountain of living water." Fountains just keep flowing, the source for the stream of water. He is our source for life abundant as He wants us to have. Wasn't that one of our favorite songs as children? "Deep and wide, deep and wide--there's a fountain flowing deep and wide..." Jesus shares with the woman at the well: "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:13) Isn't that comforting in this dry and weary land? There is water that will forever quench this longing. Only Jesus Himself, the Living Water, will satisfy.
The U.S. Forestry Service survival training guide suggests that three days without water is a "serious threat to survival." I think they're on to something. If we go three days without at least sipping the Living Water, we could be in deep trouble. If we choose to soak in it, devouring it, we will find peace--a gracious gift. "Taste and see that the Lord is good." (Psalm 34:8) That begins with "being still" time in His Word. Oh, the sweltering heat may persist, and we Southern ladies may be glistening on the outside, but that won't affect us on the inside, for that Fountain flows deep and wide. These lyrics from one of my favorite songs, "There is a Fountain," capture it all:
"Who on earth can satisfy my soul
Who on earth can comfort me and love me like You do,
Who on earth can be more faithful and true
I will trust in You; I will trust in You, my God.
There is a fountain
Who is a King
Victorious Warrior and Lord of everything
My Rock, My Shelter
My very own
Precious Redeemer who reigns upon the throne.
Who could ever be more faithful and true
Lord Jesus, Lord Jesus,
Lord Jesus; there's none like You."
Yes, we do still seek a Dasani or a water fountain on a hot day, and we're thankful for that refreshment. But one day we know that won't be necessary as we stand in the very presence of the Fountain who is King. Amen and amen!
"Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat upon them,
nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their Shepherd;
He will lead them to springs of living water.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
Revelation 7:16-17
earnestly I seek You;
my soul thirsts for You,
my body longs for You,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water."
Psalm 63:1
In these blazing hot days with temperatures hovering around 100 degrees, we become more aware of the preciousness of water. Sprinkling our parched lawns and weary gardens, splashing in the neighborhood swimming pool, guzzling a bottled water after a short walk or workout--we are grateful for water that offers cooling refreshment to the earth, the flowers, and our bodies. Where do we go when we want to get away and be refreshed? Most often we seek the water--lakes, oceans, rivers, or maybe just a pond for fishing. Water invites us to relax, enjoy, and rest. Is it any wonder? Genesis 1:2 says, "Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters." Alas! This enchantment with water is perhaps our inherent desire to be near Him! Surely we are awed by His creation as we watch the timeless waves gently lap against the shore or as we see mirror images of surrounding giant oaks and pines in the glass surface of the lake. Yes, He is still hovering there, and in Him there is enjoyment and rest and peace.
But we can't always get to the beach or the lake or the river. Recently I saw a t-shirt featuring beach chairs and the phrase, "Gotta be near the water." What truth! Indeed God designed us to be "near the water," but not necessarily the Gulf of Mexico or Smith Lake. The water He had in mind is the Living Water--Himself--and that's available any time anywhere. I love the description in Jeremiah as God calls Himself "the fountain of living water." Fountains just keep flowing, the source for the stream of water. He is our source for life abundant as He wants us to have. Wasn't that one of our favorite songs as children? "Deep and wide, deep and wide--there's a fountain flowing deep and wide..." Jesus shares with the woman at the well: "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:13) Isn't that comforting in this dry and weary land? There is water that will forever quench this longing. Only Jesus Himself, the Living Water, will satisfy.
The U.S. Forestry Service survival training guide suggests that three days without water is a "serious threat to survival." I think they're on to something. If we go three days without at least sipping the Living Water, we could be in deep trouble. If we choose to soak in it, devouring it, we will find peace--a gracious gift. "Taste and see that the Lord is good." (Psalm 34:8) That begins with "being still" time in His Word. Oh, the sweltering heat may persist, and we Southern ladies may be glistening on the outside, but that won't affect us on the inside, for that Fountain flows deep and wide. These lyrics from one of my favorite songs, "There is a Fountain," capture it all:
"Who on earth can satisfy my soul
Who on earth can comfort me and love me like You do,
Who on earth can be more faithful and true
I will trust in You; I will trust in You, my God.
There is a fountain
Who is a King
Victorious Warrior and Lord of everything
My Rock, My Shelter
My very own
Precious Redeemer who reigns upon the throne.
Who could ever be more faithful and true
Lord Jesus, Lord Jesus,
Lord Jesus; there's none like You."
Yes, we do still seek a Dasani or a water fountain on a hot day, and we're thankful for that refreshment. But one day we know that won't be necessary as we stand in the very presence of the Fountain who is King. Amen and amen!
"Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat upon them,
nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their Shepherd;
He will lead them to springs of living water.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
Revelation 7:16-17
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