Own It!

From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more. Luke 12:48

While teaching a class to high school juniors and seniors recently, we began a discussion on the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. When asked what allowed Dietrich to passionately continue in his commitment to eliminating the injustices that plagued his generation, one astute student quickly stated, "He owned his life calling".  Yes, this Pastor and Theologian understood the concept of ownership. Dietrich had been given many talents and skills, and he did not allow the pressure and threat of Adolf Hitler to excuse his responsibility in seeking justice for those who faced discrimination and extermination. Dietrich was connected to his life purpose and understood that no circumstance, event, or person could hinder or remove what God alone had given. I am left to wonder what Dietrich had to relinquish in order to pursue what he alone was commissioned in life to accomplish. What about you? What are your gifts and talents? What responsibility has God assigned to you? What will you have to relinquish to  "Own It"? To whom much is given much is required (Luke 12:48). What do you possess? Everyone has a life calling, a gift or unique design that serves the purpose of bringing justice or relief to humanity. Even a simple smile can release a captive soul. Today, own your life. Do not allow any circumstance, event, or person to cloud your destiny of purpose. It is yours and yours alone, so Own It! 

Enter Into His Courts

Shout joyfully to the Lord....Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting  And His faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 100

As I read this Psalm this morning, I wonder what takes place in my life that keeps me from entering into the divine throne room of a God who declares His eternal love for me and extends lovingkindness that is everlasting. What prevents me from entering into His courts and having an audience with a God who has created the heavens and earth, and everything in it, and declares it "Very Good" (Genesis 1:31)? What clouds my vision of His goodness and faithfulness to all generations? It is not having an accurate vision of who He is. Years ago I recall insisting that something was wrong with my front windshield. I was convinced that the manufacturer had installed a faulty windshield and that it needed to be replaced. I pursued my husband to follow up on this and get the company to install a replacement shield. Until my shield was replaced, I decided  I would have to continue my constant cleaning. What I learned was that the distortion did not come from the manufacturer, but from faulty vision on my end. I ended up with corrective lenses, bifocals, and the problem was solved. I was living life with distorted vision. This distortion kept me from understanding the true nature of the problem. Perhaps this is why today's reading of Psalm 100 strikes a chord within my heart. This is a Psalm of praise and worship, but to shout joyfully, serve Him with gladness, and to come before Him with joyful singing, I must hold out before me an accurate vision of who He is. He is Elohim, God my creator. He is El-Elyon, the God who is sovereign over all He created, and declares that His purposes will be established. All that He has planned He will surely accomplish (Isaiah 46: 9-11). He is El Roi, the God who sees everything and does not forsake those who seek Him (Psalm 9:10). He is El Shaddai, the all sufficient One. In Him I am assured that there is no other power on earth that can render me complete but Him. With this vision of God, then I can easily enter into His courts and render praise. Today, consider what it is that clouds your vision from seeing a God who promises to be faithful and good to the end. 

Today, Lord, correct the lens of my heart so that I can see, with clarity, the reality of who you are. You are a good God. May my mouth praise you and my heart sing with joy, that you, Oh God, are worthy of my praise.  

The art of Christian Zumba

...applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence...knowledge...self-control... perseverance...godliness... brotherly kindness...love....for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble...2 Peter 1:5-10

Yesterday I had a conversation with a woman ready to take up the Latin style of dance and exercise program called Zumba. I was not very encouraging in my response to her enthusiasm. This past summer I accepted a free pass to take part in a Zumba class. Now when free is part of the vocabulary, it does not take much for me to reach out and accept. I went with my daughter and her friend, our next door neighbor. I am relatively fit and agile, so I thought Zumba would simply be a fun night out with the "girls". I was not prepared for the fast moving, hip-hop, hip-swerving, arm-slinging, salsa tapping style of exercise. In one instant I became like an infant--uncoordinated. I simply could not master the moves, no matter how hard this once state winning track and field star tried. So I did what any self respecting mother would do; I embarrassed my daughter. I began to create my own moves. I twisted and twirled, and gyrated to my own beat. I threw my hands up and my head back and let nature take over. Simply put, I gave up. I finished the hour long reminder of how old I really was, and decided my body was not meant for such Latin elements like Zumba. However, my conversation yesterday made me wonder why I had not went back and diligently commit to practicing this healthy form of exercise. Practice makes perfect, as the old adage goes. So, why had I simply not decided to employ this age old principle? Why do any of us give up on something we know brings the benefit of relationship, peace and harmony, restoration and healing, and life-long spiritual and emotional benefits. Because like me, we think after one or two failed attempts we are not created to enjoy such God-given gifts. We link our "failure" in with our self-identity. God is more understanding and gracious than our opinions and conclusions. He understands the principle of putting moral character, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love into practice. He knows that with practice, we will enjoy the benefits of being in healthy relationships and productive work. This is what I call practicing "The Art of Christian Zumba". What is it you need to revisit and commit to putting into practice?

Lord, today, I commit to receiving forgiveness for my failures, and will seek to practice the virtues of moral excellence. You promise that as long as I put into practice your principles for godly living, I will never stumble. Lord, here I am, spiritually uncoordinated, but ready to put into practice the art of Christian Love and Living.  

Being Intentional

I have made a covenant with my eyes...Job 31:1

Last night my husband and I were given tickets to a college basketball game. Not just any tickets, though, but center court, high-back chair, front row tickets. We could actually reach out and touch the players and referees. Not bad for free, so I thought. Placing us center court, front row, also meant being face to face with tail wagging, breast popping, extremely young pom pom girls. Their smiles were enthusiastic, their pants tight, and their dances provocative. I watched as my husband of nearly 30 years diverted his eyes away each time confronted with these youthful temptations. I also observed that the two men sitting to his left appeared to employ the same technique each time. Forget the other men, they were hooked on the gold and brown babes. Finally, I reached over and thanked my husband for being respectful and not eyeing the "candy" directly in front of him. His response; "I'm having to be intentional. They are right in front of me." I wondered if this was the technique being used by the other two men, or if they simply were not interested. Being Intentional meant my husband made a choice not to look in spite of what his natural inclination desired. This choice accomplished his goal--to not lust after another woman and break the marriage covenant he made nearly three decade ago to me. His being intentional spoke deeply to my heart. How many times have I made an excuse for a job left undone, a relationship neglected, or a phone call not returned. Last night, my husband made no excuses. He simply did what he had to do. Period. I sit cognitive of the new resolutions I just recently penned. They are sitting buried under papers next to my desk and unattended--dinner with friends once a month, individual time with each child, memorize scripture, pray more, and the list goes on. What now is my response? I am going to find those resolutions and throw out my excuses. Like my husband, I am going to be intentional and do what is right regardless of how I feel. I am going to make a covenant to be intentional towards those I love. I am going to divert my eyes away from that which distracts and tempts me to neglect what is important. How about you? What or who have you neglected? Being intentional to do what is right is not easy, but it builds quality relationships and friendships. Today, join me in being intentional and set your eyes on what is necessary and right. 

Living with Blisters

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

As a hiker, I know how paralyzing getting a blister can be. My family and I hiked down Pikes Peak two summers ago, and I was rendered bootless at one point in our nine hour descent. After returning home, I discovered that my feet had not been properly attired for such a rigorous adventure, and first aid was required for a few months after. Recently, I took on another adventure. This adventure is one of the heart and soul. After a very long day in my new role, I encountered a vile, bristly human soul. I was tired and easily wounded, so I left with a heart that had been blistered. And like any physical blister, this blister paralyzed my soul. I began to walk soulfully wounded. My heart needed first aid. It has been a few days since my encounter with this rugged and harsh being, and I have asked myself what can I do to prevent being blistered by this person again. Her vile and bristly nature is perhaps like Pikes Peak, stationary, but my encounter with her, like Pikes Peak, will have to change. I will have to don different soul protecting measures to avoid getting blisters on my soul. So, what will I need to drape my soul with? Compassion, Kindness, Humility, Gentleness and Patience. These attributes will guard my heart. They will remind me to step with awareness as I navigate the terrain of a rugged and bristly soul. You see, getting blisters descending down Pikes Peak did not stop me from wanting to revisit this magnificent work of God. It simply made me aware of what I need to do differently, so that I am not distracted from the beauty of such magnificence. My encounter with this harsh soul made me aware of what I need to do differently, so that I do not miss the beauty of what God has created in each individual soul He stamped "fearfully and wonderfully made" Psalm 139:14. Today, I plan to drape my soul in blister proof character. What attributes do you need to clothe yourself in, so that the eyes of your heart can see the beauty of a of a rugged, bristly soul? 

Doing What Matters Today

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. Proverbs 27:1

As I sit reviewing my previous week and assessing my calendar concerning the commitments that glare at me in the week ahead, I feel my soul languishing over the lack of margin in my schedule. I can already feel my adrenalin gearing up. How will I navigate the landscape that stretches out before me? I know God reminds us that lack of planning leads to failure, but this is not my problem. My problem is that the plans distract my attention away from the "matters" that lie at my feet today. I cannot seem to enjoy today. My children, along with their cousin, are laughing and dancing, while the sounds of their youthful joy become a distraction to my stratgic "game planning". I began to realize that something was out of sync, because the unknown outcome of tomorrow was casting a shadow of the music and beauty of today. How can God entrust me with tomorrow until I act responsible with the gifts and purposes He has laid before me today? I decided to stop gearing up for tomorrow and give massages to each one willing to trust me with their bodies and minds. I had a line of willing participants. The outcome was family bonding and mutual love exchanged. My lesson-joy is found in doing what matters today. Surrendering my gifts and talents in the moment and not to an unkown future. Being present minded with an eye toward the future. To live with hope is to know that tomorrow will take care of itself. What plans do you need to lay down, so that you too can do what matters today. Today. It is filled with promise and purpose. So, surrender tomorrows plans to today's joy.        

Be Still and Know that I am God...Psalm 46:10

Recently I received another invitation to be part of a new and exciting ministry. Flattered? Yes. Able? No. As this opportunity lay before me, I struggled to do what I knew was right--gracefully decline. But this decision was wrought with pain. Why? Because, it meant I would have to disappoint those who placed their confidence in me and extended the invitation. I would be left to wonder if I had neglected to be a good steward of the gifts and talents that God had infused within. It would be my teary-eyed state of exhaustion that would jolt me into a greater reality. The reality I am referring to is that God created me a "human being" and not a "human doing". God does not desire a relationship with me because I am a good steward of His gifts. I was created to know Him, and this requires me to "be still". Yes, I will serve with my gifts and talents, but not because I have to or fear living with the guilt of disappointing others. I will serve because He loves me and I love Him. Laurie Beth Jones in "Jesus Life Coach" states that we need to choose between what is good and what is great, and that when all the endless acres of "diamond" opportunities lay before our feet, "we [will] need to be able to understand what to pick up and what to put down". Today, I am going to have to say No, so that I can say yes to what really matters-family, friends, and most importantly, God. What do you need to say no to?