Tuesday, January 21, 2014

BUD/S

Last week I saw several young men currently in BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition/SEALS) running down a beach in CA. I don't know how many weeks into the 6 month course they are, but I know they work incredibly hard in an attempt to become a Navy SEAL. They train hard mentally and physically. As I watched them, I wanted to applaud them as well as cry.

Sometimes I wonder where my spiritual life would be if I approached time in the Word and prayer with an attitude of going to war against evil. It is an aspect I don't think about too often on any given day. In Ephesians 6 we read about our armor:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to claim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

I believe 2014 will be a year of growth in Christ if I take an attitude as one training for war or an athlete training for a marathon. It is a long race not a sprint and I want to hear well done Annette when I cross the finish line.


Friday, January 10, 2014

The Knife that Defied Scientific Principles

The other night a friend and I met for a quick dinner at a local restaurant. As we talked after our meal, a young man of 16 or 17 years old came over and asked if he could clear our dishes. We said yes. He put Mella's dishes on his tray, was about to pick up my plate when Mella's knife catapulted off her plate, did a few somersaults in the air, landed on my wrist, bounced down to my thigh, then up to the table and landed with a clatter. A couple spinach leaves landed on me as well. Mella & I started laughing. The waiter was appalled and very apologetic. We laughed more, he apologized more. After seeing the knife in action, I could believe there was one shooter in Dallas up in the book repository. The waiter said he would ask the manager to comp the meal. I told him not to worry, it was an accident, no harm done. He thanked me for being nice and not cursing at him. I asked if people would curse at him for such a tiny thing. He said, "Yes, and in fact people way older THAN you have cursed at me for little things that are out of my control such as size of olives, etc." Way Older...LOL There are some people who would take offense at that. I decided not to ask how old he thought I was in case he guessed 67 or older.

I don't know if he noticed Mella praying over our meal, but I am certainly glad I responded in a Christian way. Our actions speak louder than our words on many occasions. Remember sisters:

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Friday, January 3, 2014

Stone

And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

In the Bible the word stone appears 324 times in the English Standard Version. Stones on the ground, various minerals are described as stones, they are building materials, things to be thrown, and hearts.

As a Christian, I consistently search my heart. Is there (or are there) an area in which it is stony instead of surrendered to God? Do I have a hardened heart towards a person or situation? The honest answer is yes. I have shut down regarding a person I've known too many years to count. If I describe the cause of the shut down, I fear I will sin further by describing it because I might add a few adjectives, a few adverbs, and far too many nouns to cause the person to look bad and I might come out smelling like a rose.

One of the things on my heart this year is to freely love this person again and to pray with fervor for the person's prayer needs. The friendship might not be what it once was in my opinion, but with the grace of God it can be a healthy friendship again.

So ladies, check out your heart...if it is somewhat stony, ask for a heart of flesh, He will give it to you.

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

In the Quiet

I am sipping coffee and typing away on my laptop this quiet New Year’s morn. The power went out about 2 hours ago. (The blessing is 2 fold: the coffee was ready and it is not our main season in Southeast Texas which is HOT.)

Read the Bible by flashlight, the dog is under the covers, and the quiet is only disturbed by an occasional train’s engineer blowing his horn loud enough and long enough for people 50 miles away to hear.

When I was young, I never valued quietness or solitude, now I relish both.

In 2014, I hope to spend more time in the Word and in prayer. 2013 was dismal in some ways, I was sick with pneumonia for over a month, then sick again from May through Sept. with a respiratory virus. Both took a lot out of me. I lost friends/family members to disease. There were horrific tragedies in our country and around the world. However, 2013 was also filled with joy and blessings too numerous to count.

I hope no matter what circumstances are thrown our way in 2014, we can say it is well with our soul; we know God is Who He says He is and His love is everlasting and His Word is true. I want us to remember His ways are higher than our ways and we are limited by our finite minds. We must not only believe in Him but believe Him.
Here is to 2014 – a year in which we grow in Christ Jesus, we serve Him with humble hearts and we remain focused on Him.
Happy New Year!