Tuesday, October 07, 2008

Not like the waves...

I'm a Florida gal. My childhood was spent around a lot of water...the New River and the Atlantic Ocean. Growing up, my dad would often take me to the beach on Saturday mornings. My favorite days would be the ones when he could say, "Ahh, look at that water, it's flatter than a platter." Calm, peaceful and reflective. That's how I still prefer bodies of water.

Today, I am looking out at the Pacific Ocean in Depoe Bay, Oregon. It's far from calm and peaceful. A storm last night still has the waves tossing about in the cove like an agitated washing machine.


So, this morning I was reminded of James 1:5-6. "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." With the view in front of me, I can easily imagine what it would be like to toss about in an angry sea of doubt driven by the wind of uncertainty in circumstances. And, I don't want to be there. I don't want to doubt that He gives us what He says He will give us...in this case wisdom.


As I look at the world today...the election, the economy, the things that produce anxiety, I ask God for wisdom. And in my asking, I trust in who He is...the Maker of Heaven and Earth, the One who gives good gifts to His children (including wisdom), the One who holds all things together. He neither slumbers nor sleeps. And when the temptation comes to doubt, I say, Lord give me wisdom to understand my doubts...so that I can believe you continuously.

I'm believing God...

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Who do you say that I AM?

I am currently going through Beth Moore's study, Beloved Disciple, The Life and Ministry of John. Did you know John tells us more about the self-proclaimed identity of Christ than the other Gospels?

This morning I was reminded afresh (especially as we are bombarded by the uncertainties of the economy) how Jesus is more than capable of holding it all together.

Check out who Jesus said He was just in the Gospel of John alone...

6:35 ~ I AM the bread of life – go to Him and never hunger or thirst again.

8:12 ~ I AM the light of the world – go to Him and never walk in darkness.

10:7-9 ~ I AM the gate – go to Him to be saved and find pasture.

10:11-14 ~ I AM the good shepherd – go to Him to be safe and provided for.

11:25 ~ I AM the resurrection and the life – go to Him to live.

14:6 ~ I AM the way, the truth and the life – go to Him because He is the only reliable source.

15:1,5 ~ I AM the true vine – go to Him in order to bear much fruit.

These claims give further reason for me to take Him at His word and trust one of my very favorite verses, Colossians 1:17 ~ He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

I needed this reminder.



Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Thoughts on Work in general

"In the beginning, the purpose of work was not survival, nor greed, nor ambition, nor obsession. God intended work to be a great adventure; a mirroring of His own great acts of creation. The capacity of our contribution means nothing; it is the act of contributing itself that is divine."
(Dr. Joel C. Hunter, Journey to Spiritual Maturity, Finding Our Purpose)

This morning, I read this quote today in the daily devotional from Northland. Wow, what if I thought about work this way every morning? What if the world thought about work this way? Would my day go any different as a result? Would I view the tasks before me as an adventure instead of a list of what needed to be accomplished? Hmmm, something to think about.