An Invitation to Eat

Several years ago my friend Aleah and I went to visit a friend who lived out of town. We took him to dinner and told him it was our treat, so order whatever he wanted.

(Quick aside: whenever someone tells me that they’re treating me to a meal, I tend to order rather conservatively. I don’t deliberately get the cheapest thing on the menu unless it’s what I want to eat, but I also try not to order the most expensive item. There’s a delicate balance going on.)

Apparently our friend took our advisement to order whatever he wanted to heart. He started off by ordering an appetizer. Then a salad. Then an entrée (steak, no less). And then a dessert.

At that point, Aleah and I were giving each other Can you believe this guy? glances and mentally counting the money in our wallets, hoping we’d have enough to avoid washing dishes to pay for the meal. Thankfully our handy check cards bailed us out of scrub duty.

We still joke about our friend’s zeal for a free meal. And even though we were surprised that he went all out in ordering, the truth is that he had every right to order whatever he wanted, because we told him to do so! So it’s pretty silly that we got a little indignant about him taking what was given to him.

I started thinking about how often we refuse to take what God so freely gives us. Perhaps out of fear that He doesn’t really mean what He says when He offers us life, love, riches, grace. Perhaps we think that God’s generosity and resources only extend so far, and we don’t want to push His limits. Or perhaps we just feel plain unworthy of receiving it (guess what? We ARE!).

God doesn’t worry about having enough money to cover whatever our hearts desire. He doesn’t have limits to what He can do and, more importantly, what He WILL do for us. He longs to bless us.

Now, this doesn’t guarantee that whatever I ask for, God will automatically give it to me. That would quickly turn me into a spoiled brat who would never appreciate all He gives and does for me.

But I think that more often than not, God is waiting for me to take hold of the blessings He wants to give me. He longs for us to experience life to the full, not just in Eternity but here on Earth as well. He invites us to share His bounty at His table, and there are no limits to His riches.

Playing Tour Guide

I inherited my love of sports from my dad. We've watched football, basketball, baseball, hockey (of course, no NHL this season) together. When our family gets together for lunch every few weeks, Dad and I discuss the latest trade rumors and player injuries (which must bore my mom, sister and brother-in-law to tears).

Dad loves to watch Atlanta Braves baseball, and though he's been to games when they played at Fulton County Stadium years ago, he's never been to a game at Turner Field. For a long time we've talked about going to a game. Finally the other day I decided that we were going to quit talking about it and actually go, so I e-mailed the Braves schedule to him and told him to pick a day for us to go, my treat.

After the date had been chosen, I ordered tickets. Dad was really excited. Then I e-mailed him a picture of the view of the field from where we'd be sitting, and he got even more excited. If they're giving a tour of the stadium that day, we'll get tickets to that as well, which would thrill him even more.

I've been to several games at Turner Field, I've been to the Braves museum and taken the stadium tour. And I've loved going every time. But this time I'm even more excited about going, because I'm taking someone who's never been. And not just any someone, but my dear ol' dad, who taught me about baseball and who I know will truly appreciate being there.

It's very special for me to be able to do something for my dad, who has done so much and sacrificed so much for me and our family. He doesn't ask for much on birthdays or Father's Day--a new belt or tie is about as exciting as it gets on his wish list. But I know that he's really excited about going to this game, and that makes me even more excited to be able to play tour guide and show him the places I've been to and love.

I was thinking yesterday about how excited Jesus must be about taking us to Heaven. He's been there, so He knows how incredible it is. He knows how thrilled and overwhelmed with joy that we'll feel upon being there, on being in His presence.

In John 14:1-3, Jesus says, "Don't be troubled. You trust God, now trust in me.There are many rooms in my Father's home, and I am going to prepare a place for you. If this were not so, I would tell you plainly. When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am."

Jesus knows what delights us. He's preparing a place for us--not just any old place, but a place where we'll be with Him always. He can't wait to give us a tour of Heaven, better than any ballpark tour. Be excited about where we're going, but also rejoice in knowing that Jesus is excited about taking us there!

Scripture of the Week: Romans 12:1

"And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?" Romans 12:1

What does it MEAN for our bodies to be living and holy sacrifices? How do you daily, continually sacrifice yourself for God? Thoughts?

Can You Read Me Now?

The last few days have been frustrating in Bloggerville. I don't know what's going on, but I've had trouble posting and editing blogs and comments. (I know others of you have too so at least it's not just operator error.) Something (some blogging demon, perhaps?) is interfering, and after a while I get so frustrated that I leave my computer in disgust and resign myself to trying again later.

I was thinking this morning about how much "interference" we get from Satan sometimes when we're trying to communicate with God. Sometimes I feel like I'm really connected to God, like all the synapses are firing and we've got this incredible communication going on. And then there are times when I start off talking to Him and moments later my mind wanders to what I'm going to wear to work, or what projects I have on my agenda today. There are even times when I can't seem to get a connection at all.

It's not operator error. Or at least, not usually. There are times when unconfessed sin can keep me from connecting with God. But so many times it's Satan at work trying to keep us from communicating. He's hoping that frustration will set in and that I'll give up on trying to talk to God at all. Satan knows that, even if God and I are not always on the same page as far as agreeing, as long as we keep talking to each other, he can't get a word in edgewise.

So if you're feeling disconnected from God, examine your heart to see if there is unconfessed sin that is keeping you from Him. Realize that Satan's mission to "steal, kill and destroy" includes destroying the valuable communication that we have with our Father.

The Way Things Aren't Supposed to Be

Well, my beloved, beleagured, injury-riddled Tide folded like a cheap umbrella in the first round of the NCAA tournament yesterday. Seems like every year, a 12 seed always knocks off a 5 seed in the opener, just wish Bama didn’t have to be the victim this year! (At least I still have Duke to root for—go Blue Devils!)

Eastern Kentucky lost as well yesterday to #2 seed Kentucky. EKU was a long shot, but a sentimental favorite for me after hearing Zach Ingles’ story that I blogged about yesterday. That’s the craziness of March Madness, sometimes Cinderella dances and sometimes she leaves the ball early.

The best thing about the tournament is its unpredictability; pretty much ANYTHING can happen. A 12 seed can knock off a 5 seed. A last-second shot can turn an average player into a hero. In an ideal world, the top-ranked teams would always prevail, with all four #1 seeds meeting in the Final Four. Somehow or another, it never turns out the way oddsmakers and bracket makers think it’s “supposed” to.

It’s a good thing that things don’t always work out the way they’re “supposed” to. Read through dozens of stories in the Bible of improbable heroes and seemingly insurmountable odds, and you’ll see that God doesn’t operate under anyone’s expectations.

The walls of a city aren’t supposed to come down simply when trumpets blare and an army shouts.

A little shepherd boy isn’t supposed to knock off the fiercest giant warrior in the land.

A virgin isn’t supposed to be pregnant.

And most certainly the Creator of the universe, YAHWEH Himself, is not supposed to live among people who disrespect Him and kill Him.

So many things happen in our lives that aren’t “supposed” to, some bad, many of them good. We receive so many blessings that we don’t deserve. Thank Heaven for a God who loves us so much that He goes against everything that “should” happen and pours out His grace and mercy on us.

God, thank You for going against the grain and making the impossible possible.

March Madness

For me, March, and not Christmas, is the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. I'm half-Hoosier, so I've always had a love for basketball running through my veins. My dad's Indiana upbringing firmly entrenched in me rapt adoration of a good jumpshot, the importance of hitting free throws, and a ferocious appetite for March Madness.

There's so much to love about March Madness. The last-second miracle shots, the Cinderella stories, the players who overcome injury and adversity to triumph. It's more than just a bunch of basketball games, it's a series of dreams coming true for hundreds of players, coaches and fans.

Naturally, I'll be rooting for my beloved Crimson Tide today, but I'll also be rooting for Eastern Kentucky U. It's a school I know very little about, I've never watched one of their games, I couldn't name any of their players except one, Zach Ingles. Today I read Zach's story and was overwhelmed with emotion (which, I'll admit, is not an unusual thing for me!). Take a few minutes to read his story. Even if you're not a basketball fan, I think you'll find yourself rooting for this young man and his family.

March Madness, gotta love it!

Looking Back

Although we're called to forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead (Philippians 3:13), there are certain times when it helps for us to reflect on the past.

This morning was one of those times. I was re-reading some journal entries from a couple of months ago. It was mildly amusing for me to read some of those entries, especially those that seemed to carry the same basic "help me" theme from one day to the next. I couldn't help but think to myself, If I knew then what I knew now...

What struck me most about reading those entries was that, even when I felt weak in my faith, God remained faithful to me. Some of the things I worried about have not come to fruition (and probably never will); others God took care of in a way that was totally Him. Some of my heart's desires He has and is fulfilling, while others are still waiting on Him.

Regardless of what I journaled about, I can clearly see God's fingerprints all over them. Maybe that's why I keep journals from several years back, so I can go back and re-read entries and remind myself of God's provision and faithfulness throughout my life. Having tangible evidence of God coming through for me time after time buoys my spirits and deepens my faith.

Scripture of the Week: Romans 8:31b-32

"If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since God did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't God, who gave us Christ, also give us everything else?" Romans 8:31b-32

Stealing Time

You know that song "Time Is on My Side"? Some days I feel like that's the OPPOSITE of my life. I feel like I'm in a life-size version of Beat the Clock, running to and fro trying to get things done as quickly and efficiently as possible.

And yet there are times when life seems to move in slow motion. Times when I feel like I have all the time in the world. Each day has 24 hours, but sometimes they fly by and other days they lazily drift by.

Why is my sense of time so skewed? Why do I feel an urgency to complain to others about how someone treated me or how the waitress got my order wrong, but I don't feel a sense of urgency to share the Gospel with my co-workers? Why do I make time to watch my favorite TV shows, but find myself too busy to make time to spend with my family?

Jesus said in John 10:10 that the thief (Satan) came to steal, kill, and destroy. One of the things that Satan is trying to steal is time. Time is a great weapon for him, particularly when our priorities are screwed up. We elevate the immediate to the status of the important, and that's not always how it should be. We focus on what's in front of us, what we're going to wear to work tomorrow or eat for dinner, but we spend so little time dwelling on where we'll be and what we'll be doing for eternity.

O God, open my eyes and give me wisdom to see what's truly important, what needs to be taken care of now and what needs to wait. Help me to put my priorities in order the way that You want me to. Give me a sense of urgency to share Your truths with those around me. Don't let me waste any more opportunities to show love to others. Teach me to live for eternity.

Friendship Restored

Some days I'm just in absolute awe of God's timing and of how He works things out. I've had several of those days lately. I feel so blessed to see God working and moving in ways that I had hoped for or prayed about for so long.

Last night was another awe-inspiring moment. A friend of mine came over to talk. We've been friends for several years, but for the past couple of years, for various reasons, we had grown apart and were not as close as we once were. It was a closeness that I missed and mourned, but I reasoned that most friendships tend to wax and wane, and that if we were meant to be close again, then God would bring that about.

My friend wanted to share her own sense of loss of friendship with me, and how she wanted it to be restored. It really took me by surprise--I'd had no idea that she had missed me as much as I'd missed her. It was a great moment for us to reconnect and open up with each other in a way that we hadn't in a very long time. That God saw fit to bring about restoration in this friendship is an answered prayer.

Not to be outdone by the restoration of an earthly friendship, today God reminded me of an even greater restoration that He has brought about. I'm studying the book of Romans, and part of my reading this morning happened to be about God restoring us to friendship with Him. (Coincidence? I don't think so.)

"For since we were restored to friendship with God by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be delivered from eternal punishment by his life. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God – all because of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for us in making us friends of God." Romans 5:10-11

Notice that we were restored to friendship with God while we were still His enemies. Can you imagine anything more risky than wanting to be friends with your enemy, and being willing to sacrifice your only son in order to have that friendship? And this is a very flawed friendship, at least on my end. The lengths that God goes to to pursue me and reconcile me to Him is, well, awe-inspiring. To be called God's friend is maybe the highest compliment I can ever receive.

Bringing into Existence

"...Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who brings into existence what didn't exist before." Romans 4:17b, emphasis mine

What an amazing reminder! Somehow I think I've been fooled into thinking that all of God's creative handiwork was done in six days, and that He's been resting ever since. What limited vision I have!

At work right now I'm in the middle of a project that seems like it will never end. One of my jobs is to write for, edit, and publish a trade magazine. For the past couple of years, I've been doing all the design work for it as well, but now we're in the process of finding a designer to handle the design work so I can focus on content. It will be a really good thing when it's all said and done, but since nothing's been finalized yet and we're running past our deadline, frustration is setting in for me. I want the end to be in sight! I want to see the end result, to hold the glossy magazine in my hands and see the pictures and words laid out on each page.

Same with my life--I'm a big dreamer, I would say, but at the same time I often struggle to imagine God actually fulfilling my dreams. If I can't see it immediately in front of me, I sometimes assume it's not going to take place. Which is an extreme lack of faith on my part.

There have been times where I've prayed over situations and for opportunities for many months, years even, with seemingly little to no results. And then "all of a sudden" God brings into existence that which didn't exist before. My faith is bolstered. I give God the glory (which He might not have received had He fulfilled my prayers in my timing rather than His). So why don't I always remember this? I'm learning this lesson, but it's taking time....