More Words of Wisdom

Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don't have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless; it is like chasing the wind. (Ecclesiastes 6:9)

Big Day in AL

Today is THE day of all days in college football in Alabama, the day where only a transplanted Yankee would dare to schedule their wedding (I can say that because I'm half-Yankee--and yes, I did have some non-Alabama native friends who did just that), the day that often pits brother against brother, co-worker against co-worker, husband against wife.

It's Iron Bowl Day here in Alabama. For those of you non-Alabama residents, you might think, Big deal. But those of us reared in the ways of Alabama football know that this is the most emotional day of the sporting year. We live and die by the results of today's game. We fight for the right to brag about the victory for the other 364 days of the year.

I *may* have mentioned before that I'm a Bama fan. And I am dating an Auburn fan, which adds an interesting twist to today's game. Normally, I do root for Auburn when they're not playing Bama. Today, of course, it's Bama all the way. However, I realize that at the end of the afternoon, either my boyfriend or myself will be in hog heaven, while the other will be down in the dumps. So we're both going to end up losers and winners at the same time. We'll see how it goes. We'll have an opportunity to "weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice." Seriously, I think I'll manage to be humble in victory and gracious in defeat. And I know he will as well.

My sister (a non-football fan) and her husband are going to the U2 concert in Atlanta tonight. I am just a little bit jealous. But she has promised to call me on her cell during the concert--I've given her a list of songs that I especially want to hear. I'm sure it won't compare to being there, but it's the next best thing for now.

ROLL TIDE!

Good Advice

To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life – that is indeed a gift from God. People who do this rarely look with sorrow on the past, for God has given them reasons for joy. (Ecclesiastes 5:19b-20)

Amazing Love

Perhaps you heard the story this week of Tina Marie Stebbins of San Bernadino, California. In June 2002, Stebbins' boyfriend shot her, then held her hostage in his family's garage for six days before she was taken to a hospital. Her boyfriend, who claims that the shooting was an accident, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to attempted murder.

Now here's the kicker: in a letter released earlier this week, Stebbins said that she still intends to marry her boyfriend. She insists that she has forgiven him, and that they are soul mates.

My initial reaction was to think, What a nutjob. Now, I've had dated one or two guys before who weren't exactly Prince Charmings, but this one takes the cake. It's one thing to forgive the guy, but she's crazy to want to spend the rest of her life with him.

Then I started thinking about how this relates to our relationship with God. Maybe this kind of love isn't so kooky after all.

6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. 7 Now, no one is likely to die for a good person, though someone might be willing to die for a person who is especially good. 8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. 9 And since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God's judgment. 10 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. 11 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 5:6-11, emphasis mine)

Not only did (and does) God forgive us for sinning against Him, but He gave His only Son to die for us even while we were still sinners. As if forgiving us wasn't merciful and wonderful enough, God sought an eternal relationship with us. Talk about a mindboggling realization.

Furthermore, I have a feeling that Stebbins has some faith that her boyfriend would not attempt to harm her again, or else she wouldn't want to stay with him. But God knows that we will continue to sin against Him, and still He pursues us, still woos us to Him.

Talk about crazy love.

And can it be that I should gain
an interest in the Savior's blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain--
for me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be
that Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! how can it be
that Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
(Amazing Love, Charles Wesley, 1812)

Gift of Faith

Just when you're getting fed up with the way superstar athletes behave, one comes along who knows how to spend his money wisely. Wish there were more headline makers like him...

So How Am I Supposed to Feel?

Some days, my faith provides a great deal of peace and clarity. Other days, it brings confusion and doubt. Or perhaps I should say, I suffer from confusion and doubt in spite of my faith.

Some Sundays, I leave my church service feeling uplifted. Other days, I just feel emotionally, physically and spiritually drained. Yesterday, we had a pretty challenging sermon, with a lot of responses and confessions at the end. I should have felt encouraged, right? Instead I just felt sapped of emotional strength. I was too drained to reach out to those around me who were hurting.

I've never been able to act like everything's hunky-dory with me when it's not. I tend to wear my heart on my sleeve. That doesn't mean that I spill my guts whenever I'm hurt or upset or confused; many times I just clam up.

I wonder about people that I see at church who seem to be continually "en fuego", always "on". The ones who always raise their hands in worship, who stand in praise and seem to be fully focused on God. Are they always like that? Or are they just going through the motions sometimes? Because there are times, many times, when I come to church and just don't feel on fire like they seem to be.

Church is supposed to be a place to feel comfortable, accepted, right? Some days I can't help but look around and compare myself to others and feel incredibly lacking. I know I shouldn't do that; I know I should just focus on God. But like Paul, I so often do the things I shouldn't do and don't do what I should.

Some days I feel more alive, spiritually speaking, at work, or talking to a close friend, or enjoying nature, than I do when I'm sitting in a church pew. Some days I feel like I do more worshipping in my car as I drive to church than I actually do at church.

Some days I wonder how I'm "supposed" to feel as a Christian. I've been one for longer than I haven't been one, you'd think I'd have these expectations down pat by now.

Happy Veteran's Day!

I consider myself a pretty patriotic person. I tend to get a little teary-eyed during a color guard presentation or the singing of the national anthem at ballgames. (Yep, I'm cheesy like that.) American history was one of my favorite subjects in school (perhaps it stems from having a father who taught American history). I've always enjoyed hearing and reading about how our country was formed and historical events that have shaped us.

Today is Veteran's Day. To many people, it's a day off from work. (Not me, unfortunately.) Hopefully, to many more, it's a great deal more important that that. It's an opportunity to acknowlege the sacrifices that millions of men and women throughout history have made so that I can sit here sipping coffee and typing on my blog without fear of attack or arrest for freedom of speech. I can sit and worship at church on Sunday without an army rushing in to persecute us for openly worshipping God.

It's so easy for me to take for granted the freedoms that I enjoy as an American. Granted, our nation is far from perfect. I don't always agree with the decisions that our local, state and national leaders make. But guess what? I have the freedom to disagree with them. I have the freedom to stage a protest if I want.

There are veterans in my family. I have friends who are veterans. There are leaders in my church and co-workers who are veterans. My life is touched in so many ways, many that I am unaware of, by people who were willing to lay down their own lives so that others could have a better life.

To all you veterans out there, thank you, and God bless.

A Little Competition

I wouldn't say I'm a reality TV junkie, but there are several shows that I enjoy. I'm especially fond of those that feature competition of some sort ("The Amazing Race," "The Apprentice," and "The Biggest Loser" are my current favorites).

I've noticed that in pretty much any reality-TV competition that involves someone being eliminated by voting, 9 times out of 10 the contestants will vote out the person who is the biggest threat. Eliminating the closest competition seems to be the name of the game. Who cares if you end up competing against a 98 year old grandmother or a 98 pound weakling in the finals, the important thing is to WIN.

Personally, I don't like to watch when there is one dominant person or team that is certain to win the grand prize. I enjoy competition. I don't like watching a blow-out in sports (unless it's my beloved Crimson Tide doing the pummeling). I like having the top two teams in the nation play each other for a national championship. I like seeing two undefeated competitors go head to head. It's the way things should be.

Oh, but in my life, now that's a different story. I don't want competition. I want to keep things as easy as possible. I realize that there are battles to be fought, but I want to choose my opponents. I want to eliminate people who pose the most threat to me, or who annoy me, or who challenge more than my fragile ego can stand. I don't want to have to deal with people who don't fit into my way of thinking or act the way I think they should.

However, God sometimes allow what I view as troublesome people into my life to make me stronger, to make me strive harder. As James 1:2-4 says:

"Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything."

Seeing troubles (and troublesome people) as opportunities for growth rather than as roadblocks on the path to righteousness will give me far greater joy. And that will make the victory much sweeter.

Yesssss!!!!

All your wildest dreams will come true if you check out these TV and radio ads for the Utah State Fair, featuring Napoleon Dynamite and Pedro.

Hey There Sports Fans

Funny commentary for those of us fed up with what's wrong in the sporting world today...

Lisa

P.S. Roll Tide (and yes, I'm nervous about the LSU game next weekend)