Going Bowling

Okay, so it was the Petro-Sun Indepedence Bowl. So it was in Shreveport, Louisiana (nothing against Shreveport).

And so we nearly blew our lead. But it's a win, and after four straight losses, it's a good way to end 2007.

Roll Tide!

Extending My Boundaries

This week I received my "official", in-writing notice that I will be part of a mission team from our congregation traveling to Guatemala this summer. Over the next few months I'll be attending meetings to educate us about the trip, preparing for the trip, and everyone's favorite pasttime, fundraising for the trip.

For several years now, our congregation has been extremely active in mission work, supporting full-time missionaries as well as sending groups on short-term mission trips all over the world. In the past I've been a financial support of friends who have gone on mission trips, but until recently I did not have much interest in going on one myself.

So, what changed my mind? In a word, God. Steadily, over the past year or so, He's been putting mission work on my heart. Slowly my interest and desire has grown. And so in August I'll be stepping way out of my boundaries and embarking on my first mission trip.

I don't know what God has in store for me on this trip. This is primarily a medical missions trip, and I am not medically trained (unless you count the three years I worked in the communications department for a medical codebook publisher). I can write about diagnoses and procedures, but I can't stomach watching surgeries, not even on "ER". Needless to say, my duties will fall more into the non-surgical category. I'll find out more soon as our missions team begins meeting in a couple of weeks.

There's another major project that is also on my heart for '08 (which I'll share at a later time). I'm excited about what the year will bring, but also cognizant that my future is in God's hands and really not worried about it, which is a great blessing in and of itself! Regardless of where 2008 takes me, I know that God is leading me, and in Him I trust.

Happy 38th!

Thirty-eight years ago today (if I'm doing my math correctly), my parents married. The older I get, and the more I see marriages around me crumble, the more impressive that statistic is.

I imagine that this anniversary is particularly special to my parents considering that back in October, my mom suffered from a life-threatening brain aneurysm and had brain surgery. She is recovering remarkably well, praise God, and is back to work and driving again, and her hair has almost completely covered her scar!

I am extremely thankful to have grown up in a loving Christian home with parents who truly love each other and model sacrificial love. I don't know if God has marriage in store for me or not, but I know that He's given me many great examples of marriage to learn from, including my parents'.

Happy anniversary, Mom and Dad!

Looking Back

Since yesterday was such a quiet day at work with many of my co-workers still on Christmas break, I took advantage of the quiet to do some cleaning out of old files on my computer. My most tedious task was tackling my email. I had accumulated about 500 emails in my inbox, and a whopping 2,500(!) emails in my "Sent items" folder.

I spent much of the day sorting, filing and deleting emails. I didn't read every single email; I figured that I could probably ditch 99% of the emails that were older than three months old. But I did take time to read many emails that I had exchanged with friends over the past year. The past year had been an emotionally challenging one for me, particularly in healing from a broken heart. Many of the emails I read were from friends encouraging me in the healing process, telling me that they were praying for me and sharing Bible verses with me.

As I read through these emails, I felt extremely grateful for the progress that I've made over the past year. There is certainly some emotional baggage that I'm still dealing with, but God has done a tremendous work in my heart. I am thankful to have these emails to look back on and recall how far I've come with His help.

I wonder if David or the other Psalmists ever took time to re-read the Psalms they had written, particularly those written in troubling times. So many of the Psalms are sorrowful, with the author crying out to God in anguish. I wonder if, days, weeks, months, perhaps even years later, the author was able to reflect on what he had written and rejoice in seeing how God had answered him.

One of the blessings of writing, whether via email or a blog or in a journal, is having a written record of how we're feeling at a particular moment, and being able to look back on those moments. My spiritual memory often fails me; I can easily become discouraged and forget how God has come through for me in the past. Taking the time to read journal or blog entries or emails to and from friends allows me to stoke my memory and rejoice in God's work in my life.

The Day After

My Christmas was a good mixture of busy and relaxing this year. Thankfully, I did not have to travel any farther than across town yesterday, but I know plenty of people who have trekked many hundreds of miles to spend time with their families this holiday season.

I hope that your Christmas was filled with many blessings. I am among the oh-so-lucky people who get to return to work today. Many of my co-workers have taken today off, so I anticipate a quiet day and will probably get a lot done with few interruptions.

In honor of those of you who are worn out from celebrating Christmas, here's a good reminder from one of my favorite books of the Bible, Isaiah:


Do you not know?


Have you not heard?


The LORD is the everlasting God,


the Creator of the ends of the earth.


He will not grow tired or weary,


and his understanding no one can fathom.



He gives strength to the weary


and increases the power of the weak. (Isaiah 40:28, 29)

A Child Is Born

For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17)

May you feel God's grace and peace to you this Christmas!

Accepting Gifts

Do you find it easy to receive gifts, without feeling a need to reciprocate?

With the exception of children, I'm not sure many people do. I know that it's hard for me to accept a gift without feeling a sense of indebtedness. But the purpose of a gift is that it is freely given, without expectation of receiving in return. At least, that's what it's supposed to be.

Our staff exchanges Christmas gifts every year. This year we decided to break tradition and make donations to our Christmas service project in lieu of giving gifts.

However, there were a few staff members who decided to give gifts anyway, in addition to making donations. Most of us on the receiving end have been scrambling to find last-minute gifts to give in return. Thankfully, I have a small stash of extra gifts set aside for those unexpected gift giving occasions such as this.

I know that the gift-givers did not give with an expectation to get something in return, but I think it's part of our mentality to want to make things even and not feel indebted to someone. Perhaps that's why it's hard to accept God's gifts so freely sometimes. We feel like we owe something to God--and certainly, we owe our lives to Him. But no amount of giving can come close to repaying Him for what He's given and is giving to us.

Somehow, in the hustle and bustle and self-imposed pressure to buy presents, I think we've lost sight of the true reason for gifts. So often we see gift-giving as a burden rather than a way to bless others. And if we start to feel like we have to repay God out of a sense of duty, we can become resentful and feel burdened about Him as well.

I want to be more open to gratefully accepting the gifts that God gives me. I want to recognize those gifts more clearly, as they are often packaged in unexpected ways. And I want to give back to God, not out of a sense of obligation, but out of love and appreciation for what He's given me.

Role Models

Much ado has been made this week over the announcement that Britney Spears' little sister, Jamie Lynn, is pregnant. Jamie Lynn is just 16 years old and her boyfriend is 19. She is the star of some show on Nickelodeon and is supposedly a role model for young girls.

Naturally, that role model status is much disputed now. I read a news article yesterday about parent debating over what to tell their children about this teenage star's premarital sexual activity and out-of-wedlock pregnancy.

While I don't know much about Jamie Lynn's background or how this pregnancy will affect her career and reputation (although I'm sure I'll hear way more about than I care to), I was thinking last night about another teenage mother--Mary.

Granted, Mary's conception was miraculous and not sinful, but I couldn't help but wonder about the beating that her reputation likely took. Considering that Mary was chosen to be the mother of Jesus, I assume that she must have had a good reputation among her village. Perhaps she was the sort of girl that other mothers encouraged their young daughters to emulate. Maybe Mary was the favorite babysitter, the encourager, the servant, the girl that everyone wanted to be around.

Just imagine what news of her premarital pregnancy did to stir up her village. I wonder if she was shunned from public appearances, not invited to parties or celebrations. I wonder if mothers and daughters crossed to the other side of the road when they saw Mary coming.

Of course, not only was Mary risking her reputation by accepting the great responsibility of bearing Jesus, but she risked her life. Sex outside of marriage was a sin punishable by stoning. Yet Mary gave no indication of pausing in her acceptance of God's plan for her life. Instead, she saw it as an honor to become the mother of the Messiah.

Perhaps in Heaven I can sit with Mary and have a little chat about all that she went through in her pregnancy, the reaction of her family and neighbors, and what kind of life she led prior to the angel's appearance that caused her to have such great faith. She may have given up her role model status in her hometown as a result of this pregnancy, but her status as a woman of great faith with a servant's heart was cemented for all generations.

Impact

There are some people that come into your life that you just know right off the bat are going to play an important role in your life. Then there are others who quietly, without you realizing it, impact your life in various ways.

God has blessed me with numerous people from all walks of life who have made an impact on my life. Tonight was our office Christmas party, and our current association president and his wife attended. We have a lot of wonderful and memorable members, but these two are some of the most genuinely kind and thoughtful people I've ever met. As I drove home tonight, I thought about how blessed I am to have gotten to know them and how much their kindness and thoughtful gestures have influenced me. They are a couple who are truly in love with God and in love with each other, and they model the kind of marriage that I would like to have someday.

There are many, many other people who have come into my life and played important roles. Of course my family has had the most influence on me, but I am thinking tonight of so many others who have also impacted me. I think about a woman I know who was a single woman in her 20s while I was in college. We weren't particularly close, but I do remember that one time she sent me a note of encouragement along with a book of stamps. For some reason, that sticks in my memory--perhaps because a broke college student appreciated getting anything in the mail! I often received care packages and letters from home, but getting something from a non-family member was really special.

I think of the men and women who welcomed me into the singles group when I began attending my current church home. I was fresh out of college, had just moved back to Montgomery, and pretty much all of my friends were either still in college or living and working in other cities. These people welcomed me in and became a new group of friends. There are two women in particular from that group, both of whom are married now, one with children, whom I am still close to. They are both several years older than me and have taught me so much through sharing their wisdom gleaned from many trials and experiences.

I think of one of my very best friends who I met through the singles group. We became friends pretty quickly, but our friendship was really cemented after we both went through devastating break-ups of relationships at the same time. We were able to comiserate, cry together, vent together, and lift each other up and encourage each other. I truly believe that we would not be as close today if we had not both gone through such a similar valley at the same time.

I could go on and on, which is a wonderful thing to realize. Some people God has brought into my life for just a short while, but the impact they've made is lifelong. Other people have been with me for years, and, Lord willing, will be in my life for the rest of my life.

As I reflect on how blessed I am to know and be touched by so many people, I think about the kind of impact that I have on others' lives. I often forget that, whether I realize it or not, I am influencing others in some way. I want to live in a way that my influence is for good, and where the memories I leave behind are gracious ones.

Anniversary

Yesterday marked my five year anniversary of working at my current job. Since graduating college, I'd worked for two previous employers, but this is my longest stint at any one place thus far.

The way that I got this current job was totally God-arranged. In the summer of 2002, I knew that I was ready for a job change. I'd sent out resumes and went on a couple of interviews, but neither job was right for me. Entering fall, which was the busiest time of the year for me, I decided to put my job search on hold for a few months until things quieted down.

Little did I know what God had in store for me. Turns out that one of my friends from church was leaving her job to get married and move away, and she suggested that I submit my resume for her job. I did, not really expecting to hear anything. I was called in for an interview, and a couple of weeks went by without anything happening. I'd pretty much written off my chances when my friend's boss called and offered me the job.

And here I am, five years later. I have been so blessed to have a job that I enjoy--and on top of that, to work with people who I truly enjoy. We are like family to each other, which of course means some family squabbles from time to time, but mostly a lot of love and friendship.

Having been in that job for so long now, it's easy to take it for granted. When I talk to people who hate their jobs or their co-workers or both, or who have lost their jobs, I am reminded that God has blessed me tremendously in this current job. I need that reminder every now and then, especially when I start to complain.

Major Projects

This week I decided to tackle a major project in my personal life. I'm working on making a to-do list and a timeline for everything, and have already given myself a deadline that, if it's the Lord's will, I will reach in the next few months.

Much as I would love to be able to snap my fingers and have everything completed, it's not going to happen that way. It's going to take time and a lot of work. Since I already work a full-time job, I don't particularly relish the thought of coming home and doing more work at night and on the weekends. But that's what I have to do if I want to reach my goal.

Just thinking about all that needs to get done for this project can really overload my brain and make me feel overwhelmed. However, when I break it down into day-by-day projects, it's easier to tackle mentally (not to mention physically).

I'm reminded of the process of being transformed into God's image. If I examine my life and see all my flaws and all the ways I want to change, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and become discouraged because I may feel like I'm not progressing far "enough" or at a fast enough rate in my walk with Him.

Yet, there are some important things to remember. First of all, the transformation is not up to me--it's God at work in me.

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (II Corinthians 3:18)

Note that we are being transformed; we are not the ones causing the transformation. Also, note that our transformation is a work-in-progress. It doesn't happen overnight. It's not that God doesn't have the power to make that happen--He formed the universe and all that's in it in less than a week, so surely a makeover on us humans is a snap for Him. But rather than an overnight change, God chooses to work on us every day. We will never achieve perfection here on Earth, no matter how hard we try. Only when we are with God in Heaven will we finally be all that He intends for us to be.

Another exciting reminder is that we are invited to play a role in this transformation process by growing closer to the Creator and Transformer. When we spend time communicating with God through prayer and through reading His Word and meditating on it, we not only deepen our relationship with Him, but we open ourselves to more of His transformative work. We don't have to be of a certain intelligence, or a certain income level, or even a certain spiritual heritage in order to be transformed and used by God. We simply have to be willing to be molded and shaped into His image.

Trusting God to change us, in His time, and in His way, brings a great sense of peace when we're faced with the enormous task of becoming like Him.

Random Thoughts

--It's been a little hard this week to really get into the Christmas spirit when it's 72 degrees outside. But compared to the folks weathering ice storms and power outages in Oklahoma and other parts, I think we've got it pretty good.

--Let's face it, Christmas is not always "the most wonderful time of the year" for everyone. The girls at Girl Talk have posted a couple of insightful blog entries about dealing with loss, hurt and disappointment over the holidays.

--I recently discovered a new blog, Breakfast with Fred. Over the past couple of years I've subscribed to Fred Smith's e-newsletter and frequented his website. Fred, who passed away in August, was a popular speaker and author who taught much about leadership and integrity. The blog was started in memory of Fred and includes many thought-provoking questions about leadership, communication and personal growth.

--Hearing "Oh Holy Night" is a surefire way to get me into the Christmas spirit. What song really makes you think about the birth of Jesus?

Four Little Words

I think that one of the most powerful phrases anyone could utter is "I'm praying for you." You can't underestimate the impact that knowing that someone is lifting you up in prayer can have.

Earlier this week I received a card in the mail from a dear couple at our church, a couple whom I only occasionally have a chance to talk to, usually in the halls as we're going from the worship to Sunday school. Their sweet card, with its simple message that they were praying for me, made my day. It's amazing how much those four little words can affect you.

As you're mailing out your Christmas cards, why not include a brief message telling the recipient that you're praying for them? (Of course, only say that if you indeed are!) If you've already sent out your cards, or if you don't send Christmas cards, take some time to send someone a note or email, or leave a voice mail at their office or on their cell phone. You never know how much that message of having someone pray for them may encourage them.

Checking the Forecast

One of the websites that I have bookmarked on my computer is the Weather Channel. I don't usually bother checking it in the summer, when every day's forecast is "hot and humid", but during times like this, when it could be sunny and 80 degrees one day and rainy and 60 degrees the next, it's helpful to have a forecast to consult, especially when planning what to wear that day.

I've often thought how helpful it would be if we could consult some sort of spiritual forecast to say what the day's challenges would be. For instance, what if you knew in advance that at 7:45 a.m. you'd get stuck in traffic, at 9:20 a.m. you'd get yelled at by your boss, at 11:56 a.m. you'd give in to temptation to go out to eat instead of eating the lunch you brought from home, at 2:16 you'd spill coffee on yourself... I have a feeling that many of us, if we could know how our days would turn out, would call in sick!

Jesus did leave a forecast of sorts with us--He promised that there would be trials and temptations. Not exactly uplifting news, I know, but let's check out the rest of His statement:

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

Our focus should not be on expecting doom and gloom, but rather on the peace that comes from knowing Jesus, despite any doom and gloom that we may encounter.

As for the dilemma of what to "wear" in light of the daily challenges of life, we're given instruction on that as well:

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

Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:11-18)

When starting your day, be mindful that Satan is scheming, looking for ways to distract and discourage you. But take heart and remember that Jesus is bigger than any problems that Satan can throw your way. Dress prepared for battle, and enter the day with confidence as a child of God!

Oh, Come, Oh, Come Emmanuel

One of my new favorite songs of the Christmas season is a rather old one: "Oh, Come, Oh, Come, Emmanuel". Although I'm sure I had heard it before, it wasn't until I watched "The Nativity Story" last year that this song became one of my favorites.

I find it easy to identify with the last stanza, particularly these lines: "Oh, bid our sad divisions cease, And be yourself our King of Peace." Sadly, even though the King of Peace did come to the Earth, there is still much division and strife. While this song was written to plead for the birth of the Messiah, I think we could sing it today to plead for His return.

Oh, Come, Oh, Come Emmanuel
Translated: John Neal, 1818-66

Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, our Wisdom from on high,
Who ordered all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
and teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, oh, come, our Lord of might,
Who to your tribes on Sinai's height
In ancient times gave holy law,
In cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come O Rod of Jesse's stem,
From ev'ry foe deliver them
That trust your mighty pow'r to save;
Bring them in vict'ry through the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, O Key of David, come,
And open wide our heav'nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, our Dayspring from on high,
And cheer us by your drawing nigh,
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Oh, come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Oh, bid our sad divisions cease,
And be yourself our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

Author: French Processional
Tune: Veni Emmanuel
1st Published in: 1854

O Christmas Tree

Since I'm not planning on having many people over during the holidays, I thought I'd throw a virtual "open house" and show off my Christmas tree. It took a while to decorate, so I might as well put it on display!

Intercessory Prayer

More from Philip Yancey's book, Prayer:

God is looking for a beachhead of presence in the world--a body, we might say, and indeed that is the very image Paul seizes upon in his letters. We the "body of Christ" have formed a partnership to dispense God's love and grace to others. As we experience that grace, inevitably we want to share it with others. Love does not come naturally to me, I must say. I need prayer in order to place myself within the force field of God's love, allowing God to fill me with compassion that I cannot muster on my own.

This way of viewing the world changes how I pray for others. Crudely put, I once invisioned intercession as bringing requests to God that God may not have thought of, then talking God into granting them. Now I see intercession as an increase in my awareness. When I pray for another person, I am praying for God to open my eyes so that I can see that person as God does, and then enter into the stream of love that God already directs toward that person.

Something happens when I pray for others in this way. Bringing them into God's presence changes my attitude toward them and ultimately affects our relationship. I pray for the neighbor who is always trying to sneak out of paying his share of neighborhood assessments and begin to see him not as a conniver but as a friendless man who lives with constant financial worries. I pray for my drug-addicted relative and see past the irresponsible behavior to a wounded, desperate soul.

In short, prayer allows me to see others as God sees them (and me): as uniquely flawed and uniquely gifted bearers of God's image. I begin seeing them through Jesus' eyes, as beloved children whom the Father longs to embrace. I know that God wants their marriages to grow stronger and their children to stay out of trouble; God wants them healthy, and strong to resist temptation, capable of reaching out to others in need. I bring those prayers to God because I know God wills the very same thing. What I desire in the people I pray for, God desires all the more. (pg. 303)

You Never Know

Last night three friends and I drove around town looking at Christmas lights. We saw a good mix of tasteful and tacky light displays, which is just what we wanted in a Christmas light tour.

As we drove through one of the more affluent neighborhoods in town, one of us wondered aloud how many houses in that particular neighborhood were actually unfurnished. Rumor has it that several residents are too burdened paying for McMansions that they can't afford to furnish their homes. It's sad, but I suspect that quite a few people have bitten off more house than they can chew in attempts to impress others.

I also wonder how many of the people living in such grand houses are actually happy. I'm not sure that the ratio of "happy" homes to homes of abuse or divorce in gated communities are any different from those in poorer neighborhoods. I guess it goes to show you that you never can tell what's going on behind closed doors, no matter how good the outside looks.

That's true not only of pretty houses, but pretty people too. I've watched countless episodes of "America's Next Top Model", and there is always at least one contestant who is very insecure and uncomfortable in her own skin. She could be the most gorgeous girl on the show, but her insecurities keep her from excelling as far as a girl with less outward beauty but more inward confidence. Again, being rich or thin or pretty is no guarantee that you'll be happy or fulfilled or hangup-free.

I'm thankful that God does not focus on our beauty or wealth or other matters that the world finds important, but that He instead is more concerned with what's inside. I'm reminded of the instructions He gave to Samuel when it was time to choose a king for Israel:

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (I Samuel 16:7)

There's an old quote that says something like "Be kind, because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle." I think that when we're tempted to look at people who seemingly have more than us, whether more beauty or more money or more house or more friends, we need to remember that everyone has their own insecurities on some level. We all struggle at times. Our confidence and identity is not to be in things or appearances, but rather in God. Looks fade, and houses can be destroyed, money can disappear and so can friends, but God is there no matter what.

Do You Hear What I Hear?

I've got a couple of Christmas CDs, but I'd like to expand my collection to help me really get into the holiday spirit. Most of the Christmas songs I have are more of a secular nature ("Here Comes Santa Claus," "Rockin Around the Christmas Tree", etc.).

I want to add more "religious" Christmas songs to my collection. Any recommendations on a good Christmas album, or individual songs/performances, that I should consider?

Another Wake Up Call

With my mother's recent hospitalization, the fact that life is short has certainly been at the forefront of my mind lately. Today brought another reminder with the news that one of our employees had passed away this morning from a sudden heart attack. This person worked out in the field and we would only see her in the office a couple of times a year and at our staff retreats and Christmas parties. I didn't know her well at all; I'm not sure we've ever carried on a conversation longer than "Hi". But her sudden death once again reminded us all that life is unexpected and that we cannot take tomorrow for granted.

I'm quite adept at procrastinating, but more and more I'm being confronted by things that I've put off doing that I need to do. Some of it is of a financial matter, such as getting a will in order. Some of it's organizational, some of it household projects to tackle.

Then there are projects that are more relational in nature. Some of it involves finally letting go of the past and not dwelling on memories. I'll admit that's been the toughest part, letting go of certain dreams that I've had for a long time. That's not to say that God can't make even my most far-fetched dreams come true, but I think in some cases it's time to let go of my own dreams and embrace those that He has in store for me--which of course are always far greater than what I can dream for myself.

Remember that life is short, and that God intends for us to make the most of every moment He gives us. Enjoy your time with your family and your friends, order dessert, take a nap on Sunday afternoon, read good books, listen to good music, watch the sun set.

In other words, live!

He Never Sleeps

Last night before bed I spent a good deal of time in heartfelt, fervent prayer. Usually I sleep quite peacefully and soundly on nights where I've poured out my heart to God, but for some reason I had a very hard time getting to sleep last night, and I woke in the wee hours of the morning. My body was tired, but my mind was wide awake. After tossing and turning for a couple of hours, I gave up on getting more sleep and read for a while and started my day earlier than normal.

Thankfully, we had our staff retreat today, so at least I was out and about in Birmingham rather than sitting at my desk all day. I have a feeling that if I'd been office-bound today I'd have had a hard time staying awake with just a couple of hours of sleep under my belt.

I thought of how grateful I am that, while we humans need sleep in order to function adequately, God does not. He is able to remain awake and alert at all times, and is always watching out for us. I was reminded of the song "He Never Sleeps" by Don Moen:

When you've prayed every prayer that you know how to pray
Just remember the Lord will hear and the answer is on it's way.

Our God is able.
He is mighty.
He is faithful.

And He never sleeps,
He never slumbers.
He never tires of hearing our prayer.
When we are weak He becomes stronger.
So rest in His love and cast all of your cares on Him.

Do you feel that the Lord has forgotten your need?
Just remember that God is always working in ways you cannot see.

Our God is able.
He is mighty.
He is faithful.

And He never sleeps,
He never slumbers.
He never tires of hearing our prayer.
When we are weak He becomes stronger.
So rest in His love and cast all of your cares on Him.

How reassuring to know that we can cast all of our cares, worries, prayers upon God and let Him handle it so that we can lie down in peace. One of my regular prayers in the morning is thanking God for His protection over me and my house while I slept. I can honestly say that, in all my years of living alone, I've never had a night where I was afraid of going to bed. He has blessed me with much peace, and that has certainly brought me many, many nights of rest, last night notwithstanding.

I am trusting that I'll sleep much better tonight--hopefully my mind will be as worn out as my body is so we can all get some rest!

God Doesn't Always Get What He Wants, Either

Last night as I was reading Philip Yancey's Prayer, this sentence stood out to me:

Rarely do we get everything we want, and I imagine the same holds true for God.

I had never thought of it that way, but it's true. Think of how often we complain and cry because we aren't getting our way, aren't seeing answers to prayers (or at least not the answers we want). And yet if anyone has just cause to complain about not getting what they want, it's God.

He wants all to be saved. Instead, He gets rejected by many.

He wants unity among His church. Instead, He gets bickering and fighting and church splits.

He wants obedience. Instead, He gets rebellion and sin.

He wants us to trust and depend on Him to provide fully. Instead, He gets a bunch of independent-minded folk who want to do things "our way" and only call upon Him if we "really" need Him.

In an odd way, it's comforting to me to realize that God can indentify fully with us when it comes to not getting what we want. He knows all too well the pain of rejection or the heartache of a rebellious child. He does not promise to give us everything we want or fix all our problems. But He does promise to be with us no matter what.

The Finish Line

I walked (with a few spurts of running here and there) my first 5K today. I didn't win a trophy, but I did win a doorprize, plus I got the pride of finishing a race. I'm not so sure my body will be thanking me tomorrow, but I am glad that I raced and finished without collapsing.

I'll admit that there were times even in such a short race as this that I felt like laying down in someone's yard (the race route went through a neighborhood) and taking a little breather. Having co-workers to walk with definitely helped spur me on. We walked most of the route, although there were several times where we ran for a few minutes. We'd been walking for a while when we rounded the corner and saw the finish line in sight. At that point we decided to kick into high gear and finish the race by running.

As we neared the finish line, we were surrounded by fellow runners who already completed the race who were standing on the sidelines, cheering us on. There's something about having others cheer for you, even people who don't know you, that gets your adrenalin pumping.

I was reminded once again of how powerful encouragement can be. I thought of the Hebrew writer who recounts stories of members of the "Faith Hall of Fame" in Hebrews 11, then reminds us that those who have gone before us are watching and cheering us on in life:


Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Hebrews 12:1)

There are times in life where I feel like I'm all alone, even though intellectually I know I'm not. I'm encouraged when I think about the people in my life who cheer me on on a regular basis, as well as knowing that past men and women of faith are also on my side. It definitely makes running a difficult race a little easier.