Uncertainty

Mark 13:32-33
No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.

One of the big challenges of the Christian walk is dealing with uncertainty. There is a level of comfort that comes from a sense of certainty about what will come next.

Our human nature wants to control our life. We want to manage our days and plan our tomorrows. When events are planned we can determine our daily calendars and can prepare for upcoming events in a timely manner.

The challenge is that we don't know when Christ will return. Since the "day or hour" of is uncertain, we can't put off our getting ready to a later date. We are called by Christ to be ready - all the time!

Certainty can be found only in Christ (John 14:1), not in our plans.

Trust Jesus!
Lon

"The Waiting Part", by Rachel Smith

I hate waiting. I can blame this on our culture or my personality, but no matter the cause I am just no good at waiting. I think it’s because it seems so passive to me. I picture someone with their hand on their hip tapping their toe just wasting time. I think of all the other things I could be doing, should be doing, but here I am stuck waiting.

It has occurred to me; maybe I have this picture all wrong. Maybe waiting is not an -in between the activities thing - but maybe waiting is the thing! What if instead of trying to occupy my waiting time with thoughts and to do lists, what if I just waited. The mental picture changes to a more active person on the edge of their seat. The thought of waiting becomes more useful and hopeful, even peaceful.

Maybe that’s why I’m tired so often, I don’t wait enough.

This week- I hope you have to wait some.

Isaiah 40:31 (King James Version) But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

"Friends", Rachel Smith

I don’t get to see Lon very often, but when I do we always pick up right where we left off with no effort at all. Some friends are like that. You are able to continue a deep friendship beyond the surface “how’s the job” stuff.

It reminds me of Paul’s letters to the churches. He was updating and teaching his friends. He loved them and missed them. He wanted to encourage them and share what he was doing. But his letters were meant to apply to us today too. Through the words written in the Bible by Paul and others, we stay connected to our friend Jesus. Even if it’s been a long time since you were in touch, you can pick up right where you left off.

Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Frustration

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

My frustration grows when my expectations aren't meant. That is, I set in my mind what I hope will happen and when reality fails to measure up, then my frustration begins.

If God is at work in all things for my good, then why am I frustrated? My frustration speaks a clear message to the Lord: "God, You don't know what You're doing!"

When life fails to measure up and we respond with frustration we are saying to God that we don't trust Him. We think we know better how life ought to work out. And we forget that God is at work in these very same circumstances with which we are frustrated.

Trust the Lord!
Lon

"Be Still", by Rachel Smith

It was about 5:30 the other morning and my youngest son woke up an hour earlier than usual and stumbled into my room. “I had a bad dream” was all he said. I lifted the blanket and pulled him into our bed. Opening just one eye I peeked at the clock, only one more hour, he could stay here.

I was nearly back to sleep when I got the first little elbow in the stomach. Then he shifted rolled and turned some more. I waited, he calmed and then it started again. It felt to me like the Olympic tumbling team had decided to rob me of my last precious hour of sleep.

“BE STILL” I barked at him.

At that moment I could feel God smiling down on me. He gently reminded me how busy and restless I get. How He wants to give me rest and comfort but I keep tossing and turning trying to comfort myself. The familiar verse came back to me not in smooth melody but as a command that I must not ignore. “Be Still” And then we both fell back to sleep.

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10

Anxiety

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

If I really embraced this passage, how would I explain the anxiety in my life? My anxiety wells up when I lose sight of the fact that God is at work in the "things" around me. Further, I forget that even when the "things" around me make life tough that through them God is working for my good.

And in my anxiety, I forget that God is purposeful. The Lord is constantly working toward the expansion of His kingdom. I forget that He is all-powerful and all-knowing. I forget to trust Him and I become anxious.

There is no place for anxiety if I trust the Lord.

Trust Him!
Lon

Troubled Heart

John 14:1
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.

During the last few days my heart has been troubled. I'll try to explain how I believe this happened.

God richly blessed me in the days preceding my troubled heart. It doesn't take much for my focus on the Lord to turn to focus on myself. As my good friend Grant states it, "The easy way for the Devil to trip me up is to let me be successful!"

I got a little taste of success last week and I let it distract me. The trouble in my heart developed when I tried to follow up on "my success" under my own strength. I placed my trust in myself and began to fail at everything I attempted.

Jesus says that the antidote to a troubled heart is to trust Him. After all, it is the Lord that gifted me with the success in the first place!

Trust Jesus!
Lon

Guest Builder: Rachel Smith - Pet Lessons

About 3 years ago our cat died and after several months of mourning we decided to adopt not only a cat but also a dog. I have two children and one loves cats and the other loves dogs. So we ended up with one of each.

Our dog is a lap dog in every sense of the word. She weighs about 8 pounds and is never happier than sitting at my feet or laying in my lap. She becomes a fierce creature should anyone raise their voice or lift a hand to harm me. (Something my husband finds very funny and pretends to do just to provoke her). She even follows me from room to room no matter what I am doing just to be near me. I don't know when she decided that I would be the one she would love and admire, but her actions show me her love and devotion.

She often makes me think, "how do I show my love for Jesus?"

Do I jump with joy at the sight of Him? Do I wait patiently at His feet for even the slightest recognition? Do I lay next to Him wanting just to feel His warmth near me? Will I guard and protect Him at all costs? Do I follow Him wherever He leads, never questioning why? And will I come to Him every day needing Him for food, water, shelter and love? Sometimes I wish I were more like my dog.

Matthew 22:37 (New International Version)

Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

Distracted

Luke 10:40a
But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.

Wow, this has been a wild few weeks! What has suffered is this blog. Sorry!

I'm not trying to make excuses; however, since the week leading up to Easter I have been very "distracted by all the preparations that had to be made"! The stuff I've been "distracted" by was very important stuff, but that's what Martha thought, too!

Granted, posting to this blog is not on par with sitting at the feet of Jesus, but it reminds me not to get too caught up in my very important work. The challenge is to keep focused on what is the MOST important; keeping our eyes on Jesus, no matter what!

Stay focused!
Lon

Guest Encourager: Rachel Smith - Numb

I sat down to do some work on the computer tonight and after about 20 minutes or so I realized I couldn't feel my foot. I had to make myself stand up and walk around with that 'pins and needles' feeling. At first it hurt, then it burned and then slowly I could feel my foot returning to it's normal state. We have all had a foot or arm fall asleep and experienced this loss of sensation.

After a google search, I've learned it's actually caused from pinching the nerves not from poor circulation. The signals are cut off between the foot and the brain. The brain is telling the foot what to do, but the foot can't understand the brain. (http://kidshealth.org/kid/talk/qa/foot_asleep.html)

This reminds me of my relationship with Christ. While, I'm never cut off from my blood connection with Him, there are times I fall asleep and am unable to understand what He is trying to tell me. Usually the remedy is to get up and walk around a bit with Him.
Luke 24:15As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them;