"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;

Guest Builder: Rachel Smith - Threat

I work at Western Illinois University and this past week all employees and staff were issued a security alert. A note was found near campus that threatened a shooting. As a result many people went through a huge range of emotions, tears flowed, mother's called their children, people ranted and raved and the administration evaluated the best course of action. As the busy pace of a University was suddenly halted I was reminded what a difference faith makes.

I know that this threat, real or perceived, can not change who God is. He is the same today, tomorrow and forever. Threat or no threat, God is still in charge.

I was also reminded of the power of our words. Whoever said, "sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me," was wrong. Our words can do great measure to help or hurt those around us.

And so I stayed at work. Confident in God and trusting His plan, even if I don't always understand it. And when I had a moment, I wrote this. To use words to build up and not to harm. I think we can all use a reminder of the power of words.

Ephesians 4:29 (New International Version)

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Build UP: Such a Time

Esther 4:14
For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?

What is your "royal position"? Are you an employer? Are you a leader in your church or in your community? Are you a teacher, a parent, a friend, or a neighbor? If so, then I believe that it is quite possible that God has placed you in that "royal position".

This begs the question, "For what purpose have I come to this position?"

Ephesians 1:11-12
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.

No matter where God has placed us, there is a purpose to it, and that purpose is God's.

Achieve His purpose.
Lon

Build UP: Defeating Words

James 1:26
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.

I hope I haven't told this story too recently! When I was a freshman at a Big 10 university, one of my first compositions in English class was returned to me with an awful grade. If the grade wasn't bad enough, the words the instructor scrawled on the page finished the job. What I remember is that I was told that "I could not write". I eventually dropped the course.

Those words echoed in my ears for over five years! I registered for many freshman English courses and at three different schools, but those words would always haunt me. I was struggling to even finish the remedial classes.

It was the 10th or 11th English class that made the difference. Nancy Krey was my instructor. She took me aside a few weeks into the course and talked to me about my writing. She said, "You write quite well." At that point I believe my draw literally dropped open. She went on to say, "You just need some work on the structure of your sentences."

Two years later while in graduate school, my professors regularly told me, "You need to get some of your work published, because you write so well."

"...because you write so well." Thank you Nancy!

Those words from that first instructor almost scuttled my entire college education.

Mind your words!
Lon

Build UP: Encouraging Word

Acts 13:15
After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the synagogue rulers sent word to them, saying, "Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak."

I had an awesome phone call today! A friend called to catch me up on the recent happenings in his life. In the course of the conversation he shared that my words to him at our last meeting had been a huge encouragement to him. Further, he told me that after our conversation several other friends encouraged him in the same way. The result is that my friend is launching out into an entirely new line of work.

There is a point to sharing this story. Although our conversation was very positive, I don't really remember the specifics of my encouragement. Nonetheless, for my friend, this was a huge moment for him as he contemplated a life change. Let's keep this in mind as we interact with the world around us. Our words have the potential to make a large impact on the people with whom we interact.

Encourage someone today!
Lon

Build UP: Shame

1Corinthians 6:5
I say this to shame you.

Like my children, I often need reminders from my heavenly Parent as to proper behavior. Most often my rebukes come in the form of a sense of guilt related to a recent action. For me, shame is still a pretty useful tool in the hands of the Lord.

I've noticed though, that shame doesn't hold the same rank in our culture that it once held. It shouldn't be too much of surprise that shame has ceased to be an effective tool. After all, the world we live in shouts at us daily to do whatever we want, because you deserve to satisfy your every whim.

A sense of shame has been replaced by blaming others. When shame enters, our cultured response is to blame someone else for what we've done. It seems that every bad behavior is the fault of someone else.

Bottom line, if God can't reach us through the use of shame, then what must He resort too? It seems to me that a tablespoon of shame is much easier to swallow then the harsher medicine that is at the Lord's disposal.

Awake to the shame,
Lon

Guest Builder: Rachel Smith - Get Well Soon

Have you ever been sick? I mean really sick where you have to stop everything else and take care of you? I had that kind of sick this past week and it made me realize how quickly my priorities change and how much I take for granted my physical health.

When I'm not feeling well I will try any kind of over the counter or home remedy. When these fail I call the doctor. I beg to be seen and fast. All of my thoughts become focused on my health. All of my finances are reallocated to any type of remedy for my ailment and all of my time is spent on getting better.

Oddly enough before I was sick I didn't have any extra time, money or energy. Yet somehow my schedule has been cleared, my checkbook reallocated and my priorities changed. It occurs to me that if I am not physically healthy I can't use my resources on other activities, I must use them on getting well.

This applies to both short and long term illnesses equally. I once had an ailment that took over a year of modifying my schedule, seeking specialist advice and spending large amounts of money. I am sure you can think of at least one friend or family member whose life has been turned upside down due to medical condition.

How much more important then is our spiritual health? Maybe, just maybe, if I remembered how sick I am spiritually I might make more of an effort to seek out the doctor. I may also be more consistent in my treatment regiment. I forced to face a spiritual illness would I change the amount of time, money and other resources spent on getting well?

Just like my physical health, it is all too easy to take for granted my spiritual health. Please add me to your prayer requests for the "spiritually sick", and I will add you to mine. And if you need it, I can recommend a good specialist.

Matthew 9:12
On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.

Build UP: Sufficiency

I had a small case of writer's block tonight, so I asked the Lord to guide me to a topic. The response I received was this:

2Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

Had I, with a great exercise of will, determined and written a brilliant post, then I would have been tempted to wrestle the Lord for the praise. After all, I put all my mental powers to work discerning and crafting my thoughts.

My sense of my own power gets me in a lot of trouble. I feed my pride, until God takes me to the limits of my power. He takes me to a place where I come to the end of my strength; to a place of weakness.

It is there that the Lord reminds me of my limited power while simultaneously showing me the limitlessness of His. It is then that my pride is surrendered. It is then that I lift praises to the Lord.

And the next thing I knew, God had created this post!

Praise the Lord!
Lon

Guest Builder: Rachel Smith - The Door

I have been a little preoccupied with doors as of late. We built a deck last fall and are in the process of choosing a door to lead from our kitchen to our deck. I never knew I had so many choices in a door: French, sliding, single entry, double entry. So I have started to really look at all the doors I go in and out of. This morning I opened my bedroom door, closed the bathroom door, locked the house door, opened the garage door, slid the van door and pulled out of the driveway. Five doors and I hadn't even gotten to work!

All these doors have different appearances but the same purpose. They serve as a swinging or sliding barrier intended to keep us safe, to let in friends and keep out burglars, to protect us from the cold and wind. With out a door, I will just have a huge gaping hole in my kitchen! As I shop for a door that is functional and beautiful I am reminded of the one door that never wears out and always protects, a door that fills all of my huge gaping holes.

I will try to see Him in every door I use today.

John 10:9 (English Standard Version) I am the door. If anyone enters by me he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.

Build UP: Forgiveness

Psalm 51:4
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight...

When I sin I tend to focus on the person toward whom I acted inappropriately. Yes, I've done that person wrong, but the hurt of my action doesn't stop there. When I sin, I sin against God. I cause Him pain.

I heard of an activity once where the participants were given the opportunity to write their sin on a piece of paper. Next, they were instructed to step up to a wooden cross and literally nail their sin to it. Pretty dramatic stuff, but it gets the point across!

As we approach the cross of Christ this next week, let us remember our sin. Let's remember with humility that we are not guiltless. However, let us also more deeply embrace the forgiveness purchased for us by Jesus on that very same cross.

Grace and peace,
Lon

Build UP: Who?

John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Easter is fast approaching! If you're a leader in a church, then you are likely experiencing a great deal of busyness! And there are a lot of unanswered questions:

How should I organize the coming services?

What shall I talk about in my message?

When will I find time to prepare?

I have recently been reminded that the most important question doesn't begin with how, what, when or even where. NO, the most important question as we prepare for Easter begins with the word "who".

Who died that I might be saved?

Keep your eyes on the Who!
Lon

Guest Builder: Rachel Smith - Chosen

Do you remember what it feels like to be chosen?

Picture this: a playground of ten year old boys and girls standing around, anxiously looking at the dirt and shuffling their feet. One holds a muted red kick ball. The team captains are choosing sides for the big game. You hold your breathe, close your eyes tight and secretly cross your fingers behind your back.

"Please pick me, please pick me, Oh God please just let them pick me", you mutter a secret silent prayer.

I'm glad Jesus always chooses me to be on His team.

I know He wants to pick you too. (Oh and guess what, we win!)

Ephesians 1: 11-14

In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession - to the praise of his glory.

Build UP: Confidence

Philippians 1:6
...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

One of the many issues that the Lord hammers me on is my self-reliance. It's not really my fault. After all, God gave me these gifts! How can I help the fact that I draw a significant level of confidence from them?

All kidding aside, God gave us every one of our gifts. And its the Giver of the gifts that we should look to for our confidence, not the gifts themselves.

God started a "work" in each of us. The cool message in this passage is that God will see us and that work through to the end. God is perfectly worthy of our confidence.

Be confident in the Lord!
Lon

Build UP: Wrecking Ball

James 3:8-10
...no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.

I see it in the eyes of my daughter. Even though I only wanted to correct, I see in her defeated expression that I did it again! I crushed her. My words were meant to guide and teach, but when I'm not careful those good intentions amount to nothing but hurts and wounds.

I've seen the other possibility, too! On occasion I'll compliment a dance move, a new drawing, or a particularly creative outfit and the results are awesome! She gets a puffed up, proud, and confident.

We have the same power to inflict pain or build up adults, too! We can be a big old wrecking ball to everyone we meet. Or, we can be the person that encourages and strengthens those around us.

Speak building words!
Lon

Guest Builder: Rachel Smith - Attitude

The speed limit on the highway between our small town and the next major town is 65. It’s the law to go 65, however, most people go 70 to 75. I do it too.  I justify this in all kinds of ways.

“It’s only 5 miles over the speed limit. They expect you to go at least 5 miles over”

“If I don’t go 70, I could actually get hit for going too slow”

There are all kinds of justifications for my breaking this law. In fact, most of us think of the speed limit as more of a guideline. The bottom line is if the law says 65 and you go even one mile over that, you break the law.

However, we all realize there is nothing magical about the number 65 in keeping us safe. Safety is the intent of this law.  You can’t change an attitude with a law. You change attitudes by affecting people’s lives. Case in point, if you have ever lost a loved one in a collision due to excessive speeds, you are more likely to drive the speed limit.

God knew we would not be able to adhere to the law, that our stubborn attitudes would not change just because we were given the “do’s and don’ts.” Our attitudes are changed, when our lives are changed and we understand the intent of the law makers’ commands. When someone we know and love dies because we broke the law, then our attitudes change.

Philippians 2: 5-8

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:   Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!

Build Up: Praise

Matthew 5:16

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Thank you for your prayers as I traveled to Manchester, Iowa.  What a weekend!  The leaders of the United Methodist church there invested over 10 hours seeking the Lord for His direction for their church.  The Holy Spirit moved in a mighty way and revealed a compelling vision for the future of their ministry.

My role in the retreat was to guide the group through a process of discernment. We prayed, sang, studied scripture, and worked in small focus groups.  In the end the group gave a huge ovation and many compliments for my work.

This is the kind of work the Lord has me doing.  My purpose for sharing this is found in today's scripture: "let your light shine before men".  Typically when we share such things it is for our benefit.  My motivation here is to give God the glory.  Every scrap of "my good deeds" came from the Lord.  I could have accomplished nothing without His guidance and wisdom.

I'd be very curious to know how God has accomplished good deeds through you.  Please leave a comment on this post, or send me an email, that describes how you let your light shine.  I'll post them so we can all praise our Father in heaven.

Praise God!

Lon

Build UP: On the road

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

I am leaving in the morning (Friday) for Manchester, Iowa. I will be leading a two-day visioning retreat for a church there. Together, we will be discerning God's plan for this church over the next 4-5 years.

Please pray that God will give me the wisdom, courage, and strength needed to accomplish this task. And, that the Lord will keep me safe during the long drive (5 hours one-way) with winter road conditions.

In advance, thank you!
Lon

Build UP: Serve

Matthew 23:11

The greatest among you will be your servant.

One of the most difficult principles to understand is Jesus' teachings about service.  Jesus not only taught it, He lived it out.  Jesus could have chosen to reign as a king.  Instead, Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, healed people, and, in the end, died for us.

This is a difficult teaching to emulate.  It's unnatural for us to look to the needs of others when our needs seem so glaring.  We put so much effort in meeting our needs and preparing for our futures.  It's very tough to set that all aside for someone else.

Today, let's take 30 minutes to concentrate on serving the needs of others.

Humble yourself. (Matthew 23:12)

Lon

Build UP: Be Careful!

Ephesians 5:15-17
Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.

I don't believe that the caution called for here is the kind that suggests we dig a big hole somewhere and crawl inside where it is safe. No, I believe this kind of careful is the kind that recognizes the fleeting nature of life and guards against wasting it.

Bill Allison, founder of Cadre Ministries, states it something like this: "Life is so short and I want to invest every minute of it for Jesus." I agree! And the more I try to live this out the more I'm losing patience with things that waste time.

I want to "make the most" of the time I have left. My time may be measured in decades or it may be measured in minutes. I truly don't know which, either way I'm choosing to invest whatever is given me in building up the body of Christ.

Here's a challenge: Pay attention to how you "spend" today. If you really want to track your "spending", take a piece of paper and divide it in two columns with the headings "unwise" and the other "wise". Then make notes as to how you use the time God gives you today.

You have one earthly life, spend it wisely.
Lon

Guest Builder: Rachel Smith - Meaning

Meaning

Mark 3:1-6
Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Stand up in front of everyone."

Then Jesus asked them, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they remained silent.

He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.

I emailed my blog entry to Lon last Friday. When I sent it I had a typo of one little letter that changed the whole meaning of the last sentence. We were able to catch it before it was submitted to avoid any confusion. But this seems to happen more and more with email and instant messages. I get to typing my thoughts and the next think I know I have typed a whole different word than what I intended. OOPS- the next THING I know… see, happens all the time. With one ‘k’ thin becomes ‘think’ or switch that ‘K’ to a ‘G’ and you have ‘thing’. It’s pretty easy to do. Usually the readers can decipher the intent by filling in the gaps. Our brains try to put things in context to understand them. But sometimes confusion abounds. (At this point if you are scratching your head in confusion, re-read the whole first paragraph slowly.)

My handwriting is so bad my grocery list has read “bird and mold” instead of “bread and milk”. Boy was I glad to get what I intended rather than what I asked for on that one! Some times we get too stuck on the exact wording of things and forget the intent. We often get upset with a short sounding email or a poorly worded statement rather than slowly thinking what the other person meant.

Today try to ask “what do you mean by that?”

Build UP: Word Power

Acts 15:32
Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.

I spoke at a meeting of pastors from my home town this week. I shared with them information about Acorn Ministries. Everything went according to my plans until I came to the Q&A time. Then, without provocation, pastors that I've worked with began telling about their positive experiences with my ministry.

It was AWESOME! I felt so affirmed, blessed and encouraged! Once again it occurs to me how much power our words contain. In this case I felt the power of my friends words as they lifted up the work God is doing through this ministry.

But they didn't have to say these things. They could have kept their thoughts to themselves. It still would have been a good meeting. Man, but what a difference their good words made.

Today, let's look for opportunities to say positive words to the people we encounter.

Build someone up!
Lon

Build UP: Who me?

Who me?

Colossians 4:2-4
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ...Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

I know that the leaders in my church are under a great deal of pressure. And, I realize that they don't get much positive reinforcement. And yes, their job is tough. But what can I do? After all, I don't have any power in the church.

The truth is that we have incredible power at our disposal. The challenge is accessing it, but it's really not that tricky. God holds all the power the universe can muster. All we have to do is ask Him to send some of it to our church leaders. We do this through prayer.

Please consider adding your church leaders to your daily prayers.
Lon

Build UP: Finishing

Finishing

2Timothy 4:7
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

On Tuesday (2/19) I will be involved in my third funeral in as many weeks. Facing this much death has had an impact on my thinking. This passage written by Paul came to mind. I really want to make that kind of statement at the end of my "race".

I think the biggest challenge with finishing well is that we really have no idea where the finish line is. If I could see the finish line and it's very close, then I could muster up my strength for a finishing "kick". On the other hand, if I realize that the finish line is a long way off, then I might pace myself for the long haul. Both strategies have a down side.

Seeing so much death and the unpredictable nature of its timing, I'm starting to think that it's not about pace. Rather, finishing well, no matter how long the race, seems to depend on a faithful effort. If every day I get up and faithfully follow Jesus, then when my final day comes I will have kept the faith, no matter when that day comes.

Keep the faith!
Lon

Guest Builder: Rachel Smith - Treasure

Treasure

My husband and I have two young boys ages 8 & 10 and lately we have been into treasure. It began with pirate’s treasure but the movie National Treasure sparked an interest in other things that might have hidden value or meaning.

 

I admit I have a competitive streak and I love being a participant in scavenger hunts of any kind. (Our team took second place in the last one!)  Looking for that item of value or accomplishing the tasks on out list faster than the other teams sparks some enthusiasm deep inside me. My heart races, palms sweat and I start talking very loudly and quickly. I find myself willing to ask people for things I never once considered important or valuable before. The hunt takes on a life of its own as I hasten in my quest for a two dollar bill, an unused toothbrush, a Kentucky state quarter of some other equally important item. 

 

The treasurer hunter has a single minded focus spurred on by the promise of the coveted prize at the end of the journey. The journey itself is exciting, but the prize is what sets the pace. As I think about historical treasures, pirate’s gold and other things of value, it begs the question. “As we push through the race of life, what are you hunting for?”

 

Matthew 6:19-21 (New International Version)

Treasures in Heaven

 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Build UP: Encouragement

1Thessalonians 5:11

“…encourage one another and build each other up…”

Dread. That was the feeling in the pit of my stomach all morning long. I was scheduled for a mandatory meeting with a committee that would determine a significant aspect of my future. This group had the power to continue or discontinue my license as a pastor. I have faced this experience two previous times and I did not enjoy the experience.

The coolest thing happened! The four people I met with were delightful. They complimented me! They gave me positive feedback! They were, in a word, encouraging! What a difference their encouragement made!

Let’s seek to encourage someone today!

Lon

Build UP: Love One Another

Love One Another

John 13:34-35 

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Jesus called us to love one another. The way we love people should act as a distinctive of discipleship.  Our love is expected to resemble the love modeled by Jesus.  This is a tall order! Jesus-style love is selfless and sacrificial. 

Love One Another.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Lon

Build UP: Never

Never

Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

“Never” is a pretty comprehensive word. Seems to me that one could never construct a circumstance within which God would not be present. And if that is true, then no matter what happens God is with me.

Then why do I become so quickly discouraged? Why do I fear? Why do my thoughts turn sour at the drop of a hat? Why do I get so frustrated with my circumstances?

The answer is simple: I forget! I forget that God “will never leave [me] nor forsake [me]”. I forget that God is with me every step of the journey.

Remember that God will never leave us!

Lon

Build UP: Tested

Tested

James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Has your faith been tested lately? Seems like testing comes with the territory for those who are trying to live by faith. Jesus was tested in the wilderness. Abraham was tested on the mountain top. God places us in circumstances that test us. That is how He prepares us for the future.

Embrace your trials knowing that God is using them to prepare you.

Enjoy the test!
Lon

Guest Builder: Rachel Smith

Luke 22:42
"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."

I am not the best with directions. I can follow a map just fine, but given the choice to turn right or left, I usually choose incorrectly and end up lost. Even knowing I will choose wrong and purposely choosing the opposite will usually get me lost. I seem to lack an accurate internal compass.

For Christmas my husband got me a GPS navigational devise to use in our van. It will give me directions from just about anywhere to just about anywhere and will even recalculate if I take a wrong turn. It also conveniently advises me on where to eat or shop. But what it can’t do for me is decide.

I can’t help but chuckle over the New York based news story of a young man getting stuck on train tracks because his Garamond said “turn right here.” He listened to the navigational devise and turned, not even noticing the train that was coming. You see even the best advice is just that, advice. I am responsible for where I turn or do not turn. The young man was fine, his car totaled, but he did decide to get out of the car and navigate away from the tracks on his own.

For all of the talking to friends, consulting with family and listening to our spouses well reasoned opinions, the final decision in most things is ultimately ours. That’s how God designed us. He wants us to have free will. He wants us to choose Him, but He does let us choose. And just like being at that turn in the road the action part of choosing is our responsibility alone.

Yes, alone. You are the one and only person that you can never get away from. Every time you look in the mirror, you are there. You may loose family, friends, children and spouses, but you can never truly escape from yourself. Every decision you make must be one you can live with. The most pivotal choice, that of your salvation, must be one you can die with.

If you have chosen Jesus as your savior, you have been given the Holy Spirit to help guide you. But yet you still must keep on choosing. Everyday we choose to obey or not to obey. To listen to His Spirit or listen to the other navigational devises we have come to rely on. (Including ourselves!)

Jesus at Gethsemane had a choice. He found his friends asleep and He went on His own and He prayed. He made a choice we all can live and die with.

Build UP: Leaning

Leaning

Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding...

Which way do you lean? Do you really trust the Lord, or do you trust your own mind? My answers vary with every passing minute.

Most often I lean into my own understanding. After all, God blessed me with a half-way functional brain. However, when I lean into my own understandings, I am no longer trusting in the Lord. Instead, I substitute my dependence on Jesus with trust in my own mind. It happens so subtly and before long I've replaced Jesus on the throne of my life with my very human, extremely fallible, regularly self-centered, and constantly ill-informed understandings.

On the other hand, there are times when I fully lean into the Lord. Those are awesome moments when I set aside my egocentric understandings and trust God. In every instance the way the Lord leads is contrary to what makes sense to me. Often following Jesus seems like borderline foolishness! But amazing things happen when I let go and embrace His will! And in time, I see the genius of the Lord’s direction.

Trust in the Lord!
Lon

Build UP: In Secret

In Secret

Matthew 6:3-4
But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Now as you read that passage you're probably identifying with the "giver". I happen to relate more these days to the "needy". As a missionary, I depend upon gifts from "givers" to keep our ministry and my family going. In the five years that God has had me on this path I have received all kinds of gifts.

Many of the gifts that we've received have come in "secret". We've found food on our doorsteps. We've found Bibles and resource materials on our front porch. Once we found dresses for my daughters hanging on the back door. And every now and then we receive envelops with cash in them.

We have been receiving envelops of cash each week for the last four weeks. Despite my interest in figuring out who is sending us these donations, I know that it is God that is providing these gifts. And, this generous person is following Christ's command to give "in secret".

I'd like to use this forum to publicly thank God for all the generous people that keep this ministry moving forward. Particularly, I want to thank Him for the people that have supported us "in secret".

Thank you!
Lon

Build UP: Denial

Denial

Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."

Jesus teaches us to live in denial. No, not a river in Africa. And no, He doesn't call us to live in ignorance of our "issues". Rather, Jesus calls us to live a life that is Other-focused. That message has a strange ring in our world.

Our culture screams the opposite as it bombards us daily with the message that we should pamper and care for ourselves. After all, "we deserve it!" Frankly, it's an attractive message! We all work hard. It seems somehow fair that we should bask in the glow of our accomplishments.

But Jesus teaches me to give my life away. (Matthew 16:25) Deny myself. Put Christ first! Don’t worry about tomorrow. Follow Jesus! Don’t store up treasures on earth. Deny myself. Take all the gifts that God has given me and endorse them over to Jesus. Deny myself.

Live in denial!
Lon

Guest Builder: Rachel Smith

When I was in high school I went to France as a foreign exchange student for a short time. I lived with a family in a town called Dole and attended the local high school. I had learned the language and the culture enough to be able to eat out, shop, visit Paris and not fail out of school completely. I adjusted ok. But I remember missing other Americans. Every time I saw an American classmate or even a tourist, I was drawn to them. We would talk excitedly and hurriedly about the goings on of things in America. I remember loving those conversations and holding on to every word, not wanting to miss any details.

The comfort of someone else understanding me with out a strain of translation is somewhat difficult to put into words. There was a peace that this other human connected with me on some level that words can’t fulfill. I could speak with French friends, I could understand and embrace their culture, but it wasn’t mine. On some affective level I truly didn’t belong. When I saw another American a kindred spirit arouse in me and made my heart jump and race just a bit, someone who would understand the nuances of our communication.

That feeling rushed back to me today. I was dropping my son at school and heading to work, like any other day, when I drove past a woman who attends my church. My heart raced a little, my face brightened as I waved and smiled. I don’t really know this woman enough to call her friend, but we have the same culture. We are both Christians. We are both Foreigners in this land. We are to understand the culture here to be able to function, but not be a part of it. We connect in our hearts because we belong to the same Father, the same family. And there are days, here in this land, which I desire with all of my heart to go home.

I hope and pray today that you don’t belong. That you don’t fit in. That you live as strangers in this land.
1 Peter 1:17Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.
1 Peter 2:11Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.
John 17:16They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.

Build UP: At Once

At Once

Mark 1:17-18
"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him.

I believe Jesus calls to us constantly. The reason we don't hear Him is that we're running around with our fingers in our ears yelling, "I can't hear you!"

In order to hear Jesus today, we must learn to quiet ourselves. This is very countercultural. Our culture says that the busier you are the better. After all, if you're incredibly busy then you must be important! As people of faith, Who is supposed to be the important One, me or Jesus?

To hear Jesus we have to slow down enough to hear His voice over the busyness. When we finally get to the point that we can hear Jesus calling us, then we have an opportunity to respond to His call. The fishermen demonstrated the appropriate timing of our reponse, "at once". When Christ calls, follow Him at once.

Follow Him!
Lon

Build UP: The Right Time

The Right Time

Mark 6:50b
Immediately [Jesus] spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It is I. don't be afraid."

You probably noticed that it has been a long time since you've seen a Build UP in your in box. There are LOTS of reasons for this delay, but the one that I need to focus on tonight is what I'm calling "waiting for the right time".

I remember being around people that were going through difficult times. I kept waiting for the perfect moment to offer some assistance, but that time never materialized. I wonder what their would be like if I had acted immediately.

I remember wanting to apologize to friends. I kept waiting for just the right moment, but that time never happened. I wonder what their life would be like if I had apologized immediately.

I remember thinking about getting a Build UP written. I kept waiting for a time when I wasn't so busy, but that time never happened. I wonder who might have been encouraged if I had started posting these immediately.

Jesus often acted "immediately". A need arose and He responded. It appears that the "right time" for Jesus was often right now. Tonight isn't really any different than any of the previous 30 nights. The difference is that I'm choosing that now is the right time.

Thank you to Carol, Terry, and Rachel for helping me remember that these Build UPs meet a need!

Now is the right time!
Lon

Build UP: Live Today

Live Today “Through Him”

Philippians 4:11-13
…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

It is customary at the close of the year to look back and remember the events that made up the concluding year. We can sometimes see from this vantage point how God has moved in our life in the previous 12 months. However, our look backwards should be more of a glance than a full-on stare. If we concentrate on the past, then we will miss what is happening today.

It is also common practice at the start of a new year to look ahead with expectation. We stand on the brink of the coming year and, with hope in the Lord, dream of the wonderful blessings that may come. However, our look ahead should be more of a glance than a full-on stare. If we concentrate on the future, then we will miss what is happening today.

So here we are at the crossroads of two years. We glance over our shoulder and praise God for His past work in our life. We glance forward and praise God for the hope we have in Him for the future. However, now it is time to get busy in living today. Take each and every moment of the present day to seek the Lord. Grow each day in relationship with Jesus. In this way we move through each day with praise on our lips for the past, hope in our hearts for the future, and the joy of living today in relationship with Jesus the Christ.

May 2008 be a year of growing in the Lord and finding His peace and contentment in all circumstances.

To God be the glory!
Lon

PP. (post post) I am going to be out of blogging range for a week or so.

Build UP: What We Deserve

What We Deserve

Romans 3:23-25
...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.

Most advertising these days promotes the message: "Buy this product because you deserve it!" The world shouts that life ought to be like the glamor portrayed in advertising, because "we deserve it". Do we? Do we deserve luxury and opulence?

Genesis 3:17-19
To Adam [God] said, "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat of it,'
"Cursed is the ground because of you;
through painful toil you will eat of it
all the days of your life.
It will produce thorns and thistles for you,
and you will eat the plants of the field.
By the sweat of your brow
you will eat your food
until you return to the ground,
since from it you were taken;
for dust you are
and to dust you will return."

That's what we deserve, and it doesn't sound very luxurious! Our sin separates us from God and that is a bad place to be. What we deserve is hell! But that's not what God gives us. Instead, God gave us His Son to save us! He gave us His precious Jesus to die for our sins! God gave us what we don't deserve.

Praise God!
Lon

Build UP: Peace

Peace

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Jesus gives us peace. When we know Him, we can find peace no matter what the world hands us. And peace is an awesome thing to have when the world we live in provides us a daily dose of chaos, disappointment, attacks, and frustrations.

Yet that same world tells us to seek our comfort in a new car, retirement, a new wardrobe, a cruise, or a new love interest. We're led to believe that when we attain them we will be happy, peaceful, and content.

The truth is, I haven't found anyone yet that found any lasting peace in any of these lures. Granted, they have some fun and enjoy the moment, but morning comes and the peace is gone. The sad truth is most people pick themselves up, brush themselves off, and take off after the next thing that they're told will make them happy.

There is only one source of lasting peace and that is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. His peace lasts forever! His peace is available no matter what the world throws at us, and believe me the world hurls at us constantly. I can't remember where I first heard this, but I'm passing it on anyway because I think it presents tremendous wisdom:

Frustration is losing sight of God.

The parallel positive statement could be: Find God and find peace.

Find God.
Lon

Build Up: Faith and Success

Faith and Success

1Corinthians 10:31
...whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Ask 10 people to define success and you will get 10 different responses. People say success is wealth, impact, reputation, comfort, luxury, the latest "toys", or leisure. In church work we tend to measure success by the numbers. You know, the bigger the church the bigger the success. Frankly, I'm starting to fall off of the numbers band wagon. I love this piece from Oswald Chambers:

It’s one thing to go through a crisis grandly, yet quite another to go through every day glorifying God when there is no witness, no limelight, and no one paying even the remotest attention to us. If we are not looking for halos, we at least want something that will make people say, "What a wonderful man of prayer he is!" or, "What a great woman of devotion she is!" If you are properly devoted to the Lord Jesus, you have reached the lofty height where no one would ever notice you personally. All that is noticed is the power of God coming through you all the time.

We want to be able to say, "Oh, I have had a wonderful call from God!" But to do even the most humbling tasks to the glory of God takes the Almighty God Incarnate working in us. To be utterly unnoticeable requires God’s Spirit in us making us absolutely humanly His. The true test of a saint’s life is not successfulness but faithfulness on the human level of life. We tend to set up success in Christian work as our purpose, but our purpose should be to display the glory of God in human life, to live a life "hidden with Christ in God" in our everyday human conditions (Colossians 3:3). Our human relationships are the very conditions in which the ideal life of God should be exhibited.

Read the entire devotion by Oswald Chambers "Still Human"

Display the glory of God, be faithful.
Lon

Daily Build Up: More on Success

For those of you who subscribe to this blog you may miss out on comments that other readers post on this site. My friend Pheaney (pronounced Fee-nee) sent these thoughts that I'd like to pass on to you:

Pheaney has left a new comment on your post "Acorn Build Up: Success": For some more thoughts on Biblical success, I would recommend "Liberating Ministry from the Success Syndrome" by Kent Hughes.

Thanks, Pheaney for chiming in! This is the second time in as many weeks that someone has suggested this book. It must be time for me to pick up a copy.

Blessings!
Lon

Acorn Build Up: Success

Success

Philippians 3:8-9
What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.

So what is success? This becomes an important question when we begin to realize the impact it has on the way we live life. We invest our life in the pursuit of success. The end (the way we define success) establishes the means (the way we live our life).

Paul chose to consider a relationship with Jesus Christ as the only success. He considered EVERYTHING else "rubbish". Paul lived his life in a solitary attempt to know Christ.

If our definition of success is financial stability, personal health, physical safety, professional renown, fame, or social popularity, then we will live our life accordingly. I'm not trying to suggest that we should quit our jobs and throw away social responsibility. However, the way that we choose to define a successful life has a tremendous impact on the way we live our life.

Choose well.
Lon