Author Archives: jeanieshaw

Troubles and Treasures of Travel

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I have come to realize that I am a home-body.  Yet, for years my job has required travel.  A number of years ago we (my husband and I) worked with a ministry in our church that served the poor throughout numerous under-developed countries. It is impossible to do this without physically going to these places, seeing the needs and getting to know the people. That required travel.  Now, as part of a different assignment, we work with churches in various places – for strengthening and training purposes.  I am humbled and grateful to be able to serve in this way, and grateful for the experiences and training we have received which enable us to give back in some way.  However, I don’t like to travel.

As I write this I’m still about 4 hours from Boston, just below Iceland.  My computer is sliding all over my lap, as we have hit some turbulence.  Hopefully, writing will distract me more than make me sick.  My palms will sweat…they always do when in turbulence.   I so wish I was one who loves to travel.  Alas, I am not.  There are many trials in travel. Though I always try to be very careful, I’ve managed to get food poisoning in the Philippines, Mexico, India, Romania and most recently on another trip to Eastern Europe.  Those moments were quite simply – horrible. Most times when traveling I can’t sleep at night, and during the day must try to prod my body out of its deep sleep rhythm.  Given our time away is usually fairly short, we meet with people from early morning until late at night. Travel involves more than the actual time away. There is preparation before leaving and catching up when getting home.  While away from my home church family, there are responsibilities that need to be covered.

Then there is the actual transit part of travel – early mornings, traffic, taking off many items of clothing and getting x-rayed, buying a five dollar cup of coffee – and then finding your tiny little seat.  ( I am quite sure that airplane seats are made for people under 5 feet tall who weigh less than 90 pounds.)  Usually your luggage goes with you, but not always.  Once I chuckled when I saw various articles of clothing and toiletries coming across the luggage claim conveyer belt.  I thought about the poor person whose article these were and wondered what happened to their luggage – that is until I started recognizing the articles.  Yes, they were mine.  My suitcase had been run over by the loaders and was utterly destroyed.

The hardest part of travel is being away from family. When my children were still at home many arrangements had to be made for their care and needs. I tried to travel as little as possible during that time period. It was hard to be away from them and all that they were involved with.  Now that our children are grown I thought it would be much easier.  I would only need to arrange care for the dogs.

It is much easier, but it’s still hard to be away. Last fall I cut a trip short when my daughter went into the hospital with early labor, the day after her son was admitted to the hospital for a bad case of croup.  Yesterday, as I was preparing to eat dinner with friends, I got a call informing me that my newest granddaughter had been in an accident and was on her way via ambulance to Children’s Hospital.  Needless to say, I ate no dinner and many prayers were offered on her behalf.  She had a slight brain bleed, which was very scary. (She is doing fine and  home from the hospital. Thank you, God!)  It is so very hard to be away in times like these.  I feel so helpless.  Yet, I am comforted to know that wherever I go I can join hands in prayer with the Christians around me, and at any given time and place access the creator of the universe, who happens to be my Father.  And that’s just what I did.

So, why do I keep doing this travel?  I ask myself this question often and keep coming back with the same answer.

In Luke 12 Jesus tells a poignant parable about seeking God’s kingdom first, instead of going after worldly pursuits.  He tells us to be ready for his return, to care for the poor, to have faith and focus that calls us to act…and to trust that God will provide what we need.  As if I’m not already convicted enough….at  the end of this parable is a most challenging verse – Luke 12:48

    From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

God showers blessings upon us, though sometimes in our pursuit of other things we can miss the blessings.  I think of things I have been given…forgiveness of sins, a clear conscience, direction for how to live life, God’s power living in me, countless promises, and eternal life (to name just a few). I have been given years of training in learning the scriptures as well as learning how apply them. I have an amazing, Godly husband and incredible children who love God wholeheartedly and are training their children to do so as well. They are best friends to me and to each other.  I  have a son who grew up in one of these underdeveloped countries.  He has taught me a new way of thinking and understanding for which I am grateful and blessed. I have a loving church family and dear friends. I have a warm home, running hot water, plenty of food and everything I need.  I have been able to connect with and meet so many wonderful people, as well as see the many needs that exist throughout the world.   I have been given much, and deeply desire that more and more people all over the world can know these same blessings.

I’m glad I wrote this.  It reminded me again why I do what I do.  As I unpack my suitcase, I will remember these amazing blessings and next month when I pack it again strive to remember and be forever grateful for the spiritual treasures God has given me to “carry in my suitcase”.  Bon Voyage!

The Red “X”

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For days now – months actually, I’ve driven by these two trees.  I always notice them, as each one displays a big red “X” on its trunk.  I’ve wondered if the markings were graffiti, or if the trees were diseased and needed treatment, or if they were perhaps marked for cutting.  However, I surmised that if they were to be cut down, they would not need large red X’s to distinguish them – as they were the only trees in this particular front yard.

Each time I went by these trees I became more curious.  They were singled out.  But why?  What did they do to deserve this big red X?  Why were they seemingly chosen?

After driving by this site for so long, I decided two days ago that I would take a picture of these trees, as they were beginning to teach me lessons.  I was learning each time I cruised by.  So, armed with my camera I pulled into the driveway beside the trees and rolled (pushed the button actually) down the window of my car.  The wind was blowing, and I heard a wonderfully sweet, melodic sound coming from one of the branches.  I explored further to find that wind chimes were producing this beautiful sound.   It was a lovely moment, as I sat listening to the song from the red X’d tree as I snapped its picture.   I felt sort of strangely attached to these trees that had taken my attention.

Today I drove back down this road, only to be stopped by a police officer directing traffic.  Two large trucks were in the road and a few branches were scattered here and there.

“My” trees were gone!  Kapoom!….Gone!…Nothing left!   In my personalization of these trees, I hoped they were marked because they were “chosen” for something special.   Sometimes being chosen feels good, and sometimes it’s hard.  I think of the scripture in John 15:19

    If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

God has, in a sense, put a big red “X” on me.  Through the blood of Jesus, he chose me to be his daughter.  He chose me to be part of his family, and to live with him and be loved by him.  That feels really good.  Yet, when we live for God, the world doesn’t understand.  That sometimes doesn’t feel good.

In a way, each of us is marked with a red “X”.  God has chosen each of us; however we must decide to choose God in order to have a relationship with Him.  We can’t choose God and the world.  We belong to one or the other.   Jesus gives a sobering lesson using the visual of a tree.  Matthew 7:17-19

    Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. [18] A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. [19] Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

This makes me all the more eager to guard my heart, so that it will bear good fruit.  Prov. 4:23 NRSV  23 Keep your heart with all vigilance,  for from it flow the springs of life.

As long as I am standing I pray that, like the wind chimes in the tree, a melody from the fruits of God’s Spirit can come from my life – and that it is pleasing and delightful to Him.  “My” tree with the red X may be gone, but I’d like to think many a home can be warmed by the wood it produced.  Like the wood that comes from that tree, I long to be useful in fueling the spark that ignites and warms human hearts for Him.

My, How Things Change!

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We were pulling into Boston, with our car fully packed.  The year was 1987 and we were heading to what would become our new home.  We had our three children in tow, one dog, a few belongings and wondered what this new chapter of our life would bring.  I looked back at the children and noticed that our usually happy Sam, then four years old, was quite melancholy. I inquired as to the sadness of his demeanor.  His reply took me off guard.

Let me give you some background before I tell you his reply.  Sam was quite good at entertaining himself.  Though the children didn’t watch a lot of television, they did have a few favorites.  I thought Sam, as a youngster, would enjoy the usual Sesame Street type of programming.  However, he had no interest in such shows.  For Sam, even as a toddler, was mesmerized by anything having to do with sports.  I can still picture him in his high chair, joyfully watching football.  By the time he was four years old, he knew a lot about sports, even sports trivia.

Thus, I should not have been so surprised at Sam’s response as we approached our new home.  He responded to my inquiry with a sigh as he uttered, “Oh no, now I have to be a Patriots’ fan.”  This little four year old was realizing his move would come at a price. He had been mulling over in his mind the “fact” that he would now be an official fan of a team that was at the time – in a word – horrendous.

During the next several years New England Patriots paraphernalia was amazingly cheap.  In fact, you would think the organization would pay you to buy it.  You only wore a T-shirt if you had a jacket on that zipped up so it couldn’t be seen.  It was not encouraging to be a Patriots’ fan.  However, over time, how things can change!  It is possible to go from worst to first.  (or second 😦 ….I’m still a little tender from last night’s loss in the Super Bowl)  Now, my grown up son and his daughter proudly display their sports team loyalty.

While I speak here of sports, there is a spiritual lesson in most every situation we encounter.  At times, there are circumstantial situations or areas of weakness that can keep reappearing in our lives, bringing about the same look of discouragement I noticed in my young son.  We can think that these things were made to bring us down, and will always be a sore spot.  When this happens, I am encouraged by two particular scriptures

The first is in 2 Cor. 1:8-9
We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. [9] Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

Paul had experience severe hardships as he followed Jesus.  His trials called him back to reliance on God.  How easy it is, when things go well, to become self-reliant – and less mindful of our utter dependence on God for every breath and every step we take.

The next scripture has encouraged me again and again. While similar to the previous scripture 2 Cor. 12:7-10, encourages me by promising me that my weaknesses can actually  become my strengths.
To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. [8] Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. [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. [10] That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
So, I figure if I hang in there, with true faith, any situation can become one that works for God’s glory, and my growth.  True joy and delight comes from this reality.

Kicking Trees

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When, as a young girl I got mad, frustrated or began whining my mother gave me words of wisdom.  At the time, I didn’t know they were words of wisdom.  I just thought her words of instruction were normal protocol.  Her instruction was this.  “Go outside, run around the house six times and kick some trees.”  So, I would go outside, count as I ran around the house and begin to kick one of the big pine trees in our backyard. I always felt better.

I thought about this several times this week.  One of my most oft-used and very helpful scriptures is short, but profound.  It is found in Romans 12:21 –
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

This is what my mother was training me to do.  To replace what was bad with something good.  (Exercise and getting rid of frustration was good….and no trees were harmed in this process.)

What an important scripture to practice.  I find that I can only find success in overcoming sin, temptations or even annoying habits by applying this verse.  It’s sort of like this:

Imagine if I decided that I ate too much chocolate (is that possible?) and that I would quit having chocolate as one of my staple food groups.  So, I would then think about how I would avoid all Lindt dark chocolate bars with a sprinkling of chili in them.  By no means would I indulge in a molten chocolate cake, warm from the oven with melted Ghirardelli chocolate oozing out of the center – and smothered in ice cream.  And whenever I went through a “Wendy’s” drive-through I’d request a vanilla frosty (aren’t “frosty” and “chocolate” synonymous?) so I wouldn’t have to take slow tastes of the creamy chocolate custard that coats my throat in an oh-so palatable way.  Needless to say, this is not a smart way to get chocolate out of my life.  Even as I type this while in a neighborhood coffee shop, I am now tempted to check out the chocolate goodies staring at me under the glass.  You see, God knows that the way to overcome something is to replace it with something else. What I need to do is to take a walk or eat an apple.

Jesus taught this truth with a parable: Luke 11:24-26
“When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ [25] When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. [26] Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first.”

Too often we try to get rid of besetting sins or bad habits by just “sweeping our house clean” without occupying it with Godly attributes, actions and thoughts.  Some practical ways this is to be done is found in Col. 3:5-10
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. [6] Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. [7] You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. [8] But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. [9] Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices [10] and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
12-15 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. [13] Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. [14] And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
    [15] Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

A couple of days ago I was sharing Romans 12:21 with a young woman who was eager to become a Christian and who was wanting help in overcoming some destructive habits.  She decided to “arm herself” with several scriptures she would immediately turn to, with prayer, and with requests for support from a few who she might call when tempted. She decided upon  several “courses of action”  which she could immediately turn to in order to “overcome evil with good”.  She also was thrilled with the  promise of God’s Spirit entering her when she was baptized. She was learning to put off…and to put on.  To not be overcome…but to overcome.

What a privilege to have an alternative to “being overcome by evil”.  What trees do you need to kick today?

De-Dreading the Dentist…and other things

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I strongly dislike going to the dentist.  Yesterday was my semi- annual teeth cleaning appointment. (I was six months late scheduling this appointment, so it actually became my annual appointment.) It’s far too easy to procrastinate doing things I don’t enjoy.  Fortunately, thus far my teeth haven’t given me problems and I still have them – wisdom and all.  I’m grateful I didn’t have to go to a “tooth cleaning”.

When I’m dreading a task, I try to add some redeeming quality to make it better.  I think about the apostle Paul in these situations.  His attitude continually convicts and inspires me.  While in prison because of his faith, he wrote about continually rejoicing, encouraging others and finding the unseen blessings of his trials such as being able to share about Jesus with those he may not not have had the opportunity to meet were it not for the circumstances.

Philip. 1:12-14
Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. [13] As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. [14] Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

Philip. 1:18b-20

   Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, [19] for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. [20] I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

Wow.  Do not those words call you higher? I wonder what “my” letter might have sounded like.

So, trying to learn from my brother Paul, I looked for opportunities to share, to encourage,  and to rejoice and be thankful in a situation I didn’t like. (Of course, the dentist and prison are not at all comparable, but I do really, really dread going to the dentist.)  Applying these scriptures to my more mundane situation still made the experience so much better.  In fact, I almost enjoyed the time.  My dentist practices in a town near the ocean.  So, before listening to the lovely metal-on-plaque sound I took a few extra minutes to pick up a cup of my favorite fish chowder in Gloucester, and then drove to my favorite prayer spot…to enjoy my chowder and pray.  This was the view from my car.

Truthfully, I believe God’s beauty can be found everywhere when we are looking.  Yes, this is a magnificent view, but so is the sky…and the trees, the flowers, the animals – everything He has made. I made it through my dentist appointment, and even determined to “enjoy” the few moments to close my eyes and listen to music (with the occasional instrumental accompaniment of the dental tools).

There are numerous other “tasks” I don’t enjoy.  I don’t like to iron or put away clothes. However, years ago a sister taught me to pray with thankfulness for the family member for whom I was ironing.  This helped. I don’t mind it anymore. Well at least not as much as I did. (Fortunately I don’t have to do it so often now.)   I tire of the daily ritual of washing my hair.  Yet, during this time I think about what I’ve learned and can share – thus this blog entry. For some reason, the thoughts come best then, so I’ve learned to look forward to it. The decisions I make about my attitude really do make a difference in my feelings toward necessary but unpleasant tasks I encounter.

May we all learn from Paul in the scriptures – and look for ways to rejoice, to encourage, to see God at work and to find new opportunities to share about Jesus as we sit in our “proverbial” dentist chair.

Obedience is UNDERrated!

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Obedience training has begun.  My husband is working with our little pup, teaching him four basic commands –  sit, stay, come and no.  These are the commands, that when fully trained, Denver should respond to immediately – and always. I look forward to his increased obedience as he matures.  He will not only be pleasant to live with, but he will be much safer.  I will be able to count on stopping him before he goes out in the road, or swallows a toy, or eats a shoe.  I can know he will come in when called, so he won’t get lost.  Basic obedience will also allow him to fulfill the “work” he is bred to do- upland hunting. When he finds pheasant in the field in a few months, he will likely experience the joy of doing the job for which he was created.   I see very clearly with Denver how obedience is taught, learned and practiced over and over again.

I smile as I watch my grandchildren learn obedience.  It’s a beautiful thing.  As an adult, it’s easy to look at children’s stubbornness and disobedience and think, “Come on…just surrender and do what’s right.  It will be so much easier; so much better than fighting the ‘war’ you are engaging.”

I can only imagine how often God has felt that about me! Yet, I take comfort in knowing that Jesus understands that obedience is often hard. He, though perfect, had to learn obedience. He learned through many trials. Hebrews 5:8

Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered

When children learn obedience (through what they suffer), they (and others around them) are always so much happier afterward.  I love my grandchildren!  They are so much fun, and they are great kids.   I had to laugh as I heard the antics of my youngest grandson, Micah, a few days ago.   Micah has such a sweet, tender conscience and can carry on conversation way beyond his (almost) two years of age.  However, as he nears the age of two, this struggle for obedience can be humorous to watch.

Earlier this week he said “no” to his dad.  That, of course, was not acceptable.  His daddy then told him he was not to tell daddy “no” (and if he did he would be punished).  He then looked away from his dad, into his mommy’s eyes and calmly said, “No, Mommy!” He just wanted to  “clarify” (or test) what it meant to be obedient.  Sometimes, obedience is outward, without being inward.  After being told by mom that he could not watch the movie “Polar Express” again, since he had already watched it that day, he walked away mumbling under his breath, “I will watch ‘Pola Press’; I can watch ‘Pola Press’!”   Obedience is often quite hard.  That’s why it’s called obedience.  If it wasn’t difficult, it could just be called “doing what we want to do”.  We can, like Micah, do the right thing, but it can take a while for our attitudes to catch up to our actions. It’s a good start!

This principle was further illustrated by a conversation I had with a dear friend last week.  She had struggled for a while with feeling surrendered to God after experiencing several difficult situations.  She simply could not find much joy in her walk with God.  However she kept walking.

Several months ago, she was able to regain her joy in her relationships, beginning with her relationship with God.  The change in her attitude is quite evident in her conversations, her expression and her entire demeanor.  She is able to think and process without the angst that was previously there.  I asked her what had brought her to this newfound peace.

Her answer was simply, “You know, obedience is under-rated.”  She went on to explain that in her struggle, she had maintained her love and respect (fear of God) and had decided that she would be obedient to God and His word despite how she felt.  It was not always “smooth”, but she kept on doing the things that were right.  In time, God blessed that obedience and she found her “heart” again.

The scriptures state this in Philippians 2:12-13

    Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed–not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence–continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, [13] for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

If we keep on obeying, out of awe for God, He will give us the will (the want to, the heart) to carry out His purposes for which we were created.  When we don’t “feel” like doing it –keeping on obeying God will take us through the “muck and mire” that can get into our hearts and get us to the other side.  There, as with Denver, and my grandchildren, we will be safe, happy, and able to fulfill the purposes for which we were created.  Never under-rate simple obedience.

Is God Under ‘They-a’?

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My granddaughter, Lexi, (two and a half years old) was ‘reading’ with her mom yesterday morning.  As in any household with three children, quiet moments are few and far between.  The two older children had gone off to school, and Lexi sat with her mommy as her mommy read the Bible.  As Lexi went off to play, Melissa (mommy) put a blanket over her head to drown out the noise and distraction surrounding her.  This is how she, at times, creates her own personal “prayer closet”.

As could be expected, Lexi came over to her mommy and lifted up the blanket to ask why she had the blanket over her head.  Melissa explained to her that she was praying and was just trying to keep the surrounding sounds muffled so that she could concentrate.

“Oh,” Lexi answered, and went back to her play.

She soon came back to Melissa, lifted up the blanket again and in her New England accent asked, “Is God under they-a?”  (This is the New England way to say “there.”)

I am so grateful that the answer to that question is a resounding “yes”.  God is under they-a, and he is also over ‘he-a’ (“here” to the non-locals) with me!  He will be found by everyone who seeks him wholeheartedly.  I thrill to the knowledge that he encompasses a dimension that is far beyond 3-D.  The dimension he covers is one that works its way into the depths of our inner being – our heart and soul.  I am encouraged to know that
“the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”   (2 Chron. 16:9)

God is not only here with me, but he came looking for me, and is looking to strengthen all those whose hearts are fully his.

I’m also grateful for His presence in my life…as I go to my appointments and meetings, shop for groceries, travel, and  lay my head down at night.  He goes with me.

Psalm 73:23-26
Yet I am always with you;
        you hold me by my right hand.
    [24] You guide me with your counsel,
        and afterward you will take me into glory.
    [25] Whom have I in heaven but you?
        And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
    [26] My flesh and my heart may fail,
        but God is the strength of my heart
        and my portion forever.

The picture above may look like a simple lump under a blanket. However, when prayer (actually talking to the God of the universe, our creator – wow!) happens under there or anywhere else, there is a spiritual energy and reality at work that can’t be seen by the naked eye (even with 3-D glasses)..  My mind can not fathom the workings of God that can be moved by prayer and time in the Word, but I see the results day after day.

Isaiah 55:8-12
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
        neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
     “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
        so are my ways higher than your ways
        and my thoughts than your thoughts.
     As the rain and the snow
        come down from heaven,
    and do not return to it
        without watering the earth
    and making it bud and flourish,
        so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
     so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
        It will not return to me empty,
    but will accomplish what I desire
        and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
    You will go out in joy
        and be led forth in peace;
    the mountains and hills
        will burst into song before you,
    and all the trees of the field
        will clap their hands.

I Can’t Hear You!

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I rattled the dish, ever so quietly – and Denver came running over, thinking it was time to be fed.  This little puppy devours his food in a matter of seconds, with what seems like one gulp.  The slightest crumpling of a bag or rattling of a dish sends him into a whirlwind.  He responds immediately, almost running over himself to get to the food.

At other times, I can call loudly for him to come to me.  I can also look at him and tell him “no”,… don’t eat my boot, (you see him listening so well in the picture as he is chomping on my boot).. or the computer wire, or the chair, or my ear….and he suddenly becomes deaf.  Granted, he is only nine weeks old and still untrained, but I am quite sure his hearing is fine.  It’s not that he can’t hear me, or connect that the word “no” has repercussions associated with it.  At this point, in his immature state, it seems he hears only what he wants to hear.  We are teaching him basic commands as quickly as possible, for his own safety (and our sanity).   I  thought about how easy it is for us as humans to hear “conveniently”, as Denver does.

Think of things you are eager to hear.  You may await a certain phone call, or thrill at the sound of a child or grandchild as they utter their first words.  I thought about times I have been quite eager to hear good news of someone’s safe arrival, or to hear the voice of a loved one.

I ask myself how eager I am to hear the words of my God.  Do I strain in eager anticipation in order to hear them, or do I merely listen “at my convenience”?  The answer can be found in my daily habits.  Do I eagerly open pages of my Bible, (or open Bible applications on my computer)?  Do I really want to hear what he has to say to me?  Or, will I glance through the Bible at my leisure- at my convenience.

What keeps us from eagerly listening for and hearing the words of God? What causes us to stumble over them – and not take them to heart.  There can be various reasons, but perhaps the most common is what I observe with my puppy.  He is so busy doing what he wants to do, he doesn’t care to listen.

1 Peter 2:8b

 They stumble because they disobey the message—

It’s easy to be careless with listening…and it’s easy to stumble with the scriptures – when we don’t want to do what they say.  That’s like Denver, when he doesn’t want to obey.  Yet sometimes, unfortunately, it can be like me. I am always sobered by the scripture in Hebrews 2:1-3

    We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. [2] For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, [3] how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.

Listen carefully…..what do you hear?

Excuse Me, There’s a Turkey at Your Door!

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On the way home from lunch today I noticed a visitor at my neighbor’s front door.   He was patiently waiting, looking as though he had just rung the doorbell while waiting to be invited in.  The strange thing about this scene was that the visitor was a turkey.  Yes, a large, ugly turkey!  My neighbor had no idea that a turkey was on the other side of her front door, as turkeys don’t come calling every day.  I laughed as I envisioned her surprise upon opening the door.  Who would have thought a turkey would be lurking outside the front door?

Fact is, I can be unaware of what is outside my door at any given moment.  For all I know, a turkey could be at my door.  We usually don’t know what waits on the other side of our door.  The scriptures speak of several things waiting behind our doors.  Three stood out to me.

Door number one:

Genesis 4:7

    If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it.”

Sometimes, temptation that can lead to sin is waiting for us, ready to devour us.  It’s like finding a skunk, hyena or even a lion, crouching behind your door.  Don’t let it in and try to make it your pet.  It will stink, or worse yet destroy you.  1 Peter 5:8-9

    Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. [9] Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

I pray to be self-controlled and alert, so I don’t open the door to that which can spiritually harm me.

Door number two:

Truth be told, opportunities may be waiting for you outside of your door.

Matthew 7:7-8

  “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. [8] For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

When we inquire of God, and seek a relationship with Him, He eagerly awaits us.  If we fail to seek Him, or inquire of Him, we will miss out on untold blessings and privileges….which last through eternity.

1 Cor. 16:7-9

    I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. [8] But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, [9] because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.

Effective opportunities for sharing the amazing promises of Jesus, which can change the course of eternity in people’s lives, may also be waiting outside of our door.  Again, I must be alert and prayerful to see these.

And behind door number three:

Rev. 4:1

After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.”…..v. 8

Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying:

 “Holy, holy, holy

is the Lord God Almighty,

who was, and is, and is to come.”….v. 11

    “You are worthy, our Lord and God,

        to receive glory and honor and power,

    for you created all things,

        and by your will they were created

        and have their being.”

Sometimes I can miss the big picture, the spiritual reality, which is right in front of me.  This can happen most often when I become distracted with the details and busyness of things that won’t matter or exist a hundred years from now.  I pray that each day my eyes and heart are awakened to the “heavenly, spiritual realm” that is true reality, and the only thing that really matters.

What do you see behind your front door?

 

 

The Annoyed Older Brother

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Our older dog hates Denver.  Ok, I’ll put it out there and call him by name – “Blackie.”  Let me begin with a disclaimer.  I love him, but I don’t like his name.  His name was left to the discretion of our youngest son, who being from another country, had a limited English vocabulary at the time he was given this dog for Christmas ten years ago.  He wanted to name him Blackie.  I tried to persuade him otherwise, but he was determined.  Our African-American friends sometime give us a hard time (all in fun) about his name.  I am, however, unsure if this name might be offensive to people I don’t know.  When I call him to come in from the park across the street he answers to the “public” name I gave him – “Jackie.”  It works.  If he stubbornly procrastinates the trot home I add a surname – “You come here, Jackie Chan!”  So, now I have finished the disclaimer and can tell you in truth, that Blackie despises Denver. 

Blackie navigates a routine throughout his day to day activities.  He has a path he travels each morning, a place for his naps and occasionally throws a ball in the air.  He goes out at night and comes back to beg for his treat.   He is obedient (most of the time) and is very easy to care for.  He is independent, and to me caring for him is sort of like operating on “autopilot”.  Life has been good for Blackie, even though he went through several weeks of adjustment after Jordan died.

And then – we interrupted his life with a “little brother.”   Blackie quickly set the pecking order with the new pup; Denver takes a fully submissive posture (on his back) when Alpha dog, Blackie, cruises by.  As Blackie approaches Denver,  it’s as if he moves in slow motion, with a look of utter disgust…almost as if he wishes to throw up.  Wow.

I guess he sees him as a nuisance, distraction to his routine, competition and just overall unnecessary and annoying.  Hopefully, time will fill the “older brother” with some affection for the adorable little guy.  Meanwhile, I try to be patient while trying to persuade Blackie to let Denver into his heart and life.

While it may seem really selfish and arrogant for Blackie to act this way, I realize how easy it is for me to “growl” and feel annoyed when my “routine” is interrupted by something or someone.  I was once again challenged by my reading about Jesus.  Jesus had tragically lost his friend and relative, John, who had been brutally killed.   He was certainly heartbroken.  Following this event, we read this account:  Mark 6:30-34

    The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. [31] Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

    [32] So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. [33] But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. [34] When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

I pray to be more like Jesus each day.  To keep on giving when I want to “stride by and growl” because my routine and comfort get interrupted;  to let others in when I feel my plate is full; and to be full of compassion when I’m tired or sad – and yet someone is in need.

And hopefully,… Blackie will grow fond of his little brother soon.