The ordeal of packing and moving things continued for two days. I packed. They moved. Orderly. Uneventful. Then the quiet apology came. "That table with the marble top? The marble broke as we were putting it down in the car."
I felt a twinge in my heart. I have several marble-topped pieces, and each has its own sentimental value, each given by or inherited from a special person. Whichever one, some memory was just shattered.
But the men had been so careful, so meticulous as they worked, and I could not be angry about this accident. I assured them that the marble was just a "thing" and that we would not allow ourselves to fret over a broken thing. So we continued with our work, but as I continued wrapping and packing, my thoughts went back to the broken marble. Broken is broken! No repair restores broken marble. It was gone.
And that's when God began to talk to me. In fact, that is usually when he talks to me most clearly--when I am contemplating something. He has a way of turning my thoughts to something that at first seems totally irrelevant. This time I remembered a t-shirt a friend had been wearing--one of those t-shirts with a message: "Justified! Just as if I never had!" My thoughts moved from the marble to the message, and I began to thank God for the incredible fact that his work in my life through Christ actually allows me to stand before him "justified," sinless through the finished work of Jesus! Sins taken away and buried in the deepest sea! Forgotten because Christ bore them for me on Calvary. Suddenly tears of joy began to fill my eyes! How wonderful to be so sure of my Lord's absolutely perfect work for me and of my position before Almighty God!
But how did I get from broken marble to praising God? Then he showed me. The table would never be the same. Broken is broken! That's the way of "things." And that is also the way of human life. Sometimes life gets broken, too. Sometimes it seems hopelessly shattered, unable to be mended, glued back together!
"Not so," said God to my heart. My friend's t-shirt was absolutely right. When Jesus mends a broken heart, a broken life, the result is just as if the break had never happened! The sin confessed, the hurt forgiven, the disobedience erased restores the life as if the infraction had never occurred! Jesus does not put broken marble back together! He does better! He puts broken lives back together--my own the perfect example!
I may not try to have the marble glued back, keeping the broken seam as a reminder that were it not for Christ's perfect finished work on that cruel, mean cross, I'd be as hopelessly broken as the table! I think I'll cherish the scared table more now than before the break!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
What Tomorrow Holds
Then Job arose, shaved his head, tore his robe, and fell on the ground and worshiped. Then he said, 'Naked I came from my Mother's womb, and naked I shall return there; the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.' In all this, Job did not sin or charge God with wrongdoing." Job 1:20-22
I'm back in Florida for a very few days, doing things that I have dreaded but that I knew had to be done. Three friends from North Carolina accompanied me here to dismantle the house that has been my home for two and a half years and to move me from the place that has been my home for 22 years.
My husband and I built a house here in 1983, moved into that house in January of 1989, and were extremely happy there. No happy is not the word. We were more than happy. We were content. We knew that God had made that wonderful place available to us, and we sat on the floor of the living room when no furniture had yet arrived and dedicated the house to him.
Then Wallace went home to be with the Lord in 2007. I soon realized that the house was more than I could cope with, and in a terribly flat economy when nothing was selling, I sold the house and bought another, smaller and more manageable for a woman living alone. Once again, I knew that God had made the place available to me, and my children and I sat in the new house, thanked God for it, and dedicated it to his service for my lifetime in Florida.
Well, that time is just about to end. Once again I have been very content here, and the home has been just what I needed. I have felt terribly torn as I prepared to move away, but at the same time I knew that God was doing something in my life. I really did not understand, but I was so sure that I continued to move as I thought he was directing, not having any idea what tomorrow held.
Now suddenly, I am taking apart the house that we so carefully made comfortable for me and preparing to go to a place that is not my own--owned by someone else. I have not lived in a rented house for 50 years, but now I will. I'll have to ask permission to paint or plant or change. That seems strange.
My familiar rooms no longer seem familiar because all the things that have made them mine are gone--no pictures of my Wallace or our children, no little personal things that are so much a part of my life. All gone. Packed into impersonal boxes and put into a strange looking monster sitting in my once familiar driveway.
Surely the Lord has blessed my life mightily. Surely he has provided more than generously for many years. Now, just as surely, he is taking me into another tomorrow that I do not know, that I did not plan, that is very unfamiliar, that would never have entered my mind had I been planning my own life, and that scares me more than just a little.
I actually have some very wierd thoughts. If Wallace tried to find me, he couldn't. What if I can't accomplish in the new church what they want me to do? What if I only imagine that my ideas tried and tested here will work there? What if I blow it? Where will I go? What will I do? Dumb, huh? There just the same.
Last evening, after a day of packing and labeling boxes, I climbed once more into my familiar bed--possibly for the last time in this place--and quickly fell into a deep and restful sleep. This morning about 5:30, the Lord woke me with the verses above. I lay here and thought about them for awhile. How like him to remind me that he is Lord and I am his!
The Lord has given and now the Lord is taking away, and I will praise him! I don't know where we are going, but how wonderful to know that we are going together! I don't know if I will succeed or fail, but whatever is there, I know he will use for good. I feel so sad about leaving some friends whom I love so dearly, but I know that more friends are out there for me to meet and love.
I have thought many times about Job and his terrible troubles. But one thing seemed most important to me in that story. Satan told God that Job was only faithful because his life was so full and good. But God knew Job's heart. He knew that no matter what, Job would praise his God. And Job proved God's faith in him to be justified. I have said to God more than once that I would like to be such a Christian. That I would like to be the person whom he would know would always be faithful!
Well, I have not endured the misery that Job endured, and I am grateful for that. I do know, however, that God has given me much, and now he is taking some of that away. And that's okay. I shall drive away from here soon with all my life's accumulation of things on a truck in front of me, going to a very different new phase of my life. But I go knowing who my God is and where I place my loyalty! And as I go, I can only imagine what tomorrow holds.
Even as I write these words, another verse pops into my head. "Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it entered into the mind of man the wonderful things that God has prepared for those who love him."
Exciting to contemplate.
I'm back in Florida for a very few days, doing things that I have dreaded but that I knew had to be done. Three friends from North Carolina accompanied me here to dismantle the house that has been my home for two and a half years and to move me from the place that has been my home for 22 years.
My husband and I built a house here in 1983, moved into that house in January of 1989, and were extremely happy there. No happy is not the word. We were more than happy. We were content. We knew that God had made that wonderful place available to us, and we sat on the floor of the living room when no furniture had yet arrived and dedicated the house to him.
Then Wallace went home to be with the Lord in 2007. I soon realized that the house was more than I could cope with, and in a terribly flat economy when nothing was selling, I sold the house and bought another, smaller and more manageable for a woman living alone. Once again, I knew that God had made the place available to me, and my children and I sat in the new house, thanked God for it, and dedicated it to his service for my lifetime in Florida.
Well, that time is just about to end. Once again I have been very content here, and the home has been just what I needed. I have felt terribly torn as I prepared to move away, but at the same time I knew that God was doing something in my life. I really did not understand, but I was so sure that I continued to move as I thought he was directing, not having any idea what tomorrow held.
Now suddenly, I am taking apart the house that we so carefully made comfortable for me and preparing to go to a place that is not my own--owned by someone else. I have not lived in a rented house for 50 years, but now I will. I'll have to ask permission to paint or plant or change. That seems strange.
My familiar rooms no longer seem familiar because all the things that have made them mine are gone--no pictures of my Wallace or our children, no little personal things that are so much a part of my life. All gone. Packed into impersonal boxes and put into a strange looking monster sitting in my once familiar driveway.
Surely the Lord has blessed my life mightily. Surely he has provided more than generously for many years. Now, just as surely, he is taking me into another tomorrow that I do not know, that I did not plan, that is very unfamiliar, that would never have entered my mind had I been planning my own life, and that scares me more than just a little.
I actually have some very wierd thoughts. If Wallace tried to find me, he couldn't. What if I can't accomplish in the new church what they want me to do? What if I only imagine that my ideas tried and tested here will work there? What if I blow it? Where will I go? What will I do? Dumb, huh? There just the same.
Last evening, after a day of packing and labeling boxes, I climbed once more into my familiar bed--possibly for the last time in this place--and quickly fell into a deep and restful sleep. This morning about 5:30, the Lord woke me with the verses above. I lay here and thought about them for awhile. How like him to remind me that he is Lord and I am his!
The Lord has given and now the Lord is taking away, and I will praise him! I don't know where we are going, but how wonderful to know that we are going together! I don't know if I will succeed or fail, but whatever is there, I know he will use for good. I feel so sad about leaving some friends whom I love so dearly, but I know that more friends are out there for me to meet and love.
I have thought many times about Job and his terrible troubles. But one thing seemed most important to me in that story. Satan told God that Job was only faithful because his life was so full and good. But God knew Job's heart. He knew that no matter what, Job would praise his God. And Job proved God's faith in him to be justified. I have said to God more than once that I would like to be such a Christian. That I would like to be the person whom he would know would always be faithful!
Well, I have not endured the misery that Job endured, and I am grateful for that. I do know, however, that God has given me much, and now he is taking some of that away. And that's okay. I shall drive away from here soon with all my life's accumulation of things on a truck in front of me, going to a very different new phase of my life. But I go knowing who my God is and where I place my loyalty! And as I go, I can only imagine what tomorrow holds.
Even as I write these words, another verse pops into my head. "Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it entered into the mind of man the wonderful things that God has prepared for those who love him."
Exciting to contemplate.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Deceember 26, 2919
Simeon took [Jesus] in his arms and praised God, saying, "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." Luke 2:38
Simeon and Anna waited patiently for they were not sure what, but willingly waited because God had promised to send a Messiah, and they knew he keeps his promises! When they saw the eight-day-old infant, the Spirit of God revealed to each that their wait was over. And old Simeon, a devout man, became a poet, praising God with words that Michael Card has set to music.
Simeon says he is now ready to die, and Anna goes on to tell all "who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem" that she had seen the Messiah.
What about us? Will we sigh that the holiday is finally over, or will we go out to proclaim to all that Christ, the promised Savior has been born? Will we joyfully tell them that just as he kept his first promise, he will keep the second? He is coming again. We know for sure. He promised.
Father, make us as sure of your promises as were Anna and Simeon, and then help us speak what we believe! Amen.
Simeon and Anna waited patiently for they were not sure what, but willingly waited because God had promised to send a Messiah, and they knew he keeps his promises! When they saw the eight-day-old infant, the Spirit of God revealed to each that their wait was over. And old Simeon, a devout man, became a poet, praising God with words that Michael Card has set to music.
Simeon says he is now ready to die, and Anna goes on to tell all "who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem" that she had seen the Messiah.
What about us? Will we sigh that the holiday is finally over, or will we go out to proclaim to all that Christ, the promised Savior has been born? Will we joyfully tell them that just as he kept his first promise, he will keep the second? He is coming again. We know for sure. He promised.
Father, make us as sure of your promises as were Anna and Simeon, and then help us speak what we believe! Amen.
December 25, 2010
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests. " Luke 2:13
God is just amazing! The Bible teaches us that in the councils of the ages, God planned to send Jesus to earth to rescue man, this marvelous creature whom he'd made and with whom he'd been pleased at his creation. The man had "goofed" badly, and seldom had done as he was instructed--for 2000 years. Yet God has a plan to redeem his creature, and he sends his Son--who willingly goes--to the planet where all the rebellious creatures live. And he does all this knowing that his Son is going to be horribly mistreated and sacrificed! And all because God loves his creatures.
We believe this, but we'll never understnd it!
And when the day comes for the baby go be born, God's angels have a huge celebration and fill he world with songs of praise to a loving God who would bring such a plan go pass!
God makes a plan in which he knows he is going to suffer hell, and his own angels sing glory to his name! Today we join the angels because we know this baby and the peace the angels sang about, the peace the world does not understand.
Father, your thoughts are indeed higher than ours, and in faith we receive your beautiful Christmas gift. Amen.
God is just amazing! The Bible teaches us that in the councils of the ages, God planned to send Jesus to earth to rescue man, this marvelous creature whom he'd made and with whom he'd been pleased at his creation. The man had "goofed" badly, and seldom had done as he was instructed--for 2000 years. Yet God has a plan to redeem his creature, and he sends his Son--who willingly goes--to the planet where all the rebellious creatures live. And he does all this knowing that his Son is going to be horribly mistreated and sacrificed! And all because God loves his creatures.
We believe this, but we'll never understnd it!
And when the day comes for the baby go be born, God's angels have a huge celebration and fill he world with songs of praise to a loving God who would bring such a plan go pass!
God makes a plan in which he knows he is going to suffer hell, and his own angels sing glory to his name! Today we join the angels because we know this baby and the peace the angels sang about, the peace the world does not understand.
Father, your thoughts are indeed higher than ours, and in faith we receive your beautiful Christmas gift. Amen.
December 24, 2010
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the cglory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
Some had seen God's shekinah glory, a great light that shown brighter than anything they knew. They'd seen the fire that led the children in the wilderness. They'd seen the cloud that led them by day. In a vision, Isaiah had seen the "Lord, high and lifted up." But to actually see him? Nobody had.
And now here on that first Christmas, the holy day on our calendar that we celebrate tomorrow, the world is about to see God--wrapped in human flesh and swaddling clothes. God, helpless in a manger, his first lullaby the lowing of a cow, the baaing of a sheep.
All grace and truth lie before us, looking for all the world like any otehr baby--dark and soft, sweet smelling and fragile. God whom nobody had ever seen or understood--and still doesn't--had come to earth to live with us for thirty-three years.
God came so we could know him. John quotes Jesus, "This is eternal life, that they may know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent." (17:3) A baby. This is something we can understand!
How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given, as God impats to human hearts the blessing of his heaven. No ear may hear his coming but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him still, the dear Christ enters in.
Merry Christmas, Faher.
Some had seen God's shekinah glory, a great light that shown brighter than anything they knew. They'd seen the fire that led the children in the wilderness. They'd seen the cloud that led them by day. In a vision, Isaiah had seen the "Lord, high and lifted up." But to actually see him? Nobody had.
And now here on that first Christmas, the holy day on our calendar that we celebrate tomorrow, the world is about to see God--wrapped in human flesh and swaddling clothes. God, helpless in a manger, his first lullaby the lowing of a cow, the baaing of a sheep.
All grace and truth lie before us, looking for all the world like any otehr baby--dark and soft, sweet smelling and fragile. God whom nobody had ever seen or understood--and still doesn't--had come to earth to live with us for thirty-three years.
God came so we could know him. John quotes Jesus, "This is eternal life, that they may know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent." (17:3) A baby. This is something we can understand!
How silently, how silently, the wondrous gift is given, as God impats to human hearts the blessing of his heaven. No ear may hear his coming but in this world of sin, where meek souls will receive him still, the dear Christ enters in.
Merry Christmas, Faher.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
December 23, 2010
For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance--now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.
Hebrews 9:15
The world is full of people who have absolutely no idea what Christmas is all about. They see lights, hear Rudolph or mommy-kissing-Santa songs, so overload their credit cards that they'll be months recovering, overeat, and then sigh that at last it's over.
Missed the point! It's not about presents we give or get! It's not about food. Neither is it aboaut the birthday cake we sometimes bake for Jesus. It's not even about family and the joy of being together.
It's really about being bought back from something terrible--ransomed from our old ways and set on a new course! It's about having a perfect person--a mediator--stand between God and us and make all things right so that we can be in God's presence without fear. Its about being given a present--not one wrapped in foil and tied with a bow-- but an eternal inheritance, so valuable that we can never return in kind what has been given to us!
It's almost here--the day God changed the world by entering as a baby! The world may anot know, but we do!
Father, we are so grateful for Christmas! Remind us how this tiny baby changed the world and us. Amen
Hebrews 9:15
The world is full of people who have absolutely no idea what Christmas is all about. They see lights, hear Rudolph or mommy-kissing-Santa songs, so overload their credit cards that they'll be months recovering, overeat, and then sigh that at last it's over.
Missed the point! It's not about presents we give or get! It's not about food. Neither is it aboaut the birthday cake we sometimes bake for Jesus. It's not even about family and the joy of being together.
It's really about being bought back from something terrible--ransomed from our old ways and set on a new course! It's about having a perfect person--a mediator--stand between God and us and make all things right so that we can be in God's presence without fear. Its about being given a present--not one wrapped in foil and tied with a bow-- but an eternal inheritance, so valuable that we can never return in kind what has been given to us!
It's almost here--the day God changed the world by entering as a baby! The world may anot know, but we do!
Father, we are so grateful for Christmas! Remind us how this tiny baby changed the world and us. Amen
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
December 22
I write to you that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ the righteous One. I John 2:1
If anything can make us sing "Joy to the World, the Lord has come," this should be the verse! The bay Jesus is wonderful, and we enjoy the familiar scene of a manager lighted by his presence. We almost sell the hay. We imagine the wonder of the shepherds as they saw him there, innocent and beautiful.
But if we step away from the manger for a minute, if we contemplate our own struggle to do the things we know are right and avoid those we know are wrong, the greatest picture we can imagine is of the grown-up, crucified, risen, and ascended Lord, the "one who speaks to the Father on our behalf" when we sin.
I think about this often. I try and try not to do the wrong things, not to think the wrong thoughts, not to judge another's actions, and then I goof! Sometimes badly! I tell my Father that I am sorry, and I can just imagine Jesus sitting next to him, listening to me once more confess how badly I have behaved, and I almost hear him say, "It's all right, Father. I died for that."
Now I can really sing, "Joy to the World"!
Thank you God for sending Jesus. Thank you Jesus that you came. Holy Spirit come and help us, glorify the Savior's name. Amen.
If anything can make us sing "Joy to the World, the Lord has come," this should be the verse! The bay Jesus is wonderful, and we enjoy the familiar scene of a manager lighted by his presence. We almost sell the hay. We imagine the wonder of the shepherds as they saw him there, innocent and beautiful.
But if we step away from the manger for a minute, if we contemplate our own struggle to do the things we know are right and avoid those we know are wrong, the greatest picture we can imagine is of the grown-up, crucified, risen, and ascended Lord, the "one who speaks to the Father on our behalf" when we sin.
I think about this often. I try and try not to do the wrong things, not to think the wrong thoughts, not to judge another's actions, and then I goof! Sometimes badly! I tell my Father that I am sorry, and I can just imagine Jesus sitting next to him, listening to me once more confess how badly I have behaved, and I almost hear him say, "It's all right, Father. I died for that."
Now I can really sing, "Joy to the World"!
Thank you God for sending Jesus. Thank you Jesus that you came. Holy Spirit come and help us, glorify the Savior's name. Amen.
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