He HAS Called You

Monday was a weird day ministering as a pro-life sidewalk counselor at our city's busiest abortion center. there were several apparently soft hearts, lots of cars stopped to talk with us, lots took our information, almost no heckling directed at us...yet only one mama chose life. Don't get me wrong - I praise God for that little baby still safe in the womb. I was hoping for more...

That one decision for life was from a mama one of our counselors spoke with on her way into the center. She took our literature eagerly, said she was there for an abortion, but would consider the info. She went in, then came out before the abortionist arrived and drove away. One baby safe for now.

One worker came to me when I called to tell her we could help her find a better job than piecing together aborted baby parts. She took Abby Johnson's phone number for abortion workers seeking to leave the industry. (abortionworker.com, And Then There Were None, 501c) She spoke with me when she was alone, away from the other workers. Again, only one person of all those people who look daily on the gruesome tasks they must perform in that place, but praise God for the one.

An 80-year-old guy selling BJs Wholesale Club membership in the abortion scheduling center (?) stopped to talk with us. Three of us gathered around him and we had a rousing discussion of faith. He was "on the fence" and unsure of his salvation. We spoke at length with him, and I gave him a tract on becoming a Christian. The sticking point for him was those "hypocrites" who gather in church, listen to the message, and then after church, swear and give the finger to the person who is going too slow in front of their car. I asked him if he would refuse to see an excellent doctor who only cured half his patients because they refused to follow his treatment plan. He saw my point.

I offered to pray with him to accept Jesus then and there but he declined for now, and said he would think on it. We urged him not to think too long. When one is 80, time is not exactly in endless supply. Nice guy and nice discussion.

You never know why God has called you to the sidewalk ministry!

There was another interesting providential event. A young man none of us knew was dropped off by his dad to minister with us. He is 18 years old. He said little, but was there to stand in recognition of the babies' humanity and pray. A young girl (she looked 12 but was probably 18) pulled over and stopped her car to talk with one of our counselors on the street. I approached and spoke with her as well. She was fighting tears, but then hardened, as we urged her to pause long enough to get our free ultrasound. She agreed to read our pamphlet, but drove in to the center's lot.

The young man said, "I know her! She goes to my school." (Charlotte Catholic. Always dismaying when young Christian girls come for abortions.) We urged him to call to her. Brave kid - he did. He told her he knew her from history class. She stopped and peered at him, looked embarassed, and wavered at the door.

We begged her to talk to us. She shook her head and we all groaned as the door closed behind her. She went in briefly, then came back out, and sat for an hour in her car. The young man stood silently, praying, and watched her car. Sadly, she finally went back in the center, but then, came out again. She was in and out several times, and on the phone much of the time. We assume she was conflicted and didn't know how to tell her parents.  She was likely in discussion with the baby's father.

All of us pleaded with her. In the end, she went in, and this time, stayed in. As far as we know, she aborted her child. The young man's father returned and we thanked him for his courage in being there. He sprinted to his car. We still believe God sent him there just for her and maybe after we left, she changed her mind. I pray that was the purpose of him showing up.

You may never know why God has called you. Sometimes you only know He HAS.
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Ephesians 4:1-3 

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Romans 12:4 

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,

2 Peter 1:10 

Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.

1 Corinthians 1:26-27 

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;

Romans 11:29

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

 

Until the Danger to the Innocent is Averted

I am at least a third of the way done with book#4 of my Burton Farm Series. I had a great time exchanging ideas with my horse consultants all day. I will not reveal their identity, firstly, because I don't have their permission, and secondly, because then everyone will want them as consultants, and I want them for myself. Selfish, I know.

Book #4 has me day-dreaming about movie deals. It is an action-packed book with some pretty wild events occurring. I wrote 7,000 words before I allowed myself to stop for the day. I had so identified with one of the animals in the story, that I could not stop writing till the animal was out of imminent danger. When he was momentarily safe, I could stop for the day.

This could be concerning. My fictional world is certainly more fun at this point than my real world. I am hesitant to leave it. But leave it I must. Today, as every Monday, I venture out in the cold to the sidewalks of the city's busiest abortion center to speak on behalf of the babies. 

This is the weird thing. I love it. I love to stand on that sidewalk and proclaim the truth of Jesus, and His love, and the strength that He gives us when we follow Him. I especially love it when a woman wavers, then turns from destruction to life. It is a thrill and privilege like no other.

I know some of the women who hear our pleas on that sidewalk don't believe us. All they see are the obstacles, the struggles, the heartache, and the worries. I get that. Believe me, I often live that. I know to those who don't believe, it is folly to depend on this invisible God. But time and time again, inexplicably, hope descends in the midst of impossible circumstances.

I feel the same hesitancy in leaving the sidewalks that I feel in closing my manuscript for the day. I don't want to stop until the danger to the innocent is averted.

Prayers always appreciated.

1 Corinthians 2:14

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

Psalm 27:1-4

Of David. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple.

I Shall See God

Job of the Bible lost everything. Children, wealth, health, reputation. Still, he clung to God. He knew God was the one thing no one could take from him - and God's love alone was secure. It is a hard lesson, but ultimately, the only lesson worth learning.

Job 19: 24-26
“That with an iron stylus and lead
         They were engraved in the rock forever!
“As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives,
         And at the last He will take His stand on the earth.
“Even after my skin is destroyed,
         Yet from my flesh I shall see God;

A Friend Loveth

It is amazing where a wild imagination and a little research will take you. Book 4 of my Burton Farm Series promises to be very unusual. Bottom line: I discovered that human beings can be even more despicable than I had already known. Somehow, I will convey that, while keeping the humor which is integral to the success of this series. How, I don't know...but laughter is essential in the midst of sorrow.

I have a wonderful horse friend who is willing to entertain all my crazy ideas for my books, and feeds me information without even questioning the wisdom of my vision. Everyone needs a friend like that who unconditionally spurs them on, and doesn't trample on their plans. Slowly, my crazy idea is taking shape, and I have my friend to thank for it.

There is a verse that says, "There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother." I have several friends like that, who check on me regularly, worry about me, and offer me comfort when my world feels like it is shredding. I am blessed to have siblings like that as well. This is what the body of Christ should be for one another. I am so grateful that this is what I have. If you have a friend like that, thank them. And then go out, and be a friend like that. It changes everything.

As a little aside, Jesus reminds us: “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” John 15:14. He certainly is the numero uno friend we want in our corner.
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Proverbs 18:24

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

John 15:13 

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Proverbs 27:17 

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Proverbs 17:17

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

1 Corinthians 15:33

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

An Eternal Purpose

I have discovered the world's best antidote to troubling thoughts. Write a book. When I settle down for an afternoon of writing, I completely enter my fictional world. When I emerge 5,000 words later, I haven't a care in the world. At least until I slowly shake off the dazzling splendor of the world I just created.

Book 3 of the Burton's Farm series is with the editor, and I started Book 4 yesterday. I really am amazed at how it is pouring out of me. In Book 2 and 3, I created the perfect person, the one I wished I was. In Book 4, the evil person emerges, the one I too often am. Much of what develops is not consciously planned, but somehow, it materializes and helps me process my reality.

I feel certain one purpose of my life is to write books. I don't know how God intends to use them (though i am pretty sure NOT for my fame or fortune.) However, I am convicted that I am to let this story unfold. I have a general concept for the entire series, and it is, as all my books, Christian allegory.

Purpose of life is an important thing to ponder. The Bible speaks of purpose frequently. In Ephesians 3: 8-12, Paul discusses his understanding of God's purpose for him. It is to preach the gospel, and bring the mystery of Christ and salvation to light.

To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him. 

He describes this as the eternal purpose. That's what I'm after. I want my life to be one where the eternal purpose is sought and magnified. For now, it appears to include writing books.
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Psalm 20:4 

May he grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans!

Ephesians 1:11 

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,

2 Corinthians 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 of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Proverbs 22:6 

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Matthew 28:19-20

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Ephesians 2:10 

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Mark 16:15-16

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Shedding Anger

Twice a year, Honeybun sheds her undercoat. When that happens, endless hair comes out in huge clumps. This photo is of one brief brushing session. This was the second pile of this size that I collected. And hair was still coming out in handfuls. I never finish brushing her during these times. I just choose to stop. I have heard that Carolina Dogs' thick undercoat sheds in preparation for winter so the summer fur can be replaced by a denser winter undercoat. I don't know if that is true or not, but she sheds like crazy right before winter.

It makes no sense to me. Why prepare for the winter by shedding a mountain of fur?

I just finished writing book #3 of my Burton's Farm series. In essence, it is a book about shedding one's past and confronting pain. That's what I thought about as I looked at this pile of fur that Honeybun must shed in order to grow the thick winter undercoat she would need if she were in the wild and had to brave the bitter cold.

She of course leads a plush life and will never face the bitter cold again. She did live for part of her younger life in the wild, facing starvation, ticks, and extreme weather. If only the effects of a terrible past could be as easily shed as her undercoat.

Jesus tells us to discard the old to make way for the new.To hang on to bitterness and anger, even if it is justified is as useless as trying to hang on to an undercoat that no longer serves its purpose. It will come out, but it can come out in a way that covers your nice clean couch irreparably with fur, or in a pile you can throw away, never to be seen again.

It is not any easier to discard deep hurt and anger than it is to brush all of Honeybun's undercoat. It doesn't happen in a day. It is a process that takes time. God clearly desires it. He reminds us that our anger will not lead us into righteousness. James 1:19-20 says  My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

Just as Honeybun's shedding summer coat will be replaced with a winter coat that will protect her, God tells us we do not simply shed our anger and then all is well. We must replace it with kindness, forgiveness, and gratitude for what God has done for us.
Ephesians 4:31 -- Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

But how?

If you are like me, when anger is justified, it is hard to release it. If only it would fall away like Honeybun's undercoat in shedding season! But if it isn't consciously brushed away, huge clumps of it form, just like that pile of fur beside my dog. No one wants to carry that useless weight on their back.

Psalm 68:19 portrays the only way to shift our burden of anger: Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation. God will bear our burden if we let Him. He alone can save us from the sin that so easily drags us down, the weight of anger and bitterness that can pile so heavily on our hearts.

I noticed today that Honeybun's undercoat is almost completely brushed away.  She looks so much better, and seems to prance with a lighter step.

Psalm 55:22 

Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

Kicking Against the Goad- Hurting Our Stubborn Selves

Poor Lucky. When I came home from my ten days of travel, Lucky came skittering across our slick wood floor to greet me. In his wild enthusiasm, he went sprawling, yelped, and suddenly could not bear weight on his left back leg. It was swollen and bruised. The next day, our vet confirmed it was a bad sprain, prescribed pain meds and rest.

Lucky decided he didn't want to eat the delicious liver-flavored pill pockets which we squished around his pills to disguise them. At one point, we had the pill tucked in the liver pill pocket, wrapped in ham, and coated with peanut butter. When he spit that out, we put the whole mess in a spoon of moist dogfood. That worked.

It is  going to be a hard ten days.

Why do we fight so hard against that which is best for us? A Bible verse that always popped out for me was when Jesus chastises Paul (then Saul) for persecuting Christians, and asks Paul, "Is it hard for you to kick against the goad?"

The goad was a sharp stick that was used to prod oxen who would not follow the master's commands. It was used to direct and protect them. When they tried to go a way that was undesired, the goad would prick and hurt them to turn them on the right path. Stubborn oxen injured themselves, kicking the painful goad, rather than turning onto the desired path. They would rather hurt themselves than follow their Master!

Paul, not yet knowing Jesus was all He claimed to be, was bent on destroying all the followers of Christ. Jesus' words when He confronted Paul on the road to Damascus spoke of the useless and harmful actions of defying that which would ultimately save him.

How silly and futile it is to fight the very thing that is necessary to heal us.

My prayer for all people is they would recognize that when they rebel against God, they are harming themselves. It is as crazy as Lucky spitting out the pills that will ease his pain.
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Acts 9New King James Version (NKJV)

9 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest ² and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

³ As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. ⁴ Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
⁵ And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”
Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
⁶ So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”
Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”