Perfect Peace

The river in the morning yesterday was still and silent. No one else was out yet. No motorboats marred the quiet. The breeze was barely perceptible. It was completely peaceful. I glided along the shore in my kayak and several times nearly collided with a Great Blue Heron. He was so intent on catching his breakfast that he was paying no attention to me. When he did notice me, he didn't seem very perturbed and I was only about 5 feet away as he nabbed a little fish and gobbled it down. Sometimes I would put my paddle across my lap and just float, letting the gentle current carry me.

Just the day before, I had kayaked as well, and there had been gusts of wind so fierce that I was paddling with all my might and still not inching forward! There were whitecaps on the river, which I almost never see. I was exhausted after an hour, though I spent most of my upwind paddling in an inlet water path through the middle of an island, thus the wind was blocked a bit. What a difference a day makes! One day barely any progress and certainly little peace; the next day effortless and perfect calm. Sounds like life....

I love what the Bible says about finding contentment. It is not to be based on circumstances because circumstances change, sometimes dramatically. If our source of peace is found in our circumstances, we will bounce around like a ping pong ball. There are verses littered throughout the Bible that remind us perfect peace and contentment abides in God alone. If we keep our eyes on Him, our hearts yielded to Him, and satisfied with His will and provision, we will know contentment.

Even in the gale two days ago, I enjoyed being on the river. Yesterday, I was captivated by the whisper of a breeze and the still waters. Really, all that mattered to me was to be in the presence of such beauty on the river laid out for me, whether white caps or calm waters.

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Philippians 4:11-12

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.

Hebrews 13:5 

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

1 Timothy 6:6-8

Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

Isaiah 26:3 

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Oh, I Can't Draw....

Yesterday, I taught my little art class at the nursing home. We had a full class once again, and several new faces. Word must be getting around that my art class is the place to be! All my old standbys were there as well. While waiting for all the folks to file in, I chatted with one of the newbies.
"Just so you have an idea of how I teach the class," I told her, "I can teach anyone to draw. I break it down into basic shapes."
"Oh, that will be fine," said Lorna, "I was an art major in school."
"So was I!" I said, "Well then you will be fine. Did you use your art in a career?"
"No, I knew it was a worthless degree and decided to get another degree in Occupational Therapy."

What were the odds? That is exactly what happened to me! We gazed at each other as though looking in a mirror. Serendipity!

After half an hour, a nurse wheeled in another new woman. The nurse whispered, "She will probably just want to watch."
This lady, Ima, looked a little foggy, and didn't seem to know why she was there. Nonetheless, I put a sheet of paper in front of her and the prompt drawing we were working from. It was a simple Easter bunny and basket. She smiled at me but didn't make any move to draw.
"If you decide you would like to try," I told her, "I can help you. I will catch you up here." On a blank sheet of paper, I quickly sketched in the basic shapes and set it before her.
"Oh, I can't draw," she said.
"That's what they all said," I told her, sweeping my hand to indicate the class of people.
Then I addressed the class, "And were you all able to draw?"
"Yes," they answered, "More or less."
Ima smiled again but made no motion to pick up the pencil. So I continued teaching, drawing at my easel and then working my way around the table to guide people where they needed specific help. Then I ended back by Ima. She had, on her own, beautifully and carefully recreated what had taken the others a half hour of step by step instruction.
"I thought you couldn't draw," I said, hugging her.
"I didn't know I could," she laughed.

Most of us don't know what we can do until we try. Most of us underestimate ourselves and settle for far too low a standard. I believe this is true in the realm of faith and claiming God's promises to equip us for whatever He calls us to do. With God, all things are possible, yet how many times do we fall back and say, "Oh I could never do that?" Remember Ima when you feel that way. Remember Ima, that lovely 90 year old lady in a wheelchair holding up her artwork, as surprised as any of us that she could draw.

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Hebrews 10:35-36 

Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.

Proverbs 3:1-26:28 

My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

2 Peter 1:3 

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,

Feedback

It's almost comical at times the way God works. Sometimes He just pounds me over the head with His message. I would be a complete fool not to hear Him. (Shush! I heard that!)  As in all families, we are always on a path of growing, stumbling, and reassessing. One of the hardest things for anyone to do in the Christian walk, or perhaps even in the Atheist walk, is to hear honest feedback of areas that need attention. Yet it is an act of great wisdom to open one's ears to ways in which one can improve. It may be wise, but I think in general, most of us don't like it and don't embrace it in quite the perfect spirit. So lately, God made sure I heard with a completely literal lesson. No interpretation or clever analyzing required.

I have been testing two different hearing aid models. Since my hearing loss is not severe, the improvement with the aids is not astonishing. And to choose which aid helped me more seemed very subjective. So I asked the audiologist, couldn't they just test my hearing with the two different aids and come up with objective data to guide me in which to choose? They could. (Why I had to suggest such an obvious thing is beyond me.) Surprisingly, the findings showed I was hearing equally well with either, but my perception was that one was far better than the other! So she sent me home with my chosen aid, and it went wacky while I was using my laptop. I think perhaps the bluetooth on the computer was interfering with the bluetooth on the hearing aid and my ear was being bombarded with screeching, shrieking feedback. I couldn't stand it. It would come inconsistently and unexpectedly, and each time I would jump out of my chair. But it was feedback that could not be ignored!

Well that's how I have felt all week for my whole family. Each of us have received in varying doses feedback that is screeching in our ears. None of us like it. None of us want it...but we cannot ignore it. We would be foolish to ignore it...or if we ignore it long enough, we may all be deaf soon. While feedback is often unpleasant, it would be worse to be unable to hear it at all through a lifetime of letting it shriek unnoticed. Thank you Lord. Message received loud and clear.
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Hebrews 12:11 

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Proverbs 12:1 

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

Proverbs 13:24

Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.

Hebrews 12:5-6 

And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”

In the Day of Adversity

The missiles of pollen are unrelenting. The trees are bursting forth with leaves for which I am grateful, but the yellow mist that covers Charlotte this time of year is difficult to deal with. Still, without the pollen that covers all the cars, and porches, and porch furniture with a sneezy wheezy layer of yellow dust, the trees and grass and flowers and bushes would not procreate. Out of adversity springs forth abundant life.

Last night, we went to see the movie, "God's Not Dead." It was one of those predictable, slightly cheesy movies with unknown actors...but with an inspiring message which still left me cheering inside. Out of terrible adversity the spirit and truth of God was manifested, and lives transformed. Do not be afraid to stand up for what you believe in and shout it from the mountaintop. It is a message I am seeing everywhere these days.

My favorite line of the movie regarding truth and faith: "It's not easy, but it's simple." Amen. We make it complex. God has made the message of His existence abundantly clear and simple to discern, but the path we are to walk in that understanding is often very hard. However, the rewards are great and it gets easier once we get past the thought that life on earth is the end of the road. When we reach heaven, it will be a piece of cake.

When the trees are done unfurling their leaves, the deluge of pollen will disappear. And we will be left with something truly wondrous to behold. It will be worth struggling with the pollen.
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Romans 1: 19-21
¹⁹ For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. ²⁰ For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. ²¹ For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Proverbs 24:10
If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.

Out of Terribleness

The sun came out and the pollen leaped into action. I only have a week or two in the spring of bad reaction to something blooming but poor Honeybun appears to have allergies that lead to explosive sneezes involving full body slams. She sneezed so hard today that little drops of blood spattered out. So I called the vet to see if we could add benadryl to her panoply of drugs. We could, though it will make her drowsy. Now she is on four different drugs.

But the good news is, I can get the drugs from the Walmart pharmacy at half the price of  getting them from the vet. This is the silver lining. It is important to try to find the good in the midst of terrible because frankly, sometimes there is an awful lot of terrible.

As Easter approaches, I am reading more and more stories that describe the crucifixion. It seems each year that I am a believer, my horror of what Jesus went through increases. I find myself more and more crushed by the realization that I helped put Him on that cross. Easter is really about finding the good in the midst of an awful lot of terrible.

But the good was really, really good. If Jesus hadn't died, we would not have had Him pay the penalty for our sin, and we would all be lost. It was terrible, and I cannot bear to think of it. Do you know the word "excruciating" comes from the root "out of the crucifixion?" Sobering, huh?

Bottom line: we must not lose hope. Out of terribleness, goodness can come. We have to believe and trust in that, because God's salvation is based on it.

Honeybun gobbled her peanut butter blob with the benadryl hidden in its midst. A bitter pill to swallow, but all she noticed was the delicious peanut butter.
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1 Peter 5:10 

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

James 1:12 

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Romans 12:12 

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

1 Corinthians 10:13 

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

John 16:33 

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Philippians 4:6-7 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Exodus 14:14 

The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

How Beautiful the Boots that Bear Good News

Pouring rain does not begin to describe the deluge for my abortion mill sidewalk counseling day. It was grey, and cold, and gloomy. The rain was tumbling out of the sky like a cosmic Niagara Falls. There were rivers rushing down the gutter. Within minutes I was soaked, water squishing out of my sneakers, and chilled to the bone. I cannot tell you how much I wished I owned rain boots.The first deep puddle I ignored in hailing a woman about to enter the chamber of death, my socks became sodden, freezing masses of numbing torture. The soaking chill permeated every molecule of my body and my fingers and toes were soon anesthetized blobs. My teeth were literally chattering as I called out, "Please don't k-k-k-kill your baby!"

There was a new woman there, praying on the sidewalk. She didn't have an umbrella. She bowed her head in prayer, standing in the downpour. It was her first time at an abortion mill. Welcome to the floodgates of Hell!
She looked crushed. Wet and crushed.
"Are there always this many cars?" she asked quietly. We nodded.
"Every day?" she asked.
We nodded again.
"It is so ...real," she said. She hadn't known. No one who hasn't been there knows.
I knew she would go home after this experience and cry all day... as we all do the first time we witness the people flocking in such hideous numbers to murder their unborn babies.

I paced, as I always do. Sometimes I pace in prayer. This day I paced to try to regain feeling in my sopping wet toes. A few people stopped their cars on their way into the abortion mill, and let me speak to them. Most of them lied. They know what they are doing is wrong. Seared consciences often try to salve the pain with lies. I have been told to always assume the truth is they are there for abortions, though they will tell us all kinds of stories. I glanced with just a small bit of jealousy at the counselors who wore rain boots as I stood in the deep puddles, counseling the women. Rebekah's boots were especially lovely.

 But back to the reason I was there standing in the flood.
"Oh, I'm not here for an abortion," said one woman I stopped.
"Honey, that's all they do here," I said.
She paused.
"Let me give you my literature," I said, wondering how sound waves could make it through that wall of rain.
She took it and began leafing through it but refused the offer to go for the pro-life free ultrasound in the RV parked by the curb.

Another rolled down her window, and I asked if we could encourage her to take the free ultrasound. She shook her head.
"How far along are you?" I asked, wiping the dripping rain from my brow.
She shrugged.
"The ultrasound will show you, and we do free pregnancy tests there as well," I said. I opened my literature and showed her the list of resources that could help her, but her eyes fell on the small photo of an aborted baby. She gasped. Celia, another counselor joined me then, and tried to talk her into the ultrasound as well. The woman then began crying, and Celia asked if the woman had already had the abortion and was here for the follow-up. The woman nodded, crying now as the remorse and guilt hit her. While Celia spoke of God's grace and forgiveness and the chance now to follow a new path, I gave her the literature we have for post-abortive women. We gave her our phone numbers and told her that any time she wanted to speak with us, we would be there for her.

I would bet money the abortion mill had not counseled her about the very common guilt, revulsion, and despair that follows women who abort their child. Most of those women have likely never seen what abortion does to the baby, let alone consider what it will do to their psyche when the truth and magnitude of what they have done hits them. Normally, we have signs with us to show them the horror of abortion and its effects on that poor baby, but in the pouring rain, the signs would be ruined.

There were no "saves" we knew of that frigid rainy day. But at least there was one broken sorrowful heart that we had been able to share the love and forgiveness of God with, and hand her literature that might possibly keep her from ever returning to this path of destruction again. It was worth the soaked numb toes for that alone. Sin always seems so easy, so gentle, so rational....until it turns around with a roaring mouth and razor sharp teeth and begins to gnaw upon our tortured souls.

Praise God for the sweet counsel of my soaked friend, Celia, pouring out the only hope and salvation possible in the midst of that terrible place to the mourning woman before us. She stood with drenched sneakers, and jeans soaking water up her legs like a sponge.  Praise God for His mercy and grace that alone can free us from the monster of sin. Praise God for rain boots, I thought, glancing at Rebekah's colorful rainboots, covering dry and toasty warm toes.

Later, as we all huddled under warm blankets in our homes, Rebekah, had a brainstorm and wrote to the group.
"We should put our message on our umbrellas since we can't carry our signs in the rain! Maybe someone could sponsor the counselors and get them custom printed umbrellas and rain boots with our message on them!"
"Great idea!" I wrote, "And while they are at it, they could sponsor us for a restorative trip to Hawaii!"

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If you would like to donate to our "Sponsor A Counselor With Boots and Umbrellas", you can designate your donation by visiting http://www.charlotte.cities4life.org/ . Donations for the restorative Hawaii trip could be made to me directly. ;-D

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Isaiah 52:7

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”

1 John 1:9 

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:7

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

Acts 2:38 

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

1 John 2:1 

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

Romans 3:23 

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

What Allergies Have to Do with God

I took my first allergy pill of the season. I had been in denial for several days. My eyes were red and itchy, I was sneezy, and congested....but I hate taking drugs of any kind so I held off. However Sunday morning as we drove to church, and I was noticing the gorgeous redbud trees in bloom, I also noticed that even my tongue was itching. I could not deny it any more. My body could no longer fight the thick cloud of pollen alone. I needed help. I downed an allegra.

The sermon was called "the characteristics of a Godly family." It's main theme was not to exasperate your children, and to raise them in the training towards God. I have been very faithful in daily Bible studies with my kids for twenty some years now. However, I had to admit as I listened to the list of what are evidence of having exasperated children that I am the queen of exasperation. I mean well (most of the time), but my implementation leaves much to be desired. I had tried a very long time to find the secret to not exasperating...but seemed to be unsuccessful. I could no longer fight this struggle on my own.

And then my sister sent me her church's sermon on Grace. I was walking and had my phone headphone on, so decided to listen to it. It was a beautiful study of God's bountiful grace offered to people who don't deserve it, often trample on it, and don't return it. Yet, God offers it anyway....over and over and over again. I have been the recipient of Grace many times when I clearly deserved a smackdown. It is time I practice extending grace more quickly, more abundantly, and with more fullness of heart.

Tough medicine those sermons...but goodness, how blessed I felt to know that in our sickness of soul, God always brings just the right remedy at just the right time. And as I finished my walk, I noticed how beautiful the redbud looked against the Carolina blue sky, and how the allergy pills had completely ended the itchy, sneezy, red-eyed reactions. I could enjoy the loveliness with a clear head and a humbled heart.

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Romans 6:14 

For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

Romans 11:6 

But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.

James 4:6

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Ephesians 2:8 

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

1 Corinthians 15:10 

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

Romans 5:8 

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Hebrews 4:16 

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

John 1:16 

And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.