Monday morning

In the early morning hours,
'Twixt the night and day,
While from earth the darkness passes
silently away.
Then it's sweet to talk with Jesus
In your bedroom still --
For the coming day and duties
Ask to know His will.
Then He'll lead the way before you,
laying mountains low;
Making desert places blossom,
sweet'ning sorrow's flow.
Do you want a life of triumph,
victory all the way?
Then put God at the beginning
of each coming day.
~ from Streams in the Desert, 11/28

"You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy." Psalm 65:8

When someone gets on your last nerve...

This morning I received an email, a devotional, with a quote worth passing on. Since we just returned from Europe, I'll post it and leave it at that. But it was too good to keep to myself:

Discernment is heart–kindness that sees beneath the surface of the off-hand remark; it hears the deeper cry of the soul. It asks, “Can you tell me more?” and follows up with compassion and concern. ~ David Roper

Mmm...

So who wants joy? Raise your hand.

I've been making my way through the Psalms, one chapter a day, and eagerly anticipating Psalm 40 because it contains my testimony passage (verses 1-3). But a new verse captured my attention today. Verse 8 says, "I take joy in doing Your will, my God, for Your instructions are written on my heart."

So who wants joy? Raise your hand. (Okay, I can't see you, but I bet you did!) Well, I know we all do. But the question is, what are we doing to try and get it? Think about it. Fill in the blank: __________________. Each of us has a unique answer, but David is pretty clear here that there is only one way: We get it by doing God's will. And we know what His will is by receiving His instruction.

That's what Jesus did. He spent time with His Father in the morning. In the evening. In fact, all the time. He abided with Him. And then He knew what His Father wanted Him to do. And Jesus had joy.

If I was going to paraphrase Psalm 40:8, I'd write this: "Because I spend time receiving, meditating, and acting on the things I read in the Bible, I understand and know God better. I can hear Him more clearly and my life is characterized by joy because I am following in His perfect plan for me." That sounds like I have it down perfect. I don't. But it's my goal - daily.

So how is your Bible time? Hit and miss? Non-existent? Do you crack it open the night before Bible Study and quickly scribble in your answers? That was me for about 35 years. And it didn't do me much good. But now that daily Bible reading is a habit, my life is characterized by joy. Whatever happens - and believe me, stuff happens! - God's Word pops up and gives me His perspective. I can understand that whatever it is - it must be part of God's will and my reaction or response based on God's Word allows me to follow in His will.

God made the equation is pretty simple. Bible time = God's will = joy.

Better than Lancome, Clinique, or a facelift

Yesterday I had jury duty. During the selection interview, the attorney mentioned that I have one grandchild. Later someone commented, "You don't look old enough to have a grandchild." Now I hear this all the time and find it funny because, biologically, a woman could be a grandmother at 30 (or even younger).

Well, besides having good genes and staying out of the sun as a teenager (laying out was way too boring for me), I think the people who say this don't notice the bags or wrinkles or dark circles because, instead, they see a reflection of Jesus.

That sounds like a bold statement to make, doesn't it? But years ago, when I started seeking the Lord with a whole heart, I specifically asked Him to override the "wear and tear" from my young adult way of living and replace it with a reflection of Him. And daily, when I seek His face in the morning - when I start out my day in His Word instead of with the worries and fears generated by national news or morning shows - He moisturizes my face with peace and joy.

Let me finish by saying I know I don't really look any younger than my 47 years. But I believe 2 Corinthians 3:18 - "So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and relect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord - who is the Spirit - makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image."

His plan, His way, in His time

Have you ever thought you were sure of the way God was leading? You made plans and began to daydream and then -- Wham! -- the door slammed, and your dreams were dashed?

Back in 1995 I had that experience. I was sure God had led Jeff and I together. I had prayed (and prayed and prayed) and not manipulated the situation (for once). And I watched Him bring us together. And then, one day, it was over.

I was devastated! I was happy in one way; he and his wife were trying to reconcile. I knew this was the very best thing for his family, but for me, it was a great loss. But the bigger issue was, how can I be sure I even hear God? I had been so sure - and so wrong. It was the first time I really doubted my faith.

Well, five months later, the circumstances changed. We got back together and were married five months after that. God had been clear in His direction to me. I had heard Him. It's just that the timing wasn't what I had planned.

Right now, I'm feeling the same way. I was so sure He whispered something in my ear last fall. Now it seems like completely off the radar. But having gone through this before, my hopes aren't completely shattered...

Psalm 1:6 says: "The Lord knows the way of the righteous." He knows! He knows! What about you? Have you experienced something like this before? You were so sure and then - nothing. But then something(!!!) ~ in His time.

I only wanna be with You

Last week I went to Seattle. Thursday I taught Redesign Your HomeMaking at Evergreen Community Church in Bothell. What a welcoming bunch of ladies. Thanks to Amy and Jen for inviting me!! Then my friend Dawn and I went to Bellevue Square. Wow! Loved it! Loved Crate and Barrel (didn't buy anything), The Container Store (bought a tea holder), Fireworks (bought a travel bag), and the tea shop. (Funny ~ I'm not that big of a tea drinker, but it was good!) AND I loved the giant Chihuly glass sculpture hanging from the ceiling!!

Friday and Saturday I went the Northwest Christian Writers Renewal. It was my fourth year attending and my first year teaching. I met some wonderful people, hugged old friends, and learned a bit more about writing ~ and Jesus. And then I came home.

I came home... and faced the same old struggle: Do I try to "go for it" ~ pursue greater heights of writing and speaking ~ or do I simply worship Jesus and just follow Him, day by day, and pursue Him? This time, finally, the answer came much faster than ever before. In just a few hours, not a few days -- or weeks.

Here's the thing: I love pursuing Jesus more than I love pursuing ministry. Don't get me wrong. Ministry is the second commandment. I want to carry it out. I want to develop and use the gifts God has given me to love and serve my family, my church, my community, and my world. But I don't want it to get in the way of the first commandment: loving God with all...

My love relationship with Jesus is all that matters. And He tells me what to do -- when to "go for it" and when to wait on Him. I'm still tired -- so tired -- so maybe this post isn't profound or even for anyone but me. But I wanted to share it with you today.

Freedom of Simplicity

Ten or eleven years ago I read Richard Foster's Celebration of Discipline in which two chapters (or disciplines) profoundly affected my life. One was on solitude, the other simplicity.

Last week I came across another Foster book, one where he expounds on the topic of simplicity. As I read, I realized I had forgotten how much this discipline has shaped what I teach, especially in the area of time management. It's also why I recently deactivated my Facebook account. I desire

Simple home.
Simple clothes.
Simple speech.
Simple schedule.
Simple dedication to God.

It's not about being rigid, inflexible, or legalistic. And there is no one perfect standard for all. I definitely still have my areas where I'm not simple!! It's a process. But pursuing simplicity has resulted in greater peace and productivity. I'm looking forward to incorporating the concept more intentionally into my writings and speaking.

Richard Foster has been a great influence in my life through his books. I thank God that he took the time to write what he has learned.