I Love a Good Storm!

As I am sitting in my study corner this morning, I am listening to the most beautiful of storms. The rain is falling right outside my window, and I can hear the thunder in the distance. I have loved storms for a long time; there's something both peaceful and powerful at the same time about a thunderstorm, and it reminds me to be amazed. The "Manas" of my women's Bible study talked last night about amazement. In this fast-paced world, too many people have ceased to be amazed by the things God does every single day . . . things like a beautiful sunset, a gorgeous sky, the consistency of the tides and the beauty of the ocean, the grandeur of the mountains, and yes, the magnificence of a storm. God created every one of these and more, and if we stop being amazed by the intricate and yet simple beauties of nature, we miss out on so very much. But there's another lesson here, too. As much as I love a great thunderstorm, I must love the "storms" in my life as well. Really? Love the troubles in my path? Love the pits into which I fall? Love the battles I must face? Yes. Emphatically, yes. Scripture says that we must be thankful in all things . . . not for all things, but in all things, and there's a difference. Need an example? I am dealing with a difficulty with the IRS right now, and it's a real mess. It's their mistake -- not mine -- but I am forced to deal with it. Now, I'm not thankful that I found this problem in my mailbox, and I'm not excited about the hour or more I expect to spend on the phone after work today, trying to clear the problem, but within this minor irritation in the scheme of my life, I can still thank God. I am thankful that I found my paperwork to fix the issue. I am thankful that God provided for us while we seek resolution. I am thankful that God is teaching me about the dangers of procrastination. (Too long to explain that one!) I am thankful that I serve a God who is bigger than the worldly troubles that attempt to throw us in a pit. I am thankful that I am anticipating an IRS agent who will help me fix this issue! As I look back over my life, I know that with every storm came growth. Sometimes the growth was painful, and I fought my way through it, and yet, I grew. And one of the things I have learned clearly in recent years is to continue to be thankful and praise God in the midst of the storm. Remember the words of the song: "I will praise You in the storm, and I will lift my hands, for You are who You are, no matter where I am." God never changes, and He has a plan for the storms in our lives, a plan that is weaving an incredible tapestry that needs the light, joyful threads as well as the dark ones to create a masterpiece. Let God work through the storms of your life today; choose -- yes, choose-- to be joyful right in the middle of the storm. And maybe, just maybe, you'll give Satan a nervous breakdown when your victory is God's victory in your life!

Just How Hard-headed Are We?

This is going to be short and to the point: just how hard-headed are we as a people of God? I am in the middle of reading Jeremiah, and I am bogging down in their disobedience and their foolishness. And yet . . . it surely sounds like today's world. I look everywhere and see people who are not willing to put God first -- people who are not willing, in the words of Clay Nesmith at Barefoot Church -- to "get off their duff" and do what God requires of us. And it shouldn't have to be a requirement; it is a privilege! To quote another dear friend, Pam Muise: "God gave everything for us -- everything! How dare we do any less and call it okay!" (I paraphrased!) If we, as genuine Christians who are walking in relationship with Christ, would do everything He has asked of us, this world would be different. But what I see is a lot of people who show up on Sunday, get involved in committees, and yet aren't doing anything to win lost souls to God. Our "busy-ness" doesn't impress the God of the universe unless it's His business. Just doing a lot is not the answer; we must do what He says -- what He has called us to do. It might mean going to some difficult places. It might mean praying more than ever before. It might mean worshiping in places that aren't as beautiful as we like. It might mean getting down and dirty with hurting, broken people -- people like us. It might mean stepping out into something radical. It might mean letting other things in our schedule go for the sake of the kingdom of God. It might mean loving people who have hurt us, let us down, or ignored us. It might mean being open and honest about our failures so God can use them for His glory. And NONE of this is even close to how much God has done and continues to do for us. So I ask again: just how hard-headed are we as a people of God? I hope we're extremely hard-headed but only when it comes to doing His will and tenaciously seeking His face. Be blessed and be radical. Be in relationship with Him, the only one who can save us.

God's Word Is True . . . We Just Need to Read it and Believe it!

This morning I want to give YouVersion.com a shout out! I am to-do list girl; I love to accomplish things in an organized way, and YouVersion.com has given me a great way to stay on track with my Bible reading. If you haven't been able to get into a plan and stick with it, try this website, and let them help you move forward. I personally like the One-Year Bible Plan because it allows me to read Old and New Testaments at the same time. It also keeps track of my reading for me, so I have one less thing to remember! And I need one less thing to remember . . . I'm just sayin'. So why do I mention this today? Well, as I was reading this morning, this passage was laid before me: "A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere." I've read and heard this passage hundreds of times, but today, God gave me a fresh word: Jean, you have everything you need to withstand Satan and the darts he is throwing into your life. You just have to use the weapons you have been given. Wow. It is so easy to get lost in our problems and forget that God has already provided a way to stand strong in the midst of trials and disasters that look impossible. He has already given us a clear set of directions for how to live tenaciously and victoriously; we just have to do what He says! I heard a sermon by Clay Nesmith at Barefoot Church a while back, and he used this illustration. A man bought an electric chain saw because his friends told him how much easier it would be to cut his trees with this saw than with a manual one. The man bought the saw and began to use it. After some frustrated attempts, he returned to the store, telling the clerk, "I just don't get it. This saw is no easier than the one I already had, and I am wearing myself out trying to cut my trees." Well, the clerk looked at the saw, checked for signs of malfunction, and then cranked it. The customer was shocked, and said, "I didn't know you had to pull that cord. No wonder I had no power!" Sounds like some of us, doesn't it? We have the power of God living within us, and we have the armor of God available to us, but we never "pull the cord" to access the full power that is within our grasp. Today, read this scripture over and over if necessary, and ask God to help you put on His armor so that you may live a tenacious life, not giving in to Satan's attacks of discouragement and depression. We serve a mighty God, and He will uphold us with His hand if we just pull the cord and unleash His power in our lives. Be tenacious in Christ, Jean