Sunday Celebration - A Father's Smile

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples (John 15:5-8 NIV). 

These verses are some of the first verses I memorized without the promise of a candy reward. I remember they were fairly easy for me to memorize because they spoke my language.  

You see, my dad was a recreational gardener and he could grow anything. Like most little girls, I thought everything my daddy did was amazing. As I shadowed him, and he shared his love for gardening with me, I caught his passion. From the first time I planted a seed and watched it grow - I was hooked! 

I'm my daddy's girl ... I have his green thumb. 

I say that not to brag. Because, it has nothing to do with me. The skills I learned - came from my father. He taught me. He invested in me. When I would say, I have my dad's green thumb, he would smile ear to ear. 

Who doesn't want to see their daddy smile????

Did you know your Heavenly Father smiles?

Yep, look at verse 8.

It brings glory to our Heavenly Father when we (His children) bear much fruit. 

How do we do that? 

We shadow Jesus. Watching and learning from Him, we catch His passion. Our love for Him gives us a desire to be like Him. We begin to see people as He sees them. We begin to love people as He loves them. We bear MUCH fruit. 

That makes our Heavenly Father smile. 

Again I say, who doesn't like to make their daddy smile? : )

Would You Please Just ... Grow Up!

We have all thought it ... Yes, even you. : -) Pushed to our limit, and desperately in need of a nap, we have become so frustrated with the thoughts, actions and misconceptions of others, we have thought ... Would you please just grow up! Some of us may even allow our thoughts of frustration to take flight. With the force of an incoming 747, our words land on the person pushing our buttons. Or worse, we unload on an unsuspecting and innocent bystander. We southern girls have to be extra careful about this because we have become experts at "venting" in prayer requests. Something like, Would ya'll pray for Sally? Bless her heart, she needs to grow up. In Jesus name, Sally just NEEDS to grow up! Help her Jesus. Amen.   While it's certainly true Sally has a need to grow up ... it's equally true we do too. Ephesians 4 says all believers need to grow up. We need to grow ... in unity. Being completely humble and gentle; and patiently, bearing with one another in love. v.2 Making every effort to keep the unity of Spirit through the bond of peace. v.3 Remembering there is one body and one Spirit, one hope; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. v. 4-6 We need to grow ... in maturity.   Christ Himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers to equip his people for service ... v.11  As His people, once equipped, we are to offer our works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. v.12 Before you say, I'll take maturity but I'll pass on the unity. They're tied together. And so are we. Like it or not, as believers, we need one another to grow.  What's the result?  We will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their decietful scheming. v.14 But ... Instead, speaking truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ. v.15 From Him (Christ) the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. v.16    Did you catch the last part? The part that says, as each part does its work? Each of is to do his or her part. Working together ... in unity. Bearing with one another ... in love. One body, the body of Christ. Go .... : -)

Sunday Celebration - Praising God When It Hurts

If we are honest with ourselves, and before God, there are days when we are tempted to give up the fight. As we walk around bloody and bruised from the attacks on our minds, body, and our spirit ... we can begin to focus far too much on our attacker. And in our weakened state, we can even begin to accept defeat.

Ever been there? If you haven't, you will.

On days like these, when you can hardly manage to drag yourself to church. Much less, sing Hallelujah. That's when you need to be in church the most. When life hurts  ... when the last thing you want to do is worship ... this is when you must CHOOSE to worship.

God wants us to turn our hearts to Him. Not just a heart full of gladness. But (dare I say) ESPECIALLY a heart full of sadness. 

If your focus has been on your attacker ... your focus has been taken off of your God.

Choose today, to praise God even in the storm.

Guide & Pray. Then, Rinse & Repeat.

In my last post, I touched on the responsibility of guide that has been entrusted to parents & grandparents. Today, we will look at how we are to guide?

The book of Proverbs tells us, we are to guide our children in the way they should go.

Not in the way they want to go. Not along the path that brings them the most pleasure. Not to whatever makes our little angel happy. We are to guide them in the way they SHOULD go. 

This, at times, will be grueling. And if we don't have the gray hairs yet to prove it ... we will soon.

In the grueling season, we will hear things like:

• Mom, you just don't understand!

• Grandma, a lot has changed since you were my age.

• Momma, I'm just not like you. I don't want to be you, I want to be me!

• No fair! Everyone else is doing it!

Training a child in the way they should go is difficult, and it can get messy. Perhaps, you've heard things far more hurtful from your child or grandchild than the things I listed above. Things that cut so deep only a touch from God can heal. It may help to remember in this difficult season that the flesh doesn't give up without putting up a fight. Our children's flesh will put up a fight, and so will our own.

But then, when all hope is nearly gone. It happens.

Not an apology. Something far better.

Your child or grandchild suddenly finds what they thought was "outdated" is relevant for their daily lives. They choose well, not simply because it is expected. Not simply because they fear consequences. They choose well because they see the wisdom in the decision. They choose well because they now see what they were once unable to see.

Maturity is a beautiful thing! That bears repeating ... Yes, maturity is a beautiful thing.

Unfortunately, it is not a one-time thing. As we have learned from our own personal experience, maturity is a process. The process can be grueling. Especially, for the guide. But hang in there ... it's worth it.

How do we guide a child in the way he or she should go? One day at a time!
Guide & Pray. Then, Rinse & Repeat.


On this journey together,
Patty

Sunday Celebration - Stirring The Fire

The tendency of the fire is to go out; watch the fire on the altar of your heart. 

A fireplace needs to be stirred up occasionally. William Booth

On this first Lord's Day in January let's pause for a moment and give thanks.

Thanks be to God for the freedom of corporate worship in America.  

Let us not forget what a privilege it is to collectively "stir the fire" on the altars of our hearts. 

Let us remember that is not the case for many of our Christian sisters and brothers living out their faith in other parts of the world. These brave men and women gladly risk everything, even unto death, to experience what we (so often) take for granted in America. Our freedom to worship our Savior and our God, Jesus Chirst. 

Yes, on this first Lord's Day of 2013 it is good to remember .... 

• The tendency of the fire on the altar of our hearts is to go out
• We must watch the fire
• We must stir the fire  

Are you actively watching and stirring the fire on the altar of your heart? If not, begin today.

Happy Lord's Day.

New Year Motivation Is Never Enough

Tis the season for New Year Resolutions.

Now normally, it's about mid-February before people throw up their hands in defeat under the weight of the vows they made on December 31st. It appears, this year, the surrender came a tad bit earlier for one of my Twitter buddies. The "tweet" simply read, "It's gone. I've looked everywhere. My motivation is gone."

I must admit, that's funny. Because it is so, so, so very TRUE. New Year Motivation isn't gonna carry you very far. Nope, it's never enough.

• I am not saying we shouldn't want this year to be better than last year.
• I am not saying we shouldn't set goals.

I AM saying we need more than motivation. We need unwavering, unshakable determination. 

Unwavering, unshakable determination comes from abiding in Christ.  If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (John 15:7)

So often, we get this backwards. We resolve to do this or that and then foolishly ask God to follow us. Is there any wonder we run out of steam?

We must begin by ... abiding in Christ.

Then, as we listen to Him guide us through His Word, we surrender our will to His Will.

Jesus leads, we follow.

Want a fool proof New Year Resolution ... Abide in Him, allow His Word to abide in you, and follow His lead. Now that's a winning "better" year resolution.


Father God, fill our hearts with a desire to abide in Christ. Show us what it means to abide in Jesus. Show us what it means to have His Word abide in us. May 2013 be the year that we can boldly say ... Jesus led the way and I followed. Amen.

Steady Plodding ... : )

It has been said, we grossly OVER-estimate the amount of spiritual growth that can occur in one year, and we grossly UNDER-estimate the amount of spiritual growth that can occur in three years.

Why is that? Could it be because we want everything RIGHT now? Or dare I say, when we don't get what we want WHEN we want it .... we lose interest?

Think of the last time you made a purchase which required delivery or installation. When you were asked when you needed the product, you may not have said it outloud but you thought it .... I need it immediately, if not sooner. Am I right? : )

Even our "fast" food has become NOT FAST ENOUGH.

And don't get me started on the ridiculous expectations we have when it comes to getting in shape physically. Why do we think the effects of YEARS of eating the wrong foods, and/or the effects of YEARS of neglecting to exercise, will be magically erased in just 30 days - - or less!

The truth is, the only way to achieve long-term success in ANYTHING is steady plodding. You must practice it over the long haul.

So, going back to our propensity to grossly OVER-estimate our spiritual growth in 1 year and grossly UNDER-estimate it over 3 years. If we're not commited for the long haul, and willing to commit ourselves to the disipline necessary to sustain us for the long haul, we will never make it to the 3rd year. We slip out the back of the church, and its over.

It's easy to get excited about something new. But discipline, determination, and hard work are required to stay commited for the long haul. That's when we see results/success.
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What spiritual disciplines are you currently practicing?

• Attending church.
• Prayer.
• Reading your Bible.
• Studying your Bible. (And becoming a doer of what you learn)
• Serving (or seeking to discover your SHAPE) in ministry?

Are you commited for the long-haul? Commit today to a life of steady plodding.

SonDay, Sunday - God Can Do Anything! Just ask a 3rd Grader...

Every Sunday, I have the privilege of teaching a wonderful group of 8 & 9 year old boys and girls. I am the teacher and also a student. Here's what I learned in 3rd grade today ...

We spent the bulk of our time looking at Luke 1:37. One translation read: Nothing will be impossible with God. Another read: God can do anything. I had a blast (and it was a perfect fit for my sanquine personality) discussing just how big God is!

We also spent some time looking at our differences and similarities. As the students paired up with a classmate they made a list of some of the ways they were different and similiar. We spent some time celebrating the unique way God had designed each one of them.

In our closing time together, the students were given a note card, an envelope, and an opportunity. On the note card (if they chose to do so) they were to write their most prominent ability, talent, or passion. Then place the card in the envelope, seal it, and write - - To: God, From: Their Name

This was when it really got good ... with great excitement and enthusiasm, these precious children did it! Never have I seen such a VIVID display of faith! These kids truly believed God had given them their abilities, talents, and passions for a specific purpose. And they were anxious to give them back to God to use however He chose to do so. WHAT GREAT FAITH!

How I know my Jesus smiled on their faith today. I sure did. : )

This is what I learned in 3rd grade Sunday School today ... we "big" people sure can learn a lot about faith from "little" people.
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Without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

I have LEARNED to be content ...

If I am completely honest with you, and myself, I knew LONG BEFORE I was willing to accept it that God was calling me into a public ministry. And even now, I struggle with "putting myself out there" when I speak, teach, and write. By nature, I am probably the MOST private person on the face of the earth! Which, to say the least, makes my job a bit challenging. The mere thought of hitting "post" on some days sends waves of nausea over me. Yes transparency, especially in written form, makes me want to change my name, change my hair color, and run to a new city? Monday was no exception. (See Chick-Fil-A, part 2)

When my head hit the pillow, my mind was flooded with thoughts like:

• How could you be so silly?
• Why would you need to be reminded something so basic?
• How old are you?
• What are people gonna think?
• You big dummy!
• Why would you admit it in writing?

Totally exhausted by my thoughts ... I closed my eyes, and prayed.

The verse that calmed my heart and mind was a familiar one ... I have LEARNED to be content.

You may remember this verse is spoken by Paul and is right before one of the most quoted verses in the Bible. ... I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

Isn't it good to be reminded we have to LEARN to be content.

And we (just like Paul) will learn to be content, over and over again, as we walk through new circumstances.

How?

By walking in the strength Christ gives us for each "new" circumstance.

These are certainly "new" times in which we live today in America, and in our world.

We are seeing, and experiencing things we have never seen in America.

Many of us are facing financial struggles we are not prepared for.

Most of us have become very aware this is a new day, and a new time.

Take heart in knowing ... this is an opportunity to LEARN to be content in a "new" circumstance.
And whatever "new" God brings you, you can rest in knowing He IS able!

Stand firm in faith and you (like Paul) will be able to say ...

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Philipians 4:12,13

Blessings to you as you continue the journey of LEARNING to be content. : )