To Buy or not to Buy...

To buy or not to buy? This is a question. Christmas gifts. Vacations. New carpet. A boat. A new car. These are the answers.

When there are children starving in our country and around the world, and so many "real" needs, is it really okay to spend thousands on things and fun? What about education? In order to live and exist and thrive in our culture, are these things we acquire and do really necessary to live?

I know and have heard of a few people who have sold most of their material possessions in order to give to others. Are they happier? I don't know. Are they pleasing God more? Perhaps. I've heard others say the poor will be with us always, and we should enjoy the bounty we are given, enjoying our life while we can, and oh yes, being sure to give as well.

I suppose God has left it up to us as to what we do with what we have, trusting us to be good stewards. I want new floors for my house, I plan on buying Christmas gifts, but not spending "too much", and I am thinking of a vacation for next summer. In between those activities, I will hear of needs and give to help. But the amounts won't be anywhere near equal to each other.

Out of balance? I think so. However, right now I'm just not sure if balancing the scales is the answer, or completely emptying one side would be better. I'm not even sure if I really want to know the answer...

His Handiwork

I like to imagine that when it's a cloudy day, that's God reminding us that there are great "clouds of witnesses" who have gone on before us, awaiting our arrival at our real home one day. Thunder and lightning added to the clouds draw my attention to His voice and power, displayed in the heavens. Today it was drizzling and nasty, but I rather enjoyed it, as the foggy cool conditions made it feel like Fall, and I could literally feel the wetness in the air, reminding me that the drought from the summer is over.

All of our weather is intriguing. God's wonders are displayed in the skies every night, with the moon appearing for light in the darkness. I recently saw a tshirt that said "Be the moon...reflecting the Son." The stars that come out at night are totally amazing in their brightness, the way they shine and the order in which they seem to align themselves.

Handiwork, I believe it's called...the handiwork of God. One point of his finger and light appears, one wave of his hand and darkness disappears. A blink of his eye and the clouds are gone, and one whisper of his love and the rain begins to fall.

The leaves are beginning to fall now in my yard and I'll soon be raking them up, noticing the bare branches on the tree. I'm not discouraged though, for I know the bareness is only temporary until Winter is over.

What a cool world He made for us to enjoy, to view, to feel and to experience. I'm going to bed now, in the dark, unafraid, because I know full well the sun will rise in the morning...

Overwhelming

Overwhelming.

Last night we saw a documentary by Hillsong United called "We're All in This Together", which included concert coverage and footage from around the world, depicting the human race in great need. Starvation, hopelessness, devastation and neglect were just a few of the needs that were presented. I think the intent of the movie was to stir hearts to action, even though the needs are huge and we wonder what we can do.

Overwhelming.

Less than 24 hours from watching that documentary, today on the news we hear of a deadly shooting spree at the largest military base in the world, just an hour from where I live. Details are still coming in as to the reason behind the madness, but families are mourning and hurting at this incredible horrific loss. The pictures and the number of victims stir our hearts with compassion, even though we just don't know what we can do.

Overwhelming.

What a word. Jesus' overwhelming love for this world is what sent him to the cross to die. He understands rejection and suffering, and death. He is the one who knows the reasons, and he is the one who can comfort. So though I am overwhelmed and at a loss to know where to begin or what to do to help my world, I know the one whose overwhelming love is enough to meet every need.

I will pray for the overwhelming love of the Father to come to those far away from me, those just an hour down the road and to my own disturbed spirit. This love can overpower the grief, the loss and the need with strength, joy and peace beyond understanding.

We Should Too

Lately, I've heard a lot about getting out of our church walls and meeting people where they are, helping them in their need, showing them love, instead of talking about it. This is great. It's true. It's certainly what we need to do.

I think that either before we do that, or in conjunction with our move, we need to get along inside the church. Some congregations are segregated within their four walls, among homeschooled kids versus public school kids, with each "side" judging the other. When troubled kids start showing up in our youth groups, all of a sudden our "status quo" is jolted a bit, and we don't know what to do with these kids. The "churched" kids are no longer coddled and have to decide to reach out to these kids or reject them because they're different. A person shows up who looks different than we do and we're not sure if we want to hang out with them or not, because it's uncomfortable.

Whether those who are different choose to come inside our four walls, or whether we choose to go out where they are, love has to be present. We can't pick and choose who comes, who goes, who stays and who is "worthy" of our attention.

By grace we're all saved, we all need a Savior and we all were broken, in need of healing. There's no room for judgment, segregation or pride. He is not willing that "any" should perish, but he loved the whole world...we should too.

Lessons in the Bathroom

I learned a lesson in a public bathroom tonight. I walked in with my purse and my jacket to a small bathroom, wondering where I could hang both of my items so they wouldn't get "germs". I carefully locked the door, hung my purse on the knob and maneuvered my coat in through the straps of my purse so it wouldn't touch the ground, and sighed happily that I'd made it work.

I turned around, and on the wall behind me was a coat rack with three hooks. One for my purse, one for my coat and and extra one for whatever... I hadn't expected nor looked for any such hooks, as the bathroom was small, and there was no hook on the door itself, where one would normally be.

What did I learn in the bathroom? Sometimes God provides just what I need, but I'm so busy looking for a way to make things work myself, or only looking in the familiar places, that I miss the gold hooks lined up on the wall behind me, with enough provision for more than enough of what I need.

It's amazing what can be learned from just living life...

Nothing Mushy or Itchy, Please

I do not like the texture of creamy foods in my mouth. I don't care for jello, mashed potatoes or pudding. Texture is important. Some little kids rub their dad's tie, or a favorite blanket, or maybe just the tag on a blanket, because of the texture. Fabric is purchased by color and quality, of course, but texture is a huge consideration. Too coarse, and the fabric is itchy. Too silky, and the fabric is too delicate and might not hold up well. It has to be just right to be wearable, tasty and good to the feel.

I think some Christians "rub" people the wrong way, just like that itchy fabric that's annoying. Texture in our relationships is so very important. Even if we look good and sound good, how we make others feel when we're around them is the key. It's the difference between spitting out the first bite, or chewing what's been offered and savoring each bite. It's the difference between leaving that article of clothing on the hanger, or wearing it often and wearing it well.

Whether we know it or not, our "fabric" is on display and it will be handled, rubbed, pulled and stretched to see what it is we're made of. Are we itchy? Are we easily ripped? Are we so delicate, we're only good for displays?

Texture is important.

Make the Choice

Everyone places their trust in something or someone. Each morning, we all make a decision to place our trust in God, in ourselves or in some chance happening. It's sort of like that game we played as kids where we shuffled three cups on a table, with one random cup having the "surprise" underneath. Life takes its twists and turns and we hope that when the cup we choose is turned over, we win the prize.

I believe that it's a choice of our will as to where we place our trust, and where we place our trust dictates the way we respond when we see what's underneath those cups in our life. If our trust in our ourselves, we try to make the right choice every time, only to be severely disappointed in ourselves if we come up empty. If our trust is in "chance", it's a tiring, never ending game of shuffling and hoping, shuffling and hoping.

However, placing our trust daily in a God who possesses skillful hands, hands that can make things appear when nothing is visible, the one who owns the cups and fills them, results in winning a prize no matter which cup is turned over. He's the master and the only real logical, surefire choice is to place our trust in Him. It's then that even if the cups fall off the table and game seems to be over, he's underneath as the prize of all prizes.