Episode 11: Flight for Freedom

Waiting. Sometimes it is the most difficult task of all. Waiting for news of a new job, news from an estranged friend, news of a new heart. God calls us to wait. He is more interested in what we can learn while we wait than in instantly solving our dilemmas. He is ever about the process of refining us, knowing He has our full attention as we wait. He says, "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10) and "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord" (Psalm 27:14). I am to wait courageously, fearlessly, silently - not complaining about the ordeal as I wait for God.
I like it best when I can see God at work on my behalf, ordering my life in some rational, acceptable pattern. I like it even more when I can feel His presence, moving, shaking, re-arranging events and people to bring about my desired goals. But His ways are not mine. And He calls me to wait for Him to work and to rest in Him during the process. In today's episode we are waiting for a new heart. As I write this, I am waiting for Him to make sense of the difficult place I am in. Perhaps, as I wait, He longs for me to reflect on all the other times He showed up in my life and trust Him now that He will show up again, in His perfectly orchestrated way.

Episode 10: Christmas Crash

I love it when God reminds me of His promises. I never get tired of reading His Word and having a verse somersault off the page right smack into my heart. To hear His voice speaking truth to my wounded, weary soul is always incredible but especially so when life is dealing you one difficult day after another. In the midst of today's episode, God promised in Psalm 33 that, "the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him..." and I am reminded that when my child is hurting or needy I keep a particularly close watch on his every move. I keep my eye on my hurting child and my Father keeps his eye on me. I must be about the business of fearing him, looking to him as my source of strength, seeking after him, relying on him, resting completely in who he is. To fear him means I cannot fear my circumstances or what the future might bring my way. To fear him is to keep my eyes fixed on his character, on his steadfast promises and on his limitless ability to undertake and oversee.

Episode 9: Unending Mercy-Grateful Hearts

Sometimes we learn our greatest lessons from the smallest of teachers. James taught me invaluable truths about life and about God. He demonstrated that degrees and positions and titles are not the best indicators of meaningful instruction. I am still trying to assimilate and apply the powerful instructions he left me:

Make other people happy every chance you get
Don't let tough times make you tough
Cheer for others at the top of your lungs
Give yourself 100% to every task set before you
Live as if you believe God's Word is true
Never let circumstances determine your attitude
Squeeze joy from the least likely places
Make God's Word a priority
Love the people in your life extravagantly
Be thankful

I am grateful that God allowed me to live with this tiny professor. I never want to forget his lessons for living life the way God intended.

Episode 8: A Soldier's Song/ Part 2

Sometimes when we are standing knee deep in septic overflow, when the stench of difficulties become unbearable and our vision is impaired by the mess in front of our eyes, it is easy to imagine that we are abandoned and uncared for. In our wretched state we mistakenly believe that God stands afar off, arms folded against His chest, a look of indifference plastered on His face. We could not be further from the truth. He has never been as near, pressed close beside us, mindful of our agony, bearing the burdens of our wounded heart. Because our pain is catastrophic in size, it often blocks our view of Him. Because we have never felt weaker, we foolishly suppose He too is limited by our overwhelming circumstances. But we are wrong.

Right there, when we least feel or sense His hand at work, when we are incapable of figuring out or making sense of our predicament, it is right there that He is at work. Every parent knows this to be true. The sicker the child, the closer the parent. The greater the need of the child, the more attentive the parent stands. The more desperate the cry, the quicker our feet run to bring aid. Does our Creator not call Himself our Heavenly Father? Do you suppose He will not cherish you, nurture you, care for you when you are most in need of His help.

Rest in the conflict, the Almighty is near. Abandon yourself into His care. He is fully present and fully in control. Join the Old Testament King Asa who prayed, "LORD, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. O LORD, you are our God; do not let man prevail against you." (2 Chronicles 14:11)

Episode 7: A Soldier's Song/Part 1

War is hell; life mirrors war.
Soldiers get beat up on battlefields and little boys become brave warriors when they endure land mines and rapid fire cardiac units they never volunteered for.
In this portion of our journey, God allowed the stench and sweat of the fight to almost suffocate us. We experienced an oppressive darkness, a gnawing desperation that shrouded us in anxiety and fear. Right there in the middle of that mess, God sent the cavalry - people to remind us that He was still sufficient, still completely trustworthy, still perfectly in control despite all outward signs. Our supportive family came to the rescue with words of wisdom, acts of kindness and prayers of faith to dispel the drape of fear. When we were outnumbered, those who loved us dearly showed up with a rallying cry. "Remember who God is," they cried, "Remember He will give you grace for whatever He calls you to do. Don't allow your fear of what might happen to replace what you know about God. Don't forget Him in the middle of the battle. Hang on. Here He comes. Listen for His voice. He provides all the armor you need for every gut-wrenching, overwhelming struggle. Remember now. Don't lose hope."
Hope is a wonderful thing.