Exercising My Faith

James 5:15 The prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up.

She was in a place of distress from which she was not certain she could recover. She called her pastor but he didn't return her call. She told her small group but they didn't know what to say. She felt completely alone until one day a friend took the time to just stop and acknowledge her pain and cover it in a faith-filled prayer of encouragement and strength. The road to recovery was long and marked with many setbacks but knowing that even one would walk alongside her and believed she would be whole again was enough to keep her walking.

This morning's reading is 1 Thessalonians 3. The Thessalonican church has apparently expressed concern over the magnitude and frequency of trials which Paul is facing. Paul spends this chapter reassuring them that his faith is standing firm, in no small part because of the joy their faith in Christ gives him.

Coming alongside another during a time of pain can be emotionally draining and faith challenging. I personally find it far easier to deliver a casserole and my well wishes than to allow myself to become emotionally invested in the difficult season of another. Like me, you may greatly desire to aid your friends and loved ones during seasons of suffering but aren't exactly sure what to do...so you load your car up with chocolate chip cookies and hope for the best. In today's passage, Paul outlines what someone actually needs when problems are mounting: to be encouraged and strengthened in their faith (Verse 2).

• Encouraged - Most frequently when someone is facing difficulty, they are encouraged with platitudes such as "You can do it," or "You'll make it through." These phrases are well-meaning and delivered from the purest of hearts but unfortunately they fail to meet someone's real need. Their need is not to know how strong they are but how faithful God is. It is God alone that will deliver them. Do they have a responsibility to follow the sound advice of their doctor, financial counselor or perhaps marriage counselor? Absolutely. However, it is God alone that heals. The best investment we can make in our health, finances or marriage is to spend time with the Deliverer and those who truly encourage us to know Him.
• Strengthened - I am often taken aback how quickly a surgical patient will be up and walking. In recent years, the medical community has come to realize that the path to rapid healing is one marked by movement not immobility. In the same way, faith if not exercised become weak and flaccid. Our prayer life becomes earmarked with "I think" or "It's possible" rather than "I know" statements. Will I be a friend who believes the unbelievable? Can I be a confidant who prays the impossible? The best gift I can give a struggling friend or family member is rock solid faith.

Jesus, thank you for this precious lesson. This morning I have encouraged and strengthened my own faith by sitting in these quiet moments with the Deliverer. Now I leave this place ready to encourage and strengthen the faith of another. I may still bring over a casserole but for dessert I'm serving up rock solid faith.

My Thankful List

James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

Perhaps it is because Thanksgiving is a little over a month away or maybe it is that I am facing a day amazingly absent from the stress usually accompanying modern American life but today I just want to hit the pause button. I am taking a pause from my usual format and making a list. It is a simple list of ordinary things for which I am extraordinarily thankful.

Things I am Thankful For Today

• Rain that comes after nearly two months. God always knows what I need.
• A husband who works hard and appreciates the fact that I'm at home waiting for him.
• A church that opens its' doors to the the unwelcome and imperfect regular people of this world.
• Four amazing daughters who play together and love each other more than I ever dreamed possible.
• A husband who has taught me what real love looks like and feels like.
• A house that's so incredibly large that its' many rooms need constant attention. I live in a home far beyond what I could ask or imagine.
• The fun-filled days of last week's Fall Break. We never left the city but my heart could not have been happier if I'd woken up each morning in an exotic locale. God blessed me with a simple week of enjoying the greatest blessings in my life.
• My siblings who know me and love me any way. They've seen me at my best and worst and have chosen to love me on every one of those days.
• Nieces and nephews who though they aren't technically my own have captured my heart and enhanced my life with love, laughter and wonder beyond the borders of my home.
• My parents who gave me a start in life and modeled hard work and dedication.
• A safe community where I don't have to worry about my children's safety at church, play or school.
• Fingers that can type. A mind that can think. Thank you God that you've blessed me with a body to experience Your world.
• My in-laws who welcomed me and my daughters into their world even though we arrived a bit later than they might have imagined.
• The hum of my washer and dryer. I don't have to wash clothes by hand.
• The asphalt roads here that make running much more enjoyable than it was in Dallas.
• The easy rhythm of my life. I love being a stay-at-home mom.
• Good friends who make me smile, who pray for me and who notice me.

Jesus, every good thing I have is from Your hand. I don't have to wait for heaven to experience a life that is rich and full. I can enjoy the abundance of your blessings right now. All I have to do is open my eyes.

Braveheart

Proverbs 27:6 Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.

My left shoulder is currently "frozen". A nagging injury cycle began several years ago and finally culminated in the complete incapacitation of my left shoulder. Despite the associated pain, I have continued with my usual activities. I even forget at times that I'm hurt. However, at least once per night, a surge of pain overtakes me and I am awakened from my sleep. A sharp reminder of my injury pierces my veil of rest, causing my body to snap to attention.

This morning I am reading 1 Thessalonians 2. Paul, Silas and Timothy had come to Thessalonica from Philippi where they had "suffered and been insulted." (Verse 2) Come they did despite strong opposition. This morning I allowed my heart to linger over an insult I bore more than a year ago. I have offered this insult to God and covered it over with love and forgiveness. Why then does my heart still hurt when I think of it?

The wound itself long since ceased to matter. My heart hurts at the reminder because of the risk it represents. What if another friend hurts me and this time she wields a larger sword? Each time we offer our hearts and find them trampled by someone, it gets a bit harder to offer once again. My shoulder seized up because my body was trying to defend itself from further injury. Our natural tendency is to shield any wounded body part from further harm.

It is true that Paul and his companions were insulted. It is true they faced strong opposition in continuing their journey. In between those two truths lies the key to conquering fear in friendship. "But with the help of God." (Verse 2) I can either choose to have a crippled, "frozen" heart or choose God's help which yields a brave heart. God is the healer of the broken human heart. His dream for my relationships is that I would boldly go forward and not shrink back when I've been hurt trusting in Him to guard my heart.

Jesus, thank you for this sweet reminder that You are the forger of all my friendships. Though hard, You designed Your people to live in relationship. Today I will offer my heart. Has it been wounded? Yes. Are You able to guard my heart at the precise moment I offer it? An even bigger yes! Thank you, Jesus, Guarder of my Heart. By Your wounds, I am healed (Isaiah 53:5).

She Works Hard for the Money

Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.

My very first "real" job was at the Catfish Inn outside Athens, Alabama. I was a "drink girl" and a "hush puppy girl". Providing these vital functions meant I kept my tables well-supplied in hush puppies and sweet tea. One simply can not consume fried catfish without an ample dose of these yummy accompaniments. However, the hush puppy girl received no share of the tips. Hundreds of hush puppy baskets and gallons of iced tea yielded a reward of about ten dollars for my nightly shift.

This morning I begin the book of 1 Thessalonians by reading the 1st chapter. As Paul greets the church at Thessalonica, he recalls three remarkable qualities of this church (Verse 3):

1. Work Produced by Faith - As I busily shuttled hush puppies from kitchen to table, I had one goal in mind: to earn money. My work was produced by need and desire, not faith. Faith should be the fuel of every work for a Christian. It is faith that turns every occupation into a ministry. Whether you're preparing your company's annual budget or waiting on tables, faith propels the mundane into ministry. Saving your company money and therefore your coworkers jobs is a ministry. Serving your customers with joy and kindness is a ministry. My work needs to be produced by faith.
2. Labor Prompted by Love - I have always sought to be excellent in my work. If I were really honest though, I would have to admit I did so because I took pride in my labor and enjoyed achievement. My work was prompted by self-gratification not love. It is love that transforms tasks from steps up the ladder of success to moments of sacrifice and service to others. When my work is motivated by love, organizing a meeting becomes an opportunity to put others needs before my own and performing my function on the assembly line is packaged as a possibility to meet someone else's needs.
3. Endurance Inspired by Hope - I can think of very few days in my life when I've called in sick or left my work early. I endured to the final work hour. When I earned wages hourly, this was because I didn't want to short change my pay check. When I earned wages from a salary, this is because I wanted to be well thought of and respected by my peers and supervisors. I endured but not because of hope. The hope of Jesus Christ means that my life has purpose. The hope of Jesus Christ means my days can have meaning.

Jesus, You add purpose and meaning to every aspect of my life. Today I make even less then I did when I filled glasses. My salary is measured at zero but that doesn't mean my work can't be produced by faith, prompted by love and inspired by hope. Today You will be my unseen coworker filling my moments with faith, hope and love.

Prayer: Attitude Surmounts Platitude

James 5:16b The prayer of a righteous (woman) is powerful and effective.

My husband, Scott, became a Christian when he was forty years old. He was full grown yet becoming new in every aspect of his life and character. I'll never forget when he first began to pray out loud in front of myself and the children. His prayers were simple, heartfelt and totally sincere. He had never been "trained" in the proper format or Christian vernacular. He simply prayed from his heart overflowing with gratitude for all God had done to transform his life.

Within months of our marriage, we faced our first big trial. As Hayleigh (then 6) and I discussed the situation, she said, "Mommy, what we need to do is get Daddy to pray. When he prays, God listens." Scott's devotion in prayer was evident even to a small child. His prayers were powerful and effective.

Today I am reading the final chapter of Colossians. Here Paul updates the church on the happenings and whereabouts of many Christians as well as offering greetings to and from essential members of church. The word that most stands out in this passage is prayer. Paul uses four words to describe prayer that can take the most ineffective prayer life and super-charge it into one that is both powerful and effective.

• Devoted (Verse 2) - Paul advises the Colossians to be devoted to prayer. Far more than the passing utterance over a meal or the sentence plea over traveling safety is a prayer life that could be classified as devoted. To be devoted to something requires prioritization and concentration of both time and energy.
• Watchful (Verse 2) - I don't know about you but for me sleep is often the close kinsman to prayer. One moment I'm pouring my heart out to God and the next I'm paying homage to the Sandman. A watchful prayer life is one that is alert and aware. Like the soldier guarding our safety through the long hours of the night is the Christian who takes time to cover their church, community, home and family in prayer. The alert saint is one whose prayer list grows daily as even the smallest matter is brought before the Lord.
• Thankful (Verse 2) - Prayer provides us with the greatest outlet to praise God for who He is and His work in our lives. I recently heard a sweet young woman in my church tell how God transformed her heart as a teenager from grumpy to gracious as she built the daily habit in her life of recording God's activity and thanking Him for it. It is far easier to pray with passion and purpose when I'm acknowledging all the ways God has shown up in my life. From the front row parking spot during a rain storm to the smile of a passing stranger, God's grace is showered on each of us every day.

Jesus, thank you for the privilege of prayer. Today I will be devoted, watchful and thankful as I bathe my little corner of the world in prayer. Wherever I go and whatever I do today may I look for You and talk to You about everything I see and experience.

Wardrobe: Jesus Style

Genesis 3:21 The Lord God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them.

There are some mornings I wish I were Superman. I don't covet all his powers - just the one where he goes into a phone booth and instantaneously changes his entire outfit in a matter of seconds. My process of getting clad is a bit more arduous.

The initial steps include selecting my outfit and laying it out on my bed. I've been known to lay my complete ensemble, including jewelry down for viewing prior to dressing. Once satisfied, I move on to the actual adorning. Undergarments are followed by tanks, camis, shirts, sweaters, skirts and jeans. Then the great debate arises. Should I put on both socks and then both shoes? Or should I streamline with one sock and one shoe followed by the other sock and shoe? I am momentarily stalled but press through to the "frosting".

Frosting is my favorite stage. I grab my scarf, earrings, rings, bracelets, watch and necklace and plan to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. These final details make my outfit complete and I'm ready to take my day by storm.

This morning I am reading the third chapter of Colossians. In this passage, Paul outlines the practical ways I can "dress" as a Christian in my every day life. He describes the undergarments of godly character. These are qualities that resemble Jesus best developed by spending time with Him. There is also outergarments. The way I relate to others - my husband, children, friends and family - is the observable outcome of the time I spend with God.

After Adam and Eve sinned, they became painfully aware that they were naked. They attempted to cover themselves with leaves but their concealment was inadequate. God Himself had to fashion the first true garments (Genesis 3:21). I have a lot in common with Adam and Eve. They are after all my original kin. I often attempt to cloak myself. I dress myself in perfectionism, meeting expectations and people pleasing. My attempts fail. I instead need to allow Jesus to be my daily dressing.

"As God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which bind them all together in perfect unity." (Verses 12-14) I may not actually be Superman, who keeps Metropolis safe by warding off all manner of villains. I am, however, God's warrior princess, fighting for my home, family and community. My superhero cape isn't stamped with an diamond "S". It is emblazoned with a cross-shaped "J".

Jesus, thank you for dressing me this morning. Help me remember that just as I put on one garment at a time, You work on me one quality at a time. Today I will remember that You are far more considered with my undergarments - love, compassion, forgiveness and humility than the frosting. When I allow you to change my undergarments, my outergarments will follow. Thank you for helping me realize that the most important part of my daily outfit is adorned long before I dress for the day. That wardrobe awaits next to a tall glass of orange juice.

Discipline is a Four Letter Word

Psalm 100:5 For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

My husband, Scott, is the most disciplined person I know. He daily plans his meals around the exact number of portions he wants to consume and then executes his caloric plan. He conducts every area of his life in a similar fashion. He doesn't overspend. He rarely misses a strategic goal at work. It is the exception that he ever arrives late.

Unfortunately for him, he married a more ordinary member of the population for whom discipline is more like a four letter word. It is not the first day of a diet, financial plan or project that gets me. It is the second and subsequent days where I find it difficult to stay on target with my stated objectives. Both my mind and heart begin to stray as I splurge in an occasional unplanned meal, purchase or activity usually with increasing frequency as time goes on.

This morning my reading is Colossians 2. Paul laid the foundation of our faith in Christ alone in the first chapter and now begins to build on that firm foundation. The building blocks Paul prescribes surprise me - organization and perseverance. Apparently it's more than just my diet plan that requires action on day 2.

1) Organization (Verse 5) - "I delight to see how orderly you are." If I didn't know better, I'd think that Scott put Paul up to writing this. Order is just simply not something that the average person takes delight in. Yet the God of order (1 Corinthians 14:33, 40) delights in just such a thing. Long before Scott was keeping his desk spotless, God knew that organization enhances every area of my life. Order lends itself to greater satisfaction, peace and results.
2) Perseverance (Verse 6) - "Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him." The day anyone surrenders their life to Christ is a day of great celebration. In fact, the angels in heaven throw a great party over every soul who chooses Jesus (Luke 15:7). Eventually the party balloons lose their air and the leftover cake pieces lose their allure and we have to learn to just live a daily life in a God-honoring way. Paul provides three essentials to continuing in the faith beyond day one. (Verse 7)

• Roots - "Rooted and build up in him." We have to grow deep roots. I've never seen a tree grow its' roots but I've seen the impact. As the unseen roots grow deeper and larger, the observable part of the tree increases in proportion. Roots are grown one day at a time through the daily intake of water and nutrition. I too have to take in daily nutrition by feeding on God's Word and drinking in His Holy Spirit.
• Strengthening - "Strengthened in the faith." I read recently that the best way to combat osteoporosis is to modify your diet by taking in the proper bone-healthy nutrients and then supplementing that with strength-enhancing workouts. Our Christian faith is the same. Daily nutrition is essential but is best absorbed by the body of Christ strengthening each other. In other words, I can not live the Christian life in isolation. The reason certain diet programs work is because they provide built-in accountability. The church as God intended it does that as well. We build each other up in the faith as we share our trials and triumphs with one another. Just as many diet regiments fail once the accountability wanes, so my faith flounders when I attempt to live my faith alone.
• Overflowing - "Overflowing with thankfulness." Time with God is the foundation. Time with God's people is the accountability. Gratitude provides the power to carry us even on the most difficult days. When I feel like God has abandoned me. When I'm wounded by a friend at church. When things simply aren't going as I had anticipated. Being thankful recalibrates my heart towards God.

Jesus, today is certainly not the first day I've walked with You. This morning I awoke and felt You were so far away from me. You were not far. You were near waiting with great anticipation for me to meet with You and discover Your wonderful truth. Now that I have feasted on Your Word, I will find strength in Your people and power in a thankful heart. I once heard it said, "Nothing tastes as good as thin feels." Today I say, "Nothing feels as good as continuing to walk with You."