Monday’s Comin’: The Resurrection and Real Life

It was so much fun getting ready for church Sunday morning. This is the first spring since we’ve lived in Oklahoma that I was able to dress the kids for the Easter service at Quail. After church, we had a beautiful lunch at Mimi and Papa’s house; then began preparations for Truth. 

Sunday before last, we had to cancel picking up the kids because the weather was so bad, and we couldn’t meet outside. This Sunday, Chad and I were thanking the Lord for the beautiful weather and worked in expectation of a great Sunday night service. 

It doesn’t seem to matter how prepared I am or how great things are going, there is always a feeling of discouragement that comes over me after “big Sundays”. I think it must come with the territory of ministry, but it is a very real feeling. The scripture says we are not warring against flesh and blood, but against an unseen enemy. Sometimes I wish I could see the enemy and give him “the boot”. Since that isn’t possible the only way I’ve found to overcome this feeling of discouragement is to take refuge in the Lord through honest prayer and try hard to keep my mouth shut so as not to share my bad attitude.

We came home from Truth, fed the kids and watched the Bible on the History channel. The last scene of this week’s episode (I guess you’d call it) where Jesus was on the top of the mountain sending out his followers, stirred my heart. After the kids went to bed I told Chad about how we had 25 kids at church tonight and when I asked what were some of the miracles they would’ve witnessed had they walked with Jesus on earth, many of them raised their hands and were able to give detailed accounts of miracles from the gospels; a few children even noted that Jesus forgave the sins of those He healed. My heart was lifted by the realization that we are continuing the work Jesus began that day on the mountain before He ascended into Heaven. This little ray of hope was enough to help me sleep through the night. 

Then Monday morning came. Ruby climbed into bed with me at 6:15 feeling feverish. She laid her cheek on my cheek and coughed a wet croupy cough right on to my face. I guess she partied too hard all weekend and it caught up with her in the form of a cold. 

About 30 minutes later, David nudged me awake and announced the following with a great sense of urgency, “Today is the day I need my clown nose!” He is one of four children with a speaking part in the Second Grade program and he’s to deliver it dressed as a clown; however, as far as I knew, he did not need his costume until next Monday. “No!” he insisted, “I’m supposed to have it today!” 

It’s Monday and everyone’s pretty clothes are on the top of a mountain of laundry. 

It’s Monday and there are candy wrappers under my feet and plastic grass between my toes. 

It’s Monday and the words of the critics are crowding my thoughts. 

It’s Monday and I’m overwhelmed. 

Where is the VICTORY? 

As I’m brushing my teeth and trying to remember if we have any Tylenol left for Ruby, and constructing a clown nose out of an plastic egg in my mind for David, I hear the familiar sound of my Savior say, “Anna, remember I am with you always, where ever you go, whatever you’re going through, even to the end of the age!” 

If Jesus were not alive He couldn’t have lifted up my head with the promise of His presence yesterday. If Jesus were not alive, my life would have no purpose. If Jesus were not alive there would be no hope for this mother, this wife or the worst parts of our city. Everyday, faith is the Victory! 

So, yes!  Monday’s coming!  And Jesus is still alive on His throne and living in my heart. Do you know Him? 

Did Someone Order a Wake-up Call?

As a college student I would often complain about the intrusive nature of my alarm clock. Now that I’m a mom it isn’t necessary to set an alarm. The little brains of our children are hard wired to turn on at 6:30 every morning, even on Saturdays. This morning Sean climbed in on my side of the bed, snuggled up to me and asked, “Mom, why did white people treat black people so bad in the old days?” Talk about a wake up call!

My eyes were still closed, but now my brain was wide awake. I didn’t have the eloquence to answer Sean’s question with anything but the truth. Because of the sin in their hearts one color of people thought they were better than another color of people and refused to treat them as humans, so they gave them different water fountains and different bathrooms and refused to serve them at restaurants. “This is why we need Jesus, Sean because without His love in our hearts we hurt others.”

I then became very convicted. God has been working on my attitude towards others this week. Why is it so easy for me to devalue people who aren’t just like me? I want God to keep working in my heart until I can see what He sees in every person I meet. Who am I to devalue someone for whom He has paid such an extravagant price to save?

Satan knows that all he has to do is counterfeit the love and acceptance the children of God possess. When we withhold the love of Christ from others they turn to the nearest group of fellow human beings who share their need for acceptance. Then, instead of finding salvation and a new identity in Jesus Christ they instead identify with a culture, a habit or a lifestyle. Instead of growing the body of Christ, I become just another member of another exclusive group with sin sick world at the end of my ten-foot pole.

I love how Jesus broke things down. I do the same thing with my kids. Make the directions unavoidably easy to understand and follow. For instance if I say, “Clean your room.” They respond, “I can’t! It’s too hard!” However, if I instruct them to first pick up the trash put it in the trash can and put the clothes in their hamper, they may complain but it’s not because they don’t understand.

Jesus said, “Love me with everything you’ve got and love your neighbor as much as you love yourself.” (that’s a paraphrase) This command is what the world is waiting on followers of Christ to do. We have to fall in love with Jesus first, that means letting Him in to every part of our life. That means letting Him see my selfish desire to devalue and ignore those who I perceive as “less” than me; Then in the midst of my “undone” moment I’m reminded of my desperate need for a redeemer. Jesus replaces that attitude with His love, making my life acceptable to a holy God. 

In my mind it comes down to this. Every soul has value, worth and purpose through Jesus. If I have the opportunity to influence the life of another person and I neglect to help them see their value, worth and purpose then I am not living up to the call of a follower of Jesus. 

Sometimes we just need a wake up call. 

When Love Don't Come Easy

On Monday while David and I were walking to the car after school he was telling me all about how his teacher had them draw names from students in his class. For the person whose name he drew, he would have to write a special Valentine’s note. “But I drew Jordan’s name! It’s gonna be pretty hard to say something nice. He gets on my nerves the MOST!”

Apparently, Jordan invented a game the kids play at lunchtime called, “Cheese Touch”. David explained the game and why he hates it so much. When Jordan yells “Cheese Touch!” everyone is supposed to touch the cheese on their plate then touch the person sitting next to them. “It seems like every day there is cheese in our lunch! I just ignore him. I don’t play Cheese Touch when he yells it; then he laughs at me.”

All the way home David struggled with what to write in Jordan’s Valentine. He said, “I could tell him that he’s good at making up games . . .but that would just encourage him!”

Well, last night at dinner David made an important announcement. “I finally found something nice to say in Jordan’s Valentine note! I wrote, ‘Dear Jordan, you are very creative. Happy Valentine’s Day’.”

Not everyone in our life is easy to love. There might even be people who are down right annoying! Just remember that Romans 5:8 says “God demonstrated His great love for us; in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” He didn’t cast us out, He doesn’t just tolerate us or try to make us feel better about ourselves; He made us loveable. Jesus put the love in our heart . . . give some of His Love away today. 

Maui Time

Chad and me in New Orleans

Tomorrow Chad and I will celebrate the 10^th anniversary of our engagement. Ten years ago, I woke up at 4:30 in the morning to drive from Amarillo to Dallas to meet him for a surprise Valentine’s date he had planned for us. When I arrived, he took me to the airport where we flew to New Orleans. A limo picked us up in New Orleans and drove us to a beautiful dinner aboard the Creole Queen. After dinner he proposed, and I said, “YES!”

When it came to planning our honeymoon Chad spent months planning a trip to Maui, Hawaii. Having spent three years on Oahu as a Marine, he had made a trip to Maui to explore the island before and he couldn’t wait to show me around. We arrived in Maui after dark, and drove off in a rented convertible. The moon was shining on the water as we drove around the mountain to the guesthouse where we’d be staying the next few days. I thought I was living in the middle of a dream.

We spent the first two days, swimming in the ocean and driving around the island. We even took the helicopter tour across beautiful pineapple fields and waterfalls that can only be seen from the air.

On the next to last day of our trip we planned to drive the road to Hana. The Hana Highway is a 50 mile long stretch of road. Even though it is only 50 miles it takes an entire day to navigate the 600 hair pin turns. Parts of this twisty turning road narrows to one lane and there is no shoulder to speak of, just sheer cliffs off the side of the most lush and beautiful mountains in the world. The drive is the experience. The road leads to a small village with one gas station, maybe two restaurants and some lodging.

We were so excited to take the drive. To get the full experience we popped in the CD with all the historical information narrated by the soothing native woman’s voice. Chad and I laughed as the woman’s dramatic greeting came through the speakers. “Welcome to the beautiful journey!” she went on to name all of the flora we were seeing and smelling. Our hair, or my hair, was blowing in the wind. Everything was absolutely beautiful.

 

Just before we jumped out to climb into the waterfall, our tour guide stopped to remind us to enjoy every moment, “Just remember,” she soothed “you are now on Maui time.”  The pace of Maui time is just before a full stop. It’s not just going at one’s own pace, it’s relaxing, breathing, taking in the moment with all five senses.

We finally made it to the town of Hana, enjoyed a relaxing meal; then began our journey back around the mountain. About two miles into the drive a guy swung into our lane head on. We were on the outside lane hugging the edge of a mountain. When Chad swerved to the side of the road to avoid a head on collision, we heard a big “CLUNK” and realized we had hit the rocky edge of the road.

Chad pulled the car over to the side of the road to inspect the tires only to realize both tires on the passenger side of the car were blown out. To make things worse we didn’t have the rental car insurance. When we called the rental company they said we’d have to arrange for a tow. We found that the companies who were willing to tow a car on the Hana highway wanted a hefty price.

Chad hung up the phone with the tow company and came to sit in the driver’s seat of the rental car. He turned the key to start the A/C while we thought about our options. On came the pre-recorded tour guide with her silky smooth voice reminding us to take in the beauty all around us because, as she had reminded us all along the way, “You are now on Maui time”.

It turns out that having two blow outs on your car is just as stressful in Maui as it is anywhere, and while there is never a good time or place, the next to last day of your honeymoon and on a treacherous road is not ideal. We went from having the best time to working through a whole series of difficult decisions.

Our fun in Maui was cut short since our minds were now preoccupied with the damages to the car. Our circumstances changed, but Maui stayed the same.

God has a plan, and while He may involve us in one part of this plan for a season, His plan is much more grand and beautiful than what I can see right in front of me. No matter what my circumstances dictate, God stays the same.  He is still on His throne and it serves me well to come back often to the realization of being on “God’s time”. Everyday, I can either choose to trust and obey, or frustrate myself by living short-sighted.

If I could choose today, I’d take the road to Hana again, blowouts and all - just to be in Maui with Chad living on “Maui time”.

I'll Never Know How Much It Cost

When I was seven years old my dad was pastor at Muldoon Denali Baptist Church in Anchorage, Alaska. In the summer our family would go to Victory Bible Camp for a retreat. The campground was surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges. There were horses to ride and other activities, but the thing I remember the most was the concession stand.

Our family stayed in one of the pastor’s cabins. Across from the cabin was a playground. Just a short walk from the playground was the Victory Bible Camp concession stand. The second morning we were at the camp we had settled in to the cabin, dad took me for a short walk to show me the little store. He walked up to the counter and made an arrangement with the cashier to allow my brothers and I to charge snacks on an account in his name. He agreed to pay the bill at the end of the week.

The little store was so convenient, and being only seven, I was not used to having the freedom to walk places on my own. Everyday during our stay a few times . . . or maybe more like several times a day, my brothers and I would walk to the store and “load up” were the exact words my dad would later use, on snacks, drinks, toys, and other junky souvenirs.

Seriously, it was the most fun I can remember having. As I sit here writing, I’m struggling to remember anything else about our week at Victory Bible Camp other than going crazy at the concession stand.

I also vividly remember the part when the bill came due. It was the typical, last day packing for the trip home scene. There were overfilled suitcases being loaded up in the trunk, mom was checking all the dresser drawers and under the bed to make sure nothing was left behind. It was just about time to load up in the car and I heard dad say, “Diana, I’m going to go pay the store.”

I walked with dad to the store. The lady behind the counter got down her little red plastic box where she filed away all the 3x5 cards. She flipped through the alphabetical tabs until she came to “L” and there was the card. It said, “Lane, Don E.” and on that card was a detailed account of all of the purchases made by my brothers and me during the length of our stay.

There was complete silence as my dad surveyed the damage. He looked down at me, all decked out in my red VICTORY BIBLE CAMP hooded sweatshirt, sipping water from my VICTORY BIBLE CAMP insulated mug. It was all over me what I had done and now the bill was due. I couldn’t see the amount of the bill, but I could see that the blood had drained from my dad’s face. He wasn’t happy. Still, he paid the debt and I went free. I’m sure it crossed his mind to leave me at the camp to be used as an indentured servant until I had worked off the 24 Butterfingers I bought. But he didn’t, he paid the debt and loaded me up in the car to go home.

This morning I was struggling. Something in my heart was just not right. God was convicting me and I didn’t want to call it out for what it was. SIN. I asked the Lord what I needed to do about it and He directed my heart to Psalm 32.

Blessed is the one
 whose transgressions are forgiven,


whose sins are covered.

Blessed is the one
 whose sin the Lord does not count against them


and in whose spirit is no deceit.

When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.

For day and night
 your hand was heavy on me;


my strength was sapped
 as in the heat of summer.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you
 and did not cover up my iniquity.


I said, “I will confess
 my transgressions to the Lord.”


And you forgave
 the guilt of my sin.

Reading this Psalm was like drinking a glass of cool water. Here I am all wrapped up in my sin and the Lord has already paid the debt. I have to turn it over to Him, accept His forgiveness, His grace, His mercy if I want to stay within the sound of His voice.  The rest of the Psalm reads:

Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
while you may be found;


surely the rising of the mighty waters
 will not reach them.

You are my hiding place;
 you will protect me from trouble
   

 and surround me with songs of deliverance.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;


I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding


but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.

Many are the woes of the wicked, 

but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.

Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous;


sing, all you who are upright in heart!

There is a wonderful worship chorus that we sing at Truth that says, “I’ll never know how much it costs to see my sin upon that cross.” I’ll never understand why God allows His children to enjoy the depth and the fullness of His faithful love while He bore the burden of our sin on the cross. In return He asks me to serve Him in all of my brokenness so He might be glorified. So, to live this way will be my response.

Helping in the Kitchen

Having three kids close in age has made for a pretty intense seven years. Just four years ago, David still had a paci, Sean was still in pull ups and drinking from a bottle and Ruby was nursing and in diapers. 

About the time we out-grow a phase with one child it seems to manifest itself in the next child. Yesterday,  for the first time in a while,  I had to dust off the old, "I don't understand whiney talk" act and use it on Ruby. 

When Chad and I decided to have children closely spaced, each one about  20 months apart, we talked about how much fun it would be when they were older. We had visions of extended sailing expeditions and fun weekend adventures. Those hopes are still alive and kindled each day as we see the kids maturing and becoming more self sufficient.

Today I was inspired by a little sign of growth. 

We had done after school snacks, folded a load of laundry while David read his library book to Sean, signed off on homework; then it was time to start dinner. 

The boys took off on their bikes. 

Ruby came to me in the kitchen, put her hand on her hip and said, "Okay Mom, what can I do to HELP you?" 

Usually, while cooking I'm hurried and distracted giving only one word responses to kid questions and requests for snacks.  This time Ruby  had  my attention. 

With tears in my eyes looking down at my new little helper I picked her up off the ground to give her a big hug. "would you like to set the table?" I asked. She said, "Well, sure!" and proceeded to put the paper plates, napkins and forks on the table in every configuration. It was a beautiful mess, and it reminded me how I learned to serve in the kitchen by my mother's side. 

Is there any better sign of maturity than to become a helper? It means we are able to take our minds off our self for a moment and think about another person. 

 When I feel overwhelmed, my prayers become all about "asking" and at times even begging.  While God is always patient and loving with me, I wonder how much He must long for me to come  before His throne and ask "where can I be your hands and feet today? Who can I encourage for you today? Put me to work building your Kingdom Lord!"

God your child is listening, let me be a part of the work you are doing today. 

Fellowship

At lunch today, David and Sean were discussing the topic of swimming. David was telling Sean he needed to learn how to swim. Sean insisted he already knew how to swim. “NO! All you do is doggy paddle, like this!”  David said, while frantically flailing his arms around like a puppy dog.

Even though Sean was laughing, I took the opportunity to turn this discussion into a teachable moment. “David, you still doggy paddle most of the time.” I said  “Daddy taught you how to swim. Now you need to encourage Sean to get better. Is this how you would want to be encouraged?” To which David replied, “I don’t need to be encouraged! I know all about swimming!”

Chad and I immediately busted out laughing as soon as the outrageous statement was made. But the words, "I don't need to be encouraged" resounded in my heart. "Wow!" I thought, "How many times have I told myself that lie?" 

It might sound funny coming from a pastor’s daughter and from a person who drags people out of the comfort of their home on a regular basis to come to Sunday services; but the hardest thing for me to do after moving to Oklahoma was to attend church. In my mind, my relationship with God was fine and I could certainly get past my heartache without the help of anyone else. If God had not softened my heart, and my loving husband hadn’t dragged me from place to place until we found a church home, I was headed for spiritual defeat. 

Jesus never intended for any of His followers to be self-reliant. Our need for each other is by His design. It is necessary for our growth as Christians to be in regular fellowship with other Christians; to be surrounded by other Christ followers who we can strive and grow with, who we are praying and serving beside and in whom we can confide.

Hebrews 3:13 reminds us of the dangers of becoming a “Lone Christian”,  “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.”

Denying my need for the encouragement of other Christians might have made way for the hardening of my heart to God’s leading, thus stunting my spiritual growth. It was only after Chad and I began to experience spiritual healing that God began to really reveal the ministry He has instore for us, here in Oklahoma City.

Hebrews 10:25 says, “Not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together . . . but exhorting one another: and so much the more as you see the day approaching.” The commentary on this passage from Barne’s Notes explains the meaning beautifully, “There is an obvious propriety that people should assemble together for the worship of the Most High, and no Christian can hope that his graces will grow, or that he can perform his duty to his Maker, without uniting thus with those who love the service of God.”

I’m thankful for a Heavenly Father who is swift to correct my arrogant heart, and for a church family who we can grow in grace with; “. . .Even as we see the day of the Lord approaching.”