Suffering Servant

How could God be a suffering servant? I mean, isn't God perfect? What could cause Him pain, distress, injury, loss, a penalty, or death? Why would He patiently or willingly allow or permit it?

I don't like suffering. I don't understand how God allows and participates in suffering. Yet, He has told me why.

Mark 1:41 - "And Jesus, moved with compassion..." Mark 3:5 - "...being grieved for the hardness of their hearts..."

God is moved with compassion and it grieves Him when our hearts are hard against our fellow humans. So, how does that explain suffering? Suffering comes from us. Oh, yes, it does. I love my children. Yet, as a parent, my deepest pain and distress comes from those children. When they don't recognize how I care for them or when they are on a destructive path, it causes me pain. I love my parents. Yet, a deep loss that I have felt came when my father died. I feel pain as I watch my mother go through cancer treatments. I love the father of my children. Yet, divorce has caused intense pain there. I love my husband. Yet, I know that he holds my heart and could cause devastation. Unfortunately, I have also caused others pain. Unfeeling words spoken without thought, rash judgement made without knowing all the details, taking for granted care and consideration provided for me - all this results in suffering.

How is it that Jesus could suffer? His love for us is so great that when we step outside what is good for us and harden our hearts to Him, it grieves Him. He suffers. We suffer. Ouch.

None the less, Jesus does what is right. He is the truth. If you read the first part of Mark 3, it tells of Jesus healing even though He had been set up by the hard hearts of men. He wanted men to desire the healing of the injured one. But they didn't. They only wanted to "catch" him violating one of their own laws. Take note, Jesus didn't violate His law.

Sadly, suffering will remain as long as we are disobedient.

(Father God, forgive me for causing you pain. Thank you for the forgiveness you freely and quickly offer. Help me to be aware of when I am causing the suffering of others so that I may repent of that. Thank you for spending time talking with me and teaching me. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.)

Cat Hair in the Escape

Yesterday after a wonderful lunch with my husband, we were sitting in our vehicle, a Ford Escape, talking. As we were discussing things, my eyes took in the grit and grime that had collected in the console. So, I started cleaning.

Our conversation turned to the cleaning and how quickly things get dirty. My husband commented that the vehicle needed to be washed, vacuumed, waxed, etc. It was then that I noticed the cat hair.

Our cat is an indoor cat. She hasn't always been an indoor cat. She used to spend as much time outside as she did inside. Several years ago during the summer, she decided that it was much safer and comfortable to stay inside. It's not much safer or comfortable for us humans living inside because that cat still has her claws and she won't stay still long enough to for us to clip them. The last time her claws were clipped we had to sedate her. That should give you some idea as to her personality. She loves on her terms, not yours.

She has never been in the Escape. She does not ride well. I think she isn't in control so she doesn't like it. Yet, her hair is tucked in nooks and cranny's of the Escape. It is under the seat, on the seat, in the carpet, on the dash, on the window, and working it's way in the glove box.

Isn't that a lot like sin? The evidence of it is everywhere. Even if my sin does not take place in one particular area, the evidence of it is still there in other areas - just like the cat hair from the cat that has never been in the Escape. Now, think about this. It travels far. Our Escape takes us on trips hundreds of miles from our cat.

Where have you left small evidences of sin? Did you leave it at the grocery store when you were frustrated with how slow the line was moving? Did you leave it with your child as you sent him off to school with negative words ringing in his ears? Did you leave it on your husband as you silently let him know that he forgot to take out the trash?

(Father God, please forgive me for not noticing how far the evidence of my sin has spread. Help me to clean up the sin and remove it from my life. Thank you for the wonderful cat that you created to help me learn more about You and your ways. You are an awesome God. May you be honored by this today, in the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)

Nothing New

I've heard for years, "There's nothing new under the sun." Of course, desiring myself to be creative, I think, "Sure there is."

Well, I was reading Daniel 6 (v1-10) today and it just made me mad. Those politicians had to invent a way to cause Daniel to break the law. They searched and searched but did not find anyway they could defame him. There was no insider trading rumors, no sexual infidelity, no kickbacks, no skimming the funds, no negative campaigning. The Word says, "They could find none occasion nor fault." Basically, he was an honest, hardworking, excellent, and true citizen.

Does that remind you of anything? God showed me that there is nothing new. Just as politicians then had to invent a way to make true, honest, hardworking individuals into lawbreakers, they are doing it today also.

(Father God, I thank you for the signs of the times. My heart quickens with anticipation and fear. Forgive our nation, Father. We are a sorry bunch to say the least. We have openly ignored your direction and have followed each one after our own selfish desires. Forgive us! Have GREAT mercy on us! In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.)

Stand Amazed

I often stand amazed at how God directs our paths. Just this week my mom and I were discussing how He laid the foundation for me to be in the right place for her to have good access to medical care during her cancer treatments. These are plans that He had in place long before we knew we would need them.

My husband and I were discussing how blessed we are to be together. Both of us have wondered what it would have been like if we had met in our 20's. As we considered that, we came to the realization that we would not cherish what we have now if we had not traveled our individual roads. I am so amazed at what God did there also.

So, why am I amazed? I know the Creator of the Universe. Why would I be surprised and amazed when things work for His glory? Does this show a lack of faith on my part? Am I missing something? No, I pray that I will always be amazed at God. He deserves my incredulous wonder and adoration. He deserves my fear and trembling. He is due all my, well, everything.

(Father God, forgive me for holding back. I pray that You will teach me to love You with total abandon and adoration. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)

Life- Worthless or Valuable?

Over the past few weeks, I have constantly been reminded how valuable life is. My daughter has a friend whose sibling drowned. My mom is fighting cancer. My friend, Ashley, is just fighting.

I do NOT and will NOT comprehend those people that place little or no value on life. God gives us life. He gives us human beings eternal life. He also gives us the option to chose where we will spend that eternal life - with or without Him. What have you chosen?

Life is not worthless. It has not come about by a string of random chances that "evolve" from goo to you. Life is granted by the Supreme Creator, God, in whose image humans have been created.

Life is valuable from the moment it is conceived in the womb. Abortion is a choice that places no value on the life of others. Life is valuable on this earth for many years. Euthanasia is a choice that places no value on the life of others. Life is valuable to those around you. Suicide is a choice that places no value on your own life. Murder is a choice that places no value on the life of others.

Each choice is a decision that has to be lived with by someone. Do you see that? Someone will continue to live here on this planet with the consequences of that choice. The one making the choice will live with it eternally.

Life is valuable. Live it.

(Father God, thank you for creating me in your image and giving me eternal life with you. Lord, comfort those that have lost a family member. Heal those fighting illness. Support those that have lived long lives. Convict those of us that have not placed value on life. Forgive us, Father God. Please show us great mercy. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.)

Traveling Thoughts

This is what happens when I am traveling and thinking at the same time. These are notes that I saved on my cell phone. I've posted them like I thought them. Grammar beware! I think I was planning to expand on the first thought for a blog entry and I may still. And, obviously the second thought is an extension of the first thought, perhaps a bit more poetic. Both entries were made when traveling down Oklahoma Highway 3.

11/24/2009 4:34 PM

Ever notice how each tree is different? They don't have the same number of branches or leaves. They don't grow at the same rate.

5/7/2010 6:50 PM -

Green, everywhere green. Dark green leaves of the oak tree. Medium greens. Light greens of new leaves. Green grass. Dotted with purple vetch and orange Indian paint brush. Light tan topping green wheat-like plants. Multicolor green obscuring tree trunks. Silver maple leaves casting a delicate green hue briefly in the green sea. Dark evergreens. Lacy ferns. Rare and random rocks. Suddenly the sea of green is broken by an expansive blue mirror, cool and inviting. Where are the reds, yellows, and oranges? Where did the shades of grey go? There is no strict contrast of black and white. Green reaching up to the expanse of sky. Curtains of green hanging in gentle waves. Dresses of green dancing across my vision. Short dresses, long dresses, fluffy dresses, slim dresses. Gorgeous array. Waving arms, singing joyous praise.

(Father God, thank you for the blessings of the seasons. Thank you for the simple yet so complex examples of your creation. Thank you for allowing me to see them. Help me to always be aware of the beauty around me. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)

Dinosaurs, Turkey Bacon, and Toilet Paper

Do you see those words together very often? I never thought I'd see them together in the same paragraph let alone a sentence. But, that is what greeted us this morning. We were TP'd.

Now, I could have been upset and frustrated because of the vandalism. I dislike TP'ing. I don't see the reason for it. I have no desire to participate in such an activity. Granted, it's a fairly minor form of vandalism with few consequences. It's work on the targeted family or person due to the clean up and has little effect on the one doing it.

However, today I am grateful for Dinosaurs, Turkey Bacon and Toilet Paper. It was these items that caused our family to come together. First, we just kinda wondered. Then, we began the suspect list. Next, we started the clean up and questions. Why is someone picking on us? Was it malicious or just a practical joke? And, why did they use Turkey Bacon on the bushes and storm door? Turkey Bacon?

We joked about needing to call NCIS for the investigation. Gibbs will solve the case. Hey, maybe the cat was the culprit. The poor dinosaurs all lost their heads. So did Barbie. Turkey Bacon?

After the cleaning was nearly done, we ended up trying to solve the case at Denny's. We had a long list of suspects. And the true culprit probably isn't even on the list.

None the less what someone else mean for harm, God used for good. Listening to the kids banter back and forth, enjoying a good breakfast as a family, and just having time together was a awesome blessing. Yes, there are still some remnants of paper in the tree. Eventually, they will blow away or get rained down. It's been a good morning.

(Father God, thank you for the blessing of family. Thank you that You caused us to be together. Thank you for the smiles. We are truly blessed by You. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)