Bumpy Monday - Flashlights and Candles (03/03/08)

July 23, 2003

Psalm 18:28, 32
For thou will light my candle; the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.
It is God that girdeth me with strength and maketh my way perfect.

Sometimes when there doesn't seem to be anyway out of a bad, undesired situation, there is a light in the darkness. It may only be a small flicker at first but God reveals himself and the darkness disperses. Then, He clothes me in the strength to do what needs to be done. God is my modern candle - my flashlight - in a dark world. He reveals the traps and snags along my path so that I can walk safely around them. He shows me the beauty so that I might stop and enjoy. His light shows me His perfect trail ahead.

For further reading ... Psalm 18: 21-32

That Idiot, Samson.

Okay, so I'm reading the historical record of Samson and am marveling at the idiocy of this judge of Israel.  (Judges 14-16)

First, he decides he wants a woman.  He found one that pleased him.  He and his dad went to make the arrangements.  Congratulations, Samson, you're engaged.  He waits a bit and then goes to claim his bride.  They get married and have a traditional seven day wedding feast.  During this time, she conspires with her family to trick her new husband.  (What!?)  She uses tears to get her way.  He gets mad (rightly so) and goes home without her.  Her dad then marries her off to another guy.  When  the wheat harvest comes in, Samson's anger has subsided and he takes a peace offering to his wife.  But her daddy said NO, want her cuter sister instead?  Uh, that sure didn't help Samson contain his anger.  He then lights the tails of some foxes and burns the harvest.  When the oppressing government finds out who did it and why, they burn up the wife and her dad.  Then, Samson whups the tar out of them.

Next, Samson decides he wants a quickie.  So, he goes to visit a sweetie he saw on the street.  The oppressors figure this is a great opportunity to kill him.  So they lock down the city and wait for morning in order to kill him.  He gets up at midnight and takes out the main city gate and two posts carrying them to the top of a hill and dumping them.  He escaped.

Again, he decides he wants a woman.  So he loves Delilah.  She's in cahoots with the gov't.  They've promised to give her money if she finds out the secret to Samson's strength and power.  Lots of money.  She asks, "Hey, honey, how can I tie you up and keep you tied up?"  (Seriously?!  I think I'd be concerned.)  So, he lies to her. She arranges a test.  Samson is still strong.  She whines, probably sheds a tear or two, "You  are making fun of me."  She asks again the secret to his strength.  He lies again.  She arranges another test.  He is still strong.  She cries.  Now, we are at round three.  She asks.  He lies.  She arranges.  He is still strong.  She cries.  But, this time she adds, "You don't love me!"  Her constant boo-hooing vexes his soul.  He crumbles.  He spills his guts and the secret to this strength and power.  (Dummy!)  She arranges.  His strength is gone.  She afflicts him and turns him over to the oppressing gov't.  They blinded him and put him to work on the grindstone.

Yet, in all his idiocy, the Spirit of God dwelt with and moved in Samson.  Samson was called to be a thorn in the side of the Philistine nation that was oppressing the Israeli people.  He did that well.  He must have been a confident guy.  He was strong and powerful.  He might have even been a cute guy.  In the end, he was a blind, humbled guy.  And, God still used him.

When the oppressors had him in chains, they threw themselves a party.  The referred to him as the "destroyer".  Samson became the entertainment.  (Can anyone say, professional wrestling?)  Samson was smart, even at death's door.  He brought the house down, literally.  Whoot!  Even in death he fulfilled his calling.

(Father God, what an awesome record of your mercy and grace.  Amen.)

Division

Math.  Ugh.  I don't like doing math, especially division.  Today, it became clear to me why.  Division is what Satan uses to keep Christians from fellowship.  Division is what Satan uses to destroy the family.  Division is what Satan uses to cause a church to split.

As I was doing my daily Bible reading from "The Evidence Bible" produced by Way of the Master Ministries, there was a quote by Charles Spurgeon.

"Satan always hates Christian fellowship; it is his (Satan's) policy to keep Christians apart.  Anything which can divide saints from one another he (Satan) delights in."

Then, the Proverbs 31 Ministries daily encouragement was on the topic of division in marriage.  Oh, I hope I am listening to what the Father has to say.  I can see that He is using it to encourage me today.  He is using it to show me what I need to do.  I must heal and not cause division.  I must have care for the members of the body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:25)

(Father God, thank you for talking with me today.  Please help me to act as you desire.  Strengthen me for what is to come.  In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)

Bumpy Monday - Chain Letters (07/27/09)

I'm starting a new feature called Soapbox. Yes, it's where I rant or rave about something that annoys or excites me. This week's feature is Chain Letters.

Why do people ruin a good email by ending it with a "you must forward this to 5 (or more) people in order to receive a blessing?" There are so many emails that I get that "have" to be forwarded in order to get the answered prayer or the benefit of it. How insane! Why can you not just tell the story and leave it at that?

I mean, really, how often do you tell a good tale in actual conversation and then follow it with "you have to tell five other people about this in order to have your prayers answered?" Can you imagine what your dinner conversation with your husband would be like? Or, what lunch with your girlfriends would sound like?

I refuse to forward them on in that manner. If I like the story and feel like it needs to be shared with others in my life, I delete all the "works" at the end of it and send just the blessing.

(Father God, thank you for the shared blessings of life. Help me to always remember that I do not need to add anything to what You have done for me. Help me to remember You own the cattle on a thousand hills and all the gold underneath. Your blessings are bestowed as You see fit. Thank you! In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.)

A Tenth Remains

Reading:  Isaiah 6

A tenth remains.  Even though the cities are wasted and the land is desolate, a tenth remains.

Hope for today exists in the tenth that remains!  Are you one of the tenth that remains?  Or, are you wasted and desolate?

Going Back

I've been going back over my study notes from the past year and I have discovered something.  I haven't spent enough time in personal study.  I have pages and pages of sermon notes, Sunday School notes, and special event notes.  I have several pages of reading notations.  But, I lack pages of personal, in-depth discoveries.

I found one undated page with the following information.

How'd you do on your daily reading?  Did you remember to keep your appointment with God?  If so, congratulations!  You are on your way to developing a great habit and a greater relationship with God.  (Psalm 37:23)

If not, what are you going to do now?  Try again!  (Psalm 37:24)

Ask for forgiveness!  (1 John 1:9)

Trust God to guide me.  (James 1:5, Micah 7:7)

I know I cannot go back and change the past.  I can only go on from here.  So, here I go!!

(Father God, thank you for the blessing that you are.  Thank you for being.  Thank you for loving me in spite of my foolishness.  I ask that you guide me to a greater knowledge of you.  In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)

Bumpy Monday - Reflections (12/31/10)

On this final day of 2010, I've not felt compelled to think back over the year.  I've not wanted to dwell on the ups an downs.  Instead I sit here doing my normal thing.  I'm here in the present.  I read the blogs on my list and wish that more were updated today.  I smile at the cat curled comfortably next to my husband's Bible on the couch.  I am again thankful to be in this place at this time.

I consider my friend, Ashley, and am grateful for her parents and their dedication to choose life.  Choosing life is a reflection of God.  Awesome.  I consider another family waiting and working patiently for their Ukrainian child.  Their desire to care for an orphan is a reflection of God.  Awesome.  My heart grows heavy when I consider my friend, Jan.  Cancer has invaded her life aggressively.  Yet, she has chosen to live with her daughter and redeem this time to the best that she can.  What a lesson for me to learn!  Sounds a bit like another reflection of God, doesn't it?  My son is defending his faith against an atheist.  Their conversation challenges me to grow more intimate with my LORD.  It requires me to see the reflection of God in His Word.

I know I can't change the past.  It has happened.  I will be exposed to the consequences of it.  And, I can fully trust God for all I need in the present.  I am so thankful to be surrounded by reflections and remembrances and realities of my God.  Awesome!

(Father God, thank you for your great and mighty presence in my life.  Thank you that you surround me with reflections of yourself in so many places.   What a joy!  Father, I pray that as this calendar year closes you will be a welcome, comforting, sustaining presence to Ashley, Angela, Jan, and us.  In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)