"You are not your own. You were bought with a price..." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

I haven't written in about 2 months. I have been busy with a multitude of activities. God is like that.... everything has a season. Then today I was reading Oswald Chambers daily devotion. He reminded me what God set upon my heart in early August. " I am not my own. I am a small leaf falling from a branch over a running brook. ( flashback, my Indian Princess name was Babbling Brook. My dad thought of it because I did like to talk alot at that age.) I am not in control of situations I find myself in. How I respond is definitely all on me. It took me 49 years to realize that.

Chambers states it this way," Let Him have His way. If you refuse you will have no value to God in His redemptive work in this world, but will be a hindrance or a stumbling block." Pretty harsh! I believe in free will( not absolute free will). God has given His children the free will to be carried into wonderful service and experiences in this world or to live in fear and refuse to accept day to day opportunities. My daughter illustrated this spectacularly the other day. She said she had a friend that she knew in High school. She never would have shared the gospel with this girl or invited her to a church event. She had too many little quarrels with her at the time ( it was high school, you know - but hey, I better take that back -isn't that us as adults). Anyway, she recently reconnected with this young woman who had gone through some tough times and another high school friend had shared the gospel with her and she is now a wonderful young believer growing in Christ. My daughter realized that God had given her the opportunity to share with this gal but she didn't make herself available at the time. She missed out on a wonderful blessing. Lesson learned and I am grateful she shared it with me.

God is constantly opening doors for me and some I do not enter for various reasons. Through those doorways God is opening up ways of fellowship with His Son, says Chambers. What am I doing to close these doors? Do I recognize that fear is holding me back? Do I realize where that fear comes from? How can I overcome those fears? Through Christ alone! It is a long process but the road to surrender is so sweet. An adventure that is beyond exciting! 

"Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy." Matthew 5:7

I have a beautiful Christian friend facing a devastating diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. I saw her for the first time yesterday since I heard the news. She has always been a wonderful example to me of the Proverbs 31 woman ( esp verse 20). She is strong in her weakness. She seems to be everything I am not but I wish to be. I have never heard her be cynical or sarcastic. She is always warm, first to embrace in a warm hug and last to let go. She never wants credit or praise for her continuous service to further God's kingdom. 

She is the poster woman for earnestness. I looked up the definition of earnestness - marked by or showing deep sincerity. What a great spiritual gift. Earnestness is not always my go-to character trait. Our generation as a whole seems to gravitate towards sarcasm and criticism. My friend's go-to response is never sarcasm. It is always warm sincerity, looking for beauty. If I would do that I would see God's creation as holding a higher value. Earnestness brings healing to broken relationships. And I think it brings healing to the church as a whole. Maybe our relationships aren't totally broken but they are not what God intended if they are marked with cynicism and sarcasm. If we turn away from someone and roll our eyes and flippantly reject their feelings, a chasm is created not the warm embrace like my suffering friend always brings.

God has the power over all things. I don't understand why my friend has to suffer through this but I do know that we have a lot we can learn through her. She told me that she admired a mutual friend that we had that suffered through cancer, that she didn't know how she could have been so strong. I think she is the strong one, for she lets us see her weakness.

We arrived at Camp Daniel on Sunday evening. Most campers arrived on Monday so we had an evening and morning to prepare for their arrival. A few campers had arrived the day before because of their travel arrangements. One of those campers was Joel. He came from Florida for camp. He had never been to Camp Daniel before. On Monday morning, he stood around the campfire area and gathered together several counselors and he explained that he wanted to lead a discussion of spiritual things. We all sat around as this young man, maybe late 20's, with Down Syndrome began to talk. I cannot remember what he talked about but I thought to myself," this young man is preaching and sharing God's Word better than most people I know with no disabilities." I was amazed. I must admit for a moment I thought, " God is using this young man's voice to speak truth to these people listening here." Every morning Joel would try to organize such a meeting again but with campers there it never worked out. 

However, I talked privately with Joel on several occassions and was blessed each time. i asked him what he was reading in his Bible one day as he was carrying it. " I am reading Hosea", he said. "Oh, I love Hosea", I replied. He continued to tell me it was the story of great love. How Hosea had loved Gomer because God told him to, even though Gomer loved others and treated Hosea badly. I said, "Yes, and it is the story of how Gomer was always unfaithful, looking for love in everything but Hosea, just like the nation of Israel."

For some reason God put on my heart to study Hosea that night. Joel asked me to share about it in the morning discussions (which never actually happened.) As I read Hosea, the Lord reminded me of Jesus' lesson of plowing and not to look back because that causes the plow to go off course. Why, you may ask, do these things relate? I didn't really know but in the morning I sat down with Joel. As we talked about Hosea and obedience, I could see how these two stories were related. God found an obedient man in Hosea and Jesus described obedience in setting to the plow and not looking back.

Joel looked at me and said, "God is speaking to me through you right now."He told me of his difficult life with his single mother in Florida. She had raised him and his brother and sister alone. Joel had faced alot of persecution during school as often is the case for many of these campers with mental disabilities. He felt that there was not much for him in Florida and God was calling him to move north to Wisconsin. His mother was even trying to sell her house. We discussed that now that he was going to follow God, he felt he shouldn't turn back. That he needed to follow Jesus. He felt love among this group in Wisconsin.They had opened their arms to him and shown him that God had a special place there if he was willing to give up the old life ( which was not so great but all he had known) and just follow Jesus. 

The road was not easy for Joel. As I sat down and had these discussions with him, he appeared so wise and spiritual. Then other times, I saw him interact with counselors and campers and realized, he was just like all the campers. He wrestled and took things too far and was a little ornery like a young teenager (even though he was much older) but in these quiet times of discussion, I knew Jesus was in his life, in his heart and he had wisdom and knowledge about spiritual things, only God can provide. 

I came home and read the book of Joel. Joel means "the Lord is God." The prophet Joel warned the Israelites that their faith was hollow. They ate drank and were merry. They gave sacrifices to the Lord but their hearts were not in it. They had given their love to materialism and "good times". Sounds an awful lot like Gomer in Hosea. Joel, the prophet, warned them of the price they would pay for false loyalty. I would be a fool to not recognize that God was warning me through a modern day Joel. Do not pay homage to a false God. Do not give fidelity to the God of materialism. Be warned that the lure of that is a difficult challenge but the rewards of not falling into that temptation are great.

During this week at Camp Daniel, the Lord really opened my eyes to seeing His handiwork in everything. He arranged for me to be there. He arranged for my husband to not be there, which I  missed but I probably would not have had so many conversations with Joel if Jon had been there. If we take the time to build relationships and not be in a hurry, it is amazing the places the Lord will take us.

Galatians 5:13 " My brothers and sisters, you were chosen to be free. But don't use your freedom as an excuse to sin.

 Instead, serve on another with love."

I spent the last week with Jesus. Yes, I know he is everywhere but there are definitely places where His presence is so powerful, you can really feel it and you walk away knowing you have spent time with Him. In the northern woods of Wisconsin is a place called "Camp Daniel." It is a set of four weekly camps for disabled people from aged 9 to 70. The camp organization has volunteers come on a weekly basis to be counselors. Most campers have their own counselor but some counselors had 2 campers and one camper had 2 couselors because she required so much care.

Our group of 5 high school girls and 2 leaders set out last Sunday not really knowing what we were getting into. We arrived to a run down camp north of Green Bay.  The cabins were primative and the bathrooms were worse. I wondered how over 50 women were going to get by with 3 toilets and 4 showers for the week. The Lord provides, Romans 8:28  " In all things God works for good for those that love Christ and are called according ton His purpose." The Camp Daniel organization is building a beautiful modern camp 10 miles away but so far have not had the funds to finish the all important dining hall. Part of me wonders how the atmosphere at camp will be different when the conditions are so improved. But these campers struggle in most everything they do, if we can remove some of the physical struggles, I am sure it will only improve on their experiences.

Some lessons learned at camp:

1. God has created such beautiful variety of people. I never ever heard one of the campers say anything negative about another camper or counselor. They just don't have it in them. When one got up to sing Karaoke or dance or juggle or even eat an ice cream sandwich as a talent, the crowd cheered and sincerely supported that individual for who they were. God makes no mistakes. My life is so much richer for having met them. Criticism seems so unprofitable. These people, that society has decided to treat as second class citizens, have overcame the critical spirit.

2. Be thankful to God for blessings I have taken for granted. My camper was a woman in her forties. She was very sweet and independent. However, you could not tease her. She hated it. I thought, thank you Lord for the ability to be teased. I know it sounds silly but it robbed her of a lot of fun. I will forever appreciate the ability to laugh at myself and realize that there are alot of quirky things about myself that deserve teasing and shouldn't be taken too seriously.

3. Never desire to be normal. The speaker asked the campers, what are your dreams. I don't think this is something these disables people get asked. They thought about it and the hands shot up. They were excited to share their dreams. He approached my camper and said, " What is your dream?" And she said " I have always dreamed to be normal. To be like my brother." Well, the speaker was set back on his heals and tears welled up in my eyes. Then Steve, the speaker, looked her in the eyes intently and had the perfect answer - " Don't ever hope to be 'normal'. I certainly am not normal. Normal is boring." he went on to tell her that God created each of us to be unique and what is normal anyway? They embraced and you could tell she didn't want to let go. She felt that her life was less valuable than her brothers because of her disability. In God's eyes, she has extreme value. In my eyes, she has extreme value. She taught me so much. Now my prayer is that in her eyes she has extreme value.

To be continued.....

" I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." Philippians 4:11

As in my previous blog, I am reading "The Art of Divine Contentment" by Thomas Watson. I am amazed at the relevance of the words of this Puritan from the 1660's. He outlines some common reasons for discontent and accuses those of us that find excuses why that type of discontent is not allowable. If we don't recognize that, our whining and complaining and feelings of being overwhelmed are actually sin. Jesus' life and death are to bring us a peace beyond understanding. I believe as Paul stated that means peace in the little and the big in life. We are to be content in all things.

Some quotes from "The Art of Divine Contentment"

1. " We must be content when God gives mercies and when God takes away."

2. "He may have darkened  the starlight to give you more sunlight.... Look not at a temporal loss but as a spiritual gain."

3."O to be discontented that a mercy is taken away from you but rather be thankful that it was lent to you for so long."

4." A Christian has a title to the promised land. How can he be discontent with the taking away of any earthly possession if that title remains?"

5. "Outward comforts do quench inward heat." Am I numbed into complacency by my comfortable lifestyle while the lost suffer?

Watson's first area of discontent to challenge is abundance of material blessings and our jealousy of those who have more. Our lamentations control our thoughts and actions when some blessing is taken away like a spoiled child. He also includes in this the discontent in abundance and discontent in lack of abundance not only material possessions but in all blessings. Who are we that we can dictate to the Father that we deserve more just because we are? That is why discontent is sin.... "I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead I do what I hate." Romans 7:15 (NLT)

"Then He said to them, " Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions." Luke 12:15

I recently downloaded a free book on kindle - Thomas Watson's "The Art of Divine Contentment". This book was written in the 1600s. It is only 133 pages but it is some of the best insight into living the Christian life today that I have read and I am just at the beginning. 

I  need to be reminded about coveting. I know that I struggle with it and I think I do well in squelching those feelings and then I start to let them creep in again.  Thomas Watson wrote this book so long ago therefore in some places the english is difficult (foreign language?). However, it is much easier than Shakespeare and I had to keep my reading down to just a few pages a day so I could digest it. It is no wonder that I could not find a modern translation but then one would miss the beauty of the original language.

Watson starts out with a list of verses backing up his premise that " It is our work to cast our care and it is God's work to take care." He chooses Philippians 4:11 as the main verse for the basis of the book. "I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content." He is sure to separate this type of care from the care of your heart, to take care that your salvation is sure. The care he is speaking of is the terrestrial care, the care of all things worldly. It seems like too much to ask. Who can actually leave it all up to God?  

As I reached the above verse Luke 12:15, it occurred to me how odd this sentence was put together. Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions. If I interpret this word by word it seems to say true life cannot exist in an abundance of possessions. Is this where we have placed our lives? This challenge from Biblical truth is more of a warning than a rule. Jesus warns that life fizzles in an abundance of possession. Life can be so much more exciting when we live it for the other people in it than our possessions.

"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

No, I have not recently reread Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life. Maybe I should, I don't really remember much from it. I think I was going through a cynical phase at the time I read it. I can honestly say that I have grown spiritually alot in the 10 years since its release. It is the second most translated book in history next to the Bible. Wow, there must be alot of people looking for the purpose of life. 

I thought about that this week. I thought about what if one asked me the goal of my life. Not too long ago I think my answer would have been things like raise Christian kids, be a good wife, friend, daughter, etc. But is there a correct answer? What should be my goal in life?

If I really thought about it, I do think there is a right answer. My goal should be - and is: to become more Christ-like and serve God as He commands me to do. The verse above uses the term glorify God. I think how can I glorify God? Love Him and His creation and serve as He commands. Is there any other goal on Earth more worthwhile? Seems to me that all other goals pale in comparison. Seems to me that we try to make life more complicated than it is.

Jesus' example is so powerful. I am reading a book about Romans that highlights Jesus obedience until death. The author brought up that His life was uncluttered. He didn't argue or fight with his siblings over money or fame or attention from his parents. He didn't argue with his flock over what music to play or who is going to do what job. He trudged on this earth through 33 years without ever getting angry or feeling treated badly by anyone. His purpose was so much greater. Isn't ours? Next time someone asks me, what are your plans for the future, I hope to answer, "whatever God has planned for me." I think that is how Jesus would have answered. When they asked Jesus "Who are you?" He answered, "The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone. For I always do what pleases him." John 8:29. I can say the first part of that sentence, the One who sent me is with me, He has not left me alone. But I will forever be working on doing what pleases Him.

Elijah went before the people and said,"How long will you waiver between two opinions. If the Lord is God, follow him; if Baal is God, follow Him."

1 Kings 18:21

This morning my Charles Spurgeon devotion was based on this verse. It sounds like a sentence we would say today. Spurgeon went on to delve deeper into the obvious question of - do you believe that God put breath into your body? If He did, are you going to serve Him or serve something else?" Is that not the question? We get caught up in all sorts of theological arguments but this is where the rubber meets the road.

I work with youth in our church and over the years I have seen many, dare I say most, at some time, turn their back on the beliefs they once seemed to hold so dear as children and youth. Many will return after experimenting with the freedom adulthood appears to give them. They have been taught all the right Spiritual truths yet they have to test the waters of a life outside of their church family. We in the church try to combat this with, "make good friends in college." " Don't drink, don't do drugs, don't have sex." "Stay involved in a church."  That is all good advice but does one stay close to God by fear of their parents? Do they follow Christ because they know it will be good for them? Do they develop a strong bond with God that sparks a fire to last a lifetime of servanthood to the Master of the Universe by such advice? Some will - God's gift. But some (God knows) need to discover their creator on their own.

Elijah simplifies the age old question of the meaning of life itself, " Whom will you serve?" Just as Joshua stated to the Israelites in Joshua 24, "Choose this day whom you will serve." 

Spurgeon concludes this sermonette with 4 things God will not accept : Hypocrisy ("Why do you call me Lord, Lord and do not do what I say?" Luke 6:46), half-heartedness (Jesus replied," No one puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the service in the Kingdom of the Lord." Luke 9:62), doublemindedness (James 1:6-8 - look it up ;), and lukewarmness ( Revelation 3-15, 16).

Maybe the question for our youth as well as all of us on this journey is - do I believe that God is worthy of my love, attention, service, devotion? Or am I going to choose the fleeting allure of comfort, stability, recreation, pleasure? I find this challenge for myself  - do I love God today for who he is or for what He promises to those who believe?

I just finished "Idols of the Heart:Learning to Long for God Alone" by Elyse Fitzpatrick. I highly recommend this book for believers in Christ. She has an appendix for those questioning whether they are a Christian or not. I find that refreshing. This writer shares my belief that Christ's sacrifice was enough for salvation and nothing more can be added by me to earn my salvation or "keep" my salvation. That is probably why I liked it so much. I think she presents about the best arguments I have heard yet of why we need to fight legalism. This is a tough balance in a book about working to keep your heart free from idols. She used tons of scripture and uses Biblical personalities such as Mary and Martha, Rachel, Hannah, Moses and Rahab to show how God wants to teach us through their lives how to guard our hearts from idols. 

She doesn't go into depth about specific idols because each of us need to delve into ourselves to recognize these issues. She gives practical advise, step by step, to work through idols. As I neared the end of the book I recognized how this book and "1000 Gifts" by Ann Voskamp tied together. Fitzpatrick reminds us that we cannot overcome idols by just using willpower, we need to find a positive "to do" to counteract the idol. Fitzpatrick and Voskamp emphasized that we look at God's wonderous blessings and gifts and overflow with praise to Him. By doing so, we find little place in our hearts for anger, jealousy, negativity, ungratefulness and cynicism. 

Col 3:1 "Since then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God."

I have attended 2 funerals in the last week. My husband's dear cousin passed first. She was an incredible godly woman. She dedicated her life on Earth to her family and sharing the gospel openly with those around her. The earth will greatly miss her. Her husband said as she went from the hospital to home that she was now thinking to heaven not earth. Of course, she had always thought heavenly but we all have to balance those thoughts between heaven and earth. God has been flooding my thoughts lately with this concept. Why are my thoughts so often trapped in the earthly? Why wait til I am in death's grip to look heavenward? So many verses about how I should leave behind earthly lusts.  Col 3:5-6 "Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, greed, which is idolatry." 

"Put to death." Not, "oh, don't be too hard on yourself, everybody has hopes and dreams for.......whatever." Are my hopes and dreams in line with God's plan? If I am honest with myself - no.  And the Holy Spirit is not just whispering this to me but shouting! I listen to a song by "Needtobreathe"  and one line is "It sounded like a whisper but it was a scream." It states in the song Valley of Tomorrow - "I killed my selfishness for bringing me this far. This far away  from you."

It is a scary thing to listen to God. To put into words even scarier. I fail every day to "set my heart on things above." But I will keep trying. I will catch myself focusing on earthly things which will so quickly pass away. Some will ensnare me - lesson to be learned. But I am grateful for Jesus to untie these snares day by day. 
The second funeral was for this cousin's mother. At 92, she had been ravaged by Altzheimer's for 12 yrs in the nursing home. What thoughts go through the mind of an Altzheimer's patient for 12 yrs? It is too difficult to think about. But this lady knew Jesus. She had been through incredibly tough times. She had lost another daughter to diabetes. Her 2  legacies are in heaven with her today. These two ladies' deaths taught me alot about living life here and now while looking toward heaven. I pray that the lessons learned do not fade but only become more real.