Maggie: God's lesson in awareness

Early Wednesday morning, I was in our backyard, talking to the Lord, elbows on knees, head in hands. The discussion the Lord and I were having was how to be more responsive to Him in the moment. The Lord gave me a very real illustration of what He wants from me as I raised my head and opened my eyes. I found Maggie, our terrier/poodle standing 10 feet away, just watching me. At the slightest eye contact with her she came running. I don't know how long she had been standing there, attentive to my every move, but her response was immediate. It reminded me of the Victor record logo with a dog standing near an old victrola--"Listening for his master's voice". May I be like Maggie-- attentive to the Lord-- that I might draw near and obey at the slightest prompting of His spirit.

old friends

This Christmas break I was introduced to Face Book. While the process has been fun, it has made me realize how valuable long-time friends . I was able to connect to many that John and I had known while in the pastorate 24 years ago. Those friendships have provided stability and warmth in our lives over the years. They ministered to us in our first ministry and have become more valuable over the years. I realize, too, that many of those friends have gone through difficult times with us and allowed us to partner with them in their times of struggle. It also has allowed me to see how the Lord has mellowed and matured all of us by His grace and Spirit. I'm finding myself a little homesick for the pastorate, but also thankful for how He has led in a variety of ministry settings. Thank you Lord for your people who have shaped my life to be more like You.

Praise for the new year

In January each year I choose a fruit of the coming year. In 2008 I asked for peace, in 2007 for joy, and for 2006 for goodness. It's enlightening for me to look back and see how the Lord both knew what I needed to ask Him for in the coming year as well as to see how He produced those characteristics in my life through specific situations. This year, I've realized that more than a specific fruit, I need to ask Him for a spirit of praise no matter what the circumstances that come in 2009. David Jeremiah recently spoke about how Mary and Joseph never anticipated what would happen to them following their betrothal. Some of their plans materialized, others didn't, and there was a mix of both struggle and joy. Yet God was glorified as He unfolded their story. May I praise Him this year in how He chooses to unfold my story He has planned for me.

Waiting

Over the last few weeks I've been aware of how many of us-- students, faculty, staff, alumni--struggle with looking to the future rather than enjoying the present. We look forward to the end of school, to the new semester, to a new opportunities. We struggle with waiting on God to "work all things together for good" and His timing is not our timing. What do we do in times of waiting on the Lord? How do we respond to difficult situations we wish were over? What do we do in the present when the next step seems far away? The Lord has been repeating three things over and over to me--"Wait, Do good to all, Praise Me in the Dailies". Thank you, Lord, that you know the past, present, and future and all you ask us to do is "be still and know that You are God".

balance

This month, for Wives Book Club, we're reading one of the most intriguing books yet on Marriage. Intimate Allies by Dan Allender and Tremper Longman looks at five different marriage scenarios, and then "brings them back to Eden" to look at what Scripture says about God's intent for marriage. Part Three especially addresses what is unique in male/female reflection of the image of God. Man, in his strength, embraces the characteristics of holiness, order out of chaos, truth, and justice. Woman, in her nurturing, embodies mystery, grace, and mercy. In the book's words, "one without the other is a grave distortion of God. Order without mercy is authoritarian; mystery without form is hedonism. Male and female operate in the precarious balance between life and death".I can't help but wonder about the parallels in our Christian world. In the recent past, "masculine" traits of God were the primary emphasis--truth, order, justice--yet sometimes failed to balance out with the more feminine side of grace. Yet the pendulum now swings to highlight a more "feminine" side of God with the emphasis on grace, mercy, nurturing, with a downplaying of His masculine traits of absolute truth and holiness. A preference for either side without a true wonder of appreciation and need for balance of the other creates a distortion of the glory of God in His people. To fail to equally value both sides of God creates chaos out of what the Lord intended as harmony. May we know You in your fullness, Oh Lord, and our need for all perspectives in the body of Christ.
Labels: truth and grace
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9:33:00 AM
by Carley Wecks
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"like a weaned child..."

This semester in Seminary Chapel, faculty are asked to share "What if it were my last lecture?". What would I want as my last words to the students? As I've been thinking about this over the last week, my thoughts have come several times to Ps. 131. It's a short Psalm and one of the simplest--almost child like. David, as a warrior king, with life out of his control, lets us into his most private thoughts with the Lord.

"O Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty;
Nor do I involve myself in great matters, or in things too difficult for me"

David knew underneath his armour was a simple man placed in a difficult world. He couldn't figure it all out, so he wasn't even going to try. Instead...

" Surely I have composed and quieted my soul;
Like a weaned child rests against his mother
My soul is like a weaned child within me"

In the midst of the struggle and confusion, David knew his source of comfort and strenght--not demanding from the Lord , as a nursing child demands milk--but coming as a weaned child, trusting that his mother knows what's best, submitting to her love and protection, even if the circumstances don't make sense.

As I look back on my life, when things often seem not to make sense, God has shown me repeatedly to stop trying to figure it all out. Stop trying to make things work according to my plan, but just to "curl up in Jesus lap" as a warrior child, and submit to His plan for me. No better message I could leave others than to rest in Him.

"Oh Isreal, hope in God from this time forth and forever more"

Unity; evangelism

Last night John and I attended Luis Palau's Portlandfest. We were amazed at the number of people, the organization of the festival, and the opportunity for the entire Christian community to come together for a common cause. The corporate vision and support of bring others to Christ was overwhelming. The greatest impact on me happened as Mercy Me sang "I Can Only Imagine", focusing on what it will be like when we come face to face with the Savior in heaven. As I looked over the crowd, there were extreme differences in age, culture, ethnicity, and dress, but all were singing the same words with the same focus. I couldn't help "imagining" that this was much what heaven will be like--different outwardly, but unified in our praise and joy at being in the Lord's presence.