Wow! It's been a long time since I lasted posted anything here. Life is too busy sometimes. Since my last post winter has come and our "desert place" is showing a new side of its character. A cold side! But even in it's frozen state this place has a strange beauty all its own. We have about three inches of snow and our mountaintop home feels even more isolated than before. The horses gather at the gate every evening for their hay, stomping their feet with impatience as I struggle through with a bale. The chickens come just long enough to eat their corn, then head back into the warmth of the coop, the roosters throwing a defiant "cock-a-doodle-do" at the clouds just to let them know who's boss.
Getting up here is becoming quite a challenge. Our driveway snakes about a half mile up the hill from the dirt access road and it is covered with snow and ice. The only way we can get up it is with chains. I tried to make it up without the chains one day and only got about 20 feet before I started spinning. We got out, put the chains on, and were home in no time. What a difference!
I was thinking about the chains earlier today. Too often I waste time and effort spinning my wheels in my battle against sin, just to end up digging myself in deeper. If I'd just stop and ask a little assistance from friends, family, and most importantly the Holy Spirit, I'd be so much better off. We often think of chains as something that confines us, but if we will just let ourselves be "chained" to God everyday, before we know it we'll be Home.
God bless (and stay warm!)
The Seeker
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Friday, November 16, 2007
As a Child
He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:2-4.
Where did I lose my childhood? When did I become this overly serious, boring adult? And why? “Well, that’s part of growing up,” some equally boring adult intones. “We must put away childish things.” But why?
To a child life is joy, it’s adventure, it’s fun. How I miss that sometimes. A child doesn’t worry about where its next meal is coming from or how he’s going to pay for all his toys. We adults have lots of toys, but they are too often a weight around our necks. We have little time to play with them, because we’re too busy trying to pay for them.
A child never thinks about risk. A child will jump off a swing in full flight, sailing gleefully through the air, without a second thought. The last time I tried to do that was when I was in my late 30’s and I had to nearly pry my fingers off the rope swing, so I could jump. I did it, but I was terrified! What if I break an ankle? What if I can’t work? I totally missed out on the joy of the flight, due to fear about the landing.
A child trusts completely. If a father tells his son, “Jump. I’ll catch you,” the boy is in the air almost before the words are out of his father’s mouth. There is no thought about consequences, no doubt in his father’s ability to catch him, no fear about the landing.
Is it any wonder Jesus said, “…unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven”? God doesn’t need uptight adults who when He calls them respond, “Just a minute Lord, let me finish this job,” or “Don’t you think that’s a little risky, Lord? What about my bills? What about my house?” No, God needs “children”, adults with child-like faith who when Jesus says, “Come and follow me” will respond, “Sure, Father, that sounds like fun,” trusting Him to take care of the details. He needs people willing to jump into His arms, risking it all, knowing there is no risk at all when He is there to catch them.
Lord, make me “as a child” again.
He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:2-4.
Where did I lose my childhood? When did I become this overly serious, boring adult? And why? “Well, that’s part of growing up,” some equally boring adult intones. “We must put away childish things.” But why?
To a child life is joy, it’s adventure, it’s fun. How I miss that sometimes. A child doesn’t worry about where its next meal is coming from or how he’s going to pay for all his toys. We adults have lots of toys, but they are too often a weight around our necks. We have little time to play with them, because we’re too busy trying to pay for them.
A child never thinks about risk. A child will jump off a swing in full flight, sailing gleefully through the air, without a second thought. The last time I tried to do that was when I was in my late 30’s and I had to nearly pry my fingers off the rope swing, so I could jump. I did it, but I was terrified! What if I break an ankle? What if I can’t work? I totally missed out on the joy of the flight, due to fear about the landing.
A child trusts completely. If a father tells his son, “Jump. I’ll catch you,” the boy is in the air almost before the words are out of his father’s mouth. There is no thought about consequences, no doubt in his father’s ability to catch him, no fear about the landing.
Is it any wonder Jesus said, “…unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven”? God doesn’t need uptight adults who when He calls them respond, “Just a minute Lord, let me finish this job,” or “Don’t you think that’s a little risky, Lord? What about my bills? What about my house?” No, God needs “children”, adults with child-like faith who when Jesus says, “Come and follow me” will respond, “Sure, Father, that sounds like fun,” trusting Him to take care of the details. He needs people willing to jump into His arms, risking it all, knowing there is no risk at all when He is there to catch them.
Lord, make me “as a child” again.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Old Clothes
We're in the process of cleaning out closets and getting rid of things we no longer use. The other day I opened up a box of clothes I haven't worn in years. I tried on the different pieces of clothing and found that many no longer fit (I'd like to say that's because I've lost weight, but we all know that's not the case! More the opposite, unfortunately.) So what did I do with these old clothes. Did I sell them on eBay or give them to Goodwill? No, of course not. I put them back in the box! Well, I am on an exercise program which is going pretty well and who knows, maybe I'll be able to lose those excess inches I've added over the years. Maybe I'll be able to fit back into those old clothes again. The question is, why would I want to? They are old, out-of-date, and worn. Why do I feel this need to hold onto them?
In my Scripture reading this morning, Ephesians 4, Paul talks about how we are to "put off" our old self, our old way of life and "put on the new self, created to be like God..." Unfortunately, far too often I find myself trying to put back on the "old self", those old clothes that don't fit anymore, those old sins that for some reason I cling to, afraid to toss them out because I might "need" them again someday. What a foolish thing to do. God has given me a new life, a life full of joy and freedom and possibilities. Why would I want to go back to the old ways that only brought misery and guilt.
I pray today that, with God's help, I will learn to just enjoy the new life which He's given me and go ahead and toss out those "old clothes" that no longer fit the person I'm becoming in Him.
In my Scripture reading this morning, Ephesians 4, Paul talks about how we are to "put off" our old self, our old way of life and "put on the new self, created to be like God..." Unfortunately, far too often I find myself trying to put back on the "old self", those old clothes that don't fit anymore, those old sins that for some reason I cling to, afraid to toss them out because I might "need" them again someday. What a foolish thing to do. God has given me a new life, a life full of joy and freedom and possibilities. Why would I want to go back to the old ways that only brought misery and guilt.
I pray today that, with God's help, I will learn to just enjoy the new life which He's given me and go ahead and toss out those "old clothes" that no longer fit the person I'm becoming in Him.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Welcome to A Desert Place
Mark 1:35 says that Jesus would get up in the morning and go out to a desert place, someplace where He could be alone. There He would talk with His heavenly Father. I believe this special daily time with God was the secret to His success and power.
I'm trying to get in the habit of following His example, starting each day in a quiet place where I can be alone with God, reading His Word and talking with Him. I live right now in a high desert region of the Western United States, a place of incredible panoramic views, windy days, and amazing quiet. Often I will wander out to a chair in a corner of a field and watch the sun rise over the mountains. There, away from the noise and busyness of life, I have heard God's voice like never before.
This time in a desert place has become so special to me that I cannot keep it to myself, which is why I started this blog. I will share with you what I learn, questions I struggle with, and thoughts that come my way. My prayer is that, as we share these quiet moments together, we will learn to better hear His "still small voice", even amid the noise and chaos of our busy lives. I hope that by sharing these thing you will be inspired to find your own "desert place", whether in the country or just in a corner of your home, where you too can "come...apart...and rest a while." Mark 6:31.
I'm trying to get in the habit of following His example, starting each day in a quiet place where I can be alone with God, reading His Word and talking with Him. I live right now in a high desert region of the Western United States, a place of incredible panoramic views, windy days, and amazing quiet. Often I will wander out to a chair in a corner of a field and watch the sun rise over the mountains. There, away from the noise and busyness of life, I have heard God's voice like never before.
This time in a desert place has become so special to me that I cannot keep it to myself, which is why I started this blog. I will share with you what I learn, questions I struggle with, and thoughts that come my way. My prayer is that, as we share these quiet moments together, we will learn to better hear His "still small voice", even amid the noise and chaos of our busy lives. I hope that by sharing these thing you will be inspired to find your own "desert place", whether in the country or just in a corner of your home, where you too can "come...apart...and rest a while." Mark 6:31.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)