Foul Stench

For the past 10 days I smelled an odd, funky odor as I walked from our family room into our kitchen. I assumed the smell would disappear on its own, but instead, it intensified to a disgusting stench, and I literally became a woman on a mission. I checked the cabinet under the sink; I looked behind and under the refrigerator to make sure nothing nasty was living there; I scrubbed the kitchen floor (the water wasn't even dirty); I examined our water dispenser closely, and finally I got a nasty whiff from a decorative rug that resides on the floor between the family room and the kitchen. Immediately, I jerked that rug and its pad off the floor, and I threw them (note, I did not toss them) into the garage. I rechecked the kitchen later in the day, and "Wa-lah," the odor was less intense. By nightfall, the stink was gone! Mission complete!

When my husband arrived home, I shared my mission impossible success story, and I speculated aloud if our granddog Ellie had had an accident on the rug. I continued, "I haven't spilled anything on the rug, so I am really baffled."

Sheepishly he looked at me and said, "I might have spilled something on the rug."

"Might have? Don't you know for sure if you did or you didn't?"

The room got silent, and at that point, I knew for sure that this wonderful man, who had seen me frantic and frenzied in my search for the origin of this horrific, offensive odor was the culprit!!

How much more offended is our LORD at the stench of our sins? His perfect nose is affronted and disgusted by the nauseating stink of our inequities.

Isaiah 3:8-9 speaks of such a parade of sin:

"Jerusalem staggers,

Judah is falling;

their words and deeds are against the LORD,

defying His glorious presence.

The look on their faces testifies against them;

they parade their sin like Sodom;

they do not hide it.

Woe to them!

They have brought disaster upon themselves."

Our blatant parade of words and deeds that are against the LORD defy His glorious presence. They are a putrefication, instead of the sweet perfume He so deserves from us.

I threw out the offensive rug. Acutally I hurled it across the garage, as far from me as I could get it. As I did so, I thought, "I need to hurl my daily sins farther away than my eyes can see. I need to cleanse my life of my daily stench, by bringing my transgressions before the Father."

My loving God initially gathered me in His arms when I smelled the absolute worse. While I was at my all time stinkiness, while I was a loathsome abomination because of my wickedness, He sent His beloved, only Son to die for my sins, (my original stench). He extended His amazing and perfect grace through Jesus Christ's death, resurrection, and ascension, just so I could be reconciled and restored to Him!

May I reverently and with joyous thanksgiving praise Him for removing my foul stench. May I glorify Him and bless Him by confession daily transgressions I have committed in word and deed. May I hurl them farther away from me than I can see by bringing them to my Redeemer and Sustainer!

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for removing my original putrid stench when I was corrupt and depraved. Thank you for giving me the privilege and special blessing of bringing my daily inequities to you for cleansing and forgiveness. May my life be a fresh, sweet, pleasing perfume to your perfect nostrils! Amen.

Grief

Grief is an odd emotion because in reality it is more of a process of phases, more than just a single feeling or emotion. No two people experience it exactly the same way. No two people experience it for the same length of time. No two people experience its phases in the same order, nor is there any guarantee that the phases will not be repeated.

I wish I had never had cause to understand grief's components. However, when my second parent died in 1998, I felt anguish and sorrow so severely, I was unable to put such bereavement into words until recently.

My mom died in 1990 after a long, painful tedious battle with cancer. Her death was bittersweet; I was relieved her cancer-ridden body was free from more suffering, but selfishly I wanted her here on this earth. I wanted her to play a significant role in my daughter's life, and I wanted my best friend, my confidante, my precious mother, to remain in mine.

Then, when my father died unexpectedly in 1998 from a complication from a rare auto-immune disease, all of the sadness and distress I felt at my mom's death resurfaced. The new grief seemed to merge with my past misery. My generous, intelligent mentor and daddy was no longer part of my life, and the compounded mental and emotional pain crushed me.

I fully understood broken-heartedness. My heart was severed into razor-sharp shards, and I experienced an ache that cut through every fiber of my mind and body. The weighty, oppressive bereavement was almost more than I could bear, and I barely functioned for quite a while.

Such grief is often experienced at the death of a beloved parent, a spouse, a child, or a childhood friend, but it also may rear its powerful head at the loss of a job, at the death of a marriage, at the realization that certain expectations and aspirations will remain unfulfilled, or at the sorrow felt over the sin of this world.

A person's process of grief should never be labeled as right or wrong. . . it just is what it is. Well-meaning family members and friends often tried to instruct me on how long grief should last, but I certainly never found a universal expiration date.

Often the process is described as circular because it does not follow a sequential, chronological list, where one phase after another is faced and completed. Instead, a person may begin one phase, may stop part way through, may move on to another aspect, and then return to a previous one. Some mourners experience more than one stage at a time, skip one all together, or remain planted in one for an extended period of time. Grief does not follow any particular pattern! Grief is unique to each individual, and as long as it is not physically or emotionally destructive, I say, "Let it run its natural course."

Many articles I read included common components:

• Shock - This includes numbness, disbelief, and a lack of reality. Shock is a defense mechanism that allows us to survive emotionally. However, coming to terms with the loss is essential in the healing process.


• Denial - Instinctively we do not want to face the occurrence of something bad. Denial is thoughts or words such as, "I don't believe it; it can't be!" Grief is painful emotionally and physically, and it is critical not to suppress it through denial. Acceptance of the loss is important.


• Bargaining - This involves mental "what ifs" and "if onlys".


• Guilt - This stage is often difficult to deal with alone. It may ultimately be resolved by understanding that all of us are humans, who give the best and worst of ourselves to others. Their actions or reactions to us are their responsibility, not ours.


• Anger - This phase must be handled carefully because these complicated reactions can be destructive to ourselves, as well as to others. This phase may include a yearning or pining for the deceased, and weeping, anxiety, and confusion may accompany anger.


• Depression - This component may include a strong desire to withdraw and disengage from others and from enjoyed activities. Yearning may become less intense, but feelings of apathy may intensify. If this deep emotional sorrow manifests itself physically, seeking counseling, a support group, or medical assistance for chemical imbalances may be necessary.


• Resignation - A new state of normalcy may emerge; energy levels increase, and an interest to rejoin life returns as the loss is accepted as reality.


• Acceptance and Hope - Sadness may still linger, but acceptance allows us to move forward without grief's constant interference. Gradually painful memories diminish, while positive warm memories emerge. New feelings that life still has purpose and meaning arise.

Grief's pace and path are unique and personal. Hopefully, by understanding grief's primary components and its unique nature, we can empathize and encourage one another better.

Our Heavenly Father does not promise immediate comfort, yet He certainly provides us with many tools for healing - His Word, His Son Jesus, His children, His Holy Spirit, and Himself. We know Jesus experienced grief (He wept at Lazarus' tomb - not because Lazarus was dead, but because of the blindness and unbelief of followers; i.e., He wept for blindness and missed opportunities; He wept over Jerusalem). We know that God allows grief to enter our lives, and often it is a path - a path to Himself.

Complete comfort and healing from the horrific pangs of grief is however, promised to us in heaven, because no tears will be present there. Then God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes. Mourners on this earth will be comforted by hope of the world to come. Mourners on this earth are comforted because they trust Jesus Christ!

These verses are just a smattering of Scripture that have helped me during times of grief:

"I lift up my eyes to the hills -

where does my help come from?

My help comes from the LORD,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip -

He who watches over you will not slumber;

Indeed, He who watches over Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD watches over you -

the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

the sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

The LORD will keep you from all harm-

He will watch over your life;

the LORD will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore.

Psalm 121

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,

for I have put my trust in you.

Show me the way I should go,

for to you I lift up my soul."

Psalm 143:8

"My eyes have grown dim with grief;

my whole frame is but a shadow."

Job 17:7

"I will be glad and rejoice in your love,

for you saw my affliction

and knew the anguish of my soul."

Psalm 31:7

"Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress;

my eyes grow weak with sorrow,

my soul and my body with grief."

Psalm 31:9

"Though He brings grief, He will show compassion,

so great is His unfailing love."

Lamentations 3:32

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the LORD, 'He is my refuge and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust.'"

Psalm 91:1-2

"but those who hope in the LORD

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint."

Isaiah 40:31

Dear Heavenly Father,

May all who are experiencing grief find their peace and comfort in You! May all who stand by friends and family during grief seek Your wisdom, so those who have received your perfect comfort may also comfort others. Amen.

Genuine Meditation

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi introduced transcendental meditation to the West in the late 1950s. From the beginning the practice was controversial, even though The Beatles were famous followers. TM involved a technique of focusing on a "mantra" - a sound, a word, or phrase that was repeated over and over and over, either aloud as a chant or silently. TM's aim was to reach a state of consciousness that was beyond wakefulness, sleep, or dreaming, in which relaxed awareness was achieved. The most controversial component was the claim that some meditating individuals could attain a state of pure consciousness, and in that state, they supposedly could influence the emotions or mental states of people around them. Other controversial claims were improved IQs and reduced violent tendencies. None of these were scientifically evaluated or endorsed, and experts argued if TM should be classified as a cult or religious sect.

In the 70's I remember reading about TM as a teenager, and for many years the word "meditation" immediately brought to mind repetitive, annoying tones, and people in white linen smocks with dazed expressions.

That image is not exactly what the psalmist David had in mind in Psalm 19.

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14

In Psalm 19 the heavens themselves shout out God's majesty, proclaiming His intricate workmanship. There is no actual dialect, but their "voices" are most definitely heard! God reveals Himself explicitly through His creation! This natural revelation reaches every place and every person on our earth.

"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - His eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse." Romans 1:20

Each time I admire the brilliant colors of God's autumn leaves, the perfect petals of the roses in our garden, His turbulent crashing waves at the Outer Banks, or His breathtaking falls at Niagara, and I pause to consider them in all their perfect beauty, I am meditating visually and in my heart on God's natural revelation in His creation. Each spectacular scene openly testifies to the genius of our Master Architect, who, as Creator, literally spoke everything into existence, not by chance, but purposefully!

Deep meditation moves us from these visual observations of God's creation to God's Biblical truths and commands, which we find in His holy word. Nothing I see or hear on this earth should go unchecked against God's perfect precepts. Spurgeon says, "We have a Bible which is large enough to be a perfect library, and which is also so compact that we can carry it about with us wherever we go."

Nothing on this earth is as worthy of our heart's deep attention and meditation as God's commands. Nothing on this earth is as worthy of our mind's focus as the Lord's ordinances. They are precious and worthy of our quiet contemplation.

Such meditation involves reflection, concentration, and contemplation. Biblical mediation involves deep spiritual introspection of our great Creator, our Redeemer, our LORD. God often reveals Himself first through His awesome creation and then draws us even closer through His living word. He teaches us and encourages us through both. He attracts our attention to Himself through His natural revelation, and then He propels us to a more intimate relationship with Himself when we ponder His written word in our hearts and minds.

David realized that God's word was even more desirable than gold because gold never fully satisfies in any quantity, and it perishes. God's Scripture is more precious because it satiates our core being, and it endures forever.

David's response should be ours. He is humbled when he observes the grandeur and splendor of God's precious handiwork because it manifests God's glory and supremacy. David is enlightened by God's word, and he is so humbled he prays for his life to be cleansed. David welcomes creation's drawing of himself to God; he treasures God's word, and he wants his resulting praises to be pleasing to God.

Just so, my meditations when beholding God's creation and when I seriously contemplate and reflect upon His word should result in an overflowing of sheer delight and gratitude to God. Such meditation should be a time of deep celebration, worshiping, exalting, and praising my Lord's sovereignty, His wisdom, goodness, love, mercy, and His power. Genuine meditation does not magically connect us with the mental states of other humans, but instead connects us with the God of the Universe!

Dear Heavenly Father,

May I be attentive to the resounding voice of your heavens and earthly handiwork, may I cherish the perfect wisdom and saving restoration You impart in your holy, inerrant Word. May I consistently and earnestly meditate in my heart all that is You! May I endeavor to please you and be approved by You! May I rejoice loudly! Amen!

"The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of His hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they display knowledge.

There is no speech or language

where their voice is not heard.

Their voice goes out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world.

In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,

which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion,

like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

It rises at one end of the heavens

and makes it circuit to the other;

nothing is hidden from its heat.

The law of the LORD is perfect,

reviving the soul.

The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy,

making wise the simple.

The precepts of the LORD are right,

giving joy to the heart.

The commands of the LORD are radiant,

giving light to the eyes.

The fear of the LORD is pure,

enduring forever.

The ordinances of the LORD are sure

and altogether righteous.

They are more precious than gold,

than much pure gold;

they are sweeter than honey,

than honey from the comb.

By them is your servant warned;

in keeping them there is great reward.

Who can discern his errors?

Forgive my hidden faults.

Keep your servant also from willful sins;

may they not rule over me.

Then will I be blameless,

innocent of great transgression.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be pleasing in your sight,

O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."

Psalm 19

Contentment in Chaos

Watching frenzied media rant and rave to make news, rather than report it, gives me a stomachache. constantly they focus on the chaos of the world, weather catastrophes, financial institution crashes, economic downturns, crises caused by people of no integrity, and the consequences of a sinful, decadent "It's all about me!" population. During election time, my blood pressure bubbled skyward as I heard politician after politician lie, and subsequently saw one journalist after another defend the liars.

I am, however, learning to turn off the television to avoid these paroxysms of insane reportings. I make sure I am informed of important events and issues, but I am choosing contentment. I am no longer listening to manic madness hour after hour.

My attentions are being refocused on THE truth teller, THE promise keeper. I am setting my sights on Christ, and I am depending upon His Sovereign control over this world's mess. I literally choose to claim the promises we have through Him and in Him. I can either live my life in peace, calmness, comfort, and contentment, or I can subscribe to the convulvise fear mongering that is purposefully presented to us as our fate.

So, where am I intentionally focusing all of my attentions? I am digging into the perfect manual, the perfect handbook:

Philippians 4:11-13

"I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."

1 Thessalonians 5:18

"give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

2 Corinthians 10:5

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."

Philippians 4:4-9

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. What you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

Hebrews 10:23

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful."

Father, I pray you will protect me from buying into a frenzied, fearful existence. I pray you will guide me to a peaceful, purposeful, and praiseworthy place where You are my ALL! May the chaos and turmoil of these times not affect how I live my life as your servant and child. Amen.

Faith Healed Her

"While He was saying this, a ruler came and knelt before Him and said, 'My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.' Jesus got up and went with him, and so did His disciples. Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind Him and touched the edge of His cloak. She said to herself, 'If I only touch His cloak, I will be healed.' Jesus turned and saw her. 'Take heart, daughter,' He said, 'your faith has healed you.' And the woman was healed from that moment." Matthew 9:18-22 (cf. Mark 5:24-34)

In April 2002, a friend asked me to share my favorite Bible miracle with her. At first I thought her request was odd, but I soon discoved that decideing which of Jesus' miracles was my favorite was a profound exercise. I chose Matthew 9:18-22 (cf. Mark 5:24-34).

A lowly, pitiful, afflicted woman had so much faith that she knew if she touched just the edge of Jesus' cloak she would be healed. Her 12-year illness branded her ceremonially unclean (Leviticus 15:25-33), and she was shunned and ostracized. Anyone she touched was also considered "unclean", so the fact that Jesus warmly and openly received her touch was nothing less than amazing. He loved the unlovable.

Doctors prodded, poked, and treated her, yet to no avail. Her condition worsened from their ministrations. Her existence was wretched, lonely, and dismal, yet she pushes her way purposefully and steadfastly though a large crowd because she heard about Jesus. Her actions were faith personified. This woman believed in Jesus' authority without question; she recognized she needed His help; she humbled herself more than the so-called religious ones, and Jesus demonstrated His healing intervention and power to its fullest. He healed her physical malady immediately, and He healed her emotionally and mentally, as well, (Mark 5:29, "Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.") She was healed becaus God graciously determined to heal her. Then, Jesus would not allow her to recede into the crowd with publicly commended her faith and assuring her that she was permanently healed. That public declaration would have restored her to the community who had shunned her. All I can say is, "WOW!" and "AMEN!"

Jesus is still willing and eager to touch us in our brokenness that we might be made whole. Whether our malady is physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual, we must come to Him with full faith that in His perfect timing, He will heal us. Through faith, our "wait" can be just as blessed, as an actual complete healing.

Lord, thank You for teaching me once again to come to You in full faith. Many of my expectations revolve around my timing, and I am learning that I must wait upon You. Even if healing does not come until I see You face to face, I praise You now for Your promises, knowing that they are absolute and true. Amen.

Sojourner

Years ago I knew a hobo who journeyed from place to place by railway. He was not a bum or a vagrant or a beggar; he was a drifter who liked adventure. His address was: "Anywhere, U.S.A." He was a perpetual transient, adapting to each new environment as he wandered across the nation.

Until this year, I did not understand this idea of living temporarily for a time in a place, a stranger or alien in a foreign land. For the first time, I took notice of this beautiful concept of being a "sojourner" in 1 Peter 1:1.

Bible translations (King James, NIV, NASB, etc.) render the word differently: foreigners; strangers; scattered ones; aliens in a foreign land; people scattered by God; those from a foreign country who reside in a new land by the side of the native people; pilgrims; and God's chosen people who are temporary residents away from their true home.

As Christians, we are not permanent residents on this earth, but we are sojourners - we are strangers and exiles on this earth. We reside as aliens scattered throughout this world, but we are not of this world. Our true home, our native land, the one we yearn for or look to with deep homesickness is heaven. Heaven is our native country.

Pouring our money, talents, energies, and time into the "stuff" of this world, with the mindset that they are permanent, is succumbing to worldliness. Becoming entrenched or obsessed with a love for these transitory tools is idolatry.

"Our homeland is in heaven, and we are waiting for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, to come from heaven. By His power to rule all things, He will change our humble bodies and make them like His own glorious body." Philippians 3:20-21 New Century Version

"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body." Philippians 3:20-21 NIV

"But there's far more to life for us. We're citizens of high heaven! We're waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthly bodies into glorious bodies like His own. He'll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which He is putting everything as it should be, under and around Him." Philippians 3:20-21 the Message

This Greek word for God's scattered chosen ones is also found in:

"All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth." Hebrews 11:13 NIV

"Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul." 1 Peter 2:11 NIV

May this be our prayer!

"Here I pause in my sojourning, giving thanks for having come,
come to trust, at every turning, God will guide me safely home.
Jesus sough me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God,
Came to rescue me from danger, precious presence, precious blood."

Robert Robinson (1735-1790), Calvinist Methodist preacher and hymn-writer. New Century Hymnal (1995). "Come, O Fount of Every Blessing," 1.5-8 (1758).

Here_I_pause_in_my_sojourning_giving_thanks. Dictionary.com. Columbia World of Quotations. Columbia University Press, 1996.
http://quotes.dictionary.com/Here_I_pause_in_my_sojourning_giving_thanks (accessed: August 14,2010.)

Debate or Discussion?

"Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice." Proverbs 13:10

I grew up in a family of strong-willed, intelligent thinkers, who found immense pleasure in debating current events or random topics. Normally, discussing current issues is not a negative exercise because minds are sharpened, opinions are solidified, and truths may be identified. However, often coupled with those positives were positions that each of us had to have the last word and / or one of us had to be right. Intellectual discussions often moved to heated, loud altercations, as each person vied to be the winner.

Since then, I have taken the following thoughts by Beth Moore seriously {Praying God's Word, Breaking Free from Spiritual Strongholds, pgs. 59-60, Broadman & Holman Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 2000}:

"My Name is Pride. I am a cheater.
I cheat you of your God-given destiny...because
you demand your own way.
I cheat you of contentment...because you
'deserve better than this.'
I cheat you of knowledge...because you already
know it all.
I cheat you of healing...because you're too full of
me to forgive.
I cheat you of holiness...because you refuse to
admit when you're wrong.
I cheat you of vision...because you'd rather look
in the mirror than out a window.
I cheat you of genuine friendship...because
nobody's going to know the real you.
I cheat you of love...because real romance
demands sacrifice.
I cheat you of greatness in heaven...because you
refuse to wash another's feet on earth.
I cheat you of God's glory...because I convince
you to seek your own.
My name is Pride. I am a cheater.
You like me because you think I'm always looking
out for you. Untrue.
I'm looking to make a fool of you.
God has so much for you, I admit, but don't worry...
If you stick with me
You'll never know."

Humans have no business thinking we know it all, and we certainly have no claim or right to thinking we are never wrong. Let us seek out the areas of pride in our lives. Let us set aside any propensity for debating issues just to be in the center of the spotlight.

Instead, let us move from "me-itis" to focus directly upon God and His truths. Let us move to hearts of humility and seeking His will in everything.

Lord, today make me squirm as I seek out the prideful attitudes of my heart. Make me clearly see what I need to turn over to You. Continue to transform me into that servant of humility you intend me to be. I want to live only for Your Glory, not mine. Amen.

Captive

My father served as a Marine in two wars. Actually, he was an ex-Marine by the time I came along. I observed many marvelous traits in him, which I think were honed by the military. However, I also grew up hearing colorful and often inappropriate language in our household. If my daddy had a thought or an opinion, whether it was positive or negative, in about 30 seconds or less, I heard all of it, and often I heard it at a high decibel. We all knew exactly where he stood on issues, but those opinions did not always coincide with God's Word.

Consequently, in particularly stressful situations, my first thoughts and words are not always of the Lord. Inappropriate worldly thoughts seem to automatically surface, and invariably my earthly father's Marine language pops into my head and then explodes from my mouth. When I first read these verses telling me to take my thoughts captive, I had to examine what the word captive means.

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." Philippians 4:8

The NAS Bible translates 2 Corinthians 10:5 in this way, "We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ."

I literally am called to capture my mind, to forcibly confine, keep under restraint, or control my thoughts, which would then directly affect my resulting words and behaviors.

In war, when enemies were seized, often they were treated abominably, cruelly, and were even beaten and imprisoned under horrific conditions. Jewish captives were literally carted off to foreign countries and cultures. Paul was held captive in a dank, dark, cold, musty prison. Such prisoners (except maybe Paul) did not accept their captures docilely or calmly. They were combative. They kicked, scratched, punched, and bit their attackers.

So... how then, am I to take my thoughts captive?

Philippians 4:8 answers that question clearly. Instead of allowing my mind to dwell on worldly teachings or allowing my mouth to spout inappropriate language, I am to immediately begin consciously placing those false thoughts into confinement. Visualize placing a huge, jam-packed, bulging, kitchen garbage bag into the outside trashcan, placing the lid tightly over the can, and then walking away.

I need to treat my mind, its emotions, ideas, feelings, and subsequent words similarly. Deliberately and willfully, I must turn my mind to that which is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable; i.e., to God and His Word. Memorized scripture verses foster and advance this process. Anything excellent or praiseworthy, according to God, should be where I intentionally land my mind.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for warning that thoughts and words need to be intentionally and consciously held captive. Picking up false notions, bad vernacular, even from loved ones, is not what You intended. Your desire is for Your children to remain pointedly focused on You. I am to demolish those initial tendencies, willfully taking each and every thought captive, and making it obedient to Christ. Oh, Lord, that you might instruct me and enable me to consistently get rid of the garbage in my mind and in my speech. Amen!

Humility

I grew up with an ex-Marine, successful business-owning father, a brilliant, beautiful Southern-belle mother, a genius brother, and then, my strong-willed, debate-loving, salesman husband. I spent 30 years in corporate America becoming an independent, take-control, confident, assertive leader, and I was rewarded substantially. Is it any wonder then, that such words as humility, meekness, or submission sound foreign, or almost offensive, to me?

Therefore, questions like these always make me squirm:

• Why would anyone choose to go his or her own way (acting independently) without God, instead of walking with Him?
• Why would anyone choose the world instead of choosing to follow his or her Lord and Master (taking control)?
• Why would anyone live a life without thanking God daily for all He has provided (living in denial)?

Why would I choose to hinder God's influence in my life?

Simply put, because I was and I can be arrogant and prideful.

The word "arrogance" is defined by WordNet 2.0, 2003 Princeton University as "overbearing pride and lordliness". Guess what its antonyms are ... humility, meekness, and submission?

When I examined Christlike humility, I discovered these highpoints. According to Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary:

Humility is:

• a prominent Christian grace (Romans 12:3; 1 Peter 5:5b {my addition}; Romans 15:17-18; 2 Corinthians 3:5; Philippians 4:11-13)
• is a state of mind, well-pleasing to God; it preserves the soul in tranquility (1 Peter 3:4)
• makes us patient under trials (Job 1:22)
• is a trait Christ exemplified perfectly (Isaiah 53:1-10 {my addition}; Philippians 2:1-8 {my addition})

We should be led then by a remembrance of our sins, and by the thought that humility is a way to honor God. (Lamentations 3:39; Deuteronomy 8:2-3 {my addition}; Proverbs 16:18; Isaiah 66:2; Isaiah 13:11; Romans 5:8).

Jesus was humble in behavior, attitude, and spirit; He was not arrogant or prideful in the least bit, ever. He showed deferential and submissive respect to His Father, even unto death on a cross.

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary says that humility is the "great paradox in Christianity that is the avenue to glory" (my emphasis).

Humility then, is a choice, my choice, and I need to make this purposeful decision on a moment by moment basis. Choosing to submit myself to God's will, choosing to rank myself below others reduces my propensity toward a prideful existence. Having a modest opinion of myself and choosing to behave in an unassuming manner, devoid of all haughtiness, honors God. Humility is a true confession of my spiritual unworthiness and leads me to praising God!

The following verses encourage me to seek a life-attitude of meekness:

"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up." James 4:10

"You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty." Psalm 18:27

"But He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

'God opposes the proud

but gives grace to the humble.'

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." James 4:6-8

Commentator Matthew Henry teaches us to resist pride in our hearts, if we do not want God to resist us. God gives honor and help to the humble; He gives grace as opposed to disgrace.

Henry reminds us to submit ourselves entirely to God, just as James teaches in chapter 4. As Christians, we should forsake the friendship of this world and guard against the prevailing envy and pride in natural men. By grace we must learn to glory and celebrate in our submissions to God.

Dear Heavenly Father, bring my rebellious heart to your feet, so I may not be estranged from you, not even for a minute. Teach me and enable me to draw nigh to you. Oh, that I may come to you with a clean heart, with holy hands lifted high! Oh, that I may choose daily to set aside my pride, my arrogance, my haughtiness, and my worldliness, so I may no longer cringe when I hear the word "humility." Amen!

You may want to continue worshiping the Lord by praying this Prayer of Humility. (This prayer was shared with me without authorship. If you identify the author, I will add that reference.)

You may add what is appropriate for yourselves:

Hear me, O Jesus, meek and humble of heart. Please deliver me from:

The desire of being esteemed,

The desire of being extolled,

The deisre of being honored,

The desire of being praised,

The desire of being first among others,

The desire of being consulted,

The desire of being approved,

The fear of being humiliated,

The fear of being despised,

The fear of suffering human rebukes,

The fear of being forgotten,

The fear of being ridiculed,

The fear of being wronged,

Jesus, please grant me the grace to desire:

That others may be loved more than I,

That others may be esteemed more than I,

That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease,

That others may be chosen and I set aside,

That others may be praised and I go unnoticed,

That others may be preferred to me in everything,

That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should.

Amen.

Smelling Fish or Studying God's Word?

Recently I watched the movie "Yentl." I had not seen it in decades. As the movie begins, a note pops onto the screen that it is a time when "the world of study belongs only to men." Immediately I felt a heart twinge.

A bookseller, with his cart of books, booms hi sales pitch, "Story books for women; sacred books for men!" "Novels for women; sacred books for men!" "Picture books for women; sacred books for men!" I feel another twinge.

Cut-in scenes show younger women at the market. I hear older women instructing how to tell herrings from carp and how to check a fish's scales, color, and even smell to determine freshness. I feel another twinge, and a big "Yuk!" is forming in my brain.

Yentl is not interested in the tales (or tails) of fish; she is only focused on getting her hands on a sacred book for studying.

This very brief opening touched me. What if I had lived in a time when I was expected to smell fish or look at picture books instead of studying God's word? Now my heart is in a full spasm at the thought.

Yet, I have to wonder. Am I as determined as Yentl was to meditate, ponder, and study the treasures of God's word? Am I hungry, even famished, to feed on God's word? To what length would I actually go to study?

Theologicalstudies.org says that George Gallup points out that so many Bibles have been printed in the United States "that even rough estimates of the total number published to date do not exist."1 I am embarrassed to admit how many are on my shelves and in my house that have not been opened in a very long time.

According to T.S., 92% of American households have at least one copy of the Bible, and of those households, they average three copies. This includes hundreds of thousands of professing atheists, as well as practicing Christians.2

Yet, a Gallup poll in October 2000 reported that only 59% of Americans read their Bibles occasionally. This is down from 73% in the 1980s. According to the Barna Research Group, those who read the Bible regularly only spend about 52 minutes a week in the Scriptures.

Gallup concluded after further polling that even though the Bible was present, read, and sometimes studied, "ignorance about its contents is widespread" based upon the following evidence:

- Only half of adult interviewed nationwide could name any of the four

Gospels of the New Testament.

- Just 37% of those interviewed could name all four Gospels.

- Only 42% of adults were able to name as many as five of the Ten

Commandments correctly.

- 70% were able to name the town where Jesus was born, but just 42%

could identify Him as the person who delivered the Sermon on the

Mount.3

Researcher George Barna also documented the lack of Bible knowledge in the United States:

- 38% of Americans believe the entire Bible was written several decades

after Jesus' death and resurrection. (While this is true of the New

Testament, the entire Old Testament was written hundreds of years

before the birth of Jesus Christ.)

- 12% of adults believe that Noah's wife was Joan of Arc.

- 49% believe that the Bible teaches that money is the root of all evil. (The

love of money is said to be the root of all types of evil.)

- 75% believe that the Bible teaches that God helps those who help

themselves.4

So I ask, "Are we taking our privilege of being able to study (and having ample Bibles at our disposal) for granted?" Am I?

Yentl helps her aging father get settled into bed, and then she prays,

"God, our merciful Father,

I'm wrapped in a robe of light

Clothed in your glory

That spreads its wings

over my soul.

May I be worthy.

Amen."

She continues in full voice ("Where Is It Written?").

These initial words command my attention:

"There's not a morning I begin without

A thousand questions running through my mind,

That I don't try to find the reason

And the logic in the world that God designed."

Is it not time to find our hunger, our ravenous appetites, and dig into God's word? I certainly cannot have an intimate relationship with God if I do not know Him, or know about Him.

Lord, may I, too, be clothed in your glory, worthy of your grace and the privilege of hungrily studying your precious and holy word. Amen!

1 George Gallup, Jr., The Role of the Bible in American Society (Princeton: The Princeton Religion Research Center, 1990)

2 Barna Research Online, "the bible," www.barna.org. This information is based on 1993 figures.

3 Gallup, The Role of the Bible in American Society

4 Barna, "The Bible." The information is from the years 1994, 1997, 1994, and 2000 respectively.

Whispers

Recently I read a devotion about Holy Spirit "nudgings," where the author described specific times in her life where she felt loudly and particularly directed by the Holy Spirit to do certain things or to say certain things. The American Heritage Dictionary defines the word "nudge" (which originated from a Yiddish word meaning "pester") as: "to annoy persistently; pester; to complain or carp persistently; to push against gently, especially in order to gain attention or give a signal; push into action by pestering or annoying gently."

A few days later I was thinking about television's popular ghost whisperers and about Hollywood's horse whisperers. I may be decent at identifying and acting upon Holy Spirit nudgings, because they are usually recurrent, and, even annoying. Then, I began wondering if I might be missing the Holy Spirit's whispers (the most important whispers of all).

Whispers are defined as: "soft speech produced without full voices; low rustling sounds; speaking or uttering very softly; speaking quietly and privately, to say or tell privately or secretly." Although I have never heard God's voice audibly at a normal level or at a whisper, I think God's whispers are especially gentle nudges; i.e., they are quieter in nature. They come in the form of His word, a reminder from or fellowship with a godly friend, or a strong thought permeating my mind when I pray. Thus, am I listening to the gentle, quiet whispers or rustlings of the Holy Spirit, who resides within me?

"But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." John 14:26

Am I listening to the quiet teachings of my Counselor, the Holy Spirit?

[God's Sovereign Choice] "I speak the truth in Christ - I am not lying, my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit - " Romans 9:1

"After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly." Acts 4:31

When I am with an unbelieving friend or family member, am I speaking words given to me by the Holy Spirit, or am I rushing ahead with my own? Am I waiting upon the Lord? Then, when I am sure that it is His truth and prodding that I have received, am I bold and unashamed to share the Gospel? Am I eager to proclaim Jesus? Am I listening to all of God's nudges and reminders?

"for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say." Luke 12:12

[On Cyprus] "The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, wend down to Selecuia and sailed from there to Cyprus." Acts 13:4

"but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8

Am I receptive about being sent out by the whispers of the Holy Spirit?

"And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us." Romans 5:5

"But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God." Acts 7:55

Am I asking God to continually refresh and refill me in the Holy Spirit, so I may truly pay attention to all of His whispers? Or, am I resisting the whispers of the Holy Spirit? Do I need to hush my mind, hush my spirit, and listen more closely?

"A word was secretly brought to me, my ears caught a whisper of it." Job 4:12

"And these are but the outer fringe of His works;

how faint the whisper we hear of Him!

who then can understand the thunder of His power?"

Job 26:14

Lord, You have blessed me with Your Word, Your people, and Your Spirit. Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to enable me, to counsel me, to refresh me, and to guide me in prayer. Thank you for the fellowship I have with Your children. Thank you for giving me words to speak at Your time, so I may witness about who You are! Help me to shush myself, so I may look heavenward to see Your glory. Enable my ears to not only hear your thunder, but to hear your faint whispers and murmurs! Amen.

Iron Jawed

Last night I saw the movie "Iron Jawed Angels," and I have been haunted and preoccupied by it all day.

From 1912 to 1920, Alice Paul and Lucy Burns led feisty, courageous women to convince the United States government into adopting a Constitutional amendment guaranteeing women the right to vote. Unfortunately, they incurred the wrath of President Woodrow Wilson, the ire of other suffragette leaders, and the disdain of many uneducated American men and women.

Idiotically, often today the word suffragette has a demeaning connotation. Weren't suffragettes stout old maids with facial hair? Historically, the word applies to "a female supporter of the cause of women's voting rights; one who believes that in a representative government, all citizens have the right to vote in electing public officials and adopting or rejecting proposed legislation."

Alice Paul had no illusions that women were especially brilliant, and thus needed to vote. She did not know what they were going to do with their votes, and she didn't care. She firmly believed that a vote was equal to self respect; a vote was part of being a legitimate citizen. Without voting rights, women were living under taxation without representation. They were not allowed to help make laws, yet they had to obey them, like children. They were not allowed to serve on juries, so they were not tried by their peers, and Alice Paul considered that unconscionable and unconstitutional.

Politically and culturally these intelligent, highly educated, informed women were repeatedly told they were flippant girls, incapable of participating in politics, that it would degrade them and lead to the disintegration of their families. Supposedly the happiness of their feminine natures was tied to their being protected and controlled by their husbands. Supposedly they did not have heads for smart things.

Not true! God gifted many of these suffragette leaders with outstanding minds, remarkable acumen in political matters and women's rights, and they were tenacious. Alice Paul graduated first in her class at a Hicksite school in Moorestown, New Jersey in 1901. She went on to receive a B.A. in Biology from Swarthmore College in 1905, an M.A. in Sociology from University of Pennsylvania in 1907, a Ph.D. in Economic from University of Pennsylvania in 1912, an LL.B from Washington College of Law in 1922, and an LL.M. from American University in 1927. Flippant? Stupid? I think not!

These suffragettes believed so totally in the importance of having a voice that they bravely and purposefully lobbied, campaigned, paraded, demonstrated nonviolently, picketed the White House, persuaded the public and legislators, and even suffered torture in Occoquan Workhouse to pave the way for my generation, my daughter's generation, and generations to come. Through state and national battles, through horrific oppression, and through unspeakable torture after they were falsely charged and arrested for "obstructing traffic", these visionaries persevered. They pursued a single purpose without wavering, and on August 21, 1920, the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote, became constitutional law. Later, the U.S. Court of Appeals even declared the arrests of all 218 suffragists unconstitutional, and Alice Paul continued to fight for women's rights up until she died in 1977.

I was born in 1955, just 35 years after our country officially recognized women as equal voters. No longer were females just chattel (tangible, movable, personal property). No longer were we without a voice. No longer were we reigned over or taxed without equal representation.

In studying this historical event, I saw admirable perseverance and tenacity, similar to that of our Biblical apostles. According to tradition and the Bible, eight of the apostles died for their cause - Jesus. At least two, Peter and Andrew were crucified.

All of this pondering on a movie, all of my reviewing of history, all of my focusing on our apostles has brought me to the questions: Would I stand firm for anything? Would I stand firm for anyone? Would I be brave? Would I be without fear? Would I persevere? I know I am not an angel, but am I iron jawed in my proclamation and praising of my Jesus?

I can tell you I still have not completely answered these questions. I do, however, know that if I am in God's will and in His purpose, I have an enabler. I have One who will give me power, the means, and the ability to successfully and victoriously persevere.

[The Lord says] "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

"I will walk among you and be your God, and you will be my people. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt so that you would no longer be slaves to the Egyptians; I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high." Leviticus 26:12-13

"It is God who arms me with strength

and makes my way perfect.

He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;

He enables me to stand on the heights."

Psalm 18:32-33

"His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:

'Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,

because he has come and has redeemed his people.

He has raised up a horn of salvation for us

in the house of his servant David

(as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),

salvation from our enemies

and from the hand of all who hate us -

to show mercy to our fathers

and to remember his holy covenant,

the oath he swore to our father Abraham:

to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,

and to enable us to serve him without fear

in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.'"

Luke 1:67-75

"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body." Philippians 3:20-21

Almighty, Eternal Father, I am comforted to know you are my strength and enabler. You have given us intelligence and the desire to follow you. Only through you, in you, and by you, shall I persevere. Thank you for never forsaking me, and thank you for guaranteeing my victory! Amen.