Feb 27, 2014 | Living Well
Millie energetically worked painting the lower walls.
Millie easily traveled up and down the stairs.
Millie Young is very focused and single-minded when she commits to a project. She accomplishes a staggering amount of work for a person who is eighty-one. Melinda and John Martyn assisted Millie on a recent mission trip to Colombia. John accused Millie of lying about her age as she worked harder and longer than many people twenty years younger are capable of managing.
The Bogotá Interamerican Christian High School educates up to 850 students.
One of their activities was painting at the Interamerican Christian High School in Bogotá. It is a multistory building. Millie nimbly squatted, knelt, and stood as she painted the stairwell and lower half of the wall. Even though traveling up and down the stairs many times was physically demanding, Millie’s only complaint was that she is climbing stairs more slowly than in the past.
Millie is committed and energized when God has given her a task to accomplish. What an inspiration she is!
Feb 26, 2014 | Living Well
Life is more comfortable when I am in charge of my time, activities, possessions, and money. I believe that I know better than anyone else what is best for me—what is perfect for my life. I feel secure when I am in control.
My attitude is much like that of the rich young ruler Jesus encountered. This young adult had it all. He was in control. His life was perfect. He wanted everyone to know how religious and wonderful he was, so he approached Jesus. He expected Jesus to pronounce him “Mr. Wonderful.” That did not happen. Jesus saw through his pride and need to control everything in his life.
Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Matthew 19:21
Jesus told him to give up control of his possessions and live by faith. The young man would not.
I am too much like that rich young ruler. When Jesus calls me to step out in faith, I often ask, “Are you sure that is what you want, Lord?”
A friend, who admits to wanting things done her way, was struggling with controlling some areas of her life. God had been convicting her to relinquish some power, but she was resisting—feeling guilty but still not letting go. Recently, she was taking care of her granddaughter at her daughter’s house. Her hair needed fixed so she grabbed her daughter’s can of hair spray. She was impressed with how well the hair spray held her hair so she checked the label. The brand was Control Addict.
God can even use a brand of hair spray to get our attention. Are you listening for God’s gentle nudge?
Feb 25, 2014 | Living Well
How skilled are you at Christian love? This is a question I have been asking myself today.
It is a breeze to love those who love me. When people are kind to me and give me recognition, it is easy to show love to them. But how do I behave when a difficult to like person needs help or affirmation? Do I think, Someone else who is not as busy as me can help her? Or do I lend a helping hand?
I am proposing a challenge for you and me. Think of a person with whom you normally do not associate because you do not care for her. Give her a genuine and timely compliment. Or think of a simple act of kindness you can perform for her. Specifically look for a person in your church family with whom you have minimal contact. Genuinely express interest in that person’s life.
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness…make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self- control, and self- control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 2 Peter 1:3-7
I wonder how much more cohesive our churches would be if all Christians would step out of their pride and self-importance to express love and concern for someone who needs encouragement.
Feb 24, 2014 | Living Well
I like to think I have a faith in God that is at least as strong as the ordinary American Christian. However, today any arrogance I had in my faith was smashed. Our pastor challenged the congregation to break out of the ordinary to a faith that is boldly audacious.
I didn’t particularly like this sermon because it caused me think about my habits. Too often I go about my daily activities as I see fit. They are generally routine. That is the problem. Not that they are routine, but that I behave as I see fit. I consider myself self-sufficient. I do not need guidance for my mundane daily activities. Of course when I meet a challenge, I consult God.
How arrogant! God knows the number of hairs on my head. Why should I think he does not care about how I spend my time, energy, and resources every day? Yes, I get through the day okay. But I wonder what would happen if I consulted God more often—at least once an hour. Would my faith grow? Would I love God more? Maybe I would discern God’s will for my life.
God has the desire and ability to be a part of every minuscule detail. So why do I resist? Oh, that I could have faith the size of a mustard seed for God has promised to reward even a small amount of genuine faith.
…For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20
How strong is your faith? Will you turn all your activities, even the mundane, over to God?
Feb 20, 2014 | Living Well
I love to talk. I have loved to talk since I was a wee tike. And this trait has caused me trouble many times.
The problem with talking is that the talker is not listening. Real communication only happens if there is listening AND talking. Ideas must be expressed and absorbed. Both the listener and the talker must be validated. This is a concept most of us understand at some level, even if we do far too much talking. Our friends and family put up with our chatter. Others probably only half-heartedly pay attention to our verbiage.
During my quiet time today, I reflected about how I communicate with God. Am I doing all of the talking? Am I allowing God to talk to me?
My day is full of activities, and I often have a tight schedule. Usually I say a perfunctory prayer telling God what I want from him. I fail to ask God what he wants me to do. What is God’s plan? I fail to seek his advice. I fail to sit quietly listening for God to guide me. I just do my talking, say “Amen,” and start to buzz around completing the tasks on my list.
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. Proverbs 18:2
I wonder how my life would change if I talked less. I especially wonder what blessing I am missing because I often do not take time to listen to God.
Do you quietly listen for God, waiting for him to give you insight, as part of your prayer time?
Feb 17, 2014 | Living Well
Where has the time gone? Yes it has been a couple of weeks since I made a post. Yikes! That is not my intention, but life happened. I am inundated with busyness. I know you have been there too.
One day you do not get everything that NEEDS to be done accomplished which puts you in catch-up mode the next day. This may go on for a day or two. Then you are exhausted from the extra effort, and you decide to treat yourself to one hassle-free evening.
I like to think of myself as a self-disciplined person of integrity who meets all of my commitments to others. The last two-weeks have been a confirmation that I am far from being as self-disciplined or organized as I want to be. It is not that my intentions are not good and honorable, but life happens. Distractions, responsibilities, and unplanned interruptions abound.
I think God uses these little “hiccups” in my life to remind me that he is in control, and I have veered off course. I have become too self-sufficient and self-directed. Instead of seeking God’s direction, I have forged forward doing what I thought needed to be done.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12
What life challenge is facing you today? What unplanned event is threatening to keep you from consulting and worshipping God? Are you praying that God gives you directions, or are you taking your own path?
