Friday Matters

Everyday Teen Parenting

Admittedly I’ve played the drama-queen parent to our four teenage sons. I’ve failed enough times to know what doesn’t work. Fortunately, I’ve found what does work is keeping my relationship with God grounded by trusting what He says more than what I feel. God is the model parent and out of His love He sometimes disciplines and sets boundaries for us. God wants us to succeed. He wants us to know His grace is continual and His love unconditional. The best parenting advice is to help your child know a personal relationship with Christ. We’re less likely to go against His rules when we trust the One giving them and the grace we receive to follow them.

I try to be a good example because “more is caught than taught” but Christ alone is the perfect example. The best endings to conflict are when my sons and I have stopped talking (or shouting) and listen to each other—and PRAY. Sometimes taking away the phone was an answer too. Parenting isn’t for wimps so let’s keep healthy relationships that are based on love, grace and respect…everyday.

Thursday Matters

Everyday Heaven

The older I get the more focused I get on sharing the Good News of the Gospel with others. I blurted out to my husband the other day, “we’re all gonna die.” What we do now is, of course, important, but nothing matters as much as knowing and accepting what Christ DID for us. We’re all sinners. There will never be enough good works we can do to merit heaven. Heaven is not getting angel wings because we don’t become angels. We are created in the image of God. It’s crazy to think that we continue living with a purpose and there’s eating and laughing and dancing. Heaven is perfect with no more tears or pain. The alternative place of eternity is hell, it’s not where all your friends will be because it’s eternal loneliness and despair.

By accepting the atoning sacrifice of Jesus going to the cross and paying for your sins you’re forgiven and free. There’s a complete physical resurrection for us too, just like Christ. You are created for purpose, and you’ll continue with purpose in eternity in having a relationship with Christ (and not a religion)…everyday.

Wednesday Matters

Everyday Susan Prayer

Susan was the coordinator of speakers for a conference in New York City. I was one of them. We developed a friendship of email praying, and this was way back in the day, in 2006, before texting and the smart phone took over our lives. I’m glad this memory is written down. I sensed God wanted me to pray for her husband, so I wrote, “I’m praying for a husband for you.” I then proceeded to pray for a godly and good man to enter Susan’s life. Susan was very thankful for my emails but with my husband prayer she wrote, “Actually I’ve been married for 17 years but since my husband is a pastor and he’s preparing a message for this Sunday, I know he’ll appreciate your prayer.” Embarrassing.

God did ask me to pray for her husband but not for a husband. God wants my obedience not my analysis or theories as to why He asks me to pray. It’s like the classic joke; “What’s the difference between you and God? Answer: God never thinks He’s you….” everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Look Up

Although there are downers in this life there are also lifters and in Psalm 3:1-3 the Psalmist says that despite his distressing situation he is not despairing or becoming depressed because his confidence is in the Lord, the lifter of his head. When I’m depressed it seems everything around me is falling apart. I seem to lose strength in all areas of my life and my head, hands and heart all hang down and even my eyes are lowered. I become downcast because I’m looking more at my problems rather than at the Lord.

The Lord encourages us throughout His Word to lift our heads and our hands and look to Him. In Genesis 13:14 God told Abraham, who had been shortchanged by his nephew Lot, to lift up his eyes and look around him in all directions because God was giving him all the land, as far as he could see, for his inheritance. Whatever your life is now you have only two options; give up and quit or keep going. If you’re gonna keep going you've two choices, live in depression and misery or lift your head to live in hope and joy…everyday.

Monday Matters

Everyday God Comfort

I know you’ve been disappointed, hurt or mistreated. I get it. There’s a loss and an ache that you just can’t explain because maybe you don’t get it either. 2 Corinthians 1:3 says that God wants to help by comforting you and sometimes that means going to counseling to work through turmoil but nevertheless God gives us the Holy Spirit to guide us. He’s actually called the Comforter/Counselor. He’s available 24/7.

In the early years of my marriage, I’d become angry with my husband Dan when he wouldn’t comfort me the way I thought I needed. But when I began reading the Bible consistently, I began to see a change in my marriage and in ALL my relationships because God was changing me. If our expectations are in the wrong place, we’ll always be disappointed. Of course, God uses other people to reach us, but He promises to always be our comfort and sometimes it’s through a song, a circumstance or a direct word from scripture. Seek Him. He sees you and wants to bring you comfort and hope …everyday.

Friday Matters

Everyday Jesus Loves

Jesus loves everybody and He wants ever single person to know His love. Years ago, on quick lunch break from subbing at the high school I ran home and saw Henry who was finishing some painting on our house. I asked him about his arm tattoo and when he told me what it was, I said, “Henry, I’m embarrassed but I don’t know what that means” to which Henry responded, “I’m embarrassed to tell you.” Nevertheless, it got us talking about the meaning of life and life after death.

I shared my belief in Christ. I explained my relationship with Him as a Redeemer and the One who gives us our dreams and helps us walk in and toward them. I even gave Henry a book by an author explaining his journey with God and Henry promised to write to me after he read it. AND as I headed out, I ran into George, doing the final inspection, and he added how Jesus was in the meaning in His life. Who knew a ½ hour lunch could be a revival? Jesus loves. He loves you…everyday.

Thursday Matters

Everyday Frozen

What about the mornings you can’t get out of bed because you’re frozen?  I don’t mean because of the temperature but because of fear.  I’ve had those frozen mornings where I literally put the covers over my head and think, “I can’t do this.”

I read something that said, “Think of your life as a house with many rooms. Go through each "room" and surrender both the room and the contents to God. If you have a closet full of fears, let Him control that part of your life. Invite Him into the room where you hide your insecurities and hurts. Let Him take down that monument of pride in your own abilities and talents that you have displayed in your living room.  But even after I read this I still wanted to stay under the covers.  What gets me up and out is thinking about the truth like in 2 Timothy where I read that God lives in me and His spirit is one of power and a sound mind.  I can go forward with that truth and love, and not my feelings…everyday.

Wednesday Matters

Everyday Substitute Teacher

I still remember the day of substitute teaching 11th graders with 15 minutes of free chat time before the bell rang and literally, out of the blue, Ryan shouts out; “I want to know if God’s real?” He looks at me and asks; “Can you tell me if God is real?” The next thing I know I have six boys around my desk as I share what it means to have a relationship with God.

Kinda nervously I said, "Oh, definitely, God is real. It’s not about how good we are but about how good God is. He paid the debt for our sin by His death on the cross and His resurrection power. We can either accept His gift or reject it.” Intently they listened and then Brandon declared; “I don’t believe it.” “I know it’s pretty hard to believe,” I said. “But this kind of unconditional love is real and true, and I know because I have a relationship with God.” The bell rang and they scrambled out. And I thought, “Wow, God is love and He wants all of us to know Him no matter who or where we are…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Handling It

Have you heard this saying, “God doesn’t give you more than you can handle?” like that’s supposed to be some sort of bumper sticker of encouragement? Is that even in the Bible? It’s not. You’ve probably thought if God cared so much, He wouldn’t load so many difficult things on my plate. You’ve probably said, “I can’t handle this. When I find myself in that place it’s often because I “overthink” with “what if?” It’s scary when you think you have to carry your burdens alone.

“Help, God,” is a prayer. Call on God or another to come alongside of you to help carry the burden and pray. Also know this, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to man. God is faithful; He’ll not let it get to a place you can’t bear. But He will provide a way out so that you can endure. God doesn’t give us temptation; that’s our own evil desires that drag us away and entice but God does actually give us more than we can handle SO that we seek Him, of the cross, to carry us up and through…everyday.

Monday Matters

Everyday Redeemer Lives

It has always struck me that Job said, "My Redeemer lives,” when he was in such a miserable place. He didn't know the end of the book that's named after him. What he did know was the loss of his children and all wealth, livestock and material items. His health was afflicted with sores, and he was in constant pain. And he had three friends who only added to his misery, telling him he must have done something wrong. Yet Job said, "My Redeemer lives," (Job 19:25) and not, "my disciplinarian lives." In the next verse he says, "And after even this body, has been destroyed, then from my flesh or without it, I shall see God."

Obviously, he understood the greatness and omnipotence of God because he understood God in a way that wasn't just about what he was experiencing in the moment. Job had hope. But I love that he could still lament even to the point where he wanted to end his life. Whatever mess you're in, or the troubles from past mistakes or your mistreatment from others, there's a Redeemer who lives, sees and will care for you…everyday.

Friday Matters

Everyday Airport Righteousness

I was in the airport traveling to speak and I was crabby, and I felt negative. Things weren’t right in my head. So, I did what I tell others, “Go to the Bible. Listen to God.” I recited some scripture aloud. Nothing happened (He’s not a Genie in a Bible). I then remembered Isaiah 32:17; “And the effect of righteousness will be peace--internal and external, quietness and confidence.” Righteousness means I’m in right standing with God but it’s not because of anything I do but because of what He did on the cross.

Righteousness means I know who we are in Christ. Quietly I walked around the airport saying what I knew was true, “I’m the daughter of the King. He began a good work in me. He’s working all things for the good. “He’s not surprised by my feelings, and He redeems all things.” And after a while of repeating God’s Word the effect of righteousness was peace-internal and external just like Isaiah 32:17 says. Feelings are indicators but don’t let them be dictators. Receive His peace no matter what’s going on…everyday.

Thursday Matters

Everyday Refrigerator Peace

Isaiah 26:3 was a magnet on my refrigerator that I looked at everyday when I was raising our four young sons and it says, “Jesus keeps in perfect peace all who trust in Him, all whose thoughts are fixed on Him.” I tried to be purposeful and ask myself; “What am I thinking about?” We choose what we think on. Many times, I’m worrying and thinking, “But what if…?” I know “more is caught than taught” so I wanted the words out of my mouth to be positive even if I needed them to be firm too.

A great responsibility as a parent is helping our kids fix their thoughts on what God says and not on their feelings or circumstances. I saw a poster which read; “It’s easier to build up a child than it is to repair an adult…choose your words wisely.” Of course, there are the times were negative thoughts lead to me speaking negatively but I hope that what was also observed was that God’s grace covered me. He cares, calms and carries us through…. everyday.

Wednesday Matters

Everyday Oh God

We hear it all the time, the phrase “Oh, my God!” to express a thought or idea that is incredible or unbelievable. But as we grow in a relationship with Christ, we need to realize that when we say, “Oh, my God” we’re, in fact, violating one of God’s Ten Commandments; “You shall not use the name of the Lord your God in vain.” (Exodus 20:7) It’s often who you hand out with that determines a lot of how you speak or what you watch on the screen. That’s something I am praying about too.

My husband tells the story, when as a new believer returning to play cards with his buddies, he very intently asked them not to swear using God’s name; if they did, he wouldn’t be able to play. There was a stunned silence until one of his friends spoke and said, “Okay, we’ll respect that.” Another guy said, “But can we still say, ‘blankity-blank and blank?’” My husband said, “Sure, that’s fine, just don’t use the name of the Lord in vain.” There’s such power in God’s name. He is Holy. He is Love. He and His name should always be respected and honored…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Walk in Strength

The devil wants each of us to concentrate on how far we have fallen rather than how far we have risen through Christ. I had someone recently help me with radio ministry and when I shared all the folders of transcripts I had written I was amazed and encouraged. I was feeling so discouraged and stuck.

Satan wants us to focus on our past instead of our futures and how far we still have to go rather than how far we have come. He wants us to think about how many times we fail rather than how many times we succeed. But God wants us to focus on our strengths through how He’s working in our lives by His grace and not our weaknesses. It’s truly focusing my mind on the truth that when I am weak, He is at His strongest Philippians 3:13-14 tells us that God wants us to press forward and respond to His upward call and forget what lies behind us. Pay attention and focus on what God gives you to do and by that obedience you will magnify the works of the Lord…everyday.

Monday Matters

Everyday Earth Life

The earth experience is hard. It’s not our home and on this earth, we are served a lot of hard and challenging circumstances and of course, difficult people, too. Ever since our separation from God in the garden, humanity has had trouble with sickness, tragedy, violence, and death which are the results of sin. Jesus made it clear that troubles would be a part of living in the world and He was the remedy, not the source. 

But I struggle with the hard commands from Jesus like, “Love your enemies,” or “Rejoice in your trials,” which are certainly not fan favorites, yet Jesus gives us the way to do the hard things, and He tells us in John 15:6, “I am the Vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” So, listen up, Buttercup, the only way you can do the hard things God commands of you and allows in your life is to be in union with Him and tap into His grace…everyday.

Friday Matters

Everyday Sins Forgiven

Think how amazing it is that God chooses not to remember our sins. He chooses never to bring them up again. In Isaiah 43:25 God tells us; “I am the One who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins."

When you read Hebrews 11, you see a list of the great men of faith; Abraham, Moses, David, etc. yet none of their sins are listed even though they were sinners. This is because God chooses not to recall the sins that He’s already erased. Now travel to Ephesians 4where Jesus tells us to forgive as the Father has forgiven us. I know…right? That means when we choose to forgive someone, we also must choose not to bring up that offense again; to them, others or to ourselves… ever! Probably the hardest thing is to not allow our minds to rehearse the hurt. ONLY through His Holy Spirit strength is this possible and nothing is impossible with God…everyday.

Thursday Matters

Everyday Sign Language

It was his first day back on the job after more than a year on disability leave due to a freak explosion in the plant that, among other injuries, left him legally deaf in both ears. But when John walked into the plant that morning several of his colleagues used sign language to say; “Great to see you,” “Welcome back, John” and “We missed you.” It turns out that nine of his colleagues got together and took a sign language course, just like he did, over the several months he was absent. They did this so they could easily communicate with him when he returned.

This kind of compassion truly shows that people are what life is all about. Only people last forever and the way we treat others is the legacy we leave behind. I can’t help but think of that verse in 2 Corinthians 1:4 that says that with the compassion and love God’s shown to us; we too can show that to others…everyday.

Wednesday Matters

Everyday Ark of Love

The Old Testament Bible story of Noah and the Ark which many of us know is where God told Noah and his family to build and come into the ark to be saved from the flood. Those who didn’t enter into the ark died for their unwillingness to know the one true God. Okay so think about this, Christ is the “New Ark”; the "Ark of Salvation.” Choosing Christ is also choosing to follow Him and choosing to follow Him means choosing to love those who are difficult, the ones who didn’t want to get on board.

Okay, so in the New Testament 2 Peter says: The person who lacks genuine love is blind and has forgotten they were cleansed from all their old sins. While we were yet sinners Christ loved us and then He erased our sins by paying with His blood. Once we’ve received grace, we don’t deserve, we can give grace. NOW, the question is, “HOW in the world can we ever really love difficult people?” Our job is to love. Christ’s job is to judge…everyday.

Tuesday Matters

Everyday Be the Church

I love people. I love traveling and meeting new people in random places everywhere, like gas stations. You can have church anywhere, a gathering of others and sharing the grace of God. Cuz when church stops being about us, it can be about God again.

Church is meant to crush our selfishness and church without God does none of that. Often our evangelism becomes winning people to our doctrine or our denomination instead of reaching the people next door who have no direct access to freedom in Jesus. As I travel speaking, I get a reality check every “church person” would benefit from. Our job is to get people to know Jesus personally. People need God desperately and not in a Pollyanna, “it’s all for a reason” sort of way. Jesus came to save the lost by letting them know they are loved right where they are at and not where they should be. Don’t just go to church, be the church…love without conditions…everyday.

Monday Matters

Everyday Job Explanation

Maybe the reason God doesn’t explain to Job why terrible things happen is that because He knows that Job really doesn’t need an explanation. Frederick Buechner’s shares this insight from his book; “Wishful thinking.” “Suppose that God did explain. Suppose that God were to say to Job that the reason the cattle were stolen, the crops ruined, and the children killed was thus and so, spelling everything out right down to and including the case of boils. Job would have his explanation.

But Job would still have to face his kid’s empty chairs at breakfast every morning. Having a complete theological justification of his boils, he would still have to scratch and burn. God doesn’t reveal His grand design. He reveals Himself. He doesn’t show why things are as they are. He shows His face. And Job says, I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes.” And this is the same God we too can see…everyday.