Final Entry: Goal 2009... What's Up for 2010?

The final two memory verses I chose for 2009 are:

"Now we see but a poor reflection;
then we shall see face-to-face.
Now I know in part;
then I shall know even as I am fully known."
1 Corinthians 13:12

"Think of what you were before you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many of you were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God alone choose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God choose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things - and the things that were not - to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God - that is, righteousness, holiness, and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: 'Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.'"
1 Corinthians 1:26-31

With these verses, my 2009 goal to memorize 24 pieces of scripture is complete. I am still working to finalize the memorization, but I am very close. There have been very few New Year's goals that I have successfully completed, so I should be so proud and excited! I am not, though. Necessary changes in 2010 are on my mind! 2010 is my 40th year, and I am not feeling so good. Turning 40 doesn't bother me, but something doesn't feel right....

I have been contemplating how to approach 2010. Should I continue memorizing scripture? I am thinking that I it would be a good discipline to continue.... But, I would like to add another discipline. I would like to read through the Bible in a year. I have never completed such a challenge, though I have tried several times (One year, I even stayed on track through May! Who gives up such a challenge in May??). Another challenge I would like to attempt is strengthening a healthy physical lifestyle. My issue is that both reading the Bible in a year, and healthy eating/exercise is just so common!! And, I have failed so many times! Yuck!

Today is January 1st, so I am feeling the pressure to commit to a challenge. These are the three challenges I will begin with:

1. Memorize 2 pieces of scripture a month.
2. Initiate a plan for Reading the Bible through in a year (or more).
3. Add a healthy discipline each season.

I'll try to keep you posted. Go Bucks!

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010!!

Controversy, Understanding, Wisdom - Who Knows?

There are so many controversial topics that touch my heart and mind these days. Today I prayed: Lord Jesus, speak to your people - myself included - in this present time about righteousness and discernment.

In Luke 12:54-57, Jesus said to a crowd of people:

"When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, 'It's going to rain,' and it does. And when the south wind blows, you say, 'It is going to be hot,' and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and sky. How is it that you don't know how to interpret this present time? Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right?"

It is so true.... We embrace weather predictions based on meteorology. When I am planning an outdoor activity, I pay close attention to the weather for days ahead of time, and I generally know what is going on with the weather from day to day. I often need to know the weather in order to dress appropriately, to pack my bags, to plan for a game, or to take the dog out before a downpour.

Yet, how many people pay close attention to our current cultural state for the purpose of understanding its impact upon our daily lives? Throughout history, there have been prophets making predictions - some biblical and some not. Who judges the accuracy of prophetic predictions for you? No one can say such knowledge and understanding isn't necessary for day-to-day living. We engage the culture everyday in making decisions! To take a neutral stance towards popular culture's affect on us is actually choosing a distinct position. Such a decision is to be ignorant, helpless, or overwhelmed - which is not Biblical.

Today I prayed: Lord, help me to glorify you in righteousness; help me to represent you well - drawing your children into deeper relationship with you. Colossians 3:16-17 says:

"Let the words of Christ, in all of their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns, and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father."

Without you, Lord, I am legalistic. Give me discernment, make me righteous, and allow me to shine for you!

"Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun" (Psalm 37:3-7).

For me, these ideas point to a distinct difference between human wisdom and Godly wisdom. Human wisdom is enticing; it is logical; it is dead wrong. Human wisdom is approved of in this culture; in fact, it is worshiped. Human wisdom leads people to give up thinking for themselves, although it makes them feel as if they are thinking deeply - far more deeply than the "average" human. When people embrace and worship the wisdom of humans, the world as God intended changes before their eyes. It appears good for this present time. Human wisdom begets human wisdom.... Godly wisdom fades in importance when human wisdom is prioritized. Godly wisdom become the wisdom to popularly question....

"Stop fooling yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world's standards, you will have to become a fool so that you can become wise by God's standards. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God" (I Corinthians 3:18-19a).

In closing, Paul's words in Philippians are powerful:

"Pattern your lives after mine and notice who else lives up to my example.... There are many who walk along the Christian road who are really enemies of the cross of Christ. Their future is eternal loss, for their god is their appetite: they are proud of what they should be ashamed of; and all they think about is this life here on earth. But our homeland in is heaven" (Philippians 3:17-20a, TLB).

A New Day!

Today was a new day; the day I began a new study! I love completing Bible studies, and I love beginning a new Bible study.... Today I did both - it was a new day and a good day!

A week ago, I searched Jennifer Rothschild's website in pursuit of my next study. "Walking By Faith: Lessons Learned in the Dark" clearly stood out to me as the study I needed. This promo touched my heart and mind:

"Walking by Faith: Lessons Learned in the Dark contrasts the evidences of walking by faith and walking by sight and encourages participants to take risks, give God control, persevere through hardship, receive God's gifts, be guided by the Truth rather than feelings, and seek God."

When I opened the study for the first time this morning, one of my 2009 memory verses was listed on Day 1:

"When my foot is slipping, your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul" (Psalm 94:18-19, NIV).

This discovery gave me chills! The Lord knows and cares for me - an amazing realization! Further along, I read:

"All these people (the faith-walkers in Hebrews 11) were still walking 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 were aliens and strangers on earth" (Hebrews 11:13, NIV).

Oh, how I feel like an alien and a stranger on this earth. I always have.... Rothschild (2003) writes, "Unless we trade our fear for fight, we may never find the treasures hidden in the dark" (p. 11).

Day 1 of this study, led me to my next memory verse, and it speaks to the core of my journey this year. I'll share it within my next entry.... Until then:

"Call out for insight, and
cry aloud for understanding....
Look for it as for silver,
and search for it as for hidden treasure.
Then you will understand the fear of the Lord,
and find the knowledge of God"
(Proverbs 2:3-5, NIV).

Goal 2009 - Verse 20 out of 24

"If you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God" (Proverbs 2:3-5, NIV).

I heard a few minutes of Chuck Swindoll's radio broadcast today. He used a great analogy for God as our Guide:

Just as a camping lantern only enlightens the path for one or two steps ahead, so does God guide His children step by step.

Godly knowledge and understanding are similar. As humans, we do not have the privilege of complete knowledge and understanding. We have just what is necessary for the present time. For me, this is all the reasoning I need to depend on God for the development of my belief system. The ramifications of decisions made today are far-reaching; beyond our abilities to know and understand.

Which Way to Turn - Right or Left?

I know Isaiah 30:21 doesn't refer to U.S. political terminology, but the connection is thought provoking to me.

God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit is neither "right" nor "left" from a political perspective. I believe God cares about issues that both sides represent. As a Christ follower, I believe the Holy Spirit places in my mind specific, individual causes that lead to my passions. These passions often either match my current giftings and influences, or they facilitate new gifts and influences. For the Christ follower, each cause, each passion, each gifting, and each influence -- regardless of where they lie on the U.S. political spectrum -- must always be addressed from a Godly perspective. For me, this means:

• I fear God above all other fears - He is The One who knows and understands all things.
• I obey God above all other directives - His is the ultimate Truth.
• I love others above self - All people are worthy of love.
• I earnestly seek Godly knowledge and understanding - He is the Source.
• I openly accept His wisdom and revelation - Regardless of the earthly consequences.

I am not perfect; there will always be more personal growth to pursue, but the aforementioned points reflect the direction I seek via the direction of the Holy Spirit.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left,
your ears will hear a voice behind you saying,
"This is the way; walk in it"
(Isaiah 30:21, NIV).

Meaningful Organization

It is October 2, 2009 - unbelievable! My 19th verse for the year is:

He said to the crowd, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, 'It is going to rain,' and it does. And when the south wind blows, you say, 'It is going to be hot,' and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and sky. How is it that you don't know how to interpret this present time? Why don't you judge for yourselves what is right?" (Luke 12:54-57, NIV).

I know that I speak frequently about this experience of memorizing scripture. It is such an amazing journey - I can't help but share it with others. For the first few months, memorizing came easily, which was quite a surprise. For about five months, memorizing was difficult and I wondered if I would be able to complete the goal. Most recently, I began to mentally pick up speed again. My new problem became reciting ALL the verses for the year in one sitting.

At the same time, I am currently teaching study skills courses and workshops for first-time college freshman. One of the tools I present to strengthen ones memory is "meaningful organization." This equals ordering items in such a way as to make the items more meaningful based on students' background knowledge. One morning while studying my memory verses, I began linking them in a different order (rather than the chronological order in which I had chosen each set of verses). There appears to be an underlying theme and progression in the verses. After completing the linking process, I tried reciting all 18 sets of verses. Within just a few days, I was able to recite all 18 verses one after another! What an awesome blessing!

The verses that the Lord has led me to memorize are so meaningful. They directly reflect my personal Spiritual journey in 2009. This year, and this journey, will certainly be considered one for my spiritual record book.

Will the Real Knowledge & Wisdom Please Stand?

"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who has called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption of this world caused by evil desires" (2 Peter 1:3-4).

For the past 8 years, I have summed up my life's purpose in one goal: to glorify God. In this time, glorifying God has grown in its definition for me. Within the last 12 months, the definition has focused upon knowledge and wisdom. God gives those who believe and obey Him knowledge and wisdom. And not just a little, but any amount needed to live for Him. Even more, this knowledge and wisdom allows us to know God, to experience Him, and to escape evil. Knowledge of God is revealed by God. It allows believers of God, who seek His knowledge, to be wise and have understanding beyond that of people who do not know God and seek His Truth. This idea is evident in Western culture's knowledge and understanding of evil.

"Too many in Washington today have a modern, Western, secular mind-set that either discounts - or outright dismisses - the fact that evil is a real and active force in history. They insist on interpreting events only through the lenses of politics and economics" (Rosenberg, 2006, 46-47).

As real as God is in my critical thinking, evil is just as real. There is clear evidence of evil in our world: from pornography, molestation, and addictions of all kinds, to suicide bombers, threats of annihilation, and so much more. Evil seeps in through unGodly ideologies at all levels. The most disturbing aspect of unGodly ideologies is that so many of the current, controversial issues are cloaked in human-made costumes meant to pass for Godly Truth. God would never compromise Truth to make peace - never!

"Stop fooling yourselves. If you think you are wise by the world's standards, you will have to become a fool so that you can become wise by God's standards. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. (1 Corinthians 3:18-19).

I see many people in the world claiming knowledge and wisdom who have no resemblance of God. Worse, though, are the people who claim to have God, but whose wisdom is more similar to the world's than it is to God. Prophecy is powerful:

The Lord says, "These people come near me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men. Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent with vanish" (Isaiah 29:13-14).

Wisdom and intelligence without God is dead. An example of this is evident in Rosenberg's (2006) recollection of his first job in Washington immediately before the Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990. He writes,

"When I first moved to Washington in January 1990 to work for the Heritage Foundation, it seemed increasingly clear to me that Saddam Hussein was going to invade Kuwait, attack Israel, and draw the world into a bloody new Middle East war.... I was certainly new to Washington and as green as they came. I had no master's or PhD in history or politics of the Middle East. I had lived but a semester in the Middle East, and Israel at that, not in an Arab or Islamic country.... But I could not shake the overwhelming feeling that the experts were about to be blindsided" (44 and 45).

The Washington experts were certainly blindsided in the summer of 1990, and again on September 11, 2001 with much more gusto. The difference between Rosenberg and the others was (and is) knowledge and wisdom revealed to Rosenberg through relationship with God and scripture (i.e., knowledge of good and evil).

"When they saw the courage of Peter and John, and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13).

In God's system of schooling, a life of knowing Him surpasses every level of earned degree known to humankind. Ordinary people with Godly wisdom and knowledge are able to participate in the divine and they are able to escape corruption caused by evil. Worldly knowledge and wisdom eventually drowns even the most intelligent among us.

My brain is beginning to stir....

My brain is beginning to stir with ideas to share, lessons that I am learning, and revelations close to my heart. Nearest the surface is a the conviction I sense to pray for my students. These young adults have already faced more trauma in their lives than my nearly 40 year old mind can comprehend.

Lord, may your grace and goodness rain upon these students. Bring healing to their bodies, minds, and souls. And Lord, guide my words and actions in Christ-likeness. Allow me to be a light, an example, a trustworthy individual who exemplifies your love for all people. May these dear lives experience You!

I am between Bible studies with a group of women, so I am focusing my quiet time on memorizing all of my 2009 verses. The Lord has blessed me in memorizing His Word in 2009 - beyond my ability to articulate. This process has taken me far beyond human plans and goals; it is mysteriously glorious. I had no idea the journey that was ahead of me when I signed on to meet this goal. No earthly idea! God is alive. His work is real on this earth. At the time of God's choosing, He will reveal Himself to every human.... I can not wait to meet Him f2f!

Psalm 90:17 - My 18th verse in 2009

"May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
establish the work of our hands for us -
yes, establish the work of our hands."

2009 Goal - August 15 through September 15

I have not shared my 16th and 17th verses in Operation Scripture Memory 2009. For all of 2009, I am memorizing 2 pieces of scripture per month along with other bloggers on Beth Moore's blog. To say that this journey has been enriching is an understatement of cataclysmic proportion. I have been completely challenged and changed by this experience. The focus of my life has been transformed; there is still much work to be accomplished by the grace and goodness of God.

August 15-31, 2009

"I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching is not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power" (I Corinthians 2:3-5, NIV).

September 1-15, 2009

The Lord says, "These people come near me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men. Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish" (Isaiah 29:13-14, NIV).

I am continually challenged by the difference between man's wisdom and God's wisdom. One aspect of this difference that rocks my world is the Biblical idea that man without God CAN NOT know and understand Godly wisdom. For this reason, I am driven to know God more in order to think critically about the issues at hand. As one of my previous verses highlights, "the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God" (I Corinthians 3:18-19a).

A Collision of Thoughts

I am experiencing a collision of thoughts today. Whenever this occurs, I sit up and take note because I experience God through His use of themes in my life. In the two previous posts, I have referred to the recently published books of A.J. Jacobs and Kevin Roose. I can not stop thinking about the experiences of these men as written in their books. If you have read a few of my posts, then you know of my personal pursuit of Truth this year. You also know of my memorization goal (i.e., two pieces of Scripture a month in 2009). And, you know that I am a church-going conservative Christian raised by multiple generations of believers. That said, my collision of thoughts today comes down to the question of whether or not God is real, and whether or not humans can experience God.

Jacobs and Roose apparently set out to test whether or not God is real, and whether or not believers in Christ are having an authentic experience with God. Both authors admit their lack of belief at the beginning of their experiences. Both authors admit the lack of support they received from their families and closest friends. Some of their family members and friends actively worried about the possibility of their conversions. Their experiences are enlightening (and to be fair, I am still in the midst of Jacobs' book). Something, however, is missing....

Today I worshiped at a church in Medford, Oregon, and listened to a sermon preached by Dr. David Grinder. During his sermon, Grinder quoted Brad Bright, son of the late Bill Bright, "Truth is always the first casualty whenever we start with what we want rather than with who God is." Most people likely struggle with this way of thinking. So much so that a psychological/sociological term defines such thinking: confirmation bias. Confirmation bias leads people to seek information and/or answers in ways that only confirm their initial thoughts. Contradictory thoughts are unknowingly overlooked. Confirmation bias is common; it is antithetical to critical thinking.

Last fall I deeply desired to vote in the presidential election as an informed citizen with a pure and righteous heart. I had a natural inclination for who would receive my vote, yet I put my mind out there in attempt to truly move beyond myself and hear a larger message. I prayed, and I studied Scriptures as I searched for answers. In the sermon this morning, Grinder featured many pieces of Scripture that identified my experience with this kind of search:

"And if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding. And if you look for it as if for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God" (Proverbs 2:3-5).

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house; yet it did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock" (Matthew 7:24-25).

As I have read authors like Jacobs and Roose, and as I have read the posts of many people, Christ-followers and otherwise, I have continually been perplexed by the enormous chasm in belief systems. Some folks have clearly made their decision. I recently listened to a podcast featuring an atheist and a Christian debating Darwinism (Note: the two debaters are friends; it was a respectful debate). The atheist absolutely stated the falsity of an afterlife. How can a living person absolutely know there is no afterlife? Jacobs absolutely stated his unbelief in creationism. There are no absolutes in the scientific method (oops - that is an absolute statement). Roose said from the very beginning of his journalistic immersion experience that he would not convert, or at least that it was extremely unlikely. With such belief systems, these three men are extremely unlikely to experience Truth from a Godly perspective, or come to know God. One must have an authentic open mind towards the possibility of God in order to know Him and experience Him.

Lest I sound incredibly self-righteous, I have some work to accomplish, as well. Believing God, and living a Christlike existence is not mindless. Actually, it is the people who attempt to believe God and be Christlike without using their minds who give all Christians a bad name. Not everything done or said by a person claiming Christ is actually of God.... God created our minds to continually use in thinking, processing, and acting!

In light of these thoughtful collisions today, my 15th verse of 2009 is meaningful:

"His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who has called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires" (2 Peter 1:3-4, NIV).

Critical thinkers in Christ focus more on their knowledge of God than their bias towards cultural issues. Godly knowledge begets Godly wisdom which can then be applied towards cultural issues in ways that enrich humankind and please God.

Summertime Randomness

Both of my boys have taken to the word "random." They'll say, "Mom, that's so random!" It makes me smile when they say the word because I think most of what they come up with is so, ahh... random - especially during the summer. Apparently they come by this behavior honestly as I am feeling very random this summer, also. Don't get me wrong - a little randomness is nice given the level of focus I have had to maintain in the last few years. The by-product of this lifestyle is that I am not writing much. Again, it is a bit of a relief, but I also miss the flood of provoking thoughts rushing through my brain.

In the form of a few updates, I thought I'd let you know what I am doing with my brain this summer. I am reading book after book - books that are purely my choice in reading, and mostly rather light (I keep telling myself that I will pursue more academic reading when the school year begins and I am immersed in educational psychology). The lightest of my reading is by Robin Jones Gunn. She writes fiction for women my age, and I have enjoyed those books, but she also writes for adolescent girls. Strangely, I love The Christy Miller Series and her newest, The Katie Weldon Series. I highly recommend these two series of books for any young girls desiring a combination of purity and fun in their lives.

In my pursuit of Truth and cultural relevance, I read The Unlikely Disciple: The Sinner's Semester at America's Holiest University. I have some things to blog about from this read, but Steve grabbed the book from me immediately upon my finishing it, and it is from the library, sooo I may or may not get to write on this book. I will say, however, that it is a very good read. I desire to experience the thought processes of those who are very different from me - it is enlightening. I believe God uses this understanding to mature my own thinking and to make me more friendly towards differing viewpoints. A major theme developing within me is in regards to engaging all sorts of people in thoughtful conversation. In my life experience, mutual understanding and growth does not happen in the midst of emtional confrontation, anger, rigidity, etc. I seek to stand for God's Truth, but under the umbrella of love and care for people. Actually, this idea is one of the themes in The Unlikely Disciple. Kevin Roose, the author and unlikely disciple, experienced the love of God's children at Liberty University despite the vast differences between him and others. Such love surprised him, and in all honesty, it surprised me, too.

My next read is The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible. A.J. Jacobs and Kevin Roose have a connection - thus my choice of these two books. I've barely begun this book, so I'll save my comments for later.

I've been engaged in a small group Bible study of the book of Esther. It is a Beth Moore study. Once again, her leadership is amazing and I am inspired to delve deeper in my Bible study and faith walk as she teaches. I have not been summarizing the process as I study - which is part of the reason I generally do not enjoy group studies - to keep up with a group means I feel rushed through the material. But, I love the relationships encountered in group studies.... One piece of Truth I am considering right now is the difference between how Satan views me and how God views me. To Satan, I am merely a number; a number he can add to his minion of evil doers in this world. To God, I am Heidi Leigh Winter Tracht - an individual with a history, and a future, and a specific purpose within His plan for the world and His Kingdom. What can one woman do? Well, read the book of Esther and discover. From this Truth, I embraced my next memory verse:

"for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable." Romans 11:29 (NIV)

You may be noticing that my verses are becoming shorter.... I am struggling a bit more with memorization, and I was quite ambitious in the beginning. In order to keep up and still remember the first few months of memory work, I am intentionally seeking shorter verses now. And, you know what? God still blesses short pieces of memory work in His Word. Amazing, isn't He? It is a daily struggle to keep my mind from placing God in a Heidi-sized box.

Perhaps the last significant item I will place on my summertime list of randomness is an interest developing within me to learn more about issues related to Israel and Biblical prophesy. Over and over again in Scripture, God places special emphasis on Israel. In order to recognize God's hand; to recognize Biblical prophesy, I believe I must know and understand more about Israel. There are also strong connections between Israel and the U.S. that I believe will enlighten my understanding of culture and politics. My first stop will be taking a look at the work of Joel Rosenberg. Additionally, with my new i-pod, I am downloading podcasts from a variety of news sources (i.e., both conservative and liberal). All the while, I am praying and seeking Godly revelation for the ability to engage with all kinds of people. For a taste of Rosenberg, listen to the following broadcasts: Understanding the Islamic Revolution Parts One and Two. Another great listen is The Dangerous Deception of the New Spirituality Parts One and Two.

My thoughts are coming to a close. It is time to act on the to do list for today. After writing all this, and quickly considering my journey this summer, maybe it is not as random as I thought.... "Talk" to you soon!

To write, or not to write

I finished my master's program, work is wrapped up for the academic year, the boys are home for the summer, and I am not writing much these days.... I am learning a new way of living - one with much less pressure and much more focus on the boys. I am also needing to establish my summer routine of daily quiet time. I had a great system going when there was some place to be every morning by 9:00. Slowly, but surely I am adjusting to a simpler, more peaceful daily existence.... Ahhh.

When I was too busy to think straight, the Lord gave me words to write like a faucet running at full tilt. Now... not so much. It is June 15th, though so I have my second memory verse of the month to share; the 12th memory verse of the year; the mid-point in my goal for 2009. It is an appropriate verse, I believe:

"Just say what God tells you to. Then it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit" Mark 13:11b (NLT).

This is it, my friends. This is where I am right now. Relaxing, enjoying, absorbing, reading, listening, thinking, but not writing/speaking much, and this is just fine with me. Keep checking in, if you choose because one never knows when the faucet will begin running again. You never have to make yourself known in this venue, but I always enjoy hearing from you!

2009 Goal - June 1-15

Okay, I know I said Apollos was next, but it's June 1st. May I present you with my next memory verses:

"Give me an eagerness for your decrees; do not inflict me with love for money! Turn me eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word." Psalm 119:36-37 (NLT).

and

"Here is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey His commands, for this is the duty of every person." Ecclesiastes 12:13 (NLT).

So, I couldn't choose one.... I am LOVING all of Psalm 119 - it is speaking my language at the moment. The Lord is using His Word in my life in a way I can not even explain or understand. All I know is that it is beyond me! Pastor Lightcap quoted another of my blogs in yesterday's sermon. As I listened, I thought, "Those are not my words; I did not write those words...." And, I wonder, God, what are you doing?

A friend of mine, who I once taught in Caravans (!), is writing a new blog entitled A Wanderer's Repose. Lightcap quoted Heather, too. Somehow, I had already happened upon Heather's blog and I was blown away by her writing. She and I had a compliment fest as I shared with her how much I enjoyed her blog, and she shared with me that my blog inspired her to write in this forum again. And, I wonder, God, what are you doing?

My mom is asking me to teach a class, or sorts, for her friends in Medford, Oregon this summer regarding Christ, critical thinking, and our culture. And, I wonder, God, what are you doing?

I had already prepared for June 1st by choosing Psalm 119:36-37. Then, I went to church on May 31st. The second half of Ecclesiastes 12 jumped out of the sermon and sat in lap; I could not ignore it. I am certain I will refer to these verses in upcoming posts as God continues to reveal what He is up to in and around my life.

Until then, will you read Psalm 119 and Ecclesiastes 12? Come on - join Him in this journey.

A Goal for 2009 - May 16-31

My thoughts are all over the place these days, so the 10th verse towards "A Goal for 2009" is sensible:

When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.

Psalm 94: 18-19 (NIV)

I have quite a lot my mind - my own stressors, and those of others near me.

Lysa TerKeurst wrote of "Mommy Guilt" recently - I definitely have that.... She also wrote about eating healthy - I have a problem with that, too.

I've been spending lots of time thinking about a potential change - praying for God's wisdom and clear guidance.

Who hasn't been thinking about the economy and its affects on ourselves, our friends, our country, our world?

I have four more weeks of graduate school - lots and lots to complete between now and then....

The tremendous, and sometimes overwhelming, needs of others....

• My dear grandparents;
• Little Ella, who was burned by hot tea on Sunday and is now in the hospital;
• Children and families in third world countries, and in our own communities;
• MVNU students leaving for the summer not knowing how they will afford to return in the fall;
• Two friends who have recently broken their legs - right before summer fun;
• Several families in need of selling their homes;
• My son, Tyler, and his physical healing;
• Friends in MV who are facing incredible adversity right now.

When I said, "My foot is slipping," your love, O Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.

Psalm 94: 18-19 (NIV)

Lord, May it be to me as You have said.... Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

A Goal for 2009 - April 15 to 30

Without any introduction or explanation, I must just present my next memory verse:

"Let the words of Christ, in all their richness, live in your hearts and make you wise. Use his words to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms and hymns, and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus, all the while giving thanks through him to God the Father."

Colossians 3:16-17 (NLT)

My time is quickly getting away from me these days and my focus is waning in regards to my "master's final integrative project." I have thoughts rolling around in my head, but they are not spilling forth, so I have been a little "quieter" on the blog front. I am still memorizing, but it is becoming a bit more difficult, though I still really enjoy the strength memorizing scripture is providing me.

I'm sure I will be back soon with a substantive post.

Love to you, my friends and comrades in Christ!
Heidi

A Goal for 2009 - April 1-15

I thought it might be good at this juncture to list each verse in the order that I have been memorizing them. It is interesting to search for themes in how God is working. I will start with my newest verses for April 1-15 and work backwards:

• "While Paul was waiting for them in Athen, he was deeply troubled by all the idols he saw everywhere in the city...." Paul said, "Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious, for when I was walking along I saw your many alters. One of them had this inscription on it -- 'To an Unknown God.' You have been worshiping him without knowing who he is, and now I wish to tell you about him" (Acts 17:16, 22-23, NLT).
• The Lord said to Samuel, "Don't judge by his appearance of height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn't make decisions the way you do! People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at a person's thoughts and intentions" (1 Samuel 16:7, NLT).
• "This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands upon you. God did not give us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. So you must never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord.... With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the proclamation of the Good News" (2 Timothy 1:6-8, NLT).
• "So my advise is, leave these men alone. If they are teaching and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. But if it is of God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God" (Acts 5:38-39, NLT).
• Be on guard. Stand true to what you believe. Be courageous. Be strong. And everything you do must be done in love" (I Corinthians 16:13-14, NLT).
• Trust in the Lord and do good. Dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to him; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn; the justice of your cause like the noon day sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes" (Psalm 37:3-7).
• "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13, NIV).

I have heard from at least one person who is also working on memorizing scripture. Shoot me an email, or respond on either this blog or Facebook to let me know what you are working on these days. I am certain the Lord loves it when His children meditate on His Word - Let's be a fragrant offering before Him!

Acts Chapter 6 - A Model to Follow

I am approaching my reading of the Book of Acts from the perspective that it may be a model of an active church during politically contentious times. In chapter 6, the apostles were distracted by the physical needs of the people. In order to keep their focus on teaching and preaching, as Jesus has instructed them, they delegated. Two ideas strike me: 1) They did not ignore or dismiss the need, and 2) They emphasized the type of volunteer that was needed to facilitate meeting the need.

The apostles did not avoid meeting the physical needs of people thereby forcing another group to address the problem. In 2009, we know that when humans' basic needs are not addressed, they will be unable to deal with higher-order needs. Basic needs can not always be completely met, but they often can be sufficiently addressed to a point that people can experience the love and support they need to live. The apostles did not have the scientific evidence we currently know; they had the all-sufficient knowledge of God through the Holy Spirit's leading.

The apostles did not expect the government to meet the needs of the people. In fact, they specified qualifications for leading in the capacity of distributing food to the needy. Volunteers must be well-respected, full of the Holy Spirit, and wise. The apostles chose 7 men, and Stephen was among them. He was described as, "a man full of God's grace and power, (he) did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people" (Act 6: 8, NIV).

Stephen met opposition, and some men slandered him, forcing Stephen to testify before the religious leaders. As the lies about Stephen were presented, read what happened: "At this point, everyone in the council stared at Stephen because his face became as bright as an angels" (Acts 6:15, NLT). Does this remind you of anything? Here's a clue - my second memory verse of 2009, Psalm 37:6-7 (NIV): "He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn; the justice of your causes like the noon day sun." Whoa - what a testimony of God's Truth!!! Some of you knowwhat is going to happen to Stephen, and it is not pretty.... But, remember the next verse in Psalm 37? Here is a reminder: "Do not fret when men succeed in their ways; when they carry out their wicked schemes." Whoa - I don't know about you, but I am enthralled with is series of events. My NLT Study Bible says that the religious leaders stoned Stephen because they believed he was speaking irreverently about God. "They did not understand Stephen's words were True because they were not seeking Truth. They only wanted to support their own views." Whoa!

The Truths I am experiencing in this passage are:

1. Meeting the physical needs of people is important to God.
2. There are specific qualifications necessary to serve in this capacity on His behalf.
3. It is unacceptable to expect those without these qualifications to meet these needs in God-honoring ways.
4. Having these qualifications, and obeying God, does not equal full understanding, fair treatment, and justice for all.
5. Sinful humans will succeed in some plans on earth.
6. Even religious leaders may not understand Truth because they are not truly seeking Truth.

Interesting stuff, huh? I am closing with my current memory verse (which is not yet commited to memory):

"So my advise is, leave these men alone. If they are teaching and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. But if it is of God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God" (Acts 5:38-39, NLT).

A Goal for 2009 - February 15

Did I tell you that over 3000 ladies are participating in Beth Moore's Scripture Memory Blog? I believe that is amazing!!! If you have even a slight inkling, visit the blog at:

http://livingproofministries.blogspot.com/

It is such a blessing to be a part of this challenge - more than I can describe in mere words. Even better, I did not expect this experience to be so dynamic.

For February 15, 2009, my fourth verse of the year is Acts 5:38-39 (NLT):

"So my advice is, leave these men alone. If they are teaching and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. But if it is of God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God."

On one hand, I am skeptical of people, and on the other hand, I am quite trusting of people. In my nearly 39 years of life (as of March 22), I have learned a few lessons about how to discern Truth in the lives of others. When Christians face hardship, Truth is often more detectable in their lives. I have known a few people who claimed to be in relationship with Christ, and who accepted positions of leadership in the church, and who betrayed the the privilege given them. I have also known a few people to claimed a relationship with Christ, accepted positions of leadership in the church, and were betrayed. When this happens, I watch closely to see how the leader responds because one's response often reveals one's heart, one's motives, and God's Truth.

The Book of Acts describes a similar scenario. The apostles, who had been in the presence of Jesus while He walked on earth, began preaching and teaching. Religious and government leaders questioned their motives and their knowledge. The apostles were persecuted for their beliefs and actions, yet they continued to do that which Jesus Christ had taught them to do. There was a man named Gamaliel, a respected teacher of the law, who addressed the leaders with the advice written above in Acts 5:38-39. As a result, the religious leaders decided not to kill the apostles at that time, but they did flog them and ordered them to stop speaking in Jesus' name.

I am thinking.... What would I have done? I am a respecter of authority, I avoid controversy, I fly under the radar.... The apostles considered their flogging an affirmation of their ministry. Hmmm. I probably would have taken "no" for an answer, gone home, and kept to myself for awhile. In the U.S. of A., Christians have not experienced serious, open persecution, yet. I believe the day is coming, or may already be upon us, when Christian persecution is more commonplace. As Christians in the U.S. of A., we still believe we have "rights." Actually, everyone in the USA believes they have rights - which is part of of the problem, but that is another story.... I do not recall Jesus Christ speaking of the rights of Christians while He walked on earth. Could it be that we have been lulled into this idea because we believe we live in Christian nation? I don't recall Jesus Christ speaking of the need to build a Christian nation apart from His coming again. I have said before that I am not a theologian, and I am also not a historian, but I wonder if I am following Christ when I am focusing on my rights ahead of focusing on His Truth. This is a bit of the draw I have to the Book of Acts at this point in my life and at this point in world history.

It appears that the apostles were teaching and preaching in Christ's name just as He had taught them to do. The reaction of the religious leaders and the political leaders of the day included jealousy, imprisonment, trials, flogging, and death. The reaction of the people included support of the religious and political leaders, as well as support of the apostles, transformed lives, and a dynamic, growing, difference-making church. The apostles did not preach and teach according to the politically correct directives of the day. They did not seek the pleasure of the religious and political leaders of the day. They obeyed God as they had been taught through Jesus Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Their behavior went against authority, was controversial, and definitely flew way above the radar - there is no doubt they would have been voted out on the first week of Survivor!

Several Truths are coming soon in Acts. Read them with me, if you would like to - I am beginning the 6th chapter. For me, this pursuit began in me as our nation prepared for the presidential elections. I want to be a Christ-centered, open-minded person who has ears to hear and eyes to see the Lord working in our midst. Then, I want to have the courage and strength to begin living the eternal promise of life in Christ today. Life on earth is confusing. Life in the USA is distracting. Life in the Tracht home is busy! In the midst of all this, Christ is meeting me in Bible reading, in journalling, in prayer, and in Scripture memory. Join me - if you will. Let's share and learn from one another about how God is working in our midst.

Until next time, find that quiet place to meet the Lord and seek His Truth.

I Corinthians 16:13-14

"Be on guard. Stand true to what you believe. Be courageous. Be strong. And everything you do must be done in love."

For the last 6 to 12 months (at least), I have been pondering Truth. How does one know Truth? How can one be courageous and strong in Truth? The world around us accepts and demands such a variety of truths. I have always believed in One Truth; clear; definitive; right and wrong - not that I always know and understand all Truth. As humans, I don't think we need to know and understand all Truth. I don't think our minds could handle such knowledge; however, I do believe God reveals His Truth to believers as it needs to be revealed - in His time and in His way. I am okay with this phenomenon.

I am learning and accepting the parts of God's Truth that He is expecting me to uphold. This knowledge is actually frightening at times because I am a "fly under the radar" kind of girl. I don't want to stand out in a crowd - especially related to controversy. Some people who claim Truth do so in self-righteous, even hateful, ways. That is not God's revealed Truth.

As I hear and accept God's call to pursue Truth, another message is resounding loud and clear: "everything you do must be done in love." Wow - that is significant! God's Truth isn't always politically correct and it never has been. Even when Peter and John were recognized as men who had been with Jesus in Acts 4:13, and even as they were accomplishing many things by the power of the Holy Spirit, they were still misunderstood and threatened by the authority figures of the day. Reactions to the Apostles preaching included jealousy, trials, imprisonment, and death, as well as support, acceptance, obedience, and transformation. Truth does not equal fair treatment, it is not easy, and it is often rejected by those without a personal relationship with Jesus. Even worse, it is often misunderstood among those who have a personal relationship with Jesus. And yet, "everything you do must be done in love." Only the Holy Spirit can provide that kind of love!

My thoughts about Truth center on how would Jesus live in 2009 on this earth? I am convinced that He would personally care for people more than he would focus on their sin because that is how his lived on earth previously. Any person with an ounce of desire to know Him would feel comfortable in His presence because of His personal love for that person. He did not ask people to clean up before coming to see Him when He walked the earth before, so why would He now? At the same time, and with immeasurable love, Jesus spoke clearly about sin and about how to turn from it. As a consider Truth in 2009, and how Jesus is guiding me to pursue it, my first thought, my first word, and my first action must be steeped in love - a fruit of the Holy Spirit given only to those who love God and are surrendered to Him.

I want me some love - Happy Valentine's Day!

A Goal for 2009 - February 1 to 15

I am convinced more believers than not have problems prioritizing daily quiet time for building a personal relationship with Christ. I am one of those people. There is always a good reason to put off this human need: sleep, food, work, school, family, friends, lack of direction, discouragement, avoidance.... During every season of life I have found really good reasons to justify my behavior. In more recent years, I have experienced a deeper craving to build this important relationship, though there are still ups and downs in keeping it a priority. For the last five months, I have found a great routine....

On Mondays through Fridays, I drop my kids off at school, drive to work, and have my quiet time in the parking lot. Sometimes I have to keep my gloves and scarf on, but I have learned to deal with this minor inconvenience. There are a couple of things I do during this time: I journal, read my Bible, ponder Sunday's sermon, memorize Scripture, and/or pray. It is quiet in the car, there are no dirty dishes screaming to be rinsed, no wet clothes longing for the dryer, no kids needing help, no dog to play with, no technical distractions, no messes, no coffee - just me, my Bible and journal, and God. It's a cool thing!

Lately, I have been asking for wisdom - wisdom in knowing how Jesus would live in 2009. We are warped by our culture, really. I have a feeling when we see Jesus face-to-face and are given an eternal, perfect perspective, we will be shocked by Truth. So, in the meantime, how are we to be Christ-like? How are we to think and act like Jesus? I believe my prayers for wisdom led me to the Book of Acts. I have been reading the Book of Acts while sitting in my car located in a parking lot each morning. I am not a theologian, I don't think I am an intellectual person - I am fairly ordinary.... This should explain my attraction to Act 4:13 - the first verse of 2009 that I memorized:

"When they saw the courage of Peter and John, and realized that these were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and realized that these men had been with Jesus."

While I have some schooling, I am far from an intellectual. While some people think I am special (i.e., my husband, my kids, my parents and grandparents :).....), I am ordinary. I can relate to Peter and John. Even though Peter and John were courageous Christians, and even though they were recognized for their time spent with Jesus, they were still questioned, disrespected, and misunderstood. They truly suffered for Jesus - I have not suffered for Jesus - I don't relate to this part of their lives.

I am learning some things about being Christ-like in 2009 from reading the Book of Acts. As I share my 2009 Scriptures from memory, I will share my thoughts about Acts - there is a clear relationship between these two areas of devotion during my morning quiet times. My motive for sharing is to be accountable and to inspire devotion towards Christ.

My 3rd memory verse for 2009 (February 1-15) is I Corinthians 16:13-14 (NLT):

"Be on guard. Stand true to what you believe. Be courageous. Be strong. And everything you do must be done in love."

I'll share more about the personal meaning of this verse in the next note. And, I think the Lord has led me to my next verse... it is in Acts.