From Fear to Recognition

Do you remember your childhood fears? Certain situations bring mine to light, and I have the opportunity to ponder them from a different perspective. I like that. Last week I was reminded of a childhood fear: What if I don't recognize Jesus at His second coming.... Is that a "normal" childhood fear? I also remember fearing that my future husband would smoke cigarettes, but that he would hide it from me until after we married. Yes, that fear is strange!

On more than one occasion, I've heard a preacher ask, "Would you recognize Jesus? Would you even like Him were He on earth today? You know, He would likely offend you!" These are questions and comments that I am likely to ponder.... Yet, this much I know: I want to experience Christ! I want to know Him. Not only do I want to recognize Him, I want to run into His arms with abandon. I'm not so much concerned about Him offending me, but I certainly don't want to offend Him!

I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Corinthians 1:4-9, NIV).

I am certain that my worldview is tainted by my life experiences in the US of A. These verses lead me to believe that my spiritual understanding does not need to be complete in order for me to recognize Jesus. It is not my human mind that matters, but it is my openness of mind that allows God to "enrich" me. Truth is not based on my intellect, but on my willingness to hear His voice, and see His presence. With all that I lack, Jesus promises to make His presence recognizable to even me as I seek Him.

The need to make sense of all that is around me utilizing intellect is overwhelming -- the kind of overwhelming that makes me want to throw in the towel. At the same time, the need to hear God's voice, and sense His presence day-to-day is invigorating. So, I choose to focus mind on the latter - the supernatural aspect of seeking and receiving Godly knowledge - to recognize Him.

Truth that Truly Matters

I am after Truth that Truly Matters. Truth that truly matters to God - not me, not denominations, not theologians, not intellectuals, not scientists, not those who focus on social justice.... There is a place at the table for all of God's children. Each one of us may learn from, and be challenged by, one another. BUT, I desire to seek God first - His Truth - the only Truth that truly matters. It's not a simple desire.

I have friends - folks I highly respect and enjoy - in each of the categories mentioned above. I am challenged by the diversity of thought represented in my relatively small community of friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances. Thoughtful challenge is a good thing - a very good thing - but, more than anything, I long to be firmly grounded in God alone.

What does that mean? On earth, it doesn't mean utopia - though that's a nice thought.... It is not simple, or easy, or natural. When it comes to knowledge and understanding, there is no "finish line," or "final grade" this side of eternity. And, though I believe God's Truth is timeless and unchanging, our world (our applications) are always changing. Our human knowledge and understanding are equally fluid - stemming from our sin, and our lack of complete revelation. Earthly knowledge will never equal God's mind.

So... how do we navigate life, decisions, dissension, and change? The bottom line remains constant: An individual, personal relationship with Christ - coupled with community among those who invest likewise. The personal relationship - the personal pursuit of revelation and Truth - must never be secondary.

I am reading and studying 1 Corinthians. Will you join me?

Thankfulness

November is a month characterized by thankfulness, and I have been thinking of several things that I am thankful for this week:

• Steve had 2 interviews, and he has 2 more scheduled.
• We had 2 showings at our Ohio house last week.
• Tanner scores his first goal in Idaho.
• We've chosen a church home.

My friend, Jill, inspired me to think on the blessings of life. You can read her thoughts here.

Now's the Time

"You have searched me,
  and You know me."

You know me;
You know Steve;
You know Tanner;
You know Tyler.

You know what is best
  for me and for our family.

You know each of us
  better than we know ourselves.

You know and understand our past.
You have good plans for our future;
  it is a future filled with hope and purpose.

Therefore, I trust You.
I trust You with
  my marriage;
  my children;
  my family;
  myself.

I trust you with
  my job;
  our finances;
  our house.

It is all Yours, Lord:
  our lives;
  the family;
  our money;
  our ministry;
  the house in Ohio;
  our home in Idaho.
It's all Yours!

"You hem me in - behind and before;
You have laid Your hands upon me."

I don't need to know.
I simply choose to trust.

"Such knowledge is to wonderful for me,
  to lofty for me to attain."

You have prepared us for these moments;
  now it is time to rest in Your promises.


* Portions in quotes are from Psalm 139 (NIV).

A Gift from Chile

The enormous interest and celebration in the rescue of the Chilean miners this week exemplifies the human craving for hope and new life. How's your personal search and rescue working for you?

Women and men search far and wide for personal fulfillment - from the innermost places of our own body, mind, and spirit, to the furthest corners of the earth and space. Few find the narrow road to transformation. The journey is not for the faint of heart. The humble and the poor are more likely to find it. Transformation does not require excess. In fact, less is more in most capacities. Transformation is for those who crave it; those whose minds are open to Power beyond this world; those who give up everything to follow One thing. For those who seek to control their own destiny, another One is hard to follow. For those who seek peace form the center of one's soul to the outermost ends of the universe, there is only One way....

Hope, new life, transformation.... The Chilean miners gave the world a gift this week. So, I ask again, how is your personal search and rescue working for you?

When Weakness is Strength

For about four weeks this summer, my family of 4 was split up. I started a new job in Idaho, my boys spent some quality time in Oregon with my parents, and Steve wrapped up his work, and our house, in Ohio. It was the most difficult period of a tough transition. I felt very alone, and Steve wanted nothing more than to be in Idaho. Once the boys returned to Idaho from Oregon, they wanted nothing more than to be in Ohio; to be in their familiar routine; to forget Idaho. We were all at a weak point, to say the least!

On one particular evening, one of the boys exploded with emotion. In my aloneness, I also felt helpless and overwhelmed! So, what did I do? I exploded on the phone to Steve.... It was ugly - a definite low point!

The next morning, I read this:

God says, "My power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9

Weakness doesn't feel good. As a matter of fact, I generally avoid feeling weak - if it is in my power. In this season of life, I feel weak much more frequently than I feel strong, so I depend on this promise: God works in weakness. From this perspective, I find purposefulness in weakness. With that, I can be thankful in weakness.

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.... And be thankful." Colossians 3:15

Just call me Goldie!

I only blog when I feel inspired, and you may have noticed that I've been missing from blog world. I am contemplating why I have nothing to say.... I don't know! I do know that I can not force myself to write. If silence is golden, then just call me Goldie.