SINGING FOR JOY

    “I don’t feel like it.” It’s not convenient (for me).” “I’d rather ______.” “What’s in it for me?” Hmmm. All of these statements contain the words “I” or “me.” While most of us consider ourselves to be nice people, full of kindness, and helpful to others, we often act out of our excess. What I mean by this is, we give of our resources and time when it’s convenient, when we have more than enough, or, sadly, when there is public accolade for doing so. We do what feels good rather than pursuing what is hard or uncomfortable. In contrast, I’ve witnessed my neighbor quietly exhausting himself for over a year now providing full-time care to his wife who had a stroke and cannot even go to the bathroom by herself in the middle of the night (or during the day.) I observe my husband humbly choosing to love me enough to stick with a difficult and frustrating job to ensure that I have good health care. I recall our former pastor’s wife who repeatedly cared for elderly and dying rela...

 A friend and I were talking the other day about unmet expectations. We all know that feeling of disappointment when our hoped-for desire is unfulfilled. It might be when a romantic interest does nothing for us for Valentine’s Day. Perhaps it’s when no one celebrates our birthday, or the hinted at Christmas gift fails to appear under the tree. Newlyweds often experience this when romantic notions go down the drain along with the toothpaste that was squeezed improperly from the tube. We assume we can rely on friends, and they let us down. Most of us have stories of job prospects that fell through or vacations that went awry. Or, gasp, our favorite Christmas carol wasn’t sung by the choir at church. Perhaps, just perhaps, we are focusing a little too much on our own selfish desires. This holiday season, I am more determined than ever to have the attitude of my dear African sister in Christ, who was always grateful for any blessing she received. All too often, she was hungry and nev...

  And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.” John 9:2-3 “Anxious,” “nervous,” “intense,” “overly emotional,” and “high-strung” are all adjectives I’ve heard applied to me. Kinder folks say I’m “driven,” “high-energy,” or “passionate.” I’m often told I need to relax and rest more, whatever that means. There is often innuendo, and sometimes it’s even spoken outright, that perhaps my anxiety is a direct lack of faith--or even a sin. Verses like, “ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6) have been quoted at me more times than I can count. For years as a young Christian, I’d beg the Lord to show me how to trust Him more, how to rest in Him more, how to appear less nervous and more peaceful to th...

  Thus says the  Lord  of hosts, ...  show kindness and mercy to one another. Zechariah 7:9 A friend passed recently. The faith of both he and his wife through the years of battle with cancer was such an encouragement to our local church family. They exemplified how we as believers should live, trusting the Lord with every breath until our last here on earth. We rejoice now because Russ is in Heaven, and has heard those longed-for words, “Well done good and faithful servant.” And we will be reunited with him one day! I will never forget the last time I saw Russ. Another friend and I were taking a long walk in their neighborhood, and I became desperate for a bathroom. We knew Russ was fatigued from recent treatment and hated to bother him. As well, I had a stubborn cough, and we didn’t want to expose him to any lingering germs I might have. But did I mention that I was desperate? We called his wife, who graciously encouraged us to stop by to use their facilities, wh...