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...

  And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe. Mark 16:11 My husband and I were extremely blessed to have been invited to spend the weekend with some friends a few weeks ago at their cabin in the cooler mountains north of our desert home. They spoiled us rotten, and it was a time of wonderful fellowship, laughter, and rest. While we were there, they told us that the neighbors often see elk wandering into their yards, but our friends had yet to sight one of the beautiful creatures. So, on our final morning there when I was on their back porch enjoying the fresh air and peaceful surroundings, I was elated when I spotted a female elk a few yards away. Not wanting to scare her, I softly called my friend’s name, but to no avail, and the graceful animal soon bounded off. I excitedly reported my sighting to my cabinmates a few moments later, but I could tell they weren’t really sure whether to believe me or not! Lots of good-natured teasing ensue...

  For by You I can run against a troop, by my God I can leap over a wall. Psalm 18:29 Recently, a neighbor asked the question of a group of us of whether or not we had backyard fences when we were children, and how that might have shaped our thinking in any way. I felt it was a delightful and thought-provoking query and didn’t have to think long at all to come up with my own answer. (Likely, a few nostalgic memories will quickly cross your own mind as you read this.)  I grew up in El Paso, TX where rock walls are common. Rock quarried from the mountain range that runs through the middle of the city is far more plentiful than trees in my desert hometown. Most neighborhoods have these solid fences, composed of large stones cemented into place, separating properties. For me, our stone backyard walls provided a sense of security when I played alone or with friends when I was small. Our backyards were havens where innocent childhood games were safely played within those p...

I posted this on Facebook several years ago, but I think it bears repeating!  Cross necklaces are not as popular as they used to be, but I continue to wear mine, and here is why: 1. I am a sinner saved by grace. I am painfully aware of how far short I fall of God’s holiness and glory. Wearing a cross necklace is my daily visible reminder to be grateful that Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for my sins so that I might have abundant and eternal life. 2. I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is a visible sign of my identity in Christ and my identification with His work of love, peace, forgiveness, unity, and mercy.