God Gave the Song

Several years ago, a song was written, I believe by Bill and Gloria Gaither called “God Gave the Song”…..He really did you know…. Recently, I was invited by two very special girlfriends to join them on a trip all the way up to New York (Long Island to be precise!). And what a trip it was. It was such an incredible journey, I saw SO much beauty. So much God has made for our pleasure that I’d either taken for granted, or just quit taking time to enjoy! I’ve spent a lot of time lately consumed with the national news (FOX to be exact…love that FOX NEWS!), world news, events…..and busy too with all the every day tasks that call me those precious 50 yards over to the Camp Pearl office (inside joke…) Now while all these current events are truly important and serious news and worth noting, somewhere deep in my memory, I hear that song….you know the one God gave. The one that Robin and Heather sang all the way to New York and back. The song of God and His incredible love for you and me. Such harmony, such joy and fun singing together as we trekked along the highway viewing God’s portraits of Autumn and all that He has allowed man to make with their hands, HUGE buildings, vast cities, and people…..EVERYWHERE! Now in my attempt to tie all these thoughts into a neat little package….let me say, MUSIC is one of my most favorite gifts that God lavished on us here on earth!

The gift of music is one of the most powerful – emotional – enhancers of life itself. When you look at a mountain covered with snow, you say – ahhh…how beautiful. But when you look at that mountain to the glory of God while listening to the power of the words and music of “How Great Thou Art” or “God of Wonders” or “You Lift Me Up” – well, that might near bring tears and all sorts of emotions to your heart….making you just want to burst within at the reminder of God’s awesomeness and great love for us! Am I not right?

So as Robin, Heather and I made our journey up the Eastern side of the USA, with all our voices making melody (and harmony) in our hearts to God, we sang, laughed, talked, praised God, and sang some more. Almost every conversation we had would lead to a song….how fun is that! And all this JOY that kept serenading my soul was a simple reminder that these are times when we need to stay focused, in the midst of all the events going on around us, keep our eyes on our Savior. Let the music of God’s love minister to you today! Pick out a song, a hymn, a chorus, and sing….read a Psalm, because God really did give the song! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving…..

Long Shadows

“Long shadows come not by planning large, self manufactured stages upon which to strut the stuff of life and ministry but rather through unflinching faithfulness and faith-focused perseverance to the tasks He has assigned, trusting Him to preserve and multiply the outcomes!” Joseph Stowell

I got behind on many things this summer. One was blogging, the other was keeping up with my Strength for the Journey Devotional book. Since I got about 7 days behind on it, I decided to “catch up”. Reading for August 10th – Matthew 13:8 “Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop – a hundred, sixty, or thirty times what was sown.” This verse has always intrigued me….and today it hit home. Let me explain…

I tell people all the time how much I love Camp Pearl. Why is that? What is so special about this place that I want people to know so much about it? For one thing…it’s where I made a life decision – I wanted God to use me in some ministry, some how, someday. That was at Camp Pearl about 1971. The following year…at Camp Pearl, I met Don Barrett. God was already bringing about His plan for me and I just thought I was simply in love! Wow! I loved what God was doing! I loved Camp Pearl then and today…well I love it even more…because I am serving my Savior here alongside Don Barrett! Ok … I’ll quit with the personal love story and get to the even greater one. The only one more important to me than my earthly love story, which is God’s love for people. (I feel very side tracked right now, but hang with me)

So, what do shadows and Camp Pearl have in common? Well, for the past few years, we’ve been privileged to bump into many long time friends of Camp Pearl. Friends who were campers 10, 20, 30 or more years ago. God just keeps allowing us to bump into so many Camp Pearl friends – or should I say “Friends of Camp Pearl”. Just today I bumped into a friend via “facebook” and this friend shared with me of her great memories of Camp Pearl, and of the friends she met through camp that have continued to have a positive impact in her life.

I get emails all the time from people who trusted Christ to save them while they were campers at Camp Pearl, and went on to full time Christian ministry. Friends who were challenged by a speaker, a summer server, a musician, a teacher – to make a difference for Jesus Christ in their own lives, wherever God led them. To me, these are the shadows cast by a place called Camp Pearl. Shadows that provide a sense of belonging and a taste of God’s perfect peace.

So as we continue on here at Camp Pearl, reaching out to the lost, to the lonely, and to those who may be longing for more in their relationship with Christ Jesus, it is my prayer that we will be a ministry that is found faithful and focused — one that stays with the tasks God gives us – and that we can continue to cast those “long shadows” for Him, trusting Him for the magnificent outcome! If all the people whose lives have been touched through the ministry of this place were to stand in the light of the evening sun, we would cast some mighty long shadows across the landscape! Enjoy your view of life through God’s viewfinder, the scenery is breathtaking!

I’ve some catching up to do with my daily devotional readings! I checked out today’s verse. Colossians 1:11 “Being strengthened with all power…so that you may have great endurance and patience.” Guess that means there are more glorious shadows on my horizon!

Some “mom” appreciation…

I sat at my desk in Dry Creek this weekend and wrote this great little blog about moms and kids and neat stuff like that and guess what…I forgot to forward it to my computer here at work. Totally an ‘angie’ thing to do.  So here I go again…blogging something to make you ‘feel good’ or maybe bring about a change of heart, if you are needing one, or just something to ponder….I know your brain can handle more…you’ve not even begun to max out its capacity!  I had considered skipping the ‘mom’ topic because, well, you know, it’s over…mother’s day has passed…or has it?

Mom…

What a neat little word…it even sounds ‘nice’.  “M-o-m” …everyone who has ever breathed on earth (with the exception of Adam and Eve) has a mom.  And like that ‘other’ day set aside for the male side of parenthood, attributing a day to mothers is pretty nice.  They get to hear things said that they’ve longed to hear for 364 days….”we love you mom”; “oh, mom, you’re the best mom in the world”; “mom, thank you for loving us so faithfully”.  Then they get little items of appreciation…like flowers, candies, dinners out, etc.  At churches all across the USA they are recognized for being anciently old, or miraculously young.  Then the poor mom who has 20 plus children tops the list of recognition! (makes Jon and Kate plus 8 look like a small family unit)  The Lifetime and Hallmark channels play non-stop movies giving credit to mothers (real tear-jerkers!).  Some towns even have festivals that include mother/daughter look-a-like contests.  How neat is that?   But regardless how the world pays tribute to mothers, God has some pretty awesome words to say about women in general – which include moms as well.  You can probably think of more than one woman God placed in your life throughout the years including your mom, who has made a great impact in your life; women who were used by God to teach you, correct you, encourage you and just be there for you.   What would we do at times without our mothering, mentoring women friends! I imagine you have someone in your life that you could call at anytime and they’d listen compassionately as you share what’s on your heart.  These are the women to whom I attribute praise!  Like my own Mom, they care for me and listen and pray with me about so many things. 

I guess what I would like to say is as you go throughout this next year (from mother’s day to mother’s day) make it a point to show gratefulness and appreciation to all the “moms” God has placed in your life.  All those special women in your life that God may be using to mold you into that “infamous Proverbs 31 lady”! 

A note to you guys out there:  I know this was written mainly for the girls…but you have a special role to play here as well.  You can daily do your part to create ways for the mother of your children to know and feel appreciated. You are teaching your teens and children by setting the standard.  How do they see you treasuring and honoring your wife and your mom!  It’s a win/win situation for you!  Lavish your love on them!  The benefits are not just eternal….

Happy Everyday to all you beautiful women!

Proverbs 31:25

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.”

(yes ma’am – here’s my ticket to ‘shop till I drop’…jk!  It’s not about fashion…)

Under the Scalpel

You know how utterly pious I can be! That’s not a question..although you can answer if you like. But my “quiet” time with God was anything but quiet today; as the words He allowed me to read were not silent as they charged at my heart right from the page of my devotional book. When God said that His word is SHARP and ACTIVE He really meant it. Like a surgeon cutting right to the core…to the source of yet one more cell in my heart infected with the contamination of a judgmental and self-righteous disease. Why would I think that it’s actually my place to decide or decipher the “whys” of a trial or tragic circumstance going on in the lives of others. Especially another believer.

 

The writer of my devotional book quoted the passage from John chapter 9 verse 3…where the disciples asked God who it was that sinned, the blind beggar (born that way) or his parents….what an assumption! But whooaaaa! Before I even had time to pronounce judgment on the Christ-following disciples, I felt the scalpel go deep within my heart. Had I not just a day before verbalized the demise  of a fellow Christian, thinking it my place to wonder…hmmm…they are really into it…wonder what sin may be in their lives that is bringing about all this chaos?

 

Joseph Stowell described the disciples as being “detached”…which really convicted my heart. I didn’t want to think that “I” had become so callous as to be considered “detached” from Jesus and His compassion for others…especially those in desperate need and circumstances. Suffering SHOULD arouse in my heart a desire to relieve their pain, or comfort their hearts in sorrow. The last thing that looks like Jesus to an unbelieving world is for a follower of Christ to sit in judgment and analyze the whys and what for’s without showing comfort, compassion and seeking to meet their need with the kindness of God. “If we would only learn to see tragedy as a platform for the kind of compassion that reflects the power of God’s glory through us, we could have a far greater impact on our world” – Joseph Stowell.

 

Scripture says that “the kindness of God leads men to repentance”. Who am I – if not a reflection of God’s kindness…how He has faithfully shown compassion and kindness to me. So Ang…can the curiosity and keep that storehouse of kindness overflowing – so I can share it with those who desperately need it. I’d be a dead cat if it were not for the grace and compassion of God (you know, curiosity killed the cat) but through His compassion – I can show compassion to others. May His loving kindness and compassion be seen in me as my heart heals from yet another surgery!

 

Be Still My Soul

Verse 1 – Be still my soul, the Lord is on thy side; bear patiently the cross of grief or pain. Leave to thy God to order and to provide; in every change He faithful will remain. Be still my soul! Thy best, thy heavenly Friend, through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Paraphrase: Be still my soul: Be quiet, and listen, hear it? Listen for God’s still small voice. Why? Because He is on my side, at my side, living in me, always with me, never to leave me. I am not alone in anything or at anytime. With patience, I can stand firm even in the most painful of situations or circumstances. Stand firm in what? What He says is true. The fact that my Jesus, my Savior, accomplished for me the ultimate victory over death, PAIN, GRIEF, LOSS, through the CROSS HE BORE…for me. I have Jesus, my Savior who sits at the right hand of God pleading on my behalf, because of the love of God for me. I have the Spirit of God who groans unutterable words on my behalf as I bear whatever cross of grief or pain that He is totally aware of! Patiently waiting for God’s intervening grace and comfort, I am not alone! I am growing to actually like this phrase of this truly great song…leave to thy God… Whatever is the source of my grief or pain or loss, I can leave it to my God! I can be still…and know that He is God…and I am not! He knows what to do, when to do it, how to do it, and why it should be done. He not only sees the big picture, He is the Creator of the canvas and supplies all the artwork! He is creating a masterpiece…using me, for His glory, His pleasure! I have the potential to bring pleasure to my God! So I can say with peace that only comes from God, “whatever” Lord! I am leaving it all up to You…to order and provide. Order…what He wants to do in me and through me. He orders. I wait. Be still my soul. I am not alone…He is at my side. Order and provide; in every change He faithful will remain…apparently I need some of His provision…something that is lacking in me that He wants to provide for my best and for His glory. When I lack total trust, He tells me I can trust Him. When I lack courage, He tells me to be of good courage, because He has already won! When I lack strength, He tells me to take joy in Him, because joyfully pursuing Him is my strength. Hey! I trusted Him to save me…therefore, I can trust Him to keep me…through everything I experience. He provides what is lacking in my life that enables me to stand firm and be strong. He provides! What a Friend I have in Jesus! (wow! Sounds like another familiar awesome song!) What a FAITHFUL FRIEND! He is with me and I am not alone! Through thorny ways…leads to a joyful end! Through all the pain, grief, loss; whatever source of hurt…this songwriter compared the adversity to thorns. How appropriate. Someone else did that to, i.e. “thorn in the flesh”. I have a choice. A choice to trust Him for His provisions, thereby passionately pursuing Him because in Him there is incredible JOY. When I am still, when I am quiet, when I am focused on the truths found in His Word, I come to that joyful end. He is here. He never leaves me. I am not alone!

Body Check

There are few around today who know the importance and wisdom in the forgotten phrase “little is much”. From the perspective of less is good versus more is better how do we stand. Even we born again believers chase after the bigger is better theme. Look at our buildings; then take a look at our enthusiasm for winning souls. Look at our budget versus our agenda for effective, true discipleship. Priorities in a church body reveal a lot about the character of that church. How many take off to conferences where thousands meet together to hear 4 or 5 people give an inspiring testimony that brings you to tears versus how many of us sit face to face with a small group of men or women and share our spiritual struggles and needs to the point of shedding tears over our own brokenness and dependence on Jesus Christ. Vulnerability has been replaced with lovely stone walls that not only say “keep out” but also “I don’t need you” or they may merely say “nice to see you” but never expect to “know” you.

My point is – that we don’t fellowship in the name of Jesus Christ much anymore. We eat together a lot and call that fellowship, but true biblical fellowship is avoided so much that it has become much more comfortable to be together and never discuss spiritual issues with our Christian friends. Imagine that, it’s easier to talk about what we bought at the mall last week, or our kid’s soccer games or the latest media gossip rather than how I may be struggling to put a verse I read this morning into my daily actions. Why? Because by mentioning my private spiritual struggles, I become accountable to do something about it. Like maybe change– or seek out someone’s counsel or ask someone for prayer. And who wants to appear “weak” in our strong-self-willed-self-secured-self-confident (can I just say self-ish?) little world. It’s no wonder that almost every face I see has a lonely, wistful, unfulfilled countenance veiling the eyes of their hearts.

My vote is to get back to being together. Real people sharing real life. With our body of Christ—where we are while we are living. Plugging ourselves into the lives of those around us, giving ourselves to one another for the purpose of building up each other, and being built up in the process as well. Not just sharing a meal (which we don’t do much of anymore either) but while sharing that meal, getting to know one another in a spiritual way. Is this just a fantasy after which I am seeking? Is there anyone anymore who wants to discuss what God has to say about our lives, our kids, our marriages, our friends, our habits, our hopes and dreams, our failures, our stress, our pain, our hurt, our anger…where is the body of Christ when life is taking place? Is it hiding away – shriveling up from living on the crumbs of self-gratification. From what I see, it (the body of Christ) seems only able to perform and function in at a building which is mistakenly viewed as “the church”. Or maybe surrounded by a thousand other seeker friendly people – where one can silently cry at the words of an inspiring speaker, yet too embarrassed or too proud to share with fellow believers what it was that touched their heart.

We have made our homes into a haven for self only, it’s too much work to share that home with others, our time is too expensive to lavish it on someone who is needy—emotionally or spiritually, after all, we have our own families and problems to take care of. We love to say we don’t have time or money or the right home to share with the body of Christ, but the truth is – that is not the truth …..we should be willing to share whatever we have whenever we can. The bottom line, we need each other in the body of Christ. If we are not giving ourselves and our resources to build up the body of Christ, then we are aiding in starving it to death. Ever really look at a starving human body. It’s effectiveness and proper function is just about to breath it’s last breath. And if our effectiveness is dying, where does that leave our church. Ineffective…and useless. Where is the lifeline, the air supply, the effectiveness of the church supposed to come from? You know the answer—us. Members of the body of Jesus Christ. Until each member of the body chooses to die to self, and follow after Christ – until we put on love, that perfect bond of unity, we will have wasted our gift of life. We will one day have to bear the grief and pain of what we could have accomplished for God, and for others. Simply because we loved ourselves so much. This message began with the simple phrase “little is much”. It’s true and powerful. It doesn’t really take much to help someone, to care for someone, to encourage someone.

What to do…

Find someone now, today, that you can pour some of your life in to. Ask God to use you for His glory in the lives of others. It doesn’t take much! Just a little of your time.