Monday Morning Memo: Dancing Dots

Several months ago, I was sitting with my four-year-old grandson and we were texting his aunt, my oldest daughter.  After we sent her a text, Elias got all excited and said, “Grandma!  Dancing dots…dancing dots!”  At first, I had no idea what in the world he was talking about, but then I looked at my phone’s screen and I suddenly realized what was causing his excitement.  While Erica was answering our text, there were three dots on my screen that were moving. That told us that she was currently in the process of writing her answer to our text.  

Elias was so thrilled because he knew that those dancing dots meant Aunt Erica was writing us back and he could hardly contain himself.  He knew something good was coming…he knew that his beloved aunt wanted to “talk” to him.

As we face the start of a new year, I’m guessing that some of you are excited because you can hardly wait to see what Jesus has in store for you in 2019.  At this point, you are just watching the “dancing dots”...knowing He has each 24 hours planned and will be in conversation with you each and every day.  You know He loves you and wants to have constant dialogue with you and you are just waiting with anticipation as to what Jesus will accomplish through you in the year ahead.

Then, I am also fairly confident that there are some of you who aren’t a bit excited about the coming year.  You aren’t even looking for the “dancing dots”…because you are convinced that Jesus wants nothing to do with you.  You’ve listened to Satan’s bullying as he’s told you that you aren’t worth conversing with our Heavenly Father.   He’s told you that your past is filled with actions and behaviors that Jesus would never forgive.  You are facing 2019 with no hope…no peace…no excitement…and definitely no dancing dots.

I want you to know that what Satan is filling your ears with, couldn’t be further from the truth.  Jesus loves you so much and wants to spend time with you every day.  He wants 2019 to be the best year of your life…filled with moments and events that will make you look more and more like Him.  He created you in His image and there isn’t anything you can do to stop Him from loving you.  You don’t have to clean up your act before He will love you…He loves you just the way you are…but loves you too much to allow you to wallow in your sin.  He is just waiting for you to realize your need for Him and ask Him to take control of your life.

Jesus wants us to wait with excitement as He unfolds His plans for us this coming year.  The question then becomes…are we anxiously watching and waiting for his “dancing dots”?  I am and I sure hope you are too!

Happy New Year! 

“Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he’s the one who will keep you on track.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 (MSG)

Monday Morning Memo: It's Not About Me

“It’s not about you.”  If that statement sounds familiar, it probably means you have read Rick Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Life.  It is the very first sentence in chapter 1. He goes on to say, “The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind, or even your happiness.  It’s far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions.  If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by his purpose and for his purpose.”

Warren’s words have been coming to mind often this past week as I’ve been trying to prepare my heart and mind for Christmas.  Unfortunately, of all the holidays that we celebrate, I’m guessing that Christmas is probably one of the hardest for many to realize that it’s not about us.  All we have to do is turn on the television, the radio, open up one of the zillions of ads that we are bombarded with and we are told over and over again what WE need. We need to buy this…we have to have that…we need to make sure and include this on our Christmas list.  We won’t be happy, and our life just won’t be complete unless the gifts under the tree are exactly what we want.

I can’t believe that this is what God had in mind when He sent his Son into the world on that night so long ago.  I can’t imagine that His plan was to have his Son born, so that once a year I can be selfish and hope I am showered with gifts.  If that is what His desire was, He wouldn’t have even had to have a baby be born.  He could have just started a tradition of a day that we celebrate called, “ME-DAY”. 

What would it be like if, several weeks before my birthday, my family would come to me and give me lists of what they want me to buy for them to celebrate the day I was born?   What if when my day arrives, they all run in and say, “What did you get me?  Where are my gifts?  What are we going to do to celebrate me?”  I’m guessing I just might be a little hurt.  I’m guessing I might feel somewhat neglected…somewhat disappointed in those who I thought loved me.

I wonder then how Jesus feels when we hand Him our lists of what we want.  When we hound him over and over again, telling Him what He needs to do for us and how He needs to bless us.  I wonder if He feels a little hurt.  I wonder if He feels a little neglected…maybe disappointed in us for saying that He means the world to us but showing something different with our actions.

I’ve come to the realization that Christmas is not about me.  Unfortunately, it’s not about you either.  It is all about Him.  The precious, tiny baby Jesus entered this world because of His great love for us. He entered this world so that He would grow up to become a very important part of history.  His story is one of truth, hope and love for you and for me. His life entered this world so that one day He could pay the price for the things we have done wrong.  His life brought us salvation and He was willing to sacrifice everything He had for you and for me.

Doesn’t it make sense then that Christmas, His birthday, should be all about Him?  I happen to think it does.  

As we celebrate Jesus’ birthday tomorrow, let’s make a point to ask Him what He wants from us. Let’s do everything we can to show Him, not just with our words but also with our actions, just how much we love Him. He should be the guest of honor of our celebration so let’s make sure He knows that it IS all about Him! 

“There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.”

                                                      Luke 2:8-12 The Message

O come let us adore Him

O come let us adore Him

O come let us adore Him

Christ the Lord!

For He alone is worthy

For He alone is worthy

For He alone is worthy

Christ the Lord!

Monday Morning Memo: Ewwwwww

I’m sure you will be thrilled to know that I have a pet peeve to disclose with you today. You may share this irritation with me…but never thought it was something to write about.  Well, maybe it isn’t, but I’m going to do it anyway!

It seems like many hotels have something that looks like this photo.  I actually took this picture a couple weeks ago in one of the hotels we stayed in and I’ve seen this same thing many times before.  If I asked you what this was, I’m sure most of you would immediately say that it is a hook which is often seen in hotels on the back of the bathroom door.  I believe that the idea is that you can put your robe or towel on this hook so that they are in arm’s reach after your shower.

The idea is great…but the problem is that it doesn’t work.  This particular hook doesn’t hook!  The two “arms” that protrude aren’t shaped like a hook…they just basically stick straight out and don’t even do that very far.  So, when a person attempts to use this like it was meant to be used…whatever is hung usually ends up on the floor.  

Oh, it looks nice and it is recognizable as being a hook, but the bottom line is that it really isn’t what it appears to be.  You can clean it…shine it…put it at any height on the door or wall, but unless what you are hanging is rather sticky…it just can’t come through with doing the job it was designed to do.  As a result, I’m usually irritated when I go to reach for my towel and it is on the hotel bathroom floor…ewwwwww.

Don’t you just hate it when what you see isn’t what it appears to be?  Maybe a hook doesn’t upset you…but what about something that is a little more important.  What about that person you met that sure appeared to be a Christian? They cleaned up well, knew all the right words to say…but when their faith was put to the test…they pretty much fell to the floor.  You thought for sure they had a close relationship with Jesus, but you were grossed out when their walk didn’t match up with their talk.

First of all, none of us are perfect.  There isn’t a Christian alive that never messes up…never fails in their faith…never sins.  We are all human and unfortunately, we all have weaknesses that can disappoint others. So, does that mean we can just use that as our excuse and not care whether our walk matches our talk?

I don’t think so.  Even though we aren’t perfect, I still believe that our goal should be to make sure that when others get to know us, they see someone who is always striving to be a devoted follower of Christ.  If others see us living in a way that doesn’t line up with our Christian values, what good is our testimony?  Regrettably, if we aren’t what we appear to be, we will probably turn more people away from our Jesus than towards Him.  

Maybe this Christmas, the best gift we can give to those we meet is our “real” self…with all of our faults and failures…but with a sincere, genuine love for our Savior. Others really don’t need to see another phony representative of someone who just appears to be a Christian, but lives in such a way that is against His teachings.  Time is of the essence and eternity is on the horizon, so our walk needs to match our talk.  If it doesn’t, I’m guessing all others will say is…ewwwwww.  

 

“Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. 

Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ 

is among you; if not, you have failed 

the test of genuine faith”.

2 Corinthians 13:5

Monday Morning Memo: Are We Willing?

Dan and I just returned from working at the Operation Christmas Child processing center in Boone, North Carolina.  This is a trip that we look forward to each year and it always seems like the hours just fly by and before we know it…we are heading back home.

But this year our trip was extended.  Instead of heading home, our group went to Charlotte, NC and had the privilege of spending time at the Billy Graham Library and then we worked for a day at the Operation Christmas Child processing center in Charlotte, which is three times the size of the Boone facility.

The time spent at the library was amazing. While I assumed ahead of time that I would enjoy it, I never dreamed it would leave such an impression on me. Billy Graham was such an incredible follower of Christ and had an impact on eternity like no other.  But as I walked through the rooms, I just kept having the same thought go through my mind, which was, He had an impact, because he was willing.  It wasn’t because he was an expert on the Bible; he said his wife was much more knowledgeable on the Scriptures.  He didn’t “inherit” a large congregation to speak to from his father; his dad was a dairy farmer.  The reason that God was able to use Billy Graham in such a powerful way to impact eternity was because he was willing.  He was willing to allow God to interrupt his life in whatever way He deemed best.

I believe this thought was first planted in my mind though, the day before we went to the library.  We were processing shoe boxes and we came across box after box that had the same contents.  In each one, there was, among other things, a handmade blanket and a doll.  Each box also had a letter in it, which explained who had sent these items.  The letter read:

I am 98 years old.  I love to use my hands to make blankets to keep children like you warm at night.  I hope that the blanket I am 

sending in this shoebox will make you feel comfortable and loved.  

I know that Jesus loves you and died to forgive your sins.  

I hope you will believe in him the way I do.

The letter also included a picture of the creator of the blanket…his address…and his email address in case the child would want to contact him.  Yes, you read that right.  The tailor of the blankets was a 98-year-old man.

I was so touched as I looked at the picture of this kind looking gentleman with a large stack of blankets he had made.  He created these beautiful covers to first meet the needs of children (to keep them warm), and then to make sure and tell them about his Jesus.  You see, just like Billy Graham, God is able to use this wonderful elderly man in a powerful way to impact eternity because he is willing.

It is mind-blowing to realize what God can do, if we are willing.  I can’t even begin to fathom what all could be accomplished for His glory, if you and I were willing to be interrupted in whatever way God deemed best.  Who knows…maybe He might allow us the privilege of impacting eternity like Billy Graham or this amazing 98-year-old man.  I’m asking God to give me the courage to be willing. Will you join me?

“So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.”

James 4:7-10 The Message

Monday Morning Memo: Just Too Busy

I shared with you a few weeks ago that I don’t have a specific decorating style in our home.  To add to that exciting information, decorating at holidays or at different seasons makes me feel a little ill.  It isn’t my gift, so as a result, I often just don’t do it.  I have friends who have the knack of beautifying their home every few months and I think that is wonderful…but it just isn’t happening at my house!

For Christmas this year, I made myself at least put up the tree and display my nativity sets.  I thoroughly enjoy everything once I have it all done…it’s just taking the time to do it because I can think of many other things that I would rather be doing than decorating.  Thankfully it is all complete now and I can just take in the beauty for the rest of the year.   

As I was looking at my tree a few days ago, I decided to research the origin of the Christmas tree (now see, that is much more fun than decorating!  I know I’m strange…so you don’t have to tell me that).  But I soon found out that there are many different theories as to how it began…some believing it began as a pagan tradition to others saying that Martin Luther was responsible for the origin of it.  Many different speculations…many different ideas…everyone believing their ideas are the “gospel” truth.

At that point, I decided that instead of adopting someone else’s thoughts on the Christmas tree…maybe I should come up with my own reason for it.  Maybe Jesus wants my Christmas tree to remind me of something every time I look at it. So that led me to checking out if and how trees were talked about in the Bible.

The word tree is listed quite often in Scripture, but when I read Matthew 12:33 I knew that was my answer.  “A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good.  If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad.” Hmmm…I wonder if others can identify me as a follower of Jesus by looking at the “fruit” I produce?

Our small group is studying Acts this year and we are only in the third chapter and I’m already getting my toes stepped on. In fact, they are feeling a little bruised.  Last week we looked at the lame man who was a beggar at the temple gate and was healed by Peter.  Through this story, I was challenged to really begin to look in the eyes of those with whom I come in contact.  Am I willing to really look at them…to show them that I care…to hurt with them, laugh with them and even cry with them?  Max Lucado said in his book Outlive Your Life: “Let’s be the people who stop at the gate.  Let’s look at the hurting until we hurt with them.  No hurrying past, turning away, or shifting of eyes. No pretending or glossing over.  Let’s look at the face until we see the person.”

If I’m honest, I don’t always want to look in the eyes of others.  I’ve been known to hurry past…turn away…hoping someone else will have the time to get involved since I’m just too busy.  Too busy to show someone that they are loved.  Too busy to find out others’ needs or hurts.  Too busy to let them see Jesus through me.  Too busy to produce good “fruit”.  Just too busy…

So, this year, I’ve decided that when I look at the beauty of my Christmas tree, I’m going to ask Jesus to work in me so that my “fruit” will show His beauty.  I want Him to slow me down so that I really begin to see the people He puts in my path. I want Him to work in me and through me so that others will see Him as a result of my “fruit”.  

I really don’t want others to think that I’m just too busy because I should never be too busy to be Jesus with skin on to those I meet.  May my life only produce fruit that is good…so that others will want to know Him because I took the time to know them.