Monday Morning Memo: Choosing Peace Part IV

Once again, we are looking today at what we can do to have peace each and every day.  As I have shared in the previous weeks, I began thinking about this in a more in-depth manner as I read the book, Calming The Storm Within: How to Find Peace In This Chaotic World, by Jim Lange.

 
The first week we learned from Mr. Lange’s statement, “Chaos is a part of life that cannot be avoided.  We need to actually embrace the chaos because God allows it for our own good.”  The second week we looked at his words, “Any lack of peace that I experience is simply because I am focusing on my issues and me rather than on Jesus.”   Last week we looked at the fact that we probably won’t have peace until our thoughts change from “Why is this happening TO me…to What is God doing FOR me?”

 
I think this week’s insight from Mr. Lange’s book is where the rubber meets the road.  I think it is something that if we really took to heart…if we really grasped this truth and believed it…we would experience more peace.  He says this, “This might surprise you, but worry and anxiety (or a lack of peace) is sin.  It dishonors God, because when we worry or have anxiety in our hearts, we are effectively saying that God is not big enough to handle it, or that we trust ourselves more than we trust God.  We are putting ourselves and our issues ahead of our Creator, which is the ultimate in pride and selfishness.”  
 
I have preached and written about this very truth and I have even gone so far as to say that when we worry, when we lack peace, we are acting like an atheist.  We are saying that we don’t believe there is a God big enough to handle our needs.  We are saying that we don’t believe His promises…that our pace is better than His pace...that our plans are better than His plans.   We are saying we don’t trust Him enough to allow Him to be our Shepherd.  And when we don’t believe…we won’t have peace.

 
It is so sobering to me when I think about the times when I have acted like an atheist.  When my actions show others that I don’t believe there is a God big enough to handle whatever life throws my way, why in the world would they want to have a relationship with my Savior?  If I don’t have peace; if I don’t show them that my faith and trust is in the One who gave His all for me, they aren’t going to want to hear about Him.  This is sobering…because these actions of mine can have an eternal consequence for those who need my Jesus.
 
Remember how God provided manna daily for the Israelites?  This story has always intrigued me because God could have provided them with storehouses full of manna that never would have spoiled.  He was more than capable of doing that.  But instead, He chose to feed them daily because He wanted them to trust Him for today AND for tomorrow…knowing He would provide whatever was needed.  I am sure He wanted them to learn to have peace, even when they knew they only had provisions for today.

 
I don’t know about you, but I know this is an area of my life I need to turn completely over to the Lord.  I, just like the Israelites, need to have peace knowing He has promised to provide whatever I need for today and He is big enough to also handle my tomorrows.  My Jesus needs to be enough. 
 
I hope you don’t struggle in this area, but if you do, I would love to pray for you.  I think it is important that we support each other in prayer as we strive to demonstrate and live out peace as chaos is swirling around us.  If you would like for me to lift you up to our Jesus, just let me know either by e-mail, luannfulton@gmail.com, or feel free to private message me through Facebook.
 
Our Jesus is enough.  When we live like we believe this…peace will come.

 

“I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart.

And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.

So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

John 14:27

Monday Morning Memo: Choosing Peace Part III

We are in our third week of looking at having peace no matter what chaos is swirling around us.  I began thinking about this in a more in-depth manner as I read the book, Calming The Storm Within: How to Find Peace In This Chaotic World by Jim Lange.  My prayer is that something I share will help you in your search to have peace in whatever circumstances you find yourself.
 
The first week we learned from Mr. Lange’s statement, “Chaos is a part of life that cannot be avoided.  We need to actually embrace the chaos because God allows it for our own good.”  Last week we looked at his words, “Any lack of peace that I experience is simply because I am focusing on my issues and me rather than on Jesus.”

 
This week I want to look at what often keeps us from embracing the chaos and focusing on Jesus.  From what I have observed, many people lack peace because of one central question they keep asking as they are experiencing hard times.  Over and over again, many keep asking, “Why is this happening to me?”  Of course, the question becomes personalized depending on the current type of turmoil.  “Why am I having to suffer physically?”  Why am I stuck in this lousy job, where no one recognizes my potential?”  “Why do I have a spouse and/or child who doesn’t love me the way I think I should be loved?”  And I could go on and on.

 

Mr. Lange addressed this in his book.  He said he has also observed this in others who have faced major difficulties in their lives.  He said that some of them acted as if their lives were over.  They fretted and complained about the horrible hand that was dealt to them.  In other words, they were super focused on what was happening TO them, which kept them stuck in the muck and mire.

 
He went on to say he had also observed some who seemed to be blessed in the midst of their difficult circumstances.  With these people, their tough situations proved to be the catalyst for something great in their lives.  He said, “The one thing in common with each of the people in this group was that, at some point along the way, their thinking changed.  They shifted from thoughts of Why is this happening TO me…to What is God doing FOR me?  They each recognized that God was working on their behalf, even though in the natural it didn’t seem like it at all.  They became dead to themselves in their circumstances.  Some of these, probably the more spiritually mature, went to this place quickly in the midst of their trial.  Others may have taken a bit longer.  But they each got there, and God was able to turn their lemons into lemonade.”

 
I think many of us would have a lot more peace if instead of immediately asking, Why me?…we would ask Why NOT me?  Why in the world should we be free of trials and chaos in our lives?  We read in John 16:33, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me.  Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.  But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”  Christ told us that we would have difficult situations in our lives, but He also told us that we should have peace.  Why?  Because He is greater than anything this world can throw at us…yes, even a messed-up election 

 
So instead of fretting, fuming, whining and feeling sorry for ourselves, what if we looked at our current situation and thanked the Lord for it.  What if we realized that He has us in our current surroundings for a reason and that through our chaos, He will be able to change us and mold us to look more like Him.  What if we asked Him to reveal what He is trying to teach us and then ask Him to help us act appropriately to His plan.  I’m guessing if we did this, we just might have more peace.

 
If I am honest, I am still a work in progress in thanking the Lord when I am in the middle of unplanned circumstances.  Some days I feel like I’m pretty successful at it and other days I fail miserably.  But He is slowly whittling away those things in my life that keep me from looking like Him…and if that means I have to face uncertain, chaotic times…then I know it is all in His plan.
 
Are you asking “Why me?” today?  I want to urge you to change that question to “Why NOT me” and then try thanking the Lord for what you are experiencing.  Ask Him then to reveal to you His plan in gentle whispers.  I believe you will begin to feel peace as His presence is felt in a powerful way and His Spirit fills your soul.  Give it a try.  What do you have to lose?

Monday Morning Memo: Choosing Peace Part II

As I shared with you last week, I came across a book several years ago entitled, Calming The Storm Within: How to Find Peace In This Chaotic World  by Jim Lange.  This book spoke to me in so many ways, and I hope something I share from it will help your search to have peace no matter what chaos is swirling around you.

One of Mr. Lange’s statements that jumped out at me was this: 

“Peace is something provided to us by God (which we need to both seek and receive) that enables us to have tranquility, or be okay on the inside, regardless of our circumstances.” 

 

While I know in my mind that these words are true, it seems like it is much harder to “live out” than it is to just agree with it.  I know that God does provide peace for us, but where I struggle is accepting His peace when I am in a place in my life where I don’t want to be.

 

As I wrote last week, His peace is always there but it is our choice whether we are going to accept it or not.  It’s easy to choose peace when life is running smoothly and all of our ducks are in a row.  But when we are thrown a curve ball and we are suddenly on a detour that we didn’t plan, it seems to be so much harder to choose His peace.  As I was contemplating as to why I struggle with this, the author hit me between the eyes with these words:

“Peace isn’t stolen from us – we choose to give it up when we refuse to give up control or when we take our eyes off Jesus.”

 
Refusing to give up control.  Ouch.  That hurt.  Anyone that knows me would probably agree that I can easily be a control freak.  I’m pretty particular and I like things to be done and go in the way I think they should happen.  So, when things in my life go haywire, I often tend to just tighten my grip on what is swirling around me.  As I read, I realized that when I do that, I am refusing to give up control because I think I can handle things better.  It is at those times when I am taking my eyes off of Jesus and putting them on myself, and nothing good ever comes from doing that.

 

Tomorrow our country will have a very contentious election…someone is going to win…and someone is going to lose.  Where we have our focus will determine our reaction, especially if our candidates don’t find themselves in the winning circle.  No matter who ends up with the most votes…God will still be on the Throne…and it is in Him that we need to put our trust.

 

Mr. Lange then summed it up with this one powerful statement:

“Any lack of peace that I experience is simply because

I am focusing on my issues and me rather than on Jesus.”

 

This is so true.  If I can fully comprehend this truth and remember it every time I feel my stomach going into knots, hopefully I will stop wherever I am and whatever I am doing and choose His peace.  It’s always there for me…always available…but it’s up to me to put my eyes on my Jesus and accept the peace He is offering.

 

How about you?  Are you living in chaos right now?  If so, whom or what has your focus?  If it isn’t your Jesus…I doubt you have peace and you need to remember, just like I do, that you are making the choice not to have it.  It’s always there for you…always available…but you have to be willing to turn your eyes on Him and choose to have the peace He so longs to give you! 

 

"I keep my eyes always on the Lord.

With him at my right hand,

I will not be shaken.”

Psalm 16:8

Monday Morning Memo: Choosing Peace Part I

I was looking for something recently and I came across a series of devotionals I had written several years ago concerning having peace when there is chaos around us.  As I read them, I felt like I should bring them up-to-date and share them with you again…possibly because we all just might have a little bedlam in our lives these days.  

 

Have you ever heard the expression, the “tyranny of the urgent”?  It came from a little booklet written in 1967 by Charles Hummel and it quickly became a classic.  He argued that we often have a choice between things that are urgent and things that are important – and far too often, the urgent wins.  In other words, we often spend our days doing whatever is yelling at us the loudest, even if those things aren’t what are most important.  We run ourselves ragged day after day with our stomachs tied in knots, just trying to silence the noise.

As a result, we often end our day frustrated, exhausted and discouraged. Our nerves are on edge and we lash out at those whom we love the most.  And peace?  Well, unfortunately many haven’t felt peace in a very long time or even thought it was possible, because most people around us are absorbed in the same rat race that we are experiencing.

 

I knew this had become the “normal” in our society, but it has become much more evident during these days filled with Covid-19 and the upcoming election.  Flip on the news and it takes just about a nanosecond to be reminded of the chaotic world in which we live. People going every which way, fighting over whether masks should be worn, fighting over who should be elected and basically just trying to scream louder than the next person. 

I came across a book several years ago entitled, Calming The Storm Within: How to Find Peace In This Chaotic World  by Jim Lange.  Mr. Lange caught my attention when he stated, “Chaos is a part of life that cannot be avoided.  We need to actually embrace the chaos because God allows it for our own good.”   He followed it with this prayer, “Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me so much that You would allow chaos and trouble in my life.  You know what I need and You know that staying in my comfort zone is not good for me.  Help me to remember this the next time I face chaos and to be thankful in the midst of the storm.  Help me to see it from Your vantage point so that I can choose peace in the midst of it and I can be looking for You during the turmoil.  Amen.” 

Did you catch what it said in this prayer?  This prayer asks our Lord to help us see the chaos from His vantage point so that we can choose peace.  Whether our schedule is way over-packed or fairly empty due to quarantining…whether everyone around us is screaming or everyone is silent because we are all alone…we can choose to have peace. 

In the next few weeks, I plan to share with you some of the highlights that I ascertained from this book, along with what the Lord is teaching me on this subject.  I know I have a lot to learn about this and hopefully what I share will also be of help to you.

 

As we begin a new week, let’s pray for the Lord to help us see the chaos around us from His vantage point so that we can begin to choose peace.  Remember, the world is watching us to see how we react to life’s pressures and maybe, just maybe, if they see us choosing peace, they will want to hear about our Jesus!

 

“And let the peace that comes from Christ 

rule in your hearts.
For as members of one body you are called 

to live in peace.
And always be thankful.”

Colossians 3:15

Monday Morning Memo: For "Someone"

I have a question for you to start your week.  How often are you thrilled with what you see when you look in the mirror?  All of the time?  Most of the time?  Rarely?  Never?

 

I was thinking about this question last week and it made me think of all the times in my life when I have looked in the mirror and didn’t like what I saw.  The times when I have wished I was like someone else.

Why can’t I be as pretty as her?
Why can’t I be as thin as her?
Why can’t I be as creative as her or him?
Why wasn’t I given the athletic ability with which she or he was blessed?
Why can’t I be as smart as she or he is?
Why can’t I write as well as she or he can?

I could go on and on with my list.  There have been many times when what I saw in the mirror, just didn’t measure up to what I thought was “perfection”.
​
So when I saw this graphic a few days ago it really hit home.  It is so hard for me to believe that not once had God looked at me and thought:

I sure wish LuAnn was as pretty as ___________.
I sure wish LuAnn was as thin as ___________.
I sure wish LuAnn had the same creative ability as ___________.
I sure wish LuAnn was as athletic as ___________.
I sure wish LuAnn was as smart as ___________.
I sure wish LuAnn could write as well as ___________.

Not once has He done this.  God created me to be me and I can waste so much time in my life trying to be someone else, that I miss out on who and what I am.  I am a child of God who was created in HIS image.  I am a child of God who is so dearly loved, that He sent His one and only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for my sins.  I am a child of God who has accepted Him as my Lord and Savior and, as a result, I have a home that is being prepared for me in heaven.  When He calls me home…I will spend eternity with Him, my Heavenly Father.

 

And the exciting news?  The same is true for you! Not once has He looked at you and wished you were more like ______________(insert the name of your choice).  Not once has God looked at you and thought He made a huge mistake.  NOT ONCE!  You were also created in His image and He loves you more than you can ever imagine.   And He loves you just the way you are…right now.

Yes, He loves you and me with all of our flaws and imperfections and nothing we have done or no inferior quality that we might have can diminish His love for us.  I don’t know about you…but that just blows my mind!

Does that mean we should never strive to change those qualities that hinder us from looking like Jesus?  Of course not.  Striving to reflect His image should be our focus every day, by making choices that we know will please Him.  It is a continuous process in which He loves us where we are today…but wants even greater things for us tomorrow.  Why?  Because He loves us that much.

I just feel like someone needs to read these words today.  Someone feels they are a failure.  Someone doesn’t think he or she has worth.  Someone is thinking that if they were just like ___________...their life would be perfect.  So if you are that “someone”…when you look in the mirror today…don’t concentrate on what or who you aren’t.  Concentrate on Who created you and in Whose image you were created.  Remember…God never makes a mistake, so He didn’t make a mistake when He made you and He loves you right where you are TODAY!

So God created mankind in his own image,

in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.

Genesis 1:27

Monday Morning Memo: A Legacy to Follow

I had the privilege of officiating at two funerals last week.  That may sound a little strange to many of you…putting the word “privilege” in the same sentence as “funeral”.  But I have always felt honored when asked to speak to families and their friends at a time when they, more than likely, need encouraged and comforted.  

 

Funerals almost always make me do some introspection.  Both of the Christian women who were laid to rest, left a legacy for their families to continue.  I was so touched to hear that one of them, even when her health was not at all good…was still looking around the nursing home to see who might need a friend.  The other woman was always more interested in how others were doing, than she was on her own well-being.  These dear saints made a difference in this world and, more than likely, in eternity.

 

Funerals always make me face the reality that I sometimes want to ignore.  I will one day leave this world and stand before my Jesus.  I’m guessing that in that moment…He isn’t going to ask me how much wealth I was able to accumulate.  He isn’t going to ask me if my home was larger than my neighbor’s.  He isn’t going to ask me if I achieved fame as I pursued the ministry He called me to.  And believe it or not…I don’t think He will ask me if I was a Republican or a Democrat.

 

I do think He will ask me if I genuinely loved those with whom He put in my path.  Did I spend my days looking for those who needed a friend?  Did I spend my time reaching out so others could see His love through me?  Was I more concerned about the well-being of others than I was about what was in it for me?  And maybe the hardest and most seat-squirming question…had I been willing to do whatever my Jesus had called me to do…regardless of the cost? 

 

My mind knows my answer to each of these questions should be “YES”…but if I’m honest I know I have fallen short.  It is easy for me to fall into the trap of making excuses…

 

         *I’m too busy

         *I’m too tired

         *They do not believe what I believe

         *I’m not qualified

         *What if I do what Jesus is asking…and I’m laughed at?

         *What if I do what Jesus is asking…and I fail?

 

Trust me…I could go on and on.  But I know that on that day when I see my Jesus face to face…none of my excuses will be valid.  I will be standing in front of the One who was spit on…beaten…ridiculed and hung on a cross for me and I’m pretty confident I won’t even be able to choke out my lame excuses.

 

Ephesians 3:20 is a verse that is often quoted…but I’m wondering if we really believe what it says: “Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”  Just think…if we really believe this…we know that we have God’s mighty power working in us!  And if that is true…we have no reason for any excuses.  He has promised to give us whatever we need…whenever we need it…to accomplish His perfect plan in us.   He is just waiting for us to be obedient…so He can do mighty things through us for His glory!

 

Oh, what a difference we could make in this world…if each of us had the courage to be completely obedient to the plan that Jesus has set before us.  Not only would it have a huge impact today…but I think we would leave a more powerful legacy for those who come behind us to follow.  

 

Monday Morning Memo: The Days to Come

They are words I am hearing a lot these days.  It seems like many are feeling the same way and I can see the concern on their faces as they speak about the current condition of our country.  I have been told over and over again, “I worry so much for my children and grandchildren.  What kind of a world will they have to endure?”

 

Honestly, it may be a good thing that we don’t know what we or our family will have to go through in the days ahead.  What we are promised is that our God does know what tomorrow will bring and He is already there.  Nothing will be a surprise to Him and nothing will catch Him off-guard.  He is faithful…and that is what we need to remember and it is in Him that we need to put our trust.

 

So, if we don’t have a clue what tomorrow will bring for our loved ones… what can we do for them today?  If we are truly concerned for our children and grandchildren…what can we do now to help them be prepared for whatever comes in their path?

 

This came to mind recently as I was mailing out a couple of my books.  I turned to a page to sign my name and there was the dedication I had written to my grandchildren.  I hadn’t read it for a long time…so I took a few minutes to refresh my memory.  I had penned…

 

Dedication to my Grandchildren

 

I was told for many years that being a grandma was something wonderful, and even though I knew that was probably true, there was no way I could really understand until I became one.  As each of you entered the world, my heart just expanded to hold more love than I ever imagined was possible.  As I looked into your eyes, I vowed to do all I could do to be the grandma that Jesus would want me to be.

 

I want each of you to know that I will always have time for you. Remember that grandma loves you more than you will ever know, and spending time with you is a blessing. I want to have fun with you, explore with you and laugh with you.   I want to listen to your funny stories and play make-believe.  I want to hold you, read to you and kiss your boo-boos.  And there will be times when I will just want to “be” with you, without having to do anything at all.

 

I will not be successful as a grandma though, if all you remember about me is that I was someone with whom you had fun.  More importantly, I want you to be able to remember me as a grandma who loved her Jesus with all her heart.  When you are with me, I want you to see Jesus.  When I talk with you, I want you to hear words from Jesus.  When we explore this great big world together, I want you to find Jesus.  When I hold you close to me, I want you to feel Jesus in a special way.

 

There is nothing more in this world that I want for you, than to love my Jesus with all your heart.  He will never leave you or disappoint you.  He gave everything so that you can walk with Him with every step, every day and someday spend eternity with Him.  

 

Unfortunately, I’m not going to be a perfect grandma, but I hope my love for you will outshine my imperfections.   My prayer is that as we do life together, each of us will learn and grow from each other, and be better Christ-followers as a result of our relationship.

 

When you read this book I have penned, I want it to remind you of just how much I love my Jesus and how much I love you.  You are truly a blessing to me.

 

Love & Lots of Kisses,

 

Grandma

 

I can’t read these words without getting teary-eyed…because I love these precious souls so deeply.  I want each of them to not just know me…but more importantly…know my Jesus.  But what if my actions and reactions during this crazy time in our world aren’t reflecting Him…but reflecting my selfishness and my self-centeredness?  What if all they see is me screaming to get my own way and name-calling those who don’t see things the way I do?

 

You see, even if I am right in what I believe…even if all my opinions and facts are Bible-based…if I’m not showing Jesus’ love through me, what will my children and grandchildren learn?  Oh, I’m guessing they will still learn from me, but it probably won’t be anything that is beneficial.  

 

You and I can’t see tomorrow.  You and I, more than likely, can’t stop bad things from happening in our world tomorrow.  But there is something we can do today to help prepare those, whom we so deeply love, for the days ahead.  We can do all we can to be Jesus with skin on for those who come behind us.  We can show them how Jesus loves others.  We can show them how Jesus forgives others.  We can show them how Jesus shows compassion…even to those who disagree with Him.  Yes, we can show them Jesus…by allowing them to see His ways in us.

 

I am definitely not a perfect mom or grandma; I’ve blown it many times.  But I am committed, with Christ’s help, to do all I can to not just speak about my Jesus…but show Him to them too.  I need to remember that they are watching and that the old saying, “Actions speak louder than words” is often so true.  My prayer is that what they “see” in me will line up with what they “hear” from me…because turning their eyes towards Him…will help them face whatever life has in store in the days to come.

 

“If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.  If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.”

 

1 Corinthians 13:1-3