Monday Morning Memo: Beauty At Its Finest

Dan and I had the opportunity a few weeks ago, to go to Tennessee and North Carolina for a few days.  We usually make this trip a little earlier in the season and the colorful, fall leaves aren’t too prevalent.  So, I was excited that since we were going a little later this year, we would probably get to see beautiful leaves in all of their glory.

Well, of course that wasn’t the case.  The news kept talking about the fact that since it has been warmer later this year…the leaves were behind schedule.  Naturally…of all years for us to go later and the leaves just weren’t cooperating!

I was struck then as we were driving back home that the closer we got to our area…the more beautiful the leaves were.  I even mentioned to Dan that the colors were much more vibrant in our own state.  We then arrived home and all I had to do was look out our back window…and this is what I saw:

Yep… beauty at its finest.  Right in my own backyard.  

Not seeing fall leaves on our trip wasn’t earth-shattering by any means…but why do we often look in other places for something in life to make us happy…when if we just looked in our own area where God has placed us…we would find beauty.  Oh, if I just had a home like the Jones’…then I would be happy and willing to entertain guests.  Oh, if I just had a husband/wife like she or he has…then my life would be so much better and I could be the spouse I’m meant to be.  Oh, if I was just married…my life would be complete.  Oh, if I was just single…I could be happy again.  Oh, if I just had a better job…one where I am recognized for all of my many talents…then I could show joy to others at my workplace.  Oh, if my kids were just as well-behaved and talented as our neighbor’s kids are…then I would feel like a success and not a failure.

This type of thinking goes along with the saying, “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence”.  Things oftentimes look so much bigger, brighter, more profitable, more happiness inducing and maybe even more colorful…on the other side.  But if we really knew the truth…we would probably find out that those who are living on the other side…are wishing they lived on our side of the fence!

I wonder…what would happen if we looked for the beauty in our own home and neighborhood?  I wonder…what if we worked on being the spouse that God wants us to be and worked less on trying to change the husband or wife with whom we live?  I wonder…what if…while we waited for God to bring us our life mate…we worked on being the person He wants us to be while we are single?  I wonder…what if we did our absolute best in our job every day…even if it isn’t the dream job like we think everyone else has…but concentrated on being the beautiful, hard-working soul that others need to see right in our own place of employment?  I wonder…what if we spent more time pouring the love of Jesus into our own kids and complementing them on their positive traits instead of comparing them to everyone else’s “perfect” kids?

I wonder.  We might just find out that where God has placed us at this moment…in this job…with or without a spouse…with these kids…is exactly where He wants us to be…showing HIS beauty and love to those who are peering over our side of the fence.  

Today, let’s remember Paul’s words in Philippians 4:11-13 (The Message):

“Actually, I don’t have a sense of needing anything personally. I’ve learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I’m just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am.”

Yes, we just might find beauty at its finest…right in our own backyard.

Monday Morning Memo: What a Ride!

I will be the first to admit that my post today isn’t deeply spiritual and it probably won’t have any points that really make lightbulbs go on in your head.  In fact, I’m guessing that most of you have already, in one form or another, had these same thoughts.  But, that being said, I’m still going to share it with you because it’s what is rattling around in my brain.

One of our daughters lives about 30 miles from us and there are a few different routes we can take to get there.  But, more often than not, we have a particular route we usually use because the road is a little straighter and a little less “hilly”, so our speed can stay more constant.

Last week I headed towards her home to watch my adorable, brilliant and absolutely amazing three grandsons (you knew I had to brag a little!), while our daughter had an appointment.  As I was driving, I remembered that one of the other routes to her home has lots of hills and curves…but I figured it might be a more beautiful route to take with the leaves changing in color.  So, I decided to throw caution to the wind and take the more scenic road.

It did not disappoint me.  Several areas of the road had lots of trees on both sides and they appeared to encompass the road.  The colors were so vibrant and I found myself in awe of God’s creation that was all around me.

Of course, the reward for seeing nature in all of its beauty came with a price.  I had to drive a little slower.  I had to be much more careful maneuvering the curves just in case someone was coming around the bend from the other direction.  The hills had to be taken more carefully too because there was no way for me to see what was on their other side.  But I was willing to make these concessions…to be rewarded with seeing God’s handiwork.  

As I was thinking about this later, I realized how much being a follower of Christ can be like my drive that day.  I think so often, there is more than one path to get to a destination.  Now I don’t mean there is more than one way to get to our heavenly destination.  Only those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will spend eternity with Him and there are no other routes to get there.

I’m thinking about the multiple paths we can choose in life while we are still breathing on this earth and serving Him.  I often have the choice to pick the easy route.  I can do just the bare minimum…making sure I never ruffle any feathers or stand up publicly for my Biblical convictions.  I can keep to myself and just worship Christ in nature, instead of making it a priority to worship Him with my brothers and sisters in the faith.  I can do just enough to get by so that Satan won’t bother me too much…because I surely won’t be a threat to him.  

Will I still end up spending eternity with my Jesus?  Yes, I will.  But I have to wonder what beauty I will miss seeing because I made the choice to take the easy route.  What unexpected blessings will I fail to see because I didn’t take the journey with more hills and curves?  What might be waiting for me just over those hills or around those curves, that would just take my breath away…but because I feel the need to be “safe”…I’ll never know?

Hunter S. Thompson once said, “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming – Wow, what a ride!”   I don’t know about you, but I can feel my heart beating and my blood pumping just reading these words!  That’s how I want to “land” in eternity and I want to experience everything my Jesus has for me until I get there.

How about it?  Will you join me as we forge ahead…making sure to follow His road map instead of ours?  I sure hope so, because it will be a lot more fun with you along for the ride!

“I will praise the Lord as long as I live.
I will sing praises to my God with my dying breath.”

Psalm 146:2 

Monday Morning Memo: The Manure Pile

As many of you know…my mind often works in strange ways.  I can read something, and what pops into my brain would probably never come to anyone else’s.  Yep, call me an odd duck…because that description fits me well J

This just happened again when I read a couple verses in the Bible.  I found them in Luke !4:34-35.  It says, “Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again?  Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!”  When I read these verses, I wondered what in the word does salt have to do with a manure pile!

So, I started doing some research and as always, I found several different explanations for these verses.  But there was one that sort of stuck in my warped mind…so naturally, that is the one I will share with you.

In these verses, Jesus was referring to his followers being like salt in the world and if we lose our “saltiness”, we’re not fit for even the manure pile.  But for that to make sense, we need to know why salty salt is good on a manure pile and why unsalty salt isn’t.  I have never bragged that I’m an expert on manure piles…so I had to do some investigating.

The explanation I found was that in Jesus’ day, people cooked over fires that used dried animal manure as fuel because deserts didn’t have a large supply of wood.  The people learned that when they mixed salt with the manure, the salt caused a chemical reaction which made the fire burn brighter and hotter for longer.  But after a while, this process broke down the salt, causing it to become unsalty, and so the chemical reaction with the manure stopped and the fire would go out.

Jesus used this illustration to get across to the people that they were supposed to be like salty salt, so that when they were mixed in with the “manure” of the world, they were able to cause God’s Word to burn brighter and hotter.  In other words, their lives should be causing the “chemical reaction” so they would shine brightly for Him!

So, and here comes the really warped mind part, all I could think of as I read this explanation was… how hot is my manure pile?  If how I am living my life determines how brightly I am shining for others who don’t know my Jesus…do they see Him in me or is my “fire” petering out? Have I lost my “saltiness” in the unsaved world around me…or am I making sure my life is kept “seasoned” by my close relationship with my Jesus? 

You’ve probably already guessed that I can’t end this without asking you the same question…how hot is your manure pile?  Is it burning hotter and brighter because the “salt” of your life has been thrown in the mix?  Or are your embers starting to go out?   

I think we can all agree that we are living in a world that needs Jesus.  If we aren’t shining brightly for Him…I’m doubtful that anyone will be too interested in our cold embers.  So, let’s make a point this week to throw ourselves into the “mix” so that those who are lost will be drawn to our flame!

 “You are the light of the world—

like a city on a hilltop 

that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp 

and then puts it under a basket.  Instead, a lamp 

is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone 

in the house.  In the same way, let your good deeds 

shine out for all to see, so that everyone 

will praise your heavenly Father.”

Matthew 5:14-16

Monday Morning Memo: By Faith

In a blog post last January, I shared these words:  “I realized after that day, that my word for this year needed to be “POWER” and I needed to claim the verse in I Samuel 12:16, ‘Now stand here and see the great thing the Lord is about to do!’.  I’m guessing that many times I don’t see His power at work because I am in the way.  I look at too many trials from my human point of view, instead of claiming His power.”

This year has definitely been a time of seeing God’s power at work.  He has shown me over and over again, that His plan is perfect…His timing is perfect…and His ability to make all things new has just blown me away.  I have learned to pray boldly…not timidly…asking God to do great and mighty things and He hasn’t disappointed.

So, I guess I shouldn’t have been surprised when He led me to begin Throne Thursdays, which I shared with you last week.  Since I have seen Him work in such mighty ways, I knew He wanted me to pray boldly for others so they may receive His mercy and find grace to help them when they need it most.  Many of you have taken me up on my offer…and I am humbled and feel very privileged to take your concerns to the throne of our all-powerful God.

I don’t think it was any coincidence then when my devotional reading took me to Hebrews 11 this past week.  What a powerful chapter in the Bible. It begins with:  “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation.”  The chapter then tells us….

By faith… we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command…

By faith… Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did…     

By faith… Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying…

By faith… Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood…

By faith… Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him…He went without knowing where he was going…

By faith… Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and too old…

By faith… Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him.

By faith… the people of Israel went right through the Red Sea as though they were on dry ground. But when the Egyptians tried to follow, they all drowned.

And the list goes on and on.  We read over and over again in the Bible about the miraculously things that happened and I think we often think those times of seeing God’s power at work only happened in the Bible days.  Sorry, I don’t buy that!  I’m afraid we don’t always see God’s mighty hand at work because we don’t have the faith that He can accomplish it.  We need to remember that by faith…God can do immeasurably more than we can even imagine!

You see, faith is a choice…not a feeling.  It means choosing to trust God even when life doesn’t make sense.  It means stepping out boldly even when we might not feel bold.  It means living by faith…even when we can’t see what’s up ahead.

If you aren’t praying boldly…asking God to work in mighty ways…you are missing out on so much.  I want to encourage you today to approach His throne and say, “By faith…I am going to completely trust you God, knowing that your plan and timing are perfect and your ability to make all things new will just blow me away.  By faith, God, work in me and through me, so that my life will impact eternity today!”  

“So let us come boldly to the throne 

of our gracious God. 

There we will receive his mercy, 

and we will find grace 

to help us when we need it most.”

Hebrews 4:16

Monday Morning Memo: Throne Thursdays

It all started with a free journal that came in the mail.  For some reason, when I saw it, I had a feeling there was something in particular I was supposed to use it for.

Confession time…I’m not a journal-er.  Yes, I love to write…but recording my thoughts in a journal every day has never been on my to-do list.  I’m not sure why…I’ve just never made it a priority.

After I received this journal, I was listening to a sermon and the minister was talking about how important it is for us to pray for others.  We all get so wrapped up in our own lives and our own concerns…and we neglect to take other’s prayer concerns to the throne of God.

The throne of God.  For some reason, I kept having the words “Throne Thursday” go through my mind during this time and again, I had no idea what that meant.  It sure drives me crazy when fragments of ideas rattle through my brain and I’m not sure how those pieces of the puzzle are going to fit together.

Then, we took that trip to Washington DC that I wrote about last week, and I wanted a short book to read while we were gone.  I walked in my library and the first book that caught my attention was Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala.  I’ve read this book several times but knew it would be a good one to re-read. 

As I was reading…these words jumped off the page at me, “…the writer to the Hebrews nails down the most central activity of all for Christians:  ‘Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need’ (Heb 4:16).  It doesn’t say, ‘Let us come to the sermon.’  We in America have made the sermon the centerpiece of the church, something God never intended.  Preachers who are really doing their job get people to come to the throne of grace.  That’s the true source of grace and mercy.”  There was that word “throne” again.  I’ve never heard it so many times before in a matter of a few weeks.

We then had the privilege of hearing Max Lucado speak at the Museum of the Bible in DC.  What an awesome evening.  He talked about how we are to be encouragers to those around us.  They need to know that we care; that we will listen; that we want to hear their story.  Hmmmmmmm…

We were given Lucado’s new book that evening entitled, How Happiness Happens.  I brought it home and began reading it and what did I read?  “Our heavenly Father has invited us to be his partner.  Dare we accept the invitation?  Our prayers unlock the storehouses of heaven.  The link between God’s goodness and your friends is your prayers.  When you pray, when you speak for the ones who need help to the One who can give it, something wonderful happens.”  Suddenly, everything that had been knocking around in my brain came together and finally made sense and a new ministry plan was born.

The free journal I received is not for me…it is for you.  I want to use it to record your prayer concerns so that I can take them to God’s throne.  So, beginning this Thursday, I will begin “Throne Thursday”.  On Thursdays, you can let me know of a prayer concern that you have, that you would like for me to pray about.  You don’t even have to tell me details if you don’t want to. Just let me know that you have an urgent, unspoken request that needs taken to the throne…and I promise to do just that.

As with anything, there needs to be guidelines…so here they are:

1.     Please let me know of your concern either my email – luannfulton@gmail.com, or through Messenger on Facebook.  Those are the places I will be looking for them.

2.    Due to the fact that I have no idea how many requests I will receive, please share just 1 particular prayer concern with me.  I want to be able to cover everyone who asks…so at this time I will take one per person.

3.    Please know that if you decide to share details of your request with me…so that I will know how to specifically pray for you…I will share this with no one else.  Anything sent to me will be kept in strict confidence.

4.    All I ask from you, is that you let me know when your prayer concern is answered.  I am always blown away at God’s power and how He works in such mighty ways.  So please, let me know when you see His hand at work in your situation and I will record it in the journal.

It all started with a free journal…which will now be used to record your prayer concerns and answers, every Throne Thursday.  I then promise to take your need to God’s throne…asking Him to intervene in a powerful, mighty way.  I am committed to approach our gracious God boldly, so you may receive His mercy and find grace to help you when you need it most!

 “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. 

There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace 

to help us when we need it most.”

Hebrews 4:16

Monday Morning Memo: Preconceived Ideas

I knew I wouldn’t like it.  I’d like the opportunity to be with friends…but I wouldn’t like the city.  I mean, who would like a city that is overcrowded, littered with trash and filled with politicians? No one in their right mind would…I was confident of that.

But then…I’ve been told I’m not always in my right mind J  We were invited by friends to go with them to Washington DC last week to see the Bible Museum and other highlights in the area.  I immediately wanted to go…but I knew I wouldn’t like the city.  And I was right…I didn’t just likethe city…I think I sort of loved it!

My preconceived thoughts of Washington DC couldn’t have been more wrong.  The city is absolutely beautiful and very clean.  We spent hours walking and walking and sightseeing and then did more walking…and I loved every minute of it.  The Bible Museum was awesome and I highly recommend it if you get to DC.  The Holocaust Museum was so moving and left a lasting impression on me.  The sightseeing trolley ride was great and I loved seeing the U.S. Capitol, Bureau of Printing and Engraving, the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and all the other sights that we crammed into 3 ½ days!

Preconceived ideas.  I wonder how many other times in my life my thoughts have been wrong.  How many times have I not gone somewhere or done something, just because I was sure I wouldn’t like it?  How many times have I met someone and made a very rash judgement of what he or she was like and neglected to take the time to really get to know them?  How many times have I immediately said “No” when asked to serve in my church or community…because I just knew I couldn’t do it?

Our trip last week has left me wondering what all I have missed out on and who all I have missed getting to know…because of my preconceived ideas.  I’m guessing that I have missed out on quite a bit.  

What about you?  Have there been opportunities that you have passed up because you were confident that you wouldn’t like it?  Have there been people you immediately stamped “Reject” without really getting to know them?  Have you said “No” when asked to serve because you knew, without even knowing the details, that you weren’t qualified?  I hope not.  I hope you are a better person than me and wait to make judgements until after you know all the facts.

If you do struggle with this like I do…let’s make it a point this week to look at places, people and opportunities with a more open mind.  Who knows…we might find out that we’ve been missing out all along!

 “Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.”

John 7:24

Monday Morning Memo: His Reflection

I read a story a few weeks ago about a man who had rented a house which had a large mango tree in the backyard.  The owner told him that unfortunately, the tree had never produced fruit.  Following that discussion, a man came to cut the grass and he told the renter that he knew what to do to get the tree to bear fruit the next year.  The renter was thrilled and told him to do whatever he had to do to get it to produce (I had to wonder what the owner felt about that!).

Later that day, the renter went out to look at the tree and he was mortified at what he saw. The tree, which was previously lush and provided shade for the house, was now barren.  Almost all of the branches had been cut off and all that was left was the tree trunk.  He wanted to be angry…but he knew he had given the man full reign to do what needed to be done.  And much to his surprise, the next year the tree was filled with mangos.  The gardener had known how to prune a tree so that it would bear much fruit.

I found it interesting in this story that it wasn’t that the tree looked dead when the man moved into the house.  He said that it was lush and was providing shade.  So, to look at the tree, no one would have known that there was a problem unless you were told that it was supposed to be bearing fruit…but it wasn’t.

This observation made me think of my life and what others see when they look at me.  Do I have the appearance of being a Christian only on the outside?  If someone sees the real me…do they see fruit or am I barren?  And am I willing to be pruned by my Jesus to ensure that I am bearing fruit to the fullest?

I think it all comes down to a word that I’ve written about many times before…trust. Do I trust that Jesus knows what needs to be stripped away in my life so that I will bear the fruit that He desires? The truth is, if I do trust Him completely, then I should be willing to let Him work in me and through me for His glory.

I have this small pot hanging in our front yard.  Because the pot is so small, the plant in it grew quickly and so twice this summer I have had to cut the plant way back.  Both times it hurt me to have to take so much off of it, but each time the plant has grown back fuller and even more beautiful.  When I look at it, I am reminded that, just like this plant, sometimes Jesus needs to cut things out of my life, removing any dead branches that aren’t producing so that my life can yield more fruit for Him.

Allowing Jesus to prune me isn’t always fun…but I know it will be worth it in the end. Why?  Because then I will look more like Him…and that’s a reflection in the mirror that I long to see! 

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”

John 15:1-4