Month: January 2018

“For the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.”  Proverbs 3:26

The story is told of a second string quarterback who was called up by his coach to go into a football game with his team behind by two touchdowns and two minutes left in the game.  The quarterback strapped on his helmet, and begin to run out on the field toward the huddle.  He suddenly stopped, turned around, and trotted back to the coach.  When he faced the coach, he unstrapped his helmet, took a squirt of water, and said, “Coach, I forgot to ask you, do you want me to just tie this game or go ahead and win it?”  Now, that’s confidence!

Confidence is defined as trust, faith, and assurance in something.  I am confident of many things – night will follow day, the earth will spin on its axis, spring will follow winter, doctors will make good decisions about  health issues, pilots are well trained to fly  an airplane, and eternal life will follow death – just to name a few.

There are people I know who must exhibit confidence each day in things ranging from addictions to illnesses and everything in between.  These folks have trust, faith and assurance, not only in the worldly things, but in God.  Confidence in God yields contentment.  I see this contentment when I look at them.

Confidence is also boldness.  There are people I know who exhibit this boldness by acting on their beliefs.  They don’t just talk about what God can do, they act on it.  They know God personally and believe He is able to do whatever they ask in His name.  I believe in that kind of confidence.  Grace is the face I see when I think of this kind of confidence.  She has confidence in miracles – great and ordinary.

God wants us to be confident that he’s pouring His strength into us so that we can do whatever it takes to overcome the obstacles in our life.  He wants us to ultimately find our confidence resting in Him.  God tells us that our confidence is secured in Christ, and we can have it to the fullest.

This Super Bowl weekend, I pray that we, just like the quarterback in the story will face each day with confidence, boldness, contentment, and assurance.  Grace, you are that quarterback to me!

“For I am confident that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things presents, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:38-39

 

“This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you.”  John 15:12

“Whoever devotes themselves to themselves will have nothing to show for themselves but themselves.”  Anonymous

In this world of “I” – I-phones, I-pads, I-cloud, etc., it’s an awakening to realize that the world doesn’t revolve around the “I”‘s in our lives.  Each generation has a plan for how life and the world should be, but God’s way is not always their way.  At this point, there are three generations in our immediate family, and there is certainly a huge gap between the oldest and youngest in terms of the world view.  I like to think we teach each other a lot!

There are six different generations living in this world today.  The first is the Traditionalists or Silent Generation who grew up in the depression and  exhibit characteristics of morality, loyalty and are team players.

The second is the Baby Boomers who grew up in the 40’s and 50’s and are characterized as disciplined, self sacrificing, driven, and optimistic.

Thirdly, is the Generation X folks who are described as entrepreneurial, self absorbed, and individualistic.

Fourthly, the Millennials who have never known a world without computers.  They need to be told over and over again that they are special, and they expect the world to treat them that way.  They prefer a relaxed work environment with a lot of hand holding and accolades.

Lastly, the Generation Z or Centennials who must have a cell phone (even young children), TV’s in every room, and video games.  They are savvy consumers who know what they want and how to get it.  The Alpha babies of today will be the sixth generation, and we will have to wait for their characteristics.

These generations are so far apart in their view of religion, Christianity, politics, social issues, moral issues, finances, and almost everything else.  The fact that longevity of life has increased, raises the question of how all these different life styles can come together for a common good.  It is my opinion that each generation has something of value that could be shared with all the others if we would but open our hearts and minds to it.

Perhaps a common ground could be the investment in others.  When  you invest in another person, you actually give yourself a gift, because you can’t light someone else’s path without brightening your own.  Each generation has something to offer that no one else can give.  If we put “I” aside and focus on “we”, what a difference we could make together!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I have learned that there is more power in a good strong hug than in a thousand meaningful words.”  Ann Hood

When I think of good strong hugs, my mind immediately goes to a few people who give them regularly…Cindi, Casey, Jim, Bogue, and Kathy.  I know there are others, but these folks are the best!  I love it when people hug me tightly and when I start to move away, they just keep holding on.

When we hug someone in a proper way, we use our hands, arms, and shoulders to wrap them up.  It likens itself to a cocoon that wraps us and protects us.  Hugs can show belonging, affirmation, understanding, intimacy, comfort, consolation, celebration, love, and assurance.  It’s the best way I know to show people you care.

How does God hug us?  When I think of Jesus, my mind goes to the Children’s Bible stories where there were pictures of children wrapped in His arms.  He was hugging them close to show His love for them.  I think He does the same for us through our relationships with others.  God can’t be everywhere, so He sends Christian friends to hug us in His stead.

I have a neighbor who recently lost her husband of 60 years.  I went by to see her the other day, but when she opened the door, I felt words were just inadequate.  Instead, I opened my arms and said, “I just came over to give you a hug.”  Hugs are there when words fail.

As we think of situations of suffering, pain, loss, depression, anxiety, fear, and any other emotion that is part of our lives, I think of the strong arms of Jesus wrapping around us in the form of our Christian friends.

These scriptures assure me and feel like hugs from heaven.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels or demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:38-39

“See what great love the father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God!  And that is what we are!”  1 John 3:1

 

 

 

“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”  Psalm 126:3

“There are persons so radiant, so genial, so kind, so pleasure-bearing, that you instinctively feel in their presence that they do you good, whose coming into a room is like bringing a shining lamp there.”  Henry Ward Beecher

In 1982,  Randy and I were serving in the small town of Bowdon, Georgia.  When you enter the town, a sign reads, “Welcome to Bowdon – home of the nicest people on earth and a few old grouches.”  We were fortunate to know most of the nicest people on earth.

It so happens that this particular year the church in Bowdon was recognized by the North Georgia Conference as Church of the Year in evangelism and growth.  These sweet folks wanted to give Randy and me something to honor his work and dedication, so they decided we should have a trip somewhere.

In the Methodist fashion, a committee was formed to study the possible destinations.  According to legend, many suggestions were made, but in the end, Dr. W.P. Smith (a great man, UGA alum, and Bulldog supporter) decided that nothing could be better suited to Randy than a trip to the Sugar Bowl to watch the Dawgs play Penn State.  Since he was the planner and major contributor, the trip was a “go”.

We were surprised with a bowl of sugar complete with tickets to the game, a hotel reservation, and four friends to accompany us (they were going anyway, so we got a ride).  It was a moment of pure joy for Randy!!  The absolute surprise and joy of that moment was so evident on his face, but I will never forget the look of joy on Dr. Smith’s face as he presented it!  He was overflowing!

It’s such a feeling when you can do something unexpected for someone else in this world.  It doesn’t have to be a monetary gift, but just a call, a card, or a word of encouragement can mean so much!  I know people who bring joy wherever they go and to whoever they touch!

The joy was not to extend to the game that year, but the trip will be a joyful memory forever thanks to a person who wanted to do something for someone else.  Looks like we will have to wait til next year to seek a National Championship, but thank you, Georgia Bulldogs, for a joyful season!

The picture shows where we sat and ate most of our meals.   We also picked up unknown Georgia fans along the way, but wherever there is joy, a celebration happens!

 

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  He shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  Isaiah 9:6

I love the word, “Shalom”, not only because of its definition, but also because the very word when verbalized feels like peace.  The Hebrew word means, “peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquility.”  All these blessings wrapped up in one very beautiful word.

As the snow came down in Marietta and all of the surrounding areas a few weeks ago,  we were “stranded” (meaning traffic was bumper to bumper) around Perimeter Mall area.  Once we got home safely, I could take a deep breath and enjoy the snow.  I don’t know what it is, but when snow falls, the world seems so quiet and peaceful.  I can feel my whole body relax and breathe in the pure tranquility.

Therapists say that the only time the body is completely relaxed is when we take a deep breath and exhale.  It’s such a shame that we carry so much stress that we have to take a time apart and just breathe to feel relaxed.

It’s time to make New Year’s resolutions which always adds to my stress level because I set unrealistic goals and expectations for the New Year. Then, I rationalize when I break the resolutions.  Can I lose those extra 20 pounds?  Only if I don’t have to give up sweets.  Can I exercise every day?  I have to take Sundays off.  Can I eat healthy meals?  I don’t know how to cook healthy.  Can I read my Bible every day?  Yes, but do I let other things come first?  Yes.  Can I pray for others every day?  Of course, but I don’t always remember to include everyone.  The stress of keeping those resolutions adds to all the other stress of life.

This year my resolution is simple – rely on God and know that He will never give us anything that the two of us can’t handle.  It’s not stress that makes my shoulders and neck ache, it’s my reaction to it.  In this new year of 2018, I am praying simply for peace.  Peace in the world, peace in our country, peace in our community, peace in our homes, peace in our families, and peace in my heart.  Shalom.  Inhale.  Exhale.