Somebody PLEASE remind Mr. Weather Man that it is early March, and we would like some cooler weather! I don’t mean to be picky or not appreciate the blooming azaleas but it’s hard to get excited about breaking records for this time of year with our temps in the 70s and 80s!
It’s really about expectations. I mean, if it were May, I’d be appreciating a forecast of temps in the 70s and 80s. Why? Because that’s when the 90s start debuting, and I know that the 100s are not far behind. I expect it to be cooler in the winter and hot, hot, hot in the summer. What I don’t expect is for summer to show up early and winter to not get its turn to show off.
As you well know, life is full of unfulfilled expectations. I don’t think it’s bad to have expectations or goals or dreams (as a matter of fact, we better have them or we’ll have to tear out a page or two from Scripture), but what we do when God writes a different script tells the true tale of our faith. How do we adjust to the unexpected?
I’ve been praying for a friend whose 29-year-old son was killed recently in a military mission. So unexpected. So difficult. It makes my complaints about the weather seem so trivial and petty because, well, they are.
We need to consider what we’re doing with our unmet expectations. Maybe it’s time to stop whining and start trusting because only God knows when an unexpected and very difficult turn will come our way. We don’t want to be caught worrying about the weather and miss the opportunity to ‘faith’ our loving, all-knowing God!
Monday, March 5, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Excellence vs. Perfectionism
At the QUEST Panel Discussion/Luncheon a couple of weeks ago, we explored the seminary’s core value of Characteristic Excellence. Sharon “Dr. T” Thompson and Beth Masters did a great job challenging us to remember those who have modeled excellence for us and to follow their lead as we guide others.
What I didn’t know when I asked them to participate in this event together is that they both grew up at First Baptist Church of Pensacola, FL, and that Sharon actually attributes Beth’s grandmother with having inspired her toward her love for missions. Wow! That’s a legacy of excellence!
I really appreciated one of the audience questions trying to differentiate between characteristic excellence and unreasonable perfectionism, especially with the scheduling loads so many of us try to balance. The response was a reminder to make sure we are taking care of what’s important in the big picture of our lives, doing what we can to do these things with excellence. Then we can -- and should -- consider what God wants us to add … and only add what will honor Him.
Ouch! It appears that characteristic excellence can collide with our habitual busy-ness, even when what keeps us busy is good. As one student offered, “Just because it’s a good thing doesn’t mean it’s a God thing.”
What did you do with your day off last week? Hopefully, you took advantage of the change of schedule to do one thing with excellence, instead of a million things just to get them done. ME? I did two biggies (at least big for me): I ran the distance of a half-marathon just in case I don't get out there on Sunday for the Mardi Gras Rock-n-Roll Half that I'm signed up for; AND I cleaned out my upstairs office at the seminary so that now it is empty and ready for someone else to fill it up with their important things. Sure, there were a lot of other things I could have done but, on THAT day, I wanted to do these two things with excellence. I hope God smiled.
What I didn’t know when I asked them to participate in this event together is that they both grew up at First Baptist Church of Pensacola, FL, and that Sharon actually attributes Beth’s grandmother with having inspired her toward her love for missions. Wow! That’s a legacy of excellence!
I really appreciated one of the audience questions trying to differentiate between characteristic excellence and unreasonable perfectionism, especially with the scheduling loads so many of us try to balance. The response was a reminder to make sure we are taking care of what’s important in the big picture of our lives, doing what we can to do these things with excellence. Then we can -- and should -- consider what God wants us to add … and only add what will honor Him.
Ouch! It appears that characteristic excellence can collide with our habitual busy-ness, even when what keeps us busy is good. As one student offered, “Just because it’s a good thing doesn’t mean it’s a God thing.”
What did you do with your day off last week? Hopefully, you took advantage of the change of schedule to do one thing with excellence, instead of a million things just to get them done. ME? I did two biggies (at least big for me): I ran the distance of a half-marathon just in case I don't get out there on Sunday for the Mardi Gras Rock-n-Roll Half that I'm signed up for; AND I cleaned out my upstairs office at the seminary so that now it is empty and ready for someone else to fill it up with their important things. Sure, there were a lot of other things I could have done but, on THAT day, I wanted to do these two things with excellence. I hope God smiled.
Giving up Clutter for Lent
Whew! I don’t know about you but I’m glad last week is behind me! While I loved having a day off for Mardi Gras, negotiating the madness in the city left me a bit frazzled.
And here we are, heading into Lent and pondering what this will mean to us Protestants in a great big Catholic city. Sure, it’ll probably be easier to get a seat at Outback over the next five Friday nights. But, then again, the price of crawfish will be at a premium during the same time. Oh, the quandary we find ourselves in!
On a deeper note, the concept of ‘giving up’ something for 40 days seems a little shallow unless, of course, it costs us something. So, what are you giving up for Lent? What is cluttering the quality of your life and relationship with the Lord that you can put aside to give you more time or room to breathe?
I’ve decided to combine Lent and Leap Year. I’ve decided to de-clutter my world of at least 29 things that I value but just don’t need or have a place for. Of course, these words are easier typed than lived but my goal is to live out Hebrews 12:1 and so, surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses (you!), I am setting out to throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and run with perseverance the race marked out for me. To be able to do this, I’ve got to keep going with verse 2: fixing my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith.
So, keep checking the Swap Shop, you might find a Leap Year/Lent treasure you can use!
And here we are, heading into Lent and pondering what this will mean to us Protestants in a great big Catholic city. Sure, it’ll probably be easier to get a seat at Outback over the next five Friday nights. But, then again, the price of crawfish will be at a premium during the same time. Oh, the quandary we find ourselves in!
On a deeper note, the concept of ‘giving up’ something for 40 days seems a little shallow unless, of course, it costs us something. So, what are you giving up for Lent? What is cluttering the quality of your life and relationship with the Lord that you can put aside to give you more time or room to breathe?
I’ve decided to combine Lent and Leap Year. I’ve decided to de-clutter my world of at least 29 things that I value but just don’t need or have a place for. Of course, these words are easier typed than lived but my goal is to live out Hebrews 12:1 and so, surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses (you!), I am setting out to throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and run with perseverance the race marked out for me. To be able to do this, I’ve got to keep going with verse 2: fixing my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith.
So, keep checking the Swap Shop, you might find a Leap Year/Lent treasure you can use!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
God's Escorts into Glory
I recently heard a speaker call stressors "God's escorts into glory." If you're like me, you might be imagining quite a company of escorts because you've got a lot of stressors in your life.
Well, here's the good news and the bad news: your escorts are here to stay, at least on this side of heaven. If you're living and breathing, you're going to have stressors. Question is, how are you handling them?
Christian counselor and pastor Steve Pettit presented a list of stressor categories that summarized many of the situations on our lives. A couple that grabbed my attention included "uninvited angels" and "chains."
Pettit described "uninvited angels" as those life-changing interruptions that alter the plans we've so carefully laid for ourselves. What if, instead of allowing these interruptions to frazzle our faith, we embrace them as opportunities to join God in His work and, in turn, to get a glimpse of His glory? What if we surrender?
Then, in explaining his "chains" category, Pettit used the following fill-in-the-blank: if it weren't for ___________, referring to any confining or restraining circumstance we feel holds us back. We get to thinking that we're chained by situations, prisoners of our fate. But what about Paul? He could tell us a thing or two about chains! But he didn't let this dictate his destiny. He claimed to be a prisoner of the Lord, and used His circumstances to share Christ boldly.
So, how are you treating your 'escorts'? As Pettit says, never see these as coming from any hand but the Father's . . . and hasn't the Father shown Himself faithful to you before? I know He has to me!
Well, here's the good news and the bad news: your escorts are here to stay, at least on this side of heaven. If you're living and breathing, you're going to have stressors. Question is, how are you handling them?
Christian counselor and pastor Steve Pettit presented a list of stressor categories that summarized many of the situations on our lives. A couple that grabbed my attention included "uninvited angels" and "chains."
Pettit described "uninvited angels" as those life-changing interruptions that alter the plans we've so carefully laid for ourselves. What if, instead of allowing these interruptions to frazzle our faith, we embrace them as opportunities to join God in His work and, in turn, to get a glimpse of His glory? What if we surrender?
Then, in explaining his "chains" category, Pettit used the following fill-in-the-blank: if it weren't for ___________, referring to any confining or restraining circumstance we feel holds us back. We get to thinking that we're chained by situations, prisoners of our fate. But what about Paul? He could tell us a thing or two about chains! But he didn't let this dictate his destiny. He claimed to be a prisoner of the Lord, and used His circumstances to share Christ boldly.
So, how are you treating your 'escorts'? As Pettit says, never see these as coming from any hand but the Father's . . . and hasn't the Father shown Himself faithful to you before? I know He has to me!
Monday, February 6, 2012
How are you praying?
How are you praying these days? No, not who are you praying for, but how are you praying for those God has put on your heart and in your life?
I am intrigued by Paul’s directive in Colossians 1, a challenge to get beyond “God bless so-and-so” to praying for specific knowledge and specific evidence of His presence in each life.
So what does this look like? Check out verses 9-13. How about we pray for our friend to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will? And, with this knowledge, that she will live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way?
We then can pray that this will be evidenced by her bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father.
I join Paul in challenging you to pray this over at least one friend for the next week. I expect that you, like me, will be anxious to see how God will impact this person’s life because you have regularly lifted her name up in prayer. And, if you can’t think of anyone specific, then feel free to pray these verses for me … I welcome the coverage.
Let me know if you would like me to pray these verses over you (judiajackson@gmail.com).
I am intrigued by Paul’s directive in Colossians 1, a challenge to get beyond “God bless so-and-so” to praying for specific knowledge and specific evidence of His presence in each life.
So what does this look like? Check out verses 9-13. How about we pray for our friend to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will? And, with this knowledge, that she will live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way?
We then can pray that this will be evidenced by her bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father.
I join Paul in challenging you to pray this over at least one friend for the next week. I expect that you, like me, will be anxious to see how God will impact this person’s life because you have regularly lifted her name up in prayer. And, if you can’t think of anyone specific, then feel free to pray these verses for me … I welcome the coverage.
Let me know if you would like me to pray these verses over you (judiajackson@gmail.com).
Monday, October 10, 2011
I was reading in Ephesians 5 today about putting on the armor of God (as part of Day 79 in Beth Moore's Paul: 90 Days on His Journey of Faith) and I got tickled with the word picture that came to mind with verse 14 "Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist...." OK, so I know Paul couldn't have had any foreknowledge about our culture's saggy pants epidemic but doesn't it fit? You don't tighten your belt (or heaven's forbid, don't wear one), then you end up showing a little bit more than the rest of us want or need to see. As we put on the belt of truth, others see of us what is wholesome and good and uplifting. When we don't and our lies are revealed, it's like we're standing there with our pants down.
I did a quick google search of 'sagging pants' images and, trust me, there are a lot out there. But I chose this one because of the statement: We are better than this. Yes, we have been saved from eternal death and, in response, we can live better than this. Honestly, I prefer to not see anybody's underwear when they're walking down the street but what upsets me and disappoints me more is a lack of moral integrity that compromises truth for convenience or self-promotion.
I'd like to think I'm a truth-teller because of my relationship with Jesus Christ -- who is the Way, the TRUTH, and the Life -- but I realize that I still need to put on the belt of Truth so that I can "live free of secreat areas of hypocrisy" because "Satan loves to blackmail believers who have a secret they want to keep" (BM, p. 375).
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Thinking Out Loud
I want to think out loud for a few moments. I'm teaching Sunday School (ok, sorry, new terminology: Bible Study Ministry) tomorrow, and I'm processing the take-aways from a familiar story.
We'll be in Luke 5 where Jesus is teaching in a home with Pharisees and other teachers present. Apparently it's so crowded that some folks who want to get their friend in to see Jesus come up with a rather innovative way to break through the crowd: from the roof! Jesus is impressed and points out that, because of their collective faith, the paralytic's sins are forgiven.
Wait a minute, Jesus, that wasn't the point of their over-the-top effort. Plus it highly offended the religious leaders in the house. Jesus, of course, knew that and used it as an opportunity to challenge them to a heart check and, for good measure, offered Mr. Paralytic physical healing as well. Whoop! Whoop! Lots of praising and happy dances all around!
Then, instead of heading to the Jerusalem Starbucks for a coffee break, he moves into town where he encounters Levi, a tax collector, and invites him on the ride of a lifetime. Levi signs on, leaves the money business, and follows Jesus. In celebration, he throws a party, invites all his friends, and includes Jesus as the guest of honor. Jesus comes and, as a result, gets the Pharisee guys even more frustrated with Him. What's a Savior to do? Just what Jesus did . . . focus on His purpose for being around and doing what He was sent to earth to do!
OK, so that's the synopsis . . . but what will make it come alive for college students? For starters, the Holy Spirit! It's up to You to bring Your Word to life so that all who read it, including and especially young adults, can find direction and purpose for their lives.
What else? How about the friends' "Whatever it takes" attitude? How many times do I rethink what God might have been directing me to do because the situation is a little too hard? I pray for a passion so great that I will move ahead in such a way that I don't see obstacles, just opportunities.
What about the order of Jesus' healing: first, his sins; then, his body? Jesus knew the point of the paralytic's greatest need and started there. Sometimes I get distracted by the "obvious" when God's up to something so much deeper. Oh, that I can be that attuned to His ways!
I can't forget His disregard for the Pharisees' criticisms. He certainly heard their questions. He couldn't miss their displeasure. Shouldn't their use of the word "blasphemy" (an accusation that could result in death) have toned Him down just a bit? Nope. It didn't. Jesus was on a roll with heavenly consequences so He kept right on doing His thing, not theirs . . . whether it was forgiving sin, receiving the praise of grateful people, or dining with sinners.
Speaking of the bit about dining with sinners, how cool is it that Levi left behind a very lucrative (though unpopular-with-the-people occupation) to follow Jesus! And then he threw a party to celebrate, inviting a bunch of other tax collectors and 'sinners' so they could have a chance at following Jesus too. Interesting that the story doesn't tell us whether they did or not, which is okay with me because sometimes I just need to know that someone tried something for Jesus, not that it had huge success.
Lord, Your Word speaks for itself. I hope I don't get in the way tomorrow. I pray those students get a good night's sleep and will be ready to dig deeper into a familiar story with some challenging sidebars. Who knows? Maybe we'll be celebrating a new Jesus follower after the story is explored! Now, that's worth whooping over!
We'll be in Luke 5 where Jesus is teaching in a home with Pharisees and other teachers present. Apparently it's so crowded that some folks who want to get their friend in to see Jesus come up with a rather innovative way to break through the crowd: from the roof! Jesus is impressed and points out that, because of their collective faith, the paralytic's sins are forgiven.
Wait a minute, Jesus, that wasn't the point of their over-the-top effort. Plus it highly offended the religious leaders in the house. Jesus, of course, knew that and used it as an opportunity to challenge them to a heart check and, for good measure, offered Mr. Paralytic physical healing as well. Whoop! Whoop! Lots of praising and happy dances all around!
Then, instead of heading to the Jerusalem Starbucks for a coffee break, he moves into town where he encounters Levi, a tax collector, and invites him on the ride of a lifetime. Levi signs on, leaves the money business, and follows Jesus. In celebration, he throws a party, invites all his friends, and includes Jesus as the guest of honor. Jesus comes and, as a result, gets the Pharisee guys even more frustrated with Him. What's a Savior to do? Just what Jesus did . . . focus on His purpose for being around and doing what He was sent to earth to do!
OK, so that's the synopsis . . . but what will make it come alive for college students? For starters, the Holy Spirit! It's up to You to bring Your Word to life so that all who read it, including and especially young adults, can find direction and purpose for their lives.
What else? How about the friends' "Whatever it takes" attitude? How many times do I rethink what God might have been directing me to do because the situation is a little too hard? I pray for a passion so great that I will move ahead in such a way that I don't see obstacles, just opportunities.
What about the order of Jesus' healing: first, his sins; then, his body? Jesus knew the point of the paralytic's greatest need and started there. Sometimes I get distracted by the "obvious" when God's up to something so much deeper. Oh, that I can be that attuned to His ways!
I can't forget His disregard for the Pharisees' criticisms. He certainly heard their questions. He couldn't miss their displeasure. Shouldn't their use of the word "blasphemy" (an accusation that could result in death) have toned Him down just a bit? Nope. It didn't. Jesus was on a roll with heavenly consequences so He kept right on doing His thing, not theirs . . . whether it was forgiving sin, receiving the praise of grateful people, or dining with sinners.
Speaking of the bit about dining with sinners, how cool is it that Levi left behind a very lucrative (though unpopular-with-the-people occupation) to follow Jesus! And then he threw a party to celebrate, inviting a bunch of other tax collectors and 'sinners' so they could have a chance at following Jesus too. Interesting that the story doesn't tell us whether they did or not, which is okay with me because sometimes I just need to know that someone tried something for Jesus, not that it had huge success.
Lord, Your Word speaks for itself. I hope I don't get in the way tomorrow. I pray those students get a good night's sleep and will be ready to dig deeper into a familiar story with some challenging sidebars. Who knows? Maybe we'll be celebrating a new Jesus follower after the story is explored! Now, that's worth whooping over!
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