Monthly Archives: July 2013

Everyone Needs Compassion

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It came up in a conversation recently that if you want to find a hurting person, just turn to the person next to you. Everyone is fighting a hard battle it seems, though sometimes it is hidden deep inside a person. Everyone needs compassion. Hillsong’s chorus, “Mighty to Save” says it well. Find the compassion inside you and let it shine a light to those around you. You may just find your burdens lifted too.

“Mighty To Save”

Everyone needs compassion
A love thats neverending
Let mercy fall on me

Everyone needs forgiveness
The kindness of a savior
The hope of nations

[*chorus*]
Saviour he can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as you find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again

I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
Now I surrender
[*chorus*]

More Than Conquerors

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I hate the feeling of being so weak there is nothing left but tears. My body is so tied up it seems and it is hard to not focus on what hurts. But focus it does. As C.S. Lewis commented, “Pain demands attending to. It is God’s megaphone for rousing the world.”

So I want to be roused. I know that God’s grace is sufficient for me because His power is made perfect in my weakness. I feel the power to surrender and do so freely. I feel the power to endure day by day, often moment by moment. But the power to overcome seems evasive. But then, overcoming is not just captured in the excitement of being the first one to cross the finish line, or making the winning goal in a soccer game. Sometimes the overcoming spirit is to plow through the battle confident of God’s victory, to not give in to what Leukemia is doing to my body and mind, but waiting for His resolution of the matter in His timing. I have so much more to learn, to experience the confidence of Stephen while he was stoned, the hope of Paul as he was flogged, the passion of Jesus as He suffered for us.

Every moment, no matter what type of hurt we endure, there is power to overcome, if only because it is our great God who is our overcomer, and whose love never abandons us.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor 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 8:37-39

The Power of Encouragement

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A visit on Monday from two dear friends just made our day. I had been feeling very tired and tired of being tired. Furthermore, this vicious cycle of poor appetite, upset stomach, and fatigue has been pulling me down. We’ve concluded that a part of the problem is stress from pain and the stress from withdrawal from people. Yes, the visit was tiring but it was a day changer for me and one I will cherish for some time.

Find one person you can encourage with your physical presence or with a thoughtful note. A little bit of your time can bring lasting encouragement and joy to someone you care about. Wherever you turn you will find someone who is fighting a hard battle. Bring light to them today.

And let us encourage one another. Hebrews 10:24

An Intimate Conversation…With Yourself

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My sister Edith shares reflective thoughts about recently attending “An Intimate Rehearsal with Art Garfunkel.” Yes, Garfunkel of the 1960’s Simon and Garfunkel fame. I am moved by Edith’s perspective on the event:

“Art Garfunkel is now 71 years old. Gone are the signature mile-high curls on top of his head. And 3 years ago, he was stricken with vocal chord paralysis from which he is still trying to recover. He confessed his nervousness as the show began and told us that these “rehearsals” are part of his therapy in rebuilding his voice. I think it took great courage for Art to go on the road again and do these concerts. His sweet soft tenor is so well-known. Can you imagine the expectations people have when he opens his mouth to sing? Tears sprang to my eyes when I heard how hoarse and strained his voice was. But then I got accustomed to the sound and found beauty in the brokenness. Art Garfunkel is beloved by his fans. He still sings with great expression. I consider it a privilege to have been in the room with my first musical influence. And it meant a lot to me that Art Garfunkel acknowledged his gratitude to God throughout his performance. There was no posturing, no ego. Just a humble man surprised by where life has taken him and still wanting to share his music with the world.”

I think about someone like Art Garfunkel inspires us because they press on. They take the daily vulnerable step forward to share their talent and unique contribution to the world.

Leukemia has scarred my life during this past seven months. I am surprised and sometimes disappointed by where it has taken my life. But it has also drawn out certain character and revealed things I would not have discovered on another path. And so with thanks, I press on to see where God will take me.

I wonder how do you view yourself in light of disabilities and brokenness that have entered and perhaps scarred your life. Can you still see the beauty of character that comes through even brokenness in your own life? Or can you only see the scar? I hope in an intimate conversation with yourself you can look past the scar and see much more…something quite beautiful indeed: the YOU God created.

Like A Sponge

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My sister Jane shared a quote with me:
We are like a sponge. When squeezed, what comes out is what we’ve soaked in.

I was struck by the truth contained in this simple expression and was led to reflect on what kinds of things we soak in throughout the day and how these either help or hinder us when the trials of life “wring us out.”

Conversations
Attitudes
Thought patterns
Emotional responses
Music
Books/Magazines
News
Sports
TV
Facebook/Twitter

Wherever we are we soak up part of our environment, the good and the bad. And we make our own choices about many of these, often unaware of whether they are building us up for a time of trial or just filling us up for a moment, like the tasty but empty calories of a Hostess Twinkie.

How do you maintain strength and faith in the face of great trials? You soak in strength and faith each day. Neither will keep all the troubles away. But when they do come and wring you inside out, what will come out is faith and strength. It’s how God designed us to depend on Him and enjoy the life He gave us. Draw close to Him and you will be surprised by the wisdom, strength, courage, and faith you soak in.

Plow Continually

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The farmer believes in the harvest. He cannot see it. In fact, the physical evidence of flood or drought or disease may lead him to doubt the outcome and the worth of his efforts. But he plows and cultivates in faith, without ceasing.

Your life may appear like that. You want to believe in a full harvest, a happy outcome. But the hard evidence of life points to a dismal ending, in your job,, your relationships, your health, or finances; even your very aspirations. Things are just not going according to plans. But we live by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7) We also have to keep plowing new ground, planting good seed, and cultivating where God directs us.

Keep believing. Keep faith. Practice the presence of God in your life…and for your life.

The Desire of Your Heart

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What is the deepest desire of your heart?

Be careful in answering too quickly. We may say what we want it to be: world peace, family time, nurturing or mentoring others, or a restored kingdom. But the desires of our heart are closely tied to where our thoughts and our time most frequently take us: escape from the world to the sofa, to sports, to the news, to time alone.

That isn’t to say that we don’t aspire to greater things. We do. They just so often get drowned out by the pressures of life. It is at times like these that we need to be still and hear God’s counsel and direction for us.

There is a true story recorded in 1 Kings 19, where Elijah is running for his life because Jezebel had threatened most severely to kill him. “I have had enough, Lord. Take my life,” cried out Elijah. Then there was a mighty wind, but God was not in the wind. Then an earthquake but the Lord was not in the earthquake. This was followed by a fierce fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire was a gentle whisper that spoke to Elijah.

We have to turn off the other noise of the world to hear the whisper. Otherwise, we miss out on God’s direction for us. Find a quiet place each morning and throughout the day to “Be still and know that (God) IS God.” (Ps 46:10)  There you will find the desires of your heart.

The Mark of Jesus

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I remember asking a pastor when I was 15, “What does it really mean to be truly Christian?” His reply: “That even my unconscious thoughts bear the mark of Jesus.” I remember thinking then and often since how difficult it seems for my conscious thoughts to bear His mark.

My sister wrote thanking me for visiting her friend at the U of I hospital after my endoscopy. I replied that regretfully, I was unable to visit as intended because I was so out of it from the procedure medications. I didn’t even remember coming out of the sedation until I arrived home at Newton, where I slept another 2-3 hours. But Marcia corrected me, saying that I was insistent on visiting this person, that we did visit with this kind woman and her husband and that I prayed for them before leaving. She assured me that I did not fall asleep and that I made sense. (You sometimes never know what you say under the influence of Versed!)

So this seems to be a humbling example (with ALL credit to God!) of the WILL and the SPIRIT accomplishing what the mind and body are incapable of doing or recalling on their own. Day by day seeds of faith are planted and nurtured by choices we make, so that they can bear fruit even in improbable situations, when we are not aware.

We plant these seeds of faith by believing and trusting truth and goodness even when there is no evidence of it. We assume goodness rather than malevolence when someone speaks unkindly. We act with generosity and mercy when someone is in need. We exercise unconditional love instead letting bitterness or anger take root. We choose light instead of darkness. We hope instead of fretting and despair. We act in ways that are tough like flexible leather, not rigid marble that so easily breaks under pressure.

Make wise choices today and each day. The life building you construct are determined by these and determine the mark you leave.

Commemorating Freedom

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Happy Fourth of July!*

For our international readers, July 4 commemorates the 1776 Declaration of Independence from Great Britain. Since inception it has been a day to celebrate freedom. Freedom that was won and secured by countless men and women who gave their lives so that we could live free.

So as you go to your parades, picnics, reunions and fireworks, pause to give thanks for those who continue to pay the price to protect our freedom across the globe, and to God the Father who sent His own Son into this world so that all who accept this free gift may enjoy ultimate freedom.

* (and 3 Month Anniversary of my stem cell transplant)

The Art of Slowing Down-Time Budget

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If you noticed that water was running freely and for no reason from a faucet in your kitchen or bath would you turn it off? Sure. Why waste such a precious commodity when there are millions in the world without access to clean water?

You can’t create time… Just 168 hours per week for each of us. But you can budget time and eliminate waste in order to focus on what is important to you.

Check email less often if possible, not whenever an email arrives in my inbox.

Limit the amount of TV or movies I watch. Think about which movies I watch and the message they place in my mind. Limit social media time. Do others really need to know everything I am doing or thinking? In place of ten ‘likes’ consider sending one meaningful message to convey appreciation and encouragement.

Prioritize my activities. Actually apply the Big Rocks First illustration.
(Use search button to find this previous blog post.)

Make a recurring appointment to write an encouraging note or email three times a week.

Once a week, bring a loaf of bread, a plate of cookies, a meal, a mug full of tea bags to a friend, or stranger. Visit someone who is shut-in. You don’t need to know what to say. Simply listen.

Once a month invite someone you don’t normally associate with to your home for a desert or meal. . .

Once a year invite someone on a day trip with you, babysit for a couple who needs a night out, or pay for a meal or a couple of movie tickets, or an overnight ‘vacation.’

Bringing light to the world takes time and we’re not going to make any more of the stuff. Rather than stuffing more activity into your life, consider how a time budget can replace less valuable activities with ones that carry light to someone who is in a period of darkness. Imagine how much better you both will feel.