What's Up? Wednesday

What's up here? Not much, for which I'm thankful. I like peaceful times. Sometimes I wonder if people are so busy that they are frightened when there's nothing going on. They don't know how to handle the quiet.

Oh, there's plenty to do. But as I sit here typing with the windows open, none of that is on my mind. I am savoring the sounds of the outdoors. The birds are blessing me with their sweet songs. And I am thankful.

If you watch, listen to or read the news, you can easily become overwhelmed with all that's put before you. I listen to a lot of talk radio -- a mix of "conservative" and Christian -- and even that gets too heavy at times. The economy, government, politics, swine flu, on and on and on it goes. My mind sometimes feels as if it's going to explode.

It's times like these the Lord intervenes. Today I read Psalm 93. It says:

1 The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty;
the LORD is robed in majesty
and is armed with strength.
The world is firmly established;
it cannot be moved.

2 Your throne was established long ago;
you are from all eternity.

3 The seas have lifted up, O LORD,
the seas have lifted up their voice;
the seas have lifted up their pounding waves.

4 Mightier than the thunder of the great waters,
mightier than the breakers of the sea—
the LORD on high is mighty.

5 Your statutes stand firm;
holiness adorns your house
for endless days, O LORD.

God is still alive and on the throne. Nothing is bigger than He. Not the economy. Not the U.S. Government. Not politicians. Not swine flu. Nothing.

He is in control.

So today, I'm going to rest in that reality. And I'm going to savor it. It is good.

Won't you join me?

Daily Bible Reading Plan
Ruth 2-3; Psalm 93; Mark 9:1-13; I Corinthians 15:29-58

What's Up? Wednesday - Routines, Spiritual Gifts

Good Wednesday morning to you! It is a beautiful day in the Ohio Valley. For the next several days, the weatherman “predicts” we are going to have sun and temps to the high-70’s and low-80’s. Wow!

I am not so much a creature of habit as I am one of structure. Even though some days I fly by the seat of my pants, I am more productive when I have a plan. It keeps me calm. And when I am calm, my family is calm … usually.

During much of 2008 my life was chaotic. It was not chaotic in the sense that I had too many activities to fit comfortably with our lifestyle. It was for reasons beyond my control.

In that time, if I accomplished anything remotely productive, it seemed miraculous. Doing laundry was as big a chore as blasting through a mountain with firecrackers. Having no routine caused me even more frustration. After spending so much time without any structure, it became habit.

I continued this way until recently when I decided I must make a change. So I sat down with pen and paper, asked God to give me guidance and jotted down a general weekly routine for myself.

I am not married to this routine. I have the freedom to manipulate it if necessary. But it is there as a guide to my day. If I accomplish the tasks at-hand, then that’s good. If not, then I can do them another time. I do not intend to use the list to beat myself. Right now it’s what works for me.

How about you? Do you follow a routine? I’d love to hear whether you like structure or whether structure gets under your skin. Please share your thoughts.

Daily Bible Reading Plan

Judges 13-15; Psalm 88; Mark 7:1-23; I Corinthians 12:1-13

Today’s reading in I Corinthians is about spiritual gifts. Reading this helps me understand why I’m wired to need structure. Even though the need for structure and organization is not a spiritual gift, it is a personality trait that can be used for good. If everyone were like me, we’d be fighting about whose plan was best. Likewise, we can’t all be free spirits. Having a good mix of both allows us to function well and work as one.

Isn’t it just like God? Paul says in I Corinthians 12:7-11:

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines. (emphasis added)

Paul also spoke of gifts earlier in Romans 12:6-8 when he said:

We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. (emphasis added)

Separate, we are just “different” from each other. Together, as the body of Christ, we are “complimentary” to each other, especially when we are each practicing our gifts. It's beautiful when you think about it.

I am aware of my spiritual gifts. (I definitely know the ones I don't possess.) Do you know yours?

I enjoyed our visit today! Come back again soon!

What's Up? Wednesday

Hi friends. I'm going to show you something. By doing so, I cause myself physical pain. But it must be done.

This is my pantry annex. That's what I call it, anyway. When we built our house, we were unable to find a place for a walk-in pantry, so I have a main pantry (i.e., double closet) and my pantry annex, which is in the hallway just off the kitchen.

The pantry annex is where I keep all my small appliances and other household things like batteries, extension cords, flashlights, etc. As you can see, it contains those things and then some.

I am embarrassed that this closet has gotten to such a state. I love to be organized. I love for things to have a specific home. How could my closet end up this way?

I think it's because I've lowered my guard. I've gotten lazy. I've tossed in junk and let it fall where it may.

When I need something from the closet, I quickly open the door, grab what I need (if I can find it quickly), and close the door. When I'm finished with the object, I quickly open the door, shove the object wherever it will fit, and close the door.


When I opened the closet yesterday, I felt shame that I had let it get to this point. I would never want anyone to see this. And the Holy Spirit prompted me with, "But isn't that what your heart is like?"

Ouch.

I didn't have to ask what this meant. I knew exactly the message God was sending.


My heart is full. It contains good things. It contains useful things. It contains lovely things. But I must admit to you (just as I showed you the pictures) it also has junk.

If I'm not careful, the junk will take over. The good stuff will be there, but it will be more difficult to find, and it will not be easily accessible when it's needed.

Proverbs 4 talks about matters of the heart, specifically wisdom. In verses 20-24 the writer says,

My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Today, I am going to clean out and organize my pantry annex. I will show you pictures when it is complete.

And I am going to ask God to clean out the junk in my heart.

The larger effort for both will be maintenance in the days to come. It will take persistence and stamina. I pray God will give the desire and grace to do both.

Daily Bible Reading
Judges 4-5; Psalm 83; Mark 5:21-43; I Corinthians 9:13-27.

Blessings to you! Thanks for stopping in!