April 1
In March, my second mother died. Technically, she was my mother-in-law. But in all the ways that I can imagine measuring such things, she was my other mother. Nana was 85 years old and getting tired. But, as she said with great calmness, “It was a kick in the gut” when doctors informed her that the pneumonia she thought she was battling was really a rapidly growing mass in her chest. Doctors often leave their crystal balls at home and understandably, they don’t like predicting these things, but all of us knew that her time was short. She received her diagnosis on Sunday, and was ushered into the heavenlies in the wee hours of the following Saturday morning (six days later). We had her memorial service two days after her passing, five days ago. I’ve decided to scrap my previous writings for this month, and here’s why. She and I had some precious time together those first few days after her diagnosis. When she had the energy, she did what she has always done – meet any request that was within her power to meet for her family. “Tell me what you hope I learned from you, but may have missed,” I asked. I brought in my laptop and started scribing. This month, Nana and I have collaborated. I think you’re in for a treat.
Scripture focus: The Lord said to Moses, “…Show respect to the aged; honor the presence of an elder; fear your God. I am GOD.” Leviticus 19:32 The Message
Marion Peabody grew up in a rowdy household. Her mother was, by all accounts, a pistol. Gram Peabody once owned a Ford with a lot of giddy up. The story goes that she once pulled up next to a police cruiser at a stop light, threw the Ford in neutral, revved the engine, and called out to the startled officers, “Wanna drag?” This is the same woman, who when approached by members of the Lions Club with a polite request (“Hi, I’m a Lion, would you like to make a donation?”), responded with a growl, “I’m a Tiger!” And she was. She had a big heart and a bawdy sense of humor, having grown up with a house full of boys. Sometimes Marion was embarrassed by her mother’s ways. The decisions made by a previous generation didn’t always fit well with what Marion was learning at church. She often wished her mother wouldn’t dispense advice to her own adolescent boys with such…certainty.
Marion learned from her elders. She walked the tightrope that each generation traverses and managed to respect her elders without blindly following their lead. Fortunately, she continued to learn how to serve others always and make delicious Oatmeal Bread, Dough Boys, and Toll House Cookies from her mom. Lessons learned as she watched her mother feed many with few resources during the Great Depression stuck. In her mind, she determined to make some different choices about how she would relate to her children and grandchildren. She was smart and observant. She was willing to adapt. Perhaps that was why all her off spring eagerly rushed home when the news of her latest health crisis was dire.
In fact, she learned from lots of people. She wanted to do the right thing. When she made a mistake, she would admit it. She had a teachable spirit.
On the Saturday that Marion ended up in the hospital, the nurse at the retirement community where she lived called her son, (my husband) Peter. She felt that Mrs. McBean needed to be seen by a doctor. Pete went over, picked up his mom and headed to her favorite hospital. Along the way, she said, “Peter, I have not used good judgment. I should have done this yesterday.”
Isn’t that amazing? Sick and tired, she was still at her core aware of her own limitations and willing to admit her shortcomings. She believed that she had shown poor judgment, and felt the need to both acknowledge it and make amends. Nana was a humble and gentle spirit in a world that often rewards a different kind of disposition. She is a woman worth imitating.
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© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
March 31
Scripture focus: That's why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn't stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength! Ephesians 1:15-19
As our eyes focus and vision clears, there will be days when the enormity of our promise and potential overwhelms us – and we will be tempted to sabotage our God-created selves.
So let’s pray for each other like our lives depend upon it. Because it’s true – pray for energy, strength and courage. Pray for the joy of our salvation, and a grateful heart. Pray for each other.
Let’s see what God will do in and through and with us as we trust God with ourselves and each other.
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© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
Scripture focus: That's why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn't stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength! Ephesians 1:15-19
As our eyes focus and vision clears, there will be days when the enormity of our promise and potential overwhelms us – and we will be tempted to sabotage our God-created selves.
So let’s pray for each other like our lives depend upon it. Because it’s true – pray for energy, strength and courage. Pray for the joy of our salvation, and a grateful heart. Pray for each other.
Let’s see what God will do in and through and with us as we trust God with ourselves and each other.
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© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
March 30
Scripture focus: It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6 The Message
The thing that pleases God is not our good behaving, our sacrifices or even our bible knowledge. Scripture is clear: God is thrilled when we trust him. It’s not about just knowing that there is a God, it’s about believing that God cares about us – and will respond when we seek him.
I have a friend who’s kind of depressed at the moment. She has a hard time believing that God cares for her. When something goes not-quite-right, her dark, murky perspective makes it tough for her to recognize God in her daily experience. She is suffering, but not alone.
Her friends, me included, are suffering with her. Don’t get the wrong idea. We’re not suffering on her behalf, we are suffering BECAUSE of her. (I know. It sounds so….unchristian-like to say this.) But this is our current experience.
At first we wanted her to start behaving better. This Eeyore persona was getting annoying.
One morning when I was out for a run, I was overcome with a feeling of sadness. My mind returned to all the perceived losses that our family was currently experiencing – either directly or vicariously through those we love. I couldn’t control it! It was beyond me! I reminded myself of all the good stuff I know, especially and including the truth that God cares enough to respond to those who seek him – and I was seeking!
God showed up. I was aware of a new thought. This is how my friend feels. Yes, her perspective seemed a little off the mark to the rest of her friends and family. But guess what? Don’t we all find ourselves stumbling around in the darkness?
I’ve decided that my friend doesn’t need to suffer forever, but while she is suffering, she certainly doesn’t need me judging her performance. It’s not God’s way, so why would it be mine?
Eeyore is still Eeyore-ish, but she’s my Eeyore, and I’m going to love her because I trust God, not because she makes it easy.
Are you a Tigger or an Eeyore? Either way, trust God.
Do you have a bouncy, happy Tigger who sometimes drives you crazy? Love that Tigger.
Do you have an Eeyore in your life? Let go and love ‘em.
This is how we trust God.
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© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
Scripture focus: It's impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6 The Message
The thing that pleases God is not our good behaving, our sacrifices or even our bible knowledge. Scripture is clear: God is thrilled when we trust him. It’s not about just knowing that there is a God, it’s about believing that God cares about us – and will respond when we seek him.
I have a friend who’s kind of depressed at the moment. She has a hard time believing that God cares for her. When something goes not-quite-right, her dark, murky perspective makes it tough for her to recognize God in her daily experience. She is suffering, but not alone.
Her friends, me included, are suffering with her. Don’t get the wrong idea. We’re not suffering on her behalf, we are suffering BECAUSE of her. (I know. It sounds so….unchristian-like to say this.) But this is our current experience.
At first we wanted her to start behaving better. This Eeyore persona was getting annoying.
One morning when I was out for a run, I was overcome with a feeling of sadness. My mind returned to all the perceived losses that our family was currently experiencing – either directly or vicariously through those we love. I couldn’t control it! It was beyond me! I reminded myself of all the good stuff I know, especially and including the truth that God cares enough to respond to those who seek him – and I was seeking!
God showed up. I was aware of a new thought. This is how my friend feels. Yes, her perspective seemed a little off the mark to the rest of her friends and family. But guess what? Don’t we all find ourselves stumbling around in the darkness?
I’ve decided that my friend doesn’t need to suffer forever, but while she is suffering, she certainly doesn’t need me judging her performance. It’s not God’s way, so why would it be mine?
Eeyore is still Eeyore-ish, but she’s my Eeyore, and I’m going to love her because I trust God, not because she makes it easy.
Are you a Tigger or an Eeyore? Either way, trust God.
Do you have a bouncy, happy Tigger who sometimes drives you crazy? Love that Tigger.
Do you have an Eeyore in your life? Let go and love ‘em.
This is how we trust God.
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© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
March 29
Scripture focus: So don't you see that we don't owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent. There's nothing in it for us, nothing at all. The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life. God's Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go! Romans 8:12-14 The Message
While we’re acknowledging, confessing, believing, and deciding – we may grieve the loss of old creature comforts. Habits have been formed, neuro-pathways have been grooved into our brains. Things like resentment, fear, anxiety and depression have become more comfortable than an old pair of shoes.
Under stress, our brains will go on auto-pilot. We must be willing to retrain every cell in our being. Although grief is natural, what might help us is catching a vision of a new and renewed life.
There are things to do and places to go that are not accessible to us on our own, independent of God.
Dream big.
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© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
Scripture focus: So don't you see that we don't owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent. There's nothing in it for us, nothing at all. The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life. God's Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go! Romans 8:12-14 The Message
While we’re acknowledging, confessing, believing, and deciding – we may grieve the loss of old creature comforts. Habits have been formed, neuro-pathways have been grooved into our brains. Things like resentment, fear, anxiety and depression have become more comfortable than an old pair of shoes.
Under stress, our brains will go on auto-pilot. We must be willing to retrain every cell in our being. Although grief is natural, what might help us is catching a vision of a new and renewed life.
There are things to do and places to go that are not accessible to us on our own, independent of God.
Dream big.
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
March 28
Scripture focus: So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet. James 4:7-10 The Message
Amen. May it be so for each of us.
The twelve steps are in a particular order for a reason –
1. Acknowledge our powerlessness.
2. Come to believe.
3. Make a decision.
These early steps are difficult; crying and gnashing of teeth usually accompany the kind of acknowledgments we need to make as we confess our unmanageable living. But this is the way we eventually find ourselves back on our feet. Won’t that be awesome? To be able to stand tall and walk with confidence?
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© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
Scripture focus: So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it's the only way you'll get on your feet. James 4:7-10 The Message
Amen. May it be so for each of us.
The twelve steps are in a particular order for a reason –
1. Acknowledge our powerlessness.
2. Come to believe.
3. Make a decision.
These early steps are difficult; crying and gnashing of teeth usually accompany the kind of acknowledgments we need to make as we confess our unmanageable living. But this is the way we eventually find ourselves back on our feet. Won’t that be awesome? To be able to stand tall and walk with confidence?
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
March 27
Scripture focus: This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It's adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What's next, Papa?" God's Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what's coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance! We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with him! Romans 8:15-17 The Message
It’s a paradox, but I believe the apostle Paul got it right when he wrote in this order: “We know who he is, and we know who we are…”
It’s only as I grow in my awareness and knowledge of God that I begin to get glimpses of my true self.
“What’s next, Papa?” May we eagerly expect an adventurous life lived God’s way!
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© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
March 26
Scripture focus: You groped your way through that murk once, but no longer. You're out in the open now. The bright light of Christ makes your way plain. So no more stumbling around. Get on with it! The good, the right, the true—these are the actions appropriate for daylight hours. Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it. Ephesians 5:8-10 The Message
Once we’ve found our way back to God, the only way to enjoy life is to live it his way. This is true freedom. It may take awhile to learn the ropes, but Christ will make the way plain. Stumbling around may happen, but it is no longer unstoppable. Stumbling around may sadden us, but it does not ever have to overtake us again.
We are kids of the king. We can figure it out, with God showing us the way.
I wonder if any of you are thinking that you are constitutionally incapable of “the good, the right, the true” – when we’ve lived life in the darkness, at first the light hurts our eyes.
Hear the word of the Lord – Get on with it! You can do this, with God helping you!
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© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
Scripture focus: You groped your way through that murk once, but no longer. You're out in the open now. The bright light of Christ makes your way plain. So no more stumbling around. Get on with it! The good, the right, the true—these are the actions appropriate for daylight hours. Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it. Ephesians 5:8-10 The Message
Once we’ve found our way back to God, the only way to enjoy life is to live it his way. This is true freedom. It may take awhile to learn the ropes, but Christ will make the way plain. Stumbling around may happen, but it is no longer unstoppable. Stumbling around may sadden us, but it does not ever have to overtake us again.
We are kids of the king. We can figure it out, with God showing us the way.
I wonder if any of you are thinking that you are constitutionally incapable of “the good, the right, the true” – when we’ve lived life in the darkness, at first the light hurts our eyes.
Hear the word of the Lord – Get on with it! You can do this, with God helping you!
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
March 25
Scripture focus: Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you—your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust. 2 Peter 1:3-4 The Message
When we came to believe and experienced rebirth, this wasn’t just an addition to our heart. The Holy Spirit didn’t just move into our old heart and try to squeeze into a tiny space where he could sit comfortably. That would be a little like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.
This new birth into the family of God allowed us to exchange our old nature for a new one. He didn’t just stamp our hand and give us a pass into heaven like a “get out of jail free card.”
There is a newness about our very being that actually transforms us from darkness into light.
Do you know what this means? It means you will never again live comfortably in darkness; your very soul will cry out for its true home – the kingdom of God. Your body at the cellular level thirsts for righteousness. It craves the presence of the Lord.
Of course, our body is also trained to live by its old ways. We’ve got all those neuro-pathways, beaten down and trampled on through years of living independently of God. These brain ruts are easy to topple into. But never again will they feel like home.
Come home. Return to God and his people. Find a community where other spiritually-awake people can encourage your transformation process.
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
Scripture focus: Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received! We were also given absolutely terrific promises to pass on to you—your tickets to participation in the life of God after you turned your back on a world corrupted by lust. 2 Peter 1:3-4 The Message
When we came to believe and experienced rebirth, this wasn’t just an addition to our heart. The Holy Spirit didn’t just move into our old heart and try to squeeze into a tiny space where he could sit comfortably. That would be a little like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.
This new birth into the family of God allowed us to exchange our old nature for a new one. He didn’t just stamp our hand and give us a pass into heaven like a “get out of jail free card.”
There is a newness about our very being that actually transforms us from darkness into light.
Do you know what this means? It means you will never again live comfortably in darkness; your very soul will cry out for its true home – the kingdom of God. Your body at the cellular level thirsts for righteousness. It craves the presence of the Lord.
Of course, our body is also trained to live by its old ways. We’ve got all those neuro-pathways, beaten down and trampled on through years of living independently of God. These brain ruts are easy to topple into. But never again will they feel like home.
Come home. Return to God and his people. Find a community where other spiritually-awake people can encourage your transformation process.
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
March 24
Scripture focus: But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 1 Corinthians 15:10 ESV
One of the really marvelous possibilities of seeking after God is that when we find Him, we will also find our true selves.
God is our Creator.
He knows who we are, why we are the way we are, and how he plans to take all that “stuff” and bring it to fruition. He will provide ways for our limitations to illuminate us. His grace will transform us.
Living life looking through the filter of grace – how does that sound to you?
If we could all access the grace of God that is within us – what could stop us from becoming all that God created us to be?
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© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
Scripture focus: But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 1 Corinthians 15:10 ESV
One of the really marvelous possibilities of seeking after God is that when we find Him, we will also find our true selves.
God is our Creator.
He knows who we are, why we are the way we are, and how he plans to take all that “stuff” and bring it to fruition. He will provide ways for our limitations to illuminate us. His grace will transform us.
Living life looking through the filter of grace – how does that sound to you?
If we could all access the grace of God that is within us – what could stop us from becoming all that God created us to be?
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
March 23
Scripture focus: God rescued us from dead-end alleys and dark dungeons. He's set us up in the kingdom of the Son he loves so much, the Son who got us out of the pit we were in, got rid of the sins we were doomed to keep repeating. Colossians 1:13-14 The Message
God rescues us from dead-end alleys and dark dungeons.
He gets us out of the pit we are in.
He gets rid of the sins we are doomed to keep repeating.
What holds us back from running hard back to God?
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© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
Scripture focus: God rescued us from dead-end alleys and dark dungeons. He's set us up in the kingdom of the Son he loves so much, the Son who got us out of the pit we were in, got rid of the sins we were doomed to keep repeating. Colossians 1:13-14 The Message
God rescues us from dead-end alleys and dark dungeons.
He gets us out of the pit we are in.
He gets rid of the sins we are doomed to keep repeating.
What holds us back from running hard back to God?
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
March 22
Scripture focus: Be strong and very courageous. Obey all the laws Moses gave you. Do not turn away from them, and you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed. Joshua 1:7-8
One of the gems of a man in the Old Testament is a guy named Joshua. He’s one of the two spies who never lost sight of God as he was scoping out the competition in the Promised Land. Born into slavery in Egypt, he was the man after Moses – eventually leading the charge and takeover of the Promised Land.
Joshua was the kind of guy who listened and obeyed God. Then he would turn to God’s people and teach them the lessons God shared with him. Joshua was a success story in a long history of mixed results from God followers.
Joshua reminds me of the current hit television show, The Biggest Loser. When those folks get introduced at the start of each new season, it’s hard to imagine such morbidly obese people ever being able to uncover their inner skinny selves – but many of them do. Some of them manage to keep the weight off afterwards as well.
It would have been easy for Joshua to put down his weapons and join the other spies in discouraging a foray into the Promised Land. He could have gotten discouraged about that whole incident when Moses lost his temper and his right to lead his people into the new territory. No one would have blamed him for believing he was made for slavery, not freedom. If Joshua had become clinically depressed, no one would have shamed him for his stressed out brain having some neuro-chemical deficiencies!
But Joshua believed. He believed God. He trusted God more than he doubted himself.
I’m in the middle of a really big project – it’s way over my head. I’ve got at least a million reasons why I cannot succeed. But I have one really big reason to try it anyway - God said: Be strong and very courageous. Obey all the laws Moses gave you. Do not turn away from them, and you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed.
I cannot control much in this world. But I can believe. That’s the choice I get to make. My new adventure may or may not succeed – but I am compelled to not turn away from a challenge just because it looks like where I’m headed is a land filled with giants.
May you ignore the giants and keep your eyes on God today.
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© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
Scripture focus: Be strong and very courageous. Obey all the laws Moses gave you. Do not turn away from them, and you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed. Joshua 1:7-8
One of the gems of a man in the Old Testament is a guy named Joshua. He’s one of the two spies who never lost sight of God as he was scoping out the competition in the Promised Land. Born into slavery in Egypt, he was the man after Moses – eventually leading the charge and takeover of the Promised Land.
Joshua was the kind of guy who listened and obeyed God. Then he would turn to God’s people and teach them the lessons God shared with him. Joshua was a success story in a long history of mixed results from God followers.
Joshua reminds me of the current hit television show, The Biggest Loser. When those folks get introduced at the start of each new season, it’s hard to imagine such morbidly obese people ever being able to uncover their inner skinny selves – but many of them do. Some of them manage to keep the weight off afterwards as well.
It would have been easy for Joshua to put down his weapons and join the other spies in discouraging a foray into the Promised Land. He could have gotten discouraged about that whole incident when Moses lost his temper and his right to lead his people into the new territory. No one would have blamed him for believing he was made for slavery, not freedom. If Joshua had become clinically depressed, no one would have shamed him for his stressed out brain having some neuro-chemical deficiencies!
But Joshua believed. He believed God. He trusted God more than he doubted himself.
I’m in the middle of a really big project – it’s way over my head. I’ve got at least a million reasons why I cannot succeed. But I have one really big reason to try it anyway - God said: Be strong and very courageous. Obey all the laws Moses gave you. Do not turn away from them, and you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed.
I cannot control much in this world. But I can believe. That’s the choice I get to make. My new adventure may or may not succeed – but I am compelled to not turn away from a challenge just because it looks like where I’m headed is a land filled with giants.
May you ignore the giants and keep your eyes on God today.
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
March 21
Scripture focus: But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand where you are and watch the Lord rescue you…The Lord himself will fight for you. You won’t have to lift a finger in your defense!” Exodus 14:13-14
When I was a baby believer, I thought the New Testament was a replacement for the Old Testament – sort of an improved version of the OT, with a few new chapters edited in. Later, I realized that wasn’t true but I still wondered why we needed to read the Old Testament. The New one seemed so much better!
As the years have progressed, I’ve come up with two reasons why I continue to keep the Old Testament on my daily reading agenda:
1. The entirety of scripture is about God. As I read about how God related to his people throughout history, I can learn about how I might expect him to relate to me today.
2. Jesus did not come to throw out the old. He says that he came to fulfill the promises of God, not push a holy reset button. Jesus did indeed come and bring good new news…but Jesus was a guy who honored both new things and old traditions. I can learn from the teachings that Jesus valued. It will enrich my understanding to catch glimpses of the history that that informed the coming of Christ to earth.
I still find the Old Testament confusing sometimes, but I also discover nuggets so rich it makes me get goose bumps. Throughout time, God has fought for us. May we experience God’s presence as we thank him for his provision.
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© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
Scripture focus: But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand where you are and watch the Lord rescue you…The Lord himself will fight for you. You won’t have to lift a finger in your defense!” Exodus 14:13-14
When I was a baby believer, I thought the New Testament was a replacement for the Old Testament – sort of an improved version of the OT, with a few new chapters edited in. Later, I realized that wasn’t true but I still wondered why we needed to read the Old Testament. The New one seemed so much better!
As the years have progressed, I’ve come up with two reasons why I continue to keep the Old Testament on my daily reading agenda:
1. The entirety of scripture is about God. As I read about how God related to his people throughout history, I can learn about how I might expect him to relate to me today.
2. Jesus did not come to throw out the old. He says that he came to fulfill the promises of God, not push a holy reset button. Jesus did indeed come and bring good new news…but Jesus was a guy who honored both new things and old traditions. I can learn from the teachings that Jesus valued. It will enrich my understanding to catch glimpses of the history that that informed the coming of Christ to earth.
I still find the Old Testament confusing sometimes, but I also discover nuggets so rich it makes me get goose bumps. Throughout time, God has fought for us. May we experience God’s presence as we thank him for his provision.
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
March 20
Scripture focus: Not one of the men who saw my glory and the miraculous signs I performed in Egypt and in the desert but who disobeyed me…will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it. Numbers 14:22-23 NIV
Not only did Moses make a mess of the freedom march toward the Promised Land, but ten of the twelve spies sent in to assess the lay of the land also got it wrong. Instead of trusting God to do as he promised – give them the land – they forgot God’s power to save and grew terribly afraid of the people already occupying the land. Eventually, the few who trusted God did indeed make it into the land flowing with milk and honey. But it didn’t turn out to be a proverbial picnic.
As usual, it wasn’t long before God’s chosen people were at it again – forgetting God.
“If men could learn from history, what lessons it might teach us! But passion and party blind our eyes, and the light which experience gives us is a lantern on the stern, which shines only on the saves behind us!” Samuel Taylor Coleridge
If the bible were written to provide a detailed history of mankind, what we would learn might discourage us. But the bible isn’t a history book. It is His Story. It is the story of God. Throughout history God is revealing himself to us. As we read scripture, here are some things about God that we can expect to discover:
* God is present. He doesn’t just sit up in the heavenlies. In the Old Testament he shows up as a burning bush, a cloud, a pillar of fire, on Mount Sinai, and takes up permanent dwelling in the “Holy of Holies” section of the Tabernacle. In the New Testament, he sends his son and leaves us with the Holy Spirit. God is with us.
* God is beyond human. He is the Creator of the universe; nature bows to him.
* God keeps his promises. As I’m reading scripture, if I come across a promise, I write it in my notebook. Unlike me, who makes promises to myself and break them all the time – God keeps his promises.
* God is holy. You can’t miss this one.
* God is personal. Scriptures tells us that he knows the hairs on our head; he knows our name; he wants relationship with us; we’re made in his image. He doesn’t give up on us just because we try his every last nerve.
I hang with a bunch of people who often live with the consequences of their poor choices. When we read about those silly gooses who forgot God’s promise and provision and ended up having to sit out in the desert until the unfaithful died off before the faithful could seize the land – we relate to the forgetful ones. Blessing of all blessings – we also know that we are not the point. We may suffer consequences, but we will never suffer alone. God is with us, even when we give him good reason to leave us in the desert. May we all enjoy his presence today!
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
Scripture focus: Not one of the men who saw my glory and the miraculous signs I performed in Egypt and in the desert but who disobeyed me…will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it. Numbers 14:22-23 NIV
Not only did Moses make a mess of the freedom march toward the Promised Land, but ten of the twelve spies sent in to assess the lay of the land also got it wrong. Instead of trusting God to do as he promised – give them the land – they forgot God’s power to save and grew terribly afraid of the people already occupying the land. Eventually, the few who trusted God did indeed make it into the land flowing with milk and honey. But it didn’t turn out to be a proverbial picnic.
As usual, it wasn’t long before God’s chosen people were at it again – forgetting God.
“If men could learn from history, what lessons it might teach us! But passion and party blind our eyes, and the light which experience gives us is a lantern on the stern, which shines only on the saves behind us!” Samuel Taylor Coleridge
If the bible were written to provide a detailed history of mankind, what we would learn might discourage us. But the bible isn’t a history book. It is His Story. It is the story of God. Throughout history God is revealing himself to us. As we read scripture, here are some things about God that we can expect to discover:
* God is present. He doesn’t just sit up in the heavenlies. In the Old Testament he shows up as a burning bush, a cloud, a pillar of fire, on Mount Sinai, and takes up permanent dwelling in the “Holy of Holies” section of the Tabernacle. In the New Testament, he sends his son and leaves us with the Holy Spirit. God is with us.
* God is beyond human. He is the Creator of the universe; nature bows to him.
* God keeps his promises. As I’m reading scripture, if I come across a promise, I write it in my notebook. Unlike me, who makes promises to myself and break them all the time – God keeps his promises.
* God is holy. You can’t miss this one.
* God is personal. Scriptures tells us that he knows the hairs on our head; he knows our name; he wants relationship with us; we’re made in his image. He doesn’t give up on us just because we try his every last nerve.
I hang with a bunch of people who often live with the consequences of their poor choices. When we read about those silly gooses who forgot God’s promise and provision and ended up having to sit out in the desert until the unfaithful died off before the faithful could seize the land – we relate to the forgetful ones. Blessing of all blessings – we also know that we are not the point. We may suffer consequences, but we will never suffer alone. God is with us, even when we give him good reason to leave us in the desert. May we all enjoy his presence today!
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
March 19
Scripture focus: "When you come looking for me, you'll find me. "Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." GOD's Decree. "I'll turn things around for you. I'll bring you back from all the countries into which I drove you"—GOD's Decree—"bring you home to the place from which I sent you off into exile. You can count on it”. Jeremiah 29:13-14 The Message
In my women’s bible study, we were talking about how weirdly comforting it is to know that God used some kooky characters to advance his kingdom. Those early children of God would show flashes of brilliance followed by spectacular crash and burn moments.
Moses is a good example of what we have been noticing as we read God’s word. He seems pretty special when first we meet him. You remember, don’t you? It was during a time when all the Jewish babies were getting killed in Egypt (see the book of Exodus) because the Egyptians were afraid that the Jews were too numerous. They had long since grown forgetful of Joseph – and they did not honor his memory. Instead, they placed the Jewish people into captivity, and then tried to control their numbers by slaughtering their babies. But Moses was special. His Mama managed to keep him alive and even managed to get him adopted into the Pharoah’s household. Sounds good, right?
As an Egyptian , Moses had lots of privileges but he never forgot his Hebrew heritage. One day, in a fit of rage, he murdered an Egyptian who was mistreating a Jewish slave. Moses ran away and lived as a goat herder for 40 years. That’s bad, isn’t it?
One day God appeared to Moses in the form of a burning bush and told Moses to go lead his people out of captivity. Wow. That’s good news for Moses, right?
It’s quite a long but good story. Eventually Pharoah did let the people go, and Moses was their leader. Was this good news? Not for Moses. As leader, he had to listen to all manner of grumbling and mumbling. Despite all Moses’ efforts, he himself was not allowed by God to enter the Promised Land. (Another long story dealing with a big rock, water, a stick and Moses not doing what God said.)
Just because we discover our true God-created identity does not guarantee we will always live in obedience to our calling. This is not news to God.
Dwight L. Moody said of Moses, “Moses spent 40 years thinking he was somebody; 40 years learning he was nobody; and 40 years discovering what God can do with a nobody.”
Life is a series of ups and downs – that’s a fact. But it is always good news when we get serious about finding God.
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
Scripture focus: "When you come looking for me, you'll find me. "Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." GOD's Decree. "I'll turn things around for you. I'll bring you back from all the countries into which I drove you"—GOD's Decree—"bring you home to the place from which I sent you off into exile. You can count on it”. Jeremiah 29:13-14 The Message
In my women’s bible study, we were talking about how weirdly comforting it is to know that God used some kooky characters to advance his kingdom. Those early children of God would show flashes of brilliance followed by spectacular crash and burn moments.
Moses is a good example of what we have been noticing as we read God’s word. He seems pretty special when first we meet him. You remember, don’t you? It was during a time when all the Jewish babies were getting killed in Egypt (see the book of Exodus) because the Egyptians were afraid that the Jews were too numerous. They had long since grown forgetful of Joseph – and they did not honor his memory. Instead, they placed the Jewish people into captivity, and then tried to control their numbers by slaughtering their babies. But Moses was special. His Mama managed to keep him alive and even managed to get him adopted into the Pharoah’s household. Sounds good, right?
As an Egyptian , Moses had lots of privileges but he never forgot his Hebrew heritage. One day, in a fit of rage, he murdered an Egyptian who was mistreating a Jewish slave. Moses ran away and lived as a goat herder for 40 years. That’s bad, isn’t it?
One day God appeared to Moses in the form of a burning bush and told Moses to go lead his people out of captivity. Wow. That’s good news for Moses, right?
It’s quite a long but good story. Eventually Pharoah did let the people go, and Moses was their leader. Was this good news? Not for Moses. As leader, he had to listen to all manner of grumbling and mumbling. Despite all Moses’ efforts, he himself was not allowed by God to enter the Promised Land. (Another long story dealing with a big rock, water, a stick and Moses not doing what God said.)
Just because we discover our true God-created identity does not guarantee we will always live in obedience to our calling. This is not news to God.
Dwight L. Moody said of Moses, “Moses spent 40 years thinking he was somebody; 40 years learning he was nobody; and 40 years discovering what God can do with a nobody.”
Life is a series of ups and downs – that’s a fact. But it is always good news when we get serious about finding God.
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
March 18
Scripture focus: The Spirit, not content to flit around on the surface, dives into the depths of God, and brings out what God planned all along. Whoever knows what you're thinking and planning except you yourself? The same with God—except that he not only knows what he's thinking, but he lets us in on it. God offers a full report on the gifts of life and salvation that he is giving us. We don't have to rely on the world's guesses and opinions. We didn't learn this by reading books or going to school; we learned it from God, who taught us person-to-person through Jesus, and we're passing it on to you in the same firsthand, personal way. The unspiritual self, just as it is by nature, can't receive the gifts of God's Spirit. There's no capacity for them. They seem like so much silliness. Spirit can be known only by spirit—God's Spirit and our spirits in open communion. Spiritually alive, we have access to everything God's Spirit is doing, and can't be judged by unspiritual critics. Isaiah's question, "Is there anyone around who knows God's Spirit, anyone who knows what he is doing?" has been answered: Christ knows, and we have Christ's Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:12-16 The Message
There’s a youtube video clip that our community has watched a few times called, “Bacon is good for me.” It is worth watching! It’s a clip from a wife swap episode, I think. Anyway, a family of junk food lovers is introduced to Joy, their temporary mother, who comes in and cleans the kitchen up. Out goes the cheese in a can, the donuts, the chips and even the bacon. This really gets Curtis all agitated. Curtis is a young boy who has already learned to love junk food. He is not willing to give up his bacon. He thinks Joy is silly.
Little Curtis doesn’t know how cruel the world can be if you’re over weight. He hasn’t yet experienced the humiliation of not being able to take gym without worrying about what the guys will say about his girth. It will be years before he develops a crush on a lovely young woman – who might not be able to see past his chubby cheeks to the funny, smart young man he is created to become. Curtis is a kid, and their brains are developed enough to think ahead to a time when his poor eating habits may impede his ability to run and play with his kids or live long enough to love his grandchildren.
Joy is offering Curtis a gift. Curtis doesn’t get it.
For those of us who believe, we have been given an amazing gift – we have Christ’s Spirit. We have the capacity to understand God’s in-depth report on the gifts of life and salvation that he is giving us. Curtis has the capacity for living a fit life.
But neither Curtis nor the rest of us will achieve up to capacity if we aren’t willing to learn. We have access to everything God’s Spirit is doing – how incredible is that? May we live large and access all that God has given us.
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
Scripture focus: The Spirit, not content to flit around on the surface, dives into the depths of God, and brings out what God planned all along. Whoever knows what you're thinking and planning except you yourself? The same with God—except that he not only knows what he's thinking, but he lets us in on it. God offers a full report on the gifts of life and salvation that he is giving us. We don't have to rely on the world's guesses and opinions. We didn't learn this by reading books or going to school; we learned it from God, who taught us person-to-person through Jesus, and we're passing it on to you in the same firsthand, personal way. The unspiritual self, just as it is by nature, can't receive the gifts of God's Spirit. There's no capacity for them. They seem like so much silliness. Spirit can be known only by spirit—God's Spirit and our spirits in open communion. Spiritually alive, we have access to everything God's Spirit is doing, and can't be judged by unspiritual critics. Isaiah's question, "Is there anyone around who knows God's Spirit, anyone who knows what he is doing?" has been answered: Christ knows, and we have Christ's Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:12-16 The Message
There’s a youtube video clip that our community has watched a few times called, “Bacon is good for me.” It is worth watching! It’s a clip from a wife swap episode, I think. Anyway, a family of junk food lovers is introduced to Joy, their temporary mother, who comes in and cleans the kitchen up. Out goes the cheese in a can, the donuts, the chips and even the bacon. This really gets Curtis all agitated. Curtis is a young boy who has already learned to love junk food. He is not willing to give up his bacon. He thinks Joy is silly.
Little Curtis doesn’t know how cruel the world can be if you’re over weight. He hasn’t yet experienced the humiliation of not being able to take gym without worrying about what the guys will say about his girth. It will be years before he develops a crush on a lovely young woman – who might not be able to see past his chubby cheeks to the funny, smart young man he is created to become. Curtis is a kid, and their brains are developed enough to think ahead to a time when his poor eating habits may impede his ability to run and play with his kids or live long enough to love his grandchildren.
Joy is offering Curtis a gift. Curtis doesn’t get it.
For those of us who believe, we have been given an amazing gift – we have Christ’s Spirit. We have the capacity to understand God’s in-depth report on the gifts of life and salvation that he is giving us. Curtis has the capacity for living a fit life.
But neither Curtis nor the rest of us will achieve up to capacity if we aren’t willing to learn. We have access to everything God’s Spirit is doing – how incredible is that? May we live large and access all that God has given us.
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
March 17
Scripture focus: The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law. Deuteronomy 29:29 NIV
If you’ve ever read through the entire bible, I bet you’ve noticed that there is some really weird stuff in it. And have you noticed that three different people can take one tiny verse and come up with three wildly different interpretations?
Don’t even get me started on the book of Revelations – man, that’s an interesting read – but what does it mean?
There are a lot of mysterious things in scripture.
There are also some very plain and simple truths.
Things like – don’t kill (amplified by Jesus when he said that when we are angry is subject to judgment), don’t commit adultery (defined by Jesus as a man looking at woman who was not his wife with lust), don’t be vengeful, don’t hate your enemies. There are some simple “do’s” – give to the needy, forgive, pray, love others and more.
So here’s what I suggest – let’s keep it simple.
Acknowledge the wacky and the mysterious but keep reading. Then, when we get to a part that makes sense, apply it to daily life. This may work pretty well for awhile, but at some point we will meet some resistance. Maybe we will find a straight forward “do” or “don’t” – and simply not want to heed it. That’s not the end of the world – it’s an invitation!
At that moment, we will learn something about ourselves. We’ll get to consciously choose who or what we trust in. Trusting God will require that we follow him. As we follow, we find that we can change. We can learn how to say the right things….and do them too! Oh sure, we won’t get it right all the time. But each time we mess up, we’ll not only learn something about ourselves, but also about our God. He’s in the restoration business. He’ll grant us a fresh start. Let’s get started and see what happens!
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
Scripture focus: The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law. Deuteronomy 29:29 NIV
If you’ve ever read through the entire bible, I bet you’ve noticed that there is some really weird stuff in it. And have you noticed that three different people can take one tiny verse and come up with three wildly different interpretations?
Don’t even get me started on the book of Revelations – man, that’s an interesting read – but what does it mean?
There are a lot of mysterious things in scripture.
There are also some very plain and simple truths.
Things like – don’t kill (amplified by Jesus when he said that when we are angry is subject to judgment), don’t commit adultery (defined by Jesus as a man looking at woman who was not his wife with lust), don’t be vengeful, don’t hate your enemies. There are some simple “do’s” – give to the needy, forgive, pray, love others and more.
So here’s what I suggest – let’s keep it simple.
Acknowledge the wacky and the mysterious but keep reading. Then, when we get to a part that makes sense, apply it to daily life. This may work pretty well for awhile, but at some point we will meet some resistance. Maybe we will find a straight forward “do” or “don’t” – and simply not want to heed it. That’s not the end of the world – it’s an invitation!
At that moment, we will learn something about ourselves. We’ll get to consciously choose who or what we trust in. Trusting God will require that we follow him. As we follow, we find that we can change. We can learn how to say the right things….and do them too! Oh sure, we won’t get it right all the time. But each time we mess up, we’ll not only learn something about ourselves, but also about our God. He’s in the restoration business. He’ll grant us a fresh start. Let’s get started and see what happens!
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
March 16
Scripture focus: Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like. James 1:22-24 The Message
This is one scary scripture passage!
Some have called this kind of living the great disconnect. In the book Truefaced, there’s a line in it that goes something like this, “Too many people say the right things but live the wrong life.” I confess that I can relate.
So here’s a warning: as we read God’s word, beware of the danger of hearing but not listening, seeing but not recognizing, believing but not trusting, thinking but not doing.
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
Scripture focus: Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like. James 1:22-24 The Message
This is one scary scripture passage!
Some have called this kind of living the great disconnect. In the book Truefaced, there’s a line in it that goes something like this, “Too many people say the right things but live the wrong life.” I confess that I can relate.
So here’s a warning: as we read God’s word, beware of the danger of hearing but not listening, seeing but not recognizing, believing but not trusting, thinking but not doing.
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
March 15
Scripture focus: But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:2 NIV
What delights you? I am delighted with our new grand puppy. I am delighted that my desk is positioned so that I can look outside and see the snow fall or the sun shine, depending on the day and season. I am delighted that last night my daughter and I went shoe shopping. I am delighted that my husband will return home from a trip tonight. I am delighted that in a couple of hours I’ll be with my girlfriends, drinking coffee and studying the gospel of Mark. I am delighted that one son is producing music and another one is making music with a new, cool band. I am delighted that I talked to one of my brothers this morning and he told me a couple very funny stories. These are delightful moments in my life.
But I appreciate them because God’s word taught me what to value about my life.
I could make a list of things that bring me great sorrow. Trust me, in the last few months the list has gained momentum. I could write about what I miss because I live far away from my mom, dad, brothers and their families. I could write of my children’s heartaches and how I hurt for them. I could write about financial hardship in a cranky economy and its affect on those I love. I could write about the funerals I attended over Christmas – both great tragedies. I could write about aging and the hardships that this natural process brings to those we love. Without God’s word to guide me, my sorrow might overtake me.
When we delight in the word of God, as we meditate on it day and night, we develop a renewed perspective about life. Delight is reframed; sorrow is not wasted by unproductive suffering. Appreciation for who God is changes what we value on a daily basis.
I don’t know what life would seem like to me without maintaining conscious contact with God nor do I want to find out! May we all grow in our delight of God’s word, so that we might experience the real and abundant life he has promised us.
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
Scripture focus: But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1:2 NIV
What delights you? I am delighted with our new grand puppy. I am delighted that my desk is positioned so that I can look outside and see the snow fall or the sun shine, depending on the day and season. I am delighted that last night my daughter and I went shoe shopping. I am delighted that my husband will return home from a trip tonight. I am delighted that in a couple of hours I’ll be with my girlfriends, drinking coffee and studying the gospel of Mark. I am delighted that one son is producing music and another one is making music with a new, cool band. I am delighted that I talked to one of my brothers this morning and he told me a couple very funny stories. These are delightful moments in my life.
But I appreciate them because God’s word taught me what to value about my life.
I could make a list of things that bring me great sorrow. Trust me, in the last few months the list has gained momentum. I could write about what I miss because I live far away from my mom, dad, brothers and their families. I could write of my children’s heartaches and how I hurt for them. I could write about financial hardship in a cranky economy and its affect on those I love. I could write about the funerals I attended over Christmas – both great tragedies. I could write about aging and the hardships that this natural process brings to those we love. Without God’s word to guide me, my sorrow might overtake me.
When we delight in the word of God, as we meditate on it day and night, we develop a renewed perspective about life. Delight is reframed; sorrow is not wasted by unproductive suffering. Appreciation for who God is changes what we value on a daily basis.
I don’t know what life would seem like to me without maintaining conscious contact with God nor do I want to find out! May we all grow in our delight of God’s word, so that we might experience the real and abundant life he has promised us.
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
March 14
Scripture focus: When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty. Jeremiah 15:16 NIV
All of us may have some ideas about what will bring us joy and delight, but not all of our ideas are correct. Admittedly, I think that I prefer ice cream over grilled vegetables. But what I really, really love is having energy to walk my grand puppy, fitting into my clothes, being able to run for an hour without someone having to apply paddles to resuscitate my heart, and beating my husband at tennis (ok, I can’t do that, but it’s fun to dream). As long as I eat nutritiously, I am doing what I can to fuel my body and improve the quality of my life.
We were created to feed off of God’s word.
Until our spiritual diet consists of God’s word, we will live a spiritually malnourished life.
We bear God’s name. We are his kids once we’ve made the decision to turn our life over to him. Eat up!
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
Scripture focus: When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty. Jeremiah 15:16 NIV
All of us may have some ideas about what will bring us joy and delight, but not all of our ideas are correct. Admittedly, I think that I prefer ice cream over grilled vegetables. But what I really, really love is having energy to walk my grand puppy, fitting into my clothes, being able to run for an hour without someone having to apply paddles to resuscitate my heart, and beating my husband at tennis (ok, I can’t do that, but it’s fun to dream). As long as I eat nutritiously, I am doing what I can to fuel my body and improve the quality of my life.
We were created to feed off of God’s word.
Until our spiritual diet consists of God’s word, we will live a spiritually malnourished life.
We bear God’s name. We are his kids once we’ve made the decision to turn our life over to him. Eat up!
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
March 13
Scripture focus: I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:103 NIV
I have tried not to sin. I have failed more often than succeeded. After a decade of trying hard with no results, I gave up. Seriously. I stopped trying. I was sick and tired of being sick and tired of myself. I made a deal with God. I told him that I was done with trying to be good and that I was going to take a year off from good behaving and seek him. If he didn’t show up and make himself known to me, I was done with not only trying to be good, but also trying to figure out what it meant to be godly.
Instead, I woke up each morning and said, “God, if you exist and if I trusted you with my whole being, what would I be doing today?”
One of the first conclusions that I drew from this exercise is that a true believer would study God’s word. I started there. Soon my days were re-ordered as I sought to do this one activity a day.
I discovered that it was hard for me to concentrate if the kids’ toys were strewn about, or if dirty dishes were piled up in the sink. So before I went to bed, I made a quick pass through the house and straightened up.
It was frustrating when one of my babies woke up early, disrupting my quiet time of study. So I shifted my time of study to the afternoon. This caused me some heartburn, because I once read that the best time to study God’s word was in the morning. Freed from my desire to be good, much less the best, I was able to let go this expectation.
Afternoon studies were hard because I was often wondering what I was going to fix for dinner. But my friend had an old microwave that she was willing to sell me, and that solved that problem.
As I read God’s word, none of it made much sense – so I signed up for some classes. They were on Monday nights and I was married to a man who traveled with his job. Nights out were a problem until he began rearranging his work schedule to accommodate my Monday night class. Our adult children still reminisce about Monday nights without mom. They are still holding to the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that was put in place for the five years of Monday nights that I was away from home. I’m pretty sure they did things that I wouldn’t approve of – but no bones were broken. And I think it was one of the sweetest seasons of father/children bonding ever.
I also began to see my husband in a very favorable light. His willingness to prioritize his work schedule around my schedule was very, very attractive. I felt energized by my studies, and he loved the quality time with the kids without me yelling, “Somebody’s going to get hurt!”
All this change happened so that I could hide God’s word in my heart. I found God in his word, in the actions of my husband, in the squeals of my children, in the expertise of my teachers, and in the joy I found as I learned how to live less by tradition and more by faith. It was the best deal I ever made!
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© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
Scripture focus: I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:103 NIV
I have tried not to sin. I have failed more often than succeeded. After a decade of trying hard with no results, I gave up. Seriously. I stopped trying. I was sick and tired of being sick and tired of myself. I made a deal with God. I told him that I was done with trying to be good and that I was going to take a year off from good behaving and seek him. If he didn’t show up and make himself known to me, I was done with not only trying to be good, but also trying to figure out what it meant to be godly.
Instead, I woke up each morning and said, “God, if you exist and if I trusted you with my whole being, what would I be doing today?”
One of the first conclusions that I drew from this exercise is that a true believer would study God’s word. I started there. Soon my days were re-ordered as I sought to do this one activity a day.
I discovered that it was hard for me to concentrate if the kids’ toys were strewn about, or if dirty dishes were piled up in the sink. So before I went to bed, I made a quick pass through the house and straightened up.
It was frustrating when one of my babies woke up early, disrupting my quiet time of study. So I shifted my time of study to the afternoon. This caused me some heartburn, because I once read that the best time to study God’s word was in the morning. Freed from my desire to be good, much less the best, I was able to let go this expectation.
Afternoon studies were hard because I was often wondering what I was going to fix for dinner. But my friend had an old microwave that she was willing to sell me, and that solved that problem.
As I read God’s word, none of it made much sense – so I signed up for some classes. They were on Monday nights and I was married to a man who traveled with his job. Nights out were a problem until he began rearranging his work schedule to accommodate my Monday night class. Our adult children still reminisce about Monday nights without mom. They are still holding to the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy that was put in place for the five years of Monday nights that I was away from home. I’m pretty sure they did things that I wouldn’t approve of – but no bones were broken. And I think it was one of the sweetest seasons of father/children bonding ever.
I also began to see my husband in a very favorable light. His willingness to prioritize his work schedule around my schedule was very, very attractive. I felt energized by my studies, and he loved the quality time with the kids without me yelling, “Somebody’s going to get hurt!”
All this change happened so that I could hide God’s word in my heart. I found God in his word, in the actions of my husband, in the squeals of my children, in the expertise of my teachers, and in the joy I found as I learned how to live less by tradition and more by faith. It was the best deal I ever made!
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© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
March 12
Scripture focus: How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalm 119:103 NIV
I have a friend who called me recently as she headed to a meeting that she really didn’t want to attend. In fact, she thought a fender bender would be preferable than showing up at this pow wow. Evidently, she’s aware that some hard truths will need to be spoken. She is not expecting the recipient will receive these words with glee.
As an encouragement, I offered up an analogy. “Think of it like this,” I began.
“You’re going to tell this friend some truths that you think will initially sound offensive, right?”
“Yep.” She sighed as she imagined how this upcoming hour was going to go.
“You’re worried that she’s going to feel offended, and get angry with you, right?” I ask.
“Of course!” She replies.
“Well, imagine that you’re going into this meeting and this same friend walks out of the bathroom towards you. As she winds her way through the crowded coffee shop, you can’t help but notice that people are staring at her. Soon you realize why. She has tucked her skirt into her hose and the whole world now knows her preferred style of under panties. Got the picture?”
“Yes, although I wish I didn’t!” She chuckles.
“When your friend walks up and sits down, you will have no choice but to lean in real close and tell her that she has just shown the world her personal preference for Hannah Montana undies. You’re not going to want to tell her this information. But you will, because she is your friend and you can’t bear the thought of her going one more second with her skirt hiked up and tucked in.”
“True enough.”
“Well, sometimes even the hard truths like you’re going to have to share could ultimately seem like sweet honey to the mouth. As you share, the Holy Spirit might confirm these truths to her, and it could change her life forever. She could repent! She could trust God and believe that he has something more in store for her than a life filled with unconscious living. Not only that, but for you, this is the good life. You’re getting to consciously decide to treat your friend kindly. Whether or not she recognizes that at the moment really isn’t your problem.”
We hung up and she hung in with her friend. The conversation went beautifully. Still friends, still learning from each other, still pausing to prepare and trying out new dance steps as both try to learn to move to the unforced rhythms of grace found in a life lived God’s way.
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© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
Scripture focus: How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalm 119:103 NIV
I have a friend who called me recently as she headed to a meeting that she really didn’t want to attend. In fact, she thought a fender bender would be preferable than showing up at this pow wow. Evidently, she’s aware that some hard truths will need to be spoken. She is not expecting the recipient will receive these words with glee.
As an encouragement, I offered up an analogy. “Think of it like this,” I began.
“You’re going to tell this friend some truths that you think will initially sound offensive, right?”
“Yep.” She sighed as she imagined how this upcoming hour was going to go.
“You’re worried that she’s going to feel offended, and get angry with you, right?” I ask.
“Of course!” She replies.
“Well, imagine that you’re going into this meeting and this same friend walks out of the bathroom towards you. As she winds her way through the crowded coffee shop, you can’t help but notice that people are staring at her. Soon you realize why. She has tucked her skirt into her hose and the whole world now knows her preferred style of under panties. Got the picture?”
“Yes, although I wish I didn’t!” She chuckles.
“When your friend walks up and sits down, you will have no choice but to lean in real close and tell her that she has just shown the world her personal preference for Hannah Montana undies. You’re not going to want to tell her this information. But you will, because she is your friend and you can’t bear the thought of her going one more second with her skirt hiked up and tucked in.”
“True enough.”
“Well, sometimes even the hard truths like you’re going to have to share could ultimately seem like sweet honey to the mouth. As you share, the Holy Spirit might confirm these truths to her, and it could change her life forever. She could repent! She could trust God and believe that he has something more in store for her than a life filled with unconscious living. Not only that, but for you, this is the good life. You’re getting to consciously decide to treat your friend kindly. Whether or not she recognizes that at the moment really isn’t your problem.”
We hung up and she hung in with her friend. The conversation went beautifully. Still friends, still learning from each other, still pausing to prepare and trying out new dance steps as both try to learn to move to the unforced rhythms of grace found in a life lived God’s way.
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
March 11
Scripture focus: From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. Acts 17:26-27 NIV
One of the ways we reach out for God is by reading his word. Although God is not far from each one of us, when we live unconscious of his presence, we may miss not only knowing God but lose ourselves also.
You are not a random act of creation.
Your birth was not an accident – (I don’t care what you mother tells you!).
Knowing this should get our attention. At a minimum, it should freak us out. And according to the author of Acts (Luke), God did this so that we “would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him”.
When you consider the care and attention that God gave to your creation, aren’t you at least curious about what he was thinking?
It’s in God’s word where we discover the answer to this question.
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
Scripture focus: From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. Acts 17:26-27 NIV
One of the ways we reach out for God is by reading his word. Although God is not far from each one of us, when we live unconscious of his presence, we may miss not only knowing God but lose ourselves also.
You are not a random act of creation.
Your birth was not an accident – (I don’t care what you mother tells you!).
Knowing this should get our attention. At a minimum, it should freak us out. And according to the author of Acts (Luke), God did this so that we “would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him”.
When you consider the care and attention that God gave to your creation, aren’t you at least curious about what he was thinking?
It’s in God’s word where we discover the answer to this question.
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
March 10
Scripture focus: So clean house! Make a clean sweep of malice and pretense, envy and hurtful talk. You've had a taste of God. Now, like infants at the breast, drink deep of God's pure kindness. Then you'll grow up mature and whole in God. 1 Peter 2:1-3 The Message
“The Tahmud, a collection of ancient rabbinic writings, relates the story of Rabbi Akiba, who was imprisoned. Rabbi Joshua brought him some water, but the guard spilled half of the container. There was too little water to both wash and drink, and Rabbi Akiba faced the possibility of death for lack of water if he chose to use the water for ceremonial washing. He reasoned, “He who eats with unwashed hands perpetuates a crime that ought to be punished by death. Better for me to die of thirst than to transgress the traditions of my ancestors! Jesus responded harshly to such reasoning: ‘You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!’ (Matthew 23:24). The Lord cautions that the weightier matters of the law (such as justice and mercy) are overlooked when attention focuses on strict observances of religious practices. This leads to a corresponding negligence of the eternal laws of God. Jesus told people to pay more attention to cleansing their hearts and not be like their leaders who cleanse only their hands.”*
Each day we spend hours going through the motions of life without any thought – we drive down the road, stopping when the light is red and going when it is green. We wash our hands (hopefully) before meals. We brush our teeth after we eat. We open the doors for strangers pushing babies in strollers. We put our car in park once we reach our destination. We comb our hair. We bring in the mail. We go to work. We answer the phone when it rings. We feed our pets. We wash our clothes.
True or False. Days can go by without consciously thinking about the weightier issues like mercy and justice.
I say false. When Peter spoke of cleaning house, noticed what he suggested we clean up:
> Malice – a desire to harm others or to see others suffer
> Pretence – a false appearance or action intended to deceive
> Envy – a feeling or discontent and resentment aroused by and in conjunction with desire for the possessions or qualities of another
> Hurtful – causing injury or suffering; damaging**
Acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with our God (see Micah 6:8) aren’t always grand epic gestures intended to feed all the starving children of the world – or at least in China. These attributes can be practiced at home. They help us grow up mature and whole in God. They are produced by a heart that has made the decision to trust God. Inattentive, we may not realize how often the opportunity to love justice and mercy present themselves in our daily routines. May we grow conscious of the small moments of our lives – filled with weighty opportunity.
* Daily In Christ, by Dr. Neil Anderson with Joanne Anderson, copyright 1993 by Harvest House Publishers, January 28th entry.
** Definitions from thefreedictionary.com
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© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
Scripture focus: So clean house! Make a clean sweep of malice and pretense, envy and hurtful talk. You've had a taste of God. Now, like infants at the breast, drink deep of God's pure kindness. Then you'll grow up mature and whole in God. 1 Peter 2:1-3 The Message
“The Tahmud, a collection of ancient rabbinic writings, relates the story of Rabbi Akiba, who was imprisoned. Rabbi Joshua brought him some water, but the guard spilled half of the container. There was too little water to both wash and drink, and Rabbi Akiba faced the possibility of death for lack of water if he chose to use the water for ceremonial washing. He reasoned, “He who eats with unwashed hands perpetuates a crime that ought to be punished by death. Better for me to die of thirst than to transgress the traditions of my ancestors! Jesus responded harshly to such reasoning: ‘You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!’ (Matthew 23:24). The Lord cautions that the weightier matters of the law (such as justice and mercy) are overlooked when attention focuses on strict observances of religious practices. This leads to a corresponding negligence of the eternal laws of God. Jesus told people to pay more attention to cleansing their hearts and not be like their leaders who cleanse only their hands.”*
Each day we spend hours going through the motions of life without any thought – we drive down the road, stopping when the light is red and going when it is green. We wash our hands (hopefully) before meals. We brush our teeth after we eat. We open the doors for strangers pushing babies in strollers. We put our car in park once we reach our destination. We comb our hair. We bring in the mail. We go to work. We answer the phone when it rings. We feed our pets. We wash our clothes.
True or False. Days can go by without consciously thinking about the weightier issues like mercy and justice.
I say false. When Peter spoke of cleaning house, noticed what he suggested we clean up:
> Malice – a desire to harm others or to see others suffer
> Pretence – a false appearance or action intended to deceive
> Envy – a feeling or discontent and resentment aroused by and in conjunction with desire for the possessions or qualities of another
> Hurtful – causing injury or suffering; damaging**
Acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with our God (see Micah 6:8) aren’t always grand epic gestures intended to feed all the starving children of the world – or at least in China. These attributes can be practiced at home. They help us grow up mature and whole in God. They are produced by a heart that has made the decision to trust God. Inattentive, we may not realize how often the opportunity to love justice and mercy present themselves in our daily routines. May we grow conscious of the small moments of our lives – filled with weighty opportunity.
* Daily In Christ, by Dr. Neil Anderson with Joanne Anderson, copyright 1993 by Harvest House Publishers, January 28th entry.
** Definitions from thefreedictionary.com
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© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
March 9
Scripture focus: Repeat these basic essentials over and over to God's people. Warn them before God against pious nitpicking, which chips away at the faith. It just wears everyone out. Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won't be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple. Stay clear of pious talk that is only talk. Words are not mere words, you know. If they're not backed by a godly life, they accumulate as poison in the soul. Hymenaeus and Philetus are examples, throwing believers off stride and missing the truth by a mile by saying the resurrection is over and done with. 2 Timothy 2:14-18 The Message
I’m currently working on a team with several other churches. We’re coordinating a recovery ministry conference. When you read this, for better or worse, that event has come and gone. But some of the lessons I’ve learned working with my new friends will last forever.
One of our team members has a saying, “Don’t bring up a problem unless you’re prepared to offer a solution.” I love his philosophy, especially since I’ve seen him practice what he preaches.
It’s a whole lot easier to point out problems than to become an integral part of a solution. Let me encourage us all – don’t chip away at the faith of others.
Walking by faith is hard enough without us pecking on each other along the route.
My friend is really smart, and sometimes he notices limitations and problems before the rest of our team gets there in our thinking. But all of us appreciate the fact that he never highlights a problem without providing a flashlight. His willingness to tell the truth without pious nitpicking has blessed our team immensely.
May we hand out flashlights to all that seek to walk by faith…and for those in our life who are not yet convinced about matters of faith, may we do our best to not discourage their seeking by acting all pious (without truly living a godly life).
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© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
Scripture focus: Repeat these basic essentials over and over to God's people. Warn them before God against pious nitpicking, which chips away at the faith. It just wears everyone out. Concentrate on doing your best for God, work you won't be ashamed of, laying out the truth plain and simple. Stay clear of pious talk that is only talk. Words are not mere words, you know. If they're not backed by a godly life, they accumulate as poison in the soul. Hymenaeus and Philetus are examples, throwing believers off stride and missing the truth by a mile by saying the resurrection is over and done with. 2 Timothy 2:14-18 The Message
I’m currently working on a team with several other churches. We’re coordinating a recovery ministry conference. When you read this, for better or worse, that event has come and gone. But some of the lessons I’ve learned working with my new friends will last forever.
One of our team members has a saying, “Don’t bring up a problem unless you’re prepared to offer a solution.” I love his philosophy, especially since I’ve seen him practice what he preaches.
It’s a whole lot easier to point out problems than to become an integral part of a solution. Let me encourage us all – don’t chip away at the faith of others.
Walking by faith is hard enough without us pecking on each other along the route.
My friend is really smart, and sometimes he notices limitations and problems before the rest of our team gets there in our thinking. But all of us appreciate the fact that he never highlights a problem without providing a flashlight. His willingness to tell the truth without pious nitpicking has blessed our team immensely.
May we hand out flashlights to all that seek to walk by faith…and for those in our life who are not yet convinced about matters of faith, may we do our best to not discourage their seeking by acting all pious (without truly living a godly life).
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
March 8
Scripture focus: Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us. 2 Timothy 3:16 The Message
I sometimes have trouble concentrating when I read scripture. I start out strong, but end up distracted. Here’s a little trick I have found helpful to keep me focused.
First, I read a chapter of my choosing out of scripture. (I’m the kind of gal who likes a plan, so I usually have some sort of order to my daily reading. There are all sorts of plans out there for reading, pick one.)
Then, using 2 Timothy 3:16 as my guide, I interact with the scriptures by asking the following questions:
1. What new truth can I glean from this passage? Is there anything confusing in this reading that I need to research or phone a friend about? Would it help me if I understood the historical context, or knew more about the author?
2. Does this passage reveal any area of my life where I’m living in rebellion to God?
3. Are there any mistakes I’m making that need correcting? Anything in this chapter that causes me to rethink how I’m living?
4. What can I learn from this chapter that could inform my daily lifestyle choices?
5. How could knowing what this passage says put me together and shape me up? How can I get more spiritually fit?
6. God has tasks for me, my friends, and anyone who believes in him. Are there any that need doing today? Can I do anything to help someone else who is trying to fulfill a task for God?
May God’s word enlighten you today!
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© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
Scripture focus: Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us. 2 Timothy 3:16 The Message
I sometimes have trouble concentrating when I read scripture. I start out strong, but end up distracted. Here’s a little trick I have found helpful to keep me focused.
First, I read a chapter of my choosing out of scripture. (I’m the kind of gal who likes a plan, so I usually have some sort of order to my daily reading. There are all sorts of plans out there for reading, pick one.)
Then, using 2 Timothy 3:16 as my guide, I interact with the scriptures by asking the following questions:
1. What new truth can I glean from this passage? Is there anything confusing in this reading that I need to research or phone a friend about? Would it help me if I understood the historical context, or knew more about the author?
2. Does this passage reveal any area of my life where I’m living in rebellion to God?
3. Are there any mistakes I’m making that need correcting? Anything in this chapter that causes me to rethink how I’m living?
4. What can I learn from this chapter that could inform my daily lifestyle choices?
5. How could knowing what this passage says put me together and shape me up? How can I get more spiritually fit?
6. God has tasks for me, my friends, and anyone who believes in him. Are there any that need doing today? Can I do anything to help someone else who is trying to fulfill a task for God?
May God’s word enlighten you today!
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
March 7
Scripture focus: God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God's Word. We can't get away from it—no matter what. Hebrews 4:12-13 The Message
Why would we want to run from the word of God? It’s futile to run from a God who refuses to leave us or forsake us.
It is my prayer that we will relax into the truth of God’s word today….opening us up to listen and obey.
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© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
Scripture focus: God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God's Word. We can't get away from it—no matter what. Hebrews 4:12-13 The Message
Why would we want to run from the word of God? It’s futile to run from a God who refuses to leave us or forsake us.
It is my prayer that we will relax into the truth of God’s word today….opening us up to listen and obey.
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
March 6
Scripture focus: Take me by the hand; lead me down the path of truth. You are my Savior, aren't you? Psalm 25:5 The Message
I have the most interesting encounters in the produce section of my local grocery store.
“I just wish I had your God-confidence!” A very nicely dressed lady smiles in my general direction as she gives what sounds like a lovely compliment to someone standing behind me.
I look around. The only thing behind me is a stack of apples. Feeling kind of silly, I look back and realize this stranger is speaking to me.
“Me?” I ask, still unconvinced that she could possibly be talking to me.
“Of course! I listen to you every Sunday on television, Oh, I just love those messages. They’re so inspirational!”
“Thanks.” I stand there, unsure about the next right thing to say. “But you really can’t believe everything you hear on tv. I’m glad the message inspires you, but we have a really great producer. I bet he cuts out the parts that reveal my God insecurities. But you can ask my children – I certainly have them!”
“You couldn’t possibly - you’re a televangelist! Me, I have loads of doubt. That’s why I watch you on tv. I don’t feel right going to church; I don’t belong there.” She begins to tell me her life story – filled with all sorts of illustrations proving that she is unworthy of a Savior.
We spent a few minutes together as I reminded her that Jesus was our Savior because he was God’s son – not because we made it easy for him to save us. After that, she gave me some feedback on my wardrobe and make-up and we parted ways.
Afterward, I wished I had said something more. In the moment, I forgot to tell her that trusting God means giving him our hand and following his lead – it has very little to do with confidence. Like the psalmist, we can reach out and step forward without having perfect confidence in the process. God is big. He can handle our crises of faith. Our doubts do not disturb him.
May you reach out and step today. Test me in this – as we reach and step, we grow in God-confidence. I have this new fitness video that says it best, “You don’t think your way to a healthy body; you work your body into health.” I think that’s true of God-confidence as well. May your God-confidence swell as you step as God speaks.
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
Scripture focus: Take me by the hand; lead me down the path of truth. You are my Savior, aren't you? Psalm 25:5 The Message
I have the most interesting encounters in the produce section of my local grocery store.
“I just wish I had your God-confidence!” A very nicely dressed lady smiles in my general direction as she gives what sounds like a lovely compliment to someone standing behind me.
I look around. The only thing behind me is a stack of apples. Feeling kind of silly, I look back and realize this stranger is speaking to me.
“Me?” I ask, still unconvinced that she could possibly be talking to me.
“Of course! I listen to you every Sunday on television, Oh, I just love those messages. They’re so inspirational!”
“Thanks.” I stand there, unsure about the next right thing to say. “But you really can’t believe everything you hear on tv. I’m glad the message inspires you, but we have a really great producer. I bet he cuts out the parts that reveal my God insecurities. But you can ask my children – I certainly have them!”
“You couldn’t possibly - you’re a televangelist! Me, I have loads of doubt. That’s why I watch you on tv. I don’t feel right going to church; I don’t belong there.” She begins to tell me her life story – filled with all sorts of illustrations proving that she is unworthy of a Savior.
We spent a few minutes together as I reminded her that Jesus was our Savior because he was God’s son – not because we made it easy for him to save us. After that, she gave me some feedback on my wardrobe and make-up and we parted ways.
Afterward, I wished I had said something more. In the moment, I forgot to tell her that trusting God means giving him our hand and following his lead – it has very little to do with confidence. Like the psalmist, we can reach out and step forward without having perfect confidence in the process. God is big. He can handle our crises of faith. Our doubts do not disturb him.
May you reach out and step today. Test me in this – as we reach and step, we grow in God-confidence. I have this new fitness video that says it best, “You don’t think your way to a healthy body; you work your body into health.” I think that’s true of God-confidence as well. May your God-confidence swell as you step as God speaks.
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
March 5
Scripture focus: Show me how you work, GOD; school me in your ways. Psalm 25:4 The Message
How God works:
* When Adam and Eve tasted the forbidden fruit, God loved them enough to deliver consequences for their actions AND make them clothes that truly covered their body parts (as opposed to those skimpy fig leaves).
* When Moses had an anger management problem and committed murder, it did not prevent God from using Moses to help set his people free.
When David became an adulterer and a murderer, God sent David a counselor in Nathan, who helped David come clean, make amends and continue with his grand epic adventure.
* When Solomon asked for wisdom, God granted his request. When Solomon ended up acting the fool by disobeying God by acting sexually addicted, God didn’t “rewrite” history by negating all the good that Solomon did before he lost his marbles. He allowed us to see the totality of Solomon – wise and foolish, smart and stupid.
* When Paul saw the light, God didn’t make him perfect, but He did enable Paul to make restitution for past wrongs and gave him a new vision for what it means to love God.
* When John Mark got homesick on a mission trip and went running home to his Mama, he wasn’t permanently black balled from kingdom work. Eventually, he was able to return to his missionary ways. Some say he’s the one that wrote the gospel of Mark.
* Rahab was a prostitute, but she was also a rescuer of God’s people.
* Mary was an unwed teenage mother, the mother of Jesus. She went on to make a nice family with Joseph – who, by the way, didn’t give up on Mary just because she was pregnant and a virgin.
* Gideon hid out in a cave like a sissy but God created him for Warrior’s work. Eventually Gideon got with God’s program and accomplished the job set before him.
God takes the “sorry people” and has his way with….us. Praise God!
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© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
Scripture focus: Show me how you work, GOD; school me in your ways. Psalm 25:4 The Message
How God works:
* When Adam and Eve tasted the forbidden fruit, God loved them enough to deliver consequences for their actions AND make them clothes that truly covered their body parts (as opposed to those skimpy fig leaves).
* When Moses had an anger management problem and committed murder, it did not prevent God from using Moses to help set his people free.
When David became an adulterer and a murderer, God sent David a counselor in Nathan, who helped David come clean, make amends and continue with his grand epic adventure.
* When Solomon asked for wisdom, God granted his request. When Solomon ended up acting the fool by disobeying God by acting sexually addicted, God didn’t “rewrite” history by negating all the good that Solomon did before he lost his marbles. He allowed us to see the totality of Solomon – wise and foolish, smart and stupid.
* When Paul saw the light, God didn’t make him perfect, but He did enable Paul to make restitution for past wrongs and gave him a new vision for what it means to love God.
* When John Mark got homesick on a mission trip and went running home to his Mama, he wasn’t permanently black balled from kingdom work. Eventually, he was able to return to his missionary ways. Some say he’s the one that wrote the gospel of Mark.
* Rahab was a prostitute, but she was also a rescuer of God’s people.
* Mary was an unwed teenage mother, the mother of Jesus. She went on to make a nice family with Joseph – who, by the way, didn’t give up on Mary just because she was pregnant and a virgin.
* Gideon hid out in a cave like a sissy but God created him for Warrior’s work. Eventually Gideon got with God’s program and accomplished the job set before him.
God takes the “sorry people” and has his way with….us. Praise God!
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
March 4
Scripture focus: Because of this decision we don't evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don't look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you. 2 Corinthians 5:16-20 The Message
As I sit here with the month of March’s devotionals stretching before me – unwritten and largely ignored – outside my window is fifteen inches of gorgeous snow. In our community, this means the world has literally come to a standstill. Not a creature is stirring. This stillness seems to stir our inner life; the world may be silent, but my email box is full – full of regrets.
One friend tells me of her sadness over how she parented. She wishes she could get a “do over.”
Other one writes about her impending divorce. Oh how she wishes she had listened to her inner voice and never married this guy in the first place.
A stranger up in Canada writes that he has yet again broken his wife’s heart by watching porn over the internet. She’s caught him, and now he’s in big trouble.
Evidently, Tiger Woods is in rehab but rumor has it that he’s not taking it seriously. (Who dares to judge that?) Serious or not about rehab, no one can deny that Tiger’s golden life has entered a season of suffering.
The only people who don’t need a fresh start are those living in the land of denial!
Fresh starts are awesome, but if we are going to take advantage of them, we’ve got to recognize what differentiates a fresh start from a false one. Productive fresh starts occur when we begin to trust God. What are we trusting God with? We trust that God was telling us the truth when he sent his prophets to teach us that he is our friend. We trust that God is love. We trust that new life is a possibility – more than that, it is a promise from God to us. This is such good news! Certainly this is more important than getting daily updates on the state of Tiger’s marriage or whether or not John Edwards is the father of a child by a woman to whom he is not married!!
I wonder what would happen if we would turn off the tabloid chatter, and instead, take the time to study God. What if we studied God the way we obsess over our favorite celebrities, or a new love interest? What might we learn about God, ourselves and others?
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
Scripture focus: Because of this decision we don't evaluate people by what they have or how they look. We looked at the Messiah that way once and got it all wrong, as you know. We certainly don't look at him that way anymore. Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. God has given us the task of telling everyone what he is doing. We're Christ's representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God's work of making things right between them. We're speaking for Christ himself now: Become friends with God; he's already a friend with you. 2 Corinthians 5:16-20 The Message
As I sit here with the month of March’s devotionals stretching before me – unwritten and largely ignored – outside my window is fifteen inches of gorgeous snow. In our community, this means the world has literally come to a standstill. Not a creature is stirring. This stillness seems to stir our inner life; the world may be silent, but my email box is full – full of regrets.
One friend tells me of her sadness over how she parented. She wishes she could get a “do over.”
Other one writes about her impending divorce. Oh how she wishes she had listened to her inner voice and never married this guy in the first place.
A stranger up in Canada writes that he has yet again broken his wife’s heart by watching porn over the internet. She’s caught him, and now he’s in big trouble.
Evidently, Tiger Woods is in rehab but rumor has it that he’s not taking it seriously. (Who dares to judge that?) Serious or not about rehab, no one can deny that Tiger’s golden life has entered a season of suffering.
The only people who don’t need a fresh start are those living in the land of denial!
Fresh starts are awesome, but if we are going to take advantage of them, we’ve got to recognize what differentiates a fresh start from a false one. Productive fresh starts occur when we begin to trust God. What are we trusting God with? We trust that God was telling us the truth when he sent his prophets to teach us that he is our friend. We trust that God is love. We trust that new life is a possibility – more than that, it is a promise from God to us. This is such good news! Certainly this is more important than getting daily updates on the state of Tiger’s marriage or whether or not John Edwards is the father of a child by a woman to whom he is not married!!
I wonder what would happen if we would turn off the tabloid chatter, and instead, take the time to study God. What if we studied God the way we obsess over our favorite celebrities, or a new love interest? What might we learn about God, ourselves and others?
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
March 3
Scripture focus: Listen, GOD, I'm calling at the top of my lungs: "Be good to me! Answer me!" When my heart whispered, "Seek God," my whole being replied, "I'm seeking him!" Don't hide from me now! Psalm 27:7-9 The Message
Which body part do you think was speaking the truth – the heart or the whole being? When I read this psalmist’s cry, the first thing I think of is how much I can relate. As I empathize, I begin to ask questions.
Was the psalmist really daring to ask God to be good to him? Hasn’t God showed us how delighted he is with us, how much he loves us? He sent his only Son to save us – what more can we possibly want from him? (But just the other day I suggested to my husband that perhaps God would do this or accomplish that for us…)
Did the psalmist dare ask God to answer? Could it be that God was busy, helping direct rescue efforts in Haiti or helping to avert another World War? Isn’t this cry a little…demanding? (But this guy clearly felt close enough to God to talk to him like I talk to my family members who grow collectively deaf when I cry out for help moving a piece of furniture.)
What did he do when his heart cried out to seek God and the rest of his body presumed that he already was seeking God? Did he listen to his heart or his body? Did he question his own motives, rethink his walk with God? (I have been known to presume I’m seeking God only to find out later that I was not.)
And where exactly did he get the idea that God enjoys a good game of hide-and-seek?
Maybe we could all benefit from taking a few minutes to think: is my heart crying out for me to do something in response to God – like seek him? Am I listening, or just hollering my head off begging for somebody to do something to make my life easier?
God is already good to us.
He has answered our prayers.
He doesn’t hide from us. He desires for us to walk with him.
What else could be going on if we, like the psalmist, feel as if God is distracted and not answering our call?
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
Scripture focus: Listen, GOD, I'm calling at the top of my lungs: "Be good to me! Answer me!" When my heart whispered, "Seek God," my whole being replied, "I'm seeking him!" Don't hide from me now! Psalm 27:7-9 The Message
Which body part do you think was speaking the truth – the heart or the whole being? When I read this psalmist’s cry, the first thing I think of is how much I can relate. As I empathize, I begin to ask questions.
Was the psalmist really daring to ask God to be good to him? Hasn’t God showed us how delighted he is with us, how much he loves us? He sent his only Son to save us – what more can we possibly want from him? (But just the other day I suggested to my husband that perhaps God would do this or accomplish that for us…)
Did the psalmist dare ask God to answer? Could it be that God was busy, helping direct rescue efforts in Haiti or helping to avert another World War? Isn’t this cry a little…demanding? (But this guy clearly felt close enough to God to talk to him like I talk to my family members who grow collectively deaf when I cry out for help moving a piece of furniture.)
What did he do when his heart cried out to seek God and the rest of his body presumed that he already was seeking God? Did he listen to his heart or his body? Did he question his own motives, rethink his walk with God? (I have been known to presume I’m seeking God only to find out later that I was not.)
And where exactly did he get the idea that God enjoys a good game of hide-and-seek?
Maybe we could all benefit from taking a few minutes to think: is my heart crying out for me to do something in response to God – like seek him? Am I listening, or just hollering my head off begging for somebody to do something to make my life easier?
God is already good to us.
He has answered our prayers.
He doesn’t hide from us. He desires for us to walk with him.
What else could be going on if we, like the psalmist, feel as if God is distracted and not answering our call?
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
March 2
Scripture focus: If anyone chooses to do God's will, he will find out whether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. John 7:17 NIV
“The essential prerequisite to know the will of God, according to Jesus, is a willingness to do it. What is the will of God? God’s will for those who believe in Him is to be alive in Christ for the purpose of establishing his kingdom by overcoming the evil one and becoming fully the people he has called us to be.”*
Last winter it snowed A LOT in our community, which is very unusual. We loved watching the tiny flakes fall and quickly blanket everything exposed to the elements. My husband, a guy who grew up in snowy Maine and is well acquainted with the white stuff, went out while it was still coming down to get a head start on snow removal. Soon the kids and I joined him. Our daughter got the bright idea that it would be fun to remove the snow blanketing our neighbors’ cars – so off we went, scraping and brushing with care. We had so much fun – especially when our neighbors began to ask, “Hey, what’s going on?” No one complained when they found themselves with one less chore to tackle in the wake of a winter storm.
After the driveway and sidewalk was cleared, a collective sigh of satisfaction was released as we all headed inside for hot cocoa and a cozy fireside nap. But the thing that made us smile with delight were all those cars, relieved of their snow blanket burden and awaiting their surprised owner’s realization that their vehicles were ready to roll. It’s good to take care of business, but it’s great to care for others.
The apostle John makes it sound like a big deal to become “fully the people he has called us to be” – and he’s right. But sometimes it’s not as hard as it sounds. We overcome the evil one in small ways – by showing tiny kindnesses or possessing a modicum of patience.
The more often we practice being “fully the people he has called…” the more convinced we will be that his teaching is truth and it is good. The more truth we realize God’s word speaks, the more willing we will become to live the life he has set before us.
For today, test the theory. Let me know what you discover.
* Daily In Christ, by Dr. Neil Anderson with Joanne Anderson, copyright 1993 by Harvest House Publishers, January 20th entry.
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© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
March 1
Scripture focus: Jesus said these things. Then, raising his eyes in prayer, he said: Father, it's time. Display the bright splendor of your Son so the Son in turn may show your bright splendor. You put him in charge of everything human so he might give real and eternal life to all in his charge. And this is the real and eternal life: That they know you, the one and only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent. I glorified you on earth by completing down to the last detail what you assigned me to do. And now, Father, glorify me with your very own splendor, the very splendor I had in your presence before there was a world. John 17:1-5
I love the opportunity that our NSC website and devotional blog provide for me to hear from people all over the world. My “inbox” is regularly stuffed full of inquiries about what life would look like if we lived it God’s way.
People ask questions like, “What does God want from me?”
I usually respond with something out of Micah 6, like, “God wants us to act justly, love mercy and to walk humbly with our God.” This response is usually somewhat unsatisfying. The questioner often has a series of follow up questions that contain more details…and reveal more of the heart of the matter.
Let’s face it. Sometimes we already know what God wants from us, we just don’t want to have to deal with the answer. When my husband is acting like Cranky McCrankster, I don’t want to love mercy – I want my love to stop acting like Dougie Downer. I am often less interested in his suffering than mine. I don’t want to sit quietly and ask him to share his inner thoughts; I want to verbalize my need for a perky partner. I think and feel and act this way because I falsely believe that if he will behave in a way that pleases me,
I can have a really good life.
Scripture tells a different tale. God’s word teaches that real and eternal life comes to us through the Son, not the sunshine of another mere mortal’s willingness to comply with our requests. Jesus taught that the real life has nothing to do with the Real Wives of any city, but is experienced by those who know God and Jesus.
To know God is to experience real and eternal life.
How do we know if we know him? When we see the fruits of our knowing lived out as we care about what God cares about, love as God loves, act justly, love mercy and actually walk with God.
This month’s devotionals are going to provide us an opportunity to practice our walking. In the meantime, I’ve got to go check on my hubby.
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
Scripture focus: Jesus said these things. Then, raising his eyes in prayer, he said: Father, it's time. Display the bright splendor of your Son so the Son in turn may show your bright splendor. You put him in charge of everything human so he might give real and eternal life to all in his charge. And this is the real and eternal life: That they know you, the one and only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent. I glorified you on earth by completing down to the last detail what you assigned me to do. And now, Father, glorify me with your very own splendor, the very splendor I had in your presence before there was a world. John 17:1-5
I love the opportunity that our NSC website and devotional blog provide for me to hear from people all over the world. My “inbox” is regularly stuffed full of inquiries about what life would look like if we lived it God’s way.
People ask questions like, “What does God want from me?”
I usually respond with something out of Micah 6, like, “God wants us to act justly, love mercy and to walk humbly with our God.” This response is usually somewhat unsatisfying. The questioner often has a series of follow up questions that contain more details…and reveal more of the heart of the matter.
Let’s face it. Sometimes we already know what God wants from us, we just don’t want to have to deal with the answer. When my husband is acting like Cranky McCrankster, I don’t want to love mercy – I want my love to stop acting like Dougie Downer. I am often less interested in his suffering than mine. I don’t want to sit quietly and ask him to share his inner thoughts; I want to verbalize my need for a perky partner. I think and feel and act this way because I falsely believe that if he will behave in a way that pleases me,
I can have a really good life.
Scripture tells a different tale. God’s word teaches that real and eternal life comes to us through the Son, not the sunshine of another mere mortal’s willingness to comply with our requests. Jesus taught that the real life has nothing to do with the Real Wives of any city, but is experienced by those who know God and Jesus.
To know God is to experience real and eternal life.
How do we know if we know him? When we see the fruits of our knowing lived out as we care about what God cares about, love as God loves, act justly, love mercy and actually walk with God.
This month’s devotionals are going to provide us an opportunity to practice our walking. In the meantime, I’ve got to go check on my hubby.
Click on the word comments below and join our conversation!
© Copyright 2010 NorthStar Community
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