Being Persistent Takes Persistence

Here’s another day of coming out from under my “mighty woman of God” rock and I'm going to boast about some of my weaknesses. I’m following St. Paul’s lead with his powerful words of advice. He said: “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Sometimes I don’t want to answer my phone, so I let the call go to my voice mail. And, sometimes, I don’t feel like doing the unselfish thing. I want to just sit in my cozy chair and take a power nap, or watch TV. I don’t want to do one more thing today. I don’t want to respond to someone asking for advice. But just because I don’t feel like it, doesn’t mean I shouldn’t do it.

This might really shock you. Sometimes I don’t feel like praying or reading my Bible or going to my Bible Study group. But I do it. I’ve found that if the only time I pray or read my Bible is when I feel like it, Satan makes sure I never feel like it. I’ve been in this “mature” relationship with God long enough that I know I must live my life by my commitments, not by my feelings.

The difference between successful people and unsuccessful people is that successful people are willing to do what unsuccessful people don’t feel like doing. They develop habits. They stay committed. They don’t get to the Olympics because they feel like it. They get to the Olympics by hours and hours of training that they didn’t feel like doing. In the same way, we don’t become godly men or women by simply doing what we feel like doing. Godly men and women choose to develop the habits that produce godliness in their lives. It’s not any easier than working out or rehearsing or anything else that may be good for us but we don’t feel like doing.

Probably the greatest example in the Bible of persistence is Moses. For 40 years, he led whining, complaining, immature people around the desert while they questioned his leadership the entire time. Yet he never gave up. Hebrews 11:27 says, “It was faith that made Moses leave Egypt without being afraid of the king’s anger. As though he saw the invisible God, he refused to turn back..” Moses saw the invisible God. He kept his eyes on God. So, rather than retreating – we carry on and we keep our eyes on God, too! We continue our persistence to win the battle by being God’s devoted, persistent followers and by doing the uncomfortable. Hearing “Well done, good and faithful servant,” will make it worth it all.

Thank God for His Amazing Grace

As I sit at my computer for hours editing the final manuscript of a soon-to-be-released book, I start to think “Thank You, God, for your amazing grace!" The author, young wife and mom of two young children, not only survived breast cancer but is knocking the ball out of the park with her story of overcoming faith in the worst season of her life. At the beginning of her journey, when the dreaded words came, "You have breast cancer”, her world came to a screeching halt and she wondered how she could make it through. That’s what we all think when we’re hit with a mind-blowing, earth-shattering, shaken-to-the-core, unwelcomed surprise of mammoth proportions. If I only read the first couple of chapters of her book and put it down, I’d be left with concern and disappointment for this young woman. Oh, but, hold on! The story didn’t stop at Chapter 2. It went on to Chapter 40 and continues on today. Thank God for His amazing grace.

As I read her story, I remembered times when I could hardly take a deep breath because of the utter pain and fear of what tomorrow would hold – never mind even making it through this day when time stood still. I have seen and endured things I would have never expected, and at the time, I wondered how I would make it. But, thank God for His amazing grace.

There is so much uncertainty in this world. So much heartache. So much disappointment. So many struggles. But thank God for His amazing grace. We know He is with us and is Who helps us hold it all together. "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

We don’t have to know or understand everything at the starting gate of our life journey. It is certainly not easy not knowing, but it is a part of our story that God will use. What gets us through, is knowing we don’t go it alone or carry the weight of it all on our own. Thank God, Who gives us the strength to carry on. When we feel we can no longer stand, He carries us. We have all we need in Him and He is faithful.

This young woman is cancer-free today. Thanks be to God. But if you knew how God brought her through it all to today, you would understand the reasons why she is so grateful and loves Him so much. The same is true for me, and I suspect, it's probably true for you, too. We've come a long way, Baby! And, it's because of God's amazing grace. Our fears don't stand a chance when we stand in God's love. Our doubts don't stand a chance when we stand in God's grace. Our concerns don't stand a chance when we stand in God's faithfulness. Whatever you're facing today, it's just temporary. God makes sure of that so stay close to Him. Rest in Him. Trust Him. In His hands, all things are possible. So let's introduce our fears, doubts, and concerns to our Way Maker, Miracle Worker, Promise Keeper, Light in the Darkness. "Nothing is impossible with our God!"

From Hyper-Space to Hyper-Grace

This post was inspired by a friend’s FB post a couple of weeks ago. She and her husband were at an arcade museum playing those good-old-days games. The museum gave them the opportunity to play the games as well as provided other media that traced the history of the games and their creators.

In my day, it was pinball machines that got our attention. Then fast forward to my children's era in the 70s & 80s when Atari was the latest craze. Video gaming was just getting its start. The screen resolution was so poor but we didn’t realize it was “poor”. It was the best we had seen in technology and we all had a blast playing. It was an exciting period of time when we had no idea how fast technology would accelerate. My son was an avid Atari player of the Asteroids and Space Invaders games. He got so excited when he pushed the HYPER-SPACE button to make his rocket ship disappear momentarily to escape being hit by asteroids or enemy spaceships.

Of course, I’m going to segue to a “God” comparison. Over the last few days, in light of the current political climate, my posts have been focused on getting our hearts in the right places, doing the right things, and being people of integrity and honor even when no one is looking. Yesterday, I referenced the mistakes we make even when we're purposing to do the right thing. We do our best and oftentimes our “best” falters. When it seems that our failures outweigh our successes, it could seem we are surely doomed for a life of hopelessness.

AW…but God’s amazing grace! I call it God's HYPER-GRACE that gave us His ONLY son to die in our place. The END was the beginning because He rose up out of that grave and today we have hope and life in abundance. The HYPER-Good News is His HYPER-GRACE is unlimited. When we are out-of-power and the enemy is targeting us to take us down and out, His HYPER-GRACE shows up to take us over or under or around or through the circumstances. And, the weaker we may feel, the stronger He gets. He comes in like a rocket ship with asteroids blazing and takes out the enemy altogether. One day, He’ll push the “HYPER-SPACE” button and we’ll escape and spend eternity with Him.

These scriptures assure us of God's amazing grace: "But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for MY power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9
"Let us approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16

There’s a Light at the End of the Tunnel and it’s Not a Train!!!

Determination: firmness of purpose; resoluteness, willpower, tenacity, single-minded, persistence, true grit

Today is Day 1 of our Estate Sale at Mom’s home here in Tulsa (see local ad at Craigslist https://tulsa.craigslist.org/gms/d/huge-west-highland-3-day/6549423053.html Whew! With great DETERMINATION – we made it. We “ate this elephant one bite at a time”. That’s what we always said when Karen and I would take on another estate sale as that was our business for years. Months ago we wondered if this day would ever come because Mom, at 95, was ready to transition from living on her own to moving in with her daughter (my sister in law), Karen, and husband, George.

After Dad passed away, 25 years ago, Karen told Mom “If the time comes when you don’t want to live alone, you’ll always have a home with us (their home for 39 years). Dad helped them add on to their house, enlarging the guest bedroom, adding a huge clothes and storage closet and additional square footage to tha room. Now that bedroom has accommodated their daughter, then their first granddaughter, then years later – their second granddaughter – and NOW, Mom. Dad, as in touch with God as he was (he was a pastor for over 50 years), probably had insider information from God that Mom would live in that room one day. He was DETERMINED to take good care of her.

Now, Mom’s space is filled with her simple needs -- photos of her loved ones, her furniture and furnishings. It is “not too big and not too little – it is just right for this season of her life. There’s a little area for her office, a sitting area, bed and TV area and a huge bathroom attached. She is so secure in her new surroundings. What once was so important (a large home to accommodate family and friends gatherings, Bible studies, prayer meetings, an extra room for guests, Dad’s office where he had many “talks” with those who needed an encouraging word) – is no longer needed in Mom’s new simple, just right world.

The beautiful part of Mom’s new small and SIMPLE world has been her desire to rid herself of anything but what’s most important. Mom has been overjoyed with giving away so many of her treasures -- that at one time -- seemed so important. Now, we have a packed full sale going on that will surely bring blessings to many that attend. Mom has been giddy about the sale as she helped sort and price items, put items in packages, sorting through books and greeting cards. She has loved staying busy and busy she has been. Here, in this photo, in her room, she’s helping sort cards. On Wednesday, she made her last trip over to the house to give her stamp of approval to our set up. Often she'd say "Where did THAT come from?" to which Karen would say "At the back of that closet or the back of that cabinet!"

Initially, the transition wasn’t easy for her. She didn’t want to be rushed. She wanted to wait a little longer and a little longer, became really longer. Mom had become very weak and feeble so the move had to be amped up. Back then, the home health nurse didn’t think she would be with us much longer, but now that she’s settled in her new space, she has become sassy and frisky and has regained such added peace and joy. The transition that once was because of necessity has become one of great relief. And our DETERMINATION to help her get there, as well as put on this sale, has never wavered. The tasks had to be done and now there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and, thanks be to God – it is God’s light of hope, great expectation and, for Mom – that light is the ONE she will meet face to face and FOREVER be in the home that she was prepared for – for all eternity.

Though it may appear that we're weak during really challenging times....if we hang on with great DETERMINATION....those are the very times that we are being strengthened and empowered, which equips us to be resilient and unconquerable, because we recognize that it is in those times of weakness.....that God is taking over. "And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me." 2 Corinthians 12:9

Are You Being a “CAPTIVE” Audience?

CAPTIVE -- a person or animal who has been taken prisoner or confined; detained, in captivity, imprisoned, locked up.

Ever have one of those days, weeks or months, when everything you do seems to be inadequate, at least in your own eyes? Your parenting skills, being a loving and kind spouse, your efficiency at work, being a great friend. You’ve endeavored to be the best you can be, and it just doesn’t seem to measure up. “A good parent would have known their child was sick or on drugs or was missing school.” “A great spouse wouldn’t be so insensitive and unsupportive.” “An efficient employee wouldn’t be making so many mistakes.”

I hear those voices, too. “A great friend would stay in better touch.” “You talk too much.” “You’re too old to do that.” I’m here today to tell you AND me “Don’t listen to the lies of the enemy of our souls because he wants to take us CAPTIVE to those voices!” 2 Corinthians 10:5 says “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into CAPTIVITY to the obedience of Christ.”

YOU ARE a good parent. You ARE a great wife or husband. You are a wonderful friend and daughter or son. You are an outstanding employee. The enemy of our souls wants us to believe otherwise. Sure, maybe there are areas that we could do better and we can always strive to be the best version of ourselves for others, but don’t, for minute, listen to the lies of the enemy. He has one goal in mind, and that’s to take us, and our thoughts – CAPTIVE – always wanting us to think less of ourselves than God does.

The accuser lies to us all the time. God is always for us and reminds us that even when we feel spent and insignificant and too little and we’ve let the enemy take our hearts CAPTIVE, God will not have it. Through it all – the ups and the downs, the mistakes we make and the worries we carry – our messes are not too much for Him. “My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness (our messes).” 2 Corinthians 12:9

Maybe you can relate to what I’m sharing today. Are you wrapped in a bunch of lies about your inadequacies that weigh you down and wear you out? Please allow me to encourage you with this thought. Jesus doesn’t sit across the table from you or me saying “Your situation is beyond My pay grade.” In fact, I’m quite sure He leans in close, looks into our eyes, and says, “I will not ever leave you or forsake you and you will NOT be held CAPTIVE any longer.”

Jesus is our patient friend. Sometimes He speaks boldly through others and other times, He speaks directly to us with truth from His Word. Either way, when we’re tempted to believe one lie, or maybe three, we charge back with God’s truth instead.

God bailed us out of Satan’s prison. We are no longer CAPTIVE. Let’s take Satan CAPTIVE and imprison every one of his thoughts, emotions, and lies to listen to God’s voice and His truths. When we do, those negative voices don’t stand a chance!

What Do You Do When Bad News Breaks Your Heart?

When Your Heart is Breaking -- Then What?
I sincerely ask God to give me the words I should provide in my daily posts, and today, I was compelled to share these words. Just maybe, your heart is breaking because of a recent tragedy in your life and you don’t know if you’ll survive the pain and heartbreak.

I heard a speaker share about the time when his dad was so ill, and in so much pain, that he really thought his dad would take his own life. He called his friend, a Christian psychologist, for advice. His friend said, "We pray that he won’t, but you may be right. He just might. And, it would be heart wrenching and painful for you. But, you will be okay, because you will still trust in God's sovereignty, you will bounce back because you will hold to your faith in God and you will live on with hope and determination. I know you, and I know the storms you’ve come through, and you will survive.” To that, I say "WOW"! Wow -- because it is so true for those of us who have met with a personal crisis, have experienced the loss of a loved one, who know the tragedy of financial loss, who know the pain caused from a divorce or broken relationship.....and we carried on. We made it through those times or, we are making it through those times now. The speaker went on to say that his dad lived beyond that time and, in fact, his last days were of sweet times with his family and friends and trusting in God.

Yesterday, I received a request for prayer for a family in my Tulsa home church. The wife/mother passed away just after delivering her newborn daughter. As heart-breaking as that story is, without a doubt, I know there will be loved ones and friends who will step up to give them support and comfort in these very tough times. There will be a healing process and they’ll be desperately looking for answers. But, with God’s abiding faith and love, they will make it. I know it, because I know so many tragic events and I know how those families not only survived, but they are thriving today.

I think that psychologist’s words, though straight-forward, were the words this speaker needed to hear. And those words ring true for all of us. When tragedy comes, we have an Anchor, and if we hold onto that Anchor, we will not go under. Yes, it hurts. But we will be okay, because we still trust in our loving Father’s plans and purposes for our lives. We will bounce back because we will hold on to our faith in God and live on with hope and great determination. Yes, we will carry on -- that is, those of us who know that this life is just a breath, compared to eternity. We will live another day and rejoice in our ability to stand strong in the face of overwhelming circumstances -- not in our own strength, but in His strength. "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." (2 Corinthians 12:9)

We know that this isn’t the end of our story. It’s a chapter in our story, and there are other chapters to write after this one. Our Savior isn’t a cold-hearted cosmic judge disconnected from our pain. He’s a loving Father and Friend who is walking with us and even carrying us through life’s most difficult times. Jesus said, “Never will I leave you or forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

One of the most beautiful promises in the Bible is that God “causes all things to work together for the good of those who love Him…” (Romans 8:28). On this side of eternity, we don’t always see how He takes the broken pieces and creates something beautiful with them, but we can have peace in knowing that He will redeem the tragedy somehow in His perfect timing. Perhaps some of the good He will bring in our tragedy is to use the pain to bring us closer to Him or bring us into a relationship with Him for the very first time. And the end of each day, we will still proclaim: "God is good. All the time. And, all the time, God is good!"

From Hyperspace to Hyper GRACE

Day 260 of Photo Inspirations -- From Hyperspace to Hyper-Grace
I'm in awe at how far the graphics have come on video games today.  I well remember the 70s & 80s when Atari was the latest craze and my kids loved it.  It was a time when video gaming was just getting its start, with the introduction of one of our favorites -- Pong (a ping pong game) that consisted of  two paddles and a ball (no people).  It made for some serious competitions.   The screen resolution was so poor back then -- but we sure didn't care -- it was the latest, greatest thing in technology and we had a blast playing.  We also had Asteroids and Space Invaders. It was indeed a delightful period, but we had no idea how fast technology would accelerate.   I wish I still had that Atari game -- at least for the nostalgic value.  I still have the Nintendo 64 that we bought for our first grandson 20 years ago.  The grandkids -- no matter the age -- still love to pull it out and play it.

A few weeks ago, I heard a sermon by a minister who is about the same age as my son.  He talked about his Atari gaming days, playing Asteroids and Space Invaders.  He said he'd be so excited when he could push the HYPERSPACE button to make his rocketship disappear momentarily to escape being hit by asteroids or enemy space ships.  Then he segwayed into talking about our privilege of knowing God's HYPER-GRACE.

I loved that.  Isn't that what we've been given by God?  When it seemed like we were doomed for a life of destruction, hopelessness and despair, God's HYPER-GRACE gave us His ONLY son to die in our place, be buried and rose again to give us hope and life in abundance.  And His HYPER-GRACE is unlimited.  When we are out-of-power and the enemy is targeting us to take us down and out, His HYPER-GRACE shows up to take us over or under or around or through the circumstances.  And, the weaker we may feel, the stronger He gets.  He comes in like a armored tank with machine guns blazing and takes out the enemy altogether.

This scripture says it perfectly:  2 Corinthians 12:9 "But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for MY power is made perfect in weakness."  

We can trust Him because He is our faithful and strong God who oozes with the abundance of grace.   When we are weak, He strengthens us.   We are capable of far more than we can possibly think as we depend on Christ to uphold us and empower us. We can stand on His promises. He who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it. I don't need to know all of the details. I just need to know Him and His HYPER-GRACE that is sufficient for me!