The Transforming Word of God

How difficult it is for us to comprehend a Being who always existed with all knowledge of all things. Actually, I think it's impossible for our finite minds to wrap our minds around eternal preexistence. We are created beings, each of us having a beginning that we celebrate on our birthdays. We cannot fathom eternity before even the angels while never the concept of never-ending life is more easily accepted. Our human minds understand beginnings. We understand the blank slate of a newborn baby, the need to learn, to gain understanding. We understand that human justice has its own biases. We know the need to consult others when facing major decisions or new experiences. But to understand a God who knows all, even our thoughts! To comprehend a Being who never needed to learn because all the things we need to learn were created by Him to begin with. Who has measured the Spirit of the Lord, or what man shows Him his counsel? Whom did He consult, or who made Him underst...

 Have you ever thought about the mentality of a slave? I mean, slaves were people just like we are. They had personalities, complete with dreams and hopes. Yet they lived in constant subjection to others—and not by choice! I remember thinking a lot about slavery when I was younger. Admittedly, my motivation was because I felt like a slave to my family—and resented it! My children were small and demanding and my husband wasn't home much. Cleaning. Laundry. Ironing. Cleaning. Grocery shopping. Meals. Cleaning. Diapers. Toilet training. Cleaning. Budgeting. Scrimping. Cleaning. Peacekeeping. Baths. Cleaning. Need I say more? I wondered how slaves did it—day after day, at the beck and call of owners who failed to recognize them as persons, persons who needed rest and refreshment. The difference is that I wouldn't have traded my "slavery" for anything in the world because, in spite of the fact that I might complain, I loved my family more than I hated the drudgery. And...

We all have them. Misunderstandings. Foot-in-mouth moments. Overflowing stress. Mama bear syndrome. You name it. Reactions happen. Sometimes mountains are made from molehills. Sometimes we have major issues and confrontations. Regardless, it is so easy to allow our emotions to rule. We had one of those volcanic situations in our family this morning. I'm so often the one caught in the middle, listening to both sides. I had a high school teacher who used to tell me I should be a lawyer because I always defended the underdog. Well, I do that as a mediator, too. But when all is said and done, there is only one Mediator. Thankfully, our situation has been resolved, but it took a little time for emotions to subside enough to be dealt with.  I believe strongly in praying Scripture whenever possible. Since Romans 8 is the chapter I have memorized, I find I use it often. Below is the prayer I prayed, adding the references afterward: (Romans 8:26, 27) Father, we know that we do n...

My parents were such complementary personalities: Dad, the strong, verbal, emotional leader; Mom, the gentle, quiet peacemaker. They balanced each other perfectly. Even their attitudes toward faith were different, but compatible. Mom simply believed, without question; if it was biblical, it was true. Dad, however, taught me to question all I wanted to as long as I never questioned the veracity of Scripture. The Bible is the Word of God and, therefore is God's truth. But there are times when we don't fully understand how its teachings work together. Thus he encouraged me to study and understand and become "a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15, ESV). As I reflect on my growing-up years, I realize how much they taught me about the fear of God. I know we often battle with the idea of fear of God while loving Him, while knowing of his never-ending love for us. "There is no fear in love, but perfect love c...

Standing at the corner of our house, our hydrangea tree showed off a profusion of blossoms this year. There is something very inviting about the beauty of a garden, something peaceful. I thank God for the beauty He created but often wish I was a better gardener, a better keeper of that beauty. I would love to have one of those designer gardens with paths and benches and arbors and... I have a friend who is a Master Gardener. She has exactly the kinds of gardens I dream of. She and her husband even have a prayer garden with a cozy little spot tucked away where they can go and read God's Word and pray. I wonder if the Garden of Gethsemane was such a place when Jesus retreated there to pray before His crucifixion, if it provided the peaceful atmosphere He longed for as He prepared for and sought strength for the horror ahead of Him. As I ponder His time in prayer with His Heavenly Father, the example He set for us, I cannot help but examine His well-known prayer: Abba, Fat...

Recently I had a young woman tell me her marriage relationship had gotten stale and so she and her husband were hoping to get away for a purely fun day. I understand what she meant, although I would be more likely to say marriage becomes a habit—a good habit. We all seem to long for that extra zip, the energy, the passion that was there in the beginning. But life becomes busy and feelings are almost buried beneath all our activity. But we also find that eventually in our familial relationships. We know we love our parents, but our emotions remain fairly steady. And those babies we couldn't stop kissing, the toddlers who bring so much joy we just want to hug them, those children we continue to smother with hugs and kisses even when their heads smell sweaty—they grow to be surly teenagers often shrugging off our attempts at affection. Then they get busy with their own lives. We still love them, but the feelings are no longer I-want-to-run-up-and-hug-them! But there are ways we ...

Several weeks ago, my brother called me filled with excitement because he had something to give to fill a special need. Being on disability means he has a very limited income and he struggles accepting help from others. So being able to "give back" meant a lot to him. His excitement has stayed with me as I've evaluated my own attitude toward giving. Admittedly, giving is habitual. Paycheck arrives; I write a check for church. Because pay is biweekly, sometimes I forget. When I do, I find myself thinking, "I owe church." In other words, I tend to treat my tithing like a bill. Granted, there are other giving avenues. We support a number of things and I enjoy giving where I know there is a need. Those are gifts above and beyond our tithes. Plus I enjoy making and giving cards to people. But do I have the kind of excitement, that overflowing joy, my brother expressed? The truth is, we won't always feel joyful as we give. Feelings are always fleeting and...