A "CONTROL FREAK" ON A TANDEM BIKE

As a child, one of the many feats that we aspire to conquer is that of “riding a bike”!  Desiring to ride without training wheels…  mastering control of balance, the direction, the speed, the destination.  As we approach those teenage years, we aspire the same control of our lives.  Desiring to “do it our way”… no training wheels or guiding influences… wanting to control the balance, the direction, the speed, and the destination!  I for one, being a “CONTROL FREAK” have tried to do this with my own life and with that of my family.  The Lord has lovingly and gradually pried my fingers one at a time cutting the apron strings of my adult children’s lives and is now taking me through the process of loosening the grip on my own life.  I will admit that at times it has been --- loosen two fingers and then grip them closed again… or the prying has been done with me “kicking and screaming” fighting all the way.

In doing the Bible Study… “Walking by Faith” by Jennifer Rothschild – I have come to realize that if I am truly going to “Walk by Faith,” I must loosen the grip on my own life and allow God full control.  (I loosen two fingers and grip them tight again and again.)  As a child, I wanted to ride that “one seated” bike… but as a CHILD OF GOD… the Lord is showing me that I shall learn to ride a “TANDEM BIKE” (a bicycle built for two.)  Thing is… as I run to hoist myself upon it --- I am tempted to quickly take the seat in front.  The front rider (The Captain) is the strongest… they control the ride… the direction… the speed… and the destination.  The Captain is the one who sees the road straight ahead and the obstacles that may lie in our path.  The second seat rider (The Stoker) follows.  Peddling in rhythm with the Captain and leaning through the curves that come our way - are the Stoker’s main duties, but above all this… the Stoker must continually communicate and TRUST the Captain completely!  Along with TRUST and communication, the Stoker also is offered the privilege of resting in the leadership abilities of the Captain.  Working together, beautiful things are accomplished and destinations are attained.  THE CAPTAIN is the LORD HIMSELF… THE STOKER is ME!

The TANDEM BIKE can also be a perfect example of how our marriages should be with THE CAPTAIN being the HUSBAND and THE STOKER being the WIFE… but we will save that for another day ;)  I must iterate here though the fact that “HAVOC CAN BE WROUGHT, FROM THE STOKER SEAT”!  In both these situations we learn that TRULY – GOD’S WAY IS ALWAYS BEST!

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."  (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Lord, help me to loosen my grip... take my place willingly and joyfully as the "STOKER" and TRUST WHOLEHEARTEDLY in you as my "CAPTAIN!"

The Pharisee in Me

I am what I would call a "black and white" kind of girl.  Viewing "RIGHT" as right and "WRONG" as wrong!  The halo on my head would like to say that my standard for that "black and white"... "right and wrong" is always the Word of God --- but that would not be the truth.  Oft times, what I judge as right (white) and what I judge as sin (black) is based on my own opinions, views, personal convictions, life experiences, and most of all "MY preferences" --- and does not take into consideration what the Word of God says.  When the Pharisee in me emerges - I become the "standard" instead of the Bible! I detest this in others when they unfairly judge me or someone that I love... but then find myself jumping on my "throne" and doing the same thing.  It is then that the still small voice of the Lord whispers in my ear:

"For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again."  (Matthew 7:2)

UGH!  Sadly, we as Christians hold each other to higher standards than any of us can live up to... resulting in us judging "UNJUSTLY!"  Within our bodies of believers, where we should be the safest and receive the most love, encouragement, and support... oft times fellow Christians are wounded beyond healing.  Keeping myself in line and where I need to be, and judging my own actions, thoughts, and utterings - is enough to consume all of my time.  

Lord, help me to show and give others the forgiveness and mercy that you have so graciously shown and bestowed upon me and cast out that Pharisee in Me!

Underneath this Armor

I would like to consider myself a "Warrior for Christ"!  Each day putting on the whole "Armor of God" to face the world in which I live... hoping to make a difference in someones life and standing against the wiles of the devil.  I must admit though... that underneath all this armor - no matter how "cool" or "together" or "tough" I may appear:  dwells the heart of a child!  The Lord is my stronghold, and without HIM, I would look more like "chicken little" than a WARRIOR!

Twila Paris wrote a song called:  "The Warrior Is A Child" that sums up these feelings that I hold within and expresses them far greater than I ever could in my own feeble words... Here are the lyrics:

“The Warrior Is A Child”  

lately I’ve been winning battles left and right
but even winners can get wounded in the fight
people say that I’m amazing
strong beyond my years
but they don’t see inside of me
I’m hiding all the tears

they don’t know that I go running home when I fall down
they don’t know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and cry for just a while
‘cuz deep inside this armor
the warrior is a child

unafraid because His armor is the best
but even soldiers need a quiet place to rest
people say that I’m amazing
never face retreat, oh no
but they don’t see the enemies
that lay me at His feet

they don’t know that I come running home when I fall down
they don’t know who picks me up when no one is around
I drop my sword and cry for just a while
‘cuz deep inside this armor
the warrior is a child

"The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him."  (Nahum 1:7)

DO I "RESPOND" OR "REACT"?

Yesterday, three special ladies and I began a new Bible Study by Jennifer Rothschild called "Walking by Faith... Lessons Learned in the Dark."  In the INTRODUCTION VIDEO the statement was made that: "When I choose to walk by FAITH and not by SIGHT --- no matter how hard life is --- I can simply say, "It is well with my soul even if it may not be well with my circumstance."  Following is her explanation of the difference between "Walking by Faith" and "Walking by Sight":

1. Walking by FAITH                            2. Walking by SIGHT
    Willing to take a step                                               Usually plays it safe
    Follows God; gives up control                             Seizes control
    Responds with thankfulness                                 Responds with bitterness and anger
    Perseveres, endures                                                Quits
    Is guided by truth                                                     Is influenced by feelings
    Is willing to wait on God                                        Waits on things from God

In looking and studying these two examples of our Christian Walk... you immediately see that in "Walking by Faith" we RESPOND... while "Walking by Sight" we REACT.  "Well, what is the difference," you may say --- and to answer that even for my own inquisitiveness ;) I came to the conclusion... RESPONDING takes thought and consideration, where REACTING is usually a "knee jerk" quick action without thought or consideration.
  
As believers, this beautifully illustrates how our lives ought to be lived... As if we were wearing "spiritual blindfolds."  God did not promise that we would be able to see everything that He is doing in our lives, or even see what we want in this life.  Nor are we guaranteed to understand our circumstances or why we must go through times of hardship, loss, illness, and struggles here on earth.  Instead, we are lovingly commanded to follow the voice of our shepherd... our Lord and to search for and consider what He is trying to teach us or how He is trying to lead us.  We are to focus on things eternal... not on things temporal.  We are to focus on HIM and not our circumstances.  We are to trust in "what we CANNOT see... "Walking daily by FAITH, and not by circumstances or SIGHT!"

TRUST shows itself when it leaves the tip of our tongues and lands on our tennis shoes and we begin to walk --- not just talk --- our FAITH!  ~Jennifer Rothschild

"For we walk by faith, not by sight:"  (2 Corinthians 5:7)

Orange Slice Candy, Circus Peanuts, and Orange Candy Sticks

Orange slice candy, circus peanuts, and orange candy sticks from Cracker Barrel... who would of ever thought that these could be used as witnessing tools for our Lord :)

Can evangelism be creative? We rarely hear those two words used together in the same sentence. Wonder why that is? When it comes to evangelism we often stick with what is customary (a gospel tract, our personal testimony, the Roman’s Road, a Wordless Book), and all of those are good, but what if you want to think outside the box or the Lord is leading you to "think outside the box."  The message never changes but methods never cease to change.

Thus comes in to play the items mentioned above.... The Lord has blessed me with a new friend named Jana that I have quite quickly grown to enjoy her fellowship.  She has an Uncle Ernest that I've never met but for some reason the Lord has burdened my heart greatly for this dear man.  He is from the mountains of Virginia and is in a Hospice Center nearing the end of his life.  Jana is the closest living relative to Uncle Ernest and is the one responsible for his care.  She has numerous times tried to share the gospel with him, but he always stops her from talking about the Lord.  He has a "sweet tooth" and his favorite items to curb that craving are:  Orange Slice Candy, Circus Peanuts, and Orange Candy Sticks!  I have found that "Cracker Barrel" sell all three - so I am keeping Uncle Ernest stocked in his favorite pleasures.  Along with each box that I've mailed to this precious man... I have asked the Lord to give me a unique way of sharing the gospel with him that will not be offensive.  He played the guitar for years - so I have sent him poems about the "Old Violin" and about "The Old Guitar" and shared how they were brought to life by the touch of the Master's Hand... also I wrote him a story about us walking hand in hand down the "Roman's Road," explaining all the sights we saw, and me telling him of my "special friend" who has changed my life!  Each time praying that the Lord would make his heart tender.  Although I may never meet Uncle Ernest in person here on earth... I hope to one day meet him in Heaven.

I'm asking all those who read my blog to please add this dear man (Ernest Marshall) to your prayer list... and will you pray for me as I use the Orange Slice Candy, Circus Peanuts, and Orange Candy Sticks... to show Christ's love to him... that the Lord will also give me the words and unique ideas of how to share the Gospel message in ways that he will not be offended.  Pray he will receive it!
  

Lord, Let my actions reinforce the faith 
I confess with my mouth.