Suffering

This past week at Word of Life Bible Camp and Conference Center Dr. Ted Tripp spoke on the subject of suffering, not a topic we want to study let alone embrace yet we will all face this reality some time in our lives.  As Dr. Tripp stated "Suffering is the universal experience of all Christians."
Paul writes extensively on this topic, especially in the book of 1 Peter, which is directed at persecuted Christians. David also deals with this topic in the book of Psalms. But I am not writing today to dictate a Bible Study on  suffering. Rather I am writing to search out my own "take" on this topic. I feel I'm qualified to attempt unpeeling it's layers while shedding onion tears.
I suffer chronically with a multitude of non-motor Parkinson Disease complications, most of which are unnoticeable to others. Not wanting to dwell on the specifics suffice it to say I experience a profusion of "unhappy moments"almost daily. What do I do with these?

L.B. Cowan in Streams in the Desert says: "God is...an ever-present help in trouble." (Ps. 46:1) But He allows trouble to pursue us, as though He were indifferent to its overwhelming pressure, so we may be brought to the end of ourselves. Through the trial, we are led to discover the treasure of darkness and the immeasurable wealth of tribulation."
What? How can I call my suffering, my tribulations, a WEALTH?

Charles Spurgeon, called the "Prince of Preachers", dealt with spiritual, physical, and emotional suffering yet he is quoted as saying: "I have learned to kiss the wave that throws me against the rock of ages."

 Wow! That quote grabs my soul and won't let it go! How can I kiss that wave? God wants me to show affection for and embrace chronic pain? Am I not getting something here? Isn't God suppose to heal, to come to my rescue? God's sovereignty lays a blanket over everything-this I know! He's in control and I am confident He has an agenda for my suffering, whether it's to deepen His message of hope, chasten me for some as of yet unrecognizable sin, show my weakness as compared to His strength, or shout out that He is enough so I will bring Him glory. I guess I have to grapple with the confusion of the choice of which agenda is mine.

We live in a world of suffering people; those like me with health issues to tackle, others with financial problems, emotional battles, relationship difficulties, loss of loved ones and the list goes on and on. So there is no one size fits all remedy. I believe that at some moment in each of our lives we will either shout or perhaps fearfully whisper  "Why God?" "Why me?" Is this a sin? Should we hold in our pain, our doubts, our weaknesses, our disappointments & frustrations? Will God be angry, offended, turn a deaf ear? I believe the answer to all these heart-wrenching questions is NO! I read throughout the Bible that God is a god of compassion, which is defined as one who is concerned for the sufferings & misfortunes of others. He understands because in Jesus He has "been there, done that"! Jesus was our suffering Savior! Therefore He is qualified to see us through all our sufferings. He will tenderly and gently take us by the hand or at excruciating moments pick us up and carry us over the hot coals of living.

Bottom line: I have hope in a compassionate God! My hope will see me through the dark tunnels and in His timing I will be eternally healed!

New Year's Resolution??

Have you ever made a New Year's Resolution? "Going to lose weight? Going to exercise more? Going to quit smoking? Going to shop less-save more? Going to quit Face Book or watch less TV and read more." On and on it goes. Have you ever been successful in accomplishing your desired resolution? What exactly is a "resolution"? Basically, as defined by a dictionary, it is a firm desire to do or not to do something. Obviously, then, it could be a good thing improving your life in a number of ways-most of them centering around our physical well being. But will it last?
I have been thinking about the value of such "firm desires" and what, if any, life improvement I could make in 2019. Then I happened upon an author of a recent devotional I was reading relating his "one word" resolution. He chooses one word to think on for an entire year in order to grow his spirit. He chose the word prayer for 2019. Wow-so simple yet so profound! This resonated with my heart so I have chosen the word contentment. Along with this word I also chose the Bible verses in Philippians 4:11b-13 that correspond with that word to memorize and accompany my daily thoughts on this word.
"..I have learned to be content no matter what the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this (being content) through him who gives me strength."
I am praying that by thinking on this word daily God will grow my spirit and draw me ever closer to Him.
I'd be thrilled to have others join me in this "resolution" for 2019. Who knows how God could use us and our "words" for His glory throughout this coming year.

Self-control

 I was sitting down for lunch today and looking in my soup bowl. It was filled with chickpea chili along with pickled beets and asparagus. Honestly all I wanted at that moment was a McDonald's Big Mac with crispy hot French fries! I wanted to "hang up" this plant based diet and opt for Kentucky Fried Chicken followed by a big, drippy Dairy Queen cone. Why do I have to put up with food that sometimes just doesn't taste good? Why should I crawl into bed at 10:00 instead of watching the latest funny Dvd? Why is it best to open my Bible first thing in the morning instead of turning up the volume of Good Morning America? Why is it better to worship in church on Sunday morning rather than sleep in and then hit the biggest Sunday brunch? Why when it hurts so much to walk with a weak leg and bone spurred feet do I push myself around the park time and time again?

SELF-CONTROL
Does anyone else out there have trouble with self-control? It is the last of the fruits of the spirit in Galatians 5:22. Galatians goes on to say in verse 24 that "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." Have I? Those fleshly passions and desires many times get the best of me! What a struggle? Can anyone else relate here?

In my spiritually stronger moments 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 comes to mind:
"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own. You were bought at a price, therefore honor God with your body."

In my weaker moments I "cheat" on my diet with some filet or read a novel instead of my Bible or sit outside on the lawn chair forgoing the sweaty exercise. In these moments I know my loving and forgiving God understands and is just around the corner ready to whisper into my ear, "Get going again! You can do it." Thankfully, He is my biggest cheerleader!

I think the answer to my questions about self-control is never give up. I, with God's help, can train my body to do what is right for a healthy mind and physical body so I can honor God as He seeks to use me. Bottom line is-like a well oiled and maintained antique car I want to keep running and functioning as long as possible to be available for the "driver" to use me as the "King's float" giving honor where honor is due!

OK-pass the tofu!

25th Anniversary

NO it's not our 25th wedding anniversary. That was a LONG time ago. But it is a 25th anniversary of something quite important to us as a couple. Can you guess? Probably not since to others it would not mean a great deal but to us it is reason to celebrate. Before I uncover the mystery let me ask you the question that served to prompt this thought: "What material item has truly been a gift from God in your marriage?"I know there are as many answers to this question as there are fish in the ocean.

For us the answer is simple: Tandem Bike! We have been riding a tandem bike for 25 years! In 1993 we bought our first tandem. It was a black Trek 1000. I could not find a very good photo of it but it was a lovely bike that carried us over many a trail in the midwest and eventually was shipped to China in 2000 where together we explored all the back alleys of Beijing China. When we returned to the states the bike was included with our household belongings and continued to motor us around. But we missed the excitement of exploring another culture. How could we again travel overseas and take our "friend" with us? The answer came when we realized we needed to purchase a new tandem, custom made with couplers to take it apart and fit the pieces into luggage. Would we have at least 10 years of fun left in our legs to warrant this big investment? This year-our 10th on the Co-Motion bike proves God's goodness to us in allowing us so much time together on the bike. The adventures Hunter and I have experienced on the tandem bike could fill volumes! But more than just the adventures I see a material object that has helped to cement our marriage, bringing us happiness and a common goal as we traveled a multitude of roads.

Now, as I currently struggle with Parkinson's Disease, I once again look at the tandem as a special gift from God. When I sit behind Hunter grasping onto the handle bars with my legs steadily going around and around I actually feel as though I do NOT have a disease. My hands don't tremor, nor am I anxious or off balance but feel 25 years younger with  Hunter's funny banter causing delicious laughter. God is so good to give us the desires of our heart, if they match His desires for us. I do believe He continues to smile seeing us enjoy loving each other and experiencing life together on our bike outings.

If you are a husband/wife team what material possession has God gifted you with and if nothing comes to mind why not try a tandem? I once heard it said that a tandem bike would either grow a marriage as you have to trust one another or cause major conflict as you must submit to one another in your prospective "roles" on the bike. Honestly I believe the former is more true than the latter.
You only have one life to live so live it well, doing what you enjoy with your mate, creating memories that last and stories to share with the next generation!

Lessons around the "family style" meal

Have you ever thought about the style of your family meals? Are they smorgasbord buffets where each individual picks their choice of foods from a variety of left overs or whatever is currently on the stove?
How about the "on the run" meals where everyone grabs something on the way out the door to their various commitments. Is that you?
Are they "up and down" affairs where there is a constant path back and forth from the table for each individual to satisfy their own desires for seconds and thirds?
Maybe you do not even have a "together" time for a meal but rather an "everyman for himself" type of meal service. Open the cupboard, open the box, open the microwave, heat and eat!
While "babysitting" three of our grandsons recently we discovered there were many lessons to be learned around the old fashioned "family style" meal. Remember the big bowls of food circulated around the farm table? My husband and I decided to resurrect that eating methodology for a short trial and have been pleased with the results for three grandsons.

Lessons to learn:

1. self-control-kids come to their place at the table facing an empty plate and quietly and patiently wait until everyone is seated, the prayer is said, and the food is passed to satisfy their hunger pangs

2. cooperation-kids learn to pass each bowl to their neighbor on their right ("littles" quickly learn the difference between right and left) after they dish up their portion as well as passing bowls during the meal at someone's request

3. conservation of food-kids learn to take ONLY what they can eat so as not to waste food and to allow everyone to enjoy each yummy dish

4. manners and healthy conversations-because everyone is seated around the table, not jumping up for various reasons, manners can be taught and conversations can be had that teach such concepts as waiting your turn to talk, listening and asking appropriate questions, being considerate of others

There is order at the table and a platform for fun conversation that has the ability to knit the family close together.
If you have not adopted this "eating pattern", especially with children in the house, try it. I think you will begin to reap the benefits.

What do you do well?

Once upon a time there where two newly weds honeymooning on a small lake in Nebraska in a quaint cabin complete with a sky boat. On the first day of their honeymoon the groom skied "circles" around the frustrated bride. On the second day of the honeymoon the groom bowled high scores while the bride threw gutter balls. This pattern of the groom "performing well" in most anything he attempted while the bride seemed always to fall short has continued for 40 plus years. The reality of this truth runs the gammit of all paddle sports, water activities, cards, board games, mind games,  even a recent attempt at darts!. God has gifted the groom with extreme coordination and logic and analytical skills that serve him well.
So where does that leave the bride? In a constant state of searching for what she does well. That search, spanning years, has unsuccessfully dipped into the "bins" of quilting and various sewing attempts, small crafts, such as card making and scrapbooking, playing musical instruments. Even time spent in the kitchen baking, which is fun, doesn't qualify as something she "does well" because most anyone can follow a recipe!
The phrase "doing something well" can be interpreted in a multitude of ways but for the bride it means winning at a game or two, or creating something to be admired, or just knowing you are "doing well" at a chosen activity-feeling a sense of accomplishment in meeting someone's needs, even if it is only your own.
After the last game of darts, which caused the bride to quit in frustration, she decided to take this "thorn in her flesh" to the Lord. Guess what He revealed-a prideful heart that needed confession but also something she could do well-prayer! That is something we can all do well. After all we are admonished in 1 Thessalonians 1:15 to "Pray without ceasing." When you do something unceasingly you will obviously improve. So now, when feelings of failure in "competition" creep up, she immediately defaults to prayer. In fact she has become more aware of the joy in praying at all times, learning to embrace who God has called her to be- not a champion "pickle ball competitor" but a prayer warrior!

The Ordinary vs. The Spectacular!

Sadly I must admit I am a bit disappointed that Hurricane Lane did not actually "hit" the Island of Oahu and our little town of Kailua with the expected high winds and torrential downpours!  Is that heartless, perverted, sadistic or what? What is wrong with me? I have been thinking about this strange feeling all day. I guess it boils down to being an "adventure" junkie. I love new experiences. Just making the preparations carried with it a sense of anticipation. What was actually going to happen? Sometimes the ordinary is just blame boring. I am often discontent with the status quo. I do a poor job of following Paul's example in Philippians 4:11
"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances."
 Rather, I find myself often searching for the next thrill, the next "spectacular" challenging event. But life consists of more ordinary than spectacular and it is in the ordinary, the boring that one can slow down long enough to hear God whispering. He is trying to teach me that He meets us more intimately while serving Him in the trenches of life, the routine schedules, the daily tasks and familiar relationships than on the occasional spectacular mountain top.  
I am truly thankful for the prayers of others concerning safety through the possible storm. And my selfish self knows to rejoice that we were spared the possible hurricane damages. We were and continue to be blessed. So I will look elsewhere for my next "adventure fix". Ha!