Mountain top Musings...

Two weekends ago, I was able to get away for a personal pray retreat. I stayed at Bonclarken in Flat Rock, NC - it is a Presbyterian retreat center.... quite lovely!

The accomodations were nice, and I spent some great time in the Word and in prayer.

My last morning there - I took a hike around the Carl Sandburg estate. The scenery was beautiful - and I headed out on a trail after studying the map... the trail took me over little glassy mountain. As I hiked along the trail, my focus was on the path - because there were lots of leaves and it was slippery. At one point, I looked up and realized I was on the top of the mountain, and had almost missed it! How many times does that happen in life? We get so consumed by the path - our circumstances, the difficulties - when if we just look UP - our perspective would be so different. The trail hadn't changed - it was still hard to see and there were still slippery leaves and twisted roots to trip me up - but my perspective had changed.

As I started back down the mountain, I cam to a sign - which clearly indicated that the way back to the house was right. By this point, the map was a bit fuzzy in my mind, so against every intuition, I went right, obeying the sign. But five minutes later, I was having an argument in my mind about this not being the right way. I longed for a map to set me straight - and finally decided to turn around and go the other direction. By this point, I was feeling a little nervous - not sure if I was on the right path, running out of time to get back for check out of the retreat center, and by myself on a mountain! That's when it hit me - how much like life this is... we get up, maybe have a quiet time - and the Word makes sense at that point. We strike out into the day with our "map" in mind - but it doesn't take too long down the path, before a sign tells us to go a direction that doesn't seem right, even though it points toward where we want to go.

We mustn't forget that the enemy prowls around seeking to devour and destroy - and he disguises himself as "light" - as helpful signs - that get us off the straight and narrow path. Ps. 1:2 says Blessed is the man who's delight is in the law [instruction] of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night.

Thankfully, even though I couldn't remember the map exactly, I had studied it enough to have a good sense of direction. I obeyed the promptings of the Spirit to turn around, and I made it back to the parking lot in due time. May the same be said of our daily walk with the Lord... let us be in His Word, burying it into our hearts; let us be sensitive to His leadings and promptings, and may we keep our focus upward on the joy that is set before us.

I Have Overcome the World...

Jesus says, in John 16:33, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Too many today preach a gospel that is trouble free - and if you have troubles, you lack faith... but Jesus said, "you WILL have tribulation"... sounds to me like we can bank on it.

This verse has been running through my mind as I think of various friends or family members who are walking through dark days - hard spots in their life. It's hard to walk with them sometimes. Uncomfortable. Why do you suppose it is so hard for us? Perhaps a glimpse into circumstances we'd rather not consider? Surely that would never happen in our family, right?

But, if we are guaranteed trouble, then how do we respond, especially as those who profess faith in Christ? He says - "take heart" - or "be encouraged". I know, easier said than done... but it goes back to our perspective... is this world the best there is, or is there something more? Oh beloved, let us hope in what is to come - that is why we can take heart - because we know there is something more...

Each trouble we face is an opportunity to shout to the world that our Savior and Lord has conquered all this - and we are looking forward to all eternity with Him...

Gracious Speech

My family has always teased. Depending on which side of the teasing you landed, it was less or more fun. It would seem that one who has experienced the hurt from teasing words would be least likely to participate in the practice, but that is not always the case. Instead, quick defenses come to mind:

"Aww - it just means we love you if we tease you."

"You just need thicker skin - it's just teasing!"

"Can't you take a joke?"

But words can sting. Indeed, they can hurt deeply... and sometimes what is meant in jest can wound. Worse yet, words, once said, cannot be taken back.

Ephesians 4:29 (ESV) says: "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occassion, that it may give grace to those who hear."

Could any of my teasing meet that requirement? It is doubtful. If I really put my teasing words to the test, they would be better described as building myself up, at the expense of someone else. Grace is probably not how the receiver of the teasing would describe my words.

Gratitude fills my heart for my two friends, both brave enough to confront me about my teasing words... I pray they will forgive me, and thank them for their honesty and willingness to confront my sin.

This putting off the old self and putting on the new is full-time work! My prayer for all of us is that we might let our "speech always be gracious" (Col. 4:6). Through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, it will happen!

To the Praise of His Glorious Grace!

My pastor has frequently recommended journaling through a book in the Bible. Since I journal on a regular basis, I haven't been diligent to heed his advice - until recently. Looking for a way to "spice up" my daily devotional time, the journaling idea came to mind. Ephesians seemed like a good place to begin, and so I did. What a rich experience it has been - and that's just the first 14 verses in just over a week!

This morning, I decided to review the first 14 verses again. I noticed a couple phrases that are repeated:

• According to the purpose of His will


• To the praise of His glory (or glorious grace)


• According to His purpose

That brought to mind something else my pastor said: "Everything God does is right as He sees right". Smart man, my pastor is!

Pondering these phrases, a memory filtered into my mind. Back in my college days, I was zipping around in the red, 5 speed Dodge Colt my sister and I shared. One of Ames' finest pulled me over for not making a complete stop. He didn't pull me over to be mean - but rather - to correct my error, so that I wouldn't suffer more severe consequences in the future. Oh, the shamefulness of my belligerent response. But he didn't write me a ticket - he simply gave me a warning. Now, I understand the mercy and grace he showed. Then, I was irritated at his presumption to tell me what to do. I deserved a ticket - I had earned it, especially with my sassy remarks and attitude. And yet, he gave me mercy and grace.

As I remember that occasion, it grieves me to ponder the times I have responded to God in a similar manner. Times when Jesus "pulled me over" - or when the Holy Spirit warned me against my foolish behavior. Times when I have bowed up against God and His authority in my life. Times when I still do...

After a lesson in the difference between Creator and creation - Job responded to the Creator correctly: "Behold, I am of a small account; what shall I answer You? I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further." (Job 40:4, ESV)

One of these days (I hope!) I will rest peacefully in the knowledge that God always does right as He sees right. And, as an all-wise, all-perfect, all-loving, gracious and merciful and just God - I can trust Him completely. One of these days, I will truly understand that my ways and my thoughts don't measure up to the perfect counsel of God - and I will quit trying to convince myself that I somehow know better. It may not be this side of heaven - but I am looking forward to the eternal inheritance set aside for me - by His grace and according to His will to the glory of His praise!

Blessed or self-sufficient?

My rolling cart was weighted down more than normal - the class I was teaching required extra materials. Pushing the elevator button, I had a bad feeling that something wasn't working right when the button didn't stay lit. Pressing it again, and yet again, I silently prayed, "Lord, please - my cart is too heavy - I have too much stuff for the stairs."

A fourth press confirmed there would be no elevator service. I trudged to the stairs dragging the cart and my soured attitude along. I left the cart at the top and took my purse, coffee cup and computer bag down the first flight to the landing. Returning to the top, I hoisted the cart, and one step at a time, made my way to the landing. As I took a break to catch my breath and consider the additional flight of stairs, a passerby offered his help. "No thanks," I proudly said, "I've got it". After all, accepting help would shut down the pity party already in progress and show my weakness - my need for others. I am competent - self-sufficient - able to handle all that comes my way!

A second man stopped to offer help. A nudge from the Holy Spirit reminded me of something I had read that morning. Something that caused me to set aside my pride and accept.

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"Blessed are the poor in spirit..."

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Just that morning, as I read through the beatitudes in Jesus' sermon on the Mount, I stopped to ponder these words. What does that mean, to be poor in spirit? I did a quick word search and found this definition:

"the opposite of self-sufficiency"

Jesus was specifically speaking of our spiritual bankruptcy apart from God... it is only when He gives us eyes to see this bankruptcy that we are able to cry out to Him in faith to receive the help we so desperately need.

Yes, too often, and especially as Americans - we esteem self-sufficiency... independence... lone-ranger mentality. But we were not designed or created to stand alone. We were created to glorify the Creator - through our intimate relationship with Him and as we interact with others. In His goodness - He saw my need - and sent help not once - but twice! And I was blessed, indeed!

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." ~ Matthew 5:3

A Psalm of Praise

A few weekends ago, I snuck away on a spiritual mini-retreat. Mepkin Abbey is a trappist monastery on the Mepkin Plantation. The grounds feature lovely gardens, which sit along the Cooper River, just north of Charleston. I have retreated there for several day trips and am never disappointed!

I had read in Discipleship Journal about reading through Ps. 136 and then creating your own "verses". Here are mine:

To Him who made green grasses and trees,
His steadfast love endures forever!

To Him who knew I needed a day of rest and restoration,
His steadfast love endures forever!

To Him who kept me from going to Germany,
His steadfast love endures forever!

It is He that knows what is best for me and the plans He has for me.
His steadfast love endures forever!

To Him who convicts us of our sin, and disciplines His children,
His steadfast love endures forever!

To Him that is my source of life and source of true joy,
His steadfast love endures forever!

Lover of my soul, to You alone belongs all the glory and praise! Thank You that Your love does endure forever! Bless the Lord, oh my soul! Bless the Lord!

Bridled like a mule or a horse

Several years ago, a bunch of my family gathered in Phoenix, AZ. One of our outings together was to rent horses and go for a ride in the desert. I loved to ride, so I was quite excited for the adventure!

Unfortunately, the horses weren't as excited about the trip. Some of the horses just plodded along - not responding to any nudging for a faster ride. BORING! Others, like mine, kept feeling the urge to explore "off-path". The result: crazy jumping cactus pines in their hooves and around their legs. Needless to say - it was quite a disappointment - for both us, and I imagine, the horses too!

This morning, I was reading through some Psalms and I came across this verse:

Ps. 32:8-9 (ESV) ~ "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed wtih bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you."

As I pondered what that meant, I thought of two things: 1) my horse ride in the desert on a disobedient horse, and 2) a stubborn mule (see photo above). Anyone who has ever been around a stubborn mule knows exactly what I'm talking about! What a clear picture of how NOT to react to the Lord's leading!

So, if not a stubborn mule, what then should I look like in my walk with the Lord? Lola. No, that's not an acronym, but rather the name of a beautiful dog my friend Gina owned. Lola was a golden retriever that loved her master. Not that she was perfect - but she was one of the best behaved and loyal dogs I've ever seen. She stuck to Gina, following her everywhere. (Note number one: she followed.) She also obeyed Gina's commands. (Note 2: she obeyed) As a result - both parties found joy in the relationship. Now, it's not a perfect analogy, I know - but if I were to follow and obey my Master, like Lola followed and obeyed hers, I would avoid the stubborn mule syndrome and also experience joy!

Oh Lord, I know that You will counsel me and direct my steps. Please help me to walk in a manner worthy of the calling which I have received - so that I neither need tethered or drug back on course. Help me to do as the Proverb counsels: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths." (Prov. 3:5-6)

Mule picture courtesy www.virtualhorses.com