"Do you engage in hazardous work?"
Red Cross Nurse
A Long Obedience In The Same Direction
Eugene Peterson, author of The Message, after being asked several other qualifying questions for giving blood, was asked if he engaged in hazardous work.
"I said, 'Yes."
The nurse looked at his clerical collar and smiled,
BUT . . .
My thoughts are that we don't appreciate how true his answer is. We see pastors behind the pulpit; perhaps occasionally in other situations. But, Eugene Peterson's words highlight some of what we miss.
Read on . . .
"I am put on the spot of being God's defender. I am expected to explain God to his disappointed clients. I am thrust into the role of a clerk in the complaints department of humanity, asked to trace down bad service, listen sympathetically to aggrieved patrons, try to put right any mistakes I can and apologize for the rudeness of the management."
I suspect I've put a pastor or two in that positon. How about you?
I'm, honestly, so grateful for our pastors--and for their wives and families. They give much and sacrifice much. They give their time and their hearts to us, and in their faithfulness to God. Their ministry, no doubt, holds great joys, great answers to prayer, and a crowd of changed lives. I wonder though--runners talk about hitting the wall: enjoying the run, giving it all they have, looking forward to sweet victory-------but hitting that wall of unbelievable pain that they have to push through. Do pastors experience that too?
It's not October, but do me a favor: Appreciate your pastor (s) and church leadership TODAY. As God leads, express it.
As always, I find myself . . .
Utterly Dependent on Him Who Is Utterly Dependable,
Lonnie
Monday, April 13, 2015
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
FEAR OF SILENCE
"I hear a lot of people say that the fear of death and the fear of public speaking are two of the main fears in my generation, but I disagree. I think it's the fear of silence. (emphasis mine) We refuse to turn off our computers, turn off our phones, log off Facebook, and just sit in silence, because in those moments we might actually have to face up to who we really are. We fear silence like it's an invisible monster, gnawing at us, ripping us open, and showing us our dissatisfaction. Silence is terrifying."
Jefferson Bethke
Jesus >Religion p.5
I don't think it's just Jefferson's generation. I'm pretty sure he's younger than me. Somedays, I feel like everyone is. 8-)
Recently, I was challenged by silence. I determined, for 40 days, to turn off my car radio/cd player. The quiet to and from work would give me time to pray--and to listen.
It was hard!
I discovered that for the same reason I sit in front of the TV--to zone out/escape--I turned music on in the car, or an audio book. I didn't want to think.
Today, I'd probably say that I didn't want to hear my own thoughts. And silence seemed to be an invitation to everything ugly: anger, self-pity, self-righteousness, covetousness, never-ending to-do lists, past hurts and current . . . good grief! Hardly the atmosphere for praying. Yet good time to be with God. We could tackle those things together. I found peace and healing.
When my 40 days were up, I took on some more. It was time for Lent. With a 2 day reprieve, I turned off noise again. I fudged a couple days; and I can tell you why. As soon as I turned on the music, I felt it. It's escape. I don't want to think about that.
Yet, in the second stretch of days, I found myself worshiping . . . singing my own songs, hymns I grew up with or contempory choruses from when I became a Christian. As God prompted, I prayed. As my own heart prompted, I prayed for those I love.
Easter morning, on the way to church, I told Ray, "Wow! I can turn on the radio!" You know what? It's not so great. I don't miss the silence. I miss God--I miss fellowship with Him, because I am . . .
Utterly Dependent . . . and liking it,
Lonnie
Jefferson Bethke
Jesus >Religion p.5
I don't think it's just Jefferson's generation. I'm pretty sure he's younger than me. Somedays, I feel like everyone is. 8-)
Recently, I was challenged by silence. I determined, for 40 days, to turn off my car radio/cd player. The quiet to and from work would give me time to pray--and to listen.
It was hard!
I discovered that for the same reason I sit in front of the TV--to zone out/escape--I turned music on in the car, or an audio book. I didn't want to think.
Today, I'd probably say that I didn't want to hear my own thoughts. And silence seemed to be an invitation to everything ugly: anger, self-pity, self-righteousness, covetousness, never-ending to-do lists, past hurts and current . . . good grief! Hardly the atmosphere for praying. Yet good time to be with God. We could tackle those things together. I found peace and healing.
When my 40 days were up, I took on some more. It was time for Lent. With a 2 day reprieve, I turned off noise again. I fudged a couple days; and I can tell you why. As soon as I turned on the music, I felt it. It's escape. I don't want to think about that.
Yet, in the second stretch of days, I found myself worshiping . . . singing my own songs, hymns I grew up with or contempory choruses from when I became a Christian. As God prompted, I prayed. As my own heart prompted, I prayed for those I love.
Easter morning, on the way to church, I told Ray, "Wow! I can turn on the radio!" You know what? It's not so great. I don't miss the silence. I miss God--I miss fellowship with Him, because I am . . .
Utterly Dependent . . . and liking it,
Lonnie
Thursday, April 2, 2015
WONDERING . . . IS THAT YOU GOD?
"I had read through old letters from my grandparents' German friends during World War II and afterward. I noticed sentences like, 'Hans, how happy you made us! How could you possibly have known that we can't get any suspenders right now?' Or, 'The potatoes arrived just at the right time.' So I asked Grandpa to explain. His answer has remained forever in my mind because of its simplicity: 'When something good that we could do to other people crosses my mind or my wife's, then we just do it. It could be the Lord."
Hanspeter Nuesch
Ruth And Billy Graham p. 259
People often tell me that God doesn't speak to them. But . . . maybe He does.
At one time, my husband and I would respond to a "wonder" with, "At the risk of not obeying we WILL . . . make the phone call, deliver groceries, go to Rice Lake, Wi, write a note, ask someone if we can pray for them. None of these are big things, but they can make huge differences.
One time, we "wondered" if we should deliver groceries to some friends who were moving. Now, their income was far greater than ours and so we could have dismissed the possibility of it being God speaking to us. But "at the risk of not obeying," we shopped and delivered. Wow! Not only did they need the groceries after paying closing costs, moving expenses, and waiting for the next check, we bought what was on their grocery list!
Tell me that didn't stoke our faith!
You notice I said, "At One Time, WE . . . " I want to return to that habit.
So while I'm challenging myself, I'd like to extend the challenge to you. When someone comes to mind, today (tomorrow, this week, this month) and you're caused to "wonder," . . . DON'T. Don't wonder . . . DO! Who knows that it might be God; you and others might be blessed beyond measure. I promise you/us that our wonderings will add new and exciting dimensions to our lives.
I'd love to hear from you, and about your wonderings.
For me to hear . . . For me to 'do,' I find myself . . .
Utterly Dependent On Him Who Is Utterly Dependable,
Lonnie
Hanspeter Nuesch
Ruth And Billy Graham p. 259
People often tell me that God doesn't speak to them. But . . . maybe He does.
At one time, my husband and I would respond to a "wonder" with, "At the risk of not obeying we WILL . . . make the phone call, deliver groceries, go to Rice Lake, Wi, write a note, ask someone if we can pray for them. None of these are big things, but they can make huge differences.
One time, we "wondered" if we should deliver groceries to some friends who were moving. Now, their income was far greater than ours and so we could have dismissed the possibility of it being God speaking to us. But "at the risk of not obeying," we shopped and delivered. Wow! Not only did they need the groceries after paying closing costs, moving expenses, and waiting for the next check, we bought what was on their grocery list!
Tell me that didn't stoke our faith!
You notice I said, "At One Time, WE . . . " I want to return to that habit.
So while I'm challenging myself, I'd like to extend the challenge to you. When someone comes to mind, today (tomorrow, this week, this month) and you're caused to "wonder," . . . DON'T. Don't wonder . . . DO! Who knows that it might be God; you and others might be blessed beyond measure. I promise you/us that our wonderings will add new and exciting dimensions to our lives.
I'd love to hear from you, and about your wonderings.
For me to hear . . . For me to 'do,' I find myself . . .
Utterly Dependent On Him Who Is Utterly Dependable,
Lonnie
Saturday, March 28, 2015
QUICK FIXES
"As long as we think the next election might eliminate crime and establish justice or another scientific breakthrough might save the environment or another pay raise might push us over the edge of anxiety into a life of tranquility, we are not likely to risk the arduous life of faith."
Eugene Peterson
A Long Obedience In The Same Direction p.25
When Ray hits me with all the evils of the world--or more likely, the present administration 8-) I reply with my "canned answer:" But God is in control.
Part of that is self talk, to shake off my own fear, which rises faster than someone who just realized their alarm never went off. Yet my words are more than a bit hypocritical, as I discovered when I read Peterson's words.
My combined journal entry/prayer reads like this:
This is so me!
God, pull me out of this mire! I keep looking for the Quick Fix . . . the fix that will make me . . .uh . . . no longer dependent on You.
And I wonder, sometimes, why God doesn't answer my prayers? It's not because He doesn't love me. It's because He does. He desires me -- and you -- to remain close to Him; in fellowship with Him . . . dependent so that we experience His strength and His unfathomable --His very personal love for us.
"When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you -- a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant--then you eat and are satisfied. BE CAREFUL THAT YOU DO NOT FORGET THE LORD . . .
All the richness of my life is wrapped up in my relationship with the Lord, yet I keep trying to make Him unnecessary. I tell God, often, that I want to be dependent on Him, but I'm honest; I also tell Him that I HATE being dependent on Him. It's the wonder . . . how will He meet this need or desire? It's the wait . . . usually till the last minute. Both require faith. I want Quick Fixes. He wants ME.
But I am LEARNING to be . . .
Utterly Dependent on Him . . . Who Is Utterly Dependable,
Lonnie
Eugene Peterson
A Long Obedience In The Same Direction p.25
When Ray hits me with all the evils of the world--or more likely, the present administration 8-) I reply with my "canned answer:" But God is in control.
Part of that is self talk, to shake off my own fear, which rises faster than someone who just realized their alarm never went off. Yet my words are more than a bit hypocritical, as I discovered when I read Peterson's words.
My combined journal entry/prayer reads like this:
This is so me!
God, pull me out of this mire! I keep looking for the Quick Fix . . . the fix that will make me . . .uh . . . no longer dependent on You.
And I wonder, sometimes, why God doesn't answer my prayers? It's not because He doesn't love me. It's because He does. He desires me -- and you -- to remain close to Him; in fellowship with Him . . . dependent so that we experience His strength and His unfathomable --His very personal love for us.
"When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you -- a land with large, flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant--then you eat and are satisfied. BE CAREFUL THAT YOU DO NOT FORGET THE LORD . . .
All the richness of my life is wrapped up in my relationship with the Lord, yet I keep trying to make Him unnecessary. I tell God, often, that I want to be dependent on Him, but I'm honest; I also tell Him that I HATE being dependent on Him. It's the wonder . . . how will He meet this need or desire? It's the wait . . . usually till the last minute. Both require faith. I want Quick Fixes. He wants ME.
But I am LEARNING to be . . .
Utterly Dependent on Him . . . Who Is Utterly Dependable,
Lonnie
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
DEATH OF A CHILD
"How many children do you have?" What do I say, "four" or "five"? " "Five" I usually say. Sometimes I explain, sometimes I do not."
Nicholas Wolterstorff
Lament For A Son p.62
Age doesn't matter. A child is a child. Wolterstorff's son was twenty-five. He could have been three, or sixteen . . . or 60 . . . or unborn. It's a pain I can't imagine and one I don't want to.
Lament For A Son is an incredible book. Unlike many grief books, it owns few pages and those pages own few words. I've always wondered at even 150 pages. Who, with endless tears and a pain in their chest, can read word after word after word with answers that maybe worked for "someone?"
Nicolas Wolterstorff writes from the middle of his grief. How does one answer, "Will the whole family be home for Easter?" How does one pray for protection for his remaining children when . . . one somehow escaped the protection that was prayed for him? How does one repond to people who are afraid that they, themselves, will break down -- but instead, put on a brave face? Wolterstorff would say, "Your tears are salve on our wound, your silence is salt."
However, he would also say that if you can't think of anything to say, say that: "I don't know what to say, but I want you to know that i'm hurting with you."
Whatever my trial might be, my heart sighs with relief and great appreciation when I pick up a book and read words that mirror my feelings. SOMEONE UNDERSTANDS! When they makes themselves vulnerable by sharing their pain and their faith questions, I don't feel so alone. I don't feel so picked on. I actually experience a seed of hope being watered with an ever-so-gentle rain.
Whether you've experienced the overwhelming grief of losing a child -- or of anyone you love, I think you will find comfort and encouragement in Wolterstroff's book. And for sure, you will better understand how to minister to those with iron weights on their heart.
Whether grieving myself--or trying to bring comfort to someone whose heart is torn with grief, I find myself . . .
Utterly Dependent on Him Who is Utterly Dependable,
Lonnie
Nicholas Wolterstorff
Lament For A Son p.62
Age doesn't matter. A child is a child. Wolterstorff's son was twenty-five. He could have been three, or sixteen . . . or 60 . . . or unborn. It's a pain I can't imagine and one I don't want to.
Lament For A Son is an incredible book. Unlike many grief books, it owns few pages and those pages own few words. I've always wondered at even 150 pages. Who, with endless tears and a pain in their chest, can read word after word after word with answers that maybe worked for "someone?"
Nicolas Wolterstorff writes from the middle of his grief. How does one answer, "Will the whole family be home for Easter?" How does one pray for protection for his remaining children when . . . one somehow escaped the protection that was prayed for him? How does one repond to people who are afraid that they, themselves, will break down -- but instead, put on a brave face? Wolterstorff would say, "Your tears are salve on our wound, your silence is salt."
However, he would also say that if you can't think of anything to say, say that: "I don't know what to say, but I want you to know that i'm hurting with you."
Whatever my trial might be, my heart sighs with relief and great appreciation when I pick up a book and read words that mirror my feelings. SOMEONE UNDERSTANDS! When they makes themselves vulnerable by sharing their pain and their faith questions, I don't feel so alone. I don't feel so picked on. I actually experience a seed of hope being watered with an ever-so-gentle rain.
Whether you've experienced the overwhelming grief of losing a child -- or of anyone you love, I think you will find comfort and encouragement in Wolterstroff's book. And for sure, you will better understand how to minister to those with iron weights on their heart.
Whether grieving myself--or trying to bring comfort to someone whose heart is torn with grief, I find myself . . .
Utterly Dependent on Him Who is Utterly Dependable,
Lonnie
Thursday, March 19, 2015
DIY REVIVAL
" . . . Gypsy's (Gypsy Smith: old time evangelist) secret was revealed to a delegation of revival seekers, who asked him how God could use them just as He was using Gypsy. Without hestitation, Gypsy said, "Go home. Lock yourself in your room. Kneel down in the middle of the floor, and with a piece of chalk draw a circle around yourself. There, on your knees, pray fervently and brokenly that God would start a revival within that circle."
Mark Batterson
The Circle Maker p.217
I admit, I started "The Circle Maker" with undisguised reservation. I expected another hokey, non-Biblical gimmick for prayer. But, I have to say, I learned much about seeking God's will and persevering.
I began (Discipline has to begin, and sometimes grows slowly.) to pray very specifically for people and situations--using God's Word as my guide. This morning, I added yet another Scripture prayer for myself. I felt like this prayer experiment was failing. My intention was to pray for "others."
Then I remembered the above story. Perhaps I was on the right track after all. The Scripture I added to my prayer journal, for myself, was John 15: 4-5. I'm asking God to help me abide in Him, that I might bear fruit. I pray Psalm 1: 1-3 for my daughter and myself--again for help in meditating on God's Word that we might bear fruit.
For a week or so, I've been praying from Jeremiah 10:24: Correct me, but with justice; not in your anger . . . and from Proverbs 3: 11-12 asking God to help me to not despise His chastening or detest His correction, because those are proof of His love.
So, it seems that God "has" been highlighting verses and directing my prayers. It seems, as Gypsy Smith has suggested, that God wants revival to begin in me. My prayer journal isn't too far off. It's becoming a Do It Yourself Revival.
God, may it be so, and yet know that I cannot really do it myself because I am . . .
Utterly Dependent on You, Who is Utterly Dependable,
Lonnie
Mark Batterson
The Circle Maker p.217
I admit, I started "The Circle Maker" with undisguised reservation. I expected another hokey, non-Biblical gimmick for prayer. But, I have to say, I learned much about seeking God's will and persevering.
I began (Discipline has to begin, and sometimes grows slowly.) to pray very specifically for people and situations--using God's Word as my guide. This morning, I added yet another Scripture prayer for myself. I felt like this prayer experiment was failing. My intention was to pray for "others."
Then I remembered the above story. Perhaps I was on the right track after all. The Scripture I added to my prayer journal, for myself, was John 15: 4-5. I'm asking God to help me abide in Him, that I might bear fruit. I pray Psalm 1: 1-3 for my daughter and myself--again for help in meditating on God's Word that we might bear fruit.
For a week or so, I've been praying from Jeremiah 10:24: Correct me, but with justice; not in your anger . . . and from Proverbs 3: 11-12 asking God to help me to not despise His chastening or detest His correction, because those are proof of His love.
So, it seems that God "has" been highlighting verses and directing my prayers. It seems, as Gypsy Smith has suggested, that God wants revival to begin in me. My prayer journal isn't too far off. It's becoming a Do It Yourself Revival.
God, may it be so, and yet know that I cannot really do it myself because I am . . .
Utterly Dependent on You, Who is Utterly Dependable,
Lonnie
Sunday, March 15, 2015
YOU KNOW WHERE TO FIND ME
"If you want to see us, you know where to find us."
Mom
Mom and Dad bought a trailer and spent warm-weather-weekends parked in a campground near Hayward, Wisconsin--3 hours away from us. "If you want to see us, you know where to find us." At the time, Mom's words hurt. My husband's back injury prevented us from traveling 3 hours there and 3 hours back. And, we couldn't afford to stay overnight.
That being said, Mom's expression isn't uncommon, and it may be understood two different ways: "I'm there for you, wherever, whenever. . . (Or) . . . I'm only semi-available."
In my early twenties, Mom invited me to call collect (reverse the charges) whenever I wanted to. I took advantage of that many many times; often in tears. She was always there. She paid to listen to me cry! She was a woman of wisdom, and she paid to share it with me.
Today, I have a friend who listens to silence while tears fall down my face, and when gasping for breath won't let me talk. Our relationship says, from either of us to the other, "If you need me, you know where to find me." I text. She texts back: "Need to talk? Can we take a couple minutes to pray?"
"If you need me . . . you know where to find me."
I can't help think about my relationship with God--My side and His. I'm afraid that sometimes, though I'd never say it out loud, my attitude is, "If You want me, You know where to find me." It's not that He is unimportant to me . . . it's just that I've got so much to do. My list is . . . long.
Then I think of God. What a different story!
"Come near to Me and I will come near to you." (James 4:8 NIV slightly paraphrased)
"He who keeps you will not slumber. " (Psalm 121: 3b NKJV)
"Let us then 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 NIV)
No matter the time--No matter the situation--good news, bad news, tears, smiles, just to spend time with Him--He's there. Always there!
I need only to whisper the name of Jesus or turn my thoughts toward God, and He is there; ever allowing me to be . . .
Utterly Dependent on Him Who is Utterly Dependable,
Lonnie
Mom
Mom and Dad bought a trailer and spent warm-weather-weekends parked in a campground near Hayward, Wisconsin--3 hours away from us. "If you want to see us, you know where to find us." At the time, Mom's words hurt. My husband's back injury prevented us from traveling 3 hours there and 3 hours back. And, we couldn't afford to stay overnight.
That being said, Mom's expression isn't uncommon, and it may be understood two different ways: "I'm there for you, wherever, whenever. . . (Or) . . . I'm only semi-available."
In my early twenties, Mom invited me to call collect (reverse the charges) whenever I wanted to. I took advantage of that many many times; often in tears. She was always there. She paid to listen to me cry! She was a woman of wisdom, and she paid to share it with me.
Today, I have a friend who listens to silence while tears fall down my face, and when gasping for breath won't let me talk. Our relationship says, from either of us to the other, "If you need me, you know where to find me." I text. She texts back: "Need to talk? Can we take a couple minutes to pray?"
"If you need me . . . you know where to find me."
I can't help think about my relationship with God--My side and His. I'm afraid that sometimes, though I'd never say it out loud, my attitude is, "If You want me, You know where to find me." It's not that He is unimportant to me . . . it's just that I've got so much to do. My list is . . . long.
Then I think of God. What a different story!
"Come near to Me and I will come near to you." (James 4:8 NIV slightly paraphrased)
"He who keeps you will not slumber. " (Psalm 121: 3b NKJV)
"Let us then 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 NIV)
No matter the time--No matter the situation--good news, bad news, tears, smiles, just to spend time with Him--He's there. Always there!
I need only to whisper the name of Jesus or turn my thoughts toward God, and He is there; ever allowing me to be . . .
Utterly Dependent on Him Who is Utterly Dependable,
Lonnie
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