Kathy Howard's Blog: Unshakeable Faith for Life, page 80

Some Rambling Thoughts about Excess and Where They Might Be Leading

Warning. I’m going to ramble today. I’m not sure where my thoughts are headed, but I know God wants me to explore them.

Over the last few years, I’ve grown increasingly uncomfortable over not only the excess of our culture, but also the excess in my own life.

Some of the signs of my personal excess? Jeans a bit too tight, spoiling food in the fridge, and caffeine addiction. Empty rooms in the house, but no empty hangers in the closet.

The contemplation escalated when my husband set a tentative retirement date. We began talking more about the details. Where will we live? How much money will be required for our twilight years? What kind of house do we “need?”

The conversations with my husband sparked additional thoughts. How much is enough? How do we define “need?” How much should we keep and how much should we give?

Same message of “excess” from different directions

God has repeatedly called the issue to my attention. About a month ago, I saw Mike Huckabee interview Francis Chan. The pastor talked honestly about his own journey to downsize his family’s life. To make room for others and their needs.

Last week the ladies Bible study coordinator at church handed me a copy of “The 7 Experiment” by Jen Hatmaker to review for possible use. I knew immediately it wasn’t a coincidence. Here’s the description on the back of the book:

Fight back against overindulgence, materialism, and greed by joining Jen Hatmaker in “The 7 Experiment.” This 9-session Bible study will teach you how to stage a mutiny against excess in seven critical areas of life. Food. Clothes. Possessions. Media. Waste. Spending. Stress. Come honest and ready to untangle the clutter in your life. Discover how temporarily disengaging from excess can allow God’s heart to break through your stuff and open your eyes to the things that really matter.

Hmm. I think she’s got something. “Stuff” can easily get in the way of real, spiritual substance.

Warning about excess from God’s Word too

This morning I read this from the pen of Peter:

As we know Jesus better, His divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive His own glory and goodness. And by that same mighty power, He has given us all of His rich and wonderful promises. He has promised that you will escape the decadence all around you caused by evil desires and that you will share in His divine nature. So make every effort to apply the benefits of these promises to your life.

2 Peter 1:3-5a, NLT

God calls us to lives of holiness through a growing knowledge of Christ. But the “decadence” or “corruption” of the world can easily get in the way.  Our desire for physical things enslaves us. It holds our thoughts, time, and energy captive.  The craving for “more” feeds the diseased condition of our souls like sugar feeds yeast.

At the least, the clutter of “excess” distracts us from doggedly pursuing the things of God. But the potential for much worse crouches near. Ignoring those in need. Being consumed by greed and selfishness.

I don’t know where this exploration is headed. I long to want to follow wherever God leads. Will it be a physical reduction of the material things in my life? Perhaps. Will it include purposefully seeking out those in need? Likely. But, I’m not sure yet of all the ramifications.

Let’s talk about this today:

Have you had any of the same thoughts?
Do you see excess in your own life?
How does our materialistic culture affect our faith?
And most importantly, what do we need to do about it?

Deep Roots, Abundant Fruit

Earlier this month, my husband and I visited New York City. The ultimate tourists, we took in a concert at Madison Square Garden, two Broadway plays, a walking food tour through Greenwich Village, and a Yankees game.

One of the highlights of our time in Manhattan was the four hours we spent Sunday afternoon exploring Central Park. Although we did not plan it, our trip coincided with the blooming of the cherry trees.

The first cherry trees planted in Central Park were brought from Japan about 100 years ago. Today, two different varieties stand on a gentle slope named Cherry Hill, overlooking a large lake. People come to admire the blooms and relax on the scenic hillside.

Year after year, the trees bloom in season. Year after year, the people enjoy their beauty.

The site of the blooming cherry trees reminded me of one of my favorite passages of Scripture.  The very first psalm likens those who delight themselves in God’s Word to a tree that bears its fruit each season.

Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners of sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

Psalm 1:1-3, NIV

Those Central Park cherry trees don’t worry about whether they will bloom and produce fruit each year. Yet they do because their location provides everything they need to fulfill their God-ordained purpose. Their roots soak up water and nutrients from the surrounding soil. The result is beautiful and fruitful.

We don’t have to worry whether our lives will be of use to God or benefit others. If we simply “plant” ourselves in God’s Word and soak it in, He will fulfill His purposes in and through us.

Green leaves. Beautiful blossoms. Nourishing fruit. The natural result of a life rooted in God’s Word.

Where are you planted? Do the roots of your life go deep into the eternal truths of God’s Word? What can you do to purposefully grown your roots deep into His Word?

Do you ever throw a fit with God?

I love watching my daughter parent my one-year-old grandson. She’s a great mom – loving, kind, and patient. But of course challenges pop up constantly.

Micah is a happy, sweet boy! Most of the time.

Recently for instance, Micah has been throwing a fit whenever something doesn’t go his way. And not just a pouty face with a few tears. These are lay down on the floor, kick your legs, and bellow fits.

Micah in the midst of a toddler fit!

For fun, she sent me a list of some things that set him off. (And by the way, I did get my daughter’s permission to share!)

Things she wouldn’t let him do:

Grab the hot pot on the stove
Pull an electrical cord out of the outlet
Shut a door with his fingers in the hinges
Dig in the trash can
Pull the lamp off the table
Lick the bottom of Dad’s shoes
Suck on the acorn he found in the yard
Tear a page out of her Bible

Things he did and then didn’t like:

Pulled the stopper out of the tub and lost all the water
Crawled under the ottoman and got stuck

Things she did he didn’t like:

Shut the fridge door
Shut the dishwasher
Made him ride in his car seat

Even though Kelley acts completely in Micah’s best interest or to prevent unneeded destruction, he rebels. Kelley sighs; I laugh. (Nanas can do that.) But, Kelley is handling it well. Micah will soon learn that this kind of behavior is not productive.

Trying to Manipulate

When we were toddlers, most of us eventually learned that tantrums and fits were not acceptable behavior. Most of our parents did not fall for that kind of manipulation. We never allowed our children to manipulate us like that. So why do we still sometimes try it with God?

God, if you’ll do this for me here, then I’ll obey you in that.
If you’ll let me get away with this one time, I won’t ever do it again.
I can’t believe you aren’t going to let me have that!

The Perfect Parent

God is the perfect, ultimate parent. He only acts in love toward us and for our good.

Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that me may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.  Hebrews 12:10-11, NIV

Whether God withholds something we want, stops something we’re doing, or does something we don’t like, we can fully trust that it’s for our good. Even if it seems painful at the time.

God is working for our spiritual health and eternal welfare. Yet sometimes we end up on the floor, kicking our legs, and throwing a fit. Wait… maybe that’s just me.

Don’t leave me hanging! Tell us about a time you threw a fit with God!

You Do What You Think

If “you are what you eat” is true, then I’m a big ‘ole chocolate-covered coffee bean.

Yes, I consume a lot of chocolate and coffee. And while I also eat lean meat and fresh fruits and veggies, I’m sure I would be healthier if I cut back on my favs!

Everyone recognizes our diets directly affect the health and working of our bodies. And while we may not eat right 100% of the time, most of us try to do what’s best for our bodies overall.

We Do What We Think

But are we as careful with our spiritual health? The Bible shows a direct correlation between what we put into our minds and our spiritual health. The way we think directly affects our character and behavior. The apostle Paul put it like this:

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect His will really is. Romans 12:2, NLT

In order for the Holy Spirit to transform us into the image of Christ, our thinking must first be changed. If we fill our minds with the “wisdom” of the world and its ways that’s exactly what will come out in our character and behavior.

An Example from My Own Life

Years ago I started reading a popular detective book series. I noticed from the beginning that the language was less than acceptable for a believer who shouldn’t allow “any unwholesome talk come out of my mouth” (Ephesians 4:29). But the stories were engaging and, after all, just because I “read” it didn’t mean I agreed with it or would ever say it, right? So I kept reading.

Somewhere into the third book of the series I noticed with horror that sometimes when an emotional situation arose, one of those words I had been reading on the page popped into my mind. Thankfully they didn’t come out of my mouth, but I have no doubt they would have if I continued to read the books.

God quickly and clearly showed me the connection between what I allowed into my mind and what would eventually come out in my behavior. I threw those books away. Lest you think me “super spiritual” I confess that I don’t always obey God so quickly. However, I am thankful I did this time. I would have been crushed if one of those words came out of my mouth in front of my children – or my pastor!

Let’s Be Transformed, Not Conformed

What our culture considers “good, moral, and acceptable” is a far cry from the truth of God’s Word. When we watch, read, and participate in things out of line with God’s truth our thinking becomes desensitized. As our thinking shifts and conforms to the world our character and behavior will follow.

We will do what we think.

Let’s ask God to show us where our thinking is out of line with His truth. Let’s ask Him to transform our thinking and improve our spiritual health. Let’s start today!

What things in our culture do you feel have the most negative impact on believer’s thinking? How can we guard ourselves and allow God to renew our thinking and align it with His?

More Questions than Answers

It’s been three days since the tragic bombing in Boston. Three are dead and more than 150 injured. Every available resource is working to find the answers to questions like these:

Who committed this horrible act of violence?
Why did they do it?
How did they pull it off?
Is more terrorism planned?

In time, these questions can be answered. But other questions are much harder to answer.

Where was God when the bombs exploded?

Why didn’t He stop this terrible tragedy?

Where was God?

The best Bible scholars wrestle with these kinds of questions. But the Bible clearly teaches many truths about God we can stand on in times like these. For instance, God has the power and authority to act. He is involved in His creation. He knows and cares about every aspect of our lives. I know these things are true and accept them even when I still have questions.

Where was God?

He was there. Amidst the chaos, God’s presence and activity could still be seen. For instance, have you heard about Dr. Allan Panter? Dr. Panter is an ER doctor from Georgia who stood just ten yards away from the first blast while waiting for his wife to cross the finish line. In a news interview, I heard him say that everyone to his left went down when the bomb exploded. (For more on this story)

Dr. Panter, the closest uninjured person to the victims had the trauma training they needed. With the help of others, Dr. Panter immediately began applying tourniquets, including a man who lost the lower portion of both legs. The doctor’s proximity and background helped save multiple lives. This was not a coincidence. This was God’s intervention.

Why does God allow evil?

A while back, I wrote a serious of blogs about why God allows difficulties in the lives of believers and how He uses them. These biblical truths also apply to the question of why God allows evil. Here’s a quick summary and link to each post.

The Bible clearly teaches that God’s faithful children will experience trials and difficulties. Why, Oh Why Introduction
God promises and is able to bring good out of difficulty in the lives of those who love Him.   Why, Oh Why Part 2
God can and will use our pain and trials for His greater purpose. Why, Oh Why 3
God uses the pain, grief, and difficulty He allows into our life to purify and strengthen our faith.  Why, Oh Why 4
Even when we can’t see the reason for our sufferings we can still stand on the character, power, and love of God and place our trust in Him. Why, Oh Why final

In the Meantime

One day evil will be completely defeated. There will be no more grief or pain or tears. What do we do in the meantime? When evil appears have the upper hand? We stand firm on the God who has all the answers. We trust in His goodness and grace. We cling to His loving presence.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

How has God revealed Himself to you as your source of strength and help in times of trouble?

 

3 Reasons for Joy

Trials fill our lives. This shouldn’t be surprising; Jesus said we would have trouble in this world (John 16:33). Not only do these difficult circumstances bring grief and pain, they also threaten to steal our joy. But believer, Jesus also promised His followers  “no one will take away your joy” (John 16:22). So how should we understand this?

I’ve heard it said that, unlike happiness, Christian joy has nothing to do with our circumstances. Yet, when I looked up the meaning for the Hebrew and Greek words most often translated as “joy” they have essentially the same meaning as “happiness.” Biblical joy can be defined this way:

 Joy, gladness, pleasure, happiness; the opposite of grief and sorrow; feelings that result from circumstances

The difference in fleeting joy and the joy no one can take away is the circumstances on which we base it. If we look to our temporary, earthly circumstances for joy, it will be stolen from us time and again. But if we rely on our eternal circumstances, our joy will be firm and secure.

Although I know my list could be longer, here are three reasons for joy God gives us in His Word:

Salvation (1 Peter 1:5-9) – Peter beautifully shows how rejoicing in our eternal salvation far outweighs the grief of our temporary earthly trials. In the midst of our trials we are “filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
God’s Love (Romans 8:35-39) – Paul experienced great hardships and persecutions in this life. In spite of these things he experienced the joy of Christ (Philippians 1:18). How? No matter what he suffered, nothing could separate him from the love of God.
Intimate Fellowship with Christ (John 15:5-11) – On the night He was betrayed and arrested, Jesus wanted to make sure His followers knew how to find their joy in Him. As we “abide” in Christ – stay closely and vitally connected to Him in obedient relationship – our joy will “be complete.”

Are you experiencing this kind of joy? You can! Read these Scripture passages and ask God to show you how to find joy in your eternal circumstances!

What other “reasons for joy” do you see in Scripture? Let’s share them with each other today!

Left Hanging

The day was clear and crisp, just perfect for spring skiing. When we arrived at the slope, we purchased our lift tickets, quickly donned our skis, and got in line for the lift. So excited to have a full day of skiing ahead of us.

Four of our group sat together on the quad chair – me, Wayne, our oldest daughter, Kelley, and our friend Connie. About a quarter of the way up the hill the chair lift came to an abrupt halt. That happens fairly often – usually to wait for someone who has fallen getting on or off – so we weren’t concerned. But then minutes ticked by and we remained stopped.

For the next two hours we alternated between long stretches of stillness and brief forward movement. The first time the chair began to move we cheered, but after just a few feet we stopped again. After that, each time we moved we held our collective breaths. But alas, we only moved a short distance.

It was a warm day for April in the Canadian Rockies, but when you’re hanging off the ground in the wind with the weight of your skis and boots pulling on your dangling legs, a chill can set in quickly. The four of us huddled close for warmth and told stories to pass the time.

After about two hours I started eyeing the ground. If I dropped my skis would it be close enough to jump? Then I checked to see how far it was to the closest support tower. Is it possible to shimmy across the cable?

But just before I made rash decision to act dangerously, someone shouted at us over a bullhorn. “We’ve been working to get the motor going, but it won’t stay running. We’ll try one more time. If that doesn’t work we will get you down another way.”

Another way? Seriously?! What does that mean? Fork lift? Helicopter? Giant eagle?

Just as I was taking another look at the ground, we started moving. All four of us were praying. Fifty feet to the end. Forty. Thirty. Twenty. Ten. Now, stand up and put your skis on the ground!

After more than two hours, no feeling remained in our legs but we managed to get out of the chair and move away from the lift. Petite little Kelley was chilled to the bone so Wayne took her to a warming shack to thaw. Connie and I made our way gingerly down the slope to the lodge.

As it turned out, the resort paid for our lunch and refunded our lift passes. After eating and warming up in the lodge, we spent the afternoon skiing for free. (Well, I guess it wasn’t really “free.”)

For the majority of those two hours we felt like the ski resort had simply left us hanging. We didn’t see any activity on our behalf. We saw very little forward progress. But as we learned later, an entire team of mechanics was working frantically to get us down to safety.

Sometimes life feels like that. Sometimes we may feel like God has “left us hanging.” Sometimes we might think He’s not doing anything while we struggle. But Scripture teaches us the truth:

God is never inactive; He is always working (John 5:17).
God knows and cares about every aspect of our lives (Matthew 6:25-34).
God is all-powerful and in control of every situation (Jeremiah 32:17).
God is with us in our trials (Isaiah 43:2).
God is good, loving, and faithful (Psalm 145:17).

When you doubt God is working, when you wonder if He cares about you and your situation, remind yourself of the truth. Even if you can’t see it, He is working. Even if you don’t feel it, He loves you.

Let’s Share: Has there ever been a time you felt like God “left you hanging?” In retrospect, how was He working?

But Even If He Does Not…

Has your faith in God ever been shaken because He didn’t answer your prayers in a specific way? Have you ever doubted His love for you because you had to endure a painful trial? Many believers have.

Recently, God has been teaching me the same truth in several different ways. He must want to make sure I learn it. Here it is:

My faith must be in God and not in what I hope He will do for me.

Where is your faith?

Since January, I’ve been leading a group of ladies through a study called “Live a Praying Life” by Jennifer Kennedy Dean. It is transforming our prayer lives and our understanding of God. In Week Ten, Jennifer explains that many believers become discouraged with prayer because they have a misguided understanding of faith.

Many of us mistakenly think that faith is “believing real hard.” If we believe hard enough then God will do what we want Him to do. Heal our spouse. Save our friend. Provide a job. Then when things don’t turn out like we want our assumption is that God doesn’t care or that God doesn’t answer prayer.

The problem with this thinking is that we’ve put our “faith” in an outcome instead of in our all-knowing, all-powerful God. Jennifer clarifies the issue:

Faith is not knowing how God will bring His will into being; faith is knowing that God will bring His will into being.

 Into a fiery furnace

Those three faithful friends – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego – demonstrate what it looks like to have faith in God and not an outcome. When the Babylonian authorities ordered these Israelite captives to bow down and worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden statue or be thrown in the fiery furnace, they put their faith firmly in God.

“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will no serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Daniel 3:17-18, NIV

These words grab my heart. They are one of the boldest declarations in all of Scripture. “Our God is able! But even if He does not…”

We place our faith in God and worship Him because He is God and He is able. Not because He will see fit to handle things the way we, in our limited understanding, think they should be handled.

Living by Faith

The “Hall of Faith” in the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, further demonstrates this truth. We learn that some “escaped the edge of the sword” while others were “put to death by the sword.” Some “conquered kingdoms” and others faced “jeers and flogging.” Some “routed foreign enemies” and others were “chained and put in prison.”

The common denominator in every life described in Hebrews eleven was not the physical outcome of their situation. No, rather each life memorialized in this well-loved chapter placed unshakeable faith in God. However He chose to use their life to further His kingdom, their faith remained solid and safe in the Person of God.

What does this mean for you and me? We can stand firmly on the truth that God will carry out His purposes. They will not be thwarted. The temporary physical circumstances may not be what we would choose, but we can know that God is working. We can peacefully rest in His loving, protective arms and trust His outcome.

Have you ever found yourself putting your faith in an outcome rather than God? Share a time that you were discouraged because your prayers were not answered in the way you thought they should have been.

The Sacred Cow of Busyness

What is your usual response to this question: “How are you?”

Many – if not most of you – probably answered with something like this: “Fine. Busy.”

I hear it every day – sometimes out of my own mouth. Over the last few years, I’ve noticed the shift. It seems we can’t be “fine” unless we are also busy. And most of us are busy. Really busy.

Busy and Proud of It!

We’re up before the sun, pound the pavement or the keyboard all day long, and spend the after-work hours doing housework and helping with homework or cheering at ballgames and volunteering. We’re crazy busy and proud of it.

Our American culture values busyness. We tend to see a “busy” person as someone who is in demand, talented, and indispensable. “Busy” is good. Downtime is bad.

The Danger of Busy

So what’s wrong with “busy?” Everyone is doing it. It’s just the way these days, right?

Our society encourages us to push the limits of our time, resources, and physical ability in order to do more, make more, and be more. And we teach our children to do the same.

Often, these limit-busters are positive, beneficial activities. But over-pursuing has a price. We’re too busy for unhurried conversation with our families. Too busy for physical rest and renewal. Too busy to foster existing relationships or develop new ones.

But the greatest danger of “busy” is little room remains for God. No time to soak in His presence. No time to seek His guidance. No time to respond to God when He calls. No time to develop deep intimacy with the only One who can meet our every need.

Dethrone the Idol of Busyness

I’m not saying we should run our calendar through the shredder. God’s plan us includes good works. But God also designed our bodies. He knows our limits. He created us with the need to rest, refresh, and relate.

God desires our lives to be “full,” not busy. “Busy” is packed with activity – some purposed by God, but a lot purposed strictly by us. “Full,” on the other hand, describes a life filled up with the plans, purposes, and peace of God. A “full” life will be characterized by relationships, service, good works, and time. Time to focus on things that matter for eternity.

I challenge you to do something that could change your life, your relationships, and your faith. Commit to moving from a “busy” life to a “full” life. You can start by seriously evaluating the way you spend your time. (Download this PDF for guidance in evaluating your time commitments.)

Once you’ve made some time cuts, make a fresh commitment to your relationship with God. Regular time with Jesus will help you leave “busy” behind and fall headlong into the full, abundant life He promised!

Would you describe your life as “busy” or “full?” What activity takes up the most time?

 

This post is based on a topic from chapter three of “Fed Up with Flat Faith: 10 Attitudes and Actions to Pump Up Your Faith.”

Looking for Love in all the Wrong Places

We’ve come a long way since “The Dating Game.” Back then one guy or gal chose from three potential dates in front of a live studio audience. And they did it in half an hour.

Today, love-themed reality shows like The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, and Ready for Love fill the television airways. Single men and women can cast their nets across dozens of online dating sites. And that’s just the beginning of the ways people today can “look for love.”

Have you looked for love in too many of the wrong places? Maybe you wonder if true, lasting love even exists. Oh yes, it does!

Real love begins with, and is defined by, God.

“God is love.” 1 John 4:8

Real love is not a warm, fuzzy feeling that fades with time. Real love is a choice. Real love is love in action.

“This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” 1 John 4:10

Real love is selfless and sacrificial. It is not based on the worthiness of the one being loved.

“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

All true love begins in the heart of God. The fullest expression of His love was on the cross, but He also loves us through each other.

“No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and His love has been brought to full expression through us.” 1 John 4:12

Believers are called to love each other as God through Christ has loved us. This active, sacrificial love will show the whole world we belong to Jesus.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

A Christian’s love for God cannot be separated from our love for fellow believers. If we love God, we will love each other. A lack of love for other Christians demonstrates a lack of love for God. 1 John 4:20-21

Have you been looking for love? It is born in the heart of God. Seek Him with all your heart. Receive His love and allow Him to express His love through you to others. In selfless action.

In what ways has God expressed His love for you through other Christians?