Davalynn Spencer's Blog, page 59

Can’t do? Think again.

Have you ever been stuck between a rock and a hard place? This tongue-in-cheek cliché is our go-to phrase when times are tough.

When we feel wedged in a difficult situation, pressed upon by immovable obstacles and opposition, we begin to doubt that we can do what we thought we were called to do. Other people are so much better at what we aspire to. Why should we push against the hard place? Why try?

Both pictures show the same tree. In the second one, note the golden cottonwoods in the background flaming along a mountain creek. Now look at the gnarled and knotted juniper twisting up out of ancient rock. As beautiful as the cottonwoods are, they do not inspire me like the old weathered conifer.

The autumn foliage is breathtakingly beautiful, but the cottonwoods grow easily by the water, unencumbered and unopposed. The juniper shows me that the rock and the hard place can also be fertile ground. And when I climb up to that hard place, high above the flowing stream, I see that God is not hampered in His purposes there.

Sometimes God has to move me to change my perspective. It’s then I see things I never would have seen otherwise.

Let’s not underestimate God’s ability to use us wherever we are.

Philippians 4:11-13

The potter’s loving hand

#thepotter

The potter returned to our church last Sunday and demonstrated how God raises us up. There is more to resurrection, he said, than rising from physical death. Of course we hope that is true.

Most of us long to rise from the grave of failed relationships, lost jobs, and poor choices. The potter says we can when we know the power of Christ’s resurrection.

By no miracle other than the pressure of his hands, the potter caused the clay to rise from an ugly lump to a tall, stately vase.

(Did you catch the cause?)

The pressure of his hands.

As he worked, the potter discussed Phil. 3:10, “that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, becoming conformed unto his death;”

I would rather rise up “on wings as eagles” by waiting on the Lord. It sounds safer, don’t you think? However, even waiting can involve suffering when one’s fate appears to be at the mercy of another human—when word has not come from a child deployed overseas. Or the doctor has not yet called with his findings.

See how close the potter sits to his project, how focused his attention, how protective his posture?

In my eyes, the potter is a picture of the loving Savior who transforms us—He who sees not what is (scars, wounds, gouges, holes) but what is possible at the touch of His fingers.

 

Collapsed in His Embrace

The Potter: Dave Blakeslee

Ready, Set …

I misplaced only two things during our recent move across town: my shoes and my Bible.

Actually, it was more than two things, but all the shoes were in one giant box because I thought it was a good idea at the time. Of course the box wasn’t marked “shoes” because who marks boxes for a quickie cross-town move?

My daughter-in-law does, and it was her baby stroller or toilet box or some other box from their recent move into which I had dumped all my shoes, boots, and purses. I just couldn’t remember exactly what the picture was on the outside, but I was fairly certain it wasn’t the box she’d marked “Food” or “Clothes.”

Padding into the cardboard forest in the garage Sunday morning in my slippers because I’d had enough foresight to set them aside, I felt like Lucy pushing through the coats in the Wardrobe.

One round through the box maze and still no shoes. I returned to the spare room that would soon be an office and dug through stacks of books looking for my Bible. I had an entire shelf of Bibles already unpacked, but I wanted my Bible. And I really needed shoes because that morning I was scheduled to play on the worship team. Pink fluffy slippers weren’t going to cut it.

God tapped me on the shoulder with His wonderful sense of humor:

“And having your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace …”

The only two things I needed He’d rolled up nicely in one phrase written a couple thousand years ago.

Like He knew.

After one more prayer-filled excursion through the garage, I located the baby-stroller box labeled “Towels” dead center, right under the overhead garage-door opener. I draped myself over a stack of plastic tubs and pulled out the first thing I could reach: red boots. Fine. I’d wear black jeans.

Sometimes we’re not as prepared as we think we are.

 

“In their hearts humans plan their course,

but the Lord establishes their steps.”

Proverbs 16:9 NIV

P.S. I found my Bible two days later in a bag of important things I’d brought into our new-to-us home so I’d know where to look when I needed them.

 

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Take a break

This pickup man takes a break after the rodeo. He’s still wearing his armor – the heavy thick chaps, knee pads, shin guards, spurs, rope, hat. Each item has a critical purpose and is designed to help him do his job—getting cowboys out of a storm or bucking stock out of the arena.

But he’s stepped off his horse and stands outside the fence now. He’ll rest. Take a break, gather himself for the next performance tomorrow. Rest is just as important as the tools he uses. Without it, he won’t be fit to help the next rider who needs him.

We’re built for rest. God incorporated a Sabbath into our weekly schedule. Jesus often retreated to an out-of-the-way spot, free of the crowds and noise and demands. In His teachings He said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

If the one who rescues us knew the value of repose, shouldn’t we follow His example?

What do you need a break from today?

“Are you tired? Worn out?

Burned out on religion?

Come to me.

Get away with me and you’ll recover your life.

I’ll show you how to take a real rest.

Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it.

Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.

I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.

Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

—Jesus

Matthew 11:28-10 (MSG)

Scarred but standing

“I didn’t see that one coming.” “How could God let this happen?” “What now?”

Been there? I dare say, most have. We lose our job, our home, our love, our way. We struggle to get back up, dig out the gravel pitting our flesh, and continue on. But after that “one” we didn’t see coming, we’re never quite the same.

Scars remind us of painful experiences, even of lessons learned. But those scars are not who we are.

See the burned-out hollow in this tree? This oak is the inspiration for my recent novel. It lives in spite of its enormous wound.

“You’re not defined by your injuries,” says the heroine in The Rancher’s Second Chance. She is appalled that her neighbor sees himself only through his life-changing wounds from a tour of duty in Afghanistan. “We’re all crippled and short-sighted in some way,” she insists.

Both the main characters in my story bear gaping wounds—one physical, the other emotional. And both must decide if they trust God enough to let Him reach into those wounds and “make all things new.”

God is the great recycler of human wreckage, but we must allow His touch.

Christ gave us a second chance at Calvary but He didn’t stop there. He renews us by His Spirit every single day. His word refreshes us and gives us courage to get back up and keep going in spite of our handicaps.

It’s hard. We may look different. But battle scars and wounds are simply that—scars and wounds. Beautiful treasures beneath the scarred hand of our resurrected healer.

 

This post first appeared on the More to Life Magazine blog post on August 9, 2013.

Ever feel different?

Ever feel like a misfit? Like you don’t measure up or conform enough? Like you’re just too different?

Author Karla Akins knows the feeling but is encouraged by other nonconformists in the Bible. She says:

Now that I’m a grandmother (okay – old), I find great comfort in the Bible’s stories of older women used by God.

Let’s consider Elizabeth. In her old age, Elizabeth became pregnant and bore the very one who would baptize our Lord and proclaim His coming.

Imagine the patience and sense of humor it must have taken to raise the child who became known as John the Baptist.

     Zechariah: Where’s John? Doesn’t he know it’s time for dinner?

     Elizabeth:  Oh yes, dear, but he ate too many locusts this afternoon and won’t be joining us.

Never think you’re too old, or odd or unworthy for God to use you. He has a purpose for each one of us. Whether we’re running around wearing camel’s hair coats and eating bugs, or sporting our mismatched grandma socks.

No matter your past, God has a beautiful plan for your future. He is always up to something good.

Karla’s new book The Pastor’s Wife Wears Biker Boots! is about a bunch of women who don’t quite fit in. Pre-order your copy for a side-splitting read filled with laughter, surprises, and God’s good grace.

Ever feel like a misfit?

Ever feel like a misfit? Like you don’t measure up or conform enough? Like you’re just too different?

Author Karla Akins knows the feeling but is encouraged by other nonconformists in the Bible. She says:

Now that I’m a grandmother (okay – old), I find great comfort in the Bible’s stories of older women used by God.

Let’s consider Elizabeth. In her old age, Elizabeth became pregnant and bore the very one who would baptize our Lord and proclaim His coming.

Imagine the patience and sense of humor it must have taken to raise the child who became known as John the Baptist.

     Zechariah: Where’s John? Doesn’t he know it’s time for dinner?

     Elizabeth:  Oh yes, dear, but he ate too many locusts this afternoon and won’t be joining us.

Never think you’re too old, or odd or unworthy for God to use you. He has a purpose for each one of us. Whether we’re running around wearing camel’s hair coats and eating bugs, or sporting our mismatched grandma socks.

No matter your past, God has a beautiful plan for your future. He is always up to something good.

Karla’s new book The Pastor’s Wife Wears Biker Boots! is about a bunch of women who don’t quite fit in. Pre-order your copy for a side-splitting read filled with laughter, surprises, and God’s good grace.

Celebrate by winning a free copy

In celebration of my upcoming release, I’d love to give away an advance copy to someone willing to write a brief review on Amazon or elsewhere between Aug. 6 – 17. The lucky winner will also win a signature “bootmark.” To enter this event, comment here with the name of your favorite cowboy or cowgirl (past or present) and tell me how/why they earned that ranking in your eyes. I’ll choose a winning entry Tuesday July 30 at 8 p.m. MT!

Whose brand do you wear?

Photo by AJ Spencer

 

Unbranded cattle in the early days of ranching were often nabbed by rustlers and burned with the mark of whoever caught them.

Sounds like something that could happen to people with no direction or focus. After all, we do have an enemy that shoots fiery darts.

A long time ago a man named Paul said he bore the “marks of the Lord Jesus.” He could have meant this metaphorically, denoting himself as a slave of Christ, branded by his owner. Or perhaps he was referring to the scars from beatings and stonings he received because of his faith.

But I get the sense that Paul was using those “marks” as cattlemen use a brand—for identification and protection.

“From now on, let no one trouble me,” he wrote. He could have been saying, “No rustlers need bother. I’m branded. See this? It’s the mark of Christ. I belong to Him.”

One quick look to the right hip of the calf pictured above, and area ranchers can see who it belongs to.

Is that how it is with us? Can people cast an eye at our life and see the mark of Jesus?

Whose brand do you wear?

 

It took God six days, takes me longer …

This blog and my website will soon share the same address and a new look, but everything is currently being rounded up. I hope to see you soon. And I hope you’ll like what you find when you check back in. Until then … Blessings!