Creation

Today I had the privilege to go to a conference where I live to hear Ken Ham and Dr. Jason Lisle discuss both the creation of the world and the proofs of our creator amongst an array of different topics. I was greatly blessed by the whole day, but something that stood out to me was actually something my little brother said.
During the presentations, there was a PowerPoint going in the background that often displayed cartoon creations of the topic being discussed. My little brother loved those PowerPoint's, and at one point he asked me to read to him what one of the cartoons said. "It says: God created us" I told him. He thought for a little and said, "God is creating us."
Now, I don't think he understood the profoundness of that comment; more than likely he simply misheard my muffled whisper. Yet his comment stuck with me. Not only did God create us at the very beginning, but He is still in the midst of changing us into new creations, and into the image of Christ.
A lot of times we look at situations in our life and question God's decisions. God, why? Haven't I gone through enough? Haven't I learned this lesson well enough yet? God, why do I have to wait? Why?
I have asked these questions more times than I would like to admit; many more times than I know I should have. I know I have fallen like the children of Israel, shaking their fists at God in the wilderness while He is providing their manna every morning. I may count my blessings in my life, but many times I forget to count among them the trials I face.
But the thing is, facing situations in our life where we come to the end of us and it seems all we have left is God- these are good things! It means that God hasn't given up on us. He proclaims in His word the He chastens those who He loves, and He promises to complete the good work that He has started in us. Isn't it amazing the the God of the universe takes time to notices us and give us opportunities to grow?
So even if you can't begin to imagine why God thinks you're strong enough to go through the insurmountable eminence in front of you, take the time to thank God that He is cultivating you so that you can lean on Him for your strength. Ask God to open your eyes to the areas He is changing in you.
Take time today to thank God for His work in you; both for your existence, and for His continued creation in your life.

Because the Lord disciplines those he loves. Hebrews 12:6a
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17
Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6
The Lord will fulfill [his purpose] for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever--do not abandon the works of your hands. Psalm 138:8

No Jesus, No Peace...

When I was a little girl, my dad owned a silver Saab '93. On the back of this car read a bumper sticker that said "No Jesus, no peace; know Jesus, know peace". I would watch my dad pull into our garage every day, and I always saw that bumper sticker, but for the longest time I could never figure out what it meant. One day, however, it finally clicked. Jesus is our peace! After that I promised that my first bumper sticker I owned would say the same thing.
More recently this bumper came to mind in lieu of a certain situation I had not forseen coming up. I spent a day fasting and praying about what to do in the face of these circumstances, and at the end of the day, I had such a peace about the whole thing that I wondered why it even seemed like a problem in the first place. And that's when it struck me that the unique thing about the peace of Jesus Christ is that it takes no mind to the circumstances. There is a reason that people can talk about that light at the end of the tunnel; there is a reason people can be burned at the stake and never recant their faith in Christ. There is a reason there can be joy in the middle of despair, and that reason lies in the peace that passes all understanding.
Dictionary.com defines peace as "a state of tranquillity or serenity". Hindu religions are constantly seeking Nirvana, which is defined as "a state of passionless peace". Nations are thought to be successful when they are at peace, and who doesn't enjoy "peace and quiet"? The thing about peace is that it is always sought after. New methods to obtain it are always being contrived, and people go on excursions to "find themselves" or "be at peace" with themselves.
Yet the thing about Jesus is that He is our peace; His promise to give us peace never fails, for God cannot lie. If He was our peace one day, He will be our peace the next, for "I am the Lord, I change not".
And Satan hates it. He loves to pour condemnation on us; feelings of unworthiness, thoughts of doubt, and desire for temporary things flood us every day to take our mindset off of God and onto ourselves. Because once that is accomplished and we are focused on the "me", our peace is shattered. Think about the Garden of Eden; Adam and Eve had everything they wanted- they were happy and at peace with God and themselves. The first thing that Satan did to tempt Eve was to make her feel that she did not have enough. That the fruit was something she really desired; and once she started listening to him, she never got her peace back.
Our peace is not found in our possessions, our education, our careers, nor our relationships; rather it is found in the most simple, yet most complex cornerstone of our existence. It is found in the rock of Jesus Christ.
Where are you searching for your peace?

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
I the LORD do not change. Malachi 3:6a

Mountain Climbing

At our family meal last night, our family got into a discussion about how we treat others. The night before, a rude comment had been made about a friend of the family in regards to how she looked. As we were talking about things you should and shouldn’t say about others, we also got into the aspect of how you act around others as well.

One of my brothers mentioned how some people are just strange; you just really don’t want to be around them. I have to admit, I agreed with this statement, but then I began thinking about something else. I began to think of the person my whole school had “classified” as the “weirdo”. And while I had not ever directly been mean to this person, I admit that I had all too often purposely avoided them, or ignored them when they tried to start conversations. One thing I noticed was the look in this person’s eyes every time something like this happened. No matter how “weird” a person might be, people notice when you treat them differently, and it hurts them just as bad.

My dad piped up with an allegory about Mt. Everest. Did you know that one in ten people who attempt to climb this mountain die? You know, some people might be different because of the situations they are in and facing; even the strongest men in the world can barely hobble along when they get near to the top of the mountain. They walk in such a way, that normally, people would point and laugh. But it’s the most they can do to get to the top of their mountain. In the same way, there are people everywhere, where nobody can see the struggles their facing. How do you know that it’s all they can do to keep on going? Maybe they are just waiting, praying for a hand to reach out and help them.

And it’s true- one thing to help somebody, or to let them know you notice them, can make an impact that you can never know the outcomes of. For instance, there was a new girl at my school. She would not have been classified in the “popular” crowd; she didn’t obtain the “perfect” body or skin, and she was extremely shy. I watched her for most of the day, and from what I saw, nobody went up to say hi, or to invite her to join them. So, I went over to her and introduced myself, helped her find her classes and invited her to sit by me at lunch. I really didn’t think much more of it, because it had only taken like 5 minutes. At the end of the day, however, a teacher came up and pulled me aside. “Thank-you so much for talking to the new girl today! I asked her how her day was today, and her whole face just lit up and said, I made a friend today! That was the only thing she said about her entire day- thank-you for taking the time for her.” I was shocked. Small actions can make huge differences.

So, I want to challenge you today. What are the people that you might think are not worth a second glance? Who is it that you  just can’t seem to stand? Take a moment to see them how God sees them- as precious in His sight. Take a moment to be the person who changes their day and helps them face their mountain.

The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7
As for those who seemed to be important—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not judge by external appearance—those men added nothing to my message. Galatians 2:6
Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment. John 7:24
When Jesus heard them, he said, “It is not the healthy people who need a doctor, but the sick. Matthew 9:12

Sonny Weather

     Today was especially cold for the frigid Wisconsin weather that I can never seem to get used to. I was shivering inside at work, trying to move around as much as I could to warm up. Working on New Year's Day was already particularly taxing, and I was having a hard time keeping a smile on my face. Sometime throughout that morning, one of my coworkers looked outside the big panel windows and commented, "Oh look! The sun's finally coming out!"
     We hear that phrase a lot. We even hear it in songs like "The sun will come out tomorrow" or "In the morning when you wake up and the sun does not appear...". Point is, people seem to enjoy blaming the lack of light in their world on the sun.
     But, doesn't the earth revolve around the sun? Pretty sure last time I checked, it was the earth's rotation that causes our seasons and our nights and days. Pretty sure the sun never changes. Pretty sure it's the clouds and the pull of the earth that hides the sun from us.
     Isn't that just like Christ? The Son is always there. He is always shining brightly, full of warmth and light. Pretty sure He never changes. I'm positive the Son never hides.
     So what hides the light and the joy of the Lord from us on "cloudy" days? The times where life gets so wearing we just don't know how to face another day- that's what I call our spiritual nights. And, as established before, nighttime exists when the earth rotates away from the sun. When does the pull of this world hide the Son from you?
     What are the clouds that are blocking your view of the Son?
     Not every day is going to be happy go lucky; but something we can always bank on is not that "the Son will come out tomorrow", but that the Son is here. Right here and now; today, yesterday, and forever.
     The Son never changes.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Will your courage endure or your hands be strong in the day I deal with you? I the LORD have spoken, and I will do it. Ezekiel 22:14
You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever. Psalm 30:11-12
Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. Daniel 2:20-22