FGHart

I love this song. I couldn’t find the version of this song that I wanted (the way we sing it at my church), but I fell in love with this version. This scripture resonates for me.

Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10a

This morning I woke up thinking about how things (ideas, thoughts, feelings) can become strongholds for us. A place of comfort and strength. Things that separate us from God because they are not God. In some ways, these are our idols. Once I got my head around that thought I realized I should supplement yesterday’s post with

“How I broke free from the scale”

Up until the beginning of this year I had become addicted to weighing myself. That may sound strange but I was stepping on the scale no fewer than 3 times a day. I watched myself gain almost 20 pounds last year. So this year I committed to worship God and to value the temple He has “loaned” me to house His Holy Spirit. Here is an exerpt from an article I wrote for our church’s monthly newsletter:

We have been blessed with the Holy Spirit and the Spirit is in us. We are God’s temple. We are sacred vessels. “‘Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.’”(1 Corinthians 3:16-17) Since we know that overeating, lack of exercise, sedentary lifestyles, bad habits, etc. are the path of self-destruction, it stands to reason that healthy living is a requirement for us in our obedience to God’s will. Seems simple enough, but I know from experience that I do not do well with lifestyle changes that are not easily measured. When I was ready to quit smoking, it was easy to measure my success. I could count the days, then weeks, then months, then years (4 -and counting) since my last cigarette. This hasn’t worked for me when I am trying to “lose weight and exercise more”. During the last six months of ’08 I got on the scale every day … and watched my weight creep up! I can’t stop eating completely. I get cranky when I’m hungry (Jim and Travis will be quick to confirm this if you ask). How do I manage to eat less? And exercise? I’ve been working out (15-20 minute aerobics at least 5 days a week) for most of the last year. My schedule doesn’t permit much more. I expected a higher return on the investment I’m already making.

So, as we began ’09, I changed my commitment to one of obedience. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2)

It’s about changing our habits, changing our lifestyles. It’s about waking up every morning and thinking, “God has granted me another day to worship Him. I promise to take care of His temple.” I am renewing my mind. I am renewing the way that I look at my body. I am renewing the way that I look at the choices I make during the course of the day. I am parking at the far side of the parking lot at my office and walking briskly to the door. I am taking the stairs instead of the elevator. I am conversing with God during these extra moments of worship. Sometimes this is as simple as “God, grant me the strength to make it to the top of the stairs!” Before
meals, I am praying that I can “eat right.” In pulling together my thoughts for this article, I found this Proverb that I will incorporate in my personal prayer for grace before meals: “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” (Proverbs 3:7-8)

“God, let me not rely on my own judgment, but let me trust in your guidance as I learn to live in a way that brings health to my body and nourishment to my bones. It is your call to us that we tend your temple and be a sanctuary for your Spirit. Let me obey your will. Amen.”

NOTE: I have broken free from the scale, although I still have to occasionally fight the temptation to check my weight. My focus remains on the lifestyle changes.

One of the high points of my recent trip to Taipei was the 15 minutes spent in the Green Relaxing Zone.

I stepped into this room, this zen-like respite along the airport corridor, and walked slowly around the suspended images.

I found the instructions intriguing. Especially the part about the FREE TOKEN.

I sought out the token, and returned for a few moments of relaxation before boarding the plane for the first, and longest leg, of my journey home.

The ambiance set the tone, but the chair, oh the chair, how I love the chair. The massage….it went on and on…on and on. At least 10-15 minutes. It was a beautiful thing.

Several locals came by and after several pass-by’s went and got their own token. Clearly the American was on to something. Ah, the memories. I think back and smile.

In the beginning, God created heaven and earth, all of the creatures on the earth, in the sea and in the sky. He created man to tend to the Garden of Eden. The only thing that was forbidden was the fruit of the tree of knowledge. In time, God created a helper for the man – a woman to be his wife, united with him, of one flesh. The woman succumbed to temptation in pursuit of wisdom, and she ate the fruit of the tree of knowledge. She then shared in this sin with her husband.

And then they hid themselves from God.

When God asked for an explanation, he said, “She did it!” and she said, “The serpent did it!” Neither owned the blame, but they were quick to point the finger of fault at someone (or something) else.

Then God assigned retribution: the serpent was condemned to crawl on its belly, eating dirt, forever an enemy of man. To the woman he said, “I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” And man was condemned to a life of labor. Then God clothed Adam and Eve and because of their wisdom he sent them from the Garden of Eden to prevent them from eating of the tree of life (which would have made them immortal).

Isn’t it interesting that immortality was not forbidden as long we relied on God for all things? But with wisdom comes great responsibility. We must develop a discerning heart. Solomon was greatly rewarded for his quest for wisdom.

God is the source of all wisdom. Wisdom should be our lifelong pursuit. Not the wisdom of the world, but the wisdom of God. Wisdom and knowledge should not separate us from God! We should be brought closer through our pursuit.

Doxology
Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
“Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?”
“Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?”
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever!
Amen. (Romans 11:33-36)

Lent is a season of giving. Too bad for Hallmark they haven’t figured out this is a market they could tap into. Forty days of giving. That’s a lot of sentiment that could be shared.

I was in Taipei last week so I missed Mardi Gras / Shrove Tuesday. I missed Ash Wednesday. It’s taken me a while to snap out of the jet lag. So today, a week into the season, I realized that I haven’t really done anything significant as a commitment to “intentional” time/effort growing closer to God. While I ponder this situation, I will credit myself with 1) devoting Monday evenings to Bible study during Lent (since the Lenten service ties up the usual Wednesday night meeting) and 2) devoting myself to the express effort of picking up/dropping off Daughter #2 before/after Church on Sundays and Wednesdays (and when I’m not the driver I’m very supportive of my darling hubby, who is).

I’m newly part of a writing ministry that will be creating Lenten devotionals for next year. Perhaps I’ll devote some daily time to this effort. A non-blog writing effort. I think I’m liking this idea.

Blessings,

Don’t hold on to your anger. Don’t bear grudges. If you have an issue with someone, you should confront them, kindly, with love in your heart. If you let anger fester, it turns to hatred. With this, you share in your brother’s guilt. By making peace, you can both find forgiveness and be free from sin.

Sometimes it is hard to keep praying for something when there is no evidence that your prayers are heard. When there is no evidence that your prayers will be answered. When praying seems futile. But faith is maintaining confidence that your prayers are heard and they are being answered. We may not get the “yes” we’re looking for, but our prayers are answered.

I’ve been praying for my children. Grown and away from home, sometimes it’s hard to know (I mean *really* know) how they’re doing. But I keep praying for them, trusting God to look after them as He looks after all of His children.

And then…a sign. A feel good for me. A little reward. On my way out of town, out of the country, during my brief layover in San Francisco, I heard from daughter #1 (text message asking how I was, saying she was fine) and daughter #3 (a friend request on Facebook). Small things, maybe. But enough. Coincidence? No. God’s timing is not a matter of chance.

Thank you, God, for blessing me and blessing my children. Thank you for reminding me that they are your children and that you are watching over them. Thank you for hearing my prayers and for giving me your blessed assurance.

Amen.

There is so much about Taiwan that I love. I love the people and the language and the culture and the food. I love their love of things American.

I don’t love the jetlag or the exhaustion brought on by the arduous journey.

I’m already wondering when I will return.