Learning the Ropes

If you were suspended high above the ground, which of the above would you choose to support you? A no brainer right?

Tom Harvey answered that question for us. The Sun News in January 2008 printed a story about this 22 year old British Caver who was left dangling for 7 hours above a 350 foot chasm in New Zealand. The article describes how Harvey watched his only life line unravel leaving just a single thread to support his weight. The article explained that Harvey attempted to cling to the razor sharp ledge of the cavern in an effort to take some weight off the line. He reported that he was never so terrified in all of his life, but was grateful that rescuers came to his aid just minutes before he would have plunged to a certain death.

While most of us live a little more "down to earth" than Tom Harvey, "hanging in there" can be a real challenge when life's stressors frazzle our nerves and threaten to unravel us down to our core.The lesson in the rope is a kind of word picture reminding us what each of us needs to remain safe, secure and supported.

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:12

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 reminds us that:

• Two are better than one
• It is good to have someone to help us stand when we fall
• We need others to come along side us in defense

No, it is not good to be alone. we need the support of trusted others along side, people we can depend on, folks who won't let us down.

Nearly everyday I wear a favorite piece of jewelry, a Sterling silver ring that is crafted to look like three cords woven together. I wear it as a reminder that I must intentionally connect with others; my relatives, friends and especially other like-minded folks in my church family so that I can grow spiritually and remain mentally, and emotionally healthy. I need people, and people need me. My natural bent is to isolate when life presses in, but I know myself, and that is the last thing I need. Support, accountability. prayer and encouragment are my life lines especially when times are hard. Perhaps that is one of the reasons I am so passionate about helping other folks see the need to become connected to a caring community through our Life-Growth Groups.

Ok. Now that you've learned the ropes, its time for you to decide. What is better? Hanging out alone without adequate support, or connected to a lifeline of others who have your best interest at heart? A no brainer right?

Life Growth Group semester sign-ups are going on now with groups beginning the week of October 3rd. We'd really love to "rope you in" and we'd really hate to "leave you hanging!!"

Until Next Time,
Peggy

A Little Child Shall Lead Them

Jesus said... "Truly I tell you the truth, unless you are converted and become like little children you will never enter the Kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3



Though I am becoming more resigned to the fact that I am growing older, my job as a home visitor helps me to stay young at heart and playful in spirit. Monday through Friday I get to visit families and spend time with their children. Week by week I get the privilege of earning the trust of children and finding delight in watching them learn and grow. They say that kids and animals know if you like them and I think that is true. Children just make me smile, and it is so rewarding to see them smiling back at me and welcoming me at their door.Those sweet, simple and unjaded spirits just resonate with mine, and call out somehow in attempt to reconnect with those childlike qualities I have nearly lost along the way.

Like most of us, the families I serve are struggling economically, or are at risk for one reason or another. And though many of the parents I deal with are dealing with significant stress over making ends meet, relationship issues, and parenting challenges, I have noticed a curious thing, that the youngest of children are not worried one bit about where they will live, what and when they will eat and what they will wear. Young children don't even know what tomorrow is, and so they just go about enjoying their little lives in trust and with a sense of joyous abandon. And when that same child has a need they boldly go to the one who they know from experience will meet it as they have done before. What a picture of how God the Father wants us to depend on Him.

"What is a child like? How does he live? He is free from care, because his life is a life of trust. He lives in the present moment, and receives his life unquestioningly as it comes to him day by day." Hannah Smith

Some of those childlike qualities that I have grown to know and love are their:

• Innocence
• Sense of Wonder
• Spontaneity
• Resilience
• Humility
• Freedom from inhibitions
• Authenticity
• Dependence and trust
• Passion to explore and learn
• Love
• Forgiveness

Children are often the best object lessons for how to please God. I remember a number of years back, watching a father correct his toddler with a gentle smack on the hand for returning to the electrical socket. As the father bent over the child the child's little face melted as he disolved into tears. Almost simultaniously this little child strained up toward his father's face with his little puckered lips in an effort to plant a kiss on his cheek. I still get choked up at the memory of this profound example of childlike brokenness, forgiveness and love. Yes, there is much for me to learn from the simplicity of a child.

Remember those disciples who tried to send the children away from Jesus because they thought He was too busy for them? Remember too how Jesus strongly rebuked those disciples telling them to let the children come to Him? He explained that it was those very childlike qualities of the heart, the desire and willingness to come, and the trust and dependence that are necessary in order to enter the Kingdom of God.

Father, thank you for making children out of those of us who have put our childlike faith and trust in the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus, for the forgiveness of our sins. Thank you that You are preparing a Kingdom for us, your children. In the meantime, thank you for your patience with us, and please help us to be about the business of putting away childish things while continuing to nurture within us, those childlike qualities of the heart that are so endearing to yours. Amen.

Until next time,

Peggy

New Growth

Recently, while on a walk I saw this tree. It made me smile and I had to take its picture because it was just doing what it was supposed to do. It was putting out new expected growth for spring. I chuckled a bit because to me in that moment it looked like it was holding out it's hands to show me its fresh manicure! (Ok.. I know that I often look at life through verrry peculiar eyes, but admit it...you just took a second look didn't you :) ?? So anyway...I reached out and touched the new green fingernails... I mean needles. They were so fresh and green, and surprisingly so soft in contrast to the existing dark and prickly ones.

I knew that I had stumbled upon yet another object lesson that reminded me of the tender places in my own life where with God's help I'm trying to put out new growth. The areas of balance, self control, and overall health have been a real struggle for me. Perfectionism and procrastination are BIG in my list of issues, and a particular challenge in my workplace that is focused on productivity. I have had a mental motto, as counter-productive as it is: "Do it right, but do it later." In reality this is no joke at all because I often end up spending way more time on things than I really need to. Sometimes I have to force myself to say this project is "good enough." Managing time for me is stressful, and I don't always respond well to it. Stress tends to immobilize me. in those times Instead of choosing healthy alternatives I tend to seek comfort in food or distractions that in the end just leave me feeling empty and overwhelmed. Thankfully, by God's grace, I am slowly growing in my awareness of my patterns and am learning to go to prayer or to God's Word, (and yes, even for a walk) before things come falling down around my head.

So now back to that tree... I was reminded that the pine tree can no more muster up its own will to push out new green needles than I can to make even the smallest improvement in myself. Now doesn't that take the pressure off? SIMILAR to that tree, I am dependent on the One who controls the externals. For the tree those include the quality of the soil it is planted in, along with the quantity and frequency of rain, and sun. Without the proper balance, growth is either retarded or absent altogether.

While I am also dependent on the Creator for bringing forth spiritual growth, I am DIFFERENT from that tree in that I have some choices....not just about what will merely sustain me, but what will encourage growth in me. I continue to marvel in the fact that even the desire and ability to make healthy and wise choices comes from outside of myself. I am totally dependent on the Holy Spirit's power where any change or choice is concerned.

"For it is God who works in you to will and to act
according to His good purpose." Philippians 2:13 NIV

Based on the verse above, God is not only working into my life the "will" (which I call the "want to," ) but He is also at work changing my "actions." I , however, have some responsibility to choose well in order to better cooperate with God in transforming my actions. Failure to do so may mean that I struggle longer or harder or in new ways. I am not referring to a self help or a works theology here. I am simply encouraging us not to abdicate our responsibllity to adjust our sails when directed. Thoughout the New Testament we are charged to CONTINUE on in growth, maturity and obedience. As believers in Christ, we are called to regularly come to God in a healthy fear and reverence asking Him to search us. As part of this evaluation process we can then ask ourselves questions such as: To whom am I accountable? Whose influences am I permitting? What books materials and movies am I choosing or avoiding? Who or what decision or fears am I running from? How am I using my time, talent, treasure and temple for heavens sake? Am I living in balance and in grace? And that next step question about what thing God is placing a firm but gentle finger on that needs attention. I think it is also important for encouragment sake that we ponder where it is in our lives and service that we sense the Father's pleasure and favor.

I ask that you please pray for my growing edges. Birthing new growth is rarely easy and is often painful. As a member of the Grove prayer team we are praying for your next steps, your new growth. Know that half of the battle is showing up and admitting our sins and struggles to one another and praying for one another. Be encouraged today. We serve a loving, patient and forgiving God who understands what His children need. He knows that we are but dust! Consider too that Jesus Christ Himself is praying for us! So watch for the new growth God is in the process of birthing out of your life, and don't forget to encourage others along the way when you see their new green poking through!

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not percieve it?" Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV

Oh, and by the way.....I just have to say...YOUR manicure is shaping up mahvalously dahling!

Until Next Time,
Peggy

Running with the Zebras or Alone at the Watering Hole?

Did you know that zebras are gregarious and social animals? Now I bet you are asking yourself..... How in the world the subject of zebras made its way to the Life Growth blog? Fair question, but if you humor me I believe that these zebra facts that I happened upon while internet surfing a while back, will offer some fresh wisdom and interesting spiritual parallels to benefit your own lives.

By design, God,the Intelligent Designer,created zebras with amazingly symetrical stripes that are as unique as our fingerprints.These stripes make them recognizable to the others in their herds. Zebras also know their predators, the large cats, wild dogs, and hyenas that lie in wait. For self preservation zebras know how to remain alert and wary.In the wild, when separated from the herd, zebras actively go in search of other zebras and by nature they travel in small groups.

When zebras are threatened, their first response is to run. Zebras know that there is safety in numbers, and that separation from the herd means most certain death. When threatened, especially if young are involved, zebras have also been seen taking an offensive unified stance with all zebra members facing the predator. These wise animals don't consider it a sacrifice to lose their individuality. they know intuitively that there is safety in a crowd. Zebras know that self reliance, wandering and distraction make them easy targets.

When Zebras do face a predator they know how to work and move together. When threatened they run together in a zig-zag formation,their combined striped markings creating a confusing visual blur to any predator in pursuit. Often the predator gives up the chase when it cannot identify a particular target in what appears to be one large animal.

Simply put... there is safety in numbers. We live in a world that prides itself on its self-reliance,and independence. We also live in a world that is full of all sorts of predators. As a single woman, I know all too well how easy it is to live and move about independently, thinking that I can manage just fine on my own (thank you very much.) I also know the "predators" that have taken me down. I have seen how the enemy has used "busy"ness, and loneliness to alienate me and keep me from what I need, and what I need, and what you need is community... other people. We must also remember to look beyond ourselves to realize that others actually need us too.

Whether we are called to marriage or to singleness for life or for a time, we are not called to isolation.The Bible is all about relationships. God made us in His image as relational beings.

Genesis 2:18 reminds us that God Himself said:

"It is not good for man to be alone."

I do not believe that God was referring to only men here,nor do I believe that He was referring only to the male female marital relationship. I believe that God designed all people for a life in community for the purpose of encouragment,accountability, for play and for help. He knew that we would be vulnerable on our own. Not so unlike that lone zebra at the watering hole, an isolated Christian is truly a paralyzed Christian. Have you been living a lone ranger (lone zebra) kind of life? Have you ever really let anyone close enough to really know you? The good news is that it is not too late.

Sign-ups for Life Growth Groups are going on now through the month of May.Check out the link on our home page for summer offerings. Join others like yourself on this "zebra run!" Groups are a safe place, and there really is safety in numbers. And what is more,...there's a place for you!


Until Next time,
Peggy

Some Things Never Change

All around us we see dizzying change. The economy continues to fluctuate, political changes and a revised health care system brings uncertainty. It would be easy to despair,easy to find ourselves trembling and hiding ourselves away in fear.How good to know that some things never change and that in the midst of change there is a solid rock. A foundation that never shifts, a safe place,a dependable One that we can build our lives upon.

With every change of the seasons I am reminded of our Faithful Father. Our Father, the Creator God, is dependable, and right on time. He choreographs a planet dance that sets the seasons unfolding each year just as expected. Most of you know that I love being out in nature and I love taking photos of God's handiwork. For me it is like capturing God's fingerprints at every turn.I can't help but marvel at the beauty and predictablility in each awakening season. Right now I am anticipating the return of the hummingbirds.I expect them to arrive right on time to the same feeding places the last week of April right on schedule

It is such a comforting thing to rest in the fact that like the seasons,our God will always remain the same. God has set the seasons we so enjoy in a precise rhythm of life. There is cold and heat, winter and summer, day and night—and seedtime and harvest. God has promised that this will be so until the end of the age.

Some things never change it is true... but what is more comforting to me is that I know The Immutable One.. the One who will never change. And then when I consider His Word,and witness repitition in His creation, I remember that He knows me too, all that concerns me in my comings and goings. And to think that this One that planned for the schedule of the bird migrations,knows where we all are!

It is my prayer that come what may, we all choose to rest in the peace of God's unchanging character. God's Word tells us that perfect love casts out fear. Fear cannot co-exist in the presence of this kind of unchanging love. It is my prayer that as we live and move and have our being on this planet,that we His children learn in a new way to rest, remembering how secure we are in the hands of the One who never changes.

Winter is past; spring is here. When one season surrenders to the next I remember God's covenant promise to Noah, "While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, and day and night shall not cease"
(Gen. 8:22, NKJV).


Until Next Time,
Peggy

Arise My Soul Arise

Twila Paris's rendition of Arise my Soul Arise (from her Sanctuary release)written by Charles Wesley is one of my favorite hymns. The lyrics on Christ's death and resurrection spill forth rich scripture and theology. I wanted to share it with you, so be encouraged today Christian! Because of Christ's finished work on the cross on our behalf, and because HE LIVES, we have a future that is certain and a hope that is sure.


Arise my Soul Arise

Written by Charles Wesley 1707-1788 (originally titled Behold the Man)

Arise, my soul, arise;
Shake off thy guilty fears
The bleeding sacrifice in my behalf appears:
Before the throne my surety stands,
Before the throne my surety stands,
My name is written on His hands.

He ever lives above, for me to intercede;
His all redeeming love,
His precious blood, to plead:
His blood atoned for all our race,
His blood atoned for all our race,
And sprinkles now the throne of grace.

Five bleeding wounds He bears;
Received on Calvary;
They pour effectual prayers;
They strongly plead for me:
'Forgive them, O forgive,' they cry,
Forgive them, O forgive,' they cry,
'Nor let that ransomed sinner die!'

The Father hears Him pray,
His dear anointed One;
He cannot turn away,
The presence of His Son;
His Spirit answers to the blood,
His Spirit answers to the blood,
And tells me I am born of God.

My God is reconciled;
His pardoning voice I hear;
He owns me for His child;
I can no longer fear:
With confidence I now draw nigh,
With confidence I now draw nigh,
And 'Father, Abba, Father,' cry.


Until Next Time,
Peggy

Let's not Pass Over Passover

I've been pondering Passover these past few days and though a bit lengthier than usual, I wanted to share some of the history and background taken in part, from a book Take a Closer Look by Jonathan Rogers. Better yet, I encourage you to read the story directly from Exodus 12. Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 are also especially insightful in light of the Passover story.

Passover memorializes the night in Egypt when God’s angel brought death to all the firstborn Egyptian males, but left the firstborn Hebrew males untouched. In obedience and faith,the Hebrews smeared the blood of lambs on their door posts and the angel of death passed over them. They were delivered quite literally by the blood of the lamb.

Every year on the anniversary of this event, the Jews celebrate the Passover again. They eat lamb to remember the lamb/blood that saved them. They eat bitter herbs to remember their bitter and difficult times of slavery in Egypt, and they eat flat bread made without yeast to remember the hurry of that first Passover night when they didn’t even have time to let their bread rise before leaving on their journey to the promised land. The meal reminds them each year of how God freed them in the past and how He would free them again in the future.

It is not hard to see why Passover is so important to the Jews. And it shouldn’t be surprising to see that so many important events in Jesus’ life and ministry occurred at Passover.

Jesus’ last Passover is perhaps the most important Passover of all. He celebrated the Passover meal with his disciples the evening before he was crucified. He let his disciples know that the end of his life was near. He said “I will never eat of this Passover again until it is fulfilled in the Kingdom of God.” The disciples had no way of knowing that Jesus’ words would be fulfilled in less than 24 hours, and that Jesus would die just as he said.

All of those slaughtered lambs of Passovers gone by and of the whole sacrificial system, were only a foreshadowing of the final once and for all sacrifice that would be taking place on the hill of Calvary (Golgotha). This blood sacrifice would be different. On that last Passover the sacrifice would actually meet all of God’s requirements, because the lamb without blemish for the final sacrifice was the sinless God-Man Jesus. This once and for all blood sacrifice would put an end forever to the need for a blood sacrifice for the sins of the world. After 14 hundred or so Passovers, that old covenant came to an end when Jesus' death accomplished what he had come to earth to do, and He did it once and for all. That is why Jesus said “It is finished.”

Jesus ended the sacrificial part of Passover, but not the Passover celebration, instead He replaced the sacrifice by instituting a new covenant. He instituted the Lords’ Supper using the bread and the cup to symbolize his death. (The broken bread representing His body, and the wine representing the shed blood on our behalf) He told us that whenever we eat the bread and drink the wine, that we remember His sacrificial death on our behalf.

Jesus did not look forward to His death. He knew the agony He was going to face. He knew that He would take on himself all of the sins of the world and that for a time, these sins would separate Him from His close connection to the Father. He still desired to finish the work He had come to do, because He knew that His dying was the only remedy and solution for our sins.


Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
1 Corinthians 5:7

Can you see now how Jesus is our Passover? It was the shed blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus that we believe in, that frees us from sin and death- just as the blood applied to the door post in Moses day saved their lives and freed them from bondage. Because Christ is MY Passover,and because I have applied by faith belief in His Son who died a bloody death in my place, I too have been spared and have "gone free". And for that incredible gift that cost me nothing and cost Jesus everything, I am and will forever be grateful.

For God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him would be saved. John 3:17


Until Next Time,
Peggy