Images

Thank you. Thank you very much, Moses. We appreciate your sharing the second commandment with us, but we think we've got that one under control. We would never make, worship, or grab hold of any graven, golden image. Would we? I mean, men could show a slight susceptibility in this area. They're the ones whose brains have a component that can sometimes record, store, and retrieve images with digital-like accuracy. But we women are ok with this commandment. Right? Uh, well. Maybe, we should take a closer look. Because I'm thinking that I have a few image problems that require attention. Like, self-image, you know? How I want to be viewed in a certain way. A certain light. And what I need to do and to own so that I can create the new me that I think I should be. I think that re-inventing my image would start with buying a new house. One that has kind of an open concept. A smooth flow. Sparkly, shiny stainless steel appliances. And granite countertops. Gleaming. Girl, I might even become a gourmet cook! Yeah, you're right. Don't think that's going to happen. Cooking is so not my thing. ...I know! A newer automobile would improve my image. How about a sport utility vehicle? Red. Or silver. It doesn't matter. But, for sure, I've got to have leather seats. Power everything. And a sunroof. Can you picture how cool it would be to cruise around in a set of wheels like that? And stylish apparel. Couture created just for me to conceal what needs to be hidden. And to accentuate any positive that a designer can contrive. I'll be in vogue and will live by the golden rule of design: Shop till you drop. So, yeah. Sometimes, I attach a lot of importance to image. And to things. To looking successful. To fitting in socially. When I get a little crazy like that, He's so good to re-direct me. He talks to me. He speaks to me through His word. Just this week, I read a verse that helps me to better understand what Moses said about images. All who worship images are put to shame (Psalm 97:7a). God doesn't want us to worship any images. Not even our own. And not the ones that we fantasize about, either. The house that we live in. The car that we drive. The clothes that we wear. Are these things important? Sure, they are. To an extent. They are necessary. They are blessings. They are resources to be used for sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. But we are not to think too much of them. Or about them. We don't worship them. We worship Him. Our loving God. Our provider. Our Savior. In whose image we are created. How do you handle image problems? I'd love for you to share what helps you. Sweet dreams, Deb

His Girl

Lately, I've been thinking that, maybe, I'm not the right girl for the job anymore. Like, maybe, the job requires someone who's smarter. A better writer. Someone who's not so much a material girl. But is more spiritual. Yeah. Definately, more of that. Also, someone who is prettier. Skinnier. And a better cook. OK. OK, then--a girl who actually does cook--would probably get the job done more effectively. To what job am I referring? I'm talking about the job that He's called me to do. The one where He wants me to "hold out the word of life" Philippians 2:16a. Actually, He's called you, too. He wants all of us to share His great message through some venue. For me, it's to hold out His words of life to friends. Family. And others. By writing. That's my dream. Sweet, right? Yeah. But I'm just not sure if I can still be His girl like that. I mean, I sin everyday. I let Him down. Disappoint Him. Just this week, I had a "conference" with a co-worker. I didn't like what she said. Or how she said it. And, yes. You are so right. Shouldn't have gone there, but I did. She said, "Yadeya...Ya...." Then I reacted, "YA...YA...YA...." And that's the condensed version of how our little parley went down. His girl. Failed Him in this situation. And in many others. Should I quit? Is that what He wants? I think about giving up. But He keeps working in my heart. And in my life. I'm learning about repentance. That repenting involves confessing my sins and turning away from them. And that's good. But that's not all. True repentance centers around the love relationship that a holy and just and merciful God wants to have with us His sinful but precious children. True repentance includes the privilege of receiving some things from God. Things like love. Forgiveness. Restoration. Renewal. And an invitation. An invitation to return to the work. The calling. The dream that He put in our heart. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Can separate us from His love. His great love. His mighty love. His strong love. His passionate love. His intimate love. Nothing can separate us. What's your calling? I'd love for you to share your dream with me and how you hold out Jesus for all of the world to see. I'm so glad that I'm still His girl. And so are you! Sweet dreams, Deb

What a Ride!

August 1978. Newlyweds. Jacksonville, Florida. Carnival on the beach. A Tilt a' Whirl. How Fun! Right? I wish. Actually, a more appropriate name would be The Torpedo. We were the only ones on the ride. Spinning. Twirling. Turning. Faster and faster. My head. Gravity held it. Pinned against the back of the car. My tummy. Unable to resist the torque. Drifted into space. So, so sick. Please stop. Please. I've got to get off. Crazed man at the control panel. Took us for one more whirl. I told myself: If. I. Ever. Get off of this ride. I'll. Never. Get on another one. And I didn't. Until recently. I feel like my life has become that Tilt a' Whirl ride. Terrible. Tumultuous. Torrential. And I want it to stop. During the past few weeks, we've had major home repairs. Now, I'm not referring to my little decorating projects. I'm talking about my darlin' husband had to tear the ceiling out of the downstairs bathroom. Because of a leak in the upstairs bathroom. Bust the tile out of the upstairs shower floor. Call the plumber. To the tune of $450. Install new ceiling downstairs. Upstairs shower still not repaired. Tile guys don't want to waste time on small-budget projects. This week, darlin' had to rip the floor out of the downstairs bathroom. Call the plumber again. This time only $300. Replace flooring. The endless. Trajectory of repairs continues. I won't bore you with further details. Well, ok. Just one more. All flooring in the downstairs has to be removed and replaced, including the kitchen tile. The chaos. The cost. the confusion. Will somebody please stop this ride so that I can get off? Things are tough. Do I see the mess? Sure. But I see more. I see our loving God. And I'm going to make it through this. I love what Paul writes to a group of New Testament believers: "Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen" (Ephesians 3: 20-21). Don't you love this verse? He does more than. All we ask or imagine. How much more? Immeasurably more! How does He? Do immeasurably more than all that we ask or imagine. He does immeasurably more than all that we ask or imagine by His power. And His power is at work within us. Even when life becomes a ride that tilts us out of balance. Whirls us around mercilessly. And grave circumstances pin us against a wall. His power works in us. To strengthen. To sustain. To satisfy. Because He loves us. And He's in charge of the control panel. We don't have to ride alone. Sweet dreams, Deb