Faith, Words, Actions

"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." -James 2:26 (NKJV)

We hear a lot during the Lenten season about giving up and becoming closer to God in the process. Even if your faith tradition does not observe the Lenten practice of forgoing a certain meal, food item, or favorite caffeinated creation from your local barista, the talk and the thoughts are still present. Many bloggers talk about their mission works, their experiences during their morning devotions, or what they are currently teaching their youngsters.

And I flounder.

I thought long and hard this year about actually giving up something for Lent, because many of my friends follow this practice. But, "the flesh is weak," and the thought of going without caffeine sends me running to my coffee pot. (Glad I never started smoking!) And, several of my online friends who do NOT follow Lenten practices (i.e., fellow church members), made some interesting statements about the practice which I found not necessarily uplifting. Some were joking, but I knew to repost those jokes would be offensive to my friends who DO observe Lent.

And there we have it. Do we really NOT observe Lent by not fasting/giving up something? Easter looms large on the calendar for Christians, and I honestly believe we should be more observant of what the Lenten season means. Ann Voskamp puts it eloquently in her blog "A Holy Experience"--

I

can’t seem to follow through in giving up for Lent.

Which makes me want to just give up Lent.

Which makes me question Who I am following.

Which may precisely be the point of Lent.

I totally get that. So today as I head in to deal with some work issues, I pray for my tongue to be stilled, and for my heart and mind to remember these words: "Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." (James 3:18, NKJV)  I may not be serving in overseas missions, but my words and actions towards those around me may be enough of a mission right now, considering  my history of having an unbridled tongue. 

Blessings to you who may read this...

Ramblings...again

John 3:6–8

6 That which is born of the flesh is fflesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 gThe wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Profound words that echo as I ponder everything I've read this morning. News reports of storms inundate the media, a friend who is working through the grief process two years after her son is tragically killed, and reading about the struggles in other third world countries fill my mind and my heart. Another writing friend posts that she is having a bit more struggle with her tasks this week, and then writes a wonderful  post about the "sixth sense" of the Holy Spirit. This in particular struck me this morning:

 We don’t have to rely on the world’s standard or our own understanding to dictate a version of “truth” to us. God knows that we would have difficulty looking beyond our physical world, so He wisely placed His Spirit in each born-again believer that wears the righteousness of Christ (John 3.6-8). However, we must cultivate this sixth sense and follow and trust its promptings of eternal Truth.

(Read the rest of Alisa's post here:

http://faithimagined.com/2012/08/1-samuel-8-19-20/

Cultivation in a time of drought--now that is the challenge in front of us today. We here in the US are so blessed, yet so blind...

http://joyinthisjourney.com/2012/08/who-is-more-worthy-of-american-aid/

Look for your blessings, write down your "Joy list" and pray about what the Spirit wants you to do. We weren't put here to just "eat drink and be merry."

We need to share our blessings. Some are called to reach out to the homeless in their community; others reach out internationally. However the Spirit leads, I pray that I can do better in listening and acting on His wishes.    

Ok, so it's Tuesday and not Monday. But Ann Voskamp's post spoke to my heart, and brought to the surface a turmoil that has been bubbling in the back of my mind ever since the "bucket list" craze took hold. You see, I've always felt that lists are, well, limiting, even depressing--that is, until I started writing a list of my own thanks after reading One Thousand Gifts. Whether I actually write my list down on paper, type it electronically, or just say it quietly in my conversations with the Lord, I've finally found a list that doesn't make me feel defeated. To do lists always make me feel like a failure because at the end of the day, I've done a myriad of things, but not necessarily what was on the list. Shopping lists get left on the counter, buried in the bottom of the black hole that serves as my purse, or not written down at all. And a BUCKET LIST of what I WANT to do? Sure, there's things I'd LIKE to do--but WILL I? Probably not. Finances, other things that need done more--reality is, my life is already full. When people would ask what was on my bucket list, the only thing I could come up with is to enjoy each day. I've traveled some, but don't really have desires to go overseas, climb mountains, or develop new very challenging skills (hang gliding? NOT ON YOUR LIFE!)   I've found that it's enough to be thankful for what I HAVE had.

And then today I found Ann's post. Couldn't say it better myself. Amen, my sister, amen!

Why does the list of want-to-experiences continue to grow — instead of the list of thanks-for-this experiences?

Why want more to fill our bucket — when I haven’t thanked God for all the ways He’s already filled my cup?

When your cup’s already full of the blessings of God, you don’t need a bucket list.

The other morning as I was walking from a coffee shop back to the pharmacy where I had been waiting to pick up a prescription, I looked down at the clover at my feet. Everyone has looked for four leaf clovers I am sure; I was equally sure I would never find one. But a still small voice prompted, "Look again." And there, by my foot, was a four leaf clover. I plucked it and posted to Facebook, and it is in a glass bottle at home on my dining room table. Everyone of course commented that I should buy a lottery ticket. I am not a gambler, although I have purchased lottery tickets in the past.

But on this weekend, when we are pondering Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection, I think the clover is God's way of reminding me that it is only through HIS grace that I have my life and my blessings. At night, this fragile little frond folds up its leaves, reminding me that prayer is still needed--if even a plant, which has no mind or soul, folds in prayerful attitude, how much more so should I, blessed with a mind and soul by His creation!

I don't believe in luck, I believe in God's providence. He is asking more of me.

Jude 1:24: "To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy..."

Have a blessed Easter season.

New Beginnings

In an effort to broaden my writing experience and experiment with other venues, I have also started a blog over at WordPress.com. Less bells and whistles, but I'm not leaving Blogger entirely either. I have too many blogs I follow here. So, for those who may or may not be interested, my URL is bmetswife@wordpress.com. My blog is called Labyrinth, Ideas, and Wanderings. Pretty much describes my life lately. Lots of ups and downs and yet we are so blessed that I feel guilty for even complaining. I want to have a confident heart, find calm in this chaos we call life, become more nurturing, less stressed, more balanced. And figure out how to use the charcoal grill without setting dinner on fire or waiting so long that it's waaaaay past dinner time by the time it's done! (Typing while waiting. Waiting is NOT my strong point!)

Bless you in your year.

In All Things Give Thanks

Just saying thank you today. Having read Ann's post about Ecuador leaves me speechless and wordless. I, who am too well known for my sharp temper and tongue, have absolutely no right to say anything in this space, except thank you for grace. Thank you for those who have the heart to give, who really see what's important. As I struggle with my petty little day-to-day annoyances, I need stories like the one Ann Voskamp has shared today to remind me how blessed (and WHO blesses us) and how rich we are. So please--go read her story. Pray. Share. And be blessed.

Prayer at Work, at Home and at Rest

"Pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. "

I Thessalonians 5:17-18

Giving thanks for the memories of cherished times with my daughters--and for the fact that we took lots of pictures when they were little.

Giving thanks for having a job, even when some days are rather difficult. Giving thanks for my recent bout of illness, which teaches me patience and gave me rest in His timing, rather than mine.

Giving thanks for other authors who share their thoughts, like Susan Dimickele's post over at the Highcalling:

http://www.thehighcalling.org/hcb-community/do-you-pray-work

(If this link doesn't work, try this one:

http://susandimickele.blogspot.com/2011/10/does-prayer-work-at-work.html

And for the reminder that autumn is not about death, but about rest:

http://tuesdayswithjesus.blogspot.com/2011/10/219-fall-into-rest.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FfUxAR+%28Tuesdays+With+Jesus%29

(Thank you Donna Schulz for your timely post.)

And then my online "bloggy friend" Alisa talks about how even just taking 5 minutes to meditate on God rejuvenated her spirit and body during a period of intense workout.

http://faithimagined.com/2011/10/day-10-five-minutes/

I find it amazing how God speaks to me repeatedly when He's trying to get something through my thick skull! The world would have us continually racing, trying to keep up a frantic pace.

But God says this instead:

"Do not be shaped by this world: instead be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to Him and what is perfect." Romans 12:2

Resting in Him. Have a blessed Wednesday.