Up Hill Both Ways

Up Hill Both Ways

Have you traveled the up hill slopes of life? I know that I have. My up hill treks vary in length and their degrees of steepness. In some aspects of life I seem to be continually straining upward and yet never ascending. I've done it enough to know that up hill exercises on stationary paths are exhausting and fruitless.

Ahh, how I have longed to hear, “Well done, it’ll be all down hill from here.” However, God makes me no such promise. He promises peace when my mind is steadfast on him (Isaiah 26:3) and He promises to make me steadfast (1 Peter 5:10). He promises rest when I am weary (Matthew 11:28), and direction when I acknowledge Him (Proverbs 3:6). He supplies a sufficient amount of grace (2 Corinthians 12:9) and promises to go before me and with me and to never leave me or forsake me (Deut. 31:8). Even equipped with all that I could ever need or want I still find that the journey is not always easy. I still

tend to wander off in my own direction and wonder why part of the walk seems to be an up hill battle . . . both ways.

Tests

John 6:5-6
"When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.

Life is full of tests. I’ve heard it said that life is a test. All of the answers have multiple choices. In all of our circumstances we will act or react. We will say something or pray something

I am convinced that God is not waiting anxiously to see what my response will be to any given trial or temptation. I do not believe He is surprised by my weaknesses, strengths, growing spurts or back slides. He already knows. Why all the testing, trials, and tribulations then. They are always honing and refining experiences. They give me a report on my progress or lack thereof. God, in His perfect wisdom, gives me a snapshot of areas in out relationship, humbles me, lifts me up and infinitely gives me another chance to get it right.

Some lessons seem pretty cut and dry. Choices are made and consequences, both good and bad, are received. It’s the proverbial routine of live and learn. God, as I am growing to know Him, is anything but routine and predictable. By nature, I tend to attempt a viable understanding of God’s system of weights and measure. Grace is free and God does not play favorites in any circumstances. His thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways. (Romans 2:11; Isaiah 55:8)

Shortcuts

I know (Romans 8: 38-39) and am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Still, I have seen caught myself trying to tip the scales. I don’t think it’s conscious. I have seen my attempts to drag the “give more and hope to get more” mentality of the world into my relationship with Him. It occurred to me that I have a desire to take shortcuts.

Romans 8:28-31 says: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?

With all of this going on, I’m looking for shortcuts. It sometimes amazes me that God would give me the time of day. But he does. All the time of every day, day after day, without fail. I am grateful that I don’t get what I deserve nor do I deserve anything that He gives.

And still I know I have plenty of good hearted, well intentioned company when I say there are times when I would prefer to have my own way. I long to understand the inconceivable character of God. I think there are times when my faith in His infinite ability magnifies the implausible “why” questions.

Focusing on the “whys” of the inconceivable rattles my faith and alters my prayers. It affects my relationship with my savior and leads to the temptation to take matters into my own hands.

I have found this is generally the starting point for walking up hills both ways rather than allowing Him to guide me gently down the other side.

Deut. 8:1-3

Do Not Forget the LORD

1 Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land that the LORD promised on oath to your forefathers. 2 Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. 3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.

Colorado Christian Writers Conference

I have just returned from a six day “cloud seeding” extravaganza in the rocky mountains of Colorado. The Colorado Christian Writers Conference, held annually in Estes Park, is a convergence of writers, editors, publishers, and others from the writing industry.

My soul was nourished in so many ways. Gathering with a couple hundred people with similar goals and faith has a way of calming and stirring the desires of my heart at the same time. I think it is comparable to putting your hopes, dreams, prayers, petitions and praises in a pot together, bring to a rapid boil, reduce heat, and simmer.

To a writer there is maybe nothing more desirable than to present your message with truth and grace in God’s perfect timing. This was a common theme throughout the conference. Saturated with thoughts like these, standing on the ground among the elk, looking up at mountain peaks that extend into the clouds, my faith was elevated. It’s inevitable. The scenery demands that I remember how small I am and how awesome God is.

I am amazed by the willingness of the staff to share their knowledge and their know-how with others. All of the people I talked with and met with were willing to go above and beyond their call to duty. My continuing session workshop, Communicate to Change Lives, was lead by Jim Watkins. If you are a speaker, writer, or in some other way wish to communicate to change lives I encourage you to visit his website at jameswatkins.com and check out his newest book, “Communicate to Change Lives in person and print.”

I will be sharing some of my ponderings and experiences from the conference over the next couple weeks on this blog.

Have a great day and thanks for stopping in - Lisa

Celebrate

Psalm 118:24
This is the day the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Every new day is a cause for celebration. I'm feeling particularly celebratory lately. It's one of those times when it's easy to have an attitude of gratitude.

Spring seems to finally have sprung. It's been a long anticipated season.
My oldest son is coming home from his first year of college this week. I am so excited to have him back home. Sending him off was harder than I ever had imagined. I've grown and groaned a lot in the process.

In a couple weeks I am heading to the Colorado Christian Writers Conference. I'm so excited about the prospect of meeting new people with a common interest. There will be instruction and worship and scenery that you would have to see to believe.

I've just become a team captain in our local Relay for Life event (through the American Cancer Society). I'm really excited about the opportunity and the privilege to play even the smallest role in this annual fund raiser.

I could also make a list of things which I am not so apt to celebrate. It's easy to let these things take over my thoughts and drowned out my joy. Some days I just don't feel like celebrating. The rain on my parade can wash away my joy.

However, God says, "look on the bright side." Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."

Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

Luke 15 is brimming with cause for celebration. In the parable of the lost sheep Jesus said "Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."

Likewise in the parable of the lost coin, "there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God."
And of course the lost son. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.

I'm working on some simple ways to make everyday celebrations.

When I turn on my cell phone in the morning I am greeting with the message, "today has great potential." It's a good reminder.

I found some great plates in the dollar bin at the grocery store. They are decorated with a swirling pattern of rainbow colors and I love to use them. I also have some china. Sometimes it's fun to pull it out and use "just because."

I could stop at the store on the way home and pick up a balloon. When my bewildered family asks what it's for...I've got a golden opportunity to start a conversations about the wonders of God or to say that I've just been considering how blessed we are that all of our names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20...but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.)

I'm going to clean up a bud vase for a single cut flower and attach a note of praise. A young friend of mine just completed her GED and is looking forward to graduation. I'm going to dig out my craft supplies and make her a hand-made card of congratulations.

The possibilities are endless. Our attitudes (both the good and the bad) are contagious. Though I am usually prepared to rejoice with those who rejoice and to weep with those who weep, my goal is to actively celebrate a lot more often and to spread a grateful and joyful attitude. If you have any ideas for some "every day kind of celebration" let me know.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

Thanks,
Lisa