Steady Eddie

A few weeks ago while reminiscing with two college friends, I was informed that there are two types of women in the world—those who are “steady Eddie’s” and those who are not. I fall into the latter category. While “steady Eddie” was a new term for me, I’m quite familiar with labels such as hypersensitive, high maintenance, and moody. Now, I prefer descriptors such as emotionally attuned, responsive, and tender- hearted. However, in my heart, I know these adjectives all mean the same thing—I wear my feelings on my sleeve.

When I look at Scripture, I’m drawn to melancholy characters like me. I can relate to Moses striking a rock, Elijah hiding in fear, and Jonah sulking about a plant.
Of late, I’ve been challenged by the story of Cain. Cain was a man who knew strong emotions, particularly jealousy and anger when God accepted his brother’s sacrifice and rejected his own. In Genesis 4:6, God confronts Cain about his emotional state. “Then the Lord said to Cain, ‘Why are you angry? And why has your...

Resolution

Last New Year’s I preached a mini sermon about the evils of New Year’s resolutions. I’ve just been burned one too many times by my self will or should I say my lack there of. Like the Apostle Paul, it seems “…the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want” (Romans 7:19).
Now, while I’m not a fan of resolutions, I think the new year provides a natural time for reflection. So, in keeping with the spirit of New Year’s, I’d like to share three of my favorite resolution alternatives.

1. Identify a verse of scripture that captures God’s vision for you in the coming year. Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, but happy is he who keeps the law.” Find a way to display your chosen verse in your home. Meditate on it often. Allow this verse to clarify how you use your time and invest your resources.
2. Preserve your spiritual heritage. Take time to reflect on the previous year. What scriptures were important to you in 2008? What...

Grateful for Discipline

My niece Hannah is a beautiful, brilliant, and strong-willed two-year-old. She lives and loves with a contagious fervor. As I watch her grow, I learn. Of late, what amazes me is how easily children resist what is good for them. For Hannah, a meal, a nap, or medicine can quickly become the enemy. Her parents’ discipline is often simply the means to help her accept what is in her best interest.

Today, I am grateful for God’s discipline. It does not surprise me that God calls me His child. Like most children, I’m insistent on flexing the muscles of my will, mostly to my own demise. As I walk with the Lord, I see a pattern in His character as well. God is a patient and consistent disciplinarian.

In recent days, I’ve heard God’s rebuke and felt His reprimand. “Incline your ear and come to Me. Listen, that you may live” (Isaiah 55:3). This is the request and the promise my Father has presented. It is as if God entices me away from sin and mediocrity, asking me to take an honest look at my life...

Lord, Put Me in My Place

Today I acknowledge that You are God, and I am not. I am finite. You are infinite. My resources and time are limited; Yours are unlimited. I will grow weary in this day. You neither sleep nor slumber. When I encounter situations that are out of my control, help me remember You are sovereign.
As I seek to minister to others today, I acknowledge that I am a fellow sinner and struggler, and You alone are Savior. Anything of worth to be done in this day will be done for Your glory, in accordance with Your purposes, and through Your power. Help me avoid the futility and misery of prideful, selfish living.
Today I pray my weakness would not be cause for anxious striving but restful abiding. May I know my proper place and find great peace in embracing it. I am sheep; You are shepherd. I am a branch; You are the Vine. I am the clay; You are the Potter. I am created; You are Creator. I am Your servant; You are my Lord. Today, help me see Your greatness and my smallness and experience the peace that...

Sitting Pretty

At a business meeting last week, I received a handout entitled “How to Sit at a Computer.” I snickered picturing my co-workers seeing it on my desk and thinking to themselves, “Well, we’ve sure got a sharp one here.” While I laughed at first, I put the information to use. The handout provided instruction on how to properly position yourself to work most comfortably and efficiently. So now, I’m sitting pretty with improved posture.

Recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about the posture of my heart. Am I positioned to hear from God and to be used for His glory? As I’ve pondered this question, I’ve come to two conclusions: Godly posture involves taking in God’s Word and turning from sin.

God guarantees change in our lives when we saturate ourselves in His Word. Isaiah 55:10-11 says, “For as the rain and snow come down from heaven and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout…so will My word be which goes forth from My mouth. It will not return to Me empty without...

A Prayer Warrior in the Making

I’ve never been much of a prayer warrior, but thankfully I am the daughter of one. My mom is the kind of woman who wakes before the sun in order to make sure her daughters are covered in prayer before their alarm clocks ever go off. I’ve always been humbled by my mom’s intercession but never really understood it…until now.

Two verses of Scripture are changing my thoughts about prayer and making me brazen before the throne of God. I John 5:14-15 says, “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.” How ready God is to fill my life and home with good things! How certain are His blessings to those who simply ask!

It is revolutionizing my prayer life to learn that there are certain prayers God will always answer. If I ask anything, and it is accordingly to His will, God hears and moves to action. God’s Word is full of...

Hide and Seek

Remember the childhood antics of hide and seek? Both the thrill of the search and the anticipation of being found produced hours of delight. In my relationship with God, it seems as if a similar dynamic exists. God pursues me, and I am commanded to seek Him. Of late, I have been reading the book of Proverbs and pondering how these concepts work together.

Scripture records story after story of God seeking out His people.
God calls out a shameful Adam and Eve, He finds a cowering Moses, and He pursues a wayward Israel. In the New Testament, it is Jesus who embodies this aspect of God’s character. In Luke 19:10, He says of Himself, “…the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

In Proverbs 1:20-21, Solomon describes God’s wisdom. Of her he says, “Wisdom shouts in the street, she lifts her voice in the square; at the head of noisy streets, she cries out…” Clearly, in a loud voice and public places, wisdom makes herself known. God seeks His people’s attention and makes every...

The Face of Grace

A few weeks ago my Sunday School class discussed the story of Jacob and Esau. The events were familiar enough…a stolen birthright, an estranged relationship, and ultimately reconciliation for this pair of twins. (See Genesis 27-33 for a complete recap.)

However, one verse in this passage seemed particularly fresh and applicable. After years of separation, Jacob and Esau reunite. Jacob fears Esau’s wrath for his past deception but instead finds mercy. Jacob then says to Esau, “…I have seen your face, and it is like seeing God’s face, since you have accepted me” (Genesis 33:10b).

As I read this verse, my mind began to reflect on the people God has placed in my life to be the face of grace. My boss who told me during a tough season that I was more valuable than what I could produce. My creative writing professor who told me to have courage to create before I criticized my work. My best friend who knows all my quirks and still finds me delightful. My husband who says “I just want to be close to...

Musings of a Newlywed

Ten months ago, after a whirlwind eight month courtship, Andrew and I embarked on the journey of marriage. We marvel now at how much we thought we knew but how little we really did. We’ve been delightfully surprised and duly humbled in our first months of married life. During our engagement, we regularly invited the advice of family, friends, books, and marriage counselors. We were warned that sex, finances, and family relationships could be “hot topics” for newlyweds and advised to handle these issues with care.

In Genesis 3:16b, I find my Creator has a word of caution for new brides as well. After sin enters the world, God tells Eve, “Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” In other words, Eve and her daughters will desire to be in control of their homes and husbands, even though God has not given them this authority.

I read this verse, and my sin is quite evident. I am well acquainted with control but hopefully beginning to catch glimpses of submission.

I control...