Simple Thoughts

As I age, I am aware of my body- what it can and cannot do. Because I want to remain active, have the energy to work, to serve, to love, to encourage, to study, to grow… I have made some adjustments to my morning routine.

I had been getting up early to workout, eating a healthy breakfast, packing healthy snacks and lunches, but as I went throughout my day, I was losing my joy. I was complaining. I was not who I wanted to be. I realized I was mentally and spiritually weary.

So… I made some adjustments to my morning routine. I added devotion and prayer time. I added thankful writings to my morning. I centered my mornings with God. The peace, the love, the calm is the adjustment I needed so as I go throughout the rest of my day, His voice is in my ear, in my heart, in my mind, on my lips. He gives me the strength for the day and beyond.

We collaborate at work to develop plans, presentations, to distribute the work load, becoming part of a team.

We collaborate at home to develop an atmosphere of love where everyone helps out with the running of a household.

Do we collaborate with God? We read His word, we memorize verses, but then are we out there doing it alone, receiving the individual accolades?

When we put our faith and trust in our Savior and Lord, we are putting our whole self in His care. Our every need, He is there. Our every prayer, He hears. When we are doing His work in ministry, in serving, He is there. As we sit and study His word, He is there in these quiet moments directing our thoughts, our plans.

When we collaborate with God, we submit to His will, His plans, His direction.

I Peter 5:1-4:To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed:Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

Today is the last Sunday of October, which is Pastor Appreciation Month. The job of a pastor is many. What most people see is the preaching/teaching of the Word on Sunday mornings. That is the visible side. What about the less visible side? The counseling side where the pastor meets one-on-one, the labor side where the pastor fixes roofs, floors, dishwashers, etc… The community side where the pastor meets with other pastors to plan community events. The wedding/funeral side where the pastor meets with the families. The study side where time is spent reading, listening, studying God’s Word. The prayer side where time is spent in prayer with God.

The hats a pastor wears is many. I pray you lift your pastor up in prayer every day. This pastor has a calling on his life to teach God’s Word, to shepherd the flock. He prays for you every day. Carries burdens only he knows about, knowing he not only will one day stand before God for himself but also for you. This pastor loves God, loves you, and is in it for no other reason than to serve God.

Titus 1:6-9: An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient.  Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.  He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

A friend recently sat on the porch of her in-laws and enjoyed being a “rain” spectator. Her new home state is very dry so on her return home, the rain brought back wonderful memories.

It is a rainy day today. Outdoor plans cancelled, postponed, rescheduled. Listening to the rain fall. Watching the puddles grow. Enjoying the cleansing, refreshing, cooling rain.

When rain allows us to slow down, to take in the restoring rain, I am drawn to think about how God has cleansed, renewed, and restored us into a right relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. His finished work at the cross cleanses us, our sins are washed away. Our new “born again” self looks to Jesus daily, hourly, and we are renewed in His Word as we continue to grow ever closer to Him.

Jeremiah 14:22 “Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is you, Lord our God. Therefore our hope is in you,  for you are the one who does all this.”

If you work, you are a laborer. Working with your hands, working outside, working with children, working with the sick, the lonely, the down and outs. You are a laborer.

My husband is a Pastor so his work is leading the flock. Studying God’s word, sharing God’s truths, counseling the flock. His secondary job is our homestead. He built our house and is finishing up the garage. He enjoys working with his hands from the planning stage to the finished product. The physical weariness of a builder compares to the spiritual and mental weariness of a Pastor.

We all have a “day” job but our primary job is to be a laborer for the Lord. Sharing His truths, studying God’s word, being a witness for Him. How do we labor for the Lord? Taking part in community events that bring the community to the church. Spending time with the youth- teaching them, playing games with them, talking to them. Taking a meal to the sick or widowed, helping them get to the store or to doctor appointments. Speaking with your neighbor and co-workers about church, about lifestyle choices. Being a friend, showing kindness, holding your tongue, showing patience and restraint, honoring your parents.

God is at work in this world today. Join His work today and be a fellow laborer for God. Be willing. Be able. Be available for God.

Colossians 3:23-24: Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.  Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.”

Casual Gathering. Impromptu get-togethers. Last minute plans. Not much work involved to get ready. Comfortable and relaxed.

Going to a training with other professionals, the dress code runs the gambit: skirt, pants, jeans, leggings. The twenty-somethings being the most “casual” in their dress. Have an appointment or a scheduled time to meet, the attitude of “on time is late” to the “always running late” casual attitude of “I’m here now.”

There are times when having an attitude of casual-ness will serve us well… less stress, go with the flow, let it run off your back, in one ear and out the other. But can it be appropriate all the time? Are there times when our attitude needs to change? To be present, focused, on your game?

In our relationship with God, is it a casual attitude of “God is good with me just as I am?” “God loves me, I don’t need to go to church?” Or is there a reverence when approaching God in prayer? Is there a humbleness in service, a gentleness in our speech? The desire to know God more as we read our bibles, to worship Him with a lowly view of self and a high and lifted view of God?

Let us check our attitudes at the door as we approach God in prayer, worship, service, speech. He is the God of the universe. He created all things. The last time I checked, I do not have a universe that I created.

Isaiah 66:2 “My hands have made both heaven and earth; they and everything in them are mine.  I, the Lord, have spoken!“I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my word.

As adults, we are mindful of the battle our bodies are in. Watching our weight, eating right, working out, walking, biking. Trying to live a healthy lifestyle while also working, taking care of our daily responsibilities and finding free time to enjoy life.

As a child growing up in a house of eight, we had Saturday morning chores. Everyone had a bedroom to clean- stripping the bed and re-making it with clean sheets, bringing down the dirty laundry, and then cleaning another room with a sibling. Dust, polish the furniture, vacuum the floors. Then… freedom! To my surprise, my parents kept working… inside and out. Cleaning the bathrooms, mopping, cleaning out cabinets, straightening up the front porch, fixing the hanging baskets, yard work, etc…

As a child, the sweet relief came as my chores finished and I had free time. Why did my parents work so hard? It looked fine to me.

Now, as an adult, I get it. We work hard. We want our homes to look good, to last. We take pride in a job well done. This is not to say, on any given day, you will not see clutter in my home- you will. But the value of hard work was instilled in both me and my husband by our parents and grandparents. Hopefully our grown children are seeing those same work ethic values today in their own lives. Happy Adulting everyone!

Lying in the bed, I have a dog on either side of me. I want to turn, but I’m stuck in between two dogs. Time for them to get in their doggie beds.

Have you ever been stuck in the middle? Two friends talking to you, each separately about the other. You are stuck in the middle. Two children saying, “Mom, he did it.” “No, he did it.” You are stuck in the middle.

Confrontations are hard for me. It is not my strong suit. As I get older though, I realize it is necessary. Wisdom and experience give me the courage to address both parties with words filled with grace and truth.

God wants us to choose a side, as well. Do not be stuck in the middle. Living for God, then living for self the rest of the time. Confront your selfish desires. Be honest with yourself. What is keeping your whole heart from God? For me, my selfish desires range from working out, doing work at home for my job and just wanting to be alone doing absolutely nothing. Life is a balancing act. None of what I just mentioned is wrong, unless my pursuit of those outweigh my pursuit of God. Let us strive to put God first in our daily lives.

Colossians 3:17 “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Matthew 22:37-39 “Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Walking around our yard and neighborhood, I have been noticing many green pine cones falling from the trees. I asked my husband, “Is this ‘dropping’ season?” In many parts of the country, leaves will soon be changing color and “dropping” from the trees. Acorns are “dropping,” as well. Nature is preparing for the seasonal change. Are we paying attention?

What changes are happening in your life? Is God a part of your daily life or has there been a “dropping” season with God? Maybe you are reflecting and thinking it is time to get rid of some bad habits so it is “dropping” season for those habits. Maybe you have too much on your plate and it is time to re-prioritize and begin “dropping” some activities. Maybe you have started a new bible study at church, like my mom, and you have to “drop” that favorite television show in order to attend. Maybe you have built up a list of excuses as to why you cannot make it to church on Sundays. Is it time to “drop” the excuses and get back to worshipping God on Sunday?

We all need to take a moment, reflect, prioritize, clean up areas of our life and begin the “dropping” process. Let the season begin today.

Hebrews 12:1b-2: “Let us lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Life is busy. Life is hectic. Life is… The list could keep going. Life is a verb. It is action-packed. Sadly, this has kept me from my daily devotional and prayer time with God. I’ve seen the results of this shift. It’s not good. Mouth loosened. Focus off. Priorities on self. Time to get back in tune with God. Hitting the re-set button. Thankful we serve a God of second, third, tenth chances. Thankful we have a forgiving God who receives us back and restores us into fellowship with Him.

Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Psalm 25:4-5 “Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are my God and Savior and my hope is in you all day long.”