The Rules of the Game

I am reading a book by Ravi Zacharias entitled, "Recapture the Wonder." Having only read through the second chapter, I have already found myself needing to stop and ponder many of his insights.



Chapter 2 analyzes life through comparisons to games and theater. Shakespeare is quoted as saying "All the world's a stage. And all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts."



Ravi Zacharias shares his story of trying to design a tennis court and play the game with his friends without ever being taught the rules. Their attempts are futile as any game would be when the rules are unknown or changable. His metaphor illustrates how "the game is played not to protect the rules, rather the rules are made to protect the game."



In his illustration, the rules are obviously God's Word and the game is this life we live. Thus, when translated the quote reads, "Life is lived not to obey God's law, rather God's law is made to protect our lives."



He takes us to David and his experiences with God's boundaries. For "David, of course, knows what it was to try to push back the boundary lines of God and find himself cornered instead. Having tasted stolen waters, he found out they were bitter. He traded a lifetime of regret for a few moments of pleasure. Yet when he lived within the parameters God had set in place, he found out that the law is perfect, tasting sweeter than the honeycomb. His delight was boundless." (Zacharias, p.36)



When God has so clearly defined His boundaries for life, it is no wonder Satan camps out at any extreme, trying to get us to leave God's security. Zacharias claims, "the legalist loses sight of living while trying to obey the rules" while "the hedonist loses sight of the rules while supposedly protecting life - as if God's moral framework consisted of arbitrary mandates to make life difficult." Satan, although subtle and incredibly effective at his lies, is still so predictable.

2 Cor. 4:4 "The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."

Isaiah 6:10b "Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed."

I am reminded of research done in Child Psychology demonstrating childrens' willingness to explore the entire playground all the way to the street, provided there is a fence protecting them from the traffic. If, however, that fence is removed, the children huddle together towards the center of the playground and the building. Zacharias quotes G. K. Chesterton who advised, "'Before you remove any fence, always first seek to ask why it was put there in the first place.' You see, every boundary set by God points to something worth protecting and if you are to protect the wonder of existence, God's instruction book is the place to turn."



I have recently uncovered something (for my life) even more remarkable than God's plan to provide us with our own instruction manual. He also claims to change our very hearts, molding us into His likeness, enabling us to be more like Him, transforming our very desires into the likeness of His.



2 Cor. 1:21-22 "Now it is GOD who makes us and you stand firm in Christ. HE annointed us, set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit guaranteeing what is to come."



2 Cor. 3:4 "Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from GOD!"



Hebrews 2:18 "Because He himself suffered when He was tempted, HE IS ABLE TO HELP those who are being tempted."



I Cor. 10:13 "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And GOD IS FAITHFUL, HE will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, HE will provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."



Phil 3:9 "...not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ - the righteousness that COMES FROM GOD and is by faith.



2 Cor. 1:3-4 "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, WHO COMFORTS US in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."



Thanking God for His comfort, His righteousness, His competence, His Spirit, His Strength, His annointing, His instructions, His LIFE!

Design

I love hearing how my children are growing in reason and logic. Their brains are maturing and developing, and as I try to guide them, it is such a wonder to hear how they put things together. Here were some of our thoughts on the creation/evolution debate.

We wondered how the scientists and inventors of our time would feel if their discoveries were downplayed as something that would have eventually evolved over time?

We thought about the computer and how many years of discovery it took to put us in a place where we can hold one in the palm of our hand. To suggest that one of the original models would eventually morph into something better is absurd.

Yet, isn't that precisely what evolution claims? Life formed and progressed on its own. Does there exist such an ability in nature for life to change and evolve on its own? And if so, how do so many animals have lifecycles or migratory patterns that are more complex than a human could ever design? Could random chance really be superior intellectually to human beings? And if so, why are things not happening randomly around us all the time? Where does the order come from? And how do we fit the order of nature with the randomness of evolution?

This controversy is way beyond my scope of ability to debate... but in homeschooling, I hope to at least address and analyze all topics no matter how difficult or broad the debate. To me, the truth of Creation resonates in Psalm 8!

Psalm 8
O Lord, Our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise
because of your enemeies, to silence the foe and the avenger.

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers.
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?

You made him a lettle lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.
You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet;
all flocks and herds and the beasts of the field, the birds of the air,
and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.
O Lord, Our Lord
How majestic is your name in all the earth!

Dare to Desire

written by John Eldredge.



p. 79 "We are on a journey of desire. But we are not yet home. The fact is, at this point in the journey, we have only three options:



to be alive and thirsty



to be dead in our soul



to be addicted



There are no other choices. Most of the world lives in addiction; most of the church has chosen deadness."



p. 62

"ADDICTION may seem like too strong a term to some of you. The woman who is serving so faithfully at church - surely there's nothing wrong with that?..."



p.63

"I have one simple response: give it up.



If you don't think your're secretly trying to fulfill your desires like any other addict, then prove it by letting go of the things that provide you with a sense of security, or comfort, or excitement, or relief. You will soon discover the tentacles of attachment run deep in your own soul. There will be anxiousness; you'll begin to think about work or food or golf more even. Withdrawal will set in. If you can make it a week or two out of sheer will power, you will feel sadness growing in your soul, a deep sense of loss. Lethargy and a lack of motivation will follow."



So where are those who are alive and thirsty??? Why are they so hard to find???

Believing and Pleasing

Have you ever been challenged to put your name in place of "love" when reading I Cor. 13? It can be a very thought-provoking and personally revealing experience. Back in December I read Romans 4:18 and for whatever reason, felt compelled to replace Abraham's name with my name. It has haunted me (in a good way) ever since!!



Romans 4:18

Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations just as it had been said to him, "So shall your offspring be."

Against all hope, Michelle in hope believed and so... whatever He has promised me WILL COME TO PASS!



Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead, since he was about a hundred years old and that Sarah's womb was also dead.

Without weakening in MY faith, I face the facts... my situation may look bleak... His promises may appear impossible... I may be completely used up.



Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had the power to do what He had promised.

Yet I WILL NOT waver through unbelief regarding the promises of God, but AM STRENGTHENED in my faith and give glory to God, being FULLY persuaded that God has the power to do what he has promised.



That can be true for each of us... and that is MIND-BLOWING! REALLY!!!



Because He promises each of us so many good things... I just have to believe He's GOOD...

That He's real, honest, able, & willing...

How can Satan be so deceivingly powerful that most of us doubt this... most of the time?



"Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28



"Seek ye first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." - Matthew 6:33



"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For EVERYONE who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, THE DOOR WILL BE OPENED!!" - Matthew 7:7-8



This is what the Lord says, "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives.

BUT, blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes, its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." - Jeremiah 17:5-8



I personally have wanted nothing more from life than to be pleasing... to somebody. Again, in His goodness, God tells me exactly how I DO please Him.



"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." -Hebrews 11:1

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." -Hebrews 11:6



How silly would it be to ask my children if they "believed" in me? They see me; they hold me; they experience me... of course, they believe in me!



But, it would be perfectly reasonable to ask them if they "believed" I was good! Their answers might vary... but from my perspective anything short of a resounding "YES" would feel tragic! I am good to them and, although far from perfect, to suggest I am not good to them would be a lie!



Isn't this all God is really asking from each of us? Just to acknowledge Him as our Creator, our Daddy, able and willing to do the good that He's promised? ...to take Him at His word... join His Kingdom...and watch as He pours out His blessings.



He even tells us He's already doing and will continue to do MOST of the heavy lifting!



"No one can come to me unless THE FATHER who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day." - John 6:44



"We know also that THE SON OF GOD has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true." -I John 5:20



"We do not know what we ought to pray for, but THE SPIRIT himself intercedes with groans words cannot express." Rom 8:26



"Now HE who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness." 2 Cor. 9:10



"...for it is GOD who works in you to work and to act according to His good purpose." -Phil 2:13



"For GOD did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." -2 Timothy 1:7



THANKING GOD THAT ALL THAT WORK IS NOT LEFT UP TO ME!!

Haiti's Devastation

I Peter 4:1-11
Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do - living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. They think it strange that you do not plunge with them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit. THE END OF ALL THINGS IS NEAR. Therefore be clearminded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in it various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever amen.

The end of all things is near... may be referring to Christ's return... but as the people of Haiti testify... the future is not ours to determine... even as Americans living in the land of the Free and the Home of the Brave!

Please join with me in seeking a clear mind and self-control so that we might pray for these people. Please also pray for Paul Emery and Paul Cloutier, men of faith from Gainesville currently serving Christ in Haiti. May the people there receive all that they need physically... and also be offered hope and love... the person of Jesus.

Birthday Boy!

Just reflecting on yesterday. My boy turned the big "12"!! How can it be that I have been his mother that long? How can it be that we are 2/3rds through his "childhood"? How can it be that if he were to follow in my shoes, he could be married in 7 years and having my grandbabies in 10? To think... Joshua and I... "grandparents!" (SOMEDAY:)

Such an amazing thought... even more amazing is the fact that God has blessed us so richly over these past 16 years of marriage. We just returned from a much needed break...cruising thru the Western Caribbean! What a joy to SLEEP!! and to reflect on our years together. When we married, we both so desperately wanted to serve our Lord together. Little did we know, in order to serve God, we had to let Him refine us into reflecting more of His image than our own. This process has been quite painful and even heartbreaking at times... but to know that it is through each one of these experiences that we have been blessed with a greater, deeper and more thorough understanding of our God and His love for us is the greatest of blessings.

Proverbs 3:11 "My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in."

Merry Christmas!

What anticipation has brought us to today! We have 5 (ok...only 3 who really understand) little and not so little bundles of excitement and joy. I love Christmas Eve! It is the day when I get to explain to each of my children what it felt like for me leading up to their births. All the waiting and planning... praying and dreaming... wonder and mystery... of a tiny baby coming into this world. I can only imagine what our Almighty God experienced the very first Christmas Eve. When I try to wrap my little brain around it, I wind up dripping with utter awe.... to be in Heaven fully perfected in the ultimate relationship of the trinity and to be sending The Son into a world of pain, darkness, brokenness and death... even knowing the ending... I would not have been able to make that choice for any of my children or even for myself for that matter. I believe God gave me a choice to live this year... as monumental as it was for me, it really is the same decision He gives me each morning... each moment even. I am basking in the truth this year that He too faced this very same decision. I often reflect on His choice to face the cross and death. Today, I am taking a moment after a year of experiencing deep loss and unfathomable pain along with redemption and unfathomable love, to reflect on His decision to come live this messy life with us. WHAT A GIFT! I am also taking a moment to reflect on the people who have chosen to let Him live in them this year and walk through the mine field of my life, endure the gore of the explosions, witness the death, and rejoice in the slow and sometimes messy healing and resurrection of something beautiful. WHAT A GIFT! LOVE is an amazing thing - so many of us spend our entire lives trying to find it. Here's the good news... it is yours and mine to have and enjoy. "It" chose to become a He this very night so that I could know Him and experience LOVE! Merry Christmas My Beloved! I love you and am so thankful for each of you.

Faith

Hebrew 11:1 Now FAITH is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:6 And without FAITH it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.


Romans 1:17 For in the Gospel a righteousness is revealed - a righteousness that is BY FAITH from the first to the last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live BY FAITH!"


What about how I perform? Where is the scripture that says I have to do...?

Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, THROUGH FAITH - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast.


Ephesians 3:12 In Him and THROUGH FAITH in Him we may approach God with FREEDOM and CONFIDENCE!


If I am sure of anything, it is the REALITY of GOD'S love through JESUS CHRIST! God tells me in the book of Hebrews that this certainty is FAITH! He continues to tell me that because of my faith, I can PLEASE GOD! Crazy? Me?


The Book of Romans says the first to the last in His Kingdom will be righteous BY FAITH! So even if I'm the last, I, too, am righteous. (I know, crazy! me? - who knew?)


Ephesians reminds me I didn't DO anything!!! My heart just knows Christ... I know Christ! And in Him + my faith = FREEDOM and CONFIDENCE to approach God! Does anyone else read this stuff???? and believe??? 'Cause knowing it's all true is simply mind-boggling!!



PRAYING TODAY FOR YOUR FAITH!!!!!


Song for Today: Where There is Faith (by 4 Him)


I believe in faithfulness
I believe in giving to myself for someone else
I believe in peace and love
I believe in honesty and trust
but IT'S NOT ENOUGH!
For all that I believe
may never change the way it is
Unless I believe Jesus lives

(chorus)

Where there is FAITH
There is a voice calling, "keep walking"
"You're not alone in this world"
Where there is FAITH
There is a PEACE like a child sleeping
HOPE EVERLASTING in He
who is ABLE TO BARE EVERY BURDEN,
to HEAL EVERY HURT IN MY HEART
It is a WONDERFUL, POWERFUL PLACE
Where there is FAITH!

There's a man across the sea
Never heard the sound of freedom ring
Only in his dreams
There's a lady dressed in black
In a motorcade of cadillacs
Daddy's not coming back
Our hearts begin to fall
And our stability grows weak
But Jesus meets our needs

if only we believe(chorus)

Sorrow?

PSALM 16
Keep me SAFE, O God, for in you I take refuge.


I said to the Lord, "You are my Lord; APART from you I have NO GOOD THING."

As for the saints who are in the land, they are the glorious ones in whom is all my delight.

The SORROWS of those WILL INCREASE who run after other gods.

I will not pour out their libations of blood or take up their names on my lips.



Lord, You have assigned me my portion and my cup.

You have made my lot SECURE!!

The BOUNDARY LINES have fallen FOR ME in PLEASANT PLACES!

Surely I have a delightful inheritance.



I will praise the Lord, who counsels me, even at night my heart instructs me.

I have set the Lord always before me.

Because He is at my right hand,

I will not be SHAKEN!



Therefore my HEART IS GLAD and my tongue rejoices;

My body will also REST SECURE

because you Lord will NOT ABANDON ME to the grave,

nor will you let your Holy One see decay.



You have made known to me THE PATH OF LIFE;

you will fill me with JOY IN YOUR PRESENCE

WITH ETERNAL PLEASURES at your right hand.



WHY WOULD ANYONE RUN AFTER OTHER GODS?
WHO WANTS THEIR SORROW TO INCREASE?
'CAUSE THIS IS ALL TRUE!!! JUST TEST IT!!

Loving you all and praying for you today...
that He would make known to you the path of life
and fill you with joy in His presence
and eternal pleasures at His right hand
and you are LEARNING TO TRUST!

Song for today...
LEARNING TO TRUST by David Meece

There's a father in your sweetest dreams
Who's always there to meet your needs
He never ever lets you down
There's a mother in your heart of hearts
Who always plays the perfect part
She never lets you hit the ground.

This is the need of children
These are their tender dreams
And Oh, how it hurts when they don't come true.

That's why I'm learning to trust in You
In everything I do
Learning to trust in You
'Cause I know in my heart that you're true
I'm learning to trust in You

But sometimes it's so hard to do
Father, little children must grow up
and to grow we've got to learn to trust
And to trust, we've got to cling to you.

And when You tell me You will hold me close
It's the very thing I need the most
But it's the hardest thing to do.

I've got this pain inside me,
It speaks to me loud and clear
When there's so much to gain
There's always so much to lose.

(chorus)

Keep calling me, drawing me closer
Don't let me hold back
Whatever it takes I must break through

The heart of a child is broken
But his time has come
Whatever he lost, I'll find in You!

(chorus)

Saved!

I wrote on Isaiah 26 yesterday, but if you go back just one chapter to Isaiah 25, verses 8 & 9 are worthy of memorization!!!!

He will swallow up death forever. The sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces. He will remove the disgrace of His people from all the earth. The Lord has spoken. In that day we will say, "Surely this is our God, we trusted in Him and He saved us. This is the Lord, we trust in in him; let us rejoice and be glad in His Salvation!!" Isaiah 25:8-9

I have been reflecting on salvation. What does it mean to me saved? This world is full of so many things from which we need saved. There is cruelty, torture, defeat, betrayal, and hearts are terribly broken every day. How can He save us from the darkness in this world? Or does He just mean to save us at the end?

I love Josh Wilson's song "Savior, Please!"

Savior, please take my hand
I work so hard, I live so fast
This life begins, and then it ends
And I do the best that I can,
but I don't know how long I'll last.

I try to be so tough
But I'm just not strong enough
I can't do this alone,
God I need You to hold on to me

I try to be good enough
But I'm nothing without your love.
Savior, please keep saving me.

Savior, please help me stand
I fall so hard, I fade so fast
Will you begin right where I end
And be the God of all I am
because You're all I have

(chorus)

Hallelujah
Everything you are to me
Is everything I ever need
And I am learning to believe
That I don't have to prove a thing
'Cause you're the One who's saving me.
Hallelujah!