reviewing

I woke up this morning and decided to try to finish a book I am supposed to be writing a review for. It should have been done before now, but, timing is everything and today is the day!

This book is about our journey and has challenged me on several levels.

I am beginning to understand my kids yearnings away from the trappings of commercialism and settling as I read through this.

I always assumed my kids, especially Eric's tenderness against 'too much', was just the normal kid moving opposite direction of parents thing. But, it's not. It's consistent in him - in both our kids. They seem to get it on a level I don't.

They can follow God and exist with much less than I. Occasional conversations reveal their willingness to simply follow and an uncomfortableness with LARGE anything.

The book talked about God's displeasure with Cain and His love for Abel - the wandering shepherd. He also asked Lot to leave Sodom and be willing to wander. When his wife looked back she was turned into a pillar. I loved this line "The penalty for wanting to be a settler is that you become one." She looked back, not wanting to leave her comfortable life behind - not wanting to be a wanderer and God left her there.

This line in the book was buried in the middle of a large paragraph but it jumped from the pages at me. In many ways lately I feel I have settled. Have you ever felt that way, as if there has to be more? What am I missing? What do you want God?

I am willing to wander for the Lord - whatever that means. I don't have to be comfortable to serve Him - eternity is coming ever closer and as my life minutes move me closer toward it my life must be worthy of the Savior. I do not want to lay a big closet, nice house and stuff at His feet.

privilege with responsibility

Most privileges come with responsibility. Can you think of any that don't?

We studied this recently in the "Lessons on Christian Living" booklet. I found it very, very interesting to think about. We studied from the perspective of Christian maturity. It takes an obedient life to grow as a believer.

But even outside of that - from a worldly point of view I cannot think of any kind of privilege that doesn't require responsibility. Wealthy people should live very generous lives - providing for those less fortunate. Highly educated people should teach those less educated. People in powerful positions of authority should govern honestly and fairly. The list is endless.

It seems in many cases that privilege instead brings the very worst out in some people. An attitude of entitlement and selfishness. Or the desire for more privilege.

Although my life may not look like a life of privilege based on what I own or my bank accounts, I count myself among the most fortunate on earth. My privilege comes from the Lord in blessings of family, dear friends and co-workers and the local church. The nice thing about this kind of privilege is there is no way I can ever act as if I deserve it, or earned it. It was given to me and I recognize the value far exceeds anything measurable on this temporary earth. If you abide in the Lord - I am sure you can express the same kind of thankful joy!

Mine is not a perfect life with everything going well all the time - but it is a life of privilege.

early morning

Don't you hate it when you wake up earlier than your alarm? Such was the case for me today. I am very tired and yet couldn't sleep.

I woke up in a dead sweat worrying about my kids again. Oh, they don't really give me any reason for worry, they are awesome, just typical "how will they ever support themselves in this economy, how will they ever be able to pay off their college loans"... type of worry. So I have laundry going and I am emptying the dishwasher, but I have a feeling this early morning awakening wasn't just by chance.

Worry 1. to torment oneself with or suffer from disturbing thoughts; fret.

Interesting that the definition says to oneself, this implies worry is indeed a choice. Wow, something else to feel guilty about! (My very, very conservative Christian background kicking in again). Simply said, I think worry just means I don't trust God.

Pastor Tim taught last night about King Ahaz teaming up with a pagan King instead of placing his trust in God. He even took treasures from the Temple and gave them as a gift to a pagan king. Gee I wonder what was going to be his ending!

This made me think, when I "choose" to worry instead of falling to my knees to give it over to God, isn't it kind of the same thing. I make a choice everyday, will I trust the Almighty, Wonderful, Counselor, Everlasting Father God, or will I team up with the enemy because I insist on worrying and taking matters (even small matters) into my own hands?? What a slap in His face!

This whole Christmas thing with Jesus coming to earth didn't happen just so I could accept Him to secure my eternity. He came offering me the choice to spend my whole life with Him, His offer is to daily allow me to walk with Him, to trust in Him, to find my whole purpose for existence in Him. So what do I do instead, worry! I owe Him another apology!

When I worry I say no to Him, maybe He woke me up today to get me focused on saying yes so I wouldn't give the treasures of the day to our enemy...