nkwhite

Easy vs. Important

I believe that either the entire Bible is true, or it is completely false. So, if we start on the premise that the Bible is true, let’s look at somethings we know are true.

God is the creator of all things. God is for us. God has a plan for our lives. God wants our lives to be abundant in every way.
We have an enemy who has three moves – steal, kill and destroy. His sole purpose is to keep people from becoming Christians. Once you’ve surrendered your life to Christ, you pronounce Him Lord. After this, the enemy can only keep you in darkness. He may try to douse your light and make you less effective for the kingdom. He can’t steal your salvation but he can steal your witness or your influence.
Christ lives in us. We have the Holy Spirit to guide us. He helps us in all areas of our life.

Think on these statements. One or two might be applicable in your life.

It’s easy to go to church and be seen. It’s harder to serve and to take the church outside the building.

It’s easy to have a 3 minute devo that you push play for. It’s harder to study the Word and learn yourself what it means.

It’s easy to work and to do your job. It’s harder to learn something new. It can be challenging to believe that perhaps the Holy Spirit is leading you in a new direction.

It’s easy to say, “Sure – I’m doing well.” It’s harder to say, I’m hurting, struggling or are sick. It’s harder to let people in.

It’s easy to scroll social media or to watch TV. It’s harder to spend time having important conversations or being with others who need you.

It’s easy to say, “Hey!” and keep on walking. It’s harder to stop and look into the person’s eyes and ask the real questions.

It’s easy to eat the carbs and sugar. It’s harder to have a meal plan and to stick to it.

It’s easy to be in a rut. You might call it a groove or the zone. It’s simple to just do the same thing day after day. It’s harder to sit in silence, to take account of your life, to inquire the Lord’s direction.

It’s easy to say – I’ll do that tomorrow. It’s harder to eat the frog today.

Some important questions to ask yourself may be – how am I spending my time? Who is first in my life? What/who am I neglecting? Am I growing? Where am I stagnate?

I am thankful that we can always ask Jesus. We can repent and surrender our lives (mind, body and spirit) to Him again. And then by all means – ask Him what He wants us to do. Where does He want us to direct our focus? Where does He want us to change? Trust that He is for you and He is with you.

Isaiah 43:19 (NLT)

For I am about to do something new.
See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

Time for Reflection

It is Holy Week. The week before Easter Sunday.

A time to reflect more purposefully on what Jesus did for us.

Just some things to think about. He knew what was going to happen at the end of the week. How did He spend His final week?

He got His house in order. He drove out the merchants who were selling animals for sacrifices.

He persisted in living out His calling by continuing to teach in the Temple.

He spent time with His closest friends.

He served others. He washed the feet of his disciples – including the one who would betray him.

He worshiped God (His Father) and sang a hymn.

He prayed earnestly, honestly, fervently.

If you knew you had less than a week to live, would you do any of these things?

Thank you, Lord! For living and dying for me. For continuing to teach me, being with me and loving me. In spite of all of the betrayal…all my sin. Thank you, Jesus!

(Suggestion – spend some time in the Bible this week reading about the Triumphal Entry, the clearing of the Temple, the Last Supper. Picture yourself in the story. Because you are. He did all of this for your heart. For your redemption.)

Some Days are Hard

There will be trouble. (Don’t we know it?)

I caught up with a friend the other day. She was feeling a bit blue. She had witnessed two horrendous car accidents. Another friend has a physical ailment and a family member just called off their wedding.

My mom went to lunch with some friends. She said her pastor was leaving. Some of her friends were sick. Others had uncertain futures.

I just now received a group text that someone’s family member is currently having a stroke. He had one a couple of days ago too.

There is a lot going on that is heavy. Have you ever walked into a room and could just feel the weight of everything from everyone?

The rest of the verse from John 16 states, “But take heart, because I (Jesus) have overcome the world.”

Jesus is the constant. Everything in our world goes up to down- good to hard- sunny to stormy. Jesus is the constant.

So thankful that some things never change. God loves us so much. He is in control and has a plan. He is always working even when we don’t see it. He comforts us and listens to us and holds us.

I don’t understand. But, I trust You.

Thankful

It was a beautiful Tuesday morning. Spring in Alabama.

The sky was a wonderful blue. The trees are budding along with the wisteria and azaleas.

I know for many people the pollen makes this time of year more enjoyable from inside. Thankfully, I do not suffer with allergies as others do.

We were scheduled for early morning and we were the first patients of the day. Tim had his choice of treatment chairs. They didn’t look very stylish but they recline and are heated.

Annabelle was his nurse and she was great. She and Tim bantered back and forth like they had known each other for years. When she was about to find a vein, I walked away and studied the wall.

I noticed the long hallway of similar rooms – 6 treatment chairs each. People were starting to find their spots. The room where Tim was started to fill. So many people.

Tim was there for an iron IV. Others for chemotherapy treatment.

The iron started to flow without any negative side effects. I took the time to walk outside. I walked around the building several times. It is a large building with different parking areas. I counted three available spaces. So many people.

I walked through the lobby and noticed it was full. So many people in various degrees of health. Some with support people and others by themselves. Some conditions were noticeable and others were unseen.

As I made my way back to where Tim was, I was granted access at the opposite end of that long hallway. So many people.

Some nurses were talking to Mr. Patterson. They noticed his new haircut and asked about a recent trip. He apparently is a regular.

This experience has overwhelmed me with gratitude. I am so thankful for medicine and for health care workers. People who love what they do in caring for others in a vulnerable state.

Thankful for volunteers who cheerfully give coffee, mints and chocolates to patients. Thankful for the janitor who greets everyone with a cheerful hello and good morning as she pushes her cart.

Thankful for my sweet husband who rarely complains. Thankful for health. Thankful for my body that can move.

Always be thankful. God is so very gracious.

21,335

Did you know you can find anything on the internet? It still fascinates me when I wonder about something and start researching it. I save a lot of time if I just start typing my question into the search bar.

21,335 is the number of days I have been alive.

Sometimes, it doesn’t seem like much.

There are other times when I am acutely aware of how long some of those days are.

In Psalm 39:5 David writes, “Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
Remind me that my days are numbered—how fleeting my life is.”

The Lord has been constantly reminding me to use the time I have been given wisely.

I’m better at this some days more than others.

I had plenty of time to write yesterday. I had finished work and knew what I was going to make for supper. I had walked with Xena, the wonder dog. The time was available to me.

But I didn’t use it wisely. I thought I would have plenty of time this morning to write.

But then I had a rough night. Xena needed to go outside several times. I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t get comfortable.

And then I did sleep after Tim left. I was so grateful. But now I’m ‘behind’ on what I thought I would be doing today.

Again, another reminder that I don’t know what the day holds, but I know Who holds the day.

I don’t know how many days I have left in this world. I know I have eternity with Jesus.

But, I have things to do now. Things God has asked me to do and given me time to do it. I need to stop trying to figure out how. I should just move forward and trust that He has already figured it out for me. I can rest knowing that God is for me. He will equip me to do what He has asked me to do.

I need to trust. I need to remind myself over and over and over again.

Use the time I have been given wisely.

Treasured Possession

When I lived in Florida, a tremendous thunderstorm rolled through one afternoon. I don’t remember a lot of rain. But there was a lot of lightning.

My parents were visiting for the weekend and mom and I were out shopping. The storm was getting worse so we decided to head home.

When we arrived, my dad was walking out of the house with his and mom’s clothes. He said lightning had struck the house and there was a fire.

Mom and I walked into the house. I didn’t see any flames but there was a lot of smoke. The fire was in the roof.

I told mom to get out and I would grab Spaz the cat. I found the cat carrier and the cat and then just stood there for a moment.

I was trying to figure out what else to grab. I couldn’t think of anything. The fireman arrived and strongly suggested that I leave.

While I watched the battle of fire and water, my mind thought of other things that were inside. There were precious letters from someone who was no longer living in this world. Photographs and yearbooks that showed the story of my childhood. These things were lost for good.

We all have treasured possessions. They are people and things that cannot be replaced. These are people and things we hold close to our hearts. We want to protect and love them as best as we can. We could live without them but, we do not want to.

Deuteronomy 7:6 says, “For you (Israel) are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.”

The people of Israel were God’s chosen people. They were set apart (holy) from all of the other people on the earth. They were His treasured possession.

Believers, having been adopted into this family, we too are His treasured possessions. He protects and loves us. We are prized and cherished and are precious to Him. Jesus died for you. You are worthy because God says you are worthy.

1 Peter 2:9 reminds us again that we are chosen and holy, a people for His own possession.

He chose us and made a way for us to live with Him forever.

Friend, remember today and every day that you are seen, known, and dearly loved.

Steak and Oatmeal

I’ve mentioned before that my eyes are becoming weaker. Sometimes I wear a pair of reading glasses when I’m just doing stuff around the house. I really should wear them more often in the kitchen.

I like steak. My sweet husband Tim would prefer to have steak at every meal when he isn’t eating Mexican. I enjoy the treat every now and then.

I also enjoy oatmeal with cinnamon and blueberries. Just a splash of almond milk (or whatever milk is in the fridge.) It warms me.

The other day I was preparing some oatmeal. The oats were in the bowl and I picked up what I thought was cinnamon. I could tell as soon as I sprinkled some that it was not. It was steak seasoning. Garlic, pepper, salt…. Nothing you want in your oatmeal.

I hadn’t sprinkled much. It would have been easy to just remove the tainted oats. I could even see where the seasoning was if I had put on my glasses.

But I didn’t.

I reasoned that it wasn’t that much. I added extra cinnamon and some honey just to be sure I wouldn’t be able to taste the steak seasoning.

I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that it tasted awful. It was a nasty combination of mushy oats with garlic and honey.

And yet, I ate it. I was hungry and thought that it would eventually get better.

It didn’t. I finally dumped a spoonful or two into the garbage. But I had eaten nearly the entire bowl.

Why did I continue to scoop the disgusting concoction into my mouth?

I think it was because I stopped thinking. I was going through the motions and wasn’t thinking on purpose.

There were multiple opportunities for me to get rid of the root of the nasty taste in my oatmeal. But I didn’t take them. The best time, of course, would have been when I first discovered my error.

And so it is with my sin. When I say something that is hurtful, rude, or gossip, I should stop immediately. I need to recognize it for what it is and apologize. I should remove the tainted oats.

When I do something ‘in secret,’ I often try to cover my actions with lies. I tell one lie after another. I should just be honest from the beginning. Then I wouldn’t have to remember which lie I told to whom.

How often do I try to cover it up? I try to make it more pleasant by heaping sweet and pleasant things on top of it. Or I ignore the problem and just go through the motions of living.

That’s not how I want to live. I am a daughter of the Most High God. My life is to reflect Christ. I need to change.

Oh, Holy Spirit! Search me! Point out anything that isn’t of You and convict me. Then change me with more of You and less of me. Help me to immediately remove the tainted oats in my life.

He Listened

After nearly 19 years of marriage (make that 19 wonderful years of marriage), my sweet husband Tim heard me.

When Tim and I started dating, he went over the top for Valentine’s Day. There was a bear and some chocolate. I think he got a card.

I spent our first Valentine’s Day with Keith Urban in Nashville. Granted, Mr. Urban had no clue, but we were in the same room. It counts.

I told Tim it was just another day. I really (honestly) didn’t want him to feel like he HAD to tell me how much he cared for me because the greeting card/chocolate/balloon/stuffed animal people said he had to.

I told him to just bring me flowers on a random Tuesday. There was no sense in spending major dollars just because it was February 14.

Tim tells me every day that he loves me and that he appreciates me. I am very blessed.

But recently, on a random Tuesday, he brought home flowers. I was over the moon.

Being heard and understood is so very important – in every relationship.

Do I listen? Do I hear and understand?

Not always, for sure. Thankful the Lord does.

Just Saying…

I am someone who wants to use words- both written and spoken- to build others up. When friends share something that I have written to encourage others, it confirms this desire.

Whew! I’ve said some words over the past week that were not encouraging nor profitable to anyone. I have gossiped.

Such an ugly word. But, by definition, did I *really* gossip?

Cambridge Dictionary defines gossip as “casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as being true.”

I had a casual conversation (check) and said something about someone else (check.)

Someone I trust told me what this person said. I’m sure the statement was true. (Not check.)

So did I really gossip?

Let’s go to the Bible. (Eeek!)

In James 4:11 and Colossians 3:8, it talks of slander. It’s spreading rumor or lies to purposely damage. I did not do that.

Or did I?

It wasn’t a lie. However, would I have said it if the original speaker were present? Why did I say it? To make someone laugh? To be “in the know?”

Did what I say uplift the other person? No. I had mocked them. It made them appear petty or ignorant or unkind.

It made ME petty, ignorant and unkind. *ouch*

As soon as it came out of my mouth, I was convicted. (Thank you, Holy Spirit.)

A couple of days later, I found the one I had spoken to and pulled her aside. I confessed my sin of ‘saying something I shouldn’t have said.’ She knew what I meant.

She said, “Thank you for saying that. I have been struggling with gossip lately too.”

Wait – I just said something I shouldn’t have. Oooo, she named it as gossip.

And she was right.

And then the next day, I did it again.

I have some work to do. It definitely starts with being aware of what comes out of my mouth.

And things that come out of my mouth start with my thoughts.

Philippians 4:8 – Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Thank you, God, for forgiveness. Thank you, Spirit, for conviction. Thank you, Jesus, for your example.

Help Me to See

As my age increases, my eyesight decreases and I can’t stand it.

My friend needed glasses at an earlier age and she tried to explain to me what she saw. At that time, I didn’t understand everything being in a constant state of blurriness.

And now I do.

When I first put on my new prescription glasses, it was amazing to see things so sharply. Everything had an edge to it.

Without the glasses, I could maneuver and get by. With the glasses, I see the colors and shapes and details so much better. It adds beauty in my life that I didn’t know was missing.

I thought about this richness as I was reading Leviticus this morning.

There are rules, festivals, and sacrifices – so many sacrifices! The movie version of the ark is gold and shiny. After reading this book, I can only see it dripping in blood.

There is so much detail in the description of the sacrifices – who, what, when, how answered over and over again. I do not know how the priests kept it straight! Do I pour the blood – or sprinkle the blood? Which finger do I use? Is this for the sin offering? The guilt offering? For my sins? The peoples sins?

I have asked God to open my eyes and to let me see what He wants me to see when I read His word. Some things have come into focus.

God reminded the people again and again that He was the Lord, the One who brought them out of Egypt. He reminded them that they were chosen and they were to live differently than the people around them. They were to offer sacrifices to Him only. The sacrificed animal was to be perfect and without blemish.

Jesus was the final perfect sacrifice. One without sin who was sacrificed for my sins. His blood was splattered for my transgressions.

I think the Lord is showing me through Leviticus that on my own, I cannot atone for my sins. No matter how good I think I am or how clean I am, I am not able to pay for my own sins. Because I am not perfect.

But God. He made a way for you and me to be in a right relationship with Him. Jesus stepped in for us and was offered as the final and complete sacrifice for our sins. My sins are paid for – past, present and future.

When I focus in on this detail, I am overwhelmed at the love He has for me. I am so grateful and marvel at the detail, the beauty of this.

Do you know this beauty, this love? He made a way for us all to have eternal life with Him. Thank you, Jesus!