I talk a lot about real faith on this blog (and why not since that's what it's called!). But in the past few weeks I have had the unique opportunity to watch steady, unwavering, real faith in action.
Six weeks ago, my mother-in-law suffered what we thought was a stroke. Dad called me to tell me he'd called 911 and they were taking her to the hospital. Within a week, we learned Mom hadn't suffered a stroke at all, but rather had an inoperable brain tumor. They gave her less than six months to live. All this sounds like bad news, and it was. Family flew in from out of state. We cried. We hugged. We tried to encourage one another.
But here's the thing. Mom and Dad have walked each day in God's grace, holding hands and looking up. Mom says she's ready to die. She's at peace with God and it's a win-win situation for her. She says she only feels bad for us. She worries about Dad. She hopes someone will use the pork roast in her freezer. She often says she loves us and holds our hands, sometimes with tears in her eyes. But she's calm. There's no panic or fear of dying. In her words, "I'm ready to die. I just don't know how to do it." We assure her God will walk her through those last moments of her life just as He has walked with her all the other days.
Mom spent a couple weeks in a care facility after undergoing her brain biopsy. There was an incredibly grumpy, loud woman in the next room. They had to share a bathroom. We did our best to keep Mom away from this negative person. That's the last thing she needed in her time of recovery. But Mom heard about her and heard her yelling at nurses from time to time. "I need to meet her sometime," she said. We tried to divert her and say she didn't need to. "No, I want to meet her," she said firmly. "She needs help." Mom was always one to help anyone who needed it, no matter if they were lovely or unlovely. A brain tumor wouldn't deter her. Real faith. It comes from the heart and overflows into action.
As Mom and Dad journey through these last months of their life together, I pray I'll continue to learn from their faithful example. They celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary on Oct. 14th. Nurses and aides came in to wish them well, sign their giant card and enjoy a piece of cake with them. Mom and Dad left their mark of love on each one.
Real faith walks a life of love, then it peacefully rides in a wheelchair when that time comes. Real faith looks death in the eye and says I still win.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Heroes of Faith
In the mayhem of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett dying, while the newshounds were still baying, a modern-day hero of faith died. There were no crowds, except for the throngs of people praying for him. There were no cameras. But the Spirit of the mighty God hovered at his bedside and no doubt whispered words of comfort over him. On Monday, June 29, 2009, Jon McCombs died.
In today's world we hear about the passing of celebrity superstars and the news is filled with the stories of their lives and careers. Michael Jackson's death still tops newscasts as new photos are found of the King of Pop.
In Hebrews chapter 11 we read about heroes of faith. Superstars of the Bible who are known throughout history for their great faith and love for God. People like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, and David, to name a few. That chapter is sometimes referred to as the Faith Hall of Fame.
Jon was born with cerebral palsey and had a challenging life. He had to rely on others for help with things we take for granted every day like getting out of bed on our own and dressing ourselves. His speech was difficult to understand, but his sense of humor always shone through. He loved to tease and laughter was his hallmark. I'd hear it ring out during sermons, in my Sunday school class and after church as he visited with people. He was a speed demon in his electric wheelchair and, with a gleam in his eye, he sometimes threatened to run me over.
Jon was patient beyond my understanding. He often repeated what he said many times over so I could understand him. Sometimes he'd just smile and give up on me. Once, he waited months for his wheelchair to be repaired and only requested prayer that he might get it, and the independence it brought him, back soon. I never heard him complain, but only trusted His God to do what was best for him.
Most of all, Jon loved God, and his Son, Jesus, into whose saving name he was baptized as a young man. He was an inspiration and encourager to me and many others who were privileged to know him. A new name, Jon McCombs, should be added to the Hebrews 11 list. The last two verses of that chapter says this about the heroes it listed: These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
I commend Jon for his unwaivering faith. He now awaits his ressurrection at Christ's return when he will receive the promise with all the other faith heroes who went before him--life eternal with Jesus. Together we'll all be made perfect in heart and body. The next time I see Jon, he won't be in a wheelchair. He won't be hard to understand when he talks. He'll shout God's praises and come running with strong legs and even stronger faith. How I long for that amazing day of Christ's return.
Jon was not like Michael Jackson. Or even Abraham of the Bible. But he left his own stamp on life and faith, just as you and I will. With a heavy heart, I'm thankful Jon's struggles are over. He fought the good fight. He finished the course. He kept the faith. Real faith. Just like all the other Faith Hall of Famers.
In today's world we hear about the passing of celebrity superstars and the news is filled with the stories of their lives and careers. Michael Jackson's death still tops newscasts as new photos are found of the King of Pop.
In Hebrews chapter 11 we read about heroes of faith. Superstars of the Bible who are known throughout history for their great faith and love for God. People like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Rahab, Gideon, and David, to name a few. That chapter is sometimes referred to as the Faith Hall of Fame.
Jon was born with cerebral palsey and had a challenging life. He had to rely on others for help with things we take for granted every day like getting out of bed on our own and dressing ourselves. His speech was difficult to understand, but his sense of humor always shone through. He loved to tease and laughter was his hallmark. I'd hear it ring out during sermons, in my Sunday school class and after church as he visited with people. He was a speed demon in his electric wheelchair and, with a gleam in his eye, he sometimes threatened to run me over.
Jon was patient beyond my understanding. He often repeated what he said many times over so I could understand him. Sometimes he'd just smile and give up on me. Once, he waited months for his wheelchair to be repaired and only requested prayer that he might get it, and the independence it brought him, back soon. I never heard him complain, but only trusted His God to do what was best for him.
Most of all, Jon loved God, and his Son, Jesus, into whose saving name he was baptized as a young man. He was an inspiration and encourager to me and many others who were privileged to know him. A new name, Jon McCombs, should be added to the Hebrews 11 list. The last two verses of that chapter says this about the heroes it listed: These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.
I commend Jon for his unwaivering faith. He now awaits his ressurrection at Christ's return when he will receive the promise with all the other faith heroes who went before him--life eternal with Jesus. Together we'll all be made perfect in heart and body. The next time I see Jon, he won't be in a wheelchair. He won't be hard to understand when he talks. He'll shout God's praises and come running with strong legs and even stronger faith. How I long for that amazing day of Christ's return.
Jon was not like Michael Jackson. Or even Abraham of the Bible. But he left his own stamp on life and faith, just as you and I will. With a heavy heart, I'm thankful Jon's struggles are over. He fought the good fight. He finished the course. He kept the faith. Real faith. Just like all the other Faith Hall of Famers.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Who Needs Easter Anyway?
Easter, my favorite holiday, is only a few days away, and I've been thinking a lot about it. It means so much to me because it still focuses so much on the holy, joyous resurrection day it really is. It even has a whole week leading up to it called "Holy Week" where many people turn their thoughts to the great suffering and sacrifice of Christ. Not many religious holidays, including Christmas, have managed to hold on to that spiritual focus as well as Easter has. Sure, it has gone commercial to a certain extent with the bunnies and candy and all. But I think the religious-ness of it still trumps the commercialism. I've got to wonder why that is. I mean, who needs Easter, really? Why does it mean so much?
This is my first year to enjoy being on Facebook. I get to see so many people's different viewpoints and lifepoints at random. It's like looking through a window at people's lives, some who I don't even know. Sometimes I feel like a Peeping Tom. Other times I feel like a close friend who is invited to share in someone's suffering. Here's a glance at some of the reasons we need Easter, as seen through my Facebook window just yesterday.
A young wife lost her husband unexpectedly. She desperately needs hope of the resurrection, not just Jesus', but her husband's resurrection when Christ returns.
A grandma welcomes a new grandchild into the world. Praise God! New life at its best!
A fellow writer ministers to teen moms, offering them hope for their life now and hope of the age to come.
A close friend narrowly escaped being sexually assaulted last week can know that those who love her are offering prayers on her behalf. Why would anyone pray to a dead Jesus? Praise God He lives!
These are just a few examples that came into my window's view yesterday. One day. Imagine all the days combined and all the windows (yours and mine) added together. So who needs Easter? Or maybe the better question would be who doesn't need it? We all do. Even non-believers. They need to know there's a group of believers who will pray for them in times of crisis. People who have a hope that wells up in them in the darkest times, like resurrection in the face of death. We all need hope. We all need the new life that Christ's resurrection offers. It's that hope that grows into a strong, real faith.
This is my first year to enjoy being on Facebook. I get to see so many people's different viewpoints and lifepoints at random. It's like looking through a window at people's lives, some who I don't even know. Sometimes I feel like a Peeping Tom. Other times I feel like a close friend who is invited to share in someone's suffering. Here's a glance at some of the reasons we need Easter, as seen through my Facebook window just yesterday.
A young wife lost her husband unexpectedly. She desperately needs hope of the resurrection, not just Jesus', but her husband's resurrection when Christ returns.
A grandma welcomes a new grandchild into the world. Praise God! New life at its best!
A fellow writer ministers to teen moms, offering them hope for their life now and hope of the age to come.
A close friend narrowly escaped being sexually assaulted last week can know that those who love her are offering prayers on her behalf. Why would anyone pray to a dead Jesus? Praise God He lives!
These are just a few examples that came into my window's view yesterday. One day. Imagine all the days combined and all the windows (yours and mine) added together. So who needs Easter? Or maybe the better question would be who doesn't need it? We all do. Even non-believers. They need to know there's a group of believers who will pray for them in times of crisis. People who have a hope that wells up in them in the darkest times, like resurrection in the face of death. We all need hope. We all need the new life that Christ's resurrection offers. It's that hope that grows into a strong, real faith.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Shame Voices
We all hear them. Those little voices in our minds that tell us we're less than we really are. As a writer, my voices often say things like, "Why would anyone want to read what you've written?" "That idea is so stupid." "You're a fake." There are a million variations on those themes and many more themes than I can begin to list.
So what are we to do when we hear shame voices? And just whose voice is that, anyway?
Well, I can tell you with assurance whose voice it isn't. It isn't God. The things that voice whispers in my ear are not things a loving heavenly Father would say to his darling daughter. They aren't things even my earthly father would have said. So why do I so often listen and believe that voice?
Even Jesus battled shame voices, and the scriptures tell us exactly whose voice it was. Matthew 4:1 says, "Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil (emphasis mine)." Can't you hear his sneering voice saying, "If you're the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." Come on, Jesus. Prove it. It's not unlike that voice I sometimes hear saying, "If you're a real writer you'd be published more by now. Prove that God called you to write. Prove you are who you say you are." But how did Jesus answer the tempter? With scripture. "It is written: 'Man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Three times he countered the attack on who He was with scripture.
We can do the same. Our identity is not found in what we do or where we live, what people say about us, or even how we behave. It certainly isn't what those shame voices try to make us believe.
Here's what your true identity is, as stated in the New Living Translation:
Matt. 5:14 You are the light of the world.
John 15:15 You are a friend of Jesus Christ.
Rom. 8:37 You are overwhelmingly victorious.
1 Cor. 3:16 You are God's temple.
2 Cor. 5:17 You are a new person.
Eph. 2:10 You are God's masterpiece.
Col. 2:10 You are complete in Christ.
James 1:18 You are God's choice possession.
1 John 1:9 You are forgiven.
1 John 3:1 You are a loved child of God.
1 Pet. 2:9 You are chosen.
2 Cor. 3:3 You are a letter from Christ.
2 Cor. 3:12 You are very bold.
Rev. 19:7 You are the bride of Christ.
So the next time you hear that nasty little shame voice whispering in your ear, reject it. Claim one of these verses and say it out loud. "I am God's masterpiece!" Then get back to the abundant living Christ promised us when we have real faith.
So what are we to do when we hear shame voices? And just whose voice is that, anyway?
Well, I can tell you with assurance whose voice it isn't. It isn't God. The things that voice whispers in my ear are not things a loving heavenly Father would say to his darling daughter. They aren't things even my earthly father would have said. So why do I so often listen and believe that voice?
Even Jesus battled shame voices, and the scriptures tell us exactly whose voice it was. Matthew 4:1 says, "Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil (emphasis mine)." Can't you hear his sneering voice saying, "If you're the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread." Come on, Jesus. Prove it. It's not unlike that voice I sometimes hear saying, "If you're a real writer you'd be published more by now. Prove that God called you to write. Prove you are who you say you are." But how did Jesus answer the tempter? With scripture. "It is written: 'Man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" Three times he countered the attack on who He was with scripture.
We can do the same. Our identity is not found in what we do or where we live, what people say about us, or even how we behave. It certainly isn't what those shame voices try to make us believe.
Here's what your true identity is, as stated in the New Living Translation:
Matt. 5:14 You are the light of the world.
John 15:15 You are a friend of Jesus Christ.
Rom. 8:37 You are overwhelmingly victorious.
1 Cor. 3:16 You are God's temple.
2 Cor. 5:17 You are a new person.
Eph. 2:10 You are God's masterpiece.
Col. 2:10 You are complete in Christ.
James 1:18 You are God's choice possession.
1 John 1:9 You are forgiven.
1 John 3:1 You are a loved child of God.
1 Pet. 2:9 You are chosen.
2 Cor. 3:3 You are a letter from Christ.
2 Cor. 3:12 You are very bold.
Rev. 19:7 You are the bride of Christ.
So the next time you hear that nasty little shame voice whispering in your ear, reject it. Claim one of these verses and say it out loud. "I am God's masterpiece!" Then get back to the abundant living Christ promised us when we have real faith.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is right around the corner. A time to reflect on all the blessings that God has showered down not just at this time of year, but all year long. Maybe even your whole life long.
Here are a few of my new blessings this year:
A contract to write four books in a series of 24 for tween girls
Seeing my daughter and her family buy their first home
Watching my younger daughter blossom into a beautiful pre-teen
Listening to my son's band's latest CD
Teaching other writers at Glorieta Christian Writers Conference
Witnessing the marriage of Justin and Kara, two kids who seem like my own
Taking my grandsons to the AZ Diamondbacks Fanfest
Hearing that my grandson, Ethan, who is slightly autistic, miraculously began talking at school
Older blessings that never grow stale:
Living life with my sweet hubby, Rollin
Going to Petco with my daughter
Listening to messages from my grandsons on the answering machine
Making friendly wagers on the American Idol outcomes
Going to church with my family
Laughing with friends
Playing canasta with the Sorensons on Friday nights
Making my children laugh
Growing in my faith
Lifelong blessings that bring me unspeakable joy:
My faithful mom
My funny sister
My slightly more serious brother
Memories of my godly dad, now gone three years
Extended family
Faith
Unconditional love
Knowing God is there for me
Supporters and encouragers
Prayer
These lists are far from exhaustive. I could write forever, but I won't. You get the idea. God is good all the time. Blessings abound every minute if you keep your eyes open in expectation. This Thanksgiving, don't forget to thank God for the little things that make life so rich. That's real faith.
Here are a few of my new blessings this year:
A contract to write four books in a series of 24 for tween girls
Seeing my daughter and her family buy their first home
Watching my younger daughter blossom into a beautiful pre-teen
Listening to my son's band's latest CD
Teaching other writers at Glorieta Christian Writers Conference
Witnessing the marriage of Justin and Kara, two kids who seem like my own
Taking my grandsons to the AZ Diamondbacks Fanfest
Hearing that my grandson, Ethan, who is slightly autistic, miraculously began talking at school
Older blessings that never grow stale:
Living life with my sweet hubby, Rollin
Going to Petco with my daughter
Listening to messages from my grandsons on the answering machine
Making friendly wagers on the American Idol outcomes
Going to church with my family
Laughing with friends
Playing canasta with the Sorensons on Friday nights
Making my children laugh
Growing in my faith
Lifelong blessings that bring me unspeakable joy:
My faithful mom
My funny sister
My slightly more serious brother
Memories of my godly dad, now gone three years
Extended family
Faith
Unconditional love
Knowing God is there for me
Supporters and encouragers
Prayer
These lists are far from exhaustive. I could write forever, but I won't. You get the idea. God is good all the time. Blessings abound every minute if you keep your eyes open in expectation. This Thanksgiving, don't forget to thank God for the little things that make life so rich. That's real faith.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Higher Than You Can
I had the enormous pleasure of having my three little grandsons overnight last Friday. What fun we had! We played Monopoly Jr. and Candyland, went to the park and read books at bedtime. Ethan, 5, and Seth, 2-1/2 , both had new tennis shoes. Jamie, 7, did not. Ethan delighted in showing Grandpa and I how high he could jump in his new shoes. Jamie delighted in encouraging his younger brother. "Wow, Ethan! You jumped a whole foot in the air!"
Not wanting to be outdone, little Sethie quickly showed us how high he could jump, too. He cleared the floor by about three inches. Of course he received our praise! But I was most impressed with Jamie's response. "Seth! You jumped...you jumped," he searched for something good he could say about the tiny jump he'd just witnessed, one clearly not as good as Ethans, or certainly not as good as he could do himself. "You jumped...higher than you can!" Seth beamed.
I've thought about Jamie's words of praise many times since then. How often do we try that hard to encourage someone? What would the world be like if we all struggled to think of good things to say about each other?
I have lots of good friends in my life, ones who encourage me and lift me up when I'm down. They also celebrate achievements with me and make me want to do my best. They truly make me better than I am on my own. They make me jump higher than I can, live truer than possible in my own strength. Their prayers hold me up when I'm weak. They show me what real faith is all about. Do you know someone who needs encouragement? Take the time to struggle for just the right words. Be genuine. Be God's messenger to them today.
Not wanting to be outdone, little Sethie quickly showed us how high he could jump, too. He cleared the floor by about three inches. Of course he received our praise! But I was most impressed with Jamie's response. "Seth! You jumped...you jumped," he searched for something good he could say about the tiny jump he'd just witnessed, one clearly not as good as Ethans, or certainly not as good as he could do himself. "You jumped...higher than you can!" Seth beamed.
I've thought about Jamie's words of praise many times since then. How often do we try that hard to encourage someone? What would the world be like if we all struggled to think of good things to say about each other?
I have lots of good friends in my life, ones who encourage me and lift me up when I'm down. They also celebrate achievements with me and make me want to do my best. They truly make me better than I am on my own. They make me jump higher than I can, live truer than possible in my own strength. Their prayers hold me up when I'm weak. They show me what real faith is all about. Do you know someone who needs encouragement? Take the time to struggle for just the right words. Be genuine. Be God's messenger to them today.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Take Care
Blah. Exhausted. At the end of my rope. That's how I'd been feeling. Maybe a little angry and resentful, too. I felt grouchy and put-upon whenever anyone asked me to do anything for them. Especially my family. It seemed to me that everyone's needs always came before my own. If one of them needed something, I dropped whatever I was in the middle of to deliver a forgotten item, look up an invoice amount, check on a fact or two or whatever else the immediate emergency required. Meanwhile, my to-do list grew and grew. Laundry, grocery shopping, dishes, paying bills, helping with homework, writing on deadline, studying for the Sunday school class I teach, answering phone calls... you get the idea. When would my needs matter? When would my tasks be as important as everyone elses? I can throw an impressive pity party complete with streamers, confetti and gourmet food.
So what was the problem? Me. As much as I hated to admit it, I was the problem. It wasn't my family (as I'd hoped). I was the one putting unrealistic expectations on myself. No one asked me to drop what I was doing. I happen to have a very sweet husband and a fabulous daughter. Their requests weren't demands. They were simply requests that I could say no to or do at a more convenient time. But the real, down deep problem was that I was failing to feed my spirit.
As a writer, part of my job is reading. But I felt guilty sitting around reading a book when my husband was working his tail off to make a comfortable living for us, and my daughter was slaving away at school. Was it OK to sit and quietly do something I love to do? Or what about taking a nap when I felt tired? I felt like I had to sneak it in without anyone knowing about it. How ridiculous! So here's what I did.
I decided I'd do whatever my spirit told me to do. If I felt tired, I laid down. If I felt like reading, I read. I treated myself to lunch out if I felt like it. I exercised at the gym and ate right. And wonder of wonders, I had more energy. I actually felt more like tackling my to-do list. I was more pleasant to be around. I treated myself as I would others.
When was the last time you read a book, took a bubble bath, or had a good laugh with a friend? Don't wait until your tank's on empty. Fill yourself with the blessings God has placed in your life. Live the abundant life He promised you. Enjoy it, free of guilt. We can't take care of those He's entrusted to us if we haven't first taken care of ourselves.
So what was the problem? Me. As much as I hated to admit it, I was the problem. It wasn't my family (as I'd hoped). I was the one putting unrealistic expectations on myself. No one asked me to drop what I was doing. I happen to have a very sweet husband and a fabulous daughter. Their requests weren't demands. They were simply requests that I could say no to or do at a more convenient time. But the real, down deep problem was that I was failing to feed my spirit.
As a writer, part of my job is reading. But I felt guilty sitting around reading a book when my husband was working his tail off to make a comfortable living for us, and my daughter was slaving away at school. Was it OK to sit and quietly do something I love to do? Or what about taking a nap when I felt tired? I felt like I had to sneak it in without anyone knowing about it. How ridiculous! So here's what I did.
I decided I'd do whatever my spirit told me to do. If I felt tired, I laid down. If I felt like reading, I read. I treated myself to lunch out if I felt like it. I exercised at the gym and ate right. And wonder of wonders, I had more energy. I actually felt more like tackling my to-do list. I was more pleasant to be around. I treated myself as I would others.
When was the last time you read a book, took a bubble bath, or had a good laugh with a friend? Don't wait until your tank's on empty. Fill yourself with the blessings God has placed in your life. Live the abundant life He promised you. Enjoy it, free of guilt. We can't take care of those He's entrusted to us if we haven't first taken care of ourselves.
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