forliberty--a brave heart's quest for freedom

My Response to Mass Shootings and Violence

What does a person do when trying to rest and recover from her third chemo treatment?  If she’s me, she wakes up early and composes her response to the recent mass school shooting.  Like everyone else in the country I’ve been heartbroken, and grief stricken for the families, the school the community and our nation.  I pray for them all to know God's peace and comfort. I ask, "how do we make this stop?"  I haven’t responded to other’s posts, as I don’t feel Facebook posts are the way to try to sway opinions.  My Facebook goals are to give family updates and try to spread positivity and faith.  When I couldn’t get it off my mind this morning, I knew it was time to write what I’ve been prayerfully considering.  If you feel you need to comment, please be respectful. (see point #3)  I think we need honest dialog and difference of opinions, but without the hate and anger.

I’ve organized my thoughts into three categories:

1. Gun legislation: I don’t think gun legislation will solve the problem.  Shooters are not law-abiding citizens.  Something else is going on in their hearts.  No matter how many laws we have, they will find ways to get the firepower they need.  Disarming law-abiding citizens could only make the problem worse.  If a shooter knows he (it’s almost always a he) will be unopposed until the armed law enforcement arrives, he can do much damage.  In any case, legislation will be further divisive and take a long while to get it done.
2. Long term and could be near term solutions:
   1. Harden targets. There’s no reason a shooter should be able to walk into an unlocked back school door and enter an unlocked classroom in the middle of school hours, start shooting and barricade himself in.  First step in hardening the school:   Lock all doors. Security policies already in place do no good if they’re not consistently adhered to. Leave one door open with controlled entrance with armed security and metal detectors.  Figure out how to secure open areas such as cafeterias and playgrounds.  Fencing may help and also armed guards and security cameras.  Rather than children feeling like they’re in an armed environment, they will feel safe to be free and learn if they know they are protected.  Also consider letting willing, trained, vetted, and designated staff and volunteers inside the school and on school grounds to conceal carry.  If a shooter is immediately opposed, much violence may be prevented.  Also, when the armed law enforcement arrives, they may be quicker to enter the scene if they know they already have backup inside.  The Uvalde police reportedly waited one hour outside the school for a tactical team to arrive.)  There’s no excuse to say we don’t have funds to make our schools secure.  We spend all kinds of money to protect “important” people and events.  We send billions if not trillions overseas to help other countries protect themselves.  We have $1.3 trillion of unspent covid relief money dedicated to schools.  Hardening the schools seems like a good use for it.  It’s time our precious children become our number one priority.
   2. Evaluate what these shooters have in common, what the root causes of violence are, and figure out how to prevent the carnage.
      1. Family breakdown and fatherlessness: Who is going to teach these young men how to be God-fearing, responsible, good citizens?  How do we support single moms and be sure no one is left to fend for themselves on the streets?
      2. Bullying: Yes, we need rules and consequences for bullies.  But who is going to love on those being bullied?  Who is going to teach them their life has value and purpose?  Who is going to teach them they can be victorious overcomers and support them until they get there?  We can’t expect teachers to bear this responsibility alone.  Parents, family, friends, neighbors, community services and faith based communities all need to have a role to play.
      3. Dignity of life: It’s hard to feel your life has much value if you’re abandoned or neglected by those who should be nurturing you. If your parents are addicts or criminals, what else can you learn but anger and violence? When society as a whole is willing to rip babies out of their mother’s wombs or allow them to die after birth if they’re unwanted, how can life be seen as precious and God given?  There are ways to prevent unwanted pregnancies:  birth control before conception, abstinence until you’re ready to be a parent, and pregnancy support and adoption after delivery are options.  We need to see all life as having dignity and meaning if we expect our young people to grow up not hating themselves and society.
      4. Movies, media and violent video games: We are told that what we think rewires our brains.  Sitting for hours watching violent movies with the hormones attached from adrenaline and strong emotions can’t help but imprint on the brain.  (films about school shootings like Run, Hide, Fight and others)  Hours of isolation playing unsupervised, violent video games seems to be common preparation for shooters.  We as a society need to say these are unacceptable.  (I’m a strong first amendment supporter, but there has to be some common sense from the industry and parents.  Lack of demand will make these projects unprofitable)
      5. Drugs, gangs, homelessness: The unrestricted flow of drugs through our southern border and other avenues are having a huge tole on mental health, and especially crime and death.  The same is true of gangs.  Unattached youth are looking for somewhere to belong.  Joining a gang or becoming a pusher or groomer for sex trafficking are ways to establish community.  We need to target loners without family support and get them connected to healthy peers and adults.  We also need better support for our veterans, so they don’t become victims of crime or addicts and end up homeless.  They deserve better after serving our country and coming home with physical and mental scars.
      6. Law enforcement: Cutting police presence doesn’t deter crime or allow for rapid response when a crime is in progress.  (Think about the Buffalo 911 call which was not processed in a timely fashion.)  Also, not enforcing laws already on the books, or not holding criminals when caught is no deterrent.  When criminals know they will only be booked and released back to the street without having to post bail, the financial and thrill benefits of crime override and deterrent. 
      7. Dividing us on right/left, racial, oppressor/oppressed, pro-life/pro-choice, vax/anti-vax ideologies is causing so much hatred, suspicion and division. We are blessed and will be able to solve these issues when we are unified in our love and respect for each other. We are finally unified on saying “enough” to school shootings.  No one wants to see another one or see families and communities put through this horror.  We need to come to a place of good faith communication, strategizing and planning.
      8. Politics, unions and school boards: It seems we can’t trust politicians to act in the best interests of children.  They push their agenda and grab for power.  Parents have the ultimate concern for their children’s well-being, including safety when they’re at school.  It’s time to give parent’s more of a voice and to take them seriously.  Many of the surviving parents from past school shootings have good ideas about what needs to be done.  Let’s listen to them and not expect politicians to come up with all the solutions.

3. Ultimate Solution:    Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (NLT)  In order to have true peace and rest, we need to come to Jesus in  repentance and trust Him for salvation and guidance.  We need to let Him teach us how to be humble and gentle.  Being humble is not to be weak.  It’s to take the needs of others in consideration over our “rights.”  It’s to remember that there is a God, and I’m not Him.  It’s to submit to His guidance and will.  Being gentle is not a weak word either.  It’s the Greek word praus which means getting angry at the right things, in the right condition of mind and heart.  It’s demonstrating gentleness in power and balance born in strength of character.  It’s to stand up for the needs of the vulnerable and weak.  If we learn from Jesus, we can address all these problems in the right way and come to a place of rest for our souls.  We can rest in His love for us and all other humans.

Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope

March is Women’s History Month. The 2022 theme is “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope.”  As my tribute to the contributions women have made throughout history, I want to recognize women and highlight one little known woman from the Bible.

Our Pastor Stan Russell preached a few weeks ago about Deborah, a woman prophet, priest, leader and warrior in the Old Testament. (See it at horizoncommunity.church. It was very thought provoking and informative. Plus, as only a strong male leader in the Church can do, Pastor Stan apologized to women for the way the Church has treated them in 2^nd class citizens.)  God has never had a problem recognizing and empowering women. His Church has sometimes glossed over all of the wonderful women in the Bible and history.  I’m not a feminist in the sense of demanding our rights and putting down men.  (Do you ever notice these women don’t exhibit much joy?)  But, I do recognize the special place Jesus had in His ministry and care for women and that women and men are joint heirs as children of God.

I know many women who have exhibited this year’s theme of “providing healing and promoting hope.”  Some of them are in this picture from a get-together we had today:

Not many of them are of any public notoriety. They might not even consider themselves of much worth. Yet here they are after years of faithfulness to God. They care day by day for their husbands, children, grandchildren and children they know.  They serve their church and community, and they're there for each other.  They’ve lost parents and lost spouses. Some have had painful divorces and some have seen their children and grandchildren struggle to make sense of life and faith. They support each other in physical and emotional challenges they face, and even in caring for a husband with dementia. They accept their roles and seek to live every day following Jesus, loving others and demonstrating hope.

These ladies are not unlike a woman in the Bible named Hagar in some ways. You can read her story in Genesis 16:1-16 and 21:8-21. The Bible tells us she was an Egyptian slave serving her Hebrew mistress, Sarah.  What do we know about slaves? They basically have no identity of their own.  They go where their masters direct, serve at their master’s pleasure, and have their own needs met after all else is done, if they get met at all.  They are “invisible.”  They have no voice; no one to defend them. In Hagar’s case, Sarah forced her to have sex with Sarah’s husband in order to produce an heir for him. 

Once Hagar became pregnant, Sarah wasn’t happy with the new status Hagar had as the potential heir bearer.  It got so bad for Hagar that she ran away. It’s degrading enough to be a slave, but to be a runaway slave?  Even though she had no earthly defender or protector, she found she wasn’t alone.  The angel of the Lord appeared to her as she hid out in the desert. God came to her to comfort and encourage her. The angel told her she would bear a son. He would be named Ishmael (God hears), yet he would be wild and come against God’s people. We don’t know what experience Hagar previously had with God, but she was greatly moved by this encounter.  She gave God a new name—El Roi, the God who sees me.

The descendants of Ishmael and the son  Sarah would later bear (Isaac) haven’t had a happy relationship throughout history.  I don’t want to concentrate so much on what it meant for these two women to have sons through Abraham.  Galatians 4:23 tells us these are son of the flesh (Ishmael) and son of the promise (Isaac). I want to direct our focus instead on who God was to Hagar and who He is to us 21st century ladies.  Hagar ran away again after Sarah’s son was born and Sarah was cruel to Hagar and Ishmael. This time Hagar took her son with her and sat down to die when they ran out of water. Again, the angel of God called to her from heaven and encouraged her not to be afraid. God had again seen her and had a plan for her and her son.

This is where I want to make a comparison to women in our day. Many of us feel unseen. Many of us may feel we don’t have a defender.  Maybe we’re verbally or otherwise abused. (As a disclaimer I don’t think God requires us to remain with an abuser.  Legal action and safe boundaries are always appropriate.) Maybe we feel we don’t have much worth or purpose. we may feel we've used up all our resources and are dying of thirst.  God comes to us through His Word and reminds us He is the God who sees us. He knows where we are and what insecurities we have. He reminds us he has a plan and He wants us to keep carrying out His purposes.  He wants us to keep providing healing and promoting hope.

Shannon Bream in her book The Women of the Bible Speak offers this summary on page 221, “The women of the Bible are unique. Some of them were brave and believing from the start. Others felt overwhelmed by and unsure of the assignment set before them. Some had great positions of power, while others were outcasts. Some were devout, while others lived in sin and defeat. It doesn’t matter if we view ourselves as weak, inadequate, faithless, or afraid—especially if we view ourselves as weak, inadequate, faithless or afraid –God has us on assignment.”  He sees, He hears, He knows and He loves.  He wants to use each of us to extend His love to others. Then we too an be recognized as a woman of history woman of history.

Expect the Unepected

I haven’t posted to my blog in quite some time.  I’ve spent all of 2021 dealing with cancer:  diagnosis, radiation, surgery to remove the large tumor in my leg, 3 more surgeries to clean out the wound which didn’t want to heal because of the radiation, and now waiting to see how we’re going to deal with the metastasized tumors in my lungs which are still small.  I’ve only had enough mental and physical energy to rest, recover and do limited chores around the house.  I thank God for my hero husband who has transported, advised and cared for me all year.  I thought today is the time to do some writing again since I am feeling well and stronger.

This week I’ve been thinking about expectations.  I never expected to get cancer.  I want to lean into my faith in God and pray He’ll be glorified in all of my life.  So, how do I handle something I never expected to happen?

First off, I don’t want to put my expectations on what He is doing.  My life is not my own since I surrendered to be a follower of Christ over 50 years ago.  I trust Him to work in my life because He loves me so, and all His ways are just and true.  He is good.  False prophets were condemned in Ezekiel 13, verses 6 & 7, for imagining they could force God to act in accordance to what they command.  “Their visions are false and their divinations a lie. Even though the Lord has not sent them, they say, ‘The Lord declares,’ and expect him to fulfill their words.  Have you not seen false visions and uttered lying divinations when you say, ‘The Lord declares,’ though I have not spoken?”  I believe the Lord did speak to me about Him being able to take care of the tumors in my lungs.  Just because that hasn’t happened yet that I know of or may not happen, I don’t want to authoritatively demand that He fulfill those words.  I may have misunderstood, or He may have another way of taking care of them.  In any event, I trust in His goodness.

So, what can I expect in this unexpected circumstance?  I looked into the Greek dictionary meaning of many of the words in Ephesians 3:20,21 for encouragement.  Here’s the verse with some of the word definitions from blueletterbible.com in parenthesis after them: “ Now to him who is able (capable strong, possible to do) to do immeasurably (exceedingly, super abundantly  on behalf of) more (out of measure) than all we ask (call for, crave, desire, require)  or imagine (understand, perceive, consider, wonderful work), according to his power (miraculous power) that is at work (active, efficient) within us,  to him be glory (dignity, praise, honor, worship) in the church (a calling out, assembly)  and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations (every age, nation, time), for ever and ever (perpetuity past, present and future)! Amen. (firm, trustworthy, surely, so be it)”

I crave, call for and desire my healing from cancer.  More than that, though, I want God to be glorified.  He is worthy of all dignity, praise, honor and worship.  If that can be accomplished best in my life through cancer, then I’m willing to go through whatever comes. I pray many will see His glory and turn to trust Him as they watch me walk this journey.

God has always been the God of the unexpected.  In Isaiah 64:3 & 4, we’re given this promise:

For when you did awesome things that we did not expect,
    you came down, and the mountains trembled before you.
Since ancient times no one has heard,
    no ear has perceived,
no eye has seen any God besides you,
    who acts on behalf of those who wait for him.

So I’ll wait for Him and see what He works out in my life.  I’ll remain expectant and watchful to see how I can cooperate with what He is doing and I’ll expect the unexpected.

(May I just say how much joy this has given me to be at the computer and put down some of my thoughts again?  I’m so encouraged.)

Surgery and the Control Freak

Mom reminded me last week that I’ve always been rather independent.  She reminded me of my 2^nd birthday.  After the cake and presents, she and dad left for the hospital where my baby brother was born early the next morning.  That was back in the days of strict visiting hours and children not being allowed in the maternity ward in hospitals. My grandparents struggled to get to the hospital to visit my mom.  They were trying to dress me, and my war cry was, “Do it myself.”  We finally got there before visiting hours ended.  I was sent to a waiting room while one at a time the grandparents visited the patients. There was a nurse who reminded me that I couldn’t go see my mom and baby brother.  She said, “You see this line on the floor?  You can come this far, but no farther.”  When she had her back turned, I just had to step one foot over the line to prove that I was the one in control.  I consider my strong-will and urge to be in control part of the gift package of leadership I’ve always had.  Of course, Ive needed to learn to use it with humility and grace toward others and not let my independence become my greatest weakness.

This urge to be in control has served me mostly well in the various teaching and leadership positions I’ve had throughout the years.  It didn’t serve me so well when it came to facing my cancer surgery.  I texted a friend the morning of my surgery: “It’s so peaceful to be covered in prayer knowing the Holy Spirit is close.  I was just praying His presence would completely fill me today and He will take authority over the surgery room, recovery room and my hospital room.  I’m not anxious but feel vulnerable being so dependent on others and out of control.  I’m learning to rest in His peace and relax with what comes.”  And that’s just what I did with God's help.

When we got to the hospital, Byron wanted to take this picture in the waiting room to remind us of God’s word in Isaiah 45, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. ² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.³ For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;”  (Can you see me just to left of center behind the flames?)

We knew surgery and the recovery afterwards would be a fiery trial for me as I may never again have complete mobility and strength in my leg.  So, I relaxed as they didn’t have a room for me after recovery.  I was put in a mini-“room” separated from the hallway and rooms around me by glass doors.  I was also right next to the only bathroom on the hall with industrial flushing sounds going on all day and night.  I could hear every conversation in the rooms around me.  I did have the privilege of sharing about a half hour during the night with a nurse who came in to give me iv antibiotics.  She told me her life story and I told her I’d be praying for her.  I had opportunity to pray for other nurses and patients as well, so I figured I was right where I was supposed to be.

    The next day I was moved to a “palace” room on the stroke/eeg floor.  I had windows looking out on the campus where Byron had gone to Med. Tech school 50 years ago.  I had more opportunity to be praying for more staff and to encourage a young man named Elliott in his faith.  A sweet p.t. tech came to my room and taught me how to do stairs so I could go home.

I’m nearly one month post op now.  The trial continues, but I’m clinging to another verse from Isaiah. 

You will keep in perfect peace
    those whose minds are steadfast,
    because they trust in you.
⁴ Trust in the Lord forever,
    for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.   

Isaiah 26:3,4

This control freak is learning dependence on others.  It’s not bad, but I sure do look forward to a little more independence in the days ahead.

Faith vs the Giant of Cancer

I never expected to battle cancer; well maybe breast cancer because it’s quite common, but I’d never even heard of a large soft tissue cancer in the leg.  At the end of last year I was diagnosed with a large sarcoma cancer in my left thigh.  I immediately knew this wasn’t all about my diagnosis, but what God was doing in my life.  You see, my life is not my own.  I was bought with a price when Christ died on the cross for my sins and I accepted His sacrifice on my behalf.  I trust Him now with my life because He loves me so and all his ways are just and true.  So, I decided I didn’t want to waste this journey on a pity party.  Instead of asking, “Why me God?” I decided to ask “How will you use my cancer journey for your glory?  How will you use me to help build Your Church on earth?”  I haven’t given up faith that God will heal me, yet there’s so much more involved.

I also knew this was and is a challenge to my faith.  Do I really believe what I just wrote in the last paragraph?  To encourage myself in the faith, I looked again at Hebrews 11 in the Bible.  It’s called the faith chapter because it recounts the faith decisions of many of the people mentioned in the Old Testament.  One interesting thing to me is that these people were far from perfect.  There isn’t hardly a noble character in the whole bunch. Yet in spite of their personal flaws, they chose to believe in the certainty of what they couldn’t see.  They chose to take God at his word.  Verse 2 says they earned a good reputation because of their faith.  Can you believe that?  A murderer, coward, sex addict and so many others received a good reputation and are documented for eternity as heroes of faith.  I also am far from perfect, yet I see from these forerunners that God can use my faith to build a good reputation in me.

Verses 26 and 27 in Hebrews 11 talk about Moses keeping going despite the overwhelming circumstances.  It says he was able to persevere because he kept his eyes on the invisible God and was looking ahead to his heavenly reward.  That’s a good word for me.  If I can keep my eyes on God, I will see all around me the opportunities to partner with Him in His work here on earth.  I’m able to do that because my ultimate reward isn’t on this earth.  I will be able to spend eternity with Him and will enjoy the fruits of my labors for always.

Verse 34 contains one of the most encouraging points of the passage.  When listing those who never saw the outcome of their walk of faith on this earth, it says their weakness was turned to strength.  I count on God coming through on His promise in 2 Corinthians 12:9 & 10:  “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (NIV)  I have a special privilege in this current place of weakness due to cancer to experience the strength of Christ being sufficient for all I need.

I have just completed the first part of my cancer experience.  I just had five weeks, five times a week, of radiation treatments.  I was only on the treatment table 15 minutes a day and much of that time the techs were positioning me or out of the room.  I knew I wouldn’t have much chance to get into a deep discussion with them.  God placed on my heart to spend the time on the table praying for them.  I didn’t know where that would lead, but a different “theme” came to me each day as I prayed.  I prayed they’d experience the sweetness of God’s character.  I prayed for their peace, joy, and contentment and that they would see His beauty in creation.  I prayed they’d hunger and thirst to know God.  One day things seemed fairly tense, so I prayed for unity and forgiveness amongst the team.  Mostly, I prayed they’d know how very much God loves them.  I may never know the results of any of these prayers, but they were prayed in faith. 

Next up will be my surgery to remove what’s left of the tumor on April 15 and all the appointments pre-op and post-op.  (Interestingly and surprisingly to my Radiologist, the tumor has shrunk significantly during radiation.  Don’t get too excited, as it started out 4” x 4” by 12,” so it’s still quite large.  My husband has been doing his own private medical research for over 50 years.  Part of God’s plan in all of this may be for him to be able to share some of what he has learned with some of the professionals we meet along the way—as in the supplement I have been taking which may work on the cancer.  None of them have heard of it or how it works, so he’s had fun explaining it.) 

I’m going to choose to keep looking and be ready for ways for God to use me to encourage faith in others throughout my journey.  Verse 4 in Hebrews 11 says Abel is long dead, but still speaks to us through his example of faith.  I wrote in my Bible several years ago that I want this to be said of me, too.  May I speak long after I’m gone through my example of faith, especially as I endure this battle with cancer.  “For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!  So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.”  (2 Corinthians 4:17-18; NLT) 

Ringing the Bell When Radiation is Completed

The Maskless Woman

The to-do list of the “Virtuous Woman” in Proverbs 31 can be intimidating for many Christian women.  She is to be admired, of course, and we strive to be like her.  I think verses 25 and 26 of Proverbs 31 give a clue as to why she is so virtuous.  “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.”  Her “to-do” comes out of her “to-be.”  I have a feeling that if there were a Proverbs 32, we would find out more about who this woman is.

In Life Group today, (home group of ladies who now meet via ZOOM.) we were talking about hypocrisy based off of Pastor Josh Davis’ sermon last Sunday.  I would recommend watching it at horizoncommunity.church, especially if you feel Christians or church goers are a bunch of hypocrites.  The ladies in my life group are not hypocrites.  In our discussion we were challenged to share what stands out to us about the most non-hypocritical people we’ve met.  I thought about those characteristics and combined them into a fictional woman.  Since the word “hypocrite” is derived from the Greek word for actor, or mask wearer, I call this fictional Proverbs 32 woman “The Maskless Woman.”  Here is her tribute:

Who can find a woman without hypocrisy.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          She is a treasure most comforting.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     When you’re in her presence, you can relax and be yourself.

When you sit down to talk with her, she looks directly in your eye.                                                                                                                                                                                                                You know you have her complete attention.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        She listens to understand, not to make her response.

She welcomes you into her home with warm hospitality.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  No matter the state of her home, you know she’s glad you came.                                                                                                                                                                                                                    She will no doubt make you a cup of tea and offer chocolate if she has any.

She listens with respect, and no judgement is in her thought.                                                                                                                                                                                                                           You can talk to her about anything and know she’s sincerely interested.                                                                                                                                                                                                      You can tell she genuinely cares about you.

If you’re rejoicing, she shares in your celebration.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  If you’re in pain, she sits in silence with an arm around your shoulder and helps you bear it.                                                                                                                                                            When it’s time for words, truth and encouragement come from her lips.

She’s not just there for the good times.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  She sticks with you when times are hard.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            You know she loves you either way and won’t abandon you.

She reminds you of who you are in God’s sight.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   She tells you that all of His children have questions.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  She can tell stories of His faithfulness in the past and give hope for the future.

She freely shares her own struggles.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    She’s open and honest, and invites you to be open and honest, too.                                                                                                                                                                                                            Humility is her hallmark as she considers no one to be beneath her.

She loves you too much to let you stay with the consequences of your bad choices.                                                                                                                                                                                   She will offer you resources and support until you are back on your feet again.                                                                                                                                                                                             She will share loving correction and suggestions for growth and not gossip about your struggles with anyone else.

Her eyes may hold a sparkle of humor or she may shed a tear.                                                                                                                                                                                                                       You feel you are her “favorite,” though you know she has many favorites.                                                                                                                                                                                                   You want to stay with her forever, yet she challenges you to go out live the life God has called you to.

Her character is forged from her sincere relationship with God.                                                                                                                                                                                                                         She is grounded in the Bible and her counsel comes from it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                          You can count on her prayers being powerful and effective as she prays for you.

She wears no mask, nor does she need one.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        She is secure of who she is in Christ Jesus.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     The good fruit she bears will be all the praise she needs.

 

As I mature in Christ, I want to be more and more like this “Proverbs 32” maskless woman.  As I become more like her, I know the good deeds personified in the Proverbs 31 woman will flow from my developing character.

 

© 2020

Beth Yancey

Attitude Adjustment

I’ve been finding it’s a mental and spiritual battle to keep from sinking into doubt and confusion in this season.  It seems like we’re hit with a new crisis or tragedy every day.  It’s hard to see a path forward when there is so much unknown and loss.

Then I went to a drive-up prayer meeting last night. We sang songs of praise to God and joined in worship.  We read Scriptures that are as relevant today as when they were written.  And then we prayed.  We gave thanks and prayed for our world, or nation, our state and community.  We prayed for our church and the Church of Jesus Christ world-wide.  It was wonderful to join with my fellow believers again.  Being in community gives opportunity to strengthen each others’ faith.  We don’t feel so alone or isolated when we meet in community.

At the end of the service, I was reminded of what one of our former children’s pastors always said.  When the kids were getting squirrely or whiney in children’s church, he would simply say, “attitude adjustment.”  The kids knew it was time to re-focus on God and what He was saying.  Time to leave the bickering, anxiety and boredom aside.

The Lord spoke to me, and maybe He’s speaking to you, that I needed an attitude adjustment.  One of the speakers had just spoken about the valley of dry bones in Ezekiel 37.  It seems I have been focusing on the “dry bones” or current circumstances and not on how the Lord can breathe life into even barren, dry bones.

Sitting outside and looking at our church/school building,  I began remembering back to when our Christian school started nearly 40 years ago.  After the first year it seemed like there would be no way to go on.  We didn’t have enough money, kids or staff.  It seemed like all we had was dry bones and a calling from the Lord to raise up a Christian school for His glory.  Somehow, the Lord birthed in our hearts the faith to turn away from fear and hopelessness over the path forward.  We began saying, “I can’t wait to see how the Lord shows up and provides.”  He did provide and the school has grown to serve pre-k through High School along with a day care. 

The Lord challenged me to look at the barrenness and fear all around me.  I don’t see what the path forward will look like.  I do know none of it is a surprise to God and He knows just where He is heading.  I’m going to start proclaiming, “I can’t wait to see how the Lord breathes life into this situation.”

I am thinking of the young people who were at the prayer meeting last night.  Forty years from now, if the Lord doesn’t return, their generation will be facing a new challenge.  They will be able to look back to 2020 and see how the Lord was working.  They will follow our example and say, “I can’t wait to see how the Lord shows up this time.”

Reconciliation Prayer 5

Dear Father, As I’ve been praying for the division that is tearing us apart as a nation and around the world, I keep coming back to love.  Teach us to love each other sincerely, or as Miles McPherson says in his book The Third Option, teach us to honor the image of God in each other.  Teach us to love with the kind of agape love that is only possible as it comes from your Spirit into our hearts. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

            Teach us to be patient with each other.  Help us to endure as we each listen to each other and grow and change to be more of what you want us to be.

            May we be kind—not just kind in our thoughts.  Show us how to seek out and act on kind deeds toward each other.  Let these kind deeds not just target those we know and understand, but also those who are different from us in culture, beliefs and appearance. 

            May we never be jealous of each other.  Let us rejoice with those who rejoice and be genuinely happy for the blessings you have given out.

            Keep us from boasting.  As we realize all good things come from you, let us humbly accept your favor on our lives.  As bragging seeks to elevate ourselves and tear down others, please break that boasting spirit that might tempt us to brag.

            Let us never be arrogant.  As with bragging, pride is so against who you want us to be.  May we never elevate our position nor look down on another soul made in your image.

            As we engage in dialog with each other, check us if we are tempted to be rude.  Unseemly behavior is so ugly as it attempts to dehumanize another.  Let us never go there.

            May we never insist on our own way.  We get so conceited that we are right, that we insist others join our way.  Let us give others freedom to have and express their opinions without having them conform to ours.  Let us learn from each other and perhaps change if we need to.

            Keep us from being irritable with each other or from provoking each other to anger or violence.  May we be those who loving pour the peace of Jesus on volatile situations.

            May we never be resentful of each other.  This goes beyond jealousy to wishing harm on others.  It is wicked to conclude we have the right to harm another, and you abhor it.

            Show us how we have perpetuated injustice.  May we not only see injustice, but actively pursue righteousness.  We may need to lament and ask forgiveness for where we have been wrong.  Give us courage and humility to do so.

            May we seek out and rejoice in the truth.  Your Word is truth.  Let it transform our character to display personal excellence.

            As we learn to bear all things, may we cover with silence those things that don’t need to be spoken.  If we are going to be offensive or confrontational, teach us to guard our speech.  We need to learn to speak the truth in love.

            We choose to believe in and trust you.  Strengthen our faith to be a firm foundation for expressions of love to come forth.

            We wait in hope for you, Lord.  We are full of joy and confident in your plan, purpose and promises.

            You began and ended this passage on love with patient endurance.  Let us have courage and keep mentally strong as we endure the process of forming a more perfect union.

Only you, Jesus, can bring us to a place to love and honor each other.  As we learn to love your way, real, lasting change will take place. So again, we ask for your Spirit to be poured out.  Bring a revival of turning hearts to your salvation.  Soften our hard, bitter hearts.  May we hunger and thirst for your righteousness and justice.  Break the spirits of hatred and division.  We cry out in Jesus’ name, amen.          

1 Corinthians 13:4-7: “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud  or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.  It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.  Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”

#forliberty   #prayerforreconciliation

Prayer #4

Dear Father, We’ve just come off Independence weekend when we in the U.S. celebrate the blessings of living in a country based on Judeo/Christian principles of freedom and rule of law under God. Thank you that our founders had the foresight to look to you for guidance in writing our Declaration, Constitution and Amendments. Thank you for the truth that all men are created equal and that it’s you who give us our inalienable rights. We mourn and lament that these principles haven’t always been equally applied or realized. We humble ourselves and ask for forgiveness for treating any of your children with injustice. Justice is a big deal to you, and we have too often fallen short. Yet, we don’t want to be like the fool in the Bible who tears down her own home. Show us how to build a “more perfect union” with justice fairly applied to all. Let us build and improve until all truly participate in the American dream. Show us how to soften our hearts and listen to those who feel they haven’t been heard. Help us work together to provide opportunities for stable families, good education, good jobs, wealth accumulation and equality for all American citizens. We stand against a spirit of anarchy which would divide and destroy us. We stand against pride and political posturing that would obstruct progress for political gain. We know that only as individuals turn their hearts to you, will we be ready and willing to work for the good of all our citizens. Send a revival of your Spirit to our country. We pray in Jesus’ name, amen.

Proverbs 14:1 “The wisest of women builds her house,
but folly with her own hands tears it down.”

Hebrews 3:12-15 “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. As it is said,
‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.’”

#forliberty #prayerforreconciliatio

Reconciliation Prayer 3

Our Father, We thank you that you are our good, good Father.  Thank you that you are for us and always loving and providing for us.  As we pray for reconciliation on this Father’s Day, we acknowledge the extreme impact fatherlessness has had on dividing our country.  Those who grow up without a father in the home often lack direction and instruction.  They are many times more likely to grow up in poverty, leading to lack of opportunity.  A good father models how to be a productive citizen and to challenge oneself to succeed.  So, we cry out for a return to the value of fatherhood.  May the Church lead the way in modeling and providing father figures for those without fathers.  Give our local, state and national governments good ideas for encouraging fathers to stick around and parent their children.  Train those who haven’t had a role model in how to be good fathers.  Heal the hearts of those who don’t have fathers or who have had such a bad example that they are deeply hurt. You are the ultimate example, so we look to you to set the standard.  Turn the hearts of the fathers back to their children.  Break the spirit of rebellion in those children who don’t or can’t honor their fathers.  May strong families be the new normal for our country.  Please break the success of any who would want to abolish the nuclear family and diminish the importance of fatherhood.  It is a spiritual attack on your very image of “Father,” so we ask it would be broken in Jesus’ name.  We praise you and have great hope that much can be restored and established as we return to following your ways.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Malachi 4:5-6“Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. ⁶ His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise I will come and strike the land with a curse.”

#forliberty   #prayerforreconciliation