Life in the Midst of Mess

Chapter One of The Grace of Catastrophe by Jan Winebrenner (2005) appears by permission of Moody Publishers.

God is what He is in Himself. He does not become what we believe. 'I Am that I AM.' We are on safe ground only when we know what kind of God He is and adjust our entire being to that holy concept.
A. W. Tozer

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
Ephesians 1:18-19

Desperation makes us do strange things—things like sit up all night in a cheap motel and read the Bible out loud.

It’s not something I’d usually do after a day on the road. On my best day, I’d probably watch a little TV, read a novel, then turn out the lights, and get to sleep early.

But let a catastrophe strike, and God has my attention.

The rest is here.

This really got me thinking...

Christian amusements

(J. R. Miller, "In Green Pastures" 1890)

Amusement must never become an end in life. Itmust always be a means, a help on the way--just as sleep is, just as rest is. An hour's amusement, should be to you, just what a night's sleeping is. It should make you stronger, clearer-headed, braver, calmer-souled, more hopeful, more earnest, more enthusiastic--inspiring you for godly living.

Anything which leaves a taint of impurity upon the life, or starts a thought of impurity in the mind, anything which degrades or debases the soul--is an unfit and unworthy amusement for a Christian. Christian amusements must be such as do not harm spiritual life; they must be means of grace.

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do

~ do everything for God's glory!"

1 Cor. 10:31

Daily Supplies

(Thomas Vincent, "Love to the Unseen Christ")

Such as are very wealthy, are greatly loved by the poor and indigent—if they find them also to have large hearts and open hands—ready to distribute unto their needs and necessities.

Consider Christ's fullness and all-sufficiency. None have such fullness and plenty as the Lord Jesus Christ—and none are so willing to give unto the needs of such as are poor in spirit, and sensible of their need.

"It has pleased the Father, that in Him all fullness should dwell!" Colossians 1:19. There is not only fullness in Him—but all fullness! Not the fullness of the cistern—but the fullness of the fountain! Not the fullness only of sufficiency for Himself—but the fullness of redundancy for His people! Not some fullness for some good things—but all fullness for all good things! Not fullness for some time, and to continue but for awhile—but all fullness dwells in Him, and abides for all His people throughout all generations!

Christians have need of daily supplies of Christ's grace. They have need of Christ . . .
when they are dark—to enlighten them;
when they are deadened—to quicken them;
when they are straitened—to enlarge them;
when they are weak—to strengthen them;
when they are sad—to comfort them;
when they are tempted—to support them;
when they are fallen—to raise them;
when they are in doubts—to resolve them;
when they are under fears—to encourage them;
when they stagger—to establish them;
when they wander—to restore them!
None but Christ can do all this—and more than this, for them!

You are empty—Christ is full!
You are poor—Christ is rich!
You are indigent—Christ is all-sufficient!

Christians, will not you love Christ—who is able to do for you beyond what you are able to ask or think; and is as willing as He is able to supply all your spiritual necessities? Will you not love Christ—who is an overflowing and everflowing fountain of goodness; who has inexhaustible treasures of graces and comforts in Him, which are set open before you, and unto you—and every day you may freely come and fetch such jewels out of His treasury as are of higher worth, and of greater use, than any earthly riches!

Timely Clarification

One Minute Uplift
Your weekly one minute inspiration from Rick Ezell
11-01-07

Compass or Clock?
By Rick Ezell

"But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in your hands" (Psalms 31:14-15 NIV).

A friend said, "My problem is that I have surrendered my time to work, to other people, and to bad habits."

Then truly that is the problem. We should first surrender our time to God. God owns it anyway. Our task is to manage properly what has been entrusted to us until he returns or wants it back, including our time.

Think about a compass and a clock. Two very important tools, but two very different instruments. One would be wise not to confuse the two. To surrender our time to God is to be governed by a compass rather than to be controlled by a clock. A compass provides a sense of direction, purpose, vision, perspective, and balance. A clock measures duration, the expenditure of time. A compass determines effectiveness-doing the right tasks. A clock determines efficiency-how long it takes to accomplish a task. Both have their place. But, the compass must come before the clock, therefore, effectiveness before efficiency. The "mega priorities" of the compass subordinate the "mini priorities" of the clock.

A compass, therefore, becomes a symbol of an internal guidance system that provides us with our values and convictions based on God's Word. This non-negotiable governs our lives. In the same manner that the gravitational force pulls the compass needle; it is God that governs the drive of our lives. We surrender to his force.

Our time should be surrendered to God daily. I asked a friend who is engaged in many pursuits successfully, how he managed it all. He said, "I give my first minutes to God, then I commit the remainder of the day to his Lordship. And amazingly I work more effectively and efficiently."

Have you surrendered your time to God? Is your time in his hands?

About the Author
Dr. Rick Ezell is a husband, father, author, pastor, consultant, coach, conference leader, and communicator. Rick has a Doctor of Ministry in Preaching from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Master of Theology in Preaching from Southern Baptist Seminary. He has published over 450 articles and sermons in various Christian publications. While authoring six books he has served over twenty years in pastoral ministry. Rick, Cindy, and Bailey currently reside in Greer, South Carolina.
www.rickezell.net

When One Hurts, We All Hurt

Our pastor informed our congregation today of this news:

"Dann, a member of the Sovereign Grace Church in Pasadena was in a serious car accident very early Wednesday morning. He is a pilot for Southwest Airlines and was driving his VW van from the Oakland Airport. I do not have details of the accident except that the van rolled and his head hit the windshield and steering wheel very hard. He suffered a broken clavicle, L-3 vertebrae, and a skull fracture.

"He was rushed to the UC Davis Medical Center where he is still being treated. There have been encouraging signs indicating no paralysis (responding to commands and able to move hands and legs) but the immediate concern was to relieve the swelling of the brain. After a four hour surgery yesterday afternoon, the swelling was down.

"I received a call telling me that the swelling had increased this morning. I do not understand how swelling is measured but to give you some reference, the swelling was in the 20’s shortly after the accident, was down to less than 10 last evening, but this morning went back up in the 20’s.

Please take some time today to pray for God’s mercy and power, asking for the swelling to go down and for our friend's full recovery.

"Thank you for praying."


Additionally, Diane sent this e-mail to us:

"Steve reminded me last night that Dann read Psalm 34 in church on Sunday. I woke up this morning and was reading it and was freshly reminded of God's kindness even in the midst of what feels like a devastating circumstance.

I will bless the LORD at all times;

his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

My soul makes its boast in the LORD;

let the humble hear and be glad.

Oh, magnify the LORD with me,

and let us exalt his name together!
I sought the LORD, and he answered me

and delivered me from all my fears.

Those who look to him are radiant,

and their faces shall never be ashamed.

This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him

and saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps

around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!

Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

"How kind of God to remind us all, through Dann, of His unending faithfulness and His compassionate care for us. God knew what we needed to hear.

"Seeking the Lord, together with you." ~ Diane

Its been a while....

Since I have updated things. Katy was in Texas, living as a guest on an Army base for a while, finding out what her life might look like. Ty's orders have come in, and for right now, he is considered "non-deployable". He is a Cav Scout SSG in the "Army Weapons Evaluation Force" and gets to try out all the experimental stuff - traveling from Texas to Alaska to Louisiana. It might be fun for him. Katy has decided to do the Baking program. She & Ty attended Hillside Baptist Church- nope.... and SG El Paso - liked the people.
Lord, please speak to her, giving her peace, letting her know where next to step

Michelle and Michael seem to be doing well. Michelle is due soon and after a flurry of "nesting activity", is starting to feel quite tired - and having random contractions.

Oh yes, and I turned 53. wow. A lot is in front of me. I need to have the Euclid House fixed up to rent the first floor. I will work on the second. Chris will be having some funds removed from Mom's annuity, since he cannot work right now. That will help take some of the burden off me. Between renting and the annuity, that will be considerably less I will have to make this year. I want to have us be a little more secure financially, as we will probably be spending more in '08. I'm still deciding what to do work-wise. I suppose on paper, the best thing would be to rent out Euclid completely - to replace the house payment and have them handle utilities. That would take everything except property taxes, upkeep and insurance off me. Not sure where I would work, though. Katy asked that I not become some one's "Employee" until she is out of the house. My time would be a lot less flexible. Of course, God can change anything he wants, but she could be gone as early as this time next year...wow.

I am also VERY excited about Christmas this year. What a party it will be! Michael& Michelle and little Carson, Sam&Cassie& kids, Ty and his family, the Currans and my dad and mother-in-law! happy! happy! Joy! joy!

Katy "texted" me today just to tell me she loves me. No reason other than that. Regardless of anything that might happen work or money-wise, those three little words, "love you mom" - is all I need to feel successful. To meet a financial goal is fun and rewarding, but to forever effect my children's life is the deepest joy I could ever know.

Off to Kansas City

It's Friday morning. Today at 3pm the movers come for a preliminary walk-through to see what all we'll be moving. As soon as they're finished, Tim and I are heading for Kansas City for a weekend of househunting.

I'm struggling with anxiety over finding a house. We will turn over the keys to the house that I'm sitting in (and that I have come to love dearly) in 20 days. And I find my frail heart quavering about where and what (and the all-important WHEN) the next house will be.

Let's see...I've been homeless HOW many days in my life??? Oh, yeah. Zero.

We've moved HOW many times in our married life??? This makes #3. And during that time we spent HOW many nights in our car due to a lack of provision??

(sigh)

While we are praying for "daily bread" (which for us is a house in the KC Metro area, in the right place at the right price with the right features), more than anything I want us to walk through this transitory process with the faith of little children who wake up on Christmas morning, hands open and outstretched, eagerly and excitedly waiting for whatever their Father places in their hands. He is the Giver of All Good Gifts, and He does all things well, and I want so much to receive what He gives us with joy, thanksgiving, contentment, and gratitude--even if it is very different from what we are currently picturing in our minds. I want to remember that our perspective is so very limited, and His is infinite; our motives are so mixed, and His desires for us are pure; our wisdom is given by Him but tainted by our flesh, and His wisdom is perfect.

The sovereignty of God has been my sure path these last several days. My thoughts are tempted to stray to that desolate Land of "What if...?" My only hope is to look down at the sure Rock under my feet: God is Sovereign. And look! There's another Rock just like it, one step in front of me. And another...and another.

I know that God loves to hear the praises of His people in the midst of a challenging time (I can't call what we're going through a trial; it feels like a less secure place than others in our life, but I know that in comparison, it's not even close to a trial), but I admit that I am very much looking forward to being able to praise Him from the other side of this!

The Unerring Hand of Infinite Wisdom

"My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please."

Isaiah 46:10

Nothing is so calming and comforting to the Christian pilgrim, as the assurance of Divine Guidance in every, even the most minute circumstances which befall him.

Without this perception of his heavenly Father's care, a thousand intricacies must beset his path. He must be staggered at almost every step. But when he beholds, by faith--the unerring hand of infinite wisdom, wielding the stupendous machine of human events--causing everything to promote the spiritual good of His people--then he quiets himself as a little child, and can say with cheerful resignation, "Father, not my will, but yours be done."

In such a world of change and trial, how inestimable is a calm reliance on the wisdom, power, and love of God. It fully compensates for the lack of temporal ease and wealth. If, without our heavenly Father, not even a sparrow can fall to the ground; if the very hairs of our head are all numbered--how composed should we be.

The reins of universal nature are in the hands of Infinite Love! This vast complex machine is guided by Infinite Wisdom and Power! The Almighty Ruler of the sky cannot be taken by surprise. Nothing unforeseen can happen to cross His purposes or thwart His designs. All worlds are open to His view.

If this Great and Glorious Being is our Father and our Friend--then our privilege is to rejoice at all times, and in everything to give thanks. How consoling and encouraging is the assurance that the blessed Redeemer of my soul, is the Great Sovereign of the Universe! Without His permission nothing can happen in the vast dominion over which He sways His scepter! To His will every creature must bow--either in willing obedience, or in just and endless punishment!

"Lord, be pleased to impart unto me, your unworthy servant, this spirit of confidence in You. May I see Your hand in all the events of life--ordering the the minor, as well as in the greater movements of Your Providence. This watching and waiting for the manifestations of Your guardian care--will fill me with thankfulness for all my mercies, and make me patient under all my trials."

"My times are in Your hands."

Psalm 31:15

(Thomas Reade, The Sovereignty of God)

God is Good!

We celebrated our 7th anniversary yesterday (Sunday) by hosting an Open House to sell our home...and God has brought a buyer. After only 2 weeks on the market, we're just one tick away from signing a contract; we made a counteroffer on a very small point and are waiting to hear if it's acceptable to the buyer. If so, we'll head to Kansas City this weekend to look for housing there. Right now the closing date is June 28th. (Yes, just 24 days away...)

This move is giving us an opportunity to walk out our faith (as does every situation that God puts us in.) It's not a realtor or a person who has the power to hold us hostage by either agreeing or refusing to buy our house. It's God alone who sovereignly and graciously brings what we need.

Now we have the chance to trust God for the provision of a house in the Kansas City Metro area. We've begun to look at houses on realtor.com and have decided on an area to begin our search.

It's a great adventure!

I Got Dressed Yesterday, and Today, Too

I've been struggling. I thought I've been keeping it hidden but since I'm so deceived, I've probably been deceiving myself about that. (See Jeremiah 17:9 about that.) Regardless, of late I've been having a hard time locating a reason to get out of bed, get dressed, or do much of anything constructive. This really is not like me or so I'd like to think.

I think these past 16 months have been a stretch. Who could've foreseen unemployment at this stage of life, let alone 16 months of it? But then, why not? All around me I see people going through much more difficult and significant issues than what's happening in our little corner of life. Why would I think we should be untouched by the effects of a sin-filled world? Why wouldn't it be our turn to be in a position to turn our eyes to Christ and learn what it means to fully trust Him for all our needs? But for God and His gracious kindness and mercy, where would we be? To whom could we turn? Our God is a faithful God and worthy to be praised. He has supplied each and every need, in abundance, and right on time.

I found this little message from Rick Ezell to be helpful. His words bring helpful perspective.

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But It's Mine . . . Wrong!
by Rick Ezell

As subjects of God's kingdom, our time on earth, along with our energy, intelligence, opportunities, relationships, and resources are all gifts from God. He has entrusted all these things to our care and management. The first job God gave humans was to manage and take care of God's "stuff" on earth. This role has never been rescinded. Everything we enjoy is to be treated as a trust that God has placed in our hands.

From the beginning of Scripture we are reminded over and over again that God owns it all. He created it. He owns it. It belongs to him.

Yet everyday we face the temptation to play the part of the owner. Here is where the dark side of ownership is manifested, and trusteeship is often abandoned.

In the final book of the trilogy The Lord of the Rings, J. R. R. Tolkien introduces the tragic figure of Lord Denethor, chief steward of the kingdom of Gondor. Denethor has ordered Gondor's affairs for years while waiting on the coming king. But as he waited, he grew comfortable of the throne-and reluctant to relinquish it. When the new king arrives, Denethor refuses to step down. In the film version, the wise counselor Gandalf rebukes him: "Authority is not given you to deny the rule of the king, Steward." Denethor shouts back: "Rule of Gondor is mine and no other's!"

Desperate to cling to what was not his own, Denethor lost sight of his rightful place. His life is symbolic of the small and pathetic existence of those who forget they are trustees and think of themselves-like God-owners.

God's view of your life and mine is that of a trust. God has never said to humanity, "All this is yours." Instead, he says, "All this is mine. But I am entrusting it to you. Use it to honor and serve me." You and I would be most wise to draw clear lines between investing and exploitation, between management and control, between caretaking and domination, between use and waste. You and I would be well advised to remember that all we possess is a gift from God. It is ours on loan, not ours to own.

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