Sometimes Rabbit Trails are a Good Thing

I was teaching Old Testament class recently and we were reviewing the fall of Jericho and Achan's sin when I went on a massive rabbit trail. 

I shared with the kids how Joel 2:32--"Those who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved"--gave a rebellious soul like mine hope.

And we talked about how Romans 8 helped me understand grace. 

In Romans chapter 8, we went from "there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" to "nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus" 

Show 'Em What You're Made Of!

In the hard times, we all have a chance to "show 'em what we're made of."

When life hits us below the belt, this saying is supposed to encourage us to be strong or make the right choices or to "do good stuff." 

It's not Right!

Recently I was reminded of a family member who was taken from us at a young age.

At the funeral, I hugged his mom and tearfully whispered, "It's not right for a parent to outlive a child."

It's not right for a parent to watch their child die!

It's not.

Even Though

The prophet Habakkuk (good name for your next child :) ) ends his letter with a powerful idea.  I paraphrase:

Even though the crops don't come in and the fruit on the tree is rotten...

Even though the sheep and cows are dead or stolen...

I will rejoice in the LORD. I will rejoice in the God of my deliverance.  

The LORD God is my strength. 

He will set my feet like the deer. He will let me walk upon the heights.
(Habakkuk 3)

"Even though" 

Revolutions!

Recently I saw this:  "What is your New Year's revolution?"

Of course, the grammar teacher in me immediately wanted to respond, "You mean 'resolution,' right?" 

But then I got to thinking about it...

That crazy, crazy church!

Oh, that crazy, crazy church!

Decades ago, I found myself so disappointed with the church that I had to choose between "the church" and "not the church." I chose "not the church."

I chose wrongly.

More Than We Can Handle

I have to admit...

Sometimes life is just ridiculous. Problems never seem to stop, sometimes life feels like a row of Dominos falling, crashing into one another, time after time after time.

You with me?

I know we should have the "at least you have food and roof--be content with your circumstances" perspective but my response to that platitude is: "the reason I have this problem is BECAUSE I'm blessed with a roof and food. If I didn't have those things, I'd have different problems!"

Problems are STILL problems no matter where we are at in our social or financial life.

Paul had problems...

Weight

I don't know about you, but sometimes the weight of this place is just so...there.  You know what I mean?  

Sometimes the crushing despair of this place makes me want to quit. 

Sometimes it feels like burdens are the only things we can feel. 

Just in case any of you are feeling as overwhelmed as I am right now:

Time

Ever question how often God thinks of us?

He knows

Recently, I did a graveside service for a friend's mom.  I cried.  (surprise, surprise.)  

I'm guessing many of you have cried when you've experienced loss like this as well.  

We're not alone. 

One thing

Regrets.

I'm guessing they pull (and claw and scratch) at you too. Some days I have to say this verse literally hundreds of times:

Innocent

I don't know about you, but some days I feel so ... I don't know ... dirty? worthless? Maybe just utterly ugly and broken. 

And guilty. Always with the guilt.

But then I remember this:

Nevertheless

You ever said, "Where ARE you, God!?"

I know I have. 

We're not the first.