I read something a friend recently wrote and it touched me so much that I asked permission to share. If we were lucky enough to have family who helped lay our Christian foundation, it is important for us to honor them with our time and prayers...and tell them Thank You! Here it is - Thanks Amy Kirkpatrick for sharing!
"I went to see my great-grandmother the other day at the nursing home. She’s 99 and it’s a rare day that she remembers any of our names. But, this day was a good day! Not good because she knew who I was, but good because of the moment. I showed up briefly to say hi and to be on my way. My dad was there and as always, asked me to play the piano. I didn’t have any of my music with me and was very hesitant, but I knew how much it meant to him. He found a hymnal for me and in my head I was thinking, “Yeah! Not only do I get to sight read songs I’ve never played, but it’s a hymnal!” ha ha. I played a few songs and the last song I played was “The Old Rugged Cross”. As I started, I began to sing the words. My allergies were acting up and my voice was hoarse, but shortly after I began I heard my great-grandmother start singing. She sang every word of the song from memory, as I played it through 3 times. When I finished, she said, “Now that was fun.” My eyes started to water, because at the end of the day, even though she probably didn’t recognize me, she knew the words to this amazing song about Christ. Even though her mind confuses her, her one constant was and is still God.
After a moment, she looked at me and said, “I have been blessed with great children and I hope the good Lord lets me stay around longer, so that I can just be with them.”
Isn’t it amazing the things the mind thinks of or remembers? To be in that moment and to see the thoughts of a mind that constantly searches, yet seems to be so founded in that one thing. Christ says he is not a God of confusion, but instead, gives our minds peace. I was left in this moment, in awe, completely able to see Christ’s beauty, wonder and power. It let me see a glimpse of everyone’s purpose in this world. I think at times we have a tendency to discount people because of their old age or health issues, but God never does. Every living person has a specific purpose in Christ. My great-grandmother, even in the midst of her fragile state, only claimed God."
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Customer Service
What's up with customer service these days? From the check-out lines at Wally World to the drive-through window at McHeartAttack it seems like the world is full of angry, hateful mumblers just waiting for their shift to end. An example - when I get my morning Fruit and Yogurt Parfait from the Dollar Menu, I deposit my money at the first window with the lady in the headset who takes my $1.09 without ever looking up. Then I drive to the second window where my food is hanging out the window, flapping in the breeze like a ring waiting for the jouster to pick it off the hook. They are expecting me to roll through without engaging the person attached to the other end of the food, but I foil their plan every time! I actually stop, say hello, smile and tell them to have a great day, at which point they scowl as if to say "dare me."
There is one place that I always receive amazing service - a local Village Inn. Every Friday morning I meet my dad for breakfast, which we've been doing now for about 3 years. We began meeting at IHOP and fell in love with a waitress there named Tammy Queen (yes, that's her real name). Tammy actually began waiting on us when the other waitroids at IHOP didn't want to serve us - I guess we were too much trouble. You see, we actually expected our food to come out the way we ordered it...omelette not runny, food at least lukewarm...don't get me started.
Anyway - Tammy treats us so well, that when she left IHOP, we followed her to Village Inn. She genuinely cares - and she likes US! Tammy makes sure our food is what we ordered and fills our drinks when they're the slightest bit low. Since we are there every week, she even has our table set up with our drinks when we arrive. And...gulp...she smiles! She is the epitome of quality customer service! In return, she gets an amazing tip and she has become a good friend. Now...if I can just get her to church!
Her life is no better, nor worst than anyone else's - so what makes her stand out from others? It is because she cares about people.
There are many books written and hundreds of seminars about customer service - but the best demonstrations are in the Bible. Jesus gave us immeasurable examples of what it means to serve other people - his whole life was based on it. Why can't we take Jesus' example of "customer service" and enjoy serving each other, like He served the woman who risked everything to touch His robe; like He served the disciples when He washed their feet; like He served those whom He healed; like He served us when He accepted his death on the cross.
Do we treat everyone as if we may have to give up our lives for them someday? Do we even treat other people with civility, honor and humility? Don't get me wrong, I don't expect the Fruit and Yogurt Parfait out-the-window holder to give up her life for me, but it would be nice to know that she might actually care...just simply because.
There is one place that I always receive amazing service - a local Village Inn. Every Friday morning I meet my dad for breakfast, which we've been doing now for about 3 years. We began meeting at IHOP and fell in love with a waitress there named Tammy Queen (yes, that's her real name). Tammy actually began waiting on us when the other waitroids at IHOP didn't want to serve us - I guess we were too much trouble. You see, we actually expected our food to come out the way we ordered it...omelette not runny, food at least lukewarm...don't get me started.
Anyway - Tammy treats us so well, that when she left IHOP, we followed her to Village Inn. She genuinely cares - and she likes US! Tammy makes sure our food is what we ordered and fills our drinks when they're the slightest bit low. Since we are there every week, she even has our table set up with our drinks when we arrive. And...gulp...she smiles! She is the epitome of quality customer service! In return, she gets an amazing tip and she has become a good friend. Now...if I can just get her to church!
Her life is no better, nor worst than anyone else's - so what makes her stand out from others? It is because she cares about people.
There are many books written and hundreds of seminars about customer service - but the best demonstrations are in the Bible. Jesus gave us immeasurable examples of what it means to serve other people - his whole life was based on it. Why can't we take Jesus' example of "customer service" and enjoy serving each other, like He served the woman who risked everything to touch His robe; like He served the disciples when He washed their feet; like He served those whom He healed; like He served us when He accepted his death on the cross.
Do we treat everyone as if we may have to give up our lives for them someday? Do we even treat other people with civility, honor and humility? Don't get me wrong, I don't expect the Fruit and Yogurt Parfait out-the-window holder to give up her life for me, but it would be nice to know that she might actually care...just simply because.
Monday, April 21, 2008
When God Doesn't Make Sense
The next series here at LifeChurch.tv is on Habakkuk. God revealed to Habakkuk that He was going to use Babylon - the evil, unjust nation - to serve judgment on His people. What? Why in the world would God use a nation who thrives on stealing, killing and destroying to serve judgment on His own people? Why would he give Babylon the satisfaction?
"God, you're from eternity, aren't you? Holy God, we aren't going to die, are we? God, you chose Babylonians for your judgment work? Rock-Solid God, you gave them the job of discipline? But you can't be serious!..." Habakkuk 1:12-13 (The Message).
Sometimes, God just doesn't make sense. Sometimes, He asks things of us that require obedience - and seem illogical. And sometimes, obedience hurts. For me, I have tried of late to "reason away" what He's asked me to do because in my mind, it just doesn't seem right. I mean, why would God bring me to this place in my life only to downshift and take a different turn. I feel like I have been on the right path, have been obedient to His will for my life...why would he suddenly ask for what seems to me to be a detour?
The truth is...I don't know, but because He is my God, I will follow Him, no matter where He leads - even if it takes me awhile to act because I'm trying to argue my way out. (If you know me at all, then you know that I can argue with the best of them.) "The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights." Habakkuk 3:18. (NIV) Just like Habakkuk, I will find my strength in God because He has given me faith that whatever His plan, it will be perfect. "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" Jeremiah 29:11
What about you? Does God always make sense?
"God, you're from eternity, aren't you? Holy God, we aren't going to die, are we? God, you chose Babylonians for your judgment work? Rock-Solid God, you gave them the job of discipline? But you can't be serious!..." Habakkuk 1:12-13 (The Message).
Sometimes, God just doesn't make sense. Sometimes, He asks things of us that require obedience - and seem illogical. And sometimes, obedience hurts. For me, I have tried of late to "reason away" what He's asked me to do because in my mind, it just doesn't seem right. I mean, why would God bring me to this place in my life only to downshift and take a different turn. I feel like I have been on the right path, have been obedient to His will for my life...why would he suddenly ask for what seems to me to be a detour?
The truth is...I don't know, but because He is my God, I will follow Him, no matter where He leads - even if it takes me awhile to act because I'm trying to argue my way out. (If you know me at all, then you know that I can argue with the best of them.) "The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights." Habakkuk 3:18. (NIV) Just like Habakkuk, I will find my strength in God because He has given me faith that whatever His plan, it will be perfect. "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" Jeremiah 29:11
What about you? Does God always make sense?
Friday, April 18, 2008
Jericho - Blog from Cindy Beall
Well, today I'm not being original at all. I just read an incredible post by Cindy Beall and wanted to share. Cindy is an amazing woman of God, and if you don't already follow her blog, I would suggest that you add it to your faves. Here's the link to the article about Jericho. Keep Marching.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Ropes Course - Success Continued
Today the Tulsa campus team of Lifechurch.tv conquered a ropes course. The experience was incredible while also emotionally and physically exhausting. While I would not initially have thought of this experience as relating to the blog about Success, I have since changed my mind.
At the beginning of the day, we participated in several "team building" exercises which affirmed our belief and trust in each other. I'm sure many of you have participated in these things before and are not unfamiliar with the concept of "team." Turns out - our TEAM is pretty stinkin' awesome!!! One of the elements was a teeter-tawter of massive proportions. We were all required to be on the element at the same time, and then figure out how to make the teeter-tawter balance. Sounds easy...but of course, if it were easy, it wouldn't be on the course! After many boughts of gut-wrenching laughter, and several attempts at different scenarios, we finally settled down and got the thing balanced.
After team building, we tackled the ropes course, starting with climbing a rock wall and ending with a zip line. Relatively simple - unless, of course, you are afraid of heights or have the balance of a 3-legged bull. Although I don't fear heights, my balance is less than stellar...okay, it stinks big time! But, I figured, No Big Deal, right? Well, this was truly a lonely experience! After spending all morning working with 8 other people, knowing I can trust them to "get my back," here I was all alone with just my harness and lovely helmet!
As a team, we experienced success...together, we reached our goal. But it was when I was by myself that success was elusive. My goal was to get through the elements not only once, but twice, so that I could be better the second time. A worthy goal, but complete realization was not found today. After I conquered the swinging 4 x 4s, rope wall and tight wire, I recognized that the balance of this 43 year old body was not sufficient to tackle two other elements. The legs were shaky and I just wasn't interested in doing the splits between two tires swinging 30 feet in the air. I had to back off and admit defeat.
Defeat...but, not entirely. I will not allow it to overshadow the successes...one element at a time. So overall - was it a success? Absolutely! Next goal...hot, long, soaking bath!
At the beginning of the day, we participated in several "team building" exercises which affirmed our belief and trust in each other. I'm sure many of you have participated in these things before and are not unfamiliar with the concept of "team." Turns out - our TEAM is pretty stinkin' awesome!!! One of the elements was a teeter-tawter of massive proportions. We were all required to be on the element at the same time, and then figure out how to make the teeter-tawter balance. Sounds easy...but of course, if it were easy, it wouldn't be on the course! After many boughts of gut-wrenching laughter, and several attempts at different scenarios, we finally settled down and got the thing balanced.
After team building, we tackled the ropes course, starting with climbing a rock wall and ending with a zip line. Relatively simple - unless, of course, you are afraid of heights or have the balance of a 3-legged bull. Although I don't fear heights, my balance is less than stellar...okay, it stinks big time! But, I figured, No Big Deal, right? Well, this was truly a lonely experience! After spending all morning working with 8 other people, knowing I can trust them to "get my back," here I was all alone with just my harness and lovely helmet!
As a team, we experienced success...together, we reached our goal. But it was when I was by myself that success was elusive. My goal was to get through the elements not only once, but twice, so that I could be better the second time. A worthy goal, but complete realization was not found today. After I conquered the swinging 4 x 4s, rope wall and tight wire, I recognized that the balance of this 43 year old body was not sufficient to tackle two other elements. The legs were shaky and I just wasn't interested in doing the splits between two tires swinging 30 feet in the air. I had to back off and admit defeat.
Defeat...but, not entirely. I will not allow it to overshadow the successes...one element at a time. So overall - was it a success? Absolutely! Next goal...hot, long, soaking bath!
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Success Part Deaux
In a previous post, we defined success as "the complete realization of a worthy goal" and I shared some of the areas for which I strive for Success. In this post, I want to talk about being a parent.
How hard is it to be a successful parent nowadays? For me, there are days when keeping my hands from locking around Josh's throat is a worthy goal, but obviously that's short lived and won't necessarily be measured in eternity (unless I actually go through with it I guess). But what will be measured is how I raise my son to honor, love, fear and reflect God. Remember - to be a Success, I have to have a goal, it must be worthy (i.e. world changing), and there must be complete realization. So daily, I have to ask myself:
How hard is it to be a successful parent nowadays? For me, there are days when keeping my hands from locking around Josh's throat is a worthy goal, but obviously that's short lived and won't necessarily be measured in eternity (unless I actually go through with it I guess). But what will be measured is how I raise my son to honor, love, fear and reflect God. Remember - to be a Success, I have to have a goal, it must be worthy (i.e. world changing), and there must be complete realization. So daily, I have to ask myself:
- Does Josh know who God is?
- Does he know the sacrifice that Jesus made for him on the cross?
- Has he accepted Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior?
- Does he honor God in his speech, actions and relationships?
- Does Josh feel safe, knowing that he has a mom who loves him unconditionally and a God who knows the count of every hair on his head?
It doesn't matter how many sacrifices I make to raise him, or how many times I fail, but what does matter is am I leading Josh to have a personal relationship with the risen Christ. In the end, this is all that will be measured. Will I be successful? His life depends on it!
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Weakness
I will get back to Success in a few days, but today God is revealing a different post. Weakness. Webster defines weak as "lacking strength," "not able to withstand attack." Most of us can identify with being weak throughout our lives, and often our thoughts turn to tumultuous times. There are many of these examples in my history, and their memory is generally engulfed in darkness...the illness I endured that nearly put me in a wheelchair not once, but twice; the loss of my marriage; losing our house and all of the other material possessions for which I worked so hard for 15 years. (Okay - before I go any further - don't cry for me because although these times really stunk, I am thankful because they made me who I am today.)
Today, however, I am facing a different kind of weakness. Weakness in managing my blessings. How do I keep focused on Him and His purpose when He has blessed me so much? Seems crazy - you're probably wondering what in the freak is my problem. It's not a problem really, just a recognition that if I am not careful, I will fall into the trap of being totally focused on my blessings, and not on the blesser!
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 says"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 persectuions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." Father - I rest in my weakness...work in me your perfect plan, grant me focus, make me the leader, the mother, the partner you want me to be and help me to manage the blessings you have bestowed.
Today, however, I am facing a different kind of weakness. Weakness in managing my blessings. How do I keep focused on Him and His purpose when He has blessed me so much? Seems crazy - you're probably wondering what in the freak is my problem. It's not a problem really, just a recognition that if I am not careful, I will fall into the trap of being totally focused on my blessings, and not on the blesser!
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 says"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 persectuions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." Father - I rest in my weakness...work in me your perfect plan, grant me focus, make me the leader, the mother, the partner you want me to be and help me to manage the blessings you have bestowed.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Success
Do you ever hear "she's a successful businesswoman" or "he's a successful author." For many years (more than I'd care to count), I strived to be a success in my field as a contract negotiator. I defined success mostly by how many deals I closed, how much money I made, and how quickly I climbed the "ladder." But since my focus has changed, so has my definition of success.
My dad always said success is the "complete realization of a worthy goal." To break it down, there are 3 key elements:
My dad always said success is the "complete realization of a worthy goal." To break it down, there are 3 key elements:
- Goal - can't measure success without a goal to achieve.
- Worth - is the goal actually something that will make a change - dare I say - change the world.
- Realization - actually achieving the goal and, thereby, changing the world.
I have many opportunities for success - as a parent, within relationships and in ministry. I will share some of them with you in the next post. Meantime - I really want to hear from you. What is your definition of success, and what are you doing towards achievement? Come on now - let's get a good conversation going.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Live to Be 150?
The other night there was a show on television about living to be 150 years old. Now, I know that Noah, Abraham, and many other Bible characters lived for hundreds of years, but seriously - in the 21st Century, who wants to live that long? As my body deteriorates, and my short-term memory gets shorter, how long do I really want to live on this earth? BTW - we heard a couple of statistics - if you're married more than 5 years, add 1 year to your life...if you're divorced, subtract 8 years. Now, who figured out those statistics?
As a Christian, I have the promise of an amazing eternity to look forward to! As far as I'm concerned - bring it on! (No, I'm not suicidal or asking to be hit by a bus - just comfortable with the fact that I know where I'm going when I'm gone.)
More important than how long I'm going to live is what am I doing in the days, years, even decades that I'm commissioned to this planet to make sure that others join me in eternity? So instead of spending my days figuring out how to live to be 150, I am focusing on what impact I can have in the current day I've been given. What about you? How long do you want to live and what do you want to do with your days?
As a Christian, I have the promise of an amazing eternity to look forward to! As far as I'm concerned - bring it on! (No, I'm not suicidal or asking to be hit by a bus - just comfortable with the fact that I know where I'm going when I'm gone.)
More important than how long I'm going to live is what am I doing in the days, years, even decades that I'm commissioned to this planet to make sure that others join me in eternity? So instead of spending my days figuring out how to live to be 150, I am focusing on what impact I can have in the current day I've been given. What about you? How long do you want to live and what do you want to do with your days?
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