Five Ws

Who? What? When? Where? Why?

These are known as the 5 Ws. It is the "formula" that journalists use for getting all the answers on something.

But what about as a Christian? Do we know the answers to the 5Ws? The Bible answers all our of questions.

Who? Who are we in Christ? Do we know we are children of God?
John 1:12-13 -- Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

What? What does it mean to be a Christian? How should we be living as Christians?
Galatians 2:20 -- I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

When? When should we decide to become a Christian? Is there any urgency?
Matthew 24:36,42-44 -- “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."

Where? Where are we going to end up? How do we know we will have eternal life?
1 John 5:10-13 -- Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony.... And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.

Why? This one reminds me of the Mickey Mouse club. "Why? Because we like you!" Actually, it's because he loves us. He loves us so much that he lay down his life for us to spend eternity with him.
John 3:16 -- For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

These Bible verses just give you a glimpse of the answers in the Bible. Why not get the full story today. Start reading your Bible, regularly. It really does have all the answers!

Sock Stealer

As I sat on the bottom steps to put on my shoes and socks, as I often do, I noticed one of my socks "disappeared." "ANNIE!" I shouted. Annie is our golden retriever...and chief sock stealer. She pulls socks out of clothes baskets, gym bags, and from unsuspected folks putting on shoes and socks on the stairwell.

As I stood up to go after her, I noticed my missing sock. I had some how managed to sit on it, and I had it all the time! "You blamed Annie, and she didn't even do it," my daughter and Annie's #1 fan exclaimed. She was right. But it offered a chance for a teaching moment.

Join me over at Titus 2 in Action, where I am a featured contributor every other Wednesday, to read about this teachable moment, and how we are defined by our character.

Bridge Over Troubled Water

When you're weary, Feeling small
When tears are in your eyes, I will dry them all
Bridge Over Troubled Water, Simon & Garfunkel, 1970

Life is hard. There is no doubt about it. It seems that there is always another hurdle to jump, always another problem. Our economy has so many out of jobs. It seems like more and more people are fighting cancer. School kids are bullied. And even problems that come as consequences of our own bad decisions. Big problems, little problems, lots of problems.

But then there is Jesus. He knows. He warned us, "In this world you will have trouble." But He went on to say, "I have overcome the world." And Jesus lay down his life for us, on the cross, to overcome this world so that we may have eternal life in the next. Our lives are troubled. But Jesus came like a bridge over troubled water. "I will lay me down."

So when you're weary, feeling small, when tears are in your eyes, HE will dry them all. HE's on your side, when times get rough and friends just can't be found...when evening falls so hard, HE will comfort you....HE'll take your part when darkness comes, and pain is all around.

The lyrics of this song form a beautiful picture of the healing that comes with Jesus. Yes, we will have troubled water, but if we follow Jesus, he will lead us to quiet water in this life, and give us living water for the next.

Musical Musings:
1. Psalm 23 promises Jesus will lead us to quiet water and restore our soul. If your facing troubled waters today, try to look to Jesus and his quiet water.
2. The "Woman the Well" was experiencing hard times, perhaps from her own bad decisions. Yet, Jesus still offered her living water. How does that encourage you, if your troubled waters are because of mistakes you have made?
3. Revelation 7:17 promises "the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." Look forward today to the time of God wiping every tear from your eyes. He will.

Karaoke:
Dear Lord - thank you for being our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Help us feel your presence in a real and solid way as we struggle through the troubles of this life, and fill us with your living water so that we can be with you forever. Thank you for being that bridge over troubled water, and laying yourself down to give us eternal life. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Rock on: Read the story of the woman at the well, found in John 4.

Listen to the lyrics of Bridge Over Troubled Water performed by Michael W. Smith by clicking the link or watching here on my blog.

No Quick Fix

You should have seen the biceps on this girl! I was attending a party for the neighborhood kids to meet each other, and one of the moms had amazing arms. It was obvious that she was a fan of the gym. "Nice guns!" I said, using the euphemism for defined biceps, to strike up a conversation with her.

I was probably a little envious of her physique, and even felt a little inferior comparatively. But the truth is she didn't have a magic potion or secret weapon. She went to the gym 5 days a week. She did cardio and lifted weights. She put in the time, and saw the results.

Do you ever feel a little envious of some one's relationship with God? Do you ever feel inferior? The truth is, they don't have a secret weapon either! They are putting in the time, and seeing the results. They are studying God's Word and spending time in prayer.

There is no quick fix in physical fitness, or in spiritual fitness. We have to put in the work. My new friend shared that she loves going to the gym now. "Once you get into the routine," she shared, "you feel bad if you miss a day." Spiritual fitness is the same way. Once you get into the routine, you won't want to miss a day.

Why not start building some spiritual muscle today!

"She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong and firm."
Proverbs 31:17, Amplified Bible

7 Things

There are two schools of thought on Memes, (prounounced like dreams, with an M). One is that they are a waste of time and distracting to your readers and your brand. The other is that it gives your readers a glimpse of the real you and they are relationship building. Regardless of which you believe, my beautiful friend Bella Mella tagged me in a meme, so I am playing along. I hope you will enjoy getting to see a glimpse of me this way.

1. Not counting attending church, what is your favorite activity that you consistently do on Sundays?

The only activity I consisently do on Sundays (besides church) is writing my Monday blog. And I do enjoy it. But spending time with my family without having an "agenda" of things we have to do is my favorite thing.

2. At what age or season in your life do you feel you looked your best?

My sweet husband says I look better every year. And while I physically looked my best in my late 20's, I would say that I am a better package today. I have the confidence I lacked then, and I still am not too hard on the eyes. I wouldn't mind losing a few pounds, but then almost every woman would.

3. Would you rather win a personal makeover/shopping spree with an image consultant, a one room makeover/shopping spree with an interior designer, or a personal chef who would cater a fabulous meal for a party at your home?

I definintely would like the personal make over and shopping spree. While my home could use a spruce up (and I am challenged in decorating), and I would love to have a fancy catered meal with my friends, no way could I resist teh shopping spree. Really.

4. If a movie were made of your life, which actors would portray you and your husband?

Linda Carter (Wonder Woman) is who I've been told looks like me. But if I get to pick, I'd have to say Anne Hathoway. My husband? I've been told he looks like Jon Voight. But I think I would have him played by Simon Baker.

5. If you had the power to choose one of these, which would it be?
I would be taller * I would never go gray * I would always look younger than my age.

Who cares about height? I'd have to say always looking younger than my age.

6. Which of these positive first impressions would you prefer to make?
funny * friendly * confident

It's my hope that all three of these impressions always come through with me. But if I had to choose only one, I think it would be confident.

7. Pie or Cake?

Who's cooking? Pie...chocolate fudge pie.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

"Here I am, signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours."
Signed, Sealed, Delivered. Stevie Wonder, 1970

Signed: A signature is placed on a document, or your "mark" is put on a document to show approval or ownership. (Signing a mortgage, car lease or library card all show both agreement with the terms, and ownership of the item.)

Sealed: In the 16th-18th centuries, if you had an important document, you would "seal" it. That is pour wax on it and mark it with your seal, sometimes found in a signet ring. A seal was either a mark of authority or, more commonly, a mark of identification.

It's interesting that both signing and sealing are defined by putting our mark on something. Did you know that as Christians God has put his mark on us? 2 Corinthians 1:22 says, "He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." (emphasis mine).

We are marked by God, showing His authority and ownership over us. We're signed & sealed, but what about delivered? Oh, friends. That is the best thing that comes with being sealed by God is the deliverance that comes through Jesus Christ! It's exciting to be able to say to God, "Here I am. Signed, sealed, delivered, I'm Yours!"

Musical Musings:
1. Do you believe you are marked with the seal of God showing his ownership of you? If not, why not confess your faith and accept Jesus as your savior so you can know you are marked with His seal.
2. Consider buying a wax seal set. Every time you seal your letters to friends, remember that God has sealed you with His mark.
3. Sealing wax, after melting, quickly hardens forming a bond that is difficult to separate. Consider that that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

Karaoke:
Dear Lord, I am so excited to bear your seal! Thank you God for loving me so much that you have marked me so that nothing can separate me from you. Fill me with the peace and joy of that deliverance. I'm Yours! In Jesus Name, Amen.

Rock On: 2 Timothy 2:19 says, "Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his." Revel in the fact that you are His today.

The Acorn

Have you ever considered the acorn? It's so small. It doesn't amount to much when you look at it. But consider this:

The acorn will grow into a large tree that will provide shade to the hot.
The acorn will grow into a large tree that will provide homes for squirrels, birds, and various bugs.
The acorn will grow into a large tree that absorb carbon dioxide that is dangerous for us to breath.
The acorn will grow into a large tree that will produce oxygen that we need to breath.
The small acorn will grow into a large and benefical tree.

What small thing are you not doing because you don't think you'll matter? Are you giving nothing because your dollar is too small? Are you doing nothing because your effort is too little? Do you think you are too small to matter?

Consider the acorn. It is small but makes a big difference. Why not do something small today...and let God make it Big.



Adapted from a sermon by Mike Langley at Fairmount Christian Church.