Followers Wanted

I was talking to a friend about the blog numbers game last week. Followers don't mean readers. I have 135 followers, but according to my site meter only about 30 readers a day. I have no idea what the other 105 are doing, but maybe like me they've gotten busy and just don't have time to pop by as often.

But I do have a small handful of loyal readers who always read and often comment. I appreciate them and they're encouragement so much!

Jesus had followers too. He had lots. But he also lost followers.

...many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?"

Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you? What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him."

From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

"You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve.

Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."
John 6:60-69

Jesus was teaching that he was the bread of life. Many were offended, or confused so much that they stopped following him that day. But he still had his loyal followers. They knew that only he had the the words of eternal life.

My words aren't perfect, nor do they lead to eternal life. But today I am thankful for my loyal following. As followers come and go, I'm so thankful for the loyal few. And when I lose followers I shouldn't be upset. Even Jesus lost followers!

But regardless of how often we can visit one anothers blogs, I pray that we can be loyal followers of Jesus. Don't you?

God Rules*

My daughters love to ride their bikes, especially my 8 year old. And while I have been known to be legalistic in my rules, I sometimes let her ride without her helmet if they are only riding in the yard or driveway. Not my husband…he says wear it every time, then there is never a question of when she wears it. It’s a rule, all the time. She often complains about her dad’s rules, the helmet, having to wear tennis shoes or crocs when biking (no flip-flops or sandals), etc. I try to explain that he just wants her to be safe.

The other day as I came home from the grocery store (and the girls had been home with their dad), she ran out to greet me. “I fell off my bike while riding on the sidewalk. I hit my head on the sidewalk, but I had my helmet on and it didn’t even hurt. Dad’s rules rule!” I had to laugh. These “terribly unfair” rules became great because they helped her out.

It reminded me about God & his “rules.” I’ve heard folks say that they didn’t want to become a Christian because then they couldn’t have any “fun” anymore. Or why do those Christians have so many rules! Well, God doesn’t want us to hate his rules, but to love them. They keep us safe, just like that bicycle helmet.

The most important rule is to love God with all your heart, and to love others as much as you love yourself. (Jesus tells us this in the Bible in Mark 12:28-31.) My husband loves our daughter so much, he can’t bear the thought that she might get hurt – and that’s EXACTLY why God gives us his rules. I’m glad I have a Father (a heavenly Father named God!) who loves me so much…just like my daughter does.

**This post originally ran in 2008, and is posted as a repeat, as I take this week off to enjoy Spring Break with my family.**

It's Raining, It's Pouring

Nighttime thunderstorms bring my kids dashing into my bedroom. The weather forecast warns us of upcoming thunderstorms. But what about when the storms of life come? Are you ready for them?

Join me over at Titus 2 in Action to find out.

Adjustments*

It stars out with a back ache. Next thing you know it's a pain in the neck. Finally it's a full fledged headache that Advil won't touch. Now there's no doubt about it. I need to see the chiropractor. My back's out of whack!

At the chiropractor's office he applies a little pressure here, a minor adjustment there and CRACK! I'm a new woman. But chiropractic care is a strange thing. I need to keep going even when I feel okay. By continuing to go in and get adjusted, my back stays in line - no headaches! But if I don't go in, things start moving, little by little - until here I go again! My back's out of whack!

My Christian life is just like that. It starts out with getting out of the habit of reading the Bible. Next thing you know you're not praying. Finally you're faced with full fledged sin and even Aleve won't alleviate it! I need to see the Holy Spirit. My spiritual life is out of whack!

Just like the chiropractor, the Holy Spirit also applies pressure in my life. The pressure for me to make my own minor adjustments...to my schedule to allow more time for bible reading, to my priorities, to make sure I'm putting prayer before other things. Suddenly - I'm a new woman!

But just like chiropractic care, I need to continue with it. If I don't, things start moving, little by little until - here I go again! My spiritual life is out of whack!

Take a look at your spiritual posture today - it is out of whack? If so, visit the great physician and see if you can make some adjustments in your life to get BACK to God.

Psalm 119:169-176 --
May my cry come before you, O LORD; give me understanding according to your word.
May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise.
May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees.
May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous.
May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.
I long for your salvation, O LORD, and your law is my delight.
Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me.
I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.

**This post originally ran in 2008, and is running as a repeat as I take this week off to enjoy Spring Break with my family.**

My Cross

Jesus was crucified. But He was innocent. Those were MY nails. That was MY crown. That pierced His hands and His brow. Those were MY thorns. Those were MY scorns. Those were MY tears that fell down. And just as He said it would be He did it all for me. (And YOU!) After He counted the cost He took MY shame, MY blame on MY cross.

Thank you Jesus for taking away my sins, and being crucified on my cross.

"My Cross" By FFH

The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Friday

Friday is "Good Friday." I can't help but cringe at the name for this religious day. To call it "Holy Friday" is one thing. But Good Friday? Good? The day they crucified our Savior, good?

If you've read the account of Jesus crucifixion in the Bible, you know it was a bad day.

Matthew 27:28-30 -- They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. "Hail, king of the Jews!" they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again.

"Struck him on the head again and again." With a staff (that is a stick, pole or rod). Again and again. Good Friday?

They mocked him and forced him to carry his own cross. He was hung there. He experienced great pain, and he eventually died there. Good Friday?

He was put into a tomb.

However, soon came Sunday, and a great and marvelous thing happened. Jesus rose from the dead! Because of this we may have eternal life if we believe. See the cost (wages) of sin is death, eternity away from God. But Jesus lived a sin-free life. He didn't deserve death. But on that terrible Friday he died, paying the price for our sins. And when he rose again, he opened the doors to heaven so that all us sinners could have not death, but eternal life.

That was a very Good Sunday. Resurrection Sunday. Easter Sunday. That Friday was an important day, the day our Savior died for us. But to me, the GOOD day, the great day was Sunday.

John 11:25 -- Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies."

First Things First

First things First is a slogan that refers to putting things in their proper order. For instance, you have 10 minutes before you need to leave. Do you quick check your blog, email, Facebook & Twitter accounts only to realize you're now late, and dash out the door...OR do you quickly fold the laundry in the dryer, and get out of the door on time.

Many of our problems in life may be caused by not putting first things first. We often put off the important stuff that we don't feel like doing wasting time on the trivial. That leads to stress, and even anxiety.

From a Christian perspective, first things first means putting God first. Do you start your day with God? Starting the day with prayer, a Bible reading or devotional is a great place to start. Making time to be still before God and rest in Him. And keeping God present in your thoughts and actions all day.

First things first also means taking care of ourselves. We tend to put ourselves last, meeting everyone else's needs first. But if you are exhausted and burnt out, you can't help anyone. Take time to exercise and eat right. If you are an introvert, make quiet time for yourself. If you are an extrovert, make time to get out with friends. These things will have energize and renew you, allowing you to meet the needs of those you care for as well.

What are you doing today to put first things first?

Matthew 6:31-34 -- So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.