This week I had the opportunity to go to my grandson’s Junior Varsity football game.  It actually was a mixture of the freshman team and the JV’rs.  So I knew I wasn’t going to watch a professional game!  In years past he has played on basketball and baseball teams, but this is his first year of playing football.  It was a good game for them in that they won!

American football has eleven players at a time on the field, but it also has at least that many on the bench–and at least at this level may only play a few minutes of the game, if at all. (The National Football league are allowed 53 players on the team, but again only 11 play at a time).   As I watched my grandson and the rest of the team standing in the rain, waiting for their turn to play.  I honestly thought, “why”?  Why do these young men spend hours practicing in all kinds of weather to stand on the side lines waiting to hear the coach say “Phillips’ you’re in”.  Then I watched at least three times the game get halted for injuries.  Only one serious enough to leave the field early with his parents (looked like a knee injury). They knowingly play, (with their parents signing wavers I am sure) with the possibility of injury.  There was no complaining of the wet, cold or having to stand the whole time. (There were actual benches, available, but only the injured used them!  The “bench” moved up and down the sidelines following their teammates on the field. They were encouraged to stay engaged to learn from watching, to celebrate good plays and be encouraging during struggling times.  Isn’t that what we as the body of Christ are called to do?

Every believer is enrolled on God’s team from day one.  We learn to listen to our Coach, follow His instructions and learn His Rule book.  We will have our side-line time–it is necessary.  We must learn our plays (God’s Word) and as we learn to execute with faith, His plays (obedience, surrender and trust) we will become a greater asset to His team.  Aaron is called a wide receiver.  He is supposed to block his opponent and be open to catch the ball.  However, he hasn’t quite got the hang of it yet.  He told me his coach was giving him tips on how to be a better blocker during the game.  We are called to improve and we can by watching God’s other players and learning from them.

God has called each of us to play a part in His kingdom–what an amazing opportunity.  We are His bench–waiting till He calls us into actively participate in our assignment. Read through the Paul’s letters in the New Testament and he is always encouraging the “bench”.  To the Thessalonians he writes “we always thank God for all of you and pray for you, constantly.  As we pray to our God and Father about you, we think of your faithful work, your loving deeds, and the enduring hope you have because of our Lord Jesus Christ.” I Thessalonians 1:2-3  That is the whole team he is talking too…and unless we see ourselves as part of the whole team, we won’t fulfill our total assignment.  Those young men celebrated the good plays of others, they consoled the injured, they paid attention even when they weren’t playing–they stayed engaged.  We stay engaged first of all by just showing up!  We stay engaged as we pray for our pastor and leadership team before and during the service.  We stay engaged as we greet and encourage those we see on Sunday morning.  We stay engaged as we thank the nursery workers, the children’s ministry team or the worship team members.  We stay engaged when we begin to understand the bigger picture.  My grandson is an integral part of the team.  I am proud of him.  It is my desire to stay engaged for the Kingdom no matter what my assignment may be for the day, how about you?

Any of you enjoy what I call Microsoft pictures of the day?  Somehow, when I turn on my computer some stunning pictures of God’s creation show up.  Sometimes I try to figure out where that particular picture was taken.  Sometimes I actually guess right!  I don’t know who at the company gets to pick those pictures but they can be inspiring  if I take the time to look at them, rather than click, click on to my own agenda, I can see God’s handiwork displayed right on the screen.  For those of you who use Apple products or other systems let me explain.   When I turn on my computer instead of plain boring main screens, I receive each day a beautiful scenic picture.  They come from any part of the world and if you click on the picture you can learn about the location.    At times, I just click, click my way past them eager to get on to my own agenda,but lately I’ve slowed down the process and have really begun to enjoy this free gift of looking at God’s creation.  I choose to take time to savor them.

The psalmist who wrote Psalm 121 tells us: I will lift up my eyes unto the hills, where does my help come from? My help come from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and earth, indeed, he who watches over Israel will never slumber or sleep.  This is a deliberate action.  I will with intention, lift up my eyes to those things above me.  I will look unto the Lord–not just any Lord, but the Creator of all the Universe!  These daily pictures give me an opportunity, free of charge to see some of God’s handiwork outside my own geographical area!  But only if I actually take the time to really see them.  In order for me to really see or comprehend their beauty, I must with intention, choose to see the picture that is right before me.  When I take the time (like hunting for the old “where’s Waldo” picture”), I can find hidden gems that inspire me.

Some of the most amazing of God’s creations are the people around us.  If I am going to get the most out of my relationships with these God creatures–I must look at them with intention…not with a critical spirit.  Not with even a desire to “change” them.  But to just enjoy God’s handiwork–with no expectations.  That is not easy, but when I do, I find some hidden gifts, waiting to be opened.  I want to challenge you–when was the last time you really looked at your children?  Your spouse?  Your co-worker? Are they tired, weary, stressed?  Can you see joy and grace in their lives?   Do you just see their problems or short comings that may influence your world?  Or do you take the time to see the entire package of God’s handiwork…maybe as a work in progress?  Jesus knew every disciple he called was flawed.  He knew they were going to not measure up–but that is not why he picked them.  HE picked them for what they were going to do, for what they were going to add to the others.  When we begin to look for strengths, we find them.  We we focus on weaknesses, that’s what we find as well.  It is not being blind to the weakness, but they do not become our focus.  God helps us in our weaknesses, and if we pray and encourage, He will help those around us as well.  This takes faith.

I am writing this today to encourage you to look up–past the hills, past your geographical  limitations and see your God–working in the large and small parts of your life.  Take time to enjoy His amazing creation, but look for His Hand in the blessings of your life as well as the struggles.  He is there–waiting to be the Help you need, He is there urging you to stand fast or grow more in His ways, He is there waiting to meet your need.  The most beautiful part of God’s creation is people.  He is there waiting to help open your eyes to what He sees in your most difficult relationship.  If He opens your eyes to them, then He will show you what to do with that relationship.  Release your faith, dear friend.  This is what He cares about the most, if we can see Him in geography, we will be able to see His handiwork in our brothers and sisters.  Father, open our eyes to really SEE you in the world around us today.

This week I was privileged, blessed and enjoyed hosting our friend, David Freeman.  He travels at times for his job and is able to work remotely at other times which gives him the freedom to visit friends and family.  I’ve known his parents before he was born, so it definitely is a long term friendship.  I got to practice hospitality.

Hospitality is encouraged throughout the Word of God.  Now days, to many people it is often seen as a burden, or something that is only for the few with “the gift”.  I Peter 4:8-9 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins,  Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.   I think Peter is spurring every believer to become comfortable with hospitality–the opening up of ones home and heart to love, care for and uplift others,

It begins in our hearts.  We may open a bedroom or table, but without having an open heart to the people we invite in, it is all in vain.  My parents modeled hospitality for us.  For my mom, it was usually a more planned in advance event.  The house would be cleaned (even those spots the visitors would not see!), clothes picked out, menu planned in preparation for the gathering.  I think she really enjoyed caring for people in this way.  My father would meet people at church, invite them home to a pot of pinto beans and fry up a chicken-a much more casual and informal setting.  He genuinely loved people and freely opened his home.  So when I married a minister, I was well prepared to keep an “open” home.  But for others who did not have this Texas hospitality modeled,  it can be daunting and something to avoid.  But, my friends, you are missing out on many opportunities to grow in love, grace and fellowship.

Where faith comes into hospitality is when you begin thinking about the “cost”.  There is a cost–time, energy and money are all a consideration–but most of the time we don’t consider the fruit that can/will come from opening up your home and spending time and fellowship with others.  As we open our hearts with prayer–asking the Father to bless the gathering (it doesn’t have to be a “spiritual” event), God’s presence and favor will show up.  People want to feel seen, wanted and heard.  Letting your open home be such a setting pleases the Lord.  Hospitality, if done right, does encourage us to get our eyes off ourselves and onto friends, family or even strangers.

Last week at the Life Group I lead ,we had several new people.  It sort of felt awkward to some of the “regulars” in a mildly uncomfortable way.  As I opened in prayer the Holy Spirit led me to ask the Lord to help us see each new sister as a gift as yet to be opened.  I could feel everyone begin to relax and by the end of the evening we were laughing and enjoying each other.   My daughter and son in law have an open home as well.  They are not “fancy” people–and with four children their home is not always spotless–but the warmth and welcome you feel as they serve you a cup of tea is heartfelt and many lives have been changed because of their open heart/open home.  Tears of sorrow and tears of joy have both been shed in their home as they seek to simply love others in their home.

I encourage you to ask the Lord to help you have an open heart to have an open home.  Romans 12:13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need practice hospitality.   Hospitality can take practice. Start with a celebration (birthday, anniversary or other monumental events–large or small!)  So many questions pop up in your head–should I serve food, what kind of food?  Are they allergic, are they picky eaters–etc–ask! Do a potluck.  Or go very simple–just beverages and popcorn! Worried about conversations? Play games!  Invite them for a specific time period–set a starting and ending time if you are concerned about going past your bedtime.   If you are invited–go, enjoy and be a good guest! Let’s practice this Biblical mandate! We can do it!

Fullness.  An interesting word.  When do you use it?  When do you think about it?  Not a word we use too frequently in our daily conversations, is it?  Ephesians 3:19 is part of a prayer that Paul prays for the believers at Ephesus.  May you experience the love of Christ, thought it is too great to understand fully.  Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.  Wow, the fullness of life and power that comes from God.  That is almost too much comprehend.

Some days I am just happy that I have some of the love of God and power in my life.  Just enough to make it through my day with enough for me to deal with me. But what would it look like if I walked through my day filled with His life and power?  I would have enough grace to be patient at the grocery store, or with my grandchildren’s attitudes, I would have enough to share with my struggling friend to really hear her and her situation.  Learning to walk in that fullness is a process.    Our Pastor is teaching a series called “Rooted”, being grounded in the Word of God is part of our ability to access this fullness Paul is talking about.

One of the assignments of our Uninvited  Bible Study this week, was to re-write Ephesians 1:4-5, exchanging every “us” to “me” and to read it aloud several times a day.  As I worked on this exercise the truth just got deeper and deeper.  Even before he made the world, God loved ME and chose Me in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes.  God decided in advanced to adopt ME into His own by bringing ME to himself through Jesus Christ.  This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.  Ephesians 1:4-5  I found myself reading it differently each time, emphasizing different aspects of these powerful lifechanging words. Because I read it personally, intentionally and with faith it touched deep places in my soul that only God knew I needed.  I would encourage you to try it for yourself.  This concept of personalizing scripture is a common teaching tool that I urge you to try for yourself.  Especially if you are fighting against pessimism or discouragement.  God’s Word is full of Hope and it is His desire to impart this Hope into every one of our hopeless areas.  It takes a bit of time, but it is so worth the effort.  Join me in the journey to walking in His fullness–we have it, it is just a matter of learning to access it and then apply it to our daily lives.

Father teach me to walk in your fullness of life and power.  I’m ready to learn.

Our Life Group watch a DVD last night with Lisa TerKeurst called “Uninvited” Living Loved When You Feel Less than, Left out, and Lonely.  We finished reading the book the end of July and have chosen to do the DVD series and Workbook for the next six weeks.

One of the first scriptures that came on the screen was Matthew 11:28-30. Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.    As we read that scripture I felt almost a sigh from these lovely women, and myself as we were reminded of His care and grace.  I am glad they let it linger on the screen for a bit while she shared her heart.

We all need to be reminded that He has a rest for us.  The rest of the scripture instructs on the how we do this: Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.    I love this scripture for the grace it gives, the hope it gives and the reminder of who we are serving.

But in order to experience the rest he talks about, we need to do the whole scripture.  First we need to go to Him, in the midst of our labor and busyness with our burdens and cares go to Him.  Hebrews 4:16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.  There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.  Sometimes our own fears, sins and feelings of inadequacy prevents us from coming to Him when we need it most.  I have found that if I go to Him before I get super overwhelmed my rest and balance is restored much quicker.  But, if I struggle it out on my own first, He is still there waiting for me.

So we come to Him and the next part is crucial to growth:  we take time to learn from Him.  Even if it takes us many attempts to learn something, keep going back, for He is a patient, loving caring teacher.  He is a persistent teacher, however and will continue to help us until we learn what He wants us to know.  He does not leave us in the learning.  He abides with us, as we abide with Him.

If we want to remain in this rest, we must accept His yoke (will, purpose and Lordship).  It is in the yoking up with Him that we set ourselves to really learn who He is.  He will show us how easy it is and how light His burden is for us.  When we fight the yoke, it seems hard, difficult and too much to bear.  But if we relax and follow His lead and settle into the “unforced rhythms of grace” (Matthew 11:29 Msg) we receive the grace to live our lives with a rest in our hearts which is His part of the gift He purchased for us on the cross.

Father, I ask that you move in our hearts today and reveal any areas where we have not taken your yoke so we are living less than you desire.  I choose to take your yoke and set myself once again to learn from you.  Thank you for helping us all to choose your way of rest, in Jesus Name, Amen

I turned 69 this past week–so this is my last year to live the 60’s decade.  As I approached my birthday I realized that for some reason to me, 69 sounded a lot older than 68.  I don’t know why, but it seemed to bring with it difficult thoughts of “out to pasture”, “past your prime” and “the best years are behind you”.  Not really faith statements were they?  (I don’t know if it helped or hurt my thoughts when I overheard my niece talking about how she did not really feel or think of herself in her 40’s!)

However, I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit and how He can change our thoughts and perspectives.  The closer I came to my birthday, I discussed it with the Lord and discovered that it became just a number and then my focus shifted again, and it became an opportunity.  The decade started so sweet–(as a triplet, we hosted a family party for all our siblings–complete with color-coded shirts so everyone would know which grand-kid belonged to which family!)  It was a wonderful day with many memories.

My husband and I continued to develop our bi-coastal ministry–touching lives and watching God move and answer prayer as we sought to follow His Spirit (this was in 2009).  2010 brought radical changes.  Darryl suffered his major heart attack and stroke and my world shifted and I was plunged into the world of caregiver.  2012, he passed away and I began learning how to live life without him and what it means to come to grips with grief and loss.

The lessons I learned during this decade are precious, priceless and hard-earned.  They changed me.  Some of the soul strikes are still impacting my life, but God is still so faithful and good.  I’ve learned how our enemy is not fair and that there can be casualties in this life–but victory is promised.

So I am determined to make this year count for His kingdom.  I have set myself to enjoy this year, live it to the fullest.  Darryl and I had a motto together “the best is yet to come”.  Most every week our church posts it on the screen as it encourages those who responded to the salvation opportunity to follow up with our Fresh Start team.  I struggled with it for awhile, then once again the Lord and I had a conversation.  Do I believe the best is yet to come–here on this earth for me?  Or am I waiting for heaven?  I working on believing it.  I read it with hope, not pain and trust the shifts I still need are coming.  We serve a God who cares, and I believe this 69th year will be my best year ever!

(Update: Tim’s Open Studio Tour was a big success!)

Last weeks blog “Faith and God’s Creation” honored God and His handiwork through His magnificent creation. When He created man in His image He gave each of the ability to be creative as well.  We each may use those gifts in a different way, with different mediums but we have been given the ability to be creative.

I want to honor my son in law Timothy Haslet.  Tim received an amazing ability to paint.  His ability to take acrylic or oil based paints and transform them into amazing masterpieces is inspiring.  He took his gift–painting and with training (an art degree from Whitworth College) and began to paint.

God sent him a wife who understands his need to paint.  Every place they have lived in their seventeen years of marriage they have “found a studio” for Tim to paint.  He painted in an attic, part of their laundry room and now in their home office. I am amazed how he makes it work.  It has taken time to hew his talent, it has taken money to fund his supplies and it has taken perseverance to keep painting.

Always he encourages others in their creativity.  God has brought him artistic friends and I have watched how they have mutually supported each other to stretch their creative ways.  He enters art shows–won second place the first year and first place this year!  Others are hearing of his skill and have invited him to use them to paint a fire hydrant here in Oak Harbor for the city beautification project.  God has favored him, because he has not buried his talent under a bushel he brings glory to the Lord.  By day currently he is a landscaper.  He paints with stone, plants and hard work.  Yards are transformed into beautiful creations where their owners can enjoy God’s handiwork.

This week end he has been invited to participate in the Whidbey Working Artists Open Studio Tour.  They are part of fifty artists on Whidbey Island who will be opening their “studio” or home to the public to share their art and creativity.  As they have prepared for this event I have watched Tim overcome many obstacles.  They have four children who love to live life!  They are taming their yard and creating and fulfilling their vision for their own home–reading it for all visitors who choose to come their way.  Of course we are praying for sales, but they are preparing a sanctuary to greet their new guests.  (I get the privilege of hosting the four lively children during this event!)

I can’t paint or draw, but when I teach God’s Word I am amazed at how He puts things together.  Images, object lessons and thoughts spring forth from my soul as I wait on Him.  How does your creativity reveal itself?  i spent last night helping some friends make apple pies for the homeless!  My friend has chosen this way to give back to her community.  She takes excess apples and turns them into a taste of love and caring.  Do not bury your talent in the ground.  Take it out and ask God how He wants to use it to show forth His glory.  Do not fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others, but honor the gift He has given you.  It will bring Him glory and touch lives as I know Tim’s art will this coming weekend.

Those of you who are observant might have noticed that there was no Blog from me last week!  I was away camping with some of my children and grandchildren.  We had a wonderful time making memories and enjoying God’s handiwork.

As we walked through the HOH Rain Forest (no rain in sight and 80+ degrees!) I was amazed once again at how specific and intentional God was when He created creation and established the varied cycles of life that keep our universe functioning so amazing!  Last year I taught botany to three of my grandchildren and it was fun for me to remember some of those lessons as we walked through the forest.  We learned lichens (a complex life form of algae and fungus) are great indicators of how clean the air is–the more they prosper the greater the indication of healthy air quality!  We saw gigantic big leaf maple trees providing ephiphytes–or plants growing on other pants which had mosses, , spike mosses, ferns and lichens all growing on them!  Nurse logs which help provide germination for the next generation of trees.

I was fascinated by the variety of plants and trees in our short 3/4 of a mile walk.  I was also fascinated by the variety of languages we heard as other tourists joined our trek.  German, French, Asian and (plus the various American dialects) and those are just the ones I heard as we marveled at God’s handiwork.  It was crowded, hot and not quite what we expected, but it was still a great day for me.  (My daughter Elizabeth commented, “I didn’t know we came to Disneyland!”

My soul was restored by the trip. When we returned home to church the next Sunday, Pastor Rich Irwin, a guest speaker from Anchorage, Alaska spoke a message entitled “Beauty in the Glory of God”.  As he walked us through Psalm 104, the memories of those beautiful moss covered sunlit trees kept coming to my mind.  He discussed the difference between useful, efficient and beautiful, and how we need both.  At the end of the message, he brought it all home. If we only judge things useful or efficient then we rob ourselves from God’s joy and purpose–especially if we do that to people.  Years ago we were part of a nursing home ministry.  Some of the lovely people there were believers and I asked the Lord why He did not just take them home.  He told me they are still serving my purpose.  I am using them to help you not be selfish and to learn to think about others.  There are no throw away people to our God.

Once during our house ministry days someone came to me complaining about a child and their behavior.  I admit I was a little short with them and I said “what do you want the parents to do? Throw them away?”  All of God’s creation works together to reveal His glory.  He desires our attitude, character and actions do the same.  Thank you Lord for your mercy and grace as we grow in your ways.  Help me to not dismiss others because of what I think their usefulness may or may not be.  I may be a nurse log for others to grow upon.  And Lord, especially help me when I deem myself useless.