The Belly

So, several months ago, we were excited and surprised to discover a little Albertson blessing was coming our way! Yes, I am expecting a precious little boy on May 3.

Much to the surprise of my students, there was little outward indication of my pregnancy up until about a month ago. Sure, I was pregnant. Sure, the baby was there and growing... but my abdomen was not (well, not enough to really see). Then, once I officially starting showing, I could hear the chatter in my classroom - "wow... she really is pregnant. I can see it now."

This little conversation sparked an interesting thought in my mind. How often do we label ourselves as Christians yet provide little or no outward indication of our growing faith? Sure, we know we are saved and Jesus is alive and thriving on the inside, but can the outward world view our Christianity just by glimpsing in our direction? Or, do they really have to know us to know something is different? Or, worse - does the outward world need a verbal confirmation to know we are Christians... and yet, they continue to doubt because of the lacking physical signs.

In 1 Samuel 16:7, we learn that "People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." Thankfully - God looks at our insides.... but that doesn't provide us with an excuse to not start showing our Christianity. In Matthew 7:17-20, we learn that we should be able to determine a Christian by his or her fruit. A person who is continually seeking God's will for his or her life cannot help but let His will affect every aspect of both the inside and the outside! Is the inward transformation showing on the outside? Is it possible to know who you worship and who you love just by looking at you? Or, do you, need a little verbal confirmation?

I don't know about you, but I don't want there to be any question - just like my belly says 'I'm pregnant;' I want my life to say "I'm His!"

(Matthew 7:17-20) Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.


"Come all you who are thirsty, come to the waters..." Isaiah 55:1

I resolve....

In honor of all the New Year's Resolutions floating around out there, I resolved to start blogging again. Hopefully, you can keep me in check. Let me explain...

As I reflect upon the whole idea of resolutions, I wonder - what exactly are they? Is there a point? Does anyone actually keep them? Or, do they, in fact, make us feel better... I resolve... whats so great about that?

In fact, as I think about resolutions, I cannot help but laugh. I was watching TV this morning and heard that the beginning of January marks a rise in work-out profits, while by January 14, there is a dip in happiness and working-out. Realistically, most of us will forfeit our resolutions and go back to normal in less than two weeks - pretty humbling, huh? Which ones of us will re-buy the junk food, start shoveling in the pizza, and quit gnawing on those carrots and celery sticks we so desperately wanted on January 1? Which ones of us will slowly sneak back into sleeping in on Sunday mornings? Which ones of us will, quite frankly, just stop caring... and just give up?!?!

Then, I think about the Christian life. Isn't New Year's just like our experiences as a Christian? We go to a camp or attend a radical service... maybe we have an epiphany... we need more Jesus. We need to resolve. We need to radically change for Christ. And, slowly, we go back to our more comfortable lives.... slowly we loose our resolutions... slowly, well, in about 2 weeks, we become ourselves again and forget to allow the Spirit to move.

Sadly, we think of these resolutions as burdens... something else on our checklist. And, often, with heavy hearts, we begin a routine... not a relationship... a routine, we didn't really buy into to begin with. Or, sometimes, we start with good intentions and add more and more onto our plates until we are so busy and so burdened we simply cannot fulfill God's call for us.

I once read a story... forgive me for not citing the story for I simply cannot remember from where it came...

There was a man who talked to God. During one conversation, God asked him to carry a small pebble up a large mountain. The man began his journey with great joy, singing to God as he went. How awesome God chose Him for this job. How wonderful he could contribute to God's great plan... and wow... this burden was light.

As he climbed the mountain, the man came upon a small village where his friend asked what he was doing. Upon finding out his destination, the friend asked, "could you please help me, I have this plank I need to get to the top of the mountain. Could you take it with you when you go?" Of course, the man consented. After all, he was going that way. The burden, a little heavier, was not too bad. So, he continued up the mountain, whistling and praising God.

Then, the man passed another friend who asked him to carry a small rock; then he passed yet another friend with a basket of small pebbles, then another friend, and another... and before he knew it - the man's burden was heavy and far too difficult to carry up the mountain. His praising turned to cursing... and he was no longer happy with God.

So, God came to visit... meeting him halfway up the mountain. And, God asked, "why are you so downcast? What's all this racket for?" The man started in, "You asked me to make this impossible trip... its too heavy... too far..."

And, God interrupted, pulling out each piece the man added to his burden... "What is this? And, this? And this? You see... these are not your burdens to carry. You were asked to carry this one pebble. Why are you carrying the weight of so many when you were given the assignment of One?"

To me, I cannot help but think - we oftentimes treat our resolutions as this man did his burden. We begin with a small task that God asks of us. He does not ask us to change the world. He asks us to change one small thing at a time. He does not give us beyond what we can bear. But, we, being the silly people we are... we add to our plates, we pile on the rocks, and then, we sit back and wonder why God made things so difficult. When, in fact, God did not make things difficult at all - He kept His promise - "his yoke is easy and his burden is light" (Matthew 11:30).

So, this year, consider what God desires of you. Do not add someone else's burden to your already important pile. Let God work. After all, God commands, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) And, if you do - your burden will be light and your journey will be pleasurable - you will have deep rest in God. Its when we get in the way of God's work that we fail. And, boy can we make a mess of things.

So, I don't know about you. But, for me... I resolve... I resolve to let God have control. I resolve to allow Him to dictate my path. I resolve to carry the burden God gives me and not to pile on the burdens that God gives to someone else. I resolve to be the woman of God He intended and not the woman I think He intended. Yes, I resolve... I resolve to let go and let God. Sounds like a good resolution to me.

"Come all you who are thirsty, come to the waters..." Isaiah 55:1

Too busy... not to.

I must say, I am a slacker. I do not put as much time and effort into this blog now that time is hectic and days are busier. In fact, I haven't given the blog a second thought... until today.

Bill Hybels once said, "I am too busy not to pray." Or, in the words of Martin Luther, "tomorrow I plan to work, work, from early until late. In fact I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer."

How often do we miss this? How often do we skew our words and our priorities to say, "I am too busy to pray. I am too busy to have Bible study. Or, in my case, I am too busy to share my convictions on a blog." Too busy... what does that mean? Yes, we know the feeling. Life is hectic. Things are planned. And, well, I am tired... I don't really want to get up thirty minutes early and God wants me to sleep - right? Or, I had a rough day - I need some me time - God wants me to have me time - does that count as a devotional?

During times like these... when we are too busy to eat, much less think - I cannot help but ponder the following verses.

Romans 12:2 - Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Do not be conformed - do not let the earthly stress, the earthly events, the daily grind keep you from God. Do not let earthly things provide you an excuse. Do not conform. Do not give in. Stand strong. But be transformed - allow God the time to take over. Allow God the opportunity to share with you and... by the renewal of your mind - God reveals to us. That by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect - Without spending time with God - we have no idea what he wants. But, in spending time with God - He reveals His plan to us.
When we finally take the time to spend with God - our day is smoother. Our life has purpose. We need to give God control - not the world.

Then, there is the story of Mary and Martha. Martha spent all her time doing and no time with Jesus. She was so busy - she almost missed the important part of life -
In Luke 10:38-42 we read, "Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”
To me, this verse says - "Dana, really? Why are you so stressed. Its okay if the house is a little messy or the food takes a little longer. What matters is how you spend your time with me. Its okay if things don't go according to plan. You need some God time. When you don't have God time - you are anxious and troubled. But, when you allow me the time to renew your spirit, everything else goes so much smoother."

So, tomorrow - when I feel like sleeping in - I hope the Mary in me wakes up longing for time with Jesus. Its time for me to say no to the world and yes to Jesus - after all, I am too busy not to spend time with Him.

"Come all you who are thirsty, come to the waters..." Isaiah 55:1

Mice

Along with the many joys of country living comes our pesky little rodent friends - yes, I am talking about mice. So, as you can imagine, Andrew and I were simply overjoyed to find our home was once again invaded (thank you incoming cold weather). And, as disgusting as this sounds, there are mice remnants in our office, in our basement, and, if you come downstairs quietly - the pesky little friends will run across the floor and flaunt their excitement for their new home. (Can you sense the sarcasm here? If not, note - we do NOT like Mice... at all.)

Now, don't get me wrong - mice are quite cute. They are tiny, squeaky and almost adorable... if they are caged and not running rampant in your home. If you aren't careful, you can be consumed by their cute faces and forget they forage and spread nasty diseases in your home while eating your electrical cords and damaging your walls. And, then, when you least expect it - the mice multiply! And, then, there are more deceptively cute pests roaming your home looking to destroy your limited edition chocolate chips or your freshly baked bread.

So, I did what any normal, sane person would do - I called the exterminator... and equipped with poison, glue traps, and other rodent-eliminating necessities - he came to save the day.

Now, you are probably wondering - what do mice, exterminators and nasty diseases have to do with God? Its quite simple really - in James 1:13-15, we read that sin entices. Its starts off cute and boy are you deceived! Then, once you are dragged away and enticed (into believing the mouse or sin is harmless), the disease begins to spread and the sin becomes out of control. The once cute looking, manageable sin multiplies into colonies of mice and sin - unable to be controlled.

The good news is - there is a way to eliminate the sin from the start - Call the exterminator - God. Call upon Him and He will answer. For, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (1 Corinthians 10:13). Only God can fully exterminate the sin. And, only He can make sure it doesn't multiply.

James 1:13-15 "When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."

"Come all you who are thirsty, come to the waters..." Isaiah 55:1

Comments are Critical!

I've never been one to enjoy correction. I don't know many people who do. In fact, I thrive on doing things right the first time. In school, I wanted my paper returned with an A, not just any A, but a 100 - anything short was simply lacking.

In life, I want my ducks in a row - I want supper to be perfect, my house to be clean, my life to be in order - I don't want correction... it means something is not up to par. I strive on perfectionism... in some aspects, and well, in others - I really don't care. I guess you could say certain things matter to me and I want those things to be perfect.

Unfortunately, perfection is rarely achieved and I find myself needing and in fact getting corrected. Sometimes, I take correction personally. Instead of listening and acting, I get my feelings hurt or I assume the person is wrong and strive to prove them so. Other times, I see their point of view and fail to acknowledge it. But, would you believe the best things happen when I meet correction head-on?!?!

You see, at school, we are constantly observed. There are state people, principals, other teachers, and even my graduate school professors that pop in and see how things are going. And, yes, they ALWAYS offer correction. And, thankfully, over the past few years, I've learned correction is not bad, its good. Correction is God's way of making us more like Jesus. But, if we don't take correction and use it - we aren't getting any closer to the One we want to be like.

After reading Proverbs 1, I decided most of us are not even looking at correction in the correct light. Instead of seeing it as an opportunity, we see it as a hurdle. Instead of using correction to make our lives better, we dwell on it and make our lives worse.

God says, "for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young - let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance - for understanding...." (Proverbs 1:2-6a)

In other words, correction is important and those who don't listen, those who don't value, and those who don't adjust are foolish. Without correction - we will never become more like Jesus. But, with guidance, correction, and application - We can be closer to the One we love.


"Come all you who are thirsty, come to the waters..." Isaiah 55:1

TEST - Are you Ready?

In my math class today, we have a test. I would venture to say there are four types of students -

• the students who know the material without a need to study
• the students who studied - they accepted the material, they understand the material and they put it into practice.
• the students who wait until the last minute (aka when the test starts) to start telling me what they don't understand
• and the students who simply don't care or just don't know.

So, of course, I got to thinking. Aren't there four types of people in this world as well?

• There are the folks who accept Jesus and live a so-so life neither striving to please Him nor striving to make Him mad.... they are just going with the flow,
• There are the extreme Christians - those who love Jesus, accepted Jesus and strive to serve Him everyday, the Christians we should all strive to be. Those who are prepared for anything and are ready to serve the Lord.
• There are the people who, at the end of there life, begin to make excuses... when its too late - what? I didn't know it was the end. What? I thought I had more time? What? You told me this already? Those with an opportunity to ask, to serve, to accept - an opportunity they wasted.
• And, there are those who don't know or just don't care.

The question is - if there was a test - if Jesus came back - what category would you fall in?
In Matthew 22:44, we learn, to be ready. "So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." Don't wait to the last minute! Don't be someone who just doesn't care! Accept, study and prepare... for the end is near.





"Come all you who are thirsty, come to the waters..." Isaiah 55:1

Tic, Tac, Toe....

Three in a row.

Order is important. In childhood games, order matters - who goes first creates inevitable conflict. Or, tic, tac, toe cannot be won without a specific order - 3 in a row. The order of your meals must matter, as we refer to the first as breakfast, the second as lunch and the third as supper. And, even the order you get ready in the morning counts - you can't put on your underwear after your pants - can you?!?! Yes, order matters. It permeates our being. It helps us keep the peace and remain somewhat sane throughout the day.

I cannot help but think some of us are overly involved in order and others of us need a little more order in our lives. I am a firm believer that order helps establish patterns, ground rules, and helps one accomplish more faster.

Upon examining our Savior's life, I am even more convinced that order is important. When feeding the 5000, Jesus illustrated his orderliness - his ability to plan, and his overall idea of the bigger picture.

You see, before food even became an issue, Jesus wanted to know, "where shall we buy bread for all these people to eat?" (John 6:5). He anticipated the needs around him and planned accordingly. Then, once food was found, Jesus demanded, "have the people sit down." He had a plan, an orderly plan, one that allowed him to see all and to manage the crowd around him. And, finally, when everyone was done eating, he gathered the leftovers in an orderly manner - he commanded the disciples to "gather the pieces that are leftover. Let nothing be wasted." Jesus even had a clean up plan!

He didn't wait, haphazardly to meet the needs of those around Him - He knew the needs, He created a plan and He implemented it. Don't you think we are to do the same?

Without order, our good intentions remain just that - good intentions. But, order helps us to establish and carry out those intentions. Rather than run around like crazy headless chickens, we need to stop, take a few minutes, and establish a plan. Of course, like Jesus, we need to save some room for orderly flexibility. After all, sometimes a noon day message develops into a meal for 5000!

"Come all you who are thirsty, come to the waters..." Isaiah 55:1