The Best Way Forward

Houseplants are common, but I recently realized I've owned this one since 1991... it has been around for more than half my life!

I discovered it left on the shelves at my (then) new office in an icecream pail, and wanting my space to look more professional I transplanted it to a nicer pot that my mother had stored in her basement. When I left that job a couple years later, the plant came along and has been with me since. 

Though we begin things with good intentions, we never know what will last. "Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well." (Ecclesiastes 11:6) 

Sometimes the path to follow will seem clear to us, especially if we invite God to help with our decisions: "This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go." (Isaiah 48:17) 

At other times it's hard to discern the best way forward, but this should not stop us from trying. "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps." (Proverbs 16:9) and "Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails." (Proverbs 19:21). So even if our plans happen to point us in the wrong direction, the Lord will be involved in the outcome. For Christians, this can reassure us that we will never stray far off if we stay in relationship with God. For people who don't want His involvement, it may be a more cautionary verse - but still applies. 

There is yet another thing we can do to make our plans more successful: "Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed."(Proverbs 15:22). So it is wise to run our ideas past someone else before we proceed with them. 

In summary, I never imagined this plant would outlast the job I had, the career I spent years pursuing, and the business I worked for back then. Nor did I ever think I would be writing about it years later. It seems the Lord had quite different purposes in mind for me than I planned for. So imagine a good future, talk to others and pray about it, and then begin to move forward. The Lord will either establish your steps, or intervene and redirect you in a new direction if that is what's best.

 * All references from the NIV

Why Some People Stop Believing

I recently watched a documentary about clergy people who are apostate, who formerly had faith but no longer believe in the supernatural aspect of Christianity - which of course means they no longer believe in God. Some continued to perform their clergy jobs in secret or defiance, others joined humanist or atheist movements, and some missed the fellowship of church life and started Sunday gatherings like church services without reference to God or the Bible. I watched this wary of deception, but curious about what caused their loss of faith.
One idea expressed was this: "If there is a loving God, why would He allow this ________________  (fill in blank with something awful witnessed or experienced) to happen? Since [awful things] happen, I don't believe in God." Their thinking had led them to judge God, rather than the other way around. Some chose a humanist view, believing in the value of fallible but visible humans, while God was blamed or dismissed for not stopping evil as if this were an evil in itself, or proof of non-existence.
I admit that when fears and horrors arise, it can be hard to sense that God is present or responding to prayer. And yet, I've never read a scripture that says "everything will be perfect on earth all the time, and by the good fortune of everyone there, you will know God exists." This is not heaven, it is earth! Rather than disproving God's existence, these actually prove EXACTLY what the Bible talks about - that sin exists. We are warned that man is sinful, and that other unseen evil forces are also at work here encouraging this.
I believe that God has the power to stop whatever He wants to. He created it all, and it is within His ability to end or control it all, or parts of it. Many times, for example, God intervenes and people are guided to safety*, or obstacles stop sinful acts from being carried out.
Other times He does not intervene, and far be it from me to presume to answer why. It could be that a greater good we don't know or appreciate will result from the event, or perhaps that God has built in certain bodily responses during trauma or dying that prevent it from being unbearable and unending, despite being frightening to witness.
I hope fear and disappointment never derail my faith (or yours). I hope that we pray often enough in good times that God's blessings strengthen our faith, so that when challenging times come the gratitude in our spirit does not give up to the doubts in our mind.

* Matthew 2:13 NIV [ The Escape to Egypt ] "When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

Psalm 14:1 NIV [ For the director of music. Of David. ] "The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good."

It Happens In Thousands of Livingrooms!

"If you only had one week to live, and could write something guaranteed to impact 1000 people, what would you write?" This question was posed at a writers' workshop I attended, and this was my response: "I would write about Bible Study groups, and why I like them so much". As an introvert they really suit my style, and here is why:

• I like to learn, and as the name implies these studies focus in-depth on topics or sections of the Bible. Excellent study guides and videos are also available for leaders and members which encourage participation and consistency.
• Study groups are often small, which makes it comfortable to interact and share. It's fun to hear spiritual insights from others.
• It's encouraging to hear others pray aloud and pray with them. I learn from this too.
• Often groups meet in homes, which can strengthen friendships.
• Whether a collection is taken is up to the group, and many do not.
• There's always something new to study regardless how long a group meets, whether for a season or years.
• I find it easier to invite a friend to a small group than to a large church service. 
• For a change of pace, invite someone to share their testimony as a speaker.
• Bible studies are a way to find wisdom, solve problems, gain insight, and feel loved by God and others.

I don't know whether this will impact 1000 people - and sadly not everyone is free to gather this way - but I would love it if blessings I've received from such groups would be multiplied to others. Plus, these small gatherings greatly resemble the way Jesus' followers met with Him and continued to spread the word.

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. - Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV

"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20 NIV

Is Fasting 'Just Another Diet'?

Okay I'll admit it, losing a couple pounds over 24 hours is a definite motivator when I fast, but I have noticed other benefits as well. 

A glass of water can help relieve hunger when fasting.

The period I choose begins after breakfast, then I just have liquids until lunch the next day. I like this timing because it only requires one night of fasting instead of two. Sometimes I barely feel hunger while fasting and it passes quickly, while other times I may get a little shaky. Eventually there's a point when my body begins to convert more stored energy from itself instead of food. Skipping only one meal doesn't seem to get me to that point, and often just makes me eat more the next meal. The longer fast is needed, and here are other benefits I notice:

• Even though I only lose a couple pounds fasting, it seems to improve my metabolism for a few days afterward.
• During the fast my appetite settles down, and I realize I am not a 'slave' to food.
• Fasting also shows me how dependant I am on eating for reasons other than hunger. Do I snack to cheer myself up while working? How do I use the extra time while fasting, do I enjoy other things in life when food is absent?
• Fasting allows time for my body to recover from food sensitivities. Apart from this, a break from genetically modified or artificial foods and preservatives might benefit anyone.
• Fasting improves my weight and appearance.
• In addition to my own health, I sometimes dedicate a fast to 'a cause'. To avoid the "I'm fasting so you owe me" attitude, I may instead ask God if there is something He would like me to fast on behalf of.*

I definitely don't fast perfectly, or as regularly as might be best. Sometimes to coax myself, I allow tea in addition to water. Or I may promise myself something special for lunch the next day, as an incentive. For me it's about the willingness to try, and then see what happens.**

*(Isaiah 58:6 NIV) “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?"

**(Matthew 6:16-18 NIV) 16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Note: I am not a medical professional and this is just my personal experience with fasting, not a recommendation.

A Present From The Past

I actually forgot I asked for it until the gift arrived, but once I saw it I knew just who it was from.
As Christmas was approaching, I thought often about my mom. It was a few years ago that she died, after a prolonged illness. The condition had slowly affected her muscles to the point that she couldn't walk, speak, focus her eyes, or finally even swallow. However she could still smile and squeeze my hand, to show she loved me.
As I grew up, she was the one who decorated our house, bought us lovely presents, and made delicious Christmas dinners. Not in a pretentious way either, that wasn't Mom. More in a loving, faithful way. But as her illness took those abilities from her, our family each did what they could to continue the gatherings.
But this year, my memory of Mom in earlier times seemed less clear. So privately, I asked God to make her memory more vivid. I had no idea how this could happen - through a dream perhaps? And as I got busier preparing for Christmas, I soon forgot my request.
Christmas Day arrived, and we were visiting my family when my brother invited me to watch a video on his computer. "Here is something I'm giving you", he said. The short clip was originally filmed to send our Christmas wishes to my niece in 2007, when she couldn't come home. As the camera panned across the room, each of us gave a little wave and our greeting. The end of the video focused on Mom, seated in her wheelchair. Dad said "C'mon Grandma, ..." and she turned, looked right into the camera, smiled, waved, and said Merry Christmas!
We were all moved watching it, and my heart was touched even more when I recalled my prayer, and recognized this beautiful gift was the answer.

9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:9-11 NIV

Has A Prayer Been Answered If A Miracle Doesn't Occur?

A person who rated a Christian movie wrote that, in their opinion, it did not contain enough supernatural events for a movie about God, that the things shown "could have happened anyway". Another thought the movie "brilliant". This challenged me to consider how I would explain to someone why I believe God is involved in everyday events that are not miraculous in the literal sense, but rather unfold in ordinary ways. When I first heard Christians refer to coincidental events as "God-incidences," I thought it a quaint way to explain how answers to prayer often seem. But occasionally I felt confused by the way prayers were answered; such as when events were underway before the prayer was even spoken, or when they clearly granted a long held - but unspoken - 'heart's desire*'. Were they still answers to prayer?
My understanding later broadened to accept that while we are within time and space, God - the Creator of it all - is not constrained by those same limitations. He entered our world and lives within us, but also exists outside of time to arrange when things unfold, and can use any channels at His disposal (eg. all of creation and more**) to answer a prayer or need. Viewed this way, it seems odd that we would expect Him to be uninvolved with what we experience as everyday life. Miracles, then - when the laws of nature related to time and space are momentarily suspended - are more likely to be the exception.

*"You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing." Psalm 145:16

**"But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation." Hebrews 9:11 NIV

An excellent book on the topic is "Miracles" by C.S. Lewis.

Not Feeling Good Enough to Pray?

Sometimes life leads us down roads we never expected. Have you ever started something you felt bad about, but didn't want to stop? When I was younger, I was surprised to discover that some of the things people warned me about were ... well, fun. How could this be - if sin is bad, shouldn't it hurt? The simple answer is, it can feel good and hurt you (or others) at the same time. That is why it is so hard to stop, and why people warn us not to begin.


When I find myself on the 'wrong side' of this dilemma, I still maintain my relationship with God. People may judge me, and I need not convince anyone I am right or wrong. I pray about what I have done, or am about to do. Why kid myself, God knows my intentions? And I invite him to intervene, and confess my inability to stop. We don't have to be perfect to come before God, or no one would qualify. But thanks to Jesus' work on the cross, we still have access to communicate with God.


Romans 7:19 NIV "For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing."

Walking Through Fire

"When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."* Sometimes losses, homelessness, financial crisis, illness or serious injury happen or are imminent. These events seem like walking through fire because dangers abound, and outcomes are unclear. When in the midst of a difficult time, I pray (if I can), sometimes cry, take care of myself, and wait as things unfold. Afterward, I find that God has not let me down. Help was provided, and many of the possibilities did not come to pass. And those that did, have not consumed me.


* Isaiah 43:2 b NIV

All We Need

Self-sufficiency is an illusion. Whether you earn lots of money, or live in poverty, this still holds true. "The creature's illusion of self-sufficiency must, for the creature's sake, be shattered; and by trouble or fear of trouble on earth, by crude fear of the eternal flames, God shatters it 'unmindful of His glory's diminution''' [ie. when we then come to Him as a last resort]*. In all our work we are at best like the physicians who cannot heal, only make the conditions optimal for healing; or farmers who cannot make things grow, only sow seeds into fertile soil and make conditions optimal for growth to happen. In all things there is an element of provision needed for which we are dependant on our Creator. Job 8:5-7 (NIV) says:
⁵ But if you will seek God earnestly
   and plead with the Almighty,
⁶ if you are pure and upright,

   even now he will rouse himself on your behalf
   and restore you to your prosperous state.
⁷ Your beginnings will seem humble,
   so prosperous will your future be.

* "The Problem of Pain" in The Complete CS Lewis Signature Classics, pg. 607

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep...

God is holy, and deserves our respect and reverence. However, sometimes fear and awe of God - or shame about our behaviour - prevents us from discussing all our concerns with Him. Reciting rote prayers at bedtime and before meals, only discussing emergencies or gratitude - these might reflect a prayer life that could be deepened by sharing more everyday concerns, and also the things that trouble you about life and your own behaviour.  God will not be shocked by any of this because "no temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind" (1 Cor. 10:13 NIV), and He is willing to help with everything.