Halloween Costumes

When my son was younger, he enjoyed dressing up in costumes for Halloween. I remember one year when he dressed up as a Jedi, a character from Star Wars. He had a brown robe and a plastic light saber. He always really got into his roles—and, I think, a small part of him believed that he could fight the forces of evil with that plastic light saber.

Now, this level of fantasy is cute in a small child, but not in adults. Even though I am in my forties, I attempt to fight evil with ineffective weapons like logic, reason, persuasive words, and planning—which is not much different than showing up to a battle dressed in a robe and a plastic light saber.

“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” (Ephesians 6:11-18 NLT)

My friend, LV, wrote the following as part of our Ephesians study:

“Paul then ends his letter by reminding us that our battle is not against people in these various relationships, our battle is a spiritual one. What a good reminder when conflict arises in our homes, workplaces and churches. And our armor is not made of my typical fighting attire of emotional walls and defensive arguments. It's comprised of the beautiful virtues of truth, righteousness, peace, faith, prayer, and the Bible.”

Brain Flossing

My brain has been feeling like an old Commodore 64 computer. About 20 years ago, my brain used to process information quickly and efficiently. Now it seems to be moving at a snail’s pace. I think I may have brain plaque.

Plaque (beta amyloid) build-up is common in aging brains. It is a leading cause of Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive impairment issues. Regular exercise and a healthy diet are the usual recommendations to fight brain plaque formation.

Well…I already maintain a healthy diet and exercise daily; so why does my brain feel so clogged up?

I wonder: If flossing my teeth can reduce plaque, why can’t the same work for my brain? Of course, I don’t mean literally getting inside my brain and scraping the plaque out. Yet, there must be some way I can clean the debris that has built up over the decades.

Learning anything new seems to help a bit, whether it is knitting or graphing parabola translations. At first, it feels awkward and labored—and just like when you first start to floss your teeth, it’s frustrating when the thread gets stuck. It’s not fun to feel incompetent. It’s tempting to go back to the familiar. Yet, if I keep tugging, flossing, and cleaning—maybe I’ll prolong the usefulness of my brain. After all, I could get dentures if my teeth fall out, but it might be harder to get a prosthetic brain. (I guess smartphones are today’s version of the prosthetic brain, and soon they will figure out how to just implant it directly into our skulls.) Yet, just like I hope to keep my own natural teeth, I hope to keep my own natural brain functioning. So, I try to floss my brain regularly by continuous learning.

Indecisiveness

“Fear stifles our thinking and actions. It creates indecisiveness that results in stagnation. I have known talented people who procrastinate indefinitely rather than risk failure. Lost opportunities cause erosion of confidence, and the downward spiral begins.” (Charles Stanley) 

When I read the above quote, I knew it was meant for me.

I often feel like I am suffocating from worry. I get caught in a loop of anxiety and despair. The more I struggle, the tighter this noose gets around my neck—until it strangles all thought and action.

I am paralyzed by my habit of over analysis. I like to dig—to search deeply. Unfortunately, I have trouble doing anything in moderation. I end up digging a big trench around me and then I’m stuck in it.

I pride myself on making smart choices. This has become part of my identity. Every time I make a stupid decision—and yes, I have made a few—I beat myself up over it. I tend to remain stagnant for fear of making a dumb move. Opportunities pass me by…

I live next to a 4-lane highway with a center median. In order to go into the closest town, I have to make a left turn onto the highway. I usually wait for all the traffic to be clear, just to be safe. Some days, I end up muttering to myself: “Darn! I could’ve gone after that car…I could’ve made it if I hadn’t hesitated so much.” Over the years I have lost my confidence in my driving abilities.

Indecisiveness often masquerades as prudence. Extreme caution atrophies courage, until one is debilitated by uncertainty. Making even small moves, gently exercising our decisive muscles regularly, can get us out of this downward spiral. Our confidence builds up with every opportunity that we capitalize on, with every positive decision. It’s true that one bad decision will knock you back down to your knees…but we learn what we can from it, and get up and move again.

Perfect Day List

I’ve never been good about flossing my teeth. I ramp up a few weeks before my dentist visit and keep it up for a few weeks after. After that I add it to my Perfect Day List.

On a perfect day, I would sleep soundly till 6 a.m., wake up peacefully without an alarm, brush, floss, exercise, shower, have only one cup of coffee, pray insightfully, write fluidly, and have a healthy breakfast—all before 8 a.m. The day would continue to be productive and predictable—with no surprises. At the end of the day, everything and everyone would be taken care of, all tasks on my list would be accomplished efficiently, and all the calories I ate all day would go to fortifying my brain instead of expanding my abs. On a perfect day like this, I might even brush and floss again before bedtime.

Suffice it to say, I can’t remember the last time I had a perfect day. Even so, I keep a perfect day list just in case one comes along. I add to the list regularly. When I don’t really feel like working something into my normal, not-so-perfect life, I just add it to the perfect day list. Now, you might suspect I’m just putting things off, or procrastinating... You see, it’s not that I don’t think all these things are very important, I do—but I can’t help it if everything in my day doesn’t line up evenly and neatly! Oh, no…I’m not procrastinating. I’m merely waiting for that perfect day.

All kidding aside, I realize that waiting for the perfect timing is a way of justifying my procrastination. There are very few flawless days. Most of our time on earth is merely a chain of imperfect days, strung together like cracked beads. It would take very little for the whole thing to fall apart…

Side Effects of Indignation

There are certain character traits that may be passed on from generation to generation, some of which include generosity, discipline, confidence, bitterness, pessimism, stubbornness…Well, one trait that I have certainly inherited is a sense of righteous indignation. 

Indignation is defined as—a strong displeasure at something considered unjust, unfair, offensive, or insulting.

This trait can be a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it makes me want to be an advocate for the oppressed and stand up and fight for every perceived injustice; but on the flip side, it causes me to get involved in battles that are not mine to fight—leaving me resentful and frustrated.

According to C.S. Lewis, “Indignation at others’ sufferings, though a generous passion, needs to be well managed lest it steal away patience and humanity from those who suffer and plant anger and cynicism in their stead.” (-from The Problem of Pain)

Even though I had noticed the effects of my indignation on myself, I didn’t realize that it could be negatively impacting others. When I voice my exasperation about any situation—it plants seeds of resentment and discontent in those who are suffering.

For example, when a friend is going through a crisis, I may say: “This is so unfair; you don’t deserve this; you shouldn’t put up with this!”

My outrage is not likely to make her problem go away. In fact, it may just increase her sense of frustration, cynicism, and despondency.

Once we understand these negative side effects of indignation, we can be more careful. It is a sword that needs to be brandished thoughtfully, used judiciously, and sheathed conscientiously.

Human Trafficking

Recently my friends and I were talking about human trafficking, especially of young girls. Human trafficking is a modern form of slavery, where people are bought and sold for the purpose of forced labor or sexual exploitation. We were all upset about this abominable situation and wondered how this sort of thing can continue to happen in this day and age. Mostly we had heard about human trafficking being a problem in third world countries. One of my friends said: “You would think these communities would be ashamed and outraged by this practice and would do something about it!”

Desperate people who live in poorer countries do not have the luxury of indignation. They might need to focus all their energy to protect their own children from danger and violence. My friends and I are in a different situation. We are middle-class, U.S. citizens, who are able to fend for ourselves and take care of our families. We have a voice, we have rights, and thus we have power. We have the luxury of righteous indignation.

“In the U.S., human trafficking tends to occur around international travel-hubs with large immigrant populations, notably California and Texas. The U.S. Justice Department estimates that 17,500 people are trafficked into the country every year, but the true figure could be higher, because of the large numbers of undocumented immigrants. About 300,000 children are believed to be currently at risk from sexual exploitation.” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_trafficking_in_the_United_States)

Human trafficking hot spots in the U.S. include—strip clubs, brothels, nail salons, massage parlors, truck stops, meat packing plants, agricultural centers, and domestic service operations. Transportation of sex slaves spikes during popular events such as the Super Bowl and Mardi Gras. 

So how come there isn’t more of a moral outrage about human trafficking within our own country? Why are our churches not sending volunteers to these hubs of activity-- big cities, festivals, sporting events, truck stops, meat-packing plants, and agricultural centers using migrant workers? We have more power and influence to actually change things here in this country. We speak the language, we have rights, we have power, and we have the luxury of moral indignation.  

Malcolm Gladwell

There are a few authors whom I like so much that I get cross with them for not writing enough. If you are a good writer, and you happen to be dead—then you are excused. Otherwise, I expect a good book at least once a year from you. I’m talking to you--Philip Yancey, Anne Lamott, Donald Miller, Malcolm Gladwell…

I recently read an article about Malcolm Gladwell which reminded me why I’m a fan of his work. Here is an excerpt:

“The author espouses clarity of thought, learning to sift through and filter out the noise of the world to focus on what is essential to one’s life, and to perceive people and situations for who and what they are rather than what one thinks they are. ‘I feel that people are experience-rich and theory-poor,’ asserts Gladwell. ‘That is to say, most people have lots and lots and lots of experiences but don’t have the time to try to make sense of them. It’s a luxury to be able to sit and theorize and read psychologists, sociologists, and historians and to attach explanations to events. The reason people read books like my own is that they’re searching for those kinds of explanations, of ways of making sense of things. There is this tremendous body of knowledge in the world of academia where extraordinary numbers of incredibly thoughtful people have taken the time to examine on a really profound level the way we live our lives and who we are and where we’ve been. That brilliant learning sometimes gets trapped in academia and never sees the light of day. I’m trying to give people access to all of that brilliant thinking. It’s a way of going back to college long after you’ve graduated.’” (‘To Agree, Or Not to Agree,’ by Brian Reesman)  

This passage resonated with me. It was like hearing a song for the first time and knowing that the lyrics expressed your sentiments—precisely. This is what I want to do—sift through and filter out the noise of the world to focus on the essentials. Some people might describe luxury in terms of expensive homes, cars, jewelry, clothing, spa days, food, or wine. My idea of the ultimate luxury would be similar to Gladwell’s—to be able to sit, theorize, read, and make sense of things. There is so much knowledge out there—some really insightful people have figured out so many wonderful, intricate, fascinating mysteries. I often feel guilty about indulging myself, luxuriating by this sea of knowledge. So, mostly I just walk on the sandy beach, occasionally dipping my toes in this vast body of wisdom.

The Red Sea

According to the Bible, the Israelites left their life of slavery in Egypt, crossed the Red Sea, wandered around the desert for 40 years (because they were intimidated by the tribes that occupied the land of Canaan), and finally got up the courage to cross over the Jordan River into the Promised Land. Each of these bodies of water represented a boundary. I’m not speaking about actual geography, but symbolic borders between different phases of life.

To me, Egypt has always represented a state of bondage to worldly values. I’ve never literally been to the country of Egypt, but I have gone through times where I was confined by the standards of the people around me. My identity, my sense of self-worth, and my contentment were tied up in worldly terms. When I ‘crossed over’ my personal Red Sea, I thought I would step straight into the Promised Land; but that’s not what happened.

You see, the Promised Land is described as a land of milk and honey—which I thought represented the ‘good life’, a comfortable, cozy existence. As I later found out, it isn’t that at all! The Promised Land is where you live according to God’s terms, completely dependent on His will. Well, once I found that out, I was scared. I decided I wasn’t quite ready for THAT yet!

So, I turned around and went into the desert of self-will. I would live according to my own terms. I would depend on my SELF. I’ve been wandering around in circles, living according to my own standards, under my own capacity, deriving my identity from my mediocre talents and accomplishments for years now. I’m occasionally tempted to go back and live according to the world’s terms—for after all, they aren’t much different than my own—and it’s exciting to have public affirmation. Yet, the Promised Land still beckons me. It promises freedom, abundance, an unearthly identity…but I’m still hesitant.

Forgotten Milestones

Birthdays, graduations, weddings, and anniversaries are milestones that are commonly celebrated and remembered. Happy occasions and events that can be assigned a date are easy to commemorate. We can save gifts, rings, pictures, and cards to memorialize these experiences. But there are also significant milestones that quickly fade from our memories: recovery from an illness, answered prayer, a restored relationship, overcoming an obstacle, or resolution of a crisis.

Chapter 4 of the book of Joshua describes how the Israelites cross the Jordan River. As usual, my insights into these stories are mostly metaphorical. The Jordan represents a boundary between two phases of life. Crossing borders often involve dealing with barriers, walls, fences, rivers, or checkpoints. These transitional periods are marked with difficulties, pain, and stressful growth. Yet, we often put them behind us and move on quickly once we make it to the new phase. We overlook how God took care of us, how He got us through these obstacles.

Interestingly, God instructed the Israelites to memorialize the crossing over the Jordan. Just like He did with the Red Sea (the border between Egypt and the Sinai Desert,) God stopped the flow of the Jordan River so that the Israelites could cross safely. Then God instructed them to take twelve stones from the middle of the riverbed and build a memorial to remind future generations of His providence.

Think back on your life thus far. How many impassable, seemingly impossible situations have you gotten through by God’s grace? Do you remember these milestones? Maybe it would help to memorialize these border crossings.

I have some river rock in my flower beds. I took a permanent marker and wrote a word or phrase on these rocks to commemorate some of the difficult transitions that God has carried me through thus far. I put these rocks in a clear glass bowl to remind myself of God’s care.    

5 Days a Week?

I have been publishing posts on this blog 6 days a week for the last 20 months. I feel like it's time to reduce the number of posts. I am going to try publishing Monday through Friday, 5 days a week. I might reduce it further if I feel led to do so. Thanks to all those who have supported me thus far in this endeavor.
NSP

The Lord is My Stay

“He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me. They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the LORD was my stay. He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me.” (2 Sam. 22:18-20 KJV)

“Stay” means support in this verse. Only the KJV uses this archaic form of the word. In the Middle Ages, stays were used in corsets to hold everything in place. Also, when someone broke a limb, stays were used to brace or support the fractured appendage until it healed.

The Lord is MY STAY. I rely on his support. He holds everything in place. When I am broken, He acts as a brace—steadying the fractured parts until I am healed.   

The same verses in the Message translation:

“He pulled me out of that ocean of hate, that enemy chaos, the void in which I was drowning. They hit me when I was down, but God stuck by me. He stood me up on a wide-open field; I stood there saved—surprised to be loved! God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before him.

Testify or Justify?

 “There are some things which I feel I might do, as far as I am concerned, which I believe I might do without suffering any personal hurt, but which I would not do for your sakes and which I dare not do for the sake of many who would take license from my example to do a great deal more than I would do…The inconsistent life of a Christian is un-labeled poison, and I am very likely to be injured by it.” (Charles Spurgeon)

For meditation: No man is perfect. Spurgeon was a cigar-smoker. This became the subject of controversy in later years. He did not regard smoking as a sin in itself, but justified his habit on the grounds that it relieved his physical pain, soothed his weary brain and helped him to sleep. However, non-smokers criticized him for setting an example which led others into a body-destroying habit. Do you eat or drink anything or do something else which could cause others to stumble? http://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/spurgeon-365-2/2013/09/30

I read the above excerpt about a week ago. I put off thinking about it. Yet, it keeps coming back into my head—like irritating reflux. I guess it’s time to get it examined.

Do I do anything that causes others to stumble? The answer is: YES. Not everything I do is wholesome. I unthinkingly participate in activities that become obstacles for others.  Like Charles Spurgeon, I should know better—yet I justify my habits.

Those who are likely to be held up as role models can influence others for better or worse. It would be similar to mixing a few drops of poison in a container of milk. Most people would assume that the milk is good for them and drink it. 

I know a young man who is trying to live according to God’s standards. Recently someone said the following about him: “His actions are his testimony to others.”

Testimony—as in providing evidence, testifying to something, being a witness.

Testify or Justify? Which one do we do? 

Relationship Advice

“Everything he does and says is designed to bring the best out of her.” (Ephesians 5:25-28 MSG)

A good relationship brings out the best of both individuals. This doesn’t mean it is always conflict free, but there should be positive transformation.

Once, my husband polished an old pair of boots for me. The boots looked okay before he started, but after he was finished they looked better than new—shiny, black, just excellent. I remember wearing them the next day and everyone complimented me on them. This is what a good relationship should look like. The rubbing up against each other, the friction, should bring the best out of each other.

This doesn’t happen automatically with every relationship. I have certain long-term relationships that consistently bring out the worst in me. Often, after being around these people, I am muddy, scuffed up, and worn out. I don’t know how to remedy this situation. I can’t avoid them, because they are family.

This is when I need to allow God to polish me. I must wait my turn at His feet, (for I am not the only shoe that needs His attention). Only He can brush off the dirt, cover the scuff marks, and bring out the shine once again. 

Comforter

Recently, someone asked me: “Have you ever wondered if religion is just a way to pull the wool over people’s eyes?”

I have never visually seen God or heard from Him audibly. Yet, sometimes I feel His presence—it’s like a thick comforter being pulled over me. There is a weight to His Spirit, but it is not cumbersome…instead, it feels reassuring.   

On chilly nights, a thick heavy comforter can keep us warm while we sleep. There is something soothing and reassuring about the weight of these bedcoverings. Faith is similar. When life gets chilly, that’s when you appreciate the weight of the Spirit upon you. Like a mama hen covering her chicks with her own body, the Lord envelops us.

We often think of death as the ‘long sleep’. What if, instead, this earthly life is the ‘long sleep’—punctuated by good and bad dreams, and God blankets us with His comforting, reassuring warmth?    

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever;” (John 14:16 KJV)

Climbing Backwards

Every day, as I run around my neighborhood, there are two small hills that are part of my circuit. Running uphill is a great workout for your heart, but running backwards up a hill is good for your glutes and your heart. So, when I get to the bottom of these hills, I turn around and jog backwards. Yes, my neighbors think I’m strange!

Recently I was reminded of the following lyrics from an old hymn:

“I have decided to follow Jesus…The world behind me, the cross before me—no turning back, no turning back.”

I think I may be running backwards up to the cross—because I still have my eyes on earthly things, although I’m moving toward Jesus. This is not good. I’m always turning back. I want to leave the world behind me, yet I can’t. I want to face the cross, yet I dare not.

As I was looking up the lyrics and the author of this song, I came across the following information:

"I Have Decided to Follow Jesus" is a Christian hymn originating from India. The lyrics are based on the last words of a man in Assam, north-east India, who along with his family was converted to Christianity in the middle of the 19th century through the efforts of a Welsh missionary. Called to renounce his faith by the village chief, the convert declared, "I have decided to follow Jesus." In response to threats to his family, he continued, "Though no one joins me, still I will follow." His wife was killed, and he was executed while singing, "The cross before me, the world behind me." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Have_Decided_to_Follow_Jesus

 

This puts things in perspective. These lyrics were written by a martyr—a man who had to turn his back on his spouse, his community, and literally die to follow Jesus. Whatever I have relinquished thus far, it doesn’t even come close.  

Hiking Mountains

Hawaii has some incredible hiking trails. Most of these paths are steep and rugged, with magnificent panoramic views once you reach the top. One of the most challenging trails, Koko Head Crater, is more of a climb than it is a hike. 1048 steps made out of railroad ties take you from the base of the mountain to the peak--1083 feet elevation gain in just 0.8 miles.

I run 2 miles daily in about 20 minutes. My heart and lungs are used to strenuous activity. Before I started, I imagined that this hike would be challenging, yet interesting. Oh, it was that and much MORE! About halfway up, the two weakest parts of me—my knees and my mind—started wobbling. This led to the following internal dialogue: I don’t think this is a good idea. In fact, this is stupid. What’s the point of climbing up this hill just to prove I can? What if I fall? And even if I make it to the top, the descent is going be really hard on my weak knees. I’ll probably injure my knees and be disabled for the rest of my life after this climb. I should just quit and let my husband do this alone.

If it weren’t for my husband’s prodding (ahem, I mean encouragement), I probably would have given in to these self-defeating thoughts. As I trudged along behind him, I was reminded of one of my all-time favorite books: Hinds' Feet On High Places, by Hannah Hurnard. It is an allegory about a woman’s transformation as she climbs from a valley of fears to spiritual heights. The story is based on the following Bible verse:

“The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.” (Habakkuk 3:19 NLT)

When we feel like we have run out of strength, we have two choices: We can quit, or we can rely on God’s strength. We can either give up, or we can give in to God. We can buckle under our fears and collapse into despair, OR yield to holy resuscitation. Before receiving a divine transfusion, one must be completely depleted of all human energy. When we are sure we can’t carry on, when we are unable to climb another step on our own—then, we are ready to rely completely on God. This supernatural strength empowers us to scale new heights without stumbling or tripping.

“But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31 NLT)

Graffiti

Graffiti is used as a means of leaving one’s mark on the world. Even though it is a form of artistic expression, many countries consider it an act of vandalism. When one’s self-expression defaces nature, or private or public property, then it becomes a violation. Oahu is a beautiful island, but it is teeming with people. 70% of the Hawaiian population is concentrated on this one island, while the neighboring islands are much less crowded.

I hate crowds—so we kept looking for unspoiled places, hiking up into remote forests, tree-lined cliffs, and rugged mountains. Even here, there were signs of humanity—graffiti on tree trunks and abandoned watch towers. The messages were similar, only the names changed…“David was here,” “Justin loves Lisa.” Many cities employ graffiti removers to paint over markings on bridges, buildings, and other structures. But the spray paint and carvings on tree trunks are much harder to fix.

After several days of encountering spray-painted tree trunks on top of pristine mountains, I started feeling depressed. I wondered if humanity mainly consists of those who deface the earth and others who try to clean up the mess. Is our everyday existence, our desire to leave our mark, to express who we are, and to make an impact—merely a form of graffiti? Or maybe we are one of those do-gooders who spends a lifetime painting over graffiti left by others. Either way, it all seems like such a waste.

“But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.” (Ecclesiastes 2:11 NLT)

No Worries

During my recent visit to Hawaii, I kept hearing the phrase: “No worries.” It can mean anything from, “No problem,” or “Don’t worry about it,” to “You’re welcome.” This phrase reflects the general carefree lifestyle of the islands. However, mainlanders often perceive this laid-back attitude as carelessness, inertia, or maybe even laziness.

On the continental U.S., a certain level of intensity and discipline is seen as a necessary part of success. We mainlanders seem to be fueled by stress, fear, and tension. Yet, I wonder if this fear is productive. It may push us to strive more, to acquire more—but does it push us closer or further away from peace?

“I have no doubt that the fear you mention is simply a temptation of the devil, an effort to keep us away from God by despair. So don’t listen to these fears and doubts any more than you would to any obviously impure or uncharitable thoughts. . . . Of course, like other evil temptations, they will not be silenced at once.” (From The Collected Letters of C.S. Lewis, Volume III)

If we recognize worry as an evil temptation, one that drives us off course, then we are more likely to resist it. When I am driving, and the GPS system is directing me in a path that is obviously amiss, I have to reach over and turn it off. Otherwise, it just becomes distracting. Similarly, fear and worry—which lead to despair—can lead us astray. I wish I could reach over and silence these unproductive worries as easily as I turn off the GPS. If I could take away anything from the island philosophy, it would be this ‘No Worries’ attitude.

HE Is Greater Than I

As we drove around Oahu, we noticed the following interesting logo on car windows and T-shirts: HE>i

After some online searching, I discovered it was a company based on the north shore of Oahu that sold apparel and gear. They based their logo on John 3:30

“He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less.” (John 3:30 NLT)

Now, since I was in Hawaii, I was tempted to look up the same verse in the Hawaiian Pidgin Translation too:

“He gotta come mo importan den me, cuz I not dat importan.” (John 3:30 HWP)

God has to become more important than me, because I am not that important. His agenda, His will, His kingdom needs to be put on the front burner, while my desires and plans need to go on the back burner.

My life changed when I had a child. He became my priority. I transformed from a self-absorbed, shallow, young woman to a mother who was willing to put my life on indefinite hold for my son. This level of commitment requires a supernatural love which I couldn’t have mustered up by my own willpower, even if I had tried. I consider it a great blessing that God changed my self-centered attitude and gave me a maternal heart.

Now, I pray that I will be transformed once again—to become a devoted, passionate, follower of Christ—to let my desires take a back seat—to remember that: HE>i, i<He, He must ↑, while I must ↓.

Bible Translations

I started studying the Bible about 25 years ago, as a college student at a Christian university. Up till that point, my only regular exposure to the Bible was at church. I would listen every Sunday, with partial interest, to a few readings and the subsequent sermon interpretations. During my college years, we were required to read through and study the entire King James Version (KJV) of the Bible. I studied and memorized all sorts of chronological facts, names, and history, but did not develop any sort of appreciation for this book for years to come. In my late twenties, I bought myself a New Living Translation (NLT) Bible. Things started getting interesting. Then, a few years later, a friend bought me a Message (MSG) Translation. This version opened up the Bible to me in a whole new way. The plain and simple language of this paraphrased version allowed a deeper and more meaningful understanding of scripture. These days, I use an online concordance to study verses from many different translations side by side. The NLT and MSG are still my favorites.

A few years ago, I ran across the Hawaiian Pidgin translation of the Bible. Native Hawaiians commonly use a pidgin form of English in their regular conversations. It is a dialect that is influenced by the various ethnic groups that immigrated to Hawaii over the centuries—Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, etc. This past week, since I was visiting Hawaii, I decided to read from the Hawaiian Pidgin Translation for a change. Here is an excerpt from Ephesians 6.

“Fo stand strong, everytime, pray an stay tight wit Godʼs Spirit. Pray bout everyting, an aks God fo help you. Make shua you guys watch out, an hang in dea an pray fo all da peopo dat stay spesho fo God. Try pray fo me too, so wen I tell da Good Kine Stuff From God, I tell um da right way an I no scared.” (Ephesians 6:18-19 HWP) http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ephesians%206&version=HWP

Now, I’m sure some of you are uncomfortable with this version of the Bible. The first time I read it, it made me laugh! Yet, on subsequent readings, it granted me insights into things I hadn’t thought of before. The word ‘Gospel’ is translated to “Good Kine Stuff from God”. This sounds much less intimidating and formal—makes it sound like anybody, including me, could share the gospel. So, I too ask for prayer—that wen I tell da Good Kine Stuff From God, I tell um da right way an I no scared.

Kite Surfing

While on a recent trip to Oahu, I spent a lot of time watching kitesurfers. These surfers were flying large kites while balancing on small surfboards strapped on to their feet. The wind propelled them at great speeds. They harnessed the power of the wind to do incredibly high jumps. Even though I was mesmerized by their acrobatics, their skill and balance, I had no desire to join them. Unlike them, I knew I wouldn’t find exhilaration in letting the wind and waves carry me. The following verse came to mind:

“You know well enough how the wind blows this way and that. You hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it’s headed next. That’s the way it is with everyone ‘born from above’ by the wind of God, the Spirit of God.” (John 3:7-8 MSG)

The Holy Spirit is as unpredictable as the wind. I wondered if there was a way for me to harness the power of the Spirit and enjoy it—all while being propelled to great heights and dizzying speeds.

Now, I’m not a thrill seeker. I don’t even understand what motivates some people to willingly take risks for the mere reward of an adrenaline rush. Psychologist Frank Farley coined the term Type T personality to describe thrill-seekers, or those who crave variety, novelty, intensity, and risk. According to Farley, Type T’s are born that way. Neurotransmitters such as dopamine and testosterone are factors that determine whether or not you are likely to pursue thrill seeking behavior.

So, maybe God made me this way--to play it safe, to stay rooted, and to be analytical. Maybe He made others who get a rush out of throwing caution to the wind and riding the waves of the Holy Spirit…and I shouldn’t envy them…

God is the Director

The weather is getting cool outside and I’m still feeding the hummingbirds. Now, we live in a northern latitude and I know the hummingbirds typically migrate south during our winter season. I wondered if I was harming them by providing food during autumn. Would the hummingbirds delay flying south because they were confused by my coddling?

I was determined not to hurt these little birds with my meddling. So before I mixed up the next batch of nectar solution, I looked it up online. I was relieved to find that hummingbird migration is not based on the availability of food, but on the length of daylight. As the days get shorter, they naturally know it’s time to leave. Phew, I’m glad God thought of that! It’s a good thing that the universe is not powered by my worry or anxiety.

Some people have trouble taking responsibility for their choices. They don’t recognize the connections between their decisions and the resulting consequences. I, on the other hand, burden myself with guilt over many things that I don’t have any control over. At first glance, this might seem virtuous, but it is just another form of egotism. I actually imagine I have more influence over world than I really do. I forget that God is actually in control. He has prepared in advance, knowing our weaknesses and limitations. He has a disaster plan already in place.

“I’ll go ahead of you, clearing and paving the road. I’ll break down bronze city gates, smash padlocks, kick down barred entrances. I’ll lead you to buried treasures, secret caches of valuables—Confirmations that it is, in fact, I, God—who calls you by your name—that I’ve singled you out, and given you this privileged work.  And you don’t even know me! I’m the one who armed you for this work. I form light and create darkness. I make harmonies and create discords. I, God, do all these things.” (Excerpts from Isaiah 45:1-7 MSG)

Going Back For More Abuse

Some people go in for weekly massages, manicures, or pedicures. I subject myself to weekly spankings. Let me explain: I call my parents every week and listen while they berate me. I try to explain my choices and justify my behavior. I even try to modify my actions according to their values. This puts me in a compromising position that is both uncomfortable for me, and yet dissatisfying to my parents. Now, this pattern might be excusable if I were a teenager living in my parent’s house. But I happen to be a 43 year-old woman who has not been dependent on my parents for several decades. So why do allow this? Why do I grant them this level of power over me?

For one thing, I don’t want to hurt their feelings. I want to make them feel loved and respected. Somewhere along the years, I developed a distorted belief that love involved regular castigation. Even though I have desensitized myself a bit over the years, I am still affected by their criticism. It has seeped into my psyche, influencing how I see myself and how I relate to others. I tend to be indecisive. I am prone to self-flagellation. I constantly seek self-improvement. I never feel like I’m good-enough. If this weren’t bad-enough, I inadvertently pass these beliefs onto others around me, repeating the vicious cycle of abuse. I have a tendency to encourage others to ‘improve’ themselves. I eagerly provide advice, suggestions, and information whether or not I’m asked for it.

Now that I am aware of this problem, how do I get out of it? How do I avoid repeating this cycle?

Firm Grip

Distorted beliefs lead to self-defeating behaviors. Even when we are aware that they are false and destructive, these delusions can have a firm grip on us. We can’t seem to shake free of either the enslaving deception or the injurious habits that are its spawn.

It’s like a corrupt code that is embedded in a computer program. It wasn’t factory-installed. Somehow it wormed its way in, most likely during a routine download or by opening a seemingly harmless attachment. Once it has infected your computer, it messes up the entire operating system.

We all have some such corrupt code—and getting rid of it is not easy. I have several false beliefs that I can’t seem to disentangle myself from. Why is it that some people are rehabilitated from addictions and obsessions, while others are not?

The first step to any recovery is awareness. Once we are conscious of the problem and its root source—then we may begin to extricate ourselves. It’s imperative to detach from lies in order to grasp truth. This is our part. We have to stop holding on to distorted beliefs.  

“The God-begotten are also the God-protected. The Evil One can’t lay a hand on them. We know that we are held firm by God; it’s only the people of the world who continue in the grip of the Evil One. And we know that the Son of God came so we could recognize and understand the truth of God—what a gift!—and we are living in the Truth itself, in God’s Son, Jesus Christ. This Jesus is both True God and Real Life. Dear children, be on guard against all clever facsimiles.” (1 John 5:18-20 MSG)

God reaches out His hands to us. Yet, as long as we continue to hang on to the world, and its deceptions, we cannot grasp the truth. We have to disengage from the clutches of evil, in order to firmly grip God’s outstretched hands.

Making Things Plain

One of my good friends is an artist. She and her husband are home builders. She has a knack for design—an ability to visualize how things will look before it is done. She sees nuances in color, texture, and form that most of us are not aware of. She is able to point out these subtle differences and their significance to her clients. She has nurtured this innate talent, and now it is beneficial to others.

"This is my life work: helping people understand and respond to this Message...My task is to bring out in the open and make plain what God...has been doing in secret and behind the scenes all along. When we trust in him we are free to say whatever needs to be said and bold to go wherever we need to go." (Eph. 3:7-13 excerpts)

Wouldn't it be great if we all knew what our life work was? Is it to help people understand and respond to God? Is it to 'make plain' (or explain) what the Holy Spirit reveals to each of us?

We all see things differently because of our inherent personalities and experiences. If our perspective is filtered through the Holy Spirit, it can be beneficial to many.

The following prayer is a paraphrase of Ephesians 3:14-20

Empower us with inner strength through your Spirit.

Make your home in our heart as we trust in you.

May our roots grow down deep into your love keeping us strong.
May we have the power to understand how big and deep your love is.
May we experience your love, although we can't understand it fully.
May we be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from You.
All glory to You, God, for you are able, through your mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

Cultural Distractions

The other day, I reminded my son not to speed when driving, even if he is running late. He asked me: "What do you consider speeding?"

I replied: "The speed limit, of course...it's not MY opinion. It's the law." 

He explained to me that everyone goes faster, and so he does too.

I think this is how we lose clarity about things. We adapt to what others around us are doing, and cultural mores become the biggest influence on our standards and values. And the further the distance between us and God, the more distracted we become.

Do we consider some people to be 'closer to God' than others?

"Through Him (Christ) we share the same Spirit and have equal access to the Father." (16-18 MSG)

My son was describing his college classroom. It's a big auditorium and you can choose to sit anywhere you like—as far away, or as close as you want. Most of the students use laptops in class. My son says that if you are sitting anywhere but the front row, you notice that most of the laptops have one tab open for 'class work' and other tabs open to Facebook, Twitter, and even online shopping sites!

We all have a choice to be closer to God but sometimes we have too many tabs open. Our attention is divided among many things. We choose to detach, to be disrespectful to our Instructor, to not be completely present. If we are not in the 'Front Row', even if we are trying to pay attention, we can be distracted by the choices of others in front of us.