Forward Blessings

“I will thank you by living as I should.” (Psalm 119:7 NLT)

I buy larger food storage containers to share meals with others. I used to write my name on the bottom of these containers, hoping that they would get returned to me. Until recently.  I dropped off some food for a friend who has a lot going on in her life. I told her to just keep the dish. She replied, “Thank you; this dish is a nice size to bless someone else with.” Her statement was a great lesson for me. 

Gratitude can be passed forward by actions. 

We are taught to express gratitude in words and deeds. When someone does a favor or gives us a gift, we thank them. We try to reciprocate in an equivalent manner. We pass around the container of blessings in circles. We do the same when showing appreciation for God’s blessings. We thank Him and hope for more. 

The Lord gives us containers of blessings. He doesn’t need us to return anything. He wants us to forward what we have been given, to bless others without expectations of reciprocity. This is how we can show gratitude by our choices and actions. Glorify God by sharing your gifts with those in need, those who cannot pay you back. Forward your blessings. 

Uncompromising Integrity

“Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord...They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths.” (Psalm 119:1, 3 NLT)

Marathon cheaters have come up with different ways to shrink the distance they run during a race. The microchips on race bibs register the time at various checkpoints. In order to trick the system, some runners will drop off the course after a checkpoint, take shortcuts, and reappear before the next checkpoint. There have even been cases where people take buses, trains, and ride bicycles between checkpoints. In contrast, there are runners who won’t even take a shortcut on a training run. They might be running by themselves, and no one else cares if they are running 10 miles or 9.9 miles. But it matters to them. They know that by cutting corners in training, they are only cheating themselves. 

People of integrity have an internal consistency. They are honest, straightforward, and sincere even when no one else is holding them accountable. They stick by their principles. Their behavior is coherent with their morals. They don’t make deals with evil. In a world where winning is prized above all else, uncompromising integrity is not popular. 

As Christians, we should be known for our integrity. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Every day, we have many choices to make. Do we cut corners? Or do we follow along the paths of righteousness? Do we make compromises in order to be popular? Or do we remain steadfast to our principles? Do we honor our commitments? Are our actions and speech coherent? There are no checkpoints along the route of life monitoring our integrity. We have to do this for ourselves. Whatever we gain dishonorably is worthless, even if the rest of the world thinks otherwise. 

The Best of Wisdom

“Break open your word within me until revelation-light shines out!

Those with open hearts are given insight into your plans.” (Psalm 119:130 TPT)

Whole milk is an emulsion of fat and lipoprotein. Making butter involves churning the milk until the fat molecules detach from the liquid and float to the top where they can be scooped up. The butter is always present in the milk. It just takes deliberate effort to bring it to the surface.

  

Much of what I know is not brand new information. Like any discovery, it was always there; I just didn’t know it was there. I know many things in a deeper way now than I knew before. What was amorphous and vague now has shape. I am able to articulate what was unclear a few years ago, because I have a more nuanced and profound understanding of certain things. 

Wisdom is always present in our subconscious mind. Yet, it remains indiscernible until contemplation and experience bring it to the surface. This takes intentional resolution. We have to invite the Spirit of God to break open our souls. Divine illumination reveals truth. Receptive minds are given understanding. Insights emerge from the depths of our being. The creme de la creme, the best of wisdom, becomes accessible. 

Praying Psalm 143

Listen to my prayer, Lord. 

Not because I deserve to be heard, 

But because You are compassionate.

My heart is heavy with despair

I’ve fallen into a black hole

My spirit is draining away

Lord, come quickly!

Don’t ignore me.

Rescue me from the pit of despair

Wake me each morning with whispers of hope

Sing me to sleep with lullabies of faith

Silence my fears

Fight my battles

Direct me in the way I should go

I entrust everything to you. 

Channeling Grief

“If you offer yourselves in compassion for the hungry and relieve those in misery, then your dawning light will rise in the darkness, and your gloom will turn into noonday splendor!” (Isaiah 58:10 TPT)

Grief, the deep sorrow of loss, cripples the spirit. It pushes us into the pit of despair. It blurs our focus, enlarging the bad while diminishing good. The more we struggle, the further we sink into the quagmire of hopelessness. We reach out for distractions, but, like rotten driftwood, they cannot hold the weight of our sadness for long. 

The energy of grief, when scattered like ashes in the wind, blows back into your face. Diversions do not diminish sorrow. Processing sadness takes prayer, time, and intentional focus. Grief, when channeled to help others, can be healing. Instead of distracting ourselves, we can direct our energy into alleviating the suffering of those around us. When we offer ourselves in compassion to those in need and relieve those in misery, then our gloom turns to light. 

Attention Span Regression

“And do not imitate this world, but be transformed by the renovation of your minds, and you shall distinguish what is the good, acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:12 APBE)

When was the last time you focused your attention on a single task, without distractions, for more than an hour? 

 Advances in technology inundate us with more and more information and stimulation. Most of us have multiple devices vying for our attention.  We no longer even try to filter out the unimportant. Instead, we have become accustomed to fragmented thoughts and diminished concentration. We cannot blame our electronic devices for our shortened attention spans. Because we have so many options and novel diversions, self-interruptions are the norm. We go searching for distractions when we feel bored or stuck. We have trained our brains to continually scan for diversions, thus reducing our ability to focus on one task for very long. 

In order to retrain our concentration, we must identify the attention-span leaks and reconstruct our minds. If you find electronic devices too distracting, go back to paper. The act of writing, pen on paper, can help our brain make connections and process information. Reading paper books can be intensely satisfying. Deep work requires focus. Create physical and mental environments that block out distractions. Turn off notifications. Put on earplugs. Find spaces of solitude and quiet. Resist the temptation to multi-task; it leads to negligence. Figure out when your brain is most alert. Set aside this time for focused activities. Schedule short breaks between diligent sessions of concentration. Once you are in a state of flow, let nothing disrupt you. Do not imitate this world. Renovate your mind. Filter out the noise. Pay attention to what is good. 

God Care

“He will feed His fold like a shepherd; He will gather together His lambs—the weak and the wobbly ones—into His arms. He will carry them close to His bosom, and tenderly lead like a shepherd the mother of her lambs.” (Isaiah 40:11 VOICE)

I belong to a Facebook group for dog people. I tend to be liberal with hitting the ‘Like’ button on every puppy post.  I read about a lady who works from home and has a new puppy. She takes her puppy to a doggy-daycare so that she can focus on her work for a few hours every day. I skipped the ‘Like’ button. When my dog was alive, I could not bring myself to leave her with anyone outside our immediate family. What does this reveal about me? Perhaps it means I am more attached to my dog, or it could be that I have trust and abandonment issues!   

I seem to have a similar independent streak when it comes to handling other issues. Instead of surrendering my concerns and weaknesses to God, I try to take care of everything myself. Even though I realize that the Lord is capable and dependable, I am reluctant to let go. 

God runs a day and night care center for all of us. He gathers the weak and the wobbly ones in His arms and tenderly cares for them. We can drop off  all our concerns, weaknesses, fears, anxieties in God-care any time we are ready. He is trustworthy. He will never abandon us. His love is unconditional and eternal. 

Shrinking Traits

“We all fail in many areas, but especially with our words. Yet if we’re able to bridle the words we say we are powerful enough to control ourselves in every way, and that means our character is mature and fully developed.” (James 3:2 TPT)

The Smurfs were a popular cartoon series in the 1980’s. These little, blue creatures with white hats and pants all looked similar. However, they were named according to their different roles/characteristics: Clumsy Smurf, Grouchy Smurf, Vanity Smurf, Brainy Smurf, etc. There were over a hundred Smurf personalities representing a wide array of common human traits. They ran around Smurf village, always up to some mischief which would be resolved by the end of each episode. 

Somehow, these funny cartoon characters allowed me to view my strengths and flaws from a different perspective. I learned to imagine my quirks as small blue cartoon characters running around in my head: Scaredy Smurf, Snarky Smurf, Sassy Smurf, Bossy Smurf, Thrifty Smurf, Cautious Smurf, Chatty Smurf, etc. Miniaturizing my weaknesses and giving them silly names made them seem more manageable. 

Some people inflate their strengths and successes, while others magnify their flaws and failures. Enlarging our character traits makes them less manageable. Shrinking them down, on the other hand, curtails their power over us. We all fail in many areas. Yet, if we’re able to bridle our thoughts and words, we become powerful enough to control ourselves in every way.

Consecrating the Mundane

“In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19 NIV)

As a Roman Catholic child, I learned to recite the above verse as I made the sign of the cross. It was a habitual gesture--when I woke up and before I went to sleep, before meals, and before and after prayers. Like many other religious customs, I did this unthinkingly. Over the years, this little ritual disappeared from my life. It felt like a relic from the past, a tradition I no longer wanted to practice. Until recently...

I was reading through 2 Thessalonians 1, and I noticed how frequently St. Paul invoked the name of God. He reminded himself and others that everything he did was under the authority of God. He prayed that God would infuse His energy, grace, and peace into every thought and action. 

“We pray for you all the time—pray that our God will make you fit for what he’s called you to be, pray that he’ll fill your good ideas and acts of faith with his own energy so that it all amounts to something. If your life honors the name of Jesus, he will honor you.” (2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 MSG)

I want to be fit for what God has called me to be. I want my thoughts and behavior to be filled with God’s energy so that it amounts to something. I want everything I say and do to honor God. Like St. Paul, I want to invoke the name of God, do everything under His authority, infuse everything with His power. I want to consecrate the mundane actions of my life. I want to dedicate my day--my waking up, my sleeping, and everything in between to the Lord. I want to remind myself of the sanctity of every hour. I want to acknowledge that I have been called to be set apart.

The Label of Laziness

“If a person owns the kinds of things we need to make it in the world but refuses to share with those in need, is it even possible that God’s love lives in him?” (1 John 3:17 VOICE)

Amblyopia or ‘lazy eye’ is a medical condition caused by the improper development of nerve pathways between the retina and brain. The weaker eye receives fewer visual signals. Eventually the eyes’ ability to work together decreases and the brain ignores input from the weaker eye. Physical symptoms include poor depth perception, blurred vision, and eyes that wander involuntarily. The term ‘lazy eye’ is misleading. This developmental problem is not a choice. 

In a culture where productivity and wealth are measures of success, those who are  poor, obese, or unemployed are often mislabeled as lazy. Those with disabilities or weaknesses that are not externally obvious also tend to be judged as slackers. Unpaid and underpaid workers like stay-at-home parents, caregivers, volunteers, domestic workers, migrant farmers, activists, mentors, etc., also remain unappreciated. Jesus was not known for material wealth. He lived among the poor. Just as wealth is not always a result of hard work, poverty is not always due to lack of effort. No one chooses to be financially dependent or to be a burden on society.  Instead of misjudging individuals and situations that we may not understand, let us extend grace, empathy, charity, and patience.

Accepting Disinformation

“Keep me from lying to myself.” (Psalm 119:29 NLT)

A few months ago, I read an article that stated that the COVID-19 virus was less deadly than the influenza virus. I was relieved. I had enough other things to worry about. The nation’s leaders kept reassuring the public to go about life as usual. I complacently went along with their recommendations. 

Then, a few weeks ago, I began reading conflicting messages. There were pundits on the news giving their opinions. Social media was rife with personal stories and disagreements. It was difficult to know which sources to believe. I finally decided that I would go back to the data and study it for myself. I went to many different sources. I looked at global research. I poured over epidemiological graphs and read through scholarly articles on the pathogenesis of different strains of coronavirus. 

I discovered that I had lied to myself. 

Misinformation is false information that is spread regardless of whether there is an intent to mislead. Disinformation is a sinister form of misinformation that is deliberately spread in order to influence public opinion or obscure the truth. When we accept disinformation, we lie to ourselves.  When we propagate it--we become part of the deceit. We become unwitting carriers of misinformation, spreading contagion. 

How can we stop lying to ourselves?

Go back to the data and study it for yourself. Look at many different sources from diverse points of view. Check your inherent bias. Filter out opinions from facts. Assess trustworthiness. If someone is a known liar, do not believe what they say. Learn to identify disinformation. Do not internalize it. Be truthful to yourself and others. 

The Humility of Learning

“Train me well in your deep wisdom. Help me understand these things inside and out.” (Psalm 119:26-27 MSG)

For the past few weeks, I have been studying the epidemiology of the COVID-19 virus. Like any subject, the more you study, the more you realize how much there is left to learn. Superficial knowledge can be dangerous, especially when combined with puffery, power, and influence. When you imagine that you know more than you do or pretend to be an expert when you are not--you can cause a lot of damage.

Deep learning starts with inherent curiosity. Studying a challenging subject inside out takes time, patience, diligence, and discipline. A willingness to defer to those who have more expertise is integral. The minute you think you already know everything, you become unteachable. Continual learning requires an open mind and humility. The purpose of knowledge is not to show off or seek influence. Those who love to learn can find enjoyment in the process even when it remains a solitary pursuit. However, using your knowledge and sharing your skills to serve others can be even more meaningful. 

Trust Training

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” (Isaiah 26:3 NLT)

A close friend just called me. Her family has had a significant business loss. Yet, she seems to be at peace. She spoke to me about her trust in God and her gratitude for His protection over their family. Instead of worrying about their loss or their future, she is focused on the Lord. She has complete confidence that God will show them the way forward. I am stunned by her faith! 

Our hearts long for peace, hope, security, stability, and clarity. The trail to what we crave is riddled with obstacles. Trust is the ideal tool to cut through the barriers; like wielding a machete or axe, it takes some practice.  Yet, when opportunities for trust-training present themselves, we are slow to exercise faith. 

Why? 

We look for paths that are already clear, paths of least resistance. However, these paths do not lead to peace. They loop back around to circumstantial assurance. Following well-trodden paths will not get us where we want to go. We must learn to use the tool of Faith to cut through the barriers. Perfect Peace requires God-confidence. Complete Trust clears the way. 

“Trust in the Lord always.” (Isaiah 26:4 NLT)

How to Live in the Light

“But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation.” (1 Thessalonians 5:8 NLT)

Mexican cavefish are blind; their surface dwelling cousins, on the other hand, have eyesight. Many animals that live in perpetual darkness trade off vision for other sensory adaptations. Mexican cavefish find food by following vibrations. Over generations of living in the dark, their eyes have regressed from disuse. 

Similarly, those who live in spiritual darkness develop a form of blindness. They lack awareness, insight, and consciousness. They chase after every vibration and diversion. Their vision has regressed from disuse. However, those who live in the light are clear-minded, alert, and cognizant. Their senses are attuned to the visible and invisible. When they are going through difficult times, they can sense God’s presence leading them back into the light. They do not live as if everything depended on themselves. They put their confidence in God.

Sinfulness vs. Holiness

“But now, as God’s loving servants, you live in joyous freedom from the power of sin. So consider the benefits you now enjoy—you are brought deeper into the experience of true holiness that ends with eternal life!” (Romans 6:22 TPT)

We have been emancipated from our bondage to worldliness. We no longer have to live that way--with a slave mentality--as if we have no power over sin. We are no longer beholden to our carnal nature. There is no need to be sharecroppers for evil--raising crops of depravity and exploitation. We can move out of the plantation and into the realm of holiness.

Sin separates us from God. 

Holiness sets us apart for God.

How can we experience holiness in a deeper way? We detach ourselves from the old lifestyle--filled with materialism, ambitions, distractions, addictions, hedonism, prejudices, and priorities that divert us from God. Instead, we acknowledge that our life is now set apart for God’s purposes. The transition is difficult to manage on our own. Thus, we ask for God’s help. We take baby steps--tentative, incremental, wobbly, awkward movements. In dependency and trust, we place our hand in His hand and follow in His footsteps. We turn away from the temporal and focus on the eternal. We grow deeper in faith, understanding, purity, and holiness. 

One Step in the Right Direction

“God hasn’t invited us into a disorderly, unkempt life but into something holy and beautiful—as beautiful on the inside as the outside.” (1 Thessalonians 4:7 MSG)

I used to have a wonderful vegetable garden--raised beds with neat rows of tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, squash, raspberries, and herbs. For the last few summers, I have been too busy to do any gardening. The vegetable beds are a mess. The thought of cleaning them up is so overwhelming that I talk myself out of the task even before I attempt it.  Time-consuming, energy-sucking projects scare me. The only way for me to start is to set incremental goals. I will schedule two hours per week to work on the mess. I can’t look too far ahead, because that can be discouraging. I don’t envision neat, weed-free rows of plants loaded with vegetables. I try not to obsess over how many days it would take to finish the project, or how much upkeep a garden requires. Instead, I focus on what is within my power to do--dedicate two hours per week to doing the work. 

There are many areas of my life that have become muddled. My Lenten goal this year is to accept God’s invitation to an orderly, wholesome, holy life. These virtues seem too lofty. My natural inclination is to give up before even trying.  I can’t envision my life becoming pure and beautiful. However, I can focus on taking one more step, each day, in the right direction. I can dedicate one more hour to contemplation and prayer. I can listen for direction. I can commit to one more act of kindness, encouragement, generosity, forgiveness, empowerment. I can make one more good choice and then, another. I shall concentrate on facing God and taking incremental steps in His direction. This I can do.

An invasive Spirit

“Afterward I will pour out my Spirit on everyone: your sons and daughters will proclaim my message; your old people will have dreams, and your young people will see visions.” (Joel 2:28 GNT)

Whenever you enter a foreign country, there are a few questions that the immigration and customs officials always ask: “What is the purpose of your visit?” “How long do you intend to stay?” “Where will you be lodging?” These questions are meant to assess if the visitor will be a threat or a burden while they are in the new country. Vague or overzealous answers to these questions can lead to immediate expulsion. 

Our minds approach security in a similar way. We have established routines, habits, and boundaries. Our brains have metaphorical guards at each checkpoint. New ideas are met with questions. We don’t want any influences pushing into areas without permission--restructuring our thoughts, threatening our way of life.  

The Holy Spirit moves invasively through our boundaries, pushing past our routines and limits, zealously influencing all areas of our lives. Uncontainable, unmanageable, unpredictable--the Spirit can be viewed as a security risk to our established customs and perspectives. This level of infiltration threatens our sovereignty. Thus, we often put up walls and barricades. We miss out on the power and influence of the Holy Spirit. 

Rut vs. Groove

“His momentum was up now and he plowed straight into the opposition...” (Acts 9:22 MSG)

What is the difference between being stuck in a rut vs. getting into the groove? Both idioms imply that you are following a predetermined plan. However, when you are stuck in a rut, you are stagnant. Your routine is unproductive. Whereas being in the groove implies that you are in the zone and functioning properly--like a record player needle that is on track. 

In chapter 9 of the Book of Acts, Saul was finally in the groove. Before his conversion, Saul was known for wreaking havoc among the Christians in Jerusalem. Thus, his professions of faith were met with suspicion. However, Saul did not allow any of this to slow down his momentum. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, he plowed straight into the opposition.

How can we move forward, with momentum, along preordained pathways? 

Lock in to Christ. 

Commit fully. 

Move forward in faith. 

The Habit of Trust

“Before you do anything, put your trust totally in God and not in yourself.” (Proverbs 16:3 TPT)

There is a path from our house to our detached garage. It was not created intentionally. For years, my family has been taking the shortest route through the yard, and we have worn out the grass along this way. This path reveals our habit, our pattern of behavior. 

Thought patterns can also create invisible, mental pathways. For some, worry is their default setting. They wear themselves down with anxiety, worst-case scenarios, and awfulizing. Although this habit is unproductive, they continue to go down this road unthinkingly. 

Developing new thought patterns requires intentional changes. Before you do anything, put your trust totally in God and not in yourself. Hand over all your concerns, immediately, as soon as they pop up in your head. Replace the thought of ‘What am I going to do?’ with ‘I can’t wait to see what God is going to do!’ Repeatedly turn your focus from worry to trust. Faith is developed through practice.  In time, new pathways can be established. As you change your thought patterns, the habit of trust can become your default setting.

Creativity

“God has filled him with his power and given him skill, ability, and understanding for every kind of artistic work.” (Exodus 35:31 GNB)

Creativity is an unpredictable friend. You can clear your schedule and wait for her, but she may or may not show up. She demands intense focus. If you try to shoehorn her in between other tasks, she can be obstinate and frustrating. 

Creativity is like a potted plant; it requires regular attention and care. If neglected, it withers. Distractions are a scourge on creativity.  It’s like adding salt water to the soil around a plant. Diversions interrupt the osmosis of inspiration and the diffusion of imagination. 

Creativity is a gift from God. The capacity to understand, the ability to make something new, the skill to convey inspiring ideas--these are precious talents that need to be nurtured and protected. However, anything we come up with on our own will be less than ideal. We are called to be co-creators. In order to maximize this gift, we must continually access the Spirit of God. 

Streaming Insights

“Your gentle Spirit instructed them.” (Nehemiah 9:20 CEV)

Last year, I spent a few hours volunteering at a charity thrift store. Sorting through the mountains of donated items was hard work. The volunteers would open a bag and inspect each piece. Most of the things were odds and ends.  Was it worth keeping? Or should it go in the trash pile? What size was it? Which table or shelf should it be placed on? 

In the early morning hours, when I am still half asleep, something similar happens in my brain. Streaming thoughts, dreams, and insights get downloaded at a rate beyond what I can process. I feel overwhelmed, so I do a brain dump. I write or type out everything I remember before it fades. I don’t try to make sense of it. 

Hours later, I pick up each piece and inspect it. Is it trash or treasure? What is its purpose? Would cleaning it up reveal its significance? What am I supposed to learn? Where does it fit? Is it meant for me, or should I pass it on to someone else? This task is time consuming and mentally draining. I am tempted to throw away most of it, just because it is a hassle to deal with. Yet, I continue sorting, contemplating, categorizing, connecting, writing. What if there is something of value in the heap of cluttered thoughts? What if the Spirit of God has hidden a pearl of wisdom somewhere in this mess?

Deep Knowing

“Wisdom is the most valuable commodity—so buy it!

Revelation knowledge is what you need—so invest in it!” (Proverbs 4:7 TPT)

Archaeologists do surface surveys to determine sites for further digging. Wind, storms, earthquakes, floods--anything that disturbs the soil can expose relics from the past. An area with many artifacts usually has more to reveal underground. A methodical, careful excavation can unearth ancient mysteries. This is a laborious and dusty job. Yet, every level of digging yields to deeper understanding. 

Adversity, disruption, change--anything that disturbs the surface of our lives can expose interesting artifacts. Many of us trip over intriguing clues that point to wisdom; yet, we are unwilling to dig deeper.

Why?

Examining motives, long-held beliefs, and prejudices can be arduous and messy. Yet, introspection can lead to awareness and insight. Discernment is a prized treasure; dig deep for it. Revelation knowledge is priceless; search for it. Wisdom is a valuable commodity; invest in it.