Crosswalk.com--The Devotional

[Judy Harder]

January 18, 2010

Ordinary Holiness
Sarah Jennings, Crosswalk.com Family Editor

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in every one. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12: 4 - 8 


We've now entered "Ordinary Time" in the Christian calendar. Christmas is officially over and Lent has yet to come. The label "ordinary time" may sound boring, but it's not meant to be a useless season. Most of life is spent in "ordinary time," and so it's our task to figure out what pleases God as we live an "ordinary" Christian life.


As I was posting an article in our Careers channel this week, I was struck by a point the author made. In his article "Is Secular Work Valued by God?" Os Hillman reminded readers that most of Jesus' life was spent as an ordinary carpenter. A working class man toiling beside St. Joseph, getting his hands dirty.

 

I think it's easy to forget that fact. So much of Scripture focuses on his last 3 years of life - yet Jesus Christ lived 30 years before that! He walked among us as an infant, a child, a young adult, and a career man. He loved his family and participated in his community. Hillman cites St. Bonaventure's thoughts: "His doing nothing 'wonderful' [in His first 30 years] was in itself a kind of wonder."

 

As Americans, I think we struggle a bit with being ordinary. We want to be extraordinary. We tune into shows like American Idol to live vicariously through these ordinary folks who rise to extraordinary heights. We look at the dedicated missionaries traveling the world and imagine their lives are more meaningful than ours. We dream about making our own unique mark on the world. Yet, our Lord did not spend most of his life seeking the extraordinary - at least not externally.

There's nothing inherently wrong with wanting to be extraordinary. But sometimes it can become more about self than about God. We forget that there is "wonder" in the ordinary, and that God places great value on the most ordinary of tasks if completed out of love for him and in imitation of him.

In fact, God's willingness to live an ordinary life consecrates the ordinary, making it extraordinary. The most mundane task can now be a channel for God's grace. Hillman points out:

"God values our work even when the 'product' seems to have no eternal value. His design for work is multifaceted: not only does He desire us to worship Him through our work, He is concerned about meeting human needs and has created each of us with unique DNA to be a conduit for Him to provide for those needs."

The opening scriptures reminds us that "there are varieties of working, but the same God inspires them all in every one." While your daily responsibilites may look ordinary on the outside, God has a hand in your life. What are your gifts? In what ways does God want to use you to reach others? Don't be afraid if what you have to offer seems "ordinary."

Intersecting Faith & Life: Write down one or two ways you can serve God and others in your every day life this year.

Further Reading:

Isaiah 62:1-5

Psalm 96:1-3, 7-10

1 Corinthians 12:4-11

John 2:1-11

[Judy Harder]

January 19, 2010

You Never Do Anything You Don't Want to Do
by Shawn McEvoy, Crosswalk.com Senior Editor

Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.
Galatians 6:5, The Message


If I try, I can remember my friends from 10th-grade Sunday School. In fact, I'm still tight with two of them. I remember our church, our youth group, and our youth minister. What I don't remember so well are the individual lessons we learned from the Bible each week. As I realize that, I give myself another kick for not having gotten into note-taking and journaling. I'd like to have those things to review now.

What I do recall from one particular class session, however, has always stuck with me. And it wasn't even a quote from the Bible. To show how much I've forgotten, I don't even remember the name of the teacher who said it! He was tall, well-accomplished, but still wanting to give of his time to young men. And one day he looked at us and said the following:

"Today's lesson is going to be very short. Look at me, because whatever you remember from today, remember this. Whatever you remember from your time in this youth group, remember this: You never do anything you don't want to do."

That was it. Obviously I still remember it. Why?

I remember challenging the teacher on that day, most of us scoffing and saying things like, "Yeah, right... I can honestly tell you I do not want to do my homework tonight."

"Yes you do."

"No, I really don't."

"What will happen if you don't?"

"Well, I guess I'd be embarrassed when it was time to turn it in, I'd probably have to lie to my parents when they asked if I'd done it yet, and I wouldn't be prepared for the upcoming quiz."

"So I guess the reason you're going to do your homework is because for the motives you just stated, you DO want to do it."

Snap.

Seven or eight high school boys just got handed a logic lesson in responsibility and motivation. All around the room you could see eyes and minds opening to new possibilities.

This is what we'd been hearing about free will. But now contextualized and personalized.

This is what our parents and teachers had been getting at as they spoke to us about becoming responsible young men.

This put my actions all squarely back on me. And oddly enough, that was something I could tangibly handle.

The applications were endless.

I'm still not even sure his statement was absolutely true, or biblical. But to be honest, it doesn't matter anymore, because it informed and continues to inform many things in my life that are true and biblical.

Do I want to lay in bed or do I want to get to work? Why or why not?

Why am I overweight? Well, my bad. Guess I wanted that, too, when you get down to the nub of it. Certainly didn't do the things I knew would prevent it.

One of the doors that opened to me was in realizing that once I got past "my will be done," I could begin to pray as Jesus did, "Your will be done."

Another was in being able to recognize motivation. Why am I going to conquer this lust or pursue this knowledge or accomplish this hard task for God's Kingdom? Because ultimately, what I want to do is to have my heart's desires be the same as Yours, Lord. That's where You tell us delight is, and that's the only place where we know what we want is right.

Intersecting Faith & Life: What action or reaction in your own life have you been blaming on other people or circumstances? Write down all the ways you yourself can own up to it.

Further Reading

1 Thessalonians 5:12
Philippians 1:23
We Are Responsible for Others

[Judy Harder]

January 20, 2010

A Hope for Haiti
by Katherine Britton, Crosswalk.com News & Culture Editor

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." - Matthew 25:40

What is your first reaction to tragedy on the TV?

Fear?

Concern?

Shock?

How about your second reaction to tragedy on TV: Sadness? Turning away? Thankfulness that it's not you?

Maybe even that learned apathy?

When those familiar images of death and destruction flash across the TV, I find my own self-centeredness blocking the picture. We live in a society that has brought close the deaths of those far away, while the LCD screen shields us from the pain behind the images. I want to know what faces those who are hurting, but on my own terms. I want to get back to whatever movie I rented from Netflix soon enough.

One of the most telling reactions to Haiti's devastation came to me over the radio, when a reporter was trying to describe the scene before his eyes. This veteran journalist was watching a little girl whose lips were shivering from cold and trauma. Every other moment he would stop to take a deep breath and steady himself before going on. Finally, however, the sight before him was too much, and the reporter's voice broke as he cut the interview short.

Later that day, people wrote and called in their responses, some of them berating the reporter for not maintaining a professional distance and impartial tone. I have yet to report a tragedy like that firsthand, but I was appalled at those demanding an "impartial tone" from a man staring at a hurting child. Journalism certainly deserves to be called out for sensationalized reporting at times, but only because that distorts the true picture. At its best, journalism pieces together truth we might otherwise miss. In this case, it was easier to miss the truth than hear something so heartbreaking.

It's so much easier to debate Haiti's "curse" than it is to face thousands of hurting faces. To say the homeless guy on the corner will spend the $5 on drugs and alcohol than to acknowledge that he has no place to sleep tonight. To distract ourselves into self-absorption again.

Jesus' own example encourages us to weep with those who weep, even though we know something better is on the other side (John 11:35). Part of redemption comes from acknowledging that "all creation groans" until Christ's return (Romans 8:22). And isn't part of denying ourselves looking to our brothers and sisters in need? The faces of Haiti show us who and where we could be but for God's mysterious grace. That's a grace that should humble us deeply, and shake us out of our distraction.

Intersecting Faith & Life: I don't know how God is calling you to respond to last week's earthquake in Haiti. Maybe it's through giving, maybe through prayer, maybe through a long-term sponsorship of a child, maybe in weeping for a fellow human being. But I do know the mandate of "doing for the least of these" means I'm not allowed to insulate myself against human suffering. Join me this week in praying, supporting, and weeping for our brothers and sisters in Haiti. And let's be ready to rejoice with them at the promise of resurrection.

Further Reading

Live with Haiti in Your Heart
Does God Hate Haiti?

[Judy Harder]

January 21, 2010

My List of the Most Influential Christian Books of the Last Decade
by Shawn McEvoy, Crosswalk.com Senior Editor

I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid on men!
Ecclesiastes 1:13

Soon, our sister site Christianity.com will release a list (compiled mostly by smarter and more qualified people than me) of the books that have been the most important, most influential, most ground breaking to, by, and for Christians since the turn of the milennium. As one of the perks of my job is scoping out the many fantastic books that come across my desk as review copies from publishers, and being an avid reader myself, I've not been completely ignorant of the many inspirational and paradigm-altering titles that were published in the 2000s.

The books below excited me, challenged me, opened my eyes, or strengthened my spiritual walk in just the right way at just the right time. I wonder if they might not perform one of the same tasks for you.

Absence of one of your faves from this list is not in any way a detraction. It probably just means I didn't read it, or it didn't impact me (or I didn't perceive the impact on the culture) the way these others did.

unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity, by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons (Baker Books, 2007).
The Culturally-Savvy Christian, by Dick Staub (John Wiley & Sons, 2007).
Evangelical Feminism: A New Path to Liberalism? by Wayne Grudem (Crossway, 2006).
Heaven, by Randy Alcorn (Tyndale House, 2004).
Blue Like Jazz, by Donald Miller (Thomas Nelson, 2003).
Wild at Heart, by John Eldredge (Thomas Nelson, 2002).
Real Sex: The Naked Truth about Chastity, by Lauren Winner (Baker Books, 2006).
Vintage Church, by Mark Driscoll and Gerry Breshears (Crossway, 2009).
Worship Matters, by Bob Kauflin & Paul Baloche (Crossway, 2008).
Epic, by John Eldredge (Thomas Nelson, 2004).

Intersecting Faith & Life: Don't neglect enriching yourself and the depth of your faith by reading the words of others God has blessed with wisdom, knowledge, and fresh takes - even those you disagree with can help you grow! Consider checking out one of the above titles or another recommended book today.

[Judy Harder]

January 22, 2010

Those Pesky Land Mines
by Laura MacCorkle, Crosswalk.com Senior Editor

Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

I stepped on a land mine recently, and I lived to tell.  Actually, I'm quite battered and bruised, but I was able to walk away still relatively intact. 

I'm speaking figuratively, of course, as I am not engaged in military battle nor do I live in a war-torn country where there might be real, live explosive devices such as these buried in the ground.

Regardless of the specifics of the situation, I realize that all of life is really a battlefield with land mines that are set to go off at any moment, anywhere and everywhere around us.  We never know when we will encounter a situation that will blow up in our faces on a weekly, or even daily, basis.

I think it's no coincidence that I've also been continuing my study of Psalm 23—pondering more on "rest" and "lying down in green pastures"—as well as considering my priorities and private world by rereading the book, Simplify:  106 Ways to Uncomplicate Your Life, by Paul Borthwick (Authentic Publishing).

But back to land mines ... if you've ever been blindsided by one, then you know it can leave you scarred.  And it will mess with your mind, your heart and your resolve.

Isaiah 43:2 came to me shortly after I was hit:

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.  When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Notice this verse does not say "if" but "when."  That means we can expect to encounter a land mine or two.  But should we then live in fear?  Not engage in life?  Stay sequestered in our homes and forgo connecting with others or pursuing great opportunities?

No.  It just means we must be prepared for whatever might happen.  Being ready for spiritual battle requires time spent with the Lord and in His Word and in fellowship with seasoned believers.  And all of that requires time, which means taking a hard look at our lives, at our schedules and at our priorities.

I am learning that I really need this time in order to find "rest" in and to "wait" on the Lord.  To be the sheep who is made to lie down in green pastures.  And to soak up everything the Great Shepherd has to provide for my soul.   

Borthwick says it well in Simplify:

When we simplify—taking attention off ourselves and looking to Almighty God—we find refreshment for our spirits and relief from our tensions.  The needs of the world fall under God's responsibility.  He ordains us to participate, but our frantic pace implies that God is helpless without our help.  He sent us a Messiah (Jesus) so that we can find rest and fulfillment in Him.

It's interesting that a land mine quickly slowed my "frantic pace" and caused me to immediately find a green pasture.  This time of introspection, of quiet and of restoration has been refreshment for my weary soul.  My heart has been badly dinged, yes, but the Lord has applied a soothing balm and has comforted me with his Truth. 

Like you, I am a member of the "walking wounded" and know that each day brings forth its own unexpected disturbances and hurtful moments.  Join me in taking time to rest in the Lord today, so that we will be ready wherever we tread in tomorrow's battlefield.

Intersecting Faith & Life:  How are you preparing yourself today for the next potential land mine in your life?  Is there clutter (activities, relationships, anything that is diverting you and impeding your Christian walk) that needs to be cleared, so that you can regularly look to the Lord and be renewed?  Make any necessary changes, and make time to study in the Word and to hear from the Father.

Further Reading:

Isaiah 41:10

Psalm 27

[Judy Harder]

January 25, 2010

Sharing the Good News 
Sarah Jennings, Crosswalk.com Family Editor

I have not hid thy saving help within my heart, I have spoken of thy faithfulness and thy salvation.
Psalm 40: 10

Rule number one of polite conversation: Never talk about religion or politics.

I was on a train from New York to Richmond when a young man took the seat next to me. At first, we kept to ourselves, I immersed in St. Therese's Story of a Soul and he flipping through a magazine. At some point in the 7-hour journey, he glanced at the cover of my book, and observing the black-and-white picture of a nun on the cover, inquired about my faith.

I affirmed, that yes, I was Christian. He looked at my youthful features and back at the old-fashioned book.

"Interesting. I don't know much about your religion."

"What's your background?"

"I'm Muslim."

I eyed his American clothing, short hair, and clean-shaven face. Now I was intrigued.

"Really? How did 9-11 affect you?"

The question slipped out before I had time to think. But what unfolded was a fascinating conversation. I learned this young American was unsure of his beliefs, and that back at college he was dating a girl from a Christian background who also struggled. He had many questions about why a young person like me would decide to commit my life to Christ - even when it meant living differently than my peers.

Looking back on that conversation, I see it was the work of the Holy Spirit that allowed me, an introvert, to delve into those tough topics with such ease and clarity with a complete stranger. I also marvel at the fact that he seemed just as comfortable as I was. We parted ways upon the train's arrival to Richmond, wishing each other the best in life.

Today's cultural climate can make sharing the Gospel feel intimidating, but the conversation on that train proved to me that it doesn't require a Ph.D. in apologetics or an ordination from an impressive seminary to effectively discuss matters of faith. People like you and me can have a powerful impact on many. I've had the opportunity to discuss matter of faith many more times since that conversation. Here are a few lessons I've learned in the past several years that may be of help to you, especially if you have a more reserved personality like me:

Show respect. I am increasingly seeing that true evangelizing is more about relationship than "rightness." Few people respond well to pushy preaching or pride-filled debates. Try showing a genuine interest in and respect for others' ideas and beliefs, even if you don't agree with them.

Be yourself. Share your faith in a way that is natural to you and to the other person. Don't feel pressured to throw around fancy words or tell miraculous tales if that's not how you normally talk. God loves to work through our natural gifts - I have one friend whose beautiful singing voice has inspired many to seek a closer relationship with God.

Be knowledgeable. While we don't need to be scholars, I find the more I know about key tenets of my faith, the more I have to offer when a door opens for discussion. Constantly expand your knowledge so that you will "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you." (1 Pe 3: 15)

Remember that Christ is the only Savior. While it is our job to share what God has done for us, it's not our job to convince a person to become Christian. Conversion is an individual's free will response to God's grace, not a product of coercion.

And lastly, for those of us who are really shy about speaking up about the faith, you may appreciate St. Francis of Assisi's approach:

"Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words."

If you and I seek to live godly lives, who knows how many people could come to know Christ through our actions alone?

Intersecting Faith & Life:  Strike up a conversation with someone about the Christian faith this week and see where the Holy Spirit takes you.

Further Reading

Matthew 5: 13-16
1 Timothy 2: 3-6
Find Passion and Power for Evangelism

[Judy Harder]

January 26, 2010



Lists, Liberty and Love
Alex Crain
Editor, Christianity.com

"...if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love.
Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died."
Romans 14:15

In 1955, Dr. Francis and Edith Schaeffer opened their home to help people with unanswered questions about God, faith, the Bible and their relevance to modern life. Students and seekers from all over Europe and the world trekked up to their chalet perched high in the Swiss Alps where they heard and saw Christian theology applied to all of life. Fortunately, the well-preserved written record of the Schaeffers' lives and ministry allows us to follow their trail of thought, be discipled by them, and discover a bit of what made their message so worth hearing.

Just prior to the launching of their most fruitful ministry years in post WW II Europe with L'Abri (French for "shelter") Francis had to face down a severe crisis of joylessness. What came out of that crisis is the content of his book, True Spirituality, without which there would have been no L'Abri ministry. Who would want to hear the religious ramblings of a joyless person? Not me. And, I suspect, not you either.

In chapter one of True Spirituality Dr. Schaeffer talks about living the Christian life. After being born again, what does one do exactly? He recalls a discussion about this with some students one Saturday night at L'Abri. Some talked about lists of taboos—that as long as you didn't do certain things deemed to be un-Christian, you would be spiritual. Others criticized the list mentality and spoke in favor of a more lax Christian life. No, no, no objects Schaeffer. "The true Christian life is not merely a negative not-doing of any small list of things. But neither do we come to the true Christian life merely be rejecting the list and then shrugging our shoulders and living a looser life."

Schaeffer took his students to the law of love spoken of in Romans 14:15. According to this text, no Christian may entertain thoughts of living a looser life. Here, we are commanded to walk according to love. The text says, "If because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died."

"This is an absolute declaration that we are to do this," Schaeffer said (i.e. walking according to love). He went on, " it is perfectly true that we cannot be saved by doing this; we cannot do this in our own strength; and none of us do this perfectly in this life. Nevertheless... it is the absolute command of God."

Now, if Christ is your Lord, you are under His command and you do what He says, right? First John 5:2-3 says, "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome."

Francis Schaeffer observed that this command to walk according to love soon leads us to discover that rather than leading into a looser life, the law of love moves us into "something much more profound and heart-searching. Having gone deeper, we find that we will be observing some of the taboos on the lists for a completely different reason... we have seen that some of those things are helpful to other people."

What a concept to instill in a new believer—being helpful to others. Could it be so simple that true liberty is being set free from the tyranny of a mind bent on pleasing the self? Without saying it directly, Schaeffer has put his finger squarely on the core problem plaguing both the legalist and the libertine: both are driven to please self, not Christ, not others. But as the text goes on to say, "the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit," (Romans 14:17). This righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit can only accompany the one who is walking in love.

Intersecting Faith & Life: 

Are you joyless? Discontent? Pray for an "others-oriented mindset" that is fueled by the power of the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. "Walking according to love" is the only thing that can keep you from falling off the narrow path into either extreme—living loosely on the one hand, or being a Pharisee that merely holds to an accepted list so that others will think well of you.

Further Reading/Listening:

Worldliness, by C.J. Mahaney

How do we maintain a life of consistent spiritual discipline? by Chip Ingram (audio)

[Judy Harder]

January 27, 2010

Getting Rid of Pineapple Hospitality
by Katherine Britton, Crosswalk.com News & Culture Editor

"Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." - Romans 12:13

On Friday night, my house will be clean. The kitchen will sparkle like one from Better Homes and Garden, the guest room curtains will gently ripple in the breeze, and - best of all - my guests and friends will feel such warmth that they never want to leave.

Ever had that dream?

The impending arrival of friends has made me reconsider just what it means to practice hospitality. Part of me knows that the house is just not "ready" for guests - I don't even have a pineapple tacked on the wall at this point. Granted, the boxes have diminished, but I don't consider my house properly "finished" yet. The guest bedroom door isn't painted, the handle keeps falling off the bathroom sink fixture, and the list goes on. For that reason, part of me feels like I can't offer my guests "real" hospitality.

Ever lived that reality?

So what does hospitality mean? The dictionary definition of hospitality surprised me. Hospitality is "the quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way." Not one word about wowing the guests with the food, the after-dinner entertainment, or even the surroundings. The very definition takes the focus off of things and puts it back where it belongs - on people and fellowship. It's an attitude as well as an action.

Many of my favorite growing-up memories feature a table with lots of people around it. I remember laughter, encouraging conversation, challenging conversation. My parents still love to invite people they meet at church back to the house for brunch, even though many of their guests are total strangers two hours prior to the meal. They ask people about their lives and share their own. They don't put on a show, but they do offer authenticity and a desire to encourage others.

My house sure isn't perfect, but then, neither am I. Neither are the people who walk through my door. Waiting until the house is perfect actually signals a pride issue for me, because it's an excuse not to offer what I do have. I want to be like Lydia in Acts, who probably hadn't planned to shelter the disciples at her house until she asked them. She just saw the need and shared what she could. I desire that kind of heart, a heart that can share God's gifts of love, provision, and joy.

I think human hospitality is actually a pale reflection of how God welcomes us into His house. I can offer food, shelter, and company - He offers the bread of life, shelter from the storms, and a relationship with Him. I was the stranger in desperate need of His hospitality, and He opened the door. How's that for a precedent?

When my friends arrive on Friday, it'll be okay if I missed a cobweb. If the fireplace is still boarded over because of a leaky flue. And if a stray box or two is still in the living room, my friends will probably chuckle and ask how the unpacking is going. Then we'll swap stories about their own recent moves and laugh at old trinkets we've rediscovered, like my husband's guitar. And my prayer is that throughout the course of the evening, we'll encourage each other in the new directions that God is pushes us. Yep. That's what hospitality means.

Intersection of Faith & Life: I want to view my home as not just a place to eat and sleep. I want it to be a place where ministry happens and God touches people, and that means taking the opportunities to see Him work. What opportunities do you have to practice hospitality? Are you letting appearances hold you back? Or are you ready to invite others into welcome and caring atmosphere?

Further Reading:

The Reluctant Entertainer: Hospitality is a Gift You Can Give
Trying Too Hard to Be Perfect?
1 Peter 4:9
Matthew 25:35-46

[Judy Harder]

January 28, 2010

The Month of Love
by Shawn McEvoy, Crosswalk.com Senior Editor

Husbands, go all out in your love for your wives, exactly as Christ did for the church - a love marked by giving, not getting.
Ephesians 5:25, The Message

For once in my marriage, I really did something right.

My wife's name is Valerie - Val for short - so she's always held Valentine's Day in even higher esteem than most women. Not only that, but her birthday is March 15 (a.k.a. the Ides of March - I failed to beware), so she's always believed that February 14 though March 15 = "The Month of Love" = it's all about her for one-twelfth of the year.

One year, I decided to agree. Each morning for 31 days when she woke up, there was a small hand-made red envelope (amazing what useful skills one can learn watching children's programming) stuck on some wall of our house. Written in sparkly marker (chicks dig the sparklies) on the outside of the envelope was one of her top character qualities. Inside the envelope was a Bible memory verse related to that quality. Embedded in the memory verse was a clue to where a small hidden gift could be found in or around our home.

I just thought this could be a nice little way to tell her I love her. Boy was I short-sighted. I could have bought her the Taj Mahal and she wouldn't have appreciated it more, been more thoroughly impressed. "He went to Jared"? No way. He went to PBS and Ben Franklin. But already Val is considering how to pass this story down to our grandchildren. She says I will never top myself. And she was saying these things before she even knew about the surprise at the end when all the envelopes could be arranged so that the first letter of each character quality would spell out the grand prize: that she had her choice of a new wardrobe, upgraded wedding ring, or vacation, any of which would be shopped for together, 'cause she's big on that. Of course, this was back when she was working, so we had money in the bank. Even so, she never took me up on the grand prize. I can't say I wasn't a little bit disappointed, but she was definitely exercising the wisdom of foresight. And anyway, to her, the biggest gift had already been received.

Valerie thinks this took me ages to dream up and hours to prepare, but it took me about 10 minutes per day, plus a weekly trip to the store to stock up on a few minor gifts. But the outcome net me - if not crowns in Heaven - at least major returns in this life. Anytime a group of gals gathers together and asks each other, "What the best gift you've ever received," I get bragged upon. Several times during the Month of Love itself I was told to take an evening to myself and go see a movie. And I learned something I thought I already knew - diamonds aren't a girl's best friend. Her husband is, if he even shows a rhinestone's-worth of interest in her.

Not every wife speaks the same "Love Language." I know some who truly would have preferred a simple one-time big purchase. Some would just be satisfied with a husband who washed dishes and dusted shelves. But this I can be fairly sure in saying about wives: what all of them really want is a husband that makes an effort to understand them and speak their language, whatever it is, without being told. Yeah, I know, and all one has to do to make millions in the majors is hit a curveball. But unlike the major leagues, in marriage, most of the time, simply making the effort is appreciated.

Intersecting Faith & Life: If you haven't already, read The Five Love Languages with your spouse. Once you learn what says, "I love you" to him or her, come up with a special way of saying so.

Further Reading

Hebrews 13:4
Languages of Love

[Judy Harder]

January 29, 2010

Speak, for Your Servant is Listening
by Laura MacCorkle, Crosswalk.com Senior Editor

The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel!  Samuel!"  Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."

1 Samuel 3:10


I am ending this month as I began it:  De-cluttering!

Never has the nearby trash dumpster seen so much action from the likes of me.  And never have my closets, cabinets and shelves been so streamlined and organized.  The feeling is really quite liberating, as I've freed myself of unnecessary items that have just been sitting there taking up space and clogging my world.

I've also been de-cluttering other areas of my life, too—from forgoing certain television shows that are not good for my thinking to limiting time spent online or in virtual interaction to how many activities are crammed into my weekly social calendar to my current priorities and my long-range goals.  In the most simplified of terms, it was looking like this:  too much of the world and not enough of God.  Can you relate?

So, as December was winding down—and I had some vacation time to sit still and ponder—I realized that there wasn't enough room for God in my life.  Once again, I had filled it with so many other things (figuratively and literally), and this was affecting my overall spiritual health and time spent with the Lord. 

I'll admit that it's not fun cutting out some of these things from my life.  But in making these hard decisions, I've seen how I am watching and waiting and listening for God more.  Why?  Because I have time and I have space!  I have made myself more available, so I'm ready to recognize his voice when he is speaking into my life.

Unlike the story of young Samuel (1 Samuel 3), I am not still a child, nor still early on in my faith nor have I ever heard God's voice audibly in direct revelation.  I also may have a few more responsibilities or concerns in my life right now than a young boy did in Bible times.  But I can still learn from his example ...

Samuel was still (resting) when he heard from God.  Not tidying up the temple, not preparing food for guests, not doing more after-hours Levitical research or training.  No, Samuel was lying down near the Ark of the Covenant.  There was apparently time set aside in his schedule to be still and perhaps go to bed early (gasp!).  And in the quiet of the night, he heard the Lord.

Samuel received confirmation from a spiritual elder.  Eli was a priest and therefore older and wiser in the faith.  Samuel had been entrusted to his care to be trained for the Lord's service in the temple.  Eli probably knew the heart of this young boy very well.  When Samuel described what he heard to him, it was Eli who recognized that it was the voice of the Lord.  He wisely told Samuel to answer the call when he heard it.

Samuel responded and immediately submitted himself to God.  There was no hesitation and no "tell me what you want first and I'll think about it" type of discussion.  Samuel's heart was open (and had been prepared, no doubt, from his training by Eli and by his growing love for the Lord), he obeyed and was ready to receive the Lord's message and serve him.
So much to take away here, isn't there?  Is there a time in my day when I am still and resting before the Lord?  When I am only focused on hearing from him?  How about you? 

And then do I have close fellowship and accountability with a spiritual mentor?  Am I opening my life to someone who is a well-seasoned and trusted believer and can help me see what I am missing or hear what the Lord might be saying to me?  How about you? 

Or what about my response?  How I do answer in whatever God is calling me to do?  Am I submissive?  Am I giving up whatever my agenda is in order to do His will?  Do I have a servant's heart no matter what?  How about you?

Like Samuel, I hope that each of us is ready to say to the Lord today:  "Speak, for your servant is listening."

Intersecting Faith & Life:  How long has it been since you've heard from the Lord?  Is there too much going on?  What activities, relationships or priorities in your life could be blocking his voice?  Take some time this weekend pouring over your calendar, your checkbook and your Bible (whatever you need to give you a snapshot of your heart and of your life), and ask the Lord to help you listen as He speaks to you.

Further Reading:

James 1:22-25

Psalm 19

How I Stopped Striving and Started Resting in Him