Author: admin

Canadian Geese. For some of you, I need say nothing more. Over the past three weeks, they’ve started landing in our front field, our soy bean field. They swoop in about 7:00 pm. They swoop out some time during the night because they swoop back in starting at 6:15 am, or so.

There are many recommendations on how to move them on. So far the repeated foot chase with arms flapping, a git holler, and waving scripture cards has not been successful. Oh, they move when the Worst-Best comes close, but only about 10 feet. They’re diligent about the claim they’ve staked.

Despite our frustration with them, their swooping in is interesting. The other morning, while walking the Worst-Best, I watched as they gathered – party time in the soy bean field. The first dozen or so came a honkin’, circling, and then they picked a spot in the field. I guess they were the ones who planned the vacation itinerary and they were told to go and grab a table. The Farmer has assured us that they don’t eat too much and they are just passing through — we shall see. Anyway, after they’ve gotten a table, they then start arriving from all different directions, north, south, east and west — a group will come honking in and get settled, then another group will do the same until we’ve got 100(?) or so buggers.

The thing I noticed when they came swooping in, what I thought was dangerously close over my head, was the sound they made. Not the honking, but the sound of their wings and the sound of the air as they cut through the sky. Even when they’re not honking, they sound like a rush, their flapping wings, their angles, their formations, generate a powerful force, an undertow, a sound. Aside from the obvious honking, they generate this loud hum, they generate a buzz.

It fascinates me that they may not be announcing their arrival with their honking, but you can hear them moving, you can hear them in action, at work. It reminded me of that saying: Preach the Gospel. Use words if necessary.

As believers we should live our lives so that they point to Christ, always. Sometimes we can create a hum, or a buzz, without using any words at all, with just our actions — good or bad. Every one of us is called to preach the Good News — don’t get hung up on the word preach, it simply means to tell others about Christ, that obviously takes words. But sometimes, we think we have to have a big long speech ready in order to do that, we think we have to honk-honk. Not so.

Dear brothers and sisters, what’s the use of saying you have faith if you don’t prove it by your actions? That kind of faith can’t save anyone. Suppose you see a brother or sister who needs food or clothing, and you say, “Well, good-bye and God bless you; stay warm and eat well’–but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do? James 3:14-16

Yes, we must use words for telling others the Good News, but sometimes we need to create a buzz with our actions too. We have to remember there’s an undercurrent, or an undertow in the world, it is spinning pretty fast, and there are many voices vying for the attention of those we want to introduce to Christ. The audible hum or buzz of our lives, can create a powerful force in people’s lives that gives us opportunities to talk about Christ, to use our voice, to honk, if necessary.

We cry to you, God, for renewing grace. We lie at your footstool and cry, “Help, Lord, or I will perish!”

Create in me a new heart, and renew a right spirit within me.

Renew me in the spirit of my mind, and renew me in my inner soul.

Take away this old mind that is so blind, so vain, so carnal.

Take away this old will that is so obstinate, so perverse, so rebellious.

Take away this old conscience that is so partial, so seared, so senseless.

Take away this old heart that will never delight in, comply with, or submit to you.

Let old things pass away, let all things become new. You who brought this world out of nothing with a word, can with a word work in me this new creation.

Do not let me perish. Say the word, and it will be done. Just say the word, and this world–now a dark, woeful chaos and a lump of corruption and confusion — will become a new creature.

Lord, give me this heart, put this new spirit into me. You have the key of David. You close, and no one opens. You open, and no one can shut. Lord, open this heart that has been too long closed against you. Break down these strongholds that keep you from me.

Cast out sin and cast out the world that kept you out of possession for so long. Bind the strong man and cast him out.

Other lords have had dominion over me; they have made me miserable by keeping my Lord, my happiness, from me. Cast out these intruders, take possession of me, and be mine forever.

You call for my heart, Lord; it is yours. Though I have dealt treacherously with you, and given my heart to other things, it is yours. It cost you dearly. So enter, take possession of it.

You knock at the door to this wretched heart. Why stay so long outside? Come in and bless me with your presence. Break it open with almighty power, and let it no longer shut you out. Amen.

David Clarkson, the prayer writer, was a theologian born in 1622 in the UK, Bradford. Suffice it to say he’s no longer with us by about 300+ years, but his impact is still felt. Clarkson was what was considered a nonconformist — that’s exactly what it sounds like — he did not conform, fall in line, keep in step, with the Church of England. He was not obedient and did not comply with those teachings. Many years later there were others who were nonconformists who escaped the Church of England and that’s why we’re right here in the good ole USA.

I’ve said before — I just love these dead men — eeeeewww, you say. I don’t mean that in a creepy way, I say this with complete reverence and honor. The Puritan Fathers had a way of putting things that just struck right to the heart of a matter. Maybe I like them because they spoke of Our Lord in a way not spoken today, they didn’t beat around the bush. Maybe I like them because they held Our Lord God in such high esteem, in a world that tramples His blessed name. But, I probably most like them because they spoke absolute truth at a very tumultuous time — boldly, directly, and unapologetically, they called a spade a spade, without remorse. So concerned were they that all people accept the salvation of God, that people repent of their sins (yep, we’re sinners), that people enter into His Kingdom for all eternity, that they really didn’t care about political correctness, couching phrases, softening the blows, presentation, or hurt feelings.

I just love this prayer. I’ve been meditating on on it for a couple of weeks and each time I read it I gain more and more understanding. I don’t know about you guys, but I need grace every second of every day. Grace upon grace.

This prayer is such a greater reminder to me of exactly who I am, absolutely nothing without Him. I know because I’ve highlighted all those things in that prayer that I am (ouch!). But more importantly, about exactly who He is. I’ve underlined and exclamation pointed all those things He is (Amazing!). The Spirit Giver, The Mind Transformer, The Vision Giver, The Obedience Giver, The Wisdom Giver, The Heart Transplanter, The Out With the Old — In With The New God, The Light Giver, The Soul Seeker, The Clarifier, The New Creator, The Chain Breaker, The Peace Giver, The Lover of My Soul, The All Powerful, The Door Knocker, The Life Changer, The Grace Giver.

Who doesn’t need every single attribute of God in their lives. I definitely do. I need things I don’t even know I need. He is willing, certainly able, and desirous of our call to Him. He knocks, we need only open the door a crack and He will break it open with almighty power and come in and bless us with His presence and renewing grace.

Try printing the prayer and marking it up — you, Him. Then maybe praying, Lord, give me this heart, put this new spirit into me. Lord, open this heart that has been too long closed against you. Break down these strongholds that keep you from me. Amen.

I had a party on Monday for some of my dear friends, some I’d worked with for 36 years, some only a handful of months. I wanted to honor them and do something special so we had a picnic at a nearby pavilion. It wasn’t a practical picnic — I took the good China. Gasp! Yep, I took real flatware and glasses. We even had cloth tablecloths too. Practical picnics have paper plates, plasticware and disposable tablecloths because they’re…practical, sensible.

You see, I like pretty things. It may not always seem that way because I’m also very practical and life’s practical doesn’t always lend itself to pretty. But I love flowers, and glass, and sparkle, and sometimes I just like being practically impractical.

I went early to the party to set up. Anybody remember how the wind was blowing on Monday in these here parts? As I’m trying to put these 15 foot tablecloths on the tables with gale force winds blowing, I’m sinking a little inside. I wanted everything to be just right, I wanted it to be special for my guests. Eventually, the wind died down enough to get the cloths on and the table partially set. It was pretty.

As I stood there looking at the glassware sparkling in the sun, I thought for an outdoor gig with lots of wind, it was pretty. Everything wasn’t exactly where I had planned because heavy stuff had to be strategically placed to hold it all down, but it was still pretty. As I’m looking across the tables the thought came to my mind that this is exactly what the Lord has done for each of us. He has set the most beautiful table for us, His honored guests.

He has brought out the very best of everything for us. Everything is exactly where He’s planned. There’s nothing disposable at His table, because His guests are not disposable. And to be honest, His table setting seems a little impractical to us, it doesn’t quite make sense to us. But it does to him. We think why, how, it’s not practical for someone to die in my place. But it makes perfect sense to Him.

God has brought out the best of the best, the most beautiful. The place settings of love, hope, grace, mercy, comfort, peace, and so much more. You can look at the table and see such things. But most importantly, He has provided the food and drink for us to feast on, Manna from Heaven to sustain us, and Holy Water to quench our thirsts, eternal salvation, His Son Jesus Christ.

You see, we have all been invited to this beautifully set table. A table set for us by God. Whether we come, sit and partake is completely up to us. Are we tired of trying to feed ourselves with absolutely everything this world has to offer – careers, money, relationships, running, sports, children, busyness, etc., etc. — only to be hungry for more? We cannot satisfy our hunger and quell our own thirsts. There’s only one way to do that, and it is to pull up to the beautifully set table and feast on the Lord.

Today is my last Wednesday at Bowles Rice, a place were I’ve taken up space for the last 30-few years. You see it’s time for me to transition to a new chapter, a new season in my life. I’m super excited about the opportunity I’ve been given to quit my day job so to speak (Tony says I’m a quitter since I’m not old enough to be called a retiree — I’m down with that!) and dedicate myself to my other full-time job of wife, mother, laundry lady, housekeeper, sous chef, lawn mower, horse mother, flock tender, chief cook and bottle washer, and grandmother to-be to Baby Boy Wright. We are some busy people.

Although I’m doing something I never thought I’d do, counting down the days (Can I get a woohoo?!?!), it is a little bittersweet. You see I’ve been blessed (truly) to go to work each day with people I love so much. People I’ve been honored to encourage and people who have carried me. People God put in my life for a reason, a season and a second. Our life here is but a blink. It seems only yesterday I was starting my career as a wide-eyed-22-year-old-know-it-all-single-girl and in a flash I’m humbly packing up my desk, hopefully a little wiser for the years, and expecting my first grandchild — did I mention it’s a boy? But, of course, we’re told how quickly time goes by, aren’t we? King David wrote:

Such beautiful, beautiful, thought provoking words. King David encourages us to live in the moments of life. He says life is but a breath (our next one depends on God), spend your time wisely (think about what we’re doing – does it really matter?) and remember what is most important of all, trusting in the Lord our God (our only Hope). The Gospel is all rolled up in these verses.

Just as our seasons change from winter to spring to summer to fall, so do you lives. We have specific roles in each of our seasons of life, but only one purpose – to glorify God. Sometimes we get that messed up, don’t we? I don’t know about you, but sometimes, unfortunately, I’m much better at living to glorify Beth than God. Only for what Beth wants. Super selfish. Completely forgetting, or remembering and completely ignoring that my sole purpose for opening my eyes this morning, for taking my next breath, is to honor my Creator.

I sometimes work frantically to fill the eternity hole in my heart, which can only be filled by Him, with every other thing in life — work, house, cars, animals, travel, money, friends, family, toys, noise, busyness — all things in and of themselves not bad, but all things that can be used to fill the eternity hole, replacing the only thing that can actually fill the eternity hole, Jesus.

King Solomon helps give us a little perspective:

These times, they are a changing. My under heaven is going to look a little different in the days to come, but my eternity will not. All my hope is in Jesus. What does your under heaven look like? What does your eternity look like? What do you put your hope in?

Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.  Proverbs 4:23

Well, obviously, that’s not the only thing we need to guard.  We must also guard our gardens!  Clearly, our hearts are the most important things we must guard, as the scriptures say as a mirror reflects a man’s face, a man’s heart reflects the man.  Ouch!  But, gardens rank up there pretty high in the guarding group.

Gardens are important, we need them for a couple of reasons.  The obvious reason is because we need to eat.  Sure, we could pick up some tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, squash, and other produce from the market, but there really is something super cool about tending a garden whether it be a flower garden or food for your table.  Those things we grow ourselves look more beautiful and taste much better.

But what happens when an unwelcome guest shows up in our gardens?  We’ve had one of those guests in our garden at least three times this year.  I know this because this is the number of times that Tony has replanted.  Before each replant, we have to add more protection.

As we were adding one more layer to our fencing the other night, I kept thinking about the lengths we’re going to to protect our garden, as well we should.  It’s an irksome battle against wild kingdom.  Looking at the chicken wire, colored strings, whirly gigs and sparkly decorations that move in the breeze, all saying KEEP OUT, I thought to myself, goodness, just how high are we going to have to make this fence in order to keep our unwanted guest out?

As I stand there pondering, trying to conjure up other defenses, the thought struck me that those layers of protection served two purposes – to keep something in and to keep something out — to protect something inside the fence and to keep something destructive outside the fence. Hmmm…

Should I not also do the same for my heart? Do you see the parallel?  Things in our lives can penetrate our hearts and destroy them – the consequences of poor choices by ourselves or others – the pride of thinking we can do all things through us who strengthens ourselves – allowing those things of the world to enter into our hearts and take root – compromising on the little things – opening the gate just a crack to only have it slammed wide open to the flood of destruction.  You get what I mean, right?  As I look at the garden, I think goodness, if I guarded my heart the way I’m guarding the garden, what would my life look like?  If I added some of the protections and defenses to my heart that have been added to the garden, would my life look different?  I think most definitely.

We live in such a deceptive world.  The evil one prowls about looking for someone to devour.  He has a special eye for those who have a heart for the Lord.  Why so?  Because those who belong to the Lord have something that satan wants – a heart for God.  The evil one is not seeking those who don’t believe or follow Christ – he already has their hearts.  The evil one is seeking to turn hearts for God to himself.  If we are not guarding our hearts, in broad daylight and hushed nightlight, he will leap our barriers and devour our hearts.  Yikes!

The evil one is quite wily.  Just like I felt sorry for our unwanted guest and wasn’t too concerned about her hanging around more and more frequently after all she had babies to feed, satan preys on our emotions as well with the things of this world.  Loving people will obviously feel compassion for a self-destructing world, but it doesn’t mean that we let down the guards on our hearts.  We must lean in to God and allow the Holy Spirit to fuel us with strength.  We must put on the full armor of God – the first two pieces are the study belt of truth – we must know the truth – and the body armor of God’s righteousness – the body armor is the barrier that protects our hearts!

We must use the resources the Lord gave us – chicken wire, colored strings, whirly gigs and sparkly decorations – the Word of God, Prayer, the Holy Spirit, Christian friends, and a Biblical Church family.  All these things will keep out those things that are destructive to our hearts.  We are not to go it alone, we must use all the defenses the Lord provided to us in this battle for our hearts.

But the Lord is faithful; he will make you strong and guard you from the evil one.  2 Thessalonians 3:3

Think a little today about your heart. What’s the condition of the fence around it? Is it keeping out evil or does it need to be fortified?

May the Lord bring you into an ever deeper understanding of the love of God and the endurance that comes from Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:5

All you can do is all you can do, and I’m doing all that I can.

Chase Outlaw, Bull Rider

We were watching bull riding one night on television and after an unsuccessful ride, Chase Outlaw (no kidding, that’s his name, how cool is that?) was interviewed.  Of course, they asked these meaningless questions in a roundabout way.  Like, why didn’t you stay on – because I fell off?  How did you fall off – I didn’t stay on?  Will you do better next time – if I don’t fall off and I stay on.  You know what I’m talking about.  Chase Outlaw had only one answer for the announcer, which he said with a little frustration – All you can do is all you can do, and I’m doing all that I can.  I love it!  He answered their roundabout silly questions with a roundabout seemingly silly answer, but was it really? 

I think a lot of us in this world feel that same way – All I can do is all I can do, and I’m doing all that I can!!  We too may say it with a high pitched voice and a little frustration.  But, I think we’ve got it backwards.  It seems there’s this constant barrage.  The world is constantly asking for more, isn’t it?  Our churches are asking for more doers.  Support this cause. Advocate for this group. Fight for justice for this.  Our employers are asking for more doers.  Add this to your list.  Do this, do that.  Another deadline. Our families are asking for more doers. I need. I need. I need.

Let heaven fill your thoughts.  Do not think only about things down here on earth.

Colossians 3:2

Our churches, our employers, our families, our clubs are all important and all have a right to ask us to-do.  And there are many more important social justice, political, civic and community groups vying and clamoring for our attention.  But sometimes, I think we lose perspective.  When we lose perspective we forget the purpose, we get it backwards.  And sometimes we even forget why we’re doing what we’re doing and who we’re doing it for.  When we lose perspective we too may say – all you can do is all you can do and I’m doing all that I can – at a sqweaky pitch.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. 

It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Colossians 3:23-24

Ah!!!!!  Our hearts.  That’s always where it starts.  Not a soft heart – anyone can have that.  Not a good heart – anyone can have that.  Not a nice heart – anyone can have that.  Not a heart for people – anyone can have that.  But, a heart for Jesus – everyone can have that.  Having  a heart for Jesus will impact our churches, our employers, our families, our communities. It’s a heart issue.  But, it cannot be done backwards.  Jesus must come first.  Being doers in our churches, for our employers, for our families, for our communities, for social justice, in our serving, must be an out growth of our heart for Christ.  Our doing cannot be a way to Jesus, it’s a result of Jesus!!  Being committed to Jesus, having a relationship with Jesus, serving Jesus is where it must start.  If not, it’s church for church sake; employers for employers sake; families for families sake; communities for communities sake; it is social justice for social justice sake; when it should be for Jesus’ sake.  True social justice cannot be taught.  If it doesn’t start with Jesus, it’s just a good people thing, not a God people thing.  It’s just doing for doing.

Our purpose is to please God, not people.

He is the one who examines the motives of our hearts.

1 Thessalonians 2:4

If we keep our focus on Him, if we keep perspective, we will be busy, but our attitude may not be — all you can do is all you can do, and I’m doing all that I can!

Jesus, all for Jesus

All I am and have and ever hope to be.

All my ambitions, hopes and plans

I surrender these into your hands.

For it’s only in your will that I am free

Jesus, all for Jesus.

I’ve been doing a little self analysis, you know, pondering, trying to figure out what makes me tick, or why I do some of the things I do. It’s a life long process, but when something makes me go hmmm, I try to dig into the hmmms.

A few weeks ago I had my gallbladder removed. That’s a hmmm in itself. If we don’t need a gallbladder to live, why do we have one? Another hmmm for me was that I went into the hospital and less than four hours later I left having had a robot take pics of my innards, and with one less organ than I was born with. Another hmmm, that organ was sucked out on a Wednesday and I went back to work on a Monday.

But here’s the thing that really made me go hmmm. Two days after this procedure, it seems like cheating to even call it surgery, I took a walk to start getting back into the groove. Albeit a short walk, I had to start somewhere to get back to my miles a day. Tony walked with me as I went 20 yards down the road. I said to him that I was going to have to start trying to walk upright because I was kind of protecting my belly, and he said “you always walk looking down.” Out of all the hmmms in this story, that’s the big hmmm. Of course I humphed and denied it, I’m not a bent over walker, I’m just a bolder walker. You know, a girl on a mission.

But, you know what happens once someone says something like that to you, you’re then super self-conscious about it. So, I’ve been taking stock of my walking, and… he’s right. I walk looking down almost constantly. I don’t stand up straight, I lead with my head and plow forward, shoulders rounded, tilted forward. I notice that I do this on my outdoor walks, down the hall at work, making my way to the other side of the Wal-Mart store, etc. Now I know why my mom always used to tap (smack) me on the back and say “put your shoulders up.” This never made sense to me, who wants to walk around with their shoulders touching their ears, but I knew what she meant. Stand up straight.

This very wordy lead in is to say that I’ve been examining my posture lately. You know, our posture says so much about us. Now I’m no posture expert and I even hesitated writing this knowing I just might be reminded of it. But our outer appearance says so much about our inward feelings, doesn’t it? Our posture determines whether or not we are approachable, wounded, afraid, hurt, bold, etc. I know, it sounds funny, but how we stand does make a difference, in more ways than one.

I’ve been thinking about it. Who would want to approach me if they can only see the top of my head? Or, who would want to approach me if they have to run to keep up with me? It’s really made me think (overthink) about my posture. I’m now consciously trying to stand up straight (whatever that is), relax my shoulders (so I don’t look so uptight), roll my shoulders back (so I don’t look like I need protection), and lift my chin (so I don’t lead with my head or look like a turtle). All of these adjustments cause me to slow down a fraction and adjust my gaze upward. That’s the hmmm.

My posture can reflect where my gaze is centered, on me or on Him. If I’m looking at my belly button and charging forward, I cannot look to the heavens from whence my help comes from. If I’m looking down, my eyes only see me, I’m only looking at myself, most likely my feet and where I’m going to place them next. But, if I’m standing straight and my gaze is lifted upward, I won’t see where I’m going, I will see where He’s leading me. Hmmm.

I lift my eyes to you O God, enthroned in heaven. Psalm 123:1

We cannot look up if we’re looking down…physically or spiritually.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace. Amen.