For the Empty....beyond Obed

From the desert of bitterness....

For the empty at heart, for those who are so tired of waiting, for those who wonder if there is more than the getting up and going to work and doing chores and running errands and all the other ordinary things we do daily...


Here is a story:

There was a lady who lost everything: her husband, her two sons, her security, her home. She used to be pleasant, but now she is bitter, so much so, she asks people to address her by the name. She has lost it all, except for one thing- her faithful daughter-in-law. This girl is so devoted to her mother-in-law, she goes to work to support her. And she just so happens to work in the fields of this man of character and respect. He takes notice of her diligence, her faithfulness, and after a little invitation, steps in to be this small family's redeemer. He marries the daughter-in-law. And they give birth to a son, but not just any son....for this son becomes the father of Jesse, the Father of David.........the Father of Jesus Christ, our Messiah.

Our Sunday School class just got done going through Ruth, and the Lord used this mornings' lesson to encourage my heart so much, I wanted to share it.

Naomi feels that God has deserted her. This Almighty, powerful God, one who is able to do all things, seems to have forgotten her and her needs. She looks around and the circumstances cause her to lose all hope, and from the human perspective, this is rightly so. The situation does look hopeless, but God never stops working. He was working and orchestrating the events behind the scenes. Are you tired of waiting? Are you bitter? Remember, HE IS GOOD! He is working behind the scenes, orchestrating this grand masterpiece, but not just for your life, for eternity.

You see, the story does not end: "Ruth and Boaz get married. The End."But rather, it ends with a focus on Naomi and Obed (the son Ruth and Boaz have). Obed becomes the Father of Jesse and Jesse the Father of David- and that was a name of promise for the Israelites! This name pointed to the Messiah- the one who would come to save them from their sins, just as Moses had led them out of their slavery years before. Our Sunday School teacher read an excerpt out of a John Piper sermon on Ruth, and it was such an exhortation! Part of it went something like this: this story is much more than a lovely romance, a grandmother holding her cute grandbaby, or even God's provision for two women, it is about God's plan for redemption! For this goes BEYOND OBED...to point to Jesus, the one who fills all in all! This means that even the everyday ordinary events in our lives point to something greater! God is working this detailed mosaic not only for our lives but for His glory, for His eternal purposes. It is so not about us.

To the streams of life abudant in knowing Him as your treasure...

Wild Things

So, one of the joys of being a high school teacher is ever so often having the opportunity to pretend you are one of the kids again.

This Friday night was our Homecoming game and I was afforded such an opportunity. Our school is fairly new (this is its 3 year) and our student body has done a wonderful job at attempting to build unity and school spirit. One such method has been the creation of the "Wildthings", a student group that dresses up in white overalls painted with Cy-Woods Crimson red and gold and lead the student section in yells through out the game. They also run these huge flags that spell out "W O O D S" down the field whenever we score.

The Faculty Wild Things lined up ready to run for the opening before the National Anthem

Well, for the Homecoming game they asked for volunteers, and I, wanting to be involved with my students and serve in what ever way possible, decided this was a good idea. I have to say sprinting 100 yards down the side line carrying a huge flag is a little harder than it looks, and I am a little sore today, but I had the time of my life!

It was so amazing to be able to see my students shine in their different areas of talent. Before the game started, we, the faculty Wild Things, lined up down the field ready to run as soon as the football players broke through the banner. We had to time this perfectly as to not get run over by the football players. The Crimson Cadettes (our drill team) and our cheerleaders were also lined up on the field as well. I have several on the drill team, and 3 varsity cheerleaders and many football players. It was such a privilege to be on the field with them. I also got to see the drum line when they came over to the student section after half time. These students are so talented, and it is so neat to see them outside of the classroom in their element. I now have a lot of ammonitition for praise.

And I have to say I really enjoyed the intensity and atmosphere of being on the field on a Friday night football game. I yelled as loud as I could, did some cartwheels, and basically got to act like a huge goof ball. We scored a total of 6 touch downs and we quickly got tired of running the flags- so we were on a rotation. One time I was slightly embarrassed as I happened to be the only girl running with 5 guys. The lead flag sets the pace, and our wrestling coach decided to sprint as fast as he could down the field- sadly, despite my best efforts, I had trouble keeping up. It was quite humorous as you saw the spirit flag, W, O and then a H U G E space O, D, S. Oh well, anything for the kids...right?!
One of my amazing students, Lauryn and me at the game

Two thoughts:

1. Why does no one have to tell the crowd to cheer when a great play is made or yell "ooohhh" when some one jumps off a diving board and does a huge belly flop? This is worship. This is the natural, truthful response to these given situations. Our Father desires us to worship in Spirit and in truth. Worship is our repsonse to God for who He is and what He has done. This should not be some conjured up emotion or praise, but just a natural response, like our loud cheers or standing to our feet when our team is about to make a great game changing play. We should stand up and shout or fall to our knees, or simply respond, however we see fit to Our God, our Creator, the One who has given us life.

2. Wouldn't the football game be a lot less fun with out the cheerleaders, the dance team, the band, the fans, the players? Each role is important. I think that this is a huge lesson that we must learn in life. We must not be envious of others' gifts, talents or position in life. For God has appointed each of us to serve in different capacities. He has so perfectly engineered us to be different for His glory. We are all members of one body, each with a different role. What if the heart decided it wanted to be the lungs? We would die...

"For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us." Romans 12:3-6

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace" 1 Peter 4:10

Seasons

Don't you just love fall? The changes of the leaves (well in some parts of the world), the cooler weather (again, in some parts of the world) and the ushering in of the holiday season. I just love seeing the pumpkins outside of the grocery stores. They just make me happy. What is it about this change? It is not unique from Summer turning to Fall, for I get excited when it changes from Winter to Spring as well. What is the source of this excitement? I think it is the human fascination with something new, something different, a change.

Isn't Our Creator so infinitely wise that He created the world we live in with seasons? I love the changing of the seasons, the fact that God makes all things new. New beginnings. Fresh starts. Many people who know nothing about the One who made them do know something about the idea of a clean slate. A new chance. Isn't is almost unbelievable that our God is the one who redeems? He restores! He renews. 2 Corinthians 5:17 If anyone is in God, He is a new creation. The old has gone. The NEW has come!

Not only do we see seasons in Creation, we see seasons in life. I work with some amazing women. Each of them are in a completely different stage of life than I- most are married, some have young babies, some elementary school kids, some jr. high and some high school. And then there is me. I am starting my second year of teaching, sharing a house with 2 amazing girls, and just enjoying this time of singleness (or at least on most days). Today was twin day for Homecoming Week, and we all dressed alike. I have to admit, it was pretty fun having an excuse to wear pig tails. Something about it just made me feel like a little girl again.

Each season brings its various trials, pains, joys and celebrations. We must not dwell on the future....things will get better when I graduate, when I get a job, when I get married, when I buy a house, when I have a baby, when the kids graduate, when I am done paying for this......etc.

We must not dwell on the past, on what could have been or what might be. We must realize that our life is merely a midst that appears for a little while and then vanishes (James 4:14). We must live in the present. My dear Sunday School teacher through out college once told us that she prayed that the Lord would give her the ability to truly enjoy each stage of life. She and her husband even gave the stages of life names (ex: the sippy cup stage or the paper and pencil stage). I have began the habit as well. For, like Elisabeth Elliot said, "Where ever you are be all there." For this time, this place, the Lord has chosen for us. Let us not shrink back from living as He has called us to live. I pray that He would help me to simply focus on being in His presence as I walk through out this thing called life.

"The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup. Thou dost support my lot."Psalm 16:5

He is our portion. He has given us our present assignment. Rather we are taxi driver to our kids, working a 9-5 job and then some, or in our 80's spending time with our grandchildren, He is our portion. He is our treasure, and He is moving in our lives. If only we would ask Him to help us enjoy our season. For it is just a season. And it will soon pass....

Playground Memories

Today at school was Nerd Day, as it is Homecoming week and an excuse to dress up.

It was so much fun seeing many of my students in the nerd gear- fanny packs, glasses, suspenders, ties and boties, socks up to their knees....oh how simple joys can make the day so much better.

Maybe we should have nerd day everyday...

But anyways, everyday as part of the warm-up (I teach Calculus for those of you who don't know), I put up a "Good thing". One of the other teachers recommended it and I love it! The good things range from share a scar story to tell me about what happened this weekend. It is a great way to get to know the kids and we almost always share a laugh.

Today was share a story from the playground.

Sweet memories: kickball, monkey bars, slides, boys chasing girls or girls chasing boys, games of make believe and magic and building things....

I found it quite amusing that many of the stories had to do with boys/girls....one boy shared that he would get married to the same girl everyday during recess, but when it came to the kiss, she would run away. Another shared a time when he wanted to impress a girl but instead of sliding into the base, he face planted. Yet another shared of a time when he kissed a little girl in kindergarten and got reprimanded.

How funny that the fascination with the one so different than ourselves begins so soon. No one has to tell us to do these certain things...we just do.

Thankfully God created both man and woman in His image. Not to be the same- but to be equal. Equality does not mean sameness, for He has given us each important and necessary roles.

It is when man is being fully man and woman being fully woman that He is most glorified- not when we are trying to act like one another and reach some sort of "equal playing ground".

We are different, but that is good!

I just pass him by

Why dont' I stop?

So I was just sitting at the intersection of Gessner and 290, as I do everyday on my way home from school, and I tried not to stare at the man standing there. His sign read," Never thought it would happen to me, but God humbles everyone."

I have seen another man standing there the past couple of weeks, but this was a different man with a different sign. I always wonder where they got the materials to make the sign. Did they dive through a dumpster? or save up to get a marker? or perhaps someone let them borrow one...

How often do I just drive by....not knowing what to do? I even makesure my doors are locked (as advised by my mom). I think, "he probably won't spend the money I give him wisely", or "Oh if only I had some cash today..." or, "I wish I was a guy so I would feel comfortable offering him a ride to the nearest restaurant and I could pick up his meal....tell Him about Jesus...."

But I don't do anything. The paralysis of analysis. I am not held accountable for what that man does with my money or with the things that I give him, if I gave him anything at all, that is.

I am held accountable for using the gifts God has given me with wisdom. But is worldly wisdom an accuse for not acting out of faith or for being complacent? How often are we like....oh we shouldn't do that because "that's not wise"! Oh but the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God! (1 Cor 1)

In Hebrews, the author exhorts the body to show hospitality to all, for by doing so they may entertain angels. We do not know who that man is. He is a person. Someone God chose to give life. And I just pass him by.

Why?

Am I afraid he wouldn't receive my gift? Am I selfish? or am I just lazy? I don't want to be interrupted from my adgenda...

Most of Christ's ministry occurred during so called "interruptions" from one town to the next, from one work to the next...He was stopped along the way- to cast out demons, give the blind sight, feed the 5000, stop a woman's bleeding...

May I be open to interruptions....

But I just pass him by....

My Life's Ambition

About three years ago, the Lord impressed upon me a verse out of Acts 20, verse 24. I have sense claimed it as a life verse of sorts. Basically, it says that I should not consider my life as dear to myself. I should die to myself- not only in all the big ways (my plans, my wants, my desires, my choices) but in the small everyday ordinary ways(allowing someone to go before me in the check out line, or serving someone with a small act of kindness that requires a sacrifice of time). And it goes on to say the purpose for not considering one's life dear in and of itself. I love that. God does not leave us hanging. He does not just say die to yourself- do not hold onto your life. Although He does not owe us a reason. He could just simply say it. However, He further explains...

He gives us REASON. SO THAT...we may finish the course that He has set for us-

This reminds me of John 17 where Jesus is praying to His Father in heaven and says that He has glorified Him by finishing the work that God gave Him to do. How often do we try to put things on our "to do" list simply because they are good, but fail to ask ourselves, "God is this the work you have assigned for me?" He has blessed us each with different personalities, tastes, spiritual gifts and natural talents for His purposes- for His work. He has planned every good work before hand, that we should walk forth in them (Ephesians 2:10). Oh the Sovereignty of God! How I take such comfort in knowing that He has planned all things. Nothing is in vain.

The course- what is our course? Testifying of His grace. This is telling others of His goodness and grace (charis- meaing unmerited and undeserved favor) in our lives. This does not have to be some huge "Roman road" talk about the how one becomes a follower of Christ, but simply sharing who we were before we met Him and who He is, how we need Him, how He has changed us and is changing us. He is our everything. And out of the fondness of the heart, the mouth speaks. Let us pray that He would give us boldness and wisdom in declaring the truth with gentleness and repsect. (1 Peter 3:15)

Over the past month, I have had the blessing of attending Beth Moore's Lit Bible study and last week's lesson was over translations. I had to miss the lesson due to my rescheduled Open House, but thankfully my wonderful roommate let me copy her notes. This week Beth encouraged us to look up passages of Scripture in different translations (word for word, thought for thought, etc). I generally use the NASB and occassionally the NIV, but I decided to look up Acts 20:24 in the KJV tonight.

Interestingly, there is an additional phrase not found in the other translations- "But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God."

JOY....perhaps you have heard of the catchy acrostic/acronym:Jesus Others You.

I think about the Westminister Catechism: the chief end of man is to glorify God AND enjoy Him forever. May He become my chief joy and yours!

How often does my heart wander- how often am I seeking God and...God and a wonderful job, God and a husband, God and.....

He is enough. He alone satisfies! He is our joy. In His presence, there is fulness of joy. In His right hand there are pleasures forever! Psalm 16:11

Let us run this race- our eyes set on Jesus. He has begun the faith in us and He will finish it. We walk out as He works within. He endured the cross for the JOY set before Him. Let us follow His lead.

Look for Him. Seek Him while He may be found. For on the way...we will serve Him in the everyday ordinary things of life and we will find joy in Him.

Press on.

Oh the goal of this life- that I may be His wholly. That at the end (which is really the beginning) a wretch like me might be able to hear the words, "Well done good and faithful servant". For He is faithful! 2 Tim2 :13 (If we are faithfuless, He remains faithful, for He cannot disown Himself)

His,
Ashley