Thursday, June 23, 2005

The Real Tooth and nothing but the Tooth

I'm afraid I must confess to being just a tiny bit onery. I had to go to the dentist today to have a crown put on. I had already had the prep work done and was wearing a temporary crown. All they had to do today was remove the temporary and replace it with the permanent (and very expensive) crown.

As the dentist walked in, he asked (as he always does), "Well, how are you getting along? I replied (with straight face) "Well, I got along really well with this temporary. It only came off once and I just stuck it back on with Super Glue." I watched the dentist and his assistance exchange one horrified look!! "Just kidding" says I. Big collective sigh of relief. I grin.

Now was it just my imagination or did I hear him laughing while I was paying my bill?!?


Struggles

Today on the radio I listened to the report about the 11 year old boy scout in Utah that had been missing since last Friday. The following quote really struck me:

"People say that the heavens are closed and God no longer answers prayers. We are here to unequivocally tell you that the heavens are not closed, prayers are answered, and children come home," his mother said.

While I am truly rejoicing with this boys parents, I pause to wonder what the parents of the girl misssing in Aruba are thinking when they hear such statements. I KNOW these people are pleased, and I KNOW they are giving God the glory for the safe return of their son.

Do I believe God answers prayers? OF COURSE I DO!! But what are we saying to the parents of a missing child who didn't come home. "Your faith isn't great enough." or "You didn't pray hard enough." or "You must be living in sin" or "The heavens are closed and God doesn't answer prayer."

We need to be learning that God DOES INDEED answer prayer. Always. All the time. And with our best interest at heart!! Do we always understand the answer? No. Do we agree with the answer? No. Do we continue to beg and plead? OF COURSE WE DO!! Because we know that GOD IS FAITHFUL. Even when the answer is "NO".

Please don't misunderstand me. I am DELIGHTED for that family. I just want to be mature enough in my faith, to still believe God hears and the heavens are ALWAYS open, even when He says "NO!"

Lord, I believe! Help my unbelief!!

May God richly bless you and Jesus give you all kinds of peace in believing!!

Wednesday, June 22, 2005

Roaring Semi

I was on my way to town yesterday to do work for a few hours at the Gazette. Our road is a 2-lane road. Minding my own business and driving just a little over the speed limit, I look in the rearview mirror and a semi comes ROARING up behind me. Literally within seconds all I could see was truck grill! He must have been late either picking up or delivering a load because he sure was impatient! Thankfully it was only about 2 miles before I turned off and he went on.

As I relaxed a bit at the wheel, I was pondering things that ROAR! Semis (is that really how you spell the pural of semi) and lions. God tells us that Satan goes around like a roaring lion, seeking who he can devour. Well, I haven't met too many lions in my life, but the semis--I've certainly encountered a LOT of those. I think the picture remains the same. That roaring semi would have eaten my lunch without a second thought if he thought he could get away with it. We drive through life, usually exceeding the speed limit (sometimes more than others!) If we aren't aware of what's happening around us, some semi will devour us. We need to be watchful--sometimes a semi (Satan), comes up behind us and we aren't looking in the rearview. Somestimes we meet that semi face to face--I've been run off the road a time or two. By semis and by Satan.

So we need to constantly be on the watch: checking in the rearview, monitoring who is turning on and off the road we're on, watching for what's coming directly at us, and being careful of what's trying to pass us.

In the context of that scripture, God tells us how to go about dealing with this:

"...And all of you, serve each other in humilty, for 'God opposes the pround but favors the humble.' So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for HE CARES ABOUT YOU [emphasis mine]. Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion [Semi] looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strenghten you, and he will place you on a Firm foundation. All power to him forever! Amen." I Peter 5:5b-11

May God richly bless you and may you have all kinds of peace in believing in Him!