God always has a funny way of brining things into our path that are exactly what we need to hear. The following is from our Kidmo 1st Grade Sunday School Lesson:
THEME: World changers expect God’s best
LEARN IT
God is at his best when life is at its worst.
Joseph always expected God to do something great, even when life was at its worst.
Review: Genesis 41:1-41
LINK IT
God sees our whole life. He sees the beginning and the end and everything in-between. God
knows what happens to you, good and bad. When Joseph was sitting in jail, life was at its
worst, but Joseph knew God was aware of his situation and would bring about something great.
LIVE IT
We cannot control the circumstances of our lives. Bad things are going to happen. Just
because something bad happens doesn’t mean God doesn’t care. It doesn’t mean God turned
and looked away. It means God wants to bring something great out of something bad.
COMPASS POINT
When life’s a mess expect God’s best.
MEMORY MAX
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God
and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28
We are defiantly at a place right now where “life is a mess”, or so it would seem from our short sighted perspective. We feel we are at a very critical place, and we have no idea how God plans to pull everything together. We need wisdom in our words, so for now...I really have no words to say…
AT
"Word Of God Speak"
by MercyMe
I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay
The last thing I need is to be heard
But to hear what You would say
[CHORUS]
Word of God speak
Would You pour down like rain
Washing my eyes to seeYour majesty
To be still and know
That You're in this place
Please let me stay and restIn Your holiness
Word of God speak
I'm finding myself in the midst of You
Beyond the music, beyond the noise
All that I need is to be with You
And in the quiet hear Your voice
[REPEAT CHORUS 2x]
I'm finding myself at a loss for words
And the funny thing is it's okay
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JK_6osCH74
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
The Neighbor’s Cat
Shortly after our neighbor’s moved next door this past fall, their inside cat got out and lost. We found him crying on our front porch and determined to get into our house. He was so sad & sweet. Grace & I had fun holding him and giving him a little comfort. Well, last night the poor thing was out and confused again!
It was a little after 3:00 am, and I awoke hearing a strange sound at the front door. My dad works a late shift, and with the storms last night, I thought maybe the garage door wasn’t working and he needed inside. However, when I looked through the peep hole, I didn’t see anyone. Just as I was trying to make my middle of the night brain work, I jumped with the sound of pawing again, and this time it was followed with meowing that was quite loud.
My natural love instinct for animals made me truly want to open the door and help the distressed animal, but I knew as sure as I did we would have a wet scared cat loose in the house. I had to simply leave him to wait at the door until morning.
As I got back in bed, a strange feeling came over me, and I felt God tell me that I was just like that cat. WHAT!...was my immediate reply. Am I meowing at the wrong door? No…I know we are at the exact place that God has called us to be. He has been very clear, and we have been obedient. I am at the right door.
However, just like the neighbor’s cat, the door that I am sitting at is not ready to be opened. It was better for the cat to sit and wait…just like God has seen fit for our family to wait.
I know that He still loves me and has a perfect plan. I had a great plan for the cat this morning…I guess there are nights when we just feel confussed & wet. The great thing is that we serve a God that is able to wrap us in His arms and sit on the porch with us!
Waiting in His Arms,
AT
It was a little after 3:00 am, and I awoke hearing a strange sound at the front door. My dad works a late shift, and with the storms last night, I thought maybe the garage door wasn’t working and he needed inside. However, when I looked through the peep hole, I didn’t see anyone. Just as I was trying to make my middle of the night brain work, I jumped with the sound of pawing again, and this time it was followed with meowing that was quite loud.
My natural love instinct for animals made me truly want to open the door and help the distressed animal, but I knew as sure as I did we would have a wet scared cat loose in the house. I had to simply leave him to wait at the door until morning.
As I got back in bed, a strange feeling came over me, and I felt God tell me that I was just like that cat. WHAT!...was my immediate reply. Am I meowing at the wrong door? No…I know we are at the exact place that God has called us to be. He has been very clear, and we have been obedient. I am at the right door.
However, just like the neighbor’s cat, the door that I am sitting at is not ready to be opened. It was better for the cat to sit and wait…just like God has seen fit for our family to wait.
I know that He still loves me and has a perfect plan. I had a great plan for the cat this morning…I guess there are nights when we just feel confussed & wet. The great thing is that we serve a God that is able to wrap us in His arms and sit on the porch with us!
Waiting in His Arms,
AT
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Without Breath
As someone that has traveled to Central America many times, I understand the term “gringo”. I have been called this numerous times, and I am sure by my dumb actions and naivety of culture, I deserved it each time. This past Sunday, I heard a short story about the early visitors to Hawaii. They were given the name haole (pronounced HOW-lee). The word haol means "without breath, wind or spirit; a colorless, paste-white absence of spirit and feeling, an inability to appreciate the land and the dignity of its people.”
According to Hawaiian traditions, a person would sit outside the temple and breathe deeply blocking out the troubles of the world and focusing their mind on entering into the presence of their god. When they entered the temple, they would sit silently & still for an extended period of time “breathing in the spirit of their god.” Only after they felt they had made a connection did they offer up prayers. Then they would exit the temple and sit on its steps continuing to meditate on their “encounter”.
When the early Christian missionaries came to the islands, the Hawaiians were shocked by the lack of reverence & connection the foreigners had with their God. They would rush into their churches, sing loudly, offer up petitions and exit just as quickly. The Hawaiians did not understand this lack of respect & bond, thus the name “those without breath” was given to them.
Here is a quote from an article I read today as I researched Hawaiian culture and the importance of BREATH: “The Spirit of God broods over the waters of East and West, breathing new life in both directions. Known in Hebrew as ruach, in Greek as pneuma, in Latin as anima, in Sanskrit and Chinese as prima and ch’ i, or in Polynesian as mana, the sacred wind of God’s breath cannot be limited to the categories of thought most familiar to Western theology.”
http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=810
This has challenged me to examine my own time spent with God. Am I a haole? Is my life so self-focused & rushed that I miss experiencing a new life-breathing connectedness with a Holy God?
I am reminded of one of the stories of Elijah. Elijah needed to hear a word from the Lord, so the Lord told him to go out and stand on the mountain and wait for the presence of the Lord to pass by. A powerful wind tore the mountains apart, rocks fell, there were earthquakes & fire, but none of those powerful movements contained the presence of the Lord. The Lord came to Elijah by a gentle whisper….a breath.
I am afraid that in my busyness I often lack breath. I have a short sighted view of my need for connection/relationship with a Holy God. It is my prayer today that I begin to take time to breath life into my time spent seeking God, worshiping Him and communicating with Him. In the near future, as I enter a new culture (although it will not be Hawaiian!), may it not be said of my relationship with God that I am a haole – one without breath!
AT
According to Hawaiian traditions, a person would sit outside the temple and breathe deeply blocking out the troubles of the world and focusing their mind on entering into the presence of their god. When they entered the temple, they would sit silently & still for an extended period of time “breathing in the spirit of their god.” Only after they felt they had made a connection did they offer up prayers. Then they would exit the temple and sit on its steps continuing to meditate on their “encounter”.
When the early Christian missionaries came to the islands, the Hawaiians were shocked by the lack of reverence & connection the foreigners had with their God. They would rush into their churches, sing loudly, offer up petitions and exit just as quickly. The Hawaiians did not understand this lack of respect & bond, thus the name “those without breath” was given to them.
Here is a quote from an article I read today as I researched Hawaiian culture and the importance of BREATH: “The Spirit of God broods over the waters of East and West, breathing new life in both directions. Known in Hebrew as ruach, in Greek as pneuma, in Latin as anima, in Sanskrit and Chinese as prima and ch’ i, or in Polynesian as mana, the sacred wind of God’s breath cannot be limited to the categories of thought most familiar to Western theology.”
http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=810
This has challenged me to examine my own time spent with God. Am I a haole? Is my life so self-focused & rushed that I miss experiencing a new life-breathing connectedness with a Holy God?
I am reminded of one of the stories of Elijah. Elijah needed to hear a word from the Lord, so the Lord told him to go out and stand on the mountain and wait for the presence of the Lord to pass by. A powerful wind tore the mountains apart, rocks fell, there were earthquakes & fire, but none of those powerful movements contained the presence of the Lord. The Lord came to Elijah by a gentle whisper….a breath.
I am afraid that in my busyness I often lack breath. I have a short sighted view of my need for connection/relationship with a Holy God. It is my prayer today that I begin to take time to breath life into my time spent seeking God, worshiping Him and communicating with Him. In the near future, as I enter a new culture (although it will not be Hawaiian!), may it not be said of my relationship with God that I am a haole – one without breath!
AT
Monday, June 23, 2008
Trimming the Extra and Entering the Fire
When the piece is complete the Potter removes it from the wheel. This is done by sliding a piece of wire under to piece to “cut” it from the wheel. After drying on a shelf for a day or two, the Potter cuts away all of the excess clay from the bottom of the piece. At this time the Potter places His mark, or signature, on the piece to identify the piece as His creation. It is then placed on the shelf for sometimes weeks at a time to slowly dry and become what is called greenware. This means that the piece can be handled lightly but still needs to be fired to harden.
In reality we, as clay, can choose at anytime to remove ourselves from the Potter’s wheel.
We can decide that the road is too difficult and give up on His plan for us. In doing so, we will become nothing more than an old, dry, useless lump of clay. In addition, though we can not lose our relationship with the Potter and our eternity remains sealed, we will forfeit our fellowship with Him and never receive the Potter’s mark on our lives as a master creation.
After the vessel is thoroughly dry, it is placed into the kiln to be heated. For this firing, the bisque firing, the clay is heated to an uncomfortable 1700 degrees Fahrenheit over 24 hours. Again, the clay can decide at this point that it does not want to enter the fire. However, not going through the fire means only one thing. Without the fire the clay will rehydrate as soon as liquid of any kind is placed on or in it. It is not a useful vessel yet.
After being fired the first time, many vessels are done. Earthen ware flower pots at this point are complete. Most vessels, however, must be glazed and fired again, at a temperature of 2400 degrees Fahrenheit, in order to seal there porous surfaces. By doing this that are made able to serve either liquid or food.
The fires are not fun. They are not comfortable. But they are necessary in order to be useful in the Potter’s service. Some of you may be in the fire right now. You may see that you are about to enter into the fire. We do not choose when we enter the fire. Oh we may get ourselves into hot water from time to time due to our decisions, but only the Potter determines when a vessel enters into the holy fire. However, rest assured that unlike an earthly potter, our Potter does not place us into the fire and walk away.
Daniel 3:24-25 (New International Version)
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, "Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?" They replied, "Certainly, O king."
25 He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods."
Just like in the book of Daniel, He remains with us as we go through the firing.
MT
In reality we, as clay, can choose at anytime to remove ourselves from the Potter’s wheel.
We can decide that the road is too difficult and give up on His plan for us. In doing so, we will become nothing more than an old, dry, useless lump of clay. In addition, though we can not lose our relationship with the Potter and our eternity remains sealed, we will forfeit our fellowship with Him and never receive the Potter’s mark on our lives as a master creation.
After the vessel is thoroughly dry, it is placed into the kiln to be heated. For this firing, the bisque firing, the clay is heated to an uncomfortable 1700 degrees Fahrenheit over 24 hours. Again, the clay can decide at this point that it does not want to enter the fire. However, not going through the fire means only one thing. Without the fire the clay will rehydrate as soon as liquid of any kind is placed on or in it. It is not a useful vessel yet.
After being fired the first time, many vessels are done. Earthen ware flower pots at this point are complete. Most vessels, however, must be glazed and fired again, at a temperature of 2400 degrees Fahrenheit, in order to seal there porous surfaces. By doing this that are made able to serve either liquid or food.
The fires are not fun. They are not comfortable. But they are necessary in order to be useful in the Potter’s service. Some of you may be in the fire right now. You may see that you are about to enter into the fire. We do not choose when we enter the fire. Oh we may get ourselves into hot water from time to time due to our decisions, but only the Potter determines when a vessel enters into the holy fire. However, rest assured that unlike an earthly potter, our Potter does not place us into the fire and walk away.
Daniel 3:24-25 (New International Version)
24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, "Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?" They replied, "Certainly, O king."
25 He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods."
Just like in the book of Daniel, He remains with us as we go through the firing.
MT
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Higher Ground
Well, it does seem very strange to me that lately God has been speaking to me through songs, but it is happening all the same. So, I guess I will be writing again about music. A few days ago in my morning quiet time, the chorus of an old hymn came to me as I was praying for a dear friend. I remember singing the song as a child and thinking that it was talking about a person going to live in heaven. Funny, how we often sing things without paying attention to the words. Now, after reading the words in my hymnal, I realize that the song is about daily drawing closer to him.
Here are the words to the hymn and my prayer today:
V1 I'm pressing on the upward way,
New heights I'm gaining every day
Still praying as I onward bound,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground
Lord, grant me the strength to continue to journey with you each day. I know You have so much You want to teach me. I am humbling myself, and I desire to learn. I am drawing close to you because in Your perfect will I find peace.
V2 My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay
Tho some may dwell where these abound,
My prayer, my aim is higher ground.
Father, please erase doubt and fear from my heart. I choose to trust You. I am following where You lead no matter where the journey takes me.
V3 I want to live above the world
Tho Satan's darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound
The song of saints on higher ground.
Jesus, I know that you are the conqueror. You are my shield. You give me the strength to stand up under attack. By faith, I choose to have joy each day in my circumstances.
V4 I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright
But still I'll pray till heaven I've found,
Lord, lead me on to higher ground
Lord, I confess I wish life were easy. I do often long to simply enjoy heaven, but I am committed to this life, and to be faithful in service to you. Lead me this day in trusting You.
C - Lord lift me up and let me stand
By faith, on heaven's table - land
A higher plane than I have found
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
Father, hold me. I do not desire to stand on my own. By faith, I continue this journey as You lead and direct. Lord, plant my feet each day on the higher ground you have.
Learning to trust Him by drawing close,
AT
Here are the words to the hymn and my prayer today:
V1 I'm pressing on the upward way,
New heights I'm gaining every day
Still praying as I onward bound,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground
Lord, grant me the strength to continue to journey with you each day. I know You have so much You want to teach me. I am humbling myself, and I desire to learn. I am drawing close to you because in Your perfect will I find peace.
V2 My heart has no desire to stay
Where doubts arise and fears dismay
Tho some may dwell where these abound,
My prayer, my aim is higher ground.
Father, please erase doubt and fear from my heart. I choose to trust You. I am following where You lead no matter where the journey takes me.
V3 I want to live above the world
Tho Satan's darts at me are hurled;
For faith has caught the joyful sound
The song of saints on higher ground.
Jesus, I know that you are the conqueror. You are my shield. You give me the strength to stand up under attack. By faith, I choose to have joy each day in my circumstances.
V4 I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright
But still I'll pray till heaven I've found,
Lord, lead me on to higher ground
Lord, I confess I wish life were easy. I do often long to simply enjoy heaven, but I am committed to this life, and to be faithful in service to you. Lead me this day in trusting You.
C - Lord lift me up and let me stand
By faith, on heaven's table - land
A higher plane than I have found
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
Father, hold me. I do not desire to stand on my own. By faith, I continue this journey as You lead and direct. Lord, plant my feet each day on the higher ground you have.
Learning to trust Him by drawing close,
AT
Saturday, June 21, 2008
True Love!
On a Saturday 11 years ago this date, we were happily wed. We are honored to be at this place in life. God has truly blessed. We look forward to the many years and memories to come. A special thanks to our parents and those of you who have set before us wonderful examples of marriage and challenged us to continue to grow.
MT & AT
MT & AT
Friday, June 20, 2008
The Throne Room
Yes, I am going to do a little potty talk today. God brought to mind a conversation that I had with the Women’s Ministry Director at our church a while back and for some crazy reason I feel compelled to share.
I have heard it said many times that a person needs to have a “prayer closet” or someplace specific that they retreat to in-order to spend quality time with God. Well, I never thought I had a specific place, until recently when I began recalling a few choice times that I know God was speaking to me.
The day after I graduated from High School, my parents put me on a plane for a summer mission trip to Honduras. It was one of the best experiences of my life, but the beginning was a bit rough. We flew an American airline into the country, but to travel within the country we were at the mercy of Honduran air-travel. On the middle leg of our journey to the interior, we encountered a delay and had to find a place to stay/eat/etc. for a few days. Well, long story, somehow I contracted some form of amebas, and I was sick to say the least. Scared, hurting and wishing to be home, I spent many hours alone in “the throne room” of my hotel. At some point, when I was in a half conscience state, I physically felt God hold me and whisper to me His love. This is where I was….totally helpless in need of the only one who could heal me.
About eight years ago, I was in a very lonely and difficult place struggling with infertility. Matt & I had gone through several miscarriages and failed procedures and were facing invetro-fertilization. We were both very scared. At the same time, our church had been going through a large building campaign for a new children’s facility. As a church secretary, I was daily faced with the construction and the talk of the new children’s program. I know many of you have faced similar and even more difficult situations, so you can understand how my heart was torn and ached. The week the building was officially complete the secretaries were given an “official” walk through. Strangely, I wandered into the girl’s room and stared at the little potties. Who would have thought something like small toilets would be my undoing, but literally I crumpled! I cried out to God to let this cup pass from me. It was at that time I clearly heard Him, as if it was audible, say that I need only to surrender and trust Him. This is where I was…totally helpless in need of the only one who could provide a miracle.
A few years later, I was expecting my daughter, Grace. It was a very difficult pregnancy. I was hospitalized several times, and when I was at home I was still hooked to pumps and IVs. I can’t tell you how many hours…days…I spent on the cold floor of my master “throne room”. It was the only place I felt relief. William was just over a year old and before Matt would leave for work each day, he would set us up with snacks, pillows for naps, books & toys, the phone, etc. It is humorous now, but at the time it seemed daunting. This is where I was…totally helpless in need of the only one who could give me the grace & strength I needed each day to survive.
Almost four years ago, I was faced with a cancer scare which then led into several years of a strange illness. Countless times I found myself retreating to cold tile. Strange how God used this time to teach me so many things and to truly grow and bond our family. It is amazing to me how getting to such a vulnerable humbling place brought about strength and confidence. This is where I was…totally helpless in need of the only one who could give me (us) wisdom.
This brings me to the last two years. Boy, it seems like God has us on a crazy journey. In some ways it seems like we have had one change after another and the time has flown by, but on a day to day basis it seems as if I am going to go crazy from waiting for God’s next step. For the last 10 months, we have been living with my parents. God has truly covered the situation and things could not be better; however, we all struggle with times of simply wanting to be alone. I think we are all thankful for long showers where we can cut out the world around us. Amazing that these are the times when God begins to speak. This is where I am…totally helpless in need of the only one who knows the future, can show us our next step, can provide a miracle, give us grace & strength and grant us wisdom.
So, does a person need to have a “prayer closet” or someplace specific that they retreat to in-order to spend quality time with God? Well, I can see the benefits on a daily basis, but I also know that when God wants to get to our hearts, He speaks to us in the places where we choose to be vulnerable, the places where we humble ourselves, and the places where we earnestly seek him. For you maybe it is a dark closet…for me…well, I guess I need to spend more time in the Throne Room!
Seeking Him Today,
AT
I have heard it said many times that a person needs to have a “prayer closet” or someplace specific that they retreat to in-order to spend quality time with God. Well, I never thought I had a specific place, until recently when I began recalling a few choice times that I know God was speaking to me.
The day after I graduated from High School, my parents put me on a plane for a summer mission trip to Honduras. It was one of the best experiences of my life, but the beginning was a bit rough. We flew an American airline into the country, but to travel within the country we were at the mercy of Honduran air-travel. On the middle leg of our journey to the interior, we encountered a delay and had to find a place to stay/eat/etc. for a few days. Well, long story, somehow I contracted some form of amebas, and I was sick to say the least. Scared, hurting and wishing to be home, I spent many hours alone in “the throne room” of my hotel. At some point, when I was in a half conscience state, I physically felt God hold me and whisper to me His love. This is where I was….totally helpless in need of the only one who could heal me.
About eight years ago, I was in a very lonely and difficult place struggling with infertility. Matt & I had gone through several miscarriages and failed procedures and were facing invetro-fertilization. We were both very scared. At the same time, our church had been going through a large building campaign for a new children’s facility. As a church secretary, I was daily faced with the construction and the talk of the new children’s program. I know many of you have faced similar and even more difficult situations, so you can understand how my heart was torn and ached. The week the building was officially complete the secretaries were given an “official” walk through. Strangely, I wandered into the girl’s room and stared at the little potties. Who would have thought something like small toilets would be my undoing, but literally I crumpled! I cried out to God to let this cup pass from me. It was at that time I clearly heard Him, as if it was audible, say that I need only to surrender and trust Him. This is where I was…totally helpless in need of the only one who could provide a miracle.
A few years later, I was expecting my daughter, Grace. It was a very difficult pregnancy. I was hospitalized several times, and when I was at home I was still hooked to pumps and IVs. I can’t tell you how many hours…days…I spent on the cold floor of my master “throne room”. It was the only place I felt relief. William was just over a year old and before Matt would leave for work each day, he would set us up with snacks, pillows for naps, books & toys, the phone, etc. It is humorous now, but at the time it seemed daunting. This is where I was…totally helpless in need of the only one who could give me the grace & strength I needed each day to survive.
Almost four years ago, I was faced with a cancer scare which then led into several years of a strange illness. Countless times I found myself retreating to cold tile. Strange how God used this time to teach me so many things and to truly grow and bond our family. It is amazing to me how getting to such a vulnerable humbling place brought about strength and confidence. This is where I was…totally helpless in need of the only one who could give me (us) wisdom.
This brings me to the last two years. Boy, it seems like God has us on a crazy journey. In some ways it seems like we have had one change after another and the time has flown by, but on a day to day basis it seems as if I am going to go crazy from waiting for God’s next step. For the last 10 months, we have been living with my parents. God has truly covered the situation and things could not be better; however, we all struggle with times of simply wanting to be alone. I think we are all thankful for long showers where we can cut out the world around us. Amazing that these are the times when God begins to speak. This is where I am…totally helpless in need of the only one who knows the future, can show us our next step, can provide a miracle, give us grace & strength and grant us wisdom.
So, does a person need to have a “prayer closet” or someplace specific that they retreat to in-order to spend quality time with God? Well, I can see the benefits on a daily basis, but I also know that when God wants to get to our hearts, He speaks to us in the places where we choose to be vulnerable, the places where we humble ourselves, and the places where we earnestly seek him. For you maybe it is a dark closet…for me…well, I guess I need to spend more time in the Throne Room!
Seeking Him Today,
AT
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Clean Peanut Butter Jar
In my last post I spoke of the reality that the Potter made each of us according to His purpose, and that we should serve as we are called.
When I was younger, the pastor at the church my family attended told a story about a day when every dish in His home seemed to be dirty. All of the fine crystal, plastic cups, and every glass in the house was dirty. He discovered this when He came in from cutting the grass. He talked about being thirstier than he could ever remember being in his life, but alas no cups were in the cupboard. At this point in the story, I must confess, I was thinking what some of you may be thinking. Every kid that has ever had to get a drink realizes that two hands make a darn good cup, but he said he looked on the top shelf and saw an empty, but clean, peanut butter jar. He talked about using that jar as a cup to meet the need that he had at that time because all of the dishes made for that purpose were dirty.
Our Father is the same way. Though God calls each of us to a particular service for Him, we are all called to use the gifts that He has placed in us to His glory. You may not be the most eloquent speaker, but you are called to share your story with those around you. You may not be great at service, but you can serve dinner at a soup kitchen and tell each person that comes through the line that Jesus loves them. We are all called from time to time to be a clean peanut butter jar to the glory of God.
MT
When I was younger, the pastor at the church my family attended told a story about a day when every dish in His home seemed to be dirty. All of the fine crystal, plastic cups, and every glass in the house was dirty. He discovered this when He came in from cutting the grass. He talked about being thirstier than he could ever remember being in his life, but alas no cups were in the cupboard. At this point in the story, I must confess, I was thinking what some of you may be thinking. Every kid that has ever had to get a drink realizes that two hands make a darn good cup, but he said he looked on the top shelf and saw an empty, but clean, peanut butter jar. He talked about using that jar as a cup to meet the need that he had at that time because all of the dishes made for that purpose were dirty.
Our Father is the same way. Though God calls each of us to a particular service for Him, we are all called to use the gifts that He has placed in us to His glory. You may not be the most eloquent speaker, but you are called to share your story with those around you. You may not be great at service, but you can serve dinner at a soup kitchen and tell each person that comes through the line that Jesus loves them. We are all called from time to time to be a clean peanut butter jar to the glory of God.
MT
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Beautiful and Useful Vessels
Isaiah 45:9"Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker, to him who is but a potsherd among the potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the potter, 'What are you making?' Does your work say, 'He has no hands'?”
Who chooses what type of vessel the clay will become? Of course it is the potter.
I once saw a skit where a child was about to be “born” and asked God to give her a bubbly personality…and He said no. She was to be introverted because that was how He wanted to use her for His glory.
Have you ever asked God the change you into what you wanted to be so that you could “serve Him more faithfully”??? I know I have. Reality is that He made us into the vessel that He could best use.
There are several forms that a vessel can take, platters have wide mouth and do not hide what they are called upon to showcase. In God’s service, pastors who proclaim the truth might take this form. On the other hand a wise teacher may take the form of a gravy boat who pours out the goodness that has been poured into them at the proper time. Another person may take the form of a cup that brings the living water to a dry and thirsty people such as missionary.
You may be beautiful and I am plain. You may be tall and slender in His service as a bud vase that showcases the beauty of the Lilly of the Valley. I, on the other hand am a plain service piece.
The point is that we are all important to the Potter for the purpose for which He made us. We are all called to serve faithfully the one who created us for His glory.
MT
Who chooses what type of vessel the clay will become? Of course it is the potter.
I once saw a skit where a child was about to be “born” and asked God to give her a bubbly personality…and He said no. She was to be introverted because that was how He wanted to use her for His glory.
Have you ever asked God the change you into what you wanted to be so that you could “serve Him more faithfully”??? I know I have. Reality is that He made us into the vessel that He could best use.
There are several forms that a vessel can take, platters have wide mouth and do not hide what they are called upon to showcase. In God’s service, pastors who proclaim the truth might take this form. On the other hand a wise teacher may take the form of a gravy boat who pours out the goodness that has been poured into them at the proper time. Another person may take the form of a cup that brings the living water to a dry and thirsty people such as missionary.
You may be beautiful and I am plain. You may be tall and slender in His service as a bud vase that showcases the beauty of the Lilly of the Valley. I, on the other hand am a plain service piece.
The point is that we are all important to the Potter for the purpose for which He made us. We are all called to serve faithfully the one who created us for His glory.
MT
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
The pressure on the wheel
Matthew 23:25"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.
I Samual 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
Did you know that any potter can make a beautiful pot? All that the potter has to do with the clay is press from the outside of the clay. By doing this the potter shapes what the piece is to eventually look like. There is a problem that arises in doing this. When placed into the kiln for firing, the piece literally goes to pieces. It blows up! Often this not only destroys the piece but often many of the vessels around it.
The reason for this self destruction is that the piece has trapped moisture within it that eventually destroys it in an effort to escape when heated. Quite literally, the piece is full of itself.
In order for a piece to avoid this result, is for the potter to hollow it out and place His hand within the piece to place pressure on the clay from the inside to equal the pressure being placed on it from the outside. In this way the potter supports the clay on the inside of the piece against the pressure of the outside world.
In the same way, we, as jars of clay, can be made to look good from the outside observer and yet remain full of ourselves rather than full of the hand of the potter. The Potter has placed a pressure maker (read Holy Spirit) to not only place pressure within us in the form of conviction to do right, but also support us against the pressure of the world around us.
We pots must constantly submit ourselves to the potter, who lovingly pushes us to be beautiful, useful vessels.
In what area are you allowing the pressure of the world around you to determine the shape of the vessel you were called to become? In what areas can you recognize the Potter’s hand pushing you from within to stand up against those pressures?
MT
I Samual 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
Did you know that any potter can make a beautiful pot? All that the potter has to do with the clay is press from the outside of the clay. By doing this the potter shapes what the piece is to eventually look like. There is a problem that arises in doing this. When placed into the kiln for firing, the piece literally goes to pieces. It blows up! Often this not only destroys the piece but often many of the vessels around it.
The reason for this self destruction is that the piece has trapped moisture within it that eventually destroys it in an effort to escape when heated. Quite literally, the piece is full of itself.
In order for a piece to avoid this result, is for the potter to hollow it out and place His hand within the piece to place pressure on the clay from the inside to equal the pressure being placed on it from the outside. In this way the potter supports the clay on the inside of the piece against the pressure of the outside world.
In the same way, we, as jars of clay, can be made to look good from the outside observer and yet remain full of ourselves rather than full of the hand of the potter. The Potter has placed a pressure maker (read Holy Spirit) to not only place pressure within us in the form of conviction to do right, but also support us against the pressure of the world around us.
We pots must constantly submit ourselves to the potter, who lovingly pushes us to be beautiful, useful vessels.
In what area are you allowing the pressure of the world around you to determine the shape of the vessel you were called to become? In what areas can you recognize the Potter’s hand pushing you from within to stand up against those pressures?
MT
Monday, June 16, 2008
The Things We Love About Our Dad!
The kids asked if they could post something on the blog for Father’s Day…
From William - I love you because:
- You always help me fix things – like the broken sprinkler
- You give good hugs.
- You wrestle.
- You read Boxcar children.
- You lay down with me at night.
From Grace – I love you because:
- You give me strong hugs.
- You help me make my bed.
- You swing me high on the tire swing.
- You give me kisses each morning before you leave for work.
- You take care of me.
- You love me all the time.
- You took me to the movie.
We spent 12 hours in the heat at Six Flags for Father’s Day. Today, I love Matt because even after going to bed at midnight last night, he still got up and went to work this morning at 6:15 am. You are a wonderful husband and awesome dad!
AT
Friday, June 13, 2008
Fun Memory
Yesterday, we went out to eat as a family and “Oh Honey, Honey” by the Archies was playing in the background. It brought back a fun childhood memory of me about 7 years old dancing on my bed singing into my hairbrush. Ahh...the simple life. If you are on our blogsite, you should be able to hear the song right now. Smile & Do something fun this weekend!
AT
AT
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Well, I didn’t feel Him….
On more than one occasion, my kids have come to me first thing in the morning full of grump with their dispositions in a pout. Usually, the first words out of their mouths are, “Daddy left, and he didn’t kiss me”. To that I always reply, “Yes, he did, but you were asleep.” Then they almost always say the same thing, “Well, I didn’t feel him”.
Now, I know my kids are talking about physical touch. They were not awakened, so how could Matt have kissed them? However, the downcast attitude is the longing to emotionally feel the relationship they have with their father.
Feelings are a funny thing aren’t they? We all need to “be in touch with our feelings” some would say. It is true that feelings are God given and benefit us in evaluating situations and relating with others, but they can also deceive us by masking truth in situations or control us in relating with others.
The truth is Matt kisses the kids every morning before he leaves. The truth is also that he loves them unconditionally. These two things are consistent and unchangeable about Matt even if the kids do not choose to realize it or believe it.
Lately, I have been struggling with “feeling” God. What I “feel” right now is loneliness, weariness & doubt not the unchanging consistency of the love that I know God has for me. So, the question is…how do I keep myself from getting in a “grump” and my “disposition in a pout”? Well…I guess I make a choice. I make the choice to focus on truth.
What truths do I know about my heavenly Father?
1. Lie - I am alone; He has forgotten me. Truth - He will never leave me.
2. Lie - I have to always be strong. I do not have the strength to continue. Truth - When I am weary, I can rest in Him. He will carry me. He is my eternal source of strength.
3. Lie – Maybe God changed His mind. Maybe He will not provide. Truth – God is unwavering. He has a perfect plan. He keeps his promises.
He speaks truth to me (and to you) every time we read His Word and pray. “Well, I don’t feel Him.” I say to myself. Too Bad…truth is truth…I may feel different right now or tomorrow, but the truth of my standing with God and God’s love for me is the same today, tomorrow and the day after that…and yes, the day after that….
How do you feel today? Now…what is the truth?
AT
Now, I know my kids are talking about physical touch. They were not awakened, so how could Matt have kissed them? However, the downcast attitude is the longing to emotionally feel the relationship they have with their father.
Feelings are a funny thing aren’t they? We all need to “be in touch with our feelings” some would say. It is true that feelings are God given and benefit us in evaluating situations and relating with others, but they can also deceive us by masking truth in situations or control us in relating with others.
The truth is Matt kisses the kids every morning before he leaves. The truth is also that he loves them unconditionally. These two things are consistent and unchangeable about Matt even if the kids do not choose to realize it or believe it.
Lately, I have been struggling with “feeling” God. What I “feel” right now is loneliness, weariness & doubt not the unchanging consistency of the love that I know God has for me. So, the question is…how do I keep myself from getting in a “grump” and my “disposition in a pout”? Well…I guess I make a choice. I make the choice to focus on truth.
What truths do I know about my heavenly Father?
1. Lie - I am alone; He has forgotten me. Truth - He will never leave me.
2. Lie - I have to always be strong. I do not have the strength to continue. Truth - When I am weary, I can rest in Him. He will carry me. He is my eternal source of strength.
3. Lie – Maybe God changed His mind. Maybe He will not provide. Truth – God is unwavering. He has a perfect plan. He keeps his promises.
He speaks truth to me (and to you) every time we read His Word and pray. “Well, I don’t feel Him.” I say to myself. Too Bad…truth is truth…I may feel different right now or tomorrow, but the truth of my standing with God and God’s love for me is the same today, tomorrow and the day after that…and yes, the day after that….
How do you feel today? Now…what is the truth?
AT
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Resting at the Center of the Potter’s Wheel
After the Potter throws the clay onto the wheel, the spinning begins.
I am sure at this point I am sure that the clay realizes that being on the wheel is not all that it thought it would be! As we would say, the clay’s world goes spinning out of control. What the clay must realize is that the spinning, though out of the clay’s control, is never out of the Potter’s control.
As the wheel spins the Potter pours water onto the clay. This is done to allow the Potter’s hands to “slide” over the clay. Without it the clay would stick to the Potter’s hands and the clay would be ripped to shreds. The water serves as a sort of grace. Often I hear people say that they want to feel the Potter’s hand in their life. What these people mean is that they want to see the results of the hand of the Potter in their life. Without the grace that the Potter offers to us as a free gift, we would be destroyed.
After applying a generous amount of water to the clay, the Potter places His hands on the clay and presses it into the center of His wheel. We all want to find the Potter’s wheel (read will) for our lives. Even on the wheel, the clay must be moved to the center of the wheel.
Have you ever had one of those days? One of those days where you can see in one of your children that they so desire to do right but somehow wrong choices continue to creep in on them? Every time they turn around they are “running into” the boundaries that have been set for them. They are constantly hearing “Don’t do that!” or “Don’t touch that!” When this happens in our family I think it helps to call them to me and sit together for a minute. When I hold them tight and tell them that I recognize that they are having a rough day and love them despite the choices that they are making, we both leave that embrace changed for the better. The child’s attitude usually improves and they are encouraged from within to do right.
In the same way the clay needs to be “hugged” into the center of the wheel by the Potter. Once covered by a generous helping of grace, the clay finds itself running into the potter’s hand at every turn. No matter the inner desire of the clay to obey, and conform to the Potter’s wishes, the clay finds itself running into the boundaries the potter has lovingly set for it through the use of His hands.
Romans 7:17-19 (New International Version)
17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[a] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.
When the clay submits and allows the Potter to “hug” it into the center of His wheel, the clay no longer runs into the Potter’s hands.
In what area of your life are you running into the Potter’s hand? Are you allowing Him to hold you and whisper to you of the love that He has for you? Today allow Him to hug you into the center of His perfect will for you.
MT
I am sure at this point I am sure that the clay realizes that being on the wheel is not all that it thought it would be! As we would say, the clay’s world goes spinning out of control. What the clay must realize is that the spinning, though out of the clay’s control, is never out of the Potter’s control.
As the wheel spins the Potter pours water onto the clay. This is done to allow the Potter’s hands to “slide” over the clay. Without it the clay would stick to the Potter’s hands and the clay would be ripped to shreds. The water serves as a sort of grace. Often I hear people say that they want to feel the Potter’s hand in their life. What these people mean is that they want to see the results of the hand of the Potter in their life. Without the grace that the Potter offers to us as a free gift, we would be destroyed.
After applying a generous amount of water to the clay, the Potter places His hands on the clay and presses it into the center of His wheel. We all want to find the Potter’s wheel (read will) for our lives. Even on the wheel, the clay must be moved to the center of the wheel.
Have you ever had one of those days? One of those days where you can see in one of your children that they so desire to do right but somehow wrong choices continue to creep in on them? Every time they turn around they are “running into” the boundaries that have been set for them. They are constantly hearing “Don’t do that!” or “Don’t touch that!” When this happens in our family I think it helps to call them to me and sit together for a minute. When I hold them tight and tell them that I recognize that they are having a rough day and love them despite the choices that they are making, we both leave that embrace changed for the better. The child’s attitude usually improves and they are encouraged from within to do right.
In the same way the clay needs to be “hugged” into the center of the wheel by the Potter. Once covered by a generous helping of grace, the clay finds itself running into the potter’s hand at every turn. No matter the inner desire of the clay to obey, and conform to the Potter’s wishes, the clay finds itself running into the boundaries the potter has lovingly set for it through the use of His hands.
Romans 7:17-19 (New International Version)
17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[a] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.
When the clay submits and allows the Potter to “hug” it into the center of His wheel, the clay no longer runs into the Potter’s hands.
In what area of your life are you running into the Potter’s hand? Are you allowing Him to hold you and whisper to you of the love that He has for you? Today allow Him to hug you into the center of His perfect will for you.
MT
Monday, June 9, 2008
Walk for Autism
This past weekend our family had the privilege to participate in the 2008 Oklahoma Walk for Autism www.walknowforautism.org/oklahoma We walked in honor of my nephew, Cameron Roberts, as part of the “Caring for Cameron” team.
Toys R Us is the main corporate sponsor for the Walks donating a quarter of a million dollars a year to autism research and hosting walks all over the nation. The next walk is in the Dallas area in 2 weeks if anyone is interested.
Here is a portion of a recent email sent by Autism Speaks:
On Saturday, June 7th, approximately 4,500 people experienced the power of unity and celebrated the wonderful people in our lives affected by autism. The Oklahoma Walk for Autism was a HUGE success. Parents, grandparents, aunts & uncles, cousins, friends, children, clinicians, teachers, celebrities and dignitaries came together to raise over $168,373 so far.
We love you Cameron. You bring amazing joy to our lives. We are honored to be your godparents, uncle, aunt & cousins. We would walk for you every weekend if that was what you needed!
Bryan & Lori – you do an incredible job with Cameron. Your patience & love is unmatched by anyone we know. You guys are amazing in all that you do...your generosity to us as we perpare to move overseas, your weekly service at your church, your help to the families of the children you weekly do home childcare for, your ministry & sacrifice in the foster care system, your full-time commitment to the defense of our nation...and the list goes on and on. We recoginze that each one of these things is HUGE in itself, and you do them with JOY on top of your caring for Cameron. You are a true example of people that do not focus on themselves, but instead choose to focus on the blessings of life and work to continue to minister to those around you. God has a special hand on your family. We firmly believe your faithfulness will be rewarded. May we all strive to be so selfless.
On Saturday, June 7th, approximately 4,500 people experienced the power of unity and celebrated the wonderful people in our lives affected by autism. The Oklahoma Walk for Autism was a HUGE success. Parents, grandparents, aunts & uncles, cousins, friends, children, clinicians, teachers, celebrities and dignitaries came together to raise over $168,373 so far.
We love you Cameron. You bring amazing joy to our lives. We are honored to be your godparents, uncle, aunt & cousins. We would walk for you every weekend if that was what you needed!
Bryan & Lori – you do an incredible job with Cameron. Your patience & love is unmatched by anyone we know. You guys are amazing in all that you do...your generosity to us as we perpare to move overseas, your weekly service at your church, your help to the families of the children you weekly do home childcare for, your ministry & sacrifice in the foster care system, your full-time commitment to the defense of our nation...and the list goes on and on. We recoginze that each one of these things is HUGE in itself, and you do them with JOY on top of your caring for Cameron. You are a true example of people that do not focus on themselves, but instead choose to focus on the blessings of life and work to continue to minister to those around you. God has a special hand on your family. We firmly believe your faithfulness will be rewarded. May we all strive to be so selfless.
"...with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." Philippinas 2:3-4
HOW?
Read Romans 15
Lord, forgive me for saying I am not strong enough. You provide the strength. There are so many who have lost and sacrifice so much. I am amazed at how much I have to give when I am not focused on myself.
AT
PS – A special thanks to my brother, Matt Roberts, for providing such wonderful rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn in OKC. You made the weekend possible for us. Please know your family was in our hearts as we walked. We know your love for special needs children and your desire to be with the family. There is a part of us that was forever changed by the blessing of having Cannon in our lives.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Bugs, Bugs & Slugs
Summer…‘tis the season for a homeshool unit study on insects! Currently, we are the proud caretakers of one cocoon in a jar, five chrysalises in a butterfly habitat and two slugs in a coffee can. I love nature, and insects truly are a fascinating part of God’s creation. Sure, there are those like mosquitoes that I see no point in, but there are others like rollie-pollies that are just plain fun!
We have all enjoyed watching our caterpillars change into their cocoon stage and chrysalis stages, but today I was staring into the butterfly habitat and thinking of how wonderful it might be to simply wrap myself up into a sleeping bag and wait for change to come. They seem so content, so at peace, so safe, so…..
WHAT IS THIS! It’s creeping in…trying to take over…building a web of lies in my heart – FEAR! It seemed so abrupt when I looked at it in the face, but when I started to evaluate my emotions over the past week, I realized that I was beginning to act and think based on deceitful fear.
As I went outside to feed the slugs, I began wrestling with this in my heart. Why am I allowing Satan, the deceiver, to have control of my life? CONTROL! – Oh, no! You all know I have a hard enough time allowing God to be in control. There is no way I am going to give over my control to Fear, but how do I stop from sliding down this slipper slope?
I popped the top off the coffee can and gently laid in a new piece of lettuce and watched the slugs. Rather nasty insects, but fascinating just the same. Then it hit me…the strange thing about slugs (and any insect) is that no matter how well they are treated they always respond out of fear. If I were to leave the lid off their perfectly wonderful habitat, they would slowly slide away. Why?...They are unable to have a relationship with me…their caretaker. They do not realize that they are probably the best kept slugs in the world! Their decisions and actions are based on an instinctual fearful response.
Early last fall, we had a spider on the front porch. Each evening she would spin a beautiful web. My mother had this wonderful idea to “catch” the web for the kids to study. We sprayed the web with black paint then took a white poster board and gently attached it. It was so neat. The complexity of the web was incredible. It was nothing for the spider to create it; it is what she was designed to do. I realize now that the object of our amazement should not really have been directed towards the web, but instead at the one who created it.
Our Creator holds everything perfectly together. There are things in my life, and I am sure yours, that we simply do not know how they are going to turn out, but I am trusting today in my relationship with my Caretaker, my Creator. Whether I am a beautiful butterfly or a simple moth, a slimy slug or an amazing spider, He has a plan and purpose for me and for you. I will not allow fear to control how I feel, how I act and how I respond. Today I am choosing to TRUST!
No Fear!
AT
“And which of you by being anxious (fearful) can add a single cubit to his life’s span?...But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness (and a relationship with Him); and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:27, 33-34 (parenthesis I added)
PS: Don’t email me and tell me I need a dog. This I already know! ; )
We have all enjoyed watching our caterpillars change into their cocoon stage and chrysalis stages, but today I was staring into the butterfly habitat and thinking of how wonderful it might be to simply wrap myself up into a sleeping bag and wait for change to come. They seem so content, so at peace, so safe, so…..
WHAT IS THIS! It’s creeping in…trying to take over…building a web of lies in my heart – FEAR! It seemed so abrupt when I looked at it in the face, but when I started to evaluate my emotions over the past week, I realized that I was beginning to act and think based on deceitful fear.
As I went outside to feed the slugs, I began wrestling with this in my heart. Why am I allowing Satan, the deceiver, to have control of my life? CONTROL! – Oh, no! You all know I have a hard enough time allowing God to be in control. There is no way I am going to give over my control to Fear, but how do I stop from sliding down this slipper slope?
I popped the top off the coffee can and gently laid in a new piece of lettuce and watched the slugs. Rather nasty insects, but fascinating just the same. Then it hit me…the strange thing about slugs (and any insect) is that no matter how well they are treated they always respond out of fear. If I were to leave the lid off their perfectly wonderful habitat, they would slowly slide away. Why?...They are unable to have a relationship with me…their caretaker. They do not realize that they are probably the best kept slugs in the world! Their decisions and actions are based on an instinctual fearful response.
Early last fall, we had a spider on the front porch. Each evening she would spin a beautiful web. My mother had this wonderful idea to “catch” the web for the kids to study. We sprayed the web with black paint then took a white poster board and gently attached it. It was so neat. The complexity of the web was incredible. It was nothing for the spider to create it; it is what she was designed to do. I realize now that the object of our amazement should not really have been directed towards the web, but instead at the one who created it.
Our Creator holds everything perfectly together. There are things in my life, and I am sure yours, that we simply do not know how they are going to turn out, but I am trusting today in my relationship with my Caretaker, my Creator. Whether I am a beautiful butterfly or a simple moth, a slimy slug or an amazing spider, He has a plan and purpose for me and for you. I will not allow fear to control how I feel, how I act and how I respond. Today I am choosing to TRUST!
No Fear!
AT
“And which of you by being anxious (fearful) can add a single cubit to his life’s span?...But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness (and a relationship with Him); and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:27, 33-34 (parenthesis I added)
PS: Don’t email me and tell me I need a dog. This I already know! ; )
Getting onto the Potter’s Wheel
As the potter painstakingly works the bubbles out of the clay he determines the malleability of the clay. That is, what is the consistency of the clay? If it is too soft, it will not possess the rigidity to stand as He works it on the wheel and it will result in a “blob”. If it is too hard, it will not yield to His hand as He works it and will become brittle.
In order to get the correct consistency the potter often has to combine clay that is soft with some that is too hard. By wedging them together they become a piece of clay that is the perfect consistency. In the same way, God often brings others into our lives to temper in areas of our lives. By working in accordance we temper one another to a usable form in the hand of the Potter. A great example of this is the way the Potter often combines married couples.
Genesis 2:24
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
After the Potter decides that the air bubbles are completely eliminated, the fun part begins…or so thinks the clay.
The Potter at this point carries the clay to the wheel where He promptly throws the clay onto the wheel. Not places, puts or sets. The potter forcefully “plunks” the clay onto the wheel. Without this force, the clay would roll off of the wheel as soon as it begins spinning.
Often when I ask a friend how his work is going he says, “Boy I’m just getting slammed!” Good!! At least he’s on the wheel.
In what areas do you need to be sensitive to the potter trying to change your consistency by bringing someone into your life? In what areas are you slammed right now? Have you thanked the Potter today for where He is working in your life?
MT
In order to get the correct consistency the potter often has to combine clay that is soft with some that is too hard. By wedging them together they become a piece of clay that is the perfect consistency. In the same way, God often brings others into our lives to temper in areas of our lives. By working in accordance we temper one another to a usable form in the hand of the Potter. A great example of this is the way the Potter often combines married couples.
Genesis 2:24
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
After the Potter decides that the air bubbles are completely eliminated, the fun part begins…or so thinks the clay.
The Potter at this point carries the clay to the wheel where He promptly throws the clay onto the wheel. Not places, puts or sets. The potter forcefully “plunks” the clay onto the wheel. Without this force, the clay would roll off of the wheel as soon as it begins spinning.
Often when I ask a friend how his work is going he says, “Boy I’m just getting slammed!” Good!! At least he’s on the wheel.
In what areas do you need to be sensitive to the potter trying to change your consistency by bringing someone into your life? In what areas are you slammed right now? Have you thanked the Potter today for where He is working in your life?
MT
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Back To The Potter's House
In my last entry I talked about some of the process of clay moving from a raw for m to the potter’s wheel. The last step was the potter placing the clay on the shelf to shrivel and dry.
After watching the next step, the outside viewer would say that the drying time seems pointless. Once the clay has dried, the potter rehydrates it with fresh clean water. Prior to the “drying”, the clay was full of impure and dirty water. The potter wants to use his water to refresh the clay beyond what it was before the drying so that it will be usable. This is done by crushing the clay and putting the pieces into a container and filling the container with water. Again the clay waits. At this point the clay might look around and see the potter working a piece of clay on the wheel and wonders, “Why does he get to be on the wheel and I have to sit here in this bucket?” What the clay fails to recognize is that the clay on the wheel went through the same process and is just in a different place in its journey with the potter.
Once the clay has been rehydrated, it is worked by the potter in a process called wedging. Wedging involves pressure and movement of the clay in ways that to the clay I am sure are very uncomfortable. This is done to remove all of the air bubbles from the clay that would mar the piece if not done. This marring could be done in two ways. First, the clay might not respond correctly to the hands of the potter while on the wheel. The second scenario is even worse. Having been completed and placed in the fire to harden into a useful piece, the air in the pocket would expand as the piece heats and shatter the area of the piece, or worse yet, maybe the entire piece. Because of this possibility the potter works carefully and continuously to remove any bubbles that exist.
You may be wondering where the bubbles come from. To explain this we have to understand what clay is. Clay is essentially rotten mud. Decaying compost. As the organic matter decomposes gas pockets are created.
What stage are you in? Often I find areas of my life in different stages. Are you longing to be filled with living water? Are you looking around, seeing those close to you on the wheel and wishing to be there too?
The world that we live in, and the enemy, constantly communicate to us that we are dirt and unworthy. The next time that this is whispered into the deepest part of your heart, remember that we are called to not only be dirt, but mud…and rotten mud at that.
MT
After watching the next step, the outside viewer would say that the drying time seems pointless. Once the clay has dried, the potter rehydrates it with fresh clean water. Prior to the “drying”, the clay was full of impure and dirty water. The potter wants to use his water to refresh the clay beyond what it was before the drying so that it will be usable. This is done by crushing the clay and putting the pieces into a container and filling the container with water. Again the clay waits. At this point the clay might look around and see the potter working a piece of clay on the wheel and wonders, “Why does he get to be on the wheel and I have to sit here in this bucket?” What the clay fails to recognize is that the clay on the wheel went through the same process and is just in a different place in its journey with the potter.
Once the clay has been rehydrated, it is worked by the potter in a process called wedging. Wedging involves pressure and movement of the clay in ways that to the clay I am sure are very uncomfortable. This is done to remove all of the air bubbles from the clay that would mar the piece if not done. This marring could be done in two ways. First, the clay might not respond correctly to the hands of the potter while on the wheel. The second scenario is even worse. Having been completed and placed in the fire to harden into a useful piece, the air in the pocket would expand as the piece heats and shatter the area of the piece, or worse yet, maybe the entire piece. Because of this possibility the potter works carefully and continuously to remove any bubbles that exist.
You may be wondering where the bubbles come from. To explain this we have to understand what clay is. Clay is essentially rotten mud. Decaying compost. As the organic matter decomposes gas pockets are created.
What stage are you in? Often I find areas of my life in different stages. Are you longing to be filled with living water? Are you looking around, seeing those close to you on the wheel and wishing to be there too?
The world that we live in, and the enemy, constantly communicate to us that we are dirt and unworthy. The next time that this is whispered into the deepest part of your heart, remember that we are called to not only be dirt, but mud…and rotten mud at that.
MT
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Family Purpose Statement
We exist to glorify God and exhibit integrity through our relationships with one another, our service to others and our witness to those that need to know Christ.
Several years ago we were challenged to come up with a family purpose statement. The point of the exercise was to determine what we wanted our family make-up to be. It helps us to line up our priorities, evaluate our unity and determine if we are following our Travis family calling.
Glorify God – We believe that mankind was created for one purpose and that is to give HIM glory. Who we are and everything we do should point to Him. We do not exist to seek after our own pleasure or desires. When our purpose is to glorify Him, our desires align with His plan and the joys of life are found in giving Him praise.
Exhibit Integrity – Life is full of choices. We will each face times when it would be easier to opt out of completely doing the right thing. Most of those times the reality is no one will ever know. We have heard it said that integrity is what you do when no one is looking and is established in the moments when a person suffers through making the right choices in the secret places of their life.
Our Relationships with One Another – We strive to make family a priority. Ministry begins in the home. How can we minister to others if we are not loving and serving each other? We try to foster a team atmosphere. We all need each other. Each member brings something special to the picture. We are the same people at home as we are in public.
Our Service to Others – Although we place a high priority on our immediate family unit, we also strive to focus on the reality that we need to be strong not to serve ourselves, but to make us more effective in serving others. There will be times when God provides the spontaneous opportunities for us to “give a cup of cold water” in His name, but we have found it important that we are involved in specific ministries where we can daily/weekly/etc. serve and see a marked difference over times.
Our Witness to those that Need to Know Christ – Every member of our family, including our children, know that sharing Christ with the world around us is the calling of all believers. They expect that we will share our story as we go. Whether at the doctor’s office, the grocery store or the park, we all pray for opportunities to proclaim Him. It is a regular occurrence that one of us begins to share and the others prayerfully stand to the side. What a joy it is as parents now that William looks at people with a desire to share and has people on his “witnessing” list. May we all look at the world with this promise of hope!
MT & AT
Several years ago we were challenged to come up with a family purpose statement. The point of the exercise was to determine what we wanted our family make-up to be. It helps us to line up our priorities, evaluate our unity and determine if we are following our Travis family calling.
Glorify God – We believe that mankind was created for one purpose and that is to give HIM glory. Who we are and everything we do should point to Him. We do not exist to seek after our own pleasure or desires. When our purpose is to glorify Him, our desires align with His plan and the joys of life are found in giving Him praise.
Exhibit Integrity – Life is full of choices. We will each face times when it would be easier to opt out of completely doing the right thing. Most of those times the reality is no one will ever know. We have heard it said that integrity is what you do when no one is looking and is established in the moments when a person suffers through making the right choices in the secret places of their life.
Our Relationships with One Another – We strive to make family a priority. Ministry begins in the home. How can we minister to others if we are not loving and serving each other? We try to foster a team atmosphere. We all need each other. Each member brings something special to the picture. We are the same people at home as we are in public.
Our Service to Others – Although we place a high priority on our immediate family unit, we also strive to focus on the reality that we need to be strong not to serve ourselves, but to make us more effective in serving others. There will be times when God provides the spontaneous opportunities for us to “give a cup of cold water” in His name, but we have found it important that we are involved in specific ministries where we can daily/weekly/etc. serve and see a marked difference over times.
Our Witness to those that Need to Know Christ – Every member of our family, including our children, know that sharing Christ with the world around us is the calling of all believers. They expect that we will share our story as we go. Whether at the doctor’s office, the grocery store or the park, we all pray for opportunities to proclaim Him. It is a regular occurrence that one of us begins to share and the others prayerfully stand to the side. What a joy it is as parents now that William looks at people with a desire to share and has people on his “witnessing” list. May we all look at the world with this promise of hope!
MT & AT
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