FPU WEEK 13

Finished up my final class of FPU last night.
For this round.
There will be other rounds I am sure.
I did cry a bit in this one.
Our round table discussion was great.
I told them one of the things I valued was realizing that we did not get here quickly and getting out won't be quick either.
I also valued the fact that the spouses openly shared how they weren't always at the same point in their FPU mindset.
These comments prompted Tim to lay out his heart about FPU and it was beautiful.
He talked about how, while yes we are getting out of debt, it is much more about who he is becoming.
He sees value in their struggle because it will allow both he and his wife to empathize with others. He asks the Lord for opportunities to share with others what he has learned so they don't make the same stupid mistakes we have. He hates it, it is painful, it is difficult, but he wouldn't change that for anything.  He doesn't want to miss any of this because what is at the end of the journey is worth it. Beans and rice, casseroles or not, it is worth it.

Can that not be said for my life as a Christian?
It can if I choose to view it that way.
If I choose to submit to Christ.
In all areas.
If only...
I choose.

KNOWING MY PLACE

Several weeks ago I attended a social function where I would be the outsider. I would not know 97% of the people there. A situation like that makes me very nervous and very insecure which leads to me throw up the best defense mechanisms I have - sarcasm and wit. I wield them well and have been known to cause a good bit of collateral damage in the process. The guest of honor at said function is very dear to me, and I desperately wanted to do nothing to upset her. More than that, I did not want to, as we say in the South "show my butt", and embarrass myself and the Lord. On the way over, I was praying,

Lord help me to remember my place.

Now, what happened at the function is a sweet moment between my friend and I, however, that little phrase has not left my thought life.

Lord, help me to remember my place.

Like so many of you, I sometimes forget my proper place.
I go either high.....thinking more of myself than I should. Thinking I know better that God. Thinking I am better than others. Thinking I am entitled to more. Humbly grateful that I am not as bad as some of "them".
Or I go low.....thinking I am unworthy of anything. I'll never be as good as her. I don't deserve to have goods things happen. I have sinned too much. Christ loves her or him more than me.

What I need to do is remember my place.

My place in the all...
Romans 3:23 - for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
None better...none worse...

My place in the world...
John 3:16 - for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not parish but have everlasting life.
I am here.

My place at the cross...
Ephesians 2:13 - But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Right at the foot.

My place in Christ Jesus...
2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Who I was is no longer who I am.

Ephesians 2: 5-6 - even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
I have a seat at the table.

My place in eternity....
John 10:28 - And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
Safe in His hands.


It does me good to remember my place.
I need to remember my place.
I must choose to remember my place.
Maybe you have forgotten yours?
Maybe you didn't think you had one?
You do.
You can.
Choose Jesus.
He has a place for you.

CLOSING THE GAP....

THEN...

NOW...



Why he looks like a turtle I cannot explain.

Other than I was interrupting his viewing of Iron Man 2

and he was not happy about it.

WHO IS YOUR AUTHOR?

We will all have a testimony. We all have a story. What's yours? Who is writing it?

GETTING HER DUCKS IN A ROW

My sister Casey, well, she may not like me after I talk about her.
Hmmm....oh well.
My sister Casey is #2 in birth order. She is typically quiet and reserved. If we are in a big group of people, she is going to be the one not talking. She talks to us, but the rest of the world is out of luck.
Except...
Except when she is on the sidelines of a basketball game in the capacity of head coach.
Casey is an excellent basketball coach. She is fantastic to watch and listen to. Girl knows her stuff. What is most delightful to watch is how this shy, quiet, modest sister of mine quickly becomes a vocal, demonstrative and passionate coach. And witty. Little sister is quick on these big old feet of hers.
Last weekend, during the 12 hours we spent in the car together, she told us a story that I just feel I need to share. Because it is so not her, but then again so is.
Sister is known in the family for defending her team, meaning she'll give a ref a good talking to. Let's just say she is not a stranger to technical fouls.
Anyway, during one game, Mr. Referee had told her to sit down. Then he forgot and, wink wink, so did she. Sometime during the game he remembered and told her to sit down again. At which time, she promptly pulled her chair right up to the sideline and sat. The conversation went something like this.

Coach, you can't do that.

I'm sitting.

You can't sit there, you'll interfere with the game.

I am not on the court.

Coach, you have to be lined up with your team.

(and this is my favorite part) Without missing a beat, my sister looks down her bench at the precious little high school girls she worked with and said...

Girls......move'em up.

and those little duckies picked up their chairs and aligned themselves with her.

I have no clue how it went from there. Somewhere in the middle of this story we moved to the time she dug through her purse, pulled out her glasses and walked the sidelines offering them to the referee. She got a tech for that one, too.

I just thought those of you who know sister would appreciate this little story.
I did.
Classic....absolutely classic.
Love you sister! 

A CHANCE FOR TESTIMONY

Luke 21:12 - 15
But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before kings and rulers for My name’s sake. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer;  for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.

I used to practice a lot of speeches in my head. Did you? Still do sometimes. Speeches about how I am going to set her straight. Speeches about how I am going to let him know he wronged me and I wasn't going to take it any more. Speeches filled with wit and sarcasm, cutting straight to the quick.
Usually, I practice these after I have been "wronged". Sometimes I practice them in preparation for when I am going to see him or her or them again, and boy hidy, I am going to unload with both barrels! No tears, no red face, just me putting them in their place. Soundly.
When I was reading this last night I thought what great advice the bold, italicized part in the verse above is for those exact situations. How those situations are an occasion for testimony. Testimony that could be for God's glory and not a celebration for my sinful flesh. The person leaving those conversations will have a testimony to share. What will I choose to let it be? What will I choose to be my part in it?
I really love the instruction to settle in your hearts not to mediate beforehand on what you will answer. How my time would be better spent praying for those situations instead of rehearsing how I can knock another person down a notch or two. Praying for God to guard my words. For them to be truth in love. Edifying, yet correcting if need be. Asking for my words to be His words. Humble words that willing admit my wrongdoing where I need to, willing to speak God's truth without compromising, and willing to do so with the grace and love of Christ.
I am thinking I am going to post this on my wall (my actual wall, not my FB wall) to be a reminder before me. Maybe you need to choose to do the same. 

I DIDN'T SAY....

I was writing on this blog everyday though. Today it's over here. Be ready. Your enemy is.