God's Endearing Qualities

One of a series on "God's endearing personality":

A lovely thing happened to me today. As one of my co-workers and I chatted about the past weekend, she told me she had attended a convention of her church's members. The theme of one afternoon's symposium concerned the endearing personality of God. What a sweet, uplifting thought! We usually get all theological when we consider what God is like. We speak of omniscience, omnipotence and the like, often neglecting to mention the qualities that draw us to Him—making Him dear and beloved.

From her notes, my friend shared that He is:

* approachable.
* empathetic
* appreciative
* generous
* impartial
* forgiving
* reasonable
* loyal

We think that each of these characteristics is worthy of being expanded into a topical study in the Scriptures. Would you like to accept that challenge too?

MaryMartha

Art from http://www.sxc.hu/

Reunion

I have just returned from the biennial reunion of my extended family, three generations who are direct descendants of my parents. We had the use of a six bedroom home on lake property in this area. What a time we had! We prepared our own meals in the well-equipped kitchen. Even though we did not assign duties, certain fellows just took it upon themselves to empty and refill ice trays, bring in the newspapers and mail for the host family, empty the trash and carry out the "compostables," and make grocery runs. (We did try to keep most everyone out of the kitchen most of the time where we prepared some food favorites! Stir, stir, chop, chop, chop. Bake, blend, and freeze.) Sisters, sisters-in-law, granddaughters and nieces loaded and unloaded the dishwasher many, many times. All the while we laughed and talked, sang, cried, reminisced and planned.

It occurred to me a number of times during this happy occasion that if a family reunion is so joyful, what will it be like when we all are gathered together and never have to say our goodbyes again? While there are many details about heaven that are not clear to us while we live here, we will "know fully, even as we are now fully known." We'll not be separated by time and distance and schedules and circumstances. What a day that will be!

MaryMartha

Art from http://www.sxc.hu/

Not Moved

Deeply rooted plants can make it through the storms. One can see, in the Cascade Mountains of Washington, tall weathered-gray pines that have spiraled trunks. The winds blow there day after day, year after year, tossing and turning the branches, but these are old trees, deeply rooted, and the wind's force has finally twisted their trunks rather than tearing them from the soil as it might have done with more shallow trees. Can we, like those tough old tress, weather the storms?

The Psalmist declared several times, "I shall not be moved." What does mean? I won't be hurt or disappointed or troubled? I won't face difficulty or loss? No, if you are familiar with David's story, you know that all of these circumstances were a regular part of his life. The apostle Paul, too, said, "None of these things move me." He was referring to murderous plots against him, to his own humble servitude, and to a future that was uncertain except for the knowledge that it held imprisonment and tribulation! None of these things matter to me? No, none of these things will change my course. None will divert my attention from the truth that is established in me.

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? . . . No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:35, 37-39)

I recall our singing "I Shall Not Be Moved" as a family when we were in the car together, going to church or traveling the long road to Grandma's house (30 miles, a long way back then!) It's a traditional American folk song, perhaps going back to the slavery camps.

I shall not be, I shall not be moved.

I shall not be, I shall not be moved.

Just like a tree that's standing by the water,

I shall not be moved.

Then one of us would begin,
"Jesus is my Savior, I shall not be moved . . ." or "I'm on my way to heaven, I shall not be moved . . ."

and the others would all chime in. This continued until we mercifully reached our destination or we tired ourselves out and switched to something else.

That was many years ago, and now I do sometimes feel like one of those gnarly old trees that's been twisted by the winds that have blown on the mountain top! Perhaps you feel this way too, but better for us to be twisted (in this good sense of the word) and still firmly planted, than broken and toppled over!

We shall not be moved!
MaryMartha

Scripture quotation is taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. United States of America. All rights reserved.

Art from http://www.sxc.hu/

Planting for the Future

A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in. ~Greek Proverb

My father was not an old man when he helped plant a row of trees along the south end of the schoolyard where my siblings and I attended our early grades. He was a young father, but he had an eye on the future. He would never enjoy the trees, but he knew his kids would. Now many years later, the tiny saplings are thirty or so feet tall and line the property of the homeowner who converted the schoolhouse into a private dwelling. I wonder if they ever think about the person who planted those big trees so long ago.

There is a lesson about hope here. Planting trees for another generation is not the only action that anticipates the future. We do many things with vision for what lies ahead: we make long-term investments in our homes, in our education, and in our family relationships. We must also take into account what happens if we fail to act in ways that preserve our resources.

If you want a tall tree, the best time to plant it is twenty years ago. The next best time is now. (from a Chinese proverb) If you want a life of integrity, the best time to begin forming it is twenty or thirty or sixty years ago; the next best time would be now. "Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it." (Psalm 34:12-14)

MaryMartha

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright©1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Art from http://www.sxc.hu/

Re-Framing

I have been listening to a CD on which the gospel singer declares that she had questions with answers she couldn't understand. I think that is probably true for all of us, and sometimes the questions don't seem to have answers at all. As we struggle with the things that perplex us, a wonderfully helpful verse from the Bible is this: "Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." (Romasns12:2) Difficulty itself does not necessarily set us free, but reframing it—changing how we think about it—does liberate us. Jesus said, "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)

If you are in a hard place now, where can you find the truth that will change how you think and set you free? Many of us are convinced that the Word of God is ultimate truth, but often our traditional views and personal opinions cloud our understanding of it.

4 A Popular Notion: Jesus said whatever I ask for, the Heavenly Father will give to me. So I'm going to ask for a Lexus and a new tri-level house.

8 What the Word Teaches: "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your own pleasures." (James 4:3 NIV)

4 A Popular Notion: Didn't God say He would supply all my need? Well, I actually do need a _______ [new car, new house, new clothes, new spouse—you fill in the blank.]

8 What the Word Teaches: Yes, but the Apostle Paul—a remarkable Christian, after all—tells us, "Actually, I don't have the sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now how to be quite content. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little." (from Philippians 4:11, 12)

4 A Popular Notion: If I serve the Lord, I will have fewer troubles. Jesus said, "My yoke is easy and my burden is light."

8 What the Word Teaches: Jesus also said, "Here on earth you will have many trails and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

4 A Popular Notion: God obviously is pleased with my life because I have good health and financial success.

8 What the Word Teaches: It's quite possible to enjoy some of God's gifts without really having His blessing! Examples are Samson, Baalam, and any who "speak with the tongues of mean and of angels and have not love." (See I Corinthians 13)

"The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives." (Psalm 37:23) This does not mean that every act and thought of ours is predetermined, and we have only to live mechanically what has already been established. What it does mean is that God has orchestrated our lives in such a way that we will come face to face with His reality. Quite often this comes to us through pain or loss, disappointment, difficulty or perplexity because it is when we are searching for answers that we look up—and there is God! Would we actually want to wish away the critical events that have caused us to search for Him? Although they may have seemed almost unbearable at the time, we can ask God to change the way we think and then we can see how fruitful those times really were!

MaryMartha

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. United States of America. All rights reserved. Scripture quotation marked NIV is taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright©1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Art from http://www.sxc.hu/

Giving and Keeping

One of the important principles of Christian stewardship is that of "flow." We talk about cash flow in our budget or about the flow of goods from one country to another. The word implies that is a movement, not a static condition. Jesus was talking about "flow" when He taught, "Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting is the way. Generosity begets generosity." (Luke 6:38 MSG)

Jesus also told a parable about a rich man whose ground yielded such bountiful crops that he ran out of storage space. " 'What can I do? My barn isn't big enough for this harvest.' Then he said, 'Here's what I'll do: I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I'll gather in all my grain and goods, and I'll say to myself, Self, you've done well! You've got it made and can now retire. Take it easy and have the time of your life!' " (Luke 12:18, 19 MSG)

The farmer had successfully provided what seemed to him all he would ever need. He failed, however, to consider one important factor: he could not guarantee a life long enough to enjoy all the goods he had amassed. Life itself was not something he owned and controlled.

Is enjoying "ownership" of things not acceptable? Is it wrong to have a savings program? Is acquiring a valuable collect of certain objects unspiritual? Should one refuse to prepare for retirement years ahead? No, that is not the point of this story at all. The warning, Jesus said, is this: “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” (Luke 12:15 NLT) It is a wrong attitude, more than an action, that He holds up for reproach.

Balancing this part of the life of faith is difficult for many Christians. Some are inclined to give too little and hold on to too much. There are others who would give too much and invest too little in their own self-care.

A Persian lyric poet of the 13th century wrote, and his words have become some of my favorite. They express so well how important the latter is:

If of thy mortal goods thou art bereft,
And from thy slender store
two loaves alone to thee are left,
Sell one, and with the dole,
Buy hyacinths to feed thy soul.

--Muslih-uddin Saadi Shirazi

And furthermore, you may share both your bread and your hyacinths with another needy person! Finding the balance is not a once-and-for-all achievement, but a process whereby giving is cheerful and keeping to use is joyful!

MaryMartha

Scripture quotation marked NLT is taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. United States of America. All rights reserved. Scriptures marked MSG are taken from The Message. Copyright © 2003 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

Art from http:www.sxc.hu/

Getting to the Root

The weeds in the cracks of the sidewalk look almost as healthy as they did two days ago when I sprayed them with Weed B Gon Max®. That doesn't concern me as I have used this weed killer before and know that it takes up to fourteen days to do its job. That's because it doesn't just wilt the leaves. It goes down through the plant and destroys the roots, and after that the withering and browning appear above ground. The plant cannot live without an adequate root system.

I've been thinking about how important our faith root system is also. The Apostle Paul prayed that from God's "glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong." (Ephesians 3:16, 17) Our strength as Christians depends on the roots going down deep. If we are content with shallow roots or we permit something to poison them, we lose the ability to give freely of love in our outward life. The "leaves and fruit" wither and die because we are not deeply rooted in God's love.

God's enemy Satan—our enemy too—would try to apply Faith B Gon, Love B Gon, and Hope B Gon to our lives. He attacks us in outward ways, so that the damage can go down, if possible, into the roots where we dwell in God's love. Beware his poison!

MaryMartha

Scripture quotation is taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. United States of America. All rights reserved.

Art from http://www.sxc.hu/

Broken and Better

One of the tasks of my part-time position at the public library is mending "broken" books. The pages may be falling out, the binding may be loose or split, the covers may be torn or dog-eared. Various methods and materials are used for repair, and I find it satisfying to make useable again a book that would otherwise be destined for discarding. Occasionally, I am challenged by someone who asks, "Can you really fix this?" And I answer, "Yes, it will be better than new."

Book publishing has changed a great deal over the years. Once it was an art with beautiful and substantial covers enclosing sewn signatures, the industry now produces annually nearly 300,000 titles in the U.S. And that is just new titles and new editions of earlier titles; many of these are printed in the hundreds of thousands. While there are many fine books available—I am speaking of physical quality, not content—many others currently published are not able to withstand the repeated handling of library use; they are glued together just well enough for a few readings. It is these that can actually be improved by mending.

Ernest Hemingway said, "The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places." Have you considered that the places in your life where you have been battered about some, perhaps even broken, are made a source of strength when God is permitted to work there? Jesus came as God's anointed one to proclaim, "He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted." Having had our brokenness exposed is not something only to be regretted, but also to be respected for its part in bringing us to acknowledge our constant need for God's grace. Experiencing some of His "mending" then helps us connect with other sufferers in a real way. The late Henri Nouwen, spiritual writer and teacher, gave us the lovely phrase, "wounded healer." That is what Jesus is to us, and what we can be to others.

Broken does not mean discarded. Mending is possible. That does not mean the brokenness never was. It can mean better, stronger, more useful than before.

MaryMartha

The book publishing statistic is from R.R. Bowker, a large bibliographic information
management company, researched at www.bowker.com

Art from http:www.sxc.hu/

Antidotes

Sometimes we need an antidote for something we have contacted or ingested: poison ivy or a bee sting, a medication to which we are allergic or just too much pizza! Doctors know, and many mothers too, know what will soothe the itchy skin or the upset stomach.

I have found a spiritual antidote as well. When I have contacted too much negative talk or encountered too many discouraging circumstances or remembered too many painful memories, the Word of God helps make things right.

But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong. They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else. . . Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain. . . So I tried to
understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is!

Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors. Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. . . Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.

Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever." (Psalm 2:2-5, 13-14, 16-19, 21, 23-26)

This antidote works even better than calamine lotion or Tums!

MaryMartha

Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. United States of America. All rights reserved.

Little Memorials

On Monday (Memorial Day in the U.S.), I visited the rural cemetery where a number of my extended family members are buried, along with many people I knew while I was growing up. I cherish some of those childhood memories and since Monday, I've been remembering incidents from my acquaintance with them, little memorials in my own heart.

I remember the pink wintergreen candies my grandfather carried in his pocket to give to all the Sunday School children. Who cared back then that he had just shaken hands with thirty people and then dug around in his pocket to dole out the powdery (unwrapped) sweets? Perhaps we were all the hardier for having been exposed to so many germs!

I remember that the same grandpa lived just across the road from my childhood home and kept a pitcher of cold mint tea in the refrigerator. (A real refrigerator, as I recall, not an "icebox," which our family had.) The tea was brewed from peppermint growing beside the house—imagine having that on a sweltering day! (No air conditioning back then) If we weren't having mint tea, we might drink "Big Four," his name for cold cocoa--no one seems to know why.

I remember the home of the other grandparents who lived in a big two-story house. With the doors open downstairs and the hallway door also open, the big horned owl (stuffed, of course) that reigned over the stairway, moved his tufted "ears" in the breeze. I was petrified! On the other hand, Grandma made soft sugar cookies with black walnut icing—to die for!

I remember the aunt who came to the housewarming party that my dolls and I hosted in the orchard playhouse. She brought real refreshments and pretended with me that it was a high social occasion!

I remember the aunt who took me shopping in the city—for a winter coat, I think—and we ate lunch in the department store tea room. An honest-to-goodness tea room! I had a roast beef sandwich.

I remember the much-loved aunt and uncle who every summer invited this country kid to spend a week in the city with my cousin. We played in a yard full of blue morning glories, and rode the bus downtown—a brand-new experience for me. D.W., did we sleep in a tent sometimes?

I remember our friends who had a most intriguing kitchen. A lantern hung from a hook in the ceiling, and was pumped periodically to make the mantle glow. A pump handle, worked vigorously, brought water from the cistern to the kitchen sink. I thought this was really special.

I remember my parents' friends who came to our house sometimes after Sunday evening church service to have coffee and "dunk" doughnuts. We got to stay up late.

I remember the sad news that the baby boy of one of the church families had died during the night. It was puzzling to me that children could die.

Mama, Daddy, I'm grateful for the loving surroundings that nurtured me. These little memorials will outlast the flowers I saw in the cemetery.

MaryMartha