LauraFirtko

Thanksgiving Activities -- Anytime!

Devotions
Nov 222010

In the spirit of keeping things light and simple this month, I decided to share a few ideas that can be implemented any time of year with seasonal variations. The point here is to spend time on what really matters – the people in our lives – and avoid falling into the trap of busyness and perfection. Remember Mary and Martha? Let’s try to be more like Mary this holiday season.

Gratitude Game for You: Get out a pad of paper and a colorful felt-tip marker. Set a timer for two minutes. Make a list of things you’re grateful for before the timer goes off. Post it where your family can see it. Let it be a testimony of God’s goodness during this Thanksgiving season and beyond.

Gratitude Game for Your Kids or Your Whole Family: Follow instructions above. The person who has written the most gratitude items in two minutes is the winner and gets a prize. If I were the winner in your house I might want a King-Sized Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup pack or Snickers or Butterfinger . . . yum! If you want to take the winner out for a special treat I highly recommend Dairy Queen’s Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Blizzard (or other flavors). Then again, there’s always Baskin Robbins or Cold Stone. Whatever works for the winner in your house!

Place Card Gratitude: Use card stock about the size of a 4×6 card in colors of your choosing. Fold them in half and write names of those who will be present on the outer side. Or decorate them without names. Write a short scripture verse that expresses thanks to the Lord on the inner side for each person to read. The host starts and each person takes a turn. If you have a more diverse crowd, put a number on the inner side of each place card instead. Before or after the meal is served, have everyone look to see what their number is. The person with number one gets to begin the gratitude chain by sharing something they’re grateful for. Go around the table(s) in order.

Nature Walk for Treasures: This is a fun activity with kids and/or friends. Take a nature walk and pay attention to God’s creation. Notice the detail in everything you see this time of year at your location. Here in Colorado the evergreens are dropping cones. We might do a pine cone hunt in our neighborhood. What can you and your kids hunt for? As you collect your treasures, talk about how the Lord has provided for you this year.

Christmas Wreath: Assemble all your nature treasures and make a Christmas wreath that represents your part of the U.S. or the world. Attach a ribbon with your family name, the date, and the installation name and location. If needed, get extra supplies at Hobby Lobby or your local craft store.

Thanksgiving Prayer

Our Father,

Giver of life and breath, we are grateful for your presence. Let us sense it more powerfully this Thanksgiving season. Give a special touch of love, peace, and comfort to our military families who have suffered loss. Make provision in a special way to those who are enduring financial hardship. Let your mercy be felt by those who struggle with deep grief, heartache, and pain of all kinds. Show your goodness and faithfulness to those who wrestle with abuse and betrayal. Draw near to those who feel a wide chasm between themselves and you. Bless with your unconditional love and acceptance those who feel rejected and abandoned.

We are your people; people who desperately need you. Illuminate our lives with your grace and your beauty. Enable us to know you in ever more tangible ways. We gratefully present these requests to you anticipating what you will do on our behalf. Amen.

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Inner Stability

Devotions
Oct 252010


He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. Mark 4:39

Do you sometimes feel like there’s a cyclone spinning within you? How often do you lose your peace? Inner turmoil rises when our priorities get unbalanced and the things that matter most get the least amount of time.

When I feel frustration building, and I catch myself taking shallow breaths, it’s time to Stop. Breathe. Pray. Listen. I stop what I’m doing; take a few slow, deep breaths from my abdomen; pray for God to calm my heart and settle my mind; and listen to what the Spirit needs to tell me. Sometimes He brings to mind scriptures I’ve memorized.

I’ve learned to employ this four-step process when I feel unhinged. Then, I do what the Spirit leads me to do, or I finish the task at hand. It doesn’t matter where I am, who I’m with, or what I’m doing. It’s between me and God. And it’s a valuable exercise for maintaining peace and stability.

If I find that my frustration is based on poor priority management and an unrealistic schedule, then it’s time to sit down and get a reality check. What am I doing that I don’t really need to be doing? Which task is an assignment from the Lord and which isn’t? What am I doing that I want to do but don’t need to do now? What must be done now and what can wait until a later time? What needs to be a firm commitment and what can be flexible or optional? What matters to me the most?

Once I’ve answered those questions, then I do an honest assessment of my energy level. What are my limits? Am I working with them or against them? Am I allowing enough recuperation from my physical workout? From my mental work and my emotional expenditures? If not, my body will reveal the need to make changes, to cut out commitments, and to make room in my day for recovery.

I need time to rest my body and mind. I need time to process or journal what God is teaching me. I need to make room in my schedule to honor the needs of my God-given temple. Whether I’m engaged in physical, mental, or emotional activity, I need to give myself time and space to rejuvenate.

Each of us needs to discover what works. Sometimes it takes years of trial and error to acquire consistent balance; but what we learn from our self assessments along the way will reveal what’s realistic.

No matter what we include in our priority list, our Lord needs to remain number one. The first step toward establishing healthy priorities is to be still before God with an open heart and mind, ingesting His Word like food for our souls. This top priority lays a foundation of inner stability on which we build our lives.

You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them (Psalm 89:9).

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Inner Stability

Devotions
Oct 252010

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm (Mark 4:39).

Do you sometimes feel like there’s a cyclone spinning within you? How often do you lose your peace? Inner turmoil rises when our priorities get unbalanced and the things that matter most get the least amount of time.

When I feel frustration building, and I catch myself taking shallow breaths, it’s time to Stop. Breathe. Pray. Listen. I stop what I’m doing; take a few slow, deep breaths from my abdomen; pray for God to calm my heart and settle my mind; and listen to what the Holy Spirit needs to tell me. He often uses scripture to remind me of God’s priorities when my foundation begins to crumble.

I’ve learned to employ this four-step process when I feel unhinged. Then, I do what the Spirit leads me to do, or I finish the task at hand. It doesn’t matter where I am, who I’m with, or what I’m doing. It’s between me and God. And it’s a valuable exercise for maintaining peace and stability.

If I find that my frustration is based on poor priority management and an unrealistic schedule, then it’s time to sit down and get a reality check. What am I doing that I don’t really need to be doing? Which task is an assignment from the Lord and which isn’t? What am I doing that I want to do but don’t need to do? What must be done now and what can wait until a later time? What needs to be a firm commitment and what can be flexible or optional? What matters most?

Once I’ve answered those questions, then I do an honest assessment of my energy level. What are my limits? Am I working with them or against them? Am I allowing enough recuperation from my physical workout? From my mental work and my emotional expenditures? If not, my body will reveal the need to make changes, to cut out commitments, and to make room in my days for recovery.

I need time to rest my body and mind. I need to make room in my schedule to honor the needs of my God-given temple. Whether I’m engaged in physical, mental, or emotional activity, I need to give myself time and space to rejuvenate. And I need time to sit with God long enough to hear from Him and know what’s on His heart.

Each of us needs to discover what works in acquiring and maintaining inner stability. Sometimes it takes years of trial and error to figure it out. But what we learn from our honest self assessments along the way will reveal what genuinely fits who we are and what we need — not what someone else needs.

So, as I discover what works for me, and I sit down to determine my priorities, I need to seek God’s wisdom for what’s best at this time, in this circumstance, and in this season of my life. As long as I take time each day to be still before Him with an open heart and mind, ingesting His Word like food for my soul, and implementing the priorities He sets without adding things, I will build a solid foundation on which I can establish inner stability for life. Will you join me in this endeavor?

You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them (Psalm 89:9).

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This Bible

Devotions
Sep 202010

My Bible is falling apart. This burgundy, thinline, bonded leather New International Version Bible is more than 15 years old. Bonded leather is worthless in my opinion. Recently I considered replacing it with a genuine leather version that wouldn’t fall apart.

Searching my office bookcases for Bibles, I hunted for the one I had in mind. I found it. A burgundy, genuine leather, New American Standard Bible lay in my hands. But it’s thicker and heavier than my NIV and not the version I’m accustomed to.

I began to contemplate what it might take to repair my old NIV where a piece of the binding tore off; where worn edges, a bent cover, and loose pages reveal years of use; where smudged pen notations betray tearful reading sessions; and where the shiny gold edging, now dulled from handling, faintly glistens as I flip the pages. What would a Bible repairman have to do to fix my beloved but tattered Text?

As I considered more carefully the prospect of using a different Bible, I felt a hot tension squeeze my heart. What about all the markings I put in it? Carefully drawn underlines, dates indicating significant events in my life, notations made while listening to life-changing sermons. How would I replace those?

Tears trickled down my face as I recalled the moments that this worn NIV had provided comfort, strength, and encouragement. Gazing at it with tenderness, I gently picked it up and held it to my chest. This Bible is historical. It carries my life and breath and tears within its pages. I know exactly where to turn for every verse I seek.

This Bible is the one . . .
I use for every PWOC Bible study;

This Bible is the one . . .
I have carried to every church and chapel service in the last 15-plus years;

This Bible is the one . . .
My silly beagles lick when I’m sitting on the bed reading it;

This Bible is the one . . .
I reach for when I need a Psalm to calm my heart;

This Bible is the one . . .
I hold in my hands while sitting on the edge of the bed sobbing;

This Bible is the one . . .
I held open to Romans 12:1-2 while pacing the floor begging God to transform me;

And, this Bible is the one . . .
I read every day as I sit with the Lord eagerly anticipating a timely word of wisdom.

This Bible is my source of Truth, Light, and Life.
______________________________________
Today I was struck by an image on the cover of the September 2010 issue of The Voice of the Martyrs. A young Christian woman named Somchi, from the communist nation Laos and the people group Khmu, holds a charred Bible in her hands. The Laotian villagers said the Bible was responsible for her mother’s illness, so they burned it along with other Christian literature they found. Fortunately, Somchi got a new Bible at the house church she attends.

After seeing the burned Bible, I thought of my precious, well-worn and well-loved thinline NIV. It has never been confiscated. It has never been shredded. It has never been burned. And, it doesn’t need to be replaced.

Here in America I don’t need to fear someone coming into my home to destroy the Word of God. At least, not now. So while I still have my religious freedom intact — and I hope that I do until I die or until Christ returns — I intend to cherish my ragged Bible with gratitude and remember God’s faithfulness as I read every page.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . In Him was life, and that life was the light of men (John 1:1 and 4).

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Journey of Transformation, Part 29 (The End)

Jesus Answers, Life Happens, Life Happens Jesus Answers, Real life stories, Testimonies
Sep 022010

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It’s a Wrap!

This is the final installment of Life Happens – Jesus Answers and “Journey of Transformation.” God is bringing changes to the PWOCI blog so it is time to say goodbye. Change is good when it’s God directed and I trust that He has many blessings in store for us as we Shine in the Light of His Glory.

To begin, I’m including the final paragraph from the July 1, 2010, entry for context:

By September 2002 my health disaster was out of control. Clearly, there was more than lupus ravaging my body. The time had come to take my health care to the next level. I needed answers and I needed them fast. Fortunately, God had an awesome rheumatologist waiting in the wings.

By October 2002 I was wheelchair bound. I needed assistance with eating, bathing, dressing and walking. I was carried up and down stairs. I was bedridden. The excruciating pain, weakness, and burning in my arms prevented me from using them except for balance. The slightest exertion exhausted me. Infected ulcers burrowed to the bone on my elbows. This was a new level of torment.

By the grace of God I landed in the office of Dr. Michael Baker and my search for genuine help was over. I slumped in the rented wheelchair, head adorned with a ball cap covering my unsightly mane, and tears streaking my red, swollen, disfigured face. Both Dr. Baker and my husband carefully lifted me out of the chair and led me toward the examining table. Not only was I nearly paralyzed, I was breathless from exertion, and virtually lifeless.

After a physical examination, lab tests, and a muscle biopsy, Dr. Baker concluded that I had a form of muscular dystrophy called dermatomyositis. This life-threatening autoimmune disease attacks skin, muscle, and connective tissue – basically, the entire body can be affected. Only a small percentage of lupus was present by comparison. The other autoimmune diseases were Sjogren’s Syndrome, Raynaud’s Syndrome, and hypothyroidism. Treatment was prednisone and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) infusions derived from human plasma.

With this new information came the time to update my Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) data including the fact that I had only a five-percent chance of survival. Without treatment, or if treatment didn’t work, I would have died. Years later while my dad was dying I learned that I could have received hospice care because my diagnosis and prognosis were so critical. This is something more people should know in case they have gravely ill family members who aren’t necessarily terminal.

Once I was officially diagnosed with a neuromuscular disease I became one of “Jerry’s Kids” and received a custom-fit wheelchair compliments of the Muscular Dystrophy Association. I still have it to this day and intend to keep it as a reminder of the depths to which I plummeted and the brink from which God saved me.

In spring 2003 a knowledgeable army dermatologist gave me a remedy for the infected ulcers on my elbows. One part vinegar to one part water. You heard me right. I was so angry to have suffered for eight months with this torture and all I would have had to do was soak my elbows in vinegar and water! Of course, the remedy was just as excruciating as the ulcers themselves. So I took oxycontin an hour before soaking because the burning pain was too much to bear.

By July 2003 the ulcers were gone but they left permanent, hideous scars. I was able to drive by this time and managed to get myself to PWOC. I had to sit during the entire program and went straight home and back to bed after. In March 2004 I was able to discontinue taking prednisone but continued the infusions.

The promise I received from the Holy Spirit back in 2001 about this trial lasting about five years came to pass. From the time I began getting symptoms in January 2000 to the end of 2004 the ordeal was largely over. Five years. After that the recovery process began.

In January 2005 I began weight training for the first time since 2000 and could lift only 10 pounds on the leg extension machine (quadriceps). I’m still working my way up to 90 pounds which is what I lifted before the disease set in. My quadriceps and biceps were the most severely affected muscles in my body.

By May 2005 I no longer needed oxycontin and phenergan for pain and nausea, and I finished the IVIG infusions after 27 months of treatment. It nearly took a miracle for me to receive these costly infusions but God worked it out. By August 2005 my hair had grown back completely. In 2006 I continued serving at my local PWOC.

In October 2007 my rheumatologist declared me cured of dermatomyositis. I stood in front of the PWOC body and gave an impromptu testimony about my healing, and proceeded to cut up the handicapped plaquard once displayed from the rearview mirror of my car. It was an act of faith.

As I recall 1999 when I walked around our Germany apartment praying for God to transform me by the renewing of my mind (Romans 12:2) I had no idea how He would answer that prayer. I certainly didn’t expect Him to take me down a dark and tangled road. Having endured all this and more, I am convinced we are far better off not knowing the future. Anticipating suffering of this nature would render many of us immobile.

Having persevered and arrived on the other side, I understand why God chose this path for me. It was effective. He used my physical anguish to produce an inward cleansing and strengthening of my heart and soul. As a result, I am free from many old habits, mindsets, and strongholds that kept me from living free in Christ.

There is nothing like a life-threatening illness to get you in a position of dependence, humility, and focus. It creates sober reflection and laser sharp awareness of what really matters in life. The things I thought were important gradually fell away while life itself shone through as the most significant thing of all – that is, eternal life. “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace …”

God taught me many things through my journey of transformation thus far, but rather than sharing some of them in my own words I’ve chosen to let the Word of God speak:

Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word (Psalm 119:67).

Blows and wounds cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being (Proverbs 20:30).

I was pushed back and about to fall, but the Lord helped me. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation (Psalm 118:13-14).

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast (1 Peter 5:10).

(More: Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 12:8-10; Hebrews 12:1-2; Psalm 103:1-5; Psalm 116:1-7; Psalm 119:71, 75, 92, 116-117; Isaiah 40; Isaiah 55:8-9; Isaiah 61:1-4.)

THE JOURNEY ENDS

It’s my hope that this Journey of Transformation has been a testimony of God’s ways, power, love and grace. I pray that the Holy Spirit used this story to encourage, to educate, and to challenge you. Never cower in the face of grave difficulties, but trust in God’s sovereignty, goodness, and mercy even when everything in you cries out against them. Because when Life Happens – Jesus Answers. May Jesus lead you gently through your own Journey of Transformation.

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Knowing God

Devotions
Aug 232010

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the TRUTH and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him” (John 14:5-7).

I want to know God. I want to know God better. Even more, I want to know God accurately.

There have been times in my Christian life when biblical truth didn’t sink in. I couldn’t accept it because I believed or felt something else. Maybe God didn’t answer a heartfelt prayer so I believed He didn’t care. Maybe I experienced suffering that seemed to have no purpose, and I believed God was cruel and unjust.

Through the course of daily living, interacting with other Christians, hearing the views of nonbelievers, and wrestling with my own fickle view of God, I came face to face with a disturbing fact: I’ve lived a large portion of my Christian life believing erroneous things about God. I let my feelings and perspectives dictate my beliefs rather than holding to the TRUTH of scripture.

God’s Word declares absolute truth about His character. The problem for many of us is that we don’t automatically embrace the truth. We read the words but they bounce off the opinions, feelings, and assumptions we form about God based on our experiences. Then we allow our erroneous ideas to define God. When our view of God is based on feelings, opinions, or assumptions, we don’t know Him accurately and the Christian life is harder than it needs to be.

My beliefs about God affect the depth of my peace and joy. They affect whether or not I trust Him, and whether or not I obey Him. My view of God affects my relationship with Him. It also affects how I view myself. What I believe about God shapes my prayer life, the amount of time I spend with Him, and whether my conversations include Him. My beliefs about God affect everything.

It isn’t enough to know about God. We need to really know Him. We must establish within our hearts a truth-based view of God regardless of our feelings, other people’s opinions, or what we experience.

Prayer Challenge:

Father, I choose intentionally to work on my belief system about You. Clear away anything that doesn’t fit the truth of who You are. Enlighten my mind when I read Your Word, and solidify Your truth in my heart so I can enjoy an unhindered relationship with You. Enable me to walk by faith, not by sight. (Hebrews 11:1; 2 Cor. 5:7)

Praying scripture aloud is even more powerful than using our own words. Add this one to the prayer above: Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell (Psalm 43:3).

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Defeat Your Enemy

Devotions
Jul 192010

Has life brought you treachery, harassment, and heartache? How much of it is from other people? How much of it is the result of sowing seeds that reaped painful consequences? How much of it is plain old torment from Satan? After all, he uses people and circumstances to harass us.

How do you deal with attacks from the devil? Do you deal with them at all? Have you bothered to contemplate the power and plan of your Enemy?

He wants to steal from you. He wants to kill you. He wants to destroy you. (John 10:10a)

Sound unbelievable? It’s true and it’s real. He’s hard at work attempting to reach his goal every day. So, what do you do about it? First, you must be aware of and know your Enemy. Second, you must seek God’s wisdom in dealing with him. Third, you must intentionally take action each time he attacks.

Ultimately, the battle is the Lord’s, but He instructs us to stand firm adorned with the armor** He has provided. How? Fill your mind with God’s Truth — His Word — every day. One verse of scripture can be used to replace a lie from Satan.

For example, if you’re wracked with guilt over something and you’re continually tormented by it, confess your thoughts and feelings to God. Then, ask Him to lead you to a verse that will counteract the lie you believe. For guilt, Romans 8:1-2 is helpful: Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. Write the scripture on index cards and place them on your mirror, in your purse, in your car. Read the scripture often and eventually memorize it.

This isn’t a joke or a suggestion. If we, as Christians, are serious about walking in truth, if we are serious about overcoming wrong thoughts and beliefs, and if we are serious about living victoriously as Christ intended, then we need to stomp out the taunts and temptations thrown at us by the Evil One. We defeat the devil one choice, one action, one truth at a time. In so doing, we stand firm.

Do it. Take your Enemy seriously. He means business. So should we.

**Ephesians 6:10-18 Full Armor of God

Finally, be strong in the LORD and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. . . .

(A good resource for additional knowledge and understanding of Satan is When the Enemy Strikes by Dr. Charles Stanley at In Touch Ministries.)

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Journey of Transformation, Part 28

Jesus Answers, Life Happens, Life Happens Jesus Answers, Real life stories, Testimonies
Jul 012010

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Another Emergency

Here we were, back in Colorado Springs in the summer of 2002. We temporarily settled into my parents’ townhome while we waited for our renters to move out of our house. Our Chaplain friend delivered the Honda Accord to us a couple weeks later when he arrived to attend the conference at the Air Force Academy.

Spouses are welcomed to attend the conferences, and I wanted to go so badly but couldn’t quite muster the strength. Most of my days were spent in bed or sitting in a chair. I felt less and less like being up and about. I camped out in the guest room most of the time, sleeping intermittently through each day. I remember hearing strange construction-like noises outside, but the window well blocked my view. It was rare for me to leave that room.

The white calcifications on my fingers could no longer be controlled and they developed into nickel–sized ulcers on my knuckles. The ones that erupted on my elbows were particularly excruciating. The burning pain was more than I could bear and I ended up at the Air Force Academy ER as I had months before. This time the ER staff was so puzzled and horrified by what they saw that they took x-rays of my hands to check for soft tissue abnormalities. Nothing showed.

Because the Air Force rheumatologist wasn’t available to assess me, and they didn’t have room to keep me around for hours, the ER staff redirected me to the ER at Fort Carson. I wondered if they thought I had some bizarre contagious disease that could spread to the whole community. They were far more alarmed than I was. I just needed painkillers again.

When I arrived at Fort Carson the ER staff administered morphine and this time I made sure they gave me an anti-nausea medication to go along with it. They probably gave me prednisone too but I don’t remember that. The anti-nausea medication made me feel weird. When I was being discharged from the ER I wasn’t sure if I should leave. Was this feeling going to subside or was it going to worsen?

Upon attempting to leave post my folks and I drove to a gate that was closed. Being 1 a.m. it was dark everywhere and Fort Carson didn’t have many streetlights. We ended up lost in one of the housing areas and I felt so weird I wanted to get home. Finally, we managed to find our way to the main gate which is always open.

We arrived home around 2 a.m. The anti-nausea medication created a strange sensation in my lungs. I was afraid that if I fell asleep I would stop breathing and die. So I stayed awake until the weird feeling subsided.

By September my health disaster was out of control. Clearly, there was more than lupus ravaging my body. The time had come to take my healthcare to the next level. I needed answers and I needed them fast. Fortunately, God had an awesome rheumatologist waiting in the wings.

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES . . . IN SEPTEMBER:

During July and August I will be spending concentrated time with the Lord for refreshment and renewal. I appreciate all of you who faithfully read LHJA each week, and I encourage you to join me in September when the journey continues. In the meantime, bask in the warmth of the Son.

____________________________

Life Happens – Jesus Answers is a weekly column addressing the challenges we face in life, coupled with the presence and grace of Jesus, our One True Source of hope and peace. The column’s author, Laura Firtko, can be reached by email here: LifeHappens@pwoc.org

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The Shepherd’s Lamb

Devotions
Jun 212010

Each day the shepherd takes his flock out to roam. He loves them with the love of a father and keeps close watch. When it’s time to return to the pen the shepherd calls his sheep by name. They know his voice and respond immediately.

Except for one.

The littlest lamb in the flock isn’t rebellious by nature, just curious. Sometimes he strays too far and the shepherd has to retrieve him. One day the shepherd calls him repeatedly but he doesn’t respond. The lamb’s simple curiosity is developing into rebellion.

After the shepherd gives the lamb many chances to obey, the time comes to do something drastic. There is no other way to train him.

So, the shepherd breaks the lamb’s leg.

Now that the lamb is unable to walk, the shepherd carries him close to his heart everywhere he goes. During his healing process the lamb grows to know the shepherd better than before. He enjoys the shepherd’s warm embrace. He learns that he is safe with the shepherd.

Enough time passes that the lamb’s desire to stray ceases completely. When he’s released to roam with the other sheep he stays close to them and answers the shepherd’s call immediately.

It seems cruel for the shepherd to break the lamb’s leg to make him obedient, but the shepherd does it for the lamb’s safety. Legs heal. But when a life is lost it’s gone forever.

There are times when God breaks us to keep us from straying, from developing willful rebellion, from creating a rift in our relationship with Him, or from traveling down a dark, destructive road. He knows what’s best and will do whatever it takes to keep us safe.

I wonder how many times I’ve pushed God away, doubted His love, chosen to listen to other voices, distrusted His plan, or strayed from His perfect path. The consequences aren’t worth it. I’ve learned that it’s wise to heed God’s voice immediately in order to spare myself unnecessary grief.

I choose obedience — not out of fear of punishment — but in response to God’s unconditional love, acceptance, and security.

Each day we have choices. What will yours be today?

He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. (Isaiah 40:11)

As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. (Ezekiel 34:12)


I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me — just as the Father knows me and I know the Father — and I lay down my life for the sheep. (John 10:14-15)

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Journey of Transformation, Part 27

Jesus Answers, Life Happens, Life Happens Jesus Answers, Real life stories, Testimonies
Jun 172010

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God Comes Through

The day of departure had arrived. We left the hotel and drove to the Chaplain’s house where our Accord spent the night. God, knowing exactly what we would need long before our move, served up the perfect provision.

And so it goes . . .

A little background: Chaplains are endorsed by various churches or parachurch organizations that provide support and accountability in their roles as Chaplains within the military. Steve and a fellow Chaplain at Fort Campbell happened to share the same endorser. This endorser, located in South Carolina, was holding its annual conference in Colorado Springs at the Air Force Academy. Our Chaplain friend was planning to attend that conference.

Where were Steve and I headed for our compassionate PCS? Colorado Springs. And our house, which had been rented, was a mere 15-minute drive from the Academy. As it turns out, our Chaplain buddy was glad to drive our Honda Accord to Colorado Springs since he was going there anyway. We paid for his expenses and he flew back after the conference as he had originally planned. This couldn’t have worked out more perfectly for us. And, as an additional point of interest, since that conference in the summer of 2002, the endorser hasn’t held any out west.

I find all this very interesting. None of it was coincidental. It reminds me that I never have a valid reason to fret or worry. God has everything worked out in advance. He knows what I really need when I really need it and delivers it right on time.

Back to the story. My memories tend to be sketchy, but for some reason certain moments in time remain etched in my brain. I clearly remember sitting in the passenger seat of our Honda Pilot (we had traded in the Plymouth Voyager minivan for the Pilot), the door was open, and our Chaplain friend’s wife came over to the car and spoke words of encouragement to me. I was so weak, tired, and miserable that I barely responded. I nodded once, turned my head to face forward, and she closed the door. I hoped she didn’t see me as rude or indifferent but rather desperately ill.

I don’t remember the drive home other than it being long. It was the longest ride of my life. When we pulled into my parents’ driveway they were glad to see me but I just wanted to hit the sack.

The subsequent months would prove agonizing but informative. I finally would get the accurate and complete diagnosis I’d longed for.

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES:

In a quest to develop my faith I make an effort to notice the things God does for me that I can’t do for myself. I also pay attention to His creation more. Many of us allow ourselves to get so busy that we lose sight of the beauty around us and, in effect, we lose sight of God.

This summer I’m going to pay closer attention to the birds swirling around my deck. I’m going to listen to their songs and watch the clouds float by. I’m going to breathe the fresh air and let God speak to me through His creation. I’m going to embrace a new appreciation for the obvious, yet often dismissed, blessings in my world.

This summer take time to sit. Look. Listen. Enjoy the blessings that surround you and thank God.

____________________________

Life Happens – Jesus Answers is a weekly column addressing the challenges we face in life, coupled with the presence and grace of Jesus, our One True Source of hope and peace. The column’s author, Laura Firtko, can be reached by email here: LifeHappens@pwoc.org

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