Defragmentation

Several years ago my computer was gradually slowing down.   Alan, our computer tech, introduced me to “defragmentation.”   He explained that frequent use of various programs and documents causes pieces of information to become scattered on my hard drive, requiring my computer to search for and reconnect the pieces before I can use them.  The fix, he explained, was to run a program which reclaims the pieces and puts them back together again. This is called “defragmentation.”

Like my computer, my life often gets fragmented.  I am pulled in many directions and suffer from information overload.  My perfectionistic nature causes me to try to accomplish everything on my plate.  I end up running in every direction and am not allowing myself to center.

So I pray:  “Lord, I need Your help.  I am scattered, restless, and only half here.”  King David also went through similar times (Ps. 55). In prayer, David spoke to God, confident that He would hear and answer him (v.17).  You see, he had learned that prayer can defragment our lives.  When we cast our cares on the Lord, He will show us what we need to do and what only He can do.  Listen to David’s encouraging words to us: “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you”.   (Psalm 55:22)  By the power of His Spirit, He can and will defragment our lives.

Time Exposure To God

“Our lives are like photo-graphic plates, and prayer is like a time exposure to God.  As we expose ourselves to God for a half hour, an hour, perhaps two hours a day, his image is imprinted more and more upon us.  More and more we absorb the image of his character, his love, his wisdom, his way of dealing with life and people.”   That’s what happens when we spend time in God’s Word and in prayer.  We reflect him and less of ourselves.  People see Jesus.

                                                                     (Kent Hughes, “Liberating Ministry From The Success Syndrome,” Wheaton, Ill, Tyndale, 1988, p. 139)

Forgiveness

Yesterday's sermon at Good Shepherd on "taking down walls and building bridges", reminded me again that the foundation of our walk with the Lord is "forgiveness" – His forgiveness of us and the forgiveness we offer and receive from others.  (Matthew 6:14-15)   The two main themes of Jesus ministry are love and forgiveness.  I have learned some things along the way that have helped me live a more forgiving life:

• Accept God’s forgiveness, it is His gift to you
• Acknowledge the anger and hurt cause by the offense of another
• ‘Decide’ to forgive – “let go” by the power of the Spirit
• Pray everyday for at least 30 days for the person who hurt you
• Rule out revenge – always “take the high road” 
• Walk in the offender’s shoes – “If I were in their place, I would feel…”
• Extend good will to the offender – acts and words of kindness
• Give yourself time to heal and take care of yourself

Jesus modeled forgiveness and the Holy Spirit empowers us to live it.  The greatest witness we can give to the transforming power of Jesus in our lives is to live a life of love and forgiveness.

Under His Wings

                  Psalm 91:4 declares:

“He will cover you with his feathers,

and under his wings you will find refuge:

his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

As these times produce more and more days of unrest for our country and our people,

we, as Christians, must always remember that there is absolutely nothing to fear about tomorrow.

Why? Because God, the Almighty, our Lord and Savior is already there. Praise be to Him!!!

Life In The Spirit

John DeVries, founder of Mission India, writes in his book, “Why Pray?”  “The western church may be compared to a little boy trying to fly a kite on a windless day.  He runs furiously up and down the sidewalk, pulling his little kite behind him, and as long as he runs, the kite flies.  The moment the little fellow stops, the kite plunges to the ground.  His problem?  The wind isn’t blowing.  The Western church, with its members burned out from endless programs, seminars, classes, committee meetings, planning sessions, and organizational flow chars, is much like that boy.  We are too often trying to carry the church and its programs by our own efforts.  The wind of the Spirit is not blowing.  What the church desperately needs is a new wind of the Spirit; but when the Spirit comes, we must not stop working or consider our work less important.  The Spirit fills our works and lifts it up, far beyond the world of human expectations and limitations.”    

Whatever Happened To Listening?

In this age of information, technology, and multi-tasking, we have lost the art of listening.  Relationships are suffering, in spite of an abundance of communication tools at our disposal.  Various names have been given to this syndrome: “Continuous Partial Attention,” “Surfer’s Voice”, and “Absence Presence”.  We may “listen” to someone on the phone while reading email, texting, or surfing the net.  Then how do we listen and become present to another?  After all, this may be the greatest gift we can give another.

We need to cultivate three essential practices: silence, slowing down to reflect, and becoming centered.  Ironically, these are the same disciplines we need to make a deeper connection with God.  Take some time each day to be silent.  A friend of mine practices a “technology fast.”   Give yourself permission to take the time to set aside your “To Do” list.   Listen to God in His word.  Listen with an open heart and mind to others, totally devoted to the moment.  Reflect on what you and the other person think and feel.  Be curious by asking questions.  Relax and enjoy the moment.  More importantly, enjoy the other person.

Centered Living

If you’ve ever tried “throwing” clay on a potter’s wheel, you know lots of things can go wrong.  One of the most common problems occurs when the wet lump of clay is placed off-center on the wheel.  Things may seem to go well at first, but eventually it will begin to wobble slightly, then more, and then more.  Soon the clay is gyrating wildly and may even go flying off the wheel.  Isaiah calls us clay in the Potter’s hands (also Gen. 2:7).  The problem is that we have the freedom to decide that we’re going to place ourselves off-center on the wheel, or maybe we let a lot of things pull us off center, and the results are predictably disastrous.  It is critical that our lives remain centered in Christ by meditating on His Word and regular prayer.    He is “the way, the truth, and the life.”

A Few Dusty Kernals

When I was three years old I found a few dusty old kernels of corn on the floor of my grandfather's shed.  They caught my eye and like most little boys I put them in my pocket with some stones.  When I arrived at home, I decided that they needed a proper burial.  I had watched old Mr. Zucker, the caretaker of the church cemetery down the street, when he dug the graves, and then after the funeral, lowered the casket and covered the grave.  I knew exactly what to do.  I found just the right spot for my “grave” in the backyard.  I made a little valley, at the bottom of which I dug a hole about six inches deep, placed the kernels carefully and covered them with dirt.  For some reason I thought a bridge over the grave was needed.  I found a board behind the garage and used it.  Finally I made a cross with two twigs and some kite string.  Much to my surprise several weeks later something green was coming out of my grave!  It threatened to topple my bridge by the time I took my dad out to see what was going on.  He announced I was growing corn!  The bridge and cross were tossed aside--this was no longer a grave!  It was alive and needed watering and care.  Before we boiled our total yield of three ears of corn, my dad asked me to give him one of the ears.  Reluctantly, I gave it up ... I had so few to begin with ... until he told me we could use these kernels to plant more next year.  Next year we would have enough to feed the whole family.  In his own way, dad had given me a vision of what could be and I gladly gave it up because I trusted him.

This is so like our heavenly father who moves us beyond the grave to what is and what will be.  Because I trust Him I gladly give up myself for the abundant life He promises.