Modesty Matters

Too trendy. Too tight. Too costly. Too curvy. Too short. Too showy. Too low. Too little. What we wear matters to God, and for women there is the added responsibility of not becoming a stumbling block to our brothers in Christ. What we put on can make a difference in their day to day struggle with lust. As this problem grows, so grows the urgency to educate ourselves on what would be pleasing to the Lord. Read the results of The Modesty Survey on Alex and Brett Harris' website. Begin a study using the book Worldliness, edited by C.J. Mahaney. Carefully mull over The Modesty Heart Check written by C.J.'s wife, Carolyn, and their three daughters. Prayerfully meditate on the many verses in the Bible that address the issue of modesty. And as you learn, spread the word to other women. Lord, let our beauty not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, let it be that of our inner selves, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which is of great worth in Your sight. (1 Peter 3:3-4)

Sportsman's Paradise

An entire room filled with fishing poles. An expansive wall glittering with guns. An elaborate building arrayed with accessories. As I strolled through the Bass Pro Outlet that recently came to our area, I was amazed at the extent of equipment that could be purchased for the hobbies of hunting and fishing. All of this to snag a smallmouth bass or kill a quail. All of this to search out prey that often provides little more than a day of fun and a free meal. We are called to be fishers of men, hunting for hearts that have yet to believe that God has raised Jesus from the dead. Our passion and zeal should far outweigh those who seek after something that will not last. The souls of men will live eternally, either in Heaven with God or in Hell, separated from Him forever. The sign at the entrance of the store read "Sportman's Paradise." Oh, Lord, help us to boldly tell sportsmen and all men that the only real paradise is knowing You.

Every Dollar

One of my favorite scenes in the movie "Mother Teresa" depicts the aging nun in a board room surrounded my members of an association that was formed to further the cause of her "Missionaries of Charity." In front of each person sits a bottle of Perrier, and as an attendant walks by, she asks, "How much does a bottle of water like this cost?" "Three dollars," he replies. "For three dollars I could feed a child in my mission for a year," Mother Teresa mutters to herself. As the director of the association calls for a decision on a crucial issue that faces them, the Mother of the "poorest of the poor" stands to her feet and declares that a decision does not need to be made because "This association no longer exists!" Something inside me shouted for joy when she made that move to dissolve what had become a bureaucracy, and I resolved again in my own heart to be mindful of the money the Lord has entrusted to us. For ten dollars I could buy another toy that my child doesn't really need or another book to sit on a shelf with the others that I haven't yet had time to read. But what could ten dollars do for the poorest of the poor? Help me, Lord, to remember the least of these.

Sleepless Nights

After about two hours of taking turns rocking and soothing, we finally have Jada down for the night. Well, not really. Two hours later, the first cries crush our hopes for waking up when we're rested. More rocking, more soothing. Back to sleep. Then we may have just one more wake up call at 2 a.m. or 3 a.m., but sometimes it's a few more, and sometimes it takes an hour or two before she's back to bed. When morning comes, I find myself figuring out how many hours of actual sleep time I've had, wondering if it will be enough to be coherent that day. Advice has abounded on how we can secure ourselves some more slumber, but perhaps the best advice that we have received has had less to do with catching more z's and more to do with counting up blessings. In my wakeful moments, I start counting, and as the list grows longer and longer each night, I grow more and more thankful each day. Lord, help us to keep counting and to keep fixing our eyes on You.

Future Hopes

My weekly strolls through the retirement center with the girls have given me great cause for reflection and some time to forge my own hopes for the future. I hope not to live in one. I hope to never be labeled "retired." I hope my last years are filled with the joy of giving gifts and sowing seeds and bearing fruit. I hope my children will wonder if I'm going to have time to come to see them instead of my wondering if they'll have time to come to see me. I hope I'm given the grace not to complain about all that ails me but instead to count my blessings and give glory to God. "So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come." (Psalm 71:18)

Spurred On

The delivery driver pulled up just as I sat down on the front porch to read Adopted for Life by Russell Moore. "What are you reading?" he asked as he approached. I explained that the author compares God's adoption of His children with that of Christians adopting children, and thus began an hour long conversation. The excitement of being able to share with someone what Christ has done for me can not be compared with any other joy I've ever known, and as I am often home now, I miss being out and meeting people. But on this day, the Lord brought one to me, encouraging my heart, refreshing my soul, and spurring me on to love and good deeds. Thank you, Lord, for allowing me to be a part of Your story. What a beautiful story it is!

Character Flawed

I've been contemplating the clause "out of character." We often say it when we see someone behave in a way that doesn't seem consistent with what seems usual to us. Most likely they've done something that we would deem inappropriate or bad. "That sudden outburst was out of character for him." But, is anything really out of character for us as Christians? We are wretched creatures, completely dead in our trespasses until God gives us new life. Our default setting is slavery to sin. If we do anything good, it's by grace alone; it's His character that others see, not ours. So, if I'm behaving badly, I'm just back to being me. Lord, transform me! "Behold I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me." (Psalm 51:5)