Back to the Basics

Posted on September 6, 2013 by KD Manes under God's Call

My chicks have flown the coop, temporarily anyway.

It’s that time of year—back to school.

Whether you have school children or not, I hope you’ve had a great summer! We have, despite my Jonny breaking his arm from a rollerblading fall on the second day of vacation. 😦 But it could have been worse.

Yes, it’s back to the basics of learning and applying fundamental academic skills: Phonics, spelling, vocabulary, comprehension, arithmetic, science, history . . . . All these foundational building blocks got me thinking of the following.

CHRISTIAN FUNDAMENTALS

Have you ever come across teaching that contained biblical truths, but contradicted another part of the Bible?

I remember being part of a women’s small group. The leader shared some great biblical truths. She was a beautiful, gifted, charismatic teacher who often recited Scripture from memory. If I hadn’t consistently read my Bible, I probably would have believed every word she said. She spoke with conviction.

But the more I listened to her teachings, the more uncomfortable I grew.

One time I asked her for Bible references to verify some of her statements. Instead of giving me a reference, she scolded me. “I’m older than you, and know more. I’ve grown beyond the basics of the Bible. I don’t need to keep studying it because the Holy Spirit is my teacher.”

Hmmm . . . .

Have you had a similar experience?

The working title for my next post is Why the Bible? I thought I would experiment with a poll. I’d appreciate your feedback. Please click on one of the following bubbles and then click vote. Thanks!

Salt and Light

Posted on August 23, 2013 by KD Manes under Service

I must have been about eight when I hid a bowl of cookie dough under my bed. Our family outing prompted me to take action to keep my brother from eating any.

Mission accomplished.

However, the adage “out of sight, out of my mind” rang true for me. My goods remained under my bed until my Mom’s discovery a month later. No scent or taste of warm Chocolate Chip Cookies enjoyed from this batch. Not even bugs or mice could penetrate this hardened mound.

My prized dough became useless, losing all flavor and luster.

Flavor and Shine for God

Jesus shared a few words concerning our effectiveness—or lack of—to Him.

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.” – Matthew 5:13

And . . . .

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” – 5:14-16

Our Usefulness to God

I don’t want my heart to harden like that mound of cookie dough–losing Christ’s seasoning, or hiding His light. My guess is that you don’t either.

How do we lose or gain our usefulness for Christ? How do we positively flavor society and let our light shine? I invite your input.

In His Time

Posted on July 19, 2013 by KD Manes under God's Call

I love to water ski. Gliding across the water gives me a sense of adventurous freedom.

Of course gliding only happens after mastering standing up, which is the most challenging part. But my Dad taught us kids a cool trick.

If we timed it right, we could step off the dock with our ski and presto—sail across the water atop our slalom ski. By holding a body’s length of rope in the left hand while holding the ski handle in the right, we’d wait. . . .

As the rope straightened between us and the boat, we stepped.

Of course the following usually occurred when stepping too soon: We dipped under the surface before flying over the ski; or the ski handle jerked out of our grasp; or both.

When we stepped too late, we jerked forward landing face first.

Timing

Thankfully, God—who marks the seasons—knows when we’re ready for the next step in our life journey.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” – Ecclesiastes 3:11

Maybe you have availed yourself to God and are waiting for His direction. It takes courage, surrender, patient trust, and determination to step out in faith to follow Jesus to unknown places.

Maybe God has birthed dreams and desires in your heart, but your God sized dream sits dusty and defeated on the shelf.

If you are struggling and feel stuck, don’t give up. Keep seeking God. Be faithful in the daily responsibilities where God has planted you. Our sovereign God has a reason for our waiting seasons. Being loving and protective, He doesn’t want to send us into His service unprepared. He knows what we need and is intimately engaged with us in every step of our journey.

Just as God has marked the physical seasons, he also has marked our personal seasons.

All the days ordained for me were written in your [God’s] book before one of them came to be.” – Psalm 139:16

God’s timing often differs from ours (Isaiah 55:9). In my post, My Lifeboat, I share how I struggled through a waiting season during my college days. A more recent trial and waiting period is shared in Humpty, Hubby and Me.

When our God inspired dreams appear like a mirage and Satan flaunts our flaws, it’s the perfect time to be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10).

It’s also a good time to ask God for wisdom (James 1:5). He wants us to cast our cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7). He can handle all our frustrations and disappointments.

The great “I Am” intervenes in His perfect timing.

Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him. You come to the help of those who gladly do right, who remember your ways.” – Isaiah 64:4-5

When God says “go,” let’s step with Him. The water may be choppy at times, but He will enable us to cross the waves. He will be our shield and rampart (Psalm 91:4).

*Check out Justin Ng’s Timelapse of Mount Bromo in Indonesia that he filmed over a period of 10 days—an awesome reminder of God’s power and creativity. (Hint: if the video loads slowly, you can click the blue HD and bars at the lower right.)

Grandma’s Weapon

Posted on July 12, 2013 by KD Manes under God's Call

“Prayer is not an old woman’s idle amusement. Properly understood and applied, it is the most potent instrument of action.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Upon returning home from visiting relatives in southern Idaho, I’m thankful for the opportunity to once again see my 93 year-old Grandma.

About four years ago, chemotherapy for Lymphoma exhausted Grandma. So she opted out of treatments. At that time, we thought we were saying our final good-byes until heaven.

But Grandma’s family and church family kept praying for her. I recall my seven year-old (at that time) daily pleading with God for her healing.

Grandma’s cancer has been in remission ever since.

I’m not advocating a prayer formula. Sometimes God answers “yes.” Sometimes He says “no.” Sometimes He says “wait.” Other times, healing and rewards don’t come until heaven (Hebrews 11:37-40). But God’s grace and presence is always available to the seeker (2 Corinthians 12:9).

My Grandma has been an amazing lady—a Proverbs 31 kind of lady. Her closeness to the Lord results from persistent prayer, Bible study, and obedience. Her life is graced with wisdom, integrity, strength, and resourcefulness. Love, joy and peace also characterize her hospitable life.

Grandpa made these clocks. Grandma painted them. They gave them to their Great Grandchildren.

Grandpa made these clocks. Grandma painted them. They recently gave them to their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. . . . A reminder to pray at all times.

When I think of Grandma, I’m reminded of 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Grandma persistently prays for each of her family members. (For more on persistent prayer and faith, see Luke 18:1-8.)

How many times has the Lord protected myself and loved ones from unknown dangers due to her prayers? I don’t know, but my guess is a lot. I credit her prayers for saving me from what could have been a potentially abusive relationship before I married.

God upholds and works on behalf of his children.

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” – James 5:16

We’re not promised a trouble free life, but we can rely on God’s faithfulness and strength when troubles arise.

Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” – Psalm 50:15

How is your prayer life? Where or whom do you turn to when troubles come?

Of Preteens and Curve Balls

Posted on July 5, 2013 by KD Manes under God's Call

“Mom, watching Grizzly bears are for little kids!”

I’m not sure when my boys first decided that being seen with me, their Mom, was uncool. But this morning was no exception.

Disgruntled may be a mild term when I “dragged” them out of the house. It’s an opportune time, I reasoned, for mother-son bonding. We had three hours to hang out during my daughter’s VBS session. However, I forgot the stores wouldn’t open for an hour.

STRIKE ONE.

Can’t go wrong with Italian Sodas.

HOME RUN! Oh, no . . . foul ball—a little more month left than money. Oops!

Well, the surprise library visit to watch the Guinness World Record holding magician will be a hit.

Guess I didn’t know the record he held was for bouncing bubbles. Read the fine print K.D.! Maybe the fine print also stated his primary audience—preschoolers. My boys didn’t crack a smile when he dangled nine spoons from one arm and one from his nose while pulling out a six foot spoon from his bag.

STRIKE TWO.

What’s on my windshield? A parking ticket?!

“Way to go, Mom!”

A few sparks erupted, but not the holiday ones.

STRIKE THREE. “You’re out!”

Good thing I imagined this Ump, or I might have tackled him!

Finally, we arrived home. Then I discovered . . .

my blouse is inside out! Lovely.

STRESS

We all experience stress—frustration in relationships, work, finances, sickness, unmet expectations, or just the daily grind.

The Apostle Paul shared the following while chained in jail:

I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation . . . . I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:12-13

Did he say in every situation?

Positive Paul—confined inside a smelly cell—knew excruciating poverty, abundant wealth, and everything in between. But he learned to find real joy independent of changing circumstances. How?

He threw all his energy into knowing and obeying Christ (Philippians 3:8, 12-13).

Paul also knew the guilt of striking out because he once persecuted Christians. But as Christ transformed him, he shared how to overcome the guilt of failure: