GPS for life

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

I became quite intrigued with our son's Global Positioning System (GPS) during our recent road trip to visit family for the Christmas holiday. Touted as working in any weather conditions, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day, I confidently attached the portable navigational device to the windshield of our SUV.

From my perch on the front passenger's seat, I had a bird's eye view as the 3-D photo gadget mapped our location in real time. The apparatus displayed the terrain and logged our vehicle's speed, miles traveled, hours of moving time, and expected time of arrival. Voice activated, we received turn-by-turn spoken directions with the actual name of streets, e.g., "In .3 miles turn right on Hambletonian Drive." When we inadvertently took a wrong turn or intentionally chose a different route, the satellite powered gadget quickly recalculated our location. And while appearing to be rather demanding at times, it called out directions to help us get back on course.

God's Word is the incredible navigational tool that helps us travel through each day of our life. Like no other book this world has ever known, the Holy Bible is completely trustworthy. It is the only book authored by God (2 Timothy 3:16-18; 2 Peter 1:20-21). It shows us how to know Him, how to live, and how to receive eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31).

I am continually awed that we have direct access anytime day or night to the life-changing wisdom to help us safely steer through each day's obstacles and opportunities (Psalm 119:33-40). Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the Bible's messages of encouragement and hope and godly counsel help us make wise decisions. And complete with examples of those who experienced personal failures, turned back to God, and began to follow Him again, its reveals God's heart for mankind (Hebrews 11).

Thankfully, at just more than 1,993 miles and with only a few wrong turns, our holiday road trip across six states was without incident. As you move into 2011, dear friend, I pray your journey will take you into a deeper understanding of our loving Savior (Psalm 111:10). Through His Word may you stay on course with utmost confidence and discover how you can live a complete and joy-filled life.

Blessings dear friend. Happy New Year!
Faithfully Following

Photo: Amazon.com

All I want for Christmas is...

Now there was man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
Luke 2:35 (NIV)

In and of itself contentment is a challenging concept. Throw Christmas into the mix and you have a situation that evokes confusing, often conflicting, emotions. Writer Bill Crowder offers a thoughtful perspective on living a contented life in "The Stories of Simeon and Anna."

Simeon, a man of advanced years, had been a fixture at the temple in Jerusalem for longer than anyone could remember. He kept showing up honoring his God, waiting for the Promise. In Luke chapter two the New Testament writer captures the devotion of this faithful man in only a few insightful words.

For hundreds of years the Jewish people had comforted one another with the promise of the Messiah, the long-awaited hope of the ages. During times of national crisis they cried out for its fulfillment; during days of prosperity they rested in its assurance. We're not told when, or even how, but at some point Simeon was given a promise that he would not see death until he saw the Messiah: It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ (Luke 2:26).

Simeon's hope came from this remarkable promise and it radically affected the way he viewed life and the way he lived his life. He would not only live until Messiah arrived, he would personally see the Anointed One. We get the impression from Luke's writing that as a result of the promise, Simeon spent his days living in anticipation of the moment he would see the world's Savior face to face.

When Joseph and Mary brought the child Jesus to the temple to carry out the rituals the law required for the birth of a son, the devoted Simeon was there. Taking the infant in his arms, Simeon praises God and in essence declares, "I need nothing more! I've see the Christ! O God, let me depart this life in peace!"

The promise that had driven him for so much of his life had been fulfilled. Whatever he had imagined this moment would be like, it could not begin to measure up to what he was blessed to experience. He was actually holding the Christ in his arms! What a scene it must have been that day in the temple as Mary and Joseph watched a completely contented man do the most meaningful thing he would ever do--celebrate Jesus.

In a world where satisfaction is hard to find and harder to keep, we are driven to the Christ who said, "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). Jesus offers a life of fullness and abundance, and Simeon was among the very first to experience it. At the heart of this response was a depth of satisfaction that can come only in experiencing the personal presence of the Christ. May our celebration of the Christ be defined by the unique contentment of the heart that comes from knowing Him.

Dear friend, may this Christmas find you with a contented heart and a hope for all that 2011 will bring. Merry Christmas!

Blessings, dear friend.
Faithfully Following

Source: The Stories of Simeon and Anna

Thanksgiving tension

Therefore, we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away for the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:6 (NIV)

As I tucked in and squared off the corner of the bed sheet, I mentally reviewed my list of things to do: fresh bed linens, clean bath towels, stock refrigerator, vacuum family room carpet, tidy bathrooms. Our children were coming home for the Thanksgiving holiday and an inner tension was already beginning to build.

My husband and I are so thankful with where our kids are currently in their lives. At 25 years of age, our son has been working in a full-time job since graduating from college almost three years ago. He and his bride-to-be are excitedly preparing for their wedding next spring. Our daughter, who is in her fourth year of a six-year physical therapy program, has a part-time job and lives in an off-campus apartment. Whether it's to simply say "Hi, momma" or "The jeep is making a funny noise," she keeps us involved in her life by way of text messages and phone calls. I'm thrilled with the skills and abilities they are developing to live independent of their dad and me.

As I placed special "goodies" in each of their bedrooms to help welcome them home, however, I caught myself thinking about their early years: GI Joe birthday cakes, "cat-o-py" science projects, tears at having to wear eyeglasses, sibling squabbles, broken noses, high school musical tryouts, driver's license jitters, and all. Man, to be able to turn back the clock to the time they were young and we were all together living under one roof.

The Apostle Paul talked about moments of tension that confronted him. On the one hand he had the responsibility and duty to fulfill God's purpose for him in his life (Philippians 1:24-25). At the same time, he desired the glory that awaited him when his work on earth was done (Colossians 3:4). In his letter to the Philippians he wrote that he is torn between the two. While he desired to depart and be with Christ--which he said is better by far--he states that it's more necessary that he remain here on earth.

Thanksgiving has come and gone. So have our daughter, son and future daughter-in-law. For a few days we enjoyed each other's company, ate way too much food and made plans for the next time that we hope to be together. Until then, we've each returned to our homes and the responsibilities and duties of our lives.

Dear friend, as believers in Christ Jesus, we, too, can anticipate something special! God has a glorious eternal home prepared for us (Philippians 1:21-23). Like Paul, our goal can be to please the Lord. And until that time that God calls us home, we can live a life of faith; confident that the Lord is actively present in our daily lives.

Blessings, dear friend.
Faithfully Following