That Settles It!

Be sure to answer the new fun poll question:  "What's your favorite decade???"

Have you ever heard the quote, "God said it.  I believe it.  That settles it!"? 

My husband and I have heard it and seen it on bumper stickers many times, but we always say the same thing when we hear it or see it.  The quote should be:  "God said it.  That settles it!"  I do believe it and pray that you do too, but God doesn't need my approval or your approval to "settle" it. Whether you or I believe it or not, God settles it because He is the One, True God.

How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth! Psalm 47:2

When the Storm Hits

A NORVELL NOTE is written by Tom Norvell.  This post entitled, "When the Storm Hits" is being used by permission.

When the Storm Hits

What do you do when the storm hits?

You’re feeling fine, but then your doctor calls you with the results of your blood work. She says, “I’d like for you to come into my office. We’ve found some things we should talk about?”

You think everything is going well with your children. Everything you hear is that they behave themselves when they are away from you and you’ve always gotten good reports from their teachers and other adults. But, one day you get a call from the school Principal informing you that your son is in his office and is in pretty serious trouble.

You knew things were not perfect with your marriage, but compared to others you felt pretty good. You don’t argue much. You’ve just had a good family vacation. Then, one morning as your husband is getting ready for work you notice a suitcase by the door. You ask about it. He says, “I’m leaving. I just don’t want to do this any more.”

You have heard about other families having problems, but your parents have always “gotten along” and you assumed they had a good marriage. But, when you come home from school you find your mother sitting at the kitchen table crying, holding a letter to you from your Dad. Cautiously you open it and begin reading: “I know this is probably hard for you to understand, but I don’t love your mother any more, and I’m tired of playing the game. I want you to know that what is happening with your mother and I is not your fault, and I will always be here for you. I love you very much, but I need a change.”

Work has been a little slow lately but nothing major. Compared to other companies you had faired well. You had managed the economic downturn very well. At least that’s what you thought. Then you see your boss walking toward your office. He walks in and closes the door. He begins by saying, “Joe, I hate to have to do this, but…” You hear nothing after that.

What do you do when the storm hits?

You feel every emotion imaginable and at the same time you feel nothing. You are stunned. You are shocked. You are hurt. You are angry. You are afraid. You are confused. You feel desperate. What do you do when the storm hits?

One night when Jesus and His disciples were on a boat a storm hit them without warning. This is how Matthew describes the scene:

Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!"

He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

The men were amazed and asked, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!" (Matthew 8:23-29, NIV)

The disciples were afraid because of the storm and confused because it seemed that Jesus was unconcerned about them. Although Jesus rebukes them a bit for their lack of faith, at least they knew what to do when the storm hit. They went to Jesus. Obviously they did not know what He would do, or what He could do, but knew they needed to wake Him.

Perhaps that is the message for us when the storm hits…go to Jesus. Go to the One who can calm the storm. Go to the One who is not afraid of the storm. When the storm hits, go to Jesus.

To visit "A Norvell Note" click here.

A Norvell Note © Copyright 2009. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.

Serendipity

Serendipity is the effect by which one accidentally discovers something fortunate, especially while looking for something entirely unrelated.  This definition caught my attention.  I had never thought about the word "Serendipity" until recently, actually. And now - Serendipity is the name of my new small business!

About six weeks ago my mom mentioned that there was a new business in Altus...one that rented out booth spaces for people to sell items (new, used, antiques, clothes, gifts, etc.).  I had seen places such as this before and always thought I would enjoy doing something like that.  But, until now, there had never been a place close to here.  I was so excited that I contacted the owner immediately to get my name on the list for a booth.  Of course, in my haste (which is how I "work"!), I never thought about "what" I would actually sell!  I'm still not entirely sure what all I will end up selling, but have made a start towards the inventory.  It's funny how this whole thing worked out because I had just made the comment to my mom a few weeks before that I would like to "have" a business.  I have wanted to "have" a business, but I wouldn't want to "run" a business because I wouldn't want to be there all of the time.  This booth rental seemed like a perfect opportunity to realize that dream on a fairly small scale.

I quickly began thinking about what I wanted to sell, but there were/are so many things I like, it's hard for me to narrow it down.  I also want to make some things on my own.  Creating - whether by painting, doing crafts, or decorating - is what I enjoy, so I'll most likely incorporate those in my new business. Not only will I have a booth in Altus (about 30 minutes from home), but I can also sell from home.  In our small town we have very few stores so I thought it would be nice to have some items on hand if people needed a quick, small gift.  I wanted something as a creative outlet, but didn't want to take time away from my family.   I've been blessed to be a stay-at-home mom for most of the time since we had our children and don't want to take away from that at all.  I found out today that my booth space is ready to move into any time. (Now if I can find the time to do that, I'll be on my way!)

These pictures show part of the merchandise I've purchased as part of my inventory.  I really like this whole line of gifts and home decor. Many of the pillows and tea towels have scriptures embroidered on them.  The pillow above says, "With God all things are possible," Matthew 19:26.  The tea towel to the left has "Trust in the Lord with all your heart,"  Proverbs 3:5. (One of my very favorites.)  The apron says, "Be Happy".  I especially like the wooden spoons in the above picture.  In fact, they are why I ordered from this company to begin with.  They says things such as "This kitchen is filled with love."  You know?  I don't know if I'll make a profit or not...I want it all  myself!!

Thinking about this word, "Serendipity" and it's meaning is interesting.  I wonder how many people, before they became Christians, were going through life looking for "something"?  Perhaps they looked all around for something to make them feel complete and whole.  Along that journey maybe someone told them about Jesus and they heard the Good News...or maybe they stumbled upon it on their own.  Upon hearing this, maybe the person decided to become a Christian.  This person discovered something "fortunate" (extremely fortunate, but also very needed) that was entirely unrelated from what they were looking for in the beginning.  Actually, it isn't "fortune" at all....it's the power of God at work in their life!  And what was found along the journey?  Eternal life!

A Hole in the Middle

It seems like our life has been full of "fairs" lately. First was the local fair, then the county fair, and the last two weeks have been the OklahomaState Fair. Our three oldest children had several 1st place 4-H entriesthat were eligible to go on to the state fair. One of these entries was homemade bread made by our son, Zachary.
By mistake I had Zachary make his dough into rolls, but it was actually supposed to be a half-loaf. Since his was the only entry at the county fair, the extension agent said it would be fine to go ahead and enter it at the county fair in the 4-H bread category, but that when it was sent to the state fair he would need to make it into a loaf and send half of it for the state contest.

So the day came for Zachary to make his bread. I had never made a loaf from yeast bread myself and so I wasn't sure how much dough to tell him he would need. We guessed and he used half of the dough and made his loaf. The next day the dough was allowed to rise and then it was baked. The loaf looked great...perfectly shaped and browned . But, when it was time to cut the loaf in half and get it ready for the state fair, guess what? There was a HUGE hole in the middle! The middle was just empty! Of course, there was nothing Zachary could do at that point. It was too late to remake the bread, so it was sent to the state fair just like it was - HUGE hole and all! I wonder what the judges thought????? I think they may have laughed!

As Christians, our lives can be just like this loaf of bread. All pretty and perfect on the outside, yet a big hole full of air on the inside. As humans we put a lot of emphasis on the way things look. We can "look" the part of a Christian and we can make ourselves believe and even cause others to believe that we really are living a faithful Christian life. But, perhaps inside there is nothing really there....we're just "looking the part". But, God sees inside. He knows what's really there. He knows if there is a big hole in the middle with nothing in it.

On the other hand, when we first come to know God, we may come with a hole inside - an empty, dark hole full of nothing.  That's okay!  God takes us with that empty hole and gives us something to fill it with. When we come in contact with the blood of Jesus, that empty, dark hole becomes filled up with His love! After that first contact with Jesus, though, we must continue to keep that hole filled up. Left neglected, that hole can return, little by little.  God will continue to do His part, but we must also be diligent to keep that hole in the middle from coming back.  How?  By remaining in Him and staying close to Him (worship, praise, fellowship, prayer), by following in the steps of Jesus (serving others, selflessness, faithfulness), and by abiding in His Word (reading, studying, meditating).

On this GRATITUESDAY, I'm grateful for Jesus and the blood He shed. He was and is willing to fill up the hole in my life and in your life if we will allow Him to.

I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  Ephesians 3:16-19

These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:7-9

What are you grateful for today? For more Gratituesday, visit Laura's blog, "Heavenly Homemakers". 

True Worship - What's Right?

Sunday morning we had a family worship service in our hotel room in Oklahoma City. Why? Because three of our children were involved in a goat show that started at 9:00 a.m. that morning. I would rather there not be a goat show on Sunday, but twice a year there is - both of them in Oklahoma City. In March, I wrote about the spring livestock show and how we had worship in the goat stalls. You can read about that HERE.

I think worship times such as this, or the ones we sometimes have outside during church camp or at camp retreats (on the mountain!) are very special. Of course all worship is special because of WHO we are worshipping and WHY we are worshipping. But when worship is in a different-than-normal place, there is just something different about it. I think it's because, without intentionally meaning to do so, we sometimes make our worship in the "normal" church building a routine and a kind of "going-through-the-motions" type of thing. We get so used to the "order" in which things are done, we don't really think about "what" is being done, like we should.

Sunday morning my husband and three oldest children left the hotel before the youngest (Tyler) and I did. On the way to the fairgrounds Tyler and I were talking and he said, "Mom, I wish the goat show wasn't on Sunday." I said, "I do, too, Tyler. But it is neat to have our worship together like we did." Tyler said, "Well it wasn't right." I asked him what wasn't "right" about it. He said, "Well, we sang the songs after daddy preached and we had communion (the Lord's Supper)at the first." You see, at our church services there's always a certain pattern of songs, prayers, etc. and our worship this morning didn't fit that pattern, so Tyler thought it was wrong - because the order was different.

What a teachable moment! It's times like these that serve as an important time for us to teach Tyler and all of our children about true worship. True worship to God is not dependent on the order of how things are done, but rather it's what we do in our worship (sing, pray, give, hear the Word, communion (the Lord's Supper)) and how we worship (the Bible says to worship in spirit and in truth John 4:24) that are important.

Now, I wouldn't be for giving up meeting with my Christian family each Sunday (we meet together in the morning and evening and also on Wednesday nights). In fact, I believe the Bible teaches that to do so would be wrong. But, I do think it's important to realize that true worship - in spirit and in truth - is worship that is done with the intent to please God and not ourselves. It's not about what we think is right, but about what the Bible teaches is right. It's not about me and what I like, but about what is acceptable to God.

Thank you, God, for teachable moments where we can teach our children more about you. Please help us to worship you in spirit and in truth and not just go through the motions.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen