Lifted From the Mud

Today I feel like I have gone through my own small Red Sea … crossed over to the other side. I am so grateful that I’m standing on solid ground. God, you have carried me through - you have been my shield and my rock. I can say to anyone who will listen, I thought my feet were sinking in the mud and I didn’t know if I would get out. Then my God plucked me by the scruff of my neck and He lifted me up. He didn’t stop with that lifesaving rescue - it wasn’t enough to save me. No! He chose to wash me off, he even put new clothes on me so I could have a fresh start. I don’t only look new, I feel brand new. Restored from my hard place, it is good to be in the company of my God. 

He is there for me every time. There was a moment when I wondered, “What will happen? Will God rescue me again?” I knew He could come through but I started to wonder if he would. It was just need to be in control that got in the way. I would have rescued me sooner but only because I don’t want to get my toes dirty. God knew that I needed to get a little messy - He knew I was relying on myself and that getting in over my head would mean I’d have to reach up my hands - that’s what it took to put God back in control of my life. It is so good that He reminded me how much I need Him! He didn’t have to do that but because He loves me, He did. 

What if God had let me keep walking on dry ground? I would have kept my head high and never looked up. That's the thing about standing tall, you think you can see everything from up there, but all you do is look down. That’s why lying flat on your back is so good. It’s in the getting knocked down that we really see what’s going on. I thought to myself, “I’d like to stand tall like this all my days” but I knew that wasn’t right. Deep down I knew that nobody deserves that. It would actually be a tragedy to et that gift box handed to you. Like opening self-indulgence and self-pity in one big box. It’s not good like we hope, just hollow and meaningless. 

So I can say, it is good to receive all you give me. To humbly accept the trouble and heartache. It’s the only way to really find joy, to live in the goodness of life.  

Out of Dirt

Many today ask for a blessing or the favor of God. It is true that God can pour out blessing. I can say, that only because of you, God, could our land yield a bountiful harvest. Only because of you could our politicians bring honor to your name. Only because of you will righteousness be evidenced among the people of our land or of our time. Where you go God, righteousness goes before you. Oh that you would let submission to you God be among the things said of Albertans, and Canadians. That is an almost laughable plea in the face of the current reality. Can this group of untamed, wretched, self-indulgent people humble themselves before you my God? I fear only with tragedy and great defeat. They look at you with disgust and mockery. Even those who claim to love you live adulterously! Loving so many gods that it can no longer be said that they truly love your great name. Sitting in the lap of luxury has allowed this people to become like a spoiled and bratty child. Focused only on their own desire, their own craving. They are always scratching every itch, and feeding every hunger. For what? For pleasure? Have we lost our mind? Have we all forgotten that the desire of our existence - the pleasure we long for, is only found in God? 

We're so foolish, so easily duped by the simplest of lies. "If you eat this, then you will be happy, then you will get what you want." Except we have always had what we really want. Our greatest longing has always been relationship with the one who formed us. Still we chase after the dirt He used as the object of our affection; the source of our delight. As though it held the power to make anything at all. I'm guilty my God, for chasing after dirt. I'm no better than the rest of the batch, in fact, my tendency to judge makes me worse than all of them. My true flawed response birthed in my own accepted thought. Fool! So I submit myself again to the one who works the dirt into beauty, into form, and into purpose.  I simply cannot do it without you, no more than the plant can lift itself up from the dirt, dig a new hole, and grow in a new place. I submit myself to the you God, the gardener. I need you God to rework me, to reform me, again, into the image you intend for me. 

The Science of Pornography Addiction

There is no denying the increasingly damaging impact of pornography on our society. It's power and damage is unrelenting. There is a deep spiritual hurt to pornography and its grip, but it can also be understood at a scientific level ... Check out this video explaining it. 

http://youtu.be/1Ya67aLaaCc 

Distracted Parenting Unlawful

Our world is quickly discovering the risks of cell phone use when driving, but recently I had a moment where I wished there was a law for distracted parenting. While at an orthodontist appointment for my daughter I watched as a boy came out to see his mom in the waiting room. Having just walked in I couldn't help but see him smiling from ear to ear as he said, "Mom! Guess who got their braces off?" I am sure the announcement came with no surprise as that was likely the plan of the appointment, but the response from the mom is what caught me off guard. She was sitting on a couch facing away from where her son was walking towards her. She replied saying, "Oh. Let's see." Her son quickly realized that she hadn't looked yet and walked around to the other side of the couch so that he could be in front of her and said, "See mom? They took them off." The mom, who was obviously involved in an urgent matter on her phone stuck to it without averting her eyes to her son even for a moment. She did manage to reply, "Oh. That's great." The son realized quickly his enthusiasm was not shared by his mom, but un-daunted took another try, "They left the retainer in but the braces are
gone!" With that, mom peeked up and quickly back to her device while muttering, "Oh good." I watched in shock and disappointment. Feeling sorry for the young man and slightly guilty for times in my life where I have played the same role of distracted parenting, I glanced at the screen as the mom prepared to shut down her world saving effort ... only to find some bubble popping or matching game. It's not worth a high score, one more email, or facebook post. Distracted parenting needs to be banned, it's killing our kids.