Shy as a Violet, Bold on the Vine

Never in my life have I been accused of being outgoing. Since I was little, everyone who knew me was aware that I was shy and reserved. Teachers would always tell my parents I needed to participate more in class and talk more in general. As I have gotten older, I have gotten a little bit better about talking with others, but I still am not comfortable at all when I am around a new group or person.

I was reminded of this at a recent Women's Bible Study training. It was a meet and greet, and I knew two of the women out of the whole forty or so in attendance. I could only say hello to the two women I knew for so long before my company became more leechish than amusing. Pretending to be busy sipping my water as if it were going out of syle, I could feel the panick begin. I quickly scoured the room and tried to find a corner in which to hide. It was a very uncomfortable situation until we all sat in a circle to talk to one another. If the time is set aside for organized speaking, I am fine talking. It is impromptu conversation that sends me running.

As I was growing up, my mother wisely told me that shyness is selfish. When you are shy, you care more about your own comfort in a situation than the politeness of putting others at ease by speaking to them. I heard this again recently in a child training discussion. The leader reminded us that overly sensitive/ shy children have a sin issue of pride/selfishness. They are more concerned with their own well-being and others' perception of them than the thoughtfulness of talking to others and being warm in conversation. In fact, I was told a few times growing up that people thought I was "stuck up" until they got to know me. They didn't realize I was shy and really did want to know them. Once they realized I was more than willing to be a friend, the lack of smiles and conversation they witnessed earlier were forgiven.

Truly, if you can sympathize with me in being shy, you must realize that God wants us to care more about others than ourselves. Shyness is not an excuse. It can be a sin if you let it get in the way of witnessing, bringing others to church, and just being loving to others. Philippians 2:3 is one of my favorite verses. It says,

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider
others better than yourselves."

I try to recite this verse when I am in a new situation. Walking up and introducing myself is painful for me, but it is something God requires that I do. When I truly care more about you than myself, I don't think twice about smiling and speaking.

Imagine if Christ had used shyness as an excuse during His ministry. How ridiculous and disobedient that would have been. Instead, he approached all kinds of people, regardless of the ridicule or reaction He might face. He loved others more than himself. John 13:34-35 tells us,

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved
you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you
are my disciples, if you love one another."

If you find yourself shy as a violet, and you are a follower of Christ, remember that you are the branches of the Vine. Cling to the vine of God Himself and know that branches are made to grow, reach and aggressively bear fruit. No wallflower, concerned with only himself, can do that.

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him,
he will bear much fruit. Apart from Me you can do nothing."
John 15:5

God that hath made and preserved us a nation

I love to read snippets from two hymn books I own. They are called Then Sings My Soul, books 1 and 2. I was intrigued as to why they included The Star Spangled Banner, but then I read the second stanza of Francis Scott Key's famous song:

"Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must when our cause it is just.
And this be our motto: 'In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave."

Imagine the meaning we'd get across if we sang the whole song at sporting events, and think of the words to the second stanza next time you hear our National Anthem.

2 Chronicles 7:14 "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

Why do we Limit God?

II Corinthians 9: 8 "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."

I was talking to my sister, Christa, today, and she was telling me of a Bible study she had just finished on trusting God and knowing His attributes. Pairing this with Pastor Mike's series on Ambitious Faith, I have had this on my mind today--why do we limit God? We know intellectually what He is able to do, but we don't always apply it into our everyday, minute-by-minute lives.

This reminds me of last Saturday's car appointment. Though a silly example, here it goes. I was already in a not-so-fine-mood due to Ryan having to go into work on a Saturday. (Not a good attitude, as you can read in my "Saying thank you for those 'bad' days" post). I trudged off to get an ordered part installed into my car. Of course, though the technician said it would just take about 15 minutes, I had detailed visions of me spending hours in the dealer waiting room while Carter ripped pages out of germ ridden magazines. God graciously saved me from my own negativity, and I didn't even have to leave my car upon getting to the dealer. My part was installed in 5 minutes as I waited at my car. In addition, the service and part were free--under warranty, which I didn't expect either.

In a better example, my sister-in-law, Sarah Cox, sent me an e-mail about a divine appointment she had with a neighbor. TWICE, God miraculously had Sarah leave her normal routine, just by a prompting of the Holy Spirit, to find this woman she barely knew at the exact second she could help her. One meeting involved her getting the neighbors checks "mistakenly" delivered to her house. When Sarah went a couple of days later to return the checks, the neighbor needed to tearfully confide in this Christian stranger. The story is amazing, but much too detailed to explain here.

Why do we awake each morning with expectations for only the mediocre and a "normal" day? God is able to do abundantly more, and He wants us to expect His miraculous hand in our daily events. Why did I run into so and so today at Costco? (Expect God has given you a divine appointment and find out if they need to talk!) Why did I sign up to do outreach for the church today? I'm feeling so tired. (God can have you do more than hand out papers. You can lead someone to Christ TODAY! Your tiredness will demonstrate the fact that any fruit is of God and not of ourselves).

As your day goes along, don't limit God and try to fit him into the schedule and normalcy of your day. Don't just acknowledge Him in quiet time, prayer and church. Let Him take control and let Him show you His will in all the "mundane" and unexpected turns of your day. He can use you abundantly more when you expect Him to be your Master and Lord in everything!

Encourage Others: Sean and Kelly Smith

Well, it's that time again! Wednesdays are the day I try to put the spotlight on someone I know who is blessing others with their gifts and service. It is the call of I Thessalonians 5:11.

The couple I am highlighting today, Sean and Kelly Smith, is an absolute joy to witness in their work for the Lord. They always do service with a loving attitude, and I've never once seen it become about them. In fact, much of what they do has succeeded because of God's blessing on their work, and this success has never produced visible pride or conceit in either of them. It just produces more fruit and service from their thankful hearts. They represent well the faithful servant in Matthew 25: 21,

"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been
faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things."

Sean and Kelly came to the marriage ministry, Thrive, last year and dove in with activities, greeting and participating in small group. Right away, they offered their home for dinners and came early with their two boys to help pass out handouts and nametags. Their commitment was contagious, and I believe much of the passion that filled their small group last year was a result of their spirit and enthusiasm. Their example to so many reminds me of Hebrews 12:1,

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of wintesses, let us
throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let
us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes
on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him
endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the
throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men,
so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

At church, Sean and Kelly are always seen greeting with a smile and a warm welcome on Sunday mornings. In addition, they are leaders in the Bridge ministry. This is a perfect service for them, for God has clearly gifted them in reaching out to those who need to see a friendly face and a heart that is concerned they don't "get lost" in the crowd. Kelly handwrites cards to welcome people to our church, and she makes sure that new attendees get all the information about getting plugged into Bible studies and activities at Compass Bible Church.

This gift has spilled over into their leadership in the Welcome Ministry for Thrive this upcoming year. This summer has been filled with hundreds of e-mails and calls from Sean and Kelly, all making sure they let potential Thrive attendees feel welcome, know information and get plugged in if they decide to join the group. I cannot stress enough how God has blessed the fruit of their labor. The Thrive ministry could double in size due to the amount of people they have been able to reach through their hard work and joyful service. Think of all the people who can find Biblical wisdom about marriage, friendships and their relationships with God, all because Sean and Kelly care to reach them for the Kingdom of Heaven. They have blessed my husband and me with their organization and commitment to their ministry. We never have to remind them of anything. They are always one step ahead of us--even my very organized husband!

What impresses me most about Sean and Kelly is that their "real selves" are always visible. They are the first to expose a weakness in themselves that might need prayer, they always are effusive in thanking others for any service or ministry, and they take any compliment and point it to God immediately.

I want Sean and Kelly to know that they are a tremendous witness to everyone around them, creating disciples in Christ through the very real labor they continuously do for so many ministries at church. I know they love God and give Him all the glory. Let us consider their example to us and always give God the credit!

"Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on
the sea, and all that is in them, singing: 'To him who sits on the throne
and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!'" Revelation 5:13

Clifford the Big Red Dog and James 1:14-15

For those of you with toddlers, you might have seen this episode of Clifford the Big Red Dog on PBS. The episode was called, "Clifford's Cookie Craving," and it was a rather truthful illustration at how temptation turns into sin in our very real lives. I'm sure the folks at PBS didn't consider the Biblical truths this cartoon was exposing, but they certainly were doing just that.

In the episode, Clifford sees a gigantic chocolate chip cookie that is being entered into the fair's baking contest. It looks very appealing. Though the cookie is quickly out of sight, he lets his thoughts dwell on the cookie until everything around him reminds him of the temptation and his craving. Finally, he puts his craving into action. He says he will go into the tent in which the cookie is displayed and merely look at the cookie. He looks at the cookie, which quickly turns into smelling the cookie. Before he knows it, Clifford has taken a huge bite out of the cookie. He regrets the sin immediately and tries to cover it up by eating around the edge to cover up his conspicuous bite. Of course, his sin is discovered, but he is forgiven by the nice lady who made the cookie.

James 1:14-15 tells us the following,

"but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and
enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin,
when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."

Facing a temptation in itself is not a sin. The first step toward sin is when you allow the temptation to take residence in your thoughts. When you dwell on a temptation you will desire it. Then the desire you feel for the temptation will conceive sin--whether the sin be jealousy, anger, idolotry, lust, hate, etc..

So what are we to do when we face a temptation? We are to flee from it! To bring up my silly example, Clifford could have asked his doggy friends to keep him accountable to not go near that tent and not talk about cookies. He could have left the fair. He could have replaced his desire for a cookie with other thoughts that were godly--helping at the fair, serving his friends in their enjoyable day, etc. II Timothy 2:22 says,

"Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and
peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart."

We have examples both of desire conceiving sin and of fleeing temptation in the Bible. The oft quoted example of David and Bathsheba is a great example of facing temptation, dwelling on the desire and acting upon it in sin. David saw her bathing and didn't flee. He stayed to see, inquired about her, thought about his desire and had an adulterous affair because he allowed the flesh to give into the temptation. Joseph is the opposite example. He had the temptation of Potiphar's wife wanting to sleep with him. It would have been an easy way to serve himself and get her to quit pestering him to just have the affair. However, he didn't ponder the temptation. He ran away from her, even leaving his cloak in her grasping hand. James 4:7 tells us that if we resist Satan, he will flee from us!

Even Jesus faced temptation from Satan in the desert, but he fleed from his evil schemes with the righteous word of God. He pursued the will of His Father. He replaced any thoughts that could have entered His mind with what was noble, pure and lovely. Hebrews 4:15 tells us,

"For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sypathize with our weaknesses, but
was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin."

Christ is the noble example to follow when temptations cross our path.

We will all face temptations every day. Be alert and realistic about the attacks of Satan and the realities that will come from this sinful world. Know the Word of God in order to replace temptation and the desirous thoughts that follow it with holy words, thoughts and deeds. Don't let "cookie cravings" lead you down that path to sin.