TURN THE VOLUME DOWN PLEASE!

Here we are barely through Thanksgiving and Christmas is already here.  The stores decorated by October 1^st to get us thinking ahead, as if we didn’t have enough to worry about.  The television commercials were already showing icons of jingle bells, Santa, and overselling the ‘got to have it’ items to the children’s audience.  

I was sorely disappointed when I found my favorite channel showing Christmas programming before November and taking over my favorite comedies.  For goodness sake, can we concentrate on one holiday at a time?  

I do enjoy the holidays.  I love the nostalgia of it all, but do not appreciate the over-crowded stores, long lines, aisle-ragers, or watching people stress over the pressure of what to buy.  It drives me insane to think that we have become so commercialized.  

Our society has become so stressed and caught up in the daily dismay of ‘to do’s’. We hardly take time to converse anymore.  I can recall several times being asked how I was doing and then leaving the scene before I had a chance to answer.  Seriously, why bother asking, if you’re not going to stick around to find out?

Yes, we all have agendas, schedules to meet, places to go, people to see.  Yes, it's now Christmas time.  However, I cannot recall a single moment in scripture where Jesus was so hard pressed for time he didn’t take the time to visit with someone.  We can be on our way to visit with someone and still come off as unwelcoming and too busy to say hello and mean it. 

Luke 10:30-33  ESV  

Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion.

Did you get that?  The priest saw the beaten man but didn’t stop.  A minister of God didn’t stop!  We must be careful not to become consumed with our duties, ministries, or agendas that we miss out on the opportunity God may be trying to use us in. The scripture below is a perfect example of what some do when making plans for holiday gatherings. 

Luke 10:38-42  ESV

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

How many times have we been so busy preparing the house, cleaning, cooking, and making sure everything is in a state of perfection before allowing guest into our homes?  Or worse, guest arrives and you’re still busy running around straightening up, and picking up their plates before they finish their last morsel. 

Sometimes while sitting in front of guest, before long I’m dwelling on loading dish-washer, checking bathroom to ensure towels are still in place, taking out trash.    Some call this OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder).  I call it OCAD (Overly Concerned and Distracted).  

It’s vital to make time to engage in conversation.  You can’t build relationships without communication. Texting, tweeting, and Facebooking doesn’t count!  Those dishes can wait.  The laundry isn’t going to fly out of the basket in a rage if put off.  The floors, well don’t get me started on floors.  However, I am learning that sometimes those floors will have to be dirty, we have pets, we have kids, and we have construction mud from Hubby’s boots.  It isn’t toxic waste, just filth.  I read this wonderful passage from one of my favorite writers.  

Erma Bombeck had written this piece when she found out that she was dying.  

If I Had My Life to Live Over

-By Erma Bombeck

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for the day.

 

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the “good” living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television, and more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn’t show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I’d have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, “Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.”

There would have been more “I love you’s.” More “I’m sorry’s.”

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute… look at it and really see it… live it… and never give it back.

Be deliberate! Spend your God-given time to encourage, and engage in others while doing your to-do’s.  Let the volume of love resound at Memorex levels. Turn the volume down on distractions that detour your purpose, God’s purpose, His love for His people.

Keep in mind that holidays are difficult for many who have lost loved ones, broken relationships, job loss, illness or homelessness.  Suicide rates heighten during the holidays.

 

Take time to pay attention. Listen to those around you.   Turn down the volume of your busyness. Listen to the Holy Spirit as He leads you to someone in need of a touch from God.  You never know, that person you just brushed off, may have had an encouraging word for you. 

-Brenda A. Graff

Founder of Food For Soul Magazine

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Platter of Plenty

One morning I was preparing to feed my dogs, Dixie and Millie. When I went to the cabinet, found there wasn’t any dog food.  I knew they were hungry, since there wasn’t a single morsel left in their bowls, and one was sneaking into the cat food.  

I was extremely busy. I didn’t want to drop everything to run to the store.  In desperation to feed them, I looked through the fridge to see what I could prepare.  The girls usually don’t get table scraps since they go on hunger strikes for days refusing to eat food made for dogs.  However, this was an exception since I couldn’t afford the distraction from my task.  

I hit the jackpot!  I found some left over pork chops and rice.  They were in for a treat!  They had their eyes on the chops a few days

before when hubby had barbecued. 

  

As I was dishing out  portions, I put an extra chop in the Dixie's dish.  She was much older and larger.  I knew Millie, who was only seven 7 months, would be filled up with her portion.   When I went to place the helpings in front of them as they pounced with excitement, I noticed that Dixie ran straight to Millie’s bowl despite the extra chop in hers.  I watched the greediness of it all and then laughed stating, “Your loss Dixie”.  

This reminded me of how people act sometimes.  It's easy to have the tendency to want something someone else has; believing that what we have isn’t as good.  If we didn’t have this tendency then why would God have to put “Thou shalt not covet in our ten commandments?   

Exodus 20:17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

I found 45 verses in scripture regarding greed!

  

Greed comes in all colors, shapes, and sizes.  It can stem from money to position, on the job, in a family, and unfortunately even in our own sanctuaries.

There are some who prefer the platform instead of serving a plate.

There is no position greater than the other though different, as it is all the same God at work within us: 

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.  

Some act like children, working with resentment because 'so and so' got to do 'such and such' while they're still wiping babies bottoms in the church nursery, or picking up litter in the lavatory. 

It can be a job situation where someone gets a raise or promotion you wanted, or the jealousy over a neighbor's BMW while your coasting down the highway with white smoke bellowing out, backfiring as people duck....thinking your a drive-by. 

This reminds me of my children.  It usually starts with, “Mom, he (or she) won’t share….Make her (or he) give me some!” I almost fell out of my chair when I read these verses in Luke with the same argument.

   

Luke 12:13-15 

Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.” Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” 

I thought to myself, God must really get tired of the whining over what someone doesn’t have.  It must grieve him to hear the comparison complaints.  I know that after a while of listening to my two it just wears me down and I end up taking whatever it was away so that neither has any reason to pursue the argument.  

Most don’t realize the responsibility that comes with the so-called greater position or portion of blessing whether in the workplace or sanctuary.

   

Luke 12:48 

But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. 

We peer into someone’s life watching the surface much like window shopping.  It looks pretty on display but we don’t want to pay the price to own it.  There is often a great price to pay when promoting in God’s kingdom or on a job.  You don’t know the cost that person waged to become who they are and in position. If you knew the truth, you may not want what they have after all.  

That afternoon Dixie who greedily went to the wrong bowl and missed out on the extra chop, became ravenous.  I hadn’t gone to the store yet, so she was going to have to wait.  She lay there with her sad look...stomach growling and I am sure with much regret after watching Millie devour the extra chop.

   

Dixie missed out on the fullness that she could have experienced. She didn’t realize that it was more than enough.  We often miss out on the fullness because our eyes are focused on the “have-nots”. God knows exactly what we can handle and where we need to be in our jobs, or in ministry.  

If you waste time envying, you miss out on the opportunities that God wants to use you in.  He wants accessibility.  We must be available, whether it's in a grocery store to witness to someone or carry their groceries.  We must also be willing to go through the process it takes to be planted in position on a job, or in a church. 

This means consistently reaching for the platter of plenty from God.  Who has promised to carry out the good work in you.  

Philippians 1:6 

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.   

We weren't formed with a cookie cutter to look and act the same, but in relishing our uniqueness, we each have an important job to do no matter how small the task may seem.  That work can be performed at your workplace, school, church or in your neighborhood.

The body of Christ is much like a pendulum clock.  The mechanism is made up in such a way that the gear train that transmits the force of power to cause motion is equipped with large gears known as wheels that mesh with small gears known as pinions. The wheels consist of a center wheel, third wheel, and fourth wheel. 

There is a separate set of wheels, the motion work, which divides the motion of the minute hand by 12 to move the hour hand. The escapement allows the wheel train to move in a stable motion with each swing of the pendulum, which is released one tooth at a time by a lever that rocks back and forth. Each time the escape wheel moves forward it also gives the pendulum or balance wheel a push to keep it moving.

   

In other words, the wheels have to be moving in sync with one another in harmony for the achievement of transmitting power to run the clock.  We are like those wheels, if we do not mesh, and work in one accord for God’s Kingdom, our workplace, and home-life then the entire system runs sparingly or breaks down.  

We all stand to lose.  There isn't room for greed.

We are to push each other to keep moving forward like the escape wheel with encouragement, working in a rhythm that orchestrates and demonstrates God’s love.  If we are doing that, then we're not greedily reaching over into someone else's plate to finish off their left-overs. We are full and content with where God has placed us. We toss out the comparison chart and work to the best of our God-given ability enduring, pursuing peace, practicing patience, but most of all walking in love. 

“Blessed is he who has learned to admire but not envy, to follow but not imitate, to praise but not flatter, and to lead but not manipulate” - William Arthur 

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Seeds of Survival

Seasons come and go, and depending on your climate, you might experience a longer one than usual.  The same goes for our spiritual seasons.  You might be experiencing times where you live on a mountain top, and then suddenly here comes a strong wind of change to knock you to the valley.  

Life has many seasons.  Just as the leaves change colors in fall, flowers fade, and branches become bare, some situations and relationships diminish.  

Yet, what happens when winter begins to withdraw its bitter sting?  Seedlings begin to emerge, sprouting hope, life, and beauty as spring awakes with a breath of sweet change.  We once again experience a season of belief, a reason to keep hoping.

“In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy.” 

-William Blake

We have to prepare for those seasons when life thunders in unexpected circumstances.  

To do so would be to put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18), as our fight is not against flesh and blood, but a spiritual warfare.  We cannot always predict the weather, especially if you live in Texas!  It's freezing one day, and a sauna the next.  However, in preparation for these seasons of change by planting the seed of God's word in you, harvesting what's learned, putting to action knowledge, you can survive the seasons.    -Brenda Graff / The Anchor News

May God bless you during yours.

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Fixings on the Plate

This morning I had planned on correcting some typos I noticed after posting a blog yesterday.  The more I read, the more I found.  I started viewing previous blogs to find…YES…more typos.  I don’t like TYPOS at least not on anything I write or publish.  

After a while of making corrections, I became frustrated looking at the time.  I had much scheduled, and needed to get going on some other things.  There were too many blogs to re-read and check for errors at that time. I didn't want to lose focus on some other more urgent matters of the day. 

It was at that moment I thought, “How many times we waste time...focusing on fixing something broken from the past?”  We grab our large bottle of Wite-Out® and commence to brushing over the ink stained mess.  Yet, it keeps resurfacing, bleeding through the Wite-Out®.  No matter how many coats you brush on.  

We try to fix our mess.  Reconstruct our brokenness with relationships, alcohol, drugs, excessive shopping, over-eating, or I think sometimes worse of all (over-obsessing) on attaining PERFECTION!  A "Perfectionist", I know...I've been called that dirty word many times.  My kids sometimes make snide remarks of how "We can't be perfect like you M-O-M!" Usually, this follows after I have asked them to possibly fold up a laundered towel instead of tossing it in a wad on the utility shelf..ugh  That isn't perfectionism, I like things tidy. I have to remind myself I CAN'T, I WON'T, OR EVER BE "PERFECT"!

The Lord says, that He blots out our sin and doesn’t give it another thought!

Isaiah 43:25 (NCV)

“I, I am the One who erases all your sins, for my sake; I will not remember your sins."

(He was referring to saving His people despite themselves)

Colossians 2:14 (KJ21)

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us. He took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross;

So why do we spend hours focused on a past that cannot be undone?  If God can forgive us, then why can’t we forgive ourselves?  

If we spend the rest of our days walking around with self-doubt and ridicule over mistakes, we would never accomplish anything! 

In Thomas Edison’s early years, teachers told him he was "too stupid to learn anything." He was fired from his first two jobs for not being productive enough. As an inventor, Edison made 1,000 unsuccessful attempts at inventing the light bulb. Of course, all those unsuccessful attempts finally resulted in what we have now… LIGHT!  Light in our homes, light in our cars, light in our domes, and light in the dark.  Thank God for the bulb!

What would have happened if Thomas had decided to quit trying after the 1,000^th failure?

What if he had listened to the negative verbiage?  He would not have pressed through. 

We would still be sitting in the dark watching candle-wax dripping into the surface of our tables.

God expects us to keep moving forward.  We are not to allow our mistakes, missed marks (sin) to prevent us from following through with the purpose He has put in us.

Self-inflicted unforgiveness fixes NOTHING!  In doing so, we are playing God.  We decide our worth disbelieving God’s love, mercy, and grace.  We decide that Christ sacrifice for our sins wasn't good enough.  In other words, we don’t believe that Jesus died on the cross for OUR sins.  Oh, we may believe He did for others, but not for ourselves.  

He says, we must keep looking forward, stepping continually straight into the presence of His plan despite ourselves. 

Luke 9:62 (KJ21)

And Jesus said unto him, “No man, having put his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God.”

Don't lose sight of what's important.  Keep walking forward while working on self.  Don't get stuck at the road blocks of a blemished past.  Let it go, full throttle forward, put the peddle to the metal and drive into your divine destination. 

Leave the fixing in the potter's hands.  He really does know what He is doing.  

P.s. If you find a few typos, remember I'm NOT Perfect! However, I am working on it.   

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You've Been Served

One afternoon while sifting through my son’s homeschooling assignments, I came across several incomplete answers.  I knew he was pre-occupied with finishing quickly so he could have more time on games. However, looking closer, noticed there were difficult problems to solve.  I may have given him work too advanced.  I noticed instead of him asking me how to solve the problem, he drew superhero figures on the page.  I decided to wad it up and toss it. This may not be good teaching tactics however, felt it best.  I didn't want to see him become frustrated trying to complete a task that he wasn't prepared for.  

We would have to start from scratch.  We would need to spend much time together going over the assignment.  I knew it would be impossible for him to complete it without me.

Thinking back, I remember starting out young working in an office environment.  I had barely graduated, and was in my first real administrative job.  I had no clue of how to use a computer, Dictaphone, or a switchboard.  I was terrified!  Barely 17 and trying to impress well-experienced adults was too much for an inexperienced me.  

Forget the butterflies in stomach with nerves, it was more like mammoth moths trying to scratch their way out.   I would show up to work nauseated every morning!  

There was an intimidating individual I worked with.  She didn't talk to you, she shouted.  She had a sour disposition all the time.  I wasn't sure if she just hated her job, or maybe her life.  You couldn't make her smile if you handed her love on a platter wrapped in million dollar bills.

If I heard her breathe in my direction I knew I had to prepare for the dragon blast of fire coming my way.  It seemed I couldn't do anything right.  I knew my days were numbered.  

Sure enough, after three grueling weeks of “Dragon Lady”, I was handed my pink slip.  I grabbed my sorry looking plant singed from Dragon Lady’s blast...off my very first desk, and quietly whimpered my way to the car.  The drive home was long and tearful as I listened to, Alone Again by Gilbert O'Sullivan.  I questioned, “What did I do wrong?”  How was I going to explain to my parents, I failed?  I couldn't fail.  I was an honor student graduating Salutatorian.  I was voted most likely to succeed.  Devastated, I pulled into the drive and sat in the vehicle till I could get it together.  When I told my folks, they didn't beat me over the head with defeat.  Instead encouraged me to find another job.  

I realized many years after the fact, I was no more prepared for that type of work, then flying to the moon.  The skills, knowledge, and understanding of working in that mature environment were not what I had been trained in.   

Yet, down the road I attained, and mastered those skills through various work related jobs.  What seemed impossible became second nature to me through the years.  I had to be trainable.  Some folks are not trainable.  They believe they've learned enough, and refuse change.  I firmly stand on the fact that no matter how old you are, there is always something to learn.  I am a devout life learner.   

When God gives us an assignment, I believe that He has equipped us to handle it.  He has inbred the abilities to complete the job.  Yet, He also knows that we must stay close to him, to watch, listen, and learn to navigate through to completion.  

Many times we go off on our own thinking we can complete a mission by ourselves, and forget that we need God to follow through.  If we don’t allow God to direct our steps, we end up tripping over our egos, and falling flat on our face.   We need God to complete our assignments, much like my son needs me.  There is no one without the other in order to succeed in the assignment.  When we've been served walking papers, we need to follow God’s leading, not our own.

TIPS TO GETTING AN "A" ON YOUR ASSIGNMENT:

1. Your assignment will always require God’s involvement: if you can do it without God then you are not doing his will. (Exodus Chapters 6-40)

2. You must believe it is possible. (See Jeremiah)

3. Heaven knows the value of your assignment and celebrates your obedience every time you say ‘not my will but yours Lord.’

4. You must surrender your assignment to God: get out of the way and not talk yourself out of your assignment. (See Jonah)

5. Your assignment is a process: there are steps that have to be taken to be effective. Do not be discouraged if the process is slow. (See David in books of Samuel, Chronicles, and Psalms)

6. God will be the source and sponsor of your assignment: as long as your assignment is God-centered, He will bless people in advance so they will have the right (words, prayers, experience, network or 

money) to sow into your assignment. (see Joseph Genesis 37-50)

7. Your assignment will interfere with your previous commitment: You might be committed to a person or on the cusp of a big promotion and God will give you an assignment that is contrary to your personal plans. (See Mary mother of Jesus, Matthew-Revelation)

8. To successfully execute God’s assignment you cannot be an island. You also cannot be in toxic environments, the kingdom is all about relationships.  You will need the right people in your life to encourage you to press on when in low places. (See Mary mother of Jesus and Elizabeth, Luke 1:39-56)

10. Move to the right environment to cultivate the assignment: you have to make a mental move to things that are healthy and sometimes physically move if need be. (See Joseph, earthly father of Jesus, Matthew 2)

11. You must act immediately: once you accept the assignment in your spirit, start immediately in God’s direction so Satan doesn't have room to distract or distort what God has put in you. (See Elisha when Elijah put his mantel on him in the field, I Kings 19:19-21)

12. Stay in the right environment until you birth the assignment: there are places, people and thoughts that are assignment killers. Your assignment is your baby and Satan will do all he can to abort it before it can make an impact. (See Peter the apostle, Matthew 16 & 18, Acts 12: 1-11, I & 11 Peter)

13. Any relocation or change you make has to be related to your assignment: keep in mind ‘is this change going to grow my assignment or hurt it?’

14. Many will not recognize your dream: it is a protective measure so you are rejected by the system which will lead you down uncharted paths, and add to your testimony when the world finally catches up with your vision. (See the birth of Jesus, Luke 1:1-20))

15. Only the discerning will recognize your calling: Only people God wants to recognize the great things he hid in you, will see what your assignment is at its infancy, others, even people of God, will not see it until God reveals it to the world. (See the wise men and shepherds who came at Jesus birth, Matthew 2:1-2)

16. Know that not everyone with you is really for you: your assignment has to be protected from seemingly nice people who may poison it, especially in its infancy. (see King Harold at the birth of Jesus, Matthew 2:16)

17. Your star will be seen by others far away: God will send strangers to witness to you about your assignment, those closest to you might not see your assignment because they are too busy seeing ‘You’ but that’s fine, God will send His people to witness and encourage you to do the work. You need to internalize key affirmations to protect your assignment from spiritual warfare when it comes. (1 Corinthians 4:17)

18. You are favored even when you don’t feel like it: Your assignment will take you through low valleys but God is with you in those low places. (II Samuel 9-20, Psalms 23 & 77)

19. Your assignment will come from what is already within you, no matter how insignificant it seems to worldly eyes; it will never be imparted on you from somebody else. The treasures God wants to distribute was already buried within you before birth, nobody on earth can give you a talent to multiply. (See Samuel)

20. Your assignment will always be in a new sphere: Your assignment will be brand new to you, yes your life experiences will help you but the actual mission will not be something you have done before. (See Joshua)

21. You must know your assignment will add value to people: even if one person. Your assignment is not about you.  Anything you gain while working in Gods field is a byproduct of the assignment but the main focus is on people. Divine assignments rarely have anything to do with the worker; he/she is just a conduit of God’s will. (See the book of Isaiah and read on Paul the apostle, Acts 9:20-22, Galatians 1:16, 1 Corinthians 15:8,)

22. Your assignment will impact your generation. It may start small but if God is in it, your assignment will still resound to future generations. (See Daniel) 

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