Lord, Help!

I cried aloud to the Lord and He answered me from His holy hill.  Psalm 3:4

We know that God knows all our thoughts. Even before we think them! He has no trouble hearing the prayers that we pray silently, in our hearts.

But this verse tells us there is a time for prayers to be spoken out loud!

Let's look at the context of this verse to gain some insight:

Psalm 3:1-6

O Lord, how many are my foes!
    Many are rising against me;
2 many are saying of my soul,
    “There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah[a]

3 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,
    my glory, and the lifter of my head.
4 I cried aloud to the Lord,
    and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah

5 I lay down and slept;
    I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
    who have set themselves against me all around.

The words of this psalm describe a time of fear and loneliness for the psalmist.  We know from Biblical scholars that David penned this psalm when he was fleeing from his son Absalom, fearing that the uprising would end his life.  David is transparent with his fears - many foes, much rejection (rebellion!), and even mocking of his relationship with God.

In the midst of this fearful time, David finds his security in the Lord; he trusts in God as his protector and defender and finds comfort, encouragement, and peace - even to the point of being able to sleep! That is such a testimony!  Think of the times we are robbed of rest because our minds are consumed with the what if's and if only's and we cannot get ourselves to sleep!

What can we learn from King David through this psalm? When I feel as though "many are rising against me", what can I do so that my soul is peaceful enough to rest, confident enough to hope, secure enough to stand?

First, see the  Lord as our shield. Our protector. When we feel attacked (whether it's by a toddler tantrum, a hormonal teen, or a competitor at work), we need to remind ourselves that God is our shield. He defends us, protects us, keeps us. And if any flaming arrows do get past Him, it is not because He lacks the ability to fend them off.  If is because He purposes to use them for our good and His glory.  Always remember that God will permit that which He hates if it is the only means of accomplishing what He loves. We can trust our shield.

Next, see God as our glory.  What does it mean for God to be our glory? Let's revisit the context of this psalm. David's existence and his essence were being threatened - not only his life but also his kingship.  His right to the throne.His livelihood. His life's meaning.  His significance.  His glory, if you will. So in verse 3, David proclaims that God is not only his shield but also his glory. The very meaning of his life is God...not anything else - not even his place on the throne of Israel.  David embraces God alone as His glory. 

If we, too, can do that, what comfort and peace we will have! What joy and security! God not only protects us, but He also sustains our significance and existence.  His honor, His character, His being is what matters to us.

God as our shield.  Our glory.  And the lifter of our head. 

What might cause one's head to be bent down and to be in need of lifting up?  Several things, I think. Fear.  Shame.  Depression. Many reasons to explain why one's head would need lifting up. This phrase "the lifter of my head" makes me think of a mother tenderly comforting her child, raising her little one's head so their eyes could meet, wiping the tears away, speaking words of encouragement.  I believe this same picture is what our God does for us.  When we are hurting or afraid or shamed, God is the one who lifts our head.  Who brings our eyes to meet His. And there we see love.  Love that sacrificed His Son on the cross. Love that freely gives us all good gifts. Love that shields and sustains and supports.

The next verse is the crux of this post. Crying aloud to the Lord. Not that silent prayers aren't fine. They are. Because the power of prayer is not in what we say but rather in Who we pray to! But if Scripture includes for us the phrase "cried aloud", then there is a significant message to discern.

Crying out to the Lord - literally aloud - signifies a plea for help, an indication of distress, a desperation. Implicit in this act is an authentic humility and a firm faith in God (and His power and willingness to act on behalf of His children).  When we come to the place of helplessness, when we cannot fix the problem ourselves, we are humbled. And when we are humbled  before Him, He pours out His grace. Psalm 10:17 says that He hears the desire of the humble, He strengthens their heart, and He listens to what they say. And the expression of faith, the display of trust in His goodness and His power pleases Him. That acknowledges that He has the ability to do what no one else can do, He alone deserves the glory. 

Humility and faith. We are desperate in our need for Him.  The psalmist declared, “In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears”(Psalm 18:6).

Crying aloud. Our Heavenly Father exhorts us in Psalm 50:15 “Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee.”

 Are you facing obstacles in your life? Have you prayed and prayed and the situation is still not resolved? In fact, it is getting worse.  Are you being robbed of peace and joy, even sleep? Cry out loud to Him.  And may these results be yours.

I lay down and slept;
    I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.
 I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
    who have set themselves against me all around.

What cathedrals can teach us about parenting...

repost

And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you may be able to call these things to mind 2 Peter 1:15

This verse has long been my parenting prayer, that not only would I work hard to invest God’s Word in my children,but especially that they would remember His timeless truths long after my voice has been silent. These past couple of weeks, as I’ve watched the reports on the burning of the regal Notre Dame Cathedral, this passage keeps coming to mind.

The world continues to mourn the burning of this masterpiece. And rightly so. Even though I never saw it except in pictures (based on social media posts, I am fairly certain I am in the 1/2 of 1 % of the world who falls in this category!), I can easily appreciate its beauty, its splendor, and even more, its significance.

Its significance. What it stands for, what it represents, what it epitomizes.

Of course, the breathtaking architecture. And especially the spiritual magnitude it embodies. But there are other beautiful buildings, other majestic places of worship. Why does the loss of this ancient cathedral hit us all so hard?

I think it has something to do with its construction. All that went into getting it built. Over a century of labor, generations of workers toiling without any of the modern technological advantages. Resulting in grandeur almost beyond our imagination. A whole lot of hard work.

And the message that kept beating in my heart related to parenting. Well, of course! And I was reminded of the above passage in 2 Peter and it resonated all the more.

Let’s unpack my thoughts together……

First, what did it take to construct this marvel of history?

A whole lot of hard work over 150 years! The plans for Notre Dame, according to historical reports, were relatively simple drawings, based on “elementary mathematical ratios” . The concept for construction was passed down from one generation of workers to the next, a “collage of architectural trends and leadership rather than the culmination of one person’s vision”. (Notre Dame construction/visualartscork.com) Surely, the majority of these laborers (whose names are not preserved for posterity) knew they would never see final product! And yet, millions of people have benefited from their work; untold numbers have enjoyed and appreciated the beautiful product of their endeavors.

I was struck by the similarities to parenting….

First of all, raising kids is A LOT of hard work! And it takes place over a long period of time - as in a lifetime! Can I get an “Amen!”??? Don’t get me wrong - I absolutely know it’s worth it. For sure. But can we all just admit the truth - it’s a lot of hard work! A lot of hard work done in anonymous obscurity, too. Untold efforts that no one ever notices….just like those cathedral laborers….

And, for a lot of seasons, it can feel like a thankless job. I mean, I don’t know about you, but not a single one of mine during the toddler years thanked me for changing their diapers, much less for training them to obey authority immediately. Quite the opposite, in fact - they fought me every step of the way!

So we can identify with those cathedral-builders, can’t we? We understand what “diligence” means!

But I take a lot of comfort from the thought that these magnificent cathedrals were based on relatively simple plans. It’s quite tempting to think that not only is there some SECRET magic formula for parenting, but also that it’s so complex we could never attain to it. When in truth, that is just not the case! God’s Word holds all the principles we need for the job. Seriously. The Bible gives us wisdom and power for how to treat people - and that’s what parenting is, treating little people. It’s a lot of hard work, to be sure, but it’s not unbearably complex. And, as we learn and grow ourselves, we can adjust our application of the Truths that do not change. That’s comforting.

At the same time, however, it is beyond our ability to do it successfully, alone. Just as these grand cathedrals required massive resources, so does parenting. The primary resource, of course, is the work of the Holy Spirit. It is He and He alone who can grow these kids of ours into masterpieces, He and He alone who can transform self-centered hearts into vessels of beauty and blessing. So the first resource for cathedral-building is the Holy Spirit — His Wisdom, His guidance, His power.

Sometimes, God supplies what we need for parenting through other people. It’s all still from Him but often He gets the job done through the gifts and presence of others. That’s surely been my experience! A piano teacher, a coach, social etiquette programs, Sunday School teachers, even the parents of my kids’ friends - all have played extremely significant roles in equipping my little cathedrals for grandeur. I am way too inadequate to even think I am all they need so I gladly rely on the strengths of others to contribute to my kids’ lives. (But I am mighty picky about who is in their “child-raisin’ village”….just sayin….)

Maybe the most critical element of cathedral building - other than that it’s a lot of hard work (did I mention that already?) - is embracing the truth that the fruit of our labor will not be finished in our lifetime. To be sure, we do get to enjoy some fruit. Thank the Lord! Some results of the work will be visible before we are gone and that is indeed precious. Treasure beyond compare.

But most of who our kids will be won’t be visible in our lifetime. The lives they will bless are largely in a future we won’t visit. And, yet, we know the future — and the fruit — will come…so we keep building. We learn a little more and tweak a little here. We involve the strengths of others and praise God for His supply. Mostly we invite the work of the Holy Spirit - in their lives and ours - and we wait. Working while we wait. Praying while we work. Trusting that the construction will be beyond our ability to imagine.

And, knowing that, unlike those cathedral laborers, One Day, we will get to see the final product. Living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ (I Peter 2:5). Glorious testaments to the work of our great God, “buildings” that He so graciously allows us to be part of building. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. (I Corinthians 3:9) And, although we won’t see the completion of these buildings while we are in this life, we are encouraged to be diligent because God promises that our work will follow us into Eternity (Revelation 14:13)

According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder, I laid a foundation …(I Corinthians 3:10)

Next time you think about the Notre Dame cathedral, remember that you’re in the same business. Only what you and I are building cannot be destroyed by fire.

Hallelujah and Amen!

From an older woman...

3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled  Titus 2:3-5




I am officially an older woman.
And I take this exhortation seriously.
So I want to share my heart on how I see these principles applied in the lives of women today...

First, for us older women:


1. Reverent behavior - While there can undoubtedly be some variations in how "reverent behavior" manifests itself in different women, there is no doubt that reverence will be displayed as dignity,self-control, and respect.  Action and attitudes that are obnoxious, narcissistic, or demanding are not appropriate (for anyone but especially not one who should bear the grace of maturity)
2.  Not slanderers - Slander: malicious injury to the reputation of another.  There are lots of ways to accomplish that.  Outright false stories or subtle insinuations...all intended to tear down another person.  Isn't it interesting that Scripture prohibits "slander" with the same weight as that against "slave to much wine"?  Sadly, much damage has been done to The Church, The Body, and the cause of Christ as a result of unwise tongues.  And, let's be honest, girls, most of the time, the slanderous talking has come from our gender. 
3.  Not enslaved to much wine - pretty straightforward. 
4.  Teaching what is good.  And then those good instructions that are to be transmitted to the younger generations are explained...


Younger women:
1.  Love husband, love children.  I personally found it not merely encouraging but actually a huge relief that this trait is to be taught, ie it doesn't come naturally!  But it can be learned.  Hallelujah!  So I am not an abject failure if there are times I feel like I'm struggling in practicing love towards the folks I actually love the most!
2. Self-controlled - in our words and our ways.  Just because we feel it doesn't mean we have to say it.  And just because we think it doesn't mean we have to do it.  Self-control. A multitude of problems - for ourselves and our families and everyone around us - can be avoided if we women would practice self-control.
3  Pure - unpolluted, free from impurities.  In our dress, our speech, and our mannerisms.  What we look at, listen to, where we go, and what we do.  Not vulgarity.  Nor coarseness.  Nor indecencies.  Purity.
4.  Working at home - I don't think this prohibits women from having a paying job outside the home but with all my heart I do believe that Scripture clearly lays out for us married women that home is the #1 priority.  Taking care of our home  (physically, emotionally, and spiritually) takes precedence over work, recreation, other relationships and even ministry.  I feel this so strongly that I cannot overstate it.  If we women are so busy pursuing friendships, fun, or even faith-based activities that we neglect our homes, then we are failures. 
5.  Kind - wow.  Of all the Christlike adjectives that Scripture could've used, "kind" is the word of choice.  That's powerful.  Kindness is powerful.  It's the kindness of God that leads men to repentance. If a woman wants to wield some power, this trait is the most effective weapon.  Kindness.  Not assertiveness.  Not argumentation. Not manipulation.  Kindness.
6.  Submissive to their husbands - I know that word rattles some cages but I think it's because we don't know what it means.  It's a term that means "to place in an orderly fashion" . Scripture doesn't tell husbands that they are to require submission - instead, we wives are told to subject ourselves.  Big difference.  Submission doesn't mean unilateral rule at all.  It means I voluntarily arrange my priorities around my husband.  I employ my gifts and talents to complement his and together we form a united team. I lay down my life to serve Christ by serving my family - that's submission.  And that brings joy. 


Make no mistake about it - the powers and principalities of this world have launched an all-out assault on this type of woman.  From all points, we are lured into mirages that deceptively promise happiness and fulfillment and satisfaction.  We are brainwashed to think that such things are our "right".  But these don't deliver what they promise. And when we follow them, we become discouraged.  And exhausted.  And disillusioned. 


And God's Word is misunderstood and disparaged by those who observe our lives.  


But
when we wives and Mommies find our joy in loving our families well, when our energy and talents are prioritized into making our homes a place of refuge and happiness and security, when our lives are characterized by moral purity, integrity, and kindness....well, then the Word of God will be read accurately in living color by everyone we meet.

In the battle of life....

This post originally appeared May 2013

We all know that we live in a hurting world.  Each one of us has been hurt.  And, truth be told, each one of us has hurt others.  Sometimes we condemn the behavior of others, labeling them as mean or callous or weak...when actually, they are processing hurt.  In the only way they know how.

Today's post is about3 ways we process pain.  I doubt that these are the only 3 ways but, in my observation of others and in my own experience, theseare the general categories I have found. I hope that this will increase our understanding of others - and of ourselves - and perhaps that will help us help others -- and ourselves -- process hurt more victoriously.


Think of life like a battlefield.  War being waged.  We get hit by artillery.  Sometimes the enemy is the one aiming the gun.  Sometimes it's "friendly fire".  (What a dumb name, by the way!) We are wounded deeply.  And, in the case of this kind of battle, the source of the bullet matters.  A lot.

What do we do when we get hit?  Probably one of three things.  1) We lie on the battlefield, with the war raging around us, bleeding profusely and hoping someone will rescue us.  Sometimes our fellow soldiers are so preoccupied with their own battle that they don't notice the carnage.  Other times, someone does notice but does nothing.  Perhaps it's because they don't know what to do but usually their neglect is interpreted as a lack of concern.  And the bleeding increases.

2) We attack.  With hermorrhaging wounds, falling blood pressure, and infection already setting in, we "ready, shoot, aim" at any available target.  We might hit the one who delivered our injury but most likely we just fire at whomever is nearby.  We probably know that this won't heal the wounds we have sustained but we think that at least it will prevent further injury. Usually not the way it works.  Not only are those surrounding us hurt, but the damage to our own wounds increases.  And other injuries are added, resulting in scarring.

3) We withdraw.  Again, this might not be an attempt to recover from the damage but instead an effort to avoid further trauma. This indeed can prevent further casualties from external sources but it often increases the chances of self-inflicted ones, especially self-administered anesthesia.  And, while it might protect us from pain, it also serves to prevent our reception of help and healing.

I've reacted to hurt in all three of these ways.  In fact, I've used all three tactics practically simultaneously!  None work very well to achieve the healing we seek. 

So, here's the tip for the day.  More than one, actually.  First, regarding your own injury response.  In some cases, it is beneficial to seek care from someone you know is compassionate.  Let them apply a tourniquet and get the bleeding to slow.  But don't expect someone else to daily dress your wounds, provide for your constant care, hunt down your enemy, and protect you from future attack.  While emergency response from a kind soul can be what you need initially, long term rehab is up to you. 
And that rehab might include a temporary reprieve from the battlefield.  Just be very cautious about remaining in seclusion.  An atrophied soul is bitter and unresponsive to all things good.  If you seek care in the withdrawal mode, this time it needs to be from a truth-telling friend, not a merciful one.
And if you are prone to the "attack" response, educate yourself during a time when you are not injured as to how much collateral damage can result when you attack while wounded.  Then ask God to remind you of that when you are tempted to open fire.

Victorious recovery won't come unless you acknowledge that battle wounds happen to all of us.  You're not the only one.  You're not the first and you won't be the last to sustain injury in this thing called "life".  To put it bluntly, you gotta get over it.  This is probably the biggest hurdle.  We are so prone to think no one else hurts like we do!  But get over it we must.  Healing is on the other side. And it rests in the arms of our dear Savior, who understands and cares and has the power to restore.  He is gonna ask you to do some tough things (like praying for the one who delivered your blows!) but trust Him.  He's got your back.  And your front.  And your sides. And your healing is His agenda.

Last tip - be mindful of the fact that everyday you encounter hurting people.  Remember this when they attack or withdraw or when you see them bleeding and gasping for air on the ground below you. If you can manage to respond with love and patience and kindness and grace, you might very well help them recover. Don't ignore or misinterpret them.  Don't accept their brushoff as rejection.  Try to see instead their pain.  Please try.  Somebody out there needs you.  And, who know, one day, they may be the one wiping blood off your face and tending to your wounds!