The Golden List Legacy

By Marty Norman –

Recently a friend and faithful follower of Christ gave me a thought provoking book, “The Ultimate Gift”. A  book about morals, principals and life lessons it encourages one to reflect on the values and principals in one’s own life. I’ve been pondering it ever since.

In one of the chapters the main character, Red Stevens, travels for a year with a homeless man named Josh. As they travel, Red asks Josh why he is always in a good mood. Josh tells him about a discipline that he learned from his mother called the Golden List.

This is the way it works. Every morning before he gets up, Josh lies in bed or wherever he’s sleeping and imagines a golden tablet. He evaluates his day and where he is in life. He then writes down, in an imaginary way, ten things he’s most thankful for. This keeps him focused on the things of importance.

This is not a new idea. It’s called a gratitude list. Many people and religions do  it. Even Oprah talked about it on her TV show.  In fact, she did many shows on this topic. But “The Ultimate Gift” and the golden list are good reminders and a good exercise for all of us to start for the New Year.

Not only is it a good discipline but it is also biblical:  Psalm 107:1 “O give thanks unto the Lord for he is good.”  II Corinthians 2:14  “Now thanks be to God.” Ephesians 1:15 “I have not stopped giving thanks for you.” Ephesians 5:20  “Always give thanks to God the Father for everything.” I Thessalonians 1:2 “We always thank God for all of you.” I Thessalonians 5:18 “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Revelation 10: 17  “We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was.”

This is not a suggestion. It’s a command.  Clearly God knows what he’s doing.  Psychologically if one concentrates on what’s positive in life, things go better. It’s a mindset as well as a discipline. It’s a habit worth cultivating. The scripture tells us to give praise and thanks in all things.

I can’t help but contemplate the importance of beginning this practice now. As the days darken, and as the world moves into chaos, we as believers have the opportunity to be salt and light in a world gone awry. The first step is to get our minds right by walking daily in praise and thanksgiving for all things.

One of my favorite books is “The Hiding Place” by Corrie ten Boom. During World War II she and her family faced some of the most horrific situations and conditions known to man. And they did so with integrity and faith, which is a great model for us to follow. The foundation of their response to the inhumanity they experienced was to love and give praise and thanks in all things. In one scene they even give thanks for the fleas in their compound. Later they learned that they were able to do uninterrupted evening Bible studies in their compound because the guards were afraid to come in because of the fleas.  Go figure. God works in mysterious ways.

This type of faith is surely beyond the understanding of most of us. But I don’t think this habit began for Corrie ten Boom while in the concentration camps. More than likely, she took the scriptures literally and began this spiritual discipline many years before. Eventually it moved from habit to an attitude of the heart that became part of her daily life and character. She could then draw on it when needed.

Makes sense to me. So start now. Make January 2012 the beginning of the rest of your life. Develop this spiritual discipline now while there is still time. Give thanks and praise to God in all things. Make a daily gratitude list, thanking God for the many blessings of this life. Move from a habit to a discipline to an attitude of the heart. Prepare yourself spiritually, for no one knows what the future might hold.

Maybe, just maybe, one day your golden list will be the ultimate gift for a world in darkness.

Shepherds for Christ

By Marty Norman –

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night”  (Luke 2:8).

Shepherds are amazing people. From biblical times to today, they are on guard as they watch over the sheep and baby lambs placed in their care. By day they feed the sheep, leading them to pastures for grazing. By night they guard the entrance to gated pens, protecting the sheep from wolves and predatory animals.

Shepherds have a distinct place in history. They were the first to whom God revealed the good news of the birth of his son. Standing in a brightly lit field, they stood in awe as the heavenly host descended, singing and praising God, proclaiming peace on earth, good will towards man.  Without hesitation, these simple men left the hills of Judea to see for themselves the miracle of the baby’s birth. They found him lying in a manager wrapped in swaddling clothes.

Today there are many types of shepherds–pastors, preachers, parents, grandparents, teachers and youth leaders.  They each have a role in the guarding of the flock. In God’s way, he uses the few to confound the many for he leads with precision those he has called to shepherd his sheep.

As grandmothers, we have our doctorate in shepherding. Not only does our age bless us with wisdom and longevity but our role in the family places us in a shepherd position. If we look closely at the Christmas story, the Word gives us the key to shepherding. For isn’t this how god made us—to feed our flocks by day and guard our flocks by night.

As grandmothers, we do this a number of ways–physically, spiritually and emotionally. Physically we provide necessities for their well-being, but we also give them fun things we didn’t provide for our own children because of lack of funds. Emotionally, we offer a place of safety and a heart of unconditional love; we see and have time to do the things that others don’t. Spiritually, we show Jesus to our grandkids when we sing songs or hymns of praise, sharing our joy in the Lord. At night we offer comfort and protection through our prayers. In our quiet times we speak and read the Word of the Lord over them, providing a canopy of covering.

But there is more to the Christmas story than just guarding the flock. Luke 2:17 tells us, ‘When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.”  This is the heart of the story. First they saw, guarded, protected and watched; then they went and told.

As 21^st century shepherds, are we doing the same, telling all that we see about Jesus?  Are the people who hear amazed at what we tell them?  If not, then we are not applying the Christmas story to today.

So our challenge this Christmas is to make a plan. Determine how you will you share the gospel that Jesus, the Messiah, has come. Who will you tell about the good news of the baby Jesus?

Prayer:   O God, I praise you that you sent your son, Emmanuel, the Messiah, to us on Christmas Eve. I praise you that you spoke to humble shepherds who were guarding their flocks by night. I thank you that they investigated, believed and went out to tell others.  I pray that you would do likewise with me. Use me this Christmas season to spread the good news of the birth of the Savior. Use me to amaze people with your story.

When the Internet Fails

By Marty Norman –

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15 NIV). 

We’ve all experienced the confusion. Last night your email was working, this morning – no go.

What’s going on? Usually no one can say.

Personally I think it’s a sign of the times. More than likely it’s a sign of my age. And if the truth be known, I don’t like computers, never have and don’t think I ever will.

Sure, I use them. Sure, sometimes they make my life easy, especially when you compare Word Perfect to the old fashioned hit and peck type-writer that we used in my day.  In retrospect I can hardly believe we had to type everything perfectly. There was no cut and paste. How did we do it? Now you can change every word from top to bottom in a heartbeat. That part I like.

But with each blessing also comes a test.

And computers have tested me sometimes beyond my ability to endure. I’m talking about my patience and kindness quotient. They seem to fly out the window whenever I talk to someone regarding technology, especially the guys from India.

Bless their hearts, it’s not their fault. I don’t know what happens to me. Something just comes over me. I like to think it’s a computer demon that jumps on me and says, “You don’t have to take this. Let her rip.”

But the truth is – it’s me. It’s that old flesh thing rising up inside, making itself known, keeping me humble and needing God.

As a result I spend more time feeling bad about my behavior and in repentance to God than I do in fixing the computer.

So God and I are working on this issue. He’s developed a new training program for me: Plan B – being kind in all circumstances.

Clearly Plan B does not come naturally to me. I thought it did, but since the invention of the computer, all bets are off.

My current problem is buffering. Surely, you’ve experienced it. It’s when you are trying to live stream or watch a download or U-tube video. The tape stops incessantly and is crazy making.

I know this is not a computer problem.  My computer is only three months old and everything is up to snuff. I’m finally even comfortable downloading updates.

But regardless the problem, I’ve spent hours with my server on the phone. We’ve checked my download service, my download speed and my router connection. A technician has come out and replaced some gadget on the side of my house.

Recently I was told it was my modem.  That might be true as this one was probably purchased in the year 2000. But why didn’t they tell me that the first time I called?

But praise God I was nice this time. And that is only by the grace of God. Everything in me wanted to use the age card and shout, “Do you not know I am an old person. Technology is not my thing!”

After a brief conversation, which in itself was pretty miraculous, I was told it was indeed my modem and was promised a new one within five days.

“It is easy to install,” the heavily accented voice on the other end of the line told me.

I’m skeptical. But sure, I’ll play.  Maybe, just maybe this time things will turn around. But if this is part of the test, my training has been ratcheted up a notch.

When I receive the new modem, I plan to follow the instructions to the letter. If that doesn’t work, then I’m going back to the tried and true “age card.”

What else is a grandmother to do if she wants her computer to work?

In His Right Mind

By Marty Norman –

Storytelling is a gift. Some people have it and some don’t. I don’t, though I’ve wished for it since I was a child. I just never felt equipped.

That’s why, when invited to join a Bible Study on storytelling, my first reaction was a resounding, “Are you kidding?  Not me – it’s not my cup of tea.”

“Why? It’s right up your alley”, my friend argued, pressing her point again and again. Finally she wore me down. Relenting, I joined the group to please her. My plan: attend a couple of sessions then fade away.

Scripture tells us that we are to be hearers of the word:  “blessed are they who hear the word and obey”, Luke 11:28 NIV; and “faith comes from hearing the message.” Romans 10:17 NIV.  Storytelling is based on these scriptures. The purpose: learn the age-old tradition of storytelling practiced by the patriarchs and early civilizations from the American Indian to the Himalayan people groups. Based on biblical tradition, the good news of the gospel is told through oral tradition, different from our modern techniques of video, reading and visual aids.

Was I ever surprised?

The first class was titillating, exciting and challenging. Definitely my cup of tea.  I sat mesmerized as Sharon, the leader, told the story of Jesus and the demoniac. The story was more than familiar; I’d read it numerous times but hearing it told in this manner brought a whole new perspective.

I visualized the demoniac cutting himself with stones and throwing fits. I could see the 2000 pigs as they raced to the lake and drowned. I joined the herdsmen as they stood amazed at what they saw.

The turning point hit me hard. When the townspeople saw the demoniac “dressed and in his right mind, sitting at the feet of Jesus”, they became afraid. I understood the aversion of many to the truth of the gospel. When faced with the might and power of this man Jesus, people are afraid. They wonder what kind of man this is that heals a demoniac from evil spirits. They shy away from one who commands the wind and waves to cease. They see the demoniac’s transformation and understand that being in a right mind is all about being in a right relationship with God.

Somewhere deep inside, the question lurks for the hearer. If the demoniac changed, even though in a good way, I, too, might have to change. And I don’t want to. No one does. We all like our habits, even if they are harmful to us or to others. We are comfortable in our ways, only willing to change when we are desperate. The demoniac was desperate. He was not only open but willing.

In the mystery that is God, the story of the demoniac, when told without visual aid, reached deep into the hearts of the hearers in a profound way. Perhaps that’s why Jesus told so many stories and parables because when digested, they speak to the heart of the hearer and bring about changed lives.

This is such a story. The demoniac experienced the healing, power, love and mercy of a mighty God. As a result, he ended up in his right mind in a right relationship with the Father, through the power of Jesus Christ. In the end, isn’t that what we all really want.

If that’s not a perfect cup of tea – I don’t know what is.

In His Right Mind

By Marty Norman –

Story telling is a gift. Some people have it and some don’t. I don’t, though secretly I’ve wished for it since I was a child. I just never felt equipped.

That’s why, when invited to join a Bible Study on Story Telling, my first reaction was a resounding, “Are you kidding. No. Not me – it’s not my cup of tea.”

“Why, it’s right up your alley”, my friend argued pressing her point again and again. Finally she just wore me out. Relenting, I joined the group to please her. My plan: attend a couple of sessions then fade away.

Scripture tells us that “blessed are they who hear the word and obey”, Luke 11:28 NIV . It also tells us that “faith comes from hearing the message.” Romans 10:17 NIV.  Story telling is based on that premise. The purpose: to learn the age-old tradition of story telling practiced by the patriarchs and early civilizations from the American Indian to the Himalayan people groups. Based on biblical tradition, the good news of the gospel is told through oral tradition, so different from our modern way of video, reading and visual aids.

Was I ever surprised?

The first class was titillating, exciting, challenging and even more so, definitely my cup of tea. Transfixed I sat mesmerized as Sharon, the leader, told the Story of Jesus and The Demoniac. The story was more than familiar; I’d read it numerous times but hearing it told in this manner brought a whole new perspective.

Literally, I visualized the demoniac cutting himself with stones and throwing fits. I could see the 2000 pigs as they raced to the lake and drowned. I joined the herdsmen as they stood amazed at what they saw.

The turning point hit me hard. When the townspeople saw the demoniac “dressed and in his right mind, sitting at the feet of Jesus” they became afraid. Suddenly I understood the aversion of many to the truth of the gospel. When faced with the might and power of this man Jesus people are afraid. They wonder what kind of man this is that heals a demoniac from evil spirits. They shy away from one who commands the wind and waves to cease. They see the demoniac’s transformation and understand that being in a right mind is all about being in a right relationship with God.

Somewhere deep inside, the question lurks for the hearer. If the demoniac changed, even though in a good way, he might also have to change and he doesn’t want to. As a people we like our habits, even if they are harmful to us or to others. We are all just comfortable in our ways. We are only willing to change when we are desperate. The demoniac was desperate. He was not only open but willing.

In a mysterious way the story of the demoniac, when told without visual aid, reached deep into the hearts of the hearers in a profound way. Perhaps that’s why Jesus told so many stories and parables perhaps because they speak to the heart and bring about changed lives.

This is such a story. The demoniac experienced healing, power, love and mercy. As a result, he ends up in his right mind in a right relationship with the Father, through the power of Jesus Christ.

If that’s not a perfect cup of tea – I don’t know what is.

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