Purging the Junk

By Hally Franz –

There they sat, in stellar condition, ready for an eager buyer and new home. The original oil paintings we’d purchased had given me great joy, but weren’t going to fit in our freshly-painted family room. The two canvasses, southwestern motif and circa mid 1990’s, perfectly matched the teal, cream, peach and aqua pallet I’d selected when we married in 1993. Glittery clay pottery and cactus the primary subjects, they were stunning, or so I thought.

I loaded up my art, along with my thirteen-year-old’s giant building blocks and fireman costume, confident that the local consignment store could turn these treasures into cash for me and bless someone else in the process.

It turns out, though, that people don’t buy southwestern décor these days. Go figure! It wasn’t as if I’d delivered them yolk-front jeans and twist beads! The store gave me the option of donating the oils or carrying them home; they weren’t able to put any kind of price on my art. I reluctantly left my paintings behind—to be donated.

After seventeen years of marriage, there are now objects in our home that have just become junk. Worn out, outdated or outgrown, they no longer serve a purpose or enhance our environment, and, in fact, would be a distraction if allowed to remain on display. The color schemes scream a bygone decade, appearing as strange as a deep fryer on a 2010 bridal registry.

Likewise, as I near my forty-sixth birthday, I recognize there are behaviors and attitudes no longer useful in my life and inconsistent with the deeds and thoughts of a maturing Christian. Insecurities and self-doubt have no place if I’m to be the person God designed. Silly consuming worries don’t belong when seeking to be a productive servant of God. And a critical nature will taint my activities, just as my once-loved paintings would spoil any updated family room wall.

As we mature in our relationship with Christ, it’s important to inventory our lives and hearts, asking ourselves what junk is still hanging around in the recesses of our souls. We need to pack it up and clear it out. It’s hard to say goodbye to things we’ve grown accustomed and attached to, but prayer is a great start. When Christians carry around old stuff that doesn’t match our faith, it’s of little value, and no one is willing to buy it.

PRAYER: Almighty God, give me the strength to let go of unhealthy and unholy behaviors and attitudes, so that I may more fully serve You.

“And he said, Lord God of Israel, there is no God like Thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with the servants that walk before thee with all their hearts” (1 Kings 8:23 KJV).

Today’s devotion is by Hally Franz. Hally is a former teacher and high school guidance counselor, turned homemaker. She enjoys volunteering at her children’s school, teaching Bible classes at her church, leading projects in 4-H, writing, reading, scrapbooking, and rousing (though, sometimes, not pretty) Zumba classes

Everyone Needs Compassion

By Gina Stinson –

According to the dictionary, compassion is a deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it.

Over the last few years, God has really been working on softening my heart. I’ve been a pretty cut-and-dry kind of girl most of my life, but when I get into God’s Word I notice that Jesus handled so many situations very personally. He connected differently with the woman at the well, the leper, Nicodemus and even His own mother. No two interactions were the same. But, His goal was the same: to draw them closer to Himself. He was compassionate.

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to be part of a non-profit and my eyes and heart were opened to the many situations in which people find themselves needing help. Whether it was a physical, spiritual or emotional need, some of these people where just looking for compassion. More recently, I spent a few moments with a young mother who just buried her twenty-week premature baby and, I assure you, she needs compassion. An elderly widow who I’ve had the honor of getting to know this summer also reminds me that she needs compassion.

Because this attitude only comes from the Lord, I’m so blessed to know He’s working on me. It’s a little uncomfortable sometimes. I find myself making sure I have tissues in my purse in case I need them—or someone else does. But more than tissues, I find myself needing to be equipped with God’s Word, so that in that moment, when God allows, I can speak His words of compassion over a friend, young mother, widow, needy, overwhelmed one that God places in my path.

In the last few years, Laura Story penned the words to the now well-known song, Mighty to Save. The first line says, “Everyone needs compassion, a love that’s never failing, let mercy fall on me.” I love nothing better than to hear my kids singing this loudly as we drive down the road. I think that’s how God must feel when He sees us demonstrating compassion to this hurting world.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You so much for demonstrating the greatest compassion for mankind by sending Your Son to die for the world. Help me imitate Your nature as I walk in this harsh world. Help me be more like You.

“Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble” (1 Peter 3:8 NIV).

This devotion was written by Gina Stinson, a minister’s wife and mother of two. Gina writes from a mom’s perspective on life issues, the home, and the church. There’s never a dull moment on her blog, http://journalinggina.blogspot.com , where you can always be sure to catch a word of encouragement or a thought to ponder.

Sand to Sea

By Peter Lundell –

Imagine your whole life washing away in the ocean. I did when my daughter and I built a sandcastle on our vacation.

I stood by the water, facing land, and the castle looked great. People even came by to take photos, as if they’d built it themselves. Then I stepped to the other side of our sand monument and faced the sea.

Against the vast expanse of waves, the castle looked puny, miniscule, like nothing. And I knew it would wash away.

We built another castle after some little kids had fun kicking down the first one. Their parents apparently thought it was fun too. The second one still stood when we left to go home. But I knew that if it survived a kid’s foot, it would not survive the next storm or big wave.

Like the first castle, my life could end suddenly. Or I might slowly wash away in old age. Either way, the impressive things I’ve done with my life are like sand at the edge of the ocean, whose waves will eventually wash away every trace.

So what do I do about it? Panic? That’s wasted energy. Cynical disillusionment? That only makes things worse. Build bigger castles? The waves are infinitely bigger. I’ll never get out of this world alive, and I can’t take anything with me. Instead I’ll focus on what is not temporary and physical, what cannot wash away. And what brings more joy and purpose than anything else.

Jesus’ teaching, and his great commandment of Matthew 22:37–40, all come down to two things: loving God and loving people. To follow Him, my life becomes an act of worship to God and of blessing to other people. Worship is not only what I do in a Sunday morning sanctuary; I worship God daily, hourly if I have the focus to remember. I worship God with a right heart and mind attuned to Him, with a life lived as He taught me to live it. That honors him and finds intimacy with Him, whether in daily details or life ambitions.

Whatever castle I build, I’ve come to accept, even anticipate, an eternity that washes up like those ocean waves. How about you?

PRAYER: Lord, I offer up my life as an act of worship. May my thoughts, my goals, my attitudes, and my feelings be in harmony with Your Spirit. May my words and actions honor You and be a blessing to others.

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love our neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments’” (Matthew 22:37–40, NIV).

Today’s devotion is by Peter Lundell, author of Prayer Power. A rising new voice on connecting with God, he is a pastor, Bible college teacher and conference speaker. Visit him at www.PeterLundell.com for his inspirational “Connections” and free downloads of articles, parables, short stories and book chapters.

Harbored

By Cynthia Ruchti –

I snapped a picture while on a mother-daughter getaway in Wisconsin’s Door County two springs ago—a lone boat tethered in a quiet harbor. I’ve turned to the photo many times, wondering why I’m drawn to it. What is it about it that speaks something deep to my heart? If I can’t define it, is it worth pondering?

I took it out again one day in the throes of an early snowstorm, the kind that spreads a layer of ice first in order to give the snow something to slide on. Was I drawn to the serene photograph because it’s just natural that I would find blue skies and non-frozen water appealing? It was more than that. Green leaves on the trees? Lush, but more than that. The reminder that spring in Wisconsin offers air that won’t freeze your lung lining when inhaled?

No. It was the sailboat. The lone sailboat at rest.

Tethered in its slip, the boat wasn’t currently performing the task for which it was designed. The boat in the photograph is at rest. Harbored. Waiting.

I wonder if it is restless. Does it strain against the moorings because it is eager to get on with it, to serve, to move, to go places, to offer its owner the benefit of its gifts?

Looking at it, I’d have to say it looks content, satisfied to wait for the day the owner walks down the length of the concrete pier, hops aboard, releases her from her moorings, unfurls her sails, and with a gentle push away from the immovable pier says, “Okay, girl. Let’s see where the wind takes us today.”

When the Lord comes down the pier to release me from the ropes that keep me in the harbor, will He find me resting but ready? Or restless?

PRAYER: Lord, Your Word tells me that I find my rest in You. It reminds me that Your ways are not my ways, nor Your thoughts my thoughts. It even tells me that Your timing is perfect when mine is so often rushed. Create in me a new heart, Lord, one that’s willing to rest and wait for You to set me sailing.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord” (Isaiah 55:8, KJV).

Today’s devotional is by Cynthia Ruchti, writer/producer of THE HEARTBEAT OF THE HOME radio ministry and president of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). Cynthia’s debut novel—They Almost Always Come Home—released with Abingdon Press May 1 and a Christmas novella—A Door County Christmas—released in September. Cynthia writes stories of Hope-that-glows-in-the-dark (www.cynthiaruchti.com).

Homecomings

By Hally Franz –

Adoptive parents sometimes commemorate two dates each year in the life of their child. My Guatemalan-born daughter recently celebrated her ninth birthday, and, as we do each year, we recalled the details of that other special date. Her “gotcha” date is January 14, 2002. She loves to hear about the bumpy and thrilling ride we had from the Guatemala City airport to the adoption agency, the loving nanny who passed our daughter over to us, the first silly words that her older brother spoke to her, the doctor who flopped her around on the examining table like a little chicken, assuring us of her health, and the beauty of her birthplace.

Three days later we left Guatemala, arriving first in Houston, Texas. As we landed, a flight attendant spoke over the intercom and sweetly welcomed home the dozen or so children who were now new United States citizens. It was totally unexpected and very moving.

When we made it back home, family and friends were waiting to see Rosaline. After a bit, we placed Roz in her brother’s handed-down swing. She sat contentedly there, and my father said she looked like she “had the world by the tail on the down-hill pull.” She seemed to know she was where she belonged and that she’d always be taken care of and loved.

Bringing Rosaline home was a wonderful experience, a little like when someone becomes a Christian. Often, we look back on the baptisms of others in our congregation and recall those special hug-filled times. New Christians seem to gain a sense of belonging, and they recognize there is a whole family of believers who will love them and care for them as they continue their walk with Christ.

I wonder sometimes about the final homecomings Christians have had and will have. I wonder what kind of exciting journey we will make from our earthly bodies to our heavenly home, what greetings we’ll receive, and what Jesus’ first words will be to each of us. When loving families turn us over to our Father, what will His inspection of us be like? Will He declare us fit for continued service? While we don’t know the answers to all the questions, one thing is for sure. That welcome home will be the sweetest and most beautiful of all!

PRAYER: Father, I pray I’ll be a welcoming Christian to others who come to You in faith, and I thank You for the promise of a Heavenly Home.

“And, I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 8:11 KJV).

Today’s devotion is by Hally Franz. Hally is a former teacher and high school guidance counselor, turned homemaker. She enjoys volunteering at her children’s school, teaching Bible classes at her church, leading projects in 4-H, writing, reading, scrapbooking, and rousing (though, sometimes, not pretty) zumba classes.

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