Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing

I've been sewing. When I do this, I search for lectures and sermons to which I can listen and learn. I've listened to audio books -- biographies, good fiction. I've heard talks on TED (great website - www.TED.com) about science and religion.

Yesterday and today, I've been listening to Rick Warren's sermons from www.saddleback.com. They did a series on science, philosophy and God, and it was pretty good.

So I'm continuing with other sermons of his. Right now it's called "The Word of Assurrance."

And I have this question -- can we ever pray the prayer of salvation too many times? I've been a Christian for 30+ years. And yet everytime I listen to someone go up front, at the end of a church service, and commit to be a Christian -- I repeat the words right with them: I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and I accept Him as my Lord and Savior. Whether I believe it for the first time or for the millionth time, it is a commitment I want to repeat over and over and over again. I can never say it enough.

So let me challenge you, as a believer, to repeat it again. If you are one of the many ministers who stands up each week and gives a sermon, let me challenge you: is the basis of your message that people need to hear the gospel? Amid your words of encouragement and addressing the myriad of topics relevant to us today, is the foundation of what you say this: we need the salvation of Christ today?

I'll leave you with that, in love --

xoxox

He Knows My Name, He knows My Cell Number, Too.

Today is my 23rd wedding anniversary. I am amazed that I have done anything consistently in my life for 23 years. And yet there is that Hunk O Man that I love infinitely more now than when I married him. I suppose even more amazing is that he loves me still, after all the joy and pain and heartache of 23 years and 5 kids. Once again, I praise God who is the Giver of all good things.

Yesterday, he and I (well, yes, God too, but I mean Hunk O Man and I) took a little trip to the beach. We stood in the warm sand and watched as the waves came in -- it was a little breezy, with rain to the north and south of us, so they were the kind of waves that come in kind of lined up, about 4-5 rows deep. The blue of the sky and the deep aqua of the water just brought a peace over me that only God can give. Wow. I do love the ocean.

We shopped our way home from the beach, stopping at various thrift and Goodwill stores. We also stopped at the Sprint store. In our efforts to curb costs, we have decided to forego our "land line" and go with all cell phones. However, it took a miracle God provided through a wonderful woman named Andrea to make it all happen. Believe it or not, it actually will save us money.

So last night and today, each girl has been beside herself with the new toy. Programming the ring tones, getting all the contacts in, etc. All but one have brand-new phones (which we got free). They have texted more friends in a half-hour's time than in probably all the time previous to getting the new phones -- because each one has her own number now, it's important to let everyone know. No more sharing a phone, or borrowing a sister's or mom's phone. Now each one has her own.

I have sat and watched all this furious texting and programming, bent heads with thumbs flying. And I realised that their excitement stems from something we all feel very deeply: to them, having their very own cell phone, their own number, means that people can now know their name. They are important, they have value, they have their own cell phones. 'It's mine,' they think. It's me.

And I remembered this: He knows my name, He knows my every thought, He sees each tear that falls, and hears me when I call.

I suppose we could add that He knows our cell number, too. And don't get me wrong - our girls (thankfully) each know God in a deep and personal way that no cell phone could ever replace.

But being recognized for who we are is so universal. We want to be seen, to be heard, to be valuable enough to our friends and family to matter. We want someone to know our name. And our phone number. And to email or text or call us just to see how we're doing.

So whether or not you have a new cell phone, or no cell phone at all, don't forget this --

xoxox

Hello, Old Friends

What's your favourite song?

Personally, I can never decide on just one. It's like asking who is my favourite daughter. They're all my favourites at different times, and all the time in different ways. I tell each of them that she's my favourite -- and nobody puts much stock in it, because I say it to all of them all of the time. And yet nonetheless, it's so true.

My favourite song? Music is something that moves me, moves my heart and my soul and touches me in very intimate places in my heart. It reaches in with wispy, spirit-fingers that sometimes soothe, sometimes calm, and often stir things up.

One song today came to mind as I was thinking about what to write here. My readings today in scripture were all about men avoiding loose women (Proverbs), Jesus in Gethsemane (Luke), and David calling down hellfire on his enemies (Psalms). Nothing really struck me, or stood out to me as something I wanted to talk about.

But I was reminded of this particular song -- one of my favourites --

Hello, old friends

There's really nothing new to say

The old, old story bears repeating

And the plain old truth grows dearer every day

When you find something worth believing

That's a joy that nothing can take away

Which translates to this in my brain:

Dear Mom,

Nothing much going on today. Same old same old. Jesus is still my Saviour, and died on the cross and rose again, alive. What good news! The fact that God has forgiven my sins through our Lord's sacrifice grows more precious to me each day. The economy is bad, times are hard, but I thank God that we are in the palm of His hand, and nobody can grab us out.

love,

jen

xoxoxox