I received my Influenza Immunization as soon as it was available in the Fall of 2019. Having already obtained my Pneumonia injections, I thought I was well prepared for the forthcoming Influenza Season since, according to medical science, the vaccination was to assist in making me immune to the virus.
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DO YOU HAVE SPIRITUAL CATARACTS?
According to my ophthalmologist, a cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of your eye. It is a very common condition, afflicting more than 3 million cases annually in the United States. People who have cataracts experience cloudy vision that is a bit like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. This clouded vision makes it more difficult to read, drive a car (especially at night) or see the expression on a friend's face. Most cataracts develop slowly and don't disturb your eyesight in their initial stages of growth. But with time, cataracts eventually interfere with our vision.
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DO YOU HAVE THE HEART OF A SERVANT?
Did you notice that as soon as retailers packed away Christmas merchandise Valentine products appeared? As I note this metamorphous, my heart is prompted to consider if there is a strategy to merge the message of the two holidays together. Howard Thurman’s poem, “The Work of Christmas” offers a potential strategy by painting a word portrait of the majesty of Christmas and then reminding his readers that the real work begins as the holiday memories are stored:
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IS YOUR VISION 20/20 FOR 2020?
I recently visited my Ophthamologist and was pleased to receive a good report about the health of my eyes, as well as a prescription to bring my vision to 20/20 when I wear the glasses that it prescribes. Medically, 20/20 vision is a term used to express normal visual acuity (the clarity or sharpness of vision). When my new glasses were ready, I was pleased to affirm that the prescription achieved its goal.
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ARE YOUR RELATIONSHIP EXPECTATIONS REALISTIC?
The phone rings, voice mail responds, I hear my beloved friend’s voice, but I know that she is not at home. You see, I am calling to inquire about her physical condition that prompted her admission to the hospital several days prior to the new year. The fact that her husband is not answering the phone tells me that he is probably still at her hospital bedside; having experienced a reaction to her most recent chemotherapy treatment, she is in an unconscious state.
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DO YOU CELEBRATE THANKSGIVING OR THANKS LIVING?
As the calendar page is turned to November, my thoughts default to the day that is focused on giving thanks for all of God’s provision throughout the year that I carefully recorded in my journal. When I relocated from San Diego, my place of birth and residency for my entire life, to assume a position at The Master’s University, a colleague gave me a lovely journal and pen. It prompted me to begin a habit of daily recounting God’s blessings to me. I have filled numerous volumes and use Psalm 103 as the foundational verse for each. I weekly reread entries from previous years and find that as I chose to integrate thankfulness into my life, I am capable of coping with grief, loss, and stress. Focusing on the blessings in my life during challenging times, I am able to embrace the Apostle Paul’s challenge to “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1. Thess. 5:18)
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HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO THE “BUMPS” OF REJECTION?
If you walk into a room and the conversation stops, what is your assumption? Would your response be they were talking about you? Would your reflex reaction be fear of rejection—the source of which is the fear of man (Prov. 29:25)—or trust in your heavenly Father who loves you unconditionally (Jer. 31:3)?
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DO YOU PERMIT YOUR LIFE PRIORITIES TO TAKE A SUMMER VACATION?
I am rejoicing that summer officially arrived on June 21! Hands down, it is my favorite season of the year. I love the long days, sunshine, warm weather, as well as all of the opportunities for fellowship. However, if I wish to experience a “no regret” summer, I learned that just as it is incredibly important to not allow my tithing to slack off, so I must be intentional to not allow my life priorities to vacation during the next three months.
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WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO ARISE EACH MORNING?
I am definitely NOT a morning person. I think when my heavenly Father mixed my DNA He added a pinch of owl to it. As night falls I am typically filled with energy. However, it is definitely an act of the will to say “Good morning, Lord” rather than “Good Lord, it is morning” when daylight breaks.
Since a majority of the world functions during daylight hours, it is necessary for me to arise in the morning, and to please my heavenly Father, I need to do so with a positive attitude. Philippians 4:8-9 provides me with a formula to create that attitude—think on things that are true, honest, pure, lovely, and of good report. Thus, as I anticipate the day before me, I choose, through my Lord’s strength, to meditate on those things that will allow me to “walk worthy of my calling” (Eph. 4:32) during the 24 hours that are given to me.
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ARE YOU ABLE TO SOLVE THE CONTENTMENT EQUATION?
Recently I was chatting with several friends about the spirit of discontent that appears to permeate every facet of twenty-first century society. One friend shared her grandchildren were encouraging their parents to divorce. There was no abnormal conflict between the Dad and Mom, so they began to probe why their children would make such a suggestion. Investigation yielded that several of their friend’s parents were divorced. Now on holidays they received many more gifts than they had when their parents were married! My friend’s children firmly confirmed that they intended to stay married and that they would continue in the established family gift-giving traditions. Regrettably, the inability of our culture to focus on and express gratitude for the present is prevalent. Such a worldview establishes the foundation for a lifestyle of discontentment.
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ARE YOU A MAGNET FOR GOD’S LOVE?
Almost immediately following the removal of Christmas decorations from retailers, Valentine merchandise appears. I am an enthusiast of all of the décor of the season because it reminds me that my gracious heavenly Father is the author of love. Along with admiring the lovely colors and messages, I am reminded of God’s Valentine to me found in John 3:16:
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ARE YOU BUILDING YOUR SPIRITUAL IMMUNE SYSTEM?
A new year is upon you filled with numerous opportunities to deepen your relationship with your heavenly Father and to increase your ability to fulfill the special plan He has just for you! You have a better opportunity to fulfill that plan if you are spiritually and physically fit. How are you beginning this new year—are you approaching it with a solid understanding of the nutritional requirements necessary for spiritual and physical vitality, or are you randomly starting it without a deliberate dietary plan?
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IS YOUR HEART TUNED FOR A HARMONIOUS HOLIDAY SEASON?
One of my favorite parts of the holiday season is the rich, harmonious music that tunes my heart to the celebration of our Lord and Savior’s birth! Century old carols and current melodies teach me the theology of our Lord’s sacrifice for me. As I savor each musical selection I am challenged to search my heart to discern if it reflects the level of harmony that they represent.
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THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, ARE YOU WILLING TO INCLUDE THE GRIEVING ON YOUR GUEST LIST?
As the days shorten and calendar pages are turned, thoughts of holiday celebrations begin to occupy our minds. Amidst your planning may I pose a question — would you consider including the grieving on your holiday guest list?
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IS THERE ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO CONVICT YOU?
Daily, the media reports evidence that convicts high profile individuals of behaviors which, in many instances, renders them disqualified for the position they hold. As I read the accounts, the Holy Spirit probes my heart with the question, “Pat, if it becomes a crime to be a Christian, would there be adequate evidence in your lifestyle to convict you?” This question challenges me to probe my life to discern whether I am embracing a lifestyle that pleases God. I pray that you will consider the question as well.
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IS CHURCH MEMBERSHIP REALLY NECESSARY?
When I relocate to a new geographic area one of the first items on my “to do list” is to establish membership in a local church. I begin the search with prayer, asking for recommendations from my current Pastor, and examining my heart to affirm that I am focused on biblical criteria for church selection
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ARE YOU AWARE OF THE ANTIDOTES FOR RELATIONSHIP BUSTERS?
A study of friendship teaches us that female companionship counters so many of the negative aspects of life, keeps you healthy, and may even add years to your life—it is incredibly important to identify “Relationship Busters” and provide an antidote for them to prevent injurious or unwanted effects.
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HELLO, GOD! IT'S YOUR DAUGHTER CALLING!!
Our electronic world allows rapid communication with those we wish to contact. All is well when the individual immediately answers the phone or responds to the electronic message. However, it can be irritating or discouraging when we reach out to someone and the response is silence.
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WILL YOU CHOOSE TO BE A SPIRITUAL MOTHER?
As soon as the Easter cards are packed away in the card stores, Mother’s Day cards take their place. It is exciting to know that all Christian women have the opportunity to celebrate this special day if they say “yes” to the question that opens this Blog Post.
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SPRINGING INTO SPRING
As a twenty-first century consumer, I am well aware of my credit score—a high one opens multiple financial options, while a low one can quickly diminish them. As a friend, I am challenged to build a Friendship Confidence Score. Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist serves as a wonderful role model to me (Luke 1:39-56). Her life teaches me much about the confidence that should be evident in our relationships as we see how she responded to her young friend and cousin, Mary, who was experiencing personal challenges. As we focus on “springing into spring” let’s create a vignette of Elizabeth who teaches us many principles about building confidence in relationships . . .
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