Monday Musings

Well, it's the start of another week, and although I had a glorious weekend, I'm definately feeling a little fuzzy this morning. Monday's offer the chance for new beginnings and fresh starts. So why are they often associated with dread and an extra cup of coffee?

It could be facing the weight of the week's responsibilities. Or it could be tiredness from the weekend. But more times than not, it's flipping that imaginary switch in my brain from weekend mode, to work mode.

So my prayer this morning is: "God, please transition my mind, heart, will and emotions to my responsibilities at work.Empower me to be an employee that you can be proud of. Remind me moment by moment that your holy word says 'I am an epistle, known and read of all men.'(2 Corinthians 3:4) So the reality is that I am always on display as your representative. Please Lord, protect my witness, infuse me with your joy, and help me to project your love no matter how fuzzy my brain may feel. In Jesus name. Amen"

So now, I'm going to make myself a nice warm cup of green tea and get crackin. Cause 'this is the day that the Lord hath made and I will rejoice and be glad in it!'

Jewish Jim

I just had an interesting conversation with a co-worker of mine, Jim*. We were sharing what we did to celebrate Easter this past weekend and he mentioned he made Matzo Balls for his family. "Are you Jewish?" I gushed. "Yes, I am" he replied. I asked to shake his hand and told him how honored I was to know personally one of God's favorites. He knodded his head sheepishly, and so I went on about how as a Gentile, I have such respect for the Jews and their special relationship with God. He seemed eager to discontinue to conversation and finally blurted out "I"m not a practicing Jew and my wife is Catholic and neither one of us go to church!" I responded with "Well, still it's an honor to know you my friend." Then we changed the subject.

In reflecting on our exchange, a sadness came over me as I realized he has no idea of his true heritage. He's a prince, the son of the King, and he's living as a pauper. And then that scripture, "and such were some of you" washed over my mind.

And so my prayer this morning is:

"Oh Gracious, loving Father of All, thank-you for giving the gentiles a chance in this world. But thank-you more for allowing me to understand who I am in You. Please awaken all those around me to the reality of their royal heritage - especially my friend Jim.Amen."

Scriptures For Further Study: Roman 11:16-18; 1 Peter 2:9; Romans 2:9-11

*Not his real name

TIME

Well, I was on vacation and it shows. I didn't blog while I was gone.

Thanks to my readers for sticking with me through my erractic postings!

I've been contemplating TIME lately. Particularly what seems to be the lack of it.

Time Management experts would say we all have the same 24 hours, and they are right. Each of us is given this most precious of commodities which springs to newness each sunrise and gasps it's last each sunset.

TIME is a gift from God and I am convinced He's deeply interested in how we use it.

And it is exactly that point which frustrates me the most. Often, I feel like I did not live up to God's expectations of how I used my TIME.

Granted, some of my time is slated for me:

• I'm at work from 7:30am to 5:00pm each weekday.


• I generally sleep from 9:00pm to 5:00am.


• I attend church every Sunday morning (2+ hours) and Thursday night (2 hours)

But what about the remaining 75 hours a week? That is the TIME that God has been dealing with me about. How I spend my 'free time' reveals much about who I am as an individual and what my priorities are.

For example, I used to spend 30 minutes a day in Bible reading, but lately it's been shaved to a mere 15 minutes - hardly enough time to 'soak in the word.'

At the beginning of the year, I started a new exercise regime and now my 45 minute morning prayer has been squeezed to 20 minutes. (Ouch! Just writing this convicts me)

So, while it's true that TIME is the same for all of us, I believe we must be accountable to God for our leisure time. And I for one, want to do much, much better with devoting quality TIME to building up my spiritual self.

What about you?

"There is a time for every thing..." -Ecclesiates 3:1

Soldier Lessons

I have a tiny Roman Soldier sitting on my desk at work. It's a visual reminder of what the Apostle Paul told the church at Ephesus:

"Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil." (Ephesians 6:11)

But all week, my little soldier has been falling over. One day, I reached for a file folder and knocked him off his feet. Another time, I set my coffee down too close to him, and he wobbled over on his side. Then today, he fell flat on his face when I rammed my desk with my chair.

Interestingly, I identify with my little soldier the most when he's lying there helpless. I understand what it feels like to be all decked out and in battle gear; ready to rumble, and then get knocked off your feet.

But this is where my little soldier and I differ. You see, no matter how many times my little soldier falls, he remains poised for battle. His arms stay extended, his sword remains drawn, and he maintains his game face.

I, on the other hand, often lose sight of the battle and start thinking of my predicament. Questions like 'how am I going to get up with all this armor on?' and 'who's going to help me?' often dominate my thoughts.

But not so, my little soldier. He somehow knows that I am going to pick him up and set him on his feet again. He trusts me; so he waits. And for some reason, this pleases me.

And it pleases God too when we trust Him enough to wait patiently knowing that soon He'll stand us upright again.

"Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord grasps his hand in support and upholds him. " (Psalm 37:24)

JUST GET OVER IT

I'm usually not one to have a pity party for myself. But for some reason this week I did. Maybe it was hormones, maybe it was too little sleep, or maybe it was too much me and not enough Jesus. Whatever the reason, my innerself was whining:

I don't want to stay late at work - let somebody else do it.

So-and-so forgot my birthday - how could they hurt me like that?

I never have enough time to do the things I want to do.

All this self-pity came to a head yesterday morning during my Morning Prayer time. Feeling rather hurt and wounded from the week's circumstances, I began by praying Psalm 42:5:

"Why art thou cast down o my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God..."

Thinking God was sympathetic to my plight, I told God my whole sappy tale. But after a few minutes, it was clear He wasn't buying it. Frustrated I opened my devotional book and read:

"Dew will never gather while there is either heat or wind... Many Christians do not recognize the importance of the heavenly dew in their lives..."

Ouch! Obviously, my agitated spirit was preventing the heavenly dew. The realization of this helped me to calm down and wait quietly for God's direction. Within minutes, God reminded me of a conversation I had with my friend Sally*this week.

Sally and I were discussing work related stresses with another co-worker, when she looked at us and said; "Just get over it." We tried to tell her it wasn't that easy, but she gave us a wry smile, lifted her index finger, made a hurdle jumping motion with it, and repeated; "Just get over it." We had a good laugh, and found ourselves using that simple hand gesture as a reminder to "Just get over it."

Needless to say, I got God's message loud and clear: "Just get over it."

And so I found myself with a choice. I could be miserable and keep feeling sorry for myself. Or, I could get over it, and have a good day. I chose the latter and joy flooded my spirit within moments.

Amazing isn't it? Joy is a choice. Who'd have thought? From now on, I will choose joy whether I feel like it or not. What about you? What will you choose when the next obstacle comes your way?

GLADIATOR or SPECTATOR

"Fight the good fight for what we believe. Hold tightly to the eternal life that God hs given you, hich you have confessed so well before many witnesses. " I Timothy 6:12


God impressed me in prayer this morning that in the Christian walk there are Gladiators and there are Spectators. There are those who wear the name Christian, who - methephorically speaking - lay on their side, eating grapes and watching with amusement those that are getting bloodied in the fight of faith.



Spectators are faithful attenders - they go to church.And Spectators provide financial support - they are often tithes payers. But a Spectator will never get in the arena, never engage in hand-to-hand combat, and will only defend the faith if doesn't cause them any pain.


Gladiators on the other hand are true warriors. They are the brave men and women of God who fought and, in some cases lost their lives both in the Collesium in Rome during the height of Christian persecution, and still today on the mission field.


And then there are the Gladiators who may not shed actual blood, but who toil in prayer, sacrifice in ministry and would die for their beliefs. Most Pastors are these kind of Gladiators. Many Sunday School Teachers and Youth Workers know what it's like to fight in the spirit for the souls in their care.


And alot of us fight the good fight each and every day for those we love. We pray for them, serve them and show them the love of Christ at a personal cost to ourselves.

And that is what being a good Gladiator is all about.

-Debbie Simler-Goff

New Year - New Schedule - New Determination

2010 has gotten off to a good start for me. I just completed my first week of my new work schedule - half day on Fridays - woo hoo! This should help me to have more time for writing during my peak focus time.

My plan is to come straight home after I get off work at 12:30, plant my kiester in front of my computer, and formulate brilliant articles that my editors will love. Consistency and determination is the game, and this year I plan to win. (That's me on my wedding day 25 years ago)

Sounds like I have it all together doesn't it? But after having celebrated almost 45 new beginnings, I've become all too familiar with the resolution ritual that goes something like this:

In January, I'm psyched and motivated to make a change. It doesn't matter what the change is, but it's always something dramatic and life-improving. My hopes are high and often I buy something new to help me reach my goal. This year it was a new netbook so I could write while on my lunch at work. Last year it was a membership to Weight Watchers. The year before that... well, I don't even remember what my resolution was the year before that, which reinforces my point.

By March, the goal is a distant memory and often there's been little improvement. The rest of the year then becomes a total wash.

So what makes this year's resolution any different?

I've taken a lesson from the Bible and the Biggest Loser reality show by making myself accountable. I'm coming out and telling the world where I'm lacking and what I hope to achieve. And in so doing, I stand a much better chance of succeeding because I've invited others into my struggles instead of trying to battle it alone. (That's me with two of my volunteers)

And what am I trying to achieve? Two things:

• A 100 Pound Weight Loss



• A Consistent Writing Schedule
  

And how am I going to do this?

Through prayer, hard work, discipline, self-control and a little help from my friends (accountability).

And how will you know if I'm winning my Resolution Game?

Check back often to this blog and track my success or, better yet, email me directly at dsimlergoff@sbcglobal.net and ask me how I'm doing.

-Debbie