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

Holiday Hangover

The holiday season is almost over. Wow, who can believe it? I'm overstuffed and overwrung with holiday hype. Don't get me wrong, I love my family and our get togethers. As a matter of fact here's a cool picture of my grandkids in the new jammies we bought them.

But after all the hustle and bustle of preparing, and the excited indulgences, I find myself longing for my normal routine. There's comfort in the steadiness of the day to day. I like getting up at 5am and sitting in the softness of the early morning light. I enjoy the craziness of my job in Volunteer Management and look forward to my destress routine at the end of a long day.

So, I for one am ready to shake off my Holiday Hangover and get back to the normalcy of my crazy life.

Funny isn't it? Before Christmas, we can't wait for it to come. And now that's it's over, we collapse on the couch and are glad it's over.

SURPLUS Versus SACRIFICE

My home had a blessed visitation recently. Nick and Pam Sisco, and their two precious children, Allanah and Steven, stayed at our house for a few days. They are missionarries and are home on furlough from Ghana.

I don't know how many people really realize what missionaries go through. Of course, the media brings their sufferings to our attention when it's extreme - think Martin and Gracia Burnam but the majority of the time our missionaries hardships and sacrifices go largely unnoticed - and sadly unsupported in the western world.

My friends ,for example, are required to give up their home in Ghana every 4 years. They must pack all their belongings into a storage unit of some kind and leave it in Ghana . Then they spend the next 18 months to 2 years traveling in a mini-van and depending on the good-natured people of the United States and Canada to put them up for a night or two and/or become a financial supporter so they can raise the necessary funds to return to their first love - Ghana.

(Let me pause here to stress this is not their choice, this is normal protocol for all of the UPCI missionaries. )

I wonder how many North American pastors and their wives would be willing to sell their homes every 4 years, leave all their belongings in a Public Storage, and live out of a car, a hotel or another pastor's guest room for 2 years?

Makes you stop and think doesn't it?

I tell you all of this not so you will feel sorry for Nick and Pam Siscoe or anyone else like them. (They wouldn't want you to ) But to share how deeply touched I was by their beautiful spirits and sacfricial giving. In Ghana the Sisco's are lucky if they have electricity 4 out of 7 days. They consider themselves equally blessed if the city water is provide 3 days a week. They do without alot of conveniences and they live on a very tight budget - all for the sake of God's kingdom.

Their quiet example of true Kingdom Living and sacrificial giving convicted me to the core of my being. My giving - either of time or money - is mostly out my abundance. I pay my tithes, attend weekly services and teach Bible studies - but I want for nothing really. My home is comfortable, my closet is full ,and groceries abound in my house. And here are my precious friends with so little of the material things - no home, limited finances and possessions -yet they glow with the contentment and joy of the Lord.

How pleased Jesus must be with Nick and Pam Sisco! They remind me of the story of the widow's offering in Mark 12:41-44

"Jesus went over to the collection box in the Temple and sat and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. ...Then a poor widow came and dropped in two pennies. ...He called his disciples to him and said, "I assure you, this poor widow has given more than all the others have given. ...For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has." "

Nick and Pam left today to the next place on their itinerary. I'd worked most of the day and when I came home, the house was spotless - Pam had cleaned it. The sheets on the beds they stayed in had been washed and neatly folded and a beautiful, hand-carved elephant family was sitting on my kitchen counter with a lovely thank-you note.

I started to cry. Even in their hardship. Even in this humbling journey of seeking financial support - they had given so deeply of themselves. I knew they had brought those hand carved elephants from Ghana in hopes of selling them for income. And yet, they - like the widow - had given so sacrificially.

Oh, God. Change me. Change all of us 'westerners'. Birth in us a love for those who serve on foreign fields and teach us to give and sacrifice like they do. In Jesus Name. Amen.

ADDENDUM: Want to help Nick and Pam? Consider a donation. It's tax deductable.

Balloon Boy Observations

It saddens me to think the lengths a parent will use a child to further it's own agenda. The Balloon Boy incident is just one example: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20091020/ennew_afp/usairaccidentballoonmedia_20091020074009

Think of the exampled lessons in this incident:

• Lying is okay


• Pre-planned deception is acceptable


• It doesn't matter what it costs or who is distressed or hurt as long as I get my way.

And I'm sure there's more I haven't thought of.

Fast forward 20 years and imagine Falcon Heene as an adult. A pattern of lying and deception could cause him to have trouble being a faithful mate, or of becoming an employee with integrity, or a parent that can be trusted.

My hope and prayer is that Falcon Heene and his siblings will have people in their lives who will teach them a better way. It's the children that lose in situations like these. Long after Richard and Mayumi Heene have faded from the national scene, Falcon Heene and his brothers will no doubt struggle with when to tell a lie and when not to. And the fact that Falcon, and others like him, may grow up thinking telling untruths is okay is a very sad commentary on our world.