New More Lofty Atmosphere

Welcome to the boys new loft bed room! Last fall I wrote about our office switch in my post setting up shop and mentioned it was due to my dh's plan to make loft beds for the boys. Now it is done!

My dh spent most of his free time these past 8 months getting the brackets and the boards all made and cut to specifications so he could assemble the loft beds. He designed these beds himself using a free online design tool and has succeeded in making some very smart looking and durable beds for three active boys. We all love them!

The best part I think about the assembly was that the boys were able to help out alot. Max's bed went up first followed by Zak's and then Tj's. Aren't they adorable little carpenters?!

Here is a snapshot of Mak's loft bed on the left and Zak's on the right.

In this shot Zak's loft bed is on the left and TJ's loft bed is on the right.

Now there is ample space for their school desk and crate of folders and their toys and books. I am thrilled to give them a great way to keep organized! Their room smells of sweet pine and laquer and the atmosphere is open and frought with ideas for new creative play. The other day they drapped their sheets across between two beds and made a fort. The room looks a little bare now, but I am sure it will fill up soon. I can't wait to see what they will do next! And with 'space inspection' as a handy tool in my pocket I am not afraid of the messes they make.

Lessons from Rollo

Rollo is a six year old boy whom Jacob Abbott wrote about in the 19th century. We have been reading one of the stories about him, Rollo at Work. I purchased it from Yesterday’s classics but it can be found at Project Gutenberg for free.

Rollo through various episodes in his everyday life is learning the great difference between ‘work’ and ‘play.’ It is just the right book for my oldest son who is 7 years old to hear. Rollo and Max are typical boys, loving life, loving amusement, and loving play. They desire to do work, but have not yet been trained to know how to go about it so as to succeed. Some ideas they have make work harder, some ideas lead them away from work and back to play. In this little set of stories Max is learning some very valuable things. Max is learning to distinguish between work and play. What is work, and when is it time to work. What is play and when is it time to play.

In the first chapter, ‘Labor Lost’ Rollo is excited to tell his father that he wants to work and is a good worker. So His father gives him a job to pick up wood chips behind the house and put them into a bin or to stack some wood in the barn. Here is how Rollo went about it.

“Rollo sat down on the chips, and began picking them up, all around him, and throwing them into his basket. He soon filled it up, and then lugged it in, emptied it into the chip-bin, and then returned, and began to fill it again.
He had not got his basket more than half full the second time, before he came upon some very large chips, which were so square and flat, that he thought they would be good to build houses with. He thought he would just try them a little, and began to stand them up in such a manner as to make the four walls of a house. He found, however, an unexpected difficulty; for although the chips were large and square, yet the edges were so sharp that they would not stand up very well.
Some time was spent in trying experiments with them in various ways; but he could not succeed very well; so he began again industriously to put them into his basket.
When he got the basket nearly full, the second time, he thought he was tired and that it would be a good plan to take a little time for rest; and he would go and see Jonas a little while.
Now his various interruptions and delays, his conversation with his mother, the delay in getting the basket, and his house-building, had occupied considerable time; so that, when he went back to Jonas, it was full half an hour from the time when he left him; and he found that Jonas had finished mending the wheelbarrow, and had put it in its place, and was just going away himself into the field.
“Well, Rollo,” said he, “How do you get along with your work?”
“O, very well,” said Rollo; “I have been picking up chips all the time since I went away from you.”
Rollo did not mean to tell a falsehood. But he was not aware how much of his time he had idled away.
“And how many have you got in?” said Jonas.
“Guess,” said Rollo.
“Six baskets full,” said Jonas.
“No,” said Rollo.
“Eight.”
“No; not so many.”
“How many, then?” said Jonas, who began to be tired of guessing.
“Two; that is, I have got one in, and the other is almost full.”
“Only two?” said Jonas. “Then you cannot have worked very steadily. Come here and I will show you how to work.” pg 9-10

Sound familiar? I think all of us at one time in our life were much like Rollo. It is often hard for all of us to learn how to work, what attitudes to have towards it, and in what way to go about it so that we are productive and can have the satisfaction of a job well done. By the way Max is really enjoying this book. He likes to hear of other little boys doing the same things he does. He likes to see Rollo suceed. Along the way the characters in the story are giving Max alot of good advice. Max isn't resenting this but is happy to know better just what is the right way to do things. The story is drawing him in and educationg him.

Rollo goes on to ditch the basket altogether and try the wheelbarrow. After all, that would haul much more at a time and be faster. He spends a lot of time filling the wheelbarrow up with his basket and then begins to wheel it towards to the bin. Along the way the wheel gets stuck in a hole. It tips and half the wood chips fall to the ground. Instead of using his basket to do what he could to solve the problem, he goes and looks for help. He asks Jonas, but Jonas is busy and can not help. He asks his mother, and eventually she gives in to help but he then reaches the step into the barn where the bin is and the wheel barrow will not go up over it. In dismay he abandons the wheelbarrow and starts to stack the wood.

“Rollo stood looking at him for some time, wishing that he was going too. But he knew that he must not go without his mother's leave, and that, if he should go in to ask her, Jonas would have gone so far that he should not be able to overtake him. So he went back to his wood-pile.
He piled a little more, and as he piled he wondered what Jonas meant by telling him to put the largest ends outwards. He took up a stick which had a knot on one end, which made that end much the largest, and laid it on both ways, first with the knot back against the side of the shed, and then with the knot in front, towards himself. He did not see but that the stick lay as steadily in one position as in the other.
“Jonas was mistaken,” said he. “It is a great deal better to put the big ends back. Then they are out of sight; all the old knots are hid, and the pile looks handsomer in front.”
So he went on, putting the sticks upon the pile with the biggest ends back against the shed. By this means the back side of the pile began soon to be the highest, and the wood slanted forward, so that, when it was up nearly as high as his head, it leaned forward so as to be quite unsteady. Rollo could not imagine what made his pile act so. He thought he would put on one stick more, and then leave it. But, as he was putting on this stick, he found that the whole pile was very unsteady. He put his hand upon it, and shook it a little, to see if it was going to fall, when he found it was coming down right upon him, and had just time to spring back before it fell.
He did not get clear, however; for, as he stepped suddenly back, he tumbled over the wood which was lying on the ground, and fell over backwards; and a large part of the pile came down upon him.
He screamed out with fright and pain, for he bruised himself a little in falling; though the wood which fell upon him was so small and light that it did not do much serious injury.
Rollo stopped crying pretty soon, and went into the house; and that evening, when his father came home, he went to him, and said,
“Father, you were right, after all; I don't know how to work any better than Elky.” (Elky is a young colt that his father is breaking)pg 20-21

Throughout this book Max is learning some good lessons about working from Rollo:

1. Work is something we do for a useful end. Play is for our amusement. You should not get them confused and try to find amusement in work.

2. It is dangerous to neglect or postpone doing one’s duty. We cannot always depend on repairing the mischief.

3. There is great pleasure in doing work when it is properly done. The pleasure comes later when the work is done.

4. While you are doing your work, it requires exertion and self-denial, and some times the sameness of work is tiresome, but the wise worker perseveres through it.

5. Do not change from one thing to another looking for amusement. Work steadily forward, and do not rush or you will tire before the work is done.

We liked this book so much I have begun to Read Rollo at Play. Beyond that there are more, Rollo Learning to Read, Rollo at school. Rollo's experiements, Rollo's Philosophy, Rollo Travels Eurpoe and more.

"Now, my little son," said his father, putting him down and patting his head, "you have got a great deal to learn before you become a man; but then you have got some years to learn it in; that is a comfort. But now it is time for you to go to bed; so good night." pg 91

Living Life to the Full....Faith

Photo by Evgeni Dinev

Much-Afraid is on her way with the Chief shepherd to the High places. They have been hiking up through the foothills enjoying the song of the brook and the melody of the birds. As they cross a river Much Afraid sees the pathway that begins to lead up, and remembers that this is where the Chief Shepherd will leave her. It is here that she meets two companions Sorrow and Suffering whom the shepherd has chosen himself to lead her onward and upward to the High places where she will receive a new name, develop hinds feet and the seed of love planted in her heart will bloom and she will be loved in return. Much-Afraid pauses, and looks back over the valley below where her relatives the fearings live. Where she once lived. She remembered the peaceful little cottage and the peace and quiet of the daily work that she had left behind to join the Chief Shepherd on this adventure to the high places.

"As the scenes form her past rose before her, tears began to prick her eyes, and the thorn of love pricked in her heart, but almost at once she turned to the Shepherd and said thankfully, “I will trust you and do whatever you want.”
“Then, as she looked up in his face, he smiled most sweetly and said something he had never said before, “you have one real beauty, Much-Afraid, you have such trustful eyes. Trust is one of the most beautiful things in the world. When I look at the trust in your eyes I find you more beautiful to look upon than many a lovely queen.” Hinds Feet in High Places Pg 64

It is not so easy to trust God when is feels as if He is not there, when it appears He has abandoned us to sorrows, or sufferings, when His presence is not tangible or visible. And when like in the story of Much-Afraid’s journey the Chief Shepherd actually and purposefully leaves us and chooses not Joy and Peace for our companions but Sorrow and suffering. Faith is choosing against hope. Faith can often be cold blooded.

“I will trust you and do whatever you want.”

“Faith is a wonderful thing, something that every believer possesses. It takes the pressure off us to perform and initiate His works, and places the emphasis on God, the Creator of the actions. When told by God that his wife was going to have a baby, Abraham immediately looked to himself and said, “I don’t think I can father a baby.” He looked over at Sarah and said, “I know she cannot have a baby.” The he looked up to God and said, “When are we having a baby?”
We have so many promises from God, which we must learn to greet with the same sequence of responses as Abraham’s. We first look to ourselves and know they are impossible. “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation…” 1 Peter 2:9 How can it be, Lord? We know it it is impossible for us to achieve such a stature. Next, we ought to look to around us and realize that no other person can help us attain that, either. But then as men of faith we look to God and thank Him that it is true; we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation.” Side Tracked in the Wilderness Pg 68

Yesterday my temper threatened to blow. I had been disrespected and treated poorly. I was hurt, angry and fuming. I looked for possible avenues to overcome the rage which threatened to overcome me and explode on the people near me. Onto the ones who had offended. I knew this was wrong but I was escalating. The feels were stronger than my love or my resolve to do what is right. I stepped back, took a walk. As I walked I remembered a truth that did not feel good but I knew it was right. I am dead. Can a dead man be offended? Can a dead man feel hurt? But I was, but I did! I have made a habit of choosing to believe what the Bible says even if it seems way out there. So I said to myself, ‘I am dead.” No fanfare or emotions to bring assent just to say it. I am dead. It is a cold blooded statement of faith. It counts. If I am dead, how would I live out these net few moments? Then I went about my day listening for the gentle voice of the Shepherd, and slowly imperceptibly my wrath subsided. Soon a new thought was in my mind, a way to resolve the issue. I applied it. I was free. Joy came in like a flood! When you are not feeling guilty over sin, when shame is not entangling your feet, when you find God has indeed made a way of escape for you, when you live out the truth that sin does not have power over you any more, you really live. You live life to the full. Victory brings life, peace and lots of joy!
 

photo by Andy Newson

 "In all the world I have no one but you. Help me to follow you, even though it seems impossible. Help me to trust you as much as I long to love you.” As he heard these words the Shepherd suddenly lifted his head and laughed-a laugh full of exultation and triumph and delight. It echoed round the rockey walls of the little canyon in which they stood until for a moment or two it seemed as though the whole mountain range was laughing with him. The echoes bounded higher and higher leaping from rock to rock, and from crag to crag, up to the highest summits, until it seemed as though the last faint echoes of it were running into heaven itself.
When the last note had faded into silence, his voice said softly, “Thou art fair, my love; there is no spot in thee” Then he added, “Fear not much afraid, only believe. I promise that you shall not be put to shame.” Hinds Feet in High Places pg 68

I love this picture of Christ...I can just hear him shouting Yippppeeeee! When I chose to believe Him, and take Him at His word. He'll shout it for you too.

Living Life to the Full...Lying Emotions

Photo by healingdream

In the Living Life to the Full...Unbelieving Believers post I left you with a bunch of questions from Side Tracked in the Wilderness by Michael Wells. Following are the typical answers from defeated and struggling Christians around the world:
1. When I think about being with God, I feel….(fear, loneliness, that He is not here)

2. When I have to trust God, I feel….(Like he really won’t help me)

3. When I think about God, I wish…(I could see him or that He would change me)

4.Sometimes I get angry with God when…(He doesn’t seem to hear me, He leaves me alone, He doesn’t help.)

5. It frustrates me when God wants me to…(to do the impossible, which He always does. He gives me commandments I cannot keep)

6. I really enjoy God when…(He forgives)

7. The one thing I would change about myself to please God is….(everything)

8. When I think about God’s commands, I feel…(inadequate because I so often have not been able to keep them, or judgment for failing)

9. Sometimes I wish God would…(take me home)

10. I can really depend on God…(for nothing)

11. In my relationship with God, I’m always sure that he will….(judge me, get me, reveal to everyone my faults)

12. The one thing that frightens me most about God is…( His judgment)

13. God surprises me when…(answers or is there)

14. One thing I’m afraid God will do is….(kill someone I love to get my attention)

“God, and God alone, can meet our deepest needs; we all recognize this in our minds, but what about in our emotions? Is there anything in our emotions that might keep us from running to God to have these needs met, thus embarking us on an endless journey trying to find that one person, that special thing, that incredible place, yes, that adored idol that will meet our needs? Look at how God is described by the defeated Christian in the test above, the defeated Christian often feels that this is who is being prayed to, worshiped, and trusted to meet needs.” Pg 61

The defeated believer often feels God is like this:

“by accepting Jesus into your life, from this day forward you will have fear and no help, God will not be there, He will not hear you, it will be impossible to keep his commands, God will judge you, you will be unacceptable, and He may even kill someone in your family to get your attention!” pg 61

Would you or those you know want to follow, trust, or worship a God like that?

“We do not take seriously that many reject the Lord not on the basis of what is heard, but what is being felt….Here is the great conflict: Many do not want to go to hell at some time in the future, so a savior appeals to them. However, because emotional unbelief and fear of what will happen if He is allowed to begin dabbling in their lives, these same people must find some way to cope with life outside God.” Pg 61,62

IF God is like this we will probably find ways to avoid Him, but IF God is not like this, IF He is all together different, should we not reconsider Him? How could we know God as he is? How would we know it is really true, true enough to risk trusting Him, real enough to believe in Him? Though the Bible is just words on paper, it can be a place to start. I Corinthians 13 is about Love…if God IS love could we not replace the word love with God and get a new picture of what God is like.


God is patient.

God is kind.

God is not jealous.

God does not brag.

God is not arrogant or proud.

God does not seek His own good, but rather seeks what is best for us.

God will be polite towards us.

God is not provoked.

God does not take into account our wrong doings.

God hates any evil that has happened to us.

God will bear with you always.

God believes in us.

God can endure all things.

God will never fail.

God will always be there for us.

"Remember I am not saying we work to change what we are, but work to beleive what we already are." pg 66

When I began to read the Bible for what it said and to obey it, I was choosing to trust what it said against what I felt. The way out of emotional unbelief is as simple as that. But it doesn’t happen over night and it was not easy to face lying emotions. It was a fearful endeavour. But to the degree I trusted in Christ and opened the door up to him I was set free and found that I was living and life to the full. He is all He says He is in the written word.

"It is a great step of faith to go against all the lying emotions you have concerning who God is and to just open that door to His life one time, for one time is all it will take for you to discover the adundant life for which you have searched for so long. " pg 66

Behold I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with me" Revelations 3:20

Living Life to the Full...Unbelieving Believers

Photo by idea go

What is an Unbelieving believer?

Sounds like an oxymoron. It is someone who is saved. They will be in heaven. They have understood the message of the Gospel and can say without a moments hesitation that it is true. They would agree with you that what God says is right. In the mind of an unbelieving believer there is no conflict. However it is in the emotions where most of us really live. If the message of the gospel and it’s good news isn’t jiving down there, there will be unbelief residing in a part of you. An imporatnt part of you. Perhaps you don’t know why you don’t you don’t accept it, or why it repels you. Perhaps you do and you just can’t refute it with wise sounding words. Perhaps you just aren’t ready to trust God down there where life hurts, and joys begins. At any rate those emotions are part of you…they matter. God wants to win your heart not just your mind and your mental consent. He doesn’t want you service and understanding as much as your trust.

It is when you are the lowest, when you are desperate for some real help that you realize just how much you have really trust God. Is he a comfort? Is he scoffing at you? Is he even there at all?

Here are some questions you can ask yourself next time life is not going well. Answer them honestly, and from your heart, this time forget what you know and feel for the answers. The questions are from pg 58-59  in Side Tracked in the Wilderness by Michael Wells.

1. When I think about being with God, I feel….

2. When I have to trust God, I feel….

3. When I think about God, I wish…

4. Sometimes I get angry with God when…

5. It frustrates me when God wants me to…

6. I really enjoy God when…

7. The one thing I would change about myself to please God is….

8. When I think about God’s commands, I feel…

9. Sometimes I wish God would…

10. I can really depend on God when…

11. in my relationship with God, I’m always sure that he will….

12. The one thing that frightens me most about God is…

13. God surprises me when…

14. One thing I’m afraid God will do is….

Perhaps as you answered the questions you saw the dichotomy, your mind knows what you should say but your feelings are hesitant. Tomorrow I will finish this thought more but today I wanted to leave you with a few more questions. From Side Tracked in the Wilderness Pg 43.

Where have you looked to have your needs met?

How are you coping with the world around you?

What do you do in the midst of defeat?

To whom or what do you turn when under pressure?

Where do you find comfort?

How do you exit in a world where God is relevant only for future fire insurance?

How do you live among humanity?

Three Stones

Photo by Evgeni Dinev

The story is told of a man who met God in a lovely valley one day.

“How are you this morning?” God asked the fellow.

“I’m fine, thank you,” the man replied. “Is there anything I can do for you today?”

“Yes, there is,” God said. “I have a wagon with three stones in it, and I need someone to pull it up the hill for me. Are you willing?”

“Yes, I’d love to do something for you. Those stones don’t Look very heavy, and the wagons’ in good shape. I’d be happy to do that. Where would you like me to take it?”

God gave the man specific instructions, sketching a map in the dust at the side of the road. “Go through the woods and up the road that winds up the side of the hill. Once you get to the top, just leave the wagon there. Thank you for your willingness to help me today.”

“No problem! The man replied and set off cheerfully. The wagon pulled a bit behind him, but the burden was an easy one. He began to whistle as he walked quickly through the forest. The sun peeked through the trees and warmed his back. What a joy to be able to serve the Lord, he thought, enjoying the beautiful day.

Just around the third bend, he walked into a small village. People smiled and greeted him. Then, at the last house, a man stopped him and asked, “How are you this morning? What a nice wagon you have. Where are you off to?”

“Well, God gave me a job this morning. I’m delivering these three stones to the top of the hill.”

“My goodness! Can you believe it? I was just praying this morning about how I was going to get this rock I have to the top of the mountain,” the man told him with great excitement. “You don’t suppose you could take it up there for me? It would be such an answer to prayer.”

The man with the wagon smiled and said, “of course. I don’t suppose God would mind. Just put it behind the other three stones.” Then he set off with three stones and a rock rolling behind him.

Photo by Dan

The wagon seemed a bit heavier. He could feel the jolt of each bump, and the wagon seemed to pull to one side a bit. The man stopped to adjust the load as he sang a hymn of praise, pleased to be helping out a brother as he served God. Then he set off again and soon reached another small village at the side of the road. A good friend lived there and offered him a glass of cider.

“You’re going up to the top of the hill?” his oldest friend asked.

“Yes, I am so excited. Can you imagine, God gave me something to do!”

“Hey!” said his friend. “I need this bag of pebbles taken up. I’ve been so worried that it might not get taken care of since I haven’t time to do it myself. But you could fit it in right between the three stones here in the middle.” With that, he placed his burden in the wagon.

“Shouldn’t be a problem,” the man said. “I think I can handle it.” He finished the cider, the stood up and brushed his hands on his overalls before griping the handle of the wagon. He waved good-bye and began to pull the wagon back onto the road.

The wagon was definitely tugging on his arm now, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. As he started up the incline, he began to feel the weight of the three stones, the rock, and the pebbles. Still, it felt good to help a friend. Surely God would be proud of how energetic and helpful he’d been.

One little stop followed another, and the wagon grew fuller and fuller. The sun was hot above the man pulling it, and his shoulders ached with the strain. The songs of praise and thanksgiving that had filled his heart had long since left his lips as resentment began to build up inside. Surely this wasn’t what he had signed up for this morning. God had given him a burden heavier than he could bear.

The wagon felt huge and awkward as it lumbered and swayed over the ruts in the road. Frustrated, the man was beginning to have visions of giving up and letting the wagon roll backward. God was playing a cruel game with him. The wagon lurched, and the load of obligations collided with the back of his legs, leaving bruises. “This is it!’ he fumed. “God can’t expect me to haul this all the way up the mountain.”

“Oh God,” he wailed “This is too hard for me! I thought you were behind this trip, but I am overcome by the heaviness of it. You’ll have to get someone else to do it. I’m just not strong enough.”

As he prayed, God came to his side. “Sounds like you’re having a hard time. What’s the problem?”

“You gave me a job that is too hard for me,” the man sobbed. “I’m just not up to it!” God walked over to where the wagon was braced with a stone. “What is this?” he held up a bag of pebbles.

:That belongs to John, my good friend. He didn’t have time to brig it up himself. I thought I would help.’

“And, this?” God tumbled two pieces of shale over the side of the wagon as the man tried to explain.

God continued to unload the wagon, removing both light and heavy items. They dropped to the ground, the dust swirling up around them. The man who had hoped to help God grew silent.

“if you will be content to let others take their own burdens,” God told him, “I will help you with your task.”

“But I promised I would help! I can’t leave these things lying here.”

“Let others shoulder their own belongings,” God said gently. “I know you were trying to help, but when you are weighted down with all these cares, you cannot do what I have asked of you.”

Photo by Felix Co Inc

The man jumped to his feet, suddenly realizing the freedom God was offering. “You mean I only have to take the three stones after all?” he asked.

“That is what I asked you to do.” God smiled. “My yoke is easy, and my burden is light. I will never ask you to carry more than you can bear.”

“I can do that!” said the man, grinning from ear to ear. He grabbed the wagon handle and set off once again, leaving the rest of the burdens beside the rod. The wagon still lurched and jolted lightly, but he hardly noticed.

A new song filled his lips, and he noticed a fragrant breeze wafting over the path. With great joy he reached the top of the hill. It had been a wonderful day, for he had done what the Lord had asked. From Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World by Joanna Weaver Pg 48-51

What are your three stones?

Living Life to the Full...The Tree

The Tree of life by Klimt

"And out of the ground the Lord God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil." Genesis 2:9

Yesterday I posted about things that don't work. They may seem to be light on our path to living life to the full but in reality they still leave us defeated, tired, frustrated and looking. Why is this so? Below is yet another quote from Side tracked in the wilderness by Michael Wells which sheds light on this.

"God commands righteousness of us, and yet we are told every righteous deed is like a filthy garment. Good and evil come from the same tree and are treated alike by God...they are BOTH REJECTED. (empahsis mine) Doing evil is a sign of disbelief that God exists or will judge, but doing good is a sign of unbelief in God's standard of acceptence. We prove that we do not believe God at all when we add to this standard. We are touching upon one of the greatest deceptions in Christianity. God does want us to do good works, but what makes a work fitting is not the content but its origin; if the source of the work is faith as Christ expresses himself through us, then it is acceptable. First Thessalonians 1:3 mentions work produced by faith, which is acceptable. But all other work is unacceptable, based on unbelief and self-righteousness." pg 30

In the Bible Jesus recognized the tax collectors and sinners as bad. They had eaten from the evil side of the tree. He knew they would be given to repenting for they knew they has done something wrong and most of those around them knew it too. However, Jesus did not hold the same hope for the Pharisses and teachers of the law. The tax collectors and the sinners would enter into heaven before those who had eaten from the good side of the tree and could not see that they needed to repent from their good works.

"No one around them (Pharisees) would testify to how truly repulsive and unacceptable their good works and self righteousness really were. There is a blindness that comes from eating from the good side of this most forbidden tree." pg 30

"Eating from the tree will cause us to advocate a very simple teaching that goes like this: You did evil, now do good." pg 31

"Are today's teachings yielding more additions to God's standard (faith) or promoting performance that would apply equally well to the Hindu, the Buddist, the muslim or the Morman?" pg 31-32

Suppose because of God's leading, I decide to spend my day playing with my kids in the park. It is the clear leading of the Lord that I do so. That may not appear to be very significant work, and yet it will reap for me in heaven a rich reward! WHY! Not because it was a great work or sacrifice, but because it was led by the Lord. It's derivation was from Him. His life in me! If I am living out His life I need not worry; the action, no matter how insignificant in my eyes or the eyes of others looking in on my life, will always be good. On the other hand, I might preach to thousands for my own benefit, glory, and exaltation. This work will be wood, hay, and stubble burnt up on the last day. The magnitude of the work was tremendous, but the source was not Christ's life within but my own efforts.

"The supernatural life is manifested in the small, often unseen areas of our lives in such things as peace, mercy, and lack of condemnation when wronged." pg 35

I have begun a habit each day as I awaken and begin to think about the coming day. I ask, "Jesus what would you like to do with my life today." The next good idea or thought that comes into my head is where I begin. Throughout the day my ear is listening for his gentle voice and His way through the day. He gets me over obstacles large and small, shows me how to handle difficult situations, and when I am in over my head he takes the wheel and deals with the issue. He points out kind things to do for those I am living around that day, gives creative ideas for homeschooling. He is my life...a life more abundant full and free!

Living Life to the Full...What doesn't work

Photo by Worradmu

“If you must work to be something you prove yourself not to be the thing at all.” Andrew Murray

Knowing what does work can be helpful, but often knowing what doesn't work gives us more of an idea about how something really does work. It is more information on the road to discovery. I am still reading and jounraling through a book I  love called Side Tracked in the Wilderness by Michael Wells. The following is a story from Chapter 3.


“One night a man lost his key to his house and, finding himself locked out, began to look for it under the streetlight. As the neighbors noticed the man they would ask what he was doing, and one by one they joined him in his search. Finally one of the neighbors asked the man, “Exactly where did you lose the key?”


The man replied, “over there by the house.”


The neighbor responded, “If you lost the key by your house, why are we looking under the light?”


The man answered, “I couldn’t see well enough where I lost it; I can only see under the light.”


The believer who has lost his joy and victory often looks where things appear to be clearest, not at the source of the defeat. Looking and Looking in the wrong places never yields the key to success, and just because there is a measure of light, this is no reason to continue.” Pg 28


Looking in the wrong place can be very frustrating. In this post I want to list a few things (there are much more) that don't work when you are longing and looking for a way  to live your life to the full. These are places that may look clear, they seem like they should work, but they don't. They are the lamp post in the story. So without much ado here is a list of thing that don't work.

What doesn't work!

• Having correct doctrine

“The defeated can be found among the those who were baptized in the “proper” manner at the “proper” time, who are submitting to spiritual authorities, who lead shepherding groups, who have whole books of the bible memorized, who promote devotional and quiet times, who are tireless evangelists, who maintain levels of separation from the world, who make positive confessions, who read only the King James Version , who will not own a piano, and who have read all the good Christian books on parenting. We believe the words of Jesus, “You shall know the truth and, and the truth shall set you free” (John 8:32) Obviously, those things which we are mentioning are not the Truth, for those who practice them are not free.” pg 24

• Getting rid of the demons

“Some have been told that the source of their problem is demonic. Hours have been spent casting the demon(s) out, and yet within a few short weeks these people are experiencing the same condition of bondage to a particular sin or behavior as before.” Pg 25

• Having lots of knowledge

“Considerable time is spent in research, and no doubt the most brilliant scholars were utilized. But why? Are these the things that concern the defeated who are in bondage? Do they carry significance for the oppressed Christians in China, the brother imprisoned in Nepal for baptizing a man, the Indian sister who does not have a meal this night, or even you?


The church is cluttered with shipwrecked scholars who thought the Bible was written for understanding and did not recognize it was written to give life.” Pg 25

• Counseling

“Many Christians hold vehemently that self-knowledge gained through psychological counseling is a concrete aid to helping the defeated enter into victory. However, one disturbing thing about some Christian counseling is that the Lord Jesus and his supernatural activity in our lives is often left out; the advice given to the Christian would suit the unbeliever just as well. True Christian counseling leaves a person looking to Christ not to himself. I have always found puzzling the measure of hostility that can be raised among Christians when they hear Jesus is all you need. We are commanded to cast our anxiety on the Lord, not on psychology.” Pg 26

• Programs and methods

“Concerning our examination of what Christians try that does not work, we hardly need to mention all the methods and programs that have been thrust upon us by those in the churches who have developed one campaign after another to enlarge the numerical size of the congregation.”

What have you found doesn't work?

“To the same degree that man loses his God consciousness, he increases the rules by which he lives.” Pg 23

Living Life to the Full

Photo by Andy Newson

Life is short, it is a gift. Living it fully and with peace, and joy is not only possible it is effortless. Many are looking and longing to find it. Why does it seem like it is always just out of reach? Perhaps there are days when we seem to have the peace the joy we lack, but then like a tire with a hole in it we are flat yet again. By God's grace, I have found a simple way of living life that has given me life and  life more abundant on a regular day to day baisis. The simplicity of it and the joy it brings is just too good not to share. But how? I have been troubling over this, but recently I have found an author who can help me put into words what God has shown me. In this author's writings I have found wonderful words to describe the message and the truth I stumbled upon...or to be more accurate which God lovingly led me to by His compassion and grace.

Michael Wells wrote Sidetracked in the Wilderness 2002 in response to a call from God to encourage defeated Christians. It was only after he had experienced his own failure, defeat and frustration that he discovered again what he had had from the beginning, when he first knew Christ, was after all enough.

Have you ever asked these questions to yourself or perhaps to others?

“Why is it that Christianity is so difficult for me? Why is it that I strive for years to attain spirituality through a sequence of methodologies, programs and techniques; and when blueprints of success fail, I end up give up and resign myself to a life of mediocrity, frustration, and regression? Is this the abundant life of which my Lord spoke? Did he speak of a life of defeat, turmoil, self-effort, endless entreaties for joy, and bondage to emotions, thoughts, and sinful behaviors for all who would dare to call upon his name? Was the life that He came to give characterized by conflict in families, endless trips to counselors, and depression so deep that I wish to be taken out of this life in order to gain some measure of relief? I fear this is the prevalent Christian life for many of us.” Pg 13

I have. these questions could very well have come from my own lips. For years I lived these questions, sought answers and found none that lasted. In desperation I clung to a hope that what Jesus had said about a life more abundant was real...my faith though small was battered and then redirected.


“One key word that would describe the Christian community around the world is change. We want to change what we are, what we do, and our circumstance so we can be acceptable to God.” Pg 14

Are you seeking change? Is there fear pushing you to do more? Are you frustrated with defeat?

“If it is so simple to live a defeated life, would it not be good news that it is equally easy to live a victorious life? What is the answer? It will be found in the simplicity of the Gospel (good news) a simplicity that has been lost in the shuffle of programs, methods, and how-to lists, all symptoms of unbelief! The answer is not something we must do but rather something that we must believe! The great secret of success is that Christian growth is simply accepting what we have always had from the beginning, from the first day we gave our lives to Christ!” pg 14

On that first day, I heard/read what Jesus said, I believed him. Then I got lost, then I was found again. Today I am doing what I did in the beginning. Irreguardless if I feel it, know it can be possible, or like it, I have decided to believe him and begin there. I used to read my Bible for encouragment and inspiration. I looked for the words to relate to my life and touch me, or at best make sense. But I have found a new freedom and simplicty in reading the Bible to hear what IT says...then obey it. I begin my days often thinking this....God you said...so I am going to believe it, now, how would I live my day today if that was true. Then I live as is if it is true, because it is. As I walk in it I find it shows itself to be true, even though often I begin not knowing for sure.

"How then do I experience this abundant life to the full? How do I discover a life free from sin? And how can it be mine without effort? God’s answer is specifically designed to be within the grasp of the weak, the failures, the unacceptable, the ignorant, the frustrated, and the hopeless. The answer is the simplicity of the abiding life.” Pg 15

God is not partial to persons, he accepts your faith even if it is simply to say, "God help me to trust you today."

“God’s answer for abundant life will always be unbelievably simple: The Christian must learn to believe and receive its simplicity. His answers require faith…faith we may not know we possess…not great talent, ability, or intellect. The problem is not that God places on us a great and difficult task to perform in order to experience His peace, rest, and joy. On the contrary, the problem is that we place on ourselves these great tasks and set for ourselves a standard of acceptance that is higher than God’s….God’s answer is simple, but often in order for Him to bring us to a place of accepting it, He must first put us through a series of courses that will exhaust us, leaving us despairing of self and others and prepared to listen to whatever God says with a believing heart. It is not until we refuse to trust ourselves that we will begin to trust God.” Pg 15

In Lost in the Wilderness you will not find another to do list. Nor will Mr. Wells reveal a method you can follow to be assured of victory. In fact he will give you nothing new to do since the way to living life to the full rests completely on what Christ has done. He will not provide principles you can follow but a person, who is alive today, who lives in anyone who believes and who is always present, and will do it all for you.

“So, now climb into the Father’s arms; let him carry you along the steps He has designed. All of your suffering is for a purpose, and though you do not see God’s hand in it now, you will! And when you see where he has taken you, you will break forth in praise! "pg 16


"As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in the mother's womb, so you can not understand the work of God, the maker of all things." (Ecc 11:5)


"But, I am afraid, lest as the serpent decieved Eve by his craftiness, your minds should be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ." (2 Cor 11:3)

“Father, we trust you to take us back to the simplicity of faith, the simplicity that made Abraham so pleasing to you, the simplicity that filled Your Son’s life with joy, peace and abundance unspeakable.”