The Dance

This past Christmas Eve we had an emergency of sorts during the brutal weather when an old pipe burst in the ceiling of our parent's patio duplex flooding their home. My dad lives on one side and the Farmer's mom on the other. The pipe is fixed and the water suctioned out thankfully with minimal damage. 

I realized after the ordeal that I have taken for granted the Farmer's ability to lead, thinking clearly and rationally in an emergency, his wisdom to delegate and then support me in my part. I could also see how over time he has become so much better with his part. 

I believe a great leader isn't one who understands his strengths, but one who is well aware of his weaknesses.  

Many resist the Christian faith because of God's design for marriage. One deep reading of the Genesis account reveals God's intricacy of purpose and beauty within the positioning. Jesus and Paul both quote from it in the New Testament. Granted, the fall in the Garden of Eden has soiled the original plan, but God's blueprint is still very much in place all the same.  

And to me that blueprint is like a dance. 

A young husband and wife exchange vows, make a covenant before God, and give themselves to each other, excitedly locking eyes and arms. 

The couple begin to move together, out of sync, stepping on toes, tripping over each other, falling down; their new life resembles a wrestling match more than Swan Lake. 

Those loving feelings they felt on their wedding day begin to fade. 

Awkwardly and humbly, both must admit their weaknesses, that neither know the right rhythm or quite understand how to dance their part. But through the years, as they look to the Designer for guidance and strength to hold them together, and as they continue to practice his steps, relying on his saving grace, growing in his wisdom, a beautiful melody begins to rise out of the disharmony. 

And then one day they both realize they are dancing for His glory.  

Marriage is hard work. And it's narrow, mimicking our bridal walk down the aisle to Jesus. The commitment brings restraints, yes, but within those biblical commandments of excluding all others, giving the husband the lead, true freedom and grace reign. 

I think of the great dance team Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Once when someone was going on and on about what a great dancer Fred was, a wonderful soul piped up and said, "Well remember, everything Fred did Ginger did too, except backwards and in high heels." 

Heck yeah. 

Through the years of faithfulness during the mundane and ordinary, attending church together, raising a family together, burying loved ones together, enduring sickness and health together, experiencing sorrow and joy together, ups and downs, dog hair and cat fights, something supernatural transpires.

The truth that sneaks up on us during these marital years is that those superficial loving feelings at the beginning of the marriage are slowly being replaced by a genuine, solid love that can bear up against the strongest hurricane life slams at us. The initial emotions were only feelings that could not sustain two different people living under one roof, becoming one flesh. They fade as they should making room for deep love to sprout and flourish. 

If we will humbly obey and honor God's Word in his design for marriage, he will allow marriage to transform us from an awkward, clumsy pair into a gracious couple, moving harmoniously to the rhythm of his music. 

If I'm flexible in the Farmer's arms, I can twirl and spin and dip. I can glide knowing he's supporting me within his secure grip and at times over his broad shoulders. I could never accomplish these moves without the Farmer. He makes me look good. I make him look good. Together, with what God has given each of us to bring to the gala, we can gladly serve His purposes in our generation. That's the way God planned it. 

Yes, we're still dancing a few missteps today, but that means were still learning and growing, and most importantly of all, still dancing. 💜

Todays recommendations: Book: "The Meaning of Marriage, Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God." Timothy and Kathy Keller 

Podcast: Thirty Minutes with The Perrys: Preston and Jackie "bring humor, honesty, and insight into conversations on everything from relationships, theology, politics, race, and parenting." ( I also recommend following Jackie Hill Perry on Instagram for her daily wisdom. She was one of the speakers at Passion 2023 this year. ) 

Restful Hearts

"You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in YOU." ( Saint Augustine ) 💘

"The fear of the LORD leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble." ( Proverbs 19:23 )

"Those who fear God find God satisfying, and they are contented. The second phrase literally says that they 'spend the night' content, meaning that God is like a haven for the storm tossed.

How is it possible to live life untouched by trouble? 

➜➜➜This does not say that we will not have trouble, only that it will not over-throw our contentment. 

Trouble can take anything away from you expect God. Therefore, if God is to you a greater safety, a deeper security, and a more powerful hope than anything else in the world, you fear no trouble. 💘

➜➜➜ Depending on God in trouble is a spiritual skill that can be learned only in trouble. 

Difficulties take away earthly comforts and then, through prayer and reflection on the Word, we are driven closer to God to get his unique consolations. 

The process is long and in many parts painful, but the fruit is a spiritual poise that no trouble can dislodge. Jesus promises it to all his disciples. 👏👏👏( Matthew 11:28-30 )" ( 1 ) 

"You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in YOU" 🙏

Happy Valentines Day! 💘

1. God's Wisdom for Navigating Life : A Year of Daily Devotionals in the Book of Proverbs, Timothy and Kathy Keller 

Today's Recommendation 👆

Our handsome breeding ram, Mac. 

Happy Hunting Ground

"I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble. Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life." ( Proverbs 4: 11-13 ) Wisdom speaks to us. May we have ears to hear. 

I was having lunch several years ago with a family member that I had reconnected with and he was experiencing problems. So in the course of our meal, like I usually do with people because I just can't seem to help myself, I asked him if he minded sharing with me his beliefs about God and human origins. 

He thought about it for a few seconds and responded that he thought life was like the Matrix, referring to the widely poplar 1999 science fiction movie. Yeah, I always thought the film did possess spiritual undertones, but had forgotten about it. The memory was brought back to my attention that day. Having raised teenage boys is the only reason I am familiar with the movie and its sequels in the first place; the franchise went on to create comic books, video games, and a deficit in my wallet. 

Later I thought of the conversation as I began researching and journaling about how the serpent deceived Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and the continuing influence of deception over mankind. As I read the Genesis creation story in my yearly reading plan, I was struck with a revelation and so I took this sidetrack from Eden that opened up into an entire area of study. I hadn't planned the trip.  

Since then, the abstract of deception has become one of my rabbit trails, a topic that interest me greatly, so I pondered back to his answer that day. I thought this might be a sign that I was on the right track in my analysis.   

As I read the Bible, I have a habit of venturing down rabbit trails. Somedays I follow so many of these scents I feel like the female version of Elmer Fudd. My trails, as I suspect like other believers, are driven by my past experiences and the questions surrounding them that rise early and linger on through the predawn hours of the morning and into my work day. One of the means I've found that God often uses in shaping us like his Son and for our purposes here in this world is the small and vast details of our lives, the suffering, the circumstances, even the sin. All of it is used for our good and his glory. Nothing is wasted in God's economy. ( Romans 8: 27-28 ) 

Whatever sparks your interest, rabbit trails aren't always a side track that distract us. They can be the very pathway the Holy Spirit is leading us down. In fact, some of my best learning and growth as a Christian have come in these "off the beaten path" studies. These spiritual nuts and berries often turn into blogs, wisdom harvested along the thorny highways and byways of rabbit trails. So, never overlook a good rabbit chase. Forget your heart; follow your nose. I know my dogs would certainly agree.  

Except don't forget your Bible and your brain in the process. 

We can't afford not to stop and soak each journey with prayer, asking God for discernment while also using theologically sound resources in the way of books and teachers. If we are not vigilant in these areas, rabbit trails can lead us to fall into rabbit holes becoming trapped and entangled in all sorts of false doctrine and crazy, prideful ideas and yes, deception. The enemy would love nothing more. Our motives in running down these trails can never be to just gain more knowledge so we can hang with the intelligentsia and cultural elite. The Scriptures remind us that knowledge can puff up, but love builds up. 

"If anyone imagines that he knows something he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God." ( 1 Corinthians 8:2 )  We might be able to smell bad theology from a mile away, but it we don't have love, we're just plain annoying.  

Ultimately, first and foremost, we are seeking to know Christ better through the knowledge we gain, as Scripture does command us to study and mediate on God's precepts, and in result of our study, growing in love and wisdom for the building up of each other. Knowing God isn't a means to an end. God himself is the glorious end, and the trails that lead to him are always paved in holiness. ( 2 Timothy 2:15 ) ( 1 Thessalonians 5:11 ) 

Let's beware of our steps. The Word of God will always illuminate our path in our studies, and even though the Holy Spirit may lead us into the wilderness, followed by rabbit trails of learning, he always, supernaturally and paradoxically, keeps us on the straight and narrow path simultaneously. The Holy Spirit proves to be the perfect trail Guide.  

So be encouraged to take to those rabbit chases - others can benefit from your study. If we are going to train our young ones and help others in the ways of God found through the Scriptures, we've got to first know them ourselves. And greatest and most joyful of all, we have the awesome invitation in these delightful endeavors to glorify and grow closer to our Maker.  

I know my dogs would certainly agree. 

Happy hunting.🐾

Photos courtesy of "Bryson's Barnyard" near Winston-Salem, NC, where Atlas's daughter Duchess gave birth to a lovey litter of Great Pyrenees puppies in January of 2022, including our Aslan, and home to lots of "big buns." ( Flemish Giants ) Joyce encouraged us to think seriously about raising ducks and geese, and for that I'm truly grateful. ( The dogs were voting for rabbits, 😂 those naughty hounds. ) God has placed so many wonderful new friends for us along rabbit trails, literally.  

Today's Recommendation: A good study source for lay people: The ESV Study Bible / Crossway - Wheaton, Illinois. 

Joyce and Aslan

Atlas and Natasha's daughter Duchess, Aslan's mama. 💛

Flight Path

It was an early morning flight. The mellow voice that flowed from the departure gate desk indicated the kind sir behind the intercom understood our pain. It appeared we were the only flight scheduled to leave that morning; the travel choices of a small hometown airport are slim pickings. As each group was called to board, we passengers all shuffled slowly and silently into formation, down the connecting ramp and into the plane, passing flight attendants and pilots who smiled but did not speak, making our way down the aisle and to our assigned seats. After lift off, the cabin settled into an even deeper state of silence. The seat beside me was empty. I can't remember ever feeling so peaceful on an airplane. I'm almost sure that I was the only morning person aboard that flight. 

Watching through the window, out into the darkness as the city lights sparkled and shimmered below me, I thought to myself there is one thing that would heighten this experience even more and before I could scarcely think the thought, a lovely flight attendant was placing a hot cup of coffee in my out stretched hand. "God bless you," I told her. 

Everything looks and feels different from this perspective. Over the steam and warmth of that coffee, I could see down at the coldness and the brokenness, over the struggle for survival and cries for justice. I could see the suffering from lofty heights and not eye to eye for once. Is this what God sees as he sits in his heavenly throne? Does he understand or care about our struggles with sin and our pain? 

In an hour and twenty minutes I would land in the busiest airport in the world. I would disembark from this quiet transport and merge into a sea of noisy travelers and families hustling through terminals, frantically pulling luggage as they hurry to make their connections. The voices over the intercom system would roar loud and harsh as if in defiance to be heard over the confusion of it all. 

I loved being in that still moment above the earth, seeing the sunrise from another angle, down along the silver wing of a plane, nose to nose with soft mist and a radiance of color. 

But life was not meant to be lived with ones head above the clouds. Wisdom cries out not from ivory towers, but from city markets and country towns. ( Proverbs 1:20 - 21 ) Our quiet places are crucial for reflection and meditation, and much wisdom is gained here to strengthen us for the difficult life below, but we have to come down to the real world if we plan on making any difference for the Kingdom of God. We must be submerged into the messiness of life with the courage to face our own weaknesses and others. 

That's the thing. God does see us. And he sent Jesus to rescue us. Jesus didn't just stay on his throne looking down at the sinfulness and pain of this world. He emptied himself, made himself poor and vulnerable, became one of us and entered into our fallen state to save us. Now he's commissioned us at the end of the gospels as his followers to live for others and to be a part of his rescue process down inside of the heartbreak and tragedy. ( Isaiah 53 4-6, Romans 3, 23-24, Romans 4: 4-5, 1 Corinthians 3:3-4, Galatians 3:3-4, Ephesians 2:4-5, Philippians 2:6-8, Colossians 1:19-20, Colossians 2:13-14, Titus 3:4-7, Hebrews 2:14-17, 1 Peter 2:22-25 ) 

And to always remember our blessed hope in him: there will come a day when that peaceful, satisfying, joyful flight will lift off of the runway and never have to land. ✈

Thanks be to God. 

Happy Monday from Atlanta!

Todays recommendation: My favorite phone app: Truth for Life; The Bible Teaching Ministry of Alistair Begg. 

It's a free download, user friendly, and an amazing resource right at my fingertips. I haven't even explored all that this app contains, but so far I know it has Pastor Begg's blog, sermon series, messages on all kinds of topics, devotionals ( even one by Spurgeon ), wallpapers, his daily program, his latest sermon series, books available to order, Bibles to send to others, and much more. You can certainly become a "Truth Partner" but they do not "begg" for money. Pastor Begg joked about that in one of his sermons. Lol. 

In each day and age, I believe we should use every means possible to spread the gospel. Jesus did. Paul did. When people were screaming that the printing press was evil, Martin Luther didn't care. It took six of them to keep up with all of the pamphlets he was distributing to get the Word of God into the hands of the people. And look at us now. We need to keep building on that foundation.  

Two Books I ordered from Truth for Life that I will also recommend: 

Habits of Grace, Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines by David Mathis -  immensely helpful for anyone looking to form better habits in 2023 with spiritual disciplines which he refers to as "means of grace." 

The children's book: His Grace is Enough, How God Makes it Right When We've got it Wrong by Melissa Kruger - helpful in explaining the good news of the gospel to children. I read from it online and ordered one for my grands. 

Carry on.