When Life and Faith Are "On the Line"

So many verses came to my mind as I anxiously watched Nik Wallenda walk a tightrope across the Grand Canyon. 

Left up to me, I would not have watched, and I tried not to. Looking back, that glaringly demonstrated just how little faith I had in His capabilities for Nik. I'm not alone. C'mon, admit it...YOU thought he was outta-his-mind N-U-T-S just like I did, a devout Christian. What a laugh. What a pathetic laugh.

So why DID I watch? I watched because I was watching my husband's reaction to all of this. My husband seems to enjoy watching potentially dangerous shows, and the more death-sure, the better! "We're all inevitably gonna die sometime!" I am SO not wired like that.

There was something very different about THIS show, though. This involved a Christian gentleman of deep, genuine, devout, and evidently divine faith with God ... such profound faith we've not seen since Daniel in the Lion's den or the Furnace. Hubby is a people watcher. He is fascinated by how people handle themselves through extraordinary circumstances. This particular envelop wasn't even thought of before, let alone pushed and done. Nik Wallenda was literally putting his LIFE and FAITH  on the line.

God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind.
LOL, while "sound mind" might've been in question here, it is wonderfully obvious that Nik has experienced Power and Love on his walk across the Grand Canyon. It was also obvious that God blessed him with a sense of amazing focus (this is the sound mind we need to speak more about,lol).
Rejoice ever more. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks. What better opportunity to do this than while doing this crazy stunt? I must say, though, it was VERY encouraging to listen to him chat with God. He DID give thanks to God for every little thing, any little thing he could think of...whatever crossed his mind, he gave thanks and praise. He was free about it, like this is an automatic practice for him. Out of the heart flows the issues of life. He did not speak panicked fear...he spoke confidence in His Saviour being with him literally every step of the way.
He had a few moments in which some outside  forces could have given him trouble. A few times he asked the Lord to quiet the winds. ..."What manner of man is this, that even the winds and seas obey Him?" Even to this day, we often forget that the Lord can and does control the winds and other elements on this earth. It is obvious that Nik has practiced and has first-hand knowledge that only the Lord can control his environmental conditions.
Nik was very realistic in knowing when his mind was attempting to play tricks on him, when he needed to talk to himself, when he needed to quiet and rest his mind and body for a few moments. His father was extremely encouraging, gently urging him on, that he was in good shape, reminding him that whatever particular situation is nothing new to him, just refocus. The communication between father and son was soothing and comfortable. The communication between Father and son was even more comfortable. 

When he reached near the end, I must readily admit (again, I know I'm not the only one!!) that everything I had just witnessed up to this point flew out the window the moment he stopped, air-kissed his family in celebration before he got to the last few feet and ran across the wire onto solid ground. Even my husband was extremely nervous about that last pseudo-stunt!! I mean, "DUDE, you're SO CLOSE...don't mess up NOW!!!!!"

Throughout it all, Hubby cheered him on, but he was also rooted in doubt that he could actually make it. Every step he took made him feel hopeful for him, but it also made him even more anxious for him, too! He reacted more about this event than anything I've ever seen him react.  He actually told me that he would feel absolutely horrible if he had died while doing this (a very rare response from him about death in general). I'm so very thankful for the 10-second delay that programming was supposedly set for in case anything tragic happened, but the entire time was extremely intense and almost unbearable. 

For me, watching this man of faith LIVING in faith, in face of what had to otherwise be insurmountable fear, was actually a pretty exhilarating experience! What was even more marvelous is the fact that Hubby watched, with his own eyes, a death-defying, divine-inspired, modern-day miracle, and HE KNEW IT! He actually said that, for all the training, knowledge, scientific studies, he saw that God had a Hand in this all along.  I am praying for some dialogue with him. In the meantime, I need to straighten some things out for myself, too.

So, what about me? Watching this evidence of extraordinary faith play out has made me painfully realize just how little my faith truly was. I had forgotten that God is involved in our ev-er-y-day, ordinary lives, with typically ordinary little problems and even little "need" for faith. How shameful. Father, please forgive me for wandering away from you. Jesus, please help my mind match my spirit in knowing that you ARE WITH ME EVERY STEP OF THE WAY in my life. I guess I thought of myself higher than I should've, as evidenced by someone who really and truly not only stepped out on faith, did something more miraculous than walking on water (which Jesus DID promise could happen!), but put his life and faith on the line for the world to see. To God be the Glory!

In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb

I've heard this for years, "...in like a lion, out like a lamb...", and, of course, I realize they're referring to March's environment and atmosphere. The month of March often begins in quite a bluster of wind like a roaring lion and sometimes rain, and then things quiet down near the close of March as a contented lamb bleating in a field for its mother. 

During this time, I'm especially remembering that "lion" qualities and "lamb" qualities both are found in my Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God. He has an authoritative presence with a protective nature. He is also a humble being with a tender gentleness, obedient to carry out His Father's will for His life. 

Jesus' ministry was based on his audience. With those who required a stern rebuke, he was as firm and steadfast as a lion. With those who were broken and weak, he was a gentle and kind as a lamb. 

There is a prophesy that foretells the day in which a lion will lie down with the sheep. I can see that spiritually happening. One day we may actually see it really happen on this earth.
The end of THIS March happens to fall on Resurrection Day Sunday. On Good Friday, the Lamb of God was crucified to bear the sins of this world. Today, the Lion of Judah has returned to His place on the right hand of God, preparing a place for us who believe on Him and His Name, believing that He died for the sins of mankind, our personal ones included. 

May all of us enjoy a perpetual March, whether it comes in as a lion or goes out as a lamb. 

January 2013

Here we are again. It's another year. 
Another new beginning. 

Another clean slate.
Another opportunity to aim high for a better life.

The year 2012 wasn't too bad of a year for me. Actually, it was a pretty decent year. I received many wonderful blessings. I got to participate in some things I've not been able to do for many years. I got to meet some really great people this year. 

Thankfully, my immediate family did not suffer loss last year. We all remained mostly healthy. Despite some wicked storms that have surrounded us last year, we still have a home. Hubby and I both had jobs all year last year (I was a little quiet in November, but I see that as a break I evidently needed). We made more trips to my folks' house (about 100 miles away) this year. I treasure those trips there because we already lost my husband's parents, and I want the boys to get to know mine for as long as they can. My parents get such a joy seeing us, especially their only grandchildren.

I do acknowledge that I have quite a few friends who struggled for much, if not all, of the year last year. My heart goes out to those who lost loved ones, who lost their jobs, who faced urgent medical issues with the subsequent mountain of medical bills. My heart goes out to those who lost their pets. My heart goes out to those who suffered heartache for unnamed reasons. My heart goes out to those who feel hopelessness is their lot in life. I continue to pray that their outlook changes for the better in 2013. 

There are some superstitious people who believe that 2013 will be bad luck. Well, I don't believe in "luck." Why anticipate an entire year will be doom and gloom simply because 13 happens to be a necessary number in our lives? In my opinion, that is no way to live. I believe that we have a huge contribution into how this year, or any year, for that matter, turns out for us. There are obviously unforeseeable events that can throw a monkey wrench into your plans (happens all the time for me, lol), but just start with a plan, and follow the path laid out for you to reach your goal. It can be done. As a Christian, I believe that God loves me and has my best interest at heart, whether it's joyful or grievous to me. Where there is sorrow at night (and sometimes the nights seem awfully long!), joy comes in the morning. Sometimes a loss means something better is about to take place, whether in this life or the next. We can make the plans, but I believe God really does order our footsteps. This comes to mind as I remember: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” ~~Jeremiah 29:11~~

I really haven't given much thought as to what I hope to accomplish this year. I have a few perpetual goals/resolutions...to lose weight and be healthy, to read my Bible through the year, to earn more money, to be able to let my boys participate in more activities, etc, etc, etc.........
However, I DO want to do something new this year. I read a post on Facebook (pictured above) about having a jar and filling it with great things that happen throughout the year. Either I need to find a HUGE jar, or by the end of the year I need to really mush those notes into the largest jar I own. ;) Either way, I'm actually looking forward to a great year, no matter what comes my way.

Here's to each of us enjoying a wonderful and Happy New Year of 2013. One of my favorite biblical "New Year" verses is Paul's greeting in 3 John 2~~

"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."