What a Little Bird Told Me

I'm going to springboard off Robin's post having to do with birds and God's care for His creation. I thought it was interesting that Robin was the one who posted about birds because you see, my favorite bird is the robin. And, I have always liked the feminine use of the name Robin. So, today I'm going to post about robins, for your encouragement.

Maybe one reason I like robins is because I grew up in Maine where the winters are long and cold. It used to be fun to see who was the first to spot a robin in late March for this was to us the harbinger of spring. Another reason I like robins is because their eggs are tiny and oh so pretty. Robin's egg blue. Another reason is because I think a robin is fun to watch as it labors to pull up a juicy worm out of the defrosting earth. I would sit and watch as the robin, after succeeding to loosen its meal from the ground lifted its head triumphantly and let that worm slide down its throat. Then the robin would begin again, only this time instead of swallowing the worm, it flew off with worm dangling between its beak happy to bring dinner home to the family. And finally, I love the robin's song. It goes something like this "cheerUP!, cheer, cheer, cheer, cheerUP!!"

In His word God uses nature to bring illustration to the truth about Himself, ourselves, our world, sin, etc. (Isn't that kind of God-to reveal His truth in such a way as to connect to our every day lives?) So, following God's example I'm using Mr. and Mrs. Robin Redbreast and what these birds can teach us about God and about ourselves.

As Robin told us in her post, God provides for all creatures, even those without souls. How much more must He care for us, His image bearers and His redeemed ones? God provides for all our needs. Usually that provision comes through giving us healthy bodies and alert minds to do labor. We often take that for granted. We are quick to thank God when we bow our head for our food (and well we should), but how quick are we to thank Him for our labor? For our job? For our husband's job? When the alarm goes off on a Monday morning it isn't easy to give thanks for having to get up and go to work is it? But that is exactly how God is providing for our needs. As a woman do you find it easy to grumble and complain about our work in providing meals for our families (the food shopping, the lines, the traffic, the expense, the effort to prepare the meals, the routine of it all)? But this is exactly how God ordained to provide for our daily bread - through our labors.

Just as the robin does not stay in its nest waiting for food to fall out of the sky but is seen at the first light of day (the early bird gets the worm), so should we rise early and thank God for the ability to work which is His provision for our families.* Usually in our house when someone gives thanks for a meal, they include in that prayer a mention of thanks for the "hands that prepared it." When it is my turn to give thanks I often include in my prayer a word of thanks for my husband who works hard to provide for our family and in our case I thank God for the church who faithfully supports us. I believe this pleases God, honors my husband and teaches our children how God has graciously provided for our needs; from His heart through their father, through the church.

We aren't always thankful for labor. Labor is what it is: work. But when we can enjoy the fruits of our labors, whether it be a studio apartment, a home, a meal, a bed to sleep in, we can always give thanks to the One who gives us the strength to work. So, instead of grumbling why not adopt the robin's song, and "cheerUp, cheer, cheer, cheer, CheerUP!!" and be truly thankful for the work God has called you to (Ecclesiastes 2:24,25).

*if you are a woman whose husband is out of work, or you are single and struggling to make ends meet, or your health is preventing you from working, please re-read Robin's post from yesterday. God cares for you.

Four and Twenty Blackbirds...

Something rather unusual happened at my house on Tuesday. I was standing next to the sliding glass doors which overlook my backyard when something caught my eye.

As I looked into my backyard, I watched in amazement as hundreds of blackbirds swarmed over every tree branch, every lawn chair, every space!

The noise was eerie, as these creatures swept over the neighborhood. Curious to see my front yard, I went to the living room and looked out the window. The flock of birds swarming around my bird feeder reminded me of a school of starving piranhas greedily stripping its latest victim of every ounce of flesh--I had never seen such aggressive birds before!

Within ten minutes, the birds had ravaged my lawn and the lawns of the surrounding houses, and so they moved on to another neighborhood in search of their next meal. I was left giving thanks to the Lord for allowing me to witness such a fascinating showcase of His creation.

Our God gives life to every bird, every fish, every bug (although why bugs, I'll never understand!!!) on this planet. Not only that, He provides for them until the day He has ordained to be their last. He does this...for soulless creatures.

Are we not infinitely more beloved by God than mere birds? How do we ever doubt His provision when we see it exampled in all of His creation day after day?! If we had faith the size of a mustard seed...you know.

I was much encouraged by how great and good a God we serve. I am so glad that we worship a Sovereign, all-powerful, purposeful God Who accomplishes all that He pleases!

freedom to worship

I had the opportunity to go to a Newsboys concert last night in Wildwood. We had a great time. The music was loud--my ears are still buzzing. The lady next to me could have been my grandma, but she was rockin out, arms in the air and dancing. They played a couple of their goofier songs, but mostly the songs were Gospel-packed, Christ-centered songs of worship and praise.

The topic of worship has been on my mind a lot lately. This concert was just another tool that God is using to lead me further into Biblical worship. I'll explain that with several observations.

1. Having instruments, energy, and vocal powers doesn't lead to worship.
One of the opening bands, whom I affectionately think of as the Hobo Faeries, were obviously gifted musicians. They could play well, sing well, and jump around the stage with a lot more energy than I could ever muster. All of that did not lead to worship. It was just a show.

2. Listening to another person worship doesn't mean that I am worshiping.
There was another opening band that was actually really good. Their lyrics were solid and God-exalting. But I didn't know the words, and there was a lot going on in the building to distract me. So with the ears I listened to them sing their hearts out, and with the other senses I paid attention to everything else going on in the building.

3. True worship doesn't need instruments, energetic shenanigans, vocal talent, or even other worshipers, because it is a one-on-one vertical exchange between me and God.
I'll be honest. I went there to see the Newsboys. And somehow I spent half the concert with my eyes closed. How did this happen? Well, they started playing "Blessed Be Your Name." You know the song: Blessed be Your name / in the land that is plentiful / where Your streams of abundance flow / blessed be Your name.

They followed that with "He Reigns." It's all God's children singing "Glory, glory! Hallelujah! He reigns! He reigns!

And they followed that with "In the Hands of God." In the hands of God / we stand tall / hands that are mighty to deliver / givin us freedom / You're amazing! You're amazing / You are! / And we praise You / Lord, for what Your hands have done!

There came a point where all distractions had to be shut out. The musicians, while leading the singing with their instruments and voices, had to be visually shut out, lest while my heart worshiped God, my eyes worshiped men. The people around me had to be shut out, lest my worship become a competition to see who is more earnest or emotionally stirred. This kind of worship had nothing to do with the things around me, but everything to do with God the Creator of the heavens and earth and striving to please Him!

Thankfully, at church we don't need to worry about our worship leaders putting on a mere show. But I know my heart, and I know that I can listen to and sing a song while paying attention to every little detail around me. God is so gracious and kind to give me such a wonderful practicum on worship these last several weeks, and to culminate it with the concert I went to last night. It's the difference between knowing something and really getting it so that now it can be applied and practiced.

The last song of the set was the song "I am Free," which is about the freedom we have because of Christ. By the time we got to that song, I really could sing with all my heart, Through You the blind will see / Through You the mute will sing/ Through You the dead will rise / Through You all hearts will praise / Through You the darkness flees / Because of You my heart screams / I am free / I am free / I am free to run / I am free to dance / I am free to live for You / I am free!

What I'm a Part of

From my point of view I've never thought of myself as very significant. I'm not especially gifted. There isn't one single thing in my life that I can say I'm really, really good at. My life verse could very easily be, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 1:31). I sometimes wonder if the reason God saved me was to have someone to showcase as living proof of His choosing the foolish things of this world. This isn't false humility. This isn't even humility. This is just the way it is.

Having said that, I do know that I do have a part to play however small and that is because, "He is the source of my life in Christ Jesus, whom God made my wisdom and my righteousness and sanctification and redemption" (1 Corinthians 1:30). Therefore, I am a part of something BIG.

Take this week for example. In a very real sense I took the Gospel to Mexico. I took the Gospel to Uganda. I helped to build up the work of God in Taiwan. WOW. Hmmm. Let me think some more. Maybe the hospitality I extended to a hurting couple, the clean clothes and meals for the senior pastor (along with more than a few displays of affection), the babysitting, the homeschooling, the prayers offered, the conversations I shared, were more than tiny pieces to a puzzle. They were God-ordained opportunities to contribute to His Kingdom expansion. I will not know until Heaven what each of those meant in the big scheme of things. But Tim's message today was an encouragement to my timid heart that I am a part of something HUGE and no matter how little my part is, or if I'm laid aside in prison like Paul I can rejoice for Christ is proclaimed.

So, this week, with all the seemingly insignificant parts I play I am going to be glad that God saw fit to save the likes of me. He desires to use me for His Kingdom purposes. There's nothing insignificant in that.

Saturday Dinner ( a recipe if you don't know what to fix tonight)

I have this terrible habit of trying out new recipes when we have guests. Usually it turns out ok, but there have been some flops.

This past Tues. we had a couple in for a quick dinner before they went on their way to care group. I'd had a full day and was trying to find something quick and easy, but nice. I thought I'd share this recipe with you because I know how busy you all are, and if you are like me you can always use another way to prepare chicken. This comes from one of those "tried and true" church recipe books (this one from the SG church in Pittsburgh - thank you Bethany).

Easy Ranch Chicken

6 chicken breasts
1 cup ranch dressing
4 Tbs. flour
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1. Mix ranch dressing and flour together
2. Coat chicken breasts with mixture and sprinkle with cheddar cheese
3. Bake for 20 minutes at 375

** Now here's the thing: I always improvise a bit. I didn't have prepared ranch dressing, so I stirred together some dry ranch dressing mix and the flour. It tasted great. I have a 16 oz. container of the dressing that I bought at BJs. It is a good staple to have in the pantry. The powdered dressing has no fat, so you really are eating a low-fat version of the recipe. You probably only need a 1/2 cup of the dry Ranch.
** I didn't have chedder cheese on hand so I used a little shredded provolone. The chicken turned a golden brown.

Enjoy!