Guest Post - Living in Perspective by Xariah C

Xariah is an aspiring writer and singer. She recently graduated from HS and will be attending college in the fall. Though young, the depths of her thoughts belies her age. Read on.

"But now, LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, and you are our potter. We are the work of your hands." Isaiah 64:8

How do you approach the presence of God?  When you draw near to God as your Heavenly Father, rather than a confusing unknown or a Sunday assignment, you will find yourself fully known and embraced. You were meant for a relationship with God, a bond that is set apart and built on knowing and trusting God as your Everlasting Father.

All who believe in Jesus are called to live as

An Invitation to Participate in the Divine

Have you ever cried so much it felt like you couldn't cry another tear? I have. Has your heart been so broken you thought it would never heal? I have. Have the rifts in your family taken such a toll on you that you wonder if fellowship will ever be restored? I have ached for broken family relationships. Has the deep hurt of a child made you feel so helpless that all you do is cry? I have.

There are circumstances in life that are so unexplainable that force you to your knees with desperate cries to the One up above. "Why Lord, why?" "How Lord, how?" "Make a way Lord, make a way." "Heal Lord, heal." "Restore Lord, restore."

A Vacuum Cleaner and Hope

I own the Cadillac of vacuum cleaners, or so I was led to believe - a Kirby G5. You see, we bought this vacuum cleaner over 20 years ago as the result of a sales presentation at our house.

Normally, I am resistant to these demos but the salesperson caught us at the right time - our son was just diagnosed with asthma and was having major attacks and when he vacuumed his mattress and showed us what this vacuum cleaner could do, we were sold. (BTW, do you vacuum your mattress?) So we invested and bought this vacuum cleaner.

This vacuum cleaner came with a manual and a video, providing instructions on its maintenance. Over time I became intimidated by the maintenance of the vacuum cleaner; I felt like I could never remember the steps for changing the belt - but thankfully the need for changing the belt was not often. I did use the video to tap into some of the other features of this Cadillac such as shampooing the carpets, but again over time I stopped. It was too much of a hassle (or so I thought).

This vacuum cleaner moved with us to the west coast; initially, it was working and then it stopped. I couldn't find the manual or the video so I left it sitting in the garage for years and in the interim bought two cheaper vacuum cleaners. Both of these ultimately died and both were not as good as my Kirby. In my new location, I discovered that there were two vacuum cleaner repair shops that specialized in Kirbys. Because everything is more expensive in CA or so I was led to believe, I hesitated before finally taking the vacuum in for service. My house was becoming dusty and this was becoming a crisis. I anticipated paying $200.00 to have this vacuum cleaner serviced; imagine my relief when I was told it was 50.00. I was never so excited to spend $50.00. Finally, I had a working vacuum cleaner and my crisis was averted.

Within the past two years, that service store closed so now I was forced to use the other store. Well, the service is different at this store and more costly. I paid, but I decided my trips would be minimal. I asked my husband to vacuum our bedroom recently. While vacuuming, something got in that shouldn't and all of a sudden the place smelt like burning rubber. He thought he'd ruined the vacuum cleaner and with great remorse, called to let me know as I was not home at the time. I told him not to worry, I'd deal with it later. As I assessed the problem I realized the belt was off and installing the belt was always my nemesis. What to do? Somehow the brilliant idea came to me that I could Youtube it. So I had the Little One search for "how to change a belt on the Kirby" and lo and behold we had options. I chose the shortest one - one minute and 32 seconds, watched it a couple of times while pausing as I completed each step until I had successfully changed the belt.

Why did it take me so long to master something so simple?

• My thoughts got in the way - I thought it was complicated to maintain because of the initial cost.
• I believed some myths/lies - it's complicated and costly to maintain.
• Bad timing - it's hard to maintain; I couldn't find the manual or the original video

But this time I was motivated. I knew I could do it. I wanted what every Kirby owner enjoyed - peace of mind and knowledge. I decided to try a new method of grasping the same old information. Youtube did it for me! There are many ways to share information - speaking, writing, texting, blogging, vlogging, youtube. And since we're all different and have different learning styles, none of these methods are right or wrong. As I watched that video, I was grateful that someone chose to make it and I was encouraged to continue sharing information, truth, and encouragement in the medium that works for me because there are those that are receptive to it. I also was glad I was motivated and never gave up and kept trying different methods until I conquered this.

Sometimes it seems as if we praying for a long time to see the truth, or for a particular person. Many prayers have been sent up, but still, we see no change. Like a Youtube video 20 years later, you may finally see the light. Don't give up, remember your motivation, stop believing lies and keep trying.

Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8

Have you ever felt like giving up? What motivates you to keep going?

--Nylse

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Tola & Jair - the 7th and 8th Judges

Tola and Jair - Not much is written about them but much can be learned from them. The first was known for his heritage - Tola from the line of Issachar (Genesis 46:13) the second was conspicuous for his wealth - Jair who had 30 sons, who each rode around on their donkeys and they owned 30 towns. They both ruled for approximately the same time - Tola 23 years and Jair 22 years. (Judges 10:1-5) God used both of them to lead Israel and provide peace. It was much-needed peace because they had just survived the rulership of Abimelech.

These two judges don't have asterisks next to their names instead, they both had stable leadership, they both had long tenure, they both seemed to be solid good leaders because after they died, the stability was gone.These were two of the few that were noble and prosperous when they were called, but not all need to be noble or prosperous. In addition to being who they were, they had the Godly character necessary for leadership.

They did their part during their lifetime and when they died the Israelites, left to their own devices, did evil again.

Tola and Jair

Jim and Bob

Andrea and Michelle

Nick and Larry

Sheila and Lisa

You and Me - we all have the opportunity to be used as deliverers; to be used to lead based on our desire to serve and honor God. We can be deliverers to our families, our friends, our co-workers or whatever sphere of influence God has placed us in. And like the Israelites, we may have influence while we are there and then as soon as we are gone, that circle reverts back to their old ways.

After they both died; after 45 years the people did evil again; they abandoned the Lord and no longer served Him so they were oppressed by the Philistines and the Ammonites for eighteen years. They served other gods and when they could take it no more cried out to God. Those gods could not do what God could. Those gods couldn't comfort them, couldn't provide them, did not reward faithfulness- because those gods were powerless. God said, did I not rescue you from all of your enemies (the Egyptians, the Amorites, the Ammonites, the Philistines, the Sidonians, the Amalekites, and the Maonites), for you to abandon me. Let your gods rescue you. Judges 10: 6-17

Just typing this breaks my heart!  Because at some point I want the children of Israel to get it just like a parent wants their children to be obedient. Like a human parent, the Lord was grieved for the misery of Israel, yet God was still benevolent towards the children of Israel even though they constantly disobeyed.

God didn't give up on the Israelites and he won't give up on you, no matter how many times you mess up. Be willing to listen to who God has placed in your path to lead and to help you - people like Tola and Jair. Tola and Jair did their part - and that's what we're called to do - our part.

Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God. 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

Do you feel God's calling on your life? How do you influence your circle?
--Nylse

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Important Leadership Traits

The study of the book of Judges has been eye opening for me because of its intensity and detail. There's so much more there than what I remembered.

I wanted to take a break, just to regroup and ensure that we're all following along.

Remember, these are the judges or leaders that God chose to deliver Israel from their surrounding enemies. These leaders were a far cry from what we would call in today's vernacular, 'ideal candidates'.

So far, we've noticed the following:

• We've consistently seen the breakdown of the family in the constant cycle of redemption and failure of the Israelites.
• We've seen that the Spirit of God was present, that it moved individuals to action, in a powerful fashion that provided clarity.
• We've seen that God allowed their enemies to overcome them so that when God stepped in through their leader, the conclusion could only be that it was God.
• We've seen that human nature is complex, yet not one part of it is a surprise to the God who made us.
• The tenure for the leaders we have studied so far were all over 20 years. The longer the tenure the greater the stability.
• Finally, with God's leading, we've seen how these men and one woman were able to lead the Israelites who were not an easy bunch. Gideon had a degree of fear; Deborah had smarts; Ehud was willing; Shamgar was a fighter and Othniel was ordinary; different character traits yet all possessed the traits of leadership. 

The most prevalent and consistent traits of leadership are obedience - a willingness to listen to someone bigger than you and humility - the recognition that the task at hand is bigger than you and deploying assistance from above and below. We've seen other leadership traits in action also: vision, self-awareness, integrity, commitment and a willingness to help others.

John Maxwell lists 5 stages of leadership - position, permission, production, people development and pinnacle. So far the judges we have studied were leaders because of their position - God placed them there; they were appointed. In addition, most had the respect of the people they led.  The Israelites listened and followed their direction - they had a vested interest in following and listening to their leader. The scripture does not go into detail on each judges' life, but many were hailed as great men.

As we study the remainder of the book of Judges, we'll see additional lessons of leadership that we can apply to our lives today.

But among you, it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. John 20:26-28

What's your biggest takeaway on leadership from studying the book of Judges? Would you consider yourself a leader?



--Nylse

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A Chapter A Day - Proverbs 28

Proverbs 28 continues with its observations of human behaviors delineated by wise vs. foolish. As I dig deeper in this book, I realize that there is nothing in human nature that God is not aware of or surprised by. Each chapter points out character flaws or virtues which are divided into two camps - wise or foolish. Some things in life are black or white with no gray area. There should be no gray areas in your character. If you are unsure, seek wisdom, search the scriptures, talk to God until you end up on the right side.

Today I'll leave you with a couple of gems from this chapter.

Gems

The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion (v1). This verse speaks of having a guilty conscience. A guilty conscience will give you no rest - you're unsettled in your actions; there's a constant expectation of dread. But when you have a conscience that gives you peace because you know that you have done the right thing, there's nothing to hide and you are bold as a lion.

To show partiality is not good— yet a person will do wrong for a piece of bread (v21). The KJV says to have respect of persons is not good; for a piece of bread that man will transgress. Treat all people fairly, in the same way, you wish to be treated. Don't treat some men better than others simply because of their status, class, race or whatever you determine to be better in your mind. When you show favoritism, this mindset will allow you to do things you normally would not do, and the reward is not usually in line with the status of the individual. I employ the golden rule in determining how I treat people. The golden rule which is found in the New Testament in Matthew 7:12 says, “Do unto others as you would have them to do unto you.” (BTW I do not believe the platinum rule trumps the golden rule). It’s a beautiful thing to see this rule play out in your life; people looking on wonder why you have the ability to talk and interact with the CEO, VP, or any other position of high stature. Many books have been written about interacting with different people, but it’s not the title you’re interacting with it’s the person. Also, think about how you feel when the golden rule is not applied to you; you feel less than a person, slighted because of some status. It’s not a good feeling. If this happens to you often enough, you learn to treat people with the basic respect we all deserve. Don't show favoritism, treat the rich and the poor the same (v3,6,27). If a person has a need that you can meet, meet the need.

When the wicked rise, men hide themselves but when they perish the righteous increase (v28). Many people are saying if a certain person wins the Presidential election that they're moving to another country. This is the equivalent to the righteous hiding because the wicked are in power. When wicked people are in charge there is a fear and a real danger in the land. When we look back in history a wicked ruler's reign was marked by fear because of what they did and could do from their position of authority; many hid or fled. The elevation of the wicked drives people to seek refuge from tyranny. On the contrary, quite simply, when the righteous are in charge, everybody wins. The sentiment in this verse is echoed in verses 2 and 12.

Read on.

Feel free to share other gems from this chapter; I love your comments.

A Chapter A Day - Proverbs 10

The more I feed myself with spiritual food, the easier it is to not give into my flaws. So I spend daily time in the Word. The other reason is because I truly want to become the person God wants me to be. I want to be salt and light to those around me without being super spiritual - I want to be a witness through my life, my actions, my words.

Proverbs 10 - there's so many nuggets here, I'll just pick a few that stand out to me.


Observations and Highlights

A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son brings grief to his mother (v1). Parents ache when they children don't turn out the way we expect them to, based on all that was poured into them. Material things don't make a child wise - you must spend time with your children teaching and modeling morals, values, etc. - principles that start in scripture.

The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry, but he thwarts the craving of the wicked (v3). So simple yet profound. If you trust in the Lord and believe the promises in His Word, you will come to find out the truth of all of His word. You may lose your job but you won't go hungry - friends may provide, the church may step in, you may become more creative or He will send manna from heaven. When the trial is over and you look back you will marvel that what you thought was important was not and greater still you will realize that you and yours were provided for. But it started with trusting and believing what God says about you. You can't call yourself righteous and live otherwise; you have to be righteous - a child of the King.

Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth (v4). Don't be afraid of hard work.

Whoever walks in integrity, walks securely (v9) - What is integrity? Doing the right thing even when no one is looking; no need to second guess yourself if you do the right thing.

Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers all wrongs (v12) - learn to get along and be at peace with everyone.

The lips of the righteous nourish many (v 21) - If people know you always speak truth in a way that ministers to them, they seek you out; they want to be around you.

The blessing of the Lord maketh rich and addeth no sorrow... (v 22). This is one of my favorite verses. It doesn't mean that I will become filthy rich or I won't ever be sad, but it means that in His plans He is guiding and directing everything in a way that we cannot comprehend, that ultimately makes sense for us. I held on to this promise as we moved cross country and I hold on to it now as my children are embarking on various stages of their lives.

The fear of the Lord adds length to life (v 27). Godly living enhances the quality of your life. We are all promised 70 years; some of us make it and feel like we have 70 more years and some of us wish that it would all come to an end. Getting old is inevitable and challenging.

From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom (v31). - You're more inclined to listen to a morally upright person, than not - why is that? Because the fruits of their life indicate that they just may be on to something - and you want to know what their "secret" is.

As you embed these proverbs in your heart, realize that they are promises that you can hold to through the many stages of life.

Read on. I really would love to hear your thoughts on some of these Proverbs. Are you familiar with any of them? Did your parents quote them to you? If you have children, are you unwittingly teaching some of these principles to your children? How have these helped you?

A Chapter A Day - Proverbs 8

Some of the best mothers I know are the wisest; it seems as if they have taken Proverbs 8 to heart.

Here's why I say that:

Observations and Highlights
Wisdom speaks truth
Wisdom is just
Wisdom is discerning
Wisdom is precious and priceless
Wisdom hates pride and arrogance
Wisdom has sound judgement and counsel
Wisdom brings riches and honor; wealth and prosperity
Wisdom walks in the way of righteousness

Blessed are those who keep the ways of wisdom. (v 32-36)

This chapter is the personification of wisdom; if wisdom were a person he/she would have these attributes. Throughout my life, I have constantly prayed for wisdom; it is one of his gifts which can be liberally given to all who ask - James 1:5 and as we can see its rewards are huge.

In the above, substitute the name of someone you consider wise. Amazing!