God Holds Us Close
Many of you know that my precious Dad (Elmer B. Shellenberger) passed away a month ago. He was almost 93.
He was my hero.
When I was a little girl, I asked him to build me something:
“Daddy, will you make me one of those things that people stand behind when they speak?”
“You mean . . . a podium?”
“Yeah, that’s it.”
“Honey, why do you want a podium?”
“So I can speak, Daddy.”
I watched as he gathered some old wood and during the next week carefully constructed a little three-foot-podium that I could stand behind in our garage
I gathered all the kids in the neighborhood and they piled themselves between bicycles, basketballs, hula-hoops and skateboards in our garage while I stood behind my little pint-sized podium teaching them the stories of the Bible. Ha!
I have a lot of great memories of my dad (and also my mom who passed away in 2003), and I’m grateful for those.
But in the midst of wonderful stories, the path of grief remains.
Even though both parents are in heaven, I miss them on earth.
Many of you have lost someone through death, and you know first-hand how difficult the path of grief is.
I rejoice that we serve a God of extreme comfort.
He often comforts me through His Word.
He reaches right through the pages and holds me tightly in His arms.
That’s why I’ve attached this illustration today.
I want you to visually SEE what we can FEEL when we literally saturate ourselves in His Word.
Thoughts?
I’m speaking in Fortville, IN this weekend.
I’d sure appreciate your prayers.
Outside the Box
One glance at the Grand Canyon, a laughing hyena and Niagara Falls shows that we serve a God of creativity. And because HE is creative, He loves to pour His creativity into His children.
Check out one of my favorite Scriptures from the Message:
“Live creatively, friends.
Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that.
Don’t be impressed with yourself.
Don’t compare yourself with others.
Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life” (Galatians 6: 1; 4-5).
What happens when we allow God to lead us outside the box?
“Promise Keepers” happens.
“Women of Faith” is launched.
“Passion” conferences” explode.
Hillsong goes global.
Revival sweeps through churches.
If we become spiritually comfortable, we grow stale. In fact, we can get so comfortable that we stop stepping out in faith to take risks that we easily took in earlier days.
God wants to use us!
But if we aren’t living in obedience to Him,
He’ll easily find someone else to do the job.
He’ll find someone who’s willing to step out in faith.
One who believes faith and risk often go hand-in-hand.
He’ll use someone who’s willing to think outside the box that we’ve become trapped in.
Yellow Cab could have created Uber.
Hilton could have created Airbnb.
ESPN could have created Bleacher Report.
Wal-Mart could have created Amazon.
So why didn’t they?
They became comfortable where they were.
And now—those who were willing to think outside of the box—are giving them a run for their money!
Let’s not make the mistake of becoming too comfortable.
“Live creatively, friends. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life” (Galatians).
Thoughts?
I’ll be speaking seven times in Leesburg, VA, this weekend and would appreciate your prayers.