The woods: Good for the soul

I’ve enjoyed numerous hikes in national parks, woodland preserves and rustic forests. While we know physical activity is good for us, exercising outside in nature goes above and beyond. When I’ve had a mentally exhausting day, there’s no better medicine than to head for the woods to take a hike.

I love the quiet. I very much appreciate the time to be unplugged from electronics and the beck and call of the next “to do.” Every step through crunching leaves is therapy. Whether stepping on spongy earth or crackling twigs, it’s like holy ground to me. I see the intricate pattern in the tiny mosses on decaying stumps, and the dainty ferns filling the forest floor. I smell that woodsy goodness and the world feels right again. 

As I plod along the trail, the worries slowly roll off. I make my way to the crest of a hill and a new view opens up. Much like the one I can receive when I cast all my cares on Him… the One who provides for every living creature… the One who designed this perfect, self-sustaining ecosystem… the One who gave the squirrels a place to play and assigned every bird a different voice and a new song. When the sunlight streams through the canopy highlighting dozens of amazing colors, I find a new peace.

For a lovely hour, I can forget about the ways of the chaotic world and walk through a sanctuary created by God, letting every gentle breeze caress me, allowing every critter's chirp and chatter to minister. Sometimes I have the sudden joy of seeing other wildlife, like a deer, eagle or great blue heron.

To me it’s no surprise that exercising outside in nature helps clear our heads, increase creativity and focus, recharge us and build our self-esteem. I fully believe God designed it that way.

A great article: What Hiking Does to the Brain is Pretty Amazing.

Faith

Recently, I started wearing a bracelet with five simple letters...
F-A-I-T-H.

A performer I once heard thought of the word as an acronym for "Feel As If There's Hope."

When I mentioned that to Ted, he disagreed because faith is not a feeling. According to Hebrews 11, "faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

After all, it was by faith Abel brought a better sacrifice, Noah built an ark, Moses' parents hid their baby from the king, Abraham took Isaac up the mountain, and Rahab welcomed the spies. By faith the people crossed the Red Sea on dry land, the army marched around Jericho until the walls fell, and Abraham and Sarah had a child in their old age. Examples abound in this chapter about how faith carried the believers through difficult and even unheard of things.

In the same way, my own faith has inspired and carried me through many difficult and amazing things. I can recall many situations that completely changed -- even overnight -- when I held onto my faith.

Paul says in a letter to the Corinthians that "we live by faith, not by sight" and "we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen." We may not see it, we may not feel it, and we may not even be able to put it into words, but when we have faith in God, the most incredible things can happen. Faith in God changes everything.

So, how would I define faith? My acronym would be this:

Find
Absolutely
Incredible
Transformational
Hope!

Peter abides - part 2

As a disciple of Jesus, Peter spent a great deal of time with Him, and they had many conversations not recorded. (How I would love to hear more...!) After Jesus died, rose and went to the Father, Peter was passionate about keeping Jesus' memory alive. He writes his letters from the perspective of one who walked with the living God and one who wants to portray Him as accurately as possible.

Here's a continuation of 1 Peter 1, in my own interpretation:

10 Prophets took great care in bringing such an important message...

11 with great reverence, prayer and searching to know when and how these things would unfold.

12 This was not self-serving, but the Holy Spirit's message coming through. A great mystery!

13 Get ready -- seriously, intentionally focused -- and ready for knowing Jesus more fully when He returns.

14 Abide in Jesus, not in the world, now that you know better.

15 In all your ways, strive to be like Him -- Holy!

16 Early scriptures (Leviticus) commanded holiness.

17 Remember this life is only temporary and God is sovereign; Lord over all. Live your days in awe of that and expectant of what is to come.

18 No amount of treasures or riches or works could do for you what God has done

19 with the precious blood of Jesus, freely given for all.

20 This was planned from the beginning of time but only recently revealed.

21 God gave us a real-life human example before our eyes to increase our faith.

22 So, love deeply as Jesus did.

23 We are born again in new hope; true children of God.

24 This world, our bodies and all that we now see is temporary

25 but the promise of God stands for eternity!

Dear Lord, help us live our lives in reverent awe of what you have done. Let us not become complacent or satisfied in this world, but let us live in the light of eternity with expectant hope of all you have promised. Even now, you are equipping us for this higher calling of being holy, like you are.

Peter abides - part 1

Since Peter walked with Jesus when He was on earth, it's special to hear from him, a personal friend to Jesus. He, too, would be a good mentor in learning how to abide in Jesus. I read 1 Peter 1 with that perspective and put it in my own language:

Part 1

1 Peter is proud to be called a follower; it's his closest association, his highest credential in writing this letter. He addresses his audience with an inclusive tone

2 but especially addresses God's chosen/elect that God knew from the beginning of time. The Holy Trinity was there from the beginning. (What a privilege to be called!) Peter gives a rich greeting and blessing. (How eloquent with words this fisherman has become!)

3 Knowing the Son helps us know the Father. Peter has seen Him and walked with Him. We have new birth and living hope in Him

4 and a protected inheritance, set aside waiting for us.

5 We are protected and preserved, too, until we can one day all be together in Heaven.

6 This is the joyful hope we have even though some days are dark and difficult. The road may seem long now, but ...

7 ... there is purpose in these trials. They refine our faith, make us better and stronger, more like Jesus, bringing all glory and honor and praise to God. (The pain will be worth it all!)

8 Peter gives a good definition of faith here -- we are loving and believing in what we do not see, having great joy while we wait.

9 We practice abiding in Him now; because we'll abide in Him forever -- there is much more to come!

...to be continued.

Lord, thank you for giving us letters from Peter, someone who lived with you, ate with you, traveled with you, had numerous meaningful conversations with you. Through his eye witness, we can learn more about you. Help us to put into practice what we've heard from him. Let us please you by living with joyful hope.

Live Deeply

This morning I enjoyed some precious time soaking in God’s Word while the rain soaked into our thirsty lawn and gardens.

I was reading John’s letters. Here is a disciple who walked with Jesus – God incarnate – while He was on the earth. He proudly proclaims he is “the one Jesus loved.” (Can’t we all proclaim that?) John walked with Him, he knew Him well, now he writes with passion about how we can “live deeply in Christ.” How blessed we are to read the words of a close comrade to Christ. If anyone knew how to abide, it would be John.

“Here’s how we can be sure that we know God in the right way,” John says. “Keep his commandments. If someone claims, ‘I know Him well,’ but doesn’t keep His commandments, he’s obviously a liar. His life doesn’t match his words. But the one who keeps God’s words is the person in whom we see God’s mature love. This is the only way to be sure we’re in God. Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus lived.” (1 John 2 MSG)

John reminds us that our sins are forgiven in Christ, the burden’s been lifted. We need to now walk in the light, as nearly and completely as we can. “Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father,” he says. “The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out – but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.”

Dear Lord, thank you for preserving the words of John for us. Today I want your words to live deeply in me so that I can live deeply in you. Help me to hold fast to them and follow them. You are light and there is no darkness in you. Light my way so I can walk in your light. 

Video on Life, Love and Loss

Life, Love and Loss was published just a little more than 100 days ago. Writing and publishing our story has opened many doors to wonderful conversations and blessings. I have a couple of book readings and signings scheduled, and my church produced a wonderful video to help spread the word about the book. (If you've already read it, you'll see photos from some of the adventures mentioned):

http://www.gbcommunitychurch.com/blogs/life-love-and-loss/


Every single day since its release, I've heard from someone who has read the book. I've received many comments on the sweet love story, the message of hope, and the vulnerability in sharing so deep.

Some readers devoured the story in less than a week, then read it again more slowly a second time. A few book-study groups are reading it together. Some readers are just getting through it as a 90-day devotional, appreciating the questions to ponder each day.

Every day I'm still amazed at what God has orchestrated. God knew that the process of writing, rewriting and rearranging was what I needed to progress through the grief. Examining the story at so many angles and sifting it carefully to re-tell it has been tremendously helpful. The healing continues as I talk with others who have immersed themselves in the pages.

Thank you, God, for more lavish provisions. Thank you for so many friends along the journey.

Special people in our journey

Abiding in Jesus is continually turning the controls over, trusting Him and doing the next thing He impresses on me. It's leaving enough margin to listen, to watch and to be sensitive to the details. It's taming the distractions because they may well be the enemy's best weapon against hearing God's voice in my life.

Since I launched Life, Love and Loss in April, I've still been involved with the book every single day. Each day I get to hear stories of how it has inspired people and even changes in their lives. Thank you, Lord! And, I am still working on getting copies out to thank some special people for their roles in our journey.

Recently, I brought a copy to the wise and wonderful oncologist who treated Ted for the 12 years of his cancer. Since I am not a patient I could not book time on his calendar, so it required stopping by his office on a couple of occasions to find him available.

He came out to meet me and immediately shook my hand, saying he was just mentioning Ted. Seeing him the first time without Ted, I almost cried. He was always there in the lowest points to offer a new solution. He sorted out the mess in 2011 (p. 156), he was the one Ted asked for during the longest night of our lives (p. 204) and he gave me wisdom in a very difficult decision (p. 228).

During a long illness, the doctor and his nurses become like family. After losing Ted, I also felt a sense of loss in no longer being connected to these people, so it brought great satisfaction to my heart to talk with him again and give him the book.

He was animated as usual, and surprised that I had written a book. I thanked him once more for all his wonderful care that had improved Ted's quality of life for many more years. We chatted a while about Ted's fighting spirit and good nature. A handshake and two big hugs later, it had been a great visit!

During that visit, I found that Ted's "favorite nurse" (p. 200) was no longer there, so I did a little detective work and had a friend reach out and ask her to contact me. We met last week so I could give her a book. She had tears in her eyes to think she had touched our lives and that I still thought of her.

"Ted was an inspiration and a fighter. He never complained," she said. I thanked her for her good care on the long days of treatment, along with her patience and cheerfulness creating the positive atmosphere we so appreciated. (We became Facebook friends, connected as family once again!)


God, thank you for these dear people and the role they played in our lives. Thank you for giving me the book that has meant so much to me and is now touching others. We give you all the glory, honor, thanks and praise. Thank you for teaching us to abide in you.