Learning Along The Way

Just returned from a 5 day road trip from Chicago back to the Central Coast of California. My sweet friend had driven her one and only son to Moody Bible Institute to begin his collegiate career and I had the privilege of flying in and joining her on her journey back. Truly my post title says it all!
I arrived at her hotel at 11:45 p.m. after a day of 6:45 a.m. train trip to LA and a short car trip (truck actually!) from the train station to the airport (thanks to my son who is in his senior year at Biola) and a flight to O’Hare. One would think I would opt for sleep but NO! We decided to take a walk on the streets of Chicago at almost midnight! What did we do you might ask? We walked to Portillo’s, a famous Chicago eatery and had a Chocolate Cake shake. Not just the flavor of a chocolate cake mind you; blended slice of chocolate cake! Oh my we were off to a good (or bad) start for our trip home!
When we had planned our road trip we decided to look up some of Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives locations between Chicago and SLO Town. We decided to make three of them destinations for our road trip experience. Portillo’s wasn’t on the list so our shake was just an added extravagance! Our first destination for dining was in Kenosha WI. A historic train car converted to a diner two blocks from the shore of Lake Michigan, Frank’s Diner serves some crazy breakfast and lunch dishes. We shared a signature “Garbage Plate” made that day with chorizo. We only ordered the half size because not wanting to miss out on a gastronomic experience we also ordered “Banana Bread French Toast”. A.Ma.Zing! This is the view back toward Kenosha from the breakwater on Lake Michigan.

Driving across country is a long arduous trip; we have a big, beautiful country to traverse! In order to get home by a certain time we knew we would have to have long days of driving with minimal breaks so we tried to plan our final day’s destination around some type of noteworthy stop. Our first day began with the fun destination however. We ended our day’s travels near the western border of Minnesota! Three states in one day. Almost as much driving as San Diego to Eureka CA.

Some of you might be more adept at the self-portrait shots that my sons’ generation can do so well but here for your enjoyment is one of our attempts at the same: hence the Laugh part of my post title!

What we were really trying to capture was our arrival at this world famous destination!

We had so much fun looking at the state and territory flags, eating (yes again!) and staying for the lighting ceremony which I highly recommend.

It was a surprise when the ranger leading the evening’s events asked all current and former service men and women to come forward to participate in the retiring of the colors. There were over 100 veterans and current military in the audience on a Sunday evening in late August. It was a privilege to clap for all of them as they made their way forward to the stage area. It was a memorable evening recognizing and remembering that the freedoms we have in this country were hard fought and definitely not free.

The next morning the weather had changed; the temperature was much cooler and the cloud cover made a beautiful sunrise:

Doesn’t God do amazing work for us? Have you ever stopped to think about how He creates beauty for us to enjoy on a regular basis? Really awe inspiring vistas, colors, sounds, wildlife… truly amazing!

What recent experience caused you to stop and marvel at the goodness of God?

Ever make plans to do something and as the time approaches have “reservations”?

It’s funny that word~reservations. It can mean several different things as a noun but as a plural noun mean only one thing~hesitation.

Imagine yourself at summer camp. Your friends want to spend free time going on the High Adventure course. (Hume Lake anyone?) You may not be a big fan but you want to hang out with your friends so you go along. When you get there and see what it really looks like you have “reservations”.

Or your child is taking swimming lessons and doesn’t want to go off the diving board. They may not really be afraid; it may be a childlike expression of “reservations”.

You may not realize this but having that hesitation is actually a good thing; a gift that God has given us. Solomon expressed it in this way: “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” (Prov. 21:5)

This is not to say that all spontaneity is foolishness. But the real issue is what do we do when we have “reservations” about a decision, a plan, a commitment?

Personally, like most of life, I think there is a process to walk through. At the risk of over simplifying the mystery of a personal walk with the Living God, I think there are some steps laid out for us in God’s Word. Again Solomon: “Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed.” (Prov. 15:22)

Step 1: Pray “If any of you lacks wisdom let him ask God…”(James 1: 5)
Step 2: Ask for the wisdom of others in decision making
Step 3: Pray “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding;in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” (Prov 3:5-6)
Step 4: Make your decision based on what you have learned from the first three steps
Step 5: When you have a sense of reservation again, remember: “Do not be afraid of sudden fear nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; for the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught.” (Prov. 3:25-26)

A sense of restraint is a gift to slow us down, to consider our way, to examine our heart before God through the power and influence of the Holy Spirit, and then step out in faith that our life and times are in God’s very capable hands.

SO after all those steps perhaps you can Do the ropes course!

I have been reflecting lately on how often I say, “I used to do that…”

It may be because I am in the second half of life so I have a long list of activities that I have participated in or it may be that I have given up things that really ought to be a part of my life still.

See that beautiful guitar? That is my college graduation present from my parents, “in case teaching doesn’t pan out”. I used to play that daily. Now I dust it weekly.

Some things that I used to do belong in the past as Paul encourages us in 1 Corinthians 13:11 ” when I was a child, I used to speak as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became (an adult) I did away with childish things.”

But playing the guitar doesn’t have to be one of those things. Life gets full: relationships, parenting, career pursuits, etc. Sometimes we set aside an activity that is really a sacrifice to give up at the time. Mine was guitar playing. Lately I have been looking at this with such a melancholy glance that I am considering making time for it again.

What is something you used to do that you want to make time for again?

It’s August and for me it’s travel month! I wish I had a cute suitcase like this one in the photo!~

I am not going away for the whole month but I do have the privilege of three road trips, two flights and lots of visiting with significant people in my life!

Before my big trips I get to play taxi for my husband and younger son for their big trip to Kennedy Space Center for Astronaut Training Camp! Doesn’t that sound like fun? After their week in Florida I fly to Utah to catch up with our eldest son who has been interning with a group of Evangelical churches for the summer. I have the distinct privilege of a 13 hour road trip with him! So looking forward to seeing the beauty of that part of God’s creation and of hearing all that God has taught him this summer. Sweet!

Then a week later I fly to Chicago to meet up with a dear friend who will be leaving her precious son at Moody Bible Institute to begin his college education. She and I will then road trip it back to SLO Town, again taking in some of the incredible locations that our great, glorious and creative God has blessed us with for our enjoyment!

So in my getting ready I have pondered again the words of the psalmist: “O Lord how many are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of your possessions.”
Ps. 104:24

In fact the entirety of Psalm 104 can help all of us “get ready” to go outdoors!

I’m excited! Can you tell? What does August bring to your life?

No news to my followers, but recently I have been responding to the ever so gentle, yet persistent beyond ignoring. poking of the Holy Spirit in the area of self-discipline. At first all I could do was whine (ineffectively I might add) “Do you want a little cheese with that whine my dear?” Then I agreed with Him (always a good plan) that I had let things get out of control and needed some revamping. Finally I simply gave up and said “What do You suggest?” fully expecting a long to do list that would be unbearable.

But No! Instead with mercy and grace that He alone possesses, I have a list of four things. That’s it! Four things! I can count them on one hand and can seriously commit to accomplishing them daily! Only God would be so dear to give me challenge AND encouragement at the same time!

SO here are my commitments to Daily Discipline:

1. Bible Reading (which I referenced in my last post)

2. Do something strenuous

3. Do something creative

4. Write something

Obviously there are other things in my life that need to be done as well, but these four things are my divine to do list that absolutely feels so life giving and freeing to me!

What do you do that is life giving?

Isn’t this a great photo?

I enjoy hunting for photos to go along with my topic; it’s even more fun to be the photographer. This one is not mine though.

Anyway…

the other day I asked for your ideas and input regarding time use and staying organized.

Didn’t hear back from any of you 50 plus people who read my post Tuesday but I digress…

I started to think through the issues for me in being consistent in the area of self-discipline. There are quite a few to be honest but one of the biggest issues is me not pushing back against anything that comes along to sway me from what I had started to do. In other words I have a hard time saying No.

No to being lazy and not exercising.
No to eating what I know isn’t the best for me.
No to staying up too late (that keeps me from getting up on time)

So I said Yes to several things that encouraged me:
• A Bible reading plan found here
• An exercise plan (with a trainer in my face 2x a week)
• writing something daily
• doing something creative daily

Most of all I want to share with you the real inspiration for balance in my days: My Relationship with Christ. His grace to me when I don’t follow through with my commitments to myself helps me so much to begin again from whatever point I stumbled.

No shame.

No guilt.

Just a precious undeserved LOVE that allows me to be me and inspires me to move forward.

Enjoy this quote of Dietrich Bonhoeffer: “Temptations which accompany the working day will be conquered on the basis of the morning breakthrough to God. Decisions, demanded by work, become easier and simpler where they are made not in the fear of men but only in the sight of God. He wants to give us today the power which we need for our work.”

I pray that you are inspired to balance in your life today.

So today’s post title is a challenge to each of us. I am being poked by the Holy Spirit in one big area right now: self-discipline. Ouch!

But it’s summer! I whine (ineffectively)

My use of time is the biggest culprit but there are more subtle ones too like my eating and exercise habits, (non existent), taming my tongue (yikes I thought I had that one down…), what my thoughts are of people (sometimes critical and judgmental…sad face)

I have wanted to blog more since I have more time, but I have come to this point of getting poked to realize I need to make some serious course corrections right now. Hence this point of confession.

I would love your help. What are your tried and true techniques for managing life? Exercise? Eating habits?

Suggestions are more than welcome. In fact, greatly desired!

Have you ever asked the question “Why?” If you are like me you ask it way too much! Sometimes the answer is available and sometimes it’s not. The thing I am asking “Why?” about right now is “Why is life so full?”

Do you ever stop and recognize you have a fear of something? As a human we all have had fears of one kind or another at different points. When we were little people we may have had a fear of the dark. Or we may have had fear of strangers. Maybe even a fear of trying new things, like food or activities. What are you afraid of?

This is on my mind today as my husband and I are packing our car to travel to Lake Tahoe. Fear is on my mind? Why? Well, we are participating in a challenging event for me: 100 mile cycling around Lake Tahoe this Sunday.

Fear is a funny thing really. It is simply thinking about something that could be a dangerous experience that hasn’t happened yet but we imagine it to be reality. This description is an oversimplification of our emotions but truly it boils down to us giving emotional attention to something that hasn’t happened.

How do we face fear and call it for what it is? We speak the Truth to ourselves. Over and over again. Truth? What truth? God’s Word to us. He is mindful of our frame. He has given us all that we need to face fear. Good news is: He has overcome the world. So if God is for us, who can be against us?

He promises us so many wonderful truths to hide in our heart so the Holy Spirit can bring them to mind when we are facing fear. Here are two that I am clinging to as I go into this weekend:

“Do NOT FEAR, for I AM with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I AM your GOD. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Is. 41:10)

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected (mature) in love.” (1 Jn. 4:18)

So I would love to know you are praying for me as I face these two fears of pain, (like a crash) and of failure, (like we can’t complete the ride). They are silly to express because in the light of Who God is these fears pale in comparison, but like so many things, if we don’t bring them out into that Light, then they have the power of darkness to overwhelm and hinder us.

There they are. I am facing my current fears. How about you? What are you afraid of? Bring it out into the Light; share it with a friend and ask them to be praying for you. Face that fear and in the Power of Christ, overcome!

“Pray a little each day in a childlike way for the Spirit of prayer. If you feel that you know, as yet, very little concerning the deep things of prayer and what prayer really is, then pray for the Spirit of prayer. There is nothing He would reather do than unveil to you the grace of prayer.” O. Hallesby