The Big Deal

In a comment on my last post, the idea of a NY City book signing was suggested. Boy - wouldn't that be fun! In the short term, I don't see it happening, but who knows?! God can do anything...

It's funny how He has a way of surprising us with His "bigness" by completely blowing our minds and doing something so wild and so beyond comprehension, just to "show off." For me, I have no "set" expectations for this book, other than I want to give it my best effort possible, presenting a sacrifice of praise to the Lord and enjoying the process of it all...but have you noticed how, in those times and situations, when we're giving it our best, but have no "plans" on how it's going to turn out, God seems to do the unexpected?

I've observed that, when people (uh, myself included) obey God's leading and then expect a certain thing to happen as a result of their obedience, it typically doesn't turn out the way they "planned." But, on the reverse, I've also noticed (in my life especially) that, again, when people obey Him but don't really think what they did was "any big deal," and therefore, don't have these "grandiose" expectations of exactly how it's going to turn out, that's when He typically makes it a big deal.

For example: look at the boy who offered his lunch to Jesus (the five loaves and two fish). It was a big lunch for him, and it was all he had. But in the company of 5000+ people, it really wasn't very much food. However, he gave his all to Jesus, not really expecting anything per se; if anything, his expectations were in that this was the great Rabbi, Who was rumored could do anything..."so here: this is what I have - do whatever." It's not that he wasn't expecting a good result to come out of his offering, it was just he probably wasn't expecting a specific result. And then Jesus did the miraculous: He multiplied that little offering into a massive feast that fed probably around 10,000 people 'till ALL were satisfied!

With me and this book, sure, I'm hoping for the best...but my expectations are open ended. I really don't know how the Lord is going to use it, if it will go very far, if it's a learning experience, or has another means or end that will glorify Him in some different way. I just don't know. I feel like that little boy with his lunch. "It's what I have, and in the company of so many authors throughout the world, so many best-sellers, dynamic preachers and inspirational speakers, in the sea of genius chefs and highly credited nutritionists...my little book is pretty small and insignificant. Nevertheless, here it is, I know You're the Great Author and Perfecter of our faith; do whatever..."

This kind of follows the idea of my last post: "Success to What End?" We can hope for the best, expect the good and the great to come out of our obedience, but we have to be careful about "planning" on what that good and great looks like. God's idea of "great things" may not necessarily line up with what we consider as "great." And then again, what we think is a little deal - God sees it as a "big deal." He always keeps us on our toes.

Update & Success to What End?

Hello faithful readers! Well, it's been QUITE a while since you've had a new article from me. Honestly, I've written 2-3 since the last one, which I've ALMOST POSTED, but each one, though it started out fine, ended up fizzling miserably. In short, I've hit a "writer's block." But there's good reason for this frustrating state.

First, I'M GETTING BETTER! Yes! Praise God - I've started, once again, to climb out of my hole, by the grace and mercy of JESUS, and now, much of my time is being spent getting out and increasing daily activities. Thank you ALL for your wonderful prayers and support!

Second, I'm also in the process of putting together a book! Many of you have urged me to consider publication, and though the magazine route kept coming up short, another idea came last spring: the idea of BOOK publication. This book will contain articles I've written, as well as actual recipes I've created (yes, I can cook), and it will be in a daily devotional format.

So - even though this blog has been idle, my writing has not. Nevertheless,I would encourage you, if you come to this blog and are disappointed that few new articles have been posted, to go ahead and skim through previous articles I've written over the course of the last couple of years. Some of you have already and found great encouragement, and I would suggest you others do the same.

If you are interested in the process of my book, please let me know by posting a comment, and I can post updates on THAT process so you can be aware of its status. I would greatly appreciate prayer coverage over the course of its publication as well. I don't know WHAT in the world the Lord has in mind for it, but I believe He's leading me on THAT track for a reason...and boy, it'd be great if it ended up being a success...

We all would hope our paths turn out successful. But it's not about the destination, it's about the journey. Whether or not my book has great success in this life or not is not the issue - it's about being obedient to the voice of the Shepherd. If the Lord calls you to do something, do it with gladness, but don't "bank" on it having to "turn out" a certain way. Success according to man's standards is FAR different from the Kingdom's: but those who hope in HIM will NEVER be disappointed. Therefore, we hold on NOT to what is SEEN or temporary, but what is UNSEEN. For the UNSEEN is eternal, and our lives here are so short, just a wisp of dust in a spring breeze, a vapor - the ETERNAL lasts forever...which is a VERY long time. (ha ha! there's a snippet of a blog! Be blessed!)

Abundant Life

“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that (you) may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].” (John 10:10 AMP)

What is abundant life? What does it mean to have life to the full until it overflows? What does it mean to live a “good life”? Does it mean that we never face heartache or troubles? Does it mean we live a life of lollipops and Disneyland? By no means!

How can you appreciate the sun unless you’ve experienced the rain? How do you know what joy is unless you’ve felt sorrow? What is night if it is not contrasted by day? How could you enjoy your favorite meal/dessert/beverage unless you’ve eaten something you couldn’t stand? What is success unless there is failure?

We have to get off of this mindset that “good” is all whip cream and fluff. “Good” is so much deeper than the surface of happiness and ease. Think about some scenarios. We all know it’s “good” to eat our vegetables, why? Because they offer vital nutrients to our bodies. We know that it’s “good” to exercise and workout, why? Because it strengthens our muscles and builds our immune systems, enhancing our overall sense of wellbeing. But who ever said eating your greens was easy? Who hasn’t experienced some type of soreness, waddling up and down stairs, after a hard workout!

There is no victory unless you’ve had to overcome some obstacle or enemy, right? Moreover, you can’t “win” unless you’ve fought against an opponent, who was bent on making you lose.

It’s “good” to win; it’s “good” to feel “good;” it’s “good” to eat your favorite meal; it’s “good” to succeed…but “good” is not just the victory – it includes the pain it took to win it. “Good” is not just the success – it intimates the failure you overcame to achieve it.

Yes, Christ said that He came to give us abundant life, but He also said, “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world!” (Jn. 16:33) Trouble comes in this life that Christ overcame – it’s apart of the picture of abundant life. Abundant life is more than a life of ease – it is a life of victory, of conquering, of overcoming. But these three things are only obtained by having to face, and defeat, trouble, heartache, pain, and trial. We have an abundant life in Christ – and it means walking the road He walked…a road of victory over pain and trouble.

“…in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us…” (Rom. 8:37)