So I've been thinking about God being an Etch-a-Sketch God.
Etch-a-Sketch God, you say? What?
Jeff Dixon used an Etch-a-Sketch last Sunday as an illustration of God's forgiveness in our lives, and it's stuck with me for several days now.
Did you ever play with an Etch-a-Sketch when you were a kid (or grown-up kid)? Remember how hard you work to make everything turn out the way you see it in your mind? Turning those little knobs, twisting, trying to sync your two hands to get a nice curved or diagonal line. Calculating how much room you need for each part of your masterpiece.
And then it would get all messed up. You turned one knob too far or too vigorously, and there's no erase button to get that one little mistake out. It's all or nothing. Not such a big deal if you're just starting your work, but devastating if you've actually been able to make some progress and then you screw up.
How long did you play with your Etch-a-Sketch before you got frustrated and gave up?
And then Jeff talked about this god-like Etch-a-Sketch artist. Seems he does masterpieces on the Etch-a-Sketch and then does this trick where he takes them apart and freezes the image in time so that it's permamently on the screen, and his work sells for thousands of dollars. You can imagine my amateurish frustration.
So a couple of thoughts keep running through my head. Things like--
Isn't it wonderful that God's forgiveness is as complete as turning an Etch-a-Sketch upside down and no image remains to haunt God or me?
I'm so grateful that I gave up trying to create my own Etch-a-Sketch life and let the master Etch-a-Sketch artist take over. His abilities and work exceed my own by a factor of 10 trillion to one, and it sure saves me a lot of frustration--as long as I keep my hands off those two little knobs!
I'm so grateful that God never makes a mistake in my life and never needs a do-over to get it right, even though He's working with a terribly finicky machine. It helps that He designed it and knows its inner workings intimately!
I've heard God called Almighty God, King of Kings, Savior, Lover of My Soul, the God who sees me, the God who heals me, and a long list of other descriptive names, but I think I really like Etch-a-Sketch God.
Click the following links if you want to know more about Etch-a-Sketches, the Etch-a-Sketch Artist, or how Jeff used the concept of the Etch-a-Sketch in his Bible study during the worship celebration at Covenant.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
A Walker's Thoughts on the Journey - Day One
Originally published on Feb. 6, 2008
It's that time again, time to focus my thoughts on the enormity and intimacy of Christ's sacrifice and resurrection. If you don't already have something planned to walk you through the 40 days leading to Easter, may I suggest Journey to the Cross at www.d365.org.
I have recently begun walking for my health. It's that time for me, time to realize the cost of retiring from karate, time to face the facts that I have to exercise, something that does not appeal to me, regardless of the benefits. I walk alone sometimes, but also with friends. And on those walks, I do more than improve my physical strength and endurance, I am building relationships with people as we talk, laugh, question and process our lives together.
So I'm drawn today to thoughts about Jesus walking with His disciples, specifically as He began that final journey to Jerusalem, the focal point of His whole life. Come with me to Luke 18:31-34 and let's listen in to His conversation with the disciples.
Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, "We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him, and kill him. On the third day he will rise again."
The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.
I think about the disciples, walking with Jesus toward Jerusalem, where He (and He alone evidently) knew what was about to happen and the significance of it. The disciples were baffled. They didn't get it. Even though they didn't understand His words, they kept going: they kept company with Him, listening, wondering.
And so I wonder: Are you on journey with Jesus? Perhaps to a place you don't understand? Are you keeping in step with Him...or lagging behind...or trying to run ahead? Are you keeping company with Him? Are you listening? Are you wondering?
May you discover more about the One who not only leads the way, but journeys with you, as you set your face toward His purposes, accompanying Him on the journey to the cross…and beyond.
It's that time again, time to focus my thoughts on the enormity and intimacy of Christ's sacrifice and resurrection. If you don't already have something planned to walk you through the 40 days leading to Easter, may I suggest Journey to the Cross at www.d365.org.
I have recently begun walking for my health. It's that time for me, time to realize the cost of retiring from karate, time to face the facts that I have to exercise, something that does not appeal to me, regardless of the benefits. I walk alone sometimes, but also with friends. And on those walks, I do more than improve my physical strength and endurance, I am building relationships with people as we talk, laugh, question and process our lives together.
So I'm drawn today to thoughts about Jesus walking with His disciples, specifically as He began that final journey to Jerusalem, the focal point of His whole life. Come with me to Luke 18:31-34 and let's listen in to His conversation with the disciples.
Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, "We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him, and kill him. On the third day he will rise again."
The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.
I think about the disciples, walking with Jesus toward Jerusalem, where He (and He alone evidently) knew what was about to happen and the significance of it. The disciples were baffled. They didn't get it. Even though they didn't understand His words, they kept going: they kept company with Him, listening, wondering.
And so I wonder: Are you on journey with Jesus? Perhaps to a place you don't understand? Are you keeping in step with Him...or lagging behind...or trying to run ahead? Are you keeping company with Him? Are you listening? Are you wondering?
May you discover more about the One who not only leads the way, but journeys with you, as you set your face toward His purposes, accompanying Him on the journey to the cross…and beyond.
Longings
Originally published Oct. 25, 2007
Little girls
Girls who become women
Women who become mothers
Mothers who have daughters
Little girls
Generations
Linked
Sometimes broken
Still connected
By pain, if not by shared lives
By longings, if not by experience
Dreams
Dreams that become longings
Longings that become prayers
Prayers that shape reality
Dreams
Little girls who dream
Women, mothers, daughters
Linked
Linked by dreams
Dreams of hope
Prayers of longing
Longings
For love
For hope
For a future
Longings
Words
Words full of longing
Words that break hearts
Words that shape reality
Words
Jesus
Word of hope
Satisfier of the longing heart
God of all hope
For all who long, dream and pray
Jesus
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. – Paul in his letter to the Romans, chapter 15, verse 13.
(c) 2007 Debbie Piper
Little girls
Girls who become women
Women who become mothers
Mothers who have daughters
Little girls
Generations
Linked
Sometimes broken
Still connected
By pain, if not by shared lives
By longings, if not by experience
Dreams
Dreams that become longings
Longings that become prayers
Prayers that shape reality
Dreams
Little girls who dream
Women, mothers, daughters
Linked
Linked by dreams
Dreams of hope
Prayers of longing
Longings
For love
For hope
For a future
Longings
Words
Words full of longing
Words that break hearts
Words that shape reality
Words
Jesus
Word of hope
Satisfier of the longing heart
God of all hope
For all who long, dream and pray
Jesus
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. – Paul in his letter to the Romans, chapter 15, verse 13.
(c) 2007 Debbie Piper
Resting
Originally published Nov. 16, 2006 as Sick and Tired of Being Sick
Ok, I'm really over this. I'm tired of feeling crappy. It sucks. I finally went to the doctor who said, "It really doesn't matter what it is, I'm going to give you antibiotics." Words I wanted to hear. When you've been the proverbial "under the weather" for going on three weeks, it's time to throw medicine at it and move on.
Of course, I'm still feeling crappy, 'cause medicine isn't magic. It takes time to work. I mean, I'm taking it, following the directions, just like the label says. And you know what happens when you start taking antibiotics, right? The bacteria fight back initially so you actually feel worse for a while. I couldn't believe how quickly I felt worse, like 20 minutes later. And now, 29 and 1/2 hours later, I still feel bad. But I know it will get better if I just keep taking the meds and resting.
Resting. That's an interesting one. I never do that part well. I have a hard time trying to figure out if I need to just push through or if I need to go to bed when I'm sick. And if I give the resting part a try, I want it to work right away! But I'm finding this time that the resting has to be part of every day. I'm tired, get easily winded, and have to actually stop. What a crazy word. Stop. Like, you mean, don't go? Don't do anything? Wait? Rest?
So what's the life lesson from this one? I don't know. Maybe the very basic "I am powerless" lesson. Maybe the whole "rest" concept. Maybe something else. I feel too tired to wax eloquent or spiritual.
Actually, though, I have been remembering that God doesn't love me less because I'm not producing for Him right now. 'Cause I get hung up on that one, you know. Sometime in my life I learned this (erroneous) lesson that I was only worthy of love or respect if I was good for something, if I had a productive day, or did something worthwhile for others.
So when I'm exhausted and unable to do a whole lot, God reminds me that He loves me. Period. End of sentence. Not because I am "doing," but because I am His. For that, I'm very grateful. I need that reminder regularly. 'Cause I like doing. I like being who He made me to be, being productive, helping others, achieving things. And when I can't do those things, when I am reduced to simply "being," I can tend to feel worthless.
Maybe that's the lesson for me, right now. God loves me. And that's the essence of life. Not doing. Being. Resting in Him, knowing that He loves me when I come empty-handed. When I can't even think about loving Him, but can only receive His love for me. Receiving His love, resting in His care, letting Him soothe me when life feels crappy, remembering that there is hope because He is the God of Hope. Knowing that whatever tomorrow holds, He is there. And I am His. And that's enough.
I still feel crappy. I hope I feel better soon. I am glad that I'm not trying to earn God's love anymore, but learning to rest in His love.
Ok, I'm really over this. I'm tired of feeling crappy. It sucks. I finally went to the doctor who said, "It really doesn't matter what it is, I'm going to give you antibiotics." Words I wanted to hear. When you've been the proverbial "under the weather" for going on three weeks, it's time to throw medicine at it and move on.
Of course, I'm still feeling crappy, 'cause medicine isn't magic. It takes time to work. I mean, I'm taking it, following the directions, just like the label says. And you know what happens when you start taking antibiotics, right? The bacteria fight back initially so you actually feel worse for a while. I couldn't believe how quickly I felt worse, like 20 minutes later. And now, 29 and 1/2 hours later, I still feel bad. But I know it will get better if I just keep taking the meds and resting.
Resting. That's an interesting one. I never do that part well. I have a hard time trying to figure out if I need to just push through or if I need to go to bed when I'm sick. And if I give the resting part a try, I want it to work right away! But I'm finding this time that the resting has to be part of every day. I'm tired, get easily winded, and have to actually stop. What a crazy word. Stop. Like, you mean, don't go? Don't do anything? Wait? Rest?
So what's the life lesson from this one? I don't know. Maybe the very basic "I am powerless" lesson. Maybe the whole "rest" concept. Maybe something else. I feel too tired to wax eloquent or spiritual.
Actually, though, I have been remembering that God doesn't love me less because I'm not producing for Him right now. 'Cause I get hung up on that one, you know. Sometime in my life I learned this (erroneous) lesson that I was only worthy of love or respect if I was good for something, if I had a productive day, or did something worthwhile for others.
So when I'm exhausted and unable to do a whole lot, God reminds me that He loves me. Period. End of sentence. Not because I am "doing," but because I am His. For that, I'm very grateful. I need that reminder regularly. 'Cause I like doing. I like being who He made me to be, being productive, helping others, achieving things. And when I can't do those things, when I am reduced to simply "being," I can tend to feel worthless.
Maybe that's the lesson for me, right now. God loves me. And that's the essence of life. Not doing. Being. Resting in Him, knowing that He loves me when I come empty-handed. When I can't even think about loving Him, but can only receive His love for me. Receiving His love, resting in His care, letting Him soothe me when life feels crappy, remembering that there is hope because He is the God of Hope. Knowing that whatever tomorrow holds, He is there. And I am His. And that's enough.
I still feel crappy. I hope I feel better soon. I am glad that I'm not trying to earn God's love anymore, but learning to rest in His love.
You've Gotta Crawl Before You Can Walk
Originally published Aug. 24, 2006 as Lexi-isms: Crawling
Lexi is trying to figure out how to crawl. She keeps working it. And we keep putting things out in front of her to motivate her: books, toys, pacifier, us, etc. And she keeps making an effort. Usually it goes something like this:
Lexi is in a sitting position and sees something or someone she wants.
She leans forward on her hands
She works at tucking her feet under her.
She rocks back and forth.
Sometimes (often) when she does this, she actually makes it to a crawling position, knees poised under her body.
She rocks back and forth some more.
She pancakes.
She throws her feet and arms in the air and flails.
She complains vociferously, expressing her frustration.
(Good, sweetie, you're learning to recognize and verbalize your emotions.)
Sometimes she tries again...and again...and again...with various levels of success. Sometimes not.
Sometimes she pushes herself back into a sitting position. (Pretty cool trick.) When she does this she is typically further away from her goal than when she started. Then she complains at not having what she wants. And she looks at you as if to say, "But look how well I do this. I know it isn't getting me any closer to my goal, but since I did this really cool trick, don't you think you should just hand me what I want?"
And it all gets me laughing and thinking, isn't that how I am with God sometimes? He gives me a glimpse of something that He has for me. I make some tentative moves toward it, but then it gets hard. And I verbalize my emotions about the difficulty in prayer. And then I complain about how hard it is, wallowing in the emotion, instead of taking my energy and putting it into trying to move ahead. Sometimes I even do one of the things I've already mastered, as if to say, "But look how well I do this!"
But God isn't satisfied with my current level of development. He wants me to be fully transformed into the image of Jesus. So what was a big deal when I first learned it, is now the base from which I grow. And growth usually means challenge and requires effort on my part. And I can complain and try to wow Him with my "tricks" and stay stuck where I am; or I can fix my eyes on Jesus and trust my loving Father to help me become all that He wants me to be, all that He knows I can be in and through Him.
Do I think Lexi is absolutely wonderful? Of course! Would I want Lexi to stay at this stage of development? Of course not! She is doing great for a soon-to-be eight month old. I know God loves me unconditionally and that I don't have to earn His love or approval. I also know He wants me to grow up in Jesus, to become mature, to realize every dream He has had for me since He created me in my mother's womb. That requires my trusting Him and moving forward in faith, even when it's hard.
Lexi will be crawling soon. Then it will be walking. She's already trying to stand and go straight to walking, but that's another post...
Lexi is trying to figure out how to crawl. She keeps working it. And we keep putting things out in front of her to motivate her: books, toys, pacifier, us, etc. And she keeps making an effort. Usually it goes something like this:
Lexi is in a sitting position and sees something or someone she wants.
She leans forward on her hands
She works at tucking her feet under her.
She rocks back and forth.
Sometimes (often) when she does this, she actually makes it to a crawling position, knees poised under her body.
She rocks back and forth some more.
She pancakes.
She throws her feet and arms in the air and flails.
She complains vociferously, expressing her frustration.
(Good, sweetie, you're learning to recognize and verbalize your emotions.)
Sometimes she tries again...and again...and again...with various levels of success. Sometimes not.
Sometimes she pushes herself back into a sitting position. (Pretty cool trick.) When she does this she is typically further away from her goal than when she started. Then she complains at not having what she wants. And she looks at you as if to say, "But look how well I do this. I know it isn't getting me any closer to my goal, but since I did this really cool trick, don't you think you should just hand me what I want?"
And it all gets me laughing and thinking, isn't that how I am with God sometimes? He gives me a glimpse of something that He has for me. I make some tentative moves toward it, but then it gets hard. And I verbalize my emotions about the difficulty in prayer. And then I complain about how hard it is, wallowing in the emotion, instead of taking my energy and putting it into trying to move ahead. Sometimes I even do one of the things I've already mastered, as if to say, "But look how well I do this!"
But God isn't satisfied with my current level of development. He wants me to be fully transformed into the image of Jesus. So what was a big deal when I first learned it, is now the base from which I grow. And growth usually means challenge and requires effort on my part. And I can complain and try to wow Him with my "tricks" and stay stuck where I am; or I can fix my eyes on Jesus and trust my loving Father to help me become all that He wants me to be, all that He knows I can be in and through Him.
Do I think Lexi is absolutely wonderful? Of course! Would I want Lexi to stay at this stage of development? Of course not! She is doing great for a soon-to-be eight month old. I know God loves me unconditionally and that I don't have to earn His love or approval. I also know He wants me to grow up in Jesus, to become mature, to realize every dream He has had for me since He created me in my mother's womb. That requires my trusting Him and moving forward in faith, even when it's hard.
Lexi will be crawling soon. Then it will be walking. She's already trying to stand and go straight to walking, but that's another post...
Attention
Originally posted on May 24, 2006 as I've Been Thinking
I'm wondering if I should use my blog to post some of what God is teaching me in my life. I can't think of anything else that would be worthwhile posting.
For instance, while feeding Lexi today, I watched her eyes flitting around at all the interesting things around her before stopping to gaze intently into my eyes. Once she got past the distraction of the sights and sounds around her, she wanted my attention, not content to just get the benefit of the milk in the bottle I was holding. She wanted to be noticed by me, to know that she mattered to me, that I was focused on her.
I thought of myself as I look to God. Sometimes I settle for just being the recipient of His blessing and take Him for granted. But deep down, I want to be noticed by Him, to be reassured that He is looking at me. I need to know that His eye is on me, that I matter to Him. I want to be more focused in seeking Him out, looking intently into His face, into His eyes, communicating my love for Him and receiving His love for me.
I'm wondering if I should use my blog to post some of what God is teaching me in my life. I can't think of anything else that would be worthwhile posting.
For instance, while feeding Lexi today, I watched her eyes flitting around at all the interesting things around her before stopping to gaze intently into my eyes. Once she got past the distraction of the sights and sounds around her, she wanted my attention, not content to just get the benefit of the milk in the bottle I was holding. She wanted to be noticed by me, to know that she mattered to me, that I was focused on her.
I thought of myself as I look to God. Sometimes I settle for just being the recipient of His blessing and take Him for granted. But deep down, I want to be noticed by Him, to be reassured that He is looking at me. I need to know that His eye is on me, that I matter to Him. I want to be more focused in seeking Him out, looking intently into His face, into His eyes, communicating my love for Him and receiving His love for me.
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