A friend told me a funny story after Christmas.

Her husband, son and daughter-in-law all worked together to awkwardly wrap and present her with a body pillow. My friend was surprised at the large, unexpected gift and asked her husband why he bought it.

Photo Credit: Phiseksit

“You mentioned after our trip this fall that you would like a body pillow,” he reminded her.

“No,” she clarified. “I said I had a good night’s sleep because the hotel pillow was like a body pillow. I didn’t say I’d like a body pillow.”

After a few laughs (and no pillow fight), the gift was set aside and later returned.

Recently President Obama made some remarks that people have cited as historical and evolutionary. He expressed his support for same-sex marriage and reasoned, in part, that it’s because he believes in The Golden Rule:

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets,” (Matthew 7:12).

Before this statement, Jesus told everyone that if they ask God for what they need, God will answer them like a loving parent. Then, they are free to go and do good for others.

The Golden Rule isn’t about mutual respect or civil rights. Jesus explained that because God takes care of us, we can care for others. When we turn our selfish wants into outward expressions of love, we are living according to God’s economy of societal justice described in the Old Testament.

 Q4U: What were your thoughts about President Obama’s statements on marriage?

I don’t doubt that the President’s remarks are historical, but I fear that more than a pillow fight might erupt if we continue to give God what we think He wants rather than listening to Him with sincerity.

In the context of Jesus’ words, He tells us think about our wishes only so we have a clue how to act for others in light of His Word–the Law and the Prophets.

Will we take the time to know His Word fully so we can give good gifts to one another?

God, please give us a hunger for Your Word and Your ways that we could live truly selfless, loving lives toward one another. Amen.

Kathy stepped aside and let the occupational therapist march into her house. Suppressing a salute, she led her back to the room where Mom sat. Days earlier Kathy’s mom had suffered a stroke that paralyzed her left side.

Photo Credit: Ambro

The OT wasted no time in putting Mom to work. Kathy watched the no-nonsense woman bark out orders to Mom, “Gimme ten more!” The command came with every new exercise, and Kathy watched in agony while Mom obeyed with obvious pain and effort.

Furously taking notes and fighting tears, the Lord gently broke in and said, “Watch me work.” So she put her paper and pencil down and watched more intently. Soon, she sensed the Lord saying, “The OT knows Mom CAN and MUST do these exercises if she’s ever going to walk again.” 

Then the point of the Lord’s living parable clearly came through. The Lord knows we CAN and MUST exercise our faith muscles if we’re going to be strong enough to stand with what’s coming. The Lord is saying, “Gimme ten more” with each trial – ten more faith muscle reps.

In silent submission, Kathy softened to the truth and resisted confronting the OT.

How often, Kathy said later, does God give us opportunity to push through and get strong, but we so often want to quit. Instead of stopping when the going gets tough, sometimes we need to listen and respond to His encouragement to “Gimme ten more!”

I’m not suggesting God is mean or militant. He’s definitely kind, but He’s also Good. If we’re going to be seriously up to know good, we will have our character exercised.

Q4U: How is God exercising your character? Will you give Him “ten more”?

It’s easy to tell ourselves to give up when we start feeling uncomfortable, but what’s to be gained by staying spiritually flabby and immature? Instead, let’s grow and be truly fit for the calling God’s given us.

Lord, forgive me for being such a wimp sometimes. Today I commit to giving You ten more faith muscle reps whenever You ask. Amen.

–Many thanks to my friend Kathy for sharing this living parable and bringing glory to God in the words she speaks and life she lives.–

Every Wednesday in our weekly routine my daughters and I encounter the same man. He wears a black and red jacket with a cap bearing an unfamiliar insignia. He has tattoos on his face and usually carries a sign asking for money to help his children.

The first week, it was easy to give him a small donation. The second week, I only had a granola bar to offer. The third week, another contribution. But something happened as time went on. Week by week I gave a small food or money gift, but six weeks later, I got annoyed and didn’t give him anything.

As I accelerated past him through the familiar intersection, guilt overwhelmed me. Why was I annoyed? Because this seems to be his way of life? Because I wanted the money or snack for myself? No, I was irritated because of what he revealed in me: an unwillingness to ask.

Unlike me, scripture records another man on the side of the road who knew Who and how to ask.

One day, Jesus walked with a crowd into Jericho when a blind man yelled for His attention. “Stop it and be quiet!” the crowd said to hush him up quickly, but the blind man persisted, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Jesus asked them to bring the man to him. Jesus posed this simple question, “What do you want me to do for you?”

The blind man was face-to-face with One able to help him. He didn’t waste time explaining his life story, asking for a little food, or even begging for a blessing. “Lord, I want to see,” he replied.

Direct, bold, and effective, he spoke fearlessly and full of faith.

Seeing through his dirty, dusty exterior, Jesus immediately grants his request. “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.”

With nothing to offer Jesus but faith, the beggar stated his greatest need and desire – sight!

Do Good – Keep a few extra dollars or snacks in your car to hand out when you have the opportunity. Don’t judge; bless.

Back in 2010, the tattoo-faced stranger I met was thankfully in his usual spot the next Wednesday. Despite a rare green light, I slowed the car and got his attention. I don’t know his story, but I know he asks. My prayer is that he will be blessed, and he will ask Jesus to meet his deepest need – sight.

My prayer for myself is that I will ask. Blind, dirty, dusty and with nothing to offer, may I be fearless and faithful. When I can’t articulate my deepest need, I borrow the prayer from the blind beggar:

Lord, I want to see! Amen.

Q4U: How do you react when others ask for help?

Photo Credit: Maggie Smith

They were almost home. An enemy awaited them, but victory felt sure. However, before engaging in battle, God’s people needed to cross the raging river separating them from home.

In faith Joshua proclaimed to the Israelites, “When the soles of the feet of the priests carrying the Chest of God, Master of all the earth, touch the Jordan’s water, the flow of water will be stopped—the water coming from upstream will pile up in a heap,” (Joshua 3:13. The Message).

And that’s exactly what happened! Holding the ark of the covenant, the priests stood on the river bed. The people hurried over, and as soon as the priests with the ark came out of the Jordan it “ran at flood stage as before.”

The past several months God has been urging me to homeschool. I have argued, cried, resisted, and procrastinated. I had reasons I wouldn’t homeschool (see previous post on the subject!), but God persisted.

Lastly He led me to Joshua 3 & 4. Sara, step into the river. Trust Me, and I’ll make the way passable. I may not be leading an entire nation–just one kindergartner!–but it’s a BIG step for me.

God may not be asking you to homeschool, but He may be asking you to take a step of faith.

Q4U: What step of faith is God asking you to take? Will you?

Gently He whispers, Believe Me. It’s the reason I homeschool. He asks for faith, and I grow in it day-by-day, step-by-step.

Lord, thank You for challenging us and growing our faith in You. May we see a miracle by stepping out in faith today. Amen.

The rain reflected my mood–dismal, dampened, weepy.

I had tried to let go, to forgive, but that day replayed again and again in my mind.

No one else was to blame; the choice was mine, and I messed up.

Photo Credit: Christian Southworth

Now years later, I sat in my parked car with a friend looking at the rain drops bead down my window. Tears  rolled down my cheeks, and I wept at my stupidity.

“Have you forgiven yourself?” my friend asked quietly.

Her question made me ask, is that Biblical?

Later that night at home, I searched for “forgive yourself” on my digital Bible. Zero results.

I tried again with “self-forgiveness.” Zero results.

Believe, the Spirit whispered. I typed it in and hit the search button. 342 results!

–>The secret: I can’t forgive myself. You can’t forgive yourself. We must believe we are forgiven.

“He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by His wounds you have been healed,” (I Peter 2:24).

He forgives me. He forgave me! I AM forgiven!

As the truth dawned on my damned conscience, my faith grew deeper roots and overcame years of festering shame.

Have you forgiven yourself for your big and small mistakes? Don’t bother trying; they will only come back to haunt you. Instead, embrace the reality of God’s complete forgiveness offered through the cross of Jesus Christ.

                           Believe it.

                                   He paid it.

                                           You’re free.

Q4U: What mistakes of the past feel too big to let go? Will you bring them to God and ask Him to help you understand the cross? Why or why not?

Lord, thank You for the miracle that we are forgiven. Give us the faith to believe it and be free. Amen.

I remember growing up next to a family of seven. Sometimes the five kids would wander up onto our porch and press their faces against the big picture window to watch TV with us through the glass.

The neighbors were weird.

They had no TV.

They had a lot of kids. (Okay, five. But I had one little sister, not four.)

They home-schooled. When homeschooling wasn’t cool.

Stick with me here. I am no longer 8, I’m…older. I now realize the benefits of:

turning off the TV,

having more than two children and one sibling,

and homeschooling.

Yes. Homeschooling is an option, and a good one here in Colorado.

Photo Credit: photostock

But here’s the reason I won’t do it: fear. If I choose to home school my children, I will not do it because I’m afraid of the world. It’s not a nice world, but my Daddy’s big enough to carry us through it.

Plus, fear doesn’t get a vote.

Qs4U: Why don’t you home school? Why do you? What’s your perception of homeschooling families?

The school options are dizzying as we look ahead to kindergarten and beyond: homeschooling, a nearby reputable private Christian school, several highly ranked charter schools, and a few traditional public schools.

For now, we pray. We pray for God’s best for our daughters, not our assumptions, fears or even our passions. He will guide us. Please chime in with your comments! Even better, please pray along with us.

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. –I John 4:4

Dear God, thank You for the good plan You have for my children and for me. And yes, I will follow it, even if the neighbors think I’m weird. Amen.

Photo Credit: David Castillo Dominici

“Dear God, please help my friend not be sick.”

“Lord, help my hair grow long.”

“God, please help the people in the tornadoes to not have any bad dreams.”

“God, please help my mom not be crabby. Amen.”

“Jesus, I love You.”

The prayers of my children are humbling and touching. They happen anytime of day or night and almost anywhere: in our home, in the car, out shopping, etc. Without a Bible study or volumes of insightful books, they understand the essence of communicating with God.

                        Now is always the time to pray.

                               Anything is the subject to pray.

                                      Anyone is the person about which to pray.

                                             Anywhere is the place to pray.

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints,” (Ephesians 6:18).

Qs4U: What time of day are you most likely to pray? Who do you pray for?

God’s been real to me for many years but sometimes it seems like I’m talking to myself. Despite feeling that way, I agree with my friend Debra who says, “Jesus is not your imaginary friend.”

Faith goes deeper than feelings into a place of trust. That’s another secret of my daughters’ prayers above. They believe God is listening and answering them, and He’s doing the same for you and me.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, ask God,” (James 1:5).

“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective,” (James 5:16b).

Q4U: Do you pray with faith or a half-hearted “hope so” attitude toward God?

Lastly, no matter what we say, or how we say it, God’s primary focus is on our heart. We may stumble over words or have no words at all. We may cry; we may sigh. We may yell or whisper or be silent. God understands every expression we offer.

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express,” (Romans 8:26).

Q4U: What obstacles to prayer do you encounter? What Scriptures could help you overcome them?

Let’s pray: Lord, fuel a desire in me to share each moment of my life with You. Help me to be in the habit of praying moment-by-moment about the big struggles, the small joys, and everything in between. I know You hear me and trust Your love for me. Forgive me. Bless me. I love You. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. 

Photo Credit: Myron Schaffer

Happy Easter! Our biggest Christian holiday is just behind us, and now what? Has much changed? Are we invigorated or intimidated by the cross and resurrection of Christ?

I feel a little bit of both.

Gratitude is far to simple of a word to describe how I personally feel about His grace and love shown. I am forever grateful for His forgiveness and gift of eternal life.

So why would I be intimidated?

I’m still in the process of growing. I feel small next to my Big God and life still overwhelms me at times.

Thankfully God knows that can happen, too, and He makes it pretty simple to take steps forward with Him. Not easy, but simple.

1. Believe.

2. Do.

How do we do this? Read the Bible everyday. Pray everyday.

In other words, be Up to Know Good everyday. Let’s start now.

Jesus, thank You for the cross. Help us now to live forgiven, believing, active lives. Show us the steps you want us to take today. Amen.

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For over 150 practical ideas on how to see God and do good daily, check out Sara’s $2.99 Up to Know Good devotional.

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How will you be Up to Know Good today?

Photo Credit: nixxphotography

Let me clarify–I wasn’t arrested. Or tried. Or imprisoned. Physically.

But I am guilty. I should have been convicted. But I’ve been found innocent. Spiritually.

In a world that says there’s

           no sin

               just our opinion

                   personal choice and

                       individual truth;

                                                                                                  God remains God.

It’s Holy Week. At church, Pastor Matt explained the cross, and the old story took on fresh meaning.

“If forgiveness is all we get, we act like we’re on probation,” -Matt Manning.

I act like I’m on probation. I know I’m forgiven, but now I really try to be a good person. And fail. I wish I could explain my grumbling attitude and unkind words and selfish actions in another way but they are sin. Your ungodly life and mine are sin.

But God declares our position is holiness, even though we remain in the process of becoming holy.

For example, an adopted child has the name, home, and rights of belonging to her new family, but she doesn’t know their traditions or maybe even speak with the same accent. Over time however, the child becomes more and more like the parents and the person begins to match the position she had all along.

Photo Credit: photostock

So admit your sin and let this Easter be one of truly celebrating the substitutionary death and miraculous resurrection of Christ. In other words–believe and walk free. No strings attached. Just life.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” –John 11:25-26

Lord, may we believe it. Amen.

Do you believe this? How do you celebrate Easter?

Click for a free download of the song Not in Vain from There Is Hope.

When God plucks you out of obscurity,

             and you put your trust in the cross of Jesus Christ,

                    God cleanses and claims you with His Holy Spirit.

Then, in ANY circumstance under ANY conditions, YOU ARE: