Three Strands

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:12

It's hard to believe that four years ago we had our wedding ceremony. Sometimes it seems like only yesterday that we were engaged; Other times I feel like I've known Brad my entire life. Either way, our relationship makes me grin from ear to ear whenever I think about every part of it. There's no doubt in my mind that God hand-picked Brad to be my husband.

God blesses us in so many ways when we put our life in His hands. Being able to share my life and my faith with someone who loves me is wonderful. Brad and I have shared a lot of ups and downs and in betweens. We have pretty much run the gamut of what the wedding vows encapsulate.

Every anniversary is an occasion for us to reflect on what God is doing in our marriage. It doesn't just take the two of us to make our marriage work. It takes three of us--me, Brad, and God. By dedicating our life and marriage to Him we are far better at handling the things that life throws our way. Through the Holy Spirit, God gives us the strength we need to stand firm in the face of challenges that threaten to undo us. He has never let us fall.

Reflecting Pool

When you feel overpowered, do you have someone to turn to?

Is your relationship with God as real to you as your relationship with your spouse or best friend?

From where do you draw your strength to stand firm in the midst of trials?

Buckle Up for Safety

Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come... --Ecclesiastes 12:1a (NIV)

From my vantage point in the back seat of the van, the winding road down the mountain seemed all the more treacherous. The driver was obeying the speed limit, but my heart still pounded with each twist and turn of the lane. I was never more mindful of how secure a seat belt could made me feel than I was on that particular trip.

Seat belts save lives, but only if they're buckled. I don't know of anyone who gets into the car thinking that in the event of an accident, he will have time to fasten that lap belt. Waiting to buckle up until you're in trouble is a foolish practice, not to mention an ineffective one.

The same is true of waiting to commit one's life to Christ. The blessing of eternal security, and the assurance of salvation isn't complicated. God promises to protect and strengthen us in times of trouble. Unfortunately, when we're in the midst of trying circumstances, we have difficulty asking him for his help. It's best that we come to him sooner, rather than later, and get "buckled up" so to speak for the winding roads ahead.

Reflecting Pool

How has God secured you in times of trouble?
What prevents you from asking for His help?

Taking a Break

There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven. --Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)

To all my faithful readers out there, I wanted to let you know that I will be taking a short break from writing. Nothing is wrong and my health is fine, I just have a very busy work schedule right now and don't anticipate much "down-time" for writing as I usually have.

In the meantime, I highly recommend visiting Dailywisdom.com for a dose of spiritual inspiration. This daily devotional site has featured my writing a couple of times last month and has informed me that they will be using more of it in the future.

In all likelihood I'll be splashing around in these Pools of Grace within the month. I look forward to writing again soon and sharing more about how God's Word is impacting my life in a personal way.

Blessings to all of you!

In His Grip,
Lauren

Accountability and Constructive Criticism

If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! --Ecclesiastes 4:10


Last weekend I got to spend an afternoon with one of my dearest friends from college. We live relatively close to one another, but our schedules prevent us from getting together very often. She is one of the few friends I have who is at a similar stage in life. I have always appreciated her insight and her ability to apply godly principles to her life, particularly as she has endured times of trial. We are always honest with each other about the things we struggle with, and we have taken turns being a comforter or encourager for the last five years. In a variety of ways, one of us will lift the other who has fallen.

I think we all need at least one friend like that--someone to whom we can say anything and get a completely honest reaction. Friends like that can call our bluffs, smack some sense into us when we're off track, and offer us constructive criticism without worrying about how it will be received. Those of us who are Christians are in particular need of someone to keep us accountable to living a lifestyle consistent with the faith we profess.

Accountability keeps us from getting an over-inflated sense of self, as does constructive criticism. This type of feedback is vital to our growth as Christians, and it does much to ensure that we are producing "good fruit" as described in John. For example, I rarely receive much feedback regarding each Pools of Grace that I write. Without someone to challenge my doctrinal background or my interpretation of a particular Bible passage, it can be very easy for me to get a big head and think that everything I say is basically theologically sound. Once in a great while, I receive a lengthy email probing further into my thought processes and challenging my beliefs. As is usually the case, constructive criticism "takes me down a peg."

A true friend is not only able to dole out constructive criticism, but is receptive to it as well. I am sincerely thankful for the friends I have who are just that type of friend. Without the checks and balances that stem from accountability and constructive criticism, I would never grow or make positive changes in my life, particularly in terms of spiritual development.

Time Well Spent

The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep.--Ecclesiastes 5:12

I used to describe myself as a person who performs well under pressure. Although this is still true to some extent, I've learned that the grill of the adrenaline rush pales in comparison to the peace and contentment that comes from a consistent and steady effort to do my best and make the wisest use of my time. My most restful nights of sleep are those that arrive on the heels of a productive day at work or satisfactory completion of household chores. The peacefulness that overtakes me at the end of such a day is not necessarily correlated to the amount of activity. Rather, it is related to the attitude with which I approach those activities. That attitude is one of cheerfulness and stewardship.

God has given each of us the same number of hours in a day. He also gives us a choice about how to spend those hours. We can fritter them away selfishly, we can begrudgingly give a few minutes to God, or we can remember that He is the creator of time and has chosen to give us a finite measure of it during our lives on earth. We can either watch television for several hours after dinner, or read His word and spend time in prayer. We can sit in front of our computers, idly chatting or gaming, or we can engage in meaningful conversations and activities with family members. The choice is up to us.

There are days when I find myself wasting large amounts of time. This often proves disastrous to my level of motivation, not to mention my walk with God. Before I know it, I'm telling myself that I don't have time to spend with God because there are so many other things that I need to do first. God asks that we be good stewards of the gifts He gives us, and I believe that includes making wise decisions about how we spend our time.

I'm discovering that the real path to peace and contentment is found by daily walking with Christ. My efforts and labor for His kingdom are so much more rewarding than anything else I could undertake in my lifetime. At the end of the day, I want to be able to crawl into bed and be greeted with the sweet sleep that comes from having spent my day operating according to God's timetable and not my own. Moreover, at the end of my life I hope to be welcomed into His kingdom with a satisfying hug and the words "well done, good and faithful servant."

Before It's Too Late

Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them" --Ecclesiastes 11:1

Because children are so impressionable, it is important that their early influences are the right ones at the appropriate times. Had I not been exposed to church and the practices of faith from an early age, I'm quite certain that my life as an adult would have been dramatically different from the way it is. By becoming firmly rooted in God-centered belief from a young age, the likelihood of straying from that faith in later years is diminished.

I have talked with several people who, after rejecting religion or church for a period of time, eventually return to the faith because they realize that what they were taught as a child may not be such an oppressive thing after all. It has been my experience that young people, particularly those between the ages of 15 and 25, are so eager to be independent that they essentially walk away from anything that even remotely reminds them of parental authority.

Even if we wander away from a relationship with God for a time, we can always return. Moreover, it is in our best interest to do so before our time on earth is expired and we find ourselves in God's presence. Solomon's words in Ecclesiastes, which were written toward the end of his life, admonish us to remember our Creator while we are young. As Solomon's lifestyle in his later years proved, the world has many things to offer, but pursuit of worldly things is utterly meaningless. The one thing worth holding onto is faith in the Creator of the universe. God is very real and we all need to acknowledge His sovereign authority before it is too late.

Changing Seasons

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. --Ecclesiastes 3:1

I am not a person who handles change very gracefully. My natural tendency is to cling to that which is familiar while resisting new things. I've learned that there are distinct disadvantages to such behavior. In the first place, keeping a kung-fu grip on certain things can be extremely exhausting! Granted, there are some things and ideals that should never be relinquished, but for the most part, living a fulfilled life means learning to let go. Secondly, resistance to change can, in some ways, impede our progress in a relationship with God.

There is a time for everything. Life's seasons are characterized in many different ways, and throughout each season God has something to teach us. God is relentless in how he demonstrates his love for us, but if we are resistant to the idea of change, then we are resisting Him. God desires that we focus on Him. If we are forever looking in the rear-view mirror at a season that has passed, we may completely miss out on where God is taking us next.

Recently I've been attempting to control my own little corner of the universe when it comes to friendships. I felt like God had introduced me to new friends only to be taking them away after a short period of time. Today I realized that God is the one in charge of the changing seasons in my life. He brought certain people into my life when I needed them most. If I really believe that God provides for every detail of my life, then I need to trust that he will usher in the next season as friendships as He sees fit.

Seasons and friendships change, but God remains the same. Every good and perfect gift come from Him. I know that in order to receive those gifts, I need to have both hands available. As difficult as it may be, I need to release my stubborn grip. I don't know what God will be teaching me next, but I know that He has never disappointed me and never will.

Honoring God During Spring Break

Be happy young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart, and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment. --Ecclesiastes 11:9

Today I happened to bump into one of my husband's former college roommates. Seeing him brought back a number of memories of what it was like to be a college student, hanging out with a large group of friends, staying out late on the weekends, and putting thousands of miles on the car driving all over southern California following around the school's jazz band. Many of my friends whose lives still rotate around a school schedule are currently enjoying a week of Spring Break. For some, this week is an excuse to party; get a little crazy before buckling down for the last stretch of the school year.

It's a highly popularized belief among college students that spring break represents a rite of passage and is part of the experience of being young. I was never much one for parties myself, so the concept was a bit lost on me. Phrases like "you're only young once" and "make the most of it while you can" become the mantra of those who want to give themselves license to behave recklessly or irresponsibly. Today's verse in Ecclesiastes chapter 11 seems to echo that sentiment. However, look closely at the end of verse 9 where it says "but remember that for all things God will bring you to judgment".

Does this mean that we shouldn't go ahead and follow our hearts and have fun while we are young? Of course not! God didn't create us to be boring, stuffy people. He gave us so many things to experience in this life, and different things to appreciate while we are young. But, it is very important that the desires of our hearts and the things we pursue line up with God's plan for us. Being young is no excuse for putting aside God's wisdom.

I am continually amazed at how happy and content I am when I seek after the things of God. I also know that I am incredibly blessed in my current station in life. Although I'm not a college student anymore and I have the responsibilities that come with being a wife, I still have a lot of freedom to discover who it is that God is teaching me to become. I'm young enough that I still have a lot of decisions left yet to make.

Being young isn't always easy, particularly as a young Christian in the college setting. It can be easy to get caught up in doing reckless and irresponsible things, especially when it seems like everyone else we know is doing the same stuff. I'm very thankful for the times that my convictions as a Christian kept me from participating in certain things. No matter how fun or harmless those activities seemed at the time, I knew that they weren't what God wanted me to pursue. I know without a doubt that when I look back on those years, I will have the pleasure of reliving many wonderful, exciting memories.

By making sure that my heart's pursuits were in line with God's guidelines, I spared myself the pain and embarrassment of making reckless decisions all for the sake of "getting it out of my system" while I was young. I know that even though I made some mistakes here and there, God's judgment will rest favorably upon me because I did my best to follow his plan for my life.
There's more to life than just enjoying it and living in the moment. It's about cherishing each day as a gift from God, and using our time to honor and glorify him with our choices and activities.

To Put it Simply

The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone? --Ecclesiastes 6:11

I'm a lot like my dad in the fact that I usually don't have much trouble starting up or carrying on a conversation with just about anyone. In some cases, such as when I interviewed for my present job, this serves me quite well. Other times I have the unfortunate ability to be amused by the sound of my own voice. When I speak before I think, my words can get me into trouble or create a mildly uncomfortable situation. The phrase "open mouth, insert foot" has applied to me on more than one occasion.

This verse reminds me that it's much better to say only a few things and have them be important, rather than jabber on for the mere sake of having something to say. In other words, short and sweet is often the best type of response.

Some of my closest friends are the introverted types who really seem to talk all that much, but when they do, it's most often a clear statement that makes a lot of sense. There are many examples that come to mind of times when I've tried to explain something and I just keep talking and talking trying to make someone understand my point. Then one of my friends will step in after having sat very quietly for a moment, and say with succinct confidence the very thing I was trying to communicate.

When it comes to sharing our faith with others, we need to rely on God to give us the right words at the right time. If someone doesn't understand what we're trying to say the first time around, then maybe we need to back off and give that person a chance to absorb the conversation. A straightforward and simple approach is best. Too many words can get confusing really quickly. A person who is confused is likely to start feeling uncomfortable which makes them less likely to want to understand what it is we're talking about in the first place.

Put simply: put it simply.

Solomon Would Agree with Simon Cowell

I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all. --Ecclesiastes 9:11

The radio station I listen to usually does a recap of what took place on the most recent edition of "American Idol". In a soundclip from this week's show, they played a contestant's response to being dropped from the competition. This particular young woman was beside herself for having been eliminated and went on and on about how nothing else ever works out for her (men, job, finances) and that she deserves to continue in the competition because thought that she deserves to have at least something work out for her. Her insistance that she deserves to be celebrated despite an obvious lack of performance quality, is only one example of the over-inflated sense of entitlement that so many people have today.

In thinking about that in the context of this verse in Ecclesiastes, I was reminded of a conversation I had with a friend at a Campus Crusade for Christ meeting a few years back. We were discussing the difference between mercy and grace. He said that mercy is when we don't receive something as a consequence of our actions, and grace is when we receive a blessing in spite of what we really deserve.

In a perfect world, it would stand to reason that good things happen to good people. However, the reality of the world we live in is such that bad things sometimes happen to good people, and good things sometimes happen to bad people. Is this because some people are more deserving of hard times than others? Do some people receive a larger measure of mercy in some situations? Does God hand out a larger portion of grace to some people and not others? Not at all.

Rain falls on the just and the unjust. Everyone has good days and bad days. We don't automatically have perfect lives just because we're Christians. Similarly, those who don't have a relationship with Christ don't necessarily have wretchedly uncomfortable lives.

I found this verse to be important and somewhat encouraging because it made me realize that I don't need to be a "super-Christian" in order to have things in my life go well. I don't believe in fate or coincidences, but I do believe that God will bless me when he sees fit, and as it fits with his plan for my life. Because of this, I have no reason to be upset when good things happen to people who don't know the Lord, nor do I get all worked up when things in my life aren't going as well as I'd like. I've come to think of it this way: if I cried out about the injustice of good things happening to bad people, then I should also get upset about bad things happening to bad people.

God is in control of what happens to whom and when. I shouldn't presume to tell him how I think I should be blessed or when he should allow someone I don't like to be ripped to shreds by an abrasive "Simon Cowell" type person. I need to remember that He has shown mercy to me and given me a measure of his grace. I hope that the meaning of those words will never be lost on me and that I will not develop an over-blown sense of entitlement.

Writer's Block

Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. --Eccelsiastes 5:2

One look at the title of today's post and you can probably venture a guess as to why the Verse of the Day blog has been rather dormant lately. Even though I have been seeing evidence of God's presence in my life throughout the last week or so, actually putting it into words in my usual fashion has been difficult.

I used to think that was a bad thing. I used to think that writer's block was something that happened when life got too overwhelming or when there wasn't anything interesting going on. I now feel that it is perfectly okay for me to spend time internalizing the things that I see God doing in my life without necessarily commenting on them in written form. Sometimes there simply aren't enough words or the right words to express certain experiences--good or bad, extraordinary or average.

According to today's verse, we are told that it is acceptable and even preferable that we keep our wordiness to a minimum when in God's presence. In thinking about my recent shortage of words, I was reminded of a song I once wrote about that very topic. In the context of Ecclesiastes 5:2, I think it outlines many of the things for which we are to remain in awed silence when contemplating who God is and the ways he has shown us his character through his actions of loving-kindness and grace.


"There are No Words"

There are no words to describe your love
it's as boundless as the sea.
You're seated high in heav'n above
yet you've extended your hand to me.

There are no words to describe your grace
it's a gift you give so freely.
I've made mistakes I can't erase
but you make them all cease to be.

Nothing I could do or say
would be able to convey
all that you've allowed me to see.
No words seem to fit.
No description is appropriate.
There are no words.

There are no words to describe your pow'r
you're in charge of all the earth.
You command each season, each hour,
yet in me you find great worth.

There are no words to describe you.
But oh! So much to say.
So I will praise you for all you are
and run to you each new day.

Natural Consequences

If clouds are full of water, they pour rain upon the earth. Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where it falls, there will it lie. --Ecclesiastes 11:3

Although I don't adhere to the Buddhist doctrine of karma, I do believe that a person's actions, whether moral or immoral, will have a series of natural consequences. In other words, I am inclined to agree with the old sayings "you reap what you sow", and "you are what you eat".

I find it interesting that Solomon used some examples from nature to illustrate this point. He lays out a clear "if, then" statement, giving no account of the middle ground that occurs between the cause and the consequence. This made me stop and think about the way that things occur in my life.

Certainly my life has the "clouds full of water" and the "falling tree" scenarios. I think of those as the actions we carry out in the day to day choices we make. Let me give a non-moral example. Suppose my alarm rings at 6:00 a.m. My choice is then to either wake up right then, or hit the snooze button. If I get up then, I will then have a decent length of time before I have to leave for work. If I hit the snooze, I will have have cut my getting ready time down by 9 minutes. This same type of cause and consequence thinking can be applied to our spiritual lives.

We make choices that undeniably have an effect on how we become aware of God's presence in our lives. If we make ourselves available to Him by going to church, spending time in fellowship, and spending personal time with Him in prayer, than a natural consequence is that we will have a deeper relationship with our Creator. Conversely, if we remain closed off, don't interact with other Christians and never open our hearts in conversation with God, then the natural consequence is that we will miss out on a lot of wonderful growth experiences.

The choices are ours to make, but the outcomes, the ways and the means, lie in our Maker's hands.

Strong Relationships

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. --Ecclesiastes 4:12

Parts of this selection originally appeared in email form on 12/7/00

The influence of Christian family and friends is one of the biggest blessings in my life. I consider myself very fortunate to have so many people who support me with prayer, and who can encourage me in my walk with God. There are times when I am truly amazed at the sheer number of people whom God has placed in my life. I realize that not everyone may have as many fellow believers in his or her life. I have some friends who are the only Christian in their entire extended family, and sometimes feel very lonely because of that fact.

As I thought about this verse, A few different things came to mind. One is the old saying "no man is an island." That is quite true, especially for Christians. We are all members of the body of Christ, which includes many people. However, there are times when we are isolated from fellowship with other Christians or feel lonely. Even in those times, we are not alone. God is with us at all times, no matter what.

Another thing I thought of is the fact that there is "safety in numbers". As Christians we are all spiritually assaulted on a daily basis. The enemy attacks us in many different ways, and standing up to temptations can be difficult. Accountablity within the Christian community is important because it gives us a chance to strengthen the relationship of fellowship we have with other believers, as well as give the light of our witness to shine more brightly.

God blesses us with friends. There was a time when I thought that I would become happier if I just had more friends. Based on this verse, it looks like all I really need to fulfill the social part of my spiritual life is to have God and at least one other person who has a close, intimate, growing walk with Him. I am blessed to have exactly those kind of relationships and I hope that those who do not, will be blessed with them soon.

A Matter of Skill

If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success. --Ecclesiastes 10:10

In late September of 1998, I began one of the biggest undertakings of my life. I started college. I had done well in high school and with a few Advanced Placement credits to my name, I welcomed the challenge that lay before me.

My first quarter grades were a disaster. The study skills that had served me so well in high school fell far short of the workload that I attempted. One afternoon at orchestra rehearsal, a new friend of mine could sense my frustration and simply asked how things were going. Being an eager freshman who valued the opinions of the upperclassmen, I begged him to tell me how he had survived the rigorous schedule of cellular biology, general chemistry, and calculus.

With a smile, Keith shared with me this verse. He reminded me that not everyone can be the top student and that as corny as it may seem, all we can ever really do is try our best. I held tightly to this verse for the rest of my college career. I thought of it often as I prepared for midterms and finals. I thought of it most often when I was unable to take a full courseload or had to repeat a class.

At some point I even copied this verse onto an index card and taped it to my bedroom door at my parents' house. Oddly enough, the card remained long after I had moved out. On the eve of my college graduation, my husband and I spent the night in my old room. The next morning as I put on my cap and gown, I saw the verse and smiled as I remembered the first time I ever heard it.

I left for my graduation ceremony smiling to myself and thanking God for giving me the skill I needed to bring sweet success. I may have been swinging a dull, unsharpened ax for the last 6 years, but what a joy it is to know that all the effort was worth it.