Architect and General Contractor

I've never been part of building a house.  In fact, I've never really been part of building any kind of building.  Well, I did pound a few nails on a Habitat for Humanity project last year, but I never saw the plans, I didn't know the contractors, and no one asked my opinion regarding how it should be built.   They just gave me a hammer and some nails and said, "over there."     From that little experience, I can say with certainty, that building houses is HARD work, especially in the Texas summer sun!   

While I don't know a whole lot about the process, I know that before you can build a house several things are required.    First, you need some land that is zoned and approved for residential living.   Then you need an architect to draw up some plans.    Finally, you need a general contractor to organize the laborers and get the work done.    Almost always, it seems like there are adjustments to the plans, delays in the process, workers that don't live up to their end of the bargain, weather that doesn't cooperate, and paint colors that look different in the house than they did in the store. 

I think our lives and destinies are like houses that are being built.   God has plans for each of our lives.  He knows where we will be built; He knows when we will be ready; He knows what we're being built for; He knows how big or small we need to be; He knows what materials are needed for our locations.   He is a Master Architect.    Not only does He have all the plans, but He is also the General Contractor.    He knows the budget, the materials, the deadlines, and He loves delegating different portions of the home to "sub-contractors".    

Confession:  I am getting impatient in the building process!

I like to watch those DIY shows on the Home Improvement channels, and I always laugh at the homeowners who are trying to save money, so they do their own projects, only to screw it up royally and have to call in a contractor to fix it.     The homeowners that really drive me crazy are those who try to change the plans after the work has started, against the contractors advice, then yell at the contractor when their budget gets blown or the house isn't done on time.   Yet, here I am, one of those crazy homeowners trying to build my own house faster.   I keep trying to change the plans, tell the Contractor how I think it should look, and trying to get it done in breakneck speed.    I keep trying to see the plans, but I know that even if I actually got to see them plans, I wouldn't understand them anyway.  I'm a musician, not an architect!   

And don't even get me started on those sub-contractors!    You know those who are responsible for drilling, nailing, cutting, sanding?    You may have some of those in your life too....work, school, friends, enemies, family members.   All of these people and situations make for some uncomfortable seasons in our lives, but they are so needed if our homes are going to be safe, reliable and functional places.   

God is an amazing contractor with amazing plans for us.    He knows the budget, the deadlines, and has all the right people set up to get us to our destiny and purpose.     Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are "His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."   Doesn't that sound good?   I don't know about you, but I want to walk in good works, so it makes sense that I should stick with His plans.    Psalm 127:1 says, "Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain that build it."    What this says to me is, "Christi, quit taking the hammer from my hands!  I have everything under control, and your house will be perfect for you.  Trust me, and rest in me.   This is what I do best!"     

Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire

"Deceiving others is an essential part of every day social interaction." 

This was the beginning of a seminar I attended today.    The purpose of the seminar was to teach us how to detect lies during investigations and interviews, and in order to set it up, the presenter had to lay the foundation that we all lie on a regular basis.    The statistics are overwhelming.  Consider these studies:

• DePaulo & Kashy (1998): the average person lied to 34% of the people whom she/he interacted with in a typical week.
• Hample (1980) respondents reported lying an average of 13 times per week.
• DePaulo & Bell (1996):  Married couples lied in 1 out of 10 interaction with their partners.
• Robinson, Shepherd & Haywood (1998):  83% of respondents said they would lie in order to get a job.

What disturbed me most was that he easily justified lying, saying that it is "necessary that we lie to each other every day".    He shared an example in which his mother asked him if her old fashioned, outdated coat looked ok.  "Of course, I was going to lie to my mother. I don't want to hurt her feelings."   

Merriam-Webster online defines "to lie" as follows:
1.  to make an untrue statement with intent to deceive
2.  to create a false or misleading impression

As I sat in this class, I was so convicted.  You see, I, too, have justified my dishonesty with excuses of "I don't want to hurt their feelings", or "It's just a little white lie," or "Telling the truth will cause more disruption than lying."    But, if my Sunday School training serves me well, I can't remember a single place in all of Scripture that condones lying.   It's actually quite the opposite.    Jesus said that the devil is the "father of lies", and in Proverbs 12:22 we see that "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight."     

We all laugh when kids are blunt and brutally honest.   We've all heard parents talk about how their kids have told them they looked old, or their clothes looked funny, or that they don't like Aunt Sally (in front of Aunt Sally) because she smells funny.     Why is it that we teach kids that it's bad to lie, but they still learn that being honest is not socially acceptable?   Can you imagine how different this world would be if kids never grew out of their "honesty"?    Politicians might be out of a job!  Heck, I might be out of a job!    I wonder if this is part of why Jesus said that we must be like children to enter the Kingdom.   

What do you think?  Is it ever ok to lie?  What does it look like to be honest, but still gracious and loving?  I'd love to hear your thoughts.

"Deliver my soul, Oh Lord, from lying lips and from a deceitful tongue."  Psalm 120:2

Sneak Attack!!

So heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss

And my heart turns violently inside of my chest

I don't have time to maintain these regrets

When I think about the way

He loves us

As a musician in the church my entire life, I have kept tabs on a lot of the "latest" and greatest worship songs (which has gotten much more difficult in the last few years).    This song, "How He Loves" by John Mark McMillan has been one of the most popular for the last couple years, and rightfully so.   It's such a beautiful portrait of the vast love of God for us, and it immediately strikes to the very deepest need in us.    It is also one of the most controversial songs for that line that includes "sloppy wet kiss."     There are already many blogs about the "change of lyrics" and the great debate around whether or not that line was "appropriate", and this is NOT one of those blogs.      

I only mention the song as a bit of a back story to the real point I hope to get to.  I was reading a blog today about a completely different song, but this one was mentioned with it's "controversial line", and it just made me giggle a little bit.    You see, my dog, Daisy, is also part frog.    Or at least, she has the tongue of a frog.   I am not exaggerating.   When she's tired, her tongue hangs out about 6 inches.   She can lick the bottom of a peanut butter jar- a regular sized one!   And once, when she was a particularly devious puppy, she snagged chips from my plate like a frog snags flies.      Daisy is particularly fond of using her freakishly long, sandpaper-ish tongue to exfoliate any skin she sees (she calls that "kisses").      Her most "sloppy wet kiss" is the "sneak attack".    

The sneak attack usually starts with Daisy cuddling up to you, asleep, lulling you into a false sense of security.   As soon as you look away, or start working on the computer, she will sit up and "kiss" your ear and the base of your neck.    Or, when you're laying in bed half awake, she'll pretend to cuddle up to you, then just start "kissing" your face.   It's always startling, but so sweet.   It's like she just wants you to know that she's still here and still loves you lots. 

While I wouldn't say that Daisy is like God (although "dog" does have the same letters...just sayin'!), but I do think that the "sneak attack" is a God-like quality.   Throughout the Bible we see that God "suddenly" shows up on the scene.   There was that time that Elijah was hiding out and "suddenly" God spoke to him.   Or the time that Daniel was praying and "suddenly" there was a Man who appeared in the likeness of God.   And then there was the upper room when "suddenly" there was a mighty, rushing wind.   What about Saul on the road to Damascus?  "Suddenly" a light shone, and his life was so radically changed that he needed a new name!    

The beautiful thing about it is that God is still the same "Suddenly" God!    Take for instance, today.   I've recently blogged about the reorganization at work, and I will tell you that I've had some concerns about how it will turn out for me.    Today, while talking to one of my colleagues, I heard something that I really needed to hear that just encouraged my heart right at the point of my biggest concern.   It was a "sloppy wet kiss" sneak attack kinda moment, when God said, "I'm still here and I love you lots."    

Yummy Peanut Butter!!!

                       

Premature Truths

Paul thinks it's hilarious to tickle me until I can't breathe.  I, on the other hand, find this torturous, and usually spout out some kind of threat.    A couple nights ago, I spouted off jokingly, and Paul said something along the lines of "If you do that, I'll tickle you until you can't breathe."    I responded with, "Don't threaten me!" and he said, "That wasn't a threat.  It was a premature truth."    

We have been laughing about that statement since, but at the same time it's been nagging me.    You see, a few weeks ago, we had a guest speaker at church, and he was speaking about the things we say.     We've all heard the verse "let your yes be yes, and your no be no."   In other words, say what you mean and mean what you say.   Simple enough, right?

Confession:   I often speak way before I think.

I really like to think that when I promise something, I follow through and keep my promise, or that when I say something, I am honest in my communication.    I think that as a whole, most people fall into that category.    But what if it's more than following through on our promises?    

Proverbs 18:21 tells us that "death and life are in the power of the tongue."     Our words have power, significant power.    Have you ever met someone who seems to "always have things going wrong"?   If you talk to them very long, you will hear them say things "I just can't get ahead," or "Why are bad things always happening to me?" or "I wonder what's gonna happen next."    Or what about someone who seems to be sick all the time?  At the first symptom, you hear them say "I'm coming down with the flu," or "I bet I get that same bronchitis my son had."     If you have ever had your feelings hurt, I guarantee you it is most often because of words.  Who hasn't had a parent or teacher tell us that "you'll never be good enough" or "you just aren't smart enough" or "that you shouldn't dance like that"? 

Of course, it's not only death that is held in the tongue.   We also have life.   This is a very God-like quality.    The very beginning of the Bible shows us that God spoke and the world was created.   Words are creative in nature.    

Words fuel the thoughts in our heads.   Thoughts fuel our beliefs.    Beliefs fuel our actions.     In essence, every word we speak becomes a "premature truth".    If this is the case, then I certainly want to watch my words more closely.   Instead of calling someone that cut me off a jerk, maybe I will bless them with patience.    Instead of getting frustrated with that screaming kid's mom, maybe I will declare that her children will rise up and call her blessed.   Instead of saying "I'm not good enough", maybe I will declare that "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."    Instead of calling those nations' leaders "crazy warlords that should all be nuked", maybe I'll bless them as kings that have been put in place by God, and call forth His purpose.    

While we can't control every single thing that happens to us, I would wager an entire paycheck that we could change a lot of our circumstances simply by remembering that our words are "premature truths".   And not just our own circumstances, but imagine how the world would change!   What "truth" are you declaring over your life, your family, your job, your city, your nation, your world?  

"I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live."  ~Deut 30:19

Sinless Anger

Is there anyone out there who, like me, has wondered what Paul meant when he said, "Be angry, and do not sin..."? (Eph 4:26)   I have often thought that I was just getting mad, but I would never admit that I was sinning.   But truthfully, I sin pretty much every time I get angry.  

It usually goes something like this:
Somebody says something to hurt my feelings.
I blow up (even if just in my head) and come up with all sorts of spiteful comebacks ("I'll show you..." or "You think that I do xyz?  You haven't even seen xyz yet").  
Then I stew over how hideous that somebody is.  "They just have no clue," or "They're just stupid," or.....

Boy, does that make me feel good (insert extreme sarcasm here).    Usually after a while, I start to feel a little guilty and convicted that I need to forgive, and pray for my enemies (and not the "smite them, Oh God" kinda prayers that I was praying a few minutes ago).   So, I grudgingly do my "Christian duty", and then pout the rest of the day about how unfair it is that "somebody" is getting away with being a jacka*&#$&*.

That's all sinless, right?   This has just recently happened to me.   I got into a fight with someone I love very much, and I was hurt deeply.   It wasn't just a hurt feelings kind of hurt, but a heart breaking kind of hurt.   I was devastated.   I was angry.   I was confused.    And I went through the entire scenario above.   But, it wasn't enough.   I was still wounded, and my heart still hurt, and I couldn't find that peace and joy place that is promised to those who are walking in the Kingdom of God.    As I cried in the shower, I heard the faintest whisper, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood..."   

I didn't need to hear the rest of the verse, because it's so often quoted from Eph 6:12, and I know in my head that my enemies are not living, breathing human beings, but rather "powers, principalities. rulers of darkness".    But, my heart was screaming that it was a person who caused this pain, not a "ruler of darkness".   Or is it?   

I believe with all my heart that this person loves me and would never intend to hurt me.   But you know who doesn't love me?  That pesky "ruler of darkness".   He hates that I am a child of God.  He hates that I have Godly relationships with family and friends.   He hates that my marriage reflects God's deepest desire for intimacy with His people.   Out of this hate, he spews vomit, and does everything he can to destroy these relationships, and to cause division.   This "ruler of darkness" is waging an all out war to keep us isolated, broken, hurt, bitter, and many times he uses us to cause damage to each other.  

The more I think about this, the more angry I become.   How dare this pesky beast try to destroy my friendships, my family, my marriage?   Who does he think he is coming against God's kids?   Why I oughta..! 

Then it struck me... sinless anger is anger that is appropriately directed.       Paul goes on to tell us in Ephesians 4:26, 27, "Be angry, and do not sin:  do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil."    When we allow ourselves to be angry with a person, we let the devil have a place at the table.   And who wants the destroyer of life, love, peace, and joy sitting next to them?   Not me... There are so many lessons, scriptures, words that we can draw from around this issue, but James 4:7 sums it up nicely:  "Therefore, submit to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you."  It's time to do some resisting!

Father, I repent for misdirecting my anger towards people, and giving the devil a place at the table.  I thank you for your grace and mercy that you have already poured out on my behalf, and for the sacrifice you made for me to be free.    I choose to forgive and release the ones that have hurt me, and I bless them to be all that you have called and created them to be.   I pray that you will bless them with your joy, your peace, your love, and, most of all, your presence. Thank you for your Spirit and for your Word and for your sweet, gentle guidance to Kingdom living.  You are so good.   In love, me.

Who Knows?

We are in the middle of a crazy reorganization at work.   Big picture, this will be a great thing for the company, and we are very blessed not to be losing any jobs, which is amazing given the current economy.   However, there are impending changes of management, office location, structure, processes, and commutes.  We are still early in the process which means there are far more questions than answers.   You can imagine the unrest that has accompanied the announced changes.

There is a lot of speculation around the unknowns, and if I had a dollar for every "Who knows?" that has been spoken, I would be able to retire!   "Who knows where we'll be?"  "Who knows what it will look like in a few months?"  "Who knows who we'll work for?"     I must admit I've said a few of these myself.    

In the midst of all of these "Who knows", I was taken back to a Beth Moore class on Esther.   She was talking about Esther's doubt of her position, and Mordecai's response, "Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"  (Est 4:14)   Beth brought up the point that in the midst of our "who knows" there is One who knows.   

In Jeremiah 29:11, God tell us, "For I know the plans I have for you."     Psalm 139:16 says,  "Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."    It would seem to me that God knows a whole lot about my life.   So when these announcements came down, He did not fall off His thrown and say, "Oh my Self!  I can't believe that just happened!"    Instead, He's on His throne, chillin' with Mike and Gabe, and cheering us on.   He's rooting for us hear the audibles from the coach (aka the Holy Spirit) and run the routes we need to win the game.  So, when you see those big guys running straight for you, listen for the Spirit, juke when He tells you, and watch those giants fall.   You will make it to the endzone, and dancing in this game is not illegal!    Who knows, you might even make a highlight reel!  

Confession:   I'm drinking a margarita and letting my day go.  

Enjoy the Weird Al song! 

One Of Those Days

by Al Yankovic
Lyrics:
Got to work late 'cause my alarm was busted
The boss chewed me out and everybody's disgusted
'Cause it's one of those days, it's just one of those days

I lost one of my socks in the drier
I can't find my wallet and my hair is on fire
Just one of those days, it's just one of those days

I just wrapped my Cadillac around a tree
A big swarm of locusts is following me
There's not even anything good on TV
It's just one of those day, it's just one of those days

Left all my Beatles records out in the sun
Got a Coke bottle stuck on the end of my tongue
It's just one of those days, gonna be one of those days

The nazis tied me up and covered me with ants
And I spilled toxic waste on my brand new pants
Just one of those days, ever have one of those days

The bank called me up and told me I'm overdrawn
Some freaks are burnin' crosses out on my front lawn
And I can't believe it, all the Cheetos are gone
It's just, just one of those, one of those days
Just one of those, one of those days

The F.B.I. has got a tap on my phone
Those darn Russian spies won't leave me alone
Shouldn't have got up this morning, should've known
It's just one of those days, it's just one of those days

A 747 crashed into my den
And there's nothin' but tater-tots for dinner again
It's just one of those days
Never mind, it's just one of those days

Big steamroller just ran over my mom
And I cut myself shaving and they're dropping the bomb
It's just one of those days
That's all, it's just one of those days

Then late at night, just before I go to bed
The world blows up and now everybody's dead
You just can't deny it, it's just like I said
Just, just one of those, one of those days
Just one of those, one of those days

It's just one of those days (just one of those, one of those days)
It's just one of those days (just one of those, one of those days)
It's just one of those days (just one of those, one of those days)
It's just one of those days (just one of those, one of those days)
It's just one of those days (just one of those, one of those days)
It's just one of those days (just one of those, one of those days)
It's just one of those days (just one of those, one of those days)
It's just one of those days