What Mode Are You In Today?

 

Well I have been remiss in publishing the Wednesday Words! Sorry, Words fans.

Today I would like to talk about the word MODE.

This past week I have seen at least half a dozen posts on Facebook encouraging people to “just be yourself”. Just be the person you are and not try to adapt to the surroundings or change due to circumstances or similar advice.

To be perfectly honest, it annoys me.

We are called to adapt to the circumstances and surroundings. It doesn’t make us a different person or require being fake. It means using various parts of our personality and specific gifts.

Recently I purchased a new flashlight. By pressing the switch a successive number of times the light is bright, medium, or soft. By twisting the base I can change the beam from broad to focused. This changes the mode in which I am using it, yet it is still a flashlight.

Such is the case with humans.

We are all called to fill various roles in life, right? Child, friend, parent, sibling, spouse, employee, leader. We are still the same person.

Thus it is with various modes in which we are called to function: In a meeting we might need to be in executive mode or professional mode. With kids it might be parent mode. With friends it might be casual mode.

It is even reflected in the language we use: in casual mode we can use slang when hanging out with friends, whereas we should use proper words and sentence structure in professional mode when making a business presentation.

Yet in all of these places we can stick with our personality, our beliefs, our integrity. We simply adapt to the proper mode for the occasion. (Remember the scripture that says “…whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Just like my new flashlight, sometimes you have to refocus your beam or adjust the level of your light, yet you can still be your true self.

What are the modes required of you today?

Don't Forget the Squats!

 Wednesday August 7^th 2024

What should I choose this week for our word? Nothing has really stood out for me except SQUATS.

Now before you think I am going to only talk about physical exercise, give me a minute.

It is true that I have been telling everyone that it is critical to do squats daily – after surgery I discovered how important because I could not bend over for a couple weeks; but I could pick up things after just a few days if I would squat. It’s a basic, foundational exercise; some personal trainers, who specialize in helping us “experienced” adults, even consider squats the single most important exercise we can do.  

So let’s apply this to other foundational things in life. Look at what is basic; what allows you to do other things; what allows you to build your skills.

In our professional lives there are classes and courses to give us additional information. College classes are even numbered to show you how they build on one another (Psych 101, 102, 103; Calculus 101, 201, 301). There are advanced business courses and degrees which allow us to add to our already-accumulated knowledge, and training programs that allow us to elevate our skill levels.

Yet it is most important to begin at the beginning – with the basic foundations like high school Psychology and Algebra I.

In our spiritual lives there are also building blocks: intentional daily time with God – talking with Him and listening to Him (remember that listening part – it’s very important). Intentional daily time reading the scriptures and asking Him “What are You saying to me? What are You asking me to do?” These are the building blocks of our faith. There are also extra ways to add to our faith skills: pastor’s sermons, Bible study groups. There are courses at a seminary and books by learned theologians.

Yet again, it is important to start with this basic step: spend quality intentional time in prayer and scripture. This is the single most important thing you can do to build a strong faith in God.

And don’t forget to do squats!

Be appreciative

 

Wednesday July 31^st 2024

July has been an interesting month, as I have had surgery and therefore forced to be in rest and recovery mode. As we finish this month, I am thinking that my word is APPRECIATION.

Not one to sit about and be waited upon, I greatly appreciate the generous people from our church who made and delivered dinners for us for two weeks. It has been humbling to receive such caring. Often I tell others that allowing others to serve us allows that person to serve. It is quite different to be on the receiving end of one’s own advice.

I greatly appreciate all the extra household “stuff” that my husband has handled over these past weeks. He still has to do some tasks until I am able to lift heavier things and until my stamina fully returns.

There is also a greater appreciation for the daily things we usually do for ourselves: getting a cup of water, preparing a meal, answering the door, even washing up and changing clothes. It has also given me a greater appreciation for those who spend their days helping those for whom these things are always a challenge; caregivers whose days and nights are consumed by doing the little things for someone unable to do for themselves.

Scripture tells us “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV) Note it does not say give thanks for all things – it says in all circumstances. Even while you are being wheeled into surgery, while you are recovering, while you are being served when you would prefer to serve – even during those times give thanks. Appreciate the surgeon and nurses, the people who have come to serve dinner or bring flowers, even the time you can sit back to read and nap.

And while I am at it – I appreciate all of you who have read this far. You are a blessing.

Competence

 

Wednesday Jun 19^th 2024

There have been several deep conversations that bring me to today’s word: COMPETENCE.

First, there have been conversations about graduates – they are out looking for jobs and trying to get “the dream job”. Yet they are finding that employers want them to start at the bottom – which is, by the way, where (IMHO) one should start. Learn all the things and the stuff and gain competency and experience along the way.

Then there are conversations about those of us on the other end of the journey. We need to share our competency – our knowledge and experience – with those who have not yet traveled as far. What good is all this accumulated knowledge if we keep it to ourselves? It is meant for sharing!

Most importantly have been conversations about faith. Is it meant for sharing? Or to “keep it personal”? (Here’s a hint – share it!) And in sharing, does one (do I) need to know absolutely everything? (Another hint – the answer is “no”.) By studying, by praying, and by listening to the stories and experiences of those who have traveled farther we gain competence.

In all of these instances, we gain competence by being a student and we share competence by being an example. And with competence comes confidence!

A few stumbles along the way, a fair number of boring classes and meetings, and more than a few course corrections are all expected on the journey to competence in whatever area of your life. Yet there is no substitute for experience – trying, doing, falling, failing, starting again, watching the example of those ahead, reaching back to help those following - to achieve competence (and confidence).

Begin the journey!

Blame vs Accountability

 

Wednesday June 12^th 2024

Some weeks just seem to have a theme. This week’s theme is BLAME.

On Sunday we read the Genesis story of Adam and Eve eating from the tree from which they were told not to eat. Each one placed blame on the next: Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent. No one took responsibility for their own actions. (See Genesis 13)

How many of us, when something happens, place the blame on someone – or something – other than ourself?

One of my common ones in the past year or so has been the typing of a wrong letter on my phone. Truth be told, it is my “fat fingering” and not the fault of the phone or even auto-correct. In fact, my phone will no longer correct some of my common mistakes! Yet I often say “stupid phone” or “annoying autocorrect” when those mistakes appear.

So, in balance, I would offer you a better word for this week: ACCOUNTABILITY.

Let’s make a conscious effort to accept responsibility for our actions, make corrections, request forgiveness when necessary, and step away from the blame game. Be an example to others as we live a lifestyle of accountability.

Wednesday Words: Remember

 

Wednesday May 22^nd 2024

You may notice that this is being posted on a Thursday, and also that I have not posted for a few weeks. That’s because I didn’t remember to do it!

So today’s word is REMEMBER.

So often we fail to remember an errand, a birthday, an appointment, or someone’s name. It slips our mind, or we failed to add it to the calendar. Just as I have failed to take the time to sit and write about the word that is standing out in my week.

This is usually a short-lived or momentary lapse of memory. And often we recall too late!

In a few days we will honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while in military service. We remember them and the gift they gave. We set aside a day of the year to remember all those who served yet did not survive. They signed on to serve, knowing it could also mean to sacrifice.

[Let me take this minute to remind you that Memorial Day is the Day we remember those who died; Veterans’ Day is for honoring those who served and are living.]

As we remember those who sacrificed for our freedom, let’s also remember those they left behind, those who miss them still no matter how long it has been.

And while we’re remembering those who sacrificed, let’s remember The One who suffered for our sins so we need not. Yes – remember Jesus Christ paid that price to save you.

 Wednesday April 17^th 2024

Today’s word is MISSION.

When we think of Christ’s directive to “GO” we often stop there. We focus on the going, and think of places far away. We think of preaching, or medical mission work, in places where the Bible and the written word aren’t available.

Did we listen to Christ when he said to go into Jerusalem? For those people that was home! It wasn’t a far-off land.

Jesus wants us to be on mission to – and in ministry with – the people in our own backyard, the people who live a few miles away, the people we see at work and school and in the neighborhood.

It isn’t ju st preaching – it’s healing and serving and feeding. It’s being real. It’s doing life.

Living our faith is a way of mission. Sometimes we try to “fit in” among those who are not believers, rather than trying to be different, WHY? We are different. We should allow ourselves to be seen as different from those who do not have Jesus in their lives. We also need to be approachable and willing to serve along with those who do not so that they can see the difference Jesus makes in our lives.

Do you know people who do not belong to a faith community? There is your mission field. Love them. Serve them. Serve alongside them. Answer their questions. Be a light on their path.

You are doing mission. And discipleship means being on mission.

 

Wednesday April 10^th 2024

Today’s word is BOLDNESS.

Sometimes it is necessary to step out of our comfort zone. Sometimes to speak up when we are unsure. And sometimes this requires stepping out and speaking up in front of people who might openly criticize or oppose us.

No one likes to be criticized – and though criticism and correction should be done privately we all know that there are some people who feel more powerful by doing it publicly. Being called out or corrected in front of colleagues or friends is embarrassing. It makes us look bad professionally. In certain instances it is a detriment to our position, career, or relationship.

I am thinking of the scripture where the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples and they spoke out about Jesus boldly.  In Acts 4, verse 31, we read “After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.” [Take the time to read the preceding verses to get the setting.]

I am thinking of times when Paul was in jail – or threatened – and yet he spoke boldly about his faith and about Jesus and salvation. Look at Ephesians 6, verses 19-20 for instance: “And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.”

We may not find ourselves in such dire situations, yet we have to step out in boldness when others counter us about our beliefs. We must also temper that boldness with the leading of God’s Holy Spirit. For boldness alone can make enemies and get us in trouble. Boldness under God’s guidance can be a powerful witness.

So are there times when you have hesitated to step out or speak up? Are there times when you have felt the Holy Spirit nudge you to do or say something and you did not?

Pray for the guidance to know when to act and speak boldly. Let God do the rest.

 

Wednesday April 3^rd 2024

How was Lent for you? Did you fast? Did you pray? Did you contemplate?

How was Easter? Did you rejoice? Celebrate?

Today’s Word is CONTINUE.

Whatever you did during Lent that brought you closer to the Lord – continue it!

Just because the season of Lent is over doesn’t mean we stop praying the Psalms, stop contemplating what God is saying to us, or stop listening for his leading.

Just because Easter was Sunday doesn’t mean we stop celebrating The Resurrection on Monday.

Did you give up something for Lent? Was it an unhealthy food or a bad habit? Continue not eating it. Continue not doing it.

Did you set aside a special time to pray the Psalms? To devote time to prayer in general? Did you spend more time in Scripture? Continue!

Having used Lent as a time to prepare for the resurrection, let us continue to live in that resurrection mindset – preparing for the resurrection yet to come.

The Scripture that comes to mind is Hebrews 12:1.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

Continue the race – keep going where God is leading you, doing what God has for you to do.

So what are you going to continue??

 

Wednesday February 21^st 2024

We are in the season of Lent, and in many traditions there is the idea of “giving up something for Lent”. So today’s word is FASTING.

What do you think of when you hear the word “fasting”? Currently many who are trying to lose weight are hearing the expression “intermittent fasting” as a way to lost weight. Eat within a prescribed number of hours and don’t eat during the rest of the day.

When I first heard this, my first thought was “I sleep for 8 hours and don’t eat then, so that’s an automatic intermittent fast.” No planning, no extra thought or effort. To intentionally expand that though, might take some planning and some changes to lifestyle.

However, fasting is not just about food.

Fasting during Lent is not just about giving up candy or soda.

Intentionally giving up something is a type of fast, and when one fasts during Lent then idea is to replace that with time spent in prayer and worship and service to God.

So, for instance, someone might fast from watching the evening news and instead spend that time reading scripture and praying. Someone might fast from getting Starbucks on Friday morning and the money saved intentionally given to a charity or to their church.

There are numerous ways to fast, and sometimes those fasts can then become habits. After fasting from crime dramas one might decide not to go back to watching them. After fasting from soda one might decide to continue without it.

Fasting is a way to intentionally replace something in one’s life with something that honors and serves God. A way that will help us grow.

How will YOU fast this Lent? And how ill you then keep fasting as part of your life in Christ?

 

Wednesday February 7^th 2024

Sitting at my desk Tuesday morning, participating in our daily Morning Prayer gathering on zoom, it occurred to me: APPEARANCE.

My grandmother was known for always looking perfectly put together when she walked out her front door. In fact, living with her during the school year, I never saw her with a hair out of place. The ladies up the street would comment to me that “Mrs. Cole comes out to sweep the porch and even the seams of her stockings are straight!”.

Taking after her, I would never go out without makeup and lipstick … even to get the mail at the end of the driveway! Going to the store or church or even the dump required making sure I looked presentable.

Then came COVID and we were all entertaining guests in our homes via Zoom. And that too required making sure I looked presentable. At first.

What struck me on Tuesday was that I have “degraded” to attending morning prayer in my pajamas, no makeup, not showered. And you know what? No one cares!

In scripture, though, there is a verse that reminds us that appearance is more than just how well you are dressed. John 7:24 tells us not to judge based on appearance but to look beneath the surface.

What about when we meet people or see them in the store or on the street. Do we make decisions based on their appearance?

Two examples come to mind:

In the first, a dirty, ragged man sits on the church steps as the parishioners arrive. No one greets him or offers him assistance. They were all shocked when, as the first hymn played, he walked to the front of the church and then introduced himself as their new pastor.

In the other, several people are sitting in a pew. Two prim young ladies are on one end and two nicely-dressed young men are at the other. In the center sits a rough-looking, tattooed, leather-clad man. The thoughts of the neatly-dressed four are distracted in worship by how “that guy” is not a “real” Christian. The man in the center is holding a worn Bible and his thoughts are “Christ, my life and heart belong to You.”

So our outward appearance (clothes, makeup, car, house) is not as important as our inner appearance. What man sees is not as important as what God sees.

The other question is “What do others see in us?” That’s for another day.

I am so glad that the others gathering on that zoom call look beneath the surface – past the messy hair and lack of lipstick – to the disciple’s heart joining in prayer.

What does God see in your heart?

 

Wednesday January 31^st 2024

Everyone who knows me knows that I have opinions and freely share them. So they will be surprised (or perhaps relieved) that this week’s word is SILENT.

Not the absence of sound, but rather the kind of silence in “better to be silent and thought a fool than to open one’s mouth and erase all doubt.” OR as it is stated in Proverbs 17:28, “Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.“

Already this week I have either extended a conversation beyond its usefulness, or expressed opinions not requested or beneficial. At least three times! It had begun to gnaw at my conscience, and then two posts appeared on Facebook that really drove it home. Yes – this is the word for the week.

Sometimes silence speaks volumes. It can allow space for listening and thinking.

Stephen Covey lists “seek not be understood so much as to understand” as one of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. And that understanding requires listening – not just listening to configure a response or to know when you can speak.

In Luke Chapter 1 we read about Zechariah – he questioned God, rather than faithfully and immediately accepting God’s plan, so he was silenced until the birth of John the Baptist. During those following months the people knew he had seen a vision in the temple causing his silence. Then his silence was broken when he announced the name of John.

Sometimes sharing one’s story or opinion is helpful, edifying, and/or encouraging. Sometimes it simply isn’t appropriate or necessary. Discernment here is key, and a period of silence allows discerning.

Yes – sometimes being silent is the same as agreeing, and we do not want to be silent at the wrong times. “Silence becomes cowardice when occasion demands speaking out the whole truth and acting accordingly.” So said Mahatma Gandhi.

Will Rogers said “Never miss a good chance to shut up.” For some reason this reminded me of Jesus drawing in the dirt while waiting for the crowd to stone the woman caught in adultery (John 8). He didn’t launch into a long sermon – he made a simple statement (“let him who is without sin cast the first stone”) and then sat silently until they were all gone. Then again, one simple statement – “go and sin no more”.

Silence allows us to truly listen, to absorb, to lay our words aside and take in the words of others, to watch the scene before us without simultaneously crafting a response.

Are there times you were called to be silent yet spoke anyway? (note my raised hand)

Here is a prayer I hope you will find helpful: Lord, give me the right words to say, the right time to say them, and the ability to know when to keep silent.”

 Wednesday January 24^th 2024

Sometimes we find it necessary to create words that have not previously existed. Often this happens with slang terms or medical terms that come into common usage. Back in the 1990s I was part of a group trying to add a profession to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, and at that time it was required to find the word in print in such places as a newspaper to support the request.

Today’s word is such a word: PRAYCATION.

I hadn’t heard this word before our senior minister Daniel Hetherington used it. The rest of the day I kept pondering that word.

So what is a praycation?

We know that a vacation is a time away from the usual tasks and schedule of our lives. We have come to refer to a staycation as a vacation spent at home, rather than going to the beach or the mountains or on a cruise.

A praycation then would be a time taken away from our usual tasks and schedule and spent in prayer.

In Mark 1:35 we read “Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.” Jesus intentionally went to a place away from the tasks and schedule, the demands and the people, and spent time in prayer.

In Luke 6:12 we find “One day soon afterward Jesus went up on a mountain to pray, and he prayed to God all night.” So, He not only got up in the morning to pray, sometimes He dedicated an entire night to praying!

And of course, the Mount of Olives finds Jesus stepping away from even His closest followers to pray alone. “He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed,” we are told, leaving his disciples to wait for Him.

How would we do that?

A praycation can be long or short – just as a vacation or staycation! It can be a time of personal retreat over a weekend, or it can be a morning or afternoon spent alone. It could even be an solid hour of prayer in a quiet place.

During a women’s retreat some years back, I chose to spend the afternoon free time in prayer and contemplation in the cemetery at the convent where we were retreating. I walked among the grave markers and prayed for each of the women whose bodies were there; I prayed for each of the women attending the retreat. I walked for a while this way, in peace and quiet surrounded by the autumn leaves. When I began praying for the words of the evening session I was to present, God interrupted my prayers with a directive: Go back to your room and re-write the evening session completely. I asked God to repeat that and He did. So indeed I spent the remainder of the free time re-writing, and He made sure it flowed from the fingertips onto the page.

What would God say to you if YOU spent some time on praycation? 

All eyes are on the weather this week – cold, snow, wind…. All forces that create a variety of feelings and also a call to action. Today let’s focus on SNOW.

Here in the mid-Atlantic we are unusually cold, and our lawns are blanketed with snow. It’s lovely to look at from inside the warmth of our homes. And there are some who enjoy getting out and sledding, snowboarding, or skiing.

Typically in winter all the trees are bare and the grass is not as green and lush. Then a beautiful fresh layer of snow covers everything with a clean coat and a little sparkle.

Psalm 51:7 finds David saying “Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.” When we think of sins we think of dirty transgressions… and when God washes away those sins we become whiter than snow. Not just covered up like the bare dead branches. We actually become snowy white. Our sins are not just hidden – they are gone! – as long as we ask God for forgiveness and we accept it.

Later, in Psalm 148:7-9 we read “Praise the Lord from the earth, you creatures of the ocean depths,
⁸ fire and hail, snow and clouds, wind and weather that obey him,…”

The snow obeys Him, along with the rest of the weather. God uses snow to remind us of the beauty He can make of our lives – He can make beauty from ashes, and allow us to live for Him and serve Him, unhindered by the sin that weighs us downs if we don’t ask forgiveness.

What do you want to give Him today? What forgiveness do you need so that you too can be sparkling clean like the fresh fallen snow?

 

Wednesday Jan 10^th 2024

Here we are again – it’s Wednesday, and for me that is weigh-in day. So today I have chosen WEIGHT as the Wednesday Word.

Too soon in the year for you? Well hear me out.

This morning, as every week, I looked at the weight – and recorded it – while chastising myself for carrying around all the excess pounds. Every time I carry something up the stairs I remind myself that if I just lost (however many pounds what I am carrying weighs) it would be so much easier. Every time I pick up something heavy, I make note that I carry more than (whatever it weighs) that in excess fat on my body all the time.

Every extra pound, every excess roll of fat, puts extra burden on my heart and other body systems. Yet I still do it, knowing full well that it would be better to get rid of it and that I have the knowledge of how to do so.

We do the same thing with the weighty burdens we carry on our hearts and minds. We allow stress and fear and envy and other burdens to hang on when we have the ability to cast them off.

Many years ago I gave my Sunday School class an assignment: each student was given a large garbage bag to take home. Into that bag was to be placed every piece of trash they personally created all week. Anything they would normally toss in the trash can (this was before recycling was a “thing” – I said it was many years ago!). And though I would like to have had them carry it around with them everywhere, that seemed too much to ask. Some had rather light bags, and some had fairly heavy bags when they came the next Sunday.

I asked how they felt about the assignment – and other than dumb and annoying, they agreed that it made them aware of how much trash they accumulated just by themselves.

So how about you? Do you carry around a lot of “trash”.

In Matthew 11:28 we read that Jesus said “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”

All that extra weight – those heavy burdens we carry – can be given to Jesus! He can carry them for us!

Do you remember the song “Take it to the Lord in Prayer”? It asks “are you weak and heavy-laden, burdened with a load of care”, and tells us to take it all to the Lord in prayer.

All that extra weight we carry – that burdens our souls and keeps us from being the person God wants us to be – can be given to Jesus, taken to Him in prayer, and left at the foot of the cross.

Shall we pray?

Precious Heavenly Father – please take the burdens I try to carry on my own, and let me walk with Jesus, guided by Your Holy Spirit and ready to serve. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Wednesday Words - Magnify

 

Wednesday Jan 3^rd 2024

Welcome to the beginning of Wednesday Words.

A few years ago I received the declaration “I gave you words”. Each year God has built on that, so it now reads “I gave you words to encourage focus on MY Word.”

In 2024 it has been placed on my heart to ponder a word each week and share it with you.. So we shall begin with MAGNIFY.

 The dictionary defines magnify as “to make larger”. We use a magnifying glass to make words larger so we can read them more easily.

In Biblical sense the word magnify means “to extol, to glorify, to celebrate in praise”.

 On Sunday I used this as part of the message at worship. Yet I don’t feel it went far enough.

 Have you ever increased the font on a page in a document? From 12pt to 18pt for instance? This is what I do after writing a sermon or other writing that I will then present – I enlarge the font to make it easier to read.

What happens?

YES – it takes up more space and therefore more pages! Suddenly a two-page message is expanded to five pages.

In Luke 1:46-47, Mary says “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.” In order to magnify the Lord in our souls – and in our lives – we must allow Him to become larger, to take up more space, to fill our spirit with His Holy Spirit and with joy. And in allowing that, we will find that there is less space for other less important things.

Back to my font example, if you take part of a sentence and make it larger, the rest seems smaller. If you look at a paragraph or page where some print is larger, you will look there first.

We want Christ to be magnified in our lives so that He is who people see first, and so that He takes up the majority of the space.

 Is my life magnifying the Lord?

Is yours?