SelahV Today by hariette petersen

Criticism Is a Good Thing

sometimes.

Other times it is a pain in the heart.

The wonderful thing about being a Christian is that the Holy Spirit is continually on duty to convict us of our sin, our failings, and our lack of sensitivity. 

He often pierces a chunk of our hearts and penetrates the very artery that carries the cancerous cell of offense to others.

He does this to help us become more Christlike...

to guide us away from our carnal attitudes and the fleshly habits we possess.

The unique thing about the Holy Spirit is that He is singlehandedly capable.  He is perfectly able to let us know wherein we fail to measure up to the purpose and plan of God.  The blessed thing about the Holy Spirit is that He fulfills this mission with grace and gentleness.

Not always so with critics.

When we criticize from a heart filled with indignation, no matter how righteous it is, or how well-intended we are, the critique has a way of missing the point and often falls short of the critic's goal. I trust this is because we all are flawed.  We each have an edge of carnality within us that is hard to mask when we tell another what we think is wrong with them or what we see is needed for their correction and growth. 

I am a coward myself.  I have great difficulty telling another what I think is wrong with them, personally-- that is, a friend or family member.  It's not as difficult for me to voice my opinion or rattle on about a particular issue and critique a stranger.  I believe that is because I am so involved with a friend and a family member.  I know their hurts and I know their past and so I tend to hold my tongue for fear of hurting the relationship.  I figure that the Lord is pretty good at fixing that which is flawed in another's life so even though I think I may know best what they need, or if I discern what might help them, unless I am asked for advice or opinion, I tend to keep my own counsel and do a lot of praying about it. [After all, I'm not perfect either.]

If it is something that is affecting me, I seek counsel from others wiser and more mature than myself.  Sometimes I share my quandary with another friend-- that is not always a good thing to do. They may not be objective-- especially if they are just as vulnerable as I am, or just as concerned for my well-being as I am. They may not be as clear-minded as needed.

I've shared my quandaries with lots of friends.  I've shared them here in this forum.  I've shared them in my church groups. I've gotten a lot of input from a lot of areas because of it.  Anytime we open up and share our thoughts we are vulnerable to the critique of others-- the advice, and the exhortations.

Ultimately, though, I rest my case in the hands of God.  For He is faithful to guide me, check me, test me and lead me in the path I must take. He knows my heart.  He knows my motives. He does not need to read between the lines to discern my weaknesses. He, being God, creates in me a clean heart and cleanses me from all unrighteousness. Unlike critics, He remembers it no more.  And that, my friends, is a good thing.  selahV

Before and After

Before the dream fulfilled... and after.

Before the argument... and after.

Before the death of one you love... and after.

Before the disease... and after.

Before the accident... and after.

Before the loss... and after.

Before the success... and after.

Before the addiction... and after.

Before the failure... and after.

Before the need... and after.

Before the violence... and after.

Before the abuse... and after.

Before the kindness... and after.

Before the hope... and after.

Before the disillusionment... and after.

Yes...

"there are moments that mark your life.  Moments when you realize nothing will ever be the same and time is divided into two parts, before this and after this." *

And in those moments you wonder if there is something you could have done differently... something you could have said differently to make a better moment occur.  To create a better ending or better beginning. 

Sometimes all you can do is wonder if.  Other times you can decide to make the difference now.  Forgive.  Forget.  Forego.  Fulfill.  Count every moment and make every moment count today.  Each has its own significance. 

Before the decision... and after.

Before the choice... and after.

Before Jesus... and after.  There is a big, big difference. I know.  selahV

WERE YOU AMUSED On April Fool's Day? I wonder...

This past Sunday, April 1st, 2012 marked a variety of things for me in my life.  One, it was a blessed day because we celebrated my husband's birthday. We gave him a Kindle and made a crown from the wrapper.

This year he is in the last year of his sixties.  I cannot believe he is going to turn 70 next year. It marks a milestone of sorts because it's within one month of the major heart attack he had on May 8th, 2007.  The doctors told him that most men who have the damage he had to his heart are not around to talk about it 5 years later.  I suppose that is because most men don't have a wife like me who makes him mind his "P's and Q's", eat properly, take medications faithfully, and exercise regularly.  I was so grateful to be celebrating his special day. 

The day is bittersweet for our family.  My son who was killed on Mother's Day of 2005 was not here to give my husband his annual Boston Red Sox cap.  The fact that April 1st comes and goes without Chad's presence leaves a void, only God can fill.  And He does. With family surrounding us and sharing one another's love.

Another thing about April 1st in our family is my sister-in-law, Valerie, married her husband that day in honor of her dear brother.  But Val's husband died last year of mouth cancer that he battled for several years.  So, she was meeting her anniversary without him.  It was a hard day. I spent some time trying to encourage and comfort her with empathy I learned through the loss of my son.  She emailed and told me she was too messed up to even call her brother and wish him Happy Birthday.  We understood.  Completely.  Sometimes the pain is too fresh, too deep and too difficult to even pick up the phone, nevermind, call someone to wish them happiness when we should have been able to return the greeting with a Happy Anniversary.  She sent me a sweet email the next day about the grace of God.  I sent her an email back with a link to a super uplifting song about how Mom's look the other way when their sons are not all they want them to be.  She has two sons.  Val said she cried again, but that time it was a good kinda cry.  Emotions ran from one spectrum to the other on Sunday.

Of all things, one of my best email buddies, whom I've known since I started blogging in 2006, emailed to tell me her first grandchild arrived on...drum-roll please. April 1st.  I'm so excited for her.  What a joy to hear!

Couple that with the wonderful fact that we were able to have our son's two girls with us to celebrate my husband's birthday dinner, and that both my shift-working grandsons had schedules that allowed them to be with us to celebrate the big 69, it turned out to be a wonderful day.  My daughter's girls and my son's girls and I went for a meadow-walk in the back 40 acres.

It was so much fun to watch them gather wildflowers and ooh and aah at the horses and new foal, which the horses would not let us near. (click on photos to enlarge)

To top it off, it was Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter.  We celebrated how Christ entered Jerusalem to the praises of the multitudes and the shouts of Hosanna!  What a perfect way for us to fuse our celebration remembrances of earthly things to the eternal remembrance of our King. Celebrations. Praises. 

Some folks may be amused to take April 1st and concoct ridiculous hoaxes, and treat folks as FOOLS. Some folks find sport in spending the day thinking up ways to trick others into believing a lie for their own pleasure and amusement. You wouldn't believe the jokes my husband has had played on him at times. This year we got a flat tire on our way back from Texas from picking up our granddaughters. Nail in the tire. Not funny.

However, something unique and significant occurred this year-- much different than most years.  And some folks paid no mind to it.  They had no regard to what might be objectionable...or dishonorable for remembering Christ's entrance to Jerusalem, or His weeklong preparation to shed His blood on the cross for us.  I do wonder sometimes what in the world we find amusing about some things made for secular godless thought.  As I considered sharing this post, I happened to open an email I received.

And I opened up a devotional from Dr. Adrian Rogers delivered to my email several hours ago from his daily devotional site.  In light of all the events and circumstances which surrounded my life the last few days, and the life of Christ so many years ago on Palm Sunday, I found it rather ironic that Dr. Rogers shared the origin of the word "AMUSE":

"It's a combination of two words. Muse means to think, and the alpha prefix in front of it means "not to."

Perhaps that is the major problem with us in the world today.  We want to amuse ourselves with basketball, Nascar, hoaxes, and pranks at another's loss or expense.  We want to amuse ourselves, please ourselves, and don't think what it may cost another for our amusement and pleasure.  We fail to take time to consider the marvels of our Creator as we rush about our day to amuse ourselves.  We muse amiss.  And when our muse gets away from us, our thinking is out of control.  Simply put, we don't think. We don't think about feelings.  We don't think about consequence. We don't think about another's perception.  Nor do we think about God's.  And that may be the least amusing thing about "April Fools Day" to date.  If so, the joke is on us, don't you think?  selahV

POKERS, PRODDERS, AND SPURS

A poker is one of those long metal (usually iron) rods which a person uses to poke at coals and logs in a fireplace.  It enables its user to stand safely away from the heat of the flames, as the hooked end catches hold of an errant log--which is not burning as expected.  A poker, put simply, pokes.  It pokes hot coals and nearly charred logs to get the fire going, should it try to die down.  It changes the position of logs in order to get a fire blazing.  Are you a poker?

A prodder can be a shepherd's staff, an elephant trainer's stick, or even a person.  A prodder tries to urge another to move in a specific direction for a specific purpose--sheep which are dumb as dumb can be, are prodded.  A prodder can guide or provoke.  It can nudge or needle--punch or punish.  Are you a prodder?

Spurs are those pointed objects a cowboy wears on the heel of his boots.  They act to poke a horse in its side, to prod it to move in a certain way with measured urgency.  Do you spur others on?

In the world of blogging and beyond, we find pokers, prodders, and sets of spurs.  A question came to me as I have seen my words used to poke and prod others in the last few days.  We need pokers, prodders, and spurs.  We need folks willing to approach the flames and readjust the burning logs.  Some fires need to die out--others need stoking with a poke here, and a breath of fresh air now and then.  We need someone to poke the coals and shuffle them about so the best of their heat is used.  We need folks to spur one another to action.  To move forward.  To run the race as courageously, as boldly, as honorably as possible.

The discerning mind, the yielded spirit, and open heart have the wisdom to see the difference between a prodder of unity and a provoker of divisiveness and animosity.  May you find yourself among the discerning, the yielded, and the open.  May I be counted among those who enrich, create comfort, instill warmth--where others may separate, and inflame to destroy or quench the Spirit of God.  Lord knows I fail so often to tend the fires He calls me to light.  It's not from lack of desire--some things need to burn--and burn like a bonfire.  Other things need to be kept under control--a little shifting here, a bit of prodding there.  When one sees a fire in need of another log, they must be very mindful of offering to add the wood.  It could very well come slamming down on a foot you've left too close to the fire.  selahV 

WHEN DOING NOTHING IS REALLY SOMETHING

  The Bible says every Christian is given a gift to use for the glory of God.  Do you know what yours is?

We each have a gift bestowed upon us by the Holy Spirit--He gives as He sees fit to give, it's up to Him.  From administration to teaching, service to exhortation, generosity to mercy, prophecy.  Sometimes I've studied these gifts and gotten so confused that I thought I had them all. Other times I've wondered what in the world my gift was.  I've questioned why I've been so blessed or cursed at times because I was able to do so many things.  Yet in all I've been able to do, I feel sometimes I've accomplished so little with the gifts I've been given.

Ever feel like that?

Jesus describes the kingdom of God with a parable of the talents:  A Master handed out talents to his servants; some invested theirs wisely and produced dandy profits.  However one fella buried his--he did nothing with it.  And when the master returned, he had nothing to show for what he'd been given.

Being a minister's wife, I've found myself organizing large events with the administrative gift, teaching classes with the teaching gift, serving with the service gift and sharing Jesus with the evangelist gift.  Again and again, I've seen these gifts utilized in me, yet could not for the life of me figure out how I could be doing what I was doing.  I believe that is because it was the Spirit of God doing it through me--not me of myself.  Why?

Because I would rather eat raw worms than organize events.  I'd rather commend those who've organized than strategize and chart.  I'd rather cheerlead than perform.  I'd rather give ideas than execute ideas.  I'd rather praise others than be praised (even though I bask in the glory of a compliment).  So to me, I think I've discovered the main gift in my life. 

Some folks have told me I have a gift of writing (haven't found that one in scripture).  A lot of people can write and they write nonsense.  In fact, they write intelligent-sounding nonsense.  So I don't believe that writing is necessarily a gift--but a vessel for the gift.  I've used my writing abilities to send notes to people, write skits for youth-led services, puppet shows for children's worship, publish magazine articles and even a newspaper.  But somehow, in my heart, I've always felt like it wasn't enough.  It's as if I'm waiting for some result that never appears--as if I've buried the gift within me somewhere.

Perhaps that is the mystery in the gift.  We will not always see the results of our gifts in our lifetime.  That is why it is so important to not wait till a more convenient time to use them.  Otherwise, we might end up like the servant who buried his talent.  He did nothing with it, and the Master was not at all happy to discover he had done nothing.  To the master, doing nothing was really something.  Something most displeasing of all.  selahV

"Cast your bread upon the waters, For you will find it after many days." Ecclesiastes 11:1.

OH...DON'T FORGET to visit dailyIMPACT by selahV for the devotional thought I write each day.

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2008] 

 

WHAT IS MY TESTIMONY?

Just yesterday I went to a friend's blog and discovered he'd acknowledged me as the MOST IRENIC of bloggers.  I have to say I was most happy.  In all the things for which I could have been acknowledged--knowledge (not a chance), debater (not even out of a paper bag), funniest (never), etc.--being assigned "irenic" blessed my heart.

I don't know that everyone who reads Peter's blog will agree with him on what I bring to blogville and cyberspace, but he has captured my goal in life.  I seek to communicate with others in such a way that my Lord is glorified.  It comes from my deepest desire to share my faith.

Don't know much about extending a pineapple to folks--but am assured that traditionally it is a compliment.  I do want to be friends with folks.  I do empathize with others and try to understand their point of view, even if I don't agree with it.

I believe in the deepest part of my heart that what we say and what we do is either God-honoring or God-dishonoring.  There is no middle-ground on the issue.  It's black and white.  What others see in me is most important to the kingdom of God.  What they hear from me is most important to the kingdom of God.  As a disciple of Jesus Christ I am obligated to so focus on my behavior that "by the utterance of" my "testimony" my life is His--not mine.  It is expected of me as one who overcomes in this world of evil.  It is expected of me as I persevere and work out my salvation.  I must die daily so that He might increase and I might decrease. For it is written:

"And they have overcome (conquered) him by means of the blood of the Lamb and by the utterance of their testimony, for they did not love and cling to life even when faced with death [holding their lives cheap till they had to die for their witnessing]." Revelation 12:11

"They" are those of us who have been bought by the blood of the Lamb and believed by faith in Him that He alone can cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  We have already defeated "him" (satan) through Jesus Christ and His victorious resurrection.  Yet we must continue defeating "him" by the "utterance" of our testimony.  Do you see the "AND" in this verse? That testimony is our lives--our character--our behavior, our lifestyle.  In order to overcome we must be willing to die for Christ, die for the brethren and that is not necessarily a physical death.  To me it is a death to my desires, my pride, my needs.

What we do testifies to the character of our soul.  What we do exemplifies the Lord Whom we serve.  What we do shows the world we either love our brethren or do not love our brethren.  It is our testimony--our "utterance" from our heart, body, soul and mind.

What we say testifies to the depth of our heart.  What we say either brings honor and glory to the Lord or brings dishonor and glorifies ourselves.  What we say either brings healing to others or destroys others.  Our words either build up or tear down.  Nothing in between.

In today's Christian circles we have a multitude of voices--from the airwaves and television to the internet.  Those voices either inspire us to do better in our lives or tear apart others.  Our words show how WE view God.

Most every Christian will affirm that God is Holy.  He is above all gods.  But does every Christian's life affirm God's holiness, that He is above all gods?  What does your life's utterance testify of your Savior and Lord?  Do  people wonder?  selahV

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT MINISTRY MATTERS TO SEE HOW ONE MAN WALKS THE SECOND MILE.

BEST PART OF TODAY

It won't be long, now.  He'll be up and at 'em.  I've made the coffee.  And then the best part of today occurs.

My husband gets up.  (So grateful he can.)  Then we go out on the front porch and have our devotional time.  It's such a blessing to sit and read the Word together, discuss it and then pray for the needs of our loved ones, our church, our community and world.

It's not a big planned out undertaking to have a time of devotional conversation with a spouse.  (I use to think it was.)  We use our Sunday School quarterly as a jumping off place.  (A new thing we're doing.)  In the front of each lesson is a little daily guide to acquaint us with the lesson for the following Sunday.  (And before you vanilla-bland folk, who think the lessons are watered down, get your knickers in a knot, hear me out.)  We do what the quarterly writer suggests for the day.  Then we sit and discuss it.  From there our conversation leads to things we see in our world that need our prayer or attention.  Never a time passes that we aren't led to another part of God's Word where He blesses us with more insight, encouragement or knowledge.  We've put Him in charge of our time together, you see.  And He shows up to fellowship with us.

"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them." Jesus, Matthew 18:20

We listen to one another.  We share with one another.  We pray with one another.  We laugh with one another.  Yesterday we cried a bit.  But the best part about today is that we are together, united in purpose, seeking the Lord.  We are preparing for Sunday!  Our Lord's Day.  We are looking forward to what He will do with us and in us--then and today.  The best part of today--that's it.  selahV

[copyrighted, Hariette Petersen, 2007]

FUTURE IMPACT

"Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see."  Corrie ten Boom

If I am to believe Corrie, one of the most imfamous Holocaust survivors, I am to see the fact that every person, every experience in any given day, is allowed in my life to prepare a future that only God sees.

Scripture tells us that God has plans for our lives.  And for those who seek Him, He is faithful to show Himself to them.  For those who trust in Him, He is faithful to show Himself trustworthy.  For those who rely upon Him, He is faithful to show Himself reliable.  For those who adhere to Him, He is faithful to sustain and keep in His grace.  The list is endless for what God is to the individual who loves the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind and strength.

In my lifetime of 59 years (yeah, I'm telling), God has brought so many people into my life that have been there to prepare me for my future service to Him.  He had a purpose for me when my biological mother tried to abort me.  He had a purpose for me when she later abandoned me at age three.  He had a purpose for me when I was left to the cruelty of a step-mother to raise me while my father involved himself in multiple community services and employment.  He had a purpose for me when I was molested by trusted relatives.  He had a purpose for me when my husband of over 42 years and I met when I was just fifteen years old.  He had a purpose for me when He took me through each and every day of my life.  And though I did not know the purpose for each circumstance and experience I had at the time I walked through it, God did.

God did; yes, he did.  And He does today.  I may balk at the impact of various things in my life.  I may close my ears to His voice.  I may shut the doors of His opportunities in His face.  But, nevertheless, He is everpresent, guiding, directing and placing people in my life to lead me to fulfill His purpose and plan for my life.  I am significant.  He has made me to be.  Not for myself, but for Himself.

YOU are significant.  Not for yourself, but for Him.  He has led you to this little post of mine because He has a reason.  I don't know what it is.  And you may not know either.  But we have met today and today has left an impact for a future that only He can see.  Perhaps you have an idea of why.  Perhaps you don't.  It doesn't matter.  God knows and He will use it to glorify Himself in whatever way He chooses.

I do not really know why Geoff Baggett chose me to be a part of his collaborative blog on Southern Baptist Life and ministry.  But he did.  I do know that whatever is written in that blog is part of God's plan.  Though we (you, I and other contributors) may not see eye to eye on some subjects, the plan and purpose is really not our doing.  For God's thoughts are not ours.  His ways are not ours.  He has a higher purpose and plan for every single day we are blessed to breathe.

Corrie ten Boom believed that.  She was released from the German death-camp due to what some have said was a clerical error.  Yes.  She walked right out of that camp.  Just like Peter walked out of prison when a group of followers were praying for him.  And just as Peter went on to spread the gospel and write books to guide us today, Corrie went on to speak, write and spread the gospel as God had purposed for her to do.  The very circumstances and people she encountered which we read about today have blessed others, inspired others and challenged others.  Oh, that I could be as used!   

I am not certain of my future with sbc IMPACT.  I am not certain of the next moment in my life.  I am only certain of one very important thing.  God is certain to be God and He will bring about His plan and purpose for me.  The great part is when He gives me a peek into how He has used me and what He will do with my obedience to His voice behind my right ear.  Tell me.

How did God impact your life today?  I will tell you about how He did me at Daily Impact.  Come see me there as we launch on September 1st.  selahV

[copyrighted, SelahV Today, 2007]