Perspective

This picture is one of my favorites. While looking skyward through the barren branches, I envisioned a neat perspective for a photo. Grabbing my camera, I lay down on the ground with the top of my head against the tree base. Several images were snapped as I wriggled around the tree, trying to get the perfect shot.

A proper perspective can have a profound effect on our actions. Can you recall a time when you acted a certain way, based on what you preceived as truth about a situation or a person? Isaiah certainly did. Look with me at Isaiah 6:1-8; a few short verses that contained some intense action and life transformation.

Isaiah had been prophesying the coming of God's judgment for both Israel and Judah. In chapter 5, the prophet had issued some scathing woes on the people. But chapter 6 finds him in the temple...and about to receive an attitude adjustment:

"I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted,

and the train of his robe filled the temple" (vs.1)

As he experienced other sights and sounds in the awesome presence of almighty God, Isaiah gained a new perspective. As he had formerly been pronouncing woes, he now saw his own wretchedness before Lord:

"'Woe to me!' I cried. 'I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips

and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes

have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.'" (vs. 5)

Consider with me the four "C"s of the prophet's life-changing encounter:

1. Conviction and confession (vs. 5) - this is required of each us as we realize our sinfulness, and call out to the Lord for mercy.

2. Cleansing (vs. 6-7) - Isaiah received forgiveness in a way that would be etched indelibly on his mind.

3. Commission (vs. 8) - After purifying His messenger, God issued a call.

4. Commitment (vs. 8) - Isaiah's prepared heart caused him to quickly respond, "Here am I, send me."

So what about us? When we come to the Lord Jesus in repentance and faith, He accepts us, changes us, and gives us a new perspective:

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;

the old has gone, the new has come!" (2 Cor. 5:17)

Whether a brand-new believer or a seasoned saint, may our lives model Isaiah's: quickly and continually making ourselves available to our Master, to carry out the incredible plans He has uniquely fashioned for us!

Best wishes from lefthandrightbrain:)

Let Freedom Ring

The local KFC looked like the after-church fellowship place today; several FBC families stopped by, intent on commiting the sin of gluttony (well, at least one of them was, and did). It was wonderful to run into Mo (name changed to protect his out-of-the-country ministry). He and his family are here in the U.S. for a couple of months before returning to their field.

Our graduates were honored today during our morning worship service, but our pastor did make mention of those whose families have paid a sacrificial price to secure the freedoms we often take for granted (our special service honoring these heroes is scheduled for next week). The pastor reminded the graduates, and all attendees, that the blessings of life we have today are due to the selfless commitment of these brave men and women.

Freedom...it is a glorious thing. We rightly consider ourselves free because we live in America, and so we are. But what really makes freedom? It's a nebulous word, is it not? We've only to open our newspaper or click on the evening news to see people right here in "the land of the free", who are victims of enslavement in some form, be it discrimination, lack of education, abuse, hunger, or human trafficking. And the issues are compounded in other countries.

Our Lord talks about real freedom: "If the Son sets you free, you shall be free indeed" (John 8:36). Yes, there are cruel forms of bondage here in the U.S. and around the globe, but entrapment in sin causes hopelessness here, and also in eternity. As my thoughts drift back to Mo, I decided to post this picture taken during a service where Jerry Rankin, President of the International Mission Board, spoke. The parade of flags is always touching, showing countries where we have a missions' presence. But black flags are also somberly presented, bringing to remembrance countries where the light of Christ's gospel has yet to dawn.

Emblazoned on the picture are the words to Joshua 1:16, which could be referred to as an Old Testament response to the New Testament's Matthew 28:19-20 and Acts 1:8. Rankin chose that as his theme, challenging listeners to "GO" - to impact the "ends of the earth". Mo and his wife answered that call; they've taken their family a two-day plane trip away, to raise their children in another culture with another language. As I talked to Mo's mother (a fellow grandma), I commented on how hard it must be, not seeing the grandchildren often; this is the second time in three years they've been together. She nodded, but added - with a surrendered smile - how the family is passionate about the ministry there.

Freedom..."Freely you have received, freely give" (Matt. 10:8). What freedoms are we sacrificing to let the message of freedom in Christ be heard, from the ends of our street to the ends of the world? Mo, Karen, Lynn, Kenny, Pascal, Jeremy, Peggy, Ruth, Jason, Gail...these are names of ordinary Christians, just like you and I, who have answered the call to share the message of eternal freedom. Thank God for them, and support them prayerfully and financially, if necessary. And take another look at the picture. Would you be willing to pray the words of this verse while staring at those flags?

Best wishes from lefthandrightbrain:)

Heading to church

Rae was getting herself ready for church on a Sunday morning when I snapped this shot. You've probably noticed that children usually love to go to church! However, if they haven't had a good night's sleep, or there's a show on TV they want to see, the parents may have a fight on their hands!

Since we are grown-ups, we never have a negative attitude about heading down the road to the church of our choice (or, as I've heard it said, the church that pays our salary), right?

Well, I must admit I sometimes do. For whatever reason - having to face an EGR (Extra-Grace-Required) fellow member, not being prepared to teach, fatigue, etc. - I may wish to stay home for a Sunday (or longer)! But the Psalmist had a different attitude: "I rejoiced with those who said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord'" (Psalm 122:1).

If your attitude is bent out of shape about attending (and being involved), have a good heart-to-heart talk with the Lord; He knows you inside-and-out, anyway. Ask Him to restore the joy of your salvation to you, and to fill you with an appreciation for the preciousness of our freedom of worship. And if you just can't wait to gather with fellow saints, then be sure to thank staff members, teachers, musicians, nursery workers and others who make it such a special experience for you!

May God bless us as we gather with fellow believers, and may we grow in the desire to bring others into the fellowship!

Best wishes from Lefthandrightbrain:)

Creativity

As success is defined by the world, my life doesn't have anything particularly outstanding about it. Hubby and I raised two wonderful children, who have presented to us some precious grand-gals.

After high-school, I went to cosmetology school and earned a hairdressing degree. But when the kids came along, I couldn't see paying a sitter to raise them while I sat around a shop waiting for customers, so that was a short-lived career.

Re-invented myself a few times: clerk, Avon representative, creator of handmade greeting cards, cake decorator, sign langauge interpreter, church worker and volunteer. Several years ago, I stumbled upon my love of the camera about the same time as I began doing a bit of writing. God has opened doors, and I've had the joy of seeing my work published in magazines, newspapers and online, and gained the satisfaction of seeing how my word-crafting and photography have impacted lives, especially in the Christian vein.

As I look back, one word stands out - "creativity". God has uniquely gifted me to see things from an unusual slant (why we often shy away from recognizing, proclaiming, and relishing in God's giftedness, I have no idea). Consider the photo I've uploaded for your enjoyment. While out with some photog buds, I noticed this young boy spending a late afternoon fishing with his dad. Instead of getting a full shot of the two, I chose to focus on this all-American boy, in his dirty-fingernailed, scuffed-armed glory.

I color outside the lines. Maybe it's because my dominant left hand interacts more with the creative right side of the brain. Can hardly read a map, or find my car in a parking lot, but I come up with ways to do things that are quite orthodox (yet effective) at times. And it is something I definitely thank God for!

We are all "fearfully and wonderfully made", according to Psalm 139:13-14. Before we ever became part of God's forever family, He shaped us in our mother's womb (vs. 13), and I believe He smiled as He implanted special natural skills to complement the spiritual gifts we'd receive at the moment of our spiritual birth! I often hear folks say, "I don't have any gifts." They may think they are being humble, but they're actually discounting the very words of Scripture.

Well, I'll never be a CEO (shucks, I don't want to work hard, anyway!), and don't even have an interest in getting a college degree. I'd rather be free to write in my jammies at midnight (or not), play with my grand-gals, take a group of senior adults on a day trip, cover a festival or a mssionary's adventures for a writing assignment, or read to my heart's content.

Are you enjoying a zest for life because you're fitting in the God-shaped niche He's shaped just for you? Be it humble or mighty (according to the world's standards), that's the only way to pure satisfaction. The "have it more abundantly" of John 10:10 looks different on each person; I pray you'll discover and daily live in your Jeremiah 29:11 experience!

Best wishes from Lefthandrightbrain:)