Cross My Heart Ministry

On the Field Plays Off the Field #4 – It’s Also How You Play the Game

Posted on February 10, 2011 by LauraMac

It IS whether you win or lose, but it’s also how you play the game. In the game of football, the offense scores points, of course, by moving the ball down the field and crossing into the end zone. But they have to play by the rules. Those guys wearing the black and white striped shirts are there to make sure they do.

One of the penalties that has never made a lot of sense to me is holding. It’s acceptable for an offensive player to knock his opponent onto his back, leveling such a blow as to leave him jarred or even unconscious when he hits the ground. However, a penalty will be called if instead he grabs the shirt of his opponent to keep him from tackling the quarterback. Personally, I would much prefer to have someone hold onto me that knock me flat, but that’s one of many reasons why I’m a spectator and not a participant.

Whether holding makes sense to me or anyone else, it’s the rule. And even though it’s just the one player who is guilty, the entire team suffers the consequences Countless turnovers have occurred, third downs left unconverted, and touchdowns called back all because an overenthusiastic lineman resorted to holding to protect his quarterback. How you play the game matters and it affects all those around you, too.

Like the game of football, how we play the game also matters when it comes to obeying God. Scripture abounds with examples of doing things God’s way. One great demonstration of the “holding” foul is found in the Old Testament book of Joshua, chapters six and seven. God gave a strange command to the Israelites for capturing the fortified city of Jericho (marching around the wall for seven days and all that. Check out the passage for the full story.)

After giving them the victory, God’s instructions for the booty was very clear in Joshua 6:19: “All the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the LORD and must go into his treasury.”

Reading through the remainder of Chapter 6 it appears that all is well and that the people carry out God’s instructions play by play. Then the deception is revealed in Joshua 7:1 – “But the Israelites acted unfaithfully in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the LORD’s anger burned against Israel.”

None of the Israelites knew of the deception. It does not come to light until they fail miserably when trying to take on the next city. Then God reveals His displeasure. Achan is guilty of holding, and by association the whole Israelite team is guilty of holding. One man’s actions brought consequences to an entire community.

As a parent, a spouse, an employee, a friend, a child, a sibling, a church member, a committee member—whatever hat you wear in the course of a day – your fouls affect not only you, but the others on your team. We don’t have to understand or agree with God’s rules, but we are called to obey them. Like those black and white shirts worn by the referees, the Bible makes God’s standards very clear. We introduce the gray areas when we rationalize, justify, and compromise on the rules. Consider these life examples of holding fouls:

1. Hold onto your money.
Have you experienced the freedom of being released from the stronghold of money? Money is neutral—neither good nor bad. It can be used for either. Are you holding onto money, refusing to use it for good? The Bible challenges us to tithe – give 10% to our local church. 10% sounds like a whole bunch when it comes to writing a check, but none of us get too excited when Kohls advertises 10% off. It’s all about perspective. Have you considered this mandate also covers such things as:

a.      Telling the truth on our tax returns
b.     Refusing to use an expired coupon.
c.      Accounting for every penny on the expense account

2. Hold onto your time.
We find it so easy to “Just say no” when the church nursery needs someone to rock babies, the youth soccer team needs an assistant coach or the nursing home is asking for surrogate grandchildren. The Bible nails us, “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another…” Romans 13:8

3. Hold onto your words.
Saying what needs to be said can be the greatest challenge of all. It requires humility and personal responsibility. Are you holding out today by:

a.      Refusing to say, “I’m sorry”
b.     Refusing to say, “I love you”
c.     Refusing to discipline a child

4. Hold onto your anger – Who does God want you to forgive?

5. Hold onto your criticism – To whom does God want you to extend grace?

The way to avoid holding is simply to let go. As we let go of our time, our money, our words, anger, criticism and whatever else we have clinched so tightly, I believe we will individually and corporately experience real victory –a life lived successfully is one lived for HIM and by HIS rules. Now that’s something to hold onto.

Photo attribution: https://secure.wireimage.com/ItemListings.aspx?so=1,a&igi=214407

Posted in Super Bowl | 1 Comment

On the Field Plays Off the Field — #3: It IS Whether You Win or Lose

Posted on February 5, 2011 by LauraMac

– It’s not – It IS Whether You Win or Lose

It’s very noble to say “It’s not whether you win or lose…,” but the reality is that few people feel that way down deep inside. It’s just something we say.

I’m going to go out on the proverbial limb here and give a shout out that “WINNING DOES MATTER!”

The outcome of the big bowl game determines who wears the ring, who gets the advertising endorsement contract, and which fans have the bragging rights.

Winning is even more important when the consequences are eternal.

Winning for the believer means scoring points for the Kingdom. The result doesn’t mean I draw attention to me, but to HIM. The litmus test for winning can be answered by the question, “Where is the spotlight focused?” If it is on God and bringing Him glory, then victory has occurred.

Matthew 6:33 challenges us to:

“…seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

The world tells us to try to balance it all. Lots of books and blogs are devoted to telling us how to fit it all in, be more efficient with our time, and meet everybody’s needs. We want to win in everything. We feel guilty when one of our spinning plates gets dropped. My head spins when I just look at my to do list.

“Seek first” is such a freeing command. It releases me from the balancing act that surely leads to defeat. As I make it my priority to Seek Him, victory will happen. I will win. All my other responsibilities for husband, family, home, ministry, business, friendship, community – they will all fall into place because God will order my days and show me the next thing to do. I win because I’m playing for HIM and for HIS glory.

Winning does matter. I just need to be sure I’m playing for the right team.

Photo attribution: http://www.thatsmyroom.com/rproddetail.php?productid=5426

Posted in Super Bowl | Leave a comment

On the Field Plays Off the Field — #2: Guard Your Heart

Posted on February 3, 2011 by LauraMac

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
Proverbs 4:23

Many would call the quarterback the heart of the team. He is the key man when it comes to doing what counts – scoring points. It is imperative that the offensive line do their job and keep him protected. If the defense gets to the quarterback, loss will most assuredly result – loss of yardage, loss of possession, loss of scoring opportunity. He must be guarded well.

The same is true for our hearts. Everything we do flows from our hearts. Every thought, action, word, and deed begins here. What the world sees and hears from me on the outside is a reflection of what is hidden on the inside.

Jesus made it clear in Matthew 12:34 – “…out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” It’s as if our hearts are wells and our mouths the buckets that draw out what is there. If there is anger, condemnation, and criticism on my tongue…then, sadly, that’s also what is in my heart. Likewise, words of compassion, joy, praise, and encouragement testify of the love of Jesus living in my heart.

Unfortunately and to my shame, in a typical day you might hear both flowing from my mouth. James nails me with these words:

“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.” James 3:9-10

Ouch!

James is right. This should not be. As long as we live in this world, we are dual beings – spirit and flesh, warring to control. I feed my spirit when I guard my heart. As I guard and protect my heart, God is glorified in my words, actions, and attitude.

Focus with me today on the goal –“guard your heart.”

Now that’s a great offensive plan.

Posted in Super Bowl | 2 Comments

On the Field Plays Off the Field

Posted on February 1, 2011 by LauraMac

You know it’s Super Bowl week when all the ads abound with sales on soft drinks, chips, and frozen pizza. Even those who don’t enjoy football, get into the football spirit of things. We’re more college football fans at our house (Go, Hokies!), but nevertheless will watch and eat our way through Super Bowl Sunday.

I’ve always thought it interesting to watch men while they watch football. My otherwise calm and logical husband and boys get animated and excited as they cheer, groan, and sweat their way through four quarters of strategy, intensity, and revelry.

Recognizing that my children often accuse me of “turning everything in everyday life into a spiritual application,” it does seem that football offers lots of lessons for life, in general, and living for Christ, specifically.

Indulge and humor me now, as I present “Laura’s Top Ten Plays” for both on and off the field. I will endeavor to present one each day this week, which means a few will be posted post-game Sunday.

1. Do your job.

Two different passages of scripture, seemingly unrelated, have come to mind, as I ponder the importance of not just doing a job, but making sure I’m doing my job:

“Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, contrary to his command.”
Leviticus 10:1

“In the spring at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.”
II Samuel 11:1

Nadab and Abihu and also David were all placed in positions of leadership by God. There are responsibilities that come with leadership. All three let God down – all three failed to do their job.

The sin of Nadab and Abihu was one of commission – they burned “unauthorized fire.” They did a job, but it wasn’t a job God had for them to do. David’s sin, on the other hand, was one of omission. (It would lead later to serious sins of commission like adultery and murder, but that’s for another lesson and another day.) His idleness –hanging out in the palace and sending someone else to do his job – was the initial sin.

Looking at Nadab and Abihu and David leads me to ask myself, “What is my job?” Am I doing it well? Am I overstepping and not waiting for God? Am I “eating the bread of idleness” (Proverbs 31:27) and failing to do what I should be doing? Perhaps we all need to hold one another accountable to do a job and to make sure that it is our job we are doing.

Next to Virginia Tech, our second favorite team is, of course, the Arkansas Razorbacks. During this year’s Sugar Bowl game, a critical play came when the quarterback threw a pass at what looked like (at least from our front row seats in front of the television) right into the arms of a receiver.

Maybe he was caught off guard, not ready, looking the other direction. Whatever the excuse, he dropped the ball. And he dropped it in what would be labeled a key play – the kind of play that had the potential to change the outcome of the entire game. A successful completion there could have/should have/would have kept the Razorback momentum going, led to a touchdown on that series, and tipped the game in Arkansas’ favor. A collective groan was heard across the Natural State emanating from Razorback homes everywhere. We wanted to rewind the tape and see him catch that ball!

Watching with friends, I groaned with everyone else and then immediately felt guilty for groaning. “I feel bad for him,” I said. “I’m sure he’s kicking himself for not catching that ball.” My friend replied, “But it’s his job to catch the ball.”

She wasn’t harsh, mean-spirited, or angry. She was simply speaking the truth. It was his job to catch the ball. The quarterback, the blockers, all the other players on the field did their jobs. But if just one guy fails to also do his, the entire team fails to complete their corporate assignment.

All of us, every single player on the team –or, in the marriage, the family, the church, the ministry, or wherever God has placed us – must be faithful and focused, prepared and proactive, engaged and equipped, intending and intentional about doing our job. The rest of the team is counting on us.

Join me today in asking God, “What is my job?”

Posted in January, Super Bowl | 1 Comment

New Year’s Resolution: THIS Changes Everything

Posted on January 12, 2011 by LauraMac

Reduce the waistline, increase the bank account. Spend more time with the family, spend less time surfing the web. Increase time on the treadmill, decrease the cholesterol number. Physical, financial, social, professional. We can categorize them, but we just can’t seem to keep them. More of a “wish list” than a real commitment to change, the New Year’s resolution has become an annual tradition that we are quick to make and then quick to forget.

I want to challenge you to consider what may be the resolution that will help with all the others. I want you to resolve to read the Bible every day. I’m convinced that this habit will change your life. “How can I make such a claim?” you ask. Because that’s what it did for me. And if it changed my life, I think it will change yours, too.

Perhaps my personal story will help with the persuading. As a new bride, my husband and I moved to a new city, joined a new church, and found a new young married class to join. Two new friends that I made had a profound impact on my life. Their way of speaking, respect for others and attitudes about life in general seemed both admirable and inspirational. I pondered, “What makes the difference in their lives? We attend the same church, we’re all married to great guys, and we all love the Lord.” I realized that both Carol Anne and Donna spent time every single day reading the Bible. I decided that I would do likewise.

I describe the early days as “have to.” I have to do this every day. Daily Bible reading equated with daily flossing, making my bed, and taking my vitamins. All helpful and necessary, but not necessarily desirable. But gradually a remarkable change began to occur. I began to notice that something I had read in the morning had direct application to my life during the day. Bible reading became less of a duty and more of a delight. I began to read with anticipation and look for ways that the verses I read in the morning would be relevant to my afternoon.

Very subtly and almost imperceptibly, my attitude was transformed from “have to” to “want to.” Today, twenty-five years later, I have moved on still to a place I describe as “need to.” I don’t like the woman I am when I try to complete my daily responsibilities without spending time first in the Word of God. It really and truly changes my responses to others and my response to daily challenges. I’m confident it will do the same for you.

If you’ve read this far and I have convinced you, let me suggest a few ways to begin:

1. Choose one of the gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John) from the New Testament. Following the life of Jesus will bring great blessing. The Gospel of John is often recommended for new Christians. I love the book of Mark, which I call the “adventure” gospel.

2. Read the “Proverb of the Day.” Proverbs has 31 chapters, so there is one for each day of the month. This book is chocked full of practical advice for daily living.

3. Choose any book and read it through from beginning to end. You could alternate between a book in the New Testament and a book in the old.

A couple more words of caution as you proceed. First of all, don’t get hung up on the number of chapters or verses you read. Just read every day. And if you miss a day, extend grace to yourself. Don’t fall down the slippery slope of legalism.

Won’t you resolve to try something new this year? Rather than recycling the same old resolutions as before, resolve to try what may be something new. I hope you find, as I did, that the Bible changes everything.

Graphic attribution: http://dryicons.com/free-graphics/preview/new-year-2011/

Editor’s Note: This article is also published this month in NWA Metro Woman Magazine. You can see it here: http://www.themetrowoman.com/

Posted in January | 4 Comments

Bow Down & Worship

Posted on January 1, 2011 by LauraMac

“On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.” Matthew 2:11

The culture in the first century was not one where women or children were respected. The dividing line between Jews and Gentiles was also great. This scene, then, is all the more remarkable as we see Gentile kings bowing to worship a Jewish baby. It’s interesting to note that the Jewish religious leaders who were steeped in Old Testament prophecy and could quote the scriptures verbatim missed what the Gentile astronomers got.

The Magi had traveled a long way and for a long time to find the Christ child. They anticipated the joy that would come as they beheld him. (See previous post, Anticipating Joy, below).

Note the two verbs at the end of Matthew 2:11: bowed and worshiped. These two words are often seen together and always, it seems, in this order. Can you worship without first bowing down? Perhaps the act of physically bowing also represents the bowing of our hearts and minds – a humbling of ourselves in preparation for worship.

To bow is to acquiesce, to submit, to surrender, to acknowledge. It is a deferring of prerogative, choice, position. Bowing is a choice. Bowing places us in a position – emotionally, spiritually, and perhaps even physically—to be ready to worship. It is a yielding, a giving way. When our hearts, minds, and bodies are yielded, then we are ready to worship.

Bowing denotes a humbling of ourselves. Only a humble heart can truly worship God. A spirit of humility is a complete contradiction to a spirit of pride.

In Proverbs 6, we are given a list of the seven things detestable to God. Topping the list are “haughty eyes” – surely a sign of a prideful heart. It was pride that led to the first sin (Eve and Adam couldn’t resist the temptation to be “like God”) Pride has also prompted virtually every sin since.

We were created to worship God – to bring Him glory. (Isaiah 43:7). Pride renders us unable to bring our God the glory He deserves –to truly worship Him.

Whether my daily personal quiet time to worship God or Sunday morning corporate worship with others, it is imperative to begin by bowing. This act of humility is a reminder of who God is…and who I am not.

As we look ahead to the new year, perhaps we can accept the challenge to transform our worship by choosing to first bow. Bow and then worship.

Photo attribution: http://ntcccorpuschristi.org/worship.html

Posted in December | Leave a comment

Anticipating Joy

Posted on December 24, 2010 by LauraMac

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.
Matthew 2:9-10

The Magi were undeterred by King Herod. Their single-minded focus was on the star. They were determined and devoted in their resolve to follow.

For me, the Old Testament equivalent that comes to mind is the pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night that guided the Israelites on their journey through the wilderness. The Magi were aliens – what a joy for this Gentile girl to note that God calls all people to follow Him. God led and they followed. Their obedience brought great blessing– a timeless truth that still holds today. Where is God calling me to obedience?

The Magi, I’m sure, traveled both far and uncomfortably. No fast jets or fast food for this excursion. Bouncing along on a camel in the desert is no picnic now or then. But what a reward at the end – they would behold Immanuel, the Christ child, the Messiah.

The end of verse 10 records, “When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.” It’s interesting to note that the stopping of the star signaled the end of their journey, but they had not yet seen the Christ child. It was just seeing that the star had stopped that brought great joy. It is the anticipation of what comes next that brings the joy.

Christmas Eve is a day of anticipation. If you have children in your home, the excitement that is building is almost tangible. No matter what our age, if we are focused on Jesus, our hearts and minds are filled with wonder, eagerness, and expectancy. A heart devoted to following his star will be overjoyed.

To see the star, you have to be looking. The wise men were looking up to see the star. A downward focus on the sand, their sore bodies, or the spitting camel would mean a shift away from a fixation on the star.

If my focus is on the star, it will show. The glory from Him will be reflected and on display with child-like giddiness, laughter, love, and worship.

Lord, I pray today that though my list is long, my heart and my mind would be focused on your star. Fill me with anticipation of worshiping and wondering. Help me to reflect your glory to those in my corner of the Arkansas “desert” today.

Photo attribution: http://steeljawscribe.com/2008/12/24/wise-men-and-women-still-seek-him-3

Posted in Christmas, December | Leave a comment

Have Yourself a MARY Little Christmas

Posted on December 13, 2010 by LauraMac

The Mary-Martha tension is a continual challenge for most of us. Finding the right balance between the eternal and the temporal is a daily dilemma. Perhaps this angst is never greater than during the holiday season. Our desire to do all the “Martha” cooking, baking, decorating, hosting, serving, giving collides with the heart call to be a Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus.

Rather than categorizing daily life and activities as either “Mary” or “Martha,” perhaps the real way to have a Mary Christmas is to smear the lines between the two – take our Mary mindset with us to our Martha tasks. Here are a few ideas for making it happen:

1. Be sure your day begins in the Word sitting at the feet of Jesus. Making time with the Lord a priority is key to keeping a “Mary” heart in the midst of our “Martha” demands.

2. Protect the schedule. Over committing ourselves adds unnecessary stress to us and those we love. Go ahead and write “It’s A Wonderful Life” on the calendar or “Wrap Gifts.” You can then kindly decline invitations for that night, noting that you have a prior commitment. Watching a favorite holiday movie while eating popcorn and just being together will provide a welcome respite from the “go, go, go” of the season.

3. Make lists. Christmas cards, gifts, food preparation. Pray over the lists. Ask God to provide wisdom in expending the valuable resources of time and money.

4. Make a Christmas notebook. It will be helpful to compare my last year’s list to this year’s list. Did I give my mother-in-law gloves two years in a row? Did a neighbor bring over a plate of goodies last year, so I don’t want to overlook them this year? Use pocket folders for ads, notes, and loose papers to carry along.

5. Simplify. Made from scratch might sound noble, but it also might be a source of pride.

6. Share baking tasks with a friend. It’s easier to bake a triple batch of the same recipe than to bake three different recipes. Enlist the help of two friends and then trade your bounty. You will each be rewarded with a variety of Christmas cookies for your platter. Keep these in the freezer until needed.

7. Transform wrapping time into prayer time. Pray for the gift recipient as you wrap each gift. The stress of getting it all done evaporates and condenses into a sweet time of glorifying God, as we pray for others.

8. Share the love of Christ. A focus on others will capture the essence of the Christmas season. Adopt a family, fill a Christmas shoebox, or take a bag of canned goods to the Manna Center. Blessing others brings the added benefit of blessing the giver.

9. Make an “I already have list.” There’s a reason that Thanksgiving comes just before Christmas. Cultivating and keeping a thankful heart is an effective antidote for materialism and selfishness inherent with the “I want …” mindset in your family.

10. Give it away. Ask each family member to count how many gifts they receive. Then issue a challenge to find that many items to give away. It will make room for the new, while also blessing others.

11. Keep the Christmas music playing. Music transforms the soul, bringing a sweet soaring of the heart to even the most routine of tasks.

12. Accumulate the Christmas cards received in a basket. Pull one out at each meal and pray for the sender. Share a story about the individual or family who sent the card. It will be fun to share memories with your children who might not remember Aunt Pearl or Uncle Rex.

Judy Garland made the lyrics to the song famous in 1943, but the challenge to have a Merry Christmas is much older than that. Here’s wishing you and yours a very MARY Christmas!