Month October 2020

Unplugged

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When we come to the end of ourselves, we come to the beginning of God.

Billy Graham

Just about everyone knows that if you are having issues with a piece of electronic equipment that if you unplug it and plug it back in, it will usually reset. The same principle works for humans. We are often told to unplug from social media or electronics to reset ourselves. For me, it was not about the electronics but about remembering to take a break when I needed it.

I set myself a tough deadline for October, and I was doing pretty well, partially because I would take breaks. When the deadline started approaching, I felt I needed to double-up. I started getting more done but it also wasn’t my best work. This past week I developed a tic in one eye and an attitude, a clear sign I needed a break but I thought if I just push through this week, I will be done, and then I can take a break. Yet, if I looked at the schedule, there wasn’t really going to be a break in the next two months with other projects and the holidays approaching. But, I pushed on.

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Colossians 3:17

Then, a little storm called Zeta dropped on my doorstep. The wind and the rain blew and blew, keeping me up half the night. The power went out, but I got up and went to work, expecting the power to be back on when I got home. It was not. I had a bit of a melt down with anxiety because I was tired and the alarm system was beeping because of a dying battery but not the kind of battery you can remove, and I couldn’t reach the company because it was after hours. Add to that my phone, my one access to the world, was dying and running out of minutes. I reached out in desperation to a couple of people.

My best friend suggested plugging my phone charger into my laptop which was fully charged. She also said her alarm system, which is the same as mine, eventually quit beeping. The phone charging suggestion worked; however, the beeping was still unnerving me. A writer friend suggested putting in ear plugs and going to bed (Read his thoughts on burnout by clicking on the link below). At first I thought I can’t do that because I don’t have ear plugs, but then I remembered that my sister had gotten me some headphones last year that I had barely used and my Kindle Fire was fully charged. I got ready for bed, plugged the ear phones in, and listened to the sound of the ocean until the battery died and the system went silent. I rested and even napped during that time, and then I went to sleep and slept until the sun was fully up. This disturbed Young Man who is very attuned to schedules, especially treat times, but he survived just like I did.

The Burnout

God had to send a storm and unplug my entire town in order for me to take a break. I mean my entire town was dark for a day and some, as in my case, for two days. Yet, in that darkness was when I saw the light. Usually that is how we find our way to Jesus, the light of the world, in the darkness. When we come to the end of ourselves, then we come to the One who can fill our world and spirits with true light.

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 8:12

So, I suggest you take time to unplug and reset, or you might just find yourself unplugged with a beeping dying battery and grumpy cats.

In The Background

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While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:18

My computer often gives me a message that a web page is slowing down my computer and gives me the option to stop it or wait. I usually just ignore the message because it disappears not long afterwards. Sometimes it is slow because a program is working in the background. Sometimes that program is the antivirus software that makes sure nothing can harm my computer.

In writing we have the same thing because of point of view. We normally see things through one character’s eyes. While a book may contain more than one point of view you usually only see a scene from one character at a time. The character only knows what they have seen; they have no idea what the other characters are doing or thinking in the background where the reader can’t see.

Our spiritual lives are like that as well. 2 Corinthians tells us not to look at the things which are seen, but the things which are unseen. We should be looking to God for answers because he sees everything. He is the author, so he knows what all the characters are doing, and he knows the end of the story. Therefore, we should trust what he is doing instead of worrying about what the other characters are doing or looking to them for answers.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Jeremiah 29:11

The other half of 2 Corinthians 4:18 is the reasoning behind the command to look to God instead of man or current events: they are temporal. They are temporary. They will change. God never changes and is eternal.

For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

Malachi 3:6

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

I Timothy 1:17

So then, we should set our eyes on God, the author, knowing that He will bring about a good end and that He is working in the background for our good. He is protecting us, leading us, and helping us grow. When circumstances look grim, just remember that God is always at work and never sleeps. Look to him and be kingdom-minded and eternally focused and the din and clamor of the world will fade away.

Turn on the Light

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There was a picture that went around on social media years ago of a snake wrapped around a toilet, a big snake. Supposedly it had come in through or around the plumbing and made itself at home. In the middle of the night the owner went to the bathroom and happened to turn on the light to find the snake before they sat down. I vowed to always turn on the light. This week I broke that vow.

Sunday night I was trying to start the week off right, so I cleaned up the kitchen, turned on the dishwasher and put away some laundry. Feeling pretty good about things, I grabbed a plastic bag to go clean out the litter boxes for the evening. One of the boxes is in the corner of my office (aka the cat’s room). I didn’t bother to turn on the light because I could see well enough by the light of the computer, or so I thought. I took two steps in and hit something slick and my foot slid out from under me and I fell to my knee, the same knee I fell on back in July. I got up and turned on the light and discovered my geriatric cat with IBS had gotten sick (mostly fluid) and I didn’t hear him because of the dishwasher noise. An ice pack, ibuprofen and prayer later, I thankfully had no real injuries, but I still had to get up and go clean up the mess.

The thought came to me that if I had only turned on the light, then I would have seen the danger before I stepped in it. The same is true spiritually. If we turn on the light, God’s Word, His Holy Spirit will alert us to impending danger so that we can avoid it.

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

James 5:16

My Bible reading for the day was James 5:16. When I fell, I was worried I had caused even more injury to my knee after I had just regained pain free use of it. I messaged someone I knew would pray and asked for prayer that my knee would not have a serious injury because I had a lot of obligations that needed my attention that week.

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

My Bible reading the next day was Ecclesiastes 4:9-10. God has a sense of humor and great timing. I may have been physically alone when I fell, but I was not alone. The Holy Spirit was right there with me, and I had another believer willing to pray for me. I also had these verses of scripture to encourage me that came at just the right time to encourage me and lift me up.

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Psalms 119:105

The Word of God is a light that we need to keep turned on. We don’t have to worry about a power bill because it has a never ending source of perpetual power. It is always on, but we do have some control of the on/off switch. We can turn it off and sit in the dark, or we can turn it on by opening the scripture and letting it guide us. When we study the Word daily, it will come to our minds just when we need it most.

So as we start each day, it is a good idea to start with the Word of God so that He can guide us through the twists and turns of this world gone crazy. Oh, and don’t forget to turn on the light. It could save you from slipping and falling or from really big snakes in the bathroom.

Suit Up

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I know several motorcycle people, and all of them are into wearing protective clothing when riding. I usually see them putting on jackets and gloves as well as goggles and helmets. They are always wearing the proper clothing and shoes for riding. I found the following acronym on a biker lingo blog:

ATGATT = All The Gear, All The Time (helmet, gloves, vest, trousers and boots).

Some even talk about armor, or specially reinforced gear. I thought it was a great reminder that has spiritual implications:

11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesian 6: 11-17

The reason we put on the armor of God is the same reason bikers put on their gear: protection. When I took martial arts, I wore gear when I was sparring to reduce the chance of injury. Bikers and martial artists suit up as protection  just in case there is an incident. Even more so, we should wear our spiritual armor because we are going into battle every day. It isn’t a chance of battle; it is a foregone conclusion.

Not only should we wear it every day, but we should also wear every piece of armor. Each piece protects a different part of our being. Whatever we leave undefended, the enemy will target. For example, if I want to retrieve something from my car but I don’t want to take the trouble of finding my shoes. I tiptoe out over the hot concrete, and while I am digging around in my car, a fire ant bites my foot. It’s the same in our spiritual lives. Every piece has a purpose.

We wear a helmet to protect our mind, we wear the breastplate to protect our heart, the belt of truth keeps us grounded, the shield of faith protects us from the enemies weapons, and our feet are prepared to step out to do God’s Will. Our only weapon is the Sword of the Spirit, which is God’s Word. People often say talk is cheap, but not this talk. God’s Word is powerful, more powerful than a two-edged sword because it can cut to the heart of the matter. Not only that, God’s Word also brought the world into being. What He says happens. When we wield His Word wisely, no foe can stand against us.

So, before you leave the house, or maybe even the bed, suit up. You never know what the day will bring.

Extra Portion

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35 And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. 36 And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine.

Genesis 41:35-36

We often say at work that it is either a feast or a famine. We either have more work than we can do, or we have nothing to do. The same is often true in the writing life. I either have so many ideas I don’t know what to do with them, or I am drawing a blank. The key is to follow Joseph’s suggestion to Pharaoh about storing up during the feast time for the famine.

There have been several times over the last 6 months that I have had almost an overwhelming number of ideas and concepts for books and articles rain down on me. I was blessed with having a chunk of time and opportunity for multiple Bible studies and for listening to podcasts and sermons. I was also blessed to take a writing seminar that jump started my writing practice. Suddenly I had all of these breakthroughs with projects that I had been stuck on for ages, plus ideas for even more. What was I going to do with all these ideas whirling around in my brain?

I decided to start an idea box, project notebooks, and a journal. When I have an idea for an article or blog post, I put it on an index card or sticky note and put it in a little decorative cardboard box. I also write down ideas for novels on sticky notes and keep all the related notes in a notebook for that project. The other things God shows me I write in a journal every night to clear my mind and get ready for rest. I store these revelations for times of famine.

And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. 23And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, To morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning. 24 And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein. 25 And Moses said, Eat that to day; for to day is a sabbath unto the LORD: to day ye shall not find it in the field. 26 Six days ye shall gather it; but on the seventh day, which is the sabbath, in it there shall be none.

Exodus 16:22-26

Right now I am under a couple of writing deadlines, and usually I spend most of Friday morning coming up with an idea for my blog posts and working it out for submission. I really don’t have that kind of time for the month of October because I need to work on other projects. Last week as I was listening to podcasts and reading God gave me enough rough ideas for five blog posts. He gave me enough ideas ahead of time that I could meet my deadlines and still get some much needed rest.

God knows what is coming, and He provides the extra portion that we need. Instead of eating until we are sick at the feast put some aside for times of famine. Then we can call upon the storehouse to maintain us. For the same reason we should study the Bible and memorize scripture when we have the opportunity so that we will have a supply to draw from during seasons of spiritual famine. So, when God gives you a double portion, store it in your heart (or idea box) so that you have a source of inspiration come the next dry spell.