Pancakes or Oatmeal

 

Often my life does not play out like I plan.  I wake up and think “pancakes for breakfast!” But I get oatmeal.  It is good, but not pancakes! 

Or I may think, “Let’s go see Abi, my sister.”   But we clean my room instead.  A necessary event, but not my first choice.  It can make me grumpy! It can make me complain, and fuss at my parents.  Never a good response!

Maybe it would be better to wake up and say, "God what do you have for me today?  Bring it on Lord!  I am ready, because you are walking with me. "

I read in the Old Testament how God walked with the Israelites, but they kept forgetting and coming up with a better idea.  I need to see God’s plan as the best idea and go with it joyfully, expectantly, even.  God’s plans are always amazing, but not always at the time.  Looking back, I see this.  I must practice living in that expectancy and joy, no matter if it pancakes or oatmeal!

 

Every year our family reads through advent passages in our personal devotions.  Because we do it every year, the passages become familiar.  It is easy to read a passage and not even think.  Yet every year God speaks to my heart from different passages. 

This year as I read Isaiah 53, I was deeply impacted with what Jesus came to do for me. Verse 11 says:

 “Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;
by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,
    make many to be accounted righteous,
    and he shall bear their iniquities.”

Yes, Jesus bore my iniquities.  He was willing to die a criminal’s death so I did not have to bear my iniquity, my sin!

My heart is full because of the enormity of what Jesus did for me. 

I am amazed at God’s love!

God Is In Control Even of Changes

 

This week my neighbors had to move to a care facility.  They have been my neighbors all my life.  We were friends.  We understood each other. They helped our family all the time.  Our family shared the gospel with them numerous times.  My parents jumped in to support them in the last few years as we watched their health decline. We prayed daily for them.  It is sad to not see them or evidence that they are there.  It is sadder still to not have them make a clear decision for Jesus.  However, I do not give up hope!  I pray we will still have opportunities to share the love of Jesus. I pray they remember Jesus loves them.  I pray they trust Jesus.  I must still trust God to do what is right.  I must remember God is good.  I must remember God is still calling them to Himself.  I miss them.  But God is still in control.

Birthday Reflecions

 

Today as I celebrate my birthday, I have been musing on my life.  I want to revisit something I have written in the past.  Yes, I am autistic with several limitations.  I have many things I cannot do.  However, I want to again say, I am made in God’s image.  I am not a mistake or an embarrassment to God.  I was created uniquely by God for a unique purpose.  It is a purpose only I can fulfill.  I must strive each day to obey my Creator.  I must remember I am of such value to God that He sent His Son to die for me.  So, I will continue to pursue God and His purpose for my life!  I am not perfect, I often fail. But great is God’s faithfulness!  He picks me up and sets me back on track time and time again.  I am blessed to serve God in my unique way.  Praise be to God!

Lessons in the Night

 

Recently I have had nightmares more frequently.  It is always a similar scenario.  I am abandoned, alone.  I end up crying in reality which brings one of my parents into the room.  They give me physical touch, and pray with me.  My mom makes me call on Jesus myself.  I am comforted, but sleep from that time forward becomes difficult.

I know this is the enemy using my fears to assail me.  I know that being adopted is part of the problem, but it is hard to logically sort it all out in the middle of the night.  I am trying to memorize scripture to use at that time.  I know I am not alone.  God is with me.  He holds me in His hand.  My name is inscribed on His hand.  So I am working on trusting God to hold me. I will not give in to this fear, for I know the truth!  I resolve to be strong and courageous!  I will not tremble!  I will not be dismayed.  I will remember the Lord my God is with me where ever I go! 

Is This Spring?

 

Today is a day that feels like spring.  I think of it as a “tease day”.  A day that makes you think spring is here. But I am not fooled.  Spring does not come this early.  At the park I see plum blossoms bravely blooming in anticipation of spring.  But I am not fooled.  In the store I see spring clothing displayed in anticipation of spring.  But I am not fooled.  Tomorrow will come and it will be wintery and cold.  There are still many days for winter to play its final act.  So, I keep my winter clothes out and ready.  For you see I am not fooled.  Instead, I will choose to enjoy winter to the end.  In His time, God will usher out winter and bring in the spring.  I will wait for that with anticipation, for I like spring.  But as I wait, I will enjoy winter’s last hurrah.  For I am learning to rejoice always.  To give thanks in everything!

Jesus Loves Me!

 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (ESV)

 

I am amazed at what God would do to be in relationship with me!  Most people look at me and then move away because they are scared of encountering me.  They are unsure about me. They do not think I am interesting or worth the time.  But God knows me beyond the outside appearance.  He made me and did not reject me as a defective product.  He values me so much that He wanted to be in relationship with me.  To do that He had to make a way for sinful Jeffrey to be able to approach Holy God.  Soooo…. He made a way.  He sent Jesus to this world to wash my heart clean from sin.  God gave His best to bring me into relationship with Him.  That is the message of Christmas!

Heaven to the Stable

 

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. I John 4:9

 

When I went to my weekly equestrian lesson at a local stable, I noticed a man sweeping and cleaning the walk ways.  They have to clean up all kinds of messy dirt.  Even after they clean the stalls, they are just cleaner, not CLEAN!  I was reminded that Jesus was born in a stable.  It was probably not too clean.  Maybe smelled bad.  What a shock for the senses of the King.  Heaven to the stable.  Talk about culture shock!  Jesus did that for me.  He came to clean up the stable of my heart which was dirty and smelly with sin.  And when He came in it became really clean.  That is the Christmas gift I received from God.  The best ever!

Joy to the World

 

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.  Luke 2:10-11

 

I love the music of Christmas!  It is full of joy and hope.  One of my favorite carols is Joy to the World.  Our Gospel choir is singing a rendition of that carol this year.  It is upbeat and full of joy, and I mean full.  When we sing it I just have to rejoice.  I smile and dance to God’s glory. My heart overflows with joy.  Why?

Well, that song tells that Jesus came. It tells us he is a righteous ruler who loves us.  It calls all nature to sing His praise. It calls us to prepare Him room.  Now is the time to rejoice, but also the time to open your heart to Jesus, who stands at your heart waiting for you to invite Him into your heart!  Do not delay! Do it today!  Then you can rejoice like never before!

Immanuel!

 

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14

 

One of my favorite names for Jesus is Immanuel!  I like to hold that name in my heart every day!  Why you ask?  Well, it means God with us.  It means I can have a relationship with God.  If He is with me, then not a minute goes by without Him.  My parents stick pretty close to me, but not every minute of every day. Yet, Immanuel does.  So, when I am alone at night, I am not alone.  Immanuel is there – all the time.  Christmas is when Immanuel came.  It began the visible part of God’s redemption plan.  So, at Christmas especially I think about Immanuel.  When you step into relationship with God, Immanuel is there for you, too.  So why not jump into God’s arms and experience Immanuel?

 

Shine Through Me!

 

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that^[a] they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.  Matthew 5:16 (ESV)

I remember when I was very young, we had a chandelier in our living room.  We live in a small Japanese House.  It is actually average size for Japan.  Every Christmas Mom would hang small Christmas decorations from that chandelier.  As soon as I saw the box come out with those decorations I would stand under the light and point out where those decorations were to be.  I wanted everything to be in the right place.  When they were, it was beautiful!  As I grew older the chandelier came down and those decorations are still nestled in their box.  But I also    came to know the decorations were not Christmas.  It is all about Jesus.  I need to have Jesus in the right place.  When Jesus is in the center of my heart, then I can shine better than any old chandelier.  Lord Jesus shine through me this season, pointing people to You!

The Simple Heart of Christmas

 

 

Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.  I John 4:10 (CSB)

 

Christmas is a big celebration in Japan where I live.  It is about trees and lights and Christmas cakes, and chicken legs and thighs. Yes, they like to eat that on Christmas Eve.  Kentucky Fried is a favorite!   But sadly 99% of Japanese do not know Jesus and do not associate Christmas with Jesus.  They have created a romance around Christmas that is totally devoid of God’s love.  So they celebrate a ritual that is empty.  Their hearts remain empty.  Please do not imitate them.  Look to Scripture to find the profound yet simple meaning of Christmas and embrace it for yourself!  God loved us! He sent His son to pay the price for our sins!  That is Christmas!

Choose to Rejoice!

 

Recently  we went to an event about three hours away.  It was cool and rainy at points but we had an enjoyable time with friends.  We headed home about 3 pm.  We were moving at a good speed on the expressway along with all the other cars and trucks.  We were talking and listening to music.  All was well.  Then we noted vibration in the car, and we were evaluating that when we had a loud flapping sound.  We all knew it was a tire.  We got off to the side of the road.  We were near an exit, but traffic was heavy and fast.  Dad called the auto emergency help and they said to get out of the car, stand at the back and wait.  They would be there in thirty minutes.  The tire in question was on the traffic side so they said to not even try to see it.  It was now 4:30 in the afternoon.  It was still light, but cloudy.  Thankfully not raining!  A highway patrol stopped and checked on us, but their shift was changing so when they saw we were ok they left, but did put out markers to alert traffic.  Then Dad got another call from the emergency help.  They were delayed by a more serious accident and we would have to wait an additional hour.  We began to sing and praise the Lord that we were safe, that it was not raining, and that God was watching over us.  We just enjoyed the view.  Eventually help came. It had turned dark, but no rain or cold.  It was windy so not any bugs either.  The help took us to a tire store nearby.  It was family owned and the people were efficient and good at their job.  One of the family asked about me and he treated me like an intelligent person.  We got in the car and headed home and then the rain began.  God had His hand on us all the way.  We could rejoice! I could have chosen to melt down from the stress, but this time I chose to rejoice and praise the Lord.  May I always make that choice!

Rejoice Always!

 

 Recently my family had the opportunity to speak at our church for the Sunday sermon.  Dad turned the planning over to me.  I selected the passage and assigned the tasks to each of us.  It was a first for me.  Since our family has chosen I Thessalonians 5:16-18 as our year “verse”, it seemed good to use that passage.  Dad did the Bible exploration and I did the final challenge and prayer.  My mom did the spice!  She added the color by giving a personal illustration.  

I naturally felt a fair bit of stress as this is certainly out of my current routine.  Since the passage says “rejoice always.  Pray without ceasing.  In all things give thanks.” it would not be appropriate for me to meltdown in the midst of this presentation.  Just doing this sermon was an opportunity to put this Bible text into practice.  I must admit running up to the day I slept poorly and made several bad decisions.  Yet the day of presentation did arrive. 

Dad did great.  Mom was outstanding.  Then I was on.  I had a written text to serve as a guide and I plunged in.  It just flowed out and God’s spirit flow through me and into my fingers that were doing the communication.  I felt freedom and passion.  Then it was over.  I felt relief!  Yet, that was just the first service.  I still had one more to go.

God worked in the next service, too.  But I was drained from the experience.  I felt Satan creeping up saying, “You didn’t do a very good job.  You were weak.  What makes you think you could talk to these people?  How could you share anything worthwhile?”  I sat down and wept.  But God used my parents to speak truth over Satan’s lies.  In that moment I could rejoice for my Redeemer is in control of my life.  I am weak, but God is not! He chose me as His spokesman for that time.  I rejoice He allowed me to do His work!  So I am even today rejoicing because God is directing me day by day.  I may look like a broken person on the outside, but I am whole on the inside because my Redeemer is in me!

Now, Where Did That Contentment Go?

 

I have recently been asked if I ever wrote about contentment.  I have implied this but never have taken it on directly.  For me contentment has been like a summer breeze. I mean it is wonderful when you feel it, and uncomfortable when it drifts away.  I experience it fully at times and think, “Wow!  I have finally found contentment!” then, Whoosh!  It is gone. 

As I think about this, I have begun to see it takes a daily surrender of my will to God’s.  I have to decide to live in contentment, accepting what God brings.  It is not a once for all decision, but for me needs to be made day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute.

I do not like change and find great contentment in a routine day that never changes.  However, as my parents point out, that is not real life.  Life is often unpredictable and brings new situations which disrupt the contentment I feel in the routine.

So, what do I do?  I can cry and whine, as I confess I do all too often, or I can find my contentment outside my circumstances.  My best contentment comes as I sink into God’s hand, and stay there in the ups and downs of life.  When I am snuggled into God’s hand there is peace and contentment because God does not change.  So where is my contentment when it seems to have left me?  Maybe it is not with me because I jumped out of the shelter of God’s hand!

Here's To You Dad!

 

Another Father’s Day has come.  People are honoring their fathers and it is really great.  I would like to add my voice.  The other day I was reflecting that God made me to be my dad’s son.  He made me to enter Dad’s life making him a dad.  He fashioned us to cause each of us to grow.  I am so thankful to my dad who understands me.  He has loved me from the start.  He has taught me about God’s love by showing me in practice.  He has given discipline to help me be righteous.  He has accepted my limitations, but never settles for less than I can do.  He expects me to try hard and never stop growing.  I love my dad so much.  I am so glad God chose him for me!

Brilliant Green

 

On a walk with my mom last week, we had a great display of God’s beauty.  The sky was clear, cloudless blue.  Stretching up into that glorious blue were scores of trees adorned in their brilliant green gowns, ready for the day.  Remembering just a couple months ago, only the stately evergreens were dressed up, as all the other trees stood bare in anticipation of spring’s arrival with the new gowns of the season.  The shades of green were endless.  They shimmered in a very light breeze.  Looking up snatches of blue sky peeked here and there among the canopy of green.  Looking down we saw a scattering of pink azalea blooms as fine accents.  Oh, what peace and beauty there was in the park.  I was able to praise God for allowing me to view this splendor as I began my day.  It set the tone for my day, reminding me how the Creator God blends all His creation into a marvelous exhibition, new every day.  Each with its own beauty. Created without mistakes.  All creation created without mistakes—even me!

Adoptions

 

I am grateful for friends who are like family.  They show love and encouragement. Sometimes they are so special, you adopt them.  I have several friends who have become adopted sisters, brothers, aunts and uncles.  Just recently I adopted a grandma.  Mine are both already with Jesus, so with grandmas is such short supply, it seemed good to adopt.  The lady I chose knew my          
Grandma Rice, and has known my family for ages.  She is a most marvelous lady.  She loves Jesus and is one of the best encouragers I know. She is an example of how to finish well.  She lives far away from me, but we can communicate through the internet.  God put her in my life and I thank Him for her every day!  I love you Grandma Weaver!  I am proud to call you grandma!

What you see is not always what you get.  A couple weeks ago when I went horse riding my regular horse had a leg injury.  The backup horse also had an injured leg.  I was assigned a horse I did not know.  It made me nervous!  I went with my mom and trainer to meet the horse.  He looked old and skinny and not very inviting.  The trainer kept telling us he was a famous horse.  He did not look famous!  He was friendly, and welcoming.  We got to the riding corral and I mounted him.  He was responsive and I easily adjusted to him.  After a bit the trainer said it was time to run.  She bent down to get her prod, but I kicked him and he took off.  He really ran.  He did not run far but he ran fast.  Underneath the old, skinny façade was a race horse.  When we got home Mom looked him on the internet.  He was famous, and had won several races. 

The Bible talks about this.   Man looks on the outside, but God sees what is inside.  I saw an old broken-down horse, but inside was a race horse, a winner even!  On the outside I look a mess, but inside I am a son of the living God, made in His image.
 

Easter

 

This year on Easter Sunday we had a glorious celebration.  As a special treat the Gospel Hula team at our church did two beautiful numbers.  How glorious to see them portray the gospel message in visual form.  Then the gospel was preached in all its glory.  The final joy was to witness the baptism of two believers.  One man was about 80 years old.  He had several friends there who were also Christians to witness this.  The other man was young.  He is about 11 years old.  He grew up in the church and had his family there to witness this big event.  Each man gave his testimony of salvation, clearly spoken.  What rejoicing we had at church to see God at work in lives of all ages.  Thank you, Lord, for our redemption and the victory over death we celebrate at Easter.