On a deeply cloudy morning in 1975 I sat waiting…highly anticipating my very first airplane ride. My parents and siblings had driven home the week before from my Aunt Sharon’s ranch in Oregon, but I was given the opportunity to stay an additional week and fly home by myself.
I found Oregon a nice place to visit with one exception; it had been overcast, rainy and dreary for our entire stay. By the end of my vacation, I longed for sunshine. And because I’d never flown before, I assumed I would have to wait until we got closer to sunny California to enjoy those golden rays. But I was in for a big surprise…
Like a bullet our airplane zipped down the runway, became airborne, and soon plunged headlong into the blanket of menacing thunderheads that had held office for the entire month of September. Moments later we catapulted through the other side of the thick quilt of gray clouds, and with saucer eyes I was astounded as our airplane broke free from the gloom into glorious sunshine! I still remember the joy and exhilaration of that moment and the epiphany that even when it’s dismal below—the sun is always shining just above the clouds.
The trials and tribulations of my life have at times made me feel like I’m permanently stuck in Oregon (no offense to any rain-loving Oregonians out there).
And in those dark times I’ve been deeply comforted by a passage of Scripture that says; God calls us out of darkness and into His wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)
Just as that airplane pulled me up into the sunshine, out of the depressing gloom—my connection with God has repeatedly pulled me out spiritual darkness and into His wonderful light.
When I wake each morning and spend time in God’s word and prayer, I begin to see myself reflected in the Lord’s eyes. It’s in that place of fellowship with Him that I know who I am; I am His beloved daughter, a work in progress, a thing of beauty. I’ve learned the hard way that if I’m hoping to find my identity reflected in anyone else’s eyes, I’ll end up disappointed.
As I make my way through this sometimes wonderful, sometimes difficult life, it’s my daily relationship with God that gives me insight, stability, and joy. And in the event that I find myself languishing under a leaden heaven (that dark cloud feeling where nothing seems to be going right), it’s my connection with Him that pulls me heavenward.
So…with this wealth of blessing just waiting for me each morning you would think I’d never miss my quiet time with God, right? Wrong. Knowing what’s good for me and doing it are two different things. The biggest hindrance to making daily prayer a solid part of each day is my hurried life.
It’s an indisputable fact that most people are living at an accelerated pace these days. But… it’s impossible to hurry up and build a deeply personal prayer life with God. My prayer life suffers when I hurry through it, just as my marriage relationship would suffer if we hurried through each opportunity for communication and companionship.
Imagine for a moment that I planned some quality time with my husband. Here’s the scenario;
“Honey, let’s spend some time together. We should go out to dinner tonight after work.”
“Okay Paula. You know I love spending time with you.”
Later that evening, Jeff pulls up in front of the house and while leaving the car running, rushes in breathlessly yelling “Come on Honey, times-a-wasting!”
We speed over to McDonalds, where he proceeds to buy us cheeseburgers and fries from the drive-thru window. With my value-meal balanced precariously upon my lap, I do my best to eat without spilling as we drive home. Pulling into the garage Jeff says, “That was fun, let’s do it again soon!”
Thankfully, my husband does not approach a “date” this way—as I’m sure few husbands do (unless they like sleeping alone). And why not? Because they know that this is not the kind of intimacy a wife longs for. She longs for her husband’s time… for his attention… for an unrushed evening of adult conversation.
I’ve learned that intimacy cannot be rushed. The best way to get to know someone is to spend time with them. Likewise, intimate prayer cannot be rushed.
Prayer has a way of changing the topography of our lives in dramatic and definite ways. What appeared to be a mountain before prayer is recognized as an inconsequential molehill after prayer. What looked liked an impenetrable valley before prayer, is seen as an easily accessible land of promise after prayer.
Prayer. A simple childlike act, a humbling activity, and an avenue of blessing. And for me personally, a ticket out of Oregon.
Paula Friedrichsen is a member of Church on the Mountain, a vibrant community of believers in Crowley Lake. We meet at 9:30 Sunday mornings. Call for more information: 935-4272 or www.ChurchOnTheMountain.org
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Six Days with Corra by Ed Tandy McGlasson
Something happened this week that I just have to share with you. It contrasts against the fuss that the liberal media made about Tim Tebow’s commercial during the Super Bowl. The commercial wasn’t a diatribe against abortion as many expected. It was about a mother’s choice to have a baby, even when she had been told the baby needed to be aborted because of her medical complications. The parents prayed, “Lord, if You give us another son, then we’ll raise him to be a preacher.”
We all know the story of how Tim has grown to be an amazing man of God and a future leader on and off the football field. His future is bright and promising because of the love of his parents.
The story of Corra didn’t have the same ending to her life that Tebow’s had. Her story didn’t happen under the lights of the Florida Gators’ home stadium. Corra’s story happened in a modest home in Arizona with a mom and dad who demonstrated to her what the extraordinary love of the Father looks like.
Little Corra’s birth mother had lined up a family to adopt her, but after hearing that Corra would be severely handicapped and probably would not live very long, they respectfully declined.
Ted, the adoption attorney, called me to pray. He shared that not only was Corra in harm’s way, but the family who was going to adopt her decided to back out. Ted asked, “Ed, pray that I will be able to find a family to adopt her.” I remember hearing those words and thinking that to adopt a healthy baby is one thing, but to choose a baby who would be handicapped and might not live long, is an extraordinary kind of love.
Ted made the next phone call to David and Rebecca in Arizona to ask them if they would be interested. David said, “Ted, you could not have called me at a worse time. I am out of a job and my youngest daughter is starting chemotherapy. But you know, I will ask my wife and pray about it.” They called Ted back and told him, “We want this child!” When David arrived in California, he found a reluctant birth mom. Not only was she hurting from her disappointment of the first adoptive couple, but the hospital was putting pressure on her to make a decision concerning Corra’s life. The young mom called Ted and said, “David keeps calling the social worker every day. I can’t believe he’s still interested. I can’t believe that they still want her with so many problems.” The birth mother’s heart was so touched. She could see the love that Corra would receive living with David and Rebecca. Finally, the call came to the Lawson family—their daughter was ready to go home. David and Rebecca moved little Corra into her new home. With welcome cards taped around her crib, and the loving gaze of her four new brothers and sisters, Corra finally had a family who wanted her.
They had only six days with her before she went to be with the Father. When asked why they went so far for just six days, David said, “Why wouldn’t we do that? She was our daughter!” To choose someone to love that can love you back is one thing, but to choose a broken son or daughter is a God kind of love. As a matter of fact, we were all like Corra when God’s love was poured out on us. The Bible says it best:
“You can tell for sure that you are now fully adopted as his own children because God sent the Spirit of his Son into our lives crying out, ‘Papa! Father!’”(Galatians 4:6).
Ed Tandy McGlasson will be the featured speaker at the July 30 – 31 COTM Men’s Retreat (contact Brian Burns for info: 760-937-3884). Ed is a former lineman in the National Football League where he played with the Giants, Jets, and the Rams. Ed's call to ministry began in college after getting healed from a career ending knee injury that led to his conversion while playing for Youngstown State. Ed eventually entered the ministry in 1984 after a dramatic call, and started traveling and sharing his testimony. Ed is a best selling author, conference speaker, and the pastor of Stadium Vineyard in Anaheim, CA.
We all know the story of how Tim has grown to be an amazing man of God and a future leader on and off the football field. His future is bright and promising because of the love of his parents.
The story of Corra didn’t have the same ending to her life that Tebow’s had. Her story didn’t happen under the lights of the Florida Gators’ home stadium. Corra’s story happened in a modest home in Arizona with a mom and dad who demonstrated to her what the extraordinary love of the Father looks like.
Little Corra’s birth mother had lined up a family to adopt her, but after hearing that Corra would be severely handicapped and probably would not live very long, they respectfully declined.
Ted, the adoption attorney, called me to pray. He shared that not only was Corra in harm’s way, but the family who was going to adopt her decided to back out. Ted asked, “Ed, pray that I will be able to find a family to adopt her.” I remember hearing those words and thinking that to adopt a healthy baby is one thing, but to choose a baby who would be handicapped and might not live long, is an extraordinary kind of love.
Ted made the next phone call to David and Rebecca in Arizona to ask them if they would be interested. David said, “Ted, you could not have called me at a worse time. I am out of a job and my youngest daughter is starting chemotherapy. But you know, I will ask my wife and pray about it.” They called Ted back and told him, “We want this child!” When David arrived in California, he found a reluctant birth mom. Not only was she hurting from her disappointment of the first adoptive couple, but the hospital was putting pressure on her to make a decision concerning Corra’s life. The young mom called Ted and said, “David keeps calling the social worker every day. I can’t believe he’s still interested. I can’t believe that they still want her with so many problems.” The birth mother’s heart was so touched. She could see the love that Corra would receive living with David and Rebecca. Finally, the call came to the Lawson family—their daughter was ready to go home. David and Rebecca moved little Corra into her new home. With welcome cards taped around her crib, and the loving gaze of her four new brothers and sisters, Corra finally had a family who wanted her.
They had only six days with her before she went to be with the Father. When asked why they went so far for just six days, David said, “Why wouldn’t we do that? She was our daughter!” To choose someone to love that can love you back is one thing, but to choose a broken son or daughter is a God kind of love. As a matter of fact, we were all like Corra when God’s love was poured out on us. The Bible says it best:
“You can tell for sure that you are now fully adopted as his own children because God sent the Spirit of his Son into our lives crying out, ‘Papa! Father!’”(Galatians 4:6).
Ed Tandy McGlasson will be the featured speaker at the July 30 – 31 COTM Men’s Retreat (contact Brian Burns for info: 760-937-3884). Ed is a former lineman in the National Football League where he played with the Giants, Jets, and the Rams. Ed's call to ministry began in college after getting healed from a career ending knee injury that led to his conversion while playing for Youngstown State. Ed eventually entered the ministry in 1984 after a dramatic call, and started traveling and sharing his testimony. Ed is a best selling author, conference speaker, and the pastor of Stadium Vineyard in Anaheim, CA.
The House that Smiles by Ed Tandy McGlasson
I read an article this week on Google Answers from a young girl who asked: “Does my dad like me? And what can I do?” She writes, “I’m really confused about my dad. I’m not even sure if he likes me. He always talks about the kids he teaches kayaking to and forgets about me. And if I ask him to take me kayaking, he always thinks up of some lame excuse of why he can’t. A few days ago he even said that he “didn’t want me”, and that I am only around because my mum was getting older and she insisted that they were to have a kid then or never. I can never remember him spending any time with me when I was little and he is always at work. I am an only child and I have no idea who to talk to. What can I do?”
How many young people today feel this way? How many of you still feel stuck with questions that your own dad didn’t answer in your life?
Here is the answer that one reader gave, “Just try to get through your adolescence as best as you can. When he gets really old, he will want you to keep him company and be nice to him. Then you can ignore him and treat him the way he treats you.” Great advice, huh!
How many of you have messed up parenting your own kids? I did! I struggled being a good dad because I didn’t know what to do. Did you know that men repeat the same patterns our broken dads used on us?
For years, I did the same things I learned from my stepfather and made my parenting more on what was broken in my kids rather than building a home where my smile resides. I forgot what they wanted most from me was not just my love, but the clear communication of “liking” them. I know that you love your kids, but do you like them?
This past year while doing a breakout session with young people, I asked them to raise their hands if their parents liked them. Not a hand went up in the room. One young man burst into tears, and said, “I know my dad says he loves me, but he never says he likes anything about me. No matter how hard I try, I will never be good enough.”
Have you ever seen the miracle of a dad who becomes a grandfather? It is truly of one of greatest wonders of the world. The same man, who constantly pushed me, changes into another person when his grandkids walk into the room. Have you ever wondered why that happens? What is the goal of most dads? Performance! Right?
What is goal of most Grandpas? Relationship. The same guy who would lecture me about how hard he worked for his money, opens his pockets with reckless abandon when his sweet and perfect grandson walks into the room. I think God gave us grandfathers as a gift to say, “Why don’t you grandfather first.”
What is the atmosphere like in your home? If your children do not think you like them, then it is almost impossible for them to feel your love. On the weekend of July 30th at the Church on the Mountain in Crowley lakes, we are doing a conference called “The Power of the Blessing of a Father.” How many of you are stuck and unable to move forward because of the lack of love and blessing from your own father? Our hope is that this weekend might change your story and put a smile back on your home. If God can change this old football player into a loving husband and father, then there is hope for all of mankind.
Ed Tandy McGlasson will be the featured speaker at the July 30 – 31 COTM Men’s Retreat (contact Brian Burns for info: 760-937-3884). Ed is a former lineman in the National Football League where he played with the Giants, Jets, and the Rams. Ed's call to ministry began in college after getting healed from a career ending knee injury that led to his conversion while playing for Youngstown State. Ed eventually entered the ministry in 1984 after a dramatic call, and started traveling and sharing his testimony. Ed is a best selling author, conference speaker, and the pastor of Stadium Vineyard in Anaheim, CA.
How many young people today feel this way? How many of you still feel stuck with questions that your own dad didn’t answer in your life?
Here is the answer that one reader gave, “Just try to get through your adolescence as best as you can. When he gets really old, he will want you to keep him company and be nice to him. Then you can ignore him and treat him the way he treats you.” Great advice, huh!
How many of you have messed up parenting your own kids? I did! I struggled being a good dad because I didn’t know what to do. Did you know that men repeat the same patterns our broken dads used on us?
For years, I did the same things I learned from my stepfather and made my parenting more on what was broken in my kids rather than building a home where my smile resides. I forgot what they wanted most from me was not just my love, but the clear communication of “liking” them. I know that you love your kids, but do you like them?
This past year while doing a breakout session with young people, I asked them to raise their hands if their parents liked them. Not a hand went up in the room. One young man burst into tears, and said, “I know my dad says he loves me, but he never says he likes anything about me. No matter how hard I try, I will never be good enough.”
Have you ever seen the miracle of a dad who becomes a grandfather? It is truly of one of greatest wonders of the world. The same man, who constantly pushed me, changes into another person when his grandkids walk into the room. Have you ever wondered why that happens? What is the goal of most dads? Performance! Right?
What is goal of most Grandpas? Relationship. The same guy who would lecture me about how hard he worked for his money, opens his pockets with reckless abandon when his sweet and perfect grandson walks into the room. I think God gave us grandfathers as a gift to say, “Why don’t you grandfather first.”
What is the atmosphere like in your home? If your children do not think you like them, then it is almost impossible for them to feel your love. On the weekend of July 30th at the Church on the Mountain in Crowley lakes, we are doing a conference called “The Power of the Blessing of a Father.” How many of you are stuck and unable to move forward because of the lack of love and blessing from your own father? Our hope is that this weekend might change your story and put a smile back on your home. If God can change this old football player into a loving husband and father, then there is hope for all of mankind.
Ed Tandy McGlasson will be the featured speaker at the July 30 – 31 COTM Men’s Retreat (contact Brian Burns for info: 760-937-3884). Ed is a former lineman in the National Football League where he played with the Giants, Jets, and the Rams. Ed's call to ministry began in college after getting healed from a career ending knee injury that led to his conversion while playing for Youngstown State. Ed eventually entered the ministry in 1984 after a dramatic call, and started traveling and sharing his testimony. Ed is a best selling author, conference speaker, and the pastor of Stadium Vineyard in Anaheim, CA.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Abba Father by Paula Friedrichsen
Recently I was at a local ice cream shop where a noisy drama was being played out between a mom, dad, and two adorable little red-headed girls. One of the girls was sitting quietly at a picnic bench with her mommy, happily licking her cone—while the other was squirming, crying, and screaming in her father’s arms. She was having a tantrum and doing it justice, for sure! And as I walked by smiling sympathetically at the parents, something brand new occurred to me; sometimes the sign of a good parent is a screaming, angry child. I mean, just think about it… that little red-headed spitfire was having a fit because her dad had denied her something she wanted. While her sister enjoyed a delicious ice cream cone on a hot summer day, she had nothing but her tears and anger. Whatever had transpired at the ice cream counter before I arrived had necessitated that her father deny her a much-anticipated and much-longed for ice cream cone. But good parents are not afraid to discipline their children as needed. And no amount of bullying, screaming, or outrageous behavior on the part of their little darlings will cause them to alter their course—because they have their child’s greater good in sight.
Does this remind you of anybody? God perhaps? In Scripture the Lord is occasionally referred to as “Abba Father”. For example in Romans 8:15 we read: “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father!’”
The word “Abba” means daddy or papa. It is an Aramaic term of endearment and cherished familiarity. If you are a child of God then you too are His beloved son or daughter. And because of this “sonship” you now have access to an intimate, close, and treasured relationship with Him. So close that you can call him Daddy and allow Him unlimited, trusted access into your life. That access means that He may discipline you from time to time—but this is just a normal and acceptable part of “sonship”.
I’ve often been comforted by the following Scripture:
Hebrews 12:7-11 “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
The other day I had a conversation with a young woman from our church about God’s recent discipline in her life. She told me that she had gotten a $500.00 speeding ticket a couple of months ago while racing from Bible college to her part-time job. She complained to me that she thought it unfair that the Lord would allow her to get a ticket, when all those other knuckleheads on the highway were going way faster than she was, while talking on their cell phones! She said, “Here I am trying not to be late for work after being at Jesus school (her words, not mine) all day, only to get a ticket!”
I pointed out to her that the Lord actually allowed her to get the ticket BECAUSE he loves her. Because she is His daughter, He didn’t want to pass up such a prime opportunity to teach and discipline her. Even though she was sorely disappointed that the Lord didn’t protect her from the consequences of her behavior, she eventually submitted to the Lord’s correction in her life. And just as that Scripture above promises, it produced a harvest of righteous behavior in her life. In fact, after I told her about my own experience 10 years back with a Mammoth Lakes highway patrol officer (who couldn’t be cajoled out of giving me a speeding ticket, even though I smiled sweetly while assuring him that I almost never drive that fast), we both agreed that neither of us speed any more. Why? Because we submitted to God’s discipline in our lives and learned the lesson that speeding can be expensive (not to mention dangerous and illegal).
God’s discipline is not a bad thing. It’s life, and hope, and joy, and comfort! It’s peace and righteousness for those who will be trained by it! The Lord’s loving correction is the highest compliment you could receive… it means He’s treating you as His beloved son and daughter. Even if you act just like that adorable red-headed four year old—screaming, crying, and flailing—God will calmly hold you until you decide to yield…..because He loves you.
Paula Friedrichsen is a member of Church on the Mountain, a vibrant community of believers in Crowley Lake. We meet at 9:30 Sunday mornings. Call for more information: 935-4272 or www.ChurchOnTheMountain.org
Does this remind you of anybody? God perhaps? In Scripture the Lord is occasionally referred to as “Abba Father”. For example in Romans 8:15 we read: “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father!’”
The word “Abba” means daddy or papa. It is an Aramaic term of endearment and cherished familiarity. If you are a child of God then you too are His beloved son or daughter. And because of this “sonship” you now have access to an intimate, close, and treasured relationship with Him. So close that you can call him Daddy and allow Him unlimited, trusted access into your life. That access means that He may discipline you from time to time—but this is just a normal and acceptable part of “sonship”.
I’ve often been comforted by the following Scripture:
Hebrews 12:7-11 “Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
The other day I had a conversation with a young woman from our church about God’s recent discipline in her life. She told me that she had gotten a $500.00 speeding ticket a couple of months ago while racing from Bible college to her part-time job. She complained to me that she thought it unfair that the Lord would allow her to get a ticket, when all those other knuckleheads on the highway were going way faster than she was, while talking on their cell phones! She said, “Here I am trying not to be late for work after being at Jesus school (her words, not mine) all day, only to get a ticket!”
I pointed out to her that the Lord actually allowed her to get the ticket BECAUSE he loves her. Because she is His daughter, He didn’t want to pass up such a prime opportunity to teach and discipline her. Even though she was sorely disappointed that the Lord didn’t protect her from the consequences of her behavior, she eventually submitted to the Lord’s correction in her life. And just as that Scripture above promises, it produced a harvest of righteous behavior in her life. In fact, after I told her about my own experience 10 years back with a Mammoth Lakes highway patrol officer (who couldn’t be cajoled out of giving me a speeding ticket, even though I smiled sweetly while assuring him that I almost never drive that fast), we both agreed that neither of us speed any more. Why? Because we submitted to God’s discipline in our lives and learned the lesson that speeding can be expensive (not to mention dangerous and illegal).
God’s discipline is not a bad thing. It’s life, and hope, and joy, and comfort! It’s peace and righteousness for those who will be trained by it! The Lord’s loving correction is the highest compliment you could receive… it means He’s treating you as His beloved son and daughter. Even if you act just like that adorable red-headed four year old—screaming, crying, and flailing—God will calmly hold you until you decide to yield…..because He loves you.
Paula Friedrichsen is a member of Church on the Mountain, a vibrant community of believers in Crowley Lake. We meet at 9:30 Sunday mornings. Call for more information: 935-4272 or www.ChurchOnTheMountain.org
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