Each week we will provide you with

new words of encouragement

that will help you, and us, to see

the markers that Christ has set out before us.

January 31, 2011 - Wise words from "The Other Donna!"

Have you seen the tee shirt that reads, “Christianity is NOT a religion... it’s a relationship”?  I love  that shirt!  So many issues and debates grow as we try to translate relationship into religion.  For many, especially seekers, the controversy becomes a huge stumbling block to worship:  Traditional or contemporary music?  Grape juice or wine? 

Time and time again God tells us in the Bible that our show is unacceptable to Him when it is just show.   He tells us to seek Him, to come to Him, to know Him, to be in relationship with Him.  And He sent us Jesus to show us what that relationship looks like.  God sent us Jesus to build the bridge for each one of us to use to get to Him; each ONE of us, individually, to do that, one on one.  Relationship.

“The man who says, “I know Him,” but does not know what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  But if anyone obeys His word, God’s love is truly made complete in him.  This is how we know we are made complete in Him.  Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.”   1 John 2:4-6

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January 24, 2011 

Think carefully about this statement, “You can give to someone without having any love for that person.”  True?

I can give a bag of used clothes to the homeless shelter, with no love for that shelter, anyone there, or anything related to shelters.  My reason for giving is because I want the stuff out of my house.

               Spaghetti and meatballs, up and down, ketchup and mustard, are all things that go together.  Have you ever heard of instant gratification going with consistency?  Instant gratification is a quick feeling of elation and satisfaction; but satisfaction that is fleeting.  To me consistency, which is being regular or continuous, portrays the feeling of longevity and ultimate satisfaction. 

            When I think of instant gratification I think of chocolate; candy, cakes, and pie.  Those first few bites are wonderful and draw my senses into a feeling of calm.  Unfortunately the chocolate doesn’t last long and neither does that happy chocolate feeling.  Is there something in your life that you use for calm and peace?  It could be something you eat or drink or maybe it is something you do, like going for a walk or hiding in a closet.

            The question is will that thing that you turn to for the instant feeling of calm continue to help you in a few minutes, a few hours, or tomorrow?  If I continued to eat chocolate right up to the point where I became sick, I would have more issues than I already do and I would be out of chocolate!

            In Genesis, Jacob’s twin brother Esau was all about instant gratification.  He gave up his birthright because he was hungry and he married women he didn’t really love just because they were convenient.  In comparison, Jacob, for the most part, looked to the long term implications of what he was doing.  Jacob was willing to work for twenty years with his father-in-law to marry the women that God wanted him to marry.  Jacob did not stray from the knowledge that he would one day return to the land that God gave Abraham and Isaac and would one day give Jacob.  Jacob didn’t lose sight of his God while he was living in a land that worshipped other gods. 

            My prayer for this week is that I have God centered consistency in all areas of my life so that I can do His work each and every day.

January 10, 2011

             Are there days when you feel completely unworthy of God?  His love is so perfect it is hard to grasp.  No matter how many times we mess up, and for me it is a lot, He still is faithful to us.  All He asks of us is for us to have faith in Him and His Son Jesus for our eternity.

           Recently I have been reading in Genesis the stories of Abraham who is fascinating to me.  Abraham is a very rich man, literally.  He has tons of tents, animals, possessions, and servants.  He also makes tons of human mistakes from pretending that Sarah is his sister, not his wife, and he doesn’t do that just once, he does it twice, to agreeing with Sarah to have a child with Hagar so that he has an heir and then abandoning that child in the wilderness.  But throughout his life Abraham continues to have an extraordinary and truly remarkable relationship with God. 

           From Abraham I am reminded that no matter what my circumstances may be, rich or poor, old or young, healthy or not, in transition or settled, the important thing is relationship.  That is God’s desire, for us to reach to Him creating a strong relationship.

There is nothing like an unplanned day off to play in the snow!  Especially when you know in a couple of days that the sun will be out and mucky will be all gone!

January 4, 2011

          Do you know anyone who scoffs?  You must at least know the type; you say “I would like to _______ (fill in the blank)” and they say “Why?” or “Huh.” Or “That’s nice.”  Sometimes they even make some gut induced noise.  I’ve either known a lot of scoffers in my life or else the handful that I can name have made a big impact because often I don’t even bother saying what is in my heart because I can’t handle hearing the scoff coming. 

          Doesn’t the word “scoff” just sound horrible?  I actually hadn’t associated “scoff” with what I was feeling until I opened my Bible on New Year’s Eve to give my self a head start on reading the whole Bible in one year.  And there it was, right in front of me, “scoff,” in Psalm 1 of my NRSV Bible.

           It reads, “Happy are those who do not… sit in the seat of scoffers.”  (Psalm 1:1) “(They) are like chaff…” (Psalm 1:4).  What an awesome image.  And how right it is!  Scoffers are like chaff.  But if you keep reading it says a bit more, “the wicked… are like chaff that the wind drives away.”  That is because the scoffers are cynical.  Which I think should be spelled sin-ical.  They are afraid to step out and be of the Lord in this world.  Unfortunately their chaff can often affect us too.

          Today, now, this week, step away from those who drag you down and scoff at you for your relationship with the Lord.  Step away from the chaffing that comes from the scoffer.  Start your day and the New Year with new beginnings that come each day with the Lord who began it all.

What is a Trailmarker? 

If you have ever gone for a walk or hike in a State or National Park you may remember that not only is the path worn down by others traveling over it, but there are also markers attached to the trees to help you stay on the right path.  All of the different paths that cross are marked with different colored blazes.  As you walk, you not only enjoy what God has made, but you keep an eye on the markers along the path.

Some paths have an increased intensity, some are easier.  Some paths cross water and some come to a dead end and you have to go back to where you started.  At different times paths cross and you have a decision to make.  Do you want to take the easier path?  Are there obstacles along one path that you just don't want to deal with?  But at all times, all of the paths are clearly marked so that you can find your way, if you are looking.

Christ does the same thing for His followers.  He marks the path out for us.  If we choose to, we can follow His path, or we can go out on our own and create a new one.  That is the wonderful gift of free will that God gave us.

What are you reading?

January 27, 2011

What would you do if you found the thing that is worth more than anything else on this whole earth?  What would you do if you knew it could be yours?  Would you be willing to change certain parts of your lifestyle?  Would you be willing to separate yourself from certain family and friends if asked to do so?  Would you be willing to make the changes now if you knew that you would get “the thing” in the future for doing so? 

God’s love is free.  His eternal reward is free.  That is because Jesus paid the cost for us, on the cross.  All that you have to do to get the most valuable thing there is, eternal life in Heaven, is to acknowledge that God is the Creator of this world and ask His Son Jesus Christ to forgive you for your sins and to live in your heart, through His Spirit, forevermore.   

There is no “but” to this, because if you are willing to give your heart, your love, to Christ, you will get the reward in heaven.  Do know though, if you truly give yourself to Christ you will be changed.  You will feel the need to respond to the love that fills you.  Some of the people around you may go away because they don’t like or don’t understand the changes that have overcome you.  Some people will draw closer to you.  Your priorities for you time and money will change because your eyes will be opened to frailties of this world. 

Francis Chan, in his book, Crazy Love, challenges us to not put blinders on as we walk through this life.  We are given the most valuable, precious gift there is, for free!  We are asked nothing in return.  But when you understand the value of that gift, you will be compelled to take action.  Chan encourages your to go with that compelling feeling, respond and live a life that is filled with Crazy Love!

If you have a book you have read and can recommend, let me know!

We would love to hear from you about how you have Left a Trace on the world or about how someone else Left a Trace on you!  Email us at leftatrace@leaveatrace.net