Living the Beatitudes

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

If ever there were poor in spirit, I believe those affected by Hurricane Katrina qualify. In reaching out to those victims, we have the opportunity of living out the words Jesus spoke in the Sermon on the Mount.

God is in control.

It may be hard to see evidence of His presence in the midst of the unfolding story taking place in America’s Gulf Port and neighboring states. Even here in Germany, the images weave and bob across our television screens. The devastation is almost too much to comprehend.

A husband whose wife slipped from his grip in the surging floodwaters of New Orleans is probably one of the faces I will most remember. His hopelessness broke my heart. I know there are more stories that will never make the news as thousands of lives are irrevocably changed.

There are the accounts of courageous rescues – children swinging in baskets dangling from helicopters, everyday folks using boats to look for those stranded on rooftops or within dark attics, and still more risking their own lives to help reach those unable to help themselves.

Unfortunately, there are the images of looters. The first reports seemed to be of desperate people seeking food and water in a city that cannot provide either. But, as is the case with the human condition, the looting has gotten worse as people grab anything of value.

Tragedy seems to bring out the divine and the diabolical.

It’s hard to watch the pictures or hear the bottomless pain in the voices of survivors. For most of us, the natural tendency is to help. There are many ways to do that and I’m sure those so moved to do so will.

I can only think of one thing we can all do – pray. Louisiana Governor Kathleen Blanco has asked residents to spend today in prayer. While many so easily say it’s the least they could do, I believe it is the best and most we can do. As you watch the news, hear a radio report, or peruse the internet, stop and pray for those folks.

The residents of these states have months of struggles ahead. Yet the urgency to just find the living and provide basic human needs for them seems most critical right now.

Each of us can live out the beatitudes. It shouldn’t take a disaster to do so. I praise God that while the diabolical stories will surface in the floodwaters of this tragedy, the more divine examples of doing what Jesus would do will emerge, attesting to the Creator’s presence in His children.

My prayers are with all those whose lives have been touched by this tragedy. “There is power in prayer.”

Blessings, Francine

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Listening to God

Monday, August 29, 2005

When I first began Words from the Heart, I was committed to doing two things: always pointing to God and being real. I did not want this blog to be about me but instead, all about God. He began this journey for me and it’s been beyond what I could’ve possibly imagined. But more about that next time.

One of the things I’ve learned from God is that there are times we all need to stop and breathe. Now is one of those times for me. The human side whispers that I should forge ahead in this current commentary on the Sermon on the Mount and ignore everything else.

God knows our lives are filled with … well, filled with living. And so, over the next few weeks, I have some of that living to do.

I am preparing for a trip from Heidelberg, Germany (where I temporarily reside) to my permanent home in Arizona to enjoy my family, share in birthday celebrations, and begin my new journey as a published author. Fortunately, through the wonder of the internet, I’ll still be posting here. But I think smaller chunks of commentaries might work well for both me and those of you who take the time out of your busy days to visit.

While I believe the commentaries on the first three beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-5) are really worth more than a cursory glance, I thought I’d do a recap here and list previous entries by date, title, and scripture reference. Since much of what I write is based on previous writing, this gives a pretty clear picture of my beliefs and a brief idea of how I got to this point in my spiritual growth.

One thing I can say with certainty – God is faithful even when we aren’t. I’m living proof.

Here’s the list. I know that God has directed my thoughts and my path, so I’m praying for those who might need some words of encouragement and that they find those words in these previous commentaries.

May 3 Beginnings
May 4 What’s Peace?
May 13 Defeating the Darkness of Depression
July 8 Getting it Right
July 11 Who is in Control?
July 13 Giving up Control: 2 Timothy 3:1-8; Romans 1:21-32
July 15 A Word of Caution: Romans 2:1-4; Psalm 18
July 18 Recognizing God’s Control: Matthew 11:28-30; John 10:38; 14:6
July 20 Priming the Pump: John 4:9-15
July 22 More than Entertainment
July 25 What Are You Thinking About?: Proverbs 27:7, Philippians 4:8
July 27 The Battlefield of the mind: 2 Corinthians 10:5
July 29 Dress for Success: Ephesians 6:10-17
Aug 1 Building Blocks: Matthew 7:24-27
Aug 3 Who Is this Guy?: Matthew 22:36-39; Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:42, 46
Aug 5 Speaking to the Heart: Matthew 5:2-12
Aug 8 When Is It Good to be Poor?: Poor in spirit, Matthew 5:3
Aug 10 Needing and Giving: Poor in spirit, Matthew 5:3
Aug 12 A Grand Inheritance: Kingdom of Heaven, Matthew 5:3
Aug 15 Looking at Ugliness: Mourn what?, Matthew 5:4
Aug 17 What About Me?: Those who mourn, Matthew 5:4
Aug 19 I Can’t Do This: They shall be comforted, Matthew 5:4
Aug 22 Father Knows Best: Blessed are the meek, Matthew 5:5
Aug 24 Meek isn’t Weak: Matthew 5:5
Aug 26 Eternal Vision: They shall inherit the earth, Mathew 5:5


Blessings, Francine


SPECIAL NOTE: Here are those links to several web sites that can provide much more detailed guidance than I’m able to do here. Check out “Running Empty” or “Power to Change” (see list of links to the right). For more in-depth study, you can visit “Now Try God” at http://www.nowtrygod.com/ or “New Christian Life” at http://newchristian.com/ as additional resources. The bottom line – don’t accept what I say as gospel. That’s what the Bible is for. As always, I welcome your comments or you can contact me at tenderheartaz@yahool.com

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Building Blocks

Monday, August 01, 2005

Have you ever played with blocks – when you were young or maybe with one of your kids or grandkids?

Children love to build things and their excitement shows as they hurriedly stack those blocks. All they want is to build something spectacular, but in their rush, they don’t spend much time on the foundation.

It’s the same with our faith. Many hear the word and set about to build their faith with good intentions, but we all know where the road that’s paved with good intentions leads. They begin a faith built on works rather than a faith built on the word. They preach, they minister, and they do many things. However, they don’t lay a solid foundation – and don’t even realize their errors until the faith they’ve built crumbles.

Children easily go back to their pile of blocks and begin again – they don’t mind starting over. Eventually, as they grow, they learn the secret to a beautiful creation is building a strong foundation. Too bad we don’t have their imagination, spirit, and persistence. Sometimes I think that’s why Jesus used references to children.

If we want to grow strong in our faith, we need to learn from Jesus, and not only through His teachings but through His living examples.

After calling His twelve disciples, Jesus began teaching and healing. Large crowds began following Him. His longest recorded sermon is the Sermon on the Mount given on a hillside to enormous crowds and probably lasting several days. It summarizes Jesus’ ethical teachings for every day life.

If we are to know Jesus, we can begin here, but I’d like to suggest looking at the end of this teaching first because it gives a vital truth we should strive towards as we seek to learn.

“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on a rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, but it did not collapse because its foundation was on the rock.

“Everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t obey them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and battered that house, and it collapsed, and its collapse was devastating.” Matthew 7:24-27, International Standard Version

The world has seen enough disasters to understand the importance of a solid foundation that will withstand nature’s fury. What are you going to build your faith on?

As always -- blessings, Francine

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Dress for Success

Friday, July 29, 2005

It doesn’t matter where we go or what we do, we need to figure out what we are going to wear. If we are professionals who work outside the home, then our wardrobe reflects appropriate attire. Most jobs have a dress code of sorts, some less formal than others. Still, certain professions require specific dress because lives depend on it – both theirs and ours. If a fireman doesn’t have the appropriate gear, he can’t enter a burning building. In fact, depending on the conflagration, he might not even be able to get close enough to help douse the flames. An astronaut’s need for appropriate gear is understood.

We try to take good care of ourselves as well – eating properly, living healthy lifestyles, and exercising. We take precautions based on the weather and other elements of our environment. Drink plenty of water when it’s hot, dress warmly in cold weather, wear sunscreen – all meant to protect.

However, based on the previous entry, if the mind is a battlefield, then how do we dress or protect ourselves? We may try to do it through our own strength, but it isn’t enough.

Since we are engaged in a spiritual battle, God has provided us His spiritual armor*. If you have ever watched movies about knights in battle, you know how important it is to be protected.

God’s armor protects us against the rulers, powers, and world forces of darkness, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Satan doesn’t fight fair, but he’s smart enough not to engage in a full-blown attack. Instead, he prefers small skirmishes that assault our emotions and our beliefs. Once those are vulnerable and weak, then we begin to doubt.

The amazing thing is that this armor protects us from head to feet. If every action begins with a thought, then the helmet of salvation is vital, protecting our mind and our thoughts.

Second to our minds, our hearts are at risk and the breastplate of righteousness protects that place where our emotions, self-worth, and trust reside.

It’s important to understand that Satan attacks with lies – oftentimes sounding like the truth. God has provided us the belt of truth, for God’s truth defeats the devil’s lies.

When we are weary and feel like giving up, we can put on the shoes of peace, which motivate, strengthen, and encourage us in spite of Satan’s assaults.

Two more items complete the armor. The shield of faith keeps us from getting stuck in our own circumstances and allows us to see our victory. Finally, the sword of the spirit, God’s Word – the only weapon of offense –will ward off temptation.

It may not be easy to understand or accept why God’s armor is so important. The biggest mistake we can make as believers is thinking Satan is a little guy in a red suit with a pitchfork. Isn’t it better to be prepared than to be caught defenseless in the battles that will come?

Blessings, Francine
*Ephesians 6:10-17

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The Battlefield of Your Mind

Wednesday, July 27, 2005

Consider this: every action begins with a thought. While that may seem a simple statement, it really should be a warning to us about how we think and what we think about.

It’s easy to tell folks to think good thoughts as I did in the last posting here. Sounds like a line from a fairy tale, doesn’t it?

First, we need to understand that when God created us, He gave us freedom of choice. He does not force us to do anything. Too often, people like to use the excuse that someone made them do something. That’s simply not true. I may choose to do something in order to avoid the consequences. Personally, I prefer to avoid physical pain. I know that if I touch something hot, I’ll get burned – so you won’t find me holding my hand too close to a fire’s flame.

I am amazed to hear former prisoners of war talk about the military code of conduct and how they clung to those beliefs even though it meant pain and sometimes death.

However, the consequences of most actions aren’t so black and white. There are many gray areas in our lives.

Most believe that if you commit a crime, you’ll be caught and punished. The reality is that while our justice system is a good one, we all know that many who are caught aren’t punished. Further still, many are never even captured. After all, how many criminals do you think committed crimes with the idea they would actually be caught and punished? They believed they could get away with it. Their actions began with a thought.

It’s really the same with our thinking. And that is Satan’s best kept secret. His battlefield is our minds. If he can worm his way into our thinking, then he can distract us from the Truth. He can also rob us of our peace.

I know this is true because of how my mind wandered as I was seeking to know God’s will for what I was to write. Instead, my mind overflowed with other thoughts and worries.

Maybe God is using me because I’m such a good example of how imperfect and human we all are. Personally, I don’t mind if he does, because I want to convey the reality of being a believer. It’s one thing to admit you aren’t perfect. It’s another to lay out your imperfections for others to see. Yet, if just one person reads something here and is encouraged or discovers the life-changing experience of God’s forgiveness, then I’m content.

Once I realized how Satan was trying to sidetrack my thoughts, I immediately prayed. Paul tells us in the last half of 2 Corinthians 10, verse 5, that we are to stand against Satan's deception by taking every thought captive in obedience to Christ.

For me, that meant taking my focus off myself and placing it on Jesus. It also meant understanding my thoughts weren’t where Christ would want them to be and using God’s truth against Satan’s lies. In other words, we don’t have to live with the lies Satan whispers in our ears or places in our minds. We can change how we think and, in doing so, change our beliefs and our behaviors. But, we can’t do it alone.

I believe the best defense is a good offense. Next time, I’ll share how God has a place from which to begin.

One more thing – please know that I am praying for you. No, I don’t know your name but God does, and He has brought you here for a reason. My prayer is that you will find the freedom in the truth of God’s word.

Blessings, Francine

Note: If you’re a new visitor here, welcome. You might want to check out the entry for July 18 – it will give you an idea about the basis for my beliefs.

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