Holy Meditation

It is time for us as Christians to begin meditating... daily. It is a must.
For most of my life I thought meditation was a bad thing. I thought it was something for Tibetan monks and those practicing yoga. And truth be told I never put much thought to it. Ironic isn't it, not putting much thought to that which the Bible tells us to put thought to.

I've never heard it preached how we should meditate on God, His word, His ways, and His laws. I've heard many the lesson on obeying them, but never one teaching to simply sit and think on them. Yet time and again the Bible tells us to do just that.

Meditating on God's word offers us a chance to sit back and think on His ways and how they apply to our own personal lives. If we do not think on these things, how then can they help us be prepared for life. Day in and out we face ups and downs and if we do not study (with intent) God's word, then are we just hoping it may influence us a little more than the television and the movies we're watching and the music we listen to. Maybe that verse we read over will influence our decisions more than our friends, family and co-workers.

That is not how it works. We must intentionally spend time thinking over God and all he has for us. We must meditate on Him.

To get a clearer understanding of what meditation truly is I once again turned to my trusty Webster's New World Dictionary. Looking up the word "meditate" I found that it means "to plan or intend" or "to think deeply."

I also looked in The Layman's Bible Encyclopedia. According to it, meditation is a "form of private devotion consisting of deep, continued reflection on some religious theme. The word seldom occurs outside of Psalms, but the practice of meditation is clearly regarded as beneficial for Christians. The objects of meditation mentioned in the Psalms are God, his law, and his works. It appears that meditation means active contemplation of its object, a deliberate effort being made to put all distractions out of one's mind. In the Bible it does not have reference to the contemplative mysticism common to Oriental religions and which has had its devotees in Christianity."

It truly seems to go hand in hand with God's call for us to be still. In being still and knowing that He is God, we must actually put thought to the "knowing." How do we know when two people are in love? We put thought into it. We study their ways and note how they look at each other and hold hands. We notice the way they talk to each other and what they say. How then are we to know unwaveringly that God loves us? We have to put thought into it. Know He calls us beloved and take note of the way He cares for us.

The Psalmists repeatedly claim to meditate on God and His precepts. Psalm 1 says the man who does not counsel or stand with the wicked and sinners is blessed. Verse 2 adds that "his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night."

Psalm 119:15 says, "I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways." The Psalmist expands further in verses 97 and 148. He claims his love for God's ways ("Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.") and spends night and day thinking on them ("My eyes stay open through the watches of the night that I may meditate on your promises.").

So to fully grasp this concept we must not read the Bible daily for the sole purpose of simply reading the Bible each and every day. It then becomes mundane and we find our selves scanning through to reach our three chapters a day quota. Scripture calls us to go beyond that and actually spend time afterward thinking on it, considering it, praying about it.

Beth Moore points out in her Bible study Daniel: Lives of Integrity, Words of Prophecy that Daniel "resolved" not to defile himself even though he was in the midst of Babylon (Daniel 1:8). To resolve is to "analyze... determine... solve... to come to a decision" (Webster's). One doesn't accidentally resolve to do anything. Living a godly life does not happen by accident. Rearing godly children does not happen by accident. Growing deeper in our walk and relationship with God and Christ is not an accident. We must put though toward these things. We will not accidentally end up in heaven any more than we will accidentally end up in the White House. It takes planning, thought, and effort.

Without thought and meditation, how can we be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2)? We cannot. And renewal is exactly what we need. It's an unfortunate lesson I've learned. By not remaining aware of my thoughts I left an open door for Satan. While my thoughts were not sinful on the surface, they were sin. I was full of constant fear and anxiety. I was being double minded (James 1) and I spiraled out of control.

Only when I was in full on panic attacks did I realize I needed help. I remember dropping to my knees and crying out to God. I turned to His word and began reading and studying with a fervency that tends to only come when you are under serous attack from the enemy. I began doing something I hadn't done since I was a child in Sunday school and actively memorizing Bible verses. I had to be transformed. My mind needed complete reprogramming.

I blessed to say that God heard and He answered. I'm also blessed to say I learned my lesson. Had I been meditating on God's word all along, I would have answered every nagging worry and concern with God's promises. I also would have obeyed Christ's numerous commands not to worry.

Not being conscious of our thoughts toward God and about Him -- or even making sure we have them -- can lead to dangerous territory. It is, indeed, a slow fade. We may not realize the occasional thought of a cute co-worker has led to lust or that our constant annoyance with our boss has led to hate or even that our time in front of the television has gained more importance to us than our daily time alone with God.

As Pastor Peter Van Niekirk said earlier this year while visiting the states, we have got to start "living on purpose." For our thoughts become our words and our words eventually become our actions.

Be Still

Lately I've been trying to learn what it truly means to "be still." Kids hear that a lot. I know mine do, but I feel as though God has been saying it to me too. And not just recently, for a long time now.

I struggle with it because I don't know what to do. Does it mean to be inactive, to stop doing all the projects and ministries I'm a part of? Or is it to sit in a silent room away from all distractions, focusing only on God?

I decided to pull out my trusty dictionary that's been around since my elementary school days. There I found a proven definition of the word "still":

(Adj) 1. Without sound; silent. 2. Soft or low in sound. 3. Calm; tranquil. 5. Not effervescent (meaning to give off gas bubbles or to be lively and high spirited).

(Noun) 1. Silence; quiet. 2. A still photograph.

(Adverb) 1. At or up to the time indicated. 2. Even; yet. 3. Nevertheless; yet.

So being "still" is not one of my strong suites. Not because of my effervescent personality, but more because I'm a Martha -- as in Mary and Martha. I'm a worker and a volunteer-for-everything, can't say "No" type of person. But yet the tug at my heart has been to be still.
As I read through the Book of Psalms, David speaks of it repeatedly. Psalm 46:10 says, "Be still, and now that I am God..." That's no small thing. According to The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, those words carry "the idea of refraining from vain strivings and lack of confidence." That goes a long way toward describing me. What good were my actions if my soul was never at rest, when in the end it is not my actions that will save me but my relationship with God. And lack of confidence? Behind all my work that's exactly what I was left with. That was it! For me I had some how come to to a misunderstanding. I had mistook my busyness for the Lord and all the work I did for Him as a close relationship with Christ.

The idea truly hit me when I was recently reading Joanna Weaver's book Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World. Joanna writes, "I don't like loneliness, so I fill the space with phone calls and social events and trips to the mall -- but loneliness, as my friend Jeanne Mayo puts it, can be "God's call to fellowship with him." I don't like quietness, so I fill up the silence with sitcoms and talk shows, Christian music and CNN -- but it was in the quiet of the night that Samuel heard God's voice."

I can see so much more clearly now that the desire for stillness is also a desire for a deeper more personal relationship with God. He wants not only to be my King, Lord, and Saviour, but to truly be my friend. That means a resolved approach to Bible study and daily devotions and prayer. A renewed interest, not in simply being involved in church but in going to learn, grow, and meet with God.

For so much of my life, church days were the busiest of the week. There were classes to be taught, praise and worship songs to sing, missions to build up, and youth trips to organize. And don't even get me started on the weeks of preparation before vacation Bible school each summer. In looking back, I have certainly worked for the Kingdom, but I can't say that any of it brought me closer to Christ.

Weaver says that "We were designed to be close to God." I'm learning that more and more now. The more time I have been saving for him lately -- in personal prayer and Bible study as well as corporate through the church -- the more and more I want. Now multiply that infinitely and that is how God feels about spending time with me (and you) as well. It's a little like that old chip commercial that says you can't eat just one. The more of God you get, the more you hunger for him. The more time you sacrifice to give him in your life, the more you want to give up for him.
In the few short months I've renewed my resolve to pursue Him, I've been amazed at the miracles around me. I can hear His voice so much more clearly and my life has completely changed. I'm happier than I've been in ages and have truly began to let go of years of stress and worry. It's amazing what a little prayer in your day can accomplish.

The Last Few Weeks

Here's what the Andersons' have been up to the last few weeks.

Apples and Bannanas for Teacher's Day Brunch.

Cute as a Bug.

Relaxing along the Tail Race Canal before dinner.

Kids and Grands.


Flowers Blooming.

Working the Door.

Growing so Big.

Homemade popsicles before the game.

Learning to share.

Brothers and Friends.

The Lingering Giant

This is one of my articles that originally ran in the Summer 2007 edition of Reach Out Columbia!

I just wanted to share it because it is one of my favorites:

The Lingering Giant

The ladies at my church recently decided to meet for Tuesday night Bible study. The book of choice was going to Max Lucado’s Facing Your Giants. No problem there. Lucado is a great writer and always has an interesting read, regardless of the subject. There is also nothing I love more than gathering with other Spirit-led women. I am inspired and uplifted by other Christian women and I believe it is always important to build yourself a great network of them.
As we delved into this book about giants and problems we all face, I found myself thinking this wasn’t the Bible study for me. I would continue to read the book and attend the meetings because the fellowship was tremendous. As far as what I needed right now in my life, however, this wasn’t it. I’ve been a Christian a long time and I know all this stuff. I know to lean not on my own understanding and keep my eyes on God. I know that if I focus on my giant, it will be overwhelming. I know that God can take impossible situations and bring me out on top. I know all of this. Or at least I thought I did.
During discussion of the book in the second meeting, Brenda, our group leader, shared a very deep and personal story of her own struggle. It was a huge struggle with forgiveness. Funny, I didn’t get that out of the first four chapters. Where was this coming from? But as she shared, I saw what an unconquerable giant unforgiveness can be. I realized that despite how much I knew, I couldn’t control how I felt. No matter how many scriptures I can quote, they mean nothing without a right heart.
I also realized that of all the giants I’ve ever faced, unforgiveness was among the mightiest. It was Goliath, standing in a field, calling to me, mocking me. And I, in all my piety, hid from it. I shoved it deep down inside and never looked back. I told myself I had forgiven the person who had shaken the church I was raised in, who hurt so many of my family and friends. I even spoke well of him if asked, and took my son to their Vacation Bible School. I hid it so well; I didn’t even realize the giant still existed. But it did.
As Brenda spoke that night, God spoke to me. He was calling me out. Showing me that even though I had shoved those hurt feelings into the deepest crevasse of my heart, they were still taking up space in the heart I had dedicated to Him. I had promised Him my all, but instead I was packing away old feelings of resentment in the space I’d allotted Him.
When my husband and I moved to Columbia last year, we came across a lot of old stuff we’d forgotten about. Boxes shoved in the attic or stacked in the shed. The same was true with the “boxes” God was pointing out. The buyers of our old house didn’t want any of our junk left behind anymore than God does. And, the thing that moved me the most wasn’t the humbling I felt after God spoke to me, but the fact that He loves me so much, so completely, that He wants every square inch of me. Sure, God can use anyone to do anything, despite our hang-ups and our “hang-ons,” but He wants all of me. He loves me so much that He wants all of me.
Needless to say I spent many hours in prayer after that. I’d like to say all of those ugly feelings disappeared immediately, vanishing without a trace. But I’m still working on it by surrendering them to the Lord. The difference? I’m aware of the giant now. I’m answering back with God’s Word. Words like David used when he faced his giant, Goliath. “I come in the name of the Lord of hosts…This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee… that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel” (I Samuel 17:45-46 KJV).
Are you still moving around old boxes that need to go? Maybe something from childhood; possibly a remark from your wedding day; anything that takes up the space God wants so badly in your heart. God can take care if them for you. He can help you find them and sort through them. You’ll feel lighter and God will have more room to work in your life. Give Him a call today!

True Blessings

You know you're truly blessed when you're being hugged by a little angel. This is one of the ways I know God loves me. Such light, laughter, and happiness wrapping his tiny arms around my knees. How could there be any doubt?

Corrin, Ethan and I went to the National Day of Prayer community prayer service last Thursday. It was an amazing experience. As we walked up, a man who had been walking ahead of us along the sidewalk stopped and pulled out his shoffar and began to blow it in all directions as a call to prayer. With people streaming in from all sides, it was a mighty picture. As we came up to the State House, there was a young woman on the lawn dancing as she sang quietly along with her Ipod. People were already beginning to pray together. All around was such wonderful camaraderie and friendship. We were all there for the same purpose, gathering for the same reasons. It did not matter that we did not know each other or were all from different walks of life. It did not matter that we were of different races and denominations. We love and worship the same God and we were coming together in His name. Tears surprised me by welling up in my eyes. All I could think was, "This is how it was meant to be."

Daily Devotion

So this is where I spent my morning devotion today.

I usually try to hide for short periods of time in my library but there was so much light, along with the flowers, that the kitchen table became irresistible. I've been studying Daniel with Beth Moore's Bible study. I must admit I've never spent a lot of time studying in this book except for Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (their testimony is my favorite of all time - such resolve and courage). I think what I've gotten most out of the study so far is this: Holiness is not accidental. It's planned for and you must resolve to it. Oh the resolve Daniel must have had to go before the king and ask for a chance to interpret his dream. And the resolve of his three friends as the faced the king beside the raging fire and told him they weren't going to argue the matter with him, they weren't bowing. I know that they felt fear but it never became an issue. They were willing and prepared to risk there lives on God. How often has fear of what people think of me dictated what I did or said, much less a life or death situation? I think I'm going to work on my resolve.

Early Mother's Day...

What a great day! Waffles for breakfast and flowers at lunchtime. A girl couldn't ask for more.