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I like children’s music and videos and stories. I learn a lot from them. Sometimes the most profound truth can be explained with two scoops and some breakfast cereal.

Posted by Robin Schmidt on February 26th, 2009 Read more »

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>submitted by Robin Schmidt

>Submitted by Robin Schmidt

My hands are full, my plate, my to do list. All full. That is the state of our culture. Busy, busy, busy. We are stressed from it. We are tired.

So why do we do it?

Because it is easier.

Really.

Being busy doing things is MUCH easier than being with people in relationship.

We are a society that wants to know “What am I supposed to do?” If I am doing something then I can measure HOW I am doing. I can measure success, failure. I can measure my progress, my improvement.

What does God want me to do? We read the Bible for the dos (and don’ts). We make a list.

Take being a deacon. Note: “being” a deacon, yet what is the first question? What do deacons do?

What indeed. We can bring meals, we can pray, we can help financially. When you are in need I will be there to DO something.

But what about just being there? I may feel the need to fix or solve your problem. But can I? Really, can I fix your troubles? So what can I do? I could be with you.

Twenty years ago, at the end of the third month of my second pregnancy I went to the hospital. I was there for two days. When I came home I was no longer pregnant. I spent two additional days at home recuperating from the loss of both baby and blood. When I was physically stronger I wanted only to be with my 18 month old daughter.

I sat on the floor wanting to hold her, love her, be with her. And she wanted…

scissors.

She had spied some scissors and was asking for them, getting frustrated with my “no” answer, and she began to cry and fuss and reach for them (I had placed them high out of her reach).

And I sat on the floor and thought, Anne, forget the scissors, here I am, come be with me.

And it hit me. That’s what God wanted me to understand. Robin, the baby is gone, here I am, come be with me.

Being with, being still.

God loves us. He wants to be with us. We must stop doing, must stop reaching for everything else. We must be still. And be with God.

Be still and know that I AM God.

Be still and know God.

Be still.

Be.

With God.

>Submitted by Robin Schmidt

Have you ever heard the fire insurance analogy? Hell being a place of eternal fire, the “sales pitch” is made that Jesus is your insurance policy against fire/hell.

You may be shaking your head in wonder or chuckling, but many of us do think of God in that way. Maybe not as fire insurance, but certainly as some form of coverage against disaster.

I was listening to a radio station on the way to work and listeners were being invited to call in with stories of “close calls.” Incidents in which tragedy was held back by the hand of God. All common sense and logic points to death or dismembering, but God…

We have all heard such a story or maybe have our own story. The Bible is chock full of examples of God intervening in awesome and unbelievable ways. The walls of Jericho falling, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the furnace, or tax money in the mouth of a fish. (Maybe I should have been fishing last week before I mailed in my state income tax return.) Many people called in with stories that morning.

But what about the folks listening who didn’t call in?

The folks who have different stories to tell. The stories of when tragedy wasn’t averted. When death came. The Bible tells those stories too. How many apostles died of natural causes, and how many died a martyr’s death?

What does that mean?

If God was looking out for me when I was rescued from disaster, was He not looking out for me when disaster struck? Did I need a better policy? Does tragedy imply a failure on my part? …if only more people were praying… if only I was more faithful. Does tragedy imply a failure on God’s part?

Or is it maybe not that simple?

Scottish preacher and author George MacDonald suggests the only place worth being is where God is – no matter the circumstances.

A fine view to proclaim when the sun is shining and all is right with the world. Tragedy is doable in theory, when we aren’t actually enduring it.

I have been listening to a hymn written by Francis Xavier, 1506-1552, which has raises a question…

My God, I love You, not because I hope for heav’n thereby,
Nor yet for fear that loving not I might forever die;
But for that You did all mankind upon the cross embrace,
For us did bear the nails and spear, and manifold disgrace.

And griefs and torments numberless, and sweat of agony,
Even death itself, and all for man, who was Your enemy.
Then why, most loving Jesus Christ, should I not love You well?
Not for the sake of winning heav’n nor any fear of hell.

Not with the hope of gaining all, not seeking my reward,
But as You first have loved me, O ever-loving Lord!
Even so I love You, and will love, and in Your praise will sing,
Solely because You are my God and my eternal King,
Solely because You are my God and my eternal King!

Why do I love God?

Why do you?

>by Robin Schmidt

I bought a One Year Chronological Bible at the end of last year. My new year’s resolution was to read through the entire Bible. I even thought I would like to read “ahead” so that I would complete the reading before the holidays this year. I started out strong. I read every day, by the end of January I was into the mid February readings. And then it came to a dead halt. I don’t remember why.

I had enlisted a friend to be accountable with and at the end of February I went to visit her and we decided we would “catch up” with our reading together. So I sat down, poolside in the sunshine and began to read. The trouble was I couldn’t go quickly. There were things to ponder and even to talk about together as we read. But if I am going to read through the entire Bible, I don’t have time to stop and think about it. At this pace I will never catch up!

Reminds me of a song by Alabama:

I’m in a hurry to get things done,
I rush and rush until life’s no fun
All I’ve really got to do is live and die,
But I’m in a hurry and don’t know why.

I still want to read the entire Bible, and I will, but I think now that laying my eyes on every word is not the point. The point, I think, is to lay my eyes on God.

If the Bible could be distilled down to its most basic message you might be able to say it with three words: Look at God.

That is hard to do. Looking at God is what stopped when sin entered the picture. Adam and Eve were looking to hide, not wanting God to see them and not wanting to see him. They stopped walking together.

Famine

The book of Joel begins by describing a devastation of the land by locust. What the gnawing locust left, the swarming locust ate, what the swarming locust left the creeping locust had eaten, what they left the stripping locust had eaten.

There was nothing left. Drunks were sober, there was no wine. There was nothing for the animals to eat, nothing to offer on the altar. They were starving. There was nothing.

And the Lord told them to declare a holy fast.

Right.

There is no food – not like when your teenager says “there’s nothing to eat.” This is a famine and there is nothing to eat, NOTHING. And God directs the people to declare a holy fast.

Why? Because in a famine you are looking for food, when you are fasting you are looking at God.

God speaks

When Jesus was walking the earth God the Father spoke audibly twice. Can you imagine? What was that like? I wonder what impact that had on the people who could hear it. God spoke out loud twice.

The first time was when Jesus went to John to be baptized. God said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” At the transfiguration God said the same thing with an addition. John, James and Peter are on the mountain with Jesus and God speaks, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased: listen to Him.”

Listen to Him.

Choices

Jesus told Martha that her sister Mary made a better choice. Mary chose to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to him. Martha was all bent out of shape about everything that needed to be done, but do you know what? Jesus wasn’t going to talk forever. It’s not like his life was one long monologue. He would eventually stop teaching and then they could get a meal together. Martha had a choice: stay all hot and bothered or stop and listen first and then work later.

Be still and know that I am God. It is hard to be still. It is hard to listen. But it is a choice, and remarkably it is available for anyone. So, what’ll it be? Fast or Famine?

>by Robin Schmidt

Have you hauled out the holly? Decked the halls? Do you hear jingle bells? Silver bells? Are you simply having a wonderful Christmas time?

The sounds of Christmas…music.

Music is an amazing and powerful thing. It can set a mood, or take you back in time. Words and sound combine and together give expression to our deepest emotions.

If I am alone in the house I will sit by the lit tree and play Amy Grant…Breath of Heaven, Little Town of Bethlehem, Emmanuel. I listen and contemplate and pray.

If I am out and about I enjoy Paul McCartney’s Simply Having a Wonderful Christmas Time, it has a cheerful energy.

Silver Bells takes me to my Grandma’s house on the east side.

Growing up I opened gifts to the sound of Johnny Mathus.

No one does Jingle Bells like Barbara Streisand (upsot?).

My favorite carols are God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and O Holy Night.

What about you? What is the Christmas music of your childhood? What is your favorite carol? Why? I would love to hear about the music that touches you.

P.S. Don’t let this Sunday, December 9th, be a silent night. Come to Grace Chapel at 7pm for One Starry Night. We will be filling the air with the sounds of Christmas.

>“Over the river and through the woods, to Grandmother’s house we go.
The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh in the white and drifting snow.”

I always think of that as a Thanksgiving song. Thanksgiving approaches and I begin to sing those lines in my head. It is very comforting isn’t it? The road to Grandmother’s home is so familiar the horse knows the way.

I wish I knew as much as that horse. I have no idea where I am headed.

Mapquest
I would like a map, please. I would like to be able to trace the path I will travel and see what is coming. I want to know if I’m headed over a river and then through some woods. I want to be prepared, get geared up, brace myself. I want to know what is coming and what is expected of me. I would like it all laid out very clear and plain.

I haven’t been given a map, have you?

Uncharted territory
Have you been following Helena’s recovery? Day after day Chris reports of progress that amazes everyone. We marvel at the wonders reported and witnessed. We about burst with joy. Who could have guessed five weeks ago we would be here today? Who can predict where we will be tomorrow?

Not me.


Tight squeeze
There is a narrow path – that’s the one I want to be on. It’s a tougher trail. Sadly, it is the road less traveled.

To travel this narrow path I have to stay within earshot of a still, small voice. I have to walk close enough to God to hear Him.

Now that’s a narrow path.

Stay the course
There are a lot of people following Helena’s recovery from the accident. And many of them are drawing close to God, close enough to talk, to ask for His mercy and healing for this dear daughter.

I don’t know where I’m headed. But I know from whence I’ve come. And looking back, ah that path is clear and I see God. I see His provision, His grace, His love, His care. And today, tomorrow, Thursday, I will draw close to thank Him for all He has done, for how far I have come.

Maybe I know as much as that horse after all. I do not know what lies ahead, but I guess I do know the Way. His name is Jesus. I must remember to stick close.

I watched a friend’s eight month old baby for a few hours last week.

Before I agreed to keep Austin I had made a list of things I was eager to do. I had just bought a carpet cleaner and wanted to clean the carpet on the back porch. While that was drying I hoped to plant four pots of decorative grasses in my front yard garden. And, of course, I had to make dinner for my family.

When Austin arrived I had to make a choice: enlist my daughter’s help and try to accomplish some of my list or…just watch Austin.

I chose to watch. He crawled around my living room, and I removed clumps of cat/dog hair from his path. I took one toy out of his bag and we explored one toy together. We hung out on the floor, giggling and playing until he went to sleep. It was very relaxing, very peaceful. But if you look at my evening, I didn’t do anything. I just watched Austin. I didn’t really accomplish anything. Did I waste my time?

After all, there is a battle going on, a spiritual battle, and I need to participate. I need to take action. I must make a choice: What will I do to participate?

In the garden of Gethsemane Peter saw guards coming to arrest Jesus and he took action. For his weapon he chose a sword. But Jesus said, No.

No? No, don’t take action? Don’t participate?

Oh yes, we are meant to participate. Do you remember what Jesus did ask Peter and the other disciples to do?

“Sit here…keep watch with me.” But they fell asleep.

“So, you could not keep watch with me for one hour? Keep watching and praying…” But they fell asleep. Jesus finished his agonizing time of prayer and went to face his arrest and death.

There was a battle going on. Peter and the disciples were invited to participate, to take action, to take up their weapons and fight, on their knees. Peter didn’t see the big battle, the unseen. And as Doug pointed out Sunday Jesus had more than 12 legions – thousands – of angels, he didn’t need Peter’s sword.

My weapon of choice has been a “to do” list.

Jesus could have been talking to me when he said, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things…” But Lord, there is so much that has to be done.

Mary was listening to the Lord’s word, seated at his feet. “Mary has chosen what is better.”

But Lord, what did she accomplish?

Sometimes going to battle looks like kneeling beside the bed instead of tackling a “to do” list, or wielding a sword, or…

What is your weapon of choice?