The iPond

Almost bedtime a few nights ago, I logged onto the computer to check email. One notified me of a direct message (DM) from @mrdavidwilcox on Twitter.

A huge fan, I signed in to Twitter to read it again. While there, I glanced at my Twitter stream and noticed David (I'm guessing we're now on a first name basis) had also replied to a tweet I'd sent him!

Quickly I scanned further and found two other tweets that continued conversations I'd started plus a new DM. Not wanting to let those folks down I jotted brief replies after looking up a few bits of info on each to appear slightly less of a Twitter novice (which I think would appropriately be called a Twit.)

I sent my replies, did one retweet and read new ones that had appeared. Someone referenced Facebook, so I logged in there to make a couple quick comments as well.

Back on Twitter, I figured a mini thought-of-the-day would be a good way to close. Plus, it couldn't take long to write only 140 characters. My fingers flying on the keyboard, I wrote, read, edited, and tweeted.

Taking a deep breath I looked at the clock. Thirty minutes had somehow slipped by as I "briefly" checked email and my social media sites. Yikes!

-Not long after an iPod Touch became part of our family, my three year old daughter referred to it as "Daddy's iPond."

We laughed at her slip though sometimes that's painfully close to the truth.-

Do Good - Take note of how much time you are spending on social media and technology this week. Is it benefitting and refreshing you and others? Do you need to make changes in this area of life?

In college we had a favorite quote about our late nights and first-hour classes: "It's useless to rise early and go to bed late." Useless. Not less beneficial, not exhausting - useless! Another translation of this Psalm read "It is vain for you to rise early and retire late."

Why? The writer answers in the next phrase, "for God gives rest to his loved ones." If you're not sure that includes you, remember that "God loved the world" so He sent us Jesus. Jesus tells us that by "believing I came directly from the Father, the Father loves you directly."

You are loved by the Father, the very God of the universe. I pray this blog reminds you of that, and hopefully then this time will have been well-spent! Plus, maybe we can all be more mindful if streams of life are flowing through us or if we have simply started wallowing in our individual iPonds.

Lord, Thank you that we don't need to tweet, download, blog or Facebook in vain! Help us to approach all of life with Your love.

I Just Learned How to Cook (and Love)

"I can change any one's eating habits," a friend declared.

Hmmm, I thought to myself, I'm not so sure...

"After all," she continued, "Myron didn't even eat vegetables when you got married, and now look at him!"

It's true. Myron's idea of a salad used to be iceberg lettuce slathered in dressing and buried in cheese. Now he prefers romaine and spinach with a variety of veggies and proteins.*

I pondered my friends comment and thought back to the last year.

Nursing a dairy and soy-intolerant baby forced me into a diet of unprocessed, whole foods. I really learned to cook as I could no longer warm-up prepared foods. In this process Myron and I discovered our new healthy diet tasted delicious and helped us feel great.

Did I change his eating habits? No, I realized, I just learned how to cook!

Do Good Personally - Make salad a main dish for at least one meal in the next week. If this doesn't sound filling, creatively add proteins, vegetables and a slice of bread on the side.*

I wondered more deeply, is it really possible to change anyone? A simple thought emerged: We don't change any one's mind or heart, we just learn how to love.

Saint Paul said we could be the most thrilling, eloquent speaker or a spectacular miracle-worker or even the most generous person in history, but if we don't love it won't mean anything! "So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I'm bankrupt without love." (I Corinthians 13:1-7)

Am I motivated by love in all the encouraging words I say, things I do and even the sacrifices I make for others? Or, am I simply acting out of my own need to matter in this world? What is this kind of love truly infuses meaning into life?

I used to be completely compelled by my own longing to be significant. At a time in my life when I was so broken that I could not be anything but shattered, God gently showed me His love. He lifted up my weary head and showed my teary eyes the cross of Jesus Christ in a whole new light - "You matter."

God is love. His love brings meaning, purpose, and even change into our lives.

Do Good - Pick a truth about love below. Meditate on it and ask God how He wants you to specifically change your thinking and behavior. Pray believing that you will learn to really love.

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.

A diet soda and crispy chicken sandwich used to be my healthy alternative at a restaurant. Are you substituting empty, false human love for the real thing from God? I pray that we can all learn to love. With that, there will be no stopping us from being Up To Know Good!

God, thank You that You are love. Help us to believe and learn so we may change and help our hurting world.

*Myron's Spectacular Salad
Romaine
Spinach
Finely sliced green onion
Sliced mushrooms
Carrots
Craisins and/or raisins
Hard-boiled egg
Ham
Sunflower seeds
Freshly shredded Colby and/or Monterey Jack (or whatever cheese you love)
Sprinkle with fresh ground pepper
Favorite dressings: Paul Newman's Vinaigrette or Annie's Cowgirl Ranch
ENJOY!

"What do you want me to do for you?"

Welcome to Up To Know Good
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Here we believe that when we Know Good, we want to Do Good, and that feels really good!
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Every Wednesday in our weekly routine my daughters and I encounter the same man. He wears a black and red jacket with a cap bearing an unfamiliar insignia. He has tattoos on his face and usually carries a sign asking for money to help his children.

The first week, it was easy to give him a small donation. The second week, I only had a granola bar to offer. The third week, another contribution. But something happened as time went on. Week by week I gave a small food or money gift, but six weeks later, I got annoyed and didn't give him anything.

As I accelerated past him through the familiar intersection, guilt overwhelmed me. Why was I annoyed? Because this seems to be his way of life? Because I wanted the money or snack for myself? No, I was irritated because of what he revealed in me: an unwillingness to ask.

Unlike me, scripture records another man on the side of the road who knew Who and how to ask.

One day, Jesus walked with a crowd into Jericho when a blind man yelled for His attention.
"Stop it and be quiet!" the crowd said to hush him up quickly, but the blind man persisted, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

Jesus asked them to bring the man to him. Jesus posed this simple question, "What do you want me to do for you?"

The blind man was face-to-face with One able to help him. He didn't waste time explaining his life story, asking for a little food, or even begging for a blessing. "Lord, I want to see," he replied.

Direct, bold, and effective, he spoke fearlessly and full of faith.

Seeing through his dirty, dusty exterior, Jesus immediately grants his request. "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you."

With nothing to offer Jesus but faith, the beggar stated his greatest need and desire - sight!

Do Good - Keep a few extra dollars or snacks in your car to hand out when you have the opportunity. Don't judge; bless.

Back in 2010, the tattoo-faced stranger I met was thankfully in his usual spot the next Wednesday. Despite a rare green light, I slowed the car and got his attention. I don't know his story, but I know he asks. My prayer is that he will be blessed, and he will ask Jesus to meet his deepest need - sight.

My prayer for myself is that I will ask. Blind, dirty, dusty and with nothing to offer, may I be fearless and faithful. When I can't articulate my deepest need, I borrow the prayer from the blind beggar:

Lord, I want to see! Thank You for putting all I need in Your Word. I pray also that the eyes of our hearts may be enlightened in order that we may know the hope to which You have called us. You listen perfectly and heal completely. How I love You!

Live Carelessly

Years ago I habitually looked for the cheapest items on a restaurant menu. I checked prices first and food second and worried primarily about my wallet, not my stomach. At supper one night, my friend Brian realized what I was doing. He reached across the table and covered up the prices on my menu. He gazed at me and asked, “What are you hungry for?” His directness brought awareness - what was I hungry for? I hadn’t thought to ask myself that question.

Do Good – As you look at a menu or shop at the grocery store, consider what you really want to eat. If you already do this, take the next step and pay the bill for another table at a restaurant.

I will always be grateful to Brian for revealing my unhealthy, narrow thinking. Unconsciously I limited myself and just thought that cheapest was best. Thankfully now I can find balance between what I want and what I can afford. In this and many other ways God has shown me His tremendous ability to give me what I desire and need.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.” Matthew 6:25. Read more.

God, it’s so easy for us to get caught up in worry. Today we choose to live carelessly and get caught up in thoughts of You instead. Thank You for all that You give us!