Taking a Vacation from the Lord?

I'll confess! I have trouble choosing to spend private time with the Lord while on vacation. I especially hate to confess that it actually feels like a vacation is also a vacation from the Lord. Of course, I'm aware of Him and still think and turn to Him during the day, but when I'm out of my normal routine, it's very hard to read the Bible and pray with concentration.

That's especially true when I'm visiting our daughter. I get ready after waking up so that when our 3 1/2 year old grandson wakes up, I can be available. I'm so eager to spend every moment with him. And as I get ready, looking forward to his happy smile, the Lord whispers, "I'm as eager for you to seek me, Kathy. I look forward to your face, whether happy or sad or whatever."

Yet I am in vacation mode and I don't choose and love the Lord well.

What about you? Do you have any ideas for making sure a vacation includes private time with the Lord? I'd love to hear your ideas.

In Pain, But It's For the Team

Last evening, a football player was interviewed after his winning game and admitted that he was hurt and in pain from an injury. They played a piece showing him running and he commented, "Yeah, I was running at 60%." It looked like he was going fast to me, plus, he made a touchdown!

Then he said, "But it's for the team. I'm hurting but it's for the team."

I thought about that this morning on my walk. How many of us are willing to suffer and be in pain for the sake of "the team"--the Body of Christ? How many of us are willing to be misrepresented, or misunderstood, or falsely accused for the Body of Christ? And I'm not just thinking of from unbelievers, but from our own brothers and sisters in the Lord?

If the outside world sees us as the family of Christ who are in contention with each other, then how is that representing the Lord? Are we willing to be in emotional pain for the sake of "the Team?"

The Apostle Paul writes, "Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;" (Philippians 1:27 NASB).

I know of a couple who had every right to sue their business partners because they were wronged. But to protect the reputation of the Gospel and to follow Scripture which says not to sue, they moved and downsized to what they could afford, having lost their financial foundation. They didn't defend themselves, but trusted God for His protection, their own reputation, and "the Team's" reputation.

In time, they were honored by others for their suffering and the Lord orchestrated a financial bonus.

Now, I'm sure that there are times when it is appropriate and called for, for righteousness to be defended through going to court. God can lead in that way. But are we willing to suffer and be in pain in order for us to "with one mind strive for the Gospel"?

Paul continues in Philippians 1, "There's far more to this life than trusting in Christ. There's also suffering for him. And the suffering is as much a gift as the trusting. You're involved in the same kind of struggle you saw me go through, on which you are now getting an updated report in this letter" (29-30 The Message).

How to Make a Memorial Service Available throughout the World

In my last post, I told how I had the privilege of speaking at Jenny's memorial service.

A special opportunity was used by the family for making the service available on the internet. It's called Memorial Webcasts. Memorial Webcasts both make the event available on the internet as it's occurring and then also have it available on their website for a year. Since Jenny and her husband, Marty, are from a different part of the country and have friends and relatives all over the United States and even into foreign countries, this was a wonderful opportunity for many to watch the service if they couldn't come in person.

In case you'd like to watch her service, click on Jenny's Memorial Service.

If you'd like more information, check out Memorial Webcasts.

What Will They Say About You at Your Memorial?

Two posts ago, I talked about my friend, Jenny, joining Jesus in heaven. Yesterday, I gave a five minute talk about her at her memorial. Working on the talk made me think about what I would want said about me at my memorial. I think that's a good exercise in asking the Lord to show us what our priorities are and what is coming across to others. Here's what I said about Jenny. Maybe it will be fodder for you to ask yourself those questions.

Memorial of Jennifer Powell Jacobus (1954-2010)

It's a joy to reflect on Jenny's life through the lens of the four years I knew her. I'm grateful to the Lord for giving me the privilege of knowing her. I appreciated three main qualities in Jenny that inspired, encouraged, and humbled me. Hebrews 10:24 says, “let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.” Jenny did that through her big heart, her wide vision, and her great passion.

Jenny's big heart revealed her love and care for others. I was impacted by Jenny's love for her family and even though I've only met most of you recently, I love you because of hearing of Jenny's love for you.

Jenny's love was a Jesus kind of love—it was love in action. When Tammy, who is the daughter of a friend of ours, was getting re-established in a new home, Jenny took the initiative to drive Tammy to thrift stores, helping her to find bargains. And Jenny knew where to find the bargains! Jenny was instrumental in collecting things for Tammy from all our friends and gave Tammy one of her own beautiful area rugs.. Jenny helped Tammy develop beauty in her new home. Jenny's big heart was practical and active.

Besides Jenny's big heart, she also had wide vision. One day Jenny and I were driving down Hwy 111 and Jenny saw a building for sale. She said, “FCA should buy that building.” (NOTE: Jenny and her husband, Marty, serve with Fellowship of Christian Athletes.)

I was blown away with her vision. I saw it so often as she dreamed big. I'm a status quo person and I really needed to hear Jenny's wide vision. She inspired me to dream big; to ask God for things that would show His generosity and power.

Yes, Jenny had a big heart and wide vision, and she also had great passion for God.

I remember the day when my husband, Larry, returned from a men's Bible Study and said, “I met a great Christian guy named Marty. I'd like to have him and his wife over for dinner.” When Marty and Jenny came over, I was immediately impressed with their love for God and their ministry. When I heard that Jenny had come to California even though she had no family living here, I was really impressed.

I mentioned to her that I would be having a women's mini-retreat at my house the next week. There was a spot open, would she be interested? I really didn't think she would be open to the idea since she'd only just met me. But she wanted all God would give her so she committed to coming. And that's where our friendship began.

After that, the 7 women who attended the mini-retreat began a small group we called “Soul Sisters.” We met every month and began opening our hearts to each other in deep ways. I loved and appreciated Jenny's passion for growing closer to God. She wanted God to speak to her, to lead her, and to use her. In fact, Jenny would want this very gathering to point to Jesus, not to herself.

As our friendship grew and as we would meet for coffee one-on-one, I so appreciated Jenny's ability to speak the truth with love. As I would share a struggle, Jenny would listen carefully. And then she had a wonderful way of responding when some perception of mine was off track. She would give a little “hmmmm.” And then ask a perceptive question to help me think correctly. She gently exhorted me to godliness.

And she also prayed. She remembered my prayer requests and would follow up later, asking for an update. I knew she had prayed. She made me feel loved and cared for. That was how her powerful passion for God to be glorified, was lived out.

I'm really going to miss Jenny as my friend, encourager and inspiration. I don't understand God's plan but I trust Him. Though Jenny's life seemed short to us, she was powerfully used by God. And I'll always be grateful for her impact in my life.