While Keli is at work, the other 3 of my crew are all doing their homework for tomorrow.  It was a gorgeous day for watching my youngest boy shoot hoops in the church parking lot next door.  (you can see his “amazing shot” video on my FB page).  As we settle into the night, I thought I’d share a few thoughts here at the end of one week and the beginning of the next.

• I did make it to Sunday school and stayed through Worship (music) for church this morning.  A step forward.  We sang a new song this morning–one that I’ve heard before but had not sung in worship before.  The title is simply “Stand”, by Hillsong.  At the end of this post, I’ll add the video and the lyrics.  But the concept that struck me strongly was the idea, once again, of standing.  With my blog titled “Standing Fast” and the verse for this blog being 1 Thessalonians 3:8, the idea of standing is never far from my mind.  The lyrics of this song not only speak to my soul standing (“My Soul to Stand”), but it also references Christ standing.  Standing before creation.  Standing before my failure to carry the cross.  And now I will stand, in awe of the one who gave His life to me.
• But that’s not the only standing that is referenced in scripture.  Kevin DeYoung, this week, tackled the contrast between Christ seated at the right hand of God, and Christ standing at the end of Acts 7.  Stephen has enraged the crowd with his proclamation of the gospel.  He is about to die at the crowd’s hands.  And this is what he says:  55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”  Do you see it?  Jesus is standing–Standing as Steven’s advocate.    Standing to defend Stephen and welcome Him home, and standing to judge those who exercised persecution against Stephen for standing for God’s name’s sake.

For us to stand fast is not nothing.  For Jesus Christ, the son of God to stand is not nothing.  Even more so.  My soul to stand.

• I’m reading a book that I would highly recommend.  It’s titled the “The Little Way of Ruthie Leming”  I think I first read about it in this review in Christianity Today Magazine.  I would highly, highly recommend it.  I started it today and I can hardly put it down.  However it’s absolutely tearing me up–it’s wrecking me.  It’s written by the brother of Ruthie Leming, who died of cancer at age 40.  It details the extreme grief of loss of this school teacher for this small community in Louisiana.  But it also beautifully describes community, as this small town rallies around this family in their time of extreme need.  It also reflects deeply upon God, and His role and compassion in suffering.  Ruthie Leming, upon diagnosis, told her 3 girls “We will not be angry at God about this.” And upon that she insisted.  For me, personally, it’s almost too close to home–growing up in a small town, having my school teacher mom die so early of cancer, and my hometown’s response (Fairfield, Iowa).  The anniversary of her death was just a few days ago, and I wrote about it here.  But the reason I would recommend it for anyone in ministry, is to be reminded of the importance of community, especially those who minister in smaller communities.  It will rip your heart out, but it will also teach you things that you can’t learn in seminary.
• I would appreciate prayer for my sweet but tough-as-nails grandmother, who fell and broke her hip this weekend.  She’s had surgery, but is experiencing quite a bit of pain.  At 90, her recovery could be lingering, especially since this is her second fall and her second time facing rehab.
• Tomorrow starts a brand new week–a new chance to fight to stand fast.  I pray that each of us will do so.

“The Stand”