2011 – The Thinking Christian Woman

Unlock that mighty power

abundant life, freedom, power of God, spiritual journey, spiritual warfare 2 Responses »

Dec 252011

Yesterday morning after stretching class, my combination lock somehow reset itself (I could feel tumbler resistance when it happened) and I couldn’t open it.

Since lockers (what a fitting name!) at this all-women gym are day use only, bolt cutters are kept handy, but none of the all-women staff had the strength to vanquish my resolute padlock. At one point, me and two staffers ganged up on it, but to no avail. What a pitiful sight – all the grimacing and grunting – as we put no more than a small dent in the shackle.

The Master Lock website aptly describes its shackle: “Made from hardened steel for maximum resistance to cutting and sawing.”

Women-only gym; absolutely no men around; car keys securely in the locker; – a desperate need for some muscle! I could picture one of my brothers, or just about any guy for that matter, grabbing those cutters and, snap, the lock would be off.

My best friend and I were just about to give up and call for a ride, when we decided to try the cutters ourselves, with quiet faith in the power of two believers united in heart and purpose.

“Two are better than one,

because they have a good reward for their labor.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9

Our daily reading recently brought us to Judges 6 and the Gideon story. God’s people had fallen under Midianite oppression after turning away from the Lord and worshiping other, so-called, gods. Things got so bad, the Israelites were hiding in caves and dens.

^“Now the Angel of the LORD came and sat under the terebinth tree which was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, while his son Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites. And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, “The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!” Gideon said to Him, “O my lord,if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.” Then the LORD turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?” So he said to Him, “O my Lord,how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” And the LORD said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man.”

Faced with an unyielding obstacle, I, like Gideon, initially doubted the power available to me. God reminds us in Zechariah 4:6, “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit…” God also encourages us at the beginning of that great spiritual armor passage in Ephesians 6, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”

So it is never my might, and yet, sometimes, God “might” ask me to exercise His power within me, as He did Gideon.

Well, I’ve kept you waiting long enough, yes, you guessed it; the two of us, with focused intent and a unity of spirit forged over years of mutual submission and focus on God’s truths, were able to pool our might (and perhaps our ministering spirit angels pitched in too!) and snap! the stubborn shackle yielded; it was glorious!

I cleared my locker and walked away with a fresh sense of victory and power.

Who might you partner with, as a Thinking Christian Woman, to unlock the mighty power of God and break some shackles for His kingdom?

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The Most Worshipful Place on Earth?

Taking Disney Captive to Christ Comments Off

Dec 052011

Taking Disney Captive to Christ – No. 3

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, UNCLE WALT!

Walter Elias Disney was born on December 5, 1901, in Chicago, Illinois, making today Uncle Walt’s 110th birthday!

Walt did a lot of great things during his life, and over the weekend I discovered another amazing legacy of the life of Walt Disney in the form of the Disneyland Candlelight Procession and Ceremony. Two nights each year in December, the park that Walt built transforms into a cathedral of praise to Jesus the Christ, born to be our Savior!

Here’s a quote from the “Disneyland Park Stage Shows & Live Entertainment” schedule handed out at the gate for the first week in December 2011: “As part of our long standing tradition at the Disneyland Resort, the ‘Candlelight Procession and Ceremony’ will be performed under the stars in Town Square on Main Street, U.S.A. Join us for our holiday spectacular featuring a mass choir that will retell the story of “The First Christmas’ through song and scripture.”

When I first saw the schedule, I wiped my eyes, blinked, then read and re-read that last word…scripture! Scripture was going to be read aloud as part of the Disneyland schedule of events…I was beside myself!

At the appointment time, Sleeping Beauty’s castle flared with holiday splendor, then went dark, along with most of the other park lights, as hundreds upon hundreds of choir-robed singers, each carrying a candle, sang loud and strong, from Small World to Town Square, the traditional worship songs of the season – The First Noel, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, Oh Little Town of Bethlehem, and on and on in a stream of humanity and praise!

The pure power of the sights and sounds brought me to tears. I’d never seen Sleeping Beauty’s castle go dark, other than for fireworks. It reminded me a little of when Queen Elizabeth bowed as Princess Diana’s casket passed Buckingham Palace. I thought Disney, like the Queen, bows to no one, but here I saw humble acknowledgment of the King of kings and Lord of lords, and the voices of hundreds proclaiming His praise…in Disneyland! It was heavenly!

The seemingly endless sea of singers flowed down Main Street like an indomitable torrent – the Orange County Register reported the choir at 600 members strong this year – finally assembling into a spectacular living Christmas tree at the Main Street train depot for the telling of the biblical Christmas story in song with the help of a celebrity narrator.

This year’s celebrity scripture reader was Gary Sinise (CSI:NY, Forrest Gump, Apollo 13). Here is a video of the event, and one guest’s account of the evening, with more pictures.

According to LaughingPlace.com: “The first Candlelight Procession was held in 1955. It was actually a Choir Festival with individual choirs performing under a gazebo near the Jungle Cruise. For the next few years the ceremony consisted of participating choirs who performed around the hub facing the choir director. In 1960, Candlelight grew to 800 singers who followed the Christmas parades. Finally, in 1961 a narrator was added to the Ceremony. Past Disneyland narrators include Cary Grant, Gregory Peck, John Wayne, James Earl Jones, Mary Hart and, last year, Edward James Olmos.”

For the Thinking Christian Woman, on her quest to discover authentic links between Disney and the life of faith, this was a night of high praise with no need to translate or interpret – God’s message, sounded clear and true, transformed Disneyland, for me for that night, into the Most Worshipful Place on Earth.

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Century faith sentry

spiritual heritage, spiritual journey 1 Response »

Nov 212011

Yesterday, my church celebrated its 100th anniversary.

A hundred years ago, in 1911, Ronald Reagan and Roy Rogers were born, Madame Curie won the Nobel prize for chemistry, the first photograph was taken from an airplane (in San Diego), Titanic launched, Ray Harroun won the first Indy 500, Crisco shortening was introduced, and an audience threw vegetables at actors for the first time in recorded US history.

And here’s an interesting webpage – a woman, springing from entries in her grandmother’s journal, talks about what was going on 100 years ago today.

Well back to our church centennial service, I was anticipating a large dose of nostalgia, but instead was inspired by a resounding message of purpose for right now, and the future.

We aren’t the oldest congregation in San Diego – that distinction goes to the Roman Catholic Mission San Diego de Alcala, founded in 1769. Many local protestant congregations predate ours also, like the First Presbyterian Church downtown, founded in 1869.

And we certainly aren’t the biggest church. I jokingly tell people its the kind of church you might find as a prize in a cereal box. To me, sometimes it feels like a little country church in some small farming community. As our pastor said at the celebration, “This church never became big, but the hearts of its people have grown large.”

But in our little community niche of North Park, we currently are the singular century church. In the book, North Park: A San Diego Urban Village, we are listed first in the chapter on Pioneer Schools & Churches.

From humble beginnings in a tent on a dirt lot (you can get away with that sort of thing in San Diego’s climate), this congregation has trusted God and banded together to withstand the pressures of depressions, recessions, World Wars and other conflicts, and many other turmoils without and within – only by the grace and faithfulness of God.

We have stood as a beacon of hope in our community, consistently announcing for well over 5,000 Sundays, and other days in between, that

Jesus the Christ is coming again,

and through Him, it is possible to live life at a higher level!

History and context are important; they should be studied, understood and remembered. And yet, what a thrill for the Thinking Christian Woman to contemplate that God trusts her to represent Him in her moment in history. With Esther, we can confidently and faithfully ponder how God is using us in our spheres of influence, “for such a time as this.” (Esther 4:14)

God has promised in 1 Corinthians 2:9, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

Hallelujah! Press on!

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The little brown church in Disneyland

Taking Disney Captive to Christ 2 Responses »

Nov 052011

Taking Disney Captive to Christ – No. 2

Previously, the Thinking Christian Woman focused on why there is no church on Disneyland’s Main Street U.S.A. In this post, we reveal where you can find an actual church building in Disneyland.

But first, a backstage look at the-church-that-might-have-been. According to the snopes.com forum, “Here is some Haunted Mansion trivia that came in my Disney catalog: an early Disneyland park concept featured a church on Main Street USA surrounded by a graveyard leading up to a haunted house.” Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion eventually found a home in New Orlean’s Square, without the church.

And now, here’s the story of the-church-that-actually-is

According to the Disney resort webpage, Walt was so captivated by the colorful river barges of Europe, that he designed an attraction called Canal Boats of the World. On Opening Day, so much of the landscaping was not yet in place, it was nicknamed, “The Mud Bank Ride.”

Two months later, Canal Boats closed while Storybook Land was constructed and the muddy banks were landscaped with miniature plants, including a bonsai tree planted by Walt Disney himself that remains to this day. The revisioned attraction re-opened on June 16, 1956.

Back in July of 1951 Walt Disney Productions had released its 13th animated feature, Alice in Wonderland – the story of a little girl who gets lost in a nonsensical world. Though a box office flop, Alice influenced Fantasyland more than any other, maybe because Uncle Walt had a soft spot for her from as far back as the 1920’s when he produced a series of shorts featuring a live-action Alice interacting with cartoons. The “Alice Comedies” became a cornerstone of Walt’s early career success. It’s no wonder then that Alice has her own dark ride, teacups ride, and her village appears in Storybook Land.

As you float under the first bridge, you immediately see Alice’s cottage on the left along the river, with a church up the hill. Neither of these structures is featured in the movie, however, Alice’s voice can be clearly heard coming from the church, singing “All in the Golden Afternoon”, a selection from the movie.

Though not featured, I believe the church might appear in the movie. Check out this clip of Walt introducing the Alice in Wonderland feature on Christmas Eve 1954, and notice the river, with a clock tower that might be a church in the background – clear influences on Alice’s Village in Storybook Land.

If you have the time and would like to see where Alice’s church appears in the context of the entire ride, start looking around time marker 1:50, on the left, after the homes of the 3 Little Pigs in this home movie.

Attendance tip: The Storybook Land Canal Boats entrance is located along the parade route, so the attraction closes about an hour before any parade. On busy days, the best time to catch this ride is right after the parade passes.

So far, this is the only church we’ve found in Disneyland. If you find one, please let us know!

The churchyard gets special treatment around Christmas with a beautifully lit tree.

Alice dreamed she fell down a dark rabbit hole and found herself lost in a world of nonsense. The Thinking Christian Woman knows that, up above, in the light of the Son – in Jesus the Christ (symbolized by the village church) – God has hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3), and He is eager to reveal His secrets to those who walk uprightly! (Proverb 3:32)

Note: This post title is an homage to the Little Brown Church in the Wildwood in Nashua, Iowa, made famous by the old country song by the same name (link takes you to a vintage Carter Family recording). I have been to this sweet country church with my parents, Dad being a native Iowan, and I think it even looks a tiny little bit like Alice’s church!

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The Thinking Christian First Lady

life purpose, service. loving sacrifice 3 Responses »

Oct 302011

Former First Lady Laura Bush addressed a full house of 2,600 at the Grace College Orthopedic Capital Center in Winona Lake Indiana earlier this month. I was excited to be in the audience.

I was impressed by the causes, such as literacy for all the world’s children, and freedom and education for oppressed woman everywhere, in which Mrs. Bush invests her life. She has a unique position of influence, largely because, as she puts it, “I wanted to marry someone who could make me laugh.”

Mrs. Bush talked humorously about, what she calls, “the afterlife,” in what her husband calls, “the Promised Land.” Her quips about the Bush family were delightful, such as “when you’re married to the President of the United States, you don’t worry about him leaving wet towels on the floor, but now that we’re back in Texas, it’s a different matter!”

I was moved and inspired by her account of President Bush throwing out the ceremonial first pitch of World Series game 3 in Yankee Stadium on October 30, 2001, just a little over a month after 9-11. Knowing danger could come from any direction at any time, she was a worried wife, but so proud of her husband for standing alone and standing strong. At that moment, she realized, “this is not just the job of the president, it is the job of every American who has the urge to take a stand, and to face failure, humiliation, or any mortal danger.”

President and Mrs. Bush visited war wounded in San Diego back in 2005. I waived my support as they left Navy Hospital, then called a local radio station to laud the quality of her character. I wrote her a letter, and received a gracious reply.

Mrs. Bush has proven herself to be strongly moral in many ways, and very likely has a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, but, unlike her husband, seems reticent to speak much of her spiritual life.

This could be traced to the time with she, as a teenage driver, ran a stop sign and collided with a popular fellow student. In her book, Spoken From the Heart, she remembers: “The whole time, I was praying that the person in the other car was alive. In my mind, I was calling ‘Please, God. Please, God. Please, God,’ over and over and over again.”

The other driver died, and she shares candidly in her memoirs about how that affected her.

“I lost my faith that November, lost it for many, many years,” she says. “It was the first time that I had prayed to God for something, begged him for something, not the simple childhood wishing on a star but humbly begging for another human life. And it was as if no one heard.”

It is the sign of an honest seeking heart to acknowledge the times when our mysterious God seems out of reach. Of course, genuine faith is not affected by what we can see, or by what happens to us.

We walk by faith, not by sight

(2 Corinthians 5:7)

I can’t imagine what that must have been like for her, nor my response had I been in her position, but I’m sad that the enemy of our souls used those tragic circumstances to deceive her into hardening her heart and walking away from faith for many years.

Perhaps that is part of the reason why the former first lady continues to holds her own opinion, contrary to God’s word, about such things as abortion and homosexual marriage.

Even so, I have found Laura Bush to exemplify several attributes commendable for every Thinking Christian Woman – humility, grace, poise, humor, intelligence and compassion. I pray that God will continue to bless her and woo her, and each of us, into a more and more deeply satisfying relationship with His heart that has only perfect love for us all!

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I see you!

answers to prayer, family, God's love 7 Responses »

Oct 242011

There’s a standing joke about the patient in a drafty hospital gown struggling in vain to keep the back flaps closed and thinking, “Now I know why they call it – ICU!”

Last week, after visiting my hardy and relatively healthy Mom for several days with the specific purpose of helping her and local family proactively prepare for the time, down the road, when she might need in-home caregiver and skilled help, we were all somewhat surprised by a health event that sent her to the Intensive Care Unit.

When I first got to town, before Mom’s ICU trip, the daily reading included Proverb 6:20, which encourages us, “…do not forsake the law of your mother…” so I asked Mom if there were any “laws” that she particularly wanted me to follow in life. She thought a while, then revisited a teaching she had consistently shared since my early childhood – God sees everything you do (Proverb 5:21 and 15:3).

That reminded me of a story in Genesis about a runaway pregnant slave girl who encountered the Angel of the Lord by a spring in the wilderness. He told her to return to her harsh mistress, and promised to multiply her descendants. In response, she called Him El Roi “The-God-Who-Sees.” (Genesis 16:13)

When Mom’s husband of 67 years died in 2006, she stood alone in her big, empty house and asked God, “Who am I now?” In that moment, El Roi answered her heart,

“You are My child, and I will walk with you.”

Mom’s hospital stay was painful for her and stressful for us, but so many blessings emerged that it soon became abundantly apparent that God’s watchful presence hovered over all. Here are just a few examples:

Strong spirit of love and cooperation between family members as the Body of Christ. Good opportunities to improve communication and understanding.

Multiple opportunities for family members to express honor and love in ways that Mom can feel.

The hospital’s Director of Imaging bought my lunch! (a story unto itself).

Bumped into a high school friend who just happened to be the hospital’s Director of Engineering and Security. He personally made sure that the annoying intermittent loud whooshing sound in Mom’s room vent, that had steadily been getting worse (we had nicknamed it “The Whale”), stopped that same day.

Mom gave us all a priceless example to follow when she mustered the poise and courage to allow a procedure she greatly feared, but that brought instant relief and vastly hastened her recovery.

Mom came home from the hospital just 15 minutes before I had to leave for the airport and I had the joy of seeing her comfortable in her recliner again.

No one wants to be in the ICU, or to see a loved one there, but for the Thinking Christian Woman, the acronym “ICU’ can be transformed into a confident reminder that El Roi, The-God-Who-Sees, constantly affirms – “I see you!”

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Bitten by the postal carrier’s dog

A Lawyerly Look at the Good Book, law 5 Responses »

Oct 012011

Note: Back in June, the Thinking Christian Woman introduced A Lawyerly Look at the Good Book to help demystify rights and responsibilities under the law by discovering common legal principles in the pages of the Great Lawgiver’s book – the Bible.

A Lawyerly Look at the Good Book – No. 1

According to California Funny Laws, in Belvedere, CA, “No dog shall be in a public place without its master on a leash.”

Two weeks ago I was walking my boxer dog around 8:30 pm when I heard barking, followed by a woman shouting, “Oh no, here we go again!” The next moment, I saw a black and white dog closing on us fast from across the street – and it’s master was definitely not on a leash!

I quickly pulled my dog close and heeled around, but it was too late. Though very dark out, I could see the attacker – teeth barred – snarling and nipping. We were in the middle of a dog owner’s nightmare. Soon a woman came running from across the street and pulled the dog away.

After the dust settled, we slowly limped home where I discovered several bites on the poor little guy’s hind legs. I cleaned the wounds and consoled him a bit, then drove back to the house where the loose dog came from and talked with the dog sitter on the porch, who turned out to be, ironically – a postal carrier!

This fact scenario appears to be a classic example of the legal doctrine of negligence per se – which holds that, if there is a law spelling out a duty, and I fail to fulfill that duty, and if my failure results in harm to another of the type envisioned by the law, then I am legally responsible for making the harmed person whole. There is no need to prove negligence in such a situation, it is implied.

In my case, our city has a law requiring all dogs on public property to be restrained by a hand-held leash. I was lawfully walking my leashed dog on a public sidewalk when he was bitten by an unleashed dog. Under negligence per se, and absent any defenses, the dog sitter and owner are liable for the damages.

Most municipalities have similar leash laws, but did you know that there are even animal control laws in the bible? Check out Exodus 21:28-37, for example, where an ox owner is held liable if his animal hurts another.

Even without a leash law, most adults have a sense that it’s generally a good idea to restrain dogs in some way, not only for the protection of others, but also for the dog’s safety. The dog that attacked us came charging across a city street and could easily have been hit by a passing vehicle. James 4:17 tells us that, “…to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

My dog has recovered fairly well after about a week and a half of convalescing, even though he is 11 and has advanced heart disease. He still asks to go out on walks, which I think is amazingly brave. I sent the vet bill to the registered owner and the dog-sitter. We shall see.

Praise God that He’s not surprised by anything that occurs in our daily lives. In some cases, His Word speaks directly to our specific situation. In all cases, His Word gives wise guidance to help us prevent, or if need be, face, life’s challenges.

For the Thinking Christian Woman, it’s a wonderful consolation to know she can look to God for sound advice and comfort no matter what comes snarling out of the dark.

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Free as a bird – a dream come true

Uncategorized 3 Responses »

Sep 222011

Mourning doves frequent this yard, often scratching for fallen seed in the soft ground under the bird feeder. They grace the days with their gentle, drawn-out calls.

Working at the desk recently, just steps from the bird feeder, with office door open and heard a strange flapping sound. Twice thought the neighbors were working on something. The third time, stepped out to investigate.

Two doves immediately took flight, their wings whistling, leaving their stricken comrade, seemingly trapped.

Got a towel, gently covered its head and wings for calm control, then discovered one foot twisted up in frayed landscape fabric.

With scissors and knife, I unraveled the fabric and liberated the foot, while my fine feathered friend remained calm and trusting in my thin towel grasp.

Once all traces of bondage were removed, I released the patient, who quickly flew to a nearby wire, then out of sight.

“This day in history” – sometimes I like to read the current date’s journal entry from previous years. Last year around this time I had a dream in which a peregrine falcon got his foot caught in something and was frantically trying to fly away. I knew helping him barehanded could be dangerous, so I got a towel, gloves and goggles and determined to speak gently to him, cover him with the towel (something my nature-savvy brother Max taught me), and free the foot.

Lord – first You had me dream it, then You had me actually do it – What does this mean? I’m listening!

I know that sometimes, even when we’re just going along minding our own business, we can get so tangled up in things that we need someone to help us unravel the mess and regain our freedom (a la Lazarus and the grave clothes).

Do you have any thoughts or insights you’d be willing to share about what the love messages from the Lord might be in this dream and experience? I’d appreciate hearing!

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Sequence Failed Continuity

Gospel 2 Responses »

Sep 112011

Here on the 10th anniversary of the sinister and brutal attacks that took the lives of 2,977 victims (including citizens of more than 70 countries) in New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia, we are immersed in words, images and memories from that horrific day.

Are you hungry for a positive twist during this time of remembrance? Do you long to make each day count for eternity? Do you have 15 minutes to be moved and inspired?

Click the link for a video of pilot Steve Scheibner who was to be first officer on American Airlines Flight 11 (first to crash into the WTC) but who was bumped from that fateful flight by a more senior pilot.

In My Seat

I’d love to hear your thoughts after you view Steve’s story and testimony.

Let’s hold each day dear, hold our loved ones close, and hold tightly to the hand of the One who has everything well in hand.

God bless you and your loved ones. And yes, even in view of our many faults, but in recognition of the faith of our godly founders and the many godly patriots today, and for His own glory, may God continue to bless America.

“The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.”

2 Chronicles 16:9

btw – “Sequence Failed Continuity” is airline code for a flight that does not reach its destination, in case you choose not to watch the video.

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God so loved the world

family, God's love, Gospel, life purpose 5 Responses »

Sep 052011

My parents had a vision and a passion for sharing the Good News about Jesus the Christ with the whole world. They started out wanting to be missionaries, and ended up equipping foreign and national missionaries on a far broader scope than ever could have been realized serving in one mission post.

My father traveled to over 120 countries (there are currently about 196 countries in the world) researching and filming evangelistic audio visuals for Ken Anderson Films and International Films. My mother and various siblings sometimes accompanied and assisted him.

I remember seeing my father lay his hands on a globe of the world and pray for everyone at one time, trusting that God knew individual needs. Visitors from around the world were frequent guests in our home. We were raised to be world Christians.

During college, rather than accept Walt Disney World’s offer of a dream summer job, I toured Mexico, Central and South America with Sports Evangelism’s women’s basketball team. While our opponents rested during half-time, we presented God’s love through music, talent and testimonies.

My family’s vision continues today in the form of InterComm, a non-profit ministry that works with national Christians around the world to translate existing Ken Anderson Films audio-visuals into their heart language.

I have traveled to 17 countries and seen first-hand some of the ways God’s Spirit is fulfilling a worldwide mandate. This website is one expression of my desire for people around the world to experience, and share about, God’s love.

So far, the Thinking Christian Woman has received visitors from Australia, Brazil, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, India, Jamaica, Latvia, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the United States.

If your country isn’t listed, please leave a comment and let us know where you’re visiting from.

And if English is not your heart language, you might enjoy checking out the newly-added “Translate this Page” feature in the right column of the blog.

Thank you for visiting. God bless you! If you enjoy what is offered here, please tell your friends about the Thinking Christian Woman. Thank you!

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