The Thinking Christian Woman – Page 4 – Where faith and real life come to a meeting of the minds

The Thinking Christian First Lady

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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What color was the Lone Ranger’s mask?

discernment 5 Responses »

Aug 312011

Here’s a blast from the past:

What color was the Lone Ranger’s mask?

Think you know? Read on for the answer. You might be surprised – I was!

The Lone Ranger began on radio in 1933, then aired on tv from 1949 to 1957, spawning several icons of Americana like silver bullets, “Hi-yo Silver! Away!” and the phrase of admiration and wonder, “Who was that masked man anyway?”

As the story goes, six Texas Rangers were ambushed. All died but one, who made a black mask from the vest of his slain brother, and became – the Lone Ranger. From then on he used only bullets made of silver to remind himself that life, like silver, is precious, not to be wasted or thrown away. But was his mask really black?

During a stay at the storied Beverly Hilton this past weekend, I discovered a Hollywood memorabilia display with cavalry uniforms from “How the West was Won,” a camel sculpture owned by Judy Garland from “A Star is Born,” and a mask worn by John Hart when he briefly replaced Clayton Moore for the Lone Ranger’s third season.

My jaw dropped when I saw that the Lone Ranger’s mask was purple! It only looked black because seasons 1-4 were filmed in black and white. In the final season, filmed in color, the mysterious lawman wore an actual black mask.

Of course, the real color of the Lone Ranger’s mask doesn’t matter, except as vintage tv trivia. The story told us it was black, it looked black, and therefore, it was black!

On reflection though, as a Thinking Christian Woman, I praise God that we are not limited by what we are told or can perceive with our senses.

We are not held hostage by the limited perspective of our own understanding (Proverb 3:5-6).
Because of our relationship with God through His Son Jesus, we can know the truth and the truth sets us free (John 8:32)!
And if God’s Son has set us free, we are free indeed (John 8:36)!
We are seated with Christ in the heavenly realms (hey, I can see my house from here!) (Ephesians 2:16) and have access to a perspective that is as high above our human perspective as the heavens are higher than the earth (Isaiah 55:9).

In your life today, something may look one way, because of limited human perspective, but in reality, it might be totally different! When it comes to knowing the truth about life, none of us has to be a lone ranger – Hallelujah! For the Thinking Christian Woman, the fun is in staying open to God’s sometimes surprising perspective on things we may think we know for sure.

btw – For those of you who are really into the Lone Ranger, here’s the creed he and Tonto aspired to live by:

I believe…

that to have a friend, a man must be one.

that all men are created equal and that everyone has within himself the power to make this a better world.

that God put the firewood there, but that every man must gather and light it himself.

in being prepared physically, mentally, and morally to fight when necessary for that which is right.

that a man should make the most of what equipment he has.

that ‘this government of the people, by the people, and for the people’ shall live always.

that men should live by the rule of what is best for the greatest number.

that sooner or later…somewhere…somehow…we must settle with the world and make payment for what we have taken.

that all things change but truth, and that truth alone, lives on forever.

in my Creator, my country, my fellow man.

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Convicting blessings – a webfession

Uncategorized 4 Responses »

Aug 262011

I did something the other day I’m not proud of – the night before trash day, I left a big item in my alley that had some value, but was no longer wanted. This is common practice (people regularly cruise the alleys looking for things – it’s like an anonymous flea market/swap meet), so that was fine, but the bad part was that I left it by a neighbor’s fence rather than my own.

That property is a rental, and the alley there is almost always trashy with loose dead weeds, water bottle caps, cigarette butts, cardboard, etc. Last year I took a “before” picture, cleaned it up, took an “after” picture, looked up the owner’s name/address, and sent a nice (at least I thought it was nice) letter. Nothing changed.

As a Thinking Christian Woman, I knew that purposeful littering was an offense against my neighbor, who, according to Proverb 3:29, lives trustfully near me, but I excused my actions because I’m so tired of seeing the mess and thought it might spur them to clean up (thinking they might notice something as big as two plastic dog kennels!)

I was uneasy – hoping someone would want the kennels, or trash collection would take them, or the neighbors would get the point (perhaps give them to their neighbor who works with animal rescue) – anything to absolve my “crime.”

I didn’t deserve God’s blessing – we never do – and I had misused the trusting nature of alley culture.

What happened next struck me as a rebuke of life (Proverb 15:31). In “The Rebukes of Life: God’s Safety Net,” Rodger Williams observes, “Instruction prepares us to act with discernment and is the least painful way to learn how to act wisely. In cases where we have missed instruction, God graciously supplies the safety net of rebuke, lest we fall through to the most painful way of learning our lesson.”

After some errands on trash day morning, I drove down the alley to see if the kennels were still there. Not only were they gone, but another nearby neighbor had set out something I have long wanted but never prioritized to invest in – a slatted wood gardening table!

God had somehow arranged not only to remove the evidence of my trespass, but also to provide an unexpected object of my heart’s desire, all in the same fine morning. I was immediately convicted.

Conviction is the voice of God saying something in my heart like, “I am showing you a better way because I love you so much, turn and walk in it.” Guilt, from what people have told me, sounds more like, “What’s the matter with you?! You should have done (or not done) this or that! You’re a bad person!” My sister Naoma explains that conviction from our heavenly Father can stop us in our tracks and point us in a better direction, while guilt (condemnation) from the Enemy discourages us, makes us feel unworthy, gnaws away at us and can ruin our happiness and peace.

There is therefore now no condemnation

to those who are in Christ Jesus…

(Romans 8:1)

I certainly don’t expect God to always protect me from the consequences of my foolish actions and give me a gift, but every time I use that lovely gardening table, I will have a present reminder of God’s forgiveness, cleansing absolution, and convicting blessings. And maybe one way I can say thank You is to make that untidy stretch of alley my love project and keep it looking nice!

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Where’s the church on Main Street, U.S.A.?

Taking Disney Captive to Christ 14 Responses »

Aug 222011

Taking Disney Captive to Christ – No. 1

Note: We introduced the Taking Disney Captive to Christ series back in June to help transform and elevate Disney “magic” through the higher thoughts and values of God’s wisdom.

According to the official website, “M ain Street, U.S.A. is the gateway to Disneyland Park. Stroll down the street where turn-of-the-century architecture and transportation recreate the quintessential small town of Middle America in the early 1900’s. Welcome to Main Street, U.S.A. – home, sweet home in the park!”

If quintessential means “representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class” (Merriam-Webster), and if the average Midwestern downtown has at least one church, and if Main Street, U.S.A. was inspired by Walt’s hometown of Marceline, Missouri where there were two churches on Main Street when Walt lived there, then the Thinking Christian Woman just has to ask,

“Where’s the church on Main Street, U.S.A.?”

Walt Disney grew up in church. His father, Elias Disney – a deacon in the St. Paul Congregational Church in Chicago – named his fourth, and youngest, son after the family minister, Walter Parr.

There is evidence to conclude that Walt never intended to exclude God from Disneyland. In a live broadcast seen around the world on opening day in 1955, Walt asked his nephew, Reverend Glenn D. Puder, to lead in a prayer of dedication.

“I have known Walt Disney for many years, and have long been aware of the spiritual motivation in the heart of this man who has dreamed Disneyland into being….beyond the creeds that would divide us, let us unite in a silent prayer, that this, and every worthy endeavor, may prosper at God’s hand. Let us bow in prayer.”

Then-governor of California, Goodwin J. Knight, followed and said, in part, “Mr. and Mrs. Disney, reverend clergy, and my fellow Americans. Today is a wonderful day and all America is proud as we open Disneyland….all built by American labor and American capital under the belief that this is a God-fearing and a God-loving country.”

It is possible that Walt wanted to be as inclusive as possible by generally avoiding the emblems and trappings of organized religion in the park. And, to be fair, there’s no school, library or post office on Main Street U.S.A. either, but that doesn’t mean Walt was against learning, reading and letter writing!

Walt’s daughter, Sharon Disney Lund, once said, “He was a very religious man, but he didn’t believe you had to go to church to be religious….He respected every religion.” Diane Disney Miller added, “He definitely believed in God – very definitely. But I think he’d had it [with organized religion] as a child. He never went to church.”

For such a fertile creative spirit as Disney, the formal structure of church around the turn of the century may have seemed stifling. The Thinking Christian Woman will look more in depth at the faith of Walt Disney in a future post. For more insights into why some believers have difficulty with organized religion, read Why Men Hate Going to Church by David Murrow.

There may be no church building on Disney’s Main Street, U.S.A., but the Thinking Christian Woman knows that the church of the living God is not a building made with human hands – WE are His church. Every time a believer walks down Main Street, U.S.A., or anywhere else, God’s church is present there!

And even though there is no church building on Main Street U.S.A, there IS an actual church in Disneyland, and we will show you where! Stay tuned to The Thinking Christian Woman for a future installment of Taking Disney Captive to Christ!

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Woohoo, Elohim!

answers to prayer, praise 2 Responses »

Aug 172011

By guest blogger Élise Finney

My only daughter married last month, and moved into the house across the street (which is good, but a whole ‘nother story of its own).

She and her husband just graduated from college and have been job-hunting. We were praying that her husband would land a job at a nearby big box retail store.

Shortly after his interview, she texted the good news, “He got the job!” I happily replied by typing “Woohoo!” but, before I could send, my smartphone auto-corrected “Woohoo!” to “Elohim!”

Elohim – the Hebrew word for God!

God reminded me that we had been praying to Him, asking Him for favor, and He had answered. It was a sweet visitation and a gentle transformation of my enthusiastic “Woohoo” into direct praise for the “One Who” was responsible.

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