God's Not Dead!

As I looked toward the prison yard, it was unusually quiet and surreal on this hot and humid day. The only folks in the yard were our group of some thirty volunteers lined up in single file. Five people through the sally port at a time. Then the large iron door would clang shut loudly after each group of five. Led by the guard, we'd walk single file until we came to another iron door. There, we would stop and wait for the rest of the group.  

There's something about entering a prison that makes me a bit melancholy. It's just a sobering experience. I silently wondered what it must be like to live day in and day out in this place. I can't imagine how awful. As I stood there waiting in line, I was taken back by the dead silence. Then, all at once, in the midst of this dark, dreary afternoon, I head this song blast out of the gym across the yard…..

Let love explode and bring the dead to life… a love so bold to seek a revolution somehow.

Now I'm lost in Your freedom in this world I'll overcome. My God's not dead, he's surely alive! He's living on the inside, roaring like a lion….Roaring, he's roaring like a lion.

Let hope arise and make the darkness hide….My faith is dead, I need resurrection somehow now I'm lost in Your freedom….In this world I'll overcome!!!....

All at once, my sadness turned to happy tears. As I looked out over this dark and dreary prison, I was quickly reminded that not everything going on here is dismal. As we entered the gym, there was the inmate's band leading a group of fellow inmates singing "God's Not Dead" by Newsboys. The afternoon only got better as we enjoyed one story after another of all God did in the lives of these inmates over the weekend. Many experienced a new found relationship with God. Forgiveness. Agape love. Hope. Freedom. Joy. A new life, even if in prison.

So, when was the last time you thought you had a very bad, hard day? When things didn't go your way? Disappointed about a situation at work? When you felt like you were in your own personal prison? Hearing "God's Not Dead" boom out of the gym on that gloomy, dreary day, reminded me that joy IS possible, even in the most difficult of circumstances. I can choose joy. I can choose to worship God when things aren't perfect in my life. I can rise above the storms of life with God at my side. I can even be grateful for stinky circumstances, because sometimes those stinky circumstances are used to change my life…for the better.

"The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you but will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17

"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior." Habakkuk 3:17-18

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

When My World Becomes Shaky

Nothing like being on a horse to remind you of an important lesson in life. A few weeks ago, I was having a lesson with my trainer at the barn. Diego appeared to have an itch and just like we humans, he wanted to stop and itch his leg. Well, after a while, my trainer and I didn’t have much empathy for his constant “stop and itch” scenarios. So, I became a bit more persistent with my spurs. Diego then decided to provide a series of mini-bucks in a full canter as if to say “STOP, I have an itch!”

That riding lesson landed me a few visits at the local chiropractor. As much as I love riding, being on a horse isn’t always the most solid, secure place to be in life. I’ve ridden most of my life and have taken my share of bucks, rears and falls off horses.  I am very aware of the dangers that are involved in getting on a horse.

I've been thinking about security lately. What makes a person feel truly secure? What makes a person feel insecure?  Have you listened to the news lately? Shootings. ISIS. Murder-Suicides. Accidents on our streets. Deaths. Nothing feels real secure. Take work life and home life.  Insecurity can lurk behind a performance issue at work or family stressor at home. We find our own insecurities bursting forth at the most inopportune times, almost feeling like we’re walking on shaky ground. Perhaps we carry some unresolved, unhealed parts of our life script and when we get broadsided in those tender areas, it can leave us feeling pretty insecure.

In Psalm 62:5-8, the Psalmist says “Yes, my soul, find rest in God, my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; e is my fortress. I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to hi, for God is our refuge.”  I love reading God’s Word! It gives me treasures just like this verse to contemplate. In God, I can find rest and hope. He is my rock, my salvation and my fortress. He is the one I trust. He is my refuge.  I need that reminder when my world becomes shaky. I need that reminder when I look to people for approval instead of God. I need that reminder when I’m honest about the frayed parts of my life. I need that reminder when I’m stressed out and don’t have the hours in the day to do what I need to do. Don’t you?

As you start this week, take time to meditate on Psalm 62:5-8. Write it on a card and place it in a prominent place on your desk. Mediating on Scripture reminds us where to keep our focus. Security is found truly in God. Not people. Not in a hefty bank account. Not success. Not in our productivity. Not in our titles. Not affirmations. Not likes on facebook. Not in accolades. Not in winning the lottery. Not in riding a horse. Security is found in God.

This week, my natural insecurities will bubble up to the surface in some shape or form. I hate that, but it’s just reality. How will I handle them when they come? Cover up and go on? Or invite God to be my rock, my true security? I know my answer. How about you?

God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” Psalm 91:1-2

He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is your keeper. The LORD is your shade on your right hand. Psalm 121: 3-5

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

The Messiness of Change

Messiness and change often go together. Transitions are not always easy. Our comfort zones are messed with. Things aren't the same anymore. Whether it's transitioning in a job or moving from one state to another or dealing with a new illness, change is messy. Just last week, I got a letter in the email inviting me to report for jury duty. OK, how can something so simple, mess with my already planned schedule? My week is now CHANGED! We human beings don't really find ourselves fishing for more change in our lives.   The drama of change is seen all over the place. Changing locations. Changing jobs. Moving from one stage of life to another. Changing a pesky habit. Transforming a bad attitude. Dealing with aging. Parenting. Childbirth. Health issues. Death of a loved one. The list can go on and on. As you face this new day, what changes in your life are you experiencing? Sometimes, naming and acknowledging this season of change is helpful. It's also helpful to be kind to yourself and realize change can be stressful. Give yourself and others grace often in the midst of change.   For me, I've come to realize five things about change. 1. The older I get, the harder change is. 2. The longer I'm stuck, the longer "Stuck" becomes my friend. 3. Fear holds me back from changing. 4. God is my help in times of change. 5. Change is painful, but God will see me through. As I honestly look at the changes with God at my side, things aren't so stressful.   In Malachi 3:6, God says "For I am the Lord, I change not." Wow! In the midst of an ever changing circumstances, I'm so grateful that one thing cannot change- GOD. This also includes that fact that his great love for us will never change as well. I can relax in the arms of a God who is not going to change his mind, go back on his Word, betray or judge me. What peace that brings me!   So, what are the changes that are currently going on in your life? What personal changes do you need to address? What fears keep you from really dealing with your "stuck" issue? What current change has you a bit intimidated? As you start this week, I encourage you to keep God in your close focus. God is our one true constant...if we would but seek Him. Peace be with you as you walk through any change that comes your way. "Keep your life so constantly in touch with God that His surprising power can break through at any point. Live in a constant state of expectancy and leave room for God to come as He decides." Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest   "God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?" Numbers 23:19   Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Easter Has Not Forgotten You!

Easter came at an alarming rate this year. I wasn't quite ready for it. Of course, I love certain traditions like getting the Honey Baked Ham for a family celebration and gathering an Easter basket for my hubby filled with nutritional classy jelly beans and non-caloric Nestle Crunch eggs. I can't help but hit Trader Joes around this time for a beautiful budding purple Hyacinths that knock me over with yummy smells penetrating throughout the house.  When I really have some extra time, I like to blow out the yolk and white of eggs, color them and decorate them with  the art of quilling. That's when I really have time on my hands. Yes, I love Easter, but somehow it snuck up on me.

 

Even if Easter snuck up on me this year, Easter has not forgotten me. It hasn't forgotten you either. I'm so grateful for the death and resurrection of Jesus. To think that Jesus wanted me so much that He would march to the cross and literally take on the cruelest of deaths, so that I might live. He wanted me that much???!!! Wow. I sometimes have to wrap my little mind around that magnificent truth. I also have to believe that truth! You see, as a child, I was unwanted. Living in foster homes was my early existence until I was adopted into a loving home. The idea of someone dying for me? Wow, it's way too much to fathom. But, that's Jesus. He died for me and He died for you. For a cost… a huge cost.

 

As wonderful as yesterday was, I'm back to my routine today. Work projects due. A lawn to mow. Calls to make. Errands to run. Just a few hours away from a glorious Easter celebration and I'm back to this huge to-do list. I bet you are too. Life has its way of moving so fast we can't stop and really appreciate the enormity of what just happened. I do not want to let the joy and celebration of Easter settle into the routine of today.

 

Easter should have a powerful effect on our Monday. Easter should change our Tuesday, our Wednesday, our Thursday, our Friday, our Saturday and our Sunday. Easter should re-orient our thinking and transform the way we live. You and I are wanted and loved by God Himself! Sadly, we can read these words and it can mean very little to us. We can skip over Easter like it's just one more day on the calendar. It's not just about a tasty Honey Baked ham or an Easter egg hunt. Easter, if we truly understand it, should give us a spring in our step like never before!

 

Today can be the beginning of a new awakening in your life. You don't have to live in a spiritual rut. Yes, many of us do, but we don't have to. So many people don't get the messy "Christian" part of Easter, so we avoid it at all costs. It's just easier, right? What if you really believe what the Bible said about Jesus and His life, death and resurrection on this earth? What if you really believed that you are wanted and loved by Jesus Christ? It would radically affect everything about you.

 

This Monday is a new day. The empty tomb is the reminder that we have hope, a spiritual hope. Not in more stuff or success as we know it. But true hope. Hope that will last forever. Because of Easter, nothing should be the same again.

 

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us." 1 John 3:16

 

Read all of Matthew 28 in a Bible. What did you learn about what took place after Easter?

 

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

One Week to Live

What if today you were given the news that you had one week to live? How would you make the most of your week? What would you want to do with your time? Whom would you prefer to spend your waning days with? What would you tell them? How would it feel to watch the time clock ticking down the days, hours, minutes and seconds until your death? What emotions would surface? I know, it sounds a bit morbid to think on these questions, but go ahead and consider it with me.

 

This morning, I was asking myself those same questions. I had been thinking a lot about Passion Week and in particular, how Jesus spent his last week on earth. As I read the Scriptures, it occurred to me that Jesus knew that he had one week to live. During his last week on earth, he wasn't doing extravagant things like hot air ballooning over Jerusalem or having a picnic with friends on the beaches of the Dead Sea. Every day and each moment of Jesus' last week on this earth was purposeful and well planned. It wasn't at all about Him.

 

What is Passion Week all about? It is called Passion Week because in that time, Jesus demonstrated His passion for people by the suffering He went through on our behalf. Let me give you just a taste of Jesus' busy week. Holy Week began with Jesus' Triumphant entry into Jerusalem. (Matthew 21: 1-11) On Monday, he wept over Jerusalem and cleansed the temple for the second time in his ministry. On Tuesday, many religious leaders had one goal: to get rid of Jesus. Wednesday was seen as the silent day, as Jesus prepared for what awaited him, while Judas conspired to betray him. Thursday was Jesus' last meal with His disciples prior to his arrest and crucifixion. He gave his followers symbols of remembrance of His body and his blood sacrifice and prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. (Luke 22:19, Luke 22:54-23:25) He also shared with the disciples a principle to live by, that the greatest are those that serve others, not expecting to be served. (Luke 22:26) On Friday, Jesus was crucified on Golgatha. (Luke 23:46) On Saturday, we remember the time Jesus spent in the tomb. (Matthew 27:66) The Resurrection of Jesus (Sunday) ends Passion Week with Jesus Christ rising from the dead. (Matthew 28:1-10) We celebrate Easter!

 

How easy it is to start this week like we start any other week. Our priority can easily become our personal to do lists, March madness, and preparations for Easter dinner. Passion Week was so purposeful because Jesus lived a purposeful life. He lived His life for His Father alone and consulted Him about everything. Jesus, Son of God, needed God! Do we? 

 

Take time this week to reflect on the great events of Passion Week. Read through the passages of scripture given. Allow the verses to wash over you and renew your spirit. Take in the greatness of our God and His great love for all peoples by His wonderful plan. Consider how your life should change as a result of comprehending Passion Week. This week is set apart as a special time to anticipate the great celebration of Easter. As we prepare during the week and really allow ourselves to feel the weight of Christ's walk to the cross, it makes Easter all the more special. Happy Easter!

 

"A man who was completely innocent offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act." Mahatma Ghandi

 

"For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God." 1 Peter 1:18-19

 

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Lessons from Zootopia

Last Saturday, my husband and I made an impromptu decision to head to the movie theatre to see the new release of Zootopia. We happily enjoyed our afternoon with a packed out house of kiddos with their parents in tow.

 

The story? Judy Hopps is a bunny who grows up on a carrot farm with uptight parents. Judy, who embodies kindness and compassion, springs into action when a bully turns aggressive in the local school yard. Judy then decides to leave the city to become a cop. Judy graduates from cop school and is ready to prove herself. Discouraged by her first assignment, giving parking tickets, she works hard to climb the ladder. Her big break comes when she is assigned the case of some missing mammals in Zootopia. She teams up with Nick Wilde, a fox, and is given only 48 hours to solve the case.

Favorite scene hands down….Officer Hopps and Nick enter the DMV, only to find all the employees are sloths. Picture the bunny and fox leaning over the counter trying to give information QUICKLY to Flash, the sloth. Everyone in the DMV is in SLOW MOTION. Crazy Nick, the fox, only makes things worse by telling the sloth a joke. Flash proceeds to tell his workmate the joke…. in slow motion, of course. All the while, Officer Hopps is going CRAZY!

 

I can be just like Officer Hopps. I like to do everything fast. Get it done. Whether it's getting ready in the morning or doing errands, I like to GET IT DONE. And when I have to slow down or wait? Not always easy. Dallas Willard writes "Hurry is an attitude. It's not necessarily the same thing as speed- it's trusting in your speed. It comes from pride and trying to do too much. Good things do not come from being in a hurry! We need to ruthlessly eliminate hurry!" Wow. Great words. Ruthlessly eliminate hurry. Easier said than done.

How about you? When do you find hurry taking over in your life? A very quick deadline like Officer Hopps? Late for an appointment and rushing to get there? Trying to do too much in a short amount of time? Often, when we're this busy, our true colors come out. Impatience. Anger. Pride. Control. Rage. We don't leave a great impression. James Spiegel writes "to be patient is to endure discomfort without complaint." I want to be more like that.

Why is patience so difficult for you and I? Perhaps our pride gets in the way too often. This virtue of patience is something to aspire to. I hope someday that I could go into the make-believe DMV employed by sloths and just be content with their slow pace. Even laugh a bit. That would be growth for me.

How do you grow in patience? Ask God for help in becoming a more patient person. As you are given opportunities to practice patience, train to become more patient in the moment. Stop the need for speed. Take a few deep breaths. Be thankful for the moment. Just relax. My husband helps in this area! Now that we've seen the movie, he often stops and asks me a question in super slow motion…."Nancy……What….. Do…... You….. Call….. A…...Three.....Humped…..Camel?"

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." Galations 5:22-23

"The times we find ourselves having to wait on others may be the perfect opportunities to train ourselves to wait on the Lord." Joni Eareckson Tada

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

Be Like Belinda!

A few weeks ago, I had the enviable task of stopping by LabCorp to get some blood work drawn. I made sure to get there first thing in the morning only to find the office packed with all those fasting from food. I bet they wanted to eat their Wheaties sooner rather than later! Great. I didn't plan for the fasters; just wanted to get blood drawn and high tail it out of there. Not sure how long I waited, but I was definitely feeling impatient and irritated at the host of people ahead of me.

 

Finally! I was ecstatic to hear my name called and "get" to go back to the "chair". I was greeted by Belinda, who was so kind, gentle and personable. Even her conversation with me was upbeat. I quickly forgot about my inconvenience and the prick into my hard-to-find vein and sincerely enjoyed my conversation with Belinda. As I walked out of LabCorp that day, it occurred to me how that one brief encounter with someone bright and cheerful actually changed the course of my day. As I drove off, I felt like God was challenging me to be more like Belinda.

 

A few days ago, I "got" to return to LabCorp to get some more blood work drawn. Belinda was at the desk and remembered me. I decided to share with her how she had made a difference in my day on my first visit. I told her I was so ticked off that morning having to wait, but once I got to the "chair" and in her presence, things got better. I told her…"Belinda, you probably had no clue what an impact you had on me that day. I want to tell you how your upbeat spirit really helped break through my negative attitude." She was blown away. She said "No one has ever told me something like that before…."

 

My experience at LabCorp challenged me to be different. I learned through Belinda that you can affect someone positively in a very short amount of time. If I have five or ten minutes with someone, how can I make a difference in their day? Will I look for ways to encourage or just talk ad nauseam about myself? Can those precious moments with someone I may never see again have lasting effects in their life? How often do we turn a blind eye to the very people God puts in our midst because we're way too busy? Do we honor those around us with the love that Christ would have for all people? Finally, how often do we tell others what a difference they made in our day? People long to be encouraged and valued for who they are and what they do.

Ask God today to make every encounter with every person matter. Become a student of loving people well. Engage with others, listen and look for ways to encourage people. Get outside yourself and prefer others ahead of yourself. Choose to honor others different than you, rather than pick apart their beliefs and ways. Go ahead and make a difference in someone's life today. Be like Belinda.

 

"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." Romans 12:10

 

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.